Merry Christmas...

and Happy Holidays to all my wonderful friends. I hope you are all blessed with your heart's desire this upcoming year.

Also, please take a moment to remember all those lost in the tsunamis last year...and all those they left behind. This is a very tough time for those left behind and greiving.

The promised birth story...

First of all, sorry its taken so long for me to write this out. I had truly forgotten how having a baby in the house sucks up all your time and then some.

On Thursday Dec 1st, I went and checked into L&D at about 7:30 pm. They wanted me to come in early so they could run bloodwork and make sure the heparin was completely out of my system. They also put me on the monitor so they could keep an eye on Gabe all night. Since I had stopped the heparin 24 hours previously, they wanted to make sure there weren't any last minute complications. So, although being on a monitor all night was a royal PITA, I was more than happy to do it. I guess we scheduled my c-section for a good day because I started having the first contractions of my pregnancy that night in the hopsital. They weren't strong or productive contrax but they were happening.

The next morning, they came in at about 5:30 am and started prepping me for surgery.

I was a lot more stressed about the delivery than I had thought I would be. I guess I was still afraid to let myself believe I would really have a baby at the end of all this. Once they had me prepped, I had to have my hubby add some decoration to my belly...

Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of my OB's face when he saw it because they hadn't brought my hubby into the OR yet. I can tell you that finding that "note" had my OB and the rest of the OR staff laughing out loud. Once they got my spinal in and the drapes in place, they brought my hubby in. Once they started the c-section, we got the second sign that we picked a good time to deliver. Despite being 39 weeks 1 day, there was already some meconium staining in the amniotic fluid. Luckily, there were no complications from that.

Gabe was delivered at 7:56 am on Dec 2nd and started screaming immediately after being suctioned. As soon as her started screaming, I started sobbing. I couldn't (and still can't) believe that my miracle baby was really here and ok. Gabe screamed until Vic was able to talk to him and hold him and then he quieted right down. I was able to hold my beautiful boy while still in the OR. Gabe was a healthy 8 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long at birth.

They took Gabe to the nursey while I was in recovery. Thankfully, my time in recovery was short...I was able to move my legs only 45 minutes after my c-section was complete. Once I went to my room on the maternity floor, Gabe was brought to me and he roomed in with me the whole time we were there.

Gabe has been nursing like a champ the whole time. Before my milk came in, he lost 8.6 oz. However, my milk came in less than 2 days after delivery and, by the evening of the 4th, Gabe had already gained back an ounce. By the time of his first appt. with his pediatrician (Wed Dec 7th at 9 am), Gabe had already gained back all the weight he lost. My two older boys have been the best big brothers...

and the best helpers a mom could ask for. I have also been blessed with friends who have showered Gabe with gifts and love...

Just look at this beautiful quilt that was made for him.

I couldn't be happier than I am right now!

He's here...he's here...GABE IS REALLY HERE...

Got home earlier this evening. I will post details later but wanted to ge the pics up. Pics are in order from right after birth through today. He was 21 inches long and 8 lbs 1 oz at birth.

Marty and Joey's room...

In preparation for Gabe's arrival, my two older boys combined room so we would have a bedroom for the nursery. I painted 3 of their walls eggshell white and added a red accent wall. I also painted a chalkboard on one wall and painted the closet door in chalkboard paint. We had a loft built so their beds wouldn't swallow all the floor space. And, yes, that is a loft and not bunkbeds. That is a separate free standing bed frame on the bottom.

I finally finished Gabe's Nursery last night...

Nothing like waiting until the last minute, is there? I still want to paint pics of fishies, turtle, dolphins, shell, seaweed, etc...but that can be done after he is born. Just don't ask me who moved the furniture...I already got that lecture from my hubby...LOL.

I think pregnancy has really warped my sense of humor...

for those of you who are long time friends, I know this statement has you scratching your head and saying "But it was warped before." I think pregnancy has made it even more warped than normal...or maybe its like gallows humor...it is what allows me to cling to the small amount of sanity I have.

You may ask why I think my sense of humor is warped. Well, I don't know what hit me the other night but I decided that I need to take a washable marker with me when I check into the hospital. Right before they wheel me to the operating room to do the c-section, I am going to draw an arrow pointing to my old c-section scar and label it INSTALL ZIPPER HERE. I think I will have to let one nurse in on the joke so she can get a pic of the look on my OB's face...ROFL!

And, a miracle occured today. I was actually able to shave my own legs and paint my own toenails. Not bad for someone over 38 weeks pregnant.

New Belly pic and an update...

First of all, here is the latest belly pic. I look and feel huge...LOL.


Gabe is still as contrary as ever...during my NST yesterday, he was hiding from the monitors in L&D. I don't know how a kiddo as big as he is manages that but he surely did. At this point, I am not having any contrax and there is no dialation or effacement. I finally made it back up to the wieght I started this pregnancy at...LOL...not bad for being 37 weeks. My BP was 138/65...not wonderful but definitely acceptable.

