22 weeks 1 day... Midwife!!

Last Wednesday we met with the midwife for the first time. Paul and I both LOVED the midwife. Of course there are 4 midwives and I will rotate between them, but they all have the same philosophy. We are so excited about this.

I didn't really have time to ask all my questions because I had to meet Tom for lunch, but she answered most of them for me. Saying that they don't do episiotomies, pitocin, water breakage, etc. unless absolutely necessary. She did say that if I am at 3 cm for 7 hours and in active labor they may do pitocin (but I guess I can understand that). Oh yea, she said they don't even do IVs!!!! I was thrilled about that. They do require EFM for the first 20 minutes and then intermitten if you want (insurance reasons of course!). But I can labor in the shower or jacuzzi. Beaumont hasn't approved waterbirths yet, but they are currently trying to get them to.

It was really nice to have someone come in and speak to ME about ME. Paul and I walked out going "wow that was great". I've never had such a great doctors appointment before! It's definitly worth the drive in my opinion. Like I said, I didn't really ask many questions... she offered all the information as soon as she came in and started talking to us. It was great.

I'm going to call Beaumont for a hospital tour. And she gave us some info on birthing classes... We're thinking of maybe taking the Hypnobirthing. And of course we want to take the CPR classes available. It's been a couple years since I was certified and things change all the time, so I want to make sure we are up to date on that. Also the breastfeeding class as well.

My next appointment is on December 5th and I can't wait! lol... I'm just so excited about this! I have my glucose test next appointment. She gave me the orange stuff to drink before I get to my appointment on December 5th... Yummy! lol...

The Doula recommended some books and I am loving Gentle Birth Choices, The Thinking Womans Guide to Childbirth, and Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth. I just started Ina Mays book, but am loving the stories. Paul and I watched the Gentle Birth DVD and he started understanding more of what I am looking for.

I am feeling the baby move all the time (not so much the past couple of days though, I guess he's sleeping or resting!!). And have noticed that when I lay on my back that we can see my belly move. Paul doesn't have the patience to see it all the time, but he sees it sometimes. And says that he can't feel it from the outside yet. But I would think if you can see it move that you can feel it! But not according to him. Like I said though, he doesn't have the patience. He's like "There will be plenty of times when I feel it after it gets bigger" lol...

I am putting up some of our Christmas decorations today... It's totally time to do it. I had Paul bring all the tubs and bags up from the basement yesterday... All 4 tubs and 3 bags!!! lol.. He stood in the foyer and looking at it all shaking his head!! It was funny... I can't wait!!

Paul gets paid on Thursday and I'm going to do some major shopping. We are totally running our of everything... Lol!! It's gonna be a few hundred bucks, but we need it...

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week... that's so crazy. I am doing the ham, mac n cheese (homemade of course), a pumpking pie, and I found a recipe for a pumpkin cake... It sounds really yummy.. So I'm gonna be busy cooking Wednesday night and Thursday morning next week.

In a little over a month we'll be driving to Arkansas.. I feel so sorry for Paul... He's going to have to be in a car with me and stop everyone hour so I can stretch or pee... And we'll have Pebbles as well. Lol... We're still trying to figure out what to do with Mister while we're gone. We want to take him over to Beths but they are worried that Bronson will eat him (or he'll eat Bronson, that's the more believable option lol) or something LOL!!! I think they'll be fine together...

I can't believe I'm half way thro the pregnancy.. Even if the baby is two weeks late I only have 20 weeks left... It's crazy... It seems like it was just yesterday we found out we're pregnant... It's great. It's been such an easy pregnancy!!!

Sex has become akward... With the belly popping out and everything. I can't seem to find a position where I don't feel like we're squashing the baby... lol...

I've been having some hips problems... They get tingly on me and go numb, but it hurts almost... It's like a dull pain though. But totally sucks... My hips are always tingly... it's so weird... lol

But I love feeling the baby move.. It's so great to feel... Amazing really!!!

Well, I wrote a lot, and can't think of anything else to write. I wanna do a load of laundry, clean the kitchen, and get atleast one tub (or bag) of decorations out before Paul gets home.

(leaving with a pretty fall color for my text!!!)

Hired Doula and Fired Doctor!!! lol

Paul and I hired our Doula last night. We absolutely love her!!!! Paul is really happy we decided to hire her as well. I am so happy we decided to go with a Doula. This is going to be an amazing experience and I'm going to love experiencing it. She gave me a list of natural birth books I can read. I'm going to the library tomorrow to check some of them out.

The Doula gave me a list of questions to ask my doctor (Since we are planning to go all natural with NO interventions) to make sure she was on the same page as we are... and the doctor's NOT!!! Man is she not... I was so disappointed when i walked out of the doctors office Thursday. I'll post the questions the doula gave me (stars are questions I did ask) for ladies who want to ask their doctors. And I'll post my doctors answers...


If I write a birth plan, will it be honored? *
What is your cesarean rate? The hospitals cesarean rate? **
Does he/she require an IV? *
Does he/she require continuous fetal monitoring? *
Does he/she do rountine episiotomy? What is your episiotomy rate? **
What is his/her policy on using pitocin? What is your rate? **
What is his/her practice on stripping the membranes? *
How often and under what circumstances is forceps/vacuum delivery done?
Am I allowed to eat and drink in labor? *
Am I allowed to labor in the shower and/or tub? Have a water delivery? *
Is my partner and Doula allowed with me at all times? Including epidural placement and c-section? **
Is my parnter allowed to catch the baby? Cut the cord?
Does he/she perform Breech vaginal deliveries?
How does he/she handle long labor?
Does he/she support natural child birth? *
Is he/she open to mom's choices of position when it is time to push? *
Is it possible to wait awhile after birth before routine procedures are performed? *
can we wait for the cord to stop pulsating before we cut it?
Will I be able to breastfeed immediately? *
What is his/her view on circumcision?

Now here's my doctors answers to the questions I did ask her.

1.) If I write a birth plan will it be honored? She kinda hesitated at first and said "As much as possible".

2.) What is your C-Section rate? 25%

3.) Is an IV required? YES... she didn't even hesitate on this. I don't agree with this at all. When I asked why she said because if something goes wrong they don't want to be fumbling around to put in an IV...

4.) Do you require continuous fetal monitoring? As long as my water hasn't broken I won't need fetal monitoring and am free to walk around. But once my water breaks it is required.

5.) Episiotomy rate - 50% - 60% of first time moms (WHAAAAT?)

6.) Pitocin - As soon as I mentioned the word her eyes lit up and she was like "Yea I don't hesitate to use it if you're not progressing"... I got the feeling that she was pretty much saying "I'm ready to go home so give her some pitocin and get that kid out"... Wasn't happy.. I think she said about 85% to 90% of the time she uses pitocin!!!! No thank you!

6.) Stripping membranes - If I want it.

7.) I am not allowed to eat or drink anything other then water during labor.

8.) If the nurse says it's okay (and my water hasn't broken) I can labor in the tub or shower. But once my water breaks I can't.

9.) Doula and husband is allowed at all times except for C Sections. I would have to choose.

10.) Supporting natural child birth - As much as possible.

11.) Open to mothers choice of postions while pushing- Yes, unless one position isn't working after a while then she will move me to another position.

12.) Holding off on routine procedures for skin to skin contact and immediate breast feeding - She kinda danced around this one and ended up saying it was up to the pediatrician and if there weren't any complications. I don't think she was understand what I was asking though cause she made a comment on the nurses cleaning the baby. I tried to elaborate and she danced around and went back to pediatrician and nurses decision.

13.) Breastfeeding immediately - She danced around it, but in the end her answer was after the nurses do what they need to do then the nurse will hand me the baby.

I was not happy with ANY of her answers. Which is a shame because I really liked her personally. Plus she pretty much refused to another ultrasound until 32 weeks. And she said her partner has the same views and opinions as she does. So Paul called the insurance company to find out if mid wives are covered. AND THEY ARE!!! So we are going to start our search for a natural birth mid wife on Monday...

Wow this was such a downer!! Back to square one with finding a doctor. But that's fine, I have plenty of time!!

xoxoxo

Amanda!!

We registered on Oct. 20

On October 20 we registered at Babies R Us. It was so much fun!!! It took us like 2.5 hours but I had a blast, and Paul didn't seem to mind either. lol. He just followed me around and picked up things off the low shelves for me too look at (since I can't bend over).

