Jigga

I apologize for leaving you in suspense for a week about my poor baby Jigga. Thanks Teri for getting me on track.

Getting him to the vet is a dilemma enough in itself. I feel like I am always the one to take the puppies to the vet when they are sick, and I usually spend my Saturday doing it or taking off work early. This time, I was bound and determined to get Kyle's help. With him working at the dealership, he doesn't really have to "take time off" when he's late. He may miss out on a sale or whatever, but he doesn't have to deduct leave like I do. I was told to drop Jig off at 8:00 last Thursday. I have to be at work at 7:30, and Kyle has to be at work at 8:30. The vet is a good little ways away from where we live and work, but it was doable. I would have to take off for like almost 2 hours to get him there and to work in time. So, I asked Kyle to please take him and I would pick him up by 5:30. I remind Kyle when leaving for work to take him by 8. I even call to make sure he is up in time as I'm driving to work. Then, I start to freak out. His phone was dead. That is also his alarm too, so I was really freaking out that he wouldn't wake up and then not take him because he was already late to work. I am a worrier like this. I call and call and call and still getting the dead phone. FINALLY, at like almost 10 or later, he answers his phone. He went on in to work first, and then went back to the house to take Jigga in to the vet. Whew. I was freaking out. I was hoping he wouldn't let me down and not take him in.

Ok, enough of all of that mess and my freaking out. Jigga made it to his appointment finally to be x-rayed. I leave work a little before 5 to make it to get him before they close. Traffic was awful!! I pulled up at almost 5:30 and was so afraid they would lock up. They didn't though. They were there. I was glad. The doctor walked me to the back to show me his x-rays. He pointed out that Jigga's knee bones no longer had cartilage between them any more, so they were rubbing together. He said his hips were a little bad too and may have some arthritis. So, it wasn't good news really, but he never uttered the words of putting him down. I was so relieved, but at the same time I still feel guilty that he is going through this. He said that it was not treatable. In humans, they would do a knee replacement which just is not what you do for dogs. He will have to be on medicine for the rest of his life to comfort him. He has been a lot more like himself since he's been on the medicine. Doc did say it is almost like an old person that it will be worse on days that its cold and/or rainy. I guess Kyle and I will cross the road when we feel its time that he's not acting himself to put him to sleep. He is still his normal happy self besides hopping around a little. He has to take a big ol' pill daily, and some other kind of chewy things that are supposed to prevent it from getting worse. They say those taste like treats to him. So, he gobbles those right up. He gets his pill in a piece of cheese, so he has no clue he's going through anything different. He gets excited when I open the fridge to give him some cheese! I love my Jigga man. He is my little man.

I am about to head to the grocery store to get ready for a fun party tomorrow. I can't wait for our big group to dress up as Star Trek for Halloween. I will update with pictures soon!

CEO of a major corporation

How funny! I took a quiz to see what my child would grow up to be. Here are the results. I promise to write more later.

Your kid could smoke that stock-trading baby on TV any day. He or she wishes the crib were a cubicle, but before you let the tyke fix your finances, make sure you teach the concept of downtime. Otherwise, your baby might start making deals in the sandbox and the other moms will be whispering. Can you say, “intense”?

Furry Child

I feel bad that all I ever seem to have to post about lately is my weekly updates. I wish I was more creative with ideas to talk about on here, so that I could post more often. I thought of something that has been on my mind the last few days. It is still about my child, but it is my furry child.

My baby boy Jigga, who is now 5 years old, has been in some pain for a while now. A while back ago, he got to where he would only walk on his front two legs. Yes, this sounds odd, but the dog is talented. I would get him down and inspect him all over to try to figure out what was wrong with him. We have taken him to multiple vet visits. Their only diagnosis was that he had yeast infections between his toes that made it painful for him to walk on. They would give him medicine, which seemed to help him walk on all fours. Then, as soon as the medicine was over, he would be back to the awkward walking after a month or so. We are puzzled.

I change vets to a man that has been a family vet for years, but he was a little bit more of a drive away for us. He is just a normal country man that will tell you like it is and is not all about making the money off of you. I trust him and his judgment. I took Jigga to him back in June to look him over. He said right away it was not his feet as he mumbled some disgustment in the other vet. He smashed his finger between Jigga's toes and smelled it. Gross, I know. I told you he was just a country boy. Forget smearing stuff on slides and looking under the microscope. Why not just smell it?! lol A yeast infection would stink. He said Jigga's toes smelt better than most dogs he's smelled, which made me feel pretty good. However, he did say that Jigga was the first dog he had seen walking this way in a long time and that it didn't look good. He prescribed him medicine, which also really helped. After it was over, Jig was back to funny walking.

