38 Weeks And...

...Hospitalized.

I had a checkup on January 7th that revealed our "little" monster to be 7.7 pounds already! Everything looked good, but my CDG (the baby's heart rate and movement) wasn't so great. His heart rate was pretty elevated and his movement pretty low. I also wasn't feeling so great and came down with a case of the chills while I was in the doctor's office. She scheduled an appointment for me to come back that Wednesday for another check to ensure that all was well with Parker...but I didn't quite make it to Wednesday...

That night I spiked a fever and just wasn't feeling good at all the next day when I woke up, so when I called my doctor, she advised me to go straight to the hospital, they would be awaiting my arrival. They immediately did another CDG and found Parker's heart rate to be 180-200+, mine was also high and I spiked another fever. After a battery of tests and ultrasounds, I was sent to the Urologist. He did an ultrasound of my kidneys and found my right kidney to be enlarged and inflamed, also not passing urine to my bladder. He said that some kidney enlargement is normal at this stage in pregnancy, but coupled with the infection they had detected in my blood test, I was pretty sick. They hooked me up to antibiotics via an IV and started to monitor Parker's heart rate until it started to lower. 

Another meeting with the Urologist revealed some talk about surgery. They were concerned that if the antibiotics did not treat the infection and relieve some of my symptoms that I would have to undergo surgery to correct the problem. After lots of questions, a night of antibiotics, and CDGs every 2 hours, the morning brought some hope. I visited with the Urologist again and my morning blood tests revealed the antibiotics to be working and Parker's heart rate was back into the normal range! I spent another night to ensure that things were going to continue to improve and I came home Thursday night!

I was hospitalized for a few days back in October for a similar issue, but this time the infection was centralized in my kidneys. The doctors have assured me that the issues will resolve after my pregnancy and there will be no long-term side effects at all. 

My Mom and Ann have since arrived and we are all anxiously awaiting Parker's arrival! Hopefully my next post will be his official introduction!

All our love xoxo

"One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, NEW Fish!"

Have I told you how much we love technology?! I should have known that my Mom would put her creativity to good use once again...her and Parker's Auntie Barb put on a "virtual" baby shower for us in Maine! So creative and so much fun! My parents visited at the end of November and showed up with our own little bag of baby shower items (a table cloth, plates, cups, baby shower games) and even cupcakes decorated with "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, New Fish!" So awesome!! We signed onto FaceTime and were able to fully participate with our family and friends in Maine virtually.

A little back story...
From the time I was 3 years old, I knew I wanted to be a Marine Biologist and one of my favorite books as a child was Dr. Suess' "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish". For my high school graduation, my parents gave me a copy of the book with a note urging me to follow my dreams and never give up on what I believe in. So when I saw the invitation to this shower, it had a deeper meaning for me and marks a new chapter in my life in a special way...

Here is the invitation for the shower

Here is what it looked like on our end (Cooper was convinced at least ONE present was for him...)

The decorations in Maine:

Our amazing family celebrating with us!

Everyone thought I was kidding when I said Parker had 21 pairs of shoes (and one pair of slippers)...here is the proof...and currently, I believe the count is up to 26...

We had such a great time celebrating with our friends and family in Maine! Thank you all for coming and being open-minded to this creative baby shower! We love you <3

5 Weeks To Go!

As Michael and I prepare our home (...or re-arrange for what seems like the 17th time...) for Parker's arrival, everything seems kind of surreal for me. When I look at the little ultrasound pictures, or fold his itty bitty socks, I have to keep reminding myself: "That is your son."

Each day brings a mixture of emotions for us as we try to convince ourselves we are actually ready for this new adventure! But then we get to see his little face on the screen or hear his heartbeat and we are overwhelmed with love for a tiny little person we have never even met.

Yesterday was my 35 week check-up and the doctor says everything looks "just perfect!" Parker monster is 6.6 pounds, head down, ready to greet the world! He actually cooperated today:

Overall, I feel pretty good. Sleeping has been a challenge - it is quite difficult it is to get comfortable with a wiggly watermelon in your belly! But I really can't complain.

We look forward to sharing our first family picture in just a few weeks!

All our love,
The Miller's

"Let's Dive Under the Sea and Shower the Mommy-To-Be!"

