Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Ian and I once again hit up the Edinburgh Military Tattoo last night. And I would say that it once again did not disappoint. Since most of you will not know what it is, basically it is a show at the castle in Edinburgh where military bands from around the world come and perform. Being that I am seven months pregnant, we were able to enter the stadium before the crowd. This really helped, as being in a crazy crowd of 8,500 people trying to run into a stadium in 30 minutes is a little crazy and not very fun when you are pregnant, so I was definitely thankful for the extra time and being outside of the pushy crowd.

This year, the highlight for me was the group from China. It was a beautiful performance, full of color and crazy performance...think girls on stilts dressed up as horses running around. It may sound ridiculous, but it really was beautiful. There was also the "top secret" drum band from Switzerland. Ian and I couldn't really figure out how anyone playing drums could be top secret, but it really was a good performance. They lit their drum sticks on fire and would throw their sticks in the air to each other. It made for some good entertainment.

The show also made sure to acknowledge the men and women serving in the middle east. The military did a whole mock performance of a shootout in Afghanistan. It was actually quite cool to watch. They had huge guns, rocket launchers, jeeps and more. It was a good "performance" and a good way for us to remember the danger that the servicemen (or service-people) are facing every day.

The most concerning thing for me during the performance was the fact that the baby seemed to kick whenever it heard bagpipes! I hate the sound of bagpipes, so for the baby to like them, that scares me!

And since Ian and I are such great Americans, while everyone stood and sung "God Save the Queen", we sung "My Country 'Tis of Thee", which is written to the same music. Look at us, sticking it to the Brits! ha, ha

Sleeping Ducks

When coming home at 2am this morning, I saw the ducks by my house asleep. Honestly, I never knew how ducks slept. At first, I thought they all had their heads under water, but then I realized that they all had their heads resting on their backs. Totally cute! And in case you were wondering, my taking pictures woke like half of them up...I am sure they were annoyed!

My Hospital Stay

This is some of the monitor tape of the baby's heartbeat...I thought it was cool

I was going to write the entire story about my hospital stay, but there were so many strange things that went on that the blog was becoming ginormious, so I decided to just give the highlights:

First, I was in the hospital because of a kidney infection. I couldn't keep any fluids or medicines down (i.e. I kept vomiting) so I needed to be admitted.

During the process of being admitted (which took a total of 6 hours) I had to explain to about 100 different people what was wrong with me, even though they had my chart right in front of them. This was highly agitating.

I was in a four bed room. During my stay, I got to watch two women experience labor. This did NOTHING to alleviate my fears about giving birth! I am just trying to remind myself that women have been doing it since the beginning of time, so I can do it too.

The tea trolley came around twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. And, none of the mugs on the trolley matched. It kind of reminded me of the NCO (where I used to work, for you non-NCOers out there). I also thought, I bet they don't have tea trolleys in hospitals in the US!

I actually had a visitor in the hospital. My friend Meabh has an odd love for hospitals, so jumped at the chance to come see me.

Both sets of sheets on my bed had holes in them. Honestly, is the NHS hurting for money that bad?!?

I had to beg my way out of the hospital. After two nights, I was beyond bored and ready to go home. Plus, sitting in a bed all day isn't that comfortable. Well, the doctor actually wanted to keep me for another night because the bacteria in my culture wasn't done growing and they wanted to make sure I was on the right medicine. Honestly, is that really a reason to keep someone in the hospital?!? I was insistent enough that they finally let me go home.

Oh, and the best part...even though the food wasn't fabulous (well, actually I think Riley the dog eats better than I did while I was in there) and there were holes in the sheets, the entire stay was ABSOLUTELY FREE! Come on people...you gotta love socialized medicine for no bills at the end!

The Sky

The sky has been looking beautiful lately. Even though it rains pretty much everyday, when the sun is setting, it always reflects off the clouds and looks beautiful. Here's a picture from yesterday...

27 Weeks

This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I decided to scour my closet for another top to squeeze into. I was tired of the five tops I have been wearing over and over. I found a large flowy one and put it on, only to discover it didn't fit. I was a tad bit devastated. If it hadn't been for having a hair appointment at noon, I would have put my pajamas back on and crawled back into bed. But, I threw on one of those five trusty shirts and headed out the door.

