Lots Of Tests

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little fellow.  We had an interesting day today!

Mimi came here at 9am so she could watch you during Peanut's OB appointment.  You had already finished your breakfast and were watching me clean the kitchen when she walked in.  You surprised me for breakfast.  You had four tablespoons of oatmeal, some yogurt, and a full 8 ounces of formula and whole milk.  Wow!  

The day really started to pick up at the OB office.  It was a good thing Mimi was watching you at the house because I was there for 2 hours getting tests done!  My blood pressure was elevated when I walked in.  It wasn't extreme .... the systolic was 130 .... but it was high for me.  There was no protein in my urine, but the MD, Dr. Rush, wanted to run a few extra tests just to be sure because of my history with you.  We still have no dilating, but Peanut is apparently low in the pelvis, head down, and in position.  So, Dr. Rush ordered a pre-eclampsia blood panel work up and a fetal non-stress test with monitors.  Also, I'm on a 24 hour urine collection to retest my protein.  Ugh!  

They drew my blood first and ran the test 'STAT' so that the office would call me in the afternoon with the results.  If my blood work comes back normal, than I'll come back on friday for another blood pressure check.  If my blood work comes back with signs of mild pre-eclampsia starting, then they may just deliver me now that we're 37 weeks (spoiler alert .... the blood work ended up being normal, so I'm still on the 24 hour urine collection and another appointment on friday).  ;-)

Next up was the fetal monitor non-stress test.  I had this done with you at 30 weeks, and that's how they found out you were having late decelerations and in distress.  I was on the monitors for almost an hour.  They had a little television in there that I could have used, but I kept it off so I could just enjoy Peanut's kicks and listen to her heart rate.  It was fun listening to her heart rate and watching/feeling her move around.  :-)  What a blessing!  Again, I will certainly miss that feeling once she arrives, but I'm also excited at being so close in meeting her.  I'm sure you're excited to meet her too!  ;-)

There were two monitors attached to my belly.  One registered contractions and one read Peanut's heart rate.  Whenever I felt her move or kick, I pressed a Jeopardy style button to register it. (do you know about the show 'Jeopardy' by the time you read this?).  The nurse also gave me a Sprite to drink to help encourage her to move around.  I couldn't tell you the last time I had a soda!  The test results were good, so I was able to leave after that.  

I got home around 11:45am (the appointment was at 9:30am) and you and Mimi were having lunch.  You had fun this morning with Mimi playing upstairs.  Mimi did your laundry and washed some of dishes in the sink, so that was helpful too!

I quickly ate something before your physical therapy appointment.  Mimi stayed and watched you and Eliza.  You had some really good left side neck rotations and we continued to work on your standing and walking independently.  You used your walking toy and went all around the house about three times!  You also showed Eliza how you can climb the stairs, though we didn't encourage it.  ;-)  Guess what Eliza brought over .... a gift for Peanut!  She bought us two little outfits and they're so cute!  You have another appointment in two weeks, so we'll see if Peanut is here by then!

After your appointment, Mimi needed to run some errands, so she offered to take you with her so I could rest here and wait for the OB to call me back about the blood panel.  You two went to the bank and picked up some medications from the vet for her cat Lucy.  Mimi also had an MD appointment at 3pm to check her INR.  You went with her and sang in the MD office.  ;-)  Oh, her INR was good (3) so she won't have to go back for another month.

While you all were gone, Dr. Rush called me back to let me know the good news.  My blood work came back as normal with no additional signs of pre-eclampsia or HELLP!  Woo hoo!  So, I'm to continue with my 24 hour urine collection and have a follow up appointment on friday to check my blood pressure again.  Whew!  That was a relief .... I thought things would come back as normal, but I hated waiting and it made me nervous.  I took my own blood pressure as I was waiting it had gone down to 117/70.  :-)

Once Mimi came back, you and I played in the bonus room until daddy got home.  Then, we went downstairs and I fed you as daddy made a steak dinner.  Again, you surprised me with dinner .... you ate half a container of beef and veggies, 1.5 containers of yogurt, and 5 ounces of formula in a sippy cup!  Good job little man!

I gave you a nice bath after dinner.  Then, after I took a quick shower, we all relaxed in the bonus room as you played.  You sang with us and said your new favorite work over and over .... 'buddy' .... it's so cute!  :-)

Tomorrow we have a MOPS meeting, but I emailed my small group leader and we're going to lay low tomorrow to relax all day.  I'll be on my feet all day wednesday and thursday with work, so I'm going to take advantage of tomorrow and relax as much as possible!  We'll have to venture out around lunch to drop off the urine collection, but other than that, we're going to stay here and rest.  :-)

Sleep tight my little Joshua!

