Day 15

I had the privilege of beginning my day getting stuck with a needle at 5:00 am.  Followed by a terrible orange sugar drink, another poke of a needle an hour later, and yet another poke again an hour later, oh and one more an hour later.  4 blood draws in 3 hours and I had to fast.  They did a glucose screening today to test if I have gestational diabetes.  I was informed that I would fail, however I beat the odds and it turns out I didn't fail after all.   I eat pretty healthy and don't have much crap laying around.  My mom made me tapioca pudding like my Grandma Broadhead used to make.  It's wonderful!  I have jello, some pudding, popcorn and nuts laying around.  Oh, I also have Shredded Wheat which works wonders in the bathroom when you are constipated and on bed rest.  My wonderful husband just brought me some colby jack cheese sticks in last night as well.  Those are always good and they are full of protein.  I haven't eaten much junk since I have been here.

I took a Vicodin this morning during the fast.  I woke up with a headache, probably because they had to run this test and I was worried.  Vicodin on an empty stomach is never a good idea.  It's not that it is painful, it's that you get a very funny feeling.  It helped me sleep through all the nonsense though.  I need all the rest I can get since I have a baby on the way.  That and I am going to have to pump every hour and a half for the first few months because he won't be strong enough to latch on.

We haven't told anyone the name of the baby yet.  We are planning on sharing his name upon his birth of course.  We chose not to divulge the name because we really didn't want to hear anyone's opinion on the name.  I have been informed by the nurses that that was the best choice.  My grandma wanted me to name him James, after the father of her children.  No thanks, first off, I didn't know him very well and everyone thinks my brother Erik is just like him.  In case you didn't know, Erik was the biggest pain in the ass of a child you could ever imagine and I don't want to set myself up for a headache.  Please, I am already having a boy and I am raising a boy who is devilishly like Erik already.  Anyway, if you have had children than I am sure you have already been through this mess.  People ask, what are you naming him?  When I say we aren't sharing the name, they feel the need to make a few suggestions anyway.  I love it when they say, whatever you do don't name him so and so because I grew up with a kid who tormented me with that name.  

Fortunately, we have found a name that is different but not too creative that you would think, what the hell are you thinking?  It's a strong name that means Fierce and Brave.  

Dr. Rouse came into see me this morning, and she will be looking for an excuse not to deliver after 32 weeks.  This would mean after next Saturday, she would like to deliver him.  Dr. Raffo would prefer I get closer to 34 weeks, but Dr. Rouse is the Perinatologist and makes the final call.  Hooray!  This means I could have him next weekend which would be awesome.  Of course I could have him a bit sooner too if something went wrong.  After the delivery, I could finally go home!  I just won't be able to take my baby home.  I think I have prepared myself for this, but I am really not sure how I will feel after he is born.  He will have to remain in the NICU for 2-6 weeks depending on his strength.  They let you take the baby home when, he is breathing on his own, he is able to take full feedings with a bottle, he is putting on weight and keeping his temperature.  It looks like he is pretty good size for his age right now.  Weighing over 3 lbs. which makes a huge difference!  He will come home with some monitors, but that is not a big deal.  An alarm goes off if he forgets to breathe.  

Marty, my mom and I will all have to take a baby CPR class.  The nurses teach it in the NICU and certify you I believe.  They don't let you take your baby home until you are certified.  I am starting to get a bit nervous about it all.  

This still hasn't sunk in that we are having a baby.  Even being here on bed rest, feeling him move inside me and listening to his little heart beat.  I don't think I will actually believe it until he is born.  It just doesn't seem real.  I think after being told for so long that I wouldn't be able to get pregnant, and then going through a miscarriage just puts so much doubt in your mind.  It will take hearing him cry and seeing him for me to believe it.  

I still haven't bought anything for the baby!  Not a crib, a car seat, a baby blanket.  Oh wait a minute, I bought an outfit for him at Christmas time.  A girlfriend of mine Loressa picked up a few outfits for him as well.  I am going to send Marty to pick up the crib later in the week.  We did go pick one out already.  We are getting a mini crib because it will fit better in our room with our furniture.  I know which car seat I want as well and he can pick it up at Bergstroms while he is there.  My aunt is going to have a shower for me, but because I am in the hospital right now we can't really figure out a date.  We are going to wait until he arrives before she plans it so I can be there.

For dinner tonight Marty and Derek are bringing sushi.  I am getting pretty hungry.  We are going to watch Ace Ventura Pet Detective and Derek is going to have a sleepover at my mom's.  He is really excited.  He was supposed to have a sleepover here with me, but they don't let children stay the night because if there was an emergency with me I wouldn't be able to look after him.  I feel bad, I had told him he could stay.  He was looking forward to it as well.  Poor guy!  Tomorrow will be a busy day for him though, he is going to see the new dog movie with my mom and grandma.  He should have a great time.  

Well, I am going to enjoy my dinner and drugs for the evening and I shall write more tomorrow.  Maybe something exciting will happen like I will go into labor.  Marty will call if something happens.