Well I had my 38 week appointment today and since my appoiontment last Monday the baby decided to be a brat and flip. The doctor was doing his routine heartbeat check and when he couldn't' find it he moved the Doppler near the top of my abdomen and there it was. I knew what that meant. I just read about breech babies the night before... isn't that ironic. Last Monday baby was head down. I would have assumed that I would have felt the baby flipping... But like Clifford says you know what happens when you assume... You make an ass out of u and me. So now instead of being head down it is now head up feet up in the "Frank breech" position... So Sunday morning at 7 we will check into the Labor & delivery ward of Portland Adventist and try to turn the baby by External Cephalic Version. If it is successful then we will be okay, but there are risks involved and I may be having this baby on Sunday or scheduling a cesarean section. Just pray that if I do, and there is a very very small chance that I will, need a c-section then everything will turn out okay and the baby is healthy.

As I was telling John today, while he was flushing a transmission, he didn't seem concerned about not being able to sleep in on Sunday but when I told him that we might have the baby this Sunday he got a little excited. "This Sunday!?!?!?" Well we only have two left before the baby is officially due so there aren't too many left. He has been making comments about how much he wants to hold the baby. It must be hard for someone to love something so much and now be able to have physical contact with them. I told him that he can hold the baby as much as he wants after s/he's born. We have everything ready as far as what we'll need for the first couple of weeks. Lots of blankets and enough clothes to last us until we can make it out and buy something pink or blue. During the ultrasound today i thought I may have seen a "hot dog" but it could have been anything. I couldn't really see the screen and he was moving the detector thing around so much i couldn't see anything for long.

So that is what is going on. I was thinking it might be nice to go into labor tomorrow as it is a full moon but, now that the idea that I may actually have this baby this weekend, it's freaking me out! I will call Shannon and let her know what is going on and she can tell everyone else whether or not Peanut is here. But don't expect a personal phone call from me... I have no idea what my emotions will be like until later and if they are anything like they have been today I'll be crying... then happy and then hungry, then angry until i get something to eat in me. Wish me and Peanut luck!

Still cookin'

The final product

Oh my goodness. Does this turkey look good or what?!?! I am so excited! I followed this recipe and so far so good. It doesn't say anything about basting it but I just did hoping that it isn't ruined... It would be funny though if my first turkey turned out to be a National Lampoon Christmas Vacation turkey... I will let everyone know how wonderful it is later... I made some mashed potatoes, stuffing and a little gravy... It's a little dark looking. Not sure why.

I saw a picture of a baby that was due the day before "Peanut" that was born yesterday and it he was so cute and big! It's really hiting me now that labor and delivery are just around the corner. I can't believe that the due date is so soon. 15 more days and a couple hours left to go!!! My next appointment is on Friday and hopefully the doctor will be able to tell me some good news about my blood pressure and that the baby is doing okay. Well, it's time to eat. John just got home and out of the shower so I will say goodnight!

hmmm, I think I have an idea to whom you mean.... But I will also let her remain nameless... at the doctor appt. yesterday my blood preassure was up again. high. 140/80... and i gained 6 pounds in a week!!! how does that happen. there's no room for food anymore so where did it come from? Dr says that to gain that much weight in a short time means that I most likely am reataining that much water, my left foot gets really swollen and my hands and forearms tend to get this tight feeling in them as the day goes on... He had me go to the lab to get more blood drawn and said he would call me by 8 last night if there was a problem. He didn't so I am glad to not hear that. I might have pregnancy induced hypertension... which is basicly high blood pressure caused by the pregnancy. I have read a little bit about that and the only "cure" is to have the baby. To get induced when the baby's is 37 weeks wich is Saturday. Amber jokingly said I couldn't have the baby until saturday and that ya'll would go to the hospital and finish the shower there if I went into labor!!! I thought that would be funny! The doctor also estimated that I will have a big baby. He said atleast 8.5lbs +. So if that's the case I want to have this baby before it get's any bigger! Can you imagine? How big was Carson? John seems to not think it's a big deal. Yeah, that's cause it isn't getting pushed out of him! Dr said that if it were up to men that they would have one baby and be done with it! I can feel the baby moving almost all day long. most of my clothes don't fit anymore and I hate going out. Running out of breath and being hot all the time. Last night I actually was cold though. Probably cause it was raining so much and we have the heat off at the apartment. So i turned it on and sat on the couch letting it warm me up. and our bedroom is cold too. we never turn the heat on in there, so John's cold feet were on my warm legs, trying to regulate the tempurature under the sheets! I went pee 7 times from the time i went to bed until the time I got up, I swear i need an extra hour of sleep from all the waking up I do at night. I lost some or all of my mucus plug and have been having bloody show for almost a week now... I am 1 cm dialated and I could have sworn he said 50% effaced but I could be dreaming about that last part. I go in on Monday again for my normal appointment unless I go into labor. I have't had any real contractions yet. I get crampy, but I don't know how to time them and they aren't offen enought that I need to. Peanut has the hiccups right now and my fingers are getting sore from typing. So I'm going to rest and think of hostess gifts for the ladies that are planning the shower this weekend. What would be a great gift. I have to buy something for 4 people. two have been doing most of the work. I have no idea what to do.

