As I eluded to in the 4/27 post, I have had some dental issues lately.
Seven years ago, I had a streak of 3 root canals in 6 months... that was the most un-fun 6 months of my life... but I haven't had any issues since so all was well.
Last summer, one of those teeth began to hurt. Now, I know what you are thinking, "that tooth is dead" or "that's not possible" or something along those lines. Well guess what... you are wrong!
Turns out I had what is called a "failed root canal" which required (or so I thought) surgery on the root via the gum. The endodontist went in through the side of my gum and fixed the problem and within 10 days, the swelling and pain were all gone and all was well again. Until I got the bill for what insurance didn't cover... $950!!!!!
Then in December, a little bubble popped up on the gum. I didn't think anything of it at first since I occasionally get water blisters in my mouth... I just pop them and they go away. So I pop the bubble and more than just water came out. I had an apt within the week for a filling repair so I figured I would ask about it then.
The dentist said I had an infection in my gum and put me on antibiotics to clear it up. She said if it returned, to go back the the endodontist who did my surgery that summer. It cleared up for a bit but came back... right before I was due for a cleaning so I waited until then to do anything about it.
I just found out I was expecting when I went in for the cleaning. As it turned out, the dr was out that day and the hygienist was not comfortable cleaning my teeth with the active infection there and with me being so early on in my pregnancy. So they got me in with a new endodontist that afternoon who told me that he could try to repair the root canal again or I could just have the tooth pulled.
Let me see, I can pay another $1000 and risk finding out 6 months after the fact that I have another infection, doing God only knows what kind of damage to my unborn child, or I could spend $150 and just have it pulled and be done with it.
Guess which one I chose... I figured the tooth was the first of many sacrifices I will make for my child...
So next year, when I will have added more to my medical flex account, I am going to get a dental implant. In the mean time, I had to get a retainer to hold the space in my mouth. Its not covered so I was going to be $100 out of pocket. Then when I am ready for the surgery, they have to make a guide which is also not covered and will be $400 out of pocket.
When I went in last week to pick up the retainer, the dr found that the tech made me 3 of them. So the dr decided to just keep one and use it to make the guide... CHA-CHING!!!! $400 I now don't have to spend!!! Then when I went to check out, the regular office goddess was not there and the fill-in wasn't sure how to put the $100 charge for the retainer in the computer. The dr told her to wave it!!! Another $100 to spend on baby stuff!
Have I mentioned how much I love my dentist?
********************
18 weeks today!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
When It Pays To Be Hormonal
So I had a really hormonal day last week. The lady at work did another ultrasound to see if we could tell what we were having. We had a perfect "moon" shot but we still couldn't tell what it was... nothing that looked like a hamburger or a turtle.
Now, I originally did not want to find out what it was but my husband did. I didn't feel strongly enough about it to fight that battle so I caved. We were going to try to let him know and not tell me until the shower or not at all. It would have worked as long as his friends didn't start sending us pink or blue stuff...
Then at my very first, way too early to tell ultrasound, the lady says before I can stop her, "I think I see some boy bits." So much for that idea....
After that, I really wanted to know. So the past couple weeks we've been trying to find out. Last week was really frustrating because we could see exactly where SOMETHING should be... but the machine is not the greatest as it is only really used for finding the position and not much more. The lady told me that she still couldn't tell but that girls tend to be sneakier than boys.
After the u/s, I had to head to the dentist (that's a whole other story in an of itself.) For some reason on the drive, I burst into tears... I don't want to know anymore.... I mean I really don't want to know... I want to find out when it pops out and not a day sooner.
So I get to the dentist and compose myself for the apt. They put me in the chair and I waited for the Dr to come in... when she did, she asked how things were going. And I burst into tears. She laughed and said some funny things to calm me down and we went about the apt.
You see, I have some major dental stuff coming up next January and the first 2 parts of the process are not covered by my insurance. Out of pocket, they were going to cost me $500... up front. Guess who worked it out so I wouldn't have to pay a dime...
I love my dentist :-)
Now, I originally did not want to find out what it was but my husband did. I didn't feel strongly enough about it to fight that battle so I caved. We were going to try to let him know and not tell me until the shower or not at all. It would have worked as long as his friends didn't start sending us pink or blue stuff...
