Life as I know it

No more lies by Mona Risk

2012-02-11T08:15:00.004-05:00

I gave this book 2.5 stars. This book, ugh, tormented me. I wanted to like it but I couldn't connect with the characters, I thought the story was too "story book" and I didn't enjoy the lines like "When would he be able to take her in his arms and taste the passion he'd missed so much?" [puke]

The story was about 2 psychologists who were once lovers 10yrs ago and now were reunited. Her lies about her past was what separated them years ago and now because their love never died, even after all these years, she forced, to face her past and come clean to keep the love she's been 'starved' of for the last 10 years... again puke.

This is one I won't recommend.

Caught by Harlan Coben

2012-02-08T22:23:00.003-05:00

Once again, Harlan Coben did not disappoint me. I loved this book from beginning to end. It got a little confusing at times, toward the end, but by the last page, you have all the information you need.

This story is about a guy, Dan Mercer, who gets busted by a tv program for being a pedophile. The events that spiral from that one accusation are crazy and the book leaves you guessing until the end.

Lots of twists, just the way I like it. Definite recommend.

The Bay at Midnight by Diane Chamberlain

2012-01-25T19:27:00.002-05:00

I give this one 3.5 stars. It was a good story that flowed smoothly but about 1/3 of the way through the book, I found myself bored. However, the last 1/3 of the story was great. The characters were developed well and I felt awful for Julie... I could've cried for her.

The story was about a family who lost a daughter/sister [Isabel]. When Isabel's former boyfriend passed away, his brother was cleaning out his house and found a letter stating that the wrong person went to prison for Isabel's death and the mystery began.

I'd definitely recommend for a nice light read but there's not a Diane Chamberlain book that I wouldn't recommend.

Heaven is for real by Todd Burpo

2012-01-20T20:25:00.003-05:00

I have no idea what to write here for a review and I'm certain that I am not alone. I really liked this book and that's why I gave it 4 stars.

It's about a little boy, Colton, who gets really sick and when he's better, he tells his dad that he went to heaven for 3mins. when he was in surgery. Through the rest of the book Colton tells about all the things he saw when he was in heaven - things he would not have known, proving that heaven does exist and pretty close to how it's described in the Bible.

So... the only bad thing I'm going to write here is questioning whether or not this really happened or was the book meant to be a platform for Colton's dad, Todd, who is a pastor.

Flat-out Love by Jessica Park

2012-01-16T21:47:00.002-05:00

This was a cute book about a dysfunctional family that, by a stroke of luck, had the right person come into their lives and change their family dynamic forever. There was love, sadness, deceit, anger and hope all wrapped up here. At times I thought it was a little predictable but I still liked it. Good read and I do recommend.

Plan B by Nick Heller

2012-01-06T21:51:00.002-05:00

Another good short story that caught me off guard when it ended... turn the page and BAM! over. Nick Heller is the man but in my opinion, Joseph Finder is a little wordy. This story was about girl who was kidnapped and Nick Heller was hired to save her but things are never as they appear... I recommend.

Love, Accidentally by Sarah Pekkanen

2012-01-05T23:46:00.001-05:00

Another good short story that made me feel that the book ended abruptly. This book has the same characters as All is bright but this book is told through Ilsa's eyes. I liked it but had a hard time reading through Ilsa's jealousy even if I couldn't blame her. Maybe I just didn't connect with her like I did Elise. Either way I'd recommend it.

All is Bright by Sarah Pekkanen

2012-01-05T20:58:00.001-05:00

Loved it. But again, like with another short story I read, I'm left wanting more. I feel like the story just stopped. But this was about a girl returning home for the holidays to visit her grandma and got news about an old flame that crushed her. It also showed how we develop relationships with certain people for specific needs. Great story. Off to read Love, Accidentally.

Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

2012-01-04T21:59:00.003-05:00

Good book. Easy read. About a woman falsely accused of a crime and starting fresh in a new town after being released from prison and all that entails while being considered a felon. A big dose of you get what you give but a little too sweet for me and somewhat preachy. I'd recommend it.

Night Ferry by Michael Robotham

2011-12-26T23:10:00.001-05:00

Another good book from Robotham. I admit that I missed Joe in this one but it was still a good read. This was about trafficking people, medical rape, prostitution and so on... but the main story was about a young orphan forced into a surrogacy but when the biological parents are murdered it turns into a race to save the young girl and her pregnancy. I will definitely recommend.

The Glass Case by Kristin Hannah

2011-11-28T20:10:00.000-05:00

This is a short story. I love how Kristin Hannah can write such well described emotions. I just like the way she writes period, she's good. With this story, I felt like it ended too soon and I'm sure it's because it's a short story but I wanted/needed more...

Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

2011-10-16T21:01:00.002-04:00

Loved it. Soooo much better than 15 & 16. I don't know what more to say about Stephanie/Morelli & Ranger after getting to #17 but I thought it was good and made me lol.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

2011-09-14T09:56:00.002-04:00

This book was interesting. It's YA and that's not generally my genre but it was a breeze to read - except for the beginning where I was a little confused but I suppose the author did that on purpose bc of the whole story line.

This book was about a young lady, London Lane, who couldn't remember the past and can see the future. As a matter of fact, everyday at 4:33AM, her mind is "reset". So, every night before bed she writes notes regarding her day so she can read them every morning and catch herself up. Gets interesting when she gets a boyfriend and has to remember him everyday THEN she starts seeing "scary" things in her future that make her want to learn more about her past.

Cute book.

I will recommend this book to others.

The Accident by Linwood Barclay

2011-09-08T20:11:00.001-04:00

WOW! I loved this book! Great story telling here. I swear the author left a cliff hanger at the end of 85% of the chapters in this book. Really really good!

The story revolves around Glen Garber and the accident that killed his wife Sheila. Of course it's a mystery but in more ways than one so Glen is scrambling the whole time trying to put together what he knows into something that makes sense.

The ending will astound you. I doubt you'll see it coming. The author did a great job wrapping it all up at the end as well. Well done!

Will I recommend this book? Shoot! I was recommending it before I even finished it. YES!

10th Anniversary by James Patterson

2011-08-22T16:38:00.004-04:00

Another good Women's Murder Club book. I swear they haven't let me down yet. 3 different plots going at the same time with varying intensities and all wrapped up nicely at the end. Very easy read. Definite recommend.

I know this is a short review but these books are hard for me to review properly since there are so many stories going at once.

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

2011-08-07T23:51:00.001-04:00

Not a bad book but nothing exciting ever happens. I like a little more action but I'm slowly learning not to expect it from Elin Hilderbrand and that's not necessarily a bad thing. In my opinion, she's in the same writing group as Nicholas Sparks.

However, this book is about a family of women [mom and her 2 daughters and their aunt (mom's sister)] who go to stay on Tuckernuck, an island just outside of Nantucket, in house that's very old. They are forced to bond because there's not much else to do but like anytime you get more than one woman in a house - there's drama. In the end, we learn everything happens for a reason.

I would recommend for mindless, easy reading - it was a good story and I like the way it unfolded.

Love Lies Bleeding by jess McConkey

2011-07-30T00:31:00.002-04:00

This was a confused little story. I wanted to like it, I really did but the ending sucked. I felt like I missed something. It's a story of a girl recovering from a tragic accident while being controlled by her father and fiance while being haunted by a woman she never met. Weird. I didn't connect with the characters and I'm left with so many loose ends and questions that were never answered. I'm still scratching my head hoping the next book I choose will be better.

I won this book from Librarything.com and I won't be recommending it. It's just not worth it.

1 - 2 - 3!

2011-07-27T07:28:00.002-04:00

Ha. I learned something today. My 4yr old would not get out of my bedroom this morning when he knows he's not allowed in there so:

ME: You have to the count of 3 to get out of my room... ONE!... TWO!... [scrambling to get his own room] ....THREE!

JACK: Why'd you say three (big frown)? That makes me sad.

ME: [making all kinds of mental notes] Why does it make you sad?

JACK: It does.

So, I've learned that counting to 3 really does work, at least for Jack. Now to find out if it works on Dylan.

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

2011-07-22T08:15:00.002-04:00

I thought this book dragged out a little longer than it needed to. I enjoyed it but I guess I was expecting [wanting] something a little more fast paced.

The story is about an adopted woman who set out to find her birth parents and ends up learning the lesson that you should be careful for what you wish.

I liked how the story ended and I will recommend. I can't wait to read her first novel Still Missing.

Blame by Michelle Huneven

2011-07-09T23:19:00.000-04:00

Giving this book 2 stars was generous of me. I really couldn't be bothered with it which is why it took me so long to finish it. It's upsetting since I wanted to read it FOREVER and then to dislike it so much. Maybe, just maybe my expectations were a little too high.

