One bad thing

One bad thing about living on a busy street and finally having nice weather is that once you have all the windows open, you risk going deaf beacuse you have to turn the TV up so loud over the traffic noise. I'm contemplating turning on the closed-captioning just so I can understand what the heck is going on!

Lightweight

Sunday night Justin and I went to Olive Garden for the first time in probably two years or so. BB (before baby), we would get a pitcher of Sangria (the red/berry kind). Over the course of the meal, it would make us feel pretty good, and tasted awesome.

Well, I just ordered water since I'm trying to be a good mom and all (don't want a drunk baby :-D), but Justin got a glass of Sangria. I had a sip, and holy crap have I become a lightweight. ONE FREAKING SIP and I was already getting that lightheaded feeling.

Well, if I ever become an alcoholic, at least it will be cheap!

Support a great cause!

My friend Paul is raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association again.

Please support him!

http://www.outlandishbiscuit.com/2009/03/mda.html

Sunset on Lake Erie

So tonight we decided to try out Backyard Burgers, but first went and drove around the Peninsula. It wasn't too cold, and the wind was relatively calm, so we got Alex out of the car and enjoyed five minutes or so of the pre-sunset.

If you've never tried Backyard Burgers before, I highly recommend it. It's "fast food," but tastes like a higher quality burger. We will definitely go back.

<-- Check out my Twitter

I just recently re-remembered the Twitter text address, so I've been sending some txt's from bed lately.

Since I *think* I've been having contractions since about 3am, I might not make it until Monday! Keep an eye on my Twitter bar, or add me as a friend on Twitter to get updates right on your phone!

Updates

I haven't been online much lately due to the fact that we're now living in our apartment full-time and I won't have internet until Monday at the earliest (and it's killing me, let me tell you). I'm sitting at Panera right now, eating a roast beef sandwich and asian chicken salad and using their wi-fi.

BUT! I have a picture!!!!! No, I didn't have the baby yet, but since I'm "borderline gestational diabetic," I've been getting weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests. Last week the baby didn't want to cooperate and kept its little hand in the way of its face, but this week the baby cooperated!

Say it all together now... "awwwwwwww" ;-) Justin's liked looking at the ultrasounds, which hopefully I won't have too many more (because that means the baby would be here).

It's been extremely WINDY in Erie the past day and a half, with gusts up to 60mph, but luckily so far we've only had a power flicker or two. There are plenty of business and houses that don't have power though (this is the 2nd Panera I've gone to today, since the first one closer to my house has no power).

Less than a month to go!

I know it's been a while since I've last posted, and for that - I'm sorry. I've been busy, not so busy, and just plain lazy lately. Let's see if I can cram all the updates into this one post :-).

Christmas
My Christmas was pretty much uneventful - my family did presents on Christmas Eve, which freed Justin and I up to drive to his mom's on Christmas Day. Both of my sisters stopped by, and about the only thing I can complain about is that my youngest sister, Nikki, gave me totally rude presents. Back around Thanksgiving, she called me and asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told her a maternity sweater in size XL. If it looked too small, then she could get a 1x, but XL should be just fine. What did she get me? A red shirt and a red fleece jacket with Tigger on it (I'm not a big fan of Pooh either), in SIZES 3X!!!!! Regular sizes! Hell, my regular size is just XL (maybe 2x depending on the chest area). Thanks so much. Luckily she left the tags on, and I had mom take them back to Walmart and return them for store credit. His family's Christmas was the day after, and his mom's gift to everyone was a family photo. Just what I always wanted when I'm 32 weeks pregnant... to stand in the front row with my hands under my belly, and try to look happy about it. Thanks so much MIL... At least I had a cute outfit to wear.

Dec 29 was my first visit at my new OB's office. We got our family history's redone, and then Justin got to see me depants and get my cervix checked. Fun fun. "Nice to meet you too, Doc!"

