LIFE AS A LANKFORD

The action continues week by week in the new house.  The first few pictures were taken week before last.

The tile was laid in the utility room, back hall, and bath.


It was also laid on the kitchen floor.


I snuck upstairs to check out Sam and Avery's closets.



This weekend more progress was visible.  All the tile is completed and grouted with the exception of the kitchen backsplash.



The tile in the high-traffic areas has been covered, but here is a peek where the fridge will go.


Our railings were finished this week as well.

We had another good, busy week, but because I haven't been taking notes, this will be short.

Ned and Avery went to Sunday School Sunday morning.  After that we spent the day at home.

I had an appointment on Monday and was able to see my regular nurse practitioner.  Ned ran errands while I did that and had blood work done.  We had lunch before coming home.  At least we're getting in a few dates before the baby, even if they are taking place at Dairy Queen.

No big news on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Lent did begin, and I'm sad I'm not able to be up and doing my 40 Bags in 40 Days again.  I'm not sure if I would have gotten out 40 bags now as we're being pretty good about keeping the junk out.  I do think of all the things we have in storage and how we haven't needed them since May.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for Lent.  Giving up Pepsi is not an option and I would just go back to drinking it.  I started reading No Regrets Parenting: Turning Long Days and Short Years into Cherished Moments with Your Kids by Harley Rotbart, and it will be one I keep on my Kindle for awhile to refresh and also to read parts that don't apply now.  I'll be the first to admit that sometimes my time with Avery is not all it could be, and I want to do better.  So, for Lent, there will be no iPhone when Avery is in the room unless I'm answering a quick text.  It's too easy to pick it up and read a blog or check Pinterest or Facebook, but I don't notice it because I'm not sitting down at the computer.  I have made the same decision for Ned, but I think I may have to take his phone to make it happen completely.  I think this may be something that I move into our time together as well, but I'll ease him into this first.  It's not easy, but I was able to turn down his offer of an iPad this weekend, so I must be making some progress.
We dropped Avery off at the sitter's Thursday morning before heading to my appointment in Norfolk.  It was a relief to get another good report and to find that Sam was growing.  We celebrated Ned's birthday at California Pizza Kitchen, then Ned went to Dillards while I snuck in the Children's Place to get Avery some new jeans and another pair of pants with pockets.  I had a message from my local doctor about my platelets when I got home, so I called her back.  Hearing that my platelets were low immediately stressed me out, but I still tried to put on a happy face while my in-laws came to bring Ned's cake and present.  This sounds horrible, but my parents are the only ones I feel comfortable with (other than Ned and Avery) when I'm laying around on the couch. 

Friday's events were recorded here.

Ned went and got Avery early Saturday morning.  Avery's nose and cough seemed worse, and she fell asleep sitting with me before her nap.  Ned went to the store while she napped, and once she got up, we went to see what had been done at the house during the week.  I didn't feel like walking or standing for long, so I hung out in the car while Mimi came to check out the house.  Ned wanted chicken for dinner, so he and Avery went out to get that.







I have my normal two appointments this week and will probably be begging to set a date to have this baby.  I can definitely feel my anxiety increasing as I even think about checking my blood pressure or wonder what's going on between appointments.  I'm pretty much over the stress and ready to have him while everyone is healthy.  Avery will also be going to the doctor to see about her runny nose and cough.  I have a feeling it's ears, but whatever it is, we need her well before Sam comes.  Ned may be going in too since he's having some sinus issues.  I don't want to be the only one healthy enough to meet Sam.

It's been a bit of an eventful day with quite an eventful evening.  Yesterday when I got home from Norfolk I had a message from my local doctor.  She had just gotten my blood work back from Monday, and my platelets were low.  She spoke with the doctor in Norfolk, and they were not at a level that concerned him.  They did want my labs repeated today.  I felt like my good day kind of went down hill, and I was worried.  Low platelets are a part of pre-eclampsia but usually not the first symptom.  Platelets too low also result in no epidural.  I spent last night thinking of the things that still weren't ready and stressing just a tad.

