The final countdown:

Oh, hey there, it's me again. Me who never updates my "daily blog". Here I am, with now less than 13 days until the arrival of my newest addition. My repeat c section has been scheduled, my nesting has taken over in full force, and our house has never been cleaner.

I am ready.

Or am I?  I am ready in that I want to meet my son - my last baby. I am ready in that I have gone crazy on stocking up on everything we need. I am ready in that my heart is full of joy and ready to hold and love on our new baby.

I am not ready.

I am anxious about my last c section. I am anxious in that I won't know who is doing it until the day I walk in to have it done. I am anxious that it is a resident (hopefully a seasoned one). I am anxious in that I am having my tubes removed. Not tied, REMOVED. I am anxious about pain management since anyone who knows me knows I HATE MEDICINE (for myself).

I am worried about adjusting all over. The last time I was a mom to a newborn was almost 7 years ago.

I am older. I got this.

This pregnancy has been a blessing. It has been hard but it has been good. God gives me nothing I can't handle. We had scares with possible heart defects - so far, (knock on wood), our little boy has passed these tests in utero.

My blood pressure has been all over the place, and just gets worse. I've been in and out of L&D multiple times as the doctors would send me to stabilize my blood pressures and stop contractions.

My kidneys are spilling protein.

My face is super swollen. My hands are so swollen they fall asleep for no good reason (pregnancy carpal tunnel). It's gotten so bad one of my hands will lock up and contort as if it were possessed. haha.

I go to a maternal fetal medicine doctor twice a week. Once for a bio physical profile, the next a non stress test. So far so good.

I can honestly say, I love my maternal fetal medicine doctor. She is everything a doctor SHOULD BE. My most recent blood pressure was 150/100 at my BPP. That's so scary to me, as it has never been so high - even with my past pregnancies and pre eclampsia. I was told they won't act until it's 160/100.  I know full on well my former OB would have acted already staying so high at 37 weeks.

I trust God tough. I know he will see us through this. I know and feel I can survive the next two weeks until my c section.

I'm praying it goes with out incident.

The one plus side to so many MFM visits, is once in a blue they will surprise you with a 4D ultrasound. The techs don't realize just how much joy this brings to me. SO MUCH> Our baby is measuring large for his gestational age - 4 weeks ahead.

Look at those chubby cheekers:

37 Weeks

Since my last blog, the kids had a shared birthday party (Since Ethan and this baby will be a day apart) at a bounce venue - it was great!  I started painting the kids bathroom cabinets,I'll add before and afters in a separate blog. Easter came and went and of course CLEANING. So much cleaning.

Before:Builders grade oak

Light Sandng:

Primer 3 coats:

After a day between each primer coat and then letting it cure 7 days I started the gloss paint: 

Coat 1. I will do 1-2 more waiting a day between coats and then add the nice knobs I purchased and finish up the rest of the bathroom:

Stephen has been busy working his butt off at the fire department and letting me stay home to raise the kids during the pregnancy - I am so thankful for that.  I often catch myself missing my old house and area - but slowly we will make this newer house our home. Step by step. I loved redoing my old house, but a new house can have just as much charm.  Until next time, friends :)

31 weeks, 4 days

So much has been going on.  We went to Fayetteville for our 4D ultrasound on the 13th.  Unfortunately, our little guy was frank breech. (Bottom down, feet and arms in face).  THANKFULLY, we were invited back for a free re scan. This facility was beyond amazing.  We returned 5 days later on the 18th and got a sneak peak of our little chubby baby.  I am so in love.  He's been measuring large since about 22 weeks.  I have another growth scan with the MFM on Wednesday, and they'll give me a weight estimate then.

My blood pressure has come down some on it's own, so that makes me beyond thrilled. I'm swelling a lot these days, but that's expected when you're bordering on pre eclampsia.

I'm hoping i can keep it at bay.  On Friday, I have my regular OB appointment with one of the resident doctor's, and they will reschedule my repeat c section.  It should be between 38-39 weeks.  I guess that all depends on my blood pressure and how much protein I start to spill over the course of my next few visits.  WISH ME LUCK!

