Premature Atrial Contraction

First off, I can't say how absolutely wonderful Boone Hospital, staff, nurse, Ultrasonagrapher and Dr. Grant were. What an experience! They are no joke, and took care of Jonna and I like we were family!

After having an ultrasound and what they referred to as an Echo Ultrasound(the technology is just amazing) of Jonna's heart they determined what her irregular beat was all about. They confirmed she had a "beautiful" four chambered heart, and Dr.diagnosed her with Premature Atrial Contraction.. It is pretty much exactly what it states. One chamber, the atrium, is off beat with the ventricle next to it. It is quite apparent of the irregularity but, we were reassured by Dr. Grant not to worry because it should likely heal it self, and hopefully will before birth. I will go back in three weeks for a check up. I am so thankful that it isn't any more serious than what it is. Thank you God! And thanks for all your prayers.

In the mean time, Mama is not allowed any Chocolate, Caffeine, or Cocoa Butter lotion. I am an addict to Cocao Butter lotion and lather up with it every day, but apparently, it has caffeine in it that I can absorb which may also be absorbed by Jonna. I was reassured that any previous chocolate intake or the minimal caffeine intake didn't cause Jonna's problem, but it is best to stay away from it as a precaution because it can cause tachycardia. It's best just to make sure her heart doesn't have to work any harder than it already has to.

On a very exciting note, Jonna is way cute!!! She still has Benjamin's profile. One other thing is she already has a head full of hair that Ben did not have!! Oh my! Weighing in at 2 lbs 15 oz, and in the 80% percentile, I guess. Between her and I, we are measuring a week and 1/2 ahead, but doc reassured me that doesn't mean I would be going early.

So God just keeps on blessing us and all is well again in Holee land!

Maternal Instinct

So, I am almost 28 weeks, and I had an appointment yesterday. Took the wonderful glucose test to test for gestational diabetes, and seriously the stuff you drink for it is pretty tasty. Orange Kool-aid would be the comparison.

My BP and weight doing well. I gained 3.5 lbs this month which is right on target, I think that is like 12.5 lbs overall.

All was doing well, till the doppler. Nothing too alarming. She did the regular checking for Jonna's heart rate which has always been eventful because she has never been one to sit still. Doc laughed over and over again as Jonna kicked right at the wand. A few moments later, my very calm doctor said Maria, I hear something irregular, let's go do an ultrasound. Caught me off guard at first, but I was a little excited to get to see her picture again.

The regular US technician was not there, so Doc did it, and reassured me she wasn't the pro like the tech was. Right away, she found the heart and focused on the chambers. It was difficult to see, but I had an idea what to look for, and very clear as day was an apparent irregular heart rate. As we watched the beat, it would be all over the place, a beat, beat, then babump, babump, babump then back to regular beat, beat, beat again, then just break in with several off beats. We watched for what seemed like hours, but was only minutes, but the entire time, Jonna's heart didn't look right. I have some previous nursing back ground even went through OB clinicals, and I probably know enough just to make me worry more. Honestly, she could have just been sitting in an odd position in there, and that's all.

I questioned the 4 chambers, and my doctor said she didn't feel comfortable answering because of course she wasn't the expert, but said she was going to send us to a "maternal fetal specialist" at Boone Hospital in Columbia. So, that is where I am headed off today at 2. Jake is going with me, and we hope to find that it is nothing serious, and just random irregularity.

The doctor reassured me of two things, that just because there is an irregular heart beat doesn't mean she has a defect, and if she does have a defect, nothing would be able to done for her till birth. Hmmmmmmmm. Well, I just hope and pray for some good results today. And I am very glad my doctor cares and doesn't take any chances.

After talking to my dear old Mom, with lots of experience in the maternal pregnancy department, and she told me that probably 7 out of the 10 kids she's had they told her all kinds of things, and they would run more tests, and everything would turn out fine. But she related to me on how worried I am and offered to take off and go with me. Jake is working today, but they are going to let him go for a few hours to be there with me.

We do know that Jake's Dad had a heart defect involving the four chambers, where there were only actual three fully developed ones, and he had surgery as an infant to get it fixed. I am not certain if it is congenital or not. So, let's just hope the doctor we meet with today finds some answers and will hopefully, let us know today! This Mom is very anxious and worried.

As a mother, Maternal instinct kicks in and a MILLION what-ifs go through my mind. I just keep patting my belly and reassuring Jonna that God is going to take care of her no matter what if it is anything at all.

