36 Weeks (17P Injections)*

This is our last injection! I had contractions 10 minutes apart all day. It started in my back by the afternoon they were also on my lower abdomen. When B got home at 5pm he gave me my injection by 9pm the contractions had subsided!  So we will see what happens next Wednesday and Thursday. Most of the women in the studies delivered with in a week of stopping the injections. All the glory goes to God for keeping this baby healthy!

Baby Update:

Bed Rest Update:

Sunday: B and J headed off to Sandals Church. While I watch online! Still thankful for LiveStream! We had a relaxing day! Well, I always have a relaxing day these days! But the boys did too! Bobby's Grandparents came over for a visit. Then B took a nap! In the evening, I sat on the porch and enjoyed watching Jeremy play baseball! Not gonna lie, this kid has some talent! And each time he made it over the fence he came to get a kiss from Mommy! So precious!

Monday: We got to meet a friend's precious 2 week old baby! Jeremy wasn't as accepting as he was Friday, when another baby was here to visit. He asked Bobby to take the baby so that he could sit with me! Then he snuggles (middle of the day) for quite a while to make sure he was keeping his mommy! But after he went down for his nap, I snuggled for about an hour with Landon! I just loved it! The biggest news of today is (you are sworn to secrecy not tell my doctor) . . . We went to the movies!! I KNOW!! Before you judge, hear me out! We had a super great deal (2 tickets, extra large popcorn, 2 large drink, large candy for $17!!! Right??) that was going to expire if we didn't use it AND the chairs are super comfy and I could put the arm rests up and lay down. Which I did for most of the movie. We went on a double date with our friends, Jake and Lauren! It was nice to get out! I was super exhausted after. I came home, laid down and was out! I didn't even brush my teeth (yuck) or wash my face (gasp). But it was the best night sleep I have had in a while! It felt so good!

Tuesday:  My mom is here today. I have a doctor's appointment! I got to get out 2 days in a row! Whoop-whoop!  The doctor is happy we got another week down! He says I can start to get up and around, slowly at 37 weeks. 

Wednesday: My dear friend Danielle S came over to help out today! B was teaching a class and got home just in time for small group. This was the day I had contractions! Thankful they subsided! And I spelt wonderfully! 2 nights this week?? What a treat when you are nine months pregnant!!

Thursday: Jackie was here to babysit! Not much to report! I listened to the kids play outside. Jackie brought 1/2 off Starbucks when she came home from picking Sierra up! I have a few contractions here and there. But nothing consistent or worth worrying about. 

Friday: Bobby waas home! He took J to MM then went to Costco. While he was at Costco, my friend Sara came for a visit. he daughter is 6 weeks younger then J. They are betrothed, but don't know it yet. 

Saturday: I had tickets to go to a Women's Gathering at church but since I am still on bed rest, I couldn't go! But all my family and friends were there! I got so many texts and pictures! Bobby was also there because he was helping out! What a sweet guy, huh? Sierra was here babysitting me! We had such a fun morning! We watched a movie and did crafts! I absolutely loved the time with her! And of course, I forgot to take a picture! Arg!

Time for measurements! 
Tummy: 40"       growing 7.5 inches since 6 weeks.
Hips: 40"            growing 3 inches since 6 weeks
Chest: 39"          growing 4.5 inches since 6 weeks.

At this point, I keep wondering if you will get another post with another week of updates!!
If I am still in this bed, you will!
If not, there will be a baby post! 

35 Weeks (17P Injections)*

These past few weeks have been uneventful with injection update! Which is a good thing! I would say the Progesterone hormone is working since I didn't make it to 35 weeks with Jeremy! Praising God each day we are further from 34 weeks and closer to 40 weeks! 

Baby Update:

Odd numbered week means we will be referring to baby as Eli! He is approximately 18 inches long and 5 1/4 pounds. The size of a honeydew melon, although I think my tummy looks a little larger then a honeydew! His kidneys are fully developed and liver can process most waste, although his first bowl movement (called meconium) won't be processed until after he's born (hopefully). There are health issues if it's released while in the womb. I am now carrying more baby then amniotic fluid! Ia hve been feelig like the baby wants to escape through my belly button! He pushes so hard up against it! Bobby had his hand on my tummy and he calmed down. As SOON as he took it off, pushing again! They played this game for a few minutes! I am getting anxious to meet this baby and know if we have an Eli or Capri growing! 

