When it's your child...

There is nothing that prepares you for a doctor to tell you that something is wrong with your baby.  Nothing.  Especially when you thought everything had been perfect from the start - but, let's be real...nothing makes them less perfect.

My sweet little Santa last year

I had been working for Ceres maybe a couple of weeks when I came home and noticed that something was not right with Liam.  Michael says that no matter what kind of grief me taking that job brought to us, that it was a blessing because of what it caused me to notice with being gone days at a time.  Up to that point, Liam had been progressing like a textbook baby.  Rolling over, pushing up,  babbling - everything was right on track.  Then, all of a sudden it was no longer real.  I clearly remember being in the car when it started to hit me.  At the time, he was 9 months old. I remember thinking... He is not crawling, but Ethan delayed crawling almost up to the point of walking (which was at a year on the dot).  He is not pushing himself to sitting from the floor...Ethan flipped himself up out of his crib at 9 months old.  He is not pulling up...at all.  My heart started to sink.  Since I had stopped for gas, I quickly Googled "does not use left arm at 9 months".  All of the search results said the same thing: Cerebral Palsy.  I started to cry.  I called the pediatrician's office to make an appointment while I was still sitting at the gas station.  She could tell I was upset, and scheduled an appointment that Michael would have to attend since I would be back in Dulac.  I came home visibly upset.  All I wanted to do was figure out what was going on with my baby.  Michael comforted me and assured me that it would be nothing we could not manage.


On December 16th, the pediatrician agreed that something was not right and referred us to physical therapy.  She also suggested that we go ahead and make an appointment with a pediatric neurologist.  We moved forward with both.  On December 29th, Liam had his first round of physical therapy.  The therapist was great.  She noted his weaknesses and asked about the neuro appointment.  Then, she recommended we get started with Early Steps.  Because the program was income based, we did not think we could qualify for it.  Thankfully, the program has been updated; and while it is still expensive, it is not nearly as costly as private therapy.  We went ahead and started the process.


On January 28th, Michael brought Liam to his first neurologist appointment.  He gave me a brief overview of the session, but the main piece was that she wanted an MRI done of his brain...  On February 9th, I walked with my little man as far as they would let me before kissing him goodbye for his first procedure.  They had to put him under anesthesia and the whole procedure would last about an hour.  It sounded so simple, but things never are when it's your children. 

Ready to go back for his MRI

Michael and I got a bite to eat at the hospital and then he had to go to work.  I anxiously sat and waited for my baby to be rolled back out.  He did very well and I was able to nurse him once we were back in recovery.  Before long, we were discharged and ready to go home.

Awake and hungry!

Two days later, I was down at the levee.  The neurologist's office called - she had the results.  The pediatric neurologist introduced herself since we had not met at the appointment.  She then gave a quick rundown of what she had covered with Michael. "We thought that maybe he had a stroke..." I'm not sure I registered what else she said immediately following.  I had to catch my breath.  No, I was not aware that my baby could have had a stroke.  In an effort to protect me, Michael had withheld some of the possibilities they had covered.  I was brought back to reality when she started to discuss the MRI findings.  Liam most likely did have a stroke (possibly an infection or exposure to a toxin), but it would have been during my first trimester with him.  The result was a cleft in his brain on the right side.  The diagnosis: Schizencephaly (specifically - unilateral, closed lipped).  Now, that's a nice big scary word for a mother who is three hours away from her baby.  I started to scribble down pieces of her explanation.  She said thankfully it was small, and appeared to only go through the area of  his brain that affected motor skills on the left side - primarily his arm.  After I got off the phone, I did what any other completely distraught mother would do - turned to Dr. Google.  Between the information my husband had not shared and what my Google search turned up, to say I was upset was a COMPLETE understatement.  I'm not sure how I functioned from that point until the follow-up appointment that Friday...


At the follow-up, we learned that we would need to add occupational therapy to our regiment.  We also discovered that time would be the only way to get some real answers.  Liam could have seizures.  He might have a learning disability.  But, his brain injury would not worsen.  It was not genetic - just spontaneous.  His progression so far made his diagnosis less scary, but there were still so many unanswered questions.  When would he walk?  Could he start a school program like Ethan at 2 years old?  How much do we share with people?



