The Princess and her Froggie.

** I have a very specific Prayer Request.  There is a very sweet couple from SWKS that needs a ton of prayers right now.  I have known the Janee and Chuy since high school. (Before they were married.) I met them though a ton of church events in in Dodge City Diocese. TEC, NCYC, Youth Rallys pretty much everything.  They are a year or two older then me and have a son about Cor's age.  Long story short.  Chuy suffered a heart attack while they were up in Topeka this last weekend. He is suffering from some very serious complications and is in the ICU.  If you could say a prayer for this family I would be grateful.  I can tell you they are very deserving of a few minutes of your time to say a quick prayer on Chuy's behalf. **

Its been a few days weeks since my last post.  Mostly because after seeing Dr. Risky* I had an internal struggle with what I want to blog about and what I want to keep under wraps.  I never want it to seem like I don't appreciate being pregnant, or that I hate it. Though, thus far are I have really posted about is what makes this pregnancy hard for me. Its a catch 22.  I want to keep my friends and family updated.  The reason it two fold.  First, I have a HUGE family and I believe in the power of prayer. (And you can believe my HUGE family uses it.)  Second, I know if I put it here everyone has equal access to the information.  If you want to know what's going on in our lives you know where to find it. If you don't want to know I assume that you are not here and your not reading and thats cool too. But, I also know when it comes to family I want to know what's going on too. (Maybe because I am nosey...but, hey, we are family we are supposed to be nosey to some degree right?)  The part that gets tricky is that I don't have any privacy filters on my blog. I do this because I want people to be able to pop in and read and I want it to be easy.  Plus. I doubt that there are any creepers on my blog mostly because my life isn't all that interesting. However, you just don't know. I just am not a someone that fears the WWW.

The thing is... it isn't all sunshine and rainbows over here right now. So, when it is (in roughly six months ;) I will blog about that too. In the mean time you get the nitty gritty. I don't blame you if you tune out  in the mean time. :-)

Since, my last blog I have had two doctors appointments.  One with Dr. Risky and one with Dr. A.  (Obviously, I'm not using my Dr's real names but that is because I don't want someone to find my blog by goggling them.) The end of the story is that I am good. Froggie Pistachio is good. We are just in a holding pattern right now. (I hate reading/listening to a whole story trying to figure out if someone is going to end it by telling me something horrific at the end.)  So, the appointment with Dr. Risky was supposed to be meeting with a genetic counselor, a sono, and a short meeting with Dr. Risky telling me keep up the Lovenox and I'll see you in 5ish months.  I am technically high risk but I honestly didn't consider myself as such because I have friends who are for much more significant reasons.  I say supposed to because nothing is ever that easy for me. The genetic counselor does think that I have a blood clotting issue. This was expected as I have been told this for the last two years. The way this works is that if I do have a genetic blood clotting issue it came from one or both of my parents.  They can either be carriers of the genetic disorder or have it them selves.  Either way we need to find out because if I do have it, Corah and Pistachio could to...but as could other members of my family. If mom and dad are carriers there is a chance my brothers and sister could either have it or be passing it forward.  So, in order to know just how much I have an increase risk of throwing another clot we have to know what is going on. It would also be nice to help prevent blood clots in my family members. The ideal time for these uber expensive tests are when I am not on blood thinners, not pregnant, and do not have an IUD. This has not really happened since I had the PE two years ago. Thus, no test yet.

