One Day at a Time

Mom, MariAustin, and Cale made a count down chain for me. Call me crazy but I like to be able to see the progress that I have made. John says it would worry him to see the many days that lay ahead of him. I however find it very helpful to be able to pull off a link each morning. I guess it is the teacher coming out in me. I have the chain hanging in the living room where I spend most of my time.

6 1/2 Month Picture

Okay, I know I have not done a great job keeping pictures posted for everyone. I will do much better now that I have more time. This picture was taken on Wednesday morning before I went to the doctor. Not much of a change. Stay tuned for next months picture... I am sure there will be a big change.

Follow Up Doctor's Appt.

I had two follow up visits to the doctor this week. Wednesday, I was given a fetal cell test, my first steriod shot, and a glucose test. The fetal cell test came back negative. This was very good news--meaning--no "sign" of labor in the next 2 weeks. The steriod shot was very painful but the results will be worth the pain. One nurse laughed saying, "The worse it hurts, the better it takes." I'm sure that was only to make me feel better, but I'm taking it to heart and believe this baby is getting every ounce of good from that shot---it hurt!!! The glucose test came back high.

On Thursday, we went back to the hospital for the second steriod short --another painful moment--and to be examined by the doctor again. The doctor was pleased with what she saw. It made me feel great that she was shocked she hadn't seen me prior to today. She was concerned I would have been back sooner with problems. I am scheduled to go back to the doctor in two weeks. At that apt., I will be given another glucose test-a one-hour and three-hour, another fetal cell test (to show signs of labor in the next 2 weeks), and a RH shot.

I am trying my best to stay contained on this sofa--but it's hard to stay put. I get bored very easily and there's much to be done. Any other time a doctor's order to sit on my hiney for 3 months would be welcomed. Tonight I had another surprise with more spotting. After another phone call to the doctor, I will probably be heading to a specialist in the morning. Hopefully--all will settle after a good nights sleep.

Please continue to pray for this precious little soul--For it's strength and paitence to stay put! Also for John and I--this roller coaster ride is scary for us both. John is having a tough time going to work each day and leaving me here through all of this--although he knows its important to save his days for the future if needed. Thanks for all of your prayers so far. We already know that God is working. Although I am thinning and the baby is low, no more dialation currently, the spotting starts and stops and the baby is still looking strong!

Please Pray For Our Baby

Saturday at lunchtime I began bleeding. I called the doctor and she felt I needed to come to the hospital. I was admitted and they immediately check the baby. The baby looked good. They then examined me and found that I had dilated 1 cm. There is a test that can determine if I am at risk of delivering early. However, they could not do the test due to the bleeding. I spent the night Saturday night in the hospital. Sunday morning I was checked again and found that I had begun to thin. The doctor sent me home from the hospital on complete bed rest. I can only get up for 1 hour a day... that is to shower, eat, and use the bathroom.

I go back to the doctor on Wednesday for several tests. I will have the test to determine if I am at risk of delivering in the next two weeks. I will be given the first round of steriod shots. On Thursday I will have the second steriod shot to help the baby's lungs. I will keep you posted on the results.

Please continue to pray for our baby. We are doing all that we can to keep this little baby in as long was we can. We are both hopeful that the outcome will be positive. We are trusting in the Lord.

A big thank you goes out to our families and friends. My mom has been here since Sunday. My sister will come in Wednesday afternoon and John's parents will come in Sunday. John and I are very thankful to have such loving families.

The school has arranged for meals to be sent to the house a couple of times a weeks for the next few weeks. John is very thankful as he is beginning is busy season at work.

I can not say thank you enough to Patrick and Kelley. They were here over the weekend for a visit... or so they thought. They were both very helpful during this time.

Sorry Kaysi !

After finding out that the baby was fine but before we got the bad news, Kelley and I decided to play a joke on our friend Kaysi. We sent her this picture and told her it was a boy. Needless to say she was not happy with us.

Kaysi's response was.... I knew she had not had the baby but I could not figure out how they had recreated a hospital room. Unfortunately, the hospital room was real but thankfully the baby has not been born yet.

If you look closely, you will see the BIG G on the side of my cup. Yes we are in bulldawg country. John says before we go back to the hospital we MUST find a cup with a tiger paw. So... if you are out shopping and you see a Clemson mug please pick it up for us.

Baby Room

Two weekends ago, John and I decided to organize the baby's room. This was no small task. This is what the room looked like before we got started.

This is another view of the room.

The following pictures are of the finial product. We decided to go with green, white, and yellow for the nursery. After the baby is born we will change out the sheet to add some pink or blue.

I must say it looks so much better. I can now go sit and enjoy looking at all the cute baby things.

This is our make shift changing table. We choose not to change much in the room. We are hoping to close on a house soon. We are hoping to be in the new house before the baby is born but if not he or she will have a place to sleep until we move.