Sunday, August 30, 2008 - H. Gustav

As promised, here is a picture of my 33 wk +1 day belly.  I've really popped out in the past two weeks.   I also updated the belly pics slideshow on the side bar.

Things are looking better for us.  the track is moving further west and Gustav weakened to a Cat. 3 hurricane.  We are all ready for it.  As I mentioned yesterday we took in another dog.  Her name is Jada and the last time she was here was for H. Katrina.  She was only a couple of months old at that time.  She looks just like our Rain, she is also a chocolate lab/pit bull mix.  We found out that ANOTHER lab/pit bull puppy was left behind, chained to a tree near my brother's house, so Robert is over there to retrieve that one too.  He's not back yet.  I'll be sure to get pictures of all of them. 

We are a little worried about all of these pit bull mixes and our cat, Rita.  Rita doesn't like dogs ... she tolerates ours, but she has charged and attacked unfamiliar dogs before.  Luckily, Jada doesn't want anything to do with cats and she tucks her tail in and scrams when Rita hisses at her.  None the less, we will take some precautions when we go to sleep tonight to keep Rita out of their hair.

UPDATE *** I think Mojo is full blood pit bull ... he's SO cute!  Haley doesn't like him at all.  I think she doesn't have the patience for a puppy, which is really wierd because Haley is Ms. ADHD!  Rain is having a good time playing with his two new friends.  It was hard getting pictures because they are wrestling all over the place.  Here is a little slide show for your viewing pleasure.

The rain last night lasted for only a few minutes.  We are expected to start getting the REAL bands from H. Gustav at around 10:00 pm tonight.  I'll keep updating as things happen.  We do have backup plans should the house get damaged.  Thanks to our friends for offering to take us in (even with the pets) should something happen.  Also, thanks Ms. J for checking in.  The blog scene has been pretty slow lately, so it's really nice to have someone take a special interest in our well being.

First signs of H. Gustav

It's 11:30 pm and it just started raining pretty hard.  I went to weather.com to the satellite images and found this image of  H. Gustav which is just now entering the Gulf of Mexico. As you can see, the uppermost bands are indeed hitting us.  This hurricane is turning out to be huge!

As if I haven't been nesting enough, I always get very excited during storms and start nesting.  Today I made the Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole from Frank's Friday Fixin's again.  I made it a little different and it was awesome again.  I froze half and saved half for the next couple of days.  I then took a nap for a couple of hours and woke up rearing to go again.  I made some homemade cinnamon rolls, shared a few with  my husband and ate the rest.  Um, they were good.  Tonight I'm thinking about sewing an eco-grocery sack.  I bought some corduroy material this past week.  Maybe I will get to start on it tonight.  I'll post pictures of the final product.   Also, tomorrow we are taking in another dog that was left by her owner.  I wonder if this is going to become another rescue.  Hmmmm?  Anyway, I will probably be updating often during this hurricane and reading a lot of blogs.

34 weeks? WOW! Hurricane Preparedness

Yep, 34 weeks!  This is blowing my mind!  I'm getting SO big, I can't imagine that I'm going to get even bigger in the next six weeks.  My body has started showing signs that I'm busting at the seams (read as stretch marks).  Battle scars, badges of honor ... it's all good.  I'm at 34 weeks!  There will be a baby at the end of this road.  Lately his pushes and kicks have been making more sense.  I get creepy crawly feelings up high under my ribs which i think are little feet.  He is definitely trying to make room in my belly to move around.  I have slacked off of work tremendously, working only a couple of hours once or twice a week.  I didn't think I would cut back this early, but I just can't stand on my feet for that long anymore.  

As for what's been going on this week, we have been preparing for Hurricane Gustav to hit.   For the most part we are ready.  There are some things we couldn't get done, no matter how hard we tried.  We have a large tree in our back yard that has limbs starting to hang on the roof.  It's a busy time of the year for tree pruners and none of the several companies I called, returned my calls.  This morning Robert is changing the fuel and oil in the generator, then we will have to make a run to the gas station and fill up all the gas containers.  This week I made a trip to Sam's Club and bought 18 gallons of drinking water, batteries, TV antennae, propane, flashlights and some canned goods.  We didn't get much food this time because we have so much in the freezer and our hurricane stash usually expires and gets thrown away.  Also, I was quite turned off by all of the sodium canned goods have.  I'm swollen enough.  We have a portable air conditioner so hopefully this time when the power goes out we will be able to stay comfortable.  So --- what's left to do?  

1.)  Get cash

2.)  Pick chairs up off of patios

3.)  Secure all possible projectile in the yard

4.)  Strategically place oil lamps/candles around house

5.)  Gather up all of the Aim-a-flames

6.)  Wash and dry all dirty clothes and sheets hanging around.

7.)  Get pet supplies together in case we have to leave.