New Years'
Justin and I didn't do anything - we drove back to the house in Ohio, got Chinese food, and about 10:30, I fell asleep on the couch. I did wake up around 11:30, and got to see the ball drop.
(Then we went to bed). [we're such party animals]

The guy came from VW to inspect my car the next day, since it's due back by Feb 28. (I'm not going to keep it). The only thing I have to pay for is the damn $219 dent my sister got in my car, back when she was using it to drive to work when she lived with us. I'll never see that money, so I'll just chalk it up to experience... as in, I'm experienced in not letting her use ANYTHING of mine, nor will I ever feel comfortable leaving my baby alone with her.

I got a call on Jan 9 from my new Dr's office, saying they FINALLY got the rest of my records from TN, and oh yeah, I do have gestational diabetes (the test was a freaking MONTH ago!!!) When I went back to the dr's office on Jan 13, I talked to the OB and asked for a retest. They didn't even know how much solution I had drank for the 3 hour test (75g), so they thought my numbers were inflated, and they're not, but even though I went for the retest, I still have to monitor my sugars. At least I got to go through the holidays eating sugar, but now I'm concerned that if I really DO have it, that there could be issues with the baby, since it went unchecked for a whole month. When I called the OB office to get my prescription for the test strips and lancets, they said my repeat 3 hour looked good, but I'm not going to hold my breath until after my appointment Tuesday when I talk to the Dr again.

I really hate having to prick my fingers 4x a day, monitoring how much I eat and when, and oh yeah, I have to check my ketones in the morning (it's a pee test. If you get up several times in the night to pee, just when is the "first" morning pee???) The worst part is my stepdad has a sweet tooth and he keeps asking me when I'm going to make him dessert. Yeah, I'm going to torture myself by making dessert when I can't eat it myself. Sure. Keep dreaming, dad.

We did get an apartment though! We won't be able to move into it until after the 1st of February, but that's ok. We're allowed to move stuff in beforehand, so I put all my baby shower stuff in there, and we moved some kitchen stuff in already. This weekend we have our birthing class, a friend's birthday party, and then will be driving to the house (hopefully with our friend Paul) to get a bunch of furniture in both trucks and bring as much back as we can. Next Saturday (Jan 31) is our 5 year wedding anniversary, so I doubt we'll get much moving done then.

I'll try to do my next post soon, and write about the baby shower.

Back in civilization!!!!!!!

So Friday was my last day of work (*sniff*). I picked up Justin at the airport in Nashville on Friday night, then we stopped at Carrabbas and had dinner. It wasn't bad. I don't know if I'd go back, but it was nice to see what the hype was all about (note to Carrabbas: add some balsamic vinegar to your oil and herb dip mix).

Saturday morning we went over to the UHaul place and spent an HOUR checking me into the system and getting the paperwork done. (note to UHaul: TRAIN YOUR PEOPLE BETTER).

We spent the day packing, then went out to dinner with Joan and Dane. Dinner was nice, and it would have been nicer if we could have spent more time with them, but there's always the future!

Sunday I got up early, and let Justin sleep for a few more hours while I packed up the last of the little stuff. After he got up and took the last shower in the apartment, I took down the shower curtain and rod, got 2 bales of hay from the barn (and gave the baby horse, John Henry, at least 3 treats). We grabbed all the garbage, turned off the heat and all the lights, left the keys in the cupboard, closed the door, went across the street to get gas, and headed on the road. We stopped 3 times - twice for gas & food in the same stop, and once for ice cream at DQ. I do love the holidays, and the fact that just about everyone seems to have something peppermint flavored.

We got to the house in Ohio around 10pm, got the older neighbor kid to come over and help move boxes, and were in bed by 11:30. Justin got up super early to drive to PA to go to work, and I slept until 9am (ahhhhhhhhh). Today I've been slowly unpacking stuff and my goal is to get everything (or nearly everything) unpacked by tomorrow night so I can make it to PA to get my baby shower list done.

OH! And I *FINALLY* was able to get an appointment with my new OB in Erie. I had to have my OB in TN send my records again for the 50th time, but they did accept me, and my appointment is for Dec 29th at 3:15pm.

I'll miss my friends in TN, but it's good to be back home.

Updates

Thanksgiving went well - it only took me 2 hours to get through Cincinnati on the way North, and 40 mins to get out traffic caused by an accident just south of Cincinnati on the way back to TN.

I could definitely see how hard and utterly lonely it would have been this past year without my guinea pigs. This week it's been rather lonely around my apartment since they're at my parents house.

