July 14th

Krystal and I went to see fire works on the fourth of July. Aric and Sean stayed home because we spent the day at the water park and Aric had enough heat and sun. Krystal and I had a nice time just the two of us. She is still doing extremely well with Sean. She even asked me to teach her how to put the diapers on him. She can undo every buckle and latch, so we have had to tell her not to take him out of the crib or car seat. She is also not allowed to walk with him. Aric is terrified that she will fall and hurt them both. I've spent my first days at home alone with two children now. It's to hot outside to send Krystal to play so she has been watching TV and playing the Wii with me. There goes another idea that I will not let my child watch TV all day. Sean is to little to handle the heat for long, but we did have a nice trip to the zoo last week. Our family is settling in nicely. Sean is sleeping in the crib in his room and I am getting up two or three times a night to feed him. He is still a pretty calm baby. I look at him and am so thankful to have a healthy little boy after all we went through.

Sean changed the birth plan

Well, true to form Sean changed the birth plan. Less than twelve hours before our c-section he decided that a normal birth would be better. Krystal was in the room with me when my water broke and it scared her. She has seen way more than any child should during this pregnancy. Aric made it from Arlington to Grapevine during rush hour in 13 minutes, good thing I was in to much pain to complain. It happened so fast it was over in less than three hours. I was completely unprepared for how painful labor pains are. He had the cord wrapped around his neck twice, but it did not cause any problems because it was over so quickly. I pushed less than 30 minutes. I think even the doctor cheered when Sean was safely delivered and the pregnancy was over. My recovery is so much better with Sean. I guess I was not exaggerating how painful it was with Krystal. I feel like dancing this one is so much easier. So far Sean is completely different than Krystal. He eats and sleeps like a champion. He does have day and night reversed, but I'm so happy to have a good eater that I don't mind. Krystal is the best big sister I could possibly ask for. She even helps with the diaper changes and laughed when he peed on her during a bath. She gets up in the middle of the night and helps burp him without complaint. I'll be surprised it this continues, but its nice that she is not fighting for our attention.

21 days and counting.

We get to deliver Sean by c-section on June 19th. He weighed 5 pounds 10 ounces at my last doctors visit. I'm so ready. My car seat/stroller was delivered yesterday. Now they will let us leave the hospital. We had to custom order his crib bedding because of the round crib. It should be ready in 2 weeks. We did not have enough going on in our lives, so we scheduled surgery on both of Aric's feet last Wednesday. It was much more difficult than we thought and the anesthesia made him sick. His pain was more than we remembered the last time he had the procedure done on the left foot. He is over the worst of the pain now, but still uses my wheel chair to get around the house during the day. It's a toss up on which one of us looks more pathetic at the moment. The day before the surgery we had to put Tux to sleep. I was to upset to handle going to the vet's office. Thank God Aric's cousin Shannon volunteered to do it and we took her up on it. We are now pet free and it feels strange. Needless to say, Krystal has been a bit emotionally unpredictable. She's had a lot of things to deal with for someone so young. She is still very excited about meeting her brother and talks to him every day. I am ready to be no pregnant any more, but have three long weeks to wait.

On Friday we all went to the doctor. the sonogram estimated that Sean weighs 4-9 now. He refused to let us get a good look at his face. The previous sonogram we got a picture of his face with his eyes open. It was very cute. Aric went to the doctor after my appointment and we are going to try to schedule foot surgery before my c-section on June 19th. Exercising really hurts his foot and we want to try to help him get better before he has to carry more weight. Krystal decided that she wanted to get her ears pierced. We took her Friday evening. She did great, I cried like a baby because she jumped. I had to use the pregnant emotional card to cover my tears when she asked why I was crying. The truth is I tried to leave the store and would have cried anyway. She's my baby and we just passed another milestone. She says her ears are "piered" now. We have had one minor mishap when one came out on Saturday and we had to push it back through with some difficulty. I actually helped then. I'm good in a crisis, just not voluntary pain. We had pictures taken Saturday as a family. My friend who is an excellent photographer came to our house. We did lots of fun poses that I would never have done in public. I think we got some really neat belly shots. I cannot wait to see the one where I am wrapped in red satin fabric. Needless to say.. those will not be posted here. But I will post some of the less exposing pictures when I get them back in a couple months. I hope everyone is doing well and avoiding flying pigs. Ta ta for now.

