A couple bits of news

Just got in from the perinatologist. It wasn't such a good appt. I have a great big funnel. She doesn't give measurements, but eyeballing it I'd say about 2/3's of the cervix above the stitch is funnelled. By this I mean, it's open/effaced. I go back next week. She said when the funnel hits the stitch, I'm in the hospital without bathroom privileges. Everything below the stitch is closed, thankfully, and it appears to be doing it's job.

She drew pictures for me because I was questioning where exactly the stitch is. I've read of stitches too low, etc, and just needed some reassurance. I, thankfully, have a high stitch. She aims to put it where bladder meets vaginal wall. But, judging by the u/s, it's actually a bit above the bottom of the bladder. Gosh, is that too much info?? :-)

I questioned her about the cramping that I have every couple of days. It's not contraction (i.e. tightening), but more like an achey pms feeling low about level with my c/s scar. I was hoping that she'd say it was my fibroid. She disagrees and says it's my uterus acting up. I go back in one week. Friday is the day that all went bad with Emma.

It's getting scary now!!! Prayers please!

In GREAT news, the Emmazing Grace Foundation is offically tax-exempt. Mom called after I got home from the dr to tell me that the letter FINALLY arrived. I'm soooo glad to hear this, but have to admit that today is one filled with mixed emotions.

For all of you that have so generously donated since we were incorporated in Nov, I will get tax receipts out as soon as I can. Mom said that the letter detailed some requirements, so I'll wait to see it first.

A crafting post

Believe it or not, I've actually completed a few items. Here are a set of booties for the purple and white gown below. These are my first booties and come from the this pattern. And, I did Bev's Burial Bunting. I used Caron Simply Soft b/c that's all I had at the moment. It's tight so I won't be lining it with flannel as she suggested.

Lastly, but certainly not least, my friend Frauntene made this donation to the EGF. I'm so excited. I have some specialty yarn to play with.....well, it's specialty to me. :-) I'll be sharing it with my friend back home, too. Mom said she dropped off another big donation on Thurs.

A Beautiful Day!!

It's a beautiful day here with a high predicted of 79F. And, I'm stuck here in bed. If I didn't want to get up I'd post a picture of the pine trees out my 2nd story window. Ok, ok, just allow me to whine a moment and I'll be fine. :-) Today is 20 weeks, with only 20 more to go. Tomorrow is 7 weeks on bedrest with several weeks of house arrest prior to that. I am truly thankful for still being pregnant, so please don't think otherwise!

I need some advice.
1 - A good friend of mine learned to knit a few months ago. She wants to do something for the Emmazing Grace Foundation. Do you have a suggestion to some easy knitting patterns, hats and gowns? I sent her a bunch of links, but I think she's a bit overwhelmed. :-)

2 - I'd like to purchase some yarn on-line for Sue, the sweet lady back home that crochets and regularly donates to the foundation. We finally have a few dollars in the bank and would like to give her a few supplies. Any baby yarn suggestions? Joann.com has free shipping right now for orders over $35.

Wool Windings, if you're reading, I love the Caron Baby Sport that you suggested. I'm not sure if I thanked you for the suggestion or not.

As for crocheting myself, there's not much to report. My attention span has been practically nil. I will crochet a row or two, surf the net, flip the channels, read a chapter, do some sudoku, and then start all over. I can't seem to get it together enough to do anything for any length of time. Eating isn't even fun anymore. LOL!

Happy Valentine's Day

Just thought I'd share a picture of Hannah before preschool yesterday. She attends on Tues and Thurs, so they celebrated Valentine's Day yesterday which included a visit from the dental hygenist. Hannah came home talking all about the "sugar monsters" that we must brush off her teeth. Here's to easier teeth brushing!!!

I just realized that I didn't update you on the pregnancy. Today is 19 weeks. Monday I had an appointment with the perinatologist. I left the house at 12:30 and didn't get home until 6:45. 5pm traffic in the rain was awful, besides waiting forever at the dr's office. The appointment was much better, though, than it has been been the past few weeks. Baby looks good still and all the bleeding has stopped. No contractions showed on the ultrasound either. The only downside was that my cervix has begun to shorten but it's still closed. 18-22 weeks is the "danger zone" for an incompetent cervix and it looks like mine is going to follow the statistics. She prescribed the weekly 17P injections which is a form of injection that has been shown to greatly reduce preterm labor. Please, please work!!!

Kathy that I "met" on 25 Things for Charity has posted photos of her donation to the Emmazing Grace Foundation. The gowns and blankets are wonderful and my how fast she is!!!!! Thank you so very much, Kathy!

Oh, I almost forgot. My new yarn came in the mail last night. I think I'm really going to like it. I'm going to try some booties in a bit. Btw, Aunt B's Angel Wrap stumped me. I'll write more later and see if someone has a suggestion for me. Basically, I can't figure out what "make a ring around the finger" means. Remember, I have actually never seen anyone crochet in person. LOL!

Purple and White

I finally finished this purple and white bereavement gown. I think I like it best of all so far. The bottom purple "ruffle" is back loop only to make it look like a ruffle. I wonder if I'm a little tight on my crochet. It's that or either the yarn that I'm using. I have some 3 ply Caron Baby Sport ordered.

I would like to extend a public thank you to Anne for the beautiful gown she donated to the Emmazing Grace Foundation. Mom received it last week and I can really tell that she's enjoying seeing all the items. She calls me with the most excitement in her voice and is just amazed at the kindness and generosity of so many of you out there.

Mom is mailing the current donation tomorrow to the Huntsville Hospital. It includes:
3 gowns, 2 gown set, 6 sacks, 2 pouches, 17 caps, 2 booties, 12 blankets, 1 bunting and 3 wraps. I won't have a picture until Mom can take one, have the film developed, sister scan it and then email it to me. :-)

I think next up for me is to try Aunt B's Angel Wrap.

Ramblings.....

First of all, I must apologize. Although I think that most everyone that reads my blog, reads Wool Windings'. I wanted to make a public thank you for the beautiful gown that she is donating to the Emmazing Grace Foundation. It truly is breathtakenly beautiful and I'm so jealous that I will not be able to see it in person. She is mailing it to my Mom who is taking care of mailing the package this time. Thank you! Thank you!! Btw, if you haven't checked out her blog, do so. Not only is she a fabulous knitter, she takes beautiful photos.

Also, Kathy has joined us. She regularly donates to the Huntsville Hospital like we do. It's a small world! I love Kathy's fleece and crochet blankets. I need to try this myself. Thank you, too, Kathy for the work you do for the preemies and for honoring my daughter this way!

Lastly, today I received the Emmazing Grace Foundation's first application for financial assitance. Baby Keinan was born at 25 weeks gestation due to PROM (premature rupture of the membranes) and lived 2 days. Please say a quick prayer for his family! We will be helping with the cemetery marker.