The other night, while showering, I felt a small bump on the bottom of my belly, past the point where I can see. I looked at it in a mirror when I got out and it looked like a small tic... Frantic, I yelled for Mike to come take a closer look... He had me lay back on the bed so he could see the spot in better light... While he was looking really close, The Bean kicked... HARD... startling Mike and making him jump about 10 feet in the air and let some interesting vocab escape his mouth.... And that was what set off my laughing jag for the evening... ;-)
(It wasn't a tic, thank God!)
*****
Over the weekend, Kayden happened upon Mike and me while he was giving me a hug:
Kayden: I want in!
(Kayden proceeds to try to wedge herself between us while Mike does his best to keep her out and I try not to laugh at her plight...)
Finally, Mike lets go and steps back, and she gives me a hug... she then turns her back to me and opens her arms for Mike to hug her between us.
Mike: It's a sandwich!
Kayden: Yeah, and I'm the ham!
And yet another giggle fest for Mama... ;-)
*****
I'm large... very large... I am past the weight I was when I went to the hospital to deliver Kayden... and I have 10 weeks to go.... I actually split one of my 2 pairs of maternity dress pants today.... Had to break out the sewing machine to fix them....
This pregnancy has been much tougher on me than Kayden was... I can tell I'm older but I'm trying my hardest to enjoy it...
30 weeks as of yesterday....
Showing posts with label A Day In The Life.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Day In The Life.... Show all posts
Monday, July 21, 2014
Monday, August 29, 2011
Out of the Mouths of Babes...
Shopping at Walmart is a regular occurrence for our family... when we go as a family, my husband and I tag-team keeping Kayden entertained and occupied... but when it's just me and the kiddo, I have to get creative...
So when I take on the challenge of shopping alone with a toddler in tow, I usually let her pick a toy to play with while we're there... every once in a while, I actually get the toy, but not often, so she's used to saying "bye, (insert toy name here), see you next time..."
On one trip in particular, she had picked up 2 different baby dolls... I repeated to her throughout the trip that if she was good, we would get to take one home with us... when we got to the line to pay, I told her she could keep 1... she said "want" hugging them both... I said "pick one" and she replied "twins!"
How the &%$# did she come up with that?!?!?! She was about 18 months old at the time... I am in so much trouble....
So when I take on the challenge of shopping alone with a toddler in tow, I usually let her pick a toy to play with while we're there... every once in a while, I actually get the toy, but not often, so she's used to saying "bye, (insert toy name here), see you next time..."
On one trip in particular, she had picked up 2 different baby dolls... I repeated to her throughout the trip that if she was good, we would get to take one home with us... when we got to the line to pay, I told her she could keep 1... she said "want" hugging them both... I said "pick one" and she replied "twins!"
How the &%$# did she come up with that?!?!?! She was about 18 months old at the time... I am in so much trouble....
Friday, June 10, 2011
Pass It On
This morning, I ate a $12.50 breakfast from McDonald's and I enjoyed every bite....
I frequently stop for breakfast at McDonald's... it's right on the corner on the way to the sitter's and it's easier than trying to get up early enough to fix myself breakfast along with getting myself and my child ready for our day...
Several months ago, I decided to do something nice and I paid for the order of the car behind me as well as my own... it was only a couple dollars and I figured it might really make that person's day... I told the cashier to tell the driver behind me "God bless you and pass it on." I never thought about it again.
This morning my husband was watching the munchkin... I was heading a different direction to work but I hadn't had any breakfast yet... I stopped at a different McDonald's drive-thru... I ordered my usual meal and was told my total was $4.75... I thanked the voice inside the box and pulled through to pay.
When I got to the window to pay, the cashier informed me that the car in front of me had paid for my meal... I was touched... this person, who didn't know me from Adam, blindly bought my breakfast... they had no idea how much it would mean to me or if it would make an impression at all... I was so touched, I told the cashier I wanted to pay for the car behind me... She told me the total was $12.50 and asked if I was sure... I said "yes" and handed her the money...
As I pulled forward, I could see the people in the truck behind me... it appeared to be a middle-aged dad and his 2 teen aged sons... the teens looked perplexed and I saw the dad hand the cashier money and get a receipt... My guess is he paid for the car behind him as well... (What great teaching opportunity for that family... I hope they used it...)
It made me wonder if the same had happened to the car in front of me... How many people paid for a strangers breakfast this morning? How many people before me and after me kept the kindness going? And would the person who started it ever know the cascade of generosity they triggered?
And how sad it would have been if one of those people just said, "cool, thanks!" and didn't pass it on?
I will choose to believe that the chain reaction continued until it got to a car with a parent who really couldn't afford it for whatever reason... and although that parent was prepared to make a personal sacrifice so their child could get McDonald's, they wouldn't have to now, because of the kindness of a stranger who passed it on....
I frequently stop for breakfast at McDonald's... it's right on the corner on the way to the sitter's and it's easier than trying to get up early enough to fix myself breakfast along with getting myself and my child ready for our day...
Several months ago, I decided to do something nice and I paid for the order of the car behind me as well as my own... it was only a couple dollars and I figured it might really make that person's day... I told the cashier to tell the driver behind me "God bless you and pass it on." I never thought about it again.
This morning my husband was watching the munchkin... I was heading a different direction to work but I hadn't had any breakfast yet... I stopped at a different McDonald's drive-thru... I ordered my usual meal and was told my total was $4.75... I thanked the voice inside the box and pulled through to pay.
When I got to the window to pay, the cashier informed me that the car in front of me had paid for my meal... I was touched... this person, who didn't know me from Adam, blindly bought my breakfast... they had no idea how much it would mean to me or if it would make an impression at all... I was so touched, I told the cashier I wanted to pay for the car behind me... She told me the total was $12.50 and asked if I was sure... I said "yes" and handed her the money...
As I pulled forward, I could see the people in the truck behind me... it appeared to be a middle-aged dad and his 2 teen aged sons... the teens looked perplexed and I saw the dad hand the cashier money and get a receipt... My guess is he paid for the car behind him as well... (What great teaching opportunity for that family... I hope they used it...)
It made me wonder if the same had happened to the car in front of me... How many people paid for a strangers breakfast this morning? How many people before me and after me kept the kindness going? And would the person who started it ever know the cascade of generosity they triggered?
And how sad it would have been if one of those people just said, "cool, thanks!" and didn't pass it on?
I will choose to believe that the chain reaction continued until it got to a car with a parent who really couldn't afford it for whatever reason... and although that parent was prepared to make a personal sacrifice so their child could get McDonald's, they wouldn't have to now, because of the kindness of a stranger who passed it on....
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Sibbling Rivalry
OMDrama!
For whatever reason lately, both my girls (human & canine) have been a mess for my attention. And it's always at the same time.
Kayden is still nursing. We have a spot on the couch where we cuddle while we nurse. Bailey used to just come up and lay next to us... now she wants to be on top of us... and neither Kayden nor I are happy about that. She will "pop-off" of me and whine and push Bailey away. If I try to move Bailey from the ON position to the NEXT TO spot, Kayden will still whine and try to push her further away. This is only concerning to me because Kayden used to smile really big (without popping-off) whenever she felt Bailey at her feet or under her shoulders... so what's changed?
It happens the other way around, too... if I am giving Bailey some one-on-one attention, Kayden abandons whatever "project" she was working on and will ask for a cookie or to be picked up and carried around.... WHAT GIVES!?!?!?
They do play well together... at times, they can each be a little rough, but both take correction well... in general, they play really well as a couple and independently. They chase each other around and Kayden will throw the ball for Bailey to chase. They wrestle and lick and roll around on the floor together... it's wonderful to watch!
And when they are occupied with each other or by themselves, I am able to get a few things done, like laundry folded/put away, bathroom cleaned, fire started or stoked, etc.
So why, all of a sudden, does Bailey ALWAYS want her cold, wet nose on my arm (or in my lap) while I'm nursing and why is Kayden so opposed to it? And why does Kayden seem to interrupt whenever I try to play with Bailey & give her the attention SHE needs?
Maybe it's the cabin fever... Spring, where are you!?!?!?
Someone posted the other day that in our area, the average temp in 3 weeks will be 50+ degrees... in 3 short weeks, spring will be upon us!
For now, though, we are on our 3rd day of single digit temps in a row....
For whatever reason lately, both my girls (human & canine) have been a mess for my attention. And it's always at the same time.
Kayden is still nursing. We have a spot on the couch where we cuddle while we nurse. Bailey used to just come up and lay next to us... now she wants to be on top of us... and neither Kayden nor I are happy about that. She will "pop-off" of me and whine and push Bailey away. If I try to move Bailey from the ON position to the NEXT TO spot, Kayden will still whine and try to push her further away. This is only concerning to me because Kayden used to smile really big (without popping-off) whenever she felt Bailey at her feet or under her shoulders... so what's changed?
