Welcoming Harry Gene Major Young

Wednesday, December 29, 2010 we welcomed Harry Gene Major Young into our world at 1:13 PM at 7 lbs 1 oz, 19 1/2 inches long by c-section.

Wednesday morning at 7:30 AM we had another ultrasound done to check the amnio fluid and sure enough it had went from a 6 on Tuesday night down to 5.1. The tech said that the radiologist would read it but didn't know when and if they would page the surgeon on-call or not. We decided that instead of sitting around and waiting we would go home and get some things done and then we would be ready for whatever they decided.

We did not get even half way home when we got the phone call from Dr. Anil (surgeon on-call) and said that it was too low and we needed to do the c-section yet that day. Due to me having breakfast I could not deliver until 1 therefore I was to be at the hospital at 1130...this gave us a little over an hour to get the kids situated, showered with the antibiotic ointment and get into the hospital. We were thinking that we would just have Papa Harry and Nonie come back over to the house to stay with the kids but Ellaree had other thoughts. She decided she was going to stick with Amelia Korn who was watching them that morning for the rest of the day. After discussing this plan with Amelia's mom we sent the kids to their house for the day and on the way we went to the hospital.

All went well with the procedure. I had great anesthesiologist, surgeon, nurses and techs. They all were wonderful! They did discover besides that the amnio fluid was low that my uterus was very thin almost what they call a window. This would not have been good had I have went into active labor for Harry or myself as there could have been serious complications. Also after seeing this Dr. Anil did recommend that I be done having children as he does not forsee my uterus holding up for another difficult pregnancy. So after being told all this our minds are made up (which they pretty much were) that we are officially done having babies. The good Lord has blessed us with 3 and we will take it!

Today I am up, disconnected from all wires and tubes, showered and in my own clothes. I am so happy to be here and taken well care of. They are talking about sending me home tomorrow afternoon which would be ok with me.

Thank you again to all that have given us support and prayers over these many trying days, weeks and months. Our wonderful family is complete.

Amnio Test

So today at 230 we met with Dr. Sherman to be checked again and to decide what to do from this point on, Harry took the night off from work. I am still at a 1-2 dilation and no change otherwise. So basically this means that they don't want to take the little guy as boys lungs develop a lot slower then girls. Basically our two options at this point was to stay on pain medication until our scheduled c-section date and/or have an Amniocentesis test done. With this test they can see whether or not his lungs have matured enough to take him or if we need to wait longer.

After much question/answer discussion with Dr. Sherman, much discussion between the two of us and consulting with Dr. Nancy we decided we would go ahead with the amnio test.

I was sent up to LND and hooked up to the monitor to check fetal movement, which was all great and then Dr. Sherman came in. With this test they do an ultrasound at the same time to find the best position. They like to find a good size amnio fluid sac that they can use. Unfortunately, Dr. Sherman could not find a good size sac and therefore did not feel comfortable doing the test. Which I was totally comfortable with because if he is not comfortable doing the test then I sure am not. Plus once I saw that needle I was holding onto Harry's hand for dear life!

My amniotic fluid is measuring right now at 6. He was not happy with the looks of the amnio fluid levels therefore tomorrow morning we need to go in for another ultrasound to measure fluid levels. They are concerned that I am leaking and if that is the case then they will take him right away....if I am not leaking and the levels are still at a 6 then we will just have to wait it out. So more tests.

The girls are doing good with all the juggling and Elly asks now if I am having tests, will I be home after the results or am I staying at the hospital. But she does not like to leave and stay anywhere. She reminded Papa Harry and Nonie many times today that she did not want to go to the farmhouse. Every time Grapa & Grama come she lets them know she is sleeping in her own bed. So for the most part she is doing good with all this but there is still some anxiety over it all. Lorelai just wants her momma the minute I walk in the door.

We are just praying for good results and a health baby boy at the end of the day. We thank you all for your support, thoughts and prayers during these difficult days and weeks. Soon we will be done but in the meantime it is only in ones hands and He knows best!

Christmas at Grapa & Grama's

Sunday, December 26th we had Christmas at Grapa & Grama's. With everyones work schedules it took some doing but we finally were able to get together this evening. It was a rush to eat and get gifts done before Lorelai decided to crash but we got it done.

Aunt Jen made each of the girls these cute aprons and chef hats. They turned out really really cute and can't wait to do a baking day.

Ellaree and Lorelai got these princess fold out couches from Uncle Jerod and Kassy. Can you say a little excited! I believe Ellaree's exact words were "I knew I wanted this"...Oh wait she said that with every gift. haha

Lorelai loved her couch and sat in it for the longest time. She especially loved when we folded it out and was able to lay down. She was so comfy cozy in it!

We even had big kids that loved the couches!

This picture needs some explaining....last year we decided that we no longer were going to buy for each of the siblings as none of us needs anything and so instead of that my sister and her husband introduced us to a new game.

