Why I haven't posted lately

Well, I realized this morning that I haven't posted anything in nearly 3 weeks. Its been a busy, crazy, and heartbreaking three weeks.

After my last post, I had an appointment on Thursday, and ended up having to be put on bed rest and do some tests to make sure I didn't have pre-eclampsia. Went to the hospital on 12/5 for testing, everything was okay-except my blood pressure was slightly elevated. My instructions were to be back on bed rest till Monday morning, and come back to the hospital then for the same testing and an ultrasound. Okay-no problem.

Sunday, 12/6, we recieved a phone call from Jack's mom saying that something was wrong with Dad. He ended up going to the hospital via ambulance, stayed in the ER all day, seemed to be doing better till about 10:00 p.m. when his blood pressure crashed and they had to put him on a vent. I made Jack take me to the hospital. I spent my time there holding Dad's hand. Then my brother in law Mark took me home because I think him and Jack knew what was coming. I got home about 1:30 a.m., and around 2:30-3:00 a.m. Jack got home and told me that Dad didn't make it. His body just couldn't take what was going on in it anymore. It was horrible. I haven't experienced the loss of a parent, but my father in law was truly another Dad to me. We had a special relationship that developed over the last nine years, and I would jokingly tell him I was his "favorite daughter in law"-he would always smile and say "yes you are" with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

That week the whole family came into town, it was the first time since Jack's and my wedding that all 8 kids had been together. It was an emotional week, with lots of time spent reminiscing around the kitchen table. Everyone had funny stories to tell about Dad.

The last two weeks have been uneventful-we're still missing Dad terribly, but the sharpness of the pain has subsided, its more like an ache-you know, when you miss someone and know you won't see them again for a long time. We are finding hope in the fact that our little boy is healthy and everything is okay with my bloodwork and labs and with him on the monitors and ultrasounds. We are also hopeful that he'll arrive before Christmas, but I am beginning to feel like I will be pregnant forever.

I now have weekly ultrasounds, and am onto weekly appointments, but they do non stress tests weekly too now. As I said, so far, everything has been fine, so there is no medical reason to induce my labor. I am just growing impatient and a little weary-I want to hold this little boy in my arms, and snuggle him, and kiss him, and tell him I love him. But, I guess Grandpa hasn't finished playing with him, and giving him advice on how to live a good life. When Grandpa's done with that task, I guess he'll come.

Okay, I know I am impatient

I am now 36 weeks pregnant, and all I can think of is having this baby. Soon. I would love for him to arrive within the next two weeks. I keep telling him that whenever he wants to come out, he's more than welcome to. I even had a dream that I was in labor last night. Never mind that it was completely a whack-a-doo dream that I usually have (I was in a sailboat with Jack and the couple that bought ours, but it wasn't the one we sold them, and the boat was going fast and there was a big ol' catfish swimming in the boat because there was water in it, and it kept swimming up to me and I was in labor. Weird.) To say the least, I am anxious and excited all at once, and really want to meet the little boy who keeps pretending to be a soccer player in my belly.
Anyhow, apart from that dream, I slept horribly last night. I have done NOTHING all day. It was an effort to shower. Seriously. I need to do something soon-maybe I'll change the sheets on our bed and put away laundry.
I have my 36 week appointment on Thursday. Fun times. Those of you who have been pregnant know what that means! ;) Maybe the OB can tell me some good news-like "oh my, you're really dilated and thinned out, you should be ready to go to the hospital today!" Yeah, I know I am dreaming there.

All we need is the baby...

So we're pretty much all set. I am running out today to Walmart to get the monitor that we decided we wanted, before the crazy holiday shopping crowds start, and I have to park a mile away. Maybe I can find the mobile for the crib there too. I generally really dislike Walmart, but the price on the monitor is $10 less than at Babies R Us, and its available at the store, rather than only online.

In addition to that stuff, I need to pick up cranberry sauce and two types of juices for Thanksgiving. And maybe run to Bath and Bodyworks to get a couple of gifts for girlfriends (using coupons, of course!)--and maybe some bath salts for me.

