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?    :)