Hi!
Without too much oversharing---I had a little mini-fire-drill, thinking it was TIME!
Multiple symptoms began yesterday at 6:15 pm---and we wanted to get a real doctor's opinion before calling the whole world and letting them know it's time. THANK GOD we had restraint!
It's not time. :( In fact, the doctor said, there are no signs and signals at this point. We're a ways away. Though, he did say, things can change very quickly.
Dave's mom will be here this weekend, so when it really is TIME, she can help with things like driving to the hospital.
My mom is grateful that Carolyn (Dave's mom) can be here to help me. My mom is legally blind and she's got COPD and is on continuous oxygen. She has portable oxygen tanks that last about 2 hours each--which--are too heavy for her to carry even! So--she needs my help a lot for many basic things we all take for granted. I know she would love to be able to help me more, but things are what they are. And, if I'm deep into labor, I can't be much help to her either. So--thank goodness for Dave's mom--and my uncle Adam, who both have graciously offered to step in and help!
I'm so glad I have both moms who have actual experience with actual children and infants--because I don't have any experience. And they're both lovely. Also--my dad's sister has offered to come help after Carolyn goes back home. So--THANK GOD for all these helpful, experienced MOM'S!! I am very lucky.
OK--more soon---when it really IS TIME.
We miss you. Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Dave turns 40!
We are officially middle-aged.
Except, we're just starting our family and Dave's second career. Apparently all very common these days. Except by the time we have our 'family home' it will be time to move into an active adult community. [Not that we would!!]
So--anyway--back to Dave. Last weekend, we went to that tasty Mexican restaurant in downtown D.C. This weekend, we went to see 'The Dark Knight' and Dave got to play with his new 'Grand Theft Auto' videogame and we had delicious ice cream cake from this place called Maggie Moos. Those are the things he really wanted for his 40th. His mom is coming this weekend, and we'll celebrate more of the birthday season.
Except--POOR DAVE--I ruined his birthday. First, I should say, I cooked an elaborate, delicious breakfast--and everything was normal and lovely the first part of the day.
Later, he took me to the movies on what was possibly my worst time in my whole pregnancy. I resolved my pants issue--by getting some more that are HUGE. So--that was OK. But--I wore some shoes that I had been wearing throughout--but, that I shouldn't wear these days--they're just too tight with my sausage-dog-ankles. But, fashion took priority over reality--since we were going out in PUBLIC.
Sitting for 2 hours was pretty near unbearable, and my right ankle swelled sooo much during the movie--that realistically, I couldn't wear my shoes--and I basically had to limp and shlep myself while holding onto walls and ballasters while we walked back to the car. No possibility of browsing or having a nice time at the mall together. I felt like everyone was staring at me. It was really crowded, and there were lots of people behind us. I felt like a spectacle.
It felt like we parked a million miles away. By the time we got back to the car, I was verging on tears. Just so completely frustrated by this whole thing. It goes on and on and on. There's little I can do to relieve my discomfort. I can't even verbalize exactly what feels so uncomfortable. I guess a 7 pound person pressing and pushing on internal organs...? So--it was bad. I think Dave was bewildered about what to do.
My fragile emotional state with complete meltdown lasted well into the evening. And instead of me making a yummy birthday dinner for everyone, Dave had to get Chinese Take-Out. It was the first time I was that emotional in this whole 9 months.
Dave was a peach. As usual. So sweet. He sat with me and held my hand and ordered me to relax for the next several days.
I have been a fit and healthy person in my life--so all of this physical limitation and constant discomfort has really challenged my self-concept. Not to mention, put a real crimp in my actual activities. Like the movies. Come on--how hard is it to go to the movies?!!
Big fun. We miss you!
Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Except, we're just starting our family and Dave's second career. Apparently all very common these days. Except by the time we have our 'family home' it will be time to move into an active adult community. [Not that we would!!]
So--anyway--back to Dave. Last weekend, we went to that tasty Mexican restaurant in downtown D.C. This weekend, we went to see 'The Dark Knight' and Dave got to play with his new 'Grand Theft Auto' videogame and we had delicious ice cream cake from this place called Maggie Moos. Those are the things he really wanted for his 40th. His mom is coming this weekend, and we'll celebrate more of the birthday season.
Except--POOR DAVE--I ruined his birthday. First, I should say, I cooked an elaborate, delicious breakfast--and everything was normal and lovely the first part of the day.
