The Gilberts

The Gilberts
The reason for my domestication

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Chocolate chip cookies.

So since going to the doctor I have debated whether or not to continue to blog about my personal health. At times it almost seems too personal. I feel like I want to keep it a secret. Not sure how to explain why I feel that way, but I do.

PCOS is THE most common reason for infertility, but yet when I mention it to people they have no clue what I'm talking about. And yes, more than likely I will be able to have a baby. But really the word INFERTILE stings, and every time I go to the doctor and they say it... it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I went to the doctor again Monday for the ovarian ultrasound and labs. I have to say that as much as I'm beginning to hate going to the doctor I LOVE my midwife. I think she is a hippie angel. lol. really. She told me before I went to the ultrasound room that if I had cystic ovaries they would look like pearls or Swiss cheese or chocolate chip cookies... I thought they looked most like chocolate chip cookies. My ovary being the "cookie" and the cysts or follicles being the "chocolate chips". kinda gross. It was clear as can be and they didn't even wait for my labs to come back to put the official diagnosis on file.

What now?

Well, I go back next Monday to see an OB/GYN at the same office. From what I understood from my midwife I will take a prescription to jump start my cycle and then begin taking Clomid. I'm nervous and I'm scared. Yes, this is what I want, but I keep asking myself am I really ready? Everything will change. 80% of women who take Clomid will ovulate and 50% will get pregnant. Who knew that getting knocked up was so hard? Am I ready to add an infant to the mix? Am I ready for the disappointment if the Clomid doesn't work for me?

And I'm a pansy. I don't want to be sick :( I haven't thrown up in over a decade. seriously. I do not want to break the record now.

And Lord help Chris and I if we have multiples. I won't even think about it.

Tomorrow is picture day and as soon as Gabe got home today he said, "Put on the bathing suits and wear for picture day!" No can do pal :( Although that would be pretty funny.

This Sunday is the kids big bday bash. I'm sooo very excited for this! I love that our families will get to socialize and that the kids will have friends from school come to see them. It should be a blast! I just hope it doesn't rain :/

And Joey turns 9 tomorrow :) They are growing up soo fast. He is getting so tall (still skinny), and he has improved by leaps and bounds socially and academically. His vocabulary has sky rocketed the past year :) I am soo proud of him!

Well I need to get off here and get the kids stuff ready for tomorrow.

Monday, March 12, 2012

A lot on my mind...

So for the past few weeks I have had a lot on my mind. It's not really stressing me out, just wondering, day dreaming, contemplating...

I have went to the doctor several times the past few weeks, and I feel really blessed that Chris is able to get wonderful health insurance through Roper :) I haven't been able to visit a doctor in years unless I was near death. Visiting a womens doctor was out of the question so I went to the health dept for years. I have suspected for the past year or so that I may have PCOS, but as I have plenty of things to occupy my mind it stayed far in the back, squished in a corner.

Today I went to see Juanita Johnson. She was wonderful and as far as I'm concerned I will continue to see her. Kinda eccentric and lots of energy :) and she talked to me like I was a person not just a number. When she was asking me all the new patient questions she got to the one where they have to ask if you do any illegal drugs and she flat out asked if I smoked weed. baha. So anyways they did my annual exam nothing weird about that except the usual weird feeling you get when a strangers face and hands are all over you. Then she asked about my irregular periods. I told her, there is really not much to tell. When I'm on BC I have a period when I'm not, I don't. So she went through a list of PCOS symptoms with me and I had all of them but one :( Having PCOS doesn't mean I can't conceive, but it won't be as simple as just having sex for fun. I go next Monday for an ovarian ultrasound and blood tests. It's pretty much to confirm what she already suspects. We even discussed my options once I am diagnosed.

I guess what I've been thinking about the most is that I wanted to have this perfect pregnancy, without complications, and without being high risk. It's possible that all that can still happen but my chances of gestational diabetes (I'm already insulin resistant), preeclampsia, and miscarriage go up. I was so positive at first but I can feel myself literally being worn down. It seems like everyone gets pregnant so easily or it just accidentally happens... I'm not obsessed with having a baby at this point which brings me to another reason why my mind is in over drive.

I take care of four now, and I'm not getting the big head or anything but I think I do a fairly good job at being Step-mom. I want to be able to give my very best to my little baby. Will I be able to? I don't want to wait  too long to have a baby. Gabe just turned 10 at the beginning of the month and the twins will turn 7 at the end of the month. My little sister and I are almost a decade apart and I know first hand how difficult it can be growing up with a sibling that young. I love my sister to death but it's hard for me to relate to her sometimes, and most times I feel more like a maternal figure than the sister/ best friend. I think it may be somewhat difficult that the kids leave half the week to go to their mothers. IDK. My mind is nearing full capacity.

And what about work? We can't afford for me to just stay at home with the kids. I'm freaking out and I'm not even pregnant. I guess I just like to have a plan and stick to it, and when you have kids or are planning to have a child nothing is set in stone.

Faith. I'm not a very religious person, but faith is what gets me through. On those nights when I cry coming home from a bad night at work, or the kids are having a bad day, or here lately get consumed by the thought of a child I don't yet have I just have to stop and take a deep breath and tell myself I'm blessed. Right now four little angels are sleeping in their beds (hopefully. they better be.) and they give me a reason to smile everyday. Even when they aren't with Chris and I. Also, my best friend. Chris. No words can possibly describe how great a man he is. I'm blessed and I know it :) Sometimes we just have to be reminded. In fact, writing this gave me that little reminder.

Until next time. Your maven.

Monday, March 5, 2012

To be or not to be.

So, I was thinking in my head what I would write about in this blog post when I came across a blog I follow (People I want to punch in the throat) and it was about over achieving moms and the birthday parties they throw for their kids.... and I swear thats what I was going to write about. lol. How excited I am to throw a big birthday party bash for my kids. Some of the things she downed in her blog were ideas I am actually considering. Love her blog, but it's not deterring me :)

The party will be in a few weeks, and now that we have it booked and a date set I am getting realllllly excited. Infact, as soon as I post this blog I will be on Pinterest :) It will be the first time that our two families and friends will be together and I'm excited for everyone to get to socialize and for the kids to have their friends from school come party as well :)

Finally got our tax refund back. Not exactly what we were expecting. Let's just say you can not avoid paying the government back for a student loan :/

And... my blood pressure was great, all week, and when I went back to the doctor :) The only thing the doctor wasn't happy about was my blood sugar. Apparently, I am insulin resistant. She wants me to diet and exercise for a month and come back. If it hasn't improved she wants to put me on medicine. I'm not diabetic BUT if I continue to eat whatever I want (bad things) I will be sooner rather than later. It's hard to explain how this makes me feel... I want to be healthy and I want to be in better shape, but finding the motivation to bring it to fruition is a whole other matter... Trying very hard to get my mind in the right place.

Also have an appointment later this month with an OB/GYN :) ready to find out what is wrong with me so I can move on!

Lots of changes in store for me. All for the good. March is going to be one busy month.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

STOP TEXTING!!!

Sorry I have left you guys hangin' but everytime something happens that would be great blog material I either forget it or when I get time to sit down I would rather just relax. I'm sure you can relate.

Quite a bit has happened the past few days. First of all, Chris and I are STILL waiting on our tax refund. WTF! First it was the 15th, then the 21st, and now its the 28th  :/  If we owed the government taxes you best believe they would be right at our door but they are going to take their sweet time giving us our refund. blah. Hello Uncle Sam I have plans with that moolah!

Finally went to the doctor, and got some blah news. My blood pressure was super high 143/108. Soooo, I have to keep track of my bp this week and go back this Friday. Hoping that they will just tell me to lose weight and exercise and not put me on medication. I'm 24 for God sake! I know I'm overweight (morbidly obese according to the doc) but I don't feel like a whale. I don't weigh 300 or 500 pounds. Geesh... It's hard being healthy and I've always struggled with my weight, but I've never really lacked self-confidence. I like being big. Granted I am not happy with my current weight  :/  but I don't want to be skinny minny. Bigger boobs would be nice though.

Then she tells me that if my labs come back ok then she will send me to an OB/GYN to figure out why periods are irregular.... in a way I'm glad that I finally have the health coverage to go to a doc for my period probs. On the other hand, I'm scared. My biggest fear is that they will tell me I'm broken. "You can't have children". I can't even find a word that would describe how inadequate or how less like a woman I would feel... Women who don't want a child, get an abortion, give their child up for adoption, or have a child and don't take the best care of that child.... Why is it so easy for those women? All I know is that if you don't have a period you don't ovulate and if you don't ovulate you don't have babies. Hopefully, whatever is wrong with my reproductive system is an easy fix *fingers crossed*

On a lighter note!!!! My best friend Rachel Clark is expecting :) I am SO VERY happy for her. She and her husband have had some very rough times the past year, and I admire both of them for staying so strong and devoted to one another through it all. They will be excellent parents, I have no doubt. And I can't wait to have a wittle baby to play with :)

Ok so we have all heard of the "Don't text and drive" campaign that Oprah has made so popular right? Well, I'm not in any way condoning texting and driving. It is bad. I get it. However! We all do distracting things while we drive. For example: text, call, pick your nose (lol), change the radio station, dig thru a purse, eat, drink, hand your kid something in the back seat.... the list could go on and on... So what I'm trying to get at is that ONE: we should be concerned with distractions in general while we drive and that TWO: I am an ADULT and the last thing I want is for another ADULT to YELL at me in the school pick up line thru his open window for me to "STOP TEXTING!". Hello A-HOLE how do you know I'm texting?! Are you in the car with me?! Are you sitting in my lap?! I don't think so. So shut your big red neck mouth. I bet he stuffs that lip full of Grizzly Wintergreen while he drives. Why don't I start a campaign of "Don't dip and drive"? Prick. No wonder I have high blood pressure.

Love my life though.

Well if you guys have any heart healthy recipes hand them over. Looks like I've got some weight to lose. lol.

Where my Cheerios at?!

OMG I almost forgot! Speaking of babies!!!! My store manager is expecting another baby. Why is this so cool? He will be 60 next month and his wife is 35 :) They have a 9 year old daughter now. The current bun in the oven was not planned, but they are both very excited and he is quite a bit nervous. lol. Very cute!

Well, kids are doing great. Can't believe this school year is almost over. I have to admit I'm ready for summer break. Trips downtown. Vacation. Sun. Pool. Margarita........ *drooling*

Gabe's birthday is Thursday. 10 years old. wow. in 10 more years he will be 20. I have so many dreams for him :) and am so proud of him. I love my blondie.

Think it's past time I showered. I am STILL wearing my uniform (stay too busy). More later :)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Crazy Exhausted

*yawnnnn*

I have been so tired lately. Still haven't made a doctors appointment. Bad sinus infection.

On a brighter note. Chris and I get to sneak away this weekend for a late Valentine celebration :) I'm just excited I don't have to work and can escape stress for a couple of days :) Mary is going to Florida with her Aunt and cousin and the boys are staying with their momma. When the kids go on spring break I want to take them to Gatlinburg for a night or two.... ( just thinking to myself )

So Whitney Houston is dead, and so young too. It's odd how these famous celebs kinda fall out of the lime light and when something tragic happens (death) everyone sits up and pays tribute to how amazing they were when the day before they had nothing to say.... I wonder how Ray-J feels?

And today is Valentines Day. The day of love. I remember being in highschool and what seemed like everyones name being called to get flowers from either the boyfriend or parents, and my name never getting called. lol. I'm not bitter or anything but Valentines Day always sucked then. Now I've got Chris and we are happy as larks :) We got the kids a little somethin somethin. They can have it tonight :)

The other morning Joey and I were playing around before school and he poked me in the eye. lol. He said "Wash it with water!" and then proceeded  to lick his fingers and rub my eye. haha. Kinda gross but it's the thought that counts right?

Is it bad that I'm super excited for the kids birthdays next month, but I don't want them to be a year older? lol. Gabe will be 10! Double digits.... Soon it will be growth spurts. body odor. more food. more money. more attitude. Can I just stop time?

Also, have I mentioned how much I love Chris? He is amazing just for putting up with me. I'm a picky slob. Sounds like an oxymoron, but it's true. I'll leave trash laying around and then complain that he doesn't fold the clothes right (but he really doesn't). Thats just one example. Here lately though he has had to listen to me gripe, complain, and vent about my stressor. He should be there to lend an ear when I have something to say, but he shouldn't have to hear me nag. Sorry honey! I'm trying to get better. Sometimes I just feel so consumed by whats bothering me. Does anyone else feel that way?

Any who. Chris and I rock marriage. Love him. Love the kids.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

10 day challenge last day!

I suppose it's never too late right? Well, the last day of this challenge thing is supposed to be a picture so here it is....

