at least I hope. I had contractions again throughout the day, but they stopped around 3ish or so. Oh well. Xander will show up when he wants to, right? Anyways, my mom is flying in tomorrow - I'm so excited! She has only been up here once, right after we got the house, almost two years ago. So much as changed since then. She hasn't met Shelby or Honey or Scully I think she is going to be so delighted to be here with us and the baby.

In not so great news, yesterday a firetruck was parked in front of our neighbor's house. The lights were on but they didn't use the siren - I told Jamers that isn't a good sign. Eventually they took off, and we kept our eyes open but didn't see any indication of a coroner coming to pick up a body. Our neighbor to the south is an older gent whose daughter lives with him. I was worried he had passed. Well early this afternoon we left to go get the one last piece of furniture for Alexander's room (at Goodwill because we are that cheap) and when we got back there was a mobile health care van delivering a mattress (and I assume a sick bed but we didn't see one). They were there for awhile than took off. Then about an hour or two ago, Jamers noticed there was an ambulance parked in their driveway, once again without the sirens or lights. The good news is James saw them take the old man out on a stretcher back into the house. Jamers has speculated that perhaps he was at the hospital and they had the medical delivery today so that the man could come home. Given my experience with granny, I would say that isn't necessarily a good sign. We don't really know them too well, Jamers has gone over when we lost Mulder to check their backyard and the lady was real nice. What do you say to someone who you barely know when they lose someone close to them? Not to mention, I'm on the brink of popping out a new life. I'm just all sorts of confused I guess.

Today has been another day of wait and see. I'm very bored, at least if I were at work I would be passing the time being productive, but then again I would be so stressed that it wouldn't be worth it. I had somebody from work call today to check in. Apparently she texted me but alas, we don't have texting on our phones, so I didn't respond. Why, when somebody texts a number that does not have texting, does it not bounce back to reply as such? My aunt apparently had tried texting me several times earlier this year before I talked to her to tell her no we don't have texting. To me a phone is a phone. If you have it in your hands, just call the person if you want to speak to them. Anyways, so I spoke to Mel and I told her that I was just too stressed to come back after Monday. She said, "I think things are going well. (Temp) has been quiet. I see her in Tina's office quite a bit." "Oh. So 5 solid weeks of training and two and a half notepads of notes aren't enough to help her out. Why am I not surprised?" "Seems like everytime I turn around she is in Tina's office." "And that would be why I haven't been back since Monday."

So yeah. I guess things aren't going to swell since I left. Oh well. I'm not going to sweat it whatever mess I come back to I come back to.

Now I'll toodle off as din-dins should be ready soon. We are about halfway through B5 Season 4 but I have no hope of finishing it off again before Xander arrives. Plus my mom, not the biggest sci-fi fan so oh well!

I had originally planned on working through this week, Friday being my last day before taking my leave. However, I had not planned on the fact that my body would have its own ideas about when I should stop working.

I apparently did not listen to the rather large deal my body made last Friday what with the migraine and all. Monday I went to work and began having contractions around 10:15. They were pretty far apart and definitely mild, but enough of a nuisance that I was like otay, no more work. I stayed through Monday and decided Tuesday morning, that although it gives me less time with Xander on the back end of leave, it was time I stopped going in. The stress of just being there, coupled with my temp's inability to be able to do the simplest things without screwing up was just too much.

How much you might ask? I had a nightmare last night where I went in today to do a few things, and saw that there were like 25 emails from Tuesday, all unread. I asked her, "did you take care of any of the emails?" and she replied,"only the one about dessert." That started the dream on the path of anger. She is holding some folder that looks unfamiliar to me, I ask her what it is? She states that it was some presentation folder she found on the network. I ask her if somebody had asked her to print it? And she said no. So then I ask her if she had started running projected cost reports and billing reports on Tuesday like she was supposed to. She stated, nope. She wasn't sure what to do. Then I started ripping her a new one in regards to how on Monday I told her the the importance of getting the billings out and then projected costs and how could she not have started them? And what was she doing if she wasn't replying to emails and printing things that were completely useless? This went on for about 5 minutes of real time ranting at her about her total lack of common sense.

The sad thing is that she really is like that. So all in all I'm incredibly glad I don't have to be there to continue to hold her hand. She had 5 weeks of training with me everyday and if she doesn't get it by now, she just doesn't get it. We'll see how much of a mess I come back to in a couple of months.

