Understanding God's ways...

Well, most of you know that yesterday was our Pastor's Anniversary at the church. Bro. Wright came in to preach, and he said something that really stuck with me, and I'd like to share it with you. He was preaching out of Psalm 91, and verses 2-4 say: (2)I will say unto the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:my God; in him will I trust. (3)Surely he shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (4)He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust:his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Bro. Wright said "God didn't instruct us to understand him. In fact, God said my thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways, God also said his ways are far above our ways, and we cannot understand them. God only instructs us in his word to trust him. He will not make a mistake, he will never do wrong." If you've lived any length of time you have questions for God. I know I do. I've accepted my situation as his will, but still sometimes I think, "Lord, why am I not able to get pregnant like most other women?" and now, after having Jakob the questions abound as to why I went through the whole ordeal and sickness in the hospital. It's so hard to understand when there's women out there who can have babies left and right and could care less about them, or care more about drugs or alchohol or partying then they do their precious little children. But you know what? God didn't ask me to understand my situation, he asked me to trust him. It would be easy to be bitter about how things turn out in our lives. I look back and I always said I wanted four kids (if I could afford them) and now I'm working hard just to pay off my little Jakob. (haha) Little did I know how difficult and expensive it would be just to get him here. My life didn't go as I had planned, but I'm not actually the master planner. Somebody forgot to ask me how I wanted my perfect life to be. :) In Proverbs 3:5 we are told to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding." I think it is human to want to understand why bad things happen, we want to know that if we endure the hard times good things are on their way. We, and I in particular just have to learn that God's way is higher, we're not even able to understand, but we have his promises in his word that he will work all things for our good. These promises are not given without conditions. We are to commit our ways unto God, to love him with all our hearts, but how can we not do those things when he's done so much for us? God has a great plan he's working in my life, though in some places I wonder what on earth is going on. God has a great plan for each of our lives, we've just gotta trust in him, and even with trusting we need his help, but thankfully he knows we are only human after all.

There and back again...

