Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Good News Comes In Twos!

So I’m three weeks in with the NHS and everything is going great! I’m meeting new people everyday and getting to know the people I work with even better. I’ve been able to help almost every department in the hospital; doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and social workers. It’s amazing how down to earth they all are. Sometimes I don’t have anything to do and I get really bored, but I just go for a walk around the hospital, have a chat with the front desk staff or tease the head wound victims.

As you all know we had our 20 week scan last week. (Side note: I use to hate it when my pregnant friends would speak in weeks and not months! But now I get why, it’s the only way your doctors, midwives and the books talk about pregnancy. You get used to it. So in layman’s terms I’m 4 months pregnant, or half way through). The sonographer started by pointing out all the major bones: legs, feet, arms, hands, spine, skull and ribs. Then all the major organs: heart, brain, bladder, and kidneys. Baby is healthy and all parts are accounted for. She measured things and took some screen shots for us to take home. Then it was time to look for the really important bits. And even before she said “It’s a boy!” it was clear to see that it was definitely a boy! There was this little willy sticking straight up! (Is this going to be one of those things that when he grows up he’ll say “Mom! I can’t believe you put that online!! I’m so embarrassed!”?)

Of course I started crying, I always do when we get to hear or see the baby. The picture was so clear! You could see everything! What surprised me the most was how much he was moving around. I can’t really feel all his movements yet, he’s so protected in there, and I always picture him sleeping soundly. But actually he’s dancing around all over the place! I was so impressed with the first scan but this one was way better. He was just a little bug before. But now, only half way, and he’s so fully formed. I guess since all his bits are made we just have to work on growing him bigger now. That’s why I eat a Snickers bar after lunch everyday.

As most of you know I was totally preparing for a girl, I even had the name picked out. I thought I was born to look after girls; after all I have 4 younger sisters and a step daughter. So I just assumed it would be a girl. How daft. So I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’ll be raising a boy. And thinking about what kind of boy I want to raise. Paul can teach him to cook and how to play guitar. I can teach him about insects and Dr. Who. That way he'll be a good mix of cool and nerdy.

We have a few boys names on the shortlist, but nothing’s grabbed us so far. It’s really hard to pick out baby names! I thought it would be fun, but there’s so much to it. You don’t want it to be something you just found on the internet, it must have meaning. I like names with a good story behind them. And I don’t like super common names. Of course there are boys names we like but it always turns out that either I know someone with that name (“Oh not that one! I knew a Patrick in high school who was a real prat!”) Or Paul just doesn’t like it, or one of our friends has a baby with that name already (“Isn’t Angela’s son named Charlie?”) So we’re really no closer to naming this kid. But I’ll let you guys know as soon as we agree on something.

We’ve got a lot of work to do on the baby’s room. Actually its Maria’s room as well, which adds to the work. I want to make it comfortable for them both. We bought Maria a new bed on ebay. It’s one of those high beds with space underneath for drawers or a desk. The only problem is we had to totally dismantle the bed to get it in the car. And it didn’t come with directions. So I think we’re in for quite a puzzle. I also bought a ton of boys clothes on ebay. Mostly 3-6 months. We got 80 items for £30 and they’re all in great condition! I’ve been doing laundry for three days straight.

Now if you’ve made it this far through all that rambling you deserve to know the rest of our great news. We’re coming home for a visit!!! Paul and I will be in Portland from October 22 until November 7. We have a few things planned but I’d like to use this opportunity to organize a few other events.

1. Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze- Let’s get the old gang together for one last trip through the haunted corn maze. Who’s in? Rene? I know you’re down. Leah?

2. Dinner at Spag Fac- Baby wants some pesto dressing (and for Mommy to get better taste in restaurants) Cheesy, yes. But you can’t knock free bread. And it’s a bit of a tradition for Jenn and I. Everyone is invited! Just tell me if you wanna join us and I’ll let you know when we go.


Thank you so much for all your comments on my last post! It was so great to hear from you! And I had a good laugh reading them all. I'm so please that everyone is just as excited that it's a boy as I am!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Here's The Latest Picture Of My...



Son!!!

I can't believe I'm having a boy! I'm so happy I must have cried 14 times, just on the way home! I never in a million years thought it was a boy. Now that I know it is I'm so proud! I can't wait! Even though Paul and I have no experience raising boys, we can work it out. I know you have to be careful when diaper changing, but that's the extend of my knowledge. I'm really looking forward to the new experience! Well, I'm still in shock and I'm really hungry, so I will catch up with everyone real soon, as we have some more exciting news...stay tuned.

A boy! Wow!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Pregnant Temp...isn't that an oxymoron?