Bed Rest Update:

J got so many cool things for his birthday! Including some sweet art things that we can do in bed! This finger paint only shows up on the special paper. So that means no stains on the bed if little mini hands wonder! Which they definitely did. . . a few times! 

Here's the adventures of a bed rest Mama in a nutshell:

Sunday: B and J headed off to church, while i stayed home and watched it online. I love our church! We are talking about honoring those above us: employers, pastors, people in office. This week the church staff (unbenonst to Matt) honored him. They surprised him on stage and honored he and his family! It was so sweet! Check them out! Sandals Church

Monday: Bobby worked so my mom was here to stay with us! She got to take J to Musical Munchkins! He LOVES this class. There is a post here about it! My mom enjoyed it so much! 

Tuesday: My day to get out!! Yay!! Doctor Appointment: I need to express how much i like our doctor! Dr. Oshiro. He is the chief of Labor & Delivery for Loma Linda University! His personality is great! He is always calm and making jokes with us! Anyway. . . I go in the week so excited that I only have two more weeks on bed rest. Between 36 and 40 weeks is full term, right? NO! He says 39 weeks is when I am released! Remember that I am not on strict bed rest, per last week's appointment, but I am house bound and need to keep my mobility limited. So, all in all, I have 5 more weeks of limited mobility, house arrest. BUT, OF COURSE, if that's what it takes to keep the baby healthy, that's what I will do. My back has begun hurting a lot (mid back, not low back as in back labor).

Wednesday: My mom went back up to Big Bear because Bobby was home! Since, I got the "ok" to go to the chiropractor yesterday: We got another outing! 2 days in a row, WHOA! But, I still had back pain in the evening! *sigh* Just comes with the territory, I guess! We also had SmaG! Jackie watch Jeremy overnight for us!

Thursday: Bobby was off to work. Jackie dropped J off with Danielle to sped the morning. They didn't get here until about 12:30pm. Which meant I had the morning to myself. (With someone on call, of course, in case I went into labor). It was so nice to have some alone time. I have been surrounded by people everyday for weeks now. Don't get me wrong, I am a people person and am SO thankful for the all the help we are receiving but it was nice to have a mellow morning with just me and God! I did miss the morning snuggles with J though! Danielle got here to fed the boys lunch and put them down for their naps. We had a rough day! J was not very well behaved for her in the morning and then Drew was not doing well in the afternoon. I had such a struggle sitting here not being able to offer help. Bed time couldn't come soon enough for those boys! We made it though the evening and I am so thankful for her heart to serve us!  

Friday: Bobby was home for 4 days! YEAH! J is so much calmer and relaxed when B is home. They went to Musical Munchkins in the morning. Then we had some friends come visit with their 3 weeks old daughter! So sweet! I got to snuggle with her and J did pretty well. There was one point where he asked me to give her back to her Daddy! After lunch and nap, B and J headed off to the church to help with an event. Then after bedtime, B headed to a friend's house for some guy time, reloading ammo. It was nice for him to have a break away from work or home.  While he was a gone a friend came over to babysit J and I! I haven't seen Christina in a while and we watched a few SVUs.  

Saturday: B got a little "him" time today, too. He went to the Men's Breakfast at church and shopped around a hardware store he's been wanting to go into. J was with Jackie for the morning. Today I was feeling a little lonely. But the kind that only B could comfort. I just wanted him to sit with me and talk or watch a movie or something where we spent time together. But then I was feeling selfish because he is doing an incredible job of keeping our house in order AND supporting us financially! And I am whining about "time" spent with me. I had a  rough morning! Thankful that I have the alone time to spend  with God for him to calm me! I explained all this to B and he spent the evening (when J went to bed) with me (catching up on The Walking Dead!). And we went to get ice cream tonight! What a treat!! 

Week by week are getting though this! We are on week 3 of bed rest. . . I love to have my window to the back yard open all day! I am notcing all the different sounds birds make, listening to J pay outside and hear his vocabulary grow significantly each day, at night, I hear the frogs croaking, Although it has been trying at times, I am thinking about the positive things each day to keep me going. 

