Monday, February 27, 2006
Last night, Ethan said...
that he remembers being in his mama's stomach when she was pregnant with him. He said he really wanted out and that it was very dark in there.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
This is one of those delicate issues that I feel uneasy about posting on my blog,
but I feel like I need to say something here. Corinne's father passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack last night. I don't want to trivialize the situation by posting about it, but I just want her to know how much we all care about her and support her and her family. Corinne, my heart goes out to you, your mom, your brother and the rest of your family right now. If there is anything that I can do, I'm here for you.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Pregnancy Journal - Week 38 (Month 9)
Well, I'm 2 centimeters dilated now. Not much effacement, but things are moving in the right direction it seems. So, if I dilate a centimeter every two weeks I should have a baby by April or May... just kidding - I know it doesn't work that way. So, just a reminder for everyone, my actual due date is March 7th. Less than 2 weeks away if Owen decides to show up on time.
As far as everything goes with me, I am pretty sore. I keep having lots of little aches and pains and the contractions are mainly happening at night before I go to bed. I feel like there is no way for my stomach to get much bigger. I can hardly wear any of my shirts now - for some reason they keep getting shorter :-).
We are mostly ready for the baby now. We still need to work on packing our bags and I need to get a list together of people to call while I'm in labor and after the baby is born. If you are one of the people that wants to be called, please email me your phone number and let me know what time of day is okay to contact you. Also let me know if you want a call while I'm in labor (if possible) or if you would rather just have a call after Owen is born.
As far as everything goes with me, I am pretty sore. I keep having lots of little aches and pains and the contractions are mainly happening at night before I go to bed. I feel like there is no way for my stomach to get much bigger. I can hardly wear any of my shirts now - for some reason they keep getting shorter :-).
We are mostly ready for the baby now. We still need to work on packing our bags and I need to get a list together of people to call while I'm in labor and after the baby is born. If you are one of the people that wants to be called, please email me your phone number and let me know what time of day is okay to contact you. Also let me know if you want a call while I'm in labor (if possible) or if you would rather just have a call after Owen is born.
I have a doctor's appointment today
so my pregnancy journal post won't be until later on tonight probably since my appointment isn't until this afternoon. I know they are going to tell me that I gained too much weight. I just hope my blood pressure is okay today. I need to not think about work and stay calm. Easier said than done, right?
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
The 3 1/2 hour oil change... as promised
So, yesterday I spent a large portion of the day, once again, at the Volkswagen dealership. I got there around 10:00 and seemed to be one of the only cars in line for service, so I figured it would go pretty fast. Besides the oil change, Austin wanted me to have them check to see if a couple of peeling buttons, a crack on the inside of the door and in the wood paneling and some stitching on the steering wheel were covered under our warranty. I mentioned these problems and went to the waiting room. Normally I bring my computer since they have wireless internet and nice little quiet computer room upstairs that I can work in. But, I am feeling very large and having sporadic contractions so I really didn't feel like lugging my laptop around with me. So, I brought a book to read.
The first thing that was pretty annoying was the woman who was meeting in the office next to the waiting area. She just let her two boys run around playing in the waiting area while she had her meeting. The older boy was well behaved, but the youngest one kept yelling and making noise and throwing toy cars around. Every once in a while she would come around the corner and say, "I shouldn't be able to hear you in there," or "we need to use our inside voice," but then she would go back to her meeting and her child would go back to making noise.
The only thing that was on television was Divorce Court - I guess they were having some kind of marathon or something - and I couldn't ever find a remote control or figure out where the controls on the TV were.
