The Year In Review

Once again it is time for my annual year in review. As I look back on this year, I can't help but think of what a roller coaster of emotions it has been. We started out the year wondering if we would ever be able to have children of our own, to if we would be able to save the child we were expecting, and then to adjusting to a newborn.

For me, I was forced to learn to rely on my husband more and give up my independence. This is not an easy task for me, especially since I was single for so long and only had myself to rely on. I had always prided myself on my own accomplishments, but my health forced me to learn otherwise.

I think it was my husband that experienced the most changes this year. Not only did the poor man have to learn gardening (both vegetables and flowers), but also began his graduate studies while working 60-70 hours per week and dealing with a bed-ridden pregnant wife. (And he wonders why he is so tired?) He was a trooper through it all.

As we face this new year, there are many more changes to come. This is especially with a little one in the home. I can't believe that by this time next year our little guy will be sitting up, starting to talk and eating solid foods, and possibly walking. YIKES!

However, it is also with this new year we get to start saying things such as:

1. My husband graduates with his Master's Degree next year.
2. The child support ends next year.
3. The new contractor at my husband's work is . . . . .

These are all momentous statements for separate and important reasons. They give hope, excitement, and in some way a light at the end of the tunnel.

I've learned many times over that the only thing constant is change, so making definite plans for the future I have learned not to do. Are there tentative plans and goals? Absolutely, and I look forward to tackling the various tasks and goals I have planned and hope to accomplish. Most of these of course, for me, revolve around being the best wife and mom that I know how to be. But isn't that the goal of most married women with children?

The best thing to remember is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books:
"Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it, yet." - Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

And so begins the new year with no mistakes in it, yet . . . . . .

19 Days and Counting!

19 more days and then hopefully I will be released to begin exercising again! (If not, you will all see the mushroom shaped cloud that will explode over the doctor's office.) I even bought these lovelies to commence the new start, since my last ones definitely had met the mileage limit for exercise shoes.

I've already been warned that I will have to start out really slowly, but I am okay with that. Just to be able to be active again and try to regain my body back will be good.

I never thought I would say this, but I can't wait to back into my routine. I've so missed it. I've missed how I felt afterwards, my ability to sleep better, being able to handle the winter better, and watching my body transform back into my close to dancer self. (Okay, that won't ever happen again, but hey . . . . a girl can dream!) I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but definitely need to tone up. I was not at my "ideal" prior to pregnancy, but was in progress. So stay tuned for the ticker to come back, and perhaps even a little competition with my hubby once again. hehehehehehe

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

This is my best Christmas present!

(He's trying to wave "hello.")

I can't believe he is already 1 month old today.

Hope you all have a good one!

Love,

The Seamans Crew

Hallalujah!

The shortest day of the year has come and gone once again! Hooray for more daylight coming our way! This is the best Christmas present ever!

A Glimpse Into Normalcy

As most new moms know, being able to cook a meal while being 1. alert enough to know what you are making and actually make sense of a recipe; 2. able to complete cooking a meal without disruption of bottle making/feeding/changing diapers/or just holding a newborn; 3. even wanting to eat period are all miracles within themselves.

Tonight, as I cooked dinner while doing my former standard of listening to music while doing so, I was able to have a glimpse of normalcy. It was so nice and I had to smile to myself while thinking, "So this is what "normal" can feel like."

The idea of being "the mom" is still something I am trying to get used to. This is especially since I was for so long "always the 'auntie' and never the mom", and didn't know if those roles ever would change. While I always have and always will cherish my role of being "Auntie," being the "Mom" definitely puts a whole new twist, meaning, and experience to life. A new challenge, a new role, a new path, a new reason to smile, love, and laugh.

WooHoo! I got an A.

I just found out I got an A for my school social worker course! Now I just need to have my endorsement signed and I am officially a school social worker. (Hopefully, I never have to use it.)

My New Vice

These are my new vice! If you love the Girl Scout Thin Mints, then you will love these. They are truly addictive! I have to be careful now that I can have sugar. I could sooooooooooooo get out of control with these!

So Thankful . . . .

Since I am unable to attend church tomorrow for Fast Sunday, I thought I would share my testimony here.

I have so much to be grateful for, and this past week and a half has reminded me of this in more ways than ever. Becoming a new mother has been one of the greatest moments of my life. I had all but given up that this would ever happen for me. Between not marrying until much later in life, infertility issues, and a pregnancy filled with scary moments, health issues, worry, and fear ending in such a perfectly healthy and wonderful little boy is a miracle within itself. I hope I never take this for granted and will always remember how precious this is. I truly cherish every moment with him, including the late night feedings and poopy diapers. They are all so precious and important.

I also have found that my love for my husband has grown more than I ever thought possible, and believe me that I loved him so much even before our little one was born. He is truly an amazing man and I couldn't ask for better. I am so grateful and feel so blessed. Again, the journey to find him was definitely not one of ease, but the result has been amazing. He has been so amazingly kind to me and our son not only since our son was born, but during the entire pregnancy and when we dealing with the infertility issues. He rarely missed an appointment and always made sure that I was okay even amongst difficult coursework, pressing work deadlines, and numerous other deadlines. He made dinners, cleaned the house, did laundry, took care of the yard, and the list could go on and on. He was and is amazing. I am so glad to know that he will be helping to raise our son. If our little one turns out like his father, I would be thrilled.

I am grateful for the power of prayer and the Priesthood. To have that power behind you is truly amazing. Plus to have someone in my home so readily available to conduct this sacred ordinance of a Priesthood blessing was such a comfort. Again, another reason to feel blessed. To have that extra communication with my Heavenly Father is truly a tender mercy He has provided. I have been in a marriage without such a priviledge, and I much rather have what I have now.

I am even grateful for the trials. I have learned more about empathy for others in similar situations that I could never have gained in any other way. I hope that I always remember the way I felt because I want to be able to always keep that empathy if I ever meet another who faces similar situations. Having kind words and listening ear can be some of the most healing moments for one in this situation, and I cherish those who provided that for me.

I am grateful for my extended my family, especially my mother who took my late night phone calls and my father who also listened to my fears when I couldn't put another
burden on my husband. A listening ear can mean so much in time of your greatest fear and grief.

I am grateful that my life and that of our son's was spared.

I am grateful for promptings and whisperings from the Holy Ghost. Without such, I know I would not be alive today.

I am grateful that there is technology available, such as the internet, that allows us to have information so rapidly available at our fingertips. Without such, I would not have had the knowledge to advocate for myself.

I am grateful that I had a doctor who would listen and act upon my concerns and fears rather than just push me off as another overly-anxious pregnant lady as another doctor did.

I truly believe in guardian angels thanks to my experience and there are moments that happened that are too sacred to share. I just know that there are those on the other side of the veil who truly do advocate on our behalf. I am grateful for them as well.

There is just so much more that I could write an entire novel. My heart is so full.

A Dad's Perspective

The day Tre was born seemed like every other day. I got up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head ....

The first call came in while I was in a training class at work. Adrienne had to go in to the doctor's office because some blood work we had done the day before had an "abnormality". WHAT IN THE WORLD IS AN ABNORMALITY!??!!??!? Adrienne told me to stay calm, so I did my best. Sometimes calm is more of an appearance than a state of mind. Or at least is in my case. So I kept on going with my training class, since I really didn't want to take it again later.

I finished up with the work I needed to do for the day, and like the rest of the masses, I headed home early. I was back at the house around 1:30 pm, no worries, all is well. Little did I know things were about to change, and I do mean change, and fast. Then there was the call. The caller ID says: "*IDAHO FALLS, ID, 3:26P NOV 25"

Unlike the call earlier about the blood work results, this was not some nurse calling to say come in for a test. It was actually her Doctor calling, and she said get to the hospital immediately, because we are having a baby. The Doctor was going to meet us there and we were having an emergency Caesarian. We were ready for a C-Section, so we weren't quite into the totally panic state at this point. We were a bit nervous, it was happening all so fast.