A family buys a gift card that anyone could use. Last year it was to the Outback Steakhouse. Then since my sister introduced us to the game they purchased the gift card last year and wrapped up the gift. This year it was Harry and I's turn.

Since Harry and I were in charge of purchasing the gift card, we had to decided how to wrap it. The object of the game is to see how many different ways you can wrap the gift. This year we used 2 rolls of duct tape and a roll of packaging tape. We also used 5 boxes that were once wrapped in duct tape and/or packaging tape was then wrapped in Christmas wrapping.

You sit in a circle and since Jen & Nick bought last year they got to go first. You roll the dice clock-wise until you hit doubles and then you put on the Santa hat and a pair of socks and you try to unwrap the gift as fast as you can with only using your hands (that are in the socks) and/or teeth. While the individual is unwrapping the others around them are rolling the dice to see who will steal the Santa hat and socks from them. You continue on this way until you have gotten down to the bare minimum of the gift card.

This is a barrel of fun and laughs, even the kids (except Lorelai) joined in the fun this year. We timed it this year and it was an hour long process. Jerod and Kassy won the gift card to the Rivoli Theater in LaCrosse.

Next year will be Jerod & Kassy's turn to do the wrapping. We are all a little worried as Jerod tends to get a little carried away with the duct tape.

Hospital

This morning around 1215 I came downstairs as I was contracting very hard. I didn't want to bother Harry until I knew what was up. Around 630, after no sleep, I called Harry from upstairs and told him he needed to come down. Instantly he new that I needed to go in. I was admitted that after the last couple of trips to the hospital I was not going there first. Therefore I called and got an appointment with Dr. Nancy at 830. Harry called Uncle Jerod and Kassy and they were headed up right away to watch the girls.

When I got into the clinic I was contracting every 2-3 minutes and the pain was intolerable. I was hooked up to the monitor for about 5 minutes and checked. Unfortunately, I was still dilated at 1. No change from last week. Nancy wanted me checked and monitored more closely so off to the hospital we went.

Once there I was checked again as I could barely catch my breath before another one would come. I was still dilated at 1 but instead of posterior, I was not anterior....so baby was pushing downward. I was to be monitored and IV for 2 hours and then checked again.

After 2 hours of having contractions I was checked again with no changes. The nurse called Dr. Nancy to see what she wanted to do. Dr. Nancy ordered a shot for me to take of morphine to help with the pain and to help me sleep through the contractions since I had not slept the night before and sent me home. I have another appointment tomorrow with her and Dr. Sherman to see what to do from here. Unfortunately, I think I am one of those women that don't dilate very quickly and need help therefore everyone thinks I am in labor but ultimately it is up to the surgeon. Thankfully Dr. Sherman is on-call tomorrow so maybe we can get somewhere with him. We will wait and see what he thinks tomorrow. For now I am trying to stay as comfortable as possible and to hang out with the kids. Basically keep it as normal as possible with someone here to help out at the same time.

Thankfully this afternoon Grama was able to take over from Uncle Jerod & Kassy and spend the night tonight. Tomorrow we will have a shift change and Papa Harry & Nonie will take over for Grama to have a break. From there we will see. Many offers which we are very thankful for.

Will keep you posted as much as possible but we will probably not be making any phone calls or emails if we are in the hospital until after we know something and have time. We will contact by blog you all as we can.

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Harry was off therefore we were able to attend service at our church. It was beautiful and put us in the spirit of the holiday. The snow coming down was just gorgeous. Of course when we got home we had to set out cookies and milk for Santa.

The girls slept until about 6:30 this morning and were raring to go with gifts the minute they woke up.

Ellaree got a new sled from Santa! We had a infant/toddler one with a back and since Lorelai was in need of that one, Santa came to the rescue. As you can see, Ellaree was ready to go play in the snow!

Lorelai got a new camping chair. This summer she loved sitting in her big sisters chair.

Ok sorry but too cute not to share! The bow off of Aunt Allison's presents!

Both girls got new shirts for the hospital. Ellaree's of course says "Big Sister", Lorelai's says
"Little Sister" and Lil Harry's is packed that says "Little Brother". I can't wait to take a picture of them all in their shirts!

Mommy & Daddy got Lorelai this hat! I love it....Lorelai not so much but that is ok! I will teach her to love it.

Mid-morning we went out and played in the snow. Harry thought all three videos were too cute and hilarious therefore we have posted them all for your entertainment.

In the afternoon we went down to my parents house for a couple of hours. My dad had to work and Uncle Jerod & Kassy were down also. It was fun to see them and hang out. But on the way home the girls were wiped out and are now napping.

Tenderloin, mashed potatoes and a good movie as a gift is what is in store for us tonight.

Merry Christmas everyone and hope you had a wonderful holiday!

