Root Canal Woes

This past week has been a stressful one for me. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I needed a root canal, and was able to schedule one for last Tuesday. I think everyone who reads my blog or follows me on Facebook knows that I have anxiety. (For anyone who didn't, you can real all about it HERE). Dental anxiety is high up on my list of anxieties. Why? I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure it stemmed from the fact that I never had one cavity until I was 16 or 17 years old. Then out of nowhere I had 4 at one time. I don't remember much other than being scared, but what really set me off was that I wasn't numb enough either time and could feel pain. For some reason I was too scared to speak up for myself and just dealt with it because I wanted it over with. After that I avoided dentists at all costs. I realize how stupid that was now, but without insurance, and with my fear I just didn't go.

Anyway, I was feeling okay the week leading up to said root canal, but of course, the nerves hit the morning of. Especially once I got to the office and had to sit and wait. Everyone there was very nice. I was able to explain to the endodontist who was doing the root canal how scared I was. I'm proud that I'm able to speak up and talk about these things now. He went over the whole procedure with me and his assistant was so nice and she made me laugh and feel somewhat at ease. He made sure to get me good and numb. (It honest to goodness takes 3 shots of Novocain for me to actually go numb). It probably took 30 minutes from start to finish, and I think maybe halfway through my heart stopped hammering and I was able to relax just a bit.

I never know how I'll feel after the Novocain wears off though. Usually I'm in a lot of pain, but surprisingly I wasn't! Could this be? Totally successful and no pain? Score!

Yeah. Not so much. I was pretty sore the next few days, but decided that was pretty normal, especially since I couldn't take the ibuprofen they recommend, but could only take Tylenol.

Saturday morning I woke up in intense pain. So much so, that I sat in bed crying and couldn't will myself to even get up. I had my first anxiety attack since going on medicine for it last Fall. Of course the Endodontist's office was closed. I called my dentist's office and one of the dentists happened to be in. He talked to me and said he would prescribe me a painkiller and antibiotic. I told him I was pregnant, so he said I'd have to call my OB's office for a painkiller, but he'd call in the antibiotic. Called my OB's office, knowing I'd have to talk to a Tele-Nurse. They said they'd call back within the hour. I called back an hour and a half later and finally just got them to transfer me to a nurse. "Oh...I can't prescribe anything." GAH!!! Then she decided she could page an on call OB from my office. OB said hydrocodone, but I needed the dentist to call it in. Call the office back and everyone is gone. Cue more crying. Look up dentist in white pages, and get ahold of him. He gladly called it in for me. Yay! Relief is coming!

I was able to pick up my drugs and then go back home to let Jacob load up the van and then we hit the road for Villa Grove! I was able to enjoy my afternoon and evening, and we arrived not too long after Rachel and Micah. Supper was delicious, but somewhat painful. I think I had 4 or 5 times where my teeth knocked together and I got zinged with pain. We all watched the Lego Movie and because of that, I let Daniel stay up until 10! He was out like a light once he got settled down!

Yesterday morning I was feeling okay. We got ready for church and I knew it would be a long day since it was their minister's last day and there was a lunch and program afterward. We weren't sure how Daniel would do in the nursery because he never does well. Daniel and Pa walked to church and then I dropped him off. It only took 10 minutes before they came to get us! Jacob went first and we switched off later. Almost right before the service started though, I started to feel off. I could feel a headache coming on. Then the hot flashes started. I felt weird and somewhat dizzy too. I just kind of sat there praying that I would make it.

I was doing okay by lunch and it was SO good. I even managed to eat it without much pain. We kept Daniel in for half the program and he did such a good job. He got a few chuckles. When someone would finish speaking or singing a song he'd say, "Sing another song now!?" or "We're done now?" At one point I asked him if he was tired and he looked directly at me and said, "No. I'm tired of THIS." Haha! So, I took him out and played with him while praying my head wouldn't explode.

We went back to the house for a bit before heading home. I wasn't in a picture taking mood this weekend, but got a few pictures. Daniel REALLY loved spending time with Aunt Rachel and Uncle Micah!