Tamara

week 31

Today marks 31 weeks gestation. We are all very excited and wondering just how much bigger I can possibly get. My doctor lifted the wheel chair requirement as long as I'm not up for to long. I've had to figure out the hard way that more than an hour out leaves me drained. I am learning so many things that are very humbling at the moment. We had some bushes removed and now I'm wondering how and when someone else is going to be able to plant flowers in the large area. Aric cleared the garden in the back yard and my urge to get out there and plant is very strong. Maybe I will just throw some seeds down and see what happens this year. I have had some pleasant surprises. I was able to register for baby items from home. The Wal-Mart site was the most difficult and time consuming to navigate. Those of you who know me, know my bias against the chain, but I promise their site was the most difficult compared to Target and Babies R Us. Target was the easiest and most fun. It still took all morning and left me very tired. Krystal is doing very well patiently awaiting her brother and the opening of the Hawaiian Falls water park. I think she is more excited for Hawaiian Falls. Aric's school semester just wrapped up and he will start an online class soon. We are down to one vehicle at the moment, so it will be nice for him not to have to be gone from early morning to late night. My last doctors visit had Sean weighing 3-7 on the 60th percentile. The doctor thinks he will weigh between six and seven pounds. I'm pleased to hear that I might be able to use a receiving blanket. Krystal came home at nine pounds and 21 inches long, receiving blankets did not work well with her. I have another doctors appointment on Friday, I'll post more then.

Tamara

week 29

I have had a wonderful week at home. The new pictures are when Krystal saw me at home. Sean weighed 3-2 last Friday and is in the 66th percentile. He continues to have a great heart rate and is very active. We go to the doctor for a sonogram once a week on Fridays. I have been behaving well most days laying around and letting Aric push me in a wheel chair. I got to go to church on Easter which was very nice. It feels weird being in a wheel chair and knowing that I am physically able to stand up. Aric has a fit when I stand to long. My nesting instincts are at war with my brain. I have three people helping me stay in line with my doctors recommendations.

We purchased a monopoly game for the Wii that takes considerable time. Krystal enjoys it.. she's a miser ( it makes me proud). It helps pass the time that I have to be sitting or laying down. I'm so ready to start exercising to get rid of some of this weight, but I have to be patient. Not my strong suit prior to this experience. Just 9 weeks to go before my doctor will deliver Sean. We are tentatively looking at June 17-19 sometime. I will post when we are sure.

28 weeks and home

It has been a very exciting week. Monday Sean reached another major milestone by hitting 28 weeks gestation. Katie and Ryann brought another cake and helped me celebrate. Just picture the last cake with four more candles. It made my day. I'm so glad we made it. My mother-in-law arrived on Saturday. That combined with 28 weeks paroled me from the hospital. I got to come home on bed rest with a wheel chair because I now have 24-7 care. We did not tell Krystal. She came home from school and saw me sitting on the couch. It took her a minute to make sure she was seeing correctly. Her comment "Momma, when I saw you sitting there I thought I was having a day dream." will be one of my favorite sentences in my life. She then started jumping up and down dancing around. Needless to say getting her to go to school on Wednesday was a serious negotiation. She does not want to do anything without me. It's great to be home. I'm surprised how difficult it is to sit and not help, but I'm not going to risk going back to the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy. I may be almost out of the catosrophic risk for now. The doctor told me that I'm at 2.3cm and I need to be 2.5 to be considered low-lying versus marginal. Just another month or two. We only have 11 weeks left of the pregnancy, so I will just finish this at home with any luck. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks for your support.

