35 weeks

Well folks, today I am 35 weeks along! It's been 2 weeks now since the whole "preterm labor" incident-so I'm feeling pretty accomplished by that. 2 weeks does A LOT for a babies development!

Bedrest. Well, it's been ok. I've tried to keep myself busy with journaling, thank you cards, craft projects in bed and some tv and movies. Surprisingly, I haven't been sitting around watching tv all day every day like I thought. So, that's good :).

I have had my fair share of break-downs the last 2 weeks though. It took a few days, but the emotions finally set in. All the unanswered questions: Is my baby going to be ok?, when is my baby coming?, how much longer do I have to prepare myself?, are all these painful contractions even doing anything?, will I even know when I'm in true labor because of all of these contractions I'm already having on a daily basis? etc, etc, etc...

The feelings of fear, excitement, anxiety, and wonderment all at once. Wow. Emotional.

We had a little scare of pre-eclampsia the last week. On Thursday I had high blood pressure and protein in my urine. Meaning that if this didn't clear up I'd be induced this week. Well, it cleared up! My blood pressure is now back to normal and no signs of protein in my urine. So, that was a bit of a scary thing but I'm glad I don't need to worry about it anymore!

I really don't think I'm going to know when I'm in true labor. The other night I had two straight hours of painful contractions averaging 4 minutes apart and lasting 50-65 seconds. Sound like labor? Does to me! But I figured I'd try and get some rest (I was exhausted!!! 3am) and go from there. When I woke up they were more spaced out so I didn't go in. But SHEESH! Ouch! And no fun! I really hope that my water breaks when the time comes-otherwise I'll be sitting around having contractions forever and not realizing when it's the real thing. Well, I guess we'll just have to see when and how it happens :)

But 1 more week and a day until I'm FREE!!!! YAY!!! I will then be 36 weeks and my doctor feels comfortable delivering me whenever after that. So, who knows when my baby boy will decide to make his debut? I could still go full term or over (but boy I sure hope not-these contractions are no fun man!). But whenever he decides to come I am SO eager to meet this little man of mine. I can't wait!

Today is Mother's Day. When I think of the word "Mom" I obviously think of my own mother and my husbands mother. Today, since I have the time on my hands, I've been in deep thought about these women and the title "Mother" which I will soon be called. So, my thoughts are jumbled but I want to share them.

My mother is not just my mother. My mother is my dear friend. My mother is my teacher. My mother is my example. My mother is my angel.

My favorite saying from my mother that will always be with me is,
"What does it matter in all of eternity?"
Whenever I was having a hard time with something that was going on in my life, she would state this. I use it continually throughout my life. Really-what does it matter in all of eternity? It makes those little issues that seem big little again :).

My mom is an example of all things good. She always puts others before herself. Service and thoughtfulness is definitely one of her many strong suites. She is an example of not just reading the scriptures but taking the time to ponder them. She even has a 'ponder page' in her planner of things to ponder on :). I love my mother!

I love that when I want to just 'think out loud' I can call my mom and she is an excellent listener.

Then comes my Mother in Law. Darrin's mom is an AMAZING woman! How can she not be when she raised 8 children? All of whom served missions. 7 sons and a daughter. How can you know that and not think, "WOW!"

All of her children look up to her with utmost respect. I love that!

She is also talented in SO many ways. She makes countless numbers of quilts for the humanitarian center. It seems like every time I go over there she's working on a new quilt for them. She's always offering a helping hand in any project that Darrin and I are working on.

She's a very clean person which I also love. Her house is always spotless and
organized.

My mother in law is a woman of faith and love. She shows deep concern for others and is always looking for ways to help. Just by knowing her you can tell of her love for the Savior and her love for her family. She has a light!

I feel so blessed to have these wonderful women and examples in my life!

