Baby Bray = Drama-Magnet?!

Do you notice anything unusual about the picture on the left? Not a week seems to be able to go by without some form of unusual excitement. Last Monday (January 26) we spent the better part of the evening at the after-hours clinic. Earlier in the day we learned that a student in Mark's class had Fifth Disease. Usually a benign childhood illness characterized by a rash that looks like slapped cheeks, Fifth disease can cause complications in a small number of pregnant women. We're wanting to take all precautions with this lil' one, so Mark and I got blood work done to see whether we'd been infected. I had just found out earlier in the day that I am not immune to Fifth disease. I've got my fingers crossed that Mark is, making the entire outbreak at his school a moot point. Until then, all we can do is wait the two weeks for the blood work to be completed.
Still, the drama continues! Thursday evening just before 6pm I was heading downtown to pick up my good friend Janelle, and our classmate Louis. We were going to go to our weekly pottery class. As I was going along Forest Hill Rd. a driver in a minivan pulled out in front of me to make a left hand turn. I breaked and he accelerated, but alas contact was made. First accident I've ever been involved in as a driver in my life! Funny how "first time ever" things like this decide to happen during this small 9 month gestational window.
I was fine after the impact, but a little spooked by the response of 2 fire trucks, an ambulance and three police cars. Felix brought Mark to the scene and he drove us to the hospital where we felt it best that I get checked out. We arrived at emerg just before 7:30pm and were seen by the doctor at 4am. What a wait! I slept a bit, but Mark was awake the entire time, mostly finalizing report card comments which were due to go home the next day. We got to see our little girl on the emerg ultrasound screen, moving around with a strong heartbeat. The doc recomended that we come back at 7:30am for a formal ultrasound - just to make sure that there's no bleeding under the placenta from the impact. We returned home shortly before 5am and Mark went in to school to prepare a lesson plan for the day. Fortunately I'd already planned to be out because they were re-tiling the science lab floor at my school. The adhesive they were using was apparently quite toxic and my principal had already asked me to plan to stay home.
After a brief sleep we returned to the hospital. Fortunately it didn't take very long for the ultrasound and subsequent report. A clean bill of health for baby and placenta. What a treat it was to see her again. Our sixth time, actually. She had her knees bent up by her mouth and appeared to be licking or sucking (?) them. We could see her opening and closing her mouth. Her little arms were extended in front of her face and above her head and her fingers were playing with each other. It's so amazing to have a little window into what is going on in there. The picture I've posted is a profile view of her. She's getting bigger, which I could have told you just based on the kickboxing sessions I'm privy to.
We came home reasssured and exhausted! We slept until 2:30pm and were kind of zombies for the rest of the day. Never having had to deal with insurance claims before, we're experiencing a crash lesson in the insurance industry. Our Subaru Wagon, Pepin, is off to be fixed and we have our fingers crossed that the cost is going to be less than the total value of the car. We'll keep you posted! Until then, stay safe and be extra careful when you're driving in winter weather. We've learned this week that your day can change in a heartbeat.
I'm going to leave you with a couple of parting pictures. We wound up with another snow day on Thursday. That brings my count for the year to 6 days off and Mark's to 5. Mark took this picture of our backyard. Believe it or not, he is standing on a pile of snow behind our retaining wall. This pile is so high that Mark is actually LEVEL with our deck, which we walk out to from the second story of the house. It's crazy! And more snow just seems to keep on coming.
Finally, here we have a picture of Mark from earlier this afternoon. He's reviewing report card comments in our living room with our little furry drop-in friend, Tiger. This cat is quite the piece of work, but has managed to endear him/herself to us. Be warned: the cat will expect treats from you and will play ping-pong with your leg as you walk by unless you become a treat dispenser.
Now go and have an awesome (but safe) day!