The story is about a woman who was charged with murder and how she dealt with the consequences through her life.

Also, I didn't like the author's writing style, it aggravated me the whole time.

Vanished by Joseph Finder

2011-06-30T09:15:00.003-04:00

Well this was a pretty good book. I've wanted to read this book since it came out and I finally got a copy. It's about a guy who's looking for his brother who apparently "vanished" after him and his wife were attacked in a parking lot after eating dinner out one night but things aren't always as they appear and Joseph Finder delivers all the twists you can imagine in one intense plot.

Yes, I recommend!

I think we're going to need more M&M's...

2011-06-22T17:23:00.002-04:00

I'm potty training Dylan and he's been having pee pee accidents more and more frequently so today, after his first accident, I offered up some M&M's every time he went pee on the potty after that and as a bonus, I gave him a small cup of them when he did the tiniest of poo on the potty because that never happens.

Now he's peeing on the potty every 20 mins or LESS. It's been so much that the last time he went to the potty, he couldn't even go. Also, every time Dylan gets candy, Jack only thinks it's fair that HE gets candy as well since he also pees on potty. =)

Like I said, I think we're going to need more M&M's but on the bright side, Dylan hasn't peed in his pants since that first accident of the day! Maybe I'm on to something!

On Folly Beach by Karen White

2011-06-21T22:16:00.002-04:00

This was a book about a family and their lies that were buried in the past but it was also about love, loss and forgiveness. The story was that of a mystery that unraveled over two different spans of time, the one where the story began and the one where it was all dug up, relived and finally settled. **For me, I thought it was a little on the dull side but that's because I love a good suspense but I'm not going to fault Karen White for that, I knew what I was choosing when I chose to read this book.

I would recommend this book.

My "pieces"

2011-06-18T23:06:00.002-04:00

Today we got to hang out pool side with my in-laws for a little pre Father's Day dinner and my brother-in-laws birthday. My brother & sister-in-law have 3 kids and they are all about the same age of my kids so you know it's a lot of fun. The kids play together well and have a great time.

Tonight on the way home, I asked Jack if he liked his cousins and here's how the conversation went:

JACK: "Yes but somebody tried to break my pieces."

Me: "Who?"

JACK: "Matthew."

Me: "What pieces?"

JACK: "My hand, my arm, my leg, my belly, my head"

The conversation went on and on about his "pieces" and I just thought this was the cutest thing ever, for him to call his body parts his "pieces" that I had to blog about it because I didn't want to forget it.

I love my kids.

I'll teach them...

2011-06-16T12:50:00.003-04:00

...how smart I am!

We have a blow up swimming pool on our deck for the kids to play in on the HOT days. Everyday I have to constantly tell them not to play in the water.... not yet. I have things to do in the house and if they are in the pool, I can't be doing what needs done in the house - I'm not just being wicked.

So the water was all dirty with mulch and bugs and the rocks Dylan felt the need to put in there and after another morning of telling them to stay out of the water I decided I was going to dump it. hahahaha That was heavier than I thought it would be and in turn, took longer than expected because I had to scoop and dump, scoop and dump, scoop and dump (you get the picture) until I could finally tip it.

Said, water went over the side of the deck where the kids instantly ran to play in only now it's muddy and dirty. What the hell was I thinking? At least on the deck the water was cleaner than MUD.

Doh!

Lost by Michael Robotham

2011-06-14T08:19:00.001-04:00

I can't quite give this 4 stars because I thought it was a little slow. I love Michael Robotham and like a lot of suspense/thriller authors I read, his mind scares me. To be able to write as a cop and a psychologist and do it so well and then to write such twisted story lines.... creepy. This book was about a cop with amnesia trying to piece together some of the events that happened that landed him in the hospital, in a coma for 8 days. I thought the ending was brilliant but the rest of the book dragged on.

Would I recommend it? Is it Michael Robotham? lol Of course I would!

A crush?

2011-06-10T09:48:00.004-04:00

Jack goes to a daycare program during the school year and his teachers are Ms. Erin and Ms. Katie. He's been going for 2 yrs and school is out for the year now, however, everyday for the past 2 wks or so Dylan tells me he wants to see Ms. Katie. His wish came true when they had an open house at the school where each class was to perform a little song; they fed us, hot dogs, juice boxes and cookies for dinner. So we get there and immediately try and hunt down Ms. Katie so Dylan could say hi - we found her fairly quickly but when we pointed her out to Dylan and then approached her - he wouldn't look at her, wouldn't say hi, nada.

I think my 2yr old has a crush on a girl. Really? It starts at 2 now?

Don't breathe a word by Jennifer McMahon

2011-06-06T20:26:00.005-04:00

In a word, weird.

This book started out very weird, a little too off-the-wall for me. I thought, "Here we go." but then it evolved into this intriguing mystery that I couldn't put down. I needed to know what in the world was going on and then after every twist and turn imaginable, it came to an end that I didn't like but I guess it fit the bill.

Would I recommend this book? I would but I'd forewarn the reader that's weird.

Melt. Down.

2011-06-03T19:32:00.007-04:00

Today we took the kids to the beach. It was a beautiful day. Pure fun in the sun. A little cool, low humidity, full sun, the works for a day at the beach. We stayed out for, at least, 4 hours. The kids played in the sand, played on the swing set (how nice of them to put up a swing set on the beach), played with each other, fed the seagulls, again, the works.

We came back to the condo so every one could shower and then we headed to dinner where Dylan had a full on melt. down. IN the restaurant. Screaming, crying, pitching a fit, not wanting to sit his seat etc... Then Jack had to go "nasty", the waitress forgot a potato and in all the chaos Austin and I both choose a meal that cost $27.99 *thud*. Apparently that wasn't enough because we then paid $13.00 for 3 ice creams.

BUT we really had a great day. I couldn't ask for more.

Skipping a beat by Sarah Pekkanen

2011-05-28T22:08:00.005-04:00

Cute book! I really liked this book much better than The Opposite of Me.

This book is about losing yourself and how we take the most important things in life for granted. I really liked how the book was written and how it slowly unfolded, how Julia took a long time to let her guard down, made it seem more real.

Definite recommend.

Mortified

2011-05-27T15:14:00.002-04:00

My hair dresser is a spunky chick. We get along great and laugh the whole time I'm there. Yesterday I got my hair cut and when I got there she was cutting a young man's (maybe 16 yrs old) hair. When she was done and he got up, she hugged him. Well, I was sitting right there and saw this so I say [out loud], "You never hug me." So she walks up to me and hugs me and says, "Feel better?" I said, "Much better." hahahaha Right?

WRONG!

When it was my turn, I got in her chair and she informed me that she hugged him because his dad was dying of cancer and that hospice was at his house and there were only days left.

GAH. Can I just go curl up in a hole somewhere?

M.O.R.T.I.F.I.E.D.

Road Kill

2011-05-25T12:49:00.006-04:00

I've killed my first [crazy ass] squirrel yesterday on my way to the post office. I saw it dart out in the street but there was no way I could stop, swerve or anything and I just waited for the dreaded *thud* when *thud*, it happened. I just shuttered. Normally, when the [crazy ass] squirrel runs under my truck they walk away unscathed. Not this time. I watched my rearview mirror for confirmation [because maybe - just maybe - I ran over a rock] and there it was, a little squirrel twitching on the road. :(

Now, the only thing worse than killing a squirrel and seeing it twitch in the road is the fact that it happened ON MY WAY to the post office - meaning - I had to drive past it when I came home... only to see a bird already picking it apart. Gah! How awful.

What a traumatic day.

Mosquitos

2011-05-24T13:55:00.001-04:00

Poor Dylan. :( He is every mosquitos dream. They love him and you can tell. I know that they like to feast on him and his reaction to the bite is bad, for example, most of his mosquito bites are the size of nickels or pennies - ONE bite. Because I know he's hunted prey of the mosquito, every morning when he gets dressed I spray him down the a sunblock that's also a mosquito repellent. Obviously it didn't matter because his poor arms and neck are covered in bites. He didn't sleep well last night despite the anti-itch cream I used or the Zyrtec I gave him before bed. The only reason his legs aren't bitten up is because I keep making him wear light pants outside even though it's getting hotter and today, it's already 85 deg but I'm making him wear a long-sleeve shirt. He's young enough not to complain about the pants, the long-sleeves or even the bug bites but I feel so bad for him :( walking around here constantly scratching.

Jack and Dylan play together in the same yard but they leave Jack alone.

Gods in Alabama

2011-05-21T07:38:00.006-04:00

I liked this book but it wasn't very 'meaty'. There were a few lines that literally made me laugh out loud and anytime a books gets me to show emotion like that, whether it's laughing, crying, anger etc... I have to give it credit. Still, I feel it was lacking something.

