Zach's Arrival
Zach Watch
Bump Watch
New site for updates and photos!
Zach has run out of room (much like his onesies every other week) and we've moved his updates. Click here to see his new site! Don't forget to bookmark this one AND the new webpage!
Mother's Day update and more!
More Zach goodness.
Easter Bunnytime!
Our miracle reminds us just how much we have to be thankful for.
Second update
More of that cute lil' kid.
Splish splash, he took his first bath
Rub a dub, dub, Zach does not like the tub.
Even more photos!
The latest batch uploaded on Sunday, April 1st.
Keeps his remote close.
Thank Heaven for little boys.
Throwing out gang signs to his homies.
Why does it make so much noise?!
More photos!
Here is the most beautiful baby on earth. Yes.....I might be a wee bit biased.
Zachary IS here.
He was delivered at 11:59AM on Thursday to the tune of 9 pounds - 4 ounces and 21 inches long. All signs were normal - 10 fingers and toes and such. He had high APGAR scores and no markers for Down's Syndrome so the pediatrician said he wouldn't run a screen. Jen came thru the surgery just fine and before I left, she even got up and out of bed and we pushed Zach around the halls. She should be released Sunday or Monday, at the latest. Zach will have ultrasounds done for his kidneys during this stay but will have to come back next Thursday for the x-rays. And now.....the photos.
Zachary is almost here.
Thursday is D-day. Delivery, that is. Jen is scheduled for a C-section at 10am at MUSC in Charleston. We're expecting her to be released 3-4 days afterwards. Zach will get his kidney x-rays done on Monday (Tuesday, at the latest). The natal urologist will then have a better idea what is going on. When we spoke with Dr. Aaronson (the urologist) last Wednesday, he assured us that immediate surgery will not be the case (barring any emergencies) and that we are to go back 10 days later to see how his kidneys are developing outside the womb.
God has moved in a way which has amazed Jen and I. We were told that Zach should be fine and if surgery is required, it won't be any sooner than 6 weeks and could be as far off as 1 year. We'll be bringing him home no later than Tuesday. We're including a photo we took just the other day (click on the tummy tracker link to see what the belly wrecking ball we call our son is doing to his momma). More will follow of the punk on Friday.
God has moved in a way which has amazed Jen and I. We were told that Zach should be fine and if surgery is required, it won't be any sooner than 6 weeks and could be as far off as 1 year. We'll be bringing him home no later than Tuesday. We're including a photo we took just the other day (click on the tummy tracker link to see what the belly wrecking ball we call our son is doing to his momma). More will follow of the punk on Friday.
Jen and Scott, you're child's head is off the chart.
That's what Kathryn (the ultrasound technician) told us at MUSC today. That and that his weight was 9 pounds and 2 ounces. What does that really mean? Well, for one, he's in the 97th percentile.....and he's really bumming mommy's back out at this point. We met with Drs. Sapp and Sullivan. Sullivan will be doing the C-section and Sapp will be attending - they both were very nice and knowledgeable so we feel comfortable about the surgery.
However, his kidneys are still very much an issue at this time and lil' (yeah, right) Zach will be having his first operation before his first BM. Poor kid. He's a big tough boy that should be out of the hospital after the surgery within 5 to 10 days. We meet with the natal urologist next week and more questions will be answered at that point. But we know that Zach is in God's hands and those hands know just how to take care of him so we take much comfort from that.
Zach's birthday has been set - March 22. Mark your calendars. His bible verse for that day is Lamentations 3:22 - "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail."
Enjoy the latest photos - they'll be the last until he's screaming his frickin' head off.
However, his kidneys are still very much an issue at this time and lil' (yeah, right) Zach will be having his first operation before his first BM. Poor kid. He's a big tough boy that should be out of the hospital after the surgery within 5 to 10 days. We meet with the natal urologist next week and more questions will be answered at that point. But we know that Zach is in God's hands and those hands know just how to take care of him so we take much comfort from that.
Zach's birthday has been set - March 22. Mark your calendars. His bible verse for that day is Lamentations 3:22 - "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail."
Enjoy the latest photos - they'll be the last until he's screaming his frickin' head off.