After that I went in for a sono. It was sweet to see a fully formed tiny little being hanging out in there. Another spoiler alert...no gender announcement yet.  Everything on tiny Pistachio seems to be developing well.  They did mention something about the head circumference ratio being a little off. Though, the doctor did not seem to think this was a real issue as it is a very early gestational age.  I also don't think its an issue because we make big headed babies. (*Corah's noggin is in the 99.99 percentile. and has been since she was nine months old. We've been told she comes by it naturally...from her daddy.) No reason to assume Pistachio wouldn't have an above average noggin too. The biggest 'reveal' in our sonogram was an issue with the placenta.  It is considered Placenta Previa: Posterior Complete. Basically the placenta completely covers the cervix. Giving baby no way out.  So the good, bad and ugly about this. The good is that it is very early.  Both Dr. Risky and Dr. A think there is a good chance  it will move.  Its very early and they earlier they are detected the better the odds are for movement.  The bad is the previa grade that is least likely to move is complete posterior. The ugly is that previas tend to cause bleeds. This  could be an exacerbated issue because the lovenox makes me bleed easier and more. Bleeds also lead to bed rest. Super ugly a previa that doesn't move or doesn't move enough lead to c-sections which are a bit tricky for blood thinners and something we would really like to avoid. Back to the good. Bleeds do not typically happen until past 22 weeks. The super good is that we have our next sono at 20 weeks so we will know if the previa has moved before it should be an issue.  We will discuss at that time, if it hasn't moved, what the course of action is. Until that point I have some pretty specific orders on what I can and can't do and what to watch for. Our prayer is that by June 3rd it has completely moved and we are back to a reasonably low risk pregnancy.  Either way, I am going to do my best not to worry about it.  There is literally nothing that can be done to make the previa move and nothing that we could have done to prevented it.  It is what it is.  On the up side... yay for more Sono's and sneek peeks at Pistachio.

Now, onto more fun and interesting things. When I brought home the sono pictures Corah right away said 'Oh Baby!' And wanted to study every little bit of every picture.  When we flipped to another picture she exclaimed 'FROGGIE...ribbit...ribbit!'  Anytime she sees this specific picture she gets so excited about seeing the FROGGIE! It should be noted that I have no idea where she gets this from and why the one picture looks like the frog.  I honestly didn't know she knew what a frog was. But, I guess it is God's way of reminding me that he's got this. As I have a frog collection from high school and I collected them because f.r.o.g stands for Fully Rely On God. Not an acronym that I've thought much of in the last 11 years. But, one that I am gladly reminded of.

This is the infamous Froggie. 

Not a food item or reptile. 

-Tonya

Pistachio ... officially 2nd Trimester!

I never know how to start a blog post.  It always seems awkward.

Its been a few days since I have updated.  We are officially into our SECOND TRIMESTER!  Let me just say I love the second trimester.  Its when you have more energy, you can start feeling the baby move, *hopefully* less morning, the big ultrasound.  Lots of fun stuff!  Since my last post I have seen my OB.  I am going to call her Dr. A ... for Awesome.  I freaking love her.  Dr. A first she looks like she is about 12.  (Though she mentioned when she was prego being old and having been at a higher risk of DS...I had previously thought she was younger than me. Anywho.)  Part of the reason I like her so much is that she never thinks I am crazy even when I think I am.  She asked me how I was feeling and we talked a bit about the morning sickness and she called in two new RX for it. (Making it the fourth and fifth scripts to combat the dreaded nausea.) One is actually for reflux and heartburn BUT I think we are making progress with it.  My intense gag reflex seems to be mostly controlled by it.  The second makes me sleep.  I have no clue as to the effect it has on nausea because I just sleep. Either way...I'm happy. 

She also made the decision to refer me to a high risk/fetal and maternal health doctor.  I will finalize my appointment with him tomorrow.  By my understanding it is kinda a consult appointment.  He will go over the complications I had during, and after my pregnancy with Corah.  Based off of that he will access the risks with this pregnancy.  Based off that he will decide if I need to see him durning the whole pregnancy.  I am going to call him Dr.  Risky.  I have mixed feelings about seeing Dr. Risky.  On one hand I feel like its silly I know a two other women who see him currently and they have what I  feel like are serious risks while I don't necessarily feel like I do.  On the other hand my doctor likes to remind me that I have a PE...and nearly freaking died...how much more serious does it come? I have always said all the complications I had with Cor were so minor when you consider the big picture.  We are both alive and healthy what more can I ask for.

This is also why I love Dr. A.  She said she is a bit concerned with my weight loss, but said it is typical for me.  She is going to give me a little time in the second trimester and with the new prescriptions before getting to worried. She is however going to see me every two weeks rather than just monthly.  At least until I see Dr. Risky and I stop losing weight.  She said we will both feel better knowing I am being watched closely.  Not only does she remember my pregnancy with Cor but she remembers why I have a bit of anxiety surounding pregnancy.  Which isn't something that would just be in my file. All in all after my Appointment with Dr. A I feel like I can finally relax a little bit. I don't think I am going to shake the waiting for the other shoe to drop feeling.  However, I do feel like no matter what maybe, might could happen I am doing everything I can to stop it.

