Awww....Pictures!

Belly Shot!

14 weeks 3 days

Week 1

I survived my first week of bedrest! Hooray! The week went well. Wade got a cold early in the week, so Ryan and I spent most of the week (days and nights) with Nana. Nana is so great. We're home now and it's the weekend. Weekends are usually the most difficult for me, but I don't really know why.

I've been feeling well...no cramping or other concerning issues. My spirits are still high and although I'm not looking forward to staying in bed for the next 22+ weeks my focus continues to remain on incubating this little boy inside me instead of inside the NICU. I've finished the first row of the blanket I'm knitting for Lil' Bean. I've even started a "name list" that contains 7 or so possibilities, but I'm not sharing what they are. :)

14 weeks 2 days pregnant!

I started a new carepage and you're more than welcome to share it with friends and family. The updates will be the same as what you read here. CarePage name: LilBean

Bedrest and Baby Update

I apologize for the lack of pictures lately. We're still in a period of "transitions", and I haven't figured out how to "manage" everything yet. Of course I just got a new camera for Christmas and now I'm not able to use it...at least not yet...I'm hoping that soon I'll be able to take some good pictures even while laying horizontal most of the day.

Now for an update.

The weekend went pretty well. It was...well...shall we say...uneventful...but right now I'd much rather have uneventful days than the opposite. I did learn that I can't do this on my own. It's amazing how much a mommy has to be up and doing things...5 minutes here...10 minutes there...all add up to more time on my feet that the doctor probably wants. Ryan does pretty well while I'm horizontal however he doesn't completely understand and often can heard saying, "Momma get up! Get up Momma!" So...Ryan and I are staying at my mom's house (Nana's house) during the day and coming home at night. Everyone sleeps better in their own beds. We're still working on nap-times at Nana's house. Today he didn't have one, but I intend to make it part of the routine asap. This new "arrangement" also helps with the meal-times. Nana is feeding us well. I AM SOOOOO THANKFUL FOR MY MOMMY! She always goes above and beyond what's expected and I hope I can someday bless her as much as she's blessed me.

I'm handling bedrest as good as can be expected...better than some I imagine. I spend my days playing with Ryan as much as he wants which isn't much since I'm horizontal and he prefers to be running everywhere. He does regularly come give his Momma some lov'ins and cuddles up next to me (or jumps on the bed next to me). I've been able to do a little reading. In fact I've scanned through an entire baby-names book and still have no names on my list of possibilities. I've watched some good programs on TV and recently signed up for Netflix so we'll have more movies to watch besides CARS. We watch CARS once a day at least...it's Ryan's most favorite. I started knitting a blanket for Lil' Bean and when I finish I may start knitting some hats or blankets for the NICU babies at Mercy. The evenings after Ryan goes to bed I usually get on the internet and spend a little time updating this blog or reading/posting on a couple of forums designed for high-risk mommies.

I've been feeling well since the cerclage. I do have a little bit of concern that I may be calling the doctor on tomorrow. One of the "no-nos" that warrant a call to the doctor is cramping and I've been having some over the last couple of days. I was sent home on indomethicin and it seems that while I was taking that I didn't have any cramping/contractions. I was only given a supply enough to last a couple of days which is normal. The big delay I've had in calling the doctor so far is that I don't know if the cramping is true cramps or it's just related to gas. Pardon the bluntness. Movement helps move air through the system and now that my days are filled with little movement, so goes the air...nowhere fast. (Okay that was about as dignified as I could possibly make that conversation.) So I've been hesitant to call, but I've just about talked myself into making the phone call. It would probably put my mind at ease. If it's true cramping or even if it's not maybe the doctor will start me on some preventive meds to ward of contractions in the event that the real things start. I had contractions early with Ryan, but I dismissed them as Braxton hicks. I don't want to take any chances this time around.

Well...it's getting late and I'm getting tired. Bedrest can just wear a person out! :)

I might (still considering) start a new carepage for our Lil' Bean to keep everyone updated. It seems that having an e-mail reminder that an update has been posted is welcomed by many. If I decide to start one I'll post details here and just know that the updates will be a carbon copy of the updates posted here.

Any input would really be appreciated...

Baby Update (Hospital Report)

As many of you probably already knew I had my first hospitalization for this pregnancy. Don't worry it was planned! I was scheduled for a cerclage (putting in a stitch to hold things together to keep baby in longer) on Tuesday, January 5th.

Wade and I arrived at the hospital at about 10 'till 3 in the afternoon. I was taken to a room on the L&D (labor and delivery) floor where an IV was started, blood was drawn, vital signs were recorded, and other such medically necessary things like history and physicals were completed. The procedure was to start at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m. I was wheeled back to the OR where I was given a spinal block and the procedure began. Within 30 minutes the doctor was finished and I was wheeled back to the room. At that time I was given the choice to stay overnight or leave whenever I was feeling well enough.