Still hanging in there at 27 weeks

I am now 27 weeks. We got moved again into a room on the mom and baby unit. I'm surprised how quiet it is. I'm across from the nursery, but have not heard much crying. My view stinks, but hopefully I will not be here long. My status is the same, but Kathy (my mother in law) is coming to stay for a couple of months. My doctor will release me if I have no more problems and can have someone with me at all times. I will still be on bed rest, but at least I will be home with my family. I won't get excited until I'm in the car this time.
Sean had hiccups last night during monitoring, it was scary at first. I could hear his heart beating and then it would get silent for a second and come back stronger and louder. It took me a few minutes to figure out what was happening. It's so cool to hear him twice a day. I want to thank everyone for keeping us in your prayers. We have come so far. Only 12 weeks to go until my scheduled c-section.

Thankful... I guess

We had an eventful weekend. My sonogram on Saturday showed no signs of placenta near the cervix. The specialist said that I could be discharged on Sunday after a second sonogram to confirm my safety. Aric and I went into celebration mode. He has missed 15 sonograms, so I suggested that he spend the night on Saturday to see the last one I would have for a while. Sunday morning my doctor called it a miracle and gave me discharge orders. He said to take it easy for one more week and then I could even return to work and finish my pregnancy at no greater risk than any other woman. I was very excited; Krystal's birthday is Tuesday and her party is on Sunday. It had never crossed my mind that I would be home in time. We began packing my room. Gathering my towels, blankets and clothes. Then we had the sonogram. It was taking to long. The specialist was showing me how to distinguish the shades of gray.
Then he turned the color on to trace the blood flow. I saw a large red pocket directly over my cervix. I started to cry. Somehow I had a contraction that had moved a large blood vessel directly over my cervix. I tried to be brave for Krystal, but it was not possible. The doctor used the word "catastrophic" which had my attention through the tears. Krystal and Aric started crying with me. The doctor apologized profusely, but I would not be going home. We went back to my room and did what all mature families do... cried for an hour. Then we took a nap. Logic came later. It would have been much more dangerous for me to have made it home. I was still on bed rest and uterine relaxing medications when this contraction occurred. I felt nothing and would have had no warning, that something was wrong. So in the end I am very thankful to competent doctors who are very cautious with me and my baby. So Sean and I will stay in the hospital for the foreseeable future.

My birthday and 25th week

I had a great birthday. Aric made me a strawberry cake and brought it up with my Dad and Krystal on Tuesday. Wednesday my mom and daddy came up and gave me an aerogarden, then Aric and Krystal came with the seeds and a snuggie ( as seen on TV... I fell for the infomercial). Aric assembled everything and now I am impatiently waiting my first sprouts of basil and tomato. I check regularly even though the seed pods clearly say 4-7 days. Some of my nurses are as excited as I am, asking if they can come see even if they don't have me as a patient. It's fun. My hostess Maria brought me a cake and fruit tray on my birthday as well. It was very nice of her and a good indication of the level of care I am receiving.

Sean Marc and I have had an excellent couple of weeks. I had my glucose test and passed with flying colors. Which means I can still lay in bed and eat bon bons if I want to. My iron test came back at normal levels (11& 34). My doctor was impressed. Its a good thing that I normally have what I call she-woman iron levels, my body is good at making iron. I was glad to see it because I am kinda tired of red meat and raisins. The doctor let me watch Sean's perfectly formed four-chambered heart beat for a couple of minutes on the sonogram Tuesday. If the placenta would just move, I would feel much better. All measurements point to a strong healthy son. I met the Neonatalogist, and did not like him at all. Maybe the topic was what I did not care for. At any rate I told him that I hope to never see him again as he was leaving. They now try to monitor Sean's heart rate twice a day for thirty minutes. this proves difficult for them because he is quite the little mover and very low in my belly. They always seem to catch him during his exercise periods. The nurse last night had to sit at my bedside an hold the monitor to keep him on. When I got here his heart rate was 156 now its closer to 146. They slow down as they grow. Everything is going well and each day is an added blessing.

I will tyr to post more often, thanks for your continued prayers

Tamara and family

party time

Monday was 24 weeks and I was in a great mood. It was made even better by a surprise 24 wk celebration. Katie, Kim and Ryann brought a small cake with 24 candles. It was awesome. There was minor concern about the smoke, but it cleared quickly. My doctor is very supportive of celebrations. He suggests another celebration at 28 weeks. I think he is worried that such a long isolation from my life will depress me. I have always been good at seeing the end goal, thank God. That attitude is very helpful now. I picture myself holding my perfectly healthy son in June.

