Four times in one day! Yesterday I went back to the doctor for a check-up. I'm just over 27 weeks now and that means it's time for my Rhogam and Glucose test. I just wasn't expecting it to happen all at once.

My appointment was at 10:45 and I ended up waiting for an hour again just to see my doctor for 5 minutes. I guess I shouldn't complain, at least I have a doc now! This time I had the other resident doc so that I meet both of them since both won't be at the hospital when I go into labor. She too was very nice. I told her abou tmy contractions and she said that as long as I don't have more thatn 6 in an hour, I'm ok. Since I'm "so little" I probably just feel them more than other women. When I get persistent contraction I am to drink 2-3 large glasses of water and lie down. Hm. Everyone is different, but she seemed a lot less concerned than the other doc. Preston is measuring right on target at 27.5cm for my uterus hieght. His heartbeat was a bit quicker this time at 160. She thinks he must have been active, and sure enough he was. It was getting to be lunch time! She also ordered my shot and glucose and told me to go to the hospital. Normally they have you fast before doing the glucose test, but I only had a bowl of cereal that morning and I was straving already so I went on over to avoid another trip.

I registered at the front desk and they gave me an arm bracelet with my name on it. I went over to the lab and waited my turn. Although I love donating my blood, lately I've had bad experiences with them drawing my blood so I was a bit nervous. I just had to tell myself that this is a different hopital, and different country! Too bad it was the same old story...

The nurse was young and super nice which made me feel comfortable. I looked away as she pinched my vein down to insert the needle. It was just a little prick and didn't hurt but my arm was starting to go numb from being tied so tightly. She commented that my blood was flowing very slowly, so I continued to grasp the plastic tube in my hand to make my blood pump quicker. Then she says to the other nurse in the room, "Her vein is already bubbling!" I didn't know what that meant, but the other nurse dropped what she was doing to come see. I was beginning to panic and still didn't want to look. I was tensing up and squeezing my hand tight. "Oh my God!" What? Don't say that! I'm starting to think I'm going to die soon. "Release your grip!" They undid the band from my arm and fresh blood brought my arm back to life. I looked down to see what was going on. "These stupid butterfly clips... we've been trying to find a new company..." Faulty equipment, great. My blood had been gushing out on to the table instead of the tube and I now had a pool of blood under my arm. The nurse's both apologized, but they still had to get my blood. So she went for my left arm, even smaller and harder to hit veins. She let me know ahead of time that she had to take it from a vein that would cause me a little pain later. She's right too, it still hurts today. They sent me out to the lobby with a bottle of an orange soda-like drink that had to taken in 5 minutes. Then I had to sit around for an hour so they could see if my pancreas was able to handle the sugar. If it can't, the extra sugar goes to the baby and causes a big baby, meaning I have gestational diabetes. I was so hungry at that point and I knew that sugar would only cause me a stomach ache. For the sake of science, I did it, and then suffered the rest of the afternoon on the toilet. Sugar and grease, 2 things my body does not like on an empty stomach!

The hour wait took forever. I wandered through the gift shop, walked around outside, and called a couple people. I finally went back to the lab and they uncovered my left arm to draw blood again. She almost took it from the same vein, but then changed her mind right before sticking me and said she'd give it a break. This time it went smoothly and quickly. My poor arms. All 3 spots are bruised today, especially the right arm. She sent me up to the 4th floor to get my shot. I tried talking my doctor into letting me go without one since I know we're both negative blood types, but she said Justin would have to come in and they'd test his blood themselves. Booger. So off I go...

When I got there, they sent me to a sugical room and started freaking out again. What's the big deal with this shot? Why does it take so long to prepare? They had to ask me several questions to get the right amount for me, as well as take my blood pressure again and temperature. Was I going to have to stay and be monitored? After 10 minutes, she came back with the shot and a booklet on the shot for me to read. This thing comes with a book!? She then tells me to lean over the bed and pull my pants down. Oh dear, and it was in the butt! I instantly tightened up when she stuck me and it started tingling. All done. They let me go. It hurt walking every time my cheek tensed up.When I got home I opened the book. I was so grossed out when I found out that this shot was made from human blood! No wonder it comes with a book and ID number... when they find out it was infected blood, they'll give me a call... ick. I know I feel good when I give blood, but I don't want somoene else's blood. All I think is germs.... yeah, I'm wierd.

