Almost 4 months - My life with three children

Time flies with three children! How is it that I just found time to write this out and Elle is almost four months old? INSANITY is why!

Both Elle and Matheson are currently napping. Nick is at an all day interview and Tristan is at school. It's rare that I have time to myself anymore. 

Nick started calling our daughter, Elle Belle and it has stuck. She is the most darling baby. She's happy and quiet. She sleeps through the night and is very easy going. I felt both boys needed strict routines and if there was kink in the routine, the whole day was off. I have been more lax this time around simply because I am so busy and Miss Elle goes right along with the flow. She enjoys walks to the park with her brother. She won't sleep on the walk as there is just so much to see. She has a ton of dark brown hair and beautiful blue eyes. She is currently wearing 6 months clothes proving that it's the Norstrom gene that creates these BIG babies. 

Elle is such a part of the family already, I can't imagine her not being apart of it. All things happen for a reason. 

Matheson had a hard adjustment when we brought home his little sister. He stopped napping for 3 months and needed Melatonin to go to sleep at night. The whining and crying all day was too much some days, but he eventually came around right around the time Elle turned three months. Tristan is the best big brother to both. He will hold and feed Elle and play with Matheson. Tristan is making good grades even though he is dyslexic and has ADHD. No one works harder than him. It is the grit that will make him successful in life. That I am sure of. Matheson started speech therapy a few weeks ago. He is behind in talking and an evaluation proved him to be in the 1% for his age. We bring him 2x per day for 30 minute sessions. 

Nick lost his job end of June 2020 and hasn't found one yet, but it has been a blessing in disguise as I needed him home. With a pandemic and not able to really go anywhere, being home 24/7 has tested me in ways I never imagined. But I am lucky I married a wonderful man that is a great father and takes care of us. Nick has had a few interviews with three companies that we are hoping he receives an offer from one of them soon. Two are in Houston and one in New York. We have a whole life with friends and family here, but there is something in me that would love to move to another state, another climate, something new and exciting! Hopefully, something pulls through before the end of the year. 

Induction Day!!!

 Today I plan on just getting the little things done around the house. My housekeeper is coming tomorrow as I don't want to come home to a dirty house, but I washed and changed my sheets/ comforter anyways. 

I am still not sure if I will get Cervadil tonight and induce tomorrow or if I will get Pitocin tonight as I am already dilated. I can't wait to meet Elle, but I also can't wait to sleep on my stomach again!

Legally Blonde the movie was on last night. Elle Woods is the main character.... it felt like a sign! 

Very exciting!! I get to meet my daughter soon!

Close to the finish line

 I went to my last OB appointment today. Very exciting to be at the finish line. Dr Kelly is on vacation this week, so I saw her PA, Carly. I instantly liked her. 

Surprisingly, I am already 3cm dilated, 40% effaced and mucus plug is gone! My ultrasound showed baby girl head down deep in my pelvis in perfect position. The PA tried to strip my membranes and she did a little, but my cervix is still high, even though she could feel baby's head. She stated that I might go into labor naturally before my induction Monday night. So I been instructed to walk indoors and continue bouncing on my ball. The night before I was up all night with irregular contractions, I am pretty sure from the result of the labor prep acupuncture I received. Carly also stated that I wouldn't need Cervidil for cervix softening, so they will give me Pitocin right away instead. All day since my appointment, I am super sore from her checking my cervix. 

Right now, I am typing this after midnight on August 7th. As soon as I got into bed the contractions started pretty regular. Feeling them mostly in my lower back, which is just agony. I would love to have Elle today as the boys in the family would all be born on the first and the girls, the 7th! I am huge into number meanings and this would be awesome!

Also, huge nesting instinct kicked in when I got home. I made Nick go to the grocery store today to stock up on everything possible that we needed, which is did. I organized the pantry, cleaned the vacuum cleaner head, did a load of laundry and organized the playroom. I have been taking 2 naps per day and today, no nap, but tons of energy to EVERYTHING done. Labor is imminent I just know it. 

Today I will need to go to the hospital for my Covid test prior to my induction. I might also do another acupuncture session too.  

Exactly one more week to go!

The eviction notice has been given. Induction is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

I check in to the hospital alone on Monday night to soften my cervix overnight. 