I went for my glucose test today to test for Gestational Diabetes. I have no instant gratification though, since they have to send my blood to a lab for testing. Only if there is a problem, will they call me (in about a week). On the plus side, I've only gained one pound since my last visit on Oct 29, so I really doubt I have GD. If you do have it, you tend to gain a lot of weight at once, and while I've gotten noticeably bigger, I haven't gotten any heavier, and my fundal height (the height of my uterus) is right on track.

The ladies at work threw me a surprise baby shower on Wednesday! It was nice - I got some really cute stuff, plus a lot of people chipped in and they gave me a gift card (so I wouldn't have to haul bigger presents back with me).

Tonight I will be flying in to Cleveland for Justin's company's Christmas party (it's tomorrow), and I will be flying back on Sunday, later afternoon. Hopefully my flights aren't going to be delayed at all!

Happy Thanksgiving Driving Day!

Yeah, so as soon as I get off my ass and finish the dishes, clean the piggy cages, put Moonbeam in her travel "cage" (a glorified box) and Peanut Thunder in Moonbeam's cage, and put the rest of the crap in my car, I will be heading to Cleveland to spend the evening with Justin before we head to Erie Thursday morning.

I am so not looking forward to the drive today. First off, I slept kind of crappy last night (thank you Nikki for calling me at midnight and waking me up *yawn*), then I woke up at FIVE AM... do you know when the last time I got up at five am and actually STAYED UP???? Yeah, me neither. I do remember the last time I woke up at THREE AM and stayed up (last Black Friday). Do I need to get up that early again this year? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on what Jen needs to get. The sales are kind of crappy this year, and I really just want to get to Kohls during their early bird time and get 60% off maternity clothes.

One plus? I tried on my winter coat from last year, and.... IT STILL FITS!!! Whoo! Now, I can't guarantee just how long it will fit, but anything is better than nothing.

Well, back to getting everything ready - I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and if you are traveling, please be safe. If you are hosting, may all your food be the best your guests have ever had!

Owwwwwww

Well, of course after the ride yesterday, I was feeling pretty good (other than the whole heat sickness episode). Today? Well, let's just say, it feels like I played Wii for 24 hours then ran a few miles... or something like that. I don't know what it feels like to run a few miles, since I'd be more likely to knock my eye out or something. But I do know hurt, and boy, is my body sore. I do have one weird sore spot, but it'd probably be TMI if I told you, so I'll spare us the humiliation and just tell my husband later (not that he can do anything for me, since he's still 600 miles away...)

Oh well, I'd do it again if I had the chance!

Water water every.... uh what?

What is more fun than a sinkful of dirty dishes, a washer full of dirty laundry and a need to take a shower (and as I'm sitting here, the ever-growing need to pee)? That's right! NO WATER. Apparently there was a water break sometime this afternoon, and that's why my water heater was making funny popping noises and my water pressure has dropped to nothing. Good thing I have a Brita pitcher full of water in the fridge, since I'm also getting really thirsty (but I still have to pee).

By the way, what's up with being thirsty and having to pee at the same time?

Ear Infections

When I was a kid, I would get constant ear infections (and no, I never did get tubes in my ears). I never swim underwater (I couldn't wear ear plugs either, because that made it worse), and I'm usually pretty careful in the shower - because that can also cause ear infections.

Well, even though I am careful, about 2 weeks ago my right ear started hurting. It hurt the most when I first woke up, as well as when I chewed. On Friday I finally sucked it up and went to the Rapid Care center in town. I learned that I have an outer ear infection, and have to put drops in it 3 times a day for a week. *sigh* It's been 5 days, and my ear still hurts. I'm not looking forward to having to go back and getting some other prescription.

Ugh.

Burger King: Revisited

Lately I've been seeing commercials for Burger King's new Mini Shots (or whatever they're called). Last night I was working late (ugh) and didn't feel like cooking, so I threw caution to the wind and went to Burger King. You can order 2 mini burgers for $1.29, or a 6 pack meal for $5.59 (plus $0.50 for cheese). If you remember from my last visit to Burger King, I was less than impressed (okay, grossed out).

