Doug and I are not big Halloween people. We have never dressed up and rarely leave the house on this night. But this year we helped Ryan move into his new place. (This makes two perfectly good holidays with no kids we have wasted moving this year. We may regret these decisions in the future...) We have lived here for three years and have never been outside while it was trick-or-treat time. We have never had people knock on our door or even been disturbed by the sugar intoxicated kids. I was shocked tonight to see how much our neighborhood gets into this holiday. Decorations sprang up from nowhere. People were setting up for neighborhood block parties (they even had the fancy patio heaters). Kids were already on the street by 5! It was like Christmas around here. While we were moving, parents and kids were running wild, having so much fun. I am not looking forward to the costumes and walking around countless neighborhoods BUT the neighborhood parties with adult beverages around a campfire, now that I can do! So here is to hoping our kid would rather hang with the neighbors than walk a million miles around the neighborhood.
Oh and to the teenagers who think they are so cool roaming the streets after dark, acting like idiots... you are out trick-or-treating with 5 year olds so let's think about that for a second. And you saying a cuss word holding your bag of candy does not make you badass.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
A visit from the grandparents
Two weekends ago Mom and Dad came up to visit. Originally it was to see the new place and us but it turned into seeing how the "host" of their grandbaby was doing. I had grand plans of taking them here and there but the weeks before had taken a lot out of me and I knew I wouldn't last a full day. So we took it easy, did some relaxing, and enjoyed the company.
Our first day we drove over to Ellicott City to eat lunch at the Trolly Stop and do some window shopping downtown. It was a little chilly but mostly a beautiful day to be outside.
That evening we had a pizza party at our house. Doug's Mom and Dad came over and Ryan and Shannon came over to visit. Auburn was in heaven having all of her favorite people under one roof. It was great having everyone there. Ryan and Shannon got a kick out of Mom & Dad's accent. They said mine must have faded some being up here because it was not a thick as theirs. :(
Saturday we went to Downs Park. It was another beautiful day to spend outside so we thought taking them to the park to see the Chesapeake Bay was a perfect way to spend the afternoon. We got some really good pictures of us while we were there and I got to partake in one of my favorite childhood activities.
That night we went to Ram's Head Roadhouse in Annapolis for dinner. We thankfully got a table right away as they were packed with patrons from the Renaissance Festival. We had wanted to take them there but it was the last weekend and knew they would be slammed. Plus I didn't know if I could handle all the walking and "smells". I am glad they got to see some of the "costumes" people wear. The food was good but the service was not great. Poor server had too many tables due to the rush. He was nice and cut our bill in half for all the issues. So that was a plus!
Auburn and my dad are best buds. She loves when he visits because he sits down in the floor and plays with her constantly, will take her out anytime she wants, and sneaks her food from his plate. We had to leave the bedroom door cracked because every morning she would run downstairs to him as soon as she heard him get up. Dad would take her out, feed her (which was amazing!), and play time would commence. I am hoping the extra play and walks counteracted all the "snacks" he gave her. She was S-P-O-I-L-E-D to the Nth degree while they were here. She was quite confused the next few days when Doug and I came back home alone or when Dad wasn't downstairs waiting on her in the morning. I think it took her a few days to recover from their visit. She was exhausted but so willing to forfeit any additional sleep for more play time.
The weekend came and went with a flash. It was great seeing them and I can't wait to see them again soon. Looks like we will be seeing a lot of each other next year. Only grandchild is trumping the hell out of only daughter. :)
Our first day we drove over to Ellicott City to eat lunch at the Trolly Stop and do some window shopping downtown. It was a little chilly but mostly a beautiful day to be outside.
That evening we had a pizza party at our house. Doug's Mom and Dad came over and Ryan and Shannon came over to visit. Auburn was in heaven having all of her favorite people under one roof. It was great having everyone there. Ryan and Shannon got a kick out of Mom & Dad's accent. They said mine must have faded some being up here because it was not a thick as theirs. :(
Saturday we went to Downs Park. It was another beautiful day to spend outside so we thought taking them to the park to see the Chesapeake Bay was a perfect way to spend the afternoon. We got some really good pictures of us while we were there and I got to partake in one of my favorite childhood activities.
