Things That I'm Excited About

I've been in a pretty downer mood lately, so I thought that I'd make a list of things that I am excited about to help me be happier.

• My (or Jane's) quilt has been quilted and I love it!  
• Now that it is quilted, Madeleine is going to come down and help me bind it!  
• I found some maternity pants for $10 (Ross is awesome!) and they fit great (after I hemmed them)
• I am getting material together to make some little dolls called Black Apple dolls.  My friend showed some that she made on her blog and I fell in love with them.  
• I HAVE to go to Hobby Lobby to get more ribbon and felt for the dolls.  
• The 5th (and final) Fabelhaven book came out this week.  
• I am sharing the book with Mark, but I get it during the days and after his bedtime, so I'll be done over the weekend.
• I am about 1/3 of the way through the book (600 pages) and I started yesterday!
• I finally bought new pots and pans.  Daniel and I have been talking about getting new ones for a year now.  I found some that I liked and had a 20% off coupon, so I got them!
• The boys are doing really well with their piano lessons.  
• We figured out a better system for piano practicing.  It use to be 10 minutes a day, but they would spend most of the time dinking around on songs that weren't part of the lesson.  So now their practice consists of 3 times through each song in the morning and 3 times through each song in the evening.  They don't complain about it, they still practice about 10 minutes a day, but this is so much easier on everyone!
• I love that we have a digital piano because we can control the volume of the piano.  The boys can still practice even if someone is asleep. It is beautiful!
• I finally figured out what to put in the apothecary jars that I made in January.

  

• I have a picture of me that Seth took to show off my belly

 

•  I had Seth take my pictures.  When I reviewed the pictures, he had chopped off my head in all of them!  This is the face he gave me when I looked through the pictures:

•  I get excited to pick Seth up from preschool.  He is always in such a great, happy mood and I am genuinely interested in what he did at school.  He is such a fun kid!  He said that he scared a girl at school.  How?  He made funny faces like these:

•  A face only a mother could love!?
• Daniel and I are going out to eat today- just for dessert!  (we are going to the Cheesecake Factory- they have a Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake that is wheat free!  It isn't dairy free, obviously, but I can tolerate the side effects of dairy far easier than I can the effects of wheat)
• I'm excited about the chocolate!

Frustrated

Last night I had a brilliant idea to aid my ice cravings.  Lately I have been putting the ice cubes in the blender, dumping the ice shavings into a cup and putting in some lemonade (homemade lemonade- but not freshly squeezed).  I thought that it would be wonderful to make small ice cubes out of  the lemonade and then shave the lemon ice. 

 

I needed a small ice cube tray, so I headed out to Walmart to pick one up around 9 p.m. last night.  The parking lot was really crowded.  The west entrance was closed and guarded by employees and policemen.  A news truck and a radio truck were parked in front. 

 

I should have listened to my gut and just left, but I didn’t.  I wanted an ice cube tray.  No, I NEEDED an ice cube tray. 

 

I found a parking spot near the front and went in.  That is when I found out what all the hoopla was about.  Twilight.  The DVD came out last night and people were lining up to get the DVD and hopefully sneak a peek at a few of the actors from the movie. 

 

To each their own, I thought, as I made my way towards the kitchen  isle.  There was a stinking road block.  People were lined up in the isles 4-5 people wide and it went from the electronic department to the house goods department, completely blocking my access to the ice cube trays.  I was so upset.  I was irritated.  Come on, people, this is a store where people actually want to buy things, but they can’t because you are sitting on the floor in the isle  blocking access to half of the store so that you can buy a movie that you have already watched. 

 

I could feel my heart rate elevate.  My eyes were burning with hot tears.  I just want a freaking ice cube tray people.  I started feeling disoriented and angry.  This pregnant woman had to get out of the store before a melt down occurred.   

 

The fumes stopped by the time I got out of the parking lot.  Luckily the grocery store nearby had the tray I was looking for. 

 

I am sitting here with my cup of shaved lemon ice.  It is delicious. 

