A Taste of Freedom!

Another oldie but goodie - me FINALLY taking our boy home from the hospital!

What a difference it is for your doctor to tell you that your baby boy would have to spend maybe a day or two in the NICU compared to when you are told that he may not survive if born. Thank you, Lord!





My weekly appointment today went very well and I have been given a bit of freedom! Yahooooooo! I joked to JD that I was ready to hit the mall! Just kidding, sort of. I'll be good and will continue to take it easy but I will not be required to sit on my ever-growing hiney all day long! :)





Thanks for your prayers! Oh, and WHEN I do finally get ready to have this baby, my sister will update my blog. So, don't worry about missing any exciting news!

I've Been Tagged - ABCs

Me kissing my baby boy (Nov 2005)

My ABC's Tag (courtesy of my blogging friend, Janice!)

A - Attached or Single: Attached
B - Best Friend(s): I am blessed with the best friends ever - too many to list.
C - Cake or Pie: Cake
D - Drink of Choice: At this point, I'd LOVE a tall cup of Coke in a Chik-fil-A styrofoam container (for some reason, Coke tastes the best this way)
E - Essential Item: Currently, Tums for my heart burn and my pregnancy pillow
F - Favorite Color: Pink
G - Gummi Bears or Worms: Worms
H - Hometown: Naperville, IL
I – Indulgence(s): I love to take a long bath while reading a new magazine
J - January or July: July
K - Kids: Jon David and his no-name brother (due 9/2)
L - Life is incomplete without: Jesus and my family and friends
M - Marriage Date: 8/16/2002
N - Number of Siblings: 3
O - Oranges or Apples: Apples
P - Phobias/Fears: Bugs, roaches, etc.
Q - Favorite Quote: Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20 - 21.
R - Reason to smile: I am married to the love of my life, am crazy about my son and can't wait to hold and love on my baby boy once he arrives. And - I've made it to 35 weeks pregnant!!
S - Season: Fall
T- Tag Three: I tag Cindy, Denise and Wendy.
U - Unknown Fact About Me: I am a huge sports fan especially Florida State football and Houston Astros baseball.
V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: I love it when my husband grills me a juicy filet!
W - Worst Habit: Interrupting people, especially my husband
X -rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds (strange question!)
Y - Your Favorite Foods: Portillos italian beef and hot dogs, just about everything in Houston!
Z- Zoo Animal: Monkeys and Lions

Bella Bows

For those of you blessed with girls, here is a website for a friend who has a bow-making business. IF I had a girl, surely I'd need some of these pretty things to dress up her hair. I included my 5th-grade school picture to show how much some Bella Bows would have helped!

Maybe I should think of a business for boys - something to do with transportation since we're ALL about buses, trains and cars!

Check our my friend's site! http://www.bellabows.blogspot.com/

My Personal Best

Just like runners have their "personal bests" with times for races, I have a personal best with gestation. ;) As of this moment, we have exceeded the amount of time Jon David was in the womb! I'm not trying to promote sibling rivalry but I did speak to my baby boy (via my belly) and told him that the race was not who could get out first but rather who was the biggest baby who "baked" the longest. I figure life with the babyGap kid as your big brother could be a bit challenging so I'm pushing for this fella to be bigger than his big brother. Seriously though, we are SO thankful to be entering week 35! Things sure look different when you're not 30 weeks pregnant hearing the doctor tell you that your baby could come soon (and may not even live)!

Everything else is pretty much more of the same. My mom is blessing us beyond measure by taking care of me, my boy and our home (Daddy too is getting lots of treats from her like banana bread). It's so nice to know that I can take go to my room and rest for hours knowing that my big boy is having a blast with his grandma.

It's a little hard to post new stuff when you spend your days flat on your butt-inski. So, there are no real pictures of fun things we've done! But, here is my mom's FAMOUS banana bread that we beg her to bake at least once a week. Enjoy!!!

Who Knew?? I'm Rockin'!!

My most awesome, super cool friend, Wendy, presented me with a special award. I could not believe it. Me - a rockin' girl?? Other than the gymnastics going on in my belly, there ain't too much rockin' for me right now. Let's just say that I ain't got it going on right now. I vow to get whatever "groove" I had back in due time after my new son arrives. Until then, I am just a very large pregnant woman! Sorry, no pictures. You'll have to take my word on this!