It happens the other way around, too... if I am giving Bailey some one-on-one attention, Kayden abandons whatever "project" she was working on and will ask for a cookie or to be picked up and carried around.... WHAT GIVES!?!?!?
They do play well together... at times, they can each be a little rough, but both take correction well... in general, they play really well as a couple and independently. They chase each other around and Kayden will throw the ball for Bailey to chase. They wrestle and lick and roll around on the floor together... it's wonderful to watch!
And when they are occupied with each other or by themselves, I am able to get a few things done, like laundry folded/put away, bathroom cleaned, fire started or stoked, etc.
So why, all of a sudden, does Bailey ALWAYS want her cold, wet nose on my arm (or in my lap) while I'm nursing and why is Kayden so opposed to it? And why does Kayden seem to interrupt whenever I try to play with Bailey & give her the attention SHE needs?
Maybe it's the cabin fever... Spring, where are you!?!?!?
Someone posted the other day that in our area, the average temp in 3 weeks will be 50+ degrees... in 3 short weeks, spring will be upon us!
For now, though, we are on our 3rd day of single digit temps in a row....
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Circus
If you every have the chance to see the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, PLEASE do so!
It is an old fashion circus that actually takes place under a big top tent. They had acts with unicycles, trapeze, rope dancer, a girl balancing on a rolling board, a clown, an act with birds, a juggler.... it was so much fun!
It is an old fashion circus that actually takes place under a big top tent. They had acts with unicycles, trapeze, rope dancer, a girl balancing on a rolling board, a clown, an act with birds, a juggler.... it was so much fun!
Outside the big top tent, they had a large inflatable slide and a pony ride...
Kayden's favorite thing was the snow cones...
Kayden's First Circus was probably more fun for us but I think she had a good time too...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Lesser Of Two Evils
Which is worse: 1) driving in crappy, snowy weather with a 6-month-old on the front seat of a truck with no car seat OR 2) leaving said 6-month-old at home alone in her crib for 10-15 minutes?
"Let me splain"*
Last night was Kayden's Baby Dedication at church. Proof that God has a sense of humor, it had been snowing since the night before (that's right... SNOW on the first day of Spring!)
After the Dedication, the whole family (minus my husband, who was working one job then heading to another) went out to eat. It was still snowing but the roads weren't too bad. After dinner, however, they were horrid...
On our way home, we got stuck. There is a really bad hill on our street that is next to impossible to get up in crappy weather unless you have 4-wheel-drive or chains. And you can't even get a running start at it because there is another hill followed by a curve right before it. So about half way up, my car stopped, then began to slide backwards. I tried to back down the hill but I kept sliding toward the ditch on the side of the road. Only by the GRACE OF GOD did I manage to back it into a driveway at the bottom of the hill.
So there we sat. I called my husband who, also by the Grace of God, happened to be home (because he wasn't supposed to be) and he came to get us. Now, I figured we would hop in the truck and I would just hold Kayden on my lap for the 200-300 yard trip home. The house where my car sat is a summer/weekender so I knew no one was home and I could just walk down and get it the next day when the snow had melted a bit and the roads were cleared.
But my husband insisted we try to get my car out of that driveway and home and he was in a hurry because he STILL HAD TO WORK after he got us home. I told him I wanted to take Kayden home first... I did not want her riding in the truck (with OR without a car seat as the case was) any more than absolutely necessary. So we took her home... he was in such a hurry, he told me to just LEAVE HER IN THE CRIB and we would be back within 15 minutes. He waited in the truck while I ran her inside and I bought time to frantically call a neighbor by changing into snow boots... the neighbor said he was on his way so I got back in the truck where my husband was impatiently waiting and we went back to get my car...
So in reality, she was only alone in the house for about 5 minutes... but I should never have left her at all... the alternatives, to me however, were MUCH worse... I didn't want her riding in the truck AT ALL let alone without a car seat and I sure as hell wasn't gonna let her ride in my car as my impatient husband tried to get it home.
So call DCFS if you must... I did what I felt I had to at the time... but if I am put in that situation again, I will probably tell my husband to kiss off...
*Indigo from The Princess Bride
********************
I was pleased to learn of Bailey's behavior through all this when I got home...
The neighbor, who knew Bailey, said when he walked in the door, Bailey barked at him like she was gonna kill him, then ran into the nursery. The neighbor just sat down on the couch and waited... Bailey came out a few minutes later and sniffed him and loved on him... then he was able to check on Kayden...
So her first instinct was to protect... anyone who didn't know her would have been scared enough to leave right then... but after she calmed down and realized she recognized the neighbor's smell, she turned back into her old cuddly self and soaked up the attention :-)
"Let me splain"*
Last night was Kayden's Baby Dedication at church. Proof that God has a sense of humor, it had been snowing since the night before (that's right... SNOW on the first day of Spring!)
After the Dedication, the whole family (minus my husband, who was working one job then heading to another) went out to eat. It was still snowing but the roads weren't too bad. After dinner, however, they were horrid...
On our way home, we got stuck. There is a really bad hill on our street that is next to impossible to get up in crappy weather unless you have 4-wheel-drive or chains. And you can't even get a running start at it because there is another hill followed by a curve right before it. So about half way up, my car stopped, then began to slide backwards. I tried to back down the hill but I kept sliding toward the ditch on the side of the road. Only by the GRACE OF GOD did I manage to back it into a driveway at the bottom of the hill.
So there we sat. I called my husband who, also by the Grace of God, happened to be home (because he wasn't supposed to be) and he came to get us. Now, I figured we would hop in the truck and I would just hold Kayden on my lap for the 200-300 yard trip home. The house where my car sat is a summer/weekender so I knew no one was home and I could just walk down and get it the next day when the snow had melted a bit and the roads were cleared.
But my husband insisted we try to get my car out of that driveway and home and he was in a hurry because he STILL HAD TO WORK after he got us home. I told him I wanted to take Kayden home first... I did not want her riding in the truck (with OR without a car seat as the case was) any more than absolutely necessary. So we took her home... he was in such a hurry, he told me to just LEAVE HER IN THE CRIB and we would be back within 15 minutes. He waited in the truck while I ran her inside and I bought time to frantically call a neighbor by changing into snow boots... the neighbor said he was on his way so I got back in the truck where my husband was impatiently waiting and we went back to get my car...
So in reality, she was only alone in the house for about 5 minutes... but I should never have left her at all... the alternatives, to me however, were MUCH worse... I didn't want her riding in the truck AT ALL let alone without a car seat and I sure as hell wasn't gonna let her ride in my car as my impatient husband tried to get it home.
So call DCFS if you must... I did what I felt I had to at the time... but if I am put in that situation again, I will probably tell my husband to kiss off...
*Indigo from The Princess Bride
********************
I was pleased to learn of Bailey's behavior through all this when I got home...
The neighbor, who knew Bailey, said when he walked in the door, Bailey barked at him like she was gonna kill him, then ran into the nursery. The neighbor just sat down on the couch and waited... Bailey came out a few minutes later and sniffed him and loved on him... then he was able to check on Kayden...
So her first instinct was to protect... anyone who didn't know her would have been scared enough to leave right then... but after she calmed down and realized she recognized the neighbor's smell, she turned back into her old cuddly self and soaked up the attention :-)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Dog Park Adventure
As I mentioned in the previous post, we took our first trip to the dog park... but our adventure did not end at finally fitting into the car.. oh no...
When we got to the park, Bailey was so excited she could barely contain herself... the last time we were there was July or August of last year... Then I went on modified bed rest, had a baby, and had to recover... by the time I was well enough to go, it was too cold for Kayden to go and my husband's schedule did not allow him to either take Bailey or watch Kayden while I went.
Once I got Kayden in the stroller and covered with a blanket, I got Bailey on the leash and we headed to the gate. Now, as a safety measure, you have to go through 2 gates... it keeps dogs from escaping if they try to slip out when someone else is entering or exiting. A great idea for the dogs... not so much for a jogging stroller... but after a bit of maneuvering, we made it in.
Unfortunately, the way the park is set up, it is almost always a wind tunnel. Even on the warmest days with no wind, there is a cool breeze... which is GREAT for the dogs, not so much for mom and a baby... I forgot about this little quirk and although it was a warm day, it was probably 5-10 degrees cooler at the park... a bit too cool for Kayden. Needless to say, we only stayed about 15 minutes.
Although it was a bit cool, Kayden had a blast! She loved watching the dogs play and thought it was the funniest thing in the world when they came to smell her... The owners seemed mortified that their dogs were smelling her, though... I mean, really... I wouldn't have brought Kayden in a stroller if I was worried about that...
