We cannot decide on a name!

EVERYONE keeps asking if we have a name for this baby girl. The answer is no. By this time, Cameron's name was set in stone. For this baby, not even close! I'm finding girls names to be very hard with our last name. Here's what we're considering. There's a few that Steve doesn't love, but...What do you think? Keep the last name in mind, it's tough!

Arianna Lillian
Lillian (most likely call her Lilly)
Kendall Marie
Arden Lillian


***Thanks girls! I'd love to hear more opinions!!

Check out these cuties!

Lucy came over today for a playdate! It really is hard to believe that they are 2 now. The years went by so fast and they have grown so much.

Here is a picture of the two of them last May:



Here they are today. What a difference! They're little people! They play so well together, it's awesome to see their little personalities come out.

Cam's new swing set!

Today Daddy and Papa put together Cam's new swing set!

Another great appointment!

My cervix is measuring 2.8cm. That's up 0.1cm from last week! Normal is 3-4cm. The u/s tech saw no funneling which is another great sign! Baby Girl's heart rate was 147bmp.

Here she is!


After the u/s I had to wait an hour to see the doctor. This is becoming an annoying trend! I saw Dr. E this time. I liked her, she was very nice. I am up one more pound since last week. I asked if gaining a pound a week was ok. She said yes and was very surprised I had only gained 7lbs total. I told her that I'm 20lbs heavier than I was with Cam. She said it was ok. I'm measured ahead at 27w. I told her that this week I have been crampy and feeling some pressure. She was going to do the fFN again but since I had the u/s she couldn't. She had them put me on the monitor to make sure I wasn't having any contractions. I stayed on for over 30min with 0 contractions, another good sign! She said that since my cervix was doing great I didn't have to come back next week for another u/s. I will go back in 2w for my regular monthly appointment. Lucky me gets to do the glucose test that day.

What a day!

Cam did not go to daycare today since my Mom doesn't work on Wednesday. I brought him to her house around 9:30am. The plan was I would come home and do nothing for a few hours and pick him up at 12 so he could nap before his doctor's appointment at 4:20.

Well, when I got home I decided that the front door needed another coat of paint. I didn't think it would take very long. As I was getting the paint ready I thought it would be easier to paint if I took the lock off. I unscrewed the deadbolt and removed the back piece. I paid very close attention to how it went together... well, when I did a "test run" of putting it back on I couldn't do it. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how the pieces fit together. The screws wouldn't go back the way they came out. Of course I'm freaking out now because the lock is in pieces, I'm supposed to be on bed rest and most importantly Steve is going to KILL me. I put a coat of paint on the door thinking I needed to relax and take a moment to breathe. It took me a few times but I figured it out! I had visions of me having to tell Steve what happened (he still doesn't know....shhhhhh) and then paying way too much money to have a locksmith fix it.

That took up most of my morning so I had to go and get Cam. I was a million miles away when I was walking out the door. I got into the car and realized I didn't have my keys. Yep, I locked myself out. I didn't freak because I knew a window was open and I could take the screen off and climb through. So....I climbed my 6 1/2 month pregnant self through the window. I called Steve and told him how dumb I was for locking myself out. Know what he said? "You should have called a locksmith." IF he only knew!

Cam's appointment atleast went well! He is 27 lbs and 35 in tall. He gained a pound and grew 2 in since his 18mth appointment. Dr. Doug told us we should get him out of the crib before the new baby comes so Cam doesn't feel like he's being displaced by the new baby. I asked about Cam's speech. He said at 2 they're just starting to form sentences (of course we know that there are a few of you who are way ahead of the game!) and he should "know" 50 words. He doesn't have to say 50 words but he should most definitely understand them, which he does. If I wasn't on bed rest he would have him evaluated for Early Intervention again but he said we can wait 3 months and see how he's doing. That was a relief! Cam had a finger stick for lead and a hematocrit. He took it like a champ!

Cam's home with me again tomorrow. It should be interesting...

You couldn't ask for a better day!

Yes, Cara, that's for you (if you even read this!).

Of course, today was the day we were supposed to have Cameron's 2nd birthday party and it was absolutely beautiful out! It will probably rain when we do have it!

Nana and Papa came over to help with some things around the house. Cam slept the entire 3 hours they were here! At least we accomplished a bunch.

