In a world with a 4 year old, a 3 year old, a 16 month old, a 3 month old and two soldiers you never know what misadventures await. Life is always springing the unexpected and I want to share them with you. Welcome to my world.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

28 Week Pregnancy Photo

Ok, I'm warning you that they aren't really the greatest pictures, but hey I actually remembered to get my hubby to take them for me. We'll try something different next week.


The Interesting Twists of Life

There has been a few new twists in this crazy Army Momma's life and I'm not particularly sure if I like them very much. Well, its been no big secret that this pregnancy has certainly been a very long series of trials for my family, me and just everything in general really. I've done the on again and off again bedrest bit (which really isn't as great as it might seem), the fear of a miscarriage with the spotting during first trimester and the never ending nausea, to name just a few things. But the further my pregnancy with our daughter has progressed there have been a variety of new and frustrating issues. None of my other pregnancies were easy by any means, I mean I ran a very real risk with my son of losing a kidney and had to undergo all kinds of not so great things to fix that. Now Aislynn's pregnancy itself wasn't too bad, still with the sick, passed a few kidney stones, but then there was the going into labor 6 weeks early and spending a week with her in NICU. Then the months of oxygen that followed.

The first sign of trouble with this pregnancy was the spotting, but it was so mild that they really weren't too worried (obviously still a worry for me with having had three miscarriages). Then we discovered I think it was just before 20 weeks that I have placenta previa. For those of you who might not know what that is, it's where the placenta is sitting over top of the cervix and it can be partial, a little bit and complete. So, I had to come back for another ultrasound around 24 weeks to see if it moved (usually they do as your uterus expands). Unfortunately, that was not the case for me since it appeared to be a complete placenta previa (still could move but the likelihood is slim to none). This means that even if I hadn't decided to have a repeat c-section, I would have to have one due to the risks of death for both Rhiannon and I. It also means taking it easy and with toddlers that's really tricky, but I've managed.

Then there is the horrifically awful weight gain and the incredibly painful swelling of hands, feet and legs. Now, I understand weight gain is most certainly going to occur with growing a baby inside of you, but when by like 24 weeks I'd gained nearly thirty pounds its really depressing. I now weigh over 200lbs, which is the heaviest I've ever weighed. Its mostly water weight which is kind of relieving, but still rough every time I get on the scale at the Dr's office and see the numbers go up.

Migraines have also been a massive plague to me, which sucks but I was diagnosed with them a while back so it isn't too surprising to have them now. But last week there was a fairly drastic change in the intensity of the migraines and a massive increase in swelling. I was concerned about pre-eclampsia and so I called the Dr's office. They wanted me to come in that same day and get my blood pressure checked. Then they could better decide what to do next. Long frickin' drive to town (though that is no fault of anyone but myself, good Drs and hospitals are worth it to me), I got there and we found my blood pressure was kind of high for me (134/80) and I normally run 100/60. So, I had to do this 'real great' 24 hour urine test and then get my blood drawn.

So, I had to wait over the weekend for the test results, which I was going to get at my appt that was technically yesterday (seeing its after midnight). Monday night I started having contractions and I was a little worried, but after a hot soak bath I had one more and then nothing. Thank heavens! So, we went to see the Dr for my 28 week appt and I admit by this point I was nervous, wondering what was going to happen. Luckily I weighed in at the same weight as last week (which was a relief). Then on to all the fun of the actually appt. My blood pressure was still elevated at 120/80. This is where my life takes the most crazy and stressful twist. My tests all showed slight elevation in things (what exactly I'm not sure), but being elevated means having to do those stupid tests every couple weeks and praying that things won't escalate into full out pre-eclampsia.

So, now I have to see my Dr once a week, go to Labor & Delivery for a check up on blood pressure and the baby. Oh and bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy. I'm seriously praying that God will send me miracle help so that I can actually do my bedrest the way the Dr wants. It isn't modified bedrest this time, he wants me to be strictly in bed and I'm not sure how to do that with toddlers. I hate asking for help, but what choice do I have. We'll see what my LDS ward can do to help me, even a little bit of help is better than none at all. The goal of all of this is to get Rhiannon to 34 weeks (6 weeks a way) and if we can make it till then, then our next goal will be 37 weeks. At that point we'll do the c-section. (kind of nice not having to be pregnant for quite as long.) I also had to get the steroid shots to speed up the development of her lungs. I had the first one yesterday and I have to get one more later today. Plus do the 'oh so wonderful' glucose test. Yeah for me! Not!

So, that is my interesting twists of my life. What new Misadventures await me? If anybody has any suggestions for me to make life easier, getting to actually have bedrest, I really am all ears. I'm sorry I've gone on so long, but I needed to get it all out. Plus what a great way to remember things then to write them shortly after they happen. Now with this whole bedrest thing maybe I can actually do more blogging than I have been.

Alright now, I'm off to bed. I have a lot to do in the morning. Goodnight all!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Pregnancy Survey 27 Weeks

How far along? 27 Weeks 1 day  (1/6)
Total weight gain/loss: I put on another 11lbs, but its most definitely water weight


Maternity clothes? This question is kind of pointless, cause I won't be not wearing maternity clothes til a while after having the baby.


