33 Weeks

We've made it another week! 4+ weeks of bed rest, a little less than 4 weeks to go! 48 days until his due date. Once we get into August, we'll be in the home stretch. I had my weekly appointment this past Wednesday. No progress, no real change. My DR told me I can go to my showers as long as I don't do anything, and lay for the most part. That was very good news. I'm looking forward to all of the showers. It's a chance to actually get out and see people. I can feel like a person again!  


Things are going ok. I'm still uncomfortable from inactivity, but I can deal. It's mainly just my hips that really ache from laying on my sides the majority of each day. I've gotten into another Netflix show - Friday Night Lights (love it!). I'm about half way through another book. I'm going to cross-stitch some baby bibs (thanks, Caitlin!). I'm keeping somewhat busy. The weeks are starting to go by a little faster. OH - and I watched hours of A Baby Story the other day and didn't cry once! Progress, people! I try to avoid daytime TLC at all cost, but it sucked me in. Bryan is doing ok, too. He has definitely stepped up, and is taking control of everything. I do feel bad he has to do so much now, but he's handling it well. I know it's hard on him at times, but he is the one to remind me that it's only temporary. He just made me tuna salad and caprese salad. I think I'll keep him. My mom and mother-in-law came over last Saturday to shampoo carpets. That was a big help to me. We got a very nice treat this week, too. My Aunt Donna brought us Tavern fried chicken! It was delicious. I think when I bust out of this joint a dinner at the Tavern will be my first meal. Or maybe Black Dog. Or maybe both. I've been making lists of all of the foods I've been missing, and places I want to eat. Hey-it gets me through the day!


At 33 weeks, baby Nickel weighs a little over 4 pounds (a pineapple) and has passed the 17 inch mark. He is still plumping up. He is sitting very low these days. His head is down, which is good, but he tends to like his feet up by his head. This does not feel good when he stretches out. A lot of women have issues with their babies in their ribs & stomach. My baby likes to kick me low in my hips and pelvis. It doesn't really hurt, it's just awkward feeling. See the most up-to-date picture below. His toes are touching his head. Seriously, child, how is that comfortable?!



My contortionist baby

We listen to music some days. Mozart, Zac Brown Band, Moody Blues. Whatever I'm feeling. I'm not sure if he likes the music. He moves around a lot to Zac Brown Band (maybe a sign he's really into country, or he thinks it's terrible like his daddy). Right now we're jamming to some Four Tops radio on Pandora. I think he's groovin' in there :-)

32 Week Pic

 

You Gotta Have Faith (and not the George Michael kind)

This week was full of some ups and downs for me.  Well, most weeks are.  I missed my family vacation.  I miss doing things for myself.  I just miss.......things.  Oh, and I finished Vampire Diaries.  I will miss my daily intake of hot vampires.  I keep saying out loud that "it's all worth it" so people don't think I'm a terrible, selfish person.  Of course it's all worth it.  I am feeling pretty blessed that things haven't gotten worse.  I know others have gone through tougher times.  But I'm going to get down sometimes, and that IS ok.  I have found some online community groups and blogs that have really helped me.  I read their stories every day.  And while I don't personally know anyone who has gone through something exactly like this, it helps to read others' stories about their similar situations.  It's like an online soladarity, if you will.  It gives you hope.  I pray for these women every day.  I pray for all the moms out there that have gone through tough times.     

I came across this the other day, and it helps reinstill the hope. 

My Mantra

And these help, too!  Thanks, Kristen!!

32 Weeks!

Every week is a milestone now.  I'm very happy to have made it to 32 weeks with no problems.  It's been 3 weeks and 3 days since I was put on bed rest.  I was 28, almost 29, weeks when I went on bed rest.  So hitting 32 weeks is definitely very exciting.  I thank God every night before bed for giving him another day. 

My measurements at this week's appointment were a little better than last week.  I'll take it.  My doctor said she will release me from bed rest at 37 weeks, unless I get better and stay better before then.  But since I fluctuate so much, I'm not sure that will happen.  So 5 more weeks.  I can do this.  Most women enjoy staying home with their baby during their maternity leave.  I have a feeling that once he's good to leave the house we're going to be on the go all the time.  I am so sick of my house.  I miss my daily routine.  I miss gardening, cooking, going places, going home.  I even miss cleaning.  Can you believe that?  After the 2 week cleaning spree I had, you'd think I'd never want to clean again.  But only 5 more weeks, right?! 

