i'm all freaked out about fetal movements. last tuesday night, Peanut was break-dancing just as i laid down to go to bed, for about an hour. it was funny and unusual. and the next day, it seemed as though everything changed.
i t-boned someone in the parking lot at work; fortunately after i dropped Punkin off at school. the damage was cosmetic, and the guy didn't want to call the police ("we're on private property") or exchange insurance ("it's a work car and i don't have time"). frankly i was embarrassed. i think that part is over, but i thought about damage to the Peanut nonetheless.
el Jefe' took Abby into the vet that day. she hadn't eaten in 24 hours. they put her on an iv and did a lot of blood work. she came home on Saturday with a nearly $900 bill. will she live to see the Peanut? we've decided not to pursue life saving measures since she's so old, but we can't stand to watch her starve to death. it's a worry.
on thursday, i (and Peanut) scored a 9.5 out of 10 at fetal monitoring. my nurse reassured me that induction isn't so bad; i may dilate on my own; and besides, i'm experienced at delivering on pitocin. she also warned me that my greatest risk at my age is still birth. it's awful; it's real; and it's on my mind.
we started picking up some things for Peanut's arrival. el Jefe' wanted Peanut to have his or her own "home from the hospital" outfit. i thought that was sweet. we bought an outfit, some newborn pants and t-shirts, and i dug out Punkin's newborn clothes. we also bought Punkin a big brother t-shirt, a big brother book, and a potty book. i'm so worried this is going to be hard on him. i keep thinking these are our last days alone with him. and i keep regretting any minute that doesn't go wonderfully (plenty with a two-year-old).
we went jet-skiing at the lake for the last time yesterday. it was windy and crowded, and we risked getting stuck, but more than one "neighbor" offered to help. it wasn't a perfect day, but we went, and it will be our last.
el jefe' and i talked about delaying the move because there is potential we can't get Punkin in day care until August. no decisions. i think maybe we're preoccupied that we're having a baby on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
the end is near: an e-mail to my family
well, the end is near.
my due date is June 2, and Peanut has been in position for awhile now, and my cervix is thinning. however, my doctor is concerned that i have too much scar tissue on my cervix due to multiple procedures and surgeries past and there has been absolutely no change in the last 3 weeks. so the first 30 weeks of the pregnancy they were worried that the Peanut was going to fall out, and now it appears they'll have to intervene to get the Peanut out.
i'm scheduled to check in the hospital Tuesday night, May 29th, when they will start me on "cervical ripening". i have to stay at the hospital, but i'll be able to walk around and eat. after about 12 hours, they'll start me on pitocin. there's still a chance the ripening won't work, so when i'm in real active labor they'll put me on pain medication and cut my cervix. my monitoring nurse has been very optimistic that i won't have to be cut, and has tried to reassure me that i don't know anything different than delivery on pitocin (my water broke with Punkin, so that was the route they took) so atleast i have experience. it is a bit of a relief knowing that the wait is almost over.
i have not sent any ultrasounds because they've all been awful. el Jefe' says we're going to have a blurry baby. we know that the baby has a lot of hair, long legs, and very big feet. my doctor says Peanut is relatively small, probably under 7 lbs. i've gained 25 lbs and am carrying really low.
we had two groups come through our house yesterday with no warning from our realtor. el Jefe' was able to take Punkin to the park during one showing, but was in the middle of cooking fish tacos during the other. we had not had anyone through in a month, so he let them through. i'm sure they were scared off by the barking dog, screaming kid running around in his pull-up, and the stinky smell of fish. needless to say, the house has been on the market 3 months without an offer.
i did get excused from jury duty. i was supposed to report May 30th.
el Jefe' has been home the month of May, but does day trips North twice a week. most of them have been on our nickel. it has been very nice to be together as a family.
we just found out that Punkin is number 2 on the waiting list at daycare in the North; however they do not expect an opening until August. he and Peanut have been on this waiting list since FEBRUARY 2. Peanut is number 12 on the infant list, and should get in by the end of August/early September, which coincides pretty well with FMLA leave. we planned on moving about a month after Peanut is born ... planning on early July ... but the daycare thing may throw a wrench into that. we've talked about delaying the move, but el Jefe' really needs to be back up North, and we need to stop paying for all these flights, but i really suck at being a single mother. just another pothole along the road ...
