A great check-up and a BIG baby

I had my weekly OB appointment yesterday.  We received great news from the sono.  Paxton's kidneys look better, in fact the right one (which had the most dilation) had almost none and the left was within normal ranges!  We will continue to monitor them but it is likely something that will just come and go depending on the timing of the sono.  If his bladder is full, we may see some dilation or we may not!  We will just keep an eye on them.  They also measured him.  He is a whopper according to the sonogram weighing in at 4 lbs 11 ounces and is in the 97th percentile!  He is weighs more (according to the sono...which I think usually estimates a little high) at 30.5 weeks than Ashlyn did when she was born!  The sono tech scared me a little bit because she asked me if I had gestational diabetes because I have so much fluid and the baby is so big!  I passed my glucose test which means I don't have "the suga" (as so many of my patients like to call it).  But it concerned me a little nonetheless.  Dr. Waldrep reassured me that I don't have gestational diabetes, we just have a big baby!!  Big babies are good!  So we stopped by Krispy Kreme and picked up a box of donuts for the weekend!

30 1/2 weeks

Another laser treatment

We woke up bright and early and headed to the outpatient surgery center for another laser treatment on Ashlyn's hemangioma.  The doctor thinks she will need 2-3 treatments total so I am really hoping this is the last one!  It is stressful every time she has to be sedated with general anesthesia, no matter how minor the procedure!  We were at the hospital by 6:45 and she was the 2nd case of the day.  Dr. Burns stopped by the pre-op area and told us what the plan was.  She went back right around 7:45.  The couple next to us had an 8 month old who was also having a laser treatment.  We were visiting with them while we waited for our girls to come out of recovery.  We were talking about me being pregnant and sex of the baby, due date...the usual small talk.  I mentioned I was on "semi bed rest" because I am a high risk for preterm labor.  Before I could finish the sentence, in walked Dr. Waldrep (my OB)!  She stopped and we visited for a while.  Dr. Burns came out of the OR while she was there to give us an update on how the procedure went.  Dr. Waldrep made sure Dr. Burns was taking good care of her baby (Ashlyn).  She is the BEST doctor ever!  Dr. Burns said the procedure went well.  He increased the intensity of the laser quite a bit and got results that he was very pleased with.  He wasn't ready to decide if this would be her last treatment or not.  The father of the other little girl was an orthopedic trauma surgeon and the first word out of his mouth when the doctors left was BUSTED!  Dr. Waldrep didn't care that I was there (I was sitting down after all) it was just impeccable timing!  Cracked me up!  Ashlyn was taking a while to come back from recovery. 2 or 3 different nurses came out to update us that she was still sleeping.  We started getting a little nervous wondering why it was taking her so long to wake up!  They reassured us it was normal and she would be out soon.  Sure enough...they wheeled her out a few minutes later.  She was still groggy but sitting up on the stretcher.  We hung out for about 30 minutes while she drank some apple juice and they monitored her vitals.  Then we headed home!  We got home and took a LONG nap!  Her cheek was much more swollen this time.

We had an appointment to have our taxes done since Chance had the day off.  Our accountant is in Arlington so we dropped Ashlyn off with Gma and Gpa for a little play time.  After our appointment we headed to pick Ashlyn up and stayed for dinner.  Dave and Pat came over for dinner too.  It was nice catching up with them.  5 minutes before we headed out the door, Ashlyn did a face plant into the tile coffee table on the back patio.  Immediately, she had a huge goose egg on her forehead and a bright purple bruise.  She looked a mess!  Deno suggested we NOT get pulled over on our way home or we might have a CPS case on our hands...Ashlyn looked battered!  Her cheek was so swollen and starting to bruise and she had a huge, bruised goose egg on her noggin.  We made it home and hit the sack.  It was a long day.  2 outings in one day for me???  I was exhausted!

Gma came over today so that Ashlyn could stay home from school. Her cheek was really swollen and we were concerned she might bump it at school.  My good friend Abby stopped by after meeting Emma and Wells just down the street.  She was so sweet and brought Ashlyn a bunch of balloons and 2 pool noodles to use as bats.  Ashlyn has had a blast playing with those!  Such a great idea!  She also dropped off dinner and some snacks for us.  Thank you so much Abby!

On our way to the hospital

Having her 02 checked
She didn't freak out this time!

