33 weeks with Baby No.3

    Wednesday morning I had my 33week appointment. I'm so grateful I've made it this far! Upon examination my doc found I was dilated to 2-3 cm and 50% effaced. She initially said go back home and continue strict bed rest. I asked why I was being sent home even with being dilated, because with Kayla I was dialed a little, not feeling contractions but was sent straight to L&D. She said I was primarily sent to L&D so I could get a steroid shot to progress baby's lung development. But with this baby I already had that shot. Thhheeeennn, my doctor started to think....she decided it'd be best to monitor me over night in the hospital. Not in L&D but just on the floor (postpartum side). So, to the hospital I went. I didn't get into a gown, didn't get any monitors hooked up, just sat in bed and watched TV.
    The nurses took my vitals every few hours and also checked baby fox's heart rate. My friend Jill visited and brought me a vanilla DP and fried pickles! Thankful for friends treating me and taking time to say hi! Thomas spent the night while my mom stayed home with the kids. I'm thankful she has these days off to help us out.
This morning (Thursday) Dr. W came in and asked if I had been having any contractions.
Nope, I said.
She told me to be honest and asked if I was getting more bed rest here than at home.
Yes, I said.
She is having me stay here.... through the weekend. Definitely not what I want but is probably what I need, what baby needs. I can stay more motionless here and keep pressure off cervix. And I'm obviously super close to L&D. I could tell she felt bad but knew it was best. Hey she's here on Thanksgiving too! Thankful for medical staff working today!
As soon as she left the room I cried. Mostly because the thought of staying here away from Sean and Kayla made me sad. They can come visit but a 3 yr old and 15mth old don't last long in such a confined space. Thomas hugged me and said we can bring kids up here. So, I had my pity party and felt bad for myself. Then quickly remembered there are people in the hospital for months on end away from their family and they're in pain! I'm not in pain. Then I felt bad for not visiting my dad more when he was in the hospital with cancer and he was in the hospital a lot. And I remembered I am not doing this (bed-rest) for myself but for baby Fox. As my friend Allison pointed out every day in the womb buys a few days out of NICU, and saves $$ too. Thankful for encouraging friends that love me!
And I remembered my friend Brandi whose health is rapidly declining due to brain cancer. And Mary who is also in pain with pancreatic cancer. My "suffering" is not suffering at all. Thankful I can cry out to the Creator for healing in these women's lives.
I honestly don't care that it's Thanksgiving. I mean it doesn't bother me being here on turkey day. Thomas, my mom and kids will come visit me soon. Maybe we will get turkey from cafeteria, maybe they can get food from Cracker Barrel or Golden Corral. It's whatever. Today isn't about food.
So that's what's going on now.
Most thankful for Jesus Christ. His life, death and resurrection. The freedom to worship him and the community of believers he brings together.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Dad took Sean and Kayla to the suspension bridge

Kayla with the keys

Sean and Kayla visiting with smiles

chaotic little visitors

Brainstorming baby names

one more pregnancy update photo, probably the last!