Updates

Well we went into the clinic again today. I got about 2-3 hours of sleep in the night due to being uncomfortable and contractions. So I decided that before the holidays started I would get checked. Dr. Nancy was on vacation therefore I got in this morning with Dr. Sherman. Right away he was going to send me up to the hospital to be monitored and I told him that I was not going up there unless he was taking the baby today. Well that changed everything and so we started doing some tests down in the clinic.

He first checked me. My cervix is open and smooth. I am still dilated at 1 but everything could change at any minute now.

Second we were hooked up to the monitor for 30 minutes while they checked to make sure Lil Harry was doing ok. He is doing great and just hanging out.

Third we had labs which all came back normal. Pretty much to check to see if I was starting to have preclampsia as my blood pressure was high when I got in there today.

Last we did another ultrasound. Lil Harry is measuring a week behind but weighing in approximately 6 lbs 9 oz which is 1 lb and 2 oz more then last week. That is good. Everything looks great.

Basically at this time it is a sit and wait type deal. Dr. Sherman says we still could have a Christmas baby. Elly is looking so forward to Christmas morning that I have been playing scenarios in my head of what we will do if this happens.

Harry is in Iowa tonight with the snow prediction of 4-7 inches of snow. Yup I am afraid that he gets stuck down there again. Hopefully with it just predicted for snow and no ice that he will be able to make it home. Harry did say before he left to tell his boy to wait until he got done with work tonight before coming as he has the next 3 days off. It was pretty precious to hear.

Grama is here tonight to help with the girls and so to make the time pass by we took the girls out to eat at Dairy Queen and to the Rotary Lights...Yup not many kiddos can say they get to go 3 times in one year. Oh well we had lots of fun and we have seen something different each time. Next year I would like to take the kids on the carriage ride as Elly saw the horse & carriage tonight and thought it was quite cool.

Well I am hopefully off to bed to get some rest.

Christmas With Lisa

Sunday night Harry had off so we decided to go into LaCrosse and surprise Elly by taking the girls through Rotary Lights again, but driving this time. So while in there we called and got together with Lisa at her apartment to do Christmas gifts and dinner.

The girls were so excited as their gifts were the biggest ones!
Of course Elly was ready and willing to tear into hers while Lorelai sat back and watched a little.

What could it be?

Each of the girls got a suitcase for all our wonderful trips to Kentucky and visits to the grandparents houses!

Inside each suitcase had a Strawberry Shortcake movie in them! Wow were we excited.

Going to Rotary Lights afterwards was a huge surprise and lots of fun. Elly loved walking but she loved driving through also. There is one part where there are lights over the road and it looks like a huge present. She especially liked this part. What a great night altogether.

The Whole Schabang

Monday I had an appointment for my "real" preop. Harry and the girls went with and it was the usual these are the risks type appointment and then I also got my great and wonderful body wash that I get to use the day before and the morning of. It is so great smelling...just like a hospital. Also, we talked about moving my date up with no success. RATS! I am measuring still at 36 weeks, babys heart beat was 120 and I lost 2 lbs. Overall not a very exciting appointment.

Monday afternoon Harry wanted to get Elly out of the house so that I could sleep soundly and not disrupt me. So they went over to the farm to get some wood out of the barn. It started to snow about the time they left and we got around 4 inches in total. By the time they got back though Elly was one whipped little girl as she didn't rest much. She was much too excited about being over at the farmhouse. She had to show daddy where her bed with snoopy sheets was, she had to find Dora and where she was hanging out for the day, drive tractor, load wood and play in the snow. I can't blame her, who would have time for a nap with all that excitement going on. She did crash on the way home though and slept for about an hour. So we won't complain too much about that. This is Lorelai watching daddy unload wood from our office/play room window. She was standing on Ellaree's princess stool. She was so excited to watch daddy the whole time. Most of the time she was banging on the window hollering "dadda dadda". Oh yeah and don't forget the unforgettable ball in the mouth...she is such a puppy dog!

Tuesday was the girls daycare Christmas party. WOW what a whirlwind. It was lots of fun and we had a blast but was I beat when we got home. The girls had a great time seeing their friends and Tiffany again. Elly asked if we could visit and of course that would be great to do, especially since she is just down the hill from us. Elly got a baby doll (imagine that) that goes in the bathtub. She was super excited about that. I was not up to giving baths tonight so in return I let her give the baby a bath in the kitchen sink which she thought was super awesome fun. My floor around the sink is now very clean from all the water. Note to self...don't let Elly give Lil Harry a bath anytime soon as she left the baby face down in the water to go and find a towel. Haha! Gotta love 3 year old imaginations and fun. Lorelai got a toy that you push buttons, twist knobs, etc and then the doors pop open. Not sure what that is called but she sure does like it - when someone else is playing with it...otherwise not so much but it was a great idea. We don't have one of those and maybe Lil Harry will like it. You never know.