When we left, we had an even harder time getting back into the car. I had to put Bailey in first so she wouldn't escape or pull on her leash while I was getting Kayden in the car. Once I got them both in, I had to get the stroller in... but Bailey had taken back over her spot in the backseat... It was a mess trying to get her in the front seat long enough for me to toss the stroller in the backseat...
So went our first trip to the dog park... I have decided that I will probably just wear Kayden in the Moby Wrap next time we go... it will be easier than wrestling with the stroller, which I don't think is technically allowed anyway...
********************
6 months old today!!! Although she is still not rolling over, she is almost sitting up and, although she HATES tummy time, I have a feeling crawling is not far behind...
And 19lbs... holy crap she's big!!!!
When we got to the park, Bailey was so excited she could barely contain herself... the last time we were there was July or August of last year... Then I went on modified bed rest, had a baby, and had to recover... by the time I was well enough to go, it was too cold for Kayden to go and my husband's schedule did not allow him to either take Bailey or watch Kayden while I went.
Once I got Kayden in the stroller and covered with a blanket, I got Bailey on the leash and we headed to the gate. Now, as a safety measure, you have to go through 2 gates... it keeps dogs from escaping if they try to slip out when someone else is entering or exiting. A great idea for the dogs... not so much for a jogging stroller... but after a bit of maneuvering, we made it in.
Unfortunately, the way the park is set up, it is almost always a wind tunnel. Even on the warmest days with no wind, there is a cool breeze... which is GREAT for the dogs, not so much for mom and a baby... I forgot about this little quirk and although it was a warm day, it was probably 5-10 degrees cooler at the park... a bit too cool for Kayden. Needless to say, we only stayed about 15 minutes.
Although it was a bit cool, Kayden had a blast! She loved watching the dogs play and thought it was the funniest thing in the world when they came to smell her... The owners seemed mortified that their dogs were smelling her, though... I mean, really... I wouldn't have brought Kayden in a stroller if I was worried about that...
When we left, we had an even harder time getting back into the car. I had to put Bailey in first so she wouldn't escape or pull on her leash while I was getting Kayden in the car. Once I got them both in, I had to get the stroller in... but Bailey had taken back over her spot in the backseat... It was a mess trying to get her in the front seat long enough for me to toss the stroller in the backseat...
So went our first trip to the dog park... I have decided that I will probably just wear Kayden in the Moby Wrap next time we go... it will be easier than wrestling with the stroller, which I don't think is technically allowed anyway...
********************
6 months old today!!! Although she is still not rolling over, she is almost sitting up and, although she HATES tummy time, I have a feeling crawling is not far behind...
And 19lbs... holy crap she's big!!!!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Auto Tetris
We took our first trip to the dog park since Kayden was born. It was a beautiful day and I wanted Bailey and I both to get some exercise.
As I mentioned in the previous post, my car is just a bit too small for us to go anywhere as a family. In order for us to hit the dog park, I had to figure out how to fit Kayden, Bailey, the stroller and myself into the car.
I was driving... Kayden was gonna be in her seat... but where to put Bailey and the stroller????
I tried putting the stroller in my trunk... it just wouldn't go... I tried many approaches from many angles but it just wouldn't fit. I then tried the front seat thinking maybe if I got it in just right it would fit... no-go... so the only place left was the backseat... so there it went...
Now, as sweet as Bailey is, I don't think she would have taken to kindly to being put in the trunk so the only other option was to put her in the front passenger seat... you know, the one that is pushed all the way forward to accommodate Kayden's car seat... the one no one fits in...
Poor Bailey had no idea what was happening. She couldn't lay down (without knocking the car into neutral) or turn around to put her head out the window... her head was up over the dash and almost into the windshield... if we had wrecked, she would have either flown out of the car or been crushed by the airbag...
But we made it... there and back... and in one piece....
As I mentioned in the previous post, my car is just a bit too small for us to go anywhere as a family. In order for us to hit the dog park, I had to figure out how to fit Kayden, Bailey, the stroller and myself into the car.
I was driving... Kayden was gonna be in her seat... but where to put Bailey and the stroller????
I tried putting the stroller in my trunk... it just wouldn't go... I tried many approaches from many angles but it just wouldn't fit. I then tried the front seat thinking maybe if I got it in just right it would fit... no-go... so the only place left was the backseat... so there it went...
Now, as sweet as Bailey is, I don't think she would have taken to kindly to being put in the trunk so the only other option was to put her in the front passenger seat... you know, the one that is pushed all the way forward to accommodate Kayden's car seat... the one no one fits in...
Poor Bailey had no idea what was happening. She couldn't lay down (without knocking the car into neutral) or turn around to put her head out the window... her head was up over the dash and almost into the windshield... if we had wrecked, she would have either flown out of the car or been crushed by the airbag...
But we made it... there and back... and in one piece....
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Kayden In The Car
My husband wants to get me a bigger car. Part of me is excited but the other part is sad...
The way it is now, if both Kayden and I look over our right shoulders, we can see each other... the passenger seat is pushed as far forward as it goes in order to fit her convertible car seat in at the appropriate angle. I can reach her to see if she's breathing after a particularly bag choking fit (because shoving our fingers down our throat is our latest fun thing to do in the car and Mommy can't tell if it's my hand or something else I am choking on) or hold her hand if she is starting to fuss.
But the way it is now, we can't really go anywhere as an entire family. There is only room for a driver, Kayden in the car seat, and either another person or Bailey in the back seat. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, I had to smoosh myself into the passenger seat and I had to wedge myself between the dash and the seat in order to close the door...
And forget taking the stroller anywhere... my husband can get it into my trunk but I can barely get it out and I haven't figured out how to get it back in... I really want to take Kayden for jogs around the dog park when it gets warmer but it doesn't seem like a possibility...
He found a Jeep for me... I haven't seen it yet... I am both excited and sad...
I'll be keeping my car since I drive so far for work and the Jeep will be for more local errands, weekends, and next winter when the 4 wheel drive will come in handy...
So the next decision is this:
Do I invest in a second convertible car seat?
Do I buy seats according to what she needs at the time, like a forward facing and booster when the time comes?
Or do I move the current convertible from car to Jeep to car even if it means I may be doing it twice a day sometimes?
********************
I am not sure if I told this story already and I am too lazy to go back and search to see if I did... so humor me:
Kayden took her first joy ride when she was 3 1/2 months old.
We had just got home at the end of the day and I carefully got out of the car because we had almost a solid sheet of ice on the driveway. I got out and closed the door. Then, with my infant still in the backseat, the car started to move.
Now I drove a stick for 11 years... so although I've had my current automatic for almost 5 years, there are still times I'll turn it off, forgetting to put it in park first.... but I always pull the emergency break...
I was confused at first because I knew the emergency break was on and I couldn't figure out why the back tires were rolling...
As I quickly opened the driver's door, I noticed the front tires were NOT rolling... and as I jumped back into the driver's seat, I realized there was nothing I could do but helplessly sit there... the tires were sliding down the driveway, not rolling, so the breaks were worthless.... and we were heading straight toward the tree that sits in the ditch that runs along our driveway...
Only by the grace of God did we slide to a stop at the bottom of the driveway just a few feet from the tree... we hadn't built up enough speed to get us all the way to the ditch....
I haven't parked on that part of the driveway since... I probably won't even this summer....
********************
At first, Kayden hated the car... she would cry whenever we put her in the car. It was so bad at first that I thought I had pinched her or that something was really hurting her... then I figured out she just hated the car... she would scream and cry until we got to where we were going... rarely did she fall asleep...
I think she was bored. She couldn't really see out the windows or entertain herself yet and it was worse at night when she couldn't see ANYthing.
Then around 12-14 weeks of age, it began to get better. She didn't cry every time anymore and she seemed to be happier longer before she started to fuss.
Now, she likes it... but only if the car is moving and/or the radio is on... she still rarely sleeps but she does sing along to the radio, which, I must say, is about the sweetest thing I've ever heard!!!!
The way it is now, if both Kayden and I look over our right shoulders, we can see each other... the passenger seat is pushed as far forward as it goes in order to fit her convertible car seat in at the appropriate angle. I can reach her to see if she's breathing after a particularly bag choking fit (because shoving our fingers down our throat is our latest fun thing to do in the car and Mommy can't tell if it's my hand or something else I am choking on) or hold her hand if she is starting to fuss.
But the way it is now, we can't really go anywhere as an entire family. There is only room for a driver, Kayden in the car seat, and either another person or Bailey in the back seat. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, I had to smoosh myself into the passenger seat and I had to wedge myself between the dash and the seat in order to close the door...
And forget taking the stroller anywhere... my husband can get it into my trunk but I can barely get it out and I haven't figured out how to get it back in... I really want to take Kayden for jogs around the dog park when it gets warmer but it doesn't seem like a possibility...
