Wisdom from my walk

I didnt want to get out of bed this morning and as the day goes on and the more I do, my to do list is massive today the crappier I feel.   I’ve had this hacking cough for a week and it’s getting annoying.   I’m tired beyond belief and like I said I have a huge amt to do still today.  We are having folks over tonight, I might eat dinner w/ everyone then retreat to bed, that’s how bad it is.   Actually the truth of how bad I’ve felt can best been seen in the fact that for almost a week now I’ve taken tylenon consistently as much as I can, I never take tylenol.  I’ll complain about feeling crappy and wont take something until it’s unbearable.  This week has been unbearable.  my headaches, morning sickness and seeing spots are returning, something I failed to mention to the ob just because they freak out but then never figure out why it’s happening.   I mentioned it to my endocronologist but he hasnt replied about it.    Well I cant put off the inevitable any more, I need to get up and get moving again despite how I feel, the joys of being a sahm.  I so need a vacation.    Soon…and a good restful one!

We had the first of our weekly biophysical profiles(extended u/s to check on the baby due  GD) as well as the first of my twice weekly non stress tests(being hooked up to a monitor to check the baby’s movement, heartrate and amt of contractions)  So from now til the end I go every Monday and Thursday to the ob, as far I know it will still be every 2 weeks with the endo so every other week 3 appointments a week, the other weeks 2 a week.   I was suprised to hear that the baby is breech, but it explains the slow down in contractions since his head isnt down there anymore pushing on my cervix and also explains the pain in my ribs, where he’s hiding out!   It hurts like heck and I wish I could get him to move!!  the other two kids never lodged themselves into my ribs and it is really painful when Baby E sits here for days.    I”m hoping he moves down again soon, I’d take contraction pain over this rib pain any day!

Baby looked good, estimated to weight about 4 lbs 9 oz so roughly if he’s born at 38 weeks like Bo was he’ll be about the same size as bo was at birth, 6 lbs 9 oz.  he measured about a week ahead on the ultrasound and everything else looked good.   He looked so cute, the pics were amazing compared to our last ultrasounds and she said they got a new machine since Bo’s pregnancy and we noticed how much better it is so that’s cool.   The non stress test was uneventful, baby was moving a lot and I had no contractions.   I asked about resetting my c-section date for 38 weeks she said they are going to wait longer to decide what to do, since babies of mom w/ GD mature slower than normal babies and they want to make sure his lungs are developed,I keep reminding them how Bo was delivered at 38 weeks and I was at 3 cm but oh well, with any luck I’ll go into labor before then and he’ll decide his due date for us! So for now we’re still at April 7th but w/ Bo the placenta was breaking down due to the GD so assuming that since my sugars are still out of whack that’s gonna happen again.  The dr last week seemed like it was just a technicality, moving the date up so we’ll see.  At this point if either the non stress test or ultrasounds dont get well then the baby can come anytime.  So we just wait.  But all is well right now, I am still feeling horrible and hoping the baby arrives sooner than later.    I keep increasing my insulin in hopes my numbers stabilize but I’ll get one good day or half a day after increasing the dosage then it’s back to being high that day or the next and the dr increases it again.  So I go back to the ob on Monday and the endocronologist on Tuesday then the ob again on Thursday.  I so hate this part of my pregnancies, if it’s such a big deal that the baby is at risk I just wish they’d take him out early but instead they stress me out every week as I wait to see how the tests go and then if all is well start the next week stressed about that weeks of tests.

Dean was off today and we were so busy!!!  He had an 8:15 drs appt to get some referrals, I had my appt at 11:30 we then grabbed lunch, came home got Caleb from school, all went to get haircuts until Dean and caleb had to leave to make Dean’s 4:45 appt w/ the podiatrist.  I got home sometime after 5 in time to finish preparing dinner to take to our small group where we had to be at 6:15 p.m.  Dean got home about 5:45 and we all got ready to leave again! We got home around 9:30 and I’m so worn out!!   I was sick and tired to begin the day and all of that running wears me out so much more!

So that’s all for tonight.  Tomorrow will be busy, as will most of the weekend.  No school for the kid on Monday and my drs appt.  ugh the next few weeks are going to be so exhausting, the thought of all those appointments  is already stressing me out!!

