Full Term

We had two doctor appointments this week, as we have for the last 10 weeks... Monday was another NST followed closely by an ultrasound since Alyssa and I can't seem to pass NSTs. The ultrasound showed a fantastically healthy little girl who keeps practicing breathing on her own. After a check from my doctor it was revealed that I am still not dilated. After we failed the NST I suggested to the nurse that perhaps we could just go on over to the hospital and do a c-section but she was not agreeable to this idea. After my doctor checked my I, in my wise and now medically advanced way said "How about we induce today" Of course this was a no go but she did say, "at 39 weeks we'll call it a day. Until then, take it easy and I'll see ya back here on Thursday for an ultrasound."

On Thursday, Nick and I saw yet another ultrasound of our sweet girl as scheduled. The fantastic news from this ultrasound is that she weighs 7lbs 2 oz. The amniotic fluid is back down a bit so we have another ultrasound on Monday at 1pm.

So for now, we wait...We've been given all the instructions on "what to do if you're in labor." We've installed the carseat. My bag is in the trunk. Now it's all up to Alyssa. I checked the lunar calendar and saw that there is a full moon on March 30th so perhaps that will get things going. I really haven't had any BH contractions to speak of this week and none of the other "signs" have been noted.

I am still hopeful she'll come on Good Friday, April 2nd (since I was born on Good Friday back in 1984). I'll keep you all posted on anything new/exciting that might occur in the coming days. At this point it's just swollen feet and a stretching stomach.

Blooming Bows!

BloomingBows.com

Check out this website for amazingly cute hair bows, Alyssa has one waiting for her!! :)

Berlin Wall

Okay folks, I've been patient (kind of), and I've been positive (most days). Today though...I was annoyed. Every appointment that I've gone to for the last month there has been something that has caused the doctor to say "we'll monitor that." Last week, as I mentioned, my amniotic fluid was "on the low side of normal" and so I've had ultrasounds instead of non stress tests. We also discussed last week that she would check me to see if my cervix had softened at all. She mentioned that if things were progressing positively she would likely induce at 37 weeks (NEXT MONDAY!!).

So today, I was REALLY excited to go to the doctor. I was hoping that either I'd be having Alyssa today or next Monday. I'm such a loser I even put my hospital bag in the car!! Nick warned me that I didn't FULLY listen to the doctor last week, the truth is I only listened to the part that I found interesting. What the doctor had ACTUALLY said was to drink lots of water and the fluid level could go up! Well of course, this is exactly what happened. Not to mention my cervix was closed. I called my friend who is a nurse and told her that it was the Great Wall of China down there and she corrected me stating that I should instead refer to it as the Berlin Wall because that one at least did crumble down, which mine is bound to eventually do.

I guess I feel silly being disappointed because as you can see the appointment went PERFECTLY today. My blood pressure was even 122/76!! I just am SO excited to hold Alyssa and have her here that it's hard not to feel bummed that she is so cozy and comfortable in there. I of course will keep you guys posted as I have another appointment on Thursday. I've been threatening to do jumping jacks and the football tire drills and relays to shake things up a bit for little Miss Alyssa.

35 WEEKS!!!

Sunday was my baby shower and it was so much fun. There was a delicious chocolate fountain and lady bug cupcakes and don't forget the yummy punch that was in a baby bathtub! Lindsey did such a BEAUTIFUL job with the decorations and organizing!! You're the best!! There was a fantastic turn out and I got to see so many of my friends and family that I haven't seen in forever!! The outpouring of love is more than I can take sometimes! We are truly blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

I had quite the thrilling appointment on Monday (most of which was my own fault due to failing to grab breakfast before I left the house) I got all hooked up to the NST test, which takes a few minutes to get set up. Then the nurse left the room. I instantly began to feel a little light headed and then the shaking began...the problem with this is that the nurse wouldn't be back for 20 minutes. The more I tried to convince myself that I could wait the more intense the shaking and sweating became. There was no way to contact the nurses without going into the hallway... So, I unhooked myself and went out of the room where I asked for Mills' nurses. The nurse who I first talked to went to get me a coke and my nurse. Both of Mills' nurses came running down the hall with a fan and ice pack. (I felt like a total loser but such is life. They were super sweet and one of the nurses even gave me her personal granola bar) I got set back up on the NST machine with a fan blowing on me and felt MUCH better almost immediately after getting some coke in my system. For those of you who know me you will be VERY surprised to learn that the granola bar was PEANUT BUTTER and I was so desperate I ate it...(I must admit it was pretty tasty, I'm not going out and buying a container of peanut butter any time soon but I'm broadening my horizons.) The NST revealed that I've started to have some slight contractions (just braxton hicks but it is movement in the right direction) Due to Alyssa not cooperating as well as the doctor would have liked I had an ultrasound. The ultrasound revealed that the amniotic fluid is lower than desired so we're scheduled for another ultrasound on Thursday at 1. I'm glad Nick is going with me to that appointment. On a good note from this appt my BP was super low (the almost passing out helped with that) and my labs from this weekend came back better than they had the week before.

