We survived....it wasn't as boring as I thought. I was 100% familiar with the medical aspects of the talk but it was worth it to go to hear about how I'll feel during the progression through the various stages of labor. We practiced some relaxation techniques, some that I can do alone and then some pain management techniques that M can help me with.
They gave us a checklist of things that we might want to bring with us on top of the obvious things....hard candies, magazines, movies, my own robe etc. It was also suggested to hold off on the nursing bra for now and get a nursing tank instead since my milk won't come in until about 72 hours after birth...who's to know at this early point exactly how big the girls will get.
I will hold on to a few key phrases to get me through....there are only 12-20 of the worst and most painful contractions, even though I hope to long have an epidural by this point. Also, she kept saying that each contraction, even early labor at home, is getting you one step closer. As much as I've enjoyed cohabitating with Little Miss Y, I'm getting really excited to get the show on the road.
As bizarre as it sounds, I'm really intrigued to see exactly what the contractions feel like and how much I can handle.....I think the answer is going to be not very much but maybe I'll surprise myself.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Clinching the Contractor!
Oh happy day...a contractor contract is in the works! We finally got a quote from #1 but it was past his fourth deadline that he set. While we were waiting, we spoke and met with contractor #2 who came recommended from a friend in the area who's using him for a much bigger job.
He undercut the first guy by a few hundred dollars but the more important thing for us was that he had the quote ready when he said he would and he primarily communicates through email. He has been very responsive, another positive note is that the person we know who is using him found him through recommendations of people in his neighborhood that used him. They also have a great website with a portfolio of their work as well as a list of references.
We had to do some finagling with the contract, initially he wanted the final payment at the end of the job to be only $500...we didn't feel that was enough of an incentive for him to actually finish the job so it will now be $1000 at the end. We will pay him one chunk when we sign the contract and then another chunk at the end of the first days work (it's only supposed to take a few days to do this).
He is planning to stop over next week to have us sign the contract and has apparently already got some flooring samples for us to look at. He said that he can actually start the work of the job within the next two weeks and it should only be a few days.
I'm so excited that we have a rough idea of when this will get underway..I'm sick of having an ugly upstairs! It's been that way for about 2 months now, it's time to get back to normal.
He undercut the first guy by a few hundred dollars but the more important thing for us was that he had the quote ready when he said he would and he primarily communicates through email. He has been very responsive, another positive note is that the person we know who is using him found him through recommendations of people in his neighborhood that used him. They also have a great website with a portfolio of their work as well as a list of references.
We had to do some finagling with the contract, initially he wanted the final payment at the end of the job to be only $500...we didn't feel that was enough of an incentive for him to actually finish the job so it will now be $1000 at the end. We will pay him one chunk when we sign the contract and then another chunk at the end of the first days work (it's only supposed to take a few days to do this).
He is planning to stop over next week to have us sign the contract and has apparently already got some flooring samples for us to look at. He said that he can actually start the work of the job within the next two weeks and it should only be a few days.
I'm so excited that we have a rough idea of when this will get underway..I'm sick of having an ugly upstairs! It's been that way for about 2 months now, it's time to get back to normal.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Baby Knits!
Here are some socks I've started for Baby Y...I usually detest making socks because it's just as bad as making sweater sleeves. You just want to get the show on the road and then realize that you have to repeat what you just did. I usually have the problem that I never follow a pattern exactly; I trick myself into thinking that I'll remember what I changed up where but I never do and I never take great notes so that leaves me guessing on arm or sock #2. Baby socks should be more doable, they should knit up nice and quick. I don't have really small needles, the pattern calls for a 1 but I'm knitting them on a 3, she'll have to grow into them. This is the Frankie Striped Socks pattern from Vintage Baby Knits.
This pattern is from a truly vintage baby knits book that my MIL gave me. She knit things for M from it when he was little. I still have to add buttons but I haven't had a chance to run out and get them. I screwed up on one of the arms and made one of the inseams garter stitch while the other is straight, but as we just discussed, I abhor doing sleeves. It is what it is. This also turned out large, I made the smallest size possible but it looks like she'll be waiting a few years before she will wear it.
Friday Happenings
Today's plans include:
- Not working!
- Sleeping in (only till 745a but that's what happens when you can't make it up past 10)
- Treadmill (done!)
- Listen to diabetes review podcast
- Meet S and S for lunch
- Study
- Call Costco to see where M's birthday gift is....I ordered him a composter on 5/9 and recieved an email saying it went to 'fulfillment' and have heard nothing since
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Freedom Begins!
I write this as I sit, completely relaxed on my couch watching M play baseball on the Xbox with a cat stretched across my lap. Normally, I would be halfway through my Tuesday night class, trying not to fall asleep.