Daniel fell asleep before we were out of town. Jacob and I talked all the way home, and I thought my head was getting better. It wasn't. You KNOW I don't feel good when I tell Jacob just to bring the suitcase in and I'll unpack it another day. I know it shocked him. I wanted to get Daniel ready for bed, but I ended up sobbing because he wasn't listening. Thankfully Jacob stepped in to get him ready. I was able to rock Daniel and then grabbed an ice pack for my head and went to bed at 8:30 after I found someone to work for me today. I had decided that the hydrocodone was making me sick and didn't take any after 11:00 yesterday morning.

I woke up today and called as soon as the endodontist office opened. I talked to a sweet receptionist, but she dashed my hopes. In my mind I WAS going in today no matter what. She told me, he usually won't see anyone for 2 weeks after. She went over a lot with me on the phone and let me know that what I'm feeling is still normal for some people. I started sobbing. On the phone. That poor woman. She told me to call Thursday and update her.

I hung up and anxiety attack #2 happened. It was worse than the first. I couldn't breath and was panicking. I knew Jacob was awake so I texted him and said, "I need you in here now." He came in and held me as I shook, gasped for air and cried. It took a good 10 minutes for me to calm down enough to explain what happened. He helped me through it and I ended up feeling better about it. At least my migraine was gone and James was kicking me.

I'm still feeling pain, but I'm trying to get through it. It actually isn't AS bad, but definitely still hurts. It's been quite the rough week, but thanks to the help of Jacob, I've made it so far! I'm very very thankful for him and all he's done for me!

Time is Flying!

This Friday will mark my 25th week of pregnancy. I can't believe how fast it's flying by this time. Generally speaking, this has been an easy pregnancy. The first trimester came with exhaustion and some nausea. Now I've moved into the heartburn and acid reflux stage. This pregnancy is almost complete deja vu of my pregnancy with Daniel. Due at the same time, same symptoms, and this kiddo packs a powerful punch just like his big brother.

I'm excited, but nervous. Not the same nervous that I felt with Daniel. I'm not scared about labor or delivery at all. If I'm lucky it'll go just as smoothly. I'm more nervous about going from one child to two. I know it will be fine and although every once in a while I'm sad that Daniel won't be my little baby anymore (who am I kidding...he'll always be my baby!). I don't worry that I won't feel the same love for James as I do for Daniel, because I already love this little guy so much! I think most of my nerves stem from remembering the exhaustion. Daniel was sweet, but a high maintenance little dude. I HATED my own bed time because it was harder for me to get up after I had already fallen asleep, and Daniel woke up every couple of hours for months and months...and months. But, with him, if I was still exhausted I could easily fall asleep on the couch in the early morning and even through the day in the beginning. With a toddler, that will not be happening. I'll live. I know my emotions will get the best of me at times, but many mothers have survived and I will too! (Someone please remind me of this when I'm walking around like a zombie!)

At the same time, I look forward to those middle of the night snuggles and nursing sessions. Even through exhaustion and even frustration at times, I always made a point to cherish those moments with Daniel. I look forward to baby coos and smiles. I look forward to all of the "firsts". I'm excited, albeit slightly nervous to see how Daniel reacts to being a big  brother!

I really do think he'll be a good big brother, but not sure what he'll think in the beginning. He talks about James all the time and even talks TO him sometimes too. He gave his brother his own special nickname that he came up with. He calls him Jamesy. It's pretty darn adorable.

I'll admit, this pregnancy is bittersweet for me. For years I imagined myself having three kids. Due to finances though, James will more than likely be our last child. I don't want to do a anything permanent, because maybe a few years down the road something could change, but I'm embracing each day and savoring every kick. Although, right now I'm also feeling at peace with having 2, so maybe this is what we are meant to have anyway.



How about this little cutie?!

Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

That's what little boys are made of!

Today was the day. We woke up bright and early for my ultrasound in hopes of finally finding out the gender of the little baby who has been growing inside of me and taken up kick boxing as a hobby. I was nervous, but a good nervous. Would it be a little girl or a little boy? Would he or she be healthy? I had a hard time sitting still for our drive to Springfield, and about jumped out of the van (yep...we own a van now!) when we pulled up.

We got called back and got the party started. My doctor just moved to a new office, and the new rooms are awesome. They had a flat screen TV that we could watch everything on. I knew the baby was awake, because there had been an awful lot of kicking going on this morning. Sure enough, she put the wand on my stomach and that little munchkin was dancing around in there!

