1/3 ~ Sonogram said that I have Placenta Previa - placenta is on the cervix, and this is BAD! Went into hysterics rather badly today for about 3 hours. I KNOW I'm going to die with this - bleeding to death trying to deliever. VERY bad emotional state. Called work, and told them that I could no longer work and quit as an emergency medical case.
1/5 ~ Finished handing over all my work to a temporary replacement until someone could be found to take over for me. Will definately miss my job! Am still dreaming about what all I could do to make it better! Gee.. need to stop doing that, huh?
1/5 ~ Talked with midwife Linda, and she calmed my fears a lot. So did my aunt Sue, who delievers a lot of babies for a living. :o) I really don't have this condition, just still a low-laying placenta. Will have to take it easy though.
1/11 ~ Appointment with Linda, and we talked about what could and couldn't do. Just taking it easy for now - nothing major. :o)
1/20-21 ~ Childbirth class! Oh what fun and joy! 4 hours each day, for a total of 8 hours to learn everything that we should know but didn't know to ask. WOW - what tons of information they packed into this class - I only hope that I can remember how to breathe right when time comes!
1/24 ~ Wednesday night after closing prayer in church, I went to the bathroom and found that I had started bleeding bright red blood. After going home and contacting the OBGYN's on-call service, the doctor had me going to the hospital on the off-chance I had started labor. By this time, I had slowed to just dripping bright red blood. At the hospital I was on the monitor from 9pm-10pm, and again from 2-2:30pm, with a spot check at 7am this morning. Annessa's heart rate was stable, and no contractions on my part. The entire night I'm down to just brown spotting, which is the next best thing to no bleeding.
1/25 ~ Thursday morning the OBGYN came to visit, and put me on mandatory bedrest. I've got limited time at the computer [sitting up], a bit more time reclining, and lots of time in bed. No going anywhere whatsoever, unless it's to see OBGYN, sonogram, or to the hospital. No church either. [or movies.. Drats...]
1/29 ~ The sonogram shows that the placenta is approximately 1.4 cm from the cervix. Since a vaginal birth requires at least 3 cm or there will/might be complications, we are still in a waiting game. No additional bleeding was shown on the sonogram; the thinking now is that Annessa herself flailed and knocked the placenta causing a capillary to burst. [Because the placenta is so very low, and it's a bit delicate that low.] Will have to wait another 4-5 weeks before another sonogram to give it time to grow away. It turns out that Annessa seems to be a bit on the large size now. She's considered in the upper 85% of the growth of her age, and the sonogram says that she could be delivered safely as early as March 25. [Due date is April 3]. Not sure of how long she is, but her weight now is 4 lb. 5 oz - this means she put on 2 pounds in a month. I thought I was getting a bit big!
1/29 ~ An exam showed that I still have quite a bit of old blood still up inside me, which will be causing spotting for a while to come. BUT - it is old blood, and nothing new, which is the good part. I am definitely on bed rest - I can only be on the computer [sitting up] for 30 min before having to lay back down again for another 2 hours. I can lay a bit elevated, but laying down horizontally is better. This is to try to keep Annessa off the placenta down there.
1/30-2/3 ~ With me being on complete bedrest, Sarah and Momma Miller went out shopping for my nursery. Bought all the necessities. With Annessa Grace maybe showing up early because of complications, neither one of us wanted to be caught flat-footed with nothing! Then my parents came up to stay with me for a week. This gives the added advantage of staying off my feet!
2/10 ~ This past week I know I've been up more than I should during the day, with Michael taking care to make sure I'm off my feet at night. Mom and Dad Jones came on Tuesday [during the day] to watch me and visit, and brought food to last not only for lunch but have leftovers too! :o) Our first ever maid service came this past Thursday; we've had to go this route because it's too much for Micahel to clean and I can't. Our Life Group from church met here Friday night for the first time; it really means a lot for them to take time to come here since I can't get out. Next Monday is when Momma Miller is coming back up via train to make sure I stay off my feet from now on. :o) That's all the updates for now.
3/12 ~ Wow, it's been forever since I was allowed to sit up at the computer. Been on total bedrest now for about a month - which means no sitting up even on the computer. For everyone who's wondered what happened to me in the meantime - let me try to fill you in on a bit of information.
