FMLA Update

Ok, so great news! I actually got a call back from the US Dept of Labor this morning. He said it's entirely up to me. I just can't come back before the 6 weeks the doctor says. I got his DIRECT LINE and gave the info to my HR person.

She called him and got the correct information and called me to her office. I got a new approval form saying up to 12 weeks. She apologized and thanked me for looking into it. She told me that she has been to 2 HR seminars this year run by labor attorneys and both said what she originally told me
(that I could only take what the doctor said). So she's mass emailing her network of HR professionals with the correct information.

Yay!!

39 week appt

No change. Still 1 cm, not doing anything. He sounded a bit concerned (but said he wasn't) because I haven't had any contractions, not even Braxton Hicks. I have had quite a bit of pressure since this weekend, but he said he's high again. So I go back on Monday, unless something happens sooner.

I'm still working full time and dealing with HR/FMLA issues. She says I can only take 6 weeks post partum because that's what the doctor's office put on my paperwork. My understanding is that I can take up to 12 weeks for birth/care of a newborn. She disagrees. I'm waiting to hear back from the US Wage/Hour Dept in Chicago for an answer, but we keep playing phone tag. I need an answer...

Dr Appt from Monday

38 week appt - My doctor is on vacation, so I saw the other ob. Heart rate was good, blood pressure was perfect, no protein in urine, gained another pound (total of 3 so far), belly measurement was right on target. I was dialated 1 cm, which really means nothing.

Coral had his follow up appt too. Everything was fine with him too.

37 week appts 1 & 2

Yes, TWO appointments this week.

Appt 1 - yesterday

I had my 37 week appt yesterday at 3. They didn't get me in until 4:30, which was when I was supposed to be at the vet's office with my sick parrot. I was so frustrated, angry, worried, etc that everyone kept asking me if I was having contractions. No, you guys are taking your sweet time and I need to go!

The nurse practitioner (ugh) came in and was looking for the heartbeat on my left side, bottom, far right and top. She finally found it, faintly, on the top. Then she asked me where he was. Um, he's in the right position, so his heart wouldn't be up there... I said nevermind, as long as you faintly heard it, he had been kicking in the waiting room, let's get going.

Dr finally came in to see me and of course, my blood pressure was through the roof by that point. He told me to get out of there and take care of my parrot, come back today to check blood pressure and urine (high protein) again. Ok, fine.

Because I got to the vet right at closing time (called first to let them know what was going on), I had to pay an additional $30 for an emergency visit. Bad enough it's a higher fee to start with because it's a parrot/exotic. For now, he's fine, on an antibiotic and a pain reliever (he had a prolapse if anyone is interested).

Luckily I called Jon when I got home to get Coral and he said he was right down the street. So he was able to go with me. Thank God for that. He kept telling me to take deep breaths, relax, calm down. I don't think my blood pressure went down till sometime overnight.

I don't know what's going on with protein in my urine. It'll be there for 2-3 visits, then nothing. It's been fine since I had to do my 24hr test. I'm guessing the stress, high blood pressure and extremely hot waiting room didn't help.


Appt 2 - today

They could only get me in today at 12, which means I had to leave work and go back, 30 min commute each way, just to get blood pressure checked because they couldn't get me in on time last night.

It was the same nurse/medical assistant. She asked me right away how Coral was doing, so that was nice. She took my blood pressure 3 times. 128/80 each time. No clue what that means. She said it was a bit high, but that's close to what it's been every time. Urine was just fine.

Oh, and I gained another pound. So I've officially gained 2 lbs :)

A few shower pics

Some shower pics from Erika!

Jon having a beer before we get going:



Jane assaulting me with toilet paper:



Jon helping me open presents:



Woodsies!



Me and Erika:



Belly pic (35 weeks) (see where my navel was pierced?):

36 week appointment

I had my 36 week appt this morning. I had the Strep B test. I was reading about Malfunction Junction's doctor visit last week and kept thinking about that this morning. That paper sheet thing covers just fine in the front, but you always try to cover your ass with it. And why? He's going to see everything in a few minutes anyway.

I had my doctor this morning and he checked the heartbeat (fine), measured my belly (fine), and we talked about labor a bit. He said to work as long as I am comfortable. I can work right up till I deliver for all he cares. Which is great, but I'm starting to feel more pregnant now. Like waddling if I'm not paying attention and getting more difficult to get up/down from chairs. I asked about the delayed cord cutting. He asked why. I gave my reasons. He said nothing has been proven either way, but he's not in a hurry to clamp or cut the cord, so no worries. He said they'll put him on my chest, clean him off, then clamp/cut.

I go back every week now. He said that if I start to go into labor, they won't stop it. 28 days left...

eta: I officially gained 1 lb according to their scale!

Baby Shower and Woodsie Time!

Friday night - Erika and Melissa came up/over. Melissa brought her pug, Darwin. It was a bit iffy at first. Madison kept growling at him, but by the time they left on Saturday night, they seemed to get along quite well. Of course, Darwin has been around big dogs, and Melissa was keeping an eye on him, which helps tremendously!

Saturday - Shower time! We got there around 11:40 (started at 12), and there were people there already. Everything went well. Jon got to visit with his Aunt Marsha and cousin Meredith. We haven't seen them in a long time.

We got mostly everything we need. We still have to get a Boppy, monitor, diaper pail and a few other misc things. Luckily we got gift cards too. I made Jon open mostly everything. I hate being the center of attention and he got a kick out of it.

Later, Jon and I went to dinner with Melissa, Erika, Sarah and Colleen. We went to Don Pablo's. Now, any other time, they are mostly empty on Saturday nights. Nope... packed. Our 10 minute wait turned into 30. Took well over an hour to get our dinners. Luckily I wasn't too hungry when we got there. I was starving by the time I got mine. Chips and salsa only last so long. We got back home around 10:30 and Melissa and Erika left for Indy. I was worried about them driving back so late, but it ended up being a good thing. We woke up to 2 inches of snow on Sunday and flurries all day.

Sunday - We went through all the gifts and separated everything. I have two laundry baskets full of clothes/blankets to wash. We put away the clothes from Stacey that I've already washed and organized the room a bit.

I need to get another paper trimmer (Erika accidently stole mine!) tonight so I can get started on thank you notes. I needed to go to Michael's anyway to get more runner tape, so it's all good. Either Melissa or Erika (not sure? Melissa?) painted wooden letters making Connor's name for the shower. I had planned on doing something similar to put on his wall, but now I'll just use these. They are chocolate and teal. Unfortunately, our walls are oak, so they don't show up. I'll have to repaint them white and do what I was going to do with the bigger ones.