Out With the...

Old Refrigerator....which, at 16 +years old, has served us well, and continues on in a new spot, as an over-flow fridge until it finally dies.

You might notice the green schedule on the freezer...which indicates that tomorrow afternoon will be Bella's first obedience class. Yes, folks, I get the honor of training our dufus of a dog over the next eight weeks, but I'm sure there will more about that later.

And in (barely) with the new "fuwidgawator".

I say barely because we had 36 inches of clearance in which to fit the fridge, and this only after moving a lower cabinet over a few inches. The new fridge is 35.5 inches wide. It BARELY fit through the front door, down the hall or in the space. Let's just say that I am extremely glad that we didn't go with our second choice...a GE that was 35.75 inches wide!

Below is a pic of the new ice/water dispenser. Our old ice maker (no water) had not worked in a couple of years. We had repaired it twice before that, but finally something started leaking (okay, spurting is more accurate) from the back of the old fridge and so we finally admitted defeat and just started buying ice. I am very excited about the ice maker.

I am also very excited that we found exactly what we wanted on clearance at Lowe's for a little over 40% off. Not too shabby!

The inside of our fridge. Not too exciting, you might think, but A.) it's perfectly clean and B.) it's so much roomier and better organized than our old one. Our old fridge had a little over 4 cu. ft. of freezer space. This one has something like 9+ cu. ft., which will be well used!



Now, I just have to wait for it to cool completely before going grocery shopping to fill it with new food!

Miss Em

Lest we forget the original, firstborn, apple-of-our-eye....the one and only Miss Em!

She's not a ham, is she?

In these pictures, Emily has very chapped lips, especially above the upper lip. It looks like she tried to apply her own lipstick! If she could keep her tongue in her mouth, it wouldn't be a problem, but just try to convince her of that.




And just to compare the changes in a few short months...this picture was taken on the first day of school. Her hair is much longer, and she is now this tall without shoes!

For My Mom and Sister...Baby Clothes

Well, obviously, the shopping has begun! No, I did not buy all this in one day. I believe I only paid full price for one item (and it was too cute to pass up) and most was buy one, get one half off or 30-60% off.

Of course, I realize that I don't need to defend my purchases, but in all fairness, when Andrew sees this, I don't want him to explode! (He knows about the bulk of it anyhow.) Besides, the little name-less one has to have clothes.

I didn't take pictures of all of Emily's clothes as they were being purchased, but since my mom and sister like to get their baby shopping "fix" as well, the only way to avoid duplication on a grand scale (great minds do think...and shop alike...just ask my dear husband who once received 3 of the exact same shirt for his b-day!) I am taking pictures of my purchases since that is much easier than describing it over the phone.


The first set is all my "Carter's stuff". I'm trying to hold out on those basics until I can get to the outlets. Everything here is a puppy theme, including the onsies (which are size 0-3 mo). (I have two sets of the pants, in 0-3 mo. and 3-6 mo. since a store was going out of business and they were cheap.)

Next is my "Random brands" clothing. The little sleeper on the bottom is a "Little Me" brand from Macy's. The first outfit on the left is also from Macy's. The middle outfit came from Babies r Us and the set on the right came from TJ Maxx or Marshall's.

And finally...my Gymboree collection. The summery fish shorts/overalls/t-shirt are 0-3 mo. size. The rest (I believe) is more for fall and is 3-6 mo. size (or the next size up from newborn, however it is sized.) I don't generally buy way ahead, since I learned quickly with Amazon woman Emily that it's hard to guess what size a baby will be, but since the fall stuff was dirt cheap (less than $6 for each piece, I believe...I couldn't pass it up.) The chocolate brown striped fleece in the upper right-hand corner is a zippered hoodie jacket, in case you can't tell.

So there you have it, other than a couple generic gender-neutral onsies I've found along the way.

I think I need to find some things that aren't just blue and brown though. I have a lot of that so far.

A Chance at Life

Today, according to my doctor's estimate, I am 24 weeks pregnant (my ticker is two days off, but it's close enough!). At 24 weeks, a baby is considered "viable" meaning that if "Baby Boy Who Has Yet To Be Named" was born today, he would have a better than 50-50 chance of surviving. It might not sound like that big a deal, but it is...especially for those who have lost before. From this point on, each week greatly increases a baby's survival rate and doctors will actively work to save a baby born at this gestation.

Now, while this is all very important to me personally, there is a story that I found recently that really made me think. Obviously, doctors do the best job that they can to save lives, but even the best medical science isn't always perfect. To my knowledge, the only person who truly knows all, who is omniscient, is God. And God doesn't always do what we expect. In fact, I think He probably takes great pleasure in showing us His power and might, particularly when modern medicine and all its research believes "it" cannot be done.

According to this news story, from February of 2007, a medical miracle took place. Sonja Taylor was a mere 19 weeks pregnant when she went into premature labor. She knew that doctors would not even attempt to save the baby at that early stage of gestation, but as the baby's mother, she had to try. So when Mrs. Taylor checked into the hospital, she lied and told the medical team that she was farther along than she actually was.

According to Dr. Phuket Tantavit, a neonatology specialist, "survival of babies that [are] less than 22 weeks of gestation is close to zero, if not zero". As a result, the medical standard is not to even attempt to resusitate a baby born at 22 weeks. Sonja Taylor knew this, and made her choice.

The doctors did their best to stop the premature labor, and were able to hold it off for 9 more days, but then the inevitable happened...Baby Amillia was born. Believing that they were dealing with a 23 week gestation baby, doctors did everything they could to save the tiny baby girl.

She weighed only 10 oz. and was only slightly longer than a standard pen. One doctor referred to her saying, "She was literally just a coke can under sterile drape." Technically, she was even smaller, since a coke can is 12 oz. Yet somehow, baby Amillia responded well to the treatments.

It was many months later that doctors discovered the truth...that baby Amillia was born, not at 23 weeks as previously thought, but at a mere 21 weeks, 6 days, a day shy of the 22 week mark at which a baby would not even be considered for resusitation, according to medical standards. (The true gestational age was discovered through the parent's fertility specialist's records.)

Tiny baby Amillia had shattered a world record. She was the youngest baby to survive such a premature birth...and be "perfectly healthy".

" 'When you look at such a small miracle, you almost have to believe there's something else -- there's a higher power -- that allows us to do what we do,' [delivering doctor] Lievano said."

And that pretty much says it all. Baby Amillia's mother (and father) just wanted their little baby to have a chance at life. Yes, it was a gamble. The baby could have died The baby could have had many health problems. The outcome was most definitely uncertain. But baby Amillia was given a chance ONLY because her mother lied about her age. Had this not happened, tiny Amillia would not exist...she would have been yet another statistic. No one would have even tried to save her. The doctors, in what I'm certain they believed to be their best judgement, would have allowed this baby girl to die because they "thought" it couldn't be done.

And yet, God had another plan.

" 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ' decares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.' " Isaiah 55:8-11 (NIV)

God ONLY knows when a life is viable and He can accomplish far more than any doctor or scientist can even fathom....when we get out of His way and let Him work. Yes, medicine plays a role in saving lives...a very big role. However, it does not determine who has the right to life and who is beyond hope. That role belongs to the Great Physician alone.

