I have a gymnast inside of me!
I know, this blog has become all about the baby! It's not my fault--it's Martin's. His new job doesn't allow us to ever do anything since we only have Sundays off together, so Maggot is the only exciting thing I have going on in my life right now.
This really is exciting, though. I think I actually SAW the baby move last night. I'd had a very active evening--1 1/2 hours of yoga, and then a 2 mile walk. Toward the end of the walk, I had to stop to take a little breather. I looked down, and there was what looked like a little wave moving across my abdomen, just below my belly button. It was strange, but very cool.
Maggot has also been very active this morning. I could feel him rolling and kicking for about an hour earlier today. When he starts to get even bigger, it's going to be uncomfortable. Right now it's just fun. Martin is a little bit put off by the concept of the baby moving inside me. Anyone who's seen "Alien" will probably understand. I told him that he'll have to get excited about it at first, but that once it becomes annoying to me he will never have to look or touch when the baby's moving again.
Speaking of Martin, he is still loving his job. When we rented our car on Saturday we talked to Phil (his old manager) and Debbie (his old assistant manager). They still haven't replaced Martin or the other girl who is now on maternity leave, so they are working until 8 or 9 pm some nights. It doesn't sound pleasant at all! I think after we left the Enterprise office he was even happier than usual that he left. I still don't like his job, but I didn't think I would. Once I'm done with my massage course it will be better. Right now we hardly have any time together at all. It would be even better than that if I got released from my calling in the Ward Choir. I am really struggling to keep up with everything at the minute.
Work is still good for me, too. Alan Dick is turning out to be a great job for me. I feel confident and competent, and I have from about my second week here. The healthier I feel with my pregnancy, the better the job is. I have been pregnant ever since I started working here, and that really made my first few months tough. INext week I will have been here for 4 months. Time really flies! We are doing a stock check this weekend, so I may have to come in on Saturday morning. I'm ok with that though--I have a feeling it won't be too bad, and Martin's at work anyway.
Gneneral conference this weekend! Martin and I will probably stay home and watch it on line. That's what we did last year, and it was great! I still can't believe that there are people who go to the church for it. You spend all night Saturday and all day Sunday at the church, which is tough if you live 30 miles away like we do. I'm looking forward to a day spent in my pajamas!
Cheerio!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
A mini-breakdown in York...
Martin and I had a wonderful weekend together. He worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Mother's Day weekend, so he took last Saturday off. We went to york, did some shopping, had dinner, and just generally relaxed. The weekend was made slightly less wonderful by the fact that we had to rent a car--ours got a flat tire because someone left a glass bottle lying in the street and Martin ran over it. Our car is getting a brand new tire today.
On to the mini breakdown...
We were walking around some of the charity shops near York Minster, and there was an Americna family in one of them. They had a little boy, about 6 years old, with them. He said something adorable, and I just started crying. We're not talking a few little tears that welled up and never fell-- I was crying HARD. Martin asked me what was wrong, and I told him I didn't want my kids to talk with an English accent. I told him I wanted an American baby, not an English baby. I think he was a little bit insulted. Anyway, I got over it and the rest of the day was fine.
We had to come home early on Sunday since the choir was singing in Sacrament meeting, but it was OK. They sounded beautiful, and I hardly even got annoyed with the people at church. Then we spent some time at the in-laws and went to the Mundays' house. Their 3 month old, Nathan, has started sleeping through the night so they were a lot more fun than they have been recently.
All in all, emotional breakdown aside, it was a fantastic weekend! And, last week, I passed my second massage assessment. One to go!
Martin and I had a wonderful weekend together. He worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Mother's Day weekend, so he took last Saturday off. We went to york, did some shopping, had dinner, and just generally relaxed. The weekend was made slightly less wonderful by the fact that we had to rent a car--ours got a flat tire because someone left a glass bottle lying in the street and Martin ran over it. Our car is getting a brand new tire today.
On to the mini breakdown...
We were walking around some of the charity shops near York Minster, and there was an Americna family in one of them. They had a little boy, about 6 years old, with them. He said something adorable, and I just started crying. We're not talking a few little tears that welled up and never fell-- I was crying HARD. Martin asked me what was wrong, and I told him I didn't want my kids to talk with an English accent. I told him I wanted an American baby, not an English baby. I think he was a little bit insulted. Anyway, I got over it and the rest of the day was fine.