Stella Awards are named after 81 year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued McDonald's. That case inspired the Stella Awards for the most frivolous, ridiculous, successful lawsuits in the United States.Here are this year's winners:

5th Place (tie): Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas, was awarded $80,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The owners of the store were understandably surprised at the verdict, considering the misbehaving little toddler was Ms. Robertson's son.

5th Place (tie): 19-year-old Carl Truman of Los Angeles won $74,000 and medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Mr. Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor's hubcaps.

5th Place (tie): Terrence Dickson of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was leaving a house he had just finished robbing by way of the garage. He was not able to get the garage door to go up since the automatic door opener was malfunctioning. He couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the house and garage locked when he pulled it shut. The family was on vacation, and Mr. Dickson found himself locked in the garage for eight days. He subsisted on a case of Pepsi he found, and a large bag of dry dog food. He sued the homeowner's insurance claiming the situation caused him undue mental anguish. The jury agreed to the tune of $500,000.

4th Place: Jerry Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas, was awarded $14,500 and medical expenses after being bitten on the buttocks by his next door neighbor's beagle. The beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. The award was less than sought because the jury felt the dog might have been just a little provoked at the time by Mr. Williams who had climbed over the fence into the yard and was shooting it repeatedly with a pellet gun.

3rd Place: A Philadelphia restaurant was ordered to pay Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, $113,500 after she slipped on a soft drink and broke her coccyx (tailbone). The beverage was on the floor because Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument.

2nd Place: Kara Walton of Claymont, Delaware, successfully sued the owner of a night club in a neighboring city when she fell from the bathroom window to the floor and knocked out her two front teeth. This occurred while Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the window in the ladies room to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000 and dental expenses.

1st Place: This year's runaway winner was Mrs. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mrs. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, (from an OU football game). Having driven onto the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back & make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the RV left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising her in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually do this. The jury awarded her $1,750,000 plus a new motor home. The company actually changed their manuals on the basis of this suit, just in case there were any other complete morons around.

At yesterdays appointment my blood presure was still on the high side so I was sent to the lab afterward to have blood drawn to test for pregnancy induced hypertension. Everything else at the appointment was fine, baby is doing well, hearbeat was at 164bpm. 45 days to go!!! Part of my mucus plug came out last night... apparently it will regenerate itself, I don't think I'm close to going into labor yet. And apparently it can take anywhere from three weeks till delivery for it all to come out and even then that isn't an absolute that I'll be going into labor... Peanut has the hiccups again!!! Sometimes I'll just be standing or walking and it feels like the baby is trying to push a foot through my cervix and it gets pretty uncomfortable.
I am training the new hostess who will be taking my place when I leave and it's been a good experience so far. She's smart and doesn't seem shy about jumping in and learning. Which makes my job a lot easier! It's very strange to think about not going to work anymore. I'm glad but I think after the second week of being home alone all day I'll start to miss it...

On Sunday we were supposed to go to our birthing class but John's shoulder has been bothering him and thought it would be better if we sat this week out so he could rest. So I spent the evening finishing cleaning out the baby's room and I even rearranged the "furnitre". I moved the craddle back into the room and moved the spare bed against the other wall, then set the craddle next to it. I'm not too sure how I want it to be set up yet. We might even keep the computer in the room if we can find a smaller desk. The one we have now takes up too much space. Then I moved the printer hutch thing into the closet and John wheeled the cabenet into the hall closet and I'll put my books on that. It's strange having this much room in here now. But it will be filled with baby stuff in a matter of weeks.

Toni and Alyssa are throwing me a shower in a little less than three weeks and then the next weekend Shannon and Lauren from work are giving me a shower. Then Peanut will be due in three weeks after that! I need to get going. My new favorite show is going to be on in a few minutes... Oh and John is going to get a phone hooked up finally for our apartment. I'll be sure to give ya'll my number when we have it.

