Fun from afar

I have to say that being stuck here I am very greatful for technology these days! I was able to get lots of pictures of the kiddos having fun this evening at the balloon fest with Ryan's parents! While I'm still 100% bummed I'm missing the entire thing this year, they're having a blast!! 

Isabelle even called me to tell me that "the hyvee balloon was going up right now" because she was so excited and had to tell me right at that moment! 

I'm sure they're exhausting Papa Charlie but they're so in love with him!

I guess Henry got sick this morning but seemed to have had a fun day. I got a picture of him "free ridin" it naked around the driveway! Silly boy!

I have started to research nicu life with siblings involved. I'm starting to really let it sink in that I have an entire new schedule coming and I have NO clue how I'm going to make it work. Any advice from anyone is welcome!! 

No new changes still! Just hanging out and continuing to bake this boy!!

Until tomorrow!! 

Ten days

Well we've sailed into and are sailing out of day ten in the hospital. I didn't get to see the kiddos today, but they're busy having fun down at Ryan's parents house! I miss them terribly but they're having fun! 

During my hook up sessions today I had a few contractions. When those happen baby boy likes to drop his heart beat but he always rebounds so they're not too concerned yet. So still no change. Always a good thing. 

I started filling out what I can in his baby book so that helped pass some time today. 

I got to have some alone time with Ryan tonight and that was fun. We laughed a lot and enjoyed the company of each other!  

Until tomorrow! 

Tough side

I broke down tonight. While the kids were here Iz was really sad to find out my mom was going home for a few days. Henry fell off a chair and hit his head and was crying and crying. I broke down. Vi was upset too. The good bye doesn't get easier for anyone. I know it's temporary, but until you're actually put in this position yourself, it sucks. I hate knowing my babes are sad and want nothing but mommy. Ryan didn't keep them here long due to them being tired and needing naps and dinner and baths. His mom is taking over now until Saturday when Ryan gets off work. 

They're all being very well taken care of, I do know this. For that-I'm forever greatful! 

Miss Jodi bought them all more clothes...the girls were pretty excited!!

Event though we had sad tears tonight our visit was fun.

Iz brought her school work to show me and holy cow! I have to brag! 

She is doing so, so good!!!! Her hand writing is amazing! 

I'm so happy and blessed to have such a smart girl!! 

Updates: 

I've been having a lot more contractions today. I haven't really noticed a rhythm yet, but if I do, then we'll hook up to the monitor!  Baby boys doing good though!

Until tomorrow! 

Slow preparations

Since we've been here we have had a few gifts given to us of clothing! Specifically preemie sizes. I have no idea how big he will be when he comes home and that they won't clothe him right away, but when it's time I want him comfortable and of course cute!! 

Two of my favorites so far! 

And this hat! I can't wait to use it!! 

We had a great family night! 

The kids and I sat in the window and watched tons of lightning! Henry LOVES it. He's so my chikd!! 

Joan visited me this morning and left behind an art thing for Iz to do. I couldn't figure it out (I know-wow), so she and Ryan made all sorts of pictures! She loves it. 

It was an awesome night. I played on the floor with the kids and it was just relaxing and enjoyable. It's still hard to say bye but that will pass. 

No changes today either! Baby boy is doing well! 

Until tomorrow! 

Day 8 update

Some updates for you all. I've been here 8 long days now. However, I'll admit the time passes quickly in a sense. 

I had an ultrasound this morning to see if baby boy is still head down and to check amniotic levels again. Good news-he's still head down! My levels actually went up even though yesterday (and tonight too) I felt like I lost a lot. I guess it's normal! 

This boy refuses to take his arm off his face! That's why his lips look strange. He's doing well though! As am I. The only thing that's been up and down is my blood pressure but it doesn't seem to concern them. Oh-I also get to walk across the hall and refill my own drinks! That's the most freedom I get! 

The Grammys got Iz ready and off to school this morning! Seriously such a cute picture!! 

Henry and Vi helped my mom pick up toys and put laundry away! Vi is being an awesome helper!! Makes me happy and proud! They all three had a rather rough visit tonight and that's hard for me. I just wanna run away with them when they're sad like that. 

Henry was my buddy tonight. I got a lot of book reading done today...anyone have good book ideas let me know! I'm about ready for a new one! 

Until tomorrow!

Best part of my day was the awesome storm!! 

Hospital day 7

Today was very low key. It was nice in a sense that I was able to just flat out relax. Sunday's are quite boring though when it comes to tv. The DVD player in my room doesn't work so I'm limited at the moment. Oh well! 

Still no changes. I've been more uncomfortable today, and have had a few strong contractions, but nothing out of the ordinary. We've made it to week 30! 

