Our Rainbow Baby

It is often said that after the storm comes a rainbow. Similarly after the loss of a child (angel baby) follows a rainbow baby.  We are very excited about our own rainbow baby girl. We are expecting her on July 3, 2014. 

Since we returned to Virginia it has been a long road to pregnancy. In November of 2012 we put in one of our frozen embryos. We had a positive pregnancy and were thrilled. Then around 6 or 7 weeks the embryo stopped growing. Then in March of 2013 we put in our last frozen embryo. We had a positive pregnancy but again the embryo stopped growing at around 7 weeks. We took a few months off and then decided to do the whole In Vitro process again. Luckily, Katrina’s work insurance covered the cost of the procedures. We were able to get 4 embryos. At the end of July 2013 we put in a fresh embryo and froze the remaining 3 embryos. Unfortunately, the fresh embryo didn't take. Emotionally it was hard to keep trying but we have a strong desire to have a family so in October 15, 2013 (one day before our girls’ birthday) we put in one of our frozen embryos.

Oct 15 Embryo

This time the embryo implanted and we ended up with a positive pregnancy. We hoped that it would continue but at the same time we were cautious about setting our hearts on this desire. We saw the fertility doctor around week 7 and this time the embryo was growing and thriving. We transferred to an OBGYN and a perinatologist (pregnancy specialist) around week 10. Since that time we have seen the perinatologist every two weeks. They have kept a very close eye on Katrina’s pregnancy. Every time we go we have an ultrasound. Just hearing the heartbeat is reassuring.  Since we don’t know the exact reason that Katya and Ruby were born early the doctors monitor Katrina’s cervix to make sure it stayed long and closed. Some preterm deliveries are because the cervix shortens and opens to soon. At week 17 we started taking a weekly injection of Progesterone 17 P which helps to prevent preterm labor.  We felt confident that we were covering all our bases. Katrina has also been monitored by her endocrinologist (thyroid concerns) and her neurologist (seizure disorder). Needless to say we see doctors very often.

Dec 27, 2013 Merry Christmas

This is how we announced it to the Facebook world

Jan 23 Profile

Week 22

               Tonio was thinking that this time it would be a boy; however, we found out that it is a girl. Either way it didn't matter we just want to get a baby safely here. It was exciting to feel her move for the first time. Katrina never felt Katya and Ruby move because they were too small and the placenta was in the way. One of the first movements Tonio was talking to Katrina’s belly saying “Hello bebe. This is dada bebe,” then he felt her push him away. He was thrilled to feel her. At many of our ultrasounds she is moving so much that she is hard to measure. She likes to put her hand in front of her face. One time she also had her leg in front of her face. Recently we went in and she was sound asleep. The person doing the ultrasound tried to wake her up but she wouldn't. Her heartbeat was fine and we could see her lungs practicing breathing so we knew she was okay. The next day Katrina had an appointment with her OB and the baby was moving so much we could get an accurate heartbeat. It seems like our baby will be a ball of energy. We may need to enroll her in gymnastics.

Week 29 Happy Easter

Week 31 Cinco De Mayo

Week 34 She has Tonio's big lips

Week 35

Cute Nose

 It has been fun putting the nursery together. Katrina is obsessed with owls so we decided on an owl theme. Hopefully our daughter likes owls. Using glow-in-the-dark paint Tonio painted the ceiling with constellations that will be in the sky around her birth.  He also painted one wall with rolling hills, blue sky, and clouds. We ordered a large decal with a tree, owls, birds, butterflies, and flowers.  Tonio has been busy putting all the baby furniture together. He had to assemble a set of drawers inside the closet because it wouldn't fit through the closet door. We purchased a glider rocker on craigslist. It is in good condition but the cover was a little dingy. Katrina has been recovering the cushions with removable pillow covers so we can clean it. This is her fist time doing this big of a project. She has been using the help of the internet and YouTube videos.

Katrina's finished glider chair

We have felt so much love from family and friends. They have been so supportive and concerned about the success of our pregnancy. Katrina’s fellow teachers threw her a baby shower and Alisha, our sister-in-law, organized a friend baby shower too. Also the ladies at church add one for us on June 13. It has been so fun to have friends and family share in the joy we are experiencing with this pregnancy.

Friend Baby Shower--Fabulous Cake

Laura and I (pregnancy buddies)

Church Baby Shower

Katrina’s mother and brother, Mike, are coming to visit for a month. Her mother had a knee replacement in April and is busy strengthening her knee to make it up the 23 steps to get into our house. Tonio’s mother is coming at the end of July and will be staying for a month and a half. We are grateful for all the help we have and will receive from family. Alisha has loaned us baby books and maternity clothes. She and Eric have also given us wonderful advice throughout the pregnancy.    

Katrina’s school year goes until June 25 due to snow days. Our due date is only a week and a day after the end of school. We are hoping she makes it through the year. Katrina is taking at least a year off school.

 One of the big milestones was getting passed Katya and Ruby’s gestational age of 22 weeks and 6 days. Everyday passed that point has been a gift.  Now at week 38 of the pregnancy we know if she came now she would be fine. We are excited to have our little girl but also nervous about being parents. Our goal is to keep her alive for the next 18 years and then after that she is on her own.

Week 38. Almost there!