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Friday, February 27, 2009

Welcome to the antepartum unit...

So, this morning I was admitted to Tucson Medical Center with contractions coming every two minutes, although I only felt 4-5 of those contractions in an hour (probably about a 2 on a 1-10 pain scale). Anyways, I had to face all my fears about anything medical related (had my first IV, first internal exam for this pregnancy, shots, etc..). All of my tests, cultures, images came back negative for anything at all. Micah looks perfect, amniotic fluid is great, and despite the contractions, I am not dilating and my cervix looks great. I received 3 shots of turbuteline over the course of the day and my uterus finally stopped actively contracting, although they seemed to think it was still "irritated". I am home now, on bed rest, and will see the midwives on Monday. Thank you for all the prayers, phone calls, texts, and visits! I will continue to update as I'm able.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Ups and downs

Kyle felt Micah kick this weekend! It was so cool. His eyes and mouth would get wide open and he'd gasp and say "There he is!". If I tell him Micah's sleeping when he tries to feel my belly now, he shakes my belly and says "Micah, wake up!".

As of Saturday afternoon, up through Sunday night, I was feeling a little apprehensive. Micah didn't seem to be moving as much as he did earlier in the week. Actually, he moves a lot less than Kyle ever did in the womb, but Micah is also in a different position (head up, last appointment). I also might be more wary this time around because of the miscarriages; I just don't know.

Anyways, last night I was ready for bed and Kevin came to tuck me in. I laid on my side and we felt Micah moving, until I was satisfied that he was okay. Not long after the lights went out, I was having some really intense pain in my back and lower abdomen (it totally flashed me back to being in labor with Kyle). I was able to deal with it, but it lasted several minutes, until I was about to tell Kevin to call the birth center and immediately had to puke. Thankfully, that was the only time I puked all night, and after, I felt better, Micah was a little more active and I was able to sleep. Totally strange and nothing like I ever experienced with Kyle's pregnancy. Micah has felt more like himself today and I've been fine too.

We continue to be blessed with clothes, baby gear, and cloth diapering items! I am completely overwhelmed by the generosity of our family and friends.

It's my bedtime! Here's to a night free from sickness :).

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Growing up

My Kyle,

You do the funniest things lately! You prefer to sleep in your IKEA tent, on our hard concrete floor, in your sleeping bag, every night. In the morning, you ask daddy "Why did you move me to my bunk bed?". Daddy and I have both caught you with your head in the toilet singing goodbye to your pee pee's as they flush down the drain (although, you no longer do this in front of me because I explained to you that the toilet throws up pee pee splash when you flush and it's yucky to have on your face). Some mornings, you walk in to our bedroom, while I'm still in bed taking my meds and eating, and you say "Good morning baby", just like your daddy says to me. I reply with "Good morning Kyle" and you say "Good morning mommy". We have conversations that sound almost grown up, "How are you this morning?" "Did you have any dreams last night?" "Where am I going today?"

The other day in the car you thought you had it all figured out: "Oh I get it! So you get our baby from the doctor!". We were talking about well check ups because your friend Gabriel went to get his 3 year old check up and I told you how we would go to a lot of appts. like that after Micah was born. But we talked more and I think you know now that Micah is going to be a part of our family forever (whatever forever is for a 3 year old) and hopefully born in the room where we had you, at the birth center. You kiss and hug my growing belly everyday. Now that you know Micah can hear you, you talk to him too.

We sometimes look for clothes for your brother when we are out and about during the week. You pull every outfit off the racks and tell me what you think of it! It's adorable. You also want to know if we can buy you a shirt too, if Micah gets something, lol. I can see the effects of having a sibling already subtly effecting you!

Daddy felt Micah move for the first time last night and I think you'll be able to feel/see him move soon too. I'm interested to hear what you say or see what you do the first time it happens! It's so much fun being pregnant with you around, understanding so much, and wanting to know about your baby brother. You like to go in "Micah's closet", the extra closet in your bedroom where we've been storing his clothes and gear. You enjoy pulling everything out and asking if you used this or that when you were a baby.

