Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's NICU Stay (Part 2)

This story is broken up into a few different blog. This is the fourth.

Find the first three here:

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's Pregnancy

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's Bed Rest and Labor

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's NICU Stay (Part 1)

We are on Day 8. This is the day of our baby shower:

5/1/10, 8 days old: Today is your baby shower. Daddy and Mommy are feeling so blessed by the love everybody around us is showing! You got so many cool things! We came to see you at 8pm today. Mommy called every three hours (after each feeding) to see how you were doing! You didn't eat very much because you got circumcised today and were very sleepy after. Allison was here all day with you. Matt and Tammy came to visit you, too! Tammy held you for awhile. Matt prayed over you. We are so thankful for them in our lives. You only nursed for about 10 minutes. But we can tell you are getting stronger each day!

5/2/10, 9 days old: Mommy had a rough morning at church, missing you. I have such a hard time when I am away. I was crying in the bathroom. Summer Christopher came in and hugged me! I really needed that! I just want to take you home! I need to allow God to be in control and be ok that I am not.  Mommy got here at 12pm today to nurse and you DID! You have taken 4 bottles all on your own and then nursed! I am so proud of you! We got plenty of skin-to-skin today! It's amazing how God made our bodies so perfectly. My milk stays up and is increased when we get lots of STS! GiGi came to visit. Daddy came to being me dinner and visit with you! We had to go to a class to learn how to take care of you when we get home. We both thought it was LAME! Hehe! We are so anxious to take you home and show you your room, even though you will be sleeping in our room for a few months! We

came back to see you after the class. Arlene had already given you a bath. You smelled so good!

5/3/10, 10 days old: We had a great report on your eating today! In 24 hours, they have only gavaged 42cc. That's less then 1 feeding. When I got here you had just finished ALL of your bottle and were wide awake. We played with the toy Allison gave you. At one point I changed you and got ready to do STS but you were acting like you ere hungry, so I tried to nurse you . . . and you ate for about 15 minutes! This is the first time you have shown an interest in eating!! I was so encouraged! We had some sweet STS time for 1.5 hours. You slept so peacefully while I sang and read to you. I tried to wake you for your next feeding but you were konked out! So I let you sleep and pumped. Brandy (your nurse today) says she can tell I nurse you when she tries to give you the bottle. I love that! They suggested I bring in a different bottle that breastfed babies tend to like more. So I will tomorrow.

Left: Your little nose cracks me up! It's lopsided because you came out sunny side up!
Right: I know this is a little creepy! But it remiss Daddy of his friend Jeremy Bohlman (whom you were named after).
His nick name was Crazy Eyes because he did this with his eyes!

5/4/10, 11 days old: You are getting better and better at eating! You drank the entire contents of 3 bottles last night! I took stats today to show how well you are doing:
You have to eat 56cc at each feeding!
12pm: Nursed 46cc, Gavaged  10cc
3pm:   Nursed 36cc, Gavaged  20cc
6pm:   Nursed 14cc, Gavaged  42cc
As the day wore on, nursing wore you out. You are a little fighter though! The Nurse Practitioner told me if you drink 90% of your feedings in the next 24 hours you can have your NG tube out and eat what you want the next few days and see how your weight goes. That's one step closer to coming home! Daddy is on his way to eat dinner with me and see you. I can't wait to tell him the good news. We fall more and more in love with you each day! You are so precious!

I love all these expressions! I can still see them today!
You looks like a little frog on the middle one!

5/5/10, 12 days old: Mommy only stayed a few hours today. I am really sleepy. During the night when you are awake eating, I am awake pumping. You took your NG out 3 times today so the NP said we can leave it out because you are doing so well eating on your own!! You drank all your bottles throughout the night and even cried for MORE!! This is music to Mommy's ears!! Thank you, Jesus! Can you believe I didn't take any pictures this day? Oy!

5/6/10, 13 days old: You are still gaining weight and eating on your own! They are saying they may discharge you Saturday or Sunday (today is Thursday!). I am so excited! Just in time for Mother's Day! How sweet! Daddy sat STS with you today while Mommy read a book to you both. The pictures are priceless. We got all the things we needed for your room today with the gift cards from your baby shower! You are such a lucky little man!

