28 weeks....

Here's what pregnancy weekly says about week 28:

Your baby is now about 2 lbs. 5 oz. and is a little under 14 inches from head to toe and has been gaining weight steadily during the past 27 weeks due to the stem cells developing into bodily organs, blood and immune systems, and bones. From this point forward, your baby's weight gain will be due to increasing amounts of body fat.


Here's what baby center says about week 28:

By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can open her eyes — which now sport lashes — and she'll turn her head toward a continuous, bright light from the outside. Her fat layers are beginning to form, too, as she gets ready for life outside the womb.

All I can say...I'm so ready to have this baby!!!!

On Friday, I only worked a 1/2 day...went to Target & got a swimsuit...then I went to Rockwall to my Mother in law's house & went swimming in their community pool. I was by the pool & in the pool for about an hour. Swimming felt soooooo good on my back. You're weightless...and there's no stress on any muscle or bone or anywhere! It's wonderful!

Saturday, I worked from 10:30 - 2:30. Then we went & looked at the maternity picture proofs. Oh, we had sooooo much fun & ordered pics. They should be ready in 2-3 weeks. I cant wait!!!!
Then I ran to get dinner stuff & went home. I was pooped after all that! But, alas, I still prepared dinner for my husband b/c he dropped a pretty penny on the pictures!

Sunday...piddled around the house. Was going to go back out to Rockwall to go swimming...but there was something wrong on I-30...mega traffic, so I turned around & went home. Damon & I watched movies...

Movie Reviews:

Taxi...with Queen Latifah....pretty dumb. Didnt even finish it & returned it anyway.
Son of the Mask....okay. Not great. Not as good as the first..but definitely had some funny moments.
Assault on Precinct 13...pretty good. Damon & I both enjoyed it.

TGIF!!!

Well, thank goodness it's Friday.
And, I'm working a 1/2 day today! ...but, I have to come in for 4 hours tomorrow to train a new employee. But still....only 1/2 a day today! Woohoo!!!!!!

We get to see the maternity proofs tomorrow @ 3, so that'll be fun.

We signed the contract w/ the realtor last night to get the house on the market.

Damon put up a bookshelf in Gage's room for me. It's from pottery barn kids, and it is sooooooo cute! I went & picked it up @ the store night before last. Love it.


Still tired of being pregnant. I cry at least once a day because my back hurts so bad. The only thing that really makes it feel better is laying down...and even then I have to switch my positions frequently or my back gets stiff. I'm so ready to have this baby!!!! Not only am I ready to be unpregnant...I'm ready to see him & meet him.

I think he's probably going to be shy. I dont know...but, whenever he's kicking, I can put my hand down there & he kicks on. But, for some reason, when most people put there hand on my belly to feel him kick--he moves away. He doesnt like strangers, I guess.

People who've felt him kick (besides my doctors of course):
me
Damon (sometimes)
Jamie (once)
Linda - my mother in law (once)
Vicki (once)
Monica (once)

That's it. Tons of people have tried, but he gets shy.

Gage...
will he have curly blonde hair like Damon did when he was born? Will he have dark hair & dark eyes like me? Damon has blue eyes...will he have blue eyes? Please Lord, dont let him get my eyebrows! Dont let him get my height....let him be tall like Damon! Will he have my jawline & olive skin...or will he get those features from his daddy?
Oh--there's so much I want to know!!!!!

What a freaking Momma's Boy!

And no, I'm not talking about Gage.

I'm venting about my DH (darling husband)...
If his mom says it, then it must be true & right. I could say the same darn thing...but until she says it, my comments dont seem to matter...

Example: we're putting our house on the market, and looking @ building in the suburbs. Found a builder we like. New phase of this neighborhood. Fine. But, Damon wanted to go & put the $$ down on Sunday. Our house is JUST now going on the market tonight.

My point of view: what's the rush? If the realtor says that houses in our area should sell within 60 days...and then expect 30-45 before closing...that 90+ days. I dont care if they can have ours built in 90 days. We dont know that the house will sell tomorrow...and I dont want to get into a situation where we put $$ down on the home we're building...and then if our home doesnt sell w/in an allotted time frame--then we lose the home we built & the $$ we put down. Make sense??

Well, Damon calls me just now & his mom's @ our house w/ him. He said, "You know, my mom & I were talking. This is something we need to think about...." & he proceeds to tell me every concern I've expressed to him. WTF? I told him, "I said the same thing."
He asked, "When?"
I said, "Yesterday!!!!"

