So...let's see.
Since I wrote last:
1) We finished the curriculum project!! Can't wait to see what other teachers think of it!
2.) We put in notice to our apartment complex that we are, in fact, moving. Now, we need to find a place to go!
3.) Had an ultrasound and first "official" ob appointment on Friday. The ultrasound tech (by now, it feels like we are old friends) laughed when I laughed at how my uterus looks like a huge mouth with one tooth stuck up in it. She said the tooth...is the baby!! She showed me the heartbeat...then we got to listen to it! Fast little sucker too...162bpm.
4.) We told the boys about impending big brotherhood. Jam's response, "It BETTER not be a girl!" was only slightly less funny to me than Bran sitting on the floor saying, "YES!! YES!!!" complete with arm pumps!!
So things are looking good in the Bears' Den. Now...if we can only hang on by our fingernails until we get paid!!
Stupid leave last year...still struggling with that. HOWEVER...this is going to be so different!! For one, I have disability (I LOVE that little duck!!) so will get paid through that. For two, PGCEA gives 2 weeks of paid maternity leave. So, look out world...!!
Thanks to all for the love and well wishes. It has made a difference!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
And so it begins...
Today marks the first of what will be a long collection of days when I will be away from my family for the summer. My mom and sister are traveling with me to New York for my grandmother's services, so I will be gone today and tomorrow. Bran has already asked that I send him text messages!
Sunday, I have two rehearsals at church and an extra service on Sunday night (you should come to Emory Grove...there is something so spiritual about worship when it is outdoors).
Monday, I am supposed to go to lunch with a colleague.
Tuesday, I have a four hour curriculum meeting, with an hour commute each way (that is, if I am LUCKY...you know that Baltimore-Washington corridor is a bear).
Wednesday, I have an all day workshop at some place in PG County.
Thursday, I think I am home???
Friday I have two doctor's appointments and then a workshop (this time, it's a singing workshop...looking forward to getting some great music ideas!).
Saturday, I have part two of the workshop...and both days, I will be driving down to Alexandria Virginia and back!
Sunday, I "only" have church.
The good news is, since Scott is home, I don't have to find anyone to watch them.
The bad news is, we are running out of quality time for the family because school starts next month. The 17th of August is sitting on my calendar, a reminder that I have so many things that I WANT TO DO and I better get cracking!
Sunday, I have two rehearsals at church and an extra service on Sunday night (you should come to Emory Grove...there is something so spiritual about worship when it is outdoors).
Monday, I am supposed to go to lunch with a colleague.
Tuesday, I have a four hour curriculum meeting, with an hour commute each way (that is, if I am LUCKY...you know that Baltimore-Washington corridor is a bear).
Wednesday, I have an all day workshop at some place in PG County.
Thursday, I think I am home???
Friday I have two doctor's appointments and then a workshop (this time, it's a singing workshop...looking forward to getting some great music ideas!).
Saturday, I have part two of the workshop...and both days, I will be driving down to Alexandria Virginia and back!
Sunday, I "only" have church.
The good news is, since Scott is home, I don't have to find anyone to watch them.
The bad news is, we are running out of quality time for the family because school starts next month. The 17th of August is sitting on my calendar, a reminder that I have so many things that I WANT TO DO and I better get cracking!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
In memory of my grandmother
Yesterday morning, my phone rang at 7:30. It was my uncle, calling to let me know that my grandmother had just passed away. I didn't have much of a reaction, really...I mean, when someone has been in your life for almost 40 years, and had been alive for almost 57 years before you came into being, it's a hard thing to really grasp. I think, even though I'd been expecting the call, my reaction was more to the grief in my uncle's voice than anything. My grief will come later.
My grandmother was an amazing woman. At a young age, she and her family sailed to the United States from Armenia. (I once selected a piece of music for my students to sing because it was based on an Armenian lullaby...perhaps this would be a good year to sing it again, in tribute.) They came with jewels sewn into their clothes, the only safe way to travel with any assets...and when they got to New York, they used the jewels to open a jewelry store on Fifth Avenue.
I remember a story that she told me once about famed musician Artie Shaw, who was a long time customer of theirs, buying a beautiful necklace for a woman he was seeing. Before he picked it up, their romance ended...but he bought the necklace anyway. Each time one of her sisters passed away, an inheritance of jewels was passed on to my mom.
