Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Just A Little Jealous

While it the kitchen heating up my Lean Cuisine I run into another girl who is pregnant with her second child. She's one of those naturally skinny people who always look like they just stepped out of a salon. She looked as if she were in her second trimester. Just barely showing, not even a little bit swollen, still wearing cute shoes. But no, she only has ten weeks left.


I only have eight weeks left, and I'm hitting things with my belly because it sticks out so dang far. I have swollen shrek legs, my face is no longer one that I recognize, even my arms have suffered. I waddle, I struggle to get up, and I get all kinds of gross acid reflux if I bend over to pick anything up. I bet she can still wear her wedding ring too.

I know, I know. Every pregnancy is different, and everybody is different too. Blah, blah, blah. Tell that to my ankles, if you can find them. Grr. At least my shirt is a nice sun-shiny yellow. And I bet she doesn't have a mailbox painted with flames. Ha! Eat that you, you cute skinny pregnant girl!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Quicksand

I've been wanting to post a new blog for sometime now. The only problem is that I've been super busy, both at work and at home. Add to that the only thing I can even think about blogging isn't something I'm comfortable blogging about. I just can't bring myself to publicly denounce someone for making me angry. Even though they are an adult and should have the ability to see how their actions affect others. But moving on, or at least trying to...

Work has been insane this week. Wednesday was my day at home, and I had planned on cleaning during my lunch break since we have company coming in town this weekend and my kitchen is all torn apart (I had to hide things in the dishwasher last night just so I could cook dinner). I also prayed for a slow day so I could spend 5 min. here and there on cleaning and laundry and things like that. None of that happened. I managed to find just enough time to start the dishwasher. Then I ended up working through lunch and even working late. So yesterday I made sure to leave as close to on time as possible since I still have a ton of cleaning to do and we had plans to meet up for dinner with a friend from out of town. A friend I hadn't actually seen in person in about eight years. It was good to catch up, possibly even worth only getting 4 hours.

After work, while I was trying to clean everything and put it away in it's new china hutch, that dear sweet child of mine decided to play on the monkey bars again. No where near as painful as last time, just bad enough to make sure I stopped doing the work that I was trying so hard to get done. Meanwhile, Mason was working in overdrive outside. He mowed the yard, cleaned off the patio, deck and outdoor furniture. He also skimmed the pool (broke the skimmer while he was at it) finished the ladder that I left undone (he stole all my screwdrivers) and put up our new Tiki Torches. So, the outside of our house is ready for company. Now I just need to get the inside ready and go to bed early.

In other news, when that baby girl of mine isn't dangling from the monkey bars, I really do love to feel and see her moving around in there. It makes me laugh.

(Yes, I know I'm behind in posting my pictures, but I promise to have it updated soon).

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A Long, Scary Story

Sunday I woke up to a stiff back, nothing unusual for me, just annoying. When Mason and I went to the grocery store that evening, my back was really starting to bother me, and my stomach was getting increasingly uncomfortable. My back was hurting so much, that I was one of those pregnant women walking around with a hand pressed to their back. But still it really measured just above the uncomfortable level for me. Perhaps if I wasn't so used to back pain it would have been a different story. After we got home from the store, I was really feeling the pain. I had an ice cream bar on the way home to try to comfort and sooth, plus it sounded good. And it was.

By 10, I was in serious pain. I couldn't get comfortable, I couldn't even get a tinniest bit of relief. So around 10:30, I had had enough of trying to get comfortable on the couch and went to bed while Mason stayed up working on homework. I tossed and turned, trying to find enough relief to sleep, but every position I tried hurt just as much, if not more. I tried distracting myself with a book, I couldn't even get through a paragraph. The whole time begging for the pain to stop, and trying to convince myself that I was not having contractions in my back. Because those would be intense for a few moments, and then go away. This was steady non-relenting serious pain for 2 solid hours. Finally I gave up on the whole falling asleep in bed thing around 11.

I went to join Mason in the living room since he didn't seem to hear my silent pleas for him to come to the bedroom. Apparently we need to work on that whole telepathy thing. I was already crying a little bit when I gave up on sleeping. Mostly because I was frustrated that the intense pain wouldn't go away for even a moment. So I walked to the living room, laid down on the couch and simply said "it hurts" when Mason asked what was wrong. And as everyone knows, when you are barely in control of your emotions, the last thing you need is sympathy. Mason got up, came over to my couch and asked me something along the lines of are you okay? Really I can't tell you what the actual question was, but I can tell you my answer. "It just hurts so bad!" (sobbing, I mean, real sobbing) "And now I can't stop crying!"

Mason tried to massage out the pain, encouraging me to take deep breaths.  But it wasn't helping, it wasn't really making it any worse either. And then the pressure on my stomach started. Which I really don't think would have been so bad if it weren't on top of the back pain. Mason kept asking me if I wanted him to call the doctor, to which I replied no, and stubbornly added, "I'm not calling the doctor for a back ache." And then, and then I thought I was going to throw up. So I ran to the bathroom and apparently gave up all my rights to decide how we resolved this issue. While I was hovering over the toilet, waiting for the inevitable, Mason called his Mom, who told him to call the doctor, who told us to head to Labor and Delivery.

