What Happened in the First Place?

This is a brief explanation of what happened. There is so much more to the story. I started typing it out but I want to make sure I capture every moment God was so evident. But for now....

I was due 12/3 with c-section set for 11/26. But I had an emergency c-section around 3 am fri morning 11/1. Turns out my uterus ruptured. Thankfully I didn't know that at the time. I lost a lot of blood so had a transfusion.  

This picture she looks just like Simon did at birth

Baby girl (still working on a name) was 7#1 oz at 35 1/2 weeks. Doctor thought she had asphyxia and so to prevent brain damage was sent to St. Joseph's in Milw. for a hypothermia treatment. Her temp was gradually lowered to 92.3 and she is sedated with pain meds to help her tolerate it. Also on a ventilator. She will be kept cool for 72 hours and we can't touch her during that time. John has been with her each day while I recover here. They will begin to warm her on Mon. morning. Brain activity so far is good. Praising God for protecting the two of us!

At St. Joseph's

Update -- 34 Weeks

Here we are at 34 weeks already and wow am I feeling it!

No picture at the moment. I did get one taken but my chalkboard still had Katie's birthday msg. on it. I was going to do some photoshop magic but no time for that.


How far along? 34 weeks

Due Date: December 3rd (c-section will be Nov. 26)

Weight gain:  40 pounds. I know I loose it fairly quickly but it sure does weigh me down now.

Maternity clothes? Of course mainly all maternity clothes. I am trying to do more with cardigans and things that are normal size with a maternity shirt under as I don't want to keep buying clothes I'll only wear another 5 weeks. I realized I don't have a jacket that covers my belly so when outdoors most of the day Saturday in the chilly air I wore layers upon layers of shirts and sweatshirts.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks are in full force. I have had them periodically for quite awhile now but lately they have really increased in intensity and frequency and can be strong enough that I have to make sure to breathe. I explained to the kids that my uterus is practicing because it doesn't know it isn't necessary. :)

I feel so heavy it is hard standing up from sitting and getting in and out of a vehicle, especially our big van. My feet and ankles are swollen and now even in the morning. Thankfully I did find some shoes at the thrift store that should hold me over. Being that this didn't happen with my last couple pregnancies that I recall my doctor blames it on my age. Lovely. He seems to bring up my age an excessive amount which is getting a little annoying.

Movement: Little girl is making big body movements now and we can see when an elbow or knee is sticking out as it is like a little triangle poking out of my belly. And wow, when she wants to rearrange positions she really moves enough so that it occasionally startles me. Still so fascinating I never tire of watching her.

Food cravings: Love food of any kind. But my appetite has waned and I get heartburn almost as soon as I put something like tomato sauce in my mouth so it isn't quite as enjoyable.

Food aversions:  Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, it looks like I should have her tomorrow.

Belly Button in or out? Out.

Wedding Rings On or Off?  Off

Medical Information: All is well. I measure at least 1 week ahead each time but that is how I always am. Doctor keeps considering sending me for a growth ultrasound which seems crazy to me since obviously growth is going on. But you know -- my age! I am one year shy of the requirement to have one. He will let me know in two weeks what he decided but hopefully leaning toward no since my pregnancy has been so low risk.

Misc. Info: Having a hard time coming up with a girl's name. You wouldn't think it should be this hard being that I have only named one girl. Funny thing is we had a boys name all ready to go (it was my second choice last time and John said I could use it this time if a boy). I am probably too particular and don't necessarily want a name in the top 20 (love that social security website!) But yet I want it to be a name to fit with the other kids, especially her older sister. And while I like a number of "M" names they just don't sound right with our last name. Also a few "S" names I like but since the last two boys start with that letter I have enough trouble keeping them straight. Names with "E" are what I like best. And John, as always won't talk about it until right before. I should be used to this by now. :)

Update 30 weeks

Are you ready for a pregnancy update? I am kind of bummed that I didn't keep up with this journal because going from 18 weeks to 30 is quite a change.

How far along? 30 weeks

Due Date: December 3rd

Weight gain:  35 pounds which is typical for my pregnancies at this point.

Maternity clothes? Definitely all maternity clothes. And even those shirts are getting too tight or too short to cover my belly. I don't find much to be comfortable anymore.

Symptoms: Feeling as good as I can. The round ligament stretching has decreased. I have been using essential oils on that area and it seems to be helping. My heart had been racing every morning (110 bpm) usually after breakfast so that I have to sit on a stool to do anything. It lasts about an hour. But it seems to have subsided or at least isn't daily anymore so it was about 10 weeks of that. My feet and ankles are now starting to swell which means only my flip flops fit. I need to get to Goodwill and find some shoes to hold me over. I haven't had this problem since my first two pregnancies that I remember.

Movement: This little one is moving and that began just after 18 weeks. I was beginning to wonder when I would feel more movement and then she started going crazy. I always find this time fascinating to watch my belly move full of life and try and determine what part of baby is sticking out. The kids love it too. Well, George said he has seen this enough so isn't quite as thrilled this time around.

