About my Darling Husband

Last night DH got to feel the baby move for the first time. He thought it was really cool. I am so excited he finally got to feel her. I was getting upset, because her most active times are when I am at work or he is at work.

This year he forgot to get me a cake for my birthday. Really, that is the ONLY thing I want every year. Everything else I ask for takes me weeks to come up with. A week after my birthday, I realized I didn't get a cake. I told asked him about my cake. He forgot, because he doesn't do any grocery shopping anymore. I told him he needed to get me one from DQ because of interest due on the cake. Last night he was late coming home from work...and he showed up with the DQ cake. I was only joking. I never expected him to get the ice cream cake.

Appointment Update

I had a doctor appointment at 9 this morning. I recall before CC had her baby she blogged about how at every routine appointment you get to pee in a cup. From the post, I am/was not looking forward to going to the doctor and trying to pee in a cup with a huge stomach in the way. My fears about this came true today. The bathroom the put me in today was horrible. I practically had to sit on the toilet paper dispenser, because the toilet was so close to the wall. Then, I had to try to aim around my belly and pee into a cup the size of those little Dixie paper cups. Needless, to say I got more all over my hand than in the cup. Thank you, CC for preparing me for peeing in the cup.

Next, they took my vitals. I have only gained two pounds in the last three weeks. My BP was great. They drew blood to send to the lab, because I had to get the rhogam shot. Then we listened to the baby's heartbeat-160 bpm. The doctor measured my stomach, and I am measuring perfectly for 28 weeks. This morning my ankles were not swollen, so I didn't have to worry about that this appointment.

For those of you who do not know what the rhogam shot is:
I have a negative blood type. Negative blood types are recessive and rare. Because, there is like a 99.9% chance the Meadow will have a positive blood type, my body may have something like an allergic reaction to her blood (since our bloods will mix during birth). The shot helps counter that reaction. I will also get one after giving birth. Good thing is, they gave it to me in the fatty part of my hip. It didn't really hurt. And the nurse had very good aim today!

Oh the Heat

My house is so hot! Gas is very expensive. Therefore, I am refusing to turn on the A/C. The guy who bought our house while it was being built neglected to but ceiling fans in the room we are using for the office and the room we will be using for the baby. Now it seems greedy to me. He thought since he wasn't going to spend much time in those rooms why put ceiling fans in them? Well, what about the families who will live in the house after you?

Anyway, I think I am going to try to talk to DH to see if we can get one in the office and next month put one in the baby's room. I can tell you already it is going to be a hot summer. The builder was smart and put in the wiring so if one day some one wanted a ceiling fan and a light they could hook it up.

It is so hot in here, I am having problems breathing. The air is sooooo thick!

I am supposed to be cleaning the office, but I just can't with the heat and humidity.

As Requested

I am trying to figure out what I can blame this on. Lately, I have been losing my posts. Anyway, I am attempting this a second time. As Heather's request (and I think this has been a multiple request of hers): here are some photos:

First a wedding picture to gauge by:
About 13 weeks at my friend's mom's wedding: (I am wearing the red colored top)About 15 weeks:About 17 weeks:About 20 weeks About 24 weeks27 weeks2/10/06 Ultra Sound Pictures Hope you enjoyed!

Holy Active Baby.

I have a whole list of topics to write about. Now, I don't feel like writing about those topics. They don't seem appropriate for my current mood. I am really not in the mood to write, but it has been so long.

I really don't have an update. Well, except I can see my stomach move. It started on Sunday. I was sitting in a meeting, and looked down just as she started moving! It was the coolest thing. I thought I would freak out when I saw it. I wish DH could see it or feel it. He is never around when she is active. I find when I lay on my left side she is really active. When I do kick counts I lose counts. I don't even have to consume sugar to feel her move anymore.

I am becoming a Firefighter

About a month ago I got a assigned to a big project. The project was a result of a big mistake someone who is no longer at the company made. I basically had to figure out how to correct the problem.

Now, I am working on another project...that is a result of somebody trying to cover up a mistake. This one actually has to due with Federal regualtions.

I must be good at what I do, otherwise why would I be putting out all these fires?