Anyway, since they never called my name on the speaker I kept checking to see if the car was ready. Finally, the service guy said, "they are cleaning it up right now and it should be less than 5 minutes." So, I went to the bathroom and came back down to the service desk. I said, "it looks like it's ready now." The service guy said, "yep, all you have to do is pay the cashier. I'll get the bill to her right now." So, I went over (like 3 feet) to the cashier. She said, "what's your name?" I said, "Jones." She told me it wasn't ready yet. I said, "well, he's bringing the bill over right now." When he brought it over she looked at it and said, "oh, I need to adjust it. Let me help this man behind you first." As I felt the blood rush to my head I gathered up my purse and wallet that were sitting on the counter and shoved it to the side. Then, I stood back, waiting, with my hands on my gigantic hips and belly sticking out to full capacity. I stood there, fuming, while she helped this other guy. It was 1:30 by now. I had read half a book in the time I was there and I was starving and starting to feel dehydrated by then. When she finally finished with him, she said, "okay, Mrs. Jennings." I growled, "it's Jones, actually," at her and she started giggling in an entirely too perky voice that made me want to crawl over the counter and strangle her. Then she said, "oh, his name was Jennings. I see why I got confused." I wasn't laughing. So, I handed her my credit card, which is actually Austin's credit card that has a picture of Yoda on it. She said, "Oooooooh, that is just toooooooooo cute!!!" in that same grating voice. I said, "it's my husband's." Anyway, by the time I left I was in such a horrible mood that I had to go eat and go shopping for a little while. After that, I felt all better and relaxed, but I do think that might've been the closest I've ever come to committing murder.
The first thing that was pretty annoying was the woman who was meeting in the office next to the waiting area. She just let her two boys run around playing in the waiting area while she had her meeting. The older boy was well behaved, but the youngest one kept yelling and making noise and throwing toy cars around. Every once in a while she would come around the corner and say, "I shouldn't be able to hear you in there," or "we need to use our inside voice," but then she would go back to her meeting and her child would go back to making noise.
The only thing that was on television was Divorce Court - I guess they were having some kind of marathon or something - and I couldn't ever find a remote control or figure out where the controls on the TV were.
Anyway, since they never called my name on the speaker I kept checking to see if the car was ready. Finally, the service guy said, "they are cleaning it up right now and it should be less than 5 minutes." So, I went to the bathroom and came back down to the service desk. I said, "it looks like it's ready now." The service guy said, "yep, all you have to do is pay the cashier. I'll get the bill to her right now." So, I went over (like 3 feet) to the cashier. She said, "what's your name?" I said, "Jones." She told me it wasn't ready yet. I said, "well, he's bringing the bill over right now." When he brought it over she looked at it and said, "oh, I need to adjust it. Let me help this man behind you first." As I felt the blood rush to my head I gathered up my purse and wallet that were sitting on the counter and shoved it to the side. Then, I stood back, waiting, with my hands on my gigantic hips and belly sticking out to full capacity. I stood there, fuming, while she helped this other guy. It was 1:30 by now. I had read half a book in the time I was there and I was starving and starting to feel dehydrated by then. When she finally finished with him, she said, "okay, Mrs. Jennings." I growled, "it's Jones, actually," at her and she started giggling in an entirely too perky voice that made me want to crawl over the counter and strangle her. Then she said, "oh, his name was Jennings. I see why I got confused." I wasn't laughing. So, I handed her my credit card, which is actually Austin's credit card that has a picture of Yoda on it. She said, "Oooooooh, that is just toooooooooo cute!!!" in that same grating voice. I said, "it's my husband's." Anyway, by the time I left I was in such a horrible mood that I had to go eat and go shopping for a little while. After that, I felt all better and relaxed, but I do think that might've been the closest I've ever come to committing murder.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I know it is kind of late in the day to wish my mom a happy birthday on my blog, but I blame that on a hectic day that included a 3 1/2 hour oil change. I'll post about that joyous experience tomorrow.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Becca's Valentine
I know the horror stories about childbirth. I know that I won't get much sleep after I have the baby. I know it will turn my life upside down and I know that things won't ever be the same. But, there is a reason to go through all this. Children are amazing. They are wonderfully innocent little creatures and as much hell as they put you through, they also bring so much joy to your life. I know this just from watching Becca with her adorable boys. I may hear her complain or get down about things, but then I hear a story like the one she told me yesterday and I know that this is all worth it.
Ethan has been really into teddy bears lately. He has his teddy bear, and he makes sure that Wyatt has his teddy bear. One day a few weeks ago he found a teddy bear that Becca had given to Jake. He asked Becca, "whose teddy bear is this, mama?" She said, "that's daddy's." Then he asked her where her teddy bear was. She told him that she didn't have one and he said, "I'm going to get you a teddy bear for Valentine's day." He talked about it for awhile and then stopped mentioning it. Then, on Valentine's day, Becca told him what day it was. Ethan said, "Oh good, it's Valentine's day. I can get you a teddy bear!" So Jake took Ethan up to the mall to the build-a-bear store. The bear that he made for her had two hearts inside it - as Ethan said, "one from Daddy and one from me." And the bear he had picked out was green and covered in shamrocks. And he dressed it in a spiderman outfit. I can only imagine how funny it must look, but Becca said it was the sweetest, best present that anyone has ever gotten her. See, it's worth it.