Before having the cerclage I was concerned about leaving so soon after something so major, but afterwards I felt well and wasn't having any contractions or major discomfort so I became indifferent to whether we stayed or went home that evening. At 10 p.m. I requested assistance to the restroom only to find that half of my legs and my behind were still numb. It was a rather odd sensation. At that time I decided that staying overnight was probably going to be the best option. It was midnight before I fully regained feeling in all of the lower half of my body.

The night was uneventful (other than the nurse that insisted on removing my IV at 12:30 a.m.) and the next morning I welcomed a nice hot plate of breakfast food and the sun shining through my window. The doctor made rounds about noon and at about 1 or so we were being escorted downstairs and out the front doors.

Overall the experience was good. It was AWESOME seeing and visiting with some of our favorite nurses from L&D as well as some of our favorite NICU nurses/RTs. We were welcomed with enthusiasm and our baby-to-be already has his own cheerleaders (nurses and RTs) excited for his arrival. With as much time as we've spent in the hospital these wonderful people are more than just doctors, nurses, RTs, etc. They are family!

The doctor gave a good report regarding the cerclage and left me with instructions I was anticipating hearing sometime during this pregnancy but wasn't quite expecting this early. He said he couldn't hardly see putting me on "strict" bedrest, so he is putting me on "modified" bedrest. After saying modified-bedrest he continued with BUT... "do as little as possible", "let others take care of you as much as possible", "stay off your feet as much as possible", and probably some other similar statements that I may have missed. His instructions didn't have a timeline but I got the impression it's for the duration of this pregnancy. But you know what?!...that's okay. Even before getting pregnant I anticipated bedrest. I don't dread it. I've already planned for it (as much as possible. I wasn't expecting it this early). It's the way I have to do things so I can have healthy babies. And a healthy baby is all that matters.

I spent the rest of the week with my mom so she could help with Ryan while I recovered. Now I'm home on a "trial" basis. I'm going to see how things go this weekend. Wade will be around for when I need his help. I'm hoping we can all get into a good, normal, relaxing, restful routine where I can still be home as much as possible afterall I'm not completely confined to the bed 24 hours a day (just as much as possible). Ryan plays very well by himself and can do many things unassisted like climbing in and out of his crib. By the way...his crib, we've decided, is his security and a boundary he still prefers/needs. He can climb in and out by himself, but he chooses to stay in without complaint during naps and bedtime. We've tried moving him to a "big-boy" bed and he's just not ready. Anyway...I'm hoping that we can stay home some, and when we need/want to go to Nana's for a few days she is more than willing and ready. (She didn't want us to leave this evening.) So far the only thing I can't quite figure out how to manage is meals.

For now we just keep doing what we're doing. We make adjustments where needed and we learn what works and doesn't work. We keep hoping and praying that God blesses us with a full-term healthy baby. I'm looking forward to all of this...I really am! I'm sure there will be days when my outlook isn't quite as cheerful, but I must enter into this time with hope and expectations for greatness. God is still in control! Keep praying!

Hooray...Till Next Year

Yesterday we had our last Christmas get together and while Christmas is so much fun we are saying "Hooray...till next year!"

See...even Ryan is smiling!

Baby update

I went to the high-risk perinatologist last Tuesday for an ultrasound. All is well and baby is growing well. The doctor seemed quite pleased with how the baby looked. He said I'm measuring right on target...11w6d at the time which puts me at 12w3d today. I was so relieved to here everything is well. I had not been to the doctor for 4 weeks and for someone who has a high-risk pregnancy and many complications that seemed like FOREVER!

Anyway...all is well and I'm scheduled for a cerclage this coming Tuesday. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I'll feel so much better knowing I have a little extra help in that area for keeping this baby inside. Of course I also realize it's not a 100% safeguard, but it feels like an extra safety-net regardless. The cerclage is scheduled for 5 p.m. I might be staying overnight, but that detail is still up in the air.

Oh and We're having a boy! (Or at least from the bottom end of things it sure looks like we're having a boy)

Hydration

What Have You Been Doing?

Remembering 2009

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Happy New Year!

Some Christmas Pictures

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Peek-E-Boo

Last weekend we had our Christmas celebration with my Mom's side of the family. It was a great weekend. As a present to us my family helped move us to our new home. Here are some pictures of the fun.

And finally here are some pictures of our new home. We are, of course, still in the beginning stages of unpacking, so things aren't quite as tidy and organized as they will (hopefully) eventually be but everything is coming together quite nicely. It is already starting to feel like home.

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

Awww...it's been a while since I've posted. My excuses: busy and tired. But alas, my sweet little boy is sleeping and I'm doing a whole bunch of nothing (as opposed to what I should be doing...packing).

And since my little boy is so stinkin' goofy I thought I'd share these pictures with you.

