Weights

Still weighing my options. Here's the latest. Saw the urologist this morning. Very nice. Had to take the kids and he didn't mind in the bit (sometimes you never know). He said that when I'm in the hospital he will come and get me a CAT scan so he can see what's going on with the stones and we'll deal with them and the stent from there. It's uncertain at this point (because he hasn't seen the x-rays of them) if it will be done while I'm still there but it looks hopeful. Praise the Lord!

While I was there my OBs office called. I guess that if everything looks ok on the amnio they can do the c-section at lunchtime on Monday!!!! Holy smokes!!! I dropped my records off at the office I go to on Monday for the amnio and they were real nice and told me what happens and all. That whole hospital complex is HUGE! There are so many different buildings- it is so easy to get lost in that place! It's very nice though. For some weird reason I like hospitals. Maybe because at one point I wanted to work in one. They have a children's hospital too and we had to walk through part of it. It was so neat and cute, the different things they had.

I came home and installed the car seat. I will have to make sure everything is packed up and ready on Monday morning when I head out. As long as everything looks fine on the ultrasound and amnio I think I'll be holding our precious baby on Monday. Unless the Lord maneuvers me in a different direction in a big way.

Decisions, Decisions...

This morning I woke up with a whole new outlook. I wasn't necessarily in 'pain' or anything but just the fact that my bladder and whole female parts constantly hurt I was determined I don't want to deal with it anymore. I'm tired of it and I want my body back to being normal. I want to be able to enjoy my husband and children, enjoy going out, enjoy the normal things in life that I just can't lately. So I decided that I would tell my doctor that if he'd do a c-section tomorrow I'd do it. I just want it over. I know the end of pregnancy is tough and sometimes seems to take forever as it is but with all the added crap I've been dealing with I'm so over it.

I was at my doctor office for a long time. His nurse was real nice. I was surprised when he walked in to find a younger doctor (he looks older in his picture online). I was all ready to go with my page long of questions, concerns and complaints. I shed tears. I let him know what is going on and how I'm feeling. He listened. He didn't rush me on, he didn't tsk me or anything. Wonderful! I got the Group B Strep test done and he checked if I have a yeast infection. Sure enough. Funny (or not) thing is when I mentioned my symptoms to the other Dr. last week she said it sounded like one but didn't even check!!! So who knows how long I've been dealing with this now! No surprise though since I've been on antibiotics for at least 3 weeks.

Ok, so here are my list of issues (besides the 'normal' pregnancy things):
Bladder infection (maybe its cured with the antibiotics though)
Yeast infection
Kidney Stones
Stint
Very anemic

I have an antibiotic for the bladder issues, new medicine for the yeast problem, iron pills and of course my pain meds. What, I ask you, is next???

Well, I have an appointment with a urologist on Friday. We'll discuss what can be done with the stones and when. I'm hoping that maybe they'll be able to take care of it when I'm in the hospital.

Monday I go to a different doctor who will do an amnio and ultrasound to see how developed the baby is. If the baby is developed well I can schedule a c-section for Tuesday. This is not the route I planned to go (and maybe by then the baby will come on her own or I'll change my mind) but like I stated above I am so sick of it all. Of course I want the baby's best interests and want to make sure she'll be ok if delivered early. I really didn't want another c-sect. and the idea of an amnio freaks me out so I'll just be praying in the meantime that God intervenes in a huge way! Otherwise I may be holding my baby next week!


On a totally different note, I've been searching for a baby book. They are SO expensive! I didn't want to pay $20 for one! And I couldn't find any that could be for boy or girl- it was either pink or blue. Tonight I stopped at TJ Maxx just to check if they had any. Only girl ones, but I looked at the price- $5.99!!!! I decided to get it and just wait to write in it- can't beat that price! I figured everything else I have is girl I may as well just get a girl baby book too;)

Well, I need to fill out pre-admission papers and make a list of phone calls I have to make tomorrow. Please pray that Zach and I make the best and wisest decision in this all and that we follow the Lord's leading. I don't want to be selfish in this and think only of myself. Which I'm not, I am very concerned about how these medicines I keep taking repeatedly could affect my baby. Zach is too which is why he's been saying for awhile now that I should just get the c-sect. Maybe God is slowly nudging me that way for some reason I don't know about. I don't know. Just pray for us as we seek God in this.

