Savannah Lee Arrives!!

Date: Saturday, November 18, 2006
Time: 06:18 AM CST
Place: University of Texas Medical Branch
Delivered By: Certified Midwife
Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz.
Length: 19.76 inches
Pictures: http://www.growingfamily.com
Password: *Savannah's last name*

(I have more pictures, and will upload them soon)

Shower Food & Gifts!

Good Bye Jack Palance

Oscar-Winning Actor Jack Palance Dies
Nov 10, 5:14 PM EST

The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Jack Palance, the craggy-faced menace in "Shane," "Sudden Fear" and other films who turned to comedy at 70 with his Oscar-winning self-parody in "City Slickers," died Friday.

Palance died of natural causes at his home in Montecito, Calif., surrounded by family, said spokesman Dick Guttman. Palance was 85 according to Associated Press records, but his family gave his age as 87.

When Palance accepted his Oscar for best supporting actor he delighted viewers of the 1992 Academy Awards by dropping to the stage and performing one-armed push-ups to demonstrate his physical prowess.

"That's nothing, really," he said slyly. "As far as two-handed push-ups, you can do that all night, and it doesn't make a difference whether she's there or not."

That year's Oscar host, Billy Crystal, turned the moment into a running joke, making increasingly outlandish remarks about Palance's accomplishments throughout the night's awards presentations.

It was a magic moment that epitomized the actor's 40 years in films. Always the iconoclast, Palance had scorned most of his movie roles.

"Most of the stuff I do is garbage," he once told a reporter, adding that most of the directors he worked with were incompetent, too.

"Most of them shouldn't even be directing traffic," he said.

Movie audiences, though, were electrified by the actor's chiseled face, hulking presence and the calm, low voice that made his screen presence all the more intimidating.

His film debut came in 1950, playing a murderer named Blackie in "Panic in the Streets."
After a war picture, "Halls of Montezuma," he portrayed the ardent lover who stalks the terrified Joan Crawford in 1952's "Sudden Fear." The role earned him his first Academy Award nomination for supporting actor.

The following year brought his second nomination when he portrayed Jack Wilson, the swaggering gunslinger who bullies peace-loving Alan Ladd into a barroom duel in the Western classic "Shane."

That role cemented Palance's reputation as Hollywood's favorite menace, and he went on to appear in such films as "Arrowhead" (as a renegade Apache), "Man in the Attic" (as Jack the Ripper), "Sign of the Pagan" (as Attila the Hun) and "The Silver Chalice" (as a fictional challenger to Jesus).

Other prominent films included "Kiss of Fire," "The Big Knife," "I Died a Thousand Deaths," "Attack!" "The Lonely Man" and "House of Numbers."

Baby Shower-Luncheon

Well, I made out like a bandit today. (I'll be updating the list on the other post shortly).

I got a diaper genie, a diaper bag (eddie bauer, no less!), clothes (all infant size), blankets, wipes, diapers, powders/lotions/soaps, bottles, bottle sanitizer, bottle cleaning brush, car seat toys, and several other things. And my bosses gave me a nice little donation. (Every penny helps, especially with the due date bumped up to just a week away, instead of a month away!!)

I have pictures (3 meg worth...and that's the resized ones). I'll email to whoever wants them.

They also made LOTS of food - and a really cool punch (my husband's suggestion). Raspberry sherbert with 7-Up poured over it. Yummy! It was a big hit.

There were Columbian Empanadas (meat-filled fried....um... things. Mystery meat - but Very Yum), Macaroni Salad, Veggies & Dip, a bread bowl with Dill Dip, Pinwheels (some sort of rolled up lunch meat, cheese, and a breadlike substance sliced thin), 7-layer dip, Fruit Jello Salad, meats and cheeses, various chips and sodas, and I brought in some home-made marshmallow fudge.

It was a lot of fun, and so very much more than I expected! I'm glad they had it here at work, so everyone could be involved. If it had been on a weekend, as originally planned, I feel most (if not all) would have bailed.

Due Date - Fast Forward

Good bye December! Hello November!

Not just November...but November 19th is the latest official date by my doctor. That's right. Next Sunday. Taking donations now for the hospital bill that we were budgeting to pay in Dec. *cheeky grin*

Seriously though.... ahh. down baby! gooood baby. Sorry, she was poking me in the hip bone. Not the most pleasant sensation - but I suppose it's better than the ribs that everyone else gets a foot into.

For those that may be curious about what I have or what I need, here's the highlights.

(All listed items are on registries)
Make of this list what you will. Do with it as you wish. But here is what I have and don't have.
The pricier items I'm still lacking:

• changing table
• crib set (sheets, etc.... I have one on each registry. I have no preference to which. The one I get, I'll remove the other from the list.)
• crib mattress
• breast pump (I know... such classy and elegant items)

Smaller - less pricey items I'm lacking:

• diaper bag
• diaper pail
• sterilizer
• hamper (I see someone bought it off the registry! *many thanks!*

Otherwise, anything on either of the registries. Or even a general conglomerate - diapers, bottles, nursing pads, etc. I'm really quite easy-going.

www.babiesrus.com (My first/last name - Katy, TX)

www.onestepahead.com (same)

I already have: (and may not be on the registries)

• a car seat
• crib (no mattress or sheets yet)
• stroller
• baby monitors
• bouncer
• glider/ottoman
• a couple baby clothes sets (though I'm expecting a layette from the center I visit - which I already know will have a few sets of clothes and blankets and various knick-knacks all put in a wash tub)
• a couple bottles
• a couple quilts
• a porta-crib from my ma-in-law.
• a co-sleeper
• an infant support for car seat

So I have most of the bigger necessity items.

Shower Date Change

Due to circumstances, the new date for my party will be Nov. 10th, 2006 here at work, from about 11-1pm. (Or so I'm told.) lol. They won't let me do anything to help! heh.

Friend's Hatching

So last night, after my trip to the hospital for my ultrasound, my husband and I hooked up with my preggo friend and her best friend/birthing coach. We hit the mall and drooled and gaggled and debated over baby items and colors.

The whole time though, my friend wasn't doing so well. She was acting very out of character. She's a tiny frame (only about 95 lbs. pre-pregnancy, 5'5", and only put on only 15 lbs. for the pregnancy, while her boy is weighing in at 6 lbs. and change). She's never really done the waddling scene. Sure a couple times, but not seriously. In fact, to look at her from any angle, you would never know she was almost 9 mo. pregnant. From the back she didn't look pregnant at all!

But last night, she was walking with her legs spread apart and barely bending at the knee. She complained much about her lower back hurting (which rarely ever gave her issues due to her size), and had mentioned she had lost her mucous plug earlier that day (that's sort of the early timer alert that there's much more to come and fairly soon!), and she complained that she felt like she had to go to the girl's room constantly.

The three of us knew - or at least suspected - but, she was stubborn, and said he was just stretching inside and she was tired and just needed some sleep. So, we went to TGI Fridays for some drinks and snacks (at 10pm). Just sitting there, you could tell she was not faring well. Laughing was starting to become a traumatic event for her. We were all concerned, because we knew she was stubborn, but continued to let her have her way.

So we left Friday's and headed out to the car. It was most telling when my husband had to let her lean on him from the table to the car. She couldn't walk well on her own without help. That's when the 3 of us ganged up on her and told her to go to the hospital. At least to be looked at.

She defiantly and stubbornly said she just needed sleep. Finally, my husband talked her into at least calling the hospital, if not visiting. She agreed to that.

She called us later that night to say she didn't call the hospital, she just went - and they were prepping a room for her. We didn't hear anything after that.

This morning, she called us. She was in labor! They sent her home to go through some of the early labor in more comfort, but this morning, she was back in, and now she's going through the rough part - and so far - all natural. (As opposed to the inducing they were going to do this Wednesday!) She should have her boy delivered by noon today.

So, since I have this whole weekend off (for a change)... I'll be helping her out as much as I can this weekend.

[Update]
I called her house at about 4pm. (man, my timing is eerie). Her water had broken 5 min. prior. It's actually a good thing I called!! They hadn't packed her car seat, and the rest of the family was heading down there. I had caught them just as they were heading out the door. Trick is, hospital won't let her leave without a car seat! The family didn't realize that. They thought she could just carry her baby home. Unfortunately - it's the law. So I'm happy I could be of some help, even being a half hour away!