Would I recommend it? Probably.

Am I ready for this?

2011-05-21T07:38:00.004-04:00

Ready or not it's here. What's here? You want to know? Chin hair. EEK! Nooooooo, not mine!! Austin's!!!!!!!!!! I know he's in the thick of puberty but it just caught me off guard. To be honest, it caught him off guard as well. I was driving him to his friends house yesterday and I looked over and there it was! I said to him "You have chin hair." He said, "I do?" So then he had to look and he said, "I do!" lol Now he's been periodically "shaving" is "mustache" but for some reason chin hair is more serious. Why? I have no idea. One other thing is this... before we saw him on Tuesday, it had been a week since we saw him and I promise you, in that week, his voice got even deeper. I could "hear" the change in just a week. Pretty soon, I'm going to notice his body filling out. It seems that puberty is happening so fast.

So, again, I ask, "Am I ready for this?"

A rainy day

2011-05-18T14:13:00.003-04:00

Well, it's a rainy day here and that means the kids are inside which means fighting. Right this minute they are being good but they have been fighting all day. I can't seem to figure out how to make them share and this is what causes so many problems.

One really cute thing from today... Dylan wanted to press play on the DVD player and he can JUST reach it on his very tippy toes with his shoes on so he was trying and trying and Jack came over and said, "Let me help you Dylan." and he picked him up just enough at the waist so he could hit the button. What a sweet moment for those two.

Now will the sun come PLEASE????

Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

2011-05-16T17:52:00.002-04:00

Well, here's what I thought. The first 50pgs - great - the next 150 awful - the last 150 redeeming.

I hated the first half of this book so much that I couldn't get past it. There was no way to redeem it for me but it did get better.

The story is about a lunch room volunteer trapped in a fire with the choice to save 2 other girls or her own daughter. She tried to save all 3 but it wasn't good enough and she got a lot of crap from other parents about her saving her own daughter and not the other two. Rose came off as weak, passive doormat and I had a really hard time with that. At one point, I almost didn't even continue to read it but then she went and uncovered and help catch all the bad guys.

I will not recommend this book to anyone.

I won this from LibraryThing.com!

The Beach

2011-05-13T13:06:00.004-04:00

Took the kids to Mimi & PopPop's last night and drove to the beach. So we got in late last night. It's a little cool though, pants and jacket weather. Just waiting to go eat crabs right now but we just found out that the restaurant doesn't open until 4... 3 more hours to go. Oh what to do!? That's the question. It's too cold to swim, too cold to lay out, I hate to shop... so it's time to chill with a good book on the patio and listen/watch the waves with the hubby. And RELAX without the kids.

Postcard Killers

2011-05-11T22:55:00.002-04:00

This book is about murders that take place across Europe and the only thing that connects them are postcards. This really wasn't my favorite by James Patterson but it wasn't bad either.

I will recommend this others but I'd tell them to save their money and get it from the library.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

2011-05-08T20:55:00.002-04:00

This was a book about a murder, love, betrayal, faith, honesty and sincerity. I, however, did not like this book. It is not my style at all. I rated it a 3 bc I really liked the characters, I grew to love that family but truly, for me, this book is an equivalent to Out Stealing Horses which I didn't like either.

I want to say that I don't think it was bad, just not my kind of book so I will refer it to the right people.

If you gotta be dumb, you gotta be tough.

2011-05-07T20:40:00.004-04:00

Lesson learned - once again - today after the night out last night with Bill and Captain Morgan. That's right, I got drunk. I don't do this very often so I paid for my stupidity this morning but we did have a good time with the Southern Maryland Woman's League where there were auctions, silent auctions, appetizers, dinner and, of course, the complimentary bar. All of this was to raise money for battered women so my hat goes off to them for such a good cause! But I digress... so once dinner was over, we left and went to a bar where we (read *I*) did some more drinking and a little dancing. The BEST part of the night? The girl that came with our friend asked me, "So how many times have you been told that you look like Sandra Bullock?" Well, NEVER! It made my night and then she just called me Sandra all night. haha

All good things must come to an end... we left and went home. This morning, I had to deal with the reality that I was NOT Sandra Bullock and I had a few too many Captain 'n Cokes and 3 kids to tend to by myself. Ugh.

If you gotta be dumb, you gotta be tough. =)

Boo!

2011-05-06T15:11:00.003-04:00

Did I scare you? lol It's been a very long time since I've posted here. I've decided to wipe the dust off and try blogging again. I'm sure I'll be posting some book reviews and some of the cute and not-so-cute things my kids do as well.

But first I wanted to tell you this late breaking news, I'm going on a date tonight with my husband sans kids... it's been a while but I figure why stop there... so next weekend we're going to the beach sans kids. I guarantee you we'll be eating CRABS!

off to see what they are into -------->

These things hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

2011-01-28T08:02:00.000-05:00

Wow Wow Wow! Another grand slam for Heather Gudenkauf. A twisted tale of love, lies, betrayal and devotion. I think I have a new favorite author. I will definitely recommend this book!

Play Dead by Harlan Coben

2010-09-03T07:54:00.000-04:00

WOW! I think that's a good word for this book. This is a book that Harlan Coben wrote but never published - I'm not sure what made him to decide to publish it now but I'm glad he did. It was really good. I must say that I thought some of it was a little far fetched but Harlan does a very good job at stringing you along with no clear answers for a long time leaving you guessing the whole time.

Definite recommend for anyone who likes a good mystery/suspense.

12wk sono

2008-01-08T15:20:00.000-05:00

I had my 12wk sono today.

Info from the sono:

The baby is measuring 3days ahead
The heart rate was 162bpm
The baby was 6.1cm crown to rump.
The nuchal fold measured within normal range (a down's indicator)
Two arms
Two legs
My placenta is posterior
I find out the gender on Feb. 26, 2008.

All looked great.

Jack is sick.

2008-01-03T15:18:00.000-05:00

I just got back from the doctor with Jack where they diagnosed him with:

An early ear infection
Bronchialitis
and Strep

Needless to say, they sent me home with a nebulizer. I had to do a treatment in the office and he hated every minute of it, it was like wrestling a small bear and I have no idea how much of it he got.Poor baby is so sick.

I knew he was sick but I had no idea he was this sick.

8wk appt

2007-12-11T15:10:00.000-05:00

I had my first OB appt. today. I had to do a gluclose test, which normally doesn't affect me but I think b/c you have to drink it so fast (within 5mins) and that I did it on an empty stomach, I thought I might hurl. I was feeling a little green but eventually, I started feeling better.

They have to draw the blood exactly one hour after I finish the drink so they took a total of 4 vials for all the other tests they had to run as well. They also had to do a urine test and my blood pressure was 112/60 and the urine came back negative. They sat me down in the dr's office and he went over my whole history again. They did a pap. I had the works.

And then to my surprise, he gave me a sonogram! It's too early to 'hear' the heartbeat so they did a sono so we could 'see' the heartbeat.It was amazing and so unexpected.

The little 'critter' (as the dr called it) was an inch or so long with little arms and legs with little hands and a little fluttering heart. I can still see it now. They didn't take any pics or measurements since it was just to see the hb and we were in the office but nonetheless, I was in awe.

I'm growing a baby.

6wks 2d Sono and Jack's first haircut.

2007-11-28T15:08:00.000-05:00

120bpm was the heart rate of the ONLY baby in there!

Right now I'm at what they call the "diamond ring" stage b/c the yolk sac and baby look just like a diamond ring. I haven't had time to scan the pics b/c right after I got home, we took Jack for his first haircut. He didn't care for it much but I got some cute pics and he looks so handsome. When I get the pics scanned and d/l'd - I'll be sure to share.

ETA: I also have a really large cyst on my right ovary (the one I ovulated from), it's like 4+ cm and she said that my dr might want me to come back for another sono to make sure that's resolved, she said it's pretty big yet no reason for concern either.

Biopsy results.

2007-11-20T15:46:00.000-05:00

I just got my biopsy results like 10-15mins ago (it's 6:45pm here, isn't that late?).

Anyhow, it was nothing to worry about it was a lactating adenoma (Adenoma: A benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue).

48hrs later - bloodwork

2007-11-15T15:37:00.001-05:00

At 14dpo my progesterone was 29.3 (they want it to be 11-40) and at:

14dpo hCG = 270

16dpo hCG = 666

They want to see it double every 48hrs so it's looking good.

Biopsy today.

2007-11-14T15:43:00.000-05:00

Today is my biopsy. I have to be there at 10:15est. I'm not even really scared or nervous since it's just a needle biopsy. They'll numb it and use an ultrasound machine to be sure the needle goes into the lump and then they will take 2-3 samples removing most of it just doing that. I have no idea when I'll get the results back but so far my Nov has been much better than my Oct so I'm crossing my fingers for good news.

