Blue or Pink? What do you think?

We're finding out the gender of our sweet baby #2 in just over a week! So, I wanted to take a poll! What do you think it will be? Will Clayton be getting a little brother or a little sister?

Vote 1 of 2 ways!
1) There is a poll on the right-hand side of my blog, under my about me.
2) Add a comment to this post!

Sorry, you don't get anything if you get it correct.... except for the personal satisfaction that comes from being right! ;-) Just a fun little thing to occupy my mind for the next 9 days! PS.. our appointment is Wednesday morning, so the "results" will be announced via facebook and my blog later that day.... of course after all grandparents and uncles/aunts are told!

Happy guessing!

Medical Update #2

First off, I apologize greatly for this update taking so long. I know that I have left a bunch of people wondering what was up! On Monday, shortly after I posted my update, my OB's office called and said that the Perinatologist in Midland wanted to see me right away, as in an hour from then I had an appointment! We live 45 minutes from town keep in mind, so I had to be the slowest fast person ever! Haha! I still don't know the technical rules of bed rest when you are having to go in for an appointment and what not! So, I got up, got dressed, and we headed in to Midland. Waiting at the doctor's office felt like an eternity, but actually took less time than normal. The ultrasound tech did my sonogram first, and shortly after the doctor came in to assess. There we received the best news - NO PREVIA. He said that there was no way both himself and the other doctor, both who specialize in high-risk pregnancies and who have seen countless cases of previa, could miss it on the ultrasound. He said that more than likely the radiologist reading my scans from the ER mistook a clot to be part of my uterus, and well yes, the clot was touching the cervix. He said without a doubt I did not have placenta previa. Secondly, he said the baby looked great. Measurements were right on and we could actually even see all 4 chambers of the heart perfectly. He said that was impressive for being 13 weeks along. The hematoma was barely visible as well and he said that there was still some blood echoing back on the sono, but that we should not worry about it anymore. Granted, things can always change, and so if I ever start to bleed or cramp again I am to go straight to their office, NOT the hospital.

So, basically the ER scared the sh*t out of us for nothing. Well, things were not going well for me on Sunday but it was apparently just working itself out. I still know that we are not in the clear yet. I go back for another appointment with them in less than 5 weeks. Plus I'll see my regular OB between then. It's been such a rollercoaster of emotions. One day we think I'm miscarrying, the next we think everything is fine, the next we think I will be on bedrest for 6 months and deliver cesarean, the next I'm fine...... OYE. I stayed home Tuesday to keep recovering physically and emotionally. The whole ordeal this past week really took it out on me. It's hard to believe how fast everything changed from one extreme to the other, but I am confident that the Perinatologist's know what they are talking about. But you can bet your sweet bottom that if anything else happens I won't mind getting a second opinion!

I have to give a HUGE shout out to our best friends who MAJORLY helped us out through this whole thing. Not only is it wonderful to lean on them for medical advice, but they asked opinions of other doctors, checked in on me every day, and made sure that we knew they were there for us... even though they are super busy with their own lives and had their family visiting!

My mom came down on Monday (driving in a scared panic I'm sure) and has been helping out around the house and keeping Clayton. It has been so amazing to have her here. I feel so much more at ease with her here, knowing that if anything happens she's right there to help! Now I have to work on my relaxing, try to take it easy when I can, and make sure that I take super good care of me and this little blessing growing inside of me. God really wants this baby here, and so do we! =) We'll do anything we can to make sure that our little one stays healthy!

Medical Update

Well, dear readers... things have not gotten better, and instead have gotten a little worse. Yesterday around lunch I started to have heavy bleeding and cramping. I knew that this was not good so we called in to the hospital and they said to come in. Unfortunately since I was under 20 weeks they would not see me in Labor & Delivery, so we had to go to the ER. My favorite place - not! Once there we waited for a while and finally had an ultrasound. Fortunately the baby was still doing fine and was jumping all over the place. The bad news was that my hematoma looked HUGE. Compared to the sonogram from Thursday, the thing looked like it had doubled in size, at least. Ok, so that sort of explains the bleeding, we thought. Then after waiting another hour for the report of the ultrasound to come back in, the doctor came in and told me that the placenta was really low, and was previa. Placenta previa. Horrible words to hear. Yes, there is a possibility that it could migrate higher since I am only 13 weeks, however, in most cases this means that you are on bed rest a good chunk of the pregnancy, and the baby has to be delivered early via c-section. These are all things I can handle (or I am making myself be able to handle) so long as the baby is ok. We still don't know that everything is and will be ok. I'm waiting on my OB to call in to the Perinatologist in Midland right now to see me for another appointment. I hate this waiting game. It's horrible. I know that doctors are busy, but come on! This is an emergency! This makes me a high-risk pregnancy... shouldn't that take precedence? Oye... I'm just so frustrated right now from the constant waiting game, and I just want to hear what is going on in layman terms. I have a huge list of questions to ask the doctor. FIRST off, why did they not see the previa at my appointment on Thursday? And, why did I bleed all day yesterday?!