Anyways, so Monday contractions, but the closest they ever got was about an hour apart. Tuesday I had some later in the day and they never got closer than every 3 hours. Today? Not but maybe one or two - but I'm incredibly tired. In fact I can only count on one hand how many times I've been this exhausted before in my life. Jamers has this theory that my body is resting because it knows the energy it will be exerting soon. We'll see. I just want my baby in my arms already. I'm so fricken inpatient.

Well must toodle, Jamers went and picked my up the horrible dinner of my choosing tonight. Large fries, chicken nuggets, cheeseburger and milkshake. Yes I know, but I'm pregnant okay?

All went as great as could be expected at the Doc's on Thursday. I didn't gain any weight in the last week (YEAH!) so my total weight gain puts me at 27.5 lbs - not too bad and well within normal gainage. My blood pressure continues to be normal, high for me but normal for most people - this makes me happy :) As of Thursday afternoon I have dilated 1cm! Not that much, but good nonetheless. In fact, not only have I begun the process of dilations, but my Dr said I've thinned - I don't need to go into detail about that, do I? And that she could feel his head right there ready to come out!

What does this all mean? She said for a first time mom at 38 weeks - I could not hope for better. That made me smile! It means Xander is ready to come out - he is in position and now all we are waiting for is my body to kick it into gear and push the little guy out! I'm more excited now than scared. I keep telling myself this is probably the only time I'm going to do this so I should go into it with wonder and awe and less apprehension. The amazing thing is, it is starting to work! I'm really not as worried or scared. I just can't wait to meet the amazing person that Jamers and I are bringing into this world.

In other news, I had my first migraine last night. We went to sleep around 9ish and I slowly woke from slumber around 11ish with the worst headache of my life. I felt the aching in the four parts of my jaws at the back of my mouth and the pain continued up through my sinus, back through my head and apparently into my neck/shoulders. I was in so much pain I couldn't stand it. I took 2 than another 2 acetaminophen, which eventually helped. However, my eye pillow did nothing to kill the pain which is very odd for a headache of mine. I figured it was a migraine when I went to the bathroom and as I was walking back my eyes started having wavy lines go through my vision. I told Jamers and asked if it could be a migraine, which we have concluded it probably was. Relief only came after taking the pain relievers AND Jamers so diligently and lovingly got out of bed and started massaging my temples, head, sinus, mouth, eyes, and eventually my neck, shoulders, and arms. The whole time it felt so wonderful and nice, but when he got to my shoulders was when I realized that the pain was down that far, up until then I didn't recognize the hurt below my head. It was a very weird experience for me. He ended up rubbing and massaging for what seemed like an eternity. All the while the pain slowly receded until I could go back to sleep.

We are both hoping that this was a one time fluke due to my body being all out of whack with the immanent arrival of Alexander and all the stress I've been under at work. If this is a sign of things to come for the pickle life is not going to be glorious I'll tell you that. I don't want to rely on meds to kill a migraine so if this is the new post baby pickle life, I guess I'll start looking into homeopathic remedies.

Anyways we are now off to go buy some essential oils that should help during labor and post baby to keep my body relaxed and healthy. Holy Toledo Batman - am I turning into some sort of hippie?

1) I've been told the following this week:
•I looked radiant - thank you tragerstreit
•At a General Contractor's office where I go every couple of weeks since about July by the receptionist "I didn't know you are pregnant. You're not swollen or anything." I believe it was a compliment about how although I'm ready to pop in 3 weeks (give or take) I still look pretty darn healthy and just a little bloated :)
•By my Doctor on Thursday "I just noticed. You don't have any stretch marks." I told her I've been fat before and my skin is used to stretching. But seriously, she isn't the only person to notice my lack of stretch marks. I guess my body really is made for the baby making business. I have no plans to compete with Mrs. Duggar at this time though.

2) I don't like to "discuss" my points of view as most of you know in regards to controversial subjects, however, this man sums up what I've been trying to say for years.
Please I don't want anyone telling me the evils of Pot. I agree 100% with what this man is saying and that is my point of view. There will be no changing it.

Thank you and have a nice day.

Not really, but it sounds good, right? I think I may have some little bug clinging to my system, not enough to knock me out, but just enough to make life miserable. No, not Xander. A serious sickness, which is causing many bathroom trips and headaches and nausea, well I guess it could be Xander, but somehow I don't feel that is the case. But that was not the point of this post.

