We made it to November!

Another day has passed, and the Lord has continued to bless us. It has been kind of rough today, but tomorrow is a new morning.

I started the day late as my sweet nurse let me sleep in. But that meant taking my meds later than usual so when it was time for my ultrasound little Ella was very sleepy, which was scary for a minute there because they like to see LOTS of movement during the u/s. The techs, I assume, don't work on the weekends, so Dr. Doback himself performed my u/s today. He is a second specialist who works alongside Dr. Thorp on cases such as mine. He was FINALLY able to get Ella to move and practice breathing (another requirement), and so we passed. He said we are good at least until tomorrow. We are still praying tomorrow brings another tomorrow. Dr. Doback also said that there is a slight problem with the bloodflow through the umbilical cord (we have known this from the beginning), and that it will not be anything serious enough to make me deliver, UNLESS the bloodflow reverses. So, we are praying against that.

My rash is about the same, and I swear I think it may drive me to madness. However, I think I mentioned they prescribed a new medication yesterday that they use for people who are having probs. with their gallbladder. I am praying it helps, and that or the hydrocortisone cream DOES seem to be working. Maybe it will continue to get better.

The finger-pricking is getting really old really fast. The nurse says they use "industrial size"meter, and, I know, in the grand scheme of things this should not be a big deal, but my fingers are sore, and nothing seems to be happening. The nurse asked one of my docs. about it tonight, and he said he just assumed I was diabetic. Well, no. So, in the morning, I will have an official glucose test to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. I am praying that goes well because ice cream and candy bars make my stay a little more pleasant.

I have been crying lots today. It started with a long talk with my nurse about the NICU unit this morning. Then I just sort of became overwhelmed. Borrowing trouble again, I guess. I am just missing my pets, and am sad because my little dog, Happy, is just not adjusting well. He will hardly eat, and has an eye infection from a scratch (I'm thinking I know who is the source of that...), and his eye is not getting better because he is crying so much. I have seen him twice since I have been here, and he just makes me sad that I can't be there to take care of him. Again, this may seem trivial to many of you, but if you have ever had a pet that you loved, you know what I mean. And it's just another reminder that I am away from my home. I feel consumed by so many things. I am wondering how we are going to get our house ready for Ella...I am scared at how long she will have to be in the hospital and what she will look like (so little and helpless, I mean)...I am nervous about not knowing if we can wait a little longer...I am sad that I can't be at home...Don't get me wrong; I KNOW how blessed I am and how much our Father is watching out for us...it's just these brief periods of darkness that are SO hard to take. I don't know how people face anything without the Lord. I don't. I am so thankful that we can lean on Him and depend on Him. Jason reminds me every day that we are in Jesus' hands, and how much He loves our child. I would not have made it this far without prayers and my family. My parents and Jason have been so amazing through this. Lots of people have and, again, we thank you. Please pray that we (I) can continue to focus on our many blessings.