#heartmamadiaries | THE FINAL WEEK

This week I had my last scheduled ultrasound and appointment with my OB. Little Iver is looking good, a slight drop in his weight curve, but they're not worried. He's estimated to weigh around 6lbs 9oz now, so he's growing and he's a good size, but definitely considered small in Westman standards! I'm starting to dilate a bit now, which is great! My body is prepping for delivery. 

Speaking of delivery, I signed my induction papers for Wednesday, August 24th (39w 5d). So unless baby has plans to make an appearance sooner, we should be meeting our little bundle 4 days from now! It's very exciting, and very scary. I am looking forward to no longer being pregnant, and I'm REALLY looking forward to meeting our precious boy, but once he's out, things get real.

My in-laws arrived in Edmonton today and were able to visit the RMH for a little bit, before driving home to Lashburn with Mark and the kids. They will be taking care of our sweeties while Mark and I await baby's arrival! It will be the longest the kids have ever been apart from me, but I am so thankful that they are in great hands!

Please continue to pray for us as I get closer to delivery, and as the kids and I are separated. I have enjoyed my first night on my own, but I truly miss them already. It's one thing to get a few hours break to myself, but another to be here alone for a couple of days!

Next time I post an update, it should be with exciting news!

Thanks again to everyone praying for us!

#heartmamadiaries | VISITING THE NICU & MATERNITY WARD

On Thursday afternoon, my parents drove from our house to Edmonton to visit the Ronald McDonald House and babysit the kids. Mark and I took the RMH shuttle to the Stollery Children's Hospital to meet with our amazing social worker and take a tour of the NICU. We have almost completed our application to the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation in hopes of receiving some funding for our medical expenses. We hope to send it off by Monday.

Please pray that our application for funding will be accepted.

After working with us on our application, our social worker took us on a tour of the NICU where Iver will be spending the majority of his time in Edmonton. The unit is very small and cramped with hardly any privacy. I knew beforehand that this would be the case, but I wasn't expecting the lack of comfort. Every bed has room for only one office-like swivel chair beside it. There are I believe 3 larger, more comfortable chairs for feeding and snuggles that are shared between about 18 other babies. If you want to have some skin-to-skin time or snuggles with your baby, you need to ask for a turn with the chair. This really just breaks my heart. I was at least expecting to be able to hold him and have skin-to-skin time as often as I pleased, or as often as Iver was able. It was a pretty emotional experience imagining myself there with Iver for weeks and weeks. I know it will be a challenge for me to take breaks from the unit and come back to the house for meals and sleep. I know in my head that that is the healthy thing to do, but I still have a hard time wrapping my heart around leaving my baby.

Please pray for my peace of mind, strength, and to remember to take this one day at a time.

In other news, we had a test-run to the maternity ward on Thursday night. As most of you know, I've had some major issues with my gallbladder and was hospitalized for 4 days at the end of May with a bad infection. Since then, I've been on a 0-fat diet. Well, Thursday night I had an attack for the first time since May. It was pretty scary, and surprising. After quickly packing the hospital bags, just in case I went into labour, we rushed to the hospital at 2:30am. They sent me straight to labour & delivery and hooked me up to a non-stress test. Thankfully, the attack subsided really really quickly (usually they will last an average of 6 hours) and baby and I both ended up being fine. Just a small flare up which the doctor seemed to think was simply due to hormone changes as my body gets ready for delivery. We left the hospital at 7:00am, and headed back to the house for a much-needed nap.

Please pray for no more flare ups!

I have an ultrasound booked on Tuesday, and an appointment with my OB on Wednesday. I'll be 39 weeks on Friday, and if everything with my pregnancy remains the status quo, the plan is still to induce me on Monday, the 22nd.

Please pray for a healthy last week of pregnancy and for continued peace as we get closer to my delivery date. 

Please pray for the medical team that will be working with myself and Iver, and for an uncomplicated delivery.

Thank you for your prayers! Not much longer now...

#heartmamadiaries | LIFE AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

For those of you who don't follow my instagram or have me as a facebook friend, I think a little blog update is in need! On Monday morning we packed up the van and kids and pulled out of our driveway ready to relocate to Edmonton. We had our hotel booked at $77.00/night, and were still holding out hope that we would hear from the Ronald McDonald House ($12/night) in the next couple of weeks. Well, we we didn't even make it outside of our little town when we got the call! The RMH had a room ready for us! We laughed and I cried and we quickly canceled our hotel reservation and hit the road! God is so good you guys! I can't say it enough!

Since arriving, we have been absolutely blown away by everything they do here at the house. There are really no words. I honestly don't think you could ever understand it unless you came and saw it for yourself. I think the food alone would blow your mind. 

The kids have been having a fantastic time exploring and playing and making new friends. Being out of regular routine has it's novelties and a downside (meltdown central), but overall they're doing really great. We are so thankful to be here and have some special family time together before Iver arrives and things get a little more complicated.

And now, I'll bomb you with cute pics of the kids and our time so far at the RMH.

Stay tuned for another post update on appointments etc.

I'm much too tired to do that right now!

Thank you again for your cotinued prayers.

#heartmamadiaries | UPDATE

I started #heartmamadiaries primarily to keep track of things for my own records, but also to serve as an update to family, friends, and a support to other parents out there going through the same thing. I hope that above all, God is glorified through our situation and that I can spread a little CHD awareness.

We were back in Edmonton today for some more prenatal appointments...

On Friday afternoon we heard from the Ronald McDonald House, and they unfortunately do not have room for us at this time. We are still considered high priority near the top of their waiting list, but in the meantime we will be staying in a hotel suite. The RMH was able to book us a fantastic one-room suite at a great rate ($70/night) that included a hot breakfast, a light supper, and free laundry. The hotel has a pool and our room has a kitchenette with a full fridge, 2 burners, a microwave and a dishwasher. All dinnerware and cutlery are provided. Needless to say, we were very impressed with the hotel. But, of course, it's still nowhere close to the $12/night that RMH can offer. 

Please pray that RMH will have a room for us ASAP.

My appointments went really well. Iver is growing steadily and is now weighing about 6lbs 1oz! This is great news, as he has passed the minimum weight requirements for his open heart surgery. We are thanking Jesus for getting him so far and we continue to pray for his health! The bigger the better for what is to come. Other than his heart, everything looks great for Iver. And as for me, things are right on track. I am not yet dilated, so we got the "OK" from the doctors to come home for a few more days before needing to relocate long-term. Just a few more days at home means saving close to $400 in accommodations alone. We will, however, relocate sooner if a spot opens up for us at the RMH, or if anything changes in my pregnancy. 

Please pray that my pregnancy will continue to progress without complications, and that Iver continues to grow on a healthy curve.

36w 5d

In other news, my parents are slowly making their way from Ontario to Saskatchewan in their motorhome. They're due to arrive at our home in Lashburn sometime Sunday evening. We are so thankful that they and my in-laws will be able to be with us during this time. 

Please pray for safe travels!

We also have a HUGE praise to report! Through some amazingly generous people, God has provided us with some financial support. We are so grateful for the willingness of those who have heard His prompting, and allowed Him to use them.

"Now all glory to God, Who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think"

Eph. 3:20

I'll do my very best to continue to post updates as Iver's story continues to unfold. Thank you again for all your support and prayers.