When life hands you lemons...I am really sick of lemonade!

Could things be easy for us when it comes to pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum? I was hoping since the 3rd time was not a charm that the fourth would have to be, I can't be that unlucky, but I found out I am and somehow ended up with another complication that only happens in like 1% of pregnancies.

I had some of the routine first trimester blood work done and it came back that I have antibodies to certain things in blood. I was referred to a Perinatologist (for those of you who don't know it is a doc that is specialized in high risk pregnancies.) To make a long story short if my baby has a certain blood type that my body has made antibodies against my body will destroy the baby's red blood cells and cause anemia in the baby. Treatment? Very frequent ultrasounds to measure blood in the brain to check for anemia and if anemia happens the baby will have to get blood transfusions via a needle inserted into my stomach and through the umbilical cord. Sounds like fun for both of us huh?I asked how likely it will be that the baby will be affected. They said based on the high number of antibodies in my blood it is very likely. Damn.

So the next step is getting my husbands blood type looked at to see if he is going to pass the baby the type my body has antibodies to. Second at 15 weeks will have follow up bloodwork and an amniocentesis, which I haven't ever had so I am nervous. I guess the doc said for now it won't affect the baby until about the 18th week and I am 11 weeks now. I will keep you updated.

On a cheerier subject, spring is near, I can feel it. I have been thinking about planting flowers, having sheets on the bed that smell wonderful from being hung outside, having the windows open and barbecuing. I can't wait for the children to be able to play outside and to be able to take these hyper dogs to the dog park. The down side to the transition from winter to spring is all the dog poop that surfaces, and the muddy dog feet that have to be cleaned, woohoo! I love my animals but Life would be so much easier without them *sigh*.

This and that

It's been awhile. Been so exhausted I could barely function. Nausea, driving kids to and from school, taking care of a baby, house,animals and much more in the midst of the first trimester of pregnancy has been alot. I am finally starting to get a little bit of energy back (just a little) and the nausea is definitely getting better.

We celebrated Prob's 33rd birthday on the 15th and we got a rare night out alone to one of our favorite places, Mancini's restaurant, it was a short date but it was nice.

I was the parent volunteer this past week at a girl scout meeting for Olivia's troop. The girls came up with ideas for a community service project and then voted on their favorite. Helping out at the humane society was the top choice. Gabriel came with and he was a big hit with all the girls. Olivia however did not like sharing her baby brother and was so worried about the way the girls were holding him.

 I have been so proud and happy lately when I watch the kids with Gabriel. Olivia especially. She has always been such an overachiever, good helper, rule follower, amazing child and definitely wise beyond her years. Since Gabriel has been born she has been an amazing help and wonderful big sister. Today she was giving Gabriel a massage. She is always making him things, the latest being a book dedicated to him. She knows how much he loves smiley faces so if she isn't making him one at school she is pulling up an image online when he is fussy while playing lullaby's in a separate tab to keep him happy while mommy is busy doing something else. He loves her so much already. When he sees her his whole face lights up and they already have an amazing bond, even though they are 8 years apart. She is something else and is the kindest person I know. I love all the children so much and am so blessed to have them.

Feeding her baby brother



Spring break this week for the children, which is very nice when I don't have to drive them to and from school. It is supposed to be nice and the children have really been enjoying being outside so hopefully they can get alot of that in. The snow has finally melted enough too so that the dogs aren't walking over the fence which means they get to be outside more too, which is much needed.

That's just a little bit of whats been going on around here, haven't been taking many pictures because my cameras aren't great, my new phone actually has a better camera on it then my camera. A new one is in the plans soon but I want to do alot of research before we  buy one so we'll see, sometime before baby #4 is born, we have some time.



BEST FAMILY EVER!

And so baby #4 is OK and cooking

Friday we got another ultrasound ands the results are in. Baby #4 is A OK, in the uterus where he or she should be and we even got to see the little specks heartbeat. They even gave me a picture of what looks like the little dot but we all know how fast that will change and before we know it we'll be going crazy taking care of 2 babies (Gabe and the new one will only be about a year apart) and two older children. So I think I'll enjoy that little speck being in there for now and the horrible nausea it's been causing me. I am excited though about the good news and am getting use to the idea that this is going to happen again. The ultrasound estimated that I am about 6 1/2 weeks and not surprised that our due date is October 20th. Rome's birthday is 10-5 Olivia's 10-24 and Gabriel is 9-21. That time of year is getting quite expensive, I think it's time we find a better hobby for new years lol.