UPDATE:
I went in not at all stressed or worried. I mean how bad can a needle biopsy be right? Well let me tell you, ignorance is bliss.

With that said, it still wasn't bad and I would do it again without fear. I won't get into all the details but I basically had mini outpatient surgery where they just gave me a local. I'm a little sore and he said that there would be some bruising but I can still breastfeed without a problem.

I can't not get the dressing wet for 48hrs so no showers for that long. And they will call me next week with the results.

Bloodwork (pg?)

2007-11-13T15:27:00.000-05:00

I went in yesterday for a blood test since I've had a few m/c's in the past and I got the results back today. I go back tomorrow and those will be the tell tell results since my hCG should at least double every 48hrs for a viable pregnancy.

Anyhow, the blood was drawn on 14dpo and I also had blood drawn at 14dpo with Jack as well. With Jack my hCG was 511 at 14dpo and at 12dpo it was 162 with my progesterone at 26.3 (they want it between 11 - 40).

This one at 14dpo the hCG was 270 and the progesterone was 29.3.

So it all looks great... for now. I just gotta pray that it doubles to ease my mind! When I go tomorrow we will also make an appt for an early sono. so I can see that little flickering heartbeat.

Abdominal sono update

2007-11-03T22:42:00.000-04:00

I've been so busy lately that I forgot to update everyone on my abdominal sonogram.

I got the results about a week ago. They were specifically looking at my liver and that came back normal. However, they measure everything and they found that my spleen is enlarged. Not what I was expecting to hear... but they said that's not so enlarged that they are concerned. It's 12cm and they said that when they talk about someone having an enlarged spleen they are talking of one that measures 20cm+. He did say that it could explain the elevated bilirubin (bilirubin is the waste material that red blood cell leave behind when they die) since that's where the red blood cells die.

So that's it in a nutshell. We will be keeping an eye on things but right now he's not too concerned.

General Surgeon appt

2007-10-30T22:46:00.000-04:00

I went to a gen surgeon - not for a biopsy - but for a 2nd opinion. I was led to believe that I was going for a biopsy but that wasn't the case. However, he did say that he wanted to do one - that will be on Nov 14.

He told me if he was a betting man that he'd say it was benign and something commonly found in lactating women and not to lose any sleep over it. He also said that he wants to see what it is before he goes in to remove anything and that just doing the biopsy will remove most of it since it's so small.

That's it in a nutshell.

Jack is walking!!

2007-10-25T22:08:00.000-04:00

10 1/2 mos old and Jack is walking!! It's amazing. I know I'm in for a world of trouble now but he already gets into everything crawling and this way, at least he keeps his hands and pants clean. :) He's been letting go and taking a step here and a few steps there but when I was at the dr today, my mom said that he kept taking 4-5 steps and then today he kept doing it as well only walking further and further.

I can't believe he's walking!!

Breast sono - update

2007-10-24T22:44:00.000-04:00

I had my sono today.

What they found was NOT a cyst but a solid mass. They will now do a biopsy on the 30th instead of aspirating it...What I don't understand is why will they do a biospy instead of just doing a lumpectomy and removing it and THEN biopsying it? Because aren't they just going to remove it anyhow?

Anyhow. I'm trying to remain calm but all the what if's and unknown are invading my thoughts. It's all overwhelming to think about.

Worst mother ever! :(

2007-10-20T22:47:00.000-04:00

Today my sister, mom and myself were looking at pics on my sisters computer for her to upload to Babygap when we heard a thud. My sister jumped up, my mom jumped up and they both ran upstairs thinking my nephew crawled up to the top bunk and fell off (he's three). My BIL came from the kitchen and said that Kyle fell from the top bunk when they got up there he was still sleeping and my niece was still in her crib.

That's when the crying started and I realized it was JACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

He fell down the steps.

A WHOLE freakin' flight of like 10 but he's ok. I freaked out! I ran to him and I don't know how many steps I even hit on my way to him. My sister said that my lips were white. He doesn't even have a scratch but man! what a wake up call. I feel terrible. I've never had such accidents happen - EVER. I'm such a terrible mother.

ETA: That Jack was there with us one minute and down the steps the next and my sister has a gate on the steps but my mom opened when she came back in with the mail b/c all the kids were sleeping, shortly after, Jack woke up and we never thought to close the gate. I mean he was in the room with 3 adults not that it mattered, had I realized the gate was open, I would've close it.

I had an appt today.

2007-10-18T22:32:00.000-04:00

Today I went and saw my gyn regarding the lump in my breast. He told me to schedule a sonogram (so now I will get a sono of my breast and abdomen at the same time, thank God I waited to make the abdomen appt - the abdomen appt is b/c my bloodwork came back in Sept with elevated bilirubin and this is not the first time so my dr wanted to see what my liver looked like) and to make an appt with a general surgeon.

While all of this is scary, I really have no gut feeling telling me to worry. So I'll just wait and see what happens. My dr did tell me that it could be something from breast feeding b/c they see that a lot. Who knows...

Austin is 11!

2007-10-17T22:24:00.000-04:00

Today my baby is 11. Eleven. Where'd the time go? I can't believe that I raised such a good kid. Austin is incredible. He's so helpful to me and so caring and loving. I think it's in his genes b/c as much as I'd like to take the credit, I hardly doubt that it was my parenting. lol

Happy Birthday Austin! I love you... more!

Austin's birthday party.

2007-10-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

Austin had his birthday party yesterday. He won't be 11 until the 17th but he's at his dad's that weekend so we had the party last night. Austin was so excited for this party. It was a sleep over but not just any sleep over, this one was special. First we invited all the family and a few of his closest friends and we ordered pizza, had a bon fire (where they later cooked hot dogs and marshmallows) and then they got to spend the night in the RV. I've got to say that all the kids at the party had a really good time. The younger kids chased each other round and round the yard, they must've slept well. It was loud and while I was going a little nuts making sure Jack didn't wake up from the party noise, we all had a good time.

Overall, I think it will be a birthday that he will always remember.

Found a lump.

2007-10-12T22:28:00.000-04:00

I found a lump in my right breast today. I'm not sure what to make of it right now but I guess I'll be calling a dr on Monday. I'll keep you posted.

Bill is in Idaho.

2007-09-29T21:48:00.000-04:00

Bill is in Idaho hunting. I hate when he's gone for long periods of time and any time he goes far away from home, he's always gone like 10-14 days. Did I mention that I hate when he's gone for long periods of time? He's been gone 8 days now and it's getting old. When is it my turn to up and leave reality for a two week period?

Anyhow, if things didn't already suck, I ovulated. We are ttc and this is my first ovulation since getting pregnant with Jack. Oh well. I suppose it's better that my body has at least one period before I get pregnant.

Well, that's enough for now. I'm going to bed.

8mos!!

2007-08-13T11:37:00.000-04:00

Jack is 8mos old today!! How the time is flying. He's such a joy! I'm so terribly blessed. He's been crawling but now he's pulling himself up on stuff and eating Puffs. He still doesn't have any teeth but we are working on that. I've recently stopped his night feedings and we're trying to teach him how to self soothe. I think he's doing pretty good.

Off to go get lunch.

The babies are here!

2007-08-11T11:35:00.000-04:00

Today my nephews were born. Into the world came, Caden Chase and Carter Vincent. Caden weighed in at 4lbs 11ozs and was 16.5" long and Carter weighed in at 4lbs 1ozs and was 16" long. They are both doing good but still preemie enough to have all the wires and tubes hooked up. They were only 34 or 35wks, I can't remember which.

I can't wait to meet them!

A death.

2007-07-27T13:07:00.000-04:00

Last night the Toothfairy died. Good riddance! That was the most STRESSFUL thing for me, sneaking down in the night, reaching under the pillow for the tooth and replacing it with money and slipping away unnoticed... Nevermind the lies one must tell if they forget!

Anyway, Austin has been pestering me for like a year about whether the toothfairy was real or not. Once he even wrote a note that needed a reply!! Then he would lose teeth and not tell us to see if she would come... alas she would not. So last night he started again and I confessed. Whew... I feel like a load was lifted.

Jackie's baby shower

2007-07-14T12:33:00.000-04:00

Well first let me say that we got here ok. Jack cried in the car for about an hour at the half way point, probably because he didn't want to keep sitting confined in that car seat any longer but alas, he fell asleep for the rest of the way.

Today was Jackie's, my brother's girlfriend, baby shower. I don't know if I mentioned it before but she's having twins, twin boys but they are fraternal so they won't look alike. It was a great shower. I was there with my mom, my sister, her daughter Ainsley and Jack. Ainsley was a busy body, she was everywhere. Jack was good and in the end, ended up falling asleep in my arms.