He found a Jeep for me... I haven't seen it yet... I am both excited and sad...
I'll be keeping my car since I drive so far for work and the Jeep will be for more local errands, weekends, and next winter when the 4 wheel drive will come in handy...
So the next decision is this:
Do I invest in a second convertible car seat?
Do I buy seats according to what she needs at the time, like a forward facing and booster when the time comes?
Or do I move the current convertible from car to Jeep to car even if it means I may be doing it twice a day sometimes?
********************
I am not sure if I told this story already and I am too lazy to go back and search to see if I did... so humor me:
Kayden took her first joy ride when she was 3 1/2 months old.
We had just got home at the end of the day and I carefully got out of the car because we had almost a solid sheet of ice on the driveway. I got out and closed the door. Then, with my infant still in the backseat, the car started to move.
Now I drove a stick for 11 years... so although I've had my current automatic for almost 5 years, there are still times I'll turn it off, forgetting to put it in park first.... but I always pull the emergency break...
I was confused at first because I knew the emergency break was on and I couldn't figure out why the back tires were rolling...
As I quickly opened the driver's door, I noticed the front tires were NOT rolling... and as I jumped back into the driver's seat, I realized there was nothing I could do but helplessly sit there... the tires were sliding down the driveway, not rolling, so the breaks were worthless.... and we were heading straight toward the tree that sits in the ditch that runs along our driveway...
Only by the grace of God did we slide to a stop at the bottom of the driveway just a few feet from the tree... we hadn't built up enough speed to get us all the way to the ditch....
I haven't parked on that part of the driveway since... I probably won't even this summer....
********************
At first, Kayden hated the car... she would cry whenever we put her in the car. It was so bad at first that I thought I had pinched her or that something was really hurting her... then I figured out she just hated the car... she would scream and cry until we got to where we were going... rarely did she fall asleep...
I think she was bored. She couldn't really see out the windows or entertain herself yet and it was worse at night when she couldn't see ANYthing.
Then around 12-14 weeks of age, it began to get better. She didn't cry every time anymore and she seemed to be happier longer before she started to fuss.
Now, she likes it... but only if the car is moving and/or the radio is on... she still rarely sleeps but she does sing along to the radio, which, I must say, is about the sweetest thing I've ever heard!!!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Adventures In Parenthood
I think Kayden likes to wait all day just to get all cozy in bed to poop....
For 4 nights in a row, we had crawled into bed and I was almost asleep when BBRRRRRRIPPPPPSSSHHH, full nasty diaper... she even smiled really big between grunts and wiggles...
********************
Since Christmas, we have been randomly giving her tastes of whatever we are eating... Recently, she has really been watching us as we eat so anytime we are eating something appropriately smooshy, we let her taste it. Mashed potatoes and gravy, cheesecake, BBQ sauce, marinara sauce, buffalo wings sauce, etc.
What did we learn this week?
Carrots + raspberries = mess
On 2/21, after a short nursing session, we gave her pureed carrots... she made a funny face and most of it dribbled down her chin but she consumed about 1/2 teaspoon of it...
On 2/23, again, after a short nursing session, I tried again... she actually opened her mouth and took the carrots off the spoon.... then she smiled real big and blew a raspberry at me that sprayed little orange speckles all over herself, me, the couch, and Bailey... She did it 2 more times over the next 3 bites... I finally gave up, but again, she probably got down about 1/2 teaspoon.
On 2/25, I fed her a little more. This time I got her before I nursed her so she was a bit hungrier. This time she took about a full teaspoon with only one raspberry episode...
I plan to keep feeding her a teaspoon of veggies at a time until she hits 6 months, then I will increase the amount a bit and mix in some cereal... We plan to add peas and squash to the mix soon.
********************
As I mentioned in a previous post, the freezer in the garage broke... the one FULL of my frozen milk... I am not sure how long it had been that way but when I opened it the smell was pretty bad... that's saying something since we were smack in the middle of almost 2 weeks of temps of 32 degrees or less... I tossed probably 4-5 gallons worth of partially thawed milk that had been separated into 2-3 oz portions... there was nothing else I could do... all that work and time and energy: gone with nothing to show for it...
I am keeping up with her with the fresh I pump at work and sometimes over night but it was heartbreaking to trash that much...
********************
Last Saturday morning, my husband had Kayden all by himself for the first time... it was only for a couple hours but I wondered if he'd change her diaper... it would've been his first... before she was born, he agreed to let me cloth diaper if he didn't have to change them... I had her in a sposie that morning just in case... I was almost sad that I wouldn't be there to take pictures...
When I got home, I discovered that although they survived, they never made it out of bed : -) They were playing with a stuffed dog when I got there...
********************
Kayden still doesn't roll over. She'll get about halfway and then lose interest. She rolled from her back to her front at the sitters once and about scared herself to death so she hasn't even attempted to in 3 weeks.
She isn't even close to crawling... she hates tummy time and we can only get her to do it for a few minutes at a time before she breaks down...
I am not worried, though, because she is almost sitting up by herself so I know her gross motor skills are developing okay in other areas.
The only problem is she has to be crawling in order to take the Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) class that we are trying to enroll her in this May... I sure hope she is crawling by then...
********************
ISR pretty cool... ISR teaches infants and young children how to survive and save themselves if they fall into water... check it out at www.infantswim.com
I first heard about it a few years ago but the closest class at the time was 3 hours away. When I saw it advertised in our city, I was ecstatic!!!
It's expensive and intensive, though... $105 just to enroll... then $85 per week for 5-7 weeks... it's 5 days a week for 10-15 minutes per session. The place is a 45 minute drive from us as well... but with us living at a lake, I think it is totally worth it...
To me, it's necessary....
For 4 nights in a row, we had crawled into bed and I was almost asleep when BBRRRRRRIPPPPPSSSHHH, full nasty diaper... she even smiled really big between grunts and wiggles...
********************
Since Christmas, we have been randomly giving her tastes of whatever we are eating... Recently, she has really been watching us as we eat so anytime we are eating something appropriately smooshy, we let her taste it. Mashed potatoes and gravy, cheesecake, BBQ sauce, marinara sauce, buffalo wings sauce, etc.
What did we learn this week?
Carrots + raspberries = mess
On 2/21, after a short nursing session, we gave her pureed carrots... she made a funny face and most of it dribbled down her chin but she consumed about 1/2 teaspoon of it...
On 2/23, again, after a short nursing session, I tried again... she actually opened her mouth and took the carrots off the spoon.... then she smiled real big and blew a raspberry at me that sprayed little orange speckles all over herself, me, the couch, and Bailey... She did it 2 more times over the next 3 bites... I finally gave up, but again, she probably got down about 1/2 teaspoon.
On 2/25, I fed her a little more. This time I got her before I nursed her so she was a bit hungrier. This time she took about a full teaspoon with only one raspberry episode...
I plan to keep feeding her a teaspoon of veggies at a time until she hits 6 months, then I will increase the amount a bit and mix in some cereal... We plan to add peas and squash to the mix soon.
********************
As I mentioned in a previous post, the freezer in the garage broke... the one FULL of my frozen milk... I am not sure how long it had been that way but when I opened it the smell was pretty bad... that's saying something since we were smack in the middle of almost 2 weeks of temps of 32 degrees or less... I tossed probably 4-5 gallons worth of partially thawed milk that had been separated into 2-3 oz portions... there was nothing else I could do... all that work and time and energy: gone with nothing to show for it...
I am keeping up with her with the fresh I pump at work and sometimes over night but it was heartbreaking to trash that much...
********************
Last Saturday morning, my husband had Kayden all by himself for the first time... it was only for a couple hours but I wondered if he'd change her diaper... it would've been his first... before she was born, he agreed to let me cloth diaper if he didn't have to change them... I had her in a sposie that morning just in case... I was almost sad that I wouldn't be there to take pictures...
When I got home, I discovered that although they survived, they never made it out of bed : -) They were playing with a stuffed dog when I got there...
********************
Kayden still doesn't roll over. She'll get about halfway and then lose interest. She rolled from her back to her front at the sitters once and about scared herself to death so she hasn't even attempted to in 3 weeks.
She isn't even close to crawling... she hates tummy time and we can only get her to do it for a few minutes at a time before she breaks down...
I am not worried, though, because she is almost sitting up by herself so I know her gross motor skills are developing okay in other areas.
The only problem is she has to be crawling in order to take the Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) class that we are trying to enroll her in this May... I sure hope she is crawling by then...
********************
ISR pretty cool... ISR teaches infants and young children how to survive and save themselves if they fall into water... check it out at www.infantswim.com
I first heard about it a few years ago but the closest class at the time was 3 hours away. When I saw it advertised in our city, I was ecstatic!!!
