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!! :)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
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!! :)
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!! :)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
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...
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...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Boring...with a capital 'B'!
I'm such a creature of habit!
One of the top questions I receive (after people ask how I'm doing) is in regards to the hospital food. The answer is usually the same...it's not bad, in fact - it's actually pretty good. My problem with it is that despite my wishes, every time I open my menu, nothing changes. I feel like one day I should open it and it's going to all be different. Unfortunately, I just don't think it's happening anytime soon. But for about the first week, the food was fantastic! There were many choices and how can I complain...it showed up at my door hot and ready to eat! I felt like I was in a 5-star resort!
But now...five and a half weeks later, it's starting to get old - which has caused me to be boring with a capital 'B'!!!
Everyday for the past 3 days I have ordered the exact same thing for all three meals! Breakfast: Frosted Flakes with skim milk, a banana and chocolate milk (along with my cocktail of vitamins and medications). Lunch: Macaroni and cheese with house-fried chippers and two bottles of water. Dinner: Chicken quesadilla with extra salsa and two bottles of water.
At this rate...Jimmer just may come out a sugar-loaded cheesy baby singing "La Bamba"!!
One of the top questions I receive (after people ask how I'm doing) is in regards to the hospital food. The answer is usually the same...it's not bad, in fact - it's actually pretty good. My problem with it is that despite my wishes, every time I open my menu, nothing changes. I feel like one day I should open it and it's going to all be different. Unfortunately, I just don't think it's happening anytime soon. But for about the first week, the food was fantastic! There were many choices and how can I complain...it showed up at my door hot and ready to eat! I felt like I was in a 5-star resort!
But now...five and a half weeks later, it's starting to get old - which has caused me to be boring with a capital 'B'!!!
Everyday for the past 3 days I have ordered the exact same thing for all three meals! Breakfast: Frosted Flakes with skim milk, a banana and chocolate milk (along with my cocktail of vitamins and medications). Lunch: Macaroni and cheese with house-fried chippers and two bottles of water. Dinner: Chicken quesadilla with extra salsa and two bottles of water.
At this rate...Jimmer just may come out a sugar-loaded cheesy baby singing "La Bamba"!!
:(
I really hoped that I was going to have great news today. I really hoped that I was going to come here today and let you all know that we have an end date to this waiting. Unfortunately...that is not the case. But tomorrow! I get to see my Dr. for sure tomorrow which means that I will be hounding her about scheduling my c-section so that I can finally start a countdown!!! So hold tight...it's coming! :)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
My, Have I Grown!
Just thought I'd share these lovely photos since I haven't had a chance to share them anywhere else...and my apologies...we were REALLY good at weekly pictures early on - and kind of slacked in the middle and end!
My, oh my, how my big belly has grown!!!!
 |
| 4 weeks |
 |
| 5 weeks |
 |
| 6 weeks |
 |
| 9 weeks |
 |
| 12 weeks |
 |
| 15 weeks |
 |
| 22 weeks |
 |
| 32 weeks |
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thankful for C-Sections
Today marked Jimmer's 7th ultrasound. Yes, you read that correctly...SEVENTH. My how the times have changed...when my Mom was pregnant with my sister and I, she had ONE ultrasound between the both of us. ONE for TWO children. I have had SEVEN for ONE child. Geesh!! And I'm confident in saying that I'll probably get another one next week...and who knows, maybe even the week after that...
Of course, I'm not complaining. Not one single bit! Every time I get another ultrasound is another opportunity to see and hear my little baby boy. Another opportunity to check on his progress and another opportunity to gush about how absolutely adorable he is!!! Yes...I can tell...even in the womb - he is the cutest baby on Earth! I mean, really, can you deny it?!
And speaking of progress, he has done amazing the past week! He's up to 4lbs, 4oz. and is measuring right on schedule! He's still breech and I still have mild oligohydramnios, but baby is growing and that's all I care about. And yes...my placenta is still blocking baby Jimmer's exit.