Elle will hopefully be born sometime on Tuesday. I can't wait to meet her!

Nick will join me on Tuesday once I am in active labor. Due to Covid, once he's in my room, he can't leave. This makes things tricky with a toddler and a tween at home. Tristan will start middle school online that same day too. My mom will be here, but stressed none the less. It will be an interesting day!!

So far all my bloodwork has been normal and BP in staying in acceptable ranges. I do have pre-eclampsia due to high protein in my urine along with keytones. But so far, it looks as if she will stay put until my induction at 37 weeks. 

My hips and cervix hurt all day and night. Elle is my biggest baby so far. We are predicting at least an 8 pounder by her delivery date. Sleep is hard and I am taking cat naps throughout the day to make up for it. I am miserable! Weight gain is about 41lbs so far. 

35w

I am so behind on posts as I am miserable.

At 31 weeks, I spent 3 days in the hospital as my bp was high and I was having really bad headaches. I was given two steroid injections just in case she needed to be delivered early. Luckily, that did not happen, my BP stabilized and I was able to go home.

I have had weekly ultrasounds and bloodwork with Dr Kelly. Today my labs confirmed that I do indeed have pre-eclampsia again. On top of that, Elle flipped into a breech position. I have been doing everything to get her to move. Acupuncture, bouncing on a ball and inversion positions. I go back to the doctor on Thursday at 35w4d. If she is not in head down position on that day, then I need to schedule a ECV to have her manually turned, then an induction on 37w.

Exactly two weeks away from meeting our girl, IF I make it that long. These headaches that I have had constantly can be debilitating. Some days I can't get out of bed and some days, they are manageable.

Nick lost his job a month ago. We will be ok. He received 6 months severance, plus health insurance. He is able to collect unemployment as well. Plus, Nick has amassed quite a big of wealth over the years that we aren't concerned. We certainly don't want to bleed money and hope he has a job in six months, but it won't be detrimental if not.

I believe all things happen for a reason. Nick has been the best dad and husband the last month. I couldn't have done this without him. It is most likely the reason my pre-e didn't come back earlier as I have had time to rest and nap when needed. Nick takes Matheson outside for play and walks several times per day. It's Texas Summer, which means temps are in the 100s. I don't even walk to the mailbox at this point, so he really is the best.

All of this while the Pandemic is at an all time high and Texas is now one of the worst states for number of cases. Which means, at this point, we literally have been homebound since March... it is end of July with no end in sight.

Last night, I could really tell the stress of all this was getting to Nick as we are super concerned that I may end up with a c-section. That means, Nick would need to care for me, help with a newborn, fully take care of a toddler and monitor Tristan with his online school work when school reopens, which we don't have an actual start date yet. My mom's furlough ends soon and she goes back to work on Aug 3. She is taking a few days off to help watch Matheson while we are in the hospital, but that's it. No one able to help us. It's daunting when I think about how hard it is going to be, c-section or not.

At this point, we can just hope for the best. Whatever will be, will be, just let it be. AND BREATHE.

30w4d - Hospital Observation

Matheson started at Primrose this week, so all my appointments have been made on those days, so that Nick can attend doctor appointments with me.

Sure enough, my blood pressure was high and I needed to go to the hospital's Maternal Fetal Monitoring center to have blood work, urine analysis and serial BP checks done. We were there for about 2 hours and my BP was normal; however, the protein in my urine jumped from 290 two weeks prior to 380. This is very high. Dr Kelly had me also do a 24hr urine collection that same day. I do not have those results yet.

Pre-eclampsia has returned. If my BP gets higher, I can be put on BP medication again and my OB stated she can watch the protein in my urine to a point. However, if my liver enzymes elevate, she will have no choice, but to induce me early. Best case scenario, we are still hoping to make it to 37 weeks, but if not, 32-34 is the best option for Elle.

I am on a week by week basis as of right now. It becomes a delicate balance of keeping me safe and letting baby girl develop more before delivery.

30 Week Maternity Photos

29w4d - The return of Pre-eclampsia and Job loss

Today as been a rough day.

Yesterday, my blood results showed that I have high amounts of protein in my urine. 290 when it needs to be below 200. I love that I can email my OB directly and get a response from her. She stated I needed to be prepared in case of hospitalization. I will be monitored weekly with blood work, ultrasound, the whole workup.