We had to come home early on Sunday since the choir was singing in Sacrament meeting, but it was OK. They sounded beautiful, and I hardly even got annoyed with the people at church. Then we spent some time at the in-laws and went to the Mundays' house. Their 3 month old, Nathan, has started sleeping through the night so they were a lot more fun than they have been recently.
All in all, emotional breakdown aside, it was a fantastic weekend! And, last week, I passed my second massage assessment. One to go!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
My migrating belly button…
By far one of the most fun things about my pregnancy to date has been watching my belly button. That may not sound like a whole lot of fun to most of you, but I’m having a great time with it!
I have a few scars on my navel from where it was pierced (two separate times, and three little scars). It used to be that you could only see one of them, because the other two were buried deep within the tunnel of my “innie.” Now, though, it seems like the scars creep a little further up my abdomen every day. The migration has become my measuring stick for how far along in my pregnancy I am and how much my bump is growing. Looks good so far. Of course, the fun will end when my belly button pops out like a turkey timer. And I am a little bit curious as to how the scars will look after Maggot is born.
Our little aging boy racer (Pedro the wonder car) has developed a little bit of a leak in the radiator area. We have decided to re-christen him Mr Widdles, since his embarrassing problem is kind of like incontinence in an old man who used to be a big Don Juan. He’s been taken to the shop today though, so hopefully we will have our sleek little man back soon. It’s getting a little bit tiresome filling the radiator every other time we drive the car.
In a bit of freaky weather news, it snowed here yesterday (and a little bit this morning). I think today is the first day of spring (either today or tomorrow), and it doesn’t look like spring for the first time in a month. On Saturday it was blazing sun shine, hail, rain, and snow all within about 30 minutes.
I am enjoying other aspects of the solstice, though. Living near the ocean is cool for that—especially where we live. Barton is right on the banks of the Humber River Estuary (where the River Humber meets the North Sea). The estuary is probably about 2 miles wide where we are, and the river is tidal. In very still weather you can see the river current flowing out and the tide coming in. It looks very cool. The water level drops by a good 15 feet at low tide, but the spring tide is amazing! Every morning I drive to work on top of one of the ancient dikes along the river (about 40% of the land in Lincolnshire is reclaimed. In its natural state it is mostly salt marsh). Right now, the river is higher than the fields on the other side of the road when the tide is in. Very groovy.
An interesting tidbit for any Discovery Channel fans. Every year at the spring tide, you have a few places that experience what’s called a “bore tide.” This happens on tidal rivers that narrow suddenly, when a really high wave comes in. The wave is too big to be contained by the river banks, and you can get a really massive wave that travels for miles inland. The biggest one in the world is in China, and the second biggest in the world is on the west coast of Great Britain (on the River Severn). The bore is usually about 2 meters high (just shy of 10 feet, for the metrics-challenged), and people come from all over the world to surf it. The record holder surfed the wave for one hour and 18 minutes straight!
Sorry if the bore tide tidbit was a bit of a bore for anyone.
By far one of the most fun things about my pregnancy to date has been watching my belly button. That may not sound like a whole lot of fun to most of you, but I’m having a great time with it!
I have a few scars on my navel from where it was pierced (two separate times, and three little scars). It used to be that you could only see one of them, because the other two were buried deep within the tunnel of my “innie.” Now, though, it seems like the scars creep a little further up my abdomen every day. The migration has become my measuring stick for how far along in my pregnancy I am and how much my bump is growing. Looks good so far. Of course, the fun will end when my belly button pops out like a turkey timer. And I am a little bit curious as to how the scars will look after Maggot is born.
Our little aging boy racer (Pedro the wonder car) has developed a little bit of a leak in the radiator area. We have decided to re-christen him Mr Widdles, since his embarrassing problem is kind of like incontinence in an old man who used to be a big Don Juan. He’s been taken to the shop today though, so hopefully we will have our sleek little man back soon. It’s getting a little bit tiresome filling the radiator every other time we drive the car.
In a bit of freaky weather news, it snowed here yesterday (and a little bit this morning). I think today is the first day of spring (either today or tomorrow), and it doesn’t look like spring for the first time in a month. On Saturday it was blazing sun shine, hail, rain, and snow all within about 30 minutes.
