10 days

For those of you that have been following this blog for awhile know that my bed rest season is coming to a close.  I am not as free as I would like to be at this point but I am trying to be patient.  I will be 36 weeks on Monday.  Many of you also know that I have this lovely cerclage and we have scheduled the removal for Monday, January 2nd.  At the hospital.  Does that tell you what my doctor thinks is going to happen?  :)  I am so much farther along than I was with Audra at this point so it feels like it could be any day. Thank you for checking back regularly.  When we have news we will post.  My Christmas comes on Monday January 2nd.  Merry Christmas!

Oh Freedom

Today marks 34 weeks and one day!  A milestone that we thought we would never be near.  As of today I have some new freedoms that I am in desperate need of before I go insane.  I can begin to sit up more, go to the grocery store for one item not 100, and leave the house a couple times this week.  Woo-hoo.  With the passing of 34 weeks I can also deliver at our local hospital if the need arises.  No more UVA, no more magnesium drip, no more fear of early delivery.  It is a strange and bittersweet new freedom.  With this new freedom comes a strange feeling of melancholy.  In the past 10 and half weeks, I have been out of the house 10 times.  4 of those times consisted of visits to the hospital.  Weeks of functioning on anxiety, fear and imminent delivery is impossible to forget in one week.  To embrace the freedom and peace feels wrong.  To put into words the heavy burden of weeks of silence, waiting and anticipation seems impossible.  I am once again am in awe of this second journey of bed rest and the question of how and why is only added to the list of someday questions.  For now, I embrace this new found freedom with both arms and continue to find shelter in the grace we have been given once again.  May you be covered with grace this Christmas season.      

Great appointment but a not so silent night

Another appointment down this week with another stable report.  Starting next week I will be 34 weeks and I have been told I can sit up to eat my meals.  If all goes well I will be able to do more the next week.  I hope all goes well.

On another note, we had an exciting early morning today.  At 4:50 this morning I awoke with a start.  I laid there for awhile contemplating why I was awake.  After a moment I heard it.  The slam of a pantry door and the pounding of feet.  This was no Santa and eight tiny reindeer.  This was an intruder!  My eyes popped open and I sprang out of the bed.  I crept out to the hall and grabbed the closest weapon: a lamp.  I silently slipped down the stairs to see who or what was in the house.  As I rounded the corner I clutched the lamp close.  I know what you are thinking- why would she think a lamp will save her?  The better question you should ask yourself is-why is this eight month pregnant woman defending her household?  Do you really think a pregnant woman on bed rest should or would leap out of bed to defend her home?  There is no leaping going on with this girl!  Let's start again.  At 4:50 this morning I awoke with a start.  I laid there for awhile contemplating why I was awake.  After a moment I heard it.  The slam of a pantry door and the pounding of feet.  I jabbed Paul beside me and startled him awake.  "I think Audra's downstairs!"  Paul shot out of bed and I do mean shot out of bed and was half way down the stairs before he fully comprehended what he was even doing.  That is the funny thing about Paul. When he is asleep, he is asleep.  So he often ends up a comical mess before really coming awake if he is startled from a deep sleep.  He rounded the laundry corner to find Audra sitting beside our dog Skye reading a book.  Skye listened intently while Audra read with gusto from her book.  Once again she had found her way from her bed to another location.  Needless to say we will be putting the gate back up at the top of the stairs to keep Audra from walking down the stairs in her sleep. 

And the Search Begins . . .

Yesterday I had yet another appointment.  Is it sad that my week is defined by my one outing a week?  :)  Everything was stable again.  My doctor has not taken away my restrictions yet but I have been given permission to start sitting up to eat a few meals.  This will be heaven. 

My family is here for the weekend to celebrate Christmas.  I am sending my brother along with Paul to pick out the Christmas tree.  If you were reading this blog last year, you will remember well the Christmas fiasco.  Feel free to go back and read what happened last year and it what is in store for my poor brother- Sucker.  :) 

32 Weeks vs The Long Car Ride

Wow- what a huge day.  Again.  As we continue to travel the last few weeks I am often in awe again of the many meals, prayers and visits we receive.  Again thank you for walking with us.  At this point all is well and it looks like some of my restrictions will be lifted as of 34 weeks.  We do still ask for your prayers as the last couple of weeks have brought a new sort of issue up.  Because I am so closely monitored, my doctor started to notice that my amniotic fluid level was on the low end.  After a few weeks of monitoring, the fluid appears to be stable.  However, if it were to continue to decrease that would bring a whole new set of issues that we really don't want to face.