My BP is also starting to go up and I have had several high readings the last few days. I am terrified of an emergency c-section. I am terrified of my baby being in the NICU. I am terrified of the magnesium IV again. Just typing these fears are causing me chest pain from anxiety.

I had an ultrasound today with MFM and baby girl is thriving. The tech stated she was FEISTY. And I am like, "Yeah, she is!". Elle was kicking me so strongly last night and lately, I wonder if she's trying to kick her way out early. She is measuring 3lb 6oz in the 60th percentile. Lots of hair on her head and she is already head down. This is great news that she isn't breech as I was told I could be induced if she needed to come early...if it's safe for me to do so.

With Elle being head down already, it makes sense why my hips are killing me. Both my boys didn't flip until later. It literally feels like my hips are being stretched apart with a crowbar! I have had to take Tylenol several times this week due to the pain and pressure.

In other news, my husband got laid off today from his job this morning. We will be ok financially, so I am not worried about money. He received six months severance pay and Cobra insurance coverage and will also get unemployment. It's just a tough job market right now with the unemployment rate so high, so even though he is highly qualified, finding another job in his niche industry will be difficult. And likely, not in Houston, which is fine by me as I would love to move out of state. Yet, this adds another layer of anxiety during this already heightened time of uncertainty.

I believe all things happen for a reason even if you can't see it at the time. I think a new opportunity will come along for Nick soon enough. And in the mean time, if Elle is delivered early, I will have Nick by my side with no distractions to help me recover and go back and forth to the hospital is NICU time is needed. We will all be ok. I know it.

20 months

Matheson now has ALL his teeth minus his 2 year old molars. Matty went to the pediatric dentist in January and there was bulging pockets were his incisors were, so it took six months for those to come in. Those teeth were the worst!

Matheson is walking up and down the stairs while holding on and now eating with a fork or spoon pretty good on his own. He's definitely a lefty, so I predict fine motor skills will take a little longer to perfect.

Elle's Nursery - Blush and Gold Perfection

I have been dreaming about doing a girl's nursery for as long as I have wanted to be a mother. This surprise pregnancy had me elated when I found out we were having a daughter. I had a secret Pinterest board and couldn't wait to start decorating and shopping. Then Covid happened and my husband was now working from home in the half guest room half office since we turned his office into a downstairs playroom. This took allot of moving around as we need a bigger house, but eventually moved the playroom upstairs to the game room. We gave my oldest a TV in his room as a compromise to losing his hangout space. Nick regained his study and we lost a guest room.

Steel Magnolias is my favorite chick flick movie. I've seen it over a hundred times and still cry at the same parts. I instantly thought of Shelby and her wedding colors "Blush and Bashful" or as M'Lynn called "Pink and Pink". I wanted a soft, feminine space with lots of blush, not bubble gum pink. Also, gold accents to give a chic look as well.

This piece hanging in the nursery has special meaning to me. It's framed lace from my wedding dress that I had saved. I always hoped I would have a daughter and knew exactly what I wanted to do with these lace pieces. The wood gallery floating frame is from Pottery Barn.

The last one born gets the smallest room, but her closet is large, so I decided to put the changing area in the closet. This made more sense with all the clothes and bows being in there too. I used a piece of leftover wallpaper in the frame. 


I started buying beautiful dresses and outfits as soon as I found out we were having a girl! I cannot wait for Elle to wear these pretty things!



SnapPower Safelights



This Kasa Smart Plug is great because you can turn on or off a lamp via Alexa and your iPhone.


Grace Flower Chandelier
Blythe Convertible Crib
Monique Lhuillier Ethereal Butterfly Sateen Fitted Crib Sheet
Monique Lhuillier Ethereal Tulle Crib Skirt
Cameron 2-Shelf Bookcase
Woodland Animals - Hazel Village
Textured Ceramic Mini Accent Lamp
Ballet Grand Jete Framed Art
Jolie Wallpaper Mural
Gold Polished Shelving 3'
Evelyn Linen Blend Bow Valance Blackout Curtain Panel
Archuleta Blush Area Rug
Kiwi Ivory Linen Power Recline
Natural Stone And Gold Metal Margaux Laptop Table
Gold Name Sign

Wood Hoop Boho Blush Wreath Set

Books:
Miss Lina's Ballerinas
Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey
Love Is a Tutu
Jellycat Unicorn Dreams Book - Board Book

Featured on Project Nursery!

https://projectnursery.com/projects/blush-bashful-nursery/

19 months

Matheson is a handful! He is everywhere and into everything.

