And Baby #5 is due on...

November 18th, 2009 - Yes, our much awaited little one has been given a "formal" arrival date!

I have had an ultrasound at every appointment during this pregnancy. I think my Nurse Practitioner, taking into account our previous experiences with Felicity and my miscarriage shortly after delivering Felicity, wanted to be thorough and kind to us. According to LMP, which is how we all normally calculate a baby's due date, Baby #5 should have arrived 11-12-09. But, I have never fallen into the category of "normal" - and this time around was no exception. My first appointment, at my supposed 9 week mark, Baby #5 appeared on the ultrasound screen measuring 7 weeks - with a strong, beautiful sounding heartbeat! Sooo - the date got changed to 11-19-09. Next appt.= another soothing picture of an even bigger baby and again, a date change to 11-23-09. The next appointment brought smiles and much joy as our baby squirmed and wriggled it's ever growing body.

Just two days ago, I went to complete the 2nd part of the 3 part APF Test, which can can confirm or deny the possibility of your baby's chances of having major birth defects as well as Trisomy 18 or Down's Syndrome. My sister-in-law graciously agreed to come with me, since Jared had to work that morning. I was so grateful for her company - for I didn't want to get "bad news" by myself. This 2nd part of the AFP Test was a NT ultrasound in which the Perinatal Specialist checks the nucal folds on the baby's head and neck, which indicates whether or not the baby's brain and spinal cord are developing normally. This ultrasound, coupled with the results of protein levels in my blood (which were taken by the lab about 2 weeks before), indicate that our baby is negative for the risks of Down's Syndrome and Trisomy 18. This is a preliminary result, as I have one more part to complete in a few weeks, but Jared and I feel strongly that everything is alright with this baby. I am especially reassured this time around since every time I have see this little guy - he's active! And, as if to give us more reassurance that things are alright, during the NT ultrasound Aunt Ashlee and I saw clearly his beautiful "normal" arms and hand! He stretched it out as if to say, "See Mom - 4 fingers and a thumb!"

According to the Perinatologist's interpretations of our baby's measurments taken two days ago, I am 14 weeks and 2 days along - So, Jared and Anna Watts' Fifth baby is due to arrive a week before Thanksgiving 2009! I guess we always have to put a kink in holiday celebrations! We have two Valentine babies (Tanner and Lindsey), one Christmas baby (Emily), one New Year's angel (Felicity), and now a Thanksgiving "Turkey"! Ohhh boy... Jared and I like to get friendly in early fall, I guess.