MiMi & Ethan are so excited! - They also have birthday's coming up (11 & 7..YIKES).. so I went ahead and broke out my studio equipment and got their birthday photos done up.

 I did Ethan's now, because likely the baby will come on or before his birthday.  As of now, he isn't jealous about the possibility of sharing his birthday.  I also intend to do the kid's birthday party together this year for the same reason.  I'm hoping to do it at a bounce house venue.

Thankfully, my tax refund covered a majority of the baby items we still needed. Both of our sister's gifted us wonderful things as well.  Then of course, there's my amazon diaper stash - I took most of them out of the boxes, but no biggie.

         This was one of my favorite things I had when Ethan was a newborn, 

so I had to buy it again.  I suggest getting it at 

Wal Mart - it's about $20 cheaper there:

Baby clothing, towels, swaddlers, blankets etc:

Baby Bath, Storage Bin with all his blankets, tons of diapers and a play yard box:

Bought this bouncer on amazon:

Even more diapers, and wipes, the basket has bottles and other random things for breast feedings, etc.

I hope everyone has been well! I am going to try and do a little bathroom DIY before baby comes and I'll post before and afters then.

Pregnancy Updates

I haven't blogged much. What else is new? haha.  To be honest it was getting way too uncomfortable sitting at the trusty old desktop. My dad went out and got himself a new lap top, and gifted me his old one. SO MUCH BETTER!

So, I guess I should pick up somewhere where I left off in my pregnancy woes.  But first, PICTURES:
                                                                    30 weeks along:

Where my blood pressure has been hanging out these days, and why I'm concerned they won't medicate:

                                           
                                                           28 week admission with IVs

                                                      At 26 weeks baby likes to ball up

                                      My beautiful friend, Raven gifted me this diaper bag! I LOVE IT!

                                                      A blanket I crotcheted in FL Gators colors

                                                           I think I was 27 weeks here:

I believe the last time I blogged I was getting a fetal echocardiogram.  Thankfully everything checked out well.  Around 22 weeks my blood pressure started raising. 144/90's.  Since I've had pre eclampsia with my previous two pregnancies, and I wasn't spilling protein, they decided it's just hypertension.

Fast forward to 28 weeks. I go in for one of my high risk ultrasounds with my MFM and my blood pressure stays at 159/96 for three separate readings. YIKES!  So following that ultrasound, she sends me to labor and delivery.  My blood pressure stayed high and unbeknownst to me, I was having contractions. I thought they were braxton hicks, I'm thinking there's no way these are real contractions when the ones I had with MiMi prior to having her c section were so bad I couldn't handle it at all.

BUT, then I remembered being induced probably made those ones a million times worse.

So long story short, I was given IV's to bring my blood pressure down and another to stop the contractions.  I was told my protein wasn't high enough to diagnose as pre eclampsia, but that it is heading that way.  I was diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia months earlier for my below normal platlet counts. JOY.

Only, someone who has has pre eclampsia twice, I know darn well give it a couple weeks it will be full blow pre eclampsia...

Once my blood pressure came down, the doctor I saw said he did not want to prescribe a blood pressure medication because he feared it would bring my numbers too low.

SURE?! Hanging in the 160's /almost 100s is healthy though??

I don't have a degree in medicine so I'll go with it - for now.

Today I had my 30 week check up.  Nothing spectacular, but I was elated that instead of gaining the massive 4 pounds every two weeks, I only gained 5 ounces this go round. YAY!  My obgyn office also gifted me a $20 gas card since the resident I saw was running an hour behind while I waited in the exam room. - SO SWEET! - I never complained, I've had MUCH longer waits in my old obgyn office.  But still, what a kind and considerate gesture, and they made this pregnant ladies day!

My blood pressure was decent today 134/90 but my urine showed protein and ketones. Still not high enough to say "you've got that dreaded Pre E again, ma'am".  Like I said, give it another two weeks or so..I know my body, I know how this game works with Pre E. I hate it.

Tomorrow I am traveling to Fayetteville, to have a 4D ultrasound done for Valentines Day.