We hit the front desk of the hospital to check in (I knew we should have pre-registered) and were heading upstairs to labor and delivery in a matter of minutes. They quickly whisked her into the prep room, threw some scrubs in my hands, and sent me and my bags off to what was going to be our room to change clothes. I hurried as fast as I could, because I knew Adrienne needed me by her side as much as I could be. I really wasn't prepared for what was coming next.

They had her in a hospital gown already, and were hooking her up to an IV. They were asking questions about medical history and getting her into the system. The nurse asked so many questions, I could probably only repeat a few of them. Then in comes Dana, the big burly anesthesiologist, and asks how long we have been treated with HELLP Syndrome. Then it seemed real what was happening. The diagnosis from her blood work and other symptoms, was HELLP Syndrome. It is potentially fatal to both the mother and baby if it goes untreated. And apparently hers had gone unrecognized due to a lack of classical systems that are usually present in an accompanying condition of preclampsia. The key indicator of high blood pressure (hypertension) was not there. HELLP occurs in about 10% of the cases of preclampsia, and only about 1 in 500 overall. We were one of the rare cases, that even with the best Doctor with be difficult to diagnose.

It was then another nurse comes in and says "The Doctor wants to know what is taking so long!!!" The pace has quickened. The nurse said all our info and questions we were doing normally takes 2 hours. We got it all done in about 20 minutes.

When they moved here into the surgery room, she started to cry. It was going so fast and there was no stopping it now. After all, the only real treatment for HELLP is delivery. There is still the possibility of renal failure and stroke, due to how bad it had gotten. Although I was scared, I was glad they were taking it serious, and were acting as quick and efficiently as possible.

As they were about to put her under, I was taken into the adjacent room, which was the nursery. They told me after the baby was born, they were going to bring Tre in through a little sliding window. It was in the nursery they were going to do all his post delivery testing and get him all cleaned up.

At 4:37pm (1 hr 12 minutes after the call at home from the Doctor), James Vance Seamans III (Tre) made his entry into the world. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 13.6 ounces (they round to 14) and was 20 inches long. There was white stuff all over his skin, and they were quickly getting his airways all cleaned out and wiping him down so you could see his tender little pink skin beneath. His initial Apgar score at 1 minute was a 7, which means he is in the normal range. So he was doing good.

It looked like there were 4 nurses, helping the 2 doctors working on Adrienne along with Dana. I was watching Tre get all cleaned up, when another person came in the Nursery and in a very aggitated voice, told another nurse to drop what she was doing and get into surgery. I really started to worry about Adrienne. But as I pressed my face to the window to see what was going on, I couldn't see anything. They were working furiously, and Dana gave me the "thumbs up" and my worries subsided considerably. If I knew then what I know now about HELLP, I would have felt much different.

His 5 minute Apgar was an eight, which is even better than his 1 minute test. Tre was doing super, and was a little champ for the nurses working on him. He cried a little, but not too terribly loud. It was like this little squeak, to let people know he wasn't happy. He got really upset when they took this little tool that looked like a miniature toilet plunger attached to the end of a long stick, and smacked him all over his chest. This was to loosen up anything left in his lungs, so they can suck it out and he can breath easier. He just really was not happy as they smacked him all over around the front and back of his chest.

We got his little foot prints taken, but Mr. Man was not very cooperative in taking hand prints. But they are so appropriate now, that we see how much he opens and closes his little hands. You can see where it looks like his tiny fingers tried to grab the paper. I don't remember when someone asked me what I though of him. But I said he was perfect. They said that is the first thing parents usually do, is to check if he has 5 fingers and 5 toes. I replied that I didn't count, and that 4 fingers and 4 toes was good enough for me if he was health and his mom was ok. I don't know when I looked to see if he had 5 on each hand and foot, but that really was not much a concern at the time.

Adrienne was in recovery at this point. I went in to see her and they had her awake. She was still very out of it, but they kept asking what her pain was on a scale of 1-10. One of the later nurses used to describe 10 as having an arm cut off. Adrienne kept telling them her pain was at a nine. I knew she was not feeling very good at all. The only nice thing, is she really does not remember much about the recovery room. It wasn't long before they took her down to our lucky room 14. I know 14 is not usually a lucky number, but today it was. It was the room where all of us got to be together. She was hurting, but all in one piece. And Tre was with us for the first time.

I will write more later as I get time....

Jim

A Life Altering Experience

Tre was born on Wednesday after a very scary, and quick emergency C-Section. It's an extremely long story and since I am completely exhausted and drugged, I will have to tell the story later. Basically, we discovered that I had developed HELLP syndrome and came very close to dying. (For example, to have an epidural you have to have a platelet count of 250 and mine was at 54). I had to be given general anesthesia and Jim had to wait in the nursery. To give you an idea of how fast this all happened: I was called by my doctor at 3:26 pm to rush to the hospital and he was born at 4:37 pm.

This whole experience has definitely put a lot of things in perspective for us and has given us both a lot of insight into a lot of people in our lives. We are quickly discovering who truly cares and who does not, as well as what is important and what is not.

Bottom line . . . we are grateful Tre is here and is okay. I am here and am on the mend. We also have each other. I also want to publicly say how grateful I am to have my husband in my life. He has been amazing these past couple of days and I don't know what I would have done without him. I will never be able to repay him for the love and kindness he has shown this past couple of days. Every woman deserves a husband like him. He truly is amazing, and is and will be an amazing Dad. I truly am blessed.

From "Holiday Inn"

"I've got plenty to be thankful for
I haven't got a great big yacht
To sail from shore to shore
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for

I've got plenty to be thankful for
No private car, no caviar
No carpet on my floor
Still I've got plenty to be thankful for

I've got eyes to see with
Ears to hear with
Arms to hug with
Lips to kiss with
Someone to adore

How could anybody ask for more?
My needs are small, I buy them all
At the five and ten cent store
Oh, I've got plenty to be thankful for"

Yep, that pretty much

sums it up!

A Pregnant Woman's Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my baby will sleep.
If he should kick and I lie awake,
I pray the Lord my insides won't ache.

And if my husband begins to snore,
I pray the Lord will help me to love him more.
Especially as he sleeps away,
And I just wait the start of the day.

Now I lay me back down to sleep,
I am really sick of counting sheep.
The clock keeps ticking minutes away,
And I can't find a comfortable way to lay.

And as the silence and darkness goes on,
I can't help but to think of this song.
"Count Your Blessings, name them one by one,"
Very soon you'll hold your own son.

Another Pregnancy Milestone Accomplished

Because we have now reached the 37 week mark, out little one can now be in the "full-term" category when delivered! We're getting there.

Let the Squawking Begin!

Final grades are now posted, and I know of at least one student who is going to croak when she sees she got an F. Oh well. Actually, this is the best batch of grades I have ever had! I am just glad to be done!

The Close of Another Class

Today is the end of another class! I only have 12 finals to grade, and all of the feedback to do. Hopefully, I can get all of this done by Tuesday evening, and then I will be done for awhile. However, I do have until next Sunday to get it all done, if needed.

I have also had to change my insulin shots from my stomach to my leg. The skin on my stomach is too tight so the shots were getting too painful with usually a welt that lasted for awhile. I still find the whole thing about me giving myself shots such a weird concept, but at least I am doing it!

As for baby, things (as far as I know) are still on schedule with no big changes. The only thing for sure is that today was my last day at church until after he is born. By the end of Sacrament meeting my feet were so swollen and my ligaments hurt so bad that when I stood up to walk, even my hubby said he felt I should go home and put my feet up. (There is just no dainty or socially acceptable way to lay across a bench in a dress with your feet propped up. LOL)

Anyway, that is the latest and the greatest. Since I will be busy finalizing school stuff this week, I thought I better update now. Have a great week!

