Jeff and I went to IKEA yesterday to pick up some stuff for the house, mostly for the nursery. We thought it would be a good place to go for affordable furniture that suits our needs right now, especially in having to purchase two of many items. Of course, the first thing I had to do when I got there was go to the bathroom. That was where I started to realize I was at a pregnancy convention. I swear there were four pregnant women in the bathroom while I was waiting in line (and the line wasn't even long!). As we were walking around the store, Jeff noted that he could see at least one pregnant woman from anywhere in the store. It was unbelievable.
We made it out alive, though our pocketbooks are begging to differ. We picked up dressers and some storage furniture for the nursery, so all we really need to think about now is cribs. We're probably going to wait to put things together until the family converges upon San Antonio in a few weeks, unless anyone is strongly opposed to furniture assembly.
Love you all.
Kerri
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
What Not to Say to a Pregnant Person
I went out to dinner the other night with a friend who has twins and two other mothers of twins she met through San Antonio Area Mothers of Multiples. As an aside, I fully intend on joining this group, especially because of the semi-annual yard sale they host; I can't think of a better way to save some money.
We went to a swanky restaurant called Silo. Being at the stage I am, I had very little to wear, and I was under dressed, but it didn't matter much once we took the elevator to the dining floor (yes, they had a private elevator; I thought "elevated dining" was just figurative speech).
Upon sitting down the ladies found the wine menu and ultimately decided on one of the waiter's suggestions. He came back with it, displayed the bottle, displayed the cork (explain this one to me, please?), then began pouring wine for each of us. When he got to me, I declined, so he offered a cocktail from the bar, unless, in his words, I was "holding the keys tonight." I responded with an, "I'm actually holding the babies tonight," and patted my growing belly, which I admit is hard to see when I'm sitting down. It took him a minute to process the plural aspect of my statement, but he congratulated me and left us.
I thought that was the end.
The menu had three options for me: duck, pork shank and chicken. Apparently because I'm pregnant I had to order first, so I asked for the pork shank, to which the waiter replied, "You really ARE eating for three!" Really, dude? At that moment I secretly wished the pork came with a prison grade shank so I could teach him repercussions of bad manners. Alas, it came out without a carved down spork, so I had to settle for the rather delicious meal instead. Until he came back to check on me. Not the entire table, just me. He put his hand on my shoulder, looked me directly in the eye, and said, "I just want to make sure that's enough food for you." You would be more appalled by this if you saw the plate. I am a voracious eater these days, but I only finished half the dish. It was huge. Like, Texas sized huge. As my shank dreams returned, he quickly left. The only consolation was the knowing looks of sympathy from the other twin mothers.
I know these comments will get worse and more common, but that was really my first experience with an ignorant stranger trying to be casual with me about my pregnancy. I've heard horror stories from some of you reading this blog ("If you keep eating pizza your baby is going to come out as a pizza!"), so I know this isn't uncommon. I think I will make it my mission to educate all people, especially men, about appropriate and inappropriate comments to pregnant women. Maybe this is a book in the making. I guess I should start writing down each time someone offends me and see where it goes.
Good day!
We went to a swanky restaurant called Silo. Being at the stage I am, I had very little to wear, and I was under dressed, but it didn't matter much once we took the elevator to the dining floor (yes, they had a private elevator; I thought "elevated dining" was just figurative speech).
Upon sitting down the ladies found the wine menu and ultimately decided on one of the waiter's suggestions. He came back with it, displayed the bottle, displayed the cork (explain this one to me, please?), then began pouring wine for each of us. When he got to me, I declined, so he offered a cocktail from the bar, unless, in his words, I was "holding the keys tonight." I responded with an, "I'm actually holding the babies tonight," and patted my growing belly, which I admit is hard to see when I'm sitting down. It took him a minute to process the plural aspect of my statement, but he congratulated me and left us.
I thought that was the end.
The menu had three options for me: duck, pork shank and chicken. Apparently because I'm pregnant I had to order first, so I asked for the pork shank, to which the waiter replied, "You really ARE eating for three!" Really, dude? At that moment I secretly wished the pork came with a prison grade shank so I could teach him repercussions of bad manners. Alas, it came out without a carved down spork, so I had to settle for the rather delicious meal instead. Until he came back to check on me. Not the entire table, just me. He put his hand on my shoulder, looked me directly in the eye, and said, "I just want to make sure that's enough food for you." You would be more appalled by this if you saw the plate. I am a voracious eater these days, but I only finished half the dish. It was huge. Like, Texas sized huge. As my shank dreams returned, he quickly left. The only consolation was the knowing looks of sympathy from the other twin mothers.
I know these comments will get worse and more common, but that was really my first experience with an ignorant stranger trying to be casual with me about my pregnancy. I've heard horror stories from some of you reading this blog ("If you keep eating pizza your baby is going to come out as a pizza!"), so I know this isn't uncommon. I think I will make it my mission to educate all people, especially men, about appropriate and inappropriate comments to pregnant women. Maybe this is a book in the making. I guess I should start writing down each time someone offends me and see where it goes.
