Penelope's Attempted Birthday

On Friday morning I started having mild contractions but they were really irregular. I had them all day, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. But hours would go by without one, so I didn't take it too seriously until Monday afternoon at 3:00 they became more regular and I hadn't felt her move in a while. So Will got someone to come stay with Liam and got all of our stuff in the car. We headed to the hospital, we thought we were going to get sent home because my contractions weren't painful. But we knew there was a possibility that she would come that night. They hooked me up to the monitors and I was contracting every 2 to 3 minutes! They gave me 3 shots, kept contracting, they gave me a pill, still contracting. I went from 0centimeters dilated to 2 centimeters pretty quick. I was officially in early labor. They admitted me and put me in a labor and delivery room. They then tried one more medicine called magnesium sulfate and it worked! It was a terrible experience- made me really sick and hot. But super thankful it slowed and then stopped the contractions. I was weaned off of the medicine for the next 48 hours then released to go home on bed rest. It feels so good to be at home and with Liam. My mom got here yesterday and is amazing taking care of Liam so Will can work and get rest, etc. her and Liam are at the playground and pool in our neighborhood right now. I didn't get to go to the airport to pick her up but Liam ran to her and wanted to hold her hand the whole day. He chases her around everywhere she goes. It's precious. I did totally break the rules and went to my baby shower last night, but it just meant so much to me since Liam was at his baby shower! My sweet friends here did an amazing job and made it so pretty and special. Penelope got great stuff too! I sat with my feet up the whole time. I am staying in bed 100% today. I will be 37 weeks on Thursday snd go to my weekly check-up so I don't know if I'll get to come off bed rest and they will let me have her at that point. We are just taking it one day at a time. I'm just so thankful I got to be the one hooked up to the IV and sick and not her. My doctor is out of town all weekend but my mom is here. So I am trying not to worry one way or the other. I know God is protecting her and He is the only one that knows her birthday. I will say these early contractions are NOTHiNG compared to pitocin contractions, these feel like being uncomfortable. Pitocin contractions feel like death. I know that these natural contractions will eventually hurt way worse than they do now and get more intense but I am relieved to know those little bitty cramps did 2 centimeters of work! Now I just have 8 more to go :) We will let everyone know when the next time comes and we bring a baby home with us!

35 weeks

Penelope has decided she is about ready to make her appearance! The doctor thinks she will be here at 36 weeks. I am still hoping for 37. I am on bedrest until she comes. We are so excited to meet her! Next Thursday I have a shot, a doctor's appointment, my mom flies in and I have a baby shower so I am really hoping to make it that far.  We just love our little girl so much and are so excited to meet her. We are praying she is healthy and praying that God would keep her in safe.

March and April

Sorry for how random and out of order this post is...

I am just trying to get it up so I can remember all that is going on right now in this crazy time in our lives!

Easter Lunch
A sweet family hosted Liam and I at their beach house while Will was out of town.
33 weeks with Penelope Kate
Liam's Thomas cake I made, I know I am no pro! :)

Easter:

Our week was a little unusual. Wednesday night Will preached about the cross and it was awesome. Thursday morning he flew home to see his parents for the day and he drove one of their cars home to use for a couple of years. He had a great visit with them. Liam and I visited with a sweet family at their beach house while he was gone. It was so much fun! It was so good to get away. It was only a 30 minute drive but it felt like vacation. We couldn't wait to see Will on Saturday night, he got home at 1:00 am. It is so obvious Liam missed him so much! All day Sunday he wanted to hug and be held by daddy. Will's parents sent him home with tons of adorable clothes for Penelope and Liam, it made me even more anxious for her to get here so I can dress her up in all of these sweet little clothes. On Sunday at church we had a sunrise service, breakfast and regular service. A couple of really sweet families invited us over, but Will requested a family day since we hadn't seen him since Wednesday and it was perfect! I made my first Easter lunch, scalloped potatoes, ham and spinach salad. We visited Coldstone for dessert! Liam got totally spoiled by the Easter Bunny (aka the grandparents) and enjoyed hunting for Easter eggs outside. He would only pick the ones up off the ground, he wouldn't get them out of bushes or tress even when he saw them. We also all took a really long nap. A photographer friend took our picture on Easter but I haven't seen it yet.

Liam's 2nd Birthday:

We celebrated Liam's birthday as a family and he had a wonderful day! We decorated his door with streamers and hung his happy Birthday banner, which he really enjoyed. Our day was full of lots of toys sent by family. We just went to Moe's Mondays for dinner, the kid loves a cheese quesadilla.

Penelope:

I have made it to 33 weeks! Yay! Not easily though. I have spent several late evenings on my left side guzzling water getting BH contractions to stop. Thankful they always do. I have to spend several hours a day laying down, still getting my P17 shots and am not allowed to run or lift anything, etc. I have stuck to the doctor's orders except I have lifted Liam some.