She took measurements and pointed out different things to us. Daniel gave a running commentary of things going on...and also wanted to run around and not cooperate. Thank goodness for graham crackers and Goldfish. About 10 minutes in, our ultrasound tech told Daniel, "I think you're having a brother." A few seconds pass and she says, "Oh yeah! That's a boy!" There was no denying it!

How did I feel when I learned it was another boy? Honestly? I felt a twinge of disappointment, as my dreams of shopping for sweet little dresses where swept away. I'd say the disappointment lasted all of 2 seconds though. Not even kidding.  I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness to see my other little boy happily kicking away on that screen! Watching his precious heart beating made my own heart swell.

Everything checked out clear with the baby. Big sigh of relief. He weighs 14 oz. and I was measuring 6 days ahead. (Doesn't mean much right now.  Due date is still staying the same!) Now all we needed to do was decide on our name. We basically decided last night...we just needed to pick which name we wanted as the first name and which as the middle. As we waited for my doctor to come in, we made our decision. James Michael.

We knew for a boy we wanted a biblical name again. Jacob had thought there was a James on his side of the family, but there's not...although I was reminded tonight that there was on my side. James is one of my favorite books of the Bible though, so I am very happy with our choice. Daniel? He was a little upset that we weren't going with his choice of Adam Wainwright.. :) (Cardinals pitcher) However, he is coming around and saying James now.

Jacob and Daniel went out in the waiting room while I waited on my own doctor. I just love her and we had a nice chat about everything. I will be getting another ultrasound at my next appointment to check on one thing. I have a lower lying placenta and it just needs to move a tiny bit by 40 weeks or whenever baby comes. Thankfully it almost always resolves itself, but they like to check. I don't mind having extra peeks at my kiddo though, so no complaints here!

2 boys. What have I gotten myself into? All I know is even though I'm sure there will be tons of rough housing, there will be so many fun times and I look forward to it. Jacob and I high fived because we won't have huge wedding expenses or over priced prom dresses to pay for. Tux rentals? Hey! No problemo. :)

Thankfully, as long as James is around the same size as Daniel was, we are totally set for clothes. That didn't stop me from buying a few things today though! Pretty sure he'll be stinking adorable in all of them!



All in all, a very happy day for this family!

More Random Facts and Tidbits About ME!

I haven't done one of these in awhile, but I always think they're fun and I enjoy reading about other people's weirdness too. I'll go with 30, since that's my age. We'll see if I can come up with that many new ones that I haven't done in the past!

1. I never left the state of Iowa until I was 9 years old. Now I've been to around 20 states, and one other country.

2. I learned once that if you put an egg yolk in the microwave to warm it up, it will explode into a trillion microscopic pieces.

3. In general, I usually have anywhere from 5-15 bruises on my body. Over half the time I don't even know where they came from. I crash into things so much that I tend to forget.

4. I've called 911 twice in my life. Once for a legitimate reason. The other time I was 5 and wanted to see what would happen. I hung up on them. They called back and talked to my dad. Oops. At least they didn't send anyone out!

5. I HATED salad until I was 26, and referred to it as rabbit food.

6. If you think I'm quiet (which I usually am) and want to see me go nuts, play a game like Taboo or Catch Phrase with me. I get slightly competitive.

7. I get no joy from cooking. I wish I did, but I do it basically to survive and because we can't afford to eat out every day.

8. If I had closed my eHarmony account when I meant to close it, instead of accidentally letting my membership lapse, I wouldn't have met Jacob.

9. I have never in my life used a lawn mower...and I don't want to either. Dad and Erica were the lawn mowers at home. Now I have Jacob!

10. I could probably eat Mexican food every day and never get sick of it.

11. This is no secret, but Friends is my show of choice. If I'm happy, sad, mad...doesn't matter, it always cheers me up. I've seen every episode about a billion times and it's always hilarious.

12. The one and only time I went tent camping I: went into town with my BFF and bought gas station pizza, went back to town to buy Ben and Jerry's to deal with the stress of camping, almost died of heat, drove a 20 minute round trip to the flush toilets, broke out in hives the sizes of tennis balls. Good times.

13. After seeing a taping of Jay Leno, he drove up next to us at the stoplight, rolled his window down and talked to us. Well, really my parents. I was taking stalker pictures from the backseat on my phone.