we haven't quite coordinated the shift from the 1-bedroom apartment up North to the 2-bedroom. it gets even cozier. there is not a space for me in our Northern office; they have not signed the lease yet for the office expansion. i've been through moves and remodels with this company, so i'm guessing i won't have a desk until next year. so, the 2-bedroom apartment with 2 adults, 2 kids, and maybe 2 dogs will also be my place of employment for several months.
speaking of 2 dogs, Abby at 105 years old is hanging in there, but has been having a rough time of it. she has kidney and liver issues, and is currently at the vet's office until Saturday. she quit eating so they put her on an IV. she's doing a lot better, so we should be able to bring her home this weekend. we don't expect much longevity out of her, but she keeps proving us wrong.
i'm still at work full time, and will probably even go in on Tuesday.
i've got a project to submit final plans, specs, and estimate tomorrow. i've got to submit final specs on another project Tuesday. although i've really cleared my plate, i have several things lingering out there that are out of my control (traffic control plans up at Lake Tahoe, a change order for a parking lot out at Lake Mead, and the interim paving package for the Hoover Dam Bypass, etc.) but i can only do so much. i'm clearly not the picture of glowing motherhood, but i just have too much going on right now.
or Peanut could show up tomorrow.
hope you all are well and your lives have more of a sense of normalcy.
we'll keep you updated.
love to all -- psoup.
my due date is June 2, and Peanut has been in position for awhile now, and my cervix is thinning. however, my doctor is concerned that i have too much scar tissue on my cervix due to multiple procedures and surgeries past and there has been absolutely no change in the last 3 weeks. so the first 30 weeks of the pregnancy they were worried that the Peanut was going to fall out, and now it appears they'll have to intervene to get the Peanut out.
i'm scheduled to check in the hospital Tuesday night, May 29th, when they will start me on "cervical ripening". i have to stay at the hospital, but i'll be able to walk around and eat. after about 12 hours, they'll start me on pitocin. there's still a chance the ripening won't work, so when i'm in real active labor they'll put me on pain medication and cut my cervix. my monitoring nurse has been very optimistic that i won't have to be cut, and has tried to reassure me that i don't know anything different than delivery on pitocin (my water broke with Punkin, so that was the route they took) so atleast i have experience. it is a bit of a relief knowing that the wait is almost over.
i have not sent any ultrasounds because they've all been awful. el Jefe' says we're going to have a blurry baby. we know that the baby has a lot of hair, long legs, and very big feet. my doctor says Peanut is relatively small, probably under 7 lbs. i've gained 25 lbs and am carrying really low.
we had two groups come through our house yesterday with no warning from our realtor. el Jefe' was able to take Punkin to the park during one showing, but was in the middle of cooking fish tacos during the other. we had not had anyone through in a month, so he let them through. i'm sure they were scared off by the barking dog, screaming kid running around in his pull-up, and the stinky smell of fish. needless to say, the house has been on the market 3 months without an offer.
i did get excused from jury duty. i was supposed to report May 30th.
el Jefe' has been home the month of May, but does day trips North twice a week. most of them have been on our nickel. it has been very nice to be together as a family.
we just found out that Punkin is number 2 on the waiting list at daycare in the North; however they do not expect an opening until August. he and Peanut have been on this waiting list since FEBRUARY 2. Peanut is number 12 on the infant list, and should get in by the end of August/early September, which coincides pretty well with FMLA leave. we planned on moving about a month after Peanut is born ... planning on early July ... but the daycare thing may throw a wrench into that. we've talked about delaying the move, but el Jefe' really needs to be back up North, and we need to stop paying for all these flights, but i really suck at being a single mother. just another pothole along the road ...
we haven't quite coordinated the shift from the 1-bedroom apartment up North to the 2-bedroom. it gets even cozier. there is not a space for me in our Northern office; they have not signed the lease yet for the office expansion. i've been through moves and remodels with this company, so i'm guessing i won't have a desk until next year. so, the 2-bedroom apartment with 2 adults, 2 kids, and maybe 2 dogs will also be my place of employment for several months.