Speedy Backwards Devilery?

Well... So much for science! Even the best ultrasounds in the world can't predict lil Savannah.

As of date:
She weighs 7 lbs. 6 oz.
She is currently in the breach position.
She is measuring 3 weeks earlier than her written est. due date.
She may be too big to turn at this point.
She will put on an estimated 1/2 pound per week at this stage.
According to the Ultrasound... she's due about November 22, 2006. (quite a ways from the Dec. 7-17 range I've been getting before)

So... unless she flips her big head down - it'll probably mean I'll be gut open like a fish (as my loving hubby so eloquently put it today). heh.

Happy Thanksgiving Birthday anyone?

By the way, I've registered not only at OneStepAhead.com, and also registered at BabiesRUs.com - for those that are die-hards for only the big name stores. Just use my first and last name to look me up! (and Texas, if needed).

By the way - I was up at 3am and didn't get to bed til midnight! eek

Shower Date

A co-worker wants to throw a baby shower for me here. It was originally going to be on the 4th of November, but another co-worker beat us to the punch and is having her daughter's 10th B-day party on that day and she invited the whole office. So.... the shower got rescheduled. It looks like it's going to be Sunday, November 12th. Not sure about the time or place yet, but I should hear more later.

Update: I have a car seat now! Yay!

On the 2nd is my (last) ultrasound appt. Super Uber technology, they say. The very latest machinery straight from California! (heh... California....)

I also go on a field trip to see where Savannah's going to be hatched on the 7th. Their gas bill and they're driving - so... weeeee!

Taking Bets...

The polls are open.
When do YOU think little Savannah will arrive?

I was at the doctor's on Tuesday, and I seem to be consistantly measuring about 5cm larger on the belly than I should for Savannah's age. My husband and mother-in-law seem to think it's going to be a November baby, but the doctors still seem to say middle December. So, I ask you, my audience, my friends...
What do You think?


*blink blink*

On a side note: I also noticed that people either don't like to use Registries, or they don't like ordering online. I've sent my Registry to lots of people, and not a single thing has been purchased. I do however, get lots of oddball stuff from other places.

Tips for people wanting to spend money on Savannah...

1) I am up to my eyeballs in blankets. I have some from my own babyhood, some my grandmother has made for Savannah, some my mother mailed me because they were soft and cuddly and she couldn't resist... and I'm sure I'll see more before the end. Folks... we live in Texas. It's perma-hot-and-humid here. Blankets are far from a neccessity.

2) The registry is made of things I need (OK - there's a couple one or two frivilous (sp) items on there that I probably don't 'need'... but the majority of it are essentials - bottles, bibs, etc.). Toys blankets and clothes are great and always welcome, but they are a dime-a-dozen, and she'll outgrow the clothes in no time.

So if you want to go on spontaneous shopping sprees, or you don't like shopping online, at least take a look at my registry at www.onestepahead.com (Friends know my first name and that I'm in Texas. I should be the only one that comes up) and get an idea of what I still need, first. The neat thing about OneStepAhead, is that they are geared towards safety and development first - not so much the gadgets and gimmiks that other larger retail baby stores capitalize on.

Growing....

She's growing by leaps and bounds now. I grabbed some new clothes from the pregnancy help center I go to. I've given up on pants for the most part, so long skirts with elastic bands are my answer these days. At least the band can ride above the belly.

She wiggles a lot now, also! Before I'd feel her only a couple times a day, now I'm feeling her move a few times an hour. My belly looks like a waterbed when she moves. The best description, is to fill a balloon to a nice full state, stick it under your shirt - then press on one side with the pads of your fingers just slightly, and when the other side bulges up - That's what my belly looks like.

I didn't sleep so well the night before, and actually didn't come to work yesterday because I felt rather yucky. She gave me a big case of chronic burps... and it didn't matter what I ate or didn't eat. I ended up laying down most all day yesterday. I spent a little bit cleaning bathrooms and such (which is SO not like me to clean anything) - but that was about it. I was laying on the couch the rest of the time. It felt great! I actually feel much better today. I'm so glad I stayed home. I was starting to get burned out.

Anyways... the saga shall continue...

BIG Girl

Ok. She's getting too big for her own good. I can't even wear most of my preggo clothes anymore! And they are Made to expand!! ..... And I still have 2 months left? ... And that's when they grow the most?

I'm doomed.

Pregnancy Jibber Jabber

I admit it. I've had a pretty easy pregnancy - when speaking about the pregnancy itself and not all the silly drama that surrounds it (doctors, bills, etc.).

The little one has been fairly mellow. I only hope she's this mellow when she's outside! She hasn't given me too much grief (yet). She wiggles and stretches, but doesn't kick or punch too aggressively or too much. Only a couple times has she struck a nerve hard enough for me to be bothered - but mostly just her wiggling around and watching my belly move in unnatural ways is enough to disturb me and creep me out. (My husband keeps teasing me with the final scene of SpaceBalls where the critter jumps out of the guys chest and starts singing "Hello my honey, Hello my darlin..." - and that usually gets him a sore arm for a few hours.)

She wakes up and gets all excited after I eat. Usually about 5-15 minutes after I eat is when she gets active. There's a few random times throughout the day she wakes up as well.

My belly button still hasn't "popped" yet. So I guess she's not done baking yet. Every time I see a mention in a book about the belly button popping out, I keep thinking of a turkey timer. It is, however, getting pretty flat and stretched out. There's just a little hood now stretched out over the shallow crater in my belly. That's about it.

I haven't really gotten any stretch marks either, though I probably will in the next month or so.

The worst thing I've suffered so far, is sore hips. Mostly the legs where they meet the hips. I've been trying to walk it off lately, and it seems to be helping, but there are days when it's hard to sit up, much less stand up, roll over, walk, or anything of the sort that requires those muscles to move.

Sleeping gets interesting as well. I can't lay on my back, or she squishes my innards. I can lay on my stomach, or I squish her and my innards. I seem to not be able to lay on my right side anymore without getting up 5 times a night to use the restroom. That leaves me with my left side. Even then, my big belly can't lean on anything, because it doesn't feel very nice if there's any pressure on it, so I've got pillows propped up under my upper body for weight displacement. Sometimes a pillow goes between my knees to help with my hurting legs. It helps a little. My husband can't put his arm around me very easily, because everywhere he puts it, usually makes my belly ache, or the baby kicks me to tell him to get off (again - she has space issues), and once I'm in bed and situated (which takes about a minute to flop in the right position), I'm not very inclined to move a muscle.

Last night was the worst. I was dead tired from not getting enough sleep two nights prior, and my husband couldn't sleep. So I lay there, with the light on, he's reading a book, and I can't get to sleep. The bed was very uncomfortable, and for some reason, the upstairs felt incredibly warm - but not just for me, so I don't think it was baby's heat making me warm. I actually went downstairs and slept on the couch.

Normally, the couch is the most uncomfortable place for me to sleep, but last night, it was like cloud nine. I had lots of huge, oversized, firm pillows to prop up against, and it was insta-sleep! It was probably a good move on my part, because I found out that he was still up another 2 hours from when I left to go downstairs.

The cravings have been interesting. First it was breads and pastas (or anything with a carb or statch in it), then it was baked potatoes. Next it was fruits and vegetables, then it was a short round with nuts, fish and chicken. The latest has been beef - and that's when I figured it out. She's trying out the menu - one food group at a time. Thankfully, she hasn't had me eating any strange combinations, like ice cream and pickles. Eh-yuch!

Anyways, time to get back to work (yes, on a Saturday). Sorry I don't update this more often, but it's rough when you come home and all you want to do is rest, eat, go to bed. Oh well. Ya'll love me and ya'll shall get over it. Pththth.

Lovyas!

Bad News - More Bad News

Good news seems so rare for me it seems.