While us girls went to the Christmas party Harry went back over to the farm and got more wood. While there he plowed and pushed snow piles. I hear through the grapevine that he got stuck a couple of times by the barn but you didn't hear it from me. :) Hopefully now we have some wood in the basement for a while. We have a whole stock trailer full in the back yard but he doesn't want to dig into his "reserves" just yet.

I am doing fine. I am still having contractions and pressure but that goes with the territory. I just take one day at a time and if you come to see us - keep your blinders on as my house is a total disaster but I have no energy for cleaning it. I can barely walk let alone bend over and pick up the toys off the floor. Elly & Harry do a good job but it is not like it usually is. We will get back into our routine after he is here.

Quiet Time

Well since Elly doesn't think she needs naps anymore we have went to Quiet Time. During Lorelai's afternoon nap we do quiet time for Elly which consists of reading books and/or watching a movie on the couch. Usually she chooses a movie and this is also time for me to rest. The rules are no talking and no getting off the couch during this time so that momma can shut her eyes and rest. This has been working great. Elly and I are not butting heads about being quiet and she is enjoying this time. I have nodded off a couple of times where the movie gets done and she lets me know. And there has been a couple times she has nodded off herself. All in all this is a win win situation for all of us as we are all getting much needed rest time. Hopefully this continues to be a good deal after Lil Harry comes home. We might have to reevaluate a little.

Christmas with Grandmother

Last Monday kept Grandmother from coming and visiting with us due to the snow. But we were able to find another date very quickly for her to come up and have Christmas with us before Lil Harry was born.

Late Friday night Grandmother arrived. Unfortunately Elly had stayed up to wait for her and about 10 minutes before she got her Elly crashed.

Saturday morning was lots of fun as we had to wait to open gifts until after daddy woke up. So to keep up occupied in the meantime we did a Gingerbread house and tree. Mommy has never done one of these either so it was lots of fun. Of course we did our own thing and there is no way Santa is going to miss our house as the roof now says Ellaree and Lorelai!

Gifts were plentiful and the girls had lots of fun opening all the fun packages.

Lorelai received her Bitty baby this year. She loved her baby.

The day before Grandmother arrived we received a package in the mail from Uncle Dave and Aunt Cindy. So we put the gifts under the tree and were able to open those gifts with Grandmother.

And don't forget that Grandmother got gifts also. A homemade snowman filled with homemade hot cocoa and a personalized calendar of the girls.

Another treat was that Grandmother was able to stay until Sunday morning with us. This helped us all out as then Harry didn't need to worry that was I home alone with the girls.

36 Weeks

I took this picture on Thursday before my appointment with Dr. Sherman. I was 36.3 weeks here. He is getting lots bigger!

Visiting Santa

It has been quite interesting this year in our house with all the talk of Baby Jesus and Santa. We have both sets of books, movies and decorations and it has been very neat to watch as Elly tries to figures out and contemplate the difference and all the aww that goes with Christmas. She loves to help wrap gifts and wants to every day. She loves to watch Christmas movies and dance to the music. It has been a wonderful time being at home during this to watch.

Tuesday night Harry had off and we decided that since it was a balming 8 degrees out and I was feeling pretty good we should go into town and get the rest of our shopping done along with visiting Santa. There are some traditions that I am not willing to let go for one year even if I am 9 months pregnant and feeling very very fat these days. One of those traditions is visiting Santa.

So off to LaCrosse we went. Harry, bless his wonderful heart, did all the running into stores and purchasing the last minute gifts while the girls were in the back taking a nap. Then it was time to go to the Rotary Lights and bundle them up as warm as possible. For those of you that don't know what Rotary Lights is, it is down by the Mississippi River at the Riverside Park and they decorate each year with over 2 million lights. Along with that is a Santa house where Santa and his reindeer are every night. You can either walk through or drive. Well of course it just is not the same if you drive through and you can't talk to Santa in a drive-thru.

I was very surprised that Elly got right up on Santa's lap and started talking to him like they were long lost buddies. She told him that she was on the "nice" list as she tells everyone that.

Lorelai on the other hand didn't know what to think and right after I took her pictures the tears began and big ones too. I think it will be a couple more years before she is as comfortable with good Saint Nick as Elly is.

They had a huge sleigh that Elly had to have her picture taken on but the seat was too high for her to climb up in so she just stood.

You can't really see Elly in the first penguin but you can kind of see Lorelai. Maybe next year Elly will be tall enough for this picture.

We sat in the igloo to warm up but only for a couple of minutes as Elly needed to continue on. She was quite intrigued this year with all the lights and everything. Harry and Lorelai went on ahead and got the truck so that I didn't have to walk as far which Elly and I mosied on through and looked at everything. Elly of course wanted to go through again but momma was tuckered out by then and was in much need for a rest. Afterwards Daddy treated us to Chinese for dinner. I believe we will be going back before the end so that Elly can go through as that is all she has been talking about. What a great and blessed Christmas this has already turned out to be. It can only get better and better.