 

The news said that 5000 people were at the store last night for the DVD.  Ha!  I smirked.  The store only had 1000 DVD’s. 

Random Thoughts

I have been spending a lot of time reading other people's blogs lately.  I have been neglecting writing in my own, but I have just a ton of random thoughts so here they are:

• I use to be able to shower, dress and do my hair in about 10-15 minutes.  
• I am now unable to get out of the shower within 10. 
• A hot shower just feels so good that I don't want to get out until my fingers start to 'prune'.
• The other day I was taking a shower and I had my eyes closed while the water was hitting my back.  I opened my eyes and looked down and thought "good grief, I am so bloated!"
• I then remembered that I was pregnant, not bloated!
• Even though it was just momentarily, it was strange to 'forget' that I was pregnant- especially while naked!
• Saturday's weather was completely depressing.
• 3 inches of snow and it was gloomy and stormy outside ALL day.
• Seth had the stomach flu from Thursday through Saturday.  
• Saturday was the panic day and he went to the doctor because I was worried.
• Thankfully it was just a stomach flu, but it cost us $150 to find that out.  
• I went shopping on Saturday and bought new maternity clothes.
• I feel silly buying clothes that I will only wear for the next 2 months or so, but I had to get some clothes that I feel good in.
• I now weigh what I did when I STARTED my pregnancies with Paul and Seth.  All of the clothes I bought with Seth are too big.
• Daniel is a total sweetheart.  He completely encouraged me to go buy new clothes!  (He was most likely sick of listening to me complain!)
• He rationalized the cost of the new clothes to me this way: "Our maternity deductible is $6500, so you spending $100 on clothes makes the cost of this pregnancy $6600 instead.  We can handle that."
• $6500 for maternity deductible is outrageous.  
• But we knew that going into this pregnancy.  
• That is just how things are when you are self-employed and have to buy an individual health insurance plan.  
• I do not support the current health insurance bill that Pres. Obama wants passed.  
• I finally took down my autumn wreath from the front door this weekend.  
• I can't believe that I left it up all winter.
• I finally weeded the flowerbed by the front door yesterday.  
• It needed to be weeded before winter came, but it never happened.
• This Saturday is the first day of spring!
• Daniel is going golfing with his brothers.
• The boys and I are going to have a "First Day of Spring" party.
• I'm not sure what we are going to do yet, but it looks like the weather will be somewhat cooperative to play outside.  (highs around 47 degrees and sunny)
• I want to get a trampoline for the boys to play on
• We gave our old one to a neighbor when we moved and planned on getting a new one when we got into this house.
• We have been in this house for 2 years now.  
• I guess that it is time to make good on our promise.
• I have been craving ice lately.
• I like the ice that is in small balls and looks a bit like Styrofoam because it is easier to chew.
• When I was pregnant with Mark I would pick the restaurant according to the type of ice that they served.   
• Other cravings I have had this pregnancy: tater tots, broccoli, peanut butter, chocolate, cinnamon bears and Hot Tamales.
• Mmmmmm, I think that I'm going to go make some tater tots with a side of broccoli for lunch.

I Passed!

After receiving the news that I had failed my 1-hour glucose test, I was really upset.  I called my doctor and talked to him about my concerns of taking the 3-hour test.  He was very sympathetic about me getting sick.  He said that the 1-hour is just a screening and the 3-hour is diagnostic.  He said that he certainly can't force me to take the test, but without the 3-hour test, he would monitor me more closely just as a precaution (meaning he would treat me as though I did have gestational diabetes with 1 hour non-stress tests and such).  He recognized that I don't fall within many of the risk factors, but that it isn't impossible for me to have gestational diabetes.  He left it completely up to me and told me that he would support my decision.  I really like my doctor. 

