Friday, February 18, 2011

Milestone # 3

How many weeks: 28 weeks!

How am I feeling: Really, really, really, really confident! So much that baby plans are underway in the W. household!

Doctor’s Appointment: yesterday -great c/l measurement! Next one is 02/23/2011

Weight Gain: 6lbs

Maternity Clothes: all maternity

Baby Preparation: getting out carpets cleaned and ac vents and ducts cleaned

Gender: Boy!!! Spencer Nathan W.

Sleep: early to bed, early to rise and cannot go back to sleep so I end up praying (not a bad deal at all)

Best moment this week: hearing about my lovely cervix!

Movement: all the time. I don't think this child sleeps at all! I'm loving it! Had quite a scare the other day though, but after some coke he was up to his active self

Food cravings: Loss of appetite lately

What I miss: not waddling when I walk

What I am looking forward to: Meeting the next milestones: 32 weeks, 35, weeks, and delivery (but not anytime soon!)

Milestones: telling my ABBY & IC Forum sisters.


I received this lovely blanket from a dear friend I met a few years ago. We experienced similar losses around the same times. She just had her TAC done this past Monday and hubby and I are sooo excited for her! Please stop by and send her good tidings!
Made with love by Aunty Tonya! Thanks again T!

Awaiting my expected end,
Marie


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Appointment Update


See this?????












This is my cervix at 28 weeks (well 28 weeks, 2 days). The measurement at yesterday's appointment? 4.27 cm!!!!! Praise God! As usual, I was beyond nervous, but the TAC continues to hold, cervix is long, strong, curved and closed, and God continues to bless us immensely!

Just a recap from yesterdays appointment:
Me
1.) Weight - now 180 (still 6 lbs). MFM says not to worry baby is obviously getting the nutrition he needs. I really don't know how I have gained so little - I eat like a cow! I guess all that working out over the summer increased my metabolism? Who knows!

2.) Blood Pressure - 124/65

3.) Cervical Length (I'm starting to actually love my cervix - go figure!) - 4.27cm. Last check at 24 weeks was 4.10 am.

Baby Spencer
1.) Heart Rate - 143 bpm

2.) Length - not able to tell

3.) Weight - 2lbs, 8 oz.

Questions for the MFM
1.) Last cervical length check? - 32 weeks

2.) Precautions or concerns? - None. Pretty soon I can relax completely. ha! I told him we will relax when we get to fullterm.

Overall it was a good appointment. Now I am happy for about a week and then I get worried again. Ahhh the joys of pregnancy after loss.
Thanks for all the support ladies!

BTW:// the one question everyone seems to ask is "how did you keep it a secret for so long?" Let me tell you it can be done. The weather has actually worked to my advantage for the past 2 -3 months. It has been extremely cold in Florida (and my classroom is always cold anyway). Hubby's sweaters and my winter coat did an awesome job of hiding the bump. So for those of you who want to wait to tell your families, it can be done. Large clothing is a must, and when others (nosy folks) ask if you are, simply reply with "so, are you calling me fat?" It shuts them up immediately! :-)

Awaiting my expected end,
Marie

Thursday, February 10, 2011

27 Weeks


How many weeks: 27 weeks!

How am I feeling: optimistic?

Doctor’s Appointment: yesterday -passed my glucose test! Next appointment: 02/15 -cervical length check

Weight Gain: 6lbs

Maternity Clothes: all maternity

Baby Preparation: created our registry (yikes!)

Gender: Boy!!! Spencer Nathan W.

Sleep: Yup, but still can't find a comfy position at night

Best moment this week: telling my students (they squealed like kindergartners - up until now when they asked I would respond with "are you saying I'm fat?")

Movement: all the time. I don't think this child sleeps at all! I'm loving it!

Food cravings: Pizza and Wings

What I miss: not waddling when I walk

What I am looking forward to: Meeting the next milestones: 28 weeks (3 days away!) , 32 weeks, 35, weeks, and delivery (but not anytime soon!)

Milestones: my OB telling us to register at the hospital and to start interviewing pediatricians (I have no idea what to ask)


Awaiting my expected end,
Marie

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

No Greater Love

What Love Really Means

This month, Mattie had the brilliant idea of hosting 14 days of What Love Really Means. A few BLMs have written stirring posts that I encourage you to all check out. Not only are there daily posts, but giveaways as well! Please stop by and check her out. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Mattie is the mother to one living child and two angels. You can read her story here.

In our lives (no matter how rough it may be), we all experience love at some point. Amidst the pain and heartache, instances of love have popped up in our lives whether its through a friend, other blms, family members or even total strangers.

Our Savior's Love
John 15:13 states that Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

There is no greater love than our father's love for us. Many times we question his love (I sure did!) when we experience loss after loss, heartache after heartache, and disappointments after disappointments. We ask ourselves; "why me?" "what did I do to deserve this?". Truthfully, there are no easy answers and I definitely have none to give you. We many never even know why good people suffer or why babies have to die, but I do know he loves us with an agape love. I know that when we hurt, he hurts. I know when we feel disappointed, he feels disappointment. I know that when we meet with roadblocks after roadblocks, he weeps with us. When Lazarus dies, Jesus wept. When he was being crucified, he asked for forgiveness for his accusers. Despite all the trials and tribulations we face, he loves us more than we will ever know and made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Someone asked me the question once, "would you give up your child to save others?". To which I responded, "HELL NO!" This is what our Savior did. He gave up his son that we may have life and have it more abundantly. There is no greater love than the love of our heavenly father.