After all my shopping, I am going to come home and work in baby's room. I got two garbage bags full of clothes yesterday and a shopping bag full of toys!!! Woo hoo! They're all washed, but now I have to fold them and put them away. Of course, I'll have to re-organize the stuff that's already in the dressers. Gaah. I actually find it relaxing. And then its up to Jack to hang up the stuff for me on the walls. The only thing I am concerned about it making sure that the letter blocks that spell out baby's name are all even. That would drive me NUTS if they weren't evenly spaced and level on the wall. (And I'll drive Jack nuts putting them up!)

We also are pretty well set on the Christmas shopping. I need to stop by the bookstore and pick up the gift cards for the kiddos. Holy cow, each year I swear I am going to open up a Christmas club account, but I really think I am going to do it at the credit union this year. Really. Jack has money deposited each paycheck from there, so I could probably snag $15 each paycheck for the Christmas club--that would almost pay for all of our Christmas shopping for the family by the end of the year.

In the four days, I think that the baby has dropped down a bit. From the side, my belly looks lower. I have been feeling more pressure lower down, and his butt/legs/knees have been getting me lower in the rib cage. My next appointment isn't till 12/3, and hopefully they can give me an idea of what's going on!!!

Bargains galore

May I just state, for the record, how much I <3 Craigslist and eBay? Really, truly, madly, love love love these sites. Between the two of them, I just scored nearly $600 of stuff (what it would retail for, not including tax) for $195 (including shipping, $145 not including shipping)? Yeah, some of the stuff is used, but its in beautiful condition. Here's the loot:
-Tiddliwinks "Safari" 3 piece bedding set (new)
-bassinet-never used but put together
-boppy bouncer/vibration chair
-boppy pillow and cover
-diaper dekor pail and 2 refills
-fisher price papasan cradle swing (retails new for $150)
-fisher price papasan bouncer seat

This is what the money my mom gave us for the shower got us. We were thinking of spending $170 on bedding alone, but then I thought of the fact that we dont' even spend that on OUR own bedding (which is queen sized) and we could get so much more on craigslist or ebay.

I also have a line on 0-12 month clothing for a little boy, and an exersaucer, if the sale falls through. Woo hoo!

Weekend update

I had a wonderful weekend, especially at my baby shower. It went off perfectly and was totally wonderful and sweet, and it was sooo nice to be surrounded with love for me, Jack and baby Jack. I did cry when I saw the package from my mom, that contained the quilt that her mom made for her when she was a baby. Mom wrote "to baby Jack. love Great Grandma Dot". I miss Grandma so terribly, and it always is compounded around the holidays because thats when she passed (12/12/94). I had a really wonderful time, didn't have anything to return to the stores, and didn't get any duplicates of anything. There are still a few things that we need to get-diaper pail, bedding, some more recieving blankets (I never thought I would say that!!), burp cloths, changing pad covers, diaper bags, toys and books, swing, bouncer, gates, and pack n play that has a bassinet in it. But those things can be gotten any time now.

Today I had my 34 week doctor's appointment. It went really well. No issues-still measuring a week ahead, as I have been since week 30. I just have a short torso and probably a tall baby. When the nurse, Renee, stuck the doppler to my belly to get his heartrate, he started kicking and punching at it. He kept it up for a while. It was funny. And the midwife and I had a giggle over how bad reflux can get-she once took so much Maalox when she was pregnant that her next BM was white!!! Yikes! I need to run to the pharmacy to get some Zantac 150 to help with mine. Its been truly awful.

I feel really good still-just getting anxious and excited for this little fella to arrive. He is welcome anytime after November 30. No sooner.

