Preeclampsia

At my normal 32 week appointment the doctor came in and told us he wasn't happy with my typical tests in the office. He told us we needed to go to the hospital because I might have something called PREECLAMPSIA:

Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms.

At first I was real scared, and being at the hospital was even scarier. The nurses and doctors were flooding us with all kinds of information. Worst case scenario was that they would deliver on Monday and best case was a couple of weeks more time. WHAT? They gave me a steroid shot for Brooks' lungs that night and the following night just in case they had to deliver that weekend. I did a 24-hour urine test, and that confirmed that I had preeclampsia. The doctor told me that because my levels were so high that I needed to stay on bed rest at the hospital for the reminder of the pregnancy. He told us he didn't know how long that would be and they would continue to monitor my levels. He said a week would be great, and two would be better. He was doubtful we would make it another week. Well, God has his own plans and we are still here (14 days later). Things are looking great - so we might make it a while longer. The docs said that they will take him at 37 weeks no matter what because then the risk to me becomes too high, and it's a safe gestation to deliver Brooks (that would be June 23rd).
Right now we do fetal monitors daily and often we get to see him on the sonogram; and Brooks is looking fabulous - PRAISE GOD!

May 1st

Spring is a beautiful time in Colorado. The tulips are blooming and everything is turning green and the weather is so wonderful...most of the time. The other day it was 80 degrees and I was wondering how I'm going to make it through the summer. And today I woke up to snow. The first day of May - SNOW! I took a few pictures to prove it.

Kids are so honest!!

A couple of my students from last year like to come by and visit me after school.  About three girls came by the other day to say hello.  But instead of walking in and saying "hello", the one girl came in and said, "We just wanted to see how fat you are!"  I tried to smile.  Then the other girl said, "Yeah, you are getting fat!"  I told them it was time for them to go.

23 weeks

I think it's finally becoming clear to outsiders that I'm pregnant.  Hopefully people are looking at me and thinking, "Look at that cute pregnant lady!" instead of, "Look at that fat chick!".  The kids at school really seemed to notice my tummy today and they gave Brooks lots of hugs and belly rubs.  My one girl said to me, "Mrs. Hoffman - before you were pregnant, you were skinny!"  Awww...the honesty of a five-year-old.  I went ahead and took it as a compliment.  At least she thinks I was skinny before!  So, I thought today would be a good day to take a picture of my growing belly.   

It's a Boy!!!

Well, everyone thought we were going to the doctor next week to find out the sex of the baby, but with my mom coming into town I changed the appointment to surprise her and everyone else.  So we're at the house getting ready this morning trying to get to our appointment on time but my mom is really in no hurry to go anywhere.  So, Chad had to come up with a lie to get her out of the house.

Chad: "Guys, I just got this call from someone at the church that is giving away a crib and baby furniture and they want us to have it.  But the problem is there's someone else who wants to buy it, so we have to go right now to look at it and see if it's something we want."

Me: "Cool, let's go.  Get ready mom!"

Mom: "Oh, you guys go ahead and I'll stay and get ready."

Me: "No mom, I want you to see it too!"

So we convinced my mom to come and the whole way there she is so excited about this furniture that we're getting and she's asking Chad all kinds of questions: "How do you know this lady?  What kind of shop does she have?  Why do we have to go look at it right now?  What does the furniture look like?"  And the whole time Chad is answering her questions and I'm trying so hard to focus on something else so I don't bust out laughing.  

So we're turning down a street and my mom notices a Kaiser building on the right and points it out.  I said, "Oh yeah!  That's where I'll go for my sonogram, which coincidentally is today!"  Well, it did take my mom about a second and a half to figure out what was going on, and then she started crying.  She was so excited!  

We didn't have to wait long in the waiting room (thankfully because they make you drink lots of water before you go in and I thought I might pee my pants).  Chad and I went in and we told my mom we would come get her in a bit to see the baby boy/girl.  The doctor did all kinds of measurements on the baby and looked at every little inch of him.  He did turn and wave once which was pretty cool.  But he was facing the right way and it was making it hard to see in-between the legs.  All of a sudden it's like the little guy figured out what we were wanting to see, and those legs went flying open.  With his legs open, it was very clear to see that we were having a little boy.  The doctor didn't have to say much because it was so obvious.  Chad just about hit the ceiling.  And then he gave me a high-five and a hug.  

We were starring at little baby Brooks Bryan Hoffman.  What a sight!  

Hint to Husbands

Chad was getting really frustrated that he wasn't able to feel the baby kicking.  The movement felt so strong from the inside, and then I'd take Chad's hand and put it on my belly and say, "Did you feel that?"  His frustrated only grew because he still couldn't feel it, and he was getting anxious for when that would be possible.  Well, someone told him to lay his head on my belly instead of his hand.  Now, you can't exactly do this in public, but it is fun to try at home.  So, the other night I could feel the baby moving and Chad put his head on my belly.  I felt baby and Chad said, "I felt that!"  He was so excited...and so was baby because he kept going.  So, for any husbands out there that are anxious to feel the baby - just put your head to your wife's tummy and I can almost guarantee that you will feel the baby, too.

Kicking, Moving, or Punching...

I have finally felt the baby moving.  I have been looking forward to this from the beginning.  They say that with your first baby it's hard to distinguish gas from the baby's movement.  But I remember the exact moment that I felt this little one move.  I was in a morning meeting at school and I felt this little movement in my lower stomach...and then again.  I dismissed it as gas because it didn't feel like "butterflies" like all the books had told me.  It felt more like when you get a muscle spasm.  Well, the next day I felt it again.  And on Sunday I felt it more.  Each day I felt baby move more and more.  I don't know what he's doing in there, but it seems fun.  It's hard for me to concentrate when baby starts moving because I just want to stop and enjoy the moment.  Chad still can't feel it, but I assure him that something is going on down there.  What a wonderful feeling!!!