The food was great and she got a TON of stuff! We got her a crib and crib mattress and I got her a ton of other things including bags of handed down clothes. She should be set for now.

I need to run, my mom is watching Jack and I need to feed him.

Going to PA

2007-07-11T12:30:00.000-04:00

I'm leaving to go to Pennsylvania today, in just a couple hours at that so I don't have too much time to blog. I'm nervous about driving with the baby, I'm nervous about him crying. I still have a ton to do. I need to pack for myself and any last minute things I might remember. It should be a good visit home. I'll get to see my mom and dad and a bunch of people that I haven't seen in a while. I'll post more later.

Sofia Rose

2007-07-06T22:17:00.000-04:00

That's the name of my newest niece born July 5th.

She was born yesterday morning at 8:23am and has a head full of dark hair. She weighed in at 7lbs 9ozs and was 19" long.Bill and I will go see them tonight and I can't wait to see the wee one.

So cool to be an Aunt again!

Realization

2007-07-03T11:56:00.000-04:00

I realized while I was in the shower that my short marriage to Bill, 1yr and 5mos, has already been longer than my marriage to ex. It's sad but it's true. Ex came to me after 1yr and 3mos and told me that he was content but not happy. I asked him to explain that to me because I thought that content was a state of happy and he told me that when someone is [only] content that's why they cheat. Boy, I didn't even see that huge red flag. I knew something happened that weekend while I was gone but I couldn't get him to admit to anything until years later when he had nothing left to lose by telling the truth. Scum. I loved him whole heartedly which I why I always said that he would never find a woman better than me, not because there aren't good women out there but because NO ONE would love him like I did. All of this is water under the bridge. I'm happy now with my new life. It just wanted to put my realization out there.

I should know better.

2007-07-02T12:29:00.000-04:00

I jumped the gun a bit in my "ovulation" post. I should know better than to assume ovulation based on one temperature. As you guessed, I did not ovulate, the temperature must've been a fluke. So, that's it for that. I didn't miss a thing.

This morning I went to get Austin and when no one showed up, I started calling. Here I thought that his dad was getting Austin for a week after we went to PA but it was the week before - this week. Man. I woke up Jack and everything. I could've slept in. Oh well.

Ovulation

2007-06-27T21:39:00.001-04:00

So I'm breastfeeding. Jack is 6mos old and I still have not had my cycle return. This is a good thing and a bad thing all at the same time. I mean, I don't think I need to explain to you why I think it's a good thing, especially if you're a woman but it's a bad thing because I was hoping to be able to start ttc #3. I want my last 2 children to be close in age and the closer the better. I have my reasons.

One being I worry about getting pregnant at my age because in the ttc world I already have one foot in the grave. This never really would've bothered me until I had my pregnancy with Jack and they kind of freaked me out putting me through rounds of testing. Yikes!

Two, although I love being pregnant, I want to get this out of the way.

And three, I want the two to be close. Friends close. Not that they can't be "friend" close further apart but they will be more on the same page closer together.

Anyhow, I've been watching my cycle very carelessly. We haven't had protected sex once since Jack has been born because I don't care if I get pregnant. I've taken my temperature (my choice of birth control) a handful of times just to note whether or not I ovulated. In the past I could always feel when I ovulated so I figured I would probably feel it again. So, I think it was Saturday the I last took my temperature, although I'm not 100%, it could've been Friday, whatever, it was 97.2 which tells me that I had not ovulated. This morning I get up and I think to take my temperature and it's 97.9 indicating ovulation. I did not feel ovulation this time and I'm bummed (not terribly bummed being as how Jack is only 6mos old) to think I may have missed my first month ttc because I wasn't more on top of things. Thing is though, I don't know when I ovulated. My best guess would be either yesterday or Monday. The only time we had sex was last night so I'm hoping I ovulated yesterday. I guess I'll know in about 2wks.

Bottom line here: God knows what I can handle.

A weird phone call

2007-06-26T16:50:00.000-04:00

You'll never guess who called me yesterday. My ex mother-in-law. It's funny how she called me right after her family had a get-together. She said that she found out my new last name from last year's Christmas card and she called information to get my number. Now, maybe this is true but I have a feeling that ex gave her my number when he saw her on Sunday. I'm sure she asked and he handed it right over but she wouldn't tell me that.

It was an odd conversation. I mean, I always did get along with ex's parents and I even said to Bill one day that it was shame that I didn't / couldn't keep in touch with them but there were long pauses where she didn't know what to say so I had to keep filling in the blanks. She called me and I had to keep coming up with the topic of conversations. Mainly b/c so much time has passed so there's not a ton we can talk about plus the fact that she's my ex-husband's mother but it was nice to hear from her. I will admit though, I was a bit relieved my dad called on the other line and it was time to end the conversation.

I have a feeling that that won't be the last time that I hear from her since she was the one who went of her way to get my phone number and made the first call in probably 3yrs. We'll see.

Sitting and crawling

2007-06-23T09:15:00.000-04:00

Jack has become real good at sitting these days. He's no pro at it just yet as he still loses his balances from time to time but he's close, real close.

And he's trying to crawl. He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks now, sometimes he goes forward and sometimes he goes backwards. I can't believe how quickly he's learning right now.

Before I know it, he'll be pulling himself up and taking his first steps.

Jack's 6 mos check-up

2007-06-21T16:37:00.000-04:00

6 MONTHS!!!!

Today Jack weighed 17 lbs 4 ozs (50%) and he was 26 1/4" long (45%).
His head circumference was 44cm (50%).

They were real happy to know that he was still on breastmilk. He has a touch of eczema which they weren't too worried about. He also had more vaccinations today that he did real well with. Each time now he seems to cry less and less.

Also, I found out today that a boy will have grown to have of his adult height by the time he's 2. So when Jack's 2, I'll be able to double his height for an indication of how tall he'll be full grown. Interesting I thought.

Vacation

2007-06-14T20:59:00.000-04:00

We're on vacation this week with MumC and Brian up at Bethany Beach in Delaware and the weather has been so-so.

The first day we were here the weather was nice, beautiful even. Jack had his first day at the beach that day. He seemed to like it but then again he likes being outside. He got to dip his toes in the water and sit in the sand. As soon as MumC sat him in the sand he got a whole handful of the stuff. I didn't care for that so much because he eats his hands still and now they were covered in sand. Bleck. He even got to take a nap on the beach in the stroller. However, all good things must end and that's when I felt the first few drops of drizzle. At that point, we packed up and went back to the condo but not before I burned my shoulders pretty good. 3 days later and they still hurt.

We got some great pics! I can't wait to download them (I didn't bring my USB cord for the camera).

We've been out to dinner every night except for tonight and MumC made us spaghetti. It was so good but now I feel full as a tick. It was my best meal all week!

Tomorrow Shannon, Ronnie, Kyle and Ainsley are coming over and we will spend the day with them before heading home on Saturday so that Austin can spend Sunday (Father's Day) with his dad.

I'm going to wrap this up now. Goodnight!

5th Grade Graduation

2007-06-11T22:00:00.000-04:00

My first baby is already graduating 5th grade!! I said it before and I'll say it again, "How time flies!"

Today was Austin's graduation. I'm so proud of him. He's so proud of himself. He looked so grown up in the suit that he HAD to wear with the tie that Billy gave him to wear...awwww...

I'm a little upset that the camera decided to act up today and all the pics we got were really dark. Now I need to call ex to see if they got any real good pics of Austin graduating.

The ceremony freaked Jack out. Everytime everyone clapped he cried. Anyhow, we're off to the beach now!!

Ainsley

2007-06-07T21:32:00.000-04:00

Today is Ainsley's birthday. Ainsley is my niece and she's turning one year old. I was at her birth and I remember it like it was yesterday. She was a couple weeks early so she was just a tiny little thing weighing around 5 1/2lbs but she had the longest feet and fingers any newborn (other than her brother) I have ever seen. She was also covered in vernix, you know that white sticky stuff that protects the newborn skin from the amniotic fluid. A baby born at 40wks doesn't have this but the earlier they are born, the more they have, she seemed to have a lot.

Alas, she already one! How the time flies. Happy Birthday to my beautiful (and only) niece, Ainsley! xoxoxo

Jack's 4mos check-up

2007-04-17T16:34:00.000-04:00

Jack is 4 mos old now so it's time for the growth measurements.

Today he weighed 14 lbs 15 ozs (25 - 50%) and he was 24 3/4 (25-50%).
His head circumference was 42 1/2 (50-75%).

He did much better today with his vaccinations. But he's growing like a weed.