Ethan has been really into teddy bears lately. He has his teddy bear, and he makes sure that Wyatt has his teddy bear. One day a few weeks ago he found a teddy bear that Becca had given to Jake. He asked Becca, "whose teddy bear is this, mama?" She said, "that's daddy's." Then he asked her where her teddy bear was. She told him that she didn't have one and he said, "I'm going to get you a teddy bear for Valentine's day." He talked about it for awhile and then stopped mentioning it. Then, on Valentine's day, Becca told him what day it was. Ethan said, "Oh good, it's Valentine's day. I can get you a teddy bear!" So Jake took Ethan up to the mall to the build-a-bear store. The bear that he made for her had two hearts inside it - as Ethan said, "one from Daddy and one from me." And the bear he had picked out was green and covered in shamrocks. And he dressed it in a spiderman outfit. I can only imagine how funny it must look, but Becca said it was the sweetest, best present that anyone has ever gotten her. See, it's worth it.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Pregnancy Journal - Week 37 (Month 9)
After a particularly painful visit to my doctor's office, I'm feeling kind of cruddy. It doesn't help that my cold has moved to my chest and I was up half the night coughing and trying to ignore my sore throat. My doctor gave in and prescribed antibiotics yesterday, so hopefully I can get better before I deliver. Anyway, I'm still 1 cm dilated. I had to see the nurse practitioner today rather than the doctor I was scheduled to see, which made me a little bit angry. After the ultrasound they said that Owen looked like he weighed about 8 pounds, 7 ounces. I think I started having a couple of contractions yesterday. They feel kind of like sporadic menstrual cramps to me and the nurse practitioner told me that that's probably what they were. I have a lot of work to do today, but I am going to stop at about 2:00 or so and try to take a nap. I need to start feeling better.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day!
I never bought into Valentine's day too much until Austin proposed to me right around Valentine's day back in 2001. Since then, he has made every day an adventure. And I love him more and more each day. Happy Valentine's day sweetie!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Random baby things
First of all, let me say HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASHLEY!!!!
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GILLAM TOO!!!! (it is today too, right?)
Second of all, the nursery is almost finished. I hope to have pictures in the next day or so. Thanks to my very generous family and friends, I am almost done getting everything we need in that room and for the hospital, etc. I still need to pick up a diaper pail, a couple of door organizers, a hook, fan pulls and a small bookcase for the hallway for Owen's books. I hope to take care of all of that in the next couple of days. My mother-in-law and I went a little crazy with the clothes buying yesterday, so I have some more laundry to do, but it will be worth it. He is going to look adorable in his new clothes - after all, he has to keep up with his mama and daddy who have more clothes than any normal person should. Oh well.
I also have to say how great it is to have a sister with two boys who can help me figure out what I need to prepare for. Becca came over Saturday and helped with the nursery and she helped us a lot at Babies R Us too. I got a little scared when we were organizing because Holly was going crazy drooling and chewing and crying at the baby gate while we were in the nursery. And Wyatt was in a bad mood so he kept crying too. It was a little hectic for me and it scared me about how Holly will be able to handle the baby. But, I know things will work out okay.
And my mom and dad have been very helpful too. Yesterday, my mom helped move books down to the basement to make room for Owen's bookcase. She has more energy than I did before I got pregnant! And my dad and Austin put together the chair that my mother-in-law was nice enough to get for us. And he has been great to help us hang things in the nursery and the shelf in our bedroom that has been sitting there for months!
All in all, it was an extremely productive weekend and I feel like if I went into labor in the next few days I could probably handle it. Although, I still think it will be a little while. So, I leave you with a picture my dad took of Wyatt enjoying his granddaddy's spaghetti...
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GILLAM TOO!!!! (it is today too, right?)
Second of all, the nursery is almost finished. I hope to have pictures in the next day or so. Thanks to my very generous family and friends, I am almost done getting everything we need in that room and for the hospital, etc. I still need to pick up a diaper pail, a couple of door organizers, a hook, fan pulls and a small bookcase for the hallway for Owen's books. I hope to take care of all of that in the next couple of days. My mother-in-law and I went a little crazy with the clothes buying yesterday, so I have some more laundry to do, but it will be worth it. He is going to look adorable in his new clothes - after all, he has to keep up with his mama and daddy who have more clothes than any normal person should. Oh well.
