Peace

Well, I now have a real job. I can't believe I got a job at a publishing company as I have been hoping for years now. I had no idea that my internship would be so instrumental to my career. Of course, I also did not plan on starting my career pregnant, but life tends to be unpredictable. I owe so much to Sarah (my internship editor boss). She really went out of her way to help me land a job. Tomorrow I start my second official week as a professional. Seriously, though it has been really good. I like working normal hours, and having weekends off. Plus the actual work is fairly interesting, especially working with the different titles. It would be so sweet to be an editor someday.

This weekend was incredible. So peaceful, and full of love, good food, and knitting.

Letting Strangers into the Apartment

Yesterday I was walking home from the grocery store. I had just purchased the oreo ice cream cake for Andy's birthday, and I was rushing to get it into the freezer. It was around 6pm and the traffic on 16th street was nuts as always. I heard a woman yell at me from her car at the curb: "Hey can I use your cell phone?!" I did a double take and realized she really was talking to me. It was a young black woman. "My car won't start, and my cell phone gave out because I haven't payed the bill. Can I use your cell phone?" she implored me. For a second I envisioned handing her my phone and watching her take off into the very slow traffic, but I let her use the phone.

She confessed to me that she didn't have enough money for a tow truck. I really had no response to this because I knew that around 7am her car would be towed whether she had the money or not. About that time, she told she was bi-polar, and now I totally believe her. She ended up crying next to me on my couch, telling me how messed up her life was. I felt bad, but I really had no idea how to respond.

I was finally able to send her off to the metro, with her tears dry. I sat exhausted on the couch for about five minutes when Andy walked in from work. "What have you been up to?" He asked. Realizing I had been trying to help Najat for about three hours, I had a very long story to tell him.

Tawnyfrogmouth

A quick note on my title. A Tawny Frogmouth is a type of bird, an owl to be exact. When I first met Andy's family we went to the zoo with his niece and nephew. We found a type of bird called a Tawny Frogmouth. Actually, it was a type of owl. So I called my blog Tawnyfrogmouth since it is my spot to spew words, whatever words I choose.

Sonogram

Yesterday we had our first sonogram. First, the technician rubbed this really cold jelly on my belly and started rubbing the sonogram/remote/I have no idea what it's called around. At first, we could only see a bunch of black and gray blobs--then suddenly Baby. There was this little tiny person wiggling around in front of us. Andy and I looked in amazement as it kicked and turned. The technician kept marveling at how much the baby was moving. We just stared in wonder at the little life living in me. I can not believe that I can't feel it, I can't believe how much of a person it looks like. Andy thinks it looks like him, but I think it just looks like a very-big-headed baby. They gave us a few pictures and we've been sending them around to our family and friends.

The baby feels so much more real now that I've actually seen it. I'm more excited, and also more terrified. It feels so weird getting ready for this little person to come into our lives.

First Baby Appointment

Yesterday I had my first official baby appointment. Andy was able to come with me which was very encouraging to me. We showed up with plenty of time. The first thing the assistant told me was that I had a $450 deductible. I just stared at her like I had no idea what she was talking about. Finally, we worked out a payment plan, I went back to where Andy was sitting and cried for a little while, then went and got a urine sample. I think it's pretty funny they always have directions on how to get a urine sample.
Everything seemed to go well, I took some uncomfortable tests, then mentally prepared for the blood test. I had never had a blood test before, and I am notoriously bad at dealing with blood. Usually I faint, or feel nauseous. Andy promised to distract me for this part. He held my hand for the whole ordeal telling me stories. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In his words I was, "a champ" about it. The nurse finished up, I looked up at Andy and his face was white, and he sat down. "I'm feeling a little dizzy," he admitted. Andy has a really rough time with needles, but normally it's just when they are poking him. The nurse got him some chocolate, and he narrowly avoided passing out.
I asked him how he will handle the delivery part of pregnancy. He says that the adrenaline will get him through that. I'm not sure what will get me through--necessity?
Everything seems normal, and hopefully that will be confirmed when I get all the test results left. Fortunately I am obnoxiously healthy, and apparently at the prime age for having babies!