I've been having BH contractions off and on since the appointment nothing painful or consistent, these can last for weeks so it's nothing to be really excited about! I have assembled the swing, bouncy seat, and diaper genie. Plus, the dryer just went off signifying that the last of the new baby clothes are clean.

I guess that about sums up this week so far, and it's only TUESDAY!

Levels are back up...

Well, after my doctor appointment today I was inspired to wash Alyssa's bedding and call to schedule our hospital walk through visit. My blood pressure and Alyssa's NST were within normal limits but my weekend labs came back high. My protein levels were 398 (that's up about 200 from where they were 3 weeks ago.)

My doctor said that for now we will go ahead as scheduled with Thursdays ultrasound and she wants me to do labs again this weekend. From there, as long as things aren't too out of whack she'll just re-evaluate on Monday. I'll be 35 weeks pregnant a week from tomorrow which truly is a blessing considering how early my preeclampsia was detected.

Needless to say, I am trying not to get too wound up while still understanding that she may be here soon! Thursday will be a busy day because as I said we have a morning ultrasound then in the evening we have breastfeeding class and the hospital walk through after that.

In a totally irrelevant life update I finished the Twilight series (LOVE LOVE LOVE the 4th book Breaking Dawn) and have now started a book called Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown. I can already tell it's going to be a quick read, gotta love a little romance novel to pass the time.

NST appointment

So, I had an appointment today that started with a Non-Stress Test. The nurse got me all hooked up to the machine and left for 10 minutes. When she came back in to check on me she realized that the machine had not been recording and we'd have to start over. I was okay with this because, as we all know, I didn't have anywhere else to be! Plus, as I've described before it really is enjoyable to hear Alyssa's heartbeat and be completely focused on her, pushing the button each time she moves. Once the nurse was sure we were back on track she left the room and I continued reading the "Parent" magazine she'd provided for my entertainment. After 10 more minutes the nurse checked on me and said that she needed to "buzz" Alyssa to get her moving more. Alyssa of course jumped and kept on moving around. The nurse left and as Alyssa beat me up from the inside I smiled thinking about how lucky I am to have such a great medical team watching over us both.

After the 20 minute session the nurse came in took the results and left. She returned in just a few seconds and stated that Alyssa was considered "non-responsive per the results of the non-stress test" and that I would need an ultrasound. I immediately freaked out not knowing what this meant but having the constant reassurance from Alyssa due to her movements. I had to wait about 10 minutes to go in with the ultrasound tech and I was pretty anxious. The tech relayed that this happens often and she isn't really sure what they mean by "non-responsive" since I was feeling and seeing movement. She got started with the ultrasound and Alyssa was on the go throughout. The tech said that everything looks great and that Alyssa is very active. Alyssa even opened and closed her eye. The tech said she had never seen that occur before and she played back the footage as we both laughed at her. Alyssa also yawned and waved during the ultrasound.

I was then taken back to meet with the doctor. The nurse took my weight (blah) and blood pressure. My blood pressure was 128/60 (which is AWESOME). Dr. Mills came in and said things look great and that she'd see me on Thursday for another Non Stress Test. I still find it interesting what they choose to name things...

What. A. Day.

