I'm not sure I can provide a completely accurate description of all this weekend's activities - it really went by in a blur. Plus, I've slept since then, so some things are kind of fuzzy, but I promise to give it my best. It started at about 9am on Saturday morning when we (Thomas, Deb and I) headed to Temple for the baby shower weekend. Deb was brave enough to tag along for the adventure, but only after she was promised Starbucks and an entertaining time (I think we made good on both promises). We made it to Green's Sausage House in Zabcikville (only 1 bathroom break, I might add!!) and had lunch. Then it was time to drop Thomas off at the parentals and head for the hotel. Frank, however, had other plans since according to her, the hotel would not let you check in before 3pm (more on that later). She wanted Deb and I to run errands with her - Deb and I wanted to nap. Somehow, Frank won and it was off to pick up baby shower super fern and take Deb on a second tour of Temple (I'm pretty sure she saw it all the first time we drove through it).
We got Frank to take us back to the hotel and check us in. I would like to take the time to point out that we were in the room at 2:55pm, meaning we had to have gotten to check in prior to 3pm thus meaning Frank delayed my nap an hour (never a good idea). After a good snooze, I woke up hungry (big surprise), and $1.25, two trips down the hall and a fight with the vending machine over a KitKat, Deb and I opted to head to Wendy's for a Frosty and french fries (I dip the fries in the Frosty - this is not a pregnancy-related occurrence, this pre-dates pregnancy). Good thing we ate a little something because the 6:30 arrival time at Thomas' brother's house did not correspond to dinner time. By 9pm, I was pretty sure I was going to pass out from starvation (I'm not dramatic at all), but Thomas' friend Jason was making pies and had enough sense to pass the preggo the spoon to lick. That held me off a little longer and since the boys were in a storytelling mood, Debs and I were well entertained.
Back to the hotel for some SNL and sleep. I will say the weather man was nice enough to only come on during the commercial break to tell us about the tornado warning and hail in the neighboring county, but he came on EVERY commercial break. Do you know how often SNL breaks for commercials? About every 3 minutes - it was ridiculous.
The night was relatively uneventful except for the cockroach I discovered in the bathroom during one of my nightly runs. Fortunately, I know how to handle myself in these situations and managed to throw a towel over it and exit the bathroom without having my feet touch the floor in case it managed to scurry out. Let me say that the escape from the bathroom was quite a feat with the belly. I'm not quite as mobile/agile as I like to think I am. Good thing I remembered to let Debs know not to move the towel that I had wadded up behind the door. Morning also brought an additional surprise when I discovered my change of underwear was torn on the side and was useless. Imagine how much fun Deb had watching me hang my washed-in-the-sink other pair of underwear from the bathroom door and blow dry it. You can laugh, but you can't say I'm not resourceful. Besides, there was no way I was going to my baby shower sans undies.
We got to the baby shower and it was amazing. The cake was absolutely adorable, there was a ton of food and cute decorations, and best of all, tons of people from my hometown were there to see me! It was SO wonderful to see all the teachers I used to work with and catch-up with all the friends I don't see nearly often enough. It's a good thing Frank herded me to the present-opening circle to get started, otherwise I could have talked with everyone for HOURS. I spent an hour and then some in the present-opening circle absolutely amazed at the generosity of everyone that came (and also probably equally amazed at the amount of stuff babies apparently require). Not to offend anyone, because EVERYTHING was perfect, amazing, and just what we needed, but the Aggie onesie that says "I Also Yell At Midnight" gets my vote for the most awesome baby thing of the day (thanks, Beth!). Tiffany (and whomever she commandeered to help her) also gets bonus points because she managed to get about 40 bags worth of stuff down to about 8 bags. And of course, a HUGE, HUGE thanks goes out to all the wonderful ladies (Tiff, Beth, Kayla, Erin, Frank, Judy, Erin, Genie, Carol, Tammy, Jean, and Margie) for pulling off a spectacular baby shower! I had a great time, and, thanks to Thomas, Liam's stuff is (mostly) put up in his room.
One of my favorite parts of the pregnancy has been watching Thomas' reactions to things. I had more fun watching him at the ultrasound than I did watching the actual ultrasound (of course, I'd already seen Liam in black-and-white a few times by then). I think he may enjoy the baby toys more than Liam will. When he unpacked everything yesterday and helped me sort it on the dining room table (which was completely covered - seriously, thanks to everyone for everything - I don't know what we'd do without you!), I think I heard more oohing and aahing out of him than I did the ladies at the baby shower.
I didn't get to watch him poke through the baby stuff for too long because I headed up to work for a big downlink event with Arizona. I love being in the production room when my events happen because I like knowing what's going on and there are some great folks that work over there. I was only planning to be gone about an hour and half, but I didn't come strolling back through my door until almost midnight. There were a few technical glitches that had to be worked out, but all in all, it turned out to be an awesome night. Of course, it was a LONG day for the preggo - starting with breakfast at 7:15am. Did I mention that during breakfast at the hotel Fox News mentioned my downlink and I started jumping up and down yelling "That's my downlink they are talking about!!" The couple next to me was just staring. Fortunately, they were the only ones in there besides me.
