Hydrangea Wreath Under $10

With all the time I spend on Pinterest, I finally decided I needed to start making some of the cute things I was seeing. I did a search for hydrangea wreath and here is what I found: http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=HYDRANGEA%20WREATH

There are a lot of really cute wreaths out there. My friend and I went out shopping for the supplies and the next day we put together our wreaths. I am very pleased with the finished  wreath and most of all that it was done for under $10.

Here is what I needed:

1 cardboard wreath. I found mine at Michael's near the foam wreaths, but the cardboard wreath is much cheaper. You could also cut your own out, but I think this will be more weather resistant. ($2.50 maybe)

2 bunches of hydrangeas. Michael's was having a 60% off sale. ($6.00)

Ribbon. I found this at Hobby Lobby 50% off. The whole spool was $5.00 but I only used about 2 of the 30 feet that is on it.

Hot Glue Gun

Scissors

Here is how I did it:

First: pull the leaves and flowers off your bunch. Cut the stems off the leaves.

Second: Glue leaves around the wreath.

Third: Space the flowers evenly around the wreath and glue them on. Leave a small space for your ribbon.

Fourth: Tie a cute bow with the ribbon. Nothing fancy, simple will do.

Fifth: Take down the Easter Wreath that's been up there a few weeks after Easter has already passed. Quickly hang up your new wreath before wiping the pollen off the door.

Maybe one day I will show you the entire front porch, but for now your not missing much. It is really calling for a fresh coat of paint, but that is going to have to wait until after Baby Girl gets here.

23 weeks and Good News

Yesterday, I had an appointment with my OBGYN. He said that he and my MFM are very happy with the way things are going. It was nice to chat about being pregnant a few months from now, and reassuring that we would make it that far. My blood pressure was still a little high in the office, but I told him that it had gone back to normal when I saw the MFM and they did not want to change the dose. I’ve also gained a total of 8 pounds this pregnancy, and he was happy about that. I’m working to gain more because I’m still a little behind. There have been several stops for Chicken Biscuits and Milkshakes to help make it happen.

21 weeks

Every week I have to give a urine sample to be tested for protein, it’s something all pregnant women do. It’s been a little high every time since I have kidney disease and I already spill a little protein, but yesterday it was the lowest it has ever been this entire pregnancy and back to normal for my kidneys. That was great news.

We also talked about steroid shots and decided we would do them at 28 weeks and then a booster if we have to deliver before 34 weeks. I was so happy to hear that he thinks there will be no problems before 28 weeks and even later.  

At my ultrasound last week at the MFM office, baby girl was measuring at 46% on the scan and at 18 weeks she was 61%. My OB said that this is probable an indication that she is starting to fall behind on growth but because she started out big she has a long ways she can fall behind before it becomes an issue. He said with my high blood pressure, and the anti-bodies it was very unlikely that this would not happen, but at least it has happened later. Next week I have another ultrasound and we will make sure there are no clots in the placenta and the umbilical cord is still providing her with enough nourishment. Right now, she weighs over a pound, and more than Malakai when he was born.

23 weeks

Overall, it was a good appointment. Praise that my protein was lower this time. Please be praying for her growth, my blood pressure to remain normal, continued improvement and restoration of my kidneys, full-term delivery, and wisdom for the doctors.

Half-Way There, 20 weeks

Last week, I had an appointment with my OB and MFM. They both went fine and Baby Girl is still growing great. My ob said that I need to rest more now that we are 20 weeks, and suggested 6 hours a day of lounging around. So far, that’s been pretty hard to achieve.  He also mentioned hospital bed rest at some point as a precaution. While I was at the office my blood pressure was 140/90, a little high but not stroke high. That night I checked it at home and it was a perfect 120/80. It seems I have a real anxiety problem when I go to the doctor. I had the same problem when I went to my MFM appointment but I told them that I check it regularly at home and it is always between 110/70 and 120/80. It’s really mind boggling that it gets so high because I don’t stress a lot before I go. The MFM didn’t seem worried about it. I also asked him about bed rest and he said that we don’t even need to be thinking about that right now because everything is going really well. I’m worried that if I did have to go to the hospital because of my blood pressure, it would not come down if it doesn’t come down at the doctor’s office. 

The MFM is over an hour away and while I was there I was able to go meet a friend from my on-line support group for women with FSGS. She just had a baby girl a few months ago after an experience similar to mine with Malakai. 

I guess some of the nervousness of this pregnancy is starting to subside since we have made it past 18 weeks when we delivered Teddy still-born. Now I don’t worry so much that we might not find a heartbeat, but I am concerned that we might not make it full-term.  We are staying positive and planning for a full-term, bring home baby. We have started stocking up on all the things we will need and I have found a lot of cute baby clothes at consignment sales. Matt ordered her Travel System and put together the stroller. We also moved the boxes out of the nursery that didn’t belong in there.  I have a sweet aunt that has sent me several packages of knitted booties, sweaters, hats and bonnets. She also made some really cute bonnets from my great- grandmother’s hankies and they are so cute.

I started to feel flutters from baby girl around 16 weeks, but last night they were really big kicks. On the ultrasound she is always very active. It’s so cute to watch her get comfy and roll around.  We still have not settled on a name yet, but we have a few ideas we are tossing around.

Please continue to pray for this pregnancy, specifically that my blood pressure does not get higher or uncontrollable, and that she continues to grow on target and does not fall behind. I am very thankful that we have made it this far without any problems and that my kidney function has even improved, we are praying that things continue to go this way.

