36 Week Update

So baby girl is still hanging out inside mom. We saw the doctor last Monday and the dr thought she would come any day. Here we are on Sunday and still no baby, although she is quite active these days. I was actually put back on the strictest bed rest this week because I started running a fever on Tuesday and it lasted for almost 5 days. The drs definitely did not want me delivering with a fever, which would almost guarantee a NICU stay for baby to ensure the infection had not transfer ed. The good news is that the fever has now past and I only have sinus issues so she can come any time. My contractions have been frequent but nothing to lead me to believe she is coming today. So for now we wait... next appointment is Wednesday. I will be induced on October 4th if she has not come by then, although drs do not think it's likely I will last that long. My last day of work is this Friday.. even though this pregnancy seems like it's lasted forever it also seems unreal in two weeks I will have 2 kids. Crazy!!

I'll be sure to update the blog as soon as little one arrives and until then will post updates if things start to happen.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers over the past week.. it was certainly something we were not expecting (especially when I heard I couldn't get an epidural with a high fever!!) but luckily we have made it past that point and mom and baby are doing well.

Crazy Day at Daycare

So Jacob had an accident - one that is repeated almost weekly and it's not what you think. Jacob has recently given up (not his idea) his binkie and only gets it at nap time and bed time. However, his binkie is replaced a lot of the day with his fingers which he then uses to choke himself commonly after he has recently eaten. Consequently he is going through a lot of shirts. Below are pictures of a time when the babysitter ran out of extra clothes . Mind you this is a 12 month onsie (he is now in 24-months), the turtleneck part would not button and the 'long' sleeves have now become quarter length.. Still he loved it and wouldn't let us take it off when he got home.

Needless to say, crazy mom made sure that he had an extra outfit for when it happens again.

Tech Master Jacob

It's amazing how good kids are with tech things now. I guess they are exposed at such an early age which means they grow up with an understanding we did not have. However, I recently had to put a lock on my phone because Jacob could figure out how to turn it on, slide the bar (I have the iphone), go to the phone application and press one of my favorites to make a call. I now have a code on it that you must enter but he can still figure out how to bypass that to make an 'emergency call' to Nonna.. truly amazing. Here's some pics of our little tech master in action.

Before he started playing - such a cutie!

Found the phone - pretend talking to a friend

Clicking the top button to turn it on

Sliding the bar to 'unlock' it - after this he pushes the phone icon and calls someone to play

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!!

More Diagnosis..

Hi all,
I went back to the doctor on Wednesday for what is becoming my weekly check. There was good news and bad news. Good news is that the hole has closed and I am not any more dilated than I was before. The bad news is that now my cervical lining is thinning at a very fast pace. If it continues on this trend I will be out of lining in 3 weeks (30 weeks of gestation). I am now on very strict bed rest and can only get out of bed 30/40 minutes per day. I will go back to the doctor next Wednesday for another ultrasound and re-evaluation from the doctors. Until then, I am couch bound. Below is a picture of our little drama maker!




Due to the bed rest restrictions, Jacob has been spending lots of time with daddy. Below is a few pictures of them enjoying some ice cream. YUM!!







Jacob was sick last weekend with what I am going to assume was a summer cold. He then passed it on to Nonna and mom. Nonna's been a big help and has been keeping Jacob 1 night a weekend so Matt can get things accomplished and I can lay on the couch without feeling guilty. Can you tell he doesn't feel good?? He knew he shouldn't go far from the tissues or let that binky go!

Friday Test Results

So now that I find myself with all this free time just laying on the couch, the posts will likely be pretty frequent. Plus, it's easier on everyone that placing a whole bunch of calls.

So test results from this week were semi-good. Friday I had a fetal fibronectin test to detect a protein that is released while your body prepares for labor. We were called at 9pm last night with the negative results from the test. This is a very good sign as it predicts with a 98% chance of labor in the next two weeks.

I also saw the doctor who does not believe I am any more dilated than I was on Tuesday. This is all good news that the bed rest is preventing anything from getting worse at this point.

I have another repeat ultrasound on Wednesday and a fetal fibronectin test again in two weeks. I'm still on bed rest and have had a lot of time to surf the net, watch tv, and catch up on magazines.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, they worked this week!!

Our Newest Member

So I've been slacking on an update on Baby Girl Beffa. Now is as good of a time as any although I can not get her ultrasound pictures to format correctly. Hopefully I'll be able to add a picture soon!

Baby girl is doing great - she is measuring right at 27 weeks (perfectly on-time). However, it appears as though baby girl doesn't want to wait until October 11th to join our family. I went to the dr on Tuesday for some spotting and they confirmed I am dilated. I was immediately put on bed rest until I could get an ultrasound on Wednesday.

Ultrasound was completed Wednesday evening and I got the call today that I am on bed rest for the foreseeable future. There is a funnel hole in the cervix, which gets bigger when I put pressure on it by standing/walking etc.

Friday they are going to do a fetal fibronectin test to detect any signs of per-term labor. The good news is that I am not contracting at all. They will continue to do weekly ultrasounds to measure my cervix and will re-evaluate the bed rest restrictions each week.

For now, baby is doing great and as long as she stays in there for apx 10 more weeks we'll be good to go. Bed rest is really hard with an 18 month old since I can't lift him, drive anywhere except the doctor or even do laundry (okay so that one isn't so bad). It's been 2 days so far and I'm already ready to go places, as everyone knows I am not one to sit around or not go places.

Please keep us in your prayers and I'll be sure to keep the blog updated with our progress.