October 20, 2008

  • 10/17 - Friday

    Woke up feeling better. Actually woke up at 3:00... went back to sleep, just dozing really. Mom crawled in bed with me around 4:15 to wake me up. We layed there a minute and talked then up and atem!


    Coffee was ready, yummy. I don't know how anyone could not drink coffee. I got my water bottles ready so I had plenty for the trip, got all my plunder gathered up. Pops loaded the car, again wont let me do it myself. It sucks, but its time to go. I am ready to be home.... I am ready to be where Tancy is... I am ready to slow down.... but I am not ready to leave Mom & Dad.


    We hug, tell each other we love each other, remind each other & ourselves that we will see each other soon... Thanksgiving isn't that far away now. And tearfully say bye for now.


    I get GPS going and rock and roll on down the road. I was quiet for a long time. It seemed like the first quiet I'd had in weeks. Before long I was ready for some music, turned on the iPod and sang my way North. The trip wasn't too bad. It didn't seem as long as I thought it might. It rained on me all the way home, damn cold front. It was just a misting rain, but people in Georgia CANNOT drive in the rain. Before I got into South Carolina I think I cussed most of the people in the no-driving state of Georgia. I had to remind myself that my sister and her family live in Georgia.... but outside of that one little corner I couldn't give a good rats ass about Georgia! That is certainly the worst part of the drive.


    When I hit South Carolina I knew I just had about 2 hours before I made it home. I was so ready to be home. I couldn't wait for a warm bubble bath and laying my eyes on Tancy and dinner in bed.... I didn't want to sit upright for the rest of the day!


    I pulled in the driveway at 5:20. Tancy was gone to get dinner, Pizza Hut per my request. I unloaded my bags, dropped them in the living room and headed for our bathroom. I started the tub with bubbles and eased my poor tired self into the warmth that awaited. It felt so good! Tancy came in before too long and kissed my head. She'd gotten the pizza and we were set for an evening in bed. Just what I wanted.


    After my bath I changed into some comfy jammies and climbed into bed. We ate our pizza and watched TV. I was too tired to even catch her up on everything. She was asleep fairly quickly after turning the TV off, about 8:30 I guess. I was hot and having trouble falling asleep. She realized that I had gotten up and came in the living room to see if I was ok. I told her I was hot and having trouble getting to sleep. She told me to turn the air on and come back to bed.


    I did... and turned the fan on high and before long I was sleeping. Thankfully. Another day done.


    Love to all!

  • 10/16 - Thursday

    My last full day in Louisiana. It goes by so quickly.


    I woke up at 4:22 again. I got up, went to the bathroom. The TV wasn't on and the bed was made, so I peeked out the back door and noticed the motorcycle was gone. Pops must have decided to take an early ride. I layed back down, but couldn't go back to sleep. At 5:20 I got up and turned the coffee pot on. Just as I was draggin myself through the kitchen Pops comes in.


    I have a cup of coffee and then we head out to wash the motorcycle and my car. Pops washes the motorcycle, I watch. Now it's time to wash the car. I decided to clean the inside while he's working on the outside. I clean the windows and wipe down all surfaces. When he's done washing I pull the mats out and hose them off.


    Now Pops moves to waxing the bike. I stand and watch mostly. He's protective, wont let me do alot... he's funny that way. I'm not gonna break. But I try to listen. After that we are going to Wal-Mart. So, I vacuum out my car and then head inside for a quick shower.


    First we head up to Livingston to go by the insurance company to take them a copy of Dads drivers license. Then we go to Wal-Mart, I need to return one of the bras I bought the night before. Then we get groceries for their camping trip. After that we head home. I want to go see Maw-Maw again and Pops needs to take the bike to get an inspection sticker.


    I went to Maw-Maw's. She wasn't back yet from her hair cut with Aunt Judy & Aunt Wanda. I layed down in the swing on the porch and could have gone to sleep if it had been more comfortable. They got their and had lunch, I had a sandwich at the house before I left. We visited for a good while. Pops drives up on the bike and has a sandwich. We all sit on the porch and visit a while longer. Pops heads to the house to polish the chrome on the bike. I stay to catch up with Maw-Maw and my Aunts. It was a good visit. I was surprised and impressed with their desire to know about mine & Tancy's situation... meaning legal rights, process, ability to marry, etc. I enjoyed the time with them.