Yep, I think that is it. So, I think we are pretty well prepared.  I don't think we need to worry about flooding.  Our parish has been diligent in clearing out the drainage ditches the past few months.  I think wind damage and tornados are what we need to be concerned about.  Which is enough.  Any flooding we may get would be very minor since we are not in a flood zone.  

So,  to all of my fellow Louisianians, batten down the hatches, or get out, which ever is most appropriate for the area you are in.  Safety first ... our days of hurricane parties are over.  Thank you MRGO!   YOU SUCK!   I'll save that rant for another post.

Updates! I'm on week 33!

I finally received one of the two packages that was lost/not sent from two weeks ago.  That week was a bummer.  I was expecting the delivery guy all week with five packages and they just didn't come.  Anyway, I emailed the two companies to see what was taking so long.  One replied that my order just didn't go through and that I needed to resend it and the other just sent it out that day.  That one was from Blue House Soaps.  I think they really must make this stuff to order.  My order involved just adding an essential oil or fragrance to the wool wash and conditioner.  So, I received that on Friday and was able to try it out this weekend.  The wool wash is awesome and the soap sample they sent was equally as awesome.  I'll definately be ordering more stuff from them, just not expect it right away.

My CNM appointment was on tuesday as I mentioned earlier.  What I think I may  have forgotten to mention was that while delivering an 11 pound, 3 oz. baby that was stuck on a pelvic bone, she broke her hand.  The momma was fine.  My midwife is hoping to get the cast off in three weeks.  She is still attending her births, she just can't catch.  She said she just has to sit there and anxiously keep her hands to herself.  I feel for her.  I know she loves what she does.

This past week I was so tired and achy that I missed work just about every day.  I'm trying not to feel guilty about it.  I knew the day would come, I just didn't think it would come this early.  I have 7 weeks to go and T-Bob is really letting me know that he is there on a regular basis.  I'm loving it!  Also, this week I had a ton of baby clothes to wash and hang up.  I received so much stuff from the shower.   It was so nice to see all of the people that came over to support us, but it was sort of like my wedding day for me.  I didn't get to talk to any one person for as long as I wanted to.  We still need to purchase our stroller travel system.  Last week I ordered the co-sleeper and nursing pillow.  I'm expecting those to come in this week.  We also need to get the crib mattress and play yard, which I know we will not really need right away, but it would be nice to have that complete.  Also, last night I ordered the baby sling.  I decided on the Sleepy Wrap because 1.) I like the design - being as I have all kinds of back problems, I can't use the slings that drape from shoulder to opposite hip.  2.)  it answered a lot of questions that I never considered to ask such as is it okay to wear an older infant face out.  They don't recommend it because it puts their spine in a reverse curve from the position it is suppose to be in and an unnecessary strain on their hips.   

Last week I was on a quest to find underwear that actually fit.  I could go with the 1940's style step-ins, but I think those would drive me nuts.  I'm heading back to Target tonight to continue my quest.  Wish me luck!  I may need to just go commando!

This week we will start putting together our birth plan/requests.  I have plenty of appointments to attend so I'm not sure how much time I will be spending at work.  They have me pretty p'd off anyway.  I still haven't received my paycheck from July.  I'd like those bastards to go a whole month without a paycheck.  So, anyway, my enthusiasm for going to work is just not there right now.  

Well, gotta get my day started.  I am going to attempt to do some work today.  Hopefully I won't fizzle out after just an hour.  Hope everyone has a great week and I'll try to post more and give a new picture update.  I'm on week 33 now!  

Parental Discretion Advised - If you have sensitive ears, DON'T READ!

Edited and saved on wordpress. It's password protected now. Yay!

Still Hung-over from the Weekend

I'm still tired, but I thought I would share all of the photos from the big family baby shower.  It took me forever to type in this html.  Why does blogger put what you paste in a box at the bottom of the edit page?

Doesn't Robert remind you of "Wilson" from the show Home Improvement?  That would explain some of the faces I was giving him from time to time.  

This day was sort of like our wedding day.  I really missed being able to visit with my family and friends, especially those I don't get to see much.

BTW, my midwife appt. was this week and she said everything is still looking good.  She said T-Bob is head down and weighing in around 3-4 pounds.  He was way active tonight.  It seems he is facing my left hip.  All of that action just tickles me to death.  As a matter of fact, I kid you not, while lying out by the pool he kicked so hard it nearly knocked me off of the chaise lounger!

The Big Baby Shower - sneak peak

Well, I'm exhausted and the shower was on Saturday!  My feet have been swollen for two days.  I way over did it, but it was nice seeing family and friends.  I only had enough time to say "Hi" basically.  I really missed getting to talk to every one, but there were so many people there.  It was wonderful.  

It's late right now.  We just got back from our Bradley Birth Class and I have an appt. with the CNM tomorrow, so I really need to hit the sack.  I'll give a better update soon, but for now I will leave you with this "teaser" photo of me and Robert.  Thanks everyone for stopping by!