Pesky kidney

Yesterday the pediatric urologist analyzed the ultrasound photos taken of Sean's kidneys and bladder last week and was not pleased. There is still a lot of fluid in Sean's left kidney. So the doctor ordered more tests to determine what's causing the fluid back-up.

Today we went to the hospital to get an in-depth look at Sean's bladder to see if Sean has reflux, meaning that urine in the bladder goes back up into the kidneys. This test involved Sean getting a teeny tiny catheter inserted to fill up his bladder, and then pictures and movies were taken while he relieved himself to see what his bladder is doing during urination. Sean was such a brave boy! He only cried when the doctor held his legs still - the boy likes to wiggle and kick!

Sean promptly fell asleep after this test, only to be woken up by a blood test, which involved a technician sticking Sean in the heel and holding his leg still while squeezing out teeny tiny drops of Sean's blood. Again, the boy does NOT like to be held down!

We later went to the urologist again who determined that neither Sean's bladder or urethra are the problem. Also, Sean's blood test came back normal, indicating that his kidneys are functioning normally. So, it's off to get a renal scan next week to get a better look at what's going on.

What a Champ!

We had two doctor's appointments today - one at the hospital to get an ultrasound done of Sean's kidneys and the other at the pediatrician's. Sean did very well at the ultrasound - he was pretty wiggly for the ultrasound tech but didn't cry. We'll meet with the pediatric urologist next week to discuss the images and see what actions, if any, need to be taken.

Sean finally surpassed his birth weight! He weighed in at 8lbs 11.9oz at the doctor's today and measures 23 inches long. Our current regimen of breast milk/formula is very successful and we'll continue that.

In other news, the breastfeeding gods have decided to rain down more misery on me - I have mastitis. :-(

35 weeks and another ultrasound

We are thisclose to the ninth month! It's exciting, it's scary, it's soon! This week, Thom John and I have been concentrating on school-work and work-work. And the Sooy Baby has been working hard putting on weight - he's the size of a honeydew melon! We had another ultrasound done on Wednesday night and the doctor estimates him to be 6lbs 1oz!

When we got to the doctor's office, the Sooy baby must have been napping because he had been quiet for awhile and his heart rate was 135. The quickly changed and our boy began to push and roll around. It was neat to watch on the screen. We also saw his belly contract and relax as he "practiced" breathing. Good job, baby!

We got some good profile shots of his face, including his chubby little cheeks. That may have been our last look at our boy via ultrasound - it's so weird to think that the next time we see him could be in real life!

Unfortunately, a teeny-tiny issue that the doctors had hoped would resolve itself by now, hasn't. The baby's left kidney has one extra millimeter of fluid around it than what is considered "normal." That's right, one extra millimeter - a tenth of a centimeter. I've done plenty of research on the internets about this and read some good things, so Thom John and I are not freaking out. First, this is apparently common in boys. Second, if there are any problems because of this millimeter, it will most likely be that the baby is more susceptible to urinary tract infections. Third, this millimeter will probably go away by the time the baby turns one. Plus, the doctors say that they aren't concerned - it's just something they have to pay attention to. In fact, the last doctor we met with said her own son had this "issue" and is now two years old and totally fine. So, we're going to meet with a pediatric urologist in April to see what he thinks about this millimeter and what, if anything, there is to do about it.

Here's what a six pound baby looks like from the outside:

And a view of his chubby cheeks:

More glamour shots

Here are two more ultrasound pictures of our boy taken last Tuesday (Feb. 24). A big, shiny gold star goes to whoever can tell me what we're looking at here. I think they're profile views of his precious little head? The ultrasound tech said that he's got quite a bit of hair already, which kinda validates the Old Wives' Tale about heartburn.

25 weeks and MORE ultrasound pictures!

We're at 25 weeks and it's a cold one out there! Here's what the Sooy Baby is up to:

-The baby should be about 14 inches long from head to heels and weigh about 1-1/2 lbs (like a rutabega). I was told on Tuesday that he's weighing in close to 2 lbs, so it looks like we're both getting a tad chubbers - good for him but not-so-good for me.

-Capillaries are forming under his skin and in his lungs, getting them ready for his first breaths!

-Speaking of breathing, the little guy's nostrils are starting to open and the Sooy Baby can concentrate on practicing breathing through his nose.

-His hands are fully developed and supposedly he's spending his awake time groping around and getting a feel for his surroundings.


Alrighty, here are some more ultrasound pictures taken this week:


His little face, kind of Skeletor-like, I know, but he's our Skeletor:His little foot:
He spent a couple of minutes trying to get his fist to his mouth:

And then the cheeky little monkey spent another couple of minutes in this position - he would not budge! At least we got to double-check what's below the belt:

Finally.

Here are ultrasound pictures from our appointment on December 17th: Uh-oh Pepper, I think someone's decided that he's going to be #1 boy around here:
Our boy showing off the goods:

And here are ultrasound pictures from our appointment on January 5th:
And presenting... the Sooy Baby in 3D!!!

How annoying...

Our scanner can't detect its own USB connection to the computer or some nonsense like that, so we're working on scanning and uploading the latest ultrasound pictures.

It's a...

BOY!!! An active, busy baby boy! The doc estimates he weighs about 14 ounces.

I'll post ultrasounds pictures tomorrow since the scanner is not cooperating tonight. Wah.

Face time!

Tonight's the big ultrasound! It's been over two months since we've seen the Sooy Baby, so I'm really excited.

Plus, we may get an answer to one of a long series or serious questions regarding this child: boy or girl? Red Sox or Yankees? Rutgers or Maryland, or more importantly - New Jersey or Maryland? Pepperoni or mushroom pizza? The list goes on. I'll be glad to get one of these things taken care of, provide the babe isn't too shy.













Thanks to my Uncle Dannie for using his computer skills to produce the dramatisations above. :-)

Hello!

What do you think - pink or blue?