Then at my very first, way too early to tell ultrasound, the lady says before I can stop her, "I think I see some boy bits." So much for that idea....
After that, I really wanted to know. So the past couple weeks we've been trying to find out. Last week was really frustrating because we could see exactly where SOMETHING should be... but the machine is not the greatest as it is only really used for finding the position and not much more. The lady told me that she still couldn't tell but that girls tend to be sneakier than boys.
After the u/s, I had to head to the dentist (that's a whole other story in an of itself.) For some reason on the drive, I burst into tears... I don't want to know anymore.... I mean I really don't want to know... I want to find out when it pops out and not a day sooner.
So I get to the dentist and compose myself for the apt. They put me in the chair and I waited for the Dr to come in... when she did, she asked how things were going. And I burst into tears. She laughed and said some funny things to calm me down and we went about the apt.
You see, I have some major dental stuff coming up next January and the first 2 parts of the process are not covered by my insurance. Out of pocket, they were going to cost me $500... up front. Guess who worked it out so I wouldn't have to pay a dime...
I love my dentist :-)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Underworld
For some strange reason, I have decided that I want to cloth diaper. Maybe it's the undercover tree-hugger I get from my mother. Or maybe it was the calculator at punkinbutt.com that showed the savings of disposables ($700 something vs $2000 something for diapering for 30 months).
So now I am trying to plan how I am going to do it. It's not like the old days with folding them in thirds, diaper pins, and plastic pants. Those are still out there but with some modern variations. The ones I plan to use are much more like the disposables with the diaper and the cover all being in one piece and fastening with Velcro or snaps. They have every color of the rainbow and ones that are size specific or ones that grow with your child.
I will need 25-30 of the newborn variety since the one-size are so bulky on the little ones and they won't grow into them until 6-12 weeks depending on the size of the baby. Then I will need 20-25 of the one-size. These all run $15-$20 or more a piece! Then you need liners for the first 2 weeks so the meconium (tar-like newborn poop that fades away with their out-side world diet) doesn't stain the precious diapers. And if you are going to use CD you may as well use cloth wipes and wash it all together, right? So the up front cost can run $400-$500 easily.
But then it's done. You have your stash. You might sell or trade on sites like diaperswappers.com or buy a cute new patterned one but for the most part, no more expense on poo collectors. And if a little sibling comes along, the savings in exponential!!!
I think I am going to register for the diapers since I have bigger things like the crib and rocking chair already taken care of. And I didn't plan to register for all the little gadgets anyway so this will be nice for those on a budget. They can buy a diaper or 2 and maybe a pack of wipes and be done with it...
So now I am trying to plan how I am going to do it. It's not like the old days with folding them in thirds, diaper pins, and plastic pants. Those are still out there but with some modern variations. The ones I plan to use are much more like the disposables with the diaper and the cover all being in one piece and fastening with Velcro or snaps. They have every color of the rainbow and ones that are size specific or ones that grow with your child.
I will need 25-30 of the newborn variety since the one-size are so bulky on the little ones and they won't grow into them until 6-12 weeks depending on the size of the baby. Then I will need 20-25 of the one-size. These all run $15-$20 or more a piece! Then you need liners for the first 2 weeks so the meconium (tar-like newborn poop that fades away with their out-side world diet) doesn't stain the precious diapers. And if you are going to use CD you may as well use cloth wipes and wash it all together, right? So the up front cost can run $400-$500 easily.
But then it's done. You have your stash. You might sell or trade on sites like diaperswappers.com or buy a cute new patterned one but for the most part, no more expense on poo collectors. And if a little sibling comes along, the savings in exponential!!!
I think I am going to register for the diapers since I have bigger things like the crib and rocking chair already taken care of. And I didn't plan to register for all the little gadgets anyway so this will be nice for those on a budget. They can buy a diaper or 2 and maybe a pack of wipes and be done with it...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Support
So this post might be a bit TMI for the men out there so be forewarned.
I love my bras. I was in desperate need of new bras and underwear last year due to having a new puppy in our home so I was ecstatic when I got $250 worth of Victoria's Secret gift cards for Christmas!!! I went crazy!