As for the last two weeks-  have you ever been on a really long car ride?  Being from Iowa, I have made the 16 hour drive more times than I care to count.  The first 15 hours tend to fly by but the last hour is INSANE.  The kind of poke your eyes out insane.  Everything about the people in the car with you annoys you.  The way they chew their gum, the music they listen to, the speed they are driving or the fact that they aren't driving.  Everyone is grumpy, tired and sore.  Adding children to the mix only increases the insanity level.  The last hour feels unbearable.  As the car creeps closer and closer to home, the passengers in the car seems to mentally nudge the gas pedal to the floor.  It is time to be home.  Once the car pulls into the driveway, everyone literally spills out of the car not wanting to think of the unpacking that is before them.  I am at the last hour.  The one of insanity.  The urge to nudge the pedal faster.  I feel like the Train Engine that Could repeating, "I think I can, I think I can." So close yet so far.    "I CAN do this, "I Can do this."

All-Star Weekend

Wow, talk about an all-star weekend.  On Friday Paul informed me a surprise would be coming that night or the next morning.  Since I was getting so many packages in the mail, I figured it would involve the UPS or FedEx truck.  You can imagine my surprise when my friend from Iowa walked through the door.  I screamed and stood up.  Yep stood up and gave her hug right on the spot.  What an amazing surprise.  I have never ever been fully surprised, despite what my husband may say.  Annika- thank you for leaving your family to come and care for me and mine.  What a gift.  The endless conversation with no time constraint was a blessing.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The weekend did not end with Monday morning.  The fun continued as Annika left for her flight back to Iowa, my friend Sherri was getting in her mini van and driving from Pennsylvania to spend the day with me.  Some of you know that Pa isn't all that far away from Virginia but what is impressive is the fact that she flew all the way from Canada to Pa first.  A couple of days later she then got in her car and drove 3 1/2 hours to see me for 3 hours and then drive back 3 1/2 hours back to Pa all in one day.  Is your brain whirling?  Imagine how Sherri's felt.  :)  Thank  you dear friend for driving a total of 7 hours to be with me for three.  That is true dedication and was such a blessing!   

So Annika receives the best surprise award and Sherri receives the a best bed rest visitor as she came all the way from Canada both times that I have been on bed rest!   

So many of you have blessed in us in many ways with meals, visits, day-care, gift cards and much much more.  Thank you for loving us so fully as we continue this journey of bed rest.  May you be blessed in return. 

Sugar, Sugar, Sugar

Another week down and another great report from the doctor.   We are now at 30 weeks and 3 days so we are breathing much easier than our UVA fiasco five weeks ago.  Today I also had the privilege of   completing a three hour glucose test.  This test basically consists of a wicked orange drink that taste like flat orange soda with  three cups of sugar added to it.  Bleck!  It was nasty.  I am sure my middle school students would have loved it. 

On another note- your prayers would be welcomed for my friend Megan.  She is currently pregnant  as well and due in March. Her daughter recently contracted the virus 5th disease, which is not lethal to toddlers,  but is extremely dangerous for a fetus.  Megan tested positive today for the virus and is being closely monitored by doctors.  She goes in weekly to check and make sure the baby is not anemic.  If this were to happen she would have to receive blood transfusions.  She and her family would welcome your prayers. 

30 Weeks and a New View?

Yesterday marks the 30th week of this pregnancy! Yeah. Only four more weeks of strict bed rest- hopefully. While four weeks seems reasonable, I had a brief moment of insanity this weekend. I needed something new and four more weeks seemed overwhelming to me. So Paul decided I needed a new view on life. Literally. Thus began a 2 hour ordeal of rearranging the living room. Ready for the new room?

Old Room

New Room

Wait for it . . .

Wait for it . . .

Still there?  

 New Room! 

Yep, two hours of grueling agony only to put the room back exactly as it was before my moment of insanity.  Now you may be thinking that I am a cold-hearted woman to make my darling husband move every piece of furniture around, but in my defense I did warn him that I would probably not like it.  There just isn't another way to arrange this room with the furniture we have.  So for now, I will gladly stare at the same corner that needs a straight paint line and the same cobweb on the ceiling. 

