Right now, it is QUIET.
My parents and sister have gone to a show, Joseph is asleep for the night, and my husband has retreated to his "man cave" (also known as the unfinished portion of the basement) and is working out. Even the animals are snoozing.
This never happens- and I am ecstatic! I've even turned off my cell phone!
I just wanted to take a little bit of time to reflect on the "goings-on" of the past few days- starting with today.
Today it was beautiful and bright, even though it was cold- (18 degrees). My husband and I brought Joseph outside to play in the snow. We bundled him up in his over sized blue coat, his Bud Lightyear snow boots and his navy hat (which bears a striking resemblance to the one Elmer Fudd dons when hunting) and let him loose into the great outdoors.
He didn't want to go past the driveway, so that's where he stayed the majority of the time, and watched Daddy shovel. Being the kind and "helpful" soul that he is, he didn't want Daddy to shovel all by himself, and ran on his tiptoes all the way up the driveway, and into the garage to find a shovel to "help."
Once he spotted the shovel, he tried in vain to move it (this shovel is taller than me) and when he found he couldn't, he stood facing the shovel, and yelled at it, hoping it would cooperate.
It didn't work.
With his attempt to help Daddy foiled, he began to explore the garage under the watchful eye of Mommy...who had to whisk him away and bring him inside when he found all of the pool chemicals and wanted to sample them. Yikes!
Aside from this, he did pretty well outside, and it was nice to get some fresh air and not be devastatingly cold. The past few days have been freezing, and yesterday morning we received about another ten inches of snow.
Anyway, the past week has flown by. I'm in the midst of Confirmation and First Eucharist preparations, as well as wrapping up the end of the Catechetical year and organizing Open Houses.
I'm also fifteen weeks along in my pregnancy, and I'm beginning to notice some physical changes. Some people still don't realize I'm pregnant, while others notice right away. I've begun to "pop" a little bit, and I can feel the baby moving, especially at night when I lay down on my side. What an amazing feeling!
I'm thinking that I may have to go purchase some "transitional" clothing soon. I'm not quite ready for maternity clothes, but the clothing that I currently own is becoming uncomfortably snug.
My next doctor's appointment takes place on March 16th, when I'll have a sonogram, and I'll be able to find out the gender of the baby. We already know that if it's a girl, we would like her middle name to be Philomena, after my husband's favorite saint.
It's amazing how the knowledge that this new life is within me has actually helped me the past week. We have had some very difficult days (worrying about finances,finding a place to live, whether or not I'll have to work next year, etc.) but even though this has been so difficult- and even though so often I feel like I'm in the "desert" the excitement and joy of this new life slices through, offering light in this darkness.
My other "light" sources- my husband who is most likely a saint, and Joseph, who is learning more and more everyday (and surprising me more and more everyday) have also helped- but when they are not there, when I'm alone in my office at work and hunched over the computer or leafing through calendars and files- and when I feel that gentle "flutter" in my belly, for a brief moment the dark world fades. I know God has entrusted us with this life, and I know that He is holding me.
I know that I am not alone.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Early Hours
What should you do when you're hit with a bout of pregnancy insomnia and you're up for the day WAY before 5AM?
Blog of course!
To follow up from the last entry- we had thought we were all in the clear in regards to the Stomach Virus of Doom. In fact, by the next day, Joseph seemed to be doing much better. Sunday, he was eating solid foods again and was clearly on the mend.
Forward to Sunday night.
At precisely 12:30 AM, my hubby is struck by the virus- which not only struck him with all of Joseph's symptoms, but the chills as well. And so, I did what any practical wife would do. I took care of him, and then moved him into my sister's vacant room upstairs (she's away at school) so I would be able to take care of the baby the next day without being sick. I covered him with blankets, gave him some medicine and a bottle of ginger ale, and we each had our cell phones (we live in the basement) so he could text me if he needed me.
Forward to 2:30 AM.
My other sister and I are struck down by the virus- and up ALLLLL night with it. To make a long (and gross) story short, my mother is the only one who didn't catch this bug.
When I called my OB's office the next day, I was told that even though I was feeling horrible, I needed to be eating ice pops in order to make sure Baby Q could get glucose. Ice pops, when I couldn't keep down water or ginger ale??? Nonetheless, I acqueisced and made it through two popsicles that day.
