Greetings Humble Readers!
Today hasn't been anywhere near as productive as I had hoped, but I kind of overdid it yesterday. I woke up in a lot of pain and decided that the rest of the painting would have to wait.
The plan is, we are going to finish painting the bookcases tomorrow. So, today I spent the morning resting (aka being a lazy ass), and this afternoon, I've done a bunch of baby laundry. I don't normally enjoy doing laundry, but I have to say that this has been kind of fun. I know I won't always feel this way about it, but it was great folding all those little blankets and outfits. I just can't imagine having something that small to hold.
Today's assignment for the blog challenge is to talk about a song that makes me cry. I think I've talked about this one before. The first song that comes to mind is "Dance Little Jean" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. (The video isn't of them, but it was the best version I could find on Youtube.)
But one that I don't hear all that often (thank goodness!), but still makes me bawl like a baby everytime I hear it is the Academy Award winning song from Return of the King, "Into the West" by Annie Lennox. Especially when you know the story behind it... about a young man associated with the film who died after along battle with cancer. It also makes me think of my angel girls... waiting in, as Gandalf says, 'a far green country, under a swift sunrise'.
I hope I didn't make you cry... ;)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Blog Challenge Day 15: My Dream House
Howdy Humble Readers!
Greetings from your friendly neighbourhood paint-covered hobbit! I've spent all day working on getting a set of bookshelves painted for the nursery. It's taken me all day because I'm moving pretty slow these days, and I had to take a nap this afternoon... heaven help me!
But the Blog Challenge beckons, and it's time to talk about my dream house... so, here's a picture:
I finally discovered the key word that describes my dream house... craftsman style! I love the front porch and the gabled windows. Not that my Beloved and I want an older home to maintain or a big yard, but something like the house pictured above, on a small lot, with a garage or at least a good solid shed (so that we don't have to store things in the garages and basements of family and friends).
My dream house would have 3 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms (the en suite would have a nice deep soaker tub and a rain shower). It would have an informal living room, a cozy dining room, a comfy family room (with a ton of built in book cases), and most importantly, a bee-ewe-tee-ful big kitchen. Lots of cupboards and drawers (I want drawers for my pots, pans, and tupperware), a big pantry, acres of counter space... a double wall oven, one of those french door fridges, and an island with a butcher-block top. I would have tons of pantry space, and a nice big deep freeze.
And... if all that weren't enough, my dream house would come with a friendly, very competent maid service that would come by weekly to clean.
That's not asking too much, is it?
What would be your favourite room in your dream house?
Greetings from your friendly neighbourhood paint-covered hobbit! I've spent all day working on getting a set of bookshelves painted for the nursery. It's taken me all day because I'm moving pretty slow these days, and I had to take a nap this afternoon... heaven help me!
But the Blog Challenge beckons, and it's time to talk about my dream house... so, here's a picture:
My dream house would have 3 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms (the en suite would have a nice deep soaker tub and a rain shower). It would have an informal living room, a cozy dining room, a comfy family room (with a ton of built in book cases), and most importantly, a bee-ewe-tee-ful big kitchen. Lots of cupboards and drawers (I want drawers for my pots, pans, and tupperware), a big pantry, acres of counter space... a double wall oven, one of those french door fridges, and an island with a butcher-block top. I would have tons of pantry space, and a nice big deep freeze.
And... if all that weren't enough, my dream house would come with a friendly, very competent maid service that would come by weekly to clean.
That's not asking too much, is it?
What would be your favourite room in your dream house?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Blog Challenge Day 14: A Non-Fiction Book & The Birth Plan
Greetings Humble Readers!
Today's assignment is a non-fiction book... and all the non-fiction I have been reading lately has been baby or birth related, and this has been my favourite:
Not to be confused with Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake, The Best Birth by Sarah McMoyler offers what I thought was the most balanced view of what birth can and should be. McMoyler states at the outset that her goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom, and doing what is needed to get there is what needs to happen. Her viewpoint focusses on natural childbirth, and that if you need to avail yourself of pain meds or more in depth interventions IT IS NOT A FAILURE. Every woman has a different tolerance for pain, every birth experience is different, so it is not for someone outside of your experience to tell you what is right or wrong for you. She offers a lot of great coping techniques and there are great sections for dads-to-be too. Honestly, the only thing I have against this book is her opinion of doulas. She is very anti-doula.