Precious

5/7/10, 14 days old: YOU ARE COMING HOME TODAY!! I called to check in on you at 9am, as I do every morning and Sharon (your nurse today) told me the good news!! Mommy and Auntie are deep cleaning the house this morning! Daddy is on his way home from work. We to to the hospital and Sharon had everything ready in bags ready to go! Mommy had to sign a few papers and off we went! You had about 7 nurses come to say goodbye to you! They all say you are SO cute! You  are still tiny, weighing in at albs, and need to keep gaining weight. You also have times where you stop breathing. It scares us but that will go away as your lungs develop.

Top: Buckling you in!
Bottom Left: Sierra meets you for the first time!
Bottom Right: Ready to go! Look how small you are in that car seat! 5lbs 1oz!

See his progress from the first year:
Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's First Year

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's NICU Stay (Week 1)*

This story is broken up into four different sections. This is the third.
Find the first two here:
Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's Pregnancy
Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's Bed Rest and Labor


We left off with Jeremy (then named Noah) being born at 34 weeks. He was not breathing and had an infection. We didn't know any of this. We didn't get an update until an hour after I delivered. I lost it! I was so upset that I didn't know how he was doing or where he was. Bobby kept reassuring me that we were at thee BEST hospital in the nation to care for a pre-mature baby and they were doing everything they could to save his life. These journal enrties are written to Jeremy. For simplicity I didn't change the words.
10am: An hour after delivery a NICU doctor came in to tell us you was in the next room over. Once the e[pidural wore off and I could get out of bed into the wheelchair, we could go see you! I jumped up! They were amazed, so soon after delivery and epidural, I could get out of bed! But I was determined to see my baby! The doctor said you weren't breathing on your own and would need to stay in the NICU for a few days.

The first time I got to hold you.
2 hours old

At 5 pounds 14 ounces, you was so tiny! You felt so light in my arms! We were only able to see you for a few minutes.  It was so hard to put you down. The team needed to get you to the NICU unit to stabilize your breathing and get antibiotics for the infection you got while I was laboring. They said we could come to the NICU at 12pm to visit for as long as we wanted. They are now saying you will be in the hospital until your due date: 6/2/10. That is 6 weeks! 

They moved us to a recovery room. I was crying at one point telling B, "We didn't get to see him for long enough. I wouldn't even recognize him." A lactation consultant came in to talk with me about the importance of breastfeeding. (See this post.) They wanted me to start pumping right away. The sooner I started the more of a jump start I would get on producing milk. Since you were not with me I needed to pump every 3 hours for 20 minutes each time. 

12pm: We got to see you! Mommy got all misty again! You had a nasal canula with a small amount of oxygen. Which means you were breathing on your own and just needed a little help! This was great news! You also had a feeding tube. They wanted me to bring anything I pumped! Even when it was only drops. They will try to start feeding you in 12 hours. 

At this point we had been up for 28 hours and needed to get some sleep. The nurses sent us back to our room to eat and take a nap. We went back to see you at 8pm, well fed and rested! 

The teal and white blanket was given to us by someone in the hospital that makes them!
How sweet of her! 

At this point we had decided the name "Noah" did fit you. We had Jeremy in the list of names we wanted and were debating if you were a "Jeremy." As we walked back to our room this was the Bible verse outside our door: 

Ok, God! Thanks for the clarity!
Jeremy Noah Martens

4/24/10, 1 day old: The first time gave you a bath, sponge bath because your umbilical cord was still attached! It was a bit tricky, We needed to remove all the monitors, set the bed up to be water-proof. You cried quite a bit! You are off the oxygen today! Thank you, Jesus! Yo hare still not interested in eating. I keep pumping so you have a stock when you are ready. You needed a spinal tap to check for further infection, your billi-ru numbers were high which meant you were slightly jaundice, so you needed to be under the UV lights. You got to meet Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie! 

Bath Time.
The after bath snuggles are still my favorite time of the day!