Two days later, my mother came down with the virus, and we ended up having to take Joseph to the pediatrician because he was STILL showing signs of the virus. We came to find out he was temporarily lactose intolerant- and he wasn't allowed to have any dairy for a week. Thank goodness my little guy is not a picky eater, and took to soy milk!
Anyway, now that the Stomach Virus of Doom has vacated, I have found that I've lost some weight,(probably about two pounds) and I'm trying to gain it back. I went to the OB's yesterday and was very happy to hear Baby Q's heartbeat. What an amazing blessing! And- the next appointment in March is supposed to be our sonogram. (My hubby and I are both very anxious to find out the gender of the baby.)
However, I'm thinking about looking for another practice in the area. You see, at this practice I'm required to see SIX different doctors (one of which is on Parish Council with me...awkward!) instead of having one primary doctor- and the two that I've seen have not impressed me. The first was actually a midwife, who does not seem to have the word "gentle" in her vocabulary- or in the way she treats her patients. The doctor I saw yesterday not only dismissed some important questions I had for her by telling just to go see my PCP, but also seemed to do everything in her power to get RID of us. I couldn't believe it!
The attitudes that were exhibited made me miss my former practitioner in Texas SO much!
On a much more positive note, the hubby and I are going to have a "belated" Valentine's Day. We've decided to have an overnight at a local inn, which I think will be nice. We haven't had any time to ourselves since before Joseph was born. I think it will be very nice to reconnect. I don't think I could bear going for more than one night though, I miss Joseph enough as it is when I'm at work.
Still praying for hubby to land a job. Please keep our family in your prayers!
Blog of course!
To follow up from the last entry- we had thought we were all in the clear in regards to the Stomach Virus of Doom. In fact, by the next day, Joseph seemed to be doing much better. Sunday, he was eating solid foods again and was clearly on the mend.
Forward to Sunday night.
At precisely 12:30 AM, my hubby is struck by the virus- which not only struck him with all of Joseph's symptoms, but the chills as well. And so, I did what any practical wife would do. I took care of him, and then moved him into my sister's vacant room upstairs (she's away at school) so I would be able to take care of the baby the next day without being sick. I covered him with blankets, gave him some medicine and a bottle of ginger ale, and we each had our cell phones (we live in the basement) so he could text me if he needed me.
Forward to 2:30 AM.
My other sister and I are struck down by the virus- and up ALLLLL night with it. To make a long (and gross) story short, my mother is the only one who didn't catch this bug.
When I called my OB's office the next day, I was told that even though I was feeling horrible, I needed to be eating ice pops in order to make sure Baby Q could get glucose. Ice pops, when I couldn't keep down water or ginger ale??? Nonetheless, I acqueisced and made it through two popsicles that day.
Two days later, my mother came down with the virus, and we ended up having to take Joseph to the pediatrician because he was STILL showing signs of the virus. We came to find out he was temporarily lactose intolerant- and he wasn't allowed to have any dairy for a week. Thank goodness my little guy is not a picky eater, and took to soy milk!
Anyway, now that the Stomach Virus of Doom has vacated, I have found that I've lost some weight,(probably about two pounds) and I'm trying to gain it back. I went to the OB's yesterday and was very happy to hear Baby Q's heartbeat. What an amazing blessing! And- the next appointment in March is supposed to be our sonogram. (My hubby and I are both very anxious to find out the gender of the baby.)
However, I'm thinking about looking for another practice in the area. You see, at this practice I'm required to see SIX different doctors (one of which is on Parish Council with me...awkward!) instead of having one primary doctor- and the two that I've seen have not impressed me. The first was actually a midwife, who does not seem to have the word "gentle" in her vocabulary- or in the way she treats her patients. The doctor I saw yesterday not only dismissed some important questions I had for her by telling just to go see my PCP, but also seemed to do everything in her power to get RID of us. I couldn't believe it!
The attitudes that were exhibited made me miss my former practitioner in Texas SO much!
On a much more positive note, the hubby and I are going to have a "belated" Valentine's Day. We've decided to have an overnight at a local inn, which I think will be nice. We haven't had any time to ourselves since before Joseph was born. I think it will be very nice to reconnect. I don't think I could bear going for more than one night though, I miss Joseph enough as it is when I'm at work.
Still praying for hubby to land a job. Please keep our family in your prayers!
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