Pregnancy is a Chore in Week 34

A chore, yes, but hallelujah... week 34 is when I got put on bedrest and was experiencing full on preeclampsia with Margo.  This time around, my blood pressure is holding steady and there is no protein in my urine, which is fantastic news and is exactly what my doctor set out to acheive.

The day before my 34th week was my last day of work.  My how timing is impeccible!!  The next day my OB said it was time for me to quit when he saw the degree of my swelling.  He did not put me on bedrest, however, and just instructed me to take it really easy, nap when Margo naps, etc...

I am so thrilled that my body is holding steady and am truly hopeful I will make it to February 5th, David's scheduled delivery date at 37.5 weeks.  Wow, it snuck up on me fast!  So why a chore?? 

Uuuggghhh, this pregnancy has been hell from the get go with one crappy symptom after another.  17 weeks of all day sickness, never ending fatigue and intermittent insomnia, heart burn that would make a grown man cry and more.  Now, I have just settled on the fact that I probably will not sleep until this baby is born--I am averaging 3-4 hours of sleep a night.  My limbs fall asleep no matter which way I turn and I can't seem to turn off my mind.  Literally, every single muscle in my body aches, especially my hands, legs, hips and belly. To get off of the couch or out of bed in the middle of the night is pure torture because it hurts so bad.  The skin underneath my breast bone feels like it is on fire 24/7.  I have Fred Flinstone feet and cankles, as well as vienna sausage fingers, sexy!!  I am having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions which are annoying--sometimes 10 in an hour, but they go away if I rest, thank goodness.

Week 34 and I do not even look like myself!

Whah, whah, whah, I know... I am hoping all of these difficult symptoms are a trade-off for last pregnancy's preeclampsia.  I am just tired this time and feel that this go round has been extra hard.  In these last three weeks, I have to spend each Monday at Women's Hospital having two hours of tests run to make sure baby and mommy are ok.  My doctor is very nervous about the possible sudden onset of preeclampsia that can occur in the final weeks and is taking every precaution necessary. 

My daily injections are getting very difficult as my belly growns.  I have very large bruises and knots in some areas and last night I had to stick myself twice.  The second time it was like I hit a roadblock and the medicine would not come out.  I just threw the darn syringe in the sink and decided to forget it.  BUT... these shots have most definitely done the trick!  I feel almost certain that had I not had them, the preeclampsia would have returned, even earlier this time, and David would probably be here already, trying to survive in the NICU.  I would do this over and over again for a healthy baby and am so glad my doctor is so diligent and cautious.

So... three weeks left and we all need lots of prayer... that my body continues to cooperate, that David continues to grow in a healthy way, that mom, dad and Margo can enjoy our last weeks together and prepare for the changes upon us in a fun and healthy way.  We are all getting very excited and anxious at the same time! 

Update after I wrote this:  Had my first round of tests at Women's and everything is great except... My umbilical cord is showing some restriction that could affect the baby's ability to receive oxygen and nutrition.  Right now he is doing perfectly with a great heart rate, tons of movement, etc... But, back to the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist I go (same as the one I saw with Margo) for a second opinion.  I will now be even more closely monitored and there is a chance my delivery will be bumped up to 36 or 37 weeks should things progress in an unhealthy way.  The thing I am most nervous about it watching closely for decreased fetal movement and staying on top of my kick counts.  Geez, my body is clearly not equipped for pregnancy.  If it's not one thing, it's another!

Ending the Year with Christmas Cheer‏

I was worried about being exhausted and pregnant over the holidays, but I think God blessed me with one last burst of energy which enabled me to get it all together and enjoy the beauty of the Christmas season. I managed to put out a few decorations and got the tree decorated thanks to Cary picking out yet another perfect tree this year and the Weavers putting the lights on. About 95% of my gifts were purchased and wrapped by the 1st week in December, we had two advent calendars to enjoy with Margo and she loved her little tree in her big girl room!

