JenLCBlog

"Spit Up Babies"

2012-01-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

All the spit-up babies
(All the spit-up babies)
All the spit-up babies
(All the spit-up babies)
All the spit-up babies
(All the spit-up babies)
Now throw your food up.

Up in the tub
I just woke up
Splashin' and kickin' my feet.
After the bath,
I did the math:
It's time for Mom to feed me.
It got on her,
It got on me,
Did I forget to mention?
After Dr. Sears
And no-more-tears
My Mama forgot to burp me.

So if you liked it, then you should have put a tarp on it.
If you liked it, then you should have put a tarp on it.
Don't get mad if I burp and barf on it
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a tarp on it.

The carrier zips
On your back or your hips
Hold me tightly in the Moby Wrap.
Lounged on my Bop',
Milk in my cup,
I could care less when I nap.

I need some attention,
Did I mention
This air bubble's giving me tension.
You had your chance
Now I do the Gas Dance,
Is it really so hard to burp me?

So if you liked it, then you should have put a tarp on it.
If you liked it, then you should have put a tarp on it.
Don't get mad if I burp and barf on it
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a tarp on it.

Don't feed me and then leave me to rest,
By bottle or by breast
(You know that breast is best)
What I would guess
Is a mom who feeds me
Then leaves me
Not disturbing me
Never burping me
Leaves a little ticking time-bomb
Hold me into your arms
And rub or pat my back
'Cause if you don't, I'll spit up more
Like Linda Blair in "Exorcist."

All the spit-up babies
(All the spit-up babies)
All the spit-up babies
(All the spit-up babies)
All the spit-up babies
(All the spit-up babies)
Now throw your food up.

Uh uh oh, oh oh oh oh oh
Uh oh, oh oh oh
Uh uh oh, oh oh oh oh oh
Uh oh, oh oh oh
Uh uh ----UUUUUHHHHRRRRRP.
(Excuse me).

6 months: Talky Tina!

2011-08-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (Sunday) little Zina turned 6 months old. I just now decided to call her Zina.

The day before, she woke from a 3 hour nap and started suddenly talking to me. She just burst out with a "na na na na na na na da da da." Freaked me out!
Sunday, we drove an hour to Bryan, Ohio, to Colby's mom's family reunion. We ate and visited with some folks and then we decided to get in the pool. Colby's sis helped me change Sarra (yeah, Zina just didn't work) in the locker room and just as I was starting to change myself, BOOM went the thunder. The pool was cleared and the park was closed for the day. We got our $4 back, so that was good.

We got home and took a 2 hour walk around Foster Park. I'm very old and out of shape, but this will help!

Colby had the night off work, and although we were both completely exhausted, Sarra was all wakey, so the three of us lay on the bed and had some family bonding time. It was maybe the greatest night of my life.

She switched up her vocab to "hey nay nay! Hey NAY nay! Hey! Nay-NAY!" Very expressive.

25 Weeks: Roller Overer!

2011-08-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

Today after Colby went to work, I put Miss Sarrazine in a t-shirt and jeans and she looked so cute. I put her in the Jumperoo and while she jumperooed, I scanned some photos. She got a bit fussy so I took her out and noticed her tuckus was a bit dampish.

Poo all down the inside of her jeans leg. I was SO glad I put those things on her.

So I cleaned her and put her on her back on her crib to scrub the poo out of her jeans. I heard her crying, and figured she was getting bored and lonesome, so I took my time going in there and .... ooops! She had turned over onto her tummy! All the way. And was a bit stuck in a corner. Her face was beet red from frustration trying to figure out where to go from there.

So there's that now.

24 Weeks Old: A new world view

2011-07-29T22:29:00.000-07:00

Sarrazine isn't quite rolling over yet, unless she's on our bed. She doesn't quite crawl, but she tries. This evening I was holding her on my tummy on the recliner out on the back deck. She got a foothold on my leg and was able to climb up be a bit! She got up in my face and lifted her head up, leaning on her hands, higher than I've ever seen her. She looked at me and just started laughing.

I also carried her down the street and she turned her head to look where she was going.

And tonight I was holding her and she looked up and turned her head at the same time to see Daddy.

New accidental word: "Hair."

23 Weeks Old: This means war!

2011-07-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

Last week Sarrazine discovered a new face to make: wrinkling up her nose. She usually does this when very excited and it is accompanied by a strong inhalation/exhalation through her nose. Everyone thinks it's adorable, but I can't help but think she's trying to push something out of her airway!

She's also been cleaning in between her toes with her tongue.

Another thing she's been doing kind of breaks our heart. When she's really hungry or sad or upset, she says, "Mama" or "Mum mum." Can't wait for her to say it when she's happy!

19 Weeks: The Sleep Monster

2011-06-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, Little S is getting so big! She's wearing 9 month clothes already. Scary.

She's also sleeping like crazy through the night. Napping, not so much. Friday night I was in charge of putting her to sleep because Colby had to work in the morning. I got her to bed while she was still awake but yawning, and I sang to her for about 1/2 hour. She fussed and moved her head back and forth but was pretty quiet and eventually fell asleep. For TWELVE HOURS. I felt like a genius.

We got up at 11, ate, played, ate again at 1, read a bunch of books, and she started getting sleepy. But she fought it. She kicked as though Sleep were a thing that was trying to drag her by the feet. And she screamed as though in desperate pain for about 90 minutes, off and on (mostly on). I even started crying a little, three times.

I finally got her to sleep on the bed and transported her, still hitch-sobbing, to her bassinet. She slept another 3 hours and then Colby got home.

She went to sleep at midnight and slept 8 hours, but didn't take a nap today. It's 11:30 and she's still up. So.... Once again, we suck at sleep.

My Sweet Monkey Baby

2011-06-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

She's a sweet monkey baby
Just a sweet monkey baby
And she’s hanging in a tree
And she’s looking down at me
Monkey baby
Monkey baby

Oh my sweet monkey baby
Such a sweet monkey baby
And she’s looking at her mum
As she listens to her hum,
“Monkey baby,
Monkey baby.”

Sweet little babe cling to your monkey vine.
Happy and playing all the monkeytime.
I’m only saying, "You're my monkeyshine.
I’m so happy you’re all mine!"

Go to sleep, monkey baby,
Oh, my sweet, little punky monkey baby.
In the morning you’ll arise
Every day’s a new surprise
For monkey baby
Monkey baby.

Four Month Checkup!

2011-06-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Had a brief scare this morning when the new pediatrician said Sarrazine's skull looked like it might have fused too soon... Um, yikes! Got her little skull x-rayed and it's apparently normal.

They also had to give her THREE shots, because the hospital hadn't given her a Hep-B shot when she was born. So that was fun, too.
On the upside, my friend won an Ellen Dengeres Show Mother's Day contest and sent me a whole mess of coupons for free jumbo packs of Huggies!!!!!!

June 2: We have "Mama"!

2011-06-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, June 2, she said, "Mama." Even though I knew she didn't know what it means, my heart melted. She said it again on Friday (yesterday). Colby said she's been saying it while I'm at work, so I'm not sure her "official" first Mama, but Thursday was the first I'd heard it.

She's been saying "Maaaa" or "Mehhhh" when she's crying for food, but this was the first time I'd heard her say two together in a calm, rational sort of way, in the middle of a sentence.

She came close to repeating "Love" to me. She had her tongue in the right place and she got a reallly clear "La" out.

So far her vocabulary of recognizable/repeatable sounds (in order of first saying them) are:

Agoo
Boo Boo
Ba
La
Ma Ma

Yesterday for the first time, she grabbed her feet with both hands. And stayed in that position most of the day. She'd noticed them earlier in the week, but finally figured out how to grab them and hold on. Made diaper changing and swaddling a little more challenging.

Her favorite binky is her burp cloth, which she clutches most of the time. Everyone puts it over their shoulder because that's her favorite place to be, and when they hand her off, she still has it clutched in her hand (or mouth). She probably loves it because it smells like dinner. I always forget the burp cloth so my shoulder is always wet. We've noticed a bit of a clicking in her jaw which we are concerned might be from her resting her jaw on our shoulders so much (it's really the only position she loves to be in most of the time) so we're being careful about that.

She also loves to grab the hood strings on my sweatshirt so I need to be really careful about that.

Can't wait to meet her new pediatrician on Thursday and make sure she's doing OK! Not excited about the shots though.... especially worried about autism risks. But I guess it's better than being diseased.

So glad to have a weekend with her, although I'll be spending most of today at the new house fixing it up for a hopeful move-in tonight or tomorrow. Colby works at 5 tonight and all day tomorrow, so hopefully we can get it done in the next few hours.......

Roly Poly Bug!

2011-05-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Sarra discovered her feet! She's been grabbing them ever since. Tonight she started to roll halfway over to each side from her back. She would grab one pant leg and pull, as though she were trying to pull herself over the rest of the way. She's soooo close!

She also has a new impression: Rodney Dangerfield. She has been clutching and pulling at her clothes in the chest/belly area. She also clutches at my clothes when I nurse her. And last week, she pulled her diaper open. Better make sure we keep her dressed at all times, looks like.

In house news, we spent several hours today unpacking and organizing the house. But we got started late and had to end early, so we really didn't get much done at all. I left feeling somewhat depressed. We only have one more day and it's tricky to get someone to watch Sarra an entire day. But the paint fumes seem a little too strong for her to handle it.

We're still staying at Colby's folks' house, until the paint fumes die down more. We're SOOOOO CLOSE!!

8 Weeks, 5 Days: Words, Words, Words!

2011-04-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

Sarra's vocabulary is really picking up steam. Her big "word" is agoo. We're not sure what it means, but she says it a lot.

She also says what sounds like "Hello," "No," and one day she said "Ah lah oo" three or four times in one sitting. We replied, "I love you too."

