Henry made us work to get him here safely. Having lost Brady at nearly 23 weeks pregnant, we were very proactive when we found out we were pregnant again. We met with our maternal fetal medicine specialist right after our first appointment with our OB, and had the cerclage scheduled for 12 weeks. Then we continued bi-weekly ultrasounds and weekly progesterone shots to make sure everything looked good. Things looked good, until about 21 weeks, when I was put on strict bedrest. Luckily, I could be on bedrest from home rather than the hospital! We continued weekly ultrasounds and shots for most of the pregnancy, as well as regular appointments with our OB. Our doctors, nurses, and ultrasound techs made sure that Henry was growing, and that I was healthy as well. We waited anxiously for milestones...24 weeks...28 weeks...32 weeks... At 36 weeks, Dr. Barsoom removed the cerclage and then it was a matter of waiting for Henry to make his appearance!
Although it sounds great, bedrest is not a piece of cake. I like to be lazy, have days to do whatever I want. But day after day, with little adult interaction (or interaction at all!), trying to get ready for a baby from the couch...all of this made me cranky, and stressed out my husband (though he rarely let on.) It was hard not to be able to wander the baby section, and pick out little outfits or toys. It was hard not to be able to help paint the nursery, set up the crib, or even do the laundry. I tried to make the best of it, but some days were definitely tough. Even tougher, I had every day to lay around and worry...worry about each twinge, movement, or lack of movement.
However, both Tim and I were willing to do whatever it took to get Henry here safely. Tim put up with my mood swings, made sure I had snacks, water, and entertainment each day before he left for work. When he went shopping and wandered the baby section, he would send pictures of what he was looking at, trying to keep me involved. As hard as it was, neither of us had a second thought about following doctor's orders. As Henry grew, he helped ease my anxiety by moving around. As I got more uncomfortable, I became more thankful...that meant that Henry was growing! All of the struggle, worry, boredom, restlessness, appointments, procedures, hospital visits...it was all so worth it...Henry was most definitely worth working for!
9. Enjoy the little things.
8. Every child I interact with is someone's "Henry."
7. To be a mother is to watch your heart walk around outside your body.
6. There truly are angels on earth.
5. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle we know nothing about.
4. Time is a gift.
3. Death is not the end of a relationship.
2. You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
1. Motherhood is the best job I could ever hope for.
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