Monday, April 26, 2010

Jujyfruits and life

The van that drove me from the airport to my hotel yesterday morning, also conveniently passed by a semi with a huge Jujyfruits logo on it. I haven't been able to think of anything else since. A nice co-worker drove me to Target tonight so I could indulge my craving. I know it's not healthy, but sometimes you just have to indulge, right?

17 weeks today (dr changed my due date back to 10/4 last week). That's just crazy. At 17 weeks with Kenna was the day I found out she was a girl. I find myself wondering about the sex of this baby. As much of a surprise as it will be to me, I am amazed to think that at the moment of conception, God the Creator already knew whether my growing embryo was boy or girl. And as I think back on my other two children and how they were in the womb (and how that has translated as they grow), I wonder about this baby. Baby Hmmm is quiet and considerate. He/she doesn't keep me awake at night kicking like the other 2 did. I think that my placenta must be in the front this time around, because I literally only feel the baby kick me in the butt. It's definitely weird.

I've been thinking about a lot of things lately. (I know, vague, right? Sorry...) I have some things brewing on the inside...things that other people have urged me I "should" do, that I never thought I should do. Now I'm thinking more...and praying more. We'll see. (How's that for clearing it up?) :)

Have a great night. Enjoy this weird post, while I enjoy some Jujyfruits. (anyone want the black ones?)

Monday, April 19, 2010

Hmmm....

Baby Hmm, that is!

Meet Baby Hmm (pictures below). It has really taken me 4 weeks to scan these pictures. Poor kid...he/she probably won't have a baby book either (like Kenna)!

So...for all who are dying to know, or for those who aren't: Baby Hmm was a surprise to me and Marc. We know God wasn't surprised, and apparently Zachary wasn't either. About a week before I found out I was pregnant, Zachary said to me out of the blue: "Mom, when are we going to go back to the hospital to get my new baby brother?" Marc & I just looked at each other & laughed. It turns out he might be a little bit prophetic? We'll see when we find out whether boy or girl next month!

I am officially due October 6, but will have the baby by c-section on 9/29 if not earlier. With my blood clotting complications & having to be on blood thinners, it's important to make sure that I am off them for a certain length of time before having surgery. I'm not all "for" a scheduled delivery, but my babies tend to come when they want anyway, so we'll see. (Zach was born at 38 wks and Kenna at 37 wks.) My guess is that sometime in September this little one will make his/her appearance! And yes, a c-section is necessary at this point. I've already had 2 due to previous complications, and to ask for a VBAC at this point is like saying "I'd like to deliver without a doctor present," because no doctors in this country will accept the risk. Unfortunately.

It's completely true that all pregnancies are different. In my case, the nausea with this one was the worst out of any I've had thus far. I am eternally glad that I am past the 1st trimester, and I know my family is too! I had some complications around 7 weeks right after seeing the heartbeat for the first time which led me to believe I would lose this baby. I was devastated, yet at the same time, the few friends who I had shared my pregnancy with refused to believe that answer. I was out of town when this occurred and couldn't see my doctor until Monday. I was mostly terrified to hope anymore (after 5 previous losses), but my dear friends continued praying for me and believing for a miracle. God really taught me something through those long 4 days of waiting...and I decided that I WOULD pray for a miracle. Monday morning showed up, and so did that little heart, beating away! I know that all children are a miracle, but for me, my babies are Living Testimonies of God's grace.

So now I am 16 weeks along. It is strange at this point, because aside from a few flutters and some random baby movements, I almost forget I am pregnant. My job and my family keeps me so busy that I hardly have time to dwell on it. I come home each night & practically fall into bed--and the nights I don't, I end up falling asleep on the couch at 7 pm. :)

Zachary and Marc are both hoping for a boy (Zach wants a brother and Marc says "boys are just easier."). I have to gently remind Z that Baby Hmm could still be a girl, and then he says, "Yeah, Mom, but remember: Baby Hmm could still be a boy, too!" Oh, the logic of a 4 year old! I almost forgot--the name Baby Hmm was bequeathed by Zachary, too. Marc asked him (before we found out we were pregnant) what he would name his baby brother and he said, "Hmm...." Too funny! So this little one has been "baby Hmm" ever since!

Ok, well, now you know why I wasn't able to ride my favorite carnival ride last month, and you've bravely made it through my novel about the first 4 months of my pregnancy. It's a good thing I hardly have time to blog anymore, or you would be tired of reading about me! Please enjoy a few (4 weeks old) pictures of our newest:


Waving "hi" (this is the right hand/arm on its way up to the face, the head is hiding a little)

12 weeks 1 day Profile shot. This looks eerily similar to Kenna's profile picture from 11 weeks. Guess we'll see which kid this baby looks more like...


and apparently this little one likes to put its hand to its mouth already (again, just like Kenna)! You can also see the little knees/legs/toes there to the right.




My life

Some pictures from the last month:

I had a business trip in Birmingham, and we had to return a borrowed car back to my in-laws who live very close by. Across the street, we found the cutest little carnival happening. It was Zachary and Kenna's first real amusement park experience, and I think these pictures capture their joy!






This was a lot higher than it looks.

But he didn't care!


One of my favorite rides...I was sad not to be on it! Zach loved it, though...it was truly the longest ride of the night. It seemed to last forever!

Kenna went on the same ride with Nana, but she did NOT like it. :) I think it was a little too close to bedtime for her!


I got to take him to his first rollercoaster while Marc rode some crazy spinning ride. Here he is, cheesing it before the ride started...


...and I'm pretty sure this is one of my most favorite pictures ever of him. He rode this about 5 times.



When we got home, the kids were a little sad to be so far away from Papa and Nana & all the fun adventures. Marc created his own adventure for them...flipping the very deflated, twice-patched, almost-ready-to-die bounce house upside down!


The kids had their very own playhouse. I think Kenna's hair is hilarious in this one!





Let's see...also in the last 6 weeks, we have sweated blood and tears to get our car fixed and returned to us. After 8 weeks of being gone (and a lot of unhappy phone "discussions" with the insurance agent and the repair place) :), we now have our "new" car back. We are so thankful for the time that Marc's parents let us borrow their extra car, but it's wonderful to have our own car home again. We hope it will stay nice and happy here for a long time...with no repairs!
I have been traveling a LOT for work in the last month. It's starting to wear on me a bit, and it's so hard being away from the kids so long. Marc jokingly told me he needs a pay raise--and he's right! I have one more trip planned next week and then that's it for at least a month. I think. :)

Hmm...what else has been going on? Oh yes! I realized I haven't officially announced this on my blog yet, but.... (to be continued)