Food cravings: Not really. I always like beets but even more so when pregnant.

Food aversions:  Nothing bothers me.

Have you started to show yet: Oh my and then some. Everyone thinks I must be due any day and in actuality it really does look that way.

Belly Button in or out? Out.

Wedding Rings On or Off?  Off - I switched to my "pregnancy ring" awhile ago. It is actually three silver rings together each saying love in a different language. John bought it for me before we were married when he went on a vacation to the Virgin Islands with his parents. I actually do prefer silver to gold so enjoy wearing it.

Medical Information:  My doctor took another job and thankfully a friend of mine informed me so I could make one last appointment before she left. Dr. Smith walked in for my appointment and I started crying and then so did she. I am so happy for her as she will be close to family (out in California!) and her job will no longer be on call so she is putting her family's needs first. But, I am so sad for myself. Admittedly, when I first had Dr. Smith with my last baby after my family doctor stopped doing prenatal, I wasn't so sure about a new doctor. But, she became like a friend you could talk to and always was so happy for me and enjoyed all of my kids too. When I asked Dr. Smith if she wanted to know if we were having a boy or girl she didn't know if she should say yes or wait to find out. But she couldn't wait and about jumped out of her chair with an excited yell when I told her. If only all doctors were as personable as Dr. Aubrey Smith. I'm already missing her!

Misc. Info: My c-section is scheduled for November 26th.

Baby Gender Reveal Party

For the maybe two readers I have left on my blog here is a post! Very overdue I know but I realize that the more forgetful my mind becomes the more I really need this blog to remember. (I am backdating it to August so it is a little closer to reality)

We decided with this baby to find out what we are having. It has been different with each pregnancy and I do prefer the surprise in the end. But, we needed to figure out bedroom arrangements so did find out. It was very anticlimactic to be sure. I went in for the routine checking dates, make sure baby is growing as normal, etc. The ultrasound was a sleep-inducing hour with spa music in the background, dim lighting, very little communication unless I asked questions or said dumb things which I typically do if no one is talking. And then she told me we were done. But we hadn't found out if it was a boy or girl yet. She went back and checked and kind of murmured, "Oh, it's a ____". That's it? I need bells and whistles going off and a big booming announcement like when the doctor pulls the baby out. Oh well, I had a gender reveal party planned so that would be my excitement.

I first came across the idea of a gender reveal party on pinterest, where else? There are so many good ideas but apparently, not everyone has heard of this because I had some asking me what exactly that meant.

Here are pictures from that night...

Our Smores bar, which is kind of difficult to see and not as cute as I had envisioned but it worked. We had various kinds of marshmallows, chocolates, graham crackers/cookies/granola bars thins and some fruit. 

Everyone marked on the chalkboard what gender they thought baby was. Many people commented that they figured it was a girl because we were having the party. But in truth, I had the party planned before we had our ultrasound. I should have taken a picture of the entire chalkboard. George had updated it to say -- Week 20 baby is the size of a banana which was mid-July.

John cutting the cake to reveal baby's gender. You can see Pete in the background getting ready to spray silly string. I wish I would have taken a picture of that as the boys were spraying it all around the food.

 I saw the idea of making a blue or pink cake but I prefer chocolate so instead colored the frosting between layers, which you can't tell, and put M&M's in the center that were supposed to spill out upon cutting. But, they got stuck on the frosting.

And....it's a GIRL!!! George and I had shopped for the candy center before we knew and it happened to be that the raspberry flavored M&M's were on sale so I bought two bags figuring I would get the blue and white mint ones at another store. But I never needed to do that! The filling was strawberry frosting and the topping was a cooked marshmallow frosting.

Baby's ultrasound picture. I love the profile as she looks just like my other babies and it amazes me that we can already see that. Her nose is slightly turned up just like her big sister's. We had a name suggestion basket and it was quite the interesting selection there. I don't know why but I struggle more with girl's names and actually had two boy's names ready to go.

We had a fun night celebrating our little one to come. If I were to do it again I would have had the baby's gender in an envelope and had my Mom make the cake so that we could have been surprised so I could have had the excitement too.

Oh, and we told our children and my parents earlier because I couldn't wait and bought cookies with "girl-colored" sprinkles on.

18 Weeks

I realized that this is my third picture and in each one I have a striped shirt on. It is quite difficult to get a decent picture for some reason. I like the light shining on my face from the window I'm facing yet then I have glasses glare. And often whoever takes the picture can't seem to focus on my face. Ah...I'm too picky. Probably why no one is volunteering for the job. :)

Oh, and if you can't read the board it says our "sweet potato" baby is 5.6 inches and is yawning, hiccuping, sucking, and swallowing.

How far along? 18 weeks (had hoped to update every two weeks but so far it's working to be every 4)

Due Date: December 3rd

Weight gain:  Okay, I finally stepped on a scale, actually right after my 14 week post. I gained 14 pounds during those 14 weeks (probably a bit more by  now) and I can feel it! Amazing what just that amount of weight adds.

