God works miracles. God works in wonderful ways.
This is pretty common knowledge, yet its sometimes hard to see these in our own lives.
My husband is switching colleges. This is a decision that has been met with resistance from our current college, and joy from the college he will be attending. Both Carl and I attended EKU our first year. For various reasons, we both left. I lived in the dorms my first semester, and then got an apartment by myself the second semester. I had to break my lease when I switched to KCU, but I had been told I was going to have to move anyways.
Carl, my Momma and I all went down to Richmond to look for an apartment on Wednesday. I had spent several hours Tuesday calling different apartment agencies, and getting listings. I had scoured the newspaper's adds. I had a list of several possibilities, and was quite hopeful.
So, we get to Richmond and begin looking at apartments. All the ones in our price range (under $450 for rent and utilities) were way, way, WAY too small. There was no way that our bed (queen size) and a baby bed would fit in ANY of those bedrooms, and there's no way that my baby is sleeping in another room as a newborn.
So, we began driving around, looking for "FOR RENT" signs, and calling the numbers that were on the signs. We struck out for about an hour, when Mom decided to drive down around where my old apartment had been. It was about 2 blocks from campus, so I thought, sure, why not. We had been told that the buildings were going to be torn down, and that was why I had to move (I moved anyway before I HAD to move, and because technically *I* broke lease, I lost my deposit.) When we drove to the end of the street, low and behold, there was my old apartment building! And low and behold, there was a for rent sign in the yard!
So, Carl called. They had a 1 bedroom availble and a 2 bedroom. We asked if we could see them, and the lady said sure. I jokingly said "Wouldn't it be funny if that one bedroom was my old apartment?" When the lady got there, she led us into my old side of the building, and then TO MY OLD APARTMENT. I started cracking up, then when she gave me an odd look, I told her I had previously lived there.
We went inside, and checked everything out. Basically, it was just as I had left it. It was $395 + utilities. I'm not really sure how we're going to swing it, but it was by far the best choice. We signed the lease, paid first months rent, and now have the keys. We will tentatively begin moving things in on the 3rd for 4th. I want to get everything out ASAP as I will be paying double rent until we do. I have an appointment with my new doctor on Monday, June 1st, and figure I may need Tuesday to recover, so we're planning on going to the apartment on Tuesday night to begin packing.
I'm excited. I loooooved my old apartment.. it was perfect. It's a very large bedroom, and fairly large living room/dining room area. The best feature? IT HAS A FREAKING DISHWASHER. The only downer is that it has an apartment size washer/dryer, and if it breaks, they will not replace it. There are no washer/dryer hook ups and no room to put one in anyway.
It was just too much of a coincidence that it was MY old apartment that we now rent. There are probably thousands of apartments in Richmond, and this is the one that we end up in. Crazy as it sounds, this just concreted it in my mind that this is the right decision for us.
We're going to miss KCU. We may have not agreed with all of the rules and regulations, or the bureachracy, but we'll still miss the people. We feel this is where we're being called, and we're happy to react to that call.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Why I'm switching doctors...almost half-way through my pregnancy...
Let me preface this by saying I am switching doctors because we are moving, and would be 2+ hours away from my current doctor. I'm actually returning to the OB I had when I miscarried and all throughout my ovarian cysts. I am VERY excited to be going back to her (mainly because I can have a midwife) but I'm even more excited after my Monday appointment...
So, I have my 16 week check-up. I had only been seen once before, at 11 weeks. At my 11 week appointment, I had a papsmear, ultrasound and bloodwork done. No nutrional counseling/questions about my diet. No questions about my habits. No questions about..well..anything. No prenatal counseling whatsoever. My mom, who worked prenatal care for 5+ years was NOT impressed (neither was I really).
At my 16 week appointment, where I had to drive 2+ hours to go to it, because I had to sign releases for my medical records anyway, and do some stuff in our apartment... anyway, I go in, wait 20ish minutes in the waiting room, go back, wait 30ish minutes in the room. My doctor walks in, lays me back on the table, uses the doppler. While he's searching for the HB (I wasn't concerned, we could here SP moving around like crazy), he asks how I'm doing. I relate to him my constipation woes, and he discusses writing me a script for a stronger stool softener. He then finds the heartbeat, tells me how fast it is, wipes my stomach and says "Well, we'll see you back in 4 weeks for the big ultrasound!" and walks out.
He didn't write me a script, he didn't tell me anything about my bloodwork, he didn't do ANYTHING. Didn't ask if I had any questions.. I had dropped 3 pounds since my last appt, and he goes "have you been sick?" and I said "no" and he left it at that!