I am enjoying other aspects of the solstice, though. Living near the ocean is cool for that—especially where we live. Barton is right on the banks of the Humber River Estuary (where the River Humber meets the North Sea). The estuary is probably about 2 miles wide where we are, and the river is tidal. In very still weather you can see the river current flowing out and the tide coming in. It looks very cool. The water level drops by a good 15 feet at low tide, but the spring tide is amazing! Every morning I drive to work on top of one of the ancient dikes along the river (about 40% of the land in Lincolnshire is reclaimed. In its natural state it is mostly salt marsh). Right now, the river is higher than the fields on the other side of the road when the tide is in. Very groovy.
An interesting tidbit for any Discovery Channel fans. Every year at the spring tide, you have a few places that experience what’s called a “bore tide.” This happens on tidal rivers that narrow suddenly, when a really high wave comes in. The wave is too big to be contained by the river banks, and you can get a really massive wave that travels for miles inland. The biggest one in the world is in China, and the second biggest in the world is on the west coast of Great Britain (on the River Severn). The bore is usually about 2 meters high (just shy of 10 feet, for the metrics-challenged), and people come from all over the world to surf it. The record holder surfed the wave for one hour and 18 minutes straight!
Sorry if the bore tide tidbit was a bit of a bore for anyone.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
You know you've been in Britain too long when all of the following things seem normal to you!
Taken from a great website, http://www.americanexpats.co.uk
Taken from a great website, http://www.americanexpats.co.uk
- Use of both knife and fork. It really is a pretty civilized way to eat!
- Flow of foot traffic that is enough to make you wanna hurt someone. Every man, woman and child for themselves! No rules...just dodge bodies.
- The thrill of finally understanding inside jokes of British humour. There are many steeped in the popular culture!
- How many times must one exchange 'thank you' with a store clerk after they ring up your sale? 'Look, I've got to be somewhere by 2pm. It's 1:30, now. Do you think we can just exchange thank you a few times to each other and then I'm free to go?'
- Automatic mental conversion of 'z' to 's' when writing words such as 'organisation' and 'visualise'.
- Single kiss on the cheek of those you are greeting. Hugging is NOT an option.
- Consideration of writing a book on how to make the most out of those precious storage spaces in your home.
- Adopting the national all out free-for-all attitude when grocery shopping and the fact that it is never easy to get into or out of a store due to bizarre limited entrance/exits in UK stores.
- Writing the day before the month no longer seems a bizarre thing.
- You find yourself defending the UK in futile arguments with people who may have been in the UK for as long as 14 days, and know everything there is to know about it.
- You are occasionally asked if you are from Ireland because you've taken on a slight UK bias in your vocal intonation.
Friday, March 16, 2007
As promised--a photo of my pregnant self. I will say at this point that I don't usually look this pregnant. It really depends on what I'm wearing, and that sweater makes me look enormous! I really haven't gained that much weight, and I can still fit into all but one pair of my jeans. We took this photo for comedic value, as I am barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen!
Hooray for the NHS...
Never thought I'd say that again, given the incompetent bumbling that has been involved with my entire pregnancy to date. But two really good things happened this week with them.
The first was when I went to see my GP (Dr. Wellings, who has 0 personality and even less of a bed side manner). I needed a refill on my inhaler, and I asked him if that was still all there was for asthma treatment. Not any more, it's not. The NHS have discovered that some people's asthma is better managed with tablets (what do you know?) and he told me to see the asthma nurse about a trial of the new pills they have just started prescribing. I can't take them while I'm pregnant, but you'd better believe I'll be in the office the week after Maggot's born getting hooked up!
Also good was someone at the midwifes' office. I phoned up because they didn't give me a maternity exemption card (I am supposed to get free drugs while I'm preggers) and I needed to get my prescriptions filled. The midwife I talked to got my details, and then she said she'd bring the form I needed to take to my GP to the house. 20 minutes later, the form was pushed through my letter box. Someone actually went out of their way to help me!
It's funny, how your opinion of good service changes. When we first moved over here, I was constantly annoyed by people working in government offices, banks, etc. because I felt they were so unhelpful. I was used to people going above and beyond, and had come to expect it (and maybe even to demand it) of the the people I came in contact with. Now, every time someone is kind or extra helpful, it seems like a little gift. They are doing something that they don't have to, and I appreciate them so much more for doing it.
