Grow, Baby, Grow! (continued)

ah, yes. The doctor visit. We spoke to everyone! Nurse, dietitian, and of course our midwife (she is so nice!). The big news is that judging from the ultrasound taken at the hospital, they decided to move the due date to April 27th. The heartbeat was about 150, which people have told me means I am having a girl. I don't know what to think anymore. Too much contradicting "evidence". Will says "boy", and he has never been wrong. But I carry high, and that means girl. Now, we've had the ultrasound so we know there's not one of each in there...
I also had some blood drawn for a A-something-P test. (I'll look it up later as the true name escapes me) It is for detecting the baby's risk for down-syndrome and other chromosomal disorders.
However, since they adjusted my due date, we may have actually missed the window of opportunity for it. And apparently, when the test is done outside this window, there is a much higher chance of receiving a false positive. Sounds to me like all this test is good for is making parents freak-out! But we took it anyway.

...train of thought broken...please wait while I reconfigure.....

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Grow, Baby, Grow!

We had our appointment this morning. I've got stuff to say about it, but I am too tired to type right now. haha. I will tell all when I get home tonight.

Re-Schedule

I received a phone call from M&I this morning around 11 o'clock. It was Irene, who is always very pleasant. She asked how I was doing.
"I'm doing just fine."
"Oh, did you forget about your appointment this morning?"
I am silently confused for a moment. "No, because my appointment is tomorrow morning."
Now it was her turn to be silently confused for a few seconds. Then finally, "Tomorrow?"
"Yes, tomorrow December 15th. I have my appointment card. That's what it says. I always schedule my appointments for Tuesdays since they are my days off."
"Hmmmm....What time does your card say, Janette?"
"9:15 am"
More confused silence followed. "I'm not sure how this happened. We don't even open until 10. Give me just a minute; I'm going to talk to the front desk."
About this time I'm thinking, Wow! How could someone mess up the scheduling that badly! They better be able to get me in our I am going to have some complaining to do.
After a minute or so, Irene is back on the line. She says she is very sorry and she is going to transfer me up front to have my appointment re-scheduled. We the receptionist picks up the phone, she doesn't seem at all to know what is going on. Great!
She only answers with "hello?"
I wait a second for her to continue but it never comes. "This is Janette Neeley," I try to politely say, though I am now quite annoyed.
"Oh, yes." She mumbles and has a heavier Spanish accent that makes her difficult to understand. "We need to schedule your appointment?"
"Yes."
I hear her speaking to someone, at first I'm not sure if she is talking to me or an associate. That is until she starts speaking Spanish. I took a wild guess that she wasn't talking to me.
"I'd like to keep it in the morning so my boyfriend can be there. He works at noon and he wants to be there for the sonogram."
"Ok, how about the 21st at..." I stopped listening here and interrupted.
"That won't work. I already told you last time that I will be out of state for Christmas that entire week. It has to be this week or the week after Christmas."
"Well we don't have anything open for this week."
"I'm not going to be here next week. I will be out of the state." I wanted to yell it. "It's going to have to be the week after that."
She is silent for another minute.
"Ok, how about Wednesday the 16th at 10 am?"
OH MY GOD!!! YOU JUST TOLD ME YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING THIS WEEK!! They really need new office personnel.
"Yes. I will be there."
I confirm the time and date and hang up the phone with a small roll of my eyes and hope the rest of the day doesn't plan on being that difficult.

