It’s been a long time since I’ve updated specifically about Bumble Bee, who, as you must have gathered from the title of this post is a boy. We’ve named him Charlie. And there will be ultrasound photos at the end of this post.
When we found out we were having another boy
About a week after I wrote to Calvin about being the furthest along I’d ever been, we had our anatomy scan. It was so amazing to see how much Bumble Bee had grown and to watch him move and stretch and yawn.
This was also when we found out we were having another little boy. It was a bittersweet moment, because I was brought back to the ultrasound with Calvin when we should have found out he was a boy, but instead found out we had lost him. From what other babyloss mommas have said, I expected that being pregnant again would bring up the grief of losing our other babies, and I’ve been navigating that along with the joy, excitement, and fears of carrying another life. That being said, I feel like I need to add: Charlie will not replace Calvin (or Rainbow or Gaelen), nor will he live in Calvin’s (or Rainbow’s or Gaelen’s) shadow. Each of my children have carved their own space in my heart.
We agreed on the name Charlie over lunch at Mel’s Diner after our appointment. I don’t remember what we ate. Or what we were wearing. Just that out of all of the boy names we mentioned, Charlie was the name that felt right.
Bilateral Choroid Plexus Cysts and prayer requests
When we talked to my OB about the ultrasound results, we were told that our baby had bilateral choroid plexus cysts (CPCs). Something new that I’d never heard about; something new to cause fears and worry. The choroid plexus is part of the brain where cerebrospinal fluid is created. The doctor told us that these usually resolve on their own, that he isn’t too worried, and he assured us that there were no other abnormalities. Of course, I had to do my own research. CPCs are fairly common and seen in about 1% of ultrasounds. They can be a soft marker for Trisomy 18 and sometimes Down’s Syndrome, and chances increase when other indicators are present. It started to make more sense to me that they spent a lot more time looking at his brain and his heart, and that they really want to get a picture of him with his hand open.
We have a follow up ultrasound this Thursday, February 16. We could really use your prayers, positive energy, good thoughts, and healthy baby vibes. I also have my prenatal appointment tomorrow (Monday) and will be taking the 1-hour glucose screening for the first time and hoping (a) that I don’t throw it up, and (b) that I pass. If you could include tomorrow’s appointment and test, as well, I would appreciate it.
Ultrasound photo time
And because it’s been a while since I’ve shared ultrasound photos, I wanted to show this collage of ultrasound photos. It doesn’t include the NT Scan printouts we got because they were kind of blurry. I’ll probably do another one that includes it after we get our printout on Thursday (trying to keep positive!).
Growing a little person is such a miracle. I feel so blessed to have carried my three in heaven and to have Charlie with us now. At the same time, I ache for those who also know what it’s like to lose a baby and for those who are trying to bring a baby home.
Hello! I just happened to check over on your blog (I think you follow mine? ) and learned the most wonderful news of your current pregnancy! What a gift, congratulations!!!!
Hi I just found your blog I love it. I wanted to comment to encourage you, our third son was diagnosed at 20 week scan with hydrocephalus, fluid on the brain. They gave us very poor prognosis He is now a healthy perfect 7 year old.
I just gave birth to our 5th son at 19 weeks it is one of the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. thank you for sharing your story.
Tesha, thank you so much for sharing, and I’m glad your son is now a thriving 7-year-old. I’m so very sorry to hear about the loss of your 5th son. I agree that it is definitely a difficult thing to go through, and it’s life altering. I hope you are able to find comfort during this time. Please feel free to keep in touch with me (crystal[at]louielovescrystal.com) if you ever need to vent or talk.
I Love the name Charlie! Great ultrasound pics. Will be praying for you tomorrow.
Thanks, so much, Mary. It was a good appointment!
The name Charlie is adorable, it’s good they are being very thorough with the tests and ultrasound. Jack’s Down Syndrome and heart defects were a shock to us after he was born, we had crappy doctors that didnt pic up anything form the ultasounds. It sounds like you have a good doc. good luck on the rest of your tests. Take Care
thank you, michelle. sorry your doctors weren’t as thorough with Jack 🙁 hoping they are much more watchful with your rainbow
Good luck today!! My everything is crossed for an all clear on the cysts soon! Grow Charlie, grow!!
x <3 o
thanks so much 🙂
Praying for your scan tomorrow x
thanks, bernadeena — scan is on thursday, actually, but appt today went pretty well
Both of my sisters sons had choroid plexus cysts show up on their anatomy scans and both boys are perfect. It scared us too and we did a lot of research and realized that they are really common. I’m hoping and praying it is the same with Charlie. I love his name and his pictures.
thanks for sharing, dana, it’s comforting to know that!
Praying for the next US. Id love to hear that the cysts are gone
i appreciate it, holly
Oh Crystal, I love this post!! 🙂 Prayers coming your way!
♥ thank you
Praying… (Love his picture)
thanks, rita (i love his pics, too)
Praying for you and cute baby Charlie!
Hugs <3
thank you, shauna
Praying so very hard for all of you. I love the name Charlie !
{{{{Hugs}}}} <3
thank you ♥
He is so very, very beautiful.
thank you, A 🙂