25 weeks

Meg had her monthly ultrasound/checkup on wednesday.  I almost made a joke to her before we went about what new concern would present itself today.  It seems that today's technology is a mixed blessing.  On the one hand we have access to amazing information.  Information that can be life saving or life altering in positive ways and information that is hugely inspirational to curious parents/loved ones.  At the same time this information is more than we may ever need to know.  Example of the week.  Our girl apparently has a bladder with walls like Fort Knox.  As they are scanning around they find she has a very full bladder.  They wonder if she just has not relieved herself or if maybe she cannot relieve herself.  So they check her kidneys and fluids and everything there looks fine.  Basically, they think she just needs to empty her bladder, but they will make a note of the finding and check in the future to see if it remains an issue.  If we had been scheduled for a 9:00 ultrasound instead of 7:00 would we even have something to be concerned with? 

Second example:  while Meg was in the hospital they were using your standard baby monitor to make sure the babies were doing well.  These monitors are little saucer shaped sensors they lock in place on your belly.  They don't move; babies do.  Obviously, as a baby moves or mom moves or the air conditioning blows the babies are not evenly monitored.  The little machine that displays the reading thus bounces all over the place.  Our little ones normal heart rates are at about 140-150 beats per minute.  This machine erratically bounces up into the 200's, down into the 70's, 50's, 90's, and occasionally just shows lines as though there is no heartbeat.  Next to this displayed number is a flashing heartbeat.  The heartbeat only flashes if the machine is picking up the actual heartbeat at a measureable pace.  They decide its good if dad can see this machine.  Maybe they have found it is a great distraction for dads so they don't bother the nurses or doctors, because if that machine is visible I just sit fixated on those bouncing numbers.  Everytime it moves from 150 I start getting my own irregular heartbeat.  I have decided this machine needs a daddy mode where it just displays a constant beating heartbeat even if the machine is not registering that.  If there is a problem the machine can just tell the nurses at the desk.

So...technology is great.  I don't want to sound sour, because I think ultrasounds are amazing.  I think they are a glimpse into the miracle of creation that previous generations were not afforded.  I think they are a great tool in the fight against abortion, and may cause the eventual equivalent of the emancipation proclamation.  Each time I get to see the rapidly beating hearts growing inside I am excited, assured, and inspired.  And thus, we march on.  We continue to pray for the Lord to protect the babies inside Meg's womb and to allow them to continue to grow staying inside.  We pray for His blessings on their new lives, that they may be ready to follow and serve Him upon their arrival. 

On a different note, Meg and I have completed one of the baby name books that we have.  We did not add but a couple names out of that whole book to our list for the baby girl.  As such, suggestions and bribes are still readily welcomed.  We have a second book claiming it has 25,000 names.  Bribes sound much better.