Doc update

Today I went to the OB here in Enterprise, AL for the first time. He came highly recommended from just about any woman I had talked with as well as the pastor at our new church. He was nice and his office was nice as well. He didn't have my medical records yet so we'll have to go into more specifics after he gets them. I will say that after talking with him, I am really torn. I'm sure he is a good doctor, but he in NO way comes close to the caliber of care I was receiving in Florida. Frankly if he stepped foot into either one of the doc offices that I have in Orlando I'm sure he would feel extremely inadequate.

I left his office not really knowing what to do. Pete and I are going to go ahead and do the hospital tour in the area. If the hospital and the nursing staff instill some confidence, then we will go ahead and do the delivery here. After all, the nurses really end up the ones being there for you in the long run. If not, I'm sticking with what I know and will head to Florida to give birth. We'll keep you all updated. It's hard to make these decisions when I am feeling a bit hormonal and therefore am extremely judgemental on everything about this small southern town.

As far as the Ashlyn goes, her heartbeat was very strong! That's what we want to hear with the medication I am on. It is not having any effect on her at all!!!!

Next up...the local cardiologist. Yikes! I have my doubts about a specialist in a small town (see the judgemental thing again) but hopefully I will be proven wrong!

Introducing...Baby Dean #2!!!!!!!!

So my high risk appointment went beautifully!!!! I had to have a vaginal ultrasound because I am still so early along, but the baby has a strong heart beat and seems to be moving along really well!!!! FINALLY! A doc appointment that I didn't leave in tears! The due date is going to be like last time (for those of you who remember). My medication slows down the growth of the baby a little so it is hard to pinpoint an exact date. The growth of the baby is showing at 8 weeks but my last period says it would be about 11 or 12 weeks. The doctor jokingly said to me that he could narrow it down to the end of May or the beginning of June and that doesn't take into account the C-section option! That's fine by me as I could care less as long as the baby is healthy and developing like it should. Here are some pictures from the ultrasound today.










The heart rate of the baby is super strong and steady at 140! This was a concern as the Lopressor I am on to slow my heart rate can also slow down the baby's heart rate. It hasn't and I am so happy I just can't even put it into words. Those pictures are why I restrict myself, take this horrible medication, and put up with the constant worry. At the end of all of this is another beautiful baby that I have the privilege to be it's mommy!

I am way overdo for a Preston update and have some pictures from this cute Fall Festival we went to this past weekend. I'll post them this evening!

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

First Doc appointment and moving day

Yesterday I had my first official doctor's appointment with my OB. They always start off the same...me having to pee in a cup and then getting my vitals taken. I HATE having my vitals taken. It's always scary to see what the heart rate will be. I had been hoping and praying that my heart rate would be fine. After all, with Preston I didn't have any trouble until my fifth month. I wasn't so lucky this time around. My heart rate in my first trimester is at 142! That's almost double what it should be right now. They had me lie down and rest and took it two more times. It was the same both times. This lead to a quick shuffle out of there as my OB is not the high risk doctor. His staff made appointments for me this Thursday with the Cardiologist and on the 29th with the high risk OB, Dr. Almalt.

On my way home I just burst into tears. It's scary that it is already so high and means that I already have to take it easy. This is basically an impossible task with a move this week and a very active 15 month old. I'm not sure how any of this is going to work. I am going to have to fight TRICARE tooth and nail to make sure that in Alabama I have the same quality care. The problem is that since I am near a military post, I technically have to see the OB there. NOT GOOD, OVER MY DEAD BODY, NEVER...in case you can't tell, I have little if any faith in the post doctors. They are typically straight out of their residency and I have no desire to be some jackass’s learning curve. Please join us in prayer that it all works out and that my doctors here can help me find the same in Alabama. The stakes are just too high this time. My life and my baby's life are on the line again, plus my sweet baby boy needs his mommy! I almost didn't survive my first delivery and I had the best of the best in high risk OB's. I don't even want to think about what could happen with some second rate hack.

As you can tell I am waaaay over emotional right now and my preggo hormones are working against me as I am overwhelmed with everything going on right now.

On a bright note, the move is going well...or at least well compared to the news we got yesterday. Our renter will move in on Friday and we are working hard to make sure that the place is ready. The dryer broke so we had to buy a new one and then go through the installation and take out of the old one! Pete also stepped off the beam in the attic and put a small crack in the bathroom ceiling that needs to be fixed. So much to do and not a lot of time to do it in!

I'm off to do more packing. This will be my last post written from Villa Lane! Good-bye sweet little house and thank you for the memories!