I've got good stories from today as well, but I'll save them for another post. For now, it's bed time!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
One Crazy Weekend Down...
This weekend was a bit much for the preggo. It was Aggie graduation on Saturday, and after grabbing my body pillow (no sane preggo would leave home without it), I quickly discovered that I was not feeling 100%. After a stop at Buc-ee's for Sprite, Pepto, and Beaver Nuggets (for Thomas and Dad, not me) it was off to College Station. We stopped for lunch at Koppe Bridge (can some Aggie please, please open one in our area?!?) where I managed to get down about 4 french fries and 3 bites of burger - but man was it good.
I've been through an Aggie graduation before, so I know the process, but being 7 months pregnant, I was completely unprepared for how much it was going to wear on me. Before you walk out to the floor of Reed Arena, you go to a holding room where they line you up in order. I (stupidly) had on heels (little ones, but still) and had nowhere to sit...for over an hour. I was about at my breaking point, especially since it was so hot and I still was feeling icky, when we finally got to walk out to the floor. Of course, there is still standing that happens for awhile at that point too, but at least there was a chair if I needed one. Plus, I was busy trying to find the Frank, Dad, Judy and Thomas, who voluntarily sat through yet another Aggie graduation.
It took from 2pm - 5:10pm to commission officers into the military, hood doctoral students, hand Becky her tube, and then get the 1000+ undergrads across the stage. Bless Judy for providing the preggo with M&Ms - which I dug into at about 4pm for some much needed sustenance. Once upon a time, students used to get their diplomas and many would walk out of the ceremony. That's not really an option any longer in Aggieland - now they take your diploma if you leave the ceremony and won't give it back until you show up in person to claim it. Of course, about 1.5 hours into the ceremony, and 20 Liam kicks to the bladder later, I had to hit the bathroom (I was also secretly hoping that taking the diploma was just an idle threat and nobody would follow through and I could escape - no such luck). I somehow managed to make it through the remaining graduation. I just absolutely was not prepared to be that worn out by graduation. Of course, it was a little emotionally draining, too. I got to sing The Spirit, and The War Hymn, and "Saw 'em Off" with my fellow Ags, which all brought back really good memories. Liam didn't really care for the swaying, or the loud music, but if I was going to have to stay for all of graduation, I was at least going to enjoy the good stuff. Damn you pregnancy hormones - it took all I had to keep (happy) tears from falling.
Once we finally arrived back home (11 hours after we left and me finally feeling better) I packed my bag and headed off to the Cejka residence for a night of girl fun and twins! Liam's "girlfriends" are getting so big and are absolutely beautiful. Jess, Lori and I made it through the night and we are actually fairly chipper at 2:30am when it is time for feedings. I headed home around 8am this morning and somehow managed to make it to HEB, Target, Sam's, Pappa's BBQ, and Babies-R-Us. Needless to say, the 2.5 hour nap that came this afternoon, was absolutely necessary, and I know it will be incredibly difficult to get out of bed in the morning, but I'll do it somehow, someway. In preggo world, I do good to get 4 or so useful hours each day where I'm truly alert, functioning, and "normal". Although I still have to function for more than 4 hours each day, and I somehow power through (some days more successfully than others). I'm guessing this is nature's way for preparing me for what's ahead? For now, I'm throwing in the towel and getting in bed. I'm definitely at my max for this weekend, and next weekend stands to be just as action-packed.
I've been through an Aggie graduation before, so I know the process, but being 7 months pregnant, I was completely unprepared for how much it was going to wear on me. Before you walk out to the floor of Reed Arena, you go to a holding room where they line you up in order. I (stupidly) had on heels (little ones, but still) and had nowhere to sit...for over an hour. I was about at my breaking point, especially since it was so hot and I still was feeling icky, when we finally got to walk out to the floor. Of course, there is still standing that happens for awhile at that point too, but at least there was a chair if I needed one. Plus, I was busy trying to find the Frank, Dad, Judy and Thomas, who voluntarily sat through yet another Aggie graduation.
It took from 2pm - 5:10pm to commission officers into the military, hood doctoral students, hand Becky her tube, and then get the 1000+ undergrads across the stage. Bless Judy for providing the preggo with M&Ms - which I dug into at about 4pm for some much needed sustenance. Once upon a time, students used to get their diplomas and many would walk out of the ceremony. That's not really an option any longer in Aggieland - now they take your diploma if you leave the ceremony and won't give it back until you show up in person to claim it. Of course, about 1.5 hours into the ceremony, and 20 Liam kicks to the bladder later, I had to hit the bathroom (I was also secretly hoping that taking the diploma was just an idle threat and nobody would follow through and I could escape - no such luck). I somehow managed to make it through the remaining graduation. I just absolutely was not prepared to be that worn out by graduation. Of course, it was a little emotionally draining, too. I got to sing The Spirit, and The War Hymn, and "Saw 'em Off" with my fellow Ags, which all brought back really good memories. Liam didn't really care for the swaying, or the loud music, but if I was going to have to stay for all of graduation, I was at least going to enjoy the good stuff. Damn you pregnancy hormones - it took all I had to keep (happy) tears from falling.
