Friday, December 21, 2012
La Fete de Papa Noel
Our town had a great Christmas shindig downtown tonight to celebrate. All of the shops stayed open late, the church had a life sized nativity, Santa was hanging out, gumbo and drinks, caroling, a bouncy house, and pony rides perfected the evening. And it was all free for everyone. It's do hard to find people and places that don't capitalize on the monetary aspect of Christmas . Everyone was kind and loving and generous to each other. It was a blast.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Christmas Time is Near
So far, I've been super busy with making Christmas presents, doing business cards, designing ours (which should be out in the mail this week!), and nesting. I think my body knows that I don't have much time with Drum, so I've been nesting hard core. However, I've been nesting the smart way. With being so high-risk, we don't want to chance anything, so, I've been directing my sweet, accommodating husband as he does all of my tasks. Which have included:
Buying beds for the kids. Currently, we have a crib side-carred to our bed for babies that will convert to a full sized bed (headboard and footboard). We will use that for Auds when the boys have their own room. The kids... well, they're sleeping on mattresses on the floor. They like to play the "monkeys jumping on the bed" game too much and I wanted to find something sturdy for them. I searched, did a lot of research, and it would have been about $2k to get them something nearly indestructible from the store. Um...no. So, I decided to get something second hand from the early 1900s. If they've lasted this long, they've got to be okay, right? I fell in love with two sets in antique stores downtown. One was from the 1800s. It was gorgeous! But, after a lot of thought, I realized if they'd crack that bed I'd probably cry. Not the best solution. On to Craigslist. I found two 1930s iron bed frames (which run $1k+ in antique stores) for $75 - for both! We're going to sand them and paint them - and when I say "we," I mean "him."
I'll post pictures when they're all painted.
Then, I decided to rearrange the furniture. This from that room, that to this room. Ripping out shelves from the closets (that I did do by myself and got fussed at). Now all that's left before I can post pictures is to put up shelves and paint the dresser that was moved to the living room. I'm not that crazy, it looks okay. Pinterest it if you don't believe me.
Tony's mat is looking cute. Here's a picture of it in progress:
Buying beds for the kids. Currently, we have a crib side-carred to our bed for babies that will convert to a full sized bed (headboard and footboard). We will use that for Auds when the boys have their own room. The kids... well, they're sleeping on mattresses on the floor. They like to play the "monkeys jumping on the bed" game too much and I wanted to find something sturdy for them. I searched, did a lot of research, and it would have been about $2k to get them something nearly indestructible from the store. Um...no. So, I decided to get something second hand from the early 1900s. If they've lasted this long, they've got to be okay, right? I fell in love with two sets in antique stores downtown. One was from the 1800s. It was gorgeous! But, after a lot of thought, I realized if they'd crack that bed I'd probably cry. Not the best solution. On to Craigslist. I found two 1930s iron bed frames (which run $1k+ in antique stores) for $75 - for both! We're going to sand them and paint them - and when I say "we," I mean "him."
I'll post pictures when they're all painted.
Then, I decided to rearrange the furniture. This from that room, that to this room. Ripping out shelves from the closets (that I did do by myself and got fussed at). Now all that's left before I can post pictures is to put up shelves and paint the dresser that was moved to the living room. I'm not that crazy, it looks okay. Pinterest it if you don't believe me.
Tony's mat is looking cute. Here's a picture of it in progress:
I ended up removing one of the sets of stop signs and adding in our church. I'll add to it with each holiday with places he knows. I think he'll like it. I also made him a policeman dress up vest that is precious, but forgot to take a picture of it before putting it in it's box.
Auds got a "Princess Aurora" tutu and a "Princess Rapunzel" tutu. I think she'll love them! She's asked for a Cinderella tutu for her birthday.
Princess Aurora
Princess Rapunzel
I've also been working on things with the kids to get them into the spirit. We have our missionary elf Twinkie and a plastic nativity. "Quit throwing baby Jesus!" are words I never thought I would utter before having a boy.