Living in this country really makes me appreciate the way I grew up. I know Americans have a bad reputation for being pushy and insincere (and let's not forget arrogant--always arrogant). And maybe I am biased. But I think Americans are GREAT! We are friendly, outgoing, confident, and warm. And if these traits are sometimes all a show? Who cares? People are still being nice to you, and at the end of the day, that's what really matters. I'd rather have insincere kindness than honest loathing.
Anyway, I'm done now. I just wanted to say Yay England, and include a big Hooray America!
Never thought I'd say that again, given the incompetent bumbling that has been involved with my entire pregnancy to date. But two really good things happened this week with them.
The first was when I went to see my GP (Dr. Wellings, who has 0 personality and even less of a bed side manner). I needed a refill on my inhaler, and I asked him if that was still all there was for asthma treatment. Not any more, it's not. The NHS have discovered that some people's asthma is better managed with tablets (what do you know?) and he told me to see the asthma nurse about a trial of the new pills they have just started prescribing. I can't take them while I'm pregnant, but you'd better believe I'll be in the office the week after Maggot's born getting hooked up!
Also good was someone at the midwifes' office. I phoned up because they didn't give me a maternity exemption card (I am supposed to get free drugs while I'm preggers) and I needed to get my prescriptions filled. The midwife I talked to got my details, and then she said she'd bring the form I needed to take to my GP to the house. 20 minutes later, the form was pushed through my letter box. Someone actually went out of their way to help me!
It's funny, how your opinion of good service changes. When we first moved over here, I was constantly annoyed by people working in government offices, banks, etc. because I felt they were so unhelpful. I was used to people going above and beyond, and had come to expect it (and maybe even to demand it) of the the people I came in contact with. Now, every time someone is kind or extra helpful, it seems like a little gift. They are doing something that they don't have to, and I appreciate them so much more for doing it.
Living in this country really makes me appreciate the way I grew up. I know Americans have a bad reputation for being pushy and insincere (and let's not forget arrogant--always arrogant). And maybe I am biased. But I think Americans are GREAT! We are friendly, outgoing, confident, and warm. And if these traits are sometimes all a show? Who cares? People are still being nice to you, and at the end of the day, that's what really matters. I'd rather have insincere kindness than honest loathing.
Anyway, I'm done now. I just wanted to say Yay England, and include a big Hooray America!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Excitement…
Martin and I had a really nice weekend. He worked Saturday morning instead of all day Saturday, so we actually got to spend a little time together. And I went to a scrap booking party at Emma’s mum’s house, which was fun. Martin got 3 ½ hours on the X-Box out of the whole deal, so he was happy about it. We went for a lovely walk around the salt marshes on the waterside on Sunday morning, which was great. There’s a public footpath down there that’s lined with plum trees, and they are all blossoming at the minute (can’t wait for the plums in August). Then church, of course. We went to the Mundays’ house afterwards and I made fajitas and Mexican rice for dinner. We had an early night, which made it even nicer!
The really great thing about the weekend was baby related, though. I felt Maggot move (for sure) for the first time. Yesterday morning I was lying in bed trying to find the will to move, when the baby started doing it for me! I swear he was using my stomach for a trampoline. He was moving all over the place. It felt so strange, but wonderful. I woke Martin up to tell him, but he wasn’t that impressed—mostly because I woke him up at 7:30 on a Sunday morning. What do you know, there’s really a baby in there!
We also found out that our new neighbors, Simon and Joanne, are expecting a baby. I was pleased with that, because that means they won’t be upset with us over our screaming baby since they’ll have one of their own. And who knows—it might help us bond with them a little bit.
Martin and I had a really nice weekend. He worked Saturday morning instead of all day Saturday, so we actually got to spend a little time together. And I went to a scrap booking party at Emma’s mum’s house, which was fun. Martin got 3 ½ hours on the X-Box out of the whole deal, so he was happy about it. We went for a lovely walk around the salt marshes on the waterside on Sunday morning, which was great. There’s a public footpath down there that’s lined with plum trees, and they are all blossoming at the minute (can’t wait for the plums in August). Then church, of course. We went to the Mundays’ house afterwards and I made fajitas and Mexican rice for dinner. We had an early night, which made it even nicer!
