Hi!

Hi everyone! Thank you for visiting our blog. We thought this might be an easier way to keep everyone updated as to any news and happenings as we prepare for our baby girl in June. As you all know, she was diagnosed with gastroschisis at our 18 week ultrasound. Basically, her abdominal wall did not form completely as she developed, leaving a hole in her abdomen. Her intestines have come out of this hole and are now developing and growing outside of her body. She is going to have to have surgery to put her intestines back into her abdomen shortly after she is born. We are still in the process of learning about this birth defect and are trying to think positively about the potential outcomes from the surgery. We won't know much more about the condition of the baby's bowels until she is born or what complications we might need to face so it really is a big waiting game for now. I will be monitored by a high-risk OB team down at Magee from now till the end of my pregnancy when they deliver me, hopefully not via c-section. 

Our next appointment is on March 2nd when I will have another ultrasound to monitor the baby's growth, movements, etc. I will also meet with a high-risk OB. After our appointments at Magee, we are going to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh to meet with the pediatric surgeons who will, hopefully, answer a lot of our questions and give us a better idea of what to expect. The baby (and hopefully me as well) will be transported to Children's shortly after birth where she will have the surgery performed. So we will have more information to share after those appointments. Thanks again for visiting and for all the kind words, prayer, thoughts everyone has given us. We really appreciate it all. Having such wonderful family and friends is definitely making this situation a little easier and we love you all. 

Emily, Tom, & Brody