Mags

We just returned from our doctor visit and I am so relieved and thrilled to report that the amniotic fluid levels have increased! And they have increased even to the point that we don't need to monitor them anymore from this time until delivery. With the current level, the doctor says there is no threat of fluids diminishing rapidly enough before full term to cause any danger to baby. Thank you for praying for that!

The only issue remaining is that Maggie is breech and appears to be very comfortable. Feel free to flood me with ideas for turning a baby in-utero if you have any secrets. We would so appreciate your prayers that she would turn in the next couple of weeks.

One more praise is that I only have one shot remaining to prevent preterm labor. After next week's shot at 35 weeks, we will celebrate! That will be all! I'd say 20 shots is enough for one person for a while.

Once again, thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for praying for us this past week. We give God the glory for what he has done and petition that he will continue to keep our girl safe as we anxiously await her birth day.

Here are a couple of pictures we were given today.

The above picture shows the back of her head (the white circular object) with strands of hair.

This picture shows her looking at us and the pencil tip is pointing to the hair on top of her head.

If you need me, I'll be hair accessory shopping.

A Maggie-Sized Update

As most of you probably know, we tend to have slightly eventful pregnancies near the end of gestation. Our little Andy was born at 34 weeks so with Mason we knew to be on guard for signs of preterm labor. After a couple of stays in the hospital, infusions of the lovely drug Magnesium to halt labor, weekly shots from 15 weeks to prevent contractions, bed rest, and medication every four hours for the last three weeks, he made it to 37 weeks exactly. And it was such a blessing--all so worth it.

We have had such a smooth pregnancy thus far with our little girl, Maggie. I really have been filled with gratefulness to make it all the way to 33 weeks with no signs of labor. I started the weekly shots this time at 15 weeks as well. Every Wednesday is shot day.  The medication that is injected is thick and the needle--think harpoon. I am planning to write thank you notes to the nurses that give the shot gently and not as if i'm a dart board. They are few and far between but I love them dearly.

Our little Maggie has been the most active of our four children in-utero. However, over the last week her movements have markedly decreased. I went in to check on her and after a non-reassuring NST, ended up in the ultra sound room. She looks wonderful on ultra sound--passed all of the doctors tests for health and thriving. But, my amniotic fluid levels are low--too low. I will have a repeat ultra sound on Wednesday and if the fluid level is the same or lower, they will deliver her. Next week will be 34 weeks for us--the same time I delivered Andy. While I wait for Wednesday to come, I am to limit my activity level and faithfully count kicks.

I was looking at pictures of Anderson last night. His birth was so bittersweet. Birth is supposed to be a time of immense joy and wonder. The only time I got to see Anderson on his birth day was when they tried to fit his giant incubator into my hospital room just post c-section. All I could see were his feet, but I was grateful for even a glimpse that he was really there. And then he was whisked away on a helicopter to a bigger hospital that could properly care for him. He spent two weeks there in the NICU. In retrospect, that wasn't long at all, but for a mama and her new baby, it's an eternity. This is a picture of when I got to meet Andy for the first time.

A second prayer request for Maggie is that she would flip over in the next week. Currently she is breech. There is quite a slim chance that she could turn due to the low fluid levels, but we still have hope.

This is my long-winded and drawn out attempt at informing all of our family and friends and asking for your prayers. We are praying that my fluid levels would increase and that Maggie would have another week or longer to stay warm and cuddled up with her mama. Above all, we know that the Lord has this all in his hands and we are trusting him.

I cannot allow my mind to get stuck on the challenges and hardships of having a premature baby. If I camp out there, anxiety and dread win--big time. Instead, I must daily refocus my mind and heart on the truth that God is sovereign. That gives us such peace.

Before last Wednesday, we had not seen our baby girl since our 18 week ultra sound. I was thrilled to get a glimpse of her. Isn't she beautiful?

Those lips! Also, that is her leg in front of her face. If only I had that kind of flexibility.

         Thank you for praying friends. We love you all and will keep you updated.