Today we took some of the younger kids to the Pumpkin Patch. Lucky for me it was a nice, cool day (for a change!) and so I was able to hang out longer than I would have had it been 90 degrees out. These days this pregnant mama’s feet have been swelling, and I […]
A Birth Date for Aaron
November 25, 2015 That date…will be my son’s birthday. It’s so strange knowing what day he will be born. I have always gone into natural labor with all my others, so their birthdays were a surprise. But we are having a c-section with Aaron, and the date has been scheduled. It’s actually on the […]
update: 30 weeks
I’ve reached 30 weeks with Aaron’s pregnancy. I remember back when we were first given his diagnosis of Trisomy 13, I was warned that he could pass away soon, that making it to term was unlikely for “these babies”. So the fact that we are here at 30 weeks is no little thing to me. […]
on having hope
So I was given this book last week at one of our appointments at the hospital. Look! It’s a National Best Seller! Yippee! Do you see that title? Surviving the Death of Your Baby! What the what?!!! I’m not saying this book isn’t deserving to a be a National Best Seller. I […]
28 week appointment
I had a routine OB appointment today. At this appointment, I was supposed to drink the dreaded “orange glucose” drink that checks for diabetes. They gave me the drink at my last appointment with directions to drink it an hour before my next appointment (this morning) so that I could get my blood drawn as soon […]
the MRI experience
In this photo, Aaron and I are in a waiting room. We are waiting to have a Fetal MRI done to look at Aaron’s brain. Have you ever had an MRI? It’s quite the experience. They put you in this little tube-thing and the space is so tight in there that your nose practically touches the […]
to know or not to know
Today Baby Aaron and I celebrate reaching 28 weeks together. Twenty-eight weeks!! Since many Trisomy 13 babies die in utero in the early weeks of pregnancy, each week that I get with my little guy is a small miracle for me, and I celebrate each one! And I know Aaron does, too, because I feel […]
good days, bad days
So here we are at 26 weeks! I am so thankful that Aaron has made it this far in the pregnancy. My strong boy! I’m thinking that he’s going to make it very close to full term. My mama instinct just tells me this. Plus, I have been praying for that. A lot. As […]
little surprises along the way
About 80% of babies with Trisomy 13 have heart malformations. Most often they only have two or three chambers of the heart (when there should be four) or they are missing arteries or ventricles, or they have holes in the heart, or the heart is on the wrong side of the body, or their mitral valves are […]
napping together
A couple of weeks ago I was lying on my bed trying to catch a few minutes alone. About three minutes later I could hear Aiden down the hall saying, “Mom-mom! Where are you?” and I knew that was it for my quiet time. That boy rarely lets me out of his sight. He opened […]
a new baby & a diagnosis
On March 20, 2015 a pink line spread across a pregnancy stick. POSITIVE. Normally this result would thrill me! I would immediately look into the mirror and say to myself, “You’re a new mommy!” and I would be smiling from ear to ear. Then I’d quickly do the math in my head to calculate the due […]
birth story: aiden
I’ve been trying to figure out a way to write Aiden’s birth story. All the other birth stories that I read are so beautifully written, capturing every magical moment. I wanted mine to be written like that! And I’ve been trying. But after a few attempts, I’ve come to accept that there’s no way for […]
my number ten
He’s here! All 9 pounds 14 ounces of him! (did anyone guess that? come close?) mommy holding him for the first time, still in the birthing pool Aiden Richard 9 pounds 14 ounces 22 and 1/4 inches long born on June 3, 2013 at 1:05am His birth story will be along shortly… In the meantime, […]
40 plus 4
I’m happy to report that I made my target date — I attended Afton’s prom photo shoot yesterday and saw her off for her big day! The little boy in my belly cooperated with me and stayed put. So now I feel very relieved. No more worries. He is free to come at anytime. And […]
THIS is 40 — weeks, that is!
Okay, I’ve been waiting until the day that I could title my post like this. Have you seen the move “This is 40”? Loved that movie. Anyway, so I’ve reached 40 weeks!So far I don’t feel like the baby is coming anytime soon. And that’s a good thing. Tonight I have Afton’s Senior Awards […]
Whew…I made it!
I’m happy to report that I made it through this 3-day weekend without going into labor. Yesterday I only had to attend 3 games, and today only two! easy-peasy! My midwife is back in town, the birthing pool has been inflated and is ready to go (thank you to my oldest son, Anthony!) […]
exhausted
Saturday 5/25/13Today was an extremely busy day. Three of our kids had sports tournaments. They each had two games today, all at different locations. Rich and I divided and conquered. I took A.J. to his first baseball game, and I watched a little of that game. Then I had to leave to take Aislynn to […]
39 weeks and counting….
And just when you thought I’ve fallen off the face of the earth… Here I am!! And I still have my big belly, bursting at the seams. I’m 39 weeks along now – so exciting! Okay, so I’m still pregnant and getting bigger by the day. I’m 39 weeks now. Just one more week until […]
Five more weeks to go!
Today I am 35 weeks pregnant. And here is my beach ball belly to prove it. People are asking me if this pregnancy is as easy as all of my previous pregnancies? The answer to that is yes…and no. The baby? Yes, that part of the pregnancy is just like all […]
33 weeks pregnant and #14
Fourteen has always been my favorite and “lucky” number. The reason for this is that I was born on the 14th, so I’ve always held a fondness for that number. So even after five miscarriages in a row, it shouldn’t surprise me that THIS pregnancy held. Because, after all, it’s my 14th pregnancy. Lucky. And at […]