Just Another Day in Paradise

We made it to 29 weeks!!  At this point, every week is another major milestone - and another approximately 4 ounces of growth for little Jimmer.  And do you know what makes Friday's even better?  Dad brings me Long's Donuts every Friday!!  I couldn't ask for a better start to my Friday!!!!

A couple days ago, the nurse practitioner from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit came to speak with me.  She told me about the struggles he may face if he were born in the next couple of days and what things would look like with him being in NICU, etc.  She explained that even though I have received steroid shots to help with lung development, that he would likely still need some help breathing, but that his major concern would be with feeding.  He would need to be fed through a feeding tube and would probably be in an incubator to help regulate his temperature.  In terms of his length of stay in the NICU, she couldn't give an exact amount of time because, as you can imagine, all babies are different and it would be based on his individual growth and ability to feed and breath on his own.  Neil and I have been staying very positive in hopes that Jimmer doesn't have to make a trip to the NICU, but just in case, I decided to ask a nurse if we could see the NICU so we would know what to expect.  My mom and I got a little tour while one of the nurses explained to us the procedure and the different assistance they can provide to the baby.  She did also mention that the NICU is open for 24 hour visitation, which eased my mind in knowing that we could come visit our little guy at any time.  While I was in the NICU, I saw a little boy who was born the day I was admitted to Labor & Delivery.  He was currently weighing about 4 lbs and he was all cuddled up and looking just as cute as a button!!  Of course, we'd like for Jimmer to grow a bit longer in utero before he comes and joins us in the real world!!

After my fun little trip to NICU, I enjoyed a lovely lunch with my Aunt Chris.  Chick-fil-A...yum!!  We chit chatted, talked about Kim Kardashian's wedding, how much I miss my 3rd graders, and boating before 2:15 rolled around and it was time for my weekly massage.  Yes. You read that correctly.  My doctor has ordered weekly massages for me until delivery!!!  Which could not have come at a better time since my back is starting to become extremely painful!  And weekly massages until delivery?! I think I can hold out for 8 more weeks if I get to look forward to that every week!! :)  I enjoyed my 45-minute massage, which hit all the right places, and now I'm definitely looking forward to next week's massage!!

Shortly after my massage, I was visited by my wonderful Uncle Tom (whose birthday is today, by the way!!). He chatted with me and kept me company before heading off to the Whiteland football game where he was selling elephant ears as a swimming fundraiser (yummm!!!)

And the pampering continued...Mom came back to visit and gave me a lovely manicure (the best she could considering my IV start)!  No, not everyday is full of this much pampering, but I'm extremely grateful nonetheless!  I can truly say I have never felt so much love in all my life!  We are certainly feeling the prayers from afar and the random acts of kindness that I see every day are evidence that God really does exist...and he has given me the best family and friends a girl could ask for!!

Thank you to everyone who has come to visit me so far...and a special thank you to those who have done something to help Neil at home or work.  I honestly believe this is harder on him than it is on myself - so please, don't forget him!  He has been so strong through this entire ordeal and I know he feels so helpless - he is my best friend and I love him so much!!!! :)