No More Glow

Ok, so my glow was short lived. The day after my last post I began to get nausea around 8pm. Soon after, I began to start having really bad belly pain. The pain would not go away so I broke down and called our nurse line. They told me to go into the ER right away as it may be pre-term labor. I then called my OB to see what he thought. It was only 11:30pm, but I could tell I woke him up. He told me not to worry because the pain was not coming and going (it was constant) and to lay down and drink water. Like I wasn't doing that to begin with. I was up most of the night with the pain, but was finally able to fall asleep around 6am. That whole weekend was not good. I had the belly pain and nausea on and off for no reason. I have no idea what it was, but at least the belly pain is gone now. I still have the nausea off and on, but not as bad as when I had morning sickness.

I went in for my glucose test and blood work this week. The Glucola didn't taste as bad as I thought it would. It just tasted like really sweet orange pop. While I was sitting in the hospital waiting to have my blood drawn, I started feeling like I was going to throw up. The tech said that it was normal, but not to throw up as I would have to retake the test. I was able to make it through ok and spent the rest of the day sleeping it off. I'm glad I don't have to go through that again.

I have been feeling better again the past few days other than the nausea. My nesting instinct have definitely kicked into overdrive. I really want to clean everything in my house, which is a little hard considering parts of it are still under construction. Speaking of construction, it should be done soon. Only one more piece of drywall needs to go up in the kitchen. Greg still needs to tape, mud, and sand the walls before we can paint and put the cabinets back up though. After the kitchen is done we can begin the nursery. We are going to put a chair rail all along the walls and probably paint above the rail light green. The bottom might be blue and white stripes, but who knows. I've changed my mind so many times so far.

Greg finally felt Gage kick last night. Gage had been so active all day so I told Greg that there was a good chance he would be able to catch him kicking. Greg sat patiently with his hand on my belly. Gage was kicking all over, but not hard enough to be felt on the outside. He finally gave me a good kick and Greg looked at me with a look of surprise. I think that he was relieved to finally be able to feel his son move. It is a little more real now.

This morning Greg had another interview with a computer company a few miles from our house. He looked so sharp in a nice green shirt and tie that we bought last night (I picked out the color). He thinks that the interview went well. They even commented on the nice color of his shirt. We should hear back next week as to whether or not he got the job. I hope he does, the job sounds so much better than the one he has.
I heard back about the job that I interviewed for. I didn't get the job. I was ok when I found out as I had not really expected to get it. Maybe something else will come along later. I'm not too worried.

My Glow - Finally

Yesterday someone finally told me that I looked like I was glowing. That took long enough. I have felt miserable so far this whole pregnancy and yesterday and today I finally feel great. I think I look great too. My belly is nicely rounding out and I just feel happy now. Hopefully things will stay that way, but knowing me we'll see.

I had my monthly Dr. visit yesterday morning and it went well. I was so excited to see that I only gained 2 pounds since my last visit. That put me in a very good mood.
I saw one of the female residents instead of my regular doctor. I always thought I would like a female doctor better, but I actually prefer the men. The female resident is not as sensitive and doesn't take as much time with me as the male residents and my male doctor. The resident made a comment about my baby measuring too big at my ultrasound and that I needed to watch that. Um, my regular doctor had not been worried that Gage was like 2oz more than average because the due date can be a week or so wrong, but this resident thought it was a big deal. Oh well, I'm not worried at all. The good thing about the resident is that she scheduled me for another ultrasound next month. She said that we should check to see if the calcium in Gage's heart is gone and she wanted to check his size. I can't wait until my next appointment! I found out that my doctor also does an ultrasound at 36 weeks to check size. I can't believe that I get 4 ultrasounds. I love being able to feel Gage move in my belly, but nothing beats seeing him.
Since I am now 24 weeks I have to get my glucose test done soon to test for gestational diabetes. The doctor gave me a bottle of nasty glucola to drink for the test. I think I'll get it done on Monday. I just have to drink the bottle and then go over to the hospital and have my blood taken. They are also going to test my blood count and thyroid levels just to make sure all is well. I'm not worried about the glucose test as I have always had low blood sugar and doubt I will have diabetes.
The OB is also sending me to see my regular doctor for my asthma. My breathing has not been the best lately and the resident said that my risk of a major asthma attack goes up this month. They want to put me on a preventive medication to keep my breathing under control. Since I am a short person with a short torso, Gage really doesn't have anywhere to go and it squishes my lungs up into my body causing my breathing to get harder as the pregnancy progresses.

Gage is still moving all around. He loves to kick my bladder especially when I am trying to sleep. I have been feeling him near my belly button too. I can't believe how active he is.

Yesterday Greg had a job interview with a company that is only 5 minutes from our house. He was worried that the interview didn't go well, but he got a call today telling him that they were impressed and they are bringing him in next week to meet with the CEO. The job is now between him and 2 other candidates. Greg is really excited as this is a much better job than he currently has. It is a management position which is what he has ultimately wanted to do.
Speaking of job interviews, I had one today as well. I received a call a few days ago from a woman that had been given my resume. I had sent my resume to a local domestic violence shelter and they passed it on to a crisis intervention organization. They work with children that have been witnesses to violence. The job sounds so perfect. The hours are Sunday-Wednesday 12-9pm. Gage would only have to be in daycare 3 days a week from 11-5:30 (since Greg could pick him up after work). The people were friendly and the work sounds interesting. I'll find out next week if I made it for a second interview or not.
Keep us both in your prayers. I'm not stressing about the jobs as I know God will work things out for us. If we are meant to get the jobs than we will, if not that's ok too.