But, Wendy, now SHE is rockin' and if she says that I'm rockin', well - then, I happily accept the award. This made me try to recall other awards I received. Yes, in college, I received a few academic awards like honor society stuff. But, there is an award (or awards) that I received in 6th grade that I do cherish. I was named by our 6th grade teachers the Miss Valley Girl/Miss Congeniality Award. Don't be a hater. I earned those awards, okay??? ;)

Per Wendy and the rules of blogland, I must now pass along this highly esteemed award to 5 others who rock. The nominees are...

1) The "other" Denise. Where to start. Denise and I were buddies in our church's singles group in the 90s. It's an absolute joy to be reunited with her and going through the crazy ride of pregnancy alongside her. She is due 3 days after me and we hope to be in the hospital at the same time. That seems like one lofty goal at this point!

2) Anna. We go to church together and she's Tyler's aunt. Tyler is Jon David's best bud and he's featured in many posts. She's just cool. Her diaper bag for her daughter Rachel is pink camouflage. Does it get any cooler than that??

3) Cindy. My sister. She indeed rocks. She just returned from her first mission trip and has much to tell about it. Do check out her blog. This woman loves Jesus.

4) Jamie. We're in the "Moms of Preemie Boys" club. We actually lived in the same place at one time. I wish that I knew her then. She has access to much better food living where she is but I won't begrudge her that. She's a fantastic momma.

5) Andrea. This friend needs to write a book. She also has such a boy of a boy. He's rugged and very handsome. I really wish we could hang out together.

There are many more bloggin' moms but like Wendy said, we can only name 5. Keep rockin' you bloggin' mamas!

Mama, these are for you!

My sweet son has started to bring me presents from our backyard. Usually, it's a brown leaf. The look of love and pride he shows as he offers them to me absolutely melts my mommy-heart. Sometimes, he finds such treasures way in the back of the yard. Ours is a big and very deep yard so it's no small trek for his little legs to make. Still, he has a very determined look in his eye when he finds a leaf for his mommy and he will not be deterred. In fact, we had friends over who were trying to get him to stay outside and not keep going back into the house where I was hanging out on the couch. They suggested he give the leaf to DaDa. He cut them a look and said, "Mama!" Yes, my boy is so sweet!

Update: good appointment yesterday, minimal change in cervical length though I had cramps (contractions?) all day which were at times smarting pretty good. Now that I'm past 32 weeks (33.2 to be precise), they won't do much more for me. I'm already on meds and bed rest so they don't really need to see me other than my weekly appointments unless, of course, baby boy is determined to come early. Our new goal is for this Sunday - 34 weeks.

Thanks for all prayers! They are working!

I'm 33 Weeks Today!

I just have to praise God for His love and faithfulness! This is a post of thankfulness! The past 2 1/2 weeks have been challenging and I've not always kept perspective about what is happening and Who is really in charge. But, in my heart, I know that the Lord is indeed good and He is working all this to His good, for His glory! And, I just have to give a big pregnant woman praise!

I return to the doctor tomorrow morning. We're surrounded by family and friends literally showering us with love and support. Lessons in service to others - that's what we're studying.

A few pictures of the fun Jon David's been having...

Jon David and Mr. Chris (the "other" Denise's sweet husband) enjoying Denise's homemade blueberry cobbler. YUMMM!

Forgive the red-eye. More cobbler fun...

Very Good Test Results

Jon David and his Aunt Ra Ra (Robin). She came to take care of him last week for a few days and they had FUN! Lots of singing and being super silly. It's so sweet to hear him call for her, "Raaaaaaa Raaaaaaa."

Quick update: today's fetal fibronectin test was negative! This means either the last test was a false positive or that the protein is gone. Either way - good riddens! Also, I had a quick ultrasound today and my cervix remains closed and has not shortened at all since the ultrasound two weeks ago. Those two pieces of news are answers to prayer! No, my activity level is not allowed to change because of this but it's still really, really good news! And, I'm now taking the terbutaline around the clock to keep cramping and contractions at bay. The doctor said it's just safer to do this. Bummer though - it gives me one heck of a headache and can cause my heart rate to race. These are normal side effects but not especially fun. Oh well, it's not too bad.

Aunt Ra Ra's baby girl, Ella Kate, also came for the visit. She is the cutest baby and so sweet natured and an amazing sleeper!! I didn't know they made babies like this!! She's just so sweet. Look at those sweet baby arms and that baby smile.

