A little update

On Friday Jan 16, we had a little pre-term labor episode that actually granted me a 5 day hospital stay to get the contractions under control and stop the labor. I was having contractions at work and some of them were accompanied by a little cramping. Friday night I decided to go in and just get checked out by the midwives and I fully expected them to say I was just over-reacting and to go home, drink more water and rest. Well, apparently the contractions were being productive and I was starting to dialate (we were at 32 1/2 weeks). They immediately checked me in and hooked me up to a magnesium sulfate IV and that totally knocked me on my butt. Magnesium sulfate (aka "mag sulfate" or "mag" by the nurses) royally SUCKS. It makes you feel like you are on fire and makes you super weak. I was on the lovely stuff for 48 hours, but it seemed to do the trick. It is a muscle relaxer and also lowers your blood pressure. This is where things get tricky for me. My normal blood pressure is 100/60. Pregnancy was 90's/50's. And on this stuff, my BP was in the 80's/ 40's. It took them a little trial and error to find the right dosage that didn't make me pass out.

And through all this, our baby girl was perfectly fine. She was on the monitors and just doing her thing. Monday morning, they took me off the Mag and put me on a pill that would do the same thing but without the dramatic side effects. Then I spent two more days in the hospital being monitored and checked to make sure I wasn't dialated anymore.

I think one of the scariest parts for me was when my blood pressure crashed to 60/30 and they started talking emergency c-section and blood transfusions and the NICU (newborn intensive care) nurses came to talk to me about what I could expect with a preemie. Fortunately, they were able to find the right balance of mag for me and we didn't have to go to these extremes.

I am so thankful that our baby is doing great and I praise God that things turned out ok.

I have been home now for about 3 weeks on bed rest. Of course I would go out of my mind if I actually stayed in bed, so the daylight hours are spent out in the living room or in front of the TV with my new subscription to Netflix. And since we made it past 36 weeks, if I go into labor now, then we'll be having a baby. Which honestly makes me a little nervous...ok, a lot nervous.

My mom thinks we are going to have a Valentines baby (uh, yeah...that's this saturday. I'm trying not to panic)...which would be fun, except she is going to be in California (Bay area) this weekend and the LAST thing I want my mom to do is drive all the from San Fran, thru Oregon and half of Washington just to get here. Yes, she would do something this crazy - it would take her about 5 triple Venti latte's from $t @ rbuck$, but she would probably drive without stopping.

I'm thinking that we won't be having a baby this weekend though, since I haven't been having contractions.

Changing Tables

Here is a funny conversation Andy and I had last night about baby changing tables:

Andy: "why do we need a changing table?"

Andrea: "Where do you suggest we change the baby"

Andy: "On the kitchen counter"

Andrea: "You have got to be kidding me. No way...you are not changing the baby on the kitchen counter. That is just gross"

Andy: "The cats stick their bare butts on the counter. I don't see how this is different"

Andrea: "Touche...but still not happening. We are getting a changing table."

Dog Tales....and more Dog Tails

Cinder (our dog) is so lucky this weekend, he gets to run around with another dog ALL weekend! Hunter is staying with us for the weekend and things have been going great so far. In fact, they have been playing so much - like dogs do - that I think they'll wear each other out and I won't feel guilty if I don't take them on a walk.

It's been really cool seeing these two dogs get along so well, and to also see their personalities. Like just now....Cinder was chewing on his favorite bone - and then they started to wrestle for a couple of second - and then Hunter took over Cinder's bone. Now Cinder is whining because he wants his bone back, but won't just go in and take it. Oh...now they are wrestling again.

The cats....they aren't too happy about this arrangement. They just find the highest spot they can get to and observe the chaos.

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Earlier this week, Andy's mom wanted a picture of the bump. Even though we'll see them in just 2 weeks for Thanksgiving....so we took one out front in all the pretty fall colors.

Also in the pic you can see what I'll be doing this morning since it isn't raining....raking leaves! Andy did it last week, so I thought it would be a nice surprise while he is out buying parts for the Nova and then meeting his group for a grad school project.

