A Red Letter day, already...
We got a couple of pieces of good news today. First good news--the head of the car was not cracked and therefore repairable instead of needing to be replaced. It will cost less ££ that way, and that's REALLY good news right now. The car should be fixed by tonight--just in time for me to drive it to college to get my massage book signed off.
In other good news, Martin's blood test results came back and he doesn't have AIDS. Just kidding. He didn't have an AIDS test. He went to the doctor because he was having severe back pain, and the doctor wanted to test him for ankolysing spondalitis (sp). It's this weird disease where your joints fuse together--mostly on your spine, but it can also affect your pelvis and other joints. It sounded nasty, and he had to wait nearly a week for the test results. Hooray, he doesn't have a degenerative disease!
The only way this day could get any better is if my maternity trousers come in the post. Yes, that's right, I have ordered my first pair of maternity trousers. I can still wear normal ones, but they are getting a wee bit uncomfortable. I bought some stretchy waist trousers a while back and have been wearing those nearly every day for the last 3 weeks or so. It's time. I feel quite proud that I made it to my 3rd trimester without having to move to maternity though!!!
So that's the red letter day update!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
None of their business!!!
I have a feeling this is going to turn into another one of those "random rants," but this one is not anti-England. I'm actually going through a brief I love England phase at the moment and am really happy to be here--especially after hearing from my dad that it's already hitting 95 degrees in Utah. It's a cool 75 or so most days here right now!
No, this random rant is about, you guessed it, pregnancy!
Can I just say that it is NOBODY'S business but my own and my midwifes how much weight I'm gaining? I had to listen to Martin's granddad, of all people, lecture me about how much food I was eating yesterday. This is, of course, after I cooked a meal for him and his wife, Martin's Nanna. AND this is the man who had extra roast beef, extra roast potatoes, and two cups of tea with sugar as well as the rhubarb and apple crumble I made (WITH custard). He really just needs to butt out! I have not gained that much weight. Is it my fault that the baby is just pushing right out the front of me and I look huge? And would you really tell someone that they need to watch what they're eating? You certainly wouldn't say that to a non-pregnant woman!
It's like my body has become public property, with every Tom, Dick and Harry feeling like they can say whatever they want about it. Oh, you're sure getting big. My goodness, is it twins? Have you got any stretch marks yet? Are you sure you should be eating that? SHUT UP!!! You are not carrying this baby--I am! I will do whatever I want, because it's my baby, and MY BODY!!!
Whew--I feel better.
On to other news--our poor car is back in the shop. While we were having the probs with the radiator, the car was running too warm. Big surprise, the head gasket's gone. We are going to be car-less for a few days, so I am hitching a lift in to work with this guy that works out on the workshop floor. I have to leave the house 30 minutes earlier than normal to walk up to meet him in the town center. He goes through Barton about 20 minutes earlier than I usually leave for work. I think he must drive really slowly or something. But I'm grateful for the lift. Anyway, we are looking at around £400 to get it fixed, which is making me nervous, but it has to be done. We decided that £400 out of pocket was better than hving to buy a new car and making payments while I'm on maternity leave.
It was a good weekend, other than being stranded in Barton. We couldn't make the drive in to church, but we were able to spend time with Martin's family (as you may have gathered, given the earlier rant). And I got a baby blanket finished and a lot of work done on another one. I also made some yummy granola and Martin and I cleaned the kitchen really well. Plus, we got a lot of work done on the guest room. It just needs a few finishing touches before it's completely ready for its first occupant. Then it's on to the front room! We're hoping to have the wiring done down there before Krystle arrives so she can watch TV downstairs instead of in our bedroom!
So that's the update. A little dull, maybe, but that's how life is, right? I always thought being a grown-up would be way more fun than this!
I have a feeling this is going to turn into another one of those "random rants," but this one is not anti-England. I'm actually going through a brief I love England phase at the moment and am really happy to be here--especially after hearing from my dad that it's already hitting 95 degrees in Utah. It's a cool 75 or so most days here right now!
No, this random rant is about, you guessed it, pregnancy!
Can I just say that it is NOBODY'S business but my own and my midwifes how much weight I'm gaining? I had to listen to Martin's granddad, of all people, lecture me about how much food I was eating yesterday. This is, of course, after I cooked a meal for him and his wife, Martin's Nanna. AND this is the man who had extra roast beef, extra roast potatoes, and two cups of tea with sugar as well as the rhubarb and apple crumble I made (WITH custard). He really just needs to butt out! I have not gained that much weight. Is it my fault that the baby is just pushing right out the front of me and I look huge? And would you really tell someone that they need to watch what they're eating? You certainly wouldn't say that to a non-pregnant woman!
It's like my body has become public property, with every Tom, Dick and Harry feeling like they can say whatever they want about it. Oh, you're sure getting big. My goodness, is it twins? Have you got any stretch marks yet? Are you sure you should be eating that? SHUT UP!!! You are not carrying this baby--I am! I will do whatever I want, because it's my baby, and MY BODY!!!
Whew--I feel better.
On to other news--our poor car is back in the shop. While we were having the probs with the radiator, the car was running too warm. Big surprise, the head gasket's gone. We are going to be car-less for a few days, so I am hitching a lift in to work with this guy that works out on the workshop floor. I have to leave the house 30 minutes earlier than normal to walk up to meet him in the town center. He goes through Barton about 20 minutes earlier than I usually leave for work. I think he must drive really slowly or something. But I'm grateful for the lift. Anyway, we are looking at around £400 to get it fixed, which is making me nervous, but it has to be done. We decided that £400 out of pocket was better than hving to buy a new car and making payments while I'm on maternity leave.
It was a good weekend, other than being stranded in Barton. We couldn't make the drive in to church, but we were able to spend time with Martin's family (as you may have gathered, given the earlier rant). And I got a baby blanket finished and a lot of work done on another one. I also made some yummy granola and Martin and I cleaned the kitchen really well. Plus, we got a lot of work done on the guest room. It just needs a few finishing touches before it's completely ready for its first occupant. Then it's on to the front room! We're hoping to have the wiring done down there before Krystle arrives so she can watch TV downstairs instead of in our bedroom!
So that's the update. A little dull, maybe, but that's how life is, right? I always thought being a grown-up would be way more fun than this!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
On body image…
Another pregnancy related post. Those of you who aren’t interested, stop reading now.
Body image is a complicated thing, and I think it only gets more complicated for a woman during pregnancy.
