short fuse

Pregnancy. 

I’m so over it.

a quick baby update

I had my 39 week doctor appointment today.  I’m finally dialated!  Although not very much at all (1.5 centimeters), I’ll still take it.  I go back to the doc on my due date - the 24th - and if Sami hasn’t made her entrance by then I’ll be induced at some point the following week. 

The end is in sight folks and I am sooooo ready.

what’s up?

With you guys lettin’ your junk all hang out?

i hate mornings

Especially this morning. 

I got up at least five times last night to pee and stretch my hips.  I’m also having some cramping sensations, not painful but not pleasant either.  So I am exhausted and plan on going back to bed momentarily. 

On one of my many bathroom trips I noticed that the cat had tipped over his litter box and peed on the carpet.  Hubs was a sport and cleaned it up and is out getting more litter and a lower/smaller pan right now because we are out of litter and this has happened before.  Cat is just too dang fat and when he steps on the side of the pan, it turns right over. 

Our newspaper is unreadable as it is soaking wet for the second day in a row because the delivery person is too lazy to put it in our box, which we purchased from the newspaper specifically for that purpose.  You’d think they would have enough sense to realize it’s gonna get wet when it is pouring down rain but they throw it in the driveway anyhow.

Newsflash: next Thursday we are due to have a baby.   Gulp.

the most boring doctor’s appt ever

I’m thankful that my pregnancy has been relatively “boring” with no complications and whatnot.  I really am.  That said, today was the ultimate in boring appointments.  There’s no further progress from last week and Sami’s head still needs to drop some more, after which the doc told me I will begin experiencing “sharp stabbing pains in the bladder area”, but not to worry because this is just baby “snuggling in” and this “is not labor”. 

Yay.

38 weeks!

Um yeah, so I have two weeks to go and it will be my due date!  I really can’t believe we are THIS close to meeting baby Samantha.  I wonder what she’ll look like?  I can’t imagine.  I go back to the doctor tomorrow for my 38 week visit but am behind in updating on what happened last week so I’ll do that now and give tomorrow’s update, well, tomorrow. 

So as of last Thursday, I am not dilated at all but am 70% effaced so there’s that.  The midwife guessed that Sami weighed 7.5 pounds which freaked me out.  I thought that sounded big so I asked how much baby might gain if I made it to the 24th (due date).  MW said that baby could gain 1/2 pound a week.  So I’m doing the math in my noggin and am thinking I’m going to have a 9 pounder!  Heaven help me.  The hospital I’m delivering at won’t let you go past your due date by more than a week so that was good to hear.  Her head is definitely low and I swear it feels like she is just gonna fall outta there at any minute. 

That’s basically it for now, maybe there will be some progress tomorrow at the doc’s office.  In the meantime, here’s some 37 week belly pics…

 

Tangent: Why do so many maternity shirts have horizontal stripes?  It’s not exactly slimming.  But maybe they’re thinking there’s no hope anyway, so just go with it? End tangent.

As far as how I feel…like crap to be perfectly honest.  Tired, fat, grumpy, cumbersome and just plain fugly.  And if one more person tells me that I look like I’m “about to pop”, I’m going to do just that - pop them right in the face!  I can’t believe how difficult it is to be at work all day at this stage either.  It’s a lot harder than I thought, mainly because my focus and concentration is completely gone and I am getting even more frustrated than usual with the mundaneness.  But surely to goodness I can make it for a couple more weeks.   

We checked out yet another day care and I’m going to put in our application to get on that waiting list tomorrow.  It is the most expensive one yet but whadaya gonna do?  The location is perfect and hopefully it would just be short term until our first choice has a spot for us. 

Oh, my bag is packed and waiting in the hallway but I think I should probably put it in my car.  Just in case. 

our cute boy

How about a Wednesday Cooper fix?

remember that near “perfect day”…

…that I wrote about here?  It was short-lived.  Here’s a very brief description of how the following couple of days went…

1. The Accountant’s grandmother had a stroke and has been in the hospital.  She’s much better now and is nearly back to her old self.

2. Cooper either got bit by a snake or had a horrible reaction to his vaccinations.  His face swelled up to 3 times normal size.  Took him to the pet emergency clinic and they gave him meds.  Back to the regular vet the next day and he was much better. 

