Tonsillitis, Anyone?

I did get into the doctor this morning. Thank goodness. Turns out I DO have tonsillitis. Doctor put me on Amoxicillian and told me not to breathe on anyone or kiss anyone for 48 hours since I was contagious. Hopefully, my poor hubby and kiddo won't catch this. But doc said he was happy I was able to get in before I began to run a fever and had to go into the ER over the weekend, but he still wants me to check my temperature every four hours and take my pills three times a day for ten days.

I was still able to get the kiddo over to the hair salon this afternoon and get her bangs cut and my eyebrows waxed (which they DESPERATELY needed). The only issue I ran into was the Stau (German word for: traffic jam) on the way home. I almost hit some idiot that jumped out in front of me on his bike and then the dumbass behind me honks his horn at me for slamming on my breaks. I'm like, "Ok, I didn't want to kill someone...HELLO!" Not to mention, they either want to drive 20 UNDER the speed limit or 20 OVER. Seriously, make up your minds! I swear, European drivers are NUTS.

I am hoping we get to do something this weekend besides sit in the hotel. I know I am sick, but if I am out and about, I don't feel like such a hermit. BAH.

Schniztel, Castles, and Tonsillitis

Today, my family and I went out on the SNO (Stuttgart Newcomers Orientation) tour that is provided free of charge by the local ACS (Army Community Services). Of course, we had to pay for food, public transportation, and entry into a castle, but it was well worth it and cheaper than having to hire a tour guide.

On our first stop, we went to the subway station where we got a brief explanation on how to use the subway system, amongst a bit of other public transportation. Ask me if I got all of what she was saying and I will tell you no, but my daughter thought her first subway ride was AMAZING and can't wait to do it again.

Then we stopped and had a quick snack (while still in the subway station). I grabbed a danish type looking thing filled with creamed spinach. It was surprisingly good. My daughter and husband thought otherwise, but that was fine...more for me!

Next, we headed to downtown Stuttgart and got a view of the palace where the last emperor lived for a short period. Kaiser Wilhelm II reined from 27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941 and was also the King of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. 

Emperor Wilhelm II, circa 1890

We also got to visit the market while we were downtown, which I plan on visiting more in the future. It was full of fresh fruits and vegetables along with a beautiful array of flowers and jams. It is also where the Christmas market will be held from the end of November until 23 December. That sounds exciting!

After the downtown visit, we went in Honau, Germany which is about an hour drive from Stuttgart, to Lichtenstein Castle. We ate just down the hill where I ordered authentic German schniztel, fries and a salad (shared it with my daughter who thought it was delicious) and my husband had the beef goulash which he said was quite good as well (which is surprising since he is such a picky eater).

Next, after the lunch, we headed up the hill to Lichtenstein Castle which was extremely beautiful! It is now privately owned by a nephew of the original family, but is open to the public (of course no one lives there). My daughter has now decided she wants to live in a castle someday. If she only knew how cold that place got in the winter she might decide she wants an updated version!

Lichtenstein Castle coming up the hill.

Side tower.

Fortress located further up the hill.

The mountain that the castle is built on.

View from the castle - looking down to the city of Honau, Germany.

All, in all, we had a very good day and had a wonderful time on the tour. We want to go back soon and visit again, with our camera instead of our phones, and take much better pictures. We look forward to doing it in the near future!

Unfortunately, I woke up this morning with a sore throat. I thought, originally, it might have been because my nose was clogged and I had been breathing through my mouth all night, except by bedtime again, the pain had not gone away, plus, around noon, I began to get a stiff neck that is unruly. Upon further investigation, I looked and my tonsils are red and swollen with white bumps beginning to form. I have a feeling it might be tonsillitis (due to the stiff neck...that can generally tell the difference between strep and tonsillitis). I am going to call the doc first thing and hope they can get me in and not make me wait. The last thing I need is to spring up a fever with this pregnancy. Ugh. Oh well. C'est la vie.

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Today started out lovely, after I got the kid off to school (of course she complained the entire way because she didn't like how her dress fit but refused to change clothes), and kissed the hubby goodbye as he left for work, I went down to the second floor to do some laundry (if you didn't know, we are still living in a hotel).

So, I get downstairs and there is only one washer open. I figure, "Alright, I will put one load in down here and go up to the fourth floor to do the other load." So after I load my first load into the wash, I head upstairs. All three washers are full. I decide to go up to the sixth floor and try there.

When I entered the sixth floor laundry room, one washer was going, two others were empty. There was a puddle on the floor with a shirt in it, but I figured someone just must have spilled something. I tossed some socks into the washer and heard them slosh. Ugh. There was stinky water in the bottom of the washer. I