Maternity clothes?  I am living in my Old Navy fold-over jersey skirt now that the weather is cooperating otherwise maternity bottoms. Although, I found a belly band at a garage sale and I was able to wear my normal shorts using that. I love that!  I'm still trying to wear normal shirts, just a size up but I'm noticing that they seem to wear out faster that way maybe from being stretched? I suppose I should just resort to maternity. They just seem a tad too loose yet. Probably because last time I wore them I was near the end of my pregnancy.

Symptoms: Feeling good. The round ligament stretching is in full force. Not a fan. You just never know when it is going to come on. I am trying to rub magnesium oil on that area when it happens. I don't know if it is helping that but it definitely stops any charlie horses in my legs. I had my fingernails turn yellow/orange and have yet to figure that out. I did not load up on carrots nor did I eat any junk like Cheetos. I went to bed and Sunday morning woke to find my nails orange, all but my right pinky. Strange! I figured I must be deficient in something. But it wore off after a few days.

Movement: Slight movement from time to time. I really am too busy to ever notice.

Food cravings: No, but I do enjoy food.

Food aversions:  Onions still are not my favorite at least to cut up and cook so using onion powder instead to get the flavor for now.

Have you started to show yet: For sure!

Belly Button in or out? It is on the verge of popping out. You can just barely see it if my shirt is tight.

Wedding Rings On or Off?  On but once it starts to really warm up I will probably take them off. Kind of claustrophobic about my rings getting stuck on my fingers.

Medical Information:  And...I went to the Doctor! Funny how much later I go with each pregnancy. With the first pregnancy you can't wait to go. By this point, it's old hat. What do I need a doctor for? :) I don't like all of the intervention and testing anyway and don't think it all necessary. I joked that maybe I should make my appointment for a few weeks before my due date. "Hi, I'm having a baby in a few weeks, can you do my c-section?" Ha! I'm sure they'd love that! I do love Dr. Smith though. She is so kind and gentle. And she loves the rest of my kids too. She was disappointed I didn't bring them all along. Ha! Not to that first appointment, thanks anyway. :)- But she requested I bring them next time.

Misc. Info: My biggest concern was when I would have this baby. I thought probably the day after Thanksgiving but that would be cutting it close on the chance I'd go into labor. She would like to do the c-section 7 days before my due date which means the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Not ideal but not many options I guess. At least I know my family will be well taken care of that day!

14 Weeks

I am gradually processing pictures from our trip since I did end up taking many more than I thought. So, instead of hearing more about our trip I am doing a pregnancy update today since 4 weeks have passed since my first picture.

How far along? 14 weeks

Due Date: According to my pregnancy calendar wheel I am due December 4th give or take a day or two.

Weight gain:  I still haven't weighed myself since pregnant. Not on the top of my list. :)-

Maternity clothes?  I am able to wear a couple regular pants that are underbelly kind although the button pops a bit. I could live in my Old Navy fold-over jersey skirt if it would just stay warm here! I'm still trying to wear normal clothes as much as possible since maternity can look too big but started to wear some maternity shorts/shirts.

Symptoms: I feel great for the most part. The round ligament stretching has begun and that is intense pain when I move wrong or sneeze but it is thankfully brief.

Movement: None yet.

Food cravings: Not really at this moment.

Food aversions:  I can eat everything again!

Have you started to show yet: Yes, and people actually know I am pregnant without just wondering.

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding Rings On or Off?  On but getting tighter.

Medical Information:  Still haven't been to the doctor yet. I should really make an appointment.

Misc. Info  John asked why I was waddling. I have no idea and should not be yet! So I am trying to be more conscious of how I am walking.

10 weeks

You may have wondered by the title what this post would be about. Well -- surprise! I am expecting! I went back and read my other posts on announcing a pregnancy and it was as if I was reading my thoughts this time around.

With the evolution of pinterest I have found loads of ideas and one of them was a blog pregnancy journal. I forwarded that idea to friends who were expecting and in the back of my mind kept thinking maybe I would have another chance to document my journey in that way. I find most of my pregnancies the same but I never did start writing about it until later on. And so begins our journey...

How far along? 10 weeks! (note -- I meant to post this two weeks ago so an update will be soon)

Due Date: According to my pregnancy calendar wheel I am due December 4th give or take a day or two.

Weight gain: Unfortunately over this long winter, or maybe because I am inching ever nearer to 40, I gained 10 pounds before getting pregnant which means I am starting off the heaviest I have ever been. Yes, I know, I am still small. I haven't weighed myself since pregnant.

Maternity clothes? Not yet but getting closer. Wearing one size up at this point. And only a select few shirts fit.