*****
I thought it would be fitting today to tell you all about my birth plan. It may seem moot to have written one, considering that I know, at the minimum, I'm going to be induced, but I wanted to have a few specifics written down. This is the birth plan that I shared with Dr. U this morning at my appointment (of which he was very supportive):
Our ultimate goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom, and we are willing to do whatever we need to do to achieve that.
We are aware that being induced requires a certain amount of medical intervention (IVs, meds, monitoring, etc), and that a caesarean section is a distinct possibility. With that in mind, there are a few things we would really like, if at all possible.
• Mrs. Gamgee’s mom S is the only family, other than Beloved of course, that will be at the hospital during the delivery.
• We know that an epidural will be necessary (in order to be prepared for a possible c-section), but Mrs. Gamgee would like to remain mobile for as long as possible.
• Mrs. Gamgee would like to avoid having an episiotomy. A small tear is preferable, should the situation arise.
• A vaginal birth is preferred, although we understand that a c-section may become necessary. If this happens, Beloved is to go with the baby after delivery. (This is also true if the baby needs to go to the Special Care Nursery or leave our room for any reason.)
• We would like to have skin to skin contact with the baby as soon as possible. If Mrs. Gamgee has a c-section, we would like for Beloved to have skin to skin contact with the baby while Mrs. Gamgee is in recovery.
• Breastfeeding is very important for us. We would like to start trying as early as possible. An early visit from a lactation consultant would be greatly appreciated.
• We are not inviting friends and family to visit during the first 24 hours after delivery. We want to have that time to focus on our new family member.
Other highlights from today's appointment & NST: Blood pressure is holding steady... 126/75. Blood sugars are looking good and I no longer have to increase my insulin, just maintain where I'm at and work to keep tabs on my lows. Weight is bang on my pre-pregnancy weight. Results of my u/s last week... Halfling is 'growing beautifully' according to Dr. U. He/she is sitting between the 75th & 90th percentile. No giant babies here! And... we have a date for D-day! November 25th.
At my next Dr. U appointment (in 2 weeks, he's on vacation next week so I have to go see Dr. B... Ugh!), we are going to discuss stripping my membranes. I'm a bit unsure about that (have heard some horror stories), but I do like the idea of my body starting labour more on it's own rather than having to be induced. Any thoughts ladies?
Today's assignment is a non-fiction book... and all the non-fiction I have been reading lately has been baby or birth related, and this has been my favourite:
Not to be confused with Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake, The Best Birth by Sarah McMoyler offers what I thought was the most balanced view of what birth can and should be. McMoyler states at the outset that her goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom, and doing what is needed to get there is what needs to happen. Her viewpoint focusses on natural childbirth, and that if you need to avail yourself of pain meds or more in depth interventions IT IS NOT A FAILURE. Every woman has a different tolerance for pain, every birth experience is different, so it is not for someone outside of your experience to tell you what is right or wrong for you. She offers a lot of great coping techniques and there are great sections for dads-to-be too. Honestly, the only thing I have against this book is her opinion of doulas. She is very anti-doula.
*****
I thought it would be fitting today to tell you all about my birth plan. It may seem moot to have written one, considering that I know, at the minimum, I'm going to be induced, but I wanted to have a few specifics written down. This is the birth plan that I shared with Dr. U this morning at my appointment (of which he was very supportive):
Our ultimate goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom, and we are willing to do whatever we need to do to achieve that.
We are aware that being induced requires a certain amount of medical intervention (IVs, meds, monitoring, etc), and that a caesarean section is a distinct possibility. With that in mind, there are a few things we would really like, if at all possible.
• Mrs. Gamgee’s mom S is the only family, other than Beloved of course, that will be at the hospital during the delivery.
