Whew!

Nick told me I better update my blog because people keep asking him how everything went in salt lake. So here it is!

So we had our appointment down at University of Utah Hospital a few weeks ago. It is SUCH an amazing hospital and excellent staff. ( Including free valet Parking!) Anyways, during the ultrasound the tech re measured everything and it was completely normal. She thinks it was partially a technique error on the previous ultrasound tech making the Cisterna Magna larger that it really was. THAT was a relief! We met with the specialist and she said everything with the little guy was perfect and healthy. She felt bad that we had to drive down there. I was kinda irritated also, but hey at least we know for sure now right? A bonus was we did get to see our little guy again and know for sure it is a BOY. We got a good picture this time haha. We spent some time shopping in Salt lake, and also got to stay with my brother Curtis and got to spend some time with him which was nice.

We haven't officially decided on a baby name yet, but were almost positive it will be Madden. I really love this name, but Nick kinda wants to see him before we officially name him that.

He has been moving around and kicking like crazy. I absolutely love it, it reassures me that everything is going good and he is healthy. Nick actually got to feel it for the first time 2 weeks ago. He's adorable.  I haven't been getting much sleep lately ( partly because I can't lay on my stomach anymore and that drives me CRAZY) but I'm staying up later.   If I push on my belly, Madden pushes back. I just love the feeling. So I don't sleep haha.

It was really funny the other morning. For those of you who know Nick, he loves to pick on me. That's his way of showing me his love haha. Well the other morning I was able to sleep in an extra hour or so ( which is huge when you have to be at school by 7:30 Monday through Friday) and I had to go pee so so bad. I didn't quite want to get up yet so I was trying to ignore the urges. Well Madden had different plans and he was kicking my bladder and I was complaining to Nick about it. So Nick starts poking my bladder and laughs. He said I am getting a double dose, Madden can pick on me from the inside and he gets to pick on me from the outside. He's a butthead.

School has been going OK, I'm going crazy trying to find a mock board patient ( it's the practice patient before the actual board patient). Well none of my current patient's qualify for it because they don't have enough deposit ( tarter) to clean off. If I don't have a patient by next Friday, I get a -5 % off my grade. Soooo, if you guys know of anyone who hasn't had their teeth cleaned in like 6+ years, send them my way! (seriously lol)

Originally I was planning on taking my National Written Boards (which is an 8 hour test over everything I have learned in my 4 years of college, focusing on dental hygiene) over Spring break, however I was pretty sick over Christmas break and have been so super tired lately, I haven't studied as much as I would have liked, and don't feel completely ready. So I'm gonna take them May 8th. So pretty much this spring break is consisting of studying, cleaning, studying, sleeping, studying, and well maybe some more studying. BOOOOO!

Here are some updated baby pictures!

 Painting Madden's room!

 The finished product. I love it!

 22 weeks pregnant

 24 weeks

 24 weeks

Some Good, Some Scary..

This last month has gone by so quick! Valentines day came and went, it wasn't too exciting but very laid back just like I like it. It was nice because Nick's evening class got cancelled, so he was able to be home. Nick got me the prettiest flowers and my favorite candy, and I made him a candy bouquet with his favorite candy, a card, and a balloon (which is still floating around our house BTW!). I had origionally planned to cook a really nice dinner which consisted of these cute red and yellow heart shaped raviolis from costco and candles and such....BUT.. I was stinking tired after class/clinic that day and didn't feel like cooking. So wewent out to Costa Vida and came home and watched a movie. I love this guy quite a bit. I'm glad I get to keep him forever =)

On the next order of business.....
The Good News!
We went to the Dr. For my 20 ish week check up and Ultrasound. I was super nervous for some reason, not for finding out the sex, but was worried something was wrong. Well our little baby kept their genitals hid and tucked away but finally towards the end sprawled out and we could clearly tell that it was a ................

                                                                       BOY!!!!

We kind of expected this. I'm not sure why, I just had a feeling. We had the Dr. guess and he thought it was a boy, according to the Chinese calendar it was supposed to be a boy, the ring trick said it was a boy, pencil on a stick said it was a boy, and all my symptoms pointed towards a boy ( I have been craving fresh fruits/veggies, and not so much sweet stuff). I am still getting sick at times, usually it's because of smells ( I have to plug my nose when walking through the rendezvous) or thoughts about something gross ( haha like MENS PEE ON THE TOILET SEAT...maybe I'll tell this story later), or in the morning if I don't eat right away.

Now the scary...
What came next was a little unexpected. We were so happy and giddy about just seeing our little guy that we were surprised when my Dr. came in so serious. We said everything looked good on the ultrasound except one thing that was a little concerning. He explained that his Cisterna Magna (the space between his cerebellum and back of his skull, which contains cerebrospinal fluid) was very close to being abnormal. I guess under 10mm is considered "normal" and our little guy's was at 9.7 mm. He recommended that we see a Perinatologist down in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah and possible genetic counseling.

My heart sank. I was trying to be strong and not ball my eyes out, but I know the Dr. could see that I was getting teary eyed and tried to make me feel better. Then I just let it out. I knew I had a nervous feeling for a reason. He said that it could just be his own variant of normal, or it could lead to more serious situations like Dandy Walker Syndrome or even Trisomy 18/19 and might not be able to survive outside the womb. ( but usually these had like 15mm+ measurements). Doing some research it was just plain scary. I found things online that said their child measured at 13mm, and it came out just fine and developed normal. After walking out of the Dr. office and as soon as we hit the car I lost it. The stress of school, hormones, projects, and now this was just too much to handle.

I have an appointment Tuesday down in Salt Lake for a complex ultrasound and whatever else they have planned.

Since then, I have struggled with thinking something could be wrong, but after a while I have come to be OK with it. No matter what happens, my love for this lil guy won't change. Since then, I have felt him kick and be active it just confirms that he is OK, I know Heavenly Father is putting us through this for a reason. I know other women have gone through more than I have such as miscarriage, not able to get pregnant etc. I am so grateful that this is it. I got a priesthood blessing from my Nick and my dad tonight and I immediately felt comfort. Our lesson today in church was to cherish the little moments, and I definitely have little moments I need to be cherishing. It was exactly what I had needed.

I found this video and I think it applies not only to adversity but life in general.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=tVNYhcYEwIE