WE HAVE A NAME...

Lillie Marie Henry.

SHE'S HERE...

Here's the story of little hen's big day.
As most of you know, this whole pregnancy I felt like I just wasn't pregnant enough. My belly never seemed big enough and I felt like my baby wasn't big either. I never felt much movement or hard kicks. For the most part, I just took it as "all pregnancies are different." That is fair and true advice. Even better advice is to always trust your maternal instincts.
Saturday I was in bed most of the day. I hadn't noticed any movement since the previous evening. I started to get a little concerned. I had Chris get me a ginger ale and I rolled over on my left side. The doctor recommends drinking something and laying down on my left side to get her going. Nothing happened. I started to read up on high blood pressure and how it can effect the baby's development. The more I read, the more concerned I became. I told Chris that I was worried so he suggested that he call Bill and get his input. I called my sister and got her opinion as well. All agreed that I should call my doctor and let her know about the baby's lack of movement. Dr. Reisig called and told me to go on to the hospital and be monitored. I told Chris and Draven that we would be home by dinner. My sister met us up there with her family. They sent us back to a room and hooked my up to a monitor. We got a heartbeat so I assumed everything was fine. The nurse didn't act like everything was fine. We were confused. She said that the heart rate was flat. It stayed around 150 instead of jumping up and down. I thought that a constant number would be a good thing. I guess we were wrong. I sent everyone but Chris home but reassured them that we would still be home tonight. After they left the nurse came in and said they were going to admit me. My doctor wanted me to be monitored for 24 hours. I still wasn't concerned, just surprised. We decided to get some sleep. While I laid in bed I watched and listened to the heart monitor. I noticed that it would be at 150 then slow down to 0 then go back to 150. I could actually hear her heart stop. That was terrifying. The nurse came in and said she was calling my doc and to stop drinking any liquids. Weird. Next think I knew they tossed scrubs at Chris and had me signing all kinds of forms. They sent me in for an emergency c-section. Before I knew it she was here. She was born January 20th at 1:32 a.m. She weighed 2 pounds and 15 oz. Chris and I were in shock. The doctor said that she had the cord wrapped tightly around her neck. Not only that, but my placenta was tiny. Due to it's size, she was not getting the proper nutrition she needed. She had stopped growing around 30 weeks if not earlier. Luckily, her major organs did develop. She just didn't grow, not an ounce of fat on her. They sent her straight to the NICU without me even getting a chance to hold her. Despite her small size, she scored a 7 on her APGAR, followed by a 9 five minutes later. Not bad for a tiny little baby. Her color was good and she was breathing on her own just fine. She spent most of the day being tested and checked. So far, no major concerns. Today they started her on a bottle. She seems to be doing pretty well for the most part. We just need her to get fat. I don't know how long she will be here. After talking to the doctor, I am guessing a min. 2 weeks - 3 weeks max. Once, she is 4 pounds they will talk about releasing her. Keep us in your prayers.

BED REST, DAY TEN...

Don't be fooled like me and draven, that is Rye bread on the orange plate, not chocolate cake. Chris felt bad he fooled us both, so he made us brownies for dessert!

Let me first start by saying that I am surprised I even blogged today. My head ache got so bad this afternoon it was scary. I had checked my blood pressure at 4pm and my diastolic was at 83. That is the lowest it has been. Around 5pm I started to get a severe headache. I checked my blood pressure and it was 133/108. Now that scared me. I took my tylenol, got a cold rag and laid down. When Chris got home he made the best meal. We all ate dinner in the bedroom and watched tv. Despite the headache, it was a great family night. After dinner, I checked my blood pressure and it was down to 131/97. I still had the headache, but wasn't as worried. I fought the pain till about 3am. I know when you have a baby you get very little sleep, but anything will be better than this. I go to bed and lay awake for hours, then wake up with a discomforts and have to use the bathroom. Then I lay awake again. Everyday I find myself getting my best sleep after Draven leaves for school. Then the phone rings.
So, now it is morning. CHris is home and working on the baby's room. He is putting in the dimmer switch before the carpet people arrive. After that he will put up her crib. On Saturday he is going to get her dresser. That should just about do it!
BUNNIES LOWER BLOOD PRESSUE!

BED REST, DAY NINE...

