18 weeks

Yesterday was a busy "baby" day. We saw 4 daycare centers, and so far we only like 2 of them. One of them was really impressive (they have an extensive curriculum including baby sign language when they're toddlers and Spanish when they're 2-3), but of course they're the most expensive ($1300/month). The other one that we liked was $270/week. They weren't nearly as nice as the other place, but they come *highly* recommended by other local mommies. The down side to them is that their wait list is really long (over a year). We're going to see if we can find others to visit, but so far it may be the really nice place since we liked them so much and their wait list isn't as long.

In the afternoon, we had the 18 week ultrasound and a regular dr appt. The ultrasound was great - Baby Boy Miller (BBM) was moving around a bunch, but the technician was able to get everything he needed to see. We were even able to get a 3D image, but he just looks like any other baby out there. Gary & I think he's talking on the phone. :)





There was a bit of a nervous moment though when the dr came in after the ultrasound technician was done. The dr told us that BBM has a choroid plexus cyst. The choroid plexus makes a fluid that protects and nourishes the brain and spinal cord. When a fluid-filled space is seen in the choroid plexus during an ultrasound, it is called a choroid plexus cyst (CPC). Dr said that it's not really common and can be a marker for Trisomy 18. However, since we already had the CVS and know that his chromosomes are ok, then there's nothing for us to worry about. CPC usually goes away in the 3rd trimester, but even if it doesn't, it supposedly won't affect him, his growth, or his brain functions. I'm going again in 10 weeks for another ultrasound to check the progress of the CPC.

After the ultrasound, we met with another dr to check in and see how everything is going. He went over the ultrasound results again and said that everything looked normal and right on target. BBM did measure bigger than an 18 week fetus, but not by much (19 weeks 2 days). Dr said that it's common and that they would only really be concerned if BBM was measuring more than 10 days bigger. Dr said that it doesn't mean that I'll be giving birth sooner, nor does it mean that BBM will be a big baby when born.

I asked about my weight gain to make sure that I'm on target and not gaining too much (since I was overweight to begin with). I think so far I've only gained about 4 pounds and the dr said that it's great - nothing to worry about. I should only gain about .75 pounds a week between now and labor so that I don't gain too much (which can cause an oversized birth weight). I just need to continue getting exercise 3-4 times a week and I should try to cut down on the sugar (it's just so difficult sometimes though!).

Now seems to be the "boring" phase of the pregnancy except for weight gain. I've been feeling better (for the most part), but the painful gas is still there. I'm not as tired as before, but I do still try to go to bed around 9:30-10 each night so that I can get at least 8 hours of sleep. The next dr appt is in 4 weeks, but that's just a regular check up (weight, blood pressure, etc), and after that is the ultrasound in 10 weeks. Boring stuff. :)