2/25 ~ [This is an email Momma Miller wrote to a friend while I was indisposed] Just got back from the Reston Hospital an hour ago. Lisa started bleeding with contractions before 5:00 this morning and by 5:30 we had her in the labor room. As soon as we got there she was taken to a room. They hooked her up to the baby monitor to be sure Annessa Grace was okay and started giving Lisa medicine to stop her contractions. While there Lisa had severe abdominal pain which she had in mild form yesterday. They took blood work to see if it was the gallbladder but the blood work was okay so now they are not sure what was wrong. [Note: later I was told "gas pain"] They are keeping her tonight so they can keep an eye on her. They want to keep her on medicine to keep the contractions down until she is 37 weeks which is two more weeks. We thank the Lord that her placenta has moved away from the cervix!!! The baby weighed about five pounds today. Trusting all will go well with her tonight, I will bring her home tomorrow. [Also note: I was able to go home the next day]
3/10 ~ Another round of bleeding and major contractions started. This time, I doubled up on the medications and totally stayed off my feet until Monday [when I'm technically typing all of this up for my friends and family to read and catch up on!] After 8 hours of bleeding [down to dripping blood, spotting, etc], finally stops ... was afraid of going to hospital at this point. Either put on REALLY bad medication to stop, or have baby a bit early. BTW- complications from meds that I was on - heart pounding out of chest, shakes so bad couldn't feed myself occasionally, massive headaches to the point couldn't think, nausea [thankfully, only a bit in passing!] This, plus the fact I could no longer take my sinus meds [and everyone who knows me KNOWS I've got MAJOR sinus problems!] because of the heart problems. Had to take pulse before taking meds every 6 hours, for if heart was racing too badly, had to wait until it came down below 120. Poor Annessa's heart was racing too on the baby monitor - will be glad when my body is back to normal without all the meds! Having rough time - couldn't hardly have visitors some days, and sometimes even talking on phone was bad!
3/12 ~ [again!] I've also had a couple of other bleeding incidents, but those were the major points this past couple of weeks. Been staying off my feet, and Momma Miller has been here now for a month to take care of me during the day and cook meals. Dad Jones traded a recliner for a rocker so I could recline in the living room - a bit better than the couch all day or the bed. Last pill taken at 5:30 this morning - assuming everything kicks back in when the meds wear off, I'll have baby either today or tomorrow. Dad Miller is driving up today, hoping to be here when baby is born. PS - after having baby I won't be online very much, so this page will be updated as I can!
3/12 afternoon ~ Light labor pains had started, but very irreguluar. With the OB appointment I was found to be only 1cm dialated, even at 100% effaced.
3/12 evening ~ Michael and I attended a labor and delievery lecture. One of the details was when to call the doctor - when labor pains are 5 minutes or less for over an hour. This turns out to be very helpful! But we also went over some of the information we already knew, plus some new information pertainant to Dr. Tudder.
3/13 ~ Annessa Grace is born! Putting up her own page [working on it now!].
3/13 - 3/17 ~ My blood count, normally 36, dropped to 16 after the surgeries. I was given 3 Units of blood Wednesday [14] night, which brought it up to 24. I was able to get out of bed for the first time on Thursday [15] morning, and Thursday afternoon was walking the halls with help. That night I tried walking by myself and overdid it, for Friday [16] morning I couldn't hardly get back to the bathroom by myself again. Saturday [17] after lunch I was released.
3/19 ~ Nana and Granddaddy [my parents] went home today.
3/20 - 3/28 ~ Grandma and Granddaddy Jones came over with food. Except for a dear friend who brought food during my pregnacy, this was the start of our family, friends, and Michael's volunteer friends cooking supper for us. If it weren't for them, we would have been in terrible shape! Someone was able to cook for us each night. [Except for the weekend, when we ate leftovers. We had to, otherwise the refrigerator would have exploded with so much food!] Michael goes back to work on the 29th. His paternity leave was only 5 days, so he took some vacation days to be at home. I am still so weak from losing so much blood, I could barely walk at my OB's appointment on the 23.
3/28 ~ Nana and Granddaddy came back up to help out.
4/3 ~ This was the day Annessa was supposed to be born. :o) Granddaddy Miller drove back to NC. Nana and I are sharing or splitting the responsibility for Annessa during the night and day. Michael is helping out on the weekends to give us a much needed break of sleep.