Baby's First Photo Shoot

A Dark and Stormy Night

So it was a snow storm, but that just makes it worse unless you have 4-wheel drive! We had the biggest scare of our lives Monday night. It was very late. Perhaps 12:30 am or so. Albert and I were in bed. And then something very frightening happened: I was bleeding! In the single last place a pregnant woman wants to be bleeding!
We just stood there in shock for a minute or two. Oh God, What is happening?! What do we do?!
Albert asked where our doctors emergency number was. Well, that would be in the booklet I have been reading at work.
We will call the emergency room.
No. Let's go in.
I'll get our coats!
We were both so scared! On the exterior, I'm sure we seemed fairly calm and collected. But I don't think we have ever squeezed each other's hands as tightly as we did on the drive to Stormont-Vail.
And of course, at this point there was already about 2 inches of snow on the ground and more falling. With the Jeep dead and gone, what vehicle could possibly get us there safely? The Camaro? HA! that's a good one.
The Mustang? It has new tires, at least. But it is also the most valuable and still a sports car in the snow and ice. But it was the Jetta, though mortally wounded, that was our chosen steed. We don't need a trunk! We need front-wheel drive!!!
The snow brushed off quickly. And the Jetta doesn't take long to warm up. (We wouldn't have waited even if it had.) The hospital is only a few miles away, but with the snow impeding our progress and the fear in our hearts, the trip seemed to last forever. Finally we arrived!
The Emergency Entrance has moved, by the way. It's now on the exact opposite side of the hospital. Albert ushers me into the lobby and I rush to the desk.
"What can I help you with," the sweet reception nurse smiles.
"I'm pregnant and I'm bleeding." I am very aware of my unsteady voice
She immediately pulls out a notepad and simply asked for my name and birthday. They will be with me in just a minute.
She was close. I think we only sat in the waiting room for two.
They go through the usual ritual. (I've experienced it 3 time before, but only remember twice!) Blood pressure. Temperature. Weight (I have officially gained 10 pounds!). When all is finished, we are led to a freezing ER room where I slip into a gown. I know it seems like an odd thing to be aware of at a time like that, but the new ER is really nice!
From this point it is a lot of questions and me being poked and prodded. I had my first I.V. (I think. I'll have to ask Dad if I had one at visit #1. I don't remember squat!) They drew, what I thought was more than enough blood for lab tests. We were at the hospital for hours and hours-- Literally! I was sent home at 4:45! They couldn't figure out what was causing the bleeding, but it was stopping. And the baby and I were in no danger. Thank GOD!
Something wonderful did happen, though. :) We got two ultrasounds! :) A level 1 and a level 2! It was amazing! There is now a picture of our beautiful little one on our refrigerator. And soon to be on here too! :D

Where to Begin

So much has actually happened since I last updated; I don't know where to start. I suppose the biggest news is that I was driving Albert's Jetta (as I had locked my keys in the Mustang the day before) and had finished running errands when I decided to go to O'Rielly's to see him. This last minute decision turned out to be a huge mistake. As I was yielding to traffic at the Topeka Blvd light getting off of 470, the Highlander behind me (not paying any attention what so ever) rear-ended me! This is twice in 2 years now! What is going on with the universe!
No worries, Baby Fuzzy and I are just fine. The same, however cannot be said for the Jetta. It got it's world rocked, and not in a good way. The bumper of the Highlander was just higher than the jetta's so the trunk took the full of the impact. It's is caved in so badly, the trunk latch is now on the outside of the vehicle.
We took the wounded little car into Walt's for an estimate. Bottom line: our little grocery-getter is a total loss. $3,800 approx. to repair. Well over the car's KBB value of $2,600. So now it is finishing up paperwork etc. with insurance companies and Albert will find himself with a nice little check. The Jetta is still in great working order, so I think Al is going to but it back at scrap weight with a salvage title. It is after all, his winter driver and what better car to take out on perilous roads of ice and snow than one that is already messed up!? :)
Eventually it must be replace though, since it was going to be our family vehicle. The Mustang is now the roomiest car we have, and that isn't saying much.
In baby news, we get our sonogram on the 15th, just days before we leave for Maine for Christmas! I'm still set on not knowing the sex. I don't think Albert has decided yet.
All of this makes me very aware of how little time we truly have left until our little tiny arrives. Time to get cracking on that baby room! We've got furniture to move and set-up, boxes to move out, and bedding to be made. (Grandma, if you are reading this, I'd like to get started on that this weekend. And Mom, please let me know when you've got my sewing machine fixed.) There are pictures and curtains to hang, and a patch of carpet to be mended (Thank you, Koda.)
So far the 2nd trimester has been good to me. I'm not as tired, although last night I did feel like falling asleep in my food again. I did throw-up this morning, but not in typical morning-sickness fashion. Ever since I became pregnant, I have no control over my gag reflex, which is now hyper-sensitive. Brushing my tongue was my doom today. Sometimes a violent cough will set me off. I'm not quite sure of nature's reasoning behind this and other pregnancy phenomena. No one seems to know the answer. As such, I've decided to speak to Mother Nature in person use my logic to persuade her to end all such anomalies. Being pregnant is hard enough with out me always gagging when I brush my teeth.

