No News is Good News

I'm still here...nothing much has changed, so I haven't had a whole lot to report on.  I have still been going to the doctor 2 times a week and baby boy is still cooking.  On Tuesday I'll be 32 weeks.  That's only 2 weeks away from the final goal I set for myself at the beginning of my pregnancy.  It seemed like 34 weeks would never arrive...but now, it's just around the corner!  Of course, I really want to make it to 37 weeks, but that's only an extra 3 weeks-- no sweat!  I got this.

I'm at the point where I am getting really excited to meet this baby.  I am thinking back to every detail of the day Cole was born and feeling so blessed to get to experience a day like that again with this baby.  I just know I'll remember every little detail.  I can't wait to see Cole's reaction to the baby and see what a good big brother he is going to be.  Every time I ask him where baby is he runs over and puts his face against my belly and yells "Hello Bayyybee".  It's so stinking cute!  I can't wait to have 2 little boys running around in this house.  I can just imagine all of the fun times ahead of us.

I haven't posted much on here about Braelyn lately, but I do still think about her every day.  It's hard some days to watch Cole and think about what she would be doing.  Our household would be so opposite of what it is now.  We have trucks, cars, and balls...what would we be doing with baby dolls, bows, and all things pink?  I guess we will never get to experience what having a little girl is like.  It does make me sad on some levels, but I don't like to dwell on it.  I was blessed with 2 little boys-- and I can't complain one bit about that.  I just want to keep them healthy and happy.  Someday we will all be together as a family of 5 again....

Hope everyone is having a good summer!  I hate to wish the rest of mine away...but hurry up Fall! :)

Counting Down!

Just for fun, I thought I would do a countdown until this baby *could* possibly arrive.  I will get my cerclage cut at 37 weeks and my doctor has said his prediction is that the baby will choose to push his way out very soon after that happens.  When I start thinking about this countdown it seems so close to being able to finally meet this little guy.  I have several things on my to do list that I need to get done in the meantime...and I'm hoping that my list makes the time go even faster!

I can't wait to be a complete family after all these years of trying to get to this point.  I want to live life again and be happy without any stress of infertility or pregnancy.  I want to be able to do things with my boys and just truly enjoy the time that we are given together.  I can't wait to see Cole as a big brother, and I can't wait to see what the little mister's personality is too.  There is just so much to look forward to!

And the countdown to 37 weeks begins NOW:

1- baby book to get started

3- more craft projects to finish up for his room

5- more shots of Makena

6- more weekly photos

6- more sonograms

12- more doctor appointments

32- more work days

180- more dollars to pay for appointments

1,128- more hours on the couch (well for the most part)

1,500- more times of getting up off the couch to let Ritz in and out of the house...did I mention that dog is annoying?

I spent part of this week calling to take care of all of the registration type things you have to do pre-baby.  I called our health insurance to let them know I was pregnant and due in September to avoid the fines they give if you don't (funny b/c you would think they would already know considering I've had about 20 ultrasounds at this point).  I called to take care of requesting my leave of absence at work.  I called the hospital to pre-register.  It felt good to take care of all of those annoying details that you definitely don't want to do during labor.

I've also gotten a strong urge to start nesting.  I made myself a crazy list of everything I want to get done (when I'm allowed to get up and do it).  I swear my house needs a nice deep cleaning before this little guy comes home, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get that done so I made a shorter list of all of the little things I can gradually do.  Along with the organizing I have been in a mode to clear out all of the junk in our house.  I have a HUGE garage sale pile started in my basement for next spring when I can get around to actually having a sale.

All in all, I'm ready for this little guy to get here.  I am much more relaxed this time around and definitely have less anxiety about the whole process.  I am starting to picture the moment I get to meet him and it makes me remember back to when I first saw Cole (which is hard to believe that was already 19 months ago).  I am looking forward to spending the first few days with him at the hospital getting to know him before we bring him home to his new life.  I can't wait to introduce him to our families, especially Cole.  Cole is so gentle with babies.  I think he will do a great job.  When I ask Cole now what's in my belly he replies "bayyybeee".   It's so cute!

