Well Shit.

Whilst I was in the hospital baking spud, K. a co-worker and friend announced that she too was pregnant, due in early June.

She had a very tumultous first pregnancy about 10 years ago (something having to do with restricted blood flow to her uterus) so much like I, the joy of impending motherhood was tempered by unease at the possible return of the same issue.

When at approx 18 weeks it was discovered she did NOT have that problem with this pregnancy much happiness and joy abounded...her daughter while small seemed to be doing just fine.



Then a few weeks ago, her blood pressure started climbing. Suspecting stress and perhaps early pre-eclampsia, her doctor reduced her working schedule to half/every other day and told her to rest.

Last week, her pressure was alarmingly high, and several tests caused the doctors to hospitalize her..the goal was to get her to March 23, at which time she would be 26 weeks..and then hopefully extend it another two weeks..with the ultimate goal being 30 weeks.



Unfortunately, Saturday morning K, started vomiting..and vomiting and vomiting bile.

And then her liver started to shut down so, she had to have her baby.

Annabelle-

25 weeks and 6 days...

12 oz.

9 1/2 inches long.

Barely longer than an adult hand.



My heart just weeps for her, because I've been there. Seeing that incredibly tiny human laboring for every breath (and mine.the wee-V at 4lbs6oz was a veritable giant compared to Annabelle)

K can't pick her up yet, because she's still too fragile to touch.

But you just sit and talk, knowing that your voice calms them (and you can see that from the monitors beeping above) but also knowing that you may have to hold on to these memories forever if something goes wrong. And you just want to jam as many as possible into your head.

I'm praying so hard I'm getting hemmorhoids..