I can't believe the amount of things we registered for. I think we had around 300 items and the lady that worked there said it was a small registry!

We bought a travel system!!! We got the Chicco Cortina Discovery. My one complaint that I'm going to have on it is the 5 point harness on the stroller... It's not an easy one. But I think I'll get used to it after a while, and it'll prolly "break in" as well. It took us about 10 minutes to get it out of the box and about 20 minutes to put it together... Instructions were pretty simple to see and read. Over all I LOOOOVEE it!!! Really easy to fold the stroller down and up one handed, easy to get the seat out of base and stroller and back in... It's great!! With tax it was around $300... lwhich is what you would spend buying a car seat and then a stroller...

We were going to go with Wendy Bellissimo's Honey Bee theme for the nursery (since we are going neutral cause SOMEONE wouldn't open their legs lol). But Paul saw a neutral one in the store that he really like and actually started getting excitd about it!!! When Paul gets excited about something I jump!! lol It's called Patchwork Pooh I think. I've always been a HUGE pooh fan, so this is perfect... but I was a lil sad to give up my honey bees!! But really like the pooh LOL... Oh the choices... See I had this all planned out when we thought we were going to know the sex!!

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2546925

Oh, and we decided on furniture... And it's not Wendy Bellissimo like we originally thought, but we really like what we picked out. It's called the Ginger Ashford Collection by Simmons Juvenile Furniture. I just looked it up online and they dont have it... :(

Hmm let's see... what else... Oh we also registered for a Chicco Capri Stroller (umbrella stroller). Paul wanted a smaller stroller to keep in his car. It's bright red... But I figure if Paul's going to be seen with it in public okay!!! lol... I have mine and he has his! LOL..

Oh man, when they hand you that gun at the store to register... you feel this power surge go thro you!! lol.. It's great! lol

Well, I've come to terms with having a surprise... Actually Paul freaked a lil on me last weekend about not knowing the sex... I was kinda shocked!! lol.. It was cute, but I managed to calm him down!

I've got more to post but I'll do it in seperate posts cause it's so much. My next post is all about our Doula and my doctor.

Woo hoo!!! I'm 20 weeks today!! HALF WAY THERE!!!

Ultrasound 18 wks 6 days

Soooooooo we had would anatomy ultrasound yesterday mornin!!!

We went in so excited to find out the sex of the baby and after about 10 minutes of her looking she said that we would have to buy yellow because the babies ankles were crossed and she couldn't see anything.

She went on to do some of her measurements and then looked again. She still couldnt tell, so she told me to get up, walk around, pee and come back in. So I did. And this time the baby was sitting Indian Style and she still couldn't see!!!

Not only could she not see the gender, but the baby is positioned REALLLY low!!! To the point where babies head is behind my pelvic bone and hip bone... So she had a really hard time getting hear measurments and had to press really hard ON MY BONE to get her pictures and stuff... I am so sore today from all the pressure, and it was so painful...

So then I asked her "Should I stand on my head?!?!" lol... I was joking but she answered "I'm thinking about it"... Apparently the table I was on tilted, so she tilted it back to where I was almost standing on my head!!! lol.. That didn't work so she tilted the table the other way to where I was almost standing... Still didn't work. The baby wouldnt move out of my pelvis and wouldn't open its legs either!!! :(

When she looked to see the sex for the last time it's legs were completely closed at the knees!!! :(

I told Paul "If you ever had any doubts this kids yours, they were just shattered... This kid is so stubborn like you are and it's probably in there laughing at me, just like you are now" LOL!!!

I also told him "We're gonna have problems with this one" LOL
And the lady said "Well, I'm just glad it's living at your house and not mine" lol...

Paul says "What if it's a girl, and she's really pissed because we've been calling her a boy and Cooper for a while, so she decided to just keep her legs closed!!" (again that would be Paul - vengeful) lol

So now we are having a surprise!! lol...

We are thinking about going with the Wendy Belissimo Bumble Bee collection for the nursery.

http://www.wendybellissimo.com/products/product_detail.php?id=65

It's cute and pretty neutral... I like it...

We're thinking as far as clothes go, we'll get just the necessities to last us a week or two. And after the baby is born go on one helluva shopping spree!! lol.. Plus people will give us clothes for the baby as well.

The only way I could get another ultrasound (and insurance pay for it) is if there is a medical reason - the doctor thinks something is wrong. Or we could pay $300 for another ultrasound. Not going to do that!!! What if we pay the money and the kid still doesn't open it's legs?!!? I don't think so!! lol...

So my plan is to go into my doctors office next Friday crying, begging, pleading for another ultrasound... I've heard stories of the doctor saying "Okay we'll do another now, let's go" and the doctor looking really quickly to find out the sex... Hopefully that will be my doctor!!!

I have some questions for the doctor... Right now I'm worried about the baby being so low... I really want it to move up into my tummy for me. Cause it will get really painful with it's head in my pelvis...That's bones, they dont stretch!!! lol..

So I better get off here... I think that's everything that happened yesterday!!!

Let me do ups and downs real quick...

Downs -

1.) Not finding out the sex.... Stubborn ass baby... Gets that from his daddy (maybe a lil from me, but just a lil lol)

2.) Peeing - Becuase the baby is so low and still resting on my bladder, I'm still peeing every 45 minutes!!! Totally sucks!!

Ups -

1.) Feeling the baby move - I love the way that feels!!! Amazing!

2.) Food - I get to eat all the time!! lol and it's really yummy foods too!! lol...

Okay I'm off like a prom dress!!! More later!!!

Misters sore...

We found out on Saturday that Mister's "sore" turned out to be a tumor... Nothing serious from what I understand, but it would have kept growing if we hadn't removed it... Good thing we removed it!!!

Yay Mister!

18 weeks 1 day

I have the "big" ultrasound on Thursday!! Paul and I are so excited about this, and I've been having talks with the baby about opening it's legs so we can get a good look at what's in there!! lol...

Today I bought my first "baby thing" (other then wipes). I went into Childrens Place and bought these adorable newborn shoes... They are soooo cute!!!

I'm soooo excited... I think we found a Doula!! We have our interview set up next Tuesday... as far as I'm concerned it's just to sign the contract... In my opinion she already has the job. We talked on the phone for about 45 minutes today and I absolutely fell in love with her!!! YAY!!! It just makes it seem real... as if the growing bell and constipation weren't proof enough... This is the first time we've (DH and I) actually talked about the birth... It's soooo neat!! And so exciting!!

I started thinking about a Doula last week and thought it would be a great idea to have someone there who can support me and Paul... I know Paul will freak out a little and he really doesn't know what to do to help me so a Doula is a great way to help him as well...

Here's some Doula facts -


~Numerous clinical studies have found that a Doula's presence at a birth:

*Tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
*Reduces negative feelings about one's childbirth experience
*Reduces the need for pitocin (a labor inducing drug), forceps/vacuum extraction, and cesareans
*Reduces the mothers request for pain medication and/or epidurals

~Research shows parents who receive support can:

*Feel more secure and cared for
*Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
*Have greater success with breastfeeding
*Have greater self-confidence
*Have less postpartum depression
*Have a lower incidence of abuse

I searched online today for over 3 hours, and made numerous phone calls trying to find a Doula. Jenny called me back about an hour after I called her. I immediately felt comfortable with her... and get this, she loves to talk just as much as I do!!! I had a hard time getting a word in edgewise... But I didn't mind... it wasn't annoying or anything... Shes very nice, personable, knowledgable, etc... So far I'm really happy with her, and all I've done is talk to her on the phone...

Right now the babies in there movin all around and kickin and stuff... It's such a neat thing...

Well, that's all I can think of for now... So I will write more when I think of it!!!

bye bye!!!

Poor Kitty :(

Our poor kitty has had a rough month....

It all started on a Sunday night when I noticed he had a sore on his belly about the size of a dime. I kinda forgot about the sore until Tuesday and then looked at it again. This time is was red, oozing, and very irritated. So first thing Wednesday morning I called the vet and they got him in that day (Sept 5th)

So the vet said it looked like a sore that he had licked and just rubbed raw. So they gave him a round of antibiotics and sent us home. That Friday the vet called to see how he was doing and I said he was still licking his sore. So they told me to bring him and they would put an E Collar on him. So I did. He had the collar on for a week. On Thursday night I took the collar off to see how he was doing (because the sore looked great) and of course he just opened it back up.