I did get slightly upset with my boss about the project today, because she misguided me. When I was almost done, she realized her mistake, so I had to start over :(

I guess I know what I am working on tomorrow.

Week ends like this :)

The weather has been gorgeous. Friday, night we went to a couple of differnt neighbors' houses. We had such great conversation. It is the type of conversation I yearn for--Adult intellictual conversation. Across the street we had the best chocolate cake I had ever had. MMMMM.... OK, back to reality. Yesterday, we got the crib and dresser ordered. I can't wait to get it in. I really wish we could have the nursey done by now...and I guess that is more work DH will have to do on his own. I am praying that we get it in before the baby is born.

BIL came over for lunch yesterday. DH and BIL have never been close in the past, but now that they are both out of the house they get along great. I have yet to meet his GF. She didn't come yesterday, because she had to study.

I feel so great after this week end. I got to spend good quality time with good quality people.

Really!?

DH and I went today to pick out a crib for the baby. USA Baby is having their Once a Trimester sale, so I thought we should go look to see what we would like. DH found something he really liked. I like it too, but it actually met all of his standards. Which are very high. MIL and FIL offered to buy the crib and dresser for us awhile ago. Once, he found something he liked he called MIL. Here is the crib we would like to ge
While we were checking out (mind you DH is on the phone) MIL brings up our choice of name. She HATES it. I knew that is what she was saying when I heard him say the following things, "Let's talk about this later." (we were in a public place) and "Now, it's really not your decision now is it?"

She thinks Meadow will get picked on, because of her name. I was so proud of DH, because he stood up to her for himself. He has liked the name since before we were dating. We have even talked about other options, but Meadow is what we feel is right. DH had a very good point though. Kids are cruel, and if they want to pick on you they will find something to pick on you for. MIL said to DH that she never got picked on. Later in the conversation he said she even picked on him. No wonder she never got picked on, she was probably the bully.

Both DH and I got picked on growing up. DH has a very common first name...and he got picked on for that. I got picked on for various things. Once my peers realized that what they were saying was not bothering me they tried to find a new topic. I have found that many times kids get picked on because the bully is jealous of the kid they are picking on.

A rare beautiful morning

This morning I awoke with James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" stuck in my head. I really love that song. I was really rather surprised to have it stuck in my head since it had been so long since I heard the song. I could hear it so clearly--like James Blunt was performing the song in my bedroom for me this morning. The harsh reality came when I opened my eyes to see two dogs anxious to go outside. Damn dogs, can't you wait five more minutes so I can enjoy my dream world?

For some reason having that song stuck in my head made it so much easier to get ready go my day. I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON, but hearing "You're Beautiful" playing in my head just made me smile all morning. I would just like to listen to the song over and over again. I don't even own the song.

My birthday is Tuesday, and since before Valentines Day I have been telling DH that I want the James Blunt CD. He just thinks I should download it from iTunes. I do not believe having the MP3 and owning the CD are the same thing. A CD is tangible. An MP3 could get lost, or easily deleted. Anyway, if DH doesn't get it for me, I don't care what our budget is--I will get it myself (my birthday present to myself).

I came home for lunch to see DH. That is rare, too. On the way back to work I heard the song "Trees" by Marty Casey. He was on the show Rockstar: INXS. It is the song he wrote on the show. I really like that show too. I was really rooting for Marty to win. I think he has such a great stage presence. I love his voice. I think the song kind of describe my relationship with DH.

This brings me to a new topic. There was a musician once who was criticizing society. The criticism said something to the effect of, the problem with society is the fact that people don't understand the music they are listening too. Rather they are just hearing the song, not really listening to the song. I find that DH does that. I love to listen to the song. I like to feel what the writer or singer is experiencing. I think music is so emotional. Those who hear songs and not listen to songs are out of touch with their emotions. I could really take this in so many directions.

I have some real issues with people. I can honestly admit that there have been points in my life where I have committed the same issues. I live with myself knowing that those things are in the past...I can overcome them and make my life better. Here are things I can’t stand about others: Hypocrisy, Believing they are a Victim, Liars, Backstabbers, Believing they are holier than thou. What really bothers me about it is they go through life thinking everyone else has the problem. Really I think it is them. I deal with these people everyday at work. They have no integrity in my mind.