Tonight she just say, "Ah boo boo." It was the first time I'd heard a "b" from her. She loves to watch our mouths as we talk. We've also started reading to her this week, as she has been sitting still long enough to look at the pictures and listen. Her (our) favorite book is called "Splish Splash Baby Bundt: A Recipe for Bath Time," that Melissa and Curtis Shaw gave her for her shower.

Her Soprano Squeal is also in full force. I hope it doesn't mean she's in pain.

She got her 2 month shots yesterday and handled them like a champ. Cried like crazy in the doctor's office but once we got the car running, she was fine. Slept all day and has been pretty active today. Lots of tummy time. Making lots of conversation.

Spitting up an awful lot, too, the last week or so. Which I just hate. She wasn't a spitter-upper for the first month or so, but she's making up for lost time.

We're packing up the house now to put everything into storage for a while until a permanent living situation comes available.

7 Weeks, 4 days: "MA!"

2011-04-01T23:19:00.000-07:00

All week, Sarra's been babbling and making new sounds a lot and it cracks me up. Two nights ago she was on the changing table and she made a little yippy "bark" sound. And she smacked her lips so loudly, she startled herself. And this week she has started saying "Ma!" when she's crying for food (in addition to the standard "Neh") which is truly freaky. I don't think she's calling to or for me, per se, but it makes me wonder if "Ma" is a natural sound for babies to say in relation to hunger, which stands to reason.

My (and everyone's) favorite new viral video:

Makes me almost wish Sarra had a twin!

7 Weeks: Mommy's Little Soprano

2011-03-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Sarra has been testing out new vocal sounds all week. Her newest is a crazy high pitched squeal of frustration. It's awesome.

This week she also grasped my hair in her hands while I was holding her. That's the reason I got my hair cut in January, but it's grown out quite a bit since then. She's enjoying her play mat more and is starting to grab at the hanging toys and making them rattle. And my favorite thing is watching her watch the spinning monkey mobile on her playard. They fascinate her. And of course lots and lots of smiles and coos. She and her Daddy have the most interesting conversations. I want him to write them down and make them into a one-man show.

Yesterday we had our first non-formula day, with an ounce of refrigerated milk to spare! We actually had 4 ounces as of midnight but she didn't get to sleep until 3 a.m. and needed 3 ounces of it. Still, no formula for a couple days. Eating and hydrating really do work wonders for my supply.

This morning I put Pandora on my phone and Sarra sand and danced along to Weezer.

5 weeks, 3 days: Happy St Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

Sarra had an eventful day. First walk in the stroller around the neighborhood, first "successful" immersion bath (trick was to put a towel under her and a towel over her to keep her warm as the water was going on her. She was fascinated by it and gave me this look of wonderment as I was pouring it on her. She was like, "Why, Mother, I've never felt such a sensation! I did not know it was possible to feel such bliss and contentment!"), and first St. Patrick's Day. We didn't do too many photo ops because by the time we'd get the camera, she was already crying.

She had kind of a "hungry" day. I wasn't producing much milk for some reason (maybe sleep deprivation and dehydration with a little stress thrown in), so it was frustrating for all of us. Luckily I had 14 ounces of milk stockpiled from my Indiana trip. We're down to 9 ounces now.

Tomorrow's trip to Indiana will be very interesting and I hope we didn't forget anything crucial. My hope is that she will sleep for the entire 4 hour trip and I won't have to feed or diaper her on the road. Something about diapering a baby in a rest area just icks me out. We brought several "puppy pads" to lay her on, so hopefully that'll suffice. Plus, the immunities she's getting from breast milk will hopefully ward off any nasties lurking on the changing stations.

I'm very excited to see some family members on Sunday for her baptism! I'm praying that Msgr John Kuzmich will be available to do the baptism. Mom always said I was the first baby he baptized at St. Vincent. I'm mad I don't have pictures... they're all in storage.

What do I like about not being pregnant?

2011-03-16T05:56:00.000-07:00

What do I enjoy about not being pregnant?

So very many things, but I enjoy being able to eat a meal at a table without having to hold the plate/bowl in my hand under my face so I don't spill my food all over myself.

I like sleeping on my back.

I like not having to pee every 20 min and then only peeing 3 or 4 drops. And I like not peeing in my pants, too. That's cool.

I like being able to walk from a parking lot to a business establishment and not having to sit down to catch my breath.

I like being able to shave my legs (etc).

I like being able to bend over and pick things off the floor.

I like being able to stand up from the couch without Colby having to help me up (and bracing himself with one leg behind him like he's lifting an elephant).

I like being able to hug Colby and our arms go around each other. I like weighing less than him. I feel so very tiny!

I like knowing what my baby's face looks like.

Mama's little animal

2011-03-16T05:36:00.000-07:00

For a week or so, Sarra has been grunting and growling and snorting. Once I realized it was normal, I have come to find it adorable. I'm not sure what sort of animal she thinks she is. Part piglet, part wolf cub, part thoroughbred colt.

But to me, she will always be Monkey Face.

5 weeks, 2 days: The Milk Lady Cometh

2011-03-16T05:27:00.000-07:00

First favorite moment of my life: the first skin-to-skin contact with Sarra and she stopped crying and opened her eyes in recognition at my voice.

Second favorite moment of my life: Watching her wake up after a 24 hour separation (my day trip to Indiana) and seeing her face light up in a huge smile instead of crying like she usually does when she wakes up. It was like, "Oh! The Milk Lady didn't leave forever!"

Speaking of, I managed about 16 ounces total expressed on my trip, plus I would imagine around 3 oz at her 7:30 a.m. feeding before I left for Indiana, so that's not too bad. Colby had to feed her about 8 oz. of formula, but I'd had 8 oz of milk already stockpiled in the fridge, which fed her until evening.

Her poop this morning was very dry and hard to wipe off, but we should be formula-free from now on, if all goes well and I can keep my supply up! I had left my More Milk Plus capsules at home, so all that was just me!

4 weeks, 3 days: Happiest Baby on the Block

2011-03-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

Not only is it a great book and video (Happiest Baby on the Block) that describes the 5 S's that help keep your baby calm and happy and sleep better (http://www.happiestbaby.com/), but it describes Sarrazine tonight:

2 weeks, 1 day: Roll-y Poly

2011-02-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

I missed this milestone too, but Colby tells me that during tummy time, Sarra put her hands under her chin and rolled herself over from her tummy to her back, all by herself.

This is normal for 3-4 months.

I'm told this is probably just a fluke and that some babies do roll over this way early on. It's much easier to roll from tummy to back than the other way around (believe me, I know). So we shouldn't worry that she'll be crawling at 2 months or anything like that.

Day 14: Visit from Sheri and Rosie

2011-02-21T15:52:00.001-08:00

Had a very nice visit from my friends from work, Sheri and Rosie. It's amazing how revitalizing a few hours of grown-up conversation is, already.

Day 15: Happy Fortnight, Babygirl!

2011-02-21T15:44:00.000-08:00

Our two favorite involuntary muscle movements from two-week-old Sarrazine:

From over-the-shoulder burp position, she was making lip smacks to tell me she's hungry and moved her head to find, you know, dinner, and she inadvertently kissed me on the cheek.
Lying on his lap, she just gave Colby a "very crisp military salute".

Big milestone of the day: Her umbilical stump came off in her sleep sack! She was fussing and we couldn't figure out why until Colby took her out and saw this black thing poking her in the hip. It had been seeping a little clear goo yesterday during tummy time, and today the little bump is kind of bumpy and a little bloody. I hope it heals into an innie. Right now it looks a little weird and outie-ish. i hope she doesn't have to live life with an outie!

Day 9: Visit from Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Megan

2011-02-16T18:45:00.000-08:00

Colby's folks and sister came to visit us today from Indiana. They helped a lot and I got a couple solid naps in. They brought us lunch and dinner and I had some healthy food. I need to remember to eat.

Colby's dad loves to take pictures and took lots and lots of our baby girl. I've posted them on my Facebook page.

This is one of my favorites.

Colby's baby photo. I think I see the resemblance!

His dad brought a thumb drive with his baby pictures so we can compare. I wish my baby albums weren't in storage in Downers Grove. I want to see if she looks as much like my baby pictures as I seem to remember. Especially the one my mom and I always called the "Archie Bunker Picture."

Been trying to build up my milk supply but only managed 1 ounce total at 3 pumpings, and about 1/2 ounce at my last one (although I think she got more from her initial feeding at that one than before). I don't quite understand how it all works but it's painful. Thanks to my lactation consult yesterday, it's getting less painful. But it's easier to latch when there's more to give, and I'm not sure the pumping is helping yet. They called to follow up this afternoon and said it takes about 48 hours for the pumping to really start helping, so I have until tomorrow morning before I start feeling nervous.

Colby and I got the diaper rash ointment for Sarra and hopefully it will help. I think it's looking better since Saturday, now that we're using warm water and cotton balls. Would have been nice to have known this to begin with, but I never took the time to read "What To Expect: The First Year" before she was born, and now it's all I can do to keep on top of her feedings.

I was doing well with the every-two-hour feedings the pediatrician recommended, but then I realized it was too exhausting. I have been trying to do every 3 hours, which still gives 8 feedings a day. Hoping tomorrow I'll have plenty to feed her with and we will get into a routine of making formula to supplement her and washing the pump components.

Colby and I ate dinner together and watched "Survivor: Redemption Island" premiere tonight in the bedroom while his family played with the baby. Best Date Night Ever!

New Mother's Soliloquy

2011-02-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

To wake the baby or not to wake the baby... that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the stink and mess of outrageous diapers, or feed her in my arms and watch her blow bubbles, or by opposing, take a nap my own damn self.... Ay, there's the rub. For what screams may come whence we have shuffled off this horrible diaper must give us pause.