• We know that an epidural will be necessary (in order to be prepared for a possible c-section), but Mrs. Gamgee would like to remain mobile for as long as possible.
• Mrs. Gamgee would like to avoid having an episiotomy. A small tear is preferable, should the situation arise.
• A vaginal birth is preferred, although we understand that a c-section may become necessary. If this happens, Beloved is to go with the baby after delivery. (This is also true if the baby needs to go to the Special Care Nursery or leave our room for any reason.)
• We would like to have skin to skin contact with the baby as soon as possible. If Mrs. Gamgee has a c-section, we would like for Beloved to have skin to skin contact with the baby while Mrs. Gamgee is in recovery.
• Breastfeeding is very important for us. We would like to start trying as early as possible. An early visit from a lactation consultant would be greatly appreciated.
• We are not inviting friends and family to visit during the first 24 hours after delivery. We want to have that time to focus on our new family member.
Other highlights from today's appointment & NST: Blood pressure is holding steady... 126/75. Blood sugars are looking good and I no longer have to increase my insulin, just maintain where I'm at and work to keep tabs on my lows. Weight is bang on my pre-pregnancy weight. Results of my u/s last week... Halfling is 'growing beautifully' according to Dr. U. He/she is sitting between the 75th & 90th percentile. No giant babies here! And... we have a date for D-day! November 25th.
At my next Dr. U appointment (in 2 weeks, he's on vacation next week so I have to go see Dr. B... Ugh!), we are going to discuss stripping my membranes. I'm a bit unsure about that (have heard some horror stories), but I do like the idea of my body starting labour more on it's own rather than having to be induced. Any thoughts ladies?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Blog Challenge Day 13: A Novel & Some Randomness
Greetings Humble Readers...
So, today's assignment is to post about a novel. This is probably one of the easiest posts so far.
This is what I'm reading right now...
Written by Anne Fortier, this is a well crafted story of intrigue and romance. A young woman, Julie Jacobs, inherits the key to a safety deposit box in Siena, Italy and she sets out to find out all she can about her long dead parents. Her search unearths a historical account of two feuding families, two young lovers, and their tragic quest to follow their hearts... sound familiar? As Julie gets closer to finding the answers to the mystery surrounding her parents' deaths, she finds that she is being drawn into the centuries old feud between the Tolemeis and the Salembenis. Is she really a direct descendant of the 'real' Juliet? What did her parents die trying to keep secret?
I'm only about halfway through, but I am thoroughly enjoying this book. If you are a fan of historical mystery, Shakespeare, or romance then I can safely say this is one you should check into.
*****
It's official. I have to stop making meals to freeze. I'm almost out of tupperware, and I'm down to one casserole dish. Now I'm on to baking (I can use z.iplo.c bags for that!). I made a dozen & a half carrot raisin muffins last night, and I'm making these ricotta cookies this afternoon. Pfefferneusse will be later in the week, and then shortbread and peanut butter marshmallow squares next week.
*****
Now that we are officially past Halloween, I can feel okay about putting out the Christmas lights. I won't be plugging them in yet of course, but I would like to have them set up before we get really cold weather or snow that actually sticks around. That's on today's to do list, along with working on the nursery
So, today's assignment is to post about a novel. This is probably one of the easiest posts so far.
This is what I'm reading right now...
I'm only about halfway through, but I am thoroughly enjoying this book. If you are a fan of historical mystery, Shakespeare, or romance then I can safely say this is one you should check into.
*****
It's official. I have to stop making meals to freeze. I'm almost out of tupperware, and I'm down to one casserole dish. Now I'm on to baking (I can use z.iplo.c bags for that!). I made a dozen & a half carrot raisin muffins last night, and I'm making these ricotta cookies this afternoon. Pfefferneusse will be later in the week, and then shortbread and peanut butter marshmallow squares next week.
*****
Now that we are officially past Halloween, I can feel okay about putting out the Christmas lights. I won't be plugging them in yet of course, but I would like to have them set up before we get really cold weather or snow that actually sticks around. That's on today's to do list, along with working on the nursery
Monday, November 1, 2010
Week 36: A Conundrum & Blog Challenge Day 12: Being OCD
Howdy Humble Readers!