My mom called today and she has purchased her ticket to come up for Xander's arrival! I'm so happy! She hasn't been up here for almost 2 years, and I haven't seen her since last May - right before I got pregnant.

She is flying in on 2/13 at 1pm, when she told me I said, okay I'll have Jamers pick you up. She said, "You won't be working on the 13th, will you?" I told her that yes in fact I was (assuming Alexander stays put until at least the 14th) I rather have my 12 weeks of leave with my baby than 11 weeks with my baby and a week before (scheduled arrival) off. Course he probably won't show up on 2/14, but that's okay. She'll be leaving on the 28th, and I believe the plan is that pretty much as soon as my mom gets home, my sister will be flying up to stay for awhile. I'm so happy that my family will be here with us - not only to help out, but to see the baby and be here to experience our first month or so with our baby. It would be that way if we were still in SC, so being able to have that family closeness up here is making me ecstatic!

In other news, vanilla ice cream happens to be one of my least favorite ice cream flavors, which James now knows. However, any ice cream at this juncture is most welcome. I've found it helps keep the heartburn at bay especially during the sleeping times.

Non-baby related - I lurves my husband. I was reading some of my very first posts (made during our not-together times) and it made me love him and value him all the more. I'm so lucky to have my Mr.Wonderful to spend my life with.

That is all.

Spent Friday night recouping from long first week of training temp. On top of normal pregnancy tiredness, add to it training someone who doesn't get things quickly and you have one exhausted pickle on your hands.

Saturday, we lounged around in bed enjoying cuddles with furkids and each other. Didn't sleep well Friday night so I was pretty drained as well on Saturday. Jamers made yummy breakfast of crepes that we filled with bananas, peaches, blackberries and strawberries which we drizzled with homemade whipped cream. They were delightful. I can't seem to get enough of fruit lately. I've been craving it quite a bit which is fine expect for when I'm craving fruit and I want to eat tangerines, but my heartburn doesn't allow for the extra citric acid in my tum-tum. Anyways, we, well James primed two of the walls downstairs for sample painting. I wanted to do it myself, but my body has switched from I can do manual work to try it and I'll give you such a pain in your mid section you will have to lay down for an hour just to make the pain stop. Seriously, this is the worst part - I physically just can't do much of anything right now.

So Jamers primed the walls why the hormonal wife back seat painted and we had nachos and Babylon 5 for lunch. Well we watched BB5 and ate nachos which was just loverly. Xine and Kurt came over later in the afternoon and we hung out watched an episode of Cowboy Bebop (which I fear at the rate we are going we'll never finish), played Chez Geek (it has been so long since I played I totally forgot how!) watched the last real Indiana Jones movie the one with, as James literally pointed out by throwing his thumb back at the wall behind him and saying "that guy" in regards to Sean Connery. By the end of the evening it was like 10:30 when they left and I was ready for bed.

The great stupendous miraculous thing was that I slept well last night! I started without pillows, but about mid-way through the night I pulled them into bed. It was the most restful sleep I have achieved in I think weeks. We got up this morning and Jamers said, I'm in the mood for Dim Sum. So we called B-rye (hmmmmm, rye Wild Turkey - must purchase for when Xander has arrived and breast pump can relieve me for an evening of indulgence) and we meet him out at a place on 82nd and Division. Bryan had never had Dim Sum before, which is funny because I've only had it twice prior - once with James and Risa up in SF, and the other time was with Betsey and Noe (Bryan's wife). Anyhow it was a tad overwhelming at first with all the carts, but in the end I think we all enjoyed our lunch out. I love Dim Sum, as I'm sure most people do. I love little appetizery foods and being able to eat the variety of foods at one sitting makes me feel all special. I know I have a weird sense of self.

We got home this afternoon and just piddled around - oh how I loves the piddling around. I haven't been to excited about doing things, again, so Jamers made me some warm almond milk and we went down and watched some BB5 again. Now he is in the kitchen making yummy din-dins and I'm sure we will watch yet more BB5 whilst nibbling on pasta, salad, and garlic bread.

We've moved the cradle into our room so the furkids get used to it. I almost wish I had a life like baby doll to put in there and see how they react. So far the only one that has shown interest in climbing in has been Baz, which is to be expected. Other than that, life has been going on pretty much the same as it has been. Jamers has good days and bad as do I. We are down to less than 5 weeks left before Xander is scheduled to arrive. I'm alternately having feelings of anxiety over the delivery and calm over the fact that these will be our last few days of "us" time for quite awhile.

