Re-Diagnosis

So, I got a call from my doctor and while he told me I had pneumonia, they had to do the blood test to confirm (since I can't hop under the x-ray pregnant). When the results came in, they were wacky and he wanted to do more bloodwork to rule out some other things (what that meant I didn't know). I went to the ob today for my regular appointment, explained to them whats going on, they did the bloodwork to send over to the other doctor (to save me a trip) and its conclusive.....mono!

Shesh. I had mono in college and I didn't know you could get it two times. I do have to say, while this was rough, this time was not near as severe as when I had it in college. From what I've read it seems that it stays in your system for life and can flare up? Maybe I'm wrong, I've mainly been searching mono while pregnant to make sure our baby is okay. The doctor said since I'm feeling better thats the main thing and there isn't anything to worry about with the baby, so I hope she's right.

I'm so happy to be feeling better it really doesn't matter to me what it was. My energy still isn't what it was, but I think part of that is also being pregnant.

Things are going well around here, we're in full fledge renovation land and Joel and my Dad are knocking it out. We'll all be really excited to get everything put back together but so far it looks great.

We're also keeping a very close eye on the hurricane since its looking like its going to be a very close hit to where we live. We had planned to go on a family vacation (as three for the last time) but now we're not so sure what the right thing to do is. Watch and wait I believe!

Thats the update from here, here is a cute picture to make this blog worth it!

Making Progress!

Thanks for all your sweet comments for me. I am starting to feel like a new person and man is it nice! I can't believe I pretty much missed an entire month of everything and I'm glad to see the light at the end of this sickness!

Our reno is fully underway and I thought I'd give an update. My Dad was a lifesaver and came down last Monday and stayed with us until Thursday, helping me during the day and Joel at night. Thanks so much Papa, I can't tell you how much we appreciate it and loved having you here!!

We ordered our cabinets from a place called The RTA cabinet store (ready to assemble). It was completely online and a big risk. The fact that we could get solid wood, painted cabinets for thousands less than anywhere else we priced, made it worth the risk to us. I can't say enough good things about this company thusfar. They worked with us for weeks with a layout that fit best for our kitchen, drawings, etc. We had a few things come in dinged up and they've got replacement pieces on the way with no hassle to us. I'm really glad we went with these and this company!

They arrived on Monday. We went with a Pearl White Shaker cabinet. There were 18 boxes and that night Dad and Joel got to work assembling the cabinets. They got almost all of them assembled and finished up Tuesday night. Of course they had help :-)

They also ripped our upper cabinets out on Tuesday.

Wednesday started the installation and I LOVE IT!

They got all but two of the upper cabinets in and I can't wait to get hardware and start filling up all the shelves!! We've still got a long way to go but I'm really excited about the start (and the new can lights!!)

Diagnosis: Pneumonia

What a bummer. After 19 days of having a fever, cough, chills, hot flashes, zero energy and on and on, I *finally* went to a different doctor today (other than the OB). I honestly thought the OB would be the best person to see since they **should** be concerned with my health and the health of the baby. I was wrong, they are not the best person to see for something like this.

The doctor I saw was straight-forward, serious, took me serious (something I don't think my OB does), and was all over me for waiting so long to come in. My OB told me it could be 2 1/2 weeks with a fever, so I just thought this was the way it would go. Wrong, wrong wrong. Just so we're keeping track this is about stike 15 for my current ob, who I had absolutely no problems whatsoever with prior to this pregnancy. After this baby, I will be finding a new doctor, which is really disappointing but has to happen. If I was early in this pregnancy I would try and change, but I can't imagine its a great idea to change in your 3rd trimester (SERIOUSLY!!! third trimester already?????)

Thankfully, I'm on an antibiotic which he said should make me feel like a new person within a few days, and is safe while pregnant. I'm really excited about that. I have been absolutely worthless for almost three weeks and would have been in a HUGE mess had my in-law's not been here to step in and help out 100%. I feel terrible because I've pretty much missed their entire summer trip, but couldn't be more thankful that their trip coincided with this sickness.

Things I've learned from this:

-My Mom is always right (I'm pretty sure I say that about once a week, and its getting more frequent). Both her and my Dad (and my sister) have been telling me for about 2 weeks a fever this long is not okay.

-My OB does not take me seriously, and I have to be my own advocate. period.

-I need a doctor who does take me seriously, especially when pregnant.

-You should never have a fever for more than 4 days. If you do, go to the doctor and don't try and suffer through it. Its not smart and really not worth it.

-My in-laws are priceless, and I am so fortunate to have them (something I already knew, but nothing like getting knocked out and having two people spend their entire vacation taking care of your child, house, etc to affirm it.) For the past three weeks I've had a nanny, cook, laundry fairy, dishwasher unloader, house renovation helper, all pretty much while I laid on the couch worthless.

-When you're pregnant and sick, you need your family.

To me the main sign I should've known something was really wrong more than just a virus......Super doubles have been going on at Harris Teeter since Wednesday and I haven't gone ONCE! Ahhhhhhhh, it pains me to type that, but I just can't get off the couch.

I hope to be feeling great and blogging more soon. I'm over feeling worthless!

Nesting-Take 2

So when I was pregnant with Ruthie, nesting set in and it was all about cleaning and organizing and getting her nursery ready.

This time around, we decided to get a little more dramatic and redo our kitchen cabinets and countertops and put new floors in. No big deal right ;-). Especially at 7 months pregnant and unable to really do much to help with the reno! Here's our kitchen before...ugh.

We're really pumped about it and are hoping our cabinets will be in either later this week or early next week.

Our floors arrived last week and are currently acclimating in our den ;-). We went with an engineered strand natural bamboo. We learned through months of research that homes near the beach shouldn't have solid wood floors because there isn't a conditioned space below it and most manufacturers warranties are void if you put them down. Glad we found that out before!Our house is about to be a complete construction zone.

There's also lots of this

and new lights, which I'm really pumped about.

Its going to be a process, but I'll be sure to keep updating about it. Joel is doing the work himself so he's got quite the project ahead. Its going to be incredible and really make a difference in our home. We're able to add about another foot to our kitchen, which is going to be awesome. I'll give the details on the cabinets, etc. when where at that part. I think Ruthie and I are going to be planning lots of playdates to stay out of the construction zone!

Mom's Don't get Sick Days

Wow. These past two weeks have been a doozy. I got sick almost 2 weeks ago and was out of commission. Thankfully, my in-laws summer trip coincided with me getting sick and they have been majorly picking up the slack and taking care of Ruthie.

I know things take longer to heal when you're pregnant, but good grief, 2 weeks with a fever and feeling bad is seriously enough. I'm over it. I'm sick of laying around, sick of not doing things, and really sick of complaining about being sick. I'm sure everyone around me is ready for that to stop too!

So, for the past two weeks I've been on the couch and Ruthie has been having so much fun with Grandma
and Grandpa
Its definitely safe to say she absolutely loves her baby stroller, especially when Daddy races her around.

She also loves her new toy chest too.

Theres the last two week update! I am so incredibly thankful that we've had family here for this time period, it has made a huge difference.

On a side note, I failed my one hour gest. diabetes test last week so tomorrow I go back for the 3 hour. Even though I know its minor in the grand scheme of things I would love to pass this test and not have gest. diabetes. If you would pray that I pass I would really appreciate it.

Hopefully, I'm back up and blogging, there is a lot going on in our house to update on!