I thought about this for a few days.  I looked up information about gestational diabetes.  I pondered more about things.  I remembered a few years ago when I was researching causes for my headaches and I monitored my blood sugar levels for a week or so.  Even when I tried, I couldn't get my levels to go above 130 (I ate 3 pieces of pizza, 2 bread sticks, 16 ounces of root beer, a root beer float with 3 scoops of ice cream and a chocolate pudding cup within 20 minutes and my blood sugar levels went from 80ish to around 130 at the peak).  For my level during the 1-hour test to be 163, I thought could be a significant sign.

I don't take diabetes lightly.  Both my maternal grandparents had diabetes, four of the six of their children have diabetes, my sister and my cousin both had gestational diabetes.  I figured that the test results were either a fluke (lab mistake) or that I did have GD.  I decided to go ahead and take the 3-hour test.

I was prepared for the day to be horrible and have a terrible migraine at the end of it all.  I drank the glucose solution (100 grams of glucose!) and tried to relax.  The waiting room was really uncomfortable for me.  There was a television blaring the morning shows, the receptionists chatting away loudly and I couldn't concentrate on my book (Pride and Prejudice- I love that book!).  I noticed that the office across the hall wasn't open and since the waiting rooms aren't enclosed, I went over to the other office and got away from the noise (and the stinky smoker in the first waiting room).  I carved out my own little corner and read. 

I set my alarm to make sure that I didn't miss my blood draws and things worked out beautifully!  For the bulk of the first hour I felt like I was going to throw up, but after that passed, I felt just fine.  I was pleasantly surprised!  I was able to stay focused on my book and the time passed rather quickly.  I seriously felt better at the end of the 3-hour mark than I did after my 1-hour test. 

The nurse called me this afternoon to tell me that I had passed the test.  My levels were: fasting 76, 1 hour 111, 2 hour 80, 3 hour 79.  I'm kind of frustrated that I spent the morning taking the test, but glad to know with certainty that I don't have GD.  I am grateful that I don't have GD.  I am further grateful that I didn't get super sick from taking the test.

I Failed

I got a phone call from my doctors office today informing me that I failed my 1-hour glucose test.  I am supposed to call and schedule a 3-hour test tomorrow and I really, REALLY don't want to to it.  I took a glucose tolerance test when I was 15 and I got so sick.  I really can't imagine how sick I will be doing this while pregnant.  I will have to fast for 12 hours, drink the glucose stuff and have my blood tested every three hours.  That is 15 hours with only a bunch of sugar in my system.  I got shaky and couldn't concentrate at the 45 minute mark of the 1-hour test. 

I am really frustrated.  I know that gestational diabetes is serious, so I need to find out if I have it and make sure that I keep the blood sugar levels in check.  But I really don't want to take the test.  I KNOW that I will be sick for a few days after the test.  Heck, I can't handle eating a meal late, yet alone skipping one (or two).

I cried when the nurse told me the results.  I am going to call and ask tomorrow if there is any other option to diagnosing GD.  I seriously cannot handle more food restrictions than I already have. 

Home Alone

Saturday morning Daniel went to Grand Junction, Colorado to visit his brother, Sam.  He took the boys with him and I was left at home, all alone.  It has been very quiet around here- and I've loved it!  I will be ready for them to come home this afternoon, but I really enjoyed the quiet time. 

I'm still not feeling that great (thus the reason I stayed home- as I actually would have liked to go).  I'm not sure if my 'pregnancy honeymoon' is over or if I am sick.  I still have the sinus mess, but man am I ever tired.  I am in the third trimester and I remember being exhausted like this during my pregnancy with Seth (for every one hour up and about I need two hours of rest).  I didn't get everything accomplished during the 2nd trimester that I wanted to get done.  Most of it can wait, so no big deal, right?  I still want to go and visit my brother in Idaho before I have the baby.  But I think that it will be a wait and see trip.  This sucks.

This weekend I watched Pride and Prejudice (the BBC version), took naps, finished the quilt top, ate half a package of chocolate chips (I melted them and added a big spoonful of peanut butter to it), worked on a few projects in the office and the baby's room, browsed the internet and rested.  I still need to clean up my sewing stuff, but technically it can wait until dinnertime as that is when we will need the table next (unless I just serve cold cereal and have the boys sit at the bar!) 

