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!