When you’re a child, you don’t really think much of your body at all. It’s a means of transport, a vehicle that gets you where you want to go. You feed it when it’s hungry, clean it when mom makes you, and basically ignore it unless you are in pain of some kind. And then puberty hits, and this virtually ignored part of you becomes all of you! All of a sudden, you are looking at your body, comparing it to other peoples’ bodies, and wishing to or trying to change it.
So much of a woman’s self-worth is tied up in how her body is perceived—both by herself and by others. Women are supposed to be sexy. A lot of times you judge yourself based on other people’s reaction to your physical appearance.
I struggled with my self confidence when I was first married, because I wasn’t allowed to flirt and meet new men any more. I never was particularly wild where men were concerned, but this was a huge adjustment for me! All of a sudden, I was only allowed to try to attract one man—and one who isn’t very expressive, at that. Without constant reinforcement from members of the opposite sex, my confidence flagged. I adjusted eventually, but it was rough.
Now I’m playing under a whole new set of rules.
My body has ceased to be an object of desire for anyone! I am heavily pregnant, awkward, and uncomfortable. I have never felt less attractive in my life. I don’t even feel pretty, let alone sexy, but somehow this doesn’t matter as much. Right now, I’m not supposed to be sexy at all, yet pregnancy IS sexy to some. My body has become a means of creating new life, and that's a beautiful thing. This new cumbersome body of mine is still attractive to some people. Strangers come up to me and touch my ever expanding belly. They smile their approval and take an interest in my pregnancy. I am heavy and swollen, and I am still attractive to people. This is the strangest feeling!
This pregnancy has also brought out a character flaw that I thought I’d left behind years ago. I am wearing a wedding ring, and I have this smug, self-righteous feeling whenever I see a pregnant woman who is not. I have this little power trip going on and my inner monologue shouts triumphantly, “Ha ha ha, I am doing this the ‘right’ way and you are having an illegitimate child. Knocked up! Knocked up!” I am no better than anyone else who is having a baby—especially over here where the vast majority of couples never marry but stay together longer than a lot of married couples I know. But I FEEL like I’m better than they are, and that in turn makes me feel guilty.
Maybe we can just chalk this one up to strange pregnancy hormones?
Another pregnancy related post. Those of you who aren’t interested, stop reading now.
Body image is a complicated thing, and I think it only gets more complicated for a woman during pregnancy.
When you’re a child, you don’t really think much of your body at all. It’s a means of transport, a vehicle that gets you where you want to go. You feed it when it’s hungry, clean it when mom makes you, and basically ignore it unless you are in pain of some kind. And then puberty hits, and this virtually ignored part of you becomes all of you! All of a sudden, you are looking at your body, comparing it to other peoples’ bodies, and wishing to or trying to change it.
So much of a woman’s self-worth is tied up in how her body is perceived—both by herself and by others. Women are supposed to be sexy. A lot of times you judge yourself based on other people’s reaction to your physical appearance.
I struggled with my self confidence when I was first married, because I wasn’t allowed to flirt and meet new men any more. I never was particularly wild where men were concerned, but this was a huge adjustment for me! All of a sudden, I was only allowed to try to attract one man—and one who isn’t very expressive, at that. Without constant reinforcement from members of the opposite sex, my confidence flagged. I adjusted eventually, but it was rough.
Now I’m playing under a whole new set of rules.
My body has ceased to be an object of desire for anyone! I am heavily pregnant, awkward, and uncomfortable. I have never felt less attractive in my life. I don’t even feel pretty, let alone sexy, but somehow this doesn’t matter as much. Right now, I’m not supposed to be sexy at all, yet pregnancy IS sexy to some. My body has become a means of creating new life, and that's a beautiful thing. This new cumbersome body of mine is still attractive to some people. Strangers come up to me and touch my ever expanding belly. They smile their approval and take an interest in my pregnancy. I am heavy and swollen, and I am still attractive to people. This is the strangest feeling!
This pregnancy has also brought out a character flaw that I thought I’d left behind years ago. I am wearing a wedding ring, and I have this smug, self-righteous feeling whenever I see a pregnant woman who is not. I have this little power trip going on and my inner monologue shouts triumphantly, “Ha ha ha, I am doing this the ‘right’ way and you are having an illegitimate child. Knocked up! Knocked up!” I am no better than anyone else who is having a baby—especially over here where the vast majority of couples never marry but stay together longer than a lot of married couples I know. But I FEEL like I’m better than they are, and that in turn makes me feel guilty.
Maybe we can just chalk this one up to strange pregnancy hormones?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Beware--baby post!
This morning was kind of fun. Maggot was kicking me pretty hard when I was lying in bed trying to summon the will to get ready for work, so I put my hand on my belly and pushed him. To my surprise, he pushed back! I just laid there for the next five minutes or so and we played together. I would push him, and he would kick me. It was so much fun, and completely amazing!
Sometimes I still can't believe this whole pregnancy thing is happening. Martin and I have waited for so long, and we're really going to be parents now. Seriously, this baby is our total miracle. I complain about being pregnant all the time. I am tired a lot, and am starting to get really awkward and uncomfortable. None of my clothes fit me properly and I feel really fat. But then the baby moves, and it's all worth it. I'm going to be a mother!
On a non-baby related note, I have discovered the best product ever!!! For all the ladies out there, have you ever heard of Silky Mitz? I don't know if it's an English thing or what, but it's basically really fine grained sand paper for your body. You rub it over your legs instead of shaving, and it's GREAT! I used mine for the first time today, and I don't think I'll ever shave again. Admittedly, it is a little bit strange to sand down your legs, but it totally gets rid of the hair and exfoliates your skin at the same time. WOW! If anyone wants me to send a sample over, let me know. They only cost £.99 for a pack of 3. Highly recommended.
Just 20 days until I have my first family visitor. Krystle, I am so excited for you to come over!!! We are considering a trip to Amsterdam while she is here, and I found a mini-cruise for £64 per person. You cruise all night (have a cabin with its' own bath), arrive in Rotterdam at 8 am and take a bus to Amsterdam for 10:30. Then you spend the day there and cruise back that night. It sounds like a lot of fun (though you only have one day and not a full night to enjoy the wicked, worldly delights of the city). It's a maybe. Krystle, check it out at http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/minicruise_minicruise.htm
This morning was kind of fun. Maggot was kicking me pretty hard when I was lying in bed trying to summon the will to get ready for work, so I put my hand on my belly and pushed him. To my surprise, he pushed back! I just laid there for the next five minutes or so and we played together. I would push him, and he would kick me. It was so much fun, and completely amazing!
