Hurricane Gustav

I just don't know what to think. I mean, I keep looking at weatherchannel.com and CNN and the weather channel on TV and they are for sure saying this is gonna be a big storm. Then I listen to what people here in Philadelphia, so far away from where Katrina came upon land, went through when she did, I just don't know what to think.

I can tell you that according to what I'm reading and watching, New Orleans is NOT playing around this time. They are saying looters will go straight to the Big House right into the general population there. They are saying those that don't get out will be left behind, no federal assistance to get out. The Super Dome will not be open. Just a mandatory evacuation that says get out and you better dang well better do it.

I guess my friends and family in Alabama are safe and sound since we got nothing from Katrina there when she came through. But it ain't looking good for the home teams here in Mississippi and Lousianna.

Dum Di Dum....

We have a name for this sweet baby girl! Let me preface this blog post by saying that I made it through the K's of the baby name book that Sid's cousin Amy gave us. But none of those names we read there really stuck for either one of us. Since this is probably the only child that Sid and I will have, rather she had been a boy or girl, I wanted a name that meant something to both of us, a family name if you will. And I didn't want some cute little name for a new born that would be dumb when she became a smart, educated, first-class little lady that we pray and hope she will aspire to be. From the beginning I knew I wanted to use Ellen as the middle name, which is Maggie's middle name. (my baby sister, for those of you who might not know) We had originally talked about Sidney Ellen, but Sid and I both felt like she'd end up being called Sid and one Sid is enough.

So....one day my dad mentioned that his grandfather's name, my Pap-paw Self's daddy, who is my great grandfather, was John Bailey and Sid and I both instantly liked that. So we thought about Bailey for several weeks and in the meantime, I came up with Annemarie Ellen. My middle name is Anne, mom's middle name is Marie, and Maggie's middle name is Ellen. But Sid didn't really like Annemarie Ellen Whitehead, he said it was too long and it sounded like too many names. Maggie agreed with him. So I finally told Sid that I liked them both and gave him the option and he decided he liked Bailey Ellen. He's called the baby Bailey several time in conversation, which is more than I could bring myself to do, so last night I quizzed him, and indeed he is serious about liking the name Bailey.

So....Bailey Ellen Whitehead she will be. I hope she likes her name. And it's sweet to hear Sid call her Bailey.

This brings me to my second thought....Mom got a new sewing/monograming machine that she's been going to classes in Homewood for so she can learn how to use it. She says she bought tons of things to monogram but she'd just have to put Baby Girl Whitehead on everything since we couldn't come up with a name. I asked for advice on which did she like, but I don't guess she wanted to influence our decesion so she didn't comment. But Mom, now, you have no excuse. We have a name and initials and Bailey can't wait to see what her Mimi can do!!!!

We shall not leave Bailey's Poppy T out of the post either. He has a new guitar that Mom got him and had his first guitar lesson today. When I called to see if he learned how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, he said all he learned today was that he had the guitar strap on backwards. I, of course, found this hilarious. But I think it's so awesome that Mom got him a guitar and he's actually interested in learning how to play. Maybe he'll play us a song at Bailey's baptism or something. Or maybe I should shoot for Happy Birthday at her 1st Birthday Party. What do you think Poppy T???

And since this post has turned into a novel, what about Gustav? It appears that after people here have gone through Katrina, they aren't playing around with this hurricane. I've never been through one before so I don't really know how to react or feel. I know I had tons of questions at the daycare about what we will do, but I don't really know what we will do. I guess we'll have to wait and see but the situation isn't looking good for Mississipi, Lousianna, and Texas. And how those little islands and Cuba continue to take hits like they do form these storms and survive is beyond me. It's scary, if you stop to let yourself dwell too long on the subject.

Sid's gone to the races with his Dad and NeNe called to see if I was up for an outing, but I've enjoyed my day at home doing nothing. I wish I was in Alabama, I miss everyone so bad, but I just couldn't take the risk of spreading whatever this is all the way over there too. I'm sure Sid and I will get out and do something together either tomorrow or Monday. But for now, I have a new book, which my wonderful husband picked out for me at Wal-Mart earlier today. He's so good, he can even pick out books he knows I like to read. He did that AND made homemade fried apple pies this morning. What more could a girl want???

