Not So Fast...

So after posting my previous post last last night, stating that all was well and looking good for Julie and the baby, I spoke too soon.   The previous issues with her water breaking are still fine and have not returned.  However, early this morning Julie awoke to substantial bleeding, so a new problem has developed.
She went into the doctor and they are not sure what is causing it.  The doctor said if he could trust her to go home and really stay off her feet, then he wouldn't admit her back to the hospital, otherwise she would need to be there to assure she was resting.  So we are back to where we were with her activity needing to be very restricted for the near future.

Sunday will be 28 weeks and we continue to take each day as they come, one at a time.  We will update with any new developments.  Thank you again for all of your prayers and support.

Good News and Bad News

Today Julie had another doctor appointment and once again, everything is great...very normal.  This of course is good news, on top of previous good news over the past several weeks.

As a result of the stable 3 weeks that Julie has has and solid 2 1/2 weeks since coming home, the doctor has upped Julie's activity level from "bed rest" to "take it easy".  The doctor and Julie both believe that whatever issue was there is no longer there.  Of course they don't want to be reckless, so Julie can resume semi-normal activity.  This includes attending church, being more active around the home, as well as getting out of the house.  We have not given her "full shopping" rites, and she must engage in limited meal preparation as well.  Beyond that, she is content hanging out, reading to the children, preparing this coming years home-school curriculum, and staying inside out of the heat.

Raising Global Christians - Parenting Video #4

This spring our church Rooftop Community Church did a series on parenting.  Following that series, Julie and I led two different workshops on "Christian Parenting".  We have separated them into their different topics and you can view them now online.  Here is video #4:






The resources we mention are listed under "Previous Blog Posts" on the right hand side of the blog.  More videos are forthcoming...

The Importance of Godly Wisdom - Parenting Video #3

This spring our church Rooftop Community Church did a series on parenting.  Following that series, Julie and I led two different workshops on "Christian Parenting".  We have separated them into their different topics and you can view them now online.  Here is video #3:



The resources we mention are listed under "Previous Blog Posts" on the right hand side of the blog.  More videos are forthcoming...

The "Big Picture" of Faith - Parenting Video #2

This spring our church Rooftop Community Church did a series on parenting.  Following that series, Julie and I led two different workshops on "Christian Parenting".  We have separated them into their different topics and you can view them now online.  Here is video #2:



The resources we mention are listed under "Previous Blog Posts" on the right hand side of the blog.  More videos are forthcoming...

The Importance of a Christian Worldview - Parenting Video #1

This spring our church Rooftop Community Church did a series on parenting.  Following that series, Julie and I led two different workshops on "Christian Parenting".  We have separated them into their different topics and you can view them now online:



The resources we mention are listed under "Previous Blog Posts" on the right hand side of the blog.  More videos are forthcoming...

A Bizarre Morning

The strangest thing happened this morning and I feel compelled to share.  After going to bed at a normal time last night, around eleven.  Both Julie and I woke up this morning at 8am!!!  We NEVER sleep until 8am.  On top of that, the house was strangely, even eerily quiet...not a sound.  I got up, looked around, and it was empty, not one child could be found anywhere, just Julie and I...

Steady As She Goes

This morning we had our doctor's appointment and Julie continues to do just fine.  Her three days home have not been a problem.  Her fluid levels are up slightly which is very good and the baby's heart is pumping along as it should be doing.  We are 25 weeks and 4 days today, and for now everything looks good.  The children are getting a special overnight tomorrow at a friends house  and Grandma is coming on Monday for the week so the cavalry continues to help us out through these days and weeks.

Adjusting Back Home

Since Julie is no longer at the hospital, my day to day count is no longer necessary.  However, as I stated yesterday this transition is going to be difficult, and in some ways harder since it is much easier to be docile in a hospital than in your home.  Nevertheless, Julie's return home last night brought great joy to the family, if not some increased emotion and moodiness as we tried to settle the children down for bed.

Day 9 - Breaking News...

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program with the following...

I just received a phone call from Julie saying that based on her stability and health, they are releasing her from the hospital to "home bed rest" as long as her situations stays stable and signs of leaking or stress to the baby are not present.  Julie will have to make three hospital visits each week to continue monitoring her and the baby, but she will be able to be at home for now, as long as her condition does not get worse.

"Love In An Elevator"

From the title, any of you who are Aerosmith fans are thinking, "Uh oh" where is Jeremy going with this post???  Well let me put your anxieties to rest.  Today our family went up to visit Julie at the hospital in the afternoon.  After leaving Julie we were on the 5th floor waiting for the down elevator.  When the door opened, for us, there was an African American woman and her darling daughter who was probably 2 or 3 years old standing there.  The little girl was dressed beautifully in a blue and white dress.  As soon as we began to walk in, Selah noticing this little girl walked right up to her and gave her the sweetest hug and kiss and then smiled at her.  I was a little taken back by the public display of affection, but this is not abnormal behavior for our children.  Those of you who know them, know that the Zilkie children don't know too many strangers.  I said "Hello" to the mother, we asked the girls name (it was Chloe) and then I said to Selah, "Selah, did you find a new friend?"  Selah shook her head up and down and kept looking at and smiling at Chloe as the elevator proceeded down to the lobby.

