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I made the switch to wordpress. I'm a bit sad to be leaving this site, but think the new one will have more to offer in the long run. But, hey who knows....so maybe I'll keep this one around for a little while just for the heck of it. I might hate it over there for all I know. Ok, so here's the link.

Yikes is right, it's Ike.

Beth sure is right, yikes is all I can say for the residents facing the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Many of you may be sick to death of all my hurricane talk around here, but mother nature truly is an awesome force to be reckoned with and I simply cannot resist documenting her destruction, along with some history.

Storms have always fascinated me. Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, lightening, earthquakes, volcanoes...you name it...and I am glued for hours to the television. You can imagine my joy when I was offered a course in college called "Natural and Man-made Disasters". It covered all of the above and more.

I learned so much in this one little class, that it spurred my desire to change my minor from history to geography and to wish my actual major was in geography. At the time, it was way too late in the game to do that. And so, my minor became all things topographical, cultural, and historical. That's the thing about geography it covers everything. It's a wonderful subject and major that is often overlooked.

One of the topics we had covered, obviously had been hurricanes. Hurricanes were a huge deal since ODU was located in Norfolk, which is barely above sea level and is a major U.S. port. Therefore, our professor (Freebird as we called him) assigned us to read the book, Issac's Storm by Eric Larson. This is the 1900 storm that devastated Galveston, Texas killing over 6,000 people because the United States choose not to heed Cuba's warnings of the approaching Category 5 storm. (-Which in retrospect, the storm's category is actually unknown since wind and surge instruments and other meterologist tools were just beginning to be invented. It may have been more of a Category 3.) However, this very storm is what prompted the city to build a seawall. Up until Ike, this seawall had been good at protecting its citizens. For more on Isaac's storm and to view a few pictures, visit this link.

Both this story and Ike, remind me of my days living in Houston and how on the weekends, I would visit Galveston pier. It prompted a search for an old picture of me fishing off the pier at Galveston Islands. (where I accidentally hooked a stingray and couldn't catch anything more than baby shark.) My interest in this picture is that this pier I am pictured on has a large hotel sitting out on it about 1000 feet from the main road- (Seawall Blvd.)

_______

I remember thinking to myself, one day that thing isn't going to be there. I also remember being amazed as I realized how vast the sea really was. (Even though, I frequented the beaches of the east coast since a child, I never fully realized how big fish could get or how powerful hurricanes really were. I was a naive soul back then.) Anyway, here is a picture of the Flagship Hotel minus me. This is a video of the Seawall Blvd. and the Pier yesterday before even making landfall. Look how high the surge is and the Ike was still some 9 hours away! I wonder if it has survived. As I search the Internet today, I will keep you posted.

Although, I doubt that many folks have lost their lives because of modern inventions, I do fear there will be a death toll since only 60% of the Galveston residences actually evacuated- leaving nearly 20,000 or so brave souls to weather Ike's impact alone.

So much to say

I really truly wanted to have a post that remembered 9/11, although I wasn't there- it touched me the same ways it touched all Americans. I also wanted to create a post on Galveston/Houston and the impending hurricane, along with a few other things I have been meaning to get around to but still haven't! So, you may be asking- if I have all these things I want to say, why don't I? I mean I am sitting here typing....

Well, thing is my ECZEMA is DRIVING ME CRAZY. I get one area ALMOST completely healed and wham bam thank you m'am if I don't get another annoying area that sprouts up. Here's the deal- I usually get eczema in a variety of areas, usually all are manageable, except in between my fingers or say under my ring on my ring finger.

This location has officially prevented me from wearing my ring since I gave birth to Garrett. Before Garrett was born I had to stop wearing my rings because my hands were swollen. Sunday we took my wedding band in to be resized to see if this corrects the situation since my eczema in this locations has almost cleared up.

Now, if you know anything about this EVIL SKIN CONDITION, you would know that it is an immune disease, kinda like asthma (actually very very similar, as your immune system attacks your skin, rather than your lungs in this case). There are no known causes, it simply exists. A few theories link it to food, a lack of good bacteria (bifidus stuff) and stress. I think it has MANY triggers (an overabundance of perfumes, dyes, chemicals, lotions, plastics...yep you name it) yet it's primary cause is genetic and possibly related to chemicals found in one's life (environment, food, etc.), but again who really knows. It is obvious though, in my opinion that it is the body's response to pollutants or what it believes to be pollutants.

With all that said, I have suffered OFF and ON for oh ALL MY LIFE! I have years when it is dormant and everything is peachy, hunky dory and then there are times like NOW that are agony. And this go around it hasn't even been as bad as it CAN be. Yeah, you heard that correctly.

I have had it so bad that I wake myself up in the middle of the night scratching at my skin, so frantically that I feel a sensation like pin pricks/goose bumps upon my skin- only to find I have made myself bleed. The scratching is that intense. Luckily it has not gotten that bad since my college finals. (read stress) Now, I have learned to control it, with a few outbreaks here and there. I was dealing with it as best could be with only a heavier hydrocortisone when I felt it warranted getting a prescription of Elidel (the 2002 Drug of the Year). My regular doctor prescribed it without a whim and said use it sparingly. Oh ok. So, because I am anal about things, I look up some more information on it (I used this stuff like it was going out of style when it first came out, but no one had said use it sparingly.) I find out the FDA has now given it a BLACK BOX WARNING, meaning it MAY cause issues (as in skin cancer or lymphoma from prolonged use and too much use while in the sunlight). Ok, so now if I use it I have to be careful it isn't SUNNY out. Great.

I also have another ointment that is a pure steroid cream (another use sparingly product) that is awesome and I actually think has less bad effects (skin thinning and screws up your endocrine system- which indirectly effects my milk supply) vs. cancer. Anyway, I was using it as prescribed- and read up that Elidel could be used on the face, the other can't. Thing is I get dried cracks on the sides of my lips- I used it and it started clearing it up. Well, guess what....

It appears that I didn't wash my hands good enough after applying the ointment to my fingers or that I have overused the product because now I am plagued by Perioral Dermatitis. This can be caused by hydrocortisones/steroids! In this case, I am pretty sure it is. Lovely.

I am at my wit's end. The recommended course for treatment is bacterial creams. Well, as someone who already has had 3 course of antibiotics this year, I feel I really cannot succumb to anymore rounds of antibiotics and feel still feel safe. (A buildup of resistant bacteria can occur from overuse of antibiotics or by not completing your full dose of antibiotics.) I'm starting to think I am a worry wort.

I feel somewhat better now, if anything maybe I educated some folks on eczema and it's EVIL nature. I don't think I can take much more of this horrible disease. I am asking for any prayer, big or small. Thank you in advance.

In the meantime, I will be saying a silent prayer in remembrance of New York City and another that God looks over the Texas coast as Ike approaches.

Those people I call family

Disclaimer: Certain family members may not want to proceed reading this, as you might get mad at me. Of course you never visit this site, so that really shouldn't be a problem, now should it.

(The players)

Nana: the overzealous hip grandmother/mother that is NEVER wrong or to be called out on.

Jessica: the dramatic, heartbroken, soul searching twenty-something roller coaster.

Me: The sane and calm refereeing 'what about me!?!' mother.

(The Scene)

Sitting up in bed enjoying my *new* Corel Draw program with Garrett snugly sleeping next to me. As I was lost in my musings, the cellphone jingled that rather annoying tune that I have yet to change at what seemed the highest decimal it possibly could muster. I tried quickly to reach it's blaring high pitch before Garrett began to arouse. (He has been teething and dealing with a bit of an upset stomach the last few nights, seems oatmeal is rough to digest just yet.) I reach the phone and answer without hesitation as I see the name Nana. Something could be wrong.

Last night went something like this:

Nana- "Hi, I didn't wake you, did I?"

Me- (In a whisper, thinking all the while, "Doesn't she, of all people know better?") "No. But he's asleep."