.....AND HE'S A BIG'UN!!
3.5 pounds of Ernst/Magnus rolling around inside of Jen. We had our 28th week checkup and Zach is coming along just fine. A full head of hair (the ultrasound technician showed us) on top of a 3.5 lb. frame or in the 85th percentile if you prefer. His heart rate was a healthy 145 bpm and sounded strong.
But let's get to the latest glamour shots - not much this time but we'll be going back at week 36 so we should have more then. In the meantime, we'll be going to the OB/GYN this coming Monday so we may post more news then if we have any - please check back next week.
But let's get to the latest glamour shots - not much this time but we'll be going back at week 36 so we should have more then. In the meantime, we'll be going to the OB/GYN this coming Monday so we may post more news then if we have any - please check back next week.
IT'S A BOY!!
Here's the skinny - mom's in great health and there's a stem on the apple! I know, I know....just get to the pictures. Here they are! World, meet Zachary Robert. Click on the thumbnails to see the full versions.
Week 16
We had our monthly appointment on Wednesday. Week 16 has come and will soon be gone. Jen was happy that to hear that she didn't gain a single pound this month. Thanks morning sickness!
Bump's heartbeat was 140 bpm - nice and strong. I'm going to include a quick box so you can see what is happening at this point and what it might look like.
Our next appointment is November 1st at the OB/GYN and then we go to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston on November 13th for a level 2 ultrasound to see if there's a stem on the apple or not. They'll be giving us a video of the baby moving around and we'll be putting that up here.
Bump's heartbeat was 140 bpm - nice and strong. I'm going to include a quick box so you can see what is happening at this point and what it might look like.
Fun fetal facts:
- Fat begins to form underneath skin, providing your baby with insulation for the coming months.
- Did you know that both baby and placenta are now about the same size?
- Your little one has reached 4.57 inches (11.6cm) and approximately 3.53 ounces (100gm).
- His head and neck are held straighter now.
- This is a week of "mights!" You might hear the tiny thumps of his heartbeat with an external monitor now. The genitals are developed sufficiently that an experienced sonographer might be able to determine if your baby is a boy or a girl.
- Her heart is pumping as much as 6 gallons of blood a day and beats at a rate about double your heartrate.
- If you could take a peek inside, you would witness your child's reflexes in action! (Sucking, swallowing and blinking are now evident.) She is probably even hiccuping even though you don't feel it yet!
- Your baby has learned to breathe! This is apparent from the regular movements of his chest. Isn't it amazing that he is able to breathe "underwater," inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid? These actions help the lungs to develop and grow.
Our next appointment is November 1st at the OB/GYN and then we go to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston on November 13th for a level 2 ultrasound to see if there's a stem on the apple or not. They'll be giving us a video of the baby moving around and we'll be putting that up here.
156 per minute
9,360 per hour. 224,640 per day. That's how fast Bump's heart is beating blood thru tiny little veins and arteries. As God is knitting it together, Bump is getting bigger and at this point is roughly 3 inches long and 1/2 an ounce. Today we met with the midwife, Stacey, and she was very knowledgeable and helped Jen relax by telling her that everything looked great so far. She told us that we would be travelling to MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) in 6 weeks to have a 4-D ultrasound performed.
Momma and Bump are doing very well! Momma is still having bouts of nausea, exhaustion and frequent nightly trips to the potty.
Bump is like her daddy and has to eat every two hours or Momma gets queasy.
Our next appointment is October 4.
Momma and Bump are doing very well! Momma is still having bouts of nausea, exhaustion and frequent nightly trips to the potty.
Bump is like her daddy and has to eat every two hours or Momma gets queasy.
Our next appointment is October 4.
Here are the ultrasound photos!
Click on the photos to see them larger.
HEAD
FEET
YOLK SAC
HEAD
FEET
The Good News!
If you need to know that God is real and present in our lives then stop and read what He has done for us.
Back in September of 2003, Jen and I started to try and get pregnant. We were ready to begin building our family and said "let's go!" After much frustration - fertility pills, surgery, clinic visits, doctor consultations - we found ourselves at a loss to explain why we were both physically fertile but still no sign of a pregnancy.