Sometimes I still can't believe this whole pregnancy thing is happening. Martin and I have waited for so long, and we're really going to be parents now. Seriously, this baby is our total miracle. I complain about being pregnant all the time. I am tired a lot, and am starting to get really awkward and uncomfortable. None of my clothes fit me properly and I feel really fat. But then the baby moves, and it's all worth it. I'm going to be a mother!
On a non-baby related note, I have discovered the best product ever!!! For all the ladies out there, have you ever heard of Silky Mitz? I don't know if it's an English thing or what, but it's basically really fine grained sand paper for your body. You rub it over your legs instead of shaving, and it's GREAT! I used mine for the first time today, and I don't think I'll ever shave again. Admittedly, it is a little bit strange to sand down your legs, but it totally gets rid of the hair and exfoliates your skin at the same time. WOW! If anyone wants me to send a sample over, let me know. They only cost £.99 for a pack of 3. Highly recommended.
Just 20 days until I have my first family visitor. Krystle, I am so excited for you to come over!!! We are considering a trip to Amsterdam while she is here, and I found a mini-cruise for £64 per person. You cruise all night (have a cabin with its' own bath), arrive in Rotterdam at 8 am and take a bus to Amsterdam for 10:30. Then you spend the day there and cruise back that night. It sounds like a lot of fun (though you only have one day and not a full night to enjoy the wicked, worldly delights of the city). It's a maybe. Krystle, check it out at http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/minicruise_minicruise.htm
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
The highlight of my weekend...
This is kind of sad.
Martin and I had a really great weekend. It was a bank holiday on Monday, so we had a long weekend anyway. Then Martin's Aunty Vicky got married yesterday so we took the day off work to go to that. Four days off in a row--it was like heaven!
Martin worked most of the day on Saturday, so I stayed at home, cleaned the house up, worked on a baby blanket, and did some dry wall plastering (the north wall of our front room is now a proper wall instead of being bare brick--wahoo!!!). That night we went and watched Spiderman 3 with the Mundays. They were late, but we weren't really surprised. They DO have three kids to get to a babysitter before they can go out. The movie was OK, but not as good as we thought it'd be. Note to the family: Worth watching, but wait for the $1.50 theater.
Sunday was good, too. Martin had his baseball game in Bolton, so we got an early start and drove over to that. The team had 2 games, and Martin played in the second one. He actually scored a few runs, made a few good plays, etc, and had a great time. Then we checked in to the temple accommodation in Chorley and spent a quiet night playing scrabble (I beat Martin, of course. He's such a word snob and won't use 2 or 3 letter words). Early night, but that was OK because Monday was busy.
Monday morning was spent at the temple, and it was great--so peaceful and relaxing and spiritual. I really do love the Preston temple, and we hadn't been since my birthday trip in January. After we finished there, we drove to Manchester. More specifically, to the Trafford Centre.
The Trafford Centre is an absolutely MASSIVE mall. Seriously, it's big even by U.S. standards. We were looking for clothes for the wedding, and had some success. We also randomly went into Selfridge's (I think it's a really posh department store. Not too sure--quite expensive though) and I had an emotional pregnant lady moment. They sell Kraft Macaroni and Cheese!!! They also sell Hershey's chocolate syrup and Aunt Jemimah's maple syrup. We bought a box of Mac & Cheese and a bottle of each of the syrups, and spent £15.00. For the exchange rate challenged, that's right around $30.00. I spent nearly $7.00 on a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and it was worth every penny!
So that was Monday. Then yesterday we went to the wedding. I got to wear a hat, which was fun (pictures are coming). We spent most of the day hanging out with Martin's family. It would have been a better time for me if they dadn't had the lunch afterwards in a pub where everyone could smoke, but it was still a good time.
But here comes the sad highlight of the weekend.
Someone at church gave us a full size fridge/freezer. Since we moved out of the in-laws house we have only had a tiny little thing that fits under the counter. So our freezer has been a little icebox, and we haven't been able to buy anything frozen unless we were eating it that night. Well, Martin got all manly and fitted an electrical socket yesterday morning, and we plugged in the fridge/freezer. Then we went grocery shopping and bought FROZEN FOOD for the first time in nearly two years. We have a big tub of icecream in the freezer. We have bags of frozen veggies and crinkle cut fries. We have frozen pizza. We have meat that we bought on sale and are freezing!
How pathetic is that? The highlight of my weekend was being able to buy Neopolitan icecream and a bag of frozen broccoli!
This is kind of sad.
Martin and I had a really great weekend. It was a bank holiday on Monday, so we had a long weekend anyway. Then Martin's Aunty Vicky got married yesterday so we took the day off work to go to that. Four days off in a row--it was like heaven!
Martin worked most of the day on Saturday, so I stayed at home, cleaned the house up, worked on a baby blanket, and did some dry wall plastering (the north wall of our front room is now a proper wall instead of being bare brick--wahoo!!!). That night we went and watched Spiderman 3 with the Mundays. They were late, but we weren't really surprised. They DO have three kids to get to a babysitter before they can go out. The movie was OK, but not as good as we thought it'd be. Note to the family: Worth watching, but wait for the $1.50 theater.
Sunday was good, too. Martin had his baseball game in Bolton, so we got an early start and drove over to that. The team had 2 games, and Martin played in the second one. He actually scored a few runs, made a few good plays, etc, and had a great time. Then we checked in to the temple accommodation in Chorley and spent a quiet night playing scrabble (I beat Martin, of course. He's such a word snob and won't use 2 or 3 letter words). Early night, but that was OK because Monday was busy.
Monday morning was spent at the temple, and it was great--so peaceful and relaxing and spiritual. I really do love the Preston temple, and we hadn't been since my birthday trip in January. After we finished there, we drove to Manchester. More specifically, to the Trafford Centre.
The Trafford Centre is an absolutely MASSIVE mall. Seriously, it's big even by U.S. standards. We were looking for clothes for the wedding, and had some success. We also randomly went into Selfridge's (I think it's a really posh department store. Not too sure--quite expensive though) and I had an emotional pregnant lady moment. They sell Kraft Macaroni and Cheese!!! They also sell Hershey's chocolate syrup and Aunt Jemimah's maple syrup. We bought a box of Mac & Cheese and a bottle of each of the syrups, and spent £15.00. For the exchange rate challenged, that's right around $30.00. I spent nearly $7.00 on a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and it was worth every penny!