33 Days Left

I never dress nicely anymore, unless I'm going to church. Who feels like it when they feel so fat, pregnant and they're in pain? Well today we had a picnic to go to for the spouse's wives from Zach's work and I wanted to dress nice. What better day to take some pictures!?! So, here you have it... Big fat mama;) Oh and all pictures were taken courtesy of Chatterbox, besides the last one...Junior Squirrel took that one.

Notice Booty Shaker hiding behind me;)

It really looks much bigger in real life...and feels it too;)

Silly Booty Shaker

Still my Cuddly Boy

blessings

Today I was so blessed to be able to really relax. Zach had today off, but better than that (sorry hon) our Pastor's wife paid for a massage therapist she knows to come to my house and give me a massage. It was so wonderful! The guy is a Lutheran pastor (what a combination, huh) and was so nice. At first I felt weird with another person massaging me (I thankfully DIDN'T have to undress) but soon I was so relaxed as he worked out kinks and all. Then tonight I was really hurting (I figured out the right side of my back hurts so bad because the baby is really laying on that side) so I took a nice, long bath. It felt so good and I was so relaxed! I didn't have any pain until I sat down again and now my back is starting to hurt again. It was nice to lie in the tub and just pray to God about my pain, the baby, labor and all that.

Yesterday evening I was having a lot of Braxton hicks contractions. They were like 5 minutes apart from one another! I hope my body is preparing to have this baby! We're all so ready to meet our new blessing. I even packed what I could of my hospital bag tonight!!! Oops, gotta charge the camera batteries though!

An attempt...

I wanted to take a test run by the new hospital because I had no idea exactly where it was. I was hoping we'd 'pretend' I was in labor. All was going well while Zach drove (and talked on the phone to his brother), until he missed his exit. Then I flipped out! Of course the next one was miles down the road, so 10 minutes later we finally get onto the road we needed to be on! Once we got on the right road it was so easy to find the hospital. It is huge- there are so many different buildings. I knew the one I needed and we finally found it. After figuring in the time we spent 'detouring' it only took about 15 minutes to get there. Not bad at all! Much closer than the hospital in Ames! Now hopefully Zach will have a clue how to get there when the time really comes and I'm in too much pain to direct him! I can't wait for that day!

I couldn't resist

I had to post how I'm feeling today. I have not taken pain meds since I went to bed last night! I have no pain! I've been real tired today and finally got a nap in this afternoon. I've also been having to run to the bathroom quite a bit, but what else is new with that? It is nice not to be in pain. I just wish I didn't have to pee every 5 minutes so I could go and shop. We're in desperate need of groceries. I may just have to chance it and head out anyway, I guess. I'm also craving Chinese food so maybe we can eat out? Although I am nervous to be out too long!

More pregnancy stuff

Well, I have an appointment with my new doctor next week. I've heard good things about him so I'm looking forward to it. BUT I guess they will not induce, unless I want to have a c-section. They won't induce on VBACs. I was really hoping I could just get a 'date' so I could arrange for child care, my mom to be here, etc. Oh well, I need to remember that God knows when the baby's time is to come and rely on Him to provide for our needs. These goofy rules and laws are so irritating though. No wonder people homebirth!!!!

I can't believe I'm almost 35 weeks. I will have to take a picture of my belly soon as it seems even bigger, although I only gained 1 pound in 2 weeks. I've been feeling more pressure and have had other issues. Not sure if time is getting closer or if I've now got a yeast infection. It will be such a relief to have this baby!!!

I've been in more pain lately than I was when I left the hospital last week. I have more pain meds, but she sure didn't give me much so I'm trying to withhold from using them. But its miserable to sit here in pain and be fearful of going anywhere!

Sorry if this post doesn't make a whole lot of sense, I've got a lot of distractions right now. Oh and I got my diaper bag in the mail from Amie! She also made an adorable dress and a beautiful quilt. I was almost crying as I saw it all! Thanks Amie! Maybe she'll post pictures on her sewing blog, so be sure to check and see!

Whose decision is it, anyway?

