A much needed vacation

Well against doctors orders this is just what we needed.  Reece and I are spending 5 days in Bonita Springs, Florida visiting with my mom, Nana.  We haven't even spent one full day here and it has been incredible.  Several people have been asking how things are going and wanting to see pictures so I thought I would share our adventures so far.  It is Reece's first trip to the beach since he was an infant.  The pure astonishment in his eyes is indescribable!  

 So glad to see Nana after a long 3 weeks away!  

 Our first stop after lunch was an alligator park

 These are some big guys ( and gals)

 I'll sit here as long as you promise this guy won't bite

 Brave enough to even touch this baby gator

 Headed to the ocean for the first time!

  Alright I am ready to have some fun in these waves!

I am going to chill out, but just for a second!!

Can't wait for day two at the beach with NO SCHEDULE except sun and fun!!

25 weeks

How far along:  25 weeks, or should I say 15 to go!!

About the baby: Baby Matthews is the length of a recorder.  He or she is growing leaps and bounds, and beginning to add on some fat.  The baby's arms and legs are just about the length they will be at birth.  Baby M is also able to feel the sensation of touch!

Maternity Clothes?: Yes mostly all maternity clothes except for my workout pants 

Sleep: Sleeping is decent although I do have to sleep on my let side because of my fractured rib ( I'll fill you in below)

Best Moment of the week:  Watching Reece complete his first real race on Saurday.  I'm not sure who was more proud, him or me!

Miss anything?: I seem to be missing everything dealing with normalcy lately from being able to enjoy a cocktail after a long day or just to not have to visit doctors every other day

Movement: Wow Baby Matthews has gained some strength.  I can now visible see my belly moving when he or she is kicking me.  I love the feeling!

Food cravings:  Probably anything sweet

Anything make you sick:  Not really

Labor Signs:  Thank goodness no!!

Happy or Moody:  Even though this isn't an option I would have to say I am feeling overwhelmed and anxious.  I am days away from finishing my semester and feeling the pressure mount of time running out with so much to do and prepare for.  I know it will all work out somehow!

Looking forward to:  I cannot wait to go down to Florida next week with Reece, which is probably an understatement:)

Update on my health: I feel selfish to say that I am so tired of talking about my health issues yet at the same time am incredibly grateful for everyones concern and continual support.  I think it has just been such a constant now in our lives that it seems if I don't talk about it maybe I don't have to deal with it.     

So I have been continuously dealing with health concerns since I was discharged from the hospital almost a month ago.  My heart rate has been quite high as as my blood pressure at times, along with off and on breathing issues.  The amazing part of all of it is I feel pretty good, but understand the concern.  So last week I went to see a Pulmonologist.  Honestly I walked in there thinking he would tell me I was doing great and to continue with the steroids he prescribed me a little over a week prior.  Well that didn't happen - in fact he sent me right over to the hospital for a CT Scan.  While a CT is not a huge deal normally it is of much greater risk when someone is pregnant.  My doctors had been discussing it for several weeks so Gregg and I were aware of the possibility, but clearly the did not want to expose me or the baby to the radiation unless absolutely necessary.  The reasoning for this was because they were concerned of me having a pulmonary embolism.  Honestly 7 weeks later I was ready to get it done just to maybe get some answers.  To make a long story short the test came back clear, AMEN!  However it did show that I had a fractured rib which occurred a week or so prior as well as residual pneumonia in my right lung.  Yet it does not explain my heart.  So I am seeing a Cardiologist on Wednesday.  Thursday I am seeing another doctor to help make some adjustments in hopes of helping my pain from my broken rib slightly more manageable.  My OB told me I have a long three in half months or so in front of me but as long as we have a healthy baby at the end of all this than nothing else matters.  My OB has advised me against traveling to FL next week( though she did say she isn't telling me I can't go) but honestly I think the vacation is exactly what I need and I am so excited to get away for 5 days.

Happy Easter

 Since Reece was a born we began the tradition with him of going to Mass then we get to come home to see if the Easter bunny has visited our house.  We did this to help in explaining what the real meaning behind each holiday is.  Reece seems to really enjoy it also! So after Mass we began our festivities, coming home to find that indeed the Easter bunny sure did come by.  We had two Easter egg hunts, one at our house and one at Nana and Papa's where Team Matthews finished in 1'st place for YES another year!!! In between the two hunts we enjoyed brunch with the whole family.  Gregg even managed to watch all of the Masters with of course some interruptions for the watching Tigers beat those Soxs, again!!  We definitely missed Mom (Nana) but we cannot wait to visit her in 15 days in Florida ( Can you tell we are definitely counting down!?!) What a blessed and happy Easter it was.

Love this picture!

Its hard to believe next Easter we will be a family of 4!

The cousins 

 "I think I'll just let these other crazy kids grab all the eggs and just stand here looking so handsome!"

They were even able to change into their egg hunting clothes!!

Our little monkey!!

Well I AM SO HAPPY to report that I am feeling so much better! Gregg says so much better in fact I am back to nagging ( love him!!)  After our visit with the high risk doctor Monday he seems to think that things are under control and improving.  He has decided to leave me on an inhalation steroid throughout the remainder of my pregnancy along with a few other medications.  Gregg and I are so relieved and ready to move on from all this.
Even Reece is thrilled!  He told me the other day the highlight of his day was "Mommy you being able to pick me up from school again!"  Oh I love that boy.  
The highlight of our visit on Monday was having the opportunity to see the baby again.  Our last major ultrasound was at 17 + weeks.  Wow has he or she grown. While of course we think he or she is beautiful we cannot deny, Baby Matthews looks a bit monkey ish.  Or maybe we should just comment on the future genius  on our hands with that brain!!
With smiles on our faces finally we have been able to spend time wondering- will the baby will look like Reece?  Will he or she have pointy fingers like Gregg and Reece?  And God sure help us will they have as much energy as Reece? Just at the tip of the iceberg...
It feels like this is what pregnancy is suppose to feel like, I LOVE IT and assure you I am soaking in every moment!!