It's expensive and intensive, though... $105 just to enroll... then $85 per week for 5-7 weeks... it's 5 days a week for 10-15 minutes per session. The place is a 45 minute drive from us as well... but with us living at a lake, I think it is totally worth it...
To me, it's necessary....
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Random Ramblings
I cut the crap out of my ankle while shaving this morning. I haven't cut myself shaving in years...
Kayden woke screaming the other night. It took 3 of the longest minutes of my life to calm her. I hope this isn't an early manifestation of night terrors.
Been feeling light headed this morning. Despite not taking my meds in weeks, my bp was 135/84 which is only slightly elevated for me... maybe I need to eat something.
Had a root canal on Thursday. God bless endodontists.
The freezer in the garage is broken. You know... the one FULL of my frozen milk.... not sure how long it had been that way... I think I may vomit....
I only have a pound and a half to go to my pre pregnancy weight. But 12 1/2 to my goal.
Latest guilty pleasures: Moving Up & Shear Genius.
I was on the phone with my boss in Florida yesterday and told her I may not work Monday because we were expecting a winter storm with ice and lots of snow. Her response: oh, that sucks... I am on my way to the beach...
Bitch.
I am so ready for spring.
Kayden woke screaming the other night. It took 3 of the longest minutes of my life to calm her. I hope this isn't an early manifestation of night terrors.
Been feeling light headed this morning. Despite not taking my meds in weeks, my bp was 135/84 which is only slightly elevated for me... maybe I need to eat something.
Had a root canal on Thursday. God bless endodontists.
The freezer in the garage is broken. You know... the one FULL of my frozen milk.... not sure how long it had been that way... I think I may vomit....
I only have a pound and a half to go to my pre pregnancy weight. But 12 1/2 to my goal.
Latest guilty pleasures: Moving Up & Shear Genius.
I was on the phone with my boss in Florida yesterday and told her I may not work Monday because we were expecting a winter storm with ice and lots of snow. Her response: oh, that sucks... I am on my way to the beach...
Bitch.
I am so ready for spring.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Two Fish, Five Loaves
We had some excitement last weekend...
My husband left Thursday evening for a weekend fishing trip at a state park located 2-3 hours south of our home... Nothing special... he goes camping about once a month when it's nice out so this was nothing out of the ordinary for him....
Friday night about 11 pm I get a collect call from him... his cell didn't get service where he was.... he had gotten into it with the group of people he was with and had grabbed his stuff and walked off the camp site and headed to the main lodge... he needed a ride...
For those of you who don't know my husband, he can really lose his temper when provoked... I guess this was a different group of people that he knew but had never camped with before... and he got into it with one of the guys and was greatly out numbered... he figured it was better for him to grab his stuff and go than to hit the guy and then either get mauled by the rest of the group or tossed in jail...
So, he gave me some rough directions and I headed out about 11:30 pm... I was doing okay on gas and figured I would try to stop once a little over half-way down there to use the restroom and get gas so we could drive straight thru on the way back.... little did I know that the route I was taking had nothing after the last town 45 min from our house...
There were plenty of gas stations along the route but being so rural and the middle of the night, they were all closed. When my husband called to give me more specific directions, he told me to stop and try a pump anyway... of course it didn't work...
By the time I got to him, I had about 1/8 tank of gas. I told him I thought we should head to the next town and hope for an open pump but he refused and we headed back toward home... me knowing there was no hope for gas for at least 50 miles or more...
Now, being a guy, my husband set out to prove me wrong. We stopped at one station and although it accepted his card, the pumps were off so all we could get was what was left in the line... and it only dripped it's way into my tank, so empty at this point that we could hear it as the drops echoed in the tank...
Lather, rinse, repeat...
We did this 3-4 more times along the route for a grand total of just under 1/2 gallon... he kept asking how far to the next town by my map and I kept praying that he would agree to just sleep at the next pump until it opened in a few hours... I also prayed that the fumes would get us where we needed to go so he wouldn't have to walk to the next town...
We finally made it to a larger town that actually had a Walmart with gas pumps... which of course were off, but the store was open so I could use the restroom and ask what time the pumps opened... the lady working there told us about the one 24 hour pump in town which happened to be less than 2 miles away... so if we did die, my husband could walk back to the Walmart to buy a gas can then to the pump and back to the car with ease if need be...
We made it to the station, which was, of course, dark and deserted, with the exception of the one brightly lit pump...
My husband put his card in...
"Please see attendant" flashed across the screen... (of course... he just made 3-4 purchases for about 25-50 cents each and the card was flagged...)
I laughed so hard tears were rolling down my face... he was trying not to lose his temper while digging in his bag for another card... which he found and successfully used to fill up my starving tank.
Now this whole trip I prayed... that I stay awake... that I find him without too much trouble... that the gas in tank got us to where we needed to be... that no one had to walk anywhere... that we make it home safe. And as I began to realize that running out of gas was a very real possibility, the Bible story about a small amount of food feeding a large amount of people with more left over than they started with kept running through my mind... God would make my car go farther than it should on what was left in the tank... I knew it... and I prayed for it... for 4 hours I prayed for it....
That night in the rural midwest, God made a car that only gets 27-29 mpg get close to 35 mpg... the proof was in the distance of the trip divided by the amount of gas we put in at the pumps...
We pulled safely into our driveway at 5:30 am Saturday morning.
Never think that God doesn't answer ALL prayers... sometimes His answer is "no" or "not yet" but He does answer them ALL...
********************
35 weeks today... 5 weeks to go... OB says the baby is doing fabulously... BP meds increased to twice a day but the dose is still so small that I am not too concerned...
My husband left Thursday evening for a weekend fishing trip at a state park located 2-3 hours south of our home... Nothing special... he goes camping about once a month when it's nice out so this was nothing out of the ordinary for him....
Friday night about 11 pm I get a collect call from him... his cell didn't get service where he was.... he had gotten into it with the group of people he was with and had grabbed his stuff and walked off the camp site and headed to the main lodge... he needed a ride...
For those of you who don't know my husband, he can really lose his temper when provoked... I guess this was a different group of people that he knew but had never camped with before... and he got into it with one of the guys and was greatly out numbered... he figured it was better for him to grab his stuff and go than to hit the guy and then either get mauled by the rest of the group or tossed in jail...
So, he gave me some rough directions and I headed out about 11:30 pm... I was doing okay on gas and figured I would try to stop once a little over half-way down there to use the restroom and get gas so we could drive straight thru on the way back.... little did I know that the route I was taking had nothing after the last town 45 min from our house...
There were plenty of gas stations along the route but being so rural and the middle of the night, they were all closed. When my husband called to give me more specific directions, he told me to stop and try a pump anyway... of course it didn't work...
By the time I got to him, I had about 1/8 tank of gas. I told him I thought we should head to the next town and hope for an open pump but he refused and we headed back toward home... me knowing there was no hope for gas for at least 50 miles or more...
Now, being a guy, my husband set out to prove me wrong. We stopped at one station and although it accepted his card, the pumps were off so all we could get was what was left in the line... and it only dripped it's way into my tank, so empty at this point that we could hear it as the drops echoed in the tank...
Lather, rinse, repeat...
We did this 3-4 more times along the route for a grand total of just under 1/2 gallon... he kept asking how far to the next town by my map and I kept praying that he would agree to just sleep at the next pump until it opened in a few hours... I also prayed that the fumes would get us where we needed to go so he wouldn't have to walk to the next town...
We finally made it to a larger town that actually had a Walmart with gas pumps... which of course were off, but the store was open so I could use the restroom and ask what time the pumps opened... the lady working there told us about the one 24 hour pump in town which happened to be less than 2 miles away... so if we did die, my husband could walk back to the Walmart to buy a gas can then to the pump and back to the car with ease if need be...
We made it to the station, which was, of course, dark and deserted, with the exception of the one brightly lit pump...
My husband put his card in...
"Please see attendant" flashed across the screen... (of course... he just made 3-4 purchases for about 25-50 cents each and the card was flagged...)
I laughed so hard tears were rolling down my face... he was trying not to lose his temper while digging in his bag for another card... which he found and successfully used to fill up my starving tank.
Now this whole trip I prayed... that I stay awake... that I find him without too much trouble... that the gas in tank got us to where we needed to be... that no one had to walk anywhere... that we make it home safe. And as I began to realize that running out of gas was a very real possibility, the Bible story about a small amount of food feeding a large amount of people with more left over than they started with kept running through my mind... God would make my car go farther than it should on what was left in the tank... I knew it... and I prayed for it... for 4 hours I prayed for it....
That night in the rural midwest, God made a car that only gets 27-29 mpg get close to 35 mpg... the proof was in the distance of the trip divided by the amount of gas we put in at the pumps...
We pulled safely into our driveway at 5:30 am Saturday morning.
