THE TRAVELING GARDNERS

I have been in and out of the labor and delivery. I am losing fluid. Baby girl is not moving as much. And according to the ultrasound the fluid is low. So, I continue to be on bed rest. And I am also going in for non stress tests. This monitoring just checks if Isabella is moving around enough. Each time we go in, we wonder if they are going to deliver early. So her actual due date is July 4, 2011. We originally were scheduled for a July 2, 2011 C-Section surgery. But, my OB Dr Johnson wants to take her earlier. As of today's appointment, she is coming this Monday! It looks like we will be having her June 27, 2011! So soon! I have mixed feelings. I want our baby girl here right now in my arms. But then I think we don't have her clothes or room ready. So happy that Dan got the hospital bag ready! Time to finish getting ready and quick!

We celebrated Father's Day the day after the real Father's Day. On the real Father's Day, I was in bed on bed rest. So, I was not able to spoil Dan like he deserved. He said he understood. After all, I was on bed rest growing a baby. However, I wanted to do something special for him to show him how much we appreciate and love him. So I called up Nothing Bundt Cake and ordered him a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. We also ordered the best Chinese food we have found in the bay area called Shangri La's. Dan had to pick up the cake and food, since I was still on bed rest. But it was still a relaxing and fun Father's Day celebration for Dan. Dan had the day off. He got in a great work out like he wanted to. I was able to rest. Dan had fun. And the boys tried chopped sticks for the first time. :) 

I was in the Labor and Delivery level of our hospital from 9am - 8pm last Friday. I was doubled over with front lower abdomen pain, 100' fever, lower right side back pains, and my whole right side of my neck was swollen and tender to the touch. My OB was worried that I had appendicitis. And that would cause the baby to have to be delivered. Thank heavens it was not appendicitis. My white blood cell count was 18,000. And the normal is 14,000 when pregnant. After a few ultrasounds, they found 2 cysts on my right ovary. But everything was fine with the baby and the placenta. My fever was 100'. I was also severely dehydrated. I was given a few bags of Iv fluid. My OB originally wanted to keep me over night as a precaution. The high white blood cell count was worrying her. But I really just wanted to sleep in my own bed. And I promised that we lived 3 minutes away, and I would be right back at the hospital if the pain worsened. I can be pretty convincing. (I keep telling Dan I sho...

Pictures taken on 3-18-11    24 weeks and 5 days pregnant Pregnancy Update Info: Because of my post partum complications with blood pressure after Zach was born, Benjamin's platelet and other health complications after he was born, and the fact that I had a stroke, this pregnancy is considered high risk. Along with my regular OB, I also see a Perionatoligist. He specializes in high risk pregnancies. Because I had a stroke in September 2009, my chances of having another stroke are increased when pregnant. I did not realize this until I was already pregnant. So, this will definitely be our last baby. Also, to decrease the risk of another stroke, I have to give myself an injection needle into my stomach every night. This medicine is called Lovenox. It is an anti-coagulant. It prevents my blood from clotting. It stings, and causes bruising. But, I know it is keeping the baby and I safe. I am scheduled to have a C-Section. So just in case the baby comes sooner than sched...

There are those defining moments in pregnancy when you can say, okay I am pregnant. Tonight it came when I cried and cried happy tears over Ms Nebraska being crowned Miss USA. I know....you are asking why I even watch this show. Well, bed rest will make you do a lot of crazy stuff. I had to visit the ER today. All is well or at at least we are one the road to being well. I was put on another antibiotic and Robitussin with codeine. The Dr wanted to do a chest xray after listening to my breathing. However, he said the radiation would be too much for this time of the pregnancy. So, he asked what my plans were for the next couple of days. I told him I would be resting and that my husband was taking off the next week to help me get back to feeling better. He said, "Good because I don't want you cooking, cleaning, or anything. Just rest." I said don't worry, I promise you my husband is amazing and has been helping me take over the house work.(Note my last blog on bragging...

