From counting UP...to counting DOWN

Saturday will mark 34 weeks.  Its an exciting day in the grand scheme of things and I must admit there were many times in the last few months that I never thought I would make it to this point. 

The week of the 4th, we had family over on Sunday to celebrate my Mother in-laws birthday. I woke up not feeling real great, but screwed on the smile and greeted family and played Host the nephews and enjoyed a good day.  I had a sudden attack of nausea that left me running for the bathroom, only to end violently vomiting.  It only happened once, and I seemed to feel much better once it was over with. Family left, we cleaned up the house and laid down to rest on the couch for a while.  Ryan notice as i was going to bed that night that I had a very large, dark purple spot in the corner of my left eye.  Nothing to worry about, I figured if I couldn't feel it, it was fine. 

The next day at work, I had another sudden nausea/ vomiting attack.  I called my Dr. at the request of the nurse's i work with.  "Come over and let us check you out", the constant response anytime I call on them.  So, over I went.  I was put on the NST monitor again to watch little Bambina and see how she was doing.  Her heart rate started in the 120's and never got any higher.  about 10 minutes into the monitoring the heart rate started to have "variables" which basically means the heart rate was dropping down into the low 90-80's.  Not a good thing.  It was happening repeatedly in the monitoring. I ended up having to have another Ultrasound, and the drops in heart rate were being seen again there.  Dr. was not thrilled but was unsure how significant it was.  His plan for me.... off the labor at delivery at the hospital for extended monitoring.  I was admitted to the triage room at St Vincent hospital and hooked up the NST monitor all over again.  Ryan came as soon as he got of work and waited with me.  He is such a great man and will be an amazing father. Lots of waiting and watching the strip print out of the machine.  Bambina did not have any more heart decels while i was being watched and they let us go home after about 4 hours.  Again on strict instructions to drink plenty of water and rest as much as possible. 

Week by week I wait and wonder.  This child may just be the death of me before she even arrives.  Thankfully, baby has been very happy and well behaved since the trip to the hospital. I'm still seeing the Dr. weekly and having testing done at every visit.  the goal is to make it all the way to 39wks.  we shall see. 

Maternity Pictures

I have a friend who just hapens to be an amazing photographer. She is starting up her own business on the side and I was happy to be her willing modle for some maternity pictures.  We had them done the weekend of the 4th at a park in North Portland called Catherdral Park. Its a really nice random park underneath the St. John's bridge. I was 31 weeks at the time and Jill did an amazing job.  Here are some of my Favorites.

We had excellently hot weather and I spent the whole time trying not to glisten...  Ya right. We also had some funny pictures taken of the dogs, and an attempt at a family Picture.

My Big beautiful beast Harley, 16 months, and Kiya, 8 months.

Can't ya just see what a big happy family this is going to be very soon?