Baby #3 Week 37

It's getting closer! Can't believe we are 3 weeks away from due date. I'm still feeling good but nesting in a major way. I'm feeling the time crunch that baby boy will be here in less than 3 weeks. Clothes are washed and our hospital bags are packed but I have TON of monogramming to do. After losing three things this week I have decided that our home is an unorganized disaster area (being extremely dramatic here) and it is time for a major clean out.

Some of my cheerleaders threw an adorable shower for me on Saturday. They were all such sweet hostesses and you could see their cotillion manners coming out! They gave a super sweet toast to me and baby Shep. We got tons of lovely gifts and played some really fun shower games.

We met with the doctor on Tuesday and everything seems to be good. I am not dilated and very thankful! We didn't discuss delivery options but I'm pretty set on a repeat c-section as the date gets closer. My first was pretty fabulous and I don't really see the point of laboring for hours when I'm not sure if I'm going to end up having a c-section anyway. I've been hearing tales of scars busting open too during the labor process and that is just not appealing to me!

Nesting has set in and I am an organizing machine! We are hiring a cleaning crew to do a deep clean of the house before we go into the hospital but I want to get everything organized and picked up so they can work their magic. Jay and I completed the dining room, living room, front, and hall closets last night and already have giant piles in our living room. I divided everything up into sell, donate, put away, and trash. Our system is working pretty well and I'm loving the increased closest space. Can't wait to finish up the rest of the house!

I also forgot to post this last week but we met with the pediatric urologist and learned about how they would help Shep once he arrives. I really like our urologist. He did Holden's surgery and makes me feel super relaxed. He is very optimistic that Shep's kidney will heal on it's own. They are going to put him on antibiotics as soon as he is born to avoid any infection and will do an ultrasound within his first 2 days to see if the kidney is truly blocked.  

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Friday, March 28, 2014

How Far Along: 37 weeks 

Pregnancy Countdown: 21 days until due date!

Size of baby: Yay! Baby has reached full term. He likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. He's gaining about 1/2 ounce each day. Shep is the size of a winter melon. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've stayed the same at 25 pounds gained. I'm slowing down on my eating because this guy is taking up a lot of space! 

Maternity Clothes: Yes, all maternity

Gender: Boy- Arthur Shepherd Carroll

Movement: Lots of movement. I'm taking time to lay in bed each night and feel the kicks. While I'm pretty sure I'd like another baby, I am cherishing the last few weeks of this pregnancy in case this is my last. I'm trying to make memories of how all the kicks and rolls feel and what its like to grow another human :) 

Sleep: Sleep is pretty good. If I get restless during the night I'll get up and use the restroom but it's still not waking me up. So thankful for this bladder! I'm alternating moving from stomach to side to sleep. I can lay on my back too long because it is hard to breath and makes that heartburn worse!

What I miss: SUSHI! If anyone comes to visit in the hospital, this is what you must bring me! ;)

Cravings: Nothing really this week. The sweets cravings have gone back down. I am loving some orange tea though!

Symptoms: Heartburn is still there. I'm a little swollen but my rings are still fitting snugly. Thankfully no new stretch marks, nesting is kicking in BIG time, and I found out that the pain I thought was round ligament pain is really just scar tissue stretching from the last c-section. 

Best Moment this week: Cleaning! Seriously, I sound crazy but it makes me feel soooo much better to be in a clean, organized house.

Good News!

On Friday afternoon, we saw a maternal fetal specialist to learn more about Shep's kidney. Our ultrasound lasted around an hour (which seemed so long for just one baby). First of all we were so shocked when she told us that Shep was head down. I guess he can still move around in there! With Shep in that position, she was able to have a really clear view of the kidney. The tech was easily able to find blood flow to the kidney and that made us feel so much better. The tech was so sweet to turn on the 3D and take a few "just for fun" pictures of our baby for us! I can't wait to share!

The doctor came in next and did a little ultrasound of his own. He did confirm that Shep has a *mild* (yay!) case of hydronephrosis. He explained that there is probably a blockage in his kidney and possible reflux. He told us to call the pediatric urologist and let them know about our situation and that they would probably want to perform some tests during his first few days in the hospital. There is a chance that Shep will need surgery to remove the blockage (if that is the case) but it also could heal on it's own. At this point, we won't know any more about kidney function until the tests are performed once Shep is delivered. We are still praying for Shep's health but thankful that this seems to be an issue that won't affect his long-term well being.

we think he looks a LOT like Holden

my sweet little nicu baby

Baby #3 Week 33

This has been an interesting week. We learned that Shep may have an issue with his kidney. We have a doctor's appointment this afternoon to learn more. We continue to pray for this little guy and that the problem resolves itself. I'm anxious to learn more at our appointment today.

I'm feeling a little frazzled about delivery. I really wanted to try to go into labor on my own but have feeling they will try to schedule something early. I'm trying to hold out as long as Shep wants.

We made some major nursery progress last week and I'm excited that the crib is in place. I spoke with a lady that will be making his bumper pads yesterday and am excited to get the ball rolling on those! We're taking a break this weekend but will hit the nursery hard next weekend and hope to have it complete within the next four weeks.

I've ordered a bunch of personalized things for Shep this week and am so excited for the packages to start arriving!

I'm really finally feeling pregnant. I have to sit back in my chair to give Shep room to move. If I sit up straight he moves around a ton. I feel like he's trying to stretch out :) It is taking me a little more effort to roll over and bend over. After a long day I'm ready to hop into bed for some rest. I get a little out of breath when I lay on my back.