I know its becoming more and more common for hospitals not to allow VBACs. Here in Iowa this is a new thing. Apparently somebody in Iowa City has made the decision that only hospitals in Iowa City and Des Moines can offer VBACs to patients. Is it right for one person to make a decision for hundreds if not thousands of women? For me driving to Des Moines is no big deal, but what about for those who live far from these cities and who don't want a repeat cesarean.



I know there are some cases where a cesarean is needed, but more often than not I think it is just unnecessary. It is becoming so commonplace nowadays though, almost the norm. Why is that? Do these doctors just make more money from the insurance companies? Or is there really a need for so many women to have them? And I wonder if its not their way of 'cutting off' women from having so many babies. After all, how many doctors will perform multiple c-sections on one person? I know its been done, but I know they don't recommend it.



With my first baby I wasn't too educated. I simply followed the advice of every doctor. My baby was breech. I was supposed to go in and they were going to try to turn her but she broke my water that morning. I believe it was a God thing. I was really nervous about them pushing here and there but I was at peace with a c-section. Even now I have no regrets about that decision. It was what had to be done. Since then I've had two successful VBACs. So, because I had a c-section over 8 years ago I have somebody telling me I need a repeat one? Is it really their decision?



I know there are risks associated with VBACs. And I'm open to getting a c-section if it is absolutely necessary. But if its for the simple reason that some supposed 'expert' thinks it necessary and they don't know my past medical history, or current for that matter, then I say bologna on that! God designed a woman's body to birth a baby naturally. And that is what I intend to do, with the help of drugs (I just am not Superwoman).

my vacation

I had a vacation yesterday and it felt good. Where to? The hospital! I was so sick of dealing with the pain that I finally called the doctor. My doctor wasn't in, which is a good thing (I don't like her) and the one on call said to come in to be observed and get checked out. Well, in addition to everything else it looks like I have a UTI so that could be contributing to all the pain as well. They gave me Percecot for pain and put me on antibiotics. I stayed overnight to make sure the pain meds would work. I didn't see my doctor until this morning and let me tell you I am glad I have to switch doctors (more to come on that). The other two doctors I'd seen while in there were so willing to give me something for the pain. I was crying as I described to them how I couldn't even function. Well, she didn't seem to care and said pain was normal with a stint and I'd have to learn to live with it or get it out. I didn't think she was going to give me pain meds to take home at first!!!! I can understand some pain, but to the point of not being able to do a thing??? She also told me to keep myself busy to distract myself! As if!!!

So, why am I switching doctors (beside the fact she's 'old-school' and rude)? I found out last night that Iowa passed a law and most hospitals no longer do VBAC's. I knew before I moved here that this may happen, but when I was looking for a doctor this wasn't an issue. So, the hospital I've been at (which I really liked) won't do them anymore. I will get referred to a doctor and hospital in Des Moines, which is actually closer to us anyway. I really hate to deal with another new doctor and all the pain in that but I will not have a c-section unless necessary and I am not happy with the current doctor. I see her again Tuesday for my appointment and we'll go over things to transfer me then.

Oh, the hospital has valet parking and room service! I know most people don't like hospitals but I was being taken care of and it felt wonderful. I didn't have to worry about the kids, dinner or things like that. The food was actually good and the nurses wonderful!

On a different note, please check out my SIL's sewing blog. I asked if she'd make a diaper bag for the baby because I really like those styles and she did! I can't say how much I LOVE it!!!! Let's continue to hope its a girl (I had a dream last night that they did an ultrasound and the baby was a boy).

So, I am home now with some drugs to hopefully keep me feeling well. It is amazing that when I take them I feel a whole lot more like myself. It is wonderful! I just hope I don't run out too soon and that she'll give me a refill!

Watch too many movies?

Well apparently I do (though not as much as my husband). I can't believe I forgot to blog about this!

The other night I just could not sleep (what else is new) and I thought I'd try the couch once again. When I came down and plugged in my heating pad I noticed tail lights outside in a driveway across the street. Weird, it was almost 3 am. The people had just moved in, but the house was dark. When I looked closer I saw the lights on. I lay down and tried to sleep. When I got up to use the bathroom I noticed the lights were STILL on! It was like an hour later! And the lights looked quite dimmer. My first thought was somebody was trying to commit suicide! I think I posted over a year ago that they'd found a woman down the road from us who had done this and that was all I could think about.