Okay, Enough Already

The title of this post sums up how I feel.

I am 23+ weeks pregnant. Starting last week (Sat/Sun) I had a cold...which has completely stuffed up my nose and given me a hacking cough that is persisting. On top of that, I'm pretty sure I have/am developing a sinus infection, since I have plenty of pressure in my face around my sinuses, I'm blowing increasingly colorful stuff and I've had a headache since Saturday night.

Then Andrew and Emily came down with the cold. Emily seems to be faring the worst so far, but I've continued to send her to school (at her request) because the last time this happened the doctor said there really was no reason to keep her home.

Today, Emily has coughed non-stop and was increasingly lethargic and incredibly fussy. I don't know where our thermometer is, so I haven't checked her temperature, but given her worsening disposition, I decided to take her to the doctor. Apparently, that was a good call.

We got to the doctor, with Emily crying the entire way there, and even while the nurse was doing all the intake "stuff". Then they checked her temp. Of course, at this point, it was obvious to me that she had a fever. She had on a shirt, fleece jacket and pants in 70 degree weather, but was still complaining of being cold, plus her legs hurt. The nurse told us that her temp was 103.5...the highest temp that Em has had. So off the nurse went to get some tylenol, at which point Emily REALLY got upset.

If you will recall back a couple months ago to the great Amoxicillin fiasco of January, getting Emily to take medicine is more than a minor ordeal. As soon as the nurse returned with the 1 tsp. dose of cherry tylenol, all heck broke loose. Emily started trying to run away, made herself try to throw up (mostly just spitting all over me) and generally being absolutely 100% uncooperative. One would think that a 4.5 year old, 40 lber wouldn't be that difficult to handle...but that person would be wrong. We had to call in another nurse and the three of us together could hardly hold her down (and I'm not afraid to be tough). She finally decided to take the medicine on her own (rather than be held down) and then she was like a totally different child.

The doctor finally came in and checked her over. Her ears, throat and lungs looked fine, and the doctor's diagnosis was....THE FLU!!! (And yes, she had the flu-mist around October.) So after some general instructions on what to give her to keep her comfy, and a comment on how very much Emily talks...and talks...and talks...and talks....we headed home.

We have probably now spread the flu to her entire preschool. Yes, apparently I am *THAT* parent. And now, if we're really lucky, like we have been, this cold/sinus infection that I have will just be a pre-cursor to my own case of the flu.

Please, can I get off this ride?

Let the Decorating Begin!!!

This post is for the inner decorator in all of us (plus my Mom and sister, so they can see what I try to describe over the phone!).



I've been trying to pick out a nice way to decorate our little guy's nursery. Decorating Emily's room was easy...she was a girl, I am a girl...I know what we like! However, I've never been a boy and so I'm struggling with my desire to make it cute vs. keeping it from being girly. I have extensively searched (mainly online) all sorts of crib bedding and have tentatively narrowed the choices down from thousands to about 5. I'd say that's pretty good. I think I know which one I like the best and I think Andrew actually agrees with me, but I thought I'd get opinions here too, because everybody likes to weigh in on the fun stuff like names and clothes and decorating....right?


The picture above is the crib I believe we've chosen. No, we wouldn't normally be buying a brand new crib for our second baby, but unfortunately, the crib we used for Emily was recalled last summer, along with another batch from the same manufacturer earlier this year. So, we now have to buy a new crib. The good news is that we got a voucher towards the purchase of a new crib. The bad news is that we are strictly limited to using this voucher at Babies r Us/Toys r Us, which have limited options and frankly only one choice that would be close to the amount that the voucher is for. So, we will have to shell out more money, but hopefully this one will not be recalled, plus it comes with the option of converting into a full size bed, so I guess the price is worth it.








The above picture is called "Ahoy Mate" and is one of the two sets I've actually seen and felt in real life. (I like soft fuzzy things, so feeling the material is important to me!) The colors are navy, medium and light blues, tan and chocolate brown with a splash of sage green here and there. I think I would paint the room sky blue (or a nice medium blue on the top half and a nice neutral tan or rich cream on the bottom half.)

This next set is fun, but the blue/tan paint scheme won't work so well here. The room would have to be blue or green or both, but that's just about the same colors as Em's room. We like the ocean idea (or water theme in general). This one seems more juvenile than the other theme, but that's okay.

The above set is called "Zoofari" (if I recall). Again, no blue and tan, but green and tan or all green or tan would work. Every kid likes animals, right? It's cute, and finding accessories would be pretty simple as animals are plentiful.

This next set is obviously a very "ocean-y" theme. Just for your info, I won't be doing the whole curtains and diaper stacker, matchy-matchy set thing, just the bedding and possibly a valance with some blinds and sheers. The colors would have to be a lot brighter with this set, probably an aqua color or baby blue/periwinkle blue color. This one definitely seems more baby-ish to me.

And finally, this set is called "Good Night, Sleep Tight", which is also embroidered on the bedding. It has little lambs and bunnies and bears (I think) with a nighttime sky. The colors are blue/sage/and I think rich cream, but perhaps yellow. It seems pretty gender neutral, but maybe I'm biased. It is pretty cute. Once again, the crib we would use will be a fairly rich medium brown color, not white.


So, those are the options. This, of course, is subject to change if I find something I like better, but I have been looking at a TON of websites and so far, I keep coming back to these few. There are other sets that I like, but they all seem very sophisticated and though *I* really like them, I'm trying to think like a little boy and so...this is what I've come up with.

Opinions?

Emily Has Some "Big News".....

We're Having a "Brother"!!!!

The above picture is of Baby Boy's profile (head on the left, chest/stomach on the right).

This next picture is also our "brother's" profile and, I think, an arm sticking up, though don't hold me to that!



This last picture is of Baby Boy's tiny little feet, toes pointing to the left. How precious!


Emily seems to be excited about her "brudder". She and Andrew got to go to the ultrasound with me and see all the tiny organs and the heartbeat and the hands and feet and finally, the extra appendage that told us that he was definitely a boy.

Emily even got her own special ultrasound picture (I think of his face), with which she is very pleased. It did not leave her side from about 2:00 until bedtime. Personally, I would have taken a picture of her ultrasound photo, but it's just a little weird...I think I can see the eyes, nose and mouth, but it's a bit freakish still, at this point (23 weeks).


And so now, the fun parts: picking a name....and SHOPPING!!!! (That sound you hear is Andrew groaning!)

A Season of Change

In just a few short months, our lives will change yet again when a new baby becomes part of our family. Since we have a child who is resistant (to say the least) to change of any kind, we've been trying to prepare her as best we can and do the physical changes that have to be done in small increments. Today, we switched her small twin bed for the queen-size bed that had been in our spare bedroom. We've talked about doing this for several weeks and she was quite excited as we moved things around.

Pictured above is Em's "new" bed. It takes up a lot of space in her room, but due to window/closet/door placement, this was the best spot.

This is Em when she saw the finished product. Yes, this 4.5 year old is at least half as long as queen-size bed. Yes, that's crazy.

Next to the bed, and on the closet wall, are Emily's books. She loves to read them at night, and now they have a bit more of a home than before.

