Chris and I have been together for seven Thanksgivings and have spent every one of them together with his family, and all but two have been in our home. I always get excited, but this year is different and I can't really explain why. Thanksgiving is a BIG holiday in the Rowland family. Maybe the biggest. I am so stinking excited for the entire holiday season that I just can't sit still. I hate to admit this part, but I am already listening to Christmas music and have painted my nails the most festive color of reddish-pink that I can tolerate!
My excitement for the holidays is absolutely uncontainable. Maybe it's the whole "I'm gonna have a baby" thing. Maybe it's because I know this is the last year that I have to celebrate Christmas without a legitimate visit to Santa (I love him!!). The reason doesn't really matter. The fact is that I am really excited and really happy, and isn't that what the holidays are all about?
Chris happened to be folding laundry in the bedroom portion of my office while I was listening to XM Holiday Traditions this week. While he was in there I heard a man reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas." When he got to the part of "...then out on the lawn arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash. Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash." I added, "I guess I shouldn't have eaten so much sash" and burst out laughing.
My husband thought I had officially lost my mind. I didn't make it up. It was on a Christmas card that Grandma Melanie either received or gave, or something. But regardless, I think she reused it EVERY year...she may have bought a million of them, I don't know for sure, but I am pretty sure it was her favorite! And it was a perfect Christmas memory. Family, do all of you remember that too?
So, with that, whether you like this or not, I will break out the first MERRY WOOLEY of the season!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Aversions Converted
I know I've written about how miserable the first trimester was. The nausea, the food aversions, the tiredness, the nausea, did I mention the nausea? Well, that passed and the second trimester began with really weird food aversions. The smell of some foods that I love would seriously have me running away from the table. And then all of a sudden, as if by magic, that went away too. And has been replaced by the need to eat things I wouldn't normally eat.
For example, I was watching TV earlier this week and saw a commercial for Wendy's. I don't really like fast food and would opt for a bowl of cereal before I'd eat it...until that dumb commercial showed a Frosty. It's their chocolatey, ice creamy, super thick and rich cup of deliciousness. I can't remember the last time I had one. In fact, I can't remember having one...maybe ever (although I am sure that's not true). But I needed one. It was late, I was tired, and I resisted the urge to jump in the car and go get one. Besides, there is nothing in a Wendy's Frosty that I need nutritionally. Whew! Dodged that one!
Sunday afternoon I had gone to Costco for a few cheap things (their Diet Dr. Pepper for Chris is super cheap and I had a $3 off coupon for paper towel). As I looked for my favorite Greek yogurt, I walked past the Jimmy Dean turkey sausage links and for some reason I tossed them in the cart. They were much cheaper than at the grocery store...for three dollars more I got four times as many. And now I can't stop thinking about them. I had three little turkey sausage links, some pickles and an apple for lunch yesterday. The pickles and the apple are a staple for me anyway, but the sausages? That's just weird...even for me. And I will probably have that again today. Seriously? Turkey sausage? Non-pregnant, the sort of stunk to me. Now, they smell like a perfect lunch!
Then last night something made me think of root beer. I needed a can of root beer. But not any root beer, I really wanted the Whole Foods brand and I wanted a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it. Then I decided that chocolate chip ice cream would be even better in it. I don't like chocolate chips in my ice cream...they get stuck in my teeth and that's if they aren't threatening to break a tooth! There's no nutritional value in any of that so I resisted the urge (again) and another, WHEW! Glad that passed!
One of these days, some odd-ball craving like this is going to strike while I am in a place that will enable me to do something about it. Please don't let it be something so weird that the clerk at the grocery store thinks I've lost my marbles!
With the exception of this sinus infection, this pregnancy thing just started getting a whole lot more fun. Thank goodness I don't keep junk food in our house or I'd gain a million pounds!
For example, I was watching TV earlier this week and saw a commercial for Wendy's. I don't really like fast food and would opt for a bowl of cereal before I'd eat it...until that dumb commercial showed a Frosty. It's their chocolatey, ice creamy, super thick and rich cup of deliciousness. I can't remember the last time I had one. In fact, I can't remember having one...maybe ever (although I am sure that's not true). But I needed one. It was late, I was tired, and I resisted the urge to jump in the car and go get one. Besides, there is nothing in a Wendy's Frosty that I need nutritionally. Whew! Dodged that one!
