musical rooms

Many of you have recently been asking for updates. I'm sorry I got behind, but as you'll find I've had lots of visitors and been playing musical rooms. Thanks for your patience and your continued prayers. 

Saturday July 19th after settling back on postpartum unit after my bleeding episode, I enjoyed spending time with family, patio time, and outside food. Jay came with many packages for me to open which made it feel like Christmas in July. I was also surprised to learn my fluid was up to 7.3 (highest it's been).

 

 

Thanks again to Jenee, Mark, and Alexis for finding a Thomas Broncos Jersey.
Kate was SO excited!

 

Someone got worn out visiting mommy. 

Sunday July 20th I enjoyed a visit with Bryan, Christina, and my parents. I just regret I never got any pictures.  Monday my ultrasound showed my fluid at 5.8.

On Wednesday July 23rd Kate enjoyed playing in Debra's backyard and later with our neighbors new puppies. No we're not getting a puppy (or any other pet for that matter)!

 

That evening I had my first dinner party. Ryan and Amanda came and brought delicious homemade enchiladas. They even planned so I could have some leftovers for the week. I believe this is the first time they've come together due to their busy schedules, so that was a treat in and of itself. They were also here when I had my ultrasound to check my fluid; it was up to 6.8.

On Friday July 27th I celebrated my 30 week mark; YAY! This was a big deal and all the staff were just as excited that I've made it this far. Amanda brought this sign to hang on my door. Everyone loved it! You can check out Amanda's work on her Etsy site merakiphotosandprint.

It felt like a true celebration since my parents came, Uncle Jim and Aunt Maureen (Ryan's parents were visiting from Colorado), Amanda and Ryan too.  We had lots of laughs over lunch.

I was hoping for better news on my 30th week, but my fluid dropped to 3 which meant I had to return to the Labor and Delivery unit for continuous monitoring to watch for cord compression until my fluid increased.  After my party I was taken to what I call a "closet." This room was very narrow with no window, and totally claustrophobic. I was in the room one night. The following day I was moved to my old room on the unit. Although my fluid got up, I was stuck on the unit until a room became available back on postpartum.

the closet room

 

Saturday July 26th Jay and Kate visitied. Then my parents picked Kate up to take her to lunch and the beach so Jim and Maureen, Ryan and Amanda could spend time with her. This gave Jay and I some much needed alone time to talk about life at home, work, and plans for delivery.

 

Sunday July 27th Kate enjoyed time with Yia-yia and Pa-pou, Bryan, and Christina. 

Kate finally is tall enough for her bike.

 heading to lunch

Monday this week I started with a visit from Uncle Jim, Aunt Maureen, and Amanda over a bagel breakfast before Amanda took them to the airport. By lunchtime there were 11 discharges on the postpardum unit so I was finally able to move back.

 

That evening Christina came with her brother Peter to give me a haircut. It was fun to chat and have a haircut that made me look and feel better. This is my first haircut in the hospital and hopefully my last.

 before

during

 

 after

Yesterday afternoon I was put on continuous monitoring for some "irritabilities" on the contraction monitor. This has happened before. I didn't have contractions per say, but they noticed some mild movement, enough to keep an eye on. I don't feel anything which is a good sign. Early evening I enjoyed visiting with Ryan who brought some In N Out (upon my request) to help combat my boredom of hospital food. Of course my cardiologist would come to visit late and I was caught red handed eating my burger and fries. By late evening I had some mild bleeding. I slept with the contraction monitor on and woke up early this morning with more bleeding. Unfortunately, this warranted me moving back to Labor and Delivery unit. My exam showed that my cervix is still closed and bleeding is likely from my placenta. Still waiting for my ultrasound. I will be staying here on the baby and contraction monitor. If I have more contractions (then the few mild ones I've already had), irritabilities, or increased bleeding then they will restart the mag drip. As before, they just have to make sure this isn't the start of preterm labor or any problem that would require emergency delivery. I have talked with the ob's about just keeping me on this unit so I'm not having to continually switch rooms; they seem to agree.

Thanks again to all for the prayers, packages, visits, texts, emails, and video chats. It's helping me get through being here for SO long. I learned I won't be the antipartum patient whose been here the longest. Apparently they've had a few moms who have been here longer. However, today I've been here a total of 48 days. By the way, my desire to read finally has come back and I've been reading like crazy. Started on my 5th book yesterday. Please continue to pray I can make it to 34 weeks uneventfully, my fluid stays above 5, for my family and caretakers, and for finances.

He carries us

As you might imagine I was quite shocked and scared to have had bleeding earlier this week.  We weren't sure if it was the beginning of pre-term labor or not. I was moved back to Labor & Delivery for closer monitoring. They re-started the nasty mag drip and repeated the steroid shots. The lower dose of the mag drip made it more tolerable, but I still felt it's effects. I had a never ending headache, nausea, and felt flushed. It took a whole day to wear off, which is why I just couldn't reply to each email and text that was sent, but was grateful for the encouragement in my time of uncertainty; thank you! I wasn't alone. Amanda and Ryan visited along with my church friend Rylee and Mom spent two nights with me. 