Sorry to end on such a negative. Music just makes me go through so many things. Hmmmm…maybe I won’t end now this song has really got me into something.

I am listening to “Follow Through” by Gavin DeGraw. It is another one of my favorites. It reminds me of how I feel about my husband. I can’t help but smile when I hear the song. Let me see if I can think of the lines that touch my soul so much: “I haven’t felt like this in so many moons.” “Since you want to be with me, You’ll have to follow through with every word you say.” “All I really want is you, you to stick around. I’ll see you everyday, but you have to follow through.” “The words you say to me are unlike anything that’s ever been said.” I don’t want to type all the lyrics, but they really do touch me.

Which brings me to music and the baby—I haven’t really been listening to music as much as I did prior to cohabitating with DH. Music has always been more important to me than watching TV. DH watches a lot of TV. Anyway, I am praying that Meadow will have my sense of music enjoyment. Don’t get me wrong DH enjoys music—but he is way more selective than me. I enjoy a wide array of music. The only genre that doesn’t appease my ears is rap…

Being that I won’t have DH around all the time, I should take the time apart to get Meadow adjusted to all sorts of music. I hope she is in touch with her emotions as I am…

DH's New Toy (that I get to use too)

I have about 3 months to go...Since I realized how close that really is and how unprepared I am, I have literally been having nightmares. They are usually about having the baby and not having anything besides what we already have (swing and some winter clothes (6-9 mos).

Yesterday, I had a mad craving for pizza. DH and I decided to be adventureous and try a new place. It was so delish. Anyway, afterwards DH asked if we should look for a different vehicle. On the way to the pizza place, he kept suggesting we test drive a Land Rover Freelander. In my mind there is NO way we can afford a Land Rover. I said we can test drive one to see what it is like. We went to the Land Rover dealership. All they had on the lot was one with leather interior. With having two dogs I am not keen on leather interior. We do take the dogs hiking a lot. Which is another reason for wanting to get a bigger vehicle.

In my mind I still had my heart set on a Subaru Outback. I know several outdoorsy people who own one and love it!. After test driving the Freelander we decide that it would be really tight on the budget to get. So, we go to Carmax. They had a fully loaded Outback. That was out of the price range. Then there were two Freelanders with cloth interior and that were base models. I am not one for bells and whistles...I am more about the vehicle meeting the needs of our growing family. So, we got a Freelander and traded in my car.

Now I feel a little more prepared to have the baby, and more comfortable driving my vehicle. I hated sitting so close to the ground and then trying to get out of the car with out falling out. I felt like I had to do acrobat to get out of the compact car. And, I really don't feel that I am that big yet!

Prenatal Appointments and Work

Today, I got an e-mail from my supervisor saying that she need a doctor's note for all my appointments. I found this rather odd, since it never seemed to be an issue before with me or anyone else (especially people who are ill). I went and asked the H.R. manager what the protocol is for prenatal visits. I told her that my supervisor asked for a doctor's note. She said the company did not require a doctor's note for any prenatal visit. She was actually expecting me to go more often than I do. She said the only reason the company would want a doctor's note is if I was to be on bedrest or work restriction. She said they were understanding that pregnant women have some needs (like getting up every hour to stretch and walk), and that she thinks that is perfectly normal.
Anyway, after answering my questions on being pregnant at work, she started asking me questions about my supervisor. She seemed really curious if I was being discriminated against, treated differently, or if I had any general complaints about my supervisor. What I did say was, "She doesn't treat me any different than she did before I was pregnant." Prior to my pregnancy she seemed to discriminate against me, so nothing has really changed. Now, I wish I would have said something, because I have people willing to back me up, and I keep a journal of what she does and says to me if it is negative or unfair. I don't think I have enough though. She seems to have issue with white people esp with white males. That is company known. Now that I have had time to think about it, I think the H.R. manager was digging for dirt on my supervisor. The company is trying to "clean house".
I wish I would have told her the things that were happening, but my review is coming up. I didn't want anything I say to H.R. to impact my review if it gets back to my supervisor.
DH thinks they are want to promote me when I get back from mat leave. My supervisor has done some pretty stupid things (like argue with the company President over a $100,000 mistake she is essentially responsible for).

