30 Weeks

Nothing much new to report since last week. We are back at the hemotologist's getting another iron infusion for Bubba (the second part of last week's treatment).
Reina is at 30 weeks this week and has been very active. I have even been having a lot of Braxton Hicks- or at least that's what I hope they are! The cleaning bug hit me hard yesterday and I have vaccuumed, washed windows, washed all of Reina's clothes, blankets, etc, scrubbed the kitchen, packed the hospital bags- and cleaned the porch furniture...everyone is telling me that means she will be here soon, but I hope not because she still has some growing to do- at least a couple more weeks! Actually, we need 4 more weeks for sure. The hospital I am delivering at doesn't have a NICU, so if she is born at 34 weeks or sooner, they will automatically Careflight her to Cook's Children Hospital in Ft Worth. So, hopefully, I just hit the "nesting" phase early and will have a super duper clean house by the time she arrives! Plus, Nana and Pappy aren't coming out until the end of June- and I can't have my baby without them here!
Bubba showed Hickorys Stingrey at Silverado on Saturday. He an dthe horse both did a good job, but unfortunately didn't place in the money-oh well. Over the weekend, we planted more veggies in the garden, mowed the lawn and weed eated. So the house and the yard are ready for visitors. Our rose bush is even blooming!
Oh- I have discovered a new craving- peach milkshakes from Chick Fil A- YUMMY!!!!! I've had two so far this week- would have one very day if Chick Fil A weren't so far from the house. They taste just like homemade peach ice cream and bring back childhood memories of leaning on the side of the pool eating homemade ice cream and watermelon. Oh, to have back the simplicity of those days. Wasn't life great? Of course, it still is, it just comes with so much baggage and worries these days!
Well, I guess that's enough rambling for one day! Catch up with you later! :)

29 Weeks

A lot has happened since last time I blogged. Right now, I am sitting in the hematologist office with Bubba. He is receiving an iron infusion b/c he doesn't absorb iron, so he can't make red blood cells. He will receive this one today and another one next week.

I went back to the OB yesterday for my 29 week checkup: Reina is doing great- I have gained back the weight that I lost while I was sick the last couple of months- more on that later. Dr McBride decided to take me off of the fluids and Zofran pump and see if my body can handle the pregnancy now. Hopefully all will go well, I am SICK of IVs and needles! But it's worth it and I would go back on them in a heartbeat if neccesary to keep Reina healthy! I am staying on the hydrocodone for the headaches, though. Dr McBride doesn't want me to go past 39 weeks, just b/c we don't want the baby to get too big and force us into a C-section...so if Miss Reina Lynn hasn't arrived by the end of June, I will be induced. Bubba's birthday is June 30, so if it looks like induction is needed, then I will probably have it done on that day. What a great 30th birthday present for him!

Now, a little background on the IV's: I was put in the care of home health back in March after several ER visits for vomiting and dehydration-and a kidney stone! The nurses would come out every 3 days and put a new IV in and I was receiving about 3 bags (3 Liters) of fluids per day. I also had a Zofran pump in my thigh that Bubba changed for me daily. The first few weeks were rough- I was so sick I couldn't hardly care for myself. Bubba's Nanny and then his mom came up for several days a piece and cared for me- or more for Bubba- somebody had to cook and clean cause I surely couldn't! My parents then came out at the end of March/first of April for a week, which I greatly appreciated. Their visit, I think, made me start feeling better. Moms have a way of doing that! I am so glad to finally be off of all that. I had some vein complications- they would react to the fluids and spasm, thus creating a huge knot in the vein and blocking the fluids, so the nurses would have to start a new line! Most of the time, they would have to stick me 2-3 times for every IV!!! It really sucked and was fairly painful! Overall, the service was great, the nurses were so nice and helpful and obviously it all made me better in the long run!

I was given a shower this past weekend by the ladies of Benjamin, Tx. I have never met these ladies, but because of their love for Bubba and his family, they gave us a shower for Reina. The weather went from 80 degrees to 40 and it rained 5 1/2 inches that day (April 17, 2010) so many people didn't come out for the shower- I do not blame them! Even so, I received a lot of nice, useful gifts. Lots of diapers, wipes, lotions, soaps,etc. Also, a hand crotcheted blanket, her first bathing suit, several outfits and an "I Love Daddy" bear! It was a very nice shower and much appreciated since these nice ladies have never met me.

Amy Ramsey is giving me a shower in SC, but since I can't travel home, it is an online shower. She is coming out to visit May 6 and will bring all of the presents to me. Looking forward to that! So excited! Also, Bubba and I have elected to participate in the Viacord program to preserve Reina's cord blood in the event of health problems in the future. People can access this program via the internet and make donations to Reina's storage (it is a costly program). This info was provided in the shower invite, so hopefully we will get some donations towards this. It is a great program, and well worth the cost.

I guess that about catches you up on our life. We have another ultrasound of Reina on May 11, so we are anxiously awaiting that!

Oh- Last month was the Super Stakes in Fort Worth. Bubba was really busy traveling back and forth down there, but it was a great show for Jackpot Ranch (our employer). Matt (the head trainer) won the 4 YO Gelding and was reserve in the 4 YO. Also, he had (2) 5/6 YO Finalists and so he pocketed winnings of around $125,000.00!!!! The next big show begins May 17 in Tulsa, OK.

Have a great day and I will talk to y'all soon. I will try to be better about keeping this updated!

