With what was a rough journey (for the both of us)...

...ended up a beautiful destination!

We are so happy to have our sweet little girl with us safe and sound. She is such a Joy! April 7th they tested her lungs and came to the conclusion that she was NOT ready to be born yet. I was Devastated! Thank goodness for a wonderful, supportive husband who just let me cry on him most of the day, and an incredible mom who took over the motherly duties to my other 3 kids!
April 14th we had an appointment to have an external version of the baby (try to turn her because she was Breech). After an ultrasound the Dr. informed me that the amniotic fluid was too low to even attempt the procedure. I was upset about it, but the thing that really got to me was that they were going to send me home to come back in a couple of days for a c-section. I was NOT ready to go home empty-handed, I had come to the hospital with my bags packed and ready to have a baby that day. If I was going to have to have a c-section anyways, I didn't want to go home and sit and worry about it for a few more days.
Thank goodness I had a couple of Doctors that were very compassionate and decided just to do it that evening. Although I was nervous about surgery, it was overshadowed by the knowledge that we would have our sweet baby in our arms that evening!

...she wasn't exactly in our arms that evening. Surgery went well and the baby came out wailing, but they soon found out that she had fluid in her lungs and they were worried about infection. They admitted her into Special Care on IVs and antibiotics.

I ended up nauseous and throwing up the WHOLE night, so I didn't get to hold her (or even see her again) until the next morning. It was hard to see her up close for the first time with so many tubes and machines hooked up to her. I couldn't even see her tiny hands, they were all hooked up and bandaged, and instead of a bow on her head, there was also a bandage.

Brian stayed with me in the hospital for the first 2 nights, it was wonderful to have him there. On the 3rd night Brynlee begged me to be able to be the one to stay the night with me. All I can say about that is that EVERY new mom needs a sweet 7 year old little girl helper, she was INCREDIBLE! She helped me get in and out of bed, get my water and food within reach, helped me get dressed...and on and on... All of the nurses thought she was so sweet and they decided that they wanted their own little girls with them the next time they had a baby themselves.

On the 3rd day, we were informed that Alivia was doing great and would be able to come home with us that day! We were so happy and the kids were especially happy because they hadn't been able to really even see her yet (except through the window of Special Care).

...and now her REAL journey begins...

We couldn't be happier.

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***BIG THANK YOU our beautiful Mothers who took such good care of our family the last few weeks, I know it wasn't easy! I have been able to get some wonderful R & R, and now I am hoping that THEY can get some R & R... they sure deserve it!!!

Yup, They're ALL mine...

...and PROUD of it!

I LOOK like I have a really mean cat...

... Really. Mean. The truth is that there is no cat. I have to blame the damage on my very own fingernails.

My liver condition I have referred to in the past is called Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy. Basically, Bile Acids accumulate in the bloodstream because the liver is failing to do it's job of regulating those acids. Those acids cause INTENSE itching!!! This is not an itch that anyone can understand unless they have experienced it. It is NOT a skin condition or rash or any sort. The itch is in the BLOODSTREAM, so no lotions or anti-histamines can even TOUCH the discomfort! Another few strange things about this is that although the itching is all over, the most intense itching displays itself in the hands (including palms) and feet (including soles), and the worst episodes of it show up in the middle of the night. This means not much sleep (if any!), just A LOT of frustration and tears! The only thing that brings me any relief at all is a bucket full of ice water and plunging my hands and feet in for as long as I can stand it (until pain takes over most of the itching).

Unfortunately, there is not much known about how to treat my condition. Basically, monitor the baby really closely until their lungs are mature enough, and then deliver immediately since the high levels of acids can cause a perfectly healthy baby to unexpectedly die. This bit of information does not help the sleep issues.That being said...
I have actually been able to get some rest a few nights this week! This is really Miraculous since it has been weeks since I have had much relief! I was becoming Very desperate and I am going to attribute this miracle to prayer. Any sleep I can get is a tender mercy for me. I know I am not out of the woods, but it is amazing what a couple of good nights of sleep can do for a person (both mentally and physically)!

April 7th is the day that I will have an amniocentesis done (checking baby's lungs). If her lungs are mature enough, they will deliver her immediately. I will be 36 weeks and 5 days at that point. If she is not ready then they will just deliver her at 38 weeks (April 16th). Only 2-3 weeks left! We love this baby so much already, even if she still has no name! Brian thinks we still have "Plenty of time" to come up with something. Hmm...