4/6 ~ We had been taking Annessa to the doctor's for her general well-checkup, but he was concerned for her weight. In the hospital she'd dropped down to 5 lb 4 oz, and seemed to have a hard time putting on weight. Her weight up to this point had fluctuated up to 6 lb 7 oz, down to 6 lb, but today was back up to 6 lb 9 oz. This was great news! After all the extra formula feedings [throwing up the soy stuff!] and overstuffing the baby time and time again, it seems her weight is finally on the upswing. :o)
4/6 ~ My first trip out, besides going to the doctors. Nana and I went shopping for Christian books for Annessa. It wasn't long before I was tired, but happy. It was fun, and great to see some friends at the store. :o)
4/7 ~ My aunt Dottie, along with her daughters Tracie and Jeri, threw Annessa a baby shower. It was the best, most totally wonderful shower I have ever been to, and I can not thank them enough. I'm not saying that just because it was for Annessa either. ;o) Plus it was wonderful to see my friends and co-workers. My sister in law April gets the dollar for driving the furthest - she got up before 5am to try to arrive on time. She might have made it too, had she not turned the wrong way on I-81 and drove 65 miles out of her way. [totaling 130 extra miles to drive] Thankfully, I only got tired after several hours and was able to enjoy most of the day. PS I also had my hair styled this morning, so it's cut into a VERY short bob. I don't have new pictures of it yet, but think of the first season of ER - Dr. Susan's bob haircut. I look almost the same.
4/8 ~ Nana and April drove back to NC today. I do miss my help!
4/28 ~ First time away from my baby! Went to a wedding of a couple of friends that lasted FAR too long [can you tell I was a worried mother?!] The wedding was beautiful, the reception was wonderful as well. With me still recovering from losing over half my blood supply though, had to come home early before I fell over. Which was ok by me because by this time I was getting desperate to see Annessa Grace!
5/4 ~ Good friend from college came up to see me for the afternoon! I know she came to see the baby *wink* but it was great talking and spending time with her. I hadn't seen her but once in 8 years, so this was a major visit.
5/12-20 ~ Close friends picked me up and drove me back to NC for another friend's wedding on the 19th. Had a lot of fun seeing family and friends and was helpful to deal with Annessa too. They, of course, loved seeing my new daughter. :o) Spent my first Mother's Day at Enon with Annessa; wasn't as bad as it could have been. She slept most of the morning! But late nights [she never got to sleep before midnight, and most nights it was closer to 2am] plus no naps caught up with me as I had an emotional and physical breakdown after the wedding. My parents drove me back [on the 20th] and stayed an extra day before heading back home themselves. Thankful I had that extra day of rest!
5/31 ~ My car didn't pass inspection! Have to have a whole lot replaced - headlights, all brakes, wheel bearings .. on the whole, almost $900 before it could pass inspection. *whew*
6/4-5 ~ Water Heater busted; was able to get it replaced next day. VERY cold shower on the 5th!
6/5 ~ Annessa's shots were today. Tore me apart! Plus I saw the doctor about my having problems swallowing. Going to have a couple of tests run to see what could be done about this. [Tests are 6/28 & 29]
6/7 ~ Went back to work today as a substitute. Did 3 classes while Michael watched Nessa. Very hard on all of us; will need to "break her to bottle" for me to go back to work on a regular basis.
6/15 ~ Some programing on website, thought to update on what's happening in my life. Most of my routine is new mothering - feed baby every so often, sleep when baby sleeps [hysterical laughter while I remember she tends to sleep in the day ONLY while being held!] change diapers, and try to eat some meals myself. Michael's been a great help in doing the dishes, the laundry, picking up, washing out the diaper wraps, and generally doing what all needs to be done. Sometimes feel at the end of my rope; sometimes when she smiles and "talks" to me it's all worth it. Last night she slept 8 hours straight! yippee!!
6/28 ~ Had the wrong tests prescribed! Everything that could go wrong, almost did! I ended up NOT having the nuclear medicine Thyroid exam because I couldn't breastfeed Annessa for 5.5 days afterwards. NOT GOOD! I did have an upper GI that told the doc that I've got heartburn ... and an unidentified obstruction in my throat.