I told Dan today that he was a machine, not a man. I do not know how he does it. But I am so grateful for him. My bronchitis is back. My blood pressure has been 80/50. I am spotting. I am having belly pains. And to make matters worse I can not even keep water down this past week. This pregnancy is way different than the boys. I looked at myself in the mirror yesterday after throwing up. I looked in the mirror and said, "This better be a girl." It was a joke to myself. I just feel like all this bed rest and sickness has to be for something. Otherwise, I was just spoiled with the boys pregnancies.  Or I do not remember how tough being pregnant is. Well, it is said that if you are pregnant with a girl, then you sometimes have morning sickness past the first trimester because of the conflicting estrogen. So that has been on mind. Well, I do not know why this pregnancy is more difficult. But, I do know that I am so blessed to have Dan as my husband. He holds my hai...

This birthday was nice and relaxing. It was just as a birthday should be. I spent time with my hubby and boys. They spoiled me and made me feel like a princess. And, I have beautiful flowers that I can't stop looking at. I got to pick out my special birthday cake from Costco. Dan made his homemade Buffalo wings and a CPK pizza. And after dinner and cake we played the game Operation(I totally won) and then the best was yet to come. Wii Glee Karaoke game. Zachary and I sat back and enjoyed the performances. Dan sang Defying Gravity from Wicked the musical and Benjamin sang Gold Digger by Kanye West. What made it even better was the fact that Dan knew how badly I have wanted to see Wicked the musical. And Ben knew that Gold Digger is my favorite song. Then after Dan put the boys to bed, Dan and I played Phase 10( I won again!) while watching one of my favorite shows Greys Anatomy. It was such a great birthday. Me striking a belly birthday pose Our best ...

I welcome you with open arms. Looking forward to saying good bye to morning sickness and a nauseous stomach! And of course...I can not wait to find out if this little angel is a boy or girl! I am currently in my 4th month and 14 weeks along in the pregnancy. Last Monday, I was 13 weeks and going to my first official OB appointment. I had gone to the ER at 7 or 8 weeks for the placental tear. However, due to moving, traveling, and waiting for Insurance approval, I had to wait until this past Monday to have my first real OB appointment. The baby is a mover! He/she is doing great. My blood pressure was 116/70. (That was great to know since I had post partum preclampsia after Zach was born.) There is still some residual blood around the placenta from the tear.....but the Dr said that is okay. And I am good to join in with Dan and the boys on family walks to the park! Dan was beaming from ear to ear when looking at the ultrasound. This is so special that he is with me at every appoi...

Actually 25 weeks along if you count what the ultrasound tech said the past 2 times. But, I am going by official due date on paperwork. But secretly, I think this little one will come closer to Halloween than Turkey Day...... Baby GaGa website As of right now the scheduled c-section will be November 14th. So we have a little less then 15 weeks until we see Daddy and Zachary!!!! Week 24: Breathe baby, breathe! Fetal development in pregnancy week 24: (fetus in sixth month) This is another big week for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist the your baby's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case y...

FAVORITE #1 I first heard of Dave Ramsey from my friend Sarah. She attended one of his financial seminars. Using his suggestions, she and her family are now debt free. Dan and I have that same goal. And this book is helping us to become closer to that goal. I would suggest this fabulous book to anyone and everyone. FAVORITE #2 Lemon burst yoplait yogurt...yummmmm FAVORITE #3 It is rare that I can find this candy bar in a store. I recently found it in a pharmacy. YIPPEEEE! FAVORITE #4 Any military spouse should read this. This book is helping me sail through the deployment with realistic goals and ease. (BEN'S) FAVORITE # 5 We are working on learning the alphabet. This book is perfect for Benjamin. :) He takes after his Daddy with his love of football.

So through out this pregnancy, everyone has asked me what specific foods I have been craving. I'm sure I bored people as I explained, I just really wanted oranges all the time. Oranges and 10 bowls of cereal. Well, that has changed. Hello second trimester and Hello to Italian food! Pasta, ravioli, bread sticks....YUMMMY! When my Grandma visited, we went to Olive Garden twice. Both times I ordered the Ravioli dish and had them switch the sauce to Alfredo all white sauce. And the top was smothered with cheese. Then when we met up with Laura and Bill at the delicious Spaghetti Factory, I enjoyed (a little too much) the Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter plate, and also switched the sauce to Alfredo. HEAVEN! So, pasta smothered with cheese is my new heaven. That and the salad from the Olive Garden is so YUMMY! * Great Tip from the fabulous Zangs * Next time you are at Olive Garden - If you love their salad dressing as much I do, you are able to buy your own bottle to bring home! And it...