And....I now have a time for my c-section in addition to having a date. My c-section is scheduled for 7:30 am on Dec 2nd. That means I have to be at the hospital between 5:30 and 6 am...UGH. My parents and my sis are going to come up the night before...my parents will be going to the hospital with us and my sis and her girls are going to take care of the boys until they can all come tot he hopsital (around lunch time probably).

I think thats about all the update I have :)

Only 3 weeks left!!!

Had my weekly appointment and non-stress test today. Gabe did great on the NST but he was being particulary contrary. He was moving around soooooo much that he even disappearred off the monitors in L&D...ROFL. My belly is measuring at 40+ weeks (no wonder I feel huge) and I am still 2 1/2 pounds below the weight I started this pregnancy at. My blood pressure was behaving fairly well today and, after lying down for the NST, it dropped all the way to 122/53. Had to have that lovely internal exam today so they could do all the necessary cultures (test for group B strep, etc) before I deliver. Cervix is high, long, and completely closed (could have predicted that since I am having NO contrax...LOL).

I can't believe my baby boy will be here in only 3 weeks.

3 weeks 5 days until Gabe arrives...

and I truly can't believe it. As much as he moves around in there, I know he's doing well. However, I still have trouble believing there will really be a happy, healthy baby at the end of all this. I truly am enjoying every little bit of this...even the movements and flips that are strong enough to make me catch my breath.

As of my appointment last Wednesday (Nov 2), I am still 2 pounds below the weight I started this pregnancy at. However, I think I like the scale at the perinatologist's office better. It measured me a full 3 pounds lighter. My blood pressure still is up a bit at the beginning of my appointments but its not too bad. But, after lying on my side for the NST, my BP was only 105/54. As long as it still drops like that, neither my OB nor I will worry.

Also, my OB talked to the doctors in the hospitals anesthesia department and they do not see any reason to admit me a day early. Because I don' have a classic presentation of a clotting disorder and because it has never affected my health, they are sure it will be more than enough to just discontinue the heparin 24 hrs before surgery. And, they do not see any reason I would not be able to have a spinal for the c-section. My next appointment is on Friday the 11th and I will be filling out all the paperwork for my c-section that day.

As promised, here are some belly shots...



You can see more belly pics taken at the same time at this link http://home.earthlink.net/~chfdcpt/SIGNATUREPICS8.html

I know, I know...

I've been slack with the updating. I will post more extensively tonight (and, yes, that will include a belly pic Penny). Right now we have a friend's birthday party to get ready for and this afternoon we are meeting with the other kids in Marty's first communion class to bake the communion bread for tomorrow.

Love you all and I appreciate the support more than you can possibly imagine.

GABE LOOKS PERFECT...

he is big, healthy, and, most importantly, whatever extra fluid was around his heart is GONE! Thats right...NO MORE EXTRA FLUID AROUND HIS HEART! The peri is really pleased with how well we are both doing and says there is nothing to worry about.

I am 34 weeks 1 day and his estimated weight is 6 lbs 7 oz...somewhere around the 78% for size.

Hehehe, you know how last week we didn't get a good face shot because he was transverse...

Well, this time we didn't get a good face shot because his head is so far down in my pelvis. I guess he is playing hide and seek already.

The "Peg Bundy" pregnancy look...ROFL

Back in the summer of '04, I got these pants off of eBay...my faux leather maternity pants. The thought of them amused me too much to not buy them, so I snatched them up. Pair them with the animal print shirt and you have a Peg Bundy pregnancy look (for those of you who remember Married With Children).


BTW, I have decided not to be worried about Gabe. Any baby that has a heart rate of between 150 and 160 and a kick count of 20 in only 15 minutes HAS to be okay!

New Belly pics of me and ultrasound pics of Gabe...

Gabe's face...half of it is in a shadow because the little twerp is transverse.

Gabe's profile...the little letters on the pic are labeling the nose, lips, and chin

Gabe still isn't shy...LOL

Gabe's leg, foot, and toes.

Can you say some prayers for Gabe?

I had another u/s and a NST on Wednesday. Gabe passed the NST with flying colors and the u/s showed him looking so big and strong and healthy and...it found a possible problem. They found fluid around his heart. This is one of those things that could be absolutely nothing or it could be big and bad. My doc says he is not overly concerned because Gabe had just passed an NST with flying colors...good heart rate, good reactivity, etc, etc. And, my doc says that none of the signs that would indicate this being on the big and bad end of the spectrum are there...other than the fluid around his heart, everything looks perfect. No inappropriate fluid elsewhere in his little body...and that is a good sign. My doc also says that if the mom (me) catches a virus, this can cause fluid to accumulate around the baby's heart...and I have been sick (bad cold and diarrhea). So, given my history and given the fluid, they have set me up for an appointment with a perinatologist next Friday. I'm not sure what all he will do at the appointment...possibly blood work...and I will have another u/s at the peri's office. Depending on what they find, they could decide to order a fetal echocardiogram to watch the blood flow through Gabe's heart. I also have a NST on Monday and one on Wednesday.