This sh*t is so frustrating. Stop being such a momma's boy!!!!!!!!

It's only two freaking o'clock. WTF?

I'm so tired & ready for today to be over.

Jolene's off work.
Peggy's still out.
Susan's still out.

I've seen more floor patients than ER patients (& I dont like floor sw!)

But...on a brighter note...the ER director just came & personally read to me the new dress code policy signed by our new president. See, she knows how passionately I feel about NOT wearing pantyhose...and as my director is out of town, she thought I would be very very interested in knowing that I am no longer required to wear pantyhose or stockings with skirts that are mid-calf or longer, or with pants. WWWWWOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOo!
So, I've already removed mine, and my toes feel very loved.


Megan & Susan & David came over last night. We had a great time & had pizza, and pretty much talked about pregnancy. I think that neither one of them will have kids now.
...well, maybe not for a long time anyway!

Things I've done well today:
Took my PNV (prenatal vitamin) on time.
Ate lots of protein in my lunch.
Faxed something to Damon when he requested it.
Mailed a long overdue graduation card to a friend (Masters in May)
Attempted to order the bookshelf for Gage's room....but you cant use Pottery Barn Gift Cards on their website...thanks, that's a big help. So, I located the store nearest me.
Apologized to my husband when I got impatient with him.
And, I'm drinking water.

Happy Wednesday...

I could just fall asleep at my desk.
I'm so tired.
I was up @ 4:30 am with a back ache. Took a bath. Damon went & got my heating pad. Went back to bed. Unplugged the alarm clock to get the heating pad plugged in. So, then I didnt have an alarm clock to wake me up. Luckily, woke up on my own at 6:30. Busted my butt to leave the house by 7.

Allen wants to play tackle football. He's upset b/c he cant. He's too frail. He's too small. He's got head injury problems from the car accident. So, he's super upset.... So maybe swimming...or music....or art for him.

I'm at work.
My last day to work before maternity leave is supposed to be Sept. 9th. Now, the drs say they think Gage could come as early as the 11th or 12th...so working until the 9th doesnt sound good at all!!!
But, with my luck---I'd take off Sept.1 to start maternity leave, and then not have him until the 25th! ........but you know.........that's not sounding so bad.... it's only a little over 3 weeks....and I'll be huge & miserable.....we'll see. I may need to revisit the topic with my boss.

This pregnancy is starting to show in my face. Damon says it's not...but it is. I know it. I can feel it. I'm sure of it.

We get to look at our proofs for the maternity pics this Saturday. I'm excited. I cant wait. Saturday @ 3pm! Wooooohooo!

Third Trimester. Kind of freaking out.

Okay, here's the breakdown of the weeks to months of pregnancy...
Month 1=weeks1-4
Month 2=weeks 5-8
Month 3=weeks 9-13
Month 4=weeks 14-17
(14 weeks starts the 2nd trimester)
Month 5=weeks 18-21
Month 6=weeks 22-26
Month 7=weeks 27-30
(27 weeks starts the 3rd trimester)
Month 8=weeks 31-35
Month 9=weeks 36-40


So, I'm now 27 weeks. I'm in my third trimester. Holy crap.
In the beginning--I thought that this pregnancy was going by sooooo slowly. Now I feel like it has just flown by! Someone asked me today, "when did you first feel him kick?" I cant remember. Maybe it's pregnancy brain...maybe it's because it's going by so fast....I dunno!

aughghghghghghg! I'm gonna be a mom soon!!!!!!!!!!

Long Time no blog...

Okay...I dont think I've blogged since my bday...

Well, on Thursday, I came to work. Was going to leave @ 2pm...but didnt get out of here until 3. It was a day filled with crazies!

Went to Target & bought some clothes (woohoo!). Maternity clothes...necessary...but I dont want to spend a fortune!

Dad gave me $$ to shop with & my boss gave me a gift certificate. So, that was fun!

Went to BRU (BabiesRUs) to get a belly support band. Oh, it's a lovely contraption...very similar to a "work belt" worn by constructions workers everywhere.
Also got an inflatable lumbar support pillow. Excellent purchase.

Thursday--Damon made Chicken Spaghetti for dinner (starchy, I know...). And then he made me a strawberry cake too. Yummmmmmmy!

Thursday--I was in bed by 7:30, asleep by 9.

Friday, I had a dozen roses on my desk from Mom & David. Mom didnt know that I was leaving early on my birthday...so they arrived after I left.

