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November 21, 1998: We did some baby shopping today. I was really worried that we'd get into an arguement & ruin the rest of the day, which would be miserable. We left at 12:45 for Eugene. We went to Valley River Center & only went into maybe 5 or 6 stores. The stores we went into were way expensive, but I managed to but a few things anyway. We got the cutest fancy dress. It's gold with lace & so adorable! We'll probably have her wear it for her first pictures. It cost $20.00! But there were some that cost over $40.00. I really think it's worth it. It'll be a keepsake. We bought a couple other outfits & socks.

At the book store, I found an interesting breastfeeding book and also a book called "Our Baby- the first year". It's really a good book and I'm sure it will be very helpful.
   As we were paying for the books, I was starting to feel faint & I knew that was a bad sign. I didn't say anything right at first, but as we were walking out of the book store; I had no choice but to grab Matt's arm, to keep from falling down. I started getting extremely weak & I was sweating all over & things started going black! My vision was getting worse by the second. I said "Matt! Matt! I've got to sit down somewhere. I'm going to pass out!" It took a few long minutes to find an empty table. I thought I was going to die! I've never felt so terrified. I have felt like that while standing in the bathroom, in front of the mirror, but immediatly I layed down on the bathroom floor, until it went away.
   By the time I was able to finally sit down, I could barely see. People were shadows & my legs were spaghetti, my body was covered in sweat. I layed my head down on the table & just sat there for a while. I was scared to get up. But after sitting there a while, I began to feel better. We decided that we were done shopping & decided to eat at the Olive Garden. Neither of us had ate there before & it wasn't far from the mall. I'm glad we went there- it was great! It was kind-of a romantic setting. You get breadsticks, salad & soup before the meal, if you want it. I could live on those breadsticks- the alfredo sauce that you dip them in, is so delicious! I ate a ton. Matt had a salad & I had a little bit of soup. My soup was like an Italian chili. It was okay. I managed to get down 2 ice teas & Matt had 2 pepsis. I got this strange spaghetti-like dish (angel-hair pasta with tiny chunks of tomato). It was okay. I didn't eat much of it, though. Matt got fettechine alfredo & he liked it a lot. I tasted it & I thought maybe I should have ordered that instead; it tasted really good!
   I wanted to stop at the Heritage Mall on the way home. At Sears, we bought an infant car seat & socks. We went to Target & bought a baby swing (with a Noah's Ark theme). The carseat had a sea life theme. I also bought bottles, a bottle brush, saftey plugs (for electrical outlets), a pink blanket, a couple outfits, a head thing that you put in the car seat to keep the baby's head from moving all over- I guess that's about it. I really feel a sence of accomplishment. At least I got to mark a few things off my list & we finally got a start!

November 25, 1998:                    Tomarrow is Thamksgiving. We went grocery shopping today & spent $84.00. I swear everyone & their dog was there (practically), doing there last minute Thanksgiving dinner shopping. It was so crowded. We got chicken & rice Chinese food for dinner. I was starving! We stopped at Walmart & bought a Noah's Ark baby lamp for the nursery that I've been looking at for a long time. Also, we got 2 sleepers, a bootie/hat set & a Noah's Ark hooded bath towel. At least we're getting things now. When I get my money, I won't have much left after buying Matt's Christmas presents, odds & ends and other Christmas stuff, but I would love to spend hundreds of dollars on baby items- it'd be fun!
   For Thanksgiving dinner tomarrow, I didn't know what to bring, so I made a wild berry sparkling jello. I put banana slices on top. I think it should be good. I hope everyone at least tries it. If I feel halfway alive in the morning, I might take he time & effort to curl my hair. .....

November 28, 1998:                            Thanksgiving went exceptionally well. Everyone was pretty friendly towards me. The food was great & it felt good to fill up. This was the first Thanksgiving I spent with Matt at his parent's house. Last year, I went with my mom, my youngest brother & his daughter to Shari's restaurant.
   Yesterday, I got up at 5:00 a.m. Can you believe that! But it was worth it- I went shopping! Matt's mom, g-ma and sister picked me up at 6:15 and we were off. They had a cup of coffee ready for me, which was so nice! I didn't feel too good before we left- I felt really sick to my stomach, like I hadn't eaten (I did get down some cherrios & a banana). I also felt like I was half asleep. We went to a lot of stores around Albany. While standing in line at Fred Meyer (the line was amazingly long!), I started to feel shaky & light-headed & I started to sweat. I knew what was happening. Matt's sister paid for my stuff, while I desperatly tried to find some place to sit down. There was no place! I went into the bathroom, but there was a long line there, too. But luckily as I went in, Matt's mom was coming out & I told her how I felt. I went outside with her & sat on a kid ride (that you put 25 cents in). She got me some apple juice, that the store had for free in the front. I started to feel better.
   I didn't feel completely better until we stopped at Elmer's (I'd never ate there before) at about 10:00 a.m. I was starving. I ordered a cheddar cheese omlet with hash browns, toast & decaf coffee. I felt so much better after I ate. While shopping, I bought a baby outfit, bib, plush hanging toy (with 2 stuffed animals & a rattle hanging from it) , a gift for my step niece- who was having a baby shower (today), and Christmas stuff like wrapping paper. I also bought a medicine cabinet, that we really needed.
   When we got back into Lebanon, we stopped at a second-hand store that carries women & baby clothes & baby furnature. They had lots of cute baby clothes that were 50% off. I got some sleepers and an adorable pair of shoes. I'll definitly have to go back there! I got home about 12:30 p.m.
   My step-mom, Alberta; picked me up at 2:30 to go to my step neice's baby shower. The baby shower was held at my step neice's parents house. There were only 7 of us. It seemed like everyone was pregnant (my step neice, me and the only friend that showed up was 8 months pregnant!) I got home around 6:00.

December 1, 1998:                          I am now 5 months & 1 week pregnant! I can't believe it's December already. I've only got 4 more months until Shaina is born. On Sunday, we went up in the snow; towards Hoo Doo. We had the video camera & I took some pictures. It was snowing & very cold. We picked the dogs up from my Dad's and took them with us. The dogs had so much fun, since they never get to go anywhere.

December 3, 1998:                      I got up at 8:00 a.m. and Matt's g-ma picked me up to go shopping. At Target, I bought a baby moniter, baby clothes hangers & for Matt's present; a playstation game. Come to find out (when I got home), Matt already has it! I was so disappointed. I got even madder, when I looked for the reciept & discovered that the guy hadn't given me one! I'll exchange it for a football game, I guess.
   We went to Fred Meyer & ate at their little burger place. Then, I bought a 2- piece pink baby outfit, more socks, 2 bibs, nail clippers & a tiny barett for Shaina, plus a new phone for Matt (for Christmas).... I got home about 2:30 & wrapped Matt's gifts, before he got home from work.
   Yesterday was my Dr.'s appt. I'm 21 weeks along. The doctor said everything's fine. My stomach measured 19" and my blood pressure, urine, and weight is normal; although I've only gained 1 pound. Well, 2 pounds altogether. That means I need to gain another 20 in the next 4 months. I doubt I can. Anyway, I go back into the Dr.'s the day before my B-day for my next check-up (in abt. 1 month).