That night we went to Ram's Head Roadhouse in Annapolis for dinner. We thankfully got a table right away as they were packed with patrons from the Renaissance Festival. We had wanted to take them there but it was the last weekend and knew they would be slammed. Plus I didn't know if I could handle all the walking and "smells". I am glad they got to see some of the "costumes" people wear. The food was good but the service was not great. Poor server had too many tables due to the rush. He was nice and cut our bill in half for all the issues. So that was a plus!
Auburn and my dad are best buds. She loves when he visits because he sits down in the floor and plays with her constantly, will take her out anytime she wants, and sneaks her food from his plate. We had to leave the bedroom door cracked because every morning she would run downstairs to him as soon as she heard him get up. Dad would take her out, feed her (which was amazing!), and play time would commence. I am hoping the extra play and walks counteracted all the "snacks" he gave her. She was S-P-O-I-L-E-D to the Nth degree while they were here. She was quite confused the next few days when Doug and I came back home alone or when Dad wasn't downstairs waiting on her in the morning. I think it took her a few days to recover from their visit. She was exhausted but so willing to forfeit any additional sleep for more play time.
The weekend came and went with a flash. It was great seeing them and I can't wait to see them again soon. Looks like we will be seeing a lot of each other next year. Only grandchild is trumping the hell out of only daughter. :)
You know your pregnant when...
You order a dozen biscuits at Cracker Barrel....
So the waitress game me a strange look, they were so worth it!!
So the waitress game me a strange look, they were so worth it!!
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
And then week 12 happened...
So I finally started feeling a little normal and I got some energy back. Then this past Sunday the nausea and upset stomach came roaring back. I stayed home Monday because I was not keeping much down and was not feeling good at all. I got up Tuesday, got in the shower, and had full intentions of going to work. I didn't make it out of the shower before I got sick. I kept going and as soon as I was all ready I got sick again. At this point I knew I was not making it to work again.
I woke up Doug and told him I needed something to drink and my nausea meds (which were in the kitchen). At this point the hormones kicked in and I started crying. I was so sick of being sick. Doug came over and sat with me as I had a pity party. We decided to go downstairs together and I planned on taking my meds and going back to bed.
So our house is three floors with two flights in between each floor. We made it down the first flight and when we reached the halfway point I felt the rest of the contents of my stomach coming up. I dropped my stuff and headed quickly down the remaining steps towards the bathroom. Unfortunately, I went a little too quickly.
I slipped, tripped, or something and took a tumble down the steps. Thankfully I went backwards and not forwards. My bottom bounced down each step (about 6+) then I landed in front of the bathroom. I started screaming in pain. My tailbone was on fire, my arms hurt from being too weak to catch and stop myself, and I was pissed. I just laid there and cried. Doug was behind me and it happened so fast he did not have time to grab me. I think he slid down the steps trying to get to me. He cut his hand pretty good on God knows what. He keeps saying I will never be able to get the image of you falling down the steps out of my head.
Once I calmed down and Doug confirmed I didn't hit my back on any of the steps, he moved me to the guest bedroom. We laid there for awhile to catch our breath and calm down. He checked out my bum and thought it looked ok. We had to wait a couple hours for the doctors office to open up. I was in a lot of pain but it was only in my tailbone area. We were so lucky as it could have been so much worse. I guess the sight of the falling was worse than the actual fall.
The doctors said no bleeding and cramping was a good sign and that I should rest and keep an eye on it. I took Tylenol sparingly so it would not make me sick. I would rather be in pain than sick! We kept deliberating on whether we needed to go to my primary care physician. We had an ob appointment scheduled for Wednesday and they didn't think I needed to come in early since there was no trauma to my belly area. We didn't want to get there and have them say we can't do an x-ray because you are pregnant and just treat it as a bruise (which they could do nothing for). So we opted to stay home and rest.