So that was Monday. Then yesterday we went to the wedding. I got to wear a hat, which was fun (pictures are coming). We spent most of the day hanging out with Martin's family. It would have been a better time for me if they dadn't had the lunch afterwards in a pub where everyone could smoke, but it was still a good time.
But here comes the sad highlight of the weekend.
Someone at church gave us a full size fridge/freezer. Since we moved out of the in-laws house we have only had a tiny little thing that fits under the counter. So our freezer has been a little icebox, and we haven't been able to buy anything frozen unless we were eating it that night. Well, Martin got all manly and fitted an electrical socket yesterday morning, and we plugged in the fridge/freezer. Then we went grocery shopping and bought FROZEN FOOD for the first time in nearly two years. We have a big tub of icecream in the freezer. We have bags of frozen veggies and crinkle cut fries. We have frozen pizza. We have meat that we bought on sale and are freezing!
How pathetic is that? The highlight of my weekend was being able to buy Neopolitan icecream and a bag of frozen broccoli!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Good AND bad news...
We'll start with the bad news and get that out of the way. I found out today that I will not be eligible for maternity pay through my company as I started working here about 3 weeks too late. I was kind of expecting it--knew it would be really close, but it's still a disappointment. I may still be able to claim Statutory Maternity Pay from the government, so that'll be better than nothing. I'll probably call in at my local benefits office and find out early next week.
The good news is that I had my final assessment at Massage last night, and I passed it. I only need to do a couple more clients for ranges. I need to massage someone old and someone fat. It would be really nice if I could get someone in who is both, actually. I also need to revise and turn in one final assignment in anatomy and physiology, so I should be done with my course next week--4 weeks early! Our graduation ceremony thing is in June, at which point I will receive my certificate. Hooray!
In Martin news, he has been biking over to baseball practice in Hull the last few weeks and yesterday he had a little bit of a mishap. To make a long story short, he pulled a "Wayne's World" and ran into the back of a parked car on his bike. No worries--he's fine. He WILL have to have his bike repaired though. The front forks that hold the wheel on are bent now. Not much hurt on him except his dignity, I think.
We're going on a temple trip this weekend, which I'm really looking forward to. We've compromised as the baseball team has a double header in Bolton on Sunday and it's only about 15 miles from Chorley (where the Preston temple is). So I'll watch his first game and then get dropped off at the temple and will go to church there. Then he'll come back when the second game is finished and we'll do the temple thing early Monday morning.
On Tuesday we are going to a wedding. Martin's Auntie Vicky will be getting married at the registrar's office in Louth. I have to go shopping this weekend (probably in Manchester) for a hat. I get to wear a hat to a wedding! Too bad I won't look cute--just 6 months pregnant and bloated. Still, I'm excited about the hat thing!
So that's the pregnancy mood swing update for the day!
We'll start with the bad news and get that out of the way. I found out today that I will not be eligible for maternity pay through my company as I started working here about 3 weeks too late. I was kind of expecting it--knew it would be really close, but it's still a disappointment. I may still be able to claim Statutory Maternity Pay from the government, so that'll be better than nothing. I'll probably call in at my local benefits office and find out early next week.
The good news is that I had my final assessment at Massage last night, and I passed it. I only need to do a couple more clients for ranges. I need to massage someone old and someone fat. It would be really nice if I could get someone in who is both, actually. I also need to revise and turn in one final assignment in anatomy and physiology, so I should be done with my course next week--4 weeks early! Our graduation ceremony thing is in June, at which point I will receive my certificate. Hooray!
In Martin news, he has been biking over to baseball practice in Hull the last few weeks and yesterday he had a little bit of a mishap. To make a long story short, he pulled a "Wayne's World" and ran into the back of a parked car on his bike. No worries--he's fine. He WILL have to have his bike repaired though. The front forks that hold the wheel on are bent now. Not much hurt on him except his dignity, I think.
We're going on a temple trip this weekend, which I'm really looking forward to. We've compromised as the baseball team has a double header in Bolton on Sunday and it's only about 15 miles from Chorley (where the Preston temple is). So I'll watch his first game and then get dropped off at the temple and will go to church there. Then he'll come back when the second game is finished and we'll do the temple thing early Monday morning.
On Tuesday we are going to a wedding. Martin's Auntie Vicky will be getting married at the registrar's office in Louth. I have to go shopping this weekend (probably in Manchester) for a hat. I get to wear a hat to a wedding! Too bad I won't look cute--just 6 months pregnant and bloated. Still, I'm excited about the hat thing!
So that's the pregnancy mood swing update for the day!
Monday, April 30, 2007
24 Weeks…
Yesterday marked a huge milestone in my pregnancy. I’m not sure how it works in the U.S., but 24 weeks marks the legal age of viability for a fetus in the UK. From this point on, should I have complications, delivering the baby would be considered early labor instead of a late miscarriage and the hospital staff would be legally obligated to try to save him (or her).
Obviously I don’t want to go into labor this early (though the prospect of having my body all to myself again is rather appealing), but just knowing that they would try to save my baby is a comfort and a huge weight off my shoulders. I can hardly wait to get to the point where the baby would most likely survive on its own if it were born.
I can hardly believe that I am just shy of 6 months pregnant. I was laying in bed this morning thinking about how happy I am. Seriously, I am really happy right now. I feel healthy, my baby is developing normally, I’m madly in love with my husband, and it just goes on and on. Of course, the eternal pessimist in me really thinks something is going to go wrong now. I guess I will be getting increasingly uncomfortable from here out.
Martin’s dad just got back from a week in Texas (work related) and he brought me Reese’s Pieces, pancake mix, and a giant bottle of Ranch dressing. Just a few more reasons to be happy!
Funny story from the weekend. We went down to Water’s Edge to feed the ducks yesterday. It was lovely, though the weather was not the nicest. We got to see some adorable little ducklings and goslings, and even a nesting swan. We fed the birds all of the bread we had, and then started our walk home. Martin had to spit, so he did—into the water. Unfortunately, one of the birds thought it was another piece of bread. He scooped up Martin’s spit and had long strings of it hanging from his beak—ew! So Martin may be responsible for the next violent outbreak of avian flu!
Martin got some news at work that was a little bit upsetting to me. The owners now want him to work every Friday and Saturday night! I was so angry when I found that out. We get to spend so little time together anyway, and then they take away the occasional weekend we can spend some time together! Once I have the baby and am at home a lot, it won’t matter so much. But seriously, some weeks I feel like Martin and I haven’t seen each other at all. I HATE his job sometimes.
