Introducing...

Michael "Mic" Blaine Austin arrived 12/17/2010, 3:10 am. Weighing in at 8lbs, 4oz, 20.5 inches- our smallest baby.

Mic was born 4 weeks early, unfortunately my body just couldn't do it anymore so I had to be induced.

Here we are after 14+ hours of natural labor. It was tough, but we made it. It was actually quite a great experience. This was the 1 minute that I got to hold him before he was taken to the NICU.

The NICU is a long, emotional experience. We seem to take 2 steps forward and 1 step back. This picture is after 2 intubations and before the cpap had to go back on, he just has a full pressure cannula. At least we were able to hold him for a little while. Until the cpap comes off we won't be able to hold him again.
I'll post more details later, I'm too tired and spent to do it now. We are so glad Mic is here and that he can be taken care of outside of my body. I wish my body would have done it better...

Quick..

Sorry, should have updated sooner! Everything looked great with the baby!!! hooray! He's big, about 8 pounds at 34 weeks, but everything seems healthy! We'll keep going in for at least twice weekly appointments and this little (it's all relative) guy will be born at least by Jan 6th. Hooray!

Started a new medicine (glucophage) 3 nights ago, still trying to get the fasting numbers under control. Seems to be working only problem is I've been up for the last 3 nights a little sick. That is suppose to phase out after a little while.

More Updates

We had a great trip to Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving week. It was very low keyed for what we usually do- thanks to my very pregnant condition. But, it was warmer than it was here and the kids got to do some fun things. As soon as pictures are uploaded I'll record all about the trip.

In the meantime, I want to record this pregnancy. I'm so surprised the things I don't remember about previous pregnancies and it bugs me, I'm glad I wrote (most) of them down. I'm now 34 weeks. The Gestational Diabetes test did come back positive and that has added another kink to the pregnancy. It is really just a pain, I have to check my blood 4 times/day and watch what I eat- not too many carbs, but not too few either. When my sugar levels get too high or too low I can feel it and it doesn't feel good! We started the first few days just trying to control the sugars with my eating. It didn't work, so we went to a medicine called Glyburide. I started with just 5mg's in the morning and my daytime blood sugars came down great (sometimes almost too low), but the overnight (fasting one) still didn't come down so I had to start using 5mg's in the morning and 10 mg's at night. It still isn't doing a great job, but I had a great level this morning so, we are going to wait and see if they stay down. If they don't I'm going to have to go on insulin. I am hoping that is not the case, but I know it's what is best for the baby and it will only be for a few more weeks.

I guess with the GD there are some problems that can arise for the baby. One of them being having too big of a baby, and for a girl who already has 10 pound babies, a bigger baby scares us all! I guess there can also be some lung problems (and I did that with Bevan- no desire to repeat!) So, every other week I get to go have an ultrasound (which is kind of fun) and at least one Non stress Test. I feel like I live at the Dr.'s office. Good thing I like my Dr. since I see her more than I do my husband!

On Monday I have to go see the perinatologist (a Dr. who specializes in unborn baby problems) to have an in-depth ultrasound. I have a lot of extra amniotic fluid (I have had this before and also GD can cause this) but my Dr. felt like she needed a second opinion on the baby because the extra fluid can also be a sign of some defects with the baby. I have felt pretty calm about this but do occasionally get twinges of nerves! We are praying that things are how they should be and if they aren't that it will be something we can handle.

Because of the size of this baby (at last ultrasound he weigh approx. 7 pounds) and the extra fluid- I am HUGE and my stomach is measuring bigger than it should at full term. Holly told me I'm the biggest pregnant woman she's ever seen- those sisters, they'll always tell you the truth! :)

I still have this silly muscle pulling away from my pelvis thing. Yes, it is excruciating! It makes sideways movement almost impossible and turning over in bed is sometimes enough to make me cry out in pain. Walking overall is not a good thing and because of how huge my muscle is swollen the Dr. has told me to stay off my feet as much as possible. Ha, ha! Like that is possible with working and having 3 kids and a husband who is gone more than he's home.

Speaking of husbands being gone. Since the first of August Doug has been working in Salt Lake. To cut down on the gas money and wear and tear on the car Doug stays down with Alesa during the week (we are VERY grateful for their hospitality) but this has been EXTREMELY hard. I've tried not to complain too much because I'm honestly grateful that he's working, but, wow! I am not cut out to be a single mom! Especially a pregnant, single mom. I've had to learn to let some things go, like sometimes that piece of paper on the floor can just sit there until some one else can pick it up! I have had some projects that HAD to get finished if I didn't want this baby to sleep in the bath tub. Thank goodness my mom has picked up the slack on that! And she's been so willing to haul the kids around for me while I'm working. I'm not sure how this situation will change. Right now, I'm so glad Doug is working. When the baby comes...

I'm very grateful that I've made it this far with NO bed rest!!!! It's a first! The blood pressure is high but protein levels are low. So far, so good! Hooray!

Now, to make it through the next 3-6 weeks! At least I have the distraction of Christmas!

Pregnancy update

Me at 28 weeks pregnant

Bevan aka Batman saves the day again!

