milestone

Five weeks ago I was sent home from a routine doctor appointment on full bed rest and no clue what was in store for baby boy and me. I remember my OB's exact words. "Honey, if you can just make it to 28 weeks I will be thrilled."

And here we are!!! I cannot begin to express the joy I have knowing that he has a good, fighting chance if he were to arrive anytime soon. He is healthy and has measured well so far. And while his lungs are not fully developed, they are much better formed than five weeks ago!

I saw my OB this past week for the first time since that visit and surgery and the look on his face was priceless. He was smiling as he walked in the door and just sat there staring at me with this silly smile. I truly think he was surprised to see me still pregnant! It was such a satisfying moment for me too, knowing I have done my part for my child. I have obeyed every rule (kicking and screaming some days) for five weeks and it's working. Thank you, Lord.

The plan remains the same. Lay low until 37 weeks (week of June 23) and I'll have my stitches removed. Only the Lord knows if he'll come that day or give his momma a few days to get off this couch before his arrival! I tried to bargain with my doctor for a slightly earlier removal the week before, but he's sticking to his guns. And I respect that.

Elliot has finally grown accustomed to our new little routine at home and her behavior has improved greatly over the last 2 weeks. She has been so helpful- grabbing things off the ground for mommy or getting an extra pillow, cleaning up her mess (in mommy's area at least!) and picking out clothes from her drawers. She has always been an independent little girl but we are noticing that even more now. I think she is going to be a wonderful big sister!

Both of my loves were a little under the weather this past weekend and boy was that hard to lay around watch! But Grant, being the trooper that he is, made sure Elliot had a good Easter weekend anyway. I am so thankful for this man!

Grant and Elliot had a packed Easter morning together with church and a family brunch while I had my own little celebration at home. We ended the day with a little egg hunt in our backyard with my toosh reclined in a chaise lounger. It was such a beautiful day and a great way for us to celebrate Easter and 28 weeks pregnant together!

My dear friend, Leslie snapped a picture of my two loves at church- thank you! Can't wait to be holding another little bundle of joy for next year's photo.

And just look at how Elliot and one of her little BFFs, Jules! They have grown so much in the last two years! 

The easter bunny (grammy) hid some "monies" as Elliot says, in a few eggs this year :). This girl loves coins for her piggy bank!

Not quite the Easter weekend we planned for but just as happy!

the truth

Let's just be transparent shall we. This whole bed rest business isn't for sissies. Don't trick yourself into thinking itd be fun to be bound to a couch where you can watch tv all day, sleep and have people wait on you. Not that you would, but hey, most people think to themselves how great it'd be for someone to force them to rest. But for an unknown (though hopeful) 3 month span? Yeah, now you're squirming.

Today is just one of those days for me. When I can't shake the thoughts of all I'm missing out on. Pick-up hugs with Elliot, giving her a bath, taking her to the park, picking her up from school, making her dinner, playing with her, girls night, bunko, small group at church, worship on Sundays, lunch with friends, dinners with friends, birthday parties for dear friends, walking outside, working out, sitting up for longer than 30 minutes, play dates, date nights with grant, preparing and organizing baby boy's room, dedicating specific time and activities for Elliot to enjoy before we become a family of 4, cooking, grocery shopping. the everyday mundane things that you take for granted but help you feel accomplished as a mother and person somehow.

Life at home with a toddler who is trying to wrap her mind around mommy being a couch potato in conjunction with a husband who works full time (plus a nightly part time gig here and there) trying to take care of said toddler, his couch potato wife and the house is chaotic and stressful to say the least. And to be confined to the couch where your only option is to listen and or watch all that's going on without any control? Yikes. Because I'll tell you folks, nothing will squash your mommy power over your child like being surrendered to the couch. All verbal control or ability to grasp your child's attention for a teaching moment has passed for the time being.

There you have it. Some of the ugly truths about bed rest. So if you're temped to spit out the proverbial "just enjoy your time resting, you'll never get this chance again", maybe you'll think twice now. (And if you've already said this to me, no worries! I still love ya).

Thankfully, our gracious God does not allow suffering in such thought forever and so timely provides someone or something in front of me to uplift my spirits and help me remember that this is temporary and absolutely necessary for the life growing inside me. And then the mom in me is guilty for even having such thoughts or complaints. Ha, It's a cycle of emotions.

Despite these truths I've confessed, there's also been many great days and thankful moments that keep me going.

I am not at the hospital. I have a loving husband who has taken on so much and rarely complained. We have an enormous support group of people helping make life possible and sacrificing of themselves for us. I am still pregnant and we are all healthy otherwise. I can count on one hand the number of days I've spent lunch alone during the week and man, what a blessing that has been. The same goes for dinner that has been provided or will be provided during this time. The sweet phone calls or texts each day. The time I've gotten to spend with my baby boy, understanding all his routine movements and patterns throughout a day that I would otherwise have overlooked due to an everyday busy life.

So I don't allow myself much time to wallow in the negatives. Because there's just way too many things to be thankful for. And if you ever hear me start in with any negative thought, do me a favor and steer me back into all that is good (after I finish my rant of course!). :)

Okay, I'm seriously going to tackle this crochet thing. Wish me luck!