Oh baby

35 week update-
Wellllllll most of you probably know whats going on because I can't help but update my fb status every 3 minutes. Monday was a tough day at work. My back started hurting (good ole sciatica) at about 3pm and by the time I got home I could barely walk. I layed down early for bed. Of course I woke up about 10 times to go to the bathroom and at about 500 tuesday morning I noticed some slight spotting. No bleeding just a little "pinkish" spotting. I called in to work because i knew with previa this was not good. I didnt want to rush to the hospital because I remember the doctor saying if I only had a little spotting to just stay in bed and get some rest. I called the dr around 830 and they recommended me to stay in bed and off my feet until my appointment on wednesday (which is today). I went to the dr and found out that of course, I am STILL previa (complete) with no chances left of it moving. I also still have polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid). Braden is still lying transverse with his head on my left and bottom on my right side which is probably the reason I'm so uncomfortable. Today during ultrasound Braden is approx. 7lbs 10 oz The doctor said a big baby+ too much fluid+ placenta previa puts me at VERY high risk for bleeding so she decided to put me on bedrest. Which is 2 whole weeks before I was going to take maternity leave. We went ahead and scheduled the csection for Jan 21 2010. I am to arrive at the hospital at 515 am and the csect is going to be at 0715 am. That means I have 3 weeks to wait for baby. I know its not long, and I know it will go by fast, but I am PASSED the point of anxious to meet him. The doctor doesnt think I'm going to make it to the 21st, but I am just glad I have made it this far! It has not been an easy road but i KNOW it will be worth it. I am going to try to fill my day with naps, reading, internet, movies, friends. So if ANY of you want to come visit you just go right ahead, just call first so I make sure i'm decent haha. Thanks for reading! I know most of my updates are a bore but It helps me pass the time.

33.5 weeks

Update on baby boo: Had a doctors appointment today. Just a little update for those interested. Biggest news is baby weighs 6lbs 2 oz already! What a chunky monkey!!! The average at 33 weeks is just over 4 lbs. His head is still measuring 98% percentile. According to the US he is due jan 11 but that is really when i'll be FULL TERM! Still have previa and now they are saying I have polyhydramnios (which means I have too much amniotic fluid) but so far no complications so PRAISE GOD! of course there is potential for complications but I'm taking it day by day and praying that things continue to go smoothly. I am on light duty at work at it has helped with the back pain and abd pressure that I start to feel toward the end of shifts. I really am grateful I have such a wonderful job and I am able to continue working up until full term. Anyways! not much else to say! I can't wait to see baby in person! his ultrasounds look so different every time. Glad he looks like his daddy though! cute little pouty lips! so adorable. I'll keep posting as things change or any new updates! thanks for reading everyone!

31 week update

December 1st, 2010- 31 week Drs appointment

Well we had a follow up ultrasound to check measurements and the fluid in Bradens kidney is resolved! Thank you God! We are stillllll previa, with low hopes that it will resolve. The Dr said if it hasn't resolved by now there is a 90 percent chance that it wont. Which is okay. We are talking C-section at 38 1/2 weeks which will be around Jan 18-23. The doc said I have "too much amniotic fluid" which I replied, "hey its better than too little right?". She said "RIGHT" but we don't want to have TOO much in there stretching everything out..... No wonder my belly is HUGE! a BIG ole baby with a LOT of swimming pool! He is still measuring big. He weighs 4 lb 10 oz. The average size is about 3.3lbs. His head is still measuring 98th percentile (38 weeks) when I'm only 31. But no fluid in his brain so no hydrocephalus. Which is again great news. I did find out some disappointing news...Due to being a "complicated pregnancy" that means NO travelling for me! I was supposed to be a bridesmaid in my childhood best friends wedding. Had to make the phone call to tell her I wont be able to make it because its in New Braunsfels. Doc said that long in the car is not good and she wants me to be close to home "just in case" something happens. I'm pretty bummed about it. Got my dress and all. Ashlee you are going to be GORGEOUS and I wish I could be there with you on your special day. I begin Maternity leave on Jan 12 and I started "light duty" at work which pretty much designates me to triage which is ok. By the end of this I will be BEGGING to get out of triage! There really isnt such thing as light duty in the Emergency Room but I'm just trying to take it easy so I won't have to be put on bedrest. Since we can't go to the wedding Trent and I are using that weekend as our last weekend together..No kids. That may be the last we get for a while! I'm starting to become more and more anxious for baby to arrive. Nerves, anxiety, emotions running like crazy! But most of all i'm excited to start this new journey as a MOMMY. Of course I have my step daughters and they are wonderful! But I've never had the "baby" experience and I am truly looking forward to it! My next appointment is Dec 16th and I know as each appointment approaches so does baby's arrival! thanks for reading friends and family! I love you more than you know!
Emily