They have come a long way since MiMi & Ethan.

I'm so EXCITED!! I even called to confirm that the weather wasn't going to get in the way and we were still on for it! I can't wait to see what our little guy looks like.

I'm not having a baby shower, because I've never had one before.  I do need to get a registry up so I can remind myself of what is left to purchase. Until next time....

Pregnancy updates..

This pregnancy has had it's ups and downs. As of today I stand 23 weeks & some change.  Since my last post, my baby was diagnosed with mild fetal tachycardia. Instead of having the fetal echo done at 29 weeks, they bumped it earlier. I had it done at 22 weeks. They found NO heart defects that were detectable via ultrasound. (GOD is SO GOOD). Everything else looked healthy.

I was mostly excited that our friendly ultrasound tech gave us nice pictures of baby boy & of course confirmed for us, that he was still in fact, a little boy.

Now for some of the downs. Some of my readers may remember I've had a history with pre eclampsia in my first two pregnancies.  My normal 110/70 blood pressure jumped up to 144/96 the day of my echo.  The fetal medicine doctor didn't say anything about it, and since my follow up with my resident obgyn would take place the following day, I thought it was no big deal.

My follow up came and my blood pressure still lingered at a higher than usual number for me.  Apparently this isn't a thing to worry about anymore..  I felt a little un nerved by this.  In the past anytime my numbers shot up so soon they'd investigate.  I was prescribed a blood pressure cuff *which I chose not to get because.let's be honest who wants to spend an extra 80 bucks on one?*.

A few days later I developed a headache. It wouldn't go away. The next day, the headache  lingered with a stronger presence. I thought, I'll sleep it off, it will be fine.  The third day came and the headache was nearly debilitating. Anytime I stood up my head pounded like it would explode. Anytime I coughed, I felt as if I was going through the most intense pain ever.

I waited until Stephen got home and he used a generic blood pressure cuff he had on hand. My blood pressure was 170/100. We are fortunate to have an EMS station outside of our neighborhood, and so we headed there to have a paramedic take it. We wanted to rule out a false reading.

The paramedic took it twice and both times it was 170/100. We were advised to head to labor and delivery to monitor.

At labor and delivery it remained high. They had me give a urine sample and set me up with an annoying hand IV. I wasn't feeling well at all.  They could not find butter beans heart rate on the NST macine and brought in a portable ultrasound where they picked it up.  I was told to lay on my side where for the next hour they monitored my blood pressure while the lab sent off for tests.

Laying on my side made my blood pressure come down to the point the Resident Doctor told us the initial readings were inaccurate. WHAT?! I'm no doctor, I didn't spend years in school, but I know damn well when my blood pressure is high because I get the worst headaches. To test this theory I told her I would take my next reading sitting up as you are supposed to, not laying on your side. As I did the blood pressure was still high - though not at high as our initial entrance takes.

I was given a fioricet which knocked that hellacious headache right out of the water.

I was told my labs were normal and sent home.

They don't treat hypertension unless it remains over 160 / 100 there . This is a little unnerving to me.

It almost makes me question who watches the resident doctors  and gives them the okay on that?!

Another issue is this persistent itchy abdominal rash. One resident says, "I see the bumps" another chimes in, "it's dry skin". (insert what the what face here)... I put lotion on daily, and last time I checked dry skin doesn't create a mini hive like bubble protrusion in multiple places all over my abdomen.  HELP?! lol

I've also developed the ever so annoying pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome. That is NO FUN.

Two days later I get an email from my Resident OB clinic and hospital telling me to log into my chart for a new diagnosis. What?? What diagnosis? No one informed me in person.. I log in to see I was diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia.  Which is characterized by continual low and dropping platlet counts in pregnancy.  Only, if they had asked me, they'd know my platlets have been in the low normal range for several years. The fact they are dropping even more is the only thing related to pregnancy, but it's nothing new to me.

No calls from the resident MD, nothing. So I wait until the 14th to see what the actual game plan is for this.  It explains a lot of why I feel tired all the time.

