I HATE gravity, I didn't want to go to the Olympics anyway, and Three Cheers for Blaine

(in case you are new to the scene and read this post wondering what in the world is going on-refer to the previous post)

I thought everyone could use an update on our situation, but before I dive into the good stuff (i.e. my potential future drug use and subsequent inability to compete in the Olympics, our new family routine, my prospective vacation at the hospital and more) let me offer our sincerest thanks to all of you for the fasting, praying, texting, calling, commenting and support the past few days. When we got the bad news Thursday, it felt like our life got turned upside down and we were drowning in a sense--but thanks to all of you we were able to resurface and realize that we aren't alone and that there is so much to be thankful for. So thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We met with a high-risk pregnancy specialist yesterday in a town called Marshfield which is about an hour and a half from our home.

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS:

Good news--the baby is developing at the correct rate and looks great. There is just enough amniotic fluid left for those tiny little lungs and kidneys to keep going so that's good. I am healthy and infection free and the fact that I've stayed so for a month is promising. We have an amazing medical team behind us to take care of me and this little one should she/he debut soon. (we are waiting to find out what it is like we did with Colton--don't want this little one thinking they get special treatment right?!)

Bad news--I thought I would hit my 24 week mark this week which is sort of the breaking point for survival of a fetus at this point in pregnancy--not so. I measure closer to 22 weeks which means we've got a two week window to meet. Statistically, nothing is in our favor--we won't talk about the chance of me hitting that two week mark (LOW), delivering a baby that can survive (LOW), and that baby not having serious complications (LOW). I have little to no amniotic fluid and any time I spend vertical exacerbates the situation. Curse you GRAVITY!

THE PLAN:

Make it to my 24 week mark (May 10th) by staying on bed-rest 24-7 and drinking A LOT of fluid. If we meet that mark I will be admitted at 10 a.m. Monday morning to St. Joseph's hospital in Marshfield where I will stay until this little one decides to debut. They will immediately put me on steroids for the baby's lungs to develop at an accelerated rate (there goes my shot at the Olympics--up in flames that dream, but hey) and monitor me constantly so everyone is ready for the delivery. Blaine will go back to work, while our Moms take turns coming out to hold down the fort.

OUR NEW ROUTINE:

We're attempting to retain some semblance of normality here, although some things have changed and will be different for a while. My day goes something like this:

Wake up to baby kick, kick, kicking--study scriptures and thank Heavenly Father for one more day. Take a five minute shower, dress and lay back down to comb my hair, brush my teeth, and wait patiently to hear my son's pitter-patter of feet as he climbs the stairs, grabs an oatmeal packet from the kitchen and comes to my bedside requesting 'duice' and 'ohh-milk' (juice & oatmeal). I refer him to his Father because aside from my shower the only other movement I allow myself is a few bathroom breaks wherein I rotate between bedroom and living room (ya know--to switch things up. gotta keep it fresh). We won't talk about Blaine's day--he's turned into the one-man wonder cleaning, cooking, working, and handling everything he used to plus the half I covered. Que. the music, "What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man". All right--that's enough.

So we're hanging in there. We've got our fingers crossed and we're saying our prayers that we find May 10th at the entrance to St. Joseph's with a little one still in tow. We're not thinking about if we don't meet that two week goal or if we do, what could potentially result from our baby coming early. We will cross those bridges when they come.

And the best part is, we won't cross them alone.