On Wednesday the docs said the baby's heartbeat was strong and everything looked good. I was down another few pounds from all the sickness. I am perfectly ok with loosing almost ten lbs in the first trimester but I have a feeling I am the only one ok with that. Maybe I will start heading in the other direction in the next few weeks. We go back next week to do the nuchal translucency test. They will be able to double check then to make sure everything is still looking good.
So now I am hobbling around, nursing my sore bum and trying to eat as much as I can when I can. I keep waiting for things to get better like everyone swears will happen. After this week I figure it can only get better, right?
I woke up Doug and told him I needed something to drink and my nausea meds (which were in the kitchen). At this point the hormones kicked in and I started crying. I was so sick of being sick. Doug came over and sat with me as I had a pity party. We decided to go downstairs together and I planned on taking my meds and going back to bed.
So our house is three floors with two flights in between each floor. We made it down the first flight and when we reached the halfway point I felt the rest of the contents of my stomach coming up. I dropped my stuff and headed quickly down the remaining steps towards the bathroom. Unfortunately, I went a little too quickly.
I slipped, tripped, or something and took a tumble down the steps. Thankfully I went backwards and not forwards. My bottom bounced down each step (about 6+) then I landed in front of the bathroom. I started screaming in pain. My tailbone was on fire, my arms hurt from being too weak to catch and stop myself, and I was pissed. I just laid there and cried. Doug was behind me and it happened so fast he did not have time to grab me. I think he slid down the steps trying to get to me. He cut his hand pretty good on God knows what. He keeps saying I will never be able to get the image of you falling down the steps out of my head.
Once I calmed down and Doug confirmed I didn't hit my back on any of the steps, he moved me to the guest bedroom. We laid there for awhile to catch our breath and calm down. He checked out my bum and thought it looked ok. We had to wait a couple hours for the doctors office to open up. I was in a lot of pain but it was only in my tailbone area. We were so lucky as it could have been so much worse. I guess the sight of the falling was worse than the actual fall.
The doctors said no bleeding and cramping was a good sign and that I should rest and keep an eye on it. I took Tylenol sparingly so it would not make me sick. I would rather be in pain than sick! We kept deliberating on whether we needed to go to my primary care physician. We had an ob appointment scheduled for Wednesday and they didn't think I needed to come in early since there was no trauma to my belly area. We didn't want to get there and have them say we can't do an x-ray because you are pregnant and just treat it as a bruise (which they could do nothing for). So we opted to stay home and rest.
On Wednesday the docs said the baby's heartbeat was strong and everything looked good. I was down another few pounds from all the sickness. I am perfectly ok with loosing almost ten lbs in the first trimester but I have a feeling I am the only one ok with that. Maybe I will start heading in the other direction in the next few weeks. We go back next week to do the nuchal translucency test. They will be able to double check then to make sure everything is still looking good.
So now I am hobbling around, nursing my sore bum and trying to eat as much as I can when I can. I keep waiting for things to get better like everyone swears will happen. After this week I figure it can only get better, right?
Weeks 9 - 11
(Written throughout the past few weeks)
Week 9 and 10 was much of the same; nausea, upset stomach, and exhausted. I started having a good day here and there between the bad ones. A good day consisted of no trips to the bathroom, able to eat a decent meal (still very small in comparison to normal), and able to do a few things around the house. Not much is tasting good at this point and I am not craving anything. I am experiencing the everything sounds disgusting. I have been drinking a lot of lemonade (Vitamin Water Zero and Crystal Light - not the real, sugary stuff) as it seems to be the only thing that taste good. For food, it's still real starchy but fruit has been the best tasting. I have probably ate 3+ pounds of strawberries at this point. So good! One night my dinner consisted of cheese and crackers with strawberries. Meat of any kind and salt are the absolute least appetizing things I can think of.
