Yep, the title of this post pretty much describes the theme of my life for the past 24 hours. Yesterday I officially hit 34 weeks, so all of the meds that I have been taking for the last month to stop my contractions ended Tuesday night. We knew that Wednesday was probably going to be an "interesting" day, but I'm not sure we realized exactly how interesting.
I started having regular contractions at about 12:30 Wednesday afternoon and they were coming about 5 to 6 minutes apart. It actually worked out well because we were heading to our appointment with the perinatologist for my weekly sonogram (which happens to be in the same building as the hospital) at 2:00. The sonogram showed that my cervix had shortened back down to 20 mm (down from 40 mm the week before). After confirming that everything was wonderful with Cooper, he sent us down to Labor and Delivery to get monitored. By the time we got down to L&D, not only were my contractions coming 5 minutes apart, but they had increased quite a bit in intensity.
I got all situated in the not-so-flattering hospital gown and got hooked up on all the monitors (which I think I could probably do on my own by now), and Nurse Ratched (as I quickly nicknamed her) looked at me and said, "Wow. . .you are contracting". It seriously took all the restraint I had left in me not to reply back to her, "No sh*# Sherlock"! I mean SERIOUSLY. . .why did she think I was there?? She called the doctor on call from the practice I go to (of course, my doctor is on vacation this week) and they monitored me for about an hour then "checked me". Now, those of you who have had babies and know how "fun" it is to be checked can understand what I mean when I tell you that if felt like her fist was going to come out of my throat. At that point, I was barely a fingertip dilated. She called the doctor back. . .two more hours of monitoring and then they were going to check me again. At this point, my contractions were literally off the charts and I was threatening to stretch Sean's genitiles over his head. . .especially when he was watching the monitors and would say, "That contraction was not so bad". SERIOUSLY??
At 6:00, Nurse Ratched checked me again and indicated that I had not made any progress, but I was bleeding a little bit which was not surprising (back to the whole fist coming out of my throat thing). She said two more hours of monitoring, and then another check. UGH!! Thank goodness they had shift change at 7:00 and I got a very sweet nurse named Abby. By this point, all the other patients that had been in "triage" had long since gone home, so I was the only patient. Abby was wonderful about getting me what I needed and making me as comfortable as possible on those slats of wood they try to pass off as beds.
At 8:00 it was time for another "check" and apparently my cervix WAS residing in my throat, because Abby could not get to it. . .so she was off to get the doctor who was running back and forth between a c-section and another delivery. If you are thinking that this sounds like a scene from Father of the Bride 2, you are exactly right! We finally saw Dr. Light at 9:00, she checked me very quickly and indicated that I was now to 2cm. YEA!! I figured that was great news and we could get admitted to Labor & Delivery (with real beds). . .but no! She decided to wait 2 more hours, pump 2 bags of IV fluids in me and check me again at 11:00. THEN, she and Sean proceed to start a conversation about what they are going to have for dinner since it appeared we were going to have a long night ahead of us!! SERIOUSELY?? Keep in mind that I had no eaten anything since 9:00 in the morning and I was STARVING. But of course, I was not allowed to have anything beyond ice chips. There are just some things that should not be discussed in front of a woman in labor, and food is one of them.
Dr. Light thought that the IV fluids might settle my contractions down in the case that I was hydrated, but they didn't. In fact, they started coming on even stronger and closer together. She checked me again at 11:00 and then got this "look" on her face which I have learned is never good. She said, "Well, this is not what I expected" and indicated that it felt like my cervix had started closing up. SERIOUSLY?? Another topic not to popular with a woman in labor!
By this point, we had been in triage for 7 hours (which I think may be a record). Dr. Light was not comfortable sending me home because my contractions were still coming very quickly. However, since I was not making progress, she could not admit me to Labor and Delivery. She decided at that point to go ahead and admit me to the hospital and start me on some medication for the pain and something to help me sleep.
By the time we got up to my room, it was after midnight and I have no idea how Sean and I were even still functioning at this point. They got me settled and I sent Sean home to get some rest. Once I got my cocktail of narcotics injected into my IV, I was LOVING life. I know I had a conversation with the nurse as she was injecting the meds, but for the life of me, I have no recollection of what the conversation was. It was like she was pouring a bottle of my favorite wine into me!