I went to have my blood taken at the hospital here before lunch.  Waiting was torture this afternoon and was not good for my blood pressure.  After 3 p.m. the doctor called and said they were lower.  She wanted them counted manually because sometimes the blood will clump and the machine doesn't get an accurate reading.  I needed to come to Franklin and have it done.  If they were good I could come home, but if not it was a good chance I would deliver, possibly back in Norfolk.

So the scramble began.  My mom was already picking Avery up but was supposed to be bringing her home to me.  We quickly decided she would just go there for the night and we would meet her with Avery's bag.  I threw a few things together for her and also packed what I use daily in my bag.  I made Ned pack a bag too because I was just sure we were staying.  The doctor seemed optimistic that my count would be better, but I knew my blood pressure would be so high that they would keep me anyway.  The preacher followed Ned in from work and was trying to have a visit, all while we were getting ourselves and animals ready for a night away.

We finally got on the road and then had to stop for gas.  Mom and Avery met us along the way, and of course Avery wanted to get out of her seat and come with me.  I was just sure I was seeing her for the last time as my only baby, and I didn't want it to be so hectic.  We beat approaching storms to Franklin, and I was admitted, again, to labor and delivery.  I did know that I would stay while they ran my labs so that they could get Sam on the monitor.  I wouldn't even ask what my BP was after the first reading, but I was encouraged that the nurse didn't keep taking it.  People from the lab came in to draw blood, and I was so excited to see that a man from the community college would be "learning" on my arm.  By then Ned had told my that my BP was pretty good, and then the doctor came in encouraged that she thought my platelets would be better.  She explained that the hospital did not keep platelets and that would be the reason for going to Norfolk if they remained low.

Luckily, she was back pretty quickly with excellent news.  While the machine had counted my platelets at 111,000 (concern starts when they are under 100,000) a manual count had shown them completely normal at 400,000.  What a relief.  I went in ready to beg to deliver, because I feel like I just can't keep worrying about what's going on.  But, I do want him to stay in a bit longer, and I certainly don't want a transfusion in Norfolk in order to deliver. 

I was ready to be discharged around 7 p.m., which is of course shift change, so it took a little while.  Ned and I were both starving but in much better spirits then when we went in.  I'm still hoping that we'll go ahead and set a date when I have my appointment Tuesday.  If anything, tonight did show me that I can go in the hospital a nervous wreck and still have my blood pressure looking ok.  The doctor was apologetic that she made us come out in the bad weather, but we're thankful for her being so conscientious.  I joked with Ned that this baby must have a very high percentage of Lankford in him, but I do know none of this is his fault.  I usually feel like babies are much easier in than out, but I'm kind of ready to be able to worry about Sam on his own and not how my health is affecting him.  Avery will be home in the morning, Ned and I got dinner while we were out, and now we're resting up.  You never know when the next big adventure will occur around here.

Tuesday I hit the 36 week mark for this pregnancy.  It feels great to have made it this far, and I'm so thankful.  For weeks I've been Googling "babies born at 30 weeks, 31"...etc so this is a great place to be.  I'm not going to go through all the typical pregnancy post, but I did want to remember a few things.  I've gained about 21-22 pounds and measured 35 weeks this week.  I'm thinking that missing week is due to the baby being very LOW.

As far as symptoms, I've been experiencing some pelvic pain off and on for awhile.  I noticed it before bed rest when I would lay on my side on the couch.  Now that I basically am like that all the time, it's gotten pretty bad.  It hurts to roll over in bed, and it really hurts to lift my legs one at a time, like to put on pants.  Getting up and walking starts off painful and then gets more tolerable.  These days I'm feeling some pressure too so that's added to it.  I'm also having Braxton Hicks off and on.  Most are not uncomfortable, but they all make me feel like there is an elephant on my chest.  I have not been checked for progress though.