speaking of 2 dogs, Abby at 105 years old is hanging in there, but has been having a rough time of it. she has kidney and liver issues, and is currently at the vet's office until Saturday. she quit eating so they put her on an IV. she's doing a lot better, so we should be able to bring her home this weekend. we don't expect much longevity out of her, but she keeps proving us wrong.
i'm still at work full time, and will probably even go in on Tuesday.
i've got a project to submit final plans, specs, and estimate tomorrow. i've got to submit final specs on another project Tuesday. although i've really cleared my plate, i have several things lingering out there that are out of my control (traffic control plans up at Lake Tahoe, a change order for a parking lot out at Lake Mead, and the interim paving package for the Hoover Dam Bypass, etc.) but i can only do so much. i'm clearly not the picture of glowing motherhood, but i just have too much going on right now.
or Peanut could show up tomorrow.
hope you all are well and your lives have more of a sense of normalcy.
we'll keep you updated.
love to all -- psoup.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
we have a plan
i'm still at 171 or 172 lbs. my blood pressure is good at 121 over 75. and we have a plan.
my gyn ob is recommending "cervical ripening" (el Jefe' made comments about a mango ... rather appropriate). i asked if it was like an enema. he described it as medication on gauze that is applied topically, although internally. i'll be at the hospital, but i can eat and walk around. after about 12 hours, they'll induce me with pitocin. hooray. and if my cervix doesn't cooperate, in the immortal words of my Mormon coworker, "they have drugs for that." my ob gyn describes them as good pain relief for when he cuts my cervix. isn't that a pleasant thought? makes you look forward to the episiotomy, too.
he suggested we do it in the next five days, but i negotiated for the Holiday weekend.
so Tuesday, May 29th, i check in to the hospital at 8:00 pm.
unless Peanut decides to show up sooner, that's the plan.
my gyn ob is recommending "cervical ripening" (el Jefe' made comments about a mango ... rather appropriate). i asked if it was like an enema. he described it as medication on gauze that is applied topically, although internally. i'll be at the hospital, but i can eat and walk around. after about 12 hours, they'll induce me with pitocin. hooray. and if my cervix doesn't cooperate, in the immortal words of my Mormon coworker, "they have drugs for that." my ob gyn describes them as good pain relief for when he cuts my cervix. isn't that a pleasant thought? makes you look forward to the episiotomy, too.
he suggested we do it in the next five days, but i negotiated for the Holiday weekend.
so Tuesday, May 29th, i check in to the hospital at 8:00 pm.
unless Peanut decides to show up sooner, that's the plan.
Monday, May 21, 2007
for just one more weekend
so i'm torn between moving on with my life, our lives, with a new baby, and hanging in there uncomfortable, sore swollen feet, gagging on acid, waddling, exhausted all the time for just one more weekend. that being Memorial Day weekend, a three-day weekend for those of us in the working world (non-government employees) who have made it through Holiday drought since January.
i got a little spoiled the past two weeks. i told el Jefe' that no matter my condition, and no matter what my ob-gyn says, i wanted to go to the lake and ride our Jet Skis one last time. riding Jet Skis at the lake (the-largest-man-made-body-of-water-in-the-continental-United-States lake) has been part of our lives since summer 1998. just the two of us, or the whole family, or with friends and moochers, we've had countless hours of fun and enjoyment. we've toured, we've putted around, we've tubed, we've skiied, we've wake boarded, and it has been a blast.
so the past two weekends, we've spent a couple hours at the lake. the Saturday before Mother's Day, we could only get the red ski started, but el Jefe' and i took turns with Punkin, and even went for a family ride as a three-some. the red ski is a three-seater, capable of towing, and as stable as can be ... kind of like an SUV. we never got over 25 mph, but we had a great day.
yesterday, after el Jefe' purchased a new battery for the yellow ski, we went again. Punkin rode with his daddy for the first time on the yellow ski yesterday. the yellow ski has the same engine (1100 cc) and horsepower (120) as the red ski, but it's only a two-seater; definately the sports car among the two. we took a longer ride and went to the Dam. Punkin waved at sailboats and the big paddlewheel boat. and i hauled my gut onto the yellow ski for a short solo run, never went much over 20 mph, but told el Jefe' that one single short ride was worth the price of the battery.
