30 weeks

I have reached 30 weeks! And Trey and I are both still alive. You think I am kidding - I am not the best patient.  I hate laziness and even though it's completely irrational, it goes against every fiber in my being to sit and not do a thing while my family takes care of the house, Jones, etc.  I have to remind myself, very intentionally, that I am doing this for Anna.  I have got to let go.

 

Anyway, I went to my 30 week appointment this morning.  She still looks great! And I have not progressed anymore.  Praise God! So I am still on strict bed rest for now, but if things continue to go well there is a chance I can add some activity (more than just showering) in the next few weeks.  We will discuss at my 32 week apt. 

We (and by we I mean Trey and my parents) got a lot accomplished this weekend.  Trey and Jones woke up early Friday morning and picked out our Christmas tree.  Jones was so excited and is still talking about.  Trey was a rock star and decorated the tree by himself while Jones napped.  I love the tree!  I couldn't have picked out a better one if I was there myself.

Trey also put the crib together and my mom came a tapped off the horizontal line that will be painted a slightly different color. She is coming next week to paint it and help out more in the nursery. 

Jones spent the night with my parents Friday night to give Trey a bit of a break (and some time in the woods). I am so thankful for them - and they Jones loves it!

Saturday morning was supposed to be our family portraits, my maternity photo shoot and Jones' 2 1/2 photo shoot.  I obviously couldn't make it, so my parents took Jones to have his picture taken by a high school friend that recently moved from Texas back to Starkville.  We have never had our picture taken by her, but she is super talented! I can't wait to see the rest of them.

And, finally, because apparently I am shameless and completely comfortable on my private blog, here is a (shocker: bare!) belly shot.  I have been living in Pjs and Tshirts, so you couldn't really see the belly.  So I took a selfie in the mirror with my shirt up. I am huge.  I am embarrassed.  But now it's documented in our family book!

Give Thanks

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my parent's house with my mom's extended family.  It was a gorgeous day and we were able to enjoy their new (but not full finished) outdoor living area complete with a wonderful fireplace. 
I stayed off my feet and enjoyed yummy food being brought to me.
It was fun seeing cousins, aunts and uncles that we only see a couple of times a year. 

I took zero pictures, but here are some I stole from my sister's phone -

"Give THANKS to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever!"
1 Chronicles 16:35

Jones in his pilgrim outfit he made at school.  He loved it!

She had a good time!

Awful.  This was the best we got. 

Jones passed out on the couch once everyone left.  It takes a lot for him to fall asleep somewhere other than his bed. He played hard with his cousins!

Not exactly what I had imagined...

But trying my best to stay positive!

Around 24 weeks I started having small contractions. I just assumed Braxton Hicks and thought very little about it.  Until one Wednesday while I work when I started having cramps, pretty regular contractions and good deal of pressure.  I told my co-workers I would be right back and headed to the clinic.

After getting some fluids via IV and some steroid shots, I was sent home with medicine to help clear a bacterial infection and bladder infection, which was the likely cause of the contractions.  They did a cervical exam and saw that my cervix was at 3.

*Side note: I am no doctor, so I am sure I could be wording things differently.  And I would never share this much information publicly. But I want to document this pregnancy. With that said...*

I was told to take the rest of the week off and just take it easy.

I have a two year old.  And a full-time job which requires high heels, some weekend and night events, and an hour daily commute.  It's hard to relax.

I returned to work that Monday feeling better.  The cramping and contractions were better and I assumed the infections were cleared up.

I worked all week, with an event on Thursday night and Saturday morning which required me to get up at 4:50 and be on my feet (in heels) until I got home around lunch. I WAS EXHAUSTED.

That Sunday, while Trey was at work/church, Jones and I drove to Starkville to eat lunch at my parents and see my relatives who live in Tennessee.  After lunch, while upstairs watching Jones play, I lost it.  Seriously. My dad looked at me and said I looked tired and with that, I lost it.  Total meltdown. Said I was exhausted and didn't feel good.

Kristen, also my doctor (!), was there. She came upstairs, gave me some meds and sent me to bed.  I slept for FOUR hours.