Once we finally arrived back home (11 hours after we left and me finally feeling better) I packed my bag and headed off to the Cejka residence for a night of girl fun and twins! Liam's "girlfriends" are getting so big and are absolutely beautiful. Jess, Lori and I made it through the night and we are actually fairly chipper at 2:30am when it is time for feedings. I headed home around 8am this morning and somehow managed to make it to HEB, Target, Sam's, Pappa's BBQ, and Babies-R-Us. Needless to say, the 2.5 hour nap that came this afternoon, was absolutely necessary, and I know it will be incredibly difficult to get out of bed in the morning, but I'll do it somehow, someway. In preggo world, I do good to get 4 or so useful hours each day where I'm truly alert, functioning, and "normal". Although I still have to function for more than 4 hours each day, and I somehow power through (some days more successfully than others). I'm guessing this is nature's way for preparing me for what's ahead? For now, I'm throwing in the towel and getting in bed. I'm definitely at my max for this weekend, and next weekend stands to be just as action-packed.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The 150 Rule
I've decided I have a new rule. I'm calling it the "150" rule. Essentially, anytime the temperature + humidity = 150 or higher, I'm not getting out of my PJs...or my house. Now all I have to do is convince others to let me abide by this rule :) Actually, going to work in the morning isn't so bad. I usually get there between 7:45 and 8am, so the sun really isn't out in full force. When I leave in the afternoon though, the temps and the humidity are just flat out awful. I know, I know, my fellow Houstonians are thinking this isn't even close to awful, yet. I agree...but thanks to the space heater I'm carrying around, I'm already miserable. All I want to do is get a noodle and float like a hippopotamus in the pool - only my eyes and nose above the water. That will help me cool down and being buoyant sounds amazing.
Work has been a bit crazy lately, but good crazy. It helps keep my mind off the countdown (82 days to go, officially) and I love what I do and the people I work with. I'm fortunate to work in an office full of mommies (and one daddy) so they help keep me sane...and they haven't started laughing at the waddle yet. They've been there - they know.
Life is busy, even outside of work. This past Saturday was the first baby shower with the NASA crew...this coming Saturday is graduation...and the following weekend is the Rogers baby shower. I'm pretty sure I'm not going anywhere Memorial Day weekend. For three days, I will be in my PJs, in my bed, watching as many movies as my DVR can handle.
The NASA shower was awesome - I'm lucky to work and be friends with such an amazing group. Thomas was so excited when I brought all the stuff home. He immediately set to work putting things together, starting with the adorable play mat that Kelly and Katey got me. I was teasing him about how much more stuff he will have to put together over the years and he was saying how his dad used to curse and moan as he assembled Thomas' toys growing up. Thomas also mentioned how he (Thomas) was more "tech savvy" and wouldn't have as many problems putting toys together. Imagine my amusement when all of two minutes later he was cussing the plastic ring that wouldn't fit through the fabric loop...keep in mind this assembly required no tools and only a picture for instructions. More fun times to come - he still has to assemble a stroller, playpen and all sorts of other good stuff that we still need. I know these things are come with the "some assembly required" tag and I plan on being there to supervise the process so I can bear witness to the fun.
A big thanks go out to Deborah for putting the shower together - she is the balloon arch queen! Check out the cake - it's decorated just like the whale theme from Liam's room. And it was absolutely delicious...earning MMM Cupcakes a giant shout out. Her cakes are spectacular. It was great to hang out with everyone and I really appreciate all the presents for Liam. His nursery is really coming together.
It's the 28 week checkup tomorrow. The final checkup before they start happening every two weeks instead of every four, meaning we are getting ever closer to the big event. Maybe that's why I can't sleep lately...or maybe it's the 4 trips to the bathroom I make between 11pm and 5am.
Work has been a bit crazy lately, but good crazy. It helps keep my mind off the countdown (82 days to go, officially) and I love what I do and the people I work with. I'm fortunate to work in an office full of mommies (and one daddy) so they help keep me sane...and they haven't started laughing at the waddle yet. They've been there - they know.
Life is busy, even outside of work. This past Saturday was the first baby shower with the NASA crew...this coming Saturday is graduation...and the following weekend is the Rogers baby shower. I'm pretty sure I'm not going anywhere Memorial Day weekend. For three days, I will be in my PJs, in my bed, watching as many movies as my DVR can handle.