7/2 ~ Water seeped in under our foundation from the hurricane-like winds and rain today. It's along the front bedroom wall - with both bedrooms having damage.
7/3-6 ~ Trying to deal with the water damage. The matting is torn up, the carpet is drying out, and the tack board is mildewed to the point of rot. Our land manager is on vacation, but they are responsible for fixing this up. Our whole row of condos have been affected, unfortunately. Knowing it's going to take a while, we finally rearranged [temporary!] where the furniture is off the damaged area.
7/6-9 ~ April's here! She came up for the weekend to give me and Michael a break from the little princess. It was absolutely wonderful having her here [I can't say that enough - sorry April!] even though she got a little sick. Nothing was passed along, thankfully, but God knew how much I needed her for one more day and kept her here just for me. :o) Unfortuately, she could have stayed another day and we didn't know it soon enough! Drats.
7/12 ~ Condo association is taking bids for putting in sump pumps along the outside wall. Hopefully this will get done soon, and not take the 2 months I'm expecting. Michael pulled up the rotten tackboard in Annessa's room - phew! stinks!
7/15 ~ Pulled up the rotton tackboard in our bedroom - again, phew! Stinks! Also, first day back to church for me. Praise God!
7/18 ~ Found out why I have problems swallowing. The "unknown obstruction" in my throat is what's called a "Web". This is an outgrowth of my throat into my esopogus, which I have to have stretched out. Similiar to the balloon surgery for arteries that have clogged. At last I know what's wrong, and what to do. The procedure will be August 31 at 9:00 am. According to the doctor, this will grow back for the rest of my life, and once every 1-3 years will have to be stretched out again.
7/19 ~ My last day of working, and I will miss it. Annessa is getting better at me being away from me, but not totally. And Tuesday night she screamed a lot, which has the added disadvantage of shooting Michael's nerves to pieces. Will try to go back to work in September.
7/20 ~ Michael's parents are here again. It's a tradition now for them to come up every Friday to see their little granddaughter. ;o)
7/25 ~ My parents came up tonight. Going to go back with them to stay the weekend, and catch a ride to come back with friends going to PA. ;o)
7/26-27 ~ No particular problems driving down to NC; enjoying a good visit until I learned that my ride back couldn't go back. EEK!!! After much plans and talking, Michael and I determined the best would be to wait until after the Nettles vacation, and then ask for Carl to drive me back. This gives the added bonus of getting our computer upgraded. YEAH!
7/28-8/6 ~ Wonderful time, although missing Michael and he misses us. Annessa went through a growth spurt - she's so much taller! And more active as her attention span wants to know everything that is going on around her. :o) Visited with parents [mine!], April and Jimmy, Grandparents [mine!], Nettles, and a couple of college buddies. Of course everyone adores the baby. :o)
8/7-8 ~ Carl drove us back. Annessa did pretty good for the ride home. He stayed overnight and drove home the next day. During this time, he was able to do quite a lot of upgrading to the computer. Had a few glitches that were somewhat of a problem, but sooooooo happy to have it upgraded!
8/14 ~ Over to Jan's with Phil's Mom [Gail] and Grams there to ooh and ahh over Nessa. Gail calls her "Little Michael" because she looks exactly like him!
8/16-17 ~ Jimmy arrived to stay overnight. Got to see the Stings play [WNBA] and got hooked on my favorite computer game - DX Ball. [Thanks Nettles! Love it, don't have time to play it!] Nessa loves watching her Uncle Jimmy do silly noises and play with her - he just facinates her!
8/23 ~ ACK! Our heat pump broke! Cool air! Cool air! Someone - PLEASE! Workmen came out - compressor overheating and shutting off. Could try to get it fixed, but it's 15 years old.
8/24 ~ Heat pump replaced! Thankfully, slight breeze kept the condo about 80 until we could get air condition again. Nessa is starting to think all these work people in here are only here to coo at her!
8/25 ~ Up in WV to visit Cheri and Milt. Great visit, especially with Grandma.
8/28 ~ ACK! OK, I give up. I officially call it - I have a horrible sinus infection, and had to go to the doctor's for antibiotics. Just very thankful the capsules don't get stuck in my throat!