Lessons Being Learned

Isn't it funny how we learn the most when we are in positions in which we are clearly NOT in control? God, I believe, uses these times. He brings us to our needs to get us to our knees so that we stop thinking we're so smart and not in need of Him. Clearly I am registered for this class and learning a lot!

We are truly humbled by the sacrifices and service from friends and family. I'm learning that it's okay to ask for help even when it's silly things like putting away Jon David's toys or running an errand. We've been well fed and have a nicely mowed lawn all due to the kindness of others. We are learning a lot about service to others and intend to remember these things when there are people who need us. I thought we did an okay job at this but we are truly humbled by the love we are receiving.

What's a pregnancy without a little drama? I started to feel agitated and slightly crampy on Friday night but blew it off since it was not especially painful (though my mood was probably to my husband and my sister-in-law). :) They still love me. :) Same thing happened Saturday night and I decided to talk about it with JD. He wanted me to call the doctor even though it was 11 pm. Being a good wife, I called but thought it was a little silly and fully expected the doctor to tell me to chill out. Wrong. He advises me to head to the hospital. Good thing my mom was already staying the night. Off we went. After a little while of monitoring, the nurse informs me that my contractions were 2 minutes apart. Contractions??? You call this mild cramping contractions???

Fast forward a few hours, some tests and a shot of terbutaline to slow the contractions, we head home at 3 am. I started to feel the same way last night and the doctor gave me the option of taking terbutaline by pill and ordered me some. I was thankful to stay at home.

So, we head to the doctor today for more tests. We don't think that I was in labor (clearly) but too much of this funny business can cause me to go into early labor. I'm being a good patient, drinking my water and resting. I'll post more later with the 4-1-1.

Again, thanks for your comments and prayers!! We made our first real goal of 32 weeks!! Praise the Lord!

(Photos of Jon David and his best buddy, Tyler, on the 4th of July. Kim sweetly came by to play with my boy and keep me company.)

More of the Same

Jon David playing with the "other" Denise who has been coming over to help.

I'm still residing in the "Land of Doing Nothing" per my doctor today. They did not do the test again since it really needs to be two weeks. But, he gave us some helpful info. Mostly, there is a 30% chance of me delivering within two weeks of the test results. And, he really, really wants us to make it to 32 weeks which is this Sunday. We went to the hospital for a steroid shot to help the baby's lungs develop in case he comes early. We return tomorrow for the second dose.



That's all the news that's fit to print. Thanks for your love and prayers!

8 Random Facts... I was tagged!

Thanks to my gal, Wendy, for the tag. Here goes...

Here are the rules:- I have to post these rules before I give you the facts. Each participant posts eight random facts about themselves. Tagees should write a blogpost of eight random facts about themselves. At the end of the post, eight more bloggers are tagged. Go to their blog, leave a comment telling them they're tagged (cut and run - I stole this line from Wendy).

1. I am a big sports fan. My husband and I share a love of Florida State football, Houston Astros baseball and Houston Texans football. When we lived in Houston, we had season tickets to the Texans (we still have them but sell the tickets) and we still have season tickets to FSU football games that we sell. One day, we'll actually go to an FSU game together.

2. I can't parallel park and am scared to drive big SUVs. I think that is because I believe myself to be spatially challenged.

3. I got stuck in my car during a bad flood in Houston which freaked me out. The water was up past my tires, about 18 inches high (I'm guessing). It was very scary! While never a fan of driving in inclement weather, this pretty much sealed the deal for me and I really try hard not to be out driving in bad weather.

4. I feel soooo good when my house is clean, my fridge is full and there is the smell of a home-cooked meal or dessert in the house.

5. I find my husband irresistible when he wears this certain flannel shirt. Who knew I had a thing for lumber jacks??? Also, I'm quite fond of him wearing corduroy pants in the fall/winter.

6. If I had the talent and creativity, I'd like to write children's books. I studied Elementary Ed in my mid-20s when I went back to school for a second degree and Children's Literature was my all-time favorite class.

7. I've gotten better but I tend to be a class half-empty person and my husband sometimes calls me "Chicken Little." God blessed me with a husband who helps me with perspective when I lack it.

8. Random favs: Bible teacher - Beth Moore, Christian song - "Held" by Natalie Grant, book in the Bible - Ephesians, Hymn - "It is Well with My Soul".

My list of taggees:

1. Jenny.

2. Cindy - when you get back from your missions trip to Peru.

3. Anna.

4. Andrea.

5. Jamie.

6. Jamie B.

7. Susie.

8. Hollie.