Baby Girl 32 Weeks

Baby girl and I went for an ultra sound and doctor appointment today. Pretty much all good news.. Cervical length and funneling is looking very good. Baby girl is moving all around and her heart rate is great. However, she is quite a tiny little thing - currently she is only in the 19% if they used her biggest measurements. She is less than the 4 lbs where they would really like to see her at 32 weeks.

Overall, drs are pleased with how things are progressing. I am contracting periodically throughout the day but drs are comfortable as long as there are not more than 4 per hour. They have lifted the strictest bed rest and now am able to go places periodically and do light housework. I still need to work from home for a few more weeks but even that might be lifted in a few weeks and allow me to go back into the office 1-2 days a week.

Everyone would like to see this baby grow for at least 4 more weeks but only time will tell. There is also the possibility she decides she likes it in there and I make it all the way to 40 (let's hope not for mom's sake)!! The dr commented today that is seems she finally caught on that being inside is better than coming out early and she is getting comfy in there. I'm okay with that for another 4 weeks and then would be okay if she decided to meet her mommy and daddy early!

Hanging out ...

We've been spending a considerable amount of time at home. Bed rest coupled with the horrible heat wave we have experienced have limited our ability to do a lot of fun things. However, we have kept busy at home.

Below are 3 pictures of Jacob playing with bubbles from Aunt Terri and Uncle Matze. He loves to chase them!

We also have had lot of visitors come over. Below are some pictures of Jacob and his friend Matt. Matt is getting ready to turn 3 in September and we are already looking forward to his birthday party!

Jacob in his crown! I included this picture because those of you who know Jacob closely know he absolutely hates wearing anything on his head. This stayed on for about 2 minutes but we'll take what we can get.

Jacob has still been going to Nonna's one night a weekend to give Matt a chance to get some things done. Here is Jacob swimming at Nonna's this weekend. He loves to be in the water!

We also celebrated our niece's 1st birthday this weekend. Below are a few pics from the party!

Jacob and Lydia - waiting to eat dinner

Much to Dad's disappointment - Jacob loved riding the Dora toy!!

Jacob helping Uncle Todd and Lydia open presents!

Jacob with some of his Beffa cousins 'helping' again..

One of my favorites.. Jacob and Matt watching the cards vs cubs game on Saturday. Too bad cards didn't fair so well.. Jacob now says Baseball when the cards play and we are working on saying "Go Cards, Go"!!

Playing .. AKA Making A Mess

What I thought was a great idea has recently turned into the #1 thing that makes my OCD go into overboard. Jacob's toys were all over our house since we moved and it seemed like they were growing and growing. In an effort to get the mayhem under control we purchased a large storage unit with lots of baskets that Jacob can access himself. I promptly organized all the toys by type (balls in one basket, cars in a basket, books in a basket, etc). I had visions that he would get out one basket, play with it and put it all away before the next basket would come out. YEAH RIGHT!! That did not last 2 minutes.

Here is a little mini-version of our days. He had just gotten home from the babysitter and because I am a little anal about his toys they are always picked up while he's gone.

Started out okay - one and a half baskets were pulled out and he was playing quietly with them. Of course, he had to have his bracelet on!

Getting a little intrigued about what is in this basket...


Gotta get it out.. Blocks! This is his absolute favorite basket to pour everywhere because there are so many pieces!


A little more are coming out now!

All the way upside-down..

So proud of himself! Each of the baskets repeats this dumping until they are all out, all over the floor, right in our walkway from the family room to the kitchen. Of course they get picked up and put in their appropriate bins each night and this is repeated each morning. Will mom ever learn?

July Ends.. August Begins..

I've never been so grateful that time is going by quickly. I just finished week 4 of bed rest and likely have another 4 to go. Dr is trying to get me to 34 weeks and then will let nature take it's course. The last check-up confirmed I was dilated and baby is a little under weight at only 2 lbs 3 oz. Baby girl is doing well otherwise. Bed rest is much harder than I thought it would be and gets harder the longer it continues. I have another dr appointment tomorrow so we'll have another update at that time.

We are very thankful to everyone who has come to visit and for all of those who have brought food for us to eat. We appreciate it so very much!!

Nonna has been taking Jacob each weekend so he's at least getting out. Matt is doing a great job keeping up on cleaning, cooking and laundry (although it is VERY hard for me to not want to help).

This picture is obviously before I went on bed rest but I missed posting them in previous updates. This is when we decided to take Jake on a walk at a park around the lake.

Daddy and Jacob at the lake.. he loved watching the water.

Jacob recently had his 18 month check-up and I decided to ride along. You wouldn't know it by this picture but the helmet was quite an ordeal. The dr suggested we get him used to wearing one early and they offer a program to fit the child for a helmet and purchase one at a discounted price through Children's Hospital. Matt and I thought it was a great idea and had no idea how upset he would get. He screamed worse when he was being fit than when he was getting his 4 shots. He really hates wearing it too. Guess it's a good idea to start early!

The dr did confirm Jacob is doing great! He is currently in the 50% percentile for weight and 75% for height. His immune system is doing good so far. Hopefully the next time we see the doctor it will be for the new baby and that's at least 4 more weeks from now.

Jacob has even been helping around the house. He loves to take the trash to the door.

I am allowed to go to church each week - here is Jacob before church last Sunday.. ready to go!!

Aunt Terri came into town this past week and her new husband, Matze, joined her Saturday. For those of you who do not know, Jacob's Aunt Terri and Uncle Matze got married in Germany in June and recently shared the very exciting news that they are expecting a baby BOY!! The 16th grandchild on the Beffa side is due in late December/early January.

We were not able to travel to the wedding in Germany (there will be a US wedding next June) so we all got together on Sunday to celebrate. 23 of us were able to make it to the BBQ and that included 12 of the grandchildren. It was great seeing them (even though I hung out on the couch all day). Looks like a trip to Germany is definitely in our near future!

Jacob, riding a reindeer that the kids drug up from the basement at G&G Beffa's, with Uncle Matze.

Aunt Terri and Uncle Matze announcing the sex of the baby to the entire family!

On the way home tonight from G&G Beffa's... exhaustion does not even describe the tiredness of playing with his cousins all day. FUN FUN TIMES!!