Update -- 7 Weeks to Go!!

Hello, disregarded blog. I am here, once again.

My status for the day: Life is good. I have a man who loves me, a fun and loving daughter, a baby on the way, great friends and family, a good dog, a great job, a decent house and car, and pickled cauliflower in the fridge.

Physical update (Don't read if you don't want to know!!):

I have gained 43 lbs. to date. Not bad, considering that 3/4 of that was put on in the first 4 months . . . ! I am catching up to it. Or something.

I haven't measured my girth - let me do that right now. . . . ummmm . . . . 47 1/2 inches. I started at 30.

My hands, legs, and feet are swollen.

I have to pee every 30-45 minutes . . .

I get winded walking from my desk to the bathroom.

My hair is unmanageable.

My skin is crying out for less hormones.

It's hard to even roll over in bed.

I suffer from acid reflux.

My teeth hurt. So do my gums.

My boobs are finally getting bigger! But my belly trumps them still.

My belly button went from 2nd knuckle deep to half a fingernail shallow.

I can't reach my toes or get up easily from the floor (or the couch for that matter).
I get really hot when I am trying to sleep.

Cravings: carbonated mineral water, ice cream, strong flavors (pickle, spicy food, olives, mustard, citrus, etc.).

Emotional Update:

I still worry I will damage Peanut by resting something on my stomach, or bending too much, or sleeping on the "wrong" side, or eating the "wrong" food, or missing my vitamin, or whatever else my pea brain can come up with.

I am giggly over a Laffy Taffy joke one minute, and crying over a Hallmark ad the next.

I no longer have a filter when I speak.

I no longer have patience for stupidity.

Although I was never super careless with myself, I miss not having to worry so much about what I do to myself.

I am nervous about the baby room being done in time, even though she won't even use it right away. I am also nervous that we won't have the furniture in time.

I am starting to get the nesting instinct, which allows for me to overbuy, overcook, and overprepare.

I keep thinking that there really aren't 7 weeks to go, that she'll show up early, and that makes me worry more (see 2 lines above).

I get frustrated easier than ever before.

There is already an anticipation around doing everything perfectly (which I know is not an attainable goal).

Baby Update:

She is still breech.

I am feeling her kick a lot more than before, but I think it's because there is less fluid and more baby.

Natalie talked to her on the phone last night. :)

She likes to kick the dog.

She reacts to music and spicy food.

She is about 4 - 4 1/2 lbs. now.

Other:

My symptoms categorize me about 2 weeks farther along than the doctor estimated.

I got a promotion at work! With a raise! Just in time for babysitting fees. :)

We are starting to interview potential temps for me at work. First one is tomorrow. The goal is to start them next week, which will be nice, because I will have some help for at least a few weeks.

We bought an Envoy from a friend. He took very good care of it, and gave us a very good deal on it. It makes me feel safer and much more comfortable.

The latest check-up showed protein in my urine, a second sign of preeclampsia (the first being my swollen extremities). I was chided for not drinking enough fluid. Otherwise, everything looked good. Now I visit every two weeks, and the next visit may include a physical "look-see" to make sure I'm not dilated yet.

I continue to have strange dreams. Lately, there have been a lot that suggest she is a he.

People are finally speaking up about my pregnancy. When I say people, I mean strangers. When I say speaking up, I mean they are asking when I'm due, or if it's a girl or boy, or giving me a congratulations. I'm sure it was noticeable before, but now it must be so noticeable that they aren't afraid to make a remark.

A baby shower was held for Lorelai at work Friday. I will post some photos. It was spectacular.

My last shower will hopefully happen on May 22nd. I hate waiting until the last moment to plan, but that's how this one is ending up. I am trying not to stress over it, but I can't help myself. My blood pressure is actually really low, considering the frenzies into which I work myself.

In Need of an Update!!!

Hi all -- It's been a couple weeks (a couple rough weeks), but I'm back . . .