Sunday afternoon I had gone to Costco for a few cheap things (their Diet Dr. Pepper for Chris is super cheap and I had a $3 off coupon for paper towel). As I looked for my favorite Greek yogurt, I walked past the Jimmy Dean turkey sausage links and for some reason I tossed them in the cart. They were much cheaper than at the grocery store...for three dollars more I got four times as many. And now I can't stop thinking about them. I had three little turkey sausage links, some pickles and an apple for lunch yesterday. The pickles and the apple are a staple for me anyway, but the sausages? That's just weird...even for me. And I will probably have that again today. Seriously? Turkey sausage? Non-pregnant, the sort of stunk to me. Now, they smell like a perfect lunch!
Then last night something made me think of root beer. I needed a can of root beer. But not any root beer, I really wanted the Whole Foods brand and I wanted a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it. Then I decided that chocolate chip ice cream would be even better in it. I don't like chocolate chips in my ice cream...they get stuck in my teeth and that's if they aren't threatening to break a tooth! There's no nutritional value in any of that so I resisted the urge (again) and another, WHEW! Glad that passed!
One of these days, some odd-ball craving like this is going to strike while I am in a place that will enable me to do something about it. Please don't let it be something so weird that the clerk at the grocery store thinks I've lost my marbles!
With the exception of this sinus infection, this pregnancy thing just started getting a whole lot more fun. Thank goodness I don't keep junk food in our house or I'd gain a million pounds!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Relief
I know that I am only 16 weeks, 4 days pregnant. I also know that sometimes, my need to "answer the question" can sometimes overshadow the importance of patience.
Per the suggestion of most of my friends with kids, Chris and I started shopping for daycare as soon as the first trimester was over and we were "out of the woods," so to speak. We had it in our heads that we would take our son to a "center" such as Kindercare or someplace similar. And based on what we knew from our friends in Dallas and our friends here in Denver, we thought we had a pretty good grasp on the monthly expense of daycare. Well, we were wrong. We learned that the price of taking your child to a center is based as much on your zip code as it is on the quality of care. And it was not going to be affordable for us. And my "not affordable," I really mean, it was going to be more than twice what we THOUGHT it would be. So, we weighed our options and forged ahead, just in a new direction.
A few weeks ago, I used the State of Colorado website to help me locate private daycare providers who are licensed through the state. It even allowed me to see who had violations and who did not, and when their last social services surprise inspection took place. I was a relief to learn that there were several who fit my irrational criteria of being perfect and also happen to be close to our home.
The only problem is that most in-home private daycare providers are limited to two children under the age of two, and only one can be twelve months or younger. That tightens the scope a little. Or a lot. Of the seven I called, three never called me back (which removes them from my list automatically), three said to call back in April to see if they have availability and one said, "yes."
We went to visit Violy today. Her name is pronounced like ravioli, the food, only without the "ra" at the beginning. On the phone, my impression was that she would be a great temporary solution until we found the perfect spot. When we got to her house and got to meet her, I feel in love. I wanted to shrink her down and put her in my pocket and keep her forever and ever. She has a HUGE backyard with all kinds of play stuff, and unless it's muddy out, the kids play outside every day. She makes lunch that is things like stir fry and chicken and homemade soups. Every summer she grows all kinds of veggies in her garden that she uses to feed the kids. They sing and read and color and practice the alphabet and counting. And her house smelled good. I mean REALLY good. And that's saying a lot, coming from me. Violy was warm and nurturing and motherly. She seemed caring and genuinely loved what she does every day. Her terms are fair and her price is in our budget.
My engineer of a husband hates "buying the first thing you see" but when we actually talked about it, this makes a lot of sense. None of the others can't guarantee us today that our son will have a loving environment outside of our home when he's only six weeks old. In fact, they don't really even want us to walk through until a spot becomes available. A few cared so little about caring for our child that they never called me back. And then there was Violy. I am a pretty good judge of character and I felt very comfortable in her home. So comfortable that I wondered if I could go nap there every afternoon. If just felt good.
So, as soon as I publish post, I am calling Violy back and telling her to print the paperwork for us so that I can pick it up tonight and drop a check off to her for two weeks of daycare.
If being a mother didn't seem real before, it sure does now.
