35 Weeks & Dr. Appt.

Time seems to be creeping by ever so slowly...  yet I can't believe I'm 35 weeks!  A HUGE milestone indeed!

My doctor's appointment on Wednesday this week was pretty much a repeat of the week before in that there had been no change in dilitation.  I went into it with a much better frame of mind, expecting that, this time.  Last week I pretty much felt defeated.  The doc did say baby had dropped a little more and something about I probably feel like I have a bowling ball about to drop out.  Why yes, yes I do. 

I pressed him for some parameters and deal-making this time ; )

If I dilate one more cm, he will admit me to stop labor if I'm still earlier than term (37 weeks).  If I dilate 2cm, he will admit me and we will deliver because there's no stopping labor then.  He is keeping me on bedrest for TWO MORE WEEKS.  This was the hardest to accept.  I was thinking in my head "Um yah, If I make it that long!".  Once I hit 37 weeks, he said he'll take me off bedrest and let whatever happens, happen. 

He also said I couldn't have the baby this weekend, because he is taking his family out of town to a big rollercoaster amusement park, lol.  I objected and first pointed out that A) I did NOT approve this leaving town business and B) I gave him Memorial Day Weekend off and didn't bother him once!

So I told him I'd make a deal with him:  If he promised NOT to Mag me after Friday (tomorrow, when I am officially 35 weeks), I would promise to will this child to stay inside all weekend so he could be with his family.  Well, the jokes on me, because he has two guys covering for him while he's away.  And in his words?  "They have no idea yet".  Saweeeeet for me.  (Sense my sarcasm??)  So there's a possibility that I will be sliced open like a rotisserie hog by a complete stranger should baby come this weekend.  Awesome.

I did not gain any weight again, which is fine by me.  My belly is growing by the minute, so all that food I'm eating is going SOMEWHERE!  My BP was also high again so we are increasing my BP meds once again.

Oh, and for the first time in 2 pregnancies, when I went to give my urine sample?  I just sat down and peed, lost in thought.  Totally forgot to use the cup.  Ooops!  I'm sure it happens all the time, but I still felt dumb.

My dear husband brought home a refill on my Procardia prescription tonight:  A 30-day supply.  I may or may not have freaked and screamed "I WILL NOT BE PREGNANT THAT LONG!!!!!!"

I've not had an ultrasound since around the 20-week mark, so NO idea how baby is measuring.  But according to Babycenter.com, he/she is around 5 1/4 pounds and 18 inches at this point.  The past few nights he or she has been moving SO MUCH all night long.  Like, spastic, non-stop.  I was getting worried that something might be wrong....what baby wiggles around that much?  Is there even a such thing as too much movement?  It gets so uncomfortable that I don't get much sleep.  It seems I just get settled in to a comfortable enough position and then the Tae Kwon Do starts up.

Sure, just when I get Morgan sleeping through the night, this baby is going to be a night owl ; )  Ah well...I'll take that any day over bedrest!  I just can't wait to meet him or her!!!!!

The Pregnancy Made Me Do It & Confessions

Or rather, this time around, I should blame it on the bedrest (for the record, that is now a swear word to me.  I am so over it).

What's a girl to do with all this time on her hands?  Well shop, of course.  There's nothing good on TV, I've almost finished book #3 since this whole bedrest thing started - and for the record?  I didn't care for 50 Shades of Grey. 

There. I said it.

I forced myself to finish it because I thought I might get some answers to the only part of the story that really held my interest:  What the hell is wrong with that guy and why is he the way he is?  What happened to him as a child????  I was sorely disappointed and won't be finishing the trilogy.  The Hunger Games, however...I will finish that.  Even though I'm not devouring it as fast as I thought I would.  I put it down, a lot.

Anyhoo, on to my confessions:

Carter's is having a whopper of a sale this weekend, an additional 25% off clearance, a lot of it summer clothes.  So of course I fill up a cartload for Morgan, she is growing like a weed and at 15 months she needs 18 month sized clothing now.  It's cute to see her too-tight t-shirts and her little belly poking out, but it's time for some bigger clothes ; )

And then, I couldn't resist.  I'm ashamed to admit this, but, ::whispers:: I bought some boy clothes.  You know...just in case.  Plus there were like $3 each, so I figured, what the heck?  I *think* I can return them if this baby turns out to be a girl, or I can always give them as a gift.  This is something I SWORE I wouldn't do.  What's wrong with me?  Bedrest makes you crazy, I tell ya!

