What a week...

Things still seem to be going well. The baby is active with a heart rate in the 150s and I have not had any contractions since being in the hospital! Huge praise there! Dr. Eller, the perinatologist who preformed my procedure, is very pleased with how things are progressing and is looking forward to reading my next scan on Monday to confirm what he suspects...that the cerclage is a success and should help P3 have a toasty home for several more months! Today, Dr. Wooten, the OB who delivered Tanner, came in on rounds and shared that he too was cautiously optimistic about the success and even an altered long term plan! According to both doctors, as long as I am having no cervical change or contractions there is a strong possibility that I could be sent home sometime around 32-34 weeks for continued bed rest...but I would be home! Both doctors also advised that we hold off on the rescue steroids until delivery was eminent, as it is really most helpful when administered 24 hours-1 week before delivery. It is supposedly a wicked shot so I'm not overly disappointed to wait a little! Besides if all goes well and I go to term...I won't need them! The fact that they aren't jumping at the chance to give the steroids is a further indication in their faith in the cerclage...which is encouraging.

This week has been exciting for the boys as they both got to visit their new classes and meet their teachers. Landon is happy to have two buddies he already knows in his class and Tanner was just thrilled to finally be going to school like brother! Another first tomorrow is Landon's 1st day in real team t-ball...complete with uniforms and cleats. Does it get any better than that for a 3 (almost 4) year old? I'm not sure if Greg or Landon is more excited!

We are so blessed to still have Greg's mom with us-it is so nice that the boys can be in their own home and be in their "normal" routine. She is planning to stay with us for at least the next week and also plans to come back to help when my sister Lisa delivers. (Please keep her in your prayers too as she is due Sept. 15th and has been on anti-contraction meds for several weeks already). We are hoping her baby can wait till at least September, although it seems really excited to meet us. Lisa is also on bed rest (at home) and my mother has been able to help out with her kids now that Nana is here for us. In my humble opinion, grandmothers make the world a much nicer (and easier) place!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and encouragement. I so enjoy your visits and phone calls. It is hard to believe that I've already been here for 12 days! The boys and Greg are being loved on by our neighbors and friends and family with dinners, offers for help driving them to school, etc. God is so good. He is showing His care for us through all of you and we are so humbled and appreciative! We'd love to hear from you and as always, feel free to stop by my hospital room for a visit...I'll be here!

Love, The Powells