Not for the weak stomach (tmi ahead)

Hemeroids, diaherrea, and then some.

So Sunday, I took a few hour nap. When I woke up, I went to the bathroom. I just had to pee. When, I stood up I noticed blood in the toilet. It looked like the amount I have when I am menstrating. I called the nurse on call. She had the doctor call me back. The doctor told me come into the hospital to make sure it isn't anything serious. I go into the hospital, they hook me up to all these machines to monitor the baby. A nurse looked me over. She thought it was just a hemerroid. The doctor came in and confirmed--the bleeding was from just a hemerroid. I guess they are a pregnancy commonality.

I would have never guessed I would have hemerroids. I was not in any pain. I didn't have a bowel movement. So, the only symptom I had was the bleeding.

My DH is so wonderful. He was so concerned about the situation. He actually insisted I go in.

Then, we get home, to find that Dazie had diaherrea. I felt so bad for the little girl. Maybe it was just sympathy for her mommy. I was the one who got to clean it up.

Doctor appt:
Monday, I had a doctor appointment. I got tested for gestational diabetes (which I passed with flying colors). Friday morning I woke up with a pain in my leg. Stretching my leg made the pain worse, and so did trying to massage the area. I had to pee in the worst way, and there was no way I could make it the short distance from my bed to the bathroom. The pain faded to a gentle reminder by my appointment Monday morning. I brought it up to the doctor. He referred me to get an ultra sound done on my leg. He said there is a 1 in 10 chance it could be a blood clot.

The appointment is scheduled for Thursday (tomorrow). The pain is gone. I was going to call to cancel the appointment. I talked my mom tonight. She was away on business for since the incident, so I was unable to tell her. I told her that the pain went away. She said that I should keep the appointment. She told me that a similar thing happened to my grandmother, and mom thought the blood clot travelled to her heart, or was travelling to her heart. I guess I can't disobey my mother.

I also graduated from an appointment every four weeks to one every three weeks. It gives DH and I more quality time together. DH is working second shift indefinately. I gotta go--Miischka is being a pain in the butt (so I guess I do have some sort of pain).

Lazy Days

So, my plan for the day was to make my mother in law a case for her laptop. I just didn't have the ambition to do it. The past two days I haven't been feeling well, so I took the hint from my body to rest. I ended up taking two naps today. It is not that I feel sick...I just plain feel fatigued. Which just intrigued a thought:

When I was on the quest to lose weight for my wedding, I wish I would have known about this or at least had a correlation about carrying around an extra 10 pounds. Really, I have gained about 10 pounds thus far. Maybe since I am more conscience about my weight gain (I keep track so I know the baby is growing) instead of the normal weight "sneaking up on me," but I have noticed that I am getting more fatigued physically. Before, when I gained weight I didn't realize how tired I was. Hopefully, now that I made the correlation, post giving birth I will be more motivated to get the extra weight off.

I did muster up the ambition to finish scanning in DH and my baby pictures for Meadow’s scrapbook. I printed about half when I ran out of yellow ink. Hopefully, I will be able to get some tomorrow. I completed two pages of her scrapbook—one with her first ultra sound picture, and the other with some of the clearer ultra sound pictures from our February ultra sound. As I was adhering the paper and pictures to the pages I thought, “What if the baby is really a boy and they didn’t catch it in the ultra sound?” I made sure the journal entry in the scrapbook explains why we think she is a girl. Hopefully, it is not wrong. Either way we will be happy.

I am sort of upset about scrapbooking tonight. I kept getting something blue all over the layouts. I really don’t know what it was coming from. I had to keep washing my hands. I had to reprint my journal entry three times. There are still some traces of blue on one of the pages. I wonder if it is coming from my paper trimmer or tape runner. Both are blue. My mouse pad is also blue, but I just did a crocking test on that. It passed.