Hello everyone...It's been a while, I know. Let me catch you up to date on what has been going on with me. As most of you know I got home from the hospital on the 23rd of August, on the 25th of August I woke up very early in the morning (around 1:00) and the baby was crying, and needing to be fed. I could tell that something wasn't right, and I wasn't feeling well at all, so I gave the baby to Jeremy and went to the kitchen and took my blood pressure. My BP was 176/107 or somewhere around that. A normal BP is somewhere near 120/80. The lower number (107) was dangerously high. I called the doctors office, and they had a message saying if you had an emergency go straight to the emergency room. Me and Jeremy loaded up the baby in his carrier and went to the hospital. The emergency waiting room was empty (thank goodness) but so was the office where you sign in. Jeremy was getting very angry that no one was around to help us. My mother-in-law met us at the ER, to help with the baby. Once we finally found someone to check us in the man was telling us how "swamped" they were, and I'm thinking, o.k., but I'm close to a stroke, so can we speed this up a little. The whole time I'm trying not to get too stressed, cause that will not help things. After a while they took me back to one of the little observation rooms, you know the kind with the little curtain (no door) and just a bed in there. They took my BP 2 or 3 times, and then after waiting way too long the ER doctor came by. I told him that I had pre-eclampsia which came back stronger after delivery. He told me that my problem couldn't be pre-eclampsia because it goes away with delivery. -Don't let anyone tell you the cure to pre-eclampsia is delivery, cause that's not always the case.- I kept asking them to call my doctor, because they know what's been going on with my blood pressure, and they'll know better what to do. They decided to give me a pill that would lower my blood pressure, but it takes about an hour to kick in...I waited an hour, my pressure had gone up!!!(192/120) Then, the brilliantly smart people decide to give me another pill,...wait another hour, still no change. Finally I said, "look, my doctor will be making rounds at the hospital this morning, please call them and tell them I'm here in the ER." They got on the phone, and within 3 or 4 minutes my doctor had ordered me put on the magnesuim sulfate (which lowers bp) and I was up on the womens floor (post partum) being taken care of. All in all we spent 11 hours in the ER that day. It was a very long and very un-eventful process that happened after that. They put me on the mag-sulfate, and my bp did lower a little, but a few hours after they stopped it, it shot back up. I had to be moved to ICU because I needed one on one attention from a nurse. I was in ICU over night, and the next day they moved me back to post partum. Once again the blood pressure shot up. Doctor Hennessey came to me and said basically that he'd done all he could do. He was turning me over to an internal medicine doctor, and they would help me with my pressures. I had to go back to one on one nursing, so i was sent to the CCU. I had to have a catheter, had Iv's stuck in my arm, these big things on my legs to keep the circulation going...I couldn't move at all. Thankfully the mag-sulfate made me very sleepy and out of it, or I probablly would have had a panic attack. My pressures still hadn't gone down enough, so the internal med doctor ordered me to be given this pill, plus I had a blood pressure patch on, and for the first time in a week my BP dropped to 117/78. That is a perfect number. It was the first time that I actually felt like i might get better, and get to leave the hospital. The next day they took me off the mag and my BP spiked, so the nurse gave me 2 blood pressure pills. That made my BP drop so low that I almost passed out in the floor. The doctor said I was doing well enough that I could move back to the post partum floor, and I spent on night there, with good BP and they said I could come home Saturday!!! I was very nervous, and anxious about coming home. I was scared that Jakob had gotten into his routine with my family and maybe he wouldn't do well with me. I was scared he didn't know I was his mom anymore. This whole ordeal obviously was in God's plan. I didn't understand it, and I still don't, but I know God has a plan. I thank him so much for allowing me to come home. Through most of this I didn't feel like I was ever gonna get better. I thought I was gonna die in the hospital, and leave my husband (best friend) and new baby to fend for themselves. I just prayed to God to help me, I had no words to say. Some very good things have come out of this little adventure... Jeremy has stepped up and become a man that I had no idea he could be. Not that he wasn't a good guy, he always has been, but he's been my hero through this whole situation. He's run breastmilk back and forth to my mom's house, spent time with the baby everyday, encouraged me and been there for me even when I know he's worn out and tired...he's been awesome. Jakob is perfect. I could not ask for a better baby. I don't think he's forgotten me, he looks at me with such sweet little eyes when he's eating, and I can tell he knows I'm his mama. I've learned that babies are resilient, they are not as fragile or as nerve wracking as I once thought. Jake has been through alot, but he's doing o.k. He's eating and sleeping and pooping just like babies are supposed to do. He even lets me change his diapers sometimes without screaming and crying. My family and friends have been so precious to me. I didn't want visitors at the hospital, I didn't want people telling me I was gonna be alright, when I wasn't sure I was, but I still knew you all were there. I still could feel your prayers. All I can say is thank-you. Thank-you God for helping me to come out of this, thank-you friends for being so caring and understanding. I am getting back into the hang of things, and I think in the next couple of days I'll have my strength back (laying in a hospital bed for a week is hard on your body) and will just continue to get better. I am on BP meds for at least 6 weeks. They are keeping my pressures low. Please pray that after the six weeks this will go away, and I will not have lingering blood pressure problems. Love you all. Can't wait to share more about my precious little boy with you!!! Love, -Me

Worth the wait...

Jakob says thank you Ms. Dana for my onesie...Mommy says, he really was worth the wait.

Me and my baby....

Here's some pictures of Jakob and me... I am recuperating very well from the c-section. The only other pics of me and him are right after the c-section, and I look quite drugged up. :) I have been up walking around and I guess that I expected the healing process to be alot more painful, so I've been pleasantly surprised. (thank God for pain meds too) I did have my hormonal melt down today though, Jake got circumcised this morning, and the doctor said he didn't cry, or make a sound, but when I went to change his diaper he was all red, and bloody looking, and he kept screaming...I just broke down crying and couldn't stop. I have all sisters, and never really considered what went into getting a baby circumcised. I feel so bad for him. :( I get released to go home tomorrow, and I am looking forward to taking my baby boy home and getting into our own little schedule. Our first appointment with the pediatrician will be next week. I'm so ready to get my little guy home. The nurses and everyone have been really kind and really helpful here though, and I'm blessed to have been taken good care of while I've been recouping. Everybody remember to pray for my friend Nity, she's due on the 27th -same as me- and pray that she'll have a safe and healthy delivery. Also pray for Dana. She had her transfer yesterday, pray that all will go well and that she'll have her own little one on the way. Love you all. Hear a little one calling my name...gotta go. -Me

Hello from Jakob Preston...