I'm late getting stuff posted today, so this is going to be one heck of a long post I think. I apologize in advance, but I really do need some input.
So first up... something I'm OCD about. I thought long and hard about this, because I am a slightly neurotic hobbit. There are certain things that I must have done a certain way... the way our gazillion pillows are arranged on the bed, the way my spices are organized in the cupboard, the fact that I have to match up lids with the right tupperware when they get put away. But I ultimately decided that my biggest obsession is with making lists. My to do lists never really get finished, just rewritten wth more things added to it. I've inventoried my freezers and update that list daily. When we travel I have to list everything we need to pack, otherwise I'm sure I'll forget something. I confess, there are times I add things to my lists that I have already completed, just so that I have something to cross off. I told you, I'm certifiable.
Okay... Here's the update:
How far along? 36w0d
Maternity clothes? This is where I have a SERIOUS CONUNDRUM. I need to order my nursing bras soon... but I'm torn between what size and style to get. Here's the thing... I really do need to order these bras because this little city where we live only has one place to get plus sized nursing bras, but they charge close to $100 EACH!! I can't spend that, so I have to order. Generally I'm a 44D (I think I'm closer to a DD right now), but I don't know how big I might get when my milk comes in. Any of you plus sized mamas out there have any input? This is the website that I'm planning on ordering from, and I'm trying to decide between the Original Plus or the Original Double Plus. Help!
Body Oddities? Pubic bone pain is no fun. My pre-existing stretchmarks are getting darker, but no new ones. My feet and hands tend to fall asleep easily these days, which makes getting up in the middle of the night to pee a dangerous endeavour.
Sleep? Had a couple of really good nights and a couple really bad nights this week. I seem to do better if I can manage to stay awake until 10:30 or 11:00, but that's hard most nights.
Best moment this week? My OB appointment on Wednesday got cancelled because Dr. U had two emergency c-sections that morning. I was already at the hospital for my NST when I found out, so he came in to check on me there. All was well with the NST, and he commented to the nurse who was writing up my report that I am the 'most motivated patient' he has ever had. I know I've said that I adore him, but really... he just rocks! (his comment especially made me feel good, considering my worst moment... see below)
Worst moment? When I was at the hospital for my NST, the nurse gave me serious heck for not doing kick counts (except for when the Halfling is really quiet). I really felt like I was seven years old getting a lecture from a teacher.
Movement? Super frequent (which is why I haven't been doing kick counts!). He/she actually kept me awake a couple of nights ago. According to the u/s I had last week, the Halfling has flipped a bit (head down, but facing to the left now... used to be facing to the right). He/she is still on an angle tho.
Food cravings? No true cravings... just obsessing about things I can't have. Ice cream, chocolate, anything with bread. Dai.ry Qu.een has their pumpking pie blizzards right now... *sigh*
Rings? Off... and I think they'll be staying off now for a while. My fingers aren't consistently puffy, but I'm terrified that they will get stuck someday and I'll have to get them cut off.
Gender? Not going to find out, but I think it's a boy. I recently found out that I am the subject of two pools at my Beloved's office. One pool for the gender, one for the date.
Intense Dreams? I've been dreaming about blood again, like I was in the first trimester. I don't like those dreams. None of them have been baby oriented, but blood has figured strongly in all of them.
Medical Concerns? High blood pressure (on 50mg Trandate/Lobetalol, 3 times a day... this week began my weekly NSTs, and I am happy to report that my bp has gone way down!), Gestational Diabetes (waking numbers are still off target, but everything else is pretty good, except when I'm stupid), on prescription Zan.tac for heartburn. I will probably be induced in week 39... holy crap, that's soon!
What I miss? Can't think of anything new... just wishing I could walk like a normal person I guess.
What I look forward to? Finishing the nursery this week, feeling ready for this little person to arrive (will I ever feel ready?!?!), not having sore hips.
