Introducing...

Lillian Rose Moran (can you believe it's a girl?!)

7 lb 9 oz

19 inches long

Born Friday May 15, 2009

11:55 am

In summary, one of the most amazing moments of our lives! God has certainly heard every cry and petition and made all of our dreams come true! She is a blessing, nothing short of a miracle! I have not updated because I am completely enthralled and captivated with her sweetness and beauty! I promise to share more as soon as I can manage to get all of my thoughts together. Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Before we meet you... part 1

I went today for the scheduled appointment with the specialist then to my OB. She was not pleased to find out that my fluid had dropped again. We discussed the options available and basically decided that it was not worth the risk, after all that we've been through, to allow the pregnancy to continue. We decided upon a course of action for delivery, which is basically that we will induce slowly, mild pitocin for a few hours tonight. Followed by a little rest, then we will pick back up in the morning. I will be limited as far as how much actual "inducing" we are able to do- as there is the chance that my c-section scar might rupture if the pitocin is too strong. I am well aware that we might end up doing a repeat section at any point during this time frame. And I am totally ok with it.

The past 4 days of monitoring every kick to make sure that the baby had adequate fluid, combined with today's visit when they had to use the buzzer about 10 times to try to get the baby to respond was enough to do me in. I was physically and emotionally spent and couldn't handle much more. I was so afraid of losing this baby after we've gone this far. Needless to say, as much as I hope and pray for a vaginal delivery- I am totally ok with whatever happens just to be able to hold this little one in my arms.

11:45 PM- the nurse just came in to unplug the monitors and remove the "pit"- as it turns out I am contracting pretty regularly on my own right now. About 3 minutes apart, but only lasting about 40 seconds or so. This will make resting difficult tonight, but will be good for the desired end result. I tried to load a pic or two, but Blogger is being difficult...I will be back sometime tomorrow with an update.

Why everyone needs a little girl...

Mother's Day was Bayli's dance recital. And because I absolutely LOVE and adore any and all things GIRL- I didn't even mind sharing my special day with my special little girl.

She was precious- as were the other 150+ little girls who attend her dance school. And, even though it was a very long, hot, day- we had a ball watching her in her element...showing off while looking cute! It's what she does best. And, as she put it, "Mommy- this was my best Mother's Day yet!"

The state of the union...

I went today for my weekly biophysical ultrasound and OB visit. I am now 36 weeks...and will either be 37 weeks or a new Mommy on Thursday.

Let me catch everyone up. Last Thursday I went to the specialist for what I expected to be my last appointment with him; where I assumed I would pass with flying colors, be released back to my OB to take back over my care 100%, and finish up the remainder of my pregnancy. Instead, he didn't feel comfortable releasing me because my amniotic fluid had dropped from 13 to 9, which isn't a bad level but he was concerned because it was a big drop in a short amount of time. So, we scheduled another appointment for later this week, just to be safe.

So, today when I went to see my OB- we did the scheduled ultrasound just to find out that my fluid has dropped again; to a 7. 7 is still safe, 5 is not- so we are very close to a not so safe range, and my Dr. is concerned that it might continue to drop.

So, I go back to the specialist Thursday at 2:00 for another biophysical ultrasound, then to my OB to determine whether or not we will deliver or be safe to keep going through the weekend. As of today, the baby is measuring 7 lbs 9 oz, which isn't very small at all for 36 1/2 weeks, and the lungs should be developed; so I'm not sure why I'm still a little freaked out. Currently I am 1 cm and 60% effaced, which is great progress for 36 weeks. The jury is still out as to whether she will let me labor or just do a repeat c-section. It depends on where the fluid levels stand, and probably how much progress I make between now and Thursday.

And, of course- I might go Thursday and the fluid levels have risen to a safer level and she will let things ride a little longer. Either way- God knows...He has all of this under control. I know that none of this is a surprise to Him, He has this baby in His hands- He will continue to make a way to keep me and this baby safe; whether we give birth- or continue to be pregnant for a little while longer. Either way God will make a way for His perfect plan.

I do have to say...the thought of meeting this little life in just 3 short days is a little exciting! Finding out if it's a boy or another little girl. How exciting!

God I pray that you guide my Doctor- give her wisdom, that she will know exactly what to do given the circumstances that we might face on Thursday. Father God, I know that your perfect plan will come to pass- and that we will be blessed with a happy, healthy baby. God we pray for a good delivery and a happy experience- regardless of how the baby gets here. Thank you for blessing us and for giving us the desires of our hearts! We look forward to meeting our "New Moran", whether it be Thursday or maybe a few more weeks. Either way- we continue to put it all in your hands! We love you and praise you!

I'm making a list and checking it twice

The time is getting close! I will be 36 weeks tomorrow and according to my Doctor on Monday- she thinks the time will be sooner rather than later. I am almost 1 cm & 40% effaced already! Now, for clarity- I am perfectly aware that I could totally "Hang out" here at this point for the next couple of weeks without any change at all. But she seems fairly certain that will not be the case. I do pray she's right- because I'm getting pretty uncomfortable. Especially at night.

Last night I only slept about 4 hours. And, while we're on that topic- let me just say that there should be a clause somewhere that pregnant women should not have to get sick. At all. Ever. It's totally unfair to take a 9 month pregnant woman, who has to work very hard to breath while sleeping to begin with, and give her some sort of sinus infection that makes her gag, choke, cough, sniff, gasp for air- all at the same time. My husband was rather panicked last night a couple of different times because apparently I woke him up with my gasping for air technique that I was working to perfect.

Anyway, I finally decided to lay on the couch so I could possibly prop my head up a little better. It finally worked, but not until 3:00 am. Meanwhile, I lay on the couch and instead of counting sheep or anything like that, I decided to totally stress myself out with all of the stuff left to do before this baby comes. I began thinking about the glider that I'd like to purchase, then I started thinking about maybe packing a bag or two for me & Jason at the hospital; and for Bayli as well. Then that led my brain totally in a different, but equally important direction. And I totally made a list of things that I plan on eating AS SOON as I give birth to this here child. You see, the other thing that's totally unfair about pregnancy is when you are borderline Gestational diabetic, and can't have anything good or fun to eat, since i have been 22 weeks. I am so tired of eating the same old things and apparently I've had a mental file going somewhere of things I plan to eat as soon as possible after the birth of the baby.

So, without further adieu, and totally in the exact order of importance:

• A piece, or 2, of Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods
• A Snickers Blast from Sonic
  
• A Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Cake (Ok- maybe not the whole cake :)
  
• A Reese's Peanut Butter Egg
  
• A 3 Musketeers
  
• An Orange flavored snow ball with condensed milk...make mine a large please :)
  
• 18 grapes. You laugh- but I can only have 17 a day right now. I feel like being a rebel!
  
• Some caramel dip with my apples.
  
• Blue Bell Cherry Amaretto ice cream
  
• A Broccoli and Cheese baked potato from Jason's Deli
  
• More than my fair share of noodles from Tokyo Cafe'
  
• Also, I was totally ripped off during King Cake season, so maybe we can work something out there too.
  
• 
  

Call it retarded, call it random. Call it whatever you may. I simply refer to it as getting all of my ducks in a row. I feel so much better now that I have a clear, concise plan. And, anyone of you who live near by and plan on visiting us in the hospital- forget the baby gift- I would LOVE a snickers blast from Sonic! (I tease! Ok, maybe I don't! :) Just play it safe and bring food...no telling what these hormones will be like those days!