Swelling and Cankles

"Cankles: the area in affected female legs where the calf meets the foot in an abrupt, nontapering terminus." ~Urbandictionary.com

Why are my ankles and feet so swollen? "What you're experiencing is edema - that's when excess fluid collects in your tissue. It's normal to have a certain amount of swelling during pregnancy because you're retaining more water. Changes in your blood chemisty also causes some fluid to shift into your tissue. In addition, your growing uterus puts pressure on your pelvic veins and your vena cava (the large vein on the right side of the body that carries blood from your lower limbs back to the heart). The pressure slows the return of blood from your legs, causing it to pool, which forces fluid from your veins into the tissues of your feet and ankles. Edema is often an issue during the third trimester, particulary at the end of the day. It may be worse during the summer." ~babycenter.com

So it looks like I'm not dying or have some freakish disease. I am swollen though. My feet have been swelling a little bit by the end of the day but nothing like last night. Last night Hutch and I went to the Family History presentation (starring David McCullough) at the LDS Conference Center. We parked at my office and walked to the Conference Center. Since it was snowing that day I wore shoes and knee highs. After it was over, we walked back. When we got home I looked like I had Gout or something like that. I started complaining that I have cankles but Hutch said you can still see definition between my leg, ankle and foot. :) I went to bed sleeping most of the night on my left side. When I woke up the swelling had gone down but was not all gone. My right foot is still swollen (not as bad but is noticeable) and my left is only slightly swollen. I guess that means I'm not doing anything tonight but putting my feet up. Pregnancy makes you feel so pretty.

I can't believe I'm doing this but here is a picture I just took of my foot. Please pardon the lack of pedicure. At least my toes are painted. And yes, flip-flops are all I can wear right now.

Good thing it's a Friday so I can spend the weekend resting my legs and feet. Sometimes I forget that being pregnant limits what you can do. Oh well!!

Funny at 34 Weeks!

Sue Sylvester Thoughts

"Every time I try to destroy that clutch of scab-eating mouth breathers, it only comes back stronger. Like some sexually ambiguous horror-movie villian."

"Let's break it down. You want to be creative; you want to be in the spotlight. Face it: You want to be me. So here's the deal, you do with your depressive little group of kids what I did with my wealthy, elderly mother: Euthanize it."

"I'm reasonably confident you will be adding revenge to the long list of things you're no good at, right next to being married, running a high school glee club, and finding a hair style that doesn't make you look like a lesbian. Love ya like a sister."

"You think this is hard? Try auditioning for Baywatch and being told that they're going in another directioin. That was hard."

"You wouldn't know if your glee club was using your office to breed rabbits for pets or for food. You know why? You're too busy chasing tail and loading your hair with enormous amounts of product. I mean today it just looks like you put lard in it."

"All I want is just one day a year where I'm not visually assaulted by uglies and fatties. Seriously, Ohio, these retinas need a day off."

"That ws the most offensive thing I've seen in 20 years of teaching. And that includes an elementary school production of "Hair".

What A Day!

Today started out ok. I was actually on time for work. I got there and my boss wished me a Happy Admin day. He asked me if I had any plans for lunch because he wanted to take me out for admin day. I had a few annoyances in the morning but other than that things were good. We had a really nice lunch (yummy Tucanos at the Gateway) and nice conversations. Then it went down hill in a scary way.

I left my office around 1:45 or so to go to my doctor's appointment. The rain was POURING down. I felt like I was driving through a lake. My car was also making a weird noise. It sounded like I was dragging something. So the rain and my car making a weird sound, I started to freak out a bit. Those of you who know me well know that driving in storms scares me. I pulled to the side of the road and called Hutch. I started to cry and asked him if he would be able to leave work and get me and take me to my appointment. He couldn't because he was the only one in the office to answer the phone. I know he felt so bad and frustrated to say that but there wasn't anything he could do. I didn't want to impose on anyone else to drive all the way to SL and then drive me to Sandy for an appointment. I asked Hutch to call my doctor's office and tell them that I'll be late to my appointment. I got on the freeway and things seemed ok. I got to the point of I-15 southbound where I-80 splits from I-15 and my car stopped accelerating. Luckily I was in the right lane so I moved into the shoulder and my car died. I thank Heavenly Father for allowing me to get to the shoulder. That's the moment I broke down. I broke down hard. I called Hutch and through my hysterics told him what happened. We talked about it and I told him I'd call my sister Becky and see if she can come and get me. I called my sister and through hysterics told her what happened. I feel sorry because apparently when you're pregnant and you call your sister in hysterics, she freaks out thinking someone happened with the baby. Sorry Becky!! Becky said she was on her way. I hung up with her and couldn't stop crying. I knew that I'd hyperventilate if I didn't settle down. I then called my mom so I'd have someone to talk to. I also learned that calling your mom upset has the same affect as calling your sister. Sorry Mom! My mom and I talked until Becky and my brother in law Chad arrived. Thanks mom for helping me calm down. Chad brought his truck and hooked my car up with a chain and strap to tow it. That was a scary ride. Thanks Becky for being the one to drive my car. I couldn't do it. We got the car to my brother in laws shop and he's going to check it out. Becky than drove me to my doctor's appointment very late. Luckily my mom called my doctor's office too and explained what happened. They said to come when I can. I stayed at Becky's house until Hutch got of work and got me. Thankfully I have wonderful niece and nephews who gave me lots of hugs. Chad said that my car might be shot but he'll check it deeper and see.