Later, he took me to the movies on what was possibly my worst time in my whole pregnancy. I resolved my pants issue--by getting some more that are HUGE. So--that was OK. But--I wore some shoes that I had been wearing throughout--but, that I shouldn't wear these days--they're just too tight with my sausage-dog-ankles. But, fashion took priority over reality--since we were going out in PUBLIC.
Sitting for 2 hours was pretty near unbearable, and my right ankle swelled sooo much during the movie--that realistically, I couldn't wear my shoes--and I basically had to limp and shlep myself while holding onto walls and ballasters while we walked back to the car. No possibility of browsing or having a nice time at the mall together. I felt like everyone was staring at me. It was really crowded, and there were lots of people behind us. I felt like a spectacle.
It felt like we parked a million miles away. By the time we got back to the car, I was verging on tears. Just so completely frustrated by this whole thing. It goes on and on and on. There's little I can do to relieve my discomfort. I can't even verbalize exactly what feels so uncomfortable. I guess a 7 pound person pressing and pushing on internal organs...? So--it was bad. I think Dave was bewildered about what to do.
My fragile emotional state with complete meltdown lasted well into the evening. And instead of me making a yummy birthday dinner for everyone, Dave had to get Chinese Take-Out. It was the first time I was that emotional in this whole 9 months.
Dave was a peach. As usual. So sweet. He sat with me and held my hand and ordered me to relax for the next several days.
I have been a fit and healthy person in my life--so all of this physical limitation and constant discomfort has really challenged my self-concept. Not to mention, put a real crimp in my actual activities. Like the movies. Come on--how hard is it to go to the movies?!!
Big fun. We miss you!
Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
7 pounds in 1 week!
So--I was right. I did gain a bunch of weight. But, I did not eat an additional 24,500 calories last week. So--the doctor thinks it's FLUID retention. Great.
Will this pace continue for the next 3 weeks? If so, I could gain an additional 21 pounds this August. Wonderful!
No wonder none of my clothes fit.
How to leave the house to buy new clothes when you look like a sausage...
:( Sad!
We miss you. Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Will this pace continue for the next 3 weeks? If so, I could gain an additional 21 pounds this August. Wonderful!
No wonder none of my clothes fit.
How to leave the house to buy new clothes when you look like a sausage...
:( Sad!
We miss you. Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
pregnancy note
OK--I didn't think I could get any bigger. I really have not been PORKING out. Seriously. But I don't fit into any of my pants, and I'm feeling resistance to leaving the house to go buy more---because, it's, shall we say--too late? I look like a sausage. How can I leave the house looking like that? Besides, I don't want to spend the money. This is almost over.
Last Wednesday I was all proud of myself for only having gained 35 pounds. Everything I read said the weight gain slows down at this point.
We'll see what the doctor says this Wednesday. I bet I've gained 30 more pounds.
Oh--and---all yesterday we had practice contractions called 'Braxton Hicks' :)
TICK TOCK.
Last Wednesday I was all proud of myself for only having gained 35 pounds. Everything I read said the weight gain slows down at this point.
We'll see what the doctor says this Wednesday. I bet I've gained 30 more pounds.
Oh--and---all yesterday we had practice contractions called 'Braxton Hicks' :)
TICK TOCK.
my goodness!
So--the thing I haven't been sharing is much news about my mom! Yes, she moved in with us on June 21st. Yes, all 3 of us with 2 dogs are living in a 1500 sq. ft. 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment until August 27th! Yes, it's close quarters!
She is adjusting to her new environment. The pluses for her are--that, unlike living in an Assisted Living arrangement, no one comes to visit, vacuum, or inquire about her every couple of minutes, so she can actually rest and feel like she has a regular life. Also--the furniture we have is super comfy (it's temporary too). And the carpet here for some reason is super soft. She says we are very good cooks and the food here is very good. And, the puppies are sweet and fun.
And, of course, I think she definitely prefers to be with family (me :) than having to make new friends all the time--though, that was fun and stimulating at times. At other times, not so much.
Those pluses have their own negatives--which, I was hoping would kind of get resolved organically. They aren't! And now I'm a little worried! My approach was the 'no news unless it's good news'...which, isn't working. So--now here's the news!
My mom has been sleeping sleeping sleeping for a huge amount of time each day. She's got a lot of health issues, so pin-pointing the cause of this has been a bit mysterious. First, we thought it was the new lifestyle--not having to be "on" for mealtimes and people stopping by all the time. Our lifestyle is far more 'boring' and 'quiet' than she is used to. She said she wanted Dave and I to have our own lives, and that dogs are a bit rambunctious, and they make her nervous, as much as she likes them.