I think it was around 1:00 am when I passed out and did not feel anything until around 5:00. I waddled back and forth to the bathroom with my IV pole and had a few contractions, but nothing significant. I did get a wonderful breakfast tray of Jell-O and chicken broth. . .not exactly what you want at 8:00 in the morning when you haven't eaten in 24 hours! I saw the doctor around 8:30 and he said because the contractions had pretty much stopped, he was going to go ahead and send me home. We had a long discussion about what happened the night before. Basically, he indicated that if I had been 38 or 39 weeks, they would have broken my water and Cooper would have arrived. However, since I am only 34 weeks, the could not do anything to help my labor along. He said that we may be in to quite a few more nights like what we had just experienced until Cooper actually arrives or until my c-section, whatever comes first!
Sean came and picked me up and I was completely exhausted, sore, frustrated and HUNGRY. My sweet husband went through the drive-thru at Chick-fil-a and got me a chicken biscuit, and I don't think that I have ever inhaled food so fast. As soon as we got home, I fell into bed and stayed there until 4:30 this afternoon.
As things stand right now, the contractions have tapered off for the most part. We have an appointment at 10:30 tomorrow morning with my doctor who will be back from vacation (YEA) and will go from there. Until then, back to bed rest for me and trying to hang onto the tiny sliver of sanity that I have left.
Thank you for all of your sweet notes and continued prayers.
Much love,
Sean, Laurie, Kaleigh, Meghan and Cooper
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Home Sweet (but crazy) Home
I know. . .I know! I've been home for a week now and I have not blogged at all. My apologies and hopefully I will get better about this. After all, what else do I have to do. . .right?
I made it home last Wednesday and it was the best feeling in the world! Even though I am on strict bed rest, it's wonderful to be able to cuddle with my girls in bed and give them kisses anytime I want to! Physically, it's much harder than being in the hospital because there are so many temptations. . .I just want to get up and get things done. However, emotionally I don't think I could have made it another day in the hospital. I just needed to get home to my family.
The first night I was at home was a very restless one for ALL of us. Sean has to set the alarm for 2:00 every morning for me to take my medicine which doesn't bode well when we typically don't go to bed until 11:30 or 12:00 in the evening as it is. Between Cooper doing the River Dance on my bladder, the thunder storms early that morning and just the pure excitement of being home, I think I got about 3 hours of sleep.
Meghan woke up Thursday morning complaining of a headache, and we just chalked it up to not sleeping well. When she crawled into bed with me and fell asleep for two hours, we knew there was a problem. When she woke up, her temperature was over 101 degrees. . .ugh!! We called the pediatrician because with the anti-inflammatory medicine she is on for her arthritis, we weren't sure what we could give her for the fever. Our pediatrician steered us in the right direction and told us that if she was still running a fever on Friday to bring her in. She slept off and on most of the day Thursday and as much as Daddy was trying to keep some distance between us so she wouldn't get me sick, there is nothing like cuddle time when your baby is not feeling well.
Friday we woke up and Meghan was still running a very high fever, so Sean scooped her up and headed into the doctor's office. While he was there, we got a phone call from Sean's brother (in Colorado) informing us that he and his wife were in the hospital. Now, let me fill in the holes here on this story. Sean's brother Paul and his wife Kathy found out they were expecting around the same time we did. Kathy's due date is EXACTLY one week earlier than mine, but they also found out that they were having TWINS! About three months ago, they found out that one of the twins had not survived. However, for the safety of the surviving baby, Kathy was going to have to carry BOTH babies until she delivered. OK. . .so back to last Friday. Kathy had not felt Amelia move in about 12 hours, so Paul took her to the hospital. After blood work and monitoring, they determined that Amelia was in distress, so the doctor decided to do an emergency c-section to deliver both babies. Now keep in mind that Sean's mother, who lives in Colorado, is here with us because it looked like Cooper was going to be arriving early. Now we get this call that Amelia is arriving early, and Sean's mother is here in Texas. . .UGH!! I think I cried all day Friday because my heart was breaking for Paul and Kathy and because I felt so guilty that Sue could not be with them. It was a very bitter sweet day, but Amelia Susan Reynolds arrived safely into the world Friday morning weighing 4 pounds 11 ounces. She was immediately sent to NICU, but is doing great. She is now off all of the monitors, and now they are just trying to get the feeding process down.