I finally worked up the nerve to call him again to go ahead and schedule an appointment for him to get x-rayed tomorrow. I will have to leave him with him all day, and he can't eat or drink after 10 PM tonight. My poor baby. I am so nervous as to what he will tell me is wrong. Jigga, like most pitbulls, can jump plum over my head in one spring. He once lunged at a balloon floating around the kitchen and popped it. From then on, we thought it was fun and cool to hang something from the ceiling that he could jump at until he got it down. He always would. It was so much fun for him, and he was always willing to show off to anyone new that came over. He was anxious to run over there and show them his trick. I am convinced that this crazy jumping has hurt his back or hips. I would feel horrible for contributing to this pain by letting him jump like that, but he really did enjoy it. I am just hoping that the vet will not tell me that he should be put to sleep. I know that is so selfish of me, and I know I will have to do it if he feels that is necessary. I am just not ready, like we most of the time, never are. He did suggest that he may be able to keep him on medication for the rest of his life that will relieve whatever pain he is in while walking. I am hoping that will be the case. We would then have to take him for routine blood work to make sure his organs were functioning correctly after taking all of this medicine. He not only has messed his back up, he now walks flat footed on the front two feet. All of the pressure from holding up the rest of the body has smushed his feet flat to where they spread out. They are supposed to walk on their toes. I just hope everything goes well tomorrow, and we are able to fix his problem in some way or another. I am just not ready to let go of my baby boy and our special moments together. Remember this post?


Ok, I am getting sad, so I will talk about peanut. I have been feeling a lot more movement these last couple of weeks. It is more like little thumps here and there. I haven't felt as many these last couple of days, which always makes me worry. I know I shouldn't, but I always do. My tummy goes up and down depending on what I eat. Some days I feel huge and others I feel small again. My pants are getting smaller, because now not only do I need to unbutton them, I need to also unzip a little. I wore my first maternity outfit on October 12th. The jeans that I bought at Kids Market barely fit. Two of them don't, and the other pair may only fit a little while longer. I am making these work pants last though with this wonderful Bella Band. I don't know what I would do without it.

I find out what I am having in only 2 1/2 more weeks. My next appointment is November 6th, and I am super duper excited and anxious. I can't wait to know. I am also excited that Kyle will be going back with me to this appointment. I like when he gets to experience it with me too. I told him not to worry with coming to the ones in between unless he wanted, because I am literally there for 10 minutes. A friend told me that I can use a DVD to record the ultrasound. I plan to try to remember to take one just in case I can. How awesome would that be?

I started looking at cribs online this past weekend. The anal organized person in me, made me paste all of the ones I like so far into a Word doc so that I could compare them. Below is my favorite one so far, but I've really only loved at two sites. My mind may change. Of course, I like one of the more expensive ones. I want a convertible crib so that it will change into a toddler bed. So, I made sure the headboard would still look pretty when it was a normal bed.


I have been dying to look at bedding, but its hard when I don't know what I'm having yet. I have still looked, but I get discouraged when I don't know what color I'm looking for. I don't like the traditional things. I like more modern or contemporary things. I am not big at all on the animals, trains, airplanes, and stuff like that. I like shapes, designs, or patterns. Hopefully, I will find something I love once we know.

Here is the weekly update from the bump.com on my 17th week:

Your Pregnancy: Week 17

Though increased blood flow is good for baby, it might be making you a little...damp. Body secretions (think sweat, mucus, nosebleeds, and vaginal discharge) are in full force. This week might also mark the first time you feel baby move inside you, but don't worry if it's another two months before you notice anything. (Or realize that this time, it's actually not gas.)

Baby's now the size of an onion!Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

[ tip ] Soothe those awful itchies with an oatmeal soak. Add a cup of fine-ground oats to running bath water. Afterward, pat (don't rub!) yourself dry and moisturize like crazy.

Third Appointment & 16 weeks

Four weeks and counting down until I find out what we are having. I cannot wait!! Everyone tells me not to find out that it is so much more fun that way. I can't do it. I am OCD and have to know what I am having. I have to have it all planned out, names picked, and the room ready in a color suitable for that sex. I don't know how people do it, but that's great if they can. I just have to know!