Stretch marks? Still just the couple new ones


Sleep: Since Tuesday, I've been on new meds for my migraines in hopes of getting rid of them and help bring down my blood pressure. So, yesterday I slept all day and I do mean all day. If I hadn't needed to go to town to drop off a test at the hospital I'd have slept most of today.



Best moment this week: Aislynn crawled up onto my bed and pointed to my tummy saying, 'Baby.' I love that my kids are excited (well as excited as a two year old and one year old can) about the baby.




Movement: My daughter is a mover and a goer. I love it!




Food cravings: PB & J sandwiches



Gender: A little girl, Rhiannon Brielle Adelaide

Labor Signs: Lots of cramping but nothing else, still worried about having an early delivery



Belly Button in or out? Still just alittle shy of an outie




Wedding rings on or off? Not even a possibility for my rings to fit

What I miss: Energy!




What I am looking forward to: Being done and enjoying our little girl in our arms!



Weekly Wisdom: Don't be afraid to ask your Dr questions about anything, they are there to help you





Milestones:Another not great milestone: I may have pre-eclampsia. I've had this great increase in swelling over the last week and my migraines have gotten worse along with it. So, naturally I got worried and the Dr's office decided they wanted to check my blood pressure. I normally run 100/60, but on Tuesday I was 134/80. I had to take a 24 hour urine test (which was gross) and then get a blood draw, and in a few days we'll know if I have the protein in my urine that means 'pre-eclampsia.' I've decided that this pregnancy is out to test me, I just keep reminding myself I'll get to have a cute baby girl out of all this.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Friday, December 31, 2010

Christmas 2010 in Photos

Sorry this thing is going to be really full of photos, but its easier at the moment than writing it all out. Besides you'd all rather see my kids than hear me talk! Enjoy!

He didn't very while on Santa's lap this year! He was quite excited.

 Aislynn on the other hand walked up to him and decided to book it the other way. We did manage to get her to cooperate, she just wasn't sure what to make of this man with the big beard.
The kids were so excited to help put presents under the tree.



Christmas PJs, a Christmas Eve must!



 Buzz Lightyear PJs and Aidan was in heaven.

End result!

 Helping make Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve. He wanted to be such a big boy and do it all himself, however that proved to be unproductive. Aislynn just wanted to eat the dough! (Takes after me!)

 Aidan helps Aislynn press the cookie cutter down. So cute!


Let the cookie frosting begin!


Christmas morning and boy what a stash of goodies from Santa!

Aidan in a Christmas box compliments of Uncle Duane and cousin Devon


Playing in the snow for the first time ever! They were pretty excited, but only made it about 10 mins out there! Unfortunately it wasn't the kind of snow we could build a snowman with. Darn! We were looking forward to using our new snowman kit.



He hates having his picture taken, but this is my sexy husband out with the kids.

They were having such a blast!


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Pregnancy Survey 26 Weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks  (12/29)
Total weight gain/loss:I'm going to be honest, I weigh 198lbs and I started at 163. Its so depressing watching all this weight jump aboard, but I'm really starting to believe the Dr in that its mostly water weight. I'm not up for very long before I start having sausage toes and last Sunday we spent some time with our families for Christmas, by the time we got home I could barely walk due to my feet & thighs being so swollen. Needless to say I spend as much time as possible with my feet propped up.


Maternity clothes?Definitely


Stretch marks? I have a couple right above my belly button and new ones (that are small) on the sides of my boobs. Yeah for stretch marks or rather not!


Sleep: Even with all the sleep I'm getting I'm still always exhausted. Part of it is obviously pregnancy related, but the other part is all the meds I have to take to make life bearable. Meds for nausea and for migraines, and I even take something for anxiety.



Best moment this week: MY sweet little Aidan wanted to know the other day on our way into town if we were going to go see the baby. I think he understands more than most 2 1/2 year olds.




Movement:Oh yes. She kicks me every time I cuddle with my husband in our bed. I don't know if it means she likes the extra heat or if she's telling us she doesn't and she's squished. This is my favorite part about being pregnant, I love feeling them move inside.




Food cravings: Cheese, the last couple days its been cookies & creme candy, cheese sandwiches



Gender: A little girl, Rhiannon Brielle Adelaide

Labor Signs: Lots of cramping but nothing else, still worried about having an early delivery



Belly Button in or out? Still just alittle shy of an outie




Wedding rings on or off? Not even a possibility for my rings to fit

What I miss: Energy!




What I am looking forward to: Being done and enjoying our little girl in our arms!



Weekly Wisdom: Don't be afraid to ask your Dr questions about anything, they are there to help you



Milestones: Aside from being like two weeks shy of third trimester. We also learned something at my last appt, I have complete placenta previa. This will make a c-section a must (which is fine since we'd already decided that was the route we wanted) and can be potentially risky to Rhiannon and I. I do believe that it also means my c-section will be done earlier than 39 weeks in order to keep me from going into labor on my own (loads of health risks).

Friday, December 17, 2010

Halloween Photos (What I have anyway)

My kid sister and Aidan trick or treating on post.

 Aislynn as a springtime fairy! She was so cute and even endured me putting some makeup on her.
 My sister, brother, husband and my kids doing some more trick or treating.
Time for 'Buzz Lightyear' to get ready for bed. Aidan taking off his costume, which he wasn't too happy about.