4/25/10, 2 days old: Mommy has to go home today. I come to feed you every 3 hours. You are not interested in nursing. You are too tired. The nurses tell us nursing for you is like us running a marathon. Your little body is too busy trying to mature that it doesn't have the energy to nurse. But keep trying so you feel the comfort. We usually feed you through the feeding tube. Daddy wishes he could have one! This process is called "Gavaging." Mommy get to have some skin-to-skin (STS) time with you! Your jaundice is doing better today so they let you off the belli lights for a little bit. STS helps with milk production too! Daddy read to us while I snuggled with you! After your bath we head home at 10pm. Mommy cries the whole way home. Daddy takes me over to see Matt and Tammy. They comfort me by praying for us. We get home, unpack, pump and get in bed by 1:30am! It was a long emotional day! We came home to the fireplace FULL of gifts from the ladies at the preschool! There was a huge diaper cake on the table from Auntie Sherri and Auntie Sock! We were overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to us.

4/26/10, 3 days old: Visiting hours start at 12pm. I can stay until 6pm. They do a shift change and I can come back at 8pm and stay throughout the night, but we can't sleep there. We usually get there at 12pm for your feeding and stay until your 9pm feeding,  head home, pump at 12am and sleep. Same routine the next day. Today your Bilirubin is much higher and you have to be under the lights a much as possible. We only take you off to try to nurse and keep the UV pad under you. You have to stay on your antibiotics for 7 more days. They are growing cultures from your spinal tap to make sure the infection hasn't spread. You nursed for 7 minutes today and you were wide awake! I love every minutes of it! WE have decided while you are in the hospital, Daddy will work his regular shifts and come to the hospital on his days off. Daddy will be with me tomorrow! I want to take you home and snuggle with you but I know this is the best place for you right now.

The glow under you are the Belli-Rubin lights.

4/27/10, 4 days old: Your infection is so much better today! They discontinued your antibiotics! your Bili test is still high so you have to be on lights all day. They are above and below you. Daddy made little labels for your goggles: I can still see you, I make these look cool, I'm still checking you out. All the nurses were cracking up! You did a little better eating today. They upped your feeding does from 32cc or 44cc. We only have to gavage (feed through the tube) a few cc each feeding. Mommy is still pumping but not enough, so we have a prescription for donated milk until I start to produce more. Your nurse today is Allison. She is the girlfriend of a firefighter Daddy works with! She will be your nurse everyday she is working. We are getting to know her and love that you are so well taken care of. His mom also works in the NICU and she will take care of you when she is working! Daddy spent the day with us. He fed you while Mommy pumped. You were too sleepy to nurse today. He also gave you a bath today! He changed you for the first time and you pooped ALL over everything! Your bedding, monitors, wires, all of it! Hehe! We brought you outfits to wear, blankets from home that smell like us, toys and books. We left a little early today, 6:30pm. We love you so much! We are have so many people praying for you to get better and come home!

All eyes!

He just melts my heart!

4/28/10, 5 days old: Your Bilirubin is lower today but you still have to be under the lights. So I didn't get to snuggle with you. I sat by your bed and read to you. They started giving you a daily multivitamin. You were very sleepy today but you nursed for quite a while. It made me so happy! Daddy is working today but asks for lots of pictures all day! I am going to spend some time with Sierra tomorrow morning, so I will be coming in the afternoon with Daddy. I watched the videos we need to take you home: Baby CPR, Shaken Baby, and Carseat Safety. We will being your car seat in for the test. You have to be in it for 90 minutes and continue breathing. You are down from your birth weight. You weighed 5lb 1oz, today.

Left: Our favorite picture of you! That's a washcloth coving your entire body!
Top Right: Grandma came to visit!
Bottom Right: Love those eyes!

4/29/10, 6 days old: No more UV lights! Yea! They are adding HMF to your bottles. It's a supplement to help fatten you up! Ha! You are not gaining enough weight. But you are getting better eating each day. We got some skin-to-skin time today. Mommy loves that time! I took a little nap with you! Shhh, we aren't supposed to sleep in the NICU. They wanted you to take a carseat test. They check the specs on your carseat and put you in it for 90 minutes to make sure you don't stop breathing. If you do, we have to get a new carseat that allows you to lay down during a car ride. You passed the test today! Pastor Jim Gilbreth, from the Grove, came to visit you today and pray over you!

