Hoping and praying...

I just wanted to say a few words about some dear friends of ours, Allen and Cynde. They are waiting to adopt a sweet little girl from China and now is that all important time of the month. No, not THAT time of the month silly.
Each month referrals are sent out to the couples that have been waiting. Last months referrals covered up to 10/11/05 (I think, I could be totally wrong). Anyway, A & C have an LID of 10/17. So....they are really hoping these referrals to cover enough to give them a referral in February.
I personally have been praying that they get a surprise (belated) anniversary present and get one this month. Not too much hope for that, but with all the crummy things going on here in TX, someone has to get some good news somewhere out there. PLEASE PLEASE be A&C!!!! Come on China, you can do it!

More bad news...

As if P. previa isn’t bad enough, I got a call from my OB today. I know when he calls it is never good news. Our triple screen test turned out to be abnormal. All this means is that it puts me into a higher risk group for different types of things. One risk is a baby with Down Syndrome or some other genetic abnormality. The other risks are mostly related to me and include toxemia, preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

I had this with J and (after the amnio) we found out he was perfectly normal, but I did go on to have PT labor at 31 weeks and PROM at 35 weeks. (Along with a month of complete bed rest) I was very lucky to have such a healthy baby for so early a delivery.

Our perinatologist (a specialist in maternal-fetal health) appointment is next Tuesday afternoon. If they can not find an abnormality during the sonogram we will most likely proceed with the amnio at that time.
We could use a few little prayers in this time. As I can recall from J’s pregnancy it takes 1-2 weeks to get amnio results back and the next 2-3 weeks will be pretty agonizing for Brad and I.

Happy Birthday to me...

Well, my 31st B-day seems to have come and gone in a flash. Nothing exciting. B had to teach lessons from 3-9:30. We had lunch, but other than that my day was spent pretty much as per usual (in a recliner with feet up). I think I was born at 8:38pm or some other evening hour similar, so technically, my B-day is just starting. Yay.
Where does the excitement and wonder that Bdays give us as children go? Certainly (in my 7 y/o's humble opinion) 31 has to be better than 30 because I am older and wiser. Not so much. I really just feel older. Wiser? Ask me in about 9 months when I'm juggling dinner, nursing a baby, and keeping my toddler from jamming green beans up her nose at the same time. I think I should have asked for a super hero cape for this one!!!

This is really happening.

I didn't really believe we were actually pregnant again. I mean, I feel nauseous (most of the time), my jeans are getting tight and the slightest off smell sends me into a downward spiral eventually leading to the bathroom. But, until I saw the baby on the ultrasound screen yesterday (we had two previous sonos), I didn't believe it.

Dr. G tried to get a good look at the sex and we had a great shot of the butt up through the legs. There were no extra parts there. He said "Looks like a girl to me, but don't bank on it...it's still too early". So we still aren't sure, but if it's a boy he is hiding his stuff well.

The baby was absolutely adorable. Cute hands, feet, and the teeniest butt you've ever seen (takes after his/her daddy). I felt that all too familiar feeling of falling in love again. It took several weeks, but it's a great feeling. I don't know how I will have enough room in my heart for 3, but I can see I am going to have to make room somehow.

Baby is ok!!!

Well, the baby is ok. I just have placenta previa. PP is when the placenta attaches low in the uterus instead of up high where the uterus is much more supple and nourishing to the baby. Dr. G said 90% of these found early will correct themselves. If still have it after 20 weeks, we may be stuck with it for the duration. The reason it can "move" even though it is implanted is that there is a large amount of growth of the lower uterine segment during the 2nd trimester.

The baby will be fine, but there are some concerns: There can be a large amount of bleeding, especially as the baby gets heavier, the baby can suffer from growth restriction, or need to be delivered early. It's scary, but the odds are in my favor that it will move. I was advised to stay off my feet as much as possible. Easier said than done Dr G. You stay off your feet with 2 kids at home. :)

PANIC!

So I went to pee (like most pregnant women do ofetn) and discovered the biggest fear of all pg people....BLOOD! I feel fine. Am I ok? Is the baby ok? Brad was teaching so I took the kids to my parents so I could have some time with my feet up. I also freaked out and paged the Dr. on call. It was Dr. F (not my usual Dr.) He said to put up two (feet) and call Dr. G in the morning.

As I lay down I tried my best to feel movement for some sign that everything is ok. It is still very early for that. I'll just have to wait. Waiting stinks.

Someone up there really wanted this little person here...

Despite holding a Biology degree and taking several human development semester hours, I find myself wondering how this happened. Nursing a baby exclusively under 6 months of age is suppsed to be 97% effective against pregnancy. The birth control pill we were on (Micronor) is supposed to be over 95% effective. Not to mention all the fertility and pregnancy issues we had in the beginning. What gives?

It's amazing how the man upstairs works. Just when you think you have won the game, he throws you a curve ball. The hard part is figuring out how to hit that ball so it doesn't slam into your face, knocking you flat on your rear. If you have any suggestions, I'd be thrilled to hear them.