Baby Bickel Update #1

Some of you are aware that our little girl has been a trouble maker from day one. Our latest complications have me on complete bed rest. Technical term: I have a placental abruption. ( I asked for more definitive rules last week on bed rest- I was told choose upstairs or down/couch or bed. And no, I can't go to Babies R Us).

We spent a few days in the hospital and this is my 2nd week at home. We are at 32 weeks now (33 is Thursday) and my doctors are hopeful that we make it to 39 weeks. We are now going to our specialist every Monday and our regular OB each week. Yesterday our doctor ran some test to see how the baby is progressing. She is only up to 4 lbs now, which is the 11th percentile. They also check to see how her lungs are progressing. I learned yesterday that even though babies don't breathe until the are born, they practice breathing at this age. She started hiccupping and that counts as practice breathing. With her being too skinny, I have to eat a lot more. I am supposed to eat alot of extra dairy and protein. That sounds like fun, but not so much. I haven't gained much weight yet, but the next few weeks I think I will become a beach whale.

Every Monday we will run tests and if she is gaining weight and practicing her breathing, we will stay pregnant. If not, I'll have to go back into the hospital. Our next milestone is 36 weeks, which is April 24th. If we make it that long she probably would not need neo-natal care at the hospital.

I'll send pictures later, but when we got home we were still in the process of moving Carter to his new room and then painting/decorating/setting up the baby's room. Ryan has gone into over drive getting everything done. Carter's room is done and the baby's room isn't missing much at all. He also has all of her clothes 0-6 months ready and waiting in the closet or dresser. He has been great! And it has driven me crazy that I can't help. On his request, I do bark orders, but even a bossy person like me feels guilty for doing so! Thanks for all the well wishes we've received. I'll update again soon.