Jack and Austin

2007-03-06T16:22:00.000-05:00

Jack is such a great baby! I could not have asked for a better baby and I hope that I'm not jinxing myself by bragging. Jack has to be one of the happiest babies ever. All he does is smile and laugh at me all day. Sure, he nurses (which he has now decided to stop so he could smile at me then too), sleeps and poos but aside from that, he's smiling. And he doesn't even cry when he wakes up so even though his room is right next to mine, I need a monitor. For example, just now, he made a noise in the monitor so I went to check on him and he was laying in there wide awake and when I said "Hi baby" I got great big smiles (he's laying on his belly so he couldn't even see me, only smiled at the sound of my voice)!!

My mom is coming into town tomorrow and I just can't wait for her to see him. She's going to enjoy him so much b/c he's such a pleasure!

Also, I'm going to make Austin's day tomorrow. I'm having a Tastefully Simple party. We went to one about 2wks ago and Austin had to come b/c I didn't have a sitter. Well, he tried everything everyone else tried and he loved it all. A party where they're there to feed you, he loved this idea. So we're having our own tomorrow. He can't wait.

Not to mention, Bill left this morning to go snow mobiling in Idaho for 5 days and since my mom and step-dad will be here I told Austin he could sleep in my bed so that they could sleep in his. He's beside himself with excitement! It's great to see him so happy.

One year ago today

2007-02-15T14:26:00.000-05:00

Bill and I were married in a little gazebo that hung out over the ocean in Jamaica.

My sil offered to babysit for us tonight so we could go out to dinner but I would hate to leave Jack even though he'd be in great hands. I've only ever left him with Bill for an hour or so at a time. I'm over protective that way. So in the end, we ordered out and we'll be spending the evening with Jack and Austin.
I got Bill a gift certificate (1 yr - the gift is to be paper correct?) to get a pedicure. Some you might laugh at the thought of a man getting a pedicure but Bill is in desperate NEED of one b/c his feet are in work boots all the time and he really messed them up the last time he went hunting in Idaho... Hopefully, he'll use it real soon.

Anyhow, I can't believe it's been a year and that we already have a 9 wk old!!

Here's to many years to come!

Jack's 2mos check-up

2007-02-12T16:30:00.000-05:00

Jack is 2 months old. How time flies!!

Today he weighed in at 12 lbs 0.4 ozs (50%) and he grew to 23" (50%).
His head circumference was 40 1/4" (75%).

He also got shots today. My poor guy didn't like that at all. I'm hoping they don't make him too sick...

Something Austin said

2007-02-08T14:25:00.000-05:00

The other night I was tucking Austin in bed and out of the blue he says, "Thank you mommy."

I said, "What for?"

He said, "Jack."

He loves his little brother so much! When he's home he can't stay away from him.

Hi there!

2007-01-31T13:56:00.000-05:00

Wow, it's been forever since I've added an entry here. As you know, I've been busy with Jack. It seems that no sooner do I get him down that he gets up and with Bill working as much as he does, it seems as though I don't have time to do anything but lurk. I do post on my Stork Delivery board but that seems to be about it.
Anyhow, Jack and I are doing great! He's gaining weight so fast that my arms sometimes ache carrying him. I'm not used to carrying a baby around. My other "baby" is 10.

I can't get over how much Jack has changed since we brought him home. He smiles and coos and sucks on his hand when he has a burp stuck that's giving him problems. I love that little sign. If I'm trying to rock him and he puts his hand in his mouth, it's time to try and get a burp. He smiles when I stick my tongue out at him and he tries to do the same. I just love having a baby again. Granted it's hard work and awfully tiring but so terribly rewarding!

As a matter of fact, I asked Bill just last night about having more children. He says he'd love more children. I know that sounds nuts seeing as how Jack is only 7wks old today but I'm not talking about ttc next month or anything! Good Lord women, give me some credit. :lol: However, the sooner the better for a couple reasons, the biggest one being my age.

I'll try not to stay away for so long in between entries. I think we're finally getting a schedule in place which will allow me a little bit more computer time. It doesn't help that I have to dial-up and then the connection is so slow, I feel like I'm in the stone age but hopefully by the end of February, we'll have a cable connection. I can't wait!

Jack's birth story

2006-12-29T12:52:00.000-05:00

It was wild. Not only did I go into labor on my own, on the day I wanted but it also happen to be his original due date. Crazy I tell ya.

----------------------------
Let me try to be quick about the birth story:

I had an appt the morning of the 12th @ 10:30 - no changes, still 3cm & 75%. I ended up contracting all day, like any other day I had an appt, they were BH and didn't hurt. Bill didn't get home until late, trying to tie up some loose ends before the induction the next day, and when he came in I commented on how I had ctrx all day. We went to bed around 10-10:30 and I realized that I was feeling these crtx that hadn't stopped yet (and normally do by bedtime) so I waited an hour. They weren't letting up so I woke Bill and told him that I thought I was in labor. We himmed and hawed and decided we'd better get to the hospital.

We wake up Austin, get the stuff in the truck, call Austin's dad so he can meet us and then to the hospital - at this time my crtx were 3mins apart. I got to L&D at 1:00am. She checked me and I was completely effaced and 6cm!!! Indeed I was in labor. They contacted my dr and the epi guy and a little over an hour later, they both arrived. Got my epi at 2:15am and I was so relieved b/c I was scared to death of my water breaking before I had a chance to get one. I was able to relax and dose on and off for a while after that. She checked me at 3 and I was at 8cm. She decided to let me rest and came back in at 5:20am check me again, I was complete. However, my water never broke so they called my dr, broke my water (which had meconium...) and I started to push. I pushed through 4-5 ctrx when I got his head out. They made me stop pushing so they could suction him out to get any and all meconium so he didn't get any in lungs when he took his first breath. And then out came the rest of him.

I have a little tear but I have been doing great. Jack nurses like a champ and we both caught on real quick, I don't think I'll have many problems.

I'm very proud of myself for getting to 7cm without an epi, I tolerated the ctrx fairly well, I thought, I just knew there was no way I wanted to even try 8, 9 & 10.

Jack's 1st office visit

2006-12-18T16:27:00.000-05:00

Jack had his first dr appt today, he's 5 days old.

He weighed 7 lbs 10.2 ozs and was 20 1/2" long. His head circumference was 35cms.

Everything looked good and they were real happy with his weight gain.

39 week appointment

2006-12-06T12:50:00.000-05:00

Ok. I'm home with a not so exciting report.

Let me just say that first... Everything looked good.

Last week I was 2cm and 75%.
This week I was 3cm and 75%.

He said that the baby is engaged in my pelvis. He stripped my membranes and made me a "loose" 3cm (yowza! that hurt) and caused me to bleed quite a bit.

They have me on the wait list for an induction but that will only happen after the 12th, they will not induce me before so if something comes open after the 12th I will be getting a call from either my dr's office or the hospital.

And that's it.

December 4th, I'm still here.

2006-12-04T22:19:00.000-05:00

I feel further away from labor than ever. My appt was Tues and since then the ctrx have gotten futher and further apart to almost non-existent until last night from 6-7:30pm they were right on top of each other but I wasn't at all concerned so I knew it wasn't time and then they petered out and went away. I, honestly, think that I was having ctrx last night b/c I was hungry and we were waiting for the potatoes to finish cooking in the crock pot before we ate. Once I ate, it was all down hill.

Plus, Bill and I had sex yesterday morning and I walked probably 2+ miles yesterday.... and when I listened to Jack's heart beat on the monitor this morning, I couldn't find it at first - why? - b/c he is so stinking high and it took me a while to think to go a little higher. Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Then, I thought my appt was tomorrow. I was excited for the dr to tell me my progression and to stir things up again but alas I realized yesterday that my appt isn't until Wed. Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh! At my appt I will ask the dr that I not go past the 13th (my edd) only b/c of Christmas, otherwise, I'd sit back and enjoy the ride.

Saturday, December 2

2006-12-02T22:15:00.000-05:00

So I sit here and I wait for Jack to kick my body into labor. It's Saturday and Bill's at work like usual. I've decided not to bust my ass today but that's mainly b/c just about everything has already been taken care of and I have no plans.

Shame on my dr for getting my hopes up that I would have Jack soon. What did he say? He didn't think I would make it through the week or was it that I wouldn't make it another week (to my next appt on Tues)? I don't know but this almost seems like torture.

Now, I know that I'm only 38wks 3d today so while I struggle everyday not knowing if or when I'm going into labor (especially with all the braxton hicks) - this week - I know that I should be patient b/c Jack will let me know when he's good and ready. However, I have all the signs that labor could happen at any moment. As of Tuesday, I was 2cm dilated, 75% effaced and he stripped my membranes. Thursday I lost my mucous plug. Friday we had sex. This morning (tmi ahead) I had diarrhea and went for a walk and nothing... well, maybe one braxton hicks so far today and it's almost 1:30pm.