It all started out with me thinking that Liz and Mom had a "surprise" prenatal massage scheduled for me. (Early in the week I had attempted to schedule massages for all of us but had failed and as a result they had a special surprise that would require me to be in a blindfold and the "appointment" was set for 11 so I had to be ready to go). We stopped by Kohl's because I was in need of some "unmentionables" as my Mom has been calling them today. After we'd been there a while Mom and Liz said it was time to get going to my "appointment" We left Kohl's on our way to this undisclosed location and the blindfold was strategically placed on my eyes. I'd like to say that I'm good with things like this but, alas, I tend to like to be in control. We drove and drove to what I thought was Coldwater plaza...I was not yet allowed to remove the blindfold and Mom guided me inside (hitting my arm on various objects like car mirrors and walls) I was then placed in a chair and Mom said "Are they open yet?" I could tell that my picture was being taken which I found to be a little much, since in my mind we were at a spa. Surely the other guests wouldn't want to be bothered by a round pregnant woman in a blindfold. The time came for the blindfold to be removed...much to my surprise I WAS SITTING IN THE TRAINING ROOM AT WORK surrounded by my lovely co-workers. Needless to say, I was elated and honored that they would do this for me. Apparently, the surprise had been scheduled for quite a long time. My co-workers had enlisted Mom's help to get me there since my bedrest has resulted in me being home all the time. It was such a fun celebration and I am blessed to work with such caring and fun people!! This afternoon I had a doctor appointment where I had an ultrasound to ensure Alyssa was still head down and to do some more measurements. Alyssa got an 8 out of 8 on the scale for movement and size that the technician used. The tech even turned on the 3-D mode for a few minutes while we watched Alyssa suck on her big toe, that's right, she's a little monkey baby!! Dr. Mills said that Alyssa now weighs 4.5 lbs which is great for 32 weeks. My blood pressure was on track and so, as a result, I don't have to go back this week AND I do not have to do the weekly lab work/urine collection. SUCH GOOD NEWS!! As I look back at this day I am just so reminded of what a truly blessed and lucky woman I am. I have so many amazing people in my life and Alyssa is already so loved. Life is good.

President's Day

Well after what turned out to be a very lovely weekend it's Monday again. This week is going to be pretty full, even for a girl on bedrest!

Tonight is, of course, The Bachelor! Lindsey and Lyndsay are coming over which always makes for a lot of fun!! Tuesday brings Birthing Classes. They were canceled due to snow last week so there is probably going to be a lot of information to soak in. I'm definitely looking forward to the tour of the hospital and the other info they have to offer.

My doctor's office called today and reported that my weekend labs came back within normal range which means there is no need to come in during the early part of the week (YAY!!) I have an ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday. This ultrasound will be done to check her positioning as well as ensure her growth and measurements are on track. This ultrasound is even more exciting because it just happens to be on the day that Mom and Liz will be here all day. We are also planning to get massages in the morning, yes this was approved by my doctor in advance. I'm really looking forward to some fun girl time and getting away from the house for a large majority of the day.

Thursday is lunch with the Castle ladies and dinner with Amanda. Visitors make the time go by so much more quickly!!

Friday will probably bring my second doctor appointment of the week and a non stress test.

I must admit that it feels good to know I'll be 32 weeks pregnant tomorrow. I'm starting to wonder just how large this stomach of mine is going to get. It's pretty amazing the stretching that occurs. Alyssa is getting the hiccups a couple times a day which is one of the most interesting feelings. I find myself wanting to drink water, even though it's not me hiccuping! Alyssa is moving in full force and sometimes it feels like jello jigglers and other times it feels like she's busting out elbow first.

31 weeks

Alyssa continues to grow and MOVE! :) At Monday's appointment she showed off her skills during a Non Stress Test. These will occur each visit now, which I must say I'm a fan of. It makes me feel very connected to her listening to her heartbeat for 20 minutes and pushing a button each time she moves. According to this weeks Your Pregnancy This Week email Alyssa "measures over 16 inches long.She weighs about 3.3 pounds" We were supposed to attend our first birthing class tonight but due to the snow it has been canceled. I doubt Nick is as bummed as me heehee.

I haven't updated on here but Ryan and Liz did win the contest on Friday. It was apparently quite the show. I got to see video footage of the event and I will admit, it made me proud!! We look forward to the actual giving of the ring!

Friday

Well it's Friday already. This week went by pretty quickly here at the Castle house. Tonight is the big show down on the Memorial Coliseum Ice. Ryan and Liz will be competing for the Peter Franklin Diamond Ring. I must say I am disappointed I wont be there to cheer them on but I have been assured that there will be video footage for my viewing pleasures!!