We decided that we did not want to draw unnecessary attention.  We shared the news with our family and close friends - and have shared it when we felt it was relevant or people asked questions (like if he was walking now that he is older).  Liam is a normal little boy - he just needs a little bit of extra help and patience.  Over the last nine months, we have watched him go through slow times of progress, and lightning speed times of progress.  Ultimately, we know our little man is flourishing and that it will continue.  He is stubborn and strong-willed (just like his mother).  In fact, an early Christmas present arrived yesterday.  My sweet little man is walking. 

The one thing that I constantly remind myself is how lucky we are.  Stories about babies who are sick or have physical impairments touch me so much deeper now.  There are many levels to Schizencephaly, and we are so blessed that Liam will be able to work through his diagnosis with the assistance of therapy and live a normal life.  So many children out there are not as lucky.

I also cannot say enough wonderful things about the Early Steps program.  If your child is experiencing any sort of delay that raises a cause for concern, they are unbelievably helpful.  The case workers, therapists, everyone involved has been a Godsend.


I debated on if and when to talk about this publicly, but I realized that it is nothing to be ashamed of.  My son may need a little extra help right now, but there is nothing wrong with that.  I have started to notice that Ethan may be experiencing a little bit of regression, just because Liam does get some extra attention with therapies and needing to be carried at times.  We do whatever we need to for Liam to excel, but also keep in mind our independent little 4 year old has needs too.  It is definitely a balancing act.  Let's just say that there is never a dull moment.



Closing Time - 2015

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end..."


For me, Thanksgiving has always felt like the beginning of the end for each year.  Kind of like an "oh shit!" moment for anything I had originally planned to get done that year.  It's a seemingly unbreakable, habitual cycle.


This year has been nothing short of a rollercoaster - an absolute whirlwind of ups and downs.  One year ago today, I was in my last two weeks at DSLD Homes.  It was a bittersweet time.  I had come to a point where I knew that if I wanted to grow my career, I had to make a change.  I was very comfortable, but I wanted more.  After some discussions via phone and in-person, as well as some lengthy emailing, I decided to accept a heavily travel based job with a company called Ceres Environmental that would bring me down to Dulac every week to manage the HR functions for a project that was building levee systems.  The original plan was for a short, three-month stint of 2-3 overnights each week down in Houma, with Mondays and Fridays being work-from-home days.  Once that was complete, I would be based back in the Baton Rouge office on a regular schedule.  After my first week, I came home crying.  I knew I had made a mistake.  The entire project was a mess.  I missed my family, and the guilt of being away so much weighed heavily on me.  It was not long before I realized that I had been sold a promise that my boss could not and would not keep.  Three months?  HA!  Try at least 18 months.  Work from home on Mondays and Fridays?  HA!  Actually, we need you to go down to the levee to lay 13 people off.  Michael tried to be supportive.  "You have owned worse situations. Make it your bitch!" he said.  The problem was, I did not want to "make it my bitch".  I wanted to be home with my boys.  I had given up my comfort zone - partly so that he could take a job with DSLD that had the potential to be a better fit for our family.  The guilt led to bitterness.


I recognized that none of this was healthy - for me, my boys, my family.  But, I also had no idea what to do.  I started looking for other opportunities.  I reluctantly put my resume out to a couple of places.  I felt like such a failure.  This was supposed to be an opportunity to grow into a brand new role, and possibly gain the chance to see new places.  Sometimes, it is hard to accept the "it's not me, it's you" when you place such high expectations on yourself.  There was no reason I should not have been able to walk in and own it.  But, I did not even want to.  There were a number of frustrating factors, and the combination of negative people and surroundings caused me to throw my hands up and say, "F*CK IT!" 


As it turned out, the timing was pretty much perfect.


