Thursday, July 30, 2009

Sent Home

So on Tuesday evening, I began to have some contractions. They began in my back and radiated around to the front of my belly, so I was paying attention to them. I had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday morning, so I didn't worry about them, but I did hope they were doing some work!

At the doctor's appointment, I was dilated to a 1 and still having contractions. I spent the day walking around and relaxing, since the contractions felt pretty regular, but sort of spaced out. When I went to bed, things had picked up. I knew I would be going to the hospital soon if things kept up the way they were going.

Well, at about 12:30 Thursday morning, I decided it was time to go. The contractions were closer together and were rather uncomfortable at that time. We gathered all of our things and off we all went.

Upon being checked, I was still a 1, so they monitored me for an hour. On the second check, I had progressed to a 2, earning me another 1 hour stay. After the 3rd hour, and progression to a 3, they decided to put me in a more permanent room. However, I was told that I would have to do everything on my own, as they would not further my labor by breaking my water because I was "only" 37 weeks 5 days.

Needless to say, I did not progress beyond a 3 by 1 p.m. The doctor came and checked me 2 times - once at 8 and again at 1. He actually said that I had probably walked in at a 3 and the nurse did not check me right (I felt everything and am pretty sure she did!). I was sent home, still having contractions.

So, here I am. Still pregnant. Still dilated to a 3. Still contracting - though not as regularly. I guess I am supposed to live with contractions for the next week or so. After this very rough, tiring, and emotional morning, I will not be going back to the hospital unless I am SURE this child is on his way out!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Nope

Seems to have stopped.

Early Labor?

Yesterday, I began having some contractions. They did not go away when I changed what I was doing, so that leads me to believe that they are NOT Braxton Hicks contractions, but the beginnings of the real thing. They were pretty spaced out, though - as in 15+ minutes between them.

Last night, I continued to have them, though they spaced out a bit farther overnight. They would wake me up, though.

This morning, they are still going on. They are not too intense, but they are definitely more than the regular tummy tightening BH contractions I usually have. I will continue throughout my day and let you know if there are any changes.

I am 37 weeks tomorrow, so it is early, but not extremely early. They say that any time after 37 weeks is considered "full term".

Friday, July 17, 2009

The Sting...

I was talking to my sister on the phone today, which we haven't done in a couple of weeks. After a while, the kids went outside to play. Shortly thereafter, Mandy came in the house screaming at the top of her lungs. I hastily hung up as I ran down the stairs to see what was the matter.

Amid all of the screaming, it was difficult to determine just what had happened. Fortunately, Andrew was right behind her and was able to tell me what had happened. Mandy had been stung by a yellow jacket.

Now, I don't know if you have ever been stung by one of these, but they hurt like heck. She was already leary of them, as we had had an angry nest outside the front of our house a week ago. But this time, she didn't even know it was there. She had been minding her own business when she felt a tickle on the inside of her thigh. She ended up squeezing her legs together in an attempt to make the tickle go away. Instead, she felt intense pain as the yellow jacket stung the inside of her thigh. My poor baby didn't know what to do.

She ran home, opened the door, and proceeded to scream. I took her into the kitchen, got her some ice, and made a baking soda paste as fast as I could. Andrew went back next door to ask for some liquid Benadryll, as all I had were pills. I got some of that into her system pretty fast. After about 10 minutes, she started to calm down enough to ask for M&M's. At this point, I pretty much knew she would survive.

45 minutes later, she was doing much better. The Benadryll worked and the swelling around the sting went down completely. She is left with a nasty looking sting site (no stinger attached) that is a little red around it. Otherwise, she is none the worse for the wear. I will probably give her anther dose of Benadryll before bed, as I picked up my own supply of the liquid gold at the grocery store today.

Now she almost proudly tells her brother that if he ever wants to know what it feels like to be stung, he could just ask her. Because she now knows, after all. Andrew has never been stung. Now Mandy has.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Did You See That Ticker?

That's right! Only 30 days to go!

Paul's mother will be flying in on Aug 6th to give us a hand, and will be staying until the 25th. With the kids going back to school on the 17th, and baby due on the 15th, things are bound to be hectic around here. I could use all the help I can get!

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and met the 3rd and final doctor in the practice. I have to say that I am very happy with the last 2 I have seen, and happy with the first as well. Since I was GBS + with Mandy, they will automatically treat me as if I have the infection with this LO as well. I feel much better about that. I had the GBS test yesterday and was "checked". No dilation here! Big surprise.