Furniture is together and where it belongs in Jack's room! We have started to put away things and organize what baby stuff we already have. The room is on the small-ish size, but that's okay, because the baby will be small for a while. The room will work for him for a while. Till we get a new house. :)

I am happy that today is Thursday. That means tomorrow is Friday and then its the weekend. I love weekends, especially now when they're a bit more low key than what we're used to-we're used to running all over, doing a ton of things, etc. But this weekend will be busy-my shower is on saturday, and then a friends' son's birthday party is on Sunday. And of course, couch time and football on Sunday too! The following weekend we're going to Syracuse to get the bedding for the baby's room (if we don't get it at the shower), and then we're going to the Everson Art museum because they have Monet's, Manet's, and Renoir's on exhibit, and I think if we wait much longer, we won't get to see them.

Today I am going to continue putting stuff away for the baby, play outside with Max for a bit (since I am not up to taking him for our walks anymore. boo.),and meet Jack for lunch.

The baby's room is coming together nicely--Jack did an awesome job of painting the room, and it is a nice cheerful, calming green color now. It was a blue/green/sage, but since its on the back of the house, and doesn't get alot of direct sunlight, it was a bit dark in the afternoon and evening. This color really brightens it up without being obnoxious. The furniture looks great too. We tried to put the crib together last night, but for some reasons the bolts were too long and were pushing the panels apart...huh. So, Jacks going to run to Lowes on his lunch and try to get the bolts that actually did work. If that doesn't work, he's going to get a grinder and grind down the bolts that are too long. He's a pretty clever guy! My job in the process is going to be telling him where I want the furniture, and then getting the rest of the stuff in place.

My shower is Saturday, and I am excited about it. I made up goodie bags for the kids who are going to be there. There are a couple of older girls who will be there, but they'll at least like the candy in the girls' bags! I made up a couple of boys' bags too, because I know there will be a couple of little boys. I need to get some chocolate and make up a wine and chocolate door prize because my mom wanted to give out a "kitchen witch" (a little figurine of a witch that hangs in your kitchen for some reason...) but I convinced her not to do that because when she was going to order it, it might have been late. I have wine in the basement, and can pick up some nice chocolate at Target. I just hope there is NO DRAMA. I am worried about that whenever there is a gathering like that, just because of dynamics.

Jack and I are continuing the purging cycle from the house. Getting rid of junk is such a good thing. I feel so much better and at ease when we have decluttered our home. We're getting there-its a work in progress. The office is coming along-we need to move a few more things around, and get rid of a few more things, and then put the treadmill in there. At that point I'll be ready to tackle the closet in there. Probably in the spring we'll attack the attic. We've got wedding gifts that weren't really our style that we still have in boxes. I'll probably have a garage sale in the spring.

Preggo brain strikes again!

Ha! I was on a roll doing laundry. Then I came downstairs with our flannel sheets I want to wash and dry this afternoon so I can put them back on the bed...and discovered that I forgot to start the dryer. I did everything else, including cleaning out the lint trap and adding the sheet. :) At least I have something to blame, other than just pure flakiness!

33 weeks

So, I am officially 33 weeks pregnant! Its wild to think that we could meet our little boy so soon, but it also seems like its so far off! He's been wiggling up a storm yesterday and today after a couple of quieter days. He usually does that, and just when I get worried, he starts wiggling pretty good. I also think that he's "shy" when we go places that aren't home. He did that when we went to Gina and John's and my sister's for a weekend, and then on Friday when we were at Dad's and Cathy's. I wonder what his personality is going to be like when he's here. I hope he's a mellow child. We will see though!!!

Jack has been working hard on the baby's room. Re-spackled the seams in the sheetrock, sanded them and painted the ceiling over the weekend. Today he's going to paint the trim and then do the walls while the trim is drying. And then tomorrow we'll be able to set up the furniture in the room after a final sweep/vacuum and mop.

My shower is this weekend and I am excited, but I am getting nervous. I admit to stalking my registries. I did this when we were getting married, and have been doing this now. So far only five things have been bought off of the registry. They're nice which is why we registered for them, and we're going to be grateful for everything, but heck, creating the registries was alot of work, and took alot of thought and research! At least we have the crib (thanks Leslie and Tammy!!)

