Dear Air Force,
I am grateful that I can use your medical care facilities (also known as military treatment facilities), but just for your information, it is kind of awkward to start off with an 18 year old boy taking my blood pressure, weight, and giving me the first part of my exam. I do realize that I have an aversion to hospitals, so I'm not that comfortable in them anyway. I guess I just have to get used to the teenage boys, because I'm doubtful you'll change.
v/r,
me
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Overwhelming!
Holy cow, people. I know America is the land of options (just check out the yogurt aisle of the supermarket here - in Brazil it was vanilla or strawberry). But come on! How in the world do you sort through all of the strollers, car seats, and crib bedding options?
We're trying to focus on the following things right now:
- Car seats
- Pack n play (baby's bed for the first few months)
Anyone have advice? How did you choose your baby stuff? What's important to consider?
We're trying to focus on the following things right now:
- Car seats
- Pack n play (baby's bed for the first few months)
Anyone have advice? How did you choose your baby stuff? What's important to consider?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Harvard?
This has been my first experience using MTF (Military Treatment Facilities) for my medical care. Before, I had military insurance but I was able to choose my own civilian doctors (as long as they took my insurance).
I took a pregnancy test and had an ultrasound with my beloved OB back in Nashville. We heard the baby's heartbeat and saw it was progressing as it should. Good news!
Then we moved to the DC area, military capital of the world. No more civilian providers for me. It took me a little bit to get used to the idea of not having much choice, but I think I'm good now. When we got to DC, I figured out which military base I wanted to go to, and then went over the whole process again - pregnancy test, etc! Apparently we still have some North/South distrust/animosity...
After the North confirmed my pregnancy, I was able to go and see an OB here. Funny story - I had been avoiding doctors in Nashville who had gotten their degrees from a certain medical college, hearing that the standards weren't as high as others. I had managed to avoid them while I was in Nashville. Wouldn't you know that I started chit-chatting with the OB doctor on base and he said he had studied in Nashville. I then made the mistake of asking where he had studied, praying he would answer "Vanderbilt" only to have my fears confirmed that he indeed had studied at my avoided university.
At one point, we discussed what prenatal vitamins I am taking. I showed him what my Nashville OB had prescribed, and he read the name "Prenate DHA. What's DHA?" I then, in some weird twist of fate, tried to explain it to him. Me, explaining DHA to my OB. Sweet.
Me: "Well, DHA is supposed to promote brain development"
Him: "Oh, that's good."
Me: "Yes, it's the new 'hot topic' among pediatricians. The pediatric pathologists I used to work with at Vandy suggested that I look for DHA supplements, but then my OB prescribed this prenatal vitamin."
Him: "That's nice. I had never heard of it. Guess we all can't have Harvard degrees now, can we?"
What does that mean? Perhaps I should go to the other military base for treatment? Or just pray I don't get him again?
I took a pregnancy test and had an ultrasound with my beloved OB back in Nashville. We heard the baby's heartbeat and saw it was progressing as it should. Good news!
Then we moved to the DC area, military capital of the world. No more civilian providers for me. It took me a little bit to get used to the idea of not having much choice, but I think I'm good now. When we got to DC, I figured out which military base I wanted to go to, and then went over the whole process again - pregnancy test, etc! Apparently we still have some North/South distrust/animosity...
After the North confirmed my pregnancy, I was able to go and see an OB here. Funny story - I had been avoiding doctors in Nashville who had gotten their degrees from a certain medical college, hearing that the standards weren't as high as others. I had managed to avoid them while I was in Nashville. Wouldn't you know that I started chit-chatting with the OB doctor on base and he said he had studied in Nashville. I then made the mistake of asking where he had studied, praying he would answer "Vanderbilt" only to have my fears confirmed that he indeed had studied at my avoided university.
At one point, we discussed what prenatal vitamins I am taking. I showed him what my Nashville OB had prescribed, and he read the name "Prenate DHA. What's DHA?" I then, in some weird twist of fate, tried to explain it to him. Me, explaining DHA to my OB. Sweet.
Me: "Well, DHA is supposed to promote brain development"
Him: "Oh, that's good."
Me: "Yes, it's the new 'hot topic' among pediatricians. The pediatric pathologists I used to work with at Vandy suggested that I look for DHA supplements, but then my OB prescribed this prenatal vitamin."