Bad News #1 - I'm officially classified as "High Risk". Goodie! What does that mean? Well, it's all because of my blood type, if you can believe that. I'm A- and RH-. It's the RH- that sends the red flag up. They don't know what the baby's blood type is, so if it happens to be RH+, and my blood and her blood somehow mix at any time, well, antibodies start forming to get rid of the 'bad blood'. This is evidently very bad and potentially fatal. Joy. Now, on the chance that the baby is RH- ..... well, then there's no problem. In the meantime, I got a nice little stick in the buttox (hip really, but my dad loves teasing me about getting a 'shot in the butt' whenever I go to any Dr. for any reason). This is supposed to keep the antibodies from forming and to protect me and the baby - and for every pregnancy, I'll have to get another. Yippee.

Bad News #2 - My husband had just purchased the tickets for our trip to California, where his parents were to come down from the Pacific North West, and my family and friends would get together for a baby shower, birthday/anniversary party for my parents, my 94-yr old grandmother could see me, etc. .. even a friend that just back from a long bout in Iraq with the Marines.

The bad news is, my doctor today said I would not be able to fly. (Sorry She Travels!!!!! *insert mega-cry here*) I am supposedly not allowed to fly in my first or third trimester, and the dates our trip was scheduled, I'd be a few weeks into the 'no fly zone' of my third trimester. So my trip to California has just been wadded up into a neat little ball and thrown in the garbage. This is extremely upsetting, and being hormonal does not help matters. I guess now we just see if the airlines are willing to refund the money, or even part of it, or if they can allow us to reschedule for later down the road. As much as I beg my husband, he is not willing to risk us for the trip, and if the Drs say 'no', then no it is. I can't blame him, but I really wanted to go. I was looking forward to one last vacation before she was born. (At least I'll have a baby shower here with co-workers.... though I was looking forward more to the California one. I have little faith that anyone from work will bother to show up on a Saturday they could be doing other things on.)

Oh, and to top it off, I'm anemic! So the already hefty dose of iron they gave me, I now have to double!

Status of little Savannah - She's gonna be a big girl. She's measuring in the belly about a couple-few weeks older than she is (by the almighty tape measure), and her heartbeat is good and within normal range. The ultrasound says that her due date is Dec. 3, but they won't change it on the paper unless it had been more than 2 weeks off. So the due date of Savannah is still a crap shoot. I'm still saying sometime in early December. Tahell with dates anymore. She'll get here when she's darn good and ready!

The Name Game

Ok. So I bet everyone's on pins and needles wondering... what are they going to name this little spawnling?

We hadn't really made a firm decision until the gender was determined. Once that happened, it somehow made the choice much easier.

We had tossed around several girl names (probably a dozen or so in total). Some were whimsical, others traditional, and others that were somewhat common - but spelled differently. In the end, the winner was:

Savannah Lee

It's a pretty name, with lots of opportunities. If she wants, she could go by Anna, Anne, Savvy, or even Vannah if that's what floats her boat. I never had so many options with my name.

How did we come across this name? Well, I have two bosses - both from South Africa. The sister of one of them had come out from S. Africa to visit her brother. I had designed a web site for her earlier last year, and so while she was here, we sat for a bit and went over her site to give it a little fresher look. As we were talking, the topic of names came up, and whether we had any picked out. I informed her that we had mostly settled on a boy's name, but still had too many options for the girl's. She has three kids of her own, but she said she still always liked the name Savannah, and that we should name our girl that. I perked up to that notion, and figured we could add it to the list.

I went home that day, and pitched the idea to my husband. He instantly liked it, and sure enough, it ended up on the dry erase board hanging in the kitchen that housed all the other name combinations. We kept looking at that one, Samantha, and a couple others. (Yes, deva. Samantha was definately in the running!)

Then came the task of a middle name. We considered our grandparents' names, then our parents' names, as well as some of the other names we had on the board. My husband liked how Lee sounded - his mother's middle name, so that's what we went with. I love names that start with L, A, and S for some reason, so Lee it was. And it goes well with our last name. So about 2 days after finding out that we're having a little girl, we decided the name. (Actually, my husband made an 'executive decision' by circling Savannah Lee, and crossing out the others. I had no objections.)

Everyone so far has loved the name. It's unusual enough, but not too strange. It's long and pretty, with the option to be more short and playful. It can be nicknamed to be more creative, or common. It will all depend on her, and what type of personality she'll develop, and what she ultimately wants.

So with that said - we wait for the next round of excitement. The baby showers! After that.... the Due Date! *shuddertwitch* Yes... that day still intimidates me - but I am trying to refuse to let it get the best of me. Denial is bliss? =D

The Hospital Gave Me Porn Pictures

It's A Girl!

The hospital did an ultrasound today, and they gave me some snapshots of the gender parts of the little girl I'm housing. They even put an arrow at the appropriate place to show it's a girl. I'l be posting pics shortly.

Baby Knows Kung Fu

This is what my husband sees as the future of our child... click the link below for a good giggle.

Baby Kung Fu

A Sad Day At The Zoo

The Domestic Zoo is two wagging tails fewer today.

Emian and Sorina passed away this afternoon. We blame ourselves for rushing them out into being outdoor dogs for a day. We tied them down outside (the fence was still too high from the ground for our fearless diggers), and gave them plenty of water. Everything would have been fine, if the fiesty knuckleheads hadn't wrapped up their 'tangle-resistant' leads around the post so they couldn't get to the water. They died of heat stroke, but I'm told they looked very peaceful, as if they had just laid down and went to sleep.

My favorite memory: I was sitting at the computer at home, and my husband had just bathed the pups and brought them down to explore the house. I picked up Emian and held her upside down, like a baby. She was very comfortable and never moved a muscle. I sat there, staring at the monitor, with her in my arms, and then I felt myself fall asleep. I slept in that computer chair for probably 20 min. Emian never moved a muscle. My husband looked at us, and Emian gave him a look as if to say: "It wasn't me. I don't know what made her pass out, but I'm not going to move." And she never did. Never made a sound, just let me hold her.

About the girls: Despite their short hair, they were always super soft to the touch. They loved any and all attention. Emian was the most well-behaved, and more submissive than Sorina, who was just an attention hog and always wanted to put her nose in your hand. Emian was the better runner, fast, and agile. She could turn on a dime and trip up the chasing Sorina at will. Sorina, on the other hand, was a better wrestler, and when she did manage to catch Emian, she took her down like a street brawler. They both loved trying to walk each other by grabbing the other's collar and pulling. They also loved the game of keep-away from each other. Anything would do - a bone, a stick, a piece of fencing. They were exploratory diggers. Sorina always wanted to stay in the house to be near us, and would come to me whenever I called. Emian always wanted to play, and wanted me to chase her outside. The roles were reversed for my husband. We were just learning how to get the other one in. They didn't like the rain or showers, but they didn't mind them much. They were very accepting of being bathed, and would go potty out in the pouring rain with only a few complaints. Their tails were like small whips. Had they grown to full adulthood, they would have been dangerous weapons, and they could wag at a mile an hour. Their chests were growing broader (boxer), and their legs were growing longer and leaner (pointer). They were probably about two feet tall from head to toe - and still growing.

I came home to find my husband in the back yard filling in the hole. We called my parents and let them know. Then we went upstairs to the shower and had a good cry. Ok, I'm still in tears. I haven't had time yet to figure out what to do with all their food and toys. The cats have assumed one toy, a water dish, and their bed already.

To look on the bright side of this tradgedy, I try to comfort myself in knowing that we at least gave them a better chance at life than they would have had if we had not taken them in.

In the mail today, there was a postcard notifying me of their next round of puppy shots due in a week or two. They hadn't even been fixed yet. I was planning on taking them for a treat this Sunday to the Millie Bush Bark Park to make some new friends.

You'll be missed, Emian and Sorina. May you wrestle and run together and inhale all the food you want in the great doggy park in the sky.

Emian - Sorina
Boxer / Pointer Sisters
Domestic Zoo Residents
June 25, 2006 - August 25, 2006

Unwanted Suprises

As I was coming home from work yesterday, I stopped at our little rinky-dink community mailbox (I detest those things) to find only one envelope inside, and addressed to me.

What could be inside? Of course! Another bill. But this was no bill we were expecting. This was another unwanted suprise from the quackerbox doctor I visited nearly a month ago. Evidently, the almost $300 I paid in his office that day, didn't include the gyno lab work. They had no problems telling me I owed money on the urine and blood work, which I grudgingly accepted.