Just Barely

But I did pass the Praxis. That means that I am now Highly Qualified with a Master's Degree to teach Special Education in the state of Alabama. Not so sure about Mississippi, but once I get everything from Alabama, I'll submit it to the Mississippi State Department of Education and see what they have to say.

Shew!!!! That's just one more thing off my back. And boy am I glad.

I Just Got Off The Phone

With the nurse at the OB office. The results won't be back until tomorrow which is a Saturday, which means I won't know what it is until Tuesday since Monday is a holiday. And in the meantime, we are apparently getting prepared to be blown away, so the results will probably be blown away and then so the saga continues......

Meanwhile, it's Friday and we are off on Monday, so it's a long weekend. Thank goodness. I'm gonna spray this place down with bleach and it'll get three longs days to kill what it needs to.

I'm not getting to go home like we'd planned for several weeks since I have this. I sure don't want to spread it all the way to Alabama. So we'll be here and hopefully get alot done around the house.

I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!!!

Oh The Joys!!!

So last Sunday my right upper thigh started feeling a little tingly to the touch and I thought maybe some type of bump was popping up. On Monday, I told Sid it felt like I might have a rash there. On Tuesday it was very very painful and I got Sid to look at it, because of course I can't see that part of my leg, and he said it was sort of blistery looking it. We put some stuff on it (for diaper rash none the less) and a band-aide and I went on about my business. Through out last night, it woke me up several times and so this morning I decided to get a mirror and investigate. I was horrified with what I saw. The spot is about the size of a quarter and has about 20 little blistery heads on it, and it is VERY painful.

Now let me back-up, at the daycare, we've had one child with MRSA and a worker with staff all in the past two weeks. So I paniced. And went to my regualar doc here in Philly. She wouldn't see me because she said she wouldn't know what to do for it. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? So I leave out headed to Meridian even though my OB's office wasn't yet answering the phone, I knew they take walk-ins til 10:00. On the way, at 9:00, I called and they FINALLY answered the phone. I asked if they were taking walk-ins and this is how the conversation played out: "What's wrong Mrs. Whitehead? OH I think I might have a staff infection. I have a place on my leg that is very painful and I've been exposed to staff. Ok, hold on, let me get the nurse. Holding..... Hello! This is Ben (the gay office manager). You think you have staff? We don't know what to do for you because you can't come in the office with staff. You will be putting other's at risk. (In my head I'm thinking "No sh**!!) But as calmly as I can I say "Well what do you want me to do if the regular doc won't see me and you don't want me in your office? And Ben says "I'm going to get the doc to call you right back. Are you at work? No I'm on the way to your office since you take walk-ins. Well we do, we just can't have you putting everyone else at risk. Ok, thank you! Good-Bye!

A few minutes later, the phone rings and it's the nurse. Our conversation goes like this: "Mrs. Whitehead, can you explain to me what your spot looks like. We're pretty sure it's staff because we know it's in the schools. Well, it looks like..blah blah blah. Ok, this is what I'm going to do, you call me back when you get here and I'll come out to your car and culture it. Well, I have to pull my pants down to show you where it is. Oh, ok, I see. Well, just call me and we'll bring you in through the back door. Ok, thank you, I'll see you in a minute.

So about 20 minutes later I get there and sure enough they bring me in the back door and she swabed the heck out of that place. I thought I was going to pass out it hurt so bad. I broke out into a sweat and my ears started ringing it hurt that bad. But she's pretty sure it's staff, although she did culture it for other stuff, too. I asked what the implications of this was for the baby and she didn't act like it was that big deal, but I'm a worrier and I think it is a big deal.

In the meantime, Sid said the next time he goes with me he's gonna give them a piece of his mind since they didn't even want me in the office. But I told him no, it really worked out better since I got to go in the back door and was seen right away and then they got me out of there. And I was half-way glad they reacted that way since I reacted that way over the child and worker with staff at the daycare. It made me feel better about my reactions.