A Mother's Love
"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."-- Agatha Chris

I have said this before, but a mother's love knows no limits, no boundaries, no ends. I never knew true unconditional love until I became a mother. Granted, I only knew them physically for a few minutes, but when I looked at my babies, I saw no deformities, no translucent skins, nothing that others would normally cringe at. I saw flawless beauty in both Alyssa-Joy and Evan. Others seem to shudder when they see me holding my "dead" babies, but I see love radiating amongst the sorrow of the moment. It does not matter how small they were or how underdeveloped they were, they were my babies and they were perfect in every way and I dare anyone to say otherwise. There is no greater love than a mother's love and I am sure those of you with living children and angel babies can attest to that fact. I will fight for the memory of my children and as short as I am, I can put up a hell of a fight!

A Spouse's Love
Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love. ~ by Erich Fromm ~

Marriage is not an easy feat. I will be the first to say that. However, when you find the right someone love is a beautiful thing. My husband and I have had our share of problems, but we remind ourselves that we took vows and ultimately love conquers all. God is the head of our lives and because we love him, we love each other more. Marriage is about communication, trust, keeping no secrets, holding no grudge. Marriage is about forgiveness and seeing the faults in yourself first. I chose to love my husband unconditionally after the my love for God. He sure does have his faults (!), but I look at his positive attributes and praise God for blessing me with a good man. I have a man who is a hard worker, who love and often talks about his kids, who goes out of his way to be a blessing to others, who loves me like Christ loves the church. Divorce is not an option for us (though I am not condemning those who go this route) therefore we make it a priority to communicate, show trust, and give love freely.
My love for my husband is greater than any other.

The Love of (for) Others (BLMS)
Love is the best medicine, and there is more than enough to go around once you open your heart. - Julie Marie
Love is going out of your way to show someone you care. We are all connected through loss, but the love we have for each other is remarkable! I often wonder what would do without the support of all of you. We love each other with a compassionate love. We share those we love with each other (our most prized possessions), share our intimate secrets with each other, and give support freely. This is an amazing love and there is no greater love than the love we blms have for each other.

All these speak of what love really means to me. Love has no limits, boundaries, ends. It is not based on what we can do for each other, it is not contingent on anything, it is limitless, supportive, understanding, tolerant despite each others beliefs. It is patient, kind, warm, pure, and without undue intention. Despite the circumstances of how we met, despite our everyday situations, we love each other and there is no greater love.

Awaiting my expected end,
Marie

Thursday, February 3, 2011

PTS?

I *think* I am suffering from Post Traumatic Stress. This pregnancy is going well (thank heavens!), but I am still consumed daily with "what ifs?" I have a dull ache that in my left arm that shows up every time a negative thought enters my mind.
I am at the point where I am no longer worried about my cervix, but a new worry has entered my mind: premature labor. I almost hate putting it into the atmosphere. Even though I never suffered from PTL in past pregnancies, it is a worry that I have now. I do not want a premature baby. I want a full term baby and am willing to do whatever it takes to get Spencer to full term.

Don't get me wrong, I pray constantly and thank God for getting me this far and KNOW he will take us farther, but the nervousness is still there. Unfortunately, after speaking to a few more blms they tell me the nervousness never goes away, even after the little one comes. hmm........

I will be mentioning these feelings to my dr. at the next appointment and see what he thinks. For those of you who now have your rainbows, did these feeling or thoughts plague you at all? How did you handle it

Awaiting my expected end.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

14 Days of Love

What Love Really Means

I usually don't participate in events like this (other than the 25 days of giveaways), but this topic was simply too irresistible to pass up! This month
Mattie will be hosting for the next 14 days, 14 amazing women sharing what love really means to them! Please stop by and read some stirring posts from some awesome BLMs.

Awaiting my expected end.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

26 Weeks!!!




How many weeks: 26 weeks!

How am I feeling: dare I say excited!

Doctor’s Appointment: February 9th (GD test appointment)
Weight Gain: 6lbs - boo!

Maternity Clothes: all maternity

Baby Preparation: nothing major-according to Larry (if you call getting ready to redo our bathroom and bedroom nothing major)

Gender: Boy!!! Spencer Nathan W.

Sleep: Yup, but can't find a comfy position at night

Best moment this week: finally telling my co-workers

Movement: All the time. I don't think this child sleeps at all! I'm loving it!

Food cravings: Pub.lix Tuna Subs - which I can't have - double boo!

What I miss: Sleeping through the night without getting up to pee 3 or 4 times a night.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting the next milestones: 28 weeks, 32 weeks, 35, weeks, and delivery (but not anytime soon!)

Milestones: Getting to 26 weeks

Awaiting my expected end.