ICING ON TOP

Here I sit...at home on bed rest.  It's just the way I like it.  And I hope that after tomorrow's sonogram, I will be back to sit some more.  I've crossed over to 35 weeks and we hope that little miss continues to be content with life 'on the inside.'  To help ward off readmission, my bags are packed and ready to go.  It's actually pretty convenient considering my leisure wear collection is on about a week's rotation. 

Today has turned out to be one of my favorite at home bed rest days.  In anticipation of the baby's arrival, my MIL and I opened a mini bakery as "we" made cookies to package for the nurses.  Fortunately, she loves to bake and I love to ice so it's a perfect combination.  Just like my baby love "monogrammed" cookies.  Plus, she did all the work as I watched from my chair and later, I got to ice them.  (I could get used to this arrangement!) Grandma also made a few "just for Patrick" cookies which he very proudly iced himself.  However he wrestled with actually icing the cookie versus eating the good stuff right away! Decisions, decisions.  

Until tomorrow...

BIG BROTHER

My sweet Patrick is very excited about "the new baby."  He will proudly show off his own stomach by lifting up his shirt while parading around.  Watch out, because if he's in the mood, he'll scout out friends and family's bellies too!  

When I was admitted to the hospital, he would run to the door and call out, "baby.  babies.  baby?"  It was really the sweetest thing to hear.  So of course, Daddy or Mimi would walk him down to the nursery to see the babies.  Sometimes if one was crying, the nurse would 'comfort' Patrick through the nursery window as she said "it's okay.  the baby is okay."  During my one-time wheelchair "joyride," I chose the nursery route so as to witness my baby visit the other babies and it warmed my heart.  And, someday soon, we'll be taking him to meet his very own baby - his new sister.

DAYS OF LEISURE

It looks like my days of leisure-wear are going to continue!  At this morning's sono, Baby Girl looked GOOD and since she has been released to home bed rest, it seems as though I am too!!  Her fluid has decreased slightly to 7.19 which is not concerning.  An arm or leg shift, could hide or reveal fluid, so the measurement today is considered to be about where it was last Friday.  

Another HUGE PRAISE is that the blood flow from the umbilical cord is GOOD.  This alone is reason enough to send me home...or to the hospital to deliver her.  And the best news is that her heart rate sounded "gorgeous."  I am so proud of how well she follows directions...

And on another note, my home confinement does a body good because thanks to my OWN bed, my sweet self is feeling more like myself! :)  We all know that a happy Sarah makes for a happy house, so life is good.

I am SO relieved that we have made it another few days with Sweet Baby still on the inside.  We pray for much more of the same results as we've had over the past week...and that she has a few more weeks to GROW, GROW, GROW.

Then be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating.

Isaiah 65:18

MOMMY WHO?

Since I have taken to wearing lounge wear daily and propping up my feet, the grandmothers have swooped in to run mi casa.  This is great for a number of obvious reasons, but the fact that my first born is having the time of his life with them, makes me happy.  Periodically, he flies over to say hi to me between play times, 'nacks and just plain busyness...if he is coaxed. :)  He is a VERY loving little boy and I can certainly say that he is glad that I am home, but he's also very happy for the company he's been keeping.

But You, God my Lord, deal kindly with me because of Your name; deliver me because of the goodness of Your faithful love.

Psalm 109:21

NUMBERED

In terms of chronicling this journey, it has been 161 days since we found out that there was something wrong with our sweet baby girl, 15 days of bed rest, with 9 of those days being in the hospital...but who's counting?!  It doesn't seem fair to continue numbering my posts when we've made it through much, much more than just what would have been 10 days in the hospital today.

I know I mentioned that Dr. Oliver said it is not without prayer that our baby is doing so well.  I couldn't agree more.  Remember that when I was admitted to the hospital, I was told it was for the duration of my pregnancy, without a possibility of being released.  And I'm not sure if it was even expected for Baby Girl to be doing as well as she is today.  But because of the power of prayer, my baby is doing well and I have been released from the hospital.  It is through our faithful petitions to God that our prayers have been answered.  Let's all remember what He is capable of and give thanks as we continue to pray for the healing of my sweet baby.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..."

