Busy, Busy, Busy!

The last week has been so busy, I'm happy for it to be done!
We spent 3 days at practice, to get the girls ready for Sats competition in Kettering. They did a really good job, I was so proud of Cadence. The last few exhibitions that we've been too, she's frozen in the beginning then then finally warms up & puts some effort into it at the end. This time around, she did really good beginning to end!
She & the other girls are lucky to have such patient & caring coaches. Us moms are too - I don't fret leaving her in their hands.
There was that one coach at her gymnastics class @ Exceleration that was so awful. She did not need to be working around children - that was for sure. But Cadence only had her two times & we never saw her again, guess she figured it out too.
Not much going on in the baby world. I had an u/s last Thurs & the dr was running an hour late & didn't really spend much time w/me (in effort to try and catch up, I presume), but that meant she didn't really give any attempt to see what the baby is.
It's fine, but a little dissapointing. I get that she was behind, but I had been waiting over an hour to see her, so can I get 10 mins of your time, please?
My next u/s is 4/10 & it will be at the high risk dr. Please say a small prayer (I know this is a bit selfish) that we don't get the un-friendly u/s tech AGAIN. I've had her the 2x's I've had u/s's there & she's awful.
Also, our baby is now about the size of a can of soup. I've attached a picture of baby - who do you think he/she resembles? I can see a lot of Cadence, w/the blond hair and all- haha.
Not many plans for the coming days. I have a dentist appt & cheer tomorrow & have to get blood work sometime this week.
I like it low-key. Looking forward to doing a lot of relaxing.

So impatient..

On one week & 2 days I will be heading to the drs for my 18 wk check up. I'm HOPING that when she does the u/s (I get one at every appt), she will take a peek for the sex.
Does it matter? No - but do I HAVE to know - YES!
I'm so impatient - I would have been happy to know at conception. Is anything going to change if I know- not really, but I do hate suprises.
It would be nice to prepare Cadence for what will be joining us in 23 wks - a brother or a sister. I mean, other than that, there is no reason for me to need to know, other than complete impatience.
So for the next 9 days, I will be driving myself crazy, wondering what we're having…and that's even if she looks or if she can even see anything…
Oh Baby!

Big sister material

Yesterday I had to have my blood drawn for my quad screen & to check the thickness/thinness of my blood. I had to go straight after work, so Dennis picked Cadence up for me & brought her to me at work.
We headed straight to the lab & after checking in, sat & waited for my turn.
There was a guy there w/his 6 month old son. He was so cute (the baby, hehe) and Cadence was making him laugh.
When they went back, Cadence sat next to me & said, what are we here for. I said, well they're going to put a shot in mommy's arm & take some blood to make sure I'm not sick.
She said, you have shots at home.
I said, it's different shots - this hurts a little.
She said, ok.
A few minutes later, the baby started screaming. Cadence's eyes got really big & she ran over to me.
"What's wrong w/the baby?"
I said, they had to put a shot in his arm & take some of his blood & it hurts.
She was standing in front of me & placed her hands on my stomach & said, you don't have the baby in your belly anymore.
I said, I don't?
She said, no, the baby is in my belly now.
I said, ok - why?
She said, so the baby doesn't get hurt when they give you your shot..
Awwwww...
After I was done getting the blood work & we were walking back to the elevator, she said, ok, the baby is back in your belly now..
She's gonna be a good big sister!

Discovery Channel Birth Day

So I watched Birth Day on Discovery Channel earlier this week and another show that was alternative birthing methods…I should NOT watch these shows while I'm pregnant. I was scared - especially watching the latter. That woman was screaming and scared the life out of me.
I will be taking the epidural again - after 9 mos of 2 shots a day - some I don't even feel - most I do, I feel that I deserve the comforts of drugs while I'm pushing a child out of me.
My cousin didn't use drugs - that's fine for her, but she didn't do 500 shots either. My body has been through enough un-drugged pain in my pregnancy to deserve numbness.
So, I talked to my friend Michele about a 1/2 dozen times last week, while She was at the hospital having her little baby boy. We were all so excited & I enjoyed listening to her about contractions (ones that weren't hurting her) and getting ready to have him. I was thinking about Cadence & about the new baby. Well, when she called me at 3 pm, she had to stop talking and breathe through a contraction…it did not sound good - very, very painful…so again, excitement to fear…
It was all worth it when she was holding that gorgeous little boy - but still a little freaked about what I'll be doing again in 25 wks.