Him: "That's nice. I had never heard of it. Guess we all can't have Harvard degrees now, can we?"
What does that mean? Perhaps I should go to the other military base for treatment? Or just pray I don't get him again?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Recipes!
Thanks everyone for your recipes - keep them coming! I'm so excited to make them. Monica, I think I NEED that cheesecake recipe :)
I have another blog where I keep all of my recipes - it helped me organize them when we were abroad and while we were moving. As long as I had internet access (or could call my sister and have her look something up for me), I had access to my recipes without actually having them in paper form. I try to credit the appropriate people for recipes, if you see something that's yours, claim it!
The danger of making this other blog public is that these recipes are ALL I know how to make! So, chances are, if you come over for dinner, it'll be something from here! My recipe website is here - Mea 'ai 'ono
Some of our recent favorites are:
- Spaghetti Carbonara (surprisingly quick and easy)
- Mojo Corn and Black Bean Salsa (perfect for summer)
- Creamy Penne Pomodoro (I substitute half and half for heavy cream)
- Lemon Chicken with Capers (hubby loves capers!)
- Caprese Tarts - cute appetizers (and you can have fun with the shapes!)
- Blueberry Pound Cake - it's blueberry season!
I have another blog where I keep all of my recipes - it helped me organize them when we were abroad and while we were moving. As long as I had internet access (or could call my sister and have her look something up for me), I had access to my recipes without actually having them in paper form. I try to credit the appropriate people for recipes, if you see something that's yours, claim it!
The danger of making this other blog public is that these recipes are ALL I know how to make! So, chances are, if you come over for dinner, it'll be something from here! My recipe website is here - Mea 'ai 'ono
Some of our recent favorites are:
- Spaghetti Carbonara (surprisingly quick and easy)
- Mojo Corn and Black Bean Salsa (perfect for summer)
- Creamy Penne Pomodoro (I substitute half and half for heavy cream)
- Lemon Chicken with Capers (hubby loves capers!)
- Caprese Tarts - cute appetizers (and you can have fun with the shapes!)
- Blueberry Pound Cake - it's blueberry season!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Three years!
CO and I have been married three years already (sometimes it seems like more!).
I love him so much and am thankful that he puts up with me!
He surprised me with chocolate and flowers this morning and has been so supportive through our pregnancy.
I'm very blessed!
Monday, July 13, 2009
In need of some inspiration...
What are some of your favorite recipes lately? I'll take whatever I can get - appetizer, main, dessert - whatever!!
Please help a girl out, we're stuck in our same eating rut...
Please help a girl out, we're stuck in our same eating rut...
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Things that annoy me...
- The people at golf tournaments who shout "Get in the hole!"
- The traffic lights that you can't see unless you're immediately underneath them, rendering them ineffective, particularly at speeds over 40mph.
- Weather maps that show random counties with severe weather warnings, particularly when you (I) have no idea which squiggly county is yours
- The traffic lights that you can't see unless you're immediately underneath them, rendering them ineffective, particularly at speeds over 40mph.
- Weather maps that show random counties with severe weather warnings, particularly when you (I) have no idea which squiggly county is yours
the (other) good news
well, not THE good news, just our good news...
This is what we've got thus far.
I was 16 weeks yesterday. That, friends, makes the due date the 25th of December (as my dad said, "Wow, that's awfully close to Christmas"). And yes, we are already accepting donations to help pay for baby's therapy for getting combination presents (birthday + Christmas).
Will we find out the sex of the baby? I'd like to think I'm patient like my sister, and could wait for the surprise in the delivery room, but alas, I'm not very patient. I reserve patience in my life for things I have no control over, aka our military life. Though I cannot change the sex of our baby, I would very much like to be able to (semi-)plan as much as I can for the new addition to our family. CO kind of wanted the whole delivery-room-surprise thing, but I think I've convinced him that there's no way I could wait that long.
When will we find out the gender? I go to another appointment at the end of this month, and then they'll schedule the big ultrasound then. That's all I know.
As far as names go, we do think that we might keep our ideas a surprise. Plus, we want to make sure the name fits the baby. We are accepting suggestions as far as real names and names I can use for the baby while blogging.
This is what we've got thus far.
I was 16 weeks yesterday. That, friends, makes the due date the 25th of December (as my dad said, "Wow, that's awfully close to Christmas"). And yes, we are already accepting donations to help pay for baby's therapy for getting combination presents (birthday + Christmas).
