Day 39: Feeling Blessed

Yesterday I talked about uncertainty and feeling out of sorts.  We still don't have J's test results (we are praying he passed), and I'm sure there are many B melt-downs to come.  I am still laying in bed uncomfortable and yearning to be off bed rest, but I am thankful that I am still pregnant.  So rather than focus on the unknowns, the pains, and the difficulties, I started focusing on the positives today.  These are the blessings I thought of today: 

•  I am blessed to have J who has handled our stressful situation and all of his added responsibilities in stride.  I am also blessed to have B, my precious son, who continues to find joy and delight in his play area around my bedside.  The highlight of my day is when he comes home from school and we spend time together reading and talking. 
• I am blessed to have family and friends who are supporting me through this.  I love talking to my amazing mother who understands bed rest and pregnancy (she had seven of us).  She encourages me to keep going (she's pushing for 37+ weeks).  I also love the online support from family and friends (thank you, Facebook!)
• I am blessed to have an amazing set of in-laws who help as needed.  My mother-in-law is here at a drop of a hat to relieve the strain and stress of our situation.  I am very grateful for all the help she has provided.
• I am blessed by the friends and family members who have brought in meals.  We wouldn't have been able to eat without them some days.
• I am so blessed to STILL be carrying a healthy baby boy who continues to thrive with each passing day.
• I am blessed with the gift of time - the one thing we all wish we had more of.
• I am so blessed to be able to bed rest at home, comfortably and able to be with B and J. 
• I am blessed with great doctors who are doing everything in their power for us to have a healthy baby boy.
• I am blessed to have found peace with my situation and know that I can rest and be comforted every day this Baby stays put.

I am just so incredibly blessed.

Day 27: Staying Put

Tomorrow I'll be 31 weeks, which is exciting.  This baby is definitely a mover.  B and J have been able feel him move for awhile but in the last few days, they can see him move from one side of my tummy to the other and literally see a fist, elbow, or foot protrude out for a few seconds.   Baby Boy and I are getting closer to term slowly but surely even with continued contractions/pre-term labor.  I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday so I'll keep you posted on my progress and hope my cervix is still stable.  We're hoping that's the case because the longer I can hold out on a hospital stay (the doctor will bring me in if my cervix shortens 5 more millimeters or contractions get more regular again) and the longer Baby Boy stays put, the better.

Today was a nice Sunday on bed rest, even with occasional contractions.  I read and listened to Conference talks while everyone was at Church, I played a computer game and read with B, and we ate a nice dinner my mother-in-law made.  J took B home so B can go to school in the morning and I'm staying here for a few more days so J can study and my mother-in-law doesn't have to run back and forth so much.   B will come back here after school so J can work and study and not have to take care of me.  It's a struggle to figure out what's best for all of us these days, and we don't want to stress B out anymore than we already have, so we'll see how this new plan works and go from there.  Wish us luck.  J's test will be over in two weeks (Pray he passes his state boards!) and I only have 5 more weeks of strict bed rest, so we'll just keep plugging along and doing our best even if it's a literal struggle for me to stay put sometimes. 

Day 26: A Needed Change

It's amazing how much a change in scenery can do for your morale when you're on bed rest.  I spend my days on a mattress in the front room of our apartment and then go to my own bed at night so there's a difference between my day and night routines.  I have a hard time sleeping as it is, especially because contractions and uterine irritability get worse at night, but I'm sure it would be worse if I didn't separate my days and nights and have a change in my day, especially when I have so little change and control in my life at this time.   I look forward to the daily change from bed to bed, but coming to my in-laws for the weekend has made a huge impact on my mental state. 

I'm still laid up and am still doing the same things to fill my day, but at least I have a different view and I got out of my apartment for awhile after being cooped up there for almost a month.   B loves being with his grandparents, and I really appreciate the help they've given us this month (and beyond).  I'm also glad they agreed to take me on this weekend so I can have a change.   Being here with B also allowed J to get some studying and a few other things done, and best of all, he didn't have to worry about  and take care of me and B for the day.  I think it helped lower his stress level a little bit, and I'm thankful for that.  Because J is less stressed, I am too and can focus on being still and calm so this baby can stay put for a long time still. 

Here is a shot of the sunset from their living room window.  What a lovely view!

Day 25: Escaping (Well, Kind Of)

After 25 days of being cooped up in our apartment on bed rest (besides trips to the doctor or hospital) I broke out and came to my in-laws' house with B for the weekend.  Not only will it give me a much-needed change in venue and scenery, it will give J the chance to study and to not have to worry about us for at least a little while.  I'm glad to be here and have a change. 

 

Besides leaving the house, some thing I've missed over the last 25 days include:

• Picking up B and holding him
• Taking B to and from school
• Dates with J
• Going to Church
• Cooking meals
• Shopping (not online)
• Couponing
• Going outside
• Cleaning and doing dishes myself
• Driving and going somewhere besides to see a doctor
• Helping and playing with B (without having to lay down)
• Walking around
• A good night's sleep (after resting all day and having occasional contractions, sleep is hard to come by).

Bed rest definitely helps me appreciate the little , and giving up these things is a small price to p when we'll get a lifetime of happiness from a new baby.

Day 15: Home again, home again, jiggity-jig

Ok, I can't do a jig while on bed rest, but you can. I'm glad to be home from the hospital, and I think the boys are glad to have me back too, though Bryson asked if I could stay so he could keep sleeping in our bed with Daddy and watch more movies.  After monitoring the baby and me for contractions last night and this morning and only seeing one or two contractions each time, they released me to bed rest at home.  I have to admit it is much better doing it at home.  J even let me lay propped up on the couch for awhile after the doctor said I can be in a reclined position for a few minutes each day. 

J straightened up the house for my return.  I'm learning to let him do things his way and to not pay attention to little messes or piles.  He's working his butt off to take care of me and B, going to his job, preparing for his upcoming nursing exam, and also taking on my responsibilities.  I'm very grateful for that and love him for supporting me through this.

After being at the hospital for 48 hours, I really enjoyed watching B play today (he dressed his doll in the preemie outfit he picked out the other day).  My in-laws came to celebrate New Year's with us.  We played Rummy Cube and we wore the New Year's hats B made while counting down to the New Year at 9 p.m before B went to bed.  My mother-in-law is spending the night because J went to work tonight and I can't get up to help B.  I've had a little cramping and few contractions tonight, but at least I can rest assured that  Baby Boy will not make his appearance in the year 2013.

J says this self-interview video is super cheesy but I wanted to get the baby's heartbeat on video.

Day 12: A Better Day

Baby Boy has dropped even more since yesterday and I look visibly less pregnant  (though that doesn't mean labor is imminent yet, thank goodness).  That's a little worrisome, but I'm continuing to pray this baby stays put, dropped or not.  I am also thankful for the prayers other people are saying for me and this baby.  I've had several contractions today, but I am managing to stay positive and busy.   My mother in law took Mr. B today so J could work and I could bed rest.  B had a blast playing in a fort he made from the box from their new oven.  My mother-in-law braided my hair before they left, B left me a love note, and I watched several movies and read.  B also picked out a baby outfit and some activities to help occupy my time.  That was definitely a morale booster after yesterday.  All in all, it was not a bad day of bed rest.