27 weeks 5 days

Here are my stats as of today.....

27 weeks +5 days pregnant
Baby girl measuring at 2lbs 10 oz
Cervix measuring at 1.8cm with funneling
1cm dilated and 50% effaced.


I am on day 29 of bed rest. Yep. I have made it 29 days and I still have about 10 more weeks to look forward to. I was so happy today when I went in for my weekly appointment with the specialist and they measured our baby at being 2lbs 10 oz. It is such a relief to be close to 3 pounds. The bigger she gets, the better I feel. She is growing like a champ. The Dr. says I am still high risk and that if my cervix shortens any more I am being admitted to the hospital. I really want to be home with my kids....so hopefully I can stay steady at 1.8cm.

My mom and pop drove out from Arkansas and are staying for a couple months to take care of the kiddos while Matt is at work during the day. It has been such a blessing to have them here.

Every day is different. Some days are wonderful and go by fast. Some days drag...and drag...and drag. I am determined to try and be optimistic....but here are 3 things that annoy me lately.

1. I can't pick up my kids. I can cuddle with them, which I do, but it is frustrating that I can't be the first to respond when they are sad or hurt. I have to rely on others to do it for me.
2. I stare out the window lately and watch the tree outside start to blossom for spring. I watch Matt and Max playing catch and Ava riding her bike and Isaac digging in the dirt. This is my favorite time of year. Spring is beautiful in St. George and I feel like I am missing it. I want to be outside playing with my family too. I want to enjoy the weather.
3. Daytime TV is annoying. Actually , evening TV is annoying too. Thank goodness for HGTV and discovery channel. They are the only channels that I can count on.

24 weeks 4 days

I have my computer pushed up to the side of my bed, a pile of books on the floor next to me, my cell phone and a big jug of water. My house is quiet. Too quiet. Today is day 7 of Strict bed rest orders from my OBGYN.
My amazing in-laws have my kids in Delta for the week, as I can't do anything but lay on my back , go to the bathroom, then lay back down. No lifting, no cleaning, nothing. I can shower every other day. Did I mention how strict my bed rest is?

It all started last Monday ( presidents day). I was feeling "off" and crampy and so I tried to stay off my feet until the next morning when I called my DR;s office and got an appointment to be seen. Having lost our baby girl Anna, I am definitely more aggressive about being seen when I am crampy because that's how my labor started last time. They figured out that I had some sort of infection . A UTI or bladder infection so I was given a prescription for an antibiotic and was told that it probably caused my crampiness. I asked the Dr to order an ultrasound to double check that all was well with our baby. I really needed to make sure she was alright. A couple hours later I found out after my ultrasound that my cervix was shortening and that I was at risk to go into pre-term labor. At my 19 weeks ultrasound my cervix measured 5cm. My ultrasound now showed a length of 2.8 cm. My cervix was disappearing and there was nothing to hold the baby in. It's called an Incompetent cervix. So I was ordered on SBR(strict bed rest) and it has been a challenge to say the least.
I went into the Dr yesterday to get another ultrasound and I had more bad news. the cervix is now measuring 2.5 cm. I was given steroid shots to help the babies lungs develop faster and also given progesterone 17p to reduce my chances of going into labor.
Tomorrow I am going to see a specialist that is coming down from SLC to figure out what the best plan is for me.

Can I just say that I am SO grateful to my wonderful husband. He has taken on the stress of completely taking over all the household chores and taking care of me and running errands...all while working full time and finishing up his masters and serving in the Bishopric. He is superman. I have had a lot of time to reflect these past 7 days, I am truly humbled to have met Matt and married him 9 years ago today. ( yep it's our anniversary) He is my best friend and he makes my life truly perfect. He is the best dad I have ever seen. He is patient and an extremely hard worker. He truly cares about those around him and is always willing to serve. I love you sweetie!

I also wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all my friends, family, ward members and neighbors who have really stepped up and helped with my kids and meals and coming over to visit with me so I don't go crazy. How did I get so lucky? I have such an amazing support system.

Here are my stats as of today.....
24 weeks +4 days pregnant
Baby girl measuring at around 1 1/2 lbs
2 steroid shots given
1 progesterone shot given

Please keep us in your prayers. Our little girl still needs time to grow and to develop.
Grow strong baby girl. We love you!

It's a ????

Sugar

& Spice

& everything
Nice

That's what little girl's are made of!


That's right....we are having a GIRL! We couldn't be happier. She was a little shy and wouldn't uncross her legs and then when she finally did.... the umbilical cord was blocking everything. I asked the technician to keep checking , so with some poking and prodding we finally got a good shot . I really wish I would of video-taped Ava's reaction. It was pure happiness. She really wanted a little sister and her wish came true. We will now be even steven. 2 boys and 2 girls. Perfect!

Still here....

Energy? Where have you gone?

I am glad to be in my 2nd trimester now and it has been nice to not be sick anymore, but I thought I would be getting my energy back sometime soon. Guess not.....
We are excited to be finding out whether our little peanut is a boy or girl. I am 17 weeks along and we should have an ultrasound in the next couple weeks.
I honestly have no preference. Ava does though. She has her heart set on a girl. She calls this baby her "little sister" and talks about how much fun they are going to have together. I gently remind her that it might be a boy. She will have none of that. Ava is such a nurturing big sister to Isaac that I know she will be fine no matter what happens.
At some point I plan on posting pictures of Christmas, but honestly, it might not happen.