I contemplated what to do. Go over and look, call the police, wake up Zach? I finally thought I would wake Zach and he thought it quite weird as well. He didn't want to go over for fear of finding a dead body. Finally we decided to call the police to check things out. FORTY minutes later they finally come (I'm NOT out in the country that it had to take that long). We watched out of the windows as the cop shined his flashlight on the car, tried to open the door, etc. The windows were quite fogged up. He stepped to the end of the driveway and talked into his radio. I was like, "OH no...he's calling in for help" but then he got in his car and left!?! A few minutes later we get a call from the police...apparently the people just left their lights on. Do you know that that NEVER occurred to me???? I think I've watched one too many movies or something!


********
An update on me. Yesterday I talked to the urologists nurse and apparently my back pain was my sciatic nerve. I've had problems before but really didn't think it was that. I was able to voice concerns and ask questions about when I get the stint removed. I lay on the couch all day trying to just get rid of the pain however I could. I decided to call a midwife to see what she would recommend for me to do with the stones, sciatica, pain, etc. She was helpful (and very harsh)! She told me to drink like a whole milk jug of water a day (and I'm tyring). I wasn't eating very well for awhile because of the pain and all and she pretty much scolded me. So I forced myself to cook dinner and even made myself a healthy breakfast. Last night I slept a little better, though was up peeing all the time, at least I wasn't in the pain I was in the night before. So, I'm really going to force myself to eat (even when I don't feel like it), to drink lots of water and hopefully I continue to feel better. I felt good all morning until I got out of the shower...crazy how it seems that can really wear me out!

Ridiculous

Ok, I know I've been negative a lot in regards to how things are going. But really I am not sure I can find anything positive from it. I feel like I can't enjoy the end of pregnancy because of everything else going on. The baby moves and normally I love it, but lately it just irritates my bladder even more and I wish it to stop. I've been told since the beginning that this baby is lying right on my bladder. I can't sleep at night because I can't get comfortable with my back hurting and with having to get up at least every hour to go to the bathroom. One friend said maybe God just wants me to rest during this time, but that is impossible for the need to get up sometimes every 5 minutes to use the restroom. I can't enjoy and care for my children the way I need to be. They're so unruly and disobedient lately and it irritates me even more. Can't they see I'm miserable and that they're adding to it? I plan on trying to call a doctor in Mississippi I knew that went to our church to ask he and his wife what they think about everything (they're both OBs). I know my baby still has developing to do but I so want this all to be over. I'm about in tears with it all. I mean 6-7 weeks is a long time to keep dealing with all this, don't you think? Please, please pray as I'm at the end of my rope with it all and have no idea what to do to try to feel better.

Ode to lemons

I swear it's the lemons. I had read how lemons can help with kidney stones. So we bought some on Saturday and I drank some real lemony water. Sunday and Monday I felt pretty good, almost 'normal'. Then yesterday I began feeling cruddy again. I tried to drink a lot of water yesterday to see how that helped. It did in ways, but I think I was up about 10 times in the middle of the night going to the bathroom! This morning I'm back to lemons in my water. I will do what it takes to feel good so I can try to resume a normal life these next 8 weeks...

what a mistake!

So, I felt pretty good today and thought I'd venture out. I took the kiddos to Culver's for lunch, ran by the bank and thought we'd get some library books. All was going great until my way to the library. I felt the urge to pee. Now, with this dang stent in me I often feel that urge, but like I said this morning I was feeling pretty good. We walked into the library as quickly as we could and headed to the bathroom. By this point I was running down the hall! What a sight that must have been! And of course there's hardly anything...its more of an urge (and a MAJOR inconvenience) than anything. So, we venture to find our books (I had a list of some books I'd like to read to the kiddos) and I feel the urge again and have to practically run to the bathroom. I quickly found my books and we came home. It is so miserable. Seriously, how am I supposed to function, go anywhere, etc when I feel like this? I'm not about to put on a diaper! I want to be able to venture out once in awhile in the next 6-8 weeks, not be in total seclusion!!!