Michael and I can't even begin to explain how grateful we are to have such wonderful people in our lives. Even though the Army moved us halfway around the world away from our support system, we have found an incredible group of friends here that have become our family. Parker's Auntie Sarah sent me a message one Sunday afternoon and said "Are you having a baby shower?" I told her "Probably not" to which she quickly responded "Well that isn't the right answer. I'm on it." Sarah and Christine paired up and put on what I am convinced was the most heartfelt and amazing baby shower a Mom could ask for!

Here is the adorable invitation they sent out:

Some photos from the wonderful event:

"Thank You" Favors

Balloons!

My close friend, Kelly, who recently moved to Kentucky was able to join us via FaceTime!

Chanda and I :)

Christine (who co-hosted with Sarah), Nikki and Landon

Christine and Lauren (she is due just a few weeks after me!)

This is part of Parker's "Coming Home" Outfit

The most popular gift at the shower! A bib and the claws are a facecloth that you can pull out to wipe his little face! Thanks so much Aunt Cathy! You are so creative!

Auntie Sarah started Parker's book collection with all her favorite stories from her childhood, so very sweet!

My amazing co-host Sarah! I think she was yelling at me for throwing paper at her :)

Cooper was convinced that at least ONE thing in those boxes and bags was for him!

The start of my bow hat...

There it is! Thanks Felecia ;)

Cooper wanted to wear it too!

My adorable friend Gwen trying to decide how fat I really am!

Ok, Christine...we get it!

Clean-Up Crew! He was such a great sport!

These are just a few pictures from such an incredible night with amazing people! Michael and I spent the next few WEEKS washing tiny clothes, folding the smallest socks in the world, and making room in our home for Parker. We were overwhelmed by how much love and support we received and how generous people have been for a little man that none of us have even met! Parker is one lucky monster!

33 Weeks and Counting!

Guten Tag!

We had a doctor's appointment today to check on Parker and everything is progressing just fine! He's a little monster and already weighs 5.7 pounds! My doctor said there is a German expression: "Wachsende wie ein Pilz" which translates to "Growing like a mushroom" - I assume this is similar to our "Growing like a weed" expression, so we have a little mushroom on our hands :)

Here are a few pictures from today:

Britt at 33 weeks

Everything else is going well here. Winter is in full force now - we have received about 5-6 inches total in the past few days, but it's kind of nice to have snow if it is going to be so cold.

Michael is working a night duty right now (8:00 p.m - 8:00 a.m.), so our schedules have been pretty messed up for a few weeks. He will be finished with that on the 14th, and we are hoping he will have a few weeks to get back on schedule before Parker comes and messes it all up again!

All our love,
Brittany, Michael and Parker

Our first looks at Parker...

We are so fortunate to have the technological advances in medicine that we do today! I visited my doctor every 4 weeks until I reached 24 weeks and then began to see her every 2 weeks. At each visit, I have an ultrasound and after 24 weeks, a 3D/4D each time! This is MUCH different than in the states where mother's-to-be only get a few glimpses at their growing baby, and have to pay extra and schedule a specific appointment to see 3D/4D pictures, so we are forever grateful to have loads and loads of ultrasound photos of our little man!

Here are just a few of our favorites:
                                                                     

Sucking his thumb at 15 Weeks

His little chicken arm at 25 Weeks

Little piggies at 27 Weeks

Little face at 29 Weeks

A funny story...

At 25 weeks I had an ultrasound and the doctor was unable to "confirm" we were going to welcome a little boy into our family (this news coming after both sets of grandparents had already maxed out all major credit cards at Carter's and The Children's Place on any and everything they had in blue). I thought Michael was going to pass out right there in the doctor's office. So for two weeks, we called our little one "Pauline" :) At my next appointment, the doctor was determined to confirm for Daddy...sure enough, she barely had the wand on my stomach and there was PARKER...no question...we are having a boy!

The "Bump"

Since I am starting this a little late, here is a photo progression of "the bump" up through 31 weeks.

So far, no weird or outrageous cravings, normal weight gain (or so they tell me...), and nothing to really complain about. Michael does laugh a little when I try to put my shoes on now, but it is pretty funny :)