the Jet Skis and trailer are for sale due to too many environmental restrictions up North. i feel like every ride is my last; the end of an era. we have vowed to continue this past-time when we move. but for now, if i could, i would like to have just one more weekend at the lake with my family.
i got a little spoiled the past two weeks. i told el Jefe' that no matter my condition, and no matter what my ob-gyn says, i wanted to go to the lake and ride our Jet Skis one last time. riding Jet Skis at the lake (the-largest-man-made-body-of-water-in-the-continental-United-States lake) has been part of our lives since summer 1998. just the two of us, or the whole family, or with friends and moochers, we've had countless hours of fun and enjoyment. we've toured, we've putted around, we've tubed, we've skiied, we've wake boarded, and it has been a blast.
so the past two weekends, we've spent a couple hours at the lake. the Saturday before Mother's Day, we could only get the red ski started, but el Jefe' and i took turns with Punkin, and even went for a family ride as a three-some. the red ski is a three-seater, capable of towing, and as stable as can be ... kind of like an SUV. we never got over 25 mph, but we had a great day.
yesterday, after el Jefe' purchased a new battery for the yellow ski, we went again. Punkin rode with his daddy for the first time on the yellow ski yesterday. the yellow ski has the same engine (1100 cc) and horsepower (120) as the red ski, but it's only a two-seater; definately the sports car among the two. we took a longer ride and went to the Dam. Punkin waved at sailboats and the big paddlewheel boat. and i hauled my gut onto the yellow ski for a short solo run, never went much over 20 mph, but told el Jefe' that one single short ride was worth the price of the battery.
the Jet Skis and trailer are for sale due to too many environmental restrictions up North. i feel like every ride is my last; the end of an era. we have vowed to continue this past-time when we move. but for now, if i could, i would like to have just one more weekend at the lake with my family.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
i'm still pregnant
i'm still pregnant.
i've gained 25 lbs. my blood pressure is good. i've scored a 10 at monitoring sessions the past two weeks. and i've passed the duration i was pregnant with Punkin (37 weeks 3 days). my gyn ob has discussed the need to cut my cervix at my last two appointments. he has mentioned "good pain relief" both times. i wanted to go all natural, just to say i did, because i think i have a high tolerance for pain, because i didn't get the option with Punkin (my water broke and i was on Pitocin for 12 hours without dilating), but i guess that's not part of the plan. not like you get a gold medal, anyway.
i've got less than two weeks to go (i'm still not considering going over my due date, which i guess is a possibility.) el Jefe' is finally through the name book, but that doesn't mean we have any front runners. Peanut works just fine, right?
i didn't remove my engagement ring until i was in labor and delivery with Punkin. it's been off for a week now. i don't remember distinct elbows or karate kicks from the inside coming from Punkin, but apparently Peanut is a budding martial artist. i don't remember feeling as though the life force was sucked out of me (especially on weekends). i don't remember having such a hard time wiping my ass.
so sure, i'd like to be done with this part, but the thought of the next parts (Punkin while we're at the hospital, a new baby, breastfeeding, packing, and relocating 9 hours away) are a little more than i can fathom right now.
i've gained 25 lbs. my blood pressure is good. i've scored a 10 at monitoring sessions the past two weeks. and i've passed the duration i was pregnant with Punkin (37 weeks 3 days). my gyn ob has discussed the need to cut my cervix at my last two appointments. he has mentioned "good pain relief" both times. i wanted to go all natural, just to say i did, because i think i have a high tolerance for pain, because i didn't get the option with Punkin (my water broke and i was on Pitocin for 12 hours without dilating), but i guess that's not part of the plan. not like you get a gold medal, anyway.
i've got less than two weeks to go (i'm still not considering going over my due date, which i guess is a possibility.) el Jefe' is finally through the name book, but that doesn't mean we have any front runners. Peanut works just fine, right?
i didn't remove my engagement ring until i was in labor and delivery with Punkin. it's been off for a week now. i don't remember distinct elbows or karate kicks from the inside coming from Punkin, but apparently Peanut is a budding martial artist. i don't remember feeling as though the life force was sucked out of me (especially on weekends). i don't remember having such a hard time wiping my ass.
so sure, i'd like to be done with this part, but the thought of the next parts (Punkin while we're at the hospital, a new baby, breastfeeding, packing, and relocating 9 hours away) are a little more than i can fathom right now.