Never think that God doesn't answer ALL prayers... sometimes His answer is "no" or "not yet" but He does answer them ALL...
********************
35 weeks today... 5 weeks to go... OB says the baby is doing fabulously... BP meds increased to twice a day but the dose is still so small that I am not too concerned...
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Midnight Excitement
A bit of history: The daughter of one of our neighbors (we'll call her AH) has been in Paris for the last several months working on her MBA in International business... she is home for the summer even though her mom has been living on the East Coast and the house has been vacant for almost a year with the exception of the 2 kids coming and going at random intervals.
So the latest of my husband's favorite things to do is when we are about to go to sleep at night he knocks on the headboard and makes Bailey go crazy thinking someone is at the door.... yeah, he is pretty ornery.
So the other night, I am trying to sleep when I hear him doing this... Bailey goes crazy, then calms down, then he does it again... lather, rinse, repeat... this went on for about 15 minutes before he got bored... then I was out like a light.
A little later, I hear him doing it again, accompanied by Bailey barking like mad... I was about to get really ticked off when I realized the knocking was actually coming from the front door and it was more of an insistent banging than a knock. I feel him get up and head to the door... Then I hear a female voice in an absolute panic. I get up and head that way too...
Turns out, AH had been home alone when she got a text message that said "I'm here... unlock the door." She said she gets messages like that a lot and she just replies that they have the wrong number... but this time it really gave her the creeps. Whereas she typically just turns on the alarm before she heads to bed, she decided to go ahead and lock all the doors as well (something rarely done in our neighborhood). She had just locked one of the doors and headed to the other when she heard the beep of the alarm signaling that a door had opened... then the alarm was tripped and she froze, until the system voice came on and said "Get out of the house NOW!" and she thought "OK" and she took off out the door she was standing in front of... our house was the closest and she knew we were home.
So my husband grabs his gun and flashlight and heads over to check things out while she calls her mom (the one who the alarm company would call to inform that the alarm was tripped) to let her know she was out of the house, safe at our place, and that she was calling the police.
My husband came back and said he didn't see anything but that the dog, a standard poodle named Lu Lu, was about to lose her mind and snarled if he even got remotely close to her... so they headed over together to get the dog then came back to wait for the police.
Bailey and Lu Lu were so happy to play, they were oblivious to us heading outside to meet the cops. The police checked things out and found nothing... but they said that the door that tripped the alarm was unlocked but not open while 2 other doors were locked but not completely closed so they were able to easily push them open. The unlocked door was the one AH had just locked a minute or 2 before the alarm went off... we never did figure out how it came to be unlocked...
AH was really shaken up (not surprising given the events of the early morning hours and her history of being stalked as a undergrad and nearly being kidnapped last spring while in Paris) so we fixed her up a bed so she could stay the night with us instead of going home to the big empty house... although an hour later, her brother convinced her to stay with him, which was only 10 minutes away...
The whole thing was so strange... our neighborhood is so quiet that we would have heard footsteps running away or a car starting over the hill or around the corner and we heard nothing... And between my husband, Lu Lu, and the cops, it was clear there was no one in the house... very, very strange...
So that was our excitement for the week...
********************
31 weeks today... lots of Braxton-Hicks and a few really uncomfortable contractions...
So the latest of my husband's favorite things to do is when we are about to go to sleep at night he knocks on the headboard and makes Bailey go crazy thinking someone is at the door.... yeah, he is pretty ornery.
So the other night, I am trying to sleep when I hear him doing this... Bailey goes crazy, then calms down, then he does it again... lather, rinse, repeat... this went on for about 15 minutes before he got bored... then I was out like a light.
A little later, I hear him doing it again, accompanied by Bailey barking like mad... I was about to get really ticked off when I realized the knocking was actually coming from the front door and it was more of an insistent banging than a knock. I feel him get up and head to the door... Then I hear a female voice in an absolute panic. I get up and head that way too...
Turns out, AH had been home alone when she got a text message that said "I'm here... unlock the door." She said she gets messages like that a lot and she just replies that they have the wrong number... but this time it really gave her the creeps. Whereas she typically just turns on the alarm before she heads to bed, she decided to go ahead and lock all the doors as well (something rarely done in our neighborhood). She had just locked one of the doors and headed to the other when she heard the beep of the alarm signaling that a door had opened... then the alarm was tripped and she froze, until the system voice came on and said "Get out of the house NOW!" and she thought "OK" and she took off out the door she was standing in front of... our house was the closest and she knew we were home.
So my husband grabs his gun and flashlight and heads over to check things out while she calls her mom (the one who the alarm company would call to inform that the alarm was tripped) to let her know she was out of the house, safe at our place, and that she was calling the police.
My husband came back and said he didn't see anything but that the dog, a standard poodle named Lu Lu, was about to lose her mind and snarled if he even got remotely close to her... so they headed over together to get the dog then came back to wait for the police.
Bailey and Lu Lu were so happy to play, they were oblivious to us heading outside to meet the cops. The police checked things out and found nothing... but they said that the door that tripped the alarm was unlocked but not open while 2 other doors were locked but not completely closed so they were able to easily push them open. The unlocked door was the one AH had just locked a minute or 2 before the alarm went off... we never did figure out how it came to be unlocked...
AH was really shaken up (not surprising given the events of the early morning hours and her history of being stalked as a undergrad and nearly being kidnapped last spring while in Paris) so we fixed her up a bed so she could stay the night with us instead of going home to the big empty house... although an hour later, her brother convinced her to stay with him, which was only 10 minutes away...
The whole thing was so strange... our neighborhood is so quiet that we would have heard footsteps running away or a car starting over the hill or around the corner and we heard nothing... And between my husband, Lu Lu, and the cops, it was clear there was no one in the house... very, very strange...
So that was our excitement for the week...
********************
31 weeks today... lots of Braxton-Hicks and a few really uncomfortable contractions...
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Honey... Aahhh Sugar Sugar
Warning: This gets graphic...
So I went in on the 20th for the 3 hour glucose tolerance test (GTT).
I managed to do okay overnight with just water and no snacks... but by the time I got to the lab, I was actually looking forward to the glucose drink.
They open at 7:30, I got there at 7:15 and there were already 5 people waiting on the bench outside the door... I was a bit confused as to why no one (clearly not pregnant and strong enough to stand) offered me their seat... when the doors opened, I figured out that the seating arrangement was clearly the line as everyone started signing in...
So I get up to the front to sign in and I told them I was there for a GTT (there was a sign on the wall telling me to notify them of this when signing in). The tech said "Great! I'll grab you the drink!"
Me: Don't you need to do the fasting blood draw first?
Tech: Are you here for the 1 hour screen?
Me: No, the 3 hour test.
Tech: You have to make an apt for that.
Me: My OBs office told me I could walk in this morning!!!
I was freaking out! I took a day off work, I was ready to chew my arm off, and they were telling me I needed an apt!!! After a few questions about who my OB was and a phone call to their lab supervisor, they figured out they had spots designated for 3 people from my OBs practice every Monday... so all was well... kind of...
By the time they called me back for the fasting blood draw, it was 8:15. I apologized in advance to the tech for any snippy behavior or comments I might make since I probably would have eaten bloody road kill by then if I had it in front of me. She smiled and said "no problem."
So they take my blood and I gulp down the glucose drink and I head out to the lobby to wait with instructions to let them know at 9:13 if I hadn't been called back for the first hour blood draw.
I sat and read and people came and went and all was well.
Then Spider Baby decided my stomach was a fun new toy, all squishy and with out that lumpy food stuff in it... I changed positions and walked around and still we thumped away on the glucose filled water balloon...
It was 8:58... only 15 minutes to go...
And then came the taste... you know the one you get in the back of your mouth right before you toss your cookies? Yeah, this was gonna be bad...
I grab my purse and sprint to the restroom... I just made it through the door then it started to come up... I kept my mouth closed as long as possible as I flew into the first open stall I saw... but when I got there, the pressure behind my lips was too great and I projected all over the toilet and wall and floor...
Now how is it possible to throw up that much when all that was in my tummy was 12 oz of glucose and bile? There was easily that much on the wall and floor alone... And it kept coming!
There happened to be a nurse in there and she offered me a wet paper towel and asked if I was going to be alright or if I needed anything... I told her I was fine, thanks, and then she left...
And then I started to cry...
I was going to have to start all over... I was gonna have to drink that stuff again... It was gonna be another hour before I could eat anything...
I went back to the waiting room and when they called my name, I went back and told the tech what happened... She called my OBs office and I spoke with the nurse. She said that I would have to do the test with a diet instead...
Me: How does that work?
Nurse: 3/4 cup sugar frosted flakes, 1 cup skim milk, 2 slices dry white toast, and 1 cup orange juice... and the first blood draw needs to be 1 hour after the last bite.