4/30/10, 7 days old: YOU are so cute! I'm pretty sure you are the cutest baby in the whole hospital! GiGi came to visit you again today! She got to hold you for about an hour. You drank 3 bottles in a row all on your own last night! Mommy is now pumping enough for you to eat!! When I got here today, you nursed for 15 minutes! I was elated! Then you layed on Daddy's chest while we all took a little family nap! The nurse let us and even took a picture! Tata came to see you too! He brought Daddy and Mommy dinner, Cuca's! YUM! You got your Hep B shot today and we had to sign consent for you to be circumcised. We don't want to be here for that!  Tomorrow is your baby shower. Allison will be here with you and while you get circumcised. We will come visit you in the evening! Happy one week old birthday!

I love that bottom right picture!
"Don't put me down Daddy!"

The next week in the NICU can be found here:

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's NICU Stay (Week 2)

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's First Year

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's Bed Rest and Labor*

This story is broken into 4 different posts. This is the second. See the first post here:

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's Pregnancy

Doctor's order are strict bed rest. This means mostly in a reclined position. I can get up to pee and a 10 minutes shower each day, I can go in for weekly doctor's visits.  We are trying to keep as much weight off my cervix as possible to prevent further dilation. I am also continuing on the Procardia, anti-contraction medication. 

33 weeks: The first week goes by very well! It's hard to stay only in bed and ask for everything. My back is killing me from the position and I find it hard to sleep at night, since i am not using any energy during the day. I have Sierra (3 year old niece that lives with us) here to keep me company when she's willing to sit still and talk or watch a movie! Jackie (B's sister, Sierra's mom, that lives with us) is taking great care of me so that Bobby can still work his regular days. My mom has been here quite a bit also. My friend Danielle is painting the nursery. She brings her 3 week old son along! So fun to get to know him and snuggle with him during the days! 

"And in the morning' I'm makin' waffles!
My mom and Sierra making fresh toast!

34 Weeks: I go to my doctor appointment. Great news! I haven't dilated any further and the medication seems to be working. I get to head home for another week! Our goal is 36 weeks. So we need 2 more weeks! Come back next Friday for another check up!

This was 4 days before I delivered
Jackie and Sierra feeling the baby move.

4/22/10 Thursday (the day before my next check up)

12pm: My water breaks. Now this wasn't a huge gush! It was an odd, leaky feeling. I go to the bathroom thinking that I just didn't get up in time. Come out and it happens again! I tell Jackie and Danielle, who happened to be in my room, just chatting with me. They are very excited. I found this to be an odd reaction.  I was scared! I called the doctor, who's office was closed because it was 12pm, lunchtime! She calls back within 1/2 hour and tells me to come in. We call Bobby to come home from work and meet us at the hospital. I decide to take a shower first. I am not in any pain and I'm not having contractions. B beat us to the hospital. We arrive around 1:30pm. B has me all checked in, all I have to do is sign and they take me back into a room. I test positive for amniotic fluid, yes my water did, in fact, break. Which means I need to deliver the baby within 24 hours or they will need to do a C-Section because the risk of infection to the baby is too high. 

7:30pm: We are in active labor. Contractions are a 6/10. Dr. Avants comes in to exam me. I am 5.5cm dilated and fully effaced. 

9pm: Dilated 6cm. Contractions still 6/10

10pm: Dilated 7.5cm, Contaction are a 7/10. I ask for the edidural. There is a mom with triplets that needs a C-Section. The anesthesiologist will come see me when he is finished with her. at this point, i wasn't in the worst pain possible. I didn't feel like I couldn't take it any longer but I didn't want to get to that point. I had no intention of having a "natural birth." I have equated it to getting a tooth pulled. You wouldn't have the dentist take it without giving you Novocain. I wanted the pain meds. 

11:30pm: Yay for epidurals! I love them! It made me feel so much better! It was rough to get it because you have to hold completely still during a contraction. B was right there to hold my hand. I had a button I could push if the pain got too bad and I needed an extra boost. I didn't use it until I had to deliver the placenta. For some reason that hurt more then the delivery. My contractions slowed down after the epidural. B and I were able to sleep for about 2 hours.