When I'm being calm and logical, I truly believe that everything will be ok...but, when emotions overtake logic, I am so damned scared. This just isn't fair. I wanted one part...only one part...of this pregnancy to go normally and now that has been shot to sh*t. Just when I had really started to relax and enjoy everything...just when I was starting to believe that everything would be ok, this happens and I have to worry again. I am so very tired of nothing going normally.

*btw, on Wednesday, I was 32 weeks 6 days and Gabe was measuring 35 weeks 2 days. His estimated weight was 5 lbs 2 oz (about the 77% for size).

Me, myself, and my kids...

Guess I should included the hubby too, huh?

My week of insanity started last Friday (don't worry...Gabe is fine)...and it better end this Friday. It started off with my going to my doc (primary care NOT OB)...my breathing had felt tight for a few days and it just wasn't getting better. Turns out I had a mild case of bronchitis that caused an asthma flare up. I think if it had happened when I wasn't preggo, I probably wouldn't have even noticed. So, I am on antibiotics and an 8 day course of prednisone (standard course of treatment when dealing with an asthmatic). I am so glad I went in because I feel sooooooo much better (even after only one dose of each).

Then, I ran home to get Marty so I could take him to get the new lenses in his glasses. That was easy but I was sooo tired at that point because I was a bit sick. When we left there, we were going to run to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. I started down the ramp to the highway and got caught in the traffic from this wreck (btw, just heard the UPDATE on the news and found out there were 70 cars involved in the accidents...not just 40). It took me an hour and a half to get one mile down the highway to the next exit...and, of course, I had both boys in the van...UGH. Before I got caught in that traffic, I had beautiful, polished fingernails...it frazzled me so badly that by the time I got off the highway all my fingernails were bitten off. Traffic was sooooo bad on the secondary roads that I knew there was no way to get to Wal-Mart. When I told the boys we weren't going to get there to get their treats, they went into a meltdown...understandable given the circumstances but certainly NOT acceptable. I was sooo frazzled that I went into my own crying meltdown...can we say HORMONE hell? Of course, Joey started sobbing and saying they didn't mean to make me cry which made me feel like crap. We all survived it though and I made it home to feed them and finish the cleaning before the baby shower on Saturday.

The baby shower was a bright spot. My family and my inlaws were all here...even my hubby's cousin's wife (my cousin-in-law?) and her son. The wonderful Miss Margaret and her family were able to come (YAY!!!!). Also, my bestest friend Jennifer and my friend Lisa from down the street and her family were all here. I think it was a total of 11 kids and 11 adults (12 once Vic was able to join us). My nieces were soo cute when I told them Gabe could hear them if they talked to him...they both introduced themselves and were talking to him. Everyone was so sweet and brought the nicest gifts even though I had tried to tell them gifts were nto necessary...that I just wanted to celebrate Gabe's imminent arrival (ONLY 7 WEEKS AWAY!!!!!!!!). Obviously, with all the kids and the men here, this was not a traditional shower and I think that made it MUCH better. We all sat around chatted, ate yummy snacks (thanks mom!), and had cake. The kids ran rampant through the house and played outside despite the fact that EVERYTHING was still wet from the rain. Between having a delivery date and having gotten a crib, pack and play, and the stroller/car seat today, I think I am really beginning to believe I am having this baby. I am still in a bit of disbelief over all this.

My hubby is back on night shifts this month (it started this past weekend) and I have the worst time making myself go to bed when he is on nights. It also seems that I have hit an insomnia stage with this pregnancy (boy I hope it ends soon...the insomnia that is). This all joins together to mean I have been up until a gawdawful hour many nights this week.

And, there are a few nasty bugs going around here and poor Marty caught one of them. He came home from school on Tuesday doing ok but, by dinner time, he was complaining that his tummy hurt. Initially, I thought "oh, this will pass" but that thought disappearred when his dinner didn't stay down. He got sick again Wednesday night. He didn't get sick today but it wasn't until the late evening that we got anything except chicken noodle soup into him. I may keep him home tomorrow just to be on the safe side. He has completed all his school work for this week so it wouldn't be a big deal.

I had a non-stress test today and Gabe did not cooperate at all. I should have been in and out of the office in no more than an hour...maybe a few minutes more. But nooooooooooo, the little shit let us get a good heart tracing for about 10 minutes and then decided to play hide and go seek with the monitor. Despite the fact that we could sit there and watch my belly jump, we tried for about half an hour and could not reacquire his heartbeat for more than a few beats at a time. Since my OBs office is literally attached to the hospital, they had me go over and had the NST done on the really powerful machines in L&D. Gabe passed his NST with glowing results...lots of movementand a nice variable heartrate. I got out of there a full 2 hours later than I had planned. Oh yeah...I regained anpother 2 1/2 pounds. That leaves me 3 1/2 pounds below my starting weight.

That delay meant that I had an hour and a half to get lunch, deposit a check, get some necessities from the grocery store, and make it to Marty's school to pick up his homework before the teacher's left. Believe it or not, I managed to get it all done.



