Prayers of Many

This is a very long post, and if you are anything like me, you don't really like to read the posts as much as just look at pictures. So in a nutshell, this post says, "I am pregnant, things are complicated, I'm on bed rest, Laura is here to help us, I'm feeling better, thank you for your prayers."



For those of you that are looking to kill a couple of hours.....


I just wanted to put some thoughts out there to let everyone know how thankful I have been these last few weeks for all the prayers, help, food, and love. As most of you know, I am almost 14 weeks pregnant and so far it hasn't been like my other pregnancies. Being pregnant with Ethan and Ella, it was very "textbook". My biggest complaint was that of heartburn. Well, in April I found out I was pregnant but, unfortunately, that ended before my 7th week in miscarriage. We were sad, but since it was so new and we hadn't heard a heartbeat yet or seen an ultrasound, I think it made it a little easier to move forward and focus on trying again. Well, that we did. Two months later we found out we were pregnant again. At 7 weeks my Dr. did and ultrasound and we saw a little bean in there and heard a strong heartbeat. Whew. Now we can just relax. For the next three weeks, everything was seeming normal, minor nausea, interesting cravings, you know.. normal symptoms. At the end of my 9th week I had a scare as I started having bleeding that reminded me too much of what had happened in April. I felt disappointed and scared. I called the nurse and she told me to come in immediately. I called Reagran and asked her to send Annie over right away to play with my kids while I went to the Dr. When I got to the clinic, they pulled me in for an ultrasound. I was reliving all the emotions that I had never really released in April. When the ultrasound came up there was a little peanut moving around and a strong heartbeat. I was so thankful to still have a fighting chance. The Dr. put diagnosed me with Placenta Previa and put me on bed rest. She told me to come back at my regularly scheduled appointment, which would be about 2 weeks later. I followed her orders and laid in bed. I did a lot of reading (as you saw on my earlier post) and watched TOO MUCH of Dora the Explorer. Well, a week later, we had the same problem as before and, once again, the nurse told me to come in right away. My Dr. was not in that day so I saw another Dr. She did an ultrasound and found a kicking little lime and heard a strong heartbeat. I will say this- this little thing sure does love to have pictures taken! So after looking at the ultrasound closer, she noticed I was having bleeding that was pooling between the fetal sac and the uterine wall. She told me to stay on bed rest and wanted me to come back to see my Dr at my regular appointment, which was now only five days away. Well, I took it easy, as much as you can with two other children, and the bleeding stopped. I was feeling good and happy to see my Dr. hoping she would tell me the bleeding is gone and I can go back to my normal routine. That was NOT what she told us. She did another ultrasound to see what the blood clot was doing. It had quadrupled its size in only five days. She was very concerned and insisted we got full time help. My parents were in New Zealand at the time and wouldn't be home for another six days. We knew Laura was working full time but called to see if there was any way she could come stay with us. She got school taken care of and Kent had her flight purchased for the very next day. Within 24 hours, Laura was at our house- ready to take care of us. What a blessing it has been to have her in our home. The kids love having her here and I am so thankful for someone to be here to do the things I cannot do for my family, and to keep me company. Despite the Dr. appointments and resting, we have tried to have some fun too. We have watched some Hallmark movies, talked about books we have both been reading, and stay up after the kids go to bed to watch "Semi- Homemade with Sandra Lee." I will be sad when Laura leaves us. My next Dr. appointment is with the Perinatologist on Friday. My hope is that the bleeding has stopped, the clot is shrinking, and that I can return to my old routine. I was called as Primary President the day before finding out I was pregnant and it has been very hard for me to lay in bed while everyone has to take care of my duties for me. I am thankful for a wonderful presidency, and counselors that have taken charge and made my life easier. Being away from family in times of need is very difficult. It has been very hard to let others serve me, but I am learning that my dear friends are just like family. I have been blessed to see that I have so many wonderful relationships that have only grown through this experience. I am thankful for the patience of all those that have taken my children for the day, or dropped them at school, or brought us food or chocolate banana shakes. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for placing these amazing people in my life to share our burden. As fast Sunday came and went, all of our family members fasted and prayed on our behalf. I have felt their love and prayers and am truly humbled to know that we are loved so dearly by so many. I know the Lord is mindful of me and of my little peanut and our growing family. As I enter into my second trimester this week and still am at a greater risk for miscarriage, I know that whatever happens it shall be for my good. I love all of you and wanted to take this time to say "thank you."