Well, Dr. Hennessey admitted me to the hospital to be induced. When I was admitted I was still a finger tip dialated, and about 50% effaced. I was on pitocin from about 10:30 in the morning. After about 4 or 5 hours of pitocin they checked me again and I had made no progress... The doctor came in and basically told me that there are some people who just cannot be induced, or no matter how long they're on the pitocin they will not progress. I kind of got the feeling that he was thinking I was gonna have to have a c-section. He told me he wanted me to rest that night, so whenever I wanted to get the epidural to go ahead and do it. My contractions got very close together, about every minute and lasted a while, and it was getting very painful. I got the epidural around 10:00 at night. I was hoping that while on the epidural I would progress and dialate. In the morning I woke up and noticed that my contractions were very regular and waited for the doctor to come in and examine me. When doctor Hennessey examined me I could tell it was taking a while, and then he said I was still the same as last night. NO PROGRESS!!! Doctor Hennessey said we have two options... he could break my water, and we could hope I progress, or we could skip all that and go ahead and do the c-section. I said "you're the professional, what would you recommend?" he said that since he first met with me he thought that I'd have a hard time with a vaginal delivery. He said it doesn't matter the size of the baby, the way my body is made I just could not progress in labor. I just wanted a healthy baby, and no more bed rest!!! The c-section was quite an experience. I guess you cannot even really imagine what it's like unless you've been there. I knew there'd be some pressure, but there was a good bit of pain too. Thankfully I didn't have time to get nervous about it, it was probablly 15 minutes from the time I talked to the doctor and decided to do the c-section to the time I was in the O.R. and was getting prepped for surgery. After the section my blood pressure stayed high, so now I'm on Magnesium Sulfate which will flush all the water out of my body. I haven't eaten since Tuesday night, I ate a banana on Wednesday morning, but didn't want to eat much since I was hoping to be induced. Once I get off the Magnesium I get to eat, so countdown is on...one hour left. My labor day didn't go exactly as I had imagined, but I have a healthy baby, and I know that once I can get around and walk I'll heal just fine. I'm so thankful for my little miracle baby, and I just cannot believe he's mine. I'm thankful for all of you that have encouraged me through this hard time. I'm so glad Jessie and Becci could come and hang out while I've been on bedrest. This has been one very interesting journey, but it's all been worth it when I hold this little guy in my arms. Love you all. -Me

Is Today the Big Day?

Well, this is a first, so bear with me. Let me start by saying, this is Arlene, Shauna's mom. Shauna had a scheduled Dr. appointment this morning at 8. As it turned out the Dr. decided to admit her and induce. I'll leave most of the details to Shauna's discretion, but they were unable to use Cervidil as she was contracting on her own so they went straight to Pictocin . Her Dr. came in and spoke with her about pros and cons and advised her to go ahead with an epidudral so she could sleep tonight and have energy for tomorrow. I know my little post is not as colorful as Shauna's will be, but she just wanted to let her blogger sisters know what's going on and to let you all know that she covets your prayers. We left her with a sweet smile on her relaxed face, so keep her in your prayers and hopefully we'll have a picture of that sweet, chubby, little face (Jakob, that is) tomorrow. Thank you all for being such good friends. God bless.

on the way to the hospital...

I'm on my way to the hospital. BP was 152/112. The doc said I have full blown pre-eclampsia. They are gonna enduce, so we will have a baby either tonight or tomorrow. I am so excited.!!! Keep me and Jakob in your prayers. Amber brought her laptop, so I'll have somebody update along the way. Love you all, thanks for the support and we'll see what happens. -Me

Is this it???...

