One Week ago

(me 39 weeks pregnant with Isabella)

Subject: Psalm 20:1“In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.

May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.” Psalm 20:1

A week ago today life changed for our

family forever. And we nearly let it ruin us.

All on the eve of Isabella's birth terrible

things were said and lots of phone calls

had to be made by my husband and I.

Phone calls that meant a week full of

so many unsure, worrisome moments...

all the while we were at the hospital celebrating

the birth of Izzie.

Oh what a week its been!

But even though the times before Isabella's

birth were laden with drama from our child with

RAD- we never let it get us down and we are

trying not to let it get us down now either.

Please join us in prayer for swift answers

to out of home placement for our child with RAD.

Last week we had a beautiful daughter.

And we lost one (emotionally/spiritually).

We are desperate for answers and to not

lose one more minute of time for our family.

And we didn't lose out on Jude's

meeting Izzie for the first time.

But we didn't. :)

first reaction to his baby sister.

He likes her more than he shows here. lol

And we got to see Grace and Isabella

up close together. They look a lot like

one another and that is really cool.

And Izzie's first nap with Daddy.

Nearly lost, nearly stolen from us-

not so much.

Beautiful moments that we will

remember forever.

And the pureness and innocence of

another blessing from God.

We witnessed such miracles in moments

of such turmoil. Praise God.

And now if we can just see the final

reasons "why" come to fruition so we

can fully move on as family and individuals...

we would be forever grateful.

And this is where the healing begins...

Isabella's first time in clothes. :)
(below)We almost lost this chance of the little ones

Baby Girl

Alright already...

we think we have a name:

Isabella Hope

"Isa or Izzie"

weight: 7lbs 14oz

length: 21 inches

We need some prayers.

I can't go into details but the night before she was born

was one of the worst nights of my life. The kind of

night that forever changes the dynamics of a family and

one that I have spent days wondering how we will heal

from. Isabella is wonderful. She is perfect. She is more than

I ever could have asked for. And in this crisis in our lives

I have learned how lucky I am to have such amazing friends

and family. But the nightmare has only just begun for us.

And reality is close behind this bliss. And if I haven't said it before

I will say it now... I hate RAD. (Reactive Attachment Disorder)

and the kinds of things that RAD does to a child and what that

means for a family. Especially a family on the eve of such a great

blessing... little Izzie.

So please pray for my husband and I.

For Isabella.

For our other children

(those at home and those adult kids are hurting too)

For the weeks ahead and that we find light in the midst of darkness.

That we are able to concentrate on our blessing

and not be wrapped up in RAD drama.

For quick resolution and reunification of our family.

For peace in our hearts.

Thank you.

(Leishan and Isa)

She is here!

oh so sweet

details soon

still no name

oh so in love

mom and baby doing great

Naming Peanut

For the latest news on baby #16 Peanut- see below!

A friend just commented about how great I have been not

to spill the beans about Peanuts name... and that

reminded me of a post I wanted to write for a long time

but because of this drama or that drama or being

at far too many tests and doctors appointments I

have plum forgotten to write!

Peanut has NO name.

Well- I mean we have Peanut.

(And yes, I actually do personally know of

a child named PEANUT that I came across

years ago doing some volunteer work in

Southern California.)

Not that Peanut is a bad name or anything...

but she will need a proper name.

We have about 6 names that we like.

One that my husband has his heart set on.

That also happens to be one of the

most popular names in the country.

And also was going to be the name we

gave to TWO of our other girls- but

that never happened....

I do like this particular name but

I just don't know for sure because

there are SO many great names right?

So can you help us out?

Give me some ideas!

What are your favorite baby girl names?

We are hoping if we have a good list that

when we finally meet her we will know

what her name is. Help!!

Saturday morning doctor called...

Its Saturday morning and the doctor called a little while ago. My 24 hour urine test showed HIGHer than normal protein levels indicating that YES I am likely having pre eclampsia. The blood work is showing a continued upward trend of the same sort of information- not looking good.
And the blood work is showing that I am likely getting sick on top of all else. ugh.

So I am to lay low today and if I feel WORSE than I do right now I am to go straight to the hospital. If I feel just bad (like I have) then I am OK to wait until tomorrow morning before going to the hospital. I am to fast in the morning and arrive mid morning for an NST, bloodwork, BP check etc. Once they review those results they will decide:
1. If anything indicates that the condition is worse they will do a c-section tomorrow (my family doctor and our new OB/Gyn who we met last week are both OFF tomorrow but will BOTH come in to deliver me- I am SO thankful for this added bit of peace that I won't have to get surgery with a doctor I have never met before!)
2. If everything looks stable/OK then they will let me wait until Tuesday morning when I am scheduled to arrive at 5:30am for a 7:30am c-section.