I love you so much!  :-)

~Mommy

Full Term

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little cutie.  We slept better last night.  You still noodled into our bed last night (I think you have a dependency issue and need us there).  But, we were all able to sleep in and get some rest.  Daddy and I both woke up to you kicking us at different times in the night, but at least you slept.

This morning we did some chores around the house.  I swept and vacuumed as daddy played with you.  You and I then continued to play upstairs as daddy took a shower.  Gigi and Uncle James surprised us this morning and came over around 10am.  They brought over some software so daddy and I can do our taxes and they also brought over a travel 'high chair' that I had been storing at Gigi's house for whenever you go over there.  I asked Gigi to bring it over so that I can set it up in the bonus room.  Now, if need be, I can keep you upstairs to eat so that I don't have to keep lifting you, and Peanut, up and down the stairs a couple times a day.  This will come in handy on days when I'm by myself.  Also, I can continue to keep you up here with Peanut too once she arrives.  Once Peanut comes, we're going to be really busy around here, so I'm trying to plan ahead on what will make our lives a little easier.  Though, you never can 'completely' plan ahead for children .... you all will always keep us on our toes!  ;-)

After we visited with Gigi and Uncle James, we took a quick trip to Lowes and Target.  We got a piece of wood at Lowes so that daddy and Grandpa Mike can attach the upstairs baby gate.  We also got some new hinges for the door in the bonus room and new knobs for two doors downstairs.  Daddy switched everything out this afternoon and the two downstairs doors look brand new and fancy with these decorative knobs!  

We all ate lunch, and then we fixed up the crock pot for dinner.  We're having 'sloppy Joe's' with a potato, veggie, and cheese bake on the side.  I'm calling them 'sloppy Joshua's' though!  ;-)

UNC played at 2pm this afternoon.  You were wide awake and crawling around as the game started.  Right before the second half started, however, I rocked you in the new rocking chair and you fell fast asleep on me.  I held you and continued to rock during the second half.  We ended up winning by about 20 points!  After the game, I put you down to sleep and you ended up sleeping for a total of 3 hours!  Wow!  I wonder how you'll sleep tonight.  :-P

Once you woke up, we headed downstairs for dinner.  You really didn't eat much for dinner, and didn't even want your whole bottle.  You didn't really fuss the rest of the evening as if you were hungry (though you eventually took the rest of the bottle later in the night).  The 'sloppy Joshua's' and potatoes were good!  Woo hoo!  Success!  We'll have to remember this dinner for the future!  

We had just enough time to go back upstairs and watch Super Bowl XLV.  The two teams playing were the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.  Daddy and I didn't care who won.  But we had it on anyway.  The 'Black Eyed Peas' did the half time performance .... by the time you read this, will you know who they are?  We randomly picked Green Bay to win, since we like the color green!  And, they did!  But, we were all really tired when the game was over.  I think it was around 10:30pm before you fell asleep.  :-P

You giggled more and sang with daddy and I this evening.  I love it when you sing with us!  You also make the cutest facial expressions when you giggle and sing!  ;-)

In good news, today I am 37 weeks gestation with Peanut.  :-)  Technically, 37-40 weeks is considered 'full term' so we officially made it!  This is also 7 weeks longer than we made it with your pregnancy.  You stayed 8.5 weeks in the hospital after you were born.  So, at this time with you, we'd have 1.5 weeks until we could take you home.  We were so excited because the end of your hospital stay was near!  What a blessing that we've made it this far!  I have an OB appointment tomorrow morning at 9:30am, so Mimi will come by again to watch you while I head over.  You also have your physical therapy appointment tomorrow afternoon.  Busy busy!

Sleep tight little miracle!

I love you!  :-)

~Mommy

Baby Gate

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little man!  This morning I was up early .... but it wasn't because of you.  I just couldn't sleep.  It was hard for me to get comfortable and breathe last night, so I tossed and turned.  Before you and daddy woke up, I came downstairs and read a little.  Then, I made some pancakes for breakfast.  I made blueberry ones for daddy and chocolate chips ones for me.  ;-)  I made one, little, plain pancake for you.  You tried it, but didn't really eat much of it.

After breakfast, we cleaned the kitchen and then came upstairs to play.  Daddy cleaned and put new strings on the Deering banjo.  Then, he changed the air filters .... boy where they dirty!  I gave you a nice bath.  You acted like you were tired and sleepy, but you didn't take a nap.  I tried rocking you to sleep, but you were too active.