As I learn more I'll keep updating on here... in the mean time, pray, pray, pray!!!!!!!!

Six Months!

Happy Six Month, HALF-A-YEAR, Birthday, Clayton Scott!

We cannot believe that our baby boy is already half a year old. Wow. Time has been flying by, and you have been impressing us daily with all of your new skills and talents! You've made a lot of progress this past month with all of your physical developments. You can sit for a long period of time without falling over, as long as you lean forward or sit up straight. Sometimes you get a bit too ambitious when going for your toys and you fall over!  You can stand if you hold on to something for a while as well! We have to stand you up first though. No pulling up yet! Lastly, you finally figured out how to use your arms and you can now get up on all four limbs and rock back and forth. It's only a matter of time before you crawl! You will go after toys and can turn circles, but haven't figured out the whole moving forward thing yet! That's ok with Mommy! We still need to baby-proof the house!

This month you started eating vegetables and you've loved everything we've tried. We had to change your diet from soy milk to cow's milk, so you've been off your veggies for about a week. Before that we tried sweet potatoes, green beans, and squash! Squash was definitely your favorite of the three! You would eat your whole bowl and even eat more! We stopped the rice cereal all together because you hated it, and it was only adding to your constipation issues. (You can thank me for the embarrassment later, but yes, you have trouble pooping!)

I wrote about it when it happened, but you had TWO teeth come in this month! You had been teething since you were three months old, so we knew that you were working on something! One day we felt in your mouth and - voila! - two teeth! They are your bottom teeth and they are super sharp! You now like to chew on things and scrape your teeth against it, such as the spoon, or a toy. Maybe it feels good on those gums!

We still get compliments everywhere we go on how you are the happiest and smiley-est baby ever. You are just always so happy! Mommy and Daddy barely even know what to do when you are fussy because we never have to deal with it!!! We love how happy you are! After all, what is there to be sad about? You're pretty spoiled and special! ;-)

You have started to have a bit of boredom issues. If you are in the same place too long then you'll start to get fussy, or your new thing is that you'll just start to scream! You'll even carry on conversations with us.... through screaming back and forth! You have learned how to use your voice in other ways though! You can say "da-da-da". You will copy us as we say it and move our mouths. It's precious! We're pretty sure you don't know who you're talking about yet! Too bad I can't get you to say "ma-ma-ma"!!!

Once we moved you into your crib you've really gotten into a bedtime routine, and it is GLORIOUS! You start to get tired around 7:30-8, and are usually asleep within 15 minutes of us taking you up to your room. You must like the atmosphere we have set up in there! You have a sound machine that plays classical music all night, and a helicopter night-light that shines just enough light! You sleep so well now! Most mornings you do not wake up until at least 7:30. This is a huge improvement from last month, as it was a miracle if you slept past 7! Some mornings we have to get you up and take you to work in your PJ's since you're still sleeping! We hate waking you up, but we gotta get to work!

You are still coming to work with us almost every day. You go to daycare on Tuesday's and every other Friday. You are the HIT of the daycare! When we bring you in all of the little kids swarm around you saying "Clayton, Clayton!". They think you are too cute! You're the only baby so you get plenty of attention! Not like you mind! ;-)

Growth wise you are still perfectly average! Your height and weight are still in the 50th percentile! You just moved into 6-9 month clothing, but the whole previous month you were exclusively wearing 3-6mo. You still wear a good amount of your 3-6 clothes, but your PJ's are getting too short and so are some of your pants. You're in a size 3 diaper, which will fit another month probably.

Some BIG news this month was that we finally announced that you're going to be a big brother!!! We've known since shortly after your 4 month birthday, but waited a while to tell everyone! We know that you'll be an amazing big brother, whether the new baby is a boy or a girl! You'll be best friends hopefully since you'll be so close in age!

Some of your likes and dislikes: You love your links, exersaucer, the toy bar on your carseat, baths, screaming (hehe), your taggies ball, and your crinkly book. You love sitting upright and napping in your swing, oh and we can't forget your PACI! You do not like being held like a baby, sleeping on your back (you sleep on your stomach most nights, even though we put you to sleep on your back), and you don't like being put down when you're in the mood to be held. Other than that you are so truly happy!

Each month you grow more and more, and we love you more and more. Who knew that was even possible? You are so amazing and you have brought immense joy to everyone's lives.

