a baby update

Today was much better than yesterday. I got to sleep in a little bit because Firefly had an U/S this morning.

When we talked to our OB last week she wanted to send us to the high-risk doctor to take a second look at his diaphragm to make sure it wasn’t herniated. She said that everything looked normal, but they just wanted to check to make sure because his stomach looked a little close, and since Firefly is technically high-risk because of her age anyway it wasn’t a bad idea overall. We didn’t really tell anyone because we didn’t want to freak anyone out for no reason, and frankly we were trying to think about it as little as possible because if it was the case that the diaphragm was herniated, as Firefly said: there’s no better place he could be than right where he is.

So long story short and before anyone gets worried, everything looks wonderful.

And now for the long story…

We got to the office and they took Firefly off to have her weight and BP checked while I waited. Then we met with the genetic counselor to talk about the normal family history stuff and no, we don’t want to do an amnio. After that we headed upstairs to where the U/S are done. While we were waiting for the elevator the counselor was chatting us up and asked if this was both of our first, and gave us big congratulations which I always appreciate. It really sucks to have people ignore your part in the process because you’re not the one carrying, and so far everyone we’ve dealt with in these situations has been good–although there have been a few I suspect that have feelings on the matter that they’ve kept to themselves the overwhelming response has been positive.

The U/S itself was a much longer scan than the other two she’s had, and the room was set up really nicely. They actually had two monitors, one on the machine itself for the tech and one on the wall in front of the table. Firefly was able to see everything easily without having to try and crane her neck around to see the machine while trying to holding still, which was great. The tech last time just kind of did her thing and pointed out big things, but this one really explained everything we were looking at and kept giving us really encouraging comments. Everything measured really well, and it was so amazing to watch him. Last time he was curled up, but not this time! He was all stretched out, with his feet up by Firefly’s belly button, and he was just as wiggly as before. He kept moving his arms around and kicking his feet, and even turned over at one point.

The doctor came in and went over some things after the tech finished and said that everything was looking good. He’s actually measuring perfectly for his due date, so he’s developing right on schedule. The head doctor also came in and wanted to look at the diaphragm herself just to double check, so Firefly had to deal with the gel twice. But the doc confirmed that everything looks fine and sent us on our way.

One good thing about it? We got to see him again. And I have more pictures. Including one of his feet. I can’t wait to kiss them.

this has been a poopy day.

Work sucked. I got clarification yesterday from one of the heads downtown on a new coding, so I went through and changed everything I had already entered, and entered everyone else with the code I was told to use. Then today (finally, and with only one day to spare in the processing window) I get a spreadsheet with a breakdown of all the codes. So I looked it over. And discovered that the code I had been using had actually been correct. Which means I had to go back through and change everything–including the ones I had already changed from the correct code to begin with.

And I went online to check my bank account, because I’m obsessive and I do that at least every other day if not more. And there was a $300 charge that posted to my account today that I did not make, that had taken place on Sunday–you know, the day we were at Firefly’s parents’ house all day long? The day we didn’t get back into town until late? Yeah.

So I called the bank, and guess what? There were six–yes, six–other transactions pending. That I also did not make. So they blocked my card, and after my crappy day at work I had to go into the bank and fill out an affidavit and all that crap, and now I don’t have a card to access my account for at least a week and the money won’t be credited back to me until who knows when.

Thank goodness this didn’t happen, oh, five years ago when I was single and living paycheck to paycheck, with no savings or emergency fund to speak of or secondary account with another bank, and no wife to give me a big hug when I got home.

I suppose there is something to be said for checking your bank account regularly. And for sympathetic and supportive wives.

At least I get to sleep in a little bit tomorrow.

i love coming home on days like this.

I’m having a busy, busy week  at work. Some new things took effect recently, so of course I’m dealing with system issues and phone calls like you wouldn’t believe.

I can’t tell you how nice it was to get home today. I dropped my stuff on the ground and got my hands dirty in the carport with Firefly for a bit. We cleaned up and went out to run some errands, deciding to pick up some dinner while we were out and about. We came home and ate our tasty food, talked about what our plans are for tomorrow evening and made a decision about where our towel holders will go in the bathroom, and then hung out on the couch and watched a show we had recorded while Firefly filled out some forms for an upcoming appointment and I thumbed through my magazine.

We’ve got this weird little planter thing built in between our kitchen and living rooms, and it’s just been full of dirt for ages. I really want to put plants in it–partly to try to discourage the kitties from sitting in it and knocking dirt on the floor. After Firefly left for work I did a little looking around online to try and find some kitty-safe plants to put there. I’m not sure what I’d like to do yet, but maybe I can try to get something in there this weekend. That would be so nice, and it would brighten it up so much.