Tick, Tick, Tick Goes the Clock

Today, I start the 9th month! There were days I wondered if I ever would reach this point, but yet here it is, and 2 1/2 more days I am done with my class!

Am I ready? Ummmmm. . . depends on the day, hour, minute. Is anyone ever really "ready" to help mold a new life and raise them in the world?

I have learned so much through this process about myself, family, others, and pregnancy in general. However, that is a another post for another day. I can say this whole process has definitely changed my view on pregnancy forever, which is not such a bad thing.

The weirdest or funniest part at this point is how calm I am and how "freaked" out my husband is. Up to now, it has been the exact opposite and I was getting so frustrated that he was so calm. LOL Then again, I am done with my graduate class, finishing up my class I am teaching, and have made most of the things I was planning on making. He, on the other hand, is quickly approaching finals and more extra work. Poor guy! I am just so grateful that we have one another to lean on and both have experienced in some way the other's "predicament" in some fashion so that we can support/relate to how each other is feeling.

He also has been getting more and more excited as time passes. (Not that he wasn't already bursting when we first found out we were expecting or anything.) He even printed out the 3-D scan and showed everyone at work "his son" and has it posted on his wall at his office. How cute! Just wait until there are "real" pictures. LOL

So, now the true countdown begins!

Want An Interesting Experience?

Try giving yourself a shot in the stomach with a live fetus kicking and punching. It's truly an experience, especially when he does one if his long slow leg stretches right where and just as you try to insert the needle. LOL I am just grateful to know he is alive and well. Plus, it was for a good laugh first thing in the morning.

Happy Birthday!

Photo courtesy of sesamestreet.com

Happy Birthday Sesame Street!

How can we go wrong with songs such as "C Is for Cookie", "Rubber Duckie", "I Love Trash" and such characters such as Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, and my all time favorite - ELMO!!! Thanks for the memories and providing a clean show that parents can let their kids see and have some value to it.

Another Appointment Down

Well, another appointment down. Everything looked good, so nothing major to report. Another appointment next week and then we go to twice a week. In two weeks we do another growth scan.

There were a whole series of issues that happened in regards to scheduling and equipment not working, so we got some free 3-D scans today. They are not the best, since he does not like to cooperate with having his picture taken. However, you get a general idea:

Yep, that would be his hand by his face. Sleeps just like his mom!

Yeah for Normal!

We had another "normal" appointment today. It wasn't with my regular doctor, since she is out of town so I had to give a "brief" rundown of our story to the fill-in. It was hilarious to see his face as I rattled everything off. (He obviously hadn't looked at my chart.) So nothing new. Next appointment, next week.

On the funny side, we had our first non-stress test today. I warned the nurse as she put on the monitors to make sure they were on secure, because he was going to try and kick them off. To this, she promptly rolled her eyes as if to say, "yeah, right." (This was her first time seeing us as well.) Sure enough within two minute away he went! I so wished I had a camera at the time as her mouth almost dropped to the floor and asks, "Doesn't that hurt?" Ummmmm, duh?! Yeah! He definitely does not like his space invaded, but then again he is getting less and less of it so who can blame him.

Deep Thoughts

There recently was a death in my husband's family, and it is has been interesting to see how the emotions of the various members have played out. While I will be the first to admit that I do not handle death well (which is one of the reasons why I chose to work with kids), it never ceases to amaze me the various reactions and emotions that such an event brings out in people. I think I prefer the deep South's way of handling the situation, by making it a celebration of life rather than the focus on the loss or why such a thing has happened. However, the celebration is not always an easy thing to do.

As I sit back and watch the emotions and dynamics play out amongst my in-laws, the one thing I know and am grateful for is the knowledge of the concept of eternal families, forgiveness, repentance, and the Atonement. It makes things so much less final and gloomy. It's hard to watch others who don't have that knowledge, nor want to, attempt to process the finality of death.

It is also interesting from a therapist's viewpoint watch the cycle of grief come into play with everyone in their various steps of the process. Everyone has their own reaction and way to deal with such events. Time heals all wounds, but it's in the meantime that can be difficult and lead to strong emotional reactions.

All I know is this: I am grateful for my husband. I am grateful for the knowledge I have regarding the concept of eternity and the Atonement. I am grateful for a father-in-law who remains calm in a storm. I am grateful I live far, far away, and am removed from the drama.

Oh, What to Do?!

I checked my email for my work this morning and surprisingly discovered a solicitation to teach a new class starting December 7. I was shocked, since I thought that most of the solicitations for December had gone out already. Also, because I am still teaching a course and with the new rules, I figured I wouldn't receive any solicitations until after I finished my current class.

Oh, what to do?! The extra money would be greatly appreciated, especially since medical bills are rapidly adding up (We just discovered on Friday that the insurance company did not pay for my diabetic stuff.) and the biggest ones have yet to hit! Plus the new contractor for Jim's work won't be announced until January. Until such time, we have no idea as to what will happen with his job or even who he will be working for.

But then again a new life is coming into our home and until he is here who knows what challenges and joy he will bring. I so hate the unknown! I am a planner. I can't help it.

To work or not to work? That is the question.

Latest and Greatest

Well, today was another appointment. Long story, short . . . it is a good thing we were going with the C-section already, because we would be scheduling one otherwise. Even though I am 33 1/2 weeks along, I am measuring at 37 weeks 6 days. ( I knew I felt HUGE!) Tre is weighing in at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and is in the 87th percentile. (At 90th percentile, it is an automatic C-section.) So we are going for weekly appointments for a couple of weeks, and then 2x/week appointments until he is born with ultrasounds to monitor his growth. (He has tons of hair.) I also have to start taking insulin in the morning as well.

Keep your fingers crossed that nothing happens for at least 2 1/2 more weeks. I REALLY need to finish my class. (I don't want to put in all this work and see someone else get paid!) Plus my doc is out of town all of next week, so I really need to have a quiet and "normal" week next week because I do NOT want to get stuck with her wacky male partners.

Cause for Minor Celebration

I am DONE! That's right, D-O-N-E, DONE with my graduate class. 10 2 -3 page papers, 1 major paper, and 1 presentation DONE! If you know anything about what I went through to get to this point, you can understand my jubilation! Now if I can just get official notice of passing and get my endorsement signed and approved, then I am truly done and the REAL celebration can begin! Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks that will be the case.

"I Do It, Myself"

1st shot of insulin was last night and I survived! In the words of my eldest niece when she was much younger, "I do it, myself."

Here's Your Sign

After Weekly Feedback is sent out to students stating their percentage and total points in the class so far, a student posts the following message:

"Can I pass this course?" We are over half way through the course, and the student has a 9%.

Here's your sign!

Sorry - No Pictures Today

Well, we tried again today with the same results as last time, so no pictures. We do know that he has a lot of hair that is spikey. We have to do another ultrasound next Tuesday to measure his length and weight, so we will try again then.

DANG IT!!!

This morning my blood glucose levels and ketones were way off again so I have to start insulin tomorrow. CRAP! Talk about a roller-coaster of emotions!

Never Tell a Redhead They Can't!

Today my hubby and I went to the diabetic clinic today to start the dreaded insulin. However, the nurse told me that since my numbers have been so good this past week, they are going to give me another week to see if they stay the same. If so, no insulin! (I told her last week to give me a week, since I knew that I could get my numbers back on track and she didn't think I could. HA!) Plus they want to see how he is measuring which we will find out Tuesday afternoon. If he is big and I am borderline on the glucose numbers, then they will start insulin. So stay tuned . . .

The Latest

Well, we had another Dr. appointment today.

The heartbeat was good and we are definitely going to be having a C-section. We don't know when yet because she doesn't schedule them until we are closer to the due date. However, we have also had put in the chart that if I do go into early labor, we will have a C-section so the hospital knows what to do.