Yesterday, I went back to the doctor and my blood pressure was back up again. It was a bit discouraging but my doctor assured me that it is just part of the preeclampsia and is one of the main reasons they see me two times a week. She said it's nothing to worry about as long as this weeks labs come back okay. My next appointment will be Monday at 2. I am looking forward to this appointment because I'm going to start having non-stress tests. Which means 20 minutes of listening to Alyssa's heartbeat. They'll also track to see if I'm contracting. We also start our Birthing classes next Wednesday as well. So, there are a lot of things coming up!

30 Weeks

I am officially 30 weeks pregnant today. Every day that I'm still pregnant is a success. In reading my weekly email about pregnancy I learned that Alyssa is likely "about 15.7 inches long and she weighs almost 3 pounds." My next appointment is on Thursday and will be with Dr. Mills again.

Today I called and scheduled Nick and I's classes at Parkview North. The first class is called "Preparing for Childbirth." That is a three week class and it starts February 9th. The second class is the Breastfeeding class. It is scheduled for March 4th. The third class is "Basic & Beyond Parenting Class" but due to the dates we aren't going to be able to attend that class in person. Since I'm on bedrest the hospital has something called the "Bedrest Network" which will send videos and information that we would have received in class. I'll let you know how all of these go!

Today has been a pretty quiet day, which is actually nice. I have spent most of the day listening to the "Change of Heart" audio while I did word finds. I'm really starting to embrace the quiet life I'm leading.

I just saw a VERY entertaining commercial that makes me happy to be having a baby girl!! :) I thought I'd share it!

It's February.

I am settling in after a very fantastic doctor appointment. Alyssa and I are both doing great and it is all thanks to this bedrest business. It makes it all worth it when I go in and my blood pressure is 124/70 and Alyssa's heart rate is 160. I'll be 30 weeks tomorrow, which to me is VERY exciting. I can't believe how fast it's gone, even with these last few weeks considered.

I have given up on my high hopes for crocheting a sweater (for now) and am making a blanket. It is going really well and it is MUCH less discouraging. I'm about to start the audio book Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. Watching television while you crochet is pretty pointless b/c you aren't really watching so I decided this would be a good way to entertain myself while crocheting.

Tonight is The Bachelor and Lindsey and Lyndsay are coming over to watch with me. So excited for the continued drama of this show. Hopefully Vienna goes home!!!

Crocheting a sweater...

So, as a result of yesterdays blah-ness I have started to crochet Alyssa a sweater. Keep in mind, my only crochet experience was a couple of scarves that I made 5 years ago. I'll keep you all posted on how this is going! I am going to give a shout out to You Tube "How To Videos" because they have helped me remember the basics!

Happy Friday to all of you who actually leave their houses!!

So I'm laying here cracking up laughing at Rudy. Keep in mind, we have all been in this house for what will be 2 weeks tomorrow. It is beginning to take it's toll on everyone, especially Rudy. He just sat in front of me barking for 2 minutes for absolutely no reason. (He has food, water, and I just let him outside) I explained, yes I talk to the dogs, that I would love to get up and play with him but that due to doctors orders he must entertain himself. I swear to you at that moment he turned, grabbed his toy, and flung it across the room. He just tossed it about chasing it and pouncing on it like he understood every word I had said to him. He finished that game up with a lovely round of "chase my own tail." Now he's just staring longingly out the window wishing he could have a different owner, one that would not just lay around for 22 1/2 hours of the 24 hour day. Poor baby.

As for me...I'm restless today. I'm thinking that a large craft project is about to go down in the near future. I'll keep you posted as to what it is I decide to make!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/4firUZrTS6p9loFp

Oh my goodness, I am VERY happy with this creation! On Christmas my parents presented the family with about a 20 minute JibJab DVD filled all of the kids' heads on the body of flamboyant elves. As elves we performed various dances from break dances to barn dances. Well this morning, I made one of my own.
Ladies and Gentleman, Brian and Cindy Lursen figure skating. Love it!!

Just thought I'd share a few pictures from the last week. We had our Ultrasound Monday the 18th and got a few good pictures. For those of you who have experience with Ultrasounds they are probably easier to look at. I guess for me the picture that is the most entertaining is the one of my big pregnant belly. Wow how it's grown. Tomorrow is my next doctor appointment, it's at 1:30. I'll get the results of the 24 hr. urine screen and my most recent blood draws. Hopefully I will have more good news to report!! Colts have their place in the Superbowl pretty much sealed up, now it's time for the Vikings to make us proud!! Nick and I are about to switch from our Colts Jerseys to our Vikings Jerseys to ensure they are successful!!