34 Weeks (17P Injections)*

This week the injection stung going in. I winced a little. Jeremy is so cute! He knows what it is. When we pull the little pink bag that keeps all the supplies he says, "Mommy butt." Ha! He knows what's in there and knows it goes into my hip (butt). He watches Bobby ever so carefully, he is careful to stay back and doesn't get too close but makes sure he is "monitoring." So precious!

Baby Update

He's saying, "Baby Stay."
Just like he does when he tells Phoebe (the dog) to "Stay."

Well, we have made it to 34 weeks!! Woo-Hoo! All the praise goes to God and the prayers being sent up! Let's see this week Capri is the size of a cantaloupe, about 4.75 pounds and 18 inches long. Jeremy was born at 5lb 12oz and 18.5 inches long. This was after 2 doses of steroids at 32 weeks, which Capri also received.  So, she may be a little heftier then the stats. This week she is working on maturing her central nervous system and lungs. I read that this is the week the baby typically "drops." However, based on the ultrasound we had in the hospital there is no where for her to drop, unless it's down the birth canal! She is already SO low and wedged in my pelvis! Her liver is almost fully developed at this point! And she is busy in there! I don't know what little babies do while they are in womb but Capri must be training for the Summer Olympics this year!  

Bed Rest Update

This week hasn't been so bad! It's so nice when I have people here to talk with. Ya know, one can only look at Facebook and Pintrest so many times in one day! I have plenty of other things to occupy my mind but sometimes I like when there are other people to occupy it! And conversation is the best! I am working on getting my journal from Jeremy's pregnancy through his first year on here! A goal that's been put off for two years now! 

Week 1 of bedrest:

I came home from the hospital on Monday. My mom was here until Wednesday, helping out and filling in when B was working. Jackie stayed with us Friday. By this point I was getting restless and tired of being in bed for a week. But the next few days we full! Yay!

Saturday: Bobby took Sierra and Jeremy to a steam locomotive exhibit! They loved it. See the post here

Sunday: We had friends come over to take Maternity pictures! So excited we got them. We were not so lucky with J! Also, my cousin came over with his wife and baby and they brought In N Out! SCORE!! See the maternity shots here.

Monday: We had a family dinner for Jeremy's birthday on Monday. My Aunt and Uncle did all the food! The pictures are on a friend's camera and will be in a post soon! My mom was here helping clean the house and take care of J! Gave B a little break.

Tuesday: Doctor's appointment. He said I am doing well. He doesn't believe "Strict" bed rest does any better then taking it easy. The difference: I can be up and around as much as I feel comfortable.  I know my body and can make the decision if I am doing too much. He said no cooking, cleaning, strenuous activities, picking up Jeremy, driving myself anywhere, grocery shopping, but if I want to sit on the couch or floor to play with Jeremy, that's ok and listen to my body. I don't need to be in my bed ALL day! Lay down and let my contractions cool down when they come. That being said I was up and around more this week. I did some research on my own when I got home and, just as he said, there are NO studies that say strict bed rest keeps the baby in longer. Only that it causes muscle fatigue and depression on the mamas! Bobby says I have been moved from bed rest to house arrest! Ha! And the order for abstinence are still active :(. I did have B take me to get a pedicure today! Shhh. . . Don't tell anybody. We drove right down the street and I didn't have them massage me and we came straight home. It was really nice to get out of the house for a little bit and my feet feel so good! 

Wednesday: Our small group! Friends that come over each week for a Bible Study. We talk about the sermon from Sunday. (Sandals Church can be live streamed here). It's so good to see them each week, talk, and be comforted by friends! LOVE them!

Thursday: Low key but I was ok with that! B and J worked outside all day and did some gardening! 

Friday: Bobby went back to work. He says it's hard to be at work because he feels like he needs to be home taking care of us. We revisited the option of him taking leave but still decided it's better for him to work his normal days and lean on family and friends when he is working. But what a touching  concern of his! I love this man so much! My Aunts came over to babysit J and I for the morning and afternoon! It was so nice to have them here and catch up! That's the picture above. She brought me a recliner lounge chair so I can sit on the porch and enjoy the outside! I love to sit out there and watch J play! Then on the evening, my girls from small group came to babysit overnight! 

