Seriously Piper?!?!

So today I went to the doctor for a routine 34 week appointment. Height, blood pressure, weight, urine, and belly measurement. I am usually in and out under 15 minutes.

But instead... I was at the hospital for 4.5 hours.

My weight fluctuated crazily this week, I am down a few pounds. And in turn my blood pressure jumped to 150/110. I usually measure at 100 or 110 over 70. Needless to say my doctor was concerned. She sent me to labor and delivery saying things like preeclampsia, bed rest, and possible premature delivery and a NICU unit in Jacksonville.

Fortunately this story has a happy ending. I am currently blogging from my couch, not on bed rest, and Piper is still hanging out in my uterus. Hopefully for 6 more weeks! The doctors and nurses have no idea why my blood pressure spiked. Piper is healthy with a strong heart beat and she angrily kicked the hospital monitors for the entire 3 hours we were there. And before being released my blood pressure was down to normal levels. The nurse also told me I had beautiful urine, the best she has seen all day. Apparently the 1.5 gallons of water I drink on a daily basis are working. Preeclampsia has been ruled out because my blood, plasma, and protein levels are all in normal range.

(belly monitor for heart rate and contractions)

As a scientist I want some answers as to why my body freaked out. But apparently there are none. For 6 more weeks I will grow this baby. And then maybe, hopefully, she will have some answers or at least she will be so cute I won't mind spending my Monday night in the hospital.

Also please excuse my sad hospital self portrait.

You do get to see my new hair cut though!

Welcome Back!

Today I welcomed my students back to school with a missing thumb! We are still studying adaptation and variation. In fact, the mean teacher that I am, scheduled a test for Thursday and Friday of this week.

My classes today completed the opposable thumb lab and discovered life is SERIOUSLY hard without a thumb.

Turns out, in the evolutionary line up of life we got the good stuff.

I also had a few kids claim they had experienced child abuse from the tape and rubber bands today.

I reminded them of the starving children in India and the sweat shop workers in Cambodia that make their GAP hoodies. In return, they told me I sounded like a sad TV commercial and a bleeding heart liberal. Then they rolled their eyes.

I am not so sure I am ready for a kid of my own.

Dear Spring Break,

I want to say I LOVE YOU!

I love that you gave me freedom to love of my husband daily. I love that you gave me time to rest and also to work on my home. I love that you gave me a rainy day so I could wear sweat pants, eat queso, read magazines, and snuggle on the couch with my two favorite dachshunds.

Spring Break you gave me a refreshed spirit and much needed down time. You reminded me to enjoy the little things like making breakfast, napping, long walks, and empty laundry baskets.

I know that you will be leaving me very soon spring break and that on Monday I must return to work and a busy life style. But I will remember our time together and cherish it always.

Love,

Hilary

Dear Baby: Week 33

Dear Pippa,

You are 7 weeks from your arrival date! We are so close to meeting you! Your dad and I spend a lot of our time together wondering what you will look like, who you will act like, and what interests you will have. Will you be a history buff like your dad? Will math and science come easily to you like your mom? Will you be artistic like your grandfather? Will you be able to carry a tune or play an instrument like you dad and your Mimi?

You dad has high hopes that you will play the trumpet and I hope you will love the water and want to spend your days by the sea swimming, surfing, and body boarding.

Your dad and I have lived a pretty awesome life thus far. We have lived in the Northeast and the deep south. We have traveled through Europe, seen South America, Maine and Canada. And we can't wait to show you our favorite places.

In the car on the way home from Orlando we started making a list and hopefully before you become too cool to be seen with your Mom and Dad we will have taken you to some of these amazing spots. Just like our parents took us.

• Cherry Blossom Festival in DC
• Ocean City Boardwalk and the swings at Gillians's
• Tea @ Harrod's
• A play in NYC & Serendipity III
• The White House & the monuments
• Philadelphia Historical District & the flying monkey
• Charleston
• Baltimore's Inner Harbor and a baseball game
• The streets & shops of Old Town Alexandria
• Cafe du monde for beignets
• Disney!
• And I would just love to see you face as you stare up at the Eiffel tower all lit up at night

*** posted late. But late is better than not at all.

My mom got us a DVD player for Christmas.

Not only does it play DVDs, it streams Netflix, and plays Pandora.

We have been using the DVD portion for sometime and on weekends Netflix gets a workout when we watch old TV shows from the 80s...

But what I am really loving is that it streams music from Pandora.

My new obsession is the Pink Martini playing as I cook dinner.

I promise you I have dance moves, but when Pink Martini is playing I work it like I am on dancing with the stars.

Thankfully, we have no mirrors in the kitchen because I CANNOT imagine what my 8 month pregnant self must look like!

Peace

O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength.

-- Isaiah 26:3; 30:15

I am so grateful that I serve a God who provides peace in times of uncertainty.

I met another Piper today.

In fact her mom refers to her as

SUPER PIPER CALLIE DOCIOUS!

I think I will be stealing that nickname.

That is all :)