I didn't want to depress you

I couldn't blog last week, because my mom was here. I had a great time with her. We really didn't do much. We sat around and talked. It was soooooo nice to be able to spend time with her, again. It really made me homesick having her here. Taking her to the airport was extremely difficult. I really wanted to board the plane with her. Beautimous would have loved that (wouldn't you...I know you are reading this).

This week there has been so much negativity in my life, I didn't feel like rehashing it here. I don't want this to turn into some big complain spot for me. Work isn't going well, both dogs had the touch of some sickness,I keep hearing where I have lived in WI keeps getting snow (I love snow), and I will stop there or you will think I am trying to write an old country song.

I know it is Wednesday, and the week is not over. Here is to hoping the week gets better. I am going to make a list of 5 good things that happened this week:
1. I put Meadow's swing together and it works.
2. I came across a potentially good opportunity (I can't blog about this now, but I will in the future).
3. Meadow has finally moving consistently. I can feel her on the inside and outside. She is most active between 3-5 PM.
4. I finally hooked the scanner up, and started on Meadow's scrapbook. I needed to scan in the Ultra Sound pictures and baby pictures of DH and I.
5. DH fixed the tail light on my car.
6. I talked to Beautimous last night. And it is really her fault I got the scanner hooked up. By the way, I got yelled at for by DH for doing it, because I could have hurt myself or the baby. Don't worry I didn't tell DH that it was you who helped me decide to get it out of the garage.

Yes, I know that was six, and I do know how to count. I figured 6 just means I have more good happen than I thought this week.

Feeling better

I took Heather's advice. I scheduled times to work on my projects. I actually feel better about it. Dropping my packages off at the post office helped a lot too. Now, I have misplaced the pattern for the baby's room. Maybe that is a sign I need to slow down. So, I will have to work on the scrapbook for now.

Something I also feel better about is that Miischka went into heat last night. The vet said that there is a good chance that once she goes into heat, that her incontinence won't be as big of a problem or will completely go away. We are praying it will completely go away. She basically lays on the kitchen floor or in her kennel, so clean up is easy. She won't lay on her bed anymore. I wonder if she is afraid to get it dirty. So, now I just need to make sure I keep an eye on the neighbor dogs...that they stay out of our fence!

Finishing

This week end I finished two projects. The first was a dog bed for Miischka. She won't lay on it, but has a definate problem when Dazie does. She knows it is hers. Miischka prefers to lay on the kitchen floor next to the water and food dishes.

The second project is two almost three weeks late. It is for my Godchild's birthday. I made her a poncho. It turned out cute. When I figure out hot to post pics, I will.

I got these two projects done this week end, and I still don't feel the satisfaction I feel when I finish something. I still feel like I need to do something with each project. And now there is the next set of projects for me to do.

I found fabric for the baby's room. I need to make the window fixtures, crib bumper, crib dust ruffle, and organizer. Each project looks easy, but I am now not looking forward to them. Hmmm...maybe I currently discontent. Maybe I should start on the scrapbook for baby. Who knows maybe I just have too many projects lined up. Maybe I will feel better once I get the poncho in the mail...

Baby and Puppy appointments

This morning I had another doctor appointment. It was just a normal check up. DH and I got there about 10 minutes early, and still had to wait for 10 minutes after the appointment was suposed to start. Then I got a different tech than I normally do. She seemed like she was over her head or not all there.

Since I go to a rather large practice, and each doctor takes a turn being on call at the hospital I will be delivering at I meet with a different doctor each time. I really liked the bedside manner of the doctor I had today. As a matter of fact a lady I work with raves about her. Anyway, she said my BP and weight gain were perfect. She said the ultra sound results were good and the Quad Screen I had done last appointment was good (meaning no birth defects). I could tell she genuinely enjoys her job. She took time to answer my questions in depth, and she told me never to hesitate to call. I felt good about that.

When we got home, I called the vet to order Miischka's meds. The vet expressed discussed with me the various treatment options if the pills don't work. There is an option of surgery, but he didn't know much about it. He said he would do more research, and contact a specialist. When we first took Miischka to the vet over this problem they said it usually corrects itself after her first heat cycle. She is 8 months old, and dogs start going into heat between 6 and 12 months. Almost everyday, I check to see if she has gotten her period.

