Mommy's little superstar...

Carter is continuing to kick butt in the NICU. Today, his nasal canula was taken off and he is breathing room air all by himself. We were able to hold him! Oh my God...what a miracle! I wanted to run away with him! Steven held him and they asked if one of us wanted to attempt to bottle feed Carter some of the breastmilk I had pumped. I let Steven do the honors. They were hoping that he would eat 4mL...he ended up taking 6mL! The doctors had mentioned that they may place an NG tube so Carter can get the extra nutrience he needs to gain enough weight. But he is eating out of a bottle, which is a huge feat for his age. We are so proud of him!

The doctors are putting him under the phototherapy lights for a few days because he was looking a little jaundice. So, he'll be gettin' a sweet tan until they say he is ok to come out! In any event, Carter is exceeding all expectations and we can't wait to see what he does next!

Welcome Carter John!!!!

Carter has arrived!! He was born at 8:46am and weighs 3 pounds 14 ounces. He is 17 and 1/4 inches long. He is only wearing a nasal canula for a little extra oxygen and has an IV for antibiotics and nutrience. He is the most gorgeous baby I have ever seen and I love him more than I ever thought humanly possible!

My birth story is actually a bit scary. Before Steven left for work, I was feeling kinda off so I asked to be hooked up to the monitor. I was having itty bitty contractions every once in awhile, but nothing compared to what I have been having. A couple hours later, I started feeling not so good again. I called in a doctor and as she was checking my dilation, I started having a seizure...which was why the OB was having me get the A-line and the epidural...so my body didn't experience pain. Well, we couldn't get that done in time and my body just couldn't handle it. I was only out for a minute and never went below 96% oxygen, so I am not at risk of brain damage or anything. Praise the Lord. After I was done siezing, the OB told me to push...I did and out he came! I also had a placental abruption, but it literally came out 5 seconds after Carter did, so he was not affected by it. As horrible as it all sounds, it really worked out great. Both Steven and my mom missed the birth, but with that they also missed the siezure, so that is a blessing in disguise. I am so happy that everything is going great and I must say that I feel awesome!

I began pumping breastmilk, so I know that will give him even less days in the NICU. I can't stop thanking God for being with us today. We are so truly blessed!!

Making it feel like home...

I'm still here. Had some serious contractions yesterday, but baby Carter is just not ready to come yet. My cervix is still totally closed. I am continuing to leak fluid, but there isn't any blood involved anymore, which is great.

Today, my mom and my cousin Megan are on a mission to help Steven and I turn this place into home...or as close to home as it will get! My mom brought bedding from home, games, cards, and homemade food, while Megan is getting Steven an air mattress so he can get a better night's sleep than he does on the itty bitty couch he's been sleeping on. Megan is also putting in a request for me to be moved to a bigger room. Seriously, because of her I get treated like a celebrity here! I mean, of course I would rather be home, but I have to be thankful that people care so much here. I am just trying to focus on making it 10 more days...then we will take things from there.

I spoke with the head of Anesthesia yesterday. I have to admit, it was quite scary. We discussed the epidural and its effects...and I will be needing an arterial line to monitor my blood pressure while I am in labor. This is very very scary for me because I know they are painful. I know it is best for me and Carter, but it is still not something I want to do. I barely sit still for blood draws. The IV almost killed me...now we are putting a needle in my artery? Lord, please be with me.

Well, things are looking good...at least to me. I break down a little bit each day, but I am trying to stay strong. My OB told me to get out of my room today...so I may get in my wheelchair and dawdle around the hospital later. It is hard to find the energy to do anything in here...but I think it will help. Your continued prayer and encouragement is so so appreciated. Only 10 more days!

Beating the odds.

We've gotten through another day! Today was actually a very good day. I am officially done with IV antibiotics, which is great because I hate IVs! I should be able to have it taken out tomorrow when my OB gets here. Of course I will have to get another when I actually go to have the baby, but the break will be nice!! I hate everything about having a needle sticking out of my hand.

My OB came in this morning and said that we have beaten the odds today. He told us that 80% of women give birth within the first week of their water being broken. Today is 1 week and Carter is still snug inside. He is handling things well, so we are just having daily NSTs to be sure that his cord is not being compressed...which can be a concern with low fluid (about 1 in 100 pregnancies). I am still leaking, but it is being monitored and things are still looking OK in that area. There is still a little blood mixed in, but my OB isn't convinced that it has anything to do with my placenta. He said that we are doing good...but to be prepared to go at anytime. I honestly don't feel that Carter will be making his big debut yet. The OB said that if I do carry him to 34 weeks, which would be November 7th, we will induce. He thinks that with the steroids given, Carter will be just wonderful by that point. That way, we don't stand anymore chances of infection. So...by next Friday, I will be a mommy!

