Seven.Caged.Tigers

I actually got this from Jeremy. It’s hilarious. Feel free to tell me how many 5-year-olds you could take in a fight.

20

Zack is turning into quite the little comedian.  Okay…at least we think he’s funny.

He’s putting his own shoes on and most likes his cowboy boots. Yes, really cowboy boots–leather and all–purchased at the high school rodeo championships last year. He loves putting them on when he’s only in a diaper and stomping around the house.

Anyway, he also is working on dressing himself. It doesn’t usually turn out too well. His balance just isn’t great and he wants to do it while standing up. I’ve been sick so yesterday when Jeremy went upstairs to get Zack from his nap I heard an “uh oh” from the little guy as the door swung open. I could hear it took longer than usual to get Zack from his crib (as it turns out Jeremy was squelching his laughter and trying to figure out what to say to me). The two came downstairs–both with giant grins. Jeremy goes “There was quite an interesting sight upstairs.” I turned and looked. Zack had managed to get his pants off (jeans, mind you) and put them back on–BACKWARDS! Ha!

You know me.  I don’t believe in any gods.  That said, the god of all things computin’ has taken away my laptop.  Hence the lack of new Zack photos for the past week and a half.  The computer is at Best Buy being fixed.  I could do it myself, but because I have the plan (you know, the one that has replaced my computer once and given it two new motherboards) that gets things fixed when need be.  Damn.  It takes a long time.

I’m filling my time now with selling shiznit on Half.com.  I have like 300 CDs, 20 music video/concert DVDs, and even one (gasp!) book listed.  So far I’ve made like $50 off of crap I got for free from various people (both friends and foes).  I’m even selling good stuff, it’s just I don’t need three of any one CD regardless of how good it is.  I think I even had four copies of some titles.  No joke.

Zack is now 12 weeks old and still incredibly adorable. He’s big, cute, and sleeping through the night. I know everybody is jealous. He actually started sleeping through the night a week and a half ago. He’s continued the routine much to my happiness (and relaxation). Here are a few new photos with my new camera.

Smiling (with his tongue):

Sleeping:

Looking Cute (it’s sooo natural):

And then a few new more flower pics…

Thistle:

Queen Anne’s Lace:

Weird Purple Flower:

The Princess:

A few weeks ago I complained about the heat and humidity in Michigan.  Consider my former point moot.  Why?  Well, Michigan is now much more humid than any human being should have to deal with.  It’s supposed to be like 90 degrees and about 90 percent humidity today.  Tomorrow through Sunday is supposed to be even hotter.  It’s ridiculous.  My poor window a/c units are barely enough to keep it reasonable inside my house.

Oh yes…and by the way tomorrow is my fifth wedding anniversary.  “The Man” and I got married five years ago tomorrow.  So much yet so little has changed in that time.  The biggest change, of course, happened only three or so months ago.

First of all, if your comment disappeare it wasn’t on purpose!!! I’m having something of a spam challenge and have accidentally deleted some real comments.

Secondly, I just got out of the hospital for a second time. This time around it was only for one night but I ended up there for the same exact reason–my darned blood pressure is out of control. Fortunately, we found out this time around that the little fellow is about 6lbs 2oz and “thriving.” Unfortunately my body isn’t in such great shape.

In any case…I’m here just on bed rest (still) and waiting to be admitted for a third time. Will Friday be the charm? Tuesday? Next Friday? Only time will tell…

Who knew you could not eat for 48 hours and still be relatively okay. I guess that’s the kind of thing you find out when you’re stuck in the hospital for three nights…

That’s right. I was released from the U of M hospital after two nights in high risk LDR and a night in a lower risk area. Basically I was admitted because of my blood pressure, extreme swelling, and borderline labs. As it turns out I’m actually pretty okay save for the fact that I’m stuck on bed rest until the little guy enters the world. I still think it will be another two weeks but I know for a fact it won’t be any more than 3.5 weeks. I can’t wait. This pregnancy hasn’t exactly been rainbows and kittens for me.

In any case, I’m bored. My life now revolves around whatever crap is at my bedside. Boy is this fun.

I just wanted to share a photo (or two) of the nursery. I think it turned out perfectly. Everything looks great–not too “baby” and not too “boy.” Just generally cute. Let me know what you think.

Another lovely photo taken in a moment when my belly wasn’t in the way. I want to get a good one of a purple hyacinth from the proper angle though–that presents quite a challenge!

Speaking of “Spring,” things are getting more interesting with my pregnancy. I officially have pre-eclampsia. I’ve been told by two doctors that they want to get me through the next week at the very least. I’m 33 weeks today and the little guy weighs around 5.5lbs right now. From there the OB would just be happy with each additional day. He says he figures I’ll go in for a NST (non-stress test on the baby) and they’ll “pull the plug.” Lovely, eh? So at the very most I have 5 weeks. I figure it’s closer to 3. THREE WEEKS!!!!!