3. I am sure I gained ten pounds and consumed five pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.  I have a feeling those two things are related in some mysterious way.

so much…

So much to do, so much to say, no time or energy to do either.  I have new belly pics, new Samantha info, new doggies pics, and new Ben & Jerry’s flavors to try (my latest favorite is the Phish Food - holy moly!!!). 

I’ll catch up soon perhaps.  To quote Miss Scarlet O’Hara “tomorrow is another day”.  (is that the right line?  Scout, I’m talkin’ to you.)

the perfect day

I would say that today has been as close to a Perfect Day as I’ve had in a very long time.  The Accountant and I are both off of work due to the holiday (Happy 4th everyone!) and we had absolutely no plans.  No where to go, no household projects, no company expected, nada, nothing, zilch.  In other words, heavenly.  I am usually one of those people who likes to go places and do things on the weekends since that’s the only time I have the energy for it but it seems the past several weekends have just been filled with too much.  We went to bed early last night and so were up by 7:00 today and with the exception of a quick trip to the grocery store, have just been lounging around the house watching tv or whatever.  Soooo nice!  We have no plans for any fireworks outings tonight either.  Although our neighbors usually have quite the fireworks show and I think if I position myself just so on the deck, I can watch those if I get the urge. 

So Happy 4th of July to all and I hope your day has been as near perfect as mine!  Mwah!

jogging stroller purchase

I had a giftcard to use and decided to buy this….

Who knows if it will help me get back in shape or not but it looks pretty nifty anyway.

sidewalk is finished!

I just noticed that Ivy over at Shakyard linked to my previous sidewalk post.  I need to check my blogstats more often!  Thanks!

Here is the finished product, landscaped by The Accountant and all. 

  

nursery pictures, etc.

I’ll put some pictures of the nursery at the bottom of this post.  We think it turned out nice and it’s a very bright and cheery room! 

I had my 36 week doctor appointment yesterday and all is well.  Samantha’s head is down and she’s in position for the big day - whenever that might be.  Other than that, there are no signs she’s ready to come outta there and join us.  Fine by me.  I’m not ready.  I haven’t packed a hospital bag yet and the car seat isn’t in place.  Besides, I’m not sure if I’m mentally ready.  I don’t know what will change in regards to that within the next few weeks but I feel like I should have some grand epiphany or ah-ha moment where my brain says “yes, you are ready for this, both the physical part of labor/delivery and the years of caring for another human being”.  I’m waiting for lightning to strike or some other sign from above and it ain’t here yet ya’ll.

The childbirth class was really great last weekend.  We got a ton of info and the videos weren’t as bad as I thought they would be.  The only one I freaked out about was the c-section one and it wasn’t even a “live” one, just computer animated but wow, and OUCH.  My fear was that the class would freak me out more than it would help but it actually helped me feel better about the whole thing.  Not as good as a sign from above but still helpful.  I guess I can’t go by my “ignorance is bliss” motto on this one. 

My feet are now the size of footballs.  If they get much bigger I will need to purchase some clown size shoes to encase them in.  It’s not pretty.  The nurse practitioner told me to elevate them as much as possible, lay down for an hour immediately after getting home from work (I swear I am not making that one up just to get out of domestic duties) and to drink a lot of water.  Other than that, I just have to deal with sausages for feet and fingers that no longer bend at the knuckles without pain.  Even with all that, my blood pressure is great so I can’t complain too much.  Or at least you shouldn’t listen to me if I do.

Doctor appointments are now scheduled for once a week for the next three weeks and hopefully she will be here soon!  But not TOO soon! 

minor life annoyances

The main reason I use my checkcard to pay for gas at the pump is so I do NOT have to go inside.  It’s a convenience thing.  Therefore, to whoever saw me kicking, cursing, and otherwise violating the gas pump at the BP Station yesterday morning it was simply because the screen was telling me to “Please See Attendant” for my receipt (which I need since I did in fact, use my check card and we try to keep up with such things).  As you know, the aforementioned attendant is stationed INSIDE the building, defeating the whole purpose of me using my checkcard in the first place. 

That is all.

Happy happy happy happy happy….

Haaaaaaapy Anniversary!!!  Are you considered an old married couple if you’ve been officially hitched together for NINE years???  Or does that not come until the big 1-0?  Either way, I’m happy to be an old married woman of 9 years today!!! 

Big smooches to my Accountant!  Love you!

pathetic ain’t he?