Auntie wanted to give you some lovin.

4/23/10

4am: I am still only dilated 7.5cm. They started pitocin to speed things up a bit. They say it's common for epidurals slow dilation down. 

6:30am: Dr. Avants comes in to see us. I am still not progressing. She says if I don't progress in an hour we will have to do a C-Section. My water has been broken for too long and the risk of infection to an already premie baby is too high. They give me an oxygen mask to help relax and antibiotics in case the baby already has an infection. 

7:30am: Dilated to 9cm! Awesome! We are ready to push! I have NO pain! The pushing was difficult and tiring. But not painful. I really love epidurals! 

9:04am: We have officially become parents! albs, 12oz, 18 inches long. I pushed for an hour and a half. The NICU team was there and ready as soon as Jeremy (Noah, at the time) arrived. He was not breathing. They brought him over so we could get a quick glimpse and kiss, then took him to the other room to evaluate. Next it was time to deliver the placenta. THIS hurt! I yelped in pain. Dr. Avants pushed my epidural button and waited a few minutes, then no pain! While I was being cleaned up. The NICU team was working on Jeremy. They had to intebate him to help him breathe. 

That's all for tonight. Find the rest of the story here:

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's NICU Stay Week 1

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's NICU Stay Week 2

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's First Year

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's Pregnancy*

Left: 4 weeks                                                                        Right: 34 Weeks

A trip down memory lane! Of course, being on bed rest again reminds me of Jeremy's pregnancy, bed rest, NICU stay, and how life was adjusting to an infant. I have a journal from that time and I want to organize it and add pictures. I'll post it in a few different posts. It will be good to go through the pictures and find the good ones, too! I'll start with the pregnancy.

I have always wanted to be a mom. I didn't like college, it bored me. I felt it was a waste of my time because I wanted to be a mom. So why waste all the time and money, only to stay home and take care of kids.  Bobby wanted to wait a few years, so that left me with the realization I need to capitalize on this time and get some schooling to fall back on if B were to loose his job or God forbid, I were to loose him. I decided to study kids! What a great move! I got my Early Childhood Education Credential, while nannying and working at a preschool.

June 2, 2007

After 3 years of Marriage Bliss, B was ready! Yay!!We found out we were pregnant after only 2 weeks of being off the pill! I counted my days and thought I was "late." Come to find out I hadn't even missed my period! HA!  I took a test before B got up to go to work. PLUS sign! Here's our conversation as I was waking him up for work:

Me: "I'm pregnant." 

B: "No way, it's only been 2 weeks!"   

Me: "Wanna see the test."

B: "Well looky there, a little positive."

And off we went, our separate to work with a whole new outlook on life. 

B will tell you from the moment he found out, his mind set changed. He was now responsible for a little precious gift God had given us. We decided not to tell anybody for a while. But of course, I just couldn't keep it in completely!! I called Danielle, she didn't answer! So I sent her a picture of the test! And we told Jackie! She was living with us at the time and camping that week. She came home that afternoon to grab a few things and I showed her the test! I also told my director and aide at work. This way if morning sickness became an issue, they would know why. Thank you Jesus, I didn't have any! They are both very involved in J's life! It's so sweet to see their bond and know it was from the beginning! 

We waited until Halloween to tell our family. A grueling month! Jackie did so well keeping our secret! We had both our families over, it was a fun day! We played this song for them:

My pregnancy was pretty mellow up until 31 weeks. Doctor's check ups were all good, blood tests came back normal, I didn't have morning sickness, or wasn't insanely uncomfortable. I have scoliosis so I went to the chiropractor once a week and kept my back in check.  We had decided on Noah for a name. We had yet to think of a middle name.

 At 31 weeks, I had a day where my back was in so much pain. We were at a store and I couldn't stand up, then we headed to my Aunt's house for a family day. I sat on the couch for 4 hours with heat on my back. I just thought the baby was pulling in a weird spot and it was effecting my scoliosis. I hadn't even read up on labor because it was too early. We left 2 days later to go to Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort. It was a 5 hour dive. My back hurt but not like 2 days before. By day 2, I was uncomfortable, still not thinking anything of it, just, "This must be the part of pregnancy where you start to feel uncomfortable."  We got home at 9pm the following day. I was feeling fine. It seemed my back had let up a little and I was looking forward to a good night's sleep in my bed! By this point, I had rolled into my 32nd week.