Friday night Damon & I dined on King crab legs....and made it a Blockbuster night.
Which...leads me to my movie reviews (have a few from over the weekend....)

MOVIE REVIEWS:
Darkness.....well, we went & saw this in the theater...forgot, and rented it. It wasnt very good @ the theater, and I wouldnt even watch it again.

Papparazzi....(spelling???). Loved it. Damon & I both loved it.

Hitch....with Will Smith. Very cute. Loved it.

In Good Company.....it was cute. Romantic Comedy...Damon liked it more than me I think.

Thursday & Friday were both busy, busy days at work.
I know today & tomorrow...well, this whole week are going to be busy. Susan, a coworker, just bought her first house & has 1.5 weeks off for moving & nestling in.
Tomorrow, Tracey, another coworker, got called in for jury duty.
And, my boss's husband was out of town & is now in the hospital in New Mexico with a heart attack. (So, keep him in your prayers! I'm sure he'll have a great recovery...but how scary! So far from home!!!!)

So, we'll all just have to buckle down & help each other out!

With that said...I've gotta run & get to work!!!!!!!!

No free lunch.

So, the people who set up a free luncheon for us never showed.
Man.

So, for lunch I've had:
meat loaf
turnip green
vegetable soup (with potatoes, so it was my starch for today)
skim milk

water
& tylenol.

My back still hurts.
Got my heating pad here at work with me.

I'm still hungry.
I could eat & eat & eat. Maybe I didnt get enough protein....

Renewed by DL online today. So what...I'm still leaving early tomorrow. Boss said it was okay.

:)

Ramona, Josh, & Jordan arent coming to visit. They were going to be here today through Friday. Damon says that the reason she provided: she didnt want Josh to miss his baseball game on Friday night.

Heartrate of 143, head is up, feet are down.

Hadnt felt the baby move in over 24 hours. Last felt him on Monday. So, checked his heartrate this morning with the doppler....143. He's on the left side of my belly. His head is up by my ribs. He is now awake & moving. Kicking the heck out of my cervix.

The doppler always wakes him up. I guess they can hear it in there. I dont know how a doppler works...but I'm guessing it sends little sound waves in there & records the sound from there.... Yes--here's my very simplistic version of the workings of a doppler. I know it reports back about baby's blood flow. Anyway--my point is this: it seems to wake him up, so there must be something that he can hear or feel.

On an unrelated topic: just got a call from the CPS worker...and I dont have to go to testify in that court case afterall. So, that's good for me & the doctor who was going to have to go.

So, tomorrow, I will leave work @ 2pm to go get my DL renewed. Oh, what fun for my birthday!!!! *Note to self: wear something cute, as they will be taking your picture!* And, dont forget the change of address!!!!

Free lunch today. Have a meeting at noon. Woohoo.

Forbidden Snickers taste better!!!

So, on Monday I left work early from a backache.
Yesterday, I called DRD crying from my desk b/c my back hurt so bad. He called the Dr's office, and they said to try a heating pad. One of the docs that I work with put me on a stretcher & cracked & stretched my back. Then I went home & got in the tub.

Pop, Gammy, & Dad came over for dinner. I hadnt had my starch of the day, so I got to eat Mac & Cheese with my dinner. Yummy Yummy Yummy I had love in my tummy!!! But, all in all--I was a pretty useless hostess or even conversationalist b/c my back hurt so bad. I pretty much planted myself in the big comfy chair in the living room & let the others move around me.

Dad brought over our baby gift: a new digital camera! ...that I have no idea how to use. I'm still learning...and I swear, the owner's manual is thicker than the owner's manual to my car!!! It's an Olympus Camedia C-60 Zoom, 6.1 megapixel...it takes still pictures & little video clips. This thing even has a remote control! It's fun....complicated...but fun.

Damon then ran to Eckerd's/CVS to get me a heating pad....which was wonderful on my back. Told to use it for about 10 minutes at a time. Okay, whatever. I'm going to use it as long as I feel I need it. Or as long as it feels good.
Anyway...it was soothing last night.

So, as we are getting into bed & I'm getting my heating pad situated....DRD came in with the King Size, Mega-Size, Super-mondo Snickers bar. Holy cow. At first I was mad b/c I thought it was for him & he was going to eat it in front of me, & that's just wrong. But...he said that b/c it's my birthday week, and b/c I'd had 2 bad back days in a row...and b/c it wasnt going to kill me--I could have it. He had two. So, of course I tore into it like I hadnt eaten in days. OMG! Forbidden Snickers taste better! I ate every bite of that thing! It was awesome! The caramel...the nouget (sp?)...the peanuts...I could have easily recorded a commercial for them last night. I was the world's biggest Snickers fan in that moment!!!!