So the picture is a little blurry, but he took it with our nice new camera. Andy downloaded the picture to his computer, but the file size was too big to open it with some picture program that came with his computer. So he let outlook compress the picture so he could email it. Why have a nice new camera if you don't have software to be able to open and modify your pictures? So we got into a little discussion about getting some software. Here is one of the many ways we are different....I would like to legally purchase some photo editing software ~ he would like to get his buddy to burn a copy of the same software for us (probably a "gift" from another buddy). I just can't do that. Especially when the program doesn't cost that much in comparison to whatever legal ramifications using copied software has. So there is me...the "rule follower"...always have been, probably never gonna change. And then there is Andy...."the rule ignorer"....maybe I can change that. (Ha! I must have put something really good in my coffee this morning if I really believe that one)

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On Thursday...Andy was so sweet and said we could go and register for baby stuff, which I had been nagging him about (he would have rather stayed home and worked on the Nova). So we spent almost 2 hours with the registering gun and zapped away. And then....I started to feel like I made a mistake. I went over the list of junk we registered for and starting taking stuff off the list because we probably couldn't justify using it, especially for the price. Or we really didn't have room for it and frankly don't need it.

My mom has some very very generous friends who are giving us almost all their baby stuff, so we don't really need much. Maybe I'll just cancel our registry - I just don't feel really good about it now.

Ain't seen nothin' yet

Hmmm....so I just looked at my blog title and it seems to be a little misleading. Maybe it should say something like "A New Vandehey Adventure.....Every Once in a While....Or when I get around to blogging" Too wordy...ok. It will stay for now.

Really the only thing to report about is that we found out we are having a girl. I'm really excited. Of course, I would be really excited with a boy too, but I think I secretly wanted a little girl. Andy...is scared. Well, he doesn't really have time to be scared, since he is focused on school stuff all the time. But I think he's pretty happy too.

Here is a pic of the little munchkinWe have our 22 week appointment this week. We'll get to hear the heartbeat again, do the weight and blood pressure, they'll ask if I have any questions, and we'll go on our way. Pretty routine stuff, but I prefer it that way.

I ran across a picture of me from just a couple of months ago, and wow, I thought I was showing a lot. That ain't nothing! My belly sticks out farther than my boobs, yay! 18 weeks and counting...I have a feeling I'm gonna be huge. None of this "look like I'm 6 months at full term" for me. We'll see though, I probably don't look as huge as I feel.

I love my cats. But sometimes, they can be annoying buggers. They both have this thing where they have to lay on my stomach or chest and be right up in my face. It was sweet before the bump. Now it is just uncomfortable. So yesterday, Brady was trying to make room on my lap and found that it wasn't so comfortable to try to lay on my belly anymore. So he is laying here right next to me....good kitty. I wonder if they will be able to feel any kicks if they are laying right next to the belly. That could be funny...as long as they didn't attack back.

It's 9:30 and passed my bedtime...or that is what my eyes are saying......

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe it has been 2 years already. Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from that big day:
My hubby's so handsome, isn't he?

Too bad he's not here tonight...but he's got a good reason - grad school! But we have plans for dinner on Friday night at a new(er) restaurant in Mukilteo. And then we'll probably come home and watch a movie. Perfect date night!

Yesterday, we had our 18 week appointment! I really like our nurses. We have decided to see a certified nurse midwife for prenatal care and delivery. Each time we see a different midwife and I love it! Since we won't know exactly who will be there when our little babe is born, I think it is great to meet all the midwives. And so far, the pregnancy has been really easy. Our appointments have been a breeze. They do weight, blood pressure, talk to us for a few minutes about different things (this time it was the Quad screen for downs syndrome and other disorders), then we listen to the heartbeat, and she measured by belly. Everything seems to be on track. Our ultrasound is schedule for next Thursday. I'm really excited to see our little one!

Fun with camera

It was a nice day after work, so I thought I would play with the camera a bit.

The following is what is growing....errr, dying rather....in my backyard.

Activity!

So I am loving the little pokes from baby....a couple of times a day, I am getting pretty significant little reminders that Yes, indeed, there is someone in there! And surprisingly, the jabs are strong enough that Andy can feel them too, and we are only at 18 weeks! Not that the shrinking clothes, or midnight potty breaks aren't reminders too. Seriously, I look at some of my clothes and think..."did I really just wear that a few months ago? A mini-me must be swapping out my laundry, because I can't believe I used to wear that...."

Poor hubby is swamped with MBA school. But I think we are getting a handle on things. It has really been an adjustment for me and learning how to deal with a stressed out hubby.

In other exciting news....my new camera is here! I drove down to Chehalis and met my mom at a cat-show. And after about 15 minutes of fiddling with the camera, I was able to do this....
ok so I'm no pro, but this was a cute one. I definitely need more time playing with the camera before next March!