The above picture shows some of the detail in Em's room. The room is painted a light blue on top and a soft green on the bottom. There are clouds in the "sky" and a stenciled border of pink and yellow flowers with bees, butterflies, dragonflies and the occasional inch worm and snail. The only real reason for this picture is to demonstrate the stenciling skill of yours truly, when I actually had the time and brain-power for such fine details. This, of course, is the best decorated room in our house.

And here, finally, is Miss Em, all tucked into her big bed, sporting a lovely pink polka dot nightgown, a few of her favorite stuffed "ammimmals" and blankets and her StoryReader story book. She looks so content, doesn't she?

Ahhh....not so fast.

I left her room at around 7:30 pm. I've been back to "visit" at least 3 times since then and there has been MUCH weaping and gnashing of teeth. I believe it can best be summed up with some of Emily's own words:

"I don't want this bed...I want my old bed."

"This bed is 'uncunstable'...I liked my old bed better." (Totally untrue, but that doesn't matter.)

"This bed is too big for my room. It might poke a hole in my wall."

"I don't want this bed! I don't like this bed! I WANT MY OLD BED BACK!!!"

And after I told her that no matter how much she fussed, cried and threw a fit, the bed was staying...

"I don't want a brother or a sister!!!"

Yes, this is the Emily we all know and love. July should be fun!

Picture Practice for Skyepuppy

Okay, so today was the first day in a very long, cold winter that was pleasant outside. The temperature was about 65 (which is, in my humble opinion, the perfect temperature that God intended) and the sun was shining on a day forecast to be rainy. So, off to the park Em and I went. I took her to play on the play equipment, and I took myself for the sunshine therapy and the photo opportunities.

I've been itching for a chance to try out some of the photography tips that Skyepuppy has been posting over on her blog. However, the weather has not been cooperative and even now, unless you love shades of brown, there's not too much of interest to photograph in Indiana in March. But hey, I gave it a shot.

The picture above is, I think, an example of framing. I like how the fence on either side of the picture seems to draw the viewer into the picture. I also think it's a bit of an example of using diagonals for interest...and I happen to like the way Em's shadow follows her. Then again....what do I know?

This next picture is an example of patterns....the various widths of white and red bars, and then the use of diagonals again in the black mesh top section. (again, it's March in Indiana...there's not much of interest!)

The picture above, I think, captures a couple of elements. First, the pattern of red bars, then the curving white bars and the contrasting black top make for a somewhat interesting picture.

And finally, the last picture is an example of finding curves. I looked up through the play structure and found the round black top piece and I like the way it contrasts in color and shape with the straight red and white bars as well as the straight "x" black bars.

So Skyepuppy...what's the verdict?

Crabbies

Well, today I am taking a page from my good friend Rebekah, of Bekah's Bits, and posting a recipe for one of my favorite things...Crabbies. Yes, the name great. Yes, it very much could apply to the mood of my favorite 4.5 year old today. No, I couldn't get her to try them. But I am willing to share this recipe with all of you, my few-but-adoring-followers.

But before I share this (life-altering) recipe, allow me to provide a bit of background. Although I currently live in northern Indiana, where winter is eternal, I was born and raised in a tiny place best known as the Eastern Shore or the Delmarva Penninsula. Basically, I grew up in the itty bit state of Delaware, surrounded on several sides by either the Atlantic or the Chesapeake Bay. This region of the U.S. is not known for all that much (other than VP Joe Biden, but I don't want to talk about that). However, one of it's best known features is a little something called the Blue Crab. While it may be relatively small, it is big busines on the Eastern Shore, and as you might imagine, a good many recipes include this delectable little delicacy. Most people enjoy the crab steamed and then cracked, which while very messy, is delicious. However, I personally prefer all the messy and tedious work to be done for me and most enjoy the tiny slivers of crab meat in various recipes.

And thus, the Crabbie fits the bill. This delightful culinary treat was first introduced to me either my Aunt Jeannie or my Mom, but regardless, it became a staple in our house at Christmas time. Technically, it is an appetizer and since my family is not exactly big on 7-course dining, appetizers are only brought out at Christmas. This recipe, however, deserves to be trotted out more than once a year, in my humble opinion.

And so, without further ado...Crabbies!

Pictured above are the ingredients for Crabbies. While generic brands are fine for the butter, garlic salt, seasoned salt, mayo and English muffins...do not, I repeat, do not skimp on the Kraft Old English sharp cheddar cheese or the crab meat. If you can find Phillips brand crab meat, do not pass go, do not collect $200...just buy it. You will want "lump" crabmeat. The only thing I could find was referred to as "special", but if you read the back of the container, it says lump crabmeat from the Eastern Shore of Maryland Blue crab.

And this is most important, for all the seafood-virgins....if you see crab spelled as "Krab"...run the other way. I firmly believe this will ruin the recipe. Krab and crab are not the same thing. There is a reason for the difference in price. It's called taste. (And yes, real lump crabmeat is a tad expensive but every once in a while, it's okay to splurge.)

After gathering all the ingredients, melt the butter and Old English cheese in a saucepan over low/medium low heat until completely melted. (I doubled the recipe, so this picture shows a double batch.)

When the cheese is completely melted and just beginning to bubble, remove from heat and add garlic salt, seasoned salt, mayo and crab meat. Mix together completely.

Now, this step might be best performed first, if your English muffins do not come pre-split. (I didn't realize mine weren't, but it wasn't a big deal.) You will want to split 5 English muffins and lay them "nooks and cranny" side up on a baking sheet. The original recipe calls for 5 muffins, split, but again, I doubled everything for my purposes today.

Next, spoon crab and cheese mixture evenly onto the muffin halves and spread to edges. At this point, you have two options. Since these are technically appetizers, the recipe calls for freezing them on the baking sheet until frozen (only takes a couple hours) and then transfer to a freezer-safe container until you are ready to cook. If you are not making them ahead of time for anything, it is also fine to just skip ahead and broil them for 5-10 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown. (If they aren't frozen, I can't imagine it taking more than 5 minutes.)

Pictured above is the final product...a warm, slightly crisp, ooooeeee, gooeeeyyy, cheesy, slightly garlicky, only mildly crabby treat of infinite worth. The recipe calls for splitting each English muffin into eighths...or sixths...or quarters...or the whole thing (if you love them as much as I do!) Be forewarned that they are pretty rich, so a little goes a long way.

And finally, some parting words. These are not too "fishy" tasting. Even my picky little sister and slightly okay with seafood husband enjoy these. So even if you aren't sure about crab, this is a good way to try it. Also, these are in absolutely no way, any good for you, which of course makes them super-delicious. I mean really, did you see the cheese and butter? Sure the crab meat is low fat and you could use fat-free mayo, but again....cheese and butter will cancel out any benefits. I couldn't even begin to give you the nutritional value because my recipe does not include that info and it wouldn't matter if it did. You can exercise tomorrow. These are worth it.

And if you are still reading: the actual recipe for Crabbies:

Prep time: 10 min. Total time: 20 minutes

5 English Muffins, split

8 oz. lump crab meat

1 jar Old English Sharp Cheese spread (in refrigerated case)

1 stick of butter or margarine

1 1/2 tsp. mayonaise

1/2 tsp. seasoned salt

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

Directions:

Melt butter and cheese over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spoon crab and cheese mixture over split English muffins. Freeze on baking sheet for several hours (until solid). When ready to serve, cut into eighths, broil for 5-10 minutes, or until lightly brown, with bubbly cheese. Enjoy!

