Zach is no longer allowed to travel. Period. It seems that only when he travels does something catastrophic happen with the dogs. This OVERNIGHT trip was no exception. Thursday night, my dog Jackson suffered 5-6 seizures. It was a long night at the ER vet and the next day waiting for the call that I didn't want to get as he was "under observation" at my regular vet. Since all of his blood work came back as normal, it is most likely a brain tumor. Since he is nearly 12 years old, we elected to not have all the scans done to confirm since we would not be operating or putting him through any strenuous surgeries at his age.
He is now on anti-seizure medication now for life. A small price to pay to keep our sweet boy comfortable for the rest of his long life. See, we have an agreement. It will be a long life. :)
Monday, July 1, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Floating Away
Last week during my regular sonogram and checkup it was discovered that my amniotic fluids were way too low. Up until this point everything had been fine to my knowledge, so this came as quite a shock. Unfortunately Zach was not able to join me at my appointment, so I was trying not to freak out while obtaining all the information they were giving me. I was at a 7.9cm, they hospitalize at 7.4cm for IV fluids. I also learned that her belly was measuring a bit behind, but that wasn't concerning to anyone but me apparently. I was instructed to take it easy (no workouts) until I come back in a few days later. Oh, and drink as much water as the human body can hold. I left in a mild fog and walked to the car to call Zach. He answered, I fell apart. I explained everything to him and we decided to meet for dinner. I was treated to some amazing pizza and water. He was actually quite adorable about it. I was not allowed out of reach of a glass of water. Ever.
The next 2 days crept by. I drank no less than 90oz of water a day. I have never spent more time in the bathroom in my entire life. There were several times that I was not even sure I would make it. Especially when she would be playing Headbangers Ball on my bladder. Sometimes standing completely upright was a challenge without springing a leak.
Come Friday morning, my body was so full of water there was no way that I could not have corrected the problem. Unless it was a bigger problem. Zach made any and all arrangements to make sure he could go with me. All the water paid off. Levels were up to 12.7cm. Back in the normal range. As a follow-up precaution, I also got hooked up to all kinds of monitors for a non-stress test. We sat in a quiet room for 20 minutes and listened to her heartbeat. I think I dozed off for a minute while Zach patiently played Candy Crush. Everything was perfect and back on track.
So, the moral of the story... I have to keep up with the water intake. Goodness... I need to engrave my name on bathroom stall.
The next 2 days crept by. I drank no less than 90oz of water a day. I have never spent more time in the bathroom in my entire life. There were several times that I was not even sure I would make it. Especially when she would be playing Headbangers Ball on my bladder. Sometimes standing completely upright was a challenge without springing a leak.
Come Friday morning, my body was so full of water there was no way that I could not have corrected the problem. Unless it was a bigger problem. Zach made any and all arrangements to make sure he could go with me. All the water paid off. Levels were up to 12.7cm. Back in the normal range. As a follow-up precaution, I also got hooked up to all kinds of monitors for a non-stress test. We sat in a quiet room for 20 minutes and listened to her heartbeat. I think I dozed off for a minute while Zach patiently played Candy Crush. Everything was perfect and back on track.
So, the moral of the story... I have to keep up with the water intake. Goodness... I need to engrave my name on bathroom stall.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Full Moon?
Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like the world is out to get you? Yeah, that was today. Starting with last night, sleeping just isn't easy anymore. Even though I am beyond tired, sleeping just doesn't come easy. I am sure part of it is that Zach is out of town. That always makes it difficult to completely relax. I blame Criminal Minds. Last night I decided to take half a dose of Tylenol PM around midnight in hopes it would calm my restless legs and let me get to sleep. It worked! Then the storms began... 4am. Perfect. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a calm person during storms. So there I was, half drowsy and half alert and waiting for tornadoes. I managed to fall back asleep (thank you Tylenol PM!) until you would have thought the world came to an end. Around 6am I was awoken by a quiet chirp followed by the sound of everything electronic in my house stop. The fan spun to a calm end and I was finally coherent enough to realize that we had lost power. Good luck getting back to sleep with 2 freaked out dogs literally trying to crawl into my skin.