26w1d.

Here's what pregnancyweekly.com says about Gage:


You may notice increased activity when in brighter light and decreased activity in darkened rooms. Your baby's hearing is becoming more acute, which means they are likely to startle in response to a loud or sudden noise.


Standard question I get asked: How are you feeling?
Well, being PG is no longer so much fun. My back seems to hurt all the time. yesterday while at work, it was hurting so bad that I left @ 2pm. Then of course I had to drive home about 40 minutes. That was fun. I immediately got into the tub at home. It seems that a warm bath is pretty much the only thing that helps my back. You know--if they'd just install a bathtub in my office, I wouldnt have had to leave yesterday.

I'm so tired today. Had backache all evening. After the bath it settled down for a bit, but then standing to stir the tortilla soup for dinner just aggravated it again.

Damon went to Blockbuster for us. He got the movie "Birth" with Nicole Kidman. I told him that I heard it was weird. It was too weird for me. I havent finished it yet because that's when my back really started hurting again & I had to get back in the tub.

Then, we started Damon's other movie selection: Boogeyman. It's stupid. I mean, there are certainly startling moments where things jump out & it startles you as a viewer...but the actual story line is really stupid. I fell asleep about an hour into the movie. I dont know if Damon finished it or not.

Only a couple of days until I'm 27.
:)

My back is hurting right now.
I cant leave work everyday that I have a backache, but there doesnt seem to be anything that I can do about it while I'm at work. Tylenol isnt helping.
I'm sure that the scoliosis spine I've got isnt helping things much either. It's not really bad scoliosis or anything. If it was severe, they would have done something about it. My shoulders & hips are off a little bit because of a slight curvature in my spine. Now I'm just convinced that's part of the reason why my back hurts so much. You know, on top of the extra weight I'm carrying around in the front & my weakened abdominal muscles. But, I'm convinced that it is my scoliosis contributing to the backaches because my back always hurts on the same side (my right side) in the same area (mid back...not lumbar back like all the books say is common for when you are PG).

Enough with my bitching & moaning....
but today I'm just not so chipper. I want to go home, get into the tub, & then get in bed & fall back asleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Diet changes.

So, for dinner last night...
Baked porkchop
Glass of 2% milk
High protein yogurt
1/2 of a Gala apple

Breakfast:
2 pieces of sausage
2 pieces of bacon
coffee (1/2 caffeine)

Lunch:
pint of Skim milk
19.9 fl oz water
baked fish
green beans
corn

Do green beans & corn have starch in them? Please tell me know b/c if they do, then I've used up my starches for today. I only get one a day...so I'd rather not spend it there. They werent that great for veggies.

Have my maternity shots tomorrow. Need to get my nails & toenails done. Either today after work or tomorrow before we go. Damon says I should do it today, and that will give the weather a chance to cool off & he can plant flowers this evening when I get home & tell him where I want them. (At least he waited for me on that part!!!)

Having a cute day. I'm sure it's b/c I was well rested today. Several people have told me today that I have that "pregnancy glow". Of course...then they comment on how tired I normally look.... but whatever. I will take the compliments!

My birthday is coming up. Dad keeps asking me what I want. I cant decide... $$ for a shopping spree (Summer maternity clothes are desperately needed by this expanding diva...and Old Navy has some mega-cute stuff!)...or do I want a 3d/4d ultrasound. Those rock & I'd get to see my baby, and have images to last forever.

It's so hard getting older & being asked what you want for your birthday. I dunno what I want! When I was a kid--I think I kept a running list all year long!!!!

Okay, 4pm is drawing near, so I gotta run!

Dear Husband,

Dont ask me to make a list of the flowers I want in the front flower bed, then go home to get it, only to leave it @ the house & go shopping without it.

Dont call me one more time @ work to ask me difference between X flower & Y flower.
Dont call me again at work to tell me that I need to choose between this & that. I'm not there. I cant choose. Either, go with what I've already outlined that I want...a very safe option for yourself.... Or just make an Executive Decision on this one!

