ellieostrich

Moving is a lot of work

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:55:23 GMT

Wow, it's been a month that we've been in this house. It's completely crazy, but it's starting to come together pretty well. So much has happened in the last month beyond moving... we've had visitors, met all our neighbors, collin started preschool, audrey rolled over, collin turned 3, my inlaws came for a weekend, we've painted, unpacked and all sorts of stuff that goes along with moving. This is the first time I've really wanted to make a house our home. It's the first time I've moved somewhere that I view as permanent... well at least til the kids grow up... The cool thing is, our neighbors are all around our age, with kids around the same age. It's going to be so much fun watching all these kids grow up.

It's already been a lot of fun living here. I'm so happy with how all of this is working out.

But it's all so exhausting... I have preschool PTA tonight... who would have thought...

Fully Ratified!

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 01:35:12 GMT

YAY!!!! My agent had to come to the home inspection today to get the last of the initials, but the contract is finally fully ratified! And yes, the home inspection is complete, so we just have to get the results of that. and then we found out there is more that we had to do to pass HOA inspection so we took care of the final things there and we'll aim for approval on that next week. I think they have 3 calendar days to go over the HOA docs and we have about that amount of time to discuss the addendum that we'll get from the home inspection. So it's not over yet, but we're pretty certain these people will not back out. It's still hard waiting on all this though. It's completely insane, really. But it's almost over. :)

Almost There

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 17:40:55 GMT

We have a buyer! They didn't initial everything they were supposed to with the contract, but this is their agents first contract in Virginia and he didn't think they had to. So once that's done, we will have to pass the home inspection and the homeowners documents time and then we will be in the clear for closing on August 1! I'm hoping they change their mind and do July 31, but I really don't care! And we get to keep our washer and dryer! so life is good. Now we're getting all the paperwork for the peanut allergy study filled out and life is really good!

Let's hope this keeps!

SLEEP!!!

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 12:02:33 GMT

I can't believe I got 7 hours of sleep last night! YAY Audrey!!!!

I'm tired

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 18:55:54 GMT

I'm exhausted. And it's not because of the new baby. She's wonderful. She sleeps a reasonable amount of time. Collin has been wonderful about her. I can't believe how exhausting selling this house has been.

It's terrible and depressing. People are waiting and taking their sweet time. We just want this sold. We know there are people out there who are interested, but they're moving so slowly. Why? I just don't get this. It's stressful and I'm starting to lose my mind. What do I need to do here? I'm feeling on the verge of a complete breakdown. I'm feeling teased and tortured right now by these people who are hoping for a better deal. Well, I guess they'll get their better deal, but it's not really...

Ok, I just don't know what to think of all this. I'm so unhappy and grumpy over all this and there's nothing more I can do. I guess all I can do is complain, but that's not getting me anywhere either. blah.

Still waiting

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 15:06:11 GMT

We're still waiting on 2 people right now. It's insane and I feel like I'm on a roller coaster. But that's life, I guess. Maybe something will happen, maybe not. I just wish if they've changed their minds they'd give us an answer. I guess in this case, no news is simply no news.

It's good that there is so much interest, but I have to keep reminding myself that until we have something in writing, it all means pretty much nothing. yuck.

Update

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:42:20 GMT

We're waiting, rather impatiently to find out if we're getting the contract or not. They're not coming back to our house to view it again. Things didn't work out. They've apparently been here a couple times and are really familiar with it. So they are probably meeting with their agent right now to give their final decision. I hope to find out tonight by 8pm. And that's only 1/2 hour from now... Yikes...

I'm trying not to get my hopes really high so I'm not completely disappointed if they choose the other one. 50/50 odds really aren't all that great right now. I'm just tired of being people's number 2 choice. We really need to be the #1 choice. So I'm passing the time that I'm waiting for dinner to cook sitting here typing out my frustration. I hate waiting and I hate being #2. But I'd rather wait and find out we're number one than not wait at all!

Ok, so PLEASE PICK US!!!!!

Officially annoyed...

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 21:05:19 GMT

Well, that's it. I'm officially annoyed. We were supposed to have the people who were interested in our house return today to take a second look. We were one of two they were deciding on. It's now 5pm and still no word at all. Our agent has tried to call them and we just haven't heard anything. Maybe this afternoon really meant this evening? We can only hope, but this doesn't bode well for us selling the house to them.