Again, it is crazy to compare this pregnancy to last time. At 33 weeks with the twins I was 2cm dilated and 60% effaced. I was sent to labor and delivery because my blood pressure was high, I was having pre-term labor and they thought that I might have preclampsia. The twins also got steroid shots at this point to mature their lungs for delivery. I am so thankful that this pregnancy continues to be uneventful, that I am able to continue caring for the twins, and able to be at work.

33 weeks with Shep

33 weeks with twins

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Friday, February 28th, 2014

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Pregnancy Countdown: 49 days or less

Size of babies: A Durian (what is that?) The babiy weighs between 4.2 to 5.8lbs (Measuring in at 5lbs as of Tuesday afternoon) and should be between 17.2 and 18.7 inches long. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still at 20lbs (I was up 44lbs at this time with the twins)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, the tops are getting tiny! I had a little belly hanging out incident at lowe's this past weekend. My poor mother was so embarrassed. I need to get a few new pieces to get me through!

Gender: Boy- Arthur Shepherd Carroll

Movement: A TON! Shepherd has become crazy! Especially during 9-11am. I have to sit far away from my desk or he'll kick it and it hurts! He flips and rolls and I can see body parts sticking out of my stomach.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well. I woke up last night in the middle of the night and it took me awhile to get back to sleep because Shep was so active. I am still staying up until 11 and waking up around 6:15.

What I miss: sushi... I cannot wait to have some!

Cravings: salads. It is so weird. I totally hate salad normally but that's all I've wanted recently (well that plus dessert). I've definitely not been eating as much because I get full really easy. I can eat a pretty big lunch and then just a small snack for dinner.

Symptoms: I am getting more frequent braxton hicks. the acid reflux let up for a little bit but comes back if I eat anything with tomatoes. I just start getting incredibly hot in the evenings and I had to dry my hair with the window open (it was 32 outside) this morning. I've been having some round ligament pain on my lower left side for the past two days.

Best Moment this week: all of the sweet prayers, comments, texts, and phone calls we've received from friends this week. Shep is one very loved little boy and everyone's concern for him has been heartwarming.

Baby Shep Update

We had an ultrasound for baby Shep yesterday afternoon. I ended up taking the day off work to get some things done around the house prior to the ultrasound. I met Jay at the doctor and we were sooo excited to see our little guy! With the twins, we had ultrasounds at least once a month (add in kidney stones and preterm labor and we had them almost every two weeks). With Shep, we've only seen him a few times as a tiny tiny thing at REACH and then once when we had our first appointment with the OB and once for the anatomy scan at 19 weeks. The scan yesterday was for growth and to check on Shep's kidney. Unfortunately, baby Shep was looking in towards me and the only picture we got was an "I'm STILL a BOY" shot. I was a little sad we didn't get to see this sweet baby's face. The ultrasound was long and complicated and a little scary. We quickly realized we were there for medical issues and not to see our cute baby suck his thumb or wave to us.

I'll start with growth. Shep is measuring at least a week ahead. His belly is measuring two weeks ahead and the ultrasound tech asked me if I had gestational diabetes! The doctor didn't seem as concerned but he is also super chill (we'll get into that later). Shep is also totally breech with VERY little chance of turning. My plan for VBAC is 99% out the window. The plan is to schedule a c-section but we'll talk about that once I get to 36 weeks. Shep is currently weighing in at 5lbs which is crazy to me that he could possibly weigh more than Emma Cate when she was born (the weight can be off by 15% either way).

As far as Shep's kidneys go, the left kidney is looking good. The right is unfortunately still swollen with fluid and doesn't appear to be functioning. The ultrasound tech took lots of photos of the renal artery and it doesn't appear that blood is flowing to the kidney. Both the Dr. and ultrasound tech said it could just be a positioning thing because he was laying on that side. I'm saying a prayer that that is true but not holding my breath.

I consider myself to be a very strong person. I can't change the hand I've been given, I can only accept fate and move forward. I like to know everything I can about any issues that arise (infertility, my mom's cancer, preeclampsia, etc.). I don't like surprises. I want to be told flat out what is going on and not hold onto false hope. I was really disappointed in my doctor yesterday. When he talked about Shep being breech, I asked if there was a chance he could still turn. He was like yes, it could very well happen but you may want to start preparing for a c-section. I'd rather him tell me "seriously, there is a tiny chance but pretty much you're going to have a c-section". He is very sugar-coaty (like my new word?). He was also the doctor that my mom saw when she first found a lump in her breast. He told her it was probably nothing but was going to send her for an ultrasound to be sure... probably nothing turned out to be stage 2 cancer. We spoke with him about the kidneys and after hearing a pretty blunt (but appreciated) take on it from the ultrasound tech, we were amazed at how he conveyed his opinion to us. After he left the room, Jay said "seems like Shep will be totally fine and there is really nothing wrong with his kidney". It made me so mad that the message the doctor conveyed made Jay feel like that. In actuality, he is sending us to the maternal fetal specialist asap to have them take a look and having a pediatric urologist in the delivery room. I could be wrong but you don't normally do those things when you think a problem is no big deal... Ugh I am just so frustrated with the lack of info. I know doctors don't want their patients to worry but as a mom I worry way more with less information than I do with more. Tell me worst case scenario. I appreciate that. At least then I can prepare for the worst and pray for the best.

Enough gripe, now onto how we are doing. In all honesty, I'm not that concerned about Shep's kidney/quality of life. Like I stated before what will happen will happen and we will handle it like we would handle anything. I love this baby sooo much and have 100% faith in God that he will do what is best for our family. I trust that God wouldn't give us anything we weren't capable of handling. I also trust that Shep will be a happy and healthy little big boy but if he isn't, we will love him just as much :) Please keep this sweet baby boy in your prayers and also please pray that at the next appointment, we will get some much needed answers.