Hospital, Swollen Ankles, Sharp Rib Pain and No Sleep

Been awhile since I have updated... and since the last update, I think that I can definitely say that pregnancy is in full swing!  Collins is sitting so high in my belly that she is CONSTANTLY kicking my ribs!  And I get this really really sharp pain!  I told Damon that it feels like someone is stabbing me!  I did a little research because it wasn't just the normal "kick in the ribs" pain and found out that it is more than likely her kicking my liver which then hits some nerves! Ouch! Along with that pain, my ankles are seriously swollen about 5 minutes after getting out of bed! I literally have to put on boots that don't have zippers as soon as possible, or they are not getting put on! AH! I am trying to keep them up as much as possible and drinking lots of water, but not a whole lot is helping right now!!

We had another hospital visit about 2 days before the new year too... Collins once again decided to try and make her appearance early! Good grief! We were there almost all day and after 3 shots of Brethine (sp?), contractions finally stopped and I went home!  They did another test that says I wouldn't deliver for the next 2 weeks, so that is good!  They haven't put me on bedrest or anything yet!  THANK GOODNESS!

I talked to the doc about several things this last time I was there, just in getting ready for her (seeing as we think that she will be early).  I talked to him about her being so big already!  He said that we could start looking at inducing at 38 weeks if I hadn't gone into labor by then!  He said that if I start to have contractions again, that I should go ahead and go to L&D, but that if I wasn't dilated, they would probably just send me home and let me keep having them.  If I am dilating, they will check to make sure Collins is ready to be here... if she is, they will just let me go into labor and if she isn't, they will stop the contractions and probably send me home on bedrest.  I also talked to him about c-sections before diabetics have a higher percentage of having them and I just wanted to get his thoughts!  I was happy to hear that he doesn't want to do that unless necessary!  The only other reason I would have to have one is if she is over 9lbs 9ozs... There are increased risks for diabetics when babies are over that weight!  (I am praying she is about a pound under that! AH! PLEASE PRAY WITH ME!

Speaking of my diabetes, it is going really really well!! My HbA1C was 6.6 this last time-- which is PERFECT!  That means that Collins' size has very little to do with me being a diabetic-- she is just a big baby!!

My friend, Heidi, took some maternity pictures of me and below is one of my favorites!! :)  I am about 33 weeks there!

We worked today on putting the finishing touches on her nursery as well!  We got a side table and lamp!  We have one other lamp we need to pick up and then it is COMPLETELY done!!  We got the rug awhile back (you can see me sitting on it above) and I LOVE it!!

I also can't end this post without saying how blessed I am to have celebrated 5 years of marriage with my hubby yesterday!  He is seriously the best thing that has ever happened to me and more than I ever deserved!  God truly knew what He was doing when He brought the two of us together!  He completes me in every way and I can't imagine doing life without him!  I told him last night at dinner that one of the things that I love the most is that our kids don't ever have to worry about us getting divorced! I don't ever fear him leaving me and our family! (and I sure as heck am not going anywhere!!)  This day and age, that is a pretty incredible thing to be able to say!!  I know first hand what that means to a kid!  I NEVER had to worry about that with my parents and what an amazing example they have set for us!  They have been married 31 years and are just as in love today as they were 31 years ago!! I LOVE THEM!! :) And I LOVE my husband!