One day while I was on-site at the levee, I started searching around on LinkedIn.  I ran across a posting for an  HR Advisor position with a chemical plant back home.  I read over it and thought maybe it was over my head (mainly because I had no manufacturing/plant experience).  I ended up coming back to it again after a friend texted me and recommended that I look into it and apply.  I was pretty surprised to receive a call to come in for an interview.  Thankfully, it came at a time when I had taken (a MUCH needed) vacation to just be home.  Ultimately, I made it through their assessment testing and then into a follow-up interview - the process was pretty lengthy.  This came at the same time I was called for a Benefits Specialist position with a company that was actually in Denham Springs.  I received an offer from both companies within 24 hours of each other.  So, here I was again.  A position VERY close to home with not much room to grow/advance.  Or, a little bit of a drive to be with a global leader in the methanol industry (career opportunities abound).  I took the career growth path again - praying I did not make the same mistake twice.  I took a deep breath, and jumped in.


That was six months ago - the same amount of time I spent in career hell with Ceres.  Today, I can safely say I made the right choice.  I have found a company that cares about and invests in their employees.  I have opportunities to be involved with global projects and participate in a variety of ways that make me feel like I am asset to this company.  No, not everything in my life is peaches and cream again - remember that rollercoaster?  Yeah, it was so much more than just my job.  But, piecing it back together, one shitty area at a time is a good start. ;)  I finally work with a true team and have a connection to each of my department co-workers - something I have never had before.  I have to say... It's really f*cking nice.

Liam Edward Hathcox

Now that Liam is almost 3 months old and I am back to work, I am finally finding the time to finish writing about his birth story (it's been in the works for a few weeks now).  I have bolded the times to help keep track of how quickly things started to progress.  It was definitely a wild ride...

**Disclaimer: I'm going to speak honestly about it all, so just be prepared.  This isn't a day at the park.  It wasn't pretty.  I mean, c'mon.  I pushed a kid out of my vagina.

Saturday, March 8th - more than 2 weeks before Liam's estimated due date
Michael and I had a few items left to move out of my parents' house.  So, we leisurely got up that morning and headed over to make a load/run.  My parents were out of town visiting my older brother in Austin, so we didn't hang around to chitchat like we normally would have.

I think he might have wished for his little brother that day. :)

On our way back, we decided to pick up some lunch from Don's Seafood - I had serious cravings for their mildly spicy chicken and sausage gumbo!  We tried putting Ethan down for his nap, but he was very restless.  So, once we were done with lunch, I laid down with him to help him settle - turned out to be a very good thing!
Around 5:30pm, we woke up from our nap to find that Michael had left to make another trip for items from my parents' house.  As I was sitting on the edge of Ethan's bed, I felt like I was about to pee on myself!  I ran to the bathroom, but once I was there, I didn't really feel like I needed to "go"...it was different.  I was...umm....leaking without really peeing.  At this point, I thought, "Maybe my water is breaking...Naaaah!  I still have to be at work at least another week to get my temp trained!"  Plus, I still had a small list of to-do items.  So, I got up and started to pick up around the house.  That lasted all of about 30 seconds, and I was back in the bathroom again!  This time, I started pushing on my stomach and I would "gush".  Oh shit.  I called Michael.  "I think my water is breaking?"  He immediately headed back to the house.  I called my mom - "Go to the hospital right now!"
Ok, so this is where things start to get fun.  Yes, I was 99% sure my water was breaking, but I hadn't had that momentous break like it did with Ethan (granted, they broke my water in the hospital, so it was a little different).  Plus, my contractions were not painful or uncomfortable, so I couldn't get a good grip on timing them.  I texted our doula, Hannah, and our birth photographer, Joylynn, at around 6:20pm.  I was thinking that we might head to the hospital soon, but after talking to Hannah, I felt more comfortable about not rushing.  My plan was to go natural, so I wanted to be as comfortable as possible through the labor process.  I wasn't worried about getting to the hospital in time for an epidural.  (Although, as it turns out, I really do pop babies pretty quick, so it's a good thing I already had no epi in my mind!).
We started to pack for the hospital, and I went ahead and showered.  Ethan was so confused as to what the rushing around was all about.  At one point I was just standing in the shower because I didn't know what else to do, and he came running up to me saying, "Don't pee in the shower, Mommy!!" LOL
Michael's parents arrived around 8pm or so to stay with Ethan while we were gone for the night.  He was pretty much ready for bed, so it didn't make sense to uproot him to somewhere else.  We packed the car, gave lots of hugs and kisses and headed out a little after 9pm.

