I am the worst person with accents even though I grew up in a house full of them. I even had a hard time at Heathrow airport in London when the customs agent was questioning me. That's when you know you have a problem.
Tonight at the library, I was reminded of how much I suck at understanding people. An Asian lady had to ask me 8 times if we had East of Eden on DVD and I just couldn't understand her and asked her to write it down. She was visibly annoyed and once I read her request on paper, I felt like an ass.
On a separate note, I had the opportunity to see a woman's crotch from behind because she had a 6 inch rip at her crotch. I was tempted to tell her about it but it seemed like she knew and didn't care. I'm sure she must have felt some kind of draft with such a large hole and our super duper air conditioning system. Ew.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Next Time, No Pull-Ups
It's a big party at my house because as of Friday morning, our little man has used the potty consistently. No accidents since Thursday. I was amazed that this process only took 2 days. It was just Wednesday and Thursday. I was worried that he wasn't ready because he actually told me he didn't want to wear underpants and said he liked wearing Pull-ups so he could pee in them and didn't have to stop playing. While I see his logic, I wanted him to see *my* logic.
We did the Pull-up thing for a few months and since hindsight is 20/20, I would definitely not bother with the Pull-ups with the next baby. I took the advice of nancy, who told me to just go hard-core and put him in underpants - and it totally worked! I was reluctant because we're in the middle of selling our house and didn't want the house to smell like pee - but since the housing market is oh-so bad right now, what the heck does it matter then. It's not as if people are waiting in line to see our house.
I still put him in a Pull-Up at naptime and night-time despite the fact that he keeps waking up with dry Pull-ups the last few days. But I think we can trust him to try his best now. The Jackpotty has been a huge hit with him - and I hope it doesn't lead to a gambling problem in the future.
We were having friends over for dinner Saturday night, and had a packed day but managed to make time to take Ricky to ToysRus for some reward toys. He picked out a Nerf gun and a Superman car carrier truck. He also asked us to take him to the Renaissance Faire and to Six Flags. We promised him we would. How could we not?
This is a big relief also because his pre-school will not admit kids who are not potty trained. The papers I have specifically say "No Pull-Ups." We were afraid he wouldn't be able to attend.
So I am looking forward to 5 whole diaper-free months before baby number two arrives. I am so proud of Ricky but kind of sad that he is a big boy now.
We did the Pull-up thing for a few months and since hindsight is 20/20, I would definitely not bother with the Pull-ups with the next baby. I took the advice of nancy, who told me to just go hard-core and put him in underpants - and it totally worked! I was reluctant because we're in the middle of selling our house and didn't want the house to smell like pee - but since the housing market is oh-so bad right now, what the heck does it matter then. It's not as if people are waiting in line to see our house.
I still put him in a Pull-Up at naptime and night-time despite the fact that he keeps waking up with dry Pull-ups the last few days. But I think we can trust him to try his best now. The Jackpotty has been a huge hit with him - and I hope it doesn't lead to a gambling problem in the future.
We were having friends over for dinner Saturday night, and had a packed day but managed to make time to take Ricky to ToysRus for some reward toys. He picked out a Nerf gun and a Superman car carrier truck. He also asked us to take him to the Renaissance Faire and to Six Flags. We promised him we would. How could we not?
This is a big relief also because his pre-school will not admit kids who are not potty trained. The papers I have specifically say "No Pull-Ups." We were afraid he wouldn't be able to attend.
So I am looking forward to 5 whole diaper-free months before baby number two arrives. I am so proud of Ricky but kind of sad that he is a big boy now.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Fate Lies in Numbers
The results from my first trimester screening came back and while they cannot promise anything in stone, the results do make me feel better. The nurse and my ob/gyn both reviewed the results with me over the phone, but I am still waiting for the mailing I am supposed to receive from the hospital with my official numbers.
Basically, before I took the test, the baby's chances of having Downs Syndrome was 1 in 289 due to my age (I'm 34 but will be 35 at the time of birth) and other factors. Now, after the test, the chances are 1 in 437. Much better. So there is a 99 3/25% chance that our baby does not have Downs Syndrome. YAY.
The chances of the baby having chromosomal issues trisomy 13 & 18 are 1 in 10,000.
The nuchal translucency was 2.4. A score of 3 or higher is bad. I was alarmed because 2.4 is kind of close to 3 - but my ob/gyn assured me it's fine.
