Medications and Progress

I've been on the new medication for almost a week now, and it's kinda hard to tell if it's helping or not. My best guess is that it isn't. But there is still some good news. I've started getting little breaks in the sickness- usually for about 45 minutes every three days or so. It's a little, but it's still helpful. We couldn't tell if the new meds were bringing on the breaks or not, because other times I was on them I felt pretty awful. In fact, over the weekend, both afternoons I was on BOTH medications and still dry heaving and feeling miserable. But yesterday was a very good day and helped give us some insight.

Amazingly, I was not nauseous throughout the morning and early afternoon yesterday! And I wasn't on any medication at all!!!! So I think the improvements aren't from the medication but maybe just from being in the second trimester. Yesterday I still felt weak and got tired, but was able to sit up most of the day. When I felt hungry I was just hungry, and not sick from being hungry. And after I ate, the food didn't make me feel sick again (which is what usually happens without the meds)! It was delightful. And I had a day like that two weeks ago too.

So I'm not up and around yet, still on the couch or in bed all day, but I'm hopeful that eventually the breaks will come more often and last longer. I'm trying to do little things when I can and sit up as much as possible. The second trimester headaches have begun and that affects things too, but it is nice to think of our little guy getting bigger every day. Thanks to all of you who are praying for us- we appreciate it so much!

First Trimester: Complete!

Yesterday was supposedly the 12 week mark, the end of my first trimester. I say supposedly because every different source gives you a different day-count. The doctor says one thing, the ultrasound another, and the ticker on this blog still another! They're all within a week or so of each other, so what does it matter. Anyway, I'm counting yesterday as the landmark day.

My new prescription was called in yesterday and will be picked up today. I look forward to giving it a try. I don't expect immediate relief even if it IS effective. I'm hoping for improvement within a week or so. (And trying to be prepared for it if there is no improvement too).

Yesterday I had a little break in the sick feeling for a little over an hour. I was able to get up and heat some soup up for myself without any problem and that was fun. I had a day like that last week too- a break from it all around lunch/ early afternoon. That must be my good time of day! It is usually when I have the best appetite. Then 4 o clock rolls around and everything changes. I am finding I can eat bigger portions of the things that sound good, so I might be gaining some weight! That's the good news. The bad news is that the late afternoons and evenings are stinky. The sick feeling during that time is more intense now than it was before.

Addie is feeling much, much better. She is back to her chipper little self. Greg looked at her this morning and thought she looked bigger, so he measured her and she was an inch and a half above the last mark on the growth chart!

I'll try and post in a few days about how the new medication is going. Hopefully I'll have good news!

Rough Weekend

Whew! We are glad to have survived this last weekend! Addie woke up at 5 am on Saturday morning and started puking. Not what we wanted at this house, but we were glad it happened while Greg was able to be here with her. He spent Saturday morning holding her while she puked and cleaning up the mess. I stayed upstairs in bed to try to avoid catching it. I had yet to spend an entire day in the bed- I usually get downstairs to the couch at some point- so it was a loooong day for everyone. Greg was so great with Addie and I was glad he was taking care of her. It killed me not to be there for her. During one of the episodes I sat at the top of the stairs where I could see her, just so I could encourage her through it. Greg just held her most of the day, when he wasn't taking care of me and doing 4 loads of laundry. Anyway, she stopped puking by the afternoon and slowly perked up. She is doing much better now, just showing the residual effects of a tummy bug (which always sets of her reflux for the next 2 weeks). I am so grateful that it hit on the weekend, that Greg is such an amazing dad, and for the Netflix subscription that kept us all entertained all day. :)

Wednesday- Celebration Day

Today marks 11 weeks! Yahoo!
Much is still the same. I have gotten a bit pickier in what I can eat, but I think my portions have gotten slightly bigger on the things that are working. Right now the only thing I can always eat is fresh pineapple. So funny. But there are a lot of other things that work sometimes or most of the time. One new addition is Mexican Food- like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. It's a good way to sneak in some meat, so that is great.
Since Sunday, the days have been harder and I was feeling worse, but I'm hoping today will be different.
I was so blessed by our neighbors yesterday. It being Greg's birthday and wanting so much to do something for him, yet not being able was no fun. Then THREE different neighbors came by last night- the first, the Ballards, had Addie all day and brought her back with cupcakes for Greg and a birthday card from her (that he loves and says he's keeping forever). Then the Myer's brought by a cake for him too and the Kropfs stopped by with a pot of a special tea Greg loves. I got all teary over it all. What a blessing to Greg and me both. Thanks neighbors!
So we are just chugging through. I still don't like it all, but am finding there is so much to be thankful for and that God is providing even beyond what we could have asked. We really are being sustained by Him each day!

Happy Birthday Greg!

I must admit, Greg's birthday is really getting shafted this year. He turns 34 today, and will be celebrating by working hard, then coming home to be a single parent, and take care of his sick wife. Well, he WILL get to choose the take-out for dinner tonight! And thanks to Ashley, I was able to order him a gift and have it shipped here. (Thank you internet shopping!!!!). But still, the way he has taken care of everything right now, he deserves the grandest, greatest birthday ever. So honey, I love you. And when this is over, I'm gonna spoil you rotten!!!!