The final decision has been made (Enter "Death March" music here), and I start insulin shots tomorrow. I went to the diabetic clinic today and let's just say it did not go well. Tomorrow I have to go back in and I don't get to leave until I have given myself a shot. So as of tomorrow, my new address will be at the Wellness Center and I will have my mail forwarded there, since I won't be leaving there anytime soon. I did okay until it was time to jab myself, and the thoughts of it got to be too much, especially when trying for the stomach. I know that the needle isn't long enough to do any damage to the baby or placenta, but just the thoughts of all of it gives me the heeby-jeebies! Due to the start of insulin, they will now be monitoring growth at every visit starting next week and if he shows any signs of growing quickly, we will be doing an emergency C-Section.

I got the H1N1 vaccine today as well. Being in the 8th month I am high risk of pre-mature delivery if I were to get sick so I was considered a "priority" patient. Pretty impressive considering the health department is only giving them 30 doses a week. The scary thing was that while we were waiting another lady came into the waiting area that had just been confirmed to have H1N1 and was waiting for an x-ray because the doctor had heard crackling on her lungs. Soooooooooooo not good! I still can't figure out why they didn't have her quarantined somewhere and not out in an open waiting area filled with a bunch of pregnant women. Anyway, in two weeks I supposedly will be completely immune to this virus so we'll see.

We also tried to do a 4-D ultrasound, but being his father's son he was too stubborn to turn his head so we could see his face. We saw his ear only. He also moved his legs and arms but was having nothing doing with having a picture taken. (Hmmmm. . . . that sounds more like his mother.) We will try again in a couple of days and I'll be sure to eat lots of veggies just before. That always gets him going! Hopefully, we get a decent view then. Keep your fingers crossed!

I Don't Think So!

My husband thinks this would be hillarious to do:

I don't think so!

A Race Against the Clock

Yesterday, I had my first taste of Braxton Hicks. It was definitely not my idea of a good time, but was to be expected eventually. As Jim and I talked our way through this, he's decided that we have 5 more weeks tops and that there is no way I will make it to our due date.

5 more weeks is what I need. My class is starting Week 6 tomorrow, which means there are 4 more weeks of class plus a week to grade finals and post grades. If I have this baby sooner and am unable to fulfill my obligations, the University hires someone to take over for me and I don't get my last payment for the course, which is a 1/3 of my contracted amount. Plus I do not want to be grading papers in the hospital! Never mind the whole issue of having a preemie and all that that brings on.

So the race is on . . . . . . .

Sooooooooo Tempted

Today we went and looked at cars. Not because we needed to or had any intentions to buy, but we know that the time is coming when a purchase will be necessary. (Our cars are currently 10 and 8 years old.) I had to find myself repeatedly saying, "You're not buying a car today." This especially came true when I saw this and actually got to get in it and smell that wonderful new car smell:

I sooooooooooo wanted to drive off the lot right there with it. I even tried to rationalize it in my head. "Well, the payment is less than what we were paying on the credit cards, and we are going to have to get a car anyway, and . . . ., and . . . ., and .. . . . "

But then I remembered the feeling of having that extra little money each month that we get to use at our discression and build up savings with. Plus, until Tre is born who knows what type of medical bills we will incur, what will happen with the child support in the next four months, or even Jim's job when the new contractor is announced in January. Dang responsibilities!

Oh well, to dream is free.

7 Down, 2 More to go!

Today is the last day of the 7th month!

Am I Being "Punk'd"?

There are many days when dealing with my students that I want to say, "Am I being punk'd?" and immediately look around for hidden cameras. My most recent moment? A student turns in a 95% plagiarized paper. Not only has she copied this word for word from a published article written by someone else, but had to actually purchase the original article to be able to copy it. Then when she is confronted has the gall to say, "I didn't mean to. I just forgot to put in my citations."

Okay, Ashton, you can come out at anytime.

Anybody Want a Cat Or Two?

If you come to our house and use the guest bathroom, you will find the toilet paper in the upper drawer in the cupboard by the toilet. The picture below explains why!

If we put it on the toilet paper holder, it is shredded on the holder. If we put it in the cabinets, Sasha uses her paws like hands and opens the cabinet doors. (She tends to do this when she is mad about something, like me pushing her off the bed when I am trying to sleep and she is in my face. This was the case last night.) As to which one shreds, it depends. We have caught her doing it and Ratta as well. When it is him, it is as if he convinces her to open the cupboards and then he goes in and shreds. ggggggrrrrrrrrr

This time my hubby decided to put extra toilet paper in the spare bathroom and put in the cupboard in the front, no less. I can't wait until he wakes up and I get to tell him about the "present' he has been left. Just wait until we childproof the house! Hopefully, this will put a stop to that.

Single Digits!!

We are in the single digits now in the countdown! I don't know if I will every feel truly ready. (Blast this stupid graduate class I thought would be such a good idea!) Oh well. At least the crib is put together, there are some clothes, and I have enough blankets to last me a lifetime!

Phone Calls, Not Visits, Appreciated

Since my husband and I have histories of upper respiratory infections and I am pregnant, we are basically under quarantine in our house thanks to all the people who think they should still be out and about even though they are sick. In fact, my hubby had to take the rest of the week off from work since two people showed up to work today and almost bragging, told others that they have the swine flu and refused to stay home. Instead they were walking around from office to office as they hacked and coughed all over everyone and their stuff. Luckily, his managers are willing to work with him and help him to work from home.

Even 300 students from our middle school down the street and the elementary school also down the street had over 120 students out sick. Since a lot of the people in our ward and on our street work with these students, these people are all now exposed and could be sick. Consequently, my doctor has asked me to stay away from church and my young women's duties until vaccinations are available.

PLEASE!!! If you and/or anyone in your family is sick, please stay home. I realize that not everyone has the luxury of paid time off, but please realize that you could potentially be hurting not only your co-workers, but those whom they have at home. I realize that for most the H1N1 virus is mild for a lot of people, but there are those who it can potentially seriously harm and you just never know who that may be.

Because Sometimes We All Need Some Encouragement

See My Ticker?

I am in the 30's! Never before, or perhaps again, will I be happy to say that! Then again. . . . .. Holy crap! I am in the 30's! Less than 10 weeks to go!

Ways to Not Handle Your Teacher

Since I just turned back the first Written Assignment for the course I am teaching, here come the complaints:

1. I am getting an A in all of my other classes. Why are you being so mean?

How I would like to respond: Because your other teachers are either idiots, lazy, or both. Forget the fact that you did not follow any of the instructions and you write worse than my nieces and nephews, who the majority are in elementary school.

2. I don't think you are being fair.

How I would like to respond: Well, I don't think it is fair that I have to waste my time reading a paper that even a 4th grader could do better at.

3. What do you mean I plagiarized my paper? I included the citations.

How I would like to respond: You sure did, you idiot! They are the same citations that are included in the original document that you copied word for word. A = for copying; A = for stupidity Good job! For paper = F and an Academic Violation Report Way to go!

4. Do you mean I have to document any information that is not my own work?

How I would like to respond: Ummmmm . . . DUH!

And my favorite so far:

5. I couldn't finish my paper because I was too sick to finish. Can't you just forgive that and give me the full points since I turned in something?

How I would like to respond: How can I grade for work that I haven't seen? Besides, my ESP is down at the moment and I am too sick of ding dongs like you to grade your full paper.

*****************************************************

Any ideas on how my day is going?

Texting While Driving

I know that there is a strong campaign right now to make it illegal to text while driving. My husband are very interested regarding this issue, since we have a teenage daughter we know that does this despite our pleadings to stop.

As we were driving in Utah for a recent road trip, I looked over to see a guy driving with NO hands on the wheel as he was texting!!! My mouth just dropped, especially considering the amount of traffic all around us and the speeds at which everybody was driving. Just amazing!

I admit that my husband and I do text each other, especially if he is in a meeting or we need to get info to each other and it needs to be written while he is at work and I am at home. It can be handy. However, I just can't imagine trying to do this while driving.

I am just happy that we made it home safely and didn't have to witness an accident due to stupidity.

