Well, we have hit 12 weeks - the beginning of it at least! Today is a big day for us and Baby McG! We meet our new doctor! We'll call him Dr. Wickham - aka Pride and Prejudice. He comes highly recommended so we're pretty excited.
Baby McG is the size of a lime right now! Woohoo! Here are some other fun facts about what will happen this week!
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it.
Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long and weighs about half an ounce.
How fun - our baby's brain is firing away! I promise not to poke my stomach to make him/her squirm! That just sounds mean. Maybe Baby McG will take that into consideration and not poke ME too much in the future! :o)
The interesting part of this visit will be convincing the doctor that I'm not as high risk as he might think I am. Since our baby is adopted, (See Winkin, Blinkin & Nod), the baby is the product of an egg that was only 34 years old - not an antique 45 year old egg like mine are. So there's a big difference in genetic testing I'm sure and hopefully they will let me breathe a bit more. Of course when I tell them my trachea is collapsed, that might cause another wave of panic, but we'll get to that. NO worries right?
I'm sure I will help to redefine the term "high risk" but hey, I'm used to living outside of the medical box. I'm made for this kind of thing. I hope he's the kind of doctor who listens to his patients' gut - as in instincts. Time will tell.
Overall we're trying to focus more on the excitement and fun of things. I'm still feeling like I've been in a car accident - Dr. Matt's doing his best. My nausea is now more just a sensitivity to smells of all kinds - so I eat here and there. Still not eating well, but I'm eating - so we're getting somewhere.
I'm looking forward to a long holiday weekend and maybe some mattress shopping! Goodness knows, this body could use a soft landing pad at night!
Hope you all are having a great week!
Happy Thursday Ya'll!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Party at the McG's, BYOC - Bring Your Own Cheese!
Wednesday is here! We started our special day with a bright and early visit from Terminix! Yay! I actually was happy to see our service guy, James; he's such a nice guy - but today he was here for a rescue. We have a dead critter in our house. Yep. It's horrifyingly disgusting from a pregnant woman's perspective my people.
It's in either the vent or the walls outside of the powder room downstairs in the very center of our home. Of course. Only the most important room for a pregnant woman when she's downstairs - the bathroom! It's very fragrant and let me just say it makes me gag. It is so foul. Candles don't even begin to touch the smell.
It all started on Thursday night we got home from acupuncture; I was all relaxed and mellow. Sigh. We walked in the house and OMG - something had died - where was that horrible smell coming from?? We threw away some flowers thinking it was the water, but no. I walked into the powder room and screamed. That fast, something must have croaked in the wall and boy oh boy are we stuck.
We immediately called a company to check things - they had been out to put vent caps on the house a few years back. Since we'd had this problem once before, we assumed they could help. Wrong. Of course they charged us for the service call - but nothing. They actually told us to 'keep the door closed.' ARE YOU KIDDING ME????
So B called our boy James at Terminix. He came right out - climbed up into our attic and said, "you have mice." WHAT???? No. Not in my house. It's not possible. We've never seen or heard anything! Well, apparently, the mice in the 'hood have been enjoying the comforts of our attic for years now. They shimmy up the siding and slide on in to get warm and take nappies - and apparently, die in our walls.
So now we have to have new insulation installed in the attic to keep them out. Then we block the spots where they were getting in through the siding and rain spouts AND I have to live with the idea that they have been having parties above our heads while we lie in bed. Blech.
Of course no one can help with Au De Dead Mouse issue downstairs - we just have to live with it for a while. It should 'go away soon.' Needless to say, I will never be doing any renovations in this house. There are probably little skeletons all throughout the framework of our home.....yuck!
I'm a country girl my people - I understand mice. I guess I'm just so surprised that they never showed up in our kitchen looking for a snack! I'm OK that they haven't mind you, I'm just amazed that the boys haven't gotten a scent of them or heard them....the Bubs are hanging their heads in shame....if there's a fly, they are on it....mice apparently, are outside of their wheel well....bummer.
Happy Wednesday Ya'll!
It's in either the vent or the walls outside of the powder room downstairs in the very center of our home. Of course. Only the most important room for a pregnant woman when she's downstairs - the bathroom! It's very fragrant and let me just say it makes me gag. It is so foul. Candles don't even begin to touch the smell.
It all started on Thursday night we got home from acupuncture; I was all relaxed and mellow. Sigh. We walked in the house and OMG - something had died - where was that horrible smell coming from?? We threw away some flowers thinking it was the water, but no. I walked into the powder room and screamed. That fast, something must have croaked in the wall and boy oh boy are we stuck.
We immediately called a company to check things - they had been out to put vent caps on the house a few years back. Since we'd had this problem once before, we assumed they could help. Wrong. Of course they charged us for the service call - but nothing. They actually told us to 'keep the door closed.' ARE YOU KIDDING ME????
So B called our boy James at Terminix. He came right out - climbed up into our attic and said, "you have mice." WHAT???? No. Not in my house. It's not possible. We've never seen or heard anything! Well, apparently, the mice in the 'hood have been enjoying the comforts of our attic for years now. They shimmy up the siding and slide on in to get warm and take nappies - and apparently, die in our walls.
Of course no one can help with Au De Dead Mouse issue downstairs - we just have to live with it for a while. It should 'go away soon.' Needless to say, I will never be doing any renovations in this house. There are probably little skeletons all throughout the framework of our home.....yuck!
I'm a country girl my people - I understand mice. I guess I'm just so surprised that they never showed up in our kitchen looking for a snack! I'm OK that they haven't mind you, I'm just amazed that the boys haven't gotten a scent of them or heard them....the Bubs are hanging their heads in shame....if there's a fly, they are on it....mice apparently, are outside of their wheel well....bummer.
