The Weather Man was right!

For once, the Weather Man got it right about the snow storm!
Around 5 on Friday, it started snowing pretty hard. Was really pretty, but nothing was sticking. By 7 it was laying on the ground, and by 9 we had at least 2 inches.
It progressed through the the evening, and then at some point early morning it turned into that all so familiar Ice! So all in all, we got about 4-5 inches of snow covered by 1+ of ice.
Typically the roads are not bad here, but it was this time. The landscaping crew spent all day here in our neighborhood attempting to clear the sidewalks and roads, but it was just too thick. They couldn't get down to the pavement. So we have spent most of the weekend inside.
We braved a trip to Target on Saturday around 2pm just to get out. And for today, even though church services were canceled this am- we are going to try to go out for lunch.
It is pretty slick out- so this is pic from our front door. If I get brave enough to walk around the block with James and Winnie, I will post some more pictures. They both love rolling around in the snow :)

Biggest and Bright.Full Moon of 2010

What do you think my chances are ? : )
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23521649/ns/technology_and_science-space/

But then does that mean the hospital will be packed with crazies??? Hummm- worth the tradeoff? :)

Sleeping in....

Guys, can't we sleep just a little bit longer?

Last Saturday morning, James got up and took winnine on a quick walk around 7am. They both came back and got in bed. We didn't get out of bed until after 11!!!!! Ohhh it was wonderful, but who wouldn't lay in bed if you got to do this?? ;)

T Minus..... .and counting

I haven't really put any pictures out, but what the hey- only 16 days to go!!!




I know most of you know about my right leg and feet swelling... well this is on a good day!!!



For those who have asked- James is doing much much better. And no, it wasn't nerves :) Just a nasty stomach bug. After a day of sleeping- he finally broke his fever and went into work the next day. Thanks for every one's prayers!!!

If it's not one thing.....

Well, my check up apt went well yesterday. Given past events, I fully planned for the Dr to find something and admit me into the hospital :) But all was well!!!! Blood pressure was ok, slightly high, still swelling- but that won't go away, and dilated 1 cm. So Dr was please that my body and Aulden was doing what it was suppose to do.

So we went on to small group, and about our evening. But by 2am, James got violently ill. He tried everything to make his stomach calm down but nothing worked. So by 7am (5 hrs of personal time with the porcelain throne) I took him to the ER. They said it was just a virus, gave him an IV- and lots of drugs.
Let me just say as a side note, we LOVE Presbyterian Huntersville Hospital!! We walked straight in, and they had an IV in him w/in 15 min. Wonderful wonderful place- nothing but top notch care and kind things to say about them.
So after about 90 min, he was resting and feeling better- so they discharged us with 2 prescriptions.
No sooner had I gone to store and picked them up, gotten him home and in bed..... and he was sick again. Called ER back and they said to give it 12-24 hrs, and if he isn't better to bring him back in.
So we will see.

Think God is trying to tell us something ? :)
We have been in the hospital more in the month of Jan than I think we have our entire lives!!!!

How many times does it take b/f you have a baby?

Sooo- last night was fun :)

I had told the nurse while she checking me out that he wasn't moving as much as he normally does, so she had to fish around for his heart beat- which was normal 145. When the Dr came in, they wanted to "be sure" so she ordered a non stress test there in the office. And let me say I loved this :) They took me to a back room, where it was nice and cool, and put me in a lazy boy recliner. Hooked me up to monitors and said to relax as they watched him for about 10 min.
Nurse came back after 10 min, and his heart rate was not fluxing like they should. (Guess it should bounce around from 140's to 160's and not remain stable) Auldens almost looked like a flat line, I don't think it changed from 2-3 beats.... even with contractions. So they let me pick out a snack and I sat there another 10 min, no change in activity.

After that, the Dr wanted to get an ultra sound to determine why the low fetal activity, thought it might be low fluid. But they were backed up in the office, so they just sent me over to the hospital, again , to have me monitored. It has gotten comical at this point how often they send me, but oh well. They hooked me up, and for some reason he was completely fine- MAJOR difference in his activity...... This time I know, they or I, didn't do anything to 'mess' the test up, it is just how he was acting.
Once the Dr came in around 7, she was soo pleased with my contractions and activity that she said I could go home, didn't even need the ultra sound (which I was bummed about... maybe save that for next week;)) But she said their plan was going to be to give me Patosin to induce contractions and see if that got him moving.. possibly deliver!!!!!, but that my body was correcting everything on it's own, so we didn't need it.
I have no doubt that he started behaving b/c our small group and everyone else was praying for him. And as ready as we are to see him, and for him to get out of me- he does need a few more weeks to bake :)
BUT- the fact that they were ready to take him out signaled to me we are really close!!!!! So hold your breath and lets see what new adventures comes up next week at my appointment :)))

Side note- they told me I could take a Tylenol PM... and I slept all night, no swelling either!!! PRAISE GOD! It is amazing how well you feel the next day after you have a good nights sleep :)

AND- Winnie is finally eating again- hadn't eaten since sat :( - So today is going to be a good day!

Everything is fine :)

So mom and I went back today .... and had anticipated staying (given the events of the past week)- but everything was fine. Blood pressure was 128/88 when we got there(still high for me) and then it was 124/80 before we left.
They checked my swelling out and said if pain ever accompanies it- to call them back.
Had a few test ran in office and they said I was dilated 1 cm.
Not much at all- but to still be a month away was good. I am allow to cont to work and hike right now as long as I have equal amounts of activity and rest. So no more working all day, walking around in evening. Has to be balanced out.
I have to start going weekly now :) SO they should be able to detect any changes much quicker now..... and the countdown begins!

Third strike and ??????