Day 1: Birth Story

2011-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Baby's Name: Sarrazine Michelle

Date of Birth: 2/7/11

Original Due Date: 2/3/11

Weeks Pregnant: 40 weeks, 4 days

Weight/Length: 10 lbs, 2 oz / 22 inches

Birth Story:

Because my baby was measuring 91st percentile, I wasn’t progressing past 2 cm for a while, and my BP was elevated, my OB scheduled an induction. He wanted it before my due date but the hospital was booked so we scheduled it for 4 days after.

On 2/7, I went in at 7:00 a.m., got started on Pitocin at 8:30 a.m., got my water broken at 9:00 a.m. and immediately started having contractions. They were handleable, but became intense pretty quickly. I stuck it out for 3 hours and then asked for the epidural at around noon. I felt like I’d failed my birth plan, but I’d been open to needing an epidural, especially since I knew I’d be on Pitocin. The epi went SO smoothly, as opposed to the spinal I’d had for my cerclage. I wish I hadn’t been so anxious about it. I am totally in favor of epidurals!

I progressed to 6 cm and 80% effaced, but stayed that way another 3 hours. In the meantime, the baby’s heart rate began decelerating so they did an amnioinfusion and put the fluid back in me. Her heart rate improved, but she didn’t progress past -2 station and I didn’t dilate any further. In fact, my cervix actually got thicker rather than thinner on one side.

My OB said we could try for another hour and then do a C-section, but I said let’s just go for it. I was actually relieved because I was terrified to push out whatever was inside me. I was huge!

The C-section went well, although as I’d feared, I started to feel sharp pains. They kept upping my epi, but by the time they got to my uterus, it was pretty bad and they didn’t want t to give me more. Through my crying and moaning, the OB said, “Just 10 seconds and it’ll be all over!” I closed my eyes and mentally counted back from 10 and by the time I got to 6, I felt a flock of birds fly out my intestines, and heard a baby crying. Took me a moment to understand why! Someone pointed out to me what I was hearing, and I think I said something along the lines of “Oh my god, that’s my baby girl!”

Everyone started saying how big she was, and the OB said, “She’s gotta be 10, 11 pounds.” He brought her back to us and she was almost as tall as he was. He exclaimed, “She’s enormous!” I said, “She’s 8 years old!”

They brought her to us for a quick family picture and then they spirited her away to clean, weigh, measure her, etc.

10 lbs, 2 oz. 22” long.

I could hear her crying and they told Colby to go see her. He didn’t want to leave my side but I told him to go. I hated to hear her cry, knowing Colby was with her, seeing her, and I was splayed helpless on the table, paralyzed, with my arms strapped down. They brought her back to me for a couple quick pictures and some skin on skin contact. The best we could do though, was cheek-to-cheek. But the instant our skin touched and I said hello to her, she stopped crying, opened her eyes, and looked at me!

Best moment of my entire life.

They took her to do tests, etc., and Colby went with them and took lots of photos and videos. I went off to recovery and slept and missed my daughter for two long hours. I was sad to learn that they’d already bottle fed her, because she had low blood sugar and they didn’t want to wait for me to try to nurse. She also had soiled 2 diapers by the time I got there. Goodness!

I guess because she was a C-section baby, she didn’t have the blotchy face/conehead look about her. Her cheeks are just as chubby as her ultrasound had suggested they were. She is SO perfect, and just beautiful. And I don’t think I’m saying that as a mother. I think she really is!

Day 1: Sarrazine Caesarean

2011-02-07T16:36:00.000-08:00

My precious baby second-chance, Sarrazine Michelle, was born via C-section on 2/7/11, at 4:25 p.m. Started out at 7:00 a.m. being induced, 4 days after my due date. Pitocin at 8:30, water broken at 9:00. Contractions intensified quidkly and I asked for an epidural at 12:00. I was dilated to 6cm and 80% effaced but stayed that way for 3 hours with no porgression. Baby remained at -2 station despite increasingly painful contractions even with the epi. Baby's heart rate went into deceleration and they had to do an amnioinfusion. Finally at 3:00 the doctor said that with no progression, we'd need to do a c-section. He offered me another hour but I knew in my heart it was pointless, so I agreed to the C.

I felt some sharp pains and the epi was increased until they were just gettingt her out. It hurt BAD, but the doctor told me it would be over in 10 seconds. Four seconds later I felt a flock of seagulls fly out of my belly and I heard a baby crying. It took me a moment to realize what the sound was. The doctor estimated her at 11 pounds, but she was "only" 10 lbs, 2 oz, 22" long. No wonder I was so uncomfortable these last few weeks!

She's just about perfect and we couldn't be more proud.

Week 39: Baby wants OUT

2011-01-30T23:24:00.000-08:00

At my 39 week check up on Friday, the non-stress test went well. Sarrazine was active and healthy, the nurse said. Dr. Dominicis checked my cervix but I was only dilated 1-2 cm. He said that because the baby is measuring large, and my blood pressure has been elevated the past few visits, he doesn't want to go past 40 weeks. So he said to come in on Monday (Jan 31) and we'll "discuss the next steps."

So in the next 14 hours or so, I will be finding out approximately when (and how) I'll be seeing my baby girl!!! I had it in my head I didn't want any inteventions if I could help it... induction, epidural, etc., because they can chain react into needing a C section. He did mention the "very, very small risk" that her shoulders could get stuck. But he mentioned this like 3 times, which was almost enough to make me say, "Let's just pick a date for a C section right now and be done with it."

I wish there were a way they could somehow measure your pelvis and just know whether you'll make it or not.

So to make matters even more complicated, a blizzard is due to hit Chicago tomorrow and snow for the next three days. I am wondering if he will say, let's get you checked in today and start the induction now, or if he'll let me wait until Thursday when the snow has stopped. I am feeling now like I may not go into labor this week and that induction will be necessary.

Yesterday I was sitting on the couch and she was trying to kick her way out with both feet! Weird feeling and I wish I'd had my Flip on me at the time.

I'm so sore and tired and very ready to have her in my arms, rather than my belly. We love her so much already, and can't wait to see what she looks like and what her personality is. We hope she loves us as much as we love her!

Week 38: C'mon out of the oven, Little Turkey!

2011-01-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

So, at last week's NST (Non-Stress Test, where they measure the baby's heartbeat and I mark every time I feel her move, so they can see if her heartrate increases when she moves), they thought the baby was inverse breech (sideways) and I think they were right. They set up an ultrasound for t his week to confirm, and if she was still breech, they were going to schedule a Caesarean. (Colby was going to call her Sarrazine Caesarean).

I had the ultrasound on Tuesday and she is head down (I’d gotten lots of advice from nurses and other mamas on how to turn her, and apparently they worked!) so they didn’t schedule anything, but they did remove the stitch. And oh, did that hurt. I’m still pretty sore. Plus I’m feeling my cervix doing weird things now, so it’s only a matter of time… I’m 38 weeks today, but she’s measuring 2 weeks ahead. Now would be a good time for her to come, the doctors all say, but I haven’t felt any contractions yet. My belly button is sticking out, so I think that means she's fully cooked!

So, other than only getting 2 crappy ultrasound pictures (it's too crowded in there now for the pictures to turn out), it was a great office visit... very relieved to have dodged the C bullet, at least for now. I am still prepared to need one if the baby is just too big, or whatever, but I am still so scared of the epidural (after my experience getting the cerclage put in) that I really hope I don't have to go that route again.

I''m officially off bed rest, but my muscles are so weak from lack of exercise since June, that just walking from the parking lot to the inside of the mall is exhausting! :) There definitely needs to be more Expectant Mother spaces in this town.

Anyway, so I am finally able to fulfill my Nesting instinct. Colby put together a bunch of stackable storage cubicles and bought some fabric draws to fit in them, and I've been going through clothes, toys, and various baby accessories we've been given, and organizing the heck out of the place. I also sold a bunch of Mary Kay products at wholesale, just to clean out my inventory and give myself a little more space, as well as to get back a little bit of money. When the baby is a little older, I'll replenish my inventory, and will continue to place orders for people as requested in the meantime.

So let me know if you need anything! :)

Week 37: A Half-hearted Escape Attempt

2011-01-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

Not much to report yet. But I got a nice video of Sarrazine trying to make her escape early.

Week 36: Turn, Baby, Turn! (Natural Birth-o)

2011-01-10T19:35:00.000-08:00

Today I had my non-stress test (due to being an old lady at 40). Which was a mis-nomer. It was one of the most stressful OB visits of my pregnancy.

The nurse couldn't find the heartbeat. I hadn't felt the baby move in several hours, so when she finally found a faint, relatively slow heartbeat (114), I thought it was probably mine. Then she said, "Well, the baby is moving, anyway. She's making me chase her." Whew!

She called for backup and a more experienced RN came in. She found the heartbeat right away. Then she put the heartrate monitor on me, secured around my waist with a velcro strap, and another strap held on a monitor to look for contractions (I apparently had one while sitting there). She said, "OK, now I'm going to put you to work. Every time you feel a movement, press the 'Mark' button."

I was on the machine for a while but wasn't feeling any movement. It had been about 5 hours since I'd eaten (due to severe heartburn all morning) so she gave me a juicebox (which spilled all over me because I was fully reclined). The juice got Sarrazine moving, though, and the movements corresponded correctly with increased heart rate, so that was awesome! The nurse was very pleased.

However, the bad part is, she thinks the baby has moved to a transverse breech position again (lying sideways, her head to the left of my belly button and her butt to the right). That is exactly how I feel like she is, based on the location of her hiccups that morning and her butt sticking out to my right side.

The doctor never did come see me, but she spoke with him and he said that I'll need to get an ultrasound next week and if she's still breech, they won't remove the cerclage..... They'll either try again the following week, or they'll just schedule a c-section right then and there! ARGH. C-Section is NOT part of my birth plan! But if she's breech, they have no choice. They didn't seem to offer the possibility of manually moving her, but I've heard that's horribly painful, so maybe just getting gutted like a fish is the better option....