Losing the Battle

I am already losing control with my son, who hasn't even been born yet! (I am scared!)

Tre has been getting more and more active, with his favorite time being as I am trying to go to sleep. This is when his "kickboxing" sessions begin. (I am getting punches/kicks on both sides.)Even Jim said, when putting his hand on my stomach as I was trying to get to sleep, he couldn't believe how much he moved around. He asked if that happened all the time, to which I said yes but that it was worse at night when I am trying to go to sleep.

It's all good. I know he is "alive and kicking". I just wish he could let Mommy rest when she needs to, and can't wait until it is the air he is kicking and punching away at and my innards get a break.

FINALLY!!!

We are free from the credit card tyrants! They are all paid off and even a month and a week earlier than originally planned.

Reason # 1,456,729 Why I Love My Husband

When my husband and I were looking at houses to buy, one of my criteria was that I needed to have a space in the backyard to grow a garden. To this I got "the look" and was told that he hated yard work and didn't do green (in regards to veggies), so I was on my own if I wanted to garden. So last year, that was usually where you could find me throughout the summer. I was either working in the vegetable garden, the flower beds, or working in the yard. I loved every minute of it! With the thanks of what we grew, I was able to can A LOT of salsa, which my husband has discovered that he LOVES.

This year, due to my "delicate state" I have not been able to do a whole lot with the garden. In fact, he got it ready, planted, and maintained it for most of the summer all by himself. Poor guy!We did can 13 quarts and 6 pints of salsa, and are now going to be done since there is not much more I can do.

As we were harvesting the last of the jalapenos, green peppers, and the majority of the last of the tomatoes to give to the local food bank he said to me, "Wouldn't it be cool to be able to have a 1/4 acre garden that you could just donate it all to the food bank?" My heart melted. I am so grateful that he loves doing charity work as much as me, which is something we hope to instill in Tre as well.

What a guy!

As of the End of Today

2nd Trimester . . .

DONE!

So This Is What "Normal" Is Like

Today I had my first "normal" appointment. In fact it was so short and routine it seemed so anti-climatic that I almost had to go back to make sure that this was the way it really was. No ultrasound needed, just the doppler and a discussion with the doc. Wow, what a concept!

I did find out that while the perinatalogist that I saw is very good, he has a tendency to scare the daylights out of everyone he sees so my doctor was not surprised with how freaked out I was. (She said that he likes to be overly-cautious, which can be a good thing, but is scary to the patient.) The fact that he did not want to see me again unless my doc thinks I need to is a good sign that he is not really concerned.

As far as the C-section goes, it is still up to me at this point and won't be scheduled until the 39th week if that is what I decide to do. Still not sure on that one. I am still in the wait and see mode.

So no appointment until next month and I also get to do a 4-D scan at that time as well. Woohoo!

And the Adventure Begins . . . . Again

Well, class has started and so far I have 19 students. I did have 20 (the maximum) but one dropped today. I am hoping more will drop only because I would rather not have 19 papers to grade. It should be interesting. The nice thing about this class is that there are some weeks that only their participation in "discussions" are required, which means very little grading for me. YAHOO!

Since I have never taught this class before, there is going to be more work on my part just to make sure that I understand the material and assignments. I didn't create any new assignment this time, because I wanted to see how the "old format" works first. That way when I teach it again I can make the tweeks that I want and not have re-write everything. Plus, I will admit I took the lazy way out this time.

Guess, we'll see how all of this goes. It doesn't end until November 15, which I know is pushing it with Tre. However, the extra money is greatly appreciated and needed, so I am taking my chances. Keep your fingers crossed!

Does "pregnancy" fall under the insanity defense?

Once again my knight in shining armor (aka my husband) has followed through and found the missing keys. They are now all nice and shiny since they were washed in the laundry. Granted the remote no longer works, but I plead pregnancy! Just glad they are found.

A Time For Discipline

Now is a time for discipline and organization, when things are getting the craziest.

1. I am starting a new class on Monday and have to develop the syllabus and gradebook this weekend. (Should be interesting since I have never taught this class before.) I tried to create it earlier, but their stupid program wouldn't let me until I actually got the contract which came today. grrrrrrrrr

2. I need to complete the graduate class I am taking in the next two months. (2 papers down, 9 more and 2 big projects to go!)

3. I need to figure out the modifications of the project I am charge of for Super Saturday.

4. I need to stay on top of the Young Women stuff, since I am not getting much cooperation there. (Loooooooooooooooooooong story!)

5. I need to finish organizing and cleaning out the basement. (This in and of itself is a full-time job!)

6. I need to can more salsa and figure out what I am going to do with the left over produce.

7. I need to clean the upstairs. (i.e. dust and vacuum)

8. I need to find the keys to my husband's car that I lost sometimes today and have no idea where they are. I've looked everywhere I can think of. (Dang pregnancy, foggy brain!)

9. I need to keep up on the regular stuff on the house, yard, cooking while I see very little of my husband. (He has been working 60 - 70 hours/week for the last month and will continue to do so until almost the end of October. Oh yeah, and he's going to graduate school.)

10. I have to keep my stress level down and glucose levels under control so that I can try to avoid early delivery, insulin, and all of the other fun stuff I have been warned about.

Can we say . . . OVERWHELMED?! Yet, if you were to see me, you would see a smile on my face. Why? I think the deliriousness of 3-4 hours of sleep at night has taken over or I'd just rather smile then cry. Plus, my husband is stressed enough and doesn't need me adding to it.

Time for me to take a nice, hot bath and start again tomorrow. "The sun will come out tomorrow . . . . . "

Happy Day!

In my haste of cleaning out the basement and getting rid of junk, I had my hubby take a bag of stuffed animals to DI that I thought were my ex-stepson's. (I thought at the time I should go through it, but I just wanted it out of here.) Unfortunately, I realized that there were not his, but actually my stuffed animals. This included a collection of teddy bears that I have collected over the years, including the first one I had as a baby. (I had planned to use to decorate Tre's room to go along with the teddy bear theme.) I was sad when I realized it, but there was nothing I could do.

Today as I started on the basement again I was surprised to find a big box with stuffed animals. Not only did it contain a cherised autographed doll from my "Annie" castmates (that I thought was lost), but my original bears! While there are some that are definately gone, the ones that I had from the beginning are there. YEAH!

Buyer Beware! - Learn From Our Mistake

Just thought I would pass along something that I learned the hard way today:

Before you make a significant purchase at Target, you may want to check to see if it is on sale online at Target.com. We purchased a travel system and playyard today at a Target store and when I looked some things up online, I noticed that they were on sale according to their website. However, the store did not give us a sale price. When I called the store to ask about the situation, I was basically told, "Sucks to be you." They, and most other Target stores, may or may not reflect the same prices as their website, and will not honor what their website shows if they do not have the same item on sale in the store.

Bottem line for us . . . To get the sale price, we would have to take back everything and then order it online. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Less Than 100 Days!!

Less than 100 days to go?! Who would have thought such a realization would bring on such an array of emotions?

I Did It!

I actually poked myself. Okay, so I got brave (or rather mad) enough that I took control and did it. (I can't handle something else trying to take over me.) YEAH ME!

Because Sometimes Dads Need Gifts, Too

I got my hubby this:

(Our Gift - by Susan Lordi; Photo from demdaco.com)

People have been kind of enough to give me and Tre gifts, but sometimes Dads need gifts, too.

I'm Now On Parole

I am now on parole and meet my "ankle monitor":

I get to use this lovely 6 times a day. That's right. I said 6. And if you know anything about me and my "love" of needles, this is not a good thing. I was also told that if my levels are not within "normal" range I also get to take insulin (yes, in shot form) above and beyond the Metformin I am already taking. I will spare you the rest of the details of the class, but let's just say it did not end well and right now me and the "mini" are having a stare down, glaring contest.