Now, I have a little mistrust in the actual obgyn with the lack of communication. And then finding out a resident will perform my third c section, my tubal removal (yes they remove them now) and whatever else they see fit, I am slightly, well, anxious.

I'm no stranger to working with resident obgyns. In the past, however, the actual OB performed the c section with the residents viewing. i almost want to just deny this and request the attending do it, but then I feel guilty that I am robbing someone who busted their tail in school for the last 4+ years their educational experience.  I know they are smart, they pick the best to complete the residency.

...BUT...I feel nervous. I worry. What if they cut too deep? What if my scar tissue presents a problem?  What if the fact I carry extra skin that semi hangs over my previous c section scar is an issue?  What year is the resident who will perform the surgery? Do they have prior incident on record? How many have the done?

Then I tell myself, TRUST GOD. God has this. And so with that being said, I have almost come to the conclusion I will let them. I will suck up my fears and let them. What's the worst thing that can happen? - On second thought, don't answer that. haha.

I only have one request, NO RESIDENT SHALL ADMINISTER the spinal or general anesthesia. TOO MUCH RISK there. If that makes me mean, I guess I am mean. I have to give a little to withdraw a little, and I don't think my nerves can handle all of that. If you happen to be a resident doctor and stumble upon my blog, I truthfully mean no disrespect. I am just a worry wart and perhaps don't know enough about how this whole thing works.  Everyone has to start some where.

 Unfortunately, I'm one of "those patients".

My BIG Move and BIGGER News..

I haven't had access to a computer in a while, and I didn't feel I had the patience to update from my phone. (You know, the whole fat fingers typo syndrome - and let's face it, I'm not the best writer to begin with). :)

July 28th was my last day at my former job, and as soon as I got off work, we loaded the U Haul to move closer to Wilmington.  It's been a wonderful transition. Of course, I miss my old house and my old city that I lived in for close to 20 year, but this new move was inevitable, and I love it.

The kids enjoy school much more here. It seems the teachers put a lot more effort into the children and enjoy (or pretend to) enjoy their jobs. THANK YOU for that!

But onto our big news! I can literally say this was a move in conception baby! uhm, happy new house/baby?! haha.  I literally knew 6 days after I moved in, but knew that if I took a test it would be negative at that point - and it was.

August 13th, I took a test and SURPRISE!  The baby we both wanted was in the making.  We both decided that with our past we would wait to annuonce to anyone until the first trimester...

 

I had my first ultrasound in September at 10 weeks:

 

At that point I felt it was okay to let a few people know.  A few days later I started bleeding. BAD. I was sure I was miscarrying. Only, I wasn't, at the ER they found a subchorionic hematoma. It was small though, and within a few days the bleeding subsided and by my 14 week appointment, the hematoma had resolved.

Speaking of 14 week appointment, here are a couple of photos from that:

 

 

My NT scan number wasn't so great (3.5) but the tech said the baby wouldn't move into a good position to get a good reading. We did the basic blood test and that came back with less than 1 in 1000 chance for down syndrome and trisomy 18, so I haven't much worried. - After all - every child is a blessing, right?

 

That week I took a few photos of the kids to announce the fact butter bean was on the way:

 

So, there ya have it - another April baby - and due on it's daddies birthday at that! (April 19th). Of course, those of us who have had multiple c sections know the drill - the baby will be scheduled a week earlier (which should put us at the 12th). And the nerd in me can't help but smile. I have 3 kids whose birthdays will be the 10th, 11th and 12th. I don't know why that fascinates me so much, but it does. TRULY.

I haven't been in a mega need to know the gender, but my anatomy scan is the 1st of December, and God willing we'll know then.  It hasn't been a hard pregnancy. No morning sickness (I take that back, just a few times).  And this pregnancy has made me develop a new found allergy to my eyeshadow (so my eyes puff up and itch and get gross). So I'll be skipping it until it goes back to normal.

Besides all the lovely bun in the oven news....

Here are a few pictures from the kids' first day of school (5th and 1st grade):

I've also made over the kids bathroom:

 

 

 

I'll add more eventually, I've had my hands a slight bit full here recently. Hopefully everyone in blog land has been well. God Bless.