Sylvia, the nurse who is a God-send and has helped me with all the nausea and migranes, said she'd call me Friday and we'd go from there. But that I'd have to go on antibiotics and that wouldn't hurt the baby. I'm gonna do some reading on this topic before I give in and take them, though!!!

Keep me in your prayers.

I Got To Post

The next few days so that I don't continue to blog less and less each month. I'll have to blog each day for the rest of the month for that not to happen. haha!

I wanted to share my cousin Robyn's blog to show off her sweet little boy, Cade Robert. He was baptized this past weekend in Alabama where they live. I'm showing off these pics for several different reasons: #1-I LOVE the banner that she says her church does for the baby #2-That's my pap-paw officiating the ceremony. He'll have another one to do around May, we like to keep him busy with his great grans. #3-Robyn's sister Kelley, my other cousin, made the cake that there is a pic of. I think it's just beautiful. Kelley went to culinary school after graduating from Auburn and has worked for Southern Living and for her grandmother who owns a German Bake Shop on Hwy 280. She always does a fab job with whatever she is doing, not to mention she has three little ones heself. Anyway, enjoy the pics! http://forresterfam.blogspot.com/

We've continued to have rain here in Philly for several days now. And I just read where Hurricane Gustav is now a Hurricane. Let's hope it doesn't head for Orange Beach and there aren't anymore deaths associated with these horrible storms. But Thank God for the rain!

The nausea is off and on. I was nauseated much of Sunday but never actually threw up and then yesterday morning I was up at 4 a.m. throwing up. So far today, I'm good, I just feel like there's a bowling ball in my tummy!

Well the cookie dough fundraiser starts tomorrow so I've got to try and figure out my head from a whole in the ground-which way is up-so I can get this thing kicked off. Wish me luck. They tell me the daycare usually makes about $3000 off the fundraiser and it is much needed.

Oh and by the way, for those of you who know me well, check out some of these baby beds.....http://www.ababy.com/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=8 But you can't guess which one is my favorite. Not that we'd EVER spend this much money on a bed to use for 2 or less years, but there are one or two inparticular that fit right in with my antique-kind of style.

Guess What???

I haven't had caffiene in two days. Can you believe it? Sid actually asked me yesterday if I was drinking any Dr. Pepper's these days. The answer is I'm not, all I've really had lately is a coke here and there. But even after being sick this last week, that want went away. Of course, I'm not drinking milk so mostly I'm drinking fruit juices and Sprite. I have learned to down some Sprite, which is still not real healthy due to the sugar in it I don't guess, but at least I don't have that DP IV hooked up anymore either.

It seems that Fay is making her way across Mississippi this weekend and on into tomorrow. Sid was thankful he didn't have to work this afternoon, he got drenched yesterday, and will probably get drenched tomorrow. But we've had lots of good rain fall, enough so that the ground is saturated and the pressure with the system has not been good for the head. But we are surviving. And enjoying the rainy Sunday. It's been an afternoon for Life Time movies for me and random TV for Sid since the race was on last night. I'm sure it will be an early bed night.

The baby moved around alot at church this morning. I think she likes the organ music because when it's playing is when she usually moves around the most during that hour. Hopefully that's a good sign.

Rough Day On The Home Front

So today I had to go to Decater, which is about 45 minutes from Philly to take a Serv Safe class. It's for people who work in the resturant/food industry. Apparently since we serve food to a group someone at our facility has to be certified in it. I keep saying that if our cook called in, my kids would have to eat McDonald's because I don't know the first thing about working in that kitchen with a stove that big or cooking for 70+ children. Luckily she's pretty dependable. I could have sent her, but if she decides to quit someone else would have to have the certification and it isn't cheap. I'd normally welcome a day out of the center and away from screaming kids, but not today. And why? Because I got up throwing up and it never let up. I had to sit that all day class nauseated and throwing up about every 3 hours. At one point I was sitting there with throw up on my shirt. GROSS!!!! But here's my question...does it ever end??? I did so good for about the past 2 weeks and have felt better than ever. And all of the sudden here it is again. This baby girl better love her Mama when she gets here, because she sure is reaking havic at this point.