So it's 12:35 in the morning, and I woke up with an awful stomach ache...The pain is not high though, it feels pretty low (they say real contractions start up higher at the top of your uterus), so I don't know if it's some serious gas pains, or if I'm having really bad braxton hicks, or if this baby is coming. That's the thing about labor, I've never been there before, so I have absolutely no idea what's going on. I've got a doctors appointment in the morning at 8, so I guess if nothing happens in the next few hours we'll see him then. I'm gonna try to go lay down, I think I might have to get in the tub though...maybe Jakob will be here soon(!!!)...we'll see. Love you all, and will try to update, or have someone update for me. -Shauna

Baby Jakob's pics...

So I had my 37 week appointment today. My blood pressure was 132/100 (!!!!) that is very high. The doc checked my cervix for the first time and said that I am a finger tip dialated, which I'm guessing is about 1cm but I am 50% effaced. On your first baby they say you usually efface first, then you dialate, that means I'm halfway there... The doctor sent me to the hospital again for monitoring, but once I lay down my BP goes down, and Jake is fine, and my liver and kidneys are fine, so they sent me home on absolute bed rest. I can get up to eat, (no cooking) go to the bathroom and take a shower, that's it. At least there's only two weeks left. One good thing about this BP problem is that I have to have an ultrasound each time I go in. The ultrasound tech took these 3-d pictures of Jakob, and we were so excited to see his chubby little face. She even put them on a cd and gave them to me!!! Can't wait to meet my baby boy. Well, I'm off to lay down. Love you all, and can't wait to introduce you to my little guy! Love, -Me

37 week pics...

Here's my 37 week belly shot... I know that the baby has moved down some, but do y'all think that my stomach looks lower? The belly button still has not popped yet, but it's threatening to every day. Jakob keeps stretching and moving, which is kinda uncomfortable to me, I can't imagine how it feels to him. I keep telling him there's so much more room out here if he'd just come out!!! :)

19 days to go...

19 days to go...Wow. I am starting to get less discouraged and more excited as the days tick by. I have less than three weeks till I meet my little boy. I know labor will not be easy, but I'm looking forward to no more swelling, no more bed rest and just meeting this little guy. He has his own personality already. I can't wait to put a face with it. Jakob's bag is packed and ready to go. I'm still waiting on his little outfit for the hospital, which should come in today, and his bag is complete. My mom and I went to Wal-mart yesterday...I know I'm on bedrest, but there's things I've gotta have for the hospital, and the doc said if I'm feeling o.k. I can make little trips. I got everything I can think of needing for the hospital, and today I've gotta pack it all up. This last week I've been at my moms house during the day. She has been so sweet to me, cooking me all kinds of healthy food, and keeping me company, so I'm not bored to death. I feel like a burden, though of course she says I'm not, and if I was at home she'd be calling me every ten minutes. At one point last week my blood pressure was spiking and I would feel like I was gonna pass out, so I just felt like I needed to be close to someone who could take me to the hospital if I needed to go. Not to mention the hospital is almost an hour from my house, and only 15-20 minutes from my mom's house. So needless to say I'm so thankful for my mom and all she does, she is the kind of mom I want to be one day. That's about all that's going on for now. For the most part I've been reading and taking it easy. I need to put up a pic, which I will try to do sometime today. Hope you all have a great weekend!!! Love, -Me

Baby Jakob 36 weeks...

Here is a picture of Mr. Jakob... He has chubby little cheeks, and lots of hair (we could see it moving around in the fluid). He is measuring about 6 lbs. 4oz. which is about average for a baby his age. He is head down, and very low, which made it hard for the ultrasound tech to even get measurements of his head. (I'm hoping that means he's getting ready to come!!!) I didn't get to see the doctor today, which was dissapointing. I had to see the PA, which if you remember was the girl I wasn't too fond of when I had to have the first Parvo Virus test. Let's just say she hasn't improved her status in my eyes. She really just does not have good people skills, and at this point in my life I need someone to answer questions and act like they care about their job a little. According to PA I do not have preeclampsia, which I am very happy about. I guess the way they diagnose it is if you have alot of protein in your urine (meaning your kidneys are affected). My protein levels were low, so I am now diagnosed with pregnancy enduced hyper tension... PA says that they wouldn't even consider inducing me for about 3 more weeks. Baby boys due date is only a little more than three weeks away. Oh well. The nurse told me that I need to sit up and take deep breaths every now and then, even though I'm on bed rest, or I can pass out. Which is what I'm guessing happened on Saturday. I have another doctors appointment on next Tuesday, and they'll start checking my cervix. I'm hoping to get good news from that seeing as how Jakob is already moving down. I guess in all this, including IF and Pregnancy God is still showing me how to be patient. Only 24 days to go...this picture will definitely help me stay excited for a while(!!!)