Our pediatrician tested Meghan for strep, the flu and mono. . .all of which came back negative. However, she did see some puss pockets on her throat (sorry for the gross factor) and based on her blood work, it looked like what she had was bacterial, so she was put on a course of antibiotics. By Saturday, Meghan was feeling much better, I had stopped crying, and all seemed to be much better with the world.
My contractions for the most part have not been bad since I have been home. I have my good days and bad days. . .Sunday and Monday were both pretty bad days for me. But I learned a lot of "tricks" while I was in the hospital for keeping the contractions at bay. It's so funny now listening to Dr. Sean when the contractions start. He asks me (typically in this order) how far apart they are, what the intensity is on a scale of 1 to 10 and if it's time to go to the hospital. I think he must practice in his sleep!!
Yesterday I hit 33 weeks and my doctor is THRILLED that I have made it this far. Cooper is doing great and is weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces. I love it when we have a new doctor/technician that does my sonograms, because I get to watch the expression on their face when they calculate Cooper's weight. They typically look at the screen, look at me, and then look back at the screen again. Then, without them even having to ask me, I say, "Yes, my due date is right and yes, I know how big his head is". Based on all the measurements they took yesterday, Cooper is in the 86th percentile and I should actually be 37 or 38 weeks along. . .LOL!!
After the sonogram, we went for the appointment with my OB/GYN who informed us that because of his size, Cooper will be delivered via c-section. I was disappointed, but completely understand that it's what's best for both of us. Kaleigh was a c-section and Meghan was a VBAC (Google it if you are not sure what that is), and I was really hoping to have another VBAC, but the chance of my uterus rupturing is too great based on the pure enormity of this baby! One of my friends told me that instead of a VBAC, I will be having a CBAC. . .I thought that was pretty clever!
So. . .where does that leave us? I go off the medication that is stopping my contractions next Wednesday (34 weeks). I will stay on bed rest until 36 weeks and, if Cooper has not made his arrival yet, I imagine my c-section will be scheduled for sometime around 37 or 38 weeks (we'll probably be scheduling the date at my doctor's appointment next week).
Sean's dad comes into town this Saturday (I have LOTS of projects scheduled for him) and then he and Sean's mom will leave next Saturday (the 15th) to head home to Colorado. I am so thankful that Sean's mom has been here with us and she has been a HUGE help with running errands, entertaining the girls and getting me whatever I need. We continue to be blessed by all of our friends who are checking in on us, bringing us meals, and helping us out in any way possible. We are very lucky to have such a huge support system, and this little guy has no idea how much he is already loved!
Much love,
Sean, Laurie, Kaleigh, Meghan and Super Chunk!
I made it home last Wednesday and it was the best feeling in the world! Even though I am on strict bed rest, it's wonderful to be able to cuddle with my girls in bed and give them kisses anytime I want to! Physically, it's much harder than being in the hospital because there are so many temptations. . .I just want to get up and get things done. However, emotionally I don't think I could have made it another day in the hospital. I just needed to get home to my family.
The first night I was at home was a very restless one for ALL of us. Sean has to set the alarm for 2:00 every morning for me to take my medicine which doesn't bode well when we typically don't go to bed until 11:30 or 12:00 in the evening as it is. Between Cooper doing the River Dance on my bladder, the thunder storms early that morning and just the pure excitement of being home, I think I got about 3 hours of sleep.
Meghan woke up Thursday morning complaining of a headache, and we just chalked it up to not sleeping well. When she crawled into bed with me and fell asleep for two hours, we knew there was a problem. When she woke up, her temperature was over 101 degrees. . .ugh!! We called the pediatrician because with the anti-inflammatory medicine she is on for her arthritis, we weren't sure what we could give her for the fever. Our pediatrician steered us in the right direction and told us that if she was still running a fever on Friday to bring her in. She slept off and on most of the day Thursday and as much as Daddy was trying to keep some distance between us so she wouldn't get me sick, there is nothing like cuddle time when your baby is not feeling well.