My third appointment was fast and went great. I now weigh 133.8, my BP was 103/68, and Peanut's heart beat was 157 BPM. The little sucker is tricking me. I can't tell if its a boy or a girl and I want to know! :) I had a different nurse today, and I talked her into letting me voice record the doppler of the heart beat. It was awesome to have. I can save it forever. Here is little Peanut's fast heart beat.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ylode5mtmko

I've been thinking all week that I've been feeling the baby just a little bit. It feels like a thump really low on my belly. I think that its the baby, but I'm not really sure. The doc says I will feel it soon within the next two weeks. I can't wait until I know for sure that is what it is. Its getting a little harder to get up and down or bend over. It hurts when I lean against the counter to put my makeup on. I wore my first pair or maternity jeans today. So not flattering!! But its ok. I need to probably buy a pair or two that fit me. I found these at Kids Market and just had to buy them without trying them on. I got so many shirts from there. I finally washed them all this weekend and will need to wear some of them soon before I outgrow them.

Kyle said that its getting more and more real to him as my belly is getting bigger. It has really grown in the last week or so and seems to grow daily. He has been eating all kinds of junk food and sweets, which is out of the normal for him. I asked if he was pregnant too. That is when he told me that its getting to be more real now with my belly showing.

I had today off for Columbus Day. I had all intentions of painting my bedroom today, but I just didn't feel like it. I met Kyle for lunch, went to Wal-Mart, and did some laundry. I taped up one of the two doors in the bedroom and one of two windows in the room. I am half way done preparing. LOL. I am doing a big stripe around the room at the top, so I have to tape a stripe there too. Its just hard to do it using the laser beam by myself. I think I'm going to need some help. I don't think I am as quick to it this time either, because I have a lot of furniture to move or work around. Its just going to be harder than the small bathroom. I hope it turns out to look alright.

Well, here is what the bump.com says for me this week. Only 4 more to go until our next ultrasound. It is going by so fast! I guess I need to start unpacking the fall/winter shoes. Its getting colder every day. :(

Your Pregnancy: Week 16

Thanks to increasing blood flow, it's time for some major cash and prizes. Enjoy quick-growing hair and nails, smooth and firm skin, and a healthy glow. One bit of bad news -- your eyes might be feeling a little dry these days.



Baby's now the size of an avocado!Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean she can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.

Two more projects

I keep forgetting to upload pictures of my newly painted bathroom. One, maybe because you can probably barely notice a difference. My bedroom is going to be decorated in teal and brown, so I didn't want a matchy-matchy color on the walls. I did the bathroom first, since it was a smaller room. I wanted to do cream and brown on the walls. I figured with my small bathroom, that I should only do the cream in there, because it would make it look small with brown. Well, I am glad I tested the bathroom first. The cream was really, really light and almost looked like a white or off white almost. I took pictures of it anyway, but you can't tell much of a difference.

Before:

After:


My other DIY project was one I have wanted to do for a while now. This little table was in a spare bedroom for years now holding useless junk. I am not a fan of light oak at all. Nothing against you if you are. I just prefer darker wood like Cherry, chocoloate, mocha or something like that. Well, unfortunately, they don't have a spray paint called Cherry. So, I got the closest thing - Rust-Oleum's Kona Brown. The table was cute, and I knew it would do great in my bedroom. My VCR and cable box was currently sitting in a chair. It has been this way for 4 years now. I have totally neglected my bedroom all these years fixing up the visible rooms first. Its time to fix 'er up too! The table was a great new edition.

Please see how pitiful this was what I was doing as a TV stand before. I know...no comments please. LOL.

Here is the cute little table before:


Here it is after. I am not the best at spray painting just yet. I also was aware that there may have been a little bit of a gloss finish on the table, but I was too lazy to sand it. So, I do have some bubbles where the paint wanted to run off. I am not too picky though, and I think it looks just fine.


Now, see how much better it looks in my room!! No laughing at my 2001 Big screen either. :)


I am learning and trying to get cool new ideas from other blogs on what to do for my bedroom. I am addicted with wanting to spray paint things now days. I plan to try to paint my bedroom with a new cream and brown Monday while I'm off for Columbus Day. I'm thinking of doing a brown stripe at the top all the way around the room and cream on the bottom. I hope this works out. It looked really cute on the Behr example online. :) I will post how it goes.

Rolling the Tide through Week 14

Kyle is a car salesman, so he rarely gets a day off except Sunday and Tuesday. Well, that is only one day with me for real, since I work on Tuesday. Half of the time, he still ends up going in on his day off. Now, they are allowing the salesman a Saturday off every however many number of salesman they have at the time...I think 7 now. So, he finally got a Saturday off this past weekend and checked out some Alabama tickets. Thank goodness we were playing at home that weekend, playing Arkansas, and it was the first SEC game of the season. Heather and Derek went with us too. He found us some awesome tickets in the North End Zone by the tunnel on the left side. We were right across from the end zone - 5 rows up. We had great close seats. The only bad thing was that it was kind of hard to see when the players were on the other end. Plus, if you are like me and don't know much about football plays, I would lose where the ball was going. I didn't have the TV camera man aiming the camera right at where the ball went. You know how you giggle when you can tell the camera man got faked out by the play they made, that kept happening to me. They tricked me several times, and I lost the ball. LOL.