Luckily, the majority of my new collection is of the demi variety. Meaning that they cover the lower portion of my breast just past the areola and allow for some growth or shrinkage based on my weight fluctuations. So over the past few months, I have just loosened the straps and have been fine.
Lately, however, I have found that I am much more comfortable when wearing my tanks with built-in support. Now don't get me wrong... I am all about comfort and even though my bras are VS I choose the Body line which is comfortable as well as being a bit sexy. But I knew the time had come for investing in some maternity bras when I left the house one morning to run errands, returned later that evening and realized I had never changed out of the cami I had slept in the night before.
I had read a few things about breast feeding that recommend against wearing under wires because of the increased risk of blocked ducts and mastitis. But another source said under wires were needed for better support. So I asked a lactation consultant for some recommendations.
She sent me to a LC at another one of my sites who actually measured and sold bras out of her office at the hospital. I got measured and she gave me one to try on. I was so happy, I shoved my old bra in the package and wore the new one out the door.
Now, as comfortable as this thing is, it is probably the ugliest thing I have ever laid eyes on. It looks like something they would have worn back in the 50's when they wore 10 pounds of underwear. My rack has grown from an average 34C to a pornographic 38D... I am a bit concerned about how much bigger they are going to get... am I ever going to be able to wear a pull-over sports bra again? Or will I have to special order everything?
I am off to buy a few more of the cheaper variety at the local maternity store...
********************
17 weeks today.
I love my bras. I was in desperate need of new bras and underwear last year due to having a new puppy in our home so I was ecstatic when I got $250 worth of Victoria's Secret gift cards for Christmas!!! I went crazy!
Luckily, the majority of my new collection is of the demi variety. Meaning that they cover the lower portion of my breast just past the areola and allow for some growth or shrinkage based on my weight fluctuations. So over the past few months, I have just loosened the straps and have been fine.
Lately, however, I have found that I am much more comfortable when wearing my tanks with built-in support. Now don't get me wrong... I am all about comfort and even though my bras are VS I choose the Body line which is comfortable as well as being a bit sexy. But I knew the time had come for investing in some maternity bras when I left the house one morning to run errands, returned later that evening and realized I had never changed out of the cami I had slept in the night before.
I had read a few things about breast feeding that recommend against wearing under wires because of the increased risk of blocked ducts and mastitis. But another source said under wires were needed for better support. So I asked a lactation consultant for some recommendations.
She sent me to a LC at another one of my sites who actually measured and sold bras out of her office at the hospital. I got measured and she gave me one to try on. I was so happy, I shoved my old bra in the package and wore the new one out the door.
Now, as comfortable as this thing is, it is probably the ugliest thing I have ever laid eyes on. It looks like something they would have worn back in the 50's when they wore 10 pounds of underwear. My rack has grown from an average 34C to a pornographic 38D... I am a bit concerned about how much bigger they are going to get... am I ever going to be able to wear a pull-over sports bra again? Or will I have to special order everything?
I am off to buy a few more of the cheaper variety at the local maternity store...
********************
17 weeks today.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
NCB
Natural Child Birth. Where do I begin?
First, let me say that how a child is brought into this world is a very personal decision, not to be take lightly. It is also something that should be agreed upon by both parents because, regardless of how it happens, mom will need all the support from dad (or mom #2 as is the case in some situations) that she can get.
For me, this is not something I just woke up one day and decided to do. I was open to it before but was not set on anything specific.
I knew I wanted to be in a hospital. Too many things can go wrong and I want to be in the presence of people who know what they are doing and can make educated decisions about my care and the care of my child if something goes wrong and I, or my husband or support person, am unable to make an informed decision. I know my doctor and the nurses on the unit where I'll be to trust their medical judgement and follow their advice if the unexpected happens.
I also knew that I do not want an epidural. Needles do not bother me. However, a needle going into my spine is not something I am comfortable with. I don't want whichever sleepy, overworked resident who's on-call to determine if I will be able to walk again after all this is over. I'll keep my spine to myself, thank you very much.
I am not a naturalist by any stretch of the imagination. But I want to do this as natural as possible. I figure God made me to do this and He will only give me as much as I can handle. However, I also believe he gave the doctor and nurses the knowledge to judge when things are not moving along the way they should. I am not opposed to meds that will make me more comfortable if that will help move the baby along if they feel things may become dangerous for myself or the baby if they don't. I am open to the suggestions of the medical professionals and whatever they can put in an IV or that I can take by mouth.