The NASA shower was awesome - I'm lucky to work and be friends with such an amazing group. Thomas was so excited when I brought all the stuff home. He immediately set to work putting things together, starting with the adorable play mat that Kelly and Katey got me. I was teasing him about how much more stuff he will have to put together over the years and he was saying how his dad used to curse and moan as he assembled Thomas' toys growing up. Thomas also mentioned how he (Thomas) was more "tech savvy" and wouldn't have as many problems putting toys together. Imagine my amusement when all of two minutes later he was cussing the plastic ring that wouldn't fit through the fabric loop...keep in mind this assembly required no tools and only a picture for instructions. More fun times to come - he still has to assemble a stroller, playpen and all sorts of other good stuff that we still need. I know these things are come with the "some assembly required" tag and I plan on being there to supervise the process so I can bear witness to the fun.
A big thanks go out to Deborah for putting the shower together - she is the balloon arch queen! Check out the cake - it's decorated just like the whale theme from Liam's room. And it was absolutely delicious...earning MMM Cupcakes a giant shout out. Her cakes are spectacular. It was great to hang out with everyone and I really appreciate all the presents for Liam. His nursery is really coming together.
It's the 28 week checkup tomorrow. The final checkup before they start happening every two weeks instead of every four, meaning we are getting ever closer to the big event. Maybe that's why I can't sleep lately...or maybe it's the 4 trips to the bathroom I make between 11pm and 5am.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Like a Duck
Perhaps I've been inspired by the countless baby ducklings wandering around JSC, but I myself have begun to waddle. It's not super pronounced yet (and bless my coworker for calling it "cute"), but I feel it. I can see that my toes are pointed outwards instead of straight and I can feel my butt sticking out, desperately trying to compensate for the shift in my center of gravity. It's only going to get more interesting for me and more amusing for the rest of the world. At least now there is no mistaking I'm a preggo so at least no one is wondering why I'm moving at the speed of snail.
Speaking of the baby ducks, let's just say it is probably in their best interest that I am moving slow these days and probably can't bend over and catch one. They are about the cutest things ever, and it makes me think back to the days when Bucky the Magic Ducky graced our bathtub for a few months since he was a lone duck, born on "the farm" in Rogers in winter. That's right, we had a pet duck, and my whole family shared one bathroom so he could have a place in the tub. Did I mention we also taught him how to fly? (Just remember - my memoir title is "More Normal than I Have Any Right to Be")
According to the websites, I'm officially in my third trimester. It seems like only yesterday I was directing Thomas to make phone calls letting the world know while I desperately tried to keep Gatorade and crackers down. There was no hiding it - the mommies in my office would have been on my case in about 2 seconds. Being in the final phase reminds me of just how much I still have to get done. I know that baby showers will help take care of a lot of the stuff we need (and thanks in advance to all my friends...you are amazing!), but I still feel like we are far behind in the preparedness department. Other than a blue whale room upstairs and a pile of baby clothes on the washer that need to be cleaned before being put up, I'm not really sure it has fully hit the Kamas family that the house of two people, two dogs and two cats will very soon have a new member (and it won't have claws or fur).
It's a little surreal. I can't wait to meet Liam, but at the same time I can't even begin to imagine what our lives will become. It's always been just me and Thomas since August 2001, and by now, we've pretty much gotten things figured out. I know what drives him crazy, he knows what drives me crazy, he works the grill, I make the sides, I pick flowers out, he plants them...you get the drift. We've comfortably settled into our roles and it just works for us. I guess it's time we learn how to do something new together. At least I've already assigned Thomas the vomit-detail role...
Speaking of the baby ducks, let's just say it is probably in their best interest that I am moving slow these days and probably can't bend over and catch one. They are about the cutest things ever, and it makes me think back to the days when Bucky the Magic Ducky graced our bathtub for a few months since he was a lone duck, born on "the farm" in Rogers in winter. That's right, we had a pet duck, and my whole family shared one bathroom so he could have a place in the tub. Did I mention we also taught him how to fly? (Just remember - my memoir title is "More Normal than I Have Any Right to Be")
According to the websites, I'm officially in my third trimester. It seems like only yesterday I was directing Thomas to make phone calls letting the world know while I desperately tried to keep Gatorade and crackers down. There was no hiding it - the mommies in my office would have been on my case in about 2 seconds. Being in the final phase reminds me of just how much I still have to get done. I know that baby showers will help take care of a lot of the stuff we need (and thanks in advance to all my friends...you are amazing!), but I still feel like we are far behind in the preparedness department. Other than a blue whale room upstairs and a pile of baby clothes on the washer that need to be cleaned before being put up, I'm not really sure it has fully hit the Kamas family that the house of two people, two dogs and two cats will very soon have a new member (and it won't have claws or fur).
It's a little surreal. I can't wait to meet Liam, but at the same time I can't even begin to imagine what our lives will become. It's always been just me and Thomas since August 2001, and by now, we've pretty much gotten things figured out. I know what drives him crazy, he knows what drives me crazy, he works the grill, I make the sides, I pick flowers out, he plants them...you get the drift. We've comfortably settled into our roles and it just works for us. I guess it's time we learn how to do something new together. At least I've already assigned Thomas the vomit-detail role...