I thought I was going to breeze through this pregnancy with out any stretch marks.... Yesterday they reared their ugly head. I have been keeping an eye out for them. I have had stretch marks since 7th grade other places so I was surprised that I hadn't gotten any considering my belly was getting as big as it is. I would check my belly out every day, different lighting, checking under my bellybutton cause I can't really see it any more on my own. And lo and behold I discovered a couple on the right side and one or two on my left. I don't really notice them if I look in the mirror, I have to tilt the hand mirror underneath and let the light hit just right for them to be seen. Which is a good thing.... My left foot has decided to get swollen. I remember Alyssa and her swollen feet. But it was summer time and the heat makes mama's more susceptible to that. I was working on the baby's room all day yesterday. I washed all the gender neutral clothing and all the baby blankets that I have received from John's grandma and others. I went through all the boxes that were on the bed, and John is going take them out to the trash and Goodwill. Right now I have a serious case of heartburn but we are out of milk so I might be forced to take a tums. I have heard that the calcium in tums won't always break down and can cause stones... So I try to think of other methods to tame my burning throat. Milk is what does it for me and we have been out since yesterday morning after my cereal. I was supposed to go shopping but I hate having to bring in all the bags myself, and John didn't get home until after 6 last night so I just decided not to go...I still have a huge thing of laundry detergent in the back of my jeep that I bought last week on Tuesday. I suppose I could bring it in but I don't wanna.

Hmmm what else?

This is the last week that I'll be at work. And it couldn't come soon enough. Not that I won't miss it, but really, I would much rather not sit in traffic for 40 minutes everyday and then be uncomfortable at work for more than 6 hours. And then to drive home late and John being to tired to have a conversation with me. When I get out of the car my body is so achy from work that I hobble down the pathway and feel like collapsing.

Well, John and I are going to be moving the computer into the bedroom and cleaning out the baby's room. Maybe we can order the crib and get all the baby furniture taken care of my first week off. To get a changing table or not? I would like one that doubles as a dresser, John's folks have one they bought and repaired for us but it's stained a dark cherry so I think I'll move the white dresser I have been using into the baby's room and attach a changing pad to that... And use the dark one in our room. I don't know how I'll get all my clothes in that one though, it's a lot smaller.

Hmmm we'll see how that works!

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the TV is so delightful, and since we've got work to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

For the first time in my 5 1/2 years working at the hotel and every year having so battle through the wintry storms I decided with much convincing from Toni and my mom that due to my pregnancy and the fact that it took 4 hours for me to get to work last year in these conditions, I decided to call off from work. It was really hard for me to do. I know how hectic the restaurant gets with grumpy travelers who can't catch their flights or get to their destination in Portland once they land. And of course there is no other option for food either. They can't get out and we can't get staff in. It's just terrible for 6-7 hours. A couple years ago I ended up staying in the hotel for 4 days straight working the breakfast and dinner shifts. I ended up talking to many local folks who had come home to the terrible weather conditions. One couple lived in Gresham but the roads were so bad and no one could come and get them, they were stuck in the hotel for a few unexpected nights. John was busy pulling out stranded people with his blazer that he had then and had fun running all over on the icy abandoned streets. He finally came to visit me in the hotel and we had a good time catching up over lunch. But I needed to go to bed so I would be productive during the dinner shift and he needed to pick his dad up from work at the airport. So we said our good byes and continued on with our day. The next year he took me to work and picked me up. But back then we both lived a lot closer to the hotel and wasn't a big deal. This year, John is going to still take me to work and pick me up, it just might take a little longer than before. Depending on traffic, most days it takes me 30-40 minutes, but with the weather it may take more time. But I am thinking there won't be nearly as many cars as usual.

And luckily for some citezens of Clackamas County John willingly took out his duce and was able to pull people out of ditches and such for a good part of yesterday. He didn't even charge people for it. Well one he did but he had to pull the same car out twice.

Apparently he even got rearended but didn't feel it. But did it do a number to the other man's car. He was mad and accusing John of not having break lights, so John showed him. He was driving so close to John that he couldn't see him. Talk about idiots. Who in their right mind drives up close to other cars when the roads are so slick. John got him to calm down and they went on their way. He even made a stop off at Wendy's for a bite to eat for lunch. I think, no, I'm sure that if I let him we would make that our family vehicle. Not a chance!

