ughh......

So the doctor handed me a bunch of tests to go get done without telling me anything about what they were and why I was getting them done.

If it weren't for the fact that I'd been through this just 18 months ago, I wouldn't have a clue what was being thrown at me.

I know that these are the genetic screening tests. I know that there are no genetic disorders in either family. Audrey's all came back with flying colors. I'm still young. DH is still young (well ... on the verge of old, at 36). I don't think the chances of having a baby with genetic disorders has increased all that much in the last 18 months.

Furthermore, all I would do with that information is worry for 7 months that something is wrong with my child.

So I'm thinking about declining the tests. It would mean I wouldn't be getting an u/s this trimester, which is fine. But, and this is the sad part, I'm actually nervous about telling my doctor that I'm declining the tests. She was so harsh with me the day that I saw her, I can't fathom what she would say if I told her I didn't want these tests done.

I'll get the blood tests that confirm I'm healthy and we don't have to take any drugs or supplements for the baby, but I just don't want to spend the state's money, or my insurance company's money to have a test done to tell me the low probability of my child having a genetic disorder. There is no way on God's green earth that I would terminate this or any other pregnancy. So why get information that would just make me worry?????

I'm really just thinking out loud here. 

Audrey's new t-shirt

I wish the video were a little better, but Audrey was being, well, an infant.

P1080231
Originally uploaded by Christsstar

I get a lot of Audrey's clothes free from freecycle, friends, family, etc.  We are a family that believes in handmedowns, especially for something that she will grow out of so quickly.  This shirt is one that we got handmedown.  It's a cute shirt.  It fits her nicely.  And if you can read it, you'll see that is says, "I'm gonna be a BIG sister."  I want to say that I added that with an iron on transfer to the shirt.

Yes, that's right.  Audrey is going to be a BIG sister!

Baby #2 is due December 11.

Some photos for posterity

38 weeks 0 days - notice the stretch marks????

All my belly pics

Some posed photos a friend took of Josh and myself

Weekly Happenings - Happy April!

New/Noteworthy:
Not really for me, but I'm so proud of him I just have to brag.
Josh started playing softball for the church softball team.
He also talked with the new worship pastor of the church and is going to start playing drums for the church after we're finished with our Lamaze class.

Interesting Activity:
Softball practice on Sunday afternoon
Softball game on Monday night (they won 6-3)

Biggest Accomplishments:
Got bills paid tonight with no arguing.
OK, we usually don't argue. But we still did it and I consider that an accomplishment.

Also sent off the first of MANY tax payments tonight.

I also talked with my boss today about my maternity leave. That was a conversation I was dreading, so that's an accomplishment.

Where We Went:
Went to Guitar Center (and didn't buy anything)
Went to Lamaze
Went to church
Went to softball
I tutored

What I Learned:
Learned two techniques of relaxation breathing, and a position for coach to be in to help relax.

Weekend Plans:
Touring the hospital tomorrow.
Sunday going to Costco with Becky (Josh's sister).

Fun Photos:

These are a few photos from the softball game last Monday.

 

 

 

Thankful Thursday - 100th Post

Happy April.

I'm very thankful for April ... it's that much closer to my due date. (I'm 33 weeks and 4 days today ... due date is May 17.)

I'm also thankful for the sunshine and the warm weather. We've been able to spend so much time with the dog outside and have been enjoying doing yardwork other outdoor activities.

This is the 100th post of my Contemplations. How 'bout that. :) If I were a TV Show I'd have an episode twice as long as usual.

I'm thankful for the little baby growing inside of me. It's so much fun when she starts kicking and jabbing at me. It's neat to be interacting with my little daughter before she's even born. I just can't wait to meet her ... although for her health and safey, she can stay inside me a little longer.

Thankful Thursday

I'm very thankful for the sunshine and warm weather we've had this week.

And I'm thankful for the little baby moving around inside me. She's been very strong lately, and she's moving the whole couch when she kicks if we're sitting still. It's so much fun to think about the human being developing inside of me and growing. I'm just in awe right now, thinking about it. It struck me at a whole new level this week.

Cribs and Other Happenings

New/Noteworthy: We got a crib for the baby!

Kymberly got 250 points out of a possible 240 on her science poster that we did a couple weeks ago. The teacher said, "WONDERFUL!"

Andrew went to youth group last night for the first time. He had a good time. We were really early (thought it started at 7; it starts at 7:30) so we sat and chatted with the woman who hosts and helps lead. That was nice.

Interesting Activity: We rearranged our room and put the crib together in the corner.

Biggest Accomplishment: We found a crib, brand new, 20% off, and paid cash!