Dont tell me that the one I've chosen isnt going to work because the tag says "Part Shade". The freaking flower bed gets part shade. Do you think I havent already planned this out? That's why I've been to two nurseries & made a list of what we need & how many.

Geez. I wanted to go & buy the flowers. But no...you just HAD to do it today while I'm at work. Fine. But dont call me 50 bajillion times about it!

Okay. Venting over with.

Dr's appt today...I've got a new diet.

1. sugar is permissable in my 2 cup allotment of coffee per day.
2. 1 sugary item per week (i.e. 1 piece of cake, one scoop of ice cream).
3. 1 starch item per day (1 slice of bread, 1 scoop of mashed potatoes).
4. majority of each meal needs to be protein: meat, beans, nuts, eggs, cheese.

Measuring into the 26th week.
Doc says the baby is not slowing down any on his growth.
Doc estimates that I will be able to vaginally deliver a baby weighing less than or around 7.5 pounds. Doc says that they will now start closely monitoring baby's size, & really focus on this in the last few weeks. Doc says that he thinks I may go into labor on my own around the 11th or 12th. Says that he wont hesitate to do a c-section if this baby doesnt slow down on size....thus the protein rich, starch & sugar-lacking diet.

So, I'm 25 weeks (measuring into the 26th week), and I've gained 30 pounds.
Got tested for gestational diabetes today. Wont have the results for a bit. He says that even if it's negative I have the diet changes. If it's positive I'll go for a 3 hour glucose test. YUCK.

Random note: have a busted capillary in my eyeball. Threw up last night. I dont know if it was a random wave of late morning sickness or what. Just couldnt hold my dinner down, and busted out my eyeball capillary.
So, that's looking mega cute.

OHHHH F*CK! I have my maternity photos in 2 days with a busted eyeball capillary!

My lunch selection today (with new diet rules in mind...)
Hawaiian chicken (scraped off all the stuff which makes it "Hawaiian"...ate just the chicken)
Refried Beans
Asparagus spears
Salad with greens, boiled egg, & turkey only.
V-8 drink.
14 oz. 2% milk.

Ugh.
I'm in a pissy mood...and I'm sure that it's b/c I need starches & sugars!!!!

6.7.5....welcome Abigail & Shiloh!

Okay...Jessica was going in for a c-section @ 7:30 to deliver the twins: Abigail & Shiloh (middle names unknown by me...still discussing @ my last chat with Jess).
I cant wait to get an email with pics of them!!!!

My life:
Had a disaster drill (city wide...or metroplex wide...I dunno) this morning. Naturally, in the midst of that, we get several REALLY sick real patients, and one is s/p CPR & I was tied up with that family for a long time.

Have a meeting with CPS @ 2pm regarding a case that Nicole called in....now she's moved out of the country, & so they may subpoena me to go to court instead. "I look forward to that Greg" (line from "Meet the Parents"...Damon & I just love that & say it all the time!) Anyway...Nicole, if you are reading this: way to freaking go! You just HAD to be concerned, didnt you? You just HAD to move to Europe didnt you!!?? (*please note the sarcasm*) Anyway--all I know, is that the case goes to court next week, and it better not freaking be on my birthday! I have 1/2 a day off that day b/c my stupid driver's lisence expires & I've got to go get it renewed.

Last night's sleep: up @ 11 something, Damon woke me up b/c I was snoring. up again at 1 something, Damon woke me up b/c I was snoring. I remember making the comment, "Dont wake me up again. If I start snoring--you may need to rethink YOUR sleeping arrangements." Well, karma caught up to me for being snappy, & at 2:30 I was up and out of bed with a backache. In the tub, and out by 3...went back to sleep...woke up @ 6:15.

We watched the show, "Hell's Kitchen". It's like a train wreck. It's not good--but you watch it anyway. Well, there's this guy on there named Dewberry. He's like the official underdog of the show. But what I cant get over: he's got such an awful, awful name!! Dewberry. And some people call him Dewey. Oh, it's just a bad, tragic name, and what's even worse: it totally fits him.

Dont know much else for now.
:)

When I'm feeling burned out....

How many social workers does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They empower the bulb to change itself.

How many social workers does it take to change a light bulb?
None. The bulb isn't burned out, it's just differently lit.

How many social workers does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They set up a team to write a paper on coping with darkness.

How many social workers does it take to change a light bulb?
The light bulb doesn't need changing, it's the system that needs to change.

*********************************************
A mugger with a gun confronts a social worker. The mugger yells, "Your money or your life!" "I'm sorry," the social worker answers, "I'm a social worker, so I have no money . . . and no life."