So on Friday back to the vet (Sept 21). At this point I noticed the sore almost 2 weeks ago. So the vet said that since he chewed it back open they would leave the collar on for 10 more days and do another check up (Oct 1st).

So on Oct 1st we took him back in. I thought the sore looked really good and was healing fine. The vet however disagreed and decided that they needed to cut the sore out. So Monday we left Mister at the vet and on Tuesday the 2nd the cut our his sore, nipple, and mammary gland (just to play it safe). They were originally going to just take the sore, but decided that if it was some kind of cancer it would go to the mammary gland and might as well take that too so they don't have to do another surgery if that's what it is.

Yesterday afternoon we got to pick the kitty up from the vet. I was so happy to see him and have him home. We've been keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn't chew open his cut which is about 2.5 inches long. But so far he hasn't messed with it. They didn't put the collar on him because they don't thinkk he'll mess with it. But they gave me a collar just in case. So atleast I have something to put on him if necessary.

We're keeping an eye on him to make sure that he doesn't chew it open and so far so good. I'll take pictures and post them at another time.

Paul is on his way home... He's taking half a day today so he can work on the lawn some before they lay down the rest of the sod.

It was a nice suprise to know he was coming home early!!! Love him!!!

Poor kitty!!

Mandy

Baby Move 16wk1day

I think I felt the baby move this morning. I'm not sure if that's what it was though. It was like a little flutter on the left bellow my belly button. Felt a couple little (very faint) thumps. I've been laying really still trying to feel it again, and haven't had any luck. I know that it can take a few weeks to feel the baby move regularly. But now that I think I've felt it I don't want it to stop (if it's the baby I felt). I want to feel it all the time!!! lol...

I think I feel it again (every few minutes) but I dont know if that's "wishful thinking". Ya know, me making myself think I'm feeling something lol..

I just want to feel it allll the time!!!

I'm on too much of a baby high right now to do ups and downs... Will do later!!!

YAY!!!

SHOPPIN!!!

So today I headed off to Lakeside....

I went to Babies R Us first and the pillow I want was like 50 bucks, so I don't think I'll be getting that lol...

After that I was really hungry so I went to BD's for lunch... All by myself!!! And it was reallllllly yummy. I love that place!!

Then it was off to Lakeside... When I got to the mall I headed straight to Motherhood. I was a lil nervous about this because I didn't want to buy the wrong thing, or have to try on 10 different pants cause I didn't know what size to get. Of course the lady in the store jumped right up and started helping me. It was great. I got two pairs of jeans.. They are soooo comfy!!! I've found that I LOVE maternity pants!!! I told Paul I was going to sleep in them... Of course I'm not! But they are that comfy!!! It's great.

After I left Motherhood I headed to Victorias Secret and got a bra. I needed a new comfy bra... My other ones were no long comfy. I also found out that I am now a 40DD... About 6 months ago I was a 38D.. That was the last time I was measured for a bra. And now I'm 40DD!! That's crazy... Thanks baby!!! lol... But the bra is so comfy. It's full coverage and no padding. Very very comfy!!!

Then I headed over to Bath and Body Works. I wanted to get some WILD HONEYSUCKLE products. I ended up getting the perfume, which smells amazing!!!! We have the handsoaps throughout our house and I think it is my favorite scent.... LOOOOOOVE it! lol... Then I asked the lady about the body butter. I wanted to know if it was hypoallergenic cause I wanted to put it on my belly. Right now my sides (up near my breasts) are really dry... Itchy and flaky and my Quench Body Lotion isn't helping so I wanted something a lil stronger... When she found out I was pregnant and that's what I wanted it for she directed "LAY IT ON THICK". It's a really thick (lol) creamy body butter... It has all that shea and jojoba stuff in it... Plus it smells nice! So I put some on my sides tonight before I put my jammies on... It's really creamy and I don't like the way it feels on my hands (like to leave it on as a lotion) but I love the way it makes my sides feel.... very nice and smooth!!!

But my fav thing today is the jeans.. Love love love them!!! I definitly recommend Motherhood maternity jeans... Great!!!

15 weeks 0 days

Hello all!!

Today I am 15 weeks pregnant!!! Only 25 weeks to go... give or take a few!!!!

We'll start with the downs -

1.) Sex - This is going to be an up and a down... so I'll say the down part...
I guess Paul thinks that I don't wanna have sex very much so since I found out I am was pregnant (on JULY 9th) he has not initiated sex. Or maybe it's because he thinks he'll hurt the baby... or maybe he just doesn't find me sexy and attractive anymore... I certainly don't feel sexy and attractive anymore. As I said this morning everything on my body has gone "POOOF" lol... My thighs went poof, my ass poofed, my tummy poofed, and my boobs poofed... lol... Of course we've always had problems with him initiating sex, but this is different... I want sex... lots of it!! lol...

2.) Pregnancy acne - I look like I'm 15 years old, not 15 weeks pregnant. lol. I have pimples all over my chin, cheek, and forehead. It totally bites. And with my braces I definitly look young... I don't like it. I put salicylic acid on my face everynight, but it doesn't appear to be working. Oh well.. Hopefully it will go away soon....

Now for the UPS-

1.) Sex!!! The sex that we do have is awesome... Mind blowingly great! lol... 'Nuff said! lol

2.) I get to shop!!! Tomorrow I am going maternity clothes shopping... Mall time!!! I'm gonna go to Babies R Us and get a pregnancy pillow and then head to Lakeside Mall for some shopping at the maternity stores there... I know there are a few... Can't wait!! lol


We had a pretty good weekend. The Grand Am is going to be paid off by the end of the week and then the insurance is done on Oct 16th, so that means that Jen will be responsible for it. I know she can do it!!!!

Something really awesome happened today. Well first off we've been trying to get ahold of a sod and landscaping company for a couple weeks to get some sod in the front yard. And no luck.... Well, today a guy came and knocked on our door and said that he ordered too much sod and wanted to know if we want it... Well of course!!! lol... So we took it (paid him 20 bucks). Now we have a quarter of the front yard sodded... It looks awesome.

Took Mister to the vet again.... On Thursday I took his cone off for a few hours and he chewed the sore back open. So now he has to have the cone on for 10 days. If it doesn't heal within 10 days then Dr. Kerns wants to surgically remove it... at the cost of $436!!! Not gonna happen anytime soon!!! lol...

Anyways, I'm gonna go!!! Time to eat again!!! I'm always eating now!!!

DH totally rocks!!!

14 weeks 1 day

Downs -

1.) Heartburn... Which is nothing new for me. I've always had acid reflux which is why I started taking Zantac at 11 and then switched to Prilosec... But I can't take those any more and am having to use just Maalox... UGH!!

2.) Paul had a meltdown... I don't really want to go into details... More or less its something I would rather forget about. I know it's just his fears coming out... But honestly I felt like saying (and maybe did say) "get over it". This is the time that he should be taking care of me, instead I'm having to calm his fears and stuff... Men are big babies!!! lol...

Ups-

1.) More energy. I definilty am having more energy in my second trimester then I did my first. I still get tired... But atleast I have the energy to do things... In the first tri I didn't have the energy to do ANYTHING... now I have energy to do stuff, I just get tired and have to take breaks every now and then. But atleast I have energy to do things.

2.) I'm getting closer to feeling the baby move... Hopefully I'll be lucky and feel him move around week 16... which is just two weeks away... I can't wait to feel the baby move!!! I'm looking foward to that so much...


So today I cleaned out my closet and underwear drawer. I put away all the clothes that I can no longer fit into. Which left me with 2 pairs of sweats and several t shirts. I dont know if i mentioned that I had to buy new panties... My other ones were a little too snug and were rubbing my leg... It hurt... So I had to get what I'm calling "fat panties" lol... But they are sooooo comfy! LOVE THEM!! lol...

Not much else is going on.... So I'm gonna go to bed... Good night!!!

I love my hubby.... as hormonal as he is!!! HAHA!!!

Picture time!!

