Monday August 20th
Well today hasn’t gone as planned but it still has been a pretty good day.
James dropped off Gwenevere at the church for primary camp. They go to a local YW camp
and do fun things as a stake. I’ve never heard of it before but Gwenevere had a blast.
and do fun things as a stake. I’ve never heard of it before but Gwenevere had a blast.
Then James took Grace and Everett on a walk to get donuts as a special treat.
I’ve been tired the last couple days and have been moving slow so I did some dishes while
they got donuts.
they got donuts.
Then we drove out to a you pick farm and picked some peaches. The kids had a blast.
We came back and I went to my appointment.
The appointment was full of downers but overall a good appointment.
I’m positive group b strep. Which is a first for me. Ash isn’t insistent on antibiotics since not all
moms that carry pass it on to baby. And you can test positive one week and another week be
negative but there is still risks involved so I need to do some research. Ash recommends a
yogurt tampon or garlic inserted into the vagina overnight. Neither one sounds appealing.
I’ve been taking probiotics so I might try doubling up on that. I’m just frustrated to be tested
now knowing I still probably have 3 more weeks to go. Should I asked to be tested again when
it gets closer?
moms that carry pass it on to baby. And you can test positive one week and another week be
negative but there is still risks involved so I need to do some research. Ash recommends a
yogurt tampon or garlic inserted into the vagina overnight. Neither one sounds appealing.
I’ve been taking probiotics so I might try doubling up on that. I’m just frustrated to be tested
now knowing I still probably have 3 more weeks to go. Should I asked to be tested again when
it gets closer?
Also 40% of medical staff carry strains of group b strep on their hands so I could have gotten it
from James.
from James.
From the little research I’ve done your more likely to pass on Group B to your baby if your
membrane breaks prior to 37 weeks or if your water breaks 40 hr prior to delivery. Or if you get
a fever during labor.
membrane breaks prior to 37 weeks or if your water breaks 40 hr prior to delivery. Or if you get
a fever during labor.
Hopefully I can avoid a fever and my water won’t break early on in labor. So I should be low
risk but now my mind is racing on how to a know if baby gets infected with Group B.
Guess I have some more research to do.
risk but now my mind is racing on how to a know if baby gets infected with Group B.
Guess I have some more research to do.
And then there is my blood work results. 
My platelets dropped again to 107
My hemoglobin is low 10.8 (normal low is 14) and still not bad for pregnancy but Ash is
concerned.
concerned.
And my hematocrit is low 33.2. Not sure what the normal range is.
So Ash gave me another supplement to try.
I feel like a pill junky, I take a prenatal, iron, chlorophyll, probiotic, magnesium, fish oil, and now
another iron pill. I have to space them out throughout the day and take some on an empty
stomach and others with certain foods. And avoid dairy which is my comfort food and the easiest
to eat on a diabetic diet.
another iron pill. I have to space them out throughout the day and take some on an empty
stomach and others with certain foods. And avoid dairy which is my comfort food and the easiest
to eat on a diabetic diet.
I’m mostly hormonal but I’m also tired and frustrated. 
Anyway. I’m glad I had an hour long drive home from my appointment to put myself back
together.
together.
I listened to a podcast about herbs during pregnancy and they talked about nettle tea and red
raspberry leaf tea being great for iron and vitamin c adsorption. Two teas I have on hand and can start drinking more of.
It did give me comfort that I have been trying to take care of my health and I’m not a total failure. Even though I feel like one.
raspberry leaf tea being great for iron and vitamin c adsorption. Two teas I have on hand and can start drinking more of.
It did give me comfort that I have been trying to take care of my health and I’m not a total failure. Even though I feel like one.
To chuckle at the situation. I can’t help but smile about James’ comment from Sunday.
I was talking to James on the way to church that I think I’m ready to ask for a blessing. But I’m hesitant because I might need one closer to labor.
James chuckled but with sincerity said “you’ll have lots of trials for the next three weeks I think it’s a good idea to get a blessing now.” 
.
.
At least he’s understanding and supportive during my crazy.
Anyway. So I haven’t been in the mood to get projects done. In fact Both Saturday and Sunday I watched a chick flicks
instead of clean or organize. I feel bad not working and yet I feel so exhausted (probably from the low iron)
that I haven’t had much motivation to clean even though I need to.
instead of clean or organize. I feel bad not working and yet I feel so exhausted (probably from the low iron)
that I haven’t had much motivation to clean even though I need to.
And when I’m watching tv the kids are also on screens so we’ve had way to much screen time lately. 
Ok I better get off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening to me.
Tuesday August 21
Last night I received a blessing. Mostly a blessing of patience and strength. But I was also blessed to work with the spirit and my body to deliver this baby safely and that my blood will have the strength it needs.