Monday, May 14, 2007
another day
we sucked at bocce ball. not really, we just lost two games right out of the chute, so we were doubly eliminated. no matter; we had fun. and eventually el Jefe' and i celebrated the anniversary of sorts.
thursday i felt awful. i have several coworkers who have been sick for weeks. upper respiratory. i felt a scratchy throat, and feverish, and a debilitating sense of exhaustion. it took everything i had to get Punkin to school. but somehow, i hung in there through the day. i was going to ask el Jefe' to cancel his day trip up North on Friday, but his meeting got cancelled so his trip was cancelled anyway. that was a relief.
thursday evening, my boss told me he has been reassigned. kind of a demotion. an undefined position (doesn't that sound familiar?) but they didn't fire him. i should've taken him for drinks and commiserated with him, but i'm not much fun in a bar these days. he made some comment how it didn't matter to me since i am having a baby. no, i told him, the baby just keeps me from worrying much about my career these days. it has been coming for months, and something needed to happen for months, and it finally did. his interim replacement got his graduate degree the year i was born. you could say he has some experience.
friday i backed my car into a trailer at Starbucks. pregnant women should not be allowed to drive. my own fault, my own stupidity. i swear, some of the panel pieces on my car are made out of paper. whatever. the damage is cosmetic. work was filled with lots of talk about my boss's interim replacement. oh, and i sent in the paperwork from my doctor to get me out of jury duty. that actually was a relief. or maybe my boss getting reassigned was a relief. i just felt better.
saturday we went jet skiing at the lake. we've been talking about it for a couple weeks. i know it was against doctor's orders, but it was important to me. removing and replacing the registration stickers made me sad. this activity has been a huge part of our lives for nine years. one ski needs a new battery so it didn't start. still, we all had a good day, and el Jefe' and i got sunburned (we're still feeling it).
Punkin spent saturday night throwing up. sunday was Mother's Day ( i got new jammies, perfume, and shampoo). and today's another day.
thursday i felt awful. i have several coworkers who have been sick for weeks. upper respiratory. i felt a scratchy throat, and feverish, and a debilitating sense of exhaustion. it took everything i had to get Punkin to school. but somehow, i hung in there through the day. i was going to ask el Jefe' to cancel his day trip up North on Friday, but his meeting got cancelled so his trip was cancelled anyway. that was a relief.
thursday evening, my boss told me he has been reassigned. kind of a demotion. an undefined position (doesn't that sound familiar?) but they didn't fire him. i should've taken him for drinks and commiserated with him, but i'm not much fun in a bar these days. he made some comment how it didn't matter to me since i am having a baby. no, i told him, the baby just keeps me from worrying much about my career these days. it has been coming for months, and something needed to happen for months, and it finally did. his interim replacement got his graduate degree the year i was born. you could say he has some experience.
friday i backed my car into a trailer at Starbucks. pregnant women should not be allowed to drive. my own fault, my own stupidity. i swear, some of the panel pieces on my car are made out of paper. whatever. the damage is cosmetic. work was filled with lots of talk about my boss's interim replacement. oh, and i sent in the paperwork from my doctor to get me out of jury duty. that actually was a relief. or maybe my boss getting reassigned was a relief. i just felt better.
saturday we went jet skiing at the lake. we've been talking about it for a couple weeks. i know it was against doctor's orders, but it was important to me. removing and replacing the registration stickers made me sad. this activity has been a huge part of our lives for nine years. one ski needs a new battery so it didn't start. still, we all had a good day, and el Jefe' and i got sunburned (we're still feeling it).