Nana- "Oh, well I just have a question. Did you tell Jessica....that I left her alone with your friends without you, when she was a child?"

Me- (No, where is this going?) "No. Why?"

Nana- "Well, she says she remembers me leaving her and her friend alone at the house as I went to the store when she was about 8. I didn't though. Here, I'll let you talk to her."

Me- (Doesn't anyone care that I have a baby under 6 months old that I am taking care of and that he is sleeping right now? Or that I have to get up and work tomorrow?)

Jessica- (a bit over dramatic if you will) "She is such a liar. I know she left us. Why can't she just admit it? I don't care that she did. I just want her to say whoa you remember that. Because, she is making me feel like I am crazy. But, I know what I remember Brooky."

Me- (Trying to console as quietly as possible) "That's how mom is. She isn't going to say she did it, so you should just drop it. But, if you remember it, it most likely did happen."

Jessica- "Then why can't she say it's true?"

Me- (Trying to sooth my waking baby while juggling the phone at my shoulder.)"Because that's just how she is. You need to just drop this, you guys have a flight to catch tomorrow. You really shouldn't be arguing now."

Jessica- "I'm not going anywhere with a liar."

Me- (My voice is now much higher and my child is awake and staring at me, listening to my irritation.) "Oh, pu...leaseeeee. Just stop it, Rod bought those tickets for you guys, you have to go. So get over this, you need to accept mom for who she is. She isn't going to change."

This continued for another 20 minutes. Garrett is wide awake and restless now. I am seriously irritated, but maintain composure pretty darn well. Although at one point, I thought I was going to pull my hair out. I kept thinking, why exactly was I called? (I guess deep down we are all selfish and narcissistic.) But, really did I need to be brought into this one? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being called, etc., etc., etc....However, I get a little annoyed that no one acknowledges my life here with Garrett. Or that I would love to hear from them some other time, preferably when they are not bickering over nonsense.

After we got off the phone, I realized how wonderfully content I am with my new family, my own family. We are so happy together. In a pretty sickening way I guess, but I love it that way. I find so much balance with Bryan and Garrett- I feel peaceful with them. And I'm relieved that I don't have to deal with all that family drama on a weekly basis. (no offense to mom or Jessica if you're reading this...which I doubt.)

Moral of the story:
I guess sometimes a person needs a little shock to the old system to let them know how good life really is.

Picture Perfect.

A tad bit late...here's Tuesday's picture.

This was taken after church a couple weeks ago. The baby pictured was absolutely fabulous during the service. What can I say? He is my baby. Only kidding. I mean he is my baby and all, oh you know what I mean!

Going in Circles (Not me, silly.)

I'm my own worse nightmare. I have reverted to eating peanut butter out of the jar. It seems I have come to a point in this motherhood life that eating is now a past-time. It seems to be all I want to do anymore. Or rather, the only thing I have time for. This probably explains why I have begun baking all the time. It's something that I can actually accomplish while wearing Garrett. If you were wondering, it appears I don't have an easy baby at all, unless this consists of constant entertaining or holding. Happy and alert, yes. Easy, no. Problem is, when he is 'preoccupied' with something, I feel guilty as if I should be conversing or playing with him. Sometimes mommy-hood is torture. I can't even imagine what my world will be like as this child begins to crawl. At which time, I will officially lose my rights altogether. Whatever rights those were.

Now don't take this the wrong way, but I feel like, since Bryan is with Garrett in the mornings from about 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. that he uses up all his 'preoccupied time'. (a.k.a. mommy free time) I only come to this conclusion because Bryan is less apt to pick him up the minute he cries or is fussy. The other reason I think this is true is because by this point he realizes that I am gone, so when I am at home he wants all of my attention. Is there some great secret to juggling all this? Let's not even get into the cleaning department. (- as it has taken a deep rooted backseat to anything and everything at this point.) What's a mommy to do?

In an effort to give myself a moment of sanity and clarity, I have been popping in a Baby Einstein video here and there. We have about 6 that I rotate as much as possible. Garrett really loves them all, except for the one titled Bach- he never truly focuses on that particular one, but they all last about 20 or so minutes (just the right amount of time for his attention span)... unfortunately not at all enough time for me. Usually, it simply gets me started into something, only to have to quit in the middle of what I am doing. Sometimes, I am really bad and restart the dang thing just to finish what it is I am doing. Like now. (Cough, Cough.)

Let's however, get the record straight, I am not a mother that plops or intends to plop her child in front of the television. I frankly think that this is what's wrong with the world today. That and the wonderful computer. (And yes, I am indeed calling the kettle black on that one.) I do feel pushed up against the wall as a mother though on this matter. I mean when is it too much and is this too young to use the television? I know many balk at the idea of allowing a baby to see videos and such, but really what is a mother to do and what in the world did mothers years and years ago do to get a small moment to themselves? Maybe the 'me' of mommy didn't exist back then. I don't know, I know there certainly isn't an easy solution and I can only do my best with what I believe is right or appropriate.

Well, it looks like it's time to go get some more peanut butter. Garrett is staring at me wide eyed as he completes his fifth circle in less than five minutes.

And for the record, honey peanut butter is really much better than the plain stuff.

(Suggestions, as always are welcome.)

Time to be GrEeN CONTEST.

I've been trying to decide what day to be GREEN on and exactly what could be included on these posts. I'm still working on the details, but I think Sundays should be GREEN because it's already my zen day, so it only makes sense to make it green, too.

I'm not going to share any 'green ideas' on this post. Rather, I would like to pose a question to you the reader. (I'm also hoping some of those lurkers start speaking up...I mean come on, you can be anonymous and still post!!!)

Anyway, my question is this: What prevents YOU from being more green and how could you change this?

Write up a short thought-provoking paragraph or so that really gets ya' thinking about all the ways you could and can be more green, along with what personally gets in your way of doing it. In return, I will randomly give away one of my GREEN bags.

(The contest will last the whole month of September).

I want a house upon the rock.

Obviously we made it through Hanna. She was definitely nothing that we needed to be overly worried about as we have thunderstorms much worse than Hanna. And for the record, she never jumped past those 45 mph gusts. Which I'm definitely not complaining about. I'm actually thanking the good Lord. See, that's the thing with hurricanes, one can never be sure on the destruction they may or may not bring. I definitely believe we dodged a bullet. Had Hanna landed here today, I think we would have had a much different system on our hands, as it was an extremely HUMID day. We also were spared a brutal hit because Hanna literally made a B-line through our yard. Our neighborhood or 'town' saw the most damages and power outages- (although they were few and far between) within the surrounding area. I can't say for sure what we would have done had it been a Category 3 storm hitting us, I wonder if our house would have withstood the possible damages from winds that high. I also think to myself, what would we have done in such a situation like that as Hugo, Andrew or Katrina. It has both of us thinking more and more about a future move back to our mountain hometown. So much for having a little beach bum as a baby. But, hey what's that song 'The wise man built his house upon the rock, house upon the rock...." There maybe more truth and wisdom in that song, if it was ever doubted before.

Hole in the Wall

Has anyone seen this show? And does anyone absolutely think that the world has gone bonkers thinking that this show is actually entertaining?

It opens stating that the 'the greatest show around the world' has finally come to the United States or something to that matter. Supposedly, it has been highly anticipated. Did I miss something? The contestants wear shiny silver suits that are the least becoming, rather than resemble a bad 80's video. The object is to fit through a cut out opening in a moving wall before being knocked off into bright green water. Yeah....real interesting. I could barely keep my eyes away from the TV. The most incredible part, the TV screen flashes with the words 'NOT CLEARED' when someone doesn't make it through the wall. You've gotta be kidding! This is when I decided to change the channel.

I think if this show had any appeal at all to audiences as a Japanese show, it was because they were making fun of the idiots participating in it and the commentating that took place over it, not the actual show itself. The worse part, there's a woman named Brook(e) that co-hosts the show. She's doing the Brook(e)'s around the world such a disservice.

