More panic...this time swine flu...

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions. I have gone from being somewhat concerned about the H1N1 flu to pretty much paranoid.

I think what has surprised me the most is just how early the 'wave' began and how fast it started to spread! We began having many absences at school a couple of weeks ago. My OB said last Friday that the flu was "rampant" in our town right now, with one confirmed fatality at the hospital. Well, I wasn't taking any more risk...I decided to stay home until my kids and I got vaccinated (which was yesterday.) It's supposed to take 7-10 days to fully kick in so I will be going back on Monday (just shy of a week).

The vaccine definitely had an effect on me - for just over 24 hours I had mild flu-like symptoms such as achiness, headache and nausea. But I figured that was nothing compared to what the full-fledge flu would be like. And getting the vaccine protects this little one inside me by giving him/her the antibodies so I'm very thankful for that.

My OB appointment on Friday was a bit of a shock - I'm at 180 lbs now - that's up 50 from the start and I still have 6 weeks to go! One of my problems has been that I've been super stressed with work and worry, and when I'm stressed, I don't care what I eat! That's not a good combination!

Things for baby are almost ready: diapers purchased, onesies and other outfits washed, receiving blankets ready to go, stroller assembled, etc. Sometimes, I still can't believe there's going to be another baby in the house! Agh!

Giving thanks...and panicking a little too...

Today is Thanksgiving Monday and this weekend I have been thinking a lot about all the blessings in my life. Just over 7 years ago I seriously doubted I'd ever be a mother. It was just after Thanksgiving in 2002 we adopted our son, Ethan. Then Thanksgiving of 2005 was my due date with Mary and I delivered her a week later. And now, as I type this on the laptop, my belly is moving and shifting in front of me...how odd a sensation it is! And as freaked out as I am about having another baby at 37, I am also absolutely in awe. I never ever thought I'd be lucky enough to experience pregnancy again...

However, in this blissful state of daydreaming about a newborn again, the panic starts to creep in...this morning it started at 5:00 am and never left...I figure I might as well get up and get some things *done*. I was on a frenzy. Maybe it's nesting. Maybe it's feeling like time is running out. Maybe it's knowing that my body isn't going to be this mobile much longer...

I started cleaning out and organizing my kitchen cupboards. Then it was getting the winter clothes, scarves, etc. out of storage and doing four loads of laundry. In the meantime, I threw a chicken in the crockpot, made a curried sweet potato soup from scratch and cleaned out the refrigerator. Add to that cleaning out my purse, getting the recycling and garbage ready and cleaning our laundry room and I was/am EXHAUSTED. Did I mention all of this was accomplished by 9am?!

So I am now sitting here with my feet up hoping I get a second wind today. There still feels like there is so much to do to get ready for the big day...8 weeks to go!