Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Nesting Like Crazy

Since I last wrote, I made a very ambitious list of cleaning and organizing projects that I would like to complete around the house before the baby gets here. I seriously doubt that I will get to all of them, but I have put a pretty large dent in the list. Highlights include cleaning the kitchen junk drawer, cleaning the coat closet, and organizing Zachary's art desk. After completing some of these projects, I have come to the sad conclusion that no matter how much stuff I manage to get rid of, it won't be enough to make the house look uncluttered. People aren't going to come to my house, see the organized junk drawer (I got a really cool two-level organizer from Bed Bath and Beyond), and overlook the stack of mail on the counter, or the cookbooks piled up on the baker's rack. Sigh. At least I can find stuff now.

The most important project has yet to be completed. That would be the baby's room/extra bedroom. We've removed all of the furniture in there besides a queen sized bed and night stand, and relocated the chest of drawers to the closet. The problem is that I can't find a home for some of my craft items and photo albums, so they, along with our luggage and gift wrapping supplies, will have to stay in there. I hate that she won't have an entire room just to herself, but it's the best I can do right now. So far, we have painted the walls, changed the outlets and light switches, and attempted to hang new wood blinds. The only catch is that the blinds that we bought, and had cut, are too short in length. So, we can kiss that money goodbye, because Home Depot won't take back blinds that have been cut. We took apart one of them to try to use it to make another one longer, but they are not cut to the same width, and it just looks bad. Anyone need some white wood blinds that are 33.5 inches wide, and 42 inches long? I have three sets that can be yours!

Hopefully Darren will finish painting the trim and doors for the nursery this weekend, and we can start the fun part, decorating. I can't wait to assemble the crib again; it was nearly impossible last time, and I doubt we were smart enough to keep the directions. After that, we just need to get the garage cleaned out so that we can get to the attic above the garage to get down all of the baby items. I go back to work on the 21st, and I want it done by then. Keep your fingers crossed...

I went to the doctor today for a check-up. I am now at 30 weeks, and have gained a whopping eight pounds. That's less weight to take off later, and the baby is growing fine. We did an ultrasound today, and I was able to see her eye sockets, spine, and hands. She looks great, the placenta is completely out of the way, and I don't appear to be in imminent danger of going into labor. Life is good.

I am trying to get back into scrapbooking. I am still a Creative Memories consultant through the end of August, but know I won't make my order quota by then. I went to Michael's yesterday and walked around for a while. Martha Stewart now has a line of craft and scrapbooking products, and they are really pretty. I came home last night and cleaned up my desk, and was able to get started on Zoe's baby book, and do a couple of pages in Zach's album. I'm "only" a year behind on his; think I can finish before October? Maybe if I don't sleep...

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Never a Dull Moment

We had a nice weekend with my parents. My dad helped Darren move furniture around in the future baby's room, and we went out to eat Japanese Saturday night. Sunday, Darren, Zach and I went to a neighbor's birthday party, then a sibling class at the hospital. Mom, Dad, Zach, Buddy (Mom and Dad's dog), and I left for Lafayette around 5:15 Sunday, and got here around 9:30.

Monday, Mom and I hung out around the house, reading, and the only thing I did was to go to Target with Dad that evening for some essentials. Around 7:00, my back and upper abdomen really started to hurt. I wasn't worried that I was in labor, because there were no contractions. I hadn't eaten much that day, so figured it was gas. I took a bath, tried to lie down in different positions, and took a walk with my dad. I couldn't get any relief, so around 9:00 we headed to the hospital. They took me straight to labor and delivery, and put me on some monitors for the baby's heartbeat and contractions. I saw the OB on duty, and he agreed that it was probably gas, but if it continued, advised me to have my gallbladder checked. Around 11:00, they gave me a Mylicon pill, which had me feeling better in about 40 minutes. Soon after that, we were sent home with instructions to take gas medicine after every meal, and go back if the pain started again. After stopping at the store, we were home around 12:15. Around 1:00, the pain started back with a vengeance. It felt like someone was squeezing my chest, I couldn't breathe, and couldn't sit or lie down. I took another gas pill and debated waking my dad back up. At 1:30, I couldn't stand it anymore, so I woke Dad up and went and packed a bag. I figured I wasn't going to be sent home again.