A little unsure

Daddy putting on socks

Hugs from Daddy

Too cute!

Playing peekaboo barn while we wait

Being silly on the phone (after the "goofy juice")

Snuggling with mom before she goes back

Fun with the balloons!

Getting some fresh air

This weekend didn't quite go as planned...we were planning on joining Team UTSouthwestern at the first annual Walk for Though benefiting the Brain Injury Association of Texas.  I have been on the planning committee and was so excited to attend the event and catch up with some co-workers (yes, I got it approved with my doctor to SIT at our booth).  We were on our way to the walk and I started having some cramping so we headed back home and I hopped on the couch and started chugging the water.  After about an hour of it not going away, I finally called the doctor.  She wanted me to head up to labor and delivery to be monitored to make sure nothing was going on.  Chance had to take the dogs out and get a few things ready before we could leave.  In the meantime, things started subsiding and I was feeling better.  I called my doctor back and she said we could stay home, but to go to the hospital if it started again.  In the midst of the chaos, we activated our L&D plan...calling the closest possible family to meet us at the hospital to get Ashlyn!  Gma and Gpa were in route when we called them back to let them know it was a false alarm.  They stopped by anyway to check on us so we got to visit for a while.  Sarah's friend Rachel was in town from Austin and they brought us lunch!  Other than that, it was a lazy day spent propped up on the couch.

Sunday morning started out as usual, but I hadn't really felt Paxton move much throughout the night and couldn't get him to move that morning.  I ate breakfast, drank a large glass of juice, had some coffee, took a shower and laid still trying to get him to squirm around a little.  After a couple hours of no moving, I freaked out a little.  I called the doctor and she told me to lay completely flat with my hand on my abdomen and count how many movements I felt in 30 minutes.  If it was less than 10, head to the hospital for a non-stress test on the baby.  AH!  I did as ordered and got 10 kicks in 24 minutes!  Whew!  Paxton Doyle Wimberly...you are going to drive me to drinking!!!  So, long story short, the remainder of the day was uneventful.  By late afternoon we were all going stir crazy so we loaded up in the car and headed over to a small field not far from the loft where the dogs and Ashlyn could run around and we could get some fresh air and a little sun! Yes, we were in our jammies!

6.5 months

Well, 6 months came and went during my little hospital admission so I need to catch up!  I had an appointment yesterday with Dr. Waldrep.  They did a sonogram that included a biophysical profile of the baby.  That is a more detailed sonogram that looks at the quality of his movements, his respiration and muscle tone.  It also measures the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.  He received a great report from this exam.  They also looked at his kidneys and they are more dilated, the right more so than the left.  He had a full bladder which could cause some reflux back into the kidneys making them more dilated.  She still isn't worried about the kidney dilation, we will just continue to closely monitor them and follow up with a urologist once he is born.  She did another fetal fibronectin test, but I haven't heard back with the results.  I also had my gestational diabetes test!  Really hoping I passed.  The weekly injections I get put me at a higher risk for GD!  Haven't heard those results either.  All in all it was a good report.  Paxton looks great and is growing right on schedule.  I am measuring a little ahead of schedule, but I did with Ashlyn too.  I lost 5 pounds during that crazy week because I didn't have much of an appetite...but no worries, I found my appetite and those 5 pounds!  I will now be seeing the doctor weekly as well as having weekly sonograms to keep a close eye on everything.  We are getting on schedule so that I can do it all on Fridays when I am due for my injection.  Here are a few pictures from the sonogram and my 6.5 month belly pic!

St Patty's Day 2012

We had lots of fun St. Patty's Day plans on our calendar that included plenty of green, a parade and a block party!  Being on "house arrest" put a damper on our plans.  We had a pretty quite, relaxing weekend which was nice because Ashlyn was still trying to get over a nasty cold that lingered for a week and a half!  Aunt Sarah did come over Saturday night to babysit so we could head over to The Garrett's to celebrate John's 39th birthday!  We had an awesome dinner on their rooftop balcony that has a great view of downtown!  The evening would not have been complete without some sweet snuggles from Emma and Wells!  They are the sweetest babies ever!

Getting crazy this St. Patty's Day!

Another "green" beverage! 

Sweet Wells
(That is the end of my braid...not a ducktail;) 

Ella Bear!

