Friday, January 29, 2016

7QT at the end of January

1)


I just filed our taxes this morning!  I love doing my taxes and I love getting my refund even more.  I miss working in a CPA firm sometimes, because doing taxes was weirdly fun for me (nerd alert) but the stress with the deadlines and super long hours made it pretty unbearable.  And then I didn't like auditing for the rest of the year, so I guess I made the right decision to get out of that career.  Phew, life crisis averted.

2)

Did you hear that Camp Patton is back?  Woohoo!  I'm a happy camper :)

3)

Guys, I am so largely with child at 11 weeks, it's blowing my mind.  And it's like I've got a baby bump in the front and in the back this time - bedonkadonk.  It *might* have something to do with the fact that I'm eating every 2 hours to not puke, and not exercising because I am nauseous and exhausted.  That combination can only lead to lady humps.  


4)

I won't talk about all things pregnant all the time, but let me just say this.  I am 36 years old, turning 37 in a month, and that's ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE.  So in baby-making terms, I'm ancient.  As soon as I found out I was preggers, I decided to switch from my amazing, lovely midwife who only allows natural births at a hospital 30 minutes away, to a doctor who can give me all the drugs I want at a hospital 5 minutes away.  Phil tells everyone that I want the option of an epidural, and I'm like ah, no, I want the epidural at 1 cm.  Even my doctor (so nice but so cute - I like my lady parts doctors ugly) was telling me that they just revamped the maternity ward and they have tubs now for use during labor, and I stopped him and said "I'm getting an epidural, so I don't need a tub".  Tubs were a lifesaver during my natural births, but the promise of an epidural will be my sanity saver this pregnancy.  Watch me go too fast to get one or something. {insert prayers here}

5)

I haven't even gotten to my point yet about being AMA under a doctor's care.  So because I'm high-risk (old) I have to have genetic counseling and an NT Scan.  That appointment is set for Monday morning.  I also am having a Cell-Free Fetal DNA test done, which is something I never had done before.  

The bad news is that all these tests make me a bit nervous because I like to think of pregnancy as a healthy, normal occurrence and these tests make you feel like there going to discover something wrong.  Even if my baby has any of the "problems" they are testing for, it's not like we won't lovingly accept him/her.  And I won't do an amniocentesis for further testing if we get any positive results.  I guess it will just help to prepare us mentally for what lays ahead.  


The good news is that we can find out the gender of this baby once we get the results of Monday's test!  Phil and I are definitely finding out, the kids are mixed on wanting to know, and we're not sure if we are going to tell anyone else.  We've kept it a secret before (Alexander) but I don't know if I can again.  Plus, if some of the kids want to know, then the world will know.  Telephone, telegram, tellakid.

6)

Phil and I joined a new gym!  But we haven't actually worked out yet.


I think Feb. 1 will be my new year for 2016.  January was a month I'd like to forget.  Who's with me?

7)


Next week is Catholic Schools Week!  The kids have lots of fun activities planned at their school, ending with a basketball game of students vs. faculty (and our pastor!).  My boys are really excited for that!!  This weekend, we are hopefully putting back together the second floor of our house.  The floors were installed this week, Maggie's room is coming together, and Phil's picking up some bunk beds this weekend for the big boys' room.  It's going to look like a whole new house up there!  I'll post photos next week, if you're into that sort of thing :)

Go visit Kelly for more QTakers and have a football-free, cookie-baking, room-organizing weekend everybody!


20 comments:

  1. I am so jealous that you've filed taxes already. We are still waiting on one form but I am very hopeful that I can file this weekend! Epidural = yes. I will pray that your pregnancy goes well and that if you want an epidural you have time for that. :)

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    1. Thanks, my last three babies have come lightening fast, so those prayers will be awesome!

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  2. I had my first baby at 39 and had the DNA test done. I had very similar feelings and it helped to focus on the idea that if something was wrong, knowing now would allow us to be best prepared at delivery in case the baby needed medical care. More than just mentally too, that data might move us to consider a different hospital or have a certain doctor on hand. It helped that our midwives (who were happy to utilize epidurals, I can't imagine it being of the table when you are in a hospital!) kept reminding us that pregnancy is a wellness not an illness.

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    1. Yes, I feel the same way this time around. Information is power.

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  3. I was 41 when I delivered my youngest and was considered "old". They made me sign that I didn't want amnio, but I was treated to the new technology at the time -- 3D ultra sound which was great to see! All the best.

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    1. I've never had a 3D ultrasound, maybe we will be offered one this time?!?! Exciting!

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  4. Congratulations, Colleen!
    And please...you are still young.
    I had Flynn at the ripe old age of 40!!!
    When I was in the hospital, I ran into a guy I had graduated from high school with.
    He asked me if I was there to see my GRANDCHILD!!!!!

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  5. Prayers for good results from your tests! I know Maggie wants a sister, but how cool would it be to have 3 older brothers and 3 younger brothers??

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  6. You look adorable. And #4...you said that last time, right?? ;)

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    1. I didn't have the option of the epidural last time, but yes after that last birth I knew I wanted an epidural for the next time!!

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  7. Congratulations on the new baby on the way!
    Laughed at #6. When Stephi and I moved into our new house years back, we joined a gym. Used it once in 12 months.

    And prayers for you and Phil, and your YOUNG, growing family!

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    1. Thanks RJ! Nice to meet another Martin family!

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  8. I can't wait for February, feeling hopeful that my life will not have as much stress.
    I had the tests done that you mention above also and it was just incredible to know so early on the gender and health of our baby. Modern technology is amazing!
    I love your outlook on getting an epidural, I was the same way after having a baby natural.
    I used to love doing our taxes and then I became self employed and it is so not fun writing a check to them instead of getting money back. I am glad you get to have a happy dance at least.

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    1. After three natural births, my nerves can't take the thought of another!

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  9. Personally, I would be leary of a doctor who would force me to take those tests. I have had 3 children (I have 8 total) when I was AMA and I've never been forced to take the tests. I've been given the option but never forced. That would make me nervous. Just my opinion from one "old lady" (38) to another. :-)

    Jenny

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    1. Hi Jenny,
      The tests are optional. The free cell test was presented as completely optional, but I want to find out the gender early! The genetic counseling and scan were basically just told that I should get, but I have the choice to refuse. The thing is if there's no harm to my baby to get the tests done and it puts the doctors mind at ease, I don't really mind doing it. But thanks for your concern! I'm on track to tie you with 8 kids by 38 :)

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  10. If you will be going to a Maternal/fetal Medicine specialist for your NT scan, you should gave a 4-D ultrasound. They are amazing! Also, with my last pregnancy, I was asked if we wanted to know the baby's gender during that ultrasound. I was 13 weeks at the time. We didn't want to know, but all this us to say that you might find out what you are having on Monday! Blessings to you. You've got this. I'm currently expecting my 6th at the age of 40, my 3rd AMA pregnancy. Peace be with you!

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  11. Congrats again and prayers for you and the babe!! You look so cute in that picture. :)

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