And as a side note: we were directed to the Maternal Fetal Specialists Group. Due to politics and society, Jonna is referred to as a fetus. But one thing is so certain to me that this little girl is our baby. She is going to be special in everyway, and just due to the fact that society refers to her as a fetus, doesn't change any thought in my head or connection I have already developed with her. It really upsets me in a way, that any person out there could honestly not realize that whether 28 weeks in the womb or 1 week out of the womb, she is still a baby, and I just absolutely am horrified thinking that a mother would make a decison to abort their child at this point. Sometimes, society and politicians really ticks me off. You get my point.

So, please say some prayers for our little girl. No matter what, I know she is going to be okay. She just will and that is all there is to it.

5 Musts while Pregnant

1) Take a nap when I am capable, No matter what. Best to take a nap, after I think I am really upset about something. The sleep will make me less cranky.

2) Exercise, keep back muscles loose. Knee to chest exercises every morning.

3) Try to stay away from candy bars and sweets.

4) Eat as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible.

5) Take a relaxing vacation. (This is the plan, headed to Gulf Shores in about 3 weeks, and I don't remember being this excited about something, just for some relaxation.)


I can't believe it has been over two weeks since I wrote last, I am so behind. But I have good reason. I had literally been swamped for the last two weeks. Planning for our first time "Clerk Training" to our 111 counties hosted at our facility. And then last week was the week of Training, presenting almost every day, and playing catch up constantly. Friday and this week is deadline reconciliation for the end of the month for me. I seriously can't wait till May!! 1st, there are two holidays that month, and second we are going on vacation!! Last vacation for our three person Holee family.

Pregnancy is going great besides being tired, but honestly, I have come to accept that from the day that Ben was born, really I would live the rest of my life sleep deprived. And I figure as long as I just accept it, I am fine. I am at the point that sleeping is quite uncomfortable and wake up constantly anyways, between that and Ben waking up all the time. I don't know that our son will ever really understand the importance of sleep. Now eating, that has never been a problem.

People always say the second one sleeps better, but I definately don't want to get my hopes up. About two months to go. A little over 27 weeks and last night, I felt Jonna have the hicc-ups for the first time. This girl doesn't hang out to the left side like Ben always did. She is all over the place, kicking and bouncing. I can see her little foot or hand move accross my stomach from one side to the other. I am at the point where it almost feels like I have my little alien growing inside me. But, I bet she is going to be a pretty cute alien.

Plus her room is coming together. We bought some wall decorations, and I painted a couple murals for the room to "girly" it up a bit.

I may have to do this dragon fly one over.


Ben will be moving from the soon to be baby room to his "BIG BOY" room to match the recent Big Boy haircut, which is now the guest room. We hope to add some big boy stuff, like an ant farm and fish aquarium. Dad tried to say a snake or lizard would be great for him to have, but I wasn't so keen on that idea. I am pretty sure Ben will be bringing all kinds of different animals home whether we like it or not!

Also, Note: his favorite toy in the world is his green kick ball. He literally carries it everywhere around the house and outside. He has also found it works quite well for a seat wherever he may go.




Ok, and I was going to make this short. So all is great.

Easter 09, and a little over 6 months preggo

Happy Easter! It was a good one of course! Lots of family and food! I had given up Candy bars for the forty days of Lent before Easter, so needless to say, I overindulged quite a bit on Reese's and Snicker's eggs, but so worth it!!

Jake had to work another Holiday, but we kind of celebrated Saturday so he could be a little part of some festivities. Ben got some candy and a booster seat as his present. Now he will sit at the table like a big boy with Mom and Dad! He loves it, and I couldn't really get him out of it for a while yesterday. I am little over six months preggo too, and things are going great. Here are just a few pics:
First is "set up" for family photo opp:

And smile!



Ben's new favorite thing is to find things to jump from.


Easter Egg Hunt:


Ben got a little sidetracked when he found a ball:



Tryin hard for an after Easter Egg photo opp:


Just not workin:

My sister Jessica, Dear Old Mom, and Anna... Mom is being funny in the first one, just a tad!

Before and After Haircut

Does this look comfortable or what!


This is after round one of the hair cut! It looks pretty good, but it was way uneven around the sides and ears.


Had to do some finishing touches and this was after round 2


Just having a little fun!

Pierce

This is a nephew of a friend of mine in Tulsa, OK. I have been following his caring foundation website for months now, and about every time I read the journals, it brings tears to my eyes. I can't, don't, want to imagine what this little man or family has gone through. He is just such an adorable little boy, and having a son so close to his age sometimes makes my heart hurt just a little more for him. Today they posted a video, so I thought I would share!

http://www.newson6.com/Global/category.asp?C=121535&clipId=3633585&topVideoCatNo=112047&autoStart=true

Two Cute things that bring tears to Mom's eyes.

