Still gestating.

Somehow. Last night my left leg was so swollen. Yow. Then I was up at 5 30 this morning with a headache till I don't know 7? I wanted to call my ob, but didn't want to be "that patient". But then, a stroke did not sound appealing either.

I had just about calmed down and was on the phone with AYM when I looked at the laundry hamper and it was blurry. Just the laundry hamper. It was weird.

So I called the doctor and they said come in. I called poor Mister at work and he came to get me. My blood pressure was higher, but not terrible. Umm 134/80-something. Sea Monkey sounded fine so they told me to go home and stay off my feet and come back Tuesday.

I spent the day watching more Harry Potter movies and having Mister wait on me.

I really, REALLY want to be done with being pregnant. Not so much because I am uncomfortable( although I am) but because I am so close. He is baked. Let's stop fooling around. I am pretty freaked out that something will go wrong that could have been avoided if we just got him out now.

The good thing about today was that we realized there were some crucial things missing from our hospital bag. Like... the pediatrician's phone number, and the charger for Mister's Nintendo whatever thing. Not that I think I will be in active labor and Mister will be playing video games but I know we are looking at a lot of potential wait time. He might as well have something to do.

I had fine company all day, what with the almost constant headache. Sitting up, laying down- no difference. It's finally gone.

Tomorrow we are ( well Mister is) going to finish up odds and ends. Like MORE LAUNDRY. And picking up the changing pad and some sheets. We decided to wait on buying more diapers and stuff since it's not like we are on an island or something and I have no idea how fast Sea Monkey will grow.

I was thinking that since Sea Monkey is not supposed to have a bottle for a month, that we would wait till we actually needed it to rent the breast pump. Since it's like 80 dollars a month.

They took a peek and my cervix is still on lockdown. No nothing.

Someone asked my favorite authors. My all time favorite is Rex Stout. Absolutely re-readable. I have been reading him for over twenty years. Make sure you only read the Nero Wolfe mysteries, the others are not as good. I also like Steven Brust- I have been reading him over twenty years as well. He is the only sci fi author I like. I also really like Jan Karon, Charlaine Harris ( please don't judge her books by that wretched soft core HBO series), Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, Jennifer Allison, Louisa May Alcott, and Betty MacDonald. Those are the authors I read again and again. Do I need to say I love JK Rowling? Who doesn't? I really like Kim Harrison too, it's very hard to find good horror. There is so much shitty horror out there. Or porny horror. Ick.

I read a lot of different things, after being in a bookstore for so long. I like Stanley Bing's management books, and Jeffrey Steingarten, Ruth Reichl, and James Beard for cooking. I read a lot of biographies and I also like economy books. Asking a bookseller their favorite book is a little like asking an artist their favorite color. It depends. Depends on my mood, the season, the weather, and who I'm talking to. For example, I LOVED Jenna Jameson's book How To Make Love Like A Porn Star- but people are pretty closed minded about porn so I don't get to suggest that one too much. It's a great book, I am very impressed by her.

I have a huge pile of one-offs I loved. Like... The Prizewinner of Defiance Ohio, or In The Land Of Invisible Women, or Cycler. Cycler is an AWESOME book about a girl who turns into a boy once a month.

I also have a HUGE list of hates. I HATE every book Oprah has ever suggested. I can say with complete confidence that I will ALWAYS hate every book she likes. Bleak, depressing, psycho-babble. If you DO like Oprah's books- don't tell me. Remember my blood pressure.

I have to go back to laying on my fat ass.

Home again, home again

I really am surprised. I was so sure I would be going into the hospital today that I actually brought the bag with me.

Anyhow, I gained THREE POUNDS in the last six days and I have a little protein in my urine. My blood pressure is not terrible though, it is hanging out around 130/80. Still safe. They took more urine so they could test it further. Sea Monkey did fab on his non-stress test. I should have the pee test results by next week. We go back on Tuesday.

My cervix is still closed, so no amniotic leak. Happy to say, I'm just peeing my panties. NICE.

I will get a nursery picture posted soon. http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=309775&cmSource=Search That link should take you to the crib tent. They have one for the pack n play too. I think we will order that as well. They have a nifty one you can use outside also.

Soooo I am feeling somewhat mixed. I am glad my cervix is on lockdown and I don't have to worry about going into labor tomorrow during THE THIRD FREAKIN SNOWSTORM THIS DAMN MONTH. Because I was worried about that. But I am not thrilled about the protein and the three pounds.

I am going to go lay my fat ass down and not get up.

Another freakin storm???

Really? I mean, REALLY ? We still have snow from the last one. Anyhow, I rescheduled my ob appointment for tomorrow morning. My sister is taking me. Argh. Is it bad that I am almost hoping I will be dilated tomorrow so that I can just get checked into the hospital and be done with it? As opposed to looking at the snow mound up and hoping nothing happens?