Happy Wednesday Ya'll!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sometimes You Want to Go....
Reconnecting with old friends - such a fun thing to do isn't it? I love going down memory lane and catching up with folks that I've lost touch with over the years. My life has taken me down a pretty screwy path, so it was hard to stay in touch with people that mattered to me over the years.
How lucky we are to have things like Facebook to help us reconnect! I often reflect on how different my life would be without all of the wonderful people I've met in my life. Some were around for very short spurts, and some I'll hold in my heart forever, eternally grateful for their role in my life.
Some I crossed paths with due to dumb luck and some I think Fate put in my way on purpose. Among them, I've had some really great roommates - what a blessing they all were. Some just to get me out of my country bumpkin shell - thanks GEEK! And others, to keep me grounded...thanks ROOMMATE! Others to keep me sane - Thanks Lou....and the list goes on...
I've learned what it is to have some seriously great friends. At a very young age, I learned that just because you have fun hanging out with someone, it doesn't make them a friend; it makes them a fun acquaintance. That was a really hard realization - it hit me when I was sick with a jaw problem back in my 20s. I 'woke up' after surgery and realized that the people I thought were my friends were simply 'playmates' and they didn't want to play anymore.
Don't get me wrong - they were really nice people. I was just no fun to be around. Since we hadn't created the bonds that makes up a true friendship, when I wasn't up to go play at Moe's & Joe's, I dropped off the call list. So I moved on. I learned to make better, lifelong friends. It was a hard lesson - but one that has served me well. It moved me in a different, more meaningful direction. One that I needed to take I think. I needed to "go somewhere else where everybody knew my name!" (And not just for hanging out in a bar either!)
Over the 10 years of our marriage, I've been sick quite a bit. B and I haven't been able to make that many friends as a 'couple' because of that (well that and because we moved across country.) I feel like I've short-changed him on that....and I'm hoping we can work on fixing that moving forward. Not that I'm looking to replace the wonderful friends we do have - unfortunately, a lot of them live somewhere else! If I had a dollar for every time I said the line, "I wish we lived closer" to friends, I'd be able to retire by now!
SO for now, I'm going to enjoy reconnecting and laughing over silly memories and I'm going to look forward to creating new memories. I know that the next phase of our lives will be pretty complicated. Not only am I going to be a new first time mommy, I'm going to be a lot older than most of the other mommies. That's going to be a shift. Most of my friends are sending their kids off to high school or college - mine isn't even here yet! I always did do things at my own pace - married at 35, baby at 45...
Change is good though and I'm looking forward to the new challenges. I'm looking forward to making new friends and keeping in touch with the great friends I've made over the years. No matter where we travel in the US, I think we have someone we can visit with when we get there!
Now how fun is that?!
Happy Tuesday Ya'll.
How lucky we are to have things like Facebook to help us reconnect! I often reflect on how different my life would be without all of the wonderful people I've met in my life. Some were around for very short spurts, and some I'll hold in my heart forever, eternally grateful for their role in my life.
Some I crossed paths with due to dumb luck and some I think Fate put in my way on purpose. Among them, I've had some really great roommates - what a blessing they all were. Some just to get me out of my country bumpkin shell - thanks GEEK! And others, to keep me grounded...thanks ROOMMATE! Others to keep me sane - Thanks Lou....and the list goes on...
I've learned what it is to have some seriously great friends. At a very young age, I learned that just because you have fun hanging out with someone, it doesn't make them a friend; it makes them a fun acquaintance. That was a really hard realization - it hit me when I was sick with a jaw problem back in my 20s. I 'woke up' after surgery and realized that the people I thought were my friends were simply 'playmates' and they didn't want to play anymore.
Don't get me wrong - they were really nice people. I was just no fun to be around. Since we hadn't created the bonds that makes up a true friendship, when I wasn't up to go play at Moe's & Joe's, I dropped off the call list. So I moved on. I learned to make better, lifelong friends. It was a hard lesson - but one that has served me well. It moved me in a different, more meaningful direction. One that I needed to take I think. I needed to "go somewhere else where everybody knew my name!" (And not just for hanging out in a bar either!)
Over the 10 years of our marriage, I've been sick quite a bit. B and I haven't been able to make that many friends as a 'couple' because of that (well that and because we moved across country.) I feel like I've short-changed him on that....and I'm hoping we can work on fixing that moving forward. Not that I'm looking to replace the wonderful friends we do have - unfortunately, a lot of them live somewhere else! If I had a dollar for every time I said the line, "I wish we lived closer" to friends, I'd be able to retire by now!
SO for now, I'm going to enjoy reconnecting and laughing over silly memories and I'm going to look forward to creating new memories. I know that the next phase of our lives will be pretty complicated. Not only am I going to be a new first time mommy, I'm going to be a lot older than most of the other mommies. That's going to be a shift. Most of my friends are sending their kids off to high school or college - mine isn't even here yet! I always did do things at my own pace - married at 35, baby at 45...
Change is good though and I'm looking forward to the new challenges. I'm looking forward to making new friends and keeping in touch with the great friends I've made over the years. No matter where we travel in the US, I think we have someone we can visit with when we get there!
Now how fun is that?!
Happy Tuesday Ya'll.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Made in Charlotte
Well, I'm back. Sort of. I've been on a hiatus of sorts - trying to get rid of these wicked, wicked headaches. I've asked for advice and tried it all, but unfortunately, these nasty things are caused by me, myself and I - not hormones. I have numerous musculoskeletal issues that resulted from a few surgeries about four years ago. When you add those to hyper mobile joints and strong muscles, you get issues and evil headaches.
Dr. Matt has been at the center of my universe followed VERY closely by DD and her 'evil' yet healing massage hands. Between the two of them, I'm able to see straight for now but still need to get a good night's sleep.