Week 11 I finally caught a break. The nausea let up and I had a little bit more energy. (Still struggling to make it up the stairs...) There have been little changes to my eating habits. I feel like I have had a bad taste in my mouth for weeks and it is curving my appetite. No matter what I eat, it doesn't taste good or leaves an even worse taste in my mouth. I have been able to eat more so I have been snacking all day. No big meals, just a little here and there. Apples are tasting best now and I have almost completely stopped eating meat. We are trying to think of ways to get protein in me without making me yack. I am finding it very hard to get up in the morning. 8 hours of sleep is not enough. Oddly, Doug says I have "woken up" now. I guess from being so sick it was like I had been sleepwalking for the past few weeks. He said he would talk to me and I would have the glazed over look on my face and then when he asked me something later about the conversation I couldn't answer because I didn't remember the conversation.
Week 9 and 10 was much of the same; nausea, upset stomach, and exhausted. I started having a good day here and there between the bad ones. A good day consisted of no trips to the bathroom, able to eat a decent meal (still very small in comparison to normal), and able to do a few things around the house. Not much is tasting good at this point and I am not craving anything. I am experiencing the everything sounds disgusting. I have been drinking a lot of lemonade (Vitamin Water Zero and Crystal Light - not the real, sugary stuff) as it seems to be the only thing that taste good. For food, it's still real starchy but fruit has been the best tasting. I have probably ate 3+ pounds of strawberries at this point. So good! One night my dinner consisted of cheese and crackers with strawberries. Meat of any kind and salt are the absolute least appetizing things I can think of.
Week 11 I finally caught a break. The nausea let up and I had a little bit more energy. (Still struggling to make it up the stairs...) There have been little changes to my eating habits. I feel like I have had a bad taste in my mouth for weeks and it is curving my appetite. No matter what I eat, it doesn't taste good or leaves an even worse taste in my mouth. I have been able to eat more so I have been snacking all day. No big meals, just a little here and there. Apples are tasting best now and I have almost completely stopped eating meat. We are trying to think of ways to get protein in me without making me yack. I am finding it very hard to get up in the morning. 8 hours of sleep is not enough. Oddly, Doug says I have "woken up" now. I guess from being so sick it was like I had been sleepwalking for the past few weeks. He said he would talk to me and I would have the glazed over look on my face and then when he asked me something later about the conversation I couldn't answer because I didn't remember the conversation.
Taking it back to the beginning
(Wrote on 9/15/14)
I finally have a moment to sit and type about how the story began. This post is titled taking it back to the beginning but in all reality, we have no clue what was "the beginning". In all the hustle and bustle of preparing to move, we just can't recall. All I can tell you is that on August 12th I was sitting at work, looking at my calendar, and thinking, "I think I missed my monthly cycle." I am not the one who tracks this so I could not remember when was my last; however, I had this gut feeling that time had came and gone. Maybe it was the queasiness...
So after work I headed to the drug store and bought the dreaded test. As most of you know, Doug and I had never really liked kids let alone wanted kids. It was just not our thing. So this "test" was like a death sentence looming over my head. Of course I took both tests and swore they were wrong. I cried... A LOT! But until I was for sure this was happening, I would hold it together...
until Doug called from work to say hey. He was working late getting ready for a VP to visit his store the next day. I talked calmly at first but then calm went to crazy when I told him he had to take Thursday afternoon off to go with me to the doctor. Of course my request on top of my freaking out completely scared the shit out of him. So I had to come clean about the "false positive" tests I took.
We didn't talk about much the next couple of days. Just focused on prepping to move and his big visit. And I cried a lot. He was running late to the appointment so I had to face the music by myself. When the doctor gave me my results, I may have said some inappropriate woo woo words... Doug pulled into the parking lot just as I was walking out. My tears answered his, "How did it go, question.
Next thing we knew, it was moving week. Doug's parents had went out of town for a two week vacation and with my new physical condition, Doug was left by himself to get us moved. I helped where I could but the exhaustion and sickness hit me hard. I lost about 5 lbs between my "discovery" and my first appointment on Sept 10. It was not good. I stuck to mostly cleaning and anything close to a toilet. Our friend Ryan helped as much as he could. I think him and Doug deserve a long, relaxing vacation after the week of hell. I am so thankful to have them both. They kept me as comfortable as I could be, fed as much as I could be, and made sure I got the rest I so much needed.
