Waiting Game

Wow! We are at 37 weeks already! I am beyond thankful that we have made it to this point. When people ask how I'm doing, there are many different directions I can take when answering this question; however, the fact that we've made it this far, and the newfound ability to stop worrying about pre-term birth, mean that things are overall going extremely well.

Other common questions:

Am I still contracting? Yes. Quite a bit actually:) There are times that I cannot sleep through the contractions, but I'm not usually up for more than an hour. We'll see again on Monday if anything is continuing to progress.

Are we still planning on c-section? We've signed papers to officially "sign up" for trying a VBAC delivery pending two things: if Tuesday's ultrasound shows a reasonably sized baby, and if labor begins before Nov. 15. If we get to the 15th, we will have a c-section at 3:30pm.

How's Miles doing? A little better now that I can get around more again. He's still in a minor funk, but it's hard to interpret why. Can he sense something is going on? Is he too homebound lately? Is he getting his 2-year molars? Are we reading too much into it?:) Days are overall better, though, if he and I can get outside the house for a while.

Are you still trying to "lay low" so as to reduce the contractions? Now that we are at 37 weeks, I feel less need to do so. At one of our doc appts. this week, we were told that "the rules have changed" now that we've gotten this far. Up until now, their instructions were to monitor the timing and frequency of the contractions (more than 6 an hour? drink water, take bath, walk around, time again. take pill [or for the last week, call in] if I still have more than 6 the next hour). Although this led to an unscheduled doc appt. this week, we found that not a whole lot had changed (except the baby dropped a ton!). The new rule is that I don't have to clock the timing or frequency of the contractions, but only need to pay attention to the strength of the contractions. Our midwife stated that unless I have questions or concerns, there is no need to call in unless, "I can't carry a conversation or cook a meal or take a nap" during a contraction. (so I'm pretty much at the same place as any "normal pregnancy" right now) I'm glad to have these clear-cut instructions, and am relieved to no longer have to pay so much attention to the contractions. I've added many things back into my days, and actually left the house to be social this weekend! We had game night last night with the other Resident Directors at Calvin, this morning the women from our church CareGroup went out for breakfast, and tonight we went trick-or-treating around the Calvin Apartments with Miles dressed up as a scarecrow. I may have added too much at once (duh, Megan! ease back in...), as I currently have some pretty swollen ankles and a sore back, but it was SO NICE to feel some normalcy back in life again.

I'm still considered a "high risk" pregnancy, and still have to have non-stress-tests downtown twice a week, but won't have more than 4 of these left! The countdown is on!

Before I post a few pictures from tonight's adventures, I just want to sincerely reiterate how thankful Matt and I have been for all of the support, prayers, questions, and love that you have all surrounded us with. We are blessed by your community, and praise God for the gift.

Drum roll, please. Here are the cute pics:

Like my new haircut? Dad buzzed me!

"Mommy, can I have just one more sucker please?"

twins :}

Miles = a very serious scarecrow. Mommy = pumpkin tummy. Daddy = man in windstorm:)

Happy Reformation Day!

36 week update

Miles and I went to the doctor today. It looks like I have not dilated anymore, but that I am thinning and softening. Doc says that things are progressing, and that she's convinced this baby will come before the mandatory c-section date (determined by gestational diabetes; Nov. 15th). I am currently contracting about every 10 minutes, and have been for a couple hours, but this will likely slow down again and start up again a few times throughout the night.

The big question now is, "When do I know to go to the hospital?". I'm going to trust my instincts, and hope that I'll "just know". Having not gone into labor with Miles, these contractions are all I know so far, but I know that things will take a turn (more painful, contractions getting relentlessly closer and closer) enough that I trust I'll be able to tell that "this is it" as opposed to what I've been experiencing.

I remember saying that I missed being able to experience contractions and labor during Miles' delivery (c-section because he was breech), so I'm actually enjoying this excitement quite a bit. At least now that we're 36 weeks...

Still taking it easy, since the more time for baby to cook the better. Just a lot less worry.

And yes, I did start packing a hospital bag:)

36 weeks!!!!

I had to go out to a garage sale and buy a few "huge" maternity shirts, just so that they would reach around my belly. Here's one of my muumuus:)

36 weeks!

'K, that's kind of a cheesy smile! Lovin' on the baby bump...

We've made it! Today is officially 36 weeks! This means that I go off of the medication that is stopping the contractions, and we see what happens:)

Maybe I should pack a hospital bag...

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning, and we will see if a week's worth of cramps and contractions have caused me to dilate anymore or not. Check back and I'll let you know what we find out!

