CaringBridge

We decided to start at CaringBridge site the last few weeks before Maci was born while I was on bedrest in the hospital, so that is why I have not been updating our blog. I will try and periodically still update on here but we do post on CaringBridge almost daily.
If you want to catch up on our story and watch Maci's progress, please feel free to visit us there.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/babyvanriesen

Here are a few sweet pictures of our Maci Grace Lynne

What a week!

Last Thursday we had another doctors appt. We didn't receieve the news we had hoped for overall. Baby girl was still doing great but was down to two small pockets of fluid with only about 1cm each. Her heartbeat was still wonderful and she was showing no signs of distress. I was showing no signs of contracting and the doctor was still very hopeful and positive. Was sent home to continue bedrest with the plan for an appt in a week and to plan to be admitted at 24 weeks until delivery.

Monday night I started spotting some. We called and then went in to triage again. They hooked me and baby girl up to monitors for about 1/2 hour-45 minutes. Her heart was still right around 155bpm and I was showing no signs of contractions yet. Since it was minimal blood, they allowed us to come home for the night as they weren't super concerned at that point. I guess some spotting can be normal when fluid is low like mine is...but still it was a scare that we could have done without.

This morning we had another doctors appt. Everything still looked good overall. They found one pocket of fluid with about 2cm in it. Our sweet girls heart was 154bpm and she was kicking me like crazy. Turns out she was curled up with her legs above her heard at that time so that is why I was feeling her so strong while we were there. They did measurements the best that they could with the low fluid. She is measuring right at 1 pound and looking good. The plan is to be admitted next week Tuesday until we deliver our sweet girl. Once admitted, they will give me my first dose of steroid shots as well. They are all still very positive about things. We did also ask today if we are looking at a c-section or vaginal delivery when she decides to come and were told it will all depend on when she comes and her position. Right now she is breech so would obviously be c-section as it would be very tramatic on her otherwise.

They told me to pack and bring whatever I would like to make myself more comfortable. The nurse even told me to bring my scrapbook stuff--however once I told her that my best friend Jen and I fill up her whole Expedition with just our stuff when we got to retreats, I think the nurse thought a bit differently about that idea haha :) . I wonder if bringing whatever I want means that I can bring Tigger as well. I'm going to miss my little furry guy a lot while I am gone. He has gotten kind of used to bedrest with mommy over the last week and a half.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was scared for my stay in the hospital. I love being at home (maybe not as much as I've had to on bedrest) and the familiarity of everything here. I don't like the thought of being away from Grant each night or not getting to sleep in my own bed. I'll miss cuddling with Tigger each night on the couch and even yelling at him for being on the kitchen counter. However, I know this is what I need to do so that our little miracle has the best chance possible. This is just another step to my little girl making her appearance in this world. We are so blessed to already be at 23 weeks and almost 2 days. Our first milestone is almost here and then we start a new goal!

We can't thank you all enough for all the calls, flowers, visits, and most importantly the prayers! It has been a tough journey and we know that we have a long one ahead of us yet as well. The prayers and support during this time are huge and words can't express what it all means to us! Keep them coming as little girl grows each day!!

Urgent prayers needed

Some prayers are needed right now for myself and our sweet baby girl. Yesterday morning when I got to work a little before 8am and I was walking into the building I suddenly felt a warm liquid between my legs...I knew that wasnSt a good sign. So went to the bathroom as soon as I got inside and there was a fair amount of fluid in my underwear and pants. Then I went in and talked to a coworker and my boss about it. They both told me to call my OB right away. I called and my OB wasnt in yet but the lady that answered didn't want me to wait til she was, told me to go straight to the hospital to triage. So I called Grant to meet me there. I didnt know what it was for sure yet. Once they got me admitted they did a swab to swab the fluid to test it to see if it was amniotic fluid or not. The first test was negative. Then the OB on call (super nice lady), came in and she redid the test and her swab turned blue right away (meaning it was fluid). So then they did an ultrasound to see how baby was doing and where my fluid levels were at and if they could see a rupture, etc. Then they did an internal ultrasound as well to see my cervix length was. Both ultrasounds looked great and fluid level was still normal. So then I was back in the room and a bit later the OB came in and did another swab and put some on three slides to look at under the microscope as well...she was getting more concerned at that point and not liking what she was seeing. She came back in and it was indeed amniotic fluid that I was leaking. So she talked to us for a little bit and told us that the high risk OB would be down to talk with us in awhile. She told us that at 22 weeks if I were to go into labor, that baby wouldnt survive. At 24 weeks, they can start giving her steroid shots to speed up her growth and she has a higher chance of survival. I lost it..the thought of giving birth to a baby that wouldnt make it terrified me--and still does honestly. I have two weeks to keep her inside me and do wahtever I can to make sure that I dont do anything to start labor. The high risk OB came in and talked to us--he gave us a little more hope. He said as long as she has some fluid around her and I dont go into labor, she will survive in uteruo. So bedrest until 24 weeks for sure most likely. I have another appt and ultrasound on Thurs morning to see how she is doing and where my fluid is at. I am still leaking fluid ...hopefully it stays slow or quits. Every time I have felt her kick since yesterday I bawl...I just want my little angel to be okay.
At 24 weeks if I am still leaking just slowly, he will likely let me stay home on bedrest and just come in for weekly checkups, ultrasounds, and steroid shots. If I start contracting, bleeding, etc at 24 weeks they will admit me until I deliver...and do what they can to keep me pregnant as long as possible. Then baby girl has a long time ahead of her in NICU. But as long as we can have her, I'll deal with NICU. We love her more then anything already...
So for now, I am home on full bedrest--with bathroom privelages only. It's been tough already but I will do anything to protect our little miracle.