Update

Well I believe I lost my mucus plug this morning. I know x-rated but who is holding back these days, right. I say I think as I never have experienced this with the girls. So I called Nurse Lori and just got off the phone with her as she wanted the whole scoop from yesterday also.

Basically the ultrasound said that I am 36.3 weeks yesterday but Lil Harry is measuring at 35 weeks. Therefore it would not be good for him to come out right now as he would be considered premature and little boys lungs and development altogether is slower then girls. So we would be visiting the NCU instead of bringing him home. Which none of us would like. So it is a blessing nothing happened yesterday. It is just the way things were done that ticked us off. Nurse Lori did say too that Dr. Sherman gets a little over anxious and comes off not the greatest when he thinks there is a problem.

So I am to monitor to see if any more discharge/mucus plug comes out more. Obviously my only option this weekend is to go back to the hospital but I do have an appointment with Dr. Sherman on Monday (Harry's day off) for my official preop and then we kept my appointment with Dr. Nancy on Tuesday in case we have more problems/questions. And I can always cancel if I want for Tuesday.

So for now I am at home. I am warm with wood heat, in my own comfy clothes and with my family. Unless anything drastic changes I will deal with the pain and take minimal pain medication. Only God knows at this point when Lil Harry will arrive. Faith is all we got to go on right now...but it is a good choice.

Preop

Well I can officially say yesterday was bizarre and just down right weird. I had an appointment to see Dr. Sherman for my preop visit. Well Elly was not letting me out the door without her even though I had scheduled to have Grama come and watch the girls while Harry slept. So Grama stayed at the house with Lorelai while Elly and I left for my appointment. When I got there Dr. Sherman informed me that it was only a visit and next week I would do my preop paperwork. And here is where it all began.

My urine looked junky again therefore that got sent to lab. Then he wanted to check me. Lil Harry was not the most active and has not been for the past couple of days. I still feel him but not like before. I chalked it up to it getting closer to due date and he was slowing down to no room in the inn. Also when he checked me I was dilated to 1 cm and was effaced 30%. So the tests began. Dr. Sherman ordered a stress test to be done. Elly thought this was fun as we were on to another set of examining rooms. Why stay in one room when we have lots of places to explore. The nurse there was very sweet and got Elly books, colors and coloring books to keep her occupied while I was strapped up to the stress test. All was going fine until about half way through I started getting light headed, nauseated and very low pressure. I called the nurse back into the room and explained things. She laid me down, got me ice water and crackers. That did not do the trick. Finally after about 5 minutes she called Dr. Sherman over and had him evaluate. That is where it got really interesting.

Dr. Sherman ordered me to Labor and Delivery (LND) for ultrasound, IV, monitoring and another cervix check. Elly of course was excited to be helping the nurses at this point with everything and off to the hospital we went from the clinic. At this point I called Harry for the 2nd time and told him he needed to come in right away and explained the situation. Thankfully he grabbed Grama and Lorelai also as Grama would bring Elly back home. So we got settled into our room at LND and it was very sweet as the nurses let Elly help as much as possible but they also got her situated watching Dora. They answered all her questions and made her feel very much at home which made me more relaxed as well.

By the time Harry got there I was hooked up to the monitors but that was as far as we had gotten. It took them and hour and half to get ultrasound done. Which the tech was new and so that took even longer and I was so uncomfortable laying on my back with contractions that it felt like an eternity but I new he was new and so I said nothing. Grin and bare it. The ultrasound was ordered to make sure that the placenta was not detaching itself and to check fluid.

Once back in LND the pressure down below and contractions really kicked in. I could not lay down on the bed again as the contractions were wrapping around into my back. So they let me stand leaning across the bed, hooked up to the monitor. After a while they gave me an exercising ball. All the while waiting to hear what the next steps were going to be. Harry had called into work as the tests were not done in time and there was talk of delivering.

No delivering in sight. The ultrasound came back beautiful and Lil Harry is weighing in right now around 5 lbs 7 oz and everything is perfect. I am still contracting but not progressing in dilating. So after all the hoopla of the day they sent me home to progress. Let's just say Harry was a little agitated at the fact that they ran all these tests, had him call into work and got no results. We understand that they had to do this for protocol but it still stinks that they made me very much anxious that there was something wrong and made Harry frustrated.

So we continue to wait and hope all is well with Lil Harry. Elly of course wanted to know where her brother was when I got home. She wanted to hold him. It is going to a long wait for a little girl if we make it to my delivery date.

I am still in a lot of discomfort and pressure down below is pretty unbearable. They did give me some Tylenol with codeine to take but I hate taking it as I don't want Lil Harry having it, it makes me very drowsy and I get headaches with it. So for the most part I am grinning and bearing it through the end. We will see what the next couple of hours and days bring. I am more then likely going to go back in this morning to be reevaluated by Dr. Nancy to see what she has to say about it all.