Cameron, Daddy and I went to Peaceful Meadows (yummmm) after Cam had his late lunch at 3! I figured Cam would eat his ice cream out of a cup. Well when he saw Mommy and Daddy eating cones he wanted one. Daddy had to go back and ask for a cone. I WISH I had taken my camera. I was going to but decided against it for some reason. Cameron at the WHOLE ice cream cone. He made a mess and was covered, but he ate the whole thing, cone and all! It was priceless watching him go at it. Next time I will not forget the camera!

When we got home the landscapers were here mowing the lawn. I'm still not sure why they were here....but that's another story. We were on the porch and watched them finish up. Then they tried to get the big mower thing out of our brand new 4ft gate. It took them a few times but they got it. Well, when I went in to close the window I noticed the gate was bent. Very bent. I told Steve, he looked at it and went in to call the owner of the landscaping company. Let's just say he was not happy to hear the guys (aka high school kids) bent the gate! We will be getting a new gate this week courtesy of them! Seriously, it's always something!

Cam's new wagon!

Well, it's not really new! Nana and Papa had two at their house so they brought one over.

Better News!

My cervix is longer than it was last week. It is now measuring 2.7cm! That's a 0.3cm increase from last week, so the bed rest is helping! I will continue to go back weekly for ultrasounds until they feel it is stable. After 24weeks the pregnancy is considered "viable" meaning the baby has a higher chance of surviving if in fact I did go into labor. I will be 24w tomorrow!

The rest of my appointment wasn't so great. I am extremely frustrated and for the first time not happy with the way things were handled.

WARNING!!! EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL PREGNANT WOMAN!!

My ultrasound took literally less than 5 minutes. She got the cervical length measurements and did a quick heartbeat check (133bpm). I didn't really get to see the baby. I was sent to the waiting room. As I was sitting there, people were coming in and out, people who got there after me. There was a OB and a NP on, so its not like there was 5 different docs. Forty five minutes later I was called into the room. They did a weight check, blood pressure, etc. That's fine, I can understand they want it every time. The Nurse Practitioner came in, reviewed my medical history. She then asked if I had any questions or concerns. "Ummm, besides the whole short and funneling cervix thing? No, I'd like to know what's going on with that." So she looks thru my chart, only sees the u/s report from last week and the doctors note from Wednesday, there was nothing from the hospital. I had to explain to her that I had been admitted for observation, been given the steroids, etc. I was BEYOND annoyed at this point of course, I burst into tears. What is the point of me coming in for a follow up visit if you are not going to have my results to GO OVER. She had one of the receptionists print up my note from the hospital. She then said she had to ask an OB what they wanted to do going forward. At this point, I still don't know the results of the u/s I just had. She measures my fundus (24w) and listens to the heartbeat (155bpm). Then she goes to find the OB. She comes back, tells me my cervix is longer and that I'll just come back in for weekly checks. Great news, but seriously.

So, my next appointment is Friday, May 23rd. I will be seeing an OB after the u/s.

My Little Man is *2* !!!!

He's growing up so fast! We sent him to daycare with his "Birthday Boy" pin and some cupcakes. I hope he has a good day!

Last night the three of us were sitting on the couch.
Daddy said, "What's my name?"
Cam, "Daddy."
"What's her name?"
Cam, "Mommy."
"Who's this (pointing to his best friend in the world, his stuffed dog)?"
Cam: "Puppy."
"What's your name?" Cam, very proudly pointing to himself "BOO!" He did it about 2 more times and each time Cam confidently pointed to himself and said "Boo!" We definitely have to get it on video! Steve has been calling Cam Boo since he was born! I have absolutely NO idea where it came from, I don't think he knows either. There's many sides of "The Boo." There's the karate chopping "Black Boo", there's the hiding Boo "Where's the Boo?", and plain old Boo Boo. Those boys of mine!

After Cam went to bed last night Steve and I were talking about just how fast he is growing up! It really is so scary! We were remembering the day he was born and how we were not able to hold him until 4 hrs later, our first night home from the hospital (oh what a night), and all the things he has accomplished in his 2 little years! Cam is going to be an amazing big brother. We have so many things to look forward to!

Cam's such a trooper!

I'm feeling a little calmer today. Which is a good thing for a lot of reasons! I know my poor husband is tired of the many meltdowns I have been having. I am extremely lucky and blessed to have a husband who doesn't think twice about picking up the house, doing the laundry and grocery shopping and most importantly being a wonderful Daddy!