Poor Precious has had a rough couple of weeks. It started off with a sore on his belly... and since he wouldn't stop licking it the vet put an Elizabeth Collar on him... I can't stop laughing!!! It's just so funny... and he has that really "I'm so pissed" look all the time!!! Plus he can't fit into his normal spaces (tight ones) that he usually cant because the collar doesn't fit... that's when we get the "pissed off" look from him!!! I just can't stop laughing!! It's so funny. Then after I stop laughing I feel bad for him!! It's just funny seeing him walk around with that thing on. He has to wear it for 7 days so his boo-boo can heal.... HAHAHAHA!!!! And he looks at me as to say "stop laughing at me"!!! HAHAHAHA!!!

I took Pebbles to the groomers today... This is the first time she's came back with hair... Since it's getting cooler I don't want them to cut her anymore. She looks so fluffy and pretty... I made sure to take plenty of pictures cause I know it won't last long...










And last but not least... I'm posting some "baby bump" pictures. Yep, I am starting to show a little... I know it's because I was big to start with, but it's still cool to see the lil bump I have going.

Bye Bye Expander!!!

I just got back from the orthodontist and she took my expander out... OUCH!!!! lol... And put molar bands on... OUCH!!! lol

I am glad to have the expander out. It feels weird to touch the roof of my mouth with my tongue. And I'm sure it's going to feel weird when I eat. But right now my teeth hurt to bad for me to eat... I'm going to be in pain for a few days...

I have impressions on the roof of my mouth from the expander... lil indentions lol...

I had my expander in for 24 weeks... Almost 5 months.... guess they were right when they said I would have it in for 4-6 months lol...

WOO HOOOOO!!!!! It's out!!!

13 weeks 5 days (FALL IS HERE)!!!!

I saw on another persons blog that they do two ups and two downs each week about the pregnancy. So I'm going to start trying to do this. Of course this means I will post every week... we'll see about that lol!!! I try, really I do, it just doesn't happen... I tend to forget! Sorry

2 downs -

1.) Hormones - Apparently my hormones are going crazy. And silly me, I thought Paul would be an little more understanding, but I guess not. Can't he just keep his mouth shut and realize that I don't understand what I'm saying either. That I know what I'm saying is crazy!! UGGGHHH!! Actually I guess it hasn't been that bad, and he does take care of me as much as possible.

2.) Round ligament pain - OMG!!!! lol... That's all I have to say. lol... When I stand up, lay down, stretch, go poop (push), turn around, sit down, walk, lol.... It hurts. Mostly on the right side... which I was a lil concerned about until I read online that it's more common on the right side...

2 Ups -

1. ) I got to hear the heartbeat the other day. It was so neat. WHOOSH WHOOOSH WHOOSSSH and it was reallly fast. So cool.... We also scheduled my next ultrasound (to tell the sex) for Oct 18th... I can't wait!!! WOO HOO!!!

2.) I think I'm starting to show...which is realllly cool. I can't wait to be like 20 weeks and have a noticeable belly on me... I also can't wait to feel the baby move... It's supposed to happen around 16 weeks or so... just a few more weeks left... I just want to feel him move around in there...



So those are my ups and downs (yep I stole that from Jens 40 weeks blog off of babycenter.com) I don't think she'll mind though.

Paul's having a nervous break down. I think it's cause he's nervous about the baby and the changes that it's going to bring our way... But like I've said before... It's not like this pregnancy was a big surprise... Afterall we were TRYING to get pregnant!!! lol... I'm trying to be there for him... but the other day he said some reallly reallly reallly stupid stuff that realllllly made me mad. I know in the end he will be okay.

He also went to a therapist and get this... the therapist was able to prescribe something for his prostate that is completely natural, no side effects, not metabolized by the liver... AND IT"S WORKING!!!! It's great. I'm so happy that they finally found something that works... But I can't believe the therapist thought of it... not the 15 specialists we went to, not before they did all those tests to the poor boy... but he's just happy to have something help... It's a medicine for the nerve endings... interesting...

Fall is finally here!!! I am soooo frikkin excited... Fall is my favorite season... I absolutely love it... If it gets hot again I am going to scream. I can't wait to go to the apple cider, pumpkin patches, carve the pumpkin, start baking my pies yummm, start baking anything again (we haven't used the oven in months lol), start making my home made soups, decorating the house with the fall decorations and halloween decor... I just love fall... The colors, the smells, the tastes, the sights... Paul bought me a pumpkin nutmeg candle the other day... it smells soooo good! lol...

I had to take the cat to the vet last week cause I noticed he has a big sore on his belly... I was afraid that it was ring worm, but it doesn't appear to be... So we spent 94 bucks on a sore!!! lol... but it hasn't gone away yet. The vet gave me an antibiotic to give him and we did... and its made him sick... poor precious vomits a few times a day. I feel so bad for him. And the sore hasn't gotten any better or gone away... I'm afraid I'm going to have to take him back to the vet next week if it doesn't get better. I just want him to feel better. He's been very clingy (yes more clingy then usual lol) and doesn't go far from my side.....

Pebbles is doing good. I have to take her to the groomers tomorrow cause she needs her nails clipped. I always want them to bathe her... I give her a bath every week, but for some reason she always seems cleaner when they bathe her lol... I don't want her hair cut because it's starting to get cool and she gets cold easily. But I want the hair around her eyes trimmed so she can see lol, around her butt, and her ears.

I just looked at the kitts sore... And the hair from way around it (cause the vet shaved right around it) has folded over and is now stuck on the sore... i'm going to have to cut it... The sore ooozes icky stuff all the time, and it looks like it just dried this time and is sticky... I feel so bad for him...

Anyways, not much else is going on with me... I'm hungry!!! lol... always am now though!!!

I love my husband!!!!

First Ultrasound....

We had our first ultrasound of baby Cooper on Thursday Aug, 23. It was really neat...

Paul was a little nervous because it was a vag u/s and he didn't want to see her putting the probe in lol... He got to looking around the room when we first got there and the only chair in there was RIGHT in front of where I would be laying on the table (legs spread) about 10 feet away... He said "I'M NOT SITTING THERE" lol... I told him that he wouldn't be sitting there because he would be standing next to me holding my hand! He was like "oh okay" lol

So then we get ready to start and she inserts the probe and I kinda squeeze Paul's hand and little and he squeezes back... But doesn't stop squeezing lol... Finally about half way thro I had to tell him to stop squeezing lol...

Paul was all smiles when he saw the baby move. And then the doctor let me see... It was so great to see the babies heart beat. We got to see his legs, arms, face... The baby waved, kicked, and jumped... It was great!!!

I was really nervous that they wouldn't be able to find the heart beat... after the bleeding scare last month... but she did!!! We didn't get to hear it, but I saw it... It was great...

On the way home we stopped at CVS and I made copies of the ultrasound picture... We're calling it "the cute blob" picture... cause thats what it looks like lol... I don't know why she didn't give us the picture of his face, arms, and legs... we got the blob picture... but he's a cute blob!!! lol...

Oh yea, I think we've decided that if it's a girl we're still going to name her Cooper... Seems cool!!!

Anyways, here's Coopers very first picture!!!!See he's a cute blob!!! lol Can't wait to feel him move!!!

Forced Medical Leave....

Well, Paul was able to get off work to go with me to my doctors appointment. Which I'm really glad he did.

I really like my doctor... she is very nice and said that she delivers 95% of her patients!!! That sounds good to me. And there are only 2 other doctors at her office, that I will meet later, just in case she isn't available when I go into labor... In 7 months!! WOW!!! lol

So I said in my last post that I didn't want to go back to work because it was physically demanding... AND that work was being supportive!! OMG!!! I am so bored...

I was all set to go back to work on Monday. I had the doctors okay and everything.

Well on Monday work told me that they needed a doctors note for me to go back to work... So I went to the doctors office and got one.

The doctors office gave me my note... which I noticed had a few stipulations on it... No surprise there... I can't lift anything over 25 lbs, no noxious fumes, and I have to take a 15 minute break to sit down every 2 hours. Work didn't like the 15 minute break every 2 hours so work told me I had to go on medical leave. I was so pissed when I left the office... SOOO mad... I wanted to go back to work so bad because I am so bored sitting at home with nothing to do...