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Social workers, like most teachers, don't make much. Or do they?

What do they make?
They make an infertile couple celebrate a lifetime of Mother's Days and Father's Days by helping them adopt a crack baby no one else wanted.
They make a child fall asleep every night without fear of his father's fists.
They make a homeless veteran feel at home in the world.
They make a teenager decide to stop cutting herself.
They make a beaten woman find the courage to leave her abuser for good.
They make a boy with Down syndrome feel like the smartest kid on the bus.

What do they make?
They make a 10-year-old believe that he is loved and wanted, regardless of how long he lasts in the next foster home.
They make a teen father count to 10 and leave the room so he won't shake his newborn son.
They make a man with schizophrenia see past his demons.
They make a rape victim talk about it for the first time in years.
They make an ex-convict put down the bottle and hold down a job.

What do they make?
They make a couple communicate so well they decide not to get divorced.
They make a dying cancer patient make peace with her past, with her brief future, with her God.
They make the old man whose wife has Alzheimer's cherish the good times, when she still remembered him.
They make forgotten people feel cherished, ugly people feel beautiful, confused people feel understood, broken people feel whole.

What do they make?
They make more than most people will ever make.
They make a difference.

Unborn Heart...by Dan Hill

Here's a song from Damon's First Father's Day CD
The song is Unborn Heart by Dan Hill. Oh, it's so sweet!

When she told me
She was gonna have a baby
A part of me went weightless
For the first time in my life
There was nothing I could say
It's like a miracle from the stars above
Paralized with fear
I was overcome with love

She said soon you'll hear the beating
Of an unborn heart
This is the answer
You've been searching for so hard
And for the first time in my life I felt
The wave of love so deep
As I listened for the unborn child's heartbeat

I said something stupid like, how are you feeling?
She smiled the warmest smile I've ever seen
Ohhhh, I guess that said it all
Now we're a far cry from the storybook romance
Something in her eyes, made me crumble
I reached out for her hand

She said soon you'll hear the beating
Of an unborn heart
This is the answer
You've been searching for so hard
And for the first time in my life I felt
The wave of love so deep
As I listened for the unborn child's heartbeat

Now we all know how crazy
This world can be sometimes
And I lie awake at night and wonder
How a child survives
Beyond the danger in the strangers
And the inhumanity
Lord give us strength to someday find a world that lives in peace

Ohhhh

She said soon you'll hear the beating
Of an unborn heart
This is the answer
You've been searching for so hard
And for the first time in my life I felt
The wave of love so deep
As I listened for the unborn child's heartbeat

Ohhh, I can almost hear the beating....

25 weeks today.

Only 15 more weeks to go!

Here's what babycenter.com says about the average baby @ 25 weeks:
How your baby's growing: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — doesn't sound like much, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after he's born.

...now, I'm sure my baby weighs more than a pound & a half, b/c he weighed 1 pound 9 ounces @ 18 weeks.

...didnt get much sleep last night...I think Gage was trying to kick his way out from under my ribs. I usually really enjoy feeling him kick. Well, last night he somehow nestled himself up under my ribs---it felt like he was between my lungs & probably resting his head on my heart!!! I woke up from his kicks--they HURT! And, I couldnt catch my breath, and literally had to stand up & massage him out of there. OMG, thought I was going to die. But, when I got up & pushed him down lower, he was fine. Active, but fine...& then the kicks didnt hurt. Well, about 2-3 hours later, I wake up again because he's back in my ribs! He either really likes it up there...or somehow gets stuck up there & hates it...or maybe it's just new territory that he wants to explore...I dunno. I just know it hurts, and I hate it when he gets up there!!!!

Now, when I did finally go back asleep--I had the most bizarre dream right before I woke up this morning.
First, I was babysitting Susan & David's dog, Charlie. He's kind of small, black curly hair, I forget what breed he is...not Scottie or Westie...& Aufen something or other I think. He looks like Toto from the Wizard of Oz, only a little bigger. Anyway--he is sssssoooooo sweet & biggest ball of energy you've ever seen. Well, Damon & I were dog sitting him @ our place b/c Susan & David were going somewhere. And, Eddie & Charlie got along wonderfully. Then, later in the dream, it was like a few months later, and Susan gave me a puppy...and Charlie was the father. Well,the puppy was so tiny, & it looked more like a brand new baby bird than a puppy. And, its hair was curly like Charlie's, but it was bright orange. When it was time to feed the dogs, Eddie got his regular dog food...but the orange puppy got Fruity Pebbles. It was weird.