Symptoms: Nauseous all day. Most intense the first few weeks after we found out. I never throw-up though and eating small amounts helps. Although, I feel like I am constantly eating. I also feel SO hungry all the time and my stomach has even been growling before bed. I like food, but having to eat before bed is too much. I did find a great website that gave me ideas on how to curb the nausea and have been using magnesium oil which is quite amazing at making me feel good and with energy again. It also should take stop any leg cramping.

Movement: None yet, too soon!

Food cravings: Beets and the yummy refrigerated kosher dill pickles. I also really like the cereal called Product 19. It tastes like iron I guess but my sister and I have always enjoyed it as a snack. I especially like it when pregnant but I can't find it anywhere. Usually it is McDonalds hamburgers (bad!) so I am thankful that isn't the case this time!

Food aversions:  The smell of onions and surprisingly chocolate chips, which is probably a good thing.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, although I had a bump before I was pregnant. Just can't suck it in now. The questions have started on when I am due and at the answer the questioning eyes. Yes, I pop out early.

Belly Button in or out? I actually have my normal one again! Typically my sagging skin makes it disappear into a crater. :)-

Wedding Rings On or Off?  On

Medical Information:  I haven't been to the doctor yet. I try to go as late as I possibly can. So maybe in a few weeks.

Ins and Outs of a C-Section

I have had five c-sections now and have had varying experiences with each and I always like to look back and remember. This one may be quite long so hang in there (if you are interested that is).

I was up early Monday the 29th of August. I figured it would be difficult to wake but being big and heavy I had been having a hard time sleeping and woke up around 4 a.m. so got up and started getting ready. I figured John would have to wake me but thankfully I was ready to go. The children had slept at my parents house so it was just the two of us. We left home and drove into town watching the gorgeous sunrise as we headed east. A beautiful day it was to be and I was going to be stuck in the hospital. Granted for a good reason but…

My c-section was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. so I needed to be there by 5:45 a.m. After checking in and getting to my room I was talkative, maybe nervously so, although I felt fine as John sat quietly listening.The nurses started coming in and monitoring fetal movements, taking blood and tried to get an IV going. I dread that part as my veins are so small that unless I drink a lot, which I couldn’t do, it is hard to find one. This time however, they wrapped my arms in warm blankets which did the trick and made my veins easier to find and thankfully I didn’t need to be poked quite as often. I still cannot handle watching as it makes me feel faint. This time I had one in each arm which is the case with multiple c-sections with the possibility I would need blood at the same time they are giving me whatever else.

Okay, all set to go. I watched the morning news as I waited and watched the clock too seeing it inch ever closer to 7:30 a.m. I figured something was wrong being that I am always wheeled into surgery and they are usually cutting me open right on the dot. Sure enough, in comes the anesthiesiologist who told me that my Doctor had an emergency that morning and she was finishing that up. I found that interesting as my Dad had reminded me a few days earlier about when I had the twins and needed an emergency c-section that I “bumped” another lady, who my Dad had met later on. He had wondered if someone would ever “bump” me. I guess so! The only problem with that is I was ready to go and waiting longer got my mind to wandering and remembering just what was going to happen and I started to think to myself “There must be another way to get this baby out. I really don’t want to have surgery!” Thankfully my Mom brought the older boys up and they helped to distract me.

I don’t remember the exact time I was wheeled into surgery but it was sometime after 8 a.m. The ride was kind of entertaining as the nurses forgot to raise my bed and so they were all crouching low to pull/push my bed through the hallways. As I entered the “surgical suite” memories came back and it is SO cold in there. I find some things amusing about the whole process and one of them is trying to maneuver on my back, big belly and all, from my bed over to this narrow operating table. Doctor Smith was there and was welcoming. I was very touched as when I was having my spinal and sat on the edge of the table she stood in front of me so I could lean into her as I clutched my pillow.

I remembered another time when I was having a spinal while laying on my side and the nurse saw John looking in the window watching a long needle go into my back and he did not look so good. I imagine not. I always say I think it might be easier for me to go through all of this than for John to be on the sidelines watching me go through it. Well, he doesn’t actually watch anything but he hears it and knows what is going on.

The numbness sets in almost instantly making moving really strange. The nurses tell me they are putting in a catheter or moving my leg or washing the area with that orange stuff (can’t remember the name) “okay”. I have a curtain almost right up to my face and my arms attached to boards on each side and have oxygen too. The anesthesiologist assitant is at my head and I learned his name is Noah. I appreciate having him there as he was so personable and easy to talk with (as are all of the anesthesiologists I have met). I always like to have a play-by-play and by the end of the surgery I have learned quite a bit about him. John is now at my side and they have me feel a sharp stick and then touch it to other parts of my body to make sure I am numb and so begins the first cut.