I'm told din-dins is almost ready so off a toodling I shall go.

Christmas eve pictures of my baby belly!

Here is me from across the room.


And for those of you who want to see the belly in all it's naked glory (just the belly is naked, not the pickle)
My Naked Belly

Jamers and I have been meaning to take the pics and send them to our friends and family. Unfortunately, I'm usually too tired to actually get around to doing this. We made it happen on Christmas Eve, shortly before going to dinner.

Christmas was totally laid back and was the best Christmas I could've had this year with not having to do anything. Mostly, John (father-in-law), James and I just hung out talking around the fireplace and eating. It was glorious!

Oh, and my special Jamer's present? He burned for me almost all of my cds that had been stolen back in Santa Cruz. I am so overjoyed! I get to listen to music I haven't heard in like I think 4 or so years? It was just about the best gift he could've given to me. I was feeling crappy because I couldn't get him anything, but he rubbed my belly and said I was giving him something. I told him, that was silly as Xander will most definitely be his birthday present in February, he couldn't also be his Christmas gift.

In any case, we received quite a bit of money from his dad and mom which was promptly deposited into our savings account. His Granddad and Grandmom over in the UK sent him some money which I told him to go ahead and use to buy himself something he wanted. He was reluctant at first, but I told him that it was money we didn't count on getting and he deserved something for himself. He went out on Friday and bought himself Zelda Twilight Princess for the Wii.

We have about 3 episodes left of B5 before end of Season 1. I know not everyone could get into the first season as at times it is painstaking to watch. However, soooooo many important plot pieces are played out that you have to watch it in order for the rest of the show to tie together.

Other than that, sleeping goes not so well, back/butt/leg pain prevents good rest. Despite having the pillows to help prop my parts, so Jamers has asked that I try sleeping on a recliner to see if that helps elevate my acheys. I don't see how it will, but I'll try it. I'm so tired from not really sleeping that I can't seem to do much in the way of cogitative thinking lately. Xander continues to kickalate like nobody's business, most often when I'm laying on one of my sides. Which would usually be when I'm trying to sleep.

We're at week 33 now, and in as little as 3 weeks he could show up (and be considered full term). I'm still incredibly scared about labor/delivery about being a mom, about raising another person and spending the rest of my life looking out for him. I don't know what our future brings and I think that is the scariest of all.

Not that I care, but I am :)

There is this new song on the radio that I just think is so cute. Sappy and upbeat it is. Normally I'm not too drawn to these types but every now and then I enjoy them. This new song is "Bruises" by Chairlift. Not sure why I like it so but I just shared it with the man. He doesn't really hear new songs anymore unless somebody posts something on the lj I think.

He enjoyed it too, which is nice. It made me of think of another upbeat song that I really enjoy "Le Disko" by Shiny Toy Guns. It reminds me of my clubbing days and all the fun I would have with my friends drinking and dancing. Those days are long gone. Sometimes I wish I could go out and have a night like that again, but being married and with baby soon to come I don't see that ever happening again. Now I think if I ever got out to a club it would be some mellow middle age club where dancing is all sedate and well mannered.

There are so many songs and bands I was just thinking that I would like to hear more of, or again. Arcade Fire and Yeah Yeah Yeahs are two that stick out in my mind. Ever since my apartment was broken into in Santa Cruz, I have only picked up a handful of CDS. I guess having the 45 CDs stolen and never returned really put a crimp in my desire to invest in music again. I know there are all those wonderful internet ways to get music, but I'm not a tech person and I don't own an IPOD or other MP3 player. I still listen to CDs and the radio.

I am however just discovering that youtube is great for watching "music" videos. Honestly, I didn't know that they made them anymore it has been so long since I've seen one. I guess not having of the cable contributes to that.

In other news, Jamers and I are almost through our most recent round of Buffy. We are slightly more than half way through season 7 - the season that sanity forgot. Really I don't hate it that much, I just really hate like the last two episodes. I've said it before but it stands repeating: worse series finale ever! I think we'll move on to Babylon 5 next. I want to get in as much adult movies/TVDs as we can before little one shows up. I have a feeling that many kids movies/TVDs will be watched over the next er, I have no idea how many years. Yet another reason I want a TV in our bed room so we can watch mommy/daddy stuff. That sounded sorta naughty huh? Good ;)

Snow is gone, for now and I'm happy. I was so sick of driving with chains.

