Balch Family Blog

Heather went for another ultrasound this morning to see if they could see if there is a reason for her having a lot of amniotic fluid. Basically what we found out was that Carsten is going to be big! Right now he is 7 lbs 1 oz. and not even 36 weeks yet. The tech could find no reason for the excess fluid other than it being a fairly common quirk. Heather’s doctor said everything looked great and for her to continue on bedrest until about March 10th and then she won’t try to stop him from coming.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Heather still has two more weeks of laying in bed so keep her and Carsten in your prayers for her to keep her sanity.

After seeing the doctor on Mon, I rested all day on Tuesday. Then about 4:00 pm the contractions started. I tried all the tricks to get them to stop but by 5:30, and contractions every 5 min, we decided to head into labor and delivery.

They hooked me up to the monitor. Carsten continues to look beautiful. His heart rate was great. I however was having contractions every 3-5 min. So we started the terbutaline shots again. I ended up having all 3 (the maximum they can give), and was sent home on an oral form of terbutaline.

Now this is NOT a fun medication! It increases your heart rate and makes you jittery. (That is why I did not post yesterday, my hands were too shaky.) I also must take it every 4 hours around the clock, so we all get up at 2 am when my alarm goes off. But for some good news…the side effects of this drug reduce over time. My typing skills are better today, though not perfect. I also got a good night sleep last night and a 2 and 1/2 hour nap today.

For the best part…I have an amazing support system that have helped me so much. My husband is such an amazing man. He waits on me, takes care of our son, and does laundry! My son Camden is just the sweetest little guy and he has been very patient with me during all of this. Other family and friends have watched Camden and brought me meals and even taken care of me for the day. Thank you so very much!!!

Even with all of the uncomfortableness and hoops I must jump through, I would do it again in an instant for my precious baby. I do this all for him, just so he can have the best start at life.

Thank you for all of your prayers. They are working! Praise God!

I guess it wasn’t that short of an update after all. 😉

The latest in the pregnancy saga…Last Sunday I began having contractions and ended up going to the Labor and Delivery unit. They hooked me up to figure out what was going on. I was contracting every 3-6 mins, so I was given 2 shots of tributiline to stop contractions. Then I was sent home and told to follow up with my doctor.

I saw my doctor yesterday and after evaluating the situation I have been put on modified bed rest. Our goal is to keep Carsten baking until 36 weeks, at least, if not 38 weeks. My next appointment is Monday and I will have an ultrasound at the same time.

Here are the stats:

1 1/2 cm dilated
50% effaced
cervix is anterior and soft
fundal height is 38 cm (or 38 weeks, so I am still measuring bigger in the outside)

I will update again after my appointment on Mon. Prayers would be appreciated.

Last night Mark and I celebrated our Valaversary (Valentines Day and our 4th Wedding Anniversary). Yes, both were a bit early, but Mark really wanted to go to the Jars of Clay concert. So we decided to make an evening out of it. Mark’s parents looked after Camden. We went to dinner at Tia Rosa’s and then to the concert.

The concert was great! We really enjoyed it! It was at the Celebrity Theater, which is a small intimate setting with a rotating stage and only 25 rows of seats. During the main act I noticed some lights on the other side of the theater waving back and forth. They looked like flashlights, so I thought it was the ushers enjoy the concert too. WELL….I was wrong! It would seem the screen on cell phones has taken over the flame from a lighter at concerts! I was shocked! Pretty soon several people all over the theater had their cell phones open and moving to the beat!

Overall, it was a very cool night!

Steelers! That was a pretty good game last night! They had us a little nervous a couple times but overall, they did great!

Now for the most important part of the Superbowl….the Commercials!

I would like to take a poll as to what your favorite one was.

My favorite was the Fed Ex one with the cavemen and dinosaurs!

Things are status quo here. Camden was doing much better by Sunday, but then on Tues afternoon he had a little diarrhea. I also discovered he is cutting a tooth, so that might be the reason he has been so grumpy lately. Or maybe he is just 2! He is going to start a clay class with his Gma B in March through Mesa Parks and Rec. Camden also has many little friends we get together with each week.

I hit the 32 week mark on Friday. Yeah! I had an ultrasound last week. Everything looked right on target for a due date of Mar 27th (Mark’s Gpa’s and my Aunt Donna’s Birthdays). I will continue to provide private therapy until 3/6/06 and work at the church preschool until 3/7/06. After that I am going to try and stay comfortable and get things ready for Carsten. Lots of laundry to do!

Mark is still busy at work. They have hired another therapist to work in the Queen Creek office. She was one of their students a while back, and she fit in well. So she is back. This has provided a little relief for Mark. She will also allow Mark to take a little time off when Carsten arrives. The most exciting thing is his schedule change. His year of the late schedule is almost over. Starting Feb 6th he will be working 7-5 MWF and 8-12 TTH. It will be so nice to have him home in the evenings again.

I guess that brings you up to date. We hope all is going well with everyone else and that you enjoy the Superbowl this weekend!

We took Camden to the ER at 2:30 this morning. He had been vomiting since 7pm, and had not been to the bathroom in several hours. Instead of trying a nearby hospital and waiting hour after hour, we drove the 45 min to Phx Children’s. We were in a room in 20 min. and on our way home a little over 3 hours later. It was WELL worth the drive.

Turns out he has a stomach flu. He was not dehydrated, so no IV fluids were needed. They did give him Zofran for the vomiting. By the time we left he was a new boy!

This morning was a bit rough. Nothing made him happy, even when he was asking for it. I am tired, Mark is tired, Camden is feeling much better. He is eating Mac N Cheese. His first meal of the day.

I guess that is about it for now.

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of my maternal Grandfather’s (Henry Bailey) passing. He joined the Lord on Mon. Jan 23rd at 5:30pm EST. He had been struggling with recovery of several strokes recently.

Thankfully, the whole “Bailey” family made it to New York for Thanksgiving just a few months ago. We were able to spend some time together. Grandpa will be missed by all.

It is my prayer that our family in New York finds comfort from the Lord during this time of grief.

After many hours of painting, Carsten’s room is almost complete! Mark’s mom painted the stripes on the wall and made the valance and quilt. Mark and his dad put up the chair rail and my mom got most of the accessories from Pottery Barn Kids.

We are so happy with the way it came out!

We began to paint Carsten’s room and Camden wanted to paint too. So we set up water colors so he could paint. After one crazy idea, we (the whole family) created this masterpeice!