I guess that's life. I can't change what I can't control. It's just weird that they haven't called and didn't come back like was planned. We did have someone else through the house today, though. I guess that's good.

Please, Please, Please Pick US!

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 19:41:46 GMT

Please!!! We'd really make it worth it if you chose our house over the other one. I don't know what that other one has to offer that we don't, but we really think you'll like ours better. It's nice, clean and pretty. We've got great floors and lots of sunshine. Our kitchen is better, I promise you! And I assure you, we definitely have the brighter and sunnier house. We're really close to the high school and in a fabulous location if you should have to commute.

Please!

Smiling!

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 20:51:36 GMT

Audrey has been smiling more and more lately! And it's more than the gas smiles, you can see it in her eyes! She had what I think was her first real smile right at 6 weeks (1 week ago) and we're getting more and more now! She's such an amazing little girl. She's growing so much! I think she's going to manage to stay in her 0-3 months clothes a little longer than Collin, though. Maybe because it's dresses and they fit a little different, I'm not sure. But I know Collin was out of his 0-3 months at 2 months and went up a size every 2 months after that. Let's only hope she gets more use out of her clothes!

She still has all the hair she came out with and then some! It's growing and it's still dark brown and curly when wet! Collin is still being a wonderful big brother. He really wants her to play with him and he just treats her the same way he treats us, really. He tries to give her toys and it's really cute. Where we will get irritated at him when he keeps giving us toys and stacking them on us, she doesn't mind at all!

Keep your fingers crossed for us with the house selling. We're so close to moving date so we just really want everything to work out. It's become even more important now that we're going to get Collin involved in a Peanut Allergy Study at Duke. We're so excited about that! I'll write more on that later!

Hope for Peanuts!

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 19:33:35 GMT

Last night I listened to a news story about a study being done at Duke University in which children are being exposed to small amounts of peanut under controlled (doctors office) situations and slowly building a tolerance to up to about 6 peanuts over the course of 2 years and lowering their chance of an anaphylactic reaction to just a small amount of peanuts. I think the ultimate goal is to cure the peanut allergy, but that hasn't happened yet. It does offer hope that my son won't have to go his whole life worrying about exposure to peanuts in restaurants or bakeries where things "may contain" peanuts.

This study is still ongoing and since I'm moving to the Raleigh area in a month, I'm going to look into participating. It has been going on for 2 years so far with very good results. If this means my son would likely not die from peanut exposure, I'm all about it! I was in tears watching this story and then I went to the discussion boards on peanutallergy.com and read one woman's entire story (she's been posting for 1 year now) about taking her 2 year old through this and everything she's learned about the other patients in the study. Her son's RAST scores have halved and he's tolerating 3 peanuts a day right now. Can you just imagine? My son might not have trouble on airplanes or in Ice Cream shops. He could do more normal things without worrying about having an Epi-Pen on him when he gets in school. Class trips and eating out will be easier! No special tables in the lunchroom...

I hope I'm not just getting my hopes up here, but the findings are impressive. I really hope there's availability in the study. We're moving in a month, but if there's an opening, we could be there tomorrow.

So it goes...

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:06:31 GMT

On and on... We still don't have a buyer for our house, but we've been the #2 choice in at least 3 of them. I just hope it all works out eventually... We're formulating a plan so we're still moving down to NC next month. I just want a contract on this place before we do it. We just lowered the price again so its not lost in the crowd... But I don't know if its going to matter.

Anyway, in other news! Audrey is now smiling every once in a great while. I can't believe she's 6 weeks old tomorrow. Time has been flying! She's a good and predictable baby at this point so that's good. She's sleeping pretty well. She'll usually do one long stretch at night around 5-7 hours (ok, 7 was only once...). She is very alert and attentive those few hours she's awake during the day. She does cry a lot more than Collin did and doesn't amuse herself as easily, but she's doing pretty well. I don't really know what to say. These last weeks have been a bit of a blur. She's grown so much already.

Collin's doing incredible as well. He's an unbelievably good big brother. I think it helps that, while he's getting used to her, she sleeps a lot!

But I'm tired and I only have a little bit of time before one of them wakes up, so I'm going to take advantage of it! (watch, now the phone will ring and they'll want to show our house in 15 minutes... (i kinda hope))

seriously...