I bought this too, because it will work for either a boy or a girl (if it's a girl, I plan to put a big gaudy bow/headband on her, lol!):

{After going back to retrieve the picture, I see it is listed in the "Baby Boy" section, but whatevs.  I can girly it up.}

I also ordered some things for myself from Target.com (Doctors orders...after banning my trip there, he told me to order online!  That'll show him!  Plus it makes up for me & Morgan's lack of weekly trips there.  I bet the store doesn't even look the same inside and the store workers are wondering where we are!). 

Casual, comfy dress to dress up or down.  And not constricting in the tummy while I recover from my c-section.  And buttons for easy BFing access.  Here's hoping I don't look like a stuffed sausage in it, lol!

Comfy knit dress for running errands, because let's be honest:  My normal waistbands won't fit for a while after baby comes.  And the wrap top will pull aside, again for easy BFing access.

These look just like the DV ones, but waaaaay cheaper.  I heart hot pink.

You know...for all the exercising I will be doing after baby ; )

I am also nearly out of mascara so I visited my weakness, Sephora.com.  And you know you can't just order one measly little thing, you gotta justify the shipping charges, right??  So I have a few goodies coming from there as well. 

I didn't go too overboard with any of this stuff.  But I decided I need something to look forward to this week, and getting packages on my doorstep is about as exciting as it gets around here ; )

I find myself dealing with thinking about the future in terms of "When I Can Leave the House Again."  I hadn't left the house since last Wednesday for my doctor's appointment.  It's Sunday, people.  So after whining all weekend, the Hubs finally caved and took me out for Mexican food tonight at a little joint that is literally a 30-second drive from our house.  I needed that.  (Well, what I really needed was a margarita, but I refrained.)

Baby #1 found the Teddy Grahams.  Baby #2 is G-R-O-W-I-N-G!!!!

Ready for some Mexican food and to escape from the compound for a little bit!

This weekend it was nearly 100 degrees out and humid.  Later in the afternoons both yesterday and today, we took Morgan outside to our little backyard to play on her splash table.  She realized fast she didn't like crawling on the concrete patio, so she took to walking with her feet, while bent over, crawling with her hands.  Kind of like an ape.  It was too funny!

It's breaking my heart that I can't pick her up.  She fell today and started crying and just wanted me to hold her, so I tried to get down on the floor and hug her.  This seemed to anger her even more, so Daddy rescued her and picked her up.  I stood back up (90 seconds later because that is how long it takes, I swear) and she still reached for me, crying.  So we did a "Family Hug".  Poor thing, I felt SO bad!

Playing at the splash table and YES we DID break out the sidewalk chalk!

Her Ape-Walk. No, really, she walked around like this constantly outside, ha!

"It's too hot out mama, I'm going back inside OK?"

I'm trying to stay positive, but I've been a big grumpster and having a pity party for myself.  I'm trying to NOT take it out on my dear Hubs.  He's trying so hard to do it all right now, AND keep me happy -- which is a feat all its own.  I know it will all be over with soon, and I'll have that new baby in my arms.  (Or I'll be going crazy with two babies, at home, all alone, wishing I could go back on bedrest, haha!)

There's so much I feel like I should be doing right now though.  To keep myself occupied, I came up with a To-Do List of things that I can do right now.  The Hubs was more than happy to add to my list (thanks honey!).  But at least it will keep me out of trouble and keep me from focusing on all the things I can't do.

And I'm sure it's only because I can't...but boy am I dying to exercise.  Never thought I'd say that!


Well, that was pretty much our holiday weekend.  We thought the Hubs was off tomorrow, but turns out he works.  Bummer.

Hope you all had a lovely Memorial Day Weekend and may the festivities and relaxation continue tomorrow!

Little Baby Who Will You Be?

The closer I get to the end of this pregnancy, the more I am wondering about this little life growing  inside me.  Boy?  or Girl?  Will he/she look more anything like me?  Like Daddy again?  Like Morgan?  Or will they look nothing like siblings?