Not only do I get to do this but I have to fax my results in once a week so I can "check in" with my "parole officer" to make sure I am being a good girl.

And before any of you decide to tell me your horror stories of needles, epidurals, and delivery . . . Yes, I am fully aware of what epidurals and IVs are, and my doctor is also fully aware that as long as you don't tell me what you are doing or show me, I am just fine. Otherwise, it is "have a nice life" and I am outta there! (This is why I did not go to medical school.)

I can and have had lots of needles and such, and can do it. The anticipation is worse than the actual procedure, so I have learned my own coping mechanism. It works for me, but is not going to be case on this one.

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary . . . .

The Garden

Here are some pictures of what I picked today:




We have tomatoes, grape tomatoes, jalepenos, and some really sad green peppers. There are a lot more tomatoes that should be go by the end of the week and still tons of jalepenos, which means SALSA TIME!! (I haven't picked the onions, yet.)

Our poor green peppers are just not doing so well this year. I think it is due in part to Jim accidently turning off the water for almost a week and the batteries in our timer for the water died and we didn't realize if for another week in the past month.

Oh well, at least we have something! We didn't plant even half of what we did last year, but that is okay since we still have plenty of salsa left over from last year. Next summer I, hopefully, will be back to doing yard work again and can plant a full garden.

Happiness is . . .

Finding sugar-free Hawaiian Punch drink mix and the wooden letters you wanted for your son's room, when you have been looking for both for a month!

Another Update

Well, yesterday we went to the perinatalogist visit. Just prior to going I noticed that my stomach was a mass of welts and a rash, so I called my regular ob and was informed that I have a lovely case of PUPPPS. (If you want to know what that stands for, you will have to look that up.) Basically, it is a rash with welts that is like having a huge chicken pox or poison ivy rash on your stomach that you are not supposed to scratch. It's not harmful. Just incredibly itchy that will not go away until after the pregnancy has ended. Hydrocortisone cream helps take the edge off, so off I went to the other doctor.

The doctor was really nice and from what I was told by a friend of ours, who is a supervising nurse at the hospital, we saw the best one out of the four who come to Idaho Falls from Primary's. To be honest, in some ways I am more confused now as to what is going on then I was before. I am hoping to schedule an appointment with my regular doctor soon to "debrief".

The only things I know for sure are that I am not to take the glucose test, because he states that it would be more harmful then helpful. He feels that I do have gestational diabetes and need to start testing my glucose levels immediately. Tre is within the normal growth range but at the high end of that level. (In other words "big baby") Also, the umbilical cord is definitely edged in its connection and there were some other things as well that I will refrain from sharing.

Long story, shorter . . . . there are still some concerns, but not as many as there could be. At this point, I am going to talk to the doctor about a C-section. It's not my first choice, but there have been and still are too many red flags for my comfort level. Plus I would much rather be sure that my doctor, who knows my history, be there for sure, then to get someone who knows nothing of what has been happening and the complications become a problem for myself and Tre.

On a more fun note we were able to see Tre's face from the front for the first time. He has really chubby cheeks and was not happy about being poked and moved around for the various ultrasounds. (I was kicked and punched good and hard during the appointment and for a couple of hours afterwards.)

That is as far as I know at this point.

Daddy's 1st Day of Graduate School

And so the adventure begins . . . . .

Never Underestimate the Power of the Belly

Two days ago I discovered that the regulator/motor for my passanger back seat window had gone out. (This would be the fourth and hopefully, final door that this has happened to.) I was not too happy, since I knew that the part to fix this cost about $300. Since we had just paid Jim's tuition, books, a doctor bill, and another bill off that day, money is a little tight and I just didn't want one more big expense this month. grrrrrrrrr

Anywhoo . . . . Because Jim is in the middle of a DOE audit, he has been unable to pick up the part that I need, so I went today and got it myself since I am becoming desperate. (The window is half down and won't go up or down.) When I went into the parts department I boo-hooed about how this is the fourth door I have had to do this to. The nice parts guy listened to my sad story, saw my pregnant belly, and took pity on me. Not only was the part price cut in half, he also gave me another $20 off because he felt bad for me. Woohoo! When I called my husband, he stated it was a good thing I went. They would have never done the same deal for him. I just laughed and said it was all about the belly.

Update

Well, I had another doctor's appointment this morning and here are the results:

Baby is in the 77% percentile for his growth.
Heartbeat is good.
Previa has not returned.
There is some concern with the umbilical cord insertion, so I have to see a perinatologist next Wednesday for a high-tech ultrasound to check the connection to the placenta. If it is strong, we proceed as normal. If it is weak, then a definite C-section to avoid hemorrhaging and Tre being stillborn.

Next month is the dreaded glucose test, plus the regular appointment.

Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaah!

Another bill paid off and another scheduled to be paid off in November! There may be light at the end of this tunnel, yet! Thank goodness for tithing blessings and frugal living. Couponing and bargain shopping does pay off.


And in other news . . . . I finished my 5th month on Thursday, so I am now over half way done with this pregnancy! My next appointment is on Tuesday, and we definitely have a lot to talk to the doctor about, i.e. swine flu vaccine and this horrible nasal congestion that I am experiencing. Other than that it should be pretty routine, which will be a nice change.

Latest Creation

Our ward had a summer BBQ and we were on the list to make desserts, so I decided to make "ice cream" cupcakes. They are cupcakes that you bake inside of ice cream cones and then frost and decorate to make them look like ice cream cones. (I even cheated and used store bought frosting.) They went really fast, so I guess they were a hit!

I got this idea from my mom who used to make them for the cheerleading bake sales that I had to bring stuff for when I was in 8th grade. They were always the first thing to go! They are great since there is little mess and nothing to throw away when eating them!

Rivals In The House!!

Well, it is official. Jim is a Vandal and I am a Bronco for at least the fall semester. He is beginning his graduate work and I am taking a class to get my school social work endorsement. (I know I need one more thing on my plate this fall like I need a hole in the head.) So we will get to commesurate together or at least kind of, since I am not trying to work full-time as well. (Already been there, done that!) However, I am scheduled to teach two sections of a new class starting in September. That will really be a new experience since I will now be creating my own syllabus and designing my own assignments. Since I have never taught this class before, this could get really interesting really fast.

The padding for our "padded room" and the straight jackets are on their way. It should be an adventure!

A Lost Sense of Pride and Care

Once upon a time, there was a girl who always had to have her hair and make-up done whenever she left the house. Even going to the store to get milk for her mother required this task. Anything less was unthinkable.

Then that girl grew up and became pregnant. As her stomach grew, this requirement became less and less noticable. In fact, it was a miracle if she even got out of her pajamas during the day.

So today as she moved the water in her front yard, there she was: hair not done, no makeup and still in her pjs with her croc knock offs and even waved to the neighbors as they did a double-take and drove by.

Her thoughts, "I'm pregnant. Deal with it. I don't care. I am just happy to be out of bed before 9 am."

The End

Sticker Shock!

$1,625 for only 2 classes in graduate school, and no that does not include books. Holy Cow!!! I paid less than that for a full credit load and a higher ranked school. Oh well. Hopefully, for future semesters he can get a GA job and tuition will be reduced.

I Tried . . . .Honest!

Well, I went downstairs with full intentions of working on the craft room. I put together the shelves and then when I looked to where I was going to put them quickly realized. . . OOPS! There is a bunch of furniture and a large, heavy tv that all needs to be moved out of the way. So, I shut the door with a heavy sigh and called my husband to apologize ahead of time for making him the moving boy this weekend since I can't lift or move any of this stuff. Oh well.

Hmmmmm . ... . What to Do?

Well, I just finished a 2 hour grant scoring meeting for Juvenile Justice Council. (Thank goodness there was only 1 grant to score.) So I called my hubby to check in, to see how his day was going, and to see what has happened with the rest of the paycheck that he is owed. (His last one was missing half of what he is owed.) Plus give him an update of our neighbors across the street who had the cops at their house yesterday and as I pulled in our driveway, they were there . . . AGAIN! (Looooooooooong story!) During the conversation I got the standard, so what are you going to do today? To which I replied that I really didn't know. It's always so weird after I finish a class. It's that same feeling after finishing a semester in school or even better graduating and think, "Now what?"

