104 Degrees

So I really have no clever title for this post without it being a Debbie Downer.  Today was hot for what I am used to at this time of year.  I am sure all that are reading this are enjoying the nice fall football weather while I am not.  I keep hearing it will soon be over, so I am patiently waiting.

This past week was for worse than last but there were some good moments.  I think I cried daily.  I just don't have anything to really do other than being home constantly with a 2 year old.  I have tried little craft things with her but that only holds her attention for so long.  Going outside is not really something fun for Willow.  I don't know where there is a park close by.  I fell like I have raised my voice to her more than I should and my patience has been super thin.  I needed to join a MOMS group.  After some research I found one in the area that our house is being built in.  YEAH!!!

I went to an activity they were having at a park in the neighborhood our new house is at, though I was 45 minutes late.  I got lost and got a late start to begin with because Willow threw the biggest fit I have ever seen right before we left.  It continued in the car and most of the way there, we made it though.  I met 2 other moms and their kids.  It was nice to talk to someone and also talk to them about living in AZ.  I learned that now is the time to be planting a garden.  One lady that used to live a couple houses down from where our house is had a problem with scorpions.  Not to excited about that one.  All in all it was good to get out and talk to other ladies and have Willow play around with others, I think this will be really good for me.

Thursday was probably the worse day of the week.  I woke up before Willow and basked in that.  When I went to the bathroom I noticed I was bleeding.  This really started to freak me out.  I knew it couldn't be good.  It was before 8 am so I got Willow up and planned for the worse.  I tried to pack a bag for me in case I was to be admitted and a bag for Willow in case I needed to call my only friend in Phoenix to watch her.  I called Tim to let him know what was up.  I was instructed to go to the hospital to get checked out.  I stopped bleeding before I left the house.  On the way there I was going over the worse case scenarios in my mind again.  I just couldn't believe all this was happening to me at the worse time and place where I had no one for extra support nearby.  The nurse checked me out and said it had stopped bleeding but it looked like it had come from my cervix.  While she was checking me in and such she noticed on the monitor that I had a contraction, which I did not feel.  I told her of my history of low platelets with Willow and how I was put on steroids for it.  We then did some blood work to check my platelets and to see if my placenta was detaching.  After a super long wait everything was fine but my platelets were on the low side but nothing to get to excited about.  Mine were 115 and they are suppose to be 150-450.  I was sent home to be on bed rest for a couple days and no heavy lifting.  All of which seemed and was impossible with a 30 pound 2 year old.  I avoided lifting Willow but staying off my feet was not really in the cards. 

Yesterday for my birthday I didn't really do much.  We went to the house and saw the little progress that has been made.  I so want this house to be done before Thanksgiving!  In reality I don't think it will be so.  I can only hope and pray. 

I finally got Willow into her swim classes this week.  That will get us out of the house along with going to my new MOMS group activities.  Maybe I will be so busy I won't have time to think about how much I want to be back in Nebraska. 

My funny of the week is that I got a text from a number I didn't know and the lady asked me what I thought of the dress in the photo and she asked me to be honest.  I replied that I couldn't really tell from the pic and asked who she was.  She apologized and said she had the wrong person.  I then told her I could still give my opinion.  She explained the dress to me and I gave her my thoughts etc.  It was a lengthy convo.  Then she asked what I was doing for the game she didn't want to be stuck at a tailgate all night because she didn't fell that well. (the number was from Nebraska)  It was hilarious. 

