Children's museum

We went to the Children's museum on Saturday and Katie had a blast. They have quite a few different areas - pirate ship, an art room, train sets, a science room, a doctor/dentist area, sound stage, and my favorite...a pretend grocery store and restaurant.

Here are a couple videos:

In other news - exactly 1 month from now we will be a family of four (whether she comes naturally or I go for my scheduled c-section). WOW!

The Hole

This is what we do when Katie has been naughty.

Just kidding!

Dance part-ay!

Kiddie update

So much going on...but here is a little recap.

• Finished my last MBA course before maternity leave. I didn't want to risk another 6 week course, since it would be too close to my due date. So, I'm not officially 50% done...8 classes down, 8 more to go.
• Katie is doing great in her big girl bed...no issues at all. If only potty training were this easy (we're still not making any progress there and I don't want to push her). Hopefully Grandma or Mom Mom will have better luck and can train her for me.
• Last appointment at the maternal-fetal medicine specialist didn't go so well. The mass above baby's kidney has grown in size and changed shape, so they are now seeing me every week for testing. They have a pediatric surgeon and pediatric radiologist on call for after the birth, in case anything needs to be done. We'd probably go to Chapel Hill for the surgery, but hopefully it won't come to that. They are going to discuss if I should just deliver in Chapel Hill, but I haven't heard an answer on that yet. It was a sad appointment, but at least hubby was there too and helped me think of questions. I go back on Tuesday and am hoping for better news, although I don't think the mass will shrink at this point. Keep praying!
• I am 90% sure we've picked a name, but don't want to announce it yet because I'm letting it sink in. Stay tuned.
• Katie has been having a great time at the pool and we may be taking her to the beach this weekend. She's already told us she won't go in the water, which is probably good since the hurricane is passing by NC on Saturday and waves/undertow are supposed to be bad. Check out my little pip!

Thoughts and prayers

A lot of people already know this, but I thought I'd share online for those that I don't talk to as often. Last week, a spot was found on baby's right kidney while I was getting a routine ultrasound at my OB's. The next day, I was sent to a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist that confirmed there is a small mass above baby's kidney (below the adrenal gland...as far as we can tell). We have been in a little bit of shock, since we assumed that everything has been and would be perfectly fine with our baby's health...and hopefully it will be, in the end.

The mass is measuring about 1x1.5 cm and all the findings are being passed onto a pediatric surgeon, as well as the hospital so they can be prepared. The silver lining is that all her organs are functioning perfectly (heart, brain, etc) and I have great amniotic fluid (which would not happen if her kidneys were not functioning). We are trying not to worry and will take it day by day after she's born. We are hoping it will go away before she's born (unlikely now that I'm getting close to delivery) or that it will be a benign issue that can be left alone.

Either way, all thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. I will keep everyone posted as I continue to be monitored by the specialist...next appointment is in about 10 days.

As you can see, she's already being a drama queen before she is even born (notice the hand across the forehead...so dramatic!)