I posted a status update on Grace about a week ago only to remove it less than 6 hours after it's penning. Why? I didn't like what I wrote -- it sounded...dumb. Turned out to be a good decision because like all things in my life the status changed the very next day. BUT after meeting with my doctor today I'm confident in relating some of the latest news.
First -- as of 9:19pm today Grace will officially win the longest gestated baby for the Pearson house! Good job little girl! Way to hang in there!
I am seeing my OB weekly now and we are having weekly biophysical profiles of the Little Miss. Last week the official weight was 5.5lbs. We didn't measure exact weight this week but there's a good chance Grace is 6 lbs today. She seems to be loving life and enjoying her swimming pool. She did finally turn head down and seems to be happy to remain that way -- either that or she ran out of room to make the large movements necessary for a flip. Last week my OB started me on blood pressure medication. There doesn't seem to be an indication that things will turn to pre-eclampsia so we are calling it gestational hypertension. The meds are working...sort of. We are working to find a balance in dosing. My body responds VERY WELL to the meds -- sometimes too well making my pressures go too low. Dr. M remarked today that the meds I'm on don't usually result in this type of control. I'm still not making many treks out and about and I'm nowhere near going back to things as usual -- gotta make sure the bp stays in control.
Here is the big news from today -- Dr. M and I set a date for Grace's arrival. Unless she decides to come on her own, Grace will get an eviction notice on Thursday, November 12th. That is one day shy of 38 weeks!! Things are seeming to move toward baby day on their own -- contractions (mild) and such are beginning but I know these could last for weeks. Dr. M will be out of town next week and the beginning of the following week but she did mention that if her associate is comfortable with it, we could strip my membranes next week. If not, we can definitely strip membranes the following week. I'm hoping that will help things along naturally without induction medication. All this means for me...I was hoping for a sooner date BUT I know that liability issues are present when voluntarily inducing before full-term. I gathered from comments made by Dr. M that she isn't sold on the fact that I will go that far. Bottom line -- we'll have to wait and see.
That's about it! Yea for Grace!!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Happy, Happy Birthday Baby!
Happy Birthday Luke! I love you! Thanks for being better than the best husband and father we could have ever hoped for. Hope you have a fabulous birthday extravangza!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Name and Nesting Needs
I've been attempting to deny this for about a month but it seems I'm officially nesting. After waking at 4am with an almost unbearable desire to vacuum the ceiling it seem I can no longer avoid the label. Not having done this with the boys I find myself a bit unnerved by the entire situation. I'm the logical pregnant person (ha -- what an oxymoron!), not getting trapped by all things commercial when it comes to having a baby. Practical has always been the name of the game (at least in my warped pregnant mind). Yeah -- that's gone now.
One small kink in my plans to nest and make ready for little Miss is my very inconvenient stays at Camp Hermann. While only lasting about 28 hours each, they seem to destroy the weekends leaving us facing Monday with no progress done to baby's room. As d-day looms ever closer on the horizon, it's beginning to stress me a bit.
As of this weekend I can proudly say that at least one piece of the room is DONE (and I didn't have anything to do with it!)
Take a gander at Grace's name art! Lovingly crafted by Luke's mom, these letters are perfect!! I've included pictures of the entire name and then closer shots of each letter for detail. SOOOO excited!!!
One small kink in my plans to nest and make ready for little Miss is my very inconvenient stays at Camp Hermann. While only lasting about 28 hours each, they seem to destroy the weekends leaving us facing Monday with no progress done to baby's room. As d-day looms ever closer on the horizon, it's beginning to stress me a bit.
As of this weekend I can proudly say that at least one piece of the room is DONE (and I didn't have anything to do with it!)
Take a gander at Grace's name art! Lovingly crafted by Luke's mom, these letters are perfect!! I've included pictures of the entire name and then closer shots of each letter for detail. SOOOO excited!!!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Whew, what a week!
It's been quite a week for our family! The best description is that it feels like I was about to get hit by a truck but managed to step out of the way just in time. Still a little shocked at what the outcome could have been but so eternally thankful that God had other plans.