During my few days at Labor and Delivery, Mom and I passed time flipping through magazines. She found this quote that just spoke to us about our faithful community that has surround us. 

"When we are rendered helpless by disease and mortality, 

we have nothing but our faith, our friends, and, above all, our family to carry us. " 

Rod Dreher

It was odd being back in my old room on the L and D unit. It reminded me of where I started, and where I am now. I have returned to the postpartum unit where I was welcomed back and given a room with a better view.

Today I celebrate 29 weeks and my halfway mark. I've been here 5 weeks (a total of 36 days) and have 5 more weeks to go. I really hope this last half goes more quickly and remains uneventful. I'm surprising many how well I'm handling this; keeping calm and sane. Because quite frankly, I'm surprising myself too. I know that it comes from the Lord and from your prayers. I continue to feel at peace.  There are may out there struggling, remember the Lord will carry you too!

"Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
    For each day he carries us in his arms." 

Psalm 68:19 NLT

updates and birthday smiles

Life continues to move on whether I'm at home or not. Apparently our frig had a leak so I helped arranged for it's repair, which thankfully was still under warranty. We also were able to close on refinancing our home. We were grateful that they were able to work with us especially when it came time to notarize the final paperwork. My parents have also been helping with home improvement projects. Over the holiday weekend, they put shelving up in my garage. Bryan and Christina came to help and Tomee supervised.

 supervising

 

 

Amanda helped decorate my apartment for the holiday. 

Cousin Ryan came to visit before heading off to celebrate with friends.

Here's Kate just after swimming lessons.
She enjoyed spending the holiday with the Thomas clan. 

My blood pressure keeps going low and coming back up. They say this is typical in the second trimester and also because I'm primarily on bed rest. I'm not symptomatic, although sometimes I can get quite tired. They don't plan to change my heart medication unless my blood pressure stays low. Found out I'm anemic again so they have doubled my iron dose. That may have also contributed to being tired at times too. Earlier they did hear a pocket of fluid in my lung so I had to do a breathing exercise, but after a few days my lungs were clear again. Looks like they would induce right at 34 weeks on the dot, so August 22nd could turn out to be Spud 2's birthday. Also have to pray the baby turns by then so I don't have to have a c-section. There's nothing they can do to make the baby turn because of it's age and size, and it's harder for the baby to turn when there's little fluid, so we'll wait and see.

On Friday I had an ultrasound back at labor and delivery unit with the better equipment. Mom drove up to visit and see her grand baby. Things continue to look good. Baby is now 2 lb 3 oz which we're told is normal size for it's gestational age. Spud 2 will be growing at a faster rate as the pregnancy progresses. Fluid volume continues to be around 5 although I'm still leaking. I got just a few ultrasound pictures, but there's no point in posting as you wouldn't be able to tell what you're looking at. The reason I don't have good pictures is due to how Spud 2 is positioned. It's curled up butt and back facing out and with the lack of fluid there's no way to get a clear view of the full body or face. Cousin Ryan brought us lunch which we ate outside in the sunshine. It was a nice way to celebrate turning 28 weeks. I've been here four weeks now.

On Sunday I had another ultrasound to check fluid volume and it showed 6.3 so it appears Spud 2 is healthy in replenishing more amniotic fluid. I continue to have daily blood sugar checks, but I now only have two a day rather than four; my fingers are happy about that! My blood sugars have been fine since the restricted diet and even with outside food.  Please continue to pray for the health of Spud 2 and I as well as Jay, Kate, and all the caretakers. You can also pray for fiances as medical bills are starting to trickle in. We thank each and every one in whatever way your helping our family. I'm especially grateful for the frequent visitors because it's definitely helped pass my time. We are blessed by our community. We eagerly await the results of our baby gender poll so don't forget to cast your vote.

Kate's been having lots of fun the last few weeks, going on many adventures.

Jay and Kate find new parks to visit weekly

multitasking-eating bread while shopping

Here's the text from my mom: "Making flower soup, want me to bring you some tomorrow?"

 

 

 Irvine Spectrum with Yia-yia

train ride

 

 First ferris wheel ride

 

 

 She learned how to cross her eyes.

 

Hospital garden

 

 Outdoor fun blowing bubbles with daddy

Thomas clan visits

 

Thanks to Nana and Aunt Peggy, my window is looking very homey
I get lots of complements

Water fun at Nana and Papa's

Here's the closest I get to relaxing at a pool this summer.
 In a wheelchair at the hospital garden.

Today is Jay's birthday. He enjoyed taking Kate to her first water park. 

They had a blast although the weather was cool.

Happy Birthday Jay!!!