We also made the holy family out of some old rolls. Mary ended up being orange, Joseph was green and baby Jesus was blue. Jesus has since been chewed on by Fitz ("Don't feed your Savior to the dog!" another good quote) and has seen better days.
I also found an awesome ride on John Deere tractor while out at the antique and thrift stores for $10 - those usually go for over $100! I even got yelled at by a lady as I was walking off with it coz she wanted it. She even followed me for a little while. It was kind of awkward. I still want to find something of similar price and size (this thing is large) for Auds as well. I don't think I should be allowed to go thrifting often. haha
Monday, December 10, 2012
God is GOOD!!
Being high risk, I have to go to a neonatal specialist to check on things further. Today was my first visit with him. I'll admit, I was a little nervous. My appointment was pushed back two hours due to an emergency surgery and I had to wait for an hour before going in the back.
When we finally got back (I'm so thankful that Beau was able to come with me), we went straight to the ultrasound room and did about an half hour ultrasound with the tech. Of course, he couldn't tell us anything, but told us that the doctor was watching and he would go and check with him about the results and then the doctor would come in. He told me to stay in the room laying down because the doctor would probably want to do his own ultrasound - I figured that couldn't be good. Who wants to go through an half hour ultrasound only to be told that you'd have to do another one with the doctor?
So, Beau and I sat in the room and made horrible jokes about the Anne Geddes pictures all over the walls before the doctor came in. When he came in, he asked what brought me in. I told him that I was diagnosed with a septate uterus and was risked out of the birth center of choice and sent there for monitoring. He told us that he didn't see a septum in the results.
Say what?!!!!!
We had been through all of this agony and told we couldn't have kids because of this condition and then we don't have it?
He proceeded to do his own ultrasound. As it turns out, I DO NOT have a septate uterus! I do, however have a complete bicornuate uterus. This still means that the baby only has half of a uterus to grow in. This still means that I am high risk and have to see the specialist and watch for signs of premature labor. How can this be positive news? There isn't a risk of the septum tearing and me hemorrhaging and having to have an emergency hysterectomy! It's still a miracle that I can have kids, but the risk to me isn't as high. Not that I'm not worried about my baby, but it is nice to not have to worry about if my babies will have a momma after this one.
I do have to, however, start taking hormone injections weekly which will decrease the risk of a preemie by about 20% - not much, but I'll take it. I have to be monitored still and very careful with my diet - I have a nutrition appointment with my midwife next week. I have to take the gestational diabetes test early (like the next two weeks), at the normal time, and again later to make sure that everything is okay and there's no risk of a too-large baby. Usually, I don't buy the too-large baby thing, but since it only has half a uterus in which to grow, it makes it kind of a legitimate concern now.
I will have to start having vaginal ultrasounds - eek - regularly to examine my cervix for any signs of premature labor starting in 8 weeks.
But, he said that if I can make it to term, I can have the baby at the birthing center in the manner of my choice because there is no risk of death to me! Our main concern is to keep the baby in for as long as possible. My midwives were so excited! Of course, if the baby is preemie, they'll come with my and be my doulas, but there is a chance that I can have my un-invasive birth after all! I'm looking forward to this coz there is a good sushi restaurant right down the road from me that I plan on indulging in. :)
God is so good. Although it's not ideal for every pregnancy, it is a MUCH better diagnosis for us that the original one.
Oh, and the good thing about going to a specialist with very high resolution machines is that we now know what "it" is.
Say "hello," to Drummond.
When we finally got back (I'm so thankful that Beau was able to come with me), we went straight to the ultrasound room and did about an half hour ultrasound with the tech. Of course, he couldn't tell us anything, but told us that the doctor was watching and he would go and check with him about the results and then the doctor would come in. He told me to stay in the room laying down because the doctor would probably want to do his own ultrasound - I figured that couldn't be good. Who wants to go through an half hour ultrasound only to be told that you'd have to do another one with the doctor?
