Ignorance is bliss...

There is perhaps no truer statement...now, I will grant you that ignorance of all things or certain crucial things is not good...but there is something very freeing about being ignorant of things. I know that when I was pregnant with Bailey, after reaching that 12 week milestone I was completely ignorant of any other serious problem that I might have to deal with. That ignorance didn't save me from the tragedy that happened...but I was oblivious to the danger and completely happy and content with the progress of our pregnancy up to that point.

That hard life lesson has taught me several things...and I am no longer ignorant of what can go horribly wrong, even when everything seems to be moving along perfectly. So, this pregnancy with "Bob" has not been as blissfully ignorant. It's really more an anxious paranoia. That paranoia seemed almost too justified this morning when they couldn't initially find "Bob's" heartbeat on the doppler at my appointment. In a split second, I was back in that room at my 39 week appointment with Bailey being told that there was no heartbeat. I thought I was going to lose all composure. Fortunately, after what seemed like minutes, but was probably only a few seconds, she found the heartbeat...faint at first and then strong and beating at 144 beats per minute.

Well, my paranoia now approaching full psychological breakdown led me to raise some concerns with my doctor about a few things that seemed "off" with the pregnancy over the past couple of weeks. Those concerns, echoed by a few of his own and some questionable tests led me to the hospital. After calling Wil from the doctor's office (I conveniently had left my cell phone in his car) to let him know that I was headed to the hospital, I drove over to Labor and Delivery and was admitted. During my time there, they monitored the fetal heartrate, conducted a full fetal biophysical profile, conducted a physical exam, and ran tests. No conclusive results, but all seemed to be fine and fluid levels seemed to be fine even though there is a potential that I may be leaking amniotic fluid.

They released me from the hospital with the guidance to rest, go to my appointment with Perinatal Specialist on Monday and then back to the OB doctor on Tuesday or Wednesday. They suggested that the Perinatal Specialist may want to conduct some sort of amnio-type test that shoots some sort of dye in the uterus to see if there are leaks. Sounds like something you do with your car or your household plumbing, not a person...but what do I know.

So, at this point...I still feel that something isn't right...they are monitoring the situation, but there isn't much we can do without further information. I hope to know more Monday...and until then I'll have my paranoia to keep me company.

Thank you Auntie Megan...

I have to send a big thank you to my good friend, Megan, who unbeknownst to me created a lovely Build-A-Bear named "Bob" for "Bob" and shipped it to the house. We were greeted with Bob's arrival today (the bear...not the real "Bob"). What a nice surprise! He's adorable and I have no doubt that Bob will love his new friend. Thanks again Auntie Megan!!

And while I'm on the thank you's...I should also thank Auntie Tamara for the sleepers and the clothes and the tips on good shopping locations at Short Pump in Richmond...fortunately, Wil will be out of town when I make that next trip down there on Monday for my dr's appt...so he'll never know what I bought. :) Bob will be the finest dressed man in town.

And I should say thanks to grandmas too...Grandma Carla for the beautiful blankets and Grandma Alice for the wonderful Colts attire! Now Bob will fit in with the whole family on game nights.

The Remodel...

I have to keep reminding myself that everything always looks worse before it gets better. I'm including some before and during pictures of the "Master Bath Remodel Effort of 2009" as we're calling it (in case it needs to be redone in the near future I guess). You'll have to keep checking back on our progress and to see the finished product in a few weeks.

Hopefully, it will come out to be the vision of beauty that I have in my mind. However, as a friend reminded me...a pregnant mind may not be the most sane...this could be quite scary upon completion...Let's hope we squeezed one good idea out of my head and it will be the supplies and design for the bath. She did talk me out of becoming a redhead though...fearing that the pregnant mind may be playing tricks on me and that I may regret such a drastic decision...thanks Tamara...you may have saved me from ridicule and crisis...unless I change my mind when I go to the salon tomorrow...hmmmm

The Before Pictures

Demolition begins--September 18th.

Putting walls back up (with the correct materials as opposed to the original builder)--September 22nd

A new bathroom is starting to emerge--September 23rd

It's starting to come together...September 24th

Funny Face...

We went for our 3D ultrasound today and got several cute pictures of "Bob". I've put all 66 of the pictures on The Pharis Family: Our Life in Pictures site, so check those out (the link is on the left). But here are a few of my favorites...

"Hey, I'm getting squished in here..."

"I can almost kiss my elbow...can you?"

"It's nap time..."

"Is that my feet that smell so bad?"

"Practicing my vocals..."

"I blow you kisses"

"Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet..."

"I'm thinking...I'm thinking..."

"I'm bored"

Getting ready...

We've made quite a bit of progress in the almost 2 months that we've known that "Bob" would be a boy. The nursery is just about ready. We have a few more items that we need to pick up and then I think we'll be ready for Bob's arrival. Along that same line we're also taking the opportunity to get a few needed home repairs done AND getting our Master Bathroom remodeled before Bob's arrival.

Here are a few pictures of Bob's room...

I think it's coming along quite nicely...and boy he has a lot of toys already.

He has some hand-me-down toys from his big sister, Bailey, as well as toys that we've picked up on every trip we've gone on in the past year and a half. Hope he likes stuffed animals. :)

We still haven't convinced Indy that the room isn't going to be his when we're finished...he keeps hoping...