Day 8 - 25 Weeks and Counting

We are currently hosting Doug, a dear friend of the family, at the house this weekend.  Although Julie's normally stellar hospitality is not in action, I am doing my part to fill in the gaps.  Doug and I did have a chance to spend three hours with Julie yesterday which was wonderful.

Day 7 - The Long Slow Days

We have no new news concerning Julie which is good news on all accounts.  Currently she is stable and showing no ongoing problems whatsoever.  Subsequently, her time in the hospital continues to be free of drama and anxiety.  However, along with stability comes the mundane of waiting for each and every day to come and go while being stuck in a hospital room.  Julie's spirits are up but once the evening comes and her last guest leaves, whether child or friend, there is a sadness that sets over her as she thinks of the lonely evening ahead.

Day 5 - A Quiet Day and Zeka Time

It has been a fairly quiet day today which is great news for the Zilkies.  Julie got her best night of sleep yet and said she felt good this morning when we talked.  Several Rooftoppers stopped in today and she has enjoyed the fellowship time immensely.

Befuddled

Well Julie's situation is looking better and better with each day.  As we wrap up Day 4, her fluid levels were up a centimeter, from 12 to 13.  The doctors have even begun slightly to question again if her water really broke...

New Room

Julie's condition has stabilized enough that they have moved her to a new room (568) where she will have less monitoring and is designed more for comfort and waiting.  I have not yet seen it, but am excited to here soon.  If you want to communicate with Julie, emailing her at zilkie4@yahoo.com is your best way to contact her.

Day 4 - A Blessed Night & Better Morning

Well yesterday Julie turned 38 years old and officially became a year older than me...again.  This happens every year on the 5th of June until November 13th when I have my birthday.  I once again am now married to an "older woman"...which I think is really cool actually.  She really cherishes these 6 months every year and any references I make to them. :-)

Day 3 - Birthday & Back Pain

It has been over 48 hours since Julie's water broke and she has not gone into labor, that is a very good benchmark.  Most women go into labor within 48 hours after breaking their water so we have moved into the next percentage of women and the likelihood has increased for the baby hanging on.

This morning is Julie's 38th birthday.  Evidently , our usual night out to at Trattoria Marcella is not happening this year.  Our waiter is going to wonder where we are. :-)  We have another visit with the kids planned today and I am going to try to bring in some nicer food for a pseudo-birthday dinner, not sure if TM  cooks to go or not.

Our First Hospital Visit: Morning of Day 2

This morning after preparing breakfast, getting the house cleaned up, getting children dressed, helping them do their chores, and trying to take care of my own stuff...we finally got out of the house for a hospital visit around 10am.  It was great to see Julie but as I expected, 5 young children pouring into a small hospital room with a Mother who can't move was not as "romantic" or "nostalgic" as either Julie or I were thinking.  Nothing like a dose of child reality to help keep ones feet planted on the ground.  We had a good visit as I took a couple kids at a time down the hall for a walk so Julie could try to get some better 1 on 2 time with each of them.  Julie made the brilliant observation that we would try to talk later on the phone.

End Of Day Update - Day 1

Whew!!!  What a day.  I can say that neither Julie nor I went to bed last night with any idea of what today would bring.  We had 3 miscarriages the past 3 years, but this pregnancy had been going so smoothly up to this point.  We got through our first trimester just fine, reached the 20 week point and had our ultrasound...everything looked great and this child had a nice healthy big head like its Papa.  We were gearing up for the uncomfortable 3rd trimester in the Missouri summer heat, but felt as if we were in the clear regarding the health of Julie and the baby.

Settle In For The Night - 2PM

Well it looks like we will be here for a while.  Julie is leaking amniotic fluid from somewhere but nobody can find out where.  She has not yet begun laboring and we don't want to since the baby is only 24 weeks along.  There is still a lot of fluid in the womb, so they think that the leak may be higher in the womb and not at the bottom where it would all leak out.  Anyway, this is their initial best estimate of what is going on.  There are a number of steps and procedures that the hospital will begin as a result of their findings.  So now we wait and pray and take one blessed day in the womb at a time.  Please pray that the baby grows strong and that Julie does not go into labor.

A Turn In The Road - 11AM

It is Sunday morning, June 3rd, and we are currently sitting in St. John's Mercy Hospital here in St. Louis.  Last night Caroline had been up sick at around 2:30 and then again at 4:30am.  At that time Julie felt some fluid flow while lying in bed.  Concerned, but not wanting to overreact, she laid back down and ten minutes later it happened again.  This second occurrence led us to call our doctor.  He recommended us coming into the hospital as our doctor was in house for the evening.  When we got there, our doctor came in, ran an ultrasound, ran a standard test, and from everything he saw did not think the fluid was her bag of waters, which was the concern.  There were many pockets of fluid in the womb which could be seen on the ultrasound and the baby's was doing fine, so we agreed things looked good.