Emotional State? Pretty even keeled, I think. No major meltdowns this week. Just occasional grouchiness.
I'm late getting stuff posted today, so this is going to be one heck of a long post I think. I apologize in advance, but I really do need some input.
So first up... something I'm OCD about. I thought long and hard about this, because I am a slightly neurotic hobbit. There are certain things that I must have done a certain way... the way our gazillion pillows are arranged on the bed, the way my spices are organized in the cupboard, the fact that I have to match up lids with the right tupperware when they get put away. But I ultimately decided that my biggest obsession is with making lists. My to do lists never really get finished, just rewritten wth more things added to it. I've inventoried my freezers and update that list daily. When we travel I have to list everything we need to pack, otherwise I'm sure I'll forget something. I confess, there are times I add things to my lists that I have already completed, just so that I have something to cross off. I told you, I'm certifiable.
Okay... Here's the update:
How far along? 36w0d
Maternity clothes? This is where I have a SERIOUS CONUNDRUM. I need to order my nursing bras soon... but I'm torn between what size and style to get. Here's the thing... I really do need to order these bras because this little city where we live only has one place to get plus sized nursing bras, but they charge close to $100 EACH!! I can't spend that, so I have to order. Generally I'm a 44D (I think I'm closer to a DD right now), but I don't know how big I might get when my milk comes in. Any of you plus sized mamas out there have any input? This is the website that I'm planning on ordering from, and I'm trying to decide between the Original Plus or the Original Double Plus. Help!
Body Oddities? Pubic bone pain is no fun. My pre-existing stretchmarks are getting darker, but no new ones. My feet and hands tend to fall asleep easily these days, which makes getting up in the middle of the night to pee a dangerous endeavour.
Sleep? Had a couple of really good nights and a couple really bad nights this week. I seem to do better if I can manage to stay awake until 10:30 or 11:00, but that's hard most nights.
Best moment this week? My OB appointment on Wednesday got cancelled because Dr. U had two emergency c-sections that morning. I was already at the hospital for my NST when I found out, so he came in to check on me there. All was well with the NST, and he commented to the nurse who was writing up my report that I am the 'most motivated patient' he has ever had. I know I've said that I adore him, but really... he just rocks! (his comment especially made me feel good, considering my worst moment... see below)
Worst moment? When I was at the hospital for my NST, the nurse gave me serious heck for not doing kick counts (except for when the Halfling is really quiet). I really felt like I was seven years old getting a lecture from a teacher.
Movement? Super frequent (which is why I haven't been doing kick counts!). He/she actually kept me awake a couple of nights ago. According to the u/s I had last week, the Halfling has flipped a bit (head down, but facing to the left now... used to be facing to the right). He/she is still on an angle tho.
Food cravings? No true cravings... just obsessing about things I can't have. Ice cream, chocolate, anything with bread. Dai.ry Qu.een has their pumpking pie blizzards right now... *sigh*
Rings? Off... and I think they'll be staying off now for a while. My fingers aren't consistently puffy, but I'm terrified that they will get stuck someday and I'll have to get them cut off.
Gender? Not going to find out, but I think it's a boy. I recently found out that I am the subject of two pools at my Beloved's office. One pool for the gender, one for the date.
Intense Dreams? I've been dreaming about blood again, like I was in the first trimester. I don't like those dreams. None of them have been baby oriented, but blood has figured strongly in all of them.
Medical Concerns? High blood pressure (on 50mg Trandate/Lobetalol, 3 times a day... this week began my weekly NSTs, and I am happy to report that my bp has gone way down!), Gestational Diabetes (waking numbers are still off target, but everything else is pretty good, except when I'm stupid), on prescription Zan.tac for heartburn. I will probably be induced in week 39... holy crap, that's soon!
What I miss? Can't think of anything new... just wishing I could walk like a normal person I guess.
What I look forward to? Finishing the nursery this week, feeling ready for this little person to arrive (will I ever feel ready?!?!), not having sore hips.
Emotional State? Pretty even keeled, I think. No major meltdowns this week. Just occasional grouchiness.
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