I immediately texted Oncor. Yes, you can actually do that now... text the power company that you have no power. Genious. "Estimated time of restored power - 10:30am". I am sorry, what? Eff this. I laid in bed and tried to think of how I was going to pull this off. The office has a gym with showers, blow dryers and all that... but did they have power? What would I do if I assumed they did and got there to find the same problem. Wait, Kristin, you have a gas water heater. Boom. Shower here, dry hair there or in the car on the way there. Ok, we can make this work.
It stormed solid until 7 when I pulled my ass out of bed. I dunked my head in the bathtub and washed the hair. Since it was still storming, it was as dark as night. I did minimal makeup by candlelight and got dressed. Can I tell you how hot it is to get ready without a fan blowing on me. Ugh. Wait... we have no power... how am I going to get the car out of the garage. There is a rescue cord. All have a rescue cord. Ok. Now picture this... a 7 month pregnant woman, hair in a towel, makeup looking probably like Mimi, trying to wrestle a step stool in between two tightly fitting cars to get up to see what is going on with the garage door power box because THERE IS NO CORD!!!
In-laws to the rescue. While up on the ladder, flashlight in hand, cell phone on speaker they walked me through where the cord should be... not where I was looking. "Follow the track all the way to the door" said Joe... shit, there is the cord. I AM AN IDIOT! Pull the cord, and throw that bitch up.
Done, I headed back inside and try to finish getting ready. Chirp... and we have power. Literally 5 minutes after the garage debacle. Hey, at least I can blow dry my hair now. What a fun morning!
The day stayed that way even at work. Fire after fire after fire had to be put out. There didn't seem to be a calm moment in the day. People's poor planning all over the place resulting in me having to rescue them all. Over it. Not only that, other peoples lack of caring for the workload they are placing on me as they clear it off their plate was just icing on the cake.
I need to ctrl+alt+delete the day. So how does one do that? Come home, put on sweats, eat cereal, have a coke and watch Lifetime until I fall asleep. Doesn't the house need to be cleaned? Yup. Do I care tonight? No.
I immediately texted Oncor. Yes, you can actually do that now... text the power company that you have no power. Genious. "Estimated time of restored power - 10:30am". I am sorry, what? Eff this. I laid in bed and tried to think of how I was going to pull this off. The office has a gym with showers, blow dryers and all that... but did they have power? What would I do if I assumed they did and got there to find the same problem. Wait, Kristin, you have a gas water heater. Boom. Shower here, dry hair there or in the car on the way there. Ok, we can make this work.
It stormed solid until 7 when I pulled my ass out of bed. I dunked my head in the bathtub and washed the hair. Since it was still storming, it was as dark as night. I did minimal makeup by candlelight and got dressed. Can I tell you how hot it is to get ready without a fan blowing on me. Ugh. Wait... we have no power... how am I going to get the car out of the garage. There is a rescue cord. All have a rescue cord. Ok. Now picture this... a 7 month pregnant woman, hair in a towel, makeup looking probably like Mimi, trying to wrestle a step stool in between two tightly fitting cars to get up to see what is going on with the garage door power box because THERE IS NO CORD!!!
In-laws to the rescue. While up on the ladder, flashlight in hand, cell phone on speaker they walked me through where the cord should be... not where I was looking. "Follow the track all the way to the door" said Joe... shit, there is the cord. I AM AN IDIOT! Pull the cord, and throw that bitch up.
Done, I headed back inside and try to finish getting ready. Chirp... and we have power. Literally 5 minutes after the garage debacle. Hey, at least I can blow dry my hair now. What a fun morning!
The day stayed that way even at work. Fire after fire after fire had to be put out. There didn't seem to be a calm moment in the day. People's poor planning all over the place resulting in me having to rescue them all. Over it. Not only that, other peoples lack of caring for the workload they are placing on me as they clear it off their plate was just icing on the cake.