I didn't have to report for Jury Duty yesterday due to inclement weather! Wooty Woo. Unlike California I guess Jury Duty here is calling in only for the day you are summoned, not a whole week. I'm hoping that is how it works cause I don't want to not show up and get in trouble tomorrow.

In any case the food of dindins is ready and so on to another episode of Buffy before bedtime.

Oh, and we got the crib and James put it together and it is way bigger in the tiny kid room than at Babies R Us. It is pretty though and matches the rest of the wood in the house.

In which I got to spend time with my two favorite guys, my poppa and Jamers. My pops headed home for San Fransisco early this afternoon and I already miss him. It was so wonderful seeing him for the last four days. He helped us around the house and we talked about all sorts of things. Oddly enough he kept bringing up his mom and brother, both of which died when my dad was still pre-teen. In the past he has barely mentioned either of them, but this weekend we talked a great deal about his growing up on the "ranch" and his family. I really enjoyed hearing more about the people who I never got to meet and the bonding with my dad over family was terrific.

He bought us a cradle which we've discovered is something that is becoming less and less fashionable to own. I guess nowadays most mommies and daddies put their little gherkins in cribs right off the bat. We however, want to keep Xander in our bedroom with us for the first couple of months so a cradle was a necessity. He was just so great to have around and he has always been so mellow and relaxed that I didn't feel the need to take him out to a ton of places. Mostly we stayed around the house, although Saturday we drove out to the coast (Jamers and I had not done so yet). We went to Seaside, had a fantastic lunch, walked on the beach (OR has nothing on CA beaches) and walked the main drag of Seaside.

Seaside appears to be like the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, without the rides, but spread out on main street. There were games, corn dog stands, candy & tourist traps galore, and ticket games where you redeem the tickets for crap. The best thing I got to say was the air. Jamers and I noticed the salty tang and the crisp freshness of the sea. It was as close to home as I think I could have asked for up here.

After Seaside we headed up and in to Astoria. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting there, but I felt disappointed at the visit nonetheless. Granted I imagine that the town is a seasonal place, much like Seaside, and the season is probably over. However, I would say about 50% of the storefronts down there were vacant and the waterfront was sorely lacking attractions to bring you in. A Monterey it was not though I can see the promise of a better future for it. I think given a turn in the economy and investors willing to put up the cash, Astoria could improve without having to compromise on the inherent natural beauty it has. I certainly think the opportunity is there for the little town to remain little and become prosperous without selling out to big commercial companies. Let's see in 10 years or so what has become of little Astoria. Seaside I don't see as ever changing, it seems pretty well together for what it is.

All in all the drive was nice. We took 26 out to the coast, followed 101 to Astoria and than returned via 30 and Cornelius Pass. It took a little longer coming back around the longways but it was a laid back day and the view driving through the little towns and hills was beautiful.

Everything else is running as well as can be expected. I haven't had the time to take care of many things that I need to do with pops visiting and all. Jamers has his good days and his bad. I think mostly he is sick of being at home and he is worrying about money. I told him not to worry as I'm the worrywart, especially when it comes to money. I'm not worried and he shouldn't be either. However, as with my mom, my dad told me to call him if we need help in money matters. I told him I appreciate the offer, and I'll keep it in mind, but the only way I would dare ask for it is if it meant losing the house and we are quite a long ways off from that thankfully.

The petlins are all doing okie dokie and as far as I can tell so is Xanderling. Jamers felt him kicking (or punching, or headbutting) for the first time on Thursday or Friday. It was an awesome moment and I can't wait for Alexander's movements to become more pronounced for others to feel as well.

He is the first kidlet to come into our SC/PDX group and I think all of us (at least the chickies) are all excited about his development and arrival. He'll be the little guinea pig of lovings and coddlings and punishments, etc. We are down to 16 scheduled weeks left of pregnancy and honestly I'm really looking forward to the next couple of months.

Anyways enough for now as I know most of you aren't that interested in the bambino. I hope you are all faring well. Toodlies.

Because as of this time tomorrow Bambin will be either a Bambino or Bambina. We're so excited to find out. Than Saturday we shall register for all the baby things we need and life will start getting better day by day.