Good day!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sick and Tired
Although I haven't had to deal with the snowy weather or freezing temperatures, my body decided to create a little natural disaster of its own these past few days. I'm no longer running a fever, but had to resort to using Tylenol yesterday, since my temperature was running close to 101 degrees. At this point, the floodwaters (or floodmucus) have made their way to my nose and are running full force. At least I don't have a fever, which was my main concern. I hope to be better by Monday at the latest so I can go see my students without interruption.
My next appointment is February 9th, but we aren't going to be doing a sonogram unless there is a need.
My next appointment is February 9th, but we aren't going to be doing a sonogram unless there is a need.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
It's Official
I have officially popped. My hip bones are disappearing! Though you can't see it with my clothes on, I have a little bump in my lower abdomen area. And, if I'm diagnosing this correctly, my fundus (the top of my uterus) is about an inch above my belly button. This is particularly alarming, as the baby books say by the end of the fourth month (around week 17), it should be right around your belly button, maybe even a bit below it. I'm halfway through my fourteenth week now. Let the bulging begin!
Hi, there! We're already each the size of your closed fist. These pictures are SO 12 weeks!
Hi, there! We're already each the size of your closed fist. These pictures are SO 12 weeks!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Fear and Bloating in San Antonio
The scary thing about pregnancy is, well, everything. Each little gurgle in your stomach (even though it's probably gas) makes you jump, each cramp is terrifying, and each meal you eat has to be screened for nutrients. It's the hardest thing I've done so far, and I'm only eleven weeks into it. I'm not sure the fear of something going wrong will ever subside, but I do hope each ultrasound brings good news that I can fall back on when I'm feeling anxious.
My next appointment is January 11th, and it's a big one, since this is where I will have the ultrascreen done. This will test for spinal abnormalities as well as the likelihood of having a child with Down Syndrome. Jeff will not be able to make it, since the appointment is at the same time as his first day of class this semester. I'm really excited to see him look at the screen for the first time, though, and it seems that may happen when we find out the sexes, in about a month.
I'm starting to bulge a bit, but it's not as bad in the mornings, so I know a lot of my size has to do with bloating. Once I definitely am showing, we'll take some pictures and post them. I'll feel safe telling the "world" about the news in about a month, once we're clearly out of the first trimester and things look good.
My next appointment is January 11th, and it's a big one, since this is where I will have the ultrascreen done. This will test for spinal abnormalities as well as the likelihood of having a child with Down Syndrome. Jeff will not be able to make it, since the appointment is at the same time as his first day of class this semester. I'm really excited to see him look at the screen for the first time, though, and it seems that may happen when we find out the sexes, in about a month.
I'm starting to bulge a bit, but it's not as bad in the mornings, so I know a lot of my size has to do with bloating. Once I definitely am showing, we'll take some pictures and post them. I'll feel safe telling the "world" about the news in about a month, once we're clearly out of the first trimester and things look good.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Canyon Lake Park
We're trying to get settled here in Texas, but things are still a bit chaotic. I have no idea how to get anywhere other than the Target, the HEB and the Lowes. I'm still waiting to hear back about whether I got an interview from the job fair. Jeff is getting back into working mode now that I'm here to help with MacGyver. We're living out of boxes, but are hoping to change that soon. I'm either constantly sick or suffering from allergies.
It's fun. I know I made it sound like a mess, but I like it.
The other day we went on a picnic with Mac. We decided to go to a place called Canyon Lake, about 30 minutes outside of San Antonio on the way to Austin. It was gorgeous. There were hundreds of people tubing down the Guadalupe River, and the Canyon Lake itself was stunning. We had to hike down a bit of a rocky trail before getting to the water, which was a crystal blue against the gray backdrop of the rocks. There were even little waves from the boats on the lake; we think this was the first time Mac saw waves, so he was a bit hesitant at first, but he quickly fell in love with them. While we pseudo-ate (the dog was a bit excited), Mac galloped around the shore and teased the water with his white-tipped paws. He loved it, and, although it wasn't the typical relaxing picnic we have been wired to expect, we loved it, too.
When you come to visit we'll have to take you out there for a swim.
It's fun. I know I made it sound like a mess, but I like it.
The other day we went on a picnic with Mac. We decided to go to a place called Canyon Lake, about 30 minutes outside of San Antonio on the way to Austin. It was gorgeous. There were hundreds of people tubing down the Guadalupe River, and the Canyon Lake itself was stunning. We had to hike down a bit of a rocky trail before getting to the water, which was a crystal blue against the gray backdrop of the rocks. There were even little waves from the boats on the lake; we think this was the first time Mac saw waves, so he was a bit hesitant at first, but he quickly fell in love with them. While we pseudo-ate (the dog was a bit excited), Mac galloped around the shore and teased the water with his white-tipped paws. He loved it, and, although it wasn't the typical relaxing picnic we have been wired to expect, we loved it, too.
When you come to visit we'll have to take you out there for a swim.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Nostalgia
I'm purging here at GHS on my last official day of school, I want you all to know that, even though I keep moving away from family, I don't want to rid or lessen the value of any of my relationships with you because of the distance between us. It's hard to be apart from people I love, but I hope this step serves as a chance to better the time I spend with you all. Plus, there is always Skype, right?
Though I'm in a bit of a nostalgic mood, it's well mixed with pure exhaustion, so I hope my message is coming across.
Kerri
Though I'm in a bit of a nostalgic mood, it's well mixed with pure exhaustion, so I hope my message is coming across.
Kerri
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