My current issue is this: I work with the nurses who will be responsible for my care weekly. Whenever I mention to them that I am planning to do NCB, they tell me I am crazy and that I don't know what I am talking about, or that I will change my mind. I know these people professionally, not personally. They don't know what I am capable of or what my motivations might be. I trust their medical judgement but it bothers me that they are not more supportive of me.
Only one person on the unit has been supportive and she is a lactation consultant. She had 4 completely natural. She said that yeah, it was the worst pain she ever had to deal with but if it was really that bad, she wouldn't have done it 3 more times after the first. She even suggested some classes that I should look into.
I am not saying I am set on this and will do it no matter what. I am open. I am flexible. My doc may tell me it's not a good idea due to the health of myself or my child (I haven't had a diagnostic ultrasound yet and I have medicated high blood pressure) and I am open to what she thinks would be best for us.
It will be a physical feat but it will be a mind game as well. I have told my body to do things it didn't want to before and I emerged a more confident person for it, knowing I could conquer something so grueling.
And if things deteriorate before then, I will probably opt for everything they can do to make this as easy as possible for me.
But if I continue to feel as good as I have felt since the beginning, I feel there is no reason why I couldn't do this.
First, let me say that how a child is brought into this world is a very personal decision, not to be take lightly. It is also something that should be agreed upon by both parents because, regardless of how it happens, mom will need all the support from dad (or mom #2 as is the case in some situations) that she can get.
For me, this is not something I just woke up one day and decided to do. I was open to it before but was not set on anything specific.
I knew I wanted to be in a hospital. Too many things can go wrong and I want to be in the presence of people who know what they are doing and can make educated decisions about my care and the care of my child if something goes wrong and I, or my husband or support person, am unable to make an informed decision. I know my doctor and the nurses on the unit where I'll be to trust their medical judgement and follow their advice if the unexpected happens.
I also knew that I do not want an epidural. Needles do not bother me. However, a needle going into my spine is not something I am comfortable with. I don't want whichever sleepy, overworked resident who's on-call to determine if I will be able to walk again after all this is over. I'll keep my spine to myself, thank you very much.
I am not a naturalist by any stretch of the imagination. But I want to do this as natural as possible. I figure God made me to do this and He will only give me as much as I can handle. However, I also believe he gave the doctor and nurses the knowledge to judge when things are not moving along the way they should. I am not opposed to meds that will make me more comfortable if that will help move the baby along if they feel things may become dangerous for myself or the baby if they don't. I am open to the suggestions of the medical professionals and whatever they can put in an IV or that I can take by mouth.
My current issue is this: I work with the nurses who will be responsible for my care weekly. Whenever I mention to them that I am planning to do NCB, they tell me I am crazy and that I don't know what I am talking about, or that I will change my mind. I know these people professionally, not personally. They don't know what I am capable of or what my motivations might be. I trust their medical judgement but it bothers me that they are not more supportive of me.
Only one person on the unit has been supportive and she is a lactation consultant. She had 4 completely natural. She said that yeah, it was the worst pain she ever had to deal with but if it was really that bad, she wouldn't have done it 3 more times after the first. She even suggested some classes that I should look into.
I am not saying I am set on this and will do it no matter what. I am open. I am flexible. My doc may tell me it's not a good idea due to the health of myself or my child (I haven't had a diagnostic ultrasound yet and I have medicated high blood pressure) and I am open to what she thinks would be best for us.
It will be a physical feat but it will be a mind game as well. I have told my body to do things it didn't want to before and I emerged a more confident person for it, knowing I could conquer something so grueling.
And if things deteriorate before then, I will probably opt for everything they can do to make this as easy as possible for me.
But if I continue to feel as good as I have felt since the beginning, I feel there is no reason why I couldn't do this.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Name Game
Years ago, when we were planning our lives together, my husband and I discussed baby names. I liked the name Brody for a boy. My husband said no. He liked the name Dakota or Cody. I said no because I had a dog once who was named Dakota and we called him Cody.