Zzzzzzz....

I don't know if it there is still a lot of tryptophan in my system or just the wear of growing a baby, but I am so tired!!! I barely feel like I have the energy to type this. I just want to pull a Rip Van Winkle and sleep for a good 20 years. I'd settle for 20 minutes at this point. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

Bad Little Blogger

I have been sorely lacking in the daily blogging department. I apologize. :(
There has been so much going on, and when there is not all I want to do is rest. Making a person is hard work! The other night I went to bed at 9! Last night at 8:30!! I still deal with morning sickness from time to time. And yesterday I had to battle a migraine sans Advil Migraine. I wanted to chop my own head off. For Baby Fuzzy's sake, I decided against it.
This weekend mi familia from Maine (minus Andy) came home to surprise my Grandma and Grandpa McCoy for their 50th wedding anniversary. I wasn't there when they were unveiled, but heard that Grandma cried like anything. :) She cried at the party too. The family surprised her and Grandpa with an Alaskan cruise for next year. Ain't we sweet? :)
The party was also the first opportunity for Albert and I to show off my growing bump. I can put some pictures up later today after I steal them from my sister. (insert evil laughter here)

WE HEARD THE HEARTBEAT!!!

Yesterday I had my first appointment with the clinic's nurse practitioner. Albert (being the wonderful boyfriend and daddy-to-be that he is) canceled all his other plans to come with me. He wants to come to all my appointments with me :) Love that man!
They gave me my exam and I got my seasonal flu shot, as well as the H1N1. (Mother, you may rest at ease now.) Shots are as unpleasant as I remember them. And I didn't even get a sucker. :( My nurse was extremely pleasant and good-humored, though. She thought I was just hilarious.
The nurse practitioner came in and I got a breast exam, among others. ugh. She also checked the size of my uterus and said I was about 13 weeks, which is right where I thought I was. I also have a good pelvis for childbirth. Score for me! ha ha
Next came the exciting part! She squirted goo all over my stomach and pulled out the Doppler (not just for weathermen!). I was surprised how quickly she found it. After less than a minute of searching, the unmistakable sound of a quick, little heartbeat filled the room. I melted. Albert beamed. He held my hand and we both just stared at my tummy, grinning madly. I damn near cried!
At that moment, this whole experience felt more real than it ever had. No doubt our baby is in there! We both feel more connected.
Now I can hardly wait for the next appointment! We hopefully will be getting a sonogram!

Home, Sweet, Home

My fabulous vacation has ended. :( I miss those maniacs already! I am happy to be with Albert again. I missed him like crazy! I think I love him, but don't tell anyone I said that! haha
Another plus about being home is that I finally got to go to my first doctors appointment. And you'll never guess what I discovered! (brace yourself!) I'm pregnant! Who knew.
I got some bloodwork done and I'm all set up for WIC. Albert and I met with our social worker. I really like her! Everyone at the clinic was so kind and helpful. We have more reading material and phone numbers than I know what to do with! Although I did teach my nurse something about toxoplasmosis. :) She wasn't aware that one could have an immunity and there were tests available to discern that. I felt super smart! haha
The nurse also attempted to find a heartbeat for us, but baby fuzzy was hiding. I have another appointment next week with the doctor, so look for more exciting baby news then!