You're eating a little better .... you still didn't eat the chicken and veggies, so I threw it out since I didn't think it would last much longer.  But, we opened a container of beef and veggies and you ate half the container!  Woo hoo!  ;-)

Grandpa Mike came over after lunch.  He and daddy put up a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs.  They ended up needing to drill into the banister, but that's ok as long as it keeps you safe.  We need to buy a piece of wood to attach to the upstairs banister, so we still don't have that gate up yet (this morning I followed you from the kitchen to the bonus room as you crawling up the stairs!).  They also brought in the big rocking chair that Mimi ordered for us.  They placed it in the bonus room and you and I used it.  :-)

I can balance drinks and things on my belly thanks to Peanut.  Daddy and I ate some ice cream the other day and daddy snapped this photo.  I thought it was funny!  

You ended up taking a nap this afternoon as daddy and Grandpa Mike worked.  I stayed next to you and read.  After a while, I took a little nap too since I was tired and sitting upright on the couch with my feet on the ottoman.  It was easier for me to breathe, so I took advantage of it and napped for about an hour.  You stayed sleeping for about 2.5 hours!  

We made an easy dinner this evening .... pizza.  You ate more cheerios and some more beef and veggies.  Then, you had some formula in a sippy cup.  You also had some water in a sippy cup later in the evening.  

After dinner, I practiced the mandolin as you and daddy watched 'Scooby Do.'  I worked on the exercises that you and I watched yesterday on the DVD.  I'm getting better at stretching out my pinky finger for that 7th fret.  :-)

I felt a lot of Peanut kicks today, especially when you were napping and I was relaxing on the couch.  This morning, while making breakfast, I felt a slight 'pain' in my pelvis and then it went away.  I didn't feel it again, but then confirmed with Gigi that I had a Braxton Hicks Contraction.  Tomorrow I'll technically be 'full term' since I'll be 37 weeks gestation with Peanut.  These are little 'pre labor' contractions and can be sporadic until the real labor begins.  My next appointment is on monday at 9:30am.  I'll see Dr. Rush again.  Mimi will come over again to watch you and then you'll have your physical therapy appointment at 12:30pm later that day. 

You've been very talkative today.  It's really cute.  Daddy and I can get you to sing if we sing 'nananana'.  And, you keep saying 'dada', 'boogie', and 'buddy' .... or else that's what it sounds like.  ;-)  It's adorable either way.  

We continued to play and relax in the bonus room this evening.  You stayed awake until really late.  I don't think you fell asleep until 10:30pm.  :-P

Sleep tight little precious!

I love you!  :-)

~Mommy

Sixty Eight Weeks

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello cutie pie!  Today you are sixty eight weeks old!  Woo hoo!  

Today was a cold and rainy day.  You and I stayed inside all day .... except for two trips to the mailbox .... one to mail some bills and the second to get the new mail.  Though, I went out there by myself.  You stayed inside where it was warm and dry.  :-)

For breakfast, you actually ate almost 3 tablespoons of cereal for me before wanting something else!  For lunch, you weren't as food friendly.  You ate another container of yogurt, but you didn't eat your chicken and veggie mix.   :-P  

We played a lot upstairs today.  At one point, I was on the floor playing next to you and the next thing I know, you've crawled into my lap and fell asleep!  I left you there sleeping in my lap for a while as I sat on the floor and read.  But then, after a while, my bottom was getting numb and my left foot was asleep!  So, I had to move you and get up!  I gently shuffled you to my shoulder, we went downstairs for a snack (me, not you .... you were still sleeping on my shoulder!), came back upstairs and sat on the couch.  I had to put you down on a pillow to sleep though because I was getting tired at that point walking around with you. 

Since you're about 20 pounds, and I've gained about 25 pounds with Peanut .... every time I walk around with you both I'm carrying around 45 extra pounds up and down the stairs, or in and out of the car or stroller .... after a while I get tired!  :-P  So, I'm sorry if I have to put you down some times.  Whenever daddy is home, he helps carry you around the house.

I curled up next to you on the couch and read as you continued to nap.  After a little bit, I took a nap with you for about an hour.  You continued to sleep for about 2 hours total. 