Also, last night I was able to make that homeschool meeting. I came home and went to my bed crying (good ol' hormones) because I didn't even meet anybody!!!! How disheartening! I was there for almost 2 hours!!! This group doesn't have park days and monthly Mom's meetings anyway (something I'd really like in a group), so I wasn't sure I wanted to join, but still you'd think SOMEBODY would have been kind enough to introduce themselves! Good thing there are a variety of groups around here so I can 'shop around' (providing I don't have more incidents like the one today with having to RUN to the bathroom).

Baby, I just want to meet you!

Dear Abby,
First I want to say I hope you really are a girl because we refer to you as Abby. We're buying pinks and purples and I wouldn't want to dress my boy in those colors;) Maybe we will get a chance to find out for sure before you are born. I will be quite shocked if you come out and they declare you a boy!

I am so anxious to meet you. This afternoon on the way home from church I envisioned your tiny body wrapped in a blanket and sleeping in my arms. I imagine your tiny fingers as they try to grasp at the air. I picture you snuggled up close to me as I nurse you, both of us eventually falling asleep together. I can't wait to see your sweet little face, to kiss those cheeks and hold you close. I love to feel your kicks and movements within. You certainly can be active, and it is fun to watch the different shapes my belly can take!

I am so thankful for you, that God has blessed our family with a new baby to love, nurture, raise and hold. I'm so thankful that He has held you tight and kept you safe despite things happening to Mommy's body. I'm anxious to meet you and not quite sure I want to wait 8 more weeks to do so! Mommy loves you, precious babe!

more thrills in our lives

While I was here:



Zach and the kids went through this:





Sunday night I went to bed just fine, despite the thunderstorm outside. A couple of hours later I awoke with the worst back pain. No matter what I did it wouldn't go away and kept getting worse. I had taken Tylenol before I went to bed, was trying heating pads and every position possible. I was in so much pain I was moaning. Zach woke up and suggested I try to sit in the rocking chair so I came downstairs. I knew I needed to get to the hospital but really hated to have to wake him and the kids up to drive all that way again. It was after midnight by this time. The kids were tired from being out late at the hospital Friday night and having a late night Sat. night too. I felt terrible to have to wake them again, but seriously what else was I to do? It really stinks living somewhere where you don't know anybody to sit with your kids in these situations. I know people from church but they all live further from the hospital! I met neighbors but hardly know them to leave my kids with them (or to wake them in the middle of the night).



Anyway, I finally told Zach we'd better head to the hospital again. Good thing I brought a 'puke bucket' because on the way there I got sick. It was miserable. I can't even recall the order of things. They began giving Demerol for the pain and that helped. They said it was a kidney stone and I had to get x-rays to see where it was. There are actually 2 stones in there. Because I am pregnant and because of risks to baby they went ahead and put a J-stent in until after I have the baby. So, my precious baby was exposed to the x-ray, anesthesia, my surgery and who knows what else. I'm very thankful that she is still fine (she's an active one). I was out of it all day yesterday with all the pain meds. I was able to come home yesterday afternoon/evening and just vegged and slept. I'm on meds and I'm still tired. This stint goes from my bladder to my kidney. It is miserable- I feel like I have to pee every single minute. I'm thinking I may ask if we can induce labor a bit early so that I can be rid of this quicker. It would also give us a date on when my mom comes down so we don't have to worry about child care. It's not exactly fun sitting in a hospital alone! But, what can you do, somebody had to stay with the kids!

Anyway, I'm home now and doing ok. For some reason the right side of my back is starting to hurt and that worries me a bit as I hope there aren't stones over there too. I feel like one walking mess lately! I have Tylenol with codeine to take for pain, but with being pregnant and having to watch the three kiddos I am not sure I want to take it!

While I was in the hospital Zach drove home through a terrible storm. I guess it was so bad he eventually pulled over and just began praying. I guess there was lightning in all directions, it was pitch black, windy and rainy. He said he swore he saw a funnel cloud but it was hard to tell because it was so dark. I'm so glad they made it home ok! I had no idea it was that stormy! Apparently at our house the tornado sirens went off and we had like 80 mph winds. Our trampoline blew across the street and is ruined! A screen blew off of a window and our storm gutter is a bit messed up. Our neighbors deck is destroyed. I'm sure I would have been terrified if I'd been here for it all! What is next!?!?!?

what a friday night!