I’ve started my second week with the In-patient Neuro Rehabilitation Unit. And things are going great! I share an office with 1-6 people, depending on the day. I sit at a massive U shaped desk that wraps around the room. I mainly work with Julie who is a PA to a few of the doctors and a real kick in the pants. I do paperwork, filing, email checking, calendar fiddling and whatever else floats my way. I eat lunch with “the girls” everyday in the canteen. I leave happy at 4:30 every afternoon. Everyone is helpful and genuinely friendly.

The only problem is getting used to the fact that I this isn’t actually my job. I’m making phone lists for myself and personalizing my desktop, but why? I might only be here until the end of October. I’ve never temped before so I spose it’s all a force of habit. Get a job, make friends, settle in and start marking your territory with Post-It reminders, family photographs and Far Side comics, right? But I can’t do that this time. It's weird.

Things are going real good with the "scone in the oven" as my wonder twin Matt says. I've been feeling what I was pretty sure were kicks for the past few weeks. And then a few days ago I SAW a kick! That's never happened to me before, I thought. It must be baby and not just windy-pops! So I laid really still and waited for another. It was small but it moved! Of course I was alone and had no one to scream with delight to. But all the same, it was magical. These sudden dance moves were brought on by Lucozade, a fizzy sports drink. I must try that again when Paul is here.

I totally scored on ebay again. I got a practically new pram (stroller) & travel system. All for 25 pounds! Bargain! Oh and we picked up a posh changing table/bath for only 11! My god, I should go pro ebay shopper. I'll post a picture of the baby's room as soon as it's finished.

We have a big day tomorrow, hopefully. It's my 20 week scan and we might be able to find out if this is a girl bump or a boy bump. I can't wait! And of course I will tell you guys immediately! So watch this space!

And now for the Belly Shot! So forget all about my going on and on about looking fat. I'm way past that now. I look amazing! It's a proper bump now! I'm so proud.

Still no ass.


See ya tomorrow!!!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

You know you're pregnant when...

you keep putting your underwear on inside out, but you don't bother fixing it right away cause that would involve bending over.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Bump and Batman

Holy crap, it's September. When did that happen? I'm feeling really good and all is well. I had a little probelm a few days ago and had to go to the hospital. I wasn't panicing until I did some self diagnosis online, always a bad idea. And then I had a bit of a cry and called the midwife the next day. It was just a girlie problem, pretty common, nothing everyone wants to hear about. Just know (Mom & Pops) that bump and I are happy and healthy.

I finally got in with NHS! I'm officially a Grade 3 temp now. My first assignment will be at the Moseley Hall Hospital starting next Tuesday. Which is a beautiful campus very near our house. I'll be doing your average admin work and getting paid weekly...very weakly. (Ha!) But it's all worth it for the incredible flexibility and various job opportunities. I'm really looking forward to starting! I'm just not sure how much longer my work trousers will fit. I may have to invest in some maternity clothes soon. But I have to wait until that first check.

Mainly because I blew all our money buying baby things on ebay. I was left home alone last week and went ebay mad! Ya know how it is when you snag one thing last minute style and then you just want more? I spent like 100 pounds (I still have no pound sign on my laptop) and had to make a full confession to Paul the next day. But after the buyers remorse it was like Christmas!!! Waiting everyday to see what the post man would bring, I'd open up my package with glee and say "Oh I forgot I even bought this!". I got a baby bjorn, external frame backpack type carrier, the cutest newborn sweater ever, a little white robe, a tooth pot, fetal heart monitor, a nighttime bottle warming system, loads of newborn clothes, a pair of Osh Kosh B'Gosh overalls (because what kid doesn't look absolutlety adorable in those??), a cot bed that turns into a toddler bed and a playmat. Personally I think I did very well for my hundred quid. There are a few things I want to get new, for instance the breast pump, but I don't mind lots of used stuff cause it's so cheap!

Side Note: Dontcha just hate it when you're alone in the house and you've got a bad case of the windy-pops, and since you're all alone you crack one off and fill the room with death. Then the doorbell rings. Oh no! It's the handy man to repair the oven! Shit! And since our front door opens right into our small reception room (the scene of the incident) he's forced into the gas chamber of doom. And try as you might to rush him straight through to the kitchen, he's not having any of it and taking off his shoes at the door! I'd watch it mate, those might be melted by the time you get back.

My new craving this week is Salt & Vinegar Hula Hoops:

These are a British classic. They fit perfectly around your finger tips (like an olive).

I haven't had any comments on here in ages. So I think it's just you and me blog. And I gotta say, I watched the original Batman last night, the one with Michael Keaton and Kim Basinger. Now Michael Keaton in this film certainly isn't what I would call "sexy", what with the jeans pulled up to 1989 and the fuzzy hair. But something happens to his mouth when he puts the Batman mask on. All I can say is MEE-OOW! I may be pregnant and married but could someone please break me off a piece of that?