*Note to self, the next time I conquer years of infertility I will arrange to be due in May or June. Certainly NOT late February or early March.*

I think I had one or two false contractions yesterday.

You can see where our office ceiling is starting to bow from the leak. I hope to God they can get started soon.

Mister almost popped a vein setting up the crib tent yesterday. It was not easy. It looks easy, and may in fact BE easy if your crib is the same on all four sides. Ours however, is higher in the back. However, the cats can't get in and that was the goal. We tested it out and put them right on top. No problems.

Argh. They said we might lose power with this storm, since it will be so heavy. They are saying like a hurricane but with snow. Fun.

My blood pressure is trending a little higher now. But not in the danger zone. Just higher than I'd like. I suppose we'll see what they say tomorrow.

The shower

I may have to do this in parts, because my carpel tunnel is awful today.

We were both up early yesterday, I started in the normal way, cleaning cat puke. Thanks guys.

We were on the road by 10 and there a little after 11. My Dad did a wonderful job pretending he did not want to kill my Mom and of course Mom is oblivious to people wanting to kill her. The house was very cute, with balloons and signs and my stepmom KILLED herself making a ton of food that looked delicious. The first round of the shower was very nice and I got so much stuff. Holy Cats. I was so, so happy to get the Peter Rabbit quilt and crib sheet and valance from Children's Pottery Barn. It did not come off Wishpot but my Aunt bought them. And we are so happy because it is out of stock now. We got diapers and wipes and a mattress , and a boppy and a highchair,and a bouncer and clothes and toys and books. Umm, we got TWO copies of Good Night Moon. I hate that book. Not as much as I hate/am freaked out by Love You Forever, but I am thinking I might donate the Good Night Moons, because I am NOT taking the chance that I might get stuck reading that book over and over. I hate the word "mush". I can't return them because I don't have the receipts. I might TRY and return/exchange them at Borders. Because I really want the Rainbow Fish book.

It was very nice to see everyone and of course to see The Cutest Baby Ever, AYM's. Truly, the cutest. So precious.

My arm is NUMB from the elbow down. Sonofabitch.

Anyhow, we are so lucky to have gotten so many lovely things. I really can't believe how much we were given. And it's a godsend because of the roof, and we are still getting hospital bills from New Year's Eve. We got one on Friday for $250. Insurance covered over 3,000 so 250 is not a big deal, but it is still money we were hoping to spend on Sea Monkey.

AYM and my cousin win for funniest gifts, with the Snot Sucker and the rectal thermometer. Hahahahahahaha

Soooooo I almost cried twice at the morning shower because my Great Aunt told me she was praying for us, and truly I am thankful. I just won't feel safe till Sea Monkey is out of my damn treacherous body.

Daddy and my Stepmom are coming down this evening because we got too much to fit in one car trip. Holy Cats. We are going to pick her up some flowers. And chocolates. Mister said in the car that he was so thankful to my sister and dad and stepmom because they have helped us so much. It would have been so much harder without them. He said( and he is 100% right) that my stepmom filled in the role of Mom for me at the shower. Cooking and cleaning and bustling while my own Mom was her well... herself.

So we are going to get her a big bunch of flowers today and hunt down some luscious chocolates. I am thinking either See's or Sucre. There is another dude who is supposed to be topnotch but his name escapes me.

And I had cake. And it was freakin DELICIOUS. One small piece in the afternoon and one at night. YUM.

I only got mad, umm three times. Once when Mom was doing that ineffectual fussing thing she does, and once when my Mother in Law was saying " And THAT is what the baby is wearing home from the hospital". Umm, I have chosen WHAT the baby is wearing home and it is from Auntie Camo and is cute as can be. But thanks for playing.

The other time I got mad was when she kept insisting I would be afraid to put the baby down and that I could not do everything and etc along the lines that I won't know what to do.

Now listen dammit. I am afraid of labor. I am afraid of the baby dying in the next few weeks. I am afraid of pooping in front of my own, personal, husband.

But I am NOT afraid of taking care of my baby. I have taken care of PLENTY of babies. I can care for three at one time. I worked in daycare for seven years. I have seen it ALL. I wouldn't back down and told her I was not worried at all about taking care of Sea Monkey. And that I had taken care of plenty of babies. Mister told me in the car that I was very calm about the whole thing.

In a Circle of Life moment, we came home to.... CAT PUKE. Maybe their digestive tracts are upset. We are gonna pick up some plain yogurt today and give them some.

I will try and post a nursery picture sometime this week.

YAY!

Doctor Tiny was so pleased with how I am managing my blood sugar that he said I don't have to come back! Sea Monkey is head down and facing my spine, so gearing up to exit. The sad thing was that we did not get a u/s picture, because he is insisting on staring at my back. But I don't care, I am so happy he is in a good position for labor. Stay PUT!

He is measuring a just fine 5 pounds 12 oz, so I may get my wish for a 7 pound baby. I have lost a pound, but no one minds because Sea Monkey is growing. He is average. YAY! No baby linebackers coming out of my vagina!