For the first time since the positive HPT I am actually starting to think/dream about what life will be like with a new little person. I am starting to get excited.

In other Sholar family news.  We have recently learned that living with a two-year-old is similar to living with a stand up comedian. The things she comes up with crack me up. Like fake sneezing while sounding british. Or her passion for praying. When we say our prayers before meals or a night we hold hands.  (This is mostly to combat wondering hands distracting her.) Prayer time consists of Someone saying God Bless ______ (insert friend or family member name.)  Corah repeats us.  We have started adding Pistachio to our prayers.  At first she dutifully prayed for 'stachio. Lately I think she is started to connect 'stachio with baby...and changes to her life.  So when someone says 'God Bless Pistachio.' Corah replies with 'No! No 'stachio! yucky!' I guess we have officially started sibling rivalry. So you might say a quick prayer for Corah that she starts to love the idea of 'stachio.

A second bit of comedy comes from life with a toddler too. For her birthday Corah got an adorable little bear from my parents. It is the new recordable type.  When squeezed you hear my parents say...
Together: Who loves Corah?
Papa: Papa Does!
Gramma: Gramma Does!
Together: Hug Me Bear Does!
The recording goes on a bit after that. However, I had the holy living daylights scared out of me last night by 'Hug Me Bear.' Corah rolled on to the bear and through our Monitor I suddenly her my parents talking. In my groggy rx induced already sleeping state I couldn't make out the words that they were saying. Until the second or third round I was convinced I was in some sort of coma and coming to after who knows how long.

-Tonya

By the way!  Shout out to Aunt Dinky!  Thank you for reading my blog too! You and Aunt Nancy are my motivation to try and remember to update!

Pistachio

You are undoubtably here because you saw our recent Facebook update. (Not like I regularly post here or anything.)  The first thing I want to say is Thank You for taking time to wonder over here from FB. The second thing I want to say is Hi Aunt Nancy!  (I think you might be my one and only blog reader.) The third thing I want to say is that this is where I am going to attempt to keep people updated on Pistachio (the temporary name given to the unborn.)  For several reasons I feel like FB just isn't the right place right now for Pistachio updates. We did make the announcement there because well, with our big family I feel like it is the best way to tell everyone at one time. Its how we did it with Cor too. If you are a first time reader here...welcome. Also, please know I am a terrible speller and my grammar is horrific. (I also LOVE to use parenthesis...and...ellipses.) I reserve the right to over use them.  I also never know when a , is approprate... I over and under use it as well.  I assume. Terrible grammar people...terrible. 

 Now on to Pistachio deets. (Assuming you are still reading this.)

1.) I am about 11.5 weeks and I am technically due end of October.  Though my doctor will not likely allow me to make it to my due date. (More on that in a bit.) We are over the moon excited! We feel sooo lucky that God has blessed us with a second baby! I know some people will read the rest of this and think I am being a whiney hiney. I am not complaining.  I just want to document things and keep family up to date.  This is sorta my Pistachio FAQ page. (Plus, its my blog and I can cry if I want to?)

2.) Why Pistachio?  Stupid story. Matthew and I were discussing this pregnancy and I hate referring to unborn unnamed babies as it. I was munching on some salt and pepper pistachios at the time.  And voila the unborn received a temp name.  I know, I know clever right?  I told you it was a stupid story. 

3.) Wait! I am not even in the second trimester and my doctor is talking about induction?  I know...intense.  This was actually discussed with my doctor shortly after Corah's birth.  To rewind a bit and fill in the blanks if you happen to not be Aunt Nancy. ;-) After I had Corah...8 days later specifically... I had a pulmonary embolism. I spent a week in the hospital recovering and six months on blood thinners.  Because, I had a blood clot once it increases my odds of having another. During pregnancy the weight gain and blood volume increase can cause blood clots.  As such I have been on blood thinners since the we found out (Feb 6th) and will continue them post birth for a short while.  Blood thinners simply mean the labor and delivery process needs to be monitored a bit closer making induction likely.

