A moment of silence

In Memory

2002-2007

Please join me in a moment of silence to remember our vacuum cleaner. It died last night at 8 after emergency surgery was performed to revive it. Unfortunately Dr. Graham was not successful. This vacuum cleaner stubbornly refused to bite the dust even after I asked it to several times over the last five years. It was purchased at Walmart as a cheap newlywed vacuum to use until it broke and we could afford something better. I think I've spent more on bags in the last five years then we did on the vacuum.

Now please join me in rejoicing that I can finally get a decent vacuum!

Due Early April 2007

Where's the pregancy glow and other complaints

Consider this a vent/request for advice. If you have any suggestions to alleviate my frustration I would appreciate it.

1. As my title suggests I have yet to see a "pregnancy glow". I thought all pregnant women had beautiful glowing skin once they got out of the first trimester. I'm still experencing the pregnancy breakouts and between you and me, it's getting really old. I'm continuing with my usual face care regimen and have to be careful when trying to combat breakouts as I have naturally very dry skin and some remedies can dry my skin out way too much.
2. My hips don't lie - they really do hurt quite badly. I've gotten some relief from a pillow between my knees but there are days when nothing seems to help.
3. Headaches - This has been an ongoing problem that I just cannot seem to conquer. I'd be really interested in any natural remedies anyone might know of since us pregnant people are so limited on our chemical options.
4. Weight gain - or lack thereof. I never though I would be unhappy to not gain weight but I haven't gained hardly anything (lost 4 lbs to begin with, gained 3.2 since then but nothing in the past 3 to 4 weeks.) I'm worried the doctor will tell me to start eating more at my next appointment and this worries me as I'm eating as much as I can now and sometimes it makes me feel sick.

For issues 2 & 3 I'm considering a chiropractor and/or regular massage appointments. I've heard both of these options can help - does anyone out there have experience with this?

Strange Dreams

One night I dreamed that my mom kept telling me I already had a baby two years ago and to not forget to bring her on the trip (not sure where we were going). I kept telling her I didn't remember having a baby and couldn't find a child at our house. I was really freaked out by the time I woke up.

A few nights ago I dreamed that the Dentist gave me a radioactive pill to take and at the time I didn't think anything of it. A few days later I freaked out and went back to his office to ask him why he had given me such a thing when he knew I was pregnant. I think I know where the radioactive pill idea came from. Several of my thyroid test involve taking a pill that has radioactive iodine in it to see how my thyroid is working. However, I haven't had one of these tests in a few years.

An evening with the GSO and other saturday events

Saturdays are nice for relaxing or working. This past Saturday was a work Saturday. Graham and i worked in the yard to neaten up the bushes and also take out a shrub that had died. I never remember yard work being this satisfying growing up. Perhaps one has to own a house to really enjoy it. One of the downsides or yard work is all the mess it can create (clippings and such). Not having a truck, Graham improvises by placing a tarp in the trunk of the Concorde and loading the yard waste in there. We headed off to the dump with a nice full load only to discover that everyone else and their cousin also spends their Saturdays doing this exact thing. After waiting in line for a good 15 minutes we finally made it up to the dumpster. This wait gave me plenty of time to observe those around us and I discovered we had made a faux paux in coming to the dump - we did not bring our dog! The majority of the cars and trucks I saw had at least one dog in them. Oh well, don't tell our dogs or they will be clamoring to go. For them, the smell alone is worth the trip.

About 5 months ago Graham told me we would go on a date night in March. He wouldn't tell me what it was but when the tickets came in the mail I knew. He had bought two tickets to see the Greenville Symphony perform. He remembered me mentioning a while back that I would enjoy seeing a symphony concert that included a piano soloist. We went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants downtown, Sassafras. Their menu is "New Southern Cuisine" and we've eaten there several times and enjoyed it. My one disappointment was they have changed their menu so my previous favorite entree is no longer the same. We also decided they've cut down on the spicy-ness of their entrees (something we enjoyed) but this time it was probably for the best as spicy usually equals heartburn for me (at least for the next few months). We had a gift certificate that had to be completely used so we went all out. We ordered actual drinks (meaning tea and not just water), had an appetizer (Fried Green Tomato and Pimento Cheese Napoleons), both ordered an entree (Crab Cakes for me, Catfish for him), had dessert (Caramelized Peach Benets (sp?) and when they brought the check we had barely made it over the amount of our gift certificate. We were also incredibly stuffed. In fact, I had very little of the dessert (really sweet things are not my favorite right now) and Graham was unable to finish the rest. We also took home 1/2 of each of the entrees. After leaving the restaurant we poked into a nearby shop to look around and kill time and then headed to the Peace Center for the concert. We arrived a little early so we had to wait a bit which gave us a chance to people watch. It seems that Greenville's blue haired population (meaning the older generation) had come out in force for this concert leaving Graham and I feeling quite young. When they opened the doors we made our way to our seats only to discovered we were sitting VERY close to the stage. I knew Graham had bought tickets at the front - I just didn't realize they were a mere 3 feet (or less) from the stage. At first I was a little concerned about the nose level but once the concert started it was not bad. I also enjoyed being able to see the musicians music - not that I could read it - my eyes aren't that good - but it was neat to be able to observe. The conductor was very entertaining and the piano soloist was quite good. She also was entertaining (besides her playing abilities) because she had the strange inhalations and exhalations while performing and the way she "interacted" with the piano. Graham said it looked like she was making out with it. After intermission we settled down for a Brahm's symphony which was beautiful but parts of it about put me to sleep (it was around 9:30 by this time). All in all it was a very enjoyable evening and I wouldn't mind doing it again. We sat right in front of the violins and I must say it made me a bit homesick for those of you who play - I can remember attending many violin recitals and being at the concert definitely put you in my thoughts. Evidently sitting for such an extended period of time did not do me well as last night I had a hard time getting comfortable because my sciatica was bothering me. Thankfully this morning I've been able to find a comfortable position to sit in but I am having a hard time moving around. I can't wait until our pool opens as swimming is supposed to be great if it's bothering you.