Tuesday also marked my 6th week of bed rest.  I've been pleasantly surprised at how well overall I've done and we've done as a family.  Sure, I'd rather not be on it, but I have honestly been telling the truth when I say I'm not miserable.  That's not to say it's been easy.  Everyone jokes that if your marriage can survive building a house, it can survive anything.  Well we've thrown in new baby and bed rest in addition to the rest of our life.  Of course there is stress, worry, and frustration.  I've cried, been mad, and been impatient.  I want to nest, but I can't due to bed rest and moving on top of that.  But, we're hanging in there moment by moment and doing the best we can.  This is obviously not what we planned, but that's life.  Things are going to be crazy, but how can you not be thankful for a new baby and a new house.  I've done a lot of thinking and learning during this time.  I was a little embarrassed at first to be on bed rest.  I feel like pregnancy is something a woman is supposed to be able to do, and it's hard to admit that your body isn't doing it quite right.  What I realized is that I was just worried about what some would think...those who seem to delight when others, even their friends, take a stumble.  Whether or not people mean to make me feel that way, they aren't the ones I need to work so hard to keep in my life.  We'll come out of this stronger and wiser, and we'll at least get all of our craziness over at the same time.

When will Sam be here?  Soon!  I had my appointment with the specialist today, and he still recommends delivering by 39 weeks, as did the ultrasound doctor.  Sam looked great.  His weight was about 6 lbs 4 oz and his stomach size had increased in percentage.  He's head down and low, so I'm hoping he stays that way.  My blood pressure was of course terrible, but it's been fine at home.  I'm hoping that my doctor here will go ahead and nail down a time to deliver at my appointment Tuesday.  At any time though, if my blood pressure goes up or pre-eclampsia signs begin, I'll deliver.  I do have to have some blood work repeated tomorrow, so you just never know.  I don't feel completely prepared, but it's much better than the preparing I was doing mentally for a preemie or an extended time in the hospital.  I had a huge, huge fear of needing to be in the hospital for weeks to be monitored.  Sam doesn't have a room at this house, and at this point doesn't have a crib since Avery is in his and hers isn't together.  The house should be ready in 2.5 weeks or so weeks, which is the latest I'll deliver.  We're planning for Sam to come home to this house now and we'll just be cozy for awhile.

I'm so thankful to all the friends (blog and real-life) who have been so encouraging and thoughtful.  Some days, a little extra support or happy thought is needed, and I can always count on our friends to remind us we aren't alone.

Highlights Edition:

-Toes took Avery's pie pies Sunday in a fairly smooth switch.  Avery napped at Lolli and Poppa's on Saturday with no problems.
-I had two good appointments and was thrilled to make it to 35 weeks.  My blood work and 24-hour urine from the week before were all good.  On Wednesday I was able to see the doctor when she came to town here
-We did nothing special for Valentine's Day.  Avery has carried around her cup filled with cards and suckers all week.
-Avery pooped on the potty again for Jennifer (of course).  She's getting quite a collection of Thomas and friends but doesn't seem any closer to routinely pooping on the potty.
-Avery started with a runny nose and cough much like she had in December.  We started the Claritin and humidifier and hope they do the trick again.  We need her well before Sam arrives.
-I ate a sub and french fries, a Chik-Fil-A combo, a Chik-Fil-A yogurt parfait, and pizza (not in one sitting) with good sugar results.  Granted, I didn't take it after the yogurt parfait, but I was checking it after all the Paula Deen's banana pudding I also ate this week and things were fine.
-So as not to forget Ned, he worked, took care of us girls, and made it another week without going crazy!
-I read The Last Lecture in about a day.
-Things were busy at the house, and I got to get out Saturday and see what took place.
-My blood pressure was super-low all day Saturday, so I rode with Ned to pick Avery up from my parents'.  She didn't know I was coming and seemed like she just could not get enough kisses, cuddles, and hugs from me.  Of all the things I look forward to when bed rest is over, being able to pick her up when she runs to me tops the list.
-Avery managed to pick up about 5 years worth of attitude this week.

I think those are the main points from the week.  Hopefully I'll do better with details this coming week.  I have 2 appointments again, one of which is in Norfolk.  I think by the end of the week or the beginning of next, we'll have a pretty good idea of when we'll become a family of four.  Ned also turns the big 3-0 and gets to celebrate with me in Norfolk.