Also, I have finally added a section to my web page for Gabe. The link is http://home.earthlink.net/~chfdcpt/thehatchery.html I've got all the belly shots, shower pics, and other stuff in one location now.

Official c-section date is set!!!!

Barring anything unexpected, Gabriel Michael will be delivered via c-section on December 2nd. Since I am on anticoagulants, I will be admitted to the hospital on December 1st so they can give me the meds to reverse the anticoagulant effects. After that has taken effect, they will do something called a bleed time test to see if my clotting time is back to normal. If it is, then I will have the c-section with spinal anesthesia. If for any reason the clotting time is not back to normal, I will probably have to be put under general anesthesia (WHICH I REALLY DO NOT WANT).

My blood pressure was still excellent at today's appointment. Also, I have finally gained back some of the weight I lost. In two weeks, I gained about 5 pounds. Since I am not retaining water or do not have any swelling, the nurse thinks they just misweighed me by a couple of pounds at my last appointment. I am still 7+ pounds below my starting weight so all is good.

My next appointment is in 2 more weeks and we will start the non-stress tests then (for no reason other than I am high risk).

Tell me which is worse to hear...

when someone looks at you and says "Are you having twins?" (when I was pg with Marty, my oldest, at about 30 weeks)

or

when someone says "If you hadn't mentioned you were pg, I wouldn't have known." (this was only last Friday)

The first comment came from someone who lived near me and KNEW I was only having one. The second comment happened when I was at the post office. I was right up at the counter and the woman was trying to figure out why I looked different. I said it might be because I'm no longer wearing bangs or it might be because I weigh a lot less despite my big preggo belly. Her response was the second comment above.

Ugh...hearing that was enough to deflate my ego...and here I thought I was looking pretty good. It felt like she was saying I just looked fatter. You decide...here is the picture I took on Sunday, September 25th.



Also, I finished a shower gift for another friend who is also due December. The blanket is receiving blanket size...perfect for the car seat or stroller. The hat and booties should fit the average baby up until about 4 or 5 months old. Would you like this for your baby?

My luchadore kid...and his stitched birth announcement...

Joey came out the other night wearing underwear on his head like a luchadore (Mexican wrestler) mask. He also had a pirate bandana on his head and the eye patch over his mouth. I decided it was the better part of valor not to ask why and I just took a picture.



And, I decided I really needed to stitch Joey's birth announcement before Gabe is born in Dec or it might never get done. I finished it today.



Life is certainly never dull with my boys.

I had a really good appointment today...

I'll be 28 weeks tomorrow so today I got to do the GD test...and, no, that wasn't the good part...LOL. The GD test was tolerable. I should have my results back either later this afternoon or early tomorrow.

The good part is that I still haven't regained any of the weight I lost...so I am still 13 lbs below my starting weight. Also, my bp was only 110/74. I guess they really believe me now when I say the early high readings were entirely stress related.

In two weeks, I see my regular OB again and will get to schedule the official c-section date. Woohoo...I am pushing for a c-section date of Dec 2nd which would mean only 11 weeks 2 days until Gabe is born.

Also, simply because of my high risk status, they are talking about starting non-stress tests somewhere between 32 and 34 weeks.

***got my GD test results and, even after drinking all that crap, my blood sugar was only 102.

New Belly Pics...

I was informed I was being sorely negligent in my duties when it came to providing pics...so here they are...

The Battle of "Stallingrad"...or putting my kids to bed...

My kids, like all kids, seem to pull our the stops when it comes to delay tactics at bed time. The usual tactics include, hunger, thirst, being cold, being hot, and "just not being able to go to sleep". However, Joey has added a new and interesting twist to the nightly stall and delay tactics. Joey has mastered the ability to keep microscopic amounts of poop and pee inside his body thus necessitating at least two (sometimes more) post bedtime potty breaks. From the amount of time he sometimes spends in the bathroom, you would think he would produce massive, adult-sized poops. But noooooooo, during these post bedtime bathroom trips, the poops are invariably itsy bitsy specks in the toilet. How he manages to retain just enough to "have to go" is beyond me. Do you think this might qualify him for a spot on David Letterman's Stupid Human Tricks? Aaaah, what a claim to fame.

On the baby front, all is going well. The u/s last Monday was perfet. Gabe was measuring slightly bigger then the 50% and he had plenty of fluid (but not too much) to swim around in. His head was measuring a little large but it was still within the normal range. Considering my hubby and I both wear extra large hats and that Marty's head was off the newborn chart at birth, Gabe having a biggish head does not surprise me. Based on measurements, Gabe's weight was estimated at 874 grams which is equal to 1.92 lbs...not bad for 25 1/2 weeks. The u/s tech says that based on the current growth pattern she would guess he would be a little above average size at birth. This comment produced a disbelieveing laugh from me. Up through about 25 weeks or so, both my boys measured about average. It was during the third trimester that they both became big babies...Marty was almost 9 lbs and Joey was 7 lbs at 36 weeks. I fully expect Gabe to be on the large end of things but I will be happy no matter what the size as long as he is healhty.