I had decided that we had plenty of time, so we went by Whole Foods to pick up my labor snacks - fruit gummies and energy honey combs.  At this point, I'm starting to feel the contractions, but they're only mildly uncomfortable.  Still thinking we had plenty of time, we head to the Target close to the hospital.  Once inside Target, each contraction slowed my walking a little.  I could tell they were getting more intense, but still not painful.  We selected a baby book and then I wanted to grab a "going home" outfit.  That was still on my to-do list, and I figured I might need a preemie outfit since he was going to be an early baby - which turned out to be right!  When we checked out of Target, our receipt read "10:10pm".
Because I hadn't eaten since lunch, I asked that we stop at the IHOP by Target to get some eggs and toast.  Michael thought I was crazy, but obliged.  There was going to be a 15 minutes wait, so we sat down.  A large group of 15 ladies walked in behind us and filled the waiting area.  All of a sudden, I felt a waterfall start in my pants. OH SHIT.  I ran to the bathroom.  It wouldn't stop.  Now what?  I get to walk out in front of everyone looking like I can't stop pissing my pants!  Since I was obviously pregnant, I hoped that everyone would see the real event that was going on instead.  I later found out that I left a puddle on the seat next to Michael, and that one of the ladies in the group that came in after us made big eye contact with him - so he had to be the embarrassed one and clean up after me!  I came tearing out of the bathroom saying, "We have to GO.  My water just REALLY broke!"
We run out to the parking lot and I rip my pants off and jump in the car.  I had planned ahead with covering my seat with towels, thankfully.  Michael goes to pull out of the parking lot to head to the hospital and I stop him.  WTF?!  "Pull over there, we can't go to the hospital yet!"  Again, WTF?!  For some reason, I couldn't wrap my head around everything that was going on.  I asked Michael to grab a fresh pair of underwear and pants for me; to which he replied, "Why?  They're just going to get wet too!"  Let me explain something... A woman in labor can be a very unreasonable human being.  She wants what she wants, and she wants it NOW.  So, I sat there staring at the clean, dry underwear and pants Michael had just handed me, and I tried to think and be reasonable.  Finally, I handed them back to him and said, "You're right.  Let's go to the hospital."  I tried to call Assessment to let them know I was coming, and they directed me to call the after hours nurse line.  WTF.  I'm having a baby, I was just letting you know that I'm on my way as a courtesy.  So, I do as I'm told and call the after hours line for my doctor.  They tell me to go to Assessment.  Figures.

So, we pull up to Assessment at the hospital, and I am overcome with emotion.  I am in denial that we are having a baby tonight, and I start crying as we walk up to the doors.  Michael asks me if I'm alright, and I start sobbing about how I can't have a baby tonight because I have to go to work on Monday to train my temp.  Again, WTF.  He assures me that we are having a baby tonight, so going to work Monday is doubtful. LOL
I get inside and tell the receptionist that my water broke, and they quickly get me one of those stylish blue cloths to sit on while I wait to be checked in by the nurse.  Once I'm called back to the little side room, they ask Michael to wait in the waiting area for a few minutes.  I go through all of the fun questioning and they ask if I have a safe place to go after the baby is born.  Well yes, but then I realized that was the reason Michael was asked to wait outside.  Wow...kind of scary to think that there are some women out there who could/would answer no to that question with their abusive significant other waiting on the other side of the wall.  I smile and say, "Yes, I do."  Michael and I are then transferred to the back where I slip into my cutesy hospital gown that I brought (because I'm vain, obviously).  The nurse comes in and goes over my birth plan details with me - pretty much no problems with any of my requests, which was nice.  Michael was then asked to go pay our estimated balance before we went upstairs - hospital gotta get the money!  At this point, it's a little after 11pm and I am 4cm dilated - thinking it might be a long night.  Ethan arrived about 2 - 2 1/2 hours after they broke my water, but I also had a pitocin drip to speed things along.  So, I had no idea what to expect with a natural birth...