Friday we woke up and Meghan was still running a very high fever, so Sean scooped her up and headed into the doctor's office. While he was there, we got a phone call from Sean's brother (in Colorado) informing us that he and his wife were in the hospital. Now, let me fill in the holes here on this story. Sean's brother Paul and his wife Kathy found out they were expecting around the same time we did. Kathy's due date is EXACTLY one week earlier than mine, but they also found out that they were having TWINS! About three months ago, they found out that one of the twins had not survived. However, for the safety of the surviving baby, Kathy was going to have to carry BOTH babies until she delivered. OK. . .so back to last Friday. Kathy had not felt Amelia move in about 12 hours, so Paul took her to the hospital. After blood work and monitoring, they determined that Amelia was in distress, so the doctor decided to do an emergency c-section to deliver both babies. Now keep in mind that Sean's mother, who lives in Colorado, is here with us because it looked like Cooper was going to be arriving early. Now we get this call that Amelia is arriving early, and Sean's mother is here in Texas. . .UGH!! I think I cried all day Friday because my heart was breaking for Paul and Kathy and because I felt so guilty that Sue could not be with them. It was a very bitter sweet day, but Amelia Susan Reynolds arrived safely into the world Friday morning weighing 4 pounds 11 ounces. She was immediately sent to NICU, but is doing great. She is now off all of the monitors, and now they are just trying to get the feeding process down.
Our pediatrician tested Meghan for strep, the flu and mono. . .all of which came back negative. However, she did see some puss pockets on her throat (sorry for the gross factor) and based on her blood work, it looked like what she had was bacterial, so she was put on a course of antibiotics. By Saturday, Meghan was feeling much better, I had stopped crying, and all seemed to be much better with the world.
My contractions for the most part have not been bad since I have been home. I have my good days and bad days. . .Sunday and Monday were both pretty bad days for me. But I learned a lot of "tricks" while I was in the hospital for keeping the contractions at bay. It's so funny now listening to Dr. Sean when the contractions start. He asks me (typically in this order) how far apart they are, what the intensity is on a scale of 1 to 10 and if it's time to go to the hospital. I think he must practice in his sleep!!
Yesterday I hit 33 weeks and my doctor is THRILLED that I have made it this far. Cooper is doing great and is weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces. I love it when we have a new doctor/technician that does my sonograms, because I get to watch the expression on their face when they calculate Cooper's weight. They typically look at the screen, look at me, and then look back at the screen again. Then, without them even having to ask me, I say, "Yes, my due date is right and yes, I know how big his head is". Based on all the measurements they took yesterday, Cooper is in the 86th percentile and I should actually be 37 or 38 weeks along. . .LOL!!
After the sonogram, we went for the appointment with my OB/GYN who informed us that because of his size, Cooper will be delivered via c-section. I was disappointed, but completely understand that it's what's best for both of us. Kaleigh was a c-section and Meghan was a VBAC (Google it if you are not sure what that is), and I was really hoping to have another VBAC, but the chance of my uterus rupturing is too great based on the pure enormity of this baby! One of my friends told me that instead of a VBAC, I will be having a CBAC. . .I thought that was pretty clever!
So. . .where does that leave us? I go off the medication that is stopping my contractions next Wednesday (34 weeks). I will stay on bed rest until 36 weeks and, if Cooper has not made his arrival yet, I imagine my c-section will be scheduled for sometime around 37 or 38 weeks (we'll probably be scheduling the date at my doctor's appointment next week).
Sean's dad comes into town this Saturday (I have LOTS of projects scheduled for him) and then he and Sean's mom will leave next Saturday (the 15th) to head home to Colorado. I am so thankful that Sean's mom has been here with us and she has been a HUGE help with running errands, entertaining the girls and getting me whatever I need. We continue to be blessed by all of our friends who are checking in on us, bringing us meals, and helping us out in any way possible. We are very lucky to have such a huge support system, and this little guy has no idea how much he is already loved!
Much love,
Sean, Laurie, Kaleigh, Meghan and Super Chunk!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
WOO HOO!!