Every once in a while, someone will slip up and say something, even though nobody knows the sex of this baby except our doctor and our ultrasound tech.  Example:  A few weeks ago, the Hubs was talking about going somewhere and he said "You and the girls can just come later..."  I stopped him and said "Wait - did you just say 'You and the GIRLS'?"  He said "Yeah...I just have a feeling it's going to be a girl."

He has since changed his mind and decided this baby is a boy.  ????

When I was hospitalized last week, one of my nurses said something in reference to the baby being a "she".  I asked her "Do you know the sex of my baby?  Because we are keeping it a surprise."  She said "No, it's not in your chart unless we have your physician's office fax over your prenatal records."  She then added "I just thought you must have a baby girl at home because you said "she"..."  I told her yes, I have a 15-month old girl at home already.

So when the next nurse came on shift, I couldn't resist asking her the same question, to see if I'd get the same answer:  She replied the same, that they don't know the sex unless they request the prenatal records and don't have a need to know.  Made sense.  But I still wondered deep down if that first nurse blew it and accidentally gave it away, lol!  Nurse #2 did look at the monitor and say "But that's a boy heart rate" very matter of factly.  I just laughed and said "Oh it is, now, is it?"

Me?  I have no idea!!  There are so many differences this time around, which make me think "Boy".  But then again, I know each pregnancy can be completely different. 

I can totally see having 2 little girls.  I KNOW how to do girls.  Boys, not so much.  Although a boy would be fun too!  As a side note, I am secretly thankful I won't be the mom of ALL boys.  I don't think I'd have the energy!

The Hubs and I have said all along, we don't care either way, the sex of this child.  We just want a healthy baby.  The gender will in no way determine whether or not add to our family in the future (as in, "If we have a boy, we'll have one of each and be done.")  Does not matter to us.

Saw this questionnaire on another blog & thought it was cute....something to pass the time and seeing as how I'm on bed rest these days, I got lots of time!  And I thought it would be fun to look back on after baby arrives!

1.  Chinese gender chart says: Boy

2. Are you eating more(boy) or sick/nauseated (girl)?: Boy

3. Lots of morning sickness (girl), or not too sick (boy)?: Boy

4. Do you crave sweet foods (girl) or salty (boy)?: Hmmm, salty for the first 2 trimesters, now its sweeeeeeeets!  and CHOCOLATE!  So not sure how to answer that one.

5. Is your skin clear (boy) or do you have breakouts (girl)?: Boy

6. Is the heartbeat high (girl) or low (boy)?: Boy

7. Have you been more clumsy (boy) or graceful (girl)?: Boy

8. Has your husband put on sympathy weight (girl) or not (boy): Boy

9. Consider your age at conception and the year of conception. If both are even or both are odd (girl). If one is even and one is odd (boy): Girl

10. My "mother's intuition" says: I have no clue! Most of my pregnancy I thought Boy, and then for a a few weeks Girl, but now I'm not so sure. If I had to guess right now, I'd say Boy

11. The husband's "father's intuition" says: Girl Boy now ; )

13. Mother-in-law says: Girl

14. Father says: Girl

15. Sister says: Boy

16. Best friend says: Girl

I am so excited for this precious babe to join our family!

All I know is, I've mostly refrained from buying anything in the way of clothes.  But then I felt really sad and guilty one day that this little baby will only have Morgan's hand-me-down gender neutral onesies for its first few days of life until we can buy some things (thank you hormones!)  So I did purchase a few outfits from the Carters store that were gray & white.  The nursery is also being decorated in gray & white.  And I am just itching to add little pops of either pink or blue!!

High Five for Friday

 

Yay for Friday!  Yay for a 3-Day Weekend.  Yes, SAHM's love them too ; )

Linking up again with Lauren @ From My Grey Desk.  Let's do this.

Here are my 5 Favorite Things from this past week:

1.  My sweet friends Dahlia & Hafzah came to visit me yesterday and brought me lunch from the Cheesecake Factory.  We had a great time catching up, and for a while I forgot I was confined to my house and it felt just like I was entertaining friends again.  Oh, AND they brought me this:

Chloe perfume gift set.

