Bed Rest

For those that don't know... I have been on bed rest for 3 weeks. I actually can't believe I have made it this far. On Jan 3rd, I went to the doctor complaining about possibly having Cholestatis again. It was something I had with Emily and it caused me to be very itchy all over. Pretty uncomfortable. They did a blood test for that. (It turns out I don't have it and the itching has stopped. I guess I just made all that up.) Anyways, the doctor went ahead and checked me and said I was 2 cm dilated. EEK! I was only 28 weeks. They did an ultrasound and the baby looked perfect and right on schedule for 28 weeks, about 2.5 lbs. Then I did a non stress test to make sure I was not having contractions. Everything looked fine there. They gave me steriods shots to help the maturity of the baby's lungs. The doctor told me to go on bed rest so as to stop any chances of going into labor since I was already dilated

So since then, I have been on bed rest. I have been going back to the doctor weekly for them to check me. Things have been staying the same for the last few checkups. I have gone to a different doctor in the practice each time, so it has been nice to hear different opinions. The doctor last week did not seem as concerned because the baby seemed pretty high up and he did not feel any ballooning of the sac. After hearing that, I was not as strict with my bed rest. I didn't leave the house or go anywhere, but I did walk around the house doing more cleaning and taking care of the girls.
However the doctor this week said the baby has dropped to 0 position and he did feel like the sac was ballooning/bulging. He said there is a just a membrane holding things together. When that ruptures, my water would break and then the baby would be here quickly, if she follows her sisters' deliveries. Now I am trying very hard to stay on a strict bed rest and only get up to shower and use the restroom.

I am almost 32 weeks and the doctor wants me to get to Feb. 10 (34 weeks).  I have had SOOOO much help during the past 3 weeks. Somebody comes everyday to take the girls or watch them here. We have had meals brought into us. Friends have called to check on me. My mom has been great and taken time off work to help me. She has the girls at her house right now for 4 days. Andy has had to really step it up and he cleans the house everyday and takes care of me and the girls. Andy's sister has come up to watch the girls and will be coming back next week. My sweet girls have been AWESOME. They crawl in bed with me to cuddle and watch movies. They have been great about going to other people's houses. Since I hate to post without pictures. Here are my sweet, happy girls that I love so much. Yes, they love their backpacks!

Snow Day

 We woke up the morning after Christmas and were covered in snow!!!

Unfortunately we were also woken up in the middle of the night to Emily getting hit with the stomach bug.  She did manage to gather up enough energy to make it outside for a little bit. However, she did carry a bowl with her outside in case she got sick.

   

The girls didn't really last too long outside. We really need to get some waterproof gloves. Emilly preferred to be back inside... with her bowl.

Christmas Day

Andy's family came over Christmas afternoon. Not everyone made it due to sicknesses, but it was nice to have them come over.

The girls hung out with Aunt Sharon and Grandma and Grandpa until everyone else arrived.

For dinner, we had grilled steaks, homemade mac n cheese, green beans, baked potato bar and a salad bar. And of course, Aunt Sharon's amazing rolls.

Then is was time to open presents!!! It started pretty organized with everyone taking turns, but then the kids just couldn't resist opening everything!!! Can you blame them??!

I really enjoyed everyone coming to our house. It didn't seem too crowded and I loved not having to drive anywhere on Christmas Day. :)

The best way to spend Christmas is with family!

Christmas Morning

All ready for the girls to come downstairs...

Santa brought a FISH... which Emily has named Dwarf. Kind of an odd name, but it has stuck. Emily is very good about remembering to feed him.

I only got a few pictures of the present opening. It was a little chaotic

I made mom a photo book of her grandchildren from 2009. I really like how it turned out and it made her cry. Success! I would like to do one every year.

The girls and Nana!

I wish I would have gotten a family picture in front of the tree and a picture of the girls with all their presents. Unfortunately after we opened presents I started to get a little stressed about all of Andy's family arriving soon and I had the stomach bug. So it just didn't happen.

No big deal, I guess.

Christmas Eve

For the last few years, my mom and Larry have come over for Christmas Eve. I really enjoy this tradition.

We usually have ham, hash brown casserole, deviled eggs and a veggie or two.

Then the girls each got to open a present.

New nightgowns!

Then we had a surprise visitor (while Larry went to run an errand)!

I have never seen Emily run to bed so quickly as she did after Santa told her he would come back with her presents once she went to sleep!!!

Santa Baby

I forgot to post this one of our own little Sarah baby...who we like to call Santa Baby!

Christmas Lights and Santa

Before Christmas, we did a few things to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

First, we went to the Meadow Christmas Lights with the Helmers. It was freezing, but the kids enjoyed it. We rode a little train ride through all the lights. Unfortunately, our pictures didn't really turn out

There was an old fashioned candy store on site too. Of course, we had to treat the kids to lollipops.

I got Cheerwine in a bottle- wow, it was sooooo good! We also stopped by to see Santa. You had to pay for a picture. We opted out of that because the setup was just a little too rednecky for me. Emily sat on his lap and asked for "paint." We asked Sarah if she wanted to see Santa and she replied, "No, I don't! Go to car!" No need to make her if she doesn't want to.

 

My little sis, Layni came up for a few nights. We visited with Santa Cow and his elf at Chick Fila. Once, again, Sarah choose to stay in the booth rather than see "Santa."

The next night we went to the Lake Myra Christmas Lights. It is just a local family that has a HUGE Christmas light display. This year they also had a magic show, a little random if you ask me. After the show, we got in line to see Santa (again.)

Emily really enjoys looking at all the lights when we are out at night. She gives us a running commentary of everything she sees. She likes to use overly dramatic phrases, like "Those lights are wonderfully beautiful!"