I have been getting these terrible side cramps at random times that last anywhere from 20-45 minutes.  I went to my doctor on Thursday and he checked to make sure that everything is okay.  My cervix is still closed, so it is just a muscular issue.  That relived me a lot.  My doctor suggested that I put my knees up to my chest and lay in fetal position to shorten the muscle and possibly ease the cramping.  I laughed and told him that fetal position right now is easier said than done.  I'm having one of the cramps right now and I've got to go walk around and find a more comfortable position. 

28 weeks

I am 28 weeks pregnant right now.  The due date is only 12 weeks away!  That seems awfully soon, and yet, so far away.  I am excited to see our little Jane.  She has been super active the last few days, her favorite activity has been using my bladder as a punching (or kicking?) bag.

We bought a dresser and a bookcase for the nursery, so now I can start putting the clothes away and start stocking up on diapers.  Things are falling into place for us to welcome our little one home!   

The past two weeks have been a real struggle for me with this sinus mess.  I really hate being sick.  I think that my body is taking longer to recuperate because I am pregnant.  I have missed out on a few social events this last week because I have felt so crummy.  I really need to get better so I can get out of the house.  During times where I have felt somewhat better, I have been working on a baby quilt.  I it is nearly finished (I love how quickly baby quilts come together!)  I am planning on having it machine quilted so hopefully I will have some pictures to show in the next few weeks when I get it back from the quilter.

I have discovered an easy gluten-free flour mix that has worked in many of my favorite recipes.  When I am sick I crave breakfast foods, so I have been excited to make muffins, cinnamon strudel cake (aka coffee cake) PANCAKES, German pancakes and popovers using my normal recipes and just substituting the regular flour with the mix (plus a teaspoon or so of xanthan gum).  (The mix is 3 parts white rice flour to 2 parts cornstarch.  I mixed up a big batch and it is ready to go!)  I even found a place that sells white rice flour for about $1 a pound which is super cheap compared to other stores (thanks Debbie!) (the store is WinCo- in their bulk section)

Paul has been sick this past week, too.  He complained that his stomach hurt on Friday morning, but then seemed fine in the afternoon.  Saturday he puked (thank goodness he made it to the toilet on time!) and felt terrible.  Sunday he was tired, but okay.  Monday he was tired, but okay.  Tuesday he complained about his stomach hurting again.

A few years ago complaints about stomach aches would have fallen on deaf ears in this house.  But after two situations within my family, we take chronic stomach pain seriously.

My cousin's little girl (age 7) complained that her stomach hurt.  They thought that it was because she had been eating so many sweets (it was around Christmas time) and told her to go rest.  I don't know how long she complained about her tummy ache, but they wound up taking her to the hospital and she never came home.  I'm not completely sure about the details, but she had a hernia in her abdomen that had blocked her bowels and her bowels essentially ruptured and killed her. 

Last fall my nephew was throwing up and had stomach aches.  They thought that he had the flu since they had been around other people with the flu.  After 5 days of being sick they took him into the hospital assuming that they would give him an IV for dehydration.  Instead the doctors took him into surgery for an emergency appendectomy.  The appendix had burst, and my little nephew (age 9) was really sick.  He nearly died.  He spent 30 days in ICU and another week or two in the hospital.

So that is why we don't turn a deaf ear to stomach aches around here.  Daniel took Paul to the InstaCare around dinner time.  Thankfully it wasn't anything serious- he was diagnosed with strep infection.  His throat wasn't even sore.  My mom said that I would have a strep infection and my stomach would hurt or I'd get a rash, but no sore throat.

Paul in on antibiotics and is slowly getting his energy back.  Mark offered to stay home from school to keep Paul company yesterday.  Sorry, but NO.  Paul needed to rest, not have someone to fight with all day!

Time for dinner.  I'm going to try making cornbread tonight.  Hope it works out!