God is good. . .all the time!! I had my weekly sonogram this morning, and we got some great news. My cervix has actually lengthened back out to 25mm, so it looks like I am going home!! I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am!
I got a HUGE lecture from my perinatologist. He wants me on bedrest until 36 weeks and I can basically go to the bathroom, take a shower and go to the sofa. Anything that has me on my feet for more than 3 to 5 minutes (other than a shower) is out of the question and once I get to a spot (like the sofa), I have to stay there for several hours. . .I can't be going back and forth. Those are definitely sacrifices I am willing to make in order to go home. My doctor is actually not here today, but my awesome nurse Lauren is going to try and get the doctor on call to release me today!
Cooper is doing so amazingly well and I just want to cry every time I see his precious little face. He had the hiccups this morning which was so cute and was trying his hardest to get his foot up to his face. He now weighs 5 pounds 7 ounces. . .and I still have 8 weeks to go!! I just laugh whenever the sono techs look at him and look at me because I know what is going through their minds. . .there is no way she is getting a 10 pound baby out of that body!!
Thank you for all of your prayers and support. We are so grateful for what everyone has done for us!
Much love,
Sean, Laurie, Kaleigh, Meghan and Baby Cooper
I got a HUGE lecture from my perinatologist. He wants me on bedrest until 36 weeks and I can basically go to the bathroom, take a shower and go to the sofa. Anything that has me on my feet for more than 3 to 5 minutes (other than a shower) is out of the question and once I get to a spot (like the sofa), I have to stay there for several hours. . .I can't be going back and forth. Those are definitely sacrifices I am willing to make in order to go home. My doctor is actually not here today, but my awesome nurse Lauren is going to try and get the doctor on call to release me today!
Cooper is doing so amazingly well and I just want to cry every time I see his precious little face. He had the hiccups this morning which was so cute and was trying his hardest to get his foot up to his face. He now weighs 5 pounds 7 ounces. . .and I still have 8 weeks to go!! I just laugh whenever the sono techs look at him and look at me because I know what is going through their minds. . .there is no way she is getting a 10 pound baby out of that body!!
Thank you for all of your prayers and support. We are so grateful for what everyone has done for us!
Much love,
Sean, Laurie, Kaleigh, Meghan and Baby Cooper
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Today marks two weeks since I was admitted to the hospital, and we are all still standing (well, except for me who doesn't get to stand too much). In one respect, it has seemed like an eternity. However, in another respect, it's hard to believe that I've been here for two weeks. It's amazing how staring at the same four walls 24 hours a day will mess with your mind!
Sean and the girls are doing well and I count the minutes every day until they come and see me. Kaleigh broke down for the first time last night when they had to leave which KILLED me. I think she's been holding it in, and last night she just hit her breaking point.
We received some news yesterday and we are remaining cautiously optimistic. My doctor is pleased with how my monitoring has gone the past few days. I'm still having pretty intense contractions, but they are spreading out which is good. He said that IF my sonogram tomorrow shows that there has not been significant change in my cervix and if my monitoring stays stable over the next few days, he will consider sending me home at the end of the week!! YEA!! I will still be on medication every six hours and strict bedrest at home (only able to go to the bathroom and take a shower), but I would MUCH rather be on bedrest at home so I can at least be with my family.
Sean's mom gets here this evening which we are SO excited about. She will be here for about two and a half weeks which will get me to week 34. At week 34, they will not stop my contractions and all bets are off. The fact that she is going to be here to take care of everything at our house may clench the deal for me to go home this week. I think my doctor will feel much more comfortable releasing me knowing that somebody is at home with me all the time.
We also find out tomorrow how big Cooper is. . .and we are expecting some big numbers. My belly has gotten significantly larger over the past two weeks (which my husband has no problem commenting on), and my doctor says it's all baby. We suspect that he is currently pushing 5 pounds with 8 more weeks to go! I'm pretty sure that a c-section is in my future if I make it remotely close to 40 weeks!
I saw the funniest thing the other day when I was looking on the internet for diaper bags that I just have to share. I was on a website and looking at their list of baby necessities. On their list. . .I kid you not. . .was a Baby Instruction Manual!! SERIOUSLY?? I had no idea they came with instruction manuals!! Apparently they sell for only $11.99!! That just made me crack up when I saw it!