AUGH. SO glad I'm switching doctors!
So, I have my 16 week check-up. I had only been seen once before, at 11 weeks. At my 11 week appointment, I had a papsmear, ultrasound and bloodwork done. No nutrional counseling/questions about my diet. No questions about my habits. No questions about..well..anything. No prenatal counseling whatsoever. My mom, who worked prenatal care for 5+ years was NOT impressed (neither was I really).
At my 16 week appointment, where I had to drive 2+ hours to go to it, because I had to sign releases for my medical records anyway, and do some stuff in our apartment... anyway, I go in, wait 20ish minutes in the waiting room, go back, wait 30ish minutes in the room. My doctor walks in, lays me back on the table, uses the doppler. While he's searching for the HB (I wasn't concerned, we could here SP moving around like crazy), he asks how I'm doing. I relate to him my constipation woes, and he discusses writing me a script for a stronger stool softener. He then finds the heartbeat, tells me how fast it is, wipes my stomach and says "Well, we'll see you back in 4 weeks for the big ultrasound!" and walks out.
He didn't write me a script, he didn't tell me anything about my bloodwork, he didn't do ANYTHING. Didn't ask if I had any questions.. I had dropped 3 pounds since my last appt, and he goes "have you been sick?" and I said "no" and he left it at that!
AUGH. SO glad I'm switching doctors!
16 Weeks! (1 week late...)
How far along? 16 Weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: Down 5 pounds from Pre-pregnancy...
Maternity clothes? Living in maternity pants... not so much the shirts.
Stretch marks? No more than I had in high school....
Sleep: I'm not sleeping badly... but not well either.
Best moment this week: Most certainly felt flutters on Friday and Sunday!
Movement: Yes! Finally!
Food cravings: Orange Juice.
Gender: Not a clue. HB was 152 at doctors appoint though!
Labor Signs: Thankfully, no!
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: I puked once this week... but hey, thats a step up!
What I am looking forward to: Feeling harder kicks!
Weekly Wisdom: If you're not happy with your doctor..SWITCH!
Milestones: Feeling the baby definitely move!
Monday, May 4, 2009
14 weeks!
How far along? 14 Weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: Didn't step on the scales this weekend...I'm bad.
Maternity clothes? Sitting in yoga pants RIGHT now.
Stretch marks? You can see some in my picture, but they were all pre-pregnancy.
Sleep: I want more.
Best moment this week: I think I can feel flutters....
Movement: See above.
Food cravings: Orange Juice.
Gender: I am completely clueless. Maybe girl? Or maybe thats just wishful thinking?
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Energy. Not puking. Pooping. -- yeah, not changing it from last week!
What I am looking forward to: Popping!
Weekly Wisdom: Listen to your body. Do homework ahead of time.
Milestones: None really...other than I finally remembered to take a picture!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Pregnancy isn't all roses.
Can I be perfectly honest for a little bit?
Let me preface this with a lot of disclaimers:
1. I have lost a pregnancy. I know not to take anything pregnancy related for granted. Being someone who has lost a pregnancy, I know what it feels like when you hear someone complaining about their symptoms and want to just throttle them, because you would DIE for those symptoms. I still get annoyed with some of the first trimester girls who are like "oh, this morning sickness is going to kill me!!" Drives me crazy.
2. I am so, so, so, so excited and happy to be pregnant. I have never been happier in fact. I cannot WAIT for October/Nov to get here.
3. I just want to write this post for some of the other pregnant girls out there who might be feeling the same way I do.
Alright, now that my disclaimers are out of the way...
Pregnancy isn't all roses. In fact, parts of pregnancy sucks. Parts of pregnancy are some of the hardest things I've been through. I do have other medical problems that I am sure add to it... and I may just be having a 'difficult' pregnancy.. I'm not sure. But dang, it's hard.
This may be TMI, so read at your own risk... I have constipation issues that are literally driving me insane. I am continually stopped up, and it makes me miserable. I am going once a week, and thats only with the help of laxatives. I do have some chiropractic issues in that area as well. The last two times I've went in to see my CP, my L1 vertebrae has been out....this goes directly to the bowels. I take fiber, I take stool softeners, I drink extra water, I eat prunes. NOTHING. This back up causes me to throw up as well. My nausea is almost gone... but I'm still puking!
I cannot stand up. I can walk, and I can sit...but I can't stand. When I stand, I get sick. I get nauseous, I get dizzy, I get hot, I feel like I'm going to pass out. This makes shopping and cooking (among other things) nearly impossible. It's one of the more annoying symptoms I have.