I had my doc appointment today. I was really hoping for something exciting to happen. Like have a baby! But, no luck. First thing, they checked my blood pressure and it was up, so they checked it again. Anytime they have a high reading they like to check it two times. I went to see the doctor and she checked the progression of the baby. Doesn't look like she is ready yet, at least not on her own. I talked with the doctor about the blood pressure and inducing. She said she wanted me to get on blood pressure medicine and continue the bed rest. My blood pressure does seem to be on the increase every visit. Hopefully, this medicine will bring it down and I will go in to labor on my own. If not, we will discuss inducing or other possibilities. My next appointment is Tuesday. I was told to take my bed rest seriously and take my medicine regularly. I don't think I will have any trouble taking the medicine but the bed rest is hard and getting harder. I think my doctor called Charlie Cat and told him to make sure I don't get out of bed. He won't leave my lap.


After the appointment today Chris went and bought the baby's crib. I am so excited to get it in her room. We have to wait on the carpet first. On Saturday we get the dresser. So very exciting! Now we wait till Tuesday and we will be one week closer to bringing home baby. Can't wait! At least now I am not so freaked out about her being born too early, she has plenty of time to plump up in there. I will be starting my 37th week at my next doc visit. Yay!

BED REST, DAY EIGHT...

Maybe it is the angle of the camera, but I think my belly is shrinking.

Ok, Jenn... Don't call and tell me to call my doctor.
With that said, my blood pressure is back up. I think it just went back up because I can't keep my butt in bed. That and I think that the digital cuff is off a bit. It measured me at 139/94 this a.m. and 149/103 this afternoon. I go to the doctor tomorrow morning, so I will find out what the plan is then. I do plan on staying in bed for the rest of the evening. I don't know if I mentioned it last night, but Chris and his mom bought the cutest clothes. Chris bought her a little summer dress and some pj's. His mom bought blankets and gowns. I have her clothes washed and packed along with mine. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Chris and I did discuss some names today, but it is so close now we might wait to tell everyone. Nothing is official. The names we have picked are different then what we discussed previously. Draven approves, so that is a start.
Today went pretty well. Chris was home with me so I got breakfast in bed.

He worked on the baby's room and laundry and I folded the clothes. I like to find loop holes when it comes to bed rest. I was in bed, but working. Then we had a guy come by to bid on new garage doors for us. He was nice and gave us a great deal. He was chatty and I had to keep him entertained while Chris picked Draven up from school and ran my errands. I was out in the garage with him for about 30 mins. That probably had a lot to do with my blood pressure going up. Now it is around 5 p.m. and I am done for the day. Time to rest and think about my big day tomorrow. Wish me and little hen luck. Actually, forget the luck. Say a prayer that baby hen will come when she is good and ready and be born without any complications and is very healthy. AMEN!

BED REST, DAY SEVEN...

Today was one of the most eventful days I have had in a long time. The carpet guy came by this morning to quote us for the baby's room. Then Wendie came by and hung out with me. Chris brought Mexican food home for lunch. Pretty good day. Now it is about 6 and I am hanging out with Charlie. Chris and I have decided that Charlie thinks that he has been ordered to be on bed rest, or he is just showing me how it is done. I swear this cat sleeps all day and night.


Chris and his mother are out shopping for the baby furniture. I hope she likes what we picked out. I feel like my blood pressure has been down most of the day. No headaches for two days straight! That is exciting. I have noticed that she is really low. I can feel her when I walk and sit. I sit down on the bed and my belly hangs so low. When I walk I feel like she is ready to be born any minute. Makes me nervous walking around when no one is home. I laid in bed last night and dreamed about her being born today. Well, not happening today. Now I only have two more days till my big appointment! Yay!

BED REST, DAY SIX...

This is her sweet pink bunny gown.

This is her going home outfit. She picked it out for her dad because he loves elephants.

Last night, the boys hung out at home and watched movies with me. My head started to ache and I just couldn't beat it. I finally fell asleep with a rag over my eyes about 1am. I also got the baby's bag packed. I felt a little productive. Today consisted of laying around and watching tv. Chris brought me some fruit and sweets from church, that was a highlight. Once the afternoon hit, I started to get depressed, so I got up and started to stress. It is like my body feels the need to get all worked up and stressed. I went down stairs and vacuumed and swept. Then I started on the baby's room. I got all of the baby's stuff we aren't going to use moved out. Yes, I broke every rule there is when it comes to "bed rest." My dad called and told me how proud he was that I am actually staying in bed. I just can't spend all day in bed. I am doing pretty well for me. Once it gets dark it is easier to lay around. Luckily it is almost dark.
Figured I need to take my belly pictures while I still have a belly.