(As a note, after actually eating some of this batch of crabbies, I think you can safely cut the salt in half and still have plenty...these were a bit salty for my taste, but then again it could be the crazy pregnancy taste buds...)

Longer Post Coming Later....Check Back!

Just a heads up....

I'll be posting later today, with a recipe and pictures to prove it. I made the recipe earlier, but I'm waiting to take pictures of the finished product after I cook it this evening for dinner.

Check back, you won't want to miss this little culinary delight!!! (Just trust me!)

How Much More?

http://www.boston-tea-party.org/pictures/picture1.html

What it was like at the exact moment that the early colonists decided that they'd had enough. More than enough...too much. What must they have felt like when they finally decided that it was past the point of talking and the time had come to do something....something radical...something that could get them in trouble but something to make their point? When did they at last decide that the government had overstepped its bounds and become too oppressive to tolerate?

When is it out time to stop talking and act? Have we reached it yet? Are we close? Have we missed our window of opportunity? Is there even anything we CAN do to finally be heard and understood? Do enough of us care?

I've been thinking about the current state of our nation a lot of late. I am not one of those people who prefer to bury their heads in the sand and not pay attention. I prefer to be informed, but even I am tempted to just tune it all out. I'm tempted to turn off the news, to never check another internet news story and to quit listening to talk radio altogether. I don't care the source, I'm just overwhelmed by it all...and yet I know that doing so is not the right choice. In fact, I believe it might even be irresponsible to stop caring, even when that is exactly what I wish I could do.

I watched the news this morning as I was getting ready for my doctor's appointment. I listened to Rush on the way home from my errands. Generally, I can put a positive spin on what is going on, but lately, I don't see much good that can possibly come from what is happening in our country.

Some people are trying to put a positive spin on our current political events by saying that the elections in 2010 could very well shift us back towards conservatism, but I am not convinced. Not only am I not certain that this will be the case, but I highly suspect that it won't matter much either way. We can put a huge conservative majority in Congress in 2010, but the damage to the country will have already been done. Much has already happened that will greatly harm our society, and as anyone should know, once a government program is put into place, it will never leave. It will only grow.

Candidate Obama told America what he intended to accomplish as president. President Obama has moved very quickly to push legislation through (aided by the Democrat majority in Congress) to do exactly what he promised. President Obama and the liberal left have an agenda and they are moving with great speed to accomplish their goals. The agenda is clear. We are rapidly headed from a Democracy within a Republic to a Socialist government where hard work and success are punished and the welfare state is forced upon us, little by little, until so many people are oppressed that there will be virtually no way out. We will all be forced to depend on a centralized government for our every need...for food, housing, health care, jobs, banking....and it's happening now.

Already, the government is trying to nationalize our banking system, it is the owner of the vast majority of mortgage companies, it is trying RIGHT NOW to implement universal (government mandated and controlled) health care coverage, and workers who are successful in their jobs are being punished in the form of higher taxes, when they already pay far more than their fair share of the load. There is almost no incentive, even now, to be successful or to make it on our own. After all, why bother trying when you know you will only be punished? Why not sit back and enjoy the benefits of being handed everything for doing nothing?

The news is not only depressing, but completely frustrating and anger-inducing. Andrew and I pay our mortgage on time, every time. We bought a house that was well within our means, and we VERY carefully considered what we could afford and what we couldn't. Andrew works his rear end off, every single day, in a very demanding job so that we can make our mortgage payments, and have health insurance and food and clothing. He makes daily sacrifices so that we can meet our responsibilities. We pay far too much in taxes, but we always pay them on time. We take care of ourselves as millions of other hard-working Americans have done before us, and now we will be paying for other, most often very irresponsible, people who didn't bother to live within their means, work hard or sometimes even try to take care of themselves.

That makes me angry.

I'm angry that my husband is now working not only to take care of his family...his responsibility....but he is now also supporting the family that took out a huge home mortgage they absolutely knew they had no prayer of affording, never made a payment, and now can't understand why they are about to lose their house. He is working to pay for food stamps for the single mother who never bothered to have any self-control and had 4 children out of wedlock, with at least one or two deadbeat "dads", who "can't" work because daycare is "too expensive" and besides, why bother? If she has more kids, she knows she will get more welfare...so why not have a couple more? Sure, her life isn't comfortable, but she never has to leave the house and go to work, so it's not all bad.

I'm angry that even though we can and do pay for our health care, because some people choose not to get an education and then work at minimum wage jobs, and therefore have lousy health insurance (or none at all), we will soon be forced to be under government mandated and controlled universal health care. And so, just like in Europe and Canada, now we will all be subjected to substandard medical care; we will wait in months-long lines and hope that we don't need any kind of treatment that is not cost-effective based on our life expectancy, because if we cost too much...well, we can't have that, now can we? After all, our lives are only worth so much to the government, right?

.

I'm angry and I feel like no one cares. I'm angry and I don't know what I can do. I know I'm not the only one, but I feel alone, as I hear more and more people falling for the lies of the liberals who want to impose socialism on America. I think I've reached that point where I'm ready to throw my own Boston Tea Party. I think I know how those early colonists felt...like they were being squeezed in a vice, like all that was good about their lives was being stolen by the government, like all their hard work made no difference, like they were out of options and they just couldn't take it any more.

I don't want to take it any more

Maybe it's time for those among us who are successful (meaning we don't depend on the government for our food, homes or health care) to simply stop paying taxes. Without our tax money, the government can't do what they want, can't simply force us to go along. And besides, there aren't enough jail cells to put us all in....so what can they do? Maybe there's a better way, but no matter what, I think it's tea party time once again in America....before it's too late.

Vote Here!!!

I had a regular appointment with my OB this morning. I am a day shy of 21 weeks pregnant and officially over the half-way mark. Overall, I feel pretty good, although I do currently have a cold.

My blood pressure is great, everything looks good with me in general, I still haven't gained any weight and am actually down about 6 pounds from where I started (which really means that I have probably lost more than that, but the baby is gaining weight) and best of all, the heartbeat is nice and strong.

At this point, the baby is about 7 inches long (maybe longer if it's anything like Emily!) and weighs about 10-12 oz. Basically, the baby is roughly the size of a 12 oz. coke bottle or a banana. Fun stuff!

I can't ask for anything more.

*************************************************************************************
I have a ton on my mind regarding current events and the direction in which Pres. Obama is forcing our country to go, but in an effort to remain positive I thought I'd run a little poll here that has absolutely nothing to do with politics.

On March 10th, I have an ultrasound scheduled to find out the gender of this baby (and to check out all the major organs and systems). So just for fun, let's have your predictions on whether Miss Emily will be getting a brother or sister.

For the record, I have no idea and no gut feeling either way. I was wrong with Emily, so I don't have a good track record on guessing. Andrew doesn't have a leaning either way. Emily is convinced it's a "sister".

What do you think?

Enough

This will be short and sweet:

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF SNOW AND COLD!!!!!!!

Thank you, I'm done now.

I'm Unbalanced

Or, for Seinfeld fans, "She's heightening!"

Yep, it's true. Yesterday I officially discovered what I have long suspected...I'm unbalanced.

