I have a funny sense of Humor, I know, some might even say weird.

Ok, so we've been meeting with the cemetary and funeral home, so that everything is taken careof ahead of time and we won't have to worry about it when the time comes. So that's not the funny part. But it was when we were talking to the lady at the cemetary. She was telling us that the cost of spaces depends on where you want to be in the park. I thought ok, and then she took us out on the tour. I just had to laugh. There is a creek that runs through the cemetary park. The spaces on the "water-front property" are more expensive then the other spaces. I just think it's funny. I think when i'm dead I won't care whether i'm on water-front property or not. It's just like regular real-estate. I don't know why, it just strikes my funny bone.

We're planning on getting two spaces one for me and one for Kip and then they'll put Zeke in what they call the marker row so we won't have to purchase a seperate space for him. So we're probably going to get a big marker and have all of our names put on it now instead of later then later they'll just have to put our last date. So we were talking about it and i just blurted out. Hey Kip we can come and visit our-selves. That seems kind of funny too. oh well, maybe you're thinking my sense of humor is weird. well, maybe it is. My family always told me I was weird, in a good way though. He he.

Hello Zeke Ellis Stanger - via ultra-sound :)

Side profile with his mouth open. :)

Cute little face. Don't worry the dark side on the side of his face is just the result of the scanner. He has a beautiful head. We love you Zeke!

Update!!!

So here's the update on our situation. We had an amniocentisis done and the diagnosis is Trisomy 18. This means that the 18th Chromosome has three strands instead of 2. For example Trisomy 21 is Downs Syndrome. Trisomy 18 is also called Edwards Syndrome. The picture below shows some of the charactaristics of Edwards Syndrome. If you want more info. you can google Trisomy 18 and go to the Trisomy 18 foundation page, or go to http://www.soft.uk.org/ they also have info on it.

Some t-18 babies have no other structural symptions, but then some have all of the symptoms. They don't know why this happens. They say that 50% of of t-18 babies are still born. of those born alive 10% might live past their first birthday. The average life expectancy is 10 days. Out little guy has almost all the symptoms. Perhaps more. he has:(for those who may be squimish you can skip the next paragraph.)

He has fluid on the brain. Some of his brain has developed but is under pressure from the fluid, and some parts have not developed. His heart has a big hole in the the ventricular wall and fluid in his abdomen which they say is indicitive of heart failure. But he does have a good heart beat right now. His intestines and possibly liver are on the outside of his abdomen. He has lots of problems and curves in his back. He does have the rocker bottom feet. And it looks like his hands might be attached at the elbows. It's possible he could have a cleft palat but we haven't seen this for sure yet, and his esophogus might not connect to his stomach. We have an ultra sound on the 20th of this month. So we'll hopefully be able to check on these last two symptoms.

Anyway, for now he is alive and well. I can usually feel him moving at least once a day. Sometimes two-three times. After we do a zone therapy session for him I can feel him move a lot more like 6-7 times in a day for a couple days. This is nice. And makes me feel like I'm actually able to help him in some way. I've also found a great group of other t-18 moms on face book. They are in all stages of the journey, Some are like me prego with a t-18 child others, are taking care of their t-18 children. It's encouraging to see these kids living. And others are dealing with the loss of their child. It's nice to be able to communicate with them and know that I am not alone.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Life is good. We're taking it one day at a time. I still have good days and some sad, but definately more good than bad. I didn't get Christmas card out this year, but please know that you are loved. And maybe well get something out later.

Love you all, thanks for your prayers, your love and support!!!