I guess just keep me in your thoughts so that when it does happen everyone will be safe and healthy. I'm off to finish folding a load of laundry and to watch a movie.

38wks

2006-11-28T22:12:00.000-05:00

Everything looked good.

Blood pressure - 110/72
fundal height - 39
urine - neg
heart rate in the 130's
up 2lbs - I think it's a total of 33-34lbs now

2cm dilated STILL but
75% effaced (last week I was only 25%)

He told me that the baby is definitely head down b/c he could feel his skull and he thinks I have a good chance of having Jack sometime this week so he stripped my membranes. I wasn't even sure what that meant so I had to come home and look it up.

Here goes...

37wks

2006-11-22T22:09:00.000-05:00

Well, I had my 37wk appt yesterday and here's a quick run down of how it went:

BP - 110/70
Heart rate in the 120's
Urine - negativeGBS - negative
no weight gain
fundal height up from 36 to 40
25% effaced
2cm dilated

A wk ago I was nothing. Also, today I went and pre-registered at the hospital and the nurse told me to pack my bag.

And from the list in my last entry, I'm doing really good. Jack's room is 97% done so things 1-5 on the list are done. I would post a pic but for some reason my computer doesn't recognize the software for my new camera... I don't know what I'm going to do about that. Right now I'm freaking out over it. It recognizes it on my laptop but there's something wrong with the modem on the laptop and I can't dial up.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow so that's one more thing off my list and Austin's bathroom & bedroom are almost done. In the bathroom, Bill just needs to caulk around the bathtub and in the bedroom, Bill just needs to hang the curtain rod. So that'll be 2 more things off my list and 2 that *I* can't do and I'm not really worried about either of them, so that's a load off.

Right now all I need to do is all the Christmas stuff, finishing shopping, wrap and put up the tree - I got the Christmas cards done the other day...whew... AND most importantly, pack my bag for the hospital and get the car seat installed. I'm stressing those two things the most right now so once that gets done, it'll be smooth sailing.

Wish me luck!

36wks and a ton of stuff to do

2006-11-16T21:49:00.000-05:00

I went to the doctor yesterday (11/15) and I'm not yet dialated or effaced. However, I am HOT and I'm can tell I'm starting to swell - for the first time I had to take off my wedding and engagement rings today (after first running my hands under cold water and lathering up with dish soap). I felt nekkid not wearing them all day.

I FINALLY got Austin out of Jack's room and into his new room downstairs and we FINALLY got Jack's room painted, however, there is still a ton left to do.

1. We need to put up the chair rail in Jack's room.
2. We still need to put up the border in Jack's room.
3. We still need to put up the blinds and valances in Jack's room.
4. We need to bring in the crib and dresser from the shed and get that put together.
5. I need wash all cloth items - and there's a TON - get them all folded and put away.
6. I need to have Thanksgiving somewhere.
7. I need to get and install a car seat.
8. I need to get fitted for nursing bras.
9. I need to cook some meals so that there's something hot to eat for the 1st week or two after Jack's born.
10. I need to finish Austin's bathroom so he can use finally use it.
11. I need to finish Christmas shopping, wrap gifts and put up the tree.
12. I need to pack my hospital bag.

I could go on and on it seems... all because of the freaking contractor who took 9wks to do a 2wk job. I can't even think about him without getting angry and stressed out. So I'm going to put him out of my mind but I'm sure as I'm still trying to finish up the bathroom downstairs and I'm pushing Bill to do what I can't, I'll be thinking of him the whole time.

Thank goodness I had the mindset to use some of my vacation next week. I took off work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday giving me the whole week off since Thanksgiving is Thursday and they always give us off Friday (instead of another holiday). Hopefully, fingers crossed, I'll be able to get a ton done so I can sit back and relax for the remainder of my pregnancy.

That's about it from me for tonight. I'm sure I'll be on next week while taking a break to let you know my progress.

Another parent/teacher conference

2006-11-15T21:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we had to go back to the school for another parent/teacher conference. It was a follow-up from the one before where we scheduled the school counselor to go in his classroom and observe his behavior. Well, she observed him in 2 different classes, here is the description of setting and task:

1. Gym Class - Discussion and active practice of focus and attention by teacher (she said that a karate instructor was in that day so it wasn't a normal gym class and it was very organized)

2. English - a) Taking a spelling test and b) Discussion of suffixes and prefixes

Now here is the description of Austin's performance while he was observed:

1. During this entire presentation Austin was focused, attentive, and followed directions.

2. During both the spelling test and English lesson Austin stayed focused, attentive and was on task. During the English lesson he raised his hand several times to answer questions and when called on his answers were correct.

So in conclusion, they noted that Austin does not have problems with his attention span and that he's just laid back and works at his own pace. Well, we could've avoided all of this b/c I could've told them that a LONG time ago. Austin's been laid back since birth, the child doesn't know the word "stress". Anyhow, I was so happy I could burst! Still am! I knew all along he was a great kid and they were making something out of nothing. Not to mention he ended up getting all A's & B's on his report card.

Austin's report card

2006-11-04T20:56:00.000-05:00

After a very stressful first semester and an early progress report that showed Austin failing everything, here's how his report card looked:

B - Math
B - Reading
A - Language
B - Science
B - Social Studies
A - Art
A - Music
A - Physical Education

Way to go Austin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of him. I could burst.

This weekend

2006-10-30T20:52:00.000-05:00

This weekend was not a good one…

First of all, Bill worked all day Saturday – nothing new (he works like 75-80hrs a week) – but I was looking forward to seeing him when he got home.

Well, he called from work and told me that my BIL (my sister’s husband) called him and asked him if he wanted to play cards – more specifically a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament. What he didn’t tell me (I had already spoke to my sister and she told me) was that it was a Bachelor party. I, of course, said something about it being a bachelor party and Bill apologized for not mentioning it and he felt bad b/c now it looked like he was trying to hide something when really all he wanted to do was play cards. He was asking me if he could go – knowing full well that I wanted some time with him and I told him that he made his own decisions. I was trying to make the point that I’m not his mother; I’m his wife.

So he comes in, helps the guy doing the bathroom remodeling for a few minutes and comes up to jump in the shower. I asked him if he was going and he said, “I want to.” At that point, I told him that it would be a very bad decision on his part but it didn’t stop him. He rushed in the shower and out the door. Man, was I pisssed. Did I mention that I don’t see Bill on Wednesday’s b/c he’s playing Texas Hold ‘Em and he doesn’t get home until 12-12:30am when I’m already asleep (and he leaves the house most mornings before I wake up)? I had to tell Austin that if I was a little snappy that it wasn’t his fault b/c I was upset with Bill – thank God he’s old enough to understand.

Sunday comes around and I’m full of attitude. I asked, “Were there strippers?” And there was. That just put me over the top. Now, I have never been one to mind if Bill went to a “Gentleman’s Club” but he doesn’t go so it’s not an issue (not to mention in a club they are on stage with a no touching rule). However, I did find out bachelor party – sit on your lap, put boobs in your face, dance in your living room – strippers, bother me – A LOT. Maybe it’s b/c I’m 33wks PREGNANT and my husband never tells me that he finds me attractive nor do I feel attractive at 30lbs above normal weight but he was tripping over his own two feet to get out the door to go see some strippers.

Now in all fairness to Bill, I know he wasn’t going to see the strippers but I’m pregnant and irrational and still pisssed about it. I know it; I admit it but dammn it if I didn’t wait all day for an apology and in the end, I basically asked him to apologize. He did and he was actually sincere saying that the only reason he was in a hurry was so that he could eat and he was anxious about playing in a tournament with other guys – it was not at all about the strippers (in my eyes, they were a perk :rolleyes: ). He really wanted to see how well he would do up against strangers in Texas Hold 'Em. He doesn’t expect me to understand. The thing is I do understand but I told him before he left that he was making a [u]very bad[/u] decision – one that he heard about all weekend.

Also, I wonder if I would’ve been AS angry had he told me up front that it was a bachelor party? The fact that he kept that under wraps let me make up all kinds of things in my mind. I really don’t like thinking of the stripper aspect of it all… And he barely knew the guy, he’s met him, I think, twice before.

Was I really all that irrational? Would you have been angry?

Dumping Syndrome

2006-10-24T20:33:00.000-04:00

So I had my appt yesterday with my GP, the one my OB wanted me to make for a heart evaluation b/c of my last sugar episode.

My GP believes that it has NOTHING to do with my heart. He said if it was my heart, it would happen all times of the day not just in the morning. He believes that it is strictly related to sugar.