Christmas Has Started

Every day Elly asks if it is time for Christmas and can we open our gifts. We have went through many different stages this year from wanting to give to wanting all the gifts to ourselves. It has been very challenging at times and also very rewarding to watch as we buy for others and what they would like.


Well Monday started the Christmas gift giving...and receiving. Papa Harry and Nonie stopped over in the late afternoon and dropped off gifts. Oh how fun it was to get our first gifts. Elly opened gifts for all of us over and over again as Lorelai just liked the bows and the paper! It was lots of fun!

Elly was too busy to stop for the camera therefore I did not get a good picture of her opening her gift.

Lorelai trying to figure out what she is suppose to do

Papa Harry and Nonie got the girls matching Tinker Bell jammie dresses. They had to have baths that night and wear them. Look how adorable they look.

Change In Weather

WOW what a weekend. It started that we had a ton of snow. Saturday night Harry had to go to Iowa and was told to keep moving even though the road was covered and he could barely see the road while driving 25 mph. So Harry and a rider, Bob got to stay in a hotel overnight.

While all that was going on I was starting to have stronger contractions. I didn't want anyone to risk driving to us or into the hospital therefore I was Strong and Brave and made it through the night with both girls by myself.

Sunday seemed to be another story as I woke up with the strong contractions and figured that if I could make it until Harry was on his way home then I would at least be able to have him at the hospital with me. Well it took my brother Jerod & Kassy 2 1/2 hours to get to us as they got stuck 1/2 a mile from our house in a 6 foot drift. It took Harry and me calling our neighbor, who by the way is the president of the township to get a plow out our ridge. I also called our landlord and explained that Harry was stuck in Iowa and we needed our driveway plowed out. But unfortunately he could not make it up our hill to us to plow our driveway. What to do. Harry's hands were tied and were so mine as people worked to get to us to help get me to the hospital. While Harry was sitting in Iowa he was not able to start until 1230 due to needing to have 10 hours off from driving. We finally got a plow coming our way and Jerod and Kassy were at our house not long afterwards. This meant that Sgt. Hornby came along also....my brother went into Sargent mode and said that no one was staying on the ridge as it was still really blowing. So they packed all of us up and off we went.

We took the girls into Culver's and then they dropped me off at the hospital. I was still under the impression that Harry would be home soon and he would meet me at the hospital. So I sent them all on their way and I went up to Labor and Delivery (LND). I was hooked up to the monitors right away and sure enough 2 minutes apart. But when Dr. Witt, a resident, came in and checked me we found that my cervix was still closed. He actually had to move the babys head to get find the cervix as he has moved down farther. Pretty much I was released after 2 hours and there I sat....what do I do....Harry is not back yet and there is no one close by to come and get me. So I had to do some creative thinking. The girls at this point had been dropped off at Grapa & Grama's and so I called them to tell them they could bring the girls back. Then I called my friend Lisa to see if she could bring me on back. So it went something like this. Lisa picked me up at the hospital, we met my parents with girls in Coon Valley and climbed our hill to the house. At the house I had called Bryce our landlord again and had asked to check our driveway so we could get in. So by 530 we were finally home. But Harry was not yet, he was still in Iowa trying hard to get home. Harry finally got home around 1030 last night.

Yesterday definitely turned out to be quite the ordeal but it just shows how many family and friends we have that wanted to help out. We appreciate all the help, thoughts and prayers during this time.

This being said, we are still dealing with contractions. I have an appt this week with Dr. Sherman the surgeon for preop and I am going to discuss options of what to do.

On a brighter note, since Lorelai has been in the crib she has been doing better sleeping through the night except for teething nights. I also think that daycare has something to do with it also. Don't get me wrong, I understand that daycare needs to have a set schedule. And for this I tried very hard to go by their nap time schedule so that the kids were not screwed up and so that everyone stayed on the same page. But now that they are not going, I have not been so ridged about their nap times which has worked out a ton better. Lorelai is taking longer naps and is sleeping through the night. Elly thinks she doesn't need naps anymore. Sometimes what mom and dad think and a 3 year old are different opinions. But again since I am at home I have not been so rigid on this either and it has worked out better. Instead of fighting this battle every day of naps, and quiet time in her bedroom was not working either we now do quiet time on the couch watching a movie. This actually enables me to lay down and rest and she has been doing great. We will see how long this lasts but for now I am just happy that it is working and I am not cringing every day at nap time that I have to battle her once again. Life is lots better.

Ok so this has turned into a novel. Sorry! But we are all doing ok, the snow and blowing has subsided for now and we are all doing ok.