Home Sick

Another week down for the books.  It has been an emotional one for me to say the least.  It was a bad week to start off and then it got better for sure.
Wednesday we made a little trip to the hospital unexpectedly.  I hadn't felt the baby move like it normally does, which is like a little kick boxer trying to make it's way out.  I felt he/she roll around but not like it's normal kicks.  I called the Dr's office and they were quick to respond.  I was told to drink a big cold glass of water and lay down for an hour and count at least 6 kicks.  Well I didn't get my "quota" in.  I called Tim and told him to meet me at the hospital.  I am less then thrilled about the hospital we will be having this baby at due to the location.  It is not ideal for emergency situations for how far away it is.  I get there and notice we have to pay for parking.  I was beside myself.  Really?!
I get checked in and they hook me up to the heart monitor for the baby.  I was so relieved to hear that fast heart beat!  All the way to the hospital I was worried about what would happen if things were bad.  What would we do with Willow in case we had to have the baby now.  I know the baby is viable at this stage but I don't want to be spending my days on the I-10 back and forth to see my new little one till he/she gets home. Then what do I do with Willow when I go to the hospital for visits.  Oh my head was spinning from the what if's.  I am just thankful everything is alright.  The nurse said the baby probably moved to my backside and I wasn't feeling the kicks like I had been.
Thursday was probably the roughest day for me yet.  I felt to lost!  I didn't know what to do with myself or Willow.  I tried to go outside with her but she didn't want to be out there.  I don't blame her.  there is nothing to do in our backyard.  There is nothing but rocks!  "...Here honey, go run and jump in those rocks...."  I know of nothing to do around here let alone where things are.  I didn't even have a clue what to be making for dinners and I love to cook.  I was so down on everything!  All I wanted to do was cry and go to sleep. I miss home so much.  I miss my friends and family, my house with a grassy yard, the neighbors with kids and I even miss my job. 
Later that night we went to dinner with our new Uncle Bill and Aunt Kaye, our landlords.  They wanted to treat us to dinner.  It was really nice to have a conversation with someone and to get out.  I picked this fabulous steak house and I can't wait to go back again.  Willow behaved really well for us which is always nice.  She typically does well for us around other people.
When we got home we noticed out light out front that flashes was on.  This light is for emergencies around here.  I guess when you have something wrong and need help you turn the light on and the sheriff's posse comes to check on you.  Willow must have turned it on before we left and the Sheriff's posse was waiting for us when we got home.
Tim went to work SUPER early Friday morning (2 a.m.) to check out a process at work that they were doing to make sure it ran good.  He didn't get home until Friday evening about 8:30  I even made him tacos for dinner and he wasn't there to get them freshly made.  Now me making tacos for the taco head is a big deal.
Before Tim got home I had another little visit from the Sheriff's posse.  Willow had turned on the emergency light AGAIN.  Needless to say that switch is taped up now.  Little sneak.
Tim sent me out alone yesterday to run errands and to get a pedi yesterday which was really nice.  We ended the day watching a movie as a family, something that was new for all three of us together.  I can't believe Willow actually sat there and watched the whole movie.  She even had her own bowl of popcorn.
Today we went to check out a new church for us to attend regularly.  I guess there are 2 campuses for this church that are fairly close to each other.  We got to the one that was holding the service we wanted to attend.  When we got there we were directed to the other campus due to a water main break.  SO it was kind of chaotic.  We sent Willow to a class for her age group, which she seemed to have a good time in.  It was nice and they have all kinds of activities and functions for people throughout the week.  There is a meeting for people that are new to the area to meet other people and get to know one another.  I am sure we will be attending there again.  I need the sense of community and a resource for me when I need something. 
So here's to a good close to a bad week.  Let's see what this coming week brings me, it should be good it's my birthday this coming week.  Could it get any worse? 

Willow's birthday outfit

The new bubble machine she got for her birthday

Our fried chicken picnic we had at the park

This is how I found her this morning before I woke her up. 

A Two Year Old, Wiener and a Pussy

Ahh my life is complete now that Willow is here and it is giving me a run for my money.  She was acting ornery before but now that she is officially 2 it is like she is a different person.  Whew, good thing I got pregnant before this new attitude or I would have said no way on another child ;)  She is still telling me no and it has to be her way or no way.  Getting her dressed is a chore and I am not physically wanting to chase her around. 

Beans was here with us for a couple days and that was another task at hand.  Both Willow and Beans were chasing the cat around.  Poor cat really had no where to hide.  Before he would retreat to the basement, but there is no basement here.  Willow just wants to pet him so bad she will cry about it.  Simon does not care for her at all.  I think the only person he really likes is Tim. 

