Technology rocks

So I have been in the hospital since Sunday. I had a minor placental abruption  that seemed to clear itself up by Sunday night. They are planning on keeping me here until Monday. I have to say it's nice to be monitored so closely and being here gives me added security that the baby is doing OK.

I do have some issues that I am going to warn you come along with a lot of spoiled complaining. If you can't stand whining and fit throwing then you should stop reading now.

Let's start with the positive. The hospital room is very nice. It has a small refrigerator, private bath, a couch for visitors or husbands that would like to spend the night and a small TV. The staff totally rocks, all are so sweet and will do anything to calm my nerves.

So here is where I start my little tirade. Let me just tell you how much Matt and I love TV. We have one in just about every room. We have our big screen in the basement and we even have our outside deck wired for one. Every one of these includes DVR, sometimes commonly referred to as TiVo.

After dinner, where we have got a minute by minute play of Addie's day, one or all of the TV's are turned on for our enjoyment.   Addison is usually watching Full House for the 100th time upstairs in her play room, Matt is watching ESPN downstairs  and I have Millionaire Matchmaker on in the living area.. Once Addie goes to bed,  God forbid Matt and I would take some time to actually talk to each other after a long day, no we look to TV to de-stress. Sometimes we say, "so do you want to talk?" and then we slightly chuckle and say "Nah, that's crazy talk, let's go downstairs and watch Big Love." This is where DVR comes in. I have no idea what nights ANYTHING is actually on. All of the shows that we regularly watch is on DVR. Just poof!  It's there and we get to watch it commercial free and during American Idol, Kara and Randy free!

In my hospital room, it's 100% TV all the time. There is no GUIDE much less DVR. I have 75 channels and do you think that I can find anything to watch? I have no idea what time anything comes on, much less where NBC or FOX is. So at 7:58 I start scanning the channels trying to make the start of any show. Once I find a show that looks like it was made this century, I take a minute or two to figure out what it is, then continue to scan the channels to see if anything better is on, all the while trying to remember what channel that one show was on that I thought might be good to watch.

 How did we live without this amazing thing called DVR? I remember living with 3 channels in the 70's and you had to get UP to change the channel, so why is this so bad?

I guess we just get so spoiled by every day tchnology, even if it is realitively new.  DVR was just invented like 5 years ago so how do we not remember a day without it! It's like everything else, ATM cards, cell phones, MP3 players, COMPUTERS! We have come so far! In fact I would venture to say that the 70's was closer to the age of the dinosaurs than now.

I guess I will just go back to the good old days and listen to radio while here in the hospital. There is a great show that I listen to on my iphone (could'nt do that a few years ago) it's called the Matt and Ramona show.It makes me happy and I don't have to search for it. 107.9 THE LINK. 3-7. (I know, shameless...)

Am I the weirdest person you have ever met?

Many times in my life, especially through college, I have been told that I am weird. I don't mind that actually. I like being a little different.  My father in law, months after we met said "You know, you are really weird."  Why, thank you, and I really do mean that! Brian Ellis in 1996 made the same observation. "You are the weirdest person I have ever met." Cool! And my husband Matt doesn't have to say it, we are both weird, that is why we work. But lately as I have had plenty of time to ponder, why is this so?

I sat down and put a little list together.

 Could it be because I play million dollar question in my head? If there is a name that I am trying to think of, or even 3 movies that start with the letter R, I pretend that I am in a game show and if I can get the answer before the buzzer goes off I win 1 Million dollars! Now the buzzer is not of predetermined time, on no, it depends on my mood. Bad mood, buzzer always goes off and I am a big fat loser, good mood and the crowd goes wild after I name 3 actors that have starred in movies based on an Island.  I do this about 10 times a day. WEIRD

Could it be because I  over cheer everything? Board games, softball games, 3 legged race...better be on my team cuz all I do is scream, win or lose.  I write whatever word was last said in a conversation on my leg. My college roommate is the only one to have caught on. When she comes to visit, she still watches my leg and asks "what are you writing?"

Or maybe because I walk around shouting out names all day. It is usually from the news or whatever TV program was on that morning. It is always preceded by "Hello, my name is..." I once went around saying "Hello my name is Saddam Hussein"  for a week.  My brother in law always makes fun of the time we were in the car and I shouted "Hello, my name is Comcast Cable"

Could it be because I save all my favorite magazines and books for last? I get US Weekly in the mail and it has to go to the bottom of the pile, I read Redbook, Good Housekeeping and Cooking Light before I will let myself enjoy US Weekly. Problem is but the time I get to it, more magazines have arrived and half the time I am 3 behind. Same with books, save the best for last. I have books that I am so excited to read from 2 years ago piled in my closet.

