A picture says it all...

I know you are all dying to see what a placental abruption looks like...

This isn't verbatim, but the doctor said something along the lines of, "Basically you have a really crappy placenta, but it has managed to grow your baby". Amen.

I haven't had an ultrasound before this that actually showed the root of the problem. I guess these things don't always show up on ultrasound and they are more concerned about the symptoms such as bleeding, preterm labor, and poor fetal development. But it was still so amazing to see, that I made them print a picture so I could show Andrew. 

That was last Wednesday. Luckily, the powers that be still decided to honor my begging and pleading to go home. I was getting really homesick. Two months in the hospital is long enough. I am hoping I don't have to return soon. I promised I wouldn't be alone with my kids or increase my activity level, and would rush to the hospital the moment anything changed. I am so glad now that we opted to live in a smaller home close to downtown instead of a larger home farther away. The fact that I can get to the hospital in less than 10 minutes is probably the only reason I can be home now. So many other things have worked out well because of where we chose to live. Our neighbors have been lifesavers. Luke is within walking distance to his school. I didn't realize when we bought the house just how important location would be. 

As I mentioned, the baby is growing which is good news. Unless there is a need to deliver me sooner, they will deliver me in early October. Patience, patience, patience.

I  think they gave me the world's best hospital room the second time I was admitted. A perfect view of the Arboretum and the closest room to the ice machine. Small things make a difference. 

After talking with a few friends, I think I have officially scared all women who want to become pregnant someday. Of course, there are much worse things to fear and much more frustrating circumstances to be in. I actually feel really lucky. However, I don't think this is very common. One statistic I read said abruption has been recorded in 6.5 per 1,000 births. I don't think I have 1,000 friends. So unless there is something in the water, statistically speaking, I took one for the team.

Andrew has become a very intense gardener this summer. He has farmer blood. Luckily all the really hard work was done in the Spring. This garden has been extremely productive.

We have been SO BLESSED to have family come to the rescue during this time. Above is my niece Trestyn (from Utah) who took a week out of her summer break to come watch these boys. Not many high school students would do that. My sister Michele from California took a week, my sister Erin from Utah took 2 weeks. My brother and his family were vacationing in Chicago when I was first admitted to the hospital and they drove in for a few days. And of course, my in-laws are absolutely heroic and drive back and forth from Cleveland to fill in all the gaps. My mother-in-law has borne the brunt of the childcare...I think she just finished her 4th week total.

Andrew's brother and his wife live nearby and have also helped a ton. They basically took charge of Luke's birthday party and managed all the little details so I could just watch and enjoy. I know my sister-in-law has been by to clean my house a few times though she is too modest to tell me about it. Then there are all the play dates during the week with friends from our church. Meals have been provided not only by neighbors and members of our church, but also by Andrew's co-workers. A few of those residents have really gone out of their way to help us regardless of the crazy hours they work. You wouldn't believe the pile of tupperware at my house :). Our next door neighbor mows our lawn and drops off food along with fresh flowers from their beautiful garden. I should also mention that my parents have begged to come out numerous times but I make them stay at home and honor their aging bodies. I'm sure it is driving them crazy.

We are spoiled. It is hard to explain what an experience like this is like. I think you just have to live through it. Once you do, you'll never forget why it is so important that we serve one another. We could not survive without these people.