Another Trip to Clarian North

Where do I begin? Tuesday (3-3-09)….Sean’s lucky number is 3 and 3 is the square root of 9….so I thought it would be a lucky day….Not necessarily a lucky day to have a baby, but just a lucky day to stop throwing up and having (as Sean would say) the Big D. Sorry folks….no way to sugar coat it. I have been SICK, SICK, SICK.

Okay, let's back up…came home Sunday night from the hospital for treatment of dehydration and meds to stop contractions. Woke up Monday, went to a Dr. Checkup and ultrasound…baby weighs about 7lb; 7oz; my doc had no concerns except to rest and keep food and solids down. Went home and felt OK…later that evening started throwing up AGAIN, Big D AGAIN, and feeling weak.

I was up about every 30 minutes -90 minutes throughout Monday night. Sean left for work. I got sick about 7:15 and started timing contractions. This time they were about 4-5 minutes apart. I called the doctor when they opened at 8. It took them over an hour to call me back to tell me to go back to the hospital. Ugh…little frustration.

Got to the hospital around 10am…4-5 car pileup on Interstate 74 (our link to 465 to get to Clarian North)…so 56th street was also backed up…needless to say a longer trip than normal.
The triage nurse remembered me from the weekend and knew the docs weren’t going to stop contractions with medicine anymore, so she arranged for me to be in a more comfy Labor and Delivery Room (LDR). They started more IV fluids…the contractions slowed down to 5-8 minutes apart, I ate some mashed potatoes, 3 bags of fluids later (about 4pm) decided to send me home because I had only dilated from 1cm to 2cm. Doc sent me home with the drug that docs give chemo patients when nauseated and order to stay hydrated. (Easier said than done.)

Last night I was able to get much more sleep. I feel better today. Still weak, but think I’m able to tolerate bland food better. The hot tea was good. Not put on “bedrest” yet…they say to go back to work when I feel I can tolerate it, so I’m just burning up sick days I was saving for maternity leave, but oh well….life goes on. I’m going to stay home again on Thursday…we’ll see about Friday. My mom is coming back to town on Friday to help with Caeleigh's 8th Birthday Party on Saturday.

Many thanks to all those thoughts, prayers, meal offers/deliveries/ etc. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. I love you all.

And many of you are probably wondering…No there is still not a definite name for this little bean yet!

Also, I do want to clarify....I want this baby to stay in as LONG as possible. I'm not wishing the labor to progress along any faster. I just want to stop being SICK!!! Even though baby is doing well and still moving, great heartrate, and is big enough, I want her to come when she (and God) are ready for her to come. (And they may be ready before this household is...lol!!)

A Weekend Worthy of Some Updates

Saturday was a busy day. Caeleigh had her First Communion Retreat from 9am-12pm; then a little dress shopping for First Communion; then I took her to her Grandma Shirley's to spend the night. I went home and took a little nap and then went to Mass. During Mass I just did not feel "right." I was having some contractions, which was normal, but just felt "icky." I probably overdid it!

Sean and I had plans to go out to eat, but on my way home from Mass I called him and said I would just grab something and stay home. I ate a few chicken nuggets and some french fries, felt a little better, but then the contractions started to come harder and more frequent (about 10 minutes)...well I'm supposed to call if I have 6 contractions in an hour...so I did and Dr. Murphy was covering for my doctor. She said to come on in.

Sean and I left the house around 7:15 and were to Clarian North pretty quickly. After a quick assessment they decided to give me a dose of Terbutiline (sp?) to relax the uterus and stop contracting. They also started an IV bag to help rehydrate me. The nurse gave me the first dose of a lung steroid for the baby's lung development. I would need another 12 hours later. Since I had not been tested for BetaStrep (whatever that is...was going to happen at my regular checkup this AM) they also gave me antibiotics. Started feeling better, then vomited. But the contractions were slowed way down, so about 12:00 midnight I was discharged home.