I emailed Tom and told him what was going on, and we're supposed to get together for lunch sometime around Labor Day. That'll be fun... get me outta the house... lol

Oh yea... we have our first Ultrasound a week from today!! Yipeee!! Can't wait to see our little peanut!!! I will be 10 weeks at the ultrasound so they still can't tell the sex... :( lol

I still haven't gained any weight... Even lost another pound... so that makes 4 lbs I've lost since I became pregnant... Hmmm... I dont like it... Has me a little worried... Gonna have to talk to the doctor about that one.

I don't have any morning sickness... but at night sometimes I get extremely nauseous. And sometimes my heart starts racing and I have a hard time taking deep breaths... It's all very weird... But I'm taking these weird feelings as good signs that my baby is growing and doing fine. I was a little worried there for a while cause I wasn't "feeling pregnant"... but I guess I am now...

I still get really tired, but not as much as a few weeks ago, so thats good... I can't wait until the second trimester... I'm supposed to get my energy back and feel much better!!! Woo hooo!!! Only like 3 more weeks to go!!!

Anyway, not much else is going on... just mad that I can't go back to work. Oh well... I'll prolly quit soon anyways.... lol

Spotting...

Spotting while pregnant is terrifying!!! Absolutely, heart stopping, terrifying.

On Friday around noon I went to the bathroom and saw that I was spotting dark brown blood. So I called the doctor and they told me to go straight to the emergency room... We got to the emergency room around 145 and they pretty much took me back right away. I think I only waited for about 3 minutes lol...

So anyways, the doctor asks a lot of questions and they keep calling it a threatened abortion... I really didn't like that term... To me abortion is something you do voluntarily.... I kept thinking of it as a threatend miscarraige.

They ended up giving me an I.V. of course. And then they said they were going to do something so scary to me... that I cried... They put in a Foley Cathater... How scary that was.. It's a tube about the size of my PINKY!!! with a balloon on the end of it so they can inflate my bladder. The purpose of this is so they can do an ultrasound... Apparently when you're this ealy in pregnancy they have to use your full bladder as a reference point to find the baby... I have never felt so much pain as I did when they pulled it out... Now mind you when they put it in it was horrible... but for some reason taking it out was worse.... It was so terrible... I couldn't move for literally 15 minutes and I couldn't stop screaming and moaning...

They never did really tell me what was wrong. Just that I had a 50/50 chance of keeping the baby. And that I am on a week of bedrest... or until my doctor says. They also told me that as of Friday (July 27) I am 6 weeks 3 days pregnant... So I am now 6 weeks 6 days pregnant... that's just a few days shorter then we originally said...

Anyways, so I'm on bed rest... which means I can't do anything... which means I am totally bored out of my mind. But I did discover that you can't watch "Eight Below" when pregnant... unless you want to pretty much cry thro the whole thing... But I'm watching it anyways... and crying like a baby!!! I hope they find the poochies... lol... The movie is almost over so I'm sure they will find them... But 2 have died alreayd... That is very sad... And the main doggy "Mya" is almost dead... She was attacked my a seal...

I have my doctors appointment tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. I am going to have to go by myself cause Paul can't get off work... Which totally sucks and is totally scary... But I'm a big girl... As long as they don't want to do another cathater... lol...

Work has been supportive... But I don't want to go back... It's such a physically demanding job... So I'm gonna talk to the doctor about it...

Anyways, I'm gonna get off of here... Can't think of much else to say... Just a little scared and hoping everything is okay... GUess we'll find out tomorrow...

Aww they found the first dead doggy... Old Jack... He was the first to die cause he wouldn't chew thro his chain... too old i guess...

First Doctors Appointment...

Well, I had today off so I decided to find an OBGYN once and for all... lol... I had decided that I wasn't going to the clinic because the receptionist was so freakin rude and the other place had too many doctors (10) and I want a more personal experience. I don't want to see a different doctor every time I have an appointment...
So I have an appointment tomorrow at 330 with the head nurse for my intake... They will take tons of blood and ask TONS of questions... I'm fine with getting the blood drawn though... For once I don't think it's going to bother me... I'm so excited!!! lol

Our poor fishys have ICK... and man are they icky! lol... So I put some meds in the tank today to try to get rid of it, and it's turned the water blue... looks pretty cool! lol... Hopefully it takes care of the problem...

I took Pebbles to the groomers today and had her trimmed, bathed, nails trimmed, etc.... She looks great..

I went to Barnes and Noble today to get some baby books and walked out with 3 baby books lol... I got Knocked Up by Rebecca Eckler (the movie was hilarius, but I don't know if the movie is based off the book, but its still funny... so is the book). I also got Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy and She's having a baby and I'm having a breakdown. What every man should know - and do - when the woman he loves is pregnant. It's looks pretty funny, and Paul's actually reading it, mostly because I'm making him though lol... I am totally crackin up with Belly Laughs it is possibly the funniest book I have ever read... But it's scary to know that stuff will happen to me!!! Yikes!!!

Anyways, I'm getting ready to go to Sally's... We had to find another place to meet because the CoffeeBeanery is closing at 8 during the summer I think... It's crazy... lol

I can't wait to have my husbands baby! It's going to be amazing!

4 weeks 6 days

This is what is on my Fertitlity friend for this week...

Implantation is complete. Your future baby has now reached beneath the lining of your uterus and growth is rapid. Your baby is now called an embryo. The embryo is still about 0.05 inches (1.25mm) long. It is deeply embedded in your uterus.

It is now possible to identify the fold of skin that will become your baby's head. A heart forming plate has developed and the central nervous system, muscles and bone are in the early stages of development. Your baby's heart has started beating. The brain, spine and beginnings of the nervous system are forming.

By the end of this month, your baby will resemble a tiny tadpole, barely the size of a grain of rice. A distinct organization, however, is becoming visible. There is a stripe down the back of the embryo which is curling over to form a groove which will seal up to form the neural tube. This will turn into the spinal cord and brain. The top of the tube is flattening out and expanding to form the front part of the brain.

The placenta, which will provide nourishment to your developing baby later in your pregnancy, is not yet formed. Right now your baby is nourished from you via hundreds of tiny "roots" that cover the amniotic sac. The nourishment is channeled from you to your baby from these roots through a stalk that will become the umbilical cord. The placenta will begin its development this week. It will form in the site that the fertilized egg attached to the lining of your uterus at the time of implantation. A bulge is developing where your baby's heart will be and the blood vessels are growing into place.

I'M PREGNANT!!!

My due date is March 16...

Since I have been charting I know exactly when we conceived... I ovulated on CD 18 ... so June 26... Our baby was concieved on June 26... Which means that our fetus is almost 3 weeks and I am 4 weeks 6 days pregnant... Doctors determine how far along you are by the first day of your last period (June 9).

We are so excited... excited doesn't even describe how we feel... It's amazing... We think it's a boy and are calling him Cooper Alexander... Yep we've named him! lol...

We just found out on Monday (4 days ago) and are way excited... I had been having some cramps so I went to the doctor and they told me that I was definitly pregnant and that the cramps were normal. And that they wanted to do a blood test... So they did... On Wednesday they called and said that my HCG levels were VERY low and that I needed to come in for another test on Thursday. I got a little nervous. And when I went in for my test on Thursday I asked the nurse why we were doing it again and she said "because my levels were low which could mean early pregnancy or a possible miscarraige...".... Well that terrified me to no end... Just the htought of having a miscarriage... I couldn't stop crying... Well today I FINALLY got a hold of the nurse she told me that my levels had gone up...and eveyrthing was okay... I WAS SOOO HAPPY!!!

My levels on Tuesday were 124 and today were 280... It as an amazing feeling when she said that my levels had gone up and everything was fine... I started crying again cause I was so happy...

That was the worse feeling in the world thinking that something was wrong... i was so terrified that I was losing the baby and all I could do was cry... Paul was great at holding me but not that great at comforting... but I was inconsolable... It was good to have him near though.

I won't be going back to that doctors office because the receptionists are total bitches... so rude and just plain mean...

I have another appointment with EastSide Clinics on July 27... .but I'm not sure if I want to keep that one either... I don't know if I want a "clinic" enviroment.... I think I want a regular doctor. I'm not sure... I have plenty of time to think about it I guess...

When I told Momma I was pregnant she was so happy.... So excited...

Granny was thrilled too...

My daddy was shocked and speechless to the point where I thought I had lost the connection... lol... but it was a good speechless... When it finally hit him, the first thing he said was "You better take good care of my grandson!!!" lol... He thinks I'm having a boy... Dr. Mozarus thinks its a boy, I think it's a boy, lol... so we'll see... Can't determine the sex of the baby until around 16 weeks... and since I'm only 4 weeks... theres still a while to wait... I hate the waiting...