I will do my best to keep you all updated on here as best that I can so you know how to be praying. Right now prayers are the most important thing for me and for baby girl. Prayers that the fluid will stay at a slow leak or quite completely, that I don't start cramping, contracting or bleeding, and that baby girl can hold on for at least a few more weeks. Right now 24 weeks is our goal--every week after that is a blessing and a miracle!

Long overdue update

Life has been crazy and I can't believe it has been so long since I have updated. Time has sure flown by the last few months. Can't believe that it is already October!!

We have been adjusting to a new schedule with Anna here only every other weekend. It has definitely been hard for all of us. We sure miss that little smile and laughter here so much. We are thankful that at least we have the occasional Skype "dates" with her during her time that she is with her mom.

A few weeks ago we went to the Apple Orchard with some of our good friends and their kids. We had such a good time!

Anna and Danika

Pregnancy is still going good. I am still getting sick/dry heaving first thing most mornings but then I feel fine the rest the day. I started feeling the baby move last week as well---what a NEAT and AMAZING experience!!

Here are a  couple 18 week belly photos...there still isn't much of a bump there but I can definitely tell that the baby is growing--I'm down to a very select pair of jeans and dress pants and have bought a few maternity tops as well...need to go and do some more shopping here soon for more!

This past Wednesday we had our 20 week ultrasound....I could have stayed there all day at watched! The most amazing experience of my life!

Heartbeat-145

Head

LOVE the 3D ultrasound pics

Precious feet

Little booty and the arrow is right between the legs...

IT'S A GIRL!!!! :)

Everything looked great and she was measuring right at 20 weeks! We are so excited to welcome our little girl in February...due date is February 14. She was very active during the entire ultrasound--the tech had a hard time getting some of the measurements she needed because she would keep flipping around. I finally had to roll on to my side after about 1/2 hr to see if that would make her move enough that we could get a good view between her legs. I told the lady we weren't leaving until I knew what we were having! :) Good thing our little one decided to finally cooperate!! :)

Anna is absolutely thrilled as well to have a little sister on the way! She already is so in love with her--as are we! 

Will try not to wait so long to update again!

Anna's Birthday Party

Last Saturday we celebrated Anna's 8th birthday. Her birthday isn't until August 12 but we had a big party with friends and family now since there are many unknowns for the month of August. I made and decorated a cake and cupcakes for the party. We had a WONDERFUL time with slip and slides, water balloons, pools, etc in our backyard. Anna had the best time ever. Happy Birthday baby cakes!

Her monkey cake that I decorated

The name of the game was "get Grant"

After their firetruck ride--Anna and her 3 best friends

Kyra, Anna, Syndney, and Jaya

Anna and cousin Lydi

Little update on me and "little one": This past Sunday started week 9 already! The last few weeks have been rough--a lot of dry heaving to say the least. Either food sounds good until it's in front of me or nothing sounds good at all because I'm nauseous. Today food is acutally sounding good--tonight I'm craving Chinese food, but one problem with that, I don't want just any Chinese-I want Orange City chinese *sigh* If this craving continues, I might have to go take mom and dad out for supper here soon :)

I continue to be incredibly tired as well. While I am more then ready for the dry heaving/nausea part of this to be over, it is SO worth it. My first doctors appt is on August 10 and I am getting more and more anxious for it to be here. I'll be just over 12 weeks by that point so hopefully we should be able to hear the heartbeat at that appt too!! We are all so excited for this little miracle!

We continue with all the custody stuff. Our home evals are over and are just waiting on the reports now and for court in August. Court is set for August 3rd. We would greatly appreciate your continued prayers throughout this. Anna still doesn't know what is all going on, so major prayers for her as she finds out. It has been tough, but through all your prayers and our faith in God, we are making it through and fighting this fight. We couldn't do this without all of your love and support and prayers! Can't even thank you all enough. We love you!

Exciting news!

I have been meaning for the last few weeks to create a blog site for us to keep you all updated on our lives. Weeks have been busy and it hasnt happened though. I figured with our most recent announcement that it was time to start one so you could all be part of this new journey with us.
We found out almost 2 weeks ago that we were expecting!!! I am due mid February. My first doctor's appt isn't until August as my doctor doesn't see her OB patients until they are 10-12 weeks along. We just told Anna and our families yesterday on Father's Day. Below are some photos from the day! :) Video of Anna finding out is also posted!!

This is the shirt we used to tell Anna-a matching shirt came with hers for the baby

One PROUD soon-to-be big sister!

The frame and picture we used to tell both sets of parents

We are both so incredibly excited for what is happening in our lives. Would appreciate continued prayers for everything going on right now and also add our new little one to your prayers! :)