Saturday:  The girls from our small group and our moms were scheduled to have a girl's day in Palm Springs at our timeshare. We had to cancel, of course. But Jeremy was already set up to go to a dear friend's house (Sherri and the Sock) for the day. They were planning to take him to the zoo and asked if they still could! Ah, how sweet of them! He had a blast! A post with pictures is sure to follow! 

I was curious if my tummy had poked out a little more from the baby gaining some weight due to the steriods, so I measured, nope. . . same as last week. And I didn't gain any weight since I left the hospital. You'd think laying in a bed, having steroids, and the fact that this is the time in the pregnancy you gain a pound a week, I would have packed a few pounds on, huh?

Cheers until the next update! 

33 Weeks (17P Injections)*

Not much to report on this week! Kinda the same as last week. I'm so happy there haven't been bad side effects. I have had night sweats more often. Not only on Thursdays but about twice a night. They have been pretty nasty! I wake up from sweat running down my back or between my boobs! TMI?? This week I got to drive into Corona to get my shot this week! So exciting for a Mama on bed rest! It didn't last long because I was so uncomfortable from sitting up in the car and moving around. More on this under "Bed Rest" below. . . .

Baby Update

Little Eli is about the size of a pineapple (4.4 pounds from the last ultrasound) and about 17 inches long. I read that I am carrying around 10 pounds of baby life support gear (amniotic fluid, placenta, cord, etc). WOW! I'm interested to know what I weigh right after delivery. Prayerfully, that will be in 2  weeks! Although, I may have just lost my mucus plug (before sitting down to write this!). . . More on this below. . .

Bed Rest Update

Bed rest has been a bit of a struggle for me. It's VERY difficult to ask for everything you need. I want to be productive in getting things done that only require sitting in bed, but that means I need things from around the house. For example, trying to write thank you cards for Jeremy's birthday. That requires cards, address book, stamps, return address labels, pens, etc. Good thing I am organized and tell whomever exactly where it is! I am constantly praying through the difficult times and asking God to calm my heart.

As far as labor goes, so far symptoms seem to have subsided. I am not in pain when I am reclined. When I do get up and move my stomach, really uterus, is very tight. I think I may have lost my mucus plug today, I'm not sure because I don't know what it looks like! I have no other labor symptoms, thus why I am blogging and not heading into the hospital. Plus I have an appointment at 3:45pm (It's 1:30pm now) for a check up from when I was discharged so we'll have them check! I'll post a doctor update soon!

In the meantime, please keep praying for us. The prayers truly are working. We can feel them! Tomorrow makes 34 weeks. if this baby follows Jeremy's suit my water will break on Saturday and we'll be delivering Sunday. But we are banking on prayers that we last 2 more weeks!

Pray for. . . .

• 2 more weeks of bed rest
• Bobby's patience. He has been so awesome. He just does everything without a single complaint. I know he's exhausted. He falls asleep by 930 each night and is currently taking a nap beside me. he keeps the house clean, organized and Jeremy couldn't be happier to have him home and attentive to him! All this and he goes back to work Friday. Which is hard because he hasn't had any down time at home. He says it's difficult for him to be at work and not caring  for us. We have talked about taking the time off but when there are other people wanting/willing to help it seems like he should save that time for when I deliver and if the baby has to be in the hospital. 
• Jeremy. He does very well when Bobby is home. He has tougher days when there is somebody else here. He seems to be understanding more each day we explain to him why mommy can't play baseball or play at the sand table or go for a walk. It's a good transition time for him for when the baby comes home. But it still breaks my heart when he is being taken to the bath and crying down the hall, "Mama do bath." 
• Eli. Whenever he comes, that we are ready and accepting of God's will. Weather it be a healthy full-term, fully developed baby that we get to bring home or a baby that needs some time in the NICU to become stronger. 

Thank you for lifting us up so faithfully! We are overwhelmed by the sweet prayers and love everybody has showed us in the time!

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! 

32 Weeks (17P Injections)*

The injection went well this week. Some soreness to the injection site but no other complications!

Baby Update

We have decided on the even weeks the baby will be a girl and odd weeks a boy. So this week you will be hearing about an update with Capri. She is 4lb 4oz, per our ultrasounds this week, about the size of a pineapple. They measured my cervix and made sure I wasn't dilated. Everything looks good so far! I will be gaining about a pound a week and half of that will go to plump the baby up for weight. She now has toenails, fingernails, and a full head of hair! How exciting!! 

