Ultrasound Results

If you missed my other post about my first ultrasound you can read about it here.  This was the first time that we've experienced something showing up in an ultrasound.  We've had them for each of our babies to find out the gender but this time we got more than we bargained for.  Back at the end of November when we had our second ultrasound there were two concerns: persistent Marginal Placenta Previa and persistent fluid in the baby's kidneys.  We would then schedule another ultrasound for a month out from the due date to see if either of those would continue to be an issue or if they would resolve themselves in the womb. 

Monday, February 25th was the date for that final ultrasound.

There were times I felt like that day would never come. 

Have I mentioned before that I don't handle 'not knowing' very well.  So simply not knowing what the results would be and having to wait was torture for me on some days. 

It's been a far rougher pregnancy this time around but thankfully over the past few weeks I've noticed a change in how I've been feeling, which thankfully has been better.  I'm very grateful for this, especially considering I'm within a month of my due date, and you ladies who have had babies know that last month can be tough all on its own. 

Well, the answers we received from the doctor were good and not so good.

With the Marginal Placenta Previa and weather I still had it would determine if I needed to have a c-section or if I could go ahead with another vaginal birth.  I found that I was even more relieved than I thought I would be when the doctor informed us that the placenta had indeed moved out of the way and was no longer a concern, and I can go ahead with a vaginal birth!  Praise the Lord.  I think a lot of my concern stemmed from the possibility of needing a c-section and knowing the recovery time is much longer and more difficult than a vaginal birth and how was that going to work without family near-by to help during that time. 

As far as the fluid in the baby's kidneys, that is still there.  There are other indications that the baby is at least urinating, which is a very good sign.  But with the fluid still remaining in the kidneys, we will have to have the NICU nurses be on call when he's born to monitor him and I guess we'll just go from there.  There are no real answers for this until baby is born.  Each case involving the kidneys is different.  So we'll just take that one step at a time, thankfully with the Lord, and see how things progress. 

I must tell you that I so appreciated your prayers and words of encouragement along the way and during these past few months of waiting and wondering what was to come.  The Lord is so faithful. 

And we would appreciate your continued prayers for Eli and for the fluid that is remaining in his kidneys and for whatever is to come once he's born.

And now we just wait for baby Elijah's arrival.  We're on countdown now and getting anxious to meet this sweet little guy! 

Sassy Leggings

Just Because...

she's too cute for words

I adore leggings (note to self, have the girls wear them more often)

and chubby legs...

for bright and happy colors

but most of all for my sweet and sassy and full of personality little girl

who won't be my baby for much longer.

How I love her!

The Lost Post {the Beach}

If you read my last post then you may remember how I mentioned that I've been dreaming about the beach... a lot!  I desperately wish we were there, soaking up the sun and warmth, feeling the sand between my toes and splashing in the ocean.  Okay, I could really get carried away here. 

Maybe my desire is stronger this time because I know we can't just pick up and go if we wanted to.  Baby is coming soon, then there's recovery time and just time to adjust, and I'll be the first to admit you likely wouldn't find us in So Cal during the summer... it's just too crazy. 

And since I've been couped up inside on our frigid cold days and left dreaming about the warm Southern California beaches, I went in search of photos from our most recent family vacation that we took last September. 

And I realized as I was looking through all our photos that I never even finished sharing all of them.  There was one more post that should have been shared.  It was of our last few days of the trip, up in Oceanside, that we spent just relaxing and having fun down by the beach before we headed home.  It was so refreshing and fun to go through all those photos and at least get a glimpse of the beach and almost having it feel like we were there again.  Apparently this post was meant to be shared now even if it's solely for my sanity.

My Aunt and cousin and her sweet little girl had come down for a couple days to visit and join us at the beach as well.  The kids absolutely loved being there, playing in the sand and in the ocean.  And when the kids bring up family vacations the beach is on the top of their list!  Good thing, because it's at the top of mine too!  *Already dreaming up the next one!*

So here's the Lost Post: The Ultimate Family Vacation: Part 6 (Oceanside)

Winter Photoshoot

Can I just say... winter is loooong in the North.  And for some reason this winter has seemed even longer.  I can't tell you how many times I've dreamed about the beach.

Most days have been frigid cold and cloudy.  Gloomy.  Blah! 

So when the sun peaked out the other morning I jumped on the chance to get a few pictures of the kids.  I got them ready and threw them in the car and off we went to look for a decent spot to stop and get some pictures of them.  Even though it was close to mid day, not the best time as far as lighting is concerned, I think they turned out all right.

The kids had fun with our little adventure, laughing when I almost got the van stuck in the snow, and when I took a step off the side of the road not realizing just how far down the ground was and I sunk into the snow well up my leg. 

Lifestyle Photography {Reading with Daddy}

 

 

Our kiddos absolutely love their Daddy, and they love spending time playing with him but they also are so happy when he sits down and reads to them.  They could listen for hours!

 

Baby Bump

 



My precious little baby is growing!

33 weeks and counting.

Christmas Morning

You might be wondering if you just read the title correctly...

You did.

And yes, I do realize that we're well into February twenty thirteen.

It's probably a crime, somewhere, to be posting Christmas pictures this far after Christmas but I figured better late then never.

Right?!

Well, once again we were home for Christmas and my parents came out for a good long visit over the holiday this year.  We all enjoyed our time together, especially not feeling rushed this time. 

And boy does it get more fun each year with the kiddos getting bigger and enjoying all that Christmas brings.  They're learning so much about the real reason for this season, Jesus Christ and his birth.

They also enjoyed opening up their gifts and playing with them. 

It was a nice, relaxed and very special day.