I also have to say how great it is to have a sister with two boys who can help me figure out what I need to prepare for. Becca came over Saturday and helped with the nursery and she helped us a lot at Babies R Us too. I got a little scared when we were organizing because Holly was going crazy drooling and chewing and crying at the baby gate while we were in the nursery. And Wyatt was in a bad mood so he kept crying too. It was a little hectic for me and it scared me about how Holly will be able to handle the baby. But, I know things will work out okay.
And my mom and dad have been very helpful too. Yesterday, my mom helped move books down to the basement to make room for Owen's bookcase. She has more energy than I did before I got pregnant! And my dad and Austin put together the chair that my mother-in-law was nice enough to get for us. And he has been great to help us hang things in the nursery and the shelf in our bedroom that has been sitting there for months!
All in all, it was an extremely productive weekend and I feel like if I went into labor in the next few days I could probably handle it. Although, I still think it will be a little while. So, I leave you with a picture my dad took of Wyatt enjoying his granddaddy's spaghetti...
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Pregnancy Journal - Week 36 (Month 9) Part 2
I just wanted to add that my belly is the size of a beach ball now. I look like a whale. And I can hardly move without making lovely, lady-like grunts that make me sound like a huge pig. And I've heard how uncomfortable it gets in the last month or so of pregnancy, but honestly, I had NO IDEA. I feel like every part of my body has weights attached to it. And if I squat or lean over too much, there is this intense, sharp pain that shoots up and down my spine and into my shoulders. Yeah, it's just awesome.
But, the coolest thing about being this pregnant is watching and feeling Owen moving around inside me. It is soooo weird. Every once in awhile he decides that it is time to stretch out and attempt to bust through my skin. I don't know if it is a foot or arm, or elbow, but this huge bump appears on my belly and I feel him pushing, then it goes back down or shifts around. It is so weird to watch and feel. And sometimes I feel him moving in my lower abdomen and up near my ribs at the same time, which makes me think that he is kind of big. But you never know, he could surprise us all and be like 6 or 7 pounds. Although somehow I doubt it.
And, he hates it when I prop a book on my belly to read. Almost immediately, he will start kicking the book to try to knock it off. It makes it kind of hard to read with the book bouncing up and down like that.
But, the coolest thing about being this pregnant is watching and feeling Owen moving around inside me. It is soooo weird. Every once in awhile he decides that it is time to stretch out and attempt to bust through my skin. I don't know if it is a foot or arm, or elbow, but this huge bump appears on my belly and I feel him pushing, then it goes back down or shifts around. It is so weird to watch and feel. And sometimes I feel him moving in my lower abdomen and up near my ribs at the same time, which makes me think that he is kind of big. But you never know, he could surprise us all and be like 6 or 7 pounds. Although somehow I doubt it.
And, he hates it when I prop a book on my belly to read. Almost immediately, he will start kicking the book to try to knock it off. It makes it kind of hard to read with the book bouncing up and down like that.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Pregnancy Journal - Week 36 (Month 9)
So, I'm 1 cm dilated, which I know from watching my sister's pregnancies means absolutely nothing. I'm not effaced at all, but that's all good, because it is still early yet. At week 37 they actually consider the baby to be pretty much full term, so he could come any time after that, but since he is my first baby, he'll probably be late. We'll see what happens I guess. Although I'm getting VERY uncomfortable, there is still a lot to do before the baby comes, so I'm not ready quite yet. My blood pressure was high when they first took it today, but it went back down by the end of the appointment, so it sounded like everything was probably okay. They want me to come in on Friday just to check it again to be on the safe side. Anyway, that's all for now, I suppose.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Why do I have to be sick now?
Of course, as I am getting to the really uncomfortable part of my pregnancy and now I've got some kind of virus. Yuck. Pregnancy makes you stuffy anyway, so I've been keeping Austin up lately with my snoring, but now, it is really bad. I toss and turn and sneeze and cough. My throat gets dry and sore, so I drink water and then immediately have to pee. Then I have to climb back in the bed and spend about 5 minutes trying to get into a semi-comfortable position. Fun times.