Thurday

Another week down with a stable report again. It is hard to believe it has been six weeks since I started bed rest.I say that with a small amount of sarcasm as the six weeks have begun to wear on me. The good news is I get to watch Regis and Kelly everyday as Regis counts down to his final show. I know- SO EXCITING. Ha. Here is to one more month on bed rest!

stable for another week

Another week has come and gone with another stable report. It is nice to settle into a routine. I only have five more weeks to go for strict bed rest. They will lighten my restrictions at week 34. Five weeks doesn't feel so bad, right?

Mr. Snowman

In 11 years I have never experienced snow in Virginia before the month of December.  Maybe a few flurries in November but not in October.  However, Happy White Halloween to us.  Paul had to work most of the snowy weekend so Audra did not get to go outside until most of the snow was gone.  However, the ever creative Paul Berry brought a small pile of snow to the deck and they made a miniature snowman on the deck where I could watch. :)  It was very entertaining.  Notice her outfit.  Gotta love the man perspective.  Love you Paul! 

Another Week Down

So another Thursday has come and gone with which I am happy to report being in a stable state once again.  Each Thursday comes with much trepidation as to what the results will be for another week.   I pray we can keep up the emotionally roller coaster as each week comes and goes.   You can say a prayer for Paul- it isn't easy trying to keep things going and understand the brain of a 2 1/2 year old.  As I type this, I have been interrupted three times for Audra to yell down the stairs telling me she loves me.  There have been many thumps and scraps but it seems she is finally in her pajamas.   Currently it is Audra 3, Paul 0 and they haven't even gotten to brushing the teeth.  Paul is handling it with grace but another prayer or two for patience, would be very helpful. :)  Most of us don't remember life as a two year old, right?  

The Facial

So from the pictures you can tell that bed rest round 2 is a little different than the first time.  Audra decided I needed a facial.  With stickers.  Needless to say, it didn't feel so great when it came time to peel off the many layers.  However, she had a great time and it helped pass the time.  I don't think I will let her paint my toes just yet.

Home Again

I am thrilled to be writing this post from home again.  Today was the first appointment I have had since my lovely time at UVA.  I was anxious to say the least.  However, it appears that this bed rest thing is working as I am finally stable.  I don't think I realized how much these appointments were beginning to wear on me.  It wasn't until I finally had some "good" news or at least stable news that I realized how much I needed to hear something positive.  Hearing bad report after bad report was starting to bring me down emotionally and I wasn't really aware of it.  So at this point the plan is to go for a weekly appointment and pray that bed rest continues to help.  As of now, I will continue to stay at home unless something drastically changes or it appears I am in active labor again.  If I were to deliver any time between now and 34 weeks, I would go to UVA.  After 34 weeks I can deliver at RMH.  So for now I am going to begin to adjust to bed rest for the next 8 weeks.  That doesn't seem so bad right?    :) 

Home

I am happy to be typing this post from home!  The last 48 hours has been a mass of moments that we don’t need to repeat.  It is hard to believe all that has taken place in the last few days.  When we went to my appointment on Monday, we were prepared for the possibility of a trip to UVA, even going as far as packing an overnight bag for the hospital. It wasn’t that Paul and I weren’t hopeful; we were just being realistic.  What we weren’t prepared for the extreme difference they saw from Thursday to Monday.   We weren’t prepared for being rushed to RMH to start a magnesium drip to stop the contractions or the ambulance ride to UVA.  The last time I was admitted to UVA, Paul drove me.  An ambulance solidified the terror of the situation in my mind, and I was frozen from emotion.  How was this happening again?  And why was it happening so quickly.  Gratefully the doctor gave me an anti-nausea medication that put me in a blissful state of sleepiness and I was able to make the ride over to Charlottesville without much awareness.  Upon arriving at UVA, I was immediately welcomed into a room full of care.  There were three nurses in the room and in my semi-conscious state I truly felt a peace.  They were calm, controlled and working as a team.  To Jessica, Liz, Claire, Eboni, and Emily- you completely blessed me with your care.

