Week of June 18

[shauni27]

Morning, all.

We had a rough father's day weekend. S got a parasite and spent the entire weekend with severe diarrhea. His poor bum is all torn up and he is so miserable. On top of that, on Saturday H had a migraine so I was on mom duty alone. Then on Sunday he was gone for about 7 hours doing father's day shit with his dad, so again, just me. It was also in the 90s, my sister and her husband and dog came to stay with us for ten days and it being father's day I wanted to give H a nice and stress free day, so I also did all the cooking and cleaning. It was miserable.

and S was up from 2:30-5:30 this morning so I am exhausted. His daycare already called and said if he had one more loose stool this morning that I need to come and get him.

[mpc]

Aw sorry S has been so sick shauni27. Hope he turns the corner soon.

We didn't really do anything for father's day. I got H a shirt that say "I hate people". lol. Right up his alley.

You all will be glad to know that everyone has brown shoes for the wedding now. I have to start getting everything packed up - we are leaving thursday after work so H can go to the bachelor party, friday is a girls day then rehearsal, saturday wedding, then sunday brunch. It's going to be a long weekend.

[loira]

Shit father's day here, too. Found out my uncle with whom I am very close (he's also my godfather) likely has terminal cancer. Fuck this. His entire life, the guy ran marathons, went heli-skiing, took hiking and fishing trips, barely drank and worked amazingly hard for his clients. He was supposed to either live to be 100 or die falling off a cliff doing something he loved. It wasn't supposed to be this.

[shauni27]

loira, I am so, so sorry. That is incredibly tough and unfair.

mpc, I wish you strength and energy to get through the wedding weekend! My sister's is this weekend too, and while it is local it is VERY DIY. I have more assignments to get done Friday and Saturday than I can fathom at this point, lol. I am already so tired thinking about it. And my sister, her partner and their dog arrived yesterday to stay with us for the next ten days. Oofda.

[Mushe]

Ugh, shauni27, that all sounds miserable - last weekend and upcoming!

loira, I am so sorry. That’s heartbreaking. 💔

[Mushe]

I am so slammed at work, and we spent all weekend away, which stresses me out. My sister and I had planned just a few weeks ago for us to come up, but she forgot, and they had a retirement party. We didn’t get to see her or her kids much - teens are so busy - so it was a lot of driving for not much time with them. Our way home took hours longer than expected due to a terrible accident. We were stopped for 1.5 hours, but there’s not really an alternate route. I feel unprepared for the week.

Good news, though, I went to the podiatrist this morning for some foot pain I’ve been having, and it looks like a fairly easy fix. I was worried he’d tell me to stop running and wearing heels. 😆

[shauni27]

Mushe, I am sorry that the weekend away made you feel unprepared for the week. I HATE that feeling. I always need a few hours to prep and stuff for the week. I am already anxious about this weekend with the wedding--when will I grocery shop and meal prep and do laundry, etc? In other news, glad you can keep running--and wearing heels, lol. I tried to wear heels exactly once while pregnant and it was a huge failure haha.

[mpc]

I had an OB appointment this morning. My blood pressure was 140/80, my ankles are swelling, and I gained 9 lbs over the past 4 weeks (probably water retention). I've had hypertension and mild pre-eclampsia in my previous pregnancies so I guess it's starting again for this one. I'm only 23 weeks, which is pretty early. My doctor was talking about eventual hospital bedrest and early delivery... I think she was just trying to scare me into taking it seriously. It worked.

She is telling me to lay on the couch as soon as I get home from work everyday and have others do all the work at home and wait on me. H is really going to love that. She says to cut back on salt intake. Nothing out of a box, a can, or from a restaurant. I honestly don't know what I'm going to eat. I've been buying my lunch out almost every day. And I don't know how I'm supposed to cook and prepare healthy foods if I'm supposed to be staying off my feet. Silver lining is she officially wrote me a note saying no more traveling for work.

Ugh. I want to keep myself and the baby healthy but I am feeling very overwhelmed at the moment.

[shauni27]

mpc, I am sorry--that IS really overwhelming, so of course you are feeling that way! I wish I had advice for you. Hugs.

[Mushe]

Oh my, mpc, I agree, that’s super overwhelming. Can they also write you an auth to speak with a dietician or something? I wouldn’t know how to start with all of that.

[oneslybookworm]

Hey ladies! It’s been a crazy week so far!

Father’s Day was a mixed bag. It was J’s first Father’s Day, but also my first Father’s Day without my dad. I wanted things to be good for J, so I tried not to dwell. I have 364 other days of the year to eat my feelings, so I focused on him (and in the end, that helped me too). I got him a customized Tervis with photos of he and G on it, a “Little Critters” book about “me and Daddy” and a cute card from G. I also talked with J’s BFF and I’m sending J to meet up with the bestie in Vegas for a long weekend next month. Hopefully he has a great time!

