32 Weeks, Bit of a Doozie

32 Week profile picture.
The usual green shirt I use for these profile pictures doesn't fit over the giant tummy anymore :)

This week marks 32 weeks, which means only 8 weeks left until D-Day (due date). The 31 week doctor visit did not reveal anything of noteworthy value except my iron is low. Low iron has always been a struggle for me, so now I am trying to EAT MORE COWS (sorry Chick-Fil-A). It was a fun visit since Matthew was able to come!!!

Although the 31 week visit was uneventful, this past weekend/early week was a little more "exciting". Many of you know I came down with a stomach virus early Sunday morning. After sickness all day, I called our doctor just to let them know I was possibly dehydrated. They instructed us to come into the Hospital (where we are delivering) to get IV fluids and make sure it was nothing more than a stomach virus. IV fluids are fairly typical when you are pregnant, so Matthew and I took our time getting to the hospital, did not let Piper our to potty and only brought the bare necessities with us.

We checked into the hospital, got the IV going and Matthew and started to chat. The hospital was very quite that night. In fact, there was only one nurse on staff in the area we were in because it was so slow that night. The second nurse was about to head home early. Suddenly, I got very faint and HOT. The nurse heard me telling Matthew what was wrong and the next thing I know....I have an oxygen mask on, I am lying on left side and there are SEVEN people in our tiny exam room (3 nurses, my midwife, my doctor, the anesthesiologist and Matthew).

"The heartrate dropped. Find it again. Come on Baby!" is all I hear. Everyone is moving me around---left side, back, right side, hands and knees---desperately trying to find the heartbeat. Holding Matthew's hand, all I focused on was listening to instructions and breathing normally. I knew there was absolutley nothing I could do, so why stress?

The heartbeat was finally located but it was in the 200's (which is too high), so the doctor and anesthesiologist informed us an emergency c-section might be the only solution.....which was followed by a GIANT steroid shot. As they were telling me all this I just looked into Matthew's peaceful eyes and resolved---God IS in control.

They decided to monitor me in labor and delivery for 48 hours and if there was another deceleration we would deliver. They placed me on continuous monitoring, gave me another giant steroid shot and gave Matthew a tiny couch to sleep on :) Praise the Lord, the baby did not have any other decelerations and baby is still safe and sound in my tummy. The doctors are not sure what cause the deceleration, perhaps just "Blessing's" reaction to my illness. I was released on Tuesday and have just today started to feel back to my normal self, whew!

It's amazing how God grants us the peace and strength we need in intense moments. Honestly, I do not think I have been more calm in my life. I knew it was all in His hands. Not to mention, I was reminded of how blessed we are. Our new church family here in VA sent us prayers, flowers and phone calls of encouragement. Kenneth and Amber were such a blessing too---they looked after my baby Piper while we were in the hospital. Matthew and I appreciated all the help, visitors, prayers and phone calls; we could not be more blessed, I mean it!

Random funny--we had a few ultrasounds while in the hospital (NO WE DID NOT SEE THE GENDER) and they said a) Blessing is 4.5 lbs already and b) it has a big head (OUCH)---ha!! Bring on our big Blessing :)

If this is the first you are hearing about the 32 week doozie, do not feel bad----we tried not to share much information until we had GOOD NEWS as not to worry our family and friends. So now, we have good news----ALL IS WELL :) :) :)

The 33 week appointment is Monday afternoon and hopefully we will learn how the 32 week doozie will effect our birthing plans/options (if at all). Who knows, maybe "Blessing" will come a few days early after getting "pumped up" on steroids.

Please pray that "Blessing" continues to grow strong and healthy and stay inside as long as necessary to be fully developed. We love our "Blessing" already and cannot wait to meet little Addison Joy or Joshua Mikell!!!!!!

Flowers from Calvary Road Baptist Church, it was such a wonderful, very unexpected surprise; it really brightened my day!

You know you waddle if...

Please enjoy a laugh at my expense.....

Earlier this week at work, I was walking briskly, as usual, up to the cafeteria for coffee. I was about to fall asleep as my desk. This black girl walked up behind me and we had a rather interesting conversation. Here is how it went:

GIRL: “You have the cutest little walk.”
ME: (momentary pause)“what, you mean my waddle?”
GIRL: “Yes, you have the cutest little pregnant waddle I have ever since, I love it. You walk so fast!!!”
ME: “Ha, thanks”
GIRL: “Yes, I just love it---its like this”

At which point she proceeds to imitate me with my little hinny swing…….and her caboose was even bigger than mine is! We had a few spectators by the end of the conversation and demonstration.

I was in denial I waddled until a complete stranger informed me of it. So, yes---its official, I have a pregnancy waddle.

Water Logged

Just thought I would share a visual of the amount of water I drink everyday. I down a minimum of 3 liters of water a day...that's a lot of water! To all my girlfriends who are having kids one day, just go ahead and get used to drinking this much water now, it makes pregnancy life easier :)

So...as you can imagine...I am....Water Logged :)

30 Weeks and Counting

We are in the home stretch, we are now 30 weeks and excited to meet our head of cabbage (sized) "Blessing".

"SAY 30 Weeks"

Since we are in the third trimester, we go to the doctor every two weeks now--WOW, that's a lot of going to the doctor for two people (Matthew and I) that may go once a year otherwise!! So, last week I went to the Doctor for my Glucose Tolerance/Screening Test (click if you do not know what that is) and you have to drink 50 grams of glucose. People told me it is horrible, but it was a BREEZE. So all of my friends and family out there who do not have kids yet---trust me, its not bad. Just ask for ORANGE flavor and CHUG IT without taking a breath. It's easy, I borderline enjoyed it. Nothing showed up in the test and the the doctor said everything is "perfect" and "right on schedule and target"--measurements, weight, heartbeat....everything was good. I go again on Wednesday, January 20.

The only pregnancy symptoms (other than the growing tummy) at this point are:

• Tiredness: I am back to the first trimester tiredness. However, this might be because I do not sleep through the night and because I am not good at relaxing :)
  
• Kicks and Movement: Every now and then the baby will be moving around or kicking so hard it is painful. Now, when I say painful I mean it lasts like a second, so its nothing really. BUT, for all my wonderful friends and family who do not have kids yet---I just like to shoot you straight. I am incapable of not being honest. I don't really mind this because it reminds me that "Blessing" is doing well.
• Emotions: I will be first to admit, this one surprised me!! For those of you planning to have kids one day, just be prepared to be sensitive---and prepare your husbands too. I am lucky though because Matthew is wonderful--supportive, loving, patient, kind...I could go on, but some of you might vomit if I continue.

It's fun being pregnant, but I am still ready to meet "Blessing"!!!

Just a glimpse of what our lives will look like between baby feeding/wake time and nap time! Cute huh?

These are a few of my favorite things...

Matthew and I frequently look at each other after doing something silly or random (which is quite often) and say "It's the little things in life". This has sorta been our mantra since we have been together. Below are two of those things.

Homemade Mocha and Mac'n Cheese---THESE are a few of my favorite things. Thanks Barista Matthew!

Buttermilk pancakes in shapes, we had way too much fun making faces with these. For future reference, syrup does not make a good smiley face--whipped cream is preferable!