Week 33: My Ducky Pineapple

2010-12-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

The average baby at 33 weeks weighs 4 or 5 pounds (the size of a pineapple, or a duck) and is about 17 inches long. Our sweet little baby girl is in the 85th percentile, so she may be a little bigger than that. When she's up against my belly button and her daddy makes me laugh (which is often) I can watch my belly button go back and forth from innie to outie like a pen cap.

I'm going on full bed rest starting on Monday, due to my increased pain and inability to walk without doubling over. I'm mostly fine at home but at the office, it's too much. Plus the weight of the baby is putting pressure on my cerclage and as my doc said, "We've invested too much time and effort into this pregnancy to stop taking care of things now."

Baby Girl, I love you very much and it makes me feel so happy to know that even if you were born today, you'd have excellent NICU care and most likely be able to come home with us in a few weeks. But please wait at least another 4 weeks or so. We'll see you soon, Ducky!

Week 29: Thumper has a face!

2010-11-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

So I'm 29 weeks today, with 11 weeks to go!

I haven't been feeling the baby move as often or in the same place as I had up until last week so the OB decided to have me come in a week early for my 30 week ultrasound (I'm 29w today).

Power to the People!

Turns out she's breech with her little feet jammed into my crotch, kicking and wiggling her toes against my cervix and bladder, just as I'd suspected. We actually saw the little punk's toes WIGGLING against my bladder. But seeing it on the screen made me feel so much better somehow. Her head is above my belly button to the right and her back is to the left of my belly button, so her hands are moving around but not in place where I can feel them anymore. Plus she's getting bigger so has less room to jab.

Our Apple Cheeked Beauty

I was surprised at how clear the u/s pictures were of her face! She has these chubby little cheeks and in one of the pics, she appeared to be smiling!! She was breathing, and she balled up her hand into a fist, which the u/s tech said were all good signs that she wasn't in any distress at all. Colby and I were crying and sniffling.

She's measuring a week ahead, with a big head and belly, so she's gonna be a chunky monkey. She's at about 3 lbs, 7 oz now and I think the tech said the projected weight at birth would be about 9 lbs. I was only 6 lbs when I was born, but Colby's a lot taller than me, so I think she's getting my bulk and his height.

I just hope she spins around in the next few weeks. I want a natural birth!!

Week 28: In which Thumper takes up jack hammering

2010-11-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

On Friday, 11/12, I was feeling pretty well until the early afternoon when I started feeling some extra pressure and thuds about as low as it can be. Because the baby usually was kicking semi-regularly around my belly button, this struck me as unusual.

I went home a little early and lay down on the couch. I was still feeling these tremendous spasms in my bladder and cervix and it was making me cry out a little. I went to bed but after several "dead baby" dreams I decided to call the doctor on-call at 3:00 a.m. She was asleep but called me back 1/2 hour later, saying it sounded like the baby was breech and was just kicking me really low. Because of my history, she said I should at least come in to the office to be checked out, but offered to call the ER if I wanted to come in right away. I decided to hold off a few hours because I was starting to feel some flutters in the belly button region and presumed that was her hands.

The Doc saw me at 10:30 and he said the baby was just low, and that now might be the time to start thinking about bed rest. He wrote me a letter for work, advising me to reduce my work hours if that's affordable to me, but said I could play it by ear. He recommended bed rest and bon bons for the rest of the weekend.

I watched the first 2 seasons of "Weeds" on Netflix and by Monday I was feeling better. I worked a little more than a half day at the office and the remaining couple of hours from home. Tuesday I worked a full day but have been feeling jack-hammered again this morning, so I should probably head home soon.

Week 26: Honey, oh sugar sugar!

2010-11-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

Babygirl is 1.7 pounds, and 14" long (hot house cucumber size). She can hear and breathe a little. She's getting to the point where if she decided to show her face now, she'd had a pretty darn good chance of making it. Every day, I breathe a little easier!

Glucola: The Pukemaker

I had my 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT) on Monday, November 1. Three hours. Four blood draws. One bruised, hungry, nauseous mommy.

For three days I had to follow a very strict diet of way too much food (fruits, veggies, bread, meat, dairy, juice, snacks, cheese) and no sugar. Happy Halloween! Colby handed out all the treats so I wouldn't have to look at them. We went with full size candy bars... the good ones, too, not Pay Days and Baby Ruths. I did miss seeing the costumes. We had relatively few trick or treaters and most of them sounded old.

Then I fasted from 8 pm Sunday to 8:30 am Monday. The phlebotomist at Quest was amazing... so sweet, friendly, called everyone "sweetie" and remembered each time I had an hourly blood draw. First was after the fast, then I had to drink the orange flavored glucose drink. Chilled, the stuff isn't bad, especially when you're starving. Unchilled, it's like cough medicine. I made a face and the phlebotomist said, "I know, it's naaasty, isn't it? You've got 5 minutes to drink it. Let me know if you need to throw up, sweetie."

I didn't need to but it was nice to know it was an option.

First draw from my right arm, second from my left. I asked her if they move to hands for the other two and she said, "Most people just do them all in the same arm." So I thought, really? For #3 I tried my right arm again (the left had hurt a little, maybe because I'd just had last week's blood draw from there) but that was so painful, I actually said, "Ow!" in the middle of a sentence I was uttering about the weather. I told her the last one would be the back of the hand.

I got the results back the next day... NO GESTATIONAL DIABETES!! I celebrated with a fun size Snickers (our backup Halloween candy, since we usually run out... plus we started out with several fewer than we'd bought... which might be in direct correlation to the reason I failed my glucose screening....) and a McDonald's Quarter Pounder. And a fun size peanut M&Ms.

I went to Mary Kay training and made a new friend. Yay!

Last night (Tuesday) I went to Penny's Noodles in Oak Park with my friend Jennifer. I highly recommend them, especially the Beef Fried Rice. Sooooo good. And we had ice cream at Peterson's afterward until they kicked us out.

Maybe it's all the sugar I was finally allowed to eat but dang, Sarrazine has been a crazy woman inside me! Rolling back and forth, poking things out of my belly button, just non-stop. It's awesome!

Week 25: A Series of Unfortunate Test Results

2010-10-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

This week, Sarra is a Rutabaga! 13" long and 1.5 lbs, approximately. She's getting more hair, and if we could see inside, she'd have her own hair's color and texture now, not just the white Fetus Hair she had before.

On Saturday, October 23, I got my glucose screening, TSH, and iron bloodwork drawn. On Monday, October 25, I got my test results back.

Failed the glucose screening. 3-hour glucose tolerance test scheduled for Monday, November 1.
Borderline anemia. Iron rich diet recommendations sent.
Underactive thyroid. Thyroid meds upped.
UTI infection. Antibiotics prescribed.

I also had a horrible cold with coughing so bad I thought I'd broken a rib, and didnt' sleep for an entire weekend. Took 2 sick days in a row (Friday and Monday), which I never do. OB prescribed cough syrup with codeine. I took it one night and slept 5 blissful hours in a row. But I felt weird taking codeine with a baby inside, so I only took it the one night. Robitussin will do.

On the up side, I did a 1/2 hour survey for Kindermusik's new website and got a $50 Mario Tricoci gift card for my time!! Yay, half a haircut!! See you in a couple months, Amelia!

Special thanks to Miss Cathy for cluing me in to Kindermusik! One day I may even sign up to be a teacher! Combining my love of Musik and Kinder!

Week 24: Our Little Footlong!

2010-10-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of over the fruit analogies to the baby's size, so I'm going with a footlong reference. Mmmm... hotdogs...

Sarra apparently now has fingernails and toenails, and is basically fully proportioned. Her hearing and inner ears are developed so I'm trying to talk to her more. She's most active later at night when I'm done on the computer and just relaxing in front of the TV. I think she feels more neglected then and wants to make sure we know she's still there. Last night Colby felt two massively strong kicks and that satisfied him for the evening.

I'm starting to picture what sort of a mom I'll be... What sort of disciplinarian will I be? How temperamental and headstrong will she be? Will I be a good diaperer?

Colby and I are signed up for all the baby classes so we're looking forward to those. Hopefully his work schedule won't be affected. Our first is a Lamaze class, starting November 22. This is going to get real: real fast!

I've gained a total of 20 lbs which my doctors and nurses all say is just right for being 24 weeks. I am hoping to keep it to 1 lb a week from here on out.

This week's craving: Mexican food. I had Taco Bell Wednesday night and Chipotle Thursday (1/2 burrito for lunch and the rest for dinner). This morning Colby bought ingredients for me to make salsa, and I'll probably go to Tacos El Norte for a couple tacos.

I wonder why I have heartburn all the time lately?

Week 23: Mango!

2010-10-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

Today we are 23 weeks along.... only one more week until "viability"!

She is the size of a Mango (almost a foot long, and over a pound of kicky love!) and is getting to the point where she can hear voices, music, and other noises. She was very active yesterday but is taking it easy on me today.

As for me, my fingers and feet are just swell. I mean, swelling. I should have a TV installed in the bathroom because I spend so much time there. And all I want to eat lately is thick-cut french fries. They had some at work yesterday and were JUST DELIGHTFUL.

Last night I enjoyed sitting in on an Adult Non-Dancer Dance Class, taught by Debbie Goldman, and attended by a number of my theatre friends. Thumper enjoyed the music ("Razzle Dazzle" and "One") and we both enjoyed chicken tacos and S'mores at Trax afterward.

High five!

2010-10-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

Last night Thumper was all over the place... lower belly, belly button, side to side. Like she thought she was on a hamster wheel or something.

I called Colby in to the computer room where I was sitting and lifted my shirt for him to put his hand on my belly. After a moment or two, he felt three solid kicks on the left side of my abdomen. Very sweet!