I’m trying to get flower pics, but my belly keeps getting in my way. Please excuse the mess

Oh. My. God. I am so swollen it’s not even funny. I’ll be 33 weeks on Thursday and, well, I’m to a point that I can’t wait for this thing to be over. I know, I know “swelling is normal” but let my qualify the LEVEL of swelling I’ve got going on. First of all, it’s been happening for like 3.5 months. No joke. The combo reason for my issues is high blood pressure (chronic because of the MIA kidney) and missing lymph nodes in my left hip (from cancer/treatment). Fluid pools to a point in my legs, ankles, and feet that at first they hurt horribly. After they are done hurting they go numb. I waddle like a big fat preggo lady, not because of the baby in front of my but because of the clubs attached to my cankles.

The doctor said last week that I won’t go beyond 38 weeks. If I get to that point he is inducing. My blood pressure is so crappy that he expects it to go “to shit” prior to then though. Plus, I have diabetes now which creates big ol’ babies. That’s not to mention the fact that my family creates big babies anyway. I suspect my son is around 5lbs at least right now. He’s a big healthy guy who is doing all the right things developmentally according to the ultrasounds. I’m betting I have a baby around 36 weeks. So at most, I have 5.5 weeks to go and at least (I think) 3.5 weeks. We’ll see though.

I can’t wait to meet him.

Don’t know what this means (written in broken English, methinks), but I found it vaguely entertaining…

You Are 39% American

America: You don’t love it or want to leave it. But you wouldn’t mind giving it an extreme make over. On the 4th of July, you’ll fly a freak flag instead… And give Uncle Sam a sucker punch!

I now have two lovely new pieces of brown leather furniture sitting in my family room. It’s lovely and perfect and exactly what I wanted. Plus, the cats seem respectful so it looks like it is a success all around.

MMmm….uhhh…yeah. My life is rather boring these days. I’m relaxing, trying to be comfortable, and generally being lazy. I guess that’s what the doctors want though so I’m doing everything right. For a little perspective I’m now over 30 weeks pregnant and my son is somewhere around 4lbs. He’s a big healthy guy as far as we know right now. Speaking of babies, I wanted to also congratulate my friend Karyn for her pregnancy. Hers is a study in how TO get pregnant while mine is a study on how NOT TO get pregnant. One month off the pill and BOOM! I’m very happy for she and her hubby Jim for their (surprise) good news. They both showed up on my front stoop with Kristin and Kylee (my friend and her baby girl) as a surprise from Florida.

All my friends are having babies. That’s particularly funny considering Jeremy’s friends are still busy finding girlfriends and getting married.

Guess that’s it. Will post more pics soon.

I have a new Native American name (ala “Into the West” which was an outstandiung mini series by the way). I have been dubbed “girl who gives self shots.” That’s right folks–not only am I a diabetic officially, but my body didn’t respond to diet. I’m now on insulin. It’s not too bad actually. It doesn’t hurt or anything. Rather it is just a royal pain in the butt as far as making sure I do it.

That said, I have a big question. Does anybody know why insulin and supplies would be free (aka zero copay) on my insurance? I hardly think diabetes is any bigger a disease than cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, or for that matter my hypothyroidism. I’m not complaining if it sounds that way, but it is a curious development. I even pulled out my plan just to check to make sure CVS was doing everything properly and indeed. Insulin, needles, etc… are free. Hmph.

Jeremy and I also took our “birthing class” on Saturday morning. It was a 5-hour marathon session but worth the time and every penny. We officially recommend a class like that over one that happen 6 or 8 times over the course of as many weeks.

I’m beginning to adjust to this whole “not working situation.” It helps that I really haven’t entirely accepted the fact that I’m not able to do anything. I am rather fat (errr…bloated) and unable to move. It frustrates me. Not that I’ve ever been much of a housekeeper but still, I like to have the ability to clean the bathroom if need be. No such luck. Between the nasty chemicals and bending over I can’t do much of anything.

My mother made an interesting comment after I mentioned that it was likely I would have two doctor’s appointments A WEEK because of my various issues. She was like “that’s going to be your social life!” I think she’s completely right about that. Aside from going to doctors, the grocery store (while I still can), Target (which they just built a mile from my house), and finishing a few errands I really don’t have much social life. Go figure that pregnancy would do that to me! This weekend Jeremy and I did manage to complete a few tasks. First of all, we got our carpeting picked out. Home Depot is coming this week to measure and quote us for the nursery. We also made it to Art Van and picked out a brown leather couch and matching recliner. I think our household duties are nearly complete which is good–I kept on telling The Man (as he calls himself) that if he didn’t get off his bum he’d be doing it all himself! In any case, this is the exact furniture we found.

Speaking of pictures, Jeremy just took a brand new one of me tonight. I’m 28 weeks and four days (or so). I’m a cow–especially when compared to the pictures taken 5 weeks ago. Wow. That’s QUITE a change!

I haven’t posted in a few days because, to be quite honest, I’m confused. My Wednesday OB appointment showed me with signs of pre-eclampsia and the glucose test I had that day showed my blood sugar being rather out of control (the cut off for “okay” is 140…I was 213). The doctor was clear that he was sure I had pre-eclampsia because of my chronic blood pressure problems and kidney issues. I guess it should not have come as a shock. Similarly, the sugar stuff wasn’t a shock as diabetes runs rampant in my family. I just hope it really is gestational for me.