Sunday, March 9th - ish
Michael gets back and they roll us upstairs to Labor & Delivery (a little before midnight).  We get in and settled - which means they ask a lot of the same questions Assessment did and then put in my hep lock (in case of emergency, and I need IV fluids, meds, etc.).  While they're taking care of that, Michael contacts Hannah and Joylynn again.  My contractions are 3-6 minutes apart, and I'm still about 4cm dilated.  Hannah starts heading to the hospital, and Joylynn decides to wait a little longer since I can still talk through the contractions.  Since I'm not tied to any machines, I'm free to roam.  Michael starts walking laps with me around the nurses station.  We make a total of three laps - each progressively harder to get through - before heading back to the room.  Hannah arrives just as Michael is getting me back to the bed.  The staff calls Dr. Perniciaro (my doc) - not sure if this was the first or second call.  At this point it's 12:40am and I'm on all fours in the bed in pain.  I'm thinking this was about the point where I asked for an epidural with Ethan, and I'm starting to question if I'm going to be able to make it all the way.  Hannah starts to coach me...breathe into the pain, let it go.  I'm not sure what kind of noises I was making, but they sure did help.  Michael texts Joylynn that it might be soon; and I ask to get in the tub to try to relax a little and help with the increasing pain.  While they're running the water, the nurse checks me and says that I am at 6cm now.  Before I get in the tub, she wants to do a quick fetal check - which did not feel quick AT ALL.  I was hurting and she was trying to get Liam's heartbeat with the sensors that are usually connected to the mother (but I had requested they not be).  After what felt like forever, she got enough information to tell he was still doing well.  I stripped down to my sports bra and eased into the water.  I immediately felt better.  The time is now 1am.  Hannah asked if I wanted the birthing ball to lean on, which I did.  That was probably the most comfortable and awkward part.  The ball was way too big to be in the tub, but leaning across it helped me feel better.  All of a sudden, I have two back-to-back contractions and I literally feel him drop into the birth canal.  Oh shit.  "I'm think I'm about to push!  I feel like I need to push!"  The nurse checks me, and I'm at 8cm and his head is right there - nothing left but to dilate just a little more and push him right out.  She tells me that I will have to get out of the tub as soon as she gets back.  She alerts the rest of the staff, and they start to rush in.  Now, it's too late.  I feel him coming.  I can't help it or stop it.  I push.  The nurse comes running back, checks me and tells the others to call it - he's here.  I hear clicking camera sounds - Joylynn made it.  One more push and they help him out.  He's in my arms. 

What just happened?  Did I really just do this?!  He's here?  Oh my God, he is so beautiful...He is perfect.  So many people in one little bathroom space, and it's just me, Michael and Liam.  Liam cries - the sweetest little sound.  Then, he's calm.  He's looking right at me.  It's like he is studying me the same way I am studying him - trying to remember every detail of this moment...where we met for the first time.  A few minutes later Perch stuck his head in and said, "Well, congratulations!"  He may not have made the birth, but my body knew just what to do.

Liam Edward Hathcox was born at 1:10am.  He weighed 6lbs 14oz, and was 20.5" long.  Liam's birth could not have been more perfect and beautiful.  It was everything I could have ever imagined, and more.  I did not plan to have a water birth, but wouldn't trade it for the world now.  I am so thankful for Michael and Hannah, and my very supportive nurse (who's name I wish I could remember).  I wish every woman could have the same experience I did - to labor and birth as she wants in a safe and loving environment.  Sometimes things are out of our control and we just have to let God take over.  I feel so very blessed and fortunate for my story.  Below is a link to the slide show that Joylynn prepared for us.  I cannot explain the pure, raw emotion that courses through you when your child comes into this world.  Maybe this video can do what words cannot...

