‘Eventful’ – that’s what the last few days have been for us. My employer let me know Friday that my last day at my current store {I’m a retail pharmacist} will be at the end of this month. They need someone to work 40 hours/week and I just can’t commit to that right now. I had been trying to help out at 30 hours/week but their volume has increased to where they need those 10 more hours/week. I’m bummed about leaving my current store. Even though I don’t like what I do {I’d rather be tweaking!}, my co-workers are great and I’ll really miss them.
So, it turned out that this past weekend was my last at my current store. On top of just feeling blah about leaving in a few short weeks, I also wasn’t feeling well physically. Saturday I was mainly tired. Okay, exhausted, all day. I normally have a high energy level and don’t require that much sleep. Give me 6 hours a night and I’m good. But my arms and legs felt like I had just finished running a few miles but in reality I was only standing.
Sunday, Handy Hubby left for yet another business trip after dropping off the boys at my dad’s house. I went to work. As soon as I got to work, things went a little downhill. I was crampy and having contractions all day. I didn’t feel right but I figured it was from being on my feet for the past 3 days. I decided to wait it out until closing time. After work, I drove 45 minutes to my dad’s house and had some more contractions along the way. I figured I’d down a bunch of water and lay down as soon as I arrived. I did. An hour and a half went by and the contractions were actually becoming more regular and stronger. I was having one every 3-5 minutes in that last hour. They weren’t horrible by any means but I could tell that they were above and beyond simple Braxton Hicks.
I reluctantly called my OB. I already knew what she was going to say. I ended up being one of the few Americans who didn’t watch the Super Bowl {I actually enjoy football}. Instead, my dad and I spent the night at the hospital. My *bonus mom* {that sounds so much better than stepmom…I love her lots!} stayed behind to watch the boys for me. As soon as I got to the hospital, I got a text from HH telling me he had landed safely at his destination. My reply text? “I’m at the hospital. Having contractions. I’ll let you know more when I do.”
To make an 8-hour long hospital visit story short, I was in fact having preterm labor contractions. I was only 1cm and 40% effaced but I’m only 31 weeks and that’s waaaaay too soon for baby to come. I was immediately given a shot of terbutaline to relax my uterus but the contractions were still coming on an hour later. So, I was given a second shot. The second shot worked and after being monitored for a few hours, I was sent home with strict orders to take it easy. No working, no lifting, no exercising until my next appointment on Thursday. No more of this…
Or this…
I’m on modified bed rest. The boys and I are staying with my dad and his wife since HH is out of town until Friday. HH is on standby to catch a flight home before then should anything transpire. My dad lives in a rural area with no internet service. I felt good enough this morning to drop off Layne at school then swing by the apartment to write up this post…then I’m headed back to my dad’s.
I’m following doctor’s orders and gave my dad’s couch my full attention yesterday. I can’t say I’m entirely surprised this happened. I had contractions off and on all last week but tried to ignore them. HH wanted me to call my doctor then and I didn’t. Looking back, I probably should have. We medical professionals are the worst patients.
The good news is that the baby seemed fine and healthy during the whole ordeal. No drops in heart rate and lots of fetal movement. I’ve only had a handful of contractions since being released from the hospital and hopefully it stays that way. I see my doctor again in two days and should find out more then. I’ll take any non-contracting thoughts you want to send my way!
Needless to say, my priorities have changed…yet again. #1 is trying to keep this baby inside me for as long as possible. With this being my third, I know that no matter how uncomfortable I get, things will be even more hectic once baby arrives. I’m happy to carry him/her as long as I can. So, that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m very sorry if I’m not able to reply to your recent emails/comments and give you up to date coverage of the Underdog. But I’ll do the best I can without jeopardizing baby’s well being.
My boys are being so great during all of this. Everett hangs out with me on the couch {he’s a snuggler} and talks to the baby. Layne has been bringing me water to drink but he did make it clear that I shouldn’t ‘treat him like a servant and ask him for a tray of food.’ :) He’s hilarious. As much as they love Grandpa and Karen, the lil’ guys are eager to return to our apartment. Still not sure when that will be.
HH wishes he were here. I keep telling him there’s not really anything he could do anyway, so just take care of business and then come home.
I’m very grateful to my dad and Karen {my dad’s wife} for helping me out. They are such a blessing! I don’t know what I’d do without them.
Even with all that’s going on, I do have some design news for you. I’ve been working with Joss & Main over the last month or two in preparation for a sales event that I’ve put together. I’ve teamed up with them to curate a collection of items that will be available for purchase next week. {You may remember Young House Love doing something similar a while back.} I’ll be sure to post all about the event when it goes live {scheduled for next Tuesday} but I wanted to give you a heads up in case you’d like to sign up FOR FREE to become a member of Joss & Main before the big sale. {You must be a member to purchase event items.} I’m so excited to share the items I’ve picked! Hope you’ll tune in. More details to come.
Have a great day people! I hear my dad’s couch calling…
images: 1&2) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking 3) Joss & Main
inspiration, kid-friendly