Room 244, St. Joseph's Hospital

Well, I've got good news and bad news.   The bad news is that I am hospitalized for what will likely be a month.  In two weeks, we do another ultrasound, chances of things changing are small, and we set a due date for around March 11th (should be April 8).  So I'm here for a month, then a C-section and pray for a strong baby.
The good news is Josh is on a lighter rotation for February.  We may get some family coming in about 10 days (Josh's brother followed by his mom-I think, I hope).  Until then, phone calls are already starting for friends and church family willing to help. 

The bad news is there is vasculature directly over my cervix that is holding baby blood.  If anything happens to disturb this we have only a matter of minutes to keep baby alive.  It is a condition called Vasa  Previa.

The good news is I have a history of four births, none of which were early, so it is unlikely my water will suddenly break, or labor will start.   It is also unlikely that the vein would just rupture on its own.

The bad news is I'm stuck here because the "what if" is just too great of a risk, and the good news is he is around 4.5 lbs already.

I had a steroid shot for his lungs, and will get another tomorrow.  We monitor the baby on occasion, and I take it easy. I'm allowed to walk to the shower, but not leave the floor.  I also worry about my kids and my husband-his work and schedule.

One.day.at.a.time.

Quick Baby Update/XMas Cards

I love to send Christmas cards.  It honestly has never bothered me if I don't get one in return.  Well, maybe it did the first few years I sent them, but I have sent them for years and it has been a fun way for me to touch base with distant family and friends.  So, if you would like one (without an obligation to scramble and get me one) just leave a comment with your address.  Or if you'd like my email is laramcelderry@gmail.com

In the meantime, I have so much to catch up on with this blog- it is a joke.  It may happen, but not until after I finish Vinny's first year scrapbook that he is getting for Christmas.  And then there is Christmas.  I know I probably won't get to blogging til after then.

The baby is doing well.  My placenta is over my cervix.  This simply means no heavy exercise, no sex, excuse me "pelvic rest" and hope for no early bleeding as the baby starts to weigh more.  It also means that if I do start to bleed (usually happens late 2nd or 3rd trimesters) I will go on bed rest!  So, I'm hoping for a good pregnancy.  Oh ya, and if it doesn't move I will be looking at a c-section for the first time.  I have another ultrasound on Friday and am hopeful the placenta has moved, though statistics in my case (100% covered cervix) do not favor us.

We also are having a terrible time choosing a name for another boy.  I like Brazilian names, Josh Estonian.  Both are often weird in English and don't sound well together.  The family tree has been plucked pretty dry as all of our boys first and middle names can be found there.

Hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy the Holiday Season.  Merry Christmas!

Raising Sons

I want to jot down a few events over the last couple of weeks, before they are forgotten:


As we are running late for Church, Ivan:  Everyone look, look!  I have a spider leg and it is still moving!  Sure enough, he had taken the leg off of a daddy-long-legs and was having a science experiment.  We walked into church late needless to say.

Ammon, in front of most of Josh's co-workers during a nice dinner:  FARTED.  And it wasn't a slip-excuse me kind of fart.  No, it was loud (think clown nose sound) and I believe I saw a fist-pump accentuate it!!  Embarrassing!

Vinny:  finds a way into the bathroom every chance he gets.  He plays in the water-clean or dirty.  I beg and beg the older boys to flush and keep the door closed.  It is still a challenge.  This week I caught him stirring the pot with the remote control.  Later, the toilet was clogged and we found-a toy car after some serious plunging.

Orlando:  "Mom, you're treating me like a slave!"

Oh boy.  The joys of motherhood!

Excited!

