Quiet but Still Here...

Today I am 35 weeks 6 days... I've gotten quiet on the blog because there isn't much to say.  I spend my days nesting like a crazy woman and chasing toddlers who have suddenly decided that they are going to push every button with a frazzled nerve underneath.  My aunt is here and I feel like part of it is showing off. 

I've packed almost everything that we will not need in the next few weeks, tied up some loose strings from our homeschooling year and spent way too much money on Magic Erasers.  LOL!

I am contracting but irregularly and nothing is happening on the baby arrival front.  At 35 weeks I'm not far along enough to help yet I'm far enough along that no extreme measures will be taken to stop me.  So I'm living in baby limbo land for now. 

Isaiah is NOT in a good position for labor or delivery (though he is head down) and that is part of what is causing me serious pain.  I secretly feel like my VBAC odds are closing in on me and this will be a repeat csection. :/  Not thrilled in the least about that, since there are NO doctors here that will allow a patient to VBAC after 2 csections.  But I digress. 

The rest of the pain I feel is from a fall I took on Tuesday.  Brandon and I came in from the rain and I was wearing flip flops (the only shoes that fit these days.)  When I got to the kitchen tile, one leg went one way and the other went the other way and all 35 weeks pregnant of me nearly did a split.  I snatched my back and grabbed the counter but walking and even sitting upright has been painful since. 

This afternoon I am headed back to the chiropractor.  I usually go on Mondays, but fear if I don't get in soon I'll REALLY not be able to walk this weekend. 

The house closing seemed to be going smoothly, but now we seem to have hit a small snag.  I'm growing weary about that because we have already turned in our notice of intent to vacate for our rental.  Anyway, prayers are appreciated for that but I can't get into specifics openly on our blog. 

Anyway, more of the same, pretty much. 

~Stephanie

34 Weeks and Chugging Along...

Last week, I had a big ultrasound because my records had not been sent over from OB #2... sigh... and so Dr. S wanted his ultrasound tech to do a looksie. 

Everything looks good.  No previa, baby head down (but laying in a capital L all on my right side), placenta looks good etc.  They estimated his weight at 6 lbs (which can be +/- 1 lb.) 

Last night, friends from church threw an amazing baby shower for us.  I didn't take any pictures but one of the girls that threw it did so I'll post pictures when I get them.  I was so touched and blessed that even baby #5 was celebrated.  I held back tears most of the night. 

Today, I went in for my week #34 appt and Isaiah is still laying in his L.  I was a bit dehydrated but promised to drink up and Dr. S let me go instead of getting fluids.  Gotta love that he trusts me at least that much. 

We talked some birth plan stuff and officially decided which hospital we are going to deliver at.  (Dr. S delivers at three.. so I had my pick.)  We are delivering at the one closest to us, our friends and our church.  Today we drove to the hospital (that we have never been inside) asked some questions about which way to enter during business hours and night time.  (I've had two night-time admission babies and so that is a very important thing for me to ask!)  And I pre-registered so hopefully everything will go smoothly.  *fingers crossed*

Looks like ol' Webster worked out for me as far as getting Isaiah head down!  I've had zinging back spasms going up my spinal cord for the last few days, so I'm eager to get to the chiropractor this afternoon.  I believe something is pinched and being adjusted always makes me feel better. 

Just a few more things on my nesting list.  Between the Craigslisting for the move, packing things that we don't need out right now for the move and the extreme cleaning, the Bunch is getting a little nervous.  I like to keep them on their toes. ;) 

~Stephanie

Webster Adventures with Isaiah...

So I've been to my chiropractor twice.  Both times I felt much better when I left.

The first try was on Friday.  I was very out of alignment and could barely walk.  The insides of my legs had the worst searing pain.  At the end of being adjusted that had already disappeared.  While Brandon and Xander were being adjusted, my belly completely changed shape and the movement I was feeling was right in the middle.  Su-weet!  But it felt too easy... 

I arranged to go back on Monday.  I thought Isaiah was still in the middle but could feel a catch in my hip so Dr. H did alot of hipwork for me and again I was walking better when I left.

BUT, last night as things quieted down and I started paying more attention, I realized that the movement was mostly on my right again.  And this morning it is further to my right.  My belly shape has changed back. 

*sigh* 

I have an ultrasound tomorrow and we will see what is going on.  There could be a reason he prefers this position.  Then Monday, I have an OB appt and then back to the chiropractor. 

Seeing the chiropractor surely can't hurt even if Isaiah won't stay head down. 

Now.. to work on my iron which doesn't surprise me a bit.  I've not been crazy about meat, especially red meat in this heat, so it's not a shocker. Usually red meat is how I manipulate my iron which is usually borderline at best due to my blood disorder. 

I see a steak in my future. :)

~Stephanie

Wrong way, Isaiah...

So for quite some time I've been very uncomfortable this pregnancy.  I attributed it to being super busy and stressed and chasing two little boys aged 3 and 2. 

And then one night when it was quiet, I noticed that the movement was not in the usual spot.  I mentioned this to my OB and he agreed with me.  Isaiah is laying wrong. 

Instead of head down, which is how all my babies have been well before now,  Isaiah is laying across (transverse.)  My doctor has said that this could be keeping me from having to deal with as much preterm labor as I'm used to because baby is not engaged. 

So while that is good, it also poses it's own issues.  Unless Isaiah moves, I'm looking at a repeat csection.  This is kind of sad to me, because I've worked so hard to keep my options for a VBAC open.  But I've had this sinking feeling the whole pregnancy...  but pushed through. 

