Getting Things Ready 4 Our Little Guy!

The last 2 days I have had the most annoying eye twitch! Typically this is remedied by a good ol' fashioned nap! Not so in this case. Stress? Not really stressed this week. Well...not now as I have had the last 2 days off!

This week @ work was very stressful and my first 5 day evening stretch. This will be my schedule til I take maternity leave in October! I pray I am able to do this as I have lost my vacation pay @ Nodaway and haven't been @ Pine View long enough for FMLA/sick time...all the good stuff! This baby stuff is expensive! I had almost forgotten! Luckily, I sit most of the time @ work and only a time or two have I sat on the floor to do dressings. Some things I have just had to learn the hard way that this isn't really gonna work for me anymore! Med pass is prolly the most difficult time for me cuz standing still is a back crippler!

I have almost hit week 26. I have been having regular Braxton Hicks contraction which aren't painful but enough to remind me to slow down! I am starting to think alot about the delivery. Duane and I have definitely decided that this is the only baby we will be having so I have been contemplating getting my tubes tied/c-section birth! I worry about the recovery time...oh and the pain of natural birth...its been 14 years but I will NEVER 4get!!!! Appt. with Jane on Tuesday! I have yet to gain anything which I'm feeling pretty good about since I am eating everything in site!!!! I know this can't last 4 ever though!

This week has been rough for my partner in life as well. More job complications but finally the Doc decided to do some thorough XRays on his back and neck and I think we may be trying to get disability for him in the future. Such a good man and he wants to help so bad but over and over again, he just isn't physically capable.

I got a glimpse of what he is gonna be like on delivery day last Wednesday. Another reason I am wanting a c-section if possible. I just don't think my friendly duck and his anxiety will survive the birth of our child!

This pregnancy has been so different from my other 2 because with my first 2...I was the only one that was excited. Duane is thrilled and talks/sings to the baby daily. He will be such a good Daddy and I can't wait for him to hold baby Liam.....as long as he is sitting down! LOL

Yesterday I sat and did virtually nothing on my first day off. Today I woke up and Duane and I decided to make room for baby. We are keeping baby in our room until we find a bigger apartment next year. We have also made the executive decision to start with the bassinet (which I didn't have for either of my other 2 kiddies) 1 because its smaller and 2 because a crib and bedding cost A LOT and we have so much stuff we need to get and losing my job in the middle of my pregnancy put a lot of stress on us financially but with help from both of our parents, we are getting by.

Going through all Liam's clothes and all the stuff we have bought, we had forgotten about so much of it. Gives me a sense of relief to have everything in its place now. We have alot more than I thought we did. Still have a ton of stuff to get but a little at a time...we will get there! I thank God for yard sales because I have picked up sooooo much. Brand new name brand clothes!!! LOVE IT!!!



Waiting 4 Liam...

Time seems to be going faster since our last ultrasound. I am almost 24 weeks now. I still don't really look like I'm pregnant, prolly cuz I was a biggin to start with. I haven't gained any weight yet which concerns me but the US wasn't that long ago and we saw with our own eyes that he was growing. I'm not in a rush to gain weight just want the healthiest little guy possible!

Liam is usually very active especially @ bedtime. Sometimes on my way home from work he has already started kicking because he knows I'm trying to wind down. LOL

I have been craving corn on the cob and veggies. Sweets! I have been trying to eat more meat as I know Liam needs it. Tonight I am making Salisbury steak and taters and tomorrow I am gonna attempt a meatloaf. I'm making a salad in case I am unable to eat it!

I have been on my own at work...well not literally left alone yet but they don't help much anymore. I got a little overwhelmed yesterday with all the faxes and orders and placement of everything. I am a very organized person. I don't like a mess and I can't stand chaos! I also don't like that I don't know what I'm doing and have to ask for help. Hoping it gets better! Andy has been doing pretty good at his job. Hoping he gets himself a haircut with his first check!!! Duane starts Sunday night. Not sure how long this will last as he is already dreading it! Hoping he can maybe stay there til after I have the baby at least...so that I don't have to play catch up when I go back from maternity leave.

My Mom has helped us out sooooo much this last month. Her birthday is next month. I hope that I am at least able to take her out to eat! She's the only family I have left.

I try not to think about Dad and Julie not being here to see Liam but the truth is they aren't and I can't NOT think about it. I know when I see Duane's Dad with Liam it's gonna kill me cuz for some reason Pa reminds me of my own Dad!

I pray every day that Liam is perfectly healthy. A healthy baby is truly a blessing and one that so many take for granted.

A New Start!

