No More China Food

I have been through a roller coaster of emotions these past few days. It all Started Thursday morning when I realized that I really wasn't going to be going to the Cook-Off this year. The Rodeo Cook-Off is my favorite time of year in Houston and we look forward to going every year. I can't remember the last time I haven't been. So, I was feeling a little blue on Thursday knowing that Brian was going to get to go and have a good ole time and I was going to be left sitting at home alone. For those of you that know me, I don't do well by myself. Brian kept telling me that I was the one holding me back from going, but I just knew that I would be the Debbie Downer, the one in the corner yawning, and it was just a little too much walking and standing for me. So, I had to pass, knowing that July it would all be worth it. So, as the morning progressed, I started becoming increasingly hormonal. I started tearing up and I just had to get out of work. So, during my off period, I took a drive to get some lunch and just let it rip. I guess this is the hormonal crying binge that every woman goes through. Surprisingly, this has been the first one I've had. I don't think it was completely about Cook-Off, but it had a lot to do with it.

So anyways, I go back to work and finish my day. Through out the day I have to deal with a bunch of kids who don't want to work and listen, so, that doesn't help much either. I then go home to veg out. I catch up on my shows and decide to watch Love Happens. I was totally expecting a romantic comedy, not a movie completely devoted to DEATH!! So, what do I do??? I once again bawl, this time uncontrollably. Now, it's time for bed. I fall asleep just fine, but wake up at 1 am to go to the restroom and can't get back to sleep. Brian is out with his friends and I start worrying about him. I then start worrying about work and things going on there. The list of worries go on and on. I finally manage to get back to sleep some time after three, just before it is time to get up again.

When I go to put my rings on, I notice my fingers are a little swollen, but don't think much of it. As Friday morning goes on, I notice my fingers are really swollen and the ladies at work talk to me about stress, relaxing and my blood pressure. They convinced me to go check my BP in the nurses office. My BP was 151 over 103. You have to understand that I have never had BP problems and I don't know what normal or high, for that matter, is. The nurse was really concerned and made me call my doctor. Then the doctor tells me to get to Labor and Delivery immediately!! Here comes the freaking out! I'm trying to stay calm, but L&D? That just sounds scary! I get to the hospital and my BP has barely gone down, they start an IV and decide to admit me for 24 hours!

By the time I actually get up to L&D, my BP is almost back to normal but they still need to check my urine for 24 hours. So, as we are talking about things that I've done and things that I've eaten, I realize that I had Lo Mein on Thursday night. I needed some comfort food to make me feel better! The funny thing is, I don't typically put Soy Sauce on my China food, but I felt it needed it. Hence the swelling and the high BP. Combine the China food with all my worries and my hormonal break down and up spikes my BP. Needless to say, Brian didn't get to go back to the cook off and we were stuck in the hospital till 4 pm the next day. Now I have to watch my sodium intake and NO MORE CHINA FOOD for the next four months. This is not going to be easy with the way I cook, but I guess I'm going to have to try. All in all, I'm doing OK, I'm just very tired from the lack of sleep due to the nurses coming in and out all night to check my BP.

BUT there was one good thing about our trip to the hospital. We got to officially find out the we are having our first baby GIRL!! I already knew it, but Brian just wouldn't believe it till we saw her again. We have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday for our official 20 week visit, but I guess my body wanted to find out sooner! Alexis Hope Mannion will be here in July. She is VERY active and wouldn't sit still during the ultrasound. There was no denying that we are having a baby girl. She was spread eagle, ready to show her Daddy all her glory and he is now 100 percent convinced and very happy. We didn't get a picture but I will for sure post one once we get one this week.