Our Baby Cougar

My friend Casey is the academic planner ("Team Mom") for the Men's Basketball team. She has the privilege (and honor) of having all of the players phone numbers in order to call them and remind them about assignments and tests they might have. When Casey learned of my obsession (see other posts here and here) she knew immediately what she would be getting for our little boy...

 (A BYU onesie signed by Jimmer Fredette)

 I was happy to hear that Jimmer withdrew his name from the NBA draft, in order to return to BYU for his senior season. I can't wait to take the little one to a game in his autographed shirt!

I might just have to put Jimmer back on the list for possible names. 

Third Trimester Virgin

8 (long) weeks ago, when I started this journey on bedrest, my doctor was unsure of just exactly how long this pregnancy would last. He told us that 28 weeks would be a great goal to get to. I looked at the calendar and immediately decided that if I was still pregnant at 28 weeks I would eat a (delicious Costco) churro in honor of Cinco de Mayo. On the other hand if I wasn't pregnant at 28 weeks Spencer would proceed to call me his Third Trimester Virgin. Two pregnancies and I had never been there-- UNTIL NOW.
We didn't exactly spend the second trimester on a BabyMoon, setting up a baby nursery or enjoying the spring weather but I've made it to the Third Trimester- THE FINAL STRETCH! I feel liberated.  I feel calm knowing that if Spencer Jr. came now that his chance of survival is at least 80%. I feel strong and powerful. and I feel very FAT.

Lately I have been compared to someone incarcerated in a prison-- Looking forward to visitors and mealtime. I believe I gain weight just thinking about eating. My dreams lately have somewhat switched gears from the nightmares of doing my own c-section with a dull rock in a forest, to dreams of working out and walking. These appendages I once called "legs" are unfamiliar sausage-like-links attached to my body. Oh how far I have fallen (and that churro didn't help) I have already begun to plan my postpartum workouts and develop the "ULTIMATE WORKOUT" playlist. 

 (Yes, I am wearing one of Spencer's Mexico t-shirts- I really got into the theme of the day)

I am still trying my best to incubate this little one and keep him inside for a number of more weeks- but the thought of walking to the mailbox or outside to enjoy the beautiful weather is beginning to consume me. I've been told that bedrest is one of the hardest things you can do, and now I fully stand behind that statement. It may not be the "Perfect Pregnancy" but it is a pregnancy, which is what matters and what we are grateful for. However, the end is near and in a weird way we are both glad how long this bedrest phase has lasted (We hope for 12 more weeks of bedrest and a healthy baby boy, but lets be honest- I can't wait to NOT be pregnant).

 My dear Aunt Carol dropped off this lovely cake this morning in honor of reaching 28 weeks. I wouldn't mind if the 2 miraculously turned into a 3 over night. But if we're on the topic of wishful thinking, then I wouldn't mind if the cake had magic powers to help me lose 20lbs when I devour it.

[Thank you all for the packages, letters, and meals, and most importantly all of the prayers.]

March of Dimes

On May 22nd Spencer will be participating in the March of Dimes walk.

(I will be cheering for him from the couch.)

We thought it was special that the walk is scheduled on Sara Loraine's 1st Birthday.
(I can't believe it has almost been a year)

The March of Dimes widget has been added to our sidebar
(for those of you feeling generous that want to donate.)

Also, Spencer is looking for little walking buddies since his One and Only (Moi) won't be able to attend.

For more information about the March of Dimes CLICK HERE

Sara's BDO

My Big Day Out happens every Wednesday 
    (which also is the day we celebrate another completed week)

 Some things I did:

   -got dressed in more than a housecoat

   -did my hair/makeup

   -walked the 15 feet to the car

          (which oddly enough was sore on my constantly locking knees)

   - enjoyed the 80mile roundtrip drive to the U and the sunshine on my arms and face

   - felt awkward as Spence pushed me in a wheelchair to Labor and Delivery with not much of a pregnant pooch.

   - watched the little babe swim around as they measured his growth and reassured us that he is still a he.

   - heard good news (and more bedrest) from TBDITW
            (The Best Doctor In The World)

   - got a really painful betamethasone steroid shot 
             in the you know what 
                                 (and get the second half of the sequence (in the other cheek) today...)

   - stood up long enough to get a little picture

 (and was told by my loving husband not to look at the camera because it accentuates my double chin)

Update

There isn't much to say when you haven't left your couch, except for doctor appointments, for over 29 days. I don't want this to turn in to one of those annoying blogs that is all about pregnancy but it's all I've got going on as of late. However I do have to say that I believe the bedrest is working. We reached the very important milestone of 24 weeks and hope to get to a couple more big milestones (28, 32, etc...) But everyday makes the chances of a healthy baby boy increase. I learned that one day in the womb is worth three days in the NICU. So I always reassure Spencer that I am saving us a lot of money in the long run in hopes of him buying me treats here and there.

I started 17p Progestrone shots (to stop preterm labor) a couple weeks ago and will continue on them until the little babe arrives (which is hopefully still not for a while) And next week we are looking forward to receiving corticosteroid shots to speed up the little guys lung development, just in case. I also have been taking this nice fatty pill for muscle relaxation which helps to keep my uterus nice and soft and free of contractions. But the medicine also relaxes other muscles too (like my heart) which lowers my blood pressure and sends me to dreamland-- with a big fat red face.

I have taken some tests at home which I have to admit is a lot less intimidating then walking into the BYU testing center. I will be happy when school is over so I can devote all my time to television and online shopping. Other things I have found enjoyable are watching the maintenance workers outside as the smell of fresh cut grass fills our home. Other exciting things include visitors. We have been so blessed (me in the aspect of not going crazy, and Spencer in the aspect that I'm not a basketcase when he gets home from school) Which is due to the high traffic of visitors - THANK YOU. People are so willing to help with cleaning, laundry and meals that I might just consider being on bedrest even after the little one arrives...

Easter

The best part of Easter weekend was spending time with Spencey Baby. With the semester coming to a close he has been putting in long hours at school, which means my hours spent on the couch seem never ending and lonely. So together we enjoyed watching conference (wasn't it great?) and eating Easter candy the whole weekend.