There are definitely things to do (i.e. finish the craft room so we can move the spare bed in there), but I just don't wanna. I for sure don't want to lie in bed, either. This is one of those times that I wish my friends lived closer so that we could find some type of mischief to get ourselves into. Oh well. My days will be filled soon enough, so I try to relish the freedom I have while I can.

"But It's Everyone Else's Fault"

The following article is an example of what I see more and more in the classroom and with today's youth: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/03/new.york.jobless.graduate/index.html

It's the whole attitude of, "It's everyone else's fault. Don't ask me to take responsibility." Good grief! This is almost as good as the students who state, "I paid for this class. Therefore, I should get an A no matter what."

SCARY! SCARY! SCARY!

I'm Done!!

Well, final grades are posted and I am done once again. Unless I get assigned a course in the next month, I will not be teaching again until after Tre is born. Don't worry there are PLENTY of things to do until then!

And We Have A Winner!

Well, my class is ending in less than an hour and out of 11 students that started the course, I have a whopping 4 that turned in their final!

4 - quit the course for various reasons - At least 1 was to get the financial aid and then bail on the class. It will suck when their tax refunds and/or paychecks are garnished for failure to pay back their loans and won't be eligible for future financial aid due to failure to progress in school.
1 - only "checked in" and did not submit any assignments - stated she wanted to purposely flunk to prove to everyone that she did not belong in college
1 -sent a message that her internet had been shut off so she was not going to finish the class (This was sent on the day the final was due. Plus how can you log in to the class and submit a message if your internet has already been turned off and it is your only internet you have access to?)
1 - sent a message today stating she would not finish the course due to her grade being so low (Now she has guaranteed a F!) Forget the fact that almost all of her assignments were late and several were missing.

Oh well. I still get paid the same and have less papers to grade. It's going to stink when they realize that the format for classes are changing next month and every facilitator will be setting up their own classroom with their own assignments. Consequently, re-using old papers and/or buying them from a paper bank will not be helpful for classes they have taken up to this point. Oh well. I have my piece of paper and did my time.

For those who did turn in their final, it was really fun to see them progress and "get it". I wish more people could value an education.

Okay, So Maybe This Is Real

The crib we ordered arrived today, so the reality of it all is settling in. Kind of funny that it takes a crib for reality to start to hit, since I have been having an ultrasound every month and have been kicked for about a month with my bladder being the "kickball" of choice. Thank goodness he is moving up so the trips to the bathroom are less frequent (for now).

Now if I can just get my husband to quite encouraging Tre to kick or give a "high 5" as I am trying to go to sleep. But that is okay, I will get the last laugh! When Tre is crying at 3:00 am, I will remind my hubby of all the times he thought it was so cute that Tre recognized his voice in utero. Consequently, he will be the one who will need to get up in the middle of the night, because he recognizes "daddy". LOL

Despite it all, it is definitely a new adventure every day that I know has just begun.

Happy Birthday, Tina!

Happiest of birthdays to one of the greatest people in my life!

Who would have thought that so many years ago living across the hall from one another and trying to survive our "dormmates" would lead us down such a path? You have truly been one of my greatest friends and supporters through some of the hardest and happiest days of my life! I am so glad that we re-connected. I don't know what I would have done without you these past 5 years! I just wish we lived closer. I hope you have the greatest of days and will be forever grateful for you being in my life! You are the best!

Hmmmmm . . . . Someday . . . . .

The Young Women in my ward just got back from Girls' Camp this week. Since I was not able to go for obvious reasons, I have to say I have been dying for dutch oven chicken, potatoes, and scones. YUUUUUUUUUUUM! It is one of the saving graces of camping for me. I soooooo love that type of food and Jim has never had it. Hopefully, next summer we will be able to remedy this on our own by at least putting our own pit in our backyard. It's on the list of "One of These Days" plans, so one of these days . . . . . .

Tre, the Giant?

Since every time we have had an ultrasound (especially this last one) the sonographer has repeatedly stated that Tre is a "big baby", I have never really thought much about it. However, this time I decided to look up what was "normal" for this stage of pregnancy vs. what we were experiencing. HOLY COW!! He is about 2 weeks ahead of "normal" growth. Since I have only gained 1 pound in the past month, how is this child growing so quickly?!

When I looked at the different ultrasound pictures, he has been increasing the gap between where he should be and where he is every month. Aaaaaaaaaaaaagh! I am predicting that he will be coming a little earlier than his due date and maybe even be C-Section. My husband's family is extremely nervous if they ever hear anything about concerns of a baby possibly not being able to fit through the birth canal due to my sister-in-law having this complication. In her case, the doctor did not take the appropriate precautions and consequently, has a daughter that is severely disabled for life due to the doctor forcing Jessica to have the baby "normally".

All I want to know is where is this coming from? I am only 5' 3" and Jim is 5' 8", so we are not giants. I have visions of being like my paternal grandmother who was 4'11" and ended up with a 6' 3" son (my father). YIKES!

It's A . . . . . . . .

TRE!

Ladies and Gentlemen . . . .

May we introduce to you

JAMES VANCE SEAMANS, III

(AKA "Tre" since he is the third.)

We got a DVD of the ultrasound, but I am unable to download it. He was such a wiggle-worm during it that the still pictures are blurry.

However, placenta previa is gone. There were no markers for Down's Syndrome. (The quad test was positive for Down's). Everything measured appropriately. He is now 13 oz. and 8 in. long.

I am officially off bedrest, unless there is bleeding, and was even cleared to begin exercising again (unless there is bleeding). I even had my doctor agree to deliver even if she is on her day off and is in town vs. one of her partners. (Some of them are scary!) I just love my doc! She is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! It's so reassuring when you go in to various medical specialists and they ask who your doctor is and when you tell them, they just rave about your doctor and say she is the "OB of all OBs". Did I mention that I think she's wonderful?! Dr. Carrie Merrill at Rosemark, in case you live in my neck of the woods and need a good doc.

Since he is the first and probably only grandson on the Seamans' family side, the grandparents, especially Jim Seamans, Sr., are extremely excited! This child will probably have a golf cart before he can walk, and will probably never want for clothes.

Anywhoo . . . I guess I can now start buying things since I have bought nothing. (Didn't and couldn't until after this appointment was over and we knew what we were dealing with.) I'm thinking blues (duh!), tans, with some green accents. Also thinking about teddy bears but haven't found anything that I really like, so who knows. The "jean bears" that I used to awe over when my friends would have babies are no longer around, so who knows what we will do. We do know there are a couple of onsies that we will be buying since they pertain to golf and grandpas. (Papa Doc is a HUGE golf fanatic!)

So that is the story . . . .

The Power of Humor In Healing

Picture from patchadams.org

Today on the USA channel they have been showing movies all morning .. . . YEAH, something to do! Currently, they are showing one of my all time favorites: Patch Adams. Although I know that the movie is not an entirely true account, I still love the thought and ideas that Patch has put forward regarding health care and putting the "humanness" back into treatment. It was something that I, at times, found myself losing when doing counseling. Just going through the motions to get through the day, rather than realize that each person has that need for the personal touch.

If you think about it, how much better would we all feel about going to the doctor if we knew that we would treated like a real person vs. a patient. Even the power of humor can be truly healing and calm even the toughest of situations. For this I am grateful to my husband. He has been there through all of the testing, medications, and procedures and was able to help me keep my sense of humor through it. We even got the doctor laughing so hard during the IUI procedure that she asked us to stop so she could concentrate, but it definitely made it easier to deal with such a sterile and, at times, embarrassing process. Just wait until the labor and delivery process . . . if I can't find some type of humor in it all, then just knock me out and wake me when it is over. It helps make the hospital visit more pleasant, and most hospital personnel want to be more attentive. I mean, seriously, who want to deal with a grouchy patient!

