Change in plans

At an appointment with the high risk doctor this morning we learned that I have several symptoms of preeclampsia. They were worried enough that I was sent home to pack a bag with instructions to return to the hospital ASAP. I flew home to pack a bag, tidy up, and attempt to get things organized. I made arrangements for Molly and was checked in to my room by about 2:30. They did lots of testing and monitoring and determined it is safe to wait until tomorrow morning to do the c-section. I have spent all afternoon making phone calls and informing family members that all of our carefully orchestrated plans for February 8th are for naught. Thankfully everyone is being wonderfully flexible and we have had a great network of support to help with Molly this afternoon/evening.
I am feeling good, over the shock of the change in plans and completely excited to see my little guy in about 25 hours. I've rented The Help on my iPad and am settled in for the night. Stay tuned tomorrow for big news!!!

Cuddles

I think Molly's feeling a little under the weather today and I'm in a bit of a funk myself so tonight we've indulged in some extra cuddle/couch/dvr'ed episodes of Angelina Ballerina time. Just what the Dr. ordered.

Things that made me happy today

We've had a quiet afternoon/evening at home and it has been nice. With the craziness of the Holidays behind us and the chaos that is about to hit us in a few weeks, days like this are especially appreciated.


First we had a performance from our resident Prima Ballerina.

And I made the Barefoot Contessa's recipe for homemade chicken stock taking us from this:

To this, while making the house smell great and filling our freezer for the next few months.

Finally, my 9 months pregnant version of a nightcap while watching football with Mikey. Seriously, if you've never tried using Nutella for S'mores, get on board.

Hope your day was as comfy and cozy as ours.

Scenes from a 32nd Birthday

Today is Mike's birthday. Since I have to work tonight Molly and I decided to throw him a little surprise party last night. It wasn't much, but hopefully enough to let him know how thankful we are for him. (I know some of these pictures aren't great, I got a new camera for Christmas and haven't had a chance to really figure out how to work it very well).

Presents!

Using Molly's easel for decorations.


I made this for Mike when we first got married and he really loves it. It is from a Campbell's Soup cookbook and I always make it for his birthday or other times I am trying to be a nice wife.

The finished product, simmering away and making the house smell good for when Daddy gets home.

(Not so) patiently waiting for Daddy to get home from work with the balloon she picked out.

Getting a little help with presents.

New video game, hopefully he'll have time to play it with a new baby coming.

Modeling a new t-shirt from Peacetree Brewery.

The infamous spinning musical birthday plate with a (store bought) peach pie.

So cute!

Blowing out the candles.

Okay Daddy, your party's over can we play with my toys now?

By 8:30 Molly was asleep in bed, Mike was working on his laptop for work and I was reading a book. Not quite a raging party, but we had fun celebrating Daddy. Each year we are married I get more and more thankful that he is my partner in this adventure. Even though I'm not able to show him in the exciting ways I used to be able to (meeting the Eagles, surprise trips to Cardinal's games), I hope he knows how much he means to this family. Happy birthday Mikey, leftovers are in the fridge for your dinner tonight. :-)

Wait...aren't horizontal stripes supposed to be slimming?

Wow...And I have 5 more weeks.

Pitiful...

My whole family was here this past weekend to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year. It was so nice of all of them to make the trip to Iowa so that I wouldn't have to travel. We ate, drank (well I didn't do that one), hung out in pajamas, and laughed until it hurt. It was a perfect family weekend. The sad part is that I only took 4 pictures the entire time, and none of them are that great. New Year's resolution is to take more pictures!

Save The Date

After much thought and discussion with our doctors we have decided to do a scheduled c-section for this little guy. At my last appointment we set the date for Wednesday February 8th. I can't believe that is only 5 weeks away!! I am so excited to meet him, but am also anxious about all of the changes that this will bring for Molly and hope we can make it a smooth transition for her.
The pregnancy is going pretty well aside for some gallbladder issues, but throughout that stuff baby boy has continued to grow strong and healthy. This is the point in my pregnancy with Molly that I started to get really anxious and while it is better this time around, I definitely worry more now. Thankfully I am getting weekly non-stress tests that provide good reassurance.
My total weight gain with this pregnancy has only been 4 pounds which i would never believe had I not been weighed weekly at the doctor because I feel HUGE. I'm sure it has to do with the dietary restrictions from the gallbladder stuff but my joke has been that I hope I'll look like Kate Moss after I give birth!
Molly is getting pretty excited for her brother to get here. She talks a lot about all of the things she will teach him and all of the toys she will show him. She likes to lift up my shirt and listen to him swimming. She also likes coming up with new names for him, usually something silly based on what Mike and I are talking about at the moment. I'm not sure she fully understands how much things will change when we actually bring him home, but I am hopeful that she will feel secure in our love for her and her place in the family. My favorite recent funny thing she said was last night when I was cooking dinner. I was wearing a new apron that my Mom gave me for Christmas and she had been going on and on about how beautiful it was and how much she liked it and all of a sudden she got this very concerned look on her face and said "But wait, I can't see my baby brother!"
Okay, enough babbling. Hopefully I'll be back later today with some pictures from our Wells family Christmas.