A Good Hair Day

I got up enough nerve to go get my hair highlighted and cut after the past two experiences. Sid threatened my life that I better not come home looking like I looked last time. I'm proud to say my hair looks better now than it has in a long, long timne. Thank Goodness!!

On a different note, I got an emial a little bit ago that the lady who kept us growing up (and would always make me so mad when she greased Maggie down in Vitamin E oil after her bath) passed away. Nanny Helen sure was good to us! She's suffered with Alztimers the past few years and I'm sure she's much better off now. She'll be missed though.

Answers Really Do Come

I called one of my assistants last night to see how the first week of school went and she said they were going well. She asked me if I'd ever come back and I told her I wasn't sure, not anytime soon, although I do miss it. And before we got off the phone she let me know that she felt there were alot of changes taking place within self-contained special education and she attributed that to me and what I stood up for. She said that she told the new teacher she was with that I may not be there in person but my spirit was there with them. She also said that she told the new girl not to let anybody run over her or "dump" on her. (But I think they already are.) And she said she didn't think this girl would stand up, but that was ok. She told me that she saw me standing up for the children and thier education and my classroom as having guts and not everybody has guts and those that don't take other people's guts as a bad thing. But she didn't take them as a bad thing and she says that even if I don't ever want to teach again in a setting like that, I definatly made a difference for those that were left behind AND the children. That's what matters most I suppose. And I was glad to hear her say those words to me, sort of like closure I guess. I remember by this time last year I was praying to God that he would just show me why he had uprooted me from everything I'd ever know and a perfectly good teaching situation for THAT. And of course I've questioned the whole move out of education too. But I guess last night the answers did come. And I was glad to hear it.

As some background info, they have taken all the autistic kids in the school out of self-contained classrooms for mentally retarded children and set up a classroom specifically for autism. And they've set up a program specifically for behavior disorders. So the other two self-contained classroom are what they should be. And everybody is getting what they need in their own classrooms. Oh and the little boy with Down's Syndrome that I had last year is in regular ed classes most of the day. He's hard headed and he probably can't do all that work but at least he can socialize, where as before he was in a room with non-verbal children. As a side note, that liar of a principal I worked for was asked to resign or take a new position as Title I coordinator. Needless to say, she sits in an office all day now pushing paper instead of running a school. And her side kick of a superintendent resigned at the last minute a few weeks ago and we have an interem superintendent who seems to be doing a good job. Sometimes chagne isn't really all that bad!!!

So Far So Good

So my doctor changed up my nausea medication when I saw him on Tuesday and I'm taking something all the time rather I feel like I need it or not. And so far so good. Plus I've let the milk thing in the morning go and Sid's been fixing me cinnamon rolls (because he's sweet like that). So this week I've felt better than normal. I'm not even having problem's brushing my teeth.

My friend Tiphanie reminded me a few weeks ago that I called "frogs" for a nursery theme a long time ago. And so far, I guess they have been saving the frogs for me. But now that she'll be a little girl I don't think frogs quite fit the bill. So know we are back to the drawing board with a nursery theme.

We are also back to the drawing board for a name. We pikced out Sidney when we first found out we were pregnant. But the more we kick that around, the more we don't like it. I think that she'll be called Sid as a nickname and niether of us want that. So then we talked about Marley. And then I found out my pap-paw's dad's name was Bailey. So we like that too. We just don't know. It's hard when you work with little kids with all the time to pick out names that don't remind of you of all of them.

Any ideas for names or nursery themes?

NEWS FLASH!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Family and Friends..... We have a BABY GIRL on the way!!!! And we are oh so excited. For those of you who wonder what I think, I hope I can be as good of a mama as my mom and sister-in-law and that she turns out somewhat like Erin because I think she is the grandest thing in the world (next to my baby sister who is also the grandest thing in the world, and so are my brothers but they are boys :.). I was also VERY excited that my first maternal instinct was right and once again, so was my dad. For those of you who wonder what Sid thinks, I told him he'd be out numbered. He replied that she'd know where her love comes from. HaHa! He's done a dang good job of spoiling me rotten so I know he'll spoil this little one too! We are excited. I'll post pictures when I can get to a scanner that I know how to operate. Have a great day!!! But for right now, here are the stats: She's head down, about 6 inches long, 8 oz., and her heart is beating 145 beats per minute. We saw all the major organs and especially her little heart and spine, she has 2 eyes, a nose, a mouth, 2 hands and 2 feet. And she LOVES to move around when her mama and daddy are trying to get a good look at her!