But let's go back to this "Thankful for C-Sections" post title. Yes, when I was told at 24 weeks that my placenta still had not moved and it was probably a good bet that I would end up with a c-section, I was emotional. No, I wasn't crying and throwing a fit, but I was upset with myself. I felt like it was something I did wrong, I felt like I wasn't fulfilling my "womanly duties" of enduring pain during childbirth. After all, the verse in the Bible says, "To the woman he said, I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children." It does not say, "I will make your pains in childbearing severe OR you can choose to be numbed from the armpits down and we'll just pull the baby out..." It took a lot for me to finally accept the fact that maybe, just maybe, a c-section was the way Jimmer was supposed to be born. Which brings me forward almost 9 weeks...
I've since gotten over being upset about a c-section and wholly embraced the opportunity that modern medicine has afforded me. Let me tell you why...
First of all, at my 28 week appointment (the day I found myself in the hospital), the technologist commented on "how large" my baby's head was. No surprise...his daddy has a large head. That was understanding #1 that a c-section was probably best.
Then there was today. Now, I mentioned before that baby Jimmer is measuring right on schedule. Of course, to find how he's measuring, the tech has to do measurements of the femur, the belly and the head. Then she averages them all out and voila! you have a good idea of how big baby is and how he's measuring. Well, while she was measuring Jimmer's head, I noticed that gestational age for that particular body part was coming up at 33 WEEKS 6 DAYS. Ladies and gentlemen, that is an entire week and day ahead of schedule. Yes...I am thankful for c-sections! :)
So I am hoping that come Friday when I talk with my doctor, she'll finally schedule a c-section and I'll finally have an end date to all this waiting!!! I. CAN'T. WAIT.
Of course, I'm not complaining. Not one single bit! Every time I get another ultrasound is another opportunity to see and hear my little baby boy. Another opportunity to check on his progress and another opportunity to gush about how absolutely adorable he is!!! Yes...I can tell...even in the womb - he is the cutest baby on Earth! I mean, really, can you deny it?!
 |
| A perfect little profile! |
 |
| Hi there, handsome!! |
And speaking of progress, he has done amazing the past week! He's up to 4lbs, 4oz. and is measuring right on schedule! He's still breech and I still have mild oligohydramnios, but baby is growing and that's all I care about. And yes...my placenta is still blocking baby Jimmer's exit.
But let's go back to this "Thankful for C-Sections" post title. Yes, when I was told at 24 weeks that my placenta still had not moved and it was probably a good bet that I would end up with a c-section, I was emotional. No, I wasn't crying and throwing a fit, but I was upset with myself. I felt like it was something I did wrong, I felt like I wasn't fulfilling my "womanly duties" of enduring pain during childbirth. After all, the verse in the Bible says, "To the woman he said, I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children." It does not say, "I will make your pains in childbearing severe OR you can choose to be numbed from the armpits down and we'll just pull the baby out..." It took a lot for me to finally accept the fact that maybe, just maybe, a c-section was the way Jimmer was supposed to be born. Which brings me forward almost 9 weeks...
I've since gotten over being upset about a c-section and wholly embraced the opportunity that modern medicine has afforded me. Let me tell you why...
First of all, at my 28 week appointment (the day I found myself in the hospital), the technologist commented on "how large" my baby's head was. No surprise...his daddy has a large head. That was understanding #1 that a c-section was probably best.
Then there was today. Now, I mentioned before that baby Jimmer is measuring right on schedule. Of course, to find how he's measuring, the tech has to do measurements of the femur, the belly and the head. Then she averages them all out and voila! you have a good idea of how big baby is and how he's measuring. Well, while she was measuring Jimmer's head, I noticed that gestational age for that particular body part was coming up at 33 WEEKS 6 DAYS. Ladies and gentlemen, that is an entire week and day ahead of schedule. Yes...I am thankful for c-sections! :)
So I am hoping that come Friday when I talk with my doctor, she'll finally schedule a c-section and I'll finally have an end date to all this waiting!!! I. CAN'T. WAIT.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