I love you so much Kyle and treasure everyday I have with you, just us, before Micah arrives. I know things have been different since we found out Micah was coming, and you've had to make a lot of changes, but I'm so proud of the little boy you are becoming and am confident you will be an amazing big brother.

With love,
Mommy

Monday, February 09, 2009

Everything that's on my mind

So, I felt pretty good for a week and then on Sunday I realized I was starting to feel the way you are only supposed to feel during your third trimester (status check, I am just shy of 22 weeks); no where near third trimester, thank you very much. I will spare you the details, but today I insisted on Finding Nemo as our afternoon movie, as opposed to 101 Dalmations...because Mommy was feeling yucky today! I was rewarded however, when Kyle joined me for a nap after the movie; he curled up at my back, played with my shirt a little bit and I heard his breathing even out before I fell asleep! I love it when he chooses to take a nap, as opposed to playing during quiet time. It happens about once every 2 weeks on average.

The reason we've been watching a lot of movies is Kyle was amazingly sick since Wed. afternoon. I'm talking a running fever through yesterday, cough, runny nose, his eyes even looked sick, poor little guy. He would sit on the couch, bundled in blankets and drink homemade smoothies all day. I never did take his temperture (digital thermometer needs a new battery) or take him to the doctor. A hot bath, some vicks, ibuprofen, and intense nose blowing seemed to get him through the nights. However, he has been tucking in to bed with us by morning. Amazingly, I haven't minded and have been able to sleep. I think he usually cuddles up to Kevin because I have my fortress of pillows surrounding me to help stay comfortable through the night.

My mom arrived and helped give us a break from sick duty this weekend! We even went out on a date; thankfully, I'm still able to sit through an entire movie without having to pee...but very soon, this will no longer be the case. I am starting to remember the joy of the last 10 weeks or so of pregnancy, ugh. There is something about how uncomfortable you get that makes you beg your body to go in to labor. Have you read about some of the things women do to induce labor?

Stop me if I've shared this before but, the night I went in to labor with Kyle followed a huge emotional, crying/journaling session along the lines of begging God to let me give birth in the next 24 hours. After that release, I started having contractions about 30 minutes later. Praise God. I remember I kept asking my doula if she thought we were really having the baby today and she assured me, that yes, I was having a baby today. I knew that if I arrived at the birth center and they sent me home, I would be a mess.

Anyways, Micah will now be clothed for at least the first couple days of life (until one of us does laundry). My mom bought a 5 pack of onesies for the little guy and Kevin commented that he really didn't need much else in June, in Tucson, because we'd have him swaddled up in blankets anyways. So true, but I'm still on the hunt for a take home oufit. Kyle has been quite the helper as we look through the baby clothes; he likes everything he takes off the rack for Micah and wants to buy it "Mom, don't you think this is cute?" "I think Micah would like wearing this". The funny thing is, that baby boy clothes always look the same. I get to tell Kyle that he wore something very similar as a child and then go find the picture of it. Which reminds me of a comment a mom of six friend of mine made at church the other week while I was snapping pictures of Kyle "You better stop taking pictures because Micah will never have as many as Kyle"! I'm sure it's true. I think we took pictures of Kyle almost everyday at first.

This evening Kyle helped with the dishes and went on a run with Kevin, lol. He came home and showed me the stretches they did before and after. It was awesomely cute. I can't believe how grown up he is. It makes having Micah now even sweeter!

Well, it's time for sleep. As a P.S.-If you have any baby boy clothes you'd like to pass on, Micah is in need. It's the one thing we don't have for this little guy.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Recent pictures


Kyle enjoying a rainy day


Kyle playing at church

Micah 20 weeks

It's a boy!

After some slight maneuvering, including laying me on my left side, we finally got confirmation that we are, indeed, expecting another son! Additionally, everything looks perfect, and I can't tell you what wonderful news that is; after the miscarriages and being on medication this entire pregnancy, to see the heart, brain, and perfectly formed little facial features, was an absolute answer to prayer. We are so blessed!