What a Weekend!!

Patrick and I had an eventful weekend, to say the least!

I have been SO busy with school the last six weeks - working 65-75 hours a week, on my feet all day long. Saturday, when I got off of work, I was so excited to have Saturday night and all of Sunday off!

On Saturday evening, something just didn't feel right. I was super, super tired. We had planned on going over to some friends houses, but decided to get take-out and go home instead. When we got home, our friends Emily and Matt decided to stop by. While they were over, I started hurting, like a lot! I tried laying in bed and going to sleep, but that was impossible. I was cramping, and they were extending around my back. After spending 4 weeks on the labor hall in January for school, I knew what these were. They were contractions!!!

So we started timing them. They were regular and consistent, coming about 6 minutes apart. This is where we started FREAKING out!! Thinking - "I am 32 weeks pregnant. My baby weighs 3.5 pounds! I can't have my baby this weekend!!"

We drove to the hospital immediately. Didn't call the doctor, didn't pack a bag, didn't even think...just drove. By the time we got to the hospital, my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart.

When we got there, I was immediately started on IV fluids. We hoped that it was simply dehydration causing these contractions. The fluids didn't work.

Then I got a shot of terbutaline. Terbutaline is a drug that stops contractions. And makes you feel like you have had about 6 cups of double shot coffee. It's awful! But...praise the lord...it worked. Usually, they will give you 3 shots before they start working you up for labor. Luckily, I only needed 1.

After my shot, I went an hour without having another contraction. So they sent us home.

I woke up Sunday morning, still feeling a little crampy. So I drank A LOT of water. Really, a lot is an understatement. I probably had about 8 liters throughout the course of the day. And it really did help. I didn't feel anything at all. Until Sunday night. I started having contractions again. This time they were further apart and less strong. But, they were regular. So I called the doctor, and he had us go into the hospital.

We took our time before we left. I took a bath to try and relax. Patrick packed a bag. Bless his sweet heart, he asked if we should bring the carseat. I knew that if Declan came, he would not be going home with us anytime soon, so I told him we wouldn't need the carseat yet!

Once we got to the hospital, they put me on IV fluids. This time the fluids worked. No terbutaline needed! But they still wanted to check my cervix - it was closed! I was officially not in "real labor." After an hour of no contractions, and another cervix check, they sent us home.

Today, other than being exhausted from being at the hospital the last two nights, I am feeling much better. I haven't had a contraction all day. I went to my doctor today, and she said this is all probably from the stress I have been putting on my body at school. She did not put me on bedrest, but did say I was going to have to drink a lot of water and be a "lazy med student" for the next 6 weeks. She also gave me some medicine to take at home if I am getting regular contractions again.

While this weekend was the scariest I've ever had, I am thankful for the experience. I now know what to expect when I actually go into labor. I know that I am married to the most supportive man I could ever hope for. I know that no matter what happens, we will get through it!

My Little Miracle: 30 Weeks

How far along? 30 weeks

Baby's size? 18 inches, 3.2 lbs

Weight gain? 24 lbs

Sleep? Still ok! Going to sleep can sometimes be difficult because I'm so sore, and I often feel like I can't breathe, but once I'm asleep, I sleep fine. I do have weird dreams, though!

Foods I am loving? Ice, clementines (I eat like 5 a day), cupcakes

Foods I am hating? Nothing!

Best moment this week? Watching my belly move when he's moving around in there

Symptoms? Rib pain - OMG, it hurts sooo bad! Shortness of breath. Multiple trips to the bathroom.

Gender? A sweet baby Declan

What I miss? Right now, I'd love to just go for a run. However, since I haven't been working out through this pregnancy, I can't just jump out there and do it.

What I'm looking forward to? Meeting this little boy in 10 weeks!!

Emotions: Stressed about school, but so happy to have this little ray of sunshine in my life!

Baby Boy has a name!

We have finally decided on a name for our sweet baby boy!

His name will be:

Declan Thomas

St. Declan was a saint in Ireland at the same time St. Patrick was there. Since Patrick has a very strong Irish background, we always knew we wanted to name our first son something Irish.

Thomas is Patrick's dad's name.

We are so happy with his name!!!

