The doctors should be happy – I’ve reached 34 weeks – this was their first goal when they discharged me last Saturday! Now 37 weeks is their next goal.

I see no problems in this. Looking in hindsight, I guess I really did start having major contractions. Once at the hospital and being monitored, I thought I could tell that each contraction brought a new surge of pain to the kidney stone – irritating my back and lower stomach.

Sure, this week has been exhausting, but I am happy to report that we survived our first day without too much trouble. I did get a jump start, with one of the little ones not making it to the potty in time… But for most of the morning, they played and played so great with one another. It was nice finally having another ‘normal’ day – settling back into our regular life.

The Lord must’ve had people praying like crazy for me, since I started the morning in tears at my early awakening and potty incident – for the day made a complete turn around. (Until I was crazy enough to think since they were so good that I would give them a little chocolate dessert someone had brought over earlier in the week. Mental note – DON’T ever do that just before naptime!!)

Two loads of laundry got done – though I had help getting them in/ out. The dishwasher got turned on (DH unloaded it). I got the boys’ room picked up 90% of the way. We made some homemade granola bars tonight (anyone have a good recipe – this one was just okay).

Overall, this is a LOT for me at this point. I’m still being careful to pay attention to signals of when to stop. Contractions restart with too much up/ down action, or standing too long – and I don’t intend to have to take the meds anymore.

I can read myself like a book now, and really don’t see any reason for the preterm stuff to matter anymore. The main concern last week was the kidney stone/ swollen bladder/ raised white blood cell count starting the preterm labor.

Today I began feeling the ‘nesting’ urge resume once more – as it had a week or two ago. My plan is to begin writing down exactly what all needs to be done in the next 6 weeks, and tackle at least 1 or 2 things each day.

Re-stock the upright freezer with snacks – breads, cookies, muffins, waffles, etc… The only meal that I can freeze well is lasagna, but I don’t want to do too much of this since I’ve learned the dairy is a major trigger for reflux in my babies. I try to limit dairy to once every other day.

What’s going on with the baby? The meds are getting out of my system, so the baby is finally starting to move again. I was worried Sunday/ Monday, since it was hardly moving at all. This is still a calmer baby than my others, I don’t feel it that much. With my first, my entire tummy would jiggle all the time, but that’s only happened maybe twice with this one.

I’ve lost about 8 lbs. since leaving the hospital – down from where I was before. I think part of this is due to not being able to eat for 2 days with the stone.

I’ve finally reached the point where I can’t wear even my running pants without them flipping under my belly (they have an elastic waist).

Last night was the first time I’ve ‘thought’ I could hear the baby’s heartbeat on our monitor.

I’ve prepared boy and girl clothes, washing them in Free and Clear ALL, with a double rinse. I’m about ready to make a wish list/ registry on some cloth diapering sites – since this will be our main need.

I’m trying to get all the cuddle time in that I can with my other children, especially the ‘baby’. He didn’t have anything to do with me once I came home last weekend, so I’ve really soaked up all the kisses, hugs, and cuddles he’s offered me the past few days!

It’s 10 PM, and I need to wind down. Thank you all once again for prayers and emails you have sent my way - the Lord has blessed us greatly!! There are times when you feel all alone, like no one cares, but the outpouring of love and concern – even from complete strangers – has been the most incredible thing to me.

Thank you all, and now on to the next 6 weeks!!

“Little Mommy”

Have questions or comments you’d like to share directly with me? Write me at: Candace @ HeavenInOurHomes.com.