Been a long day so this is all I got…a picture of Cooper looking pitiful because he can’t come through the gate to play with the cat, Cartman.

And this is what Carty thinks about me always posting photos of Cooper but none of the real master of the household. 

Someday I will dig out the good digital camera instead of posting poor quality cell phone pictures. 

Bean Update - 35 weeks

Or should I say Samantha update? 

35 weeks as of yesterday.  Almost there folks!  I am so ready to get this kid outta my body!  It feels like I’ve been pregnant forever. 

Tomorrow is our childbirth class and I’m a bit nervous about that.  I don’t know if it is going to freak me out more than I already am or make me feel better because I’ll supposedly be armed with knowledge.  I’m the kind of person that sometimes needs to follow the “ignorance is bliss” motto so I am wary.  I think I’m most nervous about any videos they might feel the need to show us.  Whenever that stuff comes on the Discovery channel or TLC and I don’t cover my eyes in time, I feel sick to my stomach and just cringe.  I don’t understand why childbirth has to be such an agonizing process for a woman.  If it is indeed, because of Eve’s big screwup in the Garden of Eden, she had better grab her fig leaf and run because I know a lot of women who are ready to pummel her with bushels of rotten forbidden fruit when and if they see her.

There have been some positive things about being pregnant.  

I no longer have to feel self conscious about my belly fat because it’s now more of a “belly mountain” and it’s supposed to stick out!  Instead of wearing clothes to try and hide the jiggle, I can now wear clothes that accent the bump and be proud of my baby gut. 

In general, people are nicer to pregnant woman.  I had three men practically fall over themselves to open the door for me at the store the other day.  When I drop things, people can’t wait to pick them up for me.  People (especially women) seem to smile at me more too and seem a bit more polite and considerate than normal. 

Feeling baby girl move is quite amazing and I’ve actually been able to see my belly move in jerks and waves for several weeks now.  I’ve learned that when I drink cold water or anything carbonated, she gets wiggly. The Accountant has been able to feel and see her move several times and that is such a wonderful thing to experience together. 

Of course, there is also the negative to consider and I try to do so with humor if at all possible. 

When you consider what you did to become pregnant in the first place, the irony of the next nine plus months seems quite cruel.  I have never felt more un-sexy and unattractive in my entire life than I have over the past several months.  And this includes those awkward adolescent years so that’s saying something.  To the women who say they just “looooooved being pregnant” and never felt more sexy than when they were with child…I have a bushel or three of that rotten fruit saved just for you.  About the only thing more appealing about me physically these days is my fingernails and hair - it’s true about the hormones making nails stronger and hair look healthier.  But those strong fingernails are attached to ten of the chubbiest, most water logged, puffiest fingers you have ever seen.  I can’t even make a fist without wincing, I’m retaining so much fluid.  And my feet, same story.  Ankles, what are ankles?  Will I ever see them again? 

Sleep is elusive so I am tired all the dang time.  I have to sleep on my side and build a fort of pillows all around me.  This, along with the 5 pound protruding belly, make turning over quite the ordeal.  It is a process of moans, groans and grunts, followed by heavy sighs when I realize that I might as well get up and pee before turning over anyway.  When I finally do manage to roll myself out of bed I feel like I’ve been beat up.  Hips are aching and all joints are stiff and creaky. 

Getting around is becoming a joke.  I no longer walk, I waddle.  Getting out of the car requires a big push to the backside from The Accountant.  I waddle slowly and am easily winded.  It’s what I imagine an overweight duck or maybe a penguin must feel like. 

It’s been quite the journey so far.  I read a different perspective on pregnancy on a message board the other day.  It said that God knew what he was doing by making pregnancy so uncomfortable and last for so long.  It was because that by the time baby is ready to come out, we are so happy to get past this stage of being miserable that we welcome the pains of labor.  I don’t know if I fully buy that line of reasoning or not but it’s something to consider I guess.  Regardless of my complaints, I am so excited to be getting so close to meeting Samantha and am going to believe that all of this will be a distant memory and all be worth it once she’s here.  But when she gets to be a teenager and gives me any sort of grief, I’m going to show her this post and hope she feels guilty. 

 

 

progress

Looking much different today.  Still has to be cemented in place but the layout is there. 