    Around 1:30 or so I headed home to Mom & Dad's. I was tired and starting to feel like I didn't have enough time with Dad. Two weeks with Mom was wonderful, two days with Dad pales in comparisson... it's just not enough time. He took me for a quick ride on the motorcycle. I could tell he was worried about having me on the bike. He's sweet like that. We came home and just hung out. It was nice. Mom got home a little late because of computer problems. We had left over chicken spaghetti that Pops made for Tuesday's dinner per my request. It was yummy! Even better the second time around. We all ate at the table and that was nice too.


    Emotionally and physically I was exhausted. I don't think it had as much to do with pregnancy as pace. We had been non stop for over two weeks now. I was hitting my bottom. By 7:00 (I think) I was ready for bed. I was feeling terrible... my allergies were kicking my ass and I was starting to feel like I was running a fever. I felt so bad that I was beginning to worry about my ability to drive myself home. I talked to Tancy before going to sleep... she was her usual wonderful self. She said she wanted me home, but if I didn't feel well to stay and rest. I miss her & hope that I feel better by morning.


    I was asleep by 7:30!


    Love to all!

  • 10/15 - Wednesday

    I woke bright and early at 4:22, my bladder woke me up! I saw what time it was and decided to go back to sleep for a bit. I dozed off and on till 5:20 when Dad peeked in the bedroom door and told me it was time to get up.


    He already had coffee made for me. I fixed my cup and enjoyed that yummy, warm, dark liquid that allows my eyes to open all the way in the mornings, that makes me a real human being earlier than should be humanly possible. After that I went about getting ready for the day, teeth brushed, hair washed, dressed, etc. We were out the door by 6:00.


    Headed to Lafayette to get Dads new motorcycle, a Harley. We had to stop once along to the way for a potty run, the old bladder is letting me know I have to listen! We got there about 20 minutes early maybe... While Dad and the guy he was buying the bike from loaded it on the trailer I talked to his girlfriend (I assume). Interesting conversation! Louisiana is one of the few places I have been where people can tell you what they REALLY think in such a tone that you almost thank them. Funny. I do love that about being at home. They don't mean any harm, they are just being honest.


    We got the necessary paperwork notarized and we were on our way. We stopped for breakfast (it's 9:30 at this point) and another potty break. Then it was on to the credit union to bring the paperwork to them. But not before I had to pee again! After the credit union we went to drop off his boots to have a heel put on and then on to take the bike in for a new back tire.


    Dad decided he was going to ride it home, so I decided to head home & go see Maw-Maw for a bit. It was good to see Maw-Maw... we visited for a bit and then Pops pulled in on the bike to show Maw-Maw, who of course LOVED it. We then realized what time it was and needed to get home before Mom beat us there.


    We beat Mom home, but as soon as she got home we headed to Hill Top for some yummy grub. I got the steak and steamed veggies with a cup of seafood gumbo. Dad got boiled shrimp. Mom got fried shrimp. It was all delicious! We were all stuffed!


    I had a great day with Pops, we talked, we laughed... it was just a good day. I enjoyed the time with him. I don't get that too often, hopefully we can make it happen more often. I think he enjoyed it too, I sure hope so. I told him now that he has this new bike he will have to plan a trip here. If Mom can come up here, so can he!


    Then it was home and spend some time with Daniele. We sat at the house for just a few minutes... then off to Wal-Mart, I needed to get a comfy bra to sleep in (remember how bad the nipples hurt?!) and figured Mom and Dad needed a little time for just the two of them. We left there and she took me by where Aunt Wanda and Uncle Jimmy are living now. Kelly, Byron & Mallory were there and we stopped in to visit. It was a good visit. Good to see everyone. Before long it was time to go though. Daniele dropped me at the house and headed home. I called Tancy once I got in bed and then passed out. 9:30, I hadn't been up that late for a while!


    Love to all!