After he went to bed, I kept my hand on my belly, pressing and prodding every once in a while, just having a little game with Sarra. I rubbed my hand over my belly button and right at the top of the belly button, I felt a little tiny bump sticking out. I couldn't see what it was shaped like, but I was feeling thudding in the lower part of my belly so I can only imagine it was a tiny hand.

I gently pressed on it and it retreated, only to return seconds later. I pressed gently again, and it went back.

Up high, little one! Way to go!

Week 22: Oh, My Papaya!

2010-09-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

Baby Girl is the size of a papya this week. Mmmm.... delicious papaya!

She weighs about a pound of feisty activity and according to one site, she's as long as a bag of Oreos (I think I'll have 3) and as heavy as a large bag of tortilla chips. Which sounds like dinner to me.

She has long, strong legs and big ol' feet that I can feel poking out every once in a while. I had a dream weeks and weeks ago that I was playing the Poking Game with my baby, where she would poke her foot out my belly and I'd push it back inside. Now we're playing it, for real!

Our little Thumper is loving music a lot, I can tell. We were watching "Glee" on Tuesday night. The big Britney Spears episode. And she was kicking up a storm during every musical number. The first one, I put my hand on my bare belly and felt her from the outside! I'd felt her from the outside last week for the first time, but this time, Colby was sitting next to me. I grabbed his hand and put it on my belly. We sat there silently for a few seconds and I felt a good thump. I said quietly, "Did you feel that?" and he said, with surprise and stunned delight, "I did!" and we both giggled.

Monday night and Wednesday night this week I rehearsed for the Big Deal Cabaret benefit I'm singing in next Monday night, and she was dancing along with the music then too.

She also especially loves to play bouncy castle on my bladder, as well as whatever side I happen to be (trying to) sleep on at night.

I've gotten to 22 weeks, which is a few days longer than I got with Esther Virginia, and my last check-up revealed that the cerclage is holding just fine. I go in every 2 weeks to get that checked, but I'm taking great care of myself and Sarrazine, so I feel very confident and happy and excited and optimistic!

Week 21: Our Little Acrobat

2010-09-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

I was scheduled for my "big" ultrasound (20 week gender and anatomy scan) for today, but due to my suspected problem a couple weeks ago, and my Level 2 ultrasound that happened to be scheduled for the following week, I really wasn't "entitled" to this ultrasound. But because this is the one where they tell you to bring a DVD in to record video, the techician gave me a "freebie"! WE LOVE HER!

All the measurements are exactly average (57% actually, so just slightly above average in terms of size) and once again, Sarrazine was an active little girl. I had only had about 1/3 a cup of McDonald's orange juice along with my Egg McMuffin, but honestly, she doesn't need much sugar to get her going.

I'm going to try to include the video below... at about 3:09 she appears to be sucking her thumb, or at least resting her hand on her face. At 6:00 the scan settles in to see a "baby," not just body parts and organs. And at about 7:00, she starts to TURN A SOMERSAULT. She ends up facing downward and puts her arm in in a "Rosie the Riveter" pose. At 8:00 she moons us, and then proceeds to try to kick her way out.

Oh, she's a cutie!

Last night I made beef stew in the new crock pot. Colby said it was too much and maybe he should be put in charge of future meals. It gave me new respect and sympathy for my mom, trying to cook for us ungrateful kids all those years. But he ate 3 helpings between then and today and I had 2. It's good stuff and will keep for a while in the freezer. When we're ready for red meat again, I'm going to make noodles with it. It was SO GOOD.

I also made apple crisp tonight. So I am determined to become a domestic goddess mama.

Week 19: Thumbs up from doctor (and Baby!)

2010-09-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Wasn't feeling quite "right" on Thursday, so called the nurse. She and the doc in the office were concerned enough to call me in immediately to check me out. When another nurse took my weight, she said, "So, we think your water broke?"
Um. Do we?

Doc took a sample to check for amniotic fluid, and came back in moments later to gave me the Thumbs Up (also some cold water and a cup of M&Ms!) and let me cry it out in the exam room until the ultrasound room was ready. :)

Everything's A-OK, Mom!

I was called in for my ultrasound, so... bonus pictures! My fluid level was perfect, baby looked perfect, and the tech (Kathy) confirmed 100% she's a girl. So our little baby is named Sarrazine Michelle!

She was VERY active (maybe from the M&Ms), waving her arms in the air and kicking and stretching her long legs like crazy. Got some good pics, but my favorite was the last one the tech took.... Sarra was giving me the THUMBS UP! :)

The tech said, "OK. Now that makes me cry."

At least right now, Sarra has slightly longer legs than average

(and a slightly larger noggin. I said, "That's to fit in all her brains!")

According to BabyCenter.com, at 19 weeks, Sarra is the size of a large heirloom tomato. The ultrasound revealed she is on target for 19 weeks, maybe a little over (she's got long legs and a slightly large head.... oh, joy.)

But she's starting to be able to hear, so I've been singing more to her. However, I think she's going to think that Carolyn McCormick is her mommy, because I've been listening to "The Hunger Games" trilogy on CD for the past few weeks, non-stop.

Our little drama queen is giving the "Woe is me!" arm across her forehead.

I'll be singing more often now that I'm going to perform in two cabarets this fall... one in Buffalo Grove (Monday, October 4), and one in Deerfield (at Kevin's Place Diner, Friday & Saturday, October 29 & 30).

That's right. I just plugged my gigs on my baby blog.

A Profile in Baby

Baby Name Dilemma

2010-09-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

If we have a girl, we want to name her after my late mother. Colby suggested we use her last name.... Sarrazine (the "e" is silent) and call her "Sarra". The spelling would be tricky, but it would at least differentiate her from other Sarah/Saras. Her official name would be Sarrazine (although I would be concerned she'd be called "Magazine" by the other kids).

I've always been slightly annoyed by weird spellings of names, because it just adds needless complications to a child's life. I still remember being TRAUMATIZED in 3rd grade when a teacher mispronounced my last name, and I was too polite to correct her, so she and a new kid in class called me by the "wrong" name for several weeks until I broke down in tears and told my mom, "I did a terrible thing!" She thought I'd murdered someone, or at least stolen their milk money.

Or we could just call her Sarah and be done with it. I've always liked the name, and it means "princess."

Thoughts?

Week 18: Our little sweet potato

2010-09-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

Baby is getting bigger and I am feeling more movement. I can't be 100% sure it's all Baby, but I think it is. I am going in for a Level 2 ultrasound and high-risk consult in a couple weeks on the recommendation of one of the doctors in my office, due to my age and high risk for Down Syndrome. Hopefully all will measure out OK. Looking forward to seeing my active little Sweet Potato again soon!

Week 17: Don't Turnip your nose at me, Baby!

2010-08-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

Annnnnd, we've got Turnip!

Baby is weighing about 5 ounces, cartilage is turning to bone and sweat glands are developing. God knows, my sweat glands have developed. Poor Colby freezes every night because I need it 70 degrees to sleep.

I also self-diagnosed my.. self today with Restless Leg Syndrome. I always thought RLS was a pharmaceutical scam, but I've read that it's common in pregnancy. I don't get tingling or burning legs, per se, but if I sit or lie too long, I get super antsy and have to shake it off, literally. Someone on BabyCenter.com said bananas help, and coincidentally enough, I'd had a banana last night before bed... and slept for 4-5 hours AT A TIME. A new pregnancy record for me.

Kicklines in my belly make me happy

2010-08-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

Totally forgot to post about my 16 week ultrasound on Saturday (8/21)!

So, first I had to drink the glucola drink to get my early glucose screening. Sort of tasty, but then, I was really thirsty after fasting for an hour. I got to the lab 50 minutes after drinking it, knowing I had an hour (exactly) to get the blood draw. I won't go into it all, but this particular lab needs to be mystery shopped the hell out of, because their customer service was a-trooooo-ciouuuuuus. 15 minutes of me yelling and crying and sweating later (not to mention walking over to the doc's office across the hall, twice) they finally got my lab orders and sent me in. THEN the lady has the gall to snap, "You haff a ten-minute window. So you haff nothink to worry about." Let's try that once again with tact, shall we? At least she was a really good phlebotomist (even though she yelled at me for haffing bad veins). Very gentle and no pain or bruising. So THAT will also go in the report I send to Management. Gotta be fair!

Seeing the baby on the ultrasound screen made up for it completely. All that sugar water made Baby Avocado daaaaance! Kicking and bouncing up a storm. I could feel the kicks while I watched them. Colby was with me and got to see the baby and hear the heartbeat for the first time. It was a bit overwhelming for us both.

Had a hard time getting Avo to show us the "goods" but Kathy the U/S Technician said she's 80-90% sure it's a ..... _______(???)

Baby Avocado did a little shuffle-off-to-Buffalo dance step across my belly button last night and then proceeded to try to kick a hole out of my right side. :) Too small to feel it on the outside yet, though. So cute!

Week 16: Holy Moly, Avocado Baby!

2010-08-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

So it's week 16 (actually, tomorrow is) and my baby is an Avocado! 4.5 inches and 3.5 ounces. Its eyes are almost in place and it's growing toenails!

Apparently it's going to double in weight over the next few weeks. Every time I whine or complain about how I feel, Colby always holds me gently and whispers in my ear, "It's gonna get so much worse."

I'm starting to think about registering for baby items, but it's so overwhelming. I saw a convertible crib that can change to a toddler bed and a full size bed, but the reviews online are mixed.

Our 2nd bedroom is too furniture-filled now, but we talked about putting Baby in the dining room at first, so we can be within eyesight in our bed. Also, because AVOCADOS ARE DELICIOUS!

I bought a Boppy full body pillow last night. It's weirdly shaped like a gigantic embryo. It wasn't as nestle-y cozy as I'd hoped, but I will say, I got the best night of sleep I've had since I've been pregnant! so I say it was $60 well spent. Hopefully that wasn't just a coincidence.

