Recovering.

Woof.

Last Thursday, Henry and I were on the bus on our way home from a little shopping trip, when I felt that familiar feeling of hot, stomach discomfort, and...yep. I got sick on the bus. Not pretty. I got off as quickly as possible and made the long walk home, too smelly and embarrassed to get back on another bus.

The next day I was on my 4th trip to the bathroom, and I realized that I was actually sick or something, so I called my midwife and she asked me to come to the hospital to be rehydrated. I was very dehydrated when I got there, it had been over 24 hours since I'd been able to keep any food or drink in me and I was woozy and grumpy and worried. Luckily, a good friend came through for us and came over to watch Henry while Mark and I sat in the waiting room until I was finally admitted, then finally given some IV fluids. I felt better nearly immediately, but the doctor wanted me to stay overnight for monitoring. They also thought I had a virus so they wanted to keep me isolated to keep the infection at bay - which I didn't really understand fully until after I left the next day, but looking back everyone who entered my room was wearing gloves and a mask. I was too out of it to realize that's not standard protocol.

I held firm to my belief that this was just a pregnancy thing and I had a sensitive stomach. I felt pretty fine most of Saturday in the hospital, and when they let me go home Saturday evening, I thought I'd be back to my normal self. Fast forward to today...Tuesday...day 6 of the stomach bug. I must have had something pretty nasty because I'm finally just today starting to feel like myself again. I just ate my first food that wasn't white bread or pears or soup since Friday. I'm starting to feel like getting back to nesting, and I even considered taking Henry to the playground today (considered. instead I took a nap while he played a game on my iphone. parenting!).

I realized during these strange past 6 days how little my world is here, and how difficult it can be for someone in poor health. Mark has been doing absolutely everything, including grocery runs 3 times a day to satisfy my recovery stomach/pregnancy cravings. And I'll tell you - being 34 weeks pregnant with a 4 pound baby inside of you and hardly eating anything at all puts you in a MOOD. But now with a fridge fully stocked with broth, ginger ale, applesauce, and yogurt I'm ready to start feeling normal again - whatever that may be. And I'm feeling grateful for the support of friends we have when family is so far away.

Realizing we are less than 40 days until the due date is the only thing getting me through these long days. I forgot how truly uncomfortable and exhausting this last bit of pregnancy can be, especially after getting socked with a stomach bug, and it's a really nice thing it ends with a tiny little baby to cuddle.

too much of a good thing.

i guess because everything in life must have balance, this awesome beautiful weekend full of parties, movies, and hanging out with the hubs was just cancelled out by my sleepless sunday night and subsequent sick episode at work. in my office trashcan. i'm done for today.

What have I done the past 3 days?

A lot of this:
And this:
Aaaaaaaaaaand....this:
Eating at the 24 hour deli (the yummiest avocado sandwiches) Riding on Trains...Hello Brooklyn
Visiting my school. Columbia has a beautiful campus.

Waiting for Planes. And making flights (phew!)
No, that is not me in the black suit there. It was a very nice lady who helped Teen Heartthrob speed in front of lots of angry passengers so he could make his flight on time.

Stay tuned for an amazing TH story involving girl topics (men have the funniest notions of women things). Oh man, this one is priceless.

It's been awhile since TH was featured on the gnomie blog, but it seems as though he might become a more frequent character in the near to immediate future. Yes, yes it does.

Not the same

You know which song will get me fired up everytime?

Not the Same, Ben Folds (off the Rockin the Suburbs album).

I know, I know. Ben Folds is really an amazing musician, but I don't feel like people usually talk about him. His music is a bit mainstream, but I've seen him live (with Cara!) and he is a great performer. Throws his bench at the piano keys, swears at the crowd, and plucks the strings of the piano. Basically I wanted him to be my boyfriend. And still do.

But that song gets me for some reason. I've recently rediscovered this artist and its an excellent trip down memory lane. At the show he had all of us "ahhhhh" along with this song. Loved it. If you have a tough stomach, listen to his cover of Dr. Dre.

Anyway. Ya'll I've been under the weather for the entire past week. wtf? I know. Usually I'm like superwoman when it comes to disease and infection. It just doesn't get me. And even when it does, I fight it off and 2 days later I am a perfect speciman of health. But my gosh. This time it's different. I came down with a cough last week and it's progressed into a nice suffocating cold. Seriously I can't get rid. I've been od-ing on healthy food - OJ, soups, veggies, fruits, protein, etc. Ridiculous. I know why I'm still sick though:

WHEATGRASS JUICE

It is my super powered elixir. I take a swig of it and I'm better the next day - no joke. I didn't get sick for 3 years because of this plan. Now I'm in DC and I have only found one place in the district that sells it and THEY ARE OUT OF IT. They can't find any "good stuff" for sale, like its effing hash or something. Don't they know I'm suffering?

Here is what I did this weekend:
1. Laid around
2. Watched movies while doing item #1
3. Drank lots of fluids and ate tofu and oranges
4. Wore clothing in the categories of "housecoat" and "sweatpants"
5. Became more and more sick.

Now its Sunday evening and there are crumpled tissues lying all around my house. I've made up my mind: if I'm not better by Thursday I will cut my nose off. It's always been too pointy anyhow.