Then, we thought perhaps it was a new respiratory medication she's got thrown into the mix of her other meds. I feared it may be that she's very sad (ambivalent?) about all the changes---(and--OK, yes---that we were headed for a major depressive episode).
Pursuing the answers has taken some time. And effort! We've been on the phone with a lot of doctors and talking with pharmacists. I'm in the middle of getting her established with all new doctors. She had been so stable for so many years, that I initially only focused on 2 specialists. Now, I wish I had set them ALL up before we moved. And, setting up some of the new ones is not going as planned--providers don't accept Medicare patients as readily as they once did! And, I messed up some of the papers she needed to see one of the specialists I DID set up before we moved--and so now they postponed her appointment by a month.
One pharmacist thinks it's one drug interaction, another doctor thinks it's something else, I think it's a different one yet--and what do I know? But, my mom is lucid, her coloring is pink and healthy, she's able to breathe and she seems upbeat. She seems completely normal--despite the fact that sleeping excessively is not normal.
So--now we're working with some of her former physicians who are familiar with everything and who treated her for years--and who will talk to us now---despite us being miles away.
Oh--the other part of this is that ADAM STRYKER, my uncle, is a SUPERSTAR. He has graciously agreed to be with my mom during my labor and delivery. I was really worried that I couldn't help my mom at all while I was doing that. And, it's a completely unpredictable amount of time. If she wanted to be at the hospital, if she wanted to go home, if some sort of emergency happened, there would be nothing I could do. And I didn't want Dave to (possibly) miss the birth of his child to tend to her.
So--especially given current circumstances, I didn't want her to be alone. We were looking into Home Health services, temporary stays at Assisted Living facilities, companions from local religious organizations. Mostly, incidentally, prohibitively expensive--like we should send her to the Four Seasons for the weekend instead.
So--thank GOD Adam is willing to set aside his work schedule and life to be here during this important time. I'm not sure he understands what a huge help and relief that is to me.
That's the big news. I had hoped to share the good stuff AFTER this was resolved. This was not to be. I didn't want you all to wonder. And, I feel a bit guilty that news with me, Dave and the baby is all sunshine when this is going on with her. I guess that's inherent in the circumstances.
Waiting for the doctor call-backs...we miss you!
Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
She is adjusting to her new environment. The pluses for her are--that, unlike living in an Assisted Living arrangement, no one comes to visit, vacuum, or inquire about her every couple of minutes, so she can actually rest and feel like she has a regular life. Also--the furniture we have is super comfy (it's temporary too). And the carpet here for some reason is super soft. She says we are very good cooks and the food here is very good. And, the puppies are sweet and fun.
And, of course, I think she definitely prefers to be with family (me :) than having to make new friends all the time--though, that was fun and stimulating at times. At other times, not so much.
Those pluses have their own negatives--which, I was hoping would kind of get resolved organically. They aren't! And now I'm a little worried! My approach was the 'no news unless it's good news'...which, isn't working. So--now here's the news!
My mom has been sleeping sleeping sleeping for a huge amount of time each day. She's got a lot of health issues, so pin-pointing the cause of this has been a bit mysterious. First, we thought it was the new lifestyle--not having to be "on" for mealtimes and people stopping by all the time. Our lifestyle is far more 'boring' and 'quiet' than she is used to. She said she wanted Dave and I to have our own lives, and that dogs are a bit rambunctious, and they make her nervous, as much as she likes them.
Then, we thought perhaps it was a new respiratory medication she's got thrown into the mix of her other meds. I feared it may be that she's very sad (ambivalent?) about all the changes---(and--OK, yes---that we were headed for a major depressive episode).
Pursuing the answers has taken some time. And effort! We've been on the phone with a lot of doctors and talking with pharmacists. I'm in the middle of getting her established with all new doctors. She had been so stable for so many years, that I initially only focused on 2 specialists. Now, I wish I had set them ALL up before we moved. And, setting up some of the new ones is not going as planned--providers don't accept Medicare patients as readily as they once did! And, I messed up some of the papers she needed to see one of the specialists I DID set up before we moved--and so now they postponed her appointment by a month.
One pharmacist thinks it's one drug interaction, another doctor thinks it's something else, I think it's a different one yet--and what do I know? But, my mom is lucid, her coloring is pink and healthy, she's able to breathe and she seems upbeat. She seems completely normal--despite the fact that sleeping excessively is not normal.