Baby shower...

Here's a few pictures from the baby shower. As you can see my face is soooo puffy, not only had I been crying alot that day, but I am also holding gallons and gallons of water in my body. I haven't really noticed it in my face till I looked at these pictures. The picture of me and my friend next to the present table is my friend Jaylene. She has had 4 miscarriages and her last one was at 24 weeks. Jaylene is 24 weeks right now, and the doctor said he doesn't see any reason why she won't carry this baby to term(!!!) Praise God for that! Jaylene has been very cautious about this pregnancy, but I am glad to see some of that nervousness or wariness dissapearing, and she is getting excited. Today my mom and Shelly (most of you know her, my bf since before birth) came to the house and helped me (meaning made me stay on the couch and watch them) put away all the baby stuff, and wash all the little clothes, and put together a swing, and other stuff. They vaccumed and straightened, and barely let me help at all. My thanks to both of you. I can never thank God enough that I haven't always had a ton of friends, but those that I've had are friends through thick and thin. So...my living room is back to normal, there is a new addition, a little swing for Jakob, and his little carrier waiting for daddy to put in the back of the car. When I take the time to stop and think about how soon he could be here, I almost cannot even believe it. Continue to pray for me. I felt like I had a spike in my blood pressure today, and almost felt like I was gonna pass out. I was here alone, as I encouraged Jeremy to go to his friends house for a while, since he's gonna be here all day tomorrow with me, I won't be doing that anymore. I really need to get a BP cuff for at home. I just need patience to wait till Monday and find out what's going on. Hope you all have a great Sunday! Love, -Me

Busy, Busy Day...

Well....this is gonna be a long post. I had a very long day yesterday. I had my 36 week appointment, and since the doctors office is about 40 minutes away from the house I had started swelling really bad on the way there. Then I sat in the reception area for about 15 minutes or so, then they called me back. The nurse took my weight, and I had gained 16 pounds!!!!! (no joke) in two weeks. I was just looking at that scale in disbelief. When we got to the exam room the nurse said "let me look at your feet" and then exclaimed in her own state of disbelief that she couldn't believe how swollen I was. I told her the weight gain had to be water weight, cause I've actually been eating better since I've tried to stay away from sodium. (I've been eating alot of fruit and good stuff, not prepared foods) The nurse said even if I ate everything in sight I wouldn't be able to gain 16 pounds in 2 weeks. Then she took my blood pressure... it was 156/92 way too high. She asked if I've been having headaches, and I said slight ones. My vision has also started to get a little shaky, which can be caused by the high pressure. She told me to wait a few minutes and the doc will be in. Thankfully Jeremy was with me in all this... We sat there for about 15 minutes and another nurse came in. She said the doc had to run across the street and deliver a baby, she should only be about 20 minutes, do we want to wait or come back on Monday? I told her that with my pressure so high, and my weight gain I really felt like I needed to see the doctor. So we wasted about 20 minutes and then came back to the docs office. The minute the doctor walked in she said "Shauna, what's been going on?" I just burst out crying... I've felt awful for a week or two now, but seeing the weight gain and the blood pressure really scared me. The doctor said I have the signs of pre-eclampsia (i think that's how you spell it?) and that I really need to go to Labor and delivery and be monitored, get my liver and kidneys checked, and monitor the baby. So we got the orders from the doc, she was on her way to deliver another baby right then, so she'd check on me in a little while. We thankfully pre-registered two weeks ago, but it still took 20 minutes to "check in" with the Emergency room. (that was a little aggrivating) Then they took me up to L&D but to an outpatient room. The nurse was very sweet and very comforting, by this time I was o.k. though, not a big blubbering mess. They took me BP and it was 123/83, so I assume laying down for a few minutes before they took it made it drop. (i was not nervous at the docs until I saw my BP) The baby's heartrate was great, he moved like crazy with that monitor on my stomach. My liver function at this time is good, as well as my kidneys (thank-you Lord!) I did find out I was deficient in iron, so I got some iron pills. I have to do a 24 hour urine collection (so glad to know that huh?) starting Sunday morning, and turn it in to the hospital on Monday morning. I have another doctors appointment on Monday morning, and they'll do an ultrasound to see how big Jakob is. I really wanted to go into labor on my own, but if I'm gonna have to be laid up on my back for 4 weeks I'd rather them make sure he's o.k. and go ahead and induce me. I am on bedrest, she let me go to my baby shower last night, and I was huge by the end of it. She said I can go to church, just when I get home put my feet up. My baby shower last night was great. When I got there I was a little sad, it'd been a long day, and I really just didn't imagine my shower panning out on a day like that. Seeing all my friends really cheered me up though, and in the end I had a really good time. We got soooo much stuff I don't even know where we'll put it all. So anyways, I would appreciate your prayers, that God would give me patience, and help me to make wise decisions, not decisions based solely on what I want. Pray that God will keep me safe, from what I hear of pre-eclampsia it's not the baby that's in danger, it's me, and if something happens to me then the baby will be hurt. Pray that God will give the doctor wisdom, and if it's time that we can get this little man out!!! Love you all. -Me