Baby McG is thriving - thank goodness - I guess this is my first "mommy" lesson - I feel horrible, but the baby feels great - that's all that matters! Suffering is all part of the deal! :)
So I'm here...I'm fighting through the fog and dreaming about Advil and chewing food again. But until I get 'on top' of the headaches, chewing isn't in my future. I've been released from the amazing fertility clinic we've been going to for years - it was so sad and yet such a happy moment.
It is always their goal to release their patients to our regular docs for further prenatal care, but it's bittersweet to leave that amazing support network behind. There were tears and hugs and they gave us the sweetest onesie that says "Made in Charlotte" on the front - our first baby clothes gift. We love it - it's surreal for now. I guess it will feel more real when I start to see a 'regular' doctor and the ultrasounds change from weekly to monthly - OY! Team McGowan is morphing!
I'm in the middle of week 11 - Baby McG is almost the size of a lime - but according to the doctor, "it's a long one!" Uh oh. Where on Earth will I put a long baby??? Looks like I'll be carrying a pretzel soon! Poor kid - let's hope he/she stops getting longer and just starts to fill in! God did not give me a normal sized upper body - in fact I'm so short wasted that petite shirts are long on me....should be an interesting time!
For now, my focus is on work and getting through some really interesting projects. I'm swimming in a sea of bureaucracy right now - luckily I'm a strong swimmer. I'm hoping this too shall pass and good things will come with this new job. It's interesting and requires out of the box thinking - nice for a change!
I hope you're all doing well!
Happy Monday Ya'll!
Dr. Matt has been at the center of my universe followed VERY closely by DD and her 'evil' yet healing massage hands. Between the two of them, I'm able to see straight for now but still need to get a good night's sleep.
Baby McG is thriving - thank goodness - I guess this is my first "mommy" lesson - I feel horrible, but the baby feels great - that's all that matters! Suffering is all part of the deal! :)
So I'm here...I'm fighting through the fog and dreaming about Advil and chewing food again. But until I get 'on top' of the headaches, chewing isn't in my future. I've been released from the amazing fertility clinic we've been going to for years - it was so sad and yet such a happy moment.
It is always their goal to release their patients to our regular docs for further prenatal care, but it's bittersweet to leave that amazing support network behind. There were tears and hugs and they gave us the sweetest onesie that says "Made in Charlotte" on the front - our first baby clothes gift. We love it - it's surreal for now. I guess it will feel more real when I start to see a 'regular' doctor and the ultrasounds change from weekly to monthly - OY! Team McGowan is morphing!
I'm in the middle of week 11 - Baby McG is almost the size of a lime - but according to the doctor, "it's a long one!" Uh oh. Where on Earth will I put a long baby??? Looks like I'll be carrying a pretzel soon! Poor kid - let's hope he/she stops getting longer and just starts to fill in! God did not give me a normal sized upper body - in fact I'm so short wasted that petite shirts are long on me....should be an interesting time!
For now, my focus is on work and getting through some really interesting projects. I'm swimming in a sea of bureaucracy right now - luckily I'm a strong swimmer. I'm hoping this too shall pass and good things will come with this new job. It's interesting and requires out of the box thinking - nice for a change!
I hope you're all doing well!
Happy Monday Ya'll!
Monday, August 20, 2012
One Mack Daddy Crack
Wow. What a wacky weekend. It was a blur....after seeing Dr. Matt this morning, I now understand why. My people, my body is adapting all too well to this baby thing. So well in fact, that my neck decided to slide to the left side - all of it. That was causing my monster headache that would never go away and caused my entire weekend to be nothing but a blur.
He did one mack daddy crack - a cranial sacral pull -and wham. My whole spine cracked in response. I heard it and felt it all the way to my tailbone. Sweet mercy. Needless to say, going forward, I will now be seeing Dr. Matt twice a week. None of this tough guy, I only need him once in a while business.
Pain has a whole new definition when you're having a baby I've learned. No popping Advil. No heating pads. No hot baths. All of my vices are off limits. So the chronic pain that I've had for years now is magnified to the nth degree. Add in hyper,loose joints and I'm a human rubber band who pops things as a hobby. Good times.
At least we know that the headache was due to a mechanical problem and not hormones. There's that at least.
I'm waiting for the magic day that everyone has told me about....the day I wake up and feel GREAT! Energized even! I'll be content with an afternoon like that - seriously. A great night's sleep would be good too.
I did breakdown and buy a maternity pillow today - I'm praying that it works - if it doesn't, the Bubbies will have a really expensive new bed to fight over!
So for now, I'm still fighting the vestiges of a slight headache and although it was fun to see L & L for a short while this weekend - it wasn't nearly long enough! Can't wait to see the whole H clan and soon!!!
For now, good luck to all with the 'back to school' traditions going on this month and I hope that everyone loves their new teachers! Don't let the homework break you! :)
Happy Monday Ya'll!
He did one mack daddy crack - a cranial sacral pull -and wham. My whole spine cracked in response. I heard it and felt it all the way to my tailbone. Sweet mercy. Needless to say, going forward, I will now be seeing Dr. Matt twice a week. None of this tough guy, I only need him once in a while business.
Pain has a whole new definition when you're having a baby I've learned. No popping Advil. No heating pads. No hot baths. All of my vices are off limits. So the chronic pain that I've had for years now is magnified to the nth degree. Add in hyper,loose joints and I'm a human rubber band who pops things as a hobby. Good times.
At least we know that the headache was due to a mechanical problem and not hormones. There's that at least.
I'm waiting for the magic day that everyone has told me about....the day I wake up and feel GREAT! Energized even! I'll be content with an afternoon like that - seriously. A great night's sleep would be good too.