And, a special THANK YOU to my mom. She just offered to buy my nursing bras for me. Considering I have a mammoth rack and I have to get my bras custom made at about $75 a bra, this is a most welcome gift!!! Woohooo MOM!!!

Baby and appointment update...

Things are going wonderfully! I will be 25 weeks tomorrow. At my appointment today, my bp was still back down in the normal range (120/72...amazing what feeling movement can do for you), I've lost another pound (13 lbs below my starting weight), and my uterus is measuring 3+ weeks ahead (with Marty I was consistently 2 to 4 weeks ahead) so I get an u/s on Monday!!! The nurse seemed very surprised that I was already able to see his kicks from the outside (she remarked "but he's not that big yet" LOL). In fact, Gabe kicked so hard at one point this afternoon that he made my book {that was resting on my tummy) jump.

I am starting to get really excited about this!

Finally took another belly pic

Does it look bigger to you?  I know Gabe is growing because of where I feel the kicks...but I swear I have trouble seeing the belly growth...LOL.

Duh...I figured out the difference. The first pic was in regular clothes while this outfit is maternity wear.

I finally bought something for the baby.

Of course, I have other baby stuff I have bought or saved in the past. However, I had not bought anything specifically for Gabe at any point in this pregnancy. I was in Wal-Mart today and decided he had to have this...



This was really a huge step for me. Hehehe...I think I was hyperventilating when I was in line at the check out counter...just the thought of actually buying something specifically for Gabe did that to me.

Its been a while since I've done an update on me...

So I guess its about time.

I have been on strike this week...LOL. This has been my week to recover from Vacation Bible School. VBS went incredibly well. We ended up having 62 kids registered and about 30 volunteers. On the 24th (Sunday after VBS), a group of kids sang a few of the songs from VBS in church and I led the procession into church in my ringmaster costume. Why a ringmaster costume you ask...because our VBS theme was Davey and Goliath's Circus Spectacular. The majority of the people seemed to enjoy it but I'm sure my ringmaster costume in church ruffled the feathers of some of the old fuddy duddies.


I've done a little laundry and a whole lot of stitching (cross stitching and crocheting) this week. Other than that, I have done nothing.

My pregnancy is going great. I am 21 1/2 weeks right now and I truly can't believe it. Gabe is doing great. I would swear he is doing barrel rolls in there on a daily basis. I am starting to really get excited about this now:) I finally got brave enough to unpack all my maternity clothes about 6 days ago. I am still about 10+ punds below my starting weight so they still aren't a complete necessity but the maternity bottoms (shorts, skirts, etc) are a LOT more comfortable than my regular stuff now.

Grrl's having a baby...

or by now, Gefilte is probably here. I have been obsessively refreshing both Grrl's and Danae's blogs but still no news. I'm going to presume that no news is good news because I KNOW that "Something Good Is Happening"! Keep Grrl, Mr Grrl, Sarah and Gefilte in your prayers. I can't wait to hear all about it!

GEFILTE IS HERE...say some prayers because he is having a bit of breathing difficulties and is in the NICU for now.

Come on in and see the u/s pics...

of my beautiful baby BOY!!! Yup, thats right, our new family theme song will be "My Three Sons". Gabriel Michael looks PERFECT. All the measurements average together to put him 1 day ahead of his gestational age. It was so cool. Our ultrasound tech is AWESOME. She pointed out all the body parts to me...and I do mean everything...the 4 chambered heart, the 3 vessel cord, 2 kidneys, lungs, tailbone...all of it. And, of course, as is typical for my kids, Gabriel had no qualms about showing us who he was.

I made it through the 1st day of Vacation Bible School...

And things went really well. We ended up with about 50 kids and about 30-33 volunteers. No one gagged too badly at my singing (LOL) and everyone seemed to have a good time. I AM SOOOOOOO TIRED! How tired you ask? Well, Marty wanted me to read a chapter of HP6 to him and I could barely stay awake to do it. OMG...being the director of VBS while I am pregnant was the heighth of stupidity.

LESS THAN 24 HOURS TO ULTRASOUND TIME...don't know whether to run and hide or be so excited I can't stand it. LOL

My big u/s is on Tuesday at 3:15!

I am so excited and so very scared at the same time. The little one is defintiely making its presense known. I feel movement all the time and Vic felt little baby flutters for the first time Thursday night.

My kids are a bit ticked off that I won't let them come to the u/s but I can't get over that little niggling background fear and say "Yes, you two can come." Oh well, they can come if I have another u/s later on.

Vacation Bible School starts Monday and I will be out of town until Sunday night (niece's b-day party).

Warning...pregnancy pics ahead...

I finally broke down and took some belly pics on Sunday July 3rd. I'm not sure if I should be happy I'm looking pg...or scared that its already caught up with my boob size. I am 17 weeks 3 days in the pics.
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Hey y'all...sorry I haven't posted in a few days.

