Level 2 Update

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for all the kind words of support. Many of you took the time out to tell me your own story or experience, and it means so much. I can't tell you how much better you all made me feel. Click HERE for my original blog from the NT scan.

Tuesday morning we met with a genetic counselor who just walked us through the results. Long story short, they found two things in the blood related to down syndrome. My HCG was high (which explains why I was so sick this time around) and PAPP-A was low. On average they like to see HCG and PAPP-A around 1.0. My HCG was at 2.43 and my PAPP-A was at .78, which is what put me in the high risk category.  Ultimately, the counselor kept reminding me that I still only have a .5 chance of having a baby with Downs.

After the genetic counseling, they sent us over to do the level 2 ultrasound. Basically, they check for soft markers associated with down's such as sandal gap, thickening in the back of the neck, bright bowl, spots on the heart or sign of a heart defect, extra fluid around the organs etc. Thankfully, they didn't find any of these things. The doctor made it very clear that 50% of babies with down syndrome show no soft markers during the level 2, and the only way to know for sure would be an amnio. However, he thought with the original NT results, the presence of a nasal bone, and the level 2 results that he didn't think it was necessary. Which was good because Brandon and I had already decided that we did not want to have one done.

We also found out that I still have placenta previa, yuck! BUT... also found out that we have a sweet baby girl on the way! All in all, I am feeling much better about everything.  I'm such a worrier by nature, but for some reason I have remained very calm about the whole thing. Now I'm off to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy, but I'll leave you with this sweet bit of baby goodness below:

Wordless Wednesday: Waiting for Santa

It's not an "it" anymore...

We are thrilled to announce...

it's another sweet baby GIRL for the Souders' family, and we're tickled pink!!!!!

A Christmas Miracle?

Okay maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but we have had quite the change of heart about Santa.

Presley wouldn't even look at the camera because she was too busy chatting it up with him. Not only that, but she happily hung around on his lap while her cousin jumped in for a picture.

There is Yet another Christmas miracle to be witnessed in the picture above. Please note, both cousins smiling and looking at the camera! Can I get a Hallelujah!?!

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

Presley and I have been doing lots of Christmas crafting around here lately. Today we made cinnamon applesauce ornaments. I used to make these with my Pre-K kiddos, and they all loved it. If you haven't ever made these, you are missing out. They are super easy and smell AMAZING!!! I will post the recipe and directions below, but first a disclaimer:

Warning: First, these are NOT for eating. Second, my daughter wanted to craft naked with unkempt hair, so I let her. Don't judge. Third, I have the oldest cookie sheets known to man and they look disgusting. Once again, don't judge.

The ingredients:

• 1 cup of applesauce
• 1 cup of cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons glue

Directions:

1. combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

2. Stir together until it looks like this.

3. Pause to make sure your child is enjoying this so far.

4. Roll mixture out onto a cookie sheet/cutting board/countertop etc.(try to keep the thickness about 1/4 of an inch). It's sticky so you will probably want to use cooking spray or flour.

5. Grab some cookie cutters.

6. Press down and then pull dough mixture away from cookie cutter.

7. Check one more time to make sure your child is having fun. I got really into it, and kind of forgot about Presley for a bit. Looks like we're all good here though.

8.Transfer Ornaments to a baking sheet or wax paper. Bake in the oven on the lowest temperature for an hour or let dry on wax paper for 24 hours.

9. Then let your child go to town with any left over dough while waiting for the ornaments to dry.

10. Finish with a ribbon or any hanging device of your choice.

See,  how easy was that?!? And no clothes required to complete the job. I'm actually using ours to tie onto presents, so my friends and family, just act surprised when you get yours.

Miss December: Then and Now Edition

~Then~

~Now~

~Then~

~Now~

P.S. It really helps when you have Mimi jumping through hoops to get your baby to smile. Too bad she wasn't here to help this year. I did get a half smile though. And yes, she still fits into the entire outfit!

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Can I just say that I love this toy! It's the fisher Price Nativity made just for destructive little hands. Last year, I made the sad choice of letting Presley play with my nice Nativity, and there were casualties. Many casualties. Unfortunately, a wiseman was decapitated, a donkey lost his ear, and poor Joseph lost his right hand. Presley can be as violent rough as she wants and no limbs will be lost. Lets face it, loosing limbs during Christmas time is never any fun...