Back in Black

[gobbles23]

I say we have a bb.com lifting sisters baby shower for Echo. Seriously, I would love to send you a baby gift! You could register at Target! Of course, we'd have to get your real name and address through a PM ... if you'd be ok with that.

I'm totally in on this

Sweet workout there Erica

[Redfizz]

I have had your baby gift picked out ever since you announced you were having a baby!

Squeeeeee! Baby gifts!

[Echo814]

I say we have a bb.com lifting sisters baby shower for Echo. Seriously, I would love to send you a baby gift! You could register at Target! Of course, we'd have to get your real name and address through a PM ... if you'd be ok with that.

I'm totally in on this

Sweet workout there Erica

I have had your baby gift picked out ever since you announced you were having a baby!

Squeeeeee! Baby gifts!

Oh, ladies you don't know how much this means to me I appreciate it I really do I think I'm just stressing on the situation probably have it made out worse than it really is in my head.

We need to finish registering at Target and Babies-R-US, we feel a bit weird asking people for stuff, even at our wedding we said no gifts necessary

I have new hire orientation tomorrow at 9am, going tonight to pick up some clothes to work in at dreaded Walmart, but its cheap and right now that's good! I'm figuring that I will buy some regular size pants and use the belly band to wear them so I have something to fit into after the baby comes, I can still wear regular shirts that are long enough to cover the belly and make sure its not hanging out.

The baby is starting to move more and he's big enough that I feel when he shoves his feet into my rib cage. Weirdest sensation I tell you!

[thehobbes]

I say we have a bb.com lifting sisters baby shower for Echo. Seriously, I would love to send you a baby gift! You could register at Target! Of course, we'd have to get your real name and address through a PM ... if you'd be ok with that.

^^^Hey I would love to do this! 100% srs, a great celebratory gesture towards a fellow lifting sister. (BRB sending a little tub of protein with sippy cups. ) Haha j/k on the protein, but I am IN.

[swooshie]

Oh, ladies you don't know how much this means to me I appreciate it I really do I think I'm just stressing on the situation probably have it made out worse than it really is in my head.

We need to finish registering at Target and Babies-R-US, we feel a bit weird asking people for stuff, even at our wedding we said no gifts necessary

I have new hire orientation tomorrow at 9am, going tonight to pick up some clothes to work in at dreaded Walmart, but its cheap and right now that's good! I'm figuring that I will buy some regular size pants and use the belly band to wear them so I have something to fit into after the baby comes, I can still wear regular shirts that are long enough to cover the belly and make sure its not hanging out.

The baby is starting to move more and he's big enough that I feel when he shoves his feet into my rib cage. Weirdest sensation I tell you!

Yay!!! This will be so much fun!

Good luck with your new hire orientation. I totally remember that sensation of the feet in the rib cage! I used to wake up at night and have to push their foot out of there! Every one of my kids did that

[Echo814]

^^^Hey I would love to do this! 100% srs, a great celebratory gesture towards a fellow lifting sister. (BRB sending a little tub of protein with sippy cups. ) Haha j/k on the protein, but I am IN.

As long as its a hippy whey protein without additives I think we're good lol. Hippie protein powder, I got Bert Started by a guy GNC when I told him what I was looking for, one of my finer moments I think

Yay!!! This will be so much fun!

Good luck with your new hire orientation. I totally remember that sensation of the feet in the rib cage! I used to wake up at night and have to push their foot out of there! Every one of my kids did that

It's so odd, its like gas pressure but different. He's not big enough to to where I need to do that yet but he's getting there How many kids do you have? I'm sure if I read back to the beginning of your journal I would find out lol.

I'm disappointed, I asked to have at least 30 hours a week and they are working me 10. So on the hunt for another job, I'm still going to hang out there while I look, at least the $70 a week will help

[swooshie]

It's so odd, its like gas pressure but different. He's not big enough to to where I need to do that yet but he's getting there How many kids do you have? I'm sure if I read back to the beginning of your journal I would find out lol.