I have been so swamped with Vacation Bible School stuff that it isn't even funny. I have probably put at least 15 hours into it this week. You know you are in trouble when you start dreaming about it. The good thing is that I have ALL but one volunteer lined up.

The kiddos have been in Tae Kwon Do day camp all week and have hada fabulous time. Every day I have gone to pick them up, Master Donna has had a funny story to tell about one of them. She also told me how polite and well behaved my boys are. I told her I was glad the lesson we were teaching were sinking in after all since they didn't use there manners at home...she just laughed.

I'm down at my parents' house right now. They are taking my boys, my nieces, and my siter up to Norfolk for the 4th of July. I was invited too bu t I have too much left to do for VBS. Hehehe...at least thats my story and I'm stitcking to it. They will take off tomorrow morning and I'll head on home. I don't have to be back until Thursday afternoon. Woohoo...thats 4 completely kid free days. The kiddos are going to the Aquarium, the zoo, driving go-carts, and going to fireworks at the military base up there. I don't think they'll even have a chance to miss us.

And, thank you so much for the prayers for Pam. They were obviously heard and answered. When she had her ultrasound on Wednesday, they saw the baby and the heartbeat!!! The best guess is that she ovulated a bit late and the swimmers were still hanging around.

As for me and my pregnancy, I have decided that the little shit is going to be just as contrary as both the big brothers. The only time I am consistently feeling movement is when I lay down to go to sleep at night. Only two and a half weeks until my ultrasound and then we'll hopefully know whether its a boy or a girl.

Its been an interesting couple of days...

Not bad at all...just interesting. I think I might survive being in charge of Vacation Bible School. I almost have all my volunteers lined up and I have just about everything else in line. Its still driving me crazy but it looks like it might actually come together.

And, yesterday Marty (my oldest) had on a red tie-dyed shirt my mom bought for him. Well, evidently, whoever made thsi shirt did NOT rinse the excess dye out before they sold it. Marty and Joey got into a water battle outside and, by the time they were done, Marty's shirt had bled red dye all over his body. Marty looked like he had the world's worst sunburn (pics to come later).


Finally, I got THE BEST NEWS today!!! Remember how I asked you to pray for my friend Pam. Well, it seems like those prayers are working. On Thursday, her hcg levels were in the 6000+ range. As of this morning, her levels are up over 17,000. They haven't repeated the u/s yet (I think that is scheduled for Wednesday) but, with her hcg levels doubling at about a *64 hour rate, evrything else looks PERFECT at this point. YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY

*remember, after you hit 6000, doubling times slow down SIGNIFICANTLY

Please say a prayer for my friend Pam...

I just got a call from her and it appears that she is going through yet another miscarriage. My heart is breaking for her. I am so very sad.


***Updated to say that Pam's bloodwork shows her hcg levels have more than doubled...but her u/s yesterday didn't show a yolk sac or fetal pole. Please say lots of prayers that this is just a slow starter and that the next u/s shows a beating heart.

I took a HUGE emotional step regarding this pregnancy...

I post to a cross stitch board over on iVillage. I've been there for over 4 yrs and those ladies have been an anchor for my sanity through our infertility problems. Last night, I finally added my due date and a pregnancy ticker to my signature line.

I know some of you are probably thinking..."Whats the big deal?" Well, for me, adding that info was a huge step in admitting I am really and truly pregnant and that its beginning to look like its going to happen. I was able to tell everyone there quite some time ago about the pregnancy but I hadn't been able to put that info (due date) in a form that would stare me in the face every time I visited that board. The last time I added info like that was when I was pregnant with Eva last summer and, within a week of adding it, we had lost her. It still kind of scares me that I added my current due date to my signature line.

And, my due date is 12/8...I am 15 weeks 5 days today.

Back from the OBs...YAY...

The appointment went well. My BP was a bit better but still elevated (but it isn't elevated away from the OBs office). As soon as the doc got the doppler out, I spiked my heart rate way up...guess I was fooling myself into thinking I was calm...LOL. Because of that, he was having trouble telling if he was hearing my heartbeat or the munchkins...so he pulled out the portable u/s machine. I didn't get any pics but I got a quick peak at BABY. The heart was thumping away and everything looked good. My big u/s is scheduled for the afternoon of July 19th.

Also, because I have a history of pre-eclampsia (when pregnant with Marty) and I've had elevated pressure at my appointments, my doc is having me do a 24 hour urine collection just to give us a baseline to work with as the pregnancy progresses. Its a PITA but I will admit it makes me feel good that he is being so thorough.

Finally, I told the doc that I would agree to a scheduled c-section and quit bugging him about a VBAC if he would solemnly promise me two things...1) I would not have to have my arms strapped down while in surgery & 2) that I could be the first one to hold this baby. He said he didn't see why not. He said he would gladly leave my arms unstrapped as long as I promised not to reach down...LOL...no chance of me doing that.

Sooooo, it looks like I'm really having a baby...barring any disasters.

Oh yeah, we told the boys this afternoon and they both started cheering.

And, I am officially 10 pounds UNDER my starting weight.

