Listen To Your Body

I went to the doctor this past Monday for a scheduled NST (non-stress test) to monitor Evalyn's heart rate. My blood pressure was high and there was protein showing in my urine. Evalyn's heart rate was fine, no reason for concern there. The high blood pressure and protein had me sent to the hospital for further blood work. To top it off I had a sinus infection.

After a few hours in the hospital everything came back fine and my blood pressure had gone down but the doctor gave me strict orders to rest as much as possible and stay off of my feet. He said that he wasn't putting me on bed rest but close to it and that I needed to find someone to take care of Loreli during the days. This bummed me out because I absolutely love my time with Loreli while James is at work... especially when we cuddle for our naps. Thankfully both sets of parents were able to step up and trade days of taking care of our little toddler.

At first I found it very difficult to sit still. Having the house to myself for the first time in a long time made me want to clean and do all of the things I normally do but for once do it in silence! I was thankfully able to occupy myself with some crafts that I had wanted to do for the girls room but I still found it hard to be away from Loreli so much.

After a week of being sick and having time to myself, I was finally able to really relax today. I was feeling achy and a lot of pressure build up in my sinuses so I decided that today I most definitely needed to sit and do absolutely nothing. As I relaxed in my recliner with my favorite blanket and watched episodes of "A Baby Story," I looked down and saw my tummy rolling around. I ended up sitting there for close to an hour staring at my tummy and not paying attention to a thing around me.

As I watched the life inside me move from side to side and little feet bulge out against my skin, I took in the moment and really felt like I never wanted it to end. It took doctors orders and help from family to make me finally stop and soak in this pregnancy as a whole. I have been so busy trying to get the house clean and in order and taking care of Loreli every day that I really haven't had the chance to stop and appreciate this time with Evalyn. Any moment of quiet and rest in the last few weeks has been a chance to zonk out.

A friend of mine recently lost her baby nearly half way through her pregnancy and has been tortured with pain ever since. Here I was with life thriving inside me, healthy and almost ready to meet the world. Suddenly my physical pain was gone and all that I could feel throughout my entire body was love and happiness. Life with a toddler doesn't give you many chances to stop and smell the roses so today I am extremely thankful that I was given that chance. I've been so anxious to get this pregnancy over with and move on and now I don't want it to end!