So, Beau and I sat in the room and made horrible jokes about the Anne Geddes pictures all over the walls before the doctor came in. When he came in, he asked what brought me in. I told him that I was diagnosed with a septate uterus and was risked out of the birth center of choice and sent there for monitoring. He told us that he didn't see a septum in the results.
Say what?!!!!!
We had been through all of this agony and told we couldn't have kids because of this condition and then we don't have it?
He proceeded to do his own ultrasound. As it turns out, I DO NOT have a septate uterus! I do, however have a complete bicornuate uterus. This still means that the baby only has half of a uterus to grow in. This still means that I am high risk and have to see the specialist and watch for signs of premature labor. How can this be positive news? There isn't a risk of the septum tearing and me hemorrhaging and having to have an emergency hysterectomy! It's still a miracle that I can have kids, but the risk to me isn't as high. Not that I'm not worried about my baby, but it is nice to not have to worry about if my babies will have a momma after this one.
I do have to, however, start taking hormone injections weekly which will decrease the risk of a preemie by about 20% - not much, but I'll take it. I have to be monitored still and very careful with my diet - I have a nutrition appointment with my midwife next week. I have to take the gestational diabetes test early (like the next two weeks), at the normal time, and again later to make sure that everything is okay and there's no risk of a too-large baby. Usually, I don't buy the too-large baby thing, but since it only has half a uterus in which to grow, it makes it kind of a legitimate concern now.
I will have to start having vaginal ultrasounds - eek - regularly to examine my cervix for any signs of premature labor starting in 8 weeks.
But, he said that if I can make it to term, I can have the baby at the birthing center in the manner of my choice because there is no risk of death to me! Our main concern is to keep the baby in for as long as possible. My midwives were so excited! Of course, if the baby is preemie, they'll come with my and be my doulas, but there is a chance that I can have my un-invasive birth after all! I'm looking forward to this coz there is a good sushi restaurant right down the road from me that I plan on indulging in. :)
God is so good. Although it's not ideal for every pregnancy, it is a MUCH better diagnosis for us that the original one.
Oh, and the good thing about going to a specialist with very high resolution machines is that we now know what "it" is.
Say "hello," to Drummond.
Auds was a hysterical at first and didn't want a baby brother since she was so sure it was a sister, but I remedied that. Drummond took her and Tony shopping for a present for each of them to show them how much he loved them and how he was so excited to grow up with them. After she got her tea set, she proclaimed loudly, "I feel like having a baby brother now. I love you, Drummond."
God certainly answered our prayers and although it is not a complete and total healing, it is still a miracle change in circumstances and we are elated at his goodness to us.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Bummer
Big, stinking bummer. I haven't written this post yet coz A) I've been super duper busy, B) I'm exhausted, and C) it's a crummy subject to write about.
I can't have an out of hospital birth with Lefty. I have been deemed too high risk and have to take a lot of special precautions to keep Lefty as healthy as possible and in as long as possible. My dream was to have a birth center birth with Lefty and then to have home births with future ones. Not gonna happen.
For this pregnancy, I have two options. I can continue to see my midwives, an OB (who I really don't like, but at least he's a good doctor), and a high-rish neonatal specialist OR I can switch to an OB that I like (I've gotten some recommendations from my midwife), notify them that I'm high risk, and have my midwives as my doulas instead. Either way, I'll be highly monitored and stuck in a hospital. We have an appointment with the specialist on Monday and will make out choice after we get a feel for him.
Annnnd, biggest bummer of all... I can't have any more pregnancies after this one. There is a chance that after this one I might have to have an emergency hysterectomy (the words no woman wants to hear). Even if I don't, the risk on any future babies and myself would be too great that it would be a bad idea to do it. I was told that I shouldn't even have the babies I have and the fact that I'm pregnant now is a miracle and a gift from God, so I am focusing on the positive that God is good and blesses abundantly. I have three miracle children. That's HUGE. But, it's still a hard pill to swallow.
