14 to go!

I now feel like we're getting closer since I feel inclined to write about how many weeks to go....Kelly and I were talking today about if it's gone fast or slow and it really has been a little of both. But when we think of everything we still have left to do in the house, we realize that time has flown and that we are really racing against the clock! The good thing is that Finn's room is done...so whenever he decides to grace us with his presence, we'll be ready! Well, as ready as any first-time parents think they are.

We went to the doctor today and Finley is doing great. He did his best to dodge the doppler as the doctor listened to his heartbeat, but luckily he can't really go too far! I've realized that every pregnant woman worries about something silly...my silly worry is that I'm not big enough. Don't get me wrong, I feel rather large and I have reached the point of squatting rather than bending, but so so many people tell me how I only look like I'm 3 or 4 months along. They are constantly shocked to find out that I am almost to 7. ..and proceed to ask questions that usually linger around making sure Finn is the right size. While people roll their eyes when I say this is concerning, it is really just because I want to know that Finn is fine. When enough people give you the concerned...wow...you're not very big..it is just as disturbing(i think) as the "Are you carrying twins?" question that so many pregnant are offended by due to only carrying one baby (when will people learn that is not okay?!) And here's the worst part-I've gained all the weight I'm supposed to, but it must be going other places!!! Of course, every sonogram that we've had has showed him ahead of the trends so I really should let this go. My doctor made a good point to me today, though, when he said, "Amber, the baby is only around 2 lbs. What do people expect you to look like?" That made me feel a little better...

I know it sounds trivial and one day in the not-so-far future, I will long for the days of people saying I looked small.

PUPPP update: It's pretty much gone! I highly considered posting the pictures of it, but I figure that I will spare you. Finley on the other hand will not be spared...when he goes through his rebellious years I plan to remind him of what I went through with him LOL!

It may be working!!

Well, I went back through my last post and man...was I down or what?! At the time I was typing my message, I was trying to comprehend how on earth I was going to survive the pain I was feeling for 3 months. Well, your prayers are much appreciated because I am miraculously showing improvement! I say it's a miracle only because my doctor told me that the odds were against me with the medicine...that he's only see it work a handful of times...but each day has been a little easier. Odds are that I will not be taking any bare belly pictures, but I am just thankful to not be in the state of discomfort that I was just a few short days ago! I am even sleeping relatively well...other than when Finn keeps me up with his crazy kicks, but that is a good reason to be awake ;) More to come...hopefully more good news...much love and faith!

A bit of a rough week...

Hi everyone,

Let me just start off by saying that most importantly, Finley is perfectly fine and healthy. Momma on the other hand is experiencing some challenges. Today, I am 25 weeks...or Finley is actually. About a week ago, I started to develop a rash that I assumed was due to the heat...104 + belly...surely it must be a heat rash...a really really itchy one. I called my doctor to see what he wanted me to use and cortizone was the recommendation. I used this for the entire week along with Gold Bond Medicated Powder when I walked to keep it dry. Well, yesterday, I noticed that my "heat rash" was spreading...not good....that and the itching was and is becoming unbearable. I didn't notice it until pretty late into the day so I called the doctor and managed to miss his return call. I did what any person with modern day conveniences would do...I searched the internet. I found that there are 2 types of pregnancy rashes that fit my description...of which both sounded miserable. However, one could potentially harm Finn and the other would not. Of course, you know which I started praying for immediately (if it was going to have to be one of those). When I got in touch with my doctor today, he said that it sounded like PUPPP, the lesser of two evils. The problem is that there's really not much they can do for those of us who are unlucky enough to contract it. He was going to need to get me on steroids immediately if this was the case, but for obvious reasons, wanted to examine me to be certain of his diagnosis. SO, I went in crossing my fingers and praying that maybe...just maybe...it would be some kind of fungal rash that could be treated...and that it would GO AWAY! He took one look at it and just said, "Yeah...it's PUPPP" The reason that this is so baffling is because most women do not get this until late into their third trimester. At that point, it is still miserable, but they only have a few weeks to tough it out. My doctor is concerned for me since I will have to get through this for a much longer amount of time. Basically, it is like having chicken pox for 3 months...it spreads from your abdomen to your legs, arms, back...basically everywhere but your face (thank God for small miracles). Shortly after Finn arrives, it is supposed to clear up. Interestingly enough, 70% of the women who get this are carrying little boys so they believe that it may have to do with an enzyme they release that attacks the skin...lovely. The only really good thing is that it usually does not appear in subsequent pregnancies (or they tell you that so that you'll actually consider doing this again). Many doctors will actually induce pregnancy early due to the fact that most mothers with PUPPP simply cannot go any longer with those conditions..and they are weak from minimal sleep.

So tonight, I am beginning the steroids and the prescription cream...and I am praying with all my heart that it makes some kind of difference. I have to be honest and say that my spirits are down at the moment, but I know that this will all be worth it when Finn arrives. So...big prayer request...that Finn continues to stay healthy and that I can somehow manage my condition. Love & Faith

Our little Fighter!

24 weeks...can you believe it?! The big advancement at this point for Finn is his lung development...that and he is about the length of an ear of corn (11 inches, about a lb.) He is certainly getting his training for the outside world in utero...this child does not sit still! I truly believe that he spent yesterday in a constant state of motion. I met a midwife who felt him and showed me where his head was and his little feet were and he was not happy about it-he moved away the second time she went to find him LOL! He really is funny about that space of his...though I suppose you can't blame him-it's not like he has tons of room! I also realized that he gets the hiccups...I thought at first this morning that he was just moving quite a bit, and then I realized how rythmic it was...and I lifted my shirt to see my belly slightly jolting with each hiccup...it was really pretty cute. So really, all in all we are doing very well. On the homefront, Kelly is diligently working on adding our second bathroom so that 3 of us won't have to share one! It's coming along beautifully, but it certainly has been consuming. I'm feeling well so I feel extremely blessed! So...16 weeks to go!!

Sleepy time

Well, this is a big week for little Finn man...he now has the ability to fall into REM sleep. Apparently, he is already dreaming, which is completely mind-boggling to me, but so be it. Mostly, they are said to dream about our voices and exciting things like their umbilical cords! Well, the same day that I got the update that our little man would now be falling into true deep sleeps, I witnessed it. I came home from lunch and the house was nice and quiet (no barking Cy & Brooks) and I sat down on the couch to work on emails. By instinct, I set my hand on my belly, and poor Finley...I scared him!! He must have been in this type of deep slumber because I saw my whole belly jump to the left in a startled way! I felt so bad!!

He can hear what goes on outside of the womb too, so all of you who want him to be comfortable with you at birth need to come and talk to him so that he knows your voice (that's really just an excuse to make you all come see me) :) Kelly has been reading to him each night-his favorite (and Finn's judging by his kicking) is Dr. Suess' "Oh the Places You'll Go!"

"You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights." -Dr. Seuss

Much love and keep praying for our little man!!