Per the suggestion of most of my friends with kids, Chris and I started shopping for daycare as soon as the first trimester was over and we were "out of the woods," so to speak. We had it in our heads that we would take our son to a "center" such as Kindercare or someplace similar. And based on what we knew from our friends in Dallas and our friends here in Denver, we thought we had a pretty good grasp on the monthly expense of daycare. Well, we were wrong. We learned that the price of taking your child to a center is based as much on your zip code as it is on the quality of care. And it was not going to be affordable for us. And my "not affordable," I really mean, it was going to be more than twice what we THOUGHT it would be. So, we weighed our options and forged ahead, just in a new direction.
A few weeks ago, I used the State of Colorado website to help me locate private daycare providers who are licensed through the state. It even allowed me to see who had violations and who did not, and when their last social services surprise inspection took place. I was a relief to learn that there were several who fit my irrational criteria of being perfect and also happen to be close to our home.
The only problem is that most in-home private daycare providers are limited to two children under the age of two, and only one can be twelve months or younger. That tightens the scope a little. Or a lot. Of the seven I called, three never called me back (which removes them from my list automatically), three said to call back in April to see if they have availability and one said, "yes."
We went to visit Violy today. Her name is pronounced like ravioli, the food, only without the "ra" at the beginning. On the phone, my impression was that she would be a great temporary solution until we found the perfect spot. When we got to her house and got to meet her, I feel in love. I wanted to shrink her down and put her in my pocket and keep her forever and ever. She has a HUGE backyard with all kinds of play stuff, and unless it's muddy out, the kids play outside every day. She makes lunch that is things like stir fry and chicken and homemade soups. Every summer she grows all kinds of veggies in her garden that she uses to feed the kids. They sing and read and color and practice the alphabet and counting. And her house smelled good. I mean REALLY good. And that's saying a lot, coming from me. Violy was warm and nurturing and motherly. She seemed caring and genuinely loved what she does every day. Her terms are fair and her price is in our budget.
My engineer of a husband hates "buying the first thing you see" but when we actually talked about it, this makes a lot of sense. None of the others can't guarantee us today that our son will have a loving environment outside of our home when he's only six weeks old. In fact, they don't really even want us to walk through until a spot becomes available. A few cared so little about caring for our child that they never called me back. And then there was Violy. I am a pretty good judge of character and I felt very comfortable in her home. So comfortable that I wondered if I could go nap there every afternoon. If just felt good.
So, as soon as I publish post, I am calling Violy back and telling her to print the paperwork for us so that I can pick it up tonight and drop a check off to her for two weeks of daycare.
If being a mother didn't seem real before, it sure does now.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Scatter Pattern
I am feeling a little all over the place today. So much to say, so much to do and VERY little time to get it all out. So, you know me. Here's a list that essentially summarizes the scatter pattern in my brain:
- We finally bought our good camera on Saturday. After determining our budget and test-driving several of them, we landed on the Nikon D3000 and could not be happier. We tinkered with it a little on Saturday and I think we are going to love it. And the memory card plugs directly into the side of Chris' new iMac computer for easy downloading and editing. YAY!! Pictures will start rolling in soon!
- We were given our first hand-me-downs for baby-boy-Rowland. A dear family friend, Rebecca had her son in May of this year and sent us a box stuffed FULL of his clothes from the summertime. Chris and I were in absolute awe when we opened the box and saw all of the really cute things in there. It made it all seem very real. Now we need to figure out where we are going to put them. For now, the box they came in will have to do.
- I leave tomorrow morning for Michigan for the week. Most of my time will be spent in Detroit...very close to the airport, but I am going to manage to swing up to MP for a day to see the family and celebrate Dad's 65th birthday with him. I will be a couple days early, but us McFarlanes celebrate for a week anyway, so I'll be there to kick it off!
- We have another winter storm watch. Last Wednesday we ended up with 8 inches of snow. This time it will start on Tuesday night and roll into Wednesday with another 4 - 8 inches of snow. Thankfully the first round has completely melted. Here's hoping the next snow melts just as quickly. Looks like I am getting out of dodge just in time!
- YIKES! Trick-or-Treaters will be ringing our doorbell tonight from 6 to 8 pm. I guess I should run to the store and get some candy for them. I don't have enough travel toothpaste to share with all of them (just kidding, of course! I wouldn't share it with them even if I had it for them!).
- Groceries. Bigger yikes. I don't even have anything here for lunch. I guess I'll hit the store mid-day today for a quick trip.
- I mentioned that I am leaving tomorrow morning for MI. Did I also mention that my work isn't quite ready for the trip? Looks like it's going to be a long night.
