Baby Update

Sorry, no pictures...maybe next time. It's hard to take pictures from the couch :) :)

I just wanted to let you know that there are now 4 weeks down and only 6 to go for bedrest!!! Time is going by very quickly, which is good. I can't tell you how much it helps to be able to go to work, even if I can only sit at my desk.

On a down side, things this past week have not gone as well. I had a lot of contractions on Tuesday and ended up having to go home. They continued to get worse due to circumstances out of my control (Stephen out while Titus was sleeping and Titus randomly wakes up so I have to go get him - not good!). I was pretty emotional that night, so I stayed home in the morning for a few hours before going in to work on Wednesday. Being able to work from home is a huge help, because I was still able to get 8 hours in both days!! My job has been extremely stressful the past 3 weeks - worst it has been since I have been here - so I am sure that does not help either. Being at home is stressful because I can't do anything, and with Titus, the dog, and Stephen feeling overwhelmed, I get stressed. I told Stephen that I just feel like I am suffocating - like everything is closing in around me. Thankfully the end is in site...work should really let up now, which should help me be able to cope with the stress at home better.

It hasn't really ended there, though. Yesterday I found a few itchy spots (not really a rash, more like random bug bites but they aren't). This morning I woke up with them all over my back. Plus I have had a strange spot on my hand that I have not been able to clear up and has gotten worse. SO...into the doctor I went today. He said the spot on my hand was something a steroid cream would clear up and the spots all over my back and abdomen were PUPPS (couldn't tell you what he said it stood for). Apparently PUPPS happens to pregnant women for various reasons. He said it probably will get worse and not go away until after she is born. He did blood work to see how my liver is functioning...because that could be part of the problem. The only thing I can do is to take Benedryl to help the itching. I will have to wait and see what the lab results have to say.

He is still worried about me measuring small - but I seem to carry babies really low, so that could be part of it as well. He finally found her heartbeat about as low as you can go! I was slightly small with Titus, but I am about 3 weeks behind in measurements with her. So, we are going in for an ultrasound on Saturday. I am actually excited about this, because it will be nice to (hopefully) have confirmation that we are having a girl! :)

(Oh, and I somehow lost a pound too...I told Stephen it is because I am just so muscular and this sitting around is making me wimpy :) :) Actually I am not too worried...I leveled off and then started losing a little with Titus too. I have heard this is sometimes common in your last trimester, and I generally gain a lot at the beginning to make up for it...I have gained 20 lbs already, and still have 10 more weeks!!)

I will keep you posted on what we find out. I know these are all small frustrations and not anything major at this point, so I feel selfish asking for prayer, but no request is too small for God. Thank you to so many of you that have helped us with meals, cleaning, and being with me and Titus while Stephen is gone. We couldn't do it without you!!!