While there are no concrete promises that the baby does not have any issues, I guess the fact that I don't need further testing is a good indication that the baby should be fine. I am really thankful to the man upstairs that the baby seems to be okay.
Basically, before I took the test, the baby's chances of having Downs Syndrome was 1 in 289 due to my age (I'm 34 but will be 35 at the time of birth) and other factors. Now, after the test, the chances are 1 in 437. Much better. So there is a 99 3/25% chance that our baby does not have Downs Syndrome. YAY.
The chances of the baby having chromosomal issues trisomy 13 & 18 are 1 in 10,000.
The nuchal translucency was 2.4. A score of 3 or higher is bad. I was alarmed because 2.4 is kind of close to 3 - but my ob/gyn assured me it's fine.
While there are no concrete promises that the baby does not have any issues, I guess the fact that I don't need further testing is a good indication that the baby should be fine. I am really thankful to the man upstairs that the baby seems to be okay.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Baby Somersaults
Yesterday was my big Ob/Gyn day - I had a 10am appointment for the first trimester genetic screening and a 1pm appointment with my Ob/Gyn. Kind of busy.
Luckily my sister is in town and was able to go with me. God forbid I get any kind of bad news alone. Mark of course couldn't really take any time off to go with me so my sister is just as good a support.
We met with a genetics doctor first who explained the test and talked about situations that may warrant having further testing. This is all the testing I wanted to have - no long needle in my abdomen please. They had me drink a glass of water and sit in the waiting room for the test to be done. Things became complicated when my sister and I began reminiscing about my wedding and the disastrous limo ride my parents, friends, sister, brother in law and cousins had. Mark and I had our own car and were spared. Nothing like laughing your butt off with a full bladder!
The test seemed to go well. After being spoiled with 3-D ultrasounds at my Ob/Gyn, I was surprised to get a regular ultrasound with this test. I always get nervous at the beginning of an ultrasound because I can't wait to see the heartbeat. It's been a few weeks since my last ultrasound and I don't own a doppler so I'm always nervous those first few moments. I always ask, "Do you see a heartbeat??" thinking please do not say no.
I love seeing that baby on the screen. It did a few somersaults. Lifting its arms this way and that, and changing positions. The freak in me was worried it was going to get tangled up in its umbilical cord. It is still incredible to think that there is a baby growing inside me after all we've been through.
I didn't get specific measurements but my sister peeked for me and didn't see any numbers larger than 3 on there so that is a very good thing. The ultrasound tech wasn't too friendly and was very serious so I didn't want to ask too many questions. I asked her if everything was ok and she said the baby looked fine. If the baby wasn't fine, they would have sent me back to the genetics doctor. But they didn't so I take it to mean all is well with the baby. We get the results in a week and I won't worry too much about it.
Luckily my sister is in town and was able to go with me. God forbid I get any kind of bad news alone. Mark of course couldn't really take any time off to go with me so my sister is just as good a support.
We met with a genetics doctor first who explained the test and talked about situations that may warrant having further testing. This is all the testing I wanted to have - no long needle in my abdomen please. They had me drink a glass of water and sit in the waiting room for the test to be done. Things became complicated when my sister and I began reminiscing about my wedding and the disastrous limo ride my parents, friends, sister, brother in law and cousins had. Mark and I had our own car and were spared. Nothing like laughing your butt off with a full bladder!
The test seemed to go well. After being spoiled with 3-D ultrasounds at my Ob/Gyn, I was surprised to get a regular ultrasound with this test. I always get nervous at the beginning of an ultrasound because I can't wait to see the heartbeat. It's been a few weeks since my last ultrasound and I don't own a doppler so I'm always nervous those first few moments. I always ask, "Do you see a heartbeat??" thinking please do not say no.
I love seeing that baby on the screen. It did a few somersaults. Lifting its arms this way and that, and changing positions. The freak in me was worried it was going to get tangled up in its umbilical cord. It is still incredible to think that there is a baby growing inside me after all we've been through.
I didn't get specific measurements but my sister peeked for me and didn't see any numbers larger than 3 on there so that is a very good thing. The ultrasound tech wasn't too friendly and was very serious so I didn't want to ask too many questions. I asked her if everything was ok and she said the baby looked fine. If the baby wasn't fine, they would have sent me back to the genetics doctor. But they didn't so I take it to mean all is well with the baby. We get the results in a week and I won't worry too much about it.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Fingers Crossed
When I saw my Ob/Gyn at my 8 week prenatal appointment, she gave me a folder with oodles of brochures about all kinds of tests. I received a folder when I was pregnant with Ricky, but it didn't have all these brochures about tests - it just had all the fun stuff like coupons for baby crap, and the usual information from the hospital where I will be delivering.
