Multitudes on Monday

959. I am 33/34 weeks pregnant. (Went to the doctor this morning and they want to bump my due date back a week...that's another post - and there were lots of tears for multiple reasons...)

960. I'm out of the hospital for now!

961. I can move around without an IV and monitors hanging from my body

962. the swelling that I acquired from a continuous IV and from multiple drugs is dwindling down

963. friends who visited while I was in the hospital

964. nice nurses

965. agreeable doctors

966. hearing Porter's heartbeat for hours and hours

967. feeling him move inside of me - even if he won't get out of his breech position

968. allergy medicine for Landon

969. eye drops that work pretty quickly to clear up Landon's eyes

970. swapping out winter clothes for spring

Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Home Sweet Home

Believe me when I say that no one was more shocked than me when the doctor came in this morning, talked to me for about 20 minutes, and then asked if I wanted to go home. What?!?! After the last couple of days, Scott and the nurses had me convinced that I'd be in the hospital until it was time to deliver. Shocked! In all honesty, other than just being out of the hospital, I am so glad to be here for Ella Beth's sake. She is such my little sensitive and intuitive little girl, so having me gone for days and in the hospital has been hard on her. Happy to be here where I'm needed. :)

This morning, the doctor checked me out and noticed that I was swelling a LOT. Of course it is due to the continuous IV fluids and the fact that I was only allowed out of bed to go to the bathroom. Even with my feet constantly raised and sexy compression leggins (ha!), the swelling was getting worse by the hour. Because I am already high risk, extra fluid building up (especially when it was happening so fast) could put me at an even higher risk for pre-eclampsia. The doctor wants to avoid adding that on to my body at all costs!

I was sent home with 187 pills of Procardia to help lessen my contractions and strict instructions. I am 2 cm dilated and 30% effaced, so the contractions are definitely changing me. I was told that the next time they see me, whether it be Monday or in three weeks...Porter will be delivered. Hoping for at least another week or two to keep him baking! I go back to my OB on Monday, and they will check me out to see if anything has progressed since my release from prison the hospital. ;)

So I am home resting on the couch while my mama took the kiddos out for a little while. As I walked into our home, my first thought was, "Our house may be small, but it's still home and I am so happy to be here with my family!"

Hospital bedrest and updates

So...hospital bedrest is much different than bedrest at home. Turns out, I should have enjoyed/appreciated bedrest at home a lot more. Ha!

I guess the hardest things about being in the hospital is that I am here alone much more than ever being at home. Scott has been in and out for the last two days, but with two other kiddos it's not like both of us can drop everything for an indefinite amount of time. Landon had his 4 year old check up today, so Scott left early this morning to go home and shower before taking Landon at 10 a.m. This is the first appointment that I've never gone to for either one of the kiddos; it was a little sad. But Scott has to work all weekend to make up for not working yesterday and today, so alone I'll be. Hopefully, I will have two little toe-heads popping in a time or two to brighten my days. :)

For right now, I am here until "at least Monday." I will be 34 weeks on Monday, which is good. If I can make it to 35 weeks that would be really good! The contractions haven't stopped, but they are being managed by medications. I was being given Terburtaline, but started having pretty serious side effects so they switched me to Procardia. They have had to increase my dosage because it was wearing off about 3 hours into the 8 hour dose; so now I take it every 4 hours. As someone who doesn't take meds very often, it's kinda hard to take drugs over and over - especially being pregnant. But as one of my nurses told me, "We are in the business of making babies healthy so everything we give you and do to you is for baby's best interest." Trusting, trusting, trusting!

I saw the perinatologist yesterday. It was a good appointment, and it was a little disheartening all in one. Porter looks good - measuring right at 4 lbs even, so he has kept his growth pattern consistent. The perinatologist said he if he were to make it to the same fetal age as Landon, he would be about the same size. But, it was disheartening to know that Porter is not only still in the frank breech position, but his tushy has "lodged into my pelvis and isn't going anywhere." Therefore, unless a huge miracle were to move this little fella out of his comfort zone, I will be having a c-section. I must say that there were tears shed because a c-section is just not what I had in mind. After two incredibly easy vaginal deliveries, I definitely didn't expect to have to change that. But, I am thankful that God has prepared me ahead of time. The more I talk about it with Scott, and the more I hear the doctors talk about it, the more the reality is sinking in. I am also researching a lot online and with friends who have had c-sections to prepare myself for what happens afterward. It's going to be tricky nursing at first, being in pain and on (more) drugs to manage pain, not being able to move easily or drive or go up/down stairs, etc...it's all going to be very different. But, I'm just thankful to prepare myself as much as possible.

It's so funny how the LESS I do the MORE tired I am. Of course, my body has been working hard in contracting multiple times an hour...but since I'm not allowed to even walk the halls, it's just hard to believe how tired I am. That being said...I think I'll try to catch a little shut-eye. Well, until the nurses come in and wake me up. ;)

Thank you, thank you for your prayers! They are appreciated and valued more than I can explain.

Pregnancy update :: 33 weeks

I am 33 weeks pregnant. I honestly can't believe we've made it this far, but I am thankful! There are "signs" that things have started happening for impending labor, but only time will tell.

Heartburn? Rarely these days, so that's a plus.

Maternity clothes? I think we've covered this...but YES. I still have a hard time finding things to fit (being very petite does have downsides), and I seriously wear the same 6 shirts over and over. But, with the weather warming up to the high 70s low - 80s this week, I'm just having to wear whatever I can - whether it's fashionable or not. ;)

Weight gain? Yes. I've had lots of tummy issues with this pregnancy, so my weight has shifted dramatically between my recent appointments.