Pauls parents were excited... beth was pretty speechless...

Aunt Capri is sending me her "What to Expect When Your Expecting" book... so hopefully that'll be here soon... I'm looking foward to it...

I've been soo tired, but no morning sickness yet... Boobs hurt like crazy though lol...

The cramps are far a few in between now though... but they are normal...

I haven't told work yet... not sure when I will... but I need too soon because I don't want to be lifting all that heavy stuff while pregnant... And I plan on quitting in December... I will not be there for the January rush... And I'm not sure how or when to tell them... Guess I'll figure it out soon...

Wow life changes so fast!!!!

It's been forever since I've blogged.... Geez I can't believe how long it's been.... So much has changed!

-Jen moved in... about a month ago. Her and Eric broke up after he got thrown in jail again. She is doing good in school, and I'm adjusting. Sally has helped me a lot with having her here. Jacob isn't here... He is living with Christine and Ed in Livonia...

- I am now a Team Leader for RGIS... but now I can't figure out how to download my machines lol! Hopefully Francise will help me with that tomorrow.... So far so good...

- For the BIGGEST news ever....


I AM PREGNANT!!!!!!

Chillin

So I have today off, woo hoo!!! I'm just chillin right now. Been doing a little house cleaning... Our house is a disaster... it's not that bad, but it's bad to me lol.. .To other people our house is clean, but not to me! lol... So I've cleaned the kitchen and am not just chillin... Doing laundry, and gonna vacuum later...

I decided to put "Greys Anatomy : Season One" in, and am watching that... It's cool to see the first eppys. Pretty interesting. You forget all those little details.

I had to take Pebbles to the vet today for her dental. I was so sad when I dropped her off, and felt horrible. She was shaking and scared... I feel terrible. I can't pick her up until after 230 today... It's weird not having her here. We've only had her two weeks, but she's a part of the family now. It's weird... very weird...lol

We've decided to do our landscaping this weekend. I'm looking foward to it, but I'm afraid we won't get it all done this weekend... but we'll try.

Beth got a dog. Apparently its a German Shepherd mix and his name is Bronson. We're going to see him on Saturday. That'll be cool. Hopefully Bronson and Pebbles will get along.

HAHAHA The eppy I'm watching now is the one where the rape victim bit off his dick and swallowed it... I love this eppy! lol And then Meredith has to carry his dick around all day lol...

The weather has been nice and warm here. We had a gorgeous weekend. Today is turning out to be pretty nice also. Warm and sunny... Yesterday was warm but raining cats and dogs... and thundering and lightening.

Paul is working on the stairs that lead down to our basement. He's putting Purgo on them... It looks like hardwood and is looking great. But its going to take forever, cause he doesn't get in any hurry. He has 4 stairs partially done...

Anyways, I'm gonna go, not much else is going on... that I can think of anyways. It's quiet not having Pebbles here... miss her and she's only been gone for a few hours. Can't wait to pick her up, but it's going ot be scary too cause she's going to be hurting and groggy from the pain pills...

Happy Anniversary!!!

April 26th was our one year anniversary! I can't believe it's been that long, but at the same time it seems like it's been forever...

Paul and I both took the day off work. We mostly just hung out around the house. We did take Pebbles to the vet at 3.

After the vets we went to see "Vacancy". It was a very good movie, very tense. And after the movie we went out to eat in downtown Mt. Clemes at Luigis. It was good, but expensive.

All in all, we had a good anniversary, didnt do much, but it was nice.

I got Paul a new wallet, a Pink Floyd tshirt, and a framed picture of us at our wedding... the 'You may kiss the bride" picture, for his desk at work.

Paul got me two plants, and the 7th season of Golden Girls. And I consider Pebbles an anniversary gift also.

Not much else has been going on. Just tryin to get Pebbles adjusted to her new home, and the cat adjusted to her... Guess I gotta change the name of my blog.... Right now it's "The Cat, The Husband, and Me!!!"... Gotta think of something clever to change it too! lol... Pebbles is adjusting well. She still has potty accidents at night, which is why we keep her in the powder room with a puppy pad at night and while no one is home.

Been workin, workin, workin! lol

Paul got a 2% raise at work, and also is getting bonus in July I think! So that'll be nice...

I haven't gotten my period yet... I am now 4 days late, but that could be because my cycle has to become regular after getting off the pill... But the other times that I've stopped taking the pill it was right back on... so we'll see. I'm not testing positive on POAS tests. I had some cramping on Thurs (Apr. 26) and a little (very pale pink) spotting on the TP last night when I wiped. Today I thought I was going to get my period cause of the spotting and I had some cramps yesterday, but no period yet... Just some very light brown spotting... So I'm still waiting to see... it could be implantation bleeding and cramping... FINGERS CROSSED!!!

If I'm not pregnant then we're going to try Pre-Seed and I'm going to chart my temps, CM, and OPK's... So we'll see what happens!!!

Grandma McCurley is in the hospital... Now she's the Little Rock hospital with heart problems I guess.... God I hope she's going to be okay! lol

I'm gonna go for now... I bought a cute skirt today... yep i said skirt... And I want to shower and shave so I can wear it tonight... It'll be interesting to see Paul's reaction...

Oh yea... I have my first adjustment on my braces today at 430... Not looking foward to that!!! lol

I'm still in love with husband... even after being married for a year!!!

Pebbles...

On my way home from work on Wednesday (april 25) I decided to stop by the pound. I walked in and asked to see the dogs as I was considering adopting a dog if we found the perfect one for our family... Well I was escorted to the back room, that reeked, and to a row of dog cages, all of which had some kind of bark coming from it. When I finally got my footing back, after the stench almost knocked me over, I started the walk throgh the cages. The first cage on my right appeared to be empty, but all the other were filled with very large, very loud barking dogs. We do not want a large, loud dog. As I was descending down the row, sad that I didn't find the perfect dog, I heard this very meager yelping bark coming from the first cage on the right. Well, I walked over to the cage and there stood a white maltese... I thought "how perfect". So I went out to the car and called Paul. I told him that I think I found the perfect dog for us, her card says she's good with cats, kids, and is potty trained... He wasn't too thrilled but agreed to meet me at the pound. I went back in and told them that I wanted to play with the white maltese to see how we interacted, they told me that if it wasn't raining I could put the leash on her and take her outside, so I did!!! She was soooo happy to be out of that cage, you could just see it in her eyes... pure joy! So we walked around on the grass, and played a little. Then I saw Paul pull up... Needless to say I talked him into letting us get her... So now we have a 9.8 lb, white, maltese dog!!! Her name is Pebbles!!!

So, after we bought her, we had to make the manditory stop at PetCo to get her some dog food. She liked Petco, walking around, meeting new people... It seemed to suit her very well...

On Thursday (april 26) we took her to the vet. I found a vet up in Richmond (not far from our house) and made an appointment. We soon learned that our dog has problems, or as Beth says "You have a handicapped dog" lol... She's not handicapped!!! I swear!!! She just has issues... The pound told us that she had kennel cough, well the vet said that it could be kennel cough, but in Malteses a collapsing trachea is very common, so now it appears that her trachea collapses when she gets too excited or scared... I sounds horrible when this happens, she does this awful wheezing - can't breath - hacking sound... She also has knee problems... Lol... Her back knees tend to pop in and out of socket, which is why she avoids stairs! The vet said that neither the collapsing trachea or the knee thing were major issues.. HOWEVER, her teeth are terrible. So we are now taking her back to the vet on May 10 to have her teeth cleaned, and some extractions done.. this is going to cost around $300... But something that has to be done, if left unattended then the disease in her teeth could travel to her blood, and either be life threatening, or end up costing HUNDREDS more then a dental! lol... so we're having that done on May 10...

Now I hope that you haven't forgot about the cat through all of this... Yes, we have a cat... a very large cat... Now remember, Pebbles weighs 9.8 lbs.... Precious weighs roughly 23 lbs!!! lol... that's a big difference!!!