Hoping for a good night's rest

The good news is that today's non-stress-test documented a "very happy baby" according to the nurse! The baby's heart rate goes up and down appropriately, which is a sign that the baby's getting enough oxygen and is not "lethargic". We hope for continued good news every Tuesday and Friday!

As for the contractions: last night, I was up until 6:30am with bad cramping and leg/back pain. I am super curious to see at my Monday appt. whether these are causing further dilation or not.

Sunday is 36 weeks, and we thank you for all of your prayers that have gotten us to where we are. We continue to pray for a healthy respiratory system, and stellar sucking reflexes for Baby Cooke before he/she plans the big entrance into the world.

In about a week and a half we'll get another ultrasound, in order to estimate baby's size/weight, which will determine when this baby will be born. Baby's in charge...guess we better get used to it:)

I have officially passed off my workload with the Title II Grant, which has been nice because I could no longer visit the office anyway, plus putting the mental and emotional energy towards work was raising my gestational diabetes numbers and increasing contractions. I am very grateful to those in the Calvin College Ed. Dept. who are filling in and helping serve the wonderful teachers involved with the grant.

And lastly, Mr. Miles. Miles seems to be in a bit of a funk right now, and who knows if it's because he can "sense" that something is going on, or if it's just part of the ups and downs in the life of a two year old. We introduced a baby doll into the family today, and we are treating it as if it were a real baby: only Mom and Dad can walk around with the baby, we use gentle hands, keep hands away from the baby doll's face, and Miles needs to sit on the couch before holding the baby doll in the cradle of his arm, etc. It's adorable to watch! Tomorrow we hope to introduce the "diaper change routine", asking Miles to get all of the supplies needed for baby doll's diapering needs. We even let the baby doll hang out in Baby Cooke's swing, with the lights and music going and all. Miles kept asking if the baby doll was going "na-night" in the swing:) We've also been reading a book about being a big brother, and lately Miles talks a lot about babies, being gentle, being nice, being a big brother, and how there's "only one Miles" (part of the book). Precious!

Thanks for checking in, and much love to you all! God is good, all the time.

2 cm

Well it turns out that I'm 2 cm dilated. This is not a huge concern, but it shows that the contractions are actually doing something. The doctor suggested taking it even MORE easy, so my mom was able to come up yesterday and stayed today, so that I can pretty much just sit all day. I think it made a big difference, because I did not wake up with contractions or cramps at all last night, so doing nothing seems to have paid off:)

They still plan to take me off of the meds at 36 weeks, which will be this Sunday. Doc is convinced that this will lead to early labor because of the contractions AND the dilation combined...but...our friend who had almost the exact same situation was also taken off of meds at 36 weeks, while already dilated 2 cm, and still had the baby 10 days late!!! So, you never know.

We're also still tracking the size of the baby, since this is a concern with gestational diabetes. We will get another update on size with our next ultrasound the first week of November. Non-stress tests have been perfect lately, so the baby is not stressed:)

Thanks again for checking in and continuing prayers. Much love!

Ode to my husband

I have the best husband. Out of his love and concern for both me and our coming baby, he has been making me breakfast every morning, cleaning the kitchen every night, changing Miles' diapers and clothes whenever he's available, taking Miles on walks so that Miles can burn some energy, putting the laundry in the washer and dryer, bringing me water and other needs, and reminding me that I'm not being lazy but that I'm working hard at giving all my energy to keeping our baby safe. All of this on top of a busy month of discipline cases, the four or five committees that he's on voluntarily, and his full time job. THANK YOU Matt! I love you. Through the hard times and challenges, our love only deepens and strengthens. You are a constant in my life that exemplifies Christ's tangible and unconditional love.

Friends and family, please pray for Matt - that he does not burn himself out, or lose all steam before the baby is born. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Fractions of Contractions?

First, some acrobatic cuddles from Miles:

Today has been a good day. Contractions are staying about 20 minutes apart, and I have not been having the "bad" ones today (ones that feel like bad cramps, and go up my back and down my legs). It seems that taking it easy really is making a difference, which is great!

There is someone in the Education Department who had done my exact job a few years ago, and is thankfully willing to take over a lot of the work for the next few weeks as we wrap up the grant. Plus, the Prelude course that Matt and I are teaching together ends this week, so things really are winding down.

