The best laid plans....(yea, right!)...and July 4th Fun!

If you remember my last blog post, I was actually feeling pretty good after my "big scare" last Sunday. I had been taking it easy...but all in all, I was feeling fine. My Doctor's nurse called on Tuesday to follow up and see how I was doing. After indicating that I was feeling fine, she called my Doctor to update him and then called me back and said that he was OK with me waiting until my regular scheduled appointment that Friday to see him. That was only 3 days away and, like I said, I was actually feeling quite well compared to Sunday!

Fast forward to Friday. I go in for my appointment happy and content. They called me back and told me that my nurse was going on vacation in a few weeks so she was training a new nurse to cover for her while she was gone. The new nurse was the one that took me into the room to get my blood pressure. Well, she took my blood pressure and told me what it was and I'm like, "oh no...that's not right...take it again". So, she took it again...higher this time. I said, "please go get Cheryl (the regular nurse) to take it." I was convinced that the new nurse was screwing up my blood pressure. Well, Cheryl comes in and takes it...it was a little better - but still bad! My blood pressure throughout the pregnancy has been 109/58...sometimes even 106/58...and I've been dang proud of it! Well, Friday it was 160/90...158/90...145/90 (Cheryl's was the lowest :D). So, I asked her what that meant. She looks at me and says, "it means an NST and bed rest." I had no clue what NST meant (non stress test)...but man, I sure knew what bed rest meant! I said, "NO"! "Afraid so", she said. So, she leaves to get Dr. Archer and I laid back on the table, closed my eyes and started slow, deep breathing...because by darn it...I was going to get my blood pressure down and make them retake it!!! Dr. Archer came in and asked if I was ok. I told him I was just trying to calm down. He looks at me and says, "it's not going to make a difference." Darn it!!! In the meantime, he's looking over my labs from my hospital visit on Sunday, he opened the door and asked Cheryl to call the hospital and get the nurses notes faxed over. He then looks at me and tells me that it's bed rest (confirming what Cheryl had told me) and that...(ok here's the kicker...the one I wasn't expecting...) "it was now medically necessary to induce labor at 37 weeks." SAY WHAT!!! NO...this IS NOT THE PLAN (I'm screaming in my head).

He took a lot of time to explain things to me and then they got me hooked up for the non stress test. Meanwhile, I called Trent, as I was talking to him, Dr Archer came in and asked if he wanted to talk to him. So I handed the Dr. the phone and he then took the time to explain everything to Trent! Can I just say that my Doctor is the best!!! Following my NST, he did an ultrasound to check Grace's blood flow, fluid levels, he measured her head and stomach, and told me that she was just over 5 pounds...give or take 12 ounces. I'm thinking...please let it be give not take! We also discussed that she would gain another approximately 1/2 pound in the next week. He told me that she looked great and that she should be just fine. Her lungs would be developed at 37 weeks and that we should be able to take her home after 2 days...which is the norm. So, that made me feel a lot better!

So, yes, the best laid plans...yea right!! I'm learning a lot this week about "plans" and my OCD and my strict policy of sticking to plans! I've decided that it doesn't matter if Grace is the first baby born in the new women's center (that's not going to happen now), or her going to 40 weeks. What's important is getting her here healthy...and keeping myself healthy in the meantime! So, I'm doing what I've been ordered to do by my fabulous Doctor. I'm staying down. I'm swallowing my pride and letting others help me. My friend Holly has organized dinner for every night this week...and this wouldn't be possible without so many wonderful family, friends and neighbors who are so willing to serve me and my family during this time. My sister and her family are also doing so much for me...helping with my yard, taking my kids, running me around to appointments, etc. My mom and in-laws call every day to see what I need...and so many others that I can't even name! It's been hard for me to let others "serve" me...but like my mother in law keeps telling me, there would be no service if there weren't people that needed to be served. One day, I will be able to be the giver rather than the receiver and I will serve with a smile, because I will remember this time in my life and the wonderful, willing people who are serving me with a smile and a huge heart! So, thank you all! It truly means the world to me and my family...and it's allowing me to follow my doctor's orders!

On another note, you're probably wondering about Trent. He will be home one week from today. Saturday morning, he will fly home and will be here through the following week! I am so grateful for his new employer and their willingness to be flexible during this time...and for allowing Trent to be home for a whole week! He is truly loving his new job and the wonderful people that he is working with and becoming friends with!

Even though this is a very trying time for us...we truly are being blessed and watched over!

So...here's me on "bed rest"...I'm all set up on the couch with my phones, the remote, my book, water, snack and of course, my laptop!

And, my week 36 belly pic...don't worry...I only stood up long enough for Karlee to get the picture!

On another note...this past weekend, before all the complications started, we were able to celebrate the 4th of July with family. On Saturday, the 3rd, we had our annual BBQ at my mom's house. We ate yummy food, the kids swam in grandma's little blow up pool and I was able to spend time visiting with my mom, grandparents and sister!

4th of July BBQ at Grandma's house:

Also on the morning of the 3rd, Mindy and Kyle took the kids up the canyon to ride the 4 wheelers. They had SO much fun! I can't believe that Karlee drove all by herself! (Carson, I can believe...) Of course, Carson now wants a 4 wheeler for Christmas! It was perfect because they got home just before we had to leave for Grandma's and I told them to just get their swim suits on and they could wash all the dirt off of them in grandma's pool...LOL!

Karlee:

Carson:

Karlee, Carson, Tyson and Bayleigh:

Sunday, the 4th, after my scare at the hospital, my kids played at Mindy's house for the rest of the afternoon. Around 6 they called me and said that Aunt Mindy was cooking pancakes and eggs for dinner and I needed to come over and eat with them! Right on...I love pancakes and eggs! After dinner, Mindy and I sat on the porch while the kids did some fireworks in the street out front. And...Mindy even painted my toe nails for me! How great is that...she must really love me to touch my dirty feet!

Cousins on the 4th of July - sitting on Mindy's front porch: Weston, Carson, Tyson, Sam, Karlee Austin and Bayleigh!

So...there's the past week in a nutshell...or not a nutshell...more like a novel!! Thanks again for all of your love and support! I couldn't get through this without you all!!!

Hugs!