I'm now almost 30 weeks pregnant. Yes, the worst 10 weeks of a woman's life! :) I am feeling every bit of those 30 weeks. But, this has been one of my better pregnancies (which isn't saying a whole lot). I've been fighting a lot of headaches this pregnancy, but at the risk of jinxing it, I haven't had one for a week. Hooray!


I went to the Dr. on Thurs. My blood pressure is still slightly high, but as long as the protein stays out of my urine we'll be ok. I am measuring 4 weeks bigger than I should be. I remember with Bevan when I was 38 weeks I was measuring 48 weeks so it seems I'm measuring right on schedule for my big babies. I was holding out hope for a smaller baby but I guess I don't make that kind. Can't fight genetics and Doug and I were both about 10 lbs. I think I was slightly under (right mom?) and he was slightly over.


I had to take that lovely glucose test. Yesterday I got a call saying my levels were slightly elevated. This doesn't really surprise me because I've been getting shaky if I haven't eaten for a while which isn't really normal for me. I guess being over 35 makes the chances of getting gestational diabetes go way up. I have to go on Friday or Saturday (depending on which day Doug is home) and take the 3 hour test. I'm more upset about having to take the test than I am about the possibility that I may have to watch what I eat. Hopefully it was all a fluke and the numbers will all be normal!


I made a list of all that I would like done before this baby comes. But, because of the holidays it needs to be done before Nov. 20th. Hmm, not sure how we're going to make that happen, but we'll try our hardest. Any volunteers to help? :) Actually I'm really hoping that because of the holidays these next 10 weeks will fly!

Bevanism

Bevan and his cousin Emi

On Sunday morning Bevan was laying in bed snuggling with me and Doug. I've mentioned that Bevan is very excited about having a new little brother. Here was our conversation:

Mom: What are you going to do when you have a new little brother and have to share me?
Bevan: I'm going to play with him and take care of him.
M: I heard big brothers have to change all the stinky diapers. Will you do that?
B: Yes!
M: Ok, you're going to change ALL the stinky diapers.
B: OK, but you're going to have to buy me a nose plug!

Ha, ha, ha! I've been laughing ever since!

I already missed posting my gratitude last night, so here it is!

1-Bevan

2-Peaches

3-Naps

Did I tell you?

Did I tell you we're having a boy? Yes, I know I have lots of other stuff to update, but right now we are a little too crazy. But in the meantime, yes, we found out.

WE ARE HAVING A BOY!!!!!

And we (most of us) are thrilled! Me, Doug, Bevan= thrilled. Katie, Maddie=less than thrilled ("can we dress him in cute dresses and bows?" umm, NO!)

This is a good pregnancy- one of my better ones. Tiny bit of nausea still- every once in a while. Tired, but normal tired. Actually I think I am doing well- so what if I go to bed at 8:30 or 9:00? I feel blessed, we are blessed. I treasure each and every kick. I get so happy, I celebrate. Bevan talks about "when my baby brother comes out". He is waiting almost as anxiously as I am...

Oh, and right now, Doug is working! hooray! Out of town, but work. And I love him!!!

5k #2

On the morning of June 19th Alesa and I did our 5k #2. It was the Running with Angels 5k at Thanksgiving Point. I think this was the 5k I was most excited about. I knew the location would be beautiful and the 5k was inspired by the book "Running with Angels". I absolutely love this book!

5k #2

It was a little bit of an emotional start because they had families release doves in honor of their loved ones who had passed away (and who they were running in honor of) and also in honor of all others who were being remembered that day. Alesa and I shared hugs and tears as we watched this event. I'm so grateful for a sister who understands what is in my heart!

This was a fun 5k. We got to run through the gardens of Thanksgiving point. Past the waterfalls and beautiful flowers. Wow! What a delight!

It was a tough 5k because at the very end (and I mean about .2 mile before the end) there was a very steep, long hill. Ugh! I always want to run the finish even if I've walked the whole thing. But this killer hill made that hard. I did recover and jog across the finish line and was proud that I had done it. My time was slightly slower but that was because I had to walk a little bit more. (See the reason below) Oh, and once again Alesa came and joined me for the finish. She just keeps getting faster! She took about 2 minutes off her last 5k. Go Alesa!!!

I love this girl!!!!! She's my inspiration in so many things.

When I grow up I'm going to be just like her!

Doug's cousin's wife (Stephanie) silk screened these great shirts for us. They say "10 5k's in 2010" We love them! Thanks Stephanie!!!

Mine had to be a little bit different. This is the back of mine. If you can't read it it says "Might not get it done, cuz this oven's got a bun"

That's right! I'm pregnant!!!!!! Hooray!!!! I was about 11 weeks along at this time. I'm now about 17 (I think) weeks along. I'm due in January.

Funny story about the shirt and Alesa finding out. My mom had already guessed that I was pregnant. But we hadn't told anyone else. (Well, I guess Stephanie since she did the shirt) So, I was anxious for Alesa to see it. I walked in front of her on the way to the starting line, etc... but she still didn't notice. As we were standing in line for the Honey Pots I could hear this lady behind me reading my shirt. All the sudden she said, "Are you trying to say you're pregnant?" I laughed and said "yes". Then I watched as Alesa put things together, turned me around to look at my shirt, then gave me a big hug! Ahhh, the perfect reaction! This lady felt bad she'd given it away but I was just grateful, I wasn't sure how long it would be before Alesa noticed. I was about ready to just tell her!