Amniocentesis

The perinatologist stopped by my room today and suggested I have an amniocentesis done. One of the things an amnio can test for is lung maturity of the baby. I would kick myself if we did an induction on Tuesday and the baby ended up in the NICU with breathing problems. The peri used the ultrasound machine to find a pocket of amniotic fluid that didn't contain the baby or the cord. He took a 4-inch long needle and inserted it into my abdomen. It surprisingly didn't hurt besides the sting of it first going in. My result was 95.2, which is good. Baby's lungs are considered mature and should mean no NICU! We're on for the induction on Tuesday. I actually like being pregnant and wouldn't mind being pregnant for a few more weeks. But, it's not feasible for me to hang out in the hospital for another couple of weeks. Mike has been pretty stressed lately with Ethan and Mia and I am getting sick of being on bed rest!

It sounds like the kids had a good time at the hotel. Ethan loved the pool but Mia could have done without it. She gets so scared of things. Mia reminds me of my little sister, Jenna. Jenna was afraid of everything when she was little, even the potty chair. I think one of the reasons it's taking Mia longer to walk is because she's afraid to fall down!

Hoping for a Quiet Weekend!

Mike took Ethan and Mia to Mitchell today. His Mom's side of the family will be staying at a motel there with a pool and a water slide. I'm sure Ethan and Mia will have a blast. They weren't too impressed when we took them to the pool in August, but I think they'll enjoy it now. Though, I told Mike not to take them down the water slide. I don't want them petrified of water.

There's still no change with me. The doctor checked me today and I'm still the same at 7cm. I hope my water doesn't break in the next 24 hours. I have a feeling it's going to be a fast labor and I want Mike to have plenty of time to get to the hospital. It takes a good hour to drive from Mitchell to Sioux Falls, not mentioning getting through the traffic in Sioux Falls.

New Tooth for Ethan!

That makes number nine! His first molar came in on his left upper side. Aunt Sarah said he had been difficult the past few days she was watching him. This explains a lot of that! Ethan and Mia were fighting over a phone handset today and she tried biting him and pulling his hair. It's a good thing she only has two teeth!

There's nothing new to report with me or baby #3! But I guess that's a good thing!

Some Pictures of the Kids

Here are some random pictures of the kids visiting me in the hospital. Enjoy!

Sitting on the bed.

Being goofy.

Sitting with mom. See my bruises?

Sitting with Mom.

Playing with legos.

Throwing legos.

Having fun.

Having fun!

Still Here

I'm still pregnant--36 weeks 1 day! My doctor did check me today and I'm the exact same at 7cm. She said baby's head feels a little bit lower. I'm still trying to get to 37 weeks. I'm patiently waiting for Tuesday to come. I realized last night that Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day. Having a St. Patty's Day baby will be neat. I have some Irish in me!

Ethan and Mia are still doing well. Aunt Sarah is watching them and I think they're giving her a run for her money. She calls Ethan, "the destructor." He enjoys making a mess. It actually makes him really happy and he laughs and laughs. Mia is still being really clingy. Poor kids probably have no idea what's going on! They come and see me every evening, and it's what I look forward to each day. Though, it's not entirely relaxing. I contract like crazy when they're here. Ethan gets into all the nurse's supplies and electronic cords and Mia constantly jumps on my stomach. But I do enjoy it! One of my friends is right next door to me in pre-term labor. (What a small world!) She let us borrow her legos last night. The kids had a blast playing with them. They enjoyed chucking them all over my room. Ethan was squealing with delight! It kept them occupied for a good thirty minutes!

1 Week 1 Day

I've been in the hospital over a week now! I am 36 weeks today and am hoping to make it another week. Baby is still happy as a clam in there. Nothing has changed with me! My contractions are still the same, hardly there when I'm lying down and every 7-20 minutes when sitting up. They put the SCD leggings on me to prevent blood clots yesterday. They make my legs itchy and sweaty. They are pretty annoying!

New Plan

Our new plan is for me to try and make it as long as I can, (at least to 37 weeks) which would be next Tuesday, March 17th. There really is no reason for them to break my water, and it's still uncertain whether baby would need the NICU. Please pray that we can do this another week!