The hair appointment went well...just a standard haircut and blow dry (I had to post a picture of me with the straight hair from the appointment, as I know it is my mom's favorite! Hi mom!). Then, on to meeting Ian in town for lunch. After lunch, I decided to stop by the store to look at clothes. The store was having a sale and I was able to score some really cute maternity clothes for cheap. Hopefully this will help with the near breakdowns in the future!

Since it is August, Ian and I have begun to stock up for baby. We ordered the crib (or "cot bed"...there are actually different size cribs over here and names for each size...crib, cot, cot bed...who knew!?!)and changing table. They are getting delivered in a couple weeks. We also picked up a cute "pram" for the baby. Everyday I look at it in the hallway and think of pushing my baby around in it...of course, by the time baby makes its entrance into this world, it will be winter, snowy and miserable outside, but someday me and baby will be able to stroll around together!


My belly button is still holding in there. Part of it is creeping out, but it hasn't popped. I was thinking about taking my belly button ring out soon. It doesn't hurt or anything, but I thought it might be gross to leave it in. Ian told me to keep it in a little while longer, as it makes the bump look "unique"...not that anyone ever gets to lay their eyes on this unique bump!


I have been sleeping a lot lately. But, I am not sleeping that soundly. It seems to be hard to find a comfortable position. And I still seem to need to go the bathroom in the middle of the night. Then there is the heat! Honestly, this 65 degree weather is getting to me! At night, I lather my feet with peppermint foot lotion to try to cool them off, and keep them right in front of the fan, but still feel hot at times. Then there is the middle of the night hunger. Honestly, can I really be THAT hungry!?! Still no crazy cravings...I just eat some crackers in the middle of the night, then head back to bed. Come to think of it, I think the daytime naps are needed to help me because of the restless nights! Oh well, this too shall pass!

I still can't believe this little human is due to make an appearance in less than three months! The countdown has begun!

Randomness

I was out watering my plants this morning when a lady passing by asked me to watch her baby for a minute. She said she just needed to run back home for something. Not knowing what to say, I said okay. I stood there for five minutes until she got back. She is obviously VERY trusting, leaving her baby with a stranger.

Last night, I went to a house warming for a girl I work with. When I got there, one of my coworkers (a guy...which I am assuming you will be able to have guessed in a moment) announced to everyone that I wasn't fat, but merely pregnant. Thanks for that, man!

I found out yesterday at work, there is a 20 GBP bet going on as to if I am having a boy or girl...

Ian and I just finished filling out our visa applications. They are 50 pages each. In it, the application asks if I am a terrorist. Would a real terrorist answer yes?

My left ear has been plugged and ringing for the past two weeks. I don't notice the ringing all the time, but when it is quiet, it sure is annoying. The doctor's office won't see me for it for another week. At least I already have an appointment next week for a baby check up...maybe they can look at it then.

Ian ordered a car for us through his work. Yes, after two years carless, we decided to upgrade for the sake of the baby. But, apparently due to delays at the factory, we aren't due to get our car (a VW Golf) until the end of October. Here's to hoping we get the car before the baby!

Thanks, but No Thanks

Just like any other BIG time in my life (well, really anyone's life), people seem to want to offer their opinions on my being pregnant. And to be honest, I don't necessarily want them! The most interesting opinions have come from customers at work. I never really tell customers personal stuff about me. But, even through an apron, it has become increasingly more obvious that I am with child. Because of this, people love to share their opinion about it. Some people are hugely supportive and don't think I should have to work (6 weeks and counting until that maternity leave starts!). Two guys thought I should advertise it on the "community board" at work, so people could give me free stuff...only guys would think of something like this! Then there's the lady that told me she is old fashioned and thinks I should have been married before I got pregnant. When I informed her that I was in fact married, in fact for six years, then she was all for me being pregnant. There was also the guy that told my manager I was too young to have a baby. When she informed him of my age, he was shocked, but decided it was okay for me to be having a baby. I mean seriously, I haven't asked for the opinions! And, it isn't my fault that my belly sticks out so far. Just because of the appendage sticking off me, I have not in any way asked for your opinion about my situation!

On a side note, Ian thinks I should tell people that I am unmarried, don't know who the father is and am stuck in the UK...only a guy who doesn't have to deal with these judgmental people all day would find that funny!