I've frequently mentioned that Avery has been the proud user of a pacifier.  She started off as a frequent enjoyer during fussy times but never slept with one.  The summer she turned one, she stopped napping well, and I began letting her use it then.  By the time she was 13-14 months old, she stopped wanting it during the day unless she saw it, so we put them away except for nap.  My plan was to take it away when she transitioned from 2 naps to 1, thinking she would be tired enough to sleep without it.  I took that nap over Christmas holiday when she was 17 months old, and while she did sleep without it, her naps were shorter.  I panicked and gave the pacifier back a few days later.

Here we are at almost 31 months old.  It's definitely been on my mind to take the pacifier, but I feared that naps would cease to exist.  Avery needs naps, and so do I.  A month or so ago, I asked Jennifer if she had left a pacifier there, and her response was that Avery hadn't been napping with a pacifier for quite some time at her house.  Way to pull the wool over our eyes, little girl!  After that, I knew we needed a plan, and I decided it would be better to do it before the move and the baby, since a few months after moving she'll transfer to a big bed.

I don't remember how it all played out, but I do know that Avery really wanted a truck like the one we gave Emerson for Christmas.  After the holidays, she also really wanted Toes (our elf) to come back.  So at some point, I asked if it would be ok for Toes to take her pacifiers and leave her a truck like Emerson's.  She seemed excited about it, and we've been talking about it since then, waiting for Mama to work up her nerve the right time.

Since Avery would be home all weekend, I decided that this past weekend would be the time.  We let her have a pacifier Saturday because Ned had some things to do during her nap, and I couldn't be back and forth getting her to go to sleep.  Lolli and Poppa came for dinner and brought the pacifier from their house.  When we took her to bed, Toes had arrived in her room with a basket for transport.


She was excited to see him and had no problem gathering her pie pies and dropping them in the basket.

It's been another busy two weeks.  By last weekend, kitchen, bathroom, and utility room cabinets had been installed.  Our stair railings had been installed also.  This week, some of the trim was added to the cabinets.  They aren't quite finished, but we're pleased with how they look so far.

After a tough weekend, it was good to have a nice week.  The time just keeps moving quicker and quicker.  That's a blessing since I'm home all the time, but it's also a little scary/exciting with all that's coming up.

Ned went and got Avery from my parents' Sunday morning.  I was eager to have her home since Lolli had picked her up Saturday morning instead of Saturday afternoon.  Ned went to the grocery store while she napped, and for some reason it was a short nap.  Once Ned got back, put away the groceries, and got Avery up, our cabinet man called and said he was done installing the cabinets.  As exciting as that sounded, I was not in the best mood after a not the best weekend.  Being home alone on the weekends just seems different from being home alone during the week, and that coupled with small house frustrations just had me in a funk.  I finally decided we would go to the house, but then I spent my time there stressing out over little things I thought were wrong.  I'm sure I should have waited until I was in a more positive mood to go see something I had been so excited about.  Lolli had prepared our dinner, and then we Ned watched the Super Bowl after Avery went to bed.

I wasn't feeling so off Monday, but I still just felt worked up.  It showed in my BP numbers also.  They weren't terrible, but they were higher than they normally are at home.  I definitely think stress/anxiety/nerves plays a large part in my readings.  Ned got the cabinet issues solved, and it turned out that they weren't issues at all.  It was a good lesson to me to take a step back and wait for answers instead of jumping to conclusions and assuming the worse.  I think I'll work on that when I'm no longer pregnant, though.  We watched The Voice after Avery went to bed.  Ned is sad that we're now recording The Bachelor and I'm watching it during the day.

I had a doctor's appointment Tuesday.  Everything looked good, and we went over the reports from the specialist in Norfolk.  He wanted my blood work and 24-hour urine repeated, so I did the blood work and got what I needed for the other.  While I was in the doctor, Ned picked up some cabinet knobs and pulls that I ordered so that I could try different ones on the cabinets.  We also squeezed in a lunch at Dairy Queen.  That afternoon I was excited to receive an Amazon box filled with a variety of goodies including Avery and Sam's presents for each other at the hospital, our monitor (video), and bottles (Avent).  I listened to those suggestions you all gave, so we'll see how they all work for us.  I hadn't put Avery to bed in about a week, so we had plans to do that.  By dinner she was insistent that Daddy rock her, and I was crushed.  I know she needs to be happy for both of us to do it, especially since before bed rest Ned could not put her to bed if I was home.  It still caused tears for me.