Yesterday was a really trying day for me around here.  The vet appointment I had supposedly didn't exist but they could get me in a half hour earlier then the appointment I thought I had.  Good thing I called to get their fax number to get that all figured out.  Beans would not go to the bathroom outside for me.  It was like she needed grass to go on, the rocks were not cutting it for her.  SO that tells me we need to have a little patch of grass for the dogs to go on.  It was frustrating because I did not need her peeing on the carpet in our rental!  When I got to the vet and was getting Willow out of the car she puked.  Ahh I couldn't turn around and go back home.  So I put her in the only clean thing I had in the diaper bag,  a t-shirt.  We get back home and Beans is still not going outside.  Put her in the kennel and thank goodness I did because the landlord came by to drop off a new entertainment center.  After he left I tried again to get Beans to go outside, surprise! she would not go.  Brought her in and then she decided to relieve herself.  I was so mad!!! My day was just all out of sorts. 

Today I took beans back to Corbin and Whitney's.  They live way on the other side of Phoenix; literally on the other side.  It was early this morning and it took forever because of traffic.  I was almost there and Willow pukes in the car again.  I am chalking it up to car sickness and just eating before we left.  All weekend we were in that car road tripping and she didn't get sick.  So I will wait awhile after breakfast before we get in the car again.  Washing the car seat can be a pain in the rear and then putting it back in the car.

Sleeping at night is really hard for me.  The only comfortable position is on my back.  I know your not suppose to do that this far into the pregnancy.  Tim is constantly catching me sleeping on my back and making me roll on my side.  If lie on a side I get this pain in my ribs on the side that is down. It is strange.   Needless to say Willow's nap time is also my nap time. 

Willow has been really good about sleeping in her toddler bed.  She has fallen out once so far.  Yesterday's nap time was a battle though.  If I didn't have the gate up I am sure it would have been worse.  At night she has no problem laying there and not getting up.  We have been so blessed with her sleep habits I just hope the next child is as good if not better. 

Don't really have a funny story this time.  It is more of a cute little Willow story.  When we went to pick up Beans from Corbin's she walked in and pointed to the wieners and said clear as day "that's mine!"  She hadn't seen them for a month and was so excited.  It's crazy how sometimes her words are so clear and other times you have no clue what she is saying.  Oh well she will get there. 