Thank you for all of your continued support and prayers. My sonogram will be between 8:00 and 9:00 tomorrow morning, so extra prayers during that time would be greatly appreciated.
Much love,
Laurie, Sean, Kaleigh, Meghan and Super Cooper
Sean and the girls are doing well and I count the minutes every day until they come and see me. Kaleigh broke down for the first time last night when they had to leave which KILLED me. I think she's been holding it in, and last night she just hit her breaking point.
We received some news yesterday and we are remaining cautiously optimistic. My doctor is pleased with how my monitoring has gone the past few days. I'm still having pretty intense contractions, but they are spreading out which is good. He said that IF my sonogram tomorrow shows that there has not been significant change in my cervix and if my monitoring stays stable over the next few days, he will consider sending me home at the end of the week!! YEA!! I will still be on medication every six hours and strict bedrest at home (only able to go to the bathroom and take a shower), but I would MUCH rather be on bedrest at home so I can at least be with my family.
Sean's mom gets here this evening which we are SO excited about. She will be here for about two and a half weeks which will get me to week 34. At week 34, they will not stop my contractions and all bets are off. The fact that she is going to be here to take care of everything at our house may clench the deal for me to go home this week. I think my doctor will feel much more comfortable releasing me knowing that somebody is at home with me all the time.
We also find out tomorrow how big Cooper is. . .and we are expecting some big numbers. My belly has gotten significantly larger over the past two weeks (which my husband has no problem commenting on), and my doctor says it's all baby. We suspect that he is currently pushing 5 pounds with 8 more weeks to go! I'm pretty sure that a c-section is in my future if I make it remotely close to 40 weeks!
I saw the funniest thing the other day when I was looking on the internet for diaper bags that I just have to share. I was on a website and looking at their list of baby necessities. On their list. . .I kid you not. . .was a Baby Instruction Manual!! SERIOUSLY?? I had no idea they came with instruction manuals!! Apparently they sell for only $11.99!! That just made me crack up when I saw it!
Thank you for all of your continued support and prayers. My sonogram will be between 8:00 and 9:00 tomorrow morning, so extra prayers during that time would be greatly appreciated.
Much love,
Laurie, Sean, Kaleigh, Meghan and Super Cooper
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Today is a New Day
Thank you for all of your kind words, comments and emails after my last post. I greatly appreciate all of the wonderful friends that I have and everything you are all doing to take care of me and our family during this time.
Yesterday was a very quiet day and I had a lot of time to myself which is exactly what I needed. I had a chance to go through all of our mail (ugh) and watched Nights in Rodanthe (very disappointing. . .I didn't care for it at all). Sean and the girls came up here last night and we had a WONDERFUL time. We played cards, watched tv, and I got to hear all about the slumber party that Meghan went to on Friday night. For those few hours last night, I felt like myself again.
My monitoring actually went really well last night. I didn't have any contractions-we just couldn't keep Cooper still. He was very active and all over the place. As uncomfortable as it is when he does his water aerobics, it always makes me smile because I know that he's healthy and thriving.
We are counting the hours until Sean's mom gets here. She is going to provide us some much needed relief on so many levels. I told Sean that I was going to try and convince my doctor to send me home next week since Sue will be at our house and can keep a tight leash on me. Sean doesn't think it will work, but I've been known to pull off a few Academy award-winning performances!! Sean has already filled her in on the new Super Target, and I do have to admit that I am jealous that she will be able to go shopping there before I will!
I know that my house is a train wreck right now and normally that would make me come out of my skin knowing that we are having company, but I'm actually ok with it because I know that there is nothing I can do about it and that Sue will not even think twice about it. Those of you who know me well know what a HUGE step that is for me :-)
Today I am going to try and get some Saving Dinner work done, visit with Sean and my sweet babies and try to sneak a nap in all between medication and monitoring.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
Much love,
Sean, Laurie, Kaleigh, Meghan and Baby Cooper
Yesterday was a very quiet day and I had a lot of time to myself which is exactly what I needed. I had a chance to go through all of our mail (ugh) and watched Nights in Rodanthe (very disappointing. . .I didn't care for it at all). Sean and the girls came up here last night and we had a WONDERFUL time. We played cards, watched tv, and I got to hear all about the slumber party that Meghan went to on Friday night. For those few hours last night, I felt like myself again.
