Over the last month....

Wow, I definitely did not get better about staying current! Well, after our first L&D trip, things were going well for a while. I was still having regular contractions but they weren't too painful and they were far enough apart. On the 22nd they really started getting stronger and by the morning of the 23rd they were every 4-5min. So I called my OB and she wanted me to get monitored just in case. So off to L&D we went. When I first got there the contractions were about 3-4 min apart. After a little over an hour they started slowing down. We have no idea why, but they did and so we went home.

Again things seemed to be going really well until my appointment on the 30th. I mentioned to my OB that Nathan hadn't been moving as much for the last few days. She seemed a little concerned, so she did an NST and an ultrasound to check his fluid level. He did pass the NST but it took him awhile to do so. When my OB did the ultrasound, his fluid was on the lower side of normal but it was still within the normal range. When she looked at the placenta, though, there was a problem. She noticed a significant amount of calcification which means it is aging sooner than it should. She has no idea why this is happening either, since I don't have any risk factors for it. She is going to have me come in for twice a week ultrasounds and NSTs. I'm glad she is going to monitor him closely, but I'm still so scared that something will happen. She stressed the importance of monitoring his movements frequently, so now thats all I can think about. I just keep praying that everything will be okay.

On a positive note, we've almost made it to 37 weeks! I guess the bedrest is working. Hopefully he will be able to stay put a little longer, but I'm not too worried if he wants out now. I think it will really help that he got the steroids in as well and they had plenty of time to work. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks. My next appointment is on Monday, so hopefully I will have some good news to share!

Nathan's first escape attempt...

Wow, I can't believe how far behind I am on updating this! We've been so busy that I kept forgetting about it. Well, the biggest thing that has happened in the last few weeks was Nathan's first escape attempt!! I started having some painful contractions on Friday, but I had an OB appointment. So when I went to the appointment I told her what I was feeling. She didn't sound very concerned, but wanted me to go to L&D for just a couple hours of monitoring. Once I got there and they checked me, it turned out I was actually labor! They immediately gave me terbutaline and started me on magnesium sulfate to stop labor. I was also given two doses of steroids to help Nathan's lungs develop. The medication worked for a little while, but they eventually had to up the dose on the mag. Once they did that the contractions slowed down. I was on the magnesium until Sunday. After that they switched me to pills and monitored me for another 24 hours. I'm still contracting about 4 times an hour and I am on bed rest. At this point they said that if I go into labor again, they won't stop it. Our small goal is to make it to 34 weeks, but she doesn't think I'll make it past 37 weeks. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.

Here is the weekly update:
How far along?: 33 weeks and 5 days, 44 days until due date
How big is LO?: size of a honeydew, over 5lbs based on u/s in L&D

Sleep?: Not much lately. The contractions are stronger at night, so they keep me up.
Movement: Not quite as much as before, but still a lot.

Food cravings: Nothing really at this point.
Gender: Boy!
Belly button in or out?: Still in, but getting flatter.
What I am looking forward to?: Getting to 34wks
Milestones: Had our first L&D trip.
What I'm nervous about: Going into labor too early and Nathan ending up in the NICU. With the steroids, he has a much better chance of being ok, but there is still a risk. Hopefully he can hold out just a few more weeks!!

Weekly Update...

Today was our last birthing class. Hopefully we remember everything when the time comes:) It really was a lot of information to get in such a short amount of time. I really wish we could have taken the longer class. Oh well. Moving is getting stressful, but the painting is almost done. Its so much work and I really feel bad that I can't help. I actually feel pretty useless right now. I guess taking care of the dogs can be my job during this all. They sure enjoy having me around all day!


Here is the weekly update:
How far along?: 29 weeks and 1 day, only 76 days to go.
How big is LO?: size of a squash
Sleep?: The last two nights have been better. Lets hope this continues!
Movement: A lot! I think he is bruising me from the inside!
Food cravings: Still the onion rings:( Hopefully I will start craving something better!
Gender: Boy!
Belly button in or out?: Still in, but getting flatter.
What I am looking forward to?: Moving and starting the nursery.
Milestones: Officially in the 3rd Trimester!!
What I'm nervous about: I'm really worried about going into labor early. I'm just trying to keep the contractions under control and help the little guy stay put for at least another 8 weeks. My OB said that anything after 5 weeks would be okay, but at 37 weeks he would be considered term.

OB appt yesterday...

I had another OB appointment yesterday and everything went well. The little guy is still measuring a week ahead and has a very strong heartbeat! The dr had no problem finding it on the doppler immediately! I also found out that I passed the 1 hour glucose test. I was so worried I wouldn't. I'm also supposed to continue my restrictions to keep the contractions at a minimum. I also scheduled all of my appointments for the rest of the pregnancy! I can't believe how fast time is moving. The little guy will be here in no time!!

Weekly Update...

I still can't believe we have finally reached the 3rd Trimester! We only have about 12 weeks left to go. I'm really hoping the little guy will stay to at least 36 weeks, which is the peri's goal. Now that the bleeding seems to have completely resolved, he is even more confident we can reach that goal. I'm sure it will go by very quickly-October will be here before we know it! Scott and I also started birthing class yesterday. We have to do the accelerated class because of Scott's schedule. The classes are 5 hours long for two Sundays. It really is a lot of information to get in that amount of time. Thankfully my experience helps me out a lot! We are also getting ready to move this weekend. Hopefully everything will go smoothly! I've been kind of in a strange "funk" for the last week or so. I'm not really sure what is going on, but I hope it passes quickly. I think its a combination of missing work, boredom, lack of sleep, and stress. I've been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions lately, so I don't get to leave the house very much. Its easy to be bored when you can't do much. We'll have a lot going on these next few weeks, so hopefully that will help.