So this week, as we celebrate the (hopeful) beginnings of one life, we also celebrate the longevity of another. We begin the process, and I am sure it will be a slow one, of closing someone's life...filing paperwork, cleaning and selling her house, dividing her belongings, finding homes for her pets.
In the dreariness of it all, I raise my invisible glass to you, Virginia Desteian Di Giacomo. You were an amazing person to know...and to love. Rest in peace.
My grandmother was an amazing woman. At a young age, she and her family sailed to the United States from Armenia. (I once selected a piece of music for my students to sing because it was based on an Armenian lullaby...perhaps this would be a good year to sing it again, in tribute.) They came with jewels sewn into their clothes, the only safe way to travel with any assets...and when they got to New York, they used the jewels to open a jewelry store on Fifth Avenue.
I remember a story that she told me once about famed musician Artie Shaw, who was a long time customer of theirs, buying a beautiful necklace for a woman he was seeing. Before he picked it up, their romance ended...but he bought the necklace anyway. Each time one of her sisters passed away, an inheritance of jewels was passed on to my mom.
So this week, as we celebrate the (hopeful) beginnings of one life, we also celebrate the longevity of another. We begin the process, and I am sure it will be a slow one, of closing someone's life...filing paperwork, cleaning and selling her house, dividing her belongings, finding homes for her pets.
In the dreariness of it all, I raise my invisible glass to you, Virginia Desteian Di Giacomo. You were an amazing person to know...and to love. Rest in peace.
Friday, July 9, 2010
An update...it's all in the numbers!
Yesterday's experience at Annapolis Ob/Gyn was much different in that I was more resigned to my fate when I got there, knowing I wasn't going to hear any news while I was there...but I was wrong!!
After my bloodwork, the doctor who saw me on Tuesday came out for a chat. Mind you, I did NOT have an appointment, but she made time for me anyway! So far, this practice is setting the bar pretty high for "customer service"!
Anyway, I digress...like that's something new!
She (the doc) asked me how I was feeling, and I told her about struggling a bit with nausea, which she reminded me was a normal feeling. She also told me that they are not 100% convinced that what they saw was tubal. Something about the absence of free fluid or something like that. But I was still in a ... well, the numbers don't lie...kind of mood.
By the time I got home, Dr. A had called with my results, and told me that they are very pleased with how things are progressing!!! My number went up to about 2700, which is what they would expect with a normal pregnancy. Still, given last year's events, I am still to remain vigilant about symptoms of a possible problem, and I am now on the list to have another sonogram on Tuesday. Hopefully this time there will be something to see!
So...in a nutshell...more waiting. But I am not as anxious this time around.
After my bloodwork, the doctor who saw me on Tuesday came out for a chat. Mind you, I did NOT have an appointment, but she made time for me anyway! So far, this practice is setting the bar pretty high for "customer service"!
Anyway, I digress...like that's something new!
She (the doc) asked me how I was feeling, and I told her about struggling a bit with nausea, which she reminded me was a normal feeling. She also told me that they are not 100% convinced that what they saw was tubal. Something about the absence of free fluid or something like that. But I was still in a ... well, the numbers don't lie...kind of mood.
By the time I got home, Dr. A had called with my results, and told me that they are very pleased with how things are progressing!!! My number went up to about 2700, which is what they would expect with a normal pregnancy. Still, given last year's events, I am still to remain vigilant about symptoms of a possible problem, and I am now on the list to have another sonogram on Tuesday. Hopefully this time there will be something to see!
So...in a nutshell...more waiting. But I am not as anxious this time around.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What a difference a day makes...
this is one of those things that i HAVE to write about but don't really wanna.
This morning, I went to my doctor's appointment, not sure what I was going to see, but sure i was going to see something.
What greeted me was an empty uterus.
I started crying. The doc sent me to their other office with a better machine.
My uterus is still empty. But more ominous is that they THINK I MIGHT have another ectopic. They found something in my left tube.
so, the doctor explained to me that there are several things that can happen at this point. There could still be a viable pregnancy that is too small to detect...and the only way to find out is to take a blood test and check my hcg level.
Once they get my initial level, there will be several other outcomes.
1.) if today's was normal (which it was), I will have to go back on Thursday and have another test done so they can compare the numbers. In a normal pregnancy, the hcg level should double in 48 hours.
