June 20/ 37 weeks 5 days

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!

C-section day. We woke up early, took Destiny to my parents house, and drove to the hospital. My c-section was scheduled for 11 Am but we were told to get there at 9 AM. Shortly after arriving they said that Dr. Lake was almost finished with the first surgery of the day and asked if  I would want to do the C-Section sooner. I said yes. It was only a few minutes before Dr. Lake came in and asked if  I was ready. Dr. Lake said a prayer with us and then we were taken back to the OR. I was so nervous I remember Dr. Lake asking what kind of music I want to listen to but I never remember hearing any. Everything went very quickly. At 10:28 AM Tristan Ellis Snapp came into the world screaming. It was the best sound ever. I could see his reflection in the light over my head. Dr. Lake peeked over the sheet and said, "He actually doesn't look that bad Steph." They took him across the room to weigh him and check him out while taking extra precaution incase he might have OI. He weighed 5lbs 10oz and was about 16 1/4 inches long. His APGARs were 8 at one mintue and 9 at 5 minutes. They wrapped him in a blanket and brought him over to me so I could see him. Then they took him to the NICU and Devin went with them. After finishing stitching me up I went into a recovery room and my sister came in with me. Devin came back and told me that Tristan was doing good and he  showed me pictures before going back to check on him again. I was told I couldn't go to a room until I could lift my legs so I kept trying and in almost no time I got to go to my room.

After only a couple of  hours I was so anxious to go see my baby so I got up and moving. He was already in the intermediate care part of the NICU which was a good thing. We were hoping to have him in the room with us soon. They had already done x-rays and said he didn't have any broken bones. The Neonatologist had already been in contact with Emory and Eggleston and had been told not to do any genetic tests while we were there.

We kept hoping that Tristan would be able to move to our room instead of the NICU since he was doing so well. They him on O2 as a precaution but he kept pulling it out so eventually they took it out. At first they wouldn't let us feed him either but by day 2 we started trying to feed him. I would pump and bring it to him. Finally he was IV free and they also removed the tube they put down his throat (another unncecessary precaution). My doctors were trying to wait to discharge me until Tristan was able to be discharged as well but on Thursday they discharged me. Luckily the nurse gave us a family room with relicners we could stay in for free for the night. However, it turns out we didn't need the room because the Neonatologist arranged for us to have the room-in suite in the NICU so we could stay with Tristan and take care of him. We were told he would be discharged the next morning. The day shift nurse came in before she got off and told us that Eggleston had called and requested our information and she said she didn't want us to be suprised if instead of being discharged we would be sent to Eggleston.

Friday morning the Angel Transport Team came an picked him up. It was very hard to see them take my baby even though we were following right behind. I was in tears even though I knew he needed to go have his hydrocelphus checked. I was afraid that he would have to have surgery right away and I was afraid of having to leave my baby there and go home without him. We got to Eggleston a little while after Tristan did. We were happy to find out that not only could we stay the whole time with Tristan but that they encouraged it. We were both exhausted and ready to go home but not without Tristan. We had a constant flow of doctors and nurses in and out. Everyone was very nice and were able to go with him for tests and actually help out. I'm pretty sure they checked every organ in his body!! We were very relieved to find out that his hydro was stable and not putting any pressure on his brain and he did not need a shunt. The Doctor just wants to monitor him closely. The ortho said  he just wants to watch his legs as well for now. The genetecist said it is not OI or CD. Everyone is so quick to rule out OI just because he has no broken bones but I'm not 100%.. She now thinks it is Rhizomelic Chondroplasia Punctata.  I started to look it up but Devin told me not to because I get myself so upset and we don't know anything for certian. We have been told so many things so we agreed to wait until we get test results and know for sure.

After 6 days in the hospital we were beyond ready to go home so we decided to leave on Sunday without the genetic tests. The tests have to be sent out Mon-Fri before 2 PM and they did not realize this before it was too late on Friday. Since there was no guarentee they could get the tests approved Monday morning we decided to wait and get them done as an outpatient at a later time.

June 17th/ 37 weeks 2 days

On Tuesday the 14th we had our check-up with Dr. Lake. He came in and told us we were going to do the C-Section earlier, which we already knew. We talked about doing it on Thursday the 16th (yesterday) and even started to plan the Pre-Op appointment but after going in for the Bio-phyical Dr. Lake decided to wait until Monday the 20th so I will be almost 38 weeks. I think his thinking is the same as mine, that the longer Tristan stays in the more developed his lungs and everything will be. However,  Dr. Allaire didn't want us to go over 38 weeks so he didn't want to go against him either. He said the reason that Dr. Allaire doesn't want us to go over is because the risk of still-birth goes up. So we have one last check-up which is today (Friday) for a non-stress test. Since Dr. Lake isn't going to be in today he went ahead and did all of our Pre-Op paperwork and discussed the risks of the c-section and ofcourse the negative possiblities with the baby which even though I know what they are, it is still really hard to hear. I had just finally put a lot of the negatives out of my mind and was getting excited but now I'm very worried about Tristan and if he is going to be ok again. I keep telling myself that he has been doing awesome the whole time with showing signs of breathing and swallowing and his chest is measuring normal and we have been throughly watched and checked out by doctors so he will be ok. I guess all I can do really is pray and we will find out in just 3 more days. After my checkup today then I have to be at the hospital for Pre-Op so it's going to be another long day of doctors appointments. On a lighter note, yesterday we went and had Destiny a Big Sister Shirt made. It's so cute. It's pink and the front says "Big Sister" in green, ofcourse since it's her favorite and the back has her name on it. Also Jess bought her a white and pink bow that says "Big Sister". Last night was Devin's last night of work until July 5th so we are excited about that. We get the weekend together before Tristan's arrival Monday.