Holiday Break

Top Ten Reasons Why Holiday Break Was Wonderful (in no particular order):

1. We were invited to lots of fun parties

{Tacky Christmas party, 2010}

2. I got to spend lots of time with some of my favorite ladies

3. We saw our precious baby's face, hands, feet on ultrasound, in 4D! I may be biased, but he is the cutest thing I have ever seen!

4. We shopped for family and friends for Christmas. In Christmases past, we were always both in school, so we didn't ever get to buy for our loved ones the way we wanted to. This year, we had so much fun buying for the people we love!

5. I spent lots of time with my mom

{We even accidentally wore matching shirts}

5. I spent even more time with my amazing husband, who I grow more and more thankful for every day

{Christmas Eve at Patrick's parents, 2010}

6. My belly finally started to get big! It seemed like forever before I looked pregnant, instead of just fat!


7. We worked on baby boys room a little bit. I have been planning on refinishing my great aunts dresser for his room, and we finally got it started!

{Before}

{Me and Courtney working hard}

{After - still needs handles and some touch-ups}

8. We decided on a name for our baby boy! More to come in the next post!

9. Baby boy got so many sweet presents from his favorite aunts, grandparents, and great-grandparents

{Opening our Co-sleeper from Patrick's parents}

{Cute little tennis shoe booties from his Aunt Allie}

10. I was able to rest so much. While it feels like we were really busy, I really did sleep a lot. I needed that so much having just finished my surgery rotation, and about to start Ob/Gyn!

My Little Miracle: 22 Weeks

I haven't done one of these updates in a while, so I decided it was time!

How far along? 22 weeks

Baby's size? 8 inches, 1.2 lbs - about the size of a papaya

Weight gain? 14 lbs

Sleep? Sleep is fine! I have to get up about 2-3 times a night to use the restroom, but who's counting?

Foods I am loving? Orange juice, peanut butter crackers, hot chocolate

Foods I am hating? Nothing really, although I still choose not to eat bacon and coffee

Best moment this week? I am feeling baby boy move sooo much, and I LOVE IT!!! It is so amazing to know when he is sleeping and when he is awake. I think he appreciates food as much as his momma because he goes CRAZY after I eat. But my favorite moment this week was definitely when Patrick got to feel him kick. Usually he doesn't kick hard enough to feel from the outside, but one night I had a bad nightmare that must have gotten him really going (I'm guessing it was my heart rate). I woke up to him kicking like a soccer player and grabbed Patrick's hand really quickly. He was SO happy when he felt him! It was definitely one of the most amazing moments that I will always remember!

Symptoms? Just going to the bathroom a lot more. No complaints though! I absolutely LOVE being pregnant at this point, and my misery in the first trimester has almost been forgotten! Maybe I can do this again?!?!?!

Gender? A sweet baby boy. We are still "marinating" on his name and practicing using it, but it is such an important decision that I'm so nervous to make the final call! Once we are 100% I will announce his name!

What I miss? Alcohol. I want wine, beer, egg nog, bloody mary's, champagne. Jeez...I could go on and on!! And I don't even drink that much!

What I'm looking forward to? Seeing sweet baby boy on ultrasound next Friday!

Emotions: Like I already mentioned, I am absolutely LOVING being pregnant. I am on cloud 9!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

around our house!!!

{Our Christmas tree topper}

{Our Christmas tree}

{The fireplace - with room for one more stocking!}

{The wreath I made last year}

{Patrick surprised me with lights outside!!}

{Guess who made his blog debut!!}

-Alicia

A First Look at the Nursery!

We started working on Baby Boy's nursery over Thanksgiving break. It is going to be a super fun process that I am definitely looking forward to! I can't wait to decorate the perfect room for him - a room that is comfortable for both of us. Here are some pictures to show our progress so far:

{Patrick's mom begins the painting process}

{Old house = closet that needed an overhaul}

{The closet after the renovation!!! <3}

{Crib assembly begins}

{The crib is finished!}

{And of course, we had to make sure it was strong enough :) }

I love the progress so far. The closet is so wonderful, and all of his cute little stuff (what we have so far) looks adorable in there! The color of the room is the most perfect gray with a slight touch of blue. Now I just have to start getting stuff to fill the room. I will definitely be showing the finished product when we are all done!

-Alicia