Maybe it's because I love to give myself shots. Even I will say that is weird. I even kind-of like giving blood!  I look forward to going to the lab at the doctor's office and my heart skips a beat when it's shot day at home (Thursdays and it's for the baby) I'm gonna miss shot days when this is all over with..

And lastly, I am an exaggerated waver.  I wave at everyone, especially from cars and I want them to know it.  I wave at busses, trains, bike riders, Santa Claus and my favorite, the trolly.  Just pick up your hand and wave back..that is what is so fun at being waved at! It brings joy and happiness to all involved.

I'm sure if you put together a weird-o list, you could come up with some quirky items too, I just happen to have a lot of time on my hands to actually put one together.

After reading this, I am now curious if I am going to be committed.

Daddy always says YES!

One night last week Addison and I are watching yet another movie waiting for Daddy to come home.

Addison says "Mom did I eat a good dinner?" This happens every single solitary night so I know how the conversation is going to go. "Did you eat all your vegetables?" I say? "Yes definately. Don't you remember?"

 I do, and I have to say she does a pretty good job on her veggies. I won't lie, it's the threat of no treat that gets her to eat whatever green mushy thing it may be, but whatever works.

"Ok, then ask your dad when he gets home." I say,  not wanting to move my mammoth body off the luxery of the couch. (nor should I, hello bedrest?)
"Addie jumps in delight and says "Yea! He will definatley say YES! Daddy always says yes."

Really? Is that so? Why am I pretending to be shocked? Matt IS Mr.Yes man. We know this in our house and everyone is fine with me being Mrs. Meanie, bossy pants, except me.

 "I relay the story to Matt, in front of Addison thinking he might chuckle and say, "It's nice you think that sweetie, but Daddy does'nt always say yes. Sometimes I have to say No!"
Or "well, daddy needs to work on saying no, mommy can't always be the bossy meanie pants! "

No, Daddy says "Oh honey, I am so glad that you think that, Daddy loves to give you everything and if I can I will always say yes to whatever y our little heart desires." (Ok, maybe this is slightly exagerated, but this is what I heard)

Alrighty, we obviously need to have a nice long talk...AFTER bedrest is over. With everything on Matt's plate right now if I told him that he needed to start disciplining and work on his NO skills, I would bet that I would find him at the bottom of the cliff in our backyard one evening.  If  giving his daughter everything she ever wanted  makes him happy, and it may be the ONE bright spot in his day (besides ESPN) then I can give him that for 3 more months..... After that, it's hello Mr.Notsoniceafterall!

Baby News

We went to the specialist this morning, we are down to going every three weeks now instead of every two.

News was wonderful! She is almost 2 pounds, measuring perfectly, moving like crazy and cute as can be (well i think so) The doctor was happy, we were happy, endless joy ensued.

Unfortunately, I still have placenta previa which means more bed-rest, but this is OK, Bed-rest IS working! I will spare you details of WHY it's working, we will be teetering on TMI if I do.

I tried to convince the doctor that I should come every two weeks instead of 3. He said, "why don't you just buy yourself an ultrasound machine?" Okaaay..I guess that's a no?

25 weeks. Matt and I said when bed-rest first began, if we can make it to 25 we will be so happy. Here we are and it feels great! Now, let's get to 28!

Guilt gets me out of bed in the morning

Some people say that guilt is a wasted emotion. I would agree if I wasnt so consumed with it on a daily basis.

Bedrest guilt fills my thoughts even though there is nothing that I can do about it. These days I question whether Matt knows how much I wish I could help him around the house, whether Addison resents me for not playing with her as much, wether my body is going to turn on me and turn into a 400 pound walking doughnut.

When I was working there was the whole working moms guilt that would gently tug at my hearstrings every day. Is Addison getting involved in preschool gangs? Is she the target of 3 year bullying? Is she going to be completely messed up because her mom chose to work instead of stay home with her? Do I leave her at daycare too long? Will she recongnize me when I walk in the door?

Oh I was a stay-at-home mom as well. I know both sides. I was a stay-at-home mom burnout and luckily realized that staying home with my two year old ALL day was not healthy for me, which is not healthy for my daughter. Those days the guilt would consume me. Is the house clean enough?  Is the TV on too much? That sippy cup full of milk Addie found under the couch, is it from today? Her Bi-polar tantrums are out of control, what do I do? It was a constant questioning of my ability as a mother.