Yesterday I worked my first 2-10 shift. For the most part it was good. Seems like a lot of stuff to remember. Almost overwhelming but I don't think they are turning me loose til next week. Yesterday I didn't even get a break. My back was bad b4 I got pregnant and is even worse now. Today, I will have to insist on a break! I think things will go better once I have my own routine and feel comfortable in the environment.

Andy starts his job @ McDonald's today. I believe it is just orientation and he should get his uniforms today. Duane starts orientation on Thursday. I am more concerned about him KEEPING this job because more than ever we need this job at least til after I have the baby. Money is scarce right now. With help from both of our parents, we are just getting by. Duane was able to get his car licensed yesterday which is great because both of the boys are starting work this week but we have no food in the house. (not exaggerating).  We applied for food stamps as soon as I lost my job from Nodaway but they look @ your income from the previous month so we don't qualify for anything this month which is when we DESPERATELY need them. Maybe we will get some help next month when our income will be higher than ever. Makes PERFECT sense 2 me!

It's sad but what are you gonna do about it?

BORED, HUNGRY AND BROKE!

Today seems to be never ending! I hate when I have no money because everything in life just seems blah! Kate has had Lexi over today. Lexi's house burnt down to the ground earlier in the week while she was at camp. We are SUPER stressed with bills and it's hard to keep food in the house but when I see someone else in need, I want to help when I can. Sometimes it is easy to forget all the things I have that I tend to take for granted.

This week brought news of Andy's first job @ McDonald's. He is supposed to start next Tuesday. He is more than excited and it will help us out financially with the new school year approaching and more than anything I hope he can make some new friends as he is living a different life now that he has returned home from the detention center.

Also, Duane will hopefully be starting @ Wal-Mart working night shift next week. Neither of us want him to work nights but we desperately need an extra income so we will take what we can get and hopefully he won't have to work nights for long.

I started orientating @ Pine View on Wednesday. I have been working 6-2 but will begin my normal shift of 2-10 as of Monday. I will have every Friday and Saturday off...which is nice but when football season comes around I will definitely be making a change! :)

As for the pregnancy, Liam is doing very well. He is very active and constantly moving. With the new job comes the wonderful new symptom of SORE FEET! I got home yesterday and had to sit in the recliner with my feet up for the longest time. Could NOT get comfortable. Also, I noticed some swelling in my right ankle. All of which I hope is just because the job is new and not because I have reached that point in my pregnancy where I will become miserable! LOL

Finally got some info in the mail regarding my unemployment appeal process. Praying that I can get that to go through so we can get back on top of things and prepare for this little life we have been growing!!!

WEEK 22

This is a new week! The last 3 have been HORRIBLE! With this week comes the start of a new job! I have never worked evening shift so hoping I can do it in the last 4 months of pregnancy! (GOD BE WITH ME!!!)

I have been fighting HORRIBLE heartburn the last 2 days! Hoping to get rid of that today as well!!! (Got my fat fingers crossed!!!) The joys of pregnancy! I don't wanna whine too much because for the most part...even with all the added stress, I LOVE being pregnant! It's not even about the attention I receive from everyone around me. It's about having a living person growing inside of you. Everytime I feel Liam move, I can't help but smile. I haven't reached the horribly uncomfortable stage yet so for now...I'm just gonna enjoy it!

Today also brings another Dr. appt. with Jane! Can't wait to tell her that Liam was measuring large and hope she agrees with the new due date of Oct. 3! Sounds MUCH better than the original Oct. 22!!!

My latest layout...Week 22!!!

YARD SALES

Been a rough couple of weeks and I don't see any relief in site! I did however get a job @ Pine View in Stanberry starting on Wednesday of this week. Not sure if we are going to have to move or have some things shut off. All the while we are expecting a baby in 4 months!!! Duane never heard anything from Wal-Mart so I'm assuming that means he didn't get the job. The job@ Pine View is a positive thing but also a negative because now I have the added expense of gas every week. Also, I won't be getting as many hours as I did @ Nodaway but I'm thankful to have it just the same. I think that I may apply for the low income housing just in case. Soooo much stress and baby is coming in a hurry! I try to remember that God has a plan. Even if it doesn't make sense for me right now, hopefully it will some day!

On a brighter note. Yesterday, Duane and I went to some yard sales for the first time since we found out we were DEFINITELY having a boy! It was a lot of fun. This am I am picking up my Mama to head to Savannah as they are having their annual city wide sales. Gonna try to be selective as money is tighter than ever before!

Soooo many clothes for 50 cents a piece??? Yes please!!!

Can't wait to put this on Liam. Hard to guess how big he will be by Christmas. Hope it fits!!!!

Again, hard to determine how big he will be on Halloween as I am due Oct. 3rd but how cute are these????

Lastly...Liam's first toys!!!! LOVE THEM!!!