One day at a time

I am a firm believer that we all have the ability to choose our attitude, our outlook, our perspective on things.  I have had a lot of time to think these past several days between laying around for 4 days with no technology to restless nights from laying around all day.  Just because I've had to put my body in slow motion doesn't mean my mind has followed!  While I think it would be easy to get depressed or lonely or discouraged or saddened by the possibility of 2 1/2  months of bed rest ahead of me, I have CHOSEN the other road.  I am one blessed momma!  I think about the women out there who would gladly, willingly, beg for bed rest, even 9 months of it, if it meant the opportunity to carry a child.  Having difficulties with miscarriage, a challenging previous pregnancy, a pre-term delivery and now complications with my current pregnancy, I can relate to the pain but I truly believe that things happen for a reason.  As my pregnancy has progressed and I have worried about possible complications, I have prayed for God to give me a sign if I need to "slow down".  I guess I forgot to mention that I take subtle hints very well...but I got the sign!  So for now, I am taking it one day at a time.  I have CHOSEN to see the glass as half full and feel so fortunate for this opportunity.  I am usually already at work by the time Ashlyn wakes up.  I have really enjoyed being home for those early morning snuggles.  There is NO greater feeling than having Ashlyn nestled against my ever growing belly and feeling her brother moving around inside me!  That is my happy place!  I anxiously await the moment Chance and Ashlyn walk through that door in the evenings.  We are getting settled into a routine and our family and friends have been rock stars!  You guys never cease to amaze me with the kindness, willingness, generosity and love!  I hope one day we can return the favors.  So, if you worry or wonder about me...please know that I am doing just fine!  Paxton and I are hanging in there and taking it one day at a time!

Drum roll please

Baby Boy Wimberly has a name!  Paxton Doyle Wimberly!  Now, peanuttiest...just because you officially have a name, doesn't mean we are ready for you.  Stay put for now!  We will patiently await your arrival.

Bed rest update

Our U-verse is back up and running!  It was a long 3 days without TV or Internet!  I have been on my best behavior spending a lot of time on the couch!  I go to the doctor every Friday for my weekly injection.  I was having a little cramping while I was there on Friday, but I got a thorough check-up and everything looked good!  Chance has been a rock star...managing EVERYTHING from Ashlyn to the dogs to cooking and cleaning...and going to work!  I try to do what I can to help, but I also know that another hospital admission might not result in such a quick discharge so I am being very careful!  We have the best family and friends!  The outpouring of calls, texts, prayers, offers to help with whatever, bringing food...we are very lucky!  We are still trying to get into a routine and are just taking it one day at a time!  Thanks for all the love :)

A few more pictures

Gma and Gpa stopped by the hospital before I was discharged.  They played with Ashlyn for a little while so Chance and I could stop by upstairs and say hi to Ella and Wells on our way out!  Medical City has so many fun play areas for kids!  This is part of the new Children's hospital entrance.  Lots of fun stuff to occupy kids.  She had a blast running around! 

 They also have a beautiful patio area.  Here are some shots of Ashlyn getting some fresh air!

Tailspin

Another disclaimer-lots of talk of female anatomy...and a very long post!

