Picture Time!

One last picture as a Momma of 3 boys

One last belly shot

My AMAZING doctor who put up with me during this pregnancy! Blake wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her! We love you Dr. W!!

The boys meet their newest brother!


Our new family of 6! I coulnd't be more proud!

Wide awake!

Thank Heaven for little boys

He's Here!

We are proud to announce our newest arrival, Blake Aaron, weighing in at 8 lbs 11 oz and 20.25 inches long! We had another successful VBAC after roughly 8 hours of labor (he was born at 5:16 pm) and Mommy and baby are both doing GREAT! The baby will be closely monitored for any effects of the antibody and we will take things one day at a time, but we expect his health to be optimal. Thank you for praying for us and thinking about us through this entire journey!!! This Momma is tired, but I promise to try and get pics up soon! Love you all so much!! God is so good!

Aug 20th - 38 wks

Hello and sorry I have not given an update since last week! Unfortunately, there has not been much of an update to give until today. We did get all of the results of the amniocentesis from last week so I want to share those first. Two of the three lung maturity studies came back negative and the third was borderline. So it was definitely a good idea to postpone delivery based on the first result that we got back on Wednesday of last week. The other test we were waiting on from the amnio, called a Delta OD 450 - a measurement of bilirubin in the amniotic fluid, came back within normal limits. That is great news! It WAS decided last week that we would delay delivery as long as baby was faring well on the inside and we would continue to monitor his health by ultrasound. I had my first appointment since the amnio last week this morning. Baby looks great by ultrasound! I also got an exam and I am almost 3cm dilated and 50% effaced - so exciting!! We went ahead and scheduled an induction for delivery for next Wednesday, August 27th at 39 weeks. There is a good chance I could go into labor on my own before then, but if I don't that will be his birthday! So now we know for sure - no more than a week to go!!! Please pray that I go into labor on my own, as it would mean a lot to me to avoid an induction. I will let you know what happens this week - I am excited! :-)

Baby Access - DENIED!

Today was amnio day at UofL Hospital and we got the first of 3 of the lung maturity studies back this afternoon. Baby is NEGATIVE for lung maturity! My doctor said his result needed to be over 30 and his was not even near that at 19. We certainly don't want a baby being born where we are not certain of his breathing capabilities outside of the womb, so delivery has obviously been postponed. This was a little shocking as there was an 85% chance of his lung maturity coming back positive. Now we wait for the rest of the results from the amnio to come in and I should speak with my doctor again tomorrow and we should have a plan formulated for delivery as late as Friday.

It has been a little difficult to completely switch gears and realize that we are not having our baby tomorrow, but at the same time I am very thankful for many reasons. I am thankful that we have the technology that tells us how safe it is for him to be born. I am thankful that I get at least one more week for my body to go into labor naturally. And I am thankful that I now have a whole week to heal and recuperate from my recent injuries!

So, as of right now, no baby this week! But as you are probably aware, labor/delivery is not the most predictable event! LOL I will continue to update you on what is happening with us. :-)

London Bridge

Tomorrow is amnio day followed by delivery the following day. Unfortunately, yesterday added one more hospital visit for me this week. I fell down a flight of four steps off of our front porch and had to go get x-rays of my legs and feet. Andy and I suspected my leg to be broken from the looks of it, but fortunately I got away with just a broken toe and a very bruised leg. My legs, knees, and hands caught all of the force of the fall, and my belly was spared from impact. I am so thankful!! The baby's heartbeat was checked at the ER and I have been feeling regular movement from him so that is reassuring that he is okay. I was in quite a bit of pain yesterday but today it has been much better and I am able to bear weight on that leg again already. The broken toe is not feeling too painful right now so that is good. Here are some pictures I took of my injuries. You might not want to take a look if you are squeamish, lol.

Aug. 6th - 36 wks

Yesterday was a big day because it was more than just a regular appointment. I had my cerclage removal procedure done on the labor and delivery floor of UofL Hospital. It was painful, but it is OVER and I am so thankful! Upon exam after the procedure, it was found that I am 1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced. That is exciting because my body is already starting to prepare for labor. :-) I also had my MCA doppler ultrasound and that result was good with an MoM of 1.25 - this baby is hanging steady! I contacted my doctor later in the evening to get the results of my biweekly titer draw. She said the result was back down to 1:16!! She spoke with the lab and apparently there was an error in the elevated result we got 2 weeks ago of 1:64. This is great news because it means that the antibody in my blood is still mild. We are really hoping that the effect on the baby is very minimal! :-) My doctor also wanted me to consider what day I wanted my induction on. I had assumed that I would be choosing the week after my amnio, but the doctors are more comfortable with delivering the baby as soon as we know his lungs are mature. So that is NEXT WEEK!! I am scheduled for my amnio on Wed Aug. 13th and the results should be back that same day so I was given the choice of staying and starting the induction that day (we are fairly sure his lung maturity will come back positive), or coming back the next day on the 14th. I went with the 14th and it was scheduled and confirmed today! I still can't believe we only have one more week until we meet our newest son! Daddy is very excited and Mommy is scrambling to get everything ready, lol!

July 31st - 35 wks

Yesterday was my weekly appointment with the MFM. The ultrasound looked good on the baby with the highest MoM being 1.31. That is a little higher than I would like, but it is still below the critical value. So, wow, these final weeks are coming down to the wire. I am scheduled to have my cerclage removed on Wednesday of next week (Aug 6th). Then the following Wednesday is my amniocentesis (Aug 13th) and then the next week will be delivery! We are looking at less than 3 weeks before we meet our little miracle! It is hard to believe! I will be spending these last weeks and days cherishing what it is like to feel a life inside of me, as well as preparing for a new baby in our house! Thank you for reading and for supporting us throughout this journey - I want to say that before I forget. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and are often overwhelmed by the spirit of love and prayers that are shown to us.