Baby Shower(s)

Braden,
Saturday November 13th we had your baby shower(s). The first one was put on by my moms sunday school class at church. There was a pretty good turn out and you got some great gifts.
The second one was hosted by your aunt lindsay, laura, and barbara. They did an amazing job...again, you got SO many great things!
We registered at babies R us and a lot of things you received were special and handmade. Wow, you are already loved little one! It brought tears to my eyes to see how many people already love you and you aren't even here yet! Just wait, you will have to get used to ladies squeezing your cheeks and kissin on you. No one is gonna love on you more than your momma. I already want to squeeze you! So i apologize in advance.
You sure are making the days hard on mommy. The anticipation is killing me! Everyone says I better enjoy my rest now while I have a chance, but I would stay awake for a week if I had to for you. Hopefully you will like to sleep just as much as I do! I can't wait to put you in the swing BB got you! We are still needing a few things before your arrival. I love you so much Braden.

Love, MOMMY

27 weeks

So we went to get our 3d ultrasound on Saturday and found out that our little man isnt so little! He is weighing 3 lbs with a head in the 98% percentile. He is measuring about 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Momma might need a C Sec afterall! The placenta is still in the same spot, completely covering the cervix, which again....looks like a csection is in the future. I'm ok with that. Then today I had a dr appointment, no news besides the whole placenta thing, and he has some fluid build up in his right kidney which will probably resolve. They say that is common in little boys. and yes he is still a boy! He was being stubborn Saturday and wouldn't turn to get us a good pic. But finally after some pushing and mushing we got a glimpse of his perfect face. I am so in love with him. I can't stop staring. Its so bad when i close my eyes I see his little ultrasound picture lol. I can't wait to hold that little guy. WHo knew I had that much love in me! The girls are excited too! They keep talking to my belly and giving Braden hugs. They are gonig to be great big sisters. I was cleared today for my trip to Vegas with the family and wonderful friends. Time to head out!
Bradens first vacation!

24 weeks

Braden has been an active little guy lately! I first felt him 'flutter" at around 20 weeks and now he is a little firecracker. Especially if I drink a soda he goes bananas. We went to the doctor on 10-7 and had the glucose test done. No results yet from that. They didn't do a follow up ultrasound this time to see the status of the previa but we will have that done on Nov 3rd, the day before we leave for Vegas. I hope everything looks okay and Braden is doing well. I don't have to use my handheld doppler as much anymore because I can feel him moving all of the time. I can't wait to get closer to due date! It feels like this pregnancy is dragging. I love my life and I wouldnt have it any other way.

September 14th 2010 (20 weeks)

Thursday September 9th-
Well we went to the Dr and found out some good news and some bad.
Good news first- Braden looks great! besides having a big head ranking in the 93rd percentile, he looks perfect! His heart has all four chambers and he has all 10 fingers and 10 toes. No markers for any kind of chromosomal abnormalities and his heartbeat is around 144bpm.
Now the bad news- I was diagnosed with placenta previa. Basically this means that my placenta is lying low and covers the cervix. It does have a chance of migrating but as of now it is covering almost 100% of my cervical opening so that means not so much of a chance of migrating. If it continues to stay low I may be put on bedrest and more than likely am going to have to have a Csection. There is always the possibility of hemorrhaging before or after having baby Braden.
My biggest concern is having to be on bedrest. I have a friend that was on bedrest for 16 weeks. I know if its for the safety of baby and myself I would definitely be ok with that. 16 weeks seems like a lifetime! I just want baby to be healthy and not have any complications. So far I am feeling great and no contractions or bleeding yet. Just taking it one day at a time. I am so thankful for this precious gift and will do whatever it takes to have a safe delivery, even if it means 16 weeks of bedrest and a csect. =)

Above are some pictures of baby at 19.5 weeks