- The pants I need for the trip are at the dry cleaners to be hemmed and cleaned. Here's hoping that they got hemmed. If not, I am in big trouble.
- I need to charge my Nook for my trip tomorrow. And maybe download a book or magazine or something. I have a feeling that while tomorrow should be smooth sailing weather wise, I am thinking Saturday morning is going to strand me in Chicago. Denver weather could be iffy for Saturday, and according to my typical travel-delay schedule, I am overdue for a long one. Note to self: Wear something comfy on Saturday.
- Would it be asking too much if I asked Chris to rake the yard Saturday morning? But only if the snow melts, of course. Maybe I'll play the "but I'm carrying your child" card. I haven't used that yet. It's been almost 16 weeks so I think I'm due.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
It's all about the timing
Average snowfall for the month of October in the Denver area is about four inches. Some years we get a monster storm or two, some years (like 2010) we don't get anything. This year we fall somewhere in the middle.
I love winter and I love snow storms. IN THE WINTER. This is pretty, and it's fun. But since I don't get to play in the snow this year, I vote that it could wait until a more appropriate date to stick around. It will be in the sixties by the weekend, so no complaints.
In summary, I think Abby the beagle and I agree on this October snowstorm. Here's a picture. NOTE: I did not pose her. She's just mad I think!
I love winter and I love snow storms. IN THE WINTER. This is pretty, and it's fun. But since I don't get to play in the snow this year, I vote that it could wait until a more appropriate date to stick around. It will be in the sixties by the weekend, so no complaints.
In summary, I think Abby the beagle and I agree on this October snowstorm. Here's a picture. NOTE: I did not pose her. She's just mad I think!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Cause and Effect
Karma. The Buddhist/Hindu philosophy that the sum of a person's actions decides their fate. If you really think about it, may religions/cultures have their own version of Karma. An eye for an eye. Do unto others... you get the point. It's a philosophy that is deep rooted in our society but that is too often ignored.
For years, I have tried to make regular deposits into my Karma Bank. You know, doing something helpful for a stranger and expecting nothing in return. I can't tell you how many cars I have jump started in airport parking lots. I stopped counting at 12. And that's just one example. I like to help people. Friends and strangers alike.
I guess you'd like for me to get to the point so here goes. Maternity leave is already stressing me out. I love my job, but the company's continued growth and our department's constant reorganization has put all of is in a position of working in a silo. I don't mind on most days. In fact, my inner control freak likes it this way. But when I think about going on maternity leave, it's worrisome that there is nobody on my team that has any clue what I do every day and who I am doing it for. And vise versa.
Until today. About six months ago, a woman from a different department at the company transferred to our team and we were glad to have her. I really like her. Personally, she's a lot of fun to be around. Professionally, she's a brilliant strategic bank marketing mind. Technically, well, let's just say she struggles a little with the technology we use to do our jobs. It's been a challenge for her. And in all honesty, she hasn't exactly been set up for success. We have no training procedures in place and the projects we do, we just do, we don't document HOW to do them. Her learning curve has been steep with no sign of summit. I can only imagine how stressful that must be for her (I am going to call her T).
T called me this morning, very upset and disappointed that she is having trouble finding projects to work on and feels like when she does find a project, it's a struggle to figure it out. I think she was just venting on a bad day. But that's when I felt like the heavens had opened and were shining a bright light on this HUGE opportunity for me and T.
I have a call in to my boss and am very excited about my idea/plan. It's a win-win. I see no down side to this. In approximately 6 months, somebody is going to have to manage my clients for about 6 weeks while I try to acclimate to motherhood. Everyone on my team, with the exception of T, is bogged down and crazy-busy with their own clients. I need someone with a lighter work load that will have time to learn the ins-and-outs of my clients and some of the ridiculous projects I do for them. Holy cow! I had her on the phone! Not only have I found the perfect person to fit in with my clients and cover for me, but I have found a way to get T some additional training on a wide-array of projects over the next 6 months.
I feel like all of those deposits into my Karma Bank just paid of...and in gold too! If you can believe this, T's sister just bought a house (it's under construction now) in Highlands Ranch and will be moving here in May. Mid to late May. T has offered to come out and stay with her sister and help her get settled. Oh, and transition the clients back to me at that time. I can't imagine a better solution for either of us. Can you?
Thanks, Karma.
For years, I have tried to make regular deposits into my Karma Bank. You know, doing something helpful for a stranger and expecting nothing in return. I can't tell you how many cars I have jump started in airport parking lots. I stopped counting at 12. And that's just one example. I like to help people. Friends and strangers alike.