So - on top of the $300 to the doctor, another $440 for the blood work, now another $160 for the gyno. Yeah. There was some yelling involved with certain billing departments. This suprise bill came out of nowhere. We were never told this would be incurred. It was never itemized, illuded to, hinted at, or even suggested. I was under the impression that the $300 was for the doctor and the tests that he was going to do. I mean, common... $300 is more than excessive for some fat guy to look in your cooter and wipe a cotton swab back and forth, stick it in a jar and send it to New Jersey (of all places!!). He wasn't that good. Wasn't even pleasant to look at. He had the face of a flounder and the personality of a rock (and not those cool Pet Rocks from the 70's either. I'm talking run-of-the-mill rock not even suitable for concrete). And here we get a bill three weeks after we switched doctors. Can we say Grudge Charge? I'm paying nearly $1,000 for a 1-hr visit from hell, when I could have as easily gone to the local yokel and spent maybe $100 total for him to look me up and down and say I'm good to go. I mean, what's next? A bill for $50 for the stupid paper robe they made me change into? Or another $75 for the paper on the table they rolled down for me to sit on? They want another $160, fine. We'll pay it - Every month... about $10 worth.

His billing woman kinda tried to be human (but only kinda), but the other chick that worked there was about as clueless as Anna Nicole Smith. Hell, I had to call them five times to get my results, and even then, the answer I got was rather wishy-washy. What kind of doctor's office says: "well, we would have called you if there was anything wrong"?

Rapists. That's what they are. Nickle and diming to death.

In about an hour though, I'll be heading to UTMB and get this started with them. At least they tell you up front what the final charge is, when it's due, and no suprises. Ok, I may have to pay for Rx's, but I expect that anyways.

In any case, I'll let you know how it goes today.

Old Radio Shows

Ever want to go back to the "good ole days" - before Video Killed the Radio Stars? This site's got quite a library.

http://www.otr.net/

D.B. Echo - This sounds right down your alley. (By the way, I still have the BBC LOTR Radio CD's) =P

No Brats Allowed

I was reading an article on MSN today about brats in public, and it allowed viewers to respond. Here was mine.

I was actually one of those 'good' kids in restaurants. But being good was easy. Was I always so good? Hardly! The first time I acted up, my father asked me in a very stern (but not loud) voice if I wanted to go out to the car. As a defiant little girl who thought she was a big girl, I proudly challenged him by saying (in a very snotty kid voice) "YES". Of course, the trip to the car wasn't what I thought it would be. I thought I'd just be out of that restaurant. Little did I know there would be a sore behind and some tears involved.

Sure, sitting was difficult, but it didn't last all that long, and I never considered my father a violent or abusive man. It was discipline, and it was received as such. I knew I messed up, and as much as I didn't like it, I deserved it.

That happened only twice. Once to learn, the second time to remind. After that, if I ever started acting up, my father would ask sternly if I wanted to go out to the car. It was like magic words. I would be quiet instantly, shake my head, and everything was well with the world. I was happy I didn't actually get in trouble, and everyone else was happy.
It wasn't long before I didn't need to be asked for a trip to the car anymore. Sure, every now and again, I'd forget, as kids do... but a gentle reminder that the option was still there would have me back on track. I made a conscious choice to behave in public for so long, it became unconscious.

When I was about 5, we were in a Chinese restaurant, and an elderly couple approached my parents as they were leaving. They complimented my parents on what a "nice and well-behaved daughter" they had, and that the couple sitting at our table before us, had a little boy who was climbing all over the seats, screaming at his parents, throwing food and tableware, and all sorts of similar temper tantrums.

That day was probably one of my parents' favorite shining moments, and they treasure that memory. So, I try to return the favor and compliment parents who seem to be doing things right. It's easy to scorn bad parenting (which is too common for me to think is mere chance), but it also encourages better parental behavior when the good they do is recognized by others.

I hope every day, that my child will grow up much like I did - happy and well-adjusted to most every social situation... or if it will be like so many other kids who have never had any discipline (for the parent's fear of 'beating' their child), and hence run around like Tazmanian Devils, only to be put on Ritalin and diagnosed with ADD.
My biggest peave, is the parent that threatens their child with no follow-through. "Johnny, if you don't sit down and be quiet, I'm going to spank you... 1... 2... 3... Johnny! Sit down now! I'm warning you Johnny. Johnny, I told you not to throw spoons. That's it, you're going to get a spanking.. 1...2... Johnny, come here!" We've all seen it. It's annoying to watch. You want to just walk over there, turn the kid over your own knee, paddle him, and then look at the parent and do the same to them.

Keeping Busy

It's almost five in the morning. Way too early for my funky butt to be up. But... the puppies wanted to go potty. And since we're trying to make them somewhat housetrained, that involves the sacrifice of one of us getting up to let them outside whenever they need to.

So, to keep myself entertained while they're doing their doo, I'm typing here. Of course, I was actually awake before the puppies started to whine.

I woke up this morning, probably around 4:30am with half a stuffy nose and a little soreness in the throat. I'm really hoping it's just from all the work we did yesterday, cleaning out the garage, the fresh air, the running around town, and moving dusty things about that has me reacting this way. The alternative, is that I caught the same really nasty cold as my husband and 3 co-workers have had. This would be bad, as they all had meds that didn't even really help, and they were all quite miserable. Try being pregnant with a severe cold. Us preggos can't take the same meds most can, so I get to suffer even more. Oh the glee!

So, I'm hoping it's just the dust and fresh air. We'll see how I am later today, and tomorrow. I have Wednesday off, so if I need to, I suppose I can make a run to our local Dr. in town and see if he can help at all.

Well, puppies want back in. Later ya'll.

Now Craving...

There's a veggie sandwich at Ruby's resturaunt that I really want right now. Wheat bread, lightly toasted, with mayo, tomato, avacado, tomato, romaine, and alfapha sprouts.

Yup. I'm definately having a veggie baby.

Status Report - So Far...So Good

I called the QuackerBox Doctor's office (that I am gleefully leaving behind) to get my test results. So far everything is normal. No AIDS, no gonhorrea (sp?), no syphillus, no abnormal metabolism, no Downs Syndrome, no cervical cancer. Everything's A-OK. (So Far)

I'm 'normal'. Horrifying thought, eh? Guess they don't have a test to detect brimstone yet. *evil grin*

Of course, since it was an out-of-pocket test, they didn't do all the tests. So I figure once I start going to the new doctor, I'll have to do the glycemic tests, anemia tests, etc. But... that won't be for at least another month or so, I figure.

Butter Fingers

Well, it looks as though the clumsiness has officially started. I've been fumbling things I don't normally fumble, but last night, I had my first casualty.

Cleaning out the dishwasher, I cracked one of my husbands favorite super-large glasses. Really thick glass - ideal for rootbeer floats and the like. Yup. It's in the bottom of the trash can now. We still have 3 more, and luckily it was a $4 Wal-Mart special, but still.

What's next?

Ditz on the Fritz

QVC-Anonymous - Where are you? Intervention has failed. There's QVC on satelite, on the web, in every room of DitzyGranny's house. I suppose she could use her cell phone to cruise QVC, or she might even use her PDA. If there's a way to get to QVC, she'll find it.

But don't take my word for it that she's addicted. She'll tell you herself!

Freebies Gallore

I was 'wowed' yesterday by a co-worker. I hardly know her, really. Just the occasional 'hi' and 'how ya doin?' and idle small talk that co-workers do. Friendly girl, early 20's with 2 kids. Well, she IM'd me yesterday at work and said: "Do you need a crib? My youngest is turning 2 years old, and so I'm going to buy him a 'big boy's bed, so you can have a crib if you want it."

!!!!

So now I have a crib lined up with my name on it. I haven't seen it yet, nor do I know the condition it's in... but still, how bad can it be that a little cleaning can't fix? Besides, it's free.

It's amazing, really. You can be in financial trouble up to your eyeballs (and then some), have every disaster happen to you, and no one will help. Get yourself pregnant, and whether you have money or not, the world can't give you enough baby stuff. Not that I'm complaining in any way, shape, or form. Believe me. I'm more grateful than words could ever possibly express! It's just a strange concept, none-the-less.

So, yeah. In about a month or so, I'll probably create a baby gift registry for my friends to puruse through. It should be enough time for people to figure out if/what they want to get, and by then, I should have a sex determined.