The next day I went to work as normal, but by 11 I knew something was wrong. I just felt bad.  I called my sister and went straight to the clinic.  The infections were all cleared up, by my cervix was down to less than 2 and was funneling.  I don't even know what funneling is, but at 27 weeks, apparently that is not what you want.

So because of that, along with the contractions, I left the clinic and hospital with the orders to stay in bed.  Work was over.

The next week was my regular 28 week check-up.  Trey went with me.  Anna looks great. Thankfully she is measuring a week ahead and weighs 2 lbs 15 oz.  She looks perfectly healthy, just not practicing good patience.  My cervix was still thinning - around 1.

So here I am.  On bed rest.  I am taking medicine every 6 hours to keep me from dilating more and I am also getting a weekly shot in the booty that hurts like the devil.  To keep me from driving to Starkville ever week, my sister will be coming to my house to give me the shot.

So....I am not a happy camper.  I try to be a good patient, but we have hardly started the nursery, Christmas shopping, etc. not to mention daily upkeep of the house and the life with an active 2 year old.  It's been a challenge and I am only on week 2.  I will be honest - I have meltdowns.  And I am not also the most pleasant person to be around.  I worry about work, I worry about Jones, about the dishes, about laundry...everything.

I need to get a grip, I know.

BUT! Through the challenges, I have so much to be thankful for!

• Trey has been a rock star.  He works full-time (and then some) and is playing mommy and daddy.  
• My family is right down the road. And has been a lifesaver.  My mom and brother-in-law came Sat. to paint the nursery, Laura stayed with me and Jones ALL weekend while Trey was working fall retreat, Kristen and Laura took the kids and bought all my groceries.  Seriously.  It takes a village. And I am glad they are in my village.  My mom, dad, and sisters are seriously amazing. Trey and I couldn't do it without them.
• My friend and neighbor organized a meal planning system with a lot of the church members.  Already we have had volunteers to bring us meals 3 days a week until mid-December.  This is so amazing.  Some of these sweet people I don't even really know.  I am completely humbled that people are this kind.  Not having to worry about food is one less stress.  I am so grateful. 
• My work has been amazing.  We need my insurance.  I have one week of paid leave.  These two things totally stressed me out.  My boss called me and in no time, the itech guy from my office was at my house (in the next town over) with my work computers, files, and printer.  They told me to just do what I can do but to take it easy.  I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to know that I can keep my job, paycheck and insurance.  I can only sit (at an incline) for a certain amount of time every day, so I am working a lot from my couch while lying down.  I couldn't be more thankful for this opportunity. 

Jones has been pretty understanding, as much as he can comprehend.  He knows to be gentle with me like he is with baby girl and that mommy has to lay down.  He brings me his toys to keep me company. Sweet boy.

So that's where I am.  Just hanging out.  Taking it day by day and praying baby girl stays put for a good while longer! I am not worried about her coming early - we are doing all we can to prevent that. 

Just praying she stays put, I stop worrying, and Trey keeps up the energy to take care of everything since I am completely useless!

Scenes around the house

A few happenings the past couple of weeks, according to my iPhone.

The animals in the bath go everywhere with us. They have their hair washed, teeth brushed, must be tucked into bed each night. They are practically family. They even require water and milk to drink, according to Jones. We are over the top obsessed with animals.

Hanging out in her future (GIRL!) cousin's nursery.

Kisses at Henry's soccer game

My wild boys

The look of determination

True love

Girls trip

The weekend of October 26th, my mom and sisters took off to Birmingham to the Ross Bridge Resort for a little spa time, good food, shopping and hanging out.  We had the best time! I wish we were able to do things like this more often.  We had to book our room months in advance just so all of our calendars would be open!

I love these girls more than anything -  my mom is more like a sister. Even a lady checking us out at a store asked if the 4 of us were sisters!
Love

About 25 weeks and ready for my prenatal massage

October Fun

Pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, leaf jumping, carnival going and trick-or-treating!
Jones did not love pumpkin-palooza and he hated Henry's batman costume, but other than that he loved the fall season and his fireman hat.
I love this time of year - I can't believe October is already gone!

24-ish weeks