Food Poisoning

Last night I decided to make chocolate chip cookies for Greg. He had been working for about 30 hours with only 4 hours of sleep and needed something to cheer him up. I didn't even think about it and ate some of the batter while I was making the cookies. I ended up getting so sick and being up most of the night. Greg was so worried that I had hurt Gage by eating the cookie batter. I called the doctor and he said that the baby was fine. My body had absorbed all of the food poisoning and wouldn't harm him at all. I'm sure Gage is doing well as he has decided to kick me hard all day. I have felt icky today, but am fine.

I had the day off today and it was so nice. I spent a long time outside with the dogs as the weather was so warm. For some reason today I actually had some energy (woohoo) and was able to get a ton of errands done.

I went bra shopping and was so frustrated. Most pregnant women tend to get a little top heavy and I definitely have. I went to Motherhood Maternity and they didn't even carry my size. They told me that they couldn't even order a size that large. Ohhhh, I was so mad. If a maternity store didn't carry my size than what hope was there of finding anything in a regular store. I have looked at Target, Walmart, Kohls, Sears, and today I looked at JCPenney, Victoria's Secret, Lane Bryant. I finally found a bra at Kaufmanns of all places. The sales lady there was so nice and informed me that it would be on sale tomorrow and she could hold it for me so that I could get it cheaper. Finally! I never realized it would be so hard to find a blasted bra while pregnant. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to find a nursing bra. Oh well, I'll deal with that later.

I found a few really cute tank tops today and they weren't even in the maternity section. I found that the shirts in the jr's section are longer than normal shirts and if I buy them in a larger size they fit perfectly. The best part was that they were on sale for 5 bucks each. I love a bargain.

Gage's Movements

Gage is getting stronger every day. I can feel him on the outside of my belly every once in a while. Greg is getting frustrated as he still has not felt him kick. Every time he puts his hand on my belly, Gage stops moving and doesn't kick anymore. I think it is hilarious, but Greg doesn't.
I am carrying Gage really low and he is already keeping me up at night. He likes to kick my bladder and pubic bones at all hours of the night (and day). I guess the lack of sleep is his way of preparing me for when he is out of the womb and needs a 3am feeding.

Greg's job is really annoying me right now. A few months ago we found out that when Gage is born what we have to pay for our health insurance will go up drastically each month. Now the company is thinking about changing insurance companies in June. I don't know how much it would cost for the new insurance, but I don't think that my OB or family dr/pediatrician are covered under it. I would be so pissed if I had to change all of my doctors right before I was due. Greg was also supposed to get a raise in October, but his supervisor keeps forgetting to go over Greg's review with him so that the raise can go into effect. Greg has started applying for a new job, but we'll see what happens. His job isn't that bad, but it's not the best either.

Nothing else has really been going on here lately. This is supposedly my last week at work. My manager convinced me to help out on a occasional basis. I will most likely work 3-6 hours a week until I find an office job.
Greg and I are going to spend Easter with his family in Cleveland. It will be nice as I have not seen his Grandparents since Christmas.
I don't have any new belly pictures to post yet as I haven't taken any in the last few weeks. I don't think I look any different as I haven't gained any weight over the last 3 weeks, but Greg thinks I look bigger. I will post another picture soon.

Random Thoughts

I did it. I turned in my two week notice today. I just couldn't handle how my body was reacting to standing all day. My doctor would be so proud as she bugged me to quit as soon as I started. Greg was happy as well. I think I will probably go to a staffing agency and see if I can get a temp job until Gage is born.

I had a few contractions at work today, but I was able to sit for about 40 minutes as Pilar (co-worker) saw that I was in pain and made me sit and work on changing prices. The contractions were nothing serious. I was just dehydrated and needed to rest. I am fine now, but really tired.

I swear Gage is going to be a football player (watch Greg cringe - hehe). He moves around constantly and I can feel him getting stronger. At first he felt like bubbles popping in my belly and now it is definitely feeling like jabs. I'm sure he is a pound or more now. I can't wait to see him! I get more and more excited as the days go on.

We started registering at Babies R Us this weekend. It was fun, but I still think most of their products are overpriced. We are going to register at Target as well and I actually like the bedding there better. I love this one bedding set at Target that is kind of retro. I want to paint Gage's room green and accent with the colors that are in the bedding. We'll see what I actually do though.

Greg has been working hard on remodeling the kitchen. His dad and friends have been coming over to help as well (thanks Ken and Cameron!). They tore down the ugly soffets, fixed the electrical work, began stripping paint, and putting up new drywall. I can't wait until it is finished. It looks larger already, but is still so messy.

I thought I'd post a picture of my new nephew James. He was born March 21, 2006.

Isn't he adorable!