I guess you'd like for me to get to the point so here goes. Maternity leave is already stressing me out. I love my job, but the company's continued growth and our department's constant reorganization has put all of is in a position of working in a silo. I don't mind on most days. In fact, my inner control freak likes it this way. But when I think about going on maternity leave, it's worrisome that there is nobody on my team that has any clue what I do every day and who I am doing it for. And vise versa.
Until today. About six months ago, a woman from a different department at the company transferred to our team and we were glad to have her. I really like her. Personally, she's a lot of fun to be around. Professionally, she's a brilliant strategic bank marketing mind. Technically, well, let's just say she struggles a little with the technology we use to do our jobs. It's been a challenge for her. And in all honesty, she hasn't exactly been set up for success. We have no training procedures in place and the projects we do, we just do, we don't document HOW to do them. Her learning curve has been steep with no sign of summit. I can only imagine how stressful that must be for her (I am going to call her T).
T called me this morning, very upset and disappointed that she is having trouble finding projects to work on and feels like when she does find a project, it's a struggle to figure it out. I think she was just venting on a bad day. But that's when I felt like the heavens had opened and were shining a bright light on this HUGE opportunity for me and T.
I have a call in to my boss and am very excited about my idea/plan. It's a win-win. I see no down side to this. In approximately 6 months, somebody is going to have to manage my clients for about 6 weeks while I try to acclimate to motherhood. Everyone on my team, with the exception of T, is bogged down and crazy-busy with their own clients. I need someone with a lighter work load that will have time to learn the ins-and-outs of my clients and some of the ridiculous projects I do for them. Holy cow! I had her on the phone! Not only have I found the perfect person to fit in with my clients and cover for me, but I have found a way to get T some additional training on a wide-array of projects over the next 6 months.
I feel like all of those deposits into my Karma Bank just paid of...and in gold too! If you can believe this, T's sister just bought a house (it's under construction now) in Highlands Ranch and will be moving here in May. Mid to late May. T has offered to come out and stay with her sister and help her get settled. Oh, and transition the clients back to me at that time. I can't imagine a better solution for either of us. Can you?
Thanks, Karma.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
That was NOT in the books
I am going to start noting these things because I am pretty sure nobody has written THIS book yet. Seriously. I have read five different pregnancy books, and so far, none of them are telling me what I want to know.
Now, I know that I am no exception to the rule. I am not special, out of the ordinary, super-extraordinary, or an anomaly in any way, shape or form. But there are things that nobody tells you about until you complain about them and think there's something wrong with you.
While there have been other lessons throughout the 14 week journey, this is the first one that has really bugged me. Since Sunday, I have been fighting with my allergies and sinuses. My doctor provided me with the list of "approved" pregnancy medications to help combat my symptoms. And for those of you who know me well, you know that I am not much of a pill popper. I avoid pills until I just can't stand it anymore. But Sunday was rough. I took a couple Tylenol before bed in hopes that it would take the edge off and let me sleep. And that worked.
Monday started the sinus headache. And a doozie of a headache at that. Waiting to take the Tylenol until I couldn't stand it, I opted for the Walgreen's brand of Tylenol Sinus Nighttime just before bed. That was a load of malarkey. Yesterday I woke up with a headache that had progressed from "doozie" to "whopper." Holy cow. But I also had a doctor appointment and a ton of stuff to get done. So, I see my OB (sidebar--baby boy Rowland is perfect, growing like a weed and a heartbeat of 152 bpm!!) and she tells me that I likely have a sinus infection and should see my family doctor.
Last night I took the "approved" Benadryl hoping for just a little sleep and maybe for the headache to ease up a little. No dice. Not only did I not sleep, but ever time I rolled over, if any part of my head and/or face touched a cold spot on my pillow, I wanted to cry. No sleep for this momma to be.
So, today I called my primary care physician. After totally messing up my appointment time (my fault, not his), he tells me that what I have is likely viral and not bacterial and because I am pregnant I can't really do anything about it. His advice was to get lots of rest. The pregnancy hormones took over, I began to cry and was a little (okay, a lot) frustrated and blurted out, "how am I supposed to get any rest when this stupid headache is keeping me awake and you are telling me there's nothing I can do about it." (I didn't say the next part but really wanted to) Stupid, stupid man.