DH and I decided that surgery will be our last route. We really don't want to go there, because at this point the side affects are worse than the actual problem. The meds help it. If she doesn't get better after her first cycle we will see the specialist to see if there are any other options. There are other drugs available, but again they are almost too powerful for puppies.

Drama

Last night, I was online. I took a big drink of root beer. I honestly thought I dribble down my shirt, but when I looked down there was a wet spot where my nipple is. My boobs are leaking already. It didn't last long, but it freaked me out. I know it is normal. Just in case it happens again I bought nursing pads to stick in my bra.

Today, I had to drag myself out of bed. I really had to talk myself into going to work. I hate Mondays so much. Anyway, I was there for two hours. DH called my cell phone. He told me he needed me to come home ASAP. He cut his finger and needed me to take him to the ER. So, I speed home, and take him to the ER. On the way I asked him what happened. Apparently, he thought he should take the boat down to the lake to make sure it is still working properly. He tried to hitch it to his truck and it rolled forward. He tried to prevent it from hitting his truck, and got his finger stuck in between. It cut his finger.

We were in the ER for 3 hours. I really need to complain. The hospital I took him to is pretty big. I was reading their brochure while waiting. It said they see 100,000 patients a year. I really think they could be more efficient and see more patients. First you sign in when you walk in. Then you sit down in the waiting area. Someone calls your name, and you get checked in. You give the exact same information to the person who is checking you in (can you see where a step can be skipped?). Then you wait in the waiting area. A nurse calls you into a room. She takes your vitals, and looks at the wound. By this time we were there an hour. That nurse decides where you should go. We go into an exam room. Where we wait another hour for another nurse to show up. She asks us the for the same information the first two people did. She did take down more detail though.

She told us the doctor would be right in to see us. She didn't mention it would be 30 minutes later. Mind you at this point I missed my snack time, didn't have any water, and am pregnant. Before the Dr. Came I journeyed to find a water fountain and bathroom. Poor DH also needed to visit the facilities, but couldn't because he was waiting for the Dr. The Dr finally came. Looked at his finger decided he needed stiches and left. He wasn't gone long, and he came back with a kit to do the stitches. He stitches up DH's finger, and tells us a tech would be in to clean his hand up and bandage it. Another 30 minutes later a nurse comes in and says something about a tetanus shot. The Dr never mentioned the shot to us. Anyway, she leaves and comes back about 15 minutes later to administer the shot. She said a tech would be in to clean him up.

10 minutes later the tech shows up. Apparently, they were all on lunch. I know this because a nurse came in the room with him, and they were discussing what they ate. GRRRR. Please, I am missing my job I really don't want to be at today, but still I don't want to suck up my sick time. The nurse leaves and the tech cleans up my husbands hand. He is paying more attention to me then what he is doing, and hurt DH worse.

We checked out, and went and got DH's prescriptions. I got him home and he took his first dosages. Shortly after he fell asleep. His hand is still in pain, but at least it is not as bad as it was. He found that my pregnancy pillow works great for keeping his hand in a position that doesn't hurt as much. I am just hoping he will let me sleep with it tonight, but I will be understanding if he wants it.

Since you all are dying to know...

At first the baby did not cooperate. Legs were crossed at the ankles. Then, the baby decided that we really did need to know a spread her legs nicely for us to see girl parts! It's a girl.

She kept bringing her hands to her face and to her mouth. I think she has my nose. Her name will be Meadow Nicole Anna.

Forgive me readers for I have had nothing to say

Not really, but I just didn't know how to make it interesting. Saturday, DH and I went to look at cars. Currently, my compact car is working fine, but once baby comes that won't be the case. We found a few we like, but are going to wait to see how his job situation is closer to my due date. We also took a tour of the hospital and a pregnancy class. The class discussed nutrition. Even though I used to try to eat according to the food pyramid I didn't realize I was getting enough food. I can't even get down enough food now to cover the pyramid for a prego lady.

Friday we find out the sex of the baby...deeming he/she cooperates. I figure if it is a boy he will show us, and if it is a girl she will have her legs crossed.

I will try to think of something interesting to say tomorrow, so I don't have to bore you with dull stories.