Once again, thank you all for your positive comments. I have been reading them over and over to remind myself that I can do this. Blogger friends are truly family and I love you all. I will continue to update as news comes in. Please pray that my uterus holds in my precious baby boy for the next 12 days.

Still hangin in.

We're still hanging in there. My mom offered to stay with the dogs tonight, so Steven will be with me. Praise God. After last night, I couldn't stay alone again. I cried, I was lonely, and I felt so far from home. Finally my cousin (my L&D RN) came in at 3:30am with Benedryl and that knocked me out...until the OB came in for morning rounds at 6. After that, I couldn't fall back to sleep. I called Steven at 8 and he grabbed some extra things that I left behind and joined me up here. I just started bawling when I saw him. I am so happy he is here.

I still feel good. They hooked me up to the fetal monitor for about an hour earlier. Carter is still doing great...totally oblivious. I only had 3 small contractions during that time and to be honest, I didn't even feel them. Fine by me!

We did meet with a NICU doctor, finally! Even at 32 weeks, they are not worried in the slightest. They said we will handle any issues as they come, but they expect Carter to do very well. We both feel much better. I get my last dose of steroids at 7pm and that will make me feel much better even more! I am still getting antibiotics in my IV 4 times a day, since my water is broken. Carter will stay in longer if we can prevent infection, so I am allowing them to poke me as much as they need to...even though I hate it!

I am still leaking fluid with a little blood, but they are not worried by it, so we are just playing it by ear right now. I will update as soon as I have new info. Thank you so much for all the lovely comments. They got me through my 1st 24 hours...and that means more than you will ever know. I love you all.

In till the big show...

Well, here I am...at the hospital. My water did actually break on Sunday. I have been leaking slowly ever since. Today I was scheduled to have an ultrasound at 3. Around 2, I felt another dribble and low and behold...more fluid. We got to the ultrasound and they measured less than 2 cm of amniotic fluid. I have been admitted and will be here until Carter is born. I have been given my 1st dose of betamethazone to mature his lungs and will get another tomorrow. I am also getting antibiotics to prevent infection. We spoke with an anesthesiologist earlier and went over everything for my epidural. We are also meeting with the NICU team to discuss what may happen when the baby arrives. I am very sad and upset. I feel as though I let Carter and Steven down. My only job right now is to keep this baby safe and I am not doing so. Steven went home to be with the dogs, so I am on my own right now. I miss him so much.

So, for now I am stuck in bed and playing the waiting game. The doctor said I could go any time, but we're still trying to get to our goal of 34 weeks. Please...any prayers are so appreciated. I will update when I know more about things.

Chronic Pregnancy Brain.

Its my new disease. I seriously just found Thank You cards from my baby shower and sent them out. I know what you're thinking..."Wow Candi! You're quick! Your shower was just this weekend and you have all those Thank You's sent out?!" Well, you're half right. These Thank You's were from my other shower...the Ohio one...on September 6th. I made them all out the week after and they have been sitting in my kitchen ever since. People probably think I am the most ungrateful brat God ever created! Don't worry peeps...I've met that particular human being already, and I'm not her!

I got my baby monitor today. We were going to do the video monitor, but it just seems like all the reviews are so bad that it is probably just a waste of money. I'd rather waste $50 on an audio monitor than $150 on a video one. We decided on the Fisher Price Sights 'n Sounds dual monitor. I put it in Carter's room and had my friend go in there and whisper from the other side of the room and heard her loud and clear. There isn't any static, so I'm happy with it. It came with 2 receivers, so I put one in the bedroom and one in the living room. Not bad!

I'm feeling good today. I've just been vegging out...as my new norm! Hopefully tonight, Steven will move the love seat downstairs to make room for the Pack 'n Play. I will post those nursery pics when he gets home...the USB cord for the camera is in the truck, which he drove to work. See! My brain is just not functioning properly!

Another close call...