I’ve got registries listed under my links but that’s mostly so I can keep track of what I want/need to get before Baby E arrives. (but my link bar is hiding, Dean is going to fix that later) So Since someone asked what big things we need:

• New booster seat for Caleb ( the one we have is not very good and since he will be in it for a few more years due to stupid MD laws not to mention since we have 2 cars now)
• Convertible Car Seat for Baby E (we have an infant carrier need one for later- want to get this one since it’s the same one we have for Boaz now)
• Second High Chair – I really want this one!! our other high chair is almost 5 years old and I hate it!
• Double Stroller – my other big desire is this one! it would be perfect for having to walk to get Caleb from school. Theres one for over $300 that looks nice but I’m trying to be reasonable! 😉
• big diaper bag – since it’s the first time I’ll have to tote diapers around for 2 kids!! Friends of ours have this bag and the moment I saw it I knew it would be perfect for the mom of two little ones. it’s pricey though so not sure I’ll splurge on it but if I can let myself waste some tax money I probably will get it! it’s the only unreasonably priced thing I want; I am trying to be very money concious when looking at baby stuff since it’s the last kid we’ll have so everythings getting given away or sold when we’re done but we’ll need a big reliable diaper bag for quite a while so I figure if it’s pricey and will last it would be worth it. this diaper bag loos ok, although I havent seen it in person so if I can find it in the store and see if I like it I might do it since it’s cheaper.

Being as this is our third child, and second w/in 2 years we are not expecting or getting a shower that we know of and dont expect anyone to buy us anything so I am hoping to get most of these things w/ our tax money so that I know we have them for when we need them. As opposed to waiting til the baby outgrows the infant carrier and not having the money to buy the bigger car seat. Or waiting til the kid is old enough for a high chair to figure out how to have two in a high chair! (we will probably do a “meet the new baby” party after Baby E arrives since some of our family never got to meet Boaz for a long time and I dont want to get blamed for not making the new kid available to folks, even though the phone does work both ways) We were blessed to get a 2nd crib given to us and we got a toddler bed off of craigslist for pretty cheap for when Bo is out of the crib. Eventually we’ll get bunk beds for Boaz and Caleb and Baby E will get the toddler bed that Bo will use til that point. So much to think about!!

My friend karen keeps giving us packs of diapers when her baby outgrows that size so we have some what of a supply growing and I stocked up on baby wipes at sams last night. I’m dreading the cost of two kids in diapers so I’m hoping to keep cost to a minimum by at least buying wipes in bulk. Sams stopped carrying the parents choice diapers in bulk which annoys me, so I have to still get those at walmart. It was great w/ Caleb to get the sams/walmart brand diapers at sams in a big box, now they only carry brand names and even in bulk they cost too much for my budget! I never buy brand name diapers unless they are on sale and I have a coupon and even then it has to match or be less than the price of the generic.

so we are mostly prepared I guess, I am just stressing about certain things. I know that it will be hard w/ hand me down baby clothes from Bo/Caleb since they were all born in different seasons. Caleb was the end of summer, Bo in winter and now this baby will be an early spring baby so I’m not sure how the clothes will match up for seasons. with Bo I had to buy clothes because I didnt have enough of the right season when I needed it. I’m hoping that it’s not that hard again. But overall it still helps to have some clothes, and this should be easier since the baby will be a few months old in the summer so can go in just onesies for a while, if it’s hot enough which of course around here it usually is!

well one too many chocolate chips, yes I am being bad this afternoon on my diet, and now my head is killing me. Making cookies for our life group tomorrow and I just cant resist!! but now I”m paying the price, next time maybe I’ll remember that I cant eat them. I’ve also started being unable to drink sodas/drinks w/ caffiene because it gives me killer headaches but that’s off topic…..gotta go get done baking so I can start dinner, not to mention Bo is up from nap so I need to referee between he and Caleb.

Sick, back pain, sick… yep that’s about how my day went!   Dean got home a little early, about 30 minutes or so.    I made some yummy spaghetti w/ italian sausage, which is funny because Dean normally hates spaghetti, but once I told him I was putting sausage in it he was happy about it!   we then headed to walmart and sams club since we needed things and I hadnt been up to getting out to run errands w/ the kids.

We got home and got the kids in bed then enjoyed our first evening with having directv and tivo back!!   We cancelled it in December I think, they just suspended the acct and gave us a credit and said when we were ready to call back to have it reactivated at no extra cost.    So since we are doing ok money wise, this week, and are expecting our tax money back with which we are hoping to pay off our van and some credit cards putting us in an even better financial situation we thought we’d go ahead and turn it back on since we can afford it.    That and I am so spoiled!!  it’s great having it back, being able to not have to sit and watch House while it was on since we had it tivo’d so we could watch it w/out commercials!    I know I am spoiled but if we can afford it….not to mention I keep thinking how great it was to have when I woke up for feedings w/ a newborn to have things that we recorded to be watched whenever we want!  so that will be nice, I know it’s weeks away but at the rate we record things we can build up a good amt of shows to watch when the time comes!!

