Spaghetti Feed!

My dear, wonderful, amazing, beautiful friend Sheree has been so gracious to take the time to hold a Spaghetti Feed for our family. The proceeds will go towards the costs ahead of us. If you can, we'd love to see you there! 

$10/$5 for kids 12 and under all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Feed For 

Anabelle Grace Polk

For all the details, please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/events/172929466140417/

There will be a variety of raffle baskets, including $75 Massage Envy basket,

Kings tickets, an Icing on the Cupcake basket, and much more!

It will be held at::

First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ

3901 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA

NST, Ultrasound, NST

We had an NST and ultrasound last Thursday, at 32 weeks. It went well. The doctor said that the flow from the umbilical cord is looking ok, still concerning, but ok. Anabelle was measuring on average between 28 and 31 weeks, just depending on what they measured. Anabelle's thigh bone was about 28 weeks, head was about 30-31 weeks. For now that's about all they can measure accurately. They said that she is about 2.8 lbs now! So in the past month she's gained almost a whole pound! I just hope they are close to her actual weight, because if they are, and she keeps it going, then she will be just over 3 lbs when she is born. It's small, but there have been smaller babies with success stories :) My mom was able to go to this ultrasound, which was really nice, especially since Kyle wasn't able to go. 

I had a NST on Thursday as well as today. Both went well! I have to get my titers done soon, (blood work), but that hasn't really been a concern this pregnancy. I have another ultrasound next Thursday, which will be at 34 weeks. 

Just recently some people with Arthrogryposis have reached out to us, giving us support. I can't explain how wonderful this has been. It's been rough since we haven't really been able to talk to anyone who has been in our shoes. It's so nice having people willing to open their hearts to us. 

Sunday we all went to church and meet all the wonderful people at First Christian Church. They are very sweet and loving people, and I am so glad they have welcomed our family. This is defiantly a place I know we are always welcomed and will go again and again. 

Since I only have one more NST this week, I will most likely update again on Monday after my NST/OB appointment. Thank you again for reading, supporting, praying, and just being their for our family! 

With love, 

The Polks

Ultrasound pictures, round two

Here are some more ultrasound pictures! 

This is at 28 weeks

If you can figure it out, you can see she is sticking her tongue out at us :)  

These are from 30 weeks

This is a view looking at her head on. You can see her cheeks and nose! 

This is another looking at her head on. It's a tad hard to make out, but you can see her chubby cheeks and nose, her mouth and eyes too. During the ultrasound we were able to see her sticking her tongue out at us, and moving her eyes around! Amazing what were able to see with a simple ultrasound!!

Here is her little foot! It's looking bigger!  

We have another ultrasound on Thursday. It will be to measure her and make sure the blood flow everywhere is doing ok. We will be 32 weeks (8 months).

 Also, today I had another NST and OB check. It went fine. I think she was asleep for it though. This one took a bit longer then usual. 

Dr. McLean said that we are defiantly delivering at 37 weeks. Then our nurse, Laura, came in and gave me two dates to pick from. They can either do it the C-section on Feb. 28th or March 1st. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a smidge OCD. My thought process into picking the date is as follows::

If we select Feb 28th, then all of our girls birthdays would be Feb, April and May. But if we select March 1st, then we'd have March, April and May. However, it would be on the first. Everyone but Amelia would be on the first and she would be left out... Allison was meant to be a planned C-section as well, but I went into labor the same day, so it felt right and didn't feel like I picked her birthday. But now.. I feel a bit of pressure to pick a birthday. Kyle doesn't have a preference, so it's up to me! I think I'm just nervous about picking someone else's birthday. See, just a tad OCD :)

To add to it, if you didn't know, the way we picked the girls names was just as complicated. So Kyle is the oldest in the family, and his name is four letters. Then me, Kayla, which is five letters. Amelia is six, Allison is seven, and Anabelle is eight. Also, all of the girls names are three syllables, and their middles names are one. And Kyle and my first name are two, and our middles names two. I know, I'm just a bit crazy... 

I will keep you updated as to how the ultrasound goes on Thursday. Thank you all again for your support. To just take the time to read my rants, and show your support, makes all the difference to us during these past few hectic months! 

