Preggo and baby pictures

I realized that being on bed rest would mean no fun pictures of me while I was pregnant! And since I treasure the ones that I have when I was pregnant with the twins, I decided to take one each time we went to the doctor's. Another thing I started doing is having an original cheese (no meat) Schotzsky's for lunch after the Dr. appointment!

28 weeks and that was a huge milestone as far as baby's development!  We were so thrilled to have made it to the "Safe zone!"

I also started getting up more and going to the kitchen to get myself something to eat at around 28 weeks and it was so much better for my outlook and being able to continue with bed rest!  It was NOT easy for me to be so dependent on others for so much and it was just easier on everyone if I could just do some simple things!  

August seemed to drag on forever!  It was sooo crazy with Allie not being in MDO and having to have multiple people watching her everyday!  My mom was trying to take family leave, but they would not let her, but luckily we had awesome friends take her for a day their houses to play and Madi our wonderful babysitter!  Even though Allie had fun with her friends, she was a mess and was in definite need of a routine and schedule!  It would take Jon almost every night more than 2 hours to put her to bed with her screaming, yelling, kicking, crying.... and all I could do was lie in bed and listen!  It would break my heart every night!  I have realized that there are certain foods that set her off and she becomes uncontrollable (food sensitivity), but it was sooo hard to monitor what she ate when I was in bed all day!

Right at 29 weeks, I had a 4D ultrasound done and it was so fun!   He had been head down but had turned breech a couple days before this- yes I could feel him doing it!  We got a video of the whole session and lots of cute pictures!  The one above is with the umbilical cord in front of his mouth.

 Tired little guy! (from kicking mommy so much!!)

 He has his eyes open and starting to smile

 "Hi Mom and Dad!!!"

Profile shot.  I was so glad that we got to have this done as it really did help me bond with him and see what I was fighting for each day!  Even though I know there is a baby inside me, it is still hard to remember that when Allie seemed to need me just as much on some days.  Plus, it was good to see him at about the same gestational stage as the boys- well sort of close to the stage.

September 5; 30 week doctor visit and when Allie started MDO this year. Things around the house got easier for me because Allie had a routine and  was not having as many meltdowns during the day.  

This was also 2 days before Michael and Jake's 2nd birthday.  I thought I would be OK since last year it was not too bad, but this year was REALLY hard!  I had wanted to have cute cupcakes and balloons for them and being on bed rest meant that I could not even go pick those out for them.  All the feelings of helplessness and not being able to do ANYTHING for them while in the hospital came flooding back.   We had Jon's parents and my parents over, but I didn't want to be a part of the evening- it was too much for me and too many emotions to deal with.  And the possibility of losing another baby boy was all to  real at that point.

 30 weeks measuring albs 10 oz - he wouldn't move his hand away from his face.  But he had turned face down again

   2D of him after he moved his hand and he smiled for the picture!  We even got it on video!!!
At the end of 30 weeks, I started having a lot of contractions and actually had 10 in 1 hour and 10 minutes and almost went to Labor and delivery!  After calling my Dr. he said double up on the meds and luckily they slowed down!  What was funny is that this happened while Jon and I were watching the movie "what to expect when you are expecting!" I had been waiting for 3 months for it to come out on Netflix!  I guess I was really into the movie!!!

31 weeks and my first glucose test which I failed!  Luckily, I passed the 3 hour one!!  I already have enough food issues when I am pregnant and to add that to my problems would have been too much  for me to handle!  We did get the Nutribullet this week and I started making lots of "green" smoothies with all sorts of fruits and vegetables!  When I made one for Allie, she said "I don't like salad"when I put spinach in hers, but after she tried it she said "I DO like salad!"

My waist measured 40 inches which is 1 1/2 inches bigger than it was when I delivered Allie at 38 weeks!!!  Funny thing is that Allie is also measuring about 40 inches in height right now which is almost 1 inch in 3 weeks!  I have gained 18 lbs so far.

Jon took Allie to Galveston for the night this week to see his parents who were staying there and he also went on a  couple day trip to Corpus.  My mom stayed with us and both my parents have helped out so much.

32 week doctor visit. The contractions had pretty much gone away and I was feeling so much better about making it to full term.  I could get up without having any and for the most part, they were gone  

This was also so exciting because September was almost over and I was still pregnant!!!  Plus, it went by so fast-especially compared to August that seemed to drag on forever!  My spirits were definitely up and I could see the end in sight and I had already done 9 weeks of bed rest!!!

Ha ha-being silly!

33 weeks! Been having lots of pain and feels like my stomach is going to detach from my body when I lie down!  Much more comfortable to be sitting up!

This is my view of my stomach!

On our way to our 34 week Dr. appointment.... And I was totally surprised that he let me off bed rest!!!!  I was expecting it to happen after 36 weeks when the cerclage came out so I didn't even get to do a count down in my head!  BUT I was not going to complain!!!  11 weeks and 3 days of bed rest- done!!!!  Oh happy day!!  And he is measuring 5.5 lbs.!