What?! I'm not even wearing my CUTE pajamas! "Call my Mom." Seriously? I'm not ready for this! "I don't know which underwear to wear."
"Just pick a pair."
"But someone might see them!" No one saw them, in case you were wondering. "Call my Mom."
"Oh, yeah." ... "She didn't answer."
"Sometimes her ringer isn't turned up, try Dad."
I'm not sure if he tried Dad or not, but he called my sister who just happened to be over there delivering their dogs and explained the situation and we headed to the hospital.  Me in agony, Mason in barely controlled panic.

I'm not ready for this! I don't have my bag packed, I don't even have a car seat. Oh, wait. Mason's parents got that for us for a shower present. I'm sure we can get that early. They can bring it to the hospital if they need to. I'm not ready for this! I didn't even bring my PJ's. How am I ever going to tell Mason exactly what I need him to bring and where it is? I don't even have a mattress for this baby. Oh, wait, I have a bassinet. But I don't have a car seat, how are we going to get her home. Oh, wait, we went over that one already. Uh oh. I hope I don't have to make Mason pull over.
"Um, you might have to pull over soon."
Mason starts to get over into the outside lane. "Now?"
"Yeah" Too late. It's a good thing I hadn't just eaten since I had to catch it all in my hand.

Fortunately, I happen to have 3 half empty bottles of water, and 1 full one. Which helped for rinsing off my hands and face, but then I was dripping wet. Tank top! There were 2 on my back seat that I had planned on changing into the day before. What luck. Okay, I feel better now. I mean a lot better. My back hardly hurts anymore. Maybe we should just call the doctor and head home. Get at least a few hours of sleep before work tomorrow. No, we'd better go anyway. It might come back. Where is the dang hospital entrance anyway. It's not like I've never been here before for crying out loud. I know where it is, I'll know it when I see it. I can't see anything in this darkness. I'll call my sister. She knows things like where we parked the car and which entrance to go to.

Okay, I'm just going to relax. I'm only 30 weeks. They are going to do everything possible to make sure this baby stays in there. Now to check in and explain that my back no longer hurts, ow. Okay, now we are up to a 5 on the pain scale. Oh, 7. Oh, good here is our room. Holy crap, 10! I hate being a 10 on the pain scale! Wait, I have to pee in a cup? I can barely move and you want me to pee in a cup. Damn, I missed. The cups at the doctors office are so much more forgiving. Great, and now I'm incredibly hot. I'm sweating, in pain and have pee on my hand. Ugh!

Okay, I'm just going to lie down and wait for someone to give me some drugs. Oh, you want me to lie on my back so you can tie straps around my belly? The most uncomfortable position at the moment? Ow, does it have to be so tight? Oh, I don't like you. My goodness there are a lot of questions you people are asking me. Oww, oh it's a 7 again. That's nice, she is going to stop asking me questions while she feels my belly. Okay, that's better, the pain seems to have gone away.  And I didn't even have to puke this time!  Seriously, how many people are going to ask me how many weeks I am?  Do you people not write this down? 

A couple hours later, they released me.  Apparently they just wanted to make sure there wasn't an issue with my kidneys and observe me for awhile.  If someone would have told me that before we left the house, I would have been a whole lot calmer.  Which Dr. B may have explained that over the phone.  If he did, Mason never heard it.  He probably stopped hearing after they said go straight to Labor and Delivery.  No one at the hospital could even tell me what caused the pain and nausea, so here is my diagnosis. 

There once was a baby, who thought it would be fun to swing on the monkey bars (my ribs).  But then her little arms grew tired, so she used her feet to brace herself on the pole (my spine).  Then, she found a nice cushion to sit on while she hung there (my stomach).  All of the sudden, the cushion started to move and then lost it's great squish and the sweet little girl fell off the monkey bars.  Not to be discouraged, she climbed up them again and got in the same position, but the cushion was no longer there.  She dangled there for a little while before dropping to rest and trying again.  Eventually she grew tired and settled in to sleep.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

A Hunting We Will Go

Good news!  As of today, Project 365 is up to date!  Unfortunately, I posted today before the mole hunt began...
First, you have to watch for the ground to move.
Then you have to stalk it.
And then start digging.

And before you know it, out pops the mole.
I'll spare you the details of what happens next.  Let's just say that this mole is no longer an issue.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Stop Poking Me!

Soooo, if you've been keeping up with 365, then you will know that I have not been. Sorry! I had planned on getting them uploaded this weekend, and then all of the sudden it was Monday. Then I tried to get them uploaded Monday night, but I updated my registries instead. It really did need to be done. With all of the things that I'm borrowing or have been handed down, and everything else being on two separate registries, I had no idea what I had and what I was missing. With the first round of shower invitations going out, I figured I better get on it. I can't believe it's almost time for the showers to start. And then I'm going to have to figure out where to put everything. And since Mason will be getting her dressed in the mornings after I go back to work, it needs to be man friendly. Any ideas??