8/31 ~ Procedure today! I was worried that my sinuses would have a detrimental effect on the surgery, but the doctor didn't seem to mind. [Just had REALLLLLY bad sinus breath!] Didn't eat after midnight - had to remember that, since I usually eat in the middle of the night. Jan was running a bit late, but it worked out. We ran over to the hospital in time. Parents arrived and we talked about everything happening around the house. Could you tell I was a tight ball of nerves about this whole thing?!
The nurses brought got me ready for the surgery. Unfortunately, the doctor ran late. It was at this point I was told NOT to breastfeed for 24 hours!! The nurse finally called a specialist. The final result was not to breastfeed for 3 hours, and to watch Nessa to make sure she doesn't fall too much asleep where she couldn't be woken up if needed. I remember some haziness about the surgery itself and was groggy a lot afterwards. Michael had to re-tell what the doctor said. My throat was only 9mm open [VERY small!] for he had trouble getting his equipment down. To open my throat 3 different size of tubing was inserted to gradually increase the size of my throat. This ripped open the side of my throat. A biopsy was also done for a small area.
So, with Nessa being fed cereal, she had enough milk not to breastfeed the required time. When I did breastfeed her about 2, she ate just a little bit and fell asleep. LOL - poor dear, she'd wake up later and wonder why she fell asleep, she was still hungry! So I'd feed her again, and off to sleep she'd go again! This happened the entire day.
9/3 ~ My throat has been sore - been taking Tylenol for my throat now, instead of just headaches. Hurts to swallow. At first, it was a shock, but very pleased! I can swallow, and nothing gets caught! To me, it is amazing that this is happening! My antibiotic, which before I could feel going down, I don't feel at all now! Oh, Michael said that the hole was just a bit bigger then the antibiotic I'm taking. I am extremely grateful that it didn't get caught on the way down and I didn't choke!
9/8 ~ I worked Swimming Registration from 10am through 1pm. I was supposed to only work until 12, but at 12 there were so many people to sign up, and only 2 workers so I offered to stay just a bit longer. If I'd realized that it would have been an hour, I would have called home to tell Michael. As it was, when I called at 1 to tell him sorry I was running late and I'll be home as quick as I can - he wanted the Pavilion's number programmed into the speed dial. Seems Nessa's been missing me for the last 30 min! So Sorry!
9/10 ~ Put Nessa into a bathing suit, and took lots of pictures with the web camera. Put them up on her site too.
9/11 ~ Today was to be my first day back at work, but it didn't work out that way. I recieved a call about 10 from Similyn telling me to turn on the news. Michael's building was closed about 11, and he came home. We held each other, and stared at the TV, and was in shock the whole day long. My haircut appointment was changed to tomorrow; the dental appointment was rescheduled until next week. Then work decided to cancel classes. Thankfully, everyone I know is safe although I do have a few friends who were more affected by what happened.
9/14 ~ Our Life Group started back again, except Nessa was cranky so I stayed home with her while Michael went. Our pastor, Dr. Alan Stanford, left to join with World Baptist Alliance as a Financial Director after his sabbatical in June. Our internum pastor is doing a wonderful series of sermons about climbing the mountains with Christ.
9/15 ~ Michael went to the TEAM Simulcast at church. The last hour and a half was dedicated to America Praise, and re-broadcast over the local TV stations. This was prayer for the fallen victims of the terrorist attacks.
9/16 ~ Our church's 117th Anniversary, and the last sermon of Pastor Alan. The picnic was wonderful, with talking with old friends and catching up. Most didn't realize we'd had a baby, so it was with glee we showed our new princess off. She, however, didn't like it so much - she got cranky. It was way after her naptime, so we ended up bailing before eating. Afterwards, we think perhaps she just doesn't like crowds.
9/18 ~ [part 1] Annessa's 6 month checkup at the doctor. But - oh!- how sick I am! I have a fever - woke up with it - and still trying make it through today! Because I'm pretty sure that she's sick with Sinuses or allergies, I asked that not all shots be given to her today. The DTaP shot, which she's had a reaction to in the past, is to be given next week when she's doing better. Her weight gain is doing fine now, and she's ahead of herself in some areas. Behind in the on-the-stomach stuff like rolling over or crawling.
9/18 ~ [part 2] We are looking into having our wills made out. Timing is everything - we'd planned this back on the 6th.
