Happy Birthday, Katie Ann!

Way to go, Carmen...

Catching Up...

During the month of April, I spent once or twice a week in the doctor's office hooked up to the monitor. This non-stress test (NST) measures the baby's heartbeat and contractions. The position that I am in on the exam table is slightly uncomfortable, and well...after an hour or so...I am very ready be unhooked! On April 24th, I was about 1 centimeter dilated.

Usually, everything looks fine...the heart rate is normal and few, if any, contractions show up. But on Thursday, April 28th, the baby was not happy with the two monitors confining her movements. After 10 minutes or so of normal heart rate, the monitor showed an increased heart rate for the rest of the time.

So, when the doctor came in to examine the paper strip, he was concerned and referred me to the hospital for additional monitoring with a diagnosis of fetal tachycardia. I drove over to the hospital for more monitoring. The nurse hooked me up to the hospital's monitor. Instantly, we could see that the heart rate was within a normal range. My blood pressure and blood sugar was fine. They monitored me for about an hour and a half, and then I was discharged.

Fortunately, I haven't experienced any more of this!

While on the monitor on Friday, May 13th, I started noticing some contractions. That peak on the bottom of the test strip is a contraction. The doctor checked and I was 3 centimeters dilated. This was my last day to work!! WooHoo!!

I have spent the last week here at home, relaxing and dealing with a lot of pelvic pain. I had normal NSTs on Tuesday, May 17th, and Friday, May 20th . I was 3+ centimeters dilated on Friday. So, we scheduled one more NST for Monday, May 23rd, and an induction for Tuesday, May 24th.

So, ready...set...go...almost!!!

Umm...Jimmy...can you lend us a hand with this???

So much for my idea about saving money by going to digital antenna! Although the instructions pointed out that the digital antenna could be installed in the attic, it didn't mention that I would need eight arms to stabilize myself, hold the antenna, and drill into the rafter. Oh well, I guess it's a conspiracy by the cable company...I try to get out and they keep reeling me back in...by dragging me through the ceiling.

So...to have a little fun with this, I want everyone to give me their best one-liners. Since I didn't die or maim myself, we might as well poke some fun at my Mr. Fix-it skills. Here's a few from me...send all you want.

• In retrospect, that ceiling needed a touch up paint job anyway.
• It kind of looks like the Bat signal, don't you think?
• I would really like to see the face of someone coming to buy the house now...HA!
• Stupid squirrels in the attic...
• A little spackle and she'll be good as new.
• No, really, you hardly notice it at all...
• Um, hi, Farm Bureau...are we covered for meteor strikes?
• So that's where Bin Laden was hiding?
• Duh...Winning!