One site that my husband has been drooling over, and myself as well: OneStepAhead.com. That's probably where we'll register.

Awesome Music Video

My husband found the best music video Ever on one of his daily excursions to AllDumb.com (no longer in existance). It's by a guy that calls himself Basshunter, and he's from Sweden. Can't understand the language, but it's subtitled for your pleasure. The message is silly, but the music and the beat is awesome, and once you hear it, you can't shake it. The song is called Boten Anna. (not Boat Anna) And, believe it or not, this guy was diagnosed with Turrets.

Lil'un gives this music video: 5 Kicks

(See entry below)

UPDATE: I re-added this video in January, because the previous one seemed to stop playing.

Basshunter - Boten Anna (English Subbed)

This crazy guy sings about a bot he knows on a channel named Anna.

About Being Five Months Pregnant

Well, I figured I'd write less about the woes of quacks and moneygrubbers, and actually spend a little time with the lil'un.

The little one has definitely begun to tell me it's there. It wriggles around, pokes, prods, kicks. Not all the time, but at short intervals during the day. I can go a few hours without feeling it. What does it feel like? Strangely, the best description I can give that everyone can recognize quickly, is it feels like really strong gas rumbling in the wrong places. Last month, it just felt like mild indigestion in the wrong place - a gentle, uncomfortable feeling, but not bad. Now days, it sometimes tickles because it's moving so much.

I was sitting with my boss the other day, going over some prototypes for potential webpage redesigns, and I started giggling. He looked at me a little strange, then looked at my monitor - studied it, actually - trying to figure out what I was seeing that was making me giggle so much. It was nothing on the monitor, it was the lil'un rolling around. Lil'un likes to wake up after I've eaten and when my hubby plays loud music. (See post above - baby likes this song as much as momma and pops do.)

I'm not as tired as I was for the first 4 months. I still have my moments, but they're not nearly as bad. (Smokie is saying 'Hi' to you as I'm writing this, by the way.) The insides of my legs, near my hips, are sore with every step, as is my lower stomach muscles. It's all the new weight being accounted for, and it feels like I ran miles the day before. I should exercise more, but finances and doctors, puppies, cats, laundry, cooking, dishes, unpacking, working, SLEEPING, and eating, oh... and now Blogging... have taken up most of my free time. The leftover free time I do have, I spend with my husband (who I have to rub all the time because his work is so strenuous on his back and muscles), curled up on the couch watching DVD's of Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, or watching DVR recordings of Dead Like Me, Eureka, or Fallen (which I can't wait for them to actually make that a series!) Of course, rubbing my husband while pregnant puts me to sleep faster than a double-dose of Ny-Quil.

Yes, I'm visiting the bathroom several times a day now. And by several, I mean... Several! I'm trudging in there about every 1-2 hours, if I'm lucky.

I can't eat large meals now. Not enough room for baby, bladder, and food. But, I nibble all day long. I always have an emergency stash of some snack, somewhere on my person, whether it's a banana, a cup of applesauce, an apple, a nutri-grain bar, a packet of oatmeal, a cup of pudding, a slice of pizza, all of the above.... (with exception to the pizza, it's usually all of the above). I don't drink sodas or coffee anymore. It's water, juice and milk. Sure, I get strange cravings - mostly for milk, baked potatoes or something starchy, peas, ice cream. Basically my cravings have been 90% healthy foods, which I'm thankful for. Candy bars, fried foods, and the like, just haven't really appealed to me, for the most part.

Anyways... just for laughs, here's a random thought. Check out this AllDumb entry. Regimental Kilt

I Have Archives!

One of the first stepping stones of Blogging...Getting the ever-famous archives list.

Woot! I'm getting to be a seasoned veteran now.

Finally - No More Stress

After a month of stress, stress, more stress, and then some added on top of that - the stormclouds finally broke, and the sun is finally shining through. (Complete with Rainbows!)

It looks as though the lil'un will be a Galveston baby. Born by the best medical students in Texas.

Yup, you read right. Students. Univ. of Texas, Galveston Medical Building, to be precise.

Finally, the world-sized ball of stress is gone. No more wondering how we'll pay, who we'll pay, where we'll pay, and how many more suprise bills there will be along the way.

The other doctors I had called or seen, all wanted between $2,800 - $3,500. That was just for the doctor, and didn't include any labwork, hospital bills, anything. That was just for prenatal visits! On top of that, they all wanted to be paid that amount within the next 2-3 weeks. *choke, hack, cough* It would be more if it was a C-section delivery. eek!

UT will charge either $2,000 or $3,650, depending on how much we make. But that's it. I have to have it paid off before I deliver (that's still another 4 months! Sure beats the 2 weeks!), it includes EVERYTHING. There are only two catches. Baby HAS to be delivered in Galveston, and the Ultrasounds have to be done in Galveston. (wah. I can drive that for the occasional visit). But the rate includes:

• Prenatal visits


• Delivery (yes, hospital fees too! not just the Dr.)


• Room & Board nearby for when I'm close to due


• 2 Ultrasounds


• Labwork

Everything but the college tuition. *wink*

Now, I'm going to try to see if I can sneak in an ultrasound tomorrow at the last place that did it for me, but I doubt I'll get it. Something about liabilities and such. They say they won't do it after 14 weeks, and now I'm about 20 - Going on 21.

I don't have my first UT appointment until Aug. 22. So that's quite a ways away yet. Oh well. At least I have that security blanket now of not having to worry about what's going to happen. Now, I can FINALLY stress out about how to prepare for the baby once it's here. That is a much more welcome stress, and a much more fun one. :)

Baby's First Quilt

She Travels should appreciate this little gem of a post - since she's all arts-n-craftsy these days. :)

My grandmother makes quilts for the family for all sorts of major events. So when she heard I was pregnant, she got her threads and needles poised for action. OK, in truth, she had already made it. What can I say? She's psychic? (but that's another story....)

Anyways, here's some snapshots of the babe's first Gramma quilt.... correction... Great Gramma quilt. (Sorry if these images are scattered, Blogger is not being nice to me, and I have to go to work. I'll straighten them out and add some more later today.)

Vampires

I am quite impressed.

I survived a vampire bite today.

So I went to the OB-GYN today, and got poked and prodded at, then charged nearly $300. (that they say goes towards the Dr's final bill of $2800 - not including hospital bills and labwork and Rx's - YAY! Poked, prodded, then raped for money.) They also said I had some blood in my urine, which could just be a minor bladder infection, but, they sent it out for tests (more money), and they gave me an Rx for some antibiotics that are 'safe-for-baby'... (even more money).

Then, they sent their cute female vampire in. I didn't faint, no lightheadedness. Not so scary as it usually is. She was suprisingly gentle, and she only took a little bit. Usually, I get severely lightheaded. This time, I managed to walk out of there like a pro. Their vampire was also fun and sarcastic. Just the way I like them. She actually made the experience somewhat pleasant -- if such a thing were possible. She wasn't as sarcastic as Deva - more like me, that fun-luvin, just-kidding, wink-wink, kinda sarcasm.

Anyways, now I'm off to clean out the refrigerator.

One Drama Ends

Well, I got the results from Medicaid.

DENIED

Evidently they think I make too much. Ha!
Although, the people my husband visited last weekend seem to think we're richies. Probably because we don't live in a slummy half-rusted trailer where the women-folk are expected to stay home and mind the youngins and be treated like children themselves by other family members, with no life or mind of their own.

hmm. Oh well.

So the hunt is on again for another form of payment management for this baby, because paying it all upfront and out-of-pocket is going to bite....hard.

Hey Look! A Uterus!

Sorry about the title of this one... I just couldn't help it. Funny story.... really! And you know it wouldn't be a blog entry, without a story to go with it....


See, a friend of my husband's from way back, who is still in the Marine Corp, called us from Iraq the other day to congratulate us on the pregnancy. My husband had sent out a mass email to all our friends and family, and included, was my ultrasound picture. So while my husband was talking to his 'Iraqi friend' (no, he's quite Caucasian, not Iraqi at all) about the email - my husband blurts out: "Yeah, I think everyone's seen my wife's uterus now."

..... I just stared at him and blinked .... then blinked some more .....

What can I say? My husband can make me speechless. (Whether for good or bad, I'm still trying to figure out.)