So that's the plan. Either today (if worse), tomorrow (if not stable) or Tuesday (if we are hanging on OK).... my nerves continued to be fried. My kids (especially those with trauma issues) are off the wall with behaviors. My husband is stressed. I can't control any of it and just need to lay low, debate going for a pedicure today, and think about what long list I need to make for my sister so she can control life this week here at home!!

Keep the prayers coming!
xoxoxoxo

C-Section

We will be having a c-section either this weekend- or early next week. They are concerned about my blood pressure and concerned Peanut isn't thriving. She is ok- but not GREAT and we want her to be great. So we are turning things over to God and just letting them unfold as they should. As soon as my test results (from today- yes more tests) come back I will know if we head to the hospital tomorrow... or in a couple days.

Thanks for praying!

Drama queen

After a long wait in the waiting room, Peanut decided to cooperate YEAH!! Breathing- yes! Heart rate- good! Cord- looks good! Movement- watched her for awhile and she was moving enough!

Amniotic fluid... lower but still normal... hmmm.

Seeing the doctor again in the morning, hopefully a plan will be put in place for ASAP rather than more of the same level of stress and panic.

PIH panel (for high blood pressure) will get finished up tomorrow.
Thanks for praying. Keep it up!
xoxoxox

Oy! Peanut woes!

So I went to the OB/GYN this morning so that I could get an NST done. There was protein in my urine and my BP was high. The NST was non-reactive. That means that they could hear Peanuts heartbeat but that she wasn't reacting with accelerated heart beats like she should be when she moves.

Meanwhile with these three negative things going on- one thing that has been looking good is my blood sugar. As the days have gone on its been easier to control and regulate. To me- this was a good thing- to the OB- this could mean that my placenta isn't functioning so well. (And my body is able to regulate the blood sugar better without the placenta interferring which is why I have the gestational diabetes.)

So I was sent to get some blood work done and have to collect my urine for 24 hours (checking for pregnancy induced hypertension) and in a few moments I head back to the OB/GYN for a BPP which will check to make sure that the amniotic fluid level, peanuts movements, her heart rate, and her practice breathing are all OK. If things aren't optimal with any of those factors or with the placenta then I WILL BE HAVING HER TODAY!

Pressures on!
Off to pack a bag just in case. I am not sure if they will let me try to be induced or go for a c-section it probably depends on what they see. If things look OK... then I come home, lay low, and see the other doctor tomorrow for a "plan" from here on out (for the next few days).

Pray! Thanks!!
xoxoxo

The gray area

The past 24 hours have proved to be very informative.

I found the above picture that helps to illustrate the current issues that we have going on. And boy was I thankful because see the lady on the right- that's me and Peanut in all our glory! However, I have much better hair. :)

Yesterday I went to the OB/GYN practice in town. I got to have a new BPP. Although Peanut was sleepy she was cooperative and we scored 8 out of 8. Perfect! My amniotic fluid has gone down in the past weeks to about half of what it was, but it is still in the "ok normal" range. But its just a consideration because it could mean that it might go lower. You see women with gestational diabetes have placentas that don't work as well for as long. So by 40 weeks our placentas "crap out" on functionality. The average or "normal" pregnancy that doesn't happen until about 42 weeks. Thus the need for GD women to deliver at 39 weeks before the placenta wears out.

So here we are, Peanut and I. (See above.) If you take a look at us and then the normal mom and baby you will see the current issue. Peanut and her Budd ah-fication. Her abdomen is over 95th percentile. Its measuring about 41 weeks. If her belly is big, that means her shoulders are also BIG. And this puts her at high right for shoulder distocia. She is also measuring so that she will weigh somewhere between 4000-4500 grams. Which puts us in the gray area. The "area" that means we might be ok to do a natural delivery, or she might get stuck (head deliver and then the shoulders can't- aka: shoulder distocia.) So that weight will be somewhere between 8 lbs 13 oz-9lbs 14 oz.