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Countdown Continues
Well, the magic blog tracker says less than 100 days to go. That's a little scary...especially since those wonderful Braxton Hicks contractions have made their debut. I was thrilled in the hospital when the nurse said I had three contractions in 2.5 hours - I hadn't felt a thing, woohoo!! These new contractions, although very sporadic and random in nature, are not nothing. It's not exactly unbearable, but it's not exactly nothing either. They make my face contort in a way that has Thomas running across the room to make sure I'm okay. At least they don't happen that often.
The other awful part about the impending countdown is that it is only going to get hotter. Can I apply for a waiver regarding work clothes? I'm pretty sure that my sanity (and survival) may very well depend on the ability to show up to work in a tank top and shorts. I've been trying to get to work as early as possible so that it is "cool" when I walk in and the sun isn't out in full effect. I need to set a threshold or something - if the humidity is over 75%, just assume the pregnant lady isn't leaving the comfort of her air conditioned home and will be dialing it in. I'm already sweating non-stop, and let me just say that sweat + the major coverage of preggo clothing = red, itchy bumps all over the upper belly region. So not cool...like there isn't enough icky stuff already to deal with.
I've also started reading and rereading (and re-rereading) the labor and delivery section of all my preggo books. I'm hoping I get to bypass the labor part and just get the epidural and c-section (no judging...just expressing my personal preference and yes, I'm well aware that both options are really no picnic). Chances are, I'll get what I'm hoping for, especially with what is going in the heart department (no changes - all is good since I'm on the meds), but just in case, I'm "preparing" for the other choice. Let's just say these readings are inciting a little bit of a panic. How can such a short trip take so long and be so painful?!? Really - I'm pretty sure it is just a few inches...I'm perplexed that medical science has yet to figure out a way to make this a less arduous and painful process. Well, until the time comes, let the countdown continue.
The other awful part about the impending countdown is that it is only going to get hotter. Can I apply for a waiver regarding work clothes? I'm pretty sure that my sanity (and survival) may very well depend on the ability to show up to work in a tank top and shorts. I've been trying to get to work as early as possible so that it is "cool" when I walk in and the sun isn't out in full effect. I need to set a threshold or something - if the humidity is over 75%, just assume the pregnant lady isn't leaving the comfort of her air conditioned home and will be dialing it in. I'm already sweating non-stop, and let me just say that sweat + the major coverage of preggo clothing = red, itchy bumps all over the upper belly region. So not cool...like there isn't enough icky stuff already to deal with.
I've also started reading and rereading (and re-rereading) the labor and delivery section of all my preggo books. I'm hoping I get to bypass the labor part and just get the epidural and c-section (no judging...just expressing my personal preference and yes, I'm well aware that both options are really no picnic). Chances are, I'll get what I'm hoping for, especially with what is going in the heart department (no changes - all is good since I'm on the meds), but just in case, I'm "preparing" for the other choice. Let's just say these readings are inciting a little bit of a panic. How can such a short trip take so long and be so painful?!? Really - I'm pretty sure it is just a few inches...I'm perplexed that medical science has yet to figure out a way to make this a less arduous and painful process. Well, until the time comes, let the countdown continue.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Bump in the Road
So it's been a crazy past few days. Let me start with Friday. My coworker and I decided that Chipotle sounded like a great idea for lunch (and it was!). On our way back to NASA, we were talking about driving - a topic on our minds especially since she was just rear-ended on Wednesday and still wasn't feeling fabulous. As I crossed through and intersection, the car in front of me started stopping quickly, so I hit the brakes as well. Enter squealing tires and then a nice big thump/crash as a red truck hits us from behind. There really was no good place to pull over, so we threw on the hazards and I jumped out to exchange information. We got pictures of both cars (and the license plate), insurance information, phone number, but didn't call the cops (which in hindsight, probably would have been in a really good idea). I was feeling okay, so we headed back to the office so I could deal with insurance, call the doctor, and most importantly, eat my Chipotle tacos.
When I called the insurance he gave me to report the claim, it turns out that I was given invalid insurance information - the policy he showed me belonged to a deceased person. I'm guessing he had inherited the truck and hadn't put it on his insurance yet - I'm not optimistic, but maybe, just maybe, he gave me the correct telephone number and the insurance can get in touch with him and he actually has a valid policy. If not, that's why I have good insurance with uninsured motorist coverage. My company has been really easy and wonderful to work with. Woohoo for that!
What wasn't so fun was that when I called my doctor's office to see what they wanted me to do (it really wasn't that hard of a hit - the car is messed up a little, but nothing too bad), they said ER. Not what I was wanting to hear, but I knew it was important to be checked out, just in case. I went to the ER and went got back in about 10 minutes. After going through triage, sitting in another waiting room, getting a 1 minute checkout by a doctor, going to another waiting room, getting a fetal heart rate test and going through registration, I was sent upstairs to the perinatal assessment center. I was hooked up to a contraction monitor and a baby heart rate monitor, which came off quickly once they realized very quickly that Liam's heart was strong, and the noise gets old very, very quickly. It was about this time Deb arrived. I should mention that I called her on my way to the ER while she was in the middle of student presentations. I managed to get the important details of what was going on before she had to go, only to call back 2.5 seconds later when she asked if I was driving myself or going in an ambulance.