Punkin spent saturday night throwing up. sunday was Mother's Day ( i got new jammies, perfume, and shampoo). and today's another day.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
doctor's orders
another visit (weekly) to the ob-gyn. i'm at 36 weeks and a couple days. still 170 pounds, with a good blood pressure of 120/72. i'm tired and my feet hurt. the Peanut's head is not engaged, and my cervix is still "way back there". walk or have sex: doctor's orders.
i'm starting to wrap things up at work. i have two projects due at the end of the month that i have the feeling i'm not going to be able to sign. and it doesn't bother me. i've done more than my fair share, and it's time to move on.
el Jefe', Punkin, and i did the 5K walk for Race for the Cure on Saturday. this was Punkin's third year of participation. he got a giant popsicle, a very cool t-shirt that is finally a kid's size, and we all had a good lunch (brunch) afterwards. i'm glad we didn't miss it.
on Sunday, i bowled three games for Corporate Challenge. our team of five varies from year to year, but three of us have bowled together consistently for the past five years (or something like that). our Captain (a former professional bowler) and i carried the team even though we are both women. i bowled well for me: 152, 182, and 136. several people, both men and women, wished they were pregnant so they could bowl better. every pin was work, but again, i'm glad i didn't miss it this year.
tonight is Corporate Challenge Bocce. again, i've been the Captain for a number of years. this one is particularly special and near and dear to my heart, not because i've got a silver medal from years and years ago. it's special because it marks the fourth anniversary of Punkin's conception. we weren't trying, and we just never thought it would happen. i came home tipsy (i did not have a 12-pack of Foster's as el Jefe' tells the story, but i did have plenty) and el Jefe' and i made passionate love, and we didn't take any precautions. now we have one terrific little boy who is 28-months old today.
maybe el Jefe' and i will try to get labor started tonight. for old times' sake.
i'm starting to wrap things up at work. i have two projects due at the end of the month that i have the feeling i'm not going to be able to sign. and it doesn't bother me. i've done more than my fair share, and it's time to move on.
el Jefe', Punkin, and i did the 5K walk for Race for the Cure on Saturday. this was Punkin's third year of participation. he got a giant popsicle, a very cool t-shirt that is finally a kid's size, and we all had a good lunch (brunch) afterwards. i'm glad we didn't miss it.
on Sunday, i bowled three games for Corporate Challenge. our team of five varies from year to year, but three of us have bowled together consistently for the past five years (or something like that). our Captain (a former professional bowler) and i carried the team even though we are both women. i bowled well for me: 152, 182, and 136. several people, both men and women, wished they were pregnant so they could bowl better. every pin was work, but again, i'm glad i didn't miss it this year.
tonight is Corporate Challenge Bocce. again, i've been the Captain for a number of years. this one is particularly special and near and dear to my heart, not because i've got a silver medal from years and years ago. it's special because it marks the fourth anniversary of Punkin's conception. we weren't trying, and we just never thought it would happen. i came home tipsy (i did not have a 12-pack of Foster's as el Jefe' tells the story, but i did have plenty) and el Jefe' and i made passionate love, and we didn't take any precautions. now we have one terrific little boy who is 28-months old today.
maybe el Jefe' and i will try to get labor started tonight. for old times' sake.
Monday, May 07, 2007
are you feelin' lucky?
so much to tell, yet my latest challenge takes the cake.
i'm 42. i'm in my ninth month of pregnancy, feasibly overcoming my age and cevical incompetancy risk factors. we don't have a name for the baby (other than Peanut). i work full-time outside the home in a career that i find unrewarding. my husband got a promotion nearly four months ago, and has been spending quite a bit of time over 400 miles away in a one-bedroom apartment. our home has been on the market, for sale, nearly three months without an offer. after the baby is born, we will relocate North, over 400 miles away. our two-year-old Punkin has been on a waiting list at day care in the North for over four months, with two more months to go. it will be two adults, two kids, and two dogs in a two-bedroom apartment (we have yet to sign a lease). one of the dogs is incontinent and 105 years old. i will transfer to an office with no physical space for me, so the two-bedroom apartment will serve yet another function ... my place of employment. i have no definitive job description or duties when i transfer North. i will be leaving behind my parents, aged 71 and 82, probably at a time when they need assistance most. we are looking at a potential IRS audit for the tax year 2005.
i got a jury summons in the mail for the end of May. four days shy of my due date.