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:38:47 GMT

Please, guys, remember to take your wife to see the house BEFORE you make an offer on it... What if she doesn't like it. You can really screw some people.

Anyway, back to the cleaning grind... yuck

there have been 6 people in the house since the contract fell through. I'm really hoping one of them will just think -- This is perfect! we have a nice townhouse... It's priced really low... please take it!

Thank you!

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 17:20:54 GMT

Thank you to those who are buying my house! What a great day!!!!

Plea for those who've recently viewed our home

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 01:20:09 GMT

Almost every day for the past 2 weeks, someone has come in and taken a look at our house. We rush and clean up to make it look great because with a newborn and a 2 year old, we can't keep it perfect. They come in, look around, then leave. So, one of you, please give us an offer. Take this off our hands! Our house in North Carolina now has siding up and cabinets in the kitchen. They are even painting it already. The deck is up and we just want to know we're going to move in!

That's all. Our townhouse has been good to us, but we're ready to move on. It has wonderful memories of two children being born (not in the house, of course) and lots of other great things happened here. We've been here just over 3 years now...

tired

Mon, 29 May 2006 23:16:23 GMT

Imagine that, a new, tired mom:) Audrey is doing really well and is continuing to grow and be healthy and strong. I'm fearing that she's got a bad case of reflux, like her brother did, but c'est la vie. She started spitting up a lot in the last couple days. Hopefully it will stop soon! She's sleeping reasonably well, but kept us up for an hour or so crying last night sometime around 3am. I hope that's not a pattern, but I think it might be related to some form of reflux again. Spitting up seems to hurt her quite a bit. It never really bothered Collin, except to make him not eat much at all his first few days...

So things are good and my body is slowing becoming comfortable again. The organ shuffling game is starting to right itself. It's still a little wierd and the incision is still a little sore, but it's only been 2.5 weeks, so I don't know what I'm expecting. I'm just waiting to feel normal again. I know it will be awhile...:) ok, enough rambling.

Audrey’s Birth

Wed, 24 May 2006 18:27:39 GMT

Well, she’s finally here! She did decide to make an early appearance after all! On Wednesday May 10, I woke up with her very low and was having some contractions. I was going to call the doctor about something I could take to solve another pain she was giving me, but I decided to tell them about the contractions anyway. They sent me into labor and delivery to get checked out. I hadn’t eaten anything, just in case. Well, I get there and get strapped onto the monitors, but the contractions are a bit erratic. They decide to give me lunch to see if that changes anything. Eventually, my doctor comes and checks me out and, well, I’m actually in early labor! I had just seen her 2 days before. So I had to wait until around 6pm to get started because I had eaten some lunch and they don’t like to give the anesthesia when there’s anything in your stomach.

Once they get me into the OR, they prep me for the spinal/epidural and someone comes into the ER with a baby practically falling out. They put us on standby and made us wait, just in case they were needed there. When that baby was delivered, we got the OK to get started. They kicked Doug out into the hall while they gave the anesthesia and then a few minutes later he came back in. I had a few initial side effects from the spinal, but overall, it went pretty well. They asked me how I was feeling, and I said, “Great” and they told me that’s good because they’ve already made the first incisions! Wow! About 10 (long) minutes later, Audrey comes out screaming! Doug stands up to look and shouts “She’s georgeous!” and starts crying. He gets the camera and takes all sorts of pictures of her getting cleaned up. The doctors took some of the three of us and it was all really great! She weighed in at 8 pounds 11 ounces and was 20.5 inches long! What a big girl!

I didn’t get to hold her for a few hours because it took a little longer to get her a bath and cleaned up in the nursery. The L/D area was really busy that day! After I spent an hour in the recovery room, they moved me to my postpartum room where I basically waited for her to show up! She was amazing! I was so much happier this time around because I was able to enjoy her. She had some sucking issues (you don’t want to know), but now, 2 weeks later, we’ve got this breastfeeding thing pretty well under control.

My mom brought Collin in to see her that night, but it was really late. He didn’t really know what to think. But he started realizing what was going on over the course of the next couple days. He got the concept that the “baby out” and this was her! He is really doing well with her and wants to be more involved. It’s great.

We were able to bring her home on Sunday, mother’s day What a day!