I went to the Osteo-clinic at my doctor's office Friday morning and, since it is affiliated with a teaching hospital, I became the guinea pig. In an exam room the size of a typical clinic room, maybe 10x12, eight doctors, residents, attendings, DOs and assorted med students got to observe the freak of nature known as yours truly (with Miss Em in tow, of course). Thankfully, this was one exam that took place fully clothed (minus shoes) so it wasn't too embarassing. Thank goodness for small miracles.

So, I started with two oseopathic doctors (the DOs) and then, after their inital assessment, they invited the other 6 medical personel to observe/learn for the rest of the appointment. Basically, I stood, sat or laid down on the exam table and got poked, prodded and physically manipulated through a series of calisthenics, all for an audience. I still really don't know who was officially in charge, but I do know the official diagnosis for all my recent back and hip pain.

Apparently, in addition to hormones during pregnancy wreaking havoc, I have some sort of minor deformity in the way my left hip is positioned (nothing worth fixing, I presume) and a somewhat significantly longer left leg than right. As a result, I have been walking around for 30 years, not quite well-balanced and the muscles on the left side of my body just decided that they had had enough of doing all the work, so combined with the Relaxin hormone released in pregnancy, they "seized" up and caused extensive pain. I even heard about a possible sprain in some muscle in my lower back, though I could not even begin to explain what it was called.

So the solution to my short leg/long leg problem is a heel lift. From here on out, I will be wearing some sort of insert in my right shoe to help even me out. Of course, a specific height cannot be determined without a very exact x-ray, and due to pregnancy I cannot have said x-ray, so for the time-being we will be experimenting with a couple of heights to see which one feels better. Then, once this little troublemaker (I mean, bundle of joy) makes his or her appearance, I will go for a very detailed x-ray to determine the exact height of my "lift".

Now I am very grateful that something was found, because I have always (since being a kid) thought that I had a hip/leg that was higher/longer than the other, but I couldn't prove it. I also have quite a lot of fairly minor hip pain, particularly after doing a lot of walking. Now I have an answer as to why. The doctor also said that I might notice less upper back/neck/shoulder and headache pain as a result of evening me out. I'm all for fewer headaches and general aches and pains.

So I left the office with a spring in my off-balance step and two prescriptions for two different heights of heel lifts. However, true to my typical luck these days, I have been on a wild goose chase trying to track down where to actually fill these prescriptions. Obviously Walgreens doesn't do this. But apparently neither does the home health care place that the doctor sent me to.

I called back to the office, got the nurse, waited on hold, was hung up on while waiting for a phone number, found the phone number myself, called the new place which also didn't "do that", got another number and then was told that "yes, they would fill my prescription but I would have to make an appointment, have an exam and then get casted for this thing-a-ma-gig". Since I think I can safely assume that they will not be very willing to make two casts at two different and quite possibly random heights, I decided to call my doctor back and find out for sure where I could get this lift.

That was all before 11:30. By 11:45, the same nurse who had hung up on me assured me that she would get the message to the doctor ASAP. By the closing of the office yesterday at 4:30, no one had ever called back. Surprise, surprise. So I guess my quest will continue, quite possibly in person this time, on Monday.

And so goes the beginning of project: Balancing Christina or She's Heightening

What was that again, Sonny?

This picture pretty much summarizes how I may end up spending the rest of this (halfway-over) pregnancy. And no, I'm really not joking.

I am currently signed up for the "Osteo-clinic" Friday morning, at my doctor's office. I was told to wear sweats or comfy clothes so that the docs could "move" me more easily. I have no idea exactly what is involved, but if it helps my back and hips and legs feel better, then I am ALL for it. Besides, I'm sure Miss Emily will get a kick out of it.

Let me back up a bit, however, and explain. Last Wednesday, I helped out with Em's preschool v-day party in the morning (nothing strenuous) and then did a very little living room straightening up in the afternoon (again, nothing strenuous at all). Sometime late Wednesday afternoon/early evening, it became apparent that I had injured myself in a big way.

And so, until Sunday, I was pretty much in constant pain when moving from any postion. I could barely stand up straight, walk or lift my legs (like to put on pants). When I would shift positions when sitting, I had shooting pain in my back and hips. When I laid down to sleep, as long as I didn't move, I didn't hurt, but holy moly batman did it hurt to move or turn over (and I already can't lay on my back). We're talking nearly-crying-shooting-burning pain. I've never had anything like that.

So last Friday, I called the OB to see if she had any suggestions. She thought maybe it was due to hormones or the weight of the uterus causing bones and cartilage to shift (which is normal, but not usually this early in pregnancy). I kind of doubted the whole "the-uterus-is-too-heavy" deal because A.) the baby still weighs less than 1 lb. and B.) I have not only not gained any weight so far, but I have actually lost 6 lbs. due to not caring about eating or drinking for about 15 weeks. So I made an appt. with the OB on Tuesday and tried to survive until then.

Yesterday I went to the appt. I am feeling better and able to walk, but I still have a burning pain in my hip and spot along one side of my back and I can't do a lot of walking or standing without really starting to hurt again. Even doing the dishes does me in, apparently. I have accomplished most of two loads of laundry, loaded and used the dishwasher and hand-washed the rest of the dishes, along with taking Miss Em to school, picking her up, taking her to play at Chick-fil-a (and having a strange conversation with a strange lady who told me far too much personal information and then offered me her business card if I knew of anyone who was having trouble getting pregnant.) Yeah, that was way too weird and uncomfortable and I was more than ready to leave. So today hasn't been a total waste, but oh, there is still so much to be done and I just can't do much more.

Maybe tomorrow...and maybe with a walker!

Snakes in Walmart

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zackbittner/271877932/

A Ft. Lauderdale, FL. man was in Walmart, going about his normal shopping routine, when he claims he was bit by a pygmy rattlesnake. He is now suing Walmart for negligence since he was the third person to be bit by a snake in Walmart. The man has lingering respiratory problems and scars, but he still shops there because the prices are lower than anywhere else.

Now, understand, I am a shopper. I visit Walmart (and Target and Meijer...) more often than I should. I usually grocery shop in Walmart. I am there at least 1-2 times a week (mainly because I can never remember everything at once, even with lists).

That being said, if I knew that there were rattlesnakes in my Walmart, and if I had been the victim of one of these snakes, there is NO WAY I'd be back in that store. NO WAY! I might visit one in another town, but not the same one, ever again. Once bitten, twice shy...yeah that would be me.

So as I was telling that darling husband of mine about this last night, he got a sly grin on his face and said, "So, you're telling me that all I have to do is release some snakes into your favorite retail stores and that would stop you from shopping?"

Yeah, he's a keeper!

Dow Plummets..

Yep, that's the stimulus bill already wreaking it's havoc. The Dow fell 400 points today and I'm willing to bet the reason is the passage of the economic "stimulus" bill in the Senate.

Get used to it, people. It's going to get worse.

3 Senators Need to Lose Their Jobs

Yep, the title pretty much says it all. Three RINO senators have made it patently obvious that they no longer deserve to be part of the Republican party.

Every single Republican in the House voted against the stimulus bill, not because it would change the outcome, but out of principle. All but three Republicans in the Senate stood their ground on the same principle. Three caved and did what they do best...betrayed the Republican party.