Liam Edward's Birth Story by CherBebe
password: 032014
check your speaker volume - music playing
(G rated, maybe PG depending on who you are) ;)

WE ARE HOME!!

That blog entry title means so many things for us.  We have been living in our newly built house for almost two months, and our little Liam just made a month old yesterday.  Our landscaping was finally finished up this week, and our fence will be installed within the next two weeks.  Liam only gave us about three weeks to get settled before he made his big (surprising) entrance, so we are still getting settled and decorating.  Too bad there was no money left in the budget to hire an interior designer - sooooo overwhelming!!  We hope to have a housewarming party as soon as the fence is installed.

So, I wanted to start by updating the house adventure, and then I will write a separate blog post on Liam's birth story from my perspective.  Our wonderful birth photographer is working on our story and pictures from her side, and I cannot wait to see it!

My last post left off roughly a week before the house was move-in ready.  That was an exciting and stressful few days!  We were so close, but each day was any one's guess on when we would be able to move in.  We were at the mercy of the last vendors and our final inspector for our Certificate of Occupancy.  Plus, the weather was not going to allow us to get our landscaping done anytime soon.  In fact, as of today, we still have not gone to closing on our mortgage.  Hopefully, next week that will be finished since we're returning our final loan docs today.  We kept pushing the appraisal back because of the landscaping.  Lesson learned on that, too.  The appraiser pushed us to allow him to come do it before the landscaping was done and we were still living out of boxes.  He told us he had to be in the area for other appraisals and wouldn't count off on us for being cluttered or lacking the landscaping.  Well, the final report came back lower than we anticipated (although, still good).  We both truly feel like allowing the guy to push us when we weren't ready to showcase the house really hurt us.  Hindsight is 20/20...

So, the day before Valentine's Day, we received our Certificate of Occupancy.  Between work and availability of friend's to help us move since I was 8/9 months pregnant, we decided to wait a couple of days to move in.  But, our Valentine's Day was the best ever!!  We got to celebrate our house - best gift ever! :)

Soooo excited to see the finished product!!

Entryway

My KITCHEN! :)

View of living area from kitchen

View of living area from "dining room"/play room

We have added a TV in the top left corner, and a mini fridge in the open space.

Of course, we couldn't move in without some bumps.  Our blinds wouldn't arrive until that Tuesday, so we had to make due.  We also did not have Ethan's new bedroom set picked out yet (his old set was being handed down to Liam), so he was sleeping on a blow-up mattress on our bedroom floor.  Even if we had his set, we didn't have blinds for his room yet.  Michael took off that week to get as much unpacked as he could, and to be available for vendors.  The blinds arrived Tuesday, and low and behold, did not fit.  Turns out two of the sets were mixed up, so we had to wait a few more days for blinds.  During this time, we also discovered that we had a "lemon" dishwasher.  After dealing with a repair guy and then a waiting game of approvals between the distributor and manufacturer, we finally received a new (working) dishwasher.  By the time we received the new dishwasher, we'd been in the house for almost three weeks.  Oh, and one of our couches had a built-in recliner that did not work, so we also had to wait for that to be fixed.  Turns out that it was a REALLY good idea that Michael took that week off to be available for these items and to unpack us as much as possible. 

Once we picked out Ethan's bedroom set and it was delivered, we were able to focus on Liam's room.  I started making lists of what we still needed and items left to do.  Landscaping was a super pain.  Take that back... Mother Nature was a super pain.  We stayed in contact with the landscaping company, but every time we had bad weather come through (which seemed like every.single.day), EVERYONE got pushed back.  And, honestly, we were low on the priority list.  We were already living in our house, and others were waiting to go to closing based on landscaping alone.  The timeline ended up being a month after we moved in before we met with the landscaper to discuss what we wanted, another two weeks to get 90% of the landscaping & sod done, and then another week or so before they finished up.  SO glad that is over with now!  And, we welcome all the rain Mother Nature can give us to save $$ on our water bill! ;)  Then, we met with a couple of fence companies for quotes.  We made a decision and will have that installed as soon as they are able to get to us (estimated within two weeks).