After watching House dean and I both fell asleep, so much for a romantic valentines!   we didnt exchange gifts, just cards.    We know once the tax money comes we’ll each have some money to spend so it was ok with us.  Not to mention theres nothing I really want right now, but that cool new highchair I really want to get!!   Yeah, how romantic would that be, a freaking high chair!  well gotta run….got tons to do.  tomorrows our first of weekly ultrasounds to check on Baby E and see how well he’s growing due to the diabetes.  I’m so excited, Dean’s going w/ me so that’s cool too. after that, and after Caleb gets home from school we’re all getting haircuts. it’s going to be a busy day, but should be worth all of the running!

so far my gift has been a stomach bug to go w/ my sinus infection.  wohooo!! the good thing about today is Caleb had school, but that also means they are having their valentines party which means he’ll be full of sugar and sent home with countless goodies!    Well I need to grab a shower while Bo naps.  I made some chocolate chip cookies w/ splenda (white and brown sugar) and they are ok but definitely not as good as regular cookies.    but they will fill my craving for right now.

Last night Dean came and sat next to me and said di you know that  it’s only 7 weeks from April 7th(when my c-section is currently set for) and that it’s only 6 weeks til March 31st (the week my c-section will more than likely end up being)   i laughed and said yeah did you just realize it!   i guess it finally registered w/ him that in less than 2 months we’ll have another baby boy!   It was neat he came to me w/ the thought instead of me fretting over what needs done and saying we are running out of time.   luckily we are done everything but washing up baby clothes, buying some big things we still need, and that’s about it I think.   I’ve done a good job gearing up as much as possible.   So it’s hit home w/ Dean I think that the countdown is on!    finally!

so I put Bo down for nap after our lunch. I had told Caleb he could go out and play in the snow while Bo napped, so he and I went out and had a snowball fight.  but the cold air made me keep coughing again so we didnt stay out long.  we made some snow ice cream, it’s amazing how yummy it can be, and using splenda it’s ok for me to eat! we have an abundance of clean snow on our deck so I’ll think we’ll keep making it til the snow looks gross or melts!   ( i’ll put the recipe in the more section of this entry)

after our snack I told Caleb to pick a movie to watch, the goal was to lay down in my bed w/ him and watch a movie.   I knew I would be able to fall asleep and he’d be ok watching the movie.  When I woke up when Bo did Caleb was asleep next to me and he’s still sleeping!   I know the kid still could use a nap but we stopped making him take one in an effort to get him in bed by 8 pm every night w/out a fight.    I’m hoping it doesnt cause us problems tonight but it’s nice, having been able to nap some and now just keep an eye on Bo while Caleb naps, this never happens anymore!

Dean and I are trying to plan a weekend getaway before baby E arrives any ideas on where to go?  Dean found bed&  breakfast spa package but it’s way to expensive.  we’re using our tax money to fund our adventure so while we could afford it I’d rather spend wisely and save money for baby things that we are going to need soon.   Dean wants to splurge on it but I cant let him becuase I know we still need baby stuff.   the biggest issue now is timing it.  we’re running out of weeks and w/ the first 2 pregnancies I was on bedrest at the end so truly we’re down to just a few weeks of being able to get out.  I told him we’ll make plans after my appt on Thursday since I’m concerned how it’s going to go due to the issues I’m having with my diabetes and contractions.   but if anyone has any ideas for cheap or even slightly pricey winter getaways let me know!! Continue reading →

I totally didnt attribute the rib pain I’m having to the killer cough I have until last night when I realized every time I coughed it got worse.  I’m guessing I bruised a rib w/ all the coughing, if the kid wasnt home from school and our street didnt look so icy I’d go to the dr today.  i still need to get out at some point today for diapers and groceries but I’m hoping w/ time the ice will melt making it less slippery out there.  (the main roads are fine but our road is always the worst, the worst in our neighborhood even because we dont get a lot of sun particularly right in front of our yard.  )   That and that I might get the kids to nap so I can rest.  I actually slept halfway well last night thanks to some benadryl, so not sure why I feel so tired other than being sick and my sugar levels being high.    The kids of course have a ton of energy which will make for a fun day.

Dean’s at work today and I’m wishing he  wasnt.   I know the end of my pregnancies are always hard and being sick on top of that makes it so much worse.   I almost wish I worked full time so that would mean we had daycare/sitter and I could call in sick and have help w/ the kids.   my job has no fringe benefits, no sick time and certainly no vacation days.   At the end of caleb’s pregnancy I was put on bedrest and got disability pay for that time, and as he was our first kid i could just stay home and rest.    it was perfect!  pay and time off.  these days theres no such luck or plan.  the price I pay to be a SAHM and pregnant.  Have I mentioned how glad I am this will be my last pregnancy?