Sunday morning we had to go back for the 2nd dose of the lung steroid medicine. I woke up fine, showered, but was very nauseated. While in the car (about 9am), started having contractions about 5 minutes apart in the ride to the hospital. So they admitted me for more Terbutiline (ended up having 4 doses totalon Sunday); the 2nd lung shot; and 2 and 1/2 bags of IV fluid. I was finally released around 5:15pm. In that time, my parents came up from Illinois and my sister came over to help out. Sean's mom kept Caeleigh all day on Sunday and brought her home around 6pm.

So Monday...Maggie spent the night and was able to take Caeleigh to school at 7:15; Sean had to get to work to wrap a few things up; and my parents took me to a previously scheduled ultrasound at 8:00am with a regularly scheduled checkup at 8:50. The ultrasound went well. Dr. Denman wanted to get measurements since I was measuring big last week. I am measuring 38 weeks (though at 35); and baby weighs about 7lbs; 7oz. WOW!! So since she's had the two lung shots, the doctor said they will not stop any further contractions.

So I got home, ate some oatmeal, had some Sprite and took a nap. When I woke up my parents had cleaned the garage, put the bouncer together, put the baby swing together, and finished organizing the baby's room. Unbelievable! They are awesome. I was feeling okay until about 1:30 and the stomach bug symptoms came back. I haven't been able to keep anything down. As I type I've had about 5 contractions every hour...so I have started writing them down to keep better track. When it's 6 an hour, I go back.

Check Sean's blog (www.reavo.blogspot.com) for further updates if we are headed to the hospital.

32 weeks, measuring 33 weeks

Had another doctor appt. on Monday. Only gained a couple of pounds...which my feet, ankles, fingers, and even MY TOES are swollen...so I have a feeling I'm going to have more water weight gain!! My blood pressure was still good (120/70); baby's heart rate was 146; and I still feel good.

It's getting harder and harder to move quick....I need to give myself at least 5 extra minutes of travel time just for getting into/out of the car and walking into the school buildings. Geez!!

Had a great date with Sean last Friday night. We went with our friends, Brent and Angie, to go see "He's Just Not That Into You." It was such a great ensemble cast with different stories going on....kind of "Love Actually"-esque (which is one of my favorite movies!) We went to Tripps's afterwards for a drink (diet coke for me!) and an appetizer. It was such a nice night....and probably my Valentine's Day celebration....since I refuse to make a big deal out of Valentine's Day with the almost 100% mark-ups, need for reservations, crowds, etc. Now don't get me wrong, I like getting a card...but can have the flowers early or late....just TOO expensive on the day of!

Not much else to report. Caeleigh is doing great. She got all A's and B's on her report card and is ready to sign up for softball. She is getting a little anxious about the upcoming birth...worried we won't pay attention to her, leave her out, etc. It is so hard to convince her that won't happen, but am doing my best!! Her birthday will be in a couple of weeks...we are starting to plan a little party for some of her friends. She went to a party with 14! girls last weekend and came home upset because there was so much drama and fighting. I told her that's what happens when you get too many girls together....and she came back with "Well, instead of 5 girls, I think I'll only invite 3 or 4 to my party....and it'll be easier to all get along!" What a smart girl...must get it from her momma!

Going to start working on the nursery this weekend. When it's done I'll post some pictures....may be a 2-3 week process (remember swollen TOES) so be patient!

Have a great week...have another appointment Feb. 23. My doctor did make a mistake about my progesterone shots...she wants them to continue through 36 weeks...so got a new scrip for 4 more doses...hooray! Dr. Denman originally told me 16-32 weeks, but guess she meant through 36 weeks. Oh well! They aren't bad at all. I've not had any reactions, so that is good!

Have a good rest of the week and a sweet Valentine's day!