Headaches - Oh good Lord. I've had migraines since I was about 15, but I have never had them this bad. I MIGHT get one every few months, but I have probably had 4-7 mild ones and 1-2 bad ones in the past month. Some last more than one day.
So why am I writing about all my ailments? To let you know that I am miserable... and to let you know that it is OKAY to be miserable while pregnant. Our bodies are going through such an amazing change... of COURSE we're going to feel the ramifications. I try to listen to my body as much as possible. This means our apartment is dirty and my homework is overdue, but I want this baby to be as healthy as I can make it. I'm miserable, but its a happy misery. There are times I just have to cry because of how miserable I am...but I cannot wait until I can feel SP moving and know that it is ALL worth it. It's hard for me to feel pregnant sometimes, I just feel...miserable.
I'm almost done with school, but if I pull off all the stuff I have for my independent study class, it's going to be a freaking miracle. Once I get it done, I just have a final and a paper in my other two classes.
Remind me to post pictures of Diva, my new fur baby. She is mean as snot, and I am covered in kitten scratches, but she is a cutie!
Alright, off to order some pregnancy pilates dvds. Haha!
Shaina
Let me preface this with a lot of disclaimers:
1. I have lost a pregnancy. I know not to take anything pregnancy related for granted. Being someone who has lost a pregnancy, I know what it feels like when you hear someone complaining about their symptoms and want to just throttle them, because you would DIE for those symptoms. I still get annoyed with some of the first trimester girls who are like "oh, this morning sickness is going to kill me!!" Drives me crazy.
2. I am so, so, so, so excited and happy to be pregnant. I have never been happier in fact. I cannot WAIT for October/Nov to get here.
3. I just want to write this post for some of the other pregnant girls out there who might be feeling the same way I do.
Alright, now that my disclaimers are out of the way...
Pregnancy isn't all roses. In fact, parts of pregnancy sucks. Parts of pregnancy are some of the hardest things I've been through. I do have other medical problems that I am sure add to it... and I may just be having a 'difficult' pregnancy.. I'm not sure. But dang, it's hard.
This may be TMI, so read at your own risk... I have constipation issues that are literally driving me insane. I am continually stopped up, and it makes me miserable. I am going once a week, and thats only with the help of laxatives. I do have some chiropractic issues in that area as well. The last two times I've went in to see my CP, my L1 vertebrae has been out....this goes directly to the bowels. I take fiber, I take stool softeners, I drink extra water, I eat prunes. NOTHING. This back up causes me to throw up as well. My nausea is almost gone... but I'm still puking!
I cannot stand up. I can walk, and I can sit...but I can't stand. When I stand, I get sick. I get nauseous, I get dizzy, I get hot, I feel like I'm going to pass out. This makes shopping and cooking (among other things) nearly impossible. It's one of the more annoying symptoms I have.
Headaches - Oh good Lord. I've had migraines since I was about 15, but I have never had them this bad. I MIGHT get one every few months, but I have probably had 4-7 mild ones and 1-2 bad ones in the past month. Some last more than one day.
So why am I writing about all my ailments? To let you know that I am miserable... and to let you know that it is OKAY to be miserable while pregnant. Our bodies are going through such an amazing change... of COURSE we're going to feel the ramifications. I try to listen to my body as much as possible. This means our apartment is dirty and my homework is overdue, but I want this baby to be as healthy as I can make it. I'm miserable, but its a happy misery. There are times I just have to cry because of how miserable I am...but I cannot wait until I can feel SP moving and know that it is ALL worth it. It's hard for me to feel pregnant sometimes, I just feel...miserable.
I'm almost done with school, but if I pull off all the stuff I have for my independent study class, it's going to be a freaking miracle. Once I get it done, I just have a final and a paper in my other two classes.
Remind me to post pictures of Diva, my new fur baby. She is mean as snot, and I am covered in kitten scratches, but she is a cutie!
Alright, off to order some pregnancy pilates dvds. Haha!
Shaina
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Normal.
First. Go read this blog post.
Then read this comment that I posted on her blog (P.S. I was Number 25, which just rocks!)
Love you Mckmama, and your complete honesty that always brings tears to my eyes.
After my first pregnancy that resulted in miscarriage, and now having a second pregnancy, I still feel like we're living on the edge. I'm 13weeks and 3 days pregnant - past the most dangerous part, but still scared to death. I love this baby with all of my heart and soul, yet I'm scared to allow myself to love him/her because what if something isn't "normal"? Is this my new normal? Being scared all the time? Answering questions, not with a "Oh thank you for congratulating us!" but with "Oh, no, we lost the last baby at 8 weeks, we're well past that now".