Once I decided to go into Real Estate it gave me the opportunity to balance both work and Addison time. I was able to work, put on makeup and have adult conversations that didnt involve Disney, Barney or The Wiggles. It was freedom people. When the stay-at-home Mom guilt would creep up I could take a day and spend it with Addison atleast once or twice a week. Mommy/Addie day we called it. We would go to the zoo,the  library, out to lunch, get icecream, go to the pool and have picnics at the playground. It was full of fun Addie time. I miss those days.

Addison starts Kindergarten this year and I am already feeling melancholy. Addie and I went through alot together over the past 5 years. I have gone through some serious life changing awareness about myself and well, Addison has gone from being a tiny, helpless poop machine to a beautiful and funny little girl that can can get dressed in the morning, pour her own milk and go on sleepovers without a single call to her mommy and daddy.

I'm looking forward to starting my journey with this new little one. I am sure that it's going to be a much different experience, knowing what I know now, but I would never trade in all those guilty days for a million dollars. Ok, maybe a few.

My first wheelchair trip

When I was at my doctor's office last week, I casually asked about shopping and getting out with a wheelchair, where I recieved much to my delight, approval.

Luckily, my parents were here this weekend to help out with some things around the house and to escort me on my maiden voyage. We left Matt at home for a much needed rest and my dad at the Sears outlet.

This first trip was suitably to Babies-r-us. With my mother and Addison in tow, we head to the baby superstore with my list of yet needed baby items my Grandmother's old traveling wheelchair that has been in my parents attic for decades.

My sweet mother has this idea that I can't stand, much less take a few steps, so when we shut down the engine and I begin to get out of the van,I jolt to her frantic scream  "Don't move!" She jumps out of the car, runs to the back to get out the wheelchair and brings it right up to my door. I can now fall into the seat, my feet never touching the ground!

Addison is soo tired she can't even walk, she HAS to sit on my lap. We arrive at the doors with my tiny mother trying to navigate our teetering wheelchair stacked to the brim with bodies.

Once we get inside, we start to get a cart and then look from cart, to wheelchair, cart to wheelchair. How is my mother going to push me AND the cart? We think and ponder and finally come up with the great idea that I will push the cart and she can push me! Genious! We put Addison in the base of the cart, so she can sleep. The Harris train begins it's journey, Addison and the cart first, me and my wheelchair second and my Mom heading up the back, pushing us all.

Many isles and stares later, we come to the conclusion that this is not working, we are too big, we are getting nothing done but navigation techniques, and Addie can't make up her mind between the cart, my lap or clinging to Grandma.

After hours of shopping for a meager 6 items, We checkout, get to the car, unload our packages, load up the wheelchair and are half way out of the parking lot, where I realize that we forgot to use my coupons! Close to $20 bucks worth, definately worth it. My mom runs in to the crowded store and braves the customer service line for half and hour. She comes out, reciept in hand, with the exhausted look of triumph on her face. My poor mom, she took a nap on the way home.

We did it. Our first outing with the wheelchair. Ask me, it was totally worth it. Ask my mom? I may not see her again until the baby is born. :)

BABY UPDATE!

Usually I am feeling pretty lousy before we go to our weekly doctors visits. Most of the time it is full of stress, and we walk away feeling defeated when we hear more bad news.

We went to the doctors office yesterday. Walking through their doors is like walking into an exhibit at the zoo of pregnant female mammals. Even the ladies behind the desks have masks on, I guess so they don't catch what we might be carrying. We usually have atleast a 45 minute wait so today I brought my book, water bottle and phone to pass the time. Lo and behold, we were called within minutes! I could tell this was already going to be a great visit.

They walk us back to the death march song. Somber as can be we go into the ultrasound room, where I take my place, shirt up, on the ultrasound table, Matt sits next to me holding my hand. As we wait nervously, Matt begins a nervous twitch, where he pretends to play ping pong in the air, or rocks back and forth, arms in a scarecrow postion swinging them so that both arms make full circles. He adds sound effects to the whole shabang. At this point in our marriage I don't even pay attention, I used to be mildly amused.

The team comes in, puts the jelly on the belly and tada!! There is our little baby! She is moving like crazy, sucking on her fingers. We try to understand her positions. Everytime I think I am looking at her tummy, its actually her head. They showed us her nostrils yesterday, I thought it was her bum bum. Hopefully, by the time she is born we can figure this out.

Doctor looked her over and she and I are doing way better than expected! Bedrest is working! Yippee! I MAY even go all the way to term. Wouldnt that be crazy! We walked out of that place feeling like a million bucks. I think I'm starting to like going there!