Tuesday's Child is Full of Grace

Well, today is the day.  The day I have been anxiously waiting for.  The day when our baby boy will enter this world.

I don't have too much to say...I'm quite content, actually.  I woke up early this morning to shower and get ready so when he saw his mommy for the first time, he thought he had the most beautiful mommy ever.  Other than that, here I am, just laying in bed waiting to get things rolling.  I can't wait to look into my little boy's eyes...

Because I don't have much to say, I thought I'd share the prayer Ellen wrote for us on this special day...

Dear Lord

I lift my family up to you in prayer.  On this special day, I pray that you hold Amanda in your arms as she prepares to give birth to her first child.  The miracle of birth is your greatest gift you give us here on Earth.  Guide the doctors to deliver the best medical care they have available to both Amanda and Little Jimmer.  I pray that you deliver the baby Lord with your blessings and expertise.  Guide Little Jimmer out of the womb and into the world with ease.  I pray that you surround him with your protective arms to love and support him as he enters our world.  Give Neil peace in knowing that you are in control and are watching out for his family.  Give Neil and Amanda wisdom from this moment on in taking care of their family.

Thank you to everyone for the prayers over the past 8 weeks.  I truly could not have done it without you.

Much love,

Jimmer's Mom

BEST 35 Week Present EVER!!

As you know from a previous post, I've been spoiled rotten by my sister every Friday since I've been in the hospital.  Cute little outfits, beautiful flowers, yummy munchies and a breastfeeding book - what more could I want!

Well, I'll tell you this much...her 35 week present definitely takes the cake!!!  And I think *Someone* else had a hand in the timing of this present!!!

My sister and Eli surprised me yesterday by walking into my hospital room...!!!

Yes, they are here - in Indianapolis!!!

Now, I guess she had this trip planned for quite some time - and when I say that *Someone* else had a hand in it, this is what I mean...

This trip has been planned for weeks - no particular reason why she picked this weekend, she just did.  And she certainly had it planned before she ever knew I was delivering on Tuesday!  Now, originally, she had planned to stay until Monday, but when I called her Thursday night to tell her that my Dr. moved up the delivery date and now our little guy's birthday is going to be October 18th, she quickly called the airline to reschedule her departure to Thursday so she could be here to meet her little nephew!  That isn't just a coincidence that she was able to do it so easily - it makes perfect sense...and from all the prayers we've had from the past 8 weeks, I now know that God knew little Jimmer's birthday was going to be the 18th.  He planned it that way - and he directed my sister the make her plans in the same manner.  God is AMAZING!

So yes, my 35 week present definitely takes the cake!!!  I feel so at peace because (aside from Uncle Paul) everyone important in my life will be here when little Jimmer enters the world (or in the case of Uncle Troy, the day after)...I couldn't feel more complete.  I am so ready for Tuesday to come!

The Image of Perfection

So excited to say that the amazing Jeff from Jeff Dillow Photography dropped off our maternity photos today!!!  Here are some of our favorites!!

Love. Love. LOVE THEM!!  So happy we got them done! :)

My Oh My, Does Time Fly!!

It's amazing how time flies when you're sitting in a hospital bed.  You wouldn't think so - you'd think the days would drag by as you sit around helpless and bored, but I promise, the time seriously flies!!

And today, it flew especially fast!!  In fact, in the blink of eye - poof! - there goes 7 whole days!!  Seven long days.  Sure, it might've been the fact that I had constant visitors all day long...that always makes the day fly by.  Yeah...it might've been that...

Or it might have something to do with the discussion I had with my Dr. this afternoon...

...the discussion that changed my baby boy's birthday from October 25th to October 18th.  Yep...you read that correctly.  October 18th.  That's Tuesday...just in case you didn't know.

On October 18th, Neil and I will be parents.  And not just parents because we're pregnant, but parents that are holding their little baby boy.  In their arms.  Looking into his eyes.  For real, not just eyes in a ultrasound photo.  CRAZY!!!

Yes, my Dr. has decided that with the new finding of the vasa previa, the risks of waiting an additional week are not worth it - especially since I have been contracting more frequently then I was.  She studied the ultrasound, spoke with the technologist, did some research, talked with the partners in the office and came to the conclusion that delivering on Tuesday is the best choice for little Jimmer.

So like I said, time flies - especially when you see your countdown go from 12 days to 5 days...in a matter of 5 minutes!!

And, He's Back!

After 2 weeks of being IV-free, it's unfortunate for me to say that I will be getting my IV start "re-installed" ('cause I'm kinda like a machine!) this afternoon!  There are several reasons for this...

For one (and the major one), I have a *new* condition that was diagnosed yesterday at my ultrasound!  HOORAY!!!  I have a condition called vasa previa.  Please, whatever you do, do not research it online.  In a nutshell, what it means is that if I were to deliver naturally, the cord would present itself before the baby - which is not good, but I'm having a c-section anyway, so it doesn't really matter...just makes me more fragile!  

Secondly, I have started having mild contractions (and by mild, I mean seriously mild...like sometimes can't even feel them, mild!!).  If these continue - and get more painful - then it's go time!

Finally, with all my other conditions, my Dr. thinks it's best to be prepared in case of an emergency - especially since we're closing in on these last few days.  We aren't sure when I could go, so in her eyes, it's best that I have my blood work in the lab and can be easily connected to fluids...just in case!  So, I guess I can't complain!!!  