4.) Blood thinners are not fun.  It basically feels like I am shooting straight electricity into my belly. (Thank goodness for my 'inch+ of pinch.') However,  we were blessed a second time to find out that my insurance (through the job I love to hate) actually covers Lovenox.  Well, to a degree that the copay is reasonable.  I know that the full cost of Lovenox is over $1200 for one month of shots. I know people who's insurance covers hardly any of the cost making it unaffordable. The alternative is the more afforable injectable Heprin.  Lovenox comes as a pre-filled syringe while Heprin you have to draw on your own before injecting.  Lovenox is only once a day as it actually stays in your system much longer than Heprin which needs to be injected twice a day.  All of this boring talk to say I am EXTREMELY thankful that Lovenox is covered by our insurance. (*I will switch to Heprin at the end of the pregnancy.)

4b.) A sweet side story.  Corah has watched me give myself the shot most nights.  Usually, she watches quietly and likes to hand me the alcohol prep wipe. I have always thought if she saw me get shots and not be afraid of them then she might be a little more relaxed about getting all the shots babies/toddlers are subjected to.  Turns out she might not be afraid of shots enough.  One evening I found Corah sitting on the bed holding her shirt up. When I looked a bit closer she was wiping her belly with a kleenex and using an oral med type syringe to give herself a shot. She now always asks for a shot when she see's me do mine.  We will see how this holds out when she is subjected to a real shot later this month during her two year check up. 

5.) FACT: Morning sickness is not just in the morning.  For me it is a super sensitive gag reflex and 24-7 nausea. I am on my third anti-nausea medicine. They worked wonders when I was pregnant with Corah... this time they just kinda take the edge off. This means I have lost nearly twenty pounds in two months.  It also means I can't wear t-shirts. (They touch my neck and make me get sick. Insane...I know.) I recently had an evening in the ER after I vomited blood.  It turned out to be nothing serious... just a small tear in my esophagus. Apparently, this is super normal for people who puke a lot.  People like to remind me that once I get into the second trimester it will go away and be smooth sailing.  I am crossing my fingers this is the case. (It wasn't with Cor though.)  My doctor is watching me closely for dehydration.  She is also wanting me to gain some lbs before my appointment next week. So if ya'll can say some quick prayers that I gain a lb or two that would be fantastic.  I have always equated morning sickness with a growing baby.  Every time I get sick its Pistachio's way of saying hey mom...I'm okay!  Until he/she is big enough to make their movements more pronounced I will take this form of communication. (I know vomiting does not = healthy baby and I need to be careful. It is just a mind trick I use to get through it.)  I am also very careful about watching my calorie intake and accounting for the fact that I puke a whole lot.  I am not trying to lose wight I promise.

6.) Its not twins. I promise.

7.) Matt will swear up and down Pistachio is a girl. This pregnancy has been soooooo different I was initially thinking boy. But the heart rate was at a whopping 170 and the old wives tale says thats a girl.  It held true for Corah.  Stay tuned. If I have my way we will be surprised in October.  If the hubs has his way we will find out ASAP. 

8.) Corah's feelings.  I don't think she understands much.  (As can be expected from an almost two year  old.)  However, she loves to show off the sonogram picture that we have.  When my MIL asked Corah if the baby in the picture was going to live with her she frowned, said no, and promptly crumpled the sono picture up. (Poor thing...has no personality at all.) (<---Sarcasm.) 

9.) Because of #5 we are having an impossible time with potty training right now.  It makes Mommy sick, and Corah is confused by what the potty is really for. Awesomesauce. 

10.) MY BABY IS TWO ON SATURDAY!!! (More details later...but geeze batman time flies!)

If you are still reading this Thanks! I know this is boring and ridiculously TMI to most people.  But, this is life for the Sholar Family right now.  I wish I had documented things somewhere with Corah a little better.  This is my honest to goodness attempt to resurrect my long dead blog. No promises Aunt Nancy!