When we brought Pebbles home, Precious was none to thrilled. Precious took off running to the basement, and there he stayed until Friday afternoon!!! So for around 36 hours Precious locked himself in the basement and refused to come up stairs... Also, Precious wouldn't eat... Not wet food, not dry food... it was crazy!! Precious wouldn't come to us for petting, but didn't pull away when we went to pet him, and we went to pet him a lot... We wanted to let him know that we hadn't forgotten about him, and we still loved him... Well on Friday morning we went down into the basement and Precious had thrown up about 5 times... We started worrying. Paul decided to work from home Friday so he could keep and eye on the cat, to make sure he was okay. Precious ended up throwing up again, but it was like pure water. So when I got off work, I called the cat vet and talked to them, of course they said it was just because of the dog, but I was worried about him not eating and throwin up. So I made an appointment for 2. Well, when I got home the cat was upstairs with Paul, laying on the dining room floor, soakin up the rays... So that was a big improvement. So I called and cancelled the appointment. Precious has finally come upstairs and is willing to stay up. But he won't go in the living room, or get on the couch yet... which is where the dog always is... I know it's going to take time, but for the day and a half that Precious was in the basement, it broke my heart... I couldn't stand it...

Not to mention Paul stressing out about it... I had to work on Wed. night, which meant that Paul was alone with Pebbles... Paul was so stressed out about that... And he's still a little stressed out by the dog, but not nearly as much as he was... he's getting a little bit better.... He pets Pebbles... This is what he did when we got the cat, and now he loves the cat to death, so it's just a matter of time until he loves Pebbels to death too. I can already see/feel the love he has for Pebbles... LOL.. but if you asked him, he'd say he's still stressed out about the dog...lol

Pebbles doesn't care too much for baths... but she lets you bathe her for the most part. But ocassionally she tries to get out of the tub, and she doesn't care to be blow dried or brushed, so it'll be interesting to see how she does on Friday at the groomers! lol... She has her grooming appt on Friday the 4th at 4 pm... And her dental on May 10th... I have to drop her off at 8:30 and pick her up in the afternoon... That's gonna be sad..

I just gave her a bath, and I noticed a HUGE blood red spot on her chest... It's HUGE... I don't know if it's just her skin color, cause it doesn't seem to be bothering her, but it doesn't look good. The vet didn't catch it the other day, so I don't know if I should call the vet and ask about it, and possibly take her back in, or wait until the 10th, but that's a ways off... Not sure what to do... I'll prolly call the vet tomorrow and talk to someone about it, and see if they think I should bring her in or not... So we'll see...

Well, it took me all day to write this entry, as I kept getting interupted... but I think I've finally finished it...

Pebbles is so pretty when she all clean, and shiny, and very white!!! Gorgeous!!!

"Wanna help me in the sheets?"

Okay, so I like literally just walked in the door, and because my life is so sad and boring I just had to post what happened today at work... Okay, so I didn't just walk in the door, I went to the bathroom and changed... but I've only been home for like 10 minutes...

Anyways.

We did a SuperK today out in Bloomfield Hills, nice one too... I was working with usual people, mainly Tom and I stuck together. Well the first funny thing that was funny is that we were in HBA (health and beauty aids) doing cosmetics. Well, I was doing all the lipsticks and when I would pull them out they were stuck together by their price tags... usually two at a time. But I pulled one group out where 3 were stuck together and I told Tom (who was right next to me) "look at this" he goes "ohh a threesome, nice" lol .... And we started joking about it, and I pulled another one out that was just two, and said "look a twosome" he said "naw, the threesome is the only way to go" LOL... At this point Lauren (in the same aisle as us) says "What the hell are ya'll talking about". Tom and I started busting up laughing and he said "Well, the word threesome sure did get your attention!" lol... More laughter... it was funny! you had to be there!!

Anyways. The most funny part was....

We were in domestics, bedding, and I was all done with my aisles so I was looking for open areas and I saw Tom on a wall of sheets that were AutoScan and when he saw me he says "Wanna help me in the sheets" I started busting up laughing and said "It might be kinda fun" lol!! OMG it was so funny we laughed about that all day...

So we're at lunch in the SuperK breakroom (they served us pizza, very nice of them. Thank you!) and the table was full and Tom came in. Pete told Tom to grab a chair and bring it over and Ollie (i believe was the one) said "No, Tom has to sit on Amanda's lap." I said "Why not he already tried to get me in the sheets". Everyone started laughing and then it hit them... "wait, what is she talking about " LOL So then Tom had to tell them what he said to me earlier! lol... Of course every one picked on us, and I started blushing...

Well, then I called Paul... while I was still at the table with everyone and was talking to him. Tom said "Is that your husband? Let me talk to him"... So I handed him the phone, Tom introduced himself to Paul and of course Paul said something like "Hi Tom, I've heard all about you" (LOL). Then Tom proceeded to tell Paul that he tried to get me in the sheets earlier... Well, of course Paul didn't get what he was saying... so we all laughed about that too... So now I gotta fill Paul in when he gets home, cause I think he was like "Well, yea she helped you in the sheets, she's supposed to, it's her job to do inventory" lol... Something like that!!! So then of course everyone laughed about how Paul didn't get it... lol

I'm not sure that this is as funny if you're reading it, maybe it was one of those "You had to be there" moments, cause it was frikkin hilarious today... Tom and I had a ball today...

I like Tom a lot, he's a great guy, and a lot of fun to talk to... And since I like 'em old... hehe!!! I'm kidding I'm kidding!!! He's not that old... prolly around Paul's age! lol...

Maybe I should take him up on the offer... Again... kidding!!! Might be fun though!!!

Naw, I love Paul, even if we do have our issues. We always work it out and things get back to normal after a while!!!

Tomorrow Tom, Ollie, and I are carpooling to the store cause I don't wanna drive that far. We're meeting at the office at like 620 I think for a 7 start... Should be an interesting ride, they both like to pick on me A LOT!!! But it's fun!

Fingers Crosed!!!

So, we've been doing well on BDing (Baby dancing) every couple of days... however last week we didn't do so well... Went almost a week... And I most likely ovulated last week... I just hope the one day that we did BD it worked... Now the waiting game is happening... If I'm not PG then I should get AF on April 25th or 26th (our one year anniversary)! God I hope I dont get AF!!! It would be totally awesome to tell Paul that we're pregnant on our one year anniversary! How cool would that be?!!? lol So I have my fingers crossed!!! But not my leggss!! HAHA! Couldn't resist!!

I stopped looking at names, cause the list is already too long! So I'm going to stick with the names we have for now, unless I come across a totally rad name... lol

Paul's birthday was Friday... It was fun. He took half a day off, and worked from home the other half. I had to work Friday, but I was home by 1... I got him 2 books' an astrology one and a positive thinking on, AND and $20 gift card for Starbucks...(He called me at 11 and told me he was on his way to Starbucks to get a mocha... I think he likes his gift card! lol..)

When I got home from work we went to Ikea... Well, first we went to Chilis to eat (which is in front of Ikea). Damn it's a long drive there... About an hour... 94 to 696 to 275 to Ford Rd... It's crazy!! but worth the drive...

We got a bunch of pics... two for the attic, two for the living room, and one for the bedroom. We also got me a dresser...I love it, and it looks great... One of the pics is hanging above it and totally looks great!!! lol... We want to get Paul a dresser that matches it, and the bed that matches too! We already have one of the nightstands (Got it the last time we went there). We also got another night stand like the one in the bedroom, but we put it in the attic, and it looks great!!! Oh yea, and we got another cool little lamp for the attic...and a LARGE lamp (like the little one) and put it in the basement.... It looks great!! lol

On Saturday I worked (at the OU bookstore). We had Paul's Bday dinner at 5... Jen and Jacob came and so did Fay and Jerry... We ended up babysitting Saturday night and took him over to Beth's with us... He was really good, slept all night!!! Which was really good!!! lol

Yesterday we went to Fay and Jerry's, had lunch and played 31.

When we left Fay and Jerry's we went to the Dollar Tree and I got some pregnancy tests and ovulations tests (Just in case I don't get pregnant this month). If I don't get pregnant this month then I'm going to start charting... taking my BBT, checking for EWCM, and taking ovulation tests... Also I want to get some PreSeed if Aunt Flo shows her ugly head this month...