I just got back from the hospital. When I talked to my cousin the other night when I was having those fluid issues, she said not too worry too much unless I had any funky discharge. Sure enough, this morning when I woke up...funky discharge. It was unlike anything I had seen before, so I got nervous. Steven, of course, began panicking. I sent him off to work and promised I'd call the doctor and keep him updated. I called the doctor and his nurse said that I needed to be seen in L&D. They wanted to make sure that my water had not broken and that the discharge didn't have anything to do with my mucus plug. We got there and they hooked me and Carter up. I was having no contractions and Carter was just dancing away. My OB came and checked my water and said that I looked "dry" but wanted to do an ultrasound anyway. He brought in the machine and said that my fluid was very low. Had it been any lower, he said we would have to deliver right away. So, he let me come home, but wants to see me Friday to check again. Please pray for me. I am not ready to have this baby just yet.

On a lighter note, the nursery is done! Everything looks so great. I could just sit in there all day! I will post pictures later...I promise!! Right now, Steven is taking some much deserved Xbox time and I am still refusing to get up! I will have him get some good pics when he gets done killing terrorists. (He's playing Call of Duty 4.)

Truly blessed.

We are home safely and I am still pregnant! Carter was such a trooper. Saturday was a very very long day and he did a great job. We got up at 8am and Steven, Corey (my brother-in-law), Kelly (my BFF), and I went to the mall. I wanted an outfit to wear to my shower and Steven was in desperate need of an entire ensable! I went to Motherhood and got a long sleeved t, a down vest, and my very 1st nursing bra...how embarassing! We were running late, so I changed at the mall and we headed to the shower.

Shower #1 was amazing. My mother-in-law went totally overboard for us. There was close to 50 people there and we got so many wonderful gifts. Our travel system, baither, tons of clothes, toys, books, gift cards...we got it all!! On top of that, everyone brought diapers and wipes! People really were generous and we are so so thankful.

On to shower #2 at my dad's. It was about a 40 minute drive...but I was too excited to rest! My dad got us our dresser and my breast pump, which was a nice surprise...but embarrassing seeing as it came from my dad! Everyone there was also extremely generous. We got more clothes, a sling, Boppy, and so many other things. Everyone there brought diapers and wipes, too! We seriously won't need to buy any for at least 6 months!!

Loading up the car was challenging. Steven went to walmart and bought 2 48 gallon storage bins. 1 was filled with clothes and the other was strictly diapers and wipes...both barely closed! Then we filled up 2 more baskets with gifts and Steven was able to fit everything into the Escalade like a giant puzzle! Bianca didn't have much room to lay.

I started having contractions on the way home and got very nervous. We were 5 hours from home. I drank water and they got better, but not completely. When I got home, I noticed that both of my legs were badly swollen from the knee down. I said a prayer and got in bed. I slept until 9:00am and asked Steven to stay home because I had had a little pinkish fluid in my pants last night...I was kinda scared that my water had broken, but I think my bladder is irritated and I may have tinkled a little and not noticed. I seem to be the queen of pants-peeing with this pregnancy! Anyway, I called my cousin, who is my L&D nurse and she said to watch it and if more comes, we will page the OB and get me right to the hospital. I was honestly scared because I knew I had overdone it this weekend. I am still in need of plenty of prayer.

Today, Steven and my friend Mandy went out to use the gift cards to get the rest of the stuff we needed. We got the glider rocker, Pack 'n Play, sheets, extra Boppy cover, car window shades, dishwasher baskets, and breast milk freezer organizer. All we have left to get is the monitor and swing base. Other than that, we are ready! Steven is going to finish putting furniture together, so the nursery will be 100% finished tonight! I will post pics as soon as we are done.

I have officially put myself on "recliner rest" until I deliver. Other than OB trips, I am done. I overdid it this weekend and scared myself (and everyone else) to death. I need to spend these last weeks of my pregnancy relaxing at home so I can deliver a strong, healthy little boy.

Umm...what?!?

I had my OB appointment today. It was pretty normal...listened to Carter's heartbeat, gave my pee pee sample, then I began asking my usual 500 questions. Big mistake! First, I was just asking cord blood questions and stuff. Then I decided to ask questions about how he thinks my t-shaped uterus will hold up. To my surprise, he goes "Well, if we can hit my goal of 33 or 34 weeks, I'll be happy." Uhhh, 'scuse me???? I wasn't aware that there was a goal...especially not one that is 6 weeks before my due date. Honestly, I am very nervous now. Now for the next 3 weeks, I am going to be freaking out 24/7. I'm just going to need a lot of prayer.

I also had an eye appointment today. I got new glasses and sunglasses! That was fun!! Its like shopping, only you don't have to pay for it! I got Prada glasses and Juicy Couture sunglasses. I know the bill goes right to my trust fund, so I can shop how I want and they can't debate it because its medical!! Anyway, thankfully they will be here in a couple of weeks because Bianca ate my other glasses when she was little, so I've been wearing old ones that are scratched.