I'm doing ok.  I feel a little uncomfortable usually, but it's not too bad.  I know it's just from the inactivity.  Once I can start excercising after the baby, I think I'm going to start running again - like Forrest Gump running.  I say that now.  I've watched a few tv series on Netflix.  May I recommend Vampire Diaries!  Man, oh man, am I glad my friend Rachel told me to watch that show.  Who doesn't love hot vampires?  And Boone, from Lost, is one of the hot vampires. Yes, please!  Big Brother starts tonight (and is on 3 days a week!).  And of course we have Breaking Bad starting on Sunday.  I haven't only been watching tv, though.  I've been reading, too.  And I finished the tissue paper pom poms for his room.  I'll post some nursery pics once it's more put together. 

Baby Nickel at 32 Weeks:
He weighs aproximately 3.75 pounds, about the size of a large jicama, and is about 16.7 inches long.  I should start gaining about a pound a week, and roughly half of that goes right to the baby.  I've done pretty well with the weight gain thus far.  I haven't hit the recommended amount.....yet.  He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.  Keep plumping, baby!  He still gets the hiccups a couple of times a day.  I love those parts of the day.  Except for when it's at 11pm, like last night.

Again, thank you to everyone for the prayers, encouragement and thoughtfulness in whatever way it comes.  I'll post an updated picture later.     

Sorry if you can't see the picture in the last post. Blogging on the iPad is super annoying and NOT user friendly. I can't even have paragraphs in my posts. I think it's time I switch to the laptop. Hopefully that will make this easier.

Bed Rest Continues

There was no progress today, but it's not really getting worse. I'm where I was when this all started 2 weeks ago. So I guess if it's not going to get better, I'd rather just maintain. Bed rest continues, as do my weekly appointments. I'll be 31 weeks on Thursday. My next goal is to make it to 32, then 34, then 36. If I make it to 36 weeks, then I'll be able to deliver in Bloomington. If my condition worsens, and I go into pre-term labor, then I'll deliver in Peoria. Hopefully I won't have to worry about any of that, and I'll continue to stay the same, or get better. It can happen. But I need to know all the things, and be prepared for any scenario.

Baby is still doing fine. His heart rate has been in the 150s the past couple visits. I'm trying to be positive, but I still have my bad days. "Why was I chosen to go through this?", "what did I do in my past life?", "what am I doing wrong?"- WHY, WHY, WHY! But then I tell myself it could be worse, others have gone through harder times, and I just need to remain positive. I've been praying a lot, and making lists of things I still need to buy and do. Amazon is my best friend. I've gotten into a few tv series on Netflix, watch lots of Food Network, and am reading books and magazines to stay busy.

Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers, help, food, gifts and company. I can't thank you enough, but I will try. A big thanks to my Mom and Aunt Donna for rearranging my living room over the weekend. I was beginning to feel very claustrophobic, but it's so open now, and I love it! Another big thanks to my bestie, Amanda, for having someone come over to give me a mani/pedi last week to lift my spirits. It definitely helped!

Laura came to the house last week to take my 30 week picture. Big thanks to her for coming over so we can still continue to document.

Please keep the prayers coming! I appreciate all of you, and everything you're doing to help us out.

Update

I had my doctor appointment today, and let's just say the power of prayer is wonderful. My cervix has lengthened some, but it's not where it used to always be. I typically measured at 33-34mm(normal). Last week I had dropped down to 19mm with funneling, all within a 2 week span. This morning I started out measuring at 21mm, and then went to 24mm with very minimal, almost non-existent, funneling - all while lying there. So clearly the bed rest is helping. I'm going to remain on bed rest, and I get re-checked next Monday. Thank You to everyone for your prayers and support. It means a lot and is a great help to both Bryan and I. For those who know me, I am very Type A with a bit of control freak in me. Letting go and having no control has been hard, along with missing out on some important things and summer activities. But I think I'm doing a pretty good job. I know what is important, and he is not allowed to come into this world for a while. Something cute that I have noticed about him since I'm just laying here not moving, he gets the hiccups about twice a day. His movements are getting stronger, too. Again, thank you for the prayers, visits, food, reading material, movies, gift cards, etc. While I hate just being laid up, it's all very much worth it. And all of your generosity is amazing. I have some damn good people in my life! -Linds