We love you so much, sweet boy! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Dr. Google

I know that I have in the past, and even since Tuesday, promised myself that I would not over google. I would not resort to Dr. Google because "he" always assumes the worst, or so I have noticed. Regardless, I succumbed to my curiosity and began googling. I found one medical journal where they had studied a bunch of different women with SCH - oh yes, I now have a term for my diagnosis.... Subchorionic Hematoma, aka SCH. Anyway, the main outcome was either decreased birth weight, preterm labor, or placenta previa and other placental issues. Then, I found a support group on babycenter with a ton of other women who have/had been diagnosed with SCH. This was great because now I had real life people and their stories! However... most of the stories did not have happy endings, thus freaking me out more. Apparently, from what I can gather, if the hematoma does not resolve itself by about 20 weeks then we are in a heap of trouble. Maybe that is why the perinatologist wants to see me again at 18 weeks. Either way I am struggling with not worrying myself too much. I know that worrying can only lead to stress, that of which I am not supposed to have right now! I'm supposed to be taking it easy and taking care of my body and my baby as best as possible. Easier said then done!! ;-)

So, if you would please, say some prayers for us and our baby-to-be. Regardless of the outcome this is still a scary situation for us and we are praying that God will take care of us and our wonderful blessing.

Rough Few Days

The past few days in the Hillger household have been terrible to say the least. I'm choosing to write about this on my blog because a) I want a recollection of it, and b) The only people that reallly read my blog are people I care about and wouldn't mind hearing this story anyway! So, here's what happened....... OH, and if you have a weak stomach or are super emotional right now, you might not want to read!

Tuesday I was at work, going about my business as usual. I was just sitting at my desk, working away, when all of a sudden I started to feel wet. I knew I was not having bladder control issues, because it just didn't feel like that. I rushed to the bathroom and sat down as fast as I could. By this point my pants and underwear were soaked. I looked down into the toilet and saw that what I was leaking, in my mind gushing, was blood. Bright red blood. I started shaking and crying. The only thing I could think of was that I was having a miscarriage. Although, I hadn't had any cramping or pain. I opened the door a crack and started screaming for Darren. Keep in mind, I work with my inlaws. My father in law was across the hallway in his office and heard me shouting. I told him that I needed Darren. He ran to go get him from the warehouse. When Darren walked in his face turned white. I described the scene to my mom as a Freddy Kruger scene. Ok, that is a little dramatic, but there was blood all over myself and the toilet. Darren hugged me and tried to ask what was going on. All I remember was saying that I thought I was having a miscarriage. Darren asked if we needed to call Carylon and I said "YES!". So he left the bathroom to go get Carylon's phone number and called her at work. In the mean time, my mother in law had heard us in the bathroom and probably heard me crying, so wanted to come in. She hugged me and told me it would be ok. Darren came back and had Carylon on the phone. She told me to breathe and calm down some. Since I did not have any cramping or pains she was not convinced that I was having a miscarriage, but could not be certain unless I came in. So, Darren and I rushed out, drove to our house so I could get some clean clothes, and then hauled butt to Big Spring. We made it there in probably 20 minutes tops. Once there we were immediately able to go into an exam room and Carylon came in shortly after to do the ultrasound. The minute she put the wand (I don't know the technical term) on my stomach we saw our baby, and it was jumping around. Whew..... We then were able to see the heartbeat. Another Whew.... Carylon then did a pelvic exam to make sure my cervix was still closed, and thank goodness it was. So, we had no answer as to what had happened, but we knew that for the time being our baby was ok. She suggested we go see the perinatologist in Midland, a specialist in high-risk pregnancies and other complications. The worst part was I could not get an appointment until this afternoon! So, all day Wednesday I stayed at home on bed rest, trying to take care of my baby as best I could. I had slight spotting throughout the day and some cramping, but nothing severe. Thursday morning I again stayed home and rested, and we were able to go to the appointment this afternoon. Once at the appointment the tech did an ultrasound and reassured us that the baby was doing fine. We again got to see our little one and his/her heartbeat. Then the doc came in and when he did the ultrasound immediately found the source of the problem. I had a hematoma (sp) on my uterus. Apparently the hematoma had bled out, thus causing me to bleed out. It also explained the slight spotting as it is still emptying. He reassured us that it did not affect the baby at all, and that it was actually common. He told us that it does not mean that everything will be ok the remainder of the pregnancy, but he is not worried that it will cause further problems. I do have to take it easy and am on pelvic rest for the time being, so as to not irritate anything else further. We were SO glad to finally have a reason as to what happened, and SO glad to hear that it did not affect our baby at all. The blood did not enter the placenta at all.

Through all of this I prayed and prayed. I knew that if something happened then it would be for a reason, but I just prayed that God would protect our little one... and He did. We are so truly blessed. I know that this all could have ended about a thousand different ways, with much worse outcomes. I will glady take my instructions of pelvic rest and general rest. I am going to take care of this baby as best I can! I told Darren that God TRULY wants this baby to be here.... maybe he/she will be the next President, or as Darren said, find the cure for cancer! You never know! God brought this baby to us, and God is helping us throughout this pregnancy, and we are SO incredibly blessed to know He is there! God is good!!!!