9/18 ~ [part 3] Even though I've got a fever and chills, I went to work tonight. But my aide didn't show beforehand, so I tried to call her into work. Only got her answering machine. *sigh* Not good.
9/19 ~ [part 1] Got called from work - called on the carpet about me calling my aide. *sigh* Stepped over the line. Strange not being in charge and all anymore - hoping to get an aide by Thursday, for I really need one! Full classes!
9/19 ~ [part 2] Was to start new classes on Wednesday night at church, but with fever and all, too sick to go.
9/20 ~ [part 1] Teeth cleaned. Found out that I've got a tooth that is disintergrating, and possibly needs a crown. Dentist thinks he could put a filling in, even though part of it is under the gum line. *sigh*
9/20 ~ [part 2] Shopping for clothes for Annessa with Grandma. New experience for Mommy! Could only go out for a little bit, which after my fever broke last night could only deal with an hour.
9/21 ~ [part 1] Had to cancel with Jan to go shopping - not really back up to snuff. Stayed in bed trying to recouperate for the day.
9/21 ~ [part 2] Got a call from my boss at work telling me that my lifeguard certification class was tonight at 7! Heard the answering machine message at 5:30 of course, and so tried to cram the entire book, plus eat supper and get over there and ready in time. Swim 500yds! I didn't think I could do it! *huff* *puff* *head swimming* but with God's help I did. [Plus a lady stopped me to ask questions in the middle of the swim, and the instructor didn't count it off that I had a 30 sec rest break] With the scaled down test [didn't do any of the deep stuff, this pool's only 5 ft deep] I finished! Only made 1 major mistake. *whew*
9/22 ~ [part 1] VillageFest for AVSP, parking duty supposed to be from 2pm-6pm. Baby came crying in about 4, then fell asleep. I was able to get off early after she woke up to deal with her.
9/22 ~ [part 2] We were able to get a bit of time to wander through the mall with Nessa. Spending time together was great, although still tired and both of us collasped when we arrived home.
9/23 ~ HUGE misunderstanding between us - ended up missing church. Satan sure knows where to fling his arrows!
9/24 ~ [part 1] Working it out between us, we tried to go on our first date since going to a friend's wedding in April. We needed it, even if it was raining so hard the road washed out in one place and tornados touched down near DC in Maryland. I think there was several places that had a lake that wasn't there previously - and, of course, our place flooded again!
9/24 ~ [part 2] Carpet lady showed up, didn't realize we had "textured" carpet. Not sure how close she could match up what we do have with their samples, need to get back with us on that. Since everything was moving so fast, talk was of doing it the latter part of this week. WOW- everything seems to be crashing down on me all at once! [can you tell from this page it has?!]
9/26 ~ [part 1] Finally was able to get ahold of the construction company again. After numerous changes to all the problems we've been having with this water damage, it's boiled down to this: Large cracks in the foundation above ground will be caulked up early next week. Then we wait until another good rainstorm to see if this stops all leaks. If it does, we are on then for the insurance to come in to pay for painting of baseboard in master bedroom and complete carpets in both bedrooms. We are going to pay a bit extra to get Nessa's room painted completely a color we want [haven't picked it out yet - light pink with a dash of purple?]. In all, the painting should take 1/2 day with the carpet taking 1/2 day the next day. Somehow would like to take a week off to get out of the fumes with Nessa - not sure of the dates or timing for it though.
9/26 ~ [part 2] Was able to start the Wednesday night classes. I'm in the women's class and Michael's in the men's class, with Nessa being in the nursery. Of us all, I think Nessa hates hers because she was screaming for Mommy before we got back to her. {Poor little girl!}
9/27 ~ Now that I'm certified lifeguard again, boss asked me to put in some hours at AVSP. Going to try this out - not sure if it will work or not. Today's attempt was pretty good, except Nessa's nap schedule is out the window! Poor cranky girl. Still no aide to work with me, and I forgot to pass out forms for parents! *sigh* Work was never this bad before, was it?
9/28 ~ All week I've been fighting horrid headaches, even to the point of being flat on my back for extended periods of time. Today I lost the battle. Michael had to come home early; missed Life Group again.