So anyways... here's a picture of 'my uterus', and the first look at our little bundle of future terrors. Enjoy. =)

~Behold! The alien!~

Zoo Inhabitants

Here's some pictures of the puppies and our two adopted kitties.

To the left is Emian and Sorina. Emian on the left, Sorina on the right. It's almost hard to believe they're sisters sometimes. Sorina looks more and more boxer as she gets older, while Emian looks more and more.... something else.... probably pointer?

Oh, and by the way, this was the bed before they destroyed it. It's foam with a washable lining. It's the foam they have made into bite-sized tidbits.



Here's another shot of them, in one of their rare, quiet modes.

Oh! How I do love these times. They're so cute and innocent-looking, but really, they're evil. Evil I say! Actually, come to think about it, with the exception of Mikey (shown below) and the snakes, they're all evil to some degree. I guess that's what they get for living in a house with the 'demon.' heh. (inside joke for deva)

Here is the puke-meister, Mike. Lately, it's been food-based. The vet said there's a problem with his pancreas. Usually, though, it's just hairballs. He is the reigning hairball champion in the Zoo. He's also got the most, and densest fur of them all. But, he's also the most loveable, most content, and most concerned cat here. He's also the great Protector of Books in the house. Lay a book on the floor (even a notepad) and he will lay on it and keep it safe until you need it back.

As you can see from the picture, Mikey's not too comfortable here. He actually climbed it on his own, which I've never seen him do before. Don't worry, it didn't last long. It's Smokie's perch, and she's very defensive of it. She recovered her position in short order.

He got a lot of attention when he first moved in. Mostly, because of his delicate state. He's old, with pre-existing heart conditions, and a little skiddish. So we pampered him. This came to the great dismay of Meph, who was previously the king cat. The two are now on tollerable levels at times, but Meph still has an undying hatred for Mike, and Mike, well, he's been picked on by Meph enough, that he just doesn't tollerate it anymore.

Mikey is, however, like the big uncle everyone loves when it comes to Smokie (shown to the left). She is the prissbutt of the Zoo. She gets her way with all the cats.

Luckily, she's outgrown her favorite pasttime of chewing power cords. We won't go into just how much money she chewed through, but lets say that some of the casualties included a curling iron, a stereo receiver, a mouse cord, some cat-5 cable, some Christmas lights (though, in her defense, that may have been one of the other cats), and several other cords here and there.

Her favorite thing to do is chase Meph up and down the stairs. It sounds like a herd of elephants when they start their aerobics. Sometimes, they even run their marathons in the middle of the night!

See the fluffy tail? She uses that like Marilyn Monroe would use a feather boa. She wraps it around the necks of both Meph and Mikey as she brushes against them. Of course, as many times, she'll be found wrestling with them like a common street-brawler. Delicateness is a fickle thing with her.

Chaos Strikes

So it seems that yesterday's events were a mere hint as to what was to come later that night. I went to work, and tried not to sleep in front of my computer. Suprisingly, for only having 4-5 hours of sleep, I got a bit done. Then I packed it up and headed for home on a nearly empty tank of gas. I ended up paying more than I wanted to, but oh well. It got me home. I would have filled up earlier but my getting lost did not help me for time.

I pulled into my driveway, new clothes bundled in hand along with the mail, my bag that I take to work, and my keys ready for the door. Our garbage can was tipped over (it's the big kind with wheels, a handle, and a flip-back lid issued by the community, not the little round ones you get at Lowes), and one of our Malibu lights was knocked over. I figure it's from the storm we had yesterday afternoon. I turn off the alarm and open the door, only to get assaulted by Emian and Sorina who were oh-so-happy to see me. Their happiness lasted only seconds.

I plowed my way through the door, pushing them aside with my feet so they didn't get out, dropped my clothes just inside the door, reached down, and grabbed them both by the collars. We have a playpin for them to stay in because they haven't learned yet how to hold their bodily functions, and linoleum is much easier to clean than carpet. As if to prove that point, I saw two wet and runny mud pies in the middle of our living room carpet, basting and soaking.

A deck of cards now lay strewn about the floor, intermingled with a plethora of packing popcorn from a small box they had found and had taken to shaking about. Their bed (that we had taken away because they kept eating it instead of sleeping in it) was now further eaten, with bits of foam laying about. A foot scrubber lay in the floor, with it's trendy little hanging cord, now untied and laying a foot away from the scrubber. I found a small sliver of what looked to be a piece of a pencil (the common yellow wooden sort) on the floor, but I have yet to find the rest of it. I'm sure it will show up in the back yard soon - eraser and all. My sandals were laying upside-down in the middle of the floor (luckily no damage was done), one of their squeaky toys was now shoved under the couch, my husband's socks were wet from slobber and in front of the fireplace, their leashes were strewn about the kitchen, and the broom was also laying down in the middle of the kitchen. And to top everything off, the place reeked of a bio waste pond. A great thing for someone who cannot handle that smell due to a pregnancy. (Literally, the smell makes me cough to the point of gagging violently. I don't actually lose my stomach, but sometimes it feels the same.)

And all I wanted to do was come home from work, get some food, take my vitamins, and get some much overdue and needed sleep. I kept thinking of Dante in Clerks exhasperating, "I'm not even supposed to Be here today!"

So I scolded the puppies - probably a little harsher than was appropriate, and returned them to their 'cage.' The playpin had been covered by a heavy piece of wood and part of the playpin itself (it's a plastic sectional playpin) because Sorina had escaped previously in the week and had made plops all over the carpet. Now, the section of playpin being used as the roof of their 'cage' was laying inside and the wood was shoved over to one side so they could get out. Clever dogs.

They were so upset from my scolding, that they layed in their playpin without covering for quite some time. I didn't even hear hardly a wimper. They knew they had done serious wrong.

So I begin the cleanup process, starting with the mud pies, while I call my husband and fill him in. When I hang up with him, my parents called me, which lasted about an hour and a half. There is still a stain in the carpet. I can't lift it for love or money. I'll try some more today.

So I get off the phone with my parents, get another piece of wood for the top of their cage, since the plastic doesn't work. And I sit down to a microwaved baked potato. I needed to eat something, and it was already 10pm. As I'm eating, I hear one of the cats puking on the stairs. It's Mikey... again. He doesn't take pills well, and the vet had given us some anti-nausia pills for him. He refused it in the morning, so now he was ....rather.. I was paying for it. I was past getting excited now. I just went back to eating, took my vitamins, got something to drink, then went upstairs to make sure the pups hadn't made it up there. They had.

There were two poop piles in the hallway and another in the bedroom. Small favors - they were actually solid, and didn't stain. There was more cat puke though. There was a piddle in the master bathroom - again, small favors that they piddled on linoleum and not the carpet. Clothes had been tossed about, but nothing damaged that I could see. So I go back and clean up everything, calling my husband again for another update. I don't regret him leaving for the weekend. He needed the vacation - I just wish all this chaos would have happened on another weekend.

I leave the non-bio messes for the morning, and try to go to bed - finally. But now the puppies want to bark and howl and cry and squeal. That lasted for about a half hour, then they finally got tired and went to sleep, only to start it again at 3am. At 5-ish, all of my husband's alarms start going off that he forgot to turn off in his absence. At 7 the puppies howl some more, so I let them out to go potty - to discover one of them had piddled in their cage. I wasn't suprised by this, and didn't scold them. Besides, I was too tired to care. I just cleaned it up and put them back. Then I went back to bed. But they kept howling, so I didn't really sleep - I just layed there til about 9. I get up, ready to grudgingly clean the rest of the messes made by the puppies, then maybe get some breakfast, only to find another poo pile in their cage, more yack on the stairs, and the stinch as strong as last night's. I lit some candles. It's helping.

I threw on some of my new hand-me-downs (the denim skirt is really cute and comfortable, too!), and walked the dogs for their morning pit-stop, cleaned up the last of the bio messes (though the 2 stains still won't come out yet), came back in, and began the daunting task of damage control. I took a break long enough to write this and calm down some.

I'm going out to eat some breakfast now.

Oh, and Deva - you may be the only one posting. I didn't send this to too many yet. :) I kinda wanted to get a feel for this blog thing first, before I terrorized too many people at once. heh. Call it the test group before Total Global Insanitization.

