Preparation

When we first found out we were pregnant we had "everything" planned. We decided we wanted to deliver at a hospital closer to home rather than in downtown Charlotte. We had a decent experience with our OB office and thought that would be the best fit.

After discussing it with our specialist and family, we have decided the main hospital downtown is going to be our best fit. It is going to be mass chaos getting everything changed over but it will be better for Levins and Cullie. They have a state of the art NICU at CMC main and we just feel it will be best.

This past week has been crazy and flown by. We had two doctors appointments this week. During those visits we had another Level II ultrasound and follow up echocardiogram. We found out that Levins does have some sort of swallowing issue because her stomach is still very small and Cullie's amniotic fluid levels are elevated. This does not affect the growth and development of the baby, but can cause Cullie to be uncomfortable, and can also cause pre-term labor. For now, we just have to keep monitoring it. The hard part about the stomach/swallowing issue is that nothing can be done until she is born. That has been the hardest thing for me so far. I am not a patient person when it comes to fixing problems. You can ask Cullie that anytime and I guarantee she will agree. I generally try to figure out the solution to whatever problem she has before she finishes telling me the story. I know sometimes I need to just listen. First step is admitting. God is definitely testing my strength right now. It is something that I think about all the time. I realize that she may have just a small issue that can be fixed really quick or she may have to have surgery. Again we won't know until she is born. We saw a new doctor during our ultrasound. She was unreal. I will tell you through all this, I do know that there are still doctors out there that understand their patients. She answered every question. She told us to request doctors and see the doctors we want to see.

The echo went really well and our cardiologist is amazing. She definitely dumb's down everything for me and sometimes I still do not understand. She is not too concerned with Levins heart right now, which was a huge relief. We are going to go back for a follow up echo but she is glad we are delivering at CMC main. During our visit she went over the echo. Ill admit I zoned out a little bit. I did hear her talk about Levins and she said "She is a fighter." The context she was using was her moving all over the place while they were trying to work, but still I needed to hear that. I needed to hear that from someone other than our family and friends. It is a great thing that she is as active as she is.

In between visits we stopped at a food place in the hospital because the first visit went long, and we weren't going to have time to get lunch before the second visit. It took forever. There was a father and his daughter in front of me. They were ordering and joking around. I thought to myself if they only knew how hungry Cullie was they would move on. As I am standing in line I start to get frustrated because it was my idea to get Cullie a quick snack. I tried not to look toward her and get the "I'm so hungry I am going to pass out" look. I get that a lot trust me. I finally got up to the front and bought some popcorn and cookies. As I was walking out I said "Hey" to the Father and daughter. I looked down at her and smiled. She was around 8-10 years old. She was a beautiful little girl and she has DS.

There was a reason why I went in that line. It was God showing me the love between a Father and daughter. I had no idea she had DS. They were laughing and joking around just like I envision Rett and I at that age. It taught me that Levins and I will be the same way. I needed that moment. I needed to see that interaction.

Everyone is preparing for Levins. She is going to have a great team of doctors awaiting her arrival. She will get all the help she needs. She will also have a support system unlike any other. I pray everyday that God keeps showing me little things to encourage us.