OK...gotta go give Bianca and Bailey their baths, pack, and get Steven to clean out the car for tomorrow's trip. Please please pray for me...I am a little nervous about going into labor while I'm in NY. But my Dr. knows I'm going and he thinks everything will be just fine. I'm going to try to stay relaxed and focus on having a good time.

I'll MAKE it fit!

First and foremost...go Browns!!!! We killed the Giants last night, 35-14! Steven and I went tailgating with a bunch of friends. I actually felt great and I think it tired Carter out because I was able to get a pretty good amount of sleep without waking up.

When I was getting ready to go, I got kinda sad because none of my Browns stuff fits right now. So, my friend Mandy and I decided to put slits up the side of my Brady Quinn jersey and hem it...so now it fits! Granted, I actually cut a very important piece of clothing...but I couldn't go any longer looking like I am not a fan!!

As for this pregnancy thing...I have an OB appointment on Thursday, followed by an eye appointment. I am having big problems with my eyes because of the hormones. I normally wear glasses/contacts, but lately they really haven't been getting the job done. We'll see on Thursday. Then...Friday we leave for my baby showers!! I'm so excited!!!

30 weeks!!

(Seriously...can I just have 1 pic where my dogs act normal?)

Yay!! Less than 10 weeks to go! I am elated just thinking about it!! I can't remember what it feels like to take a deep breath. Not that I am not truly blessed to be pregnant, but after 7 months of it I am definitely ready to be done. I just want to hold Carter in my arms and never let go! I just pray for a safe delivery and a happy and healthy baby.

I don't have another OB appointment until Thursday, then I assume I will need to be seen every week. It stinks because the clinic I go to is a 30+ minute drive, depending on traffic. Thankfully, I won't be making the trip too many times before I deliver. My OB wants to induce a week or two ahead of time if I make it that far, to avoid me going into labor at home. The plan is to get the epidural in place before the contractions start, to avoid something called Autonomic Dysreflexia. All that means is that my body, being that I might not be able to feel the pain in the way other women can, has to react somehow. So, to tell me that something hurts, my body will use other ways of getting my attention, such as raising my blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and other things. This could be very dangerous because it could potentially cause me to have a stroke. It is different for everyone...so it is hard to predict how my body will react to the pain. Giving the epidural before we even get to that is a good way to keep both me and Carter safe. So, on Thursday I will probably meet with the anesthesiologist as well, since he will play a very important role in my labor and delivery. It is kinda scary for me, but they have all done this before and know what they are doing. I trust them 100% and I am so excited to get it going soon.

Makeover!!

I thought a boyish theme was in order! About time?? I agree! Now my blog kinda looks like a present!

Carter's nightstand came today. It is cute. Its just a plain-jane white table with a drawer, which I filled with burp cloths. I was excited to finally take the lamp out of the package and put it up!! So cute! Only a week and a half until my big NY baby showers...then his room will be done! I am sooo excited!! Hopefully, my contractions stay away or I won't be going anywhere.

I had my breastfeeding class today. I kinda didn't really learn anything new. I have been trying to read about it and get down the basics, but honestly I feel like breastfeeding is something you need the baby to do. Who knows how he will react to it? Anyway, I did get a little bit of good info, so I'm glad I went. Carter was flipping over through the whole class, so every 5 minutes I was a different shape! He enjoys making me look lopsided. Hopefully, he will do it tonight so I can take pictures. I think it is creepy...but its funny. Sometimes I literally look like I am flat on one side! Little stinker!! Anyway, I will post 30 week pics sometime within the next day or 2.

I finally found and filled out my birth plan from thebump.com. Just another item I can check off my list! It is safely tucked into my hospital bag! OK, time to get stuff done before Private Practice. Hope everyone had a good hump day!!

100th Post...what I have learned...

Holy crap! I can't believe I have posted on my blog 100 times! It just seems crazy! Instead of doing a "top 100" anything...which we all know I have no patience for...I think I will recap my journey and tell you what I have learned since post #1.

What I thought:
I began this blog as an outlet when Steven and I first decided that we would give IVF a go. We were so naive to everything we were about to embark on. I thought there would be a few shots, not too many side effects, an egg retrieval, an embryo transfer, and bam! I'd be pregnant. Then I expected 9 months of easy-breezy pregnancy that would end with me holding a perfect little person wrapped in a pink blanket.

