Thanks all,
Ben, Tricia & Isaac

39 weeks and BEYOND ready!

I just wanted to let everyone know that tomorrow (12/15), if this little one STILL hasn’t arrived we are being induced. I wrote more details here if you would like to read them.

We are excitedly getting lots of things taken care of today in anticipation. Please be in prayer that labor might start on it’s own tonight and/or that the induction goes smoothly. We can’t wait to meet our new little on and share her/him with you soon!

We had an ultrasound today (34 weeks). This is typical for us as with my history of hypertension they like to check the baby’s vitals and make sure it is growing well. Honestly, I was a little concerned about the size of the baby as I haven’t gained much weight this pregnancy.

Well I needn’t be concerned! They estimate the baby to be around 5.5 lbs already. And the estimated gestation date was right on target. That and all the functioning and organs were fantastic. Such good news for us!

My bp has been really good so far and I am taking a step back from most things to rest more and keep it in check. Of course it helps tremendously that my mom is able to come help a few days each week.

Lastly, below is the ultrasound 3-D render of the baby (taken with my phone, sorry). I just had to post it because we were so astonished at how much it resembles Isaac!

I’m pretty sure today was much needed. I feel a renewed excitement and anticipation for this little one. It just feels so much more real. (You’d think the bladder kicks would do that for me!)

Anyway, keep all of us in your prayers as we near the end. There are so many changes ahead. And for a little fun how about a poll to see what gender you think and what arrival date? Any guesses on both or either? (Note: they won’t let me go past December 13th).

We are truly excited and a little anxious. We were just discussing the other day how spoiled Isaac has made us. He sleeps until 8:30 every morning (some mornings until 9:30). He plays well by himself, us and others. He hasn’t woken up in the middle of the night since about 8 weeks old. Oh my, we are in for some changes!

Overall, I think we are still leaning towards thinking that this baby might just be a girl, although the NST’s are looking hauntingly familiar. My greatest “indications” that make us lean this way include:

• More hormonal, emotional and moody this pregnancy (as if that could be possible).
• A serious aversion to red meat (still can’t eat it to this day).
• Craving a lot of sweets, etc. I craved salty with Isaac. I know this is a wives tale but it is totally true with this pregnancy – boy or girl. I remember wondering when I was pregnant with Isaac why people craved ice cream. Now. That is all I want.
• Carrying the baby a bit differently and haven’t gained nearly the weight I did with Isaac.
• No (okay once) leg cramps. I use to get leg cramps nearly every night when I was pregnant with Isaac.

These of course might be coincidences. We are okay either way. We just love playing the guessing game. Any guesses from the peanut gallery?

I thought it would be fun to post a few comparison pics of my belly from when I was pregnant with Isaac and then this pregnancy. I even found the outfit I was wearing with Isaac to try to recreate the picture as closely as possible. Take a look:

33 weeks pregnant with Isaac

33 weeks pregnant with Mystery Baby #2

So what do you think?

(Honestly, the bare belly pictures are a little more interesting to compare, but I thought I would spare you the stretch marks)

that if we don’t naturally have the baby by Friday then we will be induced early Friday morning, August 22nd!

Everything is fine, Tricia will be at 39 weeks at that point and because of her history of high blood pressure they like to go ahead and deliver the baby to reduce further complications and chances of toxemia. Of course, we would love to have it naturally, but mom and baby’s health comes first.

We are certainly not under the illusion that all of you wonderful people will come to the hospital to celebrate with us, but if you had considered it… It is our express wish that you PLEASE NOT come to the hospital until you have received word from us that the baby is here and we are ready to receive visitors. We have talked at some length and, given that it is our first child, we would like for it to just be us at the time of delivery. That means actually in the room or at the hospital; neither of us are keen on a waiting room full of anxious visitors. After the baby is born we will be sending out a notification of the arrival (phone or email) and the go ahead for friends and family who want to visit.

Additionally, you can follow along with the progress (and even subscribe to receive email updates) on our website: http://www.intoapicture.com

We know this is a little different than most, but we appreciate your consideration in this matter. You may not hear word from us at all on Friday. We ask that during this time that instead of calling you keep us in your prayers. We are hoping for a smooth transition for baby Callahan into this world and will do our best to keep you all updated!

Again thank you and we look forward to sharing our new arrival with you later this week!