It completely reminds me of that stupid movie 'Idiocracy' (no really it's a movie about what the world would be like if only stupid people populated the earth- intelligent folks stop reproducing). This new show definitely gives you the feeling we have already reached that point on some level! I feel like the television is so mindless these days, that it scares me to think of what will be on it in 5, 10, 15, even 20 years.

Of course, by then we will be walking around with our computer connected to glass lenses and the television will most likely be a thing of the past. Unless we're too stupid to invent something that intelligent. Which is also a big possibility at the rate we're going....but, let's hope not.

There she blows....

Ok the power keeps flickering on and off, so I will make this quick.

It's been typical, a bit lopsided, so we get heavy rains for awhile with some huge wind gusts and then it dies down. The highest report gust thus far is 45 miles about 5 miles from here.

It should be making landfall with high tide in about an hour or so. I would love to get some pictures, but since it's nighttime we can't really pull that one off.

But, the wind is howling and blowing those trees- Bryan and Garrett are sleeping right through it. Crazy, guess I should try as well.

Oh, I got a search hit for hurricane preparedness, so I believe once this thing has blown over, I will write up something on what you need and what you should do in case of a hurricane. Because, ya never know when you might end up in one. Even, inland it seems.

Ok, that's 4 flicks of the power in 5 minutes. I need to go turn the big computer off before it does some damage. Toodles.

A small Hurricane update

I thought I would give everyone a quick update- the tropical storm/hurricane is estimated to make landfall in south of Myrtle Beach, which is where we live. It is only supposed to have sustained winds of 65-75 mile per hour as of 6 p.m.
I was able to work today, even though rain began early this morning. By 2 p.m. the humidity level was rising and you could feel that low pressure that occurs during hurricanes. It's a strange feeling, but I promise once you've been through a hurricane you start to sense it, probably somewhat like right before a tornado.

Speaking of which, we have a tornado watch in effect for the rest of the night and into the early morning. I think that's the worse, is you have this one thing going on that you are worried about and then on top of it you get another thing to worry about. Great! At least Bryan will be home tonight and as it makes landfall! That's a huge relief. We decided to order pizza and rent a movie, hoping the power doesn't go out until after midnight.

Right now it's getting darker and the wind is starting to pick up. I'll be sure to update again tonight before it hits or in the morning...that is if the power doesn't go off!

Oh and let's really say a prayer for Florida- as Ike approaches. Hopefully, it will downgrade even more! (My brother and his family live in Orlando and my mom and sister will be visiting there NEXT week!)

Who's Environment is this, Anyway?

I really can't take the Republican Convention, but I'm trying to get through it. I feel like their speech writers watched what worked for the Democratic convention and just changed it around for themselves. Let's not even talk about Palin...I mean, please a pit bull with lipstick? Too bad I'm not a fan of pit bulls. I would rather work for change than fight for change.

One of the blogs I follow, Crunchy Chicken brought up that she believed McCain and Palin were the biggest threat to the environment. Whoa...that's a big statement, but I do think it's a warranted one- I mean can we really live with another 4 years without agreeing on a Global Climate Policy? Shouldn't we be protecting the environment before caring to go back into a war? Or whether the woman next door is having an abortion? Or whether taxes get raised or not?

To me these things won't matter when our air and water isn't clean or when we have torrential storms, no Amazon or polar caps and more diseases to worry about.

Which leads me to another issue, another iceberg (this time the size of Manhattan has broken off). I hope everyone understands the impact this can have (it directly influences the way in which our whole world's climate works). In my opinion this really does matter.

I guess it boils down to whether or not we want to create a better place for our children to live in or if we want to leave the earth a better place than when we were here. I think those are important things in the eyes of God. No?

Maybe I have it all wrong, but I think we should be able to live and work together without war, be green, find spirituality, educate our children, have moral character, care for the greater good and still prosper as a people- all at the same time. Ok, so maybe I'm a transcendentalist.

This really wasn't intended to be about the election or the environment (it simply found its way out), so please forgive me. My real intentions were our anxiousness with wondering where Ike is heading. We have Hanna headed our way now, carrying not much of a threat- but, a pain as we wait to see what Ike might bring if it is to follow Hanna's footsteps. It's akin to hurricane Isabel in its track thus far. Likewise, it's a horrible Category 4 right now! Which could spell major trouble for anyone in its wake. What's even worse, it will be arriving to the U.S. at the peak of Hurricane season, September 10th.

We are prepared, however have decided to only stay if it is below a Category 2 Hurricane. Since both Bryan and I have been through hurricanes before, we know the impact they can bring. We won't be taking the same chances we once did as 'young adults'. It's funny, how bravery and reasoning evolve into cautious sanity once you have children. The bottomline is that we are privy to the environment and really should start respecting it.

Please say a small prayer for the Bahamas, the Gulf and the East coast this week. : )

Two for Tuesday

We did it. We fed the little man his first solid foods. Yup, I said it. So go ahead and flame me now.

Wanna know what his first tastes, were? Avocados. In all honesty, he has actually been eating rice cereal for about 2 weeks now. I know, but listen he was ready...sometimes ya just know. If you don't believe me just take a closer look at that face. Of course, it looks like most of it landed everywhere except in his mouth. Hey, it's the experience that counts. Up next, oatmeal cereal.

Yummy Oatmeal Bars

Garrett and I made these before dinner tonight. Granted they didn't get in the oven until almost 11 because someone is teething horribly (more on that at a later date), but they turned out to be very yummy. If I were you I would try them as cookies and bars, maybe half and half if you have a smaller metal baking pan. Next time I post a recipe I will be sure to add pictures, but with time and wearing a baby as constraints it never crossed my mind until now. :)

OK, here ya go...

1 cup softened butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups All purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 cups quick or old fashioned cooking oats

In a medium bowl, cream together both sugars and butter. Beat in eggs one at a time. Then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in a separate dish and then stir into creamed mixture. Mix in oats, stirring thoroughly. Cover and chill at least 1 hour prior to baking. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheet and roll dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes- Allow cookies to cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make Oatmeal bars, simply press dough into bottom of non-greased metal 13 x 9 pan and bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly golden. Cool in pan on wire rack/cut into bars.

Who's ready for some pigskin?

Today was the opening of the college football season (in case you weren't aware). I'm a guy's girl all the way. I love the fall and I love college football. Although, I'm not so much a lover of the NFL or other major league sports. I am strictly a lover of college sports.

I'm not really for sure where the love comes from, maybe it was the camaraderie my father and I found watching VA Tech throughout the years together. Or maybe it was because of the sheer fact that I chose to go to one of the only universities (sporting some 25,000 students in total) that doesn't boast a football team. I had to make up for it somehow, right? (As luck would have it 6 years after my graduation they are due a team of their own. Woo-hoo!) Which brings to mind that I will have 3 official college football teams to cheer, rave and rant about relentlessly next season. What more could a pigskin loving gal ask for?

Perhaps, a spunky football fascinated little man? And that's exactly what we got...here's a few pics of Garrett chanting 'GO HOKIES!' and then laying back on the couch imitating his Daddy. He did a great impersonation by the way.

Unfortunately, Bryan had to work during all the season opening action, but Garrett and I were ready to cheer our teams on even if they were inexperienced and off their game. We still love ya and promise never to be fair weather fans.

Give me SIX WORDS, my pretty.

I frequent a few blogs, comment as much as possible on many of them and even subscribe to a few. Usually, the ones I read offer up for grabs a part of me I had once forgotten about. I find my voice inside so many other folks and other times I think of things in a completely new light, it simply reassures me of how alike (yet different) we all are. I hope you have the warm fuzzies now. I for one, like that feeling.

