33 WEEK UPDATE AND LOTS OF PICTURES

We have made it to 33 weeks and 3 days!!! This is week eight of being in the hospital on bed rest. Only a few more weeks to go!! All of my OB's (there are 7 Hospitalist OB's) and Dr. Rodriguez (my Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist) will work together next Thursday to set the C-Section date. Dr. Rodriguez thinks the docs will want to shoot for 37 weeks so we get the biggest baby possible. They will not let me go much past that point for fear that I will go into labor on my own. Going into labor on your own with a Posterior Complete Previa is not a good thing. Today at the MFM appointment Hunter weighed 4lbs 10oz. (The weight is based on a formula that uses the measurements of the abdomen, the femur bone, and the circumference of the head.) All fluids and blood flow looked great. The OB's put me and Hunter on the monitor an hour a day to make sure I'm not having contractions and to monitor his heart rate. So far we have passed with flying colors with a few isolated contractions. I also haven't had any bleeding. If I show signs of labor or have another bleed they will take me to surgery right away. I will actually have two procedures in one major surgery. I will have the c-section, and then they will perform a tubal ligation as well. No more babies for this Rogers family.

Hunter and I have amazed docs. I have done everything humanly possible to keep Hunter growing in my tummy. BUT I'm no fool, God has carried me the past eight weeks. I feel his presence in a way I've never felt or taken notice of before. I love when the nurses and doctors tell me there is something very peaceful about my state and my room when they come in. Those who know me really well know I can be quite a feisty little firecracker. I have been exactly opposite of those things while I've been on bed rest. I've never fought so calmly for anything in my life. 

This has been such a journey. I have learned so much about myself and my family. We are all far stronger than we thought. My girls have adjusted very well for a four year old and a two year old. They are now in the routine of living at Grandmama and Bear's house and having Daddy do EVERYTHING. I know I've said this before, but Mark is amazing. Don't let him ever fool you. He has it together...all the time. He gets stressed/worn out, like anyone would in this situation, and pulls it right back together for his girls and baby boy. He is a good man who loves his family very much. I always knew he was a wonderful daddy and husband, but he has taken the cake with this adventure.

I also urge everyone, myself included, to notice God even when things are going smoothly. Most of us notice him when a life storm blows in and that's when we ask for prayers and turn to others for support. We should do this even when it's 70 degrees and sunny out. When it's sunny out we need to find people to minister to who are going through the same struggles we have endured. I believe I am being taught more than I care to bore you with. I will share a couple with you because they are lessons directly related to this experience. 

One, bed rest during pregnancy is no joke. No one with a completely healthy pregnancy has to do bed rest. If you are on bed rest it's to prevent something from prematurely happening or to hopefully relieve something that is happening. Not only do you have your body to keep in check, but your mind as well. Your mind can go crazy places when you are isolated to the bed for days or weeks or months. If you know anyone on bed rest reach out to them. Pray for them. Pray with them. Visit them. Send them care packages. Take them food. Text them. Clean their house. Mow their yard. Water their plants. Write them a card. Bring them Starbucks. Bring them books. Recommend shows to watch. Make them laugh. Babysit their other kiddos. Call them. Ask for updates. Give their spouse a break somehow. Don't ask. Just do. Those are just some of the things our friends and family have done for us. We have such an amazing support system. They keep watch over us and have cared for us just the way we needed.

Two, it is scary to think about loosing your child. When I came into the hospital at 25 weeks I was prepped to deliver a 25 week old baby. My body stabilized and that didn't happen, but I was prepped and given all the horribly scary statistics about having a very premature baby. I have friends who lost a child, had a premature baby, or bore a child with disability. I wish I would have known what better to say or do when they were going through that. Maybe I should have done some of the aforementioned. Even though I didn't have Hunter that early it never left my mind. Those first few days were flooded with thoughts that I may not come home with my baby or that I would stare at him for weeks on end in NICU. I knew there was no reason to let the thoughts consume me, so I just prayed and begged. My heart will forever be more sensitive to those who have stared in the face of the possibility or the actuality of loosing a child. 

I am thankful that this journey is getting me closer to the birth of my son, but I am also thankful that I had to endure it. 

Pictures of our journey. Lots of them.

The labor and delivery room where we spent the first few days.

My only real exercise
 

First trip to Nana and Papa's house

Who we are all fighting for...baby Hunter.

The wheelchair Mark rented for me so I could be comfortable on my rides.

This was my 3rd or 4th IV re-site 

Sand babies at Nana and Papa's

Park fun with Daddy

Just a little family time in room 249

Silly time is a must with these girls

Dinner date with Uncle Brad, Aunt Jennifer and Annalyse

Watching a show together

And a 1, and a 2, and a 1, 2, 3

Swim dates with Daddy and Grandmama

20 minute wheel chair rides

FaceTime dates

Mark was feeling left out

FINALLY a PICC line so I don't have to be stuck every 3 days for blood and every 4 days for IV re-sites.

A visit with Holly and Ben

My college praying for my boy during faculty pre-session

Daddy does nails...who knew?

A little game of soccer at the park

Chuy's has been frequented by my family!

Feeding the horses

Walking with my family

Oh how she loves to snuggle and play with my hair when she visits

A sweet gift of celebration from my night nurses

Hopey getting some one on one attention at Starbucks

We miss these boys, but they are having fun and getting way too spoiled at Nana and Papa's house.

Learning to swim with no floaties

Daddy does pony tails too!!

Elevator rides

Happy 30 weeks Mom!!

Holding down the vacuuming fort while I'm on bed rest

Snack time!

Hanging with Uncle DeeDoo

Beauty shop with Aunt Allison

Washing the Gator

Spoiled. Rotten.

Lots of laughing with some sweet friends

Piano lessons with Grandmama.

Shopping for Fall with Daddy

Skinny jeans that Daddy picked out

Angel face

Central Market shopping

Picnics

Leaf cakes

Water babies

ACU Volleyball game

Fun with the Gray family

Our sweet InaBeth and HBug

Night time walks

Breakfast with Daddy

Swinging all by themselves!

Beauty shop with Mama

Mark's Sampson look...his beard is fluffed out...it's normally a bit more tamed. 

Recovery from a 12hr tummy bug

H and Jack Jack

Feeding the ducks

Morning time sillies

Ben and Stephen kidnapped Mark from duty and took him to the Rangers game!

Blake trying out the chair bed

Miss Priss decorating the cinnamon with bows

Cousins at the park