  • 10/14 - Tuesday

    What a miserable morning. I certainly didn't get enough sleep... but the worst part was leaving them... I would have loved to have been able to stay and visit... see Marlie, send time with Casie & with Chuck. But we had to get going, Mom was alread scheduled to be at work today & that wasn't going to happen!


    We got ready pretty quickly and headed out. It was very hard to leave. I know Mom felt the same way and  think Casie would have loved for us to have stayed a while longer. Again, it just wasn't in the cards for us.


    The drive was not terrible, but not great either. We stopped for breakfast, I just wanted fruit! I have been craving fruit and veggies. Then we were back on the road. By the time we hit Alabama the second time I was over it!


    We certainly weren't the chipper, excited, energetic women who made the trip to the beach like there was nothing to it!


    We got into Albany at 12:20 and stopped at Carter's for some fried fish and other odds and ends. We filled up with gas and headed to the house! It felt so good to be there. We ate some fish and got the groceries put up. At about 1:30 I got a shower and put on my pajamas. I wasn't going anywhere else and I wanted to be ready for bed as soon as the sun was low enough to allow myself to get in bed. Which couldn't be soon enough! I also didn't want to miss any time with Dad. After my shower Mom got hers.


    Pops got home before too long, I think it was about 3:00 or so. We ate dinner by 4:00 and got caught up on the two weeks Mom had been gone. We also talked about tomorrows plans. By 5:30 (yes, you read that right) we were headed to bed. The sun wasn't low enough in the sky, but I really didn't care! Mom and I were exhausted. I think Pops was just happy to have Mom in the same bed as him... he didn't care what time it was! He was also, I know, happy to have me home.


    Love to all!

  • 10/13 - Monday

    Ah another long day. I had to get up early to go back to Reach for my second round of blood work. Mom barely roused when I went in to tell her I was leaving. She was exhausted.


    I went in, was out in like 10 minutes total and on my way back home. Called Pops on my way, he had talked to Mom already. He was busy, so I didn't keep him. Mom wanted me to come get her, so I made my way that direction.


    I needed new tires, desperately, so we headed to a local shop that we have used before. They could get it done that day so we were in business. It would be just a bit before they had the tires though, so we went to get breakfast and then to the house to finish up there.


    Before long we loaded up the car, ran a few errands and were waiting on tires. They had them pretty quicky actually and we were out of there shortly after noon.


    In the mean time Reach called. My first levels were 406 (anything over 5 is a positive). My second levels were 1238, they should at least double every 3 days... mission accomplished! They wanted me to come back on Thursday, but I would be in Louisiana, so we just scheduled the ultrasound 10/27 @ 4:30 - yes I already gave you that information.


    We made plans to drive to Casie's house instead of trusting ourselves to stop half way. This way we had incentive. We both wanted to see Chuck, Casie & Marlie, so it was a win/win situation. We got to Casies around 6:00. She had cooked some delicious chicken breasts. I ate two! She also had some left over broccoli casserole that was very yummy! We visited with them over dinner. Then it was Marlie's bath time. We gathered in the bathroom to watch her kick and splash and enjoy herself. It's not just about Marlie, it is truly wonderful to share those moments with Casie... to watch her being a Mom. Not to mention it's one of the fun parts of being a Mom, so that's great. After her bath we talked while Casie gave her a bedtime bottle. Then she went down for the count and we had a little time to visit with Casie and Chuck. I miss them so much sometimes and really enjoy the time with them when we have it.


    We both hated it, but around 8:30 we were ready for bed. We were wooped. All the driving, all the activity... we were just drained. So off to bed we went knowing that tomorrow would start too early and the drive would be tooo long. Mom was snoring immediately, I was restless. Huzzy told me that Dad rubbed her back and that helped him go to sleep, that I could rub her back if I wanted to! Can you believe that?! I laughed at her. She was snoring again almost immediately after a giggle at me.


    Love to all!

  • 10/12 - Sunday

    Not alot to say. We got up, had WAFFLES... cause why?!


    Visited a little bit and got on the road around 11:00 or 11:30. Way too soon... but there was no avoiding it.


    Outside of that, it was a truly miserable ride home. For reasons I can't comprehend other than sheer exhaustion and true physical discomfort.