 I may be sitting around in tank tops and yoga pants 24/7, but putting on fancy perfume is a sure way to put me in a better mood!

2.  This lil' nugget went shopping with her Nana and got fitted for some shoes at Stride Rite.  This was on my to-do list, but I don't foresee getting it done anytime soon, so Nana was happy to take her.

 She thought she was pretty neat stuff in her new kicks!

I just can't get over how big and grown she looks every day.  I am sure once her new baby brother or sister arrives, she will seem like a giant!  I had been always buying cute, inexpensive shoes at Target & Old Navy, but never could figure out what size she truly is.  I figured I'd get one decent pair now, and the sales lady said you can expect her to go up a size every 3 months.  Hmmm, that could prove expensive!

Miss Morgan has also been exploding her vocabulary the last few days.  She went from 2 words (Da Da and Nana) and is now saying "Bay-beee" (baby), "Wow", "Green", "cheese", and I think I've heard a few "Mama"s in there.  She also will imitate, in babble, everything I say!  This age is SO fun!  There is literally something new she is doing or saying every day!

I was sitting on the couch (when am I not?, lol!) today, talking to my MIL.  I was nodding my head in agreement as she told me something and I looked down at Morgan, who had toddled up to me and was holding onto my leg.  She was watching my face very carefully, nodding along with me and moving her mouth like I was...it was SO cute!  I better be careful of what I say and my mannerisms now that little eyes are watching!!

3.  The Pie Lady visited my husband this week.  She is a patient of his and I don't know if I've blogged about her God-given talent before, but her pies?  Are a life-changing experience.  FOR REAL.  Now I could take or leave Pecan Pie.  But this...oh this.....is HEAVEN in your mouth.  And that is no exaggeration!  What is it about sugar + fat + pecans???

Heaven

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Speaking of food, we've got food coming out our ears here.  I know, First World problems, right?  But seriously, I should probably stop eating every night until my belly hurts.  It's just not right.  It's all SO good though ; )

5.  And lastly, I am 34 weeks today.  I don't even know what that means anymore, except my belly is HUGE....but here is a horrible cell phone pic, doctored up with PicMonkey (my new obsession):

The contractions seem to have eased up.  I am still having a few a day, and particularly at night, but nothing like they were.  Still taking the Procardia.  My hips and back and behind are so sore from sitting/laying all the time.  I've also been having a 2-3 hour bout of insomnia every night, so I get up, go sit in the new baby's room in the new glider rocker & ottoman and read til I get sleepy.  I also have my routine snack of Dark Choco Almond Milk and a few graham crackers.  Because I'm a 4 year old, ha!

I'll be honest here...I needed this list of 5 happy things to remind me to quit pouting.  I am losing my mind here to bedrest.  I just wish there was an end in sight.  And I'm not referring to the 6/29 end date either.

Hope you all have a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!  The Hubs is off work and it's supposed to be in the MID 90's all weekend!  I hope to at least soak up a little sunshine!

Dr. Appointment Today

I was surprised to hear him say "No change".  Huh??

He did say Baby had dropped down more.  And my blood pressure was way too high, so we'll be restarting my blood pressure meds lightly.  But I was still dilated the same (2cm) and still 80% effaced.  How can that be?  Every night for the past few nights I have been having horrendous contractions that keep me up for a couple of hours.  Last night I even started timing them -- they were 5 minutes apart and about a minute and a half to two minutes long.  It was not fun.  This went on for almost 2 solid hours.  During this time, I got up, drank a bunch of water and decided to bury myself in a book for a distraction from the discomfort.  They eventually subsided enough that I could go back to sleep comfortably.  I was so close to calling L&D to see if I should come in, but they didn't get worse or more frequent, so I tried to wait it out. 

I feel like I don't know what my body is doing.  I asked what the game plan is and he said "There isn't one."  Ouch.

I know staying inside is what's best for baby.  I know that a lot of brain development is continuing right now, the lungs are still maturing, and Baby is bulking up.

But I have to admit -- I was a little disappointed to hear this could go on indefinitely.  The strict bed rest, trying to arrange helpers, who I'm sure had no hesitation about helping a few days this week.  They didn't sign up for a month of this though.  Not to mention the physical discomfort.  I can't imagine being in labor for a month.