And what perfect timing because the next day was the MEND walk to remember/balloon release to celebrate our boys' lives and I had been SO SAD that we were going to miss it this year!

But we got to go!  I didn't do the walk so much but we did release the balloons and got the nice ornaments for their Christmas tree.  I admit that it was too much for me that day as it was a long drive, but so glad we went.  We didn't go out to eat that night because I was too worn out!

But I did take Allie to gymnastics on Monday and then to school on Tuesday (which was great to finally meet her teachers!) and then GIRL'S night out to Berry Hill tamale for dinner! Then on Wednesday, my dad and I went to Target (rode in a motorized cart again) and got baby stuff and some groceries.

Unfortunately, even with doing only one outing a day or every other day seemed to be too much for me because after a week, the contractions came back and if I am up too long they get really frequent and strong. SO....since I don't want to deliver right now; back to bed I go to spend most of my time.  This picture cracks me up because he was literally hanging out on the right side of my belly! He moves A LOT!!!!

Saturday, Jon and I finally got to go out to eat at Fogo Da Chao!  This was the last restaurant we went to before bed rest!  We just get the yummy salad bar though and I had been wanting the  cheese bread the whole time I was stuck in bed!  It was nice to get out!!!

I couldn't really get too close to the table  because my tummy is too big and it was painful to lean forward with his feet in my ribs!!  And that night my right leg swelled up really big and stayed that way Sunday too!  Not fun at all!

Sunday, my niece Julia had a ballet performance, Swan Lake, so we went with my parents.  This was Allie's first live performance and she did GREAT!  She sat perfectly for 2 hours!  She was so excited!

 Julia and Allie.  Look at that smile on her face!  She was in HEAVEN!

 So proud  of Julia!

 Grandpa and Allie painting!  Thanks dad for helping on your days off!

And finally, we went to the grocery store on Tuesday for almost 2 hours!!  It was so good to be able to shop for myself and not have to rely on memory and a list for someone else to do!  And of course it was raining really hard when we were done, but it was sure fun!

Back to the Dr. tomorrow for my 36 week appointment!!! SO THRILLED TO HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR!!!  The countdown has begun and the end is just around the corner!!!!  And we are ready!

MEND Walk to Remember

On Friday, at my Dr. appointment, he said I could go off of strict bed rest since I had made it to 34 weeks and everything seems to be going OK!  I was  so excited!  I did miss having a countdown to the day anticipation that I had been looking forward to as it was a surprise to me!  I had all these visions of things I would be able to do now before Baby gets here!  When I got home and checked Face book, I saw that the MEND Walk to Remember was on Saturday!  I had been so sad to miss this and now I had permission to go!  Since it was on the other side of town and I knew it would be a long day, I needed to take it easy until then and that meant no celebration dinner that night.  But it was worth it!

They have ornaments made for each child (I have another for the triplet, but it was left in Jon's car, and he is not here) and you put them on a tree as they call out their names.  The boys have their own Christmas tree with all of these ornaments on it. 

Then each person got a balloon in the color representing their baby that is in heaven and you can write a message on it for them.  I wrote "we love you to Michael and Jake and then Allie wanted to write her message on her balloons.

 She was very focused and put her name on it because as she said "she wanted them to know it was from her!"  She was being super sweet that day and it was really good to be out and about with her!

 She wrote her name backwards- which is a first!!

 There is a silent remembrance walk to release the balloons together.

 This year, it was VERY short which was good for me because I was worn out!  The ceremony was held outside (covered) and it was still quite warm so I had to go inside for a lot of it.

 As you can see, we didn't even walk the whole way!

 It's a beautiful site, but also very sad when you realize that each balloon is a life that was cut too short and represents so much pain for so many families.

My favorite pictures from the last 3 years have been these- Allie on Jon's shoulders releasing the balloons.

On the way home, Allie said to me "Mommy I am sorry that Michael and Jake were born too little!"  

Oh my sweet little girl...

She was brave this year and went up front to sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" with the other kids and see sang it for us on the way home  to make sure that we heard it!  It's really funny!  I was really worn out by the end of the say and learned that  just because I could be off bed rest, didn't mean I should be off of it!  Too many contractions for my liking!

Life around me...

August and September 2012...

I did manage to get outside  a couple of times to be in the pool (laying down on a lawn chair IN the pool!)!  Allie was so happy when I was out there and it was good for my spirits and my vitamin D!

Allie getting brave to swim by herself.  And she did it!  She went all the way across the pool by herself with no floaties on!  She was SO proud of herself!  I actually had to come outside and take this picture because she was SO excited!

It was time for a haircut and luckily, Allison's little girl Meagan also needed a haircut, so she took them both!  The girl's had so much fun together!

