According to reliable sources, my uterus is now the size of a grapefruit. I like grapefruit anyways, so carrying one around inside me sounds perfectly great. I can definitely feel the firmness of my uterus and baby human at the lower part of my abdomen. It's so crazy to push lightly on my stomach and know somewhere, way deep inside, baby is moving around in it's little fluid home. In case you didn't catch that, it's SO CRAZY!!!
Pregnancy has been lovely so far! My sister always said she felt absolutely wonderful when pregnant (I'm assuming this is before she would get close to delivery- rumors say she was pretty miserable at that part), so I was hoping I would follow in her footsteps. And most of the time, I am! The first few weeks I felt the same as normal- just craving juicy fruits and lots of water. Around 8 weeks pregnant, I had my first bout with morning sickness, but as my night shift people would know, my morning sickness would start about midnight. The first night I was sick I was at work... I'd be in the middle of a conversation with a patient and I'd have to bolt from the room. Let me tell you though- working on postpartum gives me the kindest and most understanding group of patients ever! Also, they have a lot of advice. My midwives told me to eat protein more often to increase my blood sugar, thereby decreasing my nausea. Worked like a charm! And I got to eat more, which I am a fan of.
After that, I've felt absolutely fantastic! I sleep all the time, but that was true even before pregnancy. The exhaustion has dissipated as I move further into my second trimester. I've had two OB visits- the first mostly a lot of education and checking to make sure everything (ahem... below) looked fine. The most amusing part of the entire appointment? Halfway through the (ahem) exam when the midwife said, "Well, everything's looking good. Josh? You want to come take a peek?"
The second appointment was lovely- the first time we got to hear the heartbeat of our baby. It was lovely. I'd post a video on here, but my computer is giving me some attitude at the current moment. It's on facebook for you curious readers...
I'm trying to think of anything interesting that has happened currently- I like pickles these days. I bought them on a whim, as I am apparently supposed to like pickles these days. But ever since I've started eating them, I want them all the time! They're so cold, so crunchy, sour and salty and delicious! I can't eat them near Josh; he tells me they reek. But they're so tasty!!! Also, I'm loving pink lady apples, watermelon, salsa, and cheetos. So, so good.
I've got to go. Talking about pickles and not actually eating one is driving me crazy. Guess I'm going to need to go to the store for a refill tomorrow...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Day 1 of Pregnancy... and beyond.
So, we left off with Josh and I just finding out about the baby in ma' belly. Let's continue, shall we?
The day we found out about the pregnancy we spent countless hours exploring- hoping to find a Urgent Care center to do a pregnancy test. This proved to be more challenging than expected. First of all, we were staying in a retirement center. Not much of a demand for OB doctors. Gynecologists, yes. Obstetricians? No. The second issue? Apparently, if you ask for a pregnancy test at the ONE urgent care center we were able to find, they won't do it. If, however, you go in complaining of nausea, stomach slightly funky, and a late period, they would do the test. I wish I would have known this beforehand. BAH. So, after several hours, we simply decided to wait until we got home to Iowa and set up an appointment with an OB/GYN. Everyone is probably thinking 'duh' at the moment; but you've got to understand... Josh and I behaved ourselves the previous month! :) There was just no way those two pregnancy tests were right! Ha.
We decided (mostly me, because I am AWFUL at secrets and surprises... I just get too excited!) to go ahead and tell family and close friends. So, we started off with my sister Rachel on Skype. Just chitchatting and shooting the breeze, then WHAM! Positive pregnancy test held up to the camera. Boo yah! I am really not sure if she was more excited that I was pregnant or that she was the first to know, but it is safe to say there was excitement. Next, it was time to tell Nanny and Papa- after all, they were letting us stay with them in FL and it is going to be their first great grandbaby! We made a Christmas list of baby items (Christmas gifts are a REAL big thing in their family) and told them we just wanted to get our Christmas list in early. I think Nanny got down to the third item- probably diapers, bottles, or crib... and then exploded out of her chair. Literally, like an explosion. Of tears, questions, laughter. Of course, I started crying too and everyone just got so tickled. It was super.
