AND THEN THERE WERE 4...

AND THEN THERE WERE 4...

Monday, January 14, 2013

Bed Rest Diaries: Daddy's Week


 After Christmas ended this year and the grandparents headed home, it was just the three of us to ring in the new year!  And ring it in we did!  Since Michael is fortunate to get two weeks off every Christmas, Daddy and Colton's adventure week began.  They started the week by getting the nursery crib ready. 


Such a good helper. Can't wait to see him be a big brother.
 After the majority of the new baby supplies were assembled, Colton got to take his first trip with Daddy to the recycling center.


A man and his cowboy boots



Standing on the recycling tractor.



I had been anticipating the arrival of this week ever since discovering we were pregnant.  I knew it would provide the perfect opportunity for us to not only assemble all of the new major baby stuff, prepare the nursery, but also to go out and run all and every errand needed to make sure we were ready for our new addition.  So from bed I made our errand list and Michael and Colton fulfilled the duty.  Their next trip was to Babies R Us.


Riding the Burt and Ernie Fire Truck

On the list was also a much needed trip to CVS pharmacy for a refill on my gestational diabetes monitoring supplies.  Here they are spending 45 minutes waiting for mommy's supplies to be filled.  Michael was so brave to conquer this task with a very active 2 year old.



Colton so excited that their 45 minute trip to the CVS pharmacy had come to an end.  

The next adventure during the week was a much needed boy's trip to Lowe's.



Watching Daddy try out the mobile lawn mower 

Move over Daddy...I'll take it from here!

Needed to show off the John Deere boots and tractor . 


Our favorite cart: The car cart (One thing I am grateful that bed rest has alleviated me from having to push)


Since the majority of the week had been revolved around cars and transportation (Colton's current fascination and obsession), Michael decided to give him a first hand experience at the wheel.  Luckily it was just around the block.  

Pilot and Co-Pilot. 

Rebels!


During this week Colton also got to experience a multitude of new things that mommy had not exposed him to like the infamous weinersnischel.  And so began his undying love for corn dogs. 

Drive-thru eating

Bath time in our tub!


I am beginning to see the fruits of this bed resting.  It has provided me with a bird's eye view into the dynamic relationship that exists between a father and his son.  It is a much more physical contact world unlike the nurturing relationship that exists between Colton and I.  But is a world that Colton loves and is so strongly influenced by.  Michael is so insightful of Colton and what sparks his interests and makes sure to carve out the time to allow exploration to take place.  They are one in the same and I am so blessed to get the time now to see how Colton will be shaped by his father and the amazing qualities that he possesses.        



Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Bedrest Diaries: Christmas 2012


   We came home from the hospital just in time to spend Christmas at home this year.  Our first Christmas in Sacramento! Both of our parents were gracious enough to split and spend the holiday up here with us.  My parents and sister came to spend Christmas Eve with us.  Here we are opening our presents!

Santa's elves busy passing out presents

Colton opening one of his many presents while wearing his new sweater from Auntie

   We welcomed in Michael's parents who spent Christmas Day and an entire week with us.

Colton coming out Christmas morning from bed

So excited for more presents!

A new addition to our family: Meet BIG MO!

Colton's first bike from Nana and Papa

Say cheese!
Our new dining room table and chairs
Elmo Slippers!

Playing with our new microphone
Playing with Papa
Colton's words: "Papa snuggle"



Just a few of my new favorite things from Christmas.  I get to look and smell pretty on bedrest.  Oh the little things I treasure these days.



Bedrest Diaries: Our Hospital Vacation

      From the point of 25 weeks, Michael and I had become very aware of the protocol that needed to be followed when I experienced contractions that were 2-3 minutes apart.  Beginning at 25 weeks, we have visited the OB triage a total of 5 times all within the period of a month.  So when December 18th rolled around and I began experiencing strong contractions, we followed the protocol.  We both kissed Colton goodbye and told him we would be back home in a couple of hours.  Oh boy, we were wrong.  We arrived to the OB triage at Sutter Memorial Hospital (our second home) and were hooked up to the monitor right away.  By the time my doctor arrived, my contractions were happening anywhere between 1-2 minutes and the strongest they had ever been.  After completing a full ultrasound, my doctor came to the conclusion that due to drastic physical changes my body was making during this pregnancy, I was at high risk to delivering this baby within the next 48-72 hours.  So instead of going home, we were admitted into Sutter and began the treatment of preparing our baby to be born sooner than we expected at 29 weeks.  We stayed in the hospital for 4 days and prepped the baby with two rounds of steroids, calmed the contractions down, and further prepped for an early delivery.  But I am happy to say that no baby came!  Praise the Lord! Since I had responded so well to the medication given to calm my body down, both my doctor and perinatologist decided that everything they could do medically had been done.   It was up to my body.  Our plan from that point on, was to go home on full bedrest (only getting up to use the restroom and shower kind of bedrest!), no more meds and to simply ride out this pregnancy as long as I could.  So we were able to go home just in time for christmas. 


In OB triage with my staples water, chapstick, and yogurt before admission

My new souvenir to add to my hospital cup collection. 

My IV 

My IV post

Having to say goodbye to my IV buddy was harder than expected

My hospital bed with four pillows (A must!)

Day of Discharge!

Colton coming in the wagon to take us home