I had an appointment to see the doctor this morning at 10:30 but I called in and cancelled. I will be seeing the doctor on Monday anyway to follow up my UTI and don't think a few more days would make a difference. Surprisingly the office was open today. I hope the staff didn't have to stay the night in one of the hospital rooms... I wonder what they do to keep staff there. I work in a hotel so it isn't unusual for staff to stay the night in these conditions, but do they stay at the hospital??? A question that I will have to ask on Monday.

Our child birthing class went well on Sunday. My assignment is to bring a focal point for the delivery. Something larger than my fist. I'm thinking about taking one of the baby's ultrasound pictures. The one of the profile. I can't think of a better thing to concentrate on than the baby, and at that point I'm sure I'll be more motivated to push 'em out so I can hold my little Peanut. I am in the process of thinking about what I need to pack for me and the baby for the hospital. I have read several lists but have heard from women that half the stuff is provided by the hospital and not to worry about forgetting something.

Well I bought a memory card for the digital camera and took a belly shot so I could post it and show those I haven't seen since Christmas how big I am getting. But, for some reason the printer is having difficulties reading the card. And not just mine but the other cards we have, I had to check just to be sure. And yes, I am getting huge.

(Notice the hand in front of the face. This is my morning after waking up so no makeup and definate bed head, but, also notice I haven't gotten any stretch marks, knock on wood, so that is one positive about this picture)

I am due in 59 days. And that seems a bit unreal to me yet. I know it's coming but being busy with work and the reconstruction of our living room I haven't really had the time to fix up the back room. We have a lot more floor room than before and I'm almost wondering if we should use the closet for the baby at all. Not that baby's clothes will take up a lot of room but everything else that goes with baby does. John's folks and his grandma purchases a little dresser that will be perfect for the baby, not too big but big enough. I have boxes of books and stuff from who knows where that I need to go through and that will be my big project to finish after I am done working. I have just under three weeks left. I am happy and a little sad. I had a dream the other night that I was yelling at John because I was so bored being home all day long by myself... It made me realize that I may get bored but to enjoy the alone time that I have left. Reading Alyssa's blog opened my eyes and helped me remember all the times that I snuck into mom and dad's room when I had a nightmare. I would sleep on mom's side or in the middle. I even remember needing to wake mom up so she could stand by the door at night so I could go to the bathroom. I had a horrible feeling that I would either be eaten by a monster or a burglar. So the sleepless nights don't end when your child is sleeping through the night... Drats!
It's snowing outside and if I take pictures of it I will post them on here once I figure out how to get the card read. Well I need to get ready for the day. Toni invited me over for chicken enchiladas and even though it is snowing I will drive over for those, she has assured me that they taste good... I also need to get a bra with no wire in it. It's either rubbing my belly or poking me in the armpit and it's driving me nuts. But on the bright side I don't have any stretch marks and my feet haven't swollen too bad. I think the cold weather is helping in that department.

Well yesterday was a very eventful day. I had been spotting a tiny amount of blood and it looked old and the doctor said on Wednesday that it was most likely from intercourse.... So I didn't think anything of it. I went to mom and dad's house after my appointment because I hate being home alone. I was a little crampy and my sides were achy... But I thought that it was just growing pains, I kept feeling Peanut moving around and knew that the baby was fine. After all I just came from the doctor. The achy and crampyness continued through the night and the next morning I woke up to go to the bathroom and there was bright pink blood on the tissue. I knew that something wasn't right, Dr. Drake told me to call him if anything changed. I called the office and they told me to go to the hospital's labor and delivery unit... I (secretly) started to panic ... John offerd to take me but I didn't want him to worry. The drive there was agonizing. I hadn't felt the baby move all morning so I was getting freaked out!
I got to the hospital with no problem. Finding the L&D was a whole other story. when I did find it I was placed in an exam room and asked to pee in a cup. then I was hooked up to a fetal heart monitor and contraction monitor. The doctor came in and asked me standard questions. As soon as I was strapped in Peanut started to wake up and bounce all around. It's kinda funny but peanut does that at the doctor's office when we're checking the heartbeat. It made me feel so much better seeing all the movement. I was on the monitor for a little more than an hour and had one contraction durring that time. They tested my urine and it turns out I have a Urinary Tract infection which is very comon in pregnancy. That is most likely where the blood came from and the cramping. It didn't and hasn't hurt to pee so I didn't think that was possible. But I have been put on pelvic rest until Monday and told to drink plenty of water... not my favorite beverage and to take a huge horse pill twice a day. I have a follow up appointment on Monday to make sure I'm improving. Apparently UTI's can cause kidney problems and lead to premature labor... John was thrilled that this was all that was wrong and so was I. I would rather be uncomfortable for a week (or 40) than have something wrong with the baby.
Today we are getting a new dishwasher put in and I can't wait. They just came to inspect the wall where all the water damage had been and I showed them the spot of new mildew from the upstairs neighbors pipes. They told me that our pipes were connected and they will be checking for leaks in the upstairs apartment too. I just hope all this chaos is over intime for us to "nest". we have to get rid of a love seat and make room for the computer desk. I am debating whether or not I want to have the baby in our room or just to have shim in the next room the whole time. I suppose that's something we'll have to decide when the baby gets here. Ten weeks as of today! It still seems unreal to me that I have a baby inside me. I guess it won't seem real until I'm holding our baby in my arms and try to see what parts look like me and John.