So I need a new mental game plan to figure out how to keep my sanity and keep this baby inside as long as possible.  I will see my doctor again in one week for a recheck.  I am supposed to call if the contractions and pain get worse/more frequent, there is any blood, or my water breaks.

Oh, and sorta funny, I was asking him for clarification of what I could do around the house besides rotate from the bed to the chair to the couch.  He asked me "What is it EXACTLY that you're wanting to do?"  I said "I dunno....like maybe make a short little Target run for a couple things?"  He laughed and said "HECK NO!!  You can go to www.target.com and they will ship free if the order is over $50!" What can I say...I like to push the limits ; )

In the mean time, I have some very sweet friends coming over for lunch tomorrow and this weekend the Hubs is off.  It's supposed to be HOT outside, so maybe we can sit outside and relax with a cold fruity mocktail.

Who's Well Rested??

This Girl.  Yah, I know, I have it real rough 'round these parts ; )  I'm antsy.  It could have something to do with the fact that I'm seeing my OB in the morning at 9am for another check.  I hope to have an action plan in place and a better idea of when this baby is coming at that point.

Ideally?  I'd stay pregnant for another 3+ weeks, but I don't think it's going to pan out that way.  I've had several signs the past few days that indicate otherwise (without going into too much graphic detail).

There are only so many outcomes after tomorrow's appointment, but I predict one of three:
1.  I haven't progressed much, if at all, and will be sent back home on continued bed rest.
2.  I have progressed, but not enough to deliver.  Enough to admit me to the hospital to keep me on bed rest and close observation so they can do the c-section relatively soonish.  (Boo to this one, I'd much rather be in the comfort of my own home and able to be with my baby girl all day!)
3.  I have progressed and this baby's coming and we need to do the c-section asap.

There's a lot of gray area in the OB field (to me anyway)...a lot of "wait and see".  I know my doctor cannot act unless labor is imminent, as that would constitute medical malpractice.

But deep down inside.... You know, the overly emotional, hormonal pregnant part of me?  I'm getting SO excited to meet this little person who has been squirming around in my belly.  And since we don't know the gender, the anticipation is killing me this time around!!  And who will he or she look like?

I have come to a place of accepting whatever lies ahead, so long as my baby is healthy. As the old saying goes, "Let Go and Let God."  It's been a week since I first went into the hospital and I will say it's been rough on everyone.  But probably mostly on the Hubs.  He's pulling double duty with his work obligations and then coming home and playing Mr. Mom (or Dr. Mom as I called him tonight, lol) every night.  I know it's wearing on him and even though I try to remember to thank him and not bark orders, I don't know how to convey just how much I appreciate him.

After working all day, then taking my new SUV to the dealership (about 20 miles away) to have some things installed (with Morgan in tow), he then went and picked up my glider rocker and ottoman (about 15 miles in the opposite direction!)  and made a grocery store run.  And?  Brought me these, which I have been craving for 2 weeks now, haha!!

As posted on my FB status:  "It's quite possible I have never been more in love with my husband than I am right now."

 And a scene from our day:  Morgan's Great Grandma (my Hubs's Grandma) came for a shift.  We are so thankful!!!

 

 

 

Morgan's happy whenever someone will "walk" her around!!

And yes, that would be my packed suitcase in the background ; )

Still Incubating

Just wanted to update that I am still perched upon my lily pad, incubating this baby ; )

Not much new to report; still having contractions, still taking the Procardia every 5 hours (6 is too long between doses and apparently I cannot tolerate taking it every 4 hours, so 5 it is).  Still drinking tons and tons of water.  I'm feeling more pressure "down there" and someone commented it looks like the baby's dropped even more, so I wouldn't be surprised if I've progressed a little more.  I've had someone here at all times so they keep any eye on me if I'm up moving around too much.  It's hard to stay down!!

Definite perk: Bowls of fresh cut up fruit brought to me while researching double strollers online

Sharing Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream w Morgan....She was a BIG fan ; )  I had to keep easing her off my belly though.  I miss just grabbing her and snuggling her tight!