I'm praying that the test results aren't true and that God can heal and everything will be okay, but we do have to be realistic and prepare for the worst case scenario in case this is God's will for us.
However, we do feel called to have a big family and will just adopt in the future if God provides. There is an orphanage that we support and we're planning on adopting from there down the road. God never closes one door without opening another.
It's been a whirlwind over here lately with long doctor's appointments and lots of prayer. God has brought me this far, and I know he'll provide for a healthy (and hopefully lengthy) pregnancy.
Of course I could go on and on about the mixed feelings of elation that I have three miracles and the devastation of not being able to have more, but any mom who has kids or who has ever lost a baby understands how overwhelming that can be.
For the time being, I'm keeping positive, saving our pennies for the likely increased medical cost that our insurance won't cover, and giving God the glory for giving me my wonderful babies.
I'll preface this next statement with the fact that I LOVE my kids. Adore them. Next to God and my husband they are my world. But when I heard from midwives and doctors that they can't explain how I had them and how I have the one currently gestating, my heart overflowed with gratitude for them and I appreciate them sooooo much more. Not that I didn't before, but it really put into perspective how great our God is and how easy it is to become so wrapped up in the day-to-days of life that we see miracles as common place, something we're used to and can depend on. Each day really is a gift. Each breath and each moment are not guaranteed to us.
So hug your babies a little tighter and remember just how precious and miraculous they are.
I can't have an out of hospital birth with Lefty. I have been deemed too high risk and have to take a lot of special precautions to keep Lefty as healthy as possible and in as long as possible. My dream was to have a birth center birth with Lefty and then to have home births with future ones. Not gonna happen.
For this pregnancy, I have two options. I can continue to see my midwives, an OB (who I really don't like, but at least he's a good doctor), and a high-rish neonatal specialist OR I can switch to an OB that I like (I've gotten some recommendations from my midwife), notify them that I'm high risk, and have my midwives as my doulas instead. Either way, I'll be highly monitored and stuck in a hospital. We have an appointment with the specialist on Monday and will make out choice after we get a feel for him.
Annnnd, biggest bummer of all... I can't have any more pregnancies after this one. There is a chance that after this one I might have to have an emergency hysterectomy (the words no woman wants to hear). Even if I don't, the risk on any future babies and myself would be too great that it would be a bad idea to do it. I was told that I shouldn't even have the babies I have and the fact that I'm pregnant now is a miracle and a gift from God, so I am focusing on the positive that God is good and blesses abundantly. I have three miracle children. That's HUGE. But, it's still a hard pill to swallow.
I'm praying that the test results aren't true and that God can heal and everything will be okay, but we do have to be realistic and prepare for the worst case scenario in case this is God's will for us.
However, we do feel called to have a big family and will just adopt in the future if God provides. There is an orphanage that we support and we're planning on adopting from there down the road. God never closes one door without opening another.
It's been a whirlwind over here lately with long doctor's appointments and lots of prayer. God has brought me this far, and I know he'll provide for a healthy (and hopefully lengthy) pregnancy.
Of course I could go on and on about the mixed feelings of elation that I have three miracles and the devastation of not being able to have more, but any mom who has kids or who has ever lost a baby understands how overwhelming that can be.
For the time being, I'm keeping positive, saving our pennies for the likely increased medical cost that our insurance won't cover, and giving God the glory for giving me my wonderful babies.
I'll preface this next statement with the fact that I LOVE my kids. Adore them. Next to God and my husband they are my world. But when I heard from midwives and doctors that they can't explain how I had them and how I have the one currently gestating, my heart overflowed with gratitude for them and I appreciate them sooooo much more. Not that I didn't before, but it really put into perspective how great our God is and how easy it is to become so wrapped up in the day-to-days of life that we see miracles as common place, something we're used to and can depend on. Each day really is a gift. Each breath and each moment are not guaranteed to us.
So hug your babies a little tighter and remember just how precious and miraculous they are.
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