Once the chaos of  the day came to a close, my body went into a quiet rest.  The doctors literally observed me for 48 hours to find that my body had finally slowed down.  After many conference calls with my doctors here, it was decided that I could come back home and continue the strict bed rest here at home.  Being so successful at home last time helped seal the deal.  I will continue to be closely monitored by my doctors here and if anything changes again we will go back.  For now, I am so very happy to be home, despite the anxiety that comes with being away from constant care; we really do think this is the best. 

You have no idea how touched we are by the many prayers, cards, and words of encouragement you have sent our way.  We truly feel blessed to have such a caring community of friends.  Here is to at least 10 more weeks!      

Stable

So after a traumatizing day yesterday, I am happy to be the one typing on the blog today.  Thanks to Paul for updating yesterday as my state of mind and being was not  a great one.  I must admit that I do not need to repeat a ride over the mountain in an ambulance again.  With that in mind, the doctors have been closely monitoring me and it appears that my body is once again evening out.  The active labor signs of yesterday have slowed and so far I have not made any dramatic changes since being here. With that said, it is still a scary time.  The doctors have decided to monitor me closely for today and tomorrow.  If I continue in a quiet state, they will let me go home and I can try to complete my bed rest at home.  Thank you to everyone for your kinds words of hope whether through Facebook or phone.  They mean more to you than you will ever know.  It is nice to know that so many are praying and supporting us.  It truly makes all of the difference.  We will continue to update the blog through the next few days as well as the next few weeks.  I am very ready for January. 

UVA

I would like to briefly share of the latest step in our journey.  This disheartening step placed us over afton mountain at UVA.  As always we are uncertain of what may come and would greatly appreciate your prayers as we walk through this fearful time.  More updates will follow when more information is known.
Please pray for peace of mind and stability....

Preparing

Part I-Current Update
I have slowly been preparing myself for another journey on the couch.  The last few appointments have brought me to think a stay off of bed rest was a possibility.  However, after yesterdays appointment I am simply happy to be home on my couch. As of now, I am at home for a four day, very strict, bed rest.  I will go back to the doctor on Tuesday and if things have not settled down I will be admitted to UVA.  We are asking that you join us in prayer that my body would just settle into a period of rest.  Obviously UVA is the last place I want to go, but as of now I acknowledge and recognize that if that is best for keeping this baby as long as I can than I will.  The only reason I am not at UVA is the fact that I am exactly where I was with Audra at this week and my doctor along with doctors at UVA feel I can try to calm it down at home.  AND I have an incredible doctor!  So with intense monitoring here at home, some crazy drugs and rest, we are hoping to just enter the same resting, stable period I had with Audra.  My current prayer is that I will be given the strength to face what ever lies ahead.  I just need to get through the next few weeks and I think I will be more calm.  

Part II- What's really Alicia's problem? :) 
Some of you have been asking just exactly puts me on bed rest.  Below is a brief summary of what puts me on bed rest.  However, I realize this is a "delicate" subject and some of you would just rather not know. :)  So read at your risk. :)  Seriously, feel no need to read on if you don't feel comfortable knowing the intimate details of a woman in pregnancy. 

As many of you know, the woman is a unique and mysterious creature.  A man can live with a woman for years and live his whole life in awe of what makes us a woman.  I don't think that Paul knew he would have half of the conversations we have about things including words like dilation, cervical length and effacement.  :)  Poor guy- he is even a nurse.  So each woman has a cervix and as a woman's pregnancy progresses her cervix will shorten in preparation for delivery.  However, that shortening should not happen until the last month or so.  An average woman has a cervical length of 3 cm.  This is considered "normal".  In the case of cervical incompetency, a woman's cervix does not adhere to the natural patterns of pregnancy.  This is my case.  I started out with a cervical length of 3 cm, but as of yesterday I now have a cervical length of 1.2 cm.  This is also the reason I have a lovely thing called a cerclage. It is basically a high powered stitch that holds the baby in until a time the stitch can be removed and the baby can come at a safe time.  I am currently 24 weeks and 5 days.  I got steroid shots yesterday for the baby's lungs.  I just need to get through the next few weeks.  

Bed Rest Round Two

So it seems that we are beginning yet another journey of bed rest. Please feel free to check back from time to time for updates, stories, forgotten stories and new designs. :) I have lots of ideas to keep me busy so hopefully something creative will come out of this time on the couch.

