I had an ultrasound appointment on Tuesday bright and early. I didn't get my hopes up to find out what the baby was because Emma was uncooperative at her first ultrasound, but I was looking forward to seeing the baby for the first time. I walked in the office and within 5 minutes I was called back.
I was disappointed when the ultrasound tech told me I wouldn't be able to see the monitor while she did her measurements. I don't get that. It's insane and kind of cruel to do that to an expecting mother who only wants to gaze at her baby. But she was kind about it and told me she'd turn the screen so I could see at the end.
She said I bet you are feeling lots of kicks right now. Oh yes I said! The baby was moving around quite a lot. She scanned my belly for a few minutes and said, the baby has it's legs all folded up and I can't tell what it is. Sigh.
A few minutes later she said I think it's a boy. Yeah! But, I didn't want to just "think" it was a boy, I wanted to know for sure. She turned the screen around and showed me the different parts and then said, Oh there's a better view. It's a boy for sure.
Honestly, I wasn't surprised at all. I guess I had been thinking all along it was a boy and to have it confirmed was no big deal. I was very pleased. I love little boys.
Then she told me he was measuring big. Not a surprise there either- I tend to have big babies. I also was not sure of my dates, so I'm thinking it's a combination of both of these things. I was just glad she didn't tell me I wasn't as far along as I thought. I was 18 weeks- and she said he's measuring 21 weeks. Wow. That would make his due date July 29. But then she proceeded to tell me that they don't usually change due dates unless it's a 3 week difference- and mine was 16 days.
Soooo, I guess my due date is somewhere between July 29 and August 14.
I had already planned how I would tell the family. I stopped at Party City and picked up a yellow gift bag and filled it with blue candy. By this time Paul had called twice and was a little put out I wouldn't tell him over the phone. I had told him I was pregnant over the phone and I wasn't about to tell him the gender that way too.
I arrived home with my yellow bag and some blurry ultrasound pictures to some very excited people. I handed the bag to Paul and he took it and sat down and glanced inside and a big smile crossed his face. The kids were bouncing up and down by this point and he very slowly pulled out a blue lollipop. "ITS A BOY!" Everyone was thrilled.
The kids dove into the candy and in a few minutes their mouths and tongues were blue and that's how we decided to announce it on FB.
His name is Jackson Timothy Dziadul. Timothy is after Paul's brother who died suddenly a few years ago. Jackson is just because we all like it. Both Paul Jr. and Zack told us they love the name and the other kids did too. It's quite unusual for us to agree so easily on a name.
5 sons. Wow. I still can't believe it, but I'm very pleased. Jackson, you will be one loved little baby boy.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Sunday Evening
It is 10:05 on Sunday evening and the house is peaceful. Everyone is in bed, asleep, except for Ellie, who is finishing some last minute schoolwork and me. I am trying to figure out how to build a bridge out of straws, rubber bands and play do with my class of 4 and 5 year olds tomorrow. I still can't imagine how we are going to do this. I wanted to try and build one myself at home tonight, but I can't find the rubber bands I just bought yesterday. Such is life in this house.
This is such a strange season I find myself in. I am helping Anna plan her wedding in between prenatal doctor visits. Having children in about every stage of life is comical and challenging. Paul and I ate lunch at home today with just Sam, Ben and Emma. I looked around at each of their little faces and thought, "I've been here before". And I have. 15 years ago. With three different, yet eerily similar, little children. I can't fully explain how unreal this experience is.
Tuesday I have an ultrasound and I am assuming we will find out if we are completing the pattern with a baby girl or going a whole new direction with a little boy. I'm not sure which I'm hoping for- I guess either would be fine. We have decided firmly on a name for a baby boy that we both love, but we are still undecided on a girl's name. But there's always a chance this baby will be modest and we won't be able to find out yet. Emma and Sam both did that to us.
Tomorrow morning is week 20 of Classical Conversations. I love this program and I love teaching my class of little ones. But the past few weeks have become increasingly difficult to have enough energy to get through the morning. Tutoring this age group requires a lot of energy. After tomorrow, we will only have 4 more weeks until we finish up for the year, and I am looking forward to being done for a while. I plan to teach next year, but I will use a substitute for the first few weeks.
I'm headed off to bed. Thankfully, I'm still sleeping well (with bathroom breaks, of course!) and I am feeling good. The new bp meds caused a pretty bad headache for two days, but it went away yesterday which was a relief. I'm praying this medicine has lowered my bp enough that I won't need to increase the dose or take another medicine.
Good night.
This is such a strange season I find myself in. I am helping Anna plan her wedding in between prenatal doctor visits. Having children in about every stage of life is comical and challenging. Paul and I ate lunch at home today with just Sam, Ben and Emma. I looked around at each of their little faces and thought, "I've been here before". And I have. 15 years ago. With three different, yet eerily similar, little children. I can't fully explain how unreal this experience is.