Most of the issue is that I don't go the full 40 weeks, so he doesn't really have too much time to move based on my history. 

I have some tricks up my sleeve that I'm going to try... but we'll see!

I, of course, know that no matter how he arrives, it will all be worth it.  I just don't like being pigeon-holed.  And of course, no one looks forward to major abdominal surgery recovery.. especially not with our sized crew and Brandon having only 1 week of vacation time. 

So we pray and we wait.  (This is the theme of 2013.)  Will you join me in prayer?  

I go for another ultrasound on July 12th at 5:30pm... we are hoping he is engaged by then.  C'mon, 'Saiah (what Xander calls him) be nice to mama!

~Stephanie

The Tour-- Picture Heavy

Yesterday, I went out in 108* heat and humidity to hear the report from the inspector.  (I am from Georgia and temps like that are normal there, but it is still sweltering and miserable, and now my ankles are SO paying the price.) 

There are a few minor things on the list.  A few will need addressed after closing (like the kitchen faucet that has very little water pressure.)  Most of the others are things *I* probably wouldn't have noticed.  For example: The bedroom doors for the children's rooms don't latch when you close them.  We close doors so rarely, it may have taken me months/years to figure that one out.  They can be adjusted but really, right now it is the least of my worries.  (Now the swelling in my ankles? THAT worries me! I can't see my ankle bone!)

A tiny little drama-ish story.  Solomon has already fallen down the stairs in this house.  He did it yesterday and there was blood freakin' everywhere.  He tore his upper frenulum.  So I've already cleaned the vinyl on my hands and knees once and we haven't even closed.  HA.  Solomon is okay and my heartrate has returned to normal.  Life with boys, what can I say?

Looking back through my pictures there are obviously places I didn't bother to take pictures, but I did take enough for you to get the general idea.  The house is a very clean canvas right now, but we are okay with that... for now.  (We already have a list of things for "Someday.") 

Right when you walk in the homeschool room is to your right.  I took this from the OTHER entrance to the room.  This is technically a diningroom, but A.  It is carpeted and B. There is another eating area.  We aren't fancy people.  ;) 

In this picture, I'm standing in the doorway from the homeschool room to the kitchen.

Not really our style, but we have plans... eventually.  This is a much better layout than our current rental.  (Ya know, where my dishwasher is ACROSS from my sink. HA)  A fridge is on the To Buy List. 

On the other side of that half wall, there is the "breakfast" area that we will use as our dining room.  Remember.. not fancy people. :)

This is the first picture we ever saw of it, and I thought, NO WAY jose!  That isn't big enough.  Turns out, it is a bad angle and doesn't photograph it well. 

So I tried again, yesterday and got this. 

And:

The ceiling makes it feel MUCH larger than that first picture. :) 

Through the doorway on the left of that picture is the living room. 

We truly LIVE in our livingroom.  So this space will be welcomed and used often. 

Oh and I live in the laundry room.  That shelf will come down, so we can stack a washing machine and dryer and still fit a freezer in the room. :)

Downstairs there is also a pantry, half bath and a coat closet.  But I'll spare you those details. LOL

Upstairs:

Master Bedroom to the right:

Master Bathroom:

Master Closet (and Vanna Soli) 



And two very similar bedrooms (one boys, one girls): 

Kids Bathroom:

Kids bathroom from another angle. 

There is also a linen closet upstairs. 

I still feel like I should pinch myself and I may be holding my breath til closing.  There is an appraisal, septic inspection and termite inspection left to go.  *slow deep breaths*. 

~Stephanie

A Hand +1

Julianne's sixth birthday was earlier this month and completed our kiddo birthday season for this year. ) 

That morning, she just KNEW it was her birthday and wasn't about to let anyone accidentally forget.  She granted us permission to look at houses on her birthday and our realtor brought Julianne a Happy Birthday balloon and she beamed from ear to ear during the showings.

All Julianne could talk about was her Auntie Karon coming for her birthday and eating Sweet Frog (frozen yogurt.)  Unfortunately Auntie Karon had an infection in her leg and her doctor wouldn't clear her for the drive from Georgia to Virginia. 

So Sweet Frog would have to do.  I prayed really hard that Julianne wouldn't spend her birthday day  sad about Auntie Karon not getting clearance to come but she seemed to take it in stride.  "Your doctor is silly, Annie Karon..." is an exact quote from their phone conversation.   *giggle... * 

But God had already worked it out for Julianne.

We looked at houses and then went to Sweet Frog.  Yes, I let my hair down and we had dessert before dinner. 

As we were sitting and eating our yogurt, we looked up and realized that a large group of firefighters/paramedics were also making their yogurt.  Hmmm.. I thought. 

We finished and walked outside and guess who was parked behind us?  TWO firetrucks and a pile of firefighters/paramedics. 

Xander (not being the least bit shy) started shouting "Fi-yah twuck!" and jumping up and down.  This display of complete and total excitement got a firefighter's attention and opened conversation.  Then Lainey volunteered that it was Julianne's SIXTH birthday.  Oh the firemen were just super excited about the opportunity to make it special for our little Bunch.

So they each got to get in the front and look at ALL the buttons.  They turned on lights.  And they sat in the back.  I was trying to snap pictures to capture it all (with my phone, boo!) 

Xander was a little shy once he got into the firetruck. 

When we got back in the van Julianne declared it the "most special birthday ever!"

I'll take it!

~Stephanie

Under Contract...

Under Contract.  First inspection tomorrow. :)  Please pray!