 Allie likes to put a lot of bows in her hair!  The more the better!  Notice almost all the pictures that I took are of her in my bedroom!  Others were sent  to me!

And not sure why she had the band aid or sweater on!

First days of Mother's Day Out!    She is going all 5 days this semester which has really helped out, so my mom can work more and there is more of a routine for her.  My dear friend, Alicia, picks her up  3 of the days and brings her home!  She even takes her and her 2 girls to play afterwards sometimes!  Such a HUGE help!!  The other days, my dad takes off work or my mom does a half day.  Jon takes her on Mondays, but since school doesn't start until 9:30 it's harder for him to do it everyday.

This is my sweet girl!  These past 3 months, have been very tough on Allie.  She has not been her sweet self  a lot of the time and having A LOT of tantrums and meltdowns!  Most nights, it has taken Jon over 2 hours to put her to sleep and she is up there screaming, kicking, crying, yelling....  It has been stressful for everyone!  So I will keep this picture of her in my mind to remember her sweet face!

Allie likes spending time in bed with me making her crafts!  She also will spend hours cutting out pictures from magazines and gluing them on paper plates.  She also loves to draw and practice her writing!  This is an "invitation to her birthday" that she made!

We put her table in my room so she could make her crafts in here!

Allie started gymnastics 2 months ago at a place close to us and she loves it!  It has been a good way for her to get some of her extra energy out and  she loves to practice what she learns!  She is constantly doing somersaults and saying "Ta da!"   

 Two weeks ago, a spot opened up in Meagan's class, so now they get to play together!

 

 She does her practicing all over the house and furniture as well!

Grandma's birthday in September, always a good reason to eat a cupcake! 

She also went to a friend's birthday party with the older kids and again, time for a cupcake!  I actually have a bunch frozen from Whole foods that can be packed for her so she is not eating the artificial dyes.

 

Of course, you have to eat the frosting first!

Jon's parent's took Allie one day to Brazos Bend State park as they were "camping" there.  When she saw they were in a trailer and not tents she said "this is not camping!"  Afterwards, they went to dinner with Jon and Allie actually ate  Chinese stir fry.

They also were at Galveston for the week, so Jon took Allie for the night to go to the beach and stay with them.    Jim was playing the keyboard and Allie was dancing.  She loves to sing with them.

Nana and Pops!

On the way home, she was tired!!

Lots of meals in bed! And Allie LOVES it!

One of my old students from FBBA has a younger sister who has been a SUPER babysitter for us since we moved out here!  Madi has been so good with  Allie and we are SO thankful for her!

Everybody has to help out around the house, since Mommy can't do it!..  And she likes washing dishes!

Not the best picture, but she was being so sweet and hugging both me and baby!

When she wakes up super early, which she does frequently, Jon gives her the IPAD.

Grandparent's day at school.  Since she is going all 5 days, she has two different teachers and classes.

These silly faces remind me of myself in my younger days!

Always busy cutting out pictures to make crafts!  And look at how well she cuts out tiny little pictures!  She has very good fine motor skills!

2nd Grandparent's Day- Nana and Pops

Since Jon's parent's took Allie for the night, and since I was close to 34 weeks; I went on my first non Dr. visit outing!  We just went down the road to a pizza place and ate dinner!! It was a quick date, but it sure was GREAT to be out of the house and feel normal!

There are rare days when Allie will actually take a nap- and this was one of them!  The problem is not that she isn't tired, but that she won't be still long enough to let herself rest!  Last week, she was at the park and fell and busted her chin, and I guess all the crying wore her out! 

Later that night, Jon took her to the urgency care to see if she needed stitches since it was a pretty good cut and both of us get Keloids when we scar.  Dr. "glued" her instead and she was so brave!  I had given her 3 jelly beans to help her brave and she ate 2 of them and said that she was going to save the 3rd one for after the Dr. and wanted to put it in a zip lock baggie!  She took it with her and it ended up falling on the floor so she had to wait until she got home!  She has so much self will power and delayed gratification for a 3 year old!!  Proud of her!

The day before I officially got off bed rest, my dad drove me to the chiropractor (Long awaited for!!) and then we stopped at Whole foods!  I rode in one of those motorized carts and had my dad put things in the cart for me.  I can not tell you how happy that made me!!!  It is so hard to grocery shop by memory or just a list!  And for 3 months, I have not been able to go to the store!  Simple pleasures in life!

Allie decided that she needed to do my hair for me!  Besides pulling my hair really hard, she did a great job!
It has been really hard at times to be in bed and not a part of life, but I am SO glad that baby boy has made it this far and we have not had to make visits to the NICU!  I am also very thankful that I got to do almost all of it at home and not in the hospital!  We have had fabulous friends bringing us dinner for the last 3 months and my parents have been super wonderful at helping with Allie and things around the house so that Jon did not have too much pressure on him!  Also very thankful that Jon's business has picked up and some of that stress has been taken off of him!