I need to ctrl+alt+delete the day. So how does one do that? Come home, put on sweats, eat cereal, have a coke and watch Lifetime until I fall asleep. Doesn't the house need to be cleaned? Yup. Do I care tonight? No.
"Halleluah! Holy Shit! Where's the Tylenol".
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Mini Meltdown
As the day gets closer and closer I am sure this will get much more frequent, but today I had my first meltdown. Zach and I were in the nursery looking at the closet for ways to add shelving and all that. I sat down on the rocking chair and Zach teased that in 8 weeks we would have a baby. I LOST IT.
What if I am not good at being a mom? What if I can't do it? What if I don't know what I am doing? How are we going to do this? Zach just let me cry it out and reassured me that I would be ok, everything will be ok. He also asked if he could video tape me. He thinks it is just adorable and mostly hilarious when I get like this.
The tired is creeping back in. I find myself fading fast after lunch and then ready for bed at 9pm. Of course, even though I am exhausted, finding sleep to be solid and effective is difficult. I often have twitchy legs, not to mention the fact that I have to pee at least 3-4 times a night. I know that this is extremely good prep. Luckily, for now, I get to go back to sleep. This will not be a case when I have a baby girl to feed.
What if I am not good at being a mom? What if I can't do it? What if I don't know what I am doing? How are we going to do this? Zach just let me cry it out and reassured me that I would be ok, everything will be ok. He also asked if he could video tape me. He thinks it is just adorable and mostly hilarious when I get like this.
The tired is creeping back in. I find myself fading fast after lunch and then ready for bed at 9pm. Of course, even though I am exhausted, finding sleep to be solid and effective is difficult. I often have twitchy legs, not to mention the fact that I have to pee at least 3-4 times a night. I know that this is extremely good prep. Luckily, for now, I get to go back to sleep. This will not be a case when I have a baby girl to feed.
The Real Countdown Begins
30 weeks and counting. 10 weeks to go. This is insane. How on earth are we going to do this?
We had our hospital tour the other day and that made everything all too real. I saw the room that I will deliver in, and how the bed breaks apart to allow for pushing. Pushing... wait, what? This baby actually has to come out? I don't want to think about that. At all.
We had that talk at the doctors office. And I don't mean to upset anyone, but I plan on having an epidural. There, I said it. I have no interest in trying to prove anything by not taking advantage of medical advancements. My doctor reassured me that there is really no risk associated with it and that she fully supported my decision. Of course, if things don't happen that way, then I will deal with it. I know that I am a strong person and I can manage in any situation. I just don't feel the need to go through all that pain if I don't have to.
We are still planning on the August 5 due date. If things have not progressed on their own by then, I will be admitted on the 5th and have her on the 6th. So strange to think about it. Each time I am there, she asks me how things have been going. i really cannot complain one bit about pregnancy. Sure there are some very rough nights when I might strangle a kitten for a solid night's sleep, or to not have restless legs. And the heartburn is back WITH A VENGENCE. But overall, I am so lucky to not be going through what I read about online. My doctor said that she can usually tell if a mom will want her baby out a week early by how she is at her 32 week visit. That is just next week. I can't imagine being miserable in that much time, but what do I know. I am doing this for the first time. What I don't want to imagine is how hot it is going to be come August. It was 90 today. Lord help me.
We had our hospital tour the other day and that made everything all too real. I saw the room that I will deliver in, and how the bed breaks apart to allow for pushing. Pushing... wait, what? This baby actually has to come out? I don't want to think about that. At all.
We had that talk at the doctors office. And I don't mean to upset anyone, but I plan on having an epidural. There, I said it. I have no interest in trying to prove anything by not taking advantage of medical advancements. My doctor reassured me that there is really no risk associated with it and that she fully supported my decision. Of course, if things don't happen that way, then I will deal with it. I know that I am a strong person and I can manage in any situation. I just don't feel the need to go through all that pain if I don't have to.