 We also went -- just for a short while -- to my MIL's graduation party on Sunday, which was held at a local restaurant just down the street from our house.  SSHHH...don't tell my doctor!  I just couldn't bear to miss the celebration for something she worked so hard for!  I was good and behaved.  Normally I would be a social butterfly and flit around talking to everyone, but on this day, the Hubs dropped me off at the door and I sat down immediately, not moving except one bathroom break.  I made sure to lie down both before and after and drink plenty of water.  It was nice to socialize a bit and get out of the house!!  Plus...there were cake balls!!

Our little family of 3 about to go to Nana's Party

 We've tried to change up the scenery by going outside - I have a sun chair that I can extend so that I am always in a reclined position with my feet up.  I had set up a water splash table for Morgan to play on last week before I went into the hospital and she is loving it!  (Ironically I set this up the day I went into the hospital, I remember being very frustrated bc it was hot, my belly was hurting, and I couldn't get the hose screwed back on from being off all winter, ha!)

Runaway baby outside

Didn't take her long to figure out the toys in the splash table

More cuteness

I could look at my sweet girl all day long, gosh I love her!

Morgan is handling this so well; it helps that everyone who has been helping us is family and adores her to pieces, so she's gotten 100% attention.  I think it also helps that her routine hasn't been disrupted, and that is huge for a toddler.


The hard part is, I feel just fine...I don't feel like I should be so....disabled?  Is that the right word?  But I know I have to continue to take it easy.  It's a frustrating and uncertain time, but when I say it out loud, I feel absolutely silly -- I have the local MOMS Club I joined offering to bring some meals, family/in-laws that have not hesitated to jump right in and do EVERYTHING I need, and even the stuff I am too chicken to ask for, and a healthy baby still growing inside me and not struggling in the NICU.  I guess the hardest part of all right now is not knowing when the end is in sight. 

I thought I had a schedule of helpers all worked out for the week, but there have been a few kinks that have come up last minute.  People have lives, jobs, kids, etc. and stuff comes up.  So I am just staying flexible, taking it one day at a time, and continuing to thank my lucky stars -- and God above -- that I have help at all!

It's gonna be a loooong weekend

I got to come home sweet home later Thursday night.  Oh how good it felt to be home & see my sweet Morgan.  I can't believe how much "older" she seemed to me, like she grew up in the 2 nights I was gone.  It took her a few seconds to recognize me....or maybe figure out what I was doing....it honestly broke my heart a little bit.  She's been spoiled this past week by her Nana, so I can relax knowing she is being so well taken care of.

It's tough trying to always stay in a reclined or lying down position; I am not supposed to get up except for bathroom breaks & one 15-minute shower per day.  And if I'm caught, my "nurses" scold me and tell me to go lie down, haha. 

Seeing as how I am not allowed to do much, I have been arranging a schedule of help for next week to assist with Morgan, meals,etc.  Sometimes it is so hard to ask for -- and accept-- help.  But I know it's the only way this precious baby stands a chance of making it even one more day in the womb.  And every single day counts at this point.

Baby remains very active and the contractions are still occuring....still painful but manageable.  At my last check, I was 80% effaced, still dilated to 2cm and baby had moved down to a -2.  I keep joking I'm afraid to sneeze at this point and I better keep my knees together, haha!  I wouldn't get excited about any of this EXCEPT for the fact that because of how my first c-section went, I absolutely cannot go into full labor.  Something about my ute rupturing...so that has me a little nervous.  I just wonder how will I know?  They will go ahead and deliver me once I get to 5cm.  How the heck am I supposed to tell if I've dilated another 3cm when I didn't even realize the 1st 2 cm?

Thank God for my MIL.  She took most of this past week off and jumped right in, taking care of Morgan, the house, meals, the dog...even cleaning & laundry.  How lucky am I?  The Hubs is off this weekend, and while no cleaning will get done, Morgan will be taken care of and we won't starve to death, lol.  Speaking of food, I am trying not to eat myself into oblivion since all I do is lay around & NOT expend energy.  I'm sure it has something to do with all the water I am drinking, but I'm somehow down about 4 pounds since the beginning of the week.

I am trying to keep myself entertained & not be too needy.  I am armed with books 2 & 3 of The Hunger Games series and thought I'd start on 50 Shades of Grey that everyone is talking about in the blogosphere.  I also plan to watch a few movies.  (Shout out & a GIANT Thank You to my sweet bloggy friend Rachael for the gift...SO thoughtful!) 

