1 month, 34 days, but who’s counting

I’ve now been in the hospital for a little over a month, 34 days to be exact. Surprisingly, particularly to me, I haven’t lost my mind, yet. It stays unbelievably busy here. I remember when Kate was born, my husband arrived the following day. Within the first hour of being at the hospital, he looked at me and asked, “Is it always like this?” Meaning, is it always so busy in your room. I don’t know what it’s like to have a normal, low risk birth, or a normal pregnancy, but as a high risk patient, there is a constant flow of activity in my room. To be honest, since everyone is so wonderful, the company has been nice. However, it also leaves very little time for things like blogging. It seems that as soon as I open the laptop, someone is walking through the door.

Updates:

Today I’m 31 weeks 3 days. I continue to have BioPhysical Profiles twice a week, always scoring 8/8. During the most recent ultrasound (yesterday), Baby B was estimated at 3lbs 6oz. I’m on the monitor for an hour, twice a day. Baby B’s heart rate and activity are great, contractions are minimal. Blood work continues to be perfect,and even better, has now dropped down to two pokes a week. I’m also down to vitals every four hours instead of every two. Hooray, I’m actually getting a bit of sleep at night.

For the first few weeks, every morning when the doctors rounded, I would ask about the possibility of going home; the answer was always the same. I had to accept that I’m here for the duration, and they are continuing to make it as pleasant as possible.

A celebratory 30 week balloon and flowers, from my mom and Kate! Plus the constant flow of lattes from Starbucks and necessities from home.

Surprise, and very appreciated, lattes sometimes make an appearance from the staff. Always decaf from the night nurses ;)

One of the nurses paints my toes.

The cards and letters mean so much.

Fruit and treats from Harry & David, thanks D!

Something for Kate. One of the nurses commented that Kate shouldn’t have to play on the cold, hard floor. She and her children brought in a rug for her to keep in her play corner. Kate adores it, and tries to pick up the “owers” (flowers) and “balls” (polka dots).

The mother of one of my favorite nurses (M) makes hats for the NICU. M is sneaky and had asked me about nursery colours one day. I told her that we plan to use white and light pink, again. A few days later, she brought me this white hat with pink bunnies, made especially for Baby B…. (next to a pen for size comparison)

The first week I was here, one of the nurses asked me what my favorite local restaurant is, and what I like to order. For my 31 week anniversary, the nurses surprised me with my favorite salad.

Thank you to everyone for the continued emails, texts, thoughts, and prayers. It all means so, so much!

As for delivery, we are still looking at a 34-week induction. Not ideal, but so much better than what could have happened/ what they thought might happen.

I really am going to make a concerted effort to update more often. I don’t have a journal, so this is the best place to keep track of the good, and the bad. As hard as it is to be away from normal life, and especially from Kate, there really has been a lot of good, and memories for a lifetime.