The Last Few Days

The last several days have been crazy and fun. Here are some cute pictures that will bring everyone up to date so far. I'm posting them in chronological order. We love our little monkey!

We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 that morning and things happened quickly after that. The wonderful nursing staff set us up quickly, and we were going! I couldn't have asked for a more helpful, kind, andknowledgeable nurse. The whole induction process went smoothly, and the epidural was administered quickly and easily. If I haven't already said it to everyone I will say it now: may God bless the person who thought an epidural might be a good idea for delivery.

Within a few hours we had family arriving for the happy day. We really appreciate everyone being there, especially you who drove up just for a few hours to be with us. I was so relaxed and pain-free that I was able to enjoy visiting with everyone until close to delivery time. I wish I could say that the delivery was relaxed and enjoyable, but I won't dwell on that.

We stayed in the hospital until about 5:00 p.m. Wednesday when they discharged us. We've been home a few hectic days now. I think today is Friday, if that tells you anything.

We really appreciate all of the visits, phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages.

Here are photos, taken in order. The first was taken Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!

William David Walton

He's finally here! William David Walton was born at 3:24 p.m., on Monday, February 22. He weighed 7 lbs, 3 ounces, and he's 20 inches long. After a few weeks of bedrest we are so thankful that our little guy is healthy and beautiful! We came home from the hospital Wednesday night. I hope to post more pics in a few days . . .

Only a few more days

There is an end--or a beginning--in sight. My doctor has shown mercy and is inducing Monday, February 22. I'll be 39 weeks then (feels more like 139 weeks). We only have a few days left before William arrives! I have been working this week, and today I go in for my last day for many weeks. We have a busy weekend ahead as we try to get a few last minute things arranged, fixed, and purchased. I'm still having some complications, so my arranging and fixing is interrupted periods of lying down to help alleviate some of the symptoms of my complications. We're also going to try to go see one last movie and go out to eat somewhere, since it will be our last opportunity to go alone or go without finding a sitter in a long time!

I'm not sure about internet access at the hospital, but we'll try to post something as soon as possible.

Still going . . .

These are some photos from the tea last Saturday. It looks like everyone had a great time. I cheated on my fat-free diet and ate one of the petit fours that Laura brought me that night--delicious!

I am thrilled to be off bedrest, but it's been a tough week. While on bedrest I reached that normal, miserable, pregnant lady stage. I can't imagine how I would feel if I had problems with swelling like so many people do. I'm still wearing normal shoes, and my rings are a little loose.

I went back to work two days this week. I was exhausted and in lots of pain by the end of the day, so I was really happy when Friday was a snow day. I was able to do more work in William's room and sort through all the lovely things I received at my shower last weekend.

At my appt last Monday my doctor said he thought I'd have the baby within a week. Clearly, this hasn't happened yet, but I have a few more days left in that week. I'd be thrilled to have a Valentine's baby, or maybe a Mardi Gras baby!

37 Weeks!!!

Here's a picture Jon took tonight. I wore the same sweater I wore in my pics at Christmas for a comparison. I think the Christmas pic was in my very first post.

Yippee! I have now reached the safe zone, 37 weeks! I am off the medicine that I'd been taking since January 21. Little William might arrive any day now. I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later as I am still in a lot of pain from a kidney issue that will only resolve itself when I deliver.

The last week has been very difficult on bedrest, but I made it through. Today two things happened that made life better: a good report from the doctor AND life-altering, fabulous news from a good friend. There is much celebrating in south Alabama tonight, and we all thank God for this news!

Last Saturday I had to miss my shower in Birmingham, but we did set up Skype so that I got to say hello to everyone. I've seen pictures, and it was all beautiful! Thanks to Laura, Stephanie, Jill, Amy, and Leslie for a beautiful day in our honor.

We are still getting ready for William's arrival. The car seat is in the car and ready. I've packed our bags, but I'm still deciding on what he'll wear home from the hospital. These are big decisions to make!

Wednesday

Here are some pictures of the nursery. We decided to keep the daybed in there for now since it has a trundle that then makes it a king-size bed. We still need to get a nightstand and lamp, and we need to put some things on the little shelves. It still seems like it's missing something though. The bedding has moons and stars embroidered on it, and it also has "twinkle twinkle little star" embroidered on it, too.

It's Wednesday night, officially two weeks on bed rest. I'm trying to think of any good things about bed rest. I'm all caught up on episodes of "House Hunters" and my favorite shows on the Food Network. Hmm, can't think of anything else.

I'm now 36 weeks and 2 days. The 36 week mark is a milestone; it's when most people get to stop taking their meds and go off bed rest. Not me though for some reason. Unfortunately, even if I had been taken off BR, it wouldn't help my situation. I have a new problem now. For the past 5 days or so I've had pains in my back that weren't consistent with my usual gallbladder issues. If I sit up or stand up for more than about 10-15 minutes I get this awful pain in my back. My doctor thinks it's my uterus putting pressure on my right ureter (tube from kidney to bladder). If I lie on my left side that relieves the pressure and takes the pain away. So I'm on my left side all the time. I think I mentioned this in my last post, but in this one I explain the "why" part.

I suppose the last two days have been difficult since the tone of this post is noticeably sad or whatever.

Another week

We returned from my weekly doctor visit earlier. Despite my (I thought) very convincing whining and complaining, he wants me to stay on bedrest another week. I will still take the medicine that prevents me from having contractions. I will be 36 weeks tomorrow. I am the only person in my online "bedrest club" who is still taking these meds at 36 weeks. Why??? I don't know. I go back to the doctor next Monday, so who knows what will happen then.
The doctor also thinks that some of my pain isn't necessarily gallbladder. He now thinks that those pains that go away when I lie on my left side are kidney pains caused by pressure from baby. I think that kind of makes sense.

So I'm back home trying to eat high protein, high calorie, fat-free foods while lying on my left side most of the day. I just took a break and am sitting up. It's hard to key in emails while using one hand, so if you notice problems with my emails and FB posts, that's why--I'm just unable to always capitalize words.