Tuesday I have an ultrasound and I am assuming we will find out if we are completing the pattern with a baby girl or going a whole new direction with a little boy. I'm not sure which I'm hoping for- I guess either would be fine. We have decided firmly on a name for a baby boy that we both love, but we are still undecided on a girl's name. But there's always a chance this baby will be modest and we won't be able to find out yet. Emma and Sam both did that to us.
Tomorrow morning is week 20 of Classical Conversations. I love this program and I love teaching my class of little ones. But the past few weeks have become increasingly difficult to have enough energy to get through the morning. Tutoring this age group requires a lot of energy. After tomorrow, we will only have 4 more weeks until we finish up for the year, and I am looking forward to being done for a while. I plan to teach next year, but I will use a substitute for the first few weeks.
I'm headed off to bed. Thankfully, I'm still sleeping well (with bathroom breaks, of course!) and I am feeling good. The new bp meds caused a pretty bad headache for two days, but it went away yesterday which was a relief. I'm praying this medicine has lowered my bp enough that I won't need to increase the dose or take another medicine.
Good night.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
Friday Five
- I am thankful today for the bp medicine that is lowering my bp and keeping my baby and I healthy. I am not thankful for the pounding headache it has given me.
- I am thankful for my young children so excitedly folding a load of laundry. I am thankful that they still find it fun and do a halfway decent job of it.
- I am thankful for Anna and Ellie who do the majority of housecleaning around here. I am especially thankful now that I am pregnant again.
- I am thankful for my husband, who, after a long day of work on Tuesday, came home and grilled me a delicious steak and served me a wonderful meal. I was tired after my doctor's appointment and was so relieved I didn't have to come home and make dinner.
- I am thankful that I have been able to get back into a routine at the gym. I have never even attempted to exercise or eat right while I've been pregnant and I am glad that this pregnancy I have the energy and stamina to do that.
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Ben's 6th Birthday
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Pregnancy Update
I finally got into see a doctor yesterday. I had a bit of a difficult time finding a doctor who would accept me as a patient because this is my 5th c section, but thankfully I found a doctor who specializes in high risk patients who agreed to see me.
It was surreal, walking in that office. Even though I'm about 18 weeks along and even though I've felt the baby moving, it still seems unreal that this is happening again. I signed in and sat down. I was pleasantly surprised to only have to wait a few minutes before being called back.
The nurses were all so nice and kind. I felt very comfortable with them. Until they took my blood pressure. Ugh. My old pregnancy nemesis has returned. I've been checking my bp all along at the grocery store, and while it has never been low, it hasn't been that high. I was optimistically hoping to avoid medicine this time around.
Suffice it to say, that isn't going to happen. I was put back on bp meds. It's a different medicine than I've ever taken, so I'm hoping it doesn't cause me to be so tired and lightheaded all the time. And I'm hoping it is effective so I don't have to be put on a second medicine.
The doctor walked into the room and sat down and looked at his computer, then looked at me, then looked back at his computer. "You are kidding me" he said. "You are not really 47?" I assured him that yes, indeed, I was 47. "That's amazing!" he said. Ha. I think that was a compliment! He also told me that I was tied for being the oldest patient he has delivered. Not sure if that was a compliment!
Then he let me hear the heartbeat. Wow. I've heard the heartbeats of all 8 of my children (including the one I lost), and everytime, it is amazing. I've been replaying that sound over and over in my head since yesterday. It makes it all real.
He told me I was due August 14, which I already knew. I'm having an ultrasound next week, and have to go back in 2 weeks for a bp check. He told me I am extremely high risk, which I already knew. They took some blood for routine blood tests, and then it was over.
He was so kind. He did not give me a hard time about anything. The first visit I had with the doctor for Emma was a nightmare. That doctor chewed me out for not using birth control at my age and basically treated me like an idiot. I was so relieved to find a doctor that was kind and nice.
I feel great! So far, this is the best pregnancy I've ever had. I've had the mildest morning sickness and the most energy. I go to the gym about 5 days a week and walk for about 45 minutes. I am tired and I feel "very" pregnant already, but that is to be expected. In this pregnancy and in my previous pregnancy, I have noticed that I "feel" much further along than I actually am. I guess that's part of being an older pregnant mom.
So that's the update! 22 more weeks to go.....
It was surreal, walking in that office. Even though I'm about 18 weeks along and even though I've felt the baby moving, it still seems unreal that this is happening again. I signed in and sat down. I was pleasantly surprised to only have to wait a few minutes before being called back.
