The last three weeks have been a wild ride.  I will try to give you all the condensed version:

Three weeks ago Ryan and I found out we are having a boy, which we are both so thrilled about.  Ryan grew up living with only women from the age of 6 to the age of 18, so I am really happy he is going to get a little buddy to pal around with.

Besides finding out we are having a boy, we also got some not so good news.  Our son has an omphalocele.  Basically most of his liver and some of his small intestine are in a protective membrane inside of his umbilical cord.  Having an omphalocele is associated with a higher likelihood of having other chromosomal abnormalities and other congenital birth defects.  One major concern is the higher likelihood of heart defects.  Well, great news: our son has passed the amnio and the fetal echo (ultrasound of the heart) with flying colors.  He has no other abnormalities that can be seen, and he even has a cute little nose as of right now.  How he got a cute small nose is beyond me!  Ryan is considering requesting a DNA test.  This kid comes from a long line of "interesting" noses.

So, what does this all mean?  It means I am going to be pretty heavily monitored by specialists at UW to make sure that he is growing.  I will be being monitored by a specialist up at UW on a monthly basis until around 36 weeks, then I will be in there weekly.  The goal is to have a c-section when I am at 39 weeks, so right around March 7th.  They want him to cook in there as long as possible so that his lungs have plenty of time to develop.  Babies that have an omphalocele usually have a small stomach cavity, so there is a risk of his lungs not developing right.  So, I will deliver at UW, then the baby and Ryan will be taken to Seattle Children's Hospital by ambulance while I do jumping jacks and sprints to show the medical staff that I am ready to be wheeled over there ASAP.  My doctor says two days.  I think I can get over there in one.  Either way I am not stoked about this, but luckily this little guy has an awesome dad that is more than willing to be hands on.  And hands on he shall be!  Plus Seattle Children's Hospital is extremely experienced with O babies, so I know he will be getting the best care around.

There are a lot of things we just won't know until this little guy makes his debut.  If he doesn't have any other issues the surgeon we met with said he should be in the hospital from 1-3 months.  The plan is to do a conservative treatment that involves keeping a solution on the membrane and applying some pressure with bandages.  Eventually it all goes back in with the small amount of pressure, and after approximately 8 months he will go in for surgery to have his abdominal wall closed, and he will be in the hospital for about another 10 days.  This is the plan as of now, but it is all subject to change when we meet him and see what he is capable of.  I need him to come out screaming Johnny Rotten style!

Obviously this situation is going to be logistically and financially challenging for us.  We live about an hour away from the Children's Hospital with no traffic.  And there is always traffic.  Also, life doesn't stop around us.  Grass still grows, work still beckons, diabetic dogs still need insulin, and mortgages still need to be paid.  I have faith that Ryan and I will make this work.  He is a former United States Marine for crying outloud!  But I am not fooling myself into thinking this isn't going to be very challenging.  So, keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  We are all three going to need them.  And the dogs too!

I will post updates to this blog so that everybody can stay in the loop if they choose.  I hope that people turn to this blog for information rather than 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th parties.  Or just email us.  Also, please do not use any photos off of this site for your own use.  I am working on getting this site licensed so that using our photos is prohibited.  AND, lastly, I know a lot of people like Facebook for such things, but we are choosing to not use Facebook for a platform at this time.  This blog is only passed around to our family and friends, or those who are searching for information on omphaloceles. 

By the way, our child is still nameless!  I am pushing for Nash because it means adventure.  How appropriate!  Just thought I would also use this blog to get my name agenda out there because Ryan thinks it is "too trendy."  Nash Micheal Christiansen.  I think it has a nice ring to it......try it with a southern accent....

Untill our next update,

Carly, Ryan and Baby C