Hoorah!!! I could still get the test over with that day!!! I ran to the store to get the stuff I didn't have at home then headed to my house to finally eat something... then back to the lab to wait my turn for the blood draws.
Why was I not given the diet option before? I guess I'll know for next time...
It is 5 days later and I still have not heard anything... where as I knew 2 days after each of the 1 hour screens that something wasn't right... no news is good news I guess.
So I went in on the 20th for the 3 hour glucose tolerance test (GTT).
I managed to do okay overnight with just water and no snacks... but by the time I got to the lab, I was actually looking forward to the glucose drink.
They open at 7:30, I got there at 7:15 and there were already 5 people waiting on the bench outside the door... I was a bit confused as to why no one (clearly not pregnant and strong enough to stand) offered me their seat... when the doors opened, I figured out that the seating arrangement was clearly the line as everyone started signing in...
So I get up to the front to sign in and I told them I was there for a GTT (there was a sign on the wall telling me to notify them of this when signing in). The tech said "Great! I'll grab you the drink!"
Me: Don't you need to do the fasting blood draw first?
Tech: Are you here for the 1 hour screen?
Me: No, the 3 hour test.
Tech: You have to make an apt for that.
Me: My OBs office told me I could walk in this morning!!!
I was freaking out! I took a day off work, I was ready to chew my arm off, and they were telling me I needed an apt!!! After a few questions about who my OB was and a phone call to their lab supervisor, they figured out they had spots designated for 3 people from my OBs practice every Monday... so all was well... kind of...
By the time they called me back for the fasting blood draw, it was 8:15. I apologized in advance to the tech for any snippy behavior or comments I might make since I probably would have eaten bloody road kill by then if I had it in front of me. She smiled and said "no problem."
So they take my blood and I gulp down the glucose drink and I head out to the lobby to wait with instructions to let them know at 9:13 if I hadn't been called back for the first hour blood draw.
I sat and read and people came and went and all was well.
Then Spider Baby decided my stomach was a fun new toy, all squishy and with out that lumpy food stuff in it... I changed positions and walked around and still we thumped away on the glucose filled water balloon...
It was 8:58... only 15 minutes to go...
And then came the taste... you know the one you get in the back of your mouth right before you toss your cookies? Yeah, this was gonna be bad...
I grab my purse and sprint to the restroom... I just made it through the door then it started to come up... I kept my mouth closed as long as possible as I flew into the first open stall I saw... but when I got there, the pressure behind my lips was too great and I projected all over the toilet and wall and floor...
Now how is it possible to throw up that much when all that was in my tummy was 12 oz of glucose and bile? There was easily that much on the wall and floor alone... And it kept coming!
There happened to be a nurse in there and she offered me a wet paper towel and asked if I was going to be alright or if I needed anything... I told her I was fine, thanks, and then she left...
And then I started to cry...
I was going to have to start all over... I was gonna have to drink that stuff again... It was gonna be another hour before I could eat anything...
I went back to the waiting room and when they called my name, I went back and told the tech what happened... She called my OBs office and I spoke with the nurse. She said that I would have to do the test with a diet instead...
Me: How does that work?
Nurse: 3/4 cup sugar frosted flakes, 1 cup skim milk, 2 slices dry white toast, and 1 cup orange juice... and the first blood draw needs to be 1 hour after the last bite.
Hoorah!!! I could still get the test over with that day!!! I ran to the store to get the stuff I didn't have at home then headed to my house to finally eat something... then back to the lab to wait my turn for the blood draws.
Why was I not given the diet option before? I guess I'll know for next time...
It is 5 days later and I still have not heard anything... where as I knew 2 days after each of the 1 hour screens that something wasn't right... no news is good news I guess.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Water Dog
Bailey likes playing in water but she is not a swimmer.
Last summer, she was rudely introduced to the lake when she was riding too close to the front of the pontoon and, while learning to drive it, I slowed too quickly and she flew off the front. I quickly put the boat in neutral so she wouldn't get hurt by the propeller... the boat went right over top of her and my husband ran to the back of the boat to coach her back to the boat and to jump in to get her if need be. She was able to swim to the boat but it was quite clear she was not a dog meant for swimming in the lake... her "doggy paddle" was her frantically splashing the water with her front paws while her back paws dragged uselessly behind her. From then on, I put her life jacket on her every time we got on the boat together.
Later in the summer, I watched a couple of dogs jumping into the water off boats anchored in the middle of the lake to go after balls that had been tossed in by the owner. The dogs actually used the people ladders to get back on the boat. I figured I could try it with Bailey... so the next time we went out, I put her life jacket on and tossed her in right beside the ladder. I then guided her around to the ladder and held her front paws onto the top rung and waited for her to find the bottom rung with her back paws. We did this a few times and she hated it. Even if we were on the shore by our docks where she could walk in and out and be able to touch, she avoided the water at our lake.
But at the dog park, you couldn't keep her out of the water. She jumps and splashes and plays and loves it. I figure its not as scary since the water just sits there and there are no waves and she can touch the whole time...
This year, we got out boat in the water late and it had been too hot to take her on it once it was in the water... but the morning of July 5th, it was cool and I was taking my friend's 10 year old daughter out to swim while we waited for her mom to wake up... I figured I would take Bailey too since it was so cool and we didn't plan to be out very long.
So we get out to our swimming cove and drop anchor. I put Bailey's life jacket on just in case because she was acting so excited. We opened the door to the front of the boat and the little girl jumped in... and Bailey followed right behind her!!! I was so shocked! So I ran to the front and guided her in the right direction to get her back to the ladder and away from the girl so Bailey wouldn't drown her. I went to the back of the boat and called Bailey around to me and she swam right to the ladder. I put her paws on the top rung just like last year and she managed to get herself out with lots of help from me. Bailey walked around on the boat for a minute and the little girl climbed out so she could jump in again... But before she could get to the front of the boat, Bailey ran past her and jumped in again!!! Again I called her around to the ladder and again I helped her out... I closed the door to the front so she wouldn't jump in again.
Bailey is 82 lbs now... I had to do most of the work to get her up the ladder... I was 27 weeks 3 days... 2 times was enough to wear me out. We took Bailey back to the house because I couldn't keep doing that... She hasn't been back out on the boat since because I won't take her if I am by myself and my husband hasn't been out since then.
I don't know what made her jump in like she did. I thought the first time she was going after the little girl but realized she couldn't touch too late... she looked frantic when she got the ladder after the first time. But then she did it again before the girl jumped in again so that didn't make any sense, and she looked just as frantic the second time around... so I am confused...
Maybe we have a water dog on our hands after all... ?
********************
29 weeks today... our latest trick is testing the limits of my ribs and hip bones...
Last summer, she was rudely introduced to the lake when she was riding too close to the front of the pontoon and, while learning to drive it, I slowed too quickly and she flew off the front. I quickly put the boat in neutral so she wouldn't get hurt by the propeller... the boat went right over top of her and my husband ran to the back of the boat to coach her back to the boat and to jump in to get her if need be. She was able to swim to the boat but it was quite clear she was not a dog meant for swimming in the lake... her "doggy paddle" was her frantically splashing the water with her front paws while her back paws dragged uselessly behind her. From then on, I put her life jacket on her every time we got on the boat together.
Later in the summer, I watched a couple of dogs jumping into the water off boats anchored in the middle of the lake to go after balls that had been tossed in by the owner. The dogs actually used the people ladders to get back on the boat. I figured I could try it with Bailey... so the next time we went out, I put her life jacket on and tossed her in right beside the ladder. I then guided her around to the ladder and held her front paws onto the top rung and waited for her to find the bottom rung with her back paws. We did this a few times and she hated it. Even if we were on the shore by our docks where she could walk in and out and be able to touch, she avoided the water at our lake.
But at the dog park, you couldn't keep her out of the water. She jumps and splashes and plays and loves it. I figure its not as scary since the water just sits there and there are no waves and she can touch the whole time...
This year, we got out boat in the water late and it had been too hot to take her on it once it was in the water... but the morning of July 5th, it was cool and I was taking my friend's 10 year old daughter out to swim while we waited for her mom to wake up... I figured I would take Bailey too since it was so cool and we didn't plan to be out very long.
So we get out to our swimming cove and drop anchor. I put Bailey's life jacket on just in case because she was acting so excited. We opened the door to the front of the boat and the little girl jumped in... and Bailey followed right behind her!!! I was so shocked! So I ran to the front and guided her in the right direction to get her back to the ladder and away from the girl so Bailey wouldn't drown her. I went to the back of the boat and called Bailey around to me and she swam right to the ladder. I put her paws on the top rung just like last year and she managed to get herself out with lots of help from me. Bailey walked around on the boat for a minute and the little girl climbed out so she could jump in again... But before she could get to the front of the boat, Bailey ran past her and jumped in again!!! Again I called her around to the ladder and again I helped her out... I closed the door to the front so she wouldn't jump in again.