I now completely understand why you revealed that Stellan was a boy and named him. I understand why you wanted people to love him, and get to know him. I feel that way with this baby.
I cannot wait to feel this baby move, and fall even more in love with him/her.
Thank you, MckMama, for letting us know that not feeling "normal" is okay, and for being so frank and honest!
Then read this comment that I posted on her blog (P.S. I was Number 25, which just rocks!)
Love you Mckmama, and your complete honesty that always brings tears to my eyes.
After my first pregnancy that resulted in miscarriage, and now having a second pregnancy, I still feel like we're living on the edge. I'm 13weeks and 3 days pregnant - past the most dangerous part, but still scared to death. I love this baby with all of my heart and soul, yet I'm scared to allow myself to love him/her because what if something isn't "normal"? Is this my new normal? Being scared all the time? Answering questions, not with a "Oh thank you for congratulating us!" but with "Oh, no, we lost the last baby at 8 weeks, we're well past that now".
I now completely understand why you revealed that Stellan was a boy and named him. I understand why you wanted people to love him, and get to know him. I feel that way with this baby.
I cannot wait to feel this baby move, and fall even more in love with him/her.
Thank you, MckMama, for letting us know that not feeling "normal" is okay, and for being so frank and honest!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
13 Weeks!
I swear, on my life (sure) that um... I'll post more once school is out, mmmkay?
How far along? 13 Weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: Not sure. Haven't checked since my blow out yesterday.
Maternity clothes? In maternity pants as we speak, not really needing them perse, but my pre-pregnancy pants don't fit!
Stretch marks?Nope
Sleep: Loving it.
Best moment this week: When I had the energy to do 2 loads of laundry.
Movement:Nope... unless you count bowels and gas...
Food cravings: Salad. And sour stuff.
Gender: *shrugs*
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Energy. Not puking. Pooping.
What I am looking forward to: Popping!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't get so stopped up that you have to hug the toilet and pray.
Milestones: Moving to the second tri boards on thebump.com!
How far along? 13 Weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: Not sure. Haven't checked since my blow out yesterday.
Maternity clothes? In maternity pants as we speak, not really needing them perse, but my pre-pregnancy pants don't fit!
Stretch marks?Nope
Sleep: Loving it.
Best moment this week: When I had the energy to do 2 loads of laundry.
Movement:Nope... unless you count bowels and gas...
Food cravings: Salad. And sour stuff.
Gender: *shrugs*
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Energy. Not puking. Pooping.
What I am looking forward to: Popping!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't get so stopped up that you have to hug the toilet and pray.
Milestones: Moving to the second tri boards on thebump.com!
Friday, April 24, 2009
ARGH! Read this and check!
Alright people. Check your credit card statements, check your debit card statements.
While checking to make sure we had money for an order, I noticed a charge from APL*ITUNES. Apple Itunes, right? WRONG. I don't use iTunes. We looked it up. This is a common fraudulent scam.
So, check your credit card and debit card statements closely! They usually start out with charges under a dollar, and then move up in price. Mine started at $18 and has since went down.
Just an FYI! Beware!
While checking to make sure we had money for an order, I noticed a charge from APL*ITUNES. Apple Itunes, right? WRONG. I don't use iTunes. We looked it up. This is a common fraudulent scam.
So, check your credit card and debit card statements closely! They usually start out with charges under a dollar, and then move up in price. Mine started at $18 and has since went down.
Just an FYI! Beware!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
12 Weeks!
How far along? 12 Weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: Down 7 pounds from pre-pregnancy
Maternity clothes? Still digging the yoga pants.
Stretch marks? No more than I had pre-pregnancy!
Sleep: I'm still having problems with 3-6 am insomnia. I didn't sleep at all last night, too stressed out from school stuff.
Best moment this week: Feeling my uterus. I can only feel it when I stand, but I can definitely feel it then!
Movement:Not yet. Lots of gas though..
Food cravings: I want turkey and mashed potatoes.
Gender: I finally had a dream where it was a girl! Plus, Paul said it was a girl, and he's psychic...so...
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Energy and my brain.
What I am looking forward to: Popping!
Weekly Wisdom: Brown Cows are your friend. Email me if You don't know the wonders of this.
Milestones: Getting to 12 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: Down 7 pounds from pre-pregnancy
Maternity clothes? Still digging the yoga pants.
Stretch marks? No more than I had pre-pregnancy!
Sleep: I'm still having problems with 3-6 am insomnia. I didn't sleep at all last night, too stressed out from school stuff.