So anywho, as I was reading Erin's blog Some Kind of Wonderland, (formerly known as This is Life), I was indirectly challenged to come up with a S-I-X word memoir. Six words as in 6 little words. I can barely write a sentence that has only 6 words. For that matter, I can't even do that it seems. At least not a good sentence. (I did it, did ya see that?)

Well, I truly thought that it would be much harder than it turned out to be, not that it came to me in a matter of minutes or anything- but, it lingered and found itself at the tip of my tongue and ready to emerge by midnight last night. It may have arrived through sheer luck or perhaps even more so by the obvious.

As a disclaimer- I reserve the right to reword this every few months.

Must have chocolate now or else.

Just KIDDING. Kinda.

Here's my small attempt at defining myself:

Drool Inspired Humanitarian Artist / Wife / Mother.

(I couldn't decide on a photo, I wanted something new...oh well, this captures my spirit and I was pregnant when this was taken, too.)

Ok, the deal is this:

YOU (i.e., if you're reading this, that means you) I know I have more than 3 1/2 readers and would really LOVE to hear what you have to say about yourselves. So please do me a HUGE FAVOR and post your memoir as a comment. Pretty peas. What better way for us to officially get to know one another! YOU also represents Carol Beth, Becky, and Sarah.

As with everything, there are rules.

Rules:

1. Write a six word memoir.
2. Post it to your blog, maybe with a pic.
3. Link to the person who tagged you.
4. Tag a few folks.
5. Leave a comment for them with an invite to play.
   

Now what are ya'll still doing here? Go get in your think tanks!

Are you registered to vote?

I am sitting in bed watching Obama speak at the Democratic Convention as I type. I believe November 4, 2008 will be a monumental day. I believe it will be a day that we see a much greater turn out than ever before. I am awed by Obama's speech, an awesome dedication of what change means for him personally. I also donated a mere $15 to his campaign...not much I know. Yet, I tend to be of the nature that every bit counts- especially for someone riding on public donations. You can visit his website (possibly to donate and get a bumper magnet for free) at http://www.barackobama.com/.

However, I have no intentions on selling my opinions, therefore I will stop while I'm ahead.

I simply wanted to share a voter's nightmare...

As you may know or remember from a previous post, I have known my husband for 14 years, in which 3 presidential elections have occurred. I would say that I know him pretty darn well. I know what his values are and his political beliefs, what his favorite meal is, his life story and many childhood memories. I know who his friends were, where he lived and what his dreams are, along with a handful of useful and then not so useful information that make me love him even more.

But, what I wasn't aware of - was that he has never voted in any election. Is that really possible? Is this really MY husband?

So, like a good wife I printed off a voter registration form, filled it out and mailed it off today.

My husband WILL vote in the election in 67 days. He will be a part of the C-H-A-N-G-E we need in this country, regardless of who he votes for.

I hope each of you will be or are in the process of becoming registered to vote, it's something that truly shouldn't be taken for granted. It saddens me to think we live in such a great country where so many people have become jaded and apathetic.

May things change for the better come November.

To see if you still have time to register to vote in your own state, visit this link.

Tuesday's Gone with the Wind

This was actually taken about a month ago. I simply wanted to look back and see how much he is growing. I'm sad because all of a sudden it seems like it's going by way too fast. We weighed him today and he is almost 17 lbs! What's that about? I miss my little baby. Time sure is precious.

The Crunchy Lifestyle

I have always 'talked' about being green, but I never walked the walk so to speak. I did little things, but now that Garrett has come along I have really started taking the initiative to be better and greener. Therefore, I wanted to share one of our green habits.

My good friend Sarah mentioned on her blog that she finally purchased canvas bags for grocery shopping, so I thought I would share a picture of my own to demonstrate how big and sturdy they are and just how readily available they are becoming. I purchased mine before Garrett was born. I was sick of telling baggers to 'limit' all that plastic (between the double bagging and 2-3 items per bag...it was ridiculous, I was starting to think they were in co-hoots with bag makers.) I gave my spill, every single trip to the grocery store on the environmental devastation of plastic only to receive blank looks. After a few years of those stares, I finally found the bag you see to the right at Office Depot for $1.99. I bought 3- I wish I had bought even more they're so roomy and sturdy.

Like Sarah said, I feel good when I walk out of the store with them. It makes me proud to be Garrett's mother because I know I am doing a small part to make sure he has an environment to live in! To give you an idea of their size, Garrett was generous enough to use himself to show a comparison. I'm telling you, they are the brown paper bag of the future, except they can hold even more. If I haven't convinced you yet to make the change, isn't Garrett enough? Seriously though, habit is all the effort it takes to become more green in this department.

Plus just look how much stuff they hold. I had 2 big boxes of cereal, a huge tub of butter, yogurt, a container of pre-cut veggies, marshmallows, a bag of frozen spinach and frozen fruit bars in the bag from this particular excursion. I promise you aren't going to be able to get that much in one plastic or brown paper bag. When I really go shopping, you know those $150 - $200 trips, I usually end up only needing 4 bags for everything. (I have a canvas tote from my doctor that I also use to make sure I don't get any plastic from those pesky baggers!) Finally, if you haven't noticed, take a look at that ticker over on the right of my blog to see how many plastic bags are being used. I am almost certain that less than half of those are even recycled. And what's worse, plastic is useless UNLESS it is recycled and then it only has but so many lives. So come on whatcha' say, make that switch today and be an advocate for your little one and their future.

Visit Crunchy Chicken for the real deal on being green!

Would anyone like to see a once a week green day?

Top 10 Irritations for Friday

10. Waking up in the middle of the night between the times Garrett nurses and then being unable to fall back asleep for another hour.

9. Canceling my hair appointment for Monday until an undetermined day in the near future.

8. Cashiers or Baggers that don't listen to you when you tell them you brought your own bags and proceed to place your items into double plastic bags after you've handed them your own bags. (did they go to school at all?)

7. Making small talk with people you don't really like and the fact that they know it too and don't like you either.

6. Drivers in the left lane that go very, very, very, slow and then make a left turn. (This may only apply to South Carolina.)

5. Crying over a movie for no apparent reason and trying to figure out why exactly you are crying. Then continuing to cry until you can think of a reason for crying.

4. Not having a working microwave. (Of course, not nuking everything might be a good thing.)

3. People that laugh really loud while reading greeting cards.

2. Women with perky breasts either with or without kids. (a.k.a. implants, fake-aroos)

1. The fact that LEFT-handed oven mittens do not exist. Anywhere. Period.

Do you have any irritations?

Tuesday's picture...just a few days late!

Somebody else seems irritated.

Perhaps his top ten includes "irritated at that Mommy character for constantly taking my picture" or "spending another 15 minutes in this awful contraption"?

Busy as a Bee

We don't really have a nickname for Garrett, but I have started calling him Baby Bee. I'm not really for sure why, but I guess that's the funny thing about nicknames. This post isn't about nicknames, although Garrett is called all kinds of things throughout the day and the subject might make for a good post....

Anyway, when I called him that tonight as I was getting him ready for bed it made me think of how busy I have been the last two weeks. It seems that Garrett has turned a corner in development and I have reluctantly increased my hours at work. In case, you were wondering or missing me at all this is the reason. I have also been trying to organize our cluttered house and get rid of a few things. I thought I might have a chance to work on my 'side projects' at some point, but I haven't figured out how to work those in yet. I think once the clutter is gone and I finish past projects (like organizing our endless supply of pictures, getting Garrett's scrap/baby book current or painting his step stool) I will get the chance. Looks like I have a touch of ADHD, starting so many things at once. I have always said I have too many hobbies.

It doesn't look like Garrett has that problem as he keeps trying and trying at everything. He is now holding everything like a pro, rolling over and inch worm crawling! (At least that's what he looks like when he does it.) He has a tooth cropping up and loves to laugh. Oh and he has started lifting up on his arms and raising his belly. It's the cutest thing in the world! What's not to love about this baby? He makes it all so very worth it when it's put into perspective. So that's what the pictures in the post are for, a reminder if you will of how the good Lord does answer our prayers.

