I had another doctor appt this morning. This Friday will be my last day on meds because I'll be 36 weeks on Friday and after that the benefits of the medicine are not greater than the risks. I have another doc appt on Monday and may be taken off bedrest at that time. :) It will be interesting to see if anything happens over the weekend since I won't be on the medicine anymore. I'm really excited to get out and run a few errands that I've been holding off on because of bedrest. I'm very thankful for my family and friends that have gone out of their way to help us with Jackson and meals!

James and Jackson went to the track today. Jackson loved it! Dario Franchetti gave Jackson a high five! They had so much fun (while mommy was at home on bedrest).

I went to the dr yesterday and there's not much new to report. I'm still dialated to one. I am 35 weeks today-woo hoo-and will probably go off bedrest and meds next Friday. I'm not sure what restrictions I will have but at least I'll be able to be mobile. I may be able to go back to work too. The dr says that at that point the medication risks outweigh the benefits at 36 weeks. They also told me to not contact them unless the contractions are painful. I guess after 4 times in the hospital they have decided that the contractions are not going to completely stop. The contractions are better in the mornings, in the afternoon and evening they get much worse. I spend almost the entire day on the couch so I'm not sure why it happens that way. I'm starting to get the "nesting" urge too. It's really difficult to just sit/lay on the couch when there are sooo many things I could be doing! This is what is best for the baby tho. I have another dr appt on Monday so I may know more then.

Jackson got a basketball hoop last night. James took him to the grocery store and came back with it. :) Jackson was saying "I love my baketball (he pronounces it without the "s") hoop".

Sunday morning was another trip to the hospital. I woke up early with frequent contractions, called the doc who said to head to the hospital. After being monitored for about an hour I was given tributaline (sp). This med makes my heart rate speed up considerably which makes me very shaky but it helps with the contractions. The doc then checked for dialation and said I wasn't dialated, which was a huge relief. Well, after 2 more doses of the trib and the contractions hadn't slowed down as the doc would like she checked again for dialation and I had dialated to 1 cm. I was emotional when she said that because every other time I hadn't dialated and I expected the same result. I am 34 weeks pregnant and would like this little girl to stay in a few more weeks. She reassured me that 34 weekers normally do very well and suggested I talk with a NICU nurse if needed. Because I had started to dialate the doc wanted to keep me overnight for monitoring and suggested getting magnesium if the contractions didn't slow down. This medication can give you flu like symptoms but is pretty effective for stopping pre-term labor. Thankfully I didn't need the mag because my contractions slowed down, which was a huge answer to prayer because on top of everything else, I didn't want to deal with the side effects of that medication. My contractions got better overnight, didn't get much sleep due to the baby monitors. The nurse had to keep coming in to adjust them frequently because the baby moves a lot and the heart rate needs to be constantly monitored.
In the morning we were told that the doc would come in sometime soon and would probably release me. He didn't make it to the room until about 6:15 p.m. He had a very busy day with surgeries and deliveries (that's what the nurse kept saying). He apologized when he walked in but was in the room about 3 minutes (very frustrating) and released me to go home. The nurse checked one more time to see if I had dialated any more. She said I was still open 1 cm.
I will be 35 weeks this Friday (3 days), that's my goal. The doc said that since this is girl if I went into labor they wouldn't give me steroids for her lungs. Preemie baby girls lungs are more developed that preemie boys lungs. I had heard that before and he said there isn't an explanation for it. I will update more later. Need to rest. :)

Starting Tuesday night my contractions got more frequent and intense. I called the dr that night and they said I was able to take the medication every 4 hours instead of every 6 hours, as needed. As long as I'm laying down the contractions are "ok". I have to get up every so often to get more water or use the restroom and I have more contractions when I do that. I had another dr appointment today, off work for at least another week. Bedrest is going ok too. My mother-in-law comes to help almost every day while James is at work, such a blessing. When James gets home from work he will do whatever needs to be done around the house and not complain at all (unless I want him to change the water in the fish bowl-he hates doing that). I am 34 weeks as of tomorrow and want the lil girl (who will remain nameless until she's born) to cook until about 36 weeks. the dr I saw today said that if I were to go into labor next week they may let it happen but I am praying that she'll stay in for a few more weeks.
Jackson is getting much more adjusted to the situation. He will say that he wants cuddle time with mommy and climb on the couch with me which is my favorite part of the day. We will read books, watch tv together or he will look at me and point out all of my facial features and laugh. He gives me lots of kisses when he does that too, I LOVE it!!!
I'm looking forward to the weekend so I can spend some time with my boys.