I'm disappointed, I asked to have at least 30 hours a week and they are working me 10. So on the hunt for another job, I'm still going to hang out there while I look, at least the $70 a week will help

I have 3 kids....2 boys and a girl..........and I work in OB, so I have lots of kids there!

Why in the world would they only work you 10 hours a week? Maybe it's just through the training phase???? Just doesn't seem worth it to hire someone to work 10 hours a week.

[Redfizz]

Yay!!! This will be so much fun!

Good luck with your new hire orientation. I totally remember that sensation of the feet in the rib cage! I used to wake up at night and have to push their foot out of there! Every one of my kids did that

Never. Having. Kids. Echo, Swoosh, Marathonmom, Latebloomingmom, Geek, etc... You all are saints.

[thehobbes]

Never. Having. Kids.

Lol THIS

Echo, Swoosh, Marathonmom, Latebloomingmom, Geek, etc... You all are saints.

And THAT

[CharliC]

Hey Erica!

I'm so in for a BB.com baby shower!

[Romina81]

Baby shower? Please let me know I'm in!

Hey what about applying to Macy's? They have seasonal jobs.

[gobbles23]

Yay baby shower!

Sorry to hear about the job Hope things look up for you soon!

[Echo814]

I have 3 kids....2 boys and a girl..........and I work in OB, so I have lots of kids there!

Why in the world would they only work you 10 hours a week? Maybe it's just through the training phase???? Just doesn't seem worth it to hire someone to work 10 hours a week.

Hopefully they make you a proud mama I bet you have plenty of other kids in that line of work! I almost went in to neonatal nursing, but I don't think I would be cut out for it.

Since its holiday help I think they try to put as many people on the schedule as possible. Instead of people making schedules they have this nifty software that they put everyones availability in plus sales data which determines how many people are needed for any given time period. There are some people that get only 3 hour shifts, ugh retail.

Never. Having. Kids. Echo, Swoosh, Marathonmom, Latebloomingmom, Geek, etc... You all are saints.

Lol, it's not that bad, I think I have had it easier than a lot of woman. Not trying to convince anyone of having kids though, I know its not for everyone lol.

Me a saint? I think you maybe a little confuzzled there Fizz I am pure unadulterated evil

Hey Erica!

I'm so in for a BB.com baby shower!

Heya Charli!

Baby shower? Please let me know I'm in!

Hey what about applying to Macy's? They have seasonal jobs.

I will for sure, getting some things sorted out.

I have some good news coming up regarding a job.

Yay baby shower!

Sorry to hear about the job Hope things look up for you soon!

Hey Lori!

Things are looking up on the job front

[Redfizz]

Me a saint? I think you maybe a little confuzzled there Fizz I am pure unadulterated evil

Ha! Evil Sheldon is awesome.

Okay, Okay. I have it. I know what we need to give you:

Seriously. You can get these for ~$40, and it was just featured on Good Morning America. This looks like something Hobbes would have developed.

[Echo814]

Lol THIS


And THAT

LMAO! Ham with a mini me.... Hmmm, would either be the most epic thing ever or I could imagine this happening
and Ham finding a band of squirrels to raise the baby shortly after (taken from Hams own journal I believe)




So the past few days have been interesting. I worked last night and right when I got in to work for my closing shift I get call from United Health Group asking if I was still interesting in a claims processing job. Flash back to last week when I get the random phone call and request for the employer information again, it finally made sense. I said of course I am and they asked how soon I could come in for an interview, I said anytime this week other than Fri after 11am. I was scheduled for an interview today at 9am, got there 5 minutes early, they came and got me on time (considering that last time I was left in the lobby for over an hour) and I guess I did so well the supervisor wanted to do the manager interview right after the recruiter interview. I really like the manager, very nice, open and easy to talk too.