My back pain never went away yesterday. At times it was worse than others and no matter what I did it would hurt. Most of the day I spent trying to be comfortable laying on the couch. When Zach came home I just laid on the couch the whole time until he took the boys to see the new Batman movie. I decided maybe if I walked around a bit it would help so Chatterbox and I headed to Wal-mart real quick. I thought maybe with just laying/sitting around it wasn't helping things. But that didn't change anything either. Finally at 9 I decided to call the nurse hotline. I was in SO MUCH PAIN that I didn't know what was going on and I was really worried, having dealt with it all day long and reading about pre-term labor. Zach wasn't home yet and they wanted me to come in to check things out (it's over a 20 minute drive), so I waited for him and felt terrible because the boys were exhausted and here I was dragging them to the hospital (its not like we know anybody here to watch them). And I figured Zach wouldn't be happy about it either, having to drive all the way back to Ames (that's where he works) and running out so late.

And don't you know that it figures that as soon as you call or go to a doctor things start to look better? When I called the nurse line I said my pain was an 8 (I was about in tears). When I got to the hospital it was only maybe a 3. So I laid there and all these thoughts came haunting me of when I was in the hospital with Malachi. Zach had taken the kids to the lounge so it was just me wondering what on earth was going on and feeling terrible for putting my family out of commission, so to speak. I felt like the crappiest mother and like I shouldn't have even called the nurse line. Nothing like pregnancy hormones & emotions to get the best of me...

Thankfully baby is fine as they listened to heartbeat. I had no contractions. When the doctor thumped on my back it hurt terrible right by my kidney. They think I had a kidney stone but passed it before I got there since the pain went away. The doctor said that there are three kinds of '10' pain: a heart attack, labor and a kidney stone. No wonder I felt so miserable. Only thing is my urine came back with not much blood in it so he can't be sure that's what it was. And I had bacteria in it so on antibiotics I go to take care of any infection. I feel 100% better than I did yesterday though. That back pain was like no other I've had (and I've had quite some back pain before) and add to it feeling nauseous and yuck and it was one miserable day! Praise God I'm feeling better and that my baby is doing just fine!

please take me away!

Oh boy, I woke up this morning with my back hurting once again. Some mornings I wake up with my stomach hurting and have to run to the bathroom. Today was by far the worst morning of back and stomach pain. I almost feel like I have the flu or something, but I'm sure its pregnancy related. I had Zach bring me Tylenol and my heating pad before he left for work but neither did much good. I've laid on the couch all morning, sometimes feeling better than other times. Now I'm dealing with my youngest being a total stinker and yelling at everybody so I've had to get up and deal with that. My dear daughter is happily making them all PB&J (again) and being my big helper, but it is no help when I have to deal with BS's behavior, with him thinking he reigns supreme over all. I'm thankful to be feeling the baby moving or I'd be really concerned. I know at the end of pregnancy you can begin to feel this way, but isn't it too early for me to feel this crummy? Well, better get them something more besides just a sandwich.

mostly pregnancy bullets

• You know in pregnancy you get to a point where you just can't lean over a bathtub and bathe your children anymore? I've reached that point. Lately my lower left back constantly hurts and leaning over a tub does nothing to help! Good thing Zach helps quite a bit on baths, but I'm thinking soon he's going to have to completely take over.


• I can't believe it was hotter here today than in MS! I thought I've just been over-heating until I compared temps!


• Basements are not always a good thing. Try being pregnant and hauling baskets from the basement to the upstairs. Probably not good for my back either, I suppose.


• I didn't actually stay home all day. Zach took half a day and we went and got some cheapo rugs for the basement. I was going to run out tonight and get some rocking chairs for our porch upstairs but decided to just stay home. With the heat I hate going out!


• I earned some Mom points today for letting the kiddos play in the sprinkler. Booty Shaker kept getting cold. I don't see how, I'd stick my legs in it and it felt great!


• Did I mention how tired I am? I am tired. It seems always. I have to take breaks constantly. I suppose this is normal but still.