My ob says it also makes sense that I am feeling less kicks now because he is kicking into me and not out.

She also said that my cervix is long and closed so no baby action for a while. She definitely thinks I will make it to my due date and maybe past it. She also said the baby sounds calm.

My blood pressure is up and down some, but nothing too scary.

We picked up the birthing ball while we were out today. And some very low carb chocolate protein powder. I just have to blend it with ice and can get a nice, high protein shake.

We also picked up two outfits, that Mister picked out. A baseball one and a motorcycle one. Aside from construction materials, this is the first thing we have bought for Sea Monkey.

We are headed out in a moment to see if we can find a dresser. Since I am all checked out and have my gold star.

Mister's party went well, very nice. We have a ton of soda and chips and beer leftover. And dip. Mister got mostly beer, which is good because he loves beer.

We got a present in the mail today from Auntie Camo. SO ADORABLE, and the cats are delighted because they are playing merrily in the box it came in.


I also have permission to have CAKE at the baby shower! CAKE !!!!!!!!!!!!

Progress? Kind of.

The insurance adjuster was out this morning and figures just the room will be 3200. No knowing what the roof will be til the ice melts. I really liked the contractor that came today. If his references check out we are using him. But bye bye 1500 deductible.

Dear tax return,

Please be sexy.

love,

really wanted new carpet

Ugh. The nursery was so cute. Except now it is full of stuff from Mister's office. On the plus side, the contractor said the roof would not take more than a day and the room would only take two. So that is good. I was thinking it would be weeks of banging and pounding.

Tomorrow is Mister's 30th birthday. We are having 12 people over. I am secretly( ok OPENLY) hoping his parents can't make it. It is the first party I have had in my adult life where I did not pull out all the stops and clean and clean and clean and cook and cook and cook.

I would have LIKED to make ribs and cornbread and pulled pork and brownies. But there is no way I could be on my feet that long, not to mention the clean up. And Mister can't do it because he has work.

So we are having pizza and chips and dip and nuts and pigs in a blanket. Mister is picking up beer tonight and we got an ice cream cake. I have cleaned a little. The cats are conspiring against me by throwing up as much as possible.

DEAR CATS,

BE TEAM PLAYERS AND QUIT THROWING UP FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS, MMMKAY? I KNOW YOU LOVE TO PUKE IN A NICE, CLEAN HOUSE BUT GIVE MOMMY A BREAK. Also, very funny how you are puking BOTH upstairs AND down so that I have to lug the Little Green Clean Machine all over.

love,
Mommy the puke cleaner

So anyhow, that's Wednesday. Thursday I have three different doctors appointments. One with Dr. Tiny( the man is five feet 2 inches.) the high risk doctor. Then I have to see a dermatologist, because for fuck's sake I have some kind of wart on my nose. On the tip. WTF? I kept thinking it was some diehard pimple and that it would go away and no. So hopefully they can do something about it.

Then... we have our ob appointment. Then I suppose we are going to come home and throw ourselves on the couch. I am a little concerned, since my blood pressure has been higher but hopefully all will be well. Because my sister will KEEL me if I miss the shower.

The shower is Saturday troops. I just need to keep Sea Monkey in there till after the shower.

DEAR CATS,

HA FREAKIN HA. I SUPPOSE THROWING UP ON THE COUCH IS NOT TECHNICALLY THE SAME AS THROWING UP ON THE CARPET. HOWEVER, IT AMOUNTS TO THE SAME IN THAT MOMMY MUST CLEAN PUKE. Please, for the love of God, please stop throwing up until Thursday. We even bought new food just in case something was wrong with the food we had. SIGH.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

That is the sound of the leak that is still LEAKING. Because there is still so much ice that the roofer can't get on the roof. And we are still waiting on the insurance adjuster to come out. And did I mention there is STILL WATER COMING INTO OUR HOME?

So I checked out the roofer and he has an A rating from the BBB. Which is good. I am now looking for a contractor. We have an almost 70 year old house. The walls are plaster. I love plaster walls. I really want the walls fixed to be how they were. Mister wants drywall. We'll see.

Anyhow, I can't stand that the house is topsy turvy. We are so behind now. The nursery is filled with stuff from the office so that WHENEVER someone can come the area is accessible. My blood pressure was really high this morning and Mister told me all I am allowed to do is lay down. Five minutes up and 45 minutes down.

And he has a ton to do tonight. We spent the weekend at my sisters. He spackled, he grouted, he painted, he sanded, he painted. It took two days. There is love and there is spending your whole weekend working on your sister in laws bathroom. But we lost all our errand time. So tonight he has to cook dinner, go to the grocery store, liquor store, and Wal Mart.

I am trying not to stress about the whole roof/ceiling/wall thing. Which also means repainting, and God Forbid- doing something to the floors. But it is not working too well.