On Wednesday I registered for Moms on Call and began watching the videos.  Even though we've done this before and I don't feel totally unprepared, I still love learning tips and tricks about babies, especially where scheduling is involved.  Avery was on a great night schedule before 8 weeks, but I feel like it just happened.  I watched some and took good notes and was really pleased with the information they shared.  Hopefully this will help me "guide" Sam's days and nights if needed.  When Ned got home at noon we unpacked some boxes that had been arriving, and then he went to cut down some trees at the house.  I did my 24-hour urine test all day and that is quite a joy.  I was determined to rock Avery, so I just went upstairs when they did for bath, and she was excited to have me.

I had to go do more blood work Thursday morning because some had to be done at the conclusion of the urine test.  We dropped Avery off on our way, and it was a quick stop to have blood drawn.  I got so hungry on the way home and felt like my sugar was low, so I had Ned stop for a drink and some Nabs.  After that I just felt tired all day, so I didn't do much.  After dinner for all and bedtime for Avery, Ned went to drill.  He got home just in time to watch Grey's Anatomy.

My main goal Friday was to get the ball rolling for phone service at the house.  I managed to do that, a few other things, and I finished reading It Sucked and Then I Cried by Heather Armstrong.  Her blog was one of the first that I read and didn't know the author.  I don't agree with all she says, but in the first few months of Avery's life, it was good to read Heather's old posts about a fussy baby who didn't nap.  I knew a lot of what was going on in the book, but it was a good story of how she struggled and overcame post-partum depression.  Avery and Ned picked up dinner and were late getting home.  Avery had had an accident at Jennifer's and one in the truck.  She never has accidents.  Then all night she would fuss and say she needed to potty but then wouldn't go.  I was convinced she had a UTI and would have to go to the emergency room on Saturday.  I was relieved to find a bit of a rash at bedtime and prayed that some Butt Paste would take care of the problem.  I sat on the floor and played with her some which she really seemed to enjoy, and she wanted me to put her to bed again.

She was up early Saturday morning so Ned put her in the bed with us even though no more resting takes place when she's in the bed.  She was hungry and congested but luckily had no UTI symptoms.  We had a great morning snuggling since she wasn't feeling the best from her cold.  Ned went to get a hair cut and to the store and she stayed with me.  She started asking for a nap before 11 a.m. but we made it until 12:30.  Ned went to clean up the trees he cut Wednesday and came home soon after the mail lady cut nap short with all her knocking.  Why don't they just leave the package?  Avery knew Lolli and Poppa were coming and asked every 3 minutes if they were here.  She also got on another Ho Ho kick.  It's hard to explain waiting until December to someone who doesn't quite understand tomorrow.  I thought the Easter Bunny might be a good distraction, but after 50 rounds of Peter Cottontail I wasn't so sure.  Then the mailman came again and Avery was sure it was the Easter Bunny and he would "hop in the door."  Mimi came to bring two outfits Ned wore as a baby, then we met Lolli and Poppa at the house.  They came back for dinner and had brought a meal and banana pudding for us for this week.  Avery is sure we are supposed to have cake each time Lolli and Poppa come, but she settled for a heart-shaped BoBerry biscuit.

The big news of the night is that we carried out our pacifier plan.  Avery was of course all excited about it tonight, but the true test will be nap time tomorrow since that's when she gets it.  I hate to do it while she's a little under the weather, but I felt that if she was talking positively about giving them up then it was time for me to get over it and just do it.  Stay tuned!

I'm linking up at Kelly's Korner today to share my working mom story.  I hate the working mom/SAHM debate.  Actually, I hate all mom debates.  I pray that moms out there do like I do...the absolute best for their child/children and family.  What's best for you is not necessarily best for me, and that doesn't make it just "good" or second best.  I've seen other moms describe this choice and others in that fashion, though.