I had made a mixed CD of some of my favorite songs and they have that playing in the background for me which is always so calming. It takes about 10 minutes until baby is ready to be delivered. I was told that I would feel heavy pressure as if someone is sitting on my chest and then baby would come out. I felt that and then I heard them saying, "Baby is swimming out!" (John reminded me that typically they reach in and pull baby out which is something I can feel). He must have really wanted out of there! Of course I am thrilled to hear baby cry and as I heard the words "boy" I begin to cry tears of joy. Yes, I would have loved a little girl to be a sister to Missy but life is a miracle and I am just so thankful that God chose to bless us again. How can I be anything but overjoyed! As he was born the song Glorious Day (the old hymn One Day) by Casting Crowns was playing. I love to have associations like that with music.

John was now able to take baby and go back to the nursery to have him cleaned up and weighed. While I would love to be able to hold my baby I am happy that Daddy gets to have time just the two of them for awhile too. He brought baby out to introduce the children to their new brother and all were excited from what I was told.

I was in surgery for at least another hour or more. There are four layers they cut through and my scar tissue is hard to work with so it takes longer to sew it up each time. I also found out later that they do examine the female organs, which I find fascinating. They couldn't get mine out due to the scar tissue but apparently everything looked good as they moved things aside. I also was told that they had a harder time pulling my muscles back into place. But it all went well.

People often tell me how lucky I am to have a c-section but the only benefits I find are it is relatively quick (rather than laboring) and I know the date in advance for planning but that is about all. I would love to be able to labor and deliver a baby naturally! (I have done it twice). The hard part for me is recovery. I find the day of surgery is my best being that I still have the spinal and morphine in my system I can't feel pain. I have energy and excitement of having a new baby and all is well until the next day when it hits. I do find it difficult to take pain meds as they make me feel so loopy as if I am having an out-of-body kind of feeling and I can't stand that. The nurses get you up and moving relatively quickly. I found this time that having a belly band wrapped around made it easier to move as it supported me more so that the strain wasn't as painful. All in all I suppose it was one of my better c-sections and I was moving around faster but it took at least three weeks until I was moving around as normal, able to turn over in bed, climb stairs, etc. without pain.

All is going well now. I ended up with a yeast infection on my incision from the excess skin hanging over it but otherwise I am feeling closer to my "normal" self. If you hung around this long now you know the ins and outs of having a c-section.

It's a.....

BOY!!!! Yes, we had another baby boy a week ago today. I'd have posted sooner but I always forget just how much a c-section takes out of me. And too, I don't know that I have many followers anymore.

Here is a picture of our precious little one.

8 pounds 1 ounce -- 19 3/4 inches

I'm still here...

I have so many things I could post about but really, have no time to accomplish that. I have loads of pictures to crop and resize so you can see what we did with our summer (it was busy!) but I am getting ready for a new life to join our family in 2 days!!!

The summer has flown by but thankfully will not be over quite yet. I checked the forecast and am very pleased to see that the day baby and I come home from the hospital summer will still be here! I was afraid it might be as last year at this time when we were wearing jeans and sweatshirts. So not ready for that! The boys are ready for the County Fair and my Mom took George and Pete to help setup the 4H building which is one of my favorite things to do. I have finally realized I can't do it all but I hope I remember that after the baby is born.

I am very excited but a bit nervous too. I hope to post from the hospital with pictures of our little one.

Only 2 more days!!!  :)

Not Labor but a Kidney Stone

After my previous post I figured I was in the clear from kidney stones, but, I did end up with what I assume was a kidney stone a week ago. We were on the way home from a family gathering when a sudden pain came on in my back. I determined that it was not labor pains as it was only on my left side and kept getting worse and was constant without moving to my abdomen. I told John how much it reminded me of when I had a kidney stone when pregnant with Missy. I lay down on my left side as soon as we were home with pillows around but the pain was so bad it brought me to tears at times and nothing stopped it. Our older boys were so sweet and albeit worried too but would check on me and ask if they could get anything for me. 

I ended up calling the on-call nurse who did determine that I was not in labor but said I sounded like I should get to the hospital to get it checked out. I was all for that seeing as I was miserable. We were on our way and upon getting on the highway my pain suddenly stopped. It had been about 1 hr. 15 minutes by that time. John decided to go in anyway and wait it out at my parents house as they are right down the road from the hospital and he didn't want to be heading in later that night. My Dad scared my Mom by calling to her that we were there because I was having the baby and we all got a kick out of that. I ended up calling the nurse to tell her I no longer needed to go in and she agreed I sounded so much better.

I do think that calcium carbonate may be in other things I have taken such as digestive enzymes and possibly the generic prenatals I had been taking but not certain that was the problem this time. In looking up kidney stones in pregnancy I did find that all of the pressure of the organs pressing on each other can cause build-up of waste in the kidney along as well as dehydration both of which I think caused my problem. I have a horrible time making sure I drink enough. And the learning continues.

So, now we wonder if this is a sign that we are having a girl being that the only other time I had a kidney stone was when pregnant with a girl. :) We'll see!

Calcium and Kidney Stones in Pregnancy

I am constantly learning new things, and even though this is my sixth pregnancy I am still learning. I typically have heartburn, especially during the third trimester. In the past month it happened often while I was still eating.