The day we left Mammoth. 32 weeks

At about 12am, I woke up to pee and saw some blood. This is a panic feeling to a pregnant woman! It wasn't a ton of blood just a few spots but nonetheless. Then I realized I actually woke up because I was having intense back pain! As I laid there trying to fall asleep, I begin to think I may be in labor.  I wake B up and ask him to start timing contractions. They were only in my back so I didn't know if it was really contractions. We woke Jackie up to let her know and headed to the hospital. It took 20 minutes to get there and by that time I was having full on contractions, 5 minutes apart, and still bleeding. We went in through the emergency room and they sent us upstairs. We were cracking up because they were so scared, they wouldn't even take vitals! 

I had to stop 3 times on the way up to take a break. (By the way, I am still not thinking this is full on labor.  I thought they'd say just go home take it easy put your feet up. I had no idea what was in store!) We get up to Labor & Delivery, the nurse is very calm, asks B to fill out the paperwork. I ask for something to cover the chair because I may bleed all over it! She takes her time getting paperwork done, getting me in a room and hooked up to the monitors. When he saw the monitors she said, "OH you ARE having contractions!" Well, DUH!! I was squirming on the chair in the waiting room and crying! 

The nurse called my doctor to decide on a plan of action. She came in and said, "You are in active labor and we are going to do everything we can to stop it." I balled my eyes out. It was too soon! The baby wasn't big enough or strong enough to survive yet. He still needed 8 more weeks to incubate! Bobby prays. We send out messages letting family know and ask for more prayers.

My doctor come in to do an exam, I am 2cm dilated and fully effaced. They start me on Procardia, a medication to stop contractions, and give me a shot of steroids, to help mature the baby's lungs.  The Procardia works! Praise the Lord! 12 hours later, I get another dose of steroids and an ultrasound to measure the baby. It was the most painful thing! We measure Little Jeremy (we were still calling him Noah) at 4 pounds 7 ounces. The contractions had stopped and I wasn't dilating any further. They kept me for another 12 hours to observe and then let me go home on strict bed rest! The nurses were saying I was really lucky that my doctor let me go home because usually she keeps her patients until they deliver. I say God was answering our prayers. 

For the rest of the story: 

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's Bed Rest and Labor

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's NICU Stay Week 1
Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's NICU Stay Week 2

Taking a Look Back: Jeremy's First Year

Doctor's Orders: Bed Rest!*

I get to go home! I am on bed rest. But I get to be with my little boy! 

I woke up this morning to the pitter patter of him coming down the hallway to snuggle with me! We just took the drop gate off his crib so he can get in and out of his bed on his own. It's the first morning he has come down the hall on his own! It was so precious! Then he and my mom made me french toast! Ah priceless! He seems to be doing ok with bed rest. He doesn't quite understand why Mommy won't "get up" <--As he says. Or "Come on, Mama." We explain each time that I have to stay laying down to keep the baby healthy. I don't think he has fully grasped what "the baby" entails! There have been times when my mom comes in to take him to the bath and he gets very upset because he wants me to give him a bath.  My mom is heading home tomorrow and Jackie will be staying with us. Then Thursday B will be home! We are being very well taken care of!

We sat on the porch for a little bit to catch up!
It was so sweet.

I'm sure you are all wondering, "So what exactly does bed rest entail" . . . .
I am in bed all day. I can get up to go to the bathroom and shower but that is all.  I start contracting when I get up to  go to the bathroom or stretch. I went to sit on the porch today to watch J play outside but came in after about 10 minutes. Any pressure on my cervix make my stomach hard as a rock! Although, tomorrow I get to go for a car ride, because I need Bobby to give me my progesterone injection. So Jackie is taking me into Corona in the afternoon. Yay! A change of scenery!