Been emailing Jess a lot... .I had him on block for a little bit without realizing it lol... Oooppps! lol.. I thought he was just busy, and that's why he hadn't emailed me... but he called me yesterday and told me he'd been emailing me... so when I checked my blocked list... there he was! lol.. So I unblocked him!!! lol

It was good hearing from him yesterday! The caller I.D. was weird though... Just "2223" lol

Gonna send him a package this weekend... Got him some body wash and a loufa sponge... and some other things...

Talked to Aunt Shirley Saturday, they're doing good. I get the feeling that Uncle Lee isn't that great... But I've always known that... hope he's gonna be okay!

Sarahs pregnant... or so she says.... I'll believe it when I see it... that girl has lied so much. I hope she's gotten her act together... She claims to.. She told Granny that her new beau is great, treats her right, works and makes good money, etc. Hope it works out for her!

Not much else is going on... Just obsessed with getting pregnant!!!

Going to see Sally tonight, haven't seen her in a while as she was on vacation in FL. Glad to know she's back... Been itching to go see her... see if I can get over this obsession... Need to relax, put my faith in God, and just let it happen... Easier said then done!! lol

Getting Pregnant!!!

So, we've officially started trying to get pregnant... I stopped birth control last Wednesday (March 28). We're trying to have sex once every 2-3 days, since sperm can live in the body for 2-3 days.

I went to the Gynecologist today and got a prescribtion for pre-natal vitamins... Gonna pick that up in a few hours.. Had a pap, everything looks good on the outside... Should have the test results back in a week or so... I can't imagine anything being wrong... nothing ever has been... didn't like the pap though, not looking foward to when I am pregnant, and always being checked down there and such... Aww the wonders of being female!! lol

We've (I've) already made a list of names... boy and girl names... and even found their meanings... I'll post that now!! It'll be interesting in a few years to look back and see the first names on the list... We've already taken some names off the list because either one of us didn't like them, or the meaning... So we'll see what we come up with in the end!

BABY NAMES

April 2007

- green names are still contenders
- red names have already been removed from the list... but I wanted to post them anyways

Brielle - Girl, Hebrew meaning “Gift of God”

Cadence - Girl, English meaning “Rhythm”

Madison - Girl or Boy, English meaning “Son of Maud”, “Son of Matthew” (the more I saw it the less I liked it)

Brooke - Girl, English meaning “Brook”, “Stream”

Aurora - Girl, Latin meaning “Dawn”

Olivia - Girl, English meaning “Elf Army”, Latin meaning “Olive” (I didn't like the meaning)

Arabella - Girl, English, Scottish, Celtic (Paul doesn't like it)

Bianca - Girl, Italian meaning “White or Fair”

Willow - Girl, English meaning “Willow Tree” (Paul didn't like it)

Heaven - Girl, English meaning “Heaven” (Paul didn't like it)

Melody - Girl, Greek meaning “Melody” (Paul didn't like it)

Jordan - Girl, Hebrew meaning “Descend/ Flow Down”

Rayne - Girl, French meaning “Queen” English meaning “Rain”

Danielle - Girl, Hebrew meaning “God is my Judge”

Addison - Girl, English meaning “Son of Adam”, Many cities in the USA, a disease (We didn't like that "Addison" is a disease... lol)

Cooper - Boy, English meaning “Barrel Maker” (I don't care for the meaning, but I'm leaving it on the list beacause I love it!!!)

Ethan - Boy, Hebrew meaning “Strong, firm, impetuous, optimistic, solid, enduring, permanent”

Braden - Boy, English meaning “Broad, wide”

Ashton - Boy, English meaning “Settlement in an ash tree grove”

Sebastian - Boy, Spanish

Cole - Boy, English meaning “Coal, Dark One” (Don't like the meaning)

Matthew - Boy, Hebrew meaning “Gift of God”

Connor - Boy, Gaelic meaning “Lover of hounds, hound nobleman” (Don't like the meaning)

Joshua - Boy, Hebrew meaning “God Rescues”

Caleb - Boy, “dog”, Hebrew meaning “Heart”

Bailey - Both, English meaning “Bailiff” (Paul doesn't like it, and I don't like the meaning)

Abram - Boy, Hebrew meaning “Exalted father, High father”

Dakota - Both, Native American meaning “The Allies”

Now for work related crap...

I've been working alot... But I've been doing that damn testing on those damn new machines... I really like the new machines... But on Wednesday I had to drive 65 miles for 2 hours of work... I pretty much worked for free... And on Tuesday I worked an hour and a half on the testing (Of course got paid 2 hours) when I could have been in a KMart and worked 6 hours... Kinda pisses me off... So the next time they ask me to test I'm not doing it!!

I have a nice, long three day weekend... Am totally looking foward to it... Had today off, and didn't do much... did some shopping and went to the doctors (see above)

They're coming along very well with our basement... can't wait till they're done... They should be done by Paul's Bday... next week... yippeee!!! I'll definitly have to post pics!

Jess is in Iraq, we've been emailing alot... glad I can do that... He's not to happy with Gloris (big surprise lol). Apprarently since he's been over there she's emailed him like twice... lol...

Not much else is going on, we're going to Meijers in a lil bit... about 45 minutes... Gotta get a few things...

We might go to Ikea tomorrow... wanna get a TV stand for the basement, and my dresser... yippee!!!

I now have an expander in my mouth... It hurt like hell when she put it in, but I'm used to it now... It's weird though, when I eat food gets stuck up there... lol...

I also have a HUGE canker sore in the back of my mouth, near my throat... my gyno was able to give me a prescribed mouth rinse that'll help it... It hurts like hell when I swallow, eat, chew, talk... hell just sitting here it hurts... hopefully this mouth rinse will make it go away, or atleast feel better!!!

Gonna go!!!

I love my husband and can't wait to get pregnant with his child... it's going to be the so awesome!! Glad I quit smoking, and I haven't drank in over a week... gonna keep it that way... Also gonna start my prenatals tonight!!! Wanna make sure I'm healthy for the baby!!!

Amanda!!!

Crazy...

It's been crazy. Last week I was on the special project (testing the new machines) it was kinda cool. I really like the new machines, can't wait to use them in a store for real. We were supposed to be taken out of ALL our stores so we could devote Mon-Thur to the testing... Well, Tuesday evening, on our way back to the office, Francise called and told us that we had to go to Murrays Wed morning and help with the store. This was a 420 a.m. carpool with a 5 a.m. start. Can you believe that?!!? We were so pissed... But we went, and then we went and did a trial run of the testing for Thurs. On Thurs the big wigs were there and we had to put on our "show" for them, show them how well and great the new machines were... It wasn't that bad... we were there about an hour... On Friday I worked at CVS until 11... it was a short store...

And then!!! I got my braces... I know I have another blog braces related, but I thought I'd put some here... I was at the ortho for a little over 2 hours... and it wasn't that great. I have 8 spacers and my braces are in... My teeth were killing me this morning and were a little sore yesterday... But today was the worse... and I had to work at Sears for 10 hours... My teeth are fine right now, but I still can't chew... That'll get better though...

Jess is being shipped out sometime tomorrow... I'll be keeping him in my prayers, and I hope anyone reading this will too... I hate that he has to go back to Iraq, and I wish this damn war was over...

We're getting my new car tomorrow... A Pacifica!!! It's gonna be sweet... Actually tomorrow we're going to fill out all the papers, and on Tuesday we're getting it for good... I don't see why we can't just get it tomorrow... Paul and his silly ideas... once he gets an idea in his head, it's stuck there... Drives me crazy!!! I don't see why we can't get it tomorrow!! I really, really don't!!

10 days and no smoking!!!

I'm making a photo album to send to Grandma and Grandpa. I don't feel comfortable calling them and Sally said I should keep simple contact with them this year... She said I should write a letter and send some pictures... well I decided to make a scrap book for them... After we get my car I'm going to take some pics of it and the house, some of my braces, and some of Paul and I, and put them in the scrapbook... That should fill it up... It's not a big scrapbook. I've already added some snowy pics, a couple of Precious, one of Dad and I, and a few other... can't remember... It's going good... can't wait till it's finished and I can mail it!!!

Anyways, not much else is going on... I have to work tomorrow at Sears... AGAIN!! But I have Tuesday off, and then another Sears Wed... lol... Looks like I have the weekend off, and most of next week...like Thurs and Friday off!! I'm looking foward to having some days off... I can't wait!!!

Well, I'm gonna go... I'm watching Reba now...