When I was pregnant with Missy Blue I popped Tums like there was no tomorrow. I figured they were helping and the berry flavor was so good. But I developed kidney stones, which was horrible, and found that taking too many Tums can cause calcium deposits leading to kidney stones of which my current doctor agreed. With my last pregnancy I avoided taking them at all costs and this time as well I took one only if really necessary but usually endured the annoying burning feeling of my food coming up.

I was talking with a friend who told me that Tums has calcium carbonate which is not easily absorbed. I did more research and found out that it can cause more problems than kidney stones such as arthritis from calcified muscles and possibly even a heart attack as your heart is a muscle. My friend also told me about a calcium supplement she takes with bioavailable chelated (I am not getting into all that as it is way over my head or desire to really grasp) calcium and magnesium that her midwife recommends and so I began taking that. I was amazed at what a difference it made. My heartburn has almost completely stopped along with the charlie horses I would get in my legs each morning upon waking. And the round ligament pain that I always experience ended also. I sure wish I would have known this at the beginning of pregnancy! I was told that I don't "complain to the right people". :)

36 Weeks and Counting

Here is my latest side view at 36 weeks. Missy told me yesterday that she really would like me to get some shirts to cover my belly better as she is tired of seeing it all the time. :) Seppy just laughs when he sees it.

I really do have a hard time keeping the lower portion covered as maternity clothes do not seem to be made for women who stick straight out in front. I pondered the idea of starting my own maternity line to make flattering clothes that do not pull so tightly in the back and ride up too high in the front. The only thing that really works is if I have the full panel belly which is also harder to find. Here I had looked forward to wearing some of my cute maternity tops and dresses from past pregnancies but most have not been fitting for the past few months. Well, soon I'll fit in my maternity clothes without a problem and it will be my normal clothes that will take awhile to squeeze back into.

Home Stretch

I am now 36 weeks pregnant and very much counting down the days until baby makes an appearance. The doctor has had my c-section scheduled for months now and while I tried to convince them to up the date by a few days for my comfort level, they would not budge. As with my last c-section the insurance company dictates how many days before your due date a c-section or induction can be done. With Seppy it had gone to 10 days early (my two before were 12 days) but this time they closed the gap even further and so I can only go 7 days early which is a little too close for comfort for me.

My first and only truly natural birth was 7 days early. I don't really count the twins in the equation as that was not a normal pregnancy. The doctors do not want me to labor against my scar tissue and so I'd need to rush to the hospital for an emergency section and that obviously isn't ideal. While I'd prefer any day to have a normal labor and delivery, in having to go through a c-section I do prefer the laid back approach where it is as comfortable as possible. I know that my Lord knows all of this and I have friends praying along with me and so I have been resting in that.

As to how I am feeling, well, my energy hasn't picked up as I had hoped. The weight of the baby is a tremendous pressure (I think it gets worse each time) so getting up from sitting or out of bed is not my favorite thing in the world. I can't move very fast and it is getting hard to keep up with life in general. My belly sits on my lap when I sit which seems so strange and I am now getting back aches from the front-heaviness. But yet despite all of the aches and pains, I know I am blessed to be carrying a precious gift. And oh! how I love to sit and watch this little one squirm around and see my belly move from side to side. I love when the kids put their hand on my belly and try to guess body parts of their brother/sister. I love knowing that soon I will hold this little one in my arms and smell that wonderful fresh baby scent. Ahh! It is all worth it!

Pregnancy Update -- 30 weeks

(Wrote a week ago but forgot to post) A little less than 9 weeks to go! The countdown begins. I am actually feeling quite good. It probably helps that the temperatures have been unseasonably cool during June.

I had my glucose test two weeks ago which was fine but they did find that I am slightly anemic which is something new for me. That would explain why almost every morning it felt like my heart was racing and I'd get really tired. I have had that before, for sure I know when pregnant with twins, but I don't recall being told I needed more iron. I am being more consistent with my prenatal vitamins and increasing my intake of iron-rich food so am thankful for this season with an abundance of fresh spinach and parsley from the farm. So far it is helping with the symptoms I was having for the most part.

I haven't had as much of a problem with ligament stretching in the past month but I do feel a bit unbalanced at times being that I always carry my babies way out front. It is also harder to stand up as this baby is so heavy and that started much sooner than in the past. I guess I am to the waddling stage and much as I try not to, I'd have to walk even slower to prevent that. John said that I walk "painfully slow". :) Don't I know it!

Me and my basketball.

I cannot even count anymore how often I have been asked if we are sure that I am carrying only one baby, or how many times when asked how much longer I have the person looks surprised and says, "I don't know how you are going to make it". The clerk at the store told me the other day it "looks like any day". Nope, not even close. I am getting to the point where at times they are starting to make me wonder how I really am going to make it. I have done it all before, and while I am four years older I still have some energy and when I don't I have no problem resting. I am trusting that God gives me what I need for each day.