~*~Trimester Month Week Countdown~*

~FIRST TRIMESTERMonth One (1-4): COMPLETE!!

Month Two (5-8): COMPLETE!!

Month Three (9-13): COMPLETE!!

SECOND TRIMESTER

Month Four (14-17): COMPLETE!!

Month Five (18-21): COMPLETE!!

Month Six (22-26): COMPLETE!!

THIRD TRIMESTER

Month Seven (27-30):IN PROGRESS!!

Month Eight (31-35): SOON TO COME!!

Month Nine (36-40): SOON TO COME!!

I can't believe that I'm this close...12 more weeks until my due date... I just hope Peanut decides to come ontime...

YEAH!!! they are done installing our carpet... it looks so pretty now. John and Erik came over and I decided since we have a clean slate to reaarange it differently... There seems to be a bit more room now and it's more open. I would take pictures but I have no idea where our camera is. I will have John take some belly shots of me... Goodness. I have a definate belly now... there is no denying my abs of steel. only problem is that instead of a 6 pack I have a pony keg....

Friday, December 22, 2006

No, I didn't fall off the face of the planet... I have just been not able to get my thoughts together... On Sunday John discovered that we had a leak in the kitchen... So Monday came and Tuesday came and finally on Wednesday the plumber came to fix our sink at 8 in the morning... And as you know, John and I are not morning people. How can you be when I don't get home till midnight from work??? Then around 11:30 the drywall guy came and patched up the hole in the wall... Thursday came and I had to be at work for a meeting and the painter was supposed to come sometime between 9-4. Well I wasn't about to wait all day for him to get here so I left early and hung out at mom and dad's house. When I got home from scrambling to find lift tickets for John to go skiing on Meadows (no luck) we had a note on our door reminding us that we needed to have all our furniture moved out of our living and dining areas so they can quickly replace our carpet.... Well It's now 11:30 and they aren't even here yet. I can't get ready for work. My uniform is in the wash and if I had a camera I would show you how accessible that is. the couches are standing up on end, my bathroom has that gigantic cross and our coffee table and misc boxes in it, Our kitchen has our pantry shelves, table and chairs and all the groceries and tins that I didn't get put away... I haven't had anything to eat since before 8 last night and I'm ravishing... I might just walk to McDonald's. I can't get to my bathroom, or the kitchen, I can take a shower in the master bath but to get ready to go anywhere is impossible. This is just getting a bit ridiculous!!!

So last night was John's 30th birthday and some friends took us out for dinner. We came home and started destroying the apartment.... Trying to squeeze as much as i could in as little space I was scooting the bookshelf closer to the bathroom and my shelf that Alyssa gave me years ago that had all my precious wedding keepsakes on it fell to the ground and broke... And this is after John accidentally laid the couch leg against the wall crushing a porcelain cross Toni bought for our wedding.... I lost it. This is the tip of the ice burg for me.... All the crap that happened last summer with the bugs and the painting and the upstairs neighbors bathtub leaking through the ceiling.... And now this, the week before Christmas. Andrea, Have you been able to make cookies yet?? NO, I haven't been able to use the kitchen for most of the week. Have you had time to get the baby's room ready. No, I haven't had time, I was too busy mopping up the gallons of water that spilled out of our sink and washing the towels to do that on a daily basis..... ARG!!!

Well the carpet installers just showed up and quoted an hour and a half. If everything turns out okay then John and Eric can move the furniture back and I might be able to eat something before I go to work!!! And then I read last night that if we are planning on installing new carpet for the nursery don't do it while I'm home because of the new carpet fumes.... well Sherlock... Where shall I go? There are carpet installers blocking our doorways with padding and old carpet and they must be glueing something, It smells like a hot glue gun.... Prisoner in my own home. Well, I am gonna stop complaining and read about how big peanut is and what miseries are in store for me this week. Getting my shoes on is a challenge, going to the bathroom is getting very interesting.... I am starving all the time and Peanut is kicking the crap out of my cervix.... And they wonder why pregnant women have mood swings so often.

