Bedrest is for the birds....

I am currently 37 weeks, 2 days pregnant with my 4th baby.  I was taken out of work at 35 weeks due to elevated blood pressure and swelling. The doctor called it bedrest but said I really just needed to be off work and take it easy.

Friday, my BP was higher. I was sent to the labor and delivery floor for lab work and monitoring. My blood work came back good and after 2 hrs of monitoring my blood pressure, I was sent home on "real bedrest".

This is a first for me. My other pregnancies have been fairly uncomplicated other than elevated BP at the very end 38-39 weeks.

I've been reading and taking naps. I've checked Facebook a gazillion times. I've watched movies with Josh and the kids. But mostly, I've analyzed every feeling- maybe this is the start of labor, maybe the contractions are getting more regular, maybe he will come today? I feel like I'm sitting here waiting for something to happen and wondering if it really will.

I know he will be here soon and I'm so ready! Praying for a healthy, strong baby and an uncomplicated delivery.

#comeonbabyAbel  #mamaisreadywhenyouare

I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way- a Swatts family update

2017 is in full swing and we've got lots going on!

Addie is in the middle of second grade and about to start spring soccer. She is a member of the STEM club at school and loving all things STEM. She also recently got braces! And she is rocking them!

Asher is in the middle of kindergarten. He is learning lots! He has just finished up a season of Upward basketball with our church and has started tball practice. He wasn't super excited about basketball but seems to be enjoying tball (here's hoping baseball is his sport!). 

Asa Joe is staying with Nana every day of the week. He enjoys his time with her and his new friend Makennah (Nana is becoming a small daycare 😂). He is trying to get the hang of potty training but his mama needs to be a little more consistent too. He found out in December that he is going to be a BIG BROTHER! (Yes, this crazy, busy, beautiful life is only getting crazier, busier, and more beautiful).

I've always wanted 4 kids. Around March of last year, I began praying for baby #4. Was it God's will for us to have another? After much convincing, Josh agreed to try for 1 more. The trying took several months and I wondered if maybe our family was complete. Then, the day before Thanksgiving, I had a positive pregnancy test.  We told our families about a week before Christmas. Addie and I prayed hard for a girl (Addie actually prayed for triplets- 3- girls!). A few weeks ago, we went to a place called Sneak a Peek ultrasounds and had a gender ultrasound. It was lots of fun and the kids came along too. Immediately, we discovered that baby #4 is a.....BOY! Uh-oh! We are excited but Addie of course was a little disappointed.  That evening we had a gender reveal party and the kids told our families the news by squirting Josh and me with blue silly string. It was a surprise to everyone! But we are so excited that God has a sweet, healthy baby boy for us to love on. We trust that He knows best and we wouldn't have it any other way.

I am loving my precious growing family even through the crazy and busy of our beautiful life! We are so so blessed!