NOT WHAT I HAD PLANNED ON

In the aftermath to Grandma and her fall at what we've affectionately called "the home," Grandma was placed in Hospice.  There are few words for this place other than amazing and wonderful.  The facility was extremely nice and updated and the people/activities/building couldn't have been more calming and helpful to both Grandma and family.  Her heartbeat was strong, she knew what we were saying and who was saying it.  She asked for applesauce, told David she loved him and called Meredith David's daughter.  I think it's clear she has a fondness for her first great-grandchild!

Anyway, as the week went on, her heartbeat started to slow down and we went to buy David a suit and some new socks.  Donald and Danielle made arrangements to come to town and, well, I kept going to the doctor and working swim meets (as usual).  It was hard to be at the pool when all I wanted was to be with my family, even if every five minutes I was told to sit down and put my feet up.  We met Donald and Danielle for dinner and had them as our first overnight guests on Saturday.  We made breakfast and ate at our new kitchen table.  We were leisurely in getting ready to run errands and head back to the Hospice center on Sunday.  I was in the shower when it happened.  David said we needed to go to Grandma's with more urgency than he had before.  I didn't think about it since I was already taking the necessary steps, but then he said Grandma passed away several minutes before.  Speechless.  I guess I just didn't think it would actually happen.

Janis and Bonnie and Meredith had left the room.  Donald wasn't there yet.  David was downstairs watching tv.  I was washing my hair.  And that's when Grandma passed away.  When no one was there to see it but her nurses.  We arrived about 45 minutes later and she was still in bed, waiting and being loved on.  I couldn't bear to see it, reminded me too much of Mom.  She waited until the day after Bonnie's birthday, much like Mom went the day before mine.  I hope Mom greeted her in Heaven with some Butterfingers.  That woman loved candy.  We spent the rest of the day eating chicken and receiving friends/phone calls at Janis' house.  Dad came over and brought the cocker, and we all just enjoyed remembering Grandma and each other.

We had an ultrasound the next day, so David was able to come (he took the rest of the week off work).  Baby girl is 5 pounds, 5 ounces.  Right on track and perfect so far.  Let's hope she stays that way.  Apparently she has a head full of hair.  I hope she loses some of it, cause I really like a baldish baby.  David says she must have his hair, since he has great hair.  It looks like she has my nose, which we're all thankful for.  David's got a big'un.   

Services were set for Tuesday (visitation) and Wednesday (service).  David felt Baby girl kicking in the bed on Tuesday night.  I think Grandma had her hand in that, since it was the first time either of us really felt her like that.  I clearly felt her bones in my ribs.  Weird sensation, something out of Men in Black.  Definitely made David's night.

From the service, we were in the procession to drive from Durham to Antioch.  That's where a lot of our family is buried also, and of course Dad lives down the road.  My great grandfather and great great grandfather are there, which I am not sure I really knew.  Anyway, we were escorted by three Durham cops/sheriffs on motorcycles.  They were badass.  They switched off in Chapel Hill to CHPD, who really suck at processionals.  Then we got Orange County Sheriffs and Carrboro PD, both of which rolled out at the perfect times.  I LOVED stopping people at lights and on the other side of the road, especially near campus.  Grandma would have been proud and she deserved all of it.

I have another doctor's appointment today.  I am really tired of going to the doctor. 

We need to finalize insurance and pediatrician.  This shit is getting real now.

I hope Janis is OK.  She spent so much time with her Mom, but at least soon we will be able to provide her a distraction.  God works in mysterious ways, but always for a reason.  Circle of Life.  And not like Lion King.

NO SERIOUSLY, I AM FINE

So it seems that now I am on weekly doctor visits.  Perfect for someone who hates the doctor.  All in the name of love for this little bundle of joy I am lugging around.  After last time when I was stuck in blood pressure/waiting room hell, I talked Dad into taking me to lessen the stress.  Wonderful plan that backfired.  I took my non-stress test, which DOES become stressful when they think your baby isn't moving enough.  Clearly, they aren't hanging out with me after dinner when the kid is playing soccer down there.  The non-stress test became quickly stressful and then they sent me along my way to get my blood pressure taken.  These hospital people, while good at their job, lack in common sense.

Of course my BP was quite high, but then I'd been thinking about that room and that cuff all night long.  Commence the freak out by the doctors, who then sent me (and my poor Dad) off to labor and delivery to check to make sure I did not have preeclampsia.  Fortunately, my pee in a cup and blood drawn has been perfect every other time, and this time was no exception.  I was told that they had no crushed ice in labor and delivery, which needs to be corrected in about a month's time.  This mama is going to be in demand of some crushed ice.  (What hospital doesn't have crushed ice anyway???)  10 times in 4 hours I found a way to pee in a cup or toilet.  That takes talent.

Once they determined I was ok, Dad said he might not accompany me anymore.  He was kidding.  I told him he could go next time and we went on our way back to work and home.  Homeland security is now at level 1, and everyone is freaking out about me getting rest, putting up my feet, not picking that spoon up and just generally making me feel useless.  David is surprised I haven't taken advantage of it.  I should send him out for ice cream I guess tonight just to make him feel loved :)

But Baby Perry is doing well and based on my Holiday Inn Express experience is growing more.  I would like her to be working in all sorts of ways, but if she's on the small side coming out, I wouldn't be offended.  David painted her nursery pink this weekend.  It's REALLY pink, and he did it with love.  He is so proud of his work and I am too.  Not so proud of the pink spots on the white carpet, the 8 towels we had to throw away or the paint brushes that are stained pink.  But he did it for his little girl and I couldn't be more pleased.

The Tanbark crew threw me a shower this weekend and it was amazing, as I thought it'd be.  They are way too generous and I hope to pay it forward when their kids have kids soon.  Amazing people and friends.....well, they are family!  Unfortunately, I had been thinking about cupcakes for about 4 weeks and had yet to make them.  I went head first into a cupcake and then a chocolate torte that Mrs. Willingham made.  I almost threw up on the back porch.  But dang it was good!

Also unfortunately, Grandma (Baby Perry's Great-Grandma) fell early that morning.  No one told David or I because they didn't want to ruin my shower.  We found out when I got home and headed back to the hospital.  For the second time in less than a week I followed an inmate complete with cops down a hospital hallway.  She is not doing well.  They moved her to hospice yesterday evening.  We are so sad but don't want her to suffer.  She is the rock of the family and really brings everyone together.  I had so hoped she'd meet her great-granddaughter and hold her.  We'll see how things turn out, but prayers and thoughts are big for David's mom and aunt right now.  They have given everything for her - Miss Chapel Hill!

Oh, and it took a year and a half but we finally picked out our wedding pictures :)

No time like the present to get shit done!