The nurses were all so nice and kind. I felt very comfortable with them. Until they took my blood pressure. Ugh. My old pregnancy nemesis has returned. I've been checking my bp all along at the grocery store, and while it has never been low, it hasn't been that high. I was optimistically hoping to avoid medicine this time around.
Suffice it to say, that isn't going to happen. I was put back on bp meds. It's a different medicine than I've ever taken, so I'm hoping it doesn't cause me to be so tired and lightheaded all the time. And I'm hoping it is effective so I don't have to be put on a second medicine.
The doctor walked into the room and sat down and looked at his computer, then looked at me, then looked back at his computer. "You are kidding me" he said. "You are not really 47?" I assured him that yes, indeed, I was 47. "That's amazing!" he said. Ha. I think that was a compliment! He also told me that I was tied for being the oldest patient he has delivered. Not sure if that was a compliment!
Then he let me hear the heartbeat. Wow. I've heard the heartbeats of all 8 of my children (including the one I lost), and everytime, it is amazing. I've been replaying that sound over and over in my head since yesterday. It makes it all real.
He told me I was due August 14, which I already knew. I'm having an ultrasound next week, and have to go back in 2 weeks for a bp check. He told me I am extremely high risk, which I already knew. They took some blood for routine blood tests, and then it was over.
He was so kind. He did not give me a hard time about anything. The first visit I had with the doctor for Emma was a nightmare. That doctor chewed me out for not using birth control at my age and basically treated me like an idiot. I was so relieved to find a doctor that was kind and nice.
I feel great! So far, this is the best pregnancy I've ever had. I've had the mildest morning sickness and the most energy. I go to the gym about 5 days a week and walk for about 45 minutes. I am tired and I feel "very" pregnant already, but that is to be expected. In this pregnancy and in my previous pregnancy, I have noticed that I "feel" much further along than I actually am. I guess that's part of being an older pregnant mom.
So that's the update! 22 more weeks to go.....
Sunday, January 19, 2014
#8
The first week of December, my younger kids came down with some sort of virus. Over the next few days, it spread to Anna, Ellie and Paul. I thought I had escaped it, which was great, because we were leaving for Kansas in a few days. I woke up on Friday, feeling strange. Something was going on with my stomach, and I felt so tired and weak. I figured I had a touch of what everyone else had and was sure I'd feel better in a day or two.
This lasted through the weekend and into Monday. I hesitated to say anything because I didn't want anything to interfere with our trip, and I just knew I'd feel better the next day.
I didn't, but I didn't feel bad enough to cancel the trip, so we left. I was ok, just tired out and that something "strange" in my stomach. We stopped at McDonald's a few hours into the trip for lunch. I wasn't really hungry, but I ate a salad. As I was sitting there, I realized my lower back was hurting. Hmmm. I must be sitting oddly in the driver's seat I thought.
I got up to walk to the van to get my water bottle to fill it up. As I was walking across the room, a thought hit me like a ton of bricks. "This feels like morning sickness". Um, REALLY? I mean, I was late, but that was not an unusual occurance since I hit 45. The thought that I might be pregnant had NEVER crossed my mind. There was nothing I could do at the time, so we got back in the van and continued driving. I told myself that if I still felt like this tomorrow, I was buying a pregnancy test.
The next morning, I still felt like that. We stopped at a Walmart in Saint Louis. I was able to get away from the girls and secretly bought a pregnancy test which I then proceeded to take. By this point, I already knew it would be positive, but when that plus sign appeared, I. Was. Shocked.
I was far away from home, far away from Paul and in total shock and denial. I had to talk to Paul, but there was no reception in the store. I told the girls I would meet them in the van and walked outside and called him.
"You are never going to believe this" I said. "What?" He replied, all manner of situations running through his head.
"I took a pregnancy test." "Oh really? Why? And, what did it say?"
"Paul. Do you think I would call you if it was negative????"
Silence. I thought we had been disconnected, but no. He was trying not to run the truck off the road.
We talked. I cried. He reassured me. I felt anything but reassured, and now I had to get back in the van and pretend nothing life changing had just happened. And I did and we made it to Kansas and all the time I was trying to figure out what had just happened.
I won't pretend and tell you I was thrilled. I was scared. I am 47 and I have two children getting married this summer. My plan was to lose the rest of this weight before the weddings; my plan was NOT to be big pregnant at the weddings. My plan was to move happily into the next phase of my life, spending time with my children and husband and enjoying having older children.
I struggled to see pregnancy as a blessing. I had no problem seeing a new baby as a blessing; it's the pregnancy that I was not happy about. And quite honestly, I was not looking forward to people's reactions; and I was a bit embarrassed- having children in their mid' 20's while having a new baby.