The really great thing about the weekend was baby related, though. I felt Maggot move (for sure) for the first time. Yesterday morning I was lying in bed trying to find the will to move, when the baby started doing it for me! I swear he was using my stomach for a trampoline. He was moving all over the place. It felt so strange, but wonderful. I woke Martin up to tell him, but he wasn’t that impressed—mostly because I woke him up at 7:30 on a Sunday morning. What do you know, there’s really a baby in there!
We also found out that our new neighbors, Simon and Joanne, are expecting a baby. I was pleased with that, because that means they won’t be upset with us over our screaming baby since they’ll have one of their own. And who knows—it might help us bond with them a little bit.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Growing and Glowing...
This weekend was a milestone in my pregnancy. For the first time I had someone randomly touch my growing pregnant bump. It actually happened twice. The first time it was just a pat, which was fine. The next time was a prolonged rub, and that kind of freaked me out. I’ve also had people that I haven’t told I’m pregnant asking me when the baby’s due. Either word travels quickly, or I am definitely starting to look pregnant!
I am really starting to feel great! This is more how I imagined pregnancy would be. I am always pretty tired, but I’m not exhausted all the time, like I was during my first trimester. And I still get sick occasionally, but it’s not constant any more. My skin is glowing, my belly is starting to get all round, and I feel like I’m glowing (most of the time, anyway). 4 months pregnant is really nice!
This weekend was a milestone in my pregnancy. For the first time I had someone randomly touch my growing pregnant bump. It actually happened twice. The first time it was just a pat, which was fine. The next time was a prolonged rub, and that kind of freaked me out. I’ve also had people that I haven’t told I’m pregnant asking me when the baby’s due. Either word travels quickly, or I am definitely starting to look pregnant!
I am really starting to feel great! This is more how I imagined pregnancy would be. I am always pretty tired, but I’m not exhausted all the time, like I was during my first trimester. And I still get sick occasionally, but it’s not constant any more. My skin is glowing, my belly is starting to get all round, and I feel like I’m glowing (most of the time, anyway). 4 months pregnant is really nice!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Cool stuff...
A few groovy things to report. Number one really groovy thing is that I think I felt Maggot move for the first time. I'm not quite sure, since it was a totally new sensation, but the other morning while I was laying in bed seriously considering getting up, I felt a strange sort of bump. I think it was him, but I can't be sure. I haven't felt anything since, until this afternoon. Now I am feeling little fluttery movements. I think this is it!
Second (and, I think, equally) groovy thing is that I had my first massage assessment last night and I passed it! I only have to have a total of three successful assessments, so one down, two to go! Emma's mum, Caroline, came in for the massage, and she was really happy with the treatment. She told me that she would come in any time I needed a client, and asked me if I was doing home visits yet. I told her that I was planning on it as soon as I was fully qualified, so I think I may have a client waiting for me when I finish.
I also told my massage instructor about my pregnancy. She had a mild freak-out (the first thing she said was, "I need to get you risk-assessed), told me I wasn't allowed to use surgical spirits to clean people's feet any more, and then congratulated me. She said that if anyone can't make their assessments, I can take them on. I am concerned that I won't finish my assessments before I am too pregnant to massage people any more.
Anyway, that's the groovy stuff. Will post more later!
A few groovy things to report. Number one really groovy thing is that I think I felt Maggot move for the first time. I'm not quite sure, since it was a totally new sensation, but the other morning while I was laying in bed seriously considering getting up, I felt a strange sort of bump. I think it was him, but I can't be sure. I haven't felt anything since, until this afternoon. Now I am feeling little fluttery movements. I think this is it!
Second (and, I think, equally) groovy thing is that I had my first massage assessment last night and I passed it! I only have to have a total of three successful assessments, so one down, two to go! Emma's mum, Caroline, came in for the massage, and she was really happy with the treatment. She told me that she would come in any time I needed a client, and asked me if I was doing home visits yet. I told her that I was planning on it as soon as I was fully qualified, so I think I may have a client waiting for me when I finish.
I also told my massage instructor about my pregnancy. She had a mild freak-out (the first thing she said was, "I need to get you risk-assessed), told me I wasn't allowed to use surgical spirits to clean people's feet any more, and then congratulated me. She said that if anyone can't make their assessments, I can take them on. I am concerned that I won't finish my assessments before I am too pregnant to massage people any more.
Anyway, that's the groovy stuff. Will post more later!
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