I'm not so crazy about the fact that I had to change doctors. Oh how I wish I could be with the doctors I've had throughout who know me, who know my babies. These younger doctors are so overly cautious. Yesterday I was measuring 2 cm. bigger which is normal for all of my pregnancies. One appointment I'll be measuring big and then next it will be back to normal which is what I told her but she insists that I have yet another ultrasound to make sure the baby is growing well and the fluid levels are what they should be. Not sure what I am going to do yet.

Vacation and toothaches

During our trip I had a toothache that had started the day before we left. I figured it was as I have had before sinus pain affecting my teeth or maybe due to pregnancy. Taking Tylenol was helping but by the third day I had increased the amount I was taking to cut the increased pain which had now moved into my jaw. By the end of our sightseeing day even that wasn't taking away the pain. I ended up calling an OB nurse and she was able to have my doctor prescribe me something stronger. While I typically do not like taking medication for anything I especially did not want to be taking this while pregnant but my pain was so intense and I had begun waking in the night in pain. Normally I can handle pain fairly well but I find that when it is anywhere in my head forget it. I ended up on the couch that evening with an ice pack and again thankful not to be camping but in a nice comfortable place.

By the next day I knew I couldn't handle the pain any longer as the prescription wasn't even taking away the pain. So I got online and started looking for a dentist in the area which was no small task being that it was a holiday weekend. I am very thankful to have found one that was open and I could get in to see mid-morning. John and I went but ended up waiting longer because of other emergencies.

I did end up in more pain as the assistant was tapping on my teeth and hit the sore one and I about jumped out of my chair. She apologized profusely and was careful thereafter. All they ended up doing was taking a photograph of the tooth with a mirror and the dentist insisted that I would need a root canal and there was nothing he could do except "knock the tooth down" if I could "brace myself". (The tooth wasn't level with the rest.) I wasn't sure if he was serious or not but that was not an option I was going to take. He did prescribe an antibiotic for me which would not kick in for at least another day. So, I guess I would not be relieved of my pain.

For the rest of the trip I tried to keep the pain at bay with ice packs and the meds wishing I would have seen my own dentist before we left on the trip. My worst day was actually when we were traveling home. I think just being cooped up in the van with children who were kind of grumpy and wanting to get home didn't help but I was in horrible pain from time to time. It wasn't consistent but I never knew when it would come on and at times I was in tears it hurt so bad and I wanted it over with. John tried to help but not much he could do except drive. By the time we got home I lay in bed the rest of the night with a heating pad and rested and by the next morning the antibiotics had finally kicked in and the pain was gone, hallelujah!

I did visit my dentist later that week and it turns out that he thinks that the problem was with my gums and not the tooth itself as it looked fine. Without taking an x-ray, which they wanted to avoid, he couldn't say 100 % but most likely it was a combination of pregnancy hormones softening my gums and possibly something small like a popcorn hull getting caught between my two back teeth being that I have been putting off having crowns and so the fillings are not up to par.

The infection is gone. I am pain free and waiting for the new year to have crowns put on. As my dentist said, "I guess you decided to have a baby this year instead". Yup, a much better investment I'd say.

Just Random...

I figured I should post something new, although it seems not too much new is happening. We are getting ready to take a trip to St. Louis in the very near future and this will be the first time making a long trip without our motor home but gas prices are such that it would cost a fortune to fill that thing up. John contemplated even going but we are excited to visit his family there so decided to go ahead. John's cousin's family was kind enough to invite us to stay with them and the kids are really looking forward to that adventure. We do enjoy full houses of people and I hope they will too! :)

I came on my blog tonight to check how many weeks I am in my pregnancy. I can't believe I didn't know for sure but time sure gets away from me. So, I am 25 weeks today and baby is about 13 1/2 inches and is starting to get some baby fat. I am feeling good and I think baby is keeping his head down more so the kicking in the cervix has subsided for which I am very thankful. I feel like I am waddling already which I don't especially enjoy but I am trying to put a conscience effort into walking normal if that is possible. Baby moves around a lot and most of the children are taking turns trying to feel him kick their hand. It makes me smile knowing that they are enjoying this process too.

John and I taught Sunday School for Seppy's class last week which is always fun for me because I love to watch my husband with children. Sure, I see him every day with our children but with others it is different because it is an hour of making children laugh and enjoy learning. It reminded me so much of the days before we were married when we would babysit for children and they would be climbing all over him and having a great time. I am not anywhere near as fun, at least not in that way. Anyway, the children were wondering about my big belly and a few came away from class telling their moms that Mrs. Mason has a basketball under her shirt. One little girl said that I had a basketball hoop! Now that would be an interesting shape. Once in awhile it would be nice to have a basketball and take it out for a rest. This basketball is heavy! :)

21 week update

I am 21 weeks and halfway there! Although John was asking me how I plan on surviving the summer if I am having a hard time doing things already. So, I decided to get some pregnancy workout DVDs from the library and try them out to see if any are worth buying. Tank was my "coach" and gave me pointers if I wasn't doing it exactly as the instructor and he had a critical eye on if he thought it worth doing at all. One was exercising by learning to salsa dance and was so repetitive and boring that neither of us liked that one.Working out 3 times last week made a noticeable improvement over some of the aches I have been having. One in particular worked on stretches to help with round ligament pain which I have in abundance along with the stretching scar tissue. I think I mentioned this last time too but it really is the biggest complaint I have as it is a terrible stabbing pain.