You know you are on bedrest when:
1. Your Mom drives all the way to Fort Wayne just to give you a pedicure and bring you presents.
2. You watch "The Soup" and realize you saw all of the television clips live.
3. You are excited by the marathon of Teen Mom
4. You are counting down to the Olympics b/c it is a guarantee that there will be something to watch 24 hours a day.
5. You look forward to doctors appointments because you get to leave the house.
6. You take pride in producing over 3,000 mL of pee to take to the lab.

One week down friends!

One week down...

I went to the doctor today, it was a very quick and, as I'd hoped, good appointment. My blood pressure remains where it is supposed to be, there was no swelling in my ankles or feet and I got to hear Alyssa's heartbeat. Dr. Mills was very pleased and relayed that there is, at this point, no need to push the steroids to prepare for delivery. I got permission from Dr. Mills to get my prenatal massages that Nick got for me. So what now? For now, I pee...and put it all in a container for 24 hour, I'll then turn it into the lab tomorrow.

It has been a long week, and honestly I've somehow managed to accomplish a lot from the couch. I've filed my Short Term Disability and FMLA paperwork and looked into the local day cares. I'll be visiting the facilities probably next week (Yes I asked and Dr. Mills said this would be okay too).

I'm glad it's Friday, the weekend brings time with Nick, our families and let us not forget THE VIKINGS BEATING THE SAINTS TO CLAIM THEIR SPOT IN THE SUPERBOWL!

Not a lot to report on today. I read half of the book "The Milk Memos" this morning. So far it's been a great and fast read. It is a very encouraging book for Working, Breastfeeding moms.

This afternoon I had a nice visit with my cousin Chris and her adorable daughter Ava. It was nice to catch up and just hang out. Wow though, my dogs still have some major training needs. They ended up being put in the crates for jumping, ugh.

I also filed my short term disability claim over the phone today. It is all a little stressful. Hopefully it goes through quickly, they have to contact my doctor and employer and they will then notify me if I qualify.

Between that and calling the daycare facilities yesterday I'm just hoping that we make the right decisions. It's a lot to think about and plan for.

Nick is stopping by the library to pick up all the books I have on reserve there. I have so many books going at once right now! I am loving that aspect of bedrest!! I'm in the middle of listening to "Dear John" on Audio, Re-reading "Multiple Blessings" and as I mentioned I'm reading "The Milk Memos"

Iron Pills & XM Radio

Another day, another post, I think I could get used to this it fits quite nicely into my afternoon activity time.

Today I've decided that I may be partially losing my memory so to try and avoid this at all cost I've created a system. First let me explain what occurred to make me come to this decision. We've all heard about older people not being able to remember if they took their medication we think oh, sad, how can they be that out of touch. Well folks...THIS HAPPENED TO ME TODAY! I have been prescribed an iron pill three times a day, not too strenuous an activity but important non the less. At lunch, for the life of me I couldn't remember if I'd already taken the dose or not. Talk about scary...I suppose some would say that I could chalk this up to "pregnancy brain" or all my days running together. All I know is that I'm not a fan of the forgetfulness. So I now have a paper towel on which I've written B-L-D and have laid a pill next to each letter of the corresponding meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) hopefully ensuring I get each dose. I think part of my problem is that I have too much time to evaluate the scary fact that I don't know if I took my noon dose. I realize this will have no effect on Alyssa (the lack of dose if that's the case). All I know is I've got it under control now haha.
I'm now wondering if it is more sad that I just blogged about this for a whole paragraph than that I don't remember if I took my medication.

On a completely new topic I truly love XM Radio. I've had it playing all day as I've entertained myself with word finds and computer usage. It has great variety and little to no talking, which I find fantastic.

I guess what can be gathered from this is that today has been a quiet day here, just as the doctor ordered. I'm just not sure she knows the crazy person she's creating by confining me to my couch and bed.

Introduction and Explanation

Well, here I am, 28 weeks pregnant with preeclampsia (a combination of high blood pressure and increased protein levels in my urine). As a result of this diagnosis, my OB/GYN has ordered bedrest until delivery. By default I am doing all that I can to follow these directives without going completely out of my mind. So...hence a blog. It is doubtful that many people will feel the urge, or have the time, to read this blog. I'm okay with that and to be honest I'm just using this as another activity to fill my time.

Here's to a basically talking to myself without feeling guilty about it!