I received the special folder because I will be 35 years old at the time of the baby's birth. There are so many genetic screening tests it makes my head spin. Initially, I wasn't interested in any of the tests, but Mark was very interested in at least having one. It is the first trimester screening that uses an ultrasound and blood work to see if the baby has Downs Syndrome or not. They measure the crown to rump length and nucal folds I guess.
My doctor and sonographer - as well as Mark's sister who is also a sonographer for a 5 doctor Ob/Gyn practice all highly recommend this test. So it's reassuring to know that this test is supposed to be good and reliable.
This baby is is a miracle baby - we didn't think it was going to be possible to have another child. I couldn't even think of not having it. Even though I almost 13 weeks, I still check my underwear for blood every time I go to the bathroom. I am still kind of scared.
I am not even thinking of what we would do if we got any type of bad news. I refuse to believe it's even possible for me. If all is well, I guess it will be a relief to us to know that the baby is fine. Right now, I am just praying for a healthy baby.
I received the special folder because I will be 35 years old at the time of the baby's birth. There are so many genetic screening tests it makes my head spin. Initially, I wasn't interested in any of the tests, but Mark was very interested in at least having one. It is the first trimester screening that uses an ultrasound and blood work to see if the baby has Downs Syndrome or not. They measure the crown to rump length and nucal folds I guess.
My doctor and sonographer - as well as Mark's sister who is also a sonographer for a 5 doctor Ob/Gyn practice all highly recommend this test. So it's reassuring to know that this test is supposed to be good and reliable.
This baby is is a miracle baby - we didn't think it was going to be possible to have another child. I couldn't even think of not having it. Even though I almost 13 weeks, I still check my underwear for blood every time I go to the bathroom. I am still kind of scared.
I am not even thinking of what we would do if we got any type of bad news. I refuse to believe it's even possible for me. If all is well, I guess it will be a relief to us to know that the baby is fine. Right now, I am just praying for a healthy baby.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Big Belly Busy Bee
Mark and I are almost finished going through *every* little piece of everything we own and packing and cleaning our house. So hopefully by this week we can list our house on the market.
Did I mention how tiring it is to pack and clean when you are pregnant with a 3 year old to entertain? My sister has been in town the last 2 weeks and she has helped me as much as she can and it's been great to have another set of hands to pack, lift, or just play ball with Ricky so I can relax or pack.
Now that my belly is big, we've been telling more people. I just hope that all goes well and this baby stays in my belly and is healthy. I guess my miscarriage last year has tainted me. I never really thought about miscarriage last time - I just expected to carry the baby to term - talk about taking things for granted.
Last night we went to a mommy friend's bbq and then we went to see some fireworks in a neighboring suburb. This is the same display Mark would take me to when we were dating, so it's kind of nostalgic. Ricky loved it. I imagined ourselves going again next year with a little baby in tow.
We're starting to get more excited about the baby but there is still a part of us that is trying to suppress the excitement because the threat of miscarriage looms over us. Still, I am letting myself enjoy my pregnancy and let go of all those somewhat negative feelings.
Did I mention how tiring it is to pack and clean when you are pregnant with a 3 year old to entertain? My sister has been in town the last 2 weeks and she has helped me as much as she can and it's been great to have another set of hands to pack, lift, or just play ball with Ricky so I can relax or pack.
Now that my belly is big, we've been telling more people. I just hope that all goes well and this baby stays in my belly and is healthy. I guess my miscarriage last year has tainted me. I never really thought about miscarriage last time - I just expected to carry the baby to term - talk about taking things for granted.
Last night we went to a mommy friend's bbq and then we went to see some fireworks in a neighboring suburb. This is the same display Mark would take me to when we were dating, so it's kind of nostalgic. Ricky loved it. I imagined ourselves going again next year with a little baby in tow.
We're starting to get more excited about the baby but there is still a part of us that is trying to suppress the excitement because the threat of miscarriage looms over us. Still, I am letting myself enjoy my pregnancy and let go of all those somewhat negative feelings.
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