23 weeks

Well today I am 23 weeks. I have made myself a couple of goals so as not to dwell on the past. My first goal is to make it to September 21. That is one day past Tessa's birthday and puts me at 26 weeks. I went into the hospital with Tessa at 24 weeks so this would be 2 weeks past. I am trying to heed my daddy's advice and not let the past control my thoughts. This baby is a gift from God and I am trying to put this pregnancy in his hands. He is in control not me!

Official due date Dec 28

I had a check up with the high risk doc today and he said my cervix is still holding strong...no change!! Yea! They did a targeted ultrasound and baby girl is measuring perfect at 22.3 weeks. They said she weighs roughly 1pd 3oz. Dr G said he was going to see me again at 24 wks and if nothing has changed he is going to release me. He said anything that happens beyond 24 weeks is not related to the cervix and he didn't see any reason why we couldn't go full term with this one!!! Wha Hoo!! This gave me (much needed) confidence.

Terrible 2's or just boredom?

I do believe we have offically entered the terrible two phase. Although it could be that Tessa and I are just cooped up in this little bitty house all day and she is bored. I have tried to be more couch bound since I had the stitch put in and Tessa doesn't seem to understand why mommy can't get in the floor or dance around with her. Hence the acting out and 3rd potty training regression. We were doing so well with the potty training. Only having maybe one accident a week and then all of a sudden last Thursday she just up and decides she's done with the whole potty training process. Yesterday she blatantly wet her pants 3 times. And then to top it off the little attitude she has aquired....I was in tears by the end of the day.

So today was a new day. I got up this morning, prayed and decided today is a new day. I was going to rejoice and be glad in it and not let Tessa control my mood! It did seem to help. I took her potty every 30 minutes and tried to give her my undivided attention. It also helped that PaPaw was in the area and stopped by to play with Tessa for a couple of hours. Then when she got up from nap I thought I would try something new. I pulled out the "big girl" panties (we have been using the plain jane Gerber cloth training panties) and I told her we had to keep our "big girl" panties and Elmo dry. She was all excited about this and it worked the rest of the day. She stayed dry. Now mine you she never told me she needed to potty, but each time I asked her or took her she went!! Hopefully this will work!

On a lighter note tonight in the car she started saying "I can't reach it". I asked her what it was she couldn't reach and she said, "I can't reached the moon". I told her "I can't reached the moon either" and she said "Me too". It was just too cute! Her daddy and I got a little chuckle out of that one.

It's official...

We went for another check up with the high risk Doc today and it is official....we are having another girl. I guess this will be easier in the long run. We already have the "girl stuff" and the two will have to share a room for a little while. Plus who knows maybe this baby will pave the way for another. We asked Tessa if she was ready for a little sister and she said "No, no baby". She is in for a rude awakening....cue the evil laugh. I go back to see the high risk doc again in 2 weeks for the targeted ultrasound. This will determine if my due date is still December 28 or if it will be pushed back to January 5.

2 Doctor Visits this week

Monday I went to see my regular OB. She said everthing looks great and wants to see me back in 3 weeks. Then I will be seeing her weekly until 27 weeks.

Thursday I went to see the high risk doc. Ultrasound revealed my cervix is still holding strong...no change (yea!). He wants to see my back in 2 weeks. Also I will be having the targeted ultrasound in 4 weeks. This should determine my actual due date and if the baby is in fact a girl. Right now the high risk has me as 17.2 wks and my regular ob has me as 18.4 wks. Interesting I know!

On a lighter note I have been feeling little flutters here and there since about 15 weeks. Sooo sweet!

Went the High Risk Doc last week

Last Thursday I went to see the high risk specialist. He said my cervix is 7cm and is 2-3cm from the stitch. He said the cervix could possibly weaken and funnel down to the stitch. If the cervix shows signs of weakness over the next few weeks he said they may have to go in and put another stitch up higher. Just praying that it doesn't come to that! It also appears to be another girl at the moment (it's still a little early). After the initial shock and tears I have accepted the fact that God has his reasons. It may be that we are already prepared for a little girl or that girls do better in NICU...only he knows. Now for the hard part....coming up with a name!!

15 Weeks Today

After this week I will be going for bi-weekly check ups with high risk OB and will also be followed by my regular OB. Whatever it takes to keep this baby baking!

We had a wonderful July 4th weekend. We spent some time with my parents on Saturday then went to Florence and spent time with Michael's family Sunday and Monday. I was afraid we weren't going to be able to travel to Florence, because Tessa had her first ear infection since getting tubes. I must say ear infections are not as bad with tubes. Three days worth of drops and the ear infection was gone. Whoo hoo!

Stitch Looks Good

I went to the Dr this morning for a follow up of last week's surgery. She said everything looks great! Baby's heart beat came in loud and clear. I can bend over...yea (or at least for now). She still doesn't want me doing any lifting until the baby is born. I am having to get creative on how to care for Tessa.

Cerclage is now in place

I am going to try to update this frequently throughout this pregnancy to help keep everyone up to date.

I had the cerclage placed Monday (June 21). Everything went well. We were able to see 2 ultrasounds. One pre surgery and one post. Each time the baby was movin' and groovin'. So far everything is looking good. I spent this past week with my parents so they could tend to Tessa, since I was told no lifting or bending. I go back to the doctor on Monday (June 28) for a check up.