So--now we're working with some of her former physicians who are familiar with everything and who treated her for years--and who will talk to us now---despite us being miles away.
Oh--the other part of this is that ADAM STRYKER, my uncle, is a SUPERSTAR. He has graciously agreed to be with my mom during my labor and delivery. I was really worried that I couldn't help my mom at all while I was doing that. And, it's a completely unpredictable amount of time. If she wanted to be at the hospital, if she wanted to go home, if some sort of emergency happened, there would be nothing I could do. And I didn't want Dave to (possibly) miss the birth of his child to tend to her.
So--especially given current circumstances, I didn't want her to be alone. We were looking into Home Health services, temporary stays at Assisted Living facilities, companions from local religious organizations. Mostly, incidentally, prohibitively expensive--like we should send her to the Four Seasons for the weekend instead.
So--thank GOD Adam is willing to set aside his work schedule and life to be here during this important time. I'm not sure he understands what a huge help and relief that is to me.
That's the big news. I had hoped to share the good stuff AFTER this was resolved. This was not to be. I didn't want you all to wonder. And, I feel a bit guilty that news with me, Dave and the baby is all sunshine when this is going on with her. I guess that's inherent in the circumstances.
Waiting for the doctor call-backs...we miss you!
Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
3 balls for 75 cents
Tennis balls were on special today at the grocery store--and Daisy couldn't be happier. She is so funny. She entertains herself running around in circles and she's extremely cute to watch. Quite a sight in pitch black with the bright yellow tennis ball.
Dave is having somewhat of a birthday 'season.' He and I went to this delicious restaurant yesterday to celebrate his 40th. It's in downtown DC and he's afraid of me being too far away from home after this week, so he wanted to go ASAP. Their deal is small plates. They have a celebrity chef. The food was really really good. They made guacamole for us at our table. Everything was so fresh. It made me miss being at the beach. Dave had a Margarita and I was completely jealous.
OK, OK, OK, already. I'm ready for this baby! What is he waiting for anyway? IT'S TIME! I'm quite BORED with no job and just caring for Dave, my mom and our dogs. I can do it with my eyes closed.
I want to see if this mommy thing is the BIG HUGE DEAL everyone says it is. I tend to think that having been a caregiver for my mom, and having owned 4 dogs since I was 20 that I am more accustomed to the constant level of responsibility than someone who's very young when they first have a family. And having had 2 (albeit, failed) businesses, I know about constant responsibility. How much harder can this possibly be? We shall see.
One thing is that 5 people don't offer to come to work with you when you get a job. But, they do when you first have a baby. Offers of help come all over the place. So, either people really like babies, or it IS as hard as everyone says.
I also want to see if this labor and delivery thing is such a big huge deal too. The Hypnobirthing instructors seem to think it doesn't have to come with theatrics and ER-esque drama. I'll let you know. All I know is I'm wearing my gosh-darn long sleeve t-shirt and my pink tube socks--so I know I can hack it--whatever it will be :)
And, HELLO people, all I want is to be able to bend over, sleep, eat sandwiches, and drink a Margarita once in a while for goodness-sakes. And, let's talk about EXERCISING! I cannot wait to feel like a human-being again. I would think it's worth as much pain as you can throw at me to have those basic human dignities back.
In house news, it looks more and more done all the time. It's like Christmas when you go there. Which we do all the time. At least every day. Can you tell we're excited? Six weeks and counting. TICK TOCK.
So--yes, can you tell, things are SUPER BORING, super boring at the moment? We miss you! Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Dave is having somewhat of a birthday 'season.' He and I went to this delicious restaurant yesterday to celebrate his 40th. It's in downtown DC and he's afraid of me being too far away from home after this week, so he wanted to go ASAP. Their deal is small plates. They have a celebrity chef. The food was really really good. They made guacamole for us at our table. Everything was so fresh. It made me miss being at the beach. Dave had a Margarita and I was completely jealous.OK, OK, OK, already. I'm ready for this baby! What is he waiting for anyway? IT'S TIME! I'm quite BORED with no job and just caring for Dave, my mom and our dogs. I can do it with my eyes closed.
I want to see if this mommy thing is the BIG HUGE DEAL everyone says it is. I tend to think that having been a caregiver for my mom, and having owned 4 dogs since I was 20 that I am more accustomed to the constant level of responsibility than someone who's very young when they first have a family. And having had 2 (albeit, failed) businesses, I know about constant responsibility. How much harder can this possibly be? We shall see.