Today was my first day of my school free schedule, I kept my hours at 30 so I have Tue/Fri off. I accomplished a lot today, but not everything on the list. Here's what I did:
Today was my first day of my school free schedule, I kept my hours at 30 so I have Tue/Fri off. I accomplished a lot today, but not everything on the list. Here's what I did:
- Treadmill
- Called various pediatrician offices
- Studied for 3 hours at the library
- Lunch at home
- Grocery shopping
- Made dinner (MIL's mac and cheese recipe)
This weekend was also enjoyable. We celebrated my newfound freedom by spending the day in Cape Ann. We took the scenic way up and meandered around the towns for the day (till my back started hurting and we had to call it quits). We then arrived home to find a surprise gift from M...a Canon Speedlite 430 EX II! I really want to brush on my photography skills for the babies arrival. I want to be able to take some great photos and really wanted the fill flash because I'm sure the bulk of our time will initially be spent indoors and a harsh flash isn't flattering for anyone, even the world's cutest baby. I'll post some pics soon that I took illustrating the regular camera flash vs the fill flash. You can really see the difference.
Here are some pics that I took on Cape Ann this weekend...
I
Contractor Update
Well, #2 just called and is sending over a contract with the quote to M sometime tonight. M was just saying earlier that he was doubting this guy would get back to us but I told him that I thought he would. We were going to give him through tomorrow and then we were going to call. This is a breath of fresh air that he called us before we had to chase him down. After we review the contract (if we decide to go with him), he's going to start bringing over samples of flooring. He says that he can beat our first quote but only by $200.
I personally thought it was strange that he would ask how much we were quoted and stranger that M told him, look what happens when I leave the room!
To be continued....
I personally thought it was strange that he would ask how much we were quoted and stranger that M told him, look what happens when I leave the room!
To be continued....
Friday, May 14, 2010
Finito, Fine, Finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen of the interwebs.....I'm pleased to inform you that I did survive and that I am in fact a Master.
My last day of having to do anything grad school related was yesterday (short of turning in my final clinical hours and evaluation). Yesterday, the graduate students had to present (either oral or poster, and who would choose oral that's just crazy) our capstone projects that we've been working on for about a year.
I presented it to about 4 people, it was a breeze. And it was extra breezy becuase it was the.last.thing. i had to do. Even if I royally screwed it up, I was still graduating.
There was a breakfast, the morning presenters, a few keynote speakers, lunch, awards and then I headed for the hills. The festivities went on all day but most of my class wasn't even showing up unti the afternoon so I felt that I had put in my time.
I spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and trying not to fall asleep. I intended on buying a new wallet, I want something that's real leather but without logos and junk on it. That is surprisingly hard to find. Needless to say, I did not return home with one, but instead, some of my favorite towels from Pottery Barn. For some reason, the blue ones were on sale and it will actually match our upstairs bathroom.
I spent the entire car ride in this morning asking M, "Can you believe I'm done? I mean, really? That I never have to go back there again?" I think he can believe it as evidenced by the following comments ,"Well, it was bound to end at some point." and other such variations.
But seriously...I'm still incredulous and still fear that someone will tell me that I have to just one more thing before I'm done or that I've missed some major class I should have had....
Can you believe that I will have free time this weekend? Time that is free....not time that I have taken as free time that should have been used for studying so I feel guilty during this stolen time slot...but totally free!!!!
My last day of having to do anything grad school related was yesterday (short of turning in my final clinical hours and evaluation). Yesterday, the graduate students had to present (either oral or poster, and who would choose oral that's just crazy) our capstone projects that we've been working on for about a year.
I presented it to about 4 people, it was a breeze. And it was extra breezy becuase it was the.last.thing. i had to do. Even if I royally screwed it up, I was still graduating.
There was a breakfast, the morning presenters, a few keynote speakers, lunch, awards and then I headed for the hills. The festivities went on all day but most of my class wasn't even showing up unti the afternoon so I felt that I had put in my time.
I spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and trying not to fall asleep. I intended on buying a new wallet, I want something that's real leather but without logos and junk on it. That is surprisingly hard to find. Needless to say, I did not return home with one, but instead, some of my favorite towels from Pottery Barn. For some reason, the blue ones were on sale and it will actually match our upstairs bathroom.
I spent the entire car ride in this morning asking M, "Can you believe I'm done? I mean, really? That I never have to go back there again?" I think he can believe it as evidenced by the following comments ,"Well, it was bound to end at some point." and other such variations.
But seriously...I'm still incredulous and still fear that someone will tell me that I have to just one more thing before I'm done or that I've missed some major class I should have had....
Can you believe that I will have free time this weekend? Time that is free....not time that I have taken as free time that should have been used for studying so I feel guilty during this stolen time slot...but totally free!!!!
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