Hello from the Gibblet!

Today we had our ultrasound and check-up with the high risk doctor and things are going well! The gibblet is weighing in at 3 lbs 7 oz which is right where he should be at almost 31 weeks. As always, he was being a bit of a stinker and making it difficult for the ultrasound technician to get her pictures, he was moving around like CRAZY!! We didn't mind though. It is always so much fun seeing what he is up to in there. He is still trying to figure out how to suck his thumb (we're pretty sure that he got his thumb in his nose instead of his mouth!) and just like last time he had the hiccups. All of his organs and bones that they measure are right on track and where they should be. His ventricles (which is where the fluid in his brain collects) are a bit bigger at 14 and 15 but again, this is to be expected and not too much of a change from last month. He is still considered to have mild hydrocephalus which we are very thankful for. His feet are still looking straight and moving around (mostly kicking me in the ribs!) Andy and I are both feeling encouraged and upbeat with this appointment, much better than last month's. Please continue to keep us in your prayers we certainly felt them today!

Love,
Leigh and Andy

30 Weeks

So according to our schedule January 29 is 7 short weeks away! Its funny, I've just recently starting thinking about how its going to be having a little guy living with us. Leigh and I have been pretty good "housemates" for a couple years and it will sure throw a wrinkle into the flow of the house. But it'll be great, challenging, but really great! We've continued to furnish his room and if he was home tomorrow, he'd be pretty comfy there. So Thanksgiving came and went really fast and now Christmas approaches. Last time I looked under the tree, it appears the Gibblet has the most gifts :)

So next week Tuesday we have another ultrasound appointment. Not really geeked about it, we almost feel it unnecessary, as we know it'll be hard to hear the news again. But, it's always so cool to see the little guy moving around, waving, kicking. Its a very cool moment we get to share with our son. Please keep us in your prayers as there will be a certain level of anxiety going into the appointment.

Last weekend Leigh had a shower given by Leigh's mom, her sister and my mom. Let's just say the Gibblet scored big time! Clothes, toys, shoes, and several other baby devices that I'm very unclear on how to use and/or operate in a safe manner for a small baby. But Leigh's a great teacher. :)

heres a few pics..enjoy


love andy and Leigh

Surprise Baby Shower!!

Monday, the girls at work surprised me with a baby shower and lunch! It was such a surprise and so much fun! I am so blessed to work with such great people who care about me, the baby and Andy. We also got some pretty great gifts. :)

The past few days I have spent organizing the g-man's room and just getting things ready (I know I'm a bit early, but just can't help myself!) I will have to post more pictures soon.

Tonight, we had the opportunity of meeting with our friends Nate and Emily (the couple who are also pregnant with a boy who has SB). It was so nice to be able to talk with people who truly understand our situation. They have become great friends and God certainly answered our prayers by putting them in our lives.

In Gibblet news: he has been moving, kicking and hiccuping away! All is well there!

We hope that you all have a great Thanksgiving! Love, Andy and Leigh

Ultrasound and visit to the NICU

This morning Leigh and I had an ultrasound to check up on the Gibblet. It had been a month since the last one so we were anxious to see how he was developing. It was great to see the little guy again, this time he had the hiccups for a short time and we could clearly see him sticking his tongue out at us!!! They examined the head to determine if the size of the ventricles had changed. They did slightly get bigger. We were somewhat discouraged by this, but then were reminded that this is normal for a baby with spina bifida. In fact 80-90% of babies born with spina bifida have hydrocephulus and require a shunt to drain the excess fluid around the brain.

Basically we wanted the doctor to come in and say "well kids, looks like everything is ship-shape, no spina bifida today!" :)

As far as growth development he's right in the middle of the charts, which is great! His feet still appear to be straight and theres movement in his legs. The hole in his spine is fairly large. (we knew this already) but it was just hard to hear it again.

We were praying to go into this ultrasound and hear that nothing had changed. Unfortunately it did, but this is out of our hands and we continue to give it to God and pray for peace.

Shortly after the ultrasound, we were able to meet a neonatal doctor and tour the NICU at spectrum hospital. This actually made us feel much better. The doctor, nurses, and staff were so nice and encouraging and it was nice to see where our little guy would be staying after his surgery. It looks as if he will be there for a minimum of 2 weeks, possibly longer. For the first week after his back closure he will need to be on his stomach and we won't be able to hold him. This was, by far, the hardest thing to swallow. Lately we have been having far more good days than bad, however today was one of those hard days. Please continue to keep the three of us in your prayers.

Love,
Andy and Leigh (plus one) :)

26 weeks

Here we are at 26 weeks!

No appointments the last couple of weeks, but we thought we'd post to say we are doing well. We'll keep you updated as things come up.

love

Andy and Leigh :)

When it rains...it POURS!!!

How do I even begin this? Monday afternoon I got a call from Andy while at work saying that our house was broken into and that we had been robbed! WHAT??!?!?!?! Not possible, I thought. I was wrong. At around 3 in the afternoon 2-3 people broke in through our side door and took 2 tvs, 2 computer monitors, both of our cameras (lenses, batteries, memory cards, and everything else that goes along with them). UGH!! Luckily, they left our computer so all of our pictures and other stuff that was on there (i'm not really sure, andy does all of that:)) is safe. Our neighbors saw them taking stuff from the house and got their license plate number and called the police. They've located the car and house, but our stuff is gone. It certainly isn't the best feeling knowing that someone has been in your house, but we just remind ourselves that no one was home and that no one was hurt. Andy's dad is helping us out with a new (safer) door, and we're just in the process of filing all of the insurance stuff. Luckily we had some reciepts for our cameras and the monitors so thats good. I just wanted to update you all on our situation and ask that you add another Gibbs family prayer request to the list. :)

No Gibblet news to report, I have an appointment today, but no ultrasound. Just a quick check-up and the glucose test. He is still kicking, moving and growing away!!

our promised pics...

Well, there you have it...the begining stages of g-man's room. Sorry it took so long to post those!

Now...an update on our appt. Tues. IT WENT GREAT!! No real news to report, he is doing fantastic. He now weighs approx. 1 lb 4 oz. His little feet are still straight and he was moving and kicking all over the place! The ultrasound tech had the 3-D ultrasound on for awhile and we even saw him trying to suck his thumb! I know that being his mom, I'm probably a little biased, but I'm pretty sure that he is the cutest baby ever...by far. :) We can't tell you enough how much it means to us knowing that there are so many of you our there praying for us and our family, your prayers are felt each day and we feel so blessed! Andy wants you all to know that he has started growing out the beard...again. ugh! :)