In other news, I most definitely finally felt the little gherkin this morning. Bazzy woke me up at 4:30 and was being a little punk so I was lying there trying to get some more sleep. All of a sudden I felt this twitch-twitch in my half conscious state. I waited and not less than a minute later, twitch-twitch again. That was when I realized that yes gherkin was in fact the cause of the twitch-twitch. I gotta say though not much what I thought it would be like. Most books/people describe it as fluttering butterflies. Now how they know what a fluttering butterfly would feel like inside their tum-tums I have no idea, but that wasn't how my Bambin felt at all. Anyways it was so nice to finally feel it, I just wish it had come sooner.

In completely other news, I overheard one of the mature (55+) ladies in the office today talking about the latest issue of AARP. Apparently, AARP sent both candidates a list of questions regarding issues that are of major concern to retiring/ed people such as medicare, Social Security etc. Obama apparently replied to all the questions and has voted (or would vote, that part I wasn't quite sure of) exactly as AARP would. McCain? He (or his campaign team) didn't even bother to respond to any of the questions.

Now I'm not the smartest person, however, I do know that a VAST majority of the voting populace happens to be of baby boomer (and older) age, who fall under AARP. I would assume somebody over at McCain's office screwed up pretty large by not responding as I'm sure the article in the latest edition will be read by quite a few of those voting this election. Am I way off base here? If so, please let me know. Maybe I'm not seeing the big picture. I'll listen to all criticism here as I purposefully try to stay out of all the media politics I don't have all the information and I admit that freely.

In either case, I've been brain washed by Obama (according to my Poppa) so I'll be voting for him either way.

Today was the day. The first day we got to see our little Bambin (no Bambino or Bambina yet) and it was ever so awesome. I didn't think I would be as excited as I was but holy Toledo when you see it inside and know that James and I made it and I'm actually growing it - it's just the most incredible thing. Bambin is 2.9cm, apparently the size of a peanut and right on track. Heartbeat was 185min which we are told is just perfect. Bambin waved it's little hand on first inspection, and after a few more minutes did a little wiggle shimmy for us.

We actually saw the heart beating! Hell we can't even see our own hearts beating and here is this tiny little thing, inside me, and we can see it's heart. It was terrific and really solidified for me the fact that I have a Bambin in me and that Bambin is healthy (as far as can be told at this point) They printed out pic of the ultrasound for us, which I think is a little weird, but what the hey? So we have the first, second and third pics and baby isn't even 10 weeks yet.

Doc told us that at 10-13 weeks we could do a blood screen to see if Bambin may have Down Syndrome. Now she said my chances are about 1 in 500 of Bambin being a DS baby. I told her to be quite honest, I wouldn't get rid of the baby even if it does have DS because I will be thankful for whatever we are given. I don't know how I would be able to have a special needs baby, but really, every other baby around here has some sort of special need so if Bambin does I will accept it and we'll go from there.

Originally we were given a due date of 2/16/09 over the phone, but Doc (who James and I really like) has it down as 2/17/08. In any case, the ultrasound revamps that just a little to 2/14/09! Now of course Bambin could come anytime a month before that, but wouldn't it be cool to have a little love baby on love day? However it may spoil future romantic love days, but so far Jamers and I haven't batted the best on this anyways.

Jamers and I are going on July 24th up to Clark County to see James Taylor in concert. How could we possibly afford tickets you ask? I got them from my boss today for being such a great employee (cough, cough, cough). No. Seriously. She sent me an email asking if we would like tickets to the concert. She asked me first and she only had a limited supply to offer. She wanted to give the people who put in extra effort a little thank you. Boy was I shocked. Of course I know how much work I put in, but I honestly didn't think she saw it.

In any case, I checked out our seats. We are right around where row 16 would be if that was how they were named and pretty close to the middle of the amphitheater. I'm actually pretty excited as I haven't been to a concert in, oh, like 10 or so years. The only bad thing is that the concert starts at 8 (my usual bedtime nowadays) I think I may ask for the 25th off to compensate for the late bedtime that night. Sort sucks it's on a Thursday evening instead of a Friday, but still pretty cool.

In other news, by doctor's counting I am 7 weeks today. Baby X is still safe and sound inside Momma whiny-pants, Wooty Woo Batman!

Oh, and yes I am drinking all the water I need, and more!

Sunday morning when I woke up and went to the potty I discovered blood. Not alot, just a tiny little amount, but coupled with the cramping on my left side I decided to go to immediate care - as soon as they opened at 9.