Ups and Downs

So I can say I have had a little more than a week here in my new city, and a big city it is!  I had new appointments with people, gone to new places without Tim and figured out how to get there.  Okay so I had some help from the GPS.
My first OB appointment was okay.  Don't know how I feel about the new guy who I will be getting personal with.  Right now is not the time to be shopping around and looking for a new one either.  He was friendly but I have high standards coming from my old OB.  I think I have high standards when it comes to all my doctors.  I really like them a lot and the new person will have a lot to live up to.  Is that a bad thing?  Everything is right on track with this pregnancy.  I supposedly gained only 2 pounds in a month.  I am sure it is not correct considering they are different scales.  We talked about when I would deliver which sounds like a huge possibility of Thanksgiving day.  The 3 days prior he is out for some court duty he does.  I would like to do it on one of those three days but we will see.  The move in date of the new house is going to be a factor in this too.
When we left the appointment was where it got ugly.  To get there it took me 50 minutes.  To me that is far away in case I ever have an emergency.  The doctor said there was an easier way to get there, which was to use the 51, you can get off right there close to the doctors office.  Well me, who has no clue as to where I am going, turned the wrong way and could not find the 51.  I drove around trying to find a major road that would get me back to home base.  I had Tim following me since he met me there from work. I am sure he was like where is this lady going?  It took us an hour and twenty minutes to get home.  Was not really thrilled about that one. But my husband is great and I love him dearly for going with me, despite the tour of the "bad" part of town that me and Hilda (the GPS) took him on.
When I started looking for a pediatrician I looked at location as one of my criteria.  There is no way I want to be driving far with a sick child.  Finding one close to home that has affiliation with the Children's hospital is challenging.  I want to go to Children's in case the need arises.   I have worked in to many hospitals that have a pediatric floor but really I  think the nurses and ancillary staff are at a loss when it comes to the kids needs.  Just my opinion.
I started back up with my pilates here at the Lifetime gym.  If you don't already know I am really a believer in the good that pilates has done for me.  I started it back just a couple weeks before I got pregnant.  Since then I have had minor, and I say minor, back pain and I have kept lots of weight off. I have had back pain since I was pregnant with Willow. At 20 weeks I actually was one pound under my pre pregnancy weight before I had Willow.  Now that is something to be happy about.  My instructor in Omaha, Rachel, was AWESOME.  She would tailor the class workouts for me as I got bigger.  She was just wonderful.  Another person I was scared no one could hold a candle too.  Well, I was right.  The new instructor who is the head of the pilates is soooo not for me.  I guess there are 4 pilates styles and she was nothing like Rachel.  The class was totally different and I was so lost.  I think I about teared up in class wondering what the heck I was doing there and why I was paying her extra money for this.  Needless to say that started my day off wrong.  I said I wouldn't give up and give her a chance plus the other instructor might be better.  I would be taking her classes on Friday's  Thank the Lord she was better.  She did a lot of things Rachel did and I actually was sore from the class.  I can't tell you how happy I was about that.  I wanted to praise her and give her a HUGE hug after class.  Phew, got that going for me.
Another first for me here was my hair.  I bought a groupon for a cut and color.  It was close to our house and I thought it was reasonable enough.  I am used to paying  close to nothing for a cut and color PLUS wax back home.  My really good friend has been doing my hair for over 15 years!  It's not like I do crazy things with my hair but I don't want some newbie that is going to color it and ooops sorry that is not the color I meant to give you.  Plus sitting there for over an hour talking small talk gets kind of old.  She did a great job and I would go back to her.  Not sure if I will after we get into the new house since it is not that close to there.  She really likes the bling!  I think she had glued rhinestones onto everything imaginable.  Her mirror, apron, trash can and her little supply cart.  It was over the top for me.  Oh well she did a good job though.
This weekend Tim and I went to Pasadena to the Husker game.  It is only 5 hours from here.  The game wasn't all that exciting as you fellow Huskers know.  The Bruins fans are rude and I can't believe some of the stuff they did.  One guy kept saying Sandusky was a ButtHusker.  He kept saying it over and over.  It annoyed me for many reasons.  I am sure he uses that in some way for every team they play against this season.  Then after the game some guy came up to Tim and I and said " F you Nebraska.!!!" at the top of his lungs.  That was like out of left field there.  Really?  Your team just beat us and that is what you have to say?  I should be saying that to you.  They were just dumb.  Sitting there on the bench was killing me.  There was like no room and I swear I had the smallest rear end of everyone sitting there and I am pregnant one.  There wasn't even room for my boobs.  I noticed the bench in front of us, which was all men, had plenty of room.  They were not touching each other at all. Then all of a sudden at 4th quarter someone came to their seat and sat down in that row and there was STILL room in between them.