35 weeks...only five days...

Here is a 35 week belly pic. I am getting so puffy, and it's getting to the place where I don't want to take pictures anymore. I don't feel so pretty these past couple of weeks, I just feel huge. The other picture I put up is Jakob's first picture. He was exactly five days old, and they took this picture right before they put these embryo's in. Isn't it amazing that my son started out as that teeny tiny little ball of cells? Everyone started out this way, but we don't usually take the time to really stop and think about it. What a miracle conception is, what a miracle birth is. As you can see we transferred two embryo's, so I don't know which one is my son, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God meant for me to have Jakob. I am still so grateful to God for this gift he has given me and Jeremy. The tendency these days is to complain. Joints hurt (I guess from all the extra weight), sleepless nights, huge swollen feet, but in all this I am constantly reminded that God answered my prayers! The uncomfortableness (is that a word?) will go away. My getting bigger and bigger means that my son is healthy and soon to be here...34 days or so. (!!!) I just want to stop and give God the glory for what he's done in my life. I know many other deserving people who are struggling with infertility, and I don't know why God was so good to give me this child. I am thankful for all of you who have travelled this road with me. You all have been such an encouragement to me when things have been very rough. What a difference a year can make. Last year I didn't know if I'd ever be in this place...

34 weeks...

First of all I have my hubby back!!! He got back yesterday afternoon. I am soooo happy. I did send him away with a little gift though. He has my cold now, it started developing on Tuesday with him. I had my 34 week check up today. I have gained a total of 31 lbs. I was hoping to gain no more than 35, but with these being the weeks when Jakob will gain the most I may surpass the 35 lb. mark. Besides my very large stomach nothing on me looks like I've gained a ton, so I'm not too worried about it. I am noticing that my hips are getting wider, as some clothes are alot tighter than they were a couple of months ago. My blood pressure is good, which I was a little curious about, as I have been (so) stressed at work lately. I talked to the doctor about my cold and she said that I am o.k. to keep taking Sudafed until I feel like this stuff is gone. My cough is almost gone, now I just need the overwhelming amount of drainage to go away, and I'll be good. She said that when you're pregnant your immune system is low already, so a little cold is magnified. That's exactly how it's been. It was just a sore throat, and cough, but I have literally coughed so much that my muscles are still sore. Jakob is measuring 34 weeks, and his heartrate was perfect. We went to the hospital and pre-registered, and I found out that all the rooms after birth are private, which I am very happy about. I really was hoping to get a private room (if possible) so it would be comfortable for Jeremy to stay with me at night. I also think with just learning to breastfeed, and bonding as a new little family it's alot nicer to be in a room by myself. -Not to mention all the friends and family that will be coming by, I won't have to worry about a roommate getting irritated or anything.- After registering we went to the anesthesiologists office and had to watch this little video about epidurals, and pain management in labor and really, I don't see the point. It didn't tell me anything at all, I learned more about the epidural from my birthing class than from this video. I know that more than likely I'm gonna be wanting the epidural, but i guess this doctor wants you to watch the video and be "prepared" before you go into labor. The more I think about it, it seems like just another thing they can bill your insurance for. Even though I didn't see the doc he'll probablly bill me for a consultation or something. So everything is ready for Mr. Jakob. Whenever he decides to make his appearance we will have everything all set up for him. It makes everything feel so real. Over the next few weeks I need to get a bag ready to go for myself. People keep telling me things to bring from home so I won't have to pay out the nose for them from the hospital. (breast pads, tylenol, menstrual pads) Wow. Do you ever really feel prepared for something like this? I am glad that I have my mom and mother-in-law close, so if I do forget something I know they'd be there as soon as possible to bring it to me. We've only got 6 weeks left!!! Come on baby Jakob!

