update..

The girls are gone today to "Answers in Genesis." Before my life got so limited I had planned to go along, so I was really bummed when that didn't happen. Mom and dad offered to keep them last night, so they got the job of taking them to the church before 6 am. Apparently, my parents enjoyed this, because the kids were so excited. It is fun to watch them grow, and as they mature, watch them enjoy all the new things that go along with that..like traveling 3 hours on a church van with their friends, something I remember fondly from my years in the youth group. At any rate, I have spent the day with my husband, and it has been a treat. He works 24 hr on and 48 hr off, and he is not due back to work until the morning. We are both well rested, and he got most of his "chores" done yesterday. We ran some errands, but it was just the two of us, and we have had a good day together. I do look forward to the girls arriving home tonight. I am sure they will be exhausted, but excited to talk about their day.

I am now almost 24 weeks into this pregnancy. I cannot lie and say that I have enjoyed being pregnant. While I have way more freedom with this baby than I did with the twins, there are some vast differences. The biggest being that the twins are here. I have responsibilities for them that make relaxation harder, and I am grateful that I am not totally house/bed bound. While James and the girls are a huge help (I cannot say enough about how much he has worked to keep everything going for the past few months), it is still difficult not to be busy with the girls' lives. Also, I was home and bedbound in January and February when I had Paige and Peyton. If you have to pick a time to be stuck on the couch or in the hospital, those would be the best months to miss out on the outside world. Not so much with July and August!

However, I am pleased that things are going so well. I am still receiving weekly progesterone injections, which James gladly administers. I went into the doctors office Monday because I had so much trouble with back pain and cramping on Sunday. I had a test (called a fetal fibrinectin) that basically tells you how likely you are to start labor within the next two week. This test, which did not exist 10 yrs ago, is a huge indicator or impending premature labor. Thankfully, I had a negative result, which is great news. I also had another ultrasound that measures the cervix. This number, which is about 2.4-2.5 cm, has not changed in the past 3 weeks, which is also great news. The previous month, it had dropped from 3.7 cm, which is what landed me off my feet in the first place! Even though it has been a big ego blow to me that I cannot go to my job (which I find pretty rewarding) and I am limited in what I can do around the house, I feel trememdously blessed to be carrying this baby. I have great benefits at work, so lots of sick time, I have a great family that cares and doesn't complain (ok, maybe the girls complain occasionally), and I know that I have lots of people that are praying for all 5 of us!

a reminder to pray..

Cute pics of the girls..thanks Aunt Jamie!

Jamie took Paige and Peyton to the zoo in Indy on Saturday.  They spent some times in the gardens there and got some cute pictures of the girls.  The also enjoyed Chuck E. Cheese before heading home.

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a good reminder…

Philippians 4:6-8 (New Living Translation)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

This is a passage that was used in church last night.  It was used to convict me that, again, I am worrying AGAIN about things I cannot change…there is a MUCH better way…

Halfway there

Halfway there!  This morning, Paige did not surprise me when she said “Happy Twenty weeks!”  We went to the Dr appt and were given the news after the sonographer  patiently worked with an uncooperative baby (the big sisters were NOT so patient).  Finally she announced that she didn’t see any boy parts, and that she was pretty sure that she saw girl parts..so girl it is!  My doctor later confirmed this opinion. 

Now back to the business of how we are keeping this unborn daughter on the inside longer!  I am no longer strictly on bedrest..which is a HUGE blessing.  I am able to do light activity now.  I will say that after a big day of going to the doctor and out to eat, that I was pretty crampy and uncomfortable for over an hour this evening.  This feeling went away with rest, but it reminded me to remember my limitations.  My doctor is great!  She is very optimistic, and realistic about what will work best to prolong this pregnancy as long as is necessary. 

stats today:  heart rate:152

approx length:  9 inches

approx weight:  14 ounces

mommy weights..well that is my secret, but I have only gained 5 pounds!  (I know the picture at the top doesn’t look that way!)

Thank  you all for praying for JJ (still no name..we are working on it) and please continue to pray for us!

19.5 weeks is not my best time…

I am posting pictures of myself at 18 weeks pregnant.  My short term goal is to make it until 2o weeks to post another picture..believe me, I have grown!  That picture is due to be taken this coming Monday.  Every Monday, Paige will say “Happy 19 weeks!” or whatever week we are on.  I always smile because she always says it!  My little cheerleader knows how important this is, and how special baby JJ is to all of us.  Please pray for me for peace, rest, and that my nerves will be calmed.  God is soo good, and I have not forgotten all He has done for me.  I am very blessed to be able to sit in the hospital bed with my laptop and stay intune with the outside world.  So check back often for my random ramblings.  The nurse just gave me an ambien, this sleeping pill is the bomb!  I am not even sure what I am typing!  This is the deal.  I was having some concerning symptoms this week, so I was asked to come into my ob’s office this afternoon.  They did a special ultrasound that measures the length of the cervix.  Mine had dropped from 3.7 to 2.7 and also showed some funneling. So the midwife sent to to the hospital for monitoring and bedrest for the weekend, until my regular doctor is back and can examine me to decide how aggressive the bedrest needs to be.  So please pray for my nerves, pray that my baby stays put for at least another 14 weeks.  It is going to be a rough time for our family, but it is such a loving and willing family, and God is in control..he still cares so much for us.  Thanks Grammy and aunt Brittany for taking care of the twins.  Thanks James for taking care of me.  Also thank you to Charity, Stephanie and Amanda who came to visit, brought important items from home and gave me an hour or so of distraction when I needed it the most!