    Love to all!

  • 10/11 - Saturday - Happy Birthday Aunt Jan

    We are up around 7:00 I guess. Mom first, me right behind her. Then Tancy & Sandy. We get up and get ready to head to Aunt Jan's.


    I can't wait to lay my eyes on her. I can't wait for Mom to lay her eyes on her. She's been looking forward to this since Hurricane Gustav. She needs this. She needs time with Aunt Jan... and to share this moment, their birthdays... again, a birthday Mom never expected to have.


    We get there pretty quickly. It's a beautiful drive. The leaves are changing color here and are absolutely gorgeous. I think Aunt Jan must not like surprises... I am pretty sure her reaction wasn't one Mom or I expected... but she warmed pretty quickly. They've had alot going on with DJ being sick and no answers for that... now they have a house full of people...


    Aunt Jan made coffee and breakfast for us. It was yummy! We hung out and chatted, then we went to lunch at Wendy's. DJ's hearing is impaired from whatever it is she has going on, so you could tell she felt very disconnected from the whole situation. I have to say that she was much better than I would have been if I had felt as awful as I know she must have. I would have made my apologies and spent my time in bed. She made every effort though, even when she obviously was miserable. I appreciate the effort... though I know it was as much, if not more for Aunt Jan than for any of us. DJ's a pretty good gal I think. Tancy & Sandy had to have a football to play with in the yard. So we went to Wal-Mart for that.


    Once we got back to the house I needed a shower. And man did it feel good! Did I mention Aunt Jan and DJ's house is gorgeous?! Well, it is. Big open windows, lots of wood, it feels very comfortable. They have very nice pieces, artwork, things they have made, things friends have made... things I can't wrap my brain around a person being able to make. I know crafty people that make beautiful things, that make wonderful things out of nothing.... but these things belong in a gallery some place fancy.


    So we get ready for dinner with DJ's sister and her husband and their two boys. We eat at Don Pablo's... it is delicious. Mom and I end up swapping dinners because we like each others better than our own. We are full and happy. It feels like any other family dinner we have gone to, only better because we are being included in a family we are only just getting to know. Sure, Aunt Jan has been a part of my life for all of my life... but it is wonderful to be included with DJ and her family. Aunt Jan is a given.... DJ is a bonus. We left the restaurant for their house where we were going to have cake and ice cream.


    Tancy & Sandy played with the boys, AJ & Stone, throwing the football around. I think the boys wore them out! They aren't as young as they used to be ya know. I think DJ would have liked to have been out there too, but she just wasn't up for it.


    The cake was home made by Sherri, DJ's sister. It was yummy. Very rich! Corey, Sherri's husband is a really nice guy too. They talked to us like they had known us forever. It was just very easy conversation. They seem to be great people. I am always glad when there are people like that in the lives of those I love. Aunt Jan, or should I say Stone & AJ, opened gifts. We cheated and gave her ours that morning. She got some really nice bird feeders. As someone who loves bird feeders, they were very cool!


    After all was said and done we all headed to bed and left Mom & Aunt Jan to catch up. I know they needed that time. I was very glad for them to have it. I just wish they'd had more time together.  


    **Warning: Pregnancy symptoms are about to be discussed, read at your own risk.**
    Anyway, by now my pregnancy symptoms are:
    Hot, we'll call them flashes
    Cramps, like but different than period cramps
    And... last but not least... sore, swollen nipples. Seriously, my right nipple has not only exceeded its original size, but makes the left nipple feel inferior! They both, however, look as if they are going to pop right off at any given moment and hurt so bad I can't stand the shower, sheets, clothes or anything else to touch them. Not only do they look huge & painful, they look a little like hamburger meat right now.


    Oh, and I believe I forgot to mention that the first thing Tancy's Mom said was "Tanc, I see multiples." That threw her for a loop! I think everyone knew it would be this time. Casie was the first to say she knew. Mom said she did & Tancy's Mom said she knew it would be this month. Multiples, we shall see! First Ultrasound will be 10/27 @ 4:30, should know then how many!


    Love to all!