Mind you the ultrasound measurements are exactly reliable at this point and there is a give or take 1lb error rate on either side of those numbers- so somewhere between 8-11 lbs is her guesstimated fetal weight. My Mom gave birth to four babies all over 8lbs. (I was her smallest at 8lbs and my brother was her biggest at 11lbs 12oz.) She did fine. BUT for babies of "normal" women they don't go through the buddah-fication and grow abnormally disproportionate abdomens and shoulders- they are just bigger all around which makes the risk of shoulder distocia increased but not anywhere nearly as high as it is for a GD Mom whose baby is big.

So whats this gray area mean?

This means that I have some big decisions to make.

If we do the trial induction of labor on Monday and Peanuts head delivers and then her shoulders get stuck under my pelvis it could be very dangerous for her (and I). The protocol is to draw my legs back like a frog and open my pelvis as much as possible. Then a nurse gets on a stool and pushes and slams on her stuck shoulder trying to get it under my pelvis. They will do a large episitomy and the doctor will then reach up and try to pull her arm out so that the amount of "shoulder" isn't as great and I could try to push her out. Then if all else fails and by this time likely her clavicle will be broken- they will break her arm to get her out.

The scariest part would be that she will be deprived of oxygen during the time. With her cord compressed and her chest compressed she could have adverse affects from the O2 deprivation.

The chance of shoulder distocia COULD be as high as 30% IF she is as big as they are thinking. Lots of gray area- lots of unknowns- lots of "maybes".

This scares the shit out of me.

Then there is the flip side.

She may not be that big. I am a bigger person and might be able to handle it if she was. Her lungs would appreciate a natural labor over a c-section given that GD babies develop slower. (NO- they will not be doing an amnio at this point because she has to deliver at 39 weeks because of the other GD issues.) The recovery time is much less for natural than c-section. And we have an entire NEW doctor to do the surgery and my doctor is there as "help" but he won't be the main guy operating. This might be the doctor I met yesterday, or it could be someone I have never seen before. I have had issues in the past with anesthesia (epidural/spinal and local) so this could be an issue for me. (Spotty and non-effective anesthesia has been the history of any medical procedures I have had done- which means a likeliness its going to be more difficult to get me numb and keeping me numb.)

So on Friday morning at my doctors appointment we will come to a final decision. For now, its been left up to me and I have been given all the information. If they do a "trial labor" and anything came up to show that things weren't progressing or Peanut wasn't descending, or that she was having trouble with the laboring etc. I would have a c-section. So there is the option to "try and see".

I am just not sure what is best to do. Praying for clarity! I would love to hear from you all- natural or c-section? Big babies? Recovery from c-section? Have you had both natural labor and a c-section, compare? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks all!

Monday 1st Peanut update

Saw my doctor this morning. Here is a short update.
News flash- I am dilating! (I was 0 last week- so something is better than nothing and certainly things are "happening".)
We talked about the hospital appointments from Friday and Saturday and he is consulting with the OB group in town to have them work with me this week so we have a back up plan in place. I am actually headed out right now to get a new BPP test done to see if we can see Peanut doing her practice breathing and check on how things are going. I will meet with the OB later this week and have the NST's and any other tests done at their office.

The blood work from Saturday came back NORMAL which showed that I have been controlling my blood sugar like a champ over the past three months. This made me feel a lot better knowing that the hospital "guys" can believe me and know that I am the real deal and doing all that I can for this baby. Far too often I think that they are dealing with women who are cheating or just having a little of this or that and certainly that can affect the baby terribly.

So that's the scoop for now... hopefully I will be back later on with good news about Peanut!!
xoxoxoxo

Peanut update Saturday

Another long day at the hospital...
We arrived at 10am for the NST. We chatted with the nurse and found out who the doctor was that was "on". We had heard wonderful things about him in the past and I was happy that he was there.
The NST was tricky at first because Peanut was being WILD and moving around so much so it was hard to get the monitor on her. Finally we found a good position that worked and she had a beautiful NST with perfect heart accelerations and she looked great. Praise God.
They checked my urine (like they always do) and I was at +2- spilling protein... oh my. They waited to take my blood pressure until I was laying down for a bit and it came back good- but the protein spilling was not so good.
So they came back and took blood to check on another PIH panel (pregnancy induced hypertension) and they would use these results to compare with the last blood work two weeks ago. They also ran some sort of hemoglobin test (can't remember the name) that looks at overall blood sugar for the past months so that they could get a better picture as what is going on.
It took quite a while for the test to come back and in that time they were able to get a hold of our family doctor (who is delivering Peanut). He seemed surprised that I was back there again (at the request of the on call OB from the day before) and had the nurse call him back as the various results came in.
The PIH panel did show a slight increase in my numbers but everything was really within normal healthy ranges. If after a few days I spill more protein, I might need another set of blood work and an upward trend in the numbers isn't good either- but for now things are stable. Praise God.
My doctor did not feel that there was any reason to bring me back tomorrow for another NST and I was just to keep monitoring my blood sugar and doing kick counts etc. at home- and he would see me on Monday to discuss what the plan will be from here.
(Given Peanuts size is bigger than they expected so far- they reminded me that she is somewhere between 7.1-9.1 lbs since there is a 1lb margin of error with the measuring.)