18 Weeks

Yesterday, Matt and I went to our 18 week appointment to see our Maternal Fetal Medicine Doctor and have an in depth look at Baby Girl on the ultrasound. I was so nervous about this appointment! I feel like 18 weeks is one of several milestones since our first pregnancy with Teddy ended at 18 weeks.

 

The appointment went really well. The ultrasound tech was great and made the experience so much more enjoyable. I drank a lot of sweet tea before the appointment to make sure that Baby Girl was awake and moving around and I think it back fired because she was really active. Next time, I won’t drink caffeine before the appointment. During the ultrasound we got to see her flip around, hold her hands together like she was praying, wave at us, and wiggle a whole bunch. It was really cute for us but I could tell it was making the ultrasound tech have a hard time getting her images.  

 

With Teddy, my first pregnancy, we suspect that the antibodies in my body attacked the uterus cutting of blood flow to him at 18 weeks. Then with Malakai, he had already started to fall behind on growth at 18 weeks because of the anti-bodies again (he was below 40% on the growth charts at this time). Having Teddy pass away at 18 weeks and Malakai already showing signs at 18 weeks that there was a problem, it added to the fear of my appointment yesterday. So far, baby girl is still growing and she is maintaining her 61% on the growth charts. The MFM said that we should count on a big healthy baby since she is looking so good!

 

We continue to pray that she grows bigger and stronger every day. We are specifically praying that the antibodies don’t attack the placenta so that she continues to get all the nourishment she needs and her growth stays on track.

Kidney Update

Last week, I had an appointment with my nephrologists. My nephrologists is three hours away and on the way down there I started to wonder if I should find a new one closer, but once I got there I remembered why I keep going there. My doctor is great and I don’t feel like he tries to scoot me out quickly. The down side was that I was by far the youngest person in the waiting room and old people stink. I’m sure you’re not interested in my stories about the others that were in the waiting room, so I will move to the good stuff- my latest kidney numbers.

I’m always nervous to go to these appointments for fear that I am going to hear horrible results from the 10 tubes of blood that were drawn. I’m so excited to tell you that my results were really great. I’m really excited about my good results. So here it is: my kidney function came up 8 points! I’m pretty excited to have improvement. My creatine is finally below 2 again- 1.89 J My bun was within normal range too- I’ve not seen it this low in a long time, actually  I don’t remember it ever being within normal range. Last time my potassium was high but it’s also now normal, which I was really surprised about because I have been eating a lot of high potassium foods.

I’m really amazed that my numbers are finally starting to improve, I keep trying to figure out if I have done something that might help but I can’t think of a thing. I have been eating a lot of junk food- potato chips, pickles, cookies, hamburgers, fast food. I had gone gluten and dairy free but I didn’t notice too much of a change and so about 2 months ago I started eating normal again. The only thing that may have helped has been our new water filter. Well, and lots of prayer too, I think that’s the biggest difference.

Mark 9:23-24 “‘If you can [help us]’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Recently, my pastor preached on these verses, and for the entire story go here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9&version=NIV. In summary, the boy’s father had asked his disciples to heal his son, but they were unable to. I’m sure that he was disappointed when they were unable to, so when he saw Jesus he asked Jesus if he could heal his son. That’s when Jesus proclaims that Everything is possible for one who believes. I really felt like I could relate to the father when he asked Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief. To me, what stands out is that he did believe, but maybe he felt it was TOO big for God. I know that I often feel like some stuff is too big for God, but Jesus reminded him that EVERYTHING is possible when we believe. I’ve been praying a lot that God would help my faith grow, to help me overcome me unbelief. It’s been pretty cool too, because as I pray for others and I see God work in their life in BIG ways, it encourages me that God is also going to be able to do great things in my life too, and He is.

It's a New Year

Last year was full of so many changes. First, we decided to start the adoption process. Then, we bought our first foreclosure property and totally remodeled it. Throw in numerous doctor appointments driving here and there. Oh and a few fun trips too.

We learned so much going through all the adoption classes. Things I was scared to handle, such as child sexual abuse, no longer seem so scary. I also learned a lot about patience as the process took us so much longer than we had expected. Finally, we are totally done and now we just WAIT and WAIT and WAIT to be matched to our kids.

Let’s not forget all the doctor appointments too. We maxed out of Flex spending account on co-pays and medicine. It looks like next year will be just as busy with appointments too. I am thankful through it all that I have met some great doctors and I think my care is going to be fantastic.

Looking back it was a really busy year. If we get matched with siblings our whole life will continue at this busy pace. If we throw in a new house our life will get even busier as we move and put this house on the market. We could make things even more exciting and busy by adding a baby to our family. What will 2013 have for us?

Two Little Words

Two Little Words

Matt and I have been waiting for months now to hear two little words. I wish I could say I have been patient, but the truth is that I am not a very patient person. I bet you were thinking that the two little words would be “We’re Pregnant”, but nope, that’s not them. We have been waiting and waiting to hear “We’re Approved” for adoption.

That’s right, after ten months of waiting we have been approved to adopt from the state foster system. So from here, we wait to be matched to our kids. We are hoping for siblings, under the age of 6. Maybe two or three, we didn’t put a max number down. I did see on the national waiting children website that there are sibling groups of five!

In a day our family could double in size! We are so thankful that God already knows who are kids are and we have been praying that he protects their hearts from the abuse they may experience before they come to us. We have also been praying that God will equip us to be able to help them and parent them the best way we can. It’s exciting and I would say that I hope you all will be praying for us too, but I already know that there are so many that are because I have an unexplainable amount of peace about everything that is about to change in our life.