Baby Wicker Update

I've seen my OB twice since my last post. We discussed, at great lengths, about what my cervix should look like and what it actually does last Friday. He asked that Chris and I both come to talk to him as Chris doesn't usually get to go to my appointments. He drew a diagram, for me, in order to explain everything without question outlining the different procedures. He included the pros and cons for both. We have our choices between a very invasive abdominal cerclage which he'd prefer to cut me vertically down my stomach in order to get the best view. Basically this surgery would involve wrapping and tightening a band around the bottom of my uterus. The other procedure is a Shirodkar cerclage where they will wrap and tighten a band around the top of cervix, the closest part to the uterus. It will involve some internal cutting, but it will be very minimal. Obviously, the Shirodkar isn't as invasive and will involve very little recovery time compared to the abdominal one. We took a week to pray about our two option and asked God to give us the knowledge in order to make the best decision for our family. Friday, I went back for Dr. Gregg and his partner, Dr. Brown, to examine me again to make sure the Shirodkar was still and option. Both of them are maternal/fetal specialists, they and Dr. Smythe (who followed me most of the triplet pregnancy) are the only ones in town. So, after this appointment and much prayer we decided on the Shirodkar. It's the least invasive and involved. This pregnancy has come just by the grace of God, and we want to continue to rely on Him fully to get a healthy baby here. In the very beginning of the pregnancy, as I was having problems, our first instinct was to go on my normal hormone therapy that I've been on with all my other pregnancies. However, we felt God's peace and Him telling us to be silent. We trusted in Him, are now at 9 weeks and the baby is doing well. We also know that God gives us the knowledge and technology for medical intervention. We are full aware that no matter what God is in FULL control. My OB told us that this is going to be tricky with so much damage to my cervix, but he thinks he can get the results we went with the Shirodkar. If, in the event, it can't be done they will immediately switch over to the abdominal cerclage. So, I'll be having a 1st trimester screening ultrasound after Labor Day to check for any abnormalities. My doctor likes to do this before the cerclage to ensure that there is no chance that the baby may be very sick and miscarry on it's own as with a cerclage that can be complicated. The ultrasound is very similar to that at the 20 week mark where they'll measure the back of the neck, check the heart, and etc. Then, the surgery is scheduled for Sept. 17th. Chris will be off until the following Monday which is when my OB expects me to be able to resume normal activity. I've been through a cerclage before, so I know that I will have to remain awake due to not being able to undergo anesthesia during pregnancy. The anesthesiologist will give me a spinal, and I should be able to go home the same day. Please pray that we will get good results with the scan in a few weeks. Pray that God will keep the baby and myself safe during and after the surgery, that Bradley and Austin will do fine,the day of the surgery without us, and that God will give Chris peace and strength during the surgery and my recovery to run the house by himself. We're confident in God's plan and know that whatever that may be will be awesome. Our God is great and awesome. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8

What's going on

Mama's Sweet Boys

Austin is going to be as big as Bradley soon!

Thanks Aunt Bonnie for the precious outfit; it fits perfectly!

Sending you lots of kisses, Muah! You think Bradley likes chocolate?

Sitting so big!

Bradley loves this swing!

Austin loves the exersaucer! Don't worry Paula (Austin's physical therapist)- we limit him to about 10 mins a day, so he doesn't develop the preemie tip toes. :-)

And, introducing our newest addition . . .

See the baby? It's the litttle, white area in the middle of the picture.

Mesuring the heartrate . . . doing well at 150!

We're all doing well. Chris is busy, busy at work as usual. A doctor's day never seems as though it's done. I'm doing well, sick but good. I've been pregnant enough that I know that being sick, even if all day, is a good sign for me at least. I can handle it; the end product will be so well worth it. If this new baby brings me just a little of the joy that my 2 boys bring everyday my heart my burst! I had some issues, so I went to the doctor this morning for an ultrasound. There was a healthy baby in there with a strong heartbeat of 150! I'm about 7.5 weeks along, so I found out I was pregnant very early. The baby is due March 29th, what a popular month in our family! Chris and I are going tomorrow morning to talk to my OB (high risk, Dr. Gregg) about what cerclage will be best for me and the baby. There has been a lot of damage done to my cervix with my pregnancies in the past, so something must be done in hopes of preventing another very early baby. Bradley is doing well and has recovered wonderfully from his surgery. He starts preschool the week after Labor Day. He says he doesn't want to go, and that he is staying home with Mama and Austin. :-) He'll just go Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12, so we know he'll be just fine! We've also signed him up to play soccer with the Lexington County League. The first games will be September 20th and run into November. He is especially excited about it as he has talked about it since he was old enough to say ball! Austin is doing great. He is sitting beside me, right now, protesting at the top of his lungs that I'm not paying him as much attention as he'd like. He seems as though he just want to be a "big kid". He sequels, while standing with our assistance, as he watches Bradley play with other children. He laughs at the smallest things now, especially his big brother. Austin's EI (early interventionist) came yesterday, and she said he is doing great. She said he is right on target for his adjusted age and somethings he is even ahead. For example, he plays this game with us where he nuzzles up to our neck and makes grunting noises and we do it back and forth over and over- that is a 6 month milestone. Austin is only 5 months adjusted as of today. Austin is off his apnea monitor at night now as of last Friday. His pulmonologist was pleased with his progress, and we'll go back this fall for his monthly RSV vaccine (Synagis) . It doesn't prevent RSV, instead it's supposed to help him fight the virus. Since Austin was so premature and small he is at high risk for developing severe RSV with his lung issues. Hopefully he would be able to better fight this disease since he is much bigger than last winter. Austin is over 15lbs, and about 27 inches long! He is getting so big! Every nurse or doctor that comes in contact with Austin is absolutely amazed that he is a 24-weeker!

God is good. There have been some amazing miracles in our life over the last year. We know it's God working in our lives, and we hope that others will see His love through us. We've been leaning on God's word and all of His wonderful promises to us. There have been some Bible versus lately that have really spoken to me, so I'm going to finish this post with them! Enjoy!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ ” (Philippians 4:6-7)

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)

"He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken" (Psalm 62:2,)

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:29, NIV)