We told my parents via skype- pretty much the same WHAM! in your face method as Rachel. Dad's first words? "You better not be!" Ha. Whoops. He probably didn't want that to go down in the record. (Of course, in reality he is very pleased. He met and patted my belly this weekend when we saw him for the first time since the news. And he texts me freqently to ask how I'm doing. Such a sweetie.) Mom kept asking if it was true and then cried. Which of course, got me crying again. The only thing better would have been to be able to tell them face to face. But I would have been almost in my 2nd trimester by the time we could have traveled to see them. And that is much too long for me to keep a secret.
Cindy Pattengale found out the next day at dinner, when she flew in with some of Josh's brothers for a weekend in the sun. To celebrate her birthday, we bought a little green onsie that says, "I heart grandma." It was so fun to watch the confusion turn in to excitement as she analyzed the meaning of the gift. Mike simply said, "She can't fit into that, guys." And then, of course, the necessary questions and tears. This is getting to be a habit. We were going to try to skype Jerry, but on Cindy's recommendation just called instead. This was probably one of my favorite moments. Jerry almost reverted to some old form of English, speaking in way that, well, no one speaks anymore. The only quote I actually remember, however, is "Oh, this is just such a blessing." Those words bring such joy and peace to my heart. Baby, you are a blessing. Thank you God, for you perfect plan and timing and the joy You have brought into our lives.
The rest of vacation is kind of a blur- I remember thinking, "I'm pregnant!" about a billion times. How am I supposed to focus on anything else when I've got a pea-sized little person inside me!? The mental shift is incredible- suddenly everything I do, eat, drink... the way I try to lie when I'm going to sleep... it's all first put through this weird 'mommy-filter.' Will this be okay for the baby? Will this help the baby? Will this hurt the baby? Oh, I need to start drinking milk. Gross. Oh, that tastes good. There you go baby! Baby doesn't feel like washing the dishes. Baby wants ice cream. (Ok, some of those things weren't direct messages from the baby.)
My first OB appointment was scheduled for around 4 weeks after we got home from FL. Again... that is too long of a time to wait! I needed proof that I was really preggers! As if the four pregnancy tests (yes, the number changed to four... per Nanny's request) weren't enough. But that first OB appointment should probably be another post. This current post is long enough to print out and wear as a dress. Albeit, a minidress.
The day we found out about the pregnancy we spent countless hours exploring- hoping to find a Urgent Care center to do a pregnancy test. This proved to be more challenging than expected. First of all, we were staying in a retirement center. Not much of a demand for OB doctors. Gynecologists, yes. Obstetricians? No. The second issue? Apparently, if you ask for a pregnancy test at the ONE urgent care center we were able to find, they won't do it. If, however, you go in complaining of nausea, stomach slightly funky, and a late period, they would do the test. I wish I would have known this beforehand. BAH. So, after several hours, we simply decided to wait until we got home to Iowa and set up an appointment with an OB/GYN. Everyone is probably thinking 'duh' at the moment; but you've got to understand... Josh and I behaved ourselves the previous month! :) There was just no way those two pregnancy tests were right! Ha.
We decided (mostly me, because I am AWFUL at secrets and surprises... I just get too excited!) to go ahead and tell family and close friends. So, we started off with my sister Rachel on Skype. Just chitchatting and shooting the breeze, then WHAM! Positive pregnancy test held up to the camera. Boo yah! I am really not sure if she was more excited that I was pregnant or that she was the first to know, but it is safe to say there was excitement. Next, it was time to tell Nanny and Papa- after all, they were letting us stay with them in FL and it is going to be their first great grandbaby! We made a Christmas list of baby items (Christmas gifts are a REAL big thing in their family) and told them we just wanted to get our Christmas list in early. I think Nanny got down to the third item- probably diapers, bottles, or crib... and then exploded out of her chair. Literally, like an explosion. Of tears, questions, laughter. Of course, I started crying too and everyone just got so tickled. It was super.