I did breakdown and buy a maternity pillow today - I'm praying that it works - if it doesn't, the Bubbies will have a really expensive new bed to fight over!
So for now, I'm still fighting the vestiges of a slight headache and although it was fun to see L & L for a short while this weekend - it wasn't nearly long enough! Can't wait to see the whole H clan and soon!!!
For now, good luck to all with the 'back to school' traditions going on this month and I hope that everyone loves their new teachers! Don't let the homework break you! :)
Happy Monday Ya'll!
Friday, August 17, 2012
MMMmmmm Green Onions!
The Free Dictionary defines a headache as, "A headache involves pain in the head which can arise from many disorders or may be a disorder in and of itself." To me, the definition of a headache is this:
Yes, I'm sitting at my desk wearing sunglasses. I've taken a dose of the dreaded caffeine medicine and am just trying to hunker down until my critical call at 11AM today. After that, I'm going home to bed! This has got to end.
This headache will just not give up. Haven't ever had this before, although I've always been able to take my beloved Advil in the past. Now, I get one little Advil a day and that doesn't even take the edge off of things. (At least I get that!) So I'm praying to the Tylenol gods that I get some relief so I can play with L&L later today!
I'm going to be flying solo tonight - been a while since B has had a double work day, but he's working today at my favorite place and then tonight is working an NFL football game. So it will be just us girls! It will be so great to see L&L that I think that's all that's getting me through today so far!
Well, B was a total trouper and made chocolate chip cookies last night! (OK, so I'm made the batter - held my nose the whole time.) He baked the batch and cleaned up and everything. While he was doing that, I cleaned a rotisserie chicken - I deserve a medal for that - and made chicken salad. (Again while holding my nose.)
In the recipe that I use, I add green onion, basil and a few other fragrant ingredients. After I had it mixed and in the fridge, B cleaned up the cutting board and counters for me. After which I sliced strawberries to place in the freezer in readiness for my protein shake in the morning - on the same cutting board. Well, as you can probably guess, the cutting board still had 'au de green onion' on it and this morning I"m enjoying a strawberry and green onion protein shake. Yum.
I really should just go back to bed shouldn't I? :)
Hope you're having a great Friday Ya'll!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
I'm Going to Buy A Lottery Ticket
Hey - great news. I slept last night. Unfortunately, that sleep wanted to continue on and on and on and resulted in a stupid migraine this morning. Some day I'll get my sleeping rhythm back.
So today I'm working at home and fighting through a migraine and the stupid caffeine medicine - it's the only one that will help at this point. I'm blurry and sort of coherent, so I guess that's a step above from how I felt earlier this morning.
I pray every night that I have pain-free sleep - so far I'm not quite there, but as the saying goes - "A man prayed every day- dear God - please let me win the lottery. Every week he didn't win. He prayed and prayed the same thing non-stop. Finally after some years passed, when he asked God yet again to help him win the lottery -God answered - My Son, you have to buy a ticket first."
So I'm 'buying a ticket to the lottery' by playing with my available arsenal of meds hoping beyond hope that Tylenol and all its shapes and forms will help me to manage my pain. Now THAT will truly be a miracle!
I sincerely hope that Pedro-Nina is hanging in with this medical roulette for now. Hopefully he/she is in there doing the cha-cha and have a great time! Today is 10 weeks - hopefully only two more weeks of fun ahead. I don't want to jinx it or anything, but the nausea is actually at a low roar today - maybe the Vitamin B6 is finally helping? Or maybe God is taking pity on me and taking nausea off the list while I'm manage the headaches. Either way I'll take it!
On a high note, we have dear friends coming into town tomorrow - L and her daughter L will be here on Friday and are in town for a soccer tournament. I so hope I'm up to it to go and cheer L on! I've always wanted to see her play! I'm going to coach B through making chocolate chip cookies later tonight. Say a prayer for me! :)
Happy Thursday Ya'll!
So today I'm working at home and fighting through a migraine and the stupid caffeine medicine - it's the only one that will help at this point. I'm blurry and sort of coherent, so I guess that's a step above from how I felt earlier this morning.
I pray every night that I have pain-free sleep - so far I'm not quite there, but as the saying goes - "A man prayed every day- dear God - please let me win the lottery. Every week he didn't win. He prayed and prayed the same thing non-stop. Finally after some years passed, when he asked God yet again to help him win the lottery -God answered - My Son, you have to buy a ticket first."
So I'm 'buying a ticket to the lottery' by playing with my available arsenal of meds hoping beyond hope that Tylenol and all its shapes and forms will help me to manage my pain. Now THAT will truly be a miracle!
I sincerely hope that Pedro-Nina is hanging in with this medical roulette for now. Hopefully he/she is in there doing the cha-cha and have a great time! Today is 10 weeks - hopefully only two more weeks of fun ahead. I don't want to jinx it or anything, but the nausea is actually at a low roar today - maybe the Vitamin B6 is finally helping? Or maybe God is taking pity on me and taking nausea off the list while I'm manage the headaches. Either way I'll take it!
On a high note, we have dear friends coming into town tomorrow - L and her daughter L will be here on Friday and are in town for a soccer tournament. I so hope I'm up to it to go and cheer L on! I've always wanted to see her play! I'm going to coach B through making chocolate chip cookies later tonight. Say a prayer for me! :)
Happy Thursday Ya'll!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The Hangover
Ahh...Wednesday. Now we're getting somewhere. Yesterday we had another ultrasound - and - total coolness alert - we were both floored to see the baby move! I'm not even 10 weeks but that little booger is moving around like crazy! WOOHOO! It was so amazing and humbling to see that tiny little, peanut sized being, squirm around to try and get away from the ultrasound! The heart rate is climbing and the baby is growing well. I have one more ultrasound next week and then they will 'release' me to a regular OB...we're so excited!!! Almost done with the first trimester already! Wow....things are just flying by- well...sort off!