Happy Birthday Andrea!!! When can we get together and celebrate your birthday?

23 week pictures (notice the pink bra and underwear???)

15 weeks
I didn't realize I was holding my boob in both pictures until they were already on here... compare it to my 15 week belly shot. I think I have a little more pigment in that picture too... But I'm sure that it's the lighting and not the fact that I lack pigment...
Well, I have 119 more days until my due date. Apparently only 5-10% of women deliver on their due dates... And labor tends to be about 3 times longer for first time moms than for moms who have deliverd before... So instead of a "short" 7 hour labor, I'm looking at somwhere between 20-24 hours!!! But as many of you have already been through this I am sure that's it will be well worth it. John is still trying to convince me that we are going to have ten kids. He is seriously delusional. Thanksgiving is coming up next week and John will be taking off a couple days next week. I just called work and I have it off so that will be great!
Last night I attemped for the third time to make Petit Fours. They turned out as expected. The Poured fondant was made from the Decorette Shops dry fondant mix, but I have read about making it yourself which might be just as easy and if not atleast more affordable. I was curious of people's oppinions on them, when you bite into them is the "covering" crunchy or is it a little softer??? I can't seem to remeber. All the times I have made them it's crunchy. But I seem to remember having one at work comercially made and it was a quite a bit softer. Kinda like the coating on a Hoho or Little Debbie snack cake. Wilton has a couple recipies for covering them and in one they use the candy melts and vegetable oil. That to me sounds like it would be creamier and a little softer. Others have suggested the melts and cream or half n half. I'm just desperate enough to try all of them. I don't really mind that they take forever. I think they are so cute that's they're worth it. I bought different colors for Christmas and with any luck we will be able to have some by Thanksgiving. I would love to bring some, only if they turn out though. I might just get so fed up with little cakes that I'll go crazy. Well the time is now 3:21 and I have to leave for work in 40 minutes. I'll see everyone at Becca's birthday tomorrow!

I just wanted to share the ulrasound pictures of "Peanut" that we had taken at our last appointment. It's hard to tell but s/he's really cute!!!

~*~Trimester Month Week Countdown~*~
FIRST TRIMESTER
Month One (1-4): COMPLETE!!
Month Two (5-8): COMPLETE!!
Month Three (9-13): COMPLETE!!
SECOND TRIMESTER
Month Four (14-17): COMPLETE!!
Month Five (18-21): COMPLETE!!
Month Six (22-26): IN PROGRESS!!
THIRD TRIMESTER
Month Seven (27-30):SOON TO COME!!
Month Eight (31-35): SOON TO COME!!
Month Nine (36-40): SOON TO COME!!

"To understand your parents' love, you must raise children yourself." ~ Chinese Proverb

Where has the time gone. It seems like I was just finding out we were pregnant and now I'm almost 2/3 done!!! John and I are going to the "Weekend to Remember" conference this weekend and I am looking forward to seeing him. You know for more than 5 minutes a day. I have to figure out a way that I can have one weekend day off. This is driving me crazy. On a happier note, I will only be working for about 3 more months, maybe less if I can get all my Paid Time Off. I have over 110 hours that I have to use before I leave or I'm afraid I'll loose them. That's almost 4 weeks in three months. Amber will be thrilled!!! NOT!

Mama Cimino's out for the count!!!

I woke up this morning just before 3 and my stomach decided to vacate my body. With out getting too graphic, I lost over 4 pounds... use your imagination if it helps.

So today was the big ultrasound... and It's a BABY!!! whoo hoooo. For a while there it felt like a tiny bucking bronco, so i wasn't sure! Glad we checked on that before Peanut was born. That would have been a supprise! It was amazing seeing Peanut moving around and kicking, the tech said that s/he is very active and kicking a lot. We saw tiny feet, and arms and hands that waved to us. Peanut was even sucking his/her thumb in a few shots. As soon as I can I will scan the pictures in and show everyone. Normally I would be on the way to mom and dad's house to update them, but seeing as I think I have now what Dad and all the babies had, I think I'll keep this "Diet" to myself. Unfortunately we were not able to video tape it like I wanted. The tech explained that it's to do with malpractce and people useing it to sue. For whatever reason.... Yadda yadda yadda.
So I might wander to Albertsons and pick up some jello and more broth, I only have the "seasoning" packets from some ramen to use as broth and it's realy not that good unless there's noodles and some sirachi in it. I will try to post more when I get better and I will get the pictures up soon.