I love knowing these are blessing from my Heavenly Father. It’s humbling to witness James stepping in to be the spokesman for Christ.
Happy August 23rd! 
If I could pick a date for baby brother to arrive, today would be the day. Both Girls are born on the 17th of the month and Everett is born on the 23rd of September so it would be fun to have baby brother come today being the 23rd of the month.
Earlier this week I was planning on doing several things in hopes to get labor started.
Drinking a lot more red raspberry tea, eating dates, squats, lots of sex, lots of walking and so on.
But when I received my blessing those plans kind of slipped my mind and I decided to just do my normal routine.
I'm drinking more tea and I do have more camp like contractions. I’m eating dates and sex has been really pleasing. We found a position that we both really enjoy so that is fun. Changing things up.
But I could do better getting movement into my day. I did walk circles around the park yesterday as the kids played and that got some contractions but nothing more then the usual.
Yesterday turned out a bit crazy.
We picked up some baby chicks!
James texted me around 2pm with a picture of a bike he wanted. The bike was in Portland 2hrs away. So I thought nothing of it. I figured if it was still available this weekend we might go get it. But it was a great deal and was everything he’d been looking for.
So I told him to text the seller.
Come to find out the seller was moving the next day so yesterday was the last day he was attempting to sell the bike.
James asked if he was willing to lower the price. Which he was, so we drove up to Portland last night and bought a bike. We didn’t get home until 11:30pm
When we got home two of our baby chicks had died. The heat lamp was too warm. 
Grace’s chick survived.
Grace’s chick survived.
So today’s plans have changed a bit. The kids are sleeping in. Then we’ll go get some more chicks. This baby chick is lonely. We are also in need of groceries so I hope to meal plan and grocery stop today.
Then I really want to either organize and clean or paint the fireplace. I’m sad to see the day go by without having a baby but I’m trying to be patience and let the Lord’s timing be okay too.
If not today my second choice is September 1-3 or the 7th.
James' work schedule except for September 9th (stake conference). And September 17th ( our anniversary).
Since my estimated due date is somewhere between August 30th going off my period or September 3rd from ovulation and I usually go exactly a week over this baby could hangout until September 10th! But even up till the 14th of September. 
Yuck! Hahahaha
I really wanted to have my baby soon so I could attend a family wedding on September 8th. 
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James says I’m crazy and he’s right but I do wish I felt more in control. That has been the hardest part of this pregnancy. Not feeling in control.
I didn’t have months of planning for this pregnancy, I haven’t been able to control my health while pregnant or pick the gender of my baby (not that anyone has control of that).
I need to learn to let it go, but I’ve also learned that it’s okay to feel, to hurt, and to grieve this pregnancy. It doesn’t make me less. It’s part of life and in some ways that is exactly what Heavenly Father wants me to learn.
I’m hoping the bitter will make the sweet so much sweeter. That I will grow and experience a deeper level of love because of the pain.
I need to learn to let it go, but I’ve also learned that it’s okay to feel, to hurt, and to grieve this pregnancy. It doesn’t make me less. It’s part of life and in some ways that is exactly what Heavenly Father wants me to learn.
I’m hoping the bitter will make the sweet so much sweeter. That I will grow and experience a deeper level of love because of the pain.
And who knows maybe baby won’t be here by the 8th and I’ll be able to convince James that we should go to the wedding to pass the time.
I actually have daydreamed about going into labor while attending the wedding.
In my minds eye I see two scenarios playing out.
1. We prep everything for a birth. Drive 4 hours to the wedding enjoy a wedding but notice labor coming. James Mom and Sister decide to follow us home. We call the midwife while driving home after the wedding. We get home late (I like my night babies) and baby is born in the wee hours of the morning. Sharolee is there to help watch kids and Rebecca is there taking pictures. 
. It’s on a weekend James has off and then my mom comes into town to help a few days later.
. It’s on a weekend James has off and then my mom comes into town to help a few days later.
2.. We attend the wedding but labor come on quick. Instead of rushing home we go back to Sharolee’s house just James and I and his sister Rebecca. Sharolee keeps the kids at the reception and James delivers the baby. We call Terah and she walks us through the steps of delivering the placenta and making sure I’m not bleeding too much.
The family comes back from the wedding and we introduce them to baby brother.
Then if we’re exhausted we spend the night, but I can also see us trekking back down to Eugene. Having Ash meet us at home to examine baby and me. 
. I doubt I could get everyone in bored with my dreams but I could visualize both dreams as being perfect.
. I doubt I could get everyone in bored with my dreams but I could visualize both dreams as being perfect.
Yep I’m crazy. But....
I like myself, I’m glad I’m Me, there’s no one else I’d rather be.
I like myself, I’m glad I’m Me, there’s no one else I’d rather be.
Well I better get back to my day. Just wanted to post some thoughts before going on with today. Thanks for reading.