2.) if my hcg levels drop, or rise abnormally, I will have to either have surgery, or take a shot that will result in a chemical abortion.
3.) my tube could rupture before then, in which case, while they are trying to put me back together, they can all take comfort in that they were right.
So...more waiting.
*sigh*
This is when I wish I could really internalize the idea my pastor was trying to convey about spirituality and surfing...and how sometimes, you have to wait for hours to catch the perfect way.
I hate waiting.
This morning, I went to my doctor's appointment, not sure what I was going to see, but sure i was going to see something.
What greeted me was an empty uterus.
I started crying. The doc sent me to their other office with a better machine.
My uterus is still empty. But more ominous is that they THINK I MIGHT have another ectopic. They found something in my left tube.
so, the doctor explained to me that there are several things that can happen at this point. There could still be a viable pregnancy that is too small to detect...and the only way to find out is to take a blood test and check my hcg level.
Once they get my initial level, there will be several other outcomes.
1.) if today's was normal (which it was), I will have to go back on Thursday and have another test done so they can compare the numbers. In a normal pregnancy, the hcg level should double in 48 hours.
2.) if my hcg levels drop, or rise abnormally, I will have to either have surgery, or take a shot that will result in a chemical abortion.
3.) my tube could rupture before then, in which case, while they are trying to put me back together, they can all take comfort in that they were right.
So...more waiting.
*sigh*
This is when I wish I could really internalize the idea my pastor was trying to convey about spirituality and surfing...and how sometimes, you have to wait for hours to catch the perfect way.
I hate waiting.
Monday, July 5, 2010
I've been hiding
well...not really.
When we got home from Alabama, I had a sneaking suspicion that perhaps I was pregnant. I was definitely late. So I took a test when I got home, and was not surprised to see it say Positive.
Surprised? no.
Scared? yes. YES! YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
Ever since the ectopic pregnancy, and all of the surrounding drama, every time I've been even a day late, I have been concerned about being pregnant. Yes, there was a lot going on last year, and I missed any signs of being pregnant until I got to the ER and was told that I was.
This time has been different though. For one, I told Scott immediately. As in, I woke him up at 4 am and said, "Are you asleep?" (not very nice of me, I admit!)
For two, in the car on the drive from Alabama, Scott was eating something and I thought I was going to hurl from the smell alone.
For three, I have had a few bouts of "if I could just throw up how much better I would feel"
so of course I have been researching myself to death, after finding a doctor who could see me...and I have an appointment tomorrow to hopefully get a sonogram and who knows, maybe even see a heartbeat (well, THEY will...I will have to take their word for it).
I have put this in God's hands...for there is no place else for it to be. I am hopeful that I will float out of my appointment tomorrow with Baby on Board.
and for the record...I am sure it's another boy, which I am okay with, and even have a sneaking suspicion that there might be two in there (won't that be a trip!!!)...and even if I am going to be high risk because I will be 40 when I deliver, I am excited! stay tuned...
When we got home from Alabama, I had a sneaking suspicion that perhaps I was pregnant. I was definitely late. So I took a test when I got home, and was not surprised to see it say Positive.
Surprised? no.
Scared? yes. YES! YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
Ever since the ectopic pregnancy, and all of the surrounding drama, every time I've been even a day late, I have been concerned about being pregnant. Yes, there was a lot going on last year, and I missed any signs of being pregnant until I got to the ER and was told that I was.
This time has been different though. For one, I told Scott immediately. As in, I woke him up at 4 am and said, "Are you asleep?" (not very nice of me, I admit!)
For two, in the car on the drive from Alabama, Scott was eating something and I thought I was going to hurl from the smell alone.
For three, I have had a few bouts of "if I could just throw up how much better I would feel"
so of course I have been researching myself to death, after finding a doctor who could see me...and I have an appointment tomorrow to hopefully get a sonogram and who knows, maybe even see a heartbeat (well, THEY will...I will have to take their word for it).
I have put this in God's hands...for there is no place else for it to be. I am hopeful that I will float out of my appointment tomorrow with Baby on Board.
and for the record...I am sure it's another boy, which I am okay with, and even have a sneaking suspicion that there might be two in there (won't that be a trip!!!)...and even if I am going to be high risk because I will be 40 when I deliver, I am excited! stay tuned...
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