So Mr. IV knew that he wouldn't be gone for long...and yes, he's back.  But that just means we're getting close to seeing our baby in the flesh!!!!

Ocho. Otto. Acht. Osiem.

No matter what language you speak, it all means the same.  EIGHT.  Eight ultrasounds.  Even my ultrasound tech told me today that I should have my picture framed in the office for the most ultrasounds.  She really does not ever recall having another patient with as many ultrasounds as we have had.  Hey!  I'm not complaining!!

Today's ultrasound was pivotal.  Today's ultrasound was the determining factor in when exactly we would deliver.  As you know, we had a date set for October 25th (a mere 13 days away...YAY!!!), but we've also been battling with oligohydraminos (low amniotic fluid) which gave us the possibility of delivering early.  Well, I'm happy to report that my fluid levels are back where they should be and baby is no longer breech!!  Hooray for us!!  So we're officially a go for October 25th - unless my Dr. has something up her sleeve that we're unaware of...

We were also able to get some good measurements today and baby boy is (for the most part) hanging out in the 34-35 week range...right on schedule.  Now, I say "for the most part" because his abdomen is measuring about 2 weeks ahead of schedule.  Looks like we'll have a cute little pudgy baby!!  And along with being pudgy...I'm the MOST excited to report that he is weighing about 5lb 15oz!!!!  I am so beyond relieved that he is that close to 6 lbs!  Makes me much more comfortable come delivery time!!

Also had a little discussion with Carly today (the nurse I hand-picked for the procedure!) and she eased my mind as she gave us a quick run-down on how the day would go.  Now I'm even MORE prepared and so excited to finally get this show on the road!!!

13 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spoiled!!

Yes, that's me!  And I'm not afraid to admit it!

I am 100% spoiled rotten by my sister (and several other people for that matter...)!!

Every Friday since I have been in the hospital, I have been showered with gifts!!!  I know my sister wishes nothing more than to be here with me, but since she can't, she has done an amazing job of letting me know she hasn't forgotten about me!!

The first week I was here, I received a beautiful Edible Arrangement (spelled correctly and everything!!)

For 29 weeks, it was a wonderful flower arrangement (which was beautiful - despite not having the flowers my sister specified!!)

For 30 weeks, it was this super cute little football outfit!!

At 31 weeks, an adorable little jacket and jean ensemble arrived - complete with a note saying Mr. Eli has a matching one!!

Once I reached 32 weeks, I was able to enjoy some tasty treats from Cheryl's!

At 33 weeks, another matching outfit for the boys - this time, it was this adorable Thanksgiving set!

For 34 weeks, every breastfeeding mother's dream...The Complete Book of Breastfeeding!!

Yes, I am ridiculously spoiled!!!  I couldn't ask for me - I love my sister so much and I miss her, Paul and Eli every single day!!!

Showing Off My Bump

Despite being stuck in a hospital - somewhere that doesn't typically have the best scenery - I can confidently say that today's maternity session with Jeff Dillow Photography was a pure success!!

Neil and I met with Jeff this afternoon and headed outside to enjoy the beautiful (and for the most part, cooperating) weather.  Fortunately, St. Francis has a very nice garden area with a gazebo and tons of rose bushes.  We spent most of the day romping around the roses as Jeff took so amazingly creative photographs!  We had several different props and of the images he showed us, they were just amazing!

After some time outside, we came back into the room where we got some "natural" shots of us in my home-away-from-home.  Something not so "professional" and "staged" but rather something to remember the past month and a half we've spent here.

We seriously cannot wait until we get our images back!!  And yes, I will definitely be sharing!! :)

Hallelujah!

This weekend has been a spectacular weekend!  Not only did I receive official confirmation that our little baby boy will be joining us on October 25, but I have also been relieved of my IV start!

After 10 successful IV starts - and 5 additional attempts, some of which resulted in a blown vein (OUCH!), my Dr. has decided that I have been stable enough and that we can let my arms heal for a few weeks before we proceed with more IV starts!!  It couldn't come at a better time...next Sunday, Neil and I will be getting maternity pictures taken!!  I sure didn't want battered and bruised arms to grace our lovely pictures!

I am so excited for the next few weeks!  This is one happy mama!! :)

Legends are Born in October

Major League Baseball has launched a new campaign slogan for the playoffs: "Legends are Born in October".  It's a simple slogan, straightforward and more than the truth.  Before the end of October, a new team will be dubbed "World Series Champions".  But that's not all...

Before today, there was a chance that Mr. Jimbo could have been born in September - even August.  Both of which are too scary for me to think about!  But we have officially made it to October 1st - which means that no matter what, our little legend will be born in October...right along with those baseball legends!

My doctor came to see me today.  Which is really all I've been looking forward to all week.  This was the week that I was going to get a date - once and for all.  And once and for all...a date I did get!

October 25, 2011.  The date our precious baby boy will enter this world.  I will be going into surgery at around 8am, which gives us all day to celebrate with our little bundle of joy.  I simply cannot express the excitement that has filled my entire body since the minute the date was in the schedule books.  I will get an ultrasound in another couple weeks to check his growth and then it's go time.  Neil and I are so ready - but at the same time, we can't believe it's actually happening!  All of this waiting...all of the preparations...everything is set...and I couldn't be more proud of everyone involved.  All the support, encouragement, everything that everyone has done for us - it's all for this.  Our little baby boy.  In just 3 short weeks, we'll get to look into his eyes and we won't believe our own!

Legends really are born in October...