It’s been 2 weeks since her birth and I’m still a little exhausted. She does sleep a lot, but that’s good for us. We’ve gotten reasonable nights sleep since she’s been home, but nothing to brag about. I need to find a way to keep her awake more during the day, but when this little girl is determined to sleep, well, she’s determined to sleep! (Same goes for awake…)

My mom and dad just left today so I’m a little intimidated by being left alone, but it’s not so bad. Doug’s here so if I really need anything, I can get it done. He took her to her 2 week appointment this morning and she’s gaining enough weight. She’s 8 pounds 14 ounces. So she must be eating enough! She came home weighing over a pound less than birth weight, so the doctors were a little concerned. She was 7 pounds 9 ounces then. But she’s gaining really well. That’s the important thing with babies of this age! My big 2 week checkup is tomorrow and I think that will go well.

My recovery has been pretty good. It’s been hard for me to limit my stairs but I definitely did it the first 5 or so days when I was home. I’m probably doing more than I should be at this point, but I always stop and rest when things aren’t feeling right. It’s been a night and day difference than my first birth experience.

I think that’s all I’m writing right now. This is definitely long enough! I’m not completely sure it’s all makes sense, but I am tired so that’s all I’ve got!

sigh...

Mon, 08 May 2006 18:06:30 GMT

Well, I remember being concerned and in a lot of pain because the baby's head was so low. Well, over the last couple weeks, it seems the baby's gotten higher. So both me and the doctor are guessing that the baby's head has just gotten too big for me. I know I'm having a c-section, but I seriously was hoping that I would go sooner given that I feel like a walking contraction. I'm tired of being pregnant and I know this baby wants out, but it's hard for me to deal with the fact that there isn't likely any other option to having her than the c-section.

I know I should be happy that I have the c-section option, and I am, truly. I just wish it wasn't quite so absolutely necessary. I know I made the decision to do this before I was even pregnant, but I kept this hope that maybe this baby would be smaller than my first. That maybe she'd just pop out without any time for a c-section. But unfortunately, she's gotten so big that popping out at all is not likely possible. So I know I made the right decision to have the c-section, but the thought of what could happen to me if I didn't have the option is incredibly scary. Maybe that's more why I'm freaked out.

Ok, well, I should just be happy that come this friday, I will have a healthy baby girl and a wonderful c-section recovery. I know it will go well. I think I just needed to vent a little bit. I'm starting to feel better.

So, no baby

Fri, 05 May 2006 02:10:25 GMT

But that's ok with me right now. I'm feeling a little more patient because I'm in a little less pain these days. I'm not really sure why, but I'm not questioning it as well.

I kind of want her to wait until my mom shows up next wednesday, at least. The weekend might be ok as well because I think one of my good friends will be available to watch Collin. That's really what's important. I'm nervous about being away from him for so long because I haven't. And I will be in the hospital and of course he will also be a little stressed. I will try not to let my anxiety over it show too much because I really want him to feel good about everything.

OK, so I'm nervous about having this second one. I'm really glad I'm planning on this being the last baby. Pregnancy is hard! At least for me.

So, that's life right now. I think I'm tired, so I should get some sleep. Sleep is really good these days!!!

2-4 Minutes Apart

Mon, 01 May 2006 21:54:00 GMT

And NO Baby! Can you believe it? I spent all afternoon at the hospital in L/D because I started having contractions all day yesterday and discovered they were 10 minutes apart last night. Today, they didn't seem to bad, but I decided to time them b/c of last night and they were 5-10 minutes apart. They aren't painful, just mostly tightening. Some of them are starting to be painful, though. just a little. So, I had made a little progress with my cervix so they decided to monitor me for a couple hours. Come to find out, my bigger contractions are about 5 minutes apart, but if you include the smaller ones in between, they are 2-4 minutes apart. Completely Crazy!!!!

They won't do a C-section until they know for sure that it's real labor. I had made no further progress in the couple hours spent at the hospital, so they sent me home. They said to come back if they start to get painful. They don't want to do the section this early because apparently, with the c-section, there is a higher chance of respiratory problems if the baby is less than 38-38.5 weeks. I'm just over 37 weeks. But, if I go into real labor, that will help prevent the respiratory problems and make the C-section a little easier.

So, whether or not this is the beginnings of real labor or not, I have no clue. If it is, it's progressing really slow, but I'm thinking the baby might be here by the end of the week. Here's to hoping that whatever happens, the baby won't end up in the NICU!!! And that we will both come out of it incredibly happy and healthy!

