Sunday

This morning Kev headed to church.  I knew it would be good for him to get to go even though I couldn't.  After church he picked up some lunch and brought the girls to the hospital.  Normally on Sundays we eat as fast as we can and always put the girls down for a nap.  They are always soooo tired after church and we are usually on borrowed time.  We knew it was a risk to forgo nap time and attempt it at the hospital.  I was so thankful to see my girls.  We played a little, colored a little and then we all took a LONG Sunday afternoon nap...at the hospital.  That is a miracle!  Ella and I snuggled on the bed and Kev and Eliza slept on the couch.  They both slept for over two hours even with a cleaning lady coming in and a nurse.  Kev and I couldn't believe it!!  It was so nice to spend some time together as a family today and to get in some snuggle time with my girls.  Have I said how much I miss them?

After nap time we took advantage of my 30 minutes of freedom and went down to the food court area and fed them dinner.  Ella pushed my wheelchair the whole way and did a great job.  The food court is much better than the cafeteria food... I must admit!  So, all in all it was a good day and another day down. 

Things with Eli seem to be really stable so far.  His heartrate and daily NST are good.  He is still moving around and my contractions are laying low.  So far there are no signs of an infection...and so we continue to wait.  Waiting is good...but is so hard. 

So long Saturday

Another day is almost done.  It is sad to be counting the days away, but when you are stuck in a hospital room, it is about all you can do.  I learned today that each day that Eli stays put will cut off about 3 days in the NICU.  That is a good perspective for me to remember because at times this is terribly hard and I am ready to be done!

Kev took me outside for my wheelchair ride today.  It was my first time outside in a week and two days.  The sunshine felt good.  It was strange because it was a reminder that life is still very much happening all around even though it feels like we are locked in a strange kind of dream. 

I am so anxious to go home.  I cannot wait to sleep in my own bed.  To shower in my clean shower.  To be the one caring for my girls.  To have freedom again.  I know as soon as I leave the hospital I will be torn, because I will be leaving my precious little newborn behind.  I am sure the minute I get home, I am going to feel the need to get back.  Please Lord help us through this time. 

Once again today I was so grateful for the sweet friends who stopped in and passed some time with us.  We appreciate it more than you know!

A Good Day!

Today was such a better day than yesterday.  I got to see my girls.  I had several sweet friends stop in and visit.  Time seemed to pass without me watching each hour on the clock.  I am so thankful for that. 

We got surprise visit tonight from our sweet friends, the Kutilek's.  We met them about eight years ago when they visited our Sunday School class at church. It seems like yesterday we were newlyweds and dreaming of having a family.  They have always been very special friends to us throughout the years despite living in different places.  They drove about 5 hours with 3 small kids to visit us at the hospital.  It meant so much to us.

Another day down....another day Eli could grow.  I can almost see week 32 in sight! 

Long Day

Today was a very, very long day.  It was the first day that I spent the day completely alone sitting in this lovely little room.  As the day went on, I felt more and more alone and sad.  I have made it one week now at the hospital and I am missing my home and our normal life so much.  I miss being at home with my girls so much I almost cannot stand it.  I think the hardest part is that I know it very well could be two and a half more weeks.  Normally that would seem like nothing, but in this situation it seems like an eternity.  I know I have to take it one day at a time,

I did have an ultrasound this morning and it went pretty well.  My fluids levels were higher than they had expected, especially since I have been ruptured for over a week now.  The other good news was that Eli's left ventricle, which has always been the largest one only measured 13mm today.  That is one mm less than it measured last Thursday. One mm is not a big difference and they said it could just be a measurement error.  Either way, I am so thankful that it measured less and hasn't increased now in 3 weeks. That is awesome news.  Maybe all this hardwork with prenatal surgery, bedrest and now hospital bedrest won't be in vain.  It would definitely be worth it if we can be one of the fortunate ones to avoid a shunt.  

The only discouraging news was that they saw minimal movement in his legs and knees.  We did see a little bit, but he said it was concerning.  That is always hard news to hear.  I am praying and praying that maybe he will surprise us when he is born. 

Another Day Down

I figured if we are going to have many pictures from this summer, we better get started taking some each day at the hospital.

Ella trying out my leg massagers.  She told me she was about to have surgery. 

The best part of visiting mommy....

is a daily treat from the gift shop!

We had a good day today.  Kev had some appointments this morning and I spent a little time alone.  Each day I am determined to get up and to feel as normal as possible.  Generally each day someone comes in my room and sees me and says, "Oh, it looks like you are about to be discharged."  I wish!  I always feel better when I am showered, dressed and ready for the day...even if that only involves sitting!

We had several sweet visitors today who helped us pass some time.  We are so thankful for so many sweet, sweet friends who are such a blessing to us. 

We also got to meet with a Neonatologist from the NICU today.  I felt a lot better after meeting her .  I know you can never really know what to expect and having SB will complicate things even more, but I feel like I better know what to expect. She said that every day that he is inside counts.  She did even say that if he comes out breathing on his own he can go straight to the level 2 nursery!!  You can pray about that if you'd like!!

It is really surreal to me that I will be having a baby (my very last baby)  in less than 3 weeks.  This has been such a different pregnancy.  Normally, I would have everything completely ready for the baby. Tiny clothes would be washed in Dreft and waiting.  Packs of tiny, sweet smelling Swaddler diapers would be lining the closet.  I would have been nesting for weeks.  Our home would be clean and organized.  There would be matching big sister and little brother shirts.  There would be some new toiletries and a new Bath and Body lotion for me, carefully packed in my hospital bag.  There would probably be tears and extra close snuggles, as I treasured my last night with Eliza being the baby.  Needless to say, this is all so different and none of that really matters at all.  I know the feeling will be the same the moment I see my baby! 

31 Weeks

I haven't taken many pregnant pictures this pregnancy.  I figured I better while I still can! 

My two favorite visitors.  Poor daddy...he dressed Ella in Eliza's shorts and I have no clue what Eliza is wearing.
He did try and he did bring bows for me to fix their hair.  Too bad he brought Eliza a red bow for her mismatch outfit!  This definitely made me laugh and brightened our day!

The soon to be big sisters!! Poor Eli...he has no idea what is waiting for him!


Well, the good news is that another day is almost over.  I look at the clock every evening and say, "Yes, this day is over!"   So far so good! 

Monday almost to 31

Today has been a good day at the hospital.  Well, as good as a day of hospital bedrest can be!  We were thankful to have some sweet friends come and visit us today and that helped to make the day pass faster.  Daddy went home tonight to spend some time with our girls and gather some needed supplies. 

I will be 31 weeks tomorrow.  So far things continue to be stable with no signs of a problem.  I am trying my best to get further, but there is really not much I can do at this point.  Our nurse told us last night that about 50% of women deliver within the first week of PROM(premature rupture of membranes) and another 50% will deliver in the second week.  Some make it even further.  Really, no one knows how long it will be. 

We met with a developmental pediatrician and nurse from the Spina Bifida clinic here this afternoon.  We had planned to go visit on the next clinic day just to get an idea of what it is like...but obviously we aren't going to make it so they came to visit us.  It is overwhelming when I think that once we get through the delivery and all the NICU issues, we are just beginning our journey with Spina Bifida.  I am continuing to pray for the best as any parent would. 

So, that was our day. Here's to 31 weeks tomorrow!