My hubby is such a sweetheart...

I had forgotten that when I'm pregnant I shouldn't mention how much I want something too loudly. Saturday night I went searching in our pantry for pink lemonade. Why it had to be pink lemonade, I don't know. All I knew was I was tired of soda, water, and milk. I wanted something tart. Of course, I didn't find any. And, I thought I was muttering under my breath when I said "why would I expect there to be any just because I want some" but I must have been louder than I thought. Vic heard me and asked what I was looking for and immediately offered to stop what he was doing and go buy me the mix for it. I love my hubby...I know he's a great guy...and things like this continually reaffirm it.

As for other pregnancy updates, I have an appointment tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes as soon as I get home.

Sorry its been so long since I updated. I got hit with the mother of all migraines this Sunday. It lasted almost 24 hours...and, yes, I was taking my meds for it. They just didn't make a dent in it. I have never had a migraine last that long or send me running to the bathroom that many times. UGH. At least the migraines haven't been as frequent now that I'm out of the first trimester.

Not much to update here...

all seems to be calm on the pregnancy front. My bruised belly is getting bigger while I still manage to lose weight. I've lost another 3 pounds since my OB appointment 2 1/2 weeks ago.

I am finally back among the land of the living. That lovely cold my son gave me became bronchitis and it was kicking my butt. I went to my regular doc last Friday and got the antibiotics that were necessary to get rid of the bronchitis (thats when I found out I'd lost 3 more pounds). I am almost completely over the coughing and hacking...Thank God...and should be back to regular posting.

A HUGE THANKS to sweetisu, Jen P, Ana, the Barrenness, anonymous (was that you Penny?), Marivic, Jenn, and Angela for offering their opions on VBAC vs. sceduled c-section. I'm still pondering the question but will let you know my decision as soon as its made.

QUESTIONS...

These questions are courtesy of Sweetisu...check out her blog, she's a really cool lady! If you'ld like questions asked of you, just let me know.

1. If you could live forever and ever, would you want to? Why or why not? While I would like to live for a very, very long time, I don't want to live forever. Even though there is enough to learn and experience to keep me occupied for the next millenia, I don't think I could stand the heartbreak of outliving everyone I love. Also, I have a very strong faith in God and do believe I will see the loved ones I've lost again. It would hurt badly to lose that opportunity.
2. What's your favorite food/dish? How often do you have that? Hehehe...for me, this question is harder than the previous one. One of my downfalls is that I love the pleasure of good food. My favorite really depends on my mood. My fil makes a beans and rice dish that is to die for and my hubby cooks some of the best pork roast you've ever tasted. As for my own cooking, I make a mean Beef Wellington, wonderful Taco soup, and a pretty damned good Anniversary Chicken (and, no, I don't know why its called that). Then, there are desserts...I could go on and on about that too. LOL Oh yeah...also love escargot, seafood of all types and persuasions, and my mom's turkey soup.
3. What is the one thing that you really want to try / do before you die? I want to go skydiving and drive a NASCAR race car at full speed around a track. I'd also like to go up in a jet and be involved in a mock battle (there is a place in Georgia where you can do that).
4. What was your most embarrassing moment? I'd have to say it was in junior high. I use to get the most hellacious periods. One day it hit about a day before I expected it and it soaked through the back of my pants...UGH. Never thought I'd live that one down. Also, my periods were so bad (unlike most junior high girls) that I would have to go change my pad or tampon a few ttimes a day. I think some of the other students were convinced I was sneaking smoke breaks.
5. What is one sexual fantasy that you always have, but will probably never become a reality? Honestly, my hubby and I have a very open sexual relationship. By that I mean we talk about all our interests and we are always willing to try something with each other at least once. Since I've never been into things like threesomes or anything too out there, it means I've been able to fulfill my sexual fantasies. Hell, when you are married to a man who can make you quiver from head to toe, what more do you need. I got really lucky. Not only did I marry my soulmate but he's the best lover I could ask for.

For more question and answer fun go visit
The Barrenness
Suz
And Jen P.

Save me from the doctors...LOL...

My poor coughing, hacking , sneezing self got to go have a consult with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist today. He decided that my OBs course of action was basically correct but that, instead of 150 mg of lovenox once a day, I should be on 40 mg twice a day. That will double the number of shots I have to give myself for the rest of the pregnancy. Now I really will know what a pincushion feels like.

Also, I have a question for all of you. Feel free to weigh in even if you haven't had any kids yet. Both my boys were born via c-section but it was never due to an inability to deliver but because of other medical/pregnancy related issues. A recent study (about 2 yrs ago) showed that risks of uterine rupture are a little higher than previously thought during a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). However, the risk is still VERY, VERY LOW...less than 3%. The specialist told me that my clotting issue should not effect any decision about whether to attempt a VBAC. Part of me really wants to try for a vaginal birth but another part of me doesn't even want any extra risk...no matter how miniscule. What would you do?

*Cough, cough* *Hack, Hack* ACHOO!