Wednesday morning I went into my OB's office for a regular visit -- knowing it wouldn't be a regular visit. I had been struggling with high blood pressures and headaches and knew that my kidneys weren't functioning up to par. I walked into the office in tears because I felt so badly. After a poor result on my protein test and a poor BP reading it was quickly decided that I should head to the hospital. We checked into Memorial Hermann downtown shortly after lunch, me feeling worse with each passing moment. Doctors checked me and Grace, determined that she was breech and that there was a possibility I would deliver that day -- no more food or drink for Val as a c-section was in the future. By dinner the doctors decided to wait until 9pm to make a decision (to allow 6 hours for the steroids for Grace to work) but told me not to be surprised if they woke me in the middle of the night to deliver. In their words, "there is no doubt you are pre-eclamptic."
Up to this point the progression of the evening was something with which we are VERY familiar. However, about 11pm I began having contractions. Because I received epidurals so early into labor with the boys it took a few contractions for me to realize what was going on. After two hours of contractions coming about 2 minutes apart it looked as if Grace was deciding to come on her own. Of course as soon as we thought a decision had been made the contractions stopped. I was told to rest and drink fluid. About 2am contractions began again and I was back on no-food or drink. I contracted until about 4 and once again doctors began making noises about immediate delivery. But once again the contractions stopped and plans changed again.
About 6am the doctors decided that they were not willing to stop labor if it was coming but they were also not prepared to help it along at that point. It was decided that we would wait for more tests results. At that point my blood pressure had been GREAT but I still had a terrible headache. By 4pm, Thursday it was appearing that the decision would be NOT to induce but not to let me go home. The tests seemed to indicate that while I had been getting sick when I checked in, at this point I was now getting better. BUT it was the doctors opinions that I would in fact get sick sooner rather than later...they were hoping to get me to last a few more days.
My final test results came back around 7pm -- my protein levels for the 24 hour period were PERFECT. Last week I tested at a level of 277 (300 is abnormal/BAD), in the hospital I tested 102. About 9pm the doctors returned to tell me to GO HOME: my labs were good, my headache improved (didn't disappear but was manageable) and my blood pressures were the best they've been since I got pregnant. This time doctors words were "you are NOT pre-eclamptic." I practically RAN out the door.
Truthfully there is no other explanation for the 180 degree turn-around other than a miracle of God. While improvement was a possibility, the complete disappearance of all symptoms shouldn't have happened. But it did...and here we sit -- at home, with Grace safely tucked away in mommy's tummy where she belongs for the next few weeks.
So where do we go from here? Good question. Luke and I both realize the bullet we dodged so to speak so we are natually cautious. While I was not told I was on bedrest Luke and I have decided that a modified bedrest approach is a good idea. So I'm homebound until Grace's arrival. I ran a few quick errands today but they only lasted about 30 minutes. Luke will take over the major errands (groceries and such). My sister, Kristen, will join us on non-school days to help me corral to wild little boys. On Jack's school days I should be able to handle Sam on my own. Luke and I have agreed that the non-essential household chores will be left undone for the time being. I'll do a little here and there but my main goal will be to take it easy and stay pregnant. I won't be going anywhere really -- including church -- for a while. I see my doctor Wednesday of this next week so we see if she has a different idea. I'm still taking my blood pressures at home to watch things. The doctor mentioned that we were hoping to make it to 36 or 37 weeks. My guess is with the recent hospital time we will probably stop at 36 weeks which puts Grace's arrival sometime around Halloween. Again...I'll have to ask my OB when I see her.
Right now I'm excited to still feel Grace kick instead of sitting beside a NICU isolette.
Here's praying for a very UNEVENTFUL four weeks!!
