We had an appointment at the hospital today for the 25-week ultrasound. Since it wasn't until 10:45, we decided to go see some "guarderias" (day-care centers) before, as well as the school right across the street from where we live, where the girls will be starting when they're 3 years old. We were positively surprised by what we saw - open, spacious places with outdoor playgrounds for the kids, helpful, smiling, kind people everywhere we went, it was wonderful.
We arrived at the hospital about 45 minutes early, and the doctor told us it wasn't a problem, there was only 1 lady before us. "Great" we thought, "we'll get in early". Yeah, right...
At 10:45 the lady before us had still not gone in. She was Chinese and didn't speak any Spanish or Catalan, so they were waiting for a translator. I guess she had disappeared somewhere or was really busy, coz at about 11:00 they called in the Chinese lady and there was still no translator.
At 11:45, 1 hour later than scheduled, we were finally called in. Since they were behind schedule, everything was done really quickly, and we didn't even get to see the girls properly, what a disappointment! But at least we were told that all 3 of us are doing great, which is the most important thing!
Last time we were at the hospital the doctor had given me a prescription for some medication which would help the dizzy-spells I was getting. I ran out about 1 week ago, and can feel the dizzyness coming back, so today I meant to ask my doctor whether I am allowed to continue with the medication, or whether it's too strong and it's better not to take anymore. I told her the medication she prescribed last time ran out about a week ago, to which she replied
"Yes, there's no medication which will last for 9 months".
"No, I'm aware of that", I replied, "I was just wondering whether it's possible to buy a new batch or whether ..."
"Yes", she interrupted, "I think it's possible to buy more at the pharmacy".
"Ok, thank you. I was just wondering whether I was allowed to continue with it, or whether it was too strong".
"I wouldn't prescribe medication which you aren't allowed to take".
Ok, at this point I decided that she must be in a bad mood today, and stopped asking more questions. At least I know I'm OK, our girls are OK, and I bought more medication this afternoon to make sure it stays this way!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Operation Satellite Dish
This weekend we finally installed our satellite dish. Back in June 2009 we bought a new apartment, which we moved into in Oct 2009 after refurbishing it completely. One of the first things we did was ask permission to put up our satellite dish - it was turned down in Dec. We then complained that there were already about 5 on the roof, why were we not allowed? So last week Thursday, 3 months later, we finally got written permission. Every Saturday morning Albert has Chinese class 10-12, Friday afternoon he went out and bought a drill, screws, etc to have everything ready for Saturday. As soon as he came home from Chinese, the project started.
It started out really well, first part was to drill a 42 cm long hole from our livingroom and through the facade of the building. That was what we were most worried about, but it went smoothly. We figured the worst part was over now, and went on the roof to put up the satellite dish. And this was where the problems started... We measured out the 4 holes we needed to drill, but when we put the screws in the wall, the hole just got bigger and bigger as the wall slowly crumbled away under his fingers. After 2-3 tries, the screws were so damaged we had to leave the project so Albert could go and buy new screws. Since we sometimes don't think (and since the screws were quite expensive), he only bought 4 new ones. After another 2-3 tries, these screws were useless... Once again, Albert went to the shop, and this time bought 8 new screws. By the time he came back it was dark, so we were on the roof drilling holes using a flashlight. Nothing seemed to want to work, and eventually we gave up. The next morning we tried again, and after a total of 24 holes we finally managed to find a stable place in a wall which faced (more or less) in the right direction. And very surprisingly it only took very few tries to find the channels and get the dish installed correctly. So we now have German TV again, as well as some English news channels. It's wonderful!!
