First round of testing down .. A bagillion to go

So last week we got the results from our blood test (nipt)
Results came back all good and in case you missed .. ITS A BOY!!!

Today was the US day the head looks great all round and definitely closed. Brain was clearly seen and all is normal there too. She spent extra time making sure there were 2 kidneys and blood flow was good to both.

So YAY baby is good!!

However.. About and hour after my appt the Dr called me to say she had a chance to actually review my scans and they believe I may have placenta previa (this is where the placenta attached itself under the baby blocking it's exit through the cervix into the birth canal)
Because it's still a little early in my pregnancy it's possible that everything is just still "low" making look like it's in the wrong spot when it's not. We won't know til after Christmas when we have the next U/S.

So what does this mean .. A C-section for sure and extra monitoring to make sure it doesn't become detatched.

For now we will (try) not to worry and be happy about the good news No Encephalocele

And so a new journey begins....

Just when you feel comfortable God throws you a ringer....

At this point I can't remember who knows and who doesn't. Kayla has done very well at keeping our secret but...


WE ARE EXPECTING!!!!!

The variety of emotions flooding our household are over whelming. Surprised, scared, happy,
worried...
As many of you know.  We had genetic testing done and it was determined we (both Chris and I ) are carriers for a genetic marker that causes Joberts Syndrome a very rare condition (which Encephalocele can be a side affect/symptom of)

We have a level 2 ultra sound in 2 weeks that will tell us if we are outbid the woods.
Until then we just ask for everyones prayers

1Qtr down 3 more to go, and let the crazy holiday season begin

So the school season is in full effect. 1st quarter down. If you didnt see my post on FB we got report cards and Kayla is doing beyond fabulous. I am so relieved.

As the holiday season approaches we have decided to do something we wanted to do for Korbin's 1st birthday but just didnt.
We would like to assemble care(memory) boxes to donate to Good Sam's NICU. I have already purchased 10 boxes what we need to do now is stuff them.

Items needed are-
-mold kits for hands or feet
-Flash drives (for pictures the NICU has a camera this makes it easier for families to keep those photos private and take them home)walmart has 2G for $4
-special clothing of some kind...most of the time people do not have months to prepare things like a cute outfit for pictures like we did.
-Blankets
-hats
-disposable cameras
-small stuff animals either for newborn or a sibling
-gift cards to build a bear for the sibling to make a special memory

If you wish to just make a monetary donation to help that is great too!


Hope everyone has a good thanksgiving. I know we have a lot to be thankful for!!

Summers over let the schooling begin..

So all and all we had a REALLY great summer this summer. It was kinda nice me not working and able to spend the time with Kayla. We may have over scheduled her with the summer camps and two vacations.

Summer went WAAAAY to fast.(doesnt it always)

Kayla is a big 1st Grader now. Hopefully she does well with the huge adjustment of all day. After 4yrs of half day I know that's gotta be tough but I think she is well ready for all day :-)

I know I have joked on Facebook and in person about having the new found 7hrs of freedom. People who have young ones still have said "lucky". But I would be lying if I didnt say that first day was REALLY REALLY rough.
It was a harsh cold reminder that I should NOT have had 7hrs of freedom. I should have been ready to pull my hair out b/c my 1yr who probably would have just started walking would be opening every cabinet on the 1st floor pulling everything out, me chasing him ALL day.
I am sure nap times would have been exactly right when I needed to be at the bus stop (or soccer) ..isnt that always how it is nap time.
But instead I sit alone with my coffee dont be envious of me if your toddler is currently tornado-ing through house be thankful and HUG and KISS them every single moment

Its funny how on Kaylas 1st day I was trying to keep busy and that brought me RIGHT by the cemetery gates (running errands for my brother) I had to pull in and stop and sit for just a minute. It was as if he was bringing me there to say its ok mom I love you!

Who knows what this year will bring I have a feeling somethings in the air hopefully its good Lord knows we have had our share of bad.

So here is too a great (school) year!!

Genetics Testing here we come... (forgot to update in July)

So I realized I never made and update this summer that I should have so I will start there.

Late June Chris and I were contacted from Childrens Hospital Genetics team. They had FINALLY after 14M heard back from the Jouberts Syndrome research team at Seattle Childrens Hospital (one of the two genetic syndromes Korbin was suspected to have had)
They wanted to invite us to participate.