Snuggles from my boy!

How far along? 32 Weeks

Total weight gain: A whopping . . . 16 pounds. I had gained 18 with J, at 34 weeks.
Maternity clothes? Mostly in ALL maternity clothes! So sad when the maternity clothes are getting tight! I ahve had to put a few shirts away and one pair of pants.
Stretch marks? Nope! Yay, thank you Cocoa Butter!
Miss Anything? Stomach is still tightening with activity. Mostly walking, sweeping, vacuuming. Can't wait to go for a hike with B!
Movement: Yup! Hiccups often, mostly at night!
Food cravings: How far along? 28 Weeks

Total weight gain: A whopping . . . 16 pounds. I had gained 18 with J, at 34 weeks.
Maternity clothes? Mostly in ALL maternity clothes! 
Stretch marks? Nope! Yay!
Miss Anything? I miss eating Brie & Feta cheese! Not worrying about an activity causing my stomach to tighten up. 
Movement: All the time! This baby is pretty much non-stop.
Food cravings: Not specifically, but I am still enjoying veggies over anything else. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Gender: Still not finding out until birthday!
Labor Signs: I had some weird feeling deep, like cervix but that went away when I got my injection. We switched injection to the mornings.

Symptoms: Hips still. I have begun to waddle
Belly Button in or out? Still in but threatening me each day!
Wedding rings on or off? ON! Woo-Hoo
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Nursing. I LOVE nursing. It's such a sweet time between mommy and baby. I stopped nursing J at 14mos because we wanted to get pregnant (didn't happen until 18mos). I think I will go longer this time. Why not? By that point it's only in the early mornings and before bed. Its the best nutrition for baby and has SO man antibodies! I will be writing a blog on why I am pro BFing soon! 

Differences from Jeremy's pregnancy: I am nervous this week! I don't have any stats from J left because I was in labor at this point. I wasn't nervous with Jeremy at all because  I didn't know what was in store.

And now for the Measurements:

                   Baby Duce          Since 6 week:

Tummy:          39"                          6.5"

Hips:             39.5"                         2.5"

Chest:           39"                             4"  

Weight:       155 lbs                        20lbs

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

     

31 Weeks (17P Injections)*

The injection went well this week. I am having soreness. It seems as the weeks go on the injection site stays sore longer. On Wednesday I have an ache of sorts, deep inside. Maybe my cervix. It lingered all day. It was pretty strong and didn't seem to depend if I was walking or sitting. We did quite a bit of walking in the morning hours. See this post. It got stronger as the day moved on. At about 5pm we noticed my knees and calves were really swollen. I was worried and thought maybe I should go in. I decided on Thursday I would call the doctor. Bobby gave me my injections around 10pm and we went to bed. All night I tossed and turned from the ache. It was a pain and I wasn't bleeding, which is what kept me from going to the hospital. I woke up Thursday and the ache was significantly weaker. By Friday morning it was gone completely. The swelling went away when I elevated my feet. I am putting this under the injection side effects because I am thinking that I need to change the time of injections to the morning on the 7th day. We'll see what happens this week with getting them in the am. 

Baby Update:

Jeremy got ice cream from the ice cream man this week!
1st time for everything!

We have decided on odd number weeks the baby is a boy and even the baby is a girl! So I get to say he or she. Yay! I like this plan! So this past week Eli is just over 3 pounds and 17 inches long, approximately, that is. Compared to 4 naval oranges. I'm told he will be gaining half a pound per week until delivery! WHOA! He may have hair already too! Jeremy had a full head of dark brown hair when he was born. The doctor kept saying, "Push, Kierra I can see Noah's hair." Ha! Who knew that would not be his name! 

Sleep does not come easy lately. I toss and turn quite a bit. Night sweats are still hanging around. I have also has swelling in my legs, blah! Not attractive or comfortable. I finally took my wedding ring off this week. I kept prolonging it but I don't want it to be stuck on! Jackie had to have hers cut off, I definitely don't want that!  I hate not wearing it. Like it's disrespectful to God and Bobby. 

