Not much to say today other than we are now at 34 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
14 days until 36 weeks–and i can then stop the terbutaline and slowly stop bedrest!!!
Doctor appointment/recent pics February 28, 2008
Tuesday I was able to leave the house for a Doc’s appointment–what a treat!!! Ryan came home early to take me in. It was the 2nd time in the past 2 months that I’ve been able to get a glimpse of the outside world. It is almost over stimulating. You forget how fast paced things can be once you are removed from it. When you’re in the midst of it, you don’t realize it–you just adapt to the surroundings. I think it is going to be a big adjustment period for me once things go “back to normal”. I expect the most challenging aspect will be recovering physically since I have only used what seems like 6 muscles in my body for the past 2 months. (Top that with suddenly having a newborn baby to care for!) Tomorrow I will be at 34 weeks gestation. Oh and of note–tomorrow is Feb 29th—leap year.
The appointment went well-was uneventful and no new news to report. I can stop the terbutaline and bedrest on March 14th!!! just 16 days from now–count down time.
Today is another sunny day here in the rose city. I think it has been sunny everyday for the past 2 weeks–global warming?????
here are some random recent pics from the past week in my life.
Baby P’s shower.
me and max on couch.
Sunny day in PDX, ride home from Doctors appointment.
Week 7 of bedrest. February 26, 2008
It was 7 weeks ago today that I was admitted to the hospital for preterm labor. While it all does seem like such a blur, I am so happy to be at this point. That day when we were admitted, the thought of 7 weeks of bedrest sounded impossible. How could I just lay in bed for 7 weeks of my life???????? But we have surpassed every little goal we had made for ourselves and now have just a few more goals to meet!!! I really do believe it has been our positive attitudes that has helped us accomplish those goals. And in a weird way, I never really believed anything bad was going to happen in those early weeks. We also have had practically the entire country praying us: from Virginia to St. Louis, to Indiana, to Kansas, to Minnesota and Illinois then over to Montana, and Colorado, then to Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington.
Of course, we still have 3 more weeks to get through!!!! Now every little new pain or sensation I feel I do question in the back of my head–is this it????
One would think that I must be getting extremely bored at this point. But, the answer is no, I am not bored, at least not yet. I actually have enjoyed having the time to read books, knit, play on the internet etc….Also ( and this is scary –more for Ryan more than me) I have not missed work one bit, not even an ounce.!!! Not sure what I’ll feel like when I do eventually need to get back to work–but for right now-it is the last thing on my mind!!!!!!!!!!!
33 3/7weeks, babyshower. February 25, 2008
I am happy to say that yesterday all my girlfriends here in portland gathered in our small living room for a baby shower for little baby P. !! It is great to have such wonderful friends. It also was the most excitement I have had for weeks. Everyone decorated a little note card that was then strung onto a piece of white ribbon and will be hung up in baby P’s room. Ryan was able to spend the afternoon with friends relaxing—which I think was much needed for him.
Ryan and I have really come to realize how lucky we are to have such great family and friends. It has made this whole experience so much more manageable.
The little nursery room is starting to come together and we are definitely beginning to feel a bit more prepared. ( of course i do realize one can never be totally prepared for the experience of a newborn baby)
Today marks my first week officially home all day alone. I am hoping to have some friends stop by for lunch this week to keep me company. I still occasionally have a flurry of contractions–mostly in the evening. We have our Doctors appointment tomorrow.
33 weeks and counting!!! February 22, 2008
Another landmark under our belts!! We are now into week 33 of this pregnancy. Things have been stable. It seems I am having less contractions here at home than at the hospital. Go figure??? I am so happy to have another week of development for little baby P. under our belts. If we could make it to 37 weeks I would be sooooo excited. I cannot believe that I have been on bed rest for now 6+ weeks.!!!!! Who would have ever thought– what a miracle. My back is now really starting to hurt due laying on my side all day long. Also, My belly is getting larger so that is affecting my back as well. I really would like to be able to get up and walk around the house more but at this point I am still on strict bedrest (until the Docs say otherwise). I do have another Doctors appointment next week. They said at 36 weeks I would be able to stop the terbutaline and stop bedrest!!!!!!!
Ryan’s mom is leaving tomorrow so next week will be the first week I’ll be alone most of the day. Luckily, I do have Max to keep me company. We sit together on the couch all day long. He lies on the back of the couch and looks out the window all day.
We have had such nice weather here, 50+ degrees and sunny! The spring flowers are already starting to bloom.
Sunday my friends are throwing me a baby shower! I am very excited— it will be nice to see everyone.
Will keep updates coming!!!!!!!! Keep your fingers crossed and keep us in your prayers.
random pictures February 19, 2008
random pics:
1. max running with friend at beach 2. portland sunset 3. moab, utah-spring break college 4. univ. montana-college days 5. rainy portland fall day
I’m home!!!!!! February 16, 2008
Made it to 32 weeks!!!!!!!!
After 5 weeks and 2 days spent in bed at St Vincents Hospital I am now home!!! (Still on strict bedrest of course. ) Had another ultrasound on Thursday, Feb. 14th, everything (Cervix) looked stable and unchanged!!! Baby is doing well, and is very active. We got to look again at the heart-can see all 4 chambers and the valves, as well as the tongue, hands, feet, thighs, head, face etc..( baby P. even has hair that we could see as well as “chubby” cheeks! They estimate he/she probably weighs about 4.5 lbs. !!!!
I was so excited when the Doc. asked if I wanted to go home. Luckily, grandma Pennington was there and was able to pack up all my stuff I had accumulated and bring me home that afternoon. It is nice being home again. Helen has been really helping us out running errands, cooking, cleaning etc!! We are lucky she is here. She and Ryan are now out shopping for baby furniture and max is snuggled up next to me on the couch. It is a beautiful, sunny, almost spring day here!!
I am still taking the terbutaline for the contractions and as well as resting.
Hope to hang in there for at least another 4 weeks!!!!!!!!!!
5th week in hospital… February 12, 2008
Today I have officially been in the hospital for 5 weeks!! I cannot believe it. Sometimes it all feels like a dream that I am going to wake up from. I am starting to get more stir crazy here. I don’t want to get too excited, but I really hope they let me go home this friday. I’m ready to sleep in my own bed, to eat normal food, to smell fresh air and to see Max. Helen, Ryan’s mom, is coming into town tomorrow which will be nice. We are looking forward to having her here.
I spent the entire morning on the internet. I have no idea even what I was looking at…various websites etc.
We are slowly accumulating things for the baby. We made our first big purchase, a car seat and stroller!
Hope you are enjoying the blog, I am still trying to get the hang of it. Hope to be adding more pics etc once the baby is here!!! Just 3 days until were at 32 weeks!!!!!!! Will check back soon.
One more thing: thank you to everyone who has called, emailed, visited, brought food/snacks, taken care of max, brought magazines, books, movies, sent flowers, care packages, presents, baby gifts etc…it is truly amazing!