i'm 42. i'm in my ninth month of pregnancy, feasibly overcoming my age and cevical incompetancy risk factors. we don't have a name for the baby (other than Peanut). i work full-time outside the home in a career that i find unrewarding. my husband got a promotion nearly four months ago, and has been spending quite a bit of time over 400 miles away in a one-bedroom apartment. our home has been on the market, for sale, nearly three months without an offer. after the baby is born, we will relocate North, over 400 miles away. our two-year-old Punkin has been on a waiting list at day care in the North for over four months, with two more months to go. it will be two adults, two kids, and two dogs in a two-bedroom apartment (we have yet to sign a lease). one of the dogs is incontinent and 105 years old. i will transfer to an office with no physical space for me, so the two-bedroom apartment will serve yet another function ... my place of employment. i have no definitive job description or duties when i transfer North. i will be leaving behind my parents, aged 71 and 82, probably at a time when they need assistance most. we are looking at a potential IRS audit for the tax year 2005.
i got a jury summons in the mail for the end of May. four days shy of my due date.
Friday, May 04, 2007
what if
the traffic through our house in the South seems to be tapering off. i honestly don't know if anyone has been through the house in the past two weeks (tapering off to nothing). there are a ton of homes in the Valley on the market; the problem is excess inventory. but the only way i know to get some more interest is to lower the price. no matter what we'll make money. but it truly is an exercise in patience. we don't want to give it away. we want to protect our investment. but when do we say when? and how much is it going to take to find a buyer who will make an offer?
we've held off on scheduling the upgrade to the two bedroom apartment up North. what if only a third floor apartment is available? worse yet, what if there isn't one available? how many months will we be paying rent in the North and a mortgage in the South? yes, we've considered a renter in the South, but i'm worried about the liability of the pool. and the condition of the house. and then there's a down payment that would decimate our savings and we'd be taking on a mortgage more than double what we have now.
my work is basically handled. i have loose ends to tie up, but i've got enough back up plans in place that they can survive without me (and they will). el Jefe's employer is being relatively flexible ... he's a good employee and has not asked for any out-of-the-question concessions. that part of our lives is taken care of. (does it say something about ourselves that our own lives, our home lives, are not?)
i really haven't considered going over the Peanut's due date of June 2nd (May 33rd). early June, or really late May, seemed like a good time ... spend our last month, the month of June, in the South and relocate North at the beginning of July (maybe take advantage of a July 4th Holiday?). if the Peanut is late, and since my gyn-ob thinks i'm small, maybe he wants more baking time, the schedule shifts ... maybe a little less convenient?
and the big one ... what if Peanut is not the picture of health?
we've held off on scheduling the upgrade to the two bedroom apartment up North. what if only a third floor apartment is available? worse yet, what if there isn't one available? how many months will we be paying rent in the North and a mortgage in the South? yes, we've considered a renter in the South, but i'm worried about the liability of the pool. and the condition of the house. and then there's a down payment that would decimate our savings and we'd be taking on a mortgage more than double what we have now.
my work is basically handled. i have loose ends to tie up, but i've got enough back up plans in place that they can survive without me (and they will). el Jefe's employer is being relatively flexible ... he's a good employee and has not asked for any out-of-the-question concessions. that part of our lives is taken care of. (does it say something about ourselves that our own lives, our home lives, are not?)
i really haven't considered going over the Peanut's due date of June 2nd (May 33rd). early June, or really late May, seemed like a good time ... spend our last month, the month of June, in the South and relocate North at the beginning of July (maybe take advantage of a July 4th Holiday?). if the Peanut is late, and since my gyn-ob thinks i'm small, maybe he wants more baking time, the schedule shifts ... maybe a little less convenient?
and the big one ... what if Peanut is not the picture of health?
Thursday, May 03, 2007
long and winding road
after a one week hiatus, i went to the gyn-ob on Tuesday. a whopping 170 lbs, with a decent blood pressure of 125/70. my weight gain is still ok ... i'm just a bit disgusted that i started out so heavy. the Peanut is not in position. my cervix is "way back there". i am small (or the Peanut is small). ya know, these are not very comforting statements.
when i was pregnant with the Punkin, i heard how large his head was at nearly every ultrasound (which is a lot when you are old and have the risk of an incompetant cervix). this time i've heard how large the Peanut's feet are, and how long and crooked the birth canal is. is it better not to know these things?
when i was pregnant with the Punkin, i heard how large his head was at nearly every ultrasound (which is a lot when you are old and have the risk of an incompetant cervix). this time i've heard how large the Peanut's feet are, and how long and crooked the birth canal is. is it better not to know these things?