Around the stadium is a golf course and that is where everyone parked.  It was a very large golf course and I think we were parked the farthest back.  It blew me away that we were parking on everything but the putting greens.  It didn't look like a crappy course either.  Getting out of there and to the hotel was long.  We had no clue where to go and the GPS would tell us one thing but the police directed us elsewhere.  When we did get to the hotel I was in heaven because it was a king size bed!  Oh how that little extra space makes a difference.  In Nebraska I was using 5 pillows and had the king bed to myself.  Here I have maybe 3 pillows and a Queen bed I share with Tim.  Sleeping here is not as good.  I got some good sleep for sure after the game.
According to Tim there is some funny things that I have not been sharing on my blog that he thinks need to be written down.  One story is about when we went to the work party right when I arrived here.  There was a main bathroom just right off the living room that everyone used.  When I went to use the restroom I was looking around and noticed there was no hand towels and then noticed no soap by the sink.  I was in awe.  So next to the toilet was a shower curtain and I was like I will get some soap out of there.  I was also thinking of how it was odd that there was a shower in this bath room because it was no where near a bedroom.  (Yes I think of weird things.  You will also think I am weird because I noted that the baseboards in the bathroom were very dirty.  What can I say I look at those things.) Anyways, behind the curtain was a wall!  They put up the curtain to make it look like a shower.  Shower curtain rod with curtain rings and all.  It was weird.  So I just decided to wash my hands in the kitchen.  Ahhh there was not hand soap there either!  I had to use dish soap.  I was so grossed out.  Then to find out the lady who lived there was a Respiratory Therapist really topped the cake.  She should be so used to washing her hands all day and in the habit of doing so.  I was beside myself.  I told Tim there was no soap or towels in the bathroom and he said he thought he saw a towel in there. Tim and I went in there to change after we were done swimming and I had to show him the fake shower.  I knocked on the wall with the shower curtain and asked if he noticed this.  He was in disbelief himself.   His face was something to be seen.  The whole thing was pretty funny and I still can't get over how I never saw hand soap in the house, at least the parts I went to.  Annnnnd then there were the guys jumping off the balcony into the swimming pool, really, it was straight out of a bad frat movie!
Oh to end this long blog I will leave you with some pics of Willow on her camping trip with Chris and Carol she went on this past weekend.  Tim and I were jealous we were not there.  Can't wait to see her on Friday!  I have missed her so much.
Sorry for the long entry again.  Maybe I should blog more often then each entry won't be as long.

Notice who is drinking who's drink.

Here For Good

Ahh there is so much to say.  I have not blogged for awhile and a lot has transpired since I got here last Friday.  I spent 2 weeks in Colorado with the sudo parents.  That was nice and relaxing.  I didn't have to really do much and nothing to stress out about.
Tim came to Nebraska to drive me to Colorado. The packing and moving of the stuff in the house went great.  I didn't know what to expect but the movers were GREAT!  I was kind of bored doing nothing while they did everything.  It was a guy with his oldest son and daughter.  They looked rough around the edges but worked their butts off and were really nice.  I would not want to mess with the girl.  She packed and moved around all the stuff in the basement by herself.  There was some heavy stuff down there.  The dad saw how much stuff we were not putting in storage and suggested he could make an extra stop and drop it off at the rental house. He said that way Tim wouldn't have to drive the trailer over the mountains.  That was super nice of him!  The extra stop did cost us extra that the relo company would not pay for but it was cheaper then the U Haul trailer and Tim wouldn't be spending more on gas.  It was perfect. 
We got to Colorado late Friday night and all hung out for a couple days. Saturday we wanted to go to the Denver Flea Market which an excellent place to people watch!  Chris and Carol bought Willow a bunch of stuff she didn't need.  Some of which was jewelry.  She is a girly girly for sure because she is constantly wearing the bracelets.  She loves them. 

Willow was playing with Chris and Carol's dogs which are little West Highland Terriers.  They are not used to being around little kids and really not sure of Willow pulling on their hair.  Well one of them didn't like her pulling to much and bit her in the nose.  Holy hell broke loose for awhile but after a piece of licorice all was better and thankfully she still likes all the dogs!  Whew. 

Her bite marks on her nose and the licorice on her face.

Tim left us on the following Monday morning to drive back to Arizona with my wieners. (man i miss those little things)  He got up early and wanted to wake Willow to say goodbye.  Oh my, I have never seen her get upset when one of us leaves.  She was crying and I knew it was killing Tim since he had not really seen her that much. 
Willow and I just hung out for 2 weeks and enjoyed the mountain air.  The weather was nice and warm but not scorching like I knew Arizona was.  I read 2 books in one week which has not happened in a long time.  Willow got spoiled even more and I even got a massage.  I wasn't as great as I wanted it to be.  When I was pregnant with Willow I got several massages and it was on a table that had the cut outs for my belly and boobs.  It was nice to lay on my stomach and fully enjoy the massage.  At the place I just went to it did not have the special table.  I laid on my side while she massaged one side and then I turned over and she did the other.  Oh well.