We drove down late Friday night after Kyle got off of work. Luckily, Heather's sister still goes to school there and was sweet enough to let us all stay with her and her roomies. Heather and I did a quick hair wash when we got there to go out for the night. We went to the Houndstooth for a while. I was the coolest person in the whole place that was sober drinking my coke. LOL. It was packed!



Saturday morning, we slept in just a little bit because we stayed out late. Thank goodness this second trimester has kicked in, because I have a lot more energy and don't get as sleepy as fast as I used to. Heather and I took our sweet little time poking around to get ready. The boys made the mistake of taking a shower first instead of letting us get ready. Then, they were impatient waiting on us. Its probably a good thing that we took forever, because if we had gotten ready earlier, then we would be out in the middle of the pouring down rain. Right when we got ready, it started to pour. We waited and waited to see if it would stop, but it didn't. We headed out for the stadium, which was just a few blocks away. It was just pouring down rain on all of that hair and makeup we had just taken an hour to do. So much for all that. We had on rain coats and ponchos with our jeans rolled to our knees tracking through water puddles and rain. It was like there was a bubble around the stadium, because as soon as we got right by it, the rain stopped. I was so happy. We were soaked already, but at least it didn't rain during the game. We had great seats and had lots of fun cheering on the Tide to the 35-7 victory over Arkansas. Of course, that rain called for another hair washing before we could go out Saturday night. We went downtown this time to a little bar. The boys played pool and we just hung out. I am not a big drinker, but it is so hard not to want to be a social drinker when you are out like that and everyone around you is drinking. It really almost puts me in a bad mood. Everyone around you in the bar gets more and more annoying as they drink and you are drinking coke so you notice everything. LOL. Its worth it though, but it does make it hard and more the reason I just want to stay at home on the weekend instead of going out.


Sunday we got up and headed home. We stopped and ate some pretty good food at Santa Fe grill in Bessemer. It was pretty yummy. I was in much need of some real food, since we had really just eaten junk all weekend. I got home and slept for 3 hours! I was wore out. Before you know it, it was Monday again and time to go to work.


This week at work is the government's fiscal year end. So, we were pretty busy until today. Now, our system is shut down for two days. The work that I do cannot be done without our wonderful SAP system. So, that would be why I am blogging right now and possibly about to start reading my Eclipse book. I started it right after New Moon, but I stopped because of school. Its time to start back. I've missed my Edward! I need to get back to reading it now that I have a little more time.

I forgot to post during the 14th week and now I'm about to be 15 weeks. I am feeling really good these days. The belly is growing. I went to this thing we have called Kids Market. Its like the biggest consignment sale you could think of that filled up an old Linens and Things building. I was so overwhelmed. I don't know the sex yet, so I just went to by myself some clothes. I got 19 maternity items for like $135. I was so excited. I can't really wear all of the pants yet though since I am still in my normal clothes. I did get two bella bands while I was there and they are awesome. They feel so good on my tummy. They hold my pants up and keep my tummy warm in this cold building. It holds my tummy in too and just feels good. My tummy is getting a little tighter and harder. I can really tell its growing. I keep thinking (hoping) I feel the baby move, but when I put my hand down there, its really just my heart beating really hard in my tummy. I was looking forward to my 3rd appointment tomorrow, but it got rescheduled for the 9th. My doctor had a death in the family, so she had to reschedule. I was sad because that makes it one week longer that I find out the sex the next time. I guess it will be the first of November that I find that out. I can't wait to know! I am feeling much better though and hardly feel pregnant at all besides the growing belly.

Here is what the Bump.com had to say about Week 14 and now Week 15.

Your Pregnancy: Week 14

In theory, your uterus' ability to expand (14 times in size, 20 in weight) is awe-inspiring; in practice, it kind of hurts. When the aches and sharp pains hit your belly, think about this happy news: By now, your risk of miscarriage has gone way, way down.

Baby's now the size of a lemon!Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over her body for warmth.

Your Pregnancy: Week 15

Your gums may be red and swollen (thanks, hormones), so it's extra-important to take good care of your mouth right now. Brush often, floss gently, and see your dentist if you haven't already. Also, your now-cramped chest and abdomen (baby's growing fast!) might be making you a little short of breath.

Baby's now the size of a naval orange! Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.