Then today was knee surgery. I’m laid up in bed now, but the anesthesia is bugging me a bit more than normal. Overall, it went well, but I have very little cartilage left in my knee. He said I’m a good candidate for cartilage therapy involving stem cells from my own blood marrow, so we’ll see! I have an appointment in 10 days to get the stitches out and talk about the new therapy. Fingers crossed it’s a possibility, because this surgery will only buy me a few years before the pain gets bad again.

In other news, my baby turns one in 16 days and I am NOT ready!!! I’ve done all the DIY stuff for the party and put together the menu and shopping list, but I’m still in shock. Stay small, little one! Momma’s heart can’t take it!

[oneslybookworm]

Jun 19, 2018 10:49:19 GMT -5 mpc said:

I had an OB appointment this morning. My blood pressure was 140/80, my ankles are swelling, and I gained 9 lbs over the past 4 weeks (probably water retention). I've had hypertension and mild pre-eclampsia in my previous pregnancies so I guess it's starting again for this one. I'm only 23 weeks, which is pretty early. My doctor was talking about eventual hospital bedrest and early delivery... I think she was just trying to scare me into taking it seriously. It worked.

She is telling me to lay on the couch as soon as I get home from work everyday and have others do all the work at home and wait on me. H is really going to love that. She says to cut back on salt intake. Nothing out of a box, a can, or from a restaurant. I honestly don't know what I'm going to eat. I've been buying my lunch out almost every day. And I don't know how I'm supposed to cook and prepare healthy foods if I'm supposed to be staying off my feet. Silver lining is she officially wrote me a note saying no more traveling for work.

Ugh. I want to keep myself and the baby healthy but I am feeling very overwhelmed at the moment.

Oh mpc, that is overwhelming!! Huge hugs, lady.

[oneslybookworm]

Mushe, I’m glad your foot is an easy fix!!! Sorry that your vacation weekend left you feeling tired and in need of another vacation. Those are the worst!

[oneslybookworm]

Dammit loira, I am so so sorry, lady. Huge hugs from me.

[oneslybookworm]

shauni27, I’m so sorry S isn’t feeling well!! Poor little nugget! I hope he bounces back soon!!

[shauni27]

oneslybookworm, it must have been really hard for you on Sunday (and every other day, of course). Hugs, sister. And also, OMG that G is going to be one SO SOON. You are on top of that party!!

[oneslybookworm]

Jun 19, 2018 14:09:03 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

oneslybookworm, it must have been really hard for you on Sunday (and every other day, of course). Hugs, sister. And also, OMG that G is going to be one SO SOON. You are on top of that party!!

Thanks lady. And yep, I LOVE party planning!!! I feel bad but I’m a party planner at heart, so his parties are just going to be #extra, at least for the first few years until I settle down! Lol, J is all, “does he really NEED all that??” Yes. Yes he does. NEEDS IT.

[shauni27]

Jun 19, 2018 14:16:38 GMT -5 oneslybookworm said:

Jun 19, 2018 14:09:03 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

oneslybookworm , it must have been really hard for you on Sunday (and every other day, of course). Hugs, sister. And also, OMG that G is going to be one SO SOON. You are on top of that party!!

Thanks lady. And yep, I LOVE party planning!!! I feel bad but I’m a party planner at heart, so his parties are just going to be #extra, at least for the first few years until I settle down! Lol, J is all, “does he really NEED all that??” Yes. Yes he does. NEEDS IT.

want to plan mine? lol.

[oneslybookworm]

Jun 19, 2018 14:25:47 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Jun 19, 2018 14:16:38 GMT -5 oneslybookworm said:

Thanks lady. And yep, I LOVE party planning!!! I feel bad but I’m a party planner at heart, so his parties are just going to be #extra, at least for the first few years until I settle down! Lol, J is all, “does he really NEED all that??” Yes. Yes he does. NEEDS IT.

want to plan mine? lol.

Ummm...HELL YES!!!

[starryfish]

Hey all!

S has fully recovered from her eye surgery and we have noticed a good improvement in her eyes, so I am happy with that.
She totally got an "incident report" yesterday for repeatedly pulling her teachers hair...she pulled so hard she yanked some out....ugh kid. She has pulled mine a few times, and she goes to toddler time out for 1 minute and that usually works.

mpc, I am sorry you are struggling with that. if you need tips on low sodium diet, let me know, as I lived that for a long time due to my kidney disease. I also ended up on hospital bedrest for 2 weeks before she was born at 36w. definitely take it easy at home and keep your feet up whenever you can (my OB told me to lie down, but i was fine just sitting in a recliner too with the footrest up). make sure you drink enough water too!

[shauni27]

Jun 19, 2018 14:37:30 GMT -5 oneslybookworm said:

Jun 19, 2018 14:25:47 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

want to plan mine? lol.

