We are a little past 33 weeks everyone! Hooray!!!!!!
I have never been happier to see the month of September. Wow. I am truly amazed that my son has stayed put for almost an additional 10 weeks since our initial hospital visit. I cannot imagine where our lives would be if he would have made his grand appearance already. As much as I selfishly want to say, well we are 33 weeks, we received the steroid shots, lets just stop the meds and let him come...I think to myself, WHY in the world would I still let me son be 7 weeks premature. That is NOT alright...I keep having to take that step back whenever I struggle to get myself out of bed to go to the bathroom, or struggle waddling there...It isn't just about me. My life is him.
We had another ultrasound and appointment on Tuesday! Things are still progressing but at this point I just have to keep doing what I have been doing and keep on. I am still dilated to a 3, potentially a little more, and am now 100% effaced. Sources tell me I can be here for multiple days/weeks, so I am just really not doing anything so I don't break my water or anything! Doctor Trottier is letting it be my decision whether we go off the meds at 34 weeks and I said I would like to stay on them. As sucky as the drugs are, they are going to give my son a better/healthier chance at life and I can deal with the dizziness and swollen puffy legs! My goal is to hit full term, or 37 weeks, if not October which brings us just past at 38 weeks. If I can do that, I can do ANYTHING. Doctor Trottier said, any additional days past 32 weeks are icing on the cake...so load me up cake of life!! He also still stressed that if Elliott was born anytime past 32 he would still be in the NICU no matter how healthy he could come out. He said its almost protocol here in Grand Forks to simply ventilate no matter what to keep the baby out of stress. Why let them get there when we can just give them some extra help. That is what is keeping me motivated to get to October. I want my son to be placed in my arms after he is born...not rushed away from me. I want him with his Mommy and Daddy.
At our ultrasound, Elliott was stubborn as usual. We found out he is looking straight at my spine and our ultrasound tech Jeremy even stated that Elliott was lower than he has been. We haven't been able to get any head measurements or profile shots because he is so far into my pelvis. Other than that, things seem to be looking okay. Measurements, Jeremy said, could be up to 2 weeks off and Elliott's estimated fetal weight at 11 oz. off. That is a pretty big margin. They think he is right around the 4 lb mark...which to many books and websites is smaller, but I take it with a grain of salt. This kid is getting higher in my abdomen and stronger everyday so I know he is growing. He kicked me so hard last night I almost fell down!
My mom was here this past week and it was absolutely delightful. We had a fantastic visit and I wish she didn't have to leave. We were able to hop to the stores and get every NEED for Elliott, as well as a couple wants. Elliott is going to be a fairly fashionable kid, I can't resist these miniature man outfits! We also found his coming home outfit, and have all of his other clothing purchased(bare necessities). The nursery is now completely painted and furniture has been purchased (Thanks Papa Tim!) and built. My son has a room! Evan wants to wait until Grandparents have seen the nursery before any of you folks get to see it (sorry). But I will let you know, its SO stinking adorable. Evan did a FANTASTIC job with painting and took a whole night after a very long day at work to build everything. He is superman. Now all I need is my little man! OH! I almost forgot, it was the sweetest thing. I was in the nursery yesterday putting some clothes up there away from one of our cats and Jack was with me. Jack, for the past 2 weeks has NOT wanted to leave my side...more on that in a second. Anyways, Jack laid right in front of the crib and stayed there until I was ready to leave. He loves his little buddy already and hasn't even officially met him! OH! and here is the rest of what I will tell you-Jack sleeps in his kennel overnight because he likes to get into things/whine at the door at 3 am and doesn't need to go outside. Last night, because he has been SO extremely good and mellow lately, I let him sleep with me in my bed. He laid with me from 1 a.m. until 9 a.m. this morning...his body was touching mine somehow but his preferred place is closest to my belly with his head resting atop. HOW SWEET IS THAT. He is such a good boy and is my little buddy. I hope he does okay with Elliott comes...I know they will be the greatest of pals!
Evan is doing well! He is still freakishly busy, extremely tired when he comes home, but is still trucking along. He is very much looking forward to this 3 day weekend he gets thanks to labor day. It's unfortunate that we will both be missing our first MN State Fair ever, but I have to consider the circumstances :) One step into the fair and my son would fall out, I just know it! Ha Ha! He just would want to experience and love it as much as his Mommy and Daddy do! For all you Minnesotans out there, please eat some cheese curds for me...
Well everyone, onto another week. I have been downgraded to once weekly appointments! Hooray!!! That is a relief. Only makes me a little nervous because now every feeling I have that I am unsure about I have to call. I can't just say, oh my appointment is tomorrow, or a little later, I will just ask then. It's great though!
If all goes as planned, my son SHOULD be here within 48 days. I know it could be more, but at this point I think they would induce me if I went any day past 40 with the history of this pregnancy. 48 days doesn't seem all that far away...and its 32 days until October. Come on October! I love you! It's my wedding anniversary and hopefully the month of my precious baby boy's birth! I'd really appreciate it if you could come as soon as possible.
Love to you all, and I hope these updates continue! Happy FALL!!!
-Rachel
P.S: I never got around to belly pictures...hopefully I can muster up enough strength to make myself look decent and take one...I have REALLY slacked on that sadly, and don't have documentation of many weeks. It's difficult to get out of bed in general, especially for more than just the bathroom.
You will be amazed at how Jack is with Elliott. Tony absolutely adores Hailey and he was the one I was most worried about. He will curl up next to her and lay with her and even rest his head on her lap if she's sitting up in bed with us. It's too cute! Puckett is really only concerned about her when she's crying...then he whines. And the two girls could really care less about her. They will smell her and then just go lay down somewhere else. I keep joking that they will eventually adore her because she will throw her food on the floor or feed/sneak them her food. You know how babies are...one cheerio for me, one cheerio for you. LOL.
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