O the fun of traveling. I left on Saturday until Tuesday to a conference in NC. Traveling there went very easy and the conference was very good. Went with a couple of colleagues. But the return trip was not so good. We were flying out of Greenville, SC. Our flight was on USairways leaving at 5pm so we get there around 3:30pm and found out that the plane was delayed until 7pm. Okay�this is a VERY small airport but very pretty so we looked around and got to our gate and relaxed. Then it was announced that our flight was cancelled. What!! And that was the only flight out to Philly. So after a few different tries, they got us rerouted to Philly through Delta with a connection flight in Atlanta, GA leaving at 7:30pm. Okay not too bad! So we ate dinner and off to the gate. When it came time to load and we were actively loading, there was an announcement that the plane would be delayed. But they put us on the plane so we would be ready to jet off when allowed. An hour and half later we took off. Our connecting flight in Atlanta was delayed too (thank goshness) so we get off our plane and find out that the connecting flight is on the other side of the airport (we were at gate E and had to go to gate T). Now here�s the best part � walking as fast as you can with carry-on through shuttle trains and walk-ways, my poor feet was larger than an elephant leg. Finally got there and we were the last ones boarding. And finally we got off and got into Philly around 1am (2am at our apartment) when we were suppose to be in at 7pm. What a day! The only thing told to us why this happened was some type of mechanical problems. At least we got home safe.
Right before I went on this trip, Karl and I attempted to put together the baby crib. We had picked it up the week before and started putting it together when we realized a) it was NOT the crib we ordered, and b) even if we wanted this crib it had ALL the wrong parts. So I directed Karl to return it on Sat. to the place and get us our true crib. So Karl goes to the store and they were very nice � took the old crib back and found out that the manufacturer messed up in the packaging because they are changing the style of this crib and two different cribs parts were put in the package. So Karl gets our crib and makes them open it and show him how to put it together. I�m checking on this on Sat. and Sun. day. Sunday night Karl tells me �o .. the place called and some pieces are missing and they have it�. I was like, didn�t you check the box when you got home which you told me you did and he goes�..�I just assumed�. �Don�t worry they are mailing the pieces�. Well, the pregnant demon came out and I wasn�t� very happy with Karl. Finally, he went the next day and picked up the pieces and we had our crib. So this week when I returned we put the crib together and it was so easy to put it together. The nursery room is complete now � we put up all the fun stuff that we got from the showers and it�s just missing one thing: the Luka baby.
Last thing, we had another child birthing class. This one was hilarious because the instructor passed out to each one of us items that we (or the women) will receive and use after birth. Pads, creams, ice packs, cooling strips, etc. The husbands in the room were so funny holding these items and not knowing what they were for. Our instructor is so passive about this all. �ooo� You put it there.. and � when my hand was up a lot asking �exactly what do you do with these things and where do you put them?� That really helped the men in the room understand those items in their hands. So after 9 and half (10 really) months of being pregnant, then a messy birth that is painful, you have 6 more weeks of fun stuff to take care of. I think there should be a �kit� for the partners that they should have to wear and deal with (at least for 6 weeks). I know their job is to take care of us during the pregnancy and afterwards and it�s not easy dealing with all the emotions and hormones that comes along with having a child but geez wizz, there�s just so much for the mother to do and be concerned about (weight, breastfeeding, private parts, etc.). O the fun is just around the corner!
This was a very busy week for the luka household. First on Monday, we had an ultrasound to check on how the baby is doing. OOO�. Luakroo is quite well at 6 pounds and 2 ounces. We should have one more right at the end of the month if �you make it that far� said the technician, and again at my doctor�s appointment. �You�re ahead so we�ll see how you do�. Okay! Great I�m going to give birth to a watermelon at this rate.
On Tuesday night, we attended a breastfeeding class. This was very useful and educational � learned a lot about how to make these torpedoes work for a little mouth. Karl and the other men in the room were a bit skirmish while watching the breastfeeding video which again was VERY visual and detailed. Overall a great class.
Then on Wednesday had the last childbirthing class. Karl had to missed because his softball team were playing in the championship game which they won making them THE best church softball league in Newark. They are very proud of this. Anyways back to the class, it was taught by someone else who was very good at explaining all the details of taking care of a newborn. We had baby dolls to work with, learning how to change diapers, clean the baby, and hold it. Wonderful class!! It was hard to leave at the end because all the couples liked each other so hopefully will see them in the hospital since most of us are having babies on the same day.
On Thursday I had a doctor�s appointments, which are going to be weekly now on until lukaroo arrives. I got to meet another doctor from the practice and she was very cool. At this appointment had to do an internal exam and checked my cervix � nothing there!!! She then asked me �so do you think you�ll go for 5 weeks?� and I asked her �do you think I�ll make it?� Nope!!! She said. O boy!!! Baby is gaining weight at a quarter to half pound a week � watermelon stomach here I come.
For the past month Karl and I have been researching and looking at getting a new car for him, replacing his 1986 Chevrolet Nova. He got to test drive many different cars and then Friday decided on a Toyota Matrix. We had some we looked at a different dealerships, and were going to start bargaining. Then I looked at craigslist.com (a free classified ad service online) and found some Matrixes and one particular one that had only 2600 miles on it and it was a 2005. It was in Arlington, VA and we happened to be going to my sister�s for a visit on Saturday. So on Saturday we went and looked at it. The owner was a retired professor, moving back home to Arizona in three weeks. The car is light blue, under warranty, and asking price was WAY under its value. So we BOUGHT IT!!!! Unreal!!!! WE agreed on a price, and then on Monday (8/8) we got the car loan and went and picked it up. We are just so excited. It�s a great car and had everything we want. Karl�s just so excited! A car in this decade for him and his first new car ever! So we have a car, baby seat is in, classes are over, and we�re ready for lukaroo to arrive.