It Makes it All Worth It

We had a really great visit to the doctor today! I was nervous about the appointment because I can barely sit up, let alone get to the car, ride for 40 minutes, get into the doctor's office, etc. And yes, I felt pretty crummy and I dry heaved plenty. I had to wait in a back room because I couldn't do the waiting room, but once we saw the doctor it was aaaaallll worth it!

The doctor was extremely compassionate and kind, even putting off some tests that are normally done now but can wait 'till later in the pregnancy when I might feel better. He said some very encouraging things, like that since taking my prenatal vitamins make me feel worse, I was doing the best thing NOT to take them because we don't want me in the hospital. It was so nice to hear because I feel guilty about eating so poorly and not taking the prenatals, like I'm not giving our kiddo the best, so to be told I was doing the very best thing was really nice to hear. It probably sounds silly to you guys but trust me, it was music to my ears.

We also talked about another drug for the nausea that might help, but decided to wait 2 more weeks until I'm into the second trimester when it is a little safer to take. He let that be my decision and I wanted to stick it out and wait the two more weeks to play it safe.

AND THEN came the good part! Even though he was running behind and didn't have to at all, he did another ultrasound just for kicks (and encouragement really). We got not just a look at the baby, but 15 minutes of watching the baby! We couldn't believe how much the baby has grown since four weeks ago when it just looked like a little bean. Now it's a BABY! We saw it's tummy and it's toes. We heard and watched it's heart beating away. We saw it just chilling out and floating and moving it's arms and legs. And that bold little thing also clearly flashed us!
The doctor asked if we wanted a gender guesstimate and I was shocked he would even offer at 10 weeks, but the baby gave us a CLEAR shot of two legs and a third appendage. The doctor was careful to tell us that it is too early to be certain and that they have had "tricksters" before, but it appears at this point to be a boy! Now, we are totally excited either way. I'm thrilled it is a boy (I really think it is), but if it turns out later to be a girl, that's GREAT too. For now, we are calling him "he."

I couldn't believe how helpful that time seeing the baby was. I was in tears watching him move on the ultrasound and wondering away at our Creator. It really gave me the encouragement that this is all worth it and we will have a wonderful new person in our family soon. All the good parts at the end of this junk became really real for the first time. What a huge blessing it was to see him and to have a doctor who was caring enough to do that for us. What a great doctor's visit.

Birthday the 3rd

Addie's 3rd birthday was a pretty laid-bask affair. It was just a little too warm and dry for our original plan, which was a snow-day in the nearby mountains.

Instead, we invited all the kids in the complex to come over decorate thier own snowman cookies













Some of the decoration items were M&Ms, jelly beans, gumdrops, marshmellows, Alpha-Bits cereal, pretzel sticks, rainbow striped taffy and an assortment of sprinkles.

When the grandparents come..

About a month ago, Niki's folks came down for a visit for Christmas and Addie's 3rd bithday. When they come, it's often a go-go-go experience. However, this time around, we slowed the pace down to save Linda's knee and because of Niki's decreasing energy and strength with her blossoming pregnancy.

What did we do with the time? As far as Addie was concerned, it was 24/7 Poppi playtime.

"A baloon? Look! I can catch it! Another fingertip catch by Addie Spangler"







"Ride faster, Poppi."








"Ok, Poppi, sit right here."

Overdue updates

The posts haven't been updated n a long time, especially ones with any pictures. So, as time permits, I (Greg) will try to catch you all up to date on some of our happenings before Niki's pregnancy took center-stage in our life.

So, the first post should come up tonight, or maybe tomorrow.

Week 9

Every Wednesday gives me a reason to celebrate! I am 9 weeks along now; one more week finished. Nothing much has changed physically- still CAN eat, though I'm very picky and the amounts are small. Still very weak (from not eating much) and dizzy (from laying down all day). Oddly enough, the mornings are better than the afternoons and evenings, which gives me the chance to get out of bed, dressed, and downstairs. I am thankful to not be isolated in the bedroom all day.
This last week Greg returned to work, but it turned out he only had to work two days. Our dear friends Dee and Lori helped on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, and they were a blessing and a joy. Good company is good medicine you know! We are in the midst of lining up care for next week- it is Greg's first full week back at work, and I will admit I'm a little nervous for the weeks to come without Greg home. But I have had to choose to trust God to provide all our needs and also I am learning to choose thankfulness throughout each day. I have been so encouraged and strengthened spiritually by a sermon I listened to this last week by John Piper on suffering, and also by reading the book "Because He Loves Me" by Elyse Fitzpatrick.
We've been recieving meals from our neighbors and church family every other night and boy, is that a blessing to Greg. The visits from friends and neighbors are a joy too and a nice distraction. We will keep you updated to any changes. Thanks for all your prayers and support.