As we go into week 32 (Wednesday is the day I went to the hospital and was told I was in "active labor") please be praying for us. I am trying so hard to stay calm and allow my body to be relaxed. And also, be ok if it's God's plan for the baby to come early. He can use all things for good. I need prayer for peace. Bobby has it and I crave it! 

30 Weeks (17P Injections)*

Here we are with 10 weeks to go and only 6 more injections! Bobby is celebrating! He hates to give them to me. Side effects this week were minimal. I had soreness until Monday. Which is much longer then previous weeks but that all I have to report!

Baby Update

This week the little cabbage is 15.7 inches long and about 3 pounds! (3 pounds??? What 's with the other 18 pounds I have gained??) A pint and 1/2 of amniotic fluid is surrounding him/her. (Still doesn't explain the 21 pound weight gain! I'm kidding of course!) Eyes are a big part of development this week. Although they are still not fully developed when baby is born. Did you know for the first 2-3 months newborns can only see about a foot from their face? 

At the checkup this week:

Dr. Oshiro wants to start seeing me every 2 weeks since we are getting to the time I started labor with Jeremy. I started contraction with J at 31 weeks. I am also measuring on the low end of the scale, which I also did with J. There's some truth when people say, "You are 7 months pregnant?? You are so tiny!" They are not just being nice! So we are getting an ultrasound next week. At the 20 weeks ultrasound the doctor saw a spot in the brain that was as she called it "a variation of normal." She thinks it was a cyst that the baby would grow out of by the time delivery came. And was not worried at all because we were measuring so great. But needless to say, I am going to ask about it since we get an additional ultrasound! I love to watch the baby move around on the US. I often wonder what he/she looks like when I have watching my stomach contort to odd shapes as the baby is getting ready for the summer olympics in there! 

Jeremy has started to notice my tummy kicking him when he is trying to snuggle with me! He kinda thrusts his body back at it! Cracks me up! I tell him the baby wants to say, "Hi." We may take him to the next appointment to see the US. We are still debating this. He still has no idea what's in store for him. Maybe seeing the baby on the tv screen will help him. 

Thanks for tuning in!

29 Weeks (17P Injections)*

This week has gone by without any side effects! I'm so happy to have more posts that say no side effects then posts that do! My dad has given me my injection the past 2 weeks because Bobby has been at work. bobby feels relieved! He hates giving them to me. He tells me how sorry he is each time before he sticks me. It really doesn't hurt THAT bad. But he feels like he is hurting me. How sweet is he?? My dad, on the other hand, well. . . . He is a paramedic so he gives shots all the time! Ha!

Our little Butternut Squash (we just planted these in the garden, cool coincidence or weird correlation?) is weighing in at 2.5 pounds and 15 inches! I have started feeling movement in two different place in my tummy at the same time! His/her head is getting bigger to accommodate their growing brain. Every day 200mg of calcium is being deposited in to the baby's skeleton! no wonder I have been craving milk! Thank you Costco for the deals you give on milk in bulk! My stomach has been tightening more and more often. It seems to be brought on by activity. Walking, even to the end of our street, vacuuming and sweeping really get it going. The Doctor says when that happens I need to stop what I am foing and sit down to let it re;ax. So far, it has not stayed tight for longer then 20-30 minutes. Thank you Jesus!! However, I do need some prayer in the patience department. I get so frustrated with myself when I can't get my wife/SAHM tasks done. 

We are trying to prepare Jeremy to be a big brother. We talk about the baby often and tell him what's involved with the Hefty task. We took a friend who just had a baby a meal this week. I was telling him how that was like the baby in Mommy's tummy. He studied her for a while. When we were leaving I told him, "Say Bye-Bye baby." MISTAKE! Now each time we talk about the baby he says, "Bye bye baby!" Oy! Oh well, I guess he will cope, just as all of us first children have to when another child comes along! I am SO treasuring my time left with just Jeremy. I snuggle a little longer, play ball all day long, get extra kisses and hugs when he allows me to! 

I just love this photo of him! 

28 Week Update (17P Injection)*

12 more weeks to go! And 8 more injections. They are going smoothly. I haven't had any side effects this week. Yay!!

