Beach Escape

So this week is spring break for Porter which means no school. I've been feeling kinda bad because I haven't taken the boys anywhere or done anything too fun lately since I've been trying to "take it easy". I'm not typically the type to be at home... all day long... every day. I start to go crazy myself so I decided it was time for a getaway. Since the weather has been so nice I decided to take the boys to the beach for a little beach escape. (Porter is always wanting to "go down to the sand") The boys had a good time and it was nice for mom to get out and get some fresh air! Nothing compares to a little bit of good beach fun! Porter checking out the surfers in the water

Phearson getting used to the sand on his feetAfter getting used to the sand on his feet he decided to move on to the hands Phearson picking up seashells... without letting go of his cars of course Porter playing in the sand ...Still playing in the sand Nothing like a good ole vanilla ice cream (Porter's favorite) to end a good beach day ... Or just a good ole simple nap. Sand on face and all! We love our beach!

Excuses, excuses...

All my excuses for not posting in so long...

Being 8 1/2 months pregnant, huge and forgetful

Hubby and I having THE WORST, LONGEST LASTING colds EVER! (trying to figure out what if any medications I can take while being prego)

Getting ready for new baby Trying to keep house some what clean/organized in case baby comes early Did I mention never ending laundry... And a washing machine that currently overflows water with every load! (Daddy's got some "fix it"projects around the house)

Dealing with on and off again contractions- trying not to have to go to the hospital again (Plan still remains- Amnio and induction at 37 weeks)

Going to fetal monitoring for hours at a time, Dr. appts and ultrasounds all week long

Searching for bunk beds for the boys EASTER

Dealing with Verizon Customer Service for hours on the phone because our home phone service was "accidentally" turned off "by mistake"! (And of course It takes 15 different people and hours to figure it out and fix it!)

Taking care of two little boys with a lot of energy and attitude!

Just to name a few!

Thanks to everyone who has help us out with the kids, offered help, or just so much called to check in on us the last couple of weeks!

Fun Times

So in my last post I was all worried about having an amniocentesis... well a few things have happened since then and now the amnio is one of my least concerns. We have a whole new set of worries today. As most of you already know when I went for my Fetal Monitoring on Thursday, low and behold I was having contractions. I knew I had been having some contractions on and off but just shrugged it off. I mean what woman with two small children at home wouldn't be having some contractions right. Well as I sat there in my comfy recliner I came to the realization that these contractions were every couple of minutes apart and not going away.

So at 33 weeks along... off to Labor and Deliver I was sent and given a fun little dose of the medication Turbutaline to stop the contractions and a whole bunch of water to drink. Luckily the contractions did eventually stop and I was able to come home with Dr. orders for "bed rest". (Or "to take it easy" as the nurse put it after I gave her "the yea right... I have two small children look")

So I now say forget all other worries... Let's just keep this baby in side for a little while longer! Keep your fingers crossed for us, we need all the help we can get!

So Long.. Farewell... And on to the new

So this past Sunday was my last day at work until this baby comes. I had to start Fetal Monitoring twice a week, on top of my weekly ultrasounds, so my Dr. took me off of work a little early. It was a good "QUIET" shift and us girls were able to have one last good time together. No Code Blue's, no rushing a patient to CT scan or emergently placing breathing tubes or central IV lines! Life around Hoag ICU has been busy lately, to say the least, and we have been taking care of many REALLY sick people. I have to admit I was a little happy to hear the Dr. say she was taking me off of work and I know that my sore swollen ankles and feet were happy too. I will miss the company though. The people I work with are great and a lot of fun. Thanks to all of them who have been taking such good care of me and baby this last 8 months! (Please excuse the "beauty" of us all in our last picture together. I don't know what the rest of you look like at 4:00am..)

Us RN girls living it up my last night at work

So I say so long to work in the ICU and start to focus on the upcoming arrival of our new little guy. I had my weekly ultrasound today and visit with the "high risk Dr." Apparently the Dr. likes to be very "cautious", as he put it, in the 3rd trimester with this antibody thing I have and plans to induce me at 37-38 weeks. Now I am starting to panic a little. That puts us having this baby 1 month from now!! Oh and did I mention that they will be doing an amniocentesis! Labor... no problem! A huge needle being stuck into my big balloon shape belly! Something just freaks me out about this. It is necessary though to make sure the baby's lungs are developed before delivery so I will have to just suck it up. Someone please tell me it's not so bad!

Needless to say things are happening quickly around here. I have began going through baby clothes/items, cleaning out dressers and trying to make the most of my time off and prepare for the arrival of baby #3! Panic or no panic it will be here before we all know it and we are excited!

Another sneak peak

Just thought I would share some more fun baby pictures from our ultrasound today!

A Self Portrait

A Self portrait of a three year old little boy... by a three year old little boy.

Don't you see the resemblance?

Porter had his very first "parent/teacher conference" this week. It is hard to believe that I am actually doing this already... it seems like it was just yesterday I was holding this tiny little boy in my arms in the NICU. So I met with Porter's preschool teacher and together reviewed her observations of Porter while in the school environment. He is doing well and seems to be enjoying school and his friends. We got to the last page of his "packet" and this is what I saw. Porter's self portrait. I have to say it made me giggle inside. When I got home and looked over the picture with Porter he smiled so big and told me that he drew "his head" and that his head was a circle. When I asked where his eyes were he told me that "I don't know how to draw eyes yet mom". I have to admit I was just glad that he was aware that he has eyes, mouth and nose! It's a start, I can't wait to see what he thinks he looks like next year.

P.S. Watch out uncle Derek... this little artist is right on your heels!