For voting for the "stimulus" bill, Sen. Olympia Snow, Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Arlen Specter need to lose their next election. It's that simple.

The Right to Choose...and It's Consequences

Today, Fox News has a story that should illustrate, once and for all, that the "right to choose" is exactly as it sounds....the right to choose whether a woman will consider her baby a lump of inanimate tissue and abort it, or whether that woman will choose to see her baby as a human being.

18-year-old Sycloria Williams made the choice to abort her baby after it became obvious to her that she could not afford a baby or care for a child. When she went to the Florida abortion clinic, an ultrasound showed that Williams was 23 weeks pregnant. She was far enough along in the pregnancy (more than half-way) to easily see and feel the baby kicking, to hear a strong heartbeat and for the baby to have a chance at life outside the womb. (24 weeks is considered viability, but babies have survived when born earlier and given the proper care.) Still, she chose to kill the baby because it was inconvenient at that time in her life.

Williams was given medication to begin the abortion process and then, when she returned, she was given more. Before the abortionist arrived to kill the baby, Williams delivered a live baby girl. Since the abortion provider was still not there, an unlicensed clinic owner cut the umbilical cord and stuffed the living, breathing baby in a plastic biohazard bag and threw her out in the trash. She took a live human being, with a very real chance at life, and carelessly threw the baby away to suffocate and die.

Williams, who realized that she had not delivered a blob of tissue, but a live human baby, became upset and is now suing the abortion clinic for killing her baby. She is suing someone else for doing what she willingly asked them to do. She wanted to get rid of the baby. She intended to kill it. The abortion clinic did exactly that, but what no one ever really told Ms. Williams was that she was carrying a real live baby that looked like a baby and when confronted with the plain truth, she was horrified by what was being done. She was horrified by what she had done.

An autopsy has proven that the baby's lungs were filled with air, so she was born alive. She had a real chance at life and then was mercilessly and inhumanely murdered and thrown out like garbage.

The Fox News story states that advocates on both sides of the issue (pro-life and pro-choice) are outraged by this story. I contend that the pro-choice people have absolutely no say and no reason to be upset. A young woman wanted to kill her child. She did not want to have the baby. The abortion clinic killed the baby. They got rid of the problem. So why should pro-choice advocates care or be concerned? Mission accomplished. If what was aborted was simply a blob of tissue, then who cares if it was stuffed in a bag and thrown out in the garbage? And why should this law suit even be allowed to go forward? What did the abortion clinic do that Ms. Williams should be upset about? After all, they only did what she chose and asked them to do. Was it pretty? Absolutely not. Was it effective? 100%

I have a feeling 18 year old Williams will never ever be the same...and perhaps, at the cost of a tiny precious human life, her eyes will opened to the truth and her heart will be forever changed.

How incredibly sad.

One of My Prouder Moments...

Well, I knew this pregnancy was different from last one very early on. With Emily, I had a very easy pregnancy. I had about 2 weeks of no appetite and then it was smooth sailing. I could not have asked for an easier, more enjoyable pregnancy.

With this little trouble-maker (ugh, I mean sweet-pea) there has been nothing but unfortunate symptoms. From all-day nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and migraines, none of it has been easy or fun. I have not slept well from day one and I have aches and pains in my hips already (which I didn't have until 32+ weeks with Em).

But this week took me to a truly low moment.

I've been taking two new medications since my quick trip to the ER for rehydration. The zofran and verapamil seem to working quite well. I haven't puked since then, I feel much better in general and I am thrilled to say that I have not had any migraines since then either. But of course, these new meds are not without side-effects of their own. Normally, I don't have many (or any) side effects with medications, but apparently there is one that I will now have to consider much more carefully. The verapamil (a calcium channel blocker) mentioned that it could cause constipation (along with the more publicized dizzyness and low blood pressure). I didnt' really think too much about it because if you read the label and possible side effects of just about any medication, constipation is listed. So, I sailed through the first week on it, not paying any attention and still taking it pretty easy on the food as I gradually added food back into my life. Then came the second week. I was feeling pretty good and so I ate whatever I felt like (which oddly is generally more healthy than normal anyway.)

Then came this week.

And that's when it hit me (on Sunday night) that it had been a long time since I'd, well..ummm...gone. I wasn't sure how long, but I couldn't remember and from what I could remember it was already at the very least 5 days. Not good. So on Monday morning, I called the doctor and she told me to increase fiber (which I was already doing with shredded wheat and prunes...yes, I was getting desperate), to try colace and milk of magnesia.

And so on Monday evening, I found myself sitting across from Andrew, eating my prunes, taking my colace and milk of magnesia and wondering how I could possibly have gone from 30 to 85 overnight. I specifically remember telling Andrew that I was really not planning on having to do any of this until I was much, much older. We were laughing then.

By very early Tuesday morning, there was no more laughing. There were, however, tears. I comtemplated the fact that I may have an impacted bowel, considered another ER run and called the doctor again. Finally, after many trying hours, there was relief...and a clogged toilet...my first in nearly 9 years of married life.

Yes, that evening, as we worked together to unclog the toilet, we were laughing again, but it was definitely not my proudest moment.

Today We are Less Safe

Apparently President Obama doesn't like the idea of keeping America safe.

Despite the massive pork-filled "stimulus" bill of more than $819 billion dollars, he is requiring the Pentagon's defense budget to be cut by 10%, or the equivalent of more than $55 billion dollars by 2010. Most of these cuts will be in weapons programs.

This is a stupid decision by a man more interested in advancing partisan democrat politics than in protecting America and its people. President Obama just put each and every one of us in more danger by requiring defense cuts.

Hey Pres. Obama, why not cut out all the cocktail parties and ignaugural festivities and waste that the white house and congress will throw away? Oh wait...that'll NEVER happen.

Thanks a lot, Mr. President.

Speaking of Babies...

By now, you've probably heard that a California woman has given birth to octuplets. All eight babies appear to be doing very well, despite being born nine weeks early. Only one is still on oxygen, which is just amazing.

I wish this family well, but I have to wonder about the circumstances surrounding this birth. Apparently, the mother is fairly young, already has six other children, is living with her parents with no father in the picture and is receiving welfare after the family declared bankruptcy. The woman apparently had fertility treatments and eight embryos were implanted (and obviously all or most "took").

These are the circumstances that make me question how this all took place. Having had some relatively minor fertility issues when trying to have Emily, I became well acquainted with the costs involved in fertility treatments as well as the harsh fact that most insurance plans do not cover much, if any, of the treatments which can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars PER TRY. So given the facts about this woman's financial situation, I wonder how she even managed to do invitro fertilization. (I don't doubt that she did it, just curious.)

Next I seriously have to question why a doctor would implant eight embryos at a time. In the vast majority of cases, most doctors will only implant three or rarely four embryos at a time because of the inherent risk of high-order multiple births. To implant eight at once seems extremely risky for the babies and the mother and probably negligent. Maybe the facts are not what is being reported, but if it is the case, the decision to place eight embryos at once was a dangerous one. Having said this, once the babies were conceived, I would not condone the idea of "selective reduction" or choosing to abort a portion of the babies. I will commend the mother on trying to give all those babies a chance at life.