Baby Update

The time change was this week, so the sun is right in these shots! We'll have to adjust that! Jeremy is getting so used to holding the sign The reason it's on the ground is because he was insisting it be facing him while he smiled! He is such a character! I will be posting a blog soon about all his cute little quirks! Ok on to the baby. . . I have been having a tightening. What I think is Braxton Hicks but we went to the doctor this week and he doesn't think that's the case. He says it's too soon (especially for me). It seems to be triggered by activity (ie: vacuuming 1 room!, sweeping the porch, walking to the end of our street.) Which is getting me frustrated! I still have responsibilities to do around the house but I also want to be very cautious. But nor too cautious, where it turns into being paranoid. It's such a hard balance. I just keep praying for patience. I need to rest in that God has a plan for this baby. He is in control of the situation, NOT me! 

It's time for the stats:

How far along? 28 Weeks

Total weight gain: A whopping . . . 16 pounds. I had gained 18 with J, at 34 weeks.
Maternity clothes? Mostly in ALL maternity clothes! 
Stretch marks? Nope! Yay!
Miss Anything? I miss eating Brie & Feta cheese! Not worrying about an activity causing my stomach to tighten up. 
Movement: All the time! This baby is pretty much non-stop.
Food cravings: Not so much. I'm still not really interested in meat. I'd rather have a huge crunchy salad. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Gender: Still not finding out until birthday!
Labor Signs: Only the tightness but that's not considered labor, yet. 

Symptoms: Hips still.
Belly Button in or out? Still in but threatening me each day!
Wedding rings on or off? ON! Woo-Hoo
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Watching Jeremy become a Big brother. I think he is going to have a little trouble adjusting but he will grow into his new role.

Differences from Jeremy's pregnancy: I don't feel as attached to this baby as I did Jeremy when I was pregnant. Maybe it's the "2nd child" thing, not hte first pregnancy. Maybe it's because we don't know if it's a boy or girl. Maybe I'm trying to hang on to the time I have left with only J (<--- not maybe, I am savoring the time!)

And now for the Measurements:

Since being 6 weeks pregnant

Tummy popped out 4.5"

Hips have widened 2.5" <-- No wonder the pain! I worry my pre-prego pants will not fit after this one! 

Chest has grown 3.5" <-- I went up 3 cup sizes and milk hasn't even come in yet! Oy Vey! i'm blaming it on the progesterone with high hopes the will stay after nursing! 

Compare with Jeremy's pregnancy at 28 weeks:
                  Jeremy             Baby Duce               Difference
Tummy:    38"                   37"                           -1"
Hips:         37"                   39.5"                        +2.5"
Chest:       36"                   38.5"                        +2.5"
Weight:                             151lbs

26 & 27 Week Update (17P Injections)*

I guess I forgot to post last week! Opps. . . I have been having night sweats, not every night and Bobby pinpointed it as the day after the injection. We will have to add that to the list of side-effects. it's getting worse as the weeks go on. Last week I went through 3 PJ changes and 3 towels on the bed in one night. BUT still worth it to have a full-term, happy baby!

Baby Update

The baby's ears are more developed this week! He/she can not only hear my voice clearly but also Bobby's! Baby can is inhaling amniotic fluid to practice to continue develop their lungs. Weighing in at a pound and 2/3 and measuring 14 inches, the baby is growing so well!!

I am feeling ok lately. Uncomfortable at times. Sleep is becoming more difficult. I'm getting tightening in my stomach when I am walking (even to the end of our street). Doctor says I need to be sitting down and resting when it comes up. My hips expanding have been pinching my sciatic nerve and causing me to lose balance every so often. I am getting a pregnancy massage tomorrow! Hallelujah!

25 Week Update (17P Injections)*

 We are progressing along nicely! 3 more weeks (28 weeks) until the baby's life can be saved if I go into labor. I still plan on keeping the baby in until 36 weeks minimum! Which is the last 17P injection I will receive. In the case studies we read the mom's gave birth a weeks after the injections stopped. So we figure 37 weeks the 2nd week of May we will be a family of 4! Anyway. . . this week's injection went well. Not much to write about this week. I didn't even have tenderness in the injection site this week!

Baby Update

The baby is measuring 13.5 inches, weighs about a pound and half and is working on adding some baby fat. So far, he/she has been pretty lean. Hair is growing rapidly! If we could see clearly inside we could tell the color and texture. It's amazing how much happens week-by-week. 