I've had a rebound headache for the last 4 days so while we were there, the doctor prescribed some meds to help. Silly, silly girl that I am, I took one at about 7PM last night. After my sweet, snoring husband woke me at 2AM, I enjoyed an episode of the Property Brothers and a movie and a half on the Hallmark channel.
Grr.....needless to say, my first words to him this morning was, "you are going to the doctor or I'm moving out." Or something like that; I'll admit the exchange was a bit blurry. So B and the Bubbies had a wonderful night's sleep and I'm sleep deprived and a mess as per the norm these days.
Upon looking up the ingredients to my new prescription, I found that apparently, the meds had caffeine in them. I haven't had caffeine in four years my people. Four years....until yesterday evening. Today, I look and feel so hung over that B had to drive me in to work. My eyes are dilated and my head is spinning. Good times! Next time, I promise I'll read the bottle. I usually do, but the name of the meds sounded familiar...then again, back in my Starbucks Venti Bold days, a little extra caffeine wouldn't have bothered me. Ahh...I miss those days!
It's a great time here in Jennifer-land right now folks. I'm selling tickets if anyone else wants to enjoy the ride with me! Here I am killing myself to be here, making my husband drive me to work like I'm freaking Miss Daisy and my boss is out today with a headache and nausea. Pause....let's let that sink in a minute.....
HA! Oh, the irony. Now, I don't wish ill will on anyone, but if there was ever a day when I needed to be home, it was today. But "pregnant, nauseous, dizzy, and hung over" me is here - present and accounted for...I'm just sayin'. I know, I know, you don't get medals for being a martyr....but it's just such a new company, group and responsibilities, that I guess I'm being overly cautious and erring on the side of showing my face, as gnarly as the sight might be.
So for now...I'll go back to my Corn Chex and hunker down. I hope you're all having a great week!
Happy Wednesday Ya'll!
I've had a rebound headache for the last 4 days so while we were there, the doctor prescribed some meds to help. Silly, silly girl that I am, I took one at about 7PM last night. After my sweet, snoring husband woke me at 2AM, I enjoyed an episode of the Property Brothers and a movie and a half on the Hallmark channel.
Grr.....needless to say, my first words to him this morning was, "you are going to the doctor or I'm moving out." Or something like that; I'll admit the exchange was a bit blurry. So B and the Bubbies had a wonderful night's sleep and I'm sleep deprived and a mess as per the norm these days.
Upon looking up the ingredients to my new prescription, I found that apparently, the meds had caffeine in them. I haven't had caffeine in four years my people. Four years....until yesterday evening. Today, I look and feel so hung over that B had to drive me in to work. My eyes are dilated and my head is spinning. Good times! Next time, I promise I'll read the bottle. I usually do, but the name of the meds sounded familiar...then again, back in my Starbucks Venti Bold days, a little extra caffeine wouldn't have bothered me. Ahh...I miss those days!
It's a great time here in Jennifer-land right now folks. I'm selling tickets if anyone else wants to enjoy the ride with me! Here I am killing myself to be here, making my husband drive me to work like I'm freaking Miss Daisy and my boss is out today with a headache and nausea. Pause....let's let that sink in a minute.....
HA! Oh, the irony. Now, I don't wish ill will on anyone, but if there was ever a day when I needed to be home, it was today. But "pregnant, nauseous, dizzy, and hung over" me is here - present and accounted for...I'm just sayin'. I know, I know, you don't get medals for being a martyr....but it's just such a new company, group and responsibilities, that I guess I'm being overly cautious and erring on the side of showing my face, as gnarly as the sight might be.
So for now...I'll go back to my Corn Chex and hunker down. I hope you're all having a great week!
Happy Wednesday Ya'll!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Manic Tuesday
Just another manic Tuesday....don't you just hate driving into work (after you left on time and everything) and realizing after about 15 minutes, that you had a conference call that started 15 minutes earlier. Nice.
Luckily when I got on the call, they only needed me for another 10 minutes instead of the hour they had scheduled. I hate when people do that by the way....why block my calendar for 60 minutes when you only need 15? Then they joke and say - "look, I gave you back 45 minutes!" My brain immediately goes to - "You Dork. You just wasted 15 minutes of my time at 8AM. Don't try to be cute with me. Just hang up the damn phone."
I'm in a great mood aren't I? I've been living with a headache for 3 days now. Add the nausea in and I'm a fun girl to be around right now. Seriously, I'd be a blast at parties - what a total joy package I have working!
Have I mentioned that Baby McG is now the size of a grape? Yep. Here's some other interesting tidbits:
See? I'm trying to focus on the fun and not the misery after all! It's tough to weed through the really bad days right now, but I've been through worse!
For now I'll keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to have Team McGowan and such a wonderful group of family and friends for support! This afternoon we're off to hear the little heartbeat one more time....just a precaution after our scare last week. Fingers and toes are crossed!
Happy Tuesday Ya'll!
Luckily when I got on the call, they only needed me for another 10 minutes instead of the hour they had scheduled. I hate when people do that by the way....why block my calendar for 60 minutes when you only need 15? Then they joke and say - "look, I gave you back 45 minutes!" My brain immediately goes to - "You Dork. You just wasted 15 minutes of my time at 8AM. Don't try to be cute with me. Just hang up the damn phone."
I'm in a great mood aren't I? I've been living with a headache for 3 days now. Add the nausea in and I'm a fun girl to be around right now. Seriously, I'd be a blast at parties - what a total joy package I have working!
Have I mentioned that Baby McG is now the size of a grape? Yep. Here's some other interesting tidbits:
- At 9 weeks pregnant, baby has begun movement - While still too small for you to feel, your little one is wriggling, shifting, and dancing already! Makes you almost wish for a window to peek in whenever you want!