Since Steve *still* does not have his truck back (have I mentioned it will be 2 weeks on Wednesday??) we both dropped Cam off at daycare this morning. He didn't fuss or cry at all. He ran right back to play with the train table while I talked to his teacher. They have 2 openings next week and if they have any kids call in sick they will call us.

The day went by pretty fast for me! I did run out to buy some cupcakes for Cam to take to school tomorrow. I also bought him a "Birthday Boy" pin for him to wear--wait until Daddy sees it! He's going to tell me I'm torturing the poor boy but hey, that's my job!

Papa dropped Cam off around 4 and he was in a great mood! Sometimes he comes home and is so miserable. I hope I can say the same thing come Friday! I think over the past few months he got so bored being home with me he's loving the change!

Happy Mother's Day!

So, it's been 4 days of this modified bed rest thing and it's already depressing me. I feel completely useless as Steve runs around the house cleaning, doing laundry and watching Cam. I don't know how people do this for months at a time.

I hope all the Mom's had a fantastic Mother's Day! We went to my mother's for an early dinner. My step father bought me a beautiful Lilac plant! Mom bought me some maternity clothes, I just hope I get to wear them outside this house!

There's NO place like home!

Since I could not get the internet to work in the hospital, here is a day by day run down of everything that happened the past two days.

The Good News and the Bad News
Thursday, May 8, 2008

My ultrasound (u/s) was scheduled at 1:30pm. At 1:50 I was called into the room. I told the tech what was going on and she said she’d measure my cervical length trans-vaginally. I told her about the fFN test I was going to also have and I could not have any gel before the test. She called up to the birthing unit and the midwife said “she’s exactly right, send her up and we'll take care of it now.” So, up to the birthing unit I went. I waited some more, then was called in about 2:30. The midwife with a very cute Irish accent was with a patient in labor so I had to wait. While I was waiting in triage they put me on the monitor. This little girl was VERY active, more than she ever is! At about 3pm the Irish midwife came back and did the fFN. I then went down to ultrasound to finish that up. The tech had to take 3 different measurements (she kept checking w/the radiologist to make sure they had what they needed). I did ask her if she thought it was in fact a girl. Well, she confirmed again that we have a beautiful baby girl. She told me my cervix was measuring 2.4cm, which is short. But she didn't think they would keep me overnight...

After the u/s I went back up to the birthing unit to await my results. Melissa, my nurse was great. Not too long later the Irish midwife came in and said “well, there’s some good news and some bad news.” The good news is that the fetal fibronectin test came back negative! This means that the possibility of me going into pre-term labor with in the next 2 weeks is very low. The baby also had a strong heartbeat (140s-150s), is very much so head down (I could see her bouncing off my cervix during the u/s), and most importantly my cervix is closed.

The bad news is that not only is my cervix short (I guess normal is around 5cm?) but it’s “funneling.” This is how I understand it, your cervix should be flat on both sides. Well, a funneling cervix looks like a thimble. The closed part is facing out but the opening is facing the baby. For some reason my cervix is starting to open from the inside. Not cool. They do not know why this is happening, especially since I carried Cam to term.

She then dropped the bomb that I would be spending the night. I needed to get off my feet and get this baby girl off my cervix in hopes it may repair itself. I wasn’t allowed to go home and get clothes or Steve. We’re still down to one car since Steve’s truck is STILL being looked at.

I am now hanging out in the birthing unit, a windowless cave. The nurses have been great, the Irish midwife is amazing.

The midwife tried to get in touch with the high risk doctor, but wasn’t able to. Yep, I am now considered “high risk.” They’re trying to decide whether or not to give me steroids. Since I am only 23w they aren’t sure if it will actually help. The steroids are usually given around 24w-28w. Right now I am exactly 23w. Around 8:30ish the midwife, and an OB, Dr. D (I think she is one of the Hospitals OBs and not a doc at SSWH). They all decided (they talked to Dr. O’B, the high risk specialist) that it was a good idea to give me the steroids. This is to mature the baby’s lungs faster, if she decides to come early. I will stay here at least until Saturday and have the 2^nd round of steroids Friday night. I am going to meet with Dr. O’B Friday morning to review my u/s, maybe have another u/s and see if it is getting any worse or if the bed rest is helping. My fave midwife said she will probably have a neonatologist come and speak with me, just incase.