Like I was saying, I am now working 30 hours a week as opposed to a mere 15. We were just getting by- mainly because I have a few bills that take up what I do make and because of a loan and car payment. I hate not being more capable. The straw that broke the camel's back was the news that we have to have flood & hurricane coverage effective immediately. It seems the powers that be in the insurance world decided that anything in our county east of the waterway is in a more liable area for disaster. Which isn't really a surprise considering we are less than 2 miles from the ocean. What did surprise us is the cost of the insurance, it's going to be an extra $3000 a year. Whoever said "When it rains it pours", knew exactly what they were talking about because we have had financial misfortune back to back since our tree fell down last August. I'm hoping this is the last of it. We are still paying off Bryan's appendectomy, along with our doctor and hospital bills. Hopefully, we can pay enough of those to get a nice tax deduction.

This all leaves little free time for me and I am trying to be a big girl about it and not be too disappointed. Garrett and I are working on a new schedule. That's taking up some precious time, too. We have to be up early now regardless of Daddy's. Bryan and I have been doing good, to me that's a testament of our love and lets me know we can make it through anything! God willing I will be able to start a business of my own that generates enough income to get us ahead, allows me to be home with Garrett and let's me use my God-given talents (because, I have tons of ideas). I also hope my eczema clears up for GOOD...those are my prayers. But, the most important job I want to have is the ability to spend as much time with Garrett as possible.

An Old but Funny Story

Ok, this is an old story about my little sister and brother. Fellow blogger Becky conjured up memories of this story, so I felt compelled to share! I think it's hilarious looking back, you however may find yourself thinking that my sister was a demented 4 year old, but I assure you she was simply an actress from the day she was born.

For a little background, my sister is 9 years and a few months younger than me and my brother is 10 and 1/2 years younger. Which if you do the math makes them 15 months apart. Talk about chaos, once these two came along life was a whirlwind of motion. My sister was the ring-leader and Joe followed her beck and call. He was bashful and an angel. She was sinister and loud Together they got into a whole lot of everything. It's funny because in retrospect, it makes sense that they had the types of personalities that they had.

Jessica came into the world fighting. She was born premature, 6 weeks early and weighing in at only 4 lbs and a few ounces- not a big deal now, but 22 years ago this was somewhat of a feat. She had even stopped breathing and my mother had an emergency C-section, Jessica was flown via helicopter to a neighboring hospital. On the other hand, my brother Joey took his time arriving, he made my mom wait until far into her 9th month, through the dead of summer and into an Indian one. I remember how big and miserable mom was while she was pregnant with him. It was as if he didn't want to go anywhere. He had no rush, he was content. I also remember the car ride to the hospital and her pleas to hurry because she was in so much pain. She had anticipated delivering him via VBAC, however he was in a half breech presentation (he wasn't sideways but his head wasn't straight and the doctor told my mother that this and with the combination of his head being way too big she would need a C-section. So that was that and he was delivered repeat C-section, weighing in at over 9 lbs and practically cooing as he arrived. He was no where near the fragile darling Jessica was, he was a healthy teddy bear.

Fast forward a few years to when Jessica was 4 and Joe was 3 years old. Double trouble. One was nicknamed Wild Child and the other was Crazy Kid. My stepfather had decided to buy a motorized riding Jeep for my brother's birthday, Jessica had a Barbie car and so my stepfather felt this evened the playing field. Yet, he didn't realize their competitiveness (or should I say my sister's that is).

Anyhow, it was a couple of years after the first Batman was in the movie theaters - Jessica and Joe always dressed up as their favorite characters, whatever was big at the moment movie wise or someone from their favorite book or cartoon.

On one particular day, as they were playing Batman, Joe was in his jeep in the kitchen. (yeah I'm not for sure why it was in there either, but it was). Joe was Batman and I believe Jessica was playing Princess or the sidekick Robin or maybe even the Little Mermaid. At this point it appeared she was tired of playing the second fiddle because she all of a sudden decided that she wanted to drive the 'getaway' car - (a.k.a. the Jeep) so she preceded to try and knock Joey out of the Jeep. She was slightly pushing him and telling him that he had been caught and now it was her turn. Joey seemed both unphased and unamused. He simply kept driving the jeep, telling her to 'catch' him again. Irritated that her plan didn't work, they continued playing and all seemed well.

That's when it happened. Out of the blue, Jessica walks ever so slowly over to Joe, gives him a big shove and yells "Die Batman, Die!"

Needless to say, at those words time out was enforced and we tried to explain to Jessica why that type of behavior wasn't an appropriate way to treat her brother. I'm not for sure we ever really convinced her on that one, but she's much nicer to Joe now and on her way to becoming a full-fledged actress to boot.

So, I guess all that 'pretending' paid off. Oh and for the record, Joe is still as sweet as ever.

Doctor Bills, Smoctor Bills

That's what I want to tell my OBgyn.

Or if I had the chance I would like to say, "No thanks, I've had enough...but thank you for asking." Because, obviously doctors these days think that your maternity and delivery charges are the dessert after giving birth.

I would like to inform them that this is certainly NOT the case. Unless it's dessert that been thrown-up. Sorry, I know that's not the mental picture you were hoping for.

So where does this angst come from you ask?

Well, even though we were told upfront that our bill would be X amount of dollars and after being harassed to pay (I kid you not) and then being threatened (again I kid you not) when I was oh, 7 months pregnant that they would drop me (this part is just a little bit my fault...seems my PREGNANT hormones were rude to the office assistant on the Friday she called, yet the doctor really had no business threatening a PREGNANT woman on a Monday morning at 8 a.m., either) I was hysterical over it, Bryan had to get on the phone I was crying so much. Luckily, there were 2 doctors in my practice or it might have been more embarrassing. Yeah, I had the very best doctors. Ever. Ever. In the whole wide world. Oh wait, no wonder I had all those birthing issues, huh? On second thought, maybe I got a really bad case of karma.

Anyway, after that fiasco when I was 7 months PREGNANT, you would think like any other red blooded American that we were done and owed nothing else to them. You would think that, right?

Wrong.

We received a new bill this past month for $451 extra dollars. Something about they had a hold on our deductible and was waiting for the hospitals charges to kick in. But it didn't. Are you sure about that? I really wish I had reserved that rude can of whip arse for this moment, but I am still learning how to pick my battles. So, I started doing the research and I added up all that we had paid up to the harassment incident plus the lump sum we payed after the harassment issue (the amount that was to supposed to settle the bill per the office manager-yes we are now speaking with the office manager). Guess what?!!? This amount is about $50 over what our insurance states we are responsible for and the amount we were originally given!

Now tell me, am I missing something?

We have to call on Monday...no, nix that...BRYAN will be calling on Monday to talk to them about the matter. I don't think I would be the best suited for the job.

I will be sure to update you guys on what goes down.

My 3 day hiatus

I can't really say much happened in the past 3 days, except some good ol' family fun. Overall, it was kinda a 'strange' weekend. But, nonetheless, OUR weekend.

I'm absolutely unsure what was accomplished Saturday, except that I was possibly recovering from either a strep infection or an ear infection, whatever it was I was given a prescription of Amoxicillin. This now ups my total pill popping every single day to a whooping 14 pills. Don't freak out, they aren't drugs...just herbal supplements and daily vitamins. It's still a heck of a lot of pills. I'm a pill popper. Yeah Yeah Yeah. (sung to the tune of "I'm a wheel watcher") I'll explain more on my supplements another day, I promise they aren't drugs. So stop worrying already.