Ummm...HELL YES!!!

you would be ashamed. We are mostly doing family, a few friends. I pray it is nice weather because otherwise I have no idea what to do. We will have the kiddie pool, slide and water table all set up outside. Its from 2-5 so we do not need to provide major food. WE will have deviled eggs, fruit salad, chips and veggies with dips. And I am thinking cupcakes but deciding if I want to make them or not. I feel like I do not have the time to make them but it seems so much easier than cake so maybe I do?? But there is no theme or decor or anything. I think I will have a few balloons that spell out ONE for behind his highchair at cake time and he has an adorable cake smash outfit, but that's it. He will just get a regular old cupcake, nothing fancy. We will have sangria and beer for drinks. 

I AM SO LOW KEY AND LAZY.

[oneslybookworm]

@shaunie27, ain’t nothing wrong with low key!!! Everyone is different...if you don’t enjoy the process of making it a “thing”, then don’t make it a thing! The only person getting cake/cupcakes at ours is G. We’re doing a nacho bar and some other apps. It’s not going to be huge either...it starts at 1300 and we’re not even having alcohol. lol

[shauni27]

starryfish, so glad S has recovered well! Though sorry she has become a hair puller. When my S gets feisty when we try to put him to bed he hits us over and over. It drives me crazy.

[thoseareradishes]

I'm so sorry loira.
Hope S is feeling better shauni27.
mpc, I'm sorry things are so hard right now. Anything we can do?
Hope you are feeling better oneslybookworm!

E went to her preemie follow-up appt today and she is perfectly average for a 12 month old!! Maybe a tad delayed for speech, but she's being evaluated in a couple of months anyway by EI so I'm not particularly concerned. Tomorrow is my original due date and she will be officially 12 months adjusted.

[shauni27]

thoseareradishes, I love this post so much! I am so happy for you and E-the-miracle-babe! I hope my friend reaches out to you and gets hope and reassurance from this news <3

[mpc]

Jun 19, 2018 14:53:34 GMT -5 starryfish said:

mpc , I am sorry you are struggling with that. if you need tips on low sodium diet, let me know, as I lived that for a long time due to my kidney disease. I also ended up on hospital bedrest for 2 weeks before she was born at 36w. definitely take it easy at home and keep your feet up whenever you can (my OB told me to lie down, but i was fine just sitting in a recliner too with the footrest up). make sure you drink enough water too!

yes! any tips you have on eating low sodium would be great. It feels dumb to say, but I am really at a loss. When it comes to easy food, I reach to chips or pretzels or crackers. In my non pregnant days I try to limit that stuff but I've been allowing as needed now (ha all the time) to try to keep migraines away. Our dinners are usually fine I think. I cook a protein and a vegetable and I can just make sure not to salt them. It's the rest of the day I'm struggling with. 

Last night H cooked half our dinner and set the table, so I'm sure he feels like he was helping. Then he had this whole idea he doesn't think I should be going up the stairs to put the kids to bed, so i read books and stuff with them downstairs. But I still did all my other chores like making lunches and cleaning diapers while he sat on the couch and played video games with our oldest. It's going to be hard to figure out what the right balance is. Especially since i don't actually feel sick. And we have 2 young kids at home. This could be a long 3 months. On the other hand, my BP was fine this morning, so maybe it was just a false alarm. 

[turboteal]

mpc, does your OB have you on baby aspirin for pre-e phryphylaxis? I don't know if you have to start out taking it much earlier or if adding it now would help, something to ask about if you're not on it perhaps. Take it easy! Pre-e is nothing to mess with, and the earlier you get it the more severe it can be. I hope it stays mild for you!

Just spent a half hour on the phone with billing department, trying to get refunds for overpayments on appointments I had back in March and April. My HSA card is officially suspended because the EOBs came back showing I owed less that I paid, and my original request for refund from a couple weeks ago did not go through because there were still pending charges (from an appointment that actually occurred after the refund request...). I hate having to call and get all this kind of stuff sorted out. Hopefully I won't be asked to pay anything at my next few appointments until the refunds go through and my card is unlocked!

[loira]

Finally some good news in the Loira household - I got a job offer today! I have been working freelance for about 3 years and never intended to do it that long. I moved countries, to a city with a small-town mentality and I had zero network built up. It took me a long time - I have been looking for a full time opportunity for over a year. It's only a contract, but possibility of extension, and the salary is only slightly below what I was making in London 3 years ago so I don't feel as if I've had to move down a thousand rungs on the career ladder just because I moved country and had a baby. We are living with my parents and can maybe save up enough for a deposit on a house or something. Plus my ability to sponsor my H's residency is definitely solid now, and I feel a LOT better about it.

[shauni27]

HUGE congrats, loira!!

[thoseareradishes]

loira, awesome news!

shauni27, I emailed with your friend - hopefully things are going well for her.