Hilary Update:
Stressful day at the high-risk ultrasound lab yesterday for Hilary. I guess the baby is considered high risk due to the combination of Hilary being so old, the umbilical cord only having two tubes (three is normal), our genetic screening returned a 1-98 probability (1-1,500 is normal) of the baby having Down Syndrome, and having lost Brooke last year. Usually people who are getting ready for the arrival of a baby are happy and excited and you would think normal people who are expecting their third would have a nonchalant attitude, but for us (definitely not a "normal" family), until the baby is out safely and is healthy, all we're feeling is anxiety and stress. My heart was beating so hard during the ultrasound, I was extremely nervous watching. I was dreading the thought of them finding something bad. So far, the baby is 3.9 lbs and depending on whose measurements we use; the technician's or the doctor's, the baby is either in the 19% or 28 percentile. The doctors is recommending Hilary be monitored twice a week (unstressed test) from now on, until the baby arrives.

Lauren update:
With Lauren's platelets dropping, fighting a cold, and some students going home sick from her class, we thought we'd play it safe and keep her home for the rest of week to give her body some time to fight off her cold. Why take a chance.

I have to mention how lucky, grateful, and thankful we are to have Mrs. Little as Lauren's teacher. She has done everything in her power to keep Lauren safe from germs at school. She either has Lauren wear a mask or the other students wear masks, depending on which one is coughing. She always calls us to let us know who called in sick, or who went home sick so that we can check with Lauren and see how much contact she had with the kid the day before. Also, we appreciate the parents who have been very proactive in keeping their kids at home if and when they think their kid may be coming down with something. We know that it's a very big inconvenience to them, especially when their child wants to go to school and/or they have to go to work. So we'd just like to thank everybody for being so understanding.

Lauren is now down to .15 mg of Decadron. Looking back at pictures from a month ago, I can really see a difference in her puffiness. It's hard to notice when you see her every day.

Don't forget September is Pediatric Awareness Month:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGS4yE5v9rM