Here is the weekly update:
How far along?: 28 weeks 1 day, 83 days to go.
How big is LO?: Still the size of an eggplant.
Sleep?: Not much at all. My legs have been so restless and I can't get comfortable.
Movement: A lot! I think he is bruising me from the inside!
Food cravings: I guess I ate too many apples, because now they are the last thing I want! Unfortunately my biggest craving right now is onion rings. I definitely can't eat those like I could the apples:(
Gender: Still a very big boy!
Belly button in or out?: Still in, but getting flatter.
What I am looking forward to?: Birthing class and getting through the next 12 weeks!
Milestones: Officially in the 3rd Trimester!!
What I'm nervous about: I find out the glucose test results on thursday, which I'm still nervous about. I'm also nervous about my OB appt on thursday. My BP has been climbing and I'm really hoping it is still okay. I also hope that she won't need to increase my restrictions because of the BH contractions.

Ultrasound update:)

We had an absolutely amazing ultrasound today!! This was the first time we've heard "Everything looks great" from the OB. No complications and nothing to worry about. The bleeding has disappeared. Even the OB was shocked by this. I still need to follow the restrictions, but we are moving in the right direction. The little guy is measuring over a week ahead at 27wks 2days. He is weighing about 2lbs 4oz right now. Everything really did look great! Now if I could only get some sleep:)

Too hot!!!

I seriously can not believe how hot it is right now! Plus this humidity makes me feel like I'm in WI:) Atleast the little guy is staying quite active. I would appreciate it, though, if he would stop kicking me in the rib:) There has to be a bruise in there! The perinatologist says that strong movements are a good sign that he is doing well and the bleeding isn't causing any problems. I hope that is true and we will find out next thursday.

Weekly ticker change...

Wow, I'm late again! I gotta get used to blogging more often. Had an OB appt last thursday and it went well. My belly is measuring a little ahead, so we'll have to see what the ultrasound shows. Next thing on the list to do is the glucose test. I can't believe how close we are getting to the third trimester and having double-digit days left!

Here is the weekly update:
How far along?: 25 weeks 2 days, 103 days to go.
How big is LO?: Size of an eggplant.
Sleep?: Doing better this week, except last night.
Movement: More predictable now. He has his own wake/sleep pattern now, it just doesn't match mine:)
Food cravings: Oddly enough apples are at the top of my list-anything with apples in it or on it!
Gender: BOY!
Belly button in or out?: Still in, but getting flatter.
What I am looking forward to?: Our next ultrasound is on July 21st.
Milestones: Getting close to third tri.
What I'm nervous about: I'm really nervous that the bleeding hasn't stopped. Also, that I won't pass the glucose test.

Weekly change (a day late)

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!! We went to the fair for a little while and watched the fireworks. I had the most delicious deep fried s'more!! It was so good. The fireworks were also great!

Here is the weekly update:
How far along?: 24 weeks and 1 day, 111 days to go.
How big is LO?: Still the size of a papaya.
Sleep?: Still having a hard time getting comfortable.
Movement: A lot!!!
Food cravings: Still haven't had many, but that fried s'more is definitely becoming one!
Gender: BOY!
Belly button in or out?: Still very much in!
What I am looking forward to?: Our next ultrasound is on July 21st. I'm also getting close to double digits for days left:)
Milestones: Yesterday was V-day! Getting close to third tri.
What I'm nervous about: I'm really nervous that the bleeding hasn't stopped. I will have to wait a few more weeks to find out. (Still this)

1st (of many) DIY project...

Closet Dividers! They actually didn't take me as long as I thought they would. I'm really pleased with how they turned out!

New movements..

Scott and I went to see the new water show at Disneyland yesterday. It was really good! While waiting for the show to start the baby started kicking really hard. We were actually able to see him moving from the outside. Its so fun to watch! I could stare at it for hours:) Other than that we are still playing the name game! Nathan is still the front runner, but we haven't been able to settle on it yet. Its just such a huge decision! We'll probably still be deciding up until the delivery. Hopefully it won't take us that long, but that's how I feel right now!

Better late than never...

I planned on starting a blog with our last pregnancy, but I never made it to that point. This time I hadn't really thought about it until recently. I figure it is better late than never:) While this pregnancy has had its complications(and continues to), I am eternally grateful for every day that I can carry our little boy. I pray everyday that we will be able to take him home!
So here is where we are today:

How far along?: 23 weeks and 2 days, 117 days to go
How big is LO?: The size of a papaya. He weighed 1lb 1oz on 6/23.
Sleep?: Definitely not getting enough! I just can't seem to get comfortable.
Movement: I can definitely feel a lot of movement now. Scott was able to feel the baby for the first time on 6/22.
Food cravings: I haven't really had a particular one. They seem to change from day to day.
Gender: BOY!!
Belly button in or out?: Still very much in!
What I am looking forward to?: Our next ultrasound is on July 21st. I'm really hoping they will find that the bleeding has stopped.
Milestones: We are only a few days away from V-day!
What I'm nervous about: I'm really nervous that the bleeding hasn't stopped. I will have to wait a few more weeks to find out.