Deb sat with me while my blood was drawn (twice) and while we waited for Thomas to get there. They only let one person in the room at a time, so Deb headed home (smart girl - there is food on the outside) once Thomas showed up. We waited forever for them to take me down for an ultrasound. I got to the ER at 1:30-ish and it was about 5:15 when I got started heading toward the ultrasound. However, it was 7pm when I was done with the ultrasound. They let a student do the first ultrasound for about an hour, then the "real" person came in, looked at what she did, deleted most of it, and did another ultrasound for almost another hour. It was ridiculous. Keep in mind that at this point, the pregnant lady hadn't eaten in almost 6 hours. I was starving and not happy. When the ultrasound was finally done, the tech wheeled me upstairs into labor and delivery. Imagine my moment of panic...especially since no one had told me or Thomas anything except his heart rate looked great. She had just made a wrong turn, and I was taken back into my assessment unit home.
It was another 2.5 hours before I got dismissed. The nurse came in and said the doctor got into a (I quote) "pissing match" with the ultrasound people because they hadn't signed off on my ultrasound as normal. Apparently, the ultrasound people only make notes if there is something abnormal. Please note, no food for the pregnant lady for 8.5 hours - immediately after being dismissed, I made a beeline for Burger King for some chicken fries. I've never tasted anything so good in my life. Apparently, they couldn't feed me in case they had to take me to labor and delivery for real - and since the test results hadn't been signed off on...you get the picture. So not a happy person...especially since that meant Thomas woke me up at 4:45 am on Saturday so we could head to Rogers since our Friday trip was postponed.
The rest of the weekend was fairly uneventful, if you discount the fact that we packed up Frank's house on Saturday (well, I didn't pack, I "supervised" from a super comfy chair while the moving squad - Jake, Thomas, Dad and Andrew - packed up the U-Haul) and we drove it all to Houston on Sunday. I'm definitely at my limit for the past three days - I'm exhausted, grouchy, and ready for bed. I need to get some serious sleep before work tomorrow, plus all the other craziness that will come this week - car repairs, follow-up doctor visits, explaining to Frank why it doesn't make sense to put a couch in front of a table in front of a window...just a typical day in Becky-land. Told you, office mates, my life would make a spectacular reality TV show. ;-)
When I called the insurance he gave me to report the claim, it turns out that I was given invalid insurance information - the policy he showed me belonged to a deceased person. I'm guessing he had inherited the truck and hadn't put it on his insurance yet - I'm not optimistic, but maybe, just maybe, he gave me the correct telephone number and the insurance can get in touch with him and he actually has a valid policy. If not, that's why I have good insurance with uninsured motorist coverage. My company has been really easy and wonderful to work with. Woohoo for that!
What wasn't so fun was that when I called my doctor's office to see what they wanted me to do (it really wasn't that hard of a hit - the car is messed up a little, but nothing too bad), they said ER. Not what I was wanting to hear, but I knew it was important to be checked out, just in case. I went to the ER and went got back in about 10 minutes. After going through triage, sitting in another waiting room, getting a 1 minute checkout by a doctor, going to another waiting room, getting a fetal heart rate test and going through registration, I was sent upstairs to the perinatal assessment center. I was hooked up to a contraction monitor and a baby heart rate monitor, which came off quickly once they realized very quickly that Liam's heart was strong, and the noise gets old very, very quickly. It was about this time Deb arrived. I should mention that I called her on my way to the ER while she was in the middle of student presentations. I managed to get the important details of what was going on before she had to go, only to call back 2.5 seconds later when she asked if I was driving myself or going in an ambulance.
Deb sat with me while my blood was drawn (twice) and while we waited for Thomas to get there. They only let one person in the room at a time, so Deb headed home (smart girl - there is food on the outside) once Thomas showed up. We waited forever for them to take me down for an ultrasound. I got to the ER at 1:30-ish and it was about 5:15 when I got started heading toward the ultrasound. However, it was 7pm when I was done with the ultrasound. They let a student do the first ultrasound for about an hour, then the "real" person came in, looked at what she did, deleted most of it, and did another ultrasound for almost another hour. It was ridiculous. Keep in mind that at this point, the pregnant lady hadn't eaten in almost 6 hours. I was starving and not happy. When the ultrasound was finally done, the tech wheeled me upstairs into labor and delivery. Imagine my moment of panic...especially since no one had told me or Thomas anything except his heart rate looked great. She had just made a wrong turn, and I was taken back into my assessment unit home.
It was another 2.5 hours before I got dismissed. The nurse came in and said the doctor got into a (I quote) "pissing match" with the ultrasound people because they hadn't signed off on my ultrasound as normal. Apparently, the ultrasound people only make notes if there is something abnormal. Please note, no food for the pregnant lady for 8.5 hours - immediately after being dismissed, I made a beeline for Burger King for some chicken fries. I've never tasted anything so good in my life. Apparently, they couldn't feed me in case they had to take me to labor and delivery for real - and since the test results hadn't been signed off on...you get the picture. So not a happy person...especially since that meant Thomas woke me up at 4:45 am on Saturday so we could head to Rogers since our Friday trip was postponed.
