Where we're at these days

By the looks of our page everything looks pretty hunky dorey... hmm I wish! Okay it's not too bad... I can use our new thing we say alot around here every time we pick up the phone, "Still Pregnant". A month ago I went in for my regular weekly appointment and during the ultrasound, surprise I was in labor. I had no clue! I was at 2 cm and 60 percent effaced. My dr. calmly said "we're moving you to the hospital and you'll be there awhile." I was wheeled off and checked in and hooked to an IV getting fluids and drugs to stop the contractions I wasn't feeling. For the first three days they weren't sure if I would deliver or not so they started me on antibiotics and gave me steroid shots to mature bitty's lungs. She was only 24 weeks though so they really worked hard at not letting her come. They let me move upstairs to Anti-partum ward after 3 days. You've heard of post partum, after you have the baby, well apparently I am a member of the club of anti partum where they don't want you to stop being pregnant. There were between 4 and 5 of us the whole time I was in. We all had our own private rooms but we'd hear about eachother from time to time. One girl got to go home, another girl finally made it far enough they let her have her baby (she'd been there 6 weeks!), and I was the 24 weeker who had the husband who showed up every night. Apparently uncommon for anti partum, they all just didn't marry Prince Charming. :-). It wasn't all smooth sailing. I went into labor 3 more times after moving upstairs, but everytime those nurses would come in there and squash those contractions with drugs. Every time I would think okay, this is it. Brace yourself your baby might not make it, you need to be strong, .... then the nurse would say okay, that should do it and sure enough it did. I felt so close to my Heavenly Father in the hospital, I have to say Eric and I did a lot of praying and pleading as did many other people. I learned a lot about faith and trust and actually believing Heavenly Father when He makes a promise. I know Primary stuff but it is really hard for me.
About two weeks ago after I'd been in the hospital two weeks they were going to put in a pic line which is a more permanent IV, meaning I'd be there forever.... They said, "actually we're going to send you home." I was shocked, no one had said anything about even a chance of going home. By the end of the day I was discharged and we were home!

It's been different being at home. It's hard because I feel like a burden most of the time. I can't be on my feet for more than five minutes and it is only so that I can go to the bathroom. For the first week Eric had to do everything, with the exception of RS bringing me lunch midday. That was how he wanted it though. He just wanted to do everything to make sure that I was okay. He's never complained about anything. What a man I married!

This last week my mom has arrived and she's been a really great help too. She does a great job of making me lay down and hush myself. It's been a lifesaver having her here and who doesn't love having your mom around when you just need her right?

Anyway, mostly I really appreciate all the prayers on our behalf. Let me tell you that we feel them. It keeps me strong every day and I couldn't do this without them. We've been down for a month now and we just passed 28 weeks, or 7 months. My Dr. Wants us to make it to 34 or 35 weeks, he says that is a high risk full term baby, so please don't stop praying!

Much Love!
Eric, Nellie, angel Lily, and baby Riley

Monterey Trip

This last weekend we went on the last vacation we'll take before little bitty is born. We went to Monterey with our friend Whitney and Louie Mariner. It was really fun and we actually managed to get some pictures taken! Thank you to Whitney! I figure everyone would rather see pictures than hear me drone on.

Whitney and I wanted seafood the first night, so since they boys love us they consented and we went to Bubba Gump's for dinner. Don't worry I was careful about what I ate and how much of it I ate.

We knew the restaurant had gotten its name from the movie forest gump but we had no idea how much people would focus on the movie! Wow trivia at every corner! I got some of them right so I won a prize.... all the toothpicks I wanted... I didn't think it was that funny... but the food was good!

The next day we went to the aquarium since Whitney and Louie had never been. It was fun. Here we are on the back walkway behind the aquarium. Here is the prego picture I've been promising!

Even with all the cool displays and tanks, this is the only fish picture I shot while I was there. All the non tropical fish are so gray and drab... this was the pretty tank. (I know sorry Alex)

We went to Carmel as well, but I have to adamit that I was so tired I took absolutly no pictures. The rest of the trip was spent at the ocean. If you look really closely at the picture on the left there is a person on the top of the hill in the middle that is either Eric or Louie. They went so far out on the rocks looking for adventure. I stayed on the beach and prayed that they would come back from adventure! :-)

It was a great trip but definitely the last one for a long time. Within an hour of getting home I started having contractions and had to go down to labor and delivery. They got me stabalized and the contraction have pretty much stopped and have gotten a great deal lighter (thank goodness), but it was still really scary. I need to be within driving ditance of my hospital and doctors, so here I stay until baby come, (full term).

Love you all,

Eric Nellie and Little Bitty

Five Months

And still hanging in there! Went to the Doctor today and everything still looks great. Keep praying! For those of you who don't know, we are having a girl! Very exciting, though anyone who knows Eric and I knows that this will not be a girly girl. The funny thing is only 10% thought we were having a girl according to the blog. Maybe it's because our girl will be a tomboy princess kind of a girl. I keep reminding people that pink is not my favorite color. In fact we're thinking that we'll do the nursery in red and white. I know, not the usual, but hey who wants usual. I am thinking a garden theme with red roses and other bright flowers. Little bitty has been starting to kick and wiggle a little more strongly. The morning sickness is still there but not as strong. I can usually get out of the house by 10:00 now with only a little queasiness.

Poor Eric still doesn't get fed. I have developed this distaste, okay, abhorrence for chicken. It makes cooking really difficult and I feel so bad! He is really aptient though. Thankfully our friends Whitney and Louie are taking good care of us and making sure that Eric gets fed. In the other times I am grateful that I am working and we are supporting the economy of the restaurant industry. :-)

We're headed into the scariest part over the next three weeks. It is a countdown to when we lost Lily so it's really scary. My Doctor is going to start seeing me twice a week most likely. He's watcing really closely to make sure that we notice anything as it comes. He says that the baby look really great and everything is perfect right now.

Thanks for all the prayers! Love Eric and Nellie and Little Bitty TomgirlThis is Caesar's new favorite way to sleep.. and look he brought me a toy to play with when I wake up.