Wednesday morning I went into my OB's office for a regular visit -- knowing it wouldn't be a regular visit. I had been struggling with high blood pressures and headaches and knew that my kidneys weren't functioning up to par. I walked into the office in tears because I felt so badly. After a poor result on my protein test and a poor BP reading it was quickly decided that I should head to the hospital. We checked into Memorial Hermann downtown shortly after lunch, me feeling worse with each passing moment. Doctors checked me and Grace, determined that she was breech and that there was a possibility I would deliver that day -- no more food or drink for Val as a c-section was in the future. By dinner the doctors decided to wait until 9pm to make a decision (to allow 6 hours for the steroids for Grace to work) but told me not to be surprised if they woke me in the middle of the night to deliver. In their words, "there is no doubt you are pre-eclamptic."
Up to this point the progression of the evening was something with which we are VERY familiar. However, about 11pm I began having contractions. Because I received epidurals so early into labor with the boys it took a few contractions for me to realize what was going on. After two hours of contractions coming about 2 minutes apart it looked as if Grace was deciding to come on her own. Of course as soon as we thought a decision had been made the contractions stopped. I was told to rest and drink fluid. About 2am contractions began again and I was back on no-food or drink. I contracted until about 4 and once again doctors began making noises about immediate delivery. But once again the contractions stopped and plans changed again.
About 6am the doctors decided that they were not willing to stop labor if it was coming but they were also not prepared to help it along at that point. It was decided that we would wait for more tests results. At that point my blood pressure had been GREAT but I still had a terrible headache. By 4pm, Thursday it was appearing that the decision would be NOT to induce but not to let me go home. The tests seemed to indicate that while I had been getting sick when I checked in, at this point I was now getting better. BUT it was the doctors opinions that I would in fact get sick sooner rather than later...they were hoping to get me to last a few more days.
My final test results came back around 7pm -- my protein levels for the 24 hour period were PERFECT. Last week I tested at a level of 277 (300 is abnormal/BAD), in the hospital I tested 102. About 9pm the doctors returned to tell me to GO HOME: my labs were good, my headache improved (didn't disappear but was manageable) and my blood pressures were the best they've been since I got pregnant. This time doctors words were "you are NOT pre-eclamptic." I practically RAN out the door.
Truthfully there is no other explanation for the 180 degree turn-around other than a miracle of God. While improvement was a possibility, the complete disappearance of all symptoms shouldn't have happened. But it did...and here we sit -- at home, with Grace safely tucked away in mommy's tummy where she belongs for the next few weeks.
So where do we go from here? Good question. Luke and I both realize the bullet we dodged so to speak so we are natually cautious. While I was not told I was on bedrest Luke and I have decided that a modified bedrest approach is a good idea. So I'm homebound until Grace's arrival. I ran a few quick errands today but they only lasted about 30 minutes. Luke will take over the major errands (groceries and such). My sister, Kristen, will join us on non-school days to help me corral to wild little boys. On Jack's school days I should be able to handle Sam on my own. Luke and I have agreed that the non-essential household chores will be left undone for the time being. I'll do a little here and there but my main goal will be to take it easy and stay pregnant. I won't be going anywhere really -- including church -- for a while. I see my doctor Wednesday of this next week so we see if she has a different idea. I'm still taking my blood pressures at home to watch things. The doctor mentioned that we were hoping to make it to 36 or 37 weeks. My guess is with the recent hospital time we will probably stop at 36 weeks which puts Grace's arrival sometime around Halloween. Again...I'll have to ask my OB when I see her.
Right now I'm excited to still feel Grace kick instead of sitting beside a NICU isolette.
Here's praying for a very UNEVENTFUL four weeks!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Introducing...
We'd like everyone to meet Baby Grace. She doesn't have a middle name yet but we're confident we'll think of one before she makes her official debut in about 9 weeks.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Facebook killed the Blogger star...
My friend Aimee (I didn't link her blog b/c I'm not sure she'd like a world of strangers traipsing through pictures of her kiddos) once posted that facebook is killing her blog. After an unfortunate case of insomnia last night I can't help but say that's true -- about my blog...not hers. It seems the facebook status box has been a convenient way to get out the ideas without worrying about their development. Since I'm into posterity I decided I'd post some more of the memorable statuses here -- more for my memory than for your entertainment -- I'm just cool like that. Any italics are my thoughts now -- today -- after the fact.