I am so bad at this blogging thing. At first I was really excited but then I just get caught up in all the other things that I do online and this seems to be the last thing I think of. I bought an antena for our tv and we get a couple channels. Right now there isn't anything on but football. Not that that's bad, I just don't have time to sit and watch the whole game. Alyssa is finally having her Oktoberfest today and I am really ready for some good food. At work we had a german feast for our Halloween Rally, I watched someone choke on a piece of meat (at the buffet line, which she wasn't supposed to be eating, but that's what you get when you hire a temp). It was pretty scarry at the time but Lauren and I had fun of making fun of Steven who was calmly freaking out... all in good fun. And by the way our pumpkin won first place... The restaurant's that is. Even though Lauren, Dani and I were the only people who worked on it, everyone got the prize which is dinner served in the restaurant by Mr. Dodson, Ralph and cooked my the exc. chef. One problem.... How is the restaurant staff going to eat dinner durrning the dinner shift? seems like we have a problem on our hands. So anyway. I have to get John up. He was at the shop working on someone's car until after 1 this morning. I have no idea as to why he HAD to stay... but I'll ask him when he is a little more awake.

Well week 20 is here and I am finally half way through. John has been feeling sick all week long so hopefully this weekend he'll get the rest he needs to get better. I remember dad's infamous saying of "You can be just as sick at school as you can at home". John and dad are a lot alike in that respect, 'cept John will come home before his 12 hours of work are up... and that is a good thing. I finally bought some shoes for work and they should last until I leave sometime this next winter... I can't believe that it's coming up so soon. I think I will leave at the begining of February or so. Three more months!!! My dr appointment went really well, he said my uterus was measuring high but is sure that is from my short torso... there isn't anywhere for the little peanut to go but up and out. I have my ultrasound in a week and a half and am so excited for it.

I finished knitting a scarf late Wednesday night. I was determined to finish it. John came home just before 7pm that day, he took a shower and we ate dinner, watched about an hour of "The Matrix Reloaded" and he passed out on the couch. So we both got up and headed for bed. It was 8:30. I was no where near being tired enough to fall asleep, so with the bathroom light on I sat in bed next to John and finished knitting my scarf. It's really warm and John likes it too. Maybe I'll make him one for work. It's getting so cold out and being in the shop all day with no heat is so miserable. I'm sure that helped him get sick.

Yesterday I spent the whole day with Toni. We haven't had a day off together for months so it was nice to catch up a little bit. We went to Chang's Mongolian Grill and had lunch, we spent an hour and a half there just talking, then we went to mom and dad's house and they had a bunch of "treasures" for us to take home. Then we drove to the German Bakery on Sandy Blvd and looked all around. I hadn't been in there since they remodeled and expanded. They now have a deli and all sorts of treats. We each bought some Pffefenuse and a pastry, Toni had an eclair and I bought a Marzipan Torte. It was delicious, Almond and Apricot. From there we went to K-mart so she could look at a computer desk and from there we went to Babies r Us and I showed her all the things that I have registerd for. She doesn't like the crib but I love it. Then to Baby Depot and we looked there for a bit too. After that I drove to Wal-mart so she could pick up the computer that they had on layaway. The clerk at the checkout lane was on crack or something. She told him atleast 4 times that I heard that the computer was paid for and she was just getting the desk. Well he tried to ring it in anyway. It even had a large pink sticker with all the layaway info on it. While she was checking out I went to my car to make room for all her big boxes. That was a challenge. She came out just as I was calling John to see when he would be home. Someone from the store helped load everything in and we were off to Toni's house. Toni wouldn't let me lift anything. But I carried in her printer... She scooted the desk all the way to the door and pushed it on the carpet to the spot that they were going to set it up. Then we left again, Chuckie met us at the Taco Bell near Winco so I could grocery shop. I ran into Adam Pinkston there (Taco Bell) and we chatted for a bit. He was on his way to an elders meeting. Toni and Chuckie left and I went shopping. By the time I was done I was so sleepy, I had another 25 minutes before I would be home. Then as everyone knows who's lived in an apartment loading everything to your kitchen is a chore. I had to make 4 trips back and forth to the parking lot. I bought a mop and bathtub cleaner and other cleaning supplies and I suddenly got a surge of energy, I started yet another load of laundry and began with the toilets. They have rust or something that just won't come off... Then I scrubbed the bath tub... Imagine if you will: months of grease and goo from the shop in layers on my bathtub and shower walls. It took about 20 min of hard scrubbing to get that off. Man, My arms were about to fall off by the time I was done. I should have done before and after pictures to show you. John was very pleased to have a clean tub to shower in... He was in such a good mood when he got home. Must have been all the fumes :-)