I'm very excited that missionary age has changed at long last for the sisters to age 19-a full 2 year difference!   Boys can now leave at 18-if they are ready and it is more convenient.  They can leave up until age 25, but are encouraged to go as soon as they are prepared spiritually, financially, etc.  I don't feel like it will be that different for the boys-a few will leave earlier, but you still have to finish high school, and many are 18.5 by then anyway-so maybe a 6 month difference.
For girls-well we've had to wait until we were 21.  It's a hard age, because often you are a junior in college and stuck with deciding between a mission and finishing your degree.  I was there-and chose to finish my degree and then leave for a mission when I was 22 (ancient!!).  Also, for way too long it has been said "girls go on missions because they aren't married."  Sheesh.  No.  Girls went on missions for the same reasons (love of God, love of mankind, love of the church and its teachings) it's just we had to wait because of the age requirement.  Yes, sometimes this meant Mr. Right came along and so a mission didn't happen, but that doesn't mean a girl didn't want to go.  I am thrilled that now a girl can leave at age 19.  No longer can it be said that she "didn't get married".  Perhaps some stereotypes can be put aside.  And my prediction: a whole lot of sisters will be serving!
Why the year difference? I'm not sure, but it doesn't bother me.  For boys, it is asked of them-get 'em out the door as soon as they are ready.  For girls, it is optional and a year after high school to consider it is probably smart.  I was VERY happy though that the age was lowered for girls!
I went to the MTC 13 years ago today-as a very old 22 year old sister missionary who just hadn't gotten married. :)  Life changer and no regrets!!

Baby 5

We are excited to announce that we have a new baby coming in April of 2013!  Choosing to have another child is difficult.  I was ready for number one, okay when number two came, shocked that number 3 snuck in, frustrated that 4 had such perceived bad timing-and then this time.  This little number 5 has been the hardest.  Coming off of birth control was the hardest decision I've made at this point-I cried before and after my Drs appointment.    3 of my 4 are in school.  Vinny is an easy kid who still takes naps.  I felt a glimpse of freedom that had been only on the horizon for so long. And yet, the nagging didn't stop.  I couldn't find the peace I searched for. So, the decision was made and here we are.
I'm so excited and overwhelmed.  I wish I was in better shape, weighed less, and was younger.  But hey, I'm a mother of four, and here I find myself.  I've been pretty sick and don't enjoy that, but it will hopefully pass within a few weeks.
We are pretty sure it is another boy.  I thought for sure Ammon was a girl, and Vinny-so maybe I'm just changing tactics ;)
Probably no one would ever believe me if I told them I wanted a boy.  But honestly, I am so in love with each of my boys and each one is so different-that another boy would be wonderful.  And honestly, a very comfortable idea for me.  My gut is saying it is a boy for what that is worth.
We are also setting a record in the surgical residency program for the most children ever by a surgeon resident here at the Marshfield Clinic.  We had been tied at 4.

First Day of School!

Dear Ammon,   

You are so excited to be in Kindergarten.  You have at least two friends in your class, and wanted to play as soon as you came in the door.  I tried to get you to give me a hug, but you didn't want to.  You gave me a high-five!  You are very smart and I am looking forward to you having a good year.  I will miss having you at home and playing with Vinny.  You have been a wonderful good brother.  Love, Mom

Dear Ivan, 

You are starting 2nd grade.  You are so upset that there are just girls at your table!  In fact, you wouldn't even go to your table!  I'm sure by high-school your thoughts will change!  For now, you wanted me to stay.  I hope your day is getting better!  You are smart, and athletic-great at the skateboard, rip-stick and basketball.  I am so glad you are my little boy.

Love, Mom

Dear Orlando, 

You are now in third grade!  I am so proud of what a great student you are!  You are smart and nice.  It is hard to be the oldest, but you do a great job.  You are more responsible all the time.  You are crazy about your Lego's and like Frisbee Golf.  You help with Vinny, and  are working on earning your Wolf for Cub-Scouts.  I am so proud of you and hope you have a great 3rd grade year!

Love, Mom

A great day to be a Mormon.

 I consider myself an independent voter, as I do not vote on party lines and have voted for different parties.  I do not agree with everything on the Republican Platform.  I do not agree with everything on the Democratic platform.  I do my best to make a decision that lines up MOST with my conscience.

Today, I just want to celebrate that a Mormon is at the top of a major ticket in the USA!!  I would be just as happy if this happened on the Democratic side.  It is wonderful to me, to hear people cheering for a Mormon.  The history of our church is a challenging one.  I understand why people have questions.  I get it if they think we are racist or polygamists.  I also reflect on the persecutions that Mormons have endured-and marvel that more of them did not leave the church in its early days.
 How much do I really know the details of other peoples faiths?  Often, I do not know much about them at all.  It has been my experience, that the more I learn about their faith, the more I respect it.

I hope that this is a time when things that are false are corrected.  When things that are true are better explained, and when the wonderful things that my faith offers are better received.

My church and faith have blessed my life in countless ways.

Go Mormons!  May we continue to serve in our communities and our countries-regardless of political affiliation!