Tricia and Ben

Can’t really say that there is all that much to report. Most days I come up with something witty to write but don’t have enough energy to convince my fingers to write it. Perhaps it is because I have been finishing up the last few weeks of work. I am only working 20 hours from home but I have had several things that I felt HAD TO be done for me to have peace of mind. My goal was to have it done by week 37 (full-term for those of you that don’t know pregnancy terms). And that is complete so I am feeling good!

Anyway, we reached 37 weeks last Friday (Our actual due date is Aug 29 – 17 days from today – but who is counting?). The status on me is that my blood pressure has been really good the last few weeks at doctors visits. So it looks like the bed rest is really helping. The nonstress tests (fetal moniter tests) they do of the baby twice a week now are going well too. We even had an ultrasound at 35 weeks and everything was looking good there. So mom and baby are doing very well considering the blood pressure issues. We are extremely grateful.

Now on to the impatience. I have said all along, “I just want to make it to 37 weeks”. We’re there, I’m ready. I wish it was that easy! It’s so funny/ironic. Every time I have seen a friend get ready to have a baby I hear them say – “those last few weeks are an eternity”, “I just want it OUT”, “I know it is a blessing but it needs to come already”. I (secretly) always thought – hm, I’ll be more patient than that, it can’t be that bad, I would just be glad to be pregnant. Okay, I confess my sin. Sorry to all that have gone before me. I just want this baby OUT!

Yes, I want a healthy baby. Yes, I know it will come when it is ready. No, I am not succumbing to an induction – unless doctor ordered. BUT here is what I also know. I am ready to have my body back! I can’t sleep. I will gladly get up with a baby every 2 hours, do I really need the practice with all of this going the bathroom in the middle of the night? (We are at 6-8 times a night now). I dream of just bending over. Or being able to get off the couch without assistance.

Okay, enough of the rant. We are happy, we are healthy, we are ready. We will let you know when the new member is here!

Yea right! We still haven’t found out! (I know we are cruel aren’t we!)

But we did have another ultrasound today. With the high blood pressure I have been experiencing they wanted to make sure the baby was growing properly and that it was getting the right type of blood flow. We are happy to report that it all went very well. The baby is right no target for my weeks of pregnancy (about 5 1/4 lbs) and it’s heart rate is responding well to the non-stress tests. We are grateful.

My blood pressure continues to be an issue despite the resting so prayers in that direction are much appreciated. I am doing well on bed rest – mostly because my persuasive and very kind husband has made it comfortable and tolerable.

So looks like it should be another 3-4 weeks before we really do know the gender. . .stay tuned!

I took a few pictures along the way and of course today after I got some more things put into place. How exciting!

Just so everyone knows how amazing my husband is, here’s a little story too. I found this bedding set and fell in love with it. I then came home to Ben and said, “Do you think you could do this on the wall?” Being the designer he is, he loved the idea and went to work. I kid him all the time about his perfectionism but in cases like these it really does make a world of difference. I LOVE this room! Take a look! (Click on the images to see detailed descriptions).

 

I’ve had high blood pressure for several years now. We have had it under control with meds that are safe to take when pregnant too. They warned us early on that they would be watching closely the last few months of the pregnancy though. Ben and I had noticed that I was exhibiting some signs of high blood pressure so I started taking my bp a couple times a day for the week leading up to that appointment.

After sharing the readings the doctor said it was time to not work anymore. I had been preparing things at work in case that happened but I really hadn’t expected to have to implement them. I was figuring on Murphy’s Law – I was prepared so I wouldn’t need it. I was wrong.

After a rough weekend of making an adjustment to modified bedrest, things started to look up. Ben has been most wonderful! Doing things around the house and not letting me get up for the little things when he is at home. I am so fortunate to have such a loving and caring husband. I am also thankful that it isn’t strict bedrest so I can do some things here and there just not all at once. I am also still working from home 20 hours during the week.

I think everyone, including me, thought I would go stir crazy. I actually am really enjoying it. Of course, I still am able to do a bit so that helps. But I am enjoying the lunch visits from friends, the sleeping in, the naps, the permission to just be still. Not sure why that is so hard for me but it is.

At the appointment this week the bp was good so I will continue on this path. Hoping and praying that the baby gains some weight and stays tucked inside for a few more weeks. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers as we all adjust.