28 Weeks!

     28 Weeks. Wow. Honestly, I never expected to make it this far.  Most times I am so excited to be this far along, knowing my daughter has such a high chance of survival. However, a small part of the time I still get upset, knowing she's becoming more aware of everything and how unfair for her it will be to watch her die.  But I can't think that way. For her sake, I need to stay positive, and I'm trying. It's hard, but how can I not fall in love with this precious miracle? As hard as I may try to distance myself from this pregnancy, it's happened. I got excited and fell in love with my second daughter.  I'm dying to tell you her name! Naming her, feeling her move, and looking at her during bi-weekly ultrasounds has given us a connection, and honestly, I just can not wait to meet her! Well, I can wait, especially if that means she will be born full term and healthy!

     As a math teacher, I'm very into statistics. I don't know why, especially since they don't always seem to work on my behalf, but I am trying very hard to focus on the positives these days.  Based on my readings and research, a baby born at 28 weeks has about a 90% chance of survival. Every baby develops differently so it's hard to put an actual percentage to it, but babies at 28 weeks have what they need, with a lot of medical support of course, to survive.  I've seen statistics as low as 80% and as high as 90-95%, which means the odds are in my favor.  I obviously want her to stay in and bake a little longer, but it is so reassuring to know that she will not be a micro preemie.  I still have labor to worry about, but at least for right now one worry is gone. 

     On the eve of this Thanksgiving I am thankful for my daughter, and for her 3 older brothers and sisters, her guardian angels, who will watch over her from heaven.  I'm also thankful for my husband who has been beyond supportive of me and my.....'moods', lol.  Honestly, though, we've both been through so much and I have to give him credit for putting on a strong face for me, even though this hasn't been easy for him, too.  I love my husband, and it's so nice to know that with all the wrong decisions I may have made in life, saying yes when he asked me to marry him was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I look forward to ending this year, and starting 2014 as a family with our daughter. 

     Happy Thanksgiving!  I will put up a bump picture tomorrow.