So he's diagnosed me with Dumping Syndrome. Here's a little of what I found online:

Rapid Gastric Emptying(Dumping Syndrome)
An amalgamation of information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH),the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and other sources.
Rapid gastric emptying, or dumping syndrome, happens when the lower end of the small intestine (jejunum) fills too quickly with undigested food from the stomach.

Early dumping
"Early" dumping begins during or right after a meal. Symptoms of early dumping include nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.
After an esophagectomy, food passes quickly into the small bowel, mixed only with saliva and amylase from the mouth, but little or no stomach acid. The molecules (component parts) of the food remain fairly intact and therefore, large. The small bowel responds by diluting what we eat through a process of "water recruitment" into the bowel space. The "richer" the food, in terms of molecule size or sugar content, the more water will rush into the small bowel to dilute it. Suddenly, the heart will pound and beat rapidly; you may feel dizzy, and overwhelmingly tired. The bowels may gurgle and churn, and will feel bloated and gassy. This might be followed by loose stools and even vomiting. It is not dangerous, but it can be frightening to the uneducated patient.

Late dumping
"Late" dumping happens 1 to 3 hours after eating. Symptoms of late dumping include weakness, sweating, and dizziness.
Late dumping is caused by an insulin response to the ingested food. One might feel flushed, sweaty, fatigued, and experience all the signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

http://www.eccafe.org/cnt/dumping.html

Here are some other sites:
http://www.womenfitness.net/dumping_syndrome.htm
http://www.gastromd.com/diets/anti-dumping.html

I must have LATE DUMPING since it normally occurs 1 - 1.5hrs after I eat.
I'm so happy I don't have to go to any other appts: cardiologist etc... and to actually know what's going on. Sounds to me like he nailed the diagnosis.

Health Update

2006-10-19T20:29:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don't know, I've been having some problems in the mornings with my sugar levels dropping and causing me to feel faint and crappy. Since discovering that it was "probably" sugar, I changed my diet in the mornings from cereal, which is high in sugar, to plain oatmeal that I flavor myself and things have been good...until Tuesday morning.
Here's a recap of what happened Tuesday:

I have no idea what went wrong but I got ready for work like normal and I felt fine. I left the house and I felt fine. It wasn't until I was driving up a main road to work that I started yawning over and over again, like I couldn't get enough oxygen or breathe. So I tried sitting taller to give my lungs a little more room, didn't help. I wasn't feeling right and I started getting warm so I turned on the a/c so it would blow on my face and a few minutes later is when I felt the color drain from my face. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw how pale I was so I pulled over on the shoulder but kept driving just slower since there was a turn coming up. When all of a sudden I started seeing the dark spots. This was it, I was passing out. I immediately pulled into someone's driveway that was right before the turn. I got parked in time and I didn't pass out but boy did that scare me. I called my mom when I got back on the road so I had someone to talk to until I got to work just in case and right before I got to work, I started feeling funny again but I got to work and I've been okay ever since other than I'm exhausted and feel like I might be trying to get sick with sore throat but that's another story.

So I had a doctor appointment that afternoon and I mentioned it to the doctor and here's what he told me:

When I told him what happened this morning, he told me to go to my GP soon and have my heart evulated. He said from what I told him about this morning (yawning and shortness of breath) he said that it may be an arythmia (sp?). He said that the sugar could also play a part in b/c when your blood sugar drops your body releases adrenaline and if my heart isn't working properly then it may not be distributed properly or quick enough (something like that, I was a little thrown so I can't remember exactly) but he's also concerned b/c I had the oatmeal this morning and it didn't work like it has been - so it leads him to believe it could be something other than the sugar... Clear as mud? Bottom line: I need to call my GP asap and get in for an EKG.

Now I've had "episodes" with my heart racing about 3 yrs ago and they did an echo and everything looked picture perfect and then it all stopped when I changed jobs so they chalked it up to stress. I never bought it but have felt fine ever since... until I got pg. So even though the "episodes" are completely different in symptoms etc. I'm still a little nervous about what is going on.

I have an appt for Monday @ 2 with my GP so I'll keep you posted.

October 17, 1996

2006-10-17T20:27:00.000-04:00

Today is Austin's birthday. He turns 10 and I can't believe it. 10 years ago today I was sitting in the hospital being induced to deliver my first child, my son.

What an incredible little man I have raised. I don't know if I did a good job or if he just got all the right genes to make him such a gentleman but he is the sweetest. I feel bad for him though in the sense that one day some girl is going to coming along and shatter his heart into a million pieces. I've known this for a long time but as he gets older, it gets clearer and clearer. Hopefully, I'll be prepared being as how I could see it coming for years.

I hope his teacher doesn't load him up on homework today so that we can enjoy this evening with him. I'm so so proud of him and just thinking about him sometimes makes me feel like exploding with joy.

Happy Birthday Austin!

My sister - My baby shower

2006-10-13T20:20:00.000-04:00

This is a vent.

So my sister is trying to help my SIL plan my baby shower. She's seems adamant about doing so and will take no help from me to even help with food. I could go on about the details but I'll get to the meaty stuff.

April 2004, my sister had her first child, my nephew Kyle. Her best friend and I talked about throwing her a "surprise" shower but never got knee deep into details before she had a tizzy thinking that no one was throwing her a shower b/c neither her or dh had heard anything. I tried telling her that that's what a "surprise" was all about but she wouldn't hear of it and just got pisssy (went as far as calling me liar) and told me to forget it that her husband was going to throw her shower - so he did but not before things got really ugly between us due to her behavior.

Now...

Can you guess?
It's being thrown in my face. Just today I heard how someone should've thrown her a shower blah blah blah... I told her that we tried but she threw a tizzy and she said, "Poor Kyle" (like he missed out on something) "You still could've thrown one." and then "I'm not getting into this..." and logged off of IM without me being able to say another thing.

Why does my family have to be so difficult? I never asked her to offer to help with my shower. I have so much stress in my life right now with the bathroom, Austin etc... and all morning my sister was trying to help relieve my stress when she throws this on my shoulders. I wanted to tell her that she didn't have to do anything for me but she didn't let me.
I can't say that I didn't expect this sooner or later...

31wk sonogram

2006-10-12T08:32:00.000-04:00

First of all, everything looked good.

He's still a boy (we saw testicles) and his heart rate was 134.I was exactly 31wks yesterday and he measured 31wks 1d and approximately 3lbs 9ozs. He's also head down.

We got 4 pics and they aren't that great. The sonographer had several great photo opportunities and didn't take any of them. The picture I uploaded to SN, Jack looks like he's going to cry but just a second or two before he looked so peaceful - if she would've only snapped it then... Oh well. He's still cute.

The sonographer was really nice and I think at the end she was trying to get us more pics but I asked if it was ok that I bend my knees b/c my back felt like it was breaking and she said it was fine and asked if I was ok. I was but then a few minutes later I had to ask if I could sit up b/c I can't breathe on my back and it was starting to make me light headed so she ended the sono then... darn it. I know she was doing it for my benefit but I wanted a GOOD pic. Again, oh well.

And one last thing -
Surprise! Surprise! My placenta is anterior which is why I can't feel him so much. As we were watching the screen she said, "Did you see that? He's kicking you." And I said, "I don't feel a thing." She said, "I do." (b/c she was holding the wand).

So stressed out!

2006-10-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

I'm ready to curl up and cry.

We are remodeling our bathroom downstairs and we had the wallpaper taken down in the bedroom and the walls painted - this is going to be Austin's new bedroom. However, the contractors are now going on a month since the bathroom has been demo'd and it's still not complete. They told me it would be finished in 7-10 days once the demo was done. The demo was done in a day and now a month later we're still waiting for it to be finished.

This stresses me out b/c I can't do Jack's room until we move Austin into his room. We can't move Austin until the paint and bathroom is finished. I'm going out of my mind worrying that I won't have everything done in time for Jack's arrival. The room & bathroom are a complete and utter mess. I'm going to have to take days off of work when it's finally done to clean and get things in order and to get Austin moved.

Add on top of that, everything that I'm going through with Austin and his teacher and I'm about ready to have a melt down. I really hope that something gets resolved at our parent/teacher conference on Friday. I emailed the teacher today requesting that a guidance councelor or vice-principal be present at the meeting b/c I want to walk away from that meeting with a sense of accomplishment knowing that I'm helping Austin. I don't know where to go from here and I'm not about to take advice from his teacher. I'm afraid I won't have an open mind at the meeting and I need to make that a priority. Please pray for me to have the strength I need to get through this.

On a good note, Bill came home last night. What a relief. With him gone, I felt I was carrying the load alone and I was really getting weighted down.

Also, I get a sonogram tonight and I'm really excited about that. I can't wait to see Jack. I can't wait to see him in 3D! I'll post pics tomorrow!