This Week

Thank you family and friends (and even people we don't know) who are praying and supporting us during this time.  There are things going on that can only be attributed to the power of prayer.  

As most of you know I do not want to be put in the hospital or put on medication unless it is absolutely necessary.  It has already been a difficult adjustment on my end to release the daily care of my child (as well as everything else in my "normal" life) to those helping us.  I don't want to be away from Travis or Lucy Mills for what could be an extended period of time.  

Last week I was in and out of my doctor's office and hospital four times.  I had two scheduled visits and two "you need to get here now" visits.  Even though I have been on strict bed rest at home my blood pressure would still spike pretty high throughout the day and night.   The high pressure accompanied with horrible headaches, dizziness, and other unpleasantries my doctor has been concerned to say the least.

Each time I went into the doctor, certain I would hear news that I didn't want to hear, my pressure would suddenly lower and she would let me go home.  One day during a phone conversation with her after having a high pressure, she said she wanted me to come and be evaluated and to discuss our plan of going into the hospital.  So I went in.

* My pressure came down and she sent me home. *

The next day at my appointment, I met with a different doctor who was also ready to admit me.  She even said that medication and hospital stay are not a matter of if but when.  She said she was ready to "check me into the big house."

* My pressure came down and she sent me home. *

After high pressures Thursday night and Friday morning the doctor called me back into her office.  By now I was feeling really crummy and was tired of all the back and forth.  After praying with my mom over the phone I finally surrendered this to God.  If His will was hospital stay my heart was willing.

* My pressure came down and she sent me home. *

Don't get me wrong, I in no way want to put my health or Baby's Boy's well being in jeopardy.  If the doctor's order is medication and hospital stay I'm there.  My homebody, find security in the familiar, loves sleeping in my own bed, waking up to my two loves everyday, self just prefers to stay home as long as I can afford to.  

While I know we serve a big God who answers our specific requests, it is amazing to see them played out on this scale.  My hope is that in all of this that He will be most glorified.  

In the midst of Mommy being away, these two are getting plenty of quality time in! 

And we are all doing what's necessary to prepare for Baby Boy's arrival.

Again, we are so appreciative to everyone who has reached out to us.  I hope that I will one day be able to be the friend that so many have been to me.

Please continue to pray for us.

At my doctor's appointment yesterday my blood pressure was the lowest it's been in weeks!  

Specifically pray for Baby Boy and his breathing and lung development.  At least once a week I am hooked up to monitors for a period of time to see how he is handling this.  The last two times he has had some decelerations in his breathing and that led to more ultrasounds.  The doctor needs to see his diaphram moving more to show that he isn't struggling.  

As a mother I would rather hear that I am struggling rather than my child.  But he is God's, not mine and I daily need to surrender this.

I am 30 weeks pregnant this week.  The goal is 35-36.

Lets hope I don't go crazy inside my four walls between now and then.  :) 

Bed Rest, Baby Boy, and Updates

I typically use this blog to document the happenings of our family, in particularly our sweet Lucy Mills.  It captures the highlights, fun moments, and milestones that I know could all too quickly fade out of my memory.  I also want to use it to remember this period in our family's story because I want to look back and see God's faithfulness.  


Here is an email I sent to my closest girlfriends who I can count on to pray for me and Baby Boy:

Hi sweet friends,

First of all a huge thank you to all of you who have prayed for us, called, emailed, texted, visited, brought us meals, run errands and offered to be available during this time.  I figured I would send an email out to update you all and ask for your continued prayers.  

Two weeks ago (at 26 weeks pregnant) I went to the hospital and found out I have preeclampsia (again) and would need to be on bed rest.  Well I probably did not take it as strictly as I should and last Wednesday night I was back in the hospital through Thursday with my blood pressure spiking the highest it's ever been.  My doctor does not want to put me on medications because there could be complications with it and it would make me feel miserable.  She thinks my BP will stay down if I stay on strict bed rest.  On Thursday and Friday I was given steroid shots to speed up the development of Baby Boy's lungs. Saturday I did more monitoring and testing.  I am 29 weeks pregnant this week and the goal is to get to at least 36 weeks.  Given how I have been feeling the last few days it will be a miracle to make it that long.  But we serve a God who is in the business of miracles and I am asking for your prayers in this area.

