Baby Countdown!

pregnancy calendar

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Suprise!

Dear Ryan,
    Well, you certainly surprised Daddy & me along with everybody else this past weekend.  On Saturday morning, I woke up with really bad back pain.  I thought it was just my pre-existing back condition & didn't think anything about it.  Grandma & I went to Mt. Pleasant to get our taxes done & I took some strong pain medicine & continued on with the day.  On Sunday, my back was still hurting really badly & I spent all day on the couch with severe pain in my back.  Then, on Monday I got up & got ready for work & my back was still hurting.  I had an appointment scheduled for Tuesday with the Dr. to have you checked out, but after talking to Daddy & Grandma about my back pain they thought I should call the doctor before I went to work.  So, I called into work to tell my boss I would be late & called the Dr. office & explained my pain & they told me to head to the hospital immediately to be checked out.  I thought I was over-reacting by calling since I have this pre-existing back condition, but did as I was told.  As it turns out, it was a good thing I went to the hospital!
   When Daddy & I got there they did a check & found that I had already dilated to 4 sonomenters & that I had been in active labor for 3 days!  Imagine our shock to find out this news, especially since there was still 7 weeks until your arrival!  They stated that they were admitting me to the hospital & were going to try & stop my labor.  I was very scared & upset & so was Daddy.  I called Grandma & told her that she needed to get to the hospital right away because I was in labor & we didn't know what was going to happen. 
    They admitted me to the hospital & started me on this awful medicine called Magnesium Sulfate through an IV.  It makes you really hot, disoriented, sick, nauseous, weak, & just plain feeling awful.  I was contracting 10 times per hour which was not good & they were not sure they were going to be able to stop the labor.  They also had to give me a steroid shot to help your lungs develop in case you did decide to make an early appearance.  Despite feeling so awful, I was so worried about you & hoping that you were OK.  We all were just really scared.
    After 2 1/2 days of this treatment & your second steroid shot, they finally got the contractions to stop.  Upon further exam, they did find that I had now dilated to 5 sonometers.  So now, you & I are remaining in the hospital until your arrival.  We are hoping to keep you in my belly for at least another week, but you are very eager to make an appearance & the doctor is not sure that we are going to make it that far. 
    There are lots of people praying for your safety & well-being & we just want you to be healthy & happy.  So, I am writing this blog from my hospital bed wondering if today is going to be your birthday or if we are going to make it just "one more day".  Daddy & I are so excited to meet you, but we are also scared because we want you to be safe & healthy.  We are lucky that so many people are praying for your safety & we know that God is continuing to protect you as he has done since day one. 
    I just want you to know how much you are loved & that we just want what is best for you.  However, if you decide to be impatient like Mommy & make an early arrival, know that we have & will continue to do everything we can to make sure you are safe & healthy.  You are truly our wonderful miracle from God & we are just grateful to know that God has blessed you with us.  Please continue to stay in my belly for a little while longer & get a little stronger.  In the meantime, we are all anxiously awaiting your arrival & we can't wait to meet you!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

30 Weeks

Dear Ryan,
     Mommy is now 30 weeks & 1 day pregnant with you!  Your expected arrival is only 10 weeks away!  Daddy & I so excited to meet you.  You have been very active these past few weeks.  You love when Daddy sings & reads to you, you always give him big kicks.  We decorated your nursery today.  It looks really cute!  We still need to put your bedding on, but for the most part, it's completed.  Time seems to just be flying by & standing still all at the same time.
    We go to the doctor again on Wednesday & get to have another ultra sound.  The last one we had was 3 weeks ago & they said you were already 2 pounds, 8 ounces, you are so big!  We can't wait to see you again this week.  :D  We saw the pediatric urology surgeon on Friday to talk about your kidney.  You are going to have to have some tests done & some procedures performed when you arrive.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly.  It also sounds like the doctor has confirmed that a Cesarean section is the best way to go for your delivery, so you will probably be arriving in 9 weeks instead of 10. 
     You also went to your first hockey game on Friday.  I bought tickets for Daddy for Christmas since he likes hockey so much.  Grandma & Grandpa went with us too.  I'm not sure how you felt about the whole thing because you didn't move the entire time.  It must have been your nap time, but I don't know how you could sleep through all the noise!
    I am having my first baby shower in about a month.  Grandma & "Aunt" Cindy are throwing it for me.  Everybody is getting really excited for your arrival, not just Daddy & me.  I'm having my second shower a week after the first.  Aunt Lisa & Aunt Lindsey are throwing that one for us. 
   That's about all we have to report for now.  We are just counting down the days until we can see you!  Keep growing & know how much we love you & can't wait for your arrival.



Sunday, January 2, 2011

24 Weeks

Dear Ryan,
    I'm sorry it has been awhile since I have written to you.  We have been so busy with doctor appointments & the holidays, but be assured, we are ALWAYS thinking about you!  Two weeks ago we saw the Perinatalogist, Dr. Roth, & he was really nice.  We did find out that you have one kidney that is not working properly & will probably not work after you are born.  Daddy & I were very sad to learn of your issue, but the doctor said that you were in no pain & you wouldn't be in any pain once you are born & that you will be able to live a long, healthy, productive life with only the 1 kidney.  As sad as we are that you have to have this issue, we are so grateful that it isn't something more serious.  We are going to see a Pediatric Urologist to see if they think they can do anything with you kidney & he will also see you once you are born.  We know that God is watching over you & if it is something they can't fix, that you will be fine & you will always be perfect to Daddy & Me.
    Mommy is now getting her shots weekly to make sure you don't make an early appearance.  They are going well.  They don't hurt & I don't appear to have any side effects & the doctor thinks they are working well & that there is no reason to think you will appear too early, so we are also grateful for that news.
    You have been kicking a lot more lately, or at least, I am feeling you more often.  Daddy & I love to feel you move around.  You seem to really like music.   Every time we turn on music you start to move.  Daddy & I love music too, so we are thinking your love of music is starting early.  You also kicked Daddy in the head last week.  He put his head on my belly to talk to you & you kicked him in the temple!  It's OK, Daddy & I thought it was funny & cute.
    We celebrated Christmas 2 weeks ago.  Even though you aren't here yet, it was mostly about you, which is great!  I got you a little outfit that says "Handsome Like Daddy" & picture frames for all the Grandparents so they can proudly display your picture once you arrive.  We also celebrated New Years a few days ago.  Grandma & Grandpa came over & we put your room together!  It looks so nice & we are so excited for you to come.  All we need to do is put on your bedding & decorate.  Your Grandma Jill is making a slip cover for your glider rocker so it will match the nursery & we are really excited to see it completed.
    I go to the doctor on Tuesday for my 24 week visit.  I fully anticipate that everything is going to go great!  We also see doctor Roth again on the 21st.  He wants to check your "good" kidney again just to make sure that everything is still OK.
    Well Sweetheart, Daddy just got home & is making dinner, so I am going to go for now.  You continue to grow & kick & know how much we love you.  We will finally get to meet you in about 111 days...we can't wait.