I figured I should make a list of things I want to get done while I have all the time in the world and computer access:

1. Finish my Menu board here. I just need to get all my recipes on the computer and laminate them.
2. Write a letter to Bobby about how much I appreciate him.
3. Be diligent about having a daily devotion time with God! I have been really good the past few weeks with this! Yay! Currently I am going through Proverbs 31 with 5 other mommy/wife friends! Here is the link. 
4. Research organic items for our home. Mostly cleaning products. 
5. Make a 10 minute tidy list. I have been following this housekeeping schedule and love it! 
6. I want to put together some meals in the freezer that are ready for the crock pot when the baby is here. So I need to decide what to make and write a grocery list for B next week. 
7. Write to our sponsor kids in India and Uganda.
8. Maybe scrapbook. This is a huge task. I don't know if I will get to this!
9. Decide on Mother's Day crafts to do with J for his Grandmas. 
10. Father's Day crafts for his Daddy and Grandpas.
11. Research B's Father's Day gift.

Well, that's a lot for now! But if you have any ideas let me know! 

Preterm Labor again??*

  Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ."

I need to be repeating this verse over and over right now.  

I need the peace that we can only feel from God.

Let's start with an update:

        I am 32 weeks along. I started having contractions on Friday evening at my dad's house. I didn't think they were real contractions because they were not painful it was just tightening of my belly. My dad suggested we start timing them. By the time we got home they were every 5 minutes and lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to 1min 17 seconds, but only when I was up and moving. When I laid down they stopped. So I thought Braxton Hicks. We went to bed, I didn't feel anything throughout the night. 

     Bobby had a class the next day, he got up and went, only to realize he forgot to charge his phone last night!  I got up and moving and the contractions started again. I didn't time them because Jeremy was really wanting my attention. I called the nurse at Loma Linda. She said to rest with my feet up and drink water, if they continue to go in. They still stopped when I rested, which was so difficult when you have a cute little boy that wants to play catch, choo-choos, and bat the ball! I decided I should go in, just to be safe. I dropped Jeremy off with The O'Rafferty's and headed in.

12:30pm: Checked in and SO hungry! I didn't think to stop and get something to eat on the way! And 

                they wouldn't let me eat until the doctor saw me!

3:30pm: The doctor was finally able to see me. They were so busy! He did a cervical check. He also 

did a vaginal ultrasound to see if my cervix was short and thinning. Stats: I am in labor, 1.5 cm 

 dilated and 50% effaced. CRAP! This hit me hard. I wasn't contracting when I was laying 

down so I was still thinking, "False alarm, Braxton Hicks." There is something so scary about hearing, "You are in Labor" at 32 weeks. The same thing happened with Jeremy. Was I being too optimistic? Was I putting too much faith in the Progesterone shots and not enough in God to allow His will, no matter the outcome? I am all emotional at this point, as nurses and doctors are coming in and out, having me take meds and doing more tests. I call Danielle and lost it! (By the way, Bobby is still at his class with a dead cell phone). When I get of the phone he calls. He asks me the details and all I can blubber out is, "I'm scared." He says he is on his way, which makes me cry more! He is so sweet and takes care of me so well! I had calmed down by the time he got there and started crying again when he hugged me. It was so nice to have him there.

6:00pm: Contractions had subsided! Praise God! We have a HUGE prayer team out there praying for us! I am proof that Prayer works! 

9:30pm: Contractions are still not coming and they let me take the monitors off and sleep all night! They didn't even come in to check my vitals! Although I did not sleep very well, it was nice! And Bobby was here to snuggle with. 

4/15/12 - Tax day! Has everybody filed??

6:00am: Bobby gets up to go to his class. We figure he needs the credit and rather then sitting here all day waiting for a decision he can go have a little fun and I can update him as the day goes on. If he needs to he can leave early again.  Well I wake up with a sharp pain in my groin and contractions when I am up and moving around.  We get the monitors hooked up and I am contracting while laying down. NOT GOOD! There is talk about keeping me admitted for 4 weeks to keep the baby in and contractions at a minimum. If they stop, I can go home and "take it easy."

At this point, I am waiting on the Doctors to do their rounds and see what will happen. In the mean time, I have a few blogs I have started and not finished! Seems like a perfect time to get them posted! And I'm going to watch the church service right now! 

Join me? Sandals Church 9am, 11am, 5pm, 7pm PST