A couple years ago, the subject came up again. Being a HUGE hockey fan, he suggested Teemu Selanne (pronounced Tay-moo Suh-lonn-ee). Of course I said no. The funny thing was, that as time passed, the name kinda grew on me and I really considered Teemu as a first name... don't judge me... I like how "Tay" sounds with our last name and I was jonesing for a baby... any baby...
He also liked the names Delaney or Trinity for a girl... No... Delaney is the name of the granddaughter of a neighbor we socialize with and Trinity had become too popular due to The Matrix (which I still have not seen nor do I have the desire.)
About that same time, he mentioned he would like a Junior. I thought about it a bit and I wondered if the "Teemu" thing was just a bit to get me to agree to a junior... but regardless, the idea grew on me. We would call the child by a shortened form of the middle name, which is something I really like.
So now that we are expecting, we have only discussed names twice. Once I asked if he still wanted a junior and that as long as we could call him by the middle name I was willing. He said yes. Then when I brought it up a few weeks later, he got all huffy and said that was fine since I didn't like any of the names he liked. Confused because I didn't remember seriously discussing names with him, I asked what names he liked. "Dakota or Cody"... no, no dog names... what else? "No, I'll just get mad!" So I suggested some of the more original names that I liked and he said no to them all, I am guessing without even considering them because he was pouting because he didn't get his way... and the conversation was over...
So now that I have thought about it more, I am starting to get upset. He vetoed the names I liked years ago and I never brought them up again, even though he gave me no reasons why he didn't like them... But he keeps trying to push names on me that I have given him very specific arguments against. WTF?!?!?
So I have started doing some research on the first and middle names of his family members and I plan to compile a list of names for him to choose from.
I don't want this to be a point of conflict between us but I refuse to give my child a name that will embarrass them when they walk into a job interview later in life. And he is so stubborn that I don't think he'll like anything I choose just for the simple fact that it wasn't his first choice.
But at least we can compromise with a Junior if it is a boy... God forbid we have a girl... that name is set and there is nothing he can do about that...
A couple years ago, the subject came up again. Being a HUGE hockey fan, he suggested Teemu Selanne (pronounced Tay-moo Suh-lonn-ee). Of course I said no. The funny thing was, that as time passed, the name kinda grew on me and I really considered Teemu as a first name... don't judge me... I like how "Tay" sounds with our last name and I was jonesing for a baby... any baby...
He also liked the names Delaney or Trinity for a girl... No... Delaney is the name of the granddaughter of a neighbor we socialize with and Trinity had become too popular due to The Matrix (which I still have not seen nor do I have the desire.)
About that same time, he mentioned he would like a Junior. I thought about it a bit and I wondered if the "Teemu" thing was just a bit to get me to agree to a junior... but regardless, the idea grew on me. We would call the child by a shortened form of the middle name, which is something I really like.
So now that we are expecting, we have only discussed names twice. Once I asked if he still wanted a junior and that as long as we could call him by the middle name I was willing. He said yes. Then when I brought it up a few weeks later, he got all huffy and said that was fine since I didn't like any of the names he liked. Confused because I didn't remember seriously discussing names with him, I asked what names he liked. "Dakota or Cody"... no, no dog names... what else? "No, I'll just get mad!" So I suggested some of the more original names that I liked and he said no to them all, I am guessing without even considering them because he was pouting because he didn't get his way... and the conversation was over...
So now that I have thought about it more, I am starting to get upset. He vetoed the names I liked years ago and I never brought them up again, even though he gave me no reasons why he didn't like them... But he keeps trying to push names on me that I have given him very specific arguments against. WTF?!?!?
So I have started doing some research on the first and middle names of his family members and I plan to compile a list of names for him to choose from.
I don't want this to be a point of conflict between us but I refuse to give my child a name that will embarrass them when they walk into a job interview later in life. And he is so stubborn that I don't think he'll like anything I choose just for the simple fact that it wasn't his first choice.
But at least we can compromise with a Junior if it is a boy... God forbid we have a girl... that name is set and there is nothing he can do about that...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Catch-up
Ok, so I have fallen of the map for a week or so... it's not the first time. Let's just say that babycenter.com is a time suck and with my boss in town last week, I didn't get half the stuff done I needed to so I have been playing catch-up... nuff said.