On a positive not, though, the horrible Jade may be getting fired soon. They’ve hired another member of staff. His name is Rob, and he seems very nice. He’s 17, but looks older than Martin. And he doesn’t have a problem with authority figures. Martin really likes him and thinks he has a lot of potential. Plus he is enjoying having someone to talk football with.
Anyway, enough of this rambling and endless post. More later this week, OK?
Yesterday marked a huge milestone in my pregnancy. I’m not sure how it works in the U.S., but 24 weeks marks the legal age of viability for a fetus in the UK. From this point on, should I have complications, delivering the baby would be considered early labor instead of a late miscarriage and the hospital staff would be legally obligated to try to save him (or her).
Obviously I don’t want to go into labor this early (though the prospect of having my body all to myself again is rather appealing), but just knowing that they would try to save my baby is a comfort and a huge weight off my shoulders. I can hardly wait to get to the point where the baby would most likely survive on its own if it were born.
I can hardly believe that I am just shy of 6 months pregnant. I was laying in bed this morning thinking about how happy I am. Seriously, I am really happy right now. I feel healthy, my baby is developing normally, I’m madly in love with my husband, and it just goes on and on. Of course, the eternal pessimist in me really thinks something is going to go wrong now. I guess I will be getting increasingly uncomfortable from here out.
Martin’s dad just got back from a week in Texas (work related) and he brought me Reese’s Pieces, pancake mix, and a giant bottle of Ranch dressing. Just a few more reasons to be happy!
Funny story from the weekend. We went down to Water’s Edge to feed the ducks yesterday. It was lovely, though the weather was not the nicest. We got to see some adorable little ducklings and goslings, and even a nesting swan. We fed the birds all of the bread we had, and then started our walk home. Martin had to spit, so he did—into the water. Unfortunately, one of the birds thought it was another piece of bread. He scooped up Martin’s spit and had long strings of it hanging from his beak—ew! So Martin may be responsible for the next violent outbreak of avian flu!
Martin got some news at work that was a little bit upsetting to me. The owners now want him to work every Friday and Saturday night! I was so angry when I found that out. We get to spend so little time together anyway, and then they take away the occasional weekend we can spend some time together! Once I have the baby and am at home a lot, it won’t matter so much. But seriously, some weeks I feel like Martin and I haven’t seen each other at all. I HATE his job sometimes.
On a positive not, though, the horrible Jade may be getting fired soon. They’ve hired another member of staff. His name is Rob, and he seems very nice. He’s 17, but looks older than Martin. And he doesn’t have a problem with authority figures. Martin really likes him and thinks he has a lot of potential. Plus he is enjoying having someone to talk football with.
Anyway, enough of this rambling and endless post. More later this week, OK?
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Not the greatest picture ever, but we still think he's cute! Here's Maggot, aged 20 weeks. The head is on the left. The bright patch down the front of that huge noggin are his facial features--nose and mouth. The little inverted "c" on the right side is his tibia. You can just make out toes if you look really closely. That's our baby!
Pregnancy Update
Here I am, 23 weeks + 2 days pregnant. Martin's not so good at taking the pictures, so I just took one myself. Check out that bump! Sometimes it looks bigger than others, and today it is HUGE! Happily, I still haven't gained weight anywhere but on my belly. And I can still touch my toes--sort of.
Here I am, 23 weeks + 2 days pregnant. Martin's not so good at taking the pictures, so I just took one myself. Check out that bump! Sometimes it looks bigger than others, and today it is HUGE! Happily, I still haven't gained weight anywhere but on my belly. And I can still touch my toes--sort of.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Baby stuff-AGAIN!
So, according to one of my pregnancy newsletters little Maggot now weighs about a pound and is getting a lot stronger. I feel that! I also feel him almost constantly kicking me! I really got a battering this weekend.
I’ve really started to notice the kicks a lot more, and Martin has even felt them a few times now. It still freaks him out, but we all know he’s more than a little bit squeamish about “body stuff.” The most amazing thing to me is how the baby responds to loud noises. We went to the cinema on Saturday afternoon and there was a really loud explosion in the movie. I thought Maggot was coming out right then, he jumped so much! It’s amazing to me that there’s this tiny living thing that my body made that can already respond to external stimuli. So clever, how your body can make another living being. It kind of makes me happy that I’m a woman and can experience this. Especially because if it was up to Martin we’d never have children—it would freak him out too much to be pregnant!
We did have a lovely weekend. We got to spend most of it together as Martin got off work really early on Saturday. We went into town and bought some bed linens for the guest room, saw a movie, went over to the Mundays and played games, etc. I also baked some rather yummy banana bread (with dark chocolate chunks and walnuts—mmmm). Then on Sunday we had a lie-in, went to part of church, then drove to Mablethorpe to see Granddad Gilbert (it was his birthday).
I was totally having an “I love England” day yesterday. The rapeseed is all blooming, so huge swathes of land are this glorious bright yellow right now. The hedges are all fully in leaf, and the hawthorn is blooming. The trees are just beginning to leaf out, and though the daffodils are dying, the lilacs are just coming out. Soon it’ll be time for the poppies. This is such an amazingly beautiful place. For anyone who can make the journey, England in the spring time is worth every penny!
Anyway, I am typing this from work and need to get back to it—Mondays are really busy for me. I’ll post more later with an update from today’s midwife appointment and maybe with a few pics!
So, according to one of my pregnancy newsletters little Maggot now weighs about a pound and is getting a lot stronger. I feel that! I also feel him almost constantly kicking me! I really got a battering this weekend.
I’ve really started to notice the kicks a lot more, and Martin has even felt them a few times now. It still freaks him out, but we all know he’s more than a little bit squeamish about “body stuff.” The most amazing thing to me is how the baby responds to loud noises. We went to the cinema on Saturday afternoon and there was a really loud explosion in the movie. I thought Maggot was coming out right then, he jumped so much! It’s amazing to me that there’s this tiny living thing that my body made that can already respond to external stimuli. So clever, how your body can make another living being. It kind of makes me happy that I’m a woman and can experience this. Especially because if it was up to Martin we’d never have children—it would freak him out too much to be pregnant!
We did have a lovely weekend. We got to spend most of it together as Martin got off work really early on Saturday. We went into town and bought some bed linens for the guest room, saw a movie, went over to the Mundays and played games, etc. I also baked some rather yummy banana bread (with dark chocolate chunks and walnuts—mmmm). Then on Sunday we had a lie-in, went to part of church, then drove to Mablethorpe to see Granddad Gilbert (it was his birthday).
