journey of life

If we have a little girl, I might have to dig up my old pom poms for Matt.

Which of the following kitchen appliances do we not have in our possession?

a.  microwave
b.  quesadilla maker
c.  fondue set
d.  coffee pot 

Being pregnant, everyday you learn that there’s something else you need to avoid. Recently, I was informed that I should also avoid which of the following?

a. steak sauce
b. Tylenol
c. avocados
d. Tums

Things are kind of hectic ’round here. June is full of celebrations and it just so happens that Father’s day, Matt’s birthday, Margie’s birthday, Ella’s birthday and my aunt Sissy’s birthday all fall on the same week. So, here’s a belated happy birthday to them all, and don’t worry, Margie, I won’t let anybody know you turned the big 6-0.

However, I realized my limitations as a pregnant lady last week, while whipping up a special birthday dinner for Matt. What’s the one thing I made on his birthday that pooped me out?

a. fondue
b. souffle
c. coconut cake
d. peach pie

Last week we did something we haven’t done since we moved from Richmond.  What was it?

a.  Went to the movies.
b.  Ordered takeout pizza.
c.  Washed the car.
d.  Hung out at a pool.

It seems rather inappropriate to post about my various pregnancy symptoms and ailments this week, with what all has happened. Minor heartburn and uncomfortableness pales in comparison to Lindsay’s death, and the death of the infant she was carrying. Hearing of yet another loss heightens my awareness of how fragile life is and how often we take that for granted.

Last night while reading The Pregnancy Book by Dr. William Sears I discovered that the numbness in my upper left leg is probably due to the uterus pressing on the femoral nerve.  I guess I shouldn’t read so much…otherwise I wouldn’t have FOUND THIS OUT!  I’m going to call around, possibly make an appointment with a neurologist just to make sure everything is fine.  I’m reading that many pregnant women experience this (obviously, since I found out about it in a pregnancy book), but want to double check.  My feet are also starting to swell ever so slightly and just be uncomfortable.  I’m off to bed shortly and plan on elevating them to see if that helps.

Moving around can be uncomfortable at times, but bending over is the worst.  I soaked my feet earlier this week and attempted a pedicure, which was a disaster because of how uncomfortable it made me.  I’m taking Tums on an almost daily basis to combat heartburn, but (knock on wood) the past couple of days haven’t been so bad, maybe because I have been trying to squat instead of bend over?

It feels so tacky posting this, but I’m just going ahead and doing it.  It’s the easiest way to get the information out there for all to see.

To make things simple, we registered at two places, Target and Abby’s Lane.  Target is really close to us, which makes exchanges/returns easier, since Wal-Mart is farther down the road. Abby’s Lane is an online boutique that offers specific items not easily found in mainstream department stores.  For personal reasons, we chose not to register at any baby superstore (i.e. Babies”R”Us).

The majority of the items listed on the registries are somewhat brand specific, chosen after reading reviews and such.  However, if you can find the item used and in good shape that’s great. Also, colors don’t matter, so if you can find a discontinued color on sale for cheaper, go for it. If you have any questions about a product, just email or call me.

Yes, our registry is sparse. Reasons why:

a. My friend, Gwen, is giving me a pile of baby loot.  Bless her soul.  
b. We have gathered several items through freecycle.  Gotta love freecycle.
c. We are planning on using cloth diapers and breastfeeding.
d. We don’t know the sex of the baby, which makes it hard to register because there aren’t many gender neutral items out there.
e. We highly encourage people to buy used items through ebay/yard sales/thrift stores and the like.

There are several items not included on the registries.

Clothes: We actually prefer to have used clothes. It’s ridiculous to pay for new onesies/sleepers/undershirts/you name it when you can perfectly fine ones used. We won’t be offended in the least to find used baby clothes (washed and in presentable condition, of course!) wrapped up.

Books: Again, used is preferred.

Toiletries: Baby soaps, lotions and the like. Controversy has been swarming over the past year about baby toiletries. Phthalates are found in most products, so we are considering using products that are phthalate-free.  The most mainstream line of products that has phthalate-free baby stuff is Burt’s Bees. We are hopeful that our little one doesn’t have sensitive skin or allergies, but unfortunately, the odds are against that being the case. If for some reason, we need to choose something less harsh, California Baby is a highly recommended line of products.

As time goes on, I am sure we will add more items, but this at least gives people something to work with.

Lindsey Schafer Pankey
(May 6, 1982 - June 1, 2008)

Lindsay Schafer Pankey, 26, and her infant daughter, Tyler Grace Pankey, passed away June 1, 2008 in Cocoa, Fl. Lindsay, who was born in Suffolk, was a 2000 graduate of Southampton Academy, a 2004 graduate of Radford University, and earned her Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Communications Disorders from Old Dominion University. She was a member of Grace Memorial United Methodist Church. Left to cherish their memory is her husband, Jonathan Bartlett Pankey; her parents, Chris and Rita Winstead Schafer of Courtland; her sisters, Katie Schafer of Blacksburg, and Anna Schafer of Harrisonburg; father and mother-in-law, Walt and Gail Pankey of Bedford; and two sisters-in-law, Angela Davis and husband, Bev, and Melissa Campbell and husband, Kevin, and her beloved nieces and nephews, Avery and B Davis, and Kennedy, Spencer, and Pierce Campbell. Cherished not only by her friends and family, Lindsay was devoted to her career as a Speech Therapist and loved by her patients. Always an outspoken member of the family, Lindsay could light up a room by simply walking in the door. Treasured by the youngest children and revered by the most senior, she had no strangers in her life and enriched all whom she touched. A funeral service will be conducted Friday at 11am at Grace Memorial United Methodist Church, Sedley, with the Rev. Mary Marshall and the Rev. Elizabeth von Trapp Walker officiating. Interment will follow in Rosemont Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 pm Thursday at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and suggests memorials be made to the American Juvenile Arthritis Organization, 1330 West Peachtree Street, Suite 100, Atlanta, Ga. 30309, or Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23509.

I am a disgrace to my generation, because I am not a fan of many films of the late 1970s and 1980s. Of the following flicks below, which one have I actually seen all the way through AND enjoy?

a. Back to the Future
b. Star Wars
c. Raiders of the Lost Ark
d. The Princess Bride