We are still planning on the August 5 due date. If things have not progressed on their own by then, I will be admitted on the 5th and have her on the 6th. So strange to think about it. Each time I am there, she asks me how things have been going. i really cannot complain one bit about pregnancy. Sure there are some very rough nights when I might strangle a kitten for a solid night's sleep, or to not have restless legs. And the heartburn is back WITH A VENGENCE. But overall, I am so lucky to not be going through what I read about online. My doctor said that she can usually tell if a mom will want her baby out a week early by how she is at her 32 week visit. That is just next week. I can't imagine being miserable in that much time, but what do I know. I am doing this for the first time. What I don't want to imagine is how hot it is going to be come August. It was 90 today. Lord help me.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Mothers Day
I guess I can officially celebrate this holiday now. So surreal. Everyone around me has been so good to me. My boss got me a "Mom" cookie, I got cards, people wishing me a happy mother's day. It was an oddly emotional day for me. I mean, I always knew I was born to be a mom, but never expected the feeling to be so wonderful What is it going to be like when she actually gets here? I literally cry at commercials about babies.
I am so blessed for the mothers in my life. I cannot imagine how I can even begin to live up the legacy they have both set. Big shoes to fill.
I am also blessed with a wonderful husband. He woke up, got me doughnuts, hung the curtains in the nursery, and told me what my gift is. Maid service! He has arranged for a maid service to come out at the end of July to deep clean my house in prep for baby. He really is incredible.
My most recent doctor's appointment went well. She is nearly 3 lbs and is right on track. My doc calls her an overachiever. She is already head down. I can feel her all the time. It is startling sometimes when she really gets moving, but is so reassuring at the same time. Sometimes I look down and expect to see an alien pop out of my stomach with her erratic movements.
Sadly, she has stage fright. It seems that any time anyone tries to touch her, she freezes up. It is frustrating to some, even Zach. It seems like she can sense when it isn't me touching her and she stops. There was one night that Zach felt one of her fits at bedtime and he was like, "what is she doing in there?!?!". My dad thinks she is practicing her leaps for when she comes out. I am supposed to start counting her movements each evening. And like the doc says, she is an overachiever.
I am so blessed for the mothers in my life. I cannot imagine how I can even begin to live up the legacy they have both set. Big shoes to fill.
I am also blessed with a wonderful husband. He woke up, got me doughnuts, hung the curtains in the nursery, and told me what my gift is. Maid service! He has arranged for a maid service to come out at the end of July to deep clean my house in prep for baby. He really is incredible.
My most recent doctor's appointment went well. She is nearly 3 lbs and is right on track. My doc calls her an overachiever. She is already head down. I can feel her all the time. It is startling sometimes when she really gets moving, but is so reassuring at the same time. Sometimes I look down and expect to see an alien pop out of my stomach with her erratic movements.
Sadly, she has stage fright. It seems that any time anyone tries to touch her, she freezes up. It is frustrating to some, even Zach. It seems like she can sense when it isn't me touching her and she stops. There was one night that Zach felt one of her fits at bedtime and he was like, "what is she doing in there?!?!". My dad thinks she is practicing her leaps for when she comes out. I am supposed to start counting her movements each evening. And like the doc says, she is an overachiever.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Parents in Town
I am so excited! My parents came into town for a long weekend to see me and the bump. I hadn't seen them since Christmas, so they were overly excited to see the progress we had made and help around the house as much as they could. Their weekend was full of painting, repairing, shopping, registering and eating. Lots of eating. My in-laws were able to come and help too. I don't know what I would do without them!
The boys golfed and the women registered! What a fun weekend.
I can't wait for them to come back for the shower!
The boys golfed and the women registered! What a fun weekend.
I can't wait for them to come back for the shower!
Taking the bump to the Arboretum.
Painting the nursery.
Fixing the toilet - glamorous work!
Registering!
Family Shot!
Family Shot!
Really starting to poke out.
27 weeks. Not long now!
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