"Modified" Normal Life!

         Well the appointment with the specialist went great. The doctor felt like Baby Dewey was developing very well, and since everything else (weight, hands/feet not swelling, labwork, feeling good, etc.) is completely normal, she said she really had no big concerns about the blood pressure alone. She did say that I am at a slightly higher risk of developing preeclampsia later on, but that's not a definite, and that's just something that has to be monitored--nothing I do or don't do will change that outcome. 

          My blood pressure seems to be under control (with the medicine) at this point, so I have been allowed to leave "strict bedrest" for "modified bedrest." This apparently means that I'm still not supposed to be doing much, or leaving the house alot, but I can sit up in a recliner and move about the house with a little more freedom. My sides were both getting quite sore, so I'm incredibly happy to not have to be in the bed 100% of my day. 

           The doctor also agreed to let me go back to work part time, and on light duty (just sitting at my desk) as long as my blood pressure stays down. So, I'll be monitoring the bp twice a day (when I'm at home), and if it goes back up, I'll just need to slow down and stay home from work too. She said to just watch my blood pressure and let my body tell me what to do. So, for now, we're going to try!

            We got some cool (and I think slightly creepy) pictures of Dewey today as well!! The first one is at the top of the page, the others are here:

 

This one was the first 3-D one she took, but because Dewey is such a contortionist she had a hard time seeing the face. 

                                                                      

 

This was 3-D attempt #2. Dewey is sleeping peacefully.

 

Here's the last 3-D pic. Apparently, Dewey was getting tired of the photo shoot and began to yawn (or swallow fluid, but yawn sounds cuter).

        Kevin and I thank each of you for all your thoughts, prayers, meals, company, etc. during this time. We have wonderful friends and family and this whole process would  be much harder without each of you. We'll keep updating this as we get more information, but things seem to be going well!

Mixed News

        Well, the appointment today went well. Everything with the baby is great. The ultrasound was totally normal, Dewey is measuring just the right size, the blood flow to him/her is perfect, BUT my blood pressure hasn't gone down much at all. They're not completely sure why this is, but are guessing that I probably had some mild hypertension before getting pregnant, and never knew it because I was otherwise healthy. Hopefully, the medicine just might need a little more time to work.  

         So, I have a referral to see a specialist with "maternal fetal medicine" (aka the high risk specialists) just to make sure they're not missing anything, and so they can give any suggestions about how to get the blood pressure under control. Until then, they've increased the dose of the medicine just a little, and said, "stay in bed until we get the blood pressure under control." Apparently this practice is like Fort Knox, and to get an appointment could take at minimum a week to two weeks, so here I will be at least until that appointment.

         We're relieved and happy to know that everything else is normal and that the baby is doing great, but we would both be lying to say that we're not a little frustrated that I'm in bed when I really feel completely normal (and that in turn Kevin has to continue to wait on me). However, things could be much worse, those feelings will pass, and we will be fine. The best news of all--Dewey is unaffected and unaware of all of this, and continuing to grow normally.

Chef Kevin

      Well I must give kudos to Kevin, as he has done a wonderful job taking care of me while I can't leave the bed. Not only does he now have to cook all of my food (and come home from work for lunch), but I am on a "no salt added" diet--so frozen food and take out is a no go. Meals have been better than expected, and he's made sure if he can't be here to cook something for me, someone else is. I must also add for those who aren't aware of Kevin's culinary skills, prior to this experience, this man had trouble making eggs and cream of wheat. He has also moved the DVD player upstairs, brought home walkie-talkies so we can communicate without disturbing the entire neighborhood, and basically brought me anything I need or want. That being said, I feel the need to share the catastrophe that occurred around 11:00 this morning.

        Kev worked very hard to make some pasta salad to have in the fridge for something new to eat the next few days. Directions of what to do next were shared over the walkie-talkies, and he had done everything short of add the italian dressing as my "just till it looks right" direction wasn't one this newly developed chef wanted to try. So up the stairs the large, beautiful bowl of pasta, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, peppers, and chick peas comes--bottle of dressing ready on the side. In through the door just to see how good it looks, as the leg of the tray catches on the door frame and (as I'm sure you're already imagining) pasta and all the fixins fly across the room and all over the carpet. My heart breaks because I see the "I've had enough of this s---" look on Kevin's face. Curse words fly, my pregnancy tears start (because when anything happens now, I cry), and even the dog is so bewildered she sits at the door behind Kevin, not even attempting to snack on the delicious vittles now on her turf. 

          We've yet to share a good laugh over this, but I'm sure it will come. Kevin's frustration combined with my emotions allowed just enough time to clean up the mess, stop crying, and watch as Bailey slowly snuck into the room and waited for permission to lick up the remains (she really must have been frightened by all the commotion). More tears ensued as I began to think, "I can't do three more months of this" all with the lovely sound of a dog's tongue licking the floor to ingest every last morsel in the background.

          I wish I had a picture to share of the big spill, however, I didn't feel it would have helped the situation to say, "Wait Kev, let me snap a photo for the blog." Hahaha. Ok, my laughter is now here, and I hope you too got a good chuckle out of this one!

A Little Concern, and A Lot of Rest

As some of you know, we went for our normal 24 week appointment yesterday, and Leslie's blood pressure was just a little higher than what they like to see. So, after a four hour observation in the hospital and labwork that came out "beautiful" (according to the nurse), they sent us home with some blood pressure medication and instructions for "strict bedrest" until next week when we'll go for an ultrasound and follow up appointment. We're praying ultimately that this baby remains healthy and growing, but also that the medicine will do it's job and Leslie's blood pressure goes down and stays there. So until next week, movies will be watched, books will be read, and "strict bedrest" will be had!