We're going to call these three weeks, the Kentucky Derby of my pregnancy. Why? Because a chain reaction of events during these two weeks and the stress they produced landed me in the hospital in some preterm labor. AND it was the Kentucky Derby. AND I am officially racing to the end of this pregnancy.
I got the terrible news late one night that one of my best friends dad, had a sudden heart attack and passed away. He was a fit, middle age man who was taken entirely too early and left behind 5 children who desperately still needed their dad. Having lost my mom, the heartbreak for Kayla was that much more intense. That was a rough night, but we made plans to get together two days from then once she had flown in from AZ and we could all get together. The next day I still had to shoot a string of mini sessions on the beach in Holland-the last before going on maternity leave.
It was gorgeous weather (hotter than anticipated) but perfect non the less. I did not recognize the amount of stress I was putting on my body until I wrapped up my last shoot and started the climb back up the sand dune in the sweltering heat. I literally didn't think I was going to make it without passing out, but miraculously I managed to get to my car and crank the ac, allowing me to relax for a few minutes before attempting to drive home. Once home I collapsed on the couch feeling exhausted.
I woke up the next day and packed everything into my car including Adelie and started the trek home 1.5 hours away to see my girlfriends and console our grieving friend. I had a few hours to kill before meeting up with everyone so we headed to my granny's for some relaxation and ice cream.
At about 4pm I suddenly felt off and had to lay down. I don't know how else to describe it. So I laid down on granny's living room floor, tossing and turning and in pain. I managed to pull it together enough to drive to my house (which is now my brothers?). All the girls started arriving and everyone was doing a great job of keeping Kayla sidetracked when I couldn't take it anymore and had to lay down again. AND then, the contractions started.
They were pretty consistently 5min apart when I called my doc, she said because I was 1.5 hours away from home I better head that way. Soon after getting off the phone, they got more intense. I clearly couldn't drive myself home so guess who volunteered to drive me?
ALL FIVE OF MY BEST FRIENDS.
In two vehicles we caravanned north, stopping once so I could throw up on an exit ramp.
not my finest moment
The contractions were coming about every 2/3 minutes and were sharp!
Megan made the call to Brandon to just meet us at the hospital. I had yet to pack our hospital bags so we texted brandon what to bring. He packed nothing even close to what I told him to bring.
Once in triage they gave me iv fluids and started monitoring contractions which were still coming pretty strong. After being checked and then rechecked, by a women with the shortest fingers known to mankind (if you've had a baby you know what a horror that sounds like) she said I hadn't progressed enough to deem in labor and they could admit me or send me home on an ambien and be checked tomorrow. I chose to go home and get things around. The Ambien and amount of stress I had endured over the past few days was enough to send me into a coma for the next few days, which was ok because I was put on bed rest since baby A wasn't yet full term.
Thank you to my friends for sticking that out with me.
I was forced to miss the funeral, which gutted me-but fearing I would go into labor at any moment the dr gave me a stern lecture about staying put.
From then on I would have intense contractions every so often. They will start, possibly be consistent for an hour and then stop.
This labor process is the exact mirror of mine with Adelie!
We landed in the hospital again last week to check fluid levels for a possible leak. Levels were deemed ok so we were sent home. Still contracting and impatiently waiting on A.
34 weeks
Our Solly Baby wrap finally came in! SO excited to try it out with a newborn!
After we thought she was coming any day, Aunt JoJo came up to help out for the weekend
Speaking of JoJo-she gave Adelie new crayons..
One of our Ikea purchases! The perfect alternative to taking up dresser space!
{because A's is sooooo full}
Waiting for daddy to do a drive by kiss on golf league night!
35 weeks
34 weeks
The new ride came!
And it has quickly become Adelie's favorite hangout ;)
Refusing to ever get out of the new ride
Sorting through bows for the buy in!
and trying them on ;)
Our nights consist of guh-cart rides and playing a few holes with daddy while trying to start labor back up! (in our jammies ;)
We discovered the ultimate baked potato shop!
It's amazing how much less you pack the second time around! Hospital bags are ready!
New sister shirts for the lake this summer, from cousin Heather!!
We also celebrated Mothers Day over these past few weeks. I had wanted to make a photo like this for a really long time, and finally forced myself to attempt it. Miss my momma terribly and so wish she could be here enjoying my girls.
Brandon and Adelie took me out to eat and got me a necklace with both girls names on it.
So perfect.
So completely perfect.
Week: 34 & 35 & 36
Weight Gain: up 30lbs
Cravings: Cherry Limeade, baked potatoes, cereal
Clothing: Brandon's sweats and sweatshirts
Best Moment this week: Getting TOTALLY caught up on all photography and enjoying that feeling.
Miss Anything? My normal body
Movement? Very much decreased-she is running out of room for sure!
Anything making me sick or queasy? Nope
Mood: Anxious. Waiting on A. If you're on instagram check out #waitingonA
Looking forward to: Getting this baby out!
Gender? Girl
Still a 2 and 60% effaced
Wondering how many days of being an only child she has left?
Note for baby #3-do not eat pineapple
best rumpus award
Because I don't do "nothing" so well, I made these stinking cute new blankets for Adelie & A
Including a matching one for A's coming home outfit ;)
Props are starting to roll in for her newborn shoot/I am wrapping up the few things I'm making/painting for it :)
Papa turned the big 5-0!
Speaking of a dropped stomach-here's mine ;)
my latest obsession-strawberries-ice cream and angel food cake!