And finally, I have to wonder why a woman with 6 children, who lives with her parents, with no father present and is on welfare would even be trying to have more children. I guess I just don't understand that decision at all. This is not to say that I think a person should be limited to a certain number of children. However, it does not seem responsible to purposefully keep trying (in a very invasive way) to have more children when it appears that the mother cannot provide for the ones she already has. Now California taxpayers will be footing the bill for eight babies in the NICU for an undetermined amount of time, not to mention providing support for not six, but now fourteen children. Something just doesn't seem right.

Anybody have any other thoughts?

17 Weeks

Well, we've officially made it to 17 weeks pregnant. Counting all of this week, there are only 24 more to go.

Overall, I'm feeling better. I am very hopeful that the migraines are gone. Of course, I'm assuming it's only because of the medication, but whatever works is fine with me. I haven't had any more vomiting either, which is a welcome relief. I still get nauseated at some point during each day, even with the Zofran, but it's bearable. I'm trying to decide if I might be brewing a sinus infection, since I've been getting annoying minor headaches each day and I am still congested. I guess I'll wait it out and see if anything changes.

I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and everything looks good. We heard the heartbeat with no trouble (well, at least not the kind of trouble we had last time!) and the doctor said all seems good. That's all that matters. I go back in 4 weeks and hopefully then or shortly thereafter, we will find out the gender of this little one. Em is hoping for a sister. However, if it's a brother her idea for a name was "Teapot".

It should be interesting!

House Repubs. Get One Right

http://auditor.mo.gov/image/hunnurd.jpg

$819,000,000,000,000.00.

I believe that's the number we are looking at when democrats throw around the term $819 Billion dollars. It looks so much more innocent written out in three numbers and two words, doesn't it?

It's an unfathomable number to anyone outside of government. This amount of money will bankrupt many future generations (including our current ones). It will likely grow to be more than $819 billion before the end of the year. It will cripple millions of people for many years to come.

It will not stimulate the economy. It will not create long-term jobs. It will create temporary work. It already includes outrageous amounts of pork. It is an abomination.

"Thank you" to the House Republicans and the 11 Democrats who had the guts to stand up and vote against this plan. I know it still passed, but at least 188 of our elected House officials had the courage to do the right thing. Keep it up and encourage your Senate buddies to do the same. Your political future (and theirs) hang in the balance. You do not answer to President Obama. You answer to we, the people of the United States. Listen to us and DO NOT BACK DOWN!!!

The Inauguration That Was

I'll admit, I haven't watched a lot of inaugurations in my lifetime. However, I've seen a couple and I decided, after some debate, to watch some of yesterday's proceedings.

Undeniably, yesterday was a historical day. It will be forever recorded as the first time a black man became our nation's president. There should have, indeed, been much to celebrate, but in good conscience, I cannot celebrate this historical achievement. After all, what have we, as Americans, really achieved? Was the election and inauguration of President Obama really an end to racism? Or rather, was it a further wedge among the races?

See, I have never had a problem with having a black president. If George W. Bush had been a black man, I still would have happily voted for him, as I'm am quite certain most other conservatives would. I did not vote against Obama because he was black. In all honesty, I could not possibly care less what color the man is, I fundamentally disagree with virtually all of his policies. However, the problem lies with the millions of black men and women who, in quite likely many cases, abandoned their principles to vote for a man, not based on his qualifications or policies, but simply for his skin color. That, folks, is blatant racism. I don't know what else to call it.

See, a truly historical event would have been for people of all colors to vote for a man based on his character and policies and nothing else. His style, his speaking abilities, his skin color and his attractiveness would make no difference. They SHOULD NOT MATTER to anyone. The only thing that matters in the presidency is a person's character and policies. His race is NOT an issue.

Yesterday's inauguration events, for the most part, were the typical formalities. However, all the hoopla from the media about what an historical day it was simply because Obama was a black man leads me to believe that the only thing many people care about is this man's race. Instead of bringing the races together, the continued focus on Obama's race drives a wedge between people.

While men like Rev. Lowry say "prayers" such as "....help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right..." racism is still alive and one might even contend, growing stronger. Not only has Obama's race been the issue in this campaign upon which he won, but "prayers" such as Lowry's are offensive to pretty much every other race, and in particular to whites. Is this really the tone we should be cheering and lauding as "historical"?

In addition, if conservatives (many of whom are white) dare to disagree with President Obama over the next 4 years, we will be certain to be labeled by many as "racist" because we do not want a black man to succeed. Far from it...I would be firmly behind a conservative black man, joyfully rooting him on and supporting him, if he were my president, but not because he was black....simply because of his positions on issues.

And so, I contend that racism is alive and well and the historical moments we witnessed yesterday weren't so special when given some consideration. When Americans of all colors join together and judge a president based not on the color of his skin, but on the content of his character, then that will truly be an historical moment.

A Prayer for President Obama

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this country and the freedoms with which we are so blessed. Do not let us take them for granted and when we do, remind us of the true reason we are free. Have mercy on us, Lord, when we do stumble and protect us as only You can.

On this day and forward, may Your guiding hand and Your wisdom be upon President Obama. May he look to You as the source of hope and wisdom and guidance for our country. Give him humility and understanding beyond his years or experience. Soften his heart so that he will be willing to hear and heed Your voice. Allow him to seek out wise counsel and ignore those who will desire to do harm to our country and its people. Give this new president Your vision for our country and allow him to be successful in accomplishing Your goals.

And finally, Lord, remind us all that You are our true leader. Let us all seek Your face and Your wisdom and forgiveness so that together, we might remain truly free.

In Jesus' precious name,
Amen

On the Mend

Well, things here are (hopefully) on the upswing.

Friday was the breaking point. I started the day taking Emily to the pediatrician because she had an ear infection. We had a rough trip to the pharmacy to pick up Em's amoxicillin Rx, then we went home. Later in the day, after feeling nauseated all day, I tried eating again and promptly vomited all the soup and saltines that I had eaten not long before.

I had felt like I was slightly dehydrated before all this because I didn't have any desire to drink much, but after several days of vomiting that seemed to be escalating, I decided that I had enough warning signs of dehydration that I needed to be checked. Of course this happened on Friday evening, so around 7:00 pm, the three of us headed to the ER.

All things considered, we didn't spend a TON of time there. I was sent to a room almost immediately, had blood drawn and had briefly seen the ER doctor within an hour's time (almost unheard of). I was somewhat dehydrated with weird electrolytes, so I got hooked up to an IV and after a bag of fluids and a prescription for a different nausea med, we headed home around 11:00 pm.

We got home and tried (for the second time that day) to get Em to take her medicine, but after all that had gone on and two wasted doses, we gave up.

The last two days, I have felt better. No vomiting and the two new meds (verapamil for migraine control and Zofran for nausea) seem to be helping so far. Em is not faring quite as well, however. Long story short, we can no longer get her to take her antibiotic...and believe me when I say that we have Tried...It...All. After this morning's battle (round #7, with only 4 being successful), I called her doctor and begged for help. I'm sure she thinks we are not being good parents and aren't really trying hard enough, but I would love to see her try and be more successful. Seriously, if she had not given us another option, I would have literally told her that we would be coming in twice a day for the next 8 days so that she (the doctor) could give this child her medicine. But, it turns out that the doctor had a last resort measure that we could try....a shot. So, at 8:30 tomorrow morning, before school, we will be going in for an antibiotic shot of some sort, with a follow-up appt. next week to make sure it worked.