We told my parents via skype- pretty much the same WHAM! in your face method as Rachel. Dad's first words? "You better not be!" Ha. Whoops. He probably didn't want that to go down in the record. (Of course, in reality he is very pleased. He met and patted my belly this weekend when we saw him for the first time since the news. And he texts me freqently to ask how I'm doing. Such a sweetie.) Mom kept asking if it was true and then cried. Which of course, got me crying again. The only thing better would have been to be able to tell them face to face. But I would have been almost in my 2nd trimester by the time we could have traveled to see them. And that is much too long for me to keep a secret.
Cindy Pattengale found out the next day at dinner, when she flew in with some of Josh's brothers for a weekend in the sun. To celebrate her birthday, we bought a little green onsie that says, "I heart grandma." It was so fun to watch the confusion turn in to excitement as she analyzed the meaning of the gift. Mike simply said, "She can't fit into that, guys." And then, of course, the necessary questions and tears. This is getting to be a habit. We were going to try to skype Jerry, but on Cindy's recommendation just called instead. This was probably one of my favorite moments. Jerry almost reverted to some old form of English, speaking in way that, well, no one speaks anymore. The only quote I actually remember, however, is "Oh, this is just such a blessing." Those words bring such joy and peace to my heart. Baby, you are a blessing. Thank you God, for you perfect plan and timing and the joy You have brought into our lives.
The rest of vacation is kind of a blur- I remember thinking, "I'm pregnant!" about a billion times. How am I supposed to focus on anything else when I've got a pea-sized little person inside me!? The mental shift is incredible- suddenly everything I do, eat, drink... the way I try to lie when I'm going to sleep... it's all first put through this weird 'mommy-filter.' Will this be okay for the baby? Will this help the baby? Will this hurt the baby? Oh, I need to start drinking milk. Gross. Oh, that tastes good. There you go baby! Baby doesn't feel like washing the dishes. Baby wants ice cream. (Ok, some of those things weren't direct messages from the baby.)
My first OB appointment was scheduled for around 4 weeks after we got home from FL. Again... that is too long of a time to wait! I needed proof that I was really preggers! As if the four pregnancy tests (yes, the number changed to four... per Nanny's request) weren't enough. But that first OB appointment should probably be another post. This current post is long enough to print out and wear as a dress. Albeit, a minidress.
Monday, April 4, 2011
I'm pregnant. This might be a news flash for those of you who just haven't found out yet.
I've known for about a month, so I'm about right on par for the time it took me to blog about it. Josh and I were on a lovely vacation down in Florida celebrating... oh I don't know... life? A break between his school trimesters? The opportunity to see the sun? All of the above, most likely. (And, of course, a big thank you to the Pattengale parents and Rowe grandparents for making it possible.) We stayed with Josh's grandparents down in The Villages, FL. I think everyone should go there. It's like Disney for old people. Everyone is driving tricked out golf carts and doing nothing but playing bocce ball and cards and soaking up the skin cancer. They have large town squares and bring in live bands every night so the old folks can shake their new metal hips like never before. It's just wonderful!
Josh and I spent our first several days lounging at pools, catching up on sleep, eating ice cream and sorbet and steak and other delicious things. We really did have a great time! One night Josh and I decided to spend an evening by ourselves... you know, stroll hand in hand down the pier making witty comments about the girl (who looked like she was trying waaaayyy to hard) having her man take "modeling" shots of her, taking pictures of the lighthouse and necessary seagulls, stopping frequently for me to go to the bathroom (necessary even before pregnancy), and wondering in and out of shops. On the way to the second town square, we pulled the golf cart over on the side of the path and watched the sun go down over the lake. 'Beautiful' doesn't really cut it sometimes. We also stopped and picked up hair gel, face wash, and pregnancy tests at the local mart. (The pregnancy thing was more Josh's idea. See, he wanted me to prove to myself that I wasn't actually pregnant. And from past experience, he is usually right. Night shift = havoc on my body, so I've gone through a fortune worth of pregnancy tests. I actually bought prenatal vitamins and would make myself take them for a week. That way I would be doing everything right if I was pregnant and would feel free to wait a little longer to take a prego test. It's actually cheaper that way. Then, a week later, if there was still a possibility, off to the store for a pregnancy test. Again.) We stashed our little purchases in the golf cart and then continued to enjoy the night at the spanish town square- drinking coffee and sharing a cookie from panera, wandering from vendor booth to vendor booth, enjoying the heaviness of the warm air. It was one of those romantic nights you read about in sappy romance novels. Sigh.