Well, it sure won't be long now.  I'm just praying everything continues to go as well as it has this entire time.  I'm so shocked at how different this pregnancy has been from my first two.  It's like I don't even have any complications...almost every single appointment has been great, and I feel good too.

Ok, well enough writing...back to my list of things to do :)

Giant Baby

I had another doctor appointment today, and overall it went really well.  My cervix is continuing to hold tight and keep this baby in, which is awesome news!  Especially because even though I do try to sit most of the time it's hard with an 18 month old running around.  His heart rate was great and he got himself out of the cord tangle again.  I swear he's a little Houdini!

The thing that surprised us was how much this little guy is growing.  Apparently he is going to be way bigger than Cole Man was.  I am 29 weeks 2 days right now, and he is measuring 30 weeks 5 days.  So about a week and a half ahead of schedule.  They told us that he is estimated to weigh 3 lb 10 oz today!!  Usually they say they want babies to be 4 lb by 32 weeks, so as you can see this dude is growing like a weed.  I do really think I can make it to 37 weeks pregnant, but there's always that chance that I could go into pre-term labor, so I am not complaining that he's going to be a bigger baby than Cole.  One interesting observation that we discussed with my doctor's office was that Cole was an IVF baby and this one is all natural...I have seen some studies floating around online that indicate IVF babies may be smaller because of how they were conceived.  Not sure if there is truth to it or not.  And really, it's not like I expect both of my boys to be exactly the same.  It will be fun to see their differences.  My nurse practitioner also said that at 37 weeks when they cut my stitch she would not be surprised at all if this baby decides he is not going to stay in there any longer.  I absolutely can't wait.  I don't wish him to be here before 37 weeks...but I am getting really antsy to meet him and move on with the fun parts of life again!

I've had a countdown going the entire pregnancy...but we are down to just about 7 weeks until I get my stitch cut!  I can't believe how fast the time is going.  I planned out the rest of my doctor appointments through the middle of August.  I couldn't believe we were already to August!  I get my stitch cut on or around September 3...and that's going to be here before we know it!  Oh and by the way, since not everything can go smoothly with a Corbin pregnancy...my fluid levels are a bit on the low side, so we will continue going to the doctor twice a week.  One appointment we will do a non-stress test and the next we will do a sono/cervical check.  Fun times!

Thanks for still checking in on my blog to see how the baby is doing!  I can't wait until he's here and I can introduce him to everyone!

A little squished...but cute anyway!

My other little cutie! 

Crazy Kid!

Well, this crazy kid has the cord wrapped around his neck again.  Just once this time, but still.  I swear this kid moves all day long, so it really does not surprise me that it happened again.  I'm not too worried.  I know he moves a lot so he can easily get out of this for the second time.  Also, my doctor's office is so good about watching me that they are going to check him on Monday's and Thursday's until he gets out of the tangle.  And since he moves a lot I feel like lack of movement will be a big indicator to me if something is wrong.  I am betting that by Monday when we check him he will be out of the tangle already. :)

Everything else went well at my appointment.  My cervix is getting shorter, but some of that is to be expected the farther along we get.  We are not too worried about it yet.  If I can make it 6 more weeks (34 weeks) then I feel like we will be in a good spot to be prepared for whatever happens.  Otherwise, the baby looked really healthy and there was nothing else to be concerned about.

We got a picture of him and he looks nearly identical to some old ultrasound pictures we had of Cole around this stage.  I just can't wait to meet him when he gets here!

Just for fun b/c I love taking pictures of this little man

28 Weeks!

From my mom and dad for making it to 28 weeks...time to celebrate!

Baby Brother

Couch Rest SUCKS!

Well, I made it to another weekend.  I usually look forward to the weekends because that means I'm not sitting at home alone.  Although right now both of the boys are napping...so silence it is again.  Can't wait for them to get up and liven up the house.