 

FinnQuirk #218

You know how Newscoma has her “Autobiographical Pauses”?  I need a jazzy name like that for posts like this.  If you think of anything, pass it along and maybe I’ll adopt it for my personal FinnQuirk ramblings.  Oh wait, maybe I just said it - “FinnQuirk”….I kinda dig it.  ‘Coma, mind if I steal your numbering system?  

I did something stupid today.  And it stressed me out all day.  But as usual, The Accountant made me feel better about it.  I guess he’s used to my goof ups but it still bugged me.  And then, probably somewhat related to the stupid thing I did, I found out that a stranger that I’ve only talked to twice for less than five minutes sees me as a “passive person who has trouble saying no”.  The sad part about that is that it is true.  Apparently I’m so transparent that someone I don’t even know can classify me in that way in only a few minutes. 

I hate that about myself.  In my mind and in my journal I’m this bold, don’t mess with me, bad ass chick who doesn’t let anyone run her over or take advantage.  Then I go and do something that totally contradicts this self perception and is probably much closer to the “real me”.  Ugh, it’s very annoying and solidifies my theory that the way I see myself is not how I really come across to other people.  It’s like when you hear your voice on the answering machine or see a picture of yourself and you just can’t believe that’s what you really sound or look like.  But there’s no denying the evidence - you really DO have the thickest Southern accent known to man and you really ARE carrying around 20-30 more pounds than you thought you were.   

I think I’ve gotten better in the assertiveness department over the years but sometimes I do something that makes me want to kick myself for being so gullible, weak, and/or just plain not smart.  It’s something I need to work on. 

I’ve heard that when you have kids that you become more assertive because you want to do what’s best for your child and everyone else be damned.  That could be good for me.  We’ll see.

hopscotch anyone?

Mucho construction is going on outside our front door.  We’ve lived in this house for almost 8 years and have always wanted to put in a sidewalk but we just never got around to it.  Until now.  The concrete is down and next comes the flagstone.  I’m excited to see the finished product! 

 

day late, dollar short

Why didn’t I hear about this show, oh, say about 9 months ago? 

The Baby Borrowers

“It’s Not TV, It’s Birth Control”

I keed I keed. 

stuff

Hi guys.  I’ve been out of the blogworld lately and I’ve missed it.  Not that I have much to say but just rambling aimlessly does me good sometimes.  So let’s get back to rambling shall we?

We’ve had two baby showers in the last several weeks.  One at my work and one at church.  Both were lovely and I hope to have pictures to post eventually.  We received several things we needed (thanks so much to everyone!) and things seem to be falling together as far as the nursery goes.  But more about baby girl later.

Did I mention that we had a yard sale last Saturday?  Yep, we did.  Poor hubs did most of the work as I am becoming more and more useless in the manual labor category.  I did price most things and manned the sale all day.  We got rid of a ton of junk treasures and it was quite cleansing I must say.  I dropped the ball and missed the deadlines for advertising in the local papers though which probably hurt us but we had good signage and it turned out to be a success in spite of my neglectful marketing.  It helped a great deal that our neighbors are bargain hunters and proably bought about a third of the stuff before 7:00 am.  I somehow didn’t take any photos of the grand event so you’ll just have to take my word for it. 

I spent the first few days of last week at the hospital in Jackson.  My dad had an “episode” and was airlifted to Jackson with what they thought was a possible stroke.  It turned out not to be a stroke, thank goodness, but it scared us all to pieces.  The doctors still don’t know what is going on so I imagine several visits to the doctor are in his future.  He seems to be a medical mystery.  But for now all is well and we are very thankful for that.  It is a reminder that you can’t take one day for granted because you never know what will happen tomorrow.  Perspective is a good lesson to learn.

More later.  It’s my bedtime. 

 

I wish I could sleep like this…

Happy Dad’s Day

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there but especially to my own dad and The Accountant dad-to-be!

Love you!

i’m back ya’ll, honest

I don’t want this blog to die but to keep that from happening, that means I have to actually post right?  For some reason, I just haven’t been all that into writing much of anything lately.  And that’s not because there hasn’t been a lot going on around here, it’s almost been too much really.  There’s been a yard sale, baby shower, a major scare that resulted in my father in the hospital, baby happenings, shopping trips and construction about the house.  With all that I guess I’ve just been tired and posting has been pushed further back on my to-do list.  But I plan to catch up over the next few posts so please stay tuned….