Can you tell I don't feel good? I caught the crud my boys (esp. Joey) had and its kicking my butt. I would just about kill for a dose of Theraflu but, of course, that isn't on the approved meds list. UGH

If I'm scarce, that is why.


*****I have made a miraculous discovery. I compared the ingredients list of Theraflu with the list of approved meds and they are all on the list! The cough suppressant in Theraflu is the same one in Robitussin DM. WOOHOO...I can have my theraflu!

12 weeks 1 day...

that means NO MORE PROGESTERONE FOR ME!!! Can you tell I'm happy to be able to ditch those suppositories?

I also bought a doppler. It came in yesterday and I did pick up the heartbeat for a few beats but the little shit aka the baby must have been moving and grooving because I promptly lost it again. Oh well, those few audible heartbeats were enough to make me happy.

For your amusement...the newest style in boys' underwear...

Rest assured...the purple ones are simply underwear that got ripped...nothing wierder...LOL.

The quilt is done...WOOHOOO!!!

I finished the quilt...its all assembled and ready to go int he mail on Monday morning. I am so excited that it is done. I only wish I could be there when Alison and Andrew open it up and see it for the first time. If y'all are inteested, you can see the finished pictures on my website. There is a pic of the entire thing...I'm hiding behind it holding it up. There are close ups of each row (3 pics of each row...the last square from the first pic is also in the second pic & the last square from the second pic is also in the third pic). Each row has 4 cross stitched squares and three fabric squares. There are also pics of each individual square and they are labeled by who stitched them. Let me know what you think of it.

165 beats per minute!!!!!

We heard the baby's heartbeat via doppler. It didn't even take my doc 3 seconds to find it. I truly think that was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. I have my next regular OB appointment in 4 weeks and my doc also thought he might have me go to a one time consult with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the nearby teaching hospital. He just wants the specialist to review all my test results and look at the info regarding the current pregnancy and either confirm we are on the right course of treatment or possibly suggest things to fine tune our plan.

The only bummer is that because of my status as a high risk obstetrical patient (in addition to my two prior c-sections), my doc is not willing to consider a vbac birth. Still, as much as I would have liked to experience that, its a very, very small price to pay for a healthy mom and baby at the end of this.

I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow (the 19th)...almost out of the first trimester.

My appointment is at 11...2 hours and 13 minutes away...

and I'm scared to death. I hope to God we get good news but I'm so scared they'll take a peak and just say "Sorry, we don't know why, but the treatments didn't work and your baby is gone."

Even my doc acknowledged that this appointment is the biggie...if the baby is still there and growing then we know the lovenox is doing its job. At that point, we will have mostly normal pregnancy worries.

Oh please God let the news be good.

I decided to celebrate reaching 10 weeks by puking my guts out this morning.

And, it would have had to be my guts I was puking up because my stomach was completely empty. It was such fabulous fun that I think maybe I should celebrate all the pregnancy milestones that way. My body seems to take delight in tormetning me and screwing with me. First I puke or just don't want to eat and then I'm ravenously hungry...it is frustrating. And my belly is back to looking like a piece of modern art...between the teeny scabbed over needle holes and the nice big bruise I'm sporting right now, its a really good thing I'm not taking pics of it yet.

Now, please understand, continuing to have symptoms is a good thing. In fact, its a very, very good thing...but that damned well doesn't mean I have to like them. I wish I could find more comfort in them but right now even the symptoms aren't keeping me from getting more and more scared as my appointment next Wednesday (the 18th) gets closer and closer. To fight off the tension and paranoia, I'm taking advantage of a SpaWish gift certificate some of my wonderful friends gave me and I'm going to the spa next Tuesday. I'll be getting a manicure, pedicure, a moisturizing body polish, and a deep pore cleansing facial. The only bummer is that I can't get the 90 minute massage I was so looking forward to. They don't do massages on women in their first trimester...something about the toxins released through deep tissue massage interferring with the baby's growth. Don't have any clue whether its a valid thought or not but I figured I'd be a good girl and go along with the plan. Guess the massage will have to wait for another 3 weeks or so. I can't wait to go to the spa and I really adore the ladies who gave me such a wonderful gift.

This is whats been keeping me busy...

This is the quilt I have been working on for one of the ladoes on the cross stitch board I belong to. Her beautiful 7 yr old son has been ill since he was a teeny kiddo and he is terminal...but no one really knows how long he has. I stitched 3 of the 28 cross stitch squares in the quilt. My son stitched one square. The other 24 squares were stitched by people all over the world. I know you can't see the detail of the cross stitched squares but that is because the quilt is so big (as is, without the border, it is 53in wide by 70in long). I will end up setting up a page on my craft web site with close ups of the stitched squares and, if any of y'all are interested, I will post that link here.

Nothing really to update about my pregnancy...I'm here...I'm pregnant...and everything seems to be going well.

***OMG, I was just going through my archives and reading the comments and I came across this post...I just realized my next OB appt when I will probably get an u/s will be on the 18th and I will be almost 11 weeks...close enough to make me pause.