21 weeks. Can't quite see what a basketball I have here.

I no longer have any food aversions and really love food, maybe a little too much. I have more energy although not as much as I would like during the day. It kicks in more when I wish it wouldn't, at bedtime.

Baby is active, very much so but always seems to have his feet down kicking my bladder. And after seeing the ultrasound could see how close the feet are to my cervix. The other night Re-Pete was next to me on the couch with his leg leaning on my belly when the baby started pushing against him and he felt that. I thought it too soon for others to feel but I guess not.

We are not finding out what we are having but I am going to assume baby to be a boy and so will refer to him as that because I can't call baby an "it".

My last ultrasound was Monday and part of it was done in 3D which I have never had before so that was fun. I do so love ultrasounds to catch that glimpse of my baby and see all of the amazing parts functioning just as God created them to. We even saw the kidneys full and then the next picture baby had eliminated and so were no longer visible. Although baby was not cooperating very well and the tech had to keep chasing him around. He also did not want to let his face be seen but kept putting hands in front. So, my 3D pictures ended up being more blurry than others I have seen. I had hoped for a nice clear picture of detailed hands or feet but at least I got to see him and a video clip of him moving hands back and forth across his face. I am wondering if I'll have another thumb-sucker.

Very blurry but his arm is up on the side of his face.

I labeled this one just in case you need help figuring body parts out. This little one was curled up but moving all around. The boys think it has to be a boy because he is doing a taekwondo move. :)-

Baby's First Picture

Baby is smiling at us! Taken at 16 wks. 1 day

I had my "dating" ultrasound Monday to make sure that baby's measurements match-up with my due date and they do. As you can see by my baby ticker above I am now 16 weeks and time is flying. I can't believe I haven't blogged about my progress before. The first trimester was fairly good. Thankfully I never really have gotten sick with any pregnancy but I typically do feel nauseous from time to time throughout the day. It helps to keep snacking and I also find that sucking on ginger root candy works great. (Probably the only time I can stand the stuff as it is strong!)

I do have food aversions which makes it so difficult to plan meals when so many favorites no longer appeal to me. I haven't been able to eat onions in anything which is hard because it seems that I put them in almost everything. Even looking at a recipe with them gave me a yuck kind of feeling.Thankfully that is now starting to diminish so hopefully we'll be able to enjoy some favorites like Chicken Potpie before too long.

I am exhausted and somehow forgot that is what happens. After breakfast I am ready for a nap and if you know me, I do not like taking naps. Now that I am in my 2nd trimester I am waiting for my energy to return.

The biggest problem I have in pregnancy is round ligament pain and also pain from stretching scar tissue. It started early and I know it will only continue to get worse the bigger I get. The thing is you never know when the pain will hit and it can vary from mild to an intense stabbing feeling. I had hoped that the length between pregnancies this time would have maybe helped with this but I guess not.

My belly has popped and did early on. It seems it comes out sooner with each pregnancy probably because I have a pooch to begin with. This time it caused quite a few people to question if I was having twins. Missy and Seppy insisted that we were having two babies. A girl for Missy and a boy for Seppy. All the comments started to make me wonder too but no, God is blessing us with one baby and I am quite happy about that. The thing I find funny about popping out and outgrowing my clothes so soon is that I look back to my first pregnancy when I couldn't wait to be able to wear maternity clothes. I was itching for people to look at me and know that I was expecting. By this pregnancy I long to stay in my normal clothes as long as possible. Oh how time changes things.

This time around I had to switch doctors for my prenatal care which is turning out okay. Although I reached the magic time of life when I am of "advanced maternal age" and so had the whole discussion on all of my risks now that I am older. What a strange feeling. No matter, I don't feel old in the least! I will have another ultrasound in four weeks and I look forward to seeing our baby waving and moving all around again. I think they do 3D too which will be fun.

John and I decided not to find out what we are having. We have done it both ways for different reasons but last time when I was lying on the table waiting to be cut open for my c-section I found it a helpful distraction to ponder if we were having a girl or a boy. I also think it will be fun for the kids when Daddy comes walking out with the baby in his arms and can say "It's a ....!"  All but Tank hopes we are having a girl for Missy. (Well, Seppy changes his mind from time to time.) I think they realize how very different she is from them and how much she would enjoy a sister. I am guessing another boy because the odds are really good in that direction. Either way, I am looking forward to holding a baby in my arms again!

Seppy's News...

For those of you who may not get it... as I know some in my family had a hard time catching on...Seppy is currently our youngest. :)