Here's the baby on the move! 

Hope you guys are having a great week too!

23 & 24 Weeks! (17P Injections)*

Whoa we got a little behind! Especially considering the next update should be in 3 days! I got almost 3 weeks behind! YIKES! The injections both week have come with NO side effects! Although this last injection (week 24) was a little stubborn. To start with we FORGOT on Tuesday! Bobby was home all day, we were just busy with house stuff! He left for a class Wednesday (my birthday) morning and I realized it! Doctor said to just give it today and from now on give it on Wednesdays. B came home around 5pm and then we were heading out to the Griffith Observatory. When he was injecting it the needle popped off! It came unscrewed from the tube! Got Cottonseed Oil everywhere! So I only got a 1/2 dose. Luckily we had an appointment the next day. They said not to give another 1/2 dose just to resume a full dose next Wednesday. Aside from that event, we are smooth sailing these past 2 weeks.

Baby Update

In the past 2 weeks the baby can hear outside the womb. Loud noises are becoming familiar, such as the dog barking and vacuum. Weighs just over a pound and is about 12 inches long. They compare the baby to an ear of corn. Taste buds are fully developed and lungs are almost complete! 

This week, for my birthday we went the the Griffith Observatory. It was so much fun! It's all about astronomy and the planets! We watched a cool show in the planetarium and wandered all over the museum. I had a little trouble while we were there with my tummy being tight. I had to sit down a few times and we ended up leaving earlier then expected because it wouldn't calm down if I was walking around. At the doctor's the next day, he was a little concerned. He says it's too early for Braxton Hicks. If it happens again sit or lay down immediately, if it's not gone within 2 hours go to the hospital. My hips are also still giving me problems. He gave me to go-ahead to get a pregnancy massage! WOO-HOO! So I will book it this week! Yea! So excited! 

Oh yes, While we were at the GO there is an exhibit that has what you weigh on each planet! I weighed the least on Pluto (about 3 pounds!) and most on Jupiter (about 351 pounds!! WHOA!). WE had so much fun! 

22 Weeks (17P Injections)*

This was the 5th injection I've had and this week is proving to be more stable then last week (check out last week's side effects here). I have only had itching to the injection site. We only had 1/2 dose left this week! OPPPS!! I reordered the prescription only to find our insurance no longer covers it! Boo! We will get it figured out and be back on tract next week!  

This week the baby's pancreas is getting stronger! It's almost fully developed. We could see the little hairs all over his/her body! Baby almost weighs a full pound and 11 inches long. 

As promised from last week, some fun questions from a friend's blog:

How far along? 22 Weeks

Total weight gain: 9 pounds
Maternity clothes? Still able to wear some non-maternity tops, I still feel pretty small. But I love my maternity jeans and leggings with long shirts or short dresses! 
Stretch marks? Nope!
Miss Anything? Miss laying on my tummy and the ease of just being on the floor with Jeremy. My hips have expanded 1 1/2 inches since the beginning which is making them pinch a nerve that hurts in just about every position while laying down. 
Movement: All the time! Even when I wake up to pee I can feel the baby moving!
Food cravings: Yes! Randomly. . . donuts, peanut butter, bananas.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Gender: Still not finding out until birthday!
Labor Signs: No, thank God!
Symptoms: Just my hip pinching a nerve.
Belly Button in or out? Still in but it's getting flatter.
Wedding rings on or off? ON! I had a ring guard on from when I was breastfeeding and B took it off last night, My ring fits much better!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Aside from last week's progesterone side effects.
Looking forward to: We have another ultrasound on February 14! I love to watch the baby move around and play in there!

I will do this list every 4 weeks. 

Baby Duece!

Our Christmas card this year! (2011)
This is how we told the family!
We had it as the centerpiece for Thanksgiving.
Then sent the Christmas cards out the next day for the family that lives out of state.

We are excited to have baby #2 cooking in the oven. Due Date is June 2! SAME due date as Jeremy and our anniversary! I am 14.5 weeks. I already feel like I am bigger then I was with J. We are not finding out the gender, until the baby is born. This is especially difficult for me! Bobby is super excited. When we ask Jeremy, "Where is the baby?" He points to my belly and kisses it! So sweet.

12 Weeks