New Addition

Alright, so not much has been happening in Korea. The reason- we're currently stateside. I returned to the states at the beginning of February to finish out the pregnancy. Gayer headed over at the end of March, having to change is flight at the last minute when we thought the doctor was going to induce us. Fortunately Gayer made it in time, unfortunately it ended up being a week too early for the induction. I ended up on complete bed rest with bathroom privileges only due to an increase in blood pressure for the last 2 weeks, after being on modified bed rest before that. We did a few non-stress tests and passed with flying colors. But little miss thing just didn't want to come out and wanted to float around too high up. The doc put off the induction for a week hoping she'd find the light and get her head down in the pelvis. Hmph.

We ended up heading in for an induction April 6th at around 8pm. We got cytotec and ambien around 10pm, got another dose of cytotec at 2am after no progress and at around 7:30am on the 7th the doc came in and let us know we were only dilated a fingertip and he proceeded to break my water and we started pitocin. Let me just say... I know why they call it the pit drip... it drags you to the pits of hell and fast. I got pretty uncomfortable fairly quickly. Lots of back pain... really low (sacral/coccyx) pain. At noon I was only 2.5-3 centimeters, but couldn't do the pain and ended up getting an epidural. Dr. Nair was a God-send. Our nurse Diane was pretty awesome too. By about 3:30-4 pm I was past 9cm with only a lip left. Needless to say that epidural got me relaxed and we went fast! Things went off from there. I kept getting break through pain, and since I was so close to being complete they only wanted to give me small boluses of pain meds. We waited and waited, hoping that the last little bit of cervix would disappear and that miss thing would engage in the pelvis, she still wanted to float around. We tried different positions, but due to my blood pressure and epidural, we were pretty limited. I got stuck at this one stage for a while, they even put in an internal monitor to watch the contractions. Luckily baby had tolerated everything pretty well so far, other than a few little dips in heart rate with contractions, but she recovered very quickly. Around 6-7pm we got rechecked and learned we were actually regressing. The doc said he'd let us chill for 1 more hour and see if mcnugget would work with us, if not it looked like we were headed to the OR. I started running a fever (101F) and both of us started having an increase in heart rate. We got some fluids, but it didn't make a difference. Soon after shift change the new nurse, Julie, comes in, checks me, we haven't made progress, and we are informed it was definitely time for a c-section.

At 8:21pm on April 7, 2010, Lillian "Lily" Mae McFarland was born, weighing in at 8 lbs and measuring 20 in long. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard or seen. The first question I can remember asking though was "what color hair does she have?" And to my surprise I learned it was reddish-blonde!

Anyway, I introduce you to Lily! (Ok, seriously, I could post hundreds of pictures, but I'll refrain myself)

I suck

I am not meant to be a blogger. I am just too big of a slacker. Since we've discovered there's a small human being growing, we've really laid low. The first trimester was filled with worry of would it last, then the second was filled with weeks of me being miserable. I could not stop being itchy. We tested things, played with lotions, played with anti-histamines and it finally just had to away on its own. I still get occasionally itchy, but not near as bad, but the only thing that helped was being cold... so we stayed out of all the subways and therefore, stuck close to base with only a few trips out farther. Now we're in the third trimester and I'm preparing to head back to the states... we'll eventually see more of the country, I just know it.

Anyway, a few things have happened since the last entry. We hit up the 234th birthday for the marines, by hitting up the marine ball. The marines protect the embassies of the world. We currently have 9 marines hanging out with our embassy. Most of them are really cool guys and Gayer and I wanted to support them without having to pay for a babysitter. So, we got all dolled up (not nearly as much as some of the guests), made our way to the JW Marriott, had some cocktails (ok, I didn't), listened to some people talk, met the marines, watched the cake cutting ceremony, ate some alright food and crappy cake, got a few souvenirs, watched some old people really get down on the dance floor and watched some people get trashed. It was a good night, we behaved and had some fun.





Then we had a special guest come to Seoul. Gayer ended up helping with the arrival. We skipped out on a meet and greet in order to have our own meet and greet with our little girl on her 20 week ultrasound. But we did have some friends go who weren't afraid to take some awesome pictures.


