Counting down the days

About three weeks ago I went in for my weekly prenatal check-up. My blood pressure reading was 145/95. My Doctor immediately prescribed non-stress tests twice a week to monitor both me and the baby to make sure I don't reach the Preclampsia stage. Since then I've been going in twice a week for my non-stress tests and then a third time to see my Doctor. Last Wednesday I went in for my weekly check-up and this time my blood pressure was 156/114. YIKES. So, Dr. Brown sent me immediately down to labor and delivery to have me observed. If my blood pressure wasn't going to come down then I was going to have the baby. Two hours later and after scrambling to make plans for where Awesome was going to stay we made our way home relieved we still had time. Of course I was put on strict bed rest and told to do nothing. (except care for a toddler and come in to the office three times a week to be checked out ....now that's strict bed rest.) My blood pressure has been all over the place since then but it hasn't reached the 156/114 I had last week and I haven't had any of the other signs of preclampsia. My Doctor has been really great and so when we went in this week she sat down and said, "Let's make a plan!" So if all goes well we'll be going in on Friday the 11th in the evening to Labor and Delivery to start Labor. If my blood pressure spikes between now and then or if my amniotic fluid falls low during my non-stress test on Monday it could be sooner, either way this baby is finally on it's way and I couldn't be more ready or excited. (I'm literally crying right now that's how emotional I've gotten.) Should I be concerned that I'm not nervous or scared to birth this child? Scott is! Of course he's worried about me and the baby's health and nervous with the thought of having two children but I couldn't be more ready, at least that's how I'm feeling right now. Of course that could change when I finally get home and I have a two year old who demands my attention and a newborn who needs to suckle from my breast at all hours of the day and night, but for right now I'm so ready!!!
In the meantime Awesome has been wonderful while I've been down. Some days all his toys are all over my room and in bed with me a long with piles of books we've read or movies we've watched. One afternoon I was chilling in bed when I noticed Awesome was quite in his room. I got up and found him smothered in baby lotion, lotion all over the dresser and wipes all over the floor. The picture below just doesn't do it justice. I couldn't help but laugh.

I've also have the luxury of having wonderful friends and neighbors right next door who have taken Awesome for hours at a time while I go to my Doctors visits. Having Awesome's best friend next door is a plus and when Tia wants to play they come get Awesome while I take long naps and get the rest I need. They've also provided countless delicious meals along with other wonderful things. We've also been blessed with family who have helped us out during this time. Right now as I'm typing my mother is scrubbing my toilets and deep cleaning my house so I can bring my new babe home to a clean house.

Last week I had Scott bring up all of Awesome's baby stuff from the basement. It's nice to not have to worry about buying new things when I've already got everything for a new baby boy. Awesome and I were in the nursery putting things in the dresser and closet when I looked over and noticed him chillin in the baby bouncer. My heart melted and broke at the same time. Not only because he's so stinkin cute and curious but he's getting to be such a big boy. I mean look at him, he looks so big in that bouncer when it just seems like yesterday he himself sat as an infant all peaceful and small bouncing away.

Awesome has become very independent during the last couple of months and particularly the last couple of weeks. He's a fantastic helper, always offering to throw something away or helping clean up a mess he's made here and there. He even likes to sing the "Clean up" song while we put his toys back in the toy box. Awesome loves fruit. And he knows that our fruit is kept in the fridge in the lower pull out shelf. I keep apples, oranges, grapes and kiwi in there pretty much at all times. Awesome loves his apples and helps himself to the fridge when he gets a hankerin for some fruit. He knows the routine: pull out the fruit, come ask mom if he can have it, and then wait for mom to wash and prepare the healthy snack. The other morning he brought an apple to me and asked if he could have it. I told him to take it back into the kitchen and put it on the counter and that I would be in in a few seconds to wash and cut up the apple for him. He obeyed and disappeared to the kitchen. Less than a minute later I made my way into the kitchen to find that he has pulled the chair up the counter and had taken a knife to attempt to cut the fruit himself. This is what I found. (See below) After I had recovered from my heart attack we had a very serious talk about knives and how only me or dad could use them. We are re-thinking the location of our knife block.

Chillin in bed has really been hard for me. I know it's important for both me and the baby to keep my BP at a decent level but when you don't feel like crap it's hard to stay in one place all day every day. (for those of you who've had to do this longer than two weeks, my heart goes out to you!) It's been nice to have visitors and family stop by. Yesterday Grandma Sanderson came by to visit and brought Awesome some new shirts. He loved them so much that he had to wear them all at the same time.

Last Sunday I woke up to a yummy breakfast that Scott had made for me. French toast, eggs, bacon and OJ. Awesome and I were in heaven. After eating a few bites Scott pulls out a box and I open it. Inside, a new Nook color from Barnes and Noble. I was so excited! Scott felt bad that I had to be down all day so he got me a nook so I could read and surf the net and read my emails. It is so very cool. I love it! I can even check out ebooks from the library on it. So far I've read three books and it's been awesome. Technology these days is so cool. I was reading along in the nook one night, wanted to find something out, got on the net found out the answer all on my sweet nook. Thanks babe, it's an awesome early birthday gift!

Next time I post there will be a new little one to report on. Bring on the life changing week!