His chuckle was almost audible. He handed me a tissue, let me calm down a little, and said, "well, clearly you have lost a little more sleep than you look like you have. Stop at the pharmacy and pick up a new Neti Pot, a box of tissues, a heating pad and some Tylenol PM. If nothing else, we will ease the pain a little and let you get some much needed rest." Now we're talking. He continued to explain to me that because of the increased progesterone in my system, if my body wants to make a little mucus, it will actually make a lot. And because of the extra blood in my body, if I am supposed to have a little headache, it'll be a big one. Seriously? That's not in any of the books I read.
I did as told (although I already have the heating pad) and returned home. Five minutes with a heating pad on my face followed by a rinse with the Neti Pot and I am feeling a little better already. Maybe he wasn't stupid. Maybe he just needed a little lesson in the tendency for pregnant women to be somewhat irrational and capable of emotional collapse at any given moment, and for no apparent reason. Sorry about that, doc.
Just a few minutes ago, I was talking with a good friend of mine who also happens to be a coworker. I told her the story about the headache, the doctor, the reaction and the cure. Her response to me was this: "Sweetie, I could have told you all of that and saved you the $25 copay." Seriously. Always after the fact. From now on, maybe I should just start asking around before I call a doctor.
.
Now, I know that I am no exception to the rule. I am not special, out of the ordinary, super-extraordinary, or an anomaly in any way, shape or form. But there are things that nobody tells you about until you complain about them and think there's something wrong with you.
While there have been other lessons throughout the 14 week journey, this is the first one that has really bugged me. Since Sunday, I have been fighting with my allergies and sinuses. My doctor provided me with the list of "approved" pregnancy medications to help combat my symptoms. And for those of you who know me well, you know that I am not much of a pill popper. I avoid pills until I just can't stand it anymore. But Sunday was rough. I took a couple Tylenol before bed in hopes that it would take the edge off and let me sleep. And that worked.
Monday started the sinus headache. And a doozie of a headache at that. Waiting to take the Tylenol until I couldn't stand it, I opted for the Walgreen's brand of Tylenol Sinus Nighttime just before bed. That was a load of malarkey. Yesterday I woke up with a headache that had progressed from "doozie" to "whopper." Holy cow. But I also had a doctor appointment and a ton of stuff to get done. So, I see my OB (sidebar--baby boy Rowland is perfect, growing like a weed and a heartbeat of 152 bpm!!) and she tells me that I likely have a sinus infection and should see my family doctor.
Last night I took the "approved" Benadryl hoping for just a little sleep and maybe for the headache to ease up a little. No dice. Not only did I not sleep, but ever time I rolled over, if any part of my head and/or face touched a cold spot on my pillow, I wanted to cry. No sleep for this momma to be.
So, today I called my primary care physician. After totally messing up my appointment time (my fault, not his), he tells me that what I have is likely viral and not bacterial and because I am pregnant I can't really do anything about it. His advice was to get lots of rest. The pregnancy hormones took over, I began to cry and was a little (okay, a lot) frustrated and blurted out, "how am I supposed to get any rest when this stupid headache is keeping me awake and you are telling me there's nothing I can do about it." (I didn't say the next part but really wanted to) Stupid, stupid man.
His chuckle was almost audible. He handed me a tissue, let me calm down a little, and said, "well, clearly you have lost a little more sleep than you look like you have. Stop at the pharmacy and pick up a new Neti Pot, a box of tissues, a heating pad and some Tylenol PM. If nothing else, we will ease the pain a little and let you get some much needed rest." Now we're talking. He continued to explain to me that because of the increased progesterone in my system, if my body wants to make a little mucus, it will actually make a lot. And because of the extra blood in my body, if I am supposed to have a little headache, it'll be a big one. Seriously? That's not in any of the books I read.
I did as told (although I already have the heating pad) and returned home. Five minutes with a heating pad on my face followed by a rinse with the Neti Pot and I am feeling a little better already. Maybe he wasn't stupid. Maybe he just needed a little lesson in the tendency for pregnant women to be somewhat irrational and capable of emotional collapse at any given moment, and for no apparent reason. Sorry about that, doc.
Just a few minutes ago, I was talking with a good friend of mine who also happens to be a coworker. I told her the story about the headache, the doctor, the reaction and the cure. Her response to me was this: "Sweetie, I could have told you all of that and saved you the $25 copay." Seriously. Always after the fact. From now on, maybe I should just start asking around before I call a doctor.
.
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