He has started waking in the middle of the night screaming, which we can only attribute to nightmares. A quick snuggle with mom and he is back to sleep.

Matty is also using a fork or spoon better to feed himself, although, his hands are much faster if he's really hungry!

24 weeks

24 weeks! I made it to viability.

Now, while there are no guarantees, most women feel a sense of relief knowing if something were to happen, baby will likely survive an early delivery at this point going forward.

I am just soooo tired! I've had my thyroid and platelets checked... normal. I guess I can just say that being 36 years old and raising a toddler during a Pandemic is EXHAUSTING.

Also, I passed my glucose test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO

I brought my glucose monitor with me to my doctor's appointment. My fasting was 85 (normal), after breakfast 75 (normal) and one hour after drinking the glucose drink 101 (normal). I wanted to know right away rather than wait for the lab results to come in. I am so grateful not to have to GD again this pregnancy, that was really miserable.

I have gained 20lbs at this point. I just feel huge. Elle is worth it. She moves way more than both Tristan and Matheson. I can't wait to meet this little girl!

22 weeks

I had my follow-up ultrasound with MFM a few days ago on Thursday.

MUST BETTER NEWS

My fluid level went up from a 7 to a 10 and the largest placental lake decreased in size from 5cm to 3cm. I couldn't have asked for better news! The doctor stated I could decrease my water intake from 120oz per day to 80oz, which is much more manageable. I don't go back to see her for another month. Fingers crossed. There was no more scary talk about worst case scenarios and early deliveries. WHEW

In other pregnancy related news, my legs started swelling a little, so I started wearing compression socks during the day if I wasn't leaving the house. Also, heartburn and carpal tunnel at night started last week.

Nick and I think we are going to name her Elle. I just need to find a middle name that works.

Elle Norstrom

20w4d - Anatomy Scan

The honeymoon is over for thinking this pregnancy will not have any complications.

Due to Covid-19, Nick was unable to attend my anatomy scan at Maternal Fetal Medicine. Honestly, I just had this feeling that something was going to be wrong. I know the ultrasound tech is not allowed to give any diagnoses, but I asked anyway when I thought she was lingering on one area over another.

Baby girl is perfect and measuring on time at 12oz. However, three large placental lakes where seen in my placenta. These lakes are pools are blood that could impact nutrients being sent from the placenta to the baby. I cried as the doctor gave me worst case scenarios: early preterm delivery or stillbirth. She will be monitoring me very closely and even mentioned that I would perhaps get a steroid shot at 24 weeks to develop the baby's lungs in case of early delivery. I am on limited rest again this pregnancy. No heavy lifting or exercise. Walking is ok.


Also, my fluid level was very low measuring at only at 7. I am guilty of not drinking enough water, but the doctor was concerned at the correlation of the lakes and my low fluid.

I go back in a week and was instructed to drink as much water daily as I could. Yesterday, I did 120oz. I hope to do more today.

I am angry with myself that my baby is perfect and it's my body that is failing again. I thought this time would be different as I was able to conceive naturally and up until this point hadn't had any bleeding or complications. Sigh.

18 weeks

We've been quarantined at home the last 3 weeks due to Coronavirus. And honestly, I am enjoying all the family time. It's nice to have Nick home all the time. We go for walks and play outside. Such an historic time in life. I am grateful for all of us to be healthy

I am feeling great. No issues so far. Knock on wood. I have my OB checkup in two days. I still check my blood pressure and blood sugar occasionally and all have been perfectly normal so far. I started feeling butterfly flutters and barrel rolls depending on the way I am laying, so it is nice to feel baby girl and know all is ok.

We are still on the fence about names. Top contenders are Brielle, Claire and Elle, Naming a daughter is so HARD! One day, I'm like, this is her name and the next, I'm like nope, this is her name. I've never been this indecisive on anything.

15 weeks

Time is flying by!