Today's going to be a gorgeous day-I really wish I could get Max out for a walk but I have felt cervical pressure over the last couple of days that is aggravated by walking and standing. (yes, I called the doctor's about it, and they said to try to keep off my feet if I feel that, and to call if its accompanied by anything else like cramping, etc.)So, I think Max and I will hang out outside and play fetch for a bit. He's a great dog, and I am happy that we have him. He's gonna be so excited to play fetch-he could play it all day long and not get bored.

Just another thursday

Today I started going through baby stuff-again. Since I last went through it, and organized it, probably about six weeks ago, we have been given a bunch of stuff-mostly clothing. I have sorted the clothing out according to size and kept the winter stuff separate (buntings, etc.). The newborn, 0-3 and 3-6 month stuff is all in the same box, ready to go upstairs after Jack gets the room re-spackled, re-sanded, and re-painted. Of course I'll be washing it before we use it! So it probably doesn't need to go upstairs just yet, because it will need to be sent back downstairs to be washed and dried.

I have also gone through some boxes of books and school notebooks. Got rid of most of them. We have a pile of books we can sell online-and get about $165 for them! Amazing. We also have two boxes to donate to the library. That is in addition to my "bookins" pile-to trade online.

Saturday my friend Julie is coming over to do belly pictures for a shower gift. I feel badly that she won't be coming to the shower, but am happy that she's coming over! I don't know how I feel about my belly being the focus of the pictures, because I feel like a whale at this point, even though I am only up 18 lbs since my first prenatal appointment. Maybe she'll get some nice pictures from the front, the view that is much cuter.

Tomorrow we're heading up to see my Dad. This may be the last time we get up there before the baby arrives! Its crazy to think about that sort of stuff. When Jack and I last stayed at mom's house up there, I kept thinking "wow, next time we spend a weekend up here, we'll have a baby in tow!"

I have a bunch of things to do today-gotta go to the ATM, then the bank(s), then the pharmacy, and the grocery store and the cleaner. I need to press Jack's nice new shirts he got for tomorrow, and do a bunch of cleaning, since we'll be busy all day tomorrow and I want the house neat for when our friends come over on Saturday. I'll probably save vacuuming till then-because it will be pointless to do it today, I'll just have to redo it on Saturday!

Elections and stuff

I only have a couple minutes to write, because I need to go get to my sister in law's house to hang out with my 12 year old neice till they get back from a day trip to Boston for an appointment for my other niece. I don't call it babysitting, because at 12, she's too old to be babysat-heck, she's gone through the babysitter course herself!

I hope that everyone got out and rocked the vote yesterday. Can you tell I am a child of the 80's and 90's??? :) Even though it was a small election, I firmly believe that you need to exercise your right and duty each election, and vote in the primaries. Not everyone on this earth can do it, and I believe that, especially as a woman, it is of the upmost importance.

We are working on getting things ready for the baby...we have alot to do, and every day brings us one day closer to his arrival. Jack and I are getting super excited about meeting him, and hope that he is healthy and we can give him all the love in the world.

First post

Okay, so I have had a blog here or there before, but I wanted something to chronicle the day to day life that I lead, to connect with other mommies, wives, and women, and to get my thoughts out about what's going on in my world. Don't expect anything too profound, nor political or controversial-this is just my life and thoughts.

I think I am a normal 30-something woman, if there is such a thing. Married, educated (2 master's degrees), homeower (yes, I left the "n" out because we owe more than we own on our house), mommy to be in approximately 8 weeks. My husband and I have a dog, we love the outdoors, and love each other and our family. I tend to be a bit more conservative than I was when I was younger-something about having to earn a living makes you that way, I think-though on many things I am pretty moderate/liberal. I struggle with keeping the house as tidy as we would like it, but that's a product of having too much stuff-I will probably write about trying to get rid of stuff--and vent about people who try to give us stuff that we don't need/want. Saying no is hard for me.

Speaking of tidying up-I need to go fold some laundry-something I don't mind doing. I just mind putting it away!