I am slowly feeling better and getting situated in our new home. The unpacking is going very slowly with my exhaustion/weakness. It took us about 2 weeks to sleep in our new bed (new mattress and new bedroom furniture). We stayed on the 2nd floor on the old mattress on the floor. It was impossible for me to climb the stairs to the top floor and even now I have trouble. I get very winded and my heart goes nuts. I am not the most in shape person in the world, but going from running 3+ miles to not being able to walk up stairs has been very hard for me mentally. It is perfect running weather right now and I am stuck inside trying to determine if I have the energy to make it up the stairs to pee. Of course some days are better than others so I try to do as much as I can on those days. Walking Auburn is one of my top priorities. Poor thing has been cooped up in this new house and dying to get out and run.
After a long week of moving and my "illness", our 5 year anniversary was not top priority. Our date night consisted of me, Doug, and Ryan eating around 8 pm at the new IHOP that opened close to our house. Yep, very romantic. The restaurant had a very diverse group of patrons that kept us very entertained. I must say it was probably the oddest restaurant experience I have ever had. Oh, and apparently it was also "Screaming kids eat free" night. Oh what a joy it was...
Our first OB appointment was Sept 10th. It went fine. I was very nervous for the ultrasound, as this was the final confirmation. No more denial after that. He/She even did a little dance for me to try and make me smile. Unfortunately, it totally wigged me out but I am pretty sure all the excited family and friends would have loved to have seen it. Then the mean ole doctors wanted all my blood so that didn't help the appointment end happily. I survived but it was a little touch and go there for a few. Luckily I had a really nice lady (that got my sarcasm) and she was patient with me. I told her I had bad blood giving veins and she totally agreed. Between the dehydration and them hiding, it took a lot of fist pumping and two sticks until she finally got one. If Doug was not there with me, I would not have made it through.
One good thing is that I am completely off all my blood pressure medicine. We are keeping a close eye on it but are hopeful I will not need it again. I am scared my inactivity will make it rise again so I hope to get literally back on my feet again soon.
So now you are completely up-to-date with what has been really going on in the Nunley household. As we have been telling the news, people keep asking if we knew before we started looking at houses. As you have read, we had no clue. We were unknowingly doing exactly what we needed to do for our growing family. Doug is disappointed he is loosing his office but is very happy to be filling it with a new member of the family.
As for me, I am getting there. This is big... life-changing. It will take some time for it all to sink in. I was working on a new, four legged member of the family. Little did I know there were bigger things going on that would be blessing us with only two. I know I will get there but in the meantime I will be excited for all my loved ones who are excited enough for me. I have until April, right?
I finally have a moment to sit and type about how the story began. This post is titled taking it back to the beginning but in all reality, we have no clue what was "the beginning". In all the hustle and bustle of preparing to move, we just can't recall. All I can tell you is that on August 12th I was sitting at work, looking at my calendar, and thinking, "I think I missed my monthly cycle." I am not the one who tracks this so I could not remember when was my last; however, I had this gut feeling that time had came and gone. Maybe it was the queasiness...
So after work I headed to the drug store and bought the dreaded test. As most of you know, Doug and I had never really liked kids let alone wanted kids. It was just not our thing. So this "test" was like a death sentence looming over my head. Of course I took both tests and swore they were wrong. I cried... A LOT! But until I was for sure this was happening, I would hold it together...
until Doug called from work to say hey. He was working late getting ready for a VP to visit his store the next day. I talked calmly at first but then calm went to crazy when I told him he had to take Thursday afternoon off to go with me to the doctor. Of course my request on top of my freaking out completely scared the shit out of him. So I had to come clean about the "false positive" tests I took.
