Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Shooting Up

No, I'm talking about illegal substances; don't go calling DCFS on me. What I mean is the flu shot. Have you gotten yours? Are you going to be getting one?

I have never been a big believer in getting flu shots. I also rarely get the flu. Last year (after I started working at a hospital) it was required for all employees to either get the shot or sign a waiver refusing the shot. I got the shot and fell horribly ill two weeks later.

This year the job still requires one of the above two options. Since it is highly recommended for pregnant women, I got my shot.

My real question is about the H1N1 vaccine that will be coming out soon. Those highest on the priority shot for the vaccine include pregnant women (raises hand) and health care workers (keeps hand up). I am generally a believer in western medicine and vaccines and all things scientific. But with this one, I'm a bit hesitant. I'm hesitant because this is the first time we've ever had this vaccine. It has been rushed through production and there is no long-term information about the effects - good or bad. So it makes me feel a bit like a I, and my unborn child, are a bit of a guinea pig for this vaccine. I wish there was at least one year of data to look at.

On the other hand, I fully recognize there is a good reason pregnant women are at the top of the priority list. Studies of H1N1 have found that when preggos get it, they respond much worse than the general population. Even if they were healthy before they got it. I have heard some unsettling (yet unofficial) information about babies doing poorly after birth when mom had H1N1. I would hate to not do everything I can to protect myself and Blanche (in-utero baby name).

What complicates this is a Jan. due date. That is pretty smack in the middle of winter. It's not as though I can have this kid in the fall and then just become a hermit over the winter to minimize exposure. I will be out there working and living life. What would (or are) you doing about the H1N1 vaccine?
*Did I mention that I did talk to my OB about the vaccine. She said that the benefits of it outweigh the risks and will be getting it herself and encouraging her patients to get it too.

Monday, September 28, 2009

The Change

Remember a few weeks ago I talked about how I was giddy with a new change that was coming? The details have finally been worked out and the proper order for announcing the news has taken place. So now I can write about it on the blog. (Sorry blogger friends, you will always be the last to know.)

JM is getting a new job! We are really excited about it and feel very blessed to have this opportunity, especially in this kind of economy. The job is similar work to what he is currently doing, but with a much larger software company. One of the great things about this job is that we don't have to move to the frozen north. We get to stay in the home we love and watch the fruit trees we planted this spring grow over time. We are excited about the possibilities this new job will mean for his career and feel it is a great move for him right now.

His current employer is not happy to see him go, but we feel good about the decision. It will be hard for him to leave some great friends he has made at his current job. At least we will still be local, so the boys can still hang out.

He is taking a week off between jobs but then will be hitting the learning curve hard. So, I will enjoy having a husband for the next few weeks before he goes into overdrive working to learn a new company and products.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Fall Cooking

I love fall. I love the crispness in the air and all the yummy things to cook. I love that my kitchen isn't too hot to cook. I always get really ambitious this time of year and think I am going to bake up a storm. It rarely happens to the extent in my head, but it's fun just the same.

I love pumpkin. Pumpkin bread, roll, cheesecake, etc. (not so much the cookies, go figure). I have seen around that apparently there is a shortage of canned pumpkin this year. I bought an overpriced can at Smiths last week because it was there. The next time I was at Walmart, the pumpkin shelf was completely empty and I thought there might be some truth to this. Gasp! So I am planning on starting my baking with pumpkin bread. I have to get it in while we have some canned stuff in the pantry. Our family has already purchased more pumpkin bread from Kneaders this month than I care to share. Yum!!

I also made carmel apples a few weeks back and they were delish! Best Bites has a really yummy looking recipe for fancy carmel popcorn so I might have to give that a try too.

It doesn't help that I've hit the stage of pregnancy where I crave sweets constantly. Last night my dad brought us pizza and then we made cookies. I figure once you've already eaten 4 you might as well round up and make it an even 5. How could I not?! I brought some to work today and I'm sure I'll be eating more for dessert after dinner. So many great thing to cook for fall and just not enough time...

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

BG and a Baby

I took dinner to a friend with a new baby a few weeks ago. I brought BG along to see how she would do with a new baby. (My friend was more than willing to let her child be my guinea pig.) BG held the baby and loved every minute of it. At one point we asked if she wanted to give the baby back and she told us no.


I think she will do well when her little sister arrives. She talks about her frequently now. Just the other day she told the baby to "grow up big like me so you can come out!"My next task is to teach her how to change a diaper. You bet I'm enlisting help if I can get it!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Giddy

I'm giddy with excitement. There are some great new changes coming to our family soon. It's still too early to post details, but hopefully that will come in the next few days as it unravels.

It's the kind of change that left me unable to sleep last night because I couldn't turn my brain off. I kept rolling around different scenerios in my head and daydreaming about the future. Which means I'm actually very tired today, but still excited.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Busy Life

I didn't think that being a full time employee, wife, mother, and being pregnant was enough. So this semester I am also teaching a class at the local community college turned University. I'll tell you what! I have a much greater appreciation for my college professors.

The class I am teaching is a health class and the curriculum was all put together for me (thank goodeness!). All I have to do is read the book, present the materials and grade papers. Even that is turning out to be a lot of work! So to all you teachers out there, thank you for what you do. Thank you for taking the time it takes to teach well and educate students. I have been humbled by my small taste of your profession.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Gender Reveal

Yesterday we went the the OB and had my mid-pregnancy ultrasound. Just to increase the suspense, the tech did all the measurements and organ checking first. I'm measuring right on target for my Jan 21 due date. The baby has all the important features such as: heart, spine, brain, diaphragm, kidneys, stomach.

When we got to the money shot, the little bugger was crossing it's legs at the ankle. The tech looked at several different angles before telling us.

WE




ARE




HAVING




A




GIRL!
(I realize that was a bit TAMN-esk, but I wanted to build suspense.)

We are really excited. BG is excited about having a sister and has been talking about it ever since. I think there must be something in the water because I know of very few boys in utero right now.

Now we have to start on the name game. JM and I have a really hard time agreeing on girl names. It took a long time to get a short list for BG. Last night when we were laying in bed super tired, JM said "How about Blanche? It's a name AND a verb!" Maybe it was just because I was so tired, but I laughed pretty hard. What are your favorite girl names?

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Buddy or Princess

We have our ultrasound scheduled for next week. In addition to making sure the baby is healthy, has a working heart, two kidneys and so on, we also (hopefully) get to find out the gender. I'm all for finding out. I'm a planner and need to know. I also know from experience, it will help me bond with the baby better if I know what gender it is.

I don't have any strong inclination on the gender of this baby. When I was pregnant with BG, I was positive she was a boy. When I found out she was a girl, I cried. And not tears of joy. It took me a while to adjust to the idea of having a girl. Now I love having a girl and think it would be fun to have another. JM would like a boy. I will be happy either way. So what do you think? Vote on my poll and I'll let you know next week who is right. *Did I mention that everyone I know who is pregnant right now is having a girl?*