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
guess who's coming to dinner?
so my brother-in-law, the eldest's husband, got a letter from the IRS about owing back taxes from 2005 on rental property in Hawaii. fortunately, in his case, it is not identity theft. unfortunately, in my case, it is our rental property in Hawaii.
my parents named us all with the same first initial. i think they thought it was cute, especially having three girls. we were like little show ponies, and it really is quite sickening. the same first initial causing stuttering when aggravated. and they often go through the list of names, including the dog (who has a different first initial), in an attempt to exclaim the right name. coupled with this is the fact that they applied for our social security numbers all at the same time, and even though there are 6 years separating the 3 of us, we have consecutive numbers (appropriately mine is the smallest, middle has the middle, and the eldest has the largest).
so it could be the initials, or the proximity of the social security number, but it looks like we stand a very good chance of getting audited. it will most likely be the day the movers show up.
"sure, Agent Pain-in-the-Ass, the 2005 tax forms are in that box, that looks just like the other 150 boxes. do you mind breastfeeding this baby while i change Punkin's poopy diaper (with corn in it!)? oh look, here come some potential buyers of our house without an appointment ... maybe you can make sure the crippled one doesn't fall down the stairs? oh, and don't mind that wet spot ... it's just from the 105-year-old incontinent dog. sorry, el Jefe' couldn't be here. he had to drive 8 hours North to switch apartments, pay another deposit, and hump furniture alone across the parking lot because we don't know anyone up North and my family is worthless. we've paid taxes on this money several times ... that's the Hawaii way ... but we still owe you money? not just from 2005, but 2003 and 2004, too? oh here, let me write you a check. it's no problem at all because even though my company doesn't have maternity leave (or an office or cube for me to transfer to), i get 4 whole weeks at 66 2/3 pay. we've been running two households since February. hell, take Punkin's savings account while you're at it."
so with the Peanut, i am not concerned about consecutive social security numbers. but in terms of a name, i've omitted three letters from the alphabet (the first initial of my name, el Jefe's, and Punkin's). wow, it just doesn't get any easier than that.
my parents named us all with the same first initial. i think they thought it was cute, especially having three girls. we were like little show ponies, and it really is quite sickening. the same first initial causing stuttering when aggravated. and they often go through the list of names, including the dog (who has a different first initial), in an attempt to exclaim the right name. coupled with this is the fact that they applied for our social security numbers all at the same time, and even though there are 6 years separating the 3 of us, we have consecutive numbers (appropriately mine is the smallest, middle has the middle, and the eldest has the largest).
so it could be the initials, or the proximity of the social security number, but it looks like we stand a very good chance of getting audited. it will most likely be the day the movers show up.
"sure, Agent Pain-in-the-Ass, the 2005 tax forms are in that box, that looks just like the other 150 boxes. do you mind breastfeeding this baby while i change Punkin's poopy diaper (with corn in it!)? oh look, here come some potential buyers of our house without an appointment ... maybe you can make sure the crippled one doesn't fall down the stairs? oh, and don't mind that wet spot ... it's just from the 105-year-old incontinent dog. sorry, el Jefe' couldn't be here. he had to drive 8 hours North to switch apartments, pay another deposit, and hump furniture alone across the parking lot because we don't know anyone up North and my family is worthless. we've paid taxes on this money several times ... that's the Hawaii way ... but we still owe you money? not just from 2005, but 2003 and 2004, too? oh here, let me write you a check. it's no problem at all because even though my company doesn't have maternity leave (or an office or cube for me to transfer to), i get 4 whole weeks at 66 2/3 pay. we've been running two households since February. hell, take Punkin's savings account while you're at it."
so with the Peanut, i am not concerned about consecutive social security numbers. but in terms of a name, i've omitted three letters from the alphabet (the first initial of my name, el Jefe's, and Punkin's). wow, it just doesn't get any easier than that.
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