14. I "forgot" my gym clothes a lot in middle school on mile run days...as did many other girls. Then the gym teachers started checking lockers. I was smart. I hid mine in an empty locker.

15. I eat out of boredom. I'm totally a compulsive eater.

16. Having to wear a back brace in middle school was the worst thing ever. As if middle school isn't awkward enough...here wear this huge plastic brace all day, every day. And oh, by the way, you won't even be able to bend over like a normal person.

17. I convinced my grandparent's to do a breakfast cookout at the park once. 8am and what do I insist on? Roasting hot dogs. Yep. That happened.

18. Watching Cops is a guilty pleasure of mine. I don't watch often anymore, but I love watching stupid people.

19. I was STARVING all through my labor and delivery with Daniel. My doctor was laughing when I said I wanted a cheeseburger in between pushing. Within an hour have having Daniel I was chowing down on a cheeseburger, fries and apple pie!

20. Last week at the Cardinals game, almost 2 hours before the game even started, my bra strap broke. How do these things happen to me! I spent 10 minutes in the bathroom, trying to rig something up. A double knot was the solution.

21. That is not the first time that happened to me. Only the other time it was my shirt. At 6 Flags. With our youth group. Thankfully it happened in the bathroom. I was changing out of my swim suit from the water park and the camisole top I had busted. Clothes don't like me.

22. One time Erica and I randomly came across a fair at Hawkeye Downs. We stopped to ride the Ferris Wheel. It was pretty late, and for some reason Erica thought it would be funny to call Mom and tell her what we were doing. Woke Mom up and she was NOT happy to be woken. 30 minutes later we get back to my car and it was dead. Guess who we had to call?

23. I HATE bugs, but because my little boy loves them, I'm making an effort to tolerate them. And by tolerate I mean I don't scream my head off if he brings one semi close to me. I have my limits, man.

24. I have never seen The Goonies. Apparently, I am seriously missing out.

25. I have zero intuition on whether this baby is a boy or a girl. Jacob knew Daniel was a boy from the start and has said girl from the start of this one. 20 more days until we find out!

26. I have never gotten a speeding ticket. Not even a warning.

27. 5 years after moving I still get homesick for Iowa. At least now I only cry a few times a year and not every other week. :)

28. I really want to take a road trip across America someday. I need some partners in crime to go along, because it's not Jacob's cup of tea.

29. I just looked out my window and saw the silhouette of a bird sitting on a wire with a beautiful sky behind it. I thought, "That would be a pretty picture." Just as I thought that, the bird pooped.

30. Being a mom has taught me what true sacrifice really is. I'd do just about anything for my little guy!

Happy Early Father's Day to my Daddio!

Since Father's Day is coming up, I thought it would be fun to write a post about my Dad. I know I've done this before with random memories, but I wanted to say more. It's been a few years anyway.

I'm really thankful for my Dad. He's always been the quiet and more laid back parent, but has always been there and many times has served as the voice of reason.

I'm thankful that my Dad has always been a big part of my life growing up. He did tons of things, even things I can't remember because I was a baby.



He fed me bottles...and helped clean up my projectile puke. Gave me baths. Changed diapers. Heck, this guy was brave enough to keep me overnight (or possibly 2 nights?), when I was only 6 weeks old, so my mom could go on her women's retreat to camp over an hour away. This was in a day and age without cell phones to check in!

As I got older, Dad would watch Saturday morning cartoons with me. He'd take me on walks...and carried me home when I wiped out running down the giant hill at Roosevelt. He was the one who tucked me in most nights. We'd read stories and pray. Sometimes he'd pray in a Donald Duck voice. It was basically the best thing ever. Sometimes he'd lay in bed with me for awhile before tucking me in. He taught me the planets and continents when I was 4 years old.

He also gave us "Ruptie Tupties". Something his own dad did. It may go further back than that, but I'm not sure. What are they? You lay in bed and you get bounced up and down super fast while the "Ruptier" says, "Ruptie tuptie, tuptie, tuptie!" Weird? Maybe. I've passed it onto Daniel and he loves when I do it. Maybe someday he'll pass it on to his own kids.