Praise God!

I know some of you have started checking this blog again so I thought I would post the results from today's appointment. It was great news! I am back on stable ground which means I can slowly start back to a more vertical position for the next four days. If all goes well I can start school on Tuesday and try it for the short 4 day week. I will have an appointment on Thursday to check again just to see how the week went being back in action. I still feel a little like a time bomb but I recognize a miracle when I see one. I will take my every day miracles as we continue to take this process day by day and week by week. Thank you for your continued prayers. There are much needed. Especially since I was only on bed rest for 4 1/2 days and I wanted to scream. And I mean scream! Here's to another week.

Here we go again . . .

Some of you may know that Paul and I are expecting another baby in January. January 23rd to be exact. I am currently 19 weeks and 2 days pregnant. Sadly we are finding ourselves on yet another journey of ups and downs. I am currently finding a comfortable position on my couch as I re-adjust a few pillows and stretch my legs to force some feeling back into my toes. Bed rest again. The crazy part is it is 5 weeks earlier than the last time I was on bed rest. So needless to say, I am trying to find some peace among the madness. I go back to the doctor this Friday in hopes that the doom and gloom ultra-sound was just a fluke and the hope of a more upright life would be possible. However, we are not holding our breath and would appreciate your prayers as doctors decide what the best plan would be for the following months. At this point we will optimistically await Friday. :)

HOLY COW!

This entry is way overdue! Almost a month ago we traveled the long journey (all of 20 miles) to the beautiful Wilson Farm for a cow visiting, hay rack riding, farm smelling good time. Keith and Carol Wilson opened up their home and farm for an evening of fun. I work with Carol at THMS and you know you have a fun team when you actually want to hang out together while not in school. :) Have fun viewing the photos!


Hee hee- the photo above is a personal favorite. :)

Pout Pout Fish

This is Audra's favorite book! We found it set to music on YouTube and we have to watch it at least once a day. Enjoy!

Twirling

Sometimes it is impossible to hold still for a photo. Here's to twirling into spring!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

This post is way overdue! Audra turned two on March 9th and we celebrated with family and friends the following weekend. It was a great time and it was fun to see her get so into her gifts and her cake. Side story on the cake- I have come to know a wonderful cake maker- she makes the most amazing french vanilla cake! My mouth waters just thinking of it. Anyway- Audra loves horses, so Robin the cake lady- (that's what I call her, it's even in my cell phone under Robin the Cake Lady), made this adorable horse cake. I carefully drove the cake home,over bumpy hills and curvy roads, desperately making sure to not bump the cake. People were passing me right and left, giving glare after glare. I didn't care. I just gripped my steering wheel tighter and smiled sweeter. I was bound and determined to get the cake home without losing one frosting ribbon or nicking one edge of the cake. It was a glorious cake. It was mouthwatering. It was perfect. As I approach the lane to our house, I slowed down and turned into the drive way. Slowly, hand over hand I made the turn. I eased down the lane and backed up to the door. Turning off the car, I took a deep breath and opened the back door. Amazing! Not one dent, not one smudge! Picking up the cake, I proudly walked into the house and set the cake on the counter. I could hear Audra in the other room with Paul and our friends, talking and laughing. I ran back out to the car just to pick up the last few things from the backseat. I was balancing boxes and bags in hand when I heard it. A scream! The scream of someone who has just stumbled upon a broken vase or worse yet, a fallen cake! I sprinted into the house to see Danette with her daughter Anya in one arm and Audra in another. Pink frosting covered Audra's hands and mouth! Danette was dying laughing, while trying to hold Audra back and balance Anya at the same time. Need I mention that the men were no were to be found or help for that matter. I scrambled over to Audra, lifted her away from the cake and accessed the damage. Luckily my stories are always much more dramatic than real life and the cake survived with only a small portion of the frosting gone. I guess it was her birthday, she could do what she wanted. :) Enjoy the photos!

Snow Day!

On warm days like today it is hard to remember that we even had snow around here. Despite the tardy post I thought it would be fun to post some photos of a snow day we had in January. I was actually out for 3 days of school. We received about 8 inches which is disastrous for Virginia. On those days Audra and I kept busy with many projects but painting was a favorite. As you can see from the photos we went big! The snow was fun too. Enjoy!