What this means...They collected our blood samples and are running tests to see if we both have any genetic markers.. which means if we did that we would be "carriers" making it possible to affect or pass on to other children we may have. What this also means if we are that gives us the knowledge that at some point Kayla needs to be tested so she knows for her future. She has a 50% chance of being a carrier and in genetics that is HUGE. At this time they wouldnt allow us to include her in the blood draw for testing b/c she is 6. But they made a note that we would like to at some point have her tested IF we come back positive on anything.
They told us this could take weeks(its been 5), months or even years to get our results.
So in the meantime..well nothing we carry on as usual

and today was.....

All and All it was a good day for me. I know Chris struggled a bit :(
I did have Kayla with me most the day and most of the time you cant help but laugh or smile at the stuff that comes out of that kids mouth :)


This afternoon Kayla and I went and bought a fresh bouquet to put on his grave and her and I just sat on the bench by his grave. It felt like 15mins we both just sat there quite..and for those of you that know Kayla that was a BIG DEAL!!!
She said mommy I really miss him. I said I know honey but someday soon we will see him again. She said I know mom like when I am a teenager.. I instantly FREAKED and said Kayla how could you say something like that I dont want you to die as a teenager...
she said ... (in her matter of fact voice) Mom I mean when I am a teenager and I can come here to visit all by myself...
Awe my heart sank she meant when she gets to drive she would go visit how sweet

We had family over for Dinner and just hung around. We had a cookie cake Kayla insisted and we sang and Kayla blew out a candle..she also insisted.
Some people might think that is weird. Actually I was one of those people. I had a friend in high school and I remember being at her house once when it was her brothers birthday(who had died) and hey had cake and sang happy birthday to him. I remember thinking how WEIRD that was and wondering if something was mentally wrong with them..I was young and I just DIDNT get it. I do now. To that friend if you are reading and know who you are I am truly, truly sorry for ever having those thoughts.

I didnt cry at all today. It was odd at times I wanted too but I just felt so peaceful. Maybe it was the over pour of support and prayers.
It was amazing and I felt it and used it.
Thank you everyone for the kind words and support it really means a lot.

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY BABY BOY!!!

One year ago at this very moment I was laying in bed having what I swore was labor pains. I remember walking downstairs to tell Chris and he thought I was nuts "you still have 7wks you cant be in labor you are just worrying go get some rest" He said.
By morning the pains where 15mins apart he could tell by my face I wasnt imagining them. As we raced to the hospital I remember being so scared and excited at the same time. I knew today was the day I was going to get to HOLD my baby.

It is truly a day I will NEVER forget almost our whole family was there..and even a few friends.

For those of you that couldn't make the Balloon release sunday I would like to share with you the poem I wrote for Korbin- (thank you to my BFF Julie for reading that i know I couldn't have)

My Angel Baby
To my little angel in the sky
A year ago mommy had to kiss you goodbye
I didn't want to let you go
But you made me a better person I just want you to know
Because of you there is nothing I'm scared to do
even if missing you makes me blue
So my beautiful baby boy
every birthday there will be no toy
no laughs, hugs or kisses
only the warmth of your touch mommy and daddy misses
so patiently we wait til the day we are rejoined

I never got to leave the hospital with you
take you home or on trips to the zoo
see your smile, or hear your cries.
or spend hours looking into your blue eyes
All I have are dreams of you,
those of which, will never come true.
My heart sank the day that I knew,
I would never get to raise you.
I had made plans, and had aspirations,
if only I had a little more patience.
I never thought the Lord would take you
away from me so soon.
But, I'll never forget that dismal day,
The day I knew something was not right,
and through many tears I would have to fight.
Now, all I do is dream every night,
about what life would have been like.
To the lord I had sworn
to carry you all the way home
and all we can do is mourn.
because we know you're where you need to be,
even though it isn't here with me.
You are my angel baby because God wanted you with Him.
Now, forever with his angels, His praises you will sing.
None of my dreams for you will ever come true,
because of that day God chose to take you.
But, my angel baby you will always be,
in my heart forever, forever a part of me.






here are the many pictures people took.(thank you everyone)