the Whaley Life: new web site

To prepare for a family of four, I felt one thing I needed to do was combine all our websites and blogs. In the next few weeks, we will switch over to the new site. It is up and running now if you want to get yourself aquainted: www.whaleylife.com

The blog contains all entries from Noah's and Megan's, and you can sort by categories if you prefer to read just about one child. All photos and videos will be uploaded here. Basically, this is your one-stop shop for the Whaley Life.

32 Weeks

Today was another visit. Megan's heartbeat was in the 140s and I measured good. Here is the latest schedule.

Assuming everything is favorable, I will have an amniocentesis at 38 weeks. Probably, Thursday, Sept. 21st. It will take 2 hours for the test results to come back showing the lungs are mature, or not. If things look good with Megan's lungs, I will be induced that day. If the test shows her lungs are not ready, I will wait another week and I will be induced at that point.

My prayer is that Megan is ready Sept 21st.

30 weeks

Everything is still good and on track. Weigh in, measurements, heartbeat and we are done. Though today, I did not let the Dr. out that easy. I am still probing about when induction will occur. Originally we had agreed that 39 weeks was good. Not too early for her, but not too late for me. However, the Dr. is going out of town on the day that we would schedule the induction. So, she says, "We could do it when I return, which would put you at 39 weeks and 2 days." Most people would have probably been fine with that. But I did not like that . The closer I get to 40 weeks, the closer I get to a problem... in my mind anyway. Noah's doctors said they believe his "event" occured a week to two weeks before delivery. Maybe that is true, maybe it is not, no one really knows. The only thing I know, is that I do not want to look back at Megan's delivery wishing that I had induced earlier. So if I want to deliver before she goes out of town, it would be 38 weeks + and I will have to have an amnio to test lung maturity. There are some small risks to this procedure, but I think worth it for me. And if anything were to happen during the amnio, I would be in the hospital and Megan could be delivered. So for now, I am hoping for Sept 21. Some amnio info.

On a lighter note, I got to feel Megan's head today. Still can... she is right there. I asked Dr. if she was head down. After some searching on my belly she could not tell. But after I stood up, she pushed on my belly and said, "There is her head, she is still breech." What? How can you just push and know that is her head? So I asked, "How do you know?" Her response. "I'm a professional." Ha.

After the visit, we walked over to Hermann and saw the L&D and talked to someone for a bit about procedures, parking, hours, etc. I feel very comfortable about delivering there, and am looking forward to the process again.

28 Weeks

Today was a good visit. I am a little past 28 weeks, and Megan was measuring right at 28 weeks, 3 days. She weighs about 2.5 lbs, and all measurements are perfect. That is good to hear. We will continue to meet every 2 weeks, and I will have several bio-physical ultrasounds toward the end. These will measure things like fluid level, tone of baby, blood flow... things like that. Today's ultrasound looks at a few of those things but mostly is just to measure the baby. The bio-physical exams will reassure me a little more than the size does. Towards the end, I want to make sure everything is working in there like it should.

I am looking at an induction probably around 39 weeks, which is the last week of September.

Pictures of Megan from the inside and outside:

Megan's Room v.1

I was on a sewing frenzy last week. Megan's crib and curtains are done, but there is still alot of work to do. Mostly just sorting.




Details of the projects:

Diaper Bag

Megan's custom diaper bag and changing pad. I thought it would be cool to put vinyl on the pad so I could clean it. Of course, Ethan says, "That will feel nice and sticky when you lay her down on it." Oh well, it looks good!


Custom interior to fit my wallet, cell phone, attach my keys, and maybe a few things for Megan.

23 week visit

Have I mentioned that I love my doctor? I love that she is experienced, hi-risk--whatever you want to call it--but the office seems as small and comfortable as my old doctor. At least when you are the first appointment of the day. Because I can schedule them so early, I am in and out of the parking garage in less than an hour. Which normally would cost like a $1, but in the Med Center even record timing of 1 hour is $4. But totally worth it.

Today was 23 weeks and 2 days. We are making good progress. Megan's heartbeat was 150 - perfect she says, and I am measuring right at 23 weeks, again perfect. I told her that I could start making up stuff so that she can start her day with someone intersting, but she said, "...we need some dull ones around here." I am scheduled for the glucose test at 26 weeks, then began visits and ultrasounds every 2 weeks starting at 28 weeks.

The most exciting event of the day was that Alyssa saw her baby sister move. We watched my belly for a few minutes and saw 2 distinct kicks. Alyssa was very confused, but agreed that it was her sister moving inside mommy.

Megan's room will be underway soon. The walls will remain the ocean-blue we painted for Noah, but the crib bedding will be completely changed. The fabric is picked and as soon as I can buy it, I will probably start sewing. Right now I am finishing up her diaper bag. I could not find one that I liked, so I decided to make my own. I will post some picts of this cute stuff when they are ready. Girls are fun!

The stomp is back

Megan has become a lot more active in the last week. I felt her first kick at 15 weeks and it has been a long 6 weeks to get to this point. There is nothing like feeling that first movement, and there is nothing like wondering why you haven't felt it again. I would go days without feeling anything, then think "maybe that was it?" But no doubt I can feel Megan everyday, and that is very reassuring. Daddy and Nana have felt her, but so far not Alyssa. Yesterday was the first day I could lay still and expect Megan to continually move. So I wanted Alyssa to come feel, but she was not intersted at that moment. Luckily in the months to come we will have alot of oportunities to feel baby sister.