Sunday was my Dad's birthday and my brother preached. He basically preached to my dad, but I told him he was not preaching to my dad- he was preaching straight to me. The title of his sermon was "Never too Old" and talked about embracing whatever God has for you, no matter what age. And the point that really spoke to me was that we need to celebrate what God has given us. Hello??? Right. To. Me. That really freed me from my concerns and worries and let me celebrate another baby- and that is worth celebrating.
I told my parents and my sister and brother and a few others, but we decided to keep it quiet at home. I was not ready to go public. Paul would have shouted it from the rooftops, but he respected my wishes and waited. I wanted to wait until I was through the first trimester which would have been in about 3 weeks. But then I realized that today was Sanctity of Life Sunday- and what a perfect time to announce our new baby. The entire church was thrilled for us! What an encouragement to me that was. I will treasure all the hugs and encouragement I received today.
As near as I can figure, the baby is due the middle of August- right in the middle of a hot Georgia summer. So far, this has been the mildest cast of morning sickness I have ever experienced! And, my blood pressure has been fine- on no medicine!
You can pray for me and the baby and for our family. We have two weddings and a baby, all within a short amount of time. We need LOTS of grace!
This lasted through the weekend and into Monday. I hesitated to say anything because I didn't want anything to interfere with our trip, and I just knew I'd feel better the next day.
I didn't, but I didn't feel bad enough to cancel the trip, so we left. I was ok, just tired out and that something "strange" in my stomach. We stopped at McDonald's a few hours into the trip for lunch. I wasn't really hungry, but I ate a salad. As I was sitting there, I realized my lower back was hurting. Hmmm. I must be sitting oddly in the driver's seat I thought.
I got up to walk to the van to get my water bottle to fill it up. As I was walking across the room, a thought hit me like a ton of bricks. "This feels like morning sickness". Um, REALLY? I mean, I was late, but that was not an unusual occurance since I hit 45. The thought that I might be pregnant had NEVER crossed my mind. There was nothing I could do at the time, so we got back in the van and continued driving. I told myself that if I still felt like this tomorrow, I was buying a pregnancy test.
The next morning, I still felt like that. We stopped at a Walmart in Saint Louis. I was able to get away from the girls and secretly bought a pregnancy test which I then proceeded to take. By this point, I already knew it would be positive, but when that plus sign appeared, I. Was. Shocked.
I was far away from home, far away from Paul and in total shock and denial. I had to talk to Paul, but there was no reception in the store. I told the girls I would meet them in the van and walked outside and called him.
"You are never going to believe this" I said. "What?" He replied, all manner of situations running through his head.
"I took a pregnancy test." "Oh really? Why? And, what did it say?"
"Paul. Do you think I would call you if it was negative????"
Silence. I thought we had been disconnected, but no. He was trying not to run the truck off the road.
We talked. I cried. He reassured me. I felt anything but reassured, and now I had to get back in the van and pretend nothing life changing had just happened. And I did and we made it to Kansas and all the time I was trying to figure out what had just happened.
I won't pretend and tell you I was thrilled. I was scared. I am 47 and I have two children getting married this summer. My plan was to lose the rest of this weight before the weddings; my plan was NOT to be big pregnant at the weddings. My plan was to move happily into the next phase of my life, spending time with my children and husband and enjoying having older children.
I struggled to see pregnancy as a blessing. I had no problem seeing a new baby as a blessing; it's the pregnancy that I was not happy about. And quite honestly, I was not looking forward to people's reactions; and I was a bit embarrassed- having children in their mid' 20's while having a new baby.
Sunday was my Dad's birthday and my brother preached. He basically preached to my dad, but I told him he was not preaching to my dad- he was preaching straight to me. The title of his sermon was "Never too Old" and talked about embracing whatever God has for you, no matter what age. And the point that really spoke to me was that we need to celebrate what God has given us. Hello??? Right. To. Me. That really freed me from my concerns and worries and let me celebrate another baby- and that is worth celebrating.
I told my parents and my sister and brother and a few others, but we decided to keep it quiet at home. I was not ready to go public. Paul would have shouted it from the rooftops, but he respected my wishes and waited. I wanted to wait until I was through the first trimester which would have been in about 3 weeks. But then I realized that today was Sanctity of Life Sunday- and what a perfect time to announce our new baby. The entire church was thrilled for us! What an encouragement to me that was. I will treasure all the hugs and encouragement I received today.
As near as I can figure, the baby is due the middle of August- right in the middle of a hot Georgia summer. So far, this has been the mildest cast of morning sickness I have ever experienced! And, my blood pressure has been fine- on no medicine!
You can pray for me and the baby and for our family. We have two weddings and a baby, all within a short amount of time. We need LOTS of grace!
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