At this point I'm fairly sure I have the position, training starts Dec 3rd and its 7am-3:30pm Mon-Fri, after training I can make my own hours 6am to 5pm and overtime is offered at different points of the year. I will just make it through training before the babies due and they seem fine with it. The job sounds fantastic, no talking to anyone other than coworkers and I get to listen to my iPod all day while working on messed up medical claims. The facility has a full gym onsite, free weights, machines and cardio equipment along with a personal trainer and nutritionist that is on staff. They also have a medical facility onsite that I can use if I sign up for insurance, which I might so the baby and I can be doubled insured.

Yesterday I had a check up and everything looks good, I'm up 21lbs and the Dr want's me to ease up on the weight gain so I need to figure out a way to avoid the sugar crashes and not eat as much. The neat thing about working on feet 5 hours a day is it increases my calorie burn to 2300 (this is without a workout) instead of the 2000-2100 I was getting prior. The down side is my joints are finally starting to swell up and back hurts from standing so much.

[Redfizz]

...and Ham finding a band of squirrels to raise the baby shortly after (taken from Hams own journal I believe)

Ah the baby-snatching squirrel. I remember that. Mwahahahaha!

At this point I'm fairly sure I have the position, training starts Dec 3rd and its 7am-3:30pm Mon-Fri, after training I can make my own hours 6am to 5pm and overtime is offered at different points of the year. I will just make it through training before the babies due and they seem fine with it. The job sounds fantastic, no talking to anyone other than coworkers and I get to listen to my iPod all day while working on messed up medical claims. The facility has a full gym onsite, free weights, machines and cardio equipment along with a personal trainer and nutritionist that is on staff. They also have a medical facility onsite that I can use if I sign up for insurance, which I might so the baby and I can be doubled insured.

Congratulations!!!! I hope everything pans out for you!

[Echo814]

I promise to get to everyones jornals later tonight. Right now I am sitting at the lab and just drank the most sweet orange drink I have ever had in my life. I must sit here for an hour before they vampire me and my phone will die soon. After this I shall go get my flu shot, Dr was was mad at me for not getting it yet. I've never had a flu shot and really don't want it.

[thehobbes]

Hey congrats on the awesome job!

For the sugar have you tried orange/apple juice? Not drinking it constantly but a little throughout the day, it's the most sugar-filled thing I can think of that isn't like oh hai let's go to the Cheesecake Factory 4x a day. I often wonder if there is a heaven, if that's what it's like - the Cheesecake Factory.

(And yes the band of wild squirrels is still my contingency plan if I were to end up with an infant, srs. Mothers, don't accidentally put your kid in my Costco cart.)

[gobbles23]

YAY! So many congrats to you- I'm so happy! It's good to know you're finally getting a break! You deserve it so much!

[hieronymous]

Congrats on the way better job!

[marathonmom262]

So much to catch up on!

First - YAY on the claims job - that will be SO much better for you on the hours, etc. Things are really coming together!

Second - beastly workout back there mama - I am so proud and impressed - you are really staying strong and pushing through some good work there at this point in your pregnancy. If I was wearing I hat I would totally take it off to you right now!

Did you get your results on your diabetes test yet? Yes those drinks are super sugary but I told you before - SO much easier now that it was 6 years ago when that bottle was 3x the size or more!

Flu shot - yep, I feel the same. Hubs and I are both kind of anti-shot but make sure the kids get the big vaccines they are supposed to (and they have to for school, etc). We skipped out on flu shots for them this year. I didn't get one when pregnant with my first, but my doctor was all over my butt about it with my second - really because that is when H1N1 was really big that year. I stood in line at a baseball stadium outside in the cold for 2.5 hours for that stupid shot. I was lucky though - after tons of people stood in line they were turned away when they ran out and would only give the shot to pregnant women and kids under a certain age so I got to stay and get mine. It would suck to get really sick with the baby - not good to get a high fever and not good to have to take major meds (I got really sick with a chest cold when pregnant with my son - didn't sleep more than 3 hours a night in the recliner for about 3 weeks - it was awful). I'd say just go get it and be done with it!