These 5 scallawags are my everything :) A lot of effort when into getting this one picture and I'm darn proud of it!

So this morning in the car out of no where Ethan says "You can't swallow wood chips or wires." I don't know what made him think of this. lol.

Made up a recipe last night Hawaiian Chicken in the Crockpot. It was decent but I feel like it was missing something, and I can't place it.... To be  honest with you I feel really scatter brained this morning.... not sure whats wrong with me.... eehhhh.

Well for one. I'm starving.

Super excited to have my hair done by the Fabulous Susan next week. Think I  have decided on an edgy angular long bob with black and burgundy.... yes. I should have been a natural black haired person. Black is me. Black is my soul. JK. lol. Well SOME PEOPLE think my soul is black :) but thats ok with me if they think that. Go on. Keep thinking I'm the bad guy.

Also, what is up with these convicts escaping Walker Prison?! They are going to have to hire extra CO's to stand at the fences. lol. It really isn't a laughing matter. What concerns me is WHY and HOW did they manage to get past the Officers who's job it is to keep them within the confines of the prison, and 2nd! Why have'nt they been found by now? One of them looks like he is about 70 years old. How far can that man go on foot (if he didn't have someone waiting to pick him up)?

Keep my deadbolt locked today, and Batman by my side. He will rip the criminal to shreads.

I have about 80 loads of laundry to do today... ughhhh :/ BTW my home made laundry detergent is still going strong. I swear I think it works better than the expensive stuff I bought before. We have been using it over a month now and it is still going strong :)

Ok I have to wrap this up and get something to eat before I wither away (highly unlikely)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

So Sorry To Leave U Hangin.

The title says it all :/ I haven't blogged in almost a week. Every night that I have considered blogging I always talk myself out of it. I've been sooo tired lately that it's starting to make me worried. I can sleep all night and then after I take the kids to school I come home and go back to sleep.... So I'm going to make a doctors appt and see if I'm in good health and all. I can actually go to a doctor now! Yay for marriage and health insurance!!! lol.

The past week has been full of surprises though. lol. As always.

First of all before I forget. Last weekend  I waited on some people. It was a man and wife and their 2 kids. Well waiting on them isnt whats so funny it's that when they paid I looked at the name on the debit card (I like to check on names) the womans name was.... La Dusta K Sleeper. This is not a joke. lol. When I went back to the table I even asked if it was her real name. She gave me a hateful look and was like "Yea it is!"

:/ Ok girl calm down. Your momma should have known that people were going to be askin you that question your whole life. Don't blame me!

And then on another night I was at the bar washing some glasses for the Bartender and a woman was alone sitting at the bar and she says to me "You know you are a very beautiful woman. You have amazing eyes" Or something like that and of course I said thank you and then she said "I'm not a lesbian or anything. I don't want you to think I'm hitting on you. B/C i'm not a LESBIAN"

:/ A>W>K>W>A>R>D... I never said or thought you were a lesbian...

Also, I have never finished the 10 day challenge. I'm going to, but the picture I want to use is currently on a disc at Chris' parents. So when I get it I will do the last blog :)

Went to my first Zumba class on Monday :) I was honestly expecting it to be a breeze. Just b/c there are older woman who go, and other over weight women like myself. BUT it was definitely not a breeze. lol. I wanted a breeze, a cool one, to cool my butt down after dancing for an entire hour (and maybe to dry my butt sweat). Infact when we left I stuck my butt right in a fan they had at Curves. lol. It was high paced but a lot of fun and I'll be going every Monday now. Pretty excited!

Also, I received my last W2 today! yay!!!! Now we can finally go file our taxes and get the show on the road :) So happy, and Sooo relieved. yoo! I just hope we get enough back to pay for all the things we need to have done.

And last but not least. I have lost sight in recent weeks what is most important to me. Chris and The Kids.

They are everything. Period. and I shouldn't let fickle matters between myself and those who shall not be named (lol) come between us. I'm still learning to put things aside and better yet not dwell on things :( If something really bothers me I will think about it for daysssss. It's not healthy for myself or the ones I love when I have a short fuse due to someone else. So for all my loyal readers please send a little (or a lot) of positive energy my way :) GREAT things are in store for my big family, so I'm going to spend my energy focusing on that!

Til later :) Your Domestic Maven :)