  • 10/10 - Friday - The big day

    Friday morning we get up with Tancy, have coffee and then get moving around the house on the things we need to get done before we hit the road again. Some laundry, dishes, make the bed, pack again... the usual. Tancy's gone to work to take her test.


    She gets home and we are still piddlin' around in the house. We are waiting to hear from Sandy if she's going with us or not. I guess it was about 12:30 she called to say she was coming. She wouldn't be ready to leave until about 4:00, we decided to meet her in Mooresville so we could be on the road sooner. By now I am already ready to be on the road and so is Mom.


    We have, however, heard from DJ who isn't feeling well. We probably should have cancelled at this point, but Mom's heart would have been broken if we had cancelled. We decide it's best to get a hotel room for the night since we are arriving so late.


    Mom takes a cat nap on the couch while I cut Tancy's hair. She's decided I can do it for her, to her specifications. I am always worried about screwing it up. I did manage to cut her ear by accident, ears bleed!! Before long we load up and head out to meet Sandy.


    We wait for her for a while, I guess traffic was bad her way. Luckily it wasn't when we left!! It was about 4:30 when we got on the road. We were so ready. Me & Mom were excited beyond words to surprise Aunt Jan for her birthday. I think Tancy was looking forward to finally meeting her. I am not sure if Sandy knew what to expect other than a road trip.


    Mom & Aunt Jan went back and forth on text the whole way up. At 10:40 we talked to her on the phone & told her that we were in Ohio. She didn't believe us. I don't know what finally convinced her... but she did eventually believe us. We got a room at a Motel 6 (cheap... and for a reason!! LOL) for the night and planned an early start over to their place in the morning.


    We changed for bed and bunked up. Me & Mom in a double ... and Tancy & Sandy in a double. Tancy laying one way, Sandy with her head at the foot of the bed. What a sight!!


    Love to all!

  • 10/9 - Thursday

    Oh it's gonna be a busy day!


    Mom and Tancy have coffee, I can't I have to fast for blood work. Ugh. We leave and head to Charlotte for the blood work to confirm that we are pregnant. That doesn't take too long... Mom talks to Aunt Jan on the phone while I have my blood drawn. We leave there and head to my primary care doctors office for unrelated blood work there (the reason I didn't have coffee). Then we are headed for breakfast and coffee!! We end up in Gastonia for breakfast. We eat at Panera bread and have coffee... it's yummy!! I have a spinach and bacon souffle (sp?). Mom had a big ass cinammon bun that she shoved into her mouth one huge bite at a time. I took pictures (I will post all my pictures when I get done blogging, whenever that happens!), she said she was living life to the fullest. She laughed and enjoyed herself, I enjoyed sharing her space. I love my Mom.


    We went from there to Circuit City and bought birthday and Christmas presents. Early I know, but we wont have an opportunity again... and Mom really prefers to shop with us when we she can. She loves that. We get that done, go to Michael's to look for a few things, don't find them there. Go to Bed, Bath & Beyond to get oil for my reed diffusers. Then it was to Hobby Lobby for the things we didn't get at Michael's. Then to the book store for some, can you guess?? Pregnancy books!!


    We leave there and haul ass to the house we have an offer on so Mom can see the inside of it. We have a 1:00 appointment!!! It is now 12:30!!!!  We are just a few minutes late, but we make it there before Linda does. So no worries. We took pictures, measurements and started talking about what will go where. I am ready for our house to sell. I would have loved to have been in the new house for Thanksgiving. At this point, that probably isn't going to happen.


    Anyway! After that we headed for the house. Mom and I picked up lunch on the way home and met Tancy there. We ate and then unloaded all our plunder. Wow, we keep accumulating stuff!! We start playing with our Christmas & birthday presents and reading books. We are on sensory overload. We would all love to take a nap before dinner, but none of us seem to be able to settle down long enough. We are like kids in a candy shop. Between visiting with each other, sharing our plunder, reading, revelling in having a new baby and the events of the last week... there's just no room for sleep.