Oh - and I'm totally in on a journaling friends virtual baby shower too

[swooshie]

Oh....the yummy Gestational Diabetic test glucola drink ..... yuck! Did you pass?

Good news on the possibility of that job! Hope that pans out for you

[Echo814]

Thanks everyone! I got the job, I just need to pass another background check and drug test which I will schedule next week! Now I feel kinda bad over getting pissy when I had to jump through so many hoops with the last position there, at least it paved the way for one that I think will be far better, no talking to people on the phone! It's a little less per hour but I will take it if I don't have to talk to people. Customer service was my niche, but only because I was stupid and didn't go to college right after I graduated and got stuck in it, I'm so glad I got a decent paying job that will allow me to expand out of it

I haven't gotten the results of the glucose test yet, I'm guessing that if something was wrong I would have been alerted by now. My next appointment is on the 29th and they will measure him to make sure he is growing at the rate he is supposed to. My belly measured at 28in which is smack dab in the middle, the Dr does wants me to keep an eye on my gain, no more than 12lbs more so I need to keep it at a lb per week. I plan on 2100-2200 cals a day, which is 150 extra based off of the last 7 days of Body Media info, I burned 2800 cals on Monday by being on my feet and cashiering for 5 hours But then the rest of the week has been 1950-2200 cals so it evens out.

I will be going back to NM this weekend and maybe next for Thanksgiving, I'm probably going to quit Target since they are giving me 10 hours or less a week, after taxes I will get less than $50 a week and its just not worth it to me. I will be on my phone and lap top when I can.

[gobbles23]

Hi Erica! Customer service is a pain, but useful for so many job positions it seems! Glad you're getting away from that though- always nice to expand your experience so you can do more. I can understand why you don't like answering phones, that's all I was doing yesterday. Transferring people to extensions, and what a pain it is when they have strong accents you can't understand, or when the name of the person you need to transfer them to has a name no one can pronounce and you're trying to find it on a big list of pages. And then it's just ringing non-stop so you have to try to be quick about it...That's my job. Yay. lol! I love when I get to go back to my cubicle and work on scanning documents/writing emails I'm only at the reception desk for a few hours out of the week after this one, but man. Phone jobs are brutal! At least they don't complain about things though- I imagine call center/actual customer service stuff is a lot worse!

50 dollars is definitely not worth it- ouch!

Aww, have a wonderful weekend Erica!

[swooshie]

IT'S A VIRTUAL BABY SHOWER FOR ERICA!!!

Contact me, Swoosh, by PM and I'll send you the details!

[thehobbes]

^^^YAY, IN! BRB "FisherPrice Baby's First Power Rack."

[Redfizz]

Hooray!!!!

[Echo814]

I wonder if they make a babies first power rack

I wanted to take time to say how awesome everyone in this journal is and how much I value and appreciate all of you I'm truly blessed to know you ladies, even if its just on an internet forum

My weekend was good, we might be leaving again on Wed to celebrate Thanksgiving with the families, not sure if that will happen yet. On Sat we went out to dinner and I had a green chili chicken burrito, Spanish rice and a sopapilla with honey . After dinner we went over to friends house to watch the UFC fight, my friend bought some nonalcoholic wine for me and it wasn't to bad.

The babies been pretty active the past few days, could be he's getting big enough to feel things more than a solid kick I've spent some time on the baby registry and man are there some weird ass things like wipe warmers and vibrating, temperature reading baby bathtubs lol. When is see things like this it makes me wonder how the human race has survived for as long as it has

[gobbles23]

Hahaha! Some weird stuff on that registry!

Wasn't the main event super awesome!? I was kind of sad for Carlos, too- he's super awesome! I would have loved to see him win!

Hope you have a lovely thanksgiving- even if you guys don't make it home! Have some turkey and pie for me!

[Redfizz]

I am still trying to process "Wipe warmers". Is that like heated toilet seats for babies?

Glad you had a good weekend! (And I love the expression on the hippo.)