A thing called PUPPPS...

So Saturday May 26th I had developed this awful itchy rash that was becoming unbearable! It was on my large pregnant belly, thighs, hips, feet, ankles, and on my arms. It had started about a week ago, just on my belly. My doctor said it's just because of the stretch marks that your itching so bad. Try not to use your nails when scratching, just rub it and it'll all be over in a couple weeks. So I was sent on my way. At work the following days I noticed small ant looking bites showing up on my feet and ankles, and they ITCHED like CRAZY!!! I started freaking out thinking I had bed bugs in my house, and was stressing about bringing a new baby  into a home with bugs that are biting us in our sleep. But the funny thing was that the bites weren't showing up on Benson. I went crazy cleaning and disinfecting, bleaching everything in the house...even the mattress!!!
Slowly the ant looking bites started turning into huge red welts that continued to itch. It started creeping up my legs, to my thighs and then finally to my hands and arms. I was very concerned but it was memorial day weekend and I let my pride get the best of me and didn't want to disturb my doctor. So I just told Benson that I really needed to go to the insta-care. When I went it the doctor knew right away after me answering a few questions of his. I had a condition called PUPPPS or the scientific and medical name is Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy.
This rash only happens in 1% of pregnant women!!! I know right!!! What are the chances of me getting it????!!! Well my chances were 1/200 of pregnancies. Also 75% of cases the woman was pregnant with a boy. They don't know much about it because it usually happens late in pregnancy and it won't really hurt mom or baby so not much research has been done. But in a nut shell of what the condition is, is I am allergic to pregnancy and get a rash. The only cure for the rash...is to give birth to the baby, or steroid medication.
So the insta-care doctor sent me home with a cream to help soothe the itch. Slowly my feet turned purple, and swelled to the point that they looked as if I had elephantitis. It was so awful and hurt. It was so hard to sleep and not scratch off my skin. I took oatmeal baths, put baking soda on them, used my prescription cream. NOTHING helped the itch. Benson kept saying I look contagious or like a leper. I felt so ugly and just didn't want to do a darn thing. I hid in my house for 2 whole days, I did not step a foot outside. On Monday (Memorial Day) I emerged from my cave to have family dinner. My family was in shock and wanted to take me to the hospital after seeing my body. But I reassured them I felt fine, I just look awful. Finally my next doctors appointment rolled around (On my due date May 29th) and I couldn't wait until I was able to go in. The insta-care had informed my doctor of my diagnosis. I was there in the exam room, hoping and praying that he was going to help me out. My doctor came in and said he had heard of the diagnosis, and wished the insta-care would have reported the severity of it. He said my case was really bad. Then he had some news that was music to my ears!!! Meet me tomorrow morning at Orem Community Hospital and we'll get this baby out :)!!! Ahhh that was such a relief... I truly was so miserable, induction sounded so amazing!!! So he prescribed a steroid anti-histamine so we could start fighting the rash, and then we'll have the baby the next day so it can start going away.

These pictures aren't the worst of it, nor give it justice!!!

Last week of pregnancy...or so I think.

I am dying to meet my little guy. It is weird to think that I will be a mommy in about a weeks time. I've had 2 weekly appointments and my doctor check me and said " You may not see this baby until June!!!" My hopes were a little dampered to hear that I was dialated to a nothing and I was effaced to a nothing....sad face. To make me feel better the doctor did tell me that 4 out of 5 first time mothers go over their due date. I really wanted to make him a May baby...but we'll just have to wait and see. We finally have the nursery all finished!!! I love it :) We'll slowly obtain a dresser, rocking chair, and futon later to put in the room. Now I'm just sitting and waiting for any sign of labor. I have continued to work pretty much until my due date. I though I'd give myself at least 4 days to have to myself before my due date. My next doctors appointment is on my due date...so we'll see what doc says!!!

New niece...23 more days...

In the middle of April we were blessed with the birth of our sweet little Langi Reid. She is beautiful and I think she looks just like mommy!!! Lots of dark hair and she is just beautiful...welcome sweet girl you have been born into an amazing family!!!

Here are our sweet Purcell girls!!!
Langi (up top), Adelyn, Brooklyn, Avery.
I love these girls SO much!

Well Bense and I are next in line!!! Our little Kymani will hopefully be joining us very quickly. I am currently 37 weeks today. Finally we'll be able to fit the first little boy in that picture above!!! Kymani is very squirmy in his little space, and he keeps on growing. Doctor keeps saying " This is going to be a big baby." with every appointment we have. I am currently still working full time...and a ton of over time. I feel I may just induce myself with how much I've been working. People at work are really surprised that I am still coming to work, and it puzzles me because as long as I feel I can do it, I'm still going to. I don't plan on leaving work until May 25th, that is 4 days before my due date (unless he comes earlier). I am getting nervous excited about giving birth. There is just so much that is unexpected when giving birth. I am nervous that I'm going to be out in public or at work if/when my water breaks? Will I have the car and have to pick up Benson from work first before heading to the hospital? Will I be induced? Will I be able to handle with out an epidural? Will it be too late for an epidural when I really want one? Will labor take it's time and slowly progress or will I have him quickly like the rest of the family? ( Grandma, Mom, and Sister all are known to having their babies withing 45 minutes of their first contractions!!!) Not knowing or having control over the unknown gives me lots of anxiety.

Babies room is almost put together!!! It has taken a long time...but it's almost there. We just need to pick up the crib, buy a mattress, and store Benson's knick knacks. Benson has been working diligently on the art work that will be going into the room and it is finally finished!!! It's amazing and I wish I had that kind of talent, and here it is.