No News is Good News??

I am still here, and it appears that I will now be here through the weekend, and most likely the end of the pregnancy. I took it hard this morning when my fluids barely increased, but I have finally resigned myself that I am here until the end. It has been hard letting go of my work responsibilities that I left on my desk, as well as the home jobs that I have yet to complete. In addition, I am upset that I will be unable to attend the baby shower that Michelle, Carol Anne and Penny have planned for us this weekend. However, I think Steve and Michelle have come up with a plan - Steve is going to attend in my place, and we are either going to videotape it for me, or utilize webcams so I can still feel like I am apart of it (thank goodness for technology).

In addition, my mother is flying in on Saturday to help Steve get some of these items done around the house before the baby comes. Then my father will fly in on Tuesday, so we'll have the whole family here for the arrival - hopefully late next week sometime. It is hard to imagine that I have been waiting for this little one's arrival for the past 8 months (secretly wishing that it would arrive early) and now I'm hoping the little one will just stay put for another 9 days.

An Earlier Arrival is Probable

Well, I am back at the hospital. Yesterday afternoon I went in for my weekly check-up and they determined that my amniotic level had fallen again. As a precaution, they admitted me overnight for fluids and to monitor the baby. Fortunately we are both doing well - the baby's heartbeat is strong and it is very active. However, we had another ultrasound this morning, and my levels didn't increase like they had hoped. So, I am here for another night. They will recheck it again tomorrow morning, and if it has gone up to a "safe level" then I will be discharged to bedrest at home. If it stays the same or decreases, then I will continue to spend nights here with day to day monitoring. We are trying to keep the baby in there until next Friday, when I will be 37 weeks.

It is still too early to determine what will actually happen, but I think that it is likely that I will go even earlier than June 6th now. Though the amniotic level is 5.7 cm (the bottom of the normal range), the doctor is concerned that something else is going on since I have been on bedrest a full day now, and have literally been pumped full of fluids (3 IV bags and lots of water). Steve and I aren't worried though - we feel good that we've made it this far along and are confident that this baby will be okay.

There is wireless internet at the hospital, so I am able to at least check emails and surf the web to break up the monotony of TV. Who would've thought that I, Julie "tivo" Mizerany, could tire of watching television, but I have. Steve has also been an angel, sitting with me for hours during the day and night, and taking care of our kids at home. We'll update the blog with any pertinent news, but in the meantime - pray that we make it another 10 days.

Christian - the Ham!

Shannon and Christian stopped by today for a visit, and I realized that I didn't have a current photo of just him for his new cousin's room. We want pictures of all the cousins so the baby gets to know them quickly. So I pulled out the camera, while he tried out some of the baby's toys, and smiled for every take...he is quite the ham. He has just learned to crawl, or should I say walk like a monkey. He uses one knee and one foot to scoot around the room. He seems to be happy that he can just move on his own, but now the fun begins for Brian and Shannon. He has already played with the dog bowls, but fortunately there wasn't anything in it. However, I'm sure it won't be long before he is eating the alpo like his daddy did years ago.

A Date is Set!

This morning we went for our weekly doctor appointment - the baby weighed 5 lbs 10 oz! Following the ultrasound, we talked with the doctor, and since the baby is still breech we set a tentative c-section date. She was pushing for a week before our due date, but since a few of my family members couldn't be present, I asked for June 11th (my aunt's birthday). Our doctor said that she would prefer us to go earlier, so we settled on June 6th.

Though I am estatic to have our delivery moved up, she told me to not bank on that date too much. If the baby flips, then everything could change. However, I am going to remain hopeful and pray that the baby comes June 6th (4 weeks from today) or sooner!

Georgia On My Mind...

We were able to get away to Georgia this past weekend for a few days of fun and relaxation. Steve and I, and friends Chris Corts and Leslie Conwill headed east to my parent's home. Steve and I found ourselves eating and sleeping a lot, but Chris and Leslie did plenty of walking and were much better at keeping up their regular routines. Though the weather wasn't warm or clear enough to get any sun, we enjoyed lunch outside at the Ritz at Reynolds Plantation, and Leslie and I had a massage. I swear if I could have one luxury - it would be to hire a personal masseuse for a daily massage. With my feet swelling so much the past couple of weeks, I could really utilize a foot and leg massage every day after work. Thankfully Steve has been helping me out with that some and rubbing my feet at night. It helps, but I feel guilty asking.

Though our trip was a just a weekend, it was nice to get away. Reynolds is such a relaxing place, so peaceful and quiet. We enjoyed our last getaway before the baby comes.

Shocker....

Well, miracles are possible - Shannon & Brian have finally set up their own blog! Christian took a three hour nap today, which allowed Shannon the time to create her homepage and make their first post. You'll have to check it out because Christian is such a cutie pie, and the camera loves him! http://bantablog.blogspot.com/ I have also added it to my favorite links.

Nothing new to report on our end. I had another doctor appointment this morning, and everything went well. Our baby is still breech, but it has plenty of fluid around it, so no worries. The doctor said that since things seem to be going so well, she now expects me to go full term. I guess that is good for the baby, but for those of you that I have spoken to recently - you know how anxious I am to deliver this angel. I guess we'll just have to wait a little longer. The biggest bummer is that my feet and ankles have started to swell recently. In fact, last week I flew to Tampa and when I got off the plane - I had cankles! In fact my feet were so swollen, they looked like they belonged to a 90 yr old woman! Though I have a sedentary job, just sitting all day the blood pools there and my shoes get tighter and tighter as the day goes on. The sacrifices us women make for our children.