So if my blog posts are lacking, it's because I have nothing but reading & movies & contractions to talk about.  Plus I am doing everything on my Slate (like an iPad) which is way harder to type on.  This would be the reason for my absence online shopping as well;-)

Update

My labor was stopped & contractions slowed overnight.  I was able to come off the Mag around noon today & start on an oral medication to prevent contractions (thank God!)  Soooo happy I don't have to be on it for 48 hours!

I had a very rough night on the Mag & my BP dropped dangerously low.  I was fighting a blackout all night long, trying to urinate every 5 minutes, and just burning on fire hot & miserable.  At one point, I couldn't talk or answer questions.  They decided to lower my Mag dose & that helped.  I finally fell asleep from 5-6:30 am.  Uggh.  I haven't been able to sleep at all today, thank you steroids.  But if that is the extra help my baby needs, I'd give up all the sleep in the world.  Hey, don't we do that anyway, after they are here? lol ;-)

My OB examined me at noon & determined I was still 2 cm dilated, so that was reassuring it hadn't changed. However, right before he came in, I began having so much pressure down low, like the baby was trying to get out!  After 3 cervical checks, it's pretty sore, so any movement down there is definitely uncomfortable.  When he checked me, he did say baby's head is "Right There".  Yikes.  He also said  it's going to feel like I have a bowling ball about to drop out, haha.

The plan is I will be dc'd home tomorrow & be on modified bedrest.  Which means I can shower & go to the bathroom & get up for a snack, but that's it.  It will be interesting with Miss Morgan, but we are in the process of lining up help. 

My doctor 's goal is to get me to at least next Friday, I will be 34 weeks & they will deliver me then if necessary.  He said statistically, for every day baby stays in the womb, that's 3 less days of a NICU stay.  So I am very motivated, needless to say, to keep this baby in!

I am so thankful to God above that this sweet baby is still inside & all seems to be well.  I got this.  It all could be so much worse and so I am vowing right now to not complain about anything.  Ok, just have to add he or she just needs to stay in there & keep Mama calm:-)

Thanks for all ur comments, prayers, texts, emails & FB messages.  You may be my internet friends & I may never get the chance to meet you, but it means so much to me.  To think, total strangers, caring so much about me...I am so lucky you found my lil ol' blog.  You all rock!

No.....Not Yet!

So.....I began having abdominal pain yesterday.

By this afternoon, I decided to call my OB's office.

Instructed to go directly to L&D.

While it seems I have managed to escape the wrath of Pre-E & HELLP this time,so far,

I am officially in pre-term labor.

Contracting regularly, as close as 4 min apart

2cm dilated & 50% effaced. Whaaaaat?

Apparently my baby is too excited to get to life outside the womb.

I have reunited with my old friend, Magnesium Sulfate, to try to stop my labor.

We will be together for 48 hours.  Boo.

Please say a little prayer for me & my baby tonight.

I am 32w3d & wondering if we will be meeting our new addition by the end of this week.

My dear Hubs said he would get excited if they started the steroids (to help baby's lungs mature faster).

Guess who got shot #1 in the butt already?  This girl.

I will try to update as I am able. 

 

Weekend Recap

We had a great, but busy weekend.  The Hubs was on-call so we didn't see a lot of him.  My Dad was still in town so we ran all over with little Miss Morgan.

On Saturday we went and had lunch with Daddy while he was at work in the hospital:

Then we ventured up to IKEA.  My Dad had never been before and I doubt he will be returning, ha ha.  But I was able to pick up the EXPEDIT shelf and baskets I wanted to get control over the toy situation in our living room.  I debated which size to get, but went with the 8-cube for now.  I can always get a 2nd one down the road so we have 16 cubes total.  So far, I am LOVING it!

Saturday afternoon Morgan and I ran to the Hubs' cousin - Sophie's - First Communion.  I didn't get any pictures :(

Saturday night we took my Dad out to eat at our favorite little restaurant down the street, Vito's.  For some reason I didn't get a picture of me & my Dad?!?  But here's me, the Hubs, and the belleh:

33 weeks!