P.S. To all those in our situation, the name of the clinic is Maturnal & Infant Care. It's based out of the Central Park Community Center on Clay. And you sign up for healthwave at SRS. It's just a questionaire and you mail it in, but they will back pay your baby bills after you are approved.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday dear me. Happy birthday to me!

The big 2-4! (but if you ask Chloe, I'm just old.) Can't believe I'm this old already. I don't feel like I should be. At the same time, I don't feel like I should be any younger either. Probably because I am so happy with where I am in life now. I have a secure and steady job (though it would be fine with me if I could work somewhere else ha ha), a loving wonderful and very handsome boyfriend, and I'm soon to be a mommy. :) Life is pretty good.
Hopefully by the time I am home from my vacation, I will have news about insurance so I will finally be able to get in to the doctor. And by now we will get to hear our baby's heartbeat!!!! Our sweet little angel hasn't been very nice to me for my birthday, however. I have been very tired all day and my present was the privilege of having to eat breakfast twice. I have received some pleasant items, though. A card from Amanda and the girls, one from Mom, lots of birthday wishes via facebook, and Amanda and Chloe took me out to lunch at the Olive Garden. So it wasn't a total loss.
Poor Tory had to go to the doctor's office this afternoon, however. Poor little rugrat has an ear ache and possibly another infection. :( Tomorrow is her school program, which she may or may not get to attend. :( So here's hoping she feels better tomorrow.

Brrrrrrrrrr!!!

It's snowing right now, here in Biddeford, ME. Yes; you heard correctly. Snow. It has been cold since I got here. At least I am having a good time. No, scratch that: I am having a great time! Chloe's birthday could not have been better; she had such a happy and great day! What a sweetheart! She loved the book I gave her: How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?. And the cake Amanda and I made for her turned out to be a very cute mistake. Mickey Mouse turned panda bear.
Yesterday we all loaded up in the Tahoe and headed out to the pumpkin patch. (For pictures, see the blogs I follow, Home is Where the Coast Guard Sends Us.) Today has been a take it easy kind of day. No more strenuous than a trip to Kohl's and Walmart (during which it started the rain which had now become snow).
Baby Fuzzy, as my nieces call "her", hasn't been giving me too much trouble since I left Kansas. Thank goodness! I was terrified I'd spend my entire trip in the bathroom. Flying didn't even seem to faze this kiddo. Resilient. Gets it from me. :)

VACATION!!!!

Sorry for the recent lack of posts. Albert and I have been in Seneca for the last several days. Alas, Rosie and Phil left for Portland yesterday afternoon. Won't see them again until December :( It was a good visit. They gave us a cute little card of congratulations, which I will have to photograph and put up on here for all to see.
It gets better! My vacation isn't over yet!!! Whoot whoot! Tomorrow, before dawn's butt crack even starts showing over the sky's plumber pants, I will be on the road toward Kansas City International. Maine-ward bound, I am! I will spend the next 10 days with my favorite big sister and the most adorable little girls ever born (to date: I may steal the title for myself). We will pick pumpkins, throw birthday and Halloween parties, witness spectacular elementary school programs, and make delicious and lovely treats. I can't wait!
But before I run out of evening, I must conquer the mountain of laundry in my bedroom, clean the apartment, bathe, and pack. Packing should prove a challenge unless I miraculously develop Mary Poppins like skills to fit all my sweaters and warm fuzzies into one suitcase with room to spare. ( I think I can leave floor lamp at home.)

Oh Baby!