We arrived at the hospital around 2:00, and I was put in a triage room. As soon as I undressed and climbed in bed, the pain stopped completely. The nurse decided to keep me overnight anyway, so I was put in a room off the labor and delivery unit, and an IV was started. I sent Dad home to bed, because I knew how tired he was. Plus, at 3:00 in the morning, I didn't want to do anything besides sleep. I slept utnil about 7:15, when my breakfast tray was brought in, and my nurse and the OB on duty came to introduce themselves. I hadn't eaten in close to 15 hours at this point, so I wolfed down my breakfast and tried to get some more sleep. That was interrupted by the nutritionist, someone with food services offering me a popsicle, and phone calls from my mom and husband. The nurse came back around 9:00 and told me that the gallbladder scan couldn't be done until I hadn't eaten for eight hours. Why didn't we do it before breakfast, I wanted to know?

I lolled around in bed all day, reading and sleeping. My parents brought Zach in a couple of times to see me, and the scan was finally done around 4:00. It turns out that I have gallstones, but they don't want to remove it until after the baby is born. Until then, I am supposed to follow a low-fat diet, which stinks. I'm pregnant; I'm supposed to be able to eat what I want right now without consequence!

After getting this news,I was told that I was going to be released. I begged them to feed me before they sent me home, since I had gone all day without food. Also, I knew I would get a hot meal, and wouldn't have to try to decide what I could and couldn't have. So, a tray was brought in. Only in South Louisiana would the low-fat diet consist of round steak with rice and LOW-FAT gravy, corn, a roll, and low-fat pound cake. Lunch yesterday would have been pork roast stuffed with sausage, and lunch today would have been smothered chicken with more rice and gravy. I must say, that dinner was great! I ate every bit, then Dad took me home. Hopefully there won't be any more attacks anytime soon. Now, if I could only get rid of this nasty sinus infection...

Friday, July 13, 2007

My Productive Day

As a follow-up to the last post, I did end up taking Zach to the pool yesterday. I was feeling so guilty for not doing anything, so I went to where he was lying in front of the TV, and asked him if he wanted to go to the pool. By the time I could finish the popsicle I was eating (trying to intake more fluids!), he had changed into his swim trunks, gotten beach towels, snacks, and drinks out, and was looking for our beach bag. That's the most efficient he's been in ages! By the time I went upstairs and changed, the beach bag was in the car, and he was sitting in his car seat with the sunroof open and the radio on.

I wish I could say we had a great time at the pool; the water was as warm as bath water, the pool was crowded, and there were some little flies that kept biting me on the arms. Zach had a good time, though, and did a great job of practicing his swimming. I can't wait to see how well he does after he takes lessons in a couple of weeks! I got him out of there with the promise of a McDonald's Happy Meal, which Darren met us at the house with. We capped off our evening with a trip to Toys R Us for a birthday gift, then a visit to Home Depot to pick out paint for the nursery. We bought a quart, and I can't wait to see if it will work with our bedding! Afterward, we came home and I did some more preparation for the housekeepers.

This morning, I was woken up at 8:30 by the housekeepers coming in. I guess we need to make sure to be up the next time they come, and it won't be a problem once school starts, because we'll be gone by then. They only stayed for an hour, then I had a dentist appointment. I haven't had my teeth cleaned in two years, and was really nervous about what they would find. Since they couldn't do x-rays, the news wasn't too bad. There is one tooth with an old filling that's loose, and another tooth they are worried about. I know I have bad teeth, and know there will be more work done every time I go. It's just a fact of life. Zach sat in a chair in the corner and played with his Leapster the whole time.

After the dentist, since it actually wasn't raining, I decided to take my car to get the oil changed and have it vacuummed and washed. Why we bought a car with black carpet is beyond me, but it looked awful. I've had it for three months now, and have never had it cleaned, so it was overdue. I then took Zach to lunch at a pizza buffet, YUM! Our final stop was the grocery store for a few things for the weekend. I rewarded myself by coming home to my clean house and taking a nap.

Now, my sugared-up child is zooming around the room. I think it's time to take a walk to the mailbox to work off some of that energy. I will probably cap off my exciting day by cooking dinner. We party like rockstars here!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Trying to Get Motivated

I went to the doctor Tuesday, and I'm not on bed rest, but have to continue to take it easy. The problem is, I am fully aware of all the things that I need to get done, but my body lacks the stamina to do it right now. The housekeepers are coming tomorrow, so I did get things picked up, but there is so much more that I should do.