I was able to feel the magic of Christmas in anticipation of the birth of Christ and loved seeing the wonder and excitement in Margo this year! One of my favorite holiday moments was a simple walk that Cary and I took after dark with Margo to see the lights in our neighborhood. She thought it was so neat and held our hands the entire way, stopping to touch the blow up Santas in the yards and marvel at the pretty lights. It was one of those last significant moments for me to remember as a family of three, walking together hand-in-hand, in the quiet and cold of the night with so much to be grateful for and look forward to. We also had a fun night driving through River Oaks to look at Christmas lights after dinner at Chuy’s and a special trip to the Chocolate Bar which Margo thought was really special. All was going perfectly until…

…Margo decided to get one of her worst illnesses ever just two days before Christmas. We are talking 105.4 fever, non-stop coughing all night long and pure misery for our little angel. Really? Seriously? Margo was sick with a high fever the year prior over Christmas. Really? Are you kidding me? That is what I felt as exhaustion and sadness set in for my precious little one. I so wanted her to love Christmas this year and enjoy every moment. O’well, things don’t always go as planned, but fortunately we were able to get her into the doctor on Christmas Eve just before our celebration with my family. We were all tired and I was emotional, but we made the best out of a crummy situation and had a wonderful Christmas Eve with my sister and mom.

Caroline helping Margo open gifts.

Checking out her new doggie that sleeps with her now!

Margo was pretty out of it, but she still had fun opening presents and liked tearing off the paper more than the actual gifts. Blue being her favorite color, she wanted to open everyone’s blue packages. Her cousins helped her and the weather was warm, so we spent some time outside, listened to Christmas tunes and had an amazing meal. My brother-in-law, Alan, makes the BEST beef tenderloin you have ever had, seasoned and cooked perfectly, better than any steak in a restaurant, with all of the yummy fixings! By the time lunch was over, Margo could not last another minute, so Cary took her home and I treated myself to a small glass of wine, we sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus and I had a little time to unwind and be with my family.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!  I made red velvet from scratch!

Margo's amazing cousins who are so good to her!

After one dose of antibiotics or perhaps the virus running its course, Margo was already improving by Christmas Day, although the night was pretty sleepless. I gave her a good dose of Advil Christmas morning and she enjoyed the day. She was groggy and puny for the big Santa reveal and just sat staring at everything in awe for a while. I don’t think she had any idea that Santa was really going to bring her all of that stuff. Once her meds kicked in, she got excited and looked at all of her toys and things. I swore we would do a small Christmas for her because I felt like her birthday was so over-the-top, but it is hard. I would be out and about and see something that reminded me of her and add it to the stash of Santa gifts or her stocking.

As usual, she received her nine books from Santa’s reindeer and a sleeping bag and lunch box for her new school. Plus, she got mega blocks which keep her occupied, a train and one of her favorites is the make-up kit which is like mommy’s. She has been getting into my make-up and wanting to play with it for a long time, plus she loves playing with my expensive make-up mirror, so I knew it would be a hit. Now, she sits at her little table and "gets ready" while I get ready-ha! It is so cute how they want to emulate us! The one thing she repeatedly asked Santa for was an umbrella and a kitty, so she got a kitty cat umbrella and rain boots. I can’t wait to let her play in the warm spring showers with her rain gear!

We hosted Christmas Day at our house, which will become the new tradition with Cary’s family because I want to keep the kids at home to stay in their routine and enjoy their Christmas loot. This year, we took a different route and did brunch which was so easy and everyone seemed to really like. The food was yummy and it was an easy laid-back day enjoyed by all. Margo opened tons of packages and had more stuff than she knew what to do with. We shared laughter and made memories and despite the exhausting illness, we ended the year on a great note with lots of Christmas cheer!

Loving her new guitar!

My beautiful one!

Happy girl!

Checking out Nemo!

Family!

GiGi opening her surprise!