Home Health

The Dr. started me on home health last night. It was about 9:00 before they got out to the house, but I truly appreciate them getting out here. I am now hooked up to an IV in my arm that administers fluids for hydration. Also, there is an infusion pump in my leg that administers Zofran-a drug for nausea. I am so hopeful that this gives me some consistent relief. It cannot be healthy for Reina for me to be sick and dehydrated all the time. Anyway, the company that is helping me is called Healthy Connections and so far they awesome.Even though paperwork and prescriptions held them up they got out here the same day they were called. The nurse, Tammy, taught me everything about how to hook and unhook myself, how to change my fluid bag and how to insert the infusion pump. Yes, I have to stick a needle in my thigh every day- or rather Bubba does- to attach the pump! I do feel much better mentally having 24 hour access to them if I need them. Bubba's Nanny is coming down to spend a couple of days until I get comfortable toting all this around with me. Really looking forward to her good cooking!!! LOL!
I am not the only one going through some health trials right now, so for all of you reading this please say a prayer for my mom and Elsie Sanders. Thank you! I hope you all have a fabulous day and God Bless!

Just Stuff

Well, Reina had a big week thanks to caring family! She received several outfits from Nana and Pappy, A swing from her cousin Teena and Big Ann, high chair from her cousins Joan, Alisa and Amanda and her Daddy and I got her car seat for her!!! I was so afraid that we would have her and not have a car seat and she couldn't come home with us, so I had to go ahead and buy it! Funny the things you think about and worry about! Like that concern even made sense! LOL! Anyway, Reina is growing -A LOT- judging from the size of my belly! She is moving around a good bit and loves to push up under my ribs! I have begun to have Braxton-Hicks contractions, which is cool, because it just means my body is doing its "exercises" to get ready for the actual birth! And, trust me, I want all parts to be ready!!! Reina loves her Daddy. When he talks to her at night and rubs my belly, she gets all excited and starts moving and kicking. He can place his hand on my belly and push slightly and she pushes back against his hand. It is the sweetest thing I have ever experienced! We love this little girl so much, I can't even begin to imagine what it will feel like when she is really here.
I go for our next check up on the 16th of March- by then I will be 24 1/2 weeks along! Getting so close! In the meantime, my OB has put me on home health. They will come out and give me fluids when I need them to keep me from having to go to the emergency room when I get dehydrated. That will be so much better. And they can also monitor Reina's heartbeat and my blood pressure. All is well, just making sure that Reina stays comfortable until her birth day.
Thanks to everyone for all the special gifts. I love you all very much.
As for me and Bubba: he has been working A LOT lately. We went to a show last weekend in Gainesville and saw a lot of old friends. Bubba showed Hickory's Sting Rey and got 4th place. I am hoping (if he gets off work in time today) that we will get to go into Weatherford to teh car show and enjoy this beautiful 70 degree day we are having! I think our spring is finally here. It was a LONG winter- a record 8 snowfalls in one winter season! Bub has to work tomorrow and then we are hauling a horse to Tioga,TX. Thanks RP and Amy for purchasing the horse! Hope you enjoy him!!!
Well, I guess I need to go for now- Reina is getting hungry( He-He- she is always my excuse for eating all the time). Take care and everyone have a blessed day!

My First Blog

Ok. Bear with me, as I have never blogged before. A friend of mine, Leigh Ann, suggested I set up this blog to help with my boredom, as well as to share our new family experiences with all of you! Seems like fun, so let's get started!
I will play catch up for you right now: Bubba and I have been together for 4 years. We finally got married on January 8, 2010. Not exactly how we planned everything to be, but God has a plan for us that we just have to trust. We are expecting our first child the end of June/beginning of July. The actual due date is July 5, but at the 18 week ultrasound, she was a little further along than first thought, so the Dr predicts she will arrive the end of June. Bubba has his fingers crossed for her to be born on June 30-his birthday. We found out we were pregnant on my birthday, so how cool would it be for her to arrive on his birthday!? "Her" is Reina Lynn Nolan. We have wanted her for so long and it is such a blessing that she is finally a reality. Excited doesn't even begin to describe our feelings. And who knew you could love a little flutter in your belly so much? It is all just so amazing and the feelings of love, joy and pride are so overwhelming it is unbelievable!!!!
I am no longer working. I am sorta on home bound because I am having problems with headaches and low blood pressure, consequently leading to recurring dehydration. My OB put me on home health this week, so they will come out every couple of weeks and give me IV fluid. Beats having to go to the ER! For now, I am just hanging out in the house: doing a lot of cleaning, reading and playing on the computer. Reina and I have formed an awesome bond already, as we have daily conversations about life and the goings on around us. LOL! We miss her Daddy being gone all day- because he and I have always worked together, it has been an adjustment for me to be without him.
Bubba is a cutting horse trainer specializing in 2 year olds. Actually, he is an assistant trainer (aka: "the two year old guy") at Jackpot Ranch in Weatherford, Tx, where we live. We have moved around a bit chasing this dream of ours, but have been fortunate enough to work for some of the leaders in the industry. My first cutting job was with the late/great Bill Freeman. I would not trade that experience for anything in the world. He was truly a horseman and taught me SO MUCH! He passed away in July 2008- and is greatly missed.
I guess that about catches you up on where we are in our life. I will post pictures as soon as I get all of this blog thing figured out. For now, please keep our new family in your prayers. Hopefully the rest of the pregnancy will go smoothly and I can introduce y'all to the newest Nolan in just a few months!!! God Bless!