This couch rest thing is getting really hard.  I feel like I'm hitting a wall with being patient.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to still be able to work during the week and get up and do small things...but I am so incredibly bored!  I feel like I'm missing out on all of the fun that summer brings by just sitting on the couch.  We have taken Cole to the park several times, but I always have to observe.  I want to get up and play with him so badly!  I can't do much around the house either which makes me feel like my life is out of control a bit.  Of course, I will continue to sit as much as possible because it's what is best for Baby Corbin, but I just wish I could for once enjoy being pregnant.  And I can guarantee that will never happen, because this is the LAST time I will EVER be pregnant again. :)  I want to spend the rest of my life loving and enjoying these boys that God has given to me and I don't want to take any time away from them to sit on the couch going forward.

Tuesday will mark 28 weeks...that's our second goal!  I feel so incredibly blessed to have made it this far.  Our baby will now have about an 85-90% chance of survival if he is born anytime soon.  Of course, I don't wish that he will be born soon, but it's reassuring to know that things only get better from here.  I have two more goals in mind for this pregnancy.  I want to next hit 34 weeks (August 13)-- that will be when the baby can be delivered at our local hospital and we shouldn't have to worry too much that he will need any stay in the NICU.  And then 37 weeks (September 3)-- I will get my cerclage cut and will be able to do whatever I want again.  Now granted, at 37 weeks I will be huge and uncomfortable, but I will plan to fit in as much summer fun with Cole as I possibly can before the baby comes.  And if this baby is anything like Cole, we will have spent all this time trying to keep him inside and he will not want to come out at all when he is allowed to.

Some days this baby being here seems so far away, but at the same time I know it's only really a matter of single-digit weeks that we are down to.  The nursery is almost finished, we have bought a ton of diapers to stock up, the clothes are all washed and put away, and the baby book has been started...now we just continue to wait.  I can't wait to have both of my little boys in my arms at the same time!

99 Days!

We are officially under 100 days until we meet the little Mister.  I'm counting down to 37 weeks, when I get my stitch cut, so by my count we are down to 78 days :)  I know he likely will not come the day I get it cut, but it's more fun to count down to 37 weeks because I will lose all restrictions of sitting.

Can you tell that couch rest is getting old?  I hit a wall over the weekend of just being plain bored and tired of not being able to take care of Cole without help.  We did get out and go to the park (where I sat on a bench) and to the zoo (where I rode in a wheelchair)...but I can't complain.  At least I was giving my couch a break from this huge butt imprint that I'm leaving behind.  I told Matt that after 20 weeks of couch rest with Cole and 20 weeks with this little guy, we may need to replace my chair in our sectional couch.  If you look at the couch, you can definitely tell where someone always sits ;)

Over the weekend we celebrated Matt's birthday and Father's Day.  It was the weekend of Matt around here.  I am so lucky to have him in my life.  He is a wonderful husband and I fall more in love with him every single day.  He is an awesome dad...so involved and wants to do everything with Cole.  He does the dirty work with Cole, will get down on the floor and play with him, and he teaches him new things.  I can't wait to see him with two little boys that adore him.  I know that things have not been easy for him the last few months, and they won't get easier until I can get up and help out more.  He works full time (at a stressful job-- and I am so proud of how good he is at his job), takes care of Cole, takes care of me, grocery shops, cleans the house, takes care of the yard, runs errands, and so much more.  He has earned the new nickname of Super Dad around here.  All without complaining one bit.  He knows that I'm doing what I need to in order for our baby to be born healthy...and I am so thankful he doesn't make me feel bad about sitting at all.

I hope that Matt and I have so many more fun years ahead of us with the boys.  I can't wait to watch him become an even more awesome and involved dad with these two cuties tagging along.

Times Two

When I first found out I was pregnant I admit I wondered how I could love another little human as much as I love Cole.  I can also tell you that it didn't take long before I fell in love with this 2nd boy.  I know some mom's say once they see their second/third child for the first time the same love is instantly there.  But I already know that I have the exact same amount of love for each of my children and I can't wait to see my baby boy for the first time!