I still have my old MSN Groups habit of Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C before hitting the "Publish" button. How sad is that?

The Charity of Strangers

Or is that the Charity of Strange People? lol. Either way, this morning went fairly well for only working on about 4-5 hours of sleep.

My husband is on a first-name basis with everyone at our bank. It's his magnetic, social personality and very distinguisable looks that get everyone's attention. heh.

In any case, I took him to the airport at way-to-friggin-early this morning so he could have a vacation from my maternal moodiness and also help out a friend of ours who's in a little bit of a rough spot. That left me to go deal with depositing checks at the bank and such on my way to work. (Working Saturdays aren't bad when you can have a random day off in the middle of the week. Works well for Dr.'s appt.s and such.) So in the list of instructions for things to do this morning, my husband mentioned that one of the girls at the bank had some maternity clothes she wanted to give me. Just look for the nice black lady, about my frame (not pregnant), and she'd hook me up!

Sure enough, I walk in there, and she was easy to spot. As I get up to the counter, my cell phone rings. It's my husband telling me he landed safely. As I was talking to her, the woman behind the counter looked at me, and seemed to know who I was instantly. Not bad, considering I think I've seen her in passing maybe twice. She was already on her way out the door before I could get off the phone long enough to say 'Hi' to her.

Out to her mini-van we went, completely decked out with "Baby On Board" signs. She pulled out a couple bags of clothes she had just freshly dug out of her closet and washed up and folded for me. I almost started crying. Not that it's hard these days. Hell, I'll cry if you look at me funny.

This pregnancy-thing has really turned me into such the wimpy girly-girl. *grrrrr*

I asked her if she wanted me to return them when I was done with them (since a co-worker of mine told me how upset she was that the clothes she lent to someone else never returned them to her!). When she got done giggling at me, she said "no, I can't have any more babies, no need to have them back. You just keep them."

Ok. She got a big hug.

Then I got lost on my way to work, trying to take a different route. It's just one of those days.

Oh how they do tease

So I called the people that sent me the enrollment forms. Evidently, they're pre-emptive forms. If I get accepted by Medicaid, then I am already enrolled and it's active almost immediately. If I'm denied Medicaid, then I don't receive any of their benefits.

So I called the Medicaid office once again (now that I have a voice I can get a hold of). She sent the paperwork today, but she can't remember if she approved me or denied me. She thinks she denied me because I make 'too much' - but she couldn't look up my information.

So my stress level went from very high, to none, to very high again.

Great health care = Stress the mother-to-be. Heck, it works for me. (enter sarcasme here)

Medicaid - The Saga Continues

Tuesday, in my frustration, I called their special 'hotline' to see if any of my information that had been sitting in the office for two weeks, had made it to a more global level. Maybe someone who wasn't a backwoods brainless receptionist might be able to offer some kind of added info.

It was partially successful. I got more info, though the info I got wasn't very helpful. In fact, it was more frustrating than anything. Evidently, the place I went to, still uses the 'old' system, so all my information was at the branch only. On the upside, the gentleman I spoke to at the hotline, was very pleasant and seemed like he actually wanted to help. He said if they continued to be rude to me (funny, in all my complaining, I never said they were actually rude, just uninformative), to tell them that I called the hotline and informed them about their practices. Evidently, getting complaints at the hotline level about a particular branch is a big no-no. So that bit did make me feel a little better.

The reason I mention this, is because yesterday, at about 4pm, my husband was called by the local branch. Evidently, they Finally got to my paperwork! (I wonder if my phone call actually did something to motivate them?) They said they'd send out paperwork and it should arrive in about 3 days.

Stranger still, when I got home yesterday and checked the mail, there was a package of Medicaid plan choices waiting for me. Evidently, I'm now covered and just need to pick which plan I want to use?

Hooray for Govt. employees. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

Profiles of Four and No-Legged Kind

Let me introduce you to the non-human members of my Domestic Zoo.

Name: Mike
Species: Cat
Gender: Male
Type: Brown, White, Fat, Short but very thick and dense fur
Personality: Shy, Quiet, Affectionate, Likes to cuddle in bed
Likes: Yogurt, Chicken (will attack your hand for either), mouse-watching
Dislikes: Medicine, Meph, Sudden loud noises
Arrival: Adopted from friend moving out of the country
Age: Old enough to get his way

Name: Meph (Short for Mephistopheles)
Species: Cat
Gender: Male
Type: Black
Personality: Wants to be center of attention
Likes: Talking to birds, mouse-watching, tuna, milk, Lounging in front of the fireplace and our office chairs, foot warmer in bed
Dislikes: Mike, Belly rubs (though it's not as bad as it used to be), Water other than for drinking
Arrival: Found at our first apt. Seemed to be house-born, then kicked to the streets with brothers and sisters
Age: About 2 years old

Name: Smokie
Species: Cat
Gender: Female
Type: Gray, Long-haired tail, tufted ears, slender
Personality: Princess with 'tude.
Likes: Chasing Meph, Wrestling with Mike, Flirting, Mouse-watching
Dislikes: Being picked up, Most human food
Arrival: Adopted from friend moving out of the country
Age: About 2 years old

Name: Set
Species: California Kingsnake
Gender: Uncertain (assumed female)
Type: Black and White bands, constrictor
Personality: Docile, affectionate
Likes: Mice, Baths, Being an accessory
Dislikes: Smokie
Arrival: Husband's
Age: More than a few years old

Name: Lil'Shit (never settled on a name)
Species: California Kingsnake
Gender: Uncertain (assumed male)
Type: Black and White bands, constrictor
Personality: Becomming more docile (still young yet)
Likes: Mice (still on Fuzzies)
Dislikes: Almost everything
Arrival: Birthday gift from husband
Age: About 3 years old

Name: Emian (pronounced eh-mee-an)
Species: Dog
Gender: Female (Sister to Sorina)
Type: Mostly black and white boxer mix (possibly Pointer)
Personality: Friendly, Happy, Shy, Eager to please - More Pointer
Likes: Food, treats, wrestling with Sorina, Chasing Sorina, Escaping from Sorina
Dislikes: Being a 'bad puppy'
Arrival: "Free to good home"
Age: About 3 months old

Name: Sorina
Species: Dog
Gender: Female (Sister to Emian)
Type: Mostly brown and white boxer mix (possibly Pointer)
Personality: Friendly, Happy, Shy, Eager to please, Hyper, Craves attention - More Boxer
Likes: Food, treats, wrestling with Emian, Chasing Emian, Escaping from Emian, Jumping,
Dislikes: Being ignored or contained
Arrival: "Free to good home"
Age: About 3 months old

Up to speed on the "Lil'un"

As I mentioned in my first post, I am expecting a new little bundle of joy (and a few bundles of poopy diapers) in early December. I'll probably be writing much on this topic, as The Domestic Zoo will also serve as something of an online diary about my pregnant life.

Up until now, quite a bit has happened, and as much has not happened. On the 28th of June, I learned I was pregnant at the Pregnancy Help Center. Let me tell you, the place is awesome. Free testing, free ultrasound, free classes, and if you're active enough there, you earn points that can be cashed in for slightly used hand-me-down clothes, toys, etc. Not bad if you're on a tight budget. Not to mention, the people there are extrememly nice all the time and full of tons of information.

While I was there, I also had an ultrasound done to help determine how far along I was. Let me tell you - that was quite a shocker. 15 weeks pregnant, and never had a clue. Sure, my husband and I joked about it in passing, but never really paid it much merit.

You may be wondering how I could be nearly 4 months pregnant and not know it? Easy. For starters, I've never had a regular cycle. I could go months without one, and think nothing of it, except that I had escaped the wrath another month that so many other women must endure. Believe me, it was a blessing.

Second of all, I had been working from home for a short time due to financial and vehicle situations. Since I design web sites, working from home was an easy option, but also a very non-active activity. Sitting behind a computer while getting up only for food, drink, pit-stop, and bed - not very healthy. So I started to put on a little weight. Only, that's the excuse my husband and I used. It was also a good excuse for why I was so unnaturally tired. No exercise = no blood/oxygen flow = no energy. Made perfect sense.

Third, I never had morning sickness. Another blessing, though all my blessings came at a cost. They masked the truth quite cleverly.