Weekend...
Saturday...cleaned house a little (not as much as I should have)
Made homemade Chili
Went to a local nursery (Walton's), & then to Home Depot to price shop flowers
Designed a front flower bed
Damon went & got a truck load of mulch for the front flowerbed

Sunday
Damon & his nephew Christopher, and his mom made the front flower bed
I went to the grocery store for a couple of things
Ate about 1/2 a watermelon by myself!
Megan & Stephen came over on their way to dinner...Stephen saw the house for the 1st time, & they got to see the nursery stuff (new bedding, etc.)

Megan brought over two really cute onesies. She said she bought them before she knew if we were having a boy or a girl...so they are both yellow & white. (which works out well..because I bought a lot of yellow & white baby stuff before I knew Gage was a boy!) One outfit has a yellow ducky on it. The other one says "Just stay Little".So, they're super cute.

Heard from Jessica this morning. She's going in for a c-section on Tuesday. (Prayers for her & her babies!!!) She says that the dr's estimate her babies @ 6 pounds each. For those who dont know--she's having twin girls. And, they are in the midst of renovating a house & going to be moving very soon. Thank goodness they've got family to help out! They've already got one little one at home. He's ....almost 2 I think. (Jess--forgive me if I'm wrong!) Anyway....Jessica & I were talking a couple of weeks ago, and she said that soon she'll be the mother of 3, all of which will be under the age of 2! My first thought (& Jessica knows this!), all those diapers! I just cant even think about all the diapers they are going to use up!!!!

Mom & David had their anniversary this past weekend. They've been married for 1 year & 2 days. Time flies.... Thinking back to 1 year & 2 days ago...man, I was skinny!!! Damon was playing in a golf tournament that weekend.

This Saturday is my photo-shoot with Diana Hall. I'm soooooo excited! I cant wait. Mom's coming up from Tyler to go with me.

My friend Mikey just came by & dropped off the CD for Damon's father's day gift. Sadly, I have no CD player on my computer at work. Well....Mikey works in IS here, so, he says he'll bring me one shortly & install it in my computer so I can listen to the CD. Thanks Mikey!!!
I think Damon is going to just love this gift!!!

Big News: Ginger Dean is engaged! She got engaged this past weekend...and is getting married the day after my birthday! (Not this year.... 6/17/6). Random thought: I'll be a MOTHER by then!!!!


I'm off to start my day. Well, I've already seen 2 patients this morning...so I guess my day is started...but I do have more work to do...so I'm outta here!!

It's Friday!

Movie Review: "Are we there yet?" with Ice Cube. Okay...cute family movie. Damon & I finished it last night.
Still to come: "Spanglish" & "The Aviator"

It's Friday.

Just got off the phone w/ my credit union. Apparently my Visa check card # was "compromised" & needs to be cancelled ASAP. So, they did. No debit card for me for the next 7-10 days. Thanks credit union. I'm so glad I have lunch $ & gas in my car. When I asked for more information regarding the "compromise" of my check card #, they didnt really have much to give me. Makes me think that the problem was likely their fault & they just dont want to own up to it.

Damon saw my belly move for the first time last night. That was pretty cool for him. When Gage kicks sometimes you can see my belly jump.

Damon doesnt normally read my blog...in fact, I dont know if he has the address...anyway...I know he doesnt read it, so I am going to post his Father's Day CD on here. My friend, Mikey, said he would burn a CD for me to give to Damon for Father's Day.
So far, here are the songs I intend to put on it:
Remember When (Alan Jackson)
Unborn Heart (Dan Hill)
I am Your Child (Barry Manilow)
The Best Day (George Strait)
Baby Mine (Bette Midler)
Love Without End Amen (George Strait)
Drive (Alan Jackson)
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Daddy's Hands (Holly Dunn)
Little Houses (Doug Stone)
I Could Not Ask for More (Edwin McCain)
I Hope You Dance (LeeAnn Womack)
A Moment Like This (Kelly Clarkson)

Damon drives a lot with his job, so I think this will be awesome for him. They are songs that I think he'll enjoy as a daddy/family collection, and it's something he'll use often! (I hope anyway)....

If anyone has anymore suggestions, let me know for sure!!!

I dont really feel like working today.
Big plans for the weekend: clean house. Make a deposit at the bank. Watch the two above mentioned movies.

