33 Weeks!

One more week and we can deliver at our hospital of choice. Two more weeks and we will be at the same week as our other 2 delivered. So, I am still optimistic. My 4 contractions an hour when I am not sleeping not withstanding.

Mike is still leaning toward sooner than later, but that is okay too. I appreciate all of his attention and kindness even though he is completely exhausted from doing everything! The kids are also being troopers, they are helpful and great at meeting all of my needs when they are here.

I am also really grateful for our ward. They are bring in dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays which seems to be enough food to make it through the week for us. That is a big relief. Grandma and Mike were doing a great job of trying to make dinner happen, but I am glad that they do not have that burden anymore. It has also been nice to see people from the ward a couple of time a week. It gets a little boring to sit here all day, so the variety is nice.

Hope you are all well! I have done a couple more hats, and now I am working on one for C. Next will be one for M. I will post pictures when I get the camera back out:)

32 Weeks

I forgot to write an update after my appointment on Tuesday. I am so grateful for my doctor who is so reassuring. We decided against another FFN, even though it has been 2 weeks. His take on it was that if it came back negative I might not be so careful, Lol! I think he knows me a little too well.

He did check my cervix and I am a little more dilated and effaced (2 cm and 70%.) He actually looked back at my record with M and I was at  3 cm and 60%  by week 34 with him. So he said my body is just moving a little faster this time, and that is to be expected with another baby. I reacted to the progesterone shot last week, so we are stopping those. I am really sad about that, but not surprised. Wish there was a way to keep it from turning to a giant lump and itching like crazy!

Dr. Smith is optimistic that  I will make 35 weeks. I am feeling pretty good about it too. Mike is not as sure, and feels like the doctor is just trying to be reassuring so that I don't worry. I am grateful for every day we keep this baby in. Each day counts as far as development and weight go.

So, that is all of our excitement so far this week, what is up in your world?

I love Crocheting!

I Love Crochet! I don't care if what I  make looks good, or even fits the baby, I am just grateful for the stress relief it gives me. Sitting on the couch has been ok, most days I have some little project to keep me company (i.e. compiling tax info, paying bills, reading, drawing.)

But Sunday I picked up a couple of skeins of yarn I had laying around and started crocheting, and I was immediately more happy and relaxed. It is as if crocheting changes my brain chemistry!

Anyway, just thought I would share that with you all, I'm sure it was a fact you needed to know, Lol! So here are the pictures of my creations so far, thanks to the internet for so many great pattern options! If you want to know which ones I have been using look at my pinterest boards.

Have a great day!

Baby Shower

Feeling Spoiled! These are my good friends Marilyn and Sharilyn that I have not seen for a long time!

My sisters and sisters-in-law threw a wonderful baby shower on Saturday. I was so lucky to have so many family and friends come and celebrate this baby with me.

I was also feeling very blessed that we made it to the shower. Earlier in the week I was not sure we would because of all of the contractions! They have finally slowed down and I am starting to feel optimistic about making it to 35 weeks. Tomorrow is 32  weeks, so everyday is a bonus.

Just thought I would update you all, I spent yesterday on the couch crocheting baby hats. I will try to get a few photos today and post them!

Taking Charge

I have decided it is time for me to take charge of this pregnancy! I know that sounds a little crazy, and perhaps a bit overdue considering I am in my 31st week.

Tuesday started out really difficult, I was contracting a lot and having low back pain as well as pain in my legs. I finally called the nurse at my doctors office and her answer was pretty much what I expected, "You need to be laying down and not doing anything." I had to refrain from saying, "Duh!"

Anyway, I had been trying to nap, and unsuccessful because the contractions were waking me up. Needless to say I was very worried. Fortunately Mike was home and gave me a blessing, in which I was promised that my mind would relax and my anxieties would calm. I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood. I really think I could have ended up in active labor had it not been for that gentle guide to relax!

Yesterday was so much better, only a few contractions, okay relatively few. I even went 2 hours at one point without any contractions.

I think I had given up on having this pregnancy go the way I wanted it to go. I was willing to submit to all of the things that I did not want for this pregnancy. Now I feel revived, ready to take this situation head on. I don't know if we will make it to 35 weeks, but I do know that I want another natural birth and I am willing to fight for it! I know that if  I want a peaceful and beautiful experience that I have to start seeking it, I cannot wait for it to happen to me. I was putting all of my anxieties into the situation which was feeding the tension in my body, and accelerating the contractions.

Now, don't get me wrong, I know I can not control this situation, ultimately it will proceed the way it is meant to proceed. However, I do have the ability to prepare myself mentally, and emotionally to be in the moment and find joy in the journey.

Hope you are all well and happy today! I am off to draw some lotus blossoms and enjoy another day on the couch!

Food for thought

Just saw this post on Facebook, and I think it applies to more than parenting Autistic children. Every child has their challenges, and every parent sometimes gets caught up in the daily grind. Take the time today to pause and enjoy the blessing in the moment!

http://www.snagglebox.com/2013/02/17-things-princess-bride-taught-me.html


I really love this reunion photo put together recently by Entertainment Weekly magazine! Have a great day!

Day 8 on the Couch...

Bed rest always sounds so inviting until you actually have to be there. However, Mike has been keeping me busy with little projects to make sure I am not bored. Yesterday I got to add up all of my school receipts and all of our medical receipts for our taxes. It took a couple of hours, I am determined to do better next year, and not wait until the last minute.

Mike also found a new mattress for the cradle. Our beautiful cradle was hand made for Mike when he was a baby, and has been through much love since then. When we were getting ready to move from Enoch we realized that the bumpers that came with the cradle had finally disintegrated. For most cradles/cribs this would be no problem, but ours was a custom size, so the bumpers were not there to protect the baby from the sides as much as to keep the bassinet size mattress in place. So, we were in a dilemma, I could not sew anything with my feet up, and we needed new foam to make new bumpers. Instead, Mike found a mini crib mattress at the Overstock.com outlet store that was too big, and cut it down. So I spent the weekend resewing (by hand) the cover. We are really happy with the way it turned out, now Charlotte is going to sew new sheets for this new size. I am hoping the original sheet also fits, because it was a little over-sized. Now if only I could get to the storage unit and pick-up all of the things I know are there. The one I want the most is my "boppy" style pillow. I made it while I was pregnant with Michael, and i love it because it has pocket. I have no desire to replace it because of that!

Anyway, I also started on several baby announcement designs yesterday. They are on the Picturesque Images facebook page, if you are interested.

So, what is on tap for today? I think a nap first, then we shall see. Hope you are all well and happy!