29 Weeks - Thanksgiving 2011

I will officially be 29 weeks tomorrow!  Less than 80 days to go and less than 60 until I am 'full term'.  Seems unreal!  We will see Dr. Zaretsky on Tuesday to, hopefully, here more good news on my cervix holding up.  I'm also seeing my regular OB every 2 weeks now that I have entered my 3rd trimester.  I feel like I'm at the Dr. alot these days.  But seeing as how I don't get out of the house much anymore, the Dr. visits are a nice 'outing' for me.  I have started to wake up during the night for several different reasons:  just uncomfortable, indigestion, bathroom breaks.  I usually stay up for a couple of hours and then end up falling back asleep.  I've started to get used to this pattern now and I agree with those that have told me 'this is a sample of what is to come once Jack gets here'.  Jack is moving all the time these days, which has been really fun to feel and now watch.  I can see my stomach move when he moves.  Lee can also feel him move really well now.  Lee likes talking to Jack, this makes me smile because there is just something special about watching your husband talk to his unborn child:) 

Since I am 'resting', we didn't get to travel to Georgia with the rest of the family to see my sister for Thanksgiving.  We did get to go to Lee's parents home in Willow Park though and had a great time!  The food was fabulous and the company was even better! 

I want to take a minute to give my THANKS this 2011: 

• My Husband - thank you for taking on 'everything' since I have been put on 'rest'.  You have taken on the responsibility without complaint and I wouldn't be able to get thru this without you!  I tend to get a little depressed being home all day and night and not being able to leave very often.  Lee came home with 3 new OPI nail polish colors last Friday for my next mani/pedi visit.  He is always so good about little surprises that he knows will lift my spirits.  I love you Lee - my cup runneth over....
• My Mother - thank you for your unwavering support.  You have put so much into Baby Jack and now you are helping Lee and I however you can and we appreciate it more than you know!  I am so happy that 2011 brought you to retirement! 
• My Father - thank you for your good advice always.  Thank you for your help getting the last part of the baby bed put together:)  I am so excited for your retirement in just a few short weeks! 
• My In-Laws - Barbara and Bill - thank you for the food, the hard work and being so flexible with your schedule to come and help with whatever we need!  We are so grateful for you both and appreciate each and every thing that you have done for us (and Baby Jack)!
• Meredith - thank you for also stepping in to help when we have needed it!  You are so mature for your 23 years and I am so proud of everything you have achieved!  I'm so proud to be your sister!
• Gretchen - thank you for the AWESOME care package with so many AWESOME goodies!  I miss you and love you!
• Miriam - thank you for being a friend that I can count on at any time, any day!  I strive to care for others the way you do, you always put everyone else first.  Thank you for putting up with me everyday and thank you for stopping by to have lunch with me every now and then!  Thank you for already loving Baby Jack, for loving me and my husband!  I look forward to many more years of 'talking it out':)
• Allison - thank you for always making me laugh when I need it most!  Our friendship goes back years and I smile each time I think of the memories made in college through our current state of 'big and pregnant'!  I know we have both said this but who would have thought 10 years ago we would be sharing our lives still and pregnant at the same time:)  Thank you for loading us up on clothes for Baby Jack!  We could never repay you for such a blessing!  Thank you for stopping by to have lunch with me and giving me company!  I'm looking forward to next week:) And I'm looking forward to Emma and Jack being great friends!
• Amy - thank you for being such a positive influence.  I've always looked at you and Chris as 'the perfect match'.  You are great together and you are both great parents.  I will continue to learn from you and, of course, drink a glass of wine or two with you:)
• Stephanie - thank you for the best stories and making me laugh out loud!  Thank you for listening and for the advice during lunch.  I strive to be a working mother that has it all together like you do!  I am in awe of you and how you do it all!
• My doctors - I am so grateful that technology and research has come so far and will continue to get better.  We are lucky that Dr. Varadi (my OB) sent us to Dr. Zaretsky (specialist) to have my cervix checked out and because of this, he was able to catch the issue early and put a stitch in my cervix before things were so advanced that nothing could be done.  We know we are in great hands with both doctors!  

Lee and I want to again say thank you to those of you that have kept us in your prayers during this time!  They are working and we continue to ask for your prayers until Baby Jack gets here.  We are so blessed....

Below are some pictures from Thanksgiving.

27 Weeks - Another Good Checkup

We had our second post-surgery checkup today and got more GOOD news!!  Thank you to all of you who have been praying with us!  Dr. Zaretsky was really happy with how my cervix is holding up.  We have 5 more weeks until we are 'in the clear' but at least 10 more weeks until Baby Jack needs to join us.  They checked Jack's heartbeat, fluid levels and breathing at today's ultrasound and all looked/sounded really great.  In 2 weeks when I go back for my next appt. they will take growth measurements so we will have an idea of how long he is and how much he weighs. 

One of the better pictures from today's ultrasound.

27 Week belly shot 

and a belly shot with Lily! 

Some random pictures of Lee and I:)



Hostesses of my baby shower in Plano.

25 Weeks and a Good Check Up

I had my post surgery checkup appt. today and it went really well.  Dr. Zaretsky said the stitch in my cervix is holding up even better than he expected it would.  Lee and I were so pleased to hear the good news!  I will continue to rest and take it easy until my 32nd week.  At that point Dr. Zaretsky says he will take his 'hold off of me and I can send him a postcard with Baby Jack's picture'.  I couldn't be in better hands, Dr. Zaretsky is one of the best doctors I've been around and I feel so lucky that my OB sent me in his direction!  I will continue to see Dr. Zaretsky every two weeks, so I'll update after my next appointment.  Thank you for all of your prayers, they are definitely working!

Below are some pictures of Jack taken today at the ultrasound:

He is waving in this picture.

We think he has Lee's lips and nose.

He was sucking on his arm in this picture.

Now he is hiding his face:)

He was posing in this picture - so precious.

Baby Jack.