The rest of the weekend was fairly uneventful, if you discount the fact that we packed up Frank's house on Saturday (well, I didn't pack, I "supervised" from a super comfy chair while the moving squad - Jake, Thomas, Dad and Andrew - packed up the U-Haul) and we drove it all to Houston on Sunday. I'm definitely at my limit for the past three days - I'm exhausted, grouchy, and ready for bed. I need to get some serious sleep before work tomorrow, plus all the other craziness that will come this week - car repairs, follow-up doctor visits, explaining to Frank why it doesn't make sense to put a couch in front of a table in front of a window...just a typical day in Becky-land. Told you, office mates, my life would make a spectacular reality TV show. ;-)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Milestones
Today was a significant day, and not just because I managed to stay standing for an hour and forty-five minutes straight in heels. Today was my oral exam for my Master's Degree, the final hurdle before graduation. The good news - me and Liam will be making our way across the stage on May 14. The bad news - me and Liam will probably also have to make our to the bathroom 6 times in the amount of time it takes for the graduation ceremony.
Of course, no day in the life of a pregnant lady would be complete without a moment of craziness, and thus we have our second milestone of the day. I reached a completely new level in preggo nuts status. Coming back from A&M, I decided to come home Hwy 6, thinking I could miss most of the traffic. FYI, Hwy 6 is Hwy 290 for part of the way (and I'm sure there was a sign that said that) and DOES NOT go through the city of Hempstead. So I drove on to Bellview and Sealy before turning on 10. A few extra miles, but not too bad. Thomas suggested I jump on the Beltway, which I did, and missed the exit for 45, so I got to come home on Hwy 3. I blame part of it on the sheer exhaustion - I really haven't slept in three days - but I blame the other part on the belly and the fact that I probably used every single bit of brain power I could muster to not screw up my oral exam. The actual driving part of the trip wasn't exactly a total disaster. I did see a truck hauling a 20 foot tall cow statue down the highway. That almost made the extra mileage worth it.
Beyond that, we are rapidly approaching some seriously busy weekends - baby showers, parents move, graduation, and so on and so on. Seeing how well I functioned today under stress and exhaustion plus a still sick tummy, I'm not sure I'll be cognizant the entire month of May. I may need a chauffeur because I clearly have no business operating heavy machinery. Any takers?
Of course, no day in the life of a pregnant lady would be complete without a moment of craziness, and thus we have our second milestone of the day. I reached a completely new level in preggo nuts status. Coming back from A&M, I decided to come home Hwy 6, thinking I could miss most of the traffic. FYI, Hwy 6 is Hwy 290 for part of the way (and I'm sure there was a sign that said that) and DOES NOT go through the city of Hempstead. So I drove on to Bellview and Sealy before turning on 10. A few extra miles, but not too bad. Thomas suggested I jump on the Beltway, which I did, and missed the exit for 45, so I got to come home on Hwy 3. I blame part of it on the sheer exhaustion - I really haven't slept in three days - but I blame the other part on the belly and the fact that I probably used every single bit of brain power I could muster to not screw up my oral exam. The actual driving part of the trip wasn't exactly a total disaster. I did see a truck hauling a 20 foot tall cow statue down the highway. That almost made the extra mileage worth it.
Beyond that, we are rapidly approaching some seriously busy weekends - baby showers, parents move, graduation, and so on and so on. Seeing how well I functioned today under stress and exhaustion plus a still sick tummy, I'm not sure I'll be cognizant the entire month of May. I may need a chauffeur because I clearly have no business operating heavy machinery. Any takers?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Isn't It Too Early?
I guess I thought it was too early for Liam to have opinions, but he does have them (and is not shy about making them known!). For example, after spending the past several days helping out the Reduced Gravity team at Ellington Field (shameless friend plug - Go Sara Go!!), I know for a fact that Liam does not like airplane noise. Or at least not the really loud airplane noise you get as the T-38s take off with a roar. Each time one of the planes shoots off into the sky, I'm awarded with multiple sharp kicks to the belly. Hey, I put my ear protection in and its not so bad...doesn't he have built in ear protection-something kind of like the shuttle's water sound suppression system? Hang in there, little man, only a couple more days of airplanes.
Of course, he is Thomas and my kiddo so his opinions don't stop at airplanes. Here are a couple of other things Liam has opinions about:
1. Cookies and Cream ice cream - still doesn't like it, I'm not yet sure I can forgive him for that. However, we have compromised over Dairy Queen's Oreo Blizzard...not exactly Blue Bell, but a decent substitute.
2. Going to bed at a decent hour - if he doesn't think its time to sleep, I get kicked for a good 15 minutes.
3. Waking up at 6am - major dislike (and I'm on his side there). I'm assuming he's grumpy early in the morning because I get kicked and he throws in some rolling around (which makes me nauseous) for good measure.