Will we find out the sex of the baby? I'd like to think I'm patient like my sister, and could wait for the surprise in the delivery room, but alas, I'm not very patient. I reserve patience in my life for things I have no control over, aka our military life. Though I cannot change the sex of our baby, I would very much like to be able to (semi-)plan as much as I can for the new addition to our family. CO kind of wanted the whole delivery-room-surprise thing, but I think I've convinced him that there's no way I could wait that long.
When will we find out the gender? I go to another appointment at the end of this month, and then they'll schedule the big ultrasound then. That's all I know.
As far as names go, we do think that we might keep our ideas a surprise. Plus, we want to make sure the name fits the baby. We are accepting suggestions as far as real names and names I can use for the baby while blogging.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I'm still learning...
Yesterday I went on base to go shopping at the commissary (still using the bags E got for me - thank you!). It was late afternoon, as I had actually gotten some things done!
I got in through the gate (as I got a new ID card after I left mine in Florida). I drove along the road to the commissary, listening to the music on the radio. Some kids were trying to cross the road ahead. I noticed the driver in the other lane had stopped, so I too, came to a stop and let the kids cross the road. The other driver remained paused, which I assumed meant they knew the kids or were picking them up or something.
I continued down the road, and other drivers were stopped at a light. Even after it was green. This is where I became confused. Of course, the light was less than 1/4 mile away from the commissary. So I pulled in, parked, and then realized they were playing the National Anthem. At 5:00 exactly. DUH! No wonder everyone had stopped what they were doing. I must have looked like a horribly inconsiderate person, trucking along to the grocery store for my orange juice. Not honoring the national anthem on a military base? Ooops. Someone should give me a manual on how to behave on a base. Is there anything else I should know before I completely embarass myself?
I got in through the gate (as I got a new ID card after I left mine in Florida). I drove along the road to the commissary, listening to the music on the radio. Some kids were trying to cross the road ahead. I noticed the driver in the other lane had stopped, so I too, came to a stop and let the kids cross the road. The other driver remained paused, which I assumed meant they knew the kids or were picking them up or something.
I continued down the road, and other drivers were stopped at a light. Even after it was green. This is where I became confused. Of course, the light was less than 1/4 mile away from the commissary. So I pulled in, parked, and then realized they were playing the National Anthem. At 5:00 exactly. DUH! No wonder everyone had stopped what they were doing. I must have looked like a horribly inconsiderate person, trucking along to the grocery store for my orange juice. Not honoring the national anthem on a military base? Ooops. Someone should give me a manual on how to behave on a base. Is there anything else I should know before I completely embarass myself?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Yes, I'm still alive.
It's been a while.
We JUST got internet installed in our house TODAY. But really, there hasn't been much to report. We've moved into our house and are slowly unpacking. I'm hoping to have the kitchen table cleared off soon and maybe we can have guests over.
The move went pretty well - the movers delivered our stuff less than two weeks ago. The movers in Nashville didn't do that great of a job - some of our stuff arrived broken or stained (our couch!). AND they tried to insist that they didn't have to unpack our stuff. HELLO! It's in your contract. So the guys dropped off the stuff and left it in boxes. A few hours later, a bunch of ladies arrived and dumped our stuff out of boxes on the ground. Fabulous.
This house has a lot less storage than our other places, so last weekend we went to IKEA and bought a shelf system for pantry storage and a bookcase that holds most of our books! Yay! We also bought some cute fabric that I'm going to try to make into curtains... we'll see how that goes!
We JUST got internet installed in our house TODAY. But really, there hasn't been much to report. We've moved into our house and are slowly unpacking. I'm hoping to have the kitchen table cleared off soon and maybe we can have guests over.
The move went pretty well - the movers delivered our stuff less than two weeks ago. The movers in Nashville didn't do that great of a job - some of our stuff arrived broken or stained (our couch!). AND they tried to insist that they didn't have to unpack our stuff. HELLO! It's in your contract. So the guys dropped off the stuff and left it in boxes. A few hours later, a bunch of ladies arrived and dumped our stuff out of boxes on the ground. Fabulous.
This house has a lot less storage than our other places, so last weekend we went to IKEA and bought a shelf system for pantry storage and a bookcase that holds most of our books! Yay! We also bought some cute fabric that I'm going to try to make into curtains... we'll see how that goes!
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