In September of 2005, while on our anniversary in Disneyworld, we decided to stop trying for a bit and give our bodies and minds a break. Prior to stopping, we had tossed around the idea of adoption but never got into it enough to start research or anything. Then one day on her way home, Jen saw a billboard that said "Every child deserves a loving home.....Have you considered adoption?" At that moment, our lives took a turn for the best.
She came home and told me what she saw and how with a simple roadside sign, she gave in to God and said "OK....I hear you." I then told her about a dream I had two nights before where I saw her and I with an Asian daughter at a park. We both broke down and gave God the steering wheel. Flash ahead to December of 2005. That's when we filed our initial paperwork to China to bring home Jayden.
As of May of 2006, we are awaiting our referral (and maybe twins!). Now here comes the kicker. Jen starts feeling rundown and can't get enough sleep. Tired (and cranky), she then tells some girlfriends at Ben's birthday party at the end of July, "On top of all that, my boobs hurt!" The mothers that heard told her to take a pregnancy test immediately. Seems there is something to having experience. Jen fought it because we've been down this road before and the last thing she needed or wanted was more disappointment.
With much trepidation, she took the test. Calmly (I don't know how she managed that one), she called me and asked me to come home from work as soon as I could. 5 gazillion tests later, we found out she's pregnant! We've got the ultrasounds to prove it! Now to the point of the matter. Why do we think it happened this way? God has a plan for all of us. We can't always see that plan - most times not until it's already happened. We know that God has intended for us to bring a girl(s) from China to this country and call her our daughter(s). Only after we were past the point - emotionally and financially - of no return did He say "OK....now flip the switch ON." He is so good to us and loves each and every one of us so much. All it took was to give in and do His will, not ours. An act that at the time seemed gigantic but looking back, seems to be something we should have done easily and long ago.
Bump is here and we're waiting for March 27 with eager hearts and wide smiles. Check back for easters as we find out more information to share with all our friends and family. Next doctor's appointment is September 6th!
Back in September of 2003, Jen and I started to try and get pregnant. We were ready to begin building our family and said "let's go!" After much frustration - fertility pills, surgery, clinic visits, doctor consultations - we found ourselves at a loss to explain why we were both physically fertile but still no sign of a pregnancy.
In September of 2005, while on our anniversary in Disneyworld, we decided to stop trying for a bit and give our bodies and minds a break. Prior to stopping, we had tossed around the idea of adoption but never got into it enough to start research or anything. Then one day on her way home, Jen saw a billboard that said "Every child deserves a loving home.....Have you considered adoption?" At that moment, our lives took a turn for the best.
She came home and told me what she saw and how with a simple roadside sign, she gave in to God and said "OK....I hear you." I then told her about a dream I had two nights before where I saw her and I with an Asian daughter at a park. We both broke down and gave God the steering wheel. Flash ahead to December of 2005. That's when we filed our initial paperwork to China to bring home Jayden.
As of May of 2006, we are awaiting our referral (and maybe twins!). Now here comes the kicker. Jen starts feeling rundown and can't get enough sleep. Tired (and cranky), she then tells some girlfriends at Ben's birthday party at the end of July, "On top of all that, my boobs hurt!" The mothers that heard told her to take a pregnancy test immediately. Seems there is something to having experience. Jen fought it because we've been down this road before and the last thing she needed or wanted was more disappointment.
With much trepidation, she took the test. Calmly (I don't know how she managed that one), she called me and asked me to come home from work as soon as I could. 5 gazillion tests later, we found out she's pregnant! We've got the ultrasounds to prove it! Now to the point of the matter. Why do we think it happened this way? God has a plan for all of us. We can't always see that plan - most times not until it's already happened. We know that God has intended for us to bring a girl(s) from China to this country and call her our daughter(s). Only after we were past the point - emotionally and financially - of no return did He say "OK....now flip the switch ON." He is so good to us and loves each and every one of us so much. All it took was to give in and do His will, not ours. An act that at the time seemed gigantic but looking back, seems to be something we should have done easily and long ago.
Bump is here and we're waiting for March 27 with eager hearts and wide smiles. Check back for easters as we find out more information to share with all our friends and family. Next doctor's appointment is September 6th!