Moving to 7am the next morning. I'm awake. I've got a pregnancy test in a bag beside the bed. I've got to pee. Perfect. So, waiting those 3 full minutes. Watching the pee move across the dipstick nervously. Seeing a faint second line. "That's just wishful thinking, Ericka." Hmm. That line is getting darker. There are definitely two lines. OHHHHH MYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOODNESS.
"Josh. Wake up. Look at this. Do you see two lines?"
"I can't see. Turn the light on."
Click.
Silence.
"So, um, am I pregnant? DOES THIS MEAN I'M PREGNANT??!"
I belly flop onto the bed beside him. (Whoops, maybe I shouldn't belly flop anymore.)
"I don't know Ericka."
"Let's take a picture of us!"
"No."
Camera flash!
"Let's take the second test later."
Thirty minutes later. I'm thinking I just might be able to pee again. Two lines. Faster than last time. I slid open the door to the bathroom far enough to make eye contact with Josh. Two nods from me.
We're pregnant.
And of course, we're very excited about this. But right now in the story, we're more in the shock stage. And I feel awful stopping my post without getting to us being super excited and happy and delirious about it, but I'm at work. When you're at work, work comes first. And my shift is almost over, so I've got a few things to finish. So, perhaps in another month I'll get on past the first hour of finding out...
I've known for about a month, so I'm about right on par for the time it took me to blog about it. Josh and I were on a lovely vacation down in Florida celebrating... oh I don't know... life? A break between his school trimesters? The opportunity to see the sun? All of the above, most likely. (And, of course, a big thank you to the Pattengale parents and Rowe grandparents for making it possible.) We stayed with Josh's grandparents down in The Villages, FL. I think everyone should go there. It's like Disney for old people. Everyone is driving tricked out golf carts and doing nothing but playing bocce ball and cards and soaking up the skin cancer. They have large town squares and bring in live bands every night so the old folks can shake their new metal hips like never before. It's just wonderful!
Josh and I spent our first several days lounging at pools, catching up on sleep, eating ice cream and sorbet and steak and other delicious things. We really did have a great time! One night Josh and I decided to spend an evening by ourselves... you know, stroll hand in hand down the pier making witty comments about the girl (who looked like she was trying waaaayyy to hard) having her man take "modeling" shots of her, taking pictures of the lighthouse and necessary seagulls, stopping frequently for me to go to the bathroom (necessary even before pregnancy), and wondering in and out of shops. On the way to the second town square, we pulled the golf cart over on the side of the path and watched the sun go down over the lake. 'Beautiful' doesn't really cut it sometimes. We also stopped and picked up hair gel, face wash, and pregnancy tests at the local mart. (The pregnancy thing was more Josh's idea. See, he wanted me to prove to myself that I wasn't actually pregnant. And from past experience, he is usually right. Night shift = havoc on my body, so I've gone through a fortune worth of pregnancy tests. I actually bought prenatal vitamins and would make myself take them for a week. That way I would be doing everything right if I was pregnant and would feel free to wait a little longer to take a prego test. It's actually cheaper that way. Then, a week later, if there was still a possibility, off to the store for a pregnancy test. Again.) We stashed our little purchases in the golf cart and then continued to enjoy the night at the spanish town square- drinking coffee and sharing a cookie from panera, wandering from vendor booth to vendor booth, enjoying the heaviness of the warm air. It was one of those romantic nights you read about in sappy romance novels. Sigh.
Moving to 7am the next morning. I'm awake. I've got a pregnancy test in a bag beside the bed. I've got to pee. Perfect. So, waiting those 3 full minutes. Watching the pee move across the dipstick nervously. Seeing a faint second line. "That's just wishful thinking, Ericka." Hmm. That line is getting darker. There are definitely two lines. OHHHHH MYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOODNESS.
"Josh. Wake up. Look at this. Do you see two lines?"
"I can't see. Turn the light on."
Click.
Silence.
"So, um, am I pregnant? DOES THIS MEAN I'M PREGNANT??!"