Arrival


The Man giving his talk during the meet and greet with embassy employees and family members. (evidently more Koreans showed up than Americans... or perhaps the embassy just hires more Korean's than Americans... either way, lots of Korean family members per our friends)


The ambassador Kathleen Stephens. This is "the man" of the embassy... the boss. (at least I hope that's her name... I pulled that from the brain and didn't google... sorry if I messed it up)


I'm pretty sure this is Obama telling some pushy Korean to back off... let me tell you, they are not afraid to push and elbow... good thing I'm bigger and not afraid either :) Regardless, Obama was not pleased with the shoving. Doesn't it look like he's about to say the F word?!?! Or is that just me since it's such a part of my nasty vocabulary.


Departure

We had a nice Thanksgiving with 40 of our closest friends at a neighbors house. It was nice, I cooked a lot... I swear all I needed was a turkey and we could have just stayed home. It started later than I thought, I was hot and cranky and itchy... it was not a good combo, but I tried and eventually made my way home to my couch.

We babysat this little girl a few times. Her parents totally owe us some free babysitting now. Meet Mocha. She's a pill but totally adorable.


The Christmas season was filled with holiday parties at various houses. It was fun, but exhausting. It capped off on Christmas eve where we got to see santa. A friend of ours constructs this big thing for all the little kids and santa comes. Unfortunately santa had too much vodka and upon his departure slid half way off his cement tiled covered roof... thank goodness he wasn't hurt... so in turn it made it really funny. "Ho Ho Oh Shit!" Good thing the kids were distracted and headed back into the house to see what toys he dropped off.

Christmas day was a lazy day of opening a small amount of gifts (thanks mom!) and cooking a small meal. We ended up hosting a jewish couple over for the meal, it was nice and low key. A couple days later we watched the aggies lose... what else is new :(

New years eve we headed back to another friends house for a party. They wanted to start it at 7. I woke up at 6:30am. I ended up back at my house by 10 and asleep before midnight. Poor Gayer has an awful wife!

And that brings us to now. It snowed a little before new years, but then it dumped buckets! We got something like 11 inches of snow over a day, it was the highest measurement since they've started keeping measurements in 1937. No one really knew how to handle it. Streets were awful, the army and GSO were just plain lost for a day or 2. Parking lots are still slushy ice. And it's continuously below freezing so it's not really melting all that quickly. (Those on facebook have already seen these pictures, I think... or maybe it's just Gayer's friends, heck, I can't keep up.)





Yes, we climb those stairs any time we want to go anywhere, no I did not have to shovel the snow off, GSO actually did it (thank goodness), yes this is me 26-27 weeks pregnant, no I wasn't cold.

Now we're just chillin'. Gayer's off in a "tropical" location working hard... Indonesia. Don't drink the water babe, you'll get nasty sick! I wasn't allowed to go for the fear of all the parasites that I could contract, so I'm stuck at home, doing the stay at home wife thing. I've filled out the baby book, cut coupons, taken down christmas decorations and now I'm updating the blog. I'm getting things crossed off my list for before I go! That's right, I'm headed back to the states... Texas to be exact. I have a flight and everything. I saw the doctor today and so far everything is a go. Our little mcnugget is now 2.7lbs, still transverse (bugger) but doing good. My blood pressure was a little high, so we're watching it carefully and I'll go back in 2 weeks to get everything rechecked out and get all my paperwork. If you're so inclined to pray, pray that my BP stays with in normal limits as does my pulse (today it was 130 at the docs office... of course it was cold and I think I'm dehydrated which plays in to everything, but still), and that everything goes well so I can board the plane and head home to see family and friends and to give birth!

life

So we haven't been doing much fun lately. The first trimester fatigue kept me at home or close to home quite a bit. We've hung out at home, made a few trips out into the city, survived a pretty big storm that took down some trees and the golf driving range and a day without electricity. We've hung with some friends and even got to puppy sit a 10 week old schnauzer. We're finally venturing out more... but I have a complaint... the subway!!! It gets so hot and stuffy in some of the stations and trains. I swear they have the heat on. I get all clammy and just want to avoid it at all costs.


And on a positive note... I can finally cook meat again!!! Gayer no longer has to be the sole chef in the family.

Now on to the pictures! (sorry they're kind of boring)

So this is a park right outside the Embassy. It's in the median between the north and south sides of a road. It's REALLY pretty and brand new. It involves lots of flowers, a sidewalk water park thingy and some weird painted/dressed up animals... you know... like those horses or cows... or whatever you see around the states? Please tell me someone knows what I'm talking about?!!