Unfortunately, immediate care, although willing to see me couldn't do anything to check on my baby. Other than they did a pee test and confirmed that yes I am pregnant - which I already knew. However the doctor I saw there was ubberly awesome! She explained in regular people terms what could be going on but also that some women spot or bleed during pregnancy and that it could be absolutely nothing. Being unable to help me, but knowing it could potentially be a life threatening issue (if the baby was not in my uterus) she sent me up to the ER at the Hospital.

Jamers had gone with me to urgent care, but I didn't see the need for him to spend his whole day sitting around with me in the ER, so I dropped him off at home and headed up to St. Vincent's. Now I've only ever been to an ER once, when I was like 10 for a concussion - that's it. But I have heard all the horror stories about it and I was extremely unhappy at the prospect of spending hours in the waiting room.

I got there, got registered as soon as I walked in and I only had to wait for like an hour before getting escorted back to a room. That was when the real waiting began. Luckily, both the two nurses and the doc were nice people and although I was put through a bunch of pokes and prods and left alone for 30 mins at a time, I never once felt like I was being neglected.

So the doc did a pelvic exam, took a urine test, took vials and vials of blood and I had two types of ultrasounds. Most of the time we were just waiting for the results. Anyhoo, by 3:30ish or so, doc came back and told me that my baby is exactly where it is supposed to be! Wooty Woo Batman. Baby is 5 weeks and they picked up a heartbeat. Now the heartbeat was slow, but the doc said they aren't worried about it as usually the heartbeat isn't seen until 6 weeks. Both the doc and the nurse cautioned me that although the baby is where it is supposed to be, it doesn't mean that I can't still miscarry.

It was a great outcome to a scary situation. But the baby is fine (for now) and growing I guess a tad ahead of schedule. Maybe like me, the baby will have a fear of being late and come out a month early! In any case, good news and I feel so much better now knowing baby is where baby is supposed to be.

Now I go and wait for the furnace people to come and install the filter they somehow forgot to do when the furnace was installed last year and move the gas line the installed right in front of the access to the inside of the furnace. They botched the install pretty hard core, but at least they are fixing it for free. - Toodlies all.

Yesterday was an okay day. We meet Lila at Tiny's for dinner and then headed over to Gottschalk's to use up my merchandise only card. See my wonderful mother, has a tendency to buy me gifts that just aren't me. Like the beautiful cream colored Calvin Klein peacoat for Christmas. It was gorgeous, but . . . me in cream? It would take me like 10 minutes to ruin. Plus it was CK - otay I don't usually wear name brands, especially not expensive ones with the name all plastered on the sleeve. So as loverly as it was I took it back. At the time, they gave me a merchandise only card, which as the name implies means I can spend the money only on merch, makes sense. Here is the problem. My mom spent quite a bit on this jacket, and I don't shop at Gotts. Their clothes are way expensive and just not my style. However, I have this X amount of money that I have to spend there. So we went last night to start using it up.

I was not having any of it. The clothes were so flippin expensive! I could understand if let's say, they were made out of gold, but $120 for a pair of pants is just ludicris, and let me add, alot of these clothes are exactly the same as Ross but for like 3 times as much. The quality on most of the garments wasn't even that good. The buttons looked like they were going to fall off and on some of the lighter colored pants (on sale for $58) they were already dirty. So after an hour or so of looking and trying on clothes, I ended up with one pair of pants and two skirts, with more than half left on the card. Of course, I only checked out the 60% clearance racks so it was a little tough shopping. I was also trying to avoid skirts and get dress pants (I need to increase my work wardrobe)but after trying on several pairs, I remember why I have so many skirts. My legs just do not look good in pants. Anyhoo, I've decided to stick with skirts for now.

We got home after eight and put away Sunday's laundry got into bed early and read. It was a nice ending to an exhausting day. Work did not go well yesterday, nor is it going well today. Our IT guy is about 2 seconds away from a swift kick to the ass by yours truly. He has fucked up things so badly for me that I just want to cry. But that is okay. I've only got to put up with him for a couple more months.

In other news, I really, really, really want to have a baby. Still weird for me to even want one, but I've changed. After going to a baby shower this last weekend, I realize how much I want to start having them. We are waiting until after the move and health insurance is once again in effect. I've got it now, but most places make you wait 90 days until you qualify for insurance, and a pregnecy can be counted as a pre-existing condition. I want to make sure that I'll be covered if anything happens, plus the cost of delivery is obnoxious. So we are waiting until the fall, but damn I so want to start our family.

That is about all for now. Toodles everyone!