• Now my PJs seem to have shrunk. Or wait, I guess I outgrew them. I wanted to put something cool on as I'm so hot but don't fit in anything so I've succumbed to a light t-shirt of Zach's.


• Are TB tests really ok in pregnancy? I suppose they don't hurt but that's something I thought on later last night. You just never know with things nowadays.


• I have pictures my mom took of my belly on Sunday but I really don't look like I have a belly in them. Trust me, I have grown, but I think mostly all around- not just in the belly.


• As long as it stays warm in Mississippi you never could get much of a tan. It was just so hot out! I see how just from doing things outside I'm getting a tan here. Cool.

i just wanna stay home!

Today we were gone all day! I had a doctor appointment at 9 am (more a patient intake thing) and 1 pm. Since my doctor is about 25 minutes away I just decided to stay in that town for the day. I managed to make it to Bath & Body Works to get some much desired hand soap and then I took the kids to BK to play. I think I should have just stuck with a park. They had fun but the AC in that part of the building must not have been working and I was dying (I had asked a worker about turning it on but don't think he did much about it)! Then Booty Shaker peed his pants. Quite the time at BK, I tell ya!





I had a stomachache all day, I think because I was real nervous about my appointment. I had heard some things about this doctor and didn't know what to expect. She is an older lady. I'm not quite sure what to think of her. She was very serious and all business. Which is fine, but I'd also like a little friendliness and personality in there! I keep telling myself, "What are the chances of her actually delivering the baby" and that reassures me a bit! The doctor had asked me about a TB test. When she left the room Chatterbox asked, "Mom, what's a TV test? Is that where people get too tired of watching TV?" It was SO funny and I couldn't stop laughing! (Oh, and I think it is retarded that these clinics have midwives but I wouldn't be able to see one because I've had a c-section). I wish I'd had more time to 'shop' for a provider...maybe next time.





We made a trip to Wally World and got a few items and headed home. Once I hit the interstate I smelled the worst smell. It smelled like nasty, sweaty butt. Now I've never actually smelled a nasty, sweaty butt but I'm certain it would smell like the smell we endured most of the way home. I think the outside of my vehicle still smells nasty. I kept wondering what on earth it was. I'd driven down that part of the road before without a nasty smell so I knew it wasn't any of the farms around there. Finally I spotted this garbage/dump truck and quickly was approaching it. What I saw was I think the nastiest thing I'd ever seen. On the top part of the open part of the truck (not in the truck, if that makes sense) was a bloody, dead piglet. It was so gross (and pretty sad too, and I thought of you Jodie of how you'd be bawling over the little piggy). I hope to never see a sight like that again, but I'm sure living in the Midwest I will! Ah, the joys of Iowa;)





Tonight I cleaned out the inside of the suburban- finally! I bought Booty Shaker a new car seat and figured I'm not sticking it in a dirty vehicle. Afterwards I was able to take a nice, cool bath. It was so refreshing. I probably hadn't taken a bath in at least a year. No, I don't stink, I just take showers! In our last house the water was so nasty looking there was no way I'd bathe in it! The bath was so refreshing and just the thing for this pregnant gal!





Oh, speaking of pregnant another thing that happened at my appointment was regarding my weight. I brought them my records from MS from this pregnancy and I think those records had my pre-pregnancy weight a bit higher. I actually may have weighed that much because I never did lose weight since losing the last two babies, but I don't like to think that I weighed that before I was pregnant. So when I had to put my pre-preg weight down today I said closer to my 'normal' weight. I guess I shouldn't have done that because the doctor said something about how I'm on the high side of weight gain. Which if you consider the weight I wrote today would be 30 lbs. already and I know I didn't gain that much! Nothing like your doctor thinking you are fat;) Just kidding! I guess I should have clarified with her but didn't think on it until later.

Oh, and another thing. It is one thing to pee in a cup, right? Well, they gave me this









to pee in and bring back to my next appointment! It looks like a pill bottle! I have a difficult enough time peeing in a normal cup! This should be interesting...




I have declared tomorrow stay-at-home day. I'm tired of running here, there and everywhere. What on earth is it like to stay home? It's been awhile since I've had a home to stay home in! But I look forward to just relaxing with the kiddos tomorrow.