This afternoon you helped me watch part of a mandolin DVD.  It's a teaching DVD with different exercises on it.  We watched the first couple of exercises so I can practice them.  I jotted down some notes, but then you wanted to play with the paper and pen and hit my laptop!  :-P

We sang together this afternoon.  You like to sing a little song that goes "Nananana" .... it's really adorable, so I sing it with you.  We sat on the floor in the bonus room  (you were in my lap) and sang your little song together.   You giggled a lot as we sang together and rubbed your head on my belly.  When daddy got home, we sang him your song and he liked it.  ;-)

We made a quick dinner for daddy before he got home.  We made some bacon, eggs, and veggies.  Then, we all went upstairs and played and relaxed in the bonus room.  Daddy helped me with some things on the computer, so had me in charge of his banjo since he was in the middle of playing it when I asked for help.  At one point, I placed his banjo on the floor and you ended up throwing a toy at it!  Oops!  We'll have to be more careful next time!  :-P

You and daddy started watching a movie together .... 'Muppets from Outer Space' .... as I read a little in the bedroom.  I finished my short story book, but it'll be a while before I read another one like it .... some of the stories in there about mothers and children were so sweet that I just cried!  :-)

You fell asleep with daddy in the bed.  He moved you into your own bed, but you woke up 45 minutes later crying!  Hmmmm .... I thought you were going to work on that?  ;-)

Tomorrow, Grandpa Mike is coming over to help daddy with the baby gates.  You can climb up the stairs all by yourself, though we don't encourage it unless we're right behind you.  :-P

Sleep tight little one!

I love you!

~Mommy

Hugs and Kisses

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little fellow!  Today was another long day at work, but you and Penny had fun together!  Here's what she said about you ....

"He actually picked up 2 melt-aways (baby crackers) and put them in his mouth- yeah!  He drank 3 oz of juice out of his blue water bottle by himself."  Good job little man!  

You were awake when I left for work this morning.  I got to kiss and hug you before I left.  You were in the living room playing as daddy was eating his breakfast.  

Today I saw more patients as work, so it was busier .... but I was able to sit more, or at least I felt like I sat more since my back wasn't hurting as much.  My feet were tired though.  My feet get tired after working wednesday and thursday.  :-P  I try to rest them when I get home and when we're in the bonus room playing.  Some times I prop them on the ottoman, but then I put them down when you crawl over and want to play.  

We had leftovers for dinner tonight.  I got home around 7pm.  As we were cleaning the kitchen, daddy started to take apart the dishwasher.  The door hinge was broken because a spring became loose.  A piece snapped off so when you open the door it almost falls down.  It's a heavy door and we don't want it to fall on you since you some times end up crawling around the kitchen.  So, daddy worked on it for over 2 hours tonight to try to fix the door.  He ended up attaching a metal washer in one side where a piece had snapped.  It doesn't fall down when you open the door now, but we still need to watch you when you're crawling around over there.  :-P

While daddy was doing that, you and I were upstairs in the bonus room.  I was resting my feet as you crawled around.  I got down and played with you too, off and on .... I still hadn't showered yet from work, so I knew I was 'dirty' from the office.  I don't like to curl up next to you after work unless I've showered.  :-P  Once daddy was done, I took a shower and then we all went to the bedroom (it was late at that point).  

I felt a lot of kicks from Peanut as I sat with you in the bonus room.  I wonder if you understand that another person is joining our family soon?  At one point, you walked over (hanging onto the ottoman, you still don't walk independently) and placed your head on my belly.  You looked like you were hugging and kissing my belly .... hummm, did you know your little sister was there?  Daddy said that you'll be a good big brother and I believe him!  ;-)  You'll need to watch out for Peanut as you two grow up and protect her like a good big brother.  And, she'll need to watch out for you too like a good little sister!

Tomorrow we have no appointments so we can play all day long if we like!  ;-)

Sleep tight little one!

I love you!  :-)

~Mommy

Groundhog Day

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little precious!  Today is Groundhog Day, the second day of February, when we see if the groundhog sees his shadow or not.  If he does, then we'll have 6 more weeks of winter and, if he does not, we'll have an early spring .... or that's how the 'story' goes.

We had a disagreement this year, as the 'official' groundhog .... Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania .... did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring.  However, our 'local' groundhog .... Sir Walter Wally .... did see his shadow and predicted more winter.  Oh well!  I guess we'll see who's right!  ;-)

I had to leave for work early again, like last week.  Work was long and I didn't get to sit a lot.  So, my back was hurting by the time I got home.  I tried to rest after dinner for Peanut.  

Speaking of dinner, Penny made us a wonderful crock pot meal!  I'm glad I cleaned the crock pot last night!  She also made a pot roast with veggies and had wonderful, soft rolls on the side!  It was so good!  I'm sure you helped her!  ;-)

After dinner, I cleaned the kitchen and ran your bottles.  You listened to daddy play the banjo as I took a shower.  