- Most joints are formed now - and trust that your little one is practicing bending and flexing.
- Fetus will curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm of its hand - This is amazing to see! At only 9 weeks pregnant, if you happen to have an ultrasound, you may observe your infant fascinated by everything he or she can lay their fingers on (mainly other fingers, toes, ears and nose!
- Fingerprints are already evident in the skin
- Average size at 9 weeks pregnant -- length 0.9 inch (2.3cm), weight 0.07 ounce (2gm)
See? I'm trying to focus on the fun and not the misery after all! It's tough to weed through the really bad days right now, but I've been through worse!
For now I'll keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to have Team McGowan and such a wonderful group of family and friends for support! This afternoon we're off to hear the little heartbeat one more time....just a precaution after our scare last week. Fingers and toes are crossed!
Happy Tuesday Ya'll!
Monday, August 13, 2012
It Isn't Easy Being Green
Hey everyone - I've not forgotten you! I've been on bed rest - again. All is well. Had another scare, but the baby is fighting as am I. The little heart is beating like crazy and that keeps me calm. Unfortunately though, the nausea seems to be beating me. Although I've had some wonderful suggestions from lots of friends, none of them seem to be working to quell the horrible feeling. I'm just going to have to 'suck it up' until it passes! I'll try to keep the whining down to a low roar. I promise!
All is not lost however - I have lost six pounds! :o) It's odd that all of my pants are baggy on me for now...I'm sure in a few months I'll miss the bagginess, but for now, I'll appreciate it and hope that maybe I lose a few more before things shift. I have plenty to spare so anything I lose now will help in the long run I'm sure.
I'm back at work and it feels odd. I've been turned off for almost five days and now that I have to get stuff done...Oy. Time to re-engage. The mood is so somber here at work though. I wish leadership would do something to get people mentally in a happier place....we need some team building. Big Time. It's tough enough to get into a new job without the depressing atmosphere that we have here right now.
At this point I have so much work though that it's a bit scary. It's even scarier to know there is an end date in the near future...oy again. While I can't wait for the baby to be here...I'm nervous about leaving work for a period of time. I'm sure I'll get over that when the time comes, but being the planner that I am, it makes me nervous.
For now, I'll stick with living in the moment and getting through the next few weeks with a smile on my face. I'll keep focused on what's in front of me and not what's down the road and see where that takes me. I'll be thankful for my sweet husband and awesome family. Wouldn't know what I would have done without them.
We had a great visit with my older brother and his wife this weekend - it was great to see them! It was fun to be able to just chill out and relax and not worry that my face was a pretty pale green. Gotta love family!
I hope you've all been doing well and are having a great week so far -
Happy Monday Ya'll!
All is not lost however - I have lost six pounds! :o) It's odd that all of my pants are baggy on me for now...I'm sure in a few months I'll miss the bagginess, but for now, I'll appreciate it and hope that maybe I lose a few more before things shift. I have plenty to spare so anything I lose now will help in the long run I'm sure.
I'm back at work and it feels odd. I've been turned off for almost five days and now that I have to get stuff done...Oy. Time to re-engage. The mood is so somber here at work though. I wish leadership would do something to get people mentally in a happier place....we need some team building. Big Time. It's tough enough to get into a new job without the depressing atmosphere that we have here right now.
At this point I have so much work though that it's a bit scary. It's even scarier to know there is an end date in the near future...oy again. While I can't wait for the baby to be here...I'm nervous about leaving work for a period of time. I'm sure I'll get over that when the time comes, but being the planner that I am, it makes me nervous.
For now, I'll stick with living in the moment and getting through the next few weeks with a smile on my face. I'll keep focused on what's in front of me and not what's down the road and see where that takes me. I'll be thankful for my sweet husband and awesome family. Wouldn't know what I would have done without them.
We had a great visit with my older brother and his wife this weekend - it was great to see them! It was fun to be able to just chill out and relax and not worry that my face was a pretty pale green. Gotta love family!
I hope you've all been doing well and are having a great week so far -
Happy Monday Ya'll!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Another Ticket to Ride the Roller Coaster....
Hey everyone - this will be a super short post today - having some complications for now. Was put on bedrest and have been tryng to juggle the physical issues with the mental stress for now.
Any and all prayers would be greatly appreciated.
I'll keep everyone updated as I know anything more....
Thanks for your support -
Happy Wednesday Ya'll....
Any and all prayers would be greatly appreciated.
I'll keep everyone updated as I know anything more....
Thanks for your support -
Happy Wednesday Ya'll....
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Help! I Can't Find My Brain!
Grace under pressure. That’s something that’s always been a goal for me. I have one of those faces that are pretty open – I can hide things only if you don’t know me very well. I have a theory that if you’re going to do something, you should do it to the best of your ability and put your heart into it.
I’m a big believer in tying things up with a ‘pretty red bow’ and doing it up. I’m a structured, detailed oriented person who follows rules. In other words, I’m pretty damn boring!
Lately, although I’ve been boring, I’ve exhibited very little grace and certainly no organizational skills. It’s been eating at me – driving me crazy actually. I feel like the biggest slacker. I guess this is God’s way of getting me ready to have my world turned upside down.
Without B right now, I would be running up and down the stupid stairs after forgetting my meds – which by the way, I have been taking 2X/day for the last 4 months. I absolutely have a mental block about it and without him remembering to bring it upstairs for me, I would end up waking in the middle of the night in a panic to take it.
Luckily work hasn’t been too busy, so at least I haven’t been digging a hole for myself there too. I’m hoping that eventually I will get back on top of my ‘game’ and get organized again – at least until ‘Pedro-nina’ shows up! Surely that isn’t too much to ask?