We made our first milestone :)

Today makes 24 weeks gestation. Sean Marc is doing very well. We cannot test lung functioning unless we do amniocentesis. I'm going to pass on having a large needle inserted into us. I choose to believe that we will be just fine and continue to be pregnant for many weeks to come. The placenta has moved a little to the side. An improvement, but we are not out of danger until it is completely moved. My doctor will arrange for me to have a tour of NICU and meet some Noenatalogists, just in case.

I also received an outfit that I ordered for the baby. It's the first thing I have purchased. The timing of the delivery made me smile. I'm very optomistic now.

Aric and Krystal spent the weekend here in the room with me. We had fun having an almost normal life. We worked on a picture poster for Krystal and Aric did some homework. It was a nice splurge. I'm sure it won't happen very often. The couch could not have been very good on Aric's back. I had a great time.

slow, but getting there

I just figured out how to allow comments and read them. Thank you so much for all of you who have posted and are reading. All the prayers are helping boost my spirits.

Sean weighs a pound and eight ounces now. Less than one week to go to minimum viability. He has been very calm the past few days, but is up and kicking right now. Thanks to the coke that we got in the gift shop tonight. We also picked up a new balloon. I had one from an edible fruit basket that I really enjoyed, so I got another one this evening. I took advantage of my 30 minutes of freedom tonight and Aric had a beautiful bouquet of roses put in my room while we were gone. It was such a nice surprise. The volunteers told me today that I can get a manicure, pedicure and massage in my room if my doctor allows it. I'm going to ask in the morning. It is Krystal and my birthday month and it might be nice to have a day of pampering during spring break to celebrate.

Another good week

hello all

Krystal spent her first night with me in the hospital on Friday. She did very well. She was very calm and we had a great time watching movies and coloring. she slept through my 12 and 6am medication. The bed did get a little crowded, but it was nice spending some alone time with her.

Aric's body finally caved to all his stress and he is very sick right now. He will start an antibiotic today and hopefully feel better in a few days. He still plans on working and going to school today.

Sean Marc and I are doing excellent. We should get a sonogram today, but it does not look like the placenta is going to move. Good thing he is super strong. Today begins 23 weeks, 7 days to viability.

22 weeks

I am getting closer and closer to a giant sigh of relief. I have 10 days until minimum viability. Sean Marc and I are doing well. He was practicing kicking for the NFL last night, and I had no problems. He is starting to get interactive and play with me. H's mostly calm, but every once in a while gets very active. We had a sonogram that showed a big smile on his face. Aric thinks I'm crazy, but he looks just like his dad.

Krystal is getting a little less tolerant of me not coming home.. I'm hoping she will be better if she gets to spend the night here with me. I found out that I get 30 minutes a day outside my room. I may start to take advantage of that. Last night was the first time I really needed out of my room. She pushed and sat on my lap in the wheel chair. It was fun for both of us.

2nd try

It's been very busy for the internet around here. I typed a blog and lost it due to high traffic.

The baby and I are doing well. On Monday they told me that he weighs 1#3oz. This is a good weight for 21 weeks. I was surprised how relieved I was. I guess I was worried that my anemia would effect him in the long run.

I'm doing very well. I am managing to read and scrapbook to keep myself busy. Aric is slowly bringing up my supplies. Its going to take a moving van when I finally get to go home.

Control issues

The baby and I are doing well. He is finally big enough to get his heart rate using the togo monitor. I love hearing his consistantly strong heart beat. I'm about 21 weeks now, just three more to minimum viability. I think we are going to make it.

Aric and I had a nice Valentines Day. We don't celebrate the holiday, but Aric and Krystal cut out pink, red, and white hearts and taped them all over the door. I am very blessed to have such a great husband and daughter.