Finished! :)

Once we were down to the weekend of our last two weeks before Liam was due, I decided to get to serious business on the last few remaining items.  I had just decided on my temporary replacement at work and planned to train her the following week.  I was not too worried on time since I ended up being induced with Ethan, so I figured everything was moving perfectly.  Well, as it turns out, little man had other plans.... Birth story coming soon... :)

Liam Edward Hathcox - born March 9, 2014 at 1:10am

So close we can taste it...

That is exactly how we feel right now.  The painters have finished their second coat, and the granite guy installed the outdoor kitchen top yesterday.  The cabinet hardware has been installed, too - and looks great!  I just need to figure out handles for the barn doors (no rush - could do later).  Gas has been hooked up, and the HVAC guys came out and set our unit yesterday.  As it stands, the apoxy finish will be done this weekend, and we can start moving in next week after the CO inspection. o_0

Like, next week?  As in (MAYBE) seven more days?  H.O.L.Y.S.H.I.T.

Only bad thing is that this weather has completely effed up our whole landscaping timeline.  I mean really, Louisiana?  WTH is this ice crap?!

PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER LOUISIANA!!

If that is the worst of our worries, then I guess it's not that bad.  We don't have to have landscaping to move in, but it would have been nice.  We definitely need to have it done for the appraisal, which we need for closing on our mortgage.  I guess it's a nice thing that we went the "custom" route with a construction loan, so we don't have to wait to move in once we pass all inspections.

Oh yeah, and we got to see our little Liam last week!  He is 4lbs, 3oz - or so they say...  Either way, he is wonderful and healthy, which is all that matters.  As it stands, I have paid the balance on our doula and our birth photography - which makes me feel much more at ease.  We will be meeting with the doula in a few weeks to discuss detail and expectations.  I think that meeting is going to make everything especially real.  Hopefully, we will be partially settled in the house and just getting things ready for Liam's arrival at that point.  Honestly, I really need to focus on my plan for work.  Things have been cuh-razy with people trying to do VERY last minute open enrollment changes (did you not read the email with the deadlines in bold??), new year updates/changes in general, and a whole laundry list of WTF items.  So....I haven't really given much thought to my maternity leave plan.  No bueno.  Hopefully, I can play some major catch-up over the next two weeks and then spend the last week of this month formulating a plan.  I don't see myself going out before my due date, but you never know.  Honestly, there is never a good time to go on maternity leave in HR.

Anyway, I will leave you with these fabulous updated pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City workers....UGH

I am not sure that the "City of Denham Springs" as a whole does much right or well.  Up until recently, the only way to pay your bill was to visit them during their jacked up hours, or mail in a check.  Now, you can pay online with a fee.  Well, lucky us!  Our water, sewage and gas for the new house are all under City of DS.  So, I call them this morning to let them know it's time to set up our gas meter - you know, so we can start climate controlling our poor house in the crazy weather.  The first time I called, the girl tells me that the person I need to speak to is away from her desk and to "call back in a few minutes".  Well, I know from previous experiences that their offices close at 11am on Fridays (must be nice).  So, I call back right at 10am - plenty of time for what's-her-face to get back to her desk.  Now I am told that I "need to call back during normal business hours".  Are you f*cking kidding me?  They have changed their business days to Monday-Thursday.  Now, who the hell answered the phone and what department she works for, who knows!!  I mean, I figured that no one would be going out today, but I was hoping to have my ticket started so that I might be first in line on Monday.

Whatevs.