Lemon Toothpaste

I've recently discovered lemon toothpaste. Now I'm sure you're thinking, gross Lemon, but it's actually quite nice. I switched because my regular mint toothpaste was making me feel icky when I brushed my teeth in the morning and isn't the whole point of brushing your teeth to make you un icky? I read on a message board that lemon toothpaste was less likely to cause this reaction so off I went to find lemon toothpaste. I've used it for a few days now and am actually starting to like it. You still get a nice clean feeling and it's even slightly minty but not overly so. Graham has also tried it and pronounced it doable. It does take some getting used to but if you feel so inclined, give it a try.

You've got questions, I've got answers

Well, as expected my previous post yielded quite the response and quite a few questions. I think I'll start at the beginning as that's where most good stories start.

My fateful friend did not show up at it's appointed time in Dec. I personally didn't think this was cause for alarm as I am not generally Miss Regular and as we all know the Christmas season can be stressful. I decided that if it didn't come by the time Christmas was over I would take a test. Well Christmas came and went, I took the test, and it was negative. I breathed a sigh of relief, not because I was particularly nervous but hey we weren't trying so why tempt fate. A few days later, still nothing, took another test, nothing. Well the beginning of January hit and I was complaining to Graham that my chest hurt (and by chest you know what I mean) and he looks at me odd and says, you don't you're pregnant are you, and I kind of looked at him like he was crazy and said well, maybe, but I've had two negative tests. (Up until this point I hadn't said anything to him since I didn't think there was anything to say.) Well off to take another test I went and this was one was by far positive. We were suprised but happy although I still didn't believe it so I bought a different brand test the next day and it too was positive. Time to make an appointment with my doctor. She confirmed all I had suspected but as she's a GYN not an OB I had to find a new doctor.

I'm currently with a practice of 7 doctors who are the main OB's in the area and although I like them fine I'm considering switching to a midwife. They just don't give you the personal attention and time that a midwife does. Strangely enough Greenville is lacking in midwives - I think I could count the ones I know about on one hand!

I've had two ultrasounds, one at 5 weeks and then one at 8 weeks to confirm the date. I've also heard the heartbeat once. At my last appointment the doctor measured me and said "There's definitely something growing in there" to which I responded, "I just feel fat." I'm sure he hears that quite often. Although I haven't had morning sickness I also really haven't gained weight. I lost 4 pounds initially and have stayed pretty close to that weight although today the scale fluctuated a bit so I may have put on a pound. I blame the lack of weight gain (not that I'm complaining!) on my stomach shrinking. About the only time I feel sick is if I try to eat too much and by too much I mean what I used to normally eat. I am definitely doing the pregnancy thing of eating lots of small meals. I honestly feel like I am constantly eating - it's just never much at one time.

While I haven't had morning sickness I have had other lovely pregnancy related problems: heartburn, sore...chest, stretching and pulling in my stomach, tiredness, insomnia, and headaches. Oh the headaches - this I think has been the worst thus far. I have experienced some very bad, almost migraine like headaches that last for days and I cannot take anything that works. I'm pretty much limited to tylenol and although it's a great fever reducer, it does squat for me. Graham did buy me a homeopathic product called Head On and it seems to help. It doesn't eliminate it completely if it's really bad but it doesn't take the edge off.

I also met with a doula on Monday that I plan to use whether I stay with my OB or switch to a midwife. She comes quite recommended and I've heard good things from people who have used doulas. Hopefully that will hold true for me.

I've actually bought my crib set already. I found a few online I really liked and one day while I was at Babies R Us I ventured into that section of the store and absolutely fell in love with this set. Thankfully it's gender neutral so no matter if it's a boy or girl, it'll work. I'm not that enthused about the dust ruffle and curtains that go with it (too much brown) and as luck would have it Graham's sister (an interior design major) needs to do a crib dust ruffle for a class. She and I picked out fabrics that coordinate nicely with the set and she'll be making the dust ruffle and a roman shade for me. I plan to sell the dust ruffle that came with my set on eBay.

Oh yes, when am I due - Sept 11. A lot of people have expressed their feelings about this date but it really doesn't bother me. For one thing, most babies don't come on their due date. Secondly, it's a day and although it can be associated with sad things it can also be associated with happy things. Bad things happen every day but so do good things. I think I'll focus on the good ones.

That's all I can think of for the time being. If I didn't cover something you want to know, feel free to ask!

News you can use

Crooked and upside down, but you get the idea.

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Note - to submit the results you are required to register but they don't email you so it's pretty painless. Also, please ignore the typo in the last question - it won't let me edit the test.