And, I just now had to answer the door to the pest control guy wearing a nightgown and jeans. Kind of embarrassing, but I don't think anything could be as embarrassing as this.
And, I just now had to answer the door to the pest control guy wearing a nightgown and jeans. Kind of embarrassing, but I don't think anything could be as embarrassing as this.
Monday, February 06, 2006
I will get the baby shower pictures posted later on today, but for now, here are some pictures of our first child...
Friday, February 03, 2006
I know I sometimes feel really old,
but why am I getting mail from AARP? I don't think I'm quite there yet!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Pregnancy Journal - Week 35 (Month 8) - The Final Countdown
Well, it is really getting close now. I had been going to doctor's appointments every two weeks, but now I am going to start the weekly appointments. So, I have an appointment next Wednesday and an ultrasound the following Wednesday. The doctor said that they will start checking to see if I am dilated at all next week. And, at the next ultrasound they will estimate the weight of the baby again. If it starts looking like the baby is going to be more than 10 pounds she said we will then start to consider the possibility of a scheduled C-section. The baby's heartbeat was at 150, which is good and she said that he sounded very active, which is also good.
As far as I go, I am feeling much heavier and everything I do is a lot harder with all of the weight in my belly. I have been having back pain and what I think might be Braxton-Hicks contractions (those are kind of like little practice contractions that aren't painful or anything). The biggest change I've noticed lately is how giant my feet swell when I'm on them for a while or when I don't have them elevated. They look puffy like elephant feet and my shoes don't fit. It has been so nice outside for the past few days that wearing sandals or flip-flops has been okay, but when it gets cool again, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about shoes - I see where they get the phrase "barefoot and pregnant."
My to do list is getting a little more manageable as time goes on. My mom and Austin's mom have both really helped in getting the baby's room set up. And last night my dad hung the letters that Gillam gave me (they spell out OWEN over the crib) and they look so good. We have some shelving on the way that my mom ordered and I still need to figure out what framed art to hang and get some curtains. I need to preregister at the hospital and call to make an appointment to tour the hospital on February 16th. I need to do thank you notes and start filling out the baby book. I also need to figure out if I am going to design the baby announcements myself, or buy some that I can print on my computer, or just order some predesigned ones. I need to pack bags for me and Austin and the diaper bag to have ready for the hospital. I need to write a birth plan and I need a list of names and numbers for people that need to be contacted when I go into the hospital and after the baby is born. We need to figure out how to install car seats into our cars. And, lastly, I need to get as much of my work taken care of before I have this baby so I won't have to do that much when I get him home. And I need to get together all of the financial stuff for my business and our personal accounting information so we can send them off for the tax guy. Okay, so maybe I was wrong - I have a ton of stuff to do!
As far as I go, I am feeling much heavier and everything I do is a lot harder with all of the weight in my belly. I have been having back pain and what I think might be Braxton-Hicks contractions (those are kind of like little practice contractions that aren't painful or anything). The biggest change I've noticed lately is how giant my feet swell when I'm on them for a while or when I don't have them elevated. They look puffy like elephant feet and my shoes don't fit. It has been so nice outside for the past few days that wearing sandals or flip-flops has been okay, but when it gets cool again, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about shoes - I see where they get the phrase "barefoot and pregnant."
My to do list is getting a little more manageable as time goes on. My mom and Austin's mom have both really helped in getting the baby's room set up. And last night my dad hung the letters that Gillam gave me (they spell out OWEN over the crib) and they look so good. We have some shelving on the way that my mom ordered and I still need to figure out what framed art to hang and get some curtains. I need to preregister at the hospital and call to make an appointment to tour the hospital on February 16th. I need to do thank you notes and start filling out the baby book. I also need to figure out if I am going to design the baby announcements myself, or buy some that I can print on my computer, or just order some predesigned ones. I need to pack bags for me and Austin and the diaper bag to have ready for the hospital. I need to write a birth plan and I need a list of names and numbers for people that need to be contacted when I go into the hospital and after the baby is born. We need to figure out how to install car seats into our cars. And, lastly, I need to get as much of my work taken care of before I have this baby so I won't have to do that much when I get him home. And I need to get together all of the financial stuff for my business and our personal accounting information so we can send them off for the tax guy. Okay, so maybe I was wrong - I have a ton of stuff to do!
