Big News

I apologize for being lax in posting this week. I had a yucky painful recovery from the kidney stone lithotripsy last week [I finally do feel better, thank you all who asked!]. Then we got some "big news" this week too.

I found out I am pregnant.

[I found out two days ago, it has taken me 2 days to stop panicking enough to post about it LOL!].

This is definitely a "surprise". I wanted more children but we had decided definitely NOT to have any more because of my last pregnancy / Eclamptic seizure and because of my husband's health problems. We were following Church teaching but attempting to be very careful w/ NFP.

So....wow. I am both terrified and excited all at the same time. I am very concerned about the health of the baby, because I had all that radiation and the surgery because of the kidney stones last week [and I had NO IDEA it was even possible I could be pregnant ... or of course I would have postponed all treatment. ]

I have an OB appointment [with the OB I used for Monkeys2, 3, & 4 - not the ones I used last time who were responsible for my "near death experience"] on Monday to check on the baby. I will be 5 weeks along by then.

We went ahead and told the kids so they could be praying for the baby's health. I have a history of early miscarriage, so they know the baby may not make it, but their prayers are so powerful I wanted to get them praying!

The kids are *ecstatic*. I expected them to be afraid after what happened last time, but they aren't afraid at all. They are over joyed. [Although my oldest had to confirm that I would have the baby at Kennestone and NOT at Northside this time. Once she established that, she was fine! LOL!]

Everyone is hoping for a boy. I feel guilty saying that, and I *adore* girls so I will be overjoyed no matter what, but everyone [even Monkey1 who has ALWAYS prayed for girl babies] has decided we need a boy for Monkey2. Monkey2 said that he doesn't mind if this baby is a girl, but he wants me to "keep having babies until we get another boy". Since this is *definitely* his last chance for a brother, it NEEDS to be a boy. ;)

Plus we are running out of girl names. :D

I already started with some of that "unique" morning sickness feeling today, so I consider that a good sign. I sure hope and pray that the baby makes it and that nothing I stupidly did with the surgery harmed the baby.

My biggest task at hand is to find an OB practice that will be willing to *agressively* handle my high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. In the past I have always looked for the "least interventive" practice I could get - always dreaming about that natural, unmedicated birth I so craved [and never got - just 5 long, awful pitocin inductions]. Which, with my history is just STUPID. LOL!

This time around, I am looking for the doctor who is willing to schedule a Cesarean at 34 or 35 weeks if necessary - one who will NOT hesitate to get the baby delivered [hopefully not via Cesarean obviously] but who is willing to do whatever intervention is *needed* as early as it becomes necessary.

IF things go pretty much like they did last time, and IF I have an OB who is *proactive*, who is knowledgeable about PE, and who is actually paying attention and gives a darn, I should be OK. If not, I'll probably be dead.

Let us pray then for a good OB, led by the Lord's own hand. ;)

In fact, I would like to ask you all to pray for 1) the baby's health and that s/he makes it 2) for my husband's health and stability 3) for my health that I survive the delivery [preferably with no additional brain damage] and 4) for me to find an excellent OB who is the perfect one to manage my care.

God bless you!


Oh, and here are some pics from our trip to Fernbank Science Museum last week:





[See, who knew there was a SIXTH little monkey hiding in this picture above?! ;) ]








After the museum, we took the kids to "The Varsity", which was a huge treat for them. [Poor babies NEVER get to eat horrible greasy food like that - I'm such a mean mama! LOL!]