I'm now in my 3d trimester and scheduled to see the doc every 2 weeks now! We're getting closer and closer and I'm starting to get nervous about labor and delivery. It seemed to far away and when I look at a clandar and all the stuffI have to do, this time is going to fly. Preston will be here in 3 months!!

These past couple weeks have been so stressful! I haven't been sleeping well, and I've worrying about everything that's going on.

After a week of not hearing from my interview, I applied to a couple ho-hum jobs just for some type of income. I applied at a flower shop as a cashier only to find that when I walked in, I was interviewed on the spot with the flower arrangment manager for an assistant position. I have a background in art, so I thought, why not? I was floored when she says, "Well, do you want to make me something?" Uhh... sure. She pointed to all the stuff and said, "There ya go." I told her I had no experience in this and yet she expected me to whip up this glorious bouquet of flowers. So I'm standing there thinking to myself... Do I fill the vase with water first? How much do I fill it? What kind of flowers do I use? What greenery do I use? Do I cute the stuff before I put it in the vase? How tall should they be? The lady turns to do her own thing and leaves me hanging. I can match up a pretty color combo for you, but come on, I don't know what I'm doing! I put together what looks like a blob of flowers. She thanks me for making it for her and then I kindly say bye and can't help but smile in disbelief that his actually just happened. AfterI get to my car I break out in laughter thinking about it. I so don't think this is the job for me...

The other job I applyied for is an office assistant at a chiropratic office. They're looking for a warm friendly person--that's me! I was called the next day for an interview. So today I interview there with a woman that doesn't usually do the interviewing. She was a very kind woman, but I only had enough words for yes and no for her questions, which doesn't give a good picture of my true personailty. So I just smiled my way through, hoping to seem like I could fit the description. The pay is much lower and benefits start after 6 months. However, I don't see myself stressing out at this job. It's 40 hours a week, 10 hours a day. I don't have to stand a lot. It has it's pros, but also it's cons. I don't see myself staying there forever, which they're looking for long term employment. Yes, it's a job, but it doesn't help my career and I'd hate to see my degree go down the drain.

Which brings me to my next situation. I finally hear from the my first interview after I e-mailed them asking if they'd made a desicion. They still haven't decided and have a few problems with me. 1. I asked for too much money. I think if they know what they want to pay, why in the world would they ask for a salary!? Of course I'm going to ask for lots of money. I don't want to underestimate what they may pay. 2. They felt that I had a desire to move up. I asked if there was opportuiny to advance, but it isn't really essential for me. Right now I need a job and experience. Don't most people want to advance though? I don't understand what kind of perosn he's looking for... Someone without ambition? Yet I still want the job. So I e-mailed him and tried to give myself one last cry for the job. I probably just made myself look pathetic, but if it's meant to be, it'll be, and at least I tried.

More stress: We've been looking for a house, which doubles the pressure and anxiety for me to find a job. There's more to my story, but I have to run! Sorry!

Ok, ok... Find a house. We've looked at probably around 40-50 homes in the Bloomington/Normal area over the past couple weeks. We had no problem getting approved as we both have exceptionally high credit for our age. Our only problem was finding a descent house in our price range. I couldn't believe some of the dumps we looked at for $120,000!!  Justin commented that he wouldn't even let the dog in some of those places. Sloping floors, cracked walls, broken windows, lead painted, holes in the floors, ceilings, walls, uneven floors, dirty carpet, smelly rooms (cat, B.O., smoke, rotten food). It was starting to feel like we'd never find a descent home and that we should just settle for O.k... but for the amount of money we're spending it should have been superb! That's the difference between the city and a small country town though. We put a bid in on a house that was a little out of our price range. It was brand new and not even finished yet. It was in a neighboring town. Someone else put in abid the same night and we had to put all our eggs in one basket. Highest bidder wins. I knew then that we'd lose the house and he was probably going to make even more money than he asked for. We couldn't afford it. So we put a big in on a cute bi-level house next to Kasi and Erics on a busy road. It was lovely, but still out of our price range. They wouldn't budge much on their price, so we walked. Our last resort was to bid on a Zero-lot line house. It's pretty much a condo. It has a lot of the feaures we were looking for minus a garage, fenced yard, and attached neighbors. There's a jogging trail right next to these houses, as well as a park. Although we wouldn't have a yard for Max or the babe, we could still take them down the road to play, or take them on the paved trail for a walk.  It was 3 bedroom, 2 and half bath, partially finished basement, big kitchen and living room, all redone. The place was only built in 2001, so nothing is really that old in it anyway. Jack and Theres managed to come and look at places with us to help us decide. When we met with the realtor, she informed us that 2 of the condos we were going to see were alreay pending, and the particular condo we were going to big on SOLD! I couldn't believe it. It was only on the market for 10 days and at our first walk through, the painters were still right outside! I was heartbroken. She did tell us that another one would be openeing up soon though, but they hadn't started the renovations yet. I wanted this one because it was on the end, but guess what--so is the other one! It's supposed to have exactly what this one has, plus a washer and dryer because we asked for it!