I was totally having an “I love England” day yesterday. The rapeseed is all blooming, so huge swathes of land are this glorious bright yellow right now. The hedges are all fully in leaf, and the hawthorn is blooming. The trees are just beginning to leaf out, and though the daffodils are dying, the lilacs are just coming out. Soon it’ll be time for the poppies. This is such an amazingly beautiful place. For anyone who can make the journey, England in the spring time is worth every penny!
Anyway, I am typing this from work and need to get back to it—Mondays are really busy for me. I’ll post more later with an update from today’s midwife appointment and maybe with a few pics!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Mistake...
Tonight Martin is at work and I have made the mistake of watching stupid birth programs on telly. It makes me so afraid for the whole labour thing. OMG, seriously, I am scared!
Those programs also make me emotional beyond belief. When the babies are finally born after hours of excruciating pain for the mothers, I ALWAY cry. Of course, it doesn't take much right now. I cry at the drop of a hat anyway. I can't imagine what I'll be like when it's actually me!
Martin and I are going to get some work done on the guest bedroom tomorrow. We have to stay close to home anyway since someone from the electric company may be coming to replace some of the wiring in the house. The main source of electricity into our house comes in via old cloth wrapped wires, and the place where it comes in apparently isn't safe. There was a guy here earlier, and he was kind of freaking out about it. We didn't think it was that big of a deal, but apparently it is. So hopefully we'll get a lot done and the bedroom will be all lovely and fresh and comfy for our first house guest and we won't be in danger of a house fire or of electrocution.
On the pregnancy front, things are going OK. Yesterday was kind of tough for me. I got a really bad nose bleed and I was tired and queasy and the baby was kicking me really hard. I'm actually being kicked right now, as a matter of fact. And I think I have started having braxton hicks contractions. Anybody who knows what they're like, give me a comment so I can decide. Anyway, I was just tired of being pregnant. And I have 17 weeks to go! Today is better though.
I can't believe how huge my belly is getting! But I still haven't got any bigger anywhere else. It's strange, because when I have gained weight in the past it has always gone straight to my bum and thighs (thanks mom). But now when I try to wear trousers I haven't had on for a while they slide ride on, but I can't do them up. Plus, the baby is supposed to double in weight over the next 4 weeks.
I seem to be carrying this baby right up front and in the middle. I have this horrible feeling that I'll be one of those women who have an absolutely massive belly that you think can't possibly get any bigger--and then it does. I'll see if Martin will take some belly pics of me this weekend so everyone can see what I mean. Seriously weird!
Tonight Martin is at work and I have made the mistake of watching stupid birth programs on telly. It makes me so afraid for the whole labour thing. OMG, seriously, I am scared!
Those programs also make me emotional beyond belief. When the babies are finally born after hours of excruciating pain for the mothers, I ALWAY cry. Of course, it doesn't take much right now. I cry at the drop of a hat anyway. I can't imagine what I'll be like when it's actually me!
Martin and I are going to get some work done on the guest bedroom tomorrow. We have to stay close to home anyway since someone from the electric company may be coming to replace some of the wiring in the house. The main source of electricity into our house comes in via old cloth wrapped wires, and the place where it comes in apparently isn't safe. There was a guy here earlier, and he was kind of freaking out about it. We didn't think it was that big of a deal, but apparently it is. So hopefully we'll get a lot done and the bedroom will be all lovely and fresh and comfy for our first house guest and we won't be in danger of a house fire or of electrocution.
On the pregnancy front, things are going OK. Yesterday was kind of tough for me. I got a really bad nose bleed and I was tired and queasy and the baby was kicking me really hard. I'm actually being kicked right now, as a matter of fact. And I think I have started having braxton hicks contractions. Anybody who knows what they're like, give me a comment so I can decide. Anyway, I was just tired of being pregnant. And I have 17 weeks to go! Today is better though.
I can't believe how huge my belly is getting! But I still haven't got any bigger anywhere else. It's strange, because when I have gained weight in the past it has always gone straight to my bum and thighs (thanks mom). But now when I try to wear trousers I haven't had on for a while they slide ride on, but I can't do them up. Plus, the baby is supposed to double in weight over the next 4 weeks.
I seem to be carrying this baby right up front and in the middle. I have this horrible feeling that I'll be one of those women who have an absolutely massive belly that you think can't possibly get any bigger--and then it does. I'll see if Martin will take some belly pics of me this weekend so everyone can see what I mean. Seriously weird!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Martin...
Martin has discovered a baseball team over here!
There's a team that's based out of Hull, which is a 15 minute and £2.70 one way toll drive across the Humber from us. They take players of all skill levels and have practices on Wednesday nights (while I am at college anyway) and Sunday mornings. He went to his first practice last night, and had a really good time. He's so jazzed about it that he has repaired the bike his dad gave him and is planning on biking over there every week.
Martin has never actually played baseball before. He's always played softball. His dad developed a love of softball when he was stationed in the Gulf of Mexico during his Navy days and always had a neighborhood team in the summer when Martin was younger. Last night was his first baseball experience. He found it a little more difficult to bat, but a lot easier to throw. I sat and watched (a little bit--I mostly read my book), and he looked pretty good out there.
The only down side is that they play all their games on Sundays. I'm not thrilled about that, but it seems like if you want to do ANYTHING recreationally in the UK you have to do it on a Sunday. I told him we could compromise and he could maybe play one game a month. Does that make me a bad Mormon? He's just so excited to have found something that he loves, and I love seeing my husband happy!
So that's the Martin update.
In other news, my little sister Krystle is coming to visit! She flies into Manchester in just 6 weeks, and I am so excited to see her! Lots of exclamation marks here, but I can't help it--someone from my family is finally coming to visit! I can show off my house, my lovely town, and this gorgeous country (I'm having an "I love England" day). And I can hang out with Krystle every night for nearly two weeks. Wahoo!!!
So Krys--just wanted to say that I can hardly wait to see you. And anyone else that wants to come for a visit, feel free! American company will always be welcome in my home.
Martin has discovered a baseball team over here!
There's a team that's based out of Hull, which is a 15 minute and £2.70 one way toll drive across the Humber from us. They take players of all skill levels and have practices on Wednesday nights (while I am at college anyway) and Sunday mornings. He went to his first practice last night, and had a really good time. He's so jazzed about it that he has repaired the bike his dad gave him and is planning on biking over there every week.
Martin has never actually played baseball before. He's always played softball. His dad developed a love of softball when he was stationed in the Gulf of Mexico during his Navy days and always had a neighborhood team in the summer when Martin was younger. Last night was his first baseball experience. He found it a little more difficult to bat, but a lot easier to throw. I sat and watched (a little bit--I mostly read my book), and he looked pretty good out there.
