Scary RSV...

 Our poor girl got RSV this week on top of another cold she had a few weeks ago. It ended up being pretty scary! On Saturday evening we took her over to Guesly's house to check her out because she was breathing pretty rapidly with retraction. He admitted her to the hospital here in Stayton.

 She got an x-ray and iv. The iv part was horrible; it made me cry. She hated getting it.

 So once we got to her room, she got hooked up to iv fluid and antibiotics for her ear infection and lung infection. And she was hooked up to monitors that said she wasn't having enough oxygenation in her blood. So we had to keep oxygen going. We tried to get some sleep, but I could not sleep. I'm thankful to the Lord that I was awake, because I looked at the machine at about 12:30am and her heart rate was above 200. I called the nurse immediately and she had a high fever as well. The nurse called Guesly who decided we should transfer her to Doernbecher at OHSU in Portland. It was pretty scary. Thankfully they were able to get her fever down and that helped.

 We waited around for an hour or so while the pediatric team came down from Portland. When they got there, they sucked a bunch of mucus out of her nose with this vacuum thing. There were at least three people holding her down to do it, but thankfully it really helped her breathing. After that she got in the bed and she and I rode up to OHSU in the ambulance with Andy following. She ended up needing a little more oxygen in the ambulance.

 We got to Doernbecher at about 3:30am. By that time we were pretty tired. The doctor checked her out and we were able to get a little sleep. After that her fever never came back. Her cough was pretty bad and she had trouble breathing still.

 She and I ended up sleeping in a fold out chair together for an hour or so since she wasn't liking her crib. With Baby Heartbeat, Ruby and I, it was pretty crowded. The next morning we asked for a hospital bed instead of the crib, and that worked a lot better. We were pretty much confined to our room since RSV is so contagious. And all of the doctors and nurses that came in had to wear face masks, gowns and gloves.

 Sleeping in the morning.

 She started feeling better Sunday morning, but was still not breathing as well as they liked. We ended up staying that whole day and one more night. On Sunday at some point she was able to be off of her monitors, which was nice because she was able to move around a lot more.

 Grandma Patty brought a fun toy for her to play with. She loves it.

 All of her stuffed friends.

 Sleeping on Monday morning. She slept a little better that night.

 Feeling better. She liked playing with the water in the sink.

 Praying at breakfast on Monday morning. What a sweet girl. We got to go home right before lunch, which was great. We're thankful to the Lord that it wasn't worse than it was, and she's going to be just fine. She's been improving every day. On Tuesday I took her to see Guesly, and he gave us a breathing treatment to do every night, which helps with her coughing.

 Sweet girl waiting for Daddy to come home.

 Pony tail!

 Selfies.

 She wanted me to push her in her dolly stroller.

 She uses my belly as an arm rest when we read stories.

 Building choo-choo train tracks with Daddy.

 Making art out of yogurt.

 She hiked her pants way up after she saw me pulling up my maternity pants. What a goof.

 She likes to sit in boxes.

She loves her train!

Unfortunately yesterday I started getting pretty sick, so the last two days have not been so fun. And Andy still has a pretty nasty cough, so we're a house full of sickies. Hopefully tomorrow we'll all start doing better.

36 weeks

I was 36 weeks yesterday, but didn't get a post up because we were in the hospital with our Ruby girl. :( At least I got a picture taken! We are home now and she is resting well. We're getting so excited to meet Baby Heartbeat soon! I've still been really uncomfortable, and after the zoo on Tuesday I was not doing well. My whole body ached and I could barely stand up to do the dishes. I was pretty short of breath for most things too, so I really thing I have low iron. I got some iron pills and took it, and that made me feel a lot better.

On Monday the midwives came for our home visit. It was pretty short because we've done it all before. :) We just have to arrange getting the birth tub here and we'll be good to go. On Saturday I had my baby shower! It was wonderful. Not only did we get lots of nice baby things, but everyone also said some really encouraging words to me. I've been feeling a little down and tired lately, so it was nice to hear about how Jesus shines through me as a mom to Ruby. And that I'm doing a good job. Andy says all of that very often, but it was nice to hear from other people too. Now we have a big pile of baby things to put away. And a lot of inventory to do of things we still need. We got some gift cards for Target, so that will be very helpful.

Saturday night Ruby was really really sick, but I will save that story for Thursday's post. We're all exhausted though from two nights in the hospital and just need rest. We went to one of our doula Amy's birth classes tonight and left Ruby at home with Aunt Becca. It was great to get in the mindset for doing labor soon and to be able to focus a little bit on this baby.

Changes this week: Getting huge. I'm feeling a little better after starting iron. I also have started my easy birthing formula and evening primrose oil. Hoping and praying for a labor as smooth as last time!

Cravings this week: Chocolate tart I made for my birthday but haven't gotten to eat yet. :( Maybe I'll have some friends over for dessert later this week.

Link to Ruby's 36 week post.