Snow and Wind

Well this morning we are at 16 and have 40 mph wind gusts. Gotta love living on the ridge during these times. It doesn't help that we are drifted shut and Harry is not here. He went to Iowa last night and is stuck in Marshfield/ville not sure which one but due to weather was not able to finish his stops and so he is in a hotel at the time being. Hoping to start back up at 1230, finish his 2 stores and be home by 6 or 8 tonight.

With this said we are praying that Lil Harry doesn't decide to come as I have been having major contractions, lower back pain, and really feel the need to go in but don't want to and so have been praying that I can hold off until Harry gets here. I can tell it is bothering Harry also as last night when I talked to him, he told me to "tell that baby of mine to stay put until I get home". We are trying but hard. Hard to ask for help when the weather is like this as I don't want anyone risking their lives to come help out. So I have my little helper Elly and Lorelai has been very good also.

I did have a dream last night that Harry didn't make it and so I called an ambulance. They took all three of us girls into the hospital. While the nurses ooh and aah over Lorelai, Elly got ready to go into the c-section with me. I remember it like it actually happened that they set her right next to my head and she was very brave and strong. And that is what we kept saying through it all. Brave and strong with God's help. That is our new motto around here as she is really having troubles with me leaving to go to the hospital. I explained that momma needs God's help during the c-section to be brave and strong through it all and therefore she can ask God to be help her be brave and strong while I am gone. It seems to be helping and we have been doing a lot of praying.

So I need to call Bryce our landlord and see if he can plow a path to the house just in case I need someone to get in and out of our house. You just have to love the weather in Wisconsin!

Packing

Well since I am 35 weeks along and have been having some issues, I decided it was probably about time to start packing for the hospital. I thought that having Elly & Lorelai help would be fun for them. I guessed wrong. Elly had 3 meltdowns during the process thinking I was leaving tonight for the hospital. I finally said to her that I couldn't go tonight since Daddy was working and her response was "I could go with you!" How very sweet but I am pretty sure she would try to take over the surgery. She is one determined little girl at times. We got the packing done for the most part. Obviously there are some things that are still not in there but for the most part we are ready to go any time now. Harry is loving that I have started nesting (sarcasm). The kitchen table looks horrible as it has mounds of clothes on it and still my boxes from work. I will be going through those tomorrow. After the girls went to bed I was able to get their gifts from Lil Harry ready and in my bag also. Lil Harry's gift from the girls is ready also. So now all we need to do is wait for him to decide to come.

Elly is having more anxiety over me leaving this time then last. If I leave without her for an instant she starts to cry. I explained to her numerous times tonight about who would be staying with them, that they would be visiting me in the hospital at least once a day if not twice a day. I am hoping once we have Lil Harry at home things can settle down a little and her anxiety will slow down. We have not been pushing any unnecessary outings unless she wants to. Yesterday she went with Harry to run errands. That was fine. They dropped off some gifts at the Turgesen's for the Host-a-Family and when Harry got ready to leave Elly wanted to stay and play with Delaney. Harry left her, on her terms, and went and did the rest of his errands. When he got back she was as happy as could be. There will be times when she won't get the luxury of making the decisions but for now we are allowing some say.

We got about 2 inches of snow this afternoon. Harry called and said all was ok with driving to Milwaukee but that it was slow on the interstate. He was about 30 minutes behind schedule getting to his first stop. It stopped snowing here at home around 4ish but when he called at 630 it was still snowing down there. So it will be a long night for him.

Still There

Yesterday I had an appointment with Dr. Nancy. All is the same. Lil Harry has moved down more but otherwise no progress. I have an appointment with Dr. Sherman (surgeon) next week for preop and hoping that he will move our date up but only time will tell.

We are all hanging in there and it has helped that Harry has had yesterday and today off to help. It is very cold here as it is around 18 yesterday and I am not sure of today but I am sure about the same. So we have been sticking to the inside as much as possible. Well all but Ellaree as she goes out each day to play in the snow for a little bit then comes in to warm up with cold hot cocoa.

Wowser

That is the word for the day...wowser! There has been so many changes in this household over the past month. The biggest being Harry on nights. This has been a shocker on all our systems but mostly the girls. Elly doesn't do good with change. She is one that likes to know her agenda and she is good with whatever is thrown her way as long as she knows in advance. She gets this from her momma. Well all these different changes have been hard on her and for that we have had a little bit of attitude. This has been hard on me also as I feel responsible for her outbursts since I am not completely there for them right now. This has been an internal turmoil for me as I am pulled in many directions. I am told that I need to take care of myself and Baby Harry but I also have two sweet baby girls that are depending on me also. And yes Grama has been here and for that we are gratefully appreciative but sometimes Grama just doesn't cut it and they way just me. Those are the hard times because if I am not feeling fully up to par I feel torn as to whether or not to sit down and let Grama deal with the drama or hold out for just a little bit more, make myself a little more miserable and then sit down. Well most times the girls win out and then I am miserable. But they can't help what is going on and it is not fair to them to be pushed aside all the time either. Harry has been trying as much as possible but as it is he is only getting 5 hours of sleep a night. So I hate to ask more of him. It is just part of the changes that we are going through.

