ER

I am pregnant. I can't make it through the night without a potty break. This morning I woke up at 4:00 to use the bathroom, and found that my spotting had turned into heavy bleeding. I panicked. I called my parents to come watch the boys, and my hubs and I rushed off to the ER.

It wasn't pleasant rehashing my OB history to the triage nurse, the RN, the lab tech, the ER doctor and the ultrasound technician. I could go on and on about how health care is lacking in this rural area, but I won't. Just tell me why there isn't someone on duty at the hospital that knows how to use an ultrasound machine at all times? I mean, they are used for way more than prenatal care. They don't even have a Doppler. What is up with that?

The ER doctor wanted to do a pelvic exam to make sure my cervix wasn't open. How much sense does that make? Why go poking around down there when there is already enough drama happening in the downstairs? Really. So, yeah, I refused the pelvic exam and (politely) demanded an ultrasound. There wasn't even an ultrasound technician scheduled for today. I asked them (again; politely) to call someone in. We'd get more answers from an ultrasound than a pelvic exam. The doctor said (not so politely) "It isn't going to change anything...", gave me a crusty look and stalked off to call an ultrasound technician.

But, I stood my ground. I refused the pelvic exam, waited for the ultrasound technician and refused a catheter. My bladder was full enough, but just to be sure, I drank a 32 ounce bottle of water.

The ultrasound technician came, did the ultrasound, and found Sweet Pea's heart beating away at 173 bpm! We could see his (I just think this baby is a boy...) arm and leg nubs, and he was moving around!

We found out that the reason for my bleeding is a Subchorionic Hemorrhage; also known as a Subchorionic Hematoma (which puts me at risk for miscarriage, pre-term labor and placenta abruption...yeah, I've done all of those too). As of right now it isn't a threat to the baby. We also found out the real reason I am showing so soon. I had a melon sized Fibroid tumor on my uterus when I was pregnant with Maje. I had a few procedures to take care of it, but it is back with a vengeance. It is twice the size of my uterus, approximately the size of a very misshapen cantaloupe. That combined with my grapefruit sized uterus, is it any wonder I'm having to wear maternity pants?!

A lot of people would probably be terrified at having these complications with their pregnancy. I am so happy that is all it is. I had both the hematoma and the tumor with Maje, and he is perfectly fine. The pregnancy was long and complicated, but definitely worth it. I can do this again.

Sweet Pea is healthy, and as long as the bleeding stays under control, everything should be fine. Even with this optimistic feeling I am having, I am still praying like crazy! Despite all the drama this morning, I am happy. Today I am still pregnant. I also stood my ground with the doctors and got what I wanted; something I would have never dared do before I had all my miscarriages. Overall, I'd say today was a good day!

Tender Mercies

I am extremely frugal. If there is a way to save money, I'll do it. I bought all of my kids' Christmas presents in August when there was a huge clearance sale at a local toy store. Now that I am on bed rest, I am realizing what a blessing that was!

Anyway, last winter I realized that all of Reese's shirts for school were short sleeved. Now, rather than buy him a bunch of long sleeved shirts to wear while he quickly grew out of the short sleeved ones, I opted to buy a few long sleeved undershirts. Boys can pull off that long-sleeves-under-short-sleeves look.

I went shopping for these shirts last November. I remember this because I found a bunch of orange, black, white, navy and grey long sleeved Halloween shirts that were clearanced for only 75 cents a piece. I thought, why not? These are way cheaper than the other long sleeved shirts, which were $6.99 a piece. So, I bought four Halloween shirts (not the orange) for Reese to wear under his short sleeved shirts. You can't see any of the Halloween designs, and they work well.

All of this happened before Lilly came into our lives. The white Halloween shirt has a black and green monster on it, and it says "My sister is a monster." At the time, I thought that was funny, because Reese had no sister.

I know I am long winded, but I wanted you all to understand why Reese has a shirt that says "My sister is a monster." Luckily, these Halloween undershirts still fit Reese, and he is wearing them again this Winter. Well worth 75 cents, don't you think?

This morning, I went downstairs to make sure Reese was getting ready for school, when Maje pointed at Reese's shirt and said, "My sister is a monster."

Reese quickly corrected him and said, "This shirt doesn't know anything. Our sister is an Angel!"

What sweet little boys! Sometimes I think they don't fully understand what is going on, but they do. I have to remember that they are missing Lilly, too. I have been feeling like getting pregnant again so soon is kind of a betrayal to Lilly. I hope my sweet little guys don't think so, too. I am so thankful for them. I am glad they catch me off-guard and keep me on my toes. I am so blessed to have them.

Who Do I Think I'm Kidding?!

Yeah. I am trying to keep this a secret:

(sorry about the picture quality--this is what happens when I try to take pictures of myself!)
Just a bit of pre-pregnancy info: I am 5'3" and was 123 pounds. Emphasis on the was! :) So, I wasn't huge to begin with, but being so short with a tilted uterus, I've got nowhere to go but out! ...and this is my SEVENTH pregnancy! So, there you have all my excuses for looking like a blob!

I'm actually surprised no one has said anything to me about my "weight gain" yet! Thank goodness for hoodies, snowy weather and bed rest to keep me home! Oh! I threw up again this morning! Hooray for vomit! :)

I got my doppler yesterday. I heard Sweet Pea's heartbeat! Yay! At least I am almost positive that is what it was. The little heart was beating in the top corner of the screen, and it was beating away at 145 bpm. I know that isn't as accurate as an ultrasound, so I'm not worried. I was so excited to hear anything, since I am only 9w 2d. That sound was more beautiful than all the Christmas music we've been listening to!