I know! What. A. Day! Sitting on the side of the freeway, in a rain storm, with semi's driving by is scarier than I thought. I'm so thankful for my family and their willingness to drop everything and help. We are now a one car family and we'll see how that goes before we decide to buy a new one or get my car fixed.

I am very grateful that I was blessed to be safe and protected. I'm thankful that I was watched over and blessed with a family who is so willing to help. I love each and every one of then.

Baby Class

WHAT WAS I THINKING! Why am I doing this again? Why did I decide to get pregnant? Do you know what happens when you get pregnant? At the end of it, they pull a baby out of you and you have to take it home! heehee!! Ok, so I don't really feel that way.

Hutch and I went to a baby class on Saturday. You have the option of doing one full day class or a class that is a couple of hours once a week for four weeks. We chose to do the full one day class. We learned A LOT. Our teacher shared a lot of information. It's amazing how much you don't know; and even though I took the class, I know there is plenty I still don't know. Our teacher was very nice, very informative, but a bit weird. Everyone can do what they want with their child, I think that's great. If you feel that breast feeding your child at 3 years old is good for you and him than kudos to you. It's not for me though. Our teacher was very pro-breast feeding so we learned A LOT about that and I'm grateful for that information. For those of you who have seen the movie "Baby Mamma", there was a moment I could have said "can I just spray some Pam spray down there beforehand?" but I didn't. I did repeat the movie line quietly to Hutch though-we laughed to ourselves.

We had a young couple in front of us that I don't think were older than 17 0r 18. I don't believe they were married since she referred to him as "him" and he referred to himself as "the father". Throughout the class I kept saying in my head "oh sweetie! You shouldn't be having a child." I know I'm mean, I've come to accept that but I feel that some people need to grow up more before they have a child. Especially when it's an inconvenience to you that you can't drink while pregnant. (is she even old enough to drink?)

As I mentioned before, we leared a lot in this class. From what we learned, we've decided to try having natural childbirth. DON'T JUDGE ME! Sorry for the reaction. I haven't received very comforting support from people when I tell them that. The only person who said, they support me and thought it was a good idea and would help me prepare any way they can was my Mother. I love you mom! My mom had two of her kids natural and two with an epidural. The funny thing is those who tell me I'm crazy and I shouldn't do it are those who have never had a child or those who received an epidural once they arrived at the hospital. My response has started to be "How do you know?!?!? You haven't tried!" I might react meaner than I should but I'm not the type of person who likes being told what they are doing is wrong or crazy. In our class we learned about many different relaxation techiniques and Hutch also learned some at massage therapy school. So we are going to start practicing relaxing techniques each day for 20-30 minutes to prepare ourselves. If I get to a point during delivery that I can't do it, than I'll get the epidural (I know there's a time when I can't get it). But we're going to try to do it old school style and we both feel really good about it.

So we have about 8 weeks left until my due date. I feel like we still have so much to do to get ready. I know we won't ever feel prepared but that's normal. I have a friend who has an 18 year old and she says she still doesn't feel prepared. :) Thanks to all of my friends and family for their love and support over the past while and for the next upcoming weeks.

Girl Scout Cookies

I am in need of finding some Girl Scout Cookies. My mom is looking to buy some Somoas for a wedding cake she is going to be making. The people I used to buy cookies from no longer sell them. If you know of someone who is selling Girl Scout Cookies, please let me know. I'm hoping that we're not too late for the season.

Hilarious!

Sunday night Hutch and I were watching "Life" on the Discovery Channel. It was talking about things in the ocean. During the part on the Spider Crabs I was watching my stomach do weird things; move around and stuff like that. Hutch thought I was watching the show. He also knows how much I don't like spiders (completely different from spider crabs). He is always the one to save me from spiders. While I was watching my stomach, I save a ripple wave across my stomach - it was Perrin moving. It was the weirdest thing I have ever seen. I screamed "Oh my gosh Hutch!!! Look at my stomach!!!" Hutch thought I was referring to a spider or something like that so he throws his arms up in the air and jumps out of his sit and says "What?!?!" So I tell him to watch my stomach because Perrin's moving. I believe his response was "That's it? What is wrong with you?" I scared him with my yell. He thought it was something else, not just the baby moving. I started to cry I was laughing so hard. In all the time we dated and have been married, I have NEVER scared him before. Thinking about it still makes me giggle to picture his response. It's probably not as funny to read about but if you had been there, you would have laughed hard.

On another note, Hutch really is the best. If you're sick of hearing about how great he is...well...too bad, it's my blog. He loves me so much that he was willing to take me to Artic Circle last night during the snow storm to get an Oreo Cookie Milkshake. What a sweetie!!

He Lives!!

This weekend is quite special. It is Easter and General Conference. I hope that each of you will take time to watch Conference and to talk about the true meaning of Easter. It's more than Reeces Peanut Butter Eggs (as much as I love them). Jesus Christ Lives! He was suffered for our sins and made it possible to return to our Heavenly Father again. I'm so grateful for the example that he has been for me in my life and I'm thankful that I'm able to testify of him however I want to.

Happy Easter Everyone!!

p.s. the video is in widescreen so go to YouTube if you can't see the whole video.