A little bump in the road....

At 20 weeks, when we went to find out the sex of baby #3, the doctor told me I have an "anterior placenta".  She mentioned it was "not really a problem but I would not feel the baby the same as in my previous pregnancies".  This all just meant my placenta is in the front, providing more of a pillow between my stomach and the baby.  So every time she would kick or move, it would hit that "pillow" before getting to me.....thus the movements are faint. 

Immediately I went home and googled the situation.  Yup, no biggie to have an anterior placenta BUT when you have had previous OB/GYN surgery (c-sections, d&c's, etc.) the risk that your placenta will adhere to scar tissue is greater.  If this happens, you have what is called "Placenta Accreta" and/or an even worse form "Placenta Percreta". 

At my next appointment my doctor had the "down to business" talk with me about the reality of "Placenta Accreta" and what the next steps would be, etc. if they were to find it.  Those included blood transfusions, hysterectomy, etc.  Needless to say, we were a bit nervous.  The great news was always that this condition does NOT harm the baby in any way, the only concern is that they usually want to take the baby earlier than we would want (34-37 weeks).  She asked me to make a specialist appt for 30 weeks to get more information.

On Tuesday we went to Dr. Stone, the specialist, who performed 3 different ultrasounds (regular, high resolution and internal) to look at the placenta, baby, scar tissue, etc.  He was amazing and spent an hour with us.  We got to see Emme's sweet little face, her hair starting to sprout, etc. They checked her out to make sure she was healthy, growing, etc. then spent quite a bit of time looking at the area in question.  After an in depth look, Dr. Stone assured us that at this time, the placenta had NOT adhered to scar tissue and things looked GOOD!  We were thrilled and very much relieved.  We will go back to Dr. Stone at 34 weeks to do all of this again.  If at that time they still do not suspect accreta, we will go on with our planned c-section at 39 weeks but as my OB says "with MUCH more information/prep".  There is always the chance they find accreta when they begin the surgery and in that case, they will be prepared due to my history with blood/extra surgeons/etc.  However, we are pretty confident this is just a close call.......nothing to worry about.

So, although this has been a stressful few weeks while we think about, research, consider possibilities, etc. we felt very reassured after our appointment on Tuesday.  I was MOST excited that I do not have to wash clothes, pack a bag and be ready to embark on this adventure in 3.5 weeks (34 weeks).  I was simply not ready!!!!

To be continued.......

Graduates!!!!!!!!

It seemed silly at the time: graduation pictures.  Cooper and Samantha's school sent home the note that prek and Kindergarten graduation pictures would be taken on a certain day, etc.  I actually laughed OUT LOUD and said, "who would buy those?????".  Well, you are looking at her!!!!!!!!!

Besides the fact that they turned out SO stinkin' cute......I guess this really IS a milestone.  In pre-K Samantha officially, on her own, changed her name to "Sammy".  She learned to write her name, learned letter/sound correspondance and made many new friends.  She became independent, walked into school every day with a smile and came home with stories to tell.  In Kindergarten, Cooper became a MUCH better reader, learned all of the Kindergarten and First Grade sight words, started writing stories and demonstrated a strength in Math.  He also made many friends, tried new things and learned that even if YOU are quiet, your table may NOT win the quietest table contest.

So, these pictures ARE something special.  They not only symbolize the success and joy I would associate with this school-year, they show me that my babies are growing up......into the people I have always hoped they would be.  Cooper and Samantha, we are so VERY proud of you.  Keep up the great work.  May you feel the joy and success you feel now, every year as you complete new things and move on to new adventures.  Regardless of whether or not we have pictures of you in a cap and gown, we will never take for granted the hard work, determination and love you put into each day, to make it special.  You two are amazing in so many ways.  Congrats on a ANOTHER job well done.

Love,

Mama

Dear trash company salesman,

If you come to my door at 7:30 pm (aka bedtime) on a Monday evening when my husband is out of town and ask if I would like to choose YOUR company over the one I am currently with that has not been a problem, I will say no. When you ask why I do not like to support "the local guy", I will respond "I DO support local businesses but do not want to sign up now as I need to put my kids to bed". When you ask who pays the bill in my house, I will kindly ask you to leave.

When you come to my door at 7:30 pm (aka bedtime AGAIN) on a Tuesday evening when my husband is our of town and ring the doorbell, I will send my dog out the back door to come tell you to kindly leave.

Do NOT try this again on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm (aka bedtime) when my husband is out of town or it will NOT be pretty!

Thanks,
Me

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the BEST mom ever. You taught me everything I know about how to be an amazing mother to Cooper, Samantha and Emme. Thanks! I love you.

"Biscuit Britches"

15 lbs and about 12 weeks old (Christmas)

17 lbs and 14 weeks old

25 lbs and 5 months old

45 lbs and 7 months old

For some reason Samantha and I call Biscuit "Biscuit Britches". My how that sweet little guy has GROWN!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoa belly!

Halloween, the week before I got pregnant.

About 14 weeks pregnant

About 17 weeks pregnant

About 24 weeks pregnant

And now I am 28 weeks pregnant and people have said "Oh wow, you have popped out" or "Oh wow, you have gotten bigger". I am scared to take a picture as I felt at week 14 I had popped out, gotten bigger, etc. Eeeeeek, I know this is my third baby but I still have 12ish weeks to go...errrr 12ish weeks for Emme to grow! My book says she is now a bit over 2 lbs, 15 1/4 inches long and opening and shutting her eyes on a regular basis. So it seems she just has about 4 inches to grow in length and 6 lbs to gain to clock in about the same as Cooper and Samantha (19 inches 8 lbs). Being vertically challenged, I was pleased to hear she will not be growing much in length any time soon! I feel she is getting closer and closer to filling up the space provided for her.

Maybe I will take a picture this weekend, and then again, maybe not!

Kindergarten Writing Celebration!!!

August

May

I know I say this ALL the time, but when did my kids grow up? Today I attended Cooper's Kindergarten Writing Celebration. He shared his journals from the year and many other wonderful pieces of writing which he completed during Kindergarten. Since writing was one of my favorite things to teach, I really enjoyed this event.

Cooper was proud of his work but really could not wait to tackle the pile of donuts which were for "after you share your work with your parents". He flew through his portfolio, slammed it down on the table and said "TIME for refreshments mama!". So, that was it. We ate donuts, shared cheeze-its and drank pink lemonade while I remembered back to when I was teaching Cooper to sing his ABC's.

I love to see the progress he is making but even more so love spending these special moments with him. Someday writing will no longer be a challenge and he will not run over to me to immediately show me what he got onto paper. But for now, I will cherish memories like these, the Kindergarten Writing Celebration and enjoy the progress he has made. Now I am off to hit the "pause" button! First grade is coming too soon!

Donuts with Dad

Did you guess correctly? Yes, this is Phil! I am sure you can see the resemblence.

This work of art was presented to Phil at preschool "donuts for dads" this Spring. He was able to go to Sammy's classroom, share donuts, look at art projects, make a picture frame and dance to the "Tootie Ta".

I was jealous.