My monitoring actually went really well last night. I didn't have any contractions-we just couldn't keep Cooper still. He was very active and all over the place. As uncomfortable as it is when he does his water aerobics, it always makes me smile because I know that he's healthy and thriving.
We are counting the hours until Sean's mom gets here. She is going to provide us some much needed relief on so many levels. I told Sean that I was going to try and convince my doctor to send me home next week since Sue will be at our house and can keep a tight leash on me. Sean doesn't think it will work, but I've been known to pull off a few Academy award-winning performances!! Sean has already filled her in on the new Super Target, and I do have to admit that I am jealous that she will be able to go shopping there before I will!
I know that my house is a train wreck right now and normally that would make me come out of my skin knowing that we are having company, but I'm actually ok with it because I know that there is nothing I can do about it and that Sue will not even think twice about it. Those of you who know me well know what a HUGE step that is for me :-)
Today I am going to try and get some Saving Dinner work done, visit with Sean and my sweet babies and try to sneak a nap in all between medication and monitoring.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
Much love,
Sean, Laurie, Kaleigh, Meghan and Baby Cooper
Friday, July 24, 2009
Friday, July 24th
My apologies for not updating for the past few days. It's been a rough week, to say the least. I think Sean and I both hit a wall this week. We were both really hoping for more optimistic news on Wednesday, and the thought of me being in the hospital much longer is taking its toll.
I was on the monitor for over an hour and a half this morning, and the contractions started coming 5 to 6 minutes apart and were very intense. I just wanted to cry. . . not because of the pain, but because I knew that put me one more day behind possibly going home. The nurse and I tried everything. . .emptying my bladder (sorry if that's TMI), getting me on my side, laying the bad completely flat, and nothing was working. She called my doctor to get the shot of Terbutaline ordered, but before she could give it to me, the contractions started settling down. I think Cooper hates that stuff as much as I do!
After talking to my doctor this evening, it's looking more and more like I will be here until 34 weeks. He said that I need 3 to 4 days straight without any contractions before he will feel comfortable sending me home. At 34 weeks, they will send me home and won't try to stop the contractions. He said that based on the rate that Cooper is gaining weight and my delivery preferences, my ideal delivery date would be at 37 weeks. Of course, now that he has said that, it won't happen!!
I have started to settling into what I have accepted as my "norm" for the next few weeks. My mornings seem to go by really fast. By the time I get up, have breakfast, get showered and have my morning monitoring (which seems to be lasting longer and longer) it's time for lunch. After lunch, I usually try to rest most of the afternoon. The last time I remember being this exhausted is when the girls were newborns. I was so tired yesterday that I just started to cry. . .I'm sure you mommies remember that feeling! The nurses have really started tightening the leash as far as visitors and phone calls which I understand is for my own good. They've unplugged my room phone and make me turn off my cell phone when I rest in the afternoon. They have not restricted my visitors yet, but I get "the look" from them whenever they come in and there is a lot of activity in here.
Sean is starting to settle into his new schedule as well, and I am really proud of him for how well he is handling everything. His mom is flying in Tuesday night, and I know she will provide some much needed stability at our house.
The girls are doing as well as can be expected. Meghan seems to be struggling the most (besides Max). She is very much a "Mommy's Girl" and just wants me to come home. I will more than likely be spending her 7th birthday in the hospital, and the thought of not being able to spend her special day with her just breaks my heart. If in fact I am still in here, I may have to see just how much we can bend the rules here so I can have as much time with her as possible on her special day.
Max has started eating and is actually sleeping in the bed now, so he is making progress. Sean said when he came home from the hospital the other day and I was not with him, Max cried for about an hour. I do miss ALL of my babies!!
