Dr. Appt. #3

The day started off with Josh saying, "Don't you dare find out the sex of that baby without me!" I told him not to worry because I am not scheduled to have an ultrasound. (Josh was unavailable to make this appt since he has been working at the DeBakey Clinic in the afternoons)

So after work I headed to the appointment. It started out with a typical weight and pee sample in a cup... then off to the exam room. This visit was unlike my others because I didn't have an ultrasound before meeting with the Doctor. The nurse took my Blood Pressure, it was a little high - 143/94. The Dr. came in and she said, "Why is your blood pressure so high?" I didn't really have a good answer other than... "Well, I did survive the day at work." We chuckled.

She had me lay back so she could find the baby's heartbeat. Thankfully it was still there! After that she decided to re-check my BP - 133/85... a little better. She asked if there was anything else she could do for me and I said no, I have the normal symptoms - heart burn, frequent urination and swelling... so much so that I can't wear my wedding ring anymore. She said no problem... head to Charming Charlies for a temporary! We chuckled again... I love my Doctor!

She suggested I return in four weeks for an ultrasound, but I remembered I will be out of town on business that week, so I asked if I could come in three weeks instead. She said no problem. I was so excited because at the next appointment we get to find out the sex of the baby!!!!! Anyone else as excited as I am? If not, I will be sure NOT to post anything about our next visit and it will remain top secret... to you at least!

Bubbles in my Belly

Today I experienced something unusual. I am pretty sure I have felt my first little flutters from Baby Elliott. Ladies I have been sharing the experience with has described the first flutters to be like a butterfly in your belly... well, I describe it as tiny bubbles. And no it was not GAS... I know what that feels like! Ha!

Today marks week 15 on Baby Elliott's journey to birth... which is also the second week of the second trimester. Baby Center describes week 15 of pregnancy:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

Next Doctor Appt. is Thursday, June 30th. I don't think I am having an ultrasound this time so it looks like we will have to wait until July to find out the sex. Does anyone have any guesses yet? Josh says the baby is a boy until proven otherwise. I have a feeling that it will be a girl... but I don't know if that is wishful thinking or a mother's intuition? Send us your thoughts. TTFN, Ta Ta for Now!

The Road to Graduation

Josh has recently been accepted into a four week rotational program sponsored by his school, Texas Chiropractic College. He had to go through an interview process in order to be selected. They only allow two chiropractic interns into the rotation each session. This rotation program happes to be the longest running rotation (since 1985) sponsored by TCC which allows the interns to attend the rheumatology rotation in the afternoons while they can still see patients at the Moody Health Center in the morning. The rotation is under the direction of Dr. Martin D. Lidsky at the Michael E. DeBakey Medical Center (world renowned VA hospital) located on the southern side of downtown Houston.

Three medical residents and one medical fellow attend the rotation with the two chiropractic interns. Basically they do nothing but observe. Josh says they follow the Dr. around stand in a very small room with the Dr. and patient and then walk out, and go to the next patient. They don't get to ask the patient questions, but the Dr. does quiz them during the patient exams. When Josh arrived home after his first day at the DeBakey Clinic he just looked and me, smiled really big and said, "I realized I am a genius!" Apparently Dr. Lidsky had asked the crew why the palmer region is spared during carpal tunnel? No one new the answer except Josh - because the pamler branch of the median nerve does not travel through carpal tunnel, it goes over it. Josh was excited to realize that his knowledge and education was at or above a third year medical resident.

Although it is a few more miles for the Camry on an already long trip, the experience and exposure he will receive through this program will pay off in the long run.

Doctor Appt. #2

Well I am in my 11th week of pregnancy. This picture was taken today, you can kind of see a "pouch" developing. Unfortunately Josh had clinic this morning so I had to go to my second appointment by myself, but we would both rather him go the later appointments as it gets closer to having the baby. During my visit today I had a normal check up in addition to some special testing for down syndrome.


Currently, more women are electing the first trimester combined test, done in two steps during week 11 to 13 of pregnancy. The first trimester combined test includes:


Ultrasound: The doctor uses ultrasound to measure a specific region on the back of a baby's neck. This is known as a nuchal translucency screening test. When abnormalities are present, more fluid than usual tends to collect in this tissue.

Blood tests: Results of the ultrasound are paired with blood tests that measure levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and a hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Abnormal levels of PAPP-A and HCG may indicate a problem with the baby.

We had quite the ordeal trying to get the baby to cooperate - it was being very stubborn today (maybe it's a boy). The first ultrasound we had a view of the right profile - the baby was not moving, just kicking. So the technician said maybe if you go to the bathroom and relieve your bladder it will move, I said okay it's worth a shot. So I did and guess what? The baby moved! ... just not in the right direction. It was then laying on it's belly. In order to do the test she needed the baby to be laying on it's back. After some coaching and poking the baby was still not cooperating. So the technician suggested I meet with the Dr. and then come back and try it again.

I met with the Dr. very briefly. I have not had any complications or sickness so she said we'll draw your blood and see you in 4 weeks. Then it was back to the ultrasound room. Well, surprise, surprise, the baby still wasn't in the right position. The technician poked and jiggled my belly and poked and jiggled some more and finally the baby curled up in a ball laying on it's back. She quick took the measurement and printed some pictures and then I was on my way to work for the day. The pictures of the baby curled up were not as cool as the one below. This is like looking at the baby as if it were laying on the floor looking up at you. You clearly see the head, arms, chest and legs. Isn't that cool!!!!