With Matheson at 15 weeks, I had a massive hemorrhage from a subchorionic hematoma and I thought I lost him.

This pregnancy, no issues so far. I feel great other than getting up several times per night to pee and getting over a cold that Matty gave me.

It's Spring Break right now and Tristan is home. We usually plan on traveling, but are staying local due to the pandemic of Coronavirus.

I was 174lbs pre-pregnancy and weighed in at 182 at my visit last week. I am definitely looking pregnant these days and not just fat.

We’re having a ......

12 weeks

I made it to 12 weeks and graduated from weekly HFI visits! Even though this was a natural pregnancy, it was nice to be monitored weekly and make sure my hormones were what they needed to be. And weekly ultrasounds to see and hear my baby’s heartbeat was the best!

I had some spotting a few days ago, but was told not to worry as the cervix is very sensitive and miscarrying at this point is rare and if so, I would bleed enough to be hospitalized. 

Still no gender results! Natera took too long to process my blood and I needed a redraw yesterday. I was beyond annoyed. I called customer service several times last week as I knew it was taking too long and from reading in several online groups, the women that needed redraws was when Natera took too long to process lab results. Also, I went to Sneak Peak for next day gender results, but yesterday was President’s Day and the holiday delayed results another day. Grrrr. I just want to know pink or blue and announce my pregnancy!!

10 weeks

Weekly ultrasound today showed a gummie bear baby just dancing her heart out! Strong, beautiful heartbeat on the monitor. I only have two more visits with at HFI. I am grateful Dr Yeh has been monitoring my spontaneous pregnancy weekly since I found out.

I finally felt some relief from the near constant exhaustion I have felt since taking a pregnancy test. The last five weeks, I have felt like a lazy mom as I just can't muster up the energy to do as much with Matheson that I used to do.

I told Tristan today. The tween years have been testing my patience and I need him to understand that he needs to step up.

3 kids. Am I really capable of this?

We plan on announcing our pregnancy on social media on Valentine's Day. February has so much meaning to us. Our Transveranniversary is 2/9 and our dating anniversary is 2/28. Along with Valentine's Day, it's just a month filled with love.

8 weeks

I made it past the week I miscarried my twins. This was an important milestone with Matheson and this pregnancy as well. 

While there are never guarantees in early pregnancy during the first trimester, I feel a sense of relief. Baby has a strong heartbeat of 178bpm and is measuring on schedule (actually one day ahead today). No sign of any bleeding in my uterus and hormone levels are good. 

I have a strong feeling that this determined baby is a girl and have even slipped when referring to “her”. Bloodwork in 2 weeks, then 2 weeks for results, so we should know in a month. Of course, gender doesn’t matter. Another boy would be wonderful to grow up with Matheson, so my only hope is for health. 

15 months

Matheson's vocabulary has blown up the last 2 weeks. He is sounding out words and talking more every day. Along with common words like car, baby, book, boy, dog, mama, dada; he is saying complex words like Daisy and Doogan.
I find it amazing how much he understands. He knows when I say, "It's bath time, let's go take a bath". Matheson will run to the bathroom and try to get in the tub. We can tell him, "Go get the book, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and Matheson will go to the bookshelf and pickout that book. If he's hungry, he will go to the high chair and try to climb in or if I say, "Are you hungry, do you want to eat?", he will go towards the high chair.

Molars are a BEAST. Last month, he got in his second upper molar and I can see the bottom two are working their way out as well. His gums are red and swollen and Matty definitely has been cranky/whiny from it.

He has been sleeping 7-7am and naps are either one long nap midday or two shorter naps. It is harder to get him to nap nowadays as there is so much to do and explore.

Curiosity can be the best adjective to describe M's behavior. He is curious about the world around him and into EVERYTHING. He was convined to the bathroom with me while I was using the toilet. Matheson opened the shower and proceeded to remove the shower drain and was digging in the gross hair glob in the drain....ewwwwww. He wants to dig and eat the dirt, pickup rocks and put in his mouth. Basically, ALL BOY. He still loves books and will pull all of them off the shelves and look through them. It's getting harder for him to sit and listen to me read to him though. Toys, toys and toys. He loves playing with toys. I enjoy watching him put the animals in the farmhouse or push the cars down the track.

The world is his oyster and Matheson is intent and finding pearls.