So Maybe Not...

I guess I'll just wait to update the blog again until the baby girl actually makes her appearance...

I've been back and forth to both of my doctors since my last post, and they've changed the plan again. My platelets dipped really low this week, so I'm now on steroids to try to get my numbers back up. The docs think that if I stay on them until next week, my numbers will be high enough to induce labor. Sooo, no baby for us tomorrow. I trust my doctors, and they've told me this is the best plan of action for the baby. Until then, we'll just have to wait and see what happens and have faith that His plan will ultimately work out best for our little family.

We have been on an emotional roller coaster the past two weeks, so we really appreciate all of the well wishes and prayers we've received. :)

Next week at this time...

We'll be holding our sweet baby girl.

I went to the hematologist and my OB on Tuesday and found out that my platelet levels had dropped quite a bit over the last week. This led my hematologist to believe that my condition is not pregnancy induced, so if I have it, the baby girl could possibly have the same condition. Because a natural birth would cause some bruising and possible swelling on her head, they highly discouraged it and wanted to schedule me for a c-section. Because my platelets have been dropping so quickly the last few weeks, they want to schedule the c-section next week. The longer we wait, the riskier birth will be for both the baby and for me. Soooo, the little girl will make her debut on 4/1/09!

Anthony and I are both incredibly excited and cannot wait to meet our daughter!

Work Showers

Anthony and I are so blessed to work with such wonderful people. Last Friday, his coworkers threw him a surprise baby shower, and we received so many wonderful gifts.

This Monday, some of my friends at work threw us another shower! I really had a lot of fun, and the little girl received so many great gifts and all kinds of cute clothes! I need to try to steal some pics from from my friend Katie to post!

We feel so lucky to be surrounded by people who are probably just as excited about our little one as we are! :)

Doctor Appointments

This has been the week of doctor's appointments. First of all, my blood test from two weeks ago indicated that my platelet level is dropping. It had already been consistently low, so my OB referred me to a hematologist. Most hematologists are also oncologists, so I felt a little weird walking into a cancer clinic on Monday... I guess just seeing all those people who are so ill and undergoing such rough treatment made me feel like I could be one of them. The appointment went fine, but the hematologist confirmed that my platelets had dropped even more since the last blood test in my OB's office. She doesn't think I have any reason to worry until they get to about 50 (they're at 85 right now, normal level is 130+). She doesn't expect the level to drop that drastically in the next few weeks, so she thinks I'll be fine. If my levels do drop, we'll have to consider medication - probably a steriod to boost my numbers before delivery. The risk with a low number is basically that my blood won't clot after a c-section, epidural or spinal. Soooo, I'm doing my best to stay positive that I won't need any of those things and that my numbers won't drop much lower. The doc also can't tell if this condition is pregnancy induced or pre-existing. Normally, something like this shows up in the last trimester. I've had low numbers since my first blood test at 8 weeks. We'll have to run some tests after the baby's born (on both of us) to make sure she doesn't have the same issue and to see if my levels go back up after delivery. I left the appointment pretty disappointed and discouraged. I feel like I've been doing everything right. I've read all the books. I've been eating right. I've been working out and walking. Gosh, I didn't even take any of the pain meds they offered me when I broke my foot. I do all these things right, yet my body still won't cooperate. I know it's not the worst that could happen, and believe me, I'm so thankful that this is the biggest problem I have to worry about. But still, I just wish there was something I could do to fix it.

Anyway, on to better news. I had my 36-week OB appointment yesterday. I am already about 70% effaced and 1.5 cms dialated! I know I could stay like that for weeks, but my doctor seemed very positive that this little girl will arrive before her due date! She also reassured me that my platelet level is fine right now. She also mentioned the "magic number" of 50 being the trigger point for medication or intervention, but she also doesn't expect me to dip that low that quickly. She thinks that worst that could happen is that my numbers start dropping and I have to be induced a week or two early. Talking to my OB was very encouraging, and I'm so glad I found such a great one. I've definitely relaxed a lot since my hematologist appointment, so we'll just see what next week has in store. Meanwhile, Baby R had a strong heartbeat in the 130's, and by poking and pressing on my belly, she estimated her at about 5.5 pounds right now. The baby was doing her usual squirming around all during the appointment. The PA and OB even saw my belly wiggling and moving while they were trying to find her heartbeat!

I go back to both doctors next week, so wish me luck!

35 Weeks!

Today marks 36 weeks, but here's last weeks picture...


Whoa belly!!

Baby Shower

This past weekend was a great one!

On our way home Saturday, we went through Waco so I could get my hair done by my awesome stylist. I do need to look pretty for my baby girl when I meet her, you know... We also stopped at the hospital to see Papaw, who is recovering very well from his surgery. I am very excited to report that he is already back home, less than a week later!

On Sunday, my sister & Mom threw me a wonderful baby shower! I actually had a dream on Saturday night that no one came to the shower (aside from my sister, Mom, Aunt Becky and mother-in-law Kathy), but when I arrived I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout! I got to see several cousins and long-time friends that I haven't seen in forever, and Leigha & baby Bradley totally surprised me when they walked in the door!! We played a few fun games and had some delish food and cake. I had so much fun visiting with everyone, and everyone was so generous! Baby girl Rodriguez is already one spoiled little girl! We are so blessed to have so many great people in our lives! :)

Mom, Andrea & Me (I don't have the time or energy to edit these...I know the brightness is way off!

My Mamu & me

The grandmas and me!

All of my bridesmaids were there!

