25 Week Ultrasound

     I was in much better spirits heading in to see the specialist today for our ultrasound as opposed to four weeks ago. The mood in the room was so much lighter and the tech actually explained all the measurements she was taking as she went. 

There she is!

    The best part is watching the baby in 4D on the monitor. This week we could definitely tell that she is filling out in her body and face with that scrumptious baby fat we can't wait to cuddle, pinch, and squeeze. We again concluded that she will definitely have Billy's nose, and my chubby cheeks!  We even saw her yawn and smile - adorable! BUT baby was being shy today. Although we attempted multiple times to get a good shot of her face, she was being mighty stubborn and kept her hands in front of her face the whole time. She also had her face pressed up against the placenta (you'll notice that it is directly above her head in the pictures.)

    The doctor came in after checking the baby's measurements and put our minds more at ease. The baby is weighing in at 2.1 pounds today, which puts her in the 66th percentile for her weight - above average! This means that her risk of having Trisomy 18 is reduced, because almost 100% of babies with Trisomy 18 develop underweight. 

    When we asked if the Chloroid Plexus Cysts had decreased in size on the brain, the doctor told us he was dodging our question because the size of the cysts is not what ultimately mattered - what mattered was the level of fluid on the brain. The cysts are not harmful for the baby, but the brain needs to continue to be monitored in case excess fluid develops on the brain and does not drain properly. 

     The fluid levels on the brain today and at our 21 week appointment were normal, but the doctor would like to have another ultrasound in 8 weeks, when I'll be 33 weeks along, to see if any fluid has accumulated on the brain and not drained properly. In the rare case excess fluid has developed, we can then devise a plan accordingly to help relieve and remedy that situation, but, positive thinking - we won't have to worry about this scenario! 

    So, again today, we were blessed to have great news. The two things the doctor wanted to see are developing normally: 
1. the baby is growing at a healthy rate/weight
2. the fluid levels on the brain are normal

   Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers you've sent our way. 
Much love, 
Billy & Steph

Below are the 4D pics. They are hard to make out, but look carefully and you can see her!

In this pic, she is pressing her head right against the placenta. She is holding the back of her hand up to her lips.

This one is very hard to see, but again, her hand is pressed against her lips

Just LOOK at those chubby cheeks...ahhh! Just like her momma :)