Best moment this week: Feeling my uterus. I can only feel it when I stand, but I can definitely feel it then!
Movement:Not yet. Lots of gas though..
Food cravings: I want turkey and mashed potatoes.
Gender: I finally had a dream where it was a girl! Plus, Paul said it was a girl, and he's psychic...so...
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Energy and my brain.
What I am looking forward to: Popping!
Weekly Wisdom: Brown Cows are your friend. Email me if You don't know the wonders of this.
Milestones: Getting to 12 weeks!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Blogworld
This is an urgent prayer request!
Please, PLEASE Pray for Baby Stellan and MckMama's entire family. This sweet baby boy is going into surgery at 8:30 am Boston time tomorrow!
The following are the exact things that MckMama has requested for us to pray about. You can see her full blog by following the "Pray for Stellan!" link on the left.
Would you pray that Dr. A will have wisdom as to if he should move forward with the ablation after the esophageal study? If he does move forward, would you pray that he will have clarity of mind as far as how aggressive to be with the ablation in order to fix Stellan's problem without putting him at undue risk for complications. Would you pray that the tiny catheters the doctors use will not nick Stellan's coronary artery? Would you pray for peace for me and my husband? Would you pray that heart block will not occur during the surgery? Would you pray that the extra pathways Stellan has will be located and successfully destroyed? Will you pray that, if they need to go through his septum, that it will heal as it should? Would you pray that in the days after the surgery (In infants, coronary damage sometimes doesn't appear for up to three days, so we'll be here for the rest of the week at least it looks.) we will cling to Jesus and not to fear?
I am almost in tears just writing this post. I feel so connected to this family, even though I've only been reading her blog for a few months. I seriously am going to lose sleep over this sweet baby boy tonight!
PLEASE take a moment and pray for this family! Reading Mckmama's twitter posts, I know that there is no way I could go through what she's going through and not be going insane!
Dear Lord, tonight I just beseech you on the behalf of baby Stellan and Mckmama and her entire family. Please dear Lord, guide the surgeons hands. Allow them to have clear eyes, a clear mind and perform a safe surgery. Give Mckmama a peace that passes all understanding. Allow her and her entire family to stay sane and to stay calm for their precious baby boy. And Lord, please place your hands upon Stellan and heal his body through the surgeons. Lord, we want Stellan to LIVE! And we know that whatever the outcome of this surgery, he WILL live, either here on earth with us, or in heaven with you... but Lord we just pray that your will be done. We thank you for the blessings you reign down upon us. It's in your son's name that we pray.
Amen
Please, PLEASE Pray for Baby Stellan and MckMama's entire family. This sweet baby boy is going into surgery at 8:30 am Boston time tomorrow!
The following are the exact things that MckMama has requested for us to pray about. You can see her full blog by following the "Pray for Stellan!" link on the left.
Would you pray that Dr. A will have wisdom as to if he should move forward with the ablation after the esophageal study? If he does move forward, would you pray that he will have clarity of mind as far as how aggressive to be with the ablation in order to fix Stellan's problem without putting him at undue risk for complications. Would you pray that the tiny catheters the doctors use will not nick Stellan's coronary artery? Would you pray for peace for me and my husband? Would you pray that heart block will not occur during the surgery? Would you pray that the extra pathways Stellan has will be located and successfully destroyed? Will you pray that, if they need to go through his septum, that it will heal as it should? Would you pray that in the days after the surgery (In infants, coronary damage sometimes doesn't appear for up to three days, so we'll be here for the rest of the week at least it looks.) we will cling to Jesus and not to fear?
I am almost in tears just writing this post. I feel so connected to this family, even though I've only been reading her blog for a few months. I seriously am going to lose sleep over this sweet baby boy tonight!
PLEASE take a moment and pray for this family! Reading Mckmama's twitter posts, I know that there is no way I could go through what she's going through and not be going insane!
Dear Lord, tonight I just beseech you on the behalf of baby Stellan and Mckmama and her entire family. Please dear Lord, guide the surgeons hands. Allow them to have clear eyes, a clear mind and perform a safe surgery. Give Mckmama a peace that passes all understanding. Allow her and her entire family to stay sane and to stay calm for their precious baby boy. And Lord, please place your hands upon Stellan and heal his body through the surgeons. Lord, we want Stellan to LIVE! And we know that whatever the outcome of this surgery, he WILL live, either here on earth with us, or in heaven with you... but Lord we just pray that your will be done. We thank you for the blessings you reign down upon us. It's in your son's name that we pray.
Amen
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