Surprisingly enough, I am not as bored as I thought I would be. The nurses are in and out of here frequently with medication, monitoring and water. I am working on Saving Dinner menus and I have become addicted to the USA network. I also have lots of books and magazines that friends have brought by when my brain starts turning to mush from all the tv. One of my friends also gave me her Netflix login so that I can download movies to my computer. . it might be a good time for me to catch up on those "chic flicks" that I know Sean would not want to sit through.
The hardest part of all this is being away from home and not being with my family. The physical part of this. . .all the contractions and discomfort. . .I can handle. The emotional part of this is what's so hard.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Much love,
Laurie, Sean, Kaleigh, Meghan and Baby Cooper
I was on the monitor for over an hour and a half this morning, and the contractions started coming 5 to 6 minutes apart and were very intense. I just wanted to cry. . . not because of the pain, but because I knew that put me one more day behind possibly going home. The nurse and I tried everything. . .emptying my bladder (sorry if that's TMI), getting me on my side, laying the bad completely flat, and nothing was working. She called my doctor to get the shot of Terbutaline ordered, but before she could give it to me, the contractions started settling down. I think Cooper hates that stuff as much as I do!
After talking to my doctor this evening, it's looking more and more like I will be here until 34 weeks. He said that I need 3 to 4 days straight without any contractions before he will feel comfortable sending me home. At 34 weeks, they will send me home and won't try to stop the contractions. He said that based on the rate that Cooper is gaining weight and my delivery preferences, my ideal delivery date would be at 37 weeks. Of course, now that he has said that, it won't happen!!
I have started to settling into what I have accepted as my "norm" for the next few weeks. My mornings seem to go by really fast. By the time I get up, have breakfast, get showered and have my morning monitoring (which seems to be lasting longer and longer) it's time for lunch. After lunch, I usually try to rest most of the afternoon. The last time I remember being this exhausted is when the girls were newborns. I was so tired yesterday that I just started to cry. . .I'm sure you mommies remember that feeling! The nurses have really started tightening the leash as far as visitors and phone calls which I understand is for my own good. They've unplugged my room phone and make me turn off my cell phone when I rest in the afternoon. They have not restricted my visitors yet, but I get "the look" from them whenever they come in and there is a lot of activity in here.
Sean is starting to settle into his new schedule as well, and I am really proud of him for how well he is handling everything. His mom is flying in Tuesday night, and I know she will provide some much needed stability at our house.
The girls are doing as well as can be expected. Meghan seems to be struggling the most (besides Max). She is very much a "Mommy's Girl" and just wants me to come home. I will more than likely be spending her 7th birthday in the hospital, and the thought of not being able to spend her special day with her just breaks my heart. If in fact I am still in here, I may have to see just how much we can bend the rules here so I can have as much time with her as possible on her special day.
Max has started eating and is actually sleeping in the bed now, so he is making progress. Sean said when he came home from the hospital the other day and I was not with him, Max cried for about an hour. I do miss ALL of my babies!!
Surprisingly enough, I am not as bored as I thought I would be. The nurses are in and out of here frequently with medication, monitoring and water. I am working on Saving Dinner menus and I have become addicted to the USA network. I also have lots of books and magazines that friends have brought by when my brain starts turning to mush from all the tv. One of my friends also gave me her Netflix login so that I can download movies to my computer. . it might be a good time for me to catch up on those "chic flicks" that I know Sean would not want to sit through.
The hardest part of all this is being away from home and not being with my family. The physical part of this. . .all the contractions and discomfort. . .I can handle. The emotional part of this is what's so hard.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Much love,
Laurie, Sean, Kaleigh, Meghan and Baby Cooper
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
D Day Update
Well, apparently my cervix doesn't listen too well to my pep talks! I had my sonogram this morning, and my cervix has shortened from 19mm to 12mm in a week. The Perinatologist said that equates to about 50% to 70% effaced. Cooper is still doing great and we got to see those fat little cheeks of his. But they feel that it is still too risky to send me home at this point. He did say after 32 weeks they are not so much concerned about how much my cervix is shortening, but more about my symptoms (i.e. contractions). SOOOOO. . .it is possible that next week, even if my cervix continues to change, they may consider letting me go home if my contractions have stabilized. Until then, lots more of this wonderful hospital food (it's really not too bad) and re-runs of NCIS!
Love,
Laurie
Love,
Laurie
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