One thing is that 5 people don't offer to come to work with you when you get a job. But, they do when you first have a baby. Offers of help come all over the place. So, either people really like babies, or it IS as hard as everyone says.
I also want to see if this labor and delivery thing is such a big huge deal too. The Hypnobirthing instructors seem to think it doesn't have to come with theatrics and ER-esque drama. I'll let you know. All I know is I'm wearing my gosh-darn long sleeve t-shirt and my pink tube socks--so I know I can hack it--whatever it will be :)
And, HELLO people, all I want is to be able to bend over, sleep, eat sandwiches, and drink a Margarita once in a while for goodness-sakes. And, let's talk about EXERCISING! I cannot wait to feel like a human-being again. I would think it's worth as much pain as you can throw at me to have those basic human dignities back.
In house news, it looks more and more done all the time. It's like Christmas when you go there. Which we do all the time. At least every day. Can you tell we're excited? Six weeks and counting. TICK TOCK.
So--yes, can you tell, things are SUPER BORING, super boring at the moment? We miss you! Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Friday, July 18, 2008
the worst auntie---ever :(
I DIDN'T MAIL my sweet nieces birthday gift!!!!
Her birthday is today. She's having a birthday party later this month, and auntie will get it together by then. I promise!
I have such lovely aspirations---some years I get everyone's birthday card out, and then many years go by with no cards. Same with Christmas cards. Now that I'm not working, I HAVE NO EXCUSE.
I am so pre-occupied! In better news, we are completely ready for Isaac to arrive and it could be any moment now. TICK TOCK. It can't come soon enough for me. Bags are packed, doggies are registered at the kennel, car seat is (almost) installed.
Apparently the little bundle weighs between 6-7 pounds--BIG. And mommy feels HUGE. She's only gained 35 pounds--but it might as well be 835 pounds because she feels like doo doo. And watching her walk is comical. I promise to do more photos.
The doggies have been SUPER cute and fun. I'm telling you, the TREADMILL is like mommy paradise. No chewed shoes, no doggie accidents (ok, fewer doggie accidents), and no doggie arguing and jumping on grama. Tired doggies are the best thing ever.
The house is almost ready! August 27th! We move in that weekend. Happiness!
Dave's school starts soon too! He's got his class schedule and he's starting to be excited. I hope he feels very inspired and like this was the right thing for him. The disarmly handsome, classically prince charming-esque, love of my life turns 40 in a few weeks! Complete with ice cream cake and a trip to the movies to see Batman. Times have sure changed from when we were DINKS.
Boring today...I know. Nothing funny about the medical supply store, support hosiery, oxygen machines, prescription drugs, walkers, shower chairs, and doctor's appointments, and some emotional adjustment times. Perhaps there could be funny things--it just seems too serious and close to home to view anything about it with humour. It's not a big deal--just not funny.
I MISS YOU! Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
Her birthday is today. She's having a birthday party later this month, and auntie will get it together by then. I promise!
I have such lovely aspirations---some years I get everyone's birthday card out, and then many years go by with no cards. Same with Christmas cards. Now that I'm not working, I HAVE NO EXCUSE.
I am so pre-occupied! In better news, we are completely ready for Isaac to arrive and it could be any moment now. TICK TOCK. It can't come soon enough for me. Bags are packed, doggies are registered at the kennel, car seat is (almost) installed.
Apparently the little bundle weighs between 6-7 pounds--BIG. And mommy feels HUGE. She's only gained 35 pounds--but it might as well be 835 pounds because she feels like doo doo. And watching her walk is comical. I promise to do more photos.
The doggies have been SUPER cute and fun. I'm telling you, the TREADMILL is like mommy paradise. No chewed shoes, no doggie accidents (ok, fewer doggie accidents), and no doggie arguing and jumping on grama. Tired doggies are the best thing ever.
The house is almost ready! August 27th! We move in that weekend. Happiness!
Dave's school starts soon too! He's got his class schedule and he's starting to be excited. I hope he feels very inspired and like this was the right thing for him. The disarmly handsome, classically prince charming-esque, love of my life turns 40 in a few weeks! Complete with ice cream cake and a trip to the movies to see Batman. Times have sure changed from when we were DINKS.
Boring today...I know. Nothing funny about the medical supply store, support hosiery, oxygen machines, prescription drugs, walkers, shower chairs, and doctor's appointments, and some emotional adjustment times. Perhaps there could be funny things--it just seems too serious and close to home to view anything about it with humour. It's not a big deal--just not funny.
I MISS YOU! Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
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