Stressed Out

This Momma is stressed out.


DIL2B is at 2 centimeters at 36 weeks. Her doctor took her off of the Procardia yesterday, so I guess she can go anytime. We are still planning a baby shower this weekend. Maybe she'll be there and maybe she won't. Hell, if she's having the baby at that time, it's likely that I won't be there either! You just never know with these things. She could stick like this for weeks. So we're kinda on pins and needles.


Husband had his super Parish Picnic Saturday. It was a huge success. And a huge time and effort investment on our part. Both of us took off work all week just to prepare. Husband was literally up there 24/7. Hard work for everyone involved. And there were a lot of people who really put their hearts into it. I sure hope everyone gets the recognition they deserve.


Now I'm paying for tagging Sara! She tagged me. The gist is to reveal 4 new things you've learned or experienced in the past 4 years and then to name 4 new things you want to achieve, try or accomplish in the next 4 years.


So here it goes..


4 Things for the Next 4 years.


Number 1 - Retire. June of next year is my slated early retirement date. I will leave gov't service with 23 active years. It's been a fine ride but I want to go do something else for a while.


Number 2 - Start a new career. Something part time that pays like full time. Doesn't everybody want something like that? If anyone knows the career path for this, let me know.


Number 3 - Get involved in foster parenting, or Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Something along those lines. It breaks my heart to see or hear about neglected kids who have no positive direction or advantage in their lives. Children don't ask to be brought into this world, they are innocents.


Number 4 - Gut my kitchen and back end of my house or travel a lot more. I'll have to choose which one. Unless I hit the lottery, I won't have the money to do both.


Now for the other side of the coin. 4 things I've figured out in the last 4 years.


Number 1 - Having a preteen daughter is both a trial and a blessing. I've always heard that raising a boy is very different from raising a girl. They weren't kidding. Hormones, drama, hysterics......Then at the same time we can have a really good time together. Peaks and valleys... But, man...those valleys can get deep. She's my daughter and my best friend.


Number 2 - I'm realizing I did a pretty decent job of raising my first child. Many times over the years I have questioned whether I have been a good parent. But, amazingly, he's turned out pretty darn good. He makes me proud.


Number 3 - I have come to realize that I'm aging. OH NO! This is not supposed to happen. I was talking to someone the other day about my upcoming birthday and totally got my age all wrong. I was counting myself a couple of years younger than I am! When I realized I had it all wrong and what my actual age will be next month, I was really taken aback. Aii Yii Yii...

Number 4 - I need to take more time for myself. Over the years, I've let my hobbies slack off and the things I like to do. So I started crocheting again. Also, I like to garden and cook. So I've been taking a few classes here and there, when I see something interesting. I let myself get stagnant there for a while and that's not good.

So there.... I'll have to think on who to tag next... My brain is still fuzzy.

The Waiting Game

We are waiting.

DIL2B went to the doctor this morning and she was 2 centimeters and 80 % effaced. I guess she could go anytime but we are hoping for another week or two. Her OB-GYN guessed Miss Reagen to be about 5 lbs.

It's so funny, because around Easter time, DIL2B said at family dinner that she didn't want a scrawny baby... she wanted a good 8 pounder. All of us veteran moms sat around snickering. Sure, go ahead, push that 8 pounder out, honey....Well, now I am praying we get another pound or so on Reagen in the next week or two.

DIL2B is doing good. She is doing everything she's told to do. She looks like she is carrying a very low bowling ball. I can remember feeling like that. Son is taking care of everything. Her every wish is his command. I am so proud of the way he's turned out.

Thanks to my internet buds who have kept us in their thoughts. I so appreciate the fact that individuals who have never met us, are thinking of our situation.

Believe me, you are in my thoughts and prayers . I think of you guys often. And am anxiously awaiting your own children.....

Sara, you better put that poncho on that child!

Cease and Desist Order

Even if no one has missed me, I feel the need to vent regarding my recent silence on th Web.

In the last week we have made 3 hospital trips with DIL2B. She started having contractionss last week at 32 weeks along. She's on bedrest and has had 3 sets of shots Breathine to slow/stop the contractions. She is also on an oral med (Procardia) every 4 hours that's supposed to hold off the contractions. It's all helping, but it's not going away.

The first time we went to the hospital she was told her she was definitely having contractions and her cervix was starting to "soften". Not too bad if they can stop it.

But she was at her OBGYN yesterday morning and had started to dialate. Not good. Later that afternoon, she started with full blown contractions. DIL2B was in tears, Son was on a UPS delivery truck miles away and her mother and I were nervous wrecks. So we packed her up and took her to the hospital again. More shots of Breathine and an increase in the oral med.

L&D nurse and OBGYN both feel that the exam in the morning stirred up the contractions again.

She will be 33 weeks this Thursday and I am worried sick. Son is a bundle of nerves and DIL2B is scared to death. This is just such a reality check for me. I just wish I could fix it all for them. No matter how old your kids are, the instinct to fix or save them from any trauma never goes away. And recently, since we have really been getting ready for the baby to come, I am more and more excited. We've had two baby showers and have another one planned for the end of the month. SIL#1 and I don't know if the Mom and the Baby will be there, but we're still planning it.

DIL2B's OBGYN wants to hold her off for another 2-3 weeks. Dr. feels like DIL2B is fine and the baby is doing fine too. It's DIL2B's uterus that's not cooperating.

SO HEAR THIS, I AM OFFICIALLY EXECUTING A "CEASE AND DESIST ORDER" TO DIL2B's UTERUS.

QUIT WITH THE CONTRACTIONS ALREADY! OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY FROM THIS EXPECTANT GRANDPARENT!

Here are some pics from the first shower.

The is Son and DIL2B before Son skipped out on the hen party.

They're kinda blurry, but you can see that they are a fine looking couple.

I love them both so much..

Here's DIL2B holding up our girl's first UofL Cardinal's cheerleading uniform. She'll be going to the ball games with the rest of the family!

Here she is again opening more loot.

DIL2B has always been a tall drink of water at 5'7" and 120 lbs. Now she just looks like she swallowed a watermelon.

She is so cute pregnant!

So, if anyone is out there, please keep my big kids in your thoughts. And if you have any left after that, hold on to a few for the very penitent paternal grandparent.