Could she complain any more?

The answer is "yep."

Actually, I'll try not to complain and just give you the facts...

As you know, I'm still sick. This morning I had to pull over twice on my way to work to get sick. I was also experiencing some cramping so I called my doctors office just to see what they thought. They immediately had me come in, did an exam, and hooked me up to the monitor to see if I was having contractions. The nurse had some difficulty finding a heartbeat with the doppler so they also did a quick ultrasound to check the heartbeat and also check to see if my cervix was shortening.

The conclusion: The baby is fine... I was dehydrated. They sent me home to relax and drink fluids. (An excuse for more fla-vor-ice!) They also gave me dissolvable zofran, because apparently when up puke up nausea meds they don't really help... go figure.

Initially, I wasn't that worried and debated even calling the doctor, but after I spoke with the office I was kind of shaken up. I hadn't felt him move much yesterday or this morning, which is normal since I'm not far enough along to start kick counts or anything... But while I had to lay there by myself hooked up to the monitor for twenty minutes he was moving around like crazy! It was like he was reassuring me he was alright in there. When they did the ultrasound he was sucking his thumb, and the reason the nurse had difficulty hearing the heartbeat with the doppler because he was so active. :]

Now I'm just resting at home. My dad is stopping by in a little bit because he's a worrier like that and Alex is out of town until Sunday night.

My Experience at the WalMart Portrait Studio

It's not a very interesting story, but the conclusion is: We would like to open our own portrait studio.

Alex's brother and sister-in-law are in from England and his parents wanted to have some family pictures made while they're here. Cheesy, posed portraits aren't really my style... but I'm not the one paying for them, you know? So I washed my hair and we headed off to the Wal Mart in Hillview. Hillview is a whole other issue... don't get me started.

This chick had a frigging Canon Rebel XTi and some other okay equipment. I'm not knocking the rebel, really, but just pointing out that it's not like you need some seriously high-dollar equipment. She had some really awesome editing software, man. We're talking options! Your choice of color, black and white, or sepia photographs, black or white vignette, and two different bitchin' collage choices. Enhancements. The pictures turned out fine... but have you seen our faces? How could they not? ;]

Our plan includes purchasing that home on the end of Snapp street right in the center of town and converting it into our studio. We'd find a backer or take out a small business loan to get a few things in the way of equipment, and contract out some of our more talented friends as photographers so we wouldn't be tied to the place all the time. We would offer very basic studio-type packages, location type shoots around town, and in-home packages which would be great for little babies. You could choose from basic enhancements or pay extra for some more serious editing. There would be discounts on senior pictures if you attend the local high school. Maybe a package where you get monthly photos of your baby's first year at a discounted price...

Dreams, man.... dreams.

22 week update

Tomorrow I'll be 22 weeks. I had my third ultrasound on Wednesday to get some clearer pictures of all of the baby's organs and such. Everything looked great and he's still a boy. :]

I'm still getting sick. Not every day but about every other day or so. I'm over it. I try really hard to act like I'm fine but I almost had a nervous breakdown this week. I started feeling sorry for myself and said horrible whiny things about how I suck at being pregnant which means I'll suck at being a mom. I know, "Chill out, crazy lady." It's okay... you can laugh at me.

It doesn't help that I'm not really liking my new job for numerous reasons. I was hoping that working in the ER would be better... but on my first day on my own nobody said a word to me. Every time I tried to initiate a conversation I was brushed off. It was terribly lonely. I brought them cookies the next day because I'm lame like that. I was also exposed to mumps, meningitis, and shingles... that I know of. Ugh. I really do appreciate the fact that I even have a job, and I love working days. But this is taking a toll on my mental health. I find solace in the fact that in a little over 4 months I'll have my baby boy. And if things aren't better at work I'll have three months off to look for another dayshift job... part time by the way. :]

Shew... I'm through with my pity party. Just be glad I didn't write this earlier in the week because you would be ready to smack me.


P.S. Harry Potter was awesome. ♥

Independence Day 2009

We usually have a big party with a huge fireworks display at my aunt and uncle's house. My uncle has been having some health issues and their party has been postponed until next weekend, so we spent the holiday at my parents house.

Gwenith and Alex tossed a frisbee for a while and we played with those little popper things you throw on the ground...




It was just Alex and I, Gwenith, my sister and her husband and kids, and my aunt and uncle. The original plan was to go to the lake to watch the fireworks show... but it was pretty gross outside and everyone other than Alex and I left before it got dark. But we played with sparklers a bit. Dad made a perfect "W for Wiley"(my maiden name)...



He also created a few other images that were *ahem* less than appropriate. He's just an overgrown teenager, really...

When the fireworks started at the lake we could hear them and began to wish we were there. The four of us jumped in my mom's truck and sped off toward the lake. The road to get to where the show was had been blocked off since 7:30, so we just parked on the side of the road and watched the display from the bed of the truck. Mom and I oohed and ahhed like we always do, and a good time was had by all. :]

Tonight the weather was a little better so Alex and I decided to burn up the rest of the sparklers. (They were left over from last year, anyway.)






I had a lovely three-day weekend but tomorrow it's back to the grind. I'm still working Monday through Friday and I'm beginning to dread going back to weekends. At least I'm working 8:00-4:30 this week so traffic won't be as horrible on the way home. But to get to work at 8:00 I have to leave around 7:00, which means I have to wake up around 6:00 which comes pretty early. I need to get to bed!

OH YEAH! I felt the baby move for the first time yesterday! I've felt what I thought could be movements before but yesterday I was certain! Oh, it was so weird and amazing at the same time!