It started out really well, first part was to drill a 42 cm long hole from our livingroom and through the facade of the building. That was what we were most worried about, but it went smoothly. We figured the worst part was over now, and went on the roof to put up the satellite dish. And this was where the problems started... We measured out the 4 holes we needed to drill, but when we put the screws in the wall, the hole just got bigger and bigger as the wall slowly crumbled away under his fingers. After 2-3 tries, the screws were so damaged we had to leave the project so Albert could go and buy new screws. Since we sometimes don't think (and since the screws were quite expensive), he only bought 4 new ones. After another 2-3 tries, these screws were useless... Once again, Albert went to the shop, and this time bought 8 new screws. By the time he came back it was dark, so we were on the roof drilling holes using a flashlight. Nothing seemed to want to work, and eventually we gave up. The next morning we tried again, and after a total of 24 holes we finally managed to find a stable place in a wall which faced (more or less) in the right direction. And very surprisingly it only took very few tries to find the channels and get the dish installed correctly. So we now have German TV again, as well as some English news channels. It's wonderful!!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The first 6 months
I'm 35 years old and 6 months pregnant with twins. All my life, this has been my dream and though it hasn't been a dance on roses, both my husband and I are thrilled!!
Some background information - the pregnancy wasn't planned (at least not for it to happen just yet), so the positive pregnancy test was the first big surprise. After a long night at the ER because of extreme stomach cramps when I was about 6 weeks, I was told there were 2. When I came out into the waiting room, Albert said "you don't need to tell me, I know what you're going to say". My face had been a complete mixture of indescribably joy - my dream had come true! - and total fear - how will I tell Albert? But after a few days he was just as thrilled as me!
The first 4 months were terrible, I had so-called morning sickness 24 hours a day, I lost 5.5 kilos and puked non-stop. After about 4 months, the puking stopped and a few weeks later the worst of the nausea stopped. However, I have always loved food but I still struggle, and at times have to force myself to eat.
On March 1st the doctors told me I had to stop working. I should rest and just enjoy being pregnant - I'm still allowed to do my pregnancy yoga, meet friends for coffee and enjoy life, I'm just not allowed to do anything physically or mentally exhausting. The best doctor's order I've ever received!
So, now that I'm 6 months into my pregnancy, I've suddenly decided to write about it. Why? Because so much happens every day and it's just impossible to remember what happens when. Since this is a time I would like to remember fondly, I have decided to write about it and write both the good and the bad things. Unfortunately I mainly remember the first 4 months as being terrible, but I know there have been good times as well, and I want to make sure that I remeber the good times from now on.
One constant good thing in my life has been Albert and the support I'm getting from family, friends and colleagues. Thank you all for that!
Albert has been taking such good care of me, the house and our 2 cats that I can only say I must be blessed with the best husband in the world. Not that he's perfect, nobody is, but he's prefect for me!
This was a quick re-cap, from now on I will write more of a dairy style posts.
Now it's off to sleep, goodnight and sweet dreams.
Some background information - the pregnancy wasn't planned (at least not for it to happen just yet), so the positive pregnancy test was the first big surprise. After a long night at the ER because of extreme stomach cramps when I was about 6 weeks, I was told there were 2. When I came out into the waiting room, Albert said "you don't need to tell me, I know what you're going to say". My face had been a complete mixture of indescribably joy - my dream had come true! - and total fear - how will I tell Albert? But after a few days he was just as thrilled as me!
The first 4 months were terrible, I had so-called morning sickness 24 hours a day, I lost 5.5 kilos and puked non-stop. After about 4 months, the puking stopped and a few weeks later the worst of the nausea stopped. However, I have always loved food but I still struggle, and at times have to force myself to eat.
On March 1st the doctors told me I had to stop working. I should rest and just enjoy being pregnant - I'm still allowed to do my pregnancy yoga, meet friends for coffee and enjoy life, I'm just not allowed to do anything physically or mentally exhausting. The best doctor's order I've ever received!
So, now that I'm 6 months into my pregnancy, I've suddenly decided to write about it. Why? Because so much happens every day and it's just impossible to remember what happens when. Since this is a time I would like to remember fondly, I have decided to write about it and write both the good and the bad things. Unfortunately I mainly remember the first 4 months as being terrible, but I know there have been good times as well, and I want to make sure that I remeber the good times from now on.
One constant good thing in my life has been Albert and the support I'm getting from family, friends and colleagues. Thank you all for that!
Albert has been taking such good care of me, the house and our 2 cats that I can only say I must be blessed with the best husband in the world. Not that he's perfect, nobody is, but he's prefect for me!
This was a quick re-cap, from now on I will write more of a dairy style posts.
Now it's off to sleep, goodnight and sweet dreams.
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