I got the 6 pack partly because I figured I could eat the leftovers for lunch today, and also because I didn't know you could just buy a 2-pack until AFTER I was driving away :-).

I would have taken a picture, but I was damn tired last night, and um, the leftovers are still in my fridge at work *sigh*. I'm hungry and tired today too. Let me tell you, these burgers, compared to the Steakhouse Burger, are FANTASTIC. They're not nearly as squishy as Krystal burgers, but they are a little bigger (and meatier). I'd say if you had 2 (or 6) kids, the mini burgers would be a good size. I ate two was was adequately filled.

ta da... ta da... tadatadatada DADADADADADA

Ok, that was my lame attempt at making a scary movie sound. But any way, apparently I'm a blog killer. That's right, you heard me. Ever since I started looking at blogs a few months ago, 4, count them, FOUR blogs that I read daily are either on private or just haven't been updated. I only read 8 blogs people, I mean, dayayam!

If you read my blog, it might be better if you *don't* comment, cause then maybe I won't find you and spread my poison.

*sigh*

Hay!

My friend Dane stopped by to drop off my key (he took care of the piggies for me this past weekend when I was visiting Justin and my family), and he brought me this:



Fresh hay just cleaned from the baler. mmm...good! The piggies surely enjoy it!

(that's Lightning in the box of hay - yes, I know I owe you his story!)

Don't read this post if you're allergic to flowers

Because my friend Kristen and I went to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens yesterday!

Here's a link to the pictures:
http://flickr.com/photos/20202133@N02/sets/72157605045460634/

Burger King's Steakhouse Burger

Here's a picture of the behemoth known as the "Burger King Steakhouse Burger":


See that to the right? That's my mouse. HOLY CRAP THAT BURGER IS HUGE.

I've had nothing but problems with the Pulaski Burger King. One morning their registers were down, and didn't have any sort of sign or anything so I stupidly sat at the speaker waiting for the cashier to take my order. After a few minutes I spoke up, then they told me to come back in about half an hour. Um, hello, it's already 5 to 8 and i need to be at work in 5 minutes. Do you *HONESTLY* think I will be back in 30 mins? (I wasn't). Another time I wanted my Iced BK Mocha, and they didn't have any ready. It's the morning! You don't have any coffee??????

Any way, so all week I've been seeing ads for the new steakhouse burger. Well, I finally decided to go get it today, and it was yet another disappointment. First, the burger had nearly half of a cup of mayo on it (GROSS), then they forgot to put on my onion petals. It's an integral part of the burger! It's what I paid $6.01 for the stupid meal for!

The burger itself reminded me of a really cheap dried out cardboard burger (oh, with extra char). Good thing I only ate half of it though. I got curoius and checked the calories on the burger. With mayo (which I scraped off) and onion petals (which they forgot), a full burger is 960cals. Nine HUNDRED sixty calories!!!!!!!! Good lord.

I am never getting rid of my orange Skechers

Never ever, (for as long as I live down here any way). These shoes are the HANDIEST-DANDIEST spider killers EVER. Last night I was in the kitchen, and there was another uber-scary spider, and again, my orange Skechers were nearby - ready to squash that sucker.

I just hope they're not actually attracting the spiders.

Shoes or handy-dandy spider killers?

So last night I was sitting on my couch and realized I was starting to have a shoe explosion. In the winter time, most of my shoes are safely tucked away in the closet. When the weather starts to get warm, out come the sandals. Lately I've also had my boots in the house, since the "bug problem" I had was caused by sowbugs and my landlord put some stuff down & killed them all. It also hasn't rained in abotu a week and a half, and the pasture is pretty dry, so I'm not getting mud on my boots.

So at last count, I had my boots, sandals and hiking sandals (TEVAs) by the door, and in the living room I had my sneakers & slippers. I have more shoes in the closet, but the ones I wear the most were the ones that were out.

All of a sudden, I see something streak across the floor! SPIDER!!!!!!!!!! I grabbed the nearest shoe (my trusty old orange & white Skechers) and SQUASH that spider, sending him to spider heaven (which I hope is not the same as people heaven).

I think I'll keep my shoes out where they are, thankyouverymuch.