He still thinks he needs to squeeze in every tight space.

The reason behind this kitty carrier is that we thought we were going to add to the Stanfill family plethora of 4-legged creatures. Someone dumped 2 sweet, beautiful kittens off at my mom's house. She didn't want them and asked begged me to take at least one of them. I agreed and gathered up the supplies for the kitty. Unfortunately upon closer inspection I discovered that kitty was a male, and after my horrible experience with a male cat from years past (spraying everything in the house...even when neutered...ruining tubs of baby supplies...requiring a full room floor redo) I refused the new addition. Now maybe if some sweet, cute little female kitty were to wander up...then we'll talk.

Night...Night!

I'm so sorry for my slothfulness in keeping the blog updated. I've been so tired, so busy, a little stressed, and did I mention tired? But things are looking up! We've just about finished the house project. In fact...we're moving in next weekend (19th)! Hooray! There are still a few things left to complete, but we decided that they weren't so critical to keep us from moving in. You can't imagine what a relief it is to finally be moving in. I was really beginning to stress about how we were going to finish the house and get moved in when I'll be having a cerclage with all the limitations and restrictions too. So....with a tremendous amount of help from my mom and family friends we've finally reached the point of moving and it's now getting very exciting again.

Ryan is doing well. His therapist said he is right on target for an ALMOST 3-YEAR-OLD! Oh I can't believe he's almost 3. Time does fly. Another reason for my excitement in getting moved is the return of "normal". I realize it will be a new normal, but Ryan's schedule has been so disrupted and unpredictable that he's beginning to show signs. Signs that I'm not really enjoying. Signs that make me say "oh my". Signs that he's in desperate need of change...change back to normal. Normal mornings. Normal lunches. Normal play times. Normal times with his Mommy. Normal NAP TIMES! Normal evenings. Normal bedtime. NORMAL again...please!

Momma's Kitchen Helper

First: Find the right recipe.

Next: Peel the potatoes...

My Little Elf

Pictures With Santa

Yesterday we did some Christmas shopping and although our intentions were good our success was limited. A Full day of shopping and two gifts purchased is not what I was planning.

However...
The highlight of the day was this...

Ryan had pictures with Santa!

It was purely spur of the moment. Ryan wasn't even dressed for pictures, so I bought him some jeans and a sweater at a 50% off sale. His hair was a mess and when water wouldn't tame it I resorted to "testing" a new "flavor" at bath and body works, spiking his hair with "what wouldn't rub in". I wasn't sure what to expect...would he cry? scream? whine for his Momma? Nope. My boy hammed it up something wonderful and we were able to get a great picture of Ryan with Santa! Awww...that's my boy!

On to other things...
Ryan spent the first night away from home on Tuesday evening. I went to the movies with my sister. (In case you wanted to know...we saw Blindside. It was great!) Nana asked if Ryan could just stay the night. I, of course, said yes. I figured it might be a good idea to let Ryan have some experiences spending the night away from home in the event I end up on hospital bedrest or if nothing else for when "Baby" arrives and I'm in the hospital for a couple of nights. Ryan loved it. Nana loved it. When I went to Nana's house the next morning I eagerly awaited his enthusiastic greeting, "There's my Momma!" Alas...I was greeted with "No Momma! Go-e-ay (go away)". Ohhh...where'd my sweet boy go?

Ryan, Nana and I went swimming with Aunt Lizzy the other evening at a hotel Lizzy is staying in while attending a conference in the City. Ryan still loves the water!

At my last OB appointment which was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving "baby" was 10.8mm long and everything was looking good.
I received a call from Dr. G's nurse earlier this week with a message that my thyroid levels were too low. I am now taking levothyroxine to help regulate my thyroid. I don't know if that is something related to pregnancy and will return to normal or if it is a new medical condition that we just happened to notice with all the bloodwork related to pregnancy. Oh well...the medicine is only $2 a month. A mal-functioning thyroid could explain the over-excessive fatigue I've been having. This is my third pregnancy and I've never felt this tired before. Maybe when my thyroid is regulated that will lessen a bit.

I've still been feeling pretty well other than the pregnancy "normals"...tired, nausea (all day off and on), etc. I still don't have any cravings to speak of, and I also don't have any major aversions. It just comes and goes. Something might sound good today and be absolutely nauseating tomorrow. I'm starting to "show" a little and my regular clothes are already too uncomfortable to wear. I guess by the time you get to number 3 that should be expected though. I just can't believe I'm already wearing some maternity clothes and I'm only 8 weeks! Oh my.

I return to my OB on the 23rd for a regular check-up. On the 29th I have an ultrasound scheduled with the high-risk OB to verify everything is "normal" and "healthy" with baby and me. After that I will be having a cerclage on January 5th. I'll be about 12-13 weeks pregnant at that time. It's all so exciting...and scary...and exciting.

On A Mission