High Risk Pregnancy Pt 2

As I enter my 3rd month of my 2nd high risk pregnancy, I often think back to my first. I try to keep myself calm by trying to remember the things that happened during that pregnancy. At 8 wks, we found the DVT's, at 20 wks, the kidney problems started & stopped at 22 wks - then started again @ 35 wks.
I honestly don't remember a lot of the little stuff - morning sickness, exhaustion, hunger, cravings, etc b/c they were overshadowed by the big things.
There seems to be a lot to worry about when you're high risk, but one nice thing about being high risk, is the care you receive & how your case stands out to drs.
With Cadence, I had an AMAZING mfm (maternal fetal medicine aka high risk) dr. I didn't realize how lucky I was until I read his obit 2 yrs ago. Dr. Arias to me, was a funny guy w/a thick spanish accent. But to the world, he had written books & studied and taught in many countries, so I was lucky w/o knowing how lucky.
With the loss of Dr. Arias, the MFM dept at Toledo Hosp has changed & they know longer see patients, except a few days a month where they consult w/you. You are co-managed w/other OB/GYN's, who, while may not specialize in high risk, because they are working closely w/the MFM drs, you are basically cared for w/the same concern.
This pregnancy has already started out w/a little more excitement than most "normal" pregnancies. When was 8 wks, I was having a pain in my left side - in about the spot where my ovaries are. It felt almost like a cyst, but not quite.
I was nervous b/c of my history of miscarriages & went to Baypark ER. They did an u/s, but didn't let me see the screen & the tech was very vague & apologized for not being allowed to tell me anything.
I was devasted, expecting the worse. When the ER dr came in to talk to me, he was also very vague & said, you have a small tear near the sac w/some bleeding - you need to call your OB in the am.
I was heartbroken & scared. Dennis & I prayed & I cried a lot. I hadn't actually seen an OB yet, b/c I was trying to stay w/Toledo Hosp b/c they have the MFM dept there. I had a 20 min appt where I filled out a 2-sided sheet w/the mid-wives there & that was it.
So I contacted them the next morning & the receptionist that answered was so rude & acted put out that she had to squeeze me in somewhere. It would be a week before they could see me & I was so scared, I didn't want to wait.
I contacted the dr. that Baypark had put on my discharge papers, Dr. Barrow. I was 99.9% certain, that she was a resident at the time I was having Cadence & that she helped deliver her w/Dr. Arias.
When I called for the appt, the receptionist was so kind & pulled up my records & confirmed the pool of blood - but also said the baby looked GREAT & the heartbeat was 167! Why didn't the ER dr tell me this?
I didn't care that this info wasn't told to me the nite before, my baby was ok - that was all I cared about. I rec'd an appt & when I went in, got another u/s where I was able to see the baby. The heartbeat was a strong 170 & looked great. I was so relieved. The pool of blood was implantation bleeding & was being absorbed - so Dr. Barrow wasn't worried.
As we talked about my previous pregnancy, I did tell her that she helped deliver Cadence & it was w/Dr. Arias. She smiled when I said his name, and I prayed she learned a lot from him. As we talked about why I was induced and I started talking about my kidneys - I could see in her face she remembered. She interruppted me & said - I remember, she was laying on your ureter b/c of the extra system…I said - yes! She said, it's all coming back to me!
I was relieved & thankful that I found her. She was taught by a wonderful man & even remembered my case from 4 yrs ago!
I told Dennis, if nothing else, at least being high risk makes you stand out!
I've already had a consult w/the MFM dr - who was very nice. I've had another u/s & have my 1st trimester screening u/s set up for Monday 2/16.
I'm thankful that I found Dr. Barrow & even more thankful that God helped me find her.
I feel safe knowing I have her here to take care of me & God to be the real caregiver in this pregnancy, but not just b/c I was scared - because I found Him long ago & know the things He does!
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12"

August 2009

August 2009 will be a month of celebration for my family & friends.
Starting on 8/9, Aunt Vicki & Uncle Jay will be celebrating their 12 yr wedding anniversary.
On 8/14, my Gramma will be turning 71.
On 8/15, my friend Lindsay will be getting married. Also, on 8/15, my Uncle Tracy will be marrying Diana!
8/17, Dennis & I will celebrate 7 yrs of marriage & Matt will be turning 28 a day later - HA 2 more yrs til you're 30!!!!!
8/21 is Angie's due date &
8/25 is my due date….wait, what? Oh yes, that's right - I'M PREGNANT!!!!! Do you know how long I've kept this in?? EIGHT of the LONGEST WEEKS of my life! :)
We found out when I was 3 wk/4d & it was confirmed w/a blood test when I was 4 wks. And 2 days later, my levels were checked to be sure they were rising & they were. Today, I am 12 wks pregnant.
I've had a couple u/s's & got to see the little peanut & the heartbeat was 176. I'll post pictures as soon as I get my scanner hooked up again. We're over the moon & can't wait to hold him/her. Of course all we want is a healthy baby, but a boy would be a nice round out.
Also, I was advised by Cadence that she doesn't want a girl & if we have one, we can leave her there.
At least she doesn't hide her feelings.
Anyway, now that I don't need to keep my secret, I won't avoid any more phone calls & I'll go back to regularly posting on blogger - which will be where I do most of my baby updates.
Also, thank you, to those few people for keeping my secret - w/o being able to share it w/someone I would have hung myself.