Updates from the hospital bed...

I know those of you who received a text message from Angelo this morning are wondering what's going on!

So... I'm technically "in labor" as I type this... hahha.

I had a routine prenatal appointment this morning and mentioned some cramping I've felt since yesterday morning sometime. He felt that what I was describing sounded like contractions, so he went ahead and checked my cervix and found that I was already dilated two centimeters. Uhh, WHAT?! Dila-huh?

So, as you can guess, I was immediately sent to the labor and delivery unit at Holmes Regional Hospital. At this point, I'm only 32 weeks pregnant, so they are trying to delay the labor process as best they can. It's been an incredibly tiring day filled with so much uncertainty. I have tubes and wires coming from every part of my body monitoring everything from the baby's heartbeat, contractions, my blood pressure, IV's (connected to magnesium and antibiotics), etc. I was given a steroid shot to advance Beni's lung development to lessen any chances of breathing difficulties when he does come, because it's still a little too soon to be expecting him.

The magnesium is a muscle relaxer that has calmed the contractions a great deal, they are a lot less frequent now than when I came in. The only thing we can do now is wait. They are trying to delay the delivery for a couple of weeks, but at this point we're unsure if that's possible. He may come tonight, or with the muscle relaxers we may be able to shoot for longer.

It's just a matter of waiting at this point. So, we'll see...

There's a part of me wants him to come now, simply because I want to see his beautiful little face and hold him in my arms, but I know he has a little more growing to do, so it's best that he stays put for now. He's putting up quite a fight against it though, hahha.

Anyway, this was longer than I anticipated, but it's nice to kind of pull my mind away from all the craziness surrounding for the time being. Laptops and WiFi are a godsend! And so is Daddy-to-be! He is just the most amazing support I could ever possibly ask for. He makes me feel so, so blessed. :)

Correspondence between Billie and I.

From: Jessica Lynn
Date: May 31, 2007 8:11 AM

I never got a chance to congratulate you with the news before! I was just thinking about you wondering how you're holding up with the pregnancy? Let me know...

Hope all is well!

From: Billie
Date: May 31, 2007 2:31 PM

Thank you very much.
I just got back from my first doctors appointment! All the exams were very rough but we got to hear the heartbeat, which was sooo exciting!!
I think I'm almost 11 weeks so far, so not too far along, but still exciting.
You're almost there, eh? How have things been for you??

Billie

From: Jessica Lynn
Date: May 31, 2007 5:39 PM

Aw, yes! Hearing the heartbeat for the first time was just... so amazing. I had a perma-smile for the rest of week! Otherwise, the first trimester was horrid, I was literally glued to the bed and felt terrible all the time. Thankfully that subsided around 14 weeks and since then I've actually felt pretty good! I'm at the point now where my only complaint is lugging the extra weight around and a bladder that's likely the size of a pea, but other than that I think I'm fairing alright. (Knock on wood! Hahha.)

Do you have any names picked out yet and have you decided if you want to find out the gender?

The time passes by so fast it seems, at least for me it has. Just a couple more months... yikes!

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy. A joy for every woman...

We'll have to arrange a some play-dates in the future. :)

Co-ed Baby Shower BBQ in the making!

Please send me your home address if you would like to join us in honoring our little bundle of joy to come! (Hosted by the lovely Robyn and Eric!)

This is not your typical cream puff ladies only event, this is a celebration BBQ style! So, no excuses. :)

Signing out,
Barn on legs

Ultrasound photos!

^ Baby B's beautiful little sleeping face.


^ Upper-lip and nose!


^ Baby boy parts from below.

Initials are set in stone!

Just a few more months!! So far this pregnancy has gone by at a lights speed, so I'm sure he'll be out before we know it! Well, maybe I'll know it... but, you know what I mean, hah.

We've also recently decided that in honor of our Bruiser, we're naming our little boy after his initials. Bruiser Stromboney Manzano = BSM. So our little one on the way will take his initials. We're still throwing some names around, but the initials are set in stone in our hearts.

I'd just a well name him Bruiser Stromboney, but I'm not so sure that would go over well with him when he's of age, hahha.

Boy, oh BOY!

So... our little pea in a pod has little boy parts! And he's perfectly healthy with all fingers and toes! I'm 2 days shy of 5 months and I'm blowing up like a balloon by the day. Eventually I'll break the lazy chain and post a few photos that can be used for blackmail later... hahha!

We are ecstatic beyond words and I couldn't be anymore blessed with my family (well, I could if my other baby boy was here with us. I love you, Bruiser bologna butt...)

Otherwise, we just arrived home yesterday from Granite City, IL. where we have both been bound and tortured by the world's worst stomach flu... we're stuck in bed right now until lord only knows when. My poor baby has been battling it since Wednesday, and myself since Saturday. It has been horribly intolerable, to say the least...!

Once we're clear of flu-dom, a gathering is definitely needed in celebration of our little baby BOY! :)

We are so, so happy. ♥

"Hamburger or hot dog?"

Today will be the first attempt at determining the sex of our little peapod with an ultrasound... cross your fingers for a cooperative baby!