First Day of Kindergarten!

I cannot believe my boys are starting Kindergarten.  Where has the time gone???  Thank goodness they are only going for 3 hours a day.  I know that may sound strange to some people, but I am just not ready to have them out of the house for a full day.  When the new baby comes I will be off work for a few months so I am really looking forward to spending some quality time with the boys.  This will be my last year to do some special trips and projects with them during the day.

The boys absolutely loved their first day of school!! I asked them  what their favorite part of school was and Joseph said, "Being the leader boy" and Dominic said, "Coming home to you mom".  Okay my heart just melted.

I only shed a few tears when they left for school and I thought I was doing great.  It wasn't until I had get their clothes ready for the next day at school when I lost it.  Do they really need to go back again??  I don't know why I only mentally prepared myself for one day??  We will see how I do tomorrow :)

32 Weeks!

Wow, I am 32 weeks!! I have had this date circled on my calendar since I first was placed on bed rest 10 weeks ago.  32 weeks was my long term goal and I am absolutely thrilled and relieved the day is finally here.  Each day I am given to grow Baby D is truly a blessing.  

Today, I had my appointment with the Pediatric Cardiologist.  She was wonderful and said there was no need to worry.  The condition will most likely heal the first week of Baby D's life.  She will do another echo cardiogram right after he is born to make sure everything is okay.  What a relief!

I love the below picture.  The boys are SO excited to meet their new baby brother.  I bought them "Big brother" shirts and they ask me all the time when they can wear them!

How far along: 32 weeks!

Size of baby:  He measured 4 lbs. 11 oz. on Friday.

Movement:  He is very strong! Thankfully, he is still quiet at night, and does not wake me.  His active times are still 10 am and  10 pm.

Sleep: I am still having CRAZY dreams all night long!

Cravings:  Sonic root beer floats and apples.

What I miss:  The boys start Kindergarten tomorrow and I do feel bad I will not be able to walk them in.  

Best moment this week:  Seeing Baby D during the ultrasound and getting the good news from the cardiologist.

What I am looking forward to: Doctor's appointment on Friday. 

My sweet boys:

Pediatric Cardiologist

I had my 32 week ultrasound on Friday.  Baby D is measuring 4 lbs. 11 oz; similar to the size of a 33-34 weeker!  Unfortunately, they found a small heart defect called atrial septal aneurysm.  It is usually benign in a fetus and will hopefully heal within the first 80 days of life.  Tomorrow I have an appointment to see a pediatric cardiologist for an echo cardiogram just to make sure there is nothing else.

I was also in the hospital on Wednesday and Thursday for contractions.  The doctor gave me some additional medication called Terbutaline to take as needed for contractions.  It seems to be doing the trick, so we are much less worried.  The doctor did give me another round of steroid shots to mature the baby's lungs just in case I deliver early.  He said I will definitely not go past 36 weeks, which will be September 24th.  Less than 4 weeks away!!

This pregnancy has been a real "nail biter", but I am so thankful I am over 32 weeks!

The boys start Kindergarten on Tuesday!  This is a huge milestone for them and I am really emotional!  I think it may be a good thing I am on bed rest and not walk them into school :)

I love this picture of the boys. They think my bathtub is a pool. If I let them, they would stay in for hours!

Thank you everyone for all of your love and support!

I am having a problem downloading my new ultrasound pictures.  I will try again tomorrow.

31 Weeks!

I am 31 weeks!  Yippee!!!  We are again so thankful for another uneventful week.  I am literally counting down the days until I get to my big goal of 32 weeks.

The boys had their last summer "Michigan Vacation" at my Mom and Dad's house.  They had a great time going to the dollar store, playground and out to eat.  As soon as my mom and dad left after dropping them off, Dominic started crying saying, "I already miss my Nan and Grandpa".  So sweet. 

How far along: 31 weeks!

Size of baby:  He measured 3 lbs 8 oz three weeks ago.  We go for another growth scan on Friday.

Movement:  He is very strong! Thankfully, he is quiet at night, and does not wake me.

Sleep: I am still having CRAZY dreams all night long!

Cravings:  Sonic root beer floats and Cheerios!

What I miss:  Nothing really.  The boys are still home on summer vacation, so I am definitely not bored.  

Best moment this week:  Finishing the baby's room (thanks, Matt!).  Also, looking at all of the cute baby clothes Matt's mom so lovingly washed.

What I am looking forward to: My ultrasound on Friday! 

Matt finished the baby's room this weekend!  I will post some pictures this week.

30 Weeks!

Wow! I am 30 weeks!  This is the same gestational week when the boys were born.  We feel very blessed to have made it this far.  We really appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers during the past 8 weeks.  My doctor is only going to let me go to 36 weeks, so I only have 6 weeks left!  That seems unbelievable to me.  I know I have been on bed rest for 8 weeks, but I feel the time has thankfully flown by.

Yesterday, the boys went to their friend's 4th birthday party.  They had such a good time and asked me how much longer until her next birthday party.  Only 365 days!  Joseph loved his tattoos and woke Matt and I up at 6:15 am without his shirt on, flexing his muscles asking, "how do I look?"  I don't know where he comes up with some of his ideas??  He is such a character!

I did not realize how much my belly has grown!  I know I am carrying the baby very low, but the picture really looks low!

How far along: 30 weeks!

Size of baby:  He measured 3 lbs 8 oz two weeks ago.  We go for another growth scan on August 27th.

Movement:  He definitely has some strong kicks.  A few days ago I felt he was caught under my right rib cage.  He was kicking so hard I felt bruised for a few days!  I had no problems do a "kick count" that day :)

Sleep: I am still having CRAZY dreams all night long!

Cravings:  We found a new "spot" called Sonic!  I love their ice drinks.  The boys now call Sundays "Sonic Sunday"! And I still love my decaf vanilla lattes!  Thank goodness, Matt bought me a new espresso machine for Mother's Day!

What I miss:  This is something small, but I am not supposed to bend down and you would not believe how many things you drop in a day!!  

Best moment this week:  Making it to 30 weeks on Friday!

What I am looking forward to: My doctor's appointment on Wednesday.

I guess the boys think my belly has really grown, too.  Here is a picture Dominic drew of our dog (Ozzy), him, and I.  Notice I am the only one with a body/belly and belly button :)  Also, notice his spiked hair.  He calls his hairdo "100 spikes"!  I love how he draws all of his pictures with us holding hands. If only I could freeze this age!

29 Weeks!

29 Weeks!!!  We are SO thrilled to have made it to 29 weeks!  Work has definitely been keeping me busy, so I really have not been bored.  I haven't even had time to blog!  I have also been keeping busy by doing a lot of online shopping for the boys school uniforms and items for the baby. 

Everyone has been so helpful. It is hard to accept help, but I really could not do this strict bed rest without everyone's love and support. 

  

How far   along:29 weeks!

Size of baby:  He measured 3 lbs 8 oz last week!

Movement:  His kicks are definitely getting stronger!  He has the hiccups about once a day.

Sleep: I am still having CRAZY dreams all night long!

Cravings:  Raspberries, corn on the cob, JR. Mints, and I still love my decaf vanilla lattes!  Thanks, Matt for making me one everyday.  They are better than Starbucks!

What I miss:  Not much, especially since I have been doing a lot of online shopping!

Best moment this week:  Seeing Baby D via a 4D ultrasound and finding out his growth is back on track.

What I am looking forward to: Getting to Friday's goal of 30 weeks.  

My sweet boys-

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10