The hospital really discourages induction before 39 weeks without cause and the staff today all discussed that there is definitely just cause to induce me soon because of all my risk factors etc. So I am wondering if things will get moved SOONER or stay the same, if I will need to meet a new doctor (an OB) this week, or if they will make me wait longer and not try to deliver naturally? Who knows. I am prayerful and looking forward to Monday. My gut instinct would be that they move the induction up a few days and bring me in on Wednesday night this week so start things moving- just at 38 weeks... its likely to take a bit since I come from a long line of women with LONG labors. :)

As far as Peanut goes there is some talk about "poor feeding" etc. in gestational diabetes babies that are born early especially. That they can be lazy etc. However- I am fairly confident in my baby feeding abilities. Definitely one thing we have going in our favor. :)

37 week pray for Peanut!

 Just got home from the hospital and our NST/BPP/measurement ultrasound...

1. They think either Peanut had a growth spurt or that the last ultrasound was off. Based on her size from the past four ultrasounds she had a little delay a few weeks back when they told me she was 6lbs 4oz. Because now she is measuring 8lbs 1 oz. (And you know that the golden number that will mean I have a c-section is 9lbs. So this was a bit alarming to hear. I was expecting something more like 7lbs 5 oz given its only been TWO weeks since the last ultrasound and that would mean she gained nearly 1 lb per week. Yikes!)

2. My doctor is gone today so I was seeing the hospitalist. The hospital has an OB there all the time and I got to see who was there- no choices in who that is etc. He was the man to review the results of my NST and BPP.

3. During the BPP where they check the babies movement, practice breathing, heart rate and amniotic fluid (and did the measuring)- they didn't see Peanut practice breathing. So this means we failed that part of the test. It could mean something negative is going on- or it could mean nothing. It could be that Peanut was too sleepy or something... but the worrisome part is that on the last BPP they had a harder time seeing her do 30 seconds of practice breathing too... they waited a really long time and were able to finally see it last time. But today- they waited a really long time and they weren't able to see it. The ultrasound gal was wonderful going to look at her little face and then coming back to her lungs to make me not worry too much. But of course-as she started measuring things that really didn't need measuring to buy some time I knew that she was getting frustrated!

4. So once back in the NST room they hooked me back up to the monitors. The NST was reactive and that is good news. BUT... then the OB came in to have a chat with me. He was less than impressed of my 6 out of 8 BPP score. And he wasn't thrilled that I am still seeing a family doctor and not an OB. He said that he is going to tell my doctor that I need an OB consult this week. He drove the point home how "high risk" things are at this point and let me ask him 155 questions.

5. He also said I need to come back to the hospital daily for NST's until he talks to my doctor on Monday.... and that he is going to watch me closely this weekend and I am to do kick counts frequently throughout the day to make sure I can feel Peanut moving enough. :(
This has me worried.
My blood sugar has been fine.
I am ready to have Peanut. And to that comment to him- he said "well we want to be sure that she is able to eat OK and breathe OK first and if it were up to me I wouldn't let you have her until 39 weeks."

Mixed messages. YES!

So please pray. My nerves are fried. We are SO close!
Thank you!

Adoption Tax credit

Here is a NICE video that explains things. Even though I felt really well informed there were definitely things that I learned from this video. So go and check it out. There is a $13,170 tax credit that is FULLY refundable THIS YEAR and NEXT YEAR also. So if you have been praying about adoption and not sure about affording adoption- this might be YOUR time!

2 families needed for little girls

My sister, who is an adoption coordinator... has two very adorable little girls who are in need of families. They are both in Eastern Europe and both desperately in need! Both of them have a special place in my heart as they have the same disabilities as my little ones.