Bryan had Sunday and Monday off, which made it our weekend of sorts. We attempted to watch a Grateful Dead Cover band, only to realize eating food was going to be impossible with a bunch of drinking and smoking hippies. We were hoping for more of a festival type atmosphere. It was also extremely crowded, more so than we anticipated and felt Garrett probably was better off not being in that type of crowd. Therefore, we headed off to Mellow Mushrooms instead and had some groovy pizza. We were able to be psychedelic after all. ; )

(Now, you guys really think I am either a druggie or crazy. I assure you that I am neither. I promise words can be deceiving, too.)

I found out I missed going out with one of my "single non-mommy" friends last Sunday to none other than a Reagae festival on a gorgeous and not very hot day, at the Inlet. Yeah, go figure...that's what I get for me and my homebodiness.

We have changed numerous poops in our cloth diapers and are still hanging in there. You guys probably thought we had given up since I hadn't mentioned them anymore. Rest assured, we haven't and I will give a thorough rundown very, very soon. I actually believe I am addicted to cloth diapers because I want to buy more...yet the funds, they are very low.

Which brings me to my biggest reason for not posting in the last few days. I was lost pondering how to start making money without having to get a 2nd job or a first real job for that matter. I have been meaning to blog about my ideas for sometime and Carol Beth's post the other day was kind enough to remind me.

I'm just not for sure where to begin, as I have plenty-o ideas, problem is many require skill or cash. Two things I'm not exactly brimming with. That's not completely true, I just hate to announce some awesome skill and then it be little to nothing. I am cooking something up and will be 'unveiling' it shortly, hopefully in a couple of weeks. So be sure to stay tuned for my future creations. This is going to happen, I am determined to be a WAHM!! (a.k.a. Work at Home Mom)
In the meantime, I have decided to share a touching photo on Tuesdays every week. We'll see how it goes, it might just be cheesy. Of course, I do LOVE cheese! Anyway, here's my first Tuesday photo! This was taking place as I was walking out the door yesterday morning (on my way to work). Isn't that just the sweetest thing in the world and look how interested my little man is, as his Daddy reads to him the book "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr. Suess.

Friday Nights are Lonely Nights

Being a mommy is lonely. Being a stay at home almost full-time mommy is even lonelier. Being a stay at home almost full-time mommy at home on a Friday night is the loneliest. (Although this is the first Friday in awhile that I have realized it was Friday before 8 p.m., Yeah...I know that borders on pathetic.) Bear with me for a minute.

Now, don't take all that the wrong way and think I am the worst homebody ever, or anti-social or even unfriendly. Because, I really don't think I am any of those things. Ok, maybe I might be a homebody a little bit.

My point here is that I don't have the friends I used to. As a mommy, childless friends think you are boring and a.k.a 'obsessed by baby' and attached at the hip to baby. All which may have merit, but you reserve the right to still be fun every now and then.

Four months into this and I am very happy to be mommy. I simply wish there were more 'mommies' in my area. I have tried joining the Mommy and Me groups, only to end up frustrated at trying to get into their schedule. They go places at 8:30 a.m. for goodness sakes! With Bryan's schedule (which I follow, if I ever want to see him and have our child see him), I am either still in bed with baby at this time or I am at work and Garrett is at home with his daddy. Other meet ups occur at 2 p.m., now come on, that's Garrett's nap time! Then, they have MNO- Mom's Night Out and wouldn't you know it, they all take place on days Bryan works. So I give up stop looking and then try again a couple of weeks later only to repeat the same scenario again. When I do find one I can join, I forget about it!

I do have a couple of girlfriends of friends that I am trying to get connected with here in the area, but as luck would have it, one of those girls are moving back to our hometown. We were beginning to really get to know one another. Of course, I have a few gal pal mommas that I call regularly, but I really wish they were in the flesh because sometimes a phone call can't get you that comfort you need. I also met a single lady that gave me the number of her friend...however, I haven't mustered up enough courage to semi-cold call her yet.

And I suppose on many levels that's why I turn to the internet, it's easy, less complicated and gives me some sense of camaraderie.

Like I said it can be lonely being a mommy.

Weird Weather

Tonight, when I was trying for the first time to blog (around 7 ish) a hellish thunderstorm pounded us. It was insane. We had 65 mph gusts of wind and believe me, I thought we were going to lose another tree or a tornado was going to appear. It didn't even start to rain until after the 'wind storm'. Then the wind was gone and it poured. The heat was unbearable today, I'm sure that's how this storm cropped up.

I was so afraid that I brought the boys (our dogs) in from the garage, and the four of us huddled in the bedroom hallway/closet until the storm passed by. I am petrified of tornadoes and after the one that hit the Chesapeake, VA area in April...I am not messing around. I remember too many times while living in Newport News and driving home from college in Norfolk, thinking to myself that I was in the midst of a small tornado. That's exactly what tonight seemed like. Bryan told me over the phone that Murrells Inlet received 1 and half inch hail with numerous trees down. He said it drifted out to sea rather than moving on up the coast. I think we only caught the tail-end of the storm tonight. Lucky us.

Below is a video of the April tornado in VA.


This makes the 2nd trip into the closet that we have made since Garrett's birth. Guess after you have a little one, your outlook on alot of things change. While living in Norfolk, I stayed during the 2003 Hurricane Isabel. If you're like me, you've heard that when a massive storm is going to hit, there's a dead calm that occurs right before it and believe me, it's so true. The air is also very thick. We didn't even get the brunt of that hurricane, as it made landfall at Cape Fear, NC. That's a good 4 hours from Norfolk, yet we experienced winds as high as 90 mph in the dead of night. Power was off from 11 a.m. the morning before in struck until two weeks after. Tornadoes jumped out of Hurricane Isabel and actually did most of the damage, we were lucky it didn't strike during high tide or that it wasn't dead on. Isabel was a Category 5, but made landfall as a Category 3. The Outerbanks were destroyed. I bartended in a bar being powered by a generator. It was so terribly hot. It was an insane experience.

This is a video of Hurricane Isabel in Elizabeth City, NC; about 45 mins from Norfolk- but this is what I witnessed, as well)


I have always been a thrill seeker. But, I can promise you that I will never do that again. Not with a child, anyway. Things definitely change. For the better.

Isn't it amazing what you can find on YouTube!?!

Cuatro Meses

Yep, that's right our big boy is O-fficially four months old. The doctor's appointment early this morning confirmed it for us. He is considered a big baby now and I mean this literally!

He weighed in at 14 lbs and 15 ounces...I'm sure by now it's more like 15 lbs, but who's really counting anyway? He has doubled his weight, he was born weighing 7 lbs and 1 ounce. I'm so proud of my little guy. His height is impressive, he's measuring just under 26 inches, which is no surprise since his daddy is a tall fella. His doc congratulated me on doing a good job breastfeeding, which made me a very happy mommy.

We stuck with our original vaccination schedule that my sister-in-law shared with us. You can check that post out by following this link. I have posted his schedule below and the AAP recommended schedule, so you can compare the two. Garrett's pediatrician was awesome about having an alternative schedule which was nice to see. Anyway, Garrett only received 2 shots/2 vaccines. Although, I'm not sure if I believe this will prevent any autism or anything like that, I do feel better and safer knowing he isn't receiving so many things at one time. To me, it just seems like overkill on the number they give them each time. He still managed his pouty face and a short cry with only two shots. Imagine 2 in each hip! Yikes!