I also felt kind of bad for my youngest child because during my pregnancy with Cole I talked about how he was such a miracle child.  I mean after all, he was an IVF success, a cervical cerclage success, and a child born after a devastating loss.  You can't get much more miracle packed in there if you tried. I wrote all about how blessed we were to have Cole in journals before he was born and even on my blog.  I worried that some day my youngest child would read these entries and wonder if we thought he was a miracle baby too.  Well, he did not want to be outdone.  He is our miracle in another sense.  After going through years of fertility treatments he was a complete surprise baby.  I can't even explain how shocking it was to confirm I was pregnant without using drugs and having surgical procedures done to me.  If we make it to full term (we've already made it to viability) then he will be another cervical cerclage success story.  Then most recently this baby boy decided he wanted to get some extra attention, so he wrapped the cord around his neck two times around.  Talk about being worried and wondering if he would get out of the mess safely.  I think he just wanted to make sure we were paying attention to him.  It's fun to think about how both of my kids are true miracles and blessings from above.

I've been thinking quite a bit about how I never want my boys to think that one of them is more special to me than the other.  I know it's impossible to do everything exactly the same for both kids, nor is that always practical, but I do promise that I will do everything in my power to make sure they both feel equally loved.  When I was pregnant with Cole I kept a journal of all of the details....the appointments, his growth and development, setting up the nursery, my thoughts and dreams for his future.  Then as he has grown over the last 17 months I've continued to journal about everything he's done.  I decided that I would do the same thing for Baby Brother.  I want them to both have these special memories to look back upon one day.  Maybe they will not appreciate the thought and love that went into them until they are becoming dad's themselves...but one day I know they will think these are nice to have.

We have been setting up Baby Brother's nursery too in the last couple of weeks.  Once it's done I will post some pictures, but I want to put the finishing touches on it first.  As I've been getting his room ready I've been thinking about what things I will need to get for him that he can't share with Cole.  I started thinking about the special things that Cole has.  He has a couple of things that he sleeps with in his crib and I wanted Baby Brother to have the same type of items.  I also wanted Baby Brother to have the same baby book, so I ordered one of those and have started to write in it.  I got a special coming home outfit for the baby too.  I mean after all, he has a TON of hand me down clothes from Cole and his cousin Kamden, so he has to have a few new things, right?

I hope that in the future I do a good job of showing my boys that I care about them the exact same.  I know that things may not always be fair, and one kid may have something that the other doesn't, and they will have different experiences...but I want them to grow up knowing that their dad and I supported, loved and respected them the same way.

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On a side note-- we had another doctor appointment today.  I'm 25.5 weeks along.  We were just double checking to see if the cord was really off of the baby's neck.  The good news is that he is completely free of the cord.  He was moving fine and his heart rate was perfect.  My cervix is still measuring really long too, which is a relief.  When we were sitting in the room waiting for my doctor to come talk to us we got really annoyed b/c we had to wait for over 35 minutes.  We normally see the nurse practitioner and sometimes she gets behind, but we've never waited this long.  Our doctor finally came in and apologized for running behind.  In a very nonchalant way he mentioned he had to run over to the hospital and deliver a baby really quick.  What a cool job!  I know he has done it so many times it's just another day to him, but it really made me smile to think that he ran over delivered a baby and then rushed back over to finish up his appointments for the day.

We were talking to him about how the baby got the cord off of his neck and how we were really glad to not have to worry about that anymore.  He told us a story about one time when he was doing an ultrasound on a lady her baby's heart rate started to plummet.  He said it got all the way down to like 10 beats per minute or something like that.  He said he was even starting to freak out bc he had no idea what was wrong with the baby.  He said then all of a sudden the heart rate went right back to normal.  He continued to look around to see what the problem could be and while he was doing that the exact same thing happened again.  He said he was pretty frantic at this point...jokingly he said he was looking around for a pocket knife to cut this lady open and deliver her baby right there in the ultrasound room...but he kept looking for the problem. All of a sudden he said he could see the baby was squeezing the umbilical cord with his hand and basically passing out from lack of blood flow.  Then as he would pass out his heart rate would go back to normal.  Talk about an adrenaline junky baby!!!  HAHA.  Can you imagine?  I don't think I'd be able to sleep until September if we saw Baby Brother pull something like that.  So for now I'm counting my blessings that he "just" had the cord around his neck twice and isn't making himself pass out several times per day.  Or maybe he is and we just don't know...hmmmm...

Anyways, on to week 26 we go!