A gift from Grandma Shaw. This was Anthony's mom's Christening dress from years ago. It will be an honor to dress our daughter in this in just a few months!

And she couldn't leave Meridian without any camo gear! Uncle Bubba and PawPaw stocked her up with some camo onesies, socks, bows and an adorable pink camo jacket!

Daddy's favorite gift. She plays "Take me out to the ballgame!"

The beautiful blanket my Mamu made.

How can I not show off adorable Miss Baylee?

Baby Bradley made his Meridian debut!

Some of my best friends. We've known each other forever, and it was so great to have them both there!

And finally, the boys decided to make an appearance. They couldn't stand not being in at least a few pictures. :)



Thank you so much to everyone who came to the shower. It was so much fun to see you all, and I can't wait to see you again very soon!

34-Week Update

Holy cow! Only 6 weeks go go folks! Although I feel like we still have a million and one things to get done before she gets here, I am so ready to meet my sweet baby girl!

I got to "see" her one final time yesterday at my 34-week appointment, and while I'll miss seeing her on the ultrasounds, I'm thankful that I don't have to have any more! I was only supposed to have 2, but because of breaking my foot, my partial placenta previa and her measuring too big, I've already had 5! Yesterday's u/s was to check her growth, since she was measuring ahead at 30 weeks. If she continued to measure big, my doctor wanted to induce early. But -- she is back on track and is progressing wonderfully! They estimated her at 5 pounds 9 ounces, and her heartbeat was in the 140's. Here are a few of yesterday's pictures.

Look at those suckers!

She was very still at the beginning of the picture session. Of course, as soon as I mentioned how she was usually a wiggle worm, she kicked the tech's hand and started moving all around!

Then she settled down and looked directly at us!

You can see her taking "practice breaths" in this video!


I go back in two weeks for my 36-week appointment, then it's once a week until she's here! For now, I am still feeling pretty good. My back has been bothering me some lately, but I think that is to be expected! I pretty much quit going to the gym within the past few weeks, so for now, Zoe & I just walk a lot around the neighborhood. My appetite has decreased lately - I'm sure my stomach is squashed up into my lungs somewhere - and I'm back to being super tired every evening after work. Instead of gaining sympathy weight, Anthony has sympathy fatigue. We usually fall asleep on the couch every night before 10!!

This week we also made some progress on other things. We have her infant car seat ready, but we've been looking for an extra base for Ant's car. I found one on craigslist - brand new in the box - for less than half the retail price! I also ordered and received several adorable embroidered hospital hats and bloomers, and because the hospital only provides a t-shirt and diapers for her to wear while we're there, we also picked out some cute and tiny little clothes to pack in my hospital bag. I haven't packed the hospital bag quite yet, but I do have my list of what to pack ready. I know, I'm an overthinker, but I don't want to be unprepared!! I honestly have no idea what I'm doing, so if I look like I think I do, maybe I'll fool someone!

This weekend we're headed home to visit Dad and all the family down that way. I'm super excited to see everyone one "last" time!! I am also looking forward to seeing my Papaw - he just had another tough surgery yesterday, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

:)

Childbirth Class

Last weekend we spent most of our time in childbirth prep class at the hospital. I was really excited about it! Ant, well, not so much... :) We were there Saturday from about noon to 4, and they offered a lot of basic information. A lot of it was pretty general stuff that we already knew, but it was nice to have someone there to answer our questions. Our teacher was a post partum nurse who used to be a midwife in England. She was awesome! I sure hope the L&D nurses are just as sweet. Getting through the relaxation/breathing exercises was hard to do with a straight face, though, with my goofy husband who to had to repeat the word massage every time she said it. In England it's not a massage, but a maaaaaa-ssage.

After our class we went shopping! We stopped by the Dump to check out recliners and rockers. I'm not sure our glider will work because the manufacturer doesn't make cushions to fit their solid wood gliders. Plus, it would probably cost just as much to have custom cushions made. I've also been wanting a particular closet rod expander thing that I swear I saw in the Ikea catalog a year or so ago... Since then I've looked everywhere and haven't been able to find one! Finally, the Container Store to the rescue!

We had dinner and then had to do some baby shopping!! We picked up a few little outfits and hats for the baby girl. Can't wait to see her in them!

Day two of childbirth class was much more informative. We talked to an anesthesiologist for a long time. If you know me, you know I'm not so fond of needles or blood or hospitals (I vividly remember nearly fainting in Mrs. Courtney's 5th grade class when we went to sing Christmas carols at the Meridian Manor/clinic). Anyway, I've gotten pretty good at the blood thing since I have to donate my platelets for a check nearly every other doctors visit, but that 2 foot long epidural needle was pretty disturbing. I know people have them all the time, but it seriously scares me. I also have read a lot about epidurals slowing down progression during labor, especially if you had to be induced. Needless to say, I had a lot of questions for Dr. Anesthesiologist. I think I came out of the dicussion a lot more confident in myself that I can have this baby without needles or drugs or intervention if I want to. Of course, that can always change ;) but for now I'm excited about my decision. I did find out though, that if my platelets drop at all, I may not have the option to have an epidural, and if I up needing a c-section with a lower platelet count, they may have to put me under general anesthesia (i.e. I won't be awake). Please say a little prayer that we don't have to resort to that option. Finally, we went on a tour of the L&D floor and found out all the basics of when and where to check in, where we'll be staying, etc. We saw a tiny brand new baby in the nursery, and we couldn't believe that in just a few short weeks we'll be holding our own tiny brand new baby!! :)

We are so excited and cannot wait to meet her!