Finally something besides the aafes contracted restaurants. Flat Stanley joined us at McDonalds and learned that it really is different. Things taste different (different requirements on oils, etc), they have different options (ie: shrimp burger) and even the staples are served different... there's no BBQ sauce for Gayer's chicken strips... only sweet chili sauce and the chicken is marinated in some crazy spices. Regardless, it was a nice change of pace and delicious.


This is Mocha... our rent a puppy. Isn't she cute?


And I saw this in one of the subway stations on a transfer of trains. I just had to have a picture... even though Gayer thought I was crazy. Anyway, enjoy PICU girls!

Pictures

Yup, they tore off our roof... stirred all sorts of mold and mildew up and along with it lots of bugs :(


Finally done, doesn't look too bad.... only took 3 weeks... and some awful smelling sealant.


Household effects are here!!!!!! Yup, they complained about the stairs... but who wouldn't. 2.5 large crates crammed full of stuff that had to be hand carried down 50 stairs.


Lots of boxes!


The "old man" embassy softball team. They lose almost every game... cause they have real jobs and don't get to work out and play sports for work. The only team they've beat is the hospital team. They get mercy ruled a lot, but they have some fun... I think.


My man got a hit! He's not a bad player... only earned a couple errors so far this season, but seems to make up for them for lots of RBI's and awesome catches.


Most have heard of our little announcement, but in case you haven't... April 10th should bring a nice present. Gayer can't wait for his little tax deduction.

And a shout out to Tim who takes some awesome pictures (as does my aunt Carol) of our babies back home! http://www.flickr.com/photos/zetetics/sets/72157621926206958/

ooooh

2 weeks. How did I let that go by? I still blame the Twilight obsession... and nothing exciting happened.

Gayer joined the Embassy softball team. They're awful! Lots of old men playing against some hot military guys :) But they're a fun bunch. We went to the labor day picnic. The banana pudding was a hit. Our sponsor loved it and ended up taking a good portion to her house. We ventured out to a new part of Seoul and hit up Hooters. Yup, they have a Hooters. I had never been in the states, so I didn't know what to expect or how to make a comparison. I think I explained it best to my best friend.... anorexia and push up wonderbras. It was a good time. It was my understanding it was to hang out with a good friend of Gayer's that was leaving this week, but the big group ended up making Gayer and another co-worker with a Sept. birthday celebrate. The waitresses made them stand on their chairs flapping menus like wings and say "it's my birthday" as they got sung to. Gayer was humiliated.

The biggest news though is..... our HHE arrived!!!!!!!!!!!

This is very big and exciting. Everything arrived and was a welcomed sight after 4 months without it. Yup, we packed out May 20th and it arrived Sept. 15th. It took them about 1.5 hours to unload our 2.5 crates, get all the boxes in the house and in their rooms (probably not completely, but close enough) and the majority of them unpacked. I spent the afternoon organizing the kitchen and Gayer set up the desktop to run slingbox with the big screen. Nothing has been found broken yet. A few things made it that shouldn't have, but that's ok. Of course having our stuff really made me miss my dogs. Before we had our stuff at times it still felt like a vacation. We were really surviving on 500lbs of stuff. Now we have 3000lbs and I'm wondering why we shipped it all and thinking it still doesn't feel like home. Amazing how 2 little critters can make a house a home. Of course having all this stuff also makes me really feel gluttonous. Why do we need so much when we can survive on so little? Still happy it's here though.

Now if only I could get the little fairies that unpack and put away to show up :-)

I promise to post pictures very soon.

"Back up off my stove"

My niece gets her words mixed up sometimes. She over heard her dad say "back up off my grill" one day in the car and at some point had a reason to say it and it came out a little wrong... grill... stove... same thing right?

Anyway, I've evidently lacked in providing enough moments of my life for my "stalkers." (of course I can't really call you stalkers, I like you all too much to give you THAT title) I am sure there are some real stalkers out there... and if I could give you a piece of my mind I would!