There are NO restrictions on the number of children in your home or the age of the parents.

First little girl: Age 3, born with hydrocephalus and has a VP shunt. She does have cross eyes but is SO adorable. She is developmetally doing very well. They have her picture and a lot more information about her.

Second little girl: Age 2, born with Spina Bifida.
Her birthday is April 20, 2008. She was a first pregnancy and normal birth. She weighed 3200 grams and was 50 cm at birth. She has been in the orphanage since she left the hospital. She received her VP shunt in July 2008. In November she had her meningocele surgery. She has good upper limb strength, not as good lower limb strength. She is now 10,000kg and 80 cm. She does not speak but babbles. She plays well with toys and can walk holding one hand. She can make a few steps on her own. She is aware and interested in what is going on around her. She is good with the adults on staff. She sleeps well.

Would you consider bringing one of these darlings home soon?
You will be SO blessed!!

Contact Nina at
nina.thompson@chiadopt.org

36 weeks + some days

 Nope. You knew it. This is NOT me.
But this is my new hero. 36 weeks pregnant and rock climbing.
I can barely get up out of bed. I am having pain associated with THIS.
Which feels so special when rolling over, putting on pants, getting up from a chair, sitting down, walking, basically just being- it feels like I am being ripped apart literally. Ouch. I don't like it.
But its so worth it. I just am trying not to move too much. Which is difficult considering my life. If I could rock climb right now I would feel like a SUPERSTAR.

Yesterday I had my group B strep test, a visit with my doctor, and an NST. I had thought we were having a BPP as well but since things are looking good (praise God!) the doctor canceled it. I admit that I was a bit bummed to not get an extra peek on the ultrasound of Peanut this week but maybe next week. My blood pressure was good at all the appointments (praise God!) and Peanut was very reactive on the non stress test which is great news!

So as of right now Peanut is measuring big but not as ridiculously big as they thought so they have scheduled my induction for January 24th. Based on my previous induction history- it might take a few days. Peanuts belly is still over the 80% measurement which is her only "part" measuring really disproportionately big. (Maybe she just has a roly poly belly!)

So we have 16 days to go. As long as we keep the BP down, the NST keeps coming back good and I can hang in there a bit longer! :) My blood sugar has been really good, my dizziness has not been really BAD.

If I can get my nerve up I will post some belly pics of me for you soon. Maybe. lol

Cute Boys and Facts of Life

Jude's favorite things to say lately...

"I'm not a boy!"

"I'm not a little baby!"

"I'm a Jude E."

"I'm a Mommas Boy."

and then the demands...

"Different binkie- find it!"

"Need chocolate."

"Need chocolate in my milk."

Jude's favorite thing to tell Lauren...

"*Coconut Boobies."

(*Why? We have no clue.)

Isaac talks a lot. (loudly)

A cute story from school the other day

that we keep hearing about was when

his two "girlfriends" at school kept saying:

"SSHHHHH!!"

This really bothered him.

Because he explained that when

they said SHHHH- they SPIT!

"People SPIT when they say Shhhh!

And its RUDE."

I couldn't agree more smart boy.

Dominick and Cole are on the way home

from a FABULOUS time in California

with the cousins, Aunt and Uncle.

They got to spend the New Year at Yosemite.

There were lots of 'firsts' experienced.

And they got to see where my brother works-

which has been the highlight of every ones

trip to visit them in California because

IT is THAT cool.

I am jealous and hoping to go there soon.

With all the kids.

Get out the air mattresses!I am really blessed with great family.

(who welcome my kids all the time)

I can't wait to see Dom and Cole!

Sunday...

Lauren, Sophie, Angeline and I

are going on an adventure- IF

the weather cooperates.

(we are supposed to get snow)

Praying for not too much snow!

I am hoping to fit in as much as

possible between now and D-Day.

(Due Date- which is now been changed!)

MORE SOON.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

He didn't die.

We wait for the phone call in the middle of the night.
Sometimes months goes by and we hear nothing from him or of him.
We live by "no news is good news" when it comes to our oldest son.
Last week he almost died.
But he didn't die.
But inside he is dying.
He lost NINE friends to senseless death. (one murdered, 8 in a fire)
He sent his Dad a message saying goodbye the other day, and that we might not hear from him or see him again. Obviously he is hurting and we pray that he isn't making any bad choices and that he will heal in time.