God has provided for our every need in this situation and I am confident that He will carry us through.  I am praying specifically:

- that Baby Boy will be born as close to 36 weeks as possible - with mature lungs, a healthy weight, no complications

- that my BP can be controlled on bed rest - without meds and without being put in the hospital permanently

- my doctors will have wisdom on how to treat me

- that Lucy Mills (and Travis) will continue to adjust to life with Mommy in the bed (Maggie is the only happy one about this whole situation!) 

Thank you sisters in Christ. Your friendship means the world to me right now.

Lil

**Update**

I went to the doctor this morning and had an ultrasound done.  Baby Boy looked so sweet and cute in there! His little hands were tucked under his chin and his heart beat was steady and strong.  The doctor said that even though he is wreaking havoc on my body, he is weathering the storm well.  And praise God - he is measuring close to two weeks ahead of schedule! I was comforted by this in the event that he is born premature.  

There was mixed news with me.  My blood work and uric acid levels look great and have even come down some.  However, my blood pressure remains high and I have also had dizziness and headaches which are worrisome.  She wants to monitor me in the hospital for at least a 48 hour period of time.  (boo!)  She almost admitted me tonight but  at the last minute said that I could stay home tonight unless my headache got worse.  I think we are looking at extended hospital stay in the near future.  

A day ago I would have balled my eyes out about being away from Travis and Lucy Mills.  

But the Lord has filled me with a peace in a place where there was anxiety yesterday.

Where there were days of feeling like I can't make it,

I now feel like I am being carried through this. 

After seeing my precious baby boy on the ultrasound I feel the desire to fight for everyday he can stay inside of me. I will do whatever it takes to protect his little life.  I hope that one day he will read this blog and know that he was always meant to be a part of this family.  

Here is Baby Boy's profile shot.
Ignore the big lips...Lucy Mills had that look too! 

Thank you family and friends for your continued prayers.  They are working! 

Bed Rest and Bones

It is my FAVORITE time of year again - fall!  Cooler temperatures, walks outside, football games, tailgating, the state fair, trick-or-treaters, and all things pumpkin related.  Only I will be enjoying the beauty of these things from the loveliness of my bedside.  Yes, this mama has been put on bed rest indefinitely.  You see this is a familiar theme with me because I developed preeclampsia when I was pregnant with Lucy Mills, but I only spent the last month or so off my feet...not the last THREE.  My immediate reaction was to burst into tears and think of all the whys and hows of my predicament.  
Why is this happening again? 
How am I going to take care of my 13 month old mama's girl? 
Laundry? Dishes? Groceries? Ah!


But when I am still and quiet before the Lord I am reminded that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28).  The Bible doesn't say "in some things" or "most of the time" but ALL the time.  


So yes this is hard for me and yes I have a pity party most days, but I choose to believe that the Lord is sovereign and I would rather trust His plans than my own narrow minded one.  


And God provides.
I am humbled and amazed at the outpouring of support we have received from family and friends. Our parents have stepped in BIG TIME, our friends have brought us meals, offered to look after my child, run errands for me, clean my house and whatever it takes to get through this season.  For that is what it is - a season.  
I am beyond thankful for these provisions, these people, and for this precious baby boy I am carrying.  
Dare I say I am even thankful for bed rest? Yes.  
It is during these life moments when I see the sweetness of God and His love for us. 


So you might ask what goes on at your house during bed rest? 


Well, a lot of this...

A little of reorganizing...

and rearranging...toddler style. 

We are still celebrating the festive season of October - even if it's in our PJ's! 

Doesn't she make one cute little bag of bones?