I belly flop onto the bed beside him. (Whoops, maybe I shouldn't belly flop anymore.)
"I don't know Ericka."
"Let's take a picture of us!"
"No."
Camera flash!
"Let's take the second test later."
Thirty minutes later. I'm thinking I just might be able to pee again. Two lines. Faster than last time. I slid open the door to the bathroom far enough to make eye contact with Josh. Two nods from me.
We're pregnant.
And of course, we're very excited about this. But right now in the story, we're more in the shock stage. And I feel awful stopping my post without getting to us being super excited and happy and delirious about it, but I'm at work. When you're at work, work comes first. And my shift is almost over, so I've got a few things to finish. So, perhaps in another month I'll get on past the first hour of finding out...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
It is Well.
After I posted my blog on desiring gentleness, I was sent several emails and messages with the general idea that God made me who I am and I do not have to be a quiet person to be a gentle spirit. When reviewing my heart and my goals, I realized changing my personality was never in question for me. It was more of “how does the me that God created become the me God can create for the future.” I know it has to be in His Spirit and power, but how does that begin? Where do I start?
I suppose I will start with submission to God. Tonight I ran across a blog of a woman near my age discussing gentleness- she ended with the suggestion to read the writings of Matthew Henry, a Presbyterian minister and Bible commentator from the 1600's. In his book The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, Matthew Henry described meekness as submission to God’s plan and immediate acceptance of God’s Word- the kind of blanket acceptance that leaves you ready to be molded by what you read and what is revealed. I know this is probably just an incomplete summation of the first few paragraphs of his thoughts, but hey, I am going off the sneak peak provided by Amazon. And honestly, this is probably a big enough chunk for me to work on while I wait for my newly ordered book to arrive. Blanket acceptance and submission. Contentment with God’s plan and provision. Being at peace with my Heavenly Father. Saying, “It is well with my soul.” Yes, that is enough to work on for right now.
Bragging Rights
Not that I'm a fan of bragging, but I just have to tell you about my hubster. I'm so stinkin' proud of him! He is thriving at Palmer. Not only is he killing it in the grades category, but he completed his first chiropractic adjustment a few weeks ago- we're getting into that phase of school as he nears his halfway point at Palmer. A few days after giving this adjustment, as he was walking through the hall, he heard a voice. "Hello Master Adjuster Josh." Josh turned around, like, "What?" His professor, who had watched the adjustment was standing there and began to compliment Josh's speed and talent at the previous adjustment. Of course, I freaked out when Josh relayed this story to me. I already think Josh hung the moon, but now he's a master adjuster too!?
Man, my husband is awesome. :)
Man, my husband is awesome. :)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Gentle.
Tonight was small group. We get together with other couples from Palmer who also attend our church, Harvest Bible Chapel, Davenport. Tonight's theme for the girls seemed to hinge on God's calling for us to be suitable helpers to our husbands. And what that looks like. And how difficult it can be.
This is a nice place to segue into the Word. 1 Peter 3:3-5a.
"3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves.
This is difficult for me. I think it's likely difficult for women in general, especially in our society. We are loud, powerful in the workforce, driven. So what does gentleness look like for a woman of God who is a respected professional in the workforce? What is this gentleness, this quietness we are supposed to embody as an act of worship to God? I must admit, I am instantly drawn to the idea of being a gentle, supportive helper for Josh. But I also can have a very loud, demanding, abrupt, controlling and emotional side. A loud personality that is high energy. I need to learn how to fit who I am into who God wants me to be. And cut out the parts that don't fit into God's plan for me.
At small group, the girls talked about picking a word of the year. This word would be something we want to work on- something that is our focus for the year.
I am picking the word 'gentle.' I suppose I need to figure out what that looks like first. But I want to be changed, really deep inside. I want to be like the holy women of old and make myself beautiful from the inside out. I want to please my husband, to be a calm harbor in a world that can be so rough. God willing.
Would love your thoughts on what gentleness looks like and how you have developed this in your own life...
This is a nice place to segue into the Word. 1 Peter 3:3-5a.
"3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves.