If I can go to Orlando and back, have the Malko's visit and get a couple of weeks into May and to 37 weeks she will be full term.

We leave tomorrow and can't wait to see Grandcraig, Lindsey, Ashley, Troy, Chase and Brody! We love and miss them so much.

Our Family (including Penelope at 30 weeks)

Will and I were able to go to the Real Marriage Conference a couple weeks ago and it was awesome! Mark Driscoll did a wonderful job and it was nice to get away. We had a few free hours and it was a beautiful day so we went downtown and ate outside at Cheesecake Factory and walked around little boutiques. I honestly forgot what a skyline looked like! It was refreshing to be back in a big city for a weekend! haha! the picture above is Liam walking around in Ft. Lauderdale
Liam showing off his artwork with his daddy.
We took Liam to his first movie. The Lorax. It was such a cute movie and Liam loved it, he sat in his daddy's lap and munched on popcorn. We took him last minute, so it was late, I think we got out at like 10:00pm.
Mommy and Liam in Ft. Lauderdale
My guys at the beach. We live about 45 minutes from Siesta Key and my hospital and doctor are about 10 minutes from it, since I have to go weekly, it is a pretty good excuse to go to the beach. Liam loves the waves in the ocean and playing in the sand.

I had my 30 week check-up yesterday and we did have some signs of preterm labor. My doctor said "I am telling you are between take it easy and moderate bedrest." So no more running or lifting and off my feet a few hours a day. I can still leave the house, drive, do housework. I got to see Penelope and despite all of these ultrasounds I had never seen her face, she ALWAYS has her little hands up by it, but yesterday I got to see her 4D, super clear, she is precious! She is 3 pounds and 15 inches. I'll have another appointment and ultrasound in 2 weeks and hopefully there will be no more progression. I am making little goals and rewards for myself. It sounds silly, but I am such a task oriented person that I think this will help me mentally.

Once a week I get TCBY frozen strawberry yogurt with brownies.

Once a week I get to buy something that we need for Penelope, Liam, Will or myself (we got our tax return and are in need of some new shoes, camera, etc.)

I look at like I need to make it to 32, 34, 36 and 38, or look at like I need to make it through April and May.

We have a lot going on in April, but right now it should be fine. We are looking forward to Will getting to see his family, Easter, Liam's 2nd Birthday, a weekend with my family at Disney, a couple of days with Brooke, Jon and Anderson and the sweet ladies at my church hosting a baby shower for me.

We're still here

I have been a lazy blogger... and I don't even have any good pictures to post. I'll work on that.

* Liam and I went to Charleston to visit my sister in February, my mom met us there so it was great to spend quality time with them

* We got the Norovirus while we were there and I had to stay the night in the hospital one night because of dehydration and pre-term labor

* I see the doctor every couple of weeks and am doing P17 hormone shots weekly

* Penelope seems to be cozy, so we are praying she stays that way for a few more months

* I am 27 weeks tomorrow, so 13 more weeks would be ideal, but I am thankful to have gotten this far

* Liam started with a runny nose last Wednesday and it developed into an ear infection in his right ear, so we have been snuggling, watching lots of Thomas, etc.

* Penelope's room is coming along really sweetly

* Will is really enjoying his job

* We are moving in a good direction with someone interested in our house so that is great

* Hopefully we are all on our way to healthiness so we can enjoy this beautiful spring

* Liam will be 2 next month! Can not believe it. We are going to Disney the weekend after with my sister and her family and my dad and lindsey so I am excited we will get to celebrate with family, which I didn't think we would be able to do this year.

Not A One Year Old For Much Longer

We spent Will's off day today at the beach with this little guy. I don't want to forget this "almost two stage". Yes there are some tantrums and whining, but for the most part he is so fun to play with and be around all day. The tantrums and whining come from frustration when he can't get a toy to do what he wants or he has to get in the car instead of walking to the playground. He loves the ocean, he loves to play with cars. We buy him other toys but he primarily only plays with cars, books and blocks/legos. He sleeps from 8:30 or 9:00 to 7:45 or 8:00 and takes 1 afternoon nap everyday from 2-4. He snuggles with his Little Giraffe Blanket. He wears 18 and 24 months clothes. He is very independent and likes to do things himself. He has recently been telling me "no, no, no don't do dat." He also is trying so hard to sing. He likes Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, ABC's, Jesus Loves Me. His little voice is presh.

He still has no idea Penelope is on her way, Will often says oh man she is going to rock his world.

We are so blessed by his personality!

PINK

It is so fun shopping for a girl. While we were at Target today we grabbed a few little clothes for baby girl.

I also made a baby registry for her to be organized about what I need and to have a place to direct people if anyone wants to pick something up for us.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/baby/ref=gno_listpop_br

I have a lot we used with Liam, but I think she will need a little pink in her life and somethings I didn't get or know I needed/wanted with Liam.