Only 10 weeks to go...

I love it when I get the front parking place at Wal-Mart or having to not wait in line for fast food. Today was basically the same great feeling when I went to the doctor. I was in and out in a mere 20 minutes. I checked-in, watched the beginnings of an infomercial, and went back with the nurse. She proceeded to get my vitals, go to my room, the doctor came in almost immediately, measures my growing belly, and listens to the heartbeat. With that, I am finished. Quick, easy, and definitely painless. It is moments like this, where I am glad I am using someone locally. My doctor and the hospital is barely 5-minutes from my house. No driving an hour to the 'Boro. Even though, that would give me a great reason to get a massage at Healthy Touch Day Spa, a facial with Alexis at Serenity Day Spa, lunch at Nikko's or Moe's, then to the Daily Grind for a 13 layer homemade caramel cake. But that will come another day. Rachel check your calendar, and let's go.

So I am 30 weeks and 2 days preggo. I feel great, and my doc says that I look great! He must like the rounder women! No real news besides that, except my brother and his wife came down for Easter. Kayla has a nice little volleyball size belly. Kev and Kayla are having a little boy.

Only 10 weeks to go. No crib has been set-up, no bag has been packed, no anything done to prepare for the baby. Needless to say, I will be busy in the next couple of weeks as we begin preparing for Helen. So if you are in the neighborhood, stop on by, bring your paintbrush, and cleaning supplies and you can pitch in. As a reward for helping out, you can rub my belly, make a wish, and see if it comes true!

See ya soon!

e

P.S. Vitals

• Babies Heartbeat: 130s bpm
• Weight: +2lbs (Absolutely no more cakes!! Who am I kidding?)
• Blood pressure: Good - (I forgot what it was. Duh!!)

New Discoveries

Helen has discovered the difference between light and dark. Last night as I was reading my newest copy of Fit Pregnancy, Helen was playing around in my belly. She was quite active, not really kicking, just moving about. I kinda felt like Santa with my own personal bowl full of jelly. Wiggle, wiggle here, a dip there. I decided to take a peek as to what was going on, I lifted the covers off of me, and lifted my shirt, so I could get the full effect. To my amazement, the movement stopped. Nothing.

Ok, so I lift my magazine and begin reading again. The magazine provided a nice shade over my belly, and the wiggling began again. I stop reading move the magazine to get a better view, and nothing. I tell Andy to watch this, and the show begins. Everytime I shade my belly, Helen would "dance" in the darkness, but as soon as the light hit my belly, she would freeze as if caught in the act.

I think Helen is already starting to act like her sisters. Grace loves to boogie down, and Anna freezes when she knows someone is watching her. Boy, are we going to have fun!

-e

Take out a pencil, test time again.

Lately, all Grace wants to talk about is the CRCT. THE TEST, the test that will determine if she is ready to be promoted to the second grade. Everyday, she is preparing for this test at school. It seems like our conversations always seem to go back to this topic. Grace is worried that she won't do well. She is a little stressed and she is only 7 years old. I try to comfort her the best I can. Encouraging her, telling her not to worry because she is a great test taker since she scores 95 and up on the practice tests, most of the time it's a perfect score. However, she is overwhelmed.

Like mother, like daughter to be honest. Today it was time for the "Sugar Test". My doctor's office called to inform me of the directions, no eating or drinking after midnight, unless it is water. You know this is pretty simple. My test is 8:30am, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Yet, I still dread the day I have to take THE TEST. Last night before I went to bed, we all had something sweet to nibble on. Grace and I had a piece of cake, Anna ate ice cream, and Andy had a little of both. As I was savoring my last meal before THE TEST, I begin to think about everything I am going to miss out on for the next 12+ hours. Sweet tea, grits, eggs, and bacon, and a glass of Sunny Delight during the middle of the night. How am I ever to survive? I will be dehydrated for sure. Shriveled up to nothing, and when I go in to weigh, I will have probably have lost weight. My baby and I will be deprived.

So I go to bed starving, ok, I wasn't starving but I was craving. I get up the next morning, Andy decided he would cook breakfast. Isn't he wonderful? He asks me what do I want. I remind him again, that his poor baby's momma can't have anything until after THE TEST. The girls come in and eat breakfast, I proceed to the bedroom, so I won't be tempted. Boy, could I use something sweet, salty, and fattening right about now.