With love, 

The Polks

NST

I had another NST today. Everything went fine! I got all my NST's and OB appointment scheduled until March 1st. Still need to schedule the ultrasounds, but it's a start :)

I also started my new position at work this week. It's going good so far. I don't have the access to the systems I need, but I've been sitting with other people and learning what and how to do the job, and it seems fairly simple. The management is extremely understanding and nice about everything. I let then know in my interview that I have doctor appointments constantly, and will be out for a while after Anabelle is born, and they still gave me the job! :) 

We also told Amelia and Allison awhile back that Anabelle is going to be sick for a bit after she's born, and she will need to stay in the hospital while the doctors try to make her better. Amelia asked if she was 'sick because she was throwing up?' I think that's the only kind of sick they know. 

It was hard. It is hard. They obviously don't fully understand what this means for our family or for Anabelle. Allison keeps saying that she wants to hold her, and when I try to explain that she won't be able to for awhile after she's born, she doesn't understand. And Amelia says how she's Anabelle's big sister and she loves her. :) It's sweet to see how they care and want to meet Anabelle, it melts my heart! 

As always, thank you everyone for your love, support and prayers! We are truly grateful! 

With love, 

The Polks

NST & Ultrasound

We just got back from our appointment. Thank you so much to Janelle for coming and watching the girls so Kyle could go with me!! 


We had the NST first. It went well. Her heart rate was a little higher today. It started out in the 140's and fluctuated between 120-150's. Then we had the ultrasound. They didn't do her measurements today, they said that they will do them every other week. But good news! The blood flow in the umbilical cord looked better today. Also, the amniotic fluid levels looked good too. 


We saw Dr. Hedriana today. He said that we will deliver no later then 37 weeks. He did mention that we might deliver early if needed. So as of right now 37 weeks is February 29th. But I am sure we can move it a day back or forward. It would be nice to have her on March 1st, that way the girls birthdays would be March, April and May :) Since it's still not definate, we are just waiting. I don't want to get to many steps ahead. It is nice to know that we will deliver by 37 weeks though. 


I talked to the doctors again today. I was suppose to have a NST on Monday, but due to scheduling and that it's my Grandma's funeral, they were going to schedule it at UCD for Sunday. Then they called back and said that it will be ok if I skip this one and just come in on Thursday for the NST. Which helps so much and takes so much stress away. Not only do I have my Grandma's funeral on Monday, I start my new position on at work on Tuesday. Also Amelia has dentist appointment Tuesday, and then the girls both have a check up on Wednesday, then the NST on Thursday. It will just be nice to have one appointment we don't have to go to. They did say that if I feel like Anabelle isn't moving, or something is wrong, to go to UCD to get checked out, of course. 


I will keep everyone updated as we get more and more information. Thank you again so much for all of your love, support and prayers. It helps keep our family strong and going. We love you all!


With love,
The Polk

First Non Stress Test

First off, we want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year's and are ready for what 2012 has in store.  

Yesterday I went to the first of many Non Stress Test (or NST for short) appointments. It was a fast and smooth appointment. They stapped a couple of bands around my tummy, watched her heart rate and movements, and done! She didn't move too much, but they said since I'm a few days away from 30 weeks, it's ok. I was worried because her heart rate was low, between 119 and about 125. I asked if that was ok, and they said it was fine. (A normal heart rate is usually 140-160) It was different because Kyle wasn't able to go. It is going to be near impossible to find a babysitter 2 times a week, so I will be going to the majority of the NST's alone. It's ok, just different.

We have another NST on Thursday, along with another ultrasound and OB apppointment. I will let you know how that goes!

Also, Sheree has been so wonderful to organize a spaghetti feed for us! See below for the details. I just want to thank her and everyone helping her put this on. We cannot express how greatful we are for such amazing people! 

Spaghetti Feed

Date: February 4th

Time: 5 - 8 pm.

Price: $10 for adults / $5 for kids 12 and under

What you get: All you can eat Spaghetti, garlic bread, and soda

There will be a raffle with a variety of goodies

If you cannot make it but would still like to participate, you can go to any Safe Credit Union location and make a contribution to the Anabelle Grace Fund.
If you do not live close to a Safe Credit Union, you can send a check made out to The Anabelle Grace Fund. In the memo field put acct #499961, and mail to 12519 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova, CA 95742.
Thank you!!

On a sadder note, my Grandma passed away this Sunday. Fortunatly, I am at peace and ok with her passing. She was sick and suffering, and that is no way to live. I have a feeling she will help watch over us and Anabelle and be our gaurdian angel through this. I will miss her, but will never forget her. I love you Grandma!

With love,
The Polks