Where I went: All over town looking for a crib

What I learned: Burlington has some really good deals on baby stuff.

My chemistry student that I tutor failed her final. :( But the class average was a D+, so it was a really hard test. I think her mom is making too big a deal out of it. At any rate, I started thinking about how she can better prepare so she's not so flustered when it comes to taking tests. She understands the material when we do the homework together. Something happens when she sits down in class though.

Plans for the Weekend: I want to sew on Saturday, and Sunday watch the Super Bowl. Josh's birthday is Tuesday, so we're having our fun food and stuff for the superbowl. And I'll make him a yummy cake. The kids are with us this weekend, they won't be with us on Tuesday, so we'll do his present and cake and stuff on Sunday.

Fun Photo(s): The crib and nursery area!

Putting the headboard cover in.

I'm trying to assemble the mobile ... those are teh directions in the crib.

The whole nursery area. Remember: the crib set was only $20!!!

Contemplations on Current Happenings 1/23/09

New/Noteworthy: ummm ..... not a whole lot. We had a longish chat with a woman from church on Sunday. That was nice. She's the host for the Thursday night HS home group; so that was good for Andrew to meet her. We're starting to make connections and such in the church. It feels good.

Oh yeah .... And a new pillow arrived from Gordon Foods. Well, not really Gordon foods, but that's who shipped it. Thank you Michelle. It's soooooo cool. It's sitting on the couch right now waiting for some company.

Interesting Activity: foolishly went shopping with Becky on Saturday and got a KILLER deal on a crib/bedding set for the baby. Got an 11-piece set for $20; plus 10 different outfits for less than $50.

Biggest Accomplishment: On Sunday after church we spent about 3 hours doing yardwork since it was so warm. We got all the weeds picked, the rose bushes trimmed back, the grass mowed.... It looks so much better; dormant and brown, but better.

Plans for the weekend: Josh and I are going to drive all over creation looking for a good deal on THE crib. We have enough saved up we think we can afford a new crib and not have to buy used. We'll also rearrange our bedroom to make room for the new crib. This will require trading dressers with Andrew ... he doesn't know this yet. Church on Sunday, then just hanging out. I'm working on a quilt for an online hand-made baby shower gift exchange thing. I want to get everythign cut out this weekend and maybe start piecing it together.

Where I went: went to church, went shopping with Becky .... that's about it.

Fun Photo:
Belly pic took this morning. 23 weeks and 2 days.

Belly Pic

Here I am, 20 weeks and 4 days. I'm wearing maternity pants almost exclusively because they are so much more comfortable. I can still fit into a couple pairs of pants that were super big on me before, but they are uncomfortable after a few hours.

Pregnant Happenings

I get it.

I understand why women feel fat when they are pregnant.  I always said, "You don't need to feel fat.  You're pregnant.  You have a growing baby inside of you."  But here I am, only 7 weeks pregnant, and I feel fat.  I know it's mostly water retention right now, but I still feel it.  By the end of the day my belly is sticking out and I look fat and chunky.  

I'm trying not to feel fat.  I'm trying to eat the right foods.  I'm trying to still get my exercise.

Of course, this would all be easier if I weren't feeling nauseous, didn't have a headache, weren't  hungry, and my skin didn't ache.  It's such a weird sensation to be hungry and nauseous at the same time.  Knowing I need and want to eat, but nothing is appetizing at all.  I have to force myself to eat something ... anything that I can keep down.  And I eat it slowly.  VERY slowly.  I've not thrown up yet, which is good.  But the nausea still isn't fun.

I'm not sure if I'm getting sick, or if this is just how I feel when I'm pregnant.  Being my first pregnancy, I can't answer that.  But I'm doing what I can to make myself feel better ... especially since I have an important event in EIGHT days.

I find that I'm better when I am doing stuff.  My head hurts more and my stomach is in bigger knots when I'm sitting still doing nothing.  So I'm trying to get away from my desk and work in the lab; get off the couch and clean the house or go walking.  But I have to convince myself that I have the energy to do such things in order for it to happen.

Lastly ... I hurt my back the other day.  I was laying on the couch in the tiniest of tiny balls cuddling with Josh.  When I got up my shoulder blade area hurt so bad I could hardly move.  It's not gotten much better.  Sleeping is hard.  It gets better throughout the day ... but it hurts so much in the morning.

OK.  Enough griping for today.

New/Noteworthy: feeling nauseous

Interesting Activity: while printing programs for the wedding, I ran out of ink.  Took me THREE seperate outings to Office Max to actually purchase new ink.

Biggest Accomplishment: Got my desk cleaned off and the lab cleaned out in preparation for my vacation in a week.