Swelling? Up until this weekend, just normal swelling. But, with the warming temps, my fingers are very swollen and my feet look a little pudgy to me. My face also looks like it's fattened up again. I'll blame that on the heat, too. Can't believe I want to turn the AC on in March!

Cravings? Pineapple, pineapple, pineapple. And, chips and salsa.

Feeling movement? Yes, although his movements have changed from punches to rolling around these days. I'm just hoping he's rolled into a head DOWN position by now.

Tired? Yawn, I mean Yes. It's an early bed time for this mama every night.

"Pluses" from this pregnancy: 1) I again do not have the dark line down my belly. I wonder if it's hormonal because I had it with Ella Beth, but have not had it with either of the boys' pregnancies. 2) While my back has started aching, I have not had sciatica. I had it with Ella Beth, but not this go 'round. 3) I haven't cut my hair! I cut my hair to a short bob at the end of my two previous pregnancies, and I promised myself I wouldn't do it again.

Favorite pregnancy moment this month? Ella Beth's love of her little brother is one of my favorite memories for this entire pregnancy. She is going to be SUCH a great big, big sister and is going to be such a great help to me. She runs up and hugs Porter a number of times each day. She talks to him and about him. She will say, "Mommy, you go sit down and rest so you and Porter will feel well" throughout the day. And she's just so excited about his arrival. She prays for him daily and nightly, and it's just so sweet the bond that she already has with him. I can't wait for them to meet and to watch Ella Beth's "little mama" come into action! (Of course, I'm already preparing myself mentally for the extra "help" that she is going to bring - but I know that she will be doing everything with the sweetest of intentions, and that melts my heart. )

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Pictures:

There are two belly shots this month. I can't believe I actually post these pics. Whew, look at that belly!!!

Multitutes on Monday

933. I am 33 weeks pregnant...and feeling miserable

934. feeling miserable because that means I'm getting closer and closer to meeting Porter!

935. perspective shifts ;)

936. school that is finished before lunch

937. Ella Beth asking if she could do two MORE math problems after she finished her assignment!

938. the ease at which Ella Beth learns and soaks up new information - she makes me look like a much better teacher than I actually am

939. Ella Beth reading a 1st/2nd grade level book out loud and being so proud of herself

940. Highlights and High Five magazines for days when we need a little variety and fun mixed in our school days

941. Landon finding the Hidden Pictures in record time (even if it does frustrate his big sister!)

942. long, relaxing weekends

943. realizing after weeks of bed rest that I am more of a homebody than I thought

944. homemade tacos

945. left over homemade tacos

956. queso dip - yum!

957. Landon sleeping until 8:20 a.m. and Ella Beth sleeping until 9:10 a.m. this morning - the upside of day light savings

958. being reminded by God to "Be still [in His presence] and wait patiently for Him to act." Ps. 37:7

Our Bible verse for the week in homeschool is one of thankfulness. I love teaching my children Truth and hiding it in their hearts on a daily basis -

Psalm 118:1 "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Landon's 4th Birthday

Landon woke up to STREAMERS hanging from his door. This is a great way to start a fun day of celebrating!

And, you'd think that when given the option to have ANYTHING he wanted for breakfast that a 4-year old boy might choose pancakes or donuts...but not our Landon. Nope, he wanted cereal just like every other morning!

While Scott and the kiddos went to church, I made the birthday cake!

Landon's 4th birthday party was a LOT of fun! It was pretty low-key due to this mama being on bed rest, but it turns out that little boys don't seem to mind. :) I was "allowed" to help set up a few (very few) things and snap a few pics before the guests arrived.

(Since I wasn't "allowed" to do much at the party, my friend Jennifer took pictures for me. Glad someone else was there to run around and do it!)

Why recreate the wheel when Shoot the Can was such a big hit last year??? 

It proved to be a hit once again!

Best family shot we could get. ;)

The cake was a HUGE hit with the kiddos! 

It's not a Castleberry birthday without homemade ice cream!

Ella Beth was a big help to Landon without stealing the show. She brought him each present and then put the cards and gifts back in the bag/box to keep everything together. Such a GREAT big sister!!!

ROAR!

Trying his first piece of gum...turns out, he didn't like it. We didn't think our picky, picky eater would. ;)

We had a great time honoring our fella and helping him celebrate turning 4. I still can't believe my baby is FOUR and not going to be the baby much longer. But, Landon is one great little fella. He's funny, goofy, snuggly, wild, sweet, a monkey who climbs and flips on/off of everything, and he's such a great fit in our family! Just goes to prove that SURPRISES are so much fun!

Multitudes on Monday

920. I am 32 weeks pregnant

921. encouraging friends who I can call or text at any time

922. white chicken chili from my mama - my absolute favorite cold weather meal

923. salmon cakes and biscuits from my mother-in-law

924. going to church for the first time in 6 weeks...although it will be my last until after Porter arrives because I hurt SO BADLY for the rest of the day :(

925. Ella Beth finishing The Beginner's Bible and being so excited that she tells everyone, "I read the whole Bible all by myself!"

926. clear skies after a rainy day

927. a daughter who is very much opposite me in many ways to remind me that we are all different and lovely in God's sight

928. a little boy who is very much like me in many ways to make "other" days a little more manageable

929. listening to Ella Beth sing with Scott as he plays the guitar

930. blue MM's

931. setting up Porter's make-shift nursery in our room and anticipating his arrival

932. my friend Kim bringing us her mini pack-n-play and finding that it was the same one we had with Ella Beth - I am so sentimental that I find myself touching it and staring at it thinking of the tiny girl who slept there 5 1/2 years ago

Psalm 106:47 "Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise."