What a day!

I went to the GYN yesterday. This was my first visit with Dr. Pollard at Lyndhurst OB/GYN. I had been to the practice in years past, but not since moving back to this area. The staff was very friendly and attentive. I appreciated how Dr. Pollard explained everything as he was doing the procedures. It certainly helped make me a little more confortable in the awkward and upleasant position. I was thinking it was simply going to be a consultation and then go back later for other stuff. Wrong! Had to have a PAP and a biopsy yesterday. I am still feeling the effects from the biopsy. It isn't the first time I have had one, but I don't remember the cramps lasting this long. I go back on April 16th for the results and a sonogram. Maybe once and for all I will find out what the reason is for my monthly misery and can have something done to relieve it.

After that torture, I went to the Hanes Brands Outlet store. New bras! Yay! I picked up a few things for Cerdwin as well. They have some really cute stuff for great prices. Then it was on to Whole Foods. I could spend hours in that store, but this was a quick stop. Since C is allergic to nuts, we have been getting Soy Butter for her. I wanted to try Sunbutter. Wow! That stuff is pricey, but it tastes much better than Soy Butter. I also picked up some YummyEarth Organic Lollipops. Talk about a flavor shock! I tried the Too Berry Blueberry. It was excellent.

Next stop, Reynolda Village. I was hoping to check out Karen Gray's new fabric store. Unfortunately, her store isn't open on Mondays. I headed over to Hancock Fabrics to look at patterns. Nothing really struck my fancy.

I had to take the van in for an oil change and inspection. Why do I dread that task so much? I really is such a painless chore, yet I procrastinate each time. The folks at
King Express Lube
110 Carmel Dr
King, NC 27021
(336) 985-3463
are super friendly and the service is always quick.

I had to stop by the post office to mail a package. I had gotten a new battery for my cell phone off Ebay. Unfortunately, the battery wouldn't work. I don't know what the problem was with it. It appeared to be exactly the same as the original, but it would not power up. Hopefully the replacement will work.

I made a quick stop at Wal-Mart for a few things and then went to the car wash. It was time to attempt making my van white again. Boy, oh boy! I need to take that thing and have someone hand wash it. My back will not hold out for that challenge. I was wiped out. I went to:
Summit Square Auto Wash
170 N Summit Square Blvd
Winston Salem, NC 27105
This is a really nice car wash with 2 automated drive through washes and several manual wash bays. The equipment was in excellent working condition.

Cerdwin had spent the night with the inlaws on Sunday night. It is just too difficult to drag her out early in the morning and I didn't think she really needed to go with me to the GYN. After all my stops, I went to pick her up. We sat at on the deck while she played in the sand. The weather was nice. It was still a little breezy, but warm enough in the sun to be pleasant. She decided to stay another night. I have to pick her up in a couple of hours so we can go to PE Class. Afterward, we will go to McDonald's in Pilot Mountain for a playdate with her friend Amber.

I was exhausted after all that bebopping around, but still managed to stop by my grandmother's for dinner and some baby time. Cambree was wearing one of the outfits I picked up for her and some new shoes that my brother and SIL found. They were the cutest things! They were pink with bunnies on the side and resembled Chuck Taylors. She was very alert and bright eyed. Cooper was excited to see me too. He is so funny. My brother thinks he could be a stand up comedian one day. His laugh is infectious and I can't help cracking up at times when he spouts out some toddlerese.

Reminder to self: Do not forget to take pain meds for the day. Yesterday was a struggle without them.

Blah!

Today is not a good day for me emotionally. I am feeling very isolated and hurt. I feel like a social outcast and just want to crawl under a rock. I think I need a vacation and some time away from here. It just might be time for a trip to visit some friends outside of this area.

Holding Cambree

Cerdwin and I went to my grandmother's for dinner tonight and to see Cooper and Cambree. Cerdwin held Cambree for the first time tonight. She was so good with her. The first time only last for a couple of minutes and she was ready to get up and run around a bit. Then she came back and wanted to hold her again. Uncle G finally had to take Cambree away from Cerdwin so they could go home. She didn't want to give her up. She sat there looking at Cambree's ears, nose, and fingers with amazement. She was such the "little mommy" and so proud to hold a real baby. I just wish I had my camera with me to capture that moment. It was precious.

Bounce & Party Place

We tried out the Bounce & Party Place in Kernersville on Friday afternoon. I was surprised to see a group from TriadMommies were there when we arrived. I got to flip some magnets. Yep, I'm a flipping lunatic. I think Cerdwin had a pretty good time. Elijah seemed to have a good time too. He struggled a little bit with the bigger kids who would run over the little ones, but he held his own!

Chad, the owner, was very friendly and we will definitely go back for some rainy day fun. I recommend checking it out if you are near the Kernersville area.
Bounce and Party Play Place
210-C Industrial Way
Kernersville, NC 27284
336-993-3827

More Carter Babies

Jason's cousins Drew & Matthew (brothers) and their wives are expecting. Drew and wife Mandy are expecting a baby boy in August. Matthew and wife Melissa are expecting a baby boy in July. This is such exciting news for the Carter family...more boys to carry on the family name. GG Carter is thrilled I am sure. She had 5 boys. Looks like Cerdwin will might be the only great granddaughter for a while.

Lazy days

Yesterday we were all so lazy! We stayed in bed most of the day cuddling. It was so dreary and today is looking the same. I need some sunlight. I am trying to get myself motivated to do something today. Dishes need to be done, laundry needs to be folded and put away, bed linens need to be changed. Cerdwin didn't even complain about the lazy day. She slept until about 11am and fell asleep on the sofa about 10pm last night. She crawled into bed with Jason and me before sunrise today. She just woke up about 11am again today. I think tomorrow afternoon we will try out The Bounce and Party Place in Kvegas for some open bounce time.

After very little sleep Monday night because my cough is still very persistent, I rolled out of bed at 7am Tuesday morning. I had to be at the doctor's office at 8:30am. I went in for a PAP test with the PA at my General Practitioner's office. I did not actually have it done. The nurse informed me that it hadn't been 2 years since my last one. Medicare will only pay for one every two years. That was rather frustrating. I was certain my last one had been in February of 2007, but according to their records it was in July. I still saw the PA as a follow up on the bronchitis. She said it sounded better, but my sinuses were still extremely inflamed and packed full of junk. She recommened me trying Mucinex DM. I asked for a referral to a GYN. I am tired of dealing with the debilitating menstrual cycles each month. I don't want to have a hysterectomy. That is too radical at this point, but I know there has to be something that can help relieve the intensity. I am going to discuss the option of Endometrial Ablation. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp134.cfm

I have been following a blog for the past couple of weeks that I ran across by "accident". It has brought tears to my eyes to read the struggles of this baby girl - Cora. She lost her battle with Neuroblastoma just 3 short weeks after being diagnosed. http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com Her mother and grandmother have started making some adorable items and selling on Etsy to raise funds for a playground to be built in Cora's honor. Their stuff sells out so quickly, I haven't had a chance to buy anything yet. There are other sellers donating to the fundraising efforts as well. I think it is a wonderful cause. I hope to be able to get one of the cute dresses for my new neice Cambree. Going to have to be quick though because the stuff sells out within hours of being listed!

This just cracked me up! I couldn't have posed her for this one and gotten a better shot!

Cambree Izabel has arrived!

My new niece was born on Saturday, 3/21/09. Cambree Izabel was born on her actual due date, weighing in at 5lbs. 15oz., 19.5 inches. You know some babies are so pretty and then some others aren't quite so cute. Of course, there is only one beautiful baby in the world and every mother has one. I have to admit though, she is absolutely beautiful. I snapped a few pictures while I was visiting with Cambree. I will post those later.
I took advantage of the situation by shopping at BRU for some preemie sized clothing for the tiny girl. I didn't think I would have the opportunity to splurge on the itty bitty clothes again. It was so fun yet challenging trying to find clothes for Cerdwin after she was born. Even preemie clothes were way too big for her. Anyway, I bought nearly one of everything BRU had and still only spent $85.

Relief at last

I have finally started feeling some relief from the nasty virus. Still a little congested and stuffy nose, but definitely feeling much better. Yesterday we finally got out of the house. I took Cerdwin to the inlaw's.
Once again, Cerdwin got car sick and threw up just before we reached our destination. She still hasn't had an appetite so it was only liquid, but still icky just the same. I purchased a booster seat for her about 18 months ago. The first time she rode in it she got sick. I put the Britax Marathon back in and we didn't have any more troubles. The booster has been in the Explorer and she rides in it on very rare occasion. The last time I rode with her in the Explorer she threw up. She is getting too big for the Britax, so I got another booster to put in the van. She has vomitted 3 times already riding in it. Now, I know she had a fever the first two times, but yesterday she was not. She swears the seat belt is killing her. She also threw up in my moms car when she rode in the booster seat she has in her car. I am almost beginning to wonder if it isn't because of her insecurities. I suppose I am going to have to break down and buy one of those boosters that has the 5 point harness good for up to 65lbs. since she weighs 48lbs. Most of them have a 45lbs limitation.
Cerdwin had a blast playing with her cousin Cameron and helping Grandma and Grandpa with lawn work. They hunted Easter eggs, rode around in the battery powered Jeep, raked leaves, and rode in the dump trailer hooked to the back of Grandpa's new, shiny, green John Deere lawn tractor. Of course, she had a fit to spend the night. Whew! That was a relief too. I certainly appreciated the break. After being sick for a week, she was going stir crazy in the house and I needed a chance to do some recuperating.

Unofficial Diagnosis - The Flu

Oh my what a day...Wednesday the whole lot of us went mobile. I loaded Cerdwin into the van and we took my mom to the ER around 10am. Mom said she absolutely had to see a doctor and get something to help relieve the symptoms she has been having. Driving her to her primary care office was out of the question. I knew I was not up for that hour drive and wait. We opted for the 15 minute drive to the ER in Danbury. Cerdwin had a fever and that made for an eventful trip of course. Fever combined with a tendency for car sickness is not a good combination. Within 5 minutes we were stopping to clean up. Cerdwin and I sat in the van waiting for Memaw for about 2 hours. I had wanted to leave and just go back later to pick her up. Cerdwin insisted she was not going to leave without Memaw. Unfortunately, we had to leave around noon. I had to come home and shower before taking Cerdwin to see her doctor in King at 1:30pm.

After a quick shower and dispatching Jason to pick Memaw up from the ER. Cerdwin and I head out for the half hour drive to King. Of course, we were only 5 minutes from Dr. Taha's office when Cerdwin started to vomit again. She only had liquids on her stomach so we didn't have a huge nasty mess, but a mess none the less. Cerdwin did very well at the office visit. I was very pleased with her behavior. Our last several visits to the doctor's offices have been less than pleasant. She is still very apprehensive after the traumatic experience of having stitches removed from her lips. We saw Katrina (Nurse Practitioner) for the first time. She seemed very personable and Cerdwin seemed to like her. Diagnosis...something viral. She did give us a script for Amoxicillian in the event it progresses like the virus has in the rest of us. As soon as we came out the door, Cerdwin started saying she was hungry. She wanted a chicken leg, macaroni & cheese, and a drink from Bojangles.

Shortly after getting home, I called to get an appointment for myself with a doctor. I was expecting to get in on Friday. Nope! The receptionist asked if I could be there by 4:45pm. Shock! I had already put on my pj's and crawled into bed. I just rolled out of bed, slid on my new Ithaca Crocs, grabbed my bag, and took off out the door. I felt so crummy, I had no cares at all about what anyone thought of my attire. At least I was wearing a decent t-shirt and lounge pants without any holes. Another half hour drive back to King for an unofficial diagnosis of The Flu, official diagnosis Acute Bronchitis. Since it was to late prescribe anything to help relieve the flu symptoms, the doctor wouldn't actually say it is the flu. I walked out with prescriptions for antibiotics and an inhaler.

It was an extremely exhausting day. Fortunately, Jason and I got the exact same prescriptions. I took a couple of doses of his antibiotics until I could get to the pharmacy to pick up mine.

I spent the entire day on Monday trying to figure out this blog thing, twitter, and various other networking options. My head was spinning. Whether it was from information overload or the impending illness that hit me like a baseball bat last night is still to be determined. Fever, chills, aches, headache, nasty cough. So far DD hasn't gotten sick, but I don't know how she can avoid it since everyone else in the house has.
I did venture out to the Dollar General yesterday to pick up some spaghetti noodles. We had spaghetti for dinner last night. It was rather tasty. Lots of leftovers since none of us felt like eating much though.
I did drag myself into the shower this morning in hopes it would wash away some of the sickness. I did feel a little better after standing in the hot, steamy water. DD didn't wake up until 11:15am. Of course the first thing she did was come into my room wanting to watch cartoons. Scooby-Doo is the cartoon of choice until Tom & Jerry comes on. I have a feeling today will be a cartoon filled day. I don't think I am going to be up for much more. Unfortunately, we are missing our weekly PE Class and an afternoon playdate at McDonald's.

Tell me it gets better

Today has started out all wrong. The 4 year old was awake early and grumpy, the "old man" is home sick today, and the mother isn't speaking to anyone. I seem to be the only one in a less than fragile state so far and my mood is declining.
I am hoping for the return of the warm days with bright sun light. These cold, rainy, dreary days are taking a toll on my mental well-being. Just like a garden, I need sun light to thrive.
We have a beautiful tulip tree out back that is blooming with its showy pink flowers Thankfully, we didn't have any frost over the past few days. I was disappointed last year that the nasty weather killed the blooms and the tree didn't flower. The cardinals have been adorning the bare branches of the river birch trees in the front yard. At one point, a couple of days ago, I counted 20 male and female cardinals, 2 blue jays, and 3 finches sitting in one tree. The cardinals have such vivid colors, I say they look like ornaments decorating a Christmas tree.

A prayer to start the day.

Mother of All, Father of All:
as I go through the day,
keep my eyes open wide.
May I not miss beauty.
May I not miss joy.
May I not miss wonder.
Keep me awake and aware of the world.
- Ceisiwr Serith
.

Going on a trip

Cerdwin has an extremely vivid imagination. She can come up with some really "tall tales". Thursday night was one such time she put it into full effect.
Her GG Carter gave her a new backpack for her birthday. She was wandering around the house with it on her back. I couldn't help giggling when she told DH and me that she was going on a trip.
Our conversation was pretty in depth and rather comical. Some of it went like this:
I asked where she was going. Her response, "Well, ummm, I don't know. Maybe California."
I said, "Wow! That is a long trip."
She proceeded to tell us that she had packed a shirt, socks, some panties, a shovel, and a pail. I asked what the shovel and pail were for.
She then explained, "I am going to the California Desert."
I asked, "What are you going to do in the California Desert?"
She confidently stated, "I am going to dig in the sand and build a sandcastle!"
"That sounds fun. Did you pack any water?" I asked.
She looked at me with a quizzical expression and said no. I recommended she pack some water since it was such long trip and there would be no water in the desert so she might get thirsty. She tromped behind a chair and we could hear her making little noises like water coming out of a spigot. She was "filling her water bottles". She told us she had her water and off she went trekking about the house.

I just love those little moments when she shows her creativity and imagination.