Right now I have dresses and shirts that will wrinkle easily hanging in the closet, their diaper covers are in a drawer and in my opinion, easy to match. But I'm a girl and I know what is pink and what is purple. There may or may not be a debate going on about the color of the sheets that are currently on the bed. They are light green (not white) in case you were wondering.

And yesterday, yesterday I had my second glucose test.  The three hour test.  The one where they take your blood 4 freaking times.  The one where they make you not eat or drink anything before the test, ensuring that your veins are nice and deflated.  On top of that, my doctor confirmed that I could not blame 20 pounds on the fluid in my ankles. 

On the plus side, he did approve my upcoming trip at the end of the month for Mason's Family Reunion/Vacation.  He said he has patients that live that far away, so I should be fine.  Plus I plan on spending ample time floating around in the pool.  My trip to KC was also approved, pending unforeseen huge issues of course. For someone who just likes to know things, this is getting difficult.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Good Cop/Bad Cop

Well, the good news is my pre-eclamsia test came back negative.  So far, I'm just caring 20 pound ankle weights made of water.  Which by the way, makes for exhausting stair climbing.  I went to the mall with my sister the other day in search of a non-existent perfect yellow dress, and after a few hours I was ready to be carried to my car.  I was worn out.  My back hurt, the muscle I irritated almost a week ago grew angry, my feet were done and even my hips hurt.  Mason blamed it on my lack of working out (how he came out of that discussion alive, I'm still not sure).  I blamed it on the watermelon strapped to my stomach.  He's seen how easily I get winded these days, and how it is a struggle just to get up from the couch, so why he thought working out would be the reason I don't know.  I mean, I knew some things would be more difficult, but this is just absurd.  It seems the only thing that still moves correctly are my arms.  Plus, you know you look bad when everyone tells you to sit down at a BBQ (when that's you've been doing all day) and your boss gives you her chair at a meeting.  If my ankles weren't actually hurting and the meeting hadn't already started, I would have turned her down.

The bad news though... I failed my glucose test.  Which means I have to take ANOTHER three hour version of this don't eat or drink anything except this yucky syrup like substance for almost 12 HOURS.  Cruel and unusual punishment.  Plus last time, it made me burp, which brought back the oh so delightful flavor.  Not looking forward to that part.  I'm trying to think positively about this though.  If I fail the second test, then I get to be on a very restricted diet, which means the cookies I'll be craving won't stick to my thighs.  The baby and I will also be eating healthier and there is nothing wrong with that.  I'm just really glad that our team BBQ at work was today and not next Friday.

Which brings me back to Good Cop.  I now officially have two recipes for my future cookbook.  Cookie Apple Crisp and French Vanilla Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies.  Hmm, I see a trend here.  I wonder if this is going to turn in to a cookie cookbook.

And in case you were wondering, it feels really weird when your toes are swollen.  I mean, really weird.  And I am quite sure you were all wondering about that.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Really Wanting a Pool Instead of a Yard

Hello 3rd trimester. Good bye sleep. It seems like the universe is against me getting a good nights sleep before I have to give up on sleep all together.  "What? You're exhausted?  Here, let me make it difficult to find a comfortable position.  Wait, how did you fall asleep?  Let me bring a super loud thunderstorm with hail to your window, that ought to wake you up.  Or better yet, let me put something outside on the deck so Koby will feel the need to bark his head off and wake up the whole house.  Okay, now what... I know, lets see how many places we can put Mason's elbow to annoy you, and we can make him snore too!  Won't that be fun!"  For the record, no it isn't fun.  It isn't fun at all.
Our baby is the size of a squash, even though it looks like there is a watermelon in there. I am measuring at 31 weeks, while my baby is only 28 weeks old. There is so much fluid in me that my doctor seems concerned about pre-eclamsia. Not that I have it, but that I am perhaps walking a fine line. Not that there is anything I can do about it. If I get it, there is only one thing to do, deliver the baby. Did I mention that I am only 28 weeks along? The blood test will show what my current levels are and allow Dr. B to monitor them more closely. Because even though my blood pressure and protein levels are fine, the swelling is outrageous.

Personally I'm not that worried. First of all, judging by the drum playing gymnast inside of me, I'm sure she is a fighter. Second, my feet have swelled before when I wasn't even pregnant. The first time I was about 12 or so and I forgot to put sunscreen on my feet at a car show. I may have gotten a little sun poisoning that year, and my feet got nice and fat. When I flew to Europe which was about a 16 hour flight, I had NO swelling. But when I flew to Hawaii, which was only a 10 hour flight, while sitting down to dinner that evening, I actually felt them inflate. FUN. Then a year or so after that, at another car show (with sun screen this time, you don't make that mistake twice) my feet magically grew. In other words, maybe my bladder isn't as big as I think it is. I just carry the fluid in my feet instead of processing it like a normal person. Except this time, the swelling isn't confined to my feet. It has moved on to my entire body. My arms, wrists, legs, chin, and perhaps worst of all, my butt. Seriously, wasn't that already big enough?

In other news, it's finally here!  Project 365 is up and running. Please come and join me there as well, I'm sure I could use the motivation.