I started teaching elementary school in the fall of 2005, right after I graduated college.  When Avery was born, I stayed home 12 weeks, but there was never any doubt that I would return to my job.  Right now, that's what's best for our family.  We were thankful that our first choice in babysitter had an opening, and Avery has been at her in-home daycare for 2.5 years.  Avery loves Jen-Jen, loves her buddies, and loves her days on the farm.  She loves Jennifer's older children and her husband and calls Jennifer's mom Ganny just like her grandchildren do.  Baby Sam will join Avery there next August.  Jennifer is one of our biggest blessings and makes my job as Mommy and teacher much easier.

I have never felt guilty about being a working mother, but that's not to say it's easy.  When I married Ned I picked up a 35 minute drive to work, and dropping Avery off/picking her up adds time to that.  She is less than 10 minutes from school, so she is along for most of the ride.  I hated when she was an infant and had to get up at 6 a.m. to get her bottle and get ready.  Even now, we still wake her at 6:30, and while we may have created a rooster, she's adjusted fine.  I stay there instead of moving closer because it's in my hometown where my parents live and because of the people I work with.  As any working mom will agree, it's also tough to get everything done from 4:30 p.m. until bedtime.  I am lucky that I'm not arriving home at 6 p.m. or later as I'm sure many do.  And, from my time at home, I know that SAHMs don't always have an abundance of time to get things done during the day either.  We do have someone clean our house every other week during the school year, and that does relieve some of the stress on me.

Everyone says that teaching is the perfect job for parents.  The days off are great, and I'm thankful to always have holidays and weekends off.  There are so many needed professions out there that do not have that luxury.  Summer break is much appreciated too and gives me that long stretch at home.  I think teaching is one occupation that gives you a sense of what it's like to work and what it's like to stay at home.  Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

I do have a little vomit rise in my throat though when people say that teaching as a parent is easy, or when summer vacation rolls around and my Facebook feed is full of people who want to go into education.  Please come try a week in my 3rd grade classroom anytime.  Those breaks are needed.  Teaching doesn't allow me to run out on my lunch break, eat in peace, make or receive phone calls, and sometimes I'm lucky if I make it to the bathroom.  I'm wise enough to know that jobs that allow some or all of those things don't have the vacations that teaching does.  Everything in life is a trade-off.

I'm not sure that I'll always work.  With Ned's business, there are ways now that I could stay home, but in a family business, what's possible and what happens are two different things.  I also don't know that I'll always teach.  I love my colleagues, but teaching is not the shiny, happy thing you learn about in college.  I am thankful for my job and the people I work with, and I'm always thankful for those "light bulb moments."  However, I'm never eager to return after summer vacation, and when I'm home, as I am now on bed rest, I'm not wondering what's going on.  That could be due to all the other I need to be concerned with at the present, though.  I try very hard not to bring home work.  I can't do my Mommy, wife, daughter, friend, etc. work at school, so I don't feel the need to do my schoolwork at home if I can help it.  I find it odd that teachers are expected to take a bag home each day and know teachers (myself included) who have bags that never make it past the car in the afternoon.

I have many ideas of what I might want to do one day, ranging from school librarian or gifted instructor to opening a Chik-Fil-A.  Ned has decided I should get my license to appraise homes since we've had lots of difficulty with our appraiser while building and there a need for one in our area.  But, right now, teacher is a hat that I wear in addition to many others, and thankfully it's an overall good fit for my family.

This will be exceptionally short since I'm sure no one wants to read about what I do on the couch all day or what Ned does at work.  We didn't have a very exciting week, but I guess that's a good thing for us right now.  Church, work, babysitter's, bed rest, house, and baby were the themes again this week.

It was great to get away Thursday, well after the whole being terribly nervous part.  In addition to lunch, I had Ned run in Hallmark to get a recordable storybook for Avery.  I haven't done it yet, but I thought Under the Same Moon would be a good one for when I'm in the hospital.