Isabelle and Ava had a sleep over at my moms last night. She went to see Peter Pan on stage and absolutely loved it!! I'm still quite bummed I didn't get to go, but I'm just thrilled she had a blast!!

I was given some clothes to look through today and we found a baby hat, of which Henry had fun wearing! 

It was fun to be on the ground playing with him and Vi for a bit tonight! 

Until tomorrow!

My beauty at the play!

Birthday of the year

So I'm starting my 29th year on the last day of being 29 weeks pregnant! Kind of cool! And one more week father along! 

This day has been as good as it can get though! I got to be with my family and my kids most of the day! The room service surprised even me with a cupcake! 

I got balloons and flowers and some down right funny cards! :-)

Henry shared all my cake (mostly frosting). He had fun today!

So did Iz and Vi! 

Me update: still the same. Nothing's changed and that's good. I haven't felt the best today but that could just be me being pregnant. They did take my iv out all the way so I know have full arm motion again!! Woohoo!! 

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday today. It means a lot and to everyone who came to visit! 

Until tomorrow! 

Hospital Day 5

Well we've made it to Friday. I keep getting questions on how I'm doing and feeling.  

I can tell you this: no change is good news. I will always be losing amniotic fluid. That's why we're stuck here. I'm not in pain, I'm in good spirits (or as best I can be). I've had so many visitors already and that has helped me a lot! I love getting even a short ten minute visit over anything. 

The hospital heard that tomorrow is my birthday so they gave me a flower today. That was an awesome surprise. 

I got lots of baby snuggles today. Caylee and Brianne came to hang out. I also got my babes back too. 

It was awesome seeing Henry and Viola again and loving on them. Hoping for a good nights rest and to keep this boy in another night!

Until tomorrow!

We played dr and made a bow tie ;-)

Nicu prep

On Monday Ryan and I were given a big binder full of information on what to expect when baby boy comes and will be in the nicu. There is an entire new language we will be learning and it's all based on lots of abbreviations. Good thing going to ISU got us all good at that! 

It's hard to see but there are a good two pages of things I'm learning.

There are also pages of what to expect the baby to look like depending on what week it's born. I still can't process how small he will actually be when he gets here!

VIola and Henry are doing awesome up at Karen's house with their kids. My heart is happy knowing how well they're getting taken care of! 

Iz is doing awesome this week. She had a hard time saying bye tonight but she told my mom last night she really loves the one-on-one she's getting. 

She was off the wall silly tonight. I loved it! She had us all cracking up! 

Me update:

I'm off of continued and constant baby monitoring today. It's been nice. I've been able to use my own bathroom and took a shower alone! Sweet bliss!! If I start having lots of contractions they will hook me back up, but for now it's an hour a day! Hooray! I still can't go on walks, but ill take the window and bathroom! 

Until tomorrow! 

I miss my babes!!! 

But I know they're in good hands!

Day 3

Well I've survived day three in the hospital. My updates are as followed:

Baby boy is now head down. So that's fabulous news! The dr even said that was the best news he'd had yet all day! I'm still not able to get up and walk or go to the actual bathroom. Oh well. I'm off of iv meds and on oral meds for a few days. 

He's doing well. His heart beat is good and strong. I was put on a heating pad because I was having lower back pain and I couldn't tell if it was him on nerves or possible contractions. What I can tell you is that if I go into labor they won't stop it. We really want to get to 32 weeks! This is our next goal! 

Henry and Viola are with a friend of the family's until Saturday to take some stress off. Iz and my mom are home and she is caring for her the rest of the week with getting her to and from school. I got to spend good time with Iz tonight and that was awesome. 

Henry got to see the helicopter land today! He was screaming in delight as I was told!  I'm so glad he got to see it! 

I don't know what tomorrow brings, but if you are bored or in Des Moines I'm here! 

Until then! 

World wide #bumpday !! 

Rough day

So right at 7 am my iv infiltrated or came out of my vein and pumped my arm full of fluid. 

This was right after. Yes it looks aweful but after the iv came out it felt much better. The swelling is actually much better but bruising not so much. 

After that all the magnesium they're pumping me up with made me sick. No fun. I've had a few doses of zofran! Awesome stuff there. Tomorrow hopefully I'll be iv free for a few days since I'll start oral antibiotics. Baby boy is holding strong with a great heart beat!

Got to see my babies and my heart was full! I miss them so much. 

Little miss made herself at home. 

They colored. We painted nails. I miss them so much already. Goodbye was hard! But I'll see them tomorrow! For now I'm going to rest! 

Until tomorrow!