Fourth, the famed "irrational moodiness" also had a very logical explaination. We both had a huge stress over our heads. Wondering where we were going to live. The house we were in was not only a money pit, but the people we were 'buying' it from, never filed the deed. In layman's terms, we paid rent for a year, when we thought we were paying mortgage. So much for 'private financing' and 'for sale by owner.' So when we tried to legally purchase it, the previous owner got psychotic, and kept threatening to take back her house. We actually tried to have a house built, but that fell through. So we were faced with 'renting' again, or keep trying for the money pit. Our options were less than grim. Luckily, we had some knights in shining armor come and rescue us from our plight. My parents ended up buying a brand new home for us, and we're paying the mortgage. When our credit is fully restored, or at least recovered to an acceptable level, we'll buy it from them and build our credit further. It was a quick fix, but the timing couldn't have been better. We're now in a massive 4-bedroom, 2-story, 2-car-garage house with huge yards. Couldn't be more perfect for a family. But all that stress, did have us both at our wit's ends more than a couple times.

Back the the Pregnancy Help Center: Besides being super friendly (and offering free services!), they also gave me quite a bit of info on where to get extra help. They even helped fill out paperwork to apply for the state's Pregnancy Medicaid, as well as numbers of physicians, etc.

Medicaid. There's a wonderful topic. Since neither my husband nor I have insurance, (my company is too small to afford it for their employees, and he's a contractor, so he has to get his on his own - we just hadn't got to that part yet due to bills and such) I'm pretty much on my own here for health care. Unless I can get Medicaid, which will pay for pretty much everything, as far as I know.

So I filled out their paperwork. No problem. I faxed it over a week later. (Would have done so earlier, but with puppies pooping, cats puking, hungry husbands, plus getting over the shock of being pregnant, it just took a little longer than I expected.) Two days after I faxed it, my husband missed getting to the phone in time, but caller ID had said it was the Medicaid office. Great! They received it, and things are moving. We thought.

I tried to call them back, but their phone just rings, and rings... and rings, or if you're lucky, it kicks back to the automated menu where you get to try all over again. Try different selections, and none of them go where they're supposed to. Yaay Goverment Employees! They rock.

So a week after faxing their forms over, I visit them in person. Hah. That was an adventure! The address, when put in any map program, sends you in the wrong direction. So after 20 min. of backtracking and exploring, I finally find the place on the Other side of the freeway, about 1-2 miles away from where the map says they're supposed to be. Hooray. I found it. Now I wait. I wait for some old lady behind a glass wall to help 2 people in front of me. That was another 20 min. (I failed to mention that in the middle of driving around, the lil'un decided it needed more room, so chose to lay on my bladder.) Standing there, afraid to sit down and possibly lose my place in line, with the incredible urge to visit the lady's room, I finally make my way to the old lady.

She was about as helpful as a watch that can't keep time.

She couldn't tell me anything. She was suprised I had recieved a phone call that soon. She couldn't find me in their database. She couldn't let me talk to anyone that might actually know anything. She did remember my application though, and revelled that they had finally made copies of it (they needed to make two copies, one for Medicaid and one for Food Stamps - hey... I applied for everything... I'll let them tell me what I can't qualify for.) So it took them a whole week to make copies. Well this strikes confidence in me. So when I continue to needle her for more information, her reply was: You'll have to wait for someone to mail you something. You can call and check on your status, and I'll even give you an extention number, but we never answer our phones except to take maybe one or two calls a day. (Just to give you an idea, they must have had six phones in the front area alone, ringing off the hook, never letting up once!)

So I left there angry, frustrated, and helpless.

I called their corporate number, and they couldn't find me in their system, and appologized - but appologies can't help me.

So every day, I anxiously await Something in the mail. Four days later, I get a large manilla envelope. Hooray! Hope at last! I opened it up, and got a rejection notice for two of the things I applied for. Luckily, Medicaid was not one of them. However, what didn't come, was the much-anticipated "appointment" with a case worker. So today (a week after my last visit to their helpless office), I visited them again. I got pretty much the same routine, though when I showed them the paperwork they sent me, the woman (different than last time) curtly told me they didn't send that information. Then she said it looked like an absentee form. Then she said again that it wasn't their paperwork. When she tried to use my SSN to look up my status, she had to type it 4 times to get it right. When I asked to talk to someone else, she flatly said that wasn't possible - though she did inform me that there were about 500 cases amongst 2 case workers. When I made the comment to hire more, she laughed at me, and told me the government wouldn't do that any time soon. When I expressed my frustration with their broken system, she 'politely' told me that "It used to be worse. Instead of three weeks to process an application, it used to take five or six" Wow. That made me feel so good.

So I called my husband, filled him in. He was slightly (enter sarcasm here) unamused. He said, "Hey... call Planned Parenthood! They're always advertising health care for pregnant women and stuff." Well, that sounded as good an idea as any, so I did just that. My answer from them: They don't offer prenatal care at all, and I should apply for Medicaid. Wow. Great help there.

So I emailed them a nasty letter about false advertising. That actually did make me feel better. Well, that... and a good hormonal cry of frustration. :)

But, not all of this has been a bad experience. Shopping for maternity clothes has proven to be a most enjoyable experience - at least, after I found a maternity store. Until then, it was almost as stressful as dealing with Medicaid. We went 'malling' and walked the entire mall, and just when I was about to give up forever, and just wear my husband's clothes - the Motherhood store stood out like golden arches of salvation! I grinned and went inside. Not knowing what I was looking for, I wandered aimlessly to the first rack I found. I was very curious how their sizing system worked. I was expecting some complicated method of size plus how many months preganant, etc. I about cried for hormonal joy when I saw the fine print on the price tags: Purchase clothing in your original pre-pregnancy size. I thought to myself, "Self! I can do that!! That's EASY!" From that moment on, the whole store was fair game, and the game was certainly on! I managed to keep the spending just barely under my husband's guidlines. But the clothes not only fit, but they were hella-comfortable, and looked really good. They weren't the stereotypical jumpers, rompers, and elastic fake jeans, or shirts with ducks and bunnies on them - nor were they the super-stretchy skin-tight t-shirts with the big arrow pointing down that read: Baby. This was stuff I could wear to work and outside, and not feel like a clown.

Yeah, I went back the following week. Had to get new bras too. Evidently, I jumped a size up in every direction. My husband is very happy at this, by the way.

Luckily, I haven't been craving the strange stuff, like pickles and ice cream - but I have been craving a few things I don't normally enjoy but maybe once every 7 years or so. Lately, I've been loving the baked potato. I normally hate them because they're too dry and bland. But the last few weeks, they've been my food of choice.

Now, if you've endured my ramblings this far, you've probably been asking a few questions. "Boy or girl?" "Do you have a preference?" "Have you thought of names?"

Boy or Girl? Don't know yet. They say you find that out at your 20th week (that's 5 months for those that wish not to do the math.)

Do I have a preference? Yup. It's gotta have at least 10-11 digits. 10 if a girl, 11 if a boy. That's my preference. Although, there is a tendancy on my dad's side for the first child to be a girl. It's been that way in about every known family member on his side so far - including me, since I was his first (and only).

Have we thought of names? In passing. I'm waiting to find out if it's a boy or girl before I start getting too attatched to any name in particular. Though, boys' names would be relatively short work for us, girls might take a bit more haggling. Either way, it won't be too hard.

Well, that's a good start on catching you up to speed on the last few exciting weeks of my pregnancy. I'll keep you posted as things progress.

Until next blog...

First Day at the Zoo

I start with the common disclaimer: This is my first blog. Now that that's out of the way, welcome to the zoo that I call my life.

You may be asking, "Why do you compare your life to a zoo?" To answer that, I start by introducing you to my domestic surroundings. I have two lethargic California Kingsnakes, three cats of various personalities, two puppies (boxer mix) who are angels when they can refrain from staining the carpets, a husband who is a loving handful, and a little bundle of joy due to arrive in December. Think I've got enough yet? (In case you're counting on your fingers, that's about 10 mouths to feed.)

In any case, all my friends have started blogs, and have finally twisted my arm to start my own as well. So to all my blogging friends - I've finally joined your insanity. Have fun in mine now.

Until next blog...