The first 2 houses we looked at we pretty much junk. I'm not sure I even felt safe in them, they might fall apart! For the money, everyone agreed that it was crazy! When we showed them the condo though, everyone fell in love! It outweighs having a garage and yard by far. We stopped looking at places and decided to put in a bid. Jack and Theresa left and we waited to hear from the realtor. She said we should probably know by that night. An hour later we got the call. It's ours! We'll get the keys on May 25th! We're SO excited about our first home/condo! Now that we found a place to live, I'm feeling the anxiousness to get a job so we can pay for it. I feel like I can't settle my mind about everything still. The worrier in me :)

The baby has also been a complete run around. As you know, we don't have insurance so I had to meet with the health department several times. When I finally got that taken care of, they assigned me a doctor at Brommen, supposedly one of the best! I couldn't wait for my doctor's appointment to make sure everything was ok with Preston. I feel him kickly constantly, but it's always reassuring to hear it from the doctor.

At my first doctor appointment, the waiting room was packed. Just what I wanted to see. I knew it was a bigger city, but wow! I waited a good hour before seeing anyone. I did the urine sample, and it came back good. They weighed me, my favorite part, and I've gained almost 20 pounds. I was one tenth of an ounce away! I think every pound I gain, is an ounce for Preston :) They couldn't really do too much that day because they didn't have my previous medical records. I signed a release for them and talked with my doctor. I told her about the contractions I have been feeling that are painless. She looked a bit alarmed. I thought they were normal Braxton Hicks. I'm having them too much though so they took a cervical culture to determine if I'd go into preterm labor. If it came back postive, I'd have the baby in 2 weeks, negative is good and if the contractions haven't stopped, I'll get another test in 2 weeks. I was kinda frazzled after that. She told me I need to relax as much as possible and drink lots of water. I told her I was under a lot of stress right now and she said that can trigger it too. I don't even have a job right now! what's it going to be like if I find one? They decided to hook me up to a fetal monitor to see if I had any contractions and how the baby responds to them. They set me up in a big comfy chair and turned on the TV. They strapped me up and gave me a clicker to push every time I felt the baby move. It was about lunch time and Preston lets me know when he's hungry because he squirms and kicks. I was pushing that button every couple of seconds. I think the straps were too tight and he didn't like them. I stayed hooked up about 20 minuntes and had no contractions. She said the baby's heartrate was good and she wasn't too worried about him, but wanted to schedule a sonogram ASAP. I had another apponitment for the next morning there.

At the sonogram, the office was much quieter. There is hope that it won't be as swamped everyday! The sonographer was nice, as all the nurses and doctos are there. (Did I mention they're all gorgeous too?!) She did the basic measurments of Preston and said he was measuring a couple days ahead, as usual. His weight is about 1.5 pounds which is the average for a baby at this week. His heartrate was steady at 143. We also got new pictures! There's a new one of his profile and then kind of a s3 quarter view of his face. If it were stright on, he'd look like a creepy skeleton. He's gaining weight in his little cheeks. Everyone keeps saying that his profile looks just like Justin. He's doing good though, so less worries there. I am so meet Preston already! But there is clearly a lot that needs to be taken care of before he gets here, so it's best that he waits until closer to his due date! None of this preterm labor stuff for me please!

I go back in 2 weeks for another regular check-up, and then again for my glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. Yum...I get to starve myself before coming in and then drink a sugary liquid and wait for an hour for them to draw blood and check the levels of sugar in my blood. If it's postive, I got back for more tests. Then I have to come again for the Rhogam shot because I have a negative blood type. If my baby is postive, my body will make anitbodies to try and fight him off. I'm not worried though because me and Justin are both negative blood types. They do it anyway "just in case."

We also heard back from one of our claims. We're recieving one of them back in full and the other is "being investigated." So there is a little good news in there. Transitioning from military life with a baby on the way is so much harder than I ever expected. Though I don't reccommend it, I wouldn't change anything. God knows what he's doing and I just have to trust him!