Please pray for Jeremy, for his friends and their families... who like us wait to hear from their young adults who choose an alternative lifestyle. One where they feel free to be musicians, artists, travelers... and one where they risk so much at the same time making themselves truly not free at all. Not even a tiny bit.

Jeremy is our oldest son, my oldest child by marriage and an incredible guy. Intelligent and an amazing artist who got good grades, loved Dragon Ball Z (a little too long), and was always smiling and had a kind word for those who crossed his path.

It feels like just yesterday to his dad (who is his own free spirit then and now) was kissing his tiny newborn face, clueless what the future held for his son, and hopeful that he would be all that he could be in the world- but most of all that he would be happy and spiritually FULFILLED.

Never lost. Never broken. Never confused. Never hurting. Never alone. Never afraid. Never emailing his goodbyes.

Painful.

We still find hope son and hope you can find it too.

To Lauren

(turn the music off on the right)
To Lauren
You are MORE
Love,
Dad and Sarah

Weekend Peanut Update

Yesterday my honeys and I spent another long day at the hospital getting tests done. I am not sure why I didn't realize when I scheduled that it was a holiday and that things might run more slowly than usual- but after yesterday I will definitely start paying better attention to the dates and times that I schedule things! :) They did the best job that they could do getting me in and out but there were several emergencies that took priority over pregnant me needing an ultrasound BPP to make sure that Peanut is OK.

The NST went well. Things actually only took a half an hour for that to get done and then they let me off the monitors for the rest of my time there. This was different than the times before as they would just keep me on them for as long as I was in the building basically. I like being on them because its always reassuring to hear Peanuts little heartbeat and watch the test strip print out but at the same time the position that I have to lay in order to get the most accurate print out isn't the most comfortable after the half an hour mark.

Hubby and I spent lots of time playing tetris and talking about all the things that we still plan to get done before Peanut arrives and we waited and waited for ultrasound to come. It was an exciting u/s day because not only were they doing the BPP but they were also measuring Peanut which I was a little afraid about since I am still measuring two weeks ahead of schedule.

Finally we got down to the u/s room and they did all the measurements and BPP with the exception of one part. Peanut wasn't really showing that she was practicing her breathing, she would start for a second or two and then stop and they needed to see her doing it for 30 seconds in a row. So it did take some extra time in order for the tech to be able to view her doing this. And yes, it did make me nervous. Peanut hasn't been moving as much as she was- for about the past 48 hours or so her movement has been fairly limited and just small random movements. So I had that in the back of my mind when we were getting the test done and I was of course letting me emotions and brain play tricks on me!

I was really grateful that the tech took her time and waited patiently so that we could see Peanut in all her glory practice her breathing just as the criteria requires.

And her measurements.... are looking MUCH better. Still a little big, but certainly NOT as big as she was at 32 weeks.

So for 35 weeks and four days she was measuring in at 6lbs 4 oz. Meaning that she should be OK for a natural delivery as long as I can keep everything blood sugar wise under control between now and D-day. Peanut should gain 1/2 lb each week for the next few weeks and they are planning at this point to induce my labor on January 20th (38 weeks) if I don't go sooner- so I am guessing that Peanut will be about 7.5-8.5 lbs at that time. Perfect! (Of course the ultrasound isn't always perfect but we are rolling with it and we hope that the doctor does too.)

In other baby related health news...

My blood pressure is slowly creeping up and they did some blood work last week to get a pre-eclampsia check and now they have some base numbers. They are watching things closely since this was a major factor of early induction with my last pregnancy like 100 years ago. :) Last week I also lost three pounds which was weird because I have been eating fine and haven't had much energy for anything outside of just getting through the normal daily routine. So the doctors office called and had me put them on speaker phone to instruct the little ones and hubby to make me take it easier these last few weeks and not try to be a super woman. So I am definitely taking them up on that offer! Just hoping and praying we make it to a safe delivery date for Peanuts sake. At this point with the GD- they think she might need a NICU and that would be bad news. (Meaning she would be airlifted to Seattle- even though we are far along the GD babies tend to not develop organs/breathing as fast as "normal" babies.) Basically any date under 38 weeks that is still a possibility... which I could get an amnio for to be on the safe side if need be. We are just praying for no sky rocketing blood pressure numbers or Peanut getting stressed out and rapid emergency delivery that would NOT be the way to go.

So that's the news on the Peanut front.

Thanks for your continued prayers!

Jeremiah 29:11
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11