The only down side is that they play all their games on Sundays. I'm not thrilled about that, but it seems like if you want to do ANYTHING recreationally in the UK you have to do it on a Sunday. I told him we could compromise and he could maybe play one game a month. Does that make me a bad Mormon? He's just so excited to have found something that he loves, and I love seeing my husband happy!
So that's the Martin update.
In other news, my little sister Krystle is coming to visit! She flies into Manchester in just 6 weeks, and I am so excited to see her! Lots of exclamation marks here, but I can't help it--someone from my family is finally coming to visit! I can show off my house, my lovely town, and this gorgeous country (I'm having an "I love England" day). And I can hang out with Krystle every night for nearly two weeks. Wahoo!!!
So Krys--just wanted to say that I can hardly wait to see you. And anyone else that wants to come for a visit, feel free! American company will always be welcome in my home.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Ah, sweet relief…
I had a long week. Another infection (this time my tonsils, and it spread to sinuses) and my asthma flared up again. The worst part of it was, I was completely unable to sleep at night. I would fall asleep just fine, then wake up about 3 ½-4 hours later and not be able to get back to sleep. Honestly, last week was one of the longest of my life!
After a trip to see my GP (with many apologies about coming in so frequently lately) and a course of antibiotics, I am on the mend. The best part is, I got 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. I feel like a new woman! And, I can completely understand why sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture. I hope it’s not like that after the baby’s born, but I think I should be OK. After all, I will be able to sleep when the baby sleeps as I don’t have any other children to take care of!
In other good news, I spoke to my employer (the temp agency) this morning and they think I will probably be eligible for maternity pay! That’s fantastic news for us, as it means I will receive 90% of my wages for 6 weeks and then a further £108 per week for the next 26 weeks if I choose to do so (that’s about $200/week for those of you who are currency conversion challenged). I have to turn in a form that they forgot to give me at the midwives first (idiots), but they’re pretty sure I’ll qualify. Best news I’ve had in months!!!
Martin and I had a really nice weekend, other than what lately has been our chronic car problem. I got rested up on Saturday morning, and then we went shopping, had dinner, and went to a movie. Then we spent a leisurely Sunday morning walking and feeding the ducks (and 2 geese) at Water’s Edge park. Then Church, of course, and time with his parents.
Today Martin is helping out at the Mundays’ house. They are taking some of the gravel from our back garden and using it to fill their front flower bed. So Martin was going to help load some of that and spread it, then he was going to assist with the laying of some laminate flooring. He’s never done that before, so it should be interesting to see how that goes. Anyway, next Monday Lewis is going to come over and help get some work done on our front room. Good trade, I think!
Speaking of Martin, he had another excited to be a parent moment on Saturday. We discovered that the cinema in Hull (just across the river from us) does “child screenings.” Every time a new kids’ movie comes out, if you pay for a child’s ticket, one adult goes free. He’s pretty jazzed about that, since he loves children’s movies anyway. He’s looking forward to the activities that we can do with kids. Fair enough—I always knew he would be the fun parent and I would be the mean one.
I had a long week. Another infection (this time my tonsils, and it spread to sinuses) and my asthma flared up again. The worst part of it was, I was completely unable to sleep at night. I would fall asleep just fine, then wake up about 3 ½-4 hours later and not be able to get back to sleep. Honestly, last week was one of the longest of my life!
After a trip to see my GP (with many apologies about coming in so frequently lately) and a course of antibiotics, I am on the mend. The best part is, I got 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. I feel like a new woman! And, I can completely understand why sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture. I hope it’s not like that after the baby’s born, but I think I should be OK. After all, I will be able to sleep when the baby sleeps as I don’t have any other children to take care of!
In other good news, I spoke to my employer (the temp agency) this morning and they think I will probably be eligible for maternity pay! That’s fantastic news for us, as it means I will receive 90% of my wages for 6 weeks and then a further £108 per week for the next 26 weeks if I choose to do so (that’s about $200/week for those of you who are currency conversion challenged). I have to turn in a form that they forgot to give me at the midwives first (idiots), but they’re pretty sure I’ll qualify. Best news I’ve had in months!!!
Martin and I had a really nice weekend, other than what lately has been our chronic car problem. I got rested up on Saturday morning, and then we went shopping, had dinner, and went to a movie. Then we spent a leisurely Sunday morning walking and feeding the ducks (and 2 geese) at Water’s Edge park. Then Church, of course, and time with his parents.
Today Martin is helping out at the Mundays’ house. They are taking some of the gravel from our back garden and using it to fill their front flower bed. So Martin was going to help load some of that and spread it, then he was going to assist with the laying of some laminate flooring. He’s never done that before, so it should be interesting to see how that goes. Anyway, next Monday Lewis is going to come over and help get some work done on our front room. Good trade, I think!
Speaking of Martin, he had another excited to be a parent moment on Saturday. We discovered that the cinema in Hull (just across the river from us) does “child screenings.” Every time a new kids’ movie comes out, if you pay for a child’s ticket, one adult goes free. He’s pretty jazzed about that, since he loves children’s movies anyway. He’s looking forward to the activities that we can do with kids. Fair enough—I always knew he would be the fun parent and I would be the mean one.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Bank Holiday Weekends...
In the UK, you get Good Friday and Easter Monday off work, and there is also a bank holiday in May, so depending on when Easter falls you get a lot of days off in a row. It's so wonderful to have extra time off!
Yesterday was a very nice and productive day, though I over did things a bit. Martin was at work from 9-3, and I got up with him and went shopping--for seeds! I got my garden planted yesterday. I've planted French beans (around bamboo trellis with morning glory, sweet peas, and nasturtiums), radishes, spinach, kale, carrots, and tomatoes. We don't have space for flowers AND vegetables, so I've done veggies that will look pretty. At least, I hope they'll look pretty.
I did have to do some digging in the flower beds to prep them for planting, and that wasn't so good. I probably should have had Martin do it, but I knew that if I waited for him it would never get done. Anyway, my back is pretty sore and I am still in bed this morning, but my back garden looks FAB! I can't wait until the seeds start sprouting.
Gardening is weird for me over here--mostly because I don't recognize a lot of the common weeds. I am never quite sure if what I'm pulling is a weed or some gorgeous flower until it is too late and I have a garden full of stinging nettle. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
After Martin got off work we went to a movie, then went to the Munday's for dinner. We all sat around just talking for ages, which was nice. Today when Martin gets home from work he's going to get some stuff done on the front room. Slowly but surely the house is getting there.