    Before we know it, it is time to head to dinner. We are meeting the girls at Tacos & Tequila for a birthday dinner for Mom. (Yes we are still celebrating!) Sandy meets us at the house & rides with us. We have a great dinner, "Happy Birthday", "Congratulations", we are all happy to be there and share those moments. They bring Mom dessert and Sandy decides to bring her the BIGGEST Margarita I have ever seen and have her take a birthday drink with them. Mom still hasn't gotten over her Cosmo fiasco, so she's not keen on it! She participates, but goes very easy!!


    We leave there and head home. I am burning up... I have always been hot natured, but now it is unbearable. It makes me miserable and it is one of the few things that brings on that sick feeling. I need to get cooled off, get home, get comfortable. So we do. We get baths and get in bed. We are all in a perpetual state of tired at this point.


    Tomorrow is the big day!!


    Love to all!


    P.S. Lantana's is the name of the other shop in Southport. Mom gave me the correct name. Thanks Mom!

  • 10/8 - Wednesday - Mom's 50th Birthday!!!!

    A wake to the phone ringing. It's Casie. She tried to call Mom to sing her happy birthday, but apparently Mom had turned her phone off. I tell her we are both sleeping in. It is truly the only day we have done that. Of course, now I can't go back to sleep. Oh well. I sneak in to Mom's room and lay down in bed with her and sing her happy birthday. I feel guilty that Casie didn't get her on the phone first. She wasn't able to be there and I know she really wanted to be there.


    We get up, have coffee and get moving. We really are ready to leave. I miss Tancy, I think Mom can sense that. Not to mention we are going to take a pregnancy test when Tancy gets home. I am trying not to think about that. There's a little voice telling me that I am pregnant, but I am so hesitant to acknowledge that... last month I was sure I was pregnant. I don't want to do that again... it was just too hard for me.


    We get everything loaded up and we roll out. We stop at a greasy spoon for breakfast and it was good. I felt like I hadnt eaten in a long time (which isn't true, we ate the whole time we were at the beach!). We get back on the road and just take our time. We are both tired and really wish we could wiggle our noses and be home. We have another, exciting, trip planned... its a surprise and Mom is beside herself she's so excited!


    It starts raining about half way home. We just take it easy. I take Mom by the house we have made an offer on, I think I wanted to see it more than anything. Then home. We weren't home long when Tancy got home. The first thing she sid was "What are you waiting for?! Let's take a test!". I told her I was waiting on her and we headed for the back. I know Mom was excited!! I think she was also cautious... here it is, her birthday... and what better present on your birthday than a new grandbaby in the making.... but she didn't want to build it up too much for any of us to be let down.


    Meanwhile we are in the bathroom. I pee in a cup and lay on the bed. Tancy takes it from there and stands over it, waiting for the results. I can't look. I never can. This is our routine. In what seemed like seconds... and an eternity all at the same time... she throws the test at me hollarin' "READ IT! READ IT!" I tell her I can't. But I know by this reaction that I must be pregnant, she wouldn't behave this way otherwise. I can't look. She jumps on the bed, practically on top of me & says "You're pregnant! We're gonna have a baby!" I just scream. I don't know what to do with myself!! We get up to tell Mom and find her in the hallway! LOL. We just hugged each other in the hall way. I finally look at the test. It says "Positive"... I am in shock. I try to take a picture of it to send via txt message. We are already making phone calls. I think I got Pops on the phone first. Shortly behind that Tancy gets her Dad on the phone. Pops is in a meeting, so I know he's containing his excitement, but I know he's happy! I FINALLY get Casie on the phone. She screams on the phone! I am even happier to hear her so excited. Mom gets Aunt Jan on the phone, she's extremely excited for us. More than I think I expected. I love them all. It's so great to have that family support and love.


    We make all our calls, send out texts and immediately start getting "Congrats" back. We don't even know what to do with ourselves!! We do, however, decide on a celebratory sushi dinner. I promise to not eat any raw fish - I don't like it anyway... so it isn't a sacrifice. We eat, we celebrate, we laugh and talk, it's like we are the only people in the place! We have so much fun. We go to get dog food after and realize that we left Mom's birthday picture at the restaurant. We have to go back. Then it's home. We are exhausted. It's bedtime. We manage to get baths when we get home and to bed it is.


    Tomorrow is another adventure... and a day away from the grand finale!


    Love to all!