Because of the pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, and “solitary kidney” I’m at high risk for pre term labor. The doc wanted to make sure I got all the info about c-sections. I’m not worried about another surgery–heck, I have a pre-made scar for them to follow if they can. My only question was about my work status. Basically, I began by saying “I have a question, I’m still working full time…” The doctor cut me off there and said “you should NOT be working!” As of Thursday morning, I was completely done with work after five years sitting in the same chair, at the same desk, in the same office. Bittersweet is really the way I describe this experience.

In any case, I’m supposed to relax and let the baby grow according to my OB. I can manage that, but I may just go a little stir crazy. I’m also more than a bit concerned that because of all my problems I will land in the hospital for an extended stay. That would suck even worse–not my own bed, not my own food, not my own cats. It would be boring and lonely.

So that’s where I am…lots of fun!

I’m not sure I can match my lament to the joy of cheese I made in my last entry. I did however have a lovely hunk of brie mixed with cashews and maple syrup served over toast on Saturday. My mouth waters just thinking about the glorious nature of that appetizer.

Hmmm…I feel so old. JT and I are just wrapping up our back family room. We changed the walls from boring off-white to “Brown Bag” and painted the trim, door(s), and ceiling all a sparkling white. We also added fancy trim around the french door to finish off the look (I figured trim was easier to deal with than blinds or curtains or a valance). We moved our big ugly leather off white love seat to that room because it almost looks like we intended it for that location. I’ve also printed up and framed six of my flower photos–they are in walnut colored floating frames. I’m mounting them on the wall in two rows of three each. Finally, on Friday night we picked up a new fan to replace the ugly fan that once lived on the ceiling in that room. Jeremy kept on insisting that fans were too expensive. I finally said, let’s at least look. Well, it turns out for what we wanted they were all under about $100.

Now that this room is pretty much done save for a little scraping and detail work, JT and I have begun (finally!) work on the second story. The nursery will be in one of the bedrooms while the other bedroom will be the combo “library” (sans the vast majority of my books) and guest bedroom. We’ve just started weeding crap out, throwing crap out, moving crap around, and generally being disgusted at how much crap is up there. There has been the slightest bit of progress though…

On Saturday my parents called wanting to come down for the day. It’s a 2 hour trip for them and it had been a while since they had seen me. We agreed. Our house was in shambles and seating is at a premium, but we warned them of that before they left home. My father kept on looking at me and saying “I can’t believe you still have three months to go!” I admit, I look pretty round, but I didn’t know I looked that round. My mother of course was kind enough to remind me that she was 9.5lbs at birth and my grandfather was 14.5. Jeremy and I were both 8lb babies (on the high side of normal I suppose) and my little sis, born six weeks early via scheduled c-section, was already that weight. I guess she was going to be the hulk-child at full term. We’ll see. I bet this kid will be 8lbs if he goes full term just to spite those who think he’ll be gargantuan. My parents also showed up with his first little tool kit–basically a stuffed plush tool box with a crackling screwdriver, rattling hammer, and squeaking wrench. Very cute.

I like cheese. It is my friend. I could live on cheese (and maybe some jalapenos added for texture). Then again, if I lived on cheese I would be approximately 400lbs. While the prospect is certainly tempting, I will stick to salad. Boo.

I’m a monster. A big, round monster. Here’s proof of my current state at nearly 24 weeks. I am definitely getting larger by the day (or is it hour or even minute or millisecond?).

I am so cute. In the last two or three weeks I’ve gotten large enough that random people are asking me my due date. I only got looks and whispers before, but now it’s obvious that I’m pregnant. I respond something like June 8 but I’ll be surprised if I go that long. They’ll pause, and then say something like “you’ve got a long way to go!” No shit Sherlock.

I had yet another lively (uh, or not) weekend. It’s not like I can sit for long enough in a movie theater to be comfy or that I’m much for going to a bar as of late. I would, occasionally at least, like to get out to a restaurant that doesn’t start in Taco and end in Bell. That said, Saturday was spent registering for the little fellow growing in my belly. We need pretty much everything so it was a long, tiring process. My cousin Melissa helped out–she was great for suggestion about quantities and what things you need vs. what things you don’t need. JT and I are certainly greatful.

If you want to buy him things, you can visit either the Target or Babies R Us registries. We like presents and as such the little bloke will likely lovely presents (the louder and brighter the better).

After that marathon scanning session, I slept incredibly well. Too bad that Sunday was filled with lots of, uh, medical related un-fun-ness. I’m not any sicker than I was last week but I had to stay around the house doing nothing (aka playing Dragon Quest VIII) peeing in a jug. Like I said, it was no fun. Even worse? I had to keep it in the fridge. The brown jug was neatly kept in the door between the chocolate syrup and Pillsbury crescent rolls. We’ll see soon enough how my blood tests and THAT test went. I’m hoping for the best but wholly expecting the worst.