8/26 is thinking bubble wrap is the only way to keep two little boys from engaging in "brotherly love" (wrestling) when they are both supposed to take it easy and protect stitches and such...
8/23 just caught the boys giving each other showers using the nasty standing water from yesterday's rain that was caught in a toy outside. GROSS!!! Really -- I was worried Sam would get another parasite...that's how he caught the last one.
8/17 best part of jacks surgery? watching him "fly over the sea" (his words) while hiccuping so hard he almost fell over!! Oh my! Wish I woulda gotten this on video!!
8/10 you know it's going to be a good day when your toddler walks into the kitchen saying, "YUCK!" You turn around assuming a rogue booger must be stuck to his hand only to discover he is in fact using his own poo as hand lotion. Good way to start the week, son!
8/3 house is beginning to resemble the UFC. Sam fish-hooked Jack and gouged him in the eye as Jack body-slammed him to the ground and then sat on him while he "squeezed his guts." Both giggled through the entire episode. I love my little boys!!
would like to thank her youngest son for losing her bank card somewhere in Target. That makes shopping easy for the next 10 days while I wait for a new one since I had to cancel the lost one.
7/23 is hungry...and cravin' breakfast food. too bad shipley's isn't open...blame it on CT (the hunger not the lack of donuts) maybe this habit would explain the recent weight gain...
7/14 wondering if the "b" in crumb is silent then why don't we pronounce "crumble" as "crummel"? Deep thoughts from Valerie while folding the mound of laundry taller than Jack.
7/6 oh terrible two's, you are my nemesis; you arrived earlier than I was expecting you sneaky devil and it seems I've forgotten all the tricks from the last time...
7/1 woke up to a kid with blue lips and vomit. Who said being a stay-at-home mom was dull???
5/5 shouldn't be allowed to speak to other people. I just left a message for Jack's cardiologist that ended with, "the sooner the report is faxed the better it will be for everyone." What exactly does that mean? Am I gunnin' for her???
4/20 is thinking that instead of cleaning the kitchen, all the dishes should be thrown away and new ones purchased.
4/2 Jack came home from school talking about his blood eyes behind his white eyes. Should I be concerned??
3/27 my 16 month laughs hysterically at his older brother's flatulence. Anyone know how I can pump a little estrogen in my house to even things out a bit?? we found out we were expecting chicken tart 2 days later...
3/23 Sam is walking around the house carrying a fire-poker. Think it's time I parent and leave fb alone??
3/22 finally got poor sicky Sam-o to rest a little. Oh and in case you are wondering - Jack didn't want a "waterbooger" for dinner. Not that I blame him...
3/20 is exhausted. Hauled the boys around shopping with my mom and sis. Jack sang "Let's Play Bite My Brother" the entire time we were in Hobby Lobby...
3/19 wishes Jack didn't get carsick...ever...and especially not as I pull him from the truck for baseball practice.
3/18 is so glad Sam needed up in the middle of the night so he could roar for an hour....I was telling Sam "night night", so he would pat my head and say, "night night mama rooooooarrrrr". we too are not friends today...
3/17 is takin' the boys to the mall. must run off some energy before I bury someone under the swingset...It's funny everyone assumes this is a joke
3/13 tally for today -- one bite from youngest almost ended in blood, oldest son using pile of laundry as cushion for jumping off couch. And it's not even lunch..
That's all...I'm sure there are more but I'm getting bored copying and pasting...
8/26 is thinking bubble wrap is the only way to keep two little boys from engaging in "brotherly love" (wrestling) when they are both supposed to take it easy and protect stitches and such...
8/23 just caught the boys giving each other showers using the nasty standing water from yesterday's rain that was caught in a toy outside. GROSS!!! Really -- I was worried Sam would get another parasite...that's how he caught the last one.