The nurse (Carolyn, so sweet) warned me that the steroid shot in the arse would sting and burn. UMMMM, I thought some wild animal was trying to eat me. It freaking hurt so bad and I do consider myself to have a some what high tolerance of pain. It not only hurt when she did it but for a good 5min. after. Friday nights shot is going to be torture now that I know what to expect.

Steve went home after the shot to stay with my precious little boy. I miss him so much. Hearing him say “mommy, mommy” over the phone is breaking my heart. Hopefully 10mgs of Ambien will just knock me out!

Better News Today
Friday, May 9, 2008

I talked to Steve after he dropped Cam off at daycare. He said he didn’t cry, fuss or anything. This is good because he hasn’t been since March. I just want to hug and kiss him!!

My meltdown started early today. Everything happened so quickly, it is sinking in fast now though. My baby girl could very well come early. I am on bed rest and will be for the remainder of this pregnancy. Cam will go to daycare next week b/c they have a spot. After that we’re on our own until June 15^th when his summer session start. There aren’t any spots before then. I have no idea what we will do but we’ll figure it out. Somehow we always do!

At 8:00am my favorite Irish Midwife came in again, during my epic meltdown. She went over the plan for today (meet w/high risk doc, have another u/s, steroids tonight).

I still cannot get this damn wireless internet to connect to the Hospitals wireless network. I.am.going.thru.withdrawals….

Around 10:30ish Dr. O’B came in with one of the midwives I had met before and my nurse Jamie. Dr. O’B said my cervix is short, but definitely closed. It is funneling but not so much that it is opening up my cervix. Good news. I will get the second shot of steroids tonight and be on modified bed rest (not forbidden from leaving my bed, I can get up but no picking up Cam, walking too much, doing laundry or cleaning the house... etc). I have been having mild contractions that they’ve picked up on the monitor, about one contraction every 1-2/hours. Not so bad that I’m going to need drugs to stop them though.

I will go back to the office on Wednesday for another ultrasound and to talk with the midwife (one I have not met). The midwife will be in touch with the high risk doctor as to a plan. We’re not out of the woods yet, but it is a lot better than we had thought. They gave me the option of going home tonight after the shot….hell ya!!

Cam is doing ok at daycare. His favorite teacher said he is playing but will stop and call for me. Of course, this sent me into tears yet again. I cannot wait to hold and smooch that little man!!

Papa will pick him up around 3 and go to his house. Nana will put him to bed so Steve can stay up here while another animal bites my arse.

The shots have to be given 24hrs apart which will be 8:50pm. My night nurse, Pat has also been great. On that front, I've had nothing but caring and awesome nurses.

A little after 9pm Pat came in to give me the shot. Here's an awesome tip for you and if you have to give the shot. Have the patient wiggle their toes before, during and after the shot is given. What a freaking difference. Pat said she learned that trick during nursing school. It relaxes the muscle so it goes in smoothly. MUCH BETTER!! Of course, it still burned like hell, but didn't burn and hurt like before.

The midwife was with a patient in labor (the poor thing pushed for 3hrs) but came in after. We went over the plan (modified bed rest, u/s and appointment on Wednesday). We left the hospital around 10pm.

My baby boy was sleeping peacefully.

Stay in there baby girl!

When my friend told me I should start a blog, my first thought was "what am I going to write about that people REALLY want to hear?" Well, after today I thought it would be a great way to keep people updated.

As of today I am 22 weeks, 6 days pregnant. I had my routine monthly appointment. I am going to deliver with the midwives but there wasn't one available today, so I saw an OB, Dr. J. I had met her before when I was 6w pregnant and bleeding. I really like her, she's easy to talk to and personable.

The good news from my appointment: I am measuring at 24w, the baby's heartbeat was a steady 140 bpm, and I've gained a total of 5lbs this pregnancy.

The not so good news: She asked me how I was doing and I told her about some pain and pressure I was having. She said "it's probably just due to the fact that the baby is really low, but let's check just in case." So, she did an internal exam and said "Wow (not something you usually hear while an internal is being performed...) your cervix is closed but it's thinning." I too was shocked, I'm only 22w! She said I would have to come back tomorrow for a test called Fetal Fibronectin as well as a non stress test and an ultrasound to determine my cervical length. Bottom line, I *could* be in pre-term labor. We should know more tomorrow after the tests but until then I am on "house arrest" as Dr. J likes to call it. I am not able to pick up Cam and I'm stuck on the couch.

It's hard not to worry, but I'm trying. Every time I feel this little baby girl move I tell her to stay put!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!