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WEEK 31

It wasn't that long ago that I wasn't sure if I would make it here. I was diagnosed with incompetant cervix at 20 weeks and put on bedrest. At week 23 I had an emergancy cerclage placed. Those 3 days in the hospital were the worse. I was afraid we were going to lose him. But, over time things are slowly getting less scary. Our perintologist told my husband and I to set small goals. The first goal was 28 weeks. This would give him a 90% chance of survival. Week 23 to week 28 were the longest time frame of my life! And then we were on to goal #2. 30 weeks. And now we only have 1 1/2 days left for goal #3. 32 weeks. So our next goal is for 34 weeks. My mom has her own personal mini goal...33 weeks. She is helping throw a baby shower at that time and wants to make sure I am there and still pregnant!

Dr. appointment went really well this week. My cervix is measuring at 2 cm. It has stayed at this point since the cerclage. Although I have lost 1 of the 2 stitches, the last one is holding strong. We also learned that Elliot is weighing in at 3 pounds and 14 ounces. This is great news! He is right in the normal range. For so long we have been praying for him to get big and strong but at the same time I also have getstational diabetes. So we don't want him getting too big.

One of the best parts of this weeks Dr. visit....being told that I have only gained 18 pounds. After being diagnosed with gestational diabtetes and put on bed rest with no excercise, I thought for sure I would blow up like a blimp. But I suppose it is easy to keep your weight down when you can't have any yummy crave foods. I would love some fries and cheesecake...but I just can't. It won't be long and my 2 weekly NST's, 1-2 weekly ultrasounds, and bed rest will all be over! Just 56 more days. But most importantly... I will get to meet my little Elliot!

FEBRUARY 21st

Had another cervix check today. Still holding around 2cm. I don't have to go back for 3 weeks this time! And the appointment after that....I will be 37 weeks. Dr says he will take out the cerclage at that point and take me OFF OF BEDREST! Woo Hoo! Now, I just have to make it to 37 weeks!

WEEK 33

Had my baby shower yesterday. It was so great! The theme was rubber duckies. It was too cute. They even had ducks floating in the punch bowl, which was a big blue bath tub. Everything was decorated so well. Yellow and blue everywhere. I got the cutest clothes and LOTS of diapers. It was just so great to get out of the house and be with friends and co workers. (Even if I laid on a cot like Queen of Sheba.) I have been really nervous the last month that I would go into labor before the shower. But, so far so good. I am couting down the time till bedrest is over..... only 4 more weeks. This week should go pretty quick for me, one of the fastest on bedrest yet. It started with a great shower, and on Tuesday we get carpet put in our new bedroom. This is the last step in the long remodeling project, for our second story. The babies room fllors have been done for a week, but can't be set up until this week. So Wednesday it is!!!! My mom and I hacve planned a full day of baby decorating. And we can't wait. It will consisit of me lying on the floor and watching mostly, but I am still very excited. Hubby spent all last night putting together misc. items for the nursery. All that is left to assemble is his dresser, tonight. It will be a fun week! Have an ultrasound and bi weekly NST on Wednesday.

Can't wait to hear how big our Elliot has grown and see his little face on the monitior.

February 29th

Busy week! I had another ultrasound on Wednesday. Baby weighs 5.5 LBS! WOW!!!! They say he has really long legs (like his dad) and lots of hair. All week I have been having bad sciatic pain, and on Thursday it actually crippled me to the floor. Had to call my hubby home from work to pick me up of the ground. We called the Dr. and she said that it happens a lot more severe to woman on bedrest. Anti inflammitory is best for it, but I can't take it because I am pregnant. It is sooo painful The good side is that my mom said that she had sciatic problems with me. And that the pain she went through in her back was worse than the pain of natural childbirth. So I try to tell myself... if I can handle this, labor will be a breeze. Ha!

The nursery go put together on Wednesday. It is adorable. Better than I had imagined. The rest of our house now needs to be put into order. We were doing lots of remodeling, so things are crazy around here. Can't wait for all to be in its place, and neat. It is frustrating to go through the nesting period and be stuck in bed! Can't wait to be 34 weeks on Sunday! Another milestone in babies development. And just 3 more weeks of bedrest!!! Then I can do all the cleaning I want!

WEEK 34

Had another Dr. apt toaday. Best one yet! We were told that they will no longer stop labor, that his lungs, brain, and other parts have matured enough for birth. But, we still want him stay in my incubator, rather than the hospitals! He ways 5 llbs, 10 oz. The u.s. tech had to check his leg measurements 3 times, because she couldn't believe how long they were measuring. Long I can handle.... just don't want him too wide. Ha! They also moved my due date up 3 days. I will take all I can get. With bed rest, it is like taking 3 days off of your prison sentence. Planning a date night for two weeks from now. That is the end of my bed rest and they will remove the cerclage. A nice dinner with hubby is greatly needed. Can't wait to feel like a normal couple again, and get back out into the world. And it will probablly be the last quality time we spend together before the baby is born. Can't believe he will be coming any time now. Its a great feeling to know that your baby will soon be coming- and he will be safe. We have worried for so long that he was going to come too soon. Now its nothing but joy and anticipation! But, we still want him to stay put a few more weeks!

MARCH 13TH

I think I am seeing a pattern here. Baby now weighs 5LBS and 15OZs. Every week he has gained 5 oz. Very consistant, he is. All is well. I can't believe it but I still have my stitch. I thought for sure it would have broke through. I have a transvaginal u.s. on Friday. This will tell us exactly how much it is holding, and my cervical length. I was allowed to go to the pool and exercise today. It was great. First time I have got to move around in 16 weeks!! I am tired though. Definetly out of shape from lying around for so long. I could get my stitch out/removed from bedrest as early as Friday. But also could be 2 more weeks. So, I won't get my hopes up yet. Sure would be a nice suprise to be done with bed rest a week early though!!! At this point I am blissfully happy. It wasn't long ago that I was in a hospital bed, trying to stay positive, but thinking that I was goingto lose my baby. Even my family now admits they didn't think he was going to make it. But of course, they were positive for me at the time and told me everything would be fine. And thank god, so far, it is. We are truly blessed. It is so odd to pray for so long that the baby won't come and stay put... and now we are preparing for a healthy , soon to be full term baby boy! Won't be long now.

WEEK 36

Whoo hoo! Had doctors appt. today. I am 2 cm dilated! They are removing my cerclage next Wednesday. Dr. says to bring my bags. That she expects me to instantly dilate to 5 cm. So, no induction, but it looks like we are planning a baby a week from today. So, I am taking myself off of bedrest starting tomorrow. There is too much to do, and I have some serious nesting to catch up on! Planning on cooking and freezing all weekend. Except for Friday. Planning on having dinner with friends and catch up after 4 months in the house. Also planning a "date night" for me and hubby next Tuesday. He is going to work half a day. That way we can get rested up for "the big day" and have one night off of "pelvic restrictions". After 5 months, its time!! We don't want to wait the 6 weeks after baby. At check up today, baby is weighing in at 6LBs 7oz. Should be right at 7LBs by next Wednesday. It will be nice if the Doc is right, and we do have him next Wednesday. My body is shot after laying around so long. (I have charlie horses every night now...ouch) But, not geting my hopes up. I also dreamed of going into labor as a suprise, so if it doesn't happen, that will be ok too. Wow. its now real. I am going to be a mommy real soon. Can't wait to see my little guy!