So, that's our update. I am hoping and praying that we have turned the corner and will all be healthy and happy again ASAP.

And Then There Were None...(That Are Healthy)

Well, yesterday was officially a rough day. After calling the doctor's office in tears, getting some new medicine prescribed, an all-day-long, want to rip my eye/head off headache and the complete inability to keep anything solid or liquid down, the icing on the cake was Emily waking up crying around 9:30 pm and then all through the night with what had to be an ear infection. She and I ended up on the couch (in separate recliners), watching the Cosby show and whatever else comes on at 3:30 am. I had such terrible heartburn that I couldn't stay laying down in bed anyhow.

So I called the pediatrician at 8:15 this morning and got an appt. for 9:15. I threw on some make-up and clothes, got a sobbing Emily dressed and headed out for the pedi's office in -17 degree (actual temp) weather. She definitely has a low-grade fever and a nasty ear infection in one ear. So we headed to Walgreens to pick up her anti-biotics (flavored grape, of course) where Emily continued to sob and then slip and fall on a wet spot from her boots.

It was a fun night/morning. I'm ready for bed.

In other medical news, my OB decided to prescribe Tylenol with Codeine for immediate pain relief of migraines (which didn't help much last night) and Verapamil to help prevent further migraines. Verapamil is primarily used in heart patients, to lower blood pressure and to act as a calcium channel blocker. I'm kind of afraid to use it, but I don't have a lot of options. If this doesn't work, it's off to the neurologist. And of course, every single medication (some of which are taken in combination with each other have the same side effect: drowsiness.

Yes, that's just what I need.

Keep praying, please. I don't like taking all this medicine and yet I have to have it to keep functioning.

Please Pray

If you're reading this, please pray that the migraines I've been having will go away permanently.

I have a second one in three days and I just can't handle it anymore. I've called my doctor's office and left a teary message with the receptionist. I don't cry easily, but today is my breaking point. I just can't take this constant pain in my head.

Please pray that the pain will go away and that my doctor will call back soon with some medicines that will actually help. I'm desperate for some relief.

My Kingdom for a ...Snowplow!

We have about a foot of snow so far. The temperature outside is currently 12 degrees with a wind chill somewhere around 2. Today is warm compared to what is coming later tonight and for the rest of the week.

We are supposed to get 6-12 more inches of snow overnight...Lake Effect, this time which is unpredictable but usually as heavy or heavier than predicted. There is a wind chill warning in effect for the next couple of days and there's just too much snow everywhere.

The roads are passable at this point, but many other (more sensible) states would have closed up indefinitely with these conditions. Not northern Indiana, though. School and work must go on.

Andrew (in his little Olds Alero) barely made it out of the driveway. We've both been quite sick, we haven't shoveled (I can't) and the small snowblower we have just struggles with this much snow. And now there's more coming. I sure hope Andrew makes it home tonight...and in the driveway.

Anybody have a snowplow just hanging around? One that attaches to a mini-van perhaps? We just might need it!

14 Weeks

It's official. I'm done with the first trimester, no matter how you measure it. (In my opinion, it's been over for a week now).

Now it's on to the "golden trimester of pregnancy". At least that's what all the books tell me.

I'm supposed to be feeling much better, with most of my early symptoms (including nausea and fatigue) gone. I am supposed to be feeling renewed energy and a surge in feeling good. This is all supposed to happen in the next 13 weeks before I start feeling lousy again because I've lost the ability to see my feet or put on socks by myself.

Here's to hoping the books are right....because I need to start feeling better ASAP. Bring on the fun stuff...right now! I want to shop!!! (sorry Andrew, you knew it had to start sometime!)

Sweet Medication

May I say that Sudafed is a life-saver?

Yes, I still feel pukey without taking my anit-nausea meds. Yes, even with the Sudafed, I am still somewhat congested, but at least I can breathe better now. I couldn't even breathe AT ALL through my nose earlier today. I couldn't blow it, even though I knew it was completely stuffed up, but nothing was moving. Now, I can breathe a little better.

Hopefully this helps overnight too. I've been sleeping very fitfully because I've had to breathe through my mouth which results in my waking up numerous times a night with the driest mouth imagineable and what feels like shards of glass in my throat. Fun times, let me tell you!

Here's to hoping for a better night's sleep tonight...all night long, in my own bed.

Sick of Being Sick - A Complaint

First let me start by saying that I know how incredibly blessed we are to even be pregnant with what seems to be a healthy pregnancy. I know how hard it can be and I am not taking this for granted in any way, however....

I am sick of being sick. I will be 14 weeks tomorrow and I have been sick the entire time. Nausea every day, often most of the day, terrible migraine headaches several times a week for weeks, some vomitting, diarrhea (at the beginning for a few weeks)....you name it, I feel like I've had it this time around. On top of this, I have caught Emily's cold and have a head full of snot, a sore swollen throat and have lost what little ability to sleep I once had.

Last took the cake though. Andrew and I had pizza last night. I ate what might have equaled 2 slices (It was thin crust and cut in little squares). While I knew I might regret it because of heartburn, I figured it was okay once in a while. NOT! Almost immediately I felt lousy (stomach on top of cold). So I spent the rest of the evening debating which meds to take.....the anti-nausea stuff, the cold meds or benadryl to sleep. Finally I decided that I'd live with cold, take the nausea meds and hope that they made me comfortable enough to sleep.

I went to bed around 11 pm and as I was getting ready for bed, I attempted to brush my teeth. I had no more than stuck the toothbrush in my mouth before I started gagging. I made it to the toilet and proceeded to puke my dinner and guts out....even through my nose. Can I just say that when your sense of smell is already incredibly heightened, puking pizza through your nose is pure torture? And how is it possible to still smell when I'm full of snot anyway?

So after about 6 rounds of puking despite the meds, I finally laid down in bed and fell into a fitful sleep that resulted in me downstairs on the couch trying to breathe and get somewhat comfortable propped up. I have spent more nights on the couch already than I did in my entire first pregnancy. I'm ready for this part to be over. This is miserable. Sorry for complaining, but I'm literally sick and tired and I just need to get this off my chest.

Day 6 - 2009

Well, we are now 6 days into the New Year and I have little of consequence to report. (I know, shocking!)

Our family had a nice New Year's Eve/Day and a nice second (belated) Christmas with extended family. Happily, they are all healthy now, but we are not. Emily started coughing on Friday and has been steadily sounding worse since then. This kid has sneezed more than you would believe! And now, I seem to be coming down with the same thing.

We took Em to the doctor yesterday and it is just a bad cold. She's on day 5, so she should start turning the corner soon. Poor kid sounds like she's hacking up a lung when she coughs. Her eyes are constantly watering and red and we've already cleaned out 2 tissue boxes just from her.

I woke up a little before 4 am. with the feeling of gunk running down my throat and making it sore...a sure sign that I am next in line for the cold. Oh well...I'm just glad I got my necessary errands run while Daddy was still home with Em yesterday.

So, that's our update for now. See, I told you it wasn't exciting!