So, we are chugging away, getting closer and closer to the end!  Our outdoor kitchen should be bricked tomorrow, maybe Sunday or Monday (apparently, brickers don't like the cold).  The sheetrocker will be there Tuesday to do any repairs that need to be completed, and then the painters will start on Wednesday - and take 2-3 days to complete their second coats, staining and touch-ups.  I am meeting with the landscaper on Tuesday to make a decision on that part, and then he'll start ASAP - weather permitting.  Our flooring guy will be doing the apoxy coat on the floors starting the 5th, which means we could start moving in that weekend (ideally)!  Of course, we still need to get an appraisal done for our mortgage, so I'm not sure how that is going to fall or affect us in this process.  The best part about building yourself is that you don't really have to wait to go to closing to move in.  The construction loan is ours, which means that the house is ours already.  We just need to flip it to a regular mortgage before the 1 year mark hits on our loan.  We decided to use DSLD Mortgage and Title for our closing.  So, fingers crossed no bumps or hiccups! ;)

In the meantime, we had the antiquing done on the kitchen cabinets!!  We LOVE it, and the pictures just do not do it justice, but here's a peek:



Wine rack and bead board



Closer pic of the detail

 

 

 

Tile, granite and fixtures - oh my!

We've had an exciting week, and another one is coming!

So far, we've taken delivery of our barn doors (still to be installed) and remaining brick (for the driveway skirt and outdoor kitchen), had granite installed, completed the backsplash around the master tub and in the kitchen, had most of the lighting fixtures installed, started plumbing trim out, and completed the HVAC trim outs.

Mud area complete!

Those red dials means that this bitch does business in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, it is still too wet to do the grading in the yard to prep for sod.  Brickers will probably finish the ddriveway skirt and outdoor kitchen tomorrow.  They'll have to pump the water out of the driveway skirt area to finish that part - then one won't need a full-sized truck to actually pull up onto our driveway.  According to weather.com (which is an absolutely reliable source), we should have beautiful sunny skies for the next 10 days - just in case they don't make tomorrow.

I have a meeting with the blinds/shutters rep next week, and our antiquing girl will be there on Tuesday to complete the kitchen cabinets.  I CANNOT.WAIT to see the end result! 

Now, what would this blog be without a little bit of bitching, right?  We've visited the house a few times this week, and now that we're getting so close to the end, shit is starting to get real - and real annoying.  For one, I noticed that one of my cabinet doors on the island was damaged by someone knocking it off of one hinge (had to be the plumber or electrician).  It will be fixed, but still.  I know it's not your house, but please don't eff my shit up - ESPECIALLY since I am PAYING you to be there.   You have no idea what kind of hell I am capable of bringing to you.  Then we were told by the electrician that there "may not be a wire above the island" for our lighted pot rack.  Well, then you better make one happen, kind sir!  (edit: I did go back and review the plans, and it does not appear that one was originally there.  Go figure.)  Next on the list is our bar area.  The slab of granite that is there now sure as hell is not protruding enough into the living room to be considered a "bar".  According to the plans, it should be a bar.  I even have the metal works to go underneath it for support sitting in my office.  Please don't make me go pregnant-postal.

And, on top of everything that's kept me excited and stressed all week between the house and my "real job", I got scheduled to work my "for fun job" tomorrow.  I had gotten so used to them reaching out to me to see if I could work X day at Y time, so I'm glad I randomly checked the schedule online.  I had already booked a massage that afternoon, so talk about pissy 'n pregnant when I had to call and cancel.  Honestly, working beyond this weekend before Liam arrives will be difficult.  Byron's wedding is next weekend, we will be moving/situating into the new house the next one or two weekends, I am co-hosting Jessica's baby shower the third weekend in February, and beyond that I could be having a baby at any moment.  Makes me tired just thinking about it.

But, something adorable that happened last night.  Michael got the "nesting" urge.  We bought several large storage containers and started going through Ethan's clothes and shoes.  The kid grows so fast that it's hard to keep up with what fits.  Plus, most of his clothes either fit in the waist or the length, but not both.  We sorted out what was definitely or close to too small and started a box for Liam.  It definitely felt good to get some organization going on.  Michael wants to be as packed and ready as possible for the big move.  Tonight, I'm going to go through my closet and dresser to see what I can go ahead and pack up, and what can go to Goodwill.  Our goal is to not buy anything new from now until we after we move in the house - no new clothes, "things for the house", etc.  Yeah....let's see how this goes! lol