This is difficult for me. I think it's likely difficult for women in general, especially in our society. We are loud, powerful in the workforce, driven. So what does gentleness look like for a woman of God who is a respected professional in the workforce? What is this gentleness, this quietness we are supposed to embody as an act of worship to God? I must admit, I am instantly drawn to the idea of being a gentle, supportive helper for Josh. But I also can have a very loud, demanding, abrupt, controlling and emotional side. A loud personality that is high energy. I need to learn how to fit who I am into who God wants me to be. And cut out the parts that don't fit into God's plan for me.
At small group, the girls talked about picking a word of the year. This word would be something we want to work on- something that is our focus for the year.
I am picking the word 'gentle.' I suppose I need to figure out what that looks like first. But I want to be changed, really deep inside. I want to be like the holy women of old and make myself beautiful from the inside out. I want to please my husband, to be a calm harbor in a world that can be so rough. God willing.
Would love your thoughts on what gentleness looks like and how you have developed this in your own life...
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Hello Roxie.
I promised a post devoted entirely to our recent change in address. Blah. Hopefully some quirky anecdotes will also come to mind to make this post somewhat interesting.
Well, the good news is we moved, we love our new place, and we're not bankrupt. Hallelujah! (For those of you who have not had the pleasure to move recently, it's expensive. Mostly due to my desire to "nest" and decorate with things I did not yet own. Also paying double rent for half a month as well as a new security deposit. Bah humbug.) But we're happy and God has provided such a great home for us for our remaining time in Davenport.
Our move was rather smooth- we had everything packed in boxes and four of us completely loaded the moving truck in 3 hours. Thank God for Joe. (Had to put that in here in case he or his wife ever have the desire to read my blog). Then the three menfolk went off to classes and told a few of us lady folk that we could "maybe start unloading the truck if we wanted to. But we didn't have to." So, we decided to unload the entire thing while they were gone. We got close. There was one couch and maybe five-ish boxes left to unload when they came back. They were surprised and pleased nonetheless. The rest of the afternoon/evening consisted of the girls organizing the house (I still can't find juice tupperware container, several cups, etc etc etc.)
The boys were busy entertaining themselves with their efforts to assemble a small curio cabinet. I'm pretty sure the whole house was organized before they put it together. (Actually, I'm sure of it. Because they never put the display light in correctly. It's just hanging from the top of the cabinet. Ah, oh well).
The day after we moved I was back to work. Nothing gets done during my days on shift, so it's prodigiously wonderful that Josh's mom showed up the next day to assist with the transition. (If you are reading this, Daniel Luttrull, can you tell me if I used that word correctly? 'Prodigiously.' I defer to you in all things writing and/or english.) She is one stellar woman and we are very grateful for the time she spent out here- spoiling us with good food, gifts, and her presence. Also, it must be mentioned that she brought Roxie home to us. It's been good to have our rat back- she is adorable and snugly and a great little fur ball to have around. Currently she is lying between Josh and me on a very soft blanket (which she has claimed as her own. You should see her little begging face whenever I move her off the blanket so I can actually use it.)
She is also wearing a Christmas sweater. Some website said yorkies don't have the undercoat needed to keep them warm in the winter, so a warm garment is suggested. I think if yorkies didn't have what they needed, they would all be dead by now. However, I found some cheap dog sweaters at Target and she looks so stinking cute in them that I went back and bought more. Yes, I'm ridiculous. Also, I hear dog owners begin to look like the dogs they own. To allow this to happen more quickly, I chopped my hair down to a long shag. I am beginning to see the resemblance...
Pictures of our new place are posted on facebook thanks to that delightful Mrs. Pattengale (ooh... the elder Mrs. Pattengale. Sometimes I forget that I am now Mrs. Pattengale as well. I don't expect to be called that until I have a 5th grader that has friends over to the house. Any younger than 5th graders and they'll probably have to call me "Mrs. P." Pattengale can be such a difficult word for the little ones. But not much more so than Potteiger. Shoot, 35 year olds still can't get that one correct.)
As it is, I'm off to make dinner for my husband. (But mostly for myself because I'm ravenously hungry and that silly man is not. More for me! :) Catch ya later, folks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)