My, How Things Can Change in a Year

Last January was drastically different than this year. We had just found out few weeks before that I was pregnant and excited to add to our family. But the joy didn't last long. I went in for a first appointment and no fetal pulse could be found. I ended up having an ultrasound to confirm that something was wrong, and the pregnancy wouldn't last. By the next week I had a miscarriage and to say the least, we were devastated. It still brings up a lot of emotions.

About a week and a half later, I began to have chills, hot sweats, and other flu like symptoms. After talking with my mother, she encouraged me to call my doctor, which I promptly did. Since it was late evening, he advised me to wait for the morning to see how I was doing. The next morning, things were worse. I called F home from work, called the doctors office again. By 10:30 am, we had dropped the kids off and we were in the doctors office. Dr. told me I needed to have a blood draw and an other ultrasound, we headed straight to both those offices. At around noon, F and I gathered up the kids from my parents' house and headed home to wait for the results. A few hours later, I found out I had an infection and we were making arrangements for surgery. We dropped the kids off before 4 pm and headed to the hospital. I was checked in and ready for surgery by 5. With all the waiting, recovery and all that, It was about 9 pm when we picked up the kids and headed home. After all that, I was feeling so much better the next morning. I feel that the entire month of January was consumed by these events, and even still. I am very grateful for the wonderful support of my husband, my family, and for a doctor who was there to help me through it all.

As for this January, it is the complete opposite. I have had a wonderful and healthy pregnancy and the new year brought in the 36th week, last month of pregnancy, yet again, many doctor visits. We couldn't be more excited to bring another child into our family. I feel it has been quite a long time coming and can't believe that in the next week or so, we will be able to hold our little girl. I am not always the most patient person, and this waiting game is crazy. Now at 39 weeks, our house is ready. We have the clothes, blankets, burp cloths, and towels all washed and put in their place. I have bought diapers, wipes, and some other necessities to get us through at least the first month. We have the bassinet ready to be set up, the car seat base in the car (mainly to help the kids get used to it being there). Not to mention, I have completely taken the entire car seat and stroller apart and washed every square inch of them and covered them to keep them clean until they are used. I have my bag packed and have registered at the hospital. There is a list of contacts and a school schedule for K up on our fridge with a magnet from the hospital with important numbers. I have made arrangements with people to be "on call" to take the kids, whether it be the middle of the night or during the day. I feel we are ready for bringing a new one into our family, but for now we'll wait.