Week 18: Half Baked

We are now on Rachel's 18th week (4 1/2 months) of pregnancy which officially marks the halfway point for this long and arduous journey. Here's the highlight reel for this past week:

Latest Baby Stats
Fetal Heart Rate (FHR): 157 BPM
Length (from head to toe): 9-10 inches
Cervical Length (internal os / external os): 2cm / 3.3cm - wish it was a bit longer, but still holding steady

*Price is Right Voice* -- A New Carrrrrr

I want my M-P-G

With the advent of the sale of my car to my little bro, we decided to take advantage of some good 4th of July deals and upgrade our old Prius to the new and improved, solar-powered, 50 MPG, geek-cred certified -- 3rd Generation Prius!  We figured that a second car is a necessity with our growing family where maximum mobility for both parentals is key.  It's also good for the silent drive-by - break yo' self fooooo!  So gangsta!

God Bless America
Week 18 also coincides with my 3rd or 4th favorite holiday - July 4th. Growing up, July 4th played second fiddle to the "big-three" holidays: Arbor Day, National Pirate Talking Day and The Laker Championship Parade! (I keed, I keed - Christmas, Thanksgiving & Halloween my grasshoppers!)  That all changed when I met Rachel, as the Quizon clan (Rachel's side of the family), always does the 4th explosively big.  The Quizon boys go out of their way to ensure that the entire city of Norwalk, and neighboring vicinities, are aware that some very legal (in Nevada) fireworks are being launched in front of my mother-in-laws house.  It really is quite a sight to see, and I'd say rivals only Disney's Fantasmic in grandeur, but with a little hint of "someone's going to lose an eye" steelo.

It's only fun 'till someone loses an eye!

Rach and our half-baked baby had a front row, but safe, seat for the fireworks spectacular, but had to do it in a doctor prescribed lying down position with her feet elevated.  FYI - our Uncle Froylan jerry-rigged my mom-in-laws ab-lounge for the task.  This all leads me to our last topic:

Grounded
Though the doctor's gave Rach the OK to go on about her normal activities post-cerclage, it seems that she may have overdone with all the fun this past holiday weekend.  Rach exhibited some brown spotting the morning of the 4th (note that bright red is a bad sign) and though not necessarily an item of imminent concern, after some prodding by my mom-in-law, Rach decided to contact the doctor.  Doctor's orders came back with bedrest for the duration of the holiday and to come into the office the following Tuesday for an ultrasound just to make sure everything was ok.  During the ultrasound, one thing that stood out was a bright spot in Camille's heart called a echogenic intracardiac focus, apparently common in Asians according to the doctor.  Also, no evident explanation for the spotting except that it could be old blood leftover from the cerclage.  Other than that, thankfully, I'm happy to report that the doctor gave both Mommy & Baby a clean bill of health, and normal activities can continue, albeit with the admonition that she has to stay off her feet as much as possible.

Ultimately, I think this is just a simple reminder that high-risk pregnancies are called such for a reason and that rest & relaxation are the order of the day.  So if you see Rach booty shakin' it and partying hard - please tell that preggy eggy to calm down and dial Eph-1-1 STAT!  :0)

P.S. Happy Birthday shout outs to Camille's lola (today) and my favorite sis-in-law (tomorrow).  Eph, Rach and Camille love you guys!