I need to make a grocery list, return about 10 items to different stores (why did I think buying pants was a good idea before getting pregnant?), there are just piles of crap everywhere and I’m afraid to dig too far into our fridge….it hasn’t been cleaned out in a really, really long time. (The freezer is an entirely separate drama.)
So I’m working on compartmentalizing my brain and writing lists. I’ll need lists for my lists I’m thinking – but right now if I don’t write it down, I have no shot in heck at remembering things.
I know – baby brain and it’s just going to get worse. I’ve had a month ‘vacation’ from being organized, but I need to get back on the bandwagon people. I’m in serious withdrawal!
Any shortcuts you might have that you used while having a baby brain would be appreciated – I’m afraid I’ll start to lose my lists ya’ll! That’s some serious hormone head! I'm working on the grace under pressure - I think being exhausted is helping to slow down my response time - luckily. I'm praying for grace and patience - none of which I'm normally very good at....time will tell!
Happy Tuesday Ya’ll!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Hey, I Look Good in Green
I’m alive. Barely, but I’m here. Sorry I’ve been offline for a while. I tried the Zofran, it worked really well to curb the nausea and I felt like new! Woohoo! Unfortunately, I ended up with some bad side effects while taking it and can no longer enjoy nausea-free days. Boo….
For the past three days, I’ve been a useless vegetable. Seriously, I didn’t do a darn thing from Friday through Sunday. I felt so sick I couldn’t move without spinning.
Cue Dr. Matt...
I got up this morning determined to make the best of today – mind over matter – you know how that works right? I can do this! Luckily I had an appointment with Dr. Matt this morning – purely coincidence. He took one look at me and said, ”What’s bothering you the most.” I told him to take a pick – I was in agony from the shoulders up to my neck.
He started low and worked his way up – it was at about 10 ‘cracks’ that he reached my neck. Under my ears is a truly sensitive spot for me. It has been for about 15 years now – I haven’t even been able to touch those spots…well, he felt up and down my neck and said, “Well, I would bet that you don’t feel well at all today.”
Hmmm…was it the pale, greenish tonal quality to my skin? Perhaps it was the sweat I broke into when I had to walk from my car into the building? Maybe it was the way I was sucking down my Body by Vi shake this morning – like a lifeline….maybe he heard the prayers I was muttering under my breath.
Turns out, it had nothing to do with my gorgeous façade (read sarcasm) – it was the fact that the axis bone at the top of my neck was completely sideways and out of joint. (Note, the axis bone is the second cervical vertebra in the spinal column. It allows the head and neck to rotate or turn and shake.) THAT’s why my neck hurt when I turned it. Well Duh. Apparently it was also making me extremely dizzy and nauseous.
So, I’m still dealing with the nausea, but at a much lower level and all of the evil side effects of the Zofran have hopefully gone away. And hey, I can touch under my ears like a normal person again - not that normal people do that often. It's the principle of the thing my people!
I’m here….I’m walking more evenly and able to hold my head up – so that’s half the game! I'm no longer green, but since that's a great color for me, I was ok with it for a while. I’m learning more and more about my new job and I’m actually looking forward to it! Still don’t know what my title is and what my exact responsibilities are, but we’ll get there in time I guess.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that you are having a great Monday too!
Happy Monday Ya’ll!
Happy Monday Ya’ll!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
I Am So NOT a Political Animal
Today was an interesting day. I was riding the high of hearing the baby's heartbeat, but knew I had to meet with my 'old' boss first thing in the morning to find out what my new position was going to be in the new company. My gut was already telling me I had a job - the wild card was that I wasn't confidant that it was going to be a job that I would actually want.
Catch 22 isn't it?
Well, I think I've mentioned, always go with your gut. Mine told me a month ago that something odd was going on - sadly I was right. I won't go into details here. Sorry - but let's suffice it to say I have a job. It will be a challenge politically for me - one that I normally would walk away from. I am so not a politically motivated animal. I shoot from the hip and move on. But I'm older, more seasoned, and I think as I put it, "I went to an all women's college - and I've learned a lot from some really tricky women. I can do this with my eyes shut."
As my 'old' boss gave me the news I smiled and said, "if you had told me that at 9AM yesterday, my head would have exploded. Luckily, I heard my baby's heartbeat yesterday afternoon. So I'm ok." Notice I didn't say happy. I guess I should be - it's a job and no pay cut for now. It's stability that we so need right now. I'm really fortunate so I'll focus on that.
I'm in very good company - all of IT are wallowing in indecision right now. We know who we will report to, but we don't know our new titles or our job responsibilities. It's an odd sort of limbo. Not a fun place to be, but I think all of the ups and downs of my career have prepared me for this. I'm in. (Read that I'm thinking in my best Scottish accent - this is both Good (GUD) and Bad (Bahd).)
I think overnight, my priorities have finally shifted - they've turned the final corner and I think I'm at peace. I am going to be a Mom! That's so much more important that what department I'm in at work - really. It will be different for me, but change is good right?
On a high note, we got to see my parents tonight. It's almost been a month since they left on vacation. Even though I was pretty exhausted, it was great to get a hug from my Mom and show them the pictures of "Pedro." We were issued a warning though that 'no grandchild of mine will be named Pedro" by my Dad...I assured him we wouldn't do that - as we felt it would be a girl - so "Pedro-Nina" it is! :o)
Just kidding....
I'm off for now - I have Zofran to take and bathroom trips to make...
Happy Thursday Ya'll!
Catch 22 isn't it?
Well, I think I've mentioned, always go with your gut. Mine told me a month ago that something odd was going on - sadly I was right. I won't go into details here. Sorry - but let's suffice it to say I have a job. It will be a challenge politically for me - one that I normally would walk away from. I am so not a politically motivated animal. I shoot from the hip and move on. But I'm older, more seasoned, and I think as I put it, "I went to an all women's college - and I've learned a lot from some really tricky women. I can do this with my eyes shut."