Poor Zach is so bored. I wish we had some kids who lived around us for him to play with. Since I am less than entertaining, his days consist of lying on the floor in front of Cartoon Network, playing in his room, playing with my friend's borrowed Wii, or riding his scooter on our driveway. I know he would prefer to be at the pool or to have a friend over, but the thought of going to the pool is far from my mind, and having a friend over involves me a lot more than I would like. At least we'll be with my parents next week, and Zach will have my dad to play with in the evenings.

The doctor says that my pain is caused by the baby sitting really low. What she didn't say was how to fix it. I am supposed to wear a support belt, but it cuts into me when I sit down, which I tend to do A LOT.

All right, enough whining for now. I think I have enough energy to walk over to the couch and lie down with a library book. I am the epitome of excitement!

Monday, July 09, 2007

Feeling Less Than Great

I think the pregnancy hormones are catching up with me. I am so tired, and tired of feeling bad. Besides the fact that it appears that I have yet another sinus infection, I am having these awful pains in an unmentionable area. Basically, it hurts to walk, sit down, put on clothes, and turn over in bed. I have an ultrasound at the hospital tomorrow to see if the placenta has moved yet, and I suspect it hasn't. I think she is sitting really low, which is causing these pains. Her kicks sure are low! I wouldn't be shocked if there was more bedrest in my future...

I haven't done a whole lot in the past few days. Thursday, Zach and I ran errands, while it continued to rain. Friday, we ran around with a friend, and Zach ended up spending the afternoon/evening with my friend, which was wonderful. Darren and I were able to go out to eat alone, and actually talk. Saturday, I pulled all of my old photos out of the extra bedroom/nursery, and spread them on the living room floor to organize them. Well, they're still there. It hurts to sit on the floor, and I don't have the motivation to finish that project. I do need to get it done before the housekeepers come on Friday. Saturday night, I was craving chicken wings, so we went to a restaurant to eat wings and watch the Astros. My friend lent us her Nintendo Wii for a few days, so we went and rented some games for it. Yesterday, we went into Houston, ate at this awesome Greek restaurant, and walked around the Galleria. We looked in quite a few stores, but Darren couldn't find the clothes he wanted, and the Croc booth didn't have any black Mary Janes. We left the mall with a bag of expensive candy and some new software for the Mac laptop. We wanted to check out the iPhones in the Mac store, but there was a crowd around the display table. We're not getting one, at least not until our current contract expires in a year, so there is no rush.

Today, Zach and I spent the day with my friend Melissa. We had a good time with her, but my little darling has become quite bossy and rude lately, and it irritates me to no end. I'm not sure what to do to put a stop to it, but I will figure something out. He cannot go to school in the fall with the attitude that it is all right to tell a grown-up to be quiet. We've also begun putting our fingers in our ears, and hitting me. Not cool. He understands that it is not all right to speak to me that way, but continues to do it. I haven't found the perfect punishment yet, but I will continue looking.

That's about all the excitement for now. It seems that the rain has finally stopped, so maybe we will make it to the pool this week. I have a dentist appointment on Friday, and my parents are coming in Saturday to drive Zach and me to Lafayette for the week next week. I seem to be incapable of driving that far, so Darren will have to go and get me next weekend. I am not sure what we will do there for a week, but I guess I won't be cleaning anything.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Happy 4th of July!

Today has been a strange day. It's weird having a holiday in the middle of the week, so we weren't able to go anywhere. I think this is the first time in five years that we have stayed home, and we don't have any plans for the day. Since it has now rained for 34 days in a row, it would be hard to go out and enjoy the festivities that The Woodlands has planned. We did go to the patriotic concert last night at the Mitchell Pavilion, which was fun. The Houston Symphony plays, and everyone takes dinner and picnic blankets. We went with fried chicken (can't get more American than that) and met my sister-in-law, her kids, and some other friends. It was one of those times that made me glad that we live here.

This morning, there was a parade at 9:00, but we didn't make it. I didn't want to break our 7-year-long streak of not attending. The pools were free today, and each one is supposed to have a theme and free refreshments. The constant rain probably eliminated that, though. This evening, there is a festival around the mall, a concert at one of the parks, and fireworks. We may go do that, because I can't imagine July 4th without fireworks.

We have spent the day reading, playing on the computer, being bored (Zach, but he does have a friend over right now), and taping the trim in the bedroom for painting (Darren). I guess we'll have to cook something eventually, but the weather is not conducive to barbecuing. What an exciting day! We may go to the zoo tomorrow, so that is something to look forward to. The rain has to end sometime, right?