Garrett's Immunization Schedule

No Daycare/In Daycare

2 months DtaP/HIB ******** DtaP/Prevnar
4 months DtaP/HIB ******** DtaP/Prevnar
6 months DtaP/HIB ******** DtaP/Prevnar
9 months IPV/HBV ******** IPV/HIB
12 months IPV/HBV ******** IPV/HIB
15 months IPV ********IPV/HIB
18 months HBV/Trihibit ***** HBV/Trihibit
24 months Prevnar ******* HBV/Prevnar
26months MMR ****** HBV/MMR
36 months Varivax ******* Varivax

This is what all that lingo stands for:

DTAP = diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis

HIB = Haemophilus Influenza type B

IPV = Inactivated polio virus

HBV = Hepatitis B virus

TriHibit = DtaP and HIB

Prevnar = invasive strep pneumonia

MMR = measles, mumps, rubella

Varivax = chickenpox live virus

AAP / ACIP Immunization Schedule

2 months Prevnar / HIB / HBV / DTaP / IPV
4 months Prevnar / HIB / HBV / DTaP / IPV
6 months Prevnar / HIB / DTaP
9 months HBV
12 months Varivax / Prevnar
15 months MMR
18 months TriHibit / IPV


Garrett has been a little cranky, but overall is handling the shot pretty well with the addition of some Tylenol and a few naps. In the interim, he decided to perfect his giggling (we've been working on it, he's getting pretty darn good!) Overall, today hasn't been that bad. I hope the rest of his vaccines go this smoothly. :)

The doc gave us the A.O.K on solids, too. This simply makes a dilemma for me....I'm thinking I may start rice cereal soon and then wait on the 'baby food' until next month. What do you guys think?Do you think this is detrimental? I've read all the hype on the appropriate time...but is it really bad for him in the long run....so long as I watch for allergies?

Our Birth Story

Disclaimer: The following details/pictures maybe graphic in nature to some. And the post is pretty long. Ok, there I warned you.

I have wanted to post the story of Garrett's birth for awhile now. I have read and watched so many birthing stories and always hoped to share my own. Yet, even after starting this blog, I was hesitant to share.

Why you might ask?

Well, there are a few reasons. Although, his birth was beautiful we did have a few complications and these have tainted my fairytale birth. It was hard to get over what happened. I spent an entire month going over and over his entire birth. Did I do something wrong? I would tell the story to anyone and everyone willing to listen, because I needed to release my anger with the hospital where Garrett was delivered. After telling my story to every Dick, Tom and Harry; my anger faded and I realized that although it was not perfect, I had accomplished the birth I had wished for, regardless of the hospital and their incompetence. Plus, I figured people who had heard my story over and over again, were now tired of hearing it. (Namely, my husband, family and close friends). That's when I decided to wait a bit longer before posting Garrett's birth story.
However, tonight I have decided it's time to reflect on his arrival. Which seems fitting, since Garrett turns 4 months old tomorrow. Boy, it seems like ages ago.

Garrett's due date was April 19th. Thinking back, I believe I knew I would deliver before his due date. I had truly hoped to give birth on my late grandfather's birthday (it was the same as Garrett's due date), I knew it wasn't going to happen. I had been wrong on the sex of the baby, but on this I was right. I was still working into my 9th month and remember thinking one day while at work, "How will I know that I am in labor and will I be working when it happens?" I think I ended up calling every mom I knew in those last few weeks trying to get a handle on what exactly contractions would feel like! I probably drove some folks crazy or least I'm sure a few of them had a good laugh at my desperation in needing to know. But after all, I was going to attempt Garrett's birth au naturale and so I needed to be as prepared as possible for what was to come.

The week before Garrett was born I was very bloated and as big as a house. Of course, with the amount of food I was consuming at this point, it's no wonder he came early. We were given a shower the Saturday before (March 29th) at my husband's work - and many predicted in jest that I would deliver the following day. Although, I didn't give birth the next day, small contractions did begin that week and always while I was working. They started irregular and in my back. I was confused at first as to what exactly they were and called my family and friends to alert them that I was concerned that this might mean labor would be soon. I'm not for sure anyone even believed me, because of that old adage that supposedly you rarely deliver early with your first.

Bryan's father's birthday was April 2nd- and on this day I had stronger and longer contractions in my back. I was tempted to go to the hospital, but rested for awhile and eventually they subsided. The next day, was a Thursday and I had to drive 45 minutes to my doctor (his partner was out of town, which meant only the Georgetown office was open). I insisted that I was having minor contractions, yet he refused to check and see if I was dilated. He thought it was unnecessary. (He was going out of town the next day.) The ride home was nerve racking as I experienced cramping that came in waves for the entire trip and this time they were in the front. Yet, again they ended as abruptly as they had arrived.

The next day, on April 4th I went to work. I remembered telling folks, I was ready for Garrett to come! Little did I know, he would arrive in a little over 24 hours.

That evening I came home famished! I literally stuffed myself. That's probably what pushed Garrett over the edge and made him decide he was ready! He didn't have anymore room! Bryan had went out after work with his friends, his last 'boys night out' for sometime. (Funny thing is, I had insisted for a couple of weeks that he needed to go out soon before Garrett made his arrival) Bryan came home late that night-about 2:30-ish. I remember him coming in and chatting a bit in bed with me about his night out and how all he could talk about with his friends was how excited he was that Garrett would be here soon! He was a bit drunk. Thinking back, as he spoke to me, I became nauseous...I guess I smelled alcohol on his breath (even though I had no sense of smell during my pregnancy and still don't have it back 100%).

By this time, Bryan was falling asleep and I quietly thought to myself, "Hmmm, could that mean what I think it does?" It wasn't worth alerting him just yet. I needed him to get some rest! Luckily, it subsided enough that I was able to fall asleep, too.

I woke up around 6:30 am to what I first thought was stomach pains. I laid in bed trying to get a feel for what was taking place- it was unlike anything I had experienced before, not the cramps before and not even painful, these were more like waves of movement. I stayed in bed for about an hour timing how often they came and realized they were every 10 minutes and were very consistent.

I knew that this was it, so I calmly got up and started trying to complete 1,000 things we hadn't got around to finishing yet! I was LITERALLY painting letters (a present for a fellow pregnant girlfriend that I have yet to give her) for the first hour, then I washed clothes and cleaned house. I was determined that we would have everything in order. During this time, I managed to have my 'bloody show' twice by 9:45 am and the contractions were now 6-7 minutes apart. At this point, I would have to stop and be still for a few moments as the contraction passed. I knew it was time to finally wake up Bryan. (It was the 2nd bloody show and the closeness in contractions that startled me into getting serious about this birth!)

I remember I yelled for him at first and then went in and out of the bedroom all the while telling him it was time to go. Bryan was still drunk I believe, because his first reaction was to ask "Time to go where?" and then, "Do we have a Doctor's appointment?" I quickly explained to him that it was time to have our son, that I was in labor, but wanted to vacuum and shower before we left for the hospital. He asked, "You want to what? You want to vacuum?" To which, I announced, "NO, I want you to vacuum." I ran around packing our bag at this point! We hadn't even 'officially' packed a bag and I really had no clue as to what I should put in it. Anything I thought about putting in a bag seemed pointless to me. What would I really need, other than the phone, a camera, toothbrush, socks and a nightgown? I couldn't think straight. All I could think of was this little guy getting ready to make his entrance and that I wasn't for sure if I was really ready yet!

I mean I was, but I had so many more things I wanted to do around the house...

By 11:00 am I had lost more of my bloody show and the contractions were down to 4-5 minutes apart. Under Bryan's persistence, I showered (had Bryan had his way I wouldn't have even done this!) and we finally took off for the hospital. I truly would have stayed at the house a little while longer if I could have. I was determined to get to the hospital and be past 4 centimeters! We still hadn't called our doula and we hadn't went over my birth plan again, this time it was going to be in writing. (Which we were scheduled to do that very day at 1pm).

We called Vanessa (our doula) as we arrived at the hospital. It was around 11:30 by this time. It took the hospital about 30 minutes to get me omitted and checked into my room, even though I was preregistered. (I should have known we were headed for a bumpy ride). Unfortunately, I had to be hooked up to everything (which was not a part of my birth plan...I had tested positive for group strep B and would need antibiotics before he was born). I also knew neither of my doctors would be delivering Garrett as they had a rotation in place with another practice- I went into labor on the other practice's rotation. They also cover 2 hospitals, the other is 45 minutes from the one I was in. No problem, there were always 2 doctors on call in case 2 births were taking place at the same time, or at least we thought...