And The Rain Came Down!

It has poured in Philadelphia for almost two days and it's so nice. Except it makes me really really cold for some reason. But we can deal with that.

I think I've targeted one thing that might make me sick. MILK!!! The past couple of mornings I've eaten cereal and had milk with it, I've thrown it up. So I'm thinking the milk might be souring on my stomach before it can get digested. We'll leave the milk off from now on, which means no more cereal, which is one thing I am loving right now. But I'm not loving the sickness.

Well today might be the day we find out what our baby is. I sure hope so, I need to start calling this baby something besides "this baby". I should be between 17 1/2 and 18 1/2 weeks. surely they will be able to tell. If not, I guess we'll wait another month, which I hope we don't have to do. I just don't know what I'll do if they say boy since I've said girl for two and a half months. Not that I won't be thrilled no matter what it is. I just don't want to be wrong with my first maternal instinct. I'll update as soon as I know. Keep your fingers crossed that we find out!!!

Hump Day

And what a day it is. Not much to report. It's been a busy week. Monday was sort of bitter sweet for me, as all the teachers here went back to school. I am oh so thankful for my new job in such a wonderful place, but to know that the past 10 years of my career was finally laid to rest was emotinal. Well, that and I'm 4 1/2 months pregnant and EVERYTHING seems to be emotional to me at this piont. But I did sort of realize last night that it does feel strange to be out of the educational areana for awhile. On a new note, things at the church are really picking up. The biter quit bitting, the juice finally arrived, the new kids started, Open House is tomorrow night, the bus terminal at Neshoba Elementary FINALLY decided to stop a bus here for my after-school program (although the bus driver will have to turn accross traffic to get here...this is Mississippi for ya!), I found another pre-k teacher for the one that quit Monday....ah, the joys of being a daycare director! All in all, I couldn't ask for a better place to be working.

The nausea has let up some, although I did find myself in the bathroom throwing up this morning. I have some major headaches going on and I think that might be what's up with the nausea here lately too! Now I'm just really tired from the nausea medicine I took this morning.

My Birthday was Saturday, and it came and went without too much excitement. Saturday was the last day I was nauseated all day long so we stayed at home. I don't know why I wanted this, because I don't get much joy out of brushing my teeth lately since the gag reflexes are extra sensitive, but I had asked for an electric toothbrush and that's what Sid got me. Funny what you want when you are growing old. No really, I couldn't ask for more at this point in my life. God has richly blessed us both and for that we are forever thankful. The only thing I'd want more of is time with my family in Alabama. Maggie is growing up and you know Erin is getting to be a big girl when she can leave you a message on the cell phone that says "Hey Aunt Bah, I just wanted to talk to you about something so call me back." That brought on the tears out of no where when I heard that.

Which brings me to my next thought... This pregnancy is so by the book. I mean, everytime I feel different or wonder about something, I read the book and there it is, telling me that what I am expreiencing is perfectly normal. The other day I was reading the book and it said we should be scared or might be feeling scared as a couple at this piont. I haven't been scared so I asked Sid if he was and he siad no, not that he thought of. Then he said, Well I mean, I'm worried about the bills. Ha! So even that was right. I know what he's worried about though. I only get two or three ultrasounds paid for by my insurance. The rest of them have to be paid out of pocket. And I've already had three. We have at least two more to go.

Speaking of ultrasounds, our next appointment is next week on August 12. We should be able to find out what this baby that is moving all around causing me to throw up all the time is. At least that's my plan anyway!

Just A Quick Report

That things are much better. Spent the day and early night last night at the fair and about to head out there for the last meal and fireworks show. The 2008 Neshoba County Fair is offically over when the fireworks end tonight. The fireworks are the best part, too. Well, that and NeNe's chicken-on-a-stick. More later!