Freedom!

For 176 days I looked down at my left arm to see this.

This morning this is what I see.

After Hours

I'm not sure what's worse, insomnia or migraines?  Put them together and you've got one wicked combination.

All I want to do is go to sleep and wake up feeling better.  For the last 90 minutes I laid in bed.  Tossing and turning, the thoughts racing through my mind like a freight train.  So here I am, sitting in front of the computer.  Writing down some of the frantic factors in an attempt to clear my mind.

While I'm up I should get the coffee pot ready.  I'm going to need some caffeine when the sun starts to shine.

The Numbers

20  -- Point at which I am in this pregnancy, in terms of weeks along.

12  -- Time I've had a PICC-line stuck in my inner-left bicep, in weeks.

116  -- Number of times I've jabbed myself in the abdomen with a heparin shot.

7 --  OB office visits I've had in the last 12 weeks.

5  --  Ultrasounds I've had done so far to check baby's growth.

14  --  Weight of baby at yesterday's ultrasound, in ounces.

1/11/11  --  Official due date.

When the Boss is Away

Apparently the dogs will play.  

And act up.  Performing WWF (or is it WWE now??) moves on my living room rug just minutes after KT goes to bed.  Refusing to sleep on their designated beds at night and attempt time and time again to coyly find a spot on the mattress next to me.  Barking at 5:15am to go outside and harass whatever wild thing has dared to moved in the field behind our house. 

Did I mention act up?  What is it with the whining and barking?  I've done nothing different in our day to day routine.  If anything they've gotten more attention but they act like little monsters.  Every time I turn around Logan is whining to come in the house, whining to go back out, whining as he lies next to me on the couch, whining for another serving of food even though he just wolfed down his own and half of Dakota's.

If anyone is awake at 5:15 tonight/tomorrow morning they will spend the rest of the resting hours outside, shivering on the concrete patio as the temps hover in the low 50's. 

Yeah, right.  Who am I kidding?  After about 5 minutes of standing outside in the dark they'd both be barking and pawing at the already busted sliding glass door to come in.  As mean as I might try to be, I won't subject my neighbors to the hooligans before the sun rises.

Instead I'll let them back in.  Shoving my feet into their kidneys when they try to lay on my bed and cursing at them much like the ants found scurrying across my kitchen floor this afternoon.

Have Sourdough, Will Bake

Or rather, "need" to bake.

The sourdough starter got stuck in the fridge some time ago.  For the life of me I can't remember if it was before we went camping (??) or before our quick trip to Michigan (??).  Either way it's been way too long since its presence has graced our kitchen counter.

I pulled it back out last night, fed the yeasties and gave it a nice warm, comfy spot in the kitchen to bubble away.  It needs to be nurtured for a couple of days but then I bake.

I'm thinking at a minimum we need a batch of sourdough pizza crust and some donuts.  Some of the trusty "standbys" that have already come to be loved.  This time though I feel the need for some adventure...any suggestions on new recipes to try?

Dress Revamp

The blue dress was a disaster. 

The color -- much darker than the pictures portrayed.

The fabric -- much heavier than I anticipated.

The fit -- just wrong, very wrong.

The skirt -- had POCKETS!!  Who puts pockets on a formal dress??  (and this gal certainly doesn't need any more attention drawn to these hips)

It got returned and I went on a mission to find another dress.  Thankfully I waited until the last possible weekend (we leave on Thursday for Washington) to attempt the mall.  I say thankfully because I ended up stumbling onto a fantastic deal.

Say hello to the new dress:

The best part was that I got it on sale for almost 60% off of the original price.  I ended up buying this dress, a pair of shorts for C and two tanks for KT and spent $3 more than the price of the first dress.

And I decided to pair it with these shoes.  Heaven forbid my feet swell horribly, I have a pair of black patent flip flops as a back up.

Now I just need to find the motivation to start packing for the trip.

So, Yeah...

...although vague and confusing for those who have more recently joined this party, the last post was not only a plea it was an announcement.

You see,

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of morning sickness, with "unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids.

Baby #2 is due January 11th, 2011.

Confessions From the Chaos

Dear Hyperemesis:

I  know you and I have a sordid, tumultuous relationship.  

I know we have a history and the odds were high we'd meet again at some point if the situation warranted.

I know your presence typically indicates everything is going as planned.

I know you are not prepared to cede just yet, nor am I asking for such conditions.

All I ask is that this week, in light of everything else going on (C traveling for work, family medical concerns) that you choose to lessen or remain unwavering in your stance instead of heightening with the added stress.

It's not a huge request, is it?

Thanks,

Plant Girl

Decision Made

The votes were really a landslide -- toronto blue won out without any competition.  Which is good because it's the color that I really liked and wanted to order anyway.

Thanks for the suggestions!  Now on to find something for rehearsal dinner...

Another Fashion Request

So there's this wedding C and I are going to the beginning of August.  My original plan to make myself a dress was foiled when I realized the fabrics I found online, I didn't like in person (I had ordered swatches to be on the safe side).  Plus, I decided it wasn't worth the time and frustration to make a dress when I could find a fairly inexpensive alternative.

I haven't even attempted to head out and look around town to see what's available yet.  But my shopping choices around here are typically limited.

Here's a link to the dress I like.  (You can see more views of the dress through the website.)

These are the 2 colors I'm torn between.  Toronto blue and fuschia rose:

I found out that the bridesmaids are in "royal purple" and the groomsmen (ie. my husband) will be in a purple vest and tie.  Which do you think is the better choice for me?