We didn't talk about much the next couple of days. Just focused on prepping to move and his big visit. And I cried a lot. He was running late to the appointment so I had to face the music by myself. When the doctor gave me my results, I may have said some inappropriate woo woo words... Doug pulled into the parking lot just as I was walking out. My tears answered his, "How did it go, question.
Next thing we knew, it was moving week. Doug's parents had went out of town for a two week vacation and with my new physical condition, Doug was left by himself to get us moved. I helped where I could but the exhaustion and sickness hit me hard. I lost about 5 lbs between my "discovery" and my first appointment on Sept 10. It was not good. I stuck to mostly cleaning and anything close to a toilet. Our friend Ryan helped as much as he could. I think him and Doug deserve a long, relaxing vacation after the week of hell. I am so thankful to have them both. They kept me as comfortable as I could be, fed as much as I could be, and made sure I got the rest I so much needed.
I am slowly feeling better and getting situated in our new home. The unpacking is going very slowly with my exhaustion/weakness. It took us about 2 weeks to sleep in our new bed (new mattress and new bedroom furniture). We stayed on the 2nd floor on the old mattress on the floor. It was impossible for me to climb the stairs to the top floor and even now I have trouble. I get very winded and my heart goes nuts. I am not the most in shape person in the world, but going from running 3+ miles to not being able to walk up stairs has been very hard for me mentally. It is perfect running weather right now and I am stuck inside trying to determine if I have the energy to make it up the stairs to pee. Of course some days are better than others so I try to do as much as I can on those days. Walking Auburn is one of my top priorities. Poor thing has been cooped up in this new house and dying to get out and run.
After a long week of moving and my "illness", our 5 year anniversary was not top priority. Our date night consisted of me, Doug, and Ryan eating around 8 pm at the new IHOP that opened close to our house. Yep, very romantic. The restaurant had a very diverse group of patrons that kept us very entertained. I must say it was probably the oddest restaurant experience I have ever had. Oh, and apparently it was also "Screaming kids eat free" night. Oh what a joy it was...
Our first OB appointment was Sept 10th. It went fine. I was very nervous for the ultrasound, as this was the final confirmation. No more denial after that. He/She even did a little dance for me to try and make me smile. Unfortunately, it totally wigged me out but I am pretty sure all the excited family and friends would have loved to have seen it. Then the mean ole doctors wanted all my blood so that didn't help the appointment end happily. I survived but it was a little touch and go there for a few. Luckily I had a really nice lady (that got my sarcasm) and she was patient with me. I told her I had bad blood giving veins and she totally agreed. Between the dehydration and them hiding, it took a lot of fist pumping and two sticks until she finally got one. If Doug was not there with me, I would not have made it through.
One good thing is that I am completely off all my blood pressure medicine. We are keeping a close eye on it but are hopeful I will not need it again. I am scared my inactivity will make it rise again so I hope to get literally back on my feet again soon.
So now you are completely up-to-date with what has been really going on in the Nunley household. As we have been telling the news, people keep asking if we knew before we started looking at houses. As you have read, we had no clue. We were unknowingly doing exactly what we needed to do for our growing family. Doug is disappointed he is loosing his office but is very happy to be filling it with a new member of the family.
As for me, I am getting there. This is big... life-changing. It will take some time for it all to sink in. I was working on a new, four legged member of the family. Little did I know there were bigger things going on that would be blessing us with only two. I know I will get there but in the meantime I will be excited for all my loved ones who are excited enough for me. I have until April, right?
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Fall in the new neighborhood
The Nunley's have been outside as much as we can, enjoying this beautiful fall weather we have been getting. Everyday is sunny and in the low 70's. The trees are starting to turn, the leaves are beginning to fall, and that crisp cool air smell is in the air. If only fall could last until spring.
Let's go O's!
We went to the O's game the night after they clinched the AL East. I hated missing all the excitement from the night before but a good bit did carry over into the night we were there. We had a great time and, of course, we ate well. :) Can't wait to see how they do in the post season. We probably will not go to any of those games (a. expensive and b. way too many people) but we will be at home cheering them on each night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)