I could give you a million excuses as to why the blog has been lacking lately. But I'll just give you a few.
a) Not much has been going on. We've really been bums lately. And when we have gone out taking the camera isn't on the front of our minds anymore. However, I will work on that.

b) Hannah (and the rest of the PICU girls) got me hooked on the Twilight series. I'm a late bloomer I guess. I managed to watch the movie out of curiosity and then decided I HAD to read the books. Once I started... I could not stop. I read all 5 books (yup, even the partial 5th book Midnight Sun) in less than a week. I don't think I've read that much in a LONG time. I wish I would have started reading when every one else did. It was much more my "personal heroin" than Harry Potter (which I'm still trying to finish.) I wish I could discuss it with all my girls who I miss dearly.

So really, that's it. We've gone out with friends here and there. Had dinner with Gayer's boss last weekend. It ended up being wonderful. Felt a little out of place, only because of the job titles of people there. But it was nice to meet some other new comers and have some great food in the process. I even managed to behave myself, watch my language, and keep my elbows off the table (until the boss did it after eating.) Nice good talks. Then we were supposed to go to a BBQ on Sunday, but I stayed at home and napped after feeling like crap. The weather is changing. The humidity now comes and goes... not a pushing force everyday. It's nice, but it's F'n with my sinuses.

This weekend is the Labor day picnic. I have volunteered to make banana pudding... it's the absolute best. Everyone loves it. And if you don't.... well you suck! And we may do dinner with some friends for a birthday (theirs, not ours)... but that does remind me. Gayer's birthday is RAPIDLY approaching. I already have his present, but I should probably find some paper to wrap it up in and maybe a card. Looks like a trip to the PX is in my future. I think he's going to love his gift... but obviously I can't tell you what it is. I've kept it a secret from him since May!!! He's going to be 29! Getting so old! Love you Gayer-bear.

Anyway... might as put a little rant in here. The GSO has decided that our roof needs fixing. There's nothing obviously wrong with it, but maybe they do it by age. Who knows. Anyway, they never bothered to tell us they were going to be playing down here. Scared the shit out of me when they threw metal poles outside my bedroom window at 8am on Tuesday to build their make shift scaffolding. (perhaps I should take pictures of this process.) Anyway. We had temporary housers next door. They mentioned it to her on her way to Korean language class, and she's in my class so she mentioned it to me, but didn't have any details as she told them to talk to me. Whatever. Gayer sent them a nasty gram! They apologized profusely, but I still think they suck. I think they should be rebuilding the burnt out houses and then move of the North Korea people down to the rest of the living world in South Korea. But what do I know.

Oh and I have another interview. 1.5 weeks. We'll see how it goes. Same department as before, different manager. At least we know now that the system "kinks" are all worked out and I'm now an eligible family member. (No, I'm not bitter.... note the sarcasm.) If this doesn't work... I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

Easy livin'

We've been taking it easy lately. We have a friend here who is lonely, as her husband had to go on a long business trip (maybe not long in our terms, but long in most peoples... a month) so we've been going to dinner and lunch with her. Gayer even stops by to drop off mail and check in on his way home sometimes. So this past weekend we just chilled and then went to Chinese Hot Pot. It's like fondue, instead of oil, cheese, chocolate... it's a broth... spicy or not. I voted for not, got lamb (yup, we've branched out our meats... with lamb and duck), some mushrooms and different lettuce/grass looking stuff. They end the meal with fresh ramen noodles. It was a nice lunch with a dessert of melon bars.

This weekend we didn't have any plans until Gayer called this morning to say that his boss walked in his office and just invited us to dinner with the 2 top guys in the office. I am wondering if there are more invites or if this is going to be "Mandy has to be on her best behavior" dinner. The boss is new and seems like he really cares about the well being of his staff and their spouses. So, that'll now be our Saturday plan, as I assume I will be baking or making something to take.

We're still enjoying Korea. Still no job for me. The embassy is still stinky for only wanting to hire fluent Korean speakers with a "working knowledge" of English. Don't get it. Don't get why the assistant RN has the same nursing background as the RN and has to do admin duties, gets paid 10K less either. Weird ways!

Oooh, I survived another wife tea party. Why they call it a tea party I don't know. It was at 10:30am, there was no tea, no coffee.... and no cucumber sandwiches... only cucumber and egg salad. I actually knew people there this time... between Nikki (our lonely friend for the time being,) my Korean language classmates and others I've met. The lady who was a biotch last time was a biotch again... guess she just likes that reputation. The people at Gayer's work now officially know who it is! Go me!