The weekend rundown

We have had an interesting 4th of July weekend so far.

Thursday night, we traveled to my mom and dad's house, had a bonfire and cooked hotdogs, then Allison and I pitched a tent out in the pasture woods and camped out for the night. The next day we traveled to Parkersburg to see how the town has changed since the tornado. I was surprised at how much had been cleaned up already and how much had begun to be rebuilt. It looked so much better than the first time I was there.

We came back to Ames Friday night late and watched fireworks on PBS then went to sleep.

Saturday morning I mowed the yard at the house and we got ready to head to Ankeny to do some registering for baby stuff at Target.

Before we left, Allison started hurting a little on her side (like after you get done running). It continued to get worse as we drove and by the time we got to Ankeny, she was hurting pretty bad. She told me to grab something to eat and when I was half done eating, we knew it was bad enough we needed to head back.

Her pain was shifting lower and lower and was increasing pretty quickly. She then began throwing up in the car at which point my speed to the hospital got faster and faster.

We arrived at the ER and she was taken up to 4th floor to be examined by the on call doctor/midwife. It was quickly realized she was having contractions. Lots of them. She is only at 25 weeks (out of 40) so there was quite a lot of concern. They put her on an IV and gave her some magnesium which was to help reduce the contractions. About 6:00, it began working and her contractions began slowing from every minute or two down to every three to five minutes.

She had begun dilating some and there was talk she may need to be taken to Des Moines for delivery if it couldn't be stopped soon.

Soon after, her pain began to subside and the contractions slowed a little more. She didn't sleep much last night, but is feeling better today. They will be keeping her overnight again tonight (Sunday) for more observation. After that, we don't know what will need to happen. We don't know if she will be on bed rest or be able to go back to work or what. We'll keep everyone updated though.

Thanks to all of you who have offered prayers and support these last 24 hours. It has been really tough on both of us. For me, I can't think of a time in my life where I was so bothered. Please keep Allison and our little baby in your prayers as we go through these next few days. Pray the contractions would stop altogether and she would be able to carry the baby for many more weeks.