Colby and I need a get-away really badly. Now that I'm feeling better and it's still summer-ish, hopefully we'll be able to do that while it's Still Just Us.

Onesie Giveaway!

2010-08-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

Onesie Giveaway! My friend Kate designs the cutest onesies you've ever seen. And you can enter to win this one here!

Baby Steps Blog is giving away a MoMoPics hand-stenciled onesie!
Click to Enter.

Baby Dream

2010-08-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'd been annoyed that I hadn't had any dreams about Baby yet, or its gender or anything. But this morning I had the cutest dream (albeit a little bit "on the nose"). I was looking at myself in a full length mirror, naked, and I looked AMAZING. Skinny legs, perky breasts, and the tiniest hint of a baby bump. You know, the exact opposite of how I actually look.

I saw this little protrusion in my bump and upon closer inspection, it was a perfect little one-inch foot (much larger than a 15w foot would be) sticking out. I poked back and it flipped and then I saw its face, looking at me like through a fishbowl. Its face was perfect, like a 6 month old child's face, eyes open, looking at me, smiling, full head of hair, dimples, beautiful. I fumbled for my camera and took some shots. The flash made Baby flinch, and I said I was sorry.

I said, "Hi, Baby! It's Mommy!" and the baby said, "Hi, Mommy!" I asked if it was a boy or a girl. He looked down and then said, "I'm a boy!" We played the poke-and-flip game for a while and then I said, "This is hurting me a little. Can we watch TV for a while?" He said, "OK. What's on?" I said it was a Mel Gibson action movie, and he said, "That sounds GREAT!" He talked just like his daddy, but with a little child voice. :)

Aliens vs. Exorcists vs. Ginormous Tatas

2010-08-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

So I don't have a full length mirror in my home in a location where I generally see myself unclothed. It's in the kitchen, which is one piece of evidence that we may be rednecks. The only mirror I regularly look into only shows me from the cleavage up. If I stand on tip-toe I can see how my breasts are transmogrifying into something horrible and frightening. I don't do that very often.

But today I went to Motherhood Maternity in the mall to return some bras I'd bought the other day that fit when I was standing up in the dressing room, but not so much when I sat down.

I returned the bras for store credit, went to eat some lunch, and came back to try on jeans, which were on sale, Buy 1, Get 1 Half Price (plus the Illinois State Tax Holiday is going on until Sunday).

I miraculously found 2 pair of jeans that fit and that I liked. The pair I was wearing was an ill-advised Ebay purchase, a size too big, and they have been literally falling off me all day. I looked like a rapper with an unattractive blouse.

The sales lady also tried to find me some bras. She measured me and I told her the bras I'd just returned were 3 sizes LARGER than I was measuring and that when I stand up with my arms straight up, the bras fit me GREAT. But not so much when I sit down. Not believing me, for some reason, she handed me 3 bras in the size I measured. Um. What did I just say, lady? I handed them back to her over the door. "This one is 3 sizes smaller than the one I just returned. This one is 3 sizes smaller than the one I just returned. This one is 3 sizes smaller than the one I actually liked, even though it just fit on the last hooks." I asked her to find the one I had been about to try on when she decided to measure me.

I stood there, naked from the waist up, and decided, I haven't seen a horror movie in a while. Let's see what we look like in the full length mirror.

Well. I won't even describe what I saw, but suffice it to say, I would rather see all the "Saw" movies back to back for 3 days in a row.

Stretch marks? Really? Bright red claw marks down the sides of my stomach? Is something trying to get in, or get out? I've only gained FOUR POUNDS, people. Why the face??

I finally put my shirt back on and went back to help the sales lady find my bra. She was standing in the middle of the store, YAWNING AND STRETCHING. Huh. She said, "Did those work out?" (I was carrying out one of the first ones she'd handed me that I'd told her didn't work out).

Anyway, long story short, I bought 2 pairs of jeans and left. The other sales lady referred me to Betty Schwartz's, so I'll go there when I have gathered my getting-my-boobs-measured-by-trained-professionals strength (plus saved up some money, 'cause damn, its costs some MONEY to find a bra that actually makes you not want to rip your boobs off).

Also? Two hours after a hearty lunch, and I'm starving. Is this the beginning of the end for me?

Week 15: Apples & Oranges

2010-08-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

According to TheBump.com, Baby is now the size of an orange. According to BabyCenter it's an apple.

Either way, I'm hungry for fruit!

Not much else to report.... just trying not to gain more than a pound a week. I haven't been able to exercise, per doctor's orders, but I want to call and see if I am allowed to do anything at all, besides walking (and how much walking is allowed).

Last night I slept 4 hours in a row!! Been a while since I could say that.

Not feeling any movement yet. I might have to much pudge in my baby bump to feel anything for a while.

I am attending a friend's wife's baby shower this Saturday and Colby and I are going to "Shrek" the musical downtown on Sunday. We usually take the train and walk to the theatre, but I think this time I might insist we drive.

Week 14: Easy peezy, lemon baby!

2010-08-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

So at 14 weeks (as of Thursday), my baby is apparently grimacing, stretching, and peeing inside me. It's 3.5 inches long, about the size of a lemon. A squinting, grimacing, peeing lemon.

This morning (Saturday) I woke up and was feeling my gigantic bump and above my belly button I felt a little hard lump. It's not there now, so I can only imagine it was the little one pushing its little foot out at me.

THERE'S SOMETHING INSIDE ME.

I thought at 14 weeks, it should still be below my belly button... that's where they find the heartbeat on the Doppler... but now I don't know. I'm carrying an awful lot of Bump in the upper part of the belly, and it's definitely hard. Very mysterious things going on in there.

The good news is I've only gained 3 pounds in my first trimester. If I can keep it to one pound a week, I'll be super pleased.

Colby is cleaning the bathroom now, as we have prospective buyers looking at the house this evening. The house is cleaner than it's been since I moved back in this spring. Great motivator!

Week 13: Cerclage: A Love Story

2010-07-28T05:46:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, July 27, was my cervical cerclage. In this procedure, my OB places a purse-string type stitch around the opening of my cervix, to keep the baby from falling out, like my first child did 10 years ago. I'd done too much reading on the subject and of all the Internet articles and posts about this baby-saving procedure, I happened to find the two articles that mention its "effectiveness has recently been called strongly into question," and that it can stimulate miscarriage. So Colby and I have been tense for the past few days.

Colby took me in at 6:15, and I got prepped for my 7:30 surgery. The nurse, who turned out to be my favorite, put in my IV and told me they'd be back to bring the medicine. I asked what medicine, and she said, "The stuff to put you to sleep." Oh dear. I told her I was just getting an epidural, and that I shouldn't be getting any medicine or going to sleep. However, part of me was really excited with the prospect of being asleep for this. Unfortunately, she was mistaken, and I didn't get anything, not even to take the edge off.

She and another nurse tried to Doppler my baby's heartbeat but couldn't quite find it. I told them the doctor had told me it would be hard to find, and because they don't do them every day, they told me they have a hard time with it, anyway.

The anesthesiologist, who will be played by Lucy Liu, came in to explain the epidural to me, and the 1-2% chance I could have of getting a "very severe headache" from it. She was very serious and straightforward and when she said, Colby said, "Comforting."

Because this procedure is done with an epidural and totally awake on my part, I was actually walked into the operating room. The only time you should have to see all that equipment is if you are visiting the set of a hospital drama. Very disconcerting.

Dr. Ong (?) the anesthiologist whose name I think I heard somewhat correctly, had me sit on the edge of the table and hug a pillow with Nurse Cara standing in front of me for support. I was asked to curve my back into a C-shape or like a cat's back, so the vertebrae would separate for the needle to get in there.

Well.

Even in physical warmups onstage, I can't do that curve the back thing where the vertebrae unstack. So despite all my very best and most strenuous efforts, I couldn't do it. My neck and shoulders became extraordinarily tense and sore, I broke into a sweat, and I think I might have cried a little. The doctor would stick me and I'd feel weird sensations of achiness down the left side of my back and thigh. I'd gasp or moan and she'd say, sharply, "What is it? Talk to me. What are you feeling?" Freaked me the freak out.

Dr. Dominicis, my OB, was in the room watching this for a while, and I felt bad because my stupid vertebrae were holding things up.

I sang "Solla Sollew" from "Seussical the Musical" in my head all the while, trying to find my Happy Place. Nurse Cara rubbed my shoulders and whispered encouraging things to me. Finally I felt a very bizarre fireburst of white tingly elecricity spread across my left kneecap, and I gasped loudly. She asked me what it was, and I said, "My left knee just exploded!" Then I said, "Oh, my feet are going numb. Both of them. That's a good thing, right?"

She sat me there for a while so the anesthesia would gravitate downward to just my waist down. She said that with Cesarians, they lay you down immediately so your chest is numb, too.

I was so relieved, and the rest of the procedure was smooth. They strapped me into some weird stirrups, strapped my hands down outstretched (a little uncomfortable with an IV in one) and went to work cleaning me off. I could see my own legs splayed out above me in the reflection of the white lighting fixture on the ceiling, but once they covered me up, I couldn't see it anymore.

I closed my eyes and continued to sing "Solla Sollew" in my head. Occasionally I'd feel a weird tug or vibration as the stitch went in and out and I'd make a face, anticipating pain. Dr. Ong asked if I was OK, and I explained I just make faces. She chuckled and said, "Just let me know if you feel pain." I said, "Oh, trust me, I will."

The procedure was over before I knew it, with no miscarriage. Dr. Dominicis asked if there was a Doppler in the OR, because the nurses have a hard time finding the heartbeat in Recovery. The nurse said she could go get it, but I think he said not to worry about it. He had places to go, I'm sure, but I was a litle disappointed.

