Watching the Sunrise

I woke up this morning feeling even better than I did yesterday. Looking down... pregnant still? Yep. Looking outside seeing the blues, pinks and purples of the sky, looking forward to another sunny day. ::sigh:: Then I remember it's another sunny day... in the hospital.

Bella updates, not a whole lot. She's still hanging out in there, growing and hopefully getting ready for the world. She's been a tough cookie so far and both of her strips looked great yesterday. Her kicks are starting to get increasingly painful, which is great. The more they hurt, the stronger she is. (That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.) Last week my goal was to make it to 30 weeks. I managed that. My new goal is to make it to 32 weeks. I refuse to make goals any further out than that and I find reassurance in each hour, each day that passes with her still growing.

I do my morning things, quickly pop open my laptop and there is a message from mom. Emma had her first soccer practice ever last night and she did great. Talk about bitter sweet. I should have been there. I am fortunate that Grandma had the picture taking mindset or I'd have missed it completely. It looks like Emma enjoyed it, but I really don't know if she did or not. I haven't even gotten to talk to her yet after her practice. (Okay, falling into the poor me pit... climbing back out of that right now.) So, bitter sweet. I am THRILLED that Emma *finally* chose something to be a part of, we've been encouraging her for years.

Best number ever! <3 7 <3

So, as far as I know that is it for updates today. Less and less seems to be happening the longer I am here in the hospital. Exciting stuff I tell you! lol I do plan to request a growth scan for little miss Bella. I want to know how she's coming along and I don't think that is unreasonable. I know it can be off, but a general idea that she's thriving despite lack of fluid... I feel is reasonable.

Talking and dribbling. Ain't no thang.

Practice is tiring, need... a... drink! 

What does Emma do while mommy and Bella are in the hospital?

She spends her time at Grandma and Grandpa's, getting rides all the way too and from school in Anoka from both grands... even better than that... she gets to snuggle with both grands... and sometimes a grand(ma in this case) will put her right to sleep with said snuggles! Only it happens way before bed time, around 5:30 p.m.so miss Emma finds herself awake at 3 a.m..

What do you think little miss does, finding she's hungry and everyone is asleep? She makes herself something to eat of course. Some cold deli fried chicken from the fridge followed by an ice cream cone... which is NO small feet to put together for a 6 year old at the grand's house. The cones are way up on the top-back of the fridge. For entertainment, miss Emma then proceeded to occupy herself with Fable 3 on the X-box until other members of the household woke up.

While not what I was expecting, I am impressed, there were very big girl moves and decisions on her part! After all of this, she was still able to get ready and dressed for school this morning and she and grandpa took a nice ride to get her there.

I think it was an awfully cute adventure, I am also glad she didn't manage to get hurt during her adventure. She's a smart and fortunate girl.

Happy Birthday, Papa!!!

I can't believe I almost forgot to post this today! It would have been a travesty to miss Papa's 63rd birthday! (Golly he's old!)

So, Happy birthday Papa! From your girls in Anoka! Emma, Bella and their mommy! We love you!

Holy buckets!

I can't believe it. I would have to say I am as big with Bella as I was with Emma if not bigger and I still have 9 weeks to go to get to the point I was at with Emma! I wish the angles were better, but I *think* it's fairly obvious still. Amazing...

22 weeks!

It's amazing. 22 weeks down, 14 to go, assuming we stay with the plan of having her between 36 and 37 weeks which was the original plan. Freaking out yet? Maybe a little! lol

Of course I have the weekly belly pic... and yes, I just happen to have the same shirt on today as I did Friday. Sue me. :p It's super soft and very comfortable.

So we're down to 10 days until we have the appointment with the pediatric cardiologist. I think this is going to be a rough week, especially as we get closer to the appointment time. I am hoping for the best possible news, but I am preparing for the worst. Tough to do!

Wow, looking at that belly pic, I am really getting huge. I wonder if I'll get much bigger before I have her. I found a pic of me from when I was 31 weeks pregnant with Emma... hmm. Maybe I'll have to make a side by side comparison! I wish I had been more regular about taking belly pics with Emma, but for whatever reason I just wasn't. Could be that at 20 weeks with her we found out about the chorioangioma. Ah, to have a stress free pregnancy. I forget what that's like.

Oh, and I haven't posted one of these in a while. I think it's fun to read about what she's doing in there each week, you may or may not... but here is What to Expect When You're Expecting has to say about her this week...

Your Baby in Week 22 of Pregnancy This week, your baby weighs in at a whopping pound and measures nearly eight inches, about the size of a small doll. But your little doll (who now has eyebrows, eyelashes, and maybe even some hair on that little head) is a living one who can now perceive light and dark. She can also hear your voice, your heartbeat, your gurgling stomach, and the whoosh-whoosh of blood circulating through your body. And as her brain and nerve endings develop, she may reach for her face (or whatever she can reach) just to experiment with her newfound sense of touch.

Awe, I have a little Bella baby doll in there. She packs one heck of a kick now though! Both Jim and Steve have now felt her kick from the outside. Further validation of, who knows what, but it makes me feel good. I can't help but think she's getting stronger and stronger with every kick and that when it comes time to address her HRHS, she'll be that much better off for it.

Okay, I am off to make that comparison picture! If it's interesting in any way, I'll probably share it.

Big sister's surgery went well!

Now Peanut and I are just trying to catch up on our self care. Ish! lol

But, we are very proud of Peanut's big sister. If you're interested there is a much more detailed update on my personal blog for Miss Emma.

I think we need a nap now.  ~.~

Taking care of big sister Emma.

Today Peanut and I will be taking care of big sister Emma before and after she has her tonsils and adenoids removed. We have the "mother load" of ice cream and popsicles for her to choose from along with a lot of pudding and jello.

We are not looking forward to surgery for big sissy to be, but we know it'll help her feel a lot better. I can tell Peanut is excited about her first time nursing, she's been kicking me all morning. That or she can feel mommy's stress. >.< Although I am trying my best to keep it to a dull roar for both my little ones. :)

Speaking of my cuties... here they are!

Thankfully we have help today so were not doing it all on our own. I have to say I wish it was at least one night in the hospital. I think that's the most nerve wracking part is bringing her right home and keeping her comfortable and safe and making recovery as smooth as we possibly can.

Babies and children should come with an attached warning sticker that surgical maintenance may be required. This is my second time seeing a child through surgery. Not that I'd put them back knowing in advance, but.. knowing in advance may have it's benefits? Then again... if I didn't know this was today... I just might not be so very darn nervous.

17 weeks

Okay, this is not our typical belly picture. I haven't put too much thought into posting another aside from this one, I'm rather partial to this one.

This is my baby girl EmmaLeigh (6) posing with her sister to be after decorating my baby bump.

I love it! Oh and if you look closely, there is a give away for the baby name too. ;)

On a less exciting note, I begin the 17p shots this week to help prevent PTL. Emma was born at just about 35 weeks. <3

Awe!

Emma is so excited about Peanut that today flood of questions came spewing forth. It was a bit crazy... but, between videos of her as a baby and her baby dolls I was able to answer all of her questions. Although now she is that much more excited to meet our Peanut. So let's see... I am 7 weeks 6 days along at this point... only... 29 more weeks (and 1 day) until we could be having a sweet little Peanut joining us. Assuming I am able to carry Peanut to full term. If Peanut comes as early as Emma did... then only 27 more weeks. Eek!

Wow.... 29 weeks isn't so much time... wow. My gosh. That's like... 6 and a half months give or take. Wow.

I don't know if I am more excited to meet or worried about being ready in time for our little Peanut!