Sunday, Mother's Day, we just lounged around a bit in the morning.  My Dad finished hanging the curtains in the nursery (another check on my To-Do list!) and he put the EXPEDIT shelf together.  I was so thrilled these 2 big things got done!  It's good to have your Dad around ; )

Before I knew it, it was already time to take him back to the airport.  I was sad after we dropped him off, it made me realize how much I miss having him around!  We had a great visit and I hope I didn't work him too hard while he was here ; )  I really really really wish I could have my family closer to me!

On the way home from the airport, Morgan insisted in taking me to Panera for Mother's Day for a late lunch ; )  Such a sweet girl I have!

We got home and just hung out, being silly, taking pics, like any other day, waiting for Daddy to get home from work.  My Mother-in-Law stopped by for a while and we gave her the gift we'd made, a large canvas photo of her & Morgan and the custom Mother's Day card we had made from Shutterfly.  She loved them! The Hubs came home from work with a sweet Mother's Day card for me and we just spent the rest of the evening relaxing.  Nothing fancy.  I may or may not have fallen asleep at 7:15pm!

Happy Mother's Day Mom

My Favorite saying....

To my Mom in heaven, who is no longer with us....I miss you and Thank You for being a wonderful mother.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you - multiple times - and wish you were still here.  I wish you could see Morgan and the other grandbabies and show them what a fun and goofy Grandma you were! I wish I would have told you I loved you more often and shown my appreciation for YOU more.

To my Mother-In-Law who is always just a phone call away and is so good to Morgan and me.....Thank You for EVERYTHING you do and for being such a positive female role model.  We love you more than we can express.

And to my future Mom-self:  At 15 months into this whole Mom gig, it is starting to feel normal.  It won't always be easy but it won't always be hard either.  I won't say "I can't remember my life before I had a baby!" because let's be honest -- I remember sleeping in, I remember sleeping through the night, I remember going out wherever and whenever I pleased.  But I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.  It is single-handedly the very best thing I've ever done!

I don't have to be perfect at it (nor will I be), but I want more than anything to be good at it.  Happy Mothers Day to all you Moms out there!!

My First Mother's Day - May 2011 - Morgan 2.5 months old

High Five for Friday

Linking up again this week with Lauren @ From My Grey Desk for High Five for Friday!

1.  My Dad is currently visiting from Minnesota!  Well, currently, he's technically asleep on my recliner watching a movie with my Hubs, lol!  We've been pretty busy since he got here, I think ol' preggo here is wearing him out!

2.  Morgan has gone right to Grandpa, as if she has seen him every day since birth.  I don't know if it's the fearless stage she's in, but I love to see her so smiley and excited to see him and I'm pretty sure he likes it too.  She's always trying to crawl up into his lap or con him into a shoulder ride.  She's pretty charming, that daughter of mine ; )

Two sleepyheads up early this morning

Showing Grandpa how I can walk - I'm a pro with hands and can even do it alone!

3.  We went to visit my Grandma and Aunt Mary Jane today.  My Grandma was just released from the hospital yesterday with some heart issues and I am so thankful she is doing well.  I live about 2 hours away from her and don't get up to see her nearly as often as I'd like.

Morgan's most favorite spot to ride.

Auntie Mary Jane knew just how to keep Morgan entertained!

4.  Since we were spending most of the day in the car, we hit the outlet mall that was at the halfway point of our drive. My dad is a trooper for allowing us girls to "pop in real quick".  This equaled some fun new things for my babies at the Carter's store.  It wasn't until we got all loaded up to head home that I realized --horror of horrors -- I didn't get myself anything.  Who am I????? haha!

5.  My Dad is going to hang my curtains for me this weekend in the new baby's nursery and I might even have him talked into making a trip to IKEA - he's never been to one before so I'm making it sound really exciting and exotic, ha ha!  Even if we don't go, I'm thankful to have him here, just spending time with me & Morgan.  I've missed him!

And this last photo has nothing to do with High Five, but I just had to include from yesterday.  This would be the reason I can't get any laundry done!  She LOVES to pull out every piece of clothing - folded or not - and throw it on the ground.  So frustrating, but I can't help but laugh.  Especially when she smiles SO hard and SO big, like she's just couldn't be any more proud of herself!

Love my Little Stinker!!