The nurses stuck a pad between my legs for any residual blood.The doctor asked if I had any questions and I asked how many days is normal for bleeding. He said, "At least 3 days is normal." I had a couple similar questions and after he left, Dr. Ong said, "I think you were asking, 'at what point should I become scared?' I don't think he got that." I loved that she showed such understanding.

The nurses had to lift me onto the gurnee to take me to Recovery because I had zero feeling or mobility in my lower half. I hope I will one day get to play a paralysis victim, because I know how it feels now. I have new understanding and sympathy.

I spent about an hour or more in Phase 1 Recovery, listening to a variety of people wake up in confused disorientation from their surgeries (lucky bitches). One girl, Jenna, was saying she had a Spanish final the next day, and didn't understand why she was so weepy. The nurses said, "The medication does that," but i wanted to lean over past the curtain, take her hand and say, "Sweetie, you're feeling disoriented, small, vulnerable, scared, relieved, and you want your mommy. And so am I."

Eventually I was able to move my knees a bit and lift my hips off the table, so they moved me to Phase 2 Recovery, where I got ginger ale (but no snack) and they brought Colby in.

Colby read me the letters he's written to Baby, and he made me cry. He's going to be a wonderful daddy.

Eventually I had to pee, but didn't think I'd be able to due to the numbness down below. But the nurses said we could try. They wheeled my recliner to the restroom and helped me stand and use a walker. I was very shaky and said, "I'm getting a taste of what 85 will feel like."

They sat me down but I wasn't even aware if I was sitting on the toilet. They assured me I was, and they waited. I asked if they could please step outside and I'd call them when I was finished. Unfortunately, it was a no-go, which didn't surprise me so they took me back to try again later.

After about 45 minutes the numbness was wearing off slowly but the pain around my cervix and pelvis was increasing. Like, really bad. I asked the nurse if this was from the surgery or the having to pee, and she said it could be both. We tried again, but I could barely stand or sit upright, I was in so much agony.

I got back to the room and the nurse said she'd see if the doctor would allow a catheter. I was writhing and sweating on the recliner and poor Colby was trying to be encouraging and asking if he could do anything .I told him he needed to just sit there and not talk. Then I apologized for being so snippy and mean. He just laughed and said, "if you think that was mean, then no wonder you sometimes think I'm yelling at you."

The order was approved and I was taken back to Recovery 1, where my favorite nurse greeted me with a hug and an "Awww!" The cath was a little big and so they had to get a smaller one, and after a lot of effort, it went in. And the relief was instantaneous.

I filled up the whole container, 700 mL worth. "No wonder you were in such pain!" they said.

When I was wheeled back, the nurses didn't exactly applaud me, but it was kind of the same thing.

After that I was a smiling, giggling little girl again. Dr. Ong had been the doctor to approve the catheter, and she actually took the time to come see me and ask if I was doing OK. She asked Colby if he'd gotten anything to eat (he had) and if I had (I had not). She asked if I wanted cookies, crackers, or graham crackers ("daycare snacks," she called them) and I said, "Whatever is handiest." She came back with an armload of snacks for me, which she placed on my lap, as well as a fresh ginger ale.

Even Colby was impressed, especially that she'd asked if he'd had anything to eat. "Now that's caring," he said. The fact that she was so serious and no-nonsense made it all the more touching.

Anyway, an hour later I was ready to pee again, and was very scared, but a quick feel down below revealed some feeling, so I had higher hopes. And this time there was success! I was even able to walk almost unassisted. The nurses teased me about not liking an audience, and gave me my privacy. I peed like Seabiscuit ("Juno") and they brought me a fresh pad, and my pants, so I wouldn't have to continue holding it between my thighs.

I was wheeled back for the rest of my clothes, Colby signed some papers, and was sent out for his car at 2:30. And they gave me some chicken noodle soup on the way out, which I thought was a cute touch.

Anyway, now I have to call the doctor to find out how much bed rest i should be involved in. Lying down is making my back hurt. My epidural spot is really hurting, and my thighs are also sore. Bed rest for half a day was really awful, and I was sitting up for much of it. I can't imagine full bed rest for months and months.

This kid better freakin' appreciate this! :)

Week 12: Limebaby!

2010-07-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

So after nearly 20 years of being a potentially child-bearing grown-up, and 10 years after my only other pregnancy, I discovered, on June 22, that I was With Child. Not having been blessed with a clockwork-like reproductive system, it might have taken me a while to make this discovery, were it not for the Prometrium I'd been taking every month. In May I had a very light, short feminine experience (I thought I might be going through The Change) that I kind of enjoyed. In June, I started spotting but even the Prometrium didn't kick my uterus into gear.

The OB nurse suggested I get my TSH tested again because I admitted I hadn't been taking my thryoid meds. This also explained the fatigue and weight gain, I thought. As an after thought she suggested taking a pregnancy test, just to rule that out.

Now, I've taken more pregnancy tests in my life than I can count, and I always keep a stock of several on hand. I've seen so many single lines on pee sticks, I don't even watch the line progression excitedly anymore.

But this time, something told me to keep an eye on this one. I'd been commenting to my boyfriend that he needed to "mind the baby" and "be careful not to punch me in the unborn child." And I kept feeling my fat stomach to see if it was hardening or not. That was the first sign I'd noticed when I was pregnant 10 years ago, although I didn't realize it was a symptom (and I didn't realize I was pregnant until my cervix proved itself incompetent. Stupid, murderous cervix).

As of today, I am 12 weeks along. My baby, according to the baby sites, is the size of a lime, and will squirm if I poke myself in the uterus.

I have been in a theatre production that opened last week, and my costume only barely fit by last Sunday's performance. It sort of fit during dress rehearsals. I have serious doubts my jacket will meet in the middle tomorrow through Sunday. So that would be interesting.

I haven't announced my new mommy-to-be status to the world yet, because I am having a cerclage next week, so I want to wait and see how that goes.

I'm a little scared of the risks and what the next few months hold. Will it hurt? How long until I can return to work? Will the doctor recommend bed rest? What if the stitch doesn't hold? What if I'm meant to miscarry but the cerclage prevents that from happening?

Plus, I'm 40, so, all the potential babyhealth problems are top of mind. Do I get amniocentesis? Will that hurt? Will it harm the baby? What if we get a false negative (or positive) result?

And then there are the money/care/work issues.... and my family is so far away....

My plan for now is to use The Secret and just think positively. And to pray, pray, pray. And eat more vegetables.

MySpace Quiz from March 2007

2009-07-19T21:36:00.001-07:00

1. Do you tend to rip the paper off water bottles?Yes. I also tend to fold up straw wrappers and those paper napkin rings in restaurants.

2. If the mob was after you, what would you do?I got people. I ain't afraid.

3. When you shut off your alarm clock, do you tend to fall back asleep?Yes, hence the Cell Phone Back-up Alarm System (TM)

4. If you were given the chance to take care of a monkey for a weekend, would you?No way. Monkeys are evil.

5. What is the current advertisement on the side of the screen?Adorable sparkly free cursors. I wannnnit.

6. What are you looking forward to in the next few months?My marketing class ending and getting to do a summer show or two (before taking a theatre break for 2 years to finish up my masters degree)

7. When will you turn 18?In negative 18 years.

8. If you were being chased by an alligator, what would you do?Lose an Anthony Award.

9. What is your screen name?JenLCB (little cootie bug)

10. What song are you currently listening to?Some soothing infomercial background music for an arthritis joint relief formula.

11. Have you ever passed out from drinking?Not quite.

12. If you caught a significant other cheating on you what would you do?See #2.

13. What time did you wake up this morning?6:40 a.m., 6:50 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 7:10 a.m., and 7:20 a.m.

14. Do you have any cousins?I'm Catholic. That's too much math.

15. Can you imagine yourself living in a cardboard box?Not since I was 5 and we got the new refrigerator.

16. Who was the last person you talked to?Les (yes, you made my list again)

17. What is the WORST subject they teach at school?Trig

18. Where do you plan on living when you grow up?How sad that I gave this one some thought.

19. What was your dream this morning?John Stamos was telling me he never really loved me, and I said, "Is that supposed to come as a shock to me?"

20. How many times have you seen your favorite movie?Lots? Again with the math.

21. Where was the last place you traveled?Gurnee, IL.

22. How was your past weekend?Dee-lightful. I organized receipts and ate brunch outside. It was excellent times.

23. What is your favorite song?"Manhattan"

24. If puppies stayed small forever, would you buy one?Yes I would, no offense to Bear.

25. What is the best ice cream flavor?Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie

26. Ever liked someone that you didn't think you stood a chance with?Only John Stamos.

27. Do you think you are attractive?Sure!

28. Is someone on your mind right now?Of course

29. Can you say the alphabet backwards?Given enough time.

30. Do you worry about how you look?Worry, no.

31. Would you ever change for a boy/girl?No, I like being a girl.

33. Have you ever been on stage?Yes

34. Can you whistle?Anyone can whistle (that's what they say). Easy.

35. Would you do anything for that special someone?Up to and including organizing receipts

36. Do you know who stewie griffin is?If I were to have a baby, he would be Stewie Griffin. Sarcastic, British, and most likely gay.

38. Do you hang out with more guys or girls?Guys

39. Why?Because penises are better. That's why. [I'm just leaving Jonathan's answer here]

41. Do you like the beach?I like my little mini-beach down the road.

42. Do any of your friends annoy you?Not the friends I've kept.

43. What makes you laugh?Anything and everything.

44. Are you ticklish?Sometimes. What a boring question to end on.

How to Break a Thumb (or at least its will)

2009-07-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

So after my thumb injury on June 3 during a particularly active softball game, I had surgery on Saturday, June 13 to re-attach the ligament. After 3 weeks in an agonizing half-cast and spica splint that rubbed my skin raw (I still don't have full feeling in my knuckle skin) the cast came off and I was put back into the Thumb-o-Prene brace I'd gotten at the 24-hour clinic on June 3. Releasing the tape from around the base of my thumb allowed the blood to flow and I stopped having the almost constant numbness and tingling and throbbing and very occasional forefinger-and-middle-finger-uncontrollable twitching.

