Home Sweet Home!!!

Home Sweet Home!!!!

841 S. Poplar was a dream come true yesterday.  I was discharged from the hospital and arrived at my own house yesterday afternoon.  It truly is a dream to be at home, even if I am on bedrest! 

I had not been outside in 15 days--those who know me know how much I love the outdoors.  I took one great big breath of fresh air while I was waiting for my getaway car (AKA my mom's Explorer) to pick me up at the hospital entrance.  Then, I had a lunch date at Panera Bread with my mom.  A fresh turkey sandwich and Dr. Pepper was just what the doctor ordered!!  We made it home to a sleeping Carson.  I tried to wake him up to no avail.  So, instead, I sat and watched him sleep on the couch from the recliner.  Then, my mother in law went to pick Mackenzie up from school.  The look on her face when she saw her brother sleeping on the couch with the TV on...she was trying to figure out why her Grandma Joyce left Carson home by himself...was PRICELESS.  But, even more PRICELESS was her face when she realized why Carson was left home while Grandma went to get her....HER MOM WAS HOME!!  I got the biggest hug EVER!  And, then Mackenzie tried to wake her brother up by telling him that "Mommy's home!".  He rolled over and looked right at me and rolled back over like it was just a dream....and then, popped his little head up and noticed it really was his mom at home.  He came running into my chair and just cuddled for probably 2 hours!! 

Life is so precious!  And, my family (immediate and extended) are amazing!  I am so grateful to be home....it is hard sitting back and not doing anything though!  But, I must keep this baby in for 3 more weeks (AT LEAST)!!! 

Life is too busy for all of us to have any more drama.....Chris is commuting to Ankeny, IA and Wichita, KS this week alone, Mackenzie has a dance recital, I have multiple doctor's appointments over the next few weeks, Mackenzie and I have a Tea Party at school, Mackenzie and Chris have a Dad's Picnic at school, and Carson gets to be Carson!!!!  So, Baby C#3 YOU NEED TO STAY PUT---we are anxious to meet you but not quite yet!!!!

One last hospital pic.....until a baby arrives!!!  Aren't they the best lunch dates?

All 3 of my babies in one pic--Baby C#3, you made the photo!  We don't need a full family photo for a few more weeks....and we will add Daddy, too!!!

The Crazy Life....right now!

The Crazy Life of the Cunninghams.....

It has taken a whole new meaning over the past 10 days.  For those of you who know, I am 33 6/7 weeks pregnant with the most glorious pregnancy ever (one must be sarcastic in order to prevent craziness from setting in)!!  I found myself in the hospital for the second time of this pregnancy last week and have been hospitalized since.  And, this is no bed and breakfast.  Life for everyone in the immediate family is completely different with the mom out of commission and out of town.  And, the extended family's life has changed as well.  We have grandparents stepping up to the plate to complete all the normal household tasks that I do and helping Chris maintain some normalcy with his life!!!

I initially went to Ransom Memorial Hospital, my workplace and where both kiddos were born, with extreme back pain that came every 3-5 minutes (AKA contractions!!).  My doc called my perinatal specialist's office who recommended trying a medication to stop the contractions.  Tried and failed.  So, then I found myself riding in the back of the ambulance from Ottawa to Overland Park.  For a former ER nurse, this was NOT a dream come true.  As an ER nurse, you learn quickly what constitutes an ambulance ride and what does not!!  I needed a ride for my baby's sake!!  Got to OPRMC and was admitted with preterm labor.  Started on some yucky medications which failed to stop the contractions, but then realized that true labor was not imminent.  And, then a curveball came our way....PREECLAMPSIA.  In other words, my blood pressure is too high.  So, I have been here doing labs and monitoring my pressure since.  Even at rest, my blood pressure remains 140s/80-90s.  So, no ticket for return to home has been issued.  The doctor came in this morning and gave me the news I fully expected but hated to hear....."You are going to be here through at least the weekend and early next week.  Your pressures are high but not scary high.  And, we need to make sure that they don't creep up any higher and repeat all labs early next week."  I knew what was coming but still not the best news to hear.

Every woman who has ever been pregnant realizes the importance of pretty toes when near delivery.  Mackenzie painted them....her Aunt Annie helped (cleaned up the mess!).

The view from my bed...take a look at the wonderful juice (no real juice) supplement they have me  trying...YUCK!!!

Another view from my bed....these walls are getting pretty boring to stare at all day long!!!

Mackenzie and Carson are continuing in their routines...Chris is still working everyday.  God love that man!!  He is commuting back and forth from Wichita to Overland Park or Ottawa just to keep normalcy as much as possible for the kids.  Please keep praying for us all!!!