That's all I know for now!

24w3d

...and total weight gain: 27 pounds.
Goal: no more than 35. (Well, dr said he wants to see @ least 35...I say no more than 35).

My walk has changed. I've officially transitioned into the waddle.

I've been thinking of cotton candy all day....where, oh where can I get some!!??

Backache, Backache go away....

...and dont come again another day!

My sleeping last night: fell asleep at the beginning of the 10 o'clock news. Woke up at 1:30, again at 2:30...was up until 3:00, woke up again at 5, and then when the alarm went off at 6:15.
I guess pregnancy is a way of getting you ready for the "up all night" when the new baby arrives. So what's with people saying, "enjoy your sleep now"....because the backaches wake me up.

I think our mattress is too soft. Plus, Damon weighs so much more than me...I'm not saying he's fat...but it's just a fact that he weighs more than me. So, when he lays down, it pushes the mattress down, and I feel like I'm sleeping on an incline...which puts strain on my back.
I routinely wake up with backaches.

What we've done to help the situation:
1. warm baths in the middle of the night. And, Damon's so sweet b/c he'll run the tub for me & help me walk into the bathroom & get in the tub. When your spine hurts so bad--it's hard to stand & walk or do anything!
2. changing positions. Well, this should be #1 on the list, because it's the first thing I tried.
3. pillows behind my back, in between Damon & I.
4. Damon got me this special pregnancy wedge pillow that has two parts. One part goes under my belly & is a very slight wedge. The other wedge is larger & goes right behind my back, keeping me from rolling off my left side, and putting constant pressure on my back. I thought it was a waste of $$ at first, but Damon said that if it worked--it would be the best money we've spent during this entire pregnancy....affording BOTH of us a good night's rest. Well, it works...it's pretty comfortable...but it doesnt work all of the time. I'm not getting as many back aches...but I still get them.
5. me sleeping @ the other end of the bed. This in combination with the wedge pillow is our latest attempt at relieving the backaches. I sleep with my head at the foot of the bed. This way, the bulk of my body is down near Damon's legs & feet, and he's not pushing the mattress in so much, b/c that is not where the bulk of his body weight is. Well--it didnt help last night b/c I kept waking up with a backache!

And--Damon would NOT let me take a warm bath b/c it was storming with lightning. I was so willing to take my chances....but, he's a stickler about that kind of stuff. I call him & his family "weather junkies". It's funny to all of us!
:)

What else???
I'm wearing a dress today. And stupid pantyhose. It's a dress code requirement here. I hate it. I hate pantyhose. I'm looking for a medical reason for why I shouldnt have to wear them...but all the docs I work with can come up with is "recurrent yeast infections." Well, (1) that's a problem I dont have (thank goodness!), (2) that's not something I really want to turn into HR, & (3) they would just say, "if you dont want to wear pantyhose, dont wear dresses or skirts; wear pants." So--alas, I am stuck in the horrible pantyhose saga. We all (all of us in our dept.) hate them & wish we could change the dress code. I've been fighting it since I got here....nothing has changed yet.

Had a pretty good evening yesterday. Damon & I ran to the grocery store & got stuff to make stir-fry & egg rolls. It was really good. We watched a little tele...I took out the recycleables, and then he played on the internet while I bathed &then watched "Britney & Kevin: chaotic". It really is like a train wreck: it's so horrible, but you cant look away. Then I watched "Babies: Special Delivery, and "Make Room for Baby". After that, it was about 10 & Damon came to bed (to watch the news/weather, of course), and I fell asleep.
Oh, before we went to get stir-fry stuff, we went for a walk. I bug Damon to go for walks with me. He doesnt want me out going for walks by myself, so I have to beg him to go with me. Well, we only walked for 25 minutes, but the sun was shining & our path didnt seem to lead us to much shade. I was soooooo tired by the end. I dont recall walking downhill much--but it really seems like we were walking uphill most of the time!!! Damon laughed because we didnt go that far--not like we normally do, but I was worn out!!! Even still--I'm glad we did it. It's the only intentional exercise I get. I dont count walking around at work!

Right now Allen is visiting Dad in Austin. I hope they are having a good time. I talked to them last night & Allen was swimming. Dad wanted to take him to the capitol, but Dad said that all he wants to do is swim--so instead of going to the capitol, they went to WalMart & bought swim floats & a boogie board. I am sure Allen is having tons of fun!

Signing off for now!