Another change for Elly is being at home with me all day and night and not getting out like she was when I was working. As much as she says she wants to be at home with me, I think she does miss the social part of it and therefore I have been trying to keep her busy with activities. Which can be hard to do some times. With all these changes and with her knowing that I am not doing well with Lil Harry she has not been easy to get away from my side. As you might recall me mentioning her time at Papa Harry and Nonie's and how she didn't want to be away from me then. Well the other night I sent her to Grapa & Grama's for the afternoon in hopes that she would have fun there and would want to stay the night. No such thing. All the time she was there she kept informing Grama & Grapa how she needed to sleep in her own bed and that she needed to go home to her momma when it got dark out. So Grama brought her back. I think it will be different when I am in the hospital just because she will be at her house and she will see me at least once if not twice a day. So I am hoping that it will not be so hard on her.

Lorelai has done great with all the changes. She is happy I am home and she is happy with the time she gets to spend with her daddy, which isn't much but she takes what she can get. She has been getting up for 2-3 hours a night and I thought her tooth came through...what I didn't know was that she was working on another one that came through before the other one. That will make 7 so far! They are popping in one after another for her. Elly was like this also but she didn't get up nearly as much as Lorelai does. That is ok, I wouldn't sleep well either if I had pesky teeth trying to break their way through.

Well all is quiet. Grapa & Grama came up this evening and helped with baths and getting them to bed. But I sent Grama on her way as I don't want her to feel she needs to be up here every night. So we will try the night by ourselves and see how we do.

Snow

Well here we are the first snowfall of the year and it is a doozy. We have gotten 4 1/2 inches of snow so far and still coming down. Elly is going to be so excited when she wakes up. Last night was the first night both girls have slept through the night...well Lorelai got up 3 times but I did not have to go in and get her. Therefore I call that success. I also heard Elly once but she also put herself back to sleep. All in all, we had a good night. With the weather Harry got home and started right away plowing the driveway. That was a fiasco, his new truck didn't have a plow bracket that worked and every place Harry went they wanted to sell him a new plow. Well he fabricated this one to work and I guess it didn't fall off so we are doing good. Plus it was a ton cheaper...I knew I loved him for a reason!

We went yesterday and got our Christmas tree. I was not going to go but thought better of it as I needed to get out of the house. The walls are closing in on me and I have only been at home since Thursday. So I went...we chose the 4th tree in and got it. It is a little shorter then normal but Elly sure liked it and she loved decorating. Grama has been staying with us at night and so last night I got the ornaments out of the box and Grama helped Elly put them on the tree. There are a couple of branches that have 4-6 ornaments on it...but it is beautiful. Grama also let us borrow one of her little trees to put in the girls room. Elly was pretty excited about that also.

Well I had better get off the computer. Even though Lorelai has Grama right now it is not doing the trick...

Bittersweet

Today we had two errands to run. First one after Harry getting only 3 1/2 hours of sleep was to see Dr. Nancy for a regular checkup. They put me back on the monitors and sure enough still 3-4 minutes apart. Pretty much that was about the extent of my visit. Baby still sounds good and so on my way they sent me. I am to come in now for 1 week regular visits and go to the hospital if anything progresses. Otherwise hopefully Dr. Sherman will up my c-section date when I see him in 2 weeks. Misery for the next how many weeks....too many!

2nd stop was my work. With me going on leave early I needed to clear out some of my things at work as I was informed a week ago that when I return I will not be able to work at the Cashton facility but will need to travel to LaFarge headquarters for now on. Well they needed me to clear out of my cube by the first of the year. So Harry and I decided we would just get it done before Lil Harry came. It was a very bittersweet day as I am going to miss working with my co-workers in Cashton. March seems like a long time away right now but I know it will fly by and I will be in LaFarge. Amanda graciously said she would bring my materials to LaFarge for me and I could just take my personals home with me for the time being. It was kind of a cluster as Harry and the girls were there visiting, I was trying to pack what was my personals and visit along with not feeling well at all. I really wanted to stay and visit more and prolong the whole thing but at the same time I just wanted to get home where I could collapse for a little while. There were tears as we drove away, both from leaving my co-workers and from the contractions.

Also, ok so there were 3 stops, today Harry went down the hill and talked to Tiffany. There is no reason for the girls to be there when I am at home and I have help. Yes, when I do allow help. That also was bittersweet as we thoroughly have enjoyed our time there for the girls but now onto our next chapter of our lives. It will be trying at times but will also be good to have them home with me during this time. We will remain in contact and the Elly is already talking about the Christmas party that Tiffany is going to throw that we will attend. Now for Lil Harry to straighten up. :)