Sometime within the next who knows how long, I will take on the role as a mother. I am overwhelmed at times at the responsibility that comes with this title. But then there are these remarkable women in my life that have shown the way. I just hope and pray that I can take these attributes that I love about them and apply them into my own life and into my upcoming 'mothering' days.

I cannot wait to meet my little boy and hold him in my arms for the first time. To see Darrin cradle his son for the first time and every time after that. I am overcome this mothers day with feelings of gratitude, excitement and respect for the wonderful women in my life.

Wait-Hold on a Minute!

Well, looks like Baby Simon wants to come early.

On Wednesday evening Darrin and I were watching a movie. I started noticing contraction after contraction and decided I'd better start counting. 18 in an hour and a half. Called labor and delivery to see if they had any suggestions. They said to drink lots of water and rest for half hour-if I was still contracting to come in. 11pm Tuesday, driving up to St. Marks. No CLUE where to go for labor and delivery :) (good drill). They checked me in and hooked me up to all kinds of fun monitors. Said it was a good thing I came in-sure enough lots of good strong contractions. Dialated to a 1 and 60% effaced. So, called the doctor and the doctor said (no more monkey's jumping on the bed! JK) to give me a drug to stop the contractions. I had a horrible reaction to it-heart-rate of 136, room spinning, sweating, blackouts etc. FUN! So, doc said obviously no more of that. So, they then gave me morphine which helped slow them down a bit and sent me home at 3am. Said to call my doc the next day if I was still having contractions.

Woke up on Wednesday. 10 contractions in an hour. Guess I'd better call my doc. He said he wanted to see me in his office. We go to his office. Checked my cervix (sorry if this is too much info for some) I was at a 1 1/2 and 80% effaced. So, he sent me back to labor and delivery for preterm labor to try a different drug to stop these contractions and wanted me to get a steroid shot to develop baby's lungs. The drug didn't work. So, next step was a 24 hour treatment of Magnesium Sulfate through IV. Side effects included: hot flashes (have you ever felt like your body was on FIRE?!), tired, weak, headache, nausea. Fun, right! Actually though, for me, the worst part was the catheter. HORRIBLE!!! So, after having that in for about 4 hours they took it out and let me have a potty by my bed (thank you!). With the morphine they gave me I slept alright through the night. This morning was the headache and nausea from the Magnesium. My contractions were still going but less frequent. YAY! We want this little boy to hold on longer!!

So, I'm now home on strict bedrest for the next 3 weeks. They also sent me home with a prescription to be taken every 6 hours to slow contractions. To be honest, I'm not sure how I'm going to handle this. No work, no cleaning, no cooking etc. Laying or sitting with feet up 24-7. Ahhh-pretty sure I'm going to go crazy! But, I'm SO thankful that the magnesium treatment helped and that I'm now able to be home. I know that prayers of many have helped Darrin and I through this SHOCKING time.

Seriously, we never expected anything like this to happen! How grateful we are to both of our WONDERFUL families and amazing friends who have been there for us! I think we're both still in literal shock. But I know that Heavenly Father can and will help us through this experience. How thankful I am to have a knowledge of the gospel! How thankful I am for the immense blessings that we've seen these past few days.

Any great movie or tv-series suggestions would be greatly appreciated :).

P.S. I still get to go to my baby shower! Doc gave me permission as long as I'm sitting with feet up or laying. I will SO be ready to get out of the house!! Yay!

Note to pictures: These were taken BEFORE magnesium treatment :)

Really?

Last week Darrin and I stopped by a yard sale. We ended up buying some adorable children's books for like $0.50! Sweet deal! Anyways, the lady came up to me and said, "Can I ask what you're having?" I responded with, "A little boy!" She replied, "Well, I have something I'd like to give you." I was a little taken back-I've never even met this sweet lady! Then she brings me this sweater and hat that she hand knit and says, "I want you to have this.". WOW! Who does that?! I was touched by this woman who didn't even know me but felt like she wanted to share such a precious thing that she must have spent a long time making! I want to me more of a person like that!