Bailey is 82 lbs now... I had to do most of the work to get her up the ladder... I was 27 weeks 3 days... 2 times was enough to wear me out. We took Bailey back to the house because I couldn't keep doing that... She hasn't been back out on the boat since because I won't take her if I am by myself and my husband hasn't been out since then.
I don't know what made her jump in like she did. I thought the first time she was going after the little girl but realized she couldn't touch too late... she looked frantic when she got the ladder after the first time. But then she did it again before the girl jumped in again so that didn't make any sense, and she looked just as frantic the second time around... so I am confused...
Maybe we have a water dog on our hands after all... ?
********************
29 weeks today... our latest trick is testing the limits of my ribs and hip bones...
Friday, June 12, 2009
You Can't Fix Stupid
Working in a big city hospital, I see and hear a lot of wacky things. And yet, there are still some things that surprise me.
I was walking down the hall when I patient came out of her room dressed like she was headed outside. I figured she was headed out to smoke. A social worker was reviewing her chart at the time and told the new mom that she needed to wait a few minutes because the she was about to come in to talk to her. The patient said, "I just need to run outside for a minute, I'll be right back." The social worker, matter-of-factly and plain as day, loud enough for me to hear as I was passing by, said, "Are you going out to buy drugs?" I just kept walking and didn't look back.
There was a family who was being counseled about the baby they were about to have. The ultrasounds had revealed spina bifida and the baby was going to be born via c-section and taken straight to the NICU for evaluation to determine if the baby needed to be transfered to the local children's hospital or if it would remain in our NICU. After the extensive counseling session with a social worker, OB-GYN, neonatalogist, NICU nurse, and patient advocate, the father-to-be asked, "so will the baby be able to stay in our room with us the whole time?"
There was a baby who did not pass his hearing screen in the NICU and I was working with the family trying to get the out patient appointment set up and give directions and instructions for where they needed to go and what they needed to do. The mother and father lived at different addresses and when I was writing down the address for mom and giving it to the follow-up facility, dad kept asking if I needed to change the address to his. I asked him where the baby's full-time residence would be and he said the mother's home. I told him that was the address we needed for the paperwork. We went through it 3 times before he stopped asking me to change the address. Later on, right before they were were leaving, he asked the nurse, "when are you going to put the chip in his neck?" Huh?
Nurse: I'm sorry?
Dad: You know, the chip so we can find him if he gets lost.
Nurse: We don't do that here.
What did this guy think? That his child was a dog? All I can figure is he may have seen the Duracell commercial with the child locator (which creeps me out anyway) and didn't realize it was a key chain type device you attach to the child, not a chip you implant in their neck!
*********************
24 weeks today :-)
I was walking down the hall when I patient came out of her room dressed like she was headed outside. I figured she was headed out to smoke. A social worker was reviewing her chart at the time and told the new mom that she needed to wait a few minutes because the she was about to come in to talk to her. The patient said, "I just need to run outside for a minute, I'll be right back." The social worker, matter-of-factly and plain as day, loud enough for me to hear as I was passing by, said, "Are you going out to buy drugs?" I just kept walking and didn't look back.
There was a family who was being counseled about the baby they were about to have. The ultrasounds had revealed spina bifida and the baby was going to be born via c-section and taken straight to the NICU for evaluation to determine if the baby needed to be transfered to the local children's hospital or if it would remain in our NICU. After the extensive counseling session with a social worker, OB-GYN, neonatalogist, NICU nurse, and patient advocate, the father-to-be asked, "so will the baby be able to stay in our room with us the whole time?"
There was a baby who did not pass his hearing screen in the NICU and I was working with the family trying to get the out patient appointment set up and give directions and instructions for where they needed to go and what they needed to do. The mother and father lived at different addresses and when I was writing down the address for mom and giving it to the follow-up facility, dad kept asking if I needed to change the address to his. I asked him where the baby's full-time residence would be and he said the mother's home. I told him that was the address we needed for the paperwork. We went through it 3 times before he stopped asking me to change the address. Later on, right before they were were leaving, he asked the nurse, "when are you going to put the chip in his neck?" Huh?
Nurse: I'm sorry?
Dad: You know, the chip so we can find him if he gets lost.
Nurse: We don't do that here.
What did this guy think? That his child was a dog? All I can figure is he may have seen the Duracell commercial with the child locator (which creeps me out anyway) and didn't realize it was a key chain type device you attach to the child, not a chip you implant in their neck!
*********************
24 weeks today :-)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Cold
It is so cold.
How cold is it?
It is so cold that Bailey has taught herself how to crawl under the covers on our bed.
It is so cold that Bailey has learned that warm air comes from the blower on the fireplace and stands there to keep warm.
It is so cold that when Bailey got slimed at the dog park, it was frozen before I could wipe it off.
It is so cold that the 3 of us sleep in a heap cuddled close, both my husband and I in hooded sweatshirts, under a sheet, 2 blankets, and a comforter.
It is so cold that my husband is starting to feel guilty about not having the furnace repaired before January...
How cold is it?
It is so cold that Bailey has taught herself how to crawl under the covers on our bed.
It is so cold that Bailey has learned that warm air comes from the blower on the fireplace and stands there to keep warm.
It is so cold that when Bailey got slimed at the dog park, it was frozen before I could wipe it off.
It is so cold that the 3 of us sleep in a heap cuddled close, both my husband and I in hooded sweatshirts, under a sheet, 2 blankets, and a comforter.
It is so cold that my husband is starting to feel guilty about not having the furnace repaired before January...
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Resolution
Happy New Year!
After all the crazy hours I put into work last year, I resolved to relax more and spend more time with my family.
My husband's schedule recently changed and now I see him almost every day. My SIL is expecting our first niece or nephew in March and, though they don't know it yet, I plan to take some vacation time to help her and my little brother out once the grandparents have exhausted themselves. And Bailey and I are spending a lot of quality time together.
Just yesterday, she followed me around while I cleaned the house (yes, I do clean every once in a while but my husband was shocked about this as well) and then we cuddled on the couch watching movies together most of the afternoon and evening. It was nice to just hang out at home and enjoy the warmth of my cuddly dog while we relaxed in front of a fire on a very cold day.
I hope you all have a happy and blessed new year!
After all the crazy hours I put into work last year, I resolved to relax more and spend more time with my family.
My husband's schedule recently changed and now I see him almost every day. My SIL is expecting our first niece or nephew in March and, though they don't know it yet, I plan to take some vacation time to help her and my little brother out once the grandparents have exhausted themselves. And Bailey and I are spending a lot of quality time together.
Just yesterday, she followed me around while I cleaned the house (yes, I do clean every once in a while but my husband was shocked about this as well) and then we cuddled on the couch watching movies together most of the afternoon and evening. It was nice to just hang out at home and enjoy the warmth of my cuddly dog while we relaxed in front of a fire on a very cold day.
I hope you all have a happy and blessed new year!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Ornament
A lady at my church is expecting her third child. She and her OB/GYN are on very good terms and easily joke about all kinds of stuff throughout her exams.
She decided to get him a Christmas gift but was not sure what would be the most appropriate. So she did some digging on the web and found a brand new speculum pretty cheap.
When it arrived, she added some pipe cleaners, a small red poofy ball and some googly eyes and transformed the boring piece of medical equipment into a reindeer ornament... I wish I had a picture...
********************
Bailey's weight has been fluctuating lately. We switched her food to the adult formula right after her first birthday so that may have something to do with it. She was 78.5 on the 7th.
She decided to get him a Christmas gift but was not sure what would be the most appropriate. So she did some digging on the web and found a brand new speculum pretty cheap.
When it arrived, she added some pipe cleaners, a small red poofy ball and some googly eyes and transformed the boring piece of medical equipment into a reindeer ornament... I wish I had a picture...
********************
Bailey's weight has been fluctuating lately. We switched her food to the adult formula right after her first birthday so that may have something to do with it. She was 78.5 on the 7th.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
I Did It!!!
I did it!!! Thirty posts in 30 days! I can't believe it.
So I kept my promise and posted each day during the month of November. I decided to keep this blog going. It helps me free my brain and keeps me from having to repeat my stories a million times...
Thanks for putting up with me this month. The plan from now on is to post once a week. Sometimes I will post more, sometimes less. I will try to keep my rambling to a minimum.
So I kept my promise and posted each day during the month of November. I decided to keep this blog going. It helps me free my brain and keeps me from having to repeat my stories a million times...
Thanks for putting up with me this month. The plan from now on is to post once a week. Sometimes I will post more, sometimes less. I will try to keep my rambling to a minimum.
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