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!)

31 weeks - 2 months to go

I thought it was time for another Baby #2 update, since I know my Dad loves to hear about the baby's size. Baby is...

-18 inches long and will gain another inch in the next week

-around 3.5-4 pounds

-able to hear distinct sounds

-practicing opening and closing her eyes and breathing


I've started to get sore over the past two days and may have to break out the Tylenol soon. I feel like I'm walking around on "tree stumps" (as my mom would say) because my legs feel like swollen blobs. Breathing is starting to get difficult as my lungs lose space, so I can't really take a deep breath like I would like to! Sleeping is not fun and I get up every few hours, usually to go to the bathroom and to attempt to find a position that is somewhat comfortable.


I will leave out some of the less glamorous details but...let the complaining beginning!

Beach bum

Katie is starting to adjust to the hot weather (as we all are) and was very excited for her first beach visit. She's gone before, but wasn't yet walking and didn't really enjoy sitting in the mushy sand. This time, she still wasn't thrilled with the crashing waves, but loved that there were thousands of shells for her to collect.

She is very methodical in everything she does and the shell collection was no different. She picked only certain ones and then had to "put them away" back in the ocean. Once we get things more organized, we'll pack up the beach umbrella and go for a longer visit. Below are some pictures of our little beach bum.

"Here Daddy, you hold this one"

"Hmm..this one is no good...back it goes!"

"That was tiring, carry me home." (Mommy wishes someone would carry her too!)

A couple videos

Haven't had much "alone time" to work on the blog, but I thought I'd share a couple recent videos.

4th of July block party

Enjoying the neighborhood pool (please ignore the other child screaming in the background - it detracts from the video)