You're climbing a lot more!  Daddy said that when he got home, you were playing in the living room.  Then, you started to follow the cat and you crawled from the living room, around the kitchen, down the hallway, up all the stairs, through the next hallway, and into the bonus room .... all by yourself!  Of course, daddy was right behind you, amazed that you crawled from one end of the house downstairs to the other end of the house upstairs!  Penny also found out that you can climb the stairs!  This weekend, daddy and Grandpa Mike are going to try to attach the baby gates to our stairs.  Our banister and railing are going to be hard to get around, but we need to put them up if you're already climbing!  They should have already been put up by now.  :-P

You and Penny got to walk to the park today.  It was rainy this morning, but then cleared up.  Also, it was pretty warm.

This evening we all rested in the bonus room and played with you.  You, again, started climbing and ended up slipping off the ottoman near the couch at one point!  You, of course, cried and cried, but daddy and I kissed and hugged you until you were better.

I took a picture of our new wall hanger that daddy put up for our instruments.  I put daddy's banjo, one of my mandolins, and your baby guitar up there .... how adorable!  We look so talented!  ;-)

Also, you're starting to say something that sounds like 'buddy' .... daddy calls you 'buddy' a lot so I'm wondering if you're starting to say that word.  It's really cute!

Tomorrow, I head back to work again.  But, then we'll be able to play together on friday! 

Sleep tight little miracle!

I love you!

~Mommy

No Car

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little man.  Welcome to another month!  ;-)

Last night you feel asleep in our bed on a pillow.  Our intention was to move you back into your bed, like the night before, but the next thing we knew .... all three of us had fallen asleep!  I woke up at 1am and my night stand lamp was still on.  :-P  Oops!  So, we were so exhausted at that point that you stayed with us sleeping.  

Daddy took my car to work this morning since his car needs some repairs.  We let all the grandparents know that you and I had no car though, just in case we had an emergency.  Both Gigi and Grandpa Jim called during the day to check on us.  Thankfully, we were fine all day.  

After you and I had breakfast together, I prepared the crock pot for dinner.  We made a pot roast with veggies .... carrots, onion, corn, broccoli, potatoes, and an apple.  The apple added a nice taste and aroma to the mixture!  

Once that was started, we came upstairs and I did three loads of laundry as you played.  We continued to play until lunch time.  I'm still having a hard time with you eating.  You still only want yogurt, cereal, formula, milk, or juice.  Every time we try to give you something else now .... gerber dinners with meats and pasta and veggies .... you start fussing and won't eat.  :-P  I guess we'll just keep working on it .... you'll eventually have to learn to eat other things, right?  

After lunch, you fell asleep on me and Peanut kicked you!  I read some more short stories from my book .... it's a book with a bunch of stories about Mothers .... it's really good, though some stories are so sweet they make me cry!  Anyway, after a while, I put the book down and took a little nap with you.  I enjoyed holding you as you napped and feeling Peanut kick and move around.  When you two are bigger, I'm going to really miss these moments .... I wish you two could stay small with me, but I know you eventually have to grow up.  I love you two so very much!  

You woke up hot since we were curled up together.  So, I gave you a bath and put you in clean clothes.  Then, we checked on dinner and put the crock pot on warm.  Daddy was home shortly after.  We rode with him to pick up his car .... apparently more things needed to be done than we thought, but thankfully we had a little overflow money to cover it all.  We'll have to take my car in next for an oil change, so I'm hoping it won't need anything else!  :-P

We all got home around 7pm and then had dinner.  You tried some of our ice cream for dessert, but you didn't eat much!  I took a shower and then we got ready for the 9pm UNC basketball game.  I hate late games because I, more often than not, fall asleep during the second half.  :-P  And, just as I thought, you and I both fell asleep!  I woke up with about 2 minutes left in the game to see us win by 30 points though!  

You giggled a lot this evening as we were playing.  Daddy was tickling you and you laughed and laughed!  Your giggles are so precious and sweet!  I can't get enough of your innocent little giggles!  I love them so much!

When we went to bed, daddy placed you in your bed and you were snoring.  Ten minutes later, you woke up crying!  Ugh!  I guess we still need to work on that too!

Tomorrow Penny will be here as I head back to work.  I hate that I have to be at work earlier now.  I leave at 7am and then get home around 7pm.  :-(  But, at least it's only two days so I can spend 5 full days with you!  

Sleep tight little precious!

I love you very much!  :-)

~Mommy