We've had a very busy day today. I've tried to cross as many things off my list as possible....

I took the boys to a new city park, New Harvest Park. It's been open about a month, and we've watched the building progress all summer. They have a great play area. The boys had so much fun! We will definitely visit there again.

Labels: Baby #3, Family Times

I had my final growth ultrasound today, and he's still a big baby. He weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz. Taking into consideration that the measurements could be off up to 1/2 lb and that he should gain 1/2 lb in a week, I'm guessing that he'll make his appearance around 8 1/2 - 9 lbs. Henry and Jonathan weighed a whopping 7 lbs 3 oz together. So, my hopes of a baby bigger than them put together will more than likely happen. Everything is set for my c-section next Wednesday morning at 8 AM. Very exciting!

Labels: Baby #3

It seems that my boys have done a lot of giving and receiving over the past month (sorry, Kristie and boys). Since October 31, one of them has had cold symptoms (except for a few days in mid-November.) Well, as we get over cold number two, Jonathan is starting #3. The symptoms are all different enough to distinguish between the three illnesses. The boys have missed a lot of church, and we haven't been to care group as a family since mid-October - looks like Rob will be going solo tonight.

This is really a plea for prayers. We'd like to have well kids (parents, grandparents) for the baby's arrival in less than two weeks.

Labels: Baby #3, Sickness

Well, I made it! I can't believe that I am full term today. It feels very strange to think that I won't be having a preemie! I guess I've always thought he would be another preemie, but God has decided that's not the case! I'm glad that I'm not in charge.

My periantologist appointment was was very uneventful. The baby passed his nonstress test, and my amniotic fluid level was stable at 10 cm. I go back on Thursday for another NST. I will have my last growth u/s and office visit next Monday and then only one more office visit! It has really flown by!

I have a new friend who I met at the doctors office who is 35 weeks. She had preeclampsia with her last pregnancy (a twin pregnancy, too). Our paths hadn't crossed in a few weeks, and I've been wondering how she was doing. I saw her today, and her blood pressure has jumped up in the past couple of weeks and is now on bedrest. The doctor is close to admitting her to the hospital if she isn't able to get the rest she needs. She has three kids in school so hopefully she will be able to the get rest she needs. Her name is Elba. Please keep her and her baby in your prayers! She's had a very difficult pregnancy and feels really awful right now. I don't know her very well at all; we just always ended up in the waiting room every appointment and started talking. Our stories were so much alike that we clicked immediately.

Labels: Baby #3

It's a bird....it's a plane...!

Going on an adventure while being gentlemen by helping Ada up the hill

Trying to shake the leaves off the tree

Parks and Ada

I went to the doctor again yesterday, and my fluid level is still normal at 10cm. So, we'll just hang out for a while to see what's going to happen. I wanted to clarify something. I've had a couple of comments about my due date being next week. My due date is December 17. When I said I would be full term on November 26, that's 37 weeks. Doctors consider you full term from 37-42 weeks. That's why my c-section is scheduled for December 12. I'll be 39 weeks.

Labels: Baby #3, Fall, Friends

I went to the periantologist today, and my fluid level was back up to 11cm (10 cm - 25 cm is normal). So, no baby yet. I'll be full term on Monday, November 26. Thanks for praying!

Labels: Baby #3

I had my 35 week appointment on Monday that included another nonstress test and amniotic fluid check. They determined that my fluid had decreased from 13 cm to 7 cm. Normal is 10 cm - 25 cm. So, I go back on Thursday for NST and fluid check. If my fluid is still decreasing (5 cm is the magic number), then we may be having a new addition to the family a few weeks earlier than December 12.

I'll keep you updated!

Labels: Baby #3

I had my 34 week appointment yesterday. There's not much to report which is great! The baby is getting big (mainly because I have gestational diabetes this time around). His weight at 34 weeks is approximately 6 lbs 8 oz. I have a c-section scheduled on December 12. (I had one with the boys, too.) I asked the doctor how big he thought he would be by December 12 , and he said 10 lbs! I'm glad I will be having a repeat c-section.

I am having a non-stress test weekly (and sometimes twice a week) to monitor his heart rate, my contractions, and a quick ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid. My blood pressure is still good, and I go to see my nephrologist (kidney specialist) next week to get the results of the 24 hour urine test that I have to do tomorrow. It's all down hill from here.

We are so thankful that I've made it this far. Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us!

Labels: Baby #3

Today, I am 31 weeks and 5 days pregnant. It's not generally a gestational age that pregnant moms celebrate, but for our family it's a huge day! Henry and Jonathan were born on December 22 at 31 weeks and 5 days. We are grateful to God that we've not seen any signs of preeclampsia so far in this pregnancy, and that my doctors are taking such good care of me.

The boys spent their first 29 days of life being well cared for at Children's Hospital. When I see a fund raiser for Children's Hospital, I still tear up. I'll never forget the time we walked into Sam's Club about two years ago for a quick shopping trip to see an old empty isolette/incubator that they were using to put money in for the hospital. Our boys spent a lot of time in those. The greeting lady wasn't prepared for a blubbering NICU mom to walk in the door. I'm glad Rob and the boys were with me...it wasn't pretty.

Our next goal is FULL TERM! I will be officially full term (37 weeks) on November 26.


Here's some early pictures of the boys in the NICU at Children's Hospital.

Labels: Baby #3

I just returned from my 26 week OB appointment and ultrasound. Our little guy weighs in at approximately 2 lbs 6 oz. This is about the average size for a 28-29 weeker....So, I'm apparently growing a big boy in there. I'd love for him to weigh more than the boys put together. That would be at least 7 lbs 4 oz.


My blood pressure has been very good throughout most of the pregnancy. I had some higher readings around 16-20 weeks, but it seems to have dropped very nicely. But the good news is that I got my lab report back from my 24-hour urine test. Because of my history with pre-eclampsia and kidney damage, I have the honor of completing 24-hour urine tests throughout the pregnancy. It's a pretty simple task but not fun to do. I collect my urine in a 24-hour time period, and then it's sent away to a lab. Fun! Fun! To make a long story short, the normal for women is 0-150 mg of protein in a 24-hour time period. As the years have passed, my numbers have consistently decreased. My numbers have ranged from 1400+ to 240 since the boys were born. I am proud to announce that I am almost normal! My numbers from my last test on August 31 were 158mg of protein. I was pleasantly shocked with this result! I was hoping for the numbers to be stable since the last test at 10 weeks pregnant. I didn't imagine that they'd be 80 mg lower.
















I've struggled off and on with fear throughout this pregnancy, and God has shown Himself faithful once again! Why do we ever doubt Him? Thanks for praying for me and our little guy! Please continue to pray that my blood pressure and protein would continue to stay normal (or almost normal in the case of the protein).




bottom picture - his little foot

Labels: Baby #3

I have an ultrasound on Monday. Yep, it's the big one. (I've already had 4 so far and will have them every 4 weeks after this one.) So, what do you think.....BOY or GIRL? We don't have a preference...just a healthy baby.

Labels: Baby #3