We are still hoping that baby boy comes a little early, so the kids have time to adjust at least a little before adjusting to a new school. They have so many changes coming at them in such a short period of time. I know that they will deal well with all of them, but a Momma can't help but worry.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

How to Anger Yellow Jackets in One Easy Lesson

Step 1: Find an active yellow jacket nest.

Step 2: Pour gasoline over said nest.

Step 3: Light gasoline on fire.

*Please do not try this at home! Our home builder did this to try to kill the yellow jackets. It didn't really work too well. We have a bunch of angry suckers flying around the nest now.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Special Delivery

My diapers are arriving today! So is my order from Dave Ramsey. I can't wait for the UPS man to arrive!!!

She'll Never Do That Again...

It was Monday night, and Mandy had gone upstairs to take a shower. Out of the peaceful quiet came a loud CRASH! I rushed up the stairs, coming first across Andrew.

"Are you OK?" I asked. He was unharmed.

"Mandy, are you OK?"

"You're going to be mad at me!" she exclaimed through tears. I was more worried about her being hurt, though, so anger was not an emotion I was even thinking about at the time.

"Are you hurt?" I asked again.

"Yes, I hurt my butt. I fell down."

It appears that my daughter, while waiting for the shower to warm up, had decided that it would be fun to climb up the wall while holding onto the towel rack. Needless to say, the towel rack did not hold her 46 lbs. and came crashing down. Mandy unfortunately landed on her rear end, as her feet were helping her up the wall at the time. She is a little bruised, but none the worse for the experience. The wall is a different story. It needs some major surgery.

I think it is safe to say, however, that she will not ever be trying that again!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Some People Just Can't Take No for an Answer...

This morning, as we were eating our breakfast, there came a knock on the door. I got up to answer the door, and was face to face with a young woman. Now, I had been forewarned that she was going to visit by my neighbors, who were very suspicious of her, as she asked a lot of questions about the families in the neighborhood.

I stepped out on the porch to talk with her, closing the door behind me. One of the kids tried to come out, but I kept the door shut. She did a lot of talking about other families in the neighborhood that she had already talked to. Still, she had not mentioned her purpose at my door. I asked again how I could help her, and she finally told me she was selling educational books. I politely told her I was not interested, but the darn girl would not take no for an answer!

Well, after telling her 3 times, nicely, that I was not interested, she still was persisting. As she reached down to take something out of her bag, I said one final "No, thanks!", opened my door, went inside, and locked the door. As I was locking the door, she was still talking!!!

I understand that you need to be persistent in door-to-door sales, but seriously? This was just too much! I felt a little guilty for locking the door in her face, but what else was I supposed to do?

Saturday, July 4, 2009

And This is Where We Live*...

*Barn not included!

But Seriously...

Did I Say "Camera Shy"? What Was I Thinking?


Andrew


Andrew took a little cajoling in order to get him to "strike a pose" for the camera. He is much more content to just sit there and wait for me to take a picture. I guess he is a little camera shy!

Yes, the Camera Actually Works!!


This morning, after charging the camera battery, I decided to take some pictures of Mandy and Andrew. It really has been a long time since I have done this.

This is Mandy's glamour shot. She is such a diva for the camera!

1st REAL day off together...

Yesterday was our first REAL day off together since Paul began working for Earthfare. Previously, every day off we have been working on the house in SC or moving! It has been quite stressful. However, with the official listing of our house, we only need to keep up on yard work there now, and we have some neighbors helping out with that.

So, yesterday we all slept in (if 7:30 can be called sleeping in). Andrew made us breakfast in bed! Then, we went to Bay's Mountain, a wonderful place with walking trails, animal habitats, and a planetarium. It was a perfect day for it, as well.

Then, we went to Babies R Us, where we found a travel system (stroller and car seat with base) for only $10 more than the car seat alone. We also purchased the Pack and Play with a bassinet attachment.

Finally, we went to K-mart so the kids could purchase the toys they have been working so hard for. They have been diligently saving and learning how to comparison shop!

Overall, it was a perfect day. And we get another day off together tomorrow! We will be going back to SC next week, either Wednesday or Sunday, to look in on the house, yardwork, etc.

Happy 4th!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Little Storage

This house has little to no storage space. For that reason alone, I would never consider purchasing it. There are no linen closets to speak of, which leaves one wondering where to put extra towels, sheets, pillows, etc. In addition, there is no attic space, leaving the garage as the only "storage" space in the whole house! This house MUST have been designed by a man!!