Project Baby

A few weeks ago we came home from one of our doctor appointments and surprised M with a banana split with a PINK candle.  She is going to be a big sister to a sister. We are so excited for another little girl and so is she.  The past few weeks have had their ups and downs with a couple hospital visits and lots of doctor appointments.  As I wrote before we were told about 5 weeks ago that there was not much hope, but we put our focus on our goal of reaching 24 weeks.  Well we have met that goal and surpassed it and are so grateful.    We owe so much of our gratitude to all of our wonderful friends, family, doctors who have truly been there for us and stepped in to help in so many ways.

On Sunday I was in the hospital with some issues, the worst of was my heart racing and feeling like I was going to pass out.  I have struggled in the past with panic attacks and have surprisingly been managing them very well throughout this pregnancy.  So, I was really surprised to have two really bad ones on Sunday and was worried about my blood pressure spiking or me passing out.  So, we decided to just go.  Once I got to the hospital, the nurturing of my doctor and the amazing labor and delivery nurses settled me right down and I began to feel better.  Since I was there they decided to put me on a hydration IV, monitor my bleeding and start me on steroids to help the baby’s lungs in case I was to deliver.  So, we actually felt good about the trip in, the only bummer was I was told I would need to stay over nite and it was the nite before the first day of school for M. We make a really big deal about the a new school year and have some traditions we love to do, so we were a little bummed that those things were going to have to happen in our hospital room.  But we made the most of it and shared a hospital dinner together and talked about the coming year.  After dinner, Sam left with Madeira for the nite and we made plans for him to bring her by in the morning before school so I could see her outfit and give her a big smooch for the first day.  Needless to say there were a lot of tears from both of us when she left.  The nurse came in and took note of the situation and somehow communicated this to my doctor. My amazingly compassionate doctor then showed up in my room 20 minutes later and busted me out at 9:30-she said that it was more important for me to be home for M. She made arrangements for me to get the medication I needed the next day and within minutes, I was packed, IV was out and hospital gown was off and a very happy Madeira and Sam came to pick me up.  So, I was able to be there in the morning to put a braid in my sweet second grader’s hair! We both had huge smiles as she left for school. So grateful for moments like those.

We had an appointment today and were told that things are looking better.  Next goal is 28 weeks and I have to say I think we are going to make it! Everything that looked so dismal a few weeks ago, looked so much better today, even the doctor seemed surprised.  Her legs did measure a bit smaller than they should which when combined with the “funky” placenta (sorry for writing that word) sets off a bit of an alarm for a chromosomal disorder.  So although the doctor did not seem too concerned, he did ask us to go and do some testing, so that if there is some sort of issue, we can be better prepared for it at birth.  So, we went and did that today and should find out in a couple of weeks.  I personally think it is completely normal for the baby of a 5 foot 2 girl to have short legs, though.

So, I continue my bed rest, which I am kind of getting good at and go back for another ultrasound in 3 weeks and unless labor of some sort starts before then, we should be good and baby girl can just keep growing and getting stronger.

Thanks for all of your positive thoughts, prayers, calls/texts, meals, visits and play dates for M.  We feel the love.