We kind of had a nightmare week with the car. We took it in to get the thermostat fixed, which should have been a one hour job, tops. Unfortunately, it ended up taking more like six (for reasons too numerous to go in to right now). We ended up car-less for two days, and I had to get a ride home from work with Martin's dad--on his motor bike. In hind sight, probably a bit risky for a pregnant lady. But I love bikes, and it was fun. Probably won't be doing that again for the rest of the pregnancy. Anyway, the car is fixed now and it's so nice to have it back!
I am feeling really good right now. Ever since the ultrasound on Monday, I have had this wonderful, peaceful feeling about my pregnancy. For the first time since I got the positive result, I feel like everything is OK. I am relaxing and enjoying this adventure, and it feels good to not be constantly worried and stressed that something is going to go wrong. I feel like this baby is here to stay, and it makes me happier than I can say!
In the UK, you get Good Friday and Easter Monday off work, and there is also a bank holiday in May, so depending on when Easter falls you get a lot of days off in a row. It's so wonderful to have extra time off!
Yesterday was a very nice and productive day, though I over did things a bit. Martin was at work from 9-3, and I got up with him and went shopping--for seeds! I got my garden planted yesterday. I've planted French beans (around bamboo trellis with morning glory, sweet peas, and nasturtiums), radishes, spinach, kale, carrots, and tomatoes. We don't have space for flowers AND vegetables, so I've done veggies that will look pretty. At least, I hope they'll look pretty.
I did have to do some digging in the flower beds to prep them for planting, and that wasn't so good. I probably should have had Martin do it, but I knew that if I waited for him it would never get done. Anyway, my back is pretty sore and I am still in bed this morning, but my back garden looks FAB! I can't wait until the seeds start sprouting.
Gardening is weird for me over here--mostly because I don't recognize a lot of the common weeds. I am never quite sure if what I'm pulling is a weed or some gorgeous flower until it is too late and I have a garden full of stinging nettle. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
After Martin got off work we went to a movie, then went to the Munday's for dinner. We all sat around just talking for ages, which was nice. Today when Martin gets home from work he's going to get some stuff done on the front room. Slowly but surely the house is getting there.
We kind of had a nightmare week with the car. We took it in to get the thermostat fixed, which should have been a one hour job, tops. Unfortunately, it ended up taking more like six (for reasons too numerous to go in to right now). We ended up car-less for two days, and I had to get a ride home from work with Martin's dad--on his motor bike. In hind sight, probably a bit risky for a pregnant lady. But I love bikes, and it was fun. Probably won't be doing that again for the rest of the pregnancy. Anyway, the car is fixed now and it's so nice to have it back!
I am feeling really good right now. Ever since the ultrasound on Monday, I have had this wonderful, peaceful feeling about my pregnancy. For the first time since I got the positive result, I feel like everything is OK. I am relaxing and enjoying this adventure, and it feels good to not be constantly worried and stressed that something is going to go wrong. I feel like this baby is here to stay, and it makes me happier than I can say!
Monday, April 02, 2007
The Big Ultrasound…
So Martin and I went in for out anomalies scan this morning, and it was brilliant! Everything looks perfectly normal with the baby. We got to see his heart beating, which was tres groovy. You could actually see all 4 chambers of his heart, and it was beating like crazy. The technician said that just by viewing that one part of the baby they could rule out about 70% of all potential problems. What a relief!
Martin actually had a good time at the scan. He was asking all these questions, and he thought it was cool when we could see the baby’s spine and ribs. He also really enjoyed seeing the baby move. I guess he didn’t believe me when I told him the baby was moving a lot. It’s been almost constant for nearly a week now.
The tech also confirmed what I’ve been suspecting. The baby is kind of hanging out around my right side. I can tell because when I look down at my belly it is slightly lopsided. Very strange.
It was so exciting to see the baby again, and wonderful to know that he is growing normally and doesn’t have anything wrong with him that they can see. And for all you people out there who wanted us to find out the sex of the baby n advance, it wouldn’t have mattered any way. He had his little legs tightly crossed the whole time! We couldn’t even get a good picture of the little monkey because he kept his back to my belly most of the time and wouldn’t let the tech get a profile shot. But I don’t care about the picture! My baby is normal and healthy, and that’s enough for me!
In other news, Martin’s mate Adam is back in the country. He left about a month after we moved back, and has only been back once to visit. We saw him yesterday, which was nice. We also got to spend some time with each other, which was even nicer. Martin worked for 13 hours on Friday and 12 hours on Saturday because his stupid waitress called in sick—said she was going to the hospital, and then was seen out that night drinking in town. She might get fired, which would be nice for everyone involved (except maybe for her, but I don’t really care at this point). It was a pretty lonely weekend.
So Martin and I went in for out anomalies scan this morning, and it was brilliant! Everything looks perfectly normal with the baby. We got to see his heart beating, which was tres groovy. You could actually see all 4 chambers of his heart, and it was beating like crazy. The technician said that just by viewing that one part of the baby they could rule out about 70% of all potential problems. What a relief!
Martin actually had a good time at the scan. He was asking all these questions, and he thought it was cool when we could see the baby’s spine and ribs. He also really enjoyed seeing the baby move. I guess he didn’t believe me when I told him the baby was moving a lot. It’s been almost constant for nearly a week now.
The tech also confirmed what I’ve been suspecting. The baby is kind of hanging out around my right side. I can tell because when I look down at my belly it is slightly lopsided. Very strange.
It was so exciting to see the baby again, and wonderful to know that he is growing normally and doesn’t have anything wrong with him that they can see. And for all you people out there who wanted us to find out the sex of the baby n advance, it wouldn’t have mattered any way. He had his little legs tightly crossed the whole time! We couldn’t even get a good picture of the little monkey because he kept his back to my belly most of the time and wouldn’t let the tech get a profile shot. But I don’t care about the picture! My baby is normal and healthy, and that’s enough for me!
In other news, Martin’s mate Adam is back in the country. He left about a month after we moved back, and has only been back once to visit. We saw him yesterday, which was nice. We also got to spend some time with each other, which was even nicer. Martin worked for 13 hours on Friday and 12 hours on Saturday because his stupid waitress called in sick—said she was going to the hospital, and then was seen out that night drinking in town. She might get fired, which would be nice for everyone involved (except maybe for her, but I don’t really care at this point). It was a pretty lonely weekend.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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!
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!
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.
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