I started my physical therapy with a very nice therapist named Dave, and things were looking good. The wound was healing nicely, the skin was peeling like crazy, and there was minimal swelling and no sign of infection.

After a week of doing my thumb exercizes on my own for a week, I went back for my follow up on Friday, July 17 (yesterday). The doc asked me to show him how far my thumb would bend. I proudly did the best I could, to which he replied, quietly, 'Oh. That's not good.'

Definitely not what you want your orthopedic surgeon to say.

He said "Ok, I'm going to have to manipulate it...."

Have you ever seen one of those movies where someone is torturing someone by breaking their thumb? That's exactly how this felt.

I writhed around and he apologized and tried again. I still couldn't keep still, so he said he'd give me a shot of lanocaine to numb it.

He tried again but it wasn't any better. He stopped, and said, "OK, I'm going to have to do this in the operating room under anesthesia."

I said, "No, it's OK, I can take it. Please try again."

He said gently but firmly, "No. I simply won't put you through this."

I said, "I don't want to go to the operating room."

He said, "OK, I'll try one more, in your wrist."

That wasn't any fun either.

But he numbed my entire hand, and manipulated the hell out of my thumb. I still writhed a bit, but told him it was fine, please continue. I didn't cry or yell or faint or anything.

He got it bent all the way down and made me look at it so I could visualize where I should be able to bend it, in spite of the agonizing pain.

Later I went to my physical therapy appointment and Dave was just as concerned. We did some more aggressive therapy and Dr. Frank came down for some reason and stopped over to say hi. He put his hands on each of our shoulder's and said, "Well if it isn't my favorite therapist and one of my favorite patients!" He told Dave that I'd been "very brave," which made me CRY LIKE A FIVE YEAR OLD. I'd held it together until that moment. The fastest way to make me cry is to treat me paternally.

Anyway, they told me to stop wearing the brace, assured me the ligament is on secure enough, and increased my physical therapy to 3 days a week instead of 1 (at $20 co-pay each). My goal for Monday's appointment is to be able to touch my thumb to my pinky, which I can do as of this morning, with minimal strain and pain.

Other things I can't yet do are touch my thumb to the crook of my pinky, bend my thumb all the way down, or hitchhike.

But I made my own peanut butter and jelly sandwich today, which was AWE-SOMMMMME.

YouTube / Vista / Flash Issue FIXED, SOLVED, and YAY!

2009-05-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

So for the past I don't know how long, I've not been able to view most videos on YouTube. An error message stated that I either needed to enable Javascript (it was already enabled), or download the latest version of Flash (v.10). I uninstalled and re-installed Flash about a dozen times, to no avail. Months of Google searching came upon dozens of people with the same problem but no real solution....

FINALLY I tried adobe.com itself (duh), and found the answer. Thank you, theopenworldtechnician.com!! Bawk, bawk!

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/172298;jsessionid=90CDBAB9ACE5D6AC82AE281520977423.node0?start=100&tstart=0

Originally posted by: theopenworld

Hi all, I installed Windows Vista Ultimate last weekend, and like many I found that the flash player did not work on many sites including YouTube etc. Well, the good news is I think I have the fix that many of you have been looking for: I navigated my way to: C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash Then right clicked over both 'Flash9b.ocx' and 'FlashUtil9b.exe', and chose properties. In properties choose the 'security' tab > Click on the 'everyone' account, and the button called 'edit' and then tick the box called 'allow full control' and also choose your own Windows local account name. Once you have done this for both files run the FlashUtil9b.exe and it should install and update and tell you to restart. Do so and you should find that YouTube and other sites that use flash now work. Let me know how you get on. theopenworldtechnician.com

Twilight: Three New Moon Wolf Trailer

2009-05-31T21:12:00.000-07:00

Not to disparage Twilight fans or anything, but damn, what's with the bad cartoon wolf?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVW_JGT0QMc

Mary Kay

2009-05-29T14:42:00.001-07:00

Because I apparently don't have enough to do between a full time job, Vice Presidency and Chief Communications Officership of the Takeda Sports Club, graduate school, theatre, and trying to get my brother to help me market his company (www.audiav.com), I have decided to become a Mary Kay independent consultant.

I guess this means I'll have to buy some skirts and get a manicure. I'm not sure I'm what Ms. Ash had in mind to represent her company, but that oil-free makeup remover is the BOMB.

www.marykay.com/jenpoiry

Pirates of Penzance!

2006-10-15T18:23:00.001-07:00

Mark your calendar! You know you wanna hear my operatic cadenzas!! ;)

Pirates of Penzance
Date(s)10/13 to 10/15/06 (Fri - Sun)10/19 to 10/21/06 (Thur - Sat)
Time(s)7:30 PM Thurs - Saturday2:00 PM Sunday
LocationBartlett Community Center696 W. Stearns RdBartlett IL 60103 630.540.4800
DescriptionThis Gilbert and Sullivan classic operetta pairs a comedic storyline with upbeat music. Rated "E" for Everyone.
TicketsAdvance tickets prices: $6 youth age 13 and under $8 senior citizens and students $10 adultsPrices increase $2 at the door. Thursday 10/19 performance - all tickets $6.00.All seating is reserved. Ticket sales begins August 28 and can be ordered through me.
Contact Stephanie FitzSimons
630-540-4834
sfitzsimons@bartlettparks.org www.bartlettparks.org

JenLCBlog

2006-10-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

JenLCBlog
Mark your calendar! You know you wanna hear my operatic cadenzas!! ;)

Pirates of Penzance

Date(s)
10/13 to 10/15/06 (Fri - Sun)
10/19 to 10/21/06 (Thur - Sat)

Time(s)
7:30 PM Thurs - Saturday
2:00 PM Sunday

Location
Bartlett Community Center
696 W. Stearns Rd
Bartlett IL 60103
630.540.4800

This Gilbert and Sullivan classic operetta pairs a comedic storyline with upbeat music. Rated "E" for Everyone.

Tickets
Advance tickets prices: $6 youth age 13 and under $8 senior citizens and students $10 adults
Prices increase $2 at the door. Thursday 10/19 performance - all tickets $6.00.
All seating is reserved.

Contact Stephanie FitzSimons
630-540-4834
sfitzsimons@bartlettparks.org www.bartlettparks.org

Yes, 'tis Maaa-aaa-aaa-a-aa-aaa-aaaa-bellllllll

2006-07-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

So "Pirates" opened last weekend and in the meantime, I noticed an audition notice for another production -- this time, in Bartlett. Wherever the eff that is. I wasn't able to make the auditions due to my production. But I had worked with the director before and asked if I could send a VHS of scenes from my previous performance as Mabel. I sent it in and they called me back for tonight.

I went in and sang with 2 other girls, who both have AMAZING, beauatiful, strong voices, and he said he was going to cast all 3 of us, just not sure which roles yet.

So on my way home I got a call from the .... assistant director or stage manager ... I don't know her role. But she called me and said they were offering me the role of Mabel!!!!!!!!!!

Whoo hoooooo!!!! I was a little afraid I'd get cast as Kate, which is just too low for me. So is Edith, frankly, although I've always wanted to play Edith. She gets the Pirate King, you know.
So anyway, I was thrilled to death, and glad I stuck it out with the chorus part in the other production, because: A) It's turned out to be a great production. B) I've met some truly, truly awesome, talented people, and I hope to work with them again. C) It's tested my patience and taught me about myself and about human nature. D) It's refreshed my memory for the show. E) It's my favorite show and how can you get too much Gilbert & Sullivan? F) It's the summer of the Pirate!

Also, one of my co-workers knows a member of the Savoyairs, and told me that this person was coming to see "Pirates" in Arlington Hts this weekend, and was going to "look [me] up." Another member had invited me to send in an audition tape (since I missed "Iolanthe" auditions last week as well, due to "Pirates") but I haven't yet. I am sure it would be too late, even if I still wanted to be in that show, but either way, I've already commited to "Pirates" in Bartlett, so I'm not sure it would be appropriate.

After "Pirates," I'm taking a short break before starting grad school in the spring, and then seeing how much time/strength/energy I have left for theatre. I'd like to do a non-musical at some point, to see if I can still act!

Ma-ma-ma-my Promotion!

2006-06-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

So I got a promotion yesterday! To "Sr. Administrative Assistant." I had my review and it went "exceedingly" well. I also had lunch with my "new" supervisor and my "former" supervisor (who gave me the review) and we discussed my future with the company. I'm going to get my Masters in Marketing, and my boss agreed that my creativity would suit me well in that field. I'd mentioned my interest in HR or Marketing, and when I said I was leaning toward Marketing he said that was good because he was going to suggest that to me, if I should ask. He just didn't want to steer me in that direction if I wasn't ready to go there.

I also got my bonus, so I went to Ace and bought a leaf blower/vac/mulcher and a grass trimmer/edger. YAY! I'm so excited! I hope they work. They were cheaper than I thought they'd be plus I get a rebate.

My next purchase (or possible birthday gift): A gym membership!!! My arms have gotten ridiculous. I was looking at myself in the mirror, trying on evening dresses for the Army Birthday Ball next weekend, and I was all, "Jen, have you ever LIFTED anything??"

So now I'm going to try to go back to bed after waking up from a 2-hour accidental nap. I am getting up at 7 am to go to the Bongo Room downtown with some sorority sisters and they're going to help me find a formal for the Army Ball in DC next week. I have a dress already but want to find something better, and possibly some shoes.

I hope I can fall asleep after my nap.

This is a test...

2006-05-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

Had this been an actual blog, you would be reading something inane and highly personal right now.