Literally starting Jan 1st, a light switch flipped and I felt 9 months pregnant.
I have been soo blessed with and easy pregnancy- so all the symptoms (fatigue, groin pain, braxton hicks contractions, and swelling) came as a surprise to me. I truly thought I would make it up to my due date and out pops Aulden.

On New Years Day- we did a pretty good hike for me to the Rock House at Reedy Creek Park- and by the time we were done, my right shin hurt. Didn't think too much about it- figured it was a shin splint.

Last Sat, Jan 9- JAMES BIG 3-1 BIRTHDAY, we were out walking a lot at malls for dinner and running errands. By bed time, I was pooped. Sitting in the bed, I took off my socks and shoes... and HOLY COW- What is that!? Not only had I lost both my ankles, but I had a Shrek foot!!! I am not joking when I say just my right foot looked like a Cabbage Patch Kid doll. It was swollen all the way down my legs to my toes. No shape inwards, infact it was bulging outwards. - "Oh no, this is not gonna work". So I go online to try and find ways of prevention. While looking they mention if one leg swells more than the other it could be 1) Preclampsia (which I discounted b/c I have low blood pressure) or 2) a blood clot. So humm...... maybe I should call the Dr monday morning.

Monday- Jan 11, So I do, and they called me back w/in 30 mins- they wanted me to come in and checkedout. Geez- I go in, Dr sees me for about hr- and then she admits me to the hospital to have a Dopplar test of my leg done. Luckily, it came back that there were no clots. So they attributed all the swelling to retaining water and that Aulden was just sitting on my right side compressing circulation. But she wanted me to come back on Wed for my normal biweekly check up.

Wed Jan 12- My apt was at 3:15 and Hannah was coming with me this time. We were taken back by 3, and just chatting away, so we were not really paying attention. They weighed me (which I had gained 3-5 lbs since monday, 2 days ago!!!!), and took my vital signs. Blood pressure 154/90 something. Still we are chatting away. Then it hit me- "Hannah did she say 154???" I normally have low blood pressure so this was REALLY high for me. They came back in about 15 min later to take it again.... 138/89 - WHAT?"The Dr is right outside and will be right in to talk with you."
The Dr comes in and talks with me very calmly and said- "I think we need to admit you so I can monitor what is going on. The combination of rapid weight gain, swelling and high blood pressure could be trending towards Preclampsia". "Ok, so what does that mean?" "Let's just watch for a while and then we will go from there" - They immediately escort me through a secret passway into the Maternity triage ward.
From there I got hooked up to every monitor possible, had blood taken...... and waited...... for 4 hours.
My blood pressure came down and averaged 98-104 over 58-64. Which is where I normally sit. So they let me go home around 8 with the condition that I would come back on friday, 1/15 to get checked out.

So Three strikes and... ? ???? I don't know. If my blood pressure is high, or if there are any other signs that it is trending towards or has developed into preclampsia- they will probably put me on bed rest. I have been told there is nothing you can do to 'get it' or prevent it. It just is and you either have it or you don't. So if I don't have it now, it still may show up later. So at the moment everything is on hold. Pray for James :)

Friends in Haiti.

Most who talk with me daily know that we have a group of women from our church down in Haiti. We also have an Elder who is a part-time missionary down there, the following is an e-mail from him. I know there are soo many people who want to help during this time, so I wanted to post here and give you the opportunity to follow along and donate if you feel like doing so.

Hello All,
If you get this email and are not interested please just hit delete. I am sending it to my entire address book (in several groups).

The Lifeline Christian Mission group of 58 women here in Grand Goave Haiti are fine, as well as Tim, Gary, Lakey and I.
They have been very good at showing the love of Christ to the thousands of Haitian people that have lost so much and are camped here at the mission seeking refuge and assistance.I have had so many emails requesting information about the situation here in Haiti that we are in the middle of. I know a lot of people may think I am ignoring their emails but please be assured I do appreciate them and your prayers, and will answer them when I can get caught up just a little with some of the pressing issues we are facing here. Rest assured, God is faithful, He is taking care of the prayers you are lifting up.

My time has been spent doing repairs and getting things going so we can have electric power for water and to operate our clinic etc.

Please go to the Lifeline web site, www.Lifeline.org, for current updates and pictures that Gretchen has been sending into the office in Westerville for posting.

There is also a place there on the website that you can send donations to help with the relief if you are so lead.

We are still having a lot of tremors and we have heard that a couple cracks in the earth have appeared in our area, I am going to investigate and Lifeline will post what I find and maybe some pictures if I can get close to them.

Bobby Curlee
Properties Manager
Lifeline Christian Mission
www.Lifeline.org

NURSERY.....

Ok, the last of the decals came in and are put up- so here are some pictures of the nursery.
We still have to put the TV on the wall, and James wants an ottoman now, but I think that is all we have left!

As if sleeping weren't hard enough.......

....... having a sinus infection does not help things. Since Christmas I have had some drainage, but when you are prego- you can't take many meds. So now- 2 weeks later it is a gnarly sinus infection. Went to the Dr today and they gave me something- hopefully will feel better in 48 hrs, but it makes sleeping really hard b/c I can't breath!! And the High weather temps of 30 isn't helping either!!!!

James turns 31 on Saturday!!!! Asked him if he wants to do anything, and of course he doesn't- but there is suppose to be a 'party' downtown on thurs that has free food etc- so hopefully I can get enough friends together to meet there.

Winnie- laying here next to me being my sweet girl. Nothing really new with her except that she thought she could chase a raccoon. Scared the poop out of me- but she didn't seem to have any scratches or anything wrong with her... silly girl. Stupid raccoon.

I have my bi-weekly check up on wed the 13th, so I will post next blog then unless something super exciting happens:)