I’m also trying to clean up my home office. Man, this place is a mess! I’m making progress. Slowly but surely…

making a list.

I keep telling Bean every time we go to the gym that I need to come up with a playlist for working out. Instead I spend half my time skipping over songs that are too damn slow for working out, or have a weird rhythm, or are too sappy or too…something. You know what I mean. At least I remembered to charge it when I got home today. I don’t think it would have made it through another workout.

We had a great time with Firefly’s family for the holiday. I would like to state for the record that her cousin makes the. best. chicken. ever. Ever. And he loved his cake.

And now I’m going to go clean something. And not fall asleep on the couch while poring over a book of baby names. But not manes, because that’s just silly. I don’t want Firefly getting upset again. Because let me tell you, you don’t want to be on her bad side. No way, buster. Or maybe it’s just that her hormones are a little…well…all over the place, and she doesn’t need me making it worse by stressing her out. Whatever. It doesn’t really matter why, I’m going to go do something that will make her happy.

no way!

Oh my goodness I felt him move! Firefly and I were lying together in bed last night and I had my hand on her belly. She said “oh, someone’s awake,” and moved my hand to where she was feeling it. After a few moments he moved again, and I could feel it! It was so awesome! I just kept my hand there, and every time I felt him I gasped. She just laughed. It was so amazing.

And now I need to get back to the family. I’m so happy! What a fabulous day.

big fancy finale!

Well, I spent the last few nights making flowers:

Fondant and gunpaste roses.

And baking the cakes and covering them:

Ready to go!

All in preparation for my big fancy finale cake.

Wanna see it? Do ya?

getting ready.

I’ve had a busy day. I went to the gym with Bean after work, then headed home to eat a quick dinner with Firefly before she headed out to darts.

As soon as she left I started on cakes. I’ve baked all four layers–two 10-inch and two 6-inch– plus four cupcakes from the extra 6-inch cake batter. It took longer than I would have liked since I only have one pan in each size. It all worked out fine, though, and they’re currently cooling in preparation for icing.

While the cakes were baking I colored my fondant. I would have liked it to be a bit deeper blue than it is, but when you have to color over 2 pounds of fondant by hand you take what you can get and I’m okay with it. While I was at it I also made a pasta broccoli carrot salad for my lunch tomorrow and put in a load of laundry. I’m feeling productive. Go me!

I suppose I should check on things. I haven’t been sleeping well at all lately, so I’d like to try to get to bed at a somewhat decent hour.

oopsie.

Today we had the 20 week appointment that was postponed from last week by the doctor’s office, so I took off work early to pick Firefly up from home and head in to the office.

Only when we got there, it turned out that they had scheduled her for the downtown office. I’m not sure why, since that office is at least twice as far for us and the only appointment we’ve had there was the U/S–and that was only because they don’t do them at the office by our house. The woman who works the desk was very nice and rescheduled us for Thursday even though they didn’t actually have any openings. Ah well. At least I’ll get a head start on the holiday weekend, and get to leave work early for a second time this week.

Since we were thwarted in our plans and were already in the general area we decided to go get Firefly her new work boots, and then we were off for an early dinner and to the grocery for a bit of shopping.

After we put everything away we hung the closet doors in the master bathroom and got them all adjusted. It looks nice and we’re glad to have another thing marked off the list. I’m hoping to get the last coat on the main bathroom door tonight–although I’ve spent the last few hours making roses for my cake on Thursday and I still have quite a few to go. If I can get the door done we could get it up tomorrow or Thursday, and that would get it out of the way and a bit more protected. At the very least we want to get it hung before we head up to her parents’ house sometime on Friday.

Okay. I’m going to get back to my roses so I can try to get to the door. I’ll take a picture of them when I finish. The roses, not the door. Actually, I’ll probably take a picture of that, too, once it’s up.

happy birthday, bennder!

Today is Bennder’s birthday. Hooray! We met up with her and girlfriend-who-does-not-have-a-nickname-yet for dinner, who surprised Bennder by inviting a bunch of friends along as well. A wonderful time was had by all. Here’s to a wonderful birthday for her!

just a little fyi

In case you follow the blog through a reader or haven’t noticed it yet, I finally got a page together for our remodeling project in the guest bath if you’re interested in taking a look. You can get to it through a new link on the “our projects” page, or click right into the sub-page from the pages sidebar on the right.

I’ll be working on getting a page up for the master bathroom as well, but it will be a little while probably. Progress.