XOXO,
Sarah

30 weeks

Sorry to be slacking on the blog updates. It's been a crazy week!! Monday I had my 30 week check-up with my OB...actually it was one of her partners...mine was probably on some tropical vacation somewhere! But I really liked Dr. Hillaker. She is young, petite, and took a lot of time with me. I was afraid since I wasn't one of her normal patients, she might make is a super short appt. Anyhow, the appointment went well. I've gained just under 15 lbs; my blood pressure was 120/76; baby's heartrate was 156; and everything else was normal.

On another note, I had to scoot my car seat back a little more. The belly is not in the way for driving, but getting down and in that little thing is getting to be more and more of an acrobatic feat. (I drive a Pontiac G6.) I'm carrying this little booger so high, and it is just difficult to bend over to get into the car...I'm sure it's quite comical for the passer-byer who watches me attempt to get in/out of the car.

Weather-wise this week , we got 12 inches of snow Wednesday. Needless to say we had a snow-day and school was cancelled for Caeleigh and me. I've not seen snow this deep in quite a while! We are blessed to have such good neighbors who own a snow-blower and he came over to snow-blow the driveway and sidewalks later Wednesday afternoon. THANK YOU JAMIE!!! Because our town is FULL of newly built subdivisions, we had 2 hour delay starts to school on Thursday and Friday so the buses could get through these neighborhoods....many streets were not plowed. Also many students would be walking to bus stops in streets b/c the sidewalks are not shoveled. So it's been a pretty crazy week. I could get used to waiting until 9:30 to go to school each day!

On a totally different note, I started a second blog for my colleagues at work. As you may know I work with children on the Autism spectrum. My new blog is Social Skills Lessons. I work with one of our special needs teachers to record her social skills lessons that she does with our kids and write about them and post them to the blog. I also plan to upload some of my lessons that I do with a different special education teacher and our social language/social thinking group. It is a work in progress. I will probably do a lot more uploading of lessons/tips/strategies, etc. while I am on maternity leave and over my summer vacation. I'm pretty swamped at work right now getting everything done before I have this baby! The website is http://www.socialskillslesson.blogspot.com/ or you can follow the link above as well!

Well, heading out to my cousin's FIRST birthday party! I may be looking forward more to cake than the noise! :) Have a great week!

XOXO,
Sarah

Pregnancy Clumsiness

Enough has finally happened, I think I have enough to blog on now.

I guess I only remember one bout of clumsiness when I was pregnant with Caeleigh. It involved trying to shave in a shower stall (we have a separate garden tub and shower), losing my balance, and falling towards the shower door onto the floor. I was pretty bruised, but no cuts. Thank goodness, considering I was holding a razor. I vaguely remember lots of shaving cream on the rug too! I can't remember how far along I was, but I think I was at least 24 weeks along. I just remember giving up shaving the legs after that! Or maybe my mom or someone bought me a lady's electric....too long ago to remember!

So my bouts of clumsiness have started a lot sooner this time. The first started at about 12 weeks. I was driving home from a doctor appt. and decided to pick up some lunch from a restaurant to take back to the office. As I was carrying the sack and LARGE lemonade out to the car...I guess I missed the curb and fell flat on my front. Somehow I threw the sack of food forward and did not land on it. But I obliberated the large foam cup of lemonade as I landed right on top of it. It was hot out and lemonade is sticky, so it is fair to say I was one HOT MESS! I still have a scar on my knee from where I scraped the crap out of it. I also got a NASTY bruise on my arm from hitting a car's side-view mirror. I wish now I had a picture to post.

So remembering how I fell out of the shower (we still live in the same house) with pregnancy number one....I've been anticipating a fall from there....but so far so good! But, don't worry.... the clumsiness factor has increased!

My hands have lost their grip. Even though I can still see the ridges in the skin on my fingertips, one of my vitamins or the progesterone must be making them not do their job and help me grip things. About two weeks ago I was putting away groceries and as I put the largest bottle of A-1 sauce I could find at the store into the pantry...it slipped and landed on the wood floor. LUCKILY, only the plastic cap cracked and there was just a tiny mess to clean up.