Once I was in the room, my nurse checked me and found that I was dilated to a 4 and 1/2 and that I was 80% effaced. Finally, my doula arrived and started filling in a pseudo birth plan for us to follow. The nurse then offered an epidural, but I managed along without as the contractions continued. At this point, they were pretty intense but not unbearable- I had Bryan and Vanessa there to coach me on and could still talk during them. Vanessa has started playing Enya, a very relaxing Celtic like music, along with other similar cds. By 4:00 pm I was checked again and the nurse told us that I was close to 7 cm and 90% effaced. We were also told that the doctor was in Georgetown, but would be here shortly. (Is that so?)

Sometime between 4 and 7, which consisted of a lot of breathing and sitting on a birthing ball, Bryan left to shower. Labor slowed during this time, I guess I wasn't going to give birth without him! Once he was back, our friend Danny showed up dressed as Superman, seems he thought it could help deliver our little guy for us!

My contractions were beginning to really pick up, so he only stayed long enough to get a few good giggles out of me. As he stood there for a few minutes, a huge contraction hit me and I'm sure he realized at that point it was time for him to leave. The fun was over. As I changed positions often from the birthing ball to leaning on Bryan, Vanessa coached Bryan on ways he could help relieve the pressure of the baby making his way down the birth canal. She would rub my back as Bryan pressed firmly on my hips. It was a sweet relief. I would hold and lean on Bryan as contractions came. Although contractions were painful, the two of them made it much better. I found myself in my own world working through the contractions, envisioning baby being born.

*

Well by 7pm, my contractions were right on top of one another and many of the numerous positions I chose weren't working, so at my request the nurse checked and I was at 8+. I just knew I had to be getting close! Shortly after she checked me and with a little push from me, my water broke all over the place. It was as if someone open the flood gates because it literally gushed out! Things became really crazy, as I progressed very very quickly. It was all I could do to just hold Bryan and Vanessa's hands during the contractions, they were in waves, crashes into me. It felt as if my whole body was moving and transforming. Bryan later told me that I was only grunting the whole time. I never yelled, not even when Garrett was born. I think this is because it's somewhat of a dance, back and forth- both baby and mommy are dancing together and it's important that mommy is in deep concentration to help this dance flow.

*

Anyhow, it was obviously that the nurse wasn't ready for my progression. She checked my cervix again and this time told us that I was a 9+ and 95% effaced. Ok, well I was definitely feeling the urge to push-but, this lady starts telling me that I can't push, that I need to stop because it isn't time yet.

*

It wasn't time yet? Hello, are you giving birth? Can you feel what I am feeling?

*

In the matter of a couple of seconds, this lady made my birth go from peaceful and beautiful to frantic and stressful. The next 20 minutes consisted of me fighting my body's natural impulses because she was telling me I would hurt my cervix otherwise. Well, okay maybe I was in transition, I was shaking, but I was also having the most intense urge to push, I felt my body tell me its time to have this baby.

*

Who is more likely right, a nurse or me? And, that's when I began questioning myself- at this point, you are so consumed by the contractions that what your thinking is hard to convey to the outside world. You literally feel as if your trapped in your body or having an outer body experience. I did tell her no several times, but she made me begin the 'breathing technique of hee hee hee', which only confused me more. This was the most agonizing 20 minutes of my entire life. I felt so helpless, I think Bryan could see it in my eyes- during this, he went outside our room to the nurse's station and yelled at the nurses that the doctor needed to get here because it was time and that he knew I knew I was ready, so where was the doctor, exactly? He told me this weeks later.
*
Question is, why were they making me wait? Supposedly I was still at a 9 1/2 and only 95 % effaced...even after 20 minutes....ok, whatever.

Aside from being hooked up to every thing possible that you can imagine, and receiving antibiotics for GBS+, and being told to stop pushing, the nurse made me lay down in the bed- which was the most uncomfortable position in the whole world. We were just fine sitting up and using the birthing rail!! But, no I was forced to get into 'their' position. I did manage to sit back up in the bed squatting as Bryan and Vanessa held me up on each side. But, my concentration was being broken, it took me a few times to get back into any rhythm....I was so tired now.

Our room became a madhouse and things were really hectic and crazy, it was the changing of shifts. There must have been at least and I am not lying 8 nurses in our room. What the heck was going on? Lo and behold, if the doctor didn't finally show up from the other hospital! Did this doctor think she was swooping in to save me in just the nick of time...oh, please! (It started pouring rain outside, too and you could see the lightning out the window). The doctor had me change positions again, she didn't like not being able to see anything, I suppose.

I was absolutely beat now, from all that 'don't push nonsense' that I needed oxygen to even be able to efficiently push. I pushed about 9 times, when the doctor said that my angel's heartbeat dropped. (I question this now, as the monitor was having issues keeping Garrett's heartbeat the whole time I was there from 11:30 that morning). I remember a frantic room, the doctor yelling to prep the O.R. AND before I knew it, she was giving me a catheter! What tha?

At that moment, I said I don't think so! This baby is coming out NOW and he's coming NATURALLY. I started pushing with all my might- the doctor pulled out forceps (seems my little guy was stuck SIDEWAYS*, but no one told us) and kindly assisted.

*Sidenote* I found this out by obtaining my medical records four weeks postpartum.

Shortly after, I felt his head with my hand and even looked down and saw his head pop out sideways! He was bright-eyed and looking around! Imagine that! Crazy, heh? Especially for a baby who's heartbeat dropped!! And with another push our sweet baby was born at 7:43 pm. Bryan cut the cord and he was placed upon me. He weighed in at 7 lbs and 1.2 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long.

His apgar scores were 8 and 9. Are you sure his heartbeat dropped? Maybe all this occurred because my baby's head was turned sideways and no one told us and just maybe it had to do with 3 nurses trying to reinsert my IV's as I was pushing! Or maybe it had to do with me not being able to push because there wasn't a doctor there to assist in the delivery? And maybe it was because the doctor decided to show up only 23 minutes before Garrett was born...just maybe. But what do I know? I'm only the lady that gave birth to her son.

Life was wonderful at this point, I was very exhausted, but enjoying our little boy with Bryan. He was absolutely perfect.

Of course, the doctor had to ruin our fun, she decided that this would be a great opportunity to start stitching me up where I tore.* "Oh, you're used to delivering all those woman who give birth and have epidurals, I see." Let me just tell each and everyone of you that her stitching me up was MORE painful than my whole labor. I am not joking either. I was in so much pain and the doctor looked at me like I was crazy when I asked her to numb me!

*Sidenote* I tore at the catheter's location...and this is how I landed a UTI STAPH infection.

So you see, Garrett came into this world abruptly under the guise of incompetent nurses and doctors that thought they knew what was best for me and my son. Maybe they did know, but when you don't communicate those needs to those involved, then your efforts are lost! Things get mucked up and the one person that is actively participating in the birth gets left behind. Her labor becomes a joke and her wishes get lost in what you expect for all your other patients. This is when patients, regardless of their birth plan, drug or no drug choices become a dollar sign and birth becomes a BUSINESS* and not a miracle.

*Reference to the documentary, The Business of Being Born.

Thanks Waccamaw Community Hospital. I will never deliver or seek treatment with you again.

There I said it and I feel much better. I guess I am still bitter. But, only because they stole a very precious moment from me. I am blessed he is healthy and I think that his birth was beautiful. I feel rewarded for going without drugs, but wish it could have been peaceful, too.

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If anything I hope my story helps others to be more aware, less passive and question more doctors and hospitals about their practices, beliefs, policies, etc...I know I will next time. I will have a midwife & doula and not a doctor. I will birth in a birthing center or at home. Because this is my body, my womb and my baby. I could have never done this without the support and love of Bryan or the comfort and direction of our doula, Vanessa. Both, were so very important.

*

If you made it this far, you deserve something. Seriously...that was almost as painful as the stitches.