I had a nightmare that I was back in the restaurant trying to find things and failing. I was unable to find a bottle of white wine and someone ordered a stuffed burrito. I was trying to tell the lady that we don't have stuffed burritos in Italian restaurants. I had told the table that I would take good care of them, and getting upset because I could not do what I had promised. I find it interesting that when I dream of being out of control it's always in a restaurant. Unlike my usual dreams I know this one represents my frustration with not being able to control the situation.

Hangin' in there

Wednesday night I could not sleep. I took a sleeping pill and slept all day Thursday. I guess that might be one way to get through the upcoming months. I had visitors last night and really enjoyed chatting for a while. I'm very grateful that I was able to graduate in December. This crisis would have derailed school indefinitely. I had a sonogram yesterday morning. The previa is complete. The small space visible last time is no longer there. Sean is still as healthy as can be. I have a picture of him looking forward with his hands by his face. Maybe he is praying also. Now I just have to be patient for the next several months.

I've moved

Tonight a larger room became available and I moved into my temporary home for the next three months. I am in room 13 on the second floor. The room has a plaque that says "birthing room". Don't panic I have no intention of having a baby in this room. It is much larger. I have a five star hospital room. I may get spoiled.

TTFN,
Tamara

crazy outside

Its been very calm in the hospital, outside the world has gone crazy. Our refrigerator and television are both broken. Aric is at his maximum stress tolerance. He is buying dry ice to save our food until the repair is done on the refrigerator. I'm trying to help him look for a new TV, but when it comes down to it he's on his own. Last night a tornado was near the hospital. We were all evacuated to the hall. It's probably the only time I will ever see the women in the rooms. All of them are further along in their pregnancies than I am. The closest to me is 23 weeks. The woman next door is 35 weeks. It gave me hope to see her and think maybe I will make it that far.

Krystal had a program at school last night. Aric said that she did great and of course was the best one there. Today is the first day I have struggled with depression. I want to be home helping my husband. He's trying to be a single parent and still drive to see me daily. I know that my being at home would not help him. I would just give him more work. It is still difficult to know that I cannot be a good mother or partner right now.

Jealous of the toilet engineers

I had a great day. The doctor let me get rid of the Foley and shower. I never thought a seated shower would feel so good. My legs are bizarre after 9 days of complete bed rest. It feels like my everything from lower back and down has gone to sleep. I had to rest in the 5 feet to the bathroom. My toilet leaks so engineers have been coming and going all day to flush it. I never thought I would be jealous of the toilet engineers. They walk so easily. I think they are going to have to move me to another room to fix it. I will keep everyone posted. None the less, I'm extremely thankful to be able to walk across my room slowly.

29 days and counting

29 days until I reach 24 weeks. At that point Sean Marc will be able to live if something happens. Of course I would like to keep him in as long as possible. He is very active right now. The heart monitor must have awakened him. Aric says I look bigger today. I cannot tell from my view lying down. I may get to stand up tomorrow.

I'm now at five days without incident. I was very tired today, but got plenty of rest. Krystal climbed into bed with me and we watched Ariel 3. It felt nice to snuggle with her.

Saturday Feb 7th

I'm very glad to report 4 completely uneventful days. We are still working on continuous Internet access, but for today I have Aric's school computer again. Thursday's sonogram showed a small space between the placenta and the cervix. This is excellent news that gives me hope.

I'd like to say thank you to my home team for helping us with Krystal in this time. She is having a ton of fun. Pamma and Gramps took her at noon today and Aric and I had a fabulous date night. We enjoyed steaks and a movie... just like normal except the Foley and hospital bed. Super nice just the same.

The baby is very calm today. I wonder if he's tired or lazy :) I'm thankful, his acrobatics could possibly start the bleeding again. See you all soon.

Tamara

First Post

Hello folks, this is Aric testing the site for Tamara. She was slightly drugged and couldn't get the site to respond, plus I believe the Hospital's wireless might have been too heavily in use when she tried to access this site.

She's had a good day. Mild bleeding. The doctor thought that if she could keep this up that he might send her home. She reminded him that we live almost 45 minutes away. At that point he said "Never mind", so she'll be staying at Grapevine Baylor for the fore seeable future.

If this works, there will be more editing in the future! Cheers!

- Aric