9/30 ~ Plans for hamburgers and hot dogs with movies with the Knopps - cancelled. Poor Jan caught a cold from Phil's mom! Our little reading group has now finished "The Time Machine". Our first book was "Dracula" - saw "Nosforatu" and "Dead and Loving It" with that book. Michael and I hope to see the movie before we have to take it back on Thursday.
10/1 ~ Going to the mall - trying for a date with the three of us. :o)
10/3 ~ Make up of one class that had to be cancelled due to lightning. Missing church tonight. :o(
10/5-6 ~ Registration weekend again!
10/9 ~ Last day of classes - make up because of the terrorist day.
10/10 ~ My dental appointment to fix my teeth!
10/16 ~ First day of next session.
11/17 ~ Michael, in trying to leave to go to church early for men's meeting, went "squish squish" in the kitchen. Since it's been dry now for several months - believe me, we are HOPING for rain to determine if the bedrooms will leak again - this water in the kitchen came as a complete surprise. He came in to wake me up, for he was completely bumfuzzled as to what to do! Even with as little as 5 hours of sleep, I knew right off to turn the electrical light off, since water was pouring through it like a big rainstorm! The second thing to do was to wake up our upstairs neighbor by a combination of running upstairs to bang on his door, and calling up his modem phone. After a bit, he woke up and told us his dishwasher had overflowed his sink since it was stopped up. All total, we had over 2 gallons that came down into our kitchen. Either through the walls, ceiling, or the ceiling fan/lights.
11/19 ~ Michael and I went out to dinner, and afterwards he bought me a beautiful watch for my birthday. :-) Yes, it's early, but this was a beautiful birthday for me. Plus, Jan watched the baby, so we had time just for ourselves. :-)
11/22 ~ Thanksgiving over at Michael's parents. Great spread. ;-) Aunt Betty joined us once again.
December ~ I hadn't realized just how much time flew by until I came back to look at my RL page! So, I'll just finish out this year by explaining [in quick detail, or maybe not so much detail!] what all happened with our apartment here in December.
The workmen showed up and started work on our kitchen. They weren't expecting to do work on the bedrooms, and so our timing on that became off. When Michael called the carpet company to reschedule the carpet placement for our bedroom, he was told they didn't have but 1 carpet - they didn't have Nessa's carpet! So they had to reorder.
I should state here that I woke up early Thursday morning to feed Nessa, after the workmen showed up at 8. We were late in getting out of here, and ended up staying up at Jones until Sunday evening when Nessa and I came back home. So Michael had to deal with all this himself. :-(
The kitchen was half done when they started work on Nessa's bedroom. The carpet wouldn't get put in until the next week - they couldn't reorder Nessa's carpet in time but did show up on Sat to put in our carpet - which was a brilliant white! so our master bedroom carpet had to be reordered too!
The trim around our bedroom had been painted by Saturday, and since the carpet was [supposed!] to be installed, the workman helped by pulling it up and piling it in the center. So when the carpet didn't show, Michael had to throw it back down. Plus re-put up the bed, and re-make the sheets. Fun fun!
Nessa's room was completely repainted in our wonderful pink paint, except for the ceiling which was done again in the beige. I didn't know I could ask for a different color in the ceiling! But that's ok, since the ceiling in the kitchen was done in the same color. The kitchen was also painted a wonderful Coconut Colada.
Now that we've got everything painted and it looks really good, Michael doesn't like the idea of putting anything up on the walls! Frankly, it's hard to do it myself. Why mess up perfect walls with a bunch of holes?!
Christmas - We had Christmas early with the Joneses and Aunt Betty the Saturday beforehand. We had a good day, as always, with Nessa loving having so much attention. She still doesn't understand ripping the paper off, but she'll catch on soon enough!
Christmas - Christmas day was spent at Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw, where we saw family from Miller side. Jimmy and April, Uncle Paul, Jutania's mother, and all the sons with wives showed up too. We spent Christmas with them knowing it would be one of the few/last times, for they are getting to be in poor health.
Michael ended up coming back up early in order to deal with the carpet installation, plus to give me and Nessa more time with family. Turns out that the day they were supposed to do the installation, it wasn't in after all! It was the old brilliant white, so the installation had to be delayed another day. The Saturday after Christmas, however, we finally had the carpet installed. Yeah! *whew*