May 14, 2009

  • Thursday morning

    Good morning all. I hope this finds you all doing well. I haven't blogged in a few, not much exciting to report... that and Tancy's been home, so I have been enjoying my time with her.

    So Monday was the last time I posted anything. We have been very excited about Ms. Lillie since we saw her. It seems like she could actually be here soon. Knowing she's already big enough, size wise, puts me at ease should she come early. I don't want her to come before its time, and honestly I just want her to be healthy. The idea of a chubby baby makes my heart flutter! Monday night we went to our last Birth & Beyond class. It was just as good as the three before. We even got to go back over the previous class that Tancy missed. I was appreciative for that since it was the "coaches" class and really wanted her to have that information. We loved the girl who gave the class, Amy, she's been at this particular hospital for 3 years, but has been labor and delivery for 13 years if I remember the numbers correctly. We would be delighted to have her as our nurse when I go into labor. We came home and practiced some of the massage techniques that they taught us in class and I worked on communicating what felt best, what didn't feel good at all, etc.

    Let's see. Tuesday morning we slept in a bit. We have been doing that this week. When Tancy is off work is about the only time I get "extra" sleep. So we got up, Tancy got ready to go to physical therapy and I hung out at the house. I wish I could say I did something productive, but I didn't... I sat on the couch for a while and then I decided to soak in the tub. Now there I did do something productive!! Haha. Not really. I just soaked in the tub and tried to find ways to lay in the tub that took the pressure off my back and didn't make my belly feel so heavy. It's really the small things in life. Tancy came in and I was in the tub on my side, resting my head on the back of the tub with a wash rag under my face. That's the first time in quite a while that I couldn't feel the weight of my belly. Of course, the side view of my belly is quite a sight! Tancy thought something was wrong. I told her I was just relaxing and finding what was comfortable in our tub should I be in early labor for a while at home. (They wont admit you till you are 4 centimeters, I am preparing myself for a pretty decent wait at home.) I got out of the tub and we just hung out.
    Before long it was time to get ready for our Breast feeding class at the hospital. I have looked forward to all of the classes we have taken for different reasons. The Birth & Beyond because it covers possible complications, interventions, medical treatments, risks, etc. It covers the things you do know and don't know, plus you get to see the methods of interventions, forceps, vacuum, monitors, catheters, etc. Makes them less scary in that environment than if I were seeing them for the first time in an emergent situation. I loved CPR because it gives me a confidence that I now know the basics of what to do should Lillie stop breathing or choke on something. Enough to give me time to get an ambulance here at the very least. And knowledge is a wonderful thing to have. And I loved the Breast feeding class because, once again, it arms me with knowledge about this thing that I have never done before, that can be very intimidating and that so many women struggle with. I am prepared for the struggle, but I want to know what my resources are when I am in the middle of the battle. It was a great class. Lots of information. Honestly, it could probably be broken up into two classes even. But I know where to turn if I am having alot of trouble. I know some tricks for the issues that are common to new Moms trying to breast feed. I know what NOT to do. Now if I can just remember it all. LMAO!
    We left from class and went to see some friends who had just received good news about a better job. We stopped in to congratulate them both. Only one got the job, but to a couple, it means so much for both. We visited for a bit and then headed home. I think we might have watched a bit of TV and then off to sleep ourselves.

    Wednesday we got up late again. I must admit, I've only had one morning off...that sucks... but I've been able to sleep in some, so I wont complain too much. We've split the coffee/puppy morning routine for the most part. Anyway, I had 2 cups of coffee just to get moving. We had worked around the house some earlier in the week, but we didn't do anything on Tuesday and I needed to get some stuff done... however, I wasn't feeling motivated at all. I finally drug my ass off the couch and got dressed. Tancy followed suit. I picked up around the house, Tancy took the trash to the dump. When she got back she went to work in the back yard. I opened the windows for some fresh air in the house. I got the laundry going and the dishes too. I made the bed and just generally picked up and put things back where they go. Tancy was trying to find a place to put the new fire pit... and before it was all said and done, we decided to leave the fire pit and make a garden in the clearing she was looking at. I worked on the carport, loading everything under there in the back of the truck to take it around back to the shed or under the house. I was sick of looking at all that crap under there. So I got it all loaded up and took it around back. Tancy unloaded most of it and in doing so we started talking about the planter boxes, hanging baskets and plant pots we had and what we would do with them. Last year they were full of plants. This year they were empty. So we set those things to the side for some plants. We talked more about the garden and decided to go to Lowe's and get some plants. And wouldn't ya know, we came back with a load of garden plants, flowers and potting soil. I started working on the plants for the deck and Tancy got to work on the garden. We were both proud and happy to be working on these projects. I love my plants. It brings me great joy to bring in new plants and to take care of them. I managed to get some mint, some lavender and even a Lily for my Lillie. Tancy was tickled shitless to have a garden since we both had figured it wasn't possible this year. Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash and cucumbers. We are starting small. Since most everything will be giving us food in the next few months (which will already be busy). We wrapped up around 6:00 and just put all our stuff away, sat back and enjoyed all our hard work. We ordered pizza, both too tired to cook, and ate outside. It was so nice. The weather was cool enough to be outside and it was just really nice. To sit outside and see all that you accomplished is a great feeling. Next week we plan on working on the front flower beds. So we came inside, got baths (cause we were funky!) and caught up on some shows we had on DVR. We went to bed around midnight I guess. We were both tired, but trying to help Tancy roll back to nights.

    So this morning we slept in again. I was up every hour/hour and half last night for potty runs. That's so frustrating. Especially when I have a hard time turning over to get out of bed. I try not to wake Tancy, but lately I've been very near asking her to give me a push to help me. I've been diligently drinking lots and lots of water these last days. I'd had some cramping and during the Birth & Beyond class they said if you have any cramping the very first action is water, water, water. That being even a little dehydrated can cause cramping... which can also trigger labor... which is usually stopped the second they give you a fluid bag. So I have been a very good girl and drinking my water and more water and more water. Plus I worked hard yesterday so water was very important.

    I just got off the phone with Missy, at the start of the week they admitted her little boy to the Children's Hospital near them. He has cellulitis of the face. They aren't sure of its original start, but he should get to come home tomorrow. It sounds like it was quite scary for her. I can't imagine. His whole face was swollen by the time they got the IV meds in him. He's better now, ready to set the world on fire... he's been in bed for too long. She'll keep us posted on when he gets out of the hospital. Please keep them in your thoughts.

    Well, we finally got my night gowns pinned. Today I need to sew them. But I'll probably go with Tancy to physical therapy first and then we'll ride around some. We've been hanging close to the house and today we probably both need a break. I need to pack our hospital bag in the next week I guess. I haven't done that yet. I don't know how early most people pack them... but I haven't been overly eager to pack ours for whatever reason. I guess I just haven't felt the need to get it done too soon. I also really need to get some food in the freezer. So much to get done it seems and although time has felt like it was moving in slow motion at some points, recently it's felt like it's flying by! 13 days and a wake-up till my Mom is here and I am absolutely beside myself I am so excited!!

    Alright kids. I need to get dressed and unload the dishwasher. Before I know it we'll need to be leaving for Tancy's physical therapy session.So, with that said, I hope you all have a great day today. The weekend is upon us! Enjoy it. Tancy will be working nights... so my weekend will probably be fairly quiet, literally.

    Love to all!