Pneumonia...

We have had a rough couple of months in our home (as far as sickness goes). Every weekend for the last 7 weekends with the exception of one, at least 1 of our 3 kids have been fevering or coughing, or something along those lines. It has not been fun. Jan. and Feb. are NOT my favorite months! Gavin had been coughing for a little over a week or so and it didn't seem like a big deal until he started fevering this week. I took him to the Dr. on Thursday and I was told that he has pneumonia. It broke my heart. The funny thing about Gavin is that he is the happiest sick-person I know. Whenever he is fevering he just smiles and says "I Lub you Momma" over and over again.

Thursday was a hard day. The Dr. said he wasn't going to admit Gavin into the hospital because Gavin was still eating a little, thank goodness. They gave him a heavy-duty shot and sent us home with a prescription which was a one-time-dose medication which stays in their system for 10 days. The only problem was that Gavin is really stubborn about taking meds. REALLY. It was also a HUGE dose for all at once and had to be taken on an empty stomach (so no sneaking it into food), and he did NOT want it. I tried reasoning with him ALL DAY, but he would have NOTHING to do with it. When Brian got home, we wrestled him down and got a little into him only to have him gag and immediately throw it all up! After the medication has been mixed it expires after 12 hours. I tried for 12 hours and he threw it up 9 times. We will be going back to the Dr. tomorrow for "Plan B"... Hopefully "Plan B" is NOT a refill!

32 weeks and 3 days (but who's counting?)...

...I am, that's who.Doing pretty good right now. Depends on the day. My liver-issues are definitely becoming more prominent, but I am dealing. I know that there are a lot of prayers going for this baby (and me). I feel like it is really helping. I have a few appointments this week and I think I will know a little more after meeting with the specialist on Wednesday. So far so good. I am trying not to get my hopes up for this baby's lungs being ready for delivery at 36 weeks (April 2nd) since Gavin's lungs were not ready at that point. But to be honest, it will probably be really hard on me mentally if she's not ready.

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In the meantime, I am getting used to these non-stress tests (of the baby) at the hospital a couple of times a week. I think I need to invest in a good book...
...any suggestions?

3 "Men" in a Tub...

Grandma K got these pictures of these 3 little stinkers. I stole the pics...they were just too cute to pass up. These boys had fun at a little family get-together the other night. Unfortunately they got a little(lot) sticky with suckers (which they LOVED by the way), and everyone decided that the best thing to do was to strip 'em down and stick them in the tub.

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She also got a picture of their dad's relaxing (coincidentally in the same order as their sons). She named this one: "3 Men Not in a Tub" I happen to be very partial to the one in the middle. :)

Like clockwork...

...my liver has begun to shut down with the last trimester of this pregnancy.

It has happened with all of my pregnancies. It is not fun. It is SO Uncomfortable, but even more than that it can be really dangerous for the baby. It can cause stillborn (the reason I was advised not to have any more kids).

However, once the baby is out they are fine (and beautiful), and my liver goes back to doing it’s job (the reason I decided it was worth having another one).

I have talked to several medical professionals and there is just so little known about this condition. The best thing to do is keep close supervision of the baby and to deliver early. The specialist I just met with recommends delivering at 36 to 37 weeks if the baby’s lungs are ready. Here’s to hoping this baby develops quickly!!! The next 2 months are going to be a nightmare.

But totally worth it.


In the meantime, I will be starting a collection of these…

Who knows, maybe I'll start requesting they come in different colors.

Maybe it's cold outside, but...

We got a swing, rings, and a rope ladder for our family room to get us through the winter months. My kids do this ALL DAY LONG! I have come to the conclusion that my kids are Crazy and Fearless! Their upside-down abilities and pleadings for "super-high" are never ending! I do enjoy watching every minute of it (even if a lot of the time it is through split fingers in front of my cringing face)!

Saturday was spent...

...turning this:

...into this:

These brown ones are my favs:

They are not all quite finished yet, I still need to sew the straps on a couple of these. I may or may not have 4 or 5 more pairs made and ready to decorate. Overkill?

You know you're the only brother...

You know you're the ONLY brother (in a house full of sisters)...

...when Mom is trying to comb your hair for church and you scream: "NO! I WANT PIGGYTAILS!!!"