He came to the Dad night at preschool and I got to read, "Just Me and My Dad" in a tent with a flashlight. I also got to put shaving cream all over his face and shave him with a Popsicle stick. We also did a safety patrol activity where that dad's where all some kind of community helper and us kids rode tricycles around roads made from masking tape. It was all fun and games until some dad who was a "police man" wrote me a ticket. I was profoundly upset and I'm pretty sure I just stuck by my dad after that!

When I was 6, I got the chicken pox. Dad discovered them while we were playing doctor and I told him to put the bandaid on my owie. Turns out they were pox. Thankfully, mine we super mild, but it didn't stop my dad from cracking jokes. I was pretty offended when he asked me if I laid any eggs? How rude!

Dad was the one to teach me how to ride my bike. I was a slow learner, but he finally took me up to the school blacktop and let go of me while I was peddling. There's a chance I crashed into a fence the first time that happened, but it wasn't too long after that, that I was cruising. One of my favorite things ever was when Dad would take me on a bike ride with him. I loved getting to ditch my sisters and felt pretty special that it was just Dad and I. He only tried to "kill me" once, by biking all the way to Morgan Creek on a blazing hot summer day. I'm still amazed I made it home without passing out. Mom was not happy with him. Haha!

He liked to do things outside. I mean, we had no cable and internet wasn't really around yet, so we all spent a lot of time outside. The best days were those lazy weekends where we'd throw the Frisbee around. Poor Dad. I usually ended up throwing it sideways and it would either go in the street or smack into the front of the house! Or we'd play wiffle ball or lawn darts. Always a fun time. Sometimes he'd come out on a hot day and soak his feet in our wading pool while we played and tell us stories. We'd shoot our Super Soakers at each other and just chill out on the deck.

In the winter he'd play board games with us. Not always, but it was always the best when he did! I remember him teaching Erica and I how to play Clue, and when it was time to make the accusation, he did it in the most dramatic voice, so we always did that too!

He was usually the one to take us sledding too. Mom would come along sometimes, but Dad was the one to actually sled with us...or accidentally give me a push, straight into a tree! I still have no idea why I didn't roll off the sled when I realized it was going to happen!

We always loved when Mom would go on retreats. She usually went on 2 every year. Ladies Camp and the Women's Winter Warm Up. Those were the nights when we could watch stuff we weren't allowed to watch. Mostly, The Simpsons (because Dad thought it was hilarious) and Tales From the Crypt. I loved it, but it legit scared the crap out of me. I pretended like it didn't, but I had to check my closet and under the bed every night because of that show!

Dad was the creator of "Electric Man". He'd lay in the dark with us girls and make up creepy stories. When Electric Man was coming he'd start saying, "Bzzzt! Bzzzt!" Then at the climax of the story he'd "electrocute" us by shaking us and yelling, "BZZZZT!!!" Man, those were the best.

Dad taught me how to drive. Mom tried, but both times ended in yelling and tears, so that was the end of that. No tears with Dad, but I did almost hit a tractor and mail truck, I got flipped off and I took a corner on 2 wheels, but we lived to tell about it. That dude has some serious patience.

He was the voice of reason, many times. Especially through my teenage years when Mom and I would get into it. He let us have it out, but sometimes I'd vent to him later. Sometimes he'd agree with me that Mom was over the top (sorry Mom!), but he was always quick to stop me if I was wrong and tell me not to talk about Mom like that. I'd go sulk, but get over it.

He's helped me move 3 times. While Mom gets the credit for helping pack up and clean, Dad gets the credit for moving the heavy stuff, putting together a bunch of crap for me and driving a big moving truck from Iowa to Illinois! And I'm sure if he can he'll help us when we move again! I know how much he LOVES it. Not. :) But, he still does it, because he loves me.

He's always been good at helping fix things too. Whenever something broke when I lived on my own, it was Dad to the rescue! He still helps when he comes to visit. Although my favorite, was when we moved in and he was helped us with something electrical in the basement. Whatever he did, made it so that if you turned off the basement light the dryer would shut off. It was a total National Lampoon's moment! I couldn't figure out what was wrong with our dryer for a few days and then had to wait until they visited again to get that one fixed!

Now, I watch him with Daniel and it just makes me smile. Daniel is the little boy he never had. Dad still does the same things with him that he did with us. He gives him baths (when Daniel allows it), changes his diaper, puts him down for naps and takes him outside to play.

Anyway, there are thousands of memories, but I just wanted to say, Thank You, Daddio! I love you!