What I know now:
IVF is one of the hardest things our marriage will ever endure. It started with blood tests every day, and for someone terrified of needles...that could've been a dealbreaker!! Then came the Lupron injections with the worst side effects of any drug I've ever taken! The hot flashes alone were enough to drive me insane. Next was the Follistim. Looking and feeling 5 months pregnant when you aren't is just no fun! And that awful burn!! I felt like someone had set my left ovary on fire! Egg retrieval was a blast...if you enjoy the feeling of hot sauce in your vagina. I was thankful though. We ended up with 12 embryos and we were just ecstatic!! After 3 days, we went in for our transfer, which was supposed to be the easy part. Well, that went out the window when I peed on the doctor after clearly warning him that he had my bladder too full. Then it was the infamous "2 week wait"...which felt as though it was quite possibly the worst 5 weeks of my entire life! I think I ripped Steven's head off every day for the entire 2 weeks! Poor guy! We were so blessed to find out that we were pregnant!! But thinking that the hard part was over was not the smartest thing ever.

Pregnancy has proven to be nothing like I thought it would be...starting with the color we ended up painting our nursery! All my life, I just assumed I would have a little mini-me that would love pink dresses and pig tails. I never even gave having boys much thought. When we found out that we were having a boy, I was speechless...then I couldn't imagine not having a boy! It truly is amazing how being pregnant changes everything you thought was important. I love Carter more than life itself and I am so thankful to God for blessing Steven and I. I continue to pray for a safe arrival and a long healthy life for my little quarterback! (I'd better quit while I'm ahead...now because I said that, he'll want to be a ballerina! We will love him no matter what!)

Well, that's my 100th post! Thank you all for sticking by my side throughout all of this madness. I never expected anyone to really care about me like you do...just goes to show why bloggers really are true friends. I love you all and hope to share many hundreds more of these posts with you as Carter grows up and we add to our family!

Just like his daddy!

Yesterday's ultrasound was not too much fun...thanks to my very stubborn little boy! (Wonder where he gets that from??) Not only was Carter refusing to move, but he was transverse...and face down! He was folded up like a taco and had his feet covering his face and his hand covering his pee pee. Now, I understand if he no longer wants people seeing his "cash and prizes" but with a face like his, how does he not want people seeing that?? We literally got 2 pictures. One of his thigh and one of what looks like the top of his head. He is soooo grounded when he is born!

Anyway, more importantly, Carter is growing wonderfully. He is 15 inches long and weighs 2 pounds, 9 ounces. The doctor said he is on the "perfectly small size of average"...meaning he is small, but not too small. I was a small baby (6lbs. 11oz., 17in.) so I'm sure he is just going to take after me in that aspect. The doctor saw no physical abnormalities...although he could have fangs for all we know since he wouldn't show his face! But, he is normal and healthy...so I am happy!

I also went to my family doctor yesterday. Remember 2 weeks ago when my ear clogged? Well, up until yesterday I was completely deaf on my left side. It was awful! I tried flushing it with water and peroxide, as well as 2 different prescriptions from my doc...to no avail. I finally told her she had to help me. First, she tried digging it out with this ear spoon thing, but the wax was just too packed. So we moved on to a syringe with a little tube on the end, filled with peroxide and water. After the 4th flush, it finally came out! It was bigger than a pencil eraser...so gross!! I will continue to refuse using Q-tips. I think thats how wax got packed to begin with. Nonetheless, I can finally hear!!

Yesterday I decided to put up Halloween decorations. I just love holidays!! I will post pictures when I stop being lazy. After Steven got home from work, him, me, his friend Wes, and my mom all piled in the car and drove to Seneca-Allegany Casino. Its about 2 and a half hours away, which I drove...both ways! Yuck!! We had a good time, but unfortunately left with less than we had when we came. Steven is actually very good at poker...thank God, since I am not very great at slots!! I can kick ass with the best at the blackjack tables, but those darned video slots get me every time!! It was fun, but I think it will be our last casino hurrah for awhile. We have much more important things to worry about now!

I am off to relax. We are going to watch the Kimbo/Shamrock fight tonight and maybe hang out with my newly preggers friend tomorrow (soooooo excited for her!!). This coming week is a full one for me. Monday I have an appointment with my pain management doctor for my back, Wednesday is my breastfeeding class, and hopefully I can squeeze in a massage or 2...maybe Tuesday and Saturday. I need it these days! Better relax before its no longer an option!!