One: Ben has become quite a good little "Pray-er" We pray as a family at each mealtime, at church, and before bed. He has become accustomed to this and knows what "let's pray means" Last night, just gave me a little boost. We said, "Let's go to bed" he waddled right into his room, got down on both knees beside his big boy bed, and folded his hands together looking up at us. He kneeled the entire time, hands folded, until I finished saying our prayer. Then hugs and kisses both to Mom and Dad, and off to bed. I am just so darn proud of him! Hopefully, this remains a habit for years to come.

Two: Just when I think our rambunctious little boy may be just a little too wild, he does the cutest things. The other night, in a nightly routine, Jake was sitting in the bathroom watching Ben as he was playing in the bathtub. I had gone into the bathroom to give Jake a big hug and a kiss, just because, and Ben was watching. He stood up and said something reaching his arms out to me. Since I can't always understand what he says, I assumed he wanted to get out of the tub. Nope, not it at all, He wanted a hug from Mom, just like Dad got. So I hugged him, he squeezed me, smiled, and proceeded to sit back in the tub to play. I may be jumpin the gun, but I think it may have even teared dear old Dad up for a sec.

This is why I wouldn't change being a mother for anything in the world.

10 reasons why

I love my husband..........I probably don't give him enough props lately, actually I know I don't. I have been kind of in a lull for over a week now from being sick, and it sucks for me, but I think it sucks for Jake too.

So dedicating this one to you:

1) I love you because you just changed my oil, this morning in the cold, and on your way to drop my car off you filled it up with gas, so I wouldn't have too. That is literally one of my all time least favorite things to do ESPECIALLY when it is cold outside.

2) You make dinner when you are off from the fire dept. and almost every other night you are able to.

3) You are always on top of the laundrey, much better than I.

4) If you make dinner, you wash the dishes too on the nights that you know I have had a long day at work or am not feeling well. We usually take turns, one cooks the other cleans.

5) You get so excited when Ben and I come to the fire station to visit you. I know I don't do it very often, sorry!

6) You wake up with Benjamin on his sleepless nights when you are at home.

7) You tuck me in when I head to bed earlier than you every night. I am usally in bed before you by a couple hours most night.

8) If I read myself to sleep, I never get up to turn off the light, because I know you will come into check on me and see if I am asleep to then turn the light off.

9) You sit and talk with me at random moments and it means more to me than you know. We don't have as much "us" time it seems, so I enjoy what I get.

10) When you are driving and I am the passenger I put my hand on your lap, you always adjust to make sure my hand is under yours or your arm.

11) When you play with, hug with and kiss on Benjamin. I pay more attention to this than you know.

12) The sincerity you try to give me when I show you new baby girl stuff we have at home. I know it isn't interesting to you at all, but you try.

13) Little surprises here and there, that I may not always show thanks for, but I truly am.

That was more than 10 and there are certainly more reasons, but I don't want to give you to big a head!

Jonna Leigh-15 weeks to go!

I think we found a name for our little girl. I have already found it fun, just saying her name! Jonna pronounced (John-na) and Leigh pronounced (Lee). Jonna is my middle name, which I have always loved, and always wanted to name a little girl after. It is also part of my Grandpa Farnan's name, who I was kind of named after, "John" and well, I think it sounds PERFECT!! The name Leigh is a compromise on Jake's favorite girl name "Leona" which has actually grown on me quite a bit since he has talked about it since I was pregnant with Benjamin. It is a pretty name, but I like Leigh better, and he likes it too.

Actually, I also have a brother named John after Grandpa too, and a sister Anna Lee, and I think someone in Jake's family has the name Lee also in their name. Is it Becca??

So, 6 month check up yesterday!! Measuring 24 weeks, right on target. Gained 2lbs, which is not very much, but I blame that on my recent sickness. 9lb weight gain overall. Jonna's heart rate was 148, and it took Dr. Dodson quite a while to get that with the doppler. Jonna was rolling around and kicking all over the place. Once or twice she actually kicked the wand, and moved it and the doc's arm. It was pretty funny. She said I don't need to worry about her being active!

No date set quite yet, but we are still assuming a week before my due date of July 26th, and it is confirmed that my brother will be able to tape the delivery again!

I am getting over my cold, which is fabulous!! Life is good, and we are doing all right!