Bedrest is here. Do we like? NOOOOOO!
On Sept. 20th I went to the doc for an ultrasound and was apparently having contractions. My doctor sent me to the hospital to be monitored. After being there for 3 hours or so I came home with some meds, Procardia every 6 hours. Wednesday, the 21st, went fine till evening and the contractions started again. I called the doctor and we took more meds but they wouldn't stop. We went back to the hospital and stayed the night. I finally came home Thursday afternoon and was on bedrest with my meds every 4 hours. That is where we are today, 2 weeks later.
I can get water, take a shower and throw something in the microwave but that is all. I can't pick up and hold my kids. This isn't too big for Luke and Claire as I wasn't holding them much anymore. But, John, my baby, was always on my hip! (maybe that is why is still isn't walking!!) I can't get him out of bed. I can't put him down for a nap. I can't give the kids baths. I can occasionally change a diaper but not really. I miss my snuggle bug. The big kids climb on the couch or into bed in the morning and snuggle up but John can't really do that. The couch and bed are too much fun for him and he hasn't figured out how to get off gracefully. This leads to some emotional times as one can imagine with a pregnant momma not able to hold her current baby!
But, the Lord is blessing us in incredible ways. My sister-in-law, Tara, set up a meal calendar so we have meals coming 4 nights a week with leftovers covering the other times. We also know many homeschooling families with older daughters (ages 12-15) who are coming during the day to watch/play/hold the kids. They are all lovely and kind and doing great.
Seth is taking the real beating. He has to get John ready each morning, cook breakfast and manage kitchen stuff at the other meals. He still has to walk or run the dogs every morning. Oh, and then he goes to the office for 8+ hours to be a doctor! He is AMAZING!!!! I feel helpless and like a bum but he encourages me to keep resting so our little one will be healthy and strong.
I'm also keeping a list of what I'm learning during this bedrest thing. Maybe I will write a little something once it is over. We are trying to do a photo journal type thing too of all those who are helping us. We hope that in early January we can have a HUGE party for everyone who helped us and then show all the pics.
I am reading to make the time pass. It really isn't too boring most of the time as the kids are all around and I am on the couch so I can read to them and talk to them and things. I have read "The Screwtape Letters" and "Little Women". I'm now onto "Little Men" as I just found out it is a sequel to LW.
In the end, I'm doing well with no more contractions. Baby Barnabas is healthy and growing every day. I go to the doc every week for a cervical length ultrasound and a shot. We manage how we can and are in survival mode. I have about 9 weeks left and then should be 36 weeks and off bedrest. I figure 9 weeks isn't much at all in the grand scheme of life or even a pregnancy! Plus, I want to bring my little one home if the Lord so blesses us!!!
