Dixon Baby News Vol 2 (11/24/2003)

Hi, Everyone!

Hope this note finds everyone doing well.
We're all fine here.

I was off the nausea train for four days
straight.  Then, I went and bragged about
it.  So, for my birthday, wee one had me
heaving to the tune of "Happy Birthday."
It was a very special time.  :)

Now, I've been on-again/off-again with
the nausea.  My energy level is going up,
though. My doctor predicts within the next few
weeks it will be really over.  I did a
little whining at my doctor's visit
today, which may have encouraged him to
say what I wanted to hear.  ;)

My weight has went down a couple more
pounds, but again no worries.  I am loosing
alot more slowly, and with the passing of
the nausea, I am sure it will start rising
fast.  My tummy is still growing despite the
rest of me, so that is most important.

Friday, Joseph took me to a "famous"
restraunt in Bay Springs, MS:  Bayless.  It
is well known for its Babyless Burger and
cocconut pie.  Well, I was adventursome and
got the burger.  I nearly ate the whole thing,
which is quite a feat for a hungry, non-queasy
person.  Joseph even stopped me at one point and
asked, "Are you eating too much?"  I told him,
"Yeah."  But, it was the first time in a long time
that something actually appealed to me, and I felt
like eating a generous portion.  I did stop short
of the last few bites, but it was the most I had
ate at one time in quite a while.  I took it
as a positive sign.  :)

Someone asked, "What is Rhogam?"  It is
a shot they give to mothers who have a
negative blood type.  If your baby has
a positive blood type, your body can form
antibodies against it.  This shot prevents
your body from forming these antibodies.
Normally, your body doesn't come in contact
with the baby's blood until birth.  But,
a procedure like amniocentisis can cause
blood mixing, thus triggering your body to
start producing antibodies.  This shot is
not needed if both parents have a negative
blood type. Joseph doesn't know his blood
type yet, so he is going to have it tested
today.  There aren't any significant risks
associated with the Rhogam shot, but we
are just trying to avoid taking anything we
don't have to.

Although, I did not avoid the flu vaccine.
They now recommend it to all pregnant women over
14 weeks.  Alot of complications can occur
with flu when a mother is pregnant.  The few
side effects of the flu shot are associated
with allergic reactions to egg, which is used
in the production of the vaccine.  Since I have
no egg allergies, I was confident in receiving
the flu shot.  Joseph is getting his today, too.

Sadly, I heard that the vaccine they are giving
isn't for the strain that has turned out to be
prevalent this year.  But, maybe this will be
one less strain to worry about.

Officially, I am at 15 weeks 3 days today.  Baby
has fingerprints now and his hair pattern is
visible.  Most recently he has been made out of
fresh pineapple, chicken strips, homemade macaroni,
and biscuits.  This has been an example of our
most recent recipe for growing baby.

More name suggestions have come in.
From Kellie,
        Booger McGee
        Herkimer Ludicious -- a family name

Now, Kellie really is a lovely person.  Although,
I have a feeling she likes to torment small
children by calling them names.  Therefore, we'll
graciously decline her name suggestions at this
time.

This past weekend, Joseph and I went nursery
shopping.  We picked out the paint:  a mint green
with dark green for trim.  We've picked out
a carpet:  a beige loop weave.  We got some
furinture for the baby room:  natural finish
and wiped-off egg shell.  We hope to have most
of the nursery done by Christmas.  :)

Also, this weekend,
Joseph helped me get the goats and dogs prepared
for the winter, since it seems like it might
really be here this time.  We cleaned goat igloos
and gave them all fresh bedding.  We've started
putting hay in with them.  They are still greedy
little pigs.  J
ust this morning, they were
standing out there with hay sticking out of both
sides of their mounths, whining for something
else to eat.  Buckwheat now has extra bedding
in his dog houses.  Po doesn't need it because
of all her hair, but Buckwheat is short haired
and doesn't like the cold.  Getting this done
made me feel alot better.  One less thing to worry
about now.  :)

I've gotten feedback on the cloth diapers.  So
far, all positive.  It is just going to be alot
of extra work, but I think we will be happy with
the results.

I learned that a few of you wet your pants from
laughing so hard after reading about my fantasy
of "having the energy level of non-parents
after the baby arrives."  Well, laugh
away.  :)  A little fantasizing never hurt anyone.

Thanks to everyone who has been offering help
to us and helping us along the way.
We're very blessed to have such
wonderful family and friends!  Baby is also
very blessed.  I've been very touched by
everyone's enthusiasm and generosity.  You
are very special people.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!  Eat
lots of turkey and take naps.

Kay