21 weeks

How far along:  21 weeks


About the baby: Baby Matthews is about the length of a carrot.  His or her eyebrows and eyelids are now developed.

Maternity Clothes?: I am pretty much wearing half and half.  ( My regular clothes have just about seen their last days for a while) The weather had been beautiful so I have been able to pull out some of my looser fitting dresses which I love.  But as far as pants go I am straight maternity now!


Stretch marks?: My fingers are crossed that this will not be the pregnancy which I get them:)

Sleep: The past three or four days my sleeping has dramatically improved, back to sleeping through the night , ALMOST, which I know has improved my overall spirits ( Gregg's too)!! 

Best Moment of the week:  The last four days.  It has been such a long three + weeks and I am so relieved to say after another hospital visit on Monday, I am feeling better!!!  


Miss anything?: A nice cold beer or three sitting by the lake!!!  This could be a long summer

Movement: Yes a lot and loving it!  Gregg has also been able to feel the baby move, which has also been one of our highlights this week!!


Food cravings:  Just to be hungry again...I think I have some catching up to do after not being able to eat much of anything for a while.  Who knew pregnancy would be my latest diet trend, I am sure I will get back on eating for two:)  

Anything make you sick:  I am still struggling with eat meat but my appetite is dramatically improving

Labor Signs:  Thank goodness no!!

Happy or Moody:  Happy - All this craziness with my health has put a new perspective on things for Gregg and I.  We really realize how valuable our health and each moment is!!  We feel very blessed and excited to start really enjoying this journey!!


Looking forward to: Well I have an appointment on Monday morning with a high risk OB doctor, while I am honestly nervous about it we are really hoping to get some final resolution or answers to why I am still having some of my original issues.  The best part is we will have another ultrasound of the baby, of which we can never see him or her enough!!

Not exactly as planned

I certainly have had some time these past 36 hours to reflect on where we have been and where we are going!.

The back story:

Two weeks ago while Gregg was away I began to feel like I was getting sick, or at least feeling very run down.  Everyone convinced me I needed to get some rest.  After about four days it was apparent I was very sick.  I must have said one hundred times I feel like I am dying.  Add a pregnancy on top of things and I had Gregg and my family quite concerned.  By Saturday I paged my OB to get some suggestions to help with any relief.  Well by the following week I found myself the ER.  I was sent by my OB because my heart rate was quite elevated as was the baby's.  After a few bags of fluids I was sent home and told I would feel improvement within 48 hours.  Well that came and went.  To be honest I think I got worse.  I was scared but just praying that I could make it til the next morning.  So Monday I had a recheck at the doctor and was sent for more testing.  Well here I find myself admitted to Botsford for several days with pneumonia. .

The past two weeks have been so trying so emotional.  I know to some it is hard to fully understand because of course my goal is to get better.  However I have missed a weeks worth of classes, midterms included.  As I lay and pray about feeling better I am also praying that I feel the baby move.  It was just a month ago when Gregg and I were speaking about everything falling into place.  We have waited and wanted all this , school, to add to our family.  Now it is sitting on our door step but clearly God had other plans.  Our schedules have been crazy, clearly I needed to slow down.  In a short two week time frame , I have realize that I need to slow down and take each moment as it comes because tomorrow is not a given.  I hope all the work I have put into this semester will not be lost as  I have no guarantee as to how long I will be here in the hospital and how much work professors will allow me to make up.  But as far as today goes we have heard the baby's heartbeat twice and I am off an IV for now. This makes us smile!! I had a chance to talk briefly with Reece on the phone ( he isn't able to come up to visit because of the infectious nature of my floor)., his laughter and excitement brought a smile to my face.  So I am trying to remain focused on today and being so grateful for the incredible husband, son, family, and friends we have helping us through.  Tomorrow will come soon enough

Boy or Girl???

Well we had our big anatomy ultrasound on Monday.  I have been very sick and was pretty concerned because I hadn't been feeling the baby as much so we were overjoyed and relieved to see and find out Baby Matthews is healthy and doing great!!
We did find out however that the baby is measuring a bit smaller than the dates I thought. I am offically 18 weeks today, so as Gregg said we jumped the gun a bit on the 18 week post, but we are there now!

Here are a few pictures of the newest Matthews !

 Baby Matthews is waving hello already!!

So I have Gregg completely bewildered in looking into all these wise tales which are suppose to determine the sex of our child.  "If you want to know so badly Linds lets just find out!!!"  I guess it is just a fun way to pass the time and maybe allow some insight into what will be our second greatest surprise.
So the results so far:

Heart rate = boys have heart rates below 140
                    girls have heart rates above 140
Baby Matthews is between 140 and 150 = BOY or GIRL

Chinese birth calender=  GIRL

Ring test = our ring swung back and forth
                  Depending on the website Baby Matthews is a BOY or GIRL

Online gender prediction quiz = GIRL

So after all is said and done Baby Matthews still has a 50/50 chance of being a GIRL or a BOY!
Guess we are going to have to wait (fingers crossed)until the end of July to find out for sure or until more wise tales are revealed!!