I get the girls ready, take them to school, and then off to the doctor's office for THE TEST. It is about 8:20am. I sign in, take out my book, and begin reading. I don't get pass the first page, before my nurse comes out with a cup of orange stuff. Drink up! The cup is huge, the orange stuff is too sweet, I want to gag as I drink up. Now THE TEST begins. I have to sit and wait for the next hour, so to pass the time I read.

When am I ever going to eat, by the time this is over, breakfast will be distant memory, and it will be time for lunch. However, the hour passes quite quickly, and it's time to check my vitals and perform THE TEST.

Vitals are good. My nurse informs me it is time to check my sugar, and she will only have to prick my finger. Ok, I can do this. I am brave. Whoa, that doesn't feel like a prick. I think I am going to be sick, my eyes are closed tight, and my face in a grimace. She does some work behind me with my blood and something else. I dare not look, or I might pass out.

Time for the results...do I pass, or do I have to take the test again. Guess what? No problems with my sugar. Sugar is 98, and Hemoglobin is 12. Relief! Now just a quick visit with the doc, and I am on my way to Hardee's!

All this to say, who knows what, but just as Grace is stressing over her test, I know she will be fine. The same goes for me. I didn't shrivel away, and I didn't lose any weight from my 12+ hour fast. To the contrary here are my vitals this go round:

• Weight: +2lbs
• Blood Pressure: 120/60
• Baby's heartbeat: 140s

So I made it through my test, however, I think I would rather get my brows waxed than have my finger pricked again. Ok, maybe not but they both bring tears to my eyes.

I'm out.

-e

P.S. - I am finally in the home stretch, week 28 and the beginning of the third trimester!

See I told you

My wonderful sis-in-law has informed me that I still can't get things right. She states the following after reading my last post.

"Hahaha....I don't mean to laugh at you, but this post is really funny. I think the funniest thing about the post is that you said "What moron puts ice cream in the freezer?" I think you meant fridge? Plus you said "most people realize that ice cream belongs in the refrigerator" I think you mean freezer."

I even proofed it before posting. This is concrete evidence to the fact that my screws are definitely loose. Thanks Jodi, for pointing this out!!

-e

I can't remember a thing!!

Ok, I have a memory that is as sharp as a tack. I can remember vividly things that happened when I very young, 2-3 yrs old. However, lately I can barely remember simple stuff. So let's begin this little journey down memory lane, that is if I can remember...

Parking - I recently went to the library the other day, ran in and out in less than 5 minutes. As I walked through the double doors, I couldn't remember which side I needed to go to. Did I park on the left or the right? If you have ever been to the library it doesn't have a lot of parking, just two sides with about 20 spaces to park. So I paused, and tried to focus, because I didn't want to walk to one side and it be the wrong side. Needless to say, I found my Expedition right where I left it.

Food - Most people realize that ice cream belongs in the refrigerator. So yesterday, I decided I wanted some ice cream. I went to the kitchen, took the box of Breyers Neapolitan about of the freezer, fixed me a cup, and proceeded to put it back. Last night, as I went to get me something to drink, I notice the ice cream is no longer in the freezer but rather in the fridge right next to the leftovers!!! FREAKOUT! That was practically a whole box of ice cream. What moron puts ice cream in the freezer? Well, that would be me.

Keys - I lose my keys all the time. The girls like to play with them, my husband and I cover them up with mail and such. Lately, I have lost my keys only to find them in my hand or in my pocket. After I stand at the door waiting to get inside as Andy comes walking my way. He looks at me strangely and wants to know why I haven't gone inside. I say I am waiting on you dear. He then informs me he gave me the keys. Lookey here, they are right there in my hand.

Kids - Who forgets their kid??? Me. I proceeded to go to work like I normally do each and every morning. Every morning, I drop Anna off at Nell's. As I drive by my mother-in-law's house and come up on the traffic light, Anna says, "Are you taking me to school?" I look down in shock and think how did you get there? So I smile and say, "Of course. Mommy is taking you to school today."

Please tell me when this is over, I will revert back to my old self.
-e