The zoo and a fever

 I think this week has been the worst week we've ever had. Andy's been really sick since Sunday with a fever for two days and a cough, and just today Ruby has gotten the fever. It's also Andy's last week of Greek, so he has had a lot of assignments, reviews, a paper, an exam, etc. I've been pretty miserable with being super uncomfortable and not sleeping hardly at all. After the zoo on Tuesday my whole body was aching. Blech. And yesterday was my birthday and I did pretty much no celebrating. But such is life. I hope next week will be better! Tomorrow is my baby shower and my mom and sister are coming up tonight, so that will be a nice distraction. I told Ruby that we were going to eat the chocolate tart I was making with Grandma and Aunt Cindy, and she looked at me with furrowed brows and said, "You need to clean the house." Haha. Not going to happen. Sorry Mom and Cindy. :)

 Napping. She has been having trouble falling asleep for her naps the last week or two, but when she does nap, she naps for a long time.

 Silly girl.

 She's getting so tall!

 Playing with her new bath crayons (a gift to her along with one for the baby).

 Another sweet sleeping photo.

 She tried taking my pregnancy photo on Sunday. It didn't exactly work.

 Coloring on Mommy's drawings. With no shirt on. :)

 Playing choo-choo train tracks. Or as she says it, "Choo-choo wain tacks."

 Holding our friends' newborn girl. Getting some big sister practice in!

 At the zoo on Tuesday with our friends! It was a lovely day, and we did a lot of walking. She had lots of fun. I asked her if the wart hogs were pretty or ugly, and she said, "Um, pretty."

 Watching the orangutan.

 Up close and personal.

 She loved the giant fish.

 With Karley and Hannah looking at the elephant. They're doing construction on a new big elephant enclosure, and she really liked seeing the tractor. And the helicopter that flew overhead. Go figure.

 There were two baby lions sunning on a rock with their mom. So cute.

 The kiddo's! Josiah, Karley, Ruby and Hannah.

 And back at home feeding her chickens a snack.

 I got a box in the mail, and she climbed right inside.

 And then licked her whipped cream beater in the box.

 She started her fever this morning. She didn't eat much at breakfast and I was wondering why, until I felt her forehead. It's been up to 101.9 so far, and she's had it all day. No fun.

 She took a nice two hour nap this morning.

 We've watched a few movies. She really liked Cinderella.

Holding her pretend egg. Silly girl.

35 weeks

Only 5 weeks to go! If I went into labor today I could have this baby at home. Before now I would have had to go to the hospital. That's pretty crazy. The baby is about 5 ¼ pounds now (or bigger), and I'm feeling it. :) It moves around a lot too, which is fun.

I went to the midwife on Wednesday, and everything's looking great. I measured 36 cm, and the baby's heartbeat was 140. Last time I had a little glucose in my urine, but this time it was fine. I haven't really had any swelling except when I'm on my feet a lot, and my blood pressure's been low like normal. Yay for a healthy pregnancy so far!

Andy and I went out to dinner on Friday night and worked on our birth plan. It really feels like it's getting close, so it's nice to get things like that done. The midwives are coming tomorrow for our home visit. I've been busy getting all kinds of things ready, like ordering our birth kit, thinking through logistics, etc. Andy's on his last week of his Greek class, so once he's done he'll be able to help me get things out and fix a few things around the house. That will be nice.

I've been getting so many comments about how I must be due any day, and how you can't tell I'm pregnant from behind. I even had my first stranger rub my belly today in church. I didn't mind too much, but I can see how some people would mind. I've had several people tell me that it's a boy just from how I'm carrying it. There have only been a few people who think it's a girl (maybe one or two). So we'll all be surprised if a girl comes out. :) We're totally happy either way though.

I had a bad dream about the birth this week. I was at the midwife's by myself and the baby was breach, and they were trying to induce me. They kept telling me to push and I didn't feel like I was even in labor yet. I woke up kind of upset, and glad that it doesn't happen that way with home birth. Thank goodness!

I'm getting really excited about my baby shower this Saturday! It will be a lot of fun. My mom and sister are coming up to celebrate that and my birthday.

Changes this week: I'm pretty uncomfortable. I borrowed a treadmill from some people from church, so I'm going to start doing a lot of walking. I also did yoga yesterday, and it was really nice to stretch out my hips and legs. I've been out of breath a lot this week. I think my insides are all just getting really squished.

Cravings this week: Fish tacos.

Link to Ruby's 35 week post

Activities

 This week has been pretty busy and full of activities. I think tomorrow we finally have a day to stay home and get things done around the house, which will be nice. This picture here is Ruby making a salad, and then she kept "carrying" the salad with her tongs to a plate at her little table. It was pretty cute. She's just been loving to sing lately too. She makes up cute little songs.

Tonight when I was putting her to bed, we just had a long conversation about all kinds of things, and then she had a list of people we should pray for. She's precious.

 Making egg salad sandwiches with Daddy.

 Playing the piano. She got that book out of the bench and everything.

 Spaghetti face!

 We're starting her on Austen early. :)

 Eating cake at Penny's birthday party.

Ruby and Karley hugging. :)

  These little girls are good friends. It's Ruby, Hannah, Karley and Penny.

 Trying on her 3T coat. I got it on super sale, and it's a little big, but adorable.

 Looking at flowers with Daddy.

 Building a Lego house.

 She got to hear her own heartbeat at the midwife and was enamored!

 Riding on the purple helicopter at Fred Meyer.

Monday was opening day for baseball, so she wanted to wear her "Go Giants" shirt yesterday.