So my generous mother took me shopping for maternity clothes for my birthday. (There's something I never thought I'd say!) And BOY! did we shop! Khol's didn't know what hit 'em. 30% off and a Khol's card -- LOOK OUT!
I was a bit surprised by how small the maternity section was. At least there was some cute things (but some UGLY things too! haha). :) And nice pieces for work. The brand is called "Oh, Baby!". Which I love.
....and now my train of thought is broken. It's actually busy at work today and we are short-staffed to boot. Not a good combination in and of itself; even worse when I am nauseous.
:( ....mean baby.
So I am going to march my bum (which Albert happily told me is looking nice and round lol) down to the gas station and pick up some sour candy. Either the urge to puke will cease, or the inside of the toilet will be nice and colorful. :)

Menopausal Mother Nature

I have come to the conclusion that good ole Mother Nature is going through the "big change". There is snow in the forecast and highs in the 40's! Either she is menopausal and experiencing the chills because of it, or she has started smoking crack which is causing poor judgement. Either way.... it's cold! And there is no escape.
Maybe I'll tell Amanda to meet me with the girls in Tahiti.

The Woes of Early Pregnancy

Today is not a good day. It's not a terrible day, but it sure isn't good. Aches. Nausea. Exhaustion. Ugh.
All I want to do in this whole world, is curl up with a fuzzy blanket and my kitty, and sleep! An hour nap would be a gift from above! Or a warm (not hot! that's not good for the munchkin in my belly) bubble bath. Watch a movie and fall asleep on the couch. I seem a bit emotional today, too. Just thinking about how much longer I have to be at work makes me want to cry. At the very least, it would be nice to be home so I could puke in my own toilet. ...It's the simple things that matter.

Getting It Together

Well, things are starting to fall in place. At least it is beginning to feel that way, which is enough to put me somewhat at ease. I, with a little direction from the best aunt-to-be (Vanessa, we Love you!!!), I have an appointment with a social worker practically the moment I get back from visiting Amanda in Maine. (it was the soonest they could get me in!)
In the meantime, I have my healthwave application all filled out and ready to mail in as soon as Mom can locate a copy of my birth certificate. I will be applying for WIC and contacting the Planned Parenthood clinic in Lawrence to see if I can get an appointment (thanks for the advice, Manda!!). Hopefully, it won't be too costly for us, but our baby is far more important than money.
The next few weeks will be busy, busy, and busy! A blur of activity, if you will. Albert's sister Roseanna and her hubby are visiting from Portland, OR. My aunt and uncle are visiting from out-of-state also. Throw in doctors appointments and other baby-related errands, and preparing for my trip to Portland, ME to see my sis and her family... enjoyable, but BUSY! Just thinking about it is making me tired.
Of course, I'm sure the dreary weather and my troubles sleeping last night may have something to do with that. I don't think I've slept a whole night through since I've been pregnant. And (a poetic injustice, I think) the cause of my sleeplessness is the very reason I can take nothing to guide me into dreamland.
This baby is ornery already. ...which I am sure he or she gets solely from Albert. :)

My awesome pregnancy ticker!

When it dings, the baby's ready to be taken out of the oven! (haha. I amuse myself.)

An Unexpected Event

Almost a month ago now, Albert and I experienced a moment that was shocking, frightening, and joyous all at once. What on Earth could have caused this jumbled mix of emotion?!: A little blue line on a stick. That's right ladies and gents, Albert and I are having a baby!
And everything that comes with it: morning sickness, giant tender breasts, exhaustion, and cravings. Well at least on my part. Though I think Albert is already beginning to gain some sympathy weight. (haha) The pregnancy itself has been fairly easy (I should be careful when i say this; I don't want to jinx myself.)
However, we are facing several obstacles.
First and foremost: my lack of insurance (thanks, Fidelity. grrrrr.)
Next: Expense! Thank goodness for family and hand-me-downs!
Third: More Expense!!! maternity clothes are insanely expensive! Who's idea was that?!
And Finally: Albert lost his job yesterday. (F*#k you, Target!) Which means my mediocre bi-weekly paycheck is our only income for a little while. This also means he has no insurance either. On the bright side (There is always one somewhere!), he and I and baby should have no problem getting on county and state aid via Healthwave and WIC.

On lighter notes, we are very happy about the new little life we have created! And so are the people we love. :) Thank you for your wonderful support!