Thanks everyone in advance for your prayers and support! We really appreciate it!!

36 weeks 2 days

So we had our last check-up with Dr. Allaire our perinatologist today. Tristan is still doing good head and chest still growing and measuring good! His femurs do not look as bowed to me anymore. Now his lower arms looked bowed. His hydrocelphus is still around the same. Dr. A asked if we had our C-Section scheduled and I said yes for the 29th which is 39 weeks and he made a wierd face. He said I thought we talked about going sooner. I told him that I guess the other doctors were waiting for him to say when which he said he already told Dr. Lake. Long story short he said that he wants us to have him between 37 and 38 weeks! He said 37 wks 4 days is ok but he does not want us to go to 38....sooo looks like we will probably be having a baby next week! He was calling Dr. Lake as we left. I'm not sure if Dr. Lake's office will call with the new date or if when we go in they will just send us from there to the hospital. So nervous and excited!

35Wks 7days/ June 7th

I had an apointment with my regular OB today. I was checked the first time for dialation today. I was not dialated any but my cervix was soft but not uncommonly soft considering this is my 2nd baby. Then we went in for the Non-Stress Test. We were picking up contractions today but most likely braxton hicks since they were not painful, I just felt an uncomfortable tightening feeling in my lower adbomen. They were going up to like 85 on the machine today though so much stronger than before. Also Tristan's heartrate kept going up really high and alarms were going off. The nurse came in and buzzed him which made the alarms go off even more. I was kinda freaking out but they said everything looked good and we were sent home.

We have our appointment with Dr. Allaire on Friday and another OB appointment on Tuesday.

Exactly 3 weeks from tomorrow is our scheduled C-Section date! So excited and nervous! Even though the doctors like to keep pointing out, IF we make it till then...

35 Weeks 3 days

So I haven't updated on my last few doctor appointments. Everything has been going well and nothing new to report. Tristan always gives great Bio-physicals as well as Non-Stress Tests. Friday's appointment Dr. Lake told me to make sure I have my bags packed incase we should go early since I am almost 36 weeks now. Cannot believe at the most 3 weeks from Wednesday we will have a baby! I'm so nervous and anxious to see our little guy and praying that everything goes well and that he is okay depsite everything else!

Next week I have an appointment with Dr. Cox on Tuesday since Dr. Lake will not be in the office and we go back to Dr. Allaire on Friday.

34 weeks 2 days/ May 27th

We had our checkup with Dr. Allaire today. Tristan's femurs and humerus are measuring about 20 weeks now so about 14 weeks behind. We could not get a mesurment of his tibias because he is so low. Chest is still measuring good, right around 50th percentile. Dr. Allaire said that his abdomen is measuring a little small so they may decide to take him a little early because of that but only maybe 2 weeks early. He said the fluid in his head was measuring about the same as last time so that would not be cause to have him early thankgoodness. However, he said it was measuring about 1-1.5 centimeters this time and last time he said it was over 2...so that was a little confusing. I'm not even sure if it is possible but, maybe it is draining on its own. Really hoping we don't need a shunt!! Dr. Allaire said it's best to keep him in there and not be premature if at all possible (which was my thinking too).

Wednesday Devin's brother and his wife had their baby girl, Kendra Faith. She is so cute! We visited on Wednesday and Destiny LOVED holding her. Today after our check-up we went to visit again. We were in the room while they were taking her pictures and deciding on packages so I went ahead and got one of the packets so I can be prepared. I'm ready to meet our little guy but at the same time I am scared!! I know Devin is ready. He wanted me to have him TODAY!

33 weeks 6 days May 24

I haven't updated on the last few doctors appointments since there wasn't much to update so here goes... Friday May 20th we had our first Non-stress test done at our regular OB appointment. Everything went well. Saturday was our baby shower. We had a good many guests and received a lot of gifts. We just have a few things left to buy before he gets here : ) Monday the 23rd we had our follow up with the Cardiologist and he was still not able to see the aortic arc as well as he liked he gave us a good report and we do not need to come back to see him thankfully! Tues (today) we had another OB appointment. Everything went good. Another great Bio-physical. Tristan was playing with his feet and toes again : )

Friday we have another appointment with the perinatologist Dr. Allaire. I'm worried about his hydrocephalus and wondering if he is going to say we should do the C-Section sooner. Guess I should get my hospital bag ready! Cannot believe we only have 5 weeks left at most!!