An amazing year...

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:53:36 GMT

A year ago today, my husband officially became self employed. So far, it's been incredible! We've had so many good things happen and so much good luck that I wouldn't want to take any of it for granted. I'm so happy we have made it this far and things keep looking up for us. We have an amazing son, a baby due in a couple weeks and a house being built. Life is incredible! I couldn't ask for more!

Drywall!

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 12:03:35 GMT

WOO HOO!!! They're delivering drywall to our house today! YAY!!!!!!

16 Days to go!

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:02:11 GMT

It just occurred to me, there are only 16 days until I am going to have another baby!!! I can't believe it. I've been counting the weeks for so long that I didn't realize I could start counting in days yet! But 2 weeks and 2 days is 16 days and that's just surprising to me! I keep hoping the doctor will decide to schedule me a week earlier because I am just ready to be finished. I keep reminding myself that it's in everyone's best interest that I go as late as possible because then we will have my mom here and the baby will have less of a chance of ending up in the NICU. I loved the NICU nurses, but I really don't want to have to go through that again. It's just a little scary.

But I'm finally almost ready for this baby to be here. The car is ready to get vacuumed and the covers for the carseat, swing and bouncy seat have been washed. So there's still quite a bit to do, but the things I've been putting off are at least clean, if not put together. I washed the baby clothes a couple days ago. I still have to put together a bag to take to the hospital, but I'm really not sure what all to put in it. I guess I will be there 4 days, so my husband can always go home and get things. I'm just trying to take it a little easy and not push it too much. My last doctor's appointment was pretty much normal and routine. Nothing interesting, that's for sure. I did learn more about the pain relief I will be getting and why they use it instead of the standard morphine. They actually leave the epidural in for 24 hours for pain relief. I won't be able to walk those 1st 24 hours, but apparently it won't matter all that much. I'll be better able to care for Audrey because I won't be in pain and I won't have medicine head. I talked to my friend who recently became a nurse and she explained more to me, but there really isn't much more to say about it, I guess. I'm happy with it now that I understand it. I've never been a big fan of narcotics, but I know they have their place.

Anyway, life is pretty good here! Collin's bedtime is going really well and his potty training is progressing for the most part. Some days are definitely better than others, that's for sure. After he went to bed tonight, he was up and around in his room. I went to check on him to put him back to bed, but he kept saying "watch cars" while looking out the window. Except he was really saying, "watch colors" because the sun was setting... So, that was incredibly cute. I had to let him do it.

The house isn't moving, so I'm starting to get a little nervous about that, but I know we still have time. I certainly hope this weekend is better since we lowered the price.

Thinking Positive

Sat, 22 Apr 2006 21:26:40 GMT

For all it's worth, I figure I should start thinking positive about this pregnancy and the cool things that come along with being pregnant. I'm so ready for it to be finished and I'm in so much pain that I often forget there are some really amazing moments in pregnancy.

Finding out and being excited about it!
The first ultrasound when you get to see there's a living little bean inside you
The second ultrasound where it looks like a person
The third ultrasound when I got to see her features
The incredible growing belly-- it really does look cool. How on earth does your body change from normal into this giant baby carrier?
Learning the gender
Learning the baby was healthy
Eating whatever I wanted because the baby's just going to keep growing regardless!
Giving up on exercise because there comes a point when you simply can't!
Extra naps during the day- guilt free!
Being chauffeured around because I don't really fit behind the steering wheel anymore, or because sometimes those practice contractions are painful!
Having a great excuse for extra baths or showers
Knowing that I have this other life inside of me -- Such a strange, but beautiful concept.
The day I get to meet her and see her face for the very first time

More visitors!

Sat, 22 Apr 2006 01:01:50 GMT

We had more people look at our house today! This is a great thing! It means that the market is finally picking up after spring break! I was getting nervous there for awhile!!! Our agent says the busiest days are Saturday and Sunday, so we will see what happens this weekend. I don't feel too good about the people who came tonight because they have 4 kids, and I don't think that they would comfortably fit in our house, but who knows... I've seen more people in these tiny homes.

But wish us luck this weekend! We will see how it goes! (I don't know why I feel the rush, because we don't actually want to move out until July...)