12 Weeks

12 Weeks- My baby at 11 weeks is approximately the size of a lime. I find it hard to believe that my little one could be that size already. My stomach is flatter then flat as I'm still to sick to really entertain eating and drinking. I am having more good days then bad so the Zofran pump is officially working, but I cannot wait until this is all behind us. Us- myself, my kids, my husband, and all our friends and family who have been so helpful these past 6+ weeks.

Speaking of the Zofran pump... now every time it gives me a dose (about every 10 minutes) it stings! Seriously! I'm crazy itchy all over my belly and feel like there are tiny bugs crawling in the inside of my skin! If I lay in a perfect position (which changes) everything is fine and even the itchyness fades, but my oh my- I forgot how incredibly itchy this thing was when I was pregnant with Ruthie. I wouldn't trade it for anything right now though- I mostly stick with soups but I've craved pizza the other night (no pepperoni but with bacon and sausage?!?) and I even found myself daydreaming about Chinese food?!?! It's exciting. Now if I could just figure out beverages that I can stand without gagging and hugging the toilet. I can't drink just cherry koolaid for much longer. Gross- I know ... but that's it, that's what my body will allow me to consume on a daily basis. 

Monday I have an actual doctors appointment and I should be able to hear the heart beat. That's exciting. I am also hopeful this will be the first week I don't have to go into the hospital immediately afterwards for a hydration treatment. I don't think my veins could handle one more of those! I feel positive that I am doing better and that the doctors will see some improvement. Dare I say maybe a little weight gain!?

School

School- Ruthie LOVES school. I truly expected her to be very excited about it and was shocked when her first day started so rough. That obviously didn't affect her too long as she jumps for excitement when she realizes that the day is a school day.

Thank goodness for weekly reports or I'd have no idea what was happening in my daughters life. I guess because moms are supposed to know everything Ruthie believes I already know everything there is to know. This has been especially hard on me because I've been so sick that I can't even drive to drop off or pick up my daughter and so I see nothing. Ruthie loves her teachers Mrs King and Mrs Mason. She came home the other day and signed a bible verse "Children are a gift from the Lord" Amen! She is such a blessing. Each week Ruthie learns a new letter and gets to do fun crafts involving that letter. Apples, Balloon Painting, & Crayon crowns. She is also learning how to write her name which is both exciting for Ruthie and myself.

Friends- On our first day I had to explain to her again that her friend Ava Drake would not be there but there are two other Ava's in her class. I don't know how much interaction she has with the two Ava's but all she talks about is Ava H and Ava E. She also has talked about Ryan (who I saw her playing with at the playground this past Tuesday) Lilliah Grace and Molly. Patrick has also been mentioned once. :) I was really hoping Ruthie would take me to her friends last night, but I wasn't feeling well and she was anxious to show me all around her room.

At back to school night Mrs. King has a scavenger hunt for the parents and children. Ruthie showed me how one day she was the caboose and yesterday morning she was the meteorologist and stated yesterday was cloudy but now it's rainy. :) Love her! She also showed me some of her favorite books. I wish I could remember the name of the apple book she loves. I'll have to ask Mrs. King. :)

All in all I'm very pleased with Grace Lutheran. I know it's the perfect place for Ruthie. She is learning so much and having a great time. Next month she is charge of snack so we get to pick out fun napkins and cups :) She also gets to bring in her favorite cd to share with her class.

Preschool- Ruthie

My Little Preschooler

Ruthie has been super excited for preschool. We've been talking about it all summer! On Tuesday, September 4th we woke Ruthie up excited to get her ready for her 1st Day. She looked right at me and said "mommy, I don't want to go to school, so I'm not going"

oh no

Getting her ready I tried not to fight with her- I let her pick out her outfit, allowed her to wear flip flops, and didn't force her to let me put braids in her hair-- and she still fought the process. 

My Pout Face Girl

We took her into school and she was excited to show us where to put her bag and place her name tag (for attendance)  She was happy until the moment we told her "goodbye". Tears came quickly and we made the decision to leave and let the aid take care of our kicking and screaming girl. 

What seemed like days later- it was time to go pick her up. We were greeted by a very very Happy Girl. She loved it!! (As we knew she would) Her teacher Mrs. King is amazing and I can't wait for her to meet new friends.

(Ruthie's Art Project)

We surprised Ruthie and let her pick her lunch destination. She chose The Waffle Shop for her chocolate chip pancakes. 

Looking forward to a new week with smiles and learning. 

Oh- and if any of you would like to order a Marianna Hoagie-- Ruthie's selling them!!

Hyperemesis

Hyperemesis

Thursday, September 6th at 1pm was my first doctors appointment for this little one. As you can see, we have a beautiful healthy baby with a strong heartbeat. I have to keep telling myself this because moments like this weekend it sometimes doesn't feel worth it. 

Our first visit is was with Dr. Hardyk (she delivered Brayden via VBac) She is absolutely wonderful and I'm so thankful she's my doctor. Jon and I talked to her about our concerns with this pregnancy. The fact that I barely can stomach anything and drinking is out of the question is scary when I remember back to my pregnancy with Ruthie. She was so helpful and understanding as we shared our concerns. She prescribed higher doses of Zofran and also prescribed another medication (Fenergan) and asked to see me again on Monday. She also prescribed blood work and some other tests. Before I left she found that my hydration levels were very low and directed me to go to the hospital for hydration treatments. 

That afternoon, I went into the hospital where they gave my two bags of liquids and also some Zofran. I was there for three hours before being sent home. I got home and decided even though I was nauseous to eat a little food before calling it a night-- that night, I began vomiting again and that carried into Friday. Friday night we called Dr. Hardyk and she recommended we come back into the hospital. 

When we arrived at the hospital my sugar level was at 59 and my hydration level was low. The hospital doctor was great at making me feel comfortable and shortly later, Dr. Hardyk stopped in to visit me. She decided then that I needed to be admitted and watched closely.  

Jon waited with me until I was comfy in my room before heading home. I slept pretty well. The nurses started checking my sugar levels every two hours (I'm thankful not to be diabetic- it doesn't hurt- but it's not enjoyable) I am being fed fluids constantly, (I've never peed so much in my life) and they're giving me a bunch of other things to get all my levels back to "normal"

Two concerns: They noticed that my Thyroid level was higher then it should be. They did another blood test to see if I have a Hyper Thyroid. This could so make my 1st trimester that much harder with nausea. As of Sunday morning, the test hasn't come in. Saturday morning I started having kidney pain. It reminded me of my kidney stone with Ruthie and so they're now giving me antibiotics for a stone or possible bladder infection. (Also waiting on the results)

Sunday Morning: Dr. Cherry came in to talk to me. She's still waiting on some test results but it does sound like I'm having a Thyroid issue and a stone or infection. She is happy with how I'm doing. She's going to continue to keep the fluids pumping but see how I respond to starting zofran orally again. She has also lifted my liquid diet to include foods I may want (though, I'm not feeling it) So as of this morning, it sounds like I'll be here until Monday when Dr. Hardyk can check into the pump. It is also sounding more and more like I'll keep in an IV for home treatments of liquids (possible food). 

More updates to come...