8/17 best part of jacks surgery? watching him "fly over the sea" (his words) while hiccuping so hard he almost fell over!! Oh my! Wish I woulda gotten this on video!!
8/10 you know it's going to be a good day when your toddler walks into the kitchen saying, "YUCK!" You turn around assuming a rogue booger must be stuck to his hand only to discover he is in fact using his own poo as hand lotion. Good way to start the week, son!
8/3 house is beginning to resemble the UFC. Sam fish-hooked Jack and gouged him in the eye as Jack body-slammed him to the ground and then sat on him while he "squeezed his guts." Both giggled through the entire episode. I love my little boys!!
would like to thank her youngest son for losing her bank card somewhere in Target. That makes shopping easy for the next 10 days while I wait for a new one since I had to cancel the lost one.
7/23 is hungry...and cravin' breakfast food. too bad shipley's isn't open...blame it on CT (the hunger not the lack of donuts) maybe this habit would explain the recent weight gain...
7/14 wondering if the "b" in crumb is silent then why don't we pronounce "crumble" as "crummel"? Deep thoughts from Valerie while folding the mound of laundry taller than Jack.
7/6 oh terrible two's, you are my nemesis; you arrived earlier than I was expecting you sneaky devil and it seems I've forgotten all the tricks from the last time...
7/1 woke up to a kid with blue lips and vomit. Who said being a stay-at-home mom was dull???
6/29 Jack just asked Luke what he was going to watch on tv and before Luke could respond Jack answered "your mother." My thoughts? BURN; how proper of him; ooopppsss -- maybe I should lay off the "your mom" responses...
6/12 has decided to fire the maid. seriously -- the laundry is piling up and the kitchen is a disaster. OH WAIT...those are my jobs...dang it!6/10 9AM dermatology appointment for your toddler -- eleventy billion dollars; watching medical professionals attempt to keep a straight face while said toddler picks nose and eats findings -- HILARIOUS!!! (I know, I know...I should work on the nose picking part...we're a work-in-progress around here)
5/22 never fear, Jack slayed Goliath and the Philistines this morning. It was quite the battle.5/14 is watching Jack attempt to baptize his brother in the kiddie pool. He's holding Sam's nose with one hand while trying to force his head back with the other, all the while saying, "I baptize you in the name of the Lord."
5/10 forgot to wear make-up to church this morning. Proof positive that pregnancy kills brain cells.5/5 shouldn't be allowed to speak to other people. I just left a message for Jack's cardiologist that ended with, "the sooner the report is faxed the better it will be for everyone." What exactly does that mean? Am I gunnin' for her???
4/20 is thinking that instead of cleaning the kitchen, all the dishes should be thrown away and new ones purchased.
4/2 Jack came home from school talking about his blood eyes behind his white eyes. Should I be concerned??
3/27 my 16 month laughs hysterically at his older brother's flatulence. Anyone know how I can pump a little estrogen in my house to even things out a bit?? we found out we were expecting chicken tart 2 days later...
3/23 Sam is walking around the house carrying a fire-poker. Think it's time I parent and leave fb alone??
3/22 finally got poor sicky Sam-o to rest a little. Oh and in case you are wondering - Jack didn't want a "waterbooger" for dinner. Not that I blame him...
3/20 is exhausted. Hauled the boys around shopping with my mom and sis. Jack sang "Let's Play Bite My Brother" the entire time we were in Hobby Lobby...
3/19 wishes Jack didn't get carsick...ever...and especially not as I pull him from the truck for baseball practice.
3/18 is so glad Sam needed up in the middle of the night so he could roar for an hour....I was telling Sam "night night", so he would pat my head and say, "night night mama rooooooarrrrr". we too are not friends today...
3/17 is takin' the boys to the mall. must run off some energy before I bury someone under the swingset...It's funny everyone assumes this is a joke
3/13 tally for today -- one bite from youngest almost ended in blood, oldest son using pile of laundry as cushion for jumping off couch. And it's not even lunch..