We were blessed to have some of our R.A.s come clean our house on Friday afternoon, which has made me so much happier and more peaceful:) Clean toilets, scrubbed stove/oven/kitchen, and vaccuumed floors are one of the best gifts I've ever received:) On top of that, we're also very thankful for our friend Mary who is watching Miles for our Friday appointments, Krissy who is watching Miles for our Tuesday appointments, and Becki and Krissy who will clean for us whenever they are over. We're going to continue to eat Calvin's dining hall food as long as the doctor lets me go to the dining hall (Miles and I sit right down, and Matt makes about 6 trips to get all of our food/drinks/silverware, etc.). Thank you also, to others of you who have offered to clean or come over with food or company. We will keep you updated with any additional needs.

A week from tomorrow I will be taken off of the meds and we will see what happens. For some reason my gut tells me that I'll continue contractions but that the baby will hang out until the scheduled c-section (Nov. 15). We'll see........:)

"Am I just further along than we've thought all pregnancy long?" This is the question that I will start our next doc appt. with. I mean, a baby that's too big (from the diabetes), a fully engaged head, and contractions? It makes you wonder...

In all seriousness though, things are going well, and we're still continuing to plan on things going as "planned".

I still get contractions with most action that I take, but we've been encouraged by many that this is not necessarily a major concern unless/until major dilation is occurring. I now wait until the contractions are between 5 and 10 minutes apart, and then take a pill. Once the pill kicks in, they are about 20 minutes apart. The doctor will be checking for dilation changes at each appointment.

We've also heard many encouraging words about how positive the outcomes would probably be if the baby were in fact born at 34 weeks or a little thereafter. We of course hope the baby gets to cook as long as possible, but this is still good to hear.

Thank you again for all of your prayers. God has continually reminded us of his love for our family, his desire for good things for us and for this baby, and his plans that are already in place for this new life. We are waiting with our hearts and lives wide open in anticipation for whatever happens, knowing that God will provide all that we need and more.

We will post any changes here on our blog. And we'll be sure to call/email once the baby is born:)

On a different note, it has been three years since we experienced our ectopic pregnancy. What we think was a baby girl was not able to survive since she was growing inside my fallopian tube. We went to the "collective" grave site tonight with Miles, and told him about his sister, and the miracle of her being in heaven and his being here with us. Here are some pictures from the night:

We hope to be able to visit regularly as a family. It is wonderful and happy to celebrate Marah's birthday into heaven, and to talk about the day that we will get to meet her!

Baby Update

Well, we went in for our Non-stress-test and ultrasound yesterday. Looks like the baby has no stress right now, which is great. We did, however, find out that despite the fact that diet and exercise are keeping my blood levels low enough, the gestational diabetes is still affecting the baby's growth rate. The baby is currently over 6.5 pounds (about 90th percentile, with an abdomen in the 99th percentile, another effect of gestational diabetes). The doctor was concerned and therefore I had to start regulating my insulin this morning.

If the baby grew at a "normal" rate for the next 6 weeks, it would be close to 10 lbs. when born. Because of gest. diabetes, however, it is likely that the baby would grow at an even more accelerated pace. I am bummed that I have to be on the medication, but I am glad that we found this out now, and I am glad that there is a way to regulate the baby's insulin and growth rate.

This new finding made the decision that we will for sure have to have a scheduled c-section in the 39th week (I've been waffling lately), but if I go into labor before then I hope to have a VBAC delivery.

Here are a few photos from the ultrasound:

Sideways shot of face: mouth is to the left, eyes are to the right.

Fingers of the right hand reaching around it's belly. We also got to see the baby hold it's hands together:)

Another side face shot, same direction. Here you can see how chubby baby's cheeks are!

Thank you for your love and care for our family. We appreciate your prayers for a healthy last few weeks and delivery, and we can't wait to meet our little chubby bunny.

Let's start with a photo shoot from about 2 months ago:)

32 week belly pictures:

I think I'm making sure that my pregnancy underwear isn't showing:)

(FLASHBACK: We think this is about 32 weeks last time around. In comparison, I think I was more side-to-side last time (and Miles was up into my ribs a lot more) and this time I'm more straight out front, but my belly is measuring the exact same! I feel that my belly is so much bigger this time, but it must just be that I'm carrying way out front?!?)

Today we went to Robinette's Apple Orchard (about a five year tradition!). We arrived a little before it opened, so we spent some time playing on their wagon slide before going on the hay ride.

Sometimes Miles doesn't go down the slide:)

Running around after all the "big kids"

Then we loaded up on the hay-ride. Miles was very quiet and very inquisitive for the ride.

(ANOTHER FLASHBACK: On the hayride 2 years ago. I think Matt looks so young!)

When it got windy, Miles wanted Mommy to keep him warm and cover his ears.

My two handsomes:)

Traditional picture by the "big apple".

"This was one of the best days ever!"