Rest, Rest, Rest!

First of all, let me say, Thank You all so much for the prayers and positive thoughts you have been sending our way!

For the past few days, I have been resting and trying not to worry. It's amazing how anxious I was after last week's events. I guess the fact that I was on bed rest and still having some contractions, work was still crazy (I did limit my hours to 4 a day), we are preparing to move next week and it's almost Christmas, I was still stressed. My friend Christi said it best, "It's the beginning of a lifelong worry!" So this is what it feels like to be a parent? I can't believe how worried I found myself; constantly thinking is Reese ok?, am I having too many contractions?, why is my heart rate up?, I can't breathe!

Finally, I am starting to relax. I had a follow up appointment yesterday with Dr. Firpo. (I had not left the house until the appointment.) She was very happy that my fetal fibronectin test was negative and that the painful contractions had decreased significantly. I told her I had been resting with my feet up and had limited my work hours from home. I told her that I was still having one to three mildly painful contractions a day and a fairly significant amount of Braxton-Hicks contractions during the day. Especially when I stand up. For this reason, I try not to stand up too much throughout the day. She prescribed a medication that I can take every 6 hours, as needed, to reduce the Braxton-Hicks contractions. And she said I should continue to only work 4-6 hours from home with my feet up. She will re-evaluate me on 12/31.

Luckily, work has already brought my replacement onboard, so I have been able to transition a lot of my work to him.

I am finally feeling better today. I've finally reached the point of being more relaxed which I think is also helping reduce the contractions. I was just over doing it with work and life and this event was God's way of telling me to SLOW DOWN.

So this year my Christmas gift list is small and includes a few online purchases and gift cards. And I am ok with that. You know, it's hard when you are a control freak like me. I never realized I had such an A-Type personality until now when I'm forced to sit and be still (I know, you all knew). It's bugging me that I can't shop 'til I drop or help out more with the house repairs, but again I've got to let it go and trust that it will get done. And is it really that big of a deal if something doesn't? Nope!

Matt and our parents have been very helpful in getting the house ready for our move next week: December 27th. Trust me, I won't move a thing. I'll just sit/lay on the couch while it's all being taken care of. Anyone want to help unpack? ;) I know our parents will be helping us over the New Year's weekend.

Reese is moving a lot which means she is a-okay. Her heartbeat was 159 yesterday which is great! She and I will be just fine! Mommy just has to continue to lay low and rest, rest, rest. I'll try not to go stir crazy in the meantime. Sounds like a great opportunity to write thank you notes!

Lots of love,

A, Matt and Reese