In Honnor of the cancelled Oktoberfest we had Brawts and kraut. Well I had kraut. We watched the first half of "Pearl Harbor" and called it a night, Well half of the first half. I don't think we have finished watching a whole movie in months. Pear Harbor was a good date movie for us. We would watch it in John's room at his folks house before we got married. He had a dvd player hooked up to a projector and we would watch it on the wall. "Big screen". Even then we fell asleep before it was over... Well the afternoon is upon me and I have to get ready for work. Another day another dollar, Right???

I love "Saturdays". It's a chance to see how much cleaning and house work that needs to be done and then I roll over and fall back asleep. Partially true though. I have been doing laundry for what seems like forever and the dishes never seem to end... The junk mail to sort through... We tend to get a lot of mail for John's dad seeing as they have the same same save their middle name. but how offen do you get mail addressed to your full name unless it's a bill and other unwanted mail??? and it's usually just your initial anyway.

I have been putting off buying new shoes for work. I have needed them for months now but I loath shoe shopping. I don't like spending money on things that are just for work. but they are a tax write off. I am loving the jeans that alyssa lent to me.... and the stretchy pants from tami. i have noticed while putting on my shoes a minute ago that there is a lot of pressure when i bend over... I have been feeling peanut move a lot lately and it has been a comfort to have that. My next doctor appointment is on Monday and then in two weeks from that is our big ultrasound. I don't know why it's refered as that.... maybe because it's when you can find out the sex of the baby... Which John and I are not. Shirley brought some baby outfits over to the shop along with some diapers... They are too cute, one for a girl and one for a boy. Now just to narrow that down from all the other cute outfits that I have and will be getting.

Well I have to get off the computer, if I don't know then I never will...

Oh, This is what John does while I'm at work

~*~Trimester Month Week Countdown~*~

FIRST TRIMESTER

Month One (1-4): COMPLETE!!

Month Two (5-8): COMPLETE!!

Month Three (9-13): COMPLETE!!

SECOND TRIMESTER

Month Four (14-17): IN PROGRESS!!

Month Five (18-21): SOON TO COME!!

Month Six (22-26): SOON TO COME!!

THIRD TRIMESTER

Month Seven (27-30):SOON TO COME!!

Month Eight (31-35): SOON TO COME!!

Month Nine (36-40): SOON TO COME!!

At work last night I was informed that I am not allowed to have a stool to sit on durring my shift... Being very hormonal and upset I called my boss an asshole (not to their face), not Amber the rest. manager but the GM for the hotel. Last time I read anything about standing for long periods of time while pregnant can cause serious complications. Low birth weight, early delivery, and vericose veins just to get started. I'm not talking about standing for two or three hours, my shift is 7 hours on my feet. 6.75 if i get a break and for the 2 times I need to use the restroom... Why is it the peole who 1) have a chair in their office that they're in most of the day think it "unprofessional" to be sitting down durring your shift. And 2) have never been pregnant and don't understand what it's like.... Give me a break. If a man ever had to go through the process of carrying a child and work a full time job things would be so different. I'm thinking about having my dr. fax a note advising him to allow me the stool. It's not like I'm up there slouching or reading a magazine. I should also copy off all the resources that I have to back up my claim.

I have also been given tips by uninformed MALES about my weight. One co-worker said to me
"be careful not to gain too much weight" Really, I thought I was supposed to eat everything in sight and gain 100 pounds. Good Lord. What plannet are these apes from. What women enjoys gaining weight??? I have yet to find one. I know he was trying to be helpful cause he looked akward when he said it as to be sure not to offend. I told him the next day that my uterus is the size of a cantalope or larger.... Where would he hide one if there was one in him....

Then last night another guy asked if the baby was due soon. Folks, I can still bend over and touch my toes, I can see my feet and shave my legs in the shower standing on one leg. I don't know too many non pregnant women who can do that.

I AM NOT THAT BIG!!!

I wonder what they are thinking. Have none of these people been around a woman who was pregnant and to term... we'll talk about huge then. I can't wait until Christmas time and early next year in the third trimester.... I love all the unwanted advice I have been getting.... And I know it's only going to get worse. Women who have had children or are in fact pregnant at that moment can comment.... but guys (unless a certified ob-gyn), honnestly, be quiet because you have no idea what you are talking about

Nough said