4. The color green (oh, wait...that's me - but he probably wouldn't have liked it in his nursery either)
Sara reminds me that he gets 9 months, but I get 18 years. I like that outlook - driving your kids crazy is just one of the many perks that comes with parenthood. I know my parents took that idea to heart (love you Frank!!).
Of course, he is Thomas and my kiddo so his opinions don't stop at airplanes. Here are a couple of other things Liam has opinions about:
1. Cookies and Cream ice cream - still doesn't like it, I'm not yet sure I can forgive him for that. However, we have compromised over Dairy Queen's Oreo Blizzard...not exactly Blue Bell, but a decent substitute.
2. Going to bed at a decent hour - if he doesn't think its time to sleep, I get kicked for a good 15 minutes.
3. Waking up at 6am - major dislike (and I'm on his side there). I'm assuming he's grumpy early in the morning because I get kicked and he throws in some rolling around (which makes me nauseous) for good measure.
4. The color green (oh, wait...that's me - but he probably wouldn't have liked it in his nursery either)
Sara reminds me that he gets 9 months, but I get 18 years. I like that outlook - driving your kids crazy is just one of the many perks that comes with parenthood. I know my parents took that idea to heart (love you Frank!!).
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Losing It
Pretty sure I've lost my marbles. Or at least most of my marbles. I make random mistakes on emails, documents, phone numbers, etc. all the time. I can't remember what I've told people I would do for them. It takes three times as long to accomplish tasks as it used to, and wouldn't you know it, I've got loads of school work to be finished. Yup, pregnancy brain has arrived and is in full effect. Some people think this is a myth, but I'm pretty sure most of my brain function (along with various other functions) has been devoted to a little person currently residing in my belly.
Again, I go back and say that one of the strangest things about pregnancy isn't the physical changes, but the mental changes. I'm definitely not a "normal Becky". By my very nature I'm a numbers whiz. I know my checking account number, bank routing number, and I can complete a debit card transaction without ever grabbing my card out of my purse (actually, that's kind of scary - I know the number, date of expiration, and the three digit code by heart - I must use it way too often!). Earlier this week, I couldn't even get the telecon number I use practically every other day right on an email...which of course I didn't notice until after the meeting. So not like me. I also spent today convinced an important event was on April 8 and not May 8 - and got to send multiple emails correcting myself. Complete and total loss of brain power.
I should come with a warning sign - or at least my emails should have something at the bottom letting the reader know what they are up against. If people can put "Forgive all spelling mistakes - this was sent from my iPhone", then surely I can write "Forgive all mistakes - I'm pregnant". I think that should suffice. :)
Again, I go back and say that one of the strangest things about pregnancy isn't the physical changes, but the mental changes. I'm definitely not a "normal Becky". By my very nature I'm a numbers whiz. I know my checking account number, bank routing number, and I can complete a debit card transaction without ever grabbing my card out of my purse (actually, that's kind of scary - I know the number, date of expiration, and the three digit code by heart - I must use it way too often!). Earlier this week, I couldn't even get the telecon number I use practically every other day right on an email...which of course I didn't notice until after the meeting. So not like me. I also spent today convinced an important event was on April 8 and not May 8 - and got to send multiple emails correcting myself. Complete and total loss of brain power.
I should come with a warning sign - or at least my emails should have something at the bottom letting the reader know what they are up against. If people can put "Forgive all spelling mistakes - this was sent from my iPhone", then surely I can write "Forgive all mistakes - I'm pregnant". I think that should suffice. :)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Gone Crazy
Yup, the Kamas household has gone crazy - but only the furry black and white members of the Kamas family (i.e. Protege and MECO). Here are just a few of the things the cats have accomplished in the past seven days:
1. MECO put a broken half of a dresser knob in my purse. Apparently it was meant as a gift. I only wish I could have seen him carry it from Liam's room upstairs all the way down to the coffee table.
2. They both broke into an unopened bag of cat food spilling half of the contents on the laundry room floor. This happened at about 10:30 at night.
3. They knock books off the shelf in the living room daily. Again, this is a joint effort. That's Protege (aka Pro) in the picture taking it easy after a destructive evening.
4. MECO has taken to sleeping on the counters (so NOT okay with this) because one countertop gets super warm when we run the dishwasher. I guess he's playing the odds that at least during a few of his naps, he'll get the warm spot.
Even as I write this they are tearing around the house at warp speed, and I'm fairly positive one of them has just crashed headfirst into the wall. Maybe that will calm them down for a minute or two.
They've just recently gone bonkers - now that the room is getting put together and Liam is kicking like a soccer player, are they finally realizing changes are coming to the Kamas house? Speaking of kicking, Liam's definitely getting stronger and more active. However, he refuses to kick when Thomas puts his hands on my stomach. He can be going to town, but when I call Thomas over, all action ceases. Stubborn little kiddo...wonder who he takes after? :)
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