thanks

Thanks so much for your emails and prayers! I've been blood free for a couple days. We have a ultrasound already scheduled on Tuesday, January 5th and my midwives didn't want to see me any earlier. Guess no one is as worried about what happened as I was. We're just continuing to cover this little baby with prayers of life.

We're getting back in the car for the long journey home tomorrow. It's going to be non-stop when we get back and I already don't feel like I had much of a "break." But back to real life we go.

And only 1 more week until we find out pink or blue!! Yippee! What is your guess. . .take the poll on the right. Thanks again for all the prayers!

a trip to the ER

Blood. It's something a pregnant person never wants to see.

But let me back up. We left Tuesday morning for our long trek to Texas. I was really crampy, but didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary because I've been feeling much crampier and stretched these days. Just different. We drove all day Tuesday and I must agree with Kimberly, don't ever stop in Arkansas for bathroom breaks if you don't have to. They don't care too much about their rest stops. We made it to Hope, Arkansas and after a greasy dinner at the Waffle House, spent the night at a cheap place that at least had a nice breakfast. We got on the road Wednesday at a decent hour and arrived at the in-laws around 3.

Fast forward to this morning. I got up and had breakfast and then decided to shower. And that's when I saw it. Blood. I immediately cried and then called the midwife back home. She thought it was probably from the long trip and being a little um *constipated* lately. But when it turned bright red, I yelled at William to get in the car and we headed (with Jackie, my mother-in-law) to the ER. They got us right in and up to a room.

Our nurse, Davillia, took at the vitals and then used the doppler. After a little pushing around, she found a heartbeat that was beating a nice 150 bpm. A few of my immediate fears were a little relieved. I realized how little faith I had that I was going to hear that little sound as we were driving there. Then the doctor came in and gave us a full workup. He did an ultrasound from the outside and inside and from that decided to not do another exam because of the blood and not wanting to cause any more irritation and/or risk for infection. He found some blood and also found that my placenta is lying really low. He gave me the diagnosis of partial/marginal placenta previa although he wasn't 100% sure that was the cause of the bleeding. I gave blood so they could confirm that I don't have a negative blood type and would need a Rogam shot. I'm O+.

So we left with a few answers. There is definitely a baby in there with a heartbeat. I'm still bleeding and we're not really sure why. I'm wishing I was close to my mom and my doctors but we're just praying a lot and will see our doctor as soon as we get back. I don't think any person could have told me with accuracy the amount of emotional upheaval this whole getting/being/staying pregnant process would be. Your prayers are so greatly appreciated.

And while you're praying, please lift up my friend Carissa. She was about 8 weeks ahead of me and found out this week that her baby died about 2 weeks ago. The baby is breech, so she will have to have a c-section. Just pray for her physical and emotional healing!

mommy guilt and developments

The mommy guilt has set in already. I'm sure it never ends, does it? So once I hit my second trimester, I decided to not be quite so strict with my intake of certain foods. But now I feel guilty. So this is my confession:
- I've had a diet coke.
- I ate a Jimmy Johns sandwich without warming up the turkey meat. I mean really, who wants to warm up their lunchmeat?
- I ate a ton of shrimp at our family Christmas eve dinner.
- I don't take my prenatal vitamin everyday. Most days, but I miss some.

Whew, I feel better getting that off my chest. Speaking of chest (I don't think I have any male readers, but if I do you can stop reading now), in the latest of baby developments, I bought my first C bra this week. Now before you tell me "just you wait 'till you have the baby" or "wait until you see how much they deflate after your done breastfeeding" or "when you buy a double d, let me know". . .let me just enjoy my first purchase of a bra that wasn't next to the training bras.

checking in

Not too much to report on, but here's a few details from life these days:

• We're all moved in to the condo, clothes are put away, and pictures are up! It's starting to feel a little more like home. And as much as we love having our own space, I kinda miss being in the "know" with my parents. We'll have to start going over there for dinner once a week to get caught up.
  
• My dad sent out an email to church officially letting people know that they're thinking and praying about planting a church in Peoria. We're definitely thinking and praying about going with them. Peoria in Summer 2011 anyone?
  
• I'm starting to feel a little more human these days. I've only puked twice this week, which is a great improvement and have actually been able to stay up later than 8 or 9!
  
• We really haven't thrown around too many names yet, but here's my PRELIMARY list. You can tell me how you feel about them. Of course, it's my kid, so I may or may not listen to your advice. All names are subject to change at any moment. :)
  
• I finished my two VLI finals which feels great! It's given me some more time to actually read some baby books on my list. Here's 2 of my favorites from this week:
  
  1. Baby Bargains, by Denise & Alan Fields. This book was recommended by several friends. It basically goes through every single baby product and gives you ratings for the products, if you really need it, and how to get it for a better price. Definitely overwhelming, but great to read before I start registering in Jan/Feb.
  
  2. How My Breasts Saved the World, by Lisa Wood Shapiro. A funny book about how breastfeeding can sometimes be a lot harder than anticipated. It was very realistic and yet very humorous.
  

Mrs. Pool is having a baby!

I told my kiddos at school today. I was thinking about waiting until after Christmas, but why wait? Here's how the conversation went:

Me - I have a really big surprise for you guys! I'm going to have a baby!

McKenzie - tomorrow?

Me - No, it won't be until first grade is done. For the rest of year, my tummy will be getting bigger. Right now I can give you tight hugs, but by the end of the year, I'll have to hug you from far away.

Nathaniel - Is it a boy or girl?

Me - I don't know yet, but when we get back from winter break, I will hopefully know.

Deandre - It's a boy.

McKenna, yelling at Deandre - No it's a girl that looks like me. (note: she is black)

Noah - Will be baby be really smart because it's in first grade all year?

And on it went. And then about 5 minutes later, it was old news and our new poem about Humpty Dumpty was way more exciting.

Oh what a great sound!

I will be honest that for the last three weeks or so, I've really thought that something was wrong. I had no reason to believe so, I'm still puking and my stomach is definitely starting to pooch out there a bit. But no matter how many times I've gotten prayer, I just felt like we would get to this appointment today and they wouldn't be able to find the heartbeat.

I'm so glad when God proves me wrong. We heard the heartbeat today on the Doppler! It was 154 bpm which is just perfect. I think this actually might be happening! Facebook announcement, here we come!