As my 'old' boss gave me the news I smiled and said, "if you had told me that at 9AM yesterday, my head would have exploded. Luckily, I heard my baby's heartbeat yesterday afternoon. So I'm ok." Notice I didn't say happy. I guess I should be - it's a job and no pay cut for now. It's stability that we so need right now. I'm really fortunate so I'll focus on that.
I'm in very good company - all of IT are wallowing in indecision right now. We know who we will report to, but we don't know our new titles or our job responsibilities. It's an odd sort of limbo. Not a fun place to be, but I think all of the ups and downs of my career have prepared me for this. I'm in. (Read that I'm thinking in my best Scottish accent - this is both Good (GUD) and Bad (Bahd).)
I think overnight, my priorities have finally shifted - they've turned the final corner and I think I'm at peace. I am going to be a Mom! That's so much more important that what department I'm in at work - really. It will be different for me, but change is good right?
On a high note, we got to see my parents tonight. It's almost been a month since they left on vacation. Even though I was pretty exhausted, it was great to get a hug from my Mom and show them the pictures of "Pedro." We were issued a warning though that 'no grandchild of mine will be named Pedro" by my Dad...I assured him we wouldn't do that - as we felt it would be a girl - so "Pedro-Nina" it is! :o)
Just kidding....
I'm off for now - I have Zofran to take and bathroom trips to make...
Happy Thursday Ya'll!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Today Was a Gift I'll Never Forget
Wow - what a day it was today. I didn't hear about my job yet - I'm hoping for Wednesday for that - we'll see. As some of you may have seen on my Facebook page, we heard the baby's heartbeat today! It was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. B and I both cried - it was impossible not to! My doctor said everything looks really great and we're thrilled.
I finally feel pregnant! There are so many thoughts running through my head tonight....it's so amazing to know I have another living being growing inside of me. To see the baby's heartbeat - already - is such a miracle.
How great is God? Really? What an incredible thing to give a beating heart to a being that is the size of a kumquat. Truly - I'm humbled and feel unbelievably blessed to have been able to experience this - what a gift this journey has been.
We took the longest possible path to get there, but I have say, looking back now, that it was the path we were supposed to take. I so appreciate where we are now so much more because of where we've been.
On a lighter note, the doctor prescribed Zofran - Yay Dr. T! We're hoping it will take the edge off the nausea in the mornings so I can stay on top of the nausea - we'll see what happens. At a minimum, I know I'll sleep tonight; Zofran makes me so sleepy! I would love to be able to take off my pink striped -yet so pretty - PSI bands - even for a night. They really bother me after a while. I'm still nervous to take them off just yet.
One more month and this misery will hopefully be behind us - unless Pedro has it out for Mommy! :o) If that's the case, then I'll suck it up and appreciate peanuts mixed with chocolate covered raisins and Corn Chex for lunch for the next 7 months! On a high note, I did eat a BLT for dinner tonight - B makes really good ones. It didn't bother me in the least - it felt good to eat and not think about it for a change.
For a person who loves cooking and baking, food is such an annoyance right now. I dread packing my lunch and getting breakfast ready for the morning. This is when I dream of having a food service deliver my meals - ones that I can change my mind about up to the very last minute - what I want, when I want it.
Sigh. For now, I'll drink my Dr. Matt special for breakfast (protein shake) so at least I know Pedro will get one 'non-Mexican' meal a day - I'll keep looking for things to eat that don't contain corn or potatoes and I'll appreciate every single, silly moment.
We are blessed.
Happy Wednesday Ya'll!
I finally feel pregnant! There are so many thoughts running through my head tonight....it's so amazing to know I have another living being growing inside of me. To see the baby's heartbeat - already - is such a miracle.
How great is God? Really? What an incredible thing to give a beating heart to a being that is the size of a kumquat. Truly - I'm humbled and feel unbelievably blessed to have been able to experience this - what a gift this journey has been.
I said to my doctor today that I thought that the fertility path was tough and boy was I naive! This process has been the hardest thing I've ever gone through - the ups and downs have been terrifyingly crazy. Every day changes, but I guess this is God getting us ready for whatever comes next.
We took the longest possible path to get there, but I have say, looking back now, that it was the path we were supposed to take. I so appreciate where we are now so much more because of where we've been.
On a lighter note, the doctor prescribed Zofran - Yay Dr. T! We're hoping it will take the edge off the nausea in the mornings so I can stay on top of the nausea - we'll see what happens. At a minimum, I know I'll sleep tonight; Zofran makes me so sleepy! I would love to be able to take off my pink striped -yet so pretty - PSI bands - even for a night. They really bother me after a while. I'm still nervous to take them off just yet.
One more month and this misery will hopefully be behind us - unless Pedro has it out for Mommy! :o) If that's the case, then I'll suck it up and appreciate peanuts mixed with chocolate covered raisins and Corn Chex for lunch for the next 7 months! On a high note, I did eat a BLT for dinner tonight - B makes really good ones. It didn't bother me in the least - it felt good to eat and not think about it for a change.
For a person who loves cooking and baking, food is such an annoyance right now. I dread packing my lunch and getting breakfast ready for the morning. This is when I dream of having a food service deliver my meals - ones that I can change my mind about up to the very last minute - what I want, when I want it.
Sigh. For now, I'll drink my Dr. Matt special for breakfast (protein shake) so at least I know Pedro will get one 'non-Mexican' meal a day - I'll keep looking for things to eat that don't contain corn or potatoes and I'll appreciate every single, silly moment.
We are blessed.
Happy Wednesday Ya'll!
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