I will post on each point later, but here is a quick run-down on what's been going on:
1. No, dear husband, I am not naming my child after a dog.
2. No, I am not crazy for wanting a natural childbirth so please stop trying to tell me I don't know what I am talking about and that I will change my mind.
3. Why are bras without under wires so horribly ugly?
4. I know cloth diapers will be cheaper that disposables in the long run but HOLY $%#*% the up-front cost is ridiculous!!!!
First up, last week my sonogram friend scanned me again to see if we could tell what I am having. The kid is already as ornery as my husband. Legs were crossed at the ankles blocking our view. Then we saw what we thought was a little hamburger (a girl) and I started to have an anxiety attack. Then we moved a bit and it looked like a turtle (a boy). Then we realized it was pulsing (the cord). So we gave up on that end... then we got a great straight on face shot. However the little hands were up by the ears and it looked like "na na na boo boo... you can't see my unders!"
More to come later.
********************
16 weeks today.
I will post on each point later, but here is a quick run-down on what's been going on:
1. No, dear husband, I am not naming my child after a dog.
2. No, I am not crazy for wanting a natural childbirth so please stop trying to tell me I don't know what I am talking about and that I will change my mind.
3. Why are bras without under wires so horribly ugly?
4. I know cloth diapers will be cheaper that disposables in the long run but HOLY $%#*% the up-front cost is ridiculous!!!!
First up, last week my sonogram friend scanned me again to see if we could tell what I am having. The kid is already as ornery as my husband. Legs were crossed at the ankles blocking our view. Then we saw what we thought was a little hamburger (a girl) and I started to have an anxiety attack. Then we moved a bit and it looked like a turtle (a boy). Then we realized it was pulsing (the cord). So we gave up on that end... then we got a great straight on face shot. However the little hands were up by the ears and it looked like "na na na boo boo... you can't see my unders!"
More to come later.
********************
16 weeks today.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Why October Is A Good Month To Give Birth
1. Capri's and shorts are way more comfortable then long, heavy clothes... especially since I have a freakishly long inseam and can't find maternity jeans long enough.
2. I can wear flip-flops when my feet are swollen.
3. It is much easier to eat healthy food in the spring and summer.
4. If I am going to eat fish, it will be fresh.
5. If I am gonna be big, at least I will be tan.
6. I will be in the "cute pregnancy" stage for most of the summer... I will be big but not uncomfortably huge.
7. The baby will be ready for the holidays... Family events + babies = lots of fun.
8. I will finally have an excuse to send Christmas Cards.
9. I will have all winter to lose the weight and maybe even be back in my pre-prego clothes by next summer (hopefully including my swimsuit.)
10. My maternity leave will include the entire holiday season... I won't get stuck working on a holiday!!!
11. Pumpkin patch + first birthday = the cutest pictures ever!!!
12. I get to dress my new pumpkin as a pumpkin for Halloween.
13. By the time we are ready for day care, I will have my pretaxed child care dollars to pay for it. (They won't kick in til January.)
14. We can celebrate our birthdays together (me 10/15, hubby 10/30, baby before 10/10 or I am cutting it out myself)
********************
14 weeks today... I can't wait to feel the little bugger move!!!!
2. I can wear flip-flops when my feet are swollen.
3. It is much easier to eat healthy food in the spring and summer.
4. If I am going to eat fish, it will be fresh.
5. If I am gonna be big, at least I will be tan.
6. I will be in the "cute pregnancy" stage for most of the summer... I will be big but not uncomfortably huge.
7. The baby will be ready for the holidays... Family events + babies = lots of fun.
8. I will finally have an excuse to send Christmas Cards.
9. I will have all winter to lose the weight and maybe even be back in my pre-prego clothes by next summer (hopefully including my swimsuit.)
10. My maternity leave will include the entire holiday season... I won't get stuck working on a holiday!!!
11. Pumpkin patch + first birthday = the cutest pictures ever!!!
12. I get to dress my new pumpkin as a pumpkin for Halloween.
13. By the time we are ready for day care, I will have my pretaxed child care dollars to pay for it. (They won't kick in til January.)
14. We can celebrate our birthdays together (me 10/15, hubby 10/30, baby before 10/10 or I am cutting it out myself)
********************
14 weeks today... I can't wait to feel the little bugger move!!!!
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