As great of a day as we had on Monday, Tuesday sent us into a little tailspin.  I woke up Tuesday morning, feeling ok but not great.  I couldn't really pinpoint what was wrong...I just didn't feel good.  I went to work hoping it would pass, but around 9 am I decided I probably should head home and call the doctor.  I was having some cramping across my lower abdomen and back and a sharper pain in my right side.  I was kind of freaked out because that was kind of how I was feeling before I went into labor with Ashlyn!  I called the doctor and they couldn't get me in until 1 pm.  I went home and laid down, but Chance was not accepting the 1 o'clock appointment time.  He insisted that I call back and ask to be seen immediately.  I asked for my favorite nurse when I called back and explained to her how I was feeling.  She agreed that I should come in immediately, but warned me they were very backed up!  We waited for a while before we saw the doctor but she got to work right away.  My urine sample had a lot of blood in it, but no signs of infection.  She was pretty convinced there was some type of stone moving around my kidneys or one that had settled into my bladder that was causing the blood.  She "checked" me to make sure I wasn't dilating and my cervix was still closed which was a huge relief.  She also did a fetal fibronectin test that assists with predicting preterm labor within the next 2 weeks.  She sent me over to have an ultrasound to check on the baby and take some measurements of my cervix.  The baby looked great, but I was starting to have some funneling at the top of my cervix and my water had dropped.  Not great signs at 27 weeks!  After getting this report, she hooked me up to the monitor in her office and I was indeed having some mild contractions.  She made a few phone calls and sent me down to labor and delivery for closer monitoring.  By this time, I was in freak out mode, but Dr. Waldrep was very confident that we caught it early and would be able to stop and hopefully reverse the progression.  We started rallying the troops and my mom and dad were both at the hospital before I even knew it!  Up in labor and delivery they gave me a shot of steroids to help the babies lungs develop in case delivery was in the near future.  They also gave me a dose of Terbutaline to relax my uterus.  The contractions stopped and they monitored me for a while longer before moving me to the antepartum unit.  The fetal fibronectin test came back negative which was also relieving!  The plan was to monitor me over night and then have a follow-up sonogram with the Maternal/Fetal Medicine doctor in the morning.  Chance and Gpa went and picked up Ashlyn and my mom hung out with me.  Once things were pretty stable Chance decided he would go home with Ashlyn and manage the dogs and my mom would spend the night with me.  I had to have one more dose of Terbutaline over night and had a few more contractions in the morning, but they stopped on their own.  I had another sonogram first thing in the morning and the funneling had decreased!  Great news!  Chance and Ashlyn were there bright and early and hung out until he took her to school.  They monitored me throughout the day and the doctors were in and out.  Dr. Waldrep pretty much decided that I had something going on that was kidney related (likely a stone that had settled in my bladder).  My uterus is "irritable" (cracks me up) and any little thing like that causes cramping and contractions.  In most circumstances these mild cramps and contractions wouldn't be enough to cause changes in the cervix, but I also have a slightly incompetent cervix that responds to the subtlest events!  Not a great combo!  Even Braxton Hicks contractions may cause a problem.  So the decision was made that I could go home on very restricted activity.  I am not confined to bed rest, but the list of "don'ts" was pretty long and included no work, no exercise (easy:), no long walks including malls and grocery shopping, no driving, no leaving town and the hardest part...no picking up Ashlyn!  Ugh!  They also prescribe an oral medication that is to be used when cramping or contractions start, but the problem with that drug is that it used to treat hypertension.  My blood pressure is already low (as low as 80/40 while I was in the hospital) so that isn't a great solution for me.  So...doctor's orders: stay VERY hydrated and do nothing that could wake up my irritable uterus!  We are taking it one day at a time and very thankful for all of the prayers!

On the monitor in the doctor's office 

Everything was better when my peanut
was there to snuggle!
That was only my 2nd night away
from her ever!

God is Good!

Correction...God is GREAT!  What a wonderful day we had...full of good news and blessings!  The day started out with the healthy arrival of our Godbabies Ella Lane and Wells Liam Garrett!  Kourtny was scheduled for a c-section bright and early and everything went smoothly!  Momma and babies are all doing great!

Ella Lane Garrett

Wells Liam Garrett

Our next stop of the day was at the Maternal/Fetal Medicine doctor.  We have been closely watching Baby Wimberly #2's kidneys because they have been mildly dilated.  They are still just slightly dilated, but almost within the normal range.  Apparently this is more common with boys because they aren't quite as good of "pee'ers" yet and they get a little back up in their kidneys.  The doctor feels that it is benign and is something we will just continue to watch and once the baby is born, he may be seen by a Urologist just for a check-up.  Other than that, the baby looks great!  He is measuring 2.5 lbs!  More good news!

Our final appointment of the day was one that always leads to much anticipation and a little anxiety for me!  The Pediatric Cardiologist!  Ashlyn goes every year to have her heart studied to determine the status of her atrial septal defect.  This appointment involves an EKG and an echocardiogram.  I wasn't exactly sure how she was going to do with these procedures, but as always, she was a CHAMP!  Here are a few shots of her being such a brave, big girl.

Waiting to see the doctor for the results

Dr. Laird came in a listened to Ashlyn's heart and gave us the best news!  She said the hole is completely gone!  It closed up on its own, just like it was supposed to!  Her heart is absolutely perfect (not that it ever wasn't)!  We don't even have to follow-up with her anymore.  Another one we can cross off our list...yahoo!  Such a relief and a prayer answered.  Praise God!