Anywhoo. . . . I checked out the Gesundheit Institutes's website and was excited to find out that they have volunteer opportunities on the property to help maintain the land and the building in exchange to experience Patch's unique form of the healing arts and actually getting to meet Patch, Dr. John Glick, and other founders of the institute. What a fabulous idea and opportunity! This is definitely going on the "bucket list"!

A Sign?

My husband went to the post office to mail off his information to graduate school and the cost was $6.66. The postman asked him what he was going to be studying. When he told him nuclear engineering, the postman laughed and told him he thought the cost was appropriate. We got a good laugh.

The Grass Is Greener . . . . (For Jay)

Oh, how I wished I lived in Utah. I have always felt a sense of "home" every time I have lived/visited there. In fact, Logan was the first place I lived away from my parents' home and felt that it was my "home". This has been an even stronger desire since becoming pregnant. (Finding maternity clothes in my current neck of the woods is not any easy task. Oh well. I guess my husband's job is more important.)

The latest "next time I am in Utah" thing to do is visit this place:

http://www.roosterdnb.com/2009/06/dinner-menu.html

Thanks to a blog entry by CJane I am already salivating at the thoughts of eating there. Jaylene, we so need to go! A full meal of dumplings! Can you even imagine?!

The Blessings of Being Bored

Did you know . . . . .

*There are 27 slats on the blinds in our bedroom.
*I am 3 inches short of reaching the entire length or our mattress.
*Our neighbor to the north mowes his lawn every Thursday starting at 6:43 pm.
*Our neighbor to the south mowes his lawn every Thursday between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
*Our neighbor's dogs bark every day from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm.
*The two clocks in our bedroom are exactly 80 seconds off from each other.
*If my husband has not called by 11:30 am that means he is having a really busy day.

These and other fun facts can only be found when on bed rest. Now aren't you jealous?! Just think of what other exciting and informative things I can discover in the next 5 months.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

Pregnancy Update

Just got back from the doctor. Here are the results:

Ovarian cyst - gone
Subchorionic Hematoma - gone
Baby's hearbeat - normal
Baby measuring big - possible gestational diabetes
Completed quad test to check for possible Down's Syndrome - results in a couple of weeks
Ultrasound showed placenta previa - Will check again in 4 weeks. If still there and hasn't moved, then definite C-Section and total bedrest; Right now - bedrest if bleeding and extremely light activity

Junior is just not going to make it easy to come into this world. Junior better be a really good kid to make up for it!

THE END

Calgone . . . Take me away!

This is how I am feeling right now - banging my head against a wall. Is it bad that I REALLY hope that a student drops the course, because frankly she is a huge pain in my backside?! (Yep, it's the plagiarizer.) Oh yeah. It's all my fault. Silly me. What was I thinking?

Maybe It's a Good Thing

Being married to a person who absolutely hates most vegetables can be tough when it comes to preparing meals, especially since I have yet to meet a vegetable that I don't like. (Just the way that some are prepared. i.e. cooked carrots or spinach - blech!)

However, yesterday I discovered it to be a GOOD thing! I was craving vegetables like crazy yesterday, and I wanted fresh ones. (I don't keep many in the house since I am the only one eating them and never can finish them before they go bad.) So my sweet hubby ran to the store and bought two veggie trays, a large one and a smaller one. (Only the smaller one had the pea pods.)

Growing up in the family that I did it usually ended in all out war as to making sure everyone got their fair share of the grape tomatoes and pea pods. They were always the first to go. However, now with my husband I got to eat them all by myself! Whah ha ha ha! It was fabulous! I even could double-dip in the dip if I wanted since he doesn't do dips, either. Junior and my body must have really been craving these since I ate the entire small tray in less than 20 minutes. It was heavenly and I couldn't believe how much better I felt afterwards. (Before, I felt sluggish and blah.)

I just really hope Jr. gets my taste buds on not my hubby's. There are some meals that I crave so much and don't have since it's not worth the effort to make them for just me and making them in "normal" portions means I end up throwing at least half of it away.

A New Record!

99% plagiarized paper!

And all she will get is an Academic Violation Report, she deserves something for this new record. This is the same student who earlier emailed me and told me she was having trouble getting another paper in, because the devil was tormenting her by making her trial Microsoft Word end its trial period and she just needed to put him behind her. (They sign a contract with the University stating that they will have and use Microsoft Word for their work.)

Guess that is her excuse for the plagiarism-

"The Devil made me do it!"

The Power of Media Suggestion

Okay, I want chocolate! I seriously could eat a full 1lb. Hershey chocolate bar by myself. Dang, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie!

1 Down - 2 To Go

1st Trimester as of end of today-

War of the Thermostat

Did you ever see Father of the Bride II? Remember the scene of Nina and Annie lying on the sofas in the living room with the air conditioning cranked up as high it can go and fans blowing on them, requesting that George bring them ice and cold drinks because they were still hot? Meanwhile, George is wearing three layers of clothes, including a winter coat, hat, and gloves.

Well, that would be the scene at our house, especially at night. Within the past month I have developed an EXTREME intolerance for heat. In fact, anything above 75 degrees about sends me over the edge during the day and I don't sleep well unless the temperature is below 70.

My poor hubby on the other hand has an extreme intolerance for cold when he is sleeping, so you can imagine the funness we have at night around here. However, he has resorted to sleeping in lounge pants and t-shirts to help ward off the cold.

And to think summer has just begun . . . . . I think I will be banned to the basement before August and September arrive. Thank goodness we have a spare bedroom with a queen bed. Now if I can just convince Jim to hook up cable and fix the electrical outlets in that room. However, it may be better than the alternative. hehehehehehe

On Again, Off Again

Back off bed rest. On light activity - no stress. At least I get to get out of the house!

Annoyed, but Grateful

Well, I was officially put back on bedrest today until I can talk to my doctor on Monday, which she will probably keep me on bedrest status. I HATE bedrest. It's just way too confining for me and I get extremely boooooooooooooooooooooooooooored. I know I could start making baby stuff, but honestly I just can't bring myself to do that until 20 weeks has passed. It's my own personal thing.

Yet, as I lie here I have been counting my blessing and know that I have many. I am grateful that I am teaching right now so I have a few hours of something to do. I am grateful to have a husband who is supportive and tries to help out the best he can, even when he is working 70 - 80 hours a week. (Believe me, I know the greatness in this. I had the exact opposite in Dumb-Dumb and this is soooooooo much better.) I am grateful that the baby's heartbeat was normal and strong. And the list goes on and on. . . . . .

Blog Reading Break

Okay, that's it! I am going to have to take a blog reading break for awhile. I don't know what the deal is lately, but a lot of the blogs I have been reading as of late have discussed their babies who have died in-utero or shortly thereafter and it is just plain too much for me to handle. I know people need to vent and need support, but I am on major overload and just can't take it right now. Frankly, sometimes ignorance is bliss and as a 1st time "mom-to-be" this is not the information I need to hear right now. I have enough factors against me just being the age that I am and my medical history, so I am not finding this helpful, but rather nerve-wracking. Right now I just need a lot of peace and positivity around me. Sooooooo . . . . . this is me running far, far away from the blogging world for awhile.

Sooooooo Grateful!

Last night a severe thunderstorm went through here but we only got the tail end. Unfortunately, town south of us received hail that was big enough and hitting hard enough that there were windshields damaged. Whew! Once again our garden was saved. Another small reason to be grateful!

Sometimes It's the Little Things . . . .

I have always been a big believer in the little things being more meaningful in life. i.e. a beautiful sunset Today it is the news that Jim does not need to take the GRE to be fully accepted into graduate school! Wahoo! One more hurdle to cross of the list. He is finally starting to get more excited about starting.