Grateful

Many of you know the roller coaster ride this pregnancy has been. There have been lots of incredibly sad moments with all indications pointing to a demise. Most of it has been filled with long periods of trepidation and walking on egg shells, wanting to hope for a healthy outcome but knowing the end could come at any time. The doctors made it clear that there was no way to predict whether we would carry long enough to the point of viability, but with each week we could hope a little more. They said they hoped we made it to 28 weeks. Now we are on the crest of that milestone, and I'm just so grateful to still be carrying and still have the chance to welcome another baby. If this experience has taught me anything, it's that we can't control everything, and sometimes we just can't get what we want in life. I guess I've been one who took for granted that if I took care of my body, I could do what I wanted with it (in terms of having a family, etc). But life has proven otherwise. There's a good chance the doctors will have to do a hysterectomy right after we deliver. It appears the placenta is physically growing into the uterine wall, and when that happens natural separation (after delivery) can be impossible, in which case the entire uterus must be taken out to avoid life-threatening blood loss. This development has been an extremely hard pill for me to swallow. I always imagined myself having a large family, so the thought of undergoing a hysterectomy when I wanted to try for more feels devastating. There is still the chance that somehow we will defy the odds and the placenta will detach on its own (saving the uterus), but it's difficult to ignore the very real probability looming in front of us. I try to focus on what we've been able to do and remember that the Lord already knows the outcome and the desires of our heart. I do feel so grateful to still be pregnant and have the chance to have this baby. It feels like a true miracle.

Say What?

I'm finding that language barriers can bring unique experiences. This last week I had to take Matt in for an ear infection. When he was one he had tubes put in, so I was told any subsequent infections would be very obvious with noticeable drainage. We've been lucky to go a year and a half with no infections, but this week after a nightmare night of screaming (not knowing what the problem was) I picked him up in the morning and saw his ear and even neck was wet with infection. I felt so bad! We hadn't selected a pediatrician yet, and I didn't know where to begin, but I received a recommendation from someone in Ryan's' program and was able to be seen within the half hour. The office was nice and new and the staff was very friendly. As the nurse talked with me I really had to concentrate to decipher what she was saying because her accent was so thick... (I hate having to ask people to repeat themselves because I don't want them to 1) feel like I'm not listening, or 2) feel bad (or frustrated) because I can't understand them). We wrapped up the small talk and vital signs, at which point she held out a cup and asked for a urine sample. Now I was surprised that a two year-old (or anyone for that matter) would have to produce a urine sample for an obvious ear infection, but the patient before us had turned in a sample as well, so I thought maybe it was just standard procedure in their office. "Maybe they like to do a thorough work-up on the first visit," I assumed. We made our way to the bathroom, all the while I was thinking Matt wouldn't be able to "come up with the goods." In terms of potty training we aren't close to "holding it" yet; how could I expect him to just pee on demand? But he surprised me and successfully provided a sample. He must have known he did something commendable, because he insisted on personally handing it to the nurse and looked proud of himself. As we were waiting for the doctor to come in, the nurse popped in and said his urine looked fine. "Well ya," I thought, "last time I checked an ear infection didn't pose a risk of spawning a urinary tract infection." She went on to say, "Maybe something is just irritated down there and he's tugging at it... " "Tugging at it?" I said, confused. There was silence as I mentally relayed my description to her of why we were here and quickly recounted where I could have been unclear. She sensed my confusion and asked about the nature of our problems going pee. I said, "We're not having any problems going pee... he has drainage in his ear from an ear infection?"... (comprende?) "OH! An ear infection! I thought you said urine infection!" Needless to say, the mix-up didn't produce any disasterous results. The unecessary order to pee in a cup for a urinalysis was no big deal. On the other hand, I can understand why the people during the times of the Tower of Babel prayed for their language not to be confounded. It makes life so much easier.

MLB.com discount

Okay, being in a female-dominated blogger world, this post may not draw much attention. We are accustomed to seeing tasty recipes, attractive aprons, scrapbooking supply tips, movie reviews, Bachelor reviews, etc. I just returned from a Diamondbacks vs. Braves game in Phoenix, and I'd like to offer a masculine recommendation. If you are looking for gifts for your husband, son, father, brother, friend, or other gift recipient who is a baseball lover, you can obtain a 15% discount off of any purchase at MLB.com by typing in the promotion code: "AQUAFINA1" (in CAPS).