Belly shot week 33...

Here's belly shot week 33. I am sick, so all my smiles looked really cheesy and I decided not to look at the camera. My belly is getting pretty big isn't it? It looks fake. It's honestly hard to remember when I didn't have a big belly getting in the way of things. Only 40 something days till my Jakob will be here!

So, Doc said to take Sudafed and Robitussin if I can't stop coughing. I really think if I can dry this stuff up the cough will go away. I'm off to the store.

Sick...

No work for me today. I wish that I could just relax and enjoy the day off, but I'm not at work because I am sick(!!!) Yesterday I woke up with a very sore throat, and that drainage stuff running down my throat (I know you totally wanted to know that little tidbit). I am taking zyrtec already, because I had a little problem with alergies at the beginning of the summer, and it seemed to be helping. I think this stuff is just from my body being run down from not enough rest. Anyways, on top of the whole sore throat thing my nose is clogged up, so I have to use saline in my nose or I cannot blow this nasty stuff out, or breathe very well. Once the doctors office opens I am gonna call and ask what I should take. Hopefully they won't tell me that it has to run it's course, because I might just break down and cry like a baby. Jeremy left this morning on a TDY for work. They (Jeremy and his boss) are going to Fort Benning, Ga today, and then tomorrow they will go up to Fort Bragg, NC. He will be back on Thursday. It figures that I would get sick right before he left.We were sitting at the table yesterday, and I told him, you may come home and have a baby boy waiting for you...he said that'd be great. I told him he wasn't getting out of this that easy. (he was just kidding by the way) Please pray that they will have a safe trip. I am a worrier, and I hate him being gone so much because not only do I miss him like crazy, but I worry about him constantly. I know God's in control, I am trusting him with the most important person in my life. Ahhhh, pregnancy hormones, sickness, and my hubby being gone all at the same time...

4th of July and 32 week pic...

Here's a 32 week belly shot with dad in it! Our fourth of July was good. We had a cook out at my moms house, and then went to see the fireworks in Defuniak. I missed Jillian though, because she appreciates the fireworks as much as I do, and it's fun to have her around. (next year Jill!!!) I kept thinking that next year I'll be sitting in the same spot, but I'll have my little Jakob there with me... I can't wait to experience things with my child. It's always more exciting to view the world through a childs eyes. I am starting to slow down alot. Over this weekend my feet have been swollen almost constantly, and I'm not sleeping well, so I am just plain tired. I'm thankful that there's less than 2 months till my due date... I'm openly hoping that baby boy will come a little early so his mama can breathe again. I'm not complaining, and I know I worked hard and cried and prayed alot to get this little guy here, but I think I've just hit that point where I'm ready for the pregnancy to be over. I will miss having Jakob so close, but I'll be glad to be able to breathe, and sleep (yeah right, I know) but 2 or 3 hours at a time will be more than I'm getting here lately. Hope you all had a great 4th with family and friends. Have a great week! Love, -me (oh yeah, don't you love our twin bellies shot???)