1/19 Jack just ran in my room, asking for the water on to brush his teeth...in nothing but a belt with a screwdriver tucked in the waistband...
1/17 thinks fort-building days turn her house into a Lord of the Flies experiment - after the store found Jack asleep on the couch with a half-eaten bag of dorito'sThat's all...I'm sure there are more but I'm getting bored copying and pasting...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
some new things
1. I found new stretch marks this weekend while on vacation. I assumed, stupidly I guess, that since this was my 3rd baby I'd be in the clear on the "new"stretch marks...at least until we get closer to the end. I was wrong...
2. I now think it is entirely possible that a baby can explode from your belly button. There was more than one time this weekend, while waddling around the French Quarter like a live public health advertisement for birth control, that I was convinced little miss would burst right out onto the pavement. This probably explains the new stretch marks. I kept trying to convince her that if she moved down just a teeny tiny bit there would be more room for her -- her brothers have already stretched that part of my abdomen beyond repair. Apparently she wants to be a little trailblazer...
3. We have a name? I say that with uncertainty more than declaration because we aren't 100% positive. Right now we are unpacking the name, trying on all the variations, seeing if it fits. After we've had time to wear the new off a little and to make sure it's perfect then we'll tell.
4. We have chosen a nursery. Declaration! It's from babiesrus...the first one we looked at.
5. I'm nesting? Back to questions... I never did this with the boys and I "think" it's too early to do with LM but I'm there nonetheless. So either it's nesting or I'm crazy. Don't vote on which you think it is...
6. I can't clean the bathtub any more. I can't tie shoes any more. I can barely get things off the floor any more. I still have 10 weeks to go. It's gonna be a long 10 weeks.
7. Jack told me this morning, "Mom, I wanna be one of Jesus's Christians. What's a Christian?" After my first try at explaining this (Jesus comes into your heart), Jack said, "Jesus is in my heart. He came down from Heaven and we had a sleepover...except he was in my body." I had to try that explanation again... Apparently I didn't do a satisfactory job -- he then told me "I'll just tell dad when he gets home." Fail...
8. Sam and I are still at odds with the diaper situation. On the upside, I'm considering opening my own carpet cleaning business. I have experience now...and most of my house is tile. He can't help it that he has his favorite "spots" if you know what I mean...
2. I now think it is entirely possible that a baby can explode from your belly button. There was more than one time this weekend, while waddling around the French Quarter like a live public health advertisement for birth control, that I was convinced little miss would burst right out onto the pavement. This probably explains the new stretch marks. I kept trying to convince her that if she moved down just a teeny tiny bit there would be more room for her -- her brothers have already stretched that part of my abdomen beyond repair. Apparently she wants to be a little trailblazer...
3. We have a name? I say that with uncertainty more than declaration because we aren't 100% positive. Right now we are unpacking the name, trying on all the variations, seeing if it fits. After we've had time to wear the new off a little and to make sure it's perfect then we'll tell.
4. We have chosen a nursery. Declaration! It's from babiesrus...the first one we looked at.
5. I'm nesting? Back to questions... I never did this with the boys and I "think" it's too early to do with LM but I'm there nonetheless. So either it's nesting or I'm crazy. Don't vote on which you think it is...
6. I can't clean the bathtub any more. I can't tie shoes any more. I can barely get things off the floor any more. I still have 10 weeks to go. It's gonna be a long 10 weeks.
7. Jack told me this morning, "Mom, I wanna be one of Jesus's Christians. What's a Christian?" After my first try at explaining this (Jesus comes into your heart), Jack said, "Jesus is in my heart. He came down from Heaven and we had a sleepover...except he was in my body." I had to try that explanation again... Apparently I didn't do a satisfactory job -- he then told me "I'll just tell dad when he gets home." Fail...
8. Sam and I are still at odds with the diaper situation. On the upside, I'm considering opening my own carpet cleaning business. I have experience now...and most of my house is tile. He can't help it that he has his favorite "spots" if you know what I mean...
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