I did some reading myself this week.  I reread/finished reading What Women Fear, which had been on my Kindle forever.  I started it and never finished.  I read Heaven is for Real Saturday afternoon.  I know I'm very behind on that, but our Sunday school class is getting ready to do the DVD series.  I also read the January and February sections in The Happiness Project.  My goal last year was to read 12 books, and I think I came pretty close.  This year will be even more chaotic I'm sure, so I may get my 12 read in the first few months of the year.  I have kind of a random list on my Kindle of things to read, but hopefully they'll all be good.  Last year I got ideas from Blue-Eyed Bride, but she hasn't done her reading list this year.

The last few weekends have been long, and this one seemed especially so.  Ned needs to be running in a million directions, so Avery is either at my parents' or with him.  This weekend she stayed there Saturday night because he had his installation banquet for the fire department.  She left mid-morning Saturday, and Ned spent the afternoon getting ready for the banquet and was there most of the night.  There are no plans next weekend other than the craziness that's our life, so I'm hoping to enjoy the weekend a little more.

We did have some fun Saturday morning.

Yesterday I had my appointment with the perinatologist.  I won't even try to lie and say I wasn't a nervous wreck.  Between worrying that something would be wrong and they would keep me in Norfolk (1.5 hours from home), everyone getting out of the house by 6:45 a.m., and the almost 2 hours in the car including dropping Avery off, I could feel I was just worked up.  I haven't even been upright or out for that long in 3 weeks.

They finally called us back, and of course the first thing they want is my BP, sitting up.  My doctor always takes it lying on my side, and that's how I take it at home.  It was high, and the bottom number was ridiculous.  They did the typical checks and then left us in the room to wait for the doctor.  I could feel my anxiety building.  The nurse came in with the doctor to check my BP again, and it was higher.  At that point, I started waving around my numbers from home.  I was not staying in the city.  The doctor had a good sense of humor, and after asking me some questions about my history, he sent me to get my US and said he'd see me when it was over.  When he asked if I had any questions, my only one was "Are you keeping me?"  He said at that point he saw no reason too.  Music to my ears.

He hurried along the ultrasound people, which is good because I was starving and thirsty.  The ultrasound lady was really nice, and I was pleased to hear that everything looked good while we watched on a TV screen.  It was LONG though.  She literally checked/measured every part of his body.  Everything looked great, and he's still a boy.  I didn't really expect any problems, but you just never know.  His stomach is measuring small, but all his other measurements were good, and his estimated weight was 4 lbs 11 oz.  I know those can be off, but I was thrilled to be over 4 lbs.  I was a little concerned with his stomach, because I know the high blood pressure can cause IUGR.  The lady took the report to a different doctor (apparently one that's only in the US department), and he was pleased and just recommened another check in 3 weeks to make sure he's growing enough.  I'm excited to see Sam again, but I'm hoping it won't be so long.  I was on my back so long that I got really hot and sweaty feeling and had to lay on my side for awhile.

It was back to the other side of the waiting room to see the doctor again after that.  We were starving.  Luckily they called us back pretty quickly but took my stinking BP again.  It had come down by that point so that was good.  I really think I need an anxiety pill before my blood pressure is checked.  My doctor had warned me that this doctor was big on IUGR and had told me not to worry if he said he suspected that.  However, he was pleased with all the measurements and how everything looked.  I'll see him in 3 weeks after the US, and I assume he'll decide if Sam needs to be born to gain weight or can wait until 37-38 weeks.  I'll be 36 weeks then so that's not a huge deal.  If that doctor is happy, I'm happy too.  He does not recommend me going past 39 weeks, so I'm thinking Sam will be here around the first week of March if things continue to go well.

Ned and I were both pleased when we left and hit up California Pizza Kitchen.  That involved some walking in the mall, but we won't tell anyone that.

During the US, I asked if they did any in 3D, and she said not unless they really needed to see something well.  But, she tried hard to get a picture of his face.  He wanted to hide behind his hands, but we got somewhat of an idea.  It's getting a little tight for 3D at 33 weeks.  I'm including Avery's 3D at 28 weeks, which was routine then at my doctor's office.  Hers is a little easier to see, but I do think I see some resemblance.

Here is Sam...


And here is Avery...


It's amazing to think that in 4-5 weeks Sam could be here and we can really see who he looks (and acts) like.