Notice her new pretties on her arm.

I flew to my new home on Friday and left Willow with Chris and Carol for 2 more weeks.  It will be nice to get some things done with her not around and get acclimated to the place so I can get her ready for the change.  I also have my appointment with my new OB on the 4th and I don't have anyone to watch her while I would be there.
I stepped out of the airport, which was a mad house, and instantly thought what am I doing here?  It is fricking HOT!  Oh well, I agreed to it, right?  We got "home" and I was in awe of how much stuff was needing change around here.  Tim's bachelor life was ending that moment.  Things that I had trained him not to do he reverted back to.  Like not putting the seat to the toilet down (huge peeve of mine) and putting a whole pan of food in the fridge instead of putting it in an appropriate container.  There was all the moving boxes of things that needed to be put away in the living room waiting for my arrival. The funniest thing that I saw was the cat and his haircut.  Tim said Simon had been throwing up hairballs a lot and decided he needed a lion cut to maybe help with the puking.  He tried to give him some pills to sedate him like 3 times and he wouldn't take the pills, finally on the last try he took it and Tim waited a while for pill to set in.  Well when Tim turned on the clippers it must have been a buzz kill because he didn't like it one bit.  Tim tried his best but it looks horrible.  I compare it to someone on chemo and they are losing their hair in chunks.  It has grown out some now.  Tim said the tail he got a little close and it looked like a rat tail.  It was really a good laugh for me to hear the story of how Tim did this.  I would put up a pic but it would not do it justice. 
Yesterday I had no time to get to those boxes because Tim wanted me to see the house and the progress.  It is going to be big!  Tim just informed me that we will have 2 air conditioners.  Yikes, did we get in over our heads?  I thought some rooms would be bigger in my head but I am sure it will all work out fine.  The lot is huge and I can't wait for the back yard to be finished. 
After we looked at the house we went to the store to get things for the party that Tim's co-worker was having.  Tim wanted me to make something special because I guess they go all out with food at the parties they throw.  Not having my recipe holder I had to go to Pinterest.  I found a Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bar recipe.  I was really at a loss with making that because things here are limited.  I was searching for measuring cups and spoons.  Tim said I could just eye ball it.  I was like no way!  I did find the spoons and only a liquid measuring cup.  Let me tell you measuring out packed brown sugar in that is not ideal.  I then moved to the cream cheese part and needed to beat in the sugar and eggs. Not sure if the cream cheese wasn't softened enough or the mixer was just a turd but the beater broke off the beater stem.  I was like great, so I used what god gave me, my hands.  Yes I did.  I mixed the cream cheese with my hands.  It worked.  Oh how I missed my Kitchen Aide mixer.
Last night we went to this party with Tim's co-workers.  They were really friendly and everyone gets along great, something that I noticed at Tim's former job was lacking.  The house had a pool so the kids were swimming at first then the adults got in and things got crazy.  You would have thought we were at a high school party.  People we drunk and doing crazy stuff.  Crazy like jumping off the balcony into the pool!  I was seriously waiting for blood to be spilled!   It was a good time and it was really nice to meet people that Tim work with.  It seemed like most of them had moved here to work for Celgene from far away places too.  I got to drive home, lucky me.  I have decided I don't like to drive here.  The interstate is like 5 lanes wide one way and people are crazy drivers!
Today I finally got to tackle all the moving boxes.  Tim told me to slow down but I couldn't.  I haven't really done anything for 2 weeks and it felt good.  I got all the stuff put away, rearranged stuff and got Willow's room ready.  We got the TODDLER bed put together so that will be an adventure.  I rearranged the closet, sent Tim into shock and actually put things away.  Tim has this thing about doing something and not cleaning up after himself.  Something we will be working on. 
I can't wait for the new house to be done and to have my own things!  Especially my big bed and all my kitchen stuff.  I am very thankful for the temporary living arrangement but there is nothing like your own stuff.

Check out the kids mullet behind Tim.