1 Peter 1:8

DAY 9: GOD ANSWERS

Words can't describe how I feel right now!  I am currently sitting in my den with my dogs on either side of me as I type this post.  I've caught myself breathing in the familiar smells that are my house.  I can't help but smile.  

Still on strict bed rest, I am h-o-m-e home.  After this morning's sonogram, my doctors determined that the baby was jiving with bed rest enough to allow me to be at home.  Her amnio fluid level is now at an 8.2 but don't let the slight decrease scare you.  In medical terms, it's GOOD and CONSISTENT.  Also GOOD is the blood flow to baby via the umbilical cord.  Because of these two reasons, I am able to be here.  My assignment is still the same though: bed rest with bathroom privileges.  FINE BY ME.  

I still can't believe that I heard "How would you like to go home today?" come out of my doctor's mouth this morning.  At the very earliest, I thought it would perhaps be entertained after Friday's sono, although I wasn't holding out too much hope!  I have to tell you that as Dr. Oliver said, the power of prayer has a lot to do with the 'state of the union' of our sweet baby.  I couldn't agree more.  Because of all of you and for our countless conversations with God, my precious angel is holding steady...and enough for me to be home which is an added bonus.  

Driving home, I cried a little because to be truthful, I am a bit nervous.  Nervous because I hope that after having wished for this for 9 days, that I didn't just wish for a change, an environment that isn't good for my baby.  Obviously, that's just a mother's guilt type of thought process as we know my docs would not have sent me home otherwise, but I can't help but pray it's not the case.  

Dr. Oliver said that we really don't have a true "goal date" to get to, rather it's day by day until our sweet one declares that she is ready to be born.  Let's pray and have hope that she stays put for a few more weeks!  (I am 34 weeks.)  I will have twice weekly sonograms and regularly scheduled echo cardiograms.  I can't get too comfortable at home though, because if for some reason, Friday's (or any) sono shows that she is not doing at least as well as she is now, I will be readmitted to the hospital.  FINE BY ME.  I'd rather be readmitted on bed rest than have to deliver her early.

I wish that my heart could talk because it would say all the right words that I don't have now.  My baby is so blessed to have such an amazing group of people who love her so much.  Because of your prayers, your hope for us, your tears, she is carried.  We know that He is in the details and He makes everything beautiful in its time.  Thank you for never ceasing. 

But I have trusted in Your faithful love, my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance.

Psalm 13:5

DAY 8: THE IMPOSSIBLE

Despite this gloomy day, my morning has been filled with bright spots.  Patrick and Little P arrived early, early with P sporting mismatched pajamas and toting a snack trap of Fruit Loops.  It was nice to feed P breakfast and help him get dressed before heading off to Mother's Day Out.  And although they left earlier than I would have liked, it warmed my heart as I heard the routine of P blowing kisses to the nurses who were lined up in the hallway to say goodbye.

Dr. Weiss and Dr. Oliver both stopped by and are pleased with Baby Girl.  Despite having heard a firm, "NO!" each time I asked if ever home bed rest would be considered if she progressed enough, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Obviously the most important reason we are here is our sweet baby but as long as she continues to shine on the non stress tests and stays consistent with each sonogram, then I MAY get to be released on bed rest at HOME.  PRAISE JESUS!!!  Just knowing that it's now a possibility makes all the difference in the world!  We pray for these things...the continued top of the line care for our little one whether in hospital or at home, progress and/or consistency regarding her amniotic fluid level and blood flow from the placenta to the baby, and for God to continue to bless us with His grace.

I continue to be overwhelmed by the true kindness of our family and friends.  It is not without suffering that we walk this journey, but through it, we see the goodness that is God through all of you.  Thank you for your cards, texts, care packages, visits and prayers.  They truly carry me.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:37