As surprising as it may seem, my pregnancy became somewhat masked by the tragedy that has befallen our family. Within about 7 or 8 days, Clint's side lost 4 family members, and we lost our dog, Dill. Unfortunately, I don't have many photos of the family members (I had met 2 of the 4) . . .

This is a 5-generation photo of the Herren side. Grandpa Don Herren passed away last week, and I am so lucky to have met him.

I don't have a photo of Grandma Margie Mosier, but she also was a special woman, and both hers and Grandpa Herren's services were quite unique and spectacular.

This is Dillinger. He ate a sock last week (or something similar), and it seized up his digestive tract. We had to put him down amidst the rest of the chaos. He was 3 years old. I just can't seem to get over it.

The things I'm thankful for:

-I was touched by these people in one way or another (Grandpa Herron for his candor; Grandma Mosier for her devotion; and Dill for his  . . . well, fortitude).

-Natalie was able to spend quality time with these people, and has good stories to remember them by.

-They lived good lives.

-We had fantastic support around us through it all.

So . . . aside from all of that, there was good that came too. I met some of Clint's close school friends while we were at his home, and I'm pretty sure the baby was kicking and rolling around this last week.

I haven't gained any more weight (none in 4 weeks, actually), but my belly is much more basketball-like than it was. We go for another ultrasound and checkup today, so I am excited to see a bigger, more active baby in there. They say that Dad should now be able to hear the heartbeat by putting his head on Mom's belly, so we'll have to check that out. I will take a new photo tonight to update you all a little more.

My first baby shower is coming up in 3 weekends. I am excited!! However, I've gone a little crazy on all of the cute clothes I keep finding on clearance racks, so I'm kind-of hoping that I don't get a ton of outfits as gifts (although I'm sure I'll love anything!!).

I am really wanting to start on Peanut's bedroom . . . it's cleared out, but it needs paint. And I can't pick out the paint color until I have the bedding . . . I wonder if I can buy one little piece of the bedding so I have somewhere to start. And don't worry!! I think I can find an able body or two to do the painting!

This month also brings a wedding shower and bachelorette party for my good friend, Sara. I can't wait!! Even though I can't partake in the alcohol consumption, I will surely be welcome as a DD. That's fine with me.

I also started my new role at work on Tuesday. So far, it's been hectic, especially after missing 4 days . . . but I think I am doing alright so far, and the real test will be after my first event Monday and Tuesday next week.

Finally, our friends Sarah and Tom have agreed to be our Peanut's godparents. They are our age, have similar beliefs and lifestyles (at least in most ways), and will probably be planning for a family very soon. I am sooooooo excited for this!

That's all for now. I will try to post more in the morning.

Job Opportunity

I will be a working mom. That's fine with me, though in a perfect world, I would want to be at home with the baby, at least for the first few years.

But, alas, I must make some money. With my current job, I am on contract. I was supposed to have lost my job back in April of '09. Someone has been watching over me, giving me several chances to stay. I think I've worn my welcome out though, because they have had me sign a contract, stating that I will be severed in August . . . just long enough to have the baby and recoup.

Since last April, I've been looking for a job. I've interviewed in 3 different states, and because of my varigated background, it's been quite a struggle to find a job that fits me.

Tomorrow, I go for a full interview (did a partial already) for a position with the same company I work for now, but a different facility. Driving time from home is the same, and I know several of the people that work there already . . . the kicker is that it's a night position. I would be managing 16-20 people on the production floor.

This would be a good move for me, mostly because it shows my flexibility and will expand my experience to include shop floor management. Plus, it would allow the baby to have limited time with a sitter, as I would be home during the day, and Clint at night. And I would only be working 3 nights a week.

The downside, of course, is that I would be working nights. Not too exciting. But, with a pay raise and less money being spent on a sitter, it's a win in my book.

As of now, I am the only internal candidate. 39 applicants have been rejected, 2 have been denied after interview, and 2 others are in the interview process. Because I am internal, I have a priority over the externals. But I am still nervous.

Wish me luck!