I am even more convinced the fingers are extra slippery because on Friday night I was getting a jar of marinara out of the pantry and as I turned around to walk to the counter, it just looked like I pitched it forward and it shattered ALL OVER the kitchen. Sean summed it up well...the kitchen looked like a scene from CSI with splatter on the floor, upper & lower cabinets, the stove, the range hood, under the range hood, the wall, the counter tops, and even my jeans. I just couldn't help but cry!! Sean was such a good help and cleaned 90% of the mess up. He could definitely tell I was stressed. He had cereal for dinner and Caeleigh & I ate PB & J. No "super easy chicken manicotti" for us.....like the name of the recipe should've predicted it for me! The kicker is earlier that day (with -13 degree temps) I did a load of laundry and later Caeleigh went to get her boots out of the laundry room and came in and said "Mommy, my boots are sopping wet!" Went in there and the floor was covered in water. I cleaned that mess up. When Sean came home we had a plumber (hubby of a friend...so no service charge, thank goodness) come out. He figured out that the drain pipe was probably frozen in the morning and when it was time to drain the dirty water, there was no where for the water to go, except all over the floor! Ce la vie!

I still haven't given up shaving my legs yet....I am very careful as to not fall out of the shower! Also I'm surprised with all the icy, snowy, cold weather we've had I haven't fallen yet. Don't worry...I anticipate it happening! I do think it's funny my cousin told me not to name this little girl Grace!

Have a great week! It's my off week for a doctor appt. So nothing new to update there!

XOXO,
Sarah

Goodbye 2008, Welcome 2009!

Happy New Year's Eve! As I sit here thinking about what to blog about, I began reflecting on the past year.

Sean put in a full year at Main Gate, Inc. I am so thankful he has a job that he seems to enjoy and has not near as much travel as he did with his previous position. It's so nice to know he's home most every evening...which means I have to cook more, but even though I complain about cooking, I don't mind it! (As long as he doesn't complain about what comes to the table...except for those mystery meat pork chops that were just NASTY!)

Caeleigh has made a great transition from 1st to 2nd grade and even handled the transition to a new school this year. We started her at St. Malachy Catholic school (same church I belong to) this year. She seems to really enjoy it....uniform and all!

Caeleigh also mastered swimming underwater!! Her strokes still need some help, but she'll go under and swim the width of my pal, Angie's, pool! Caeleigh also played her first organized team sport...softball. She was a little timid, but earned Most Improved Player award from her coaches. That made Daddy beam!! She continued to do dance lessons and basic gymnastic lessons. She keeps me busy! I just can't believe how much she has grown up! She's about 4 feet tall and wears a size 7/8. Not just grown physically, but mentally as well. She's turned into quite a reader and loves to draw. For Christmas she got tons of drawing/sketching stuff and some fashion designer pads (she loves to design clothes!!) I wanted to post some Christmas pics, but am having some trouble downloading from my camera (grrr!) So stay tuned for those!

And, of course, expecting our second child was a surprise! That is something to look forward to in the next few months. Speaking of un-named baby girl Reaves, I had another check-up on Monday. I am 26 weeks along (will be 27 tomorrow!) and had a great appt. My blood pressure was 120/76; baby's heartrate was 156; and did the glucose tolerance test...icky! The nurse practitioner said "No news is Good News!"....so I am assuming I passed and have not developed gestational diabetes. I've gained 13 pounds....which shocks me....I think with Caeleigh by this point I had gained a good 20-25 pounds! I also had to have my Rho Gam shot (because my blood type is negative, and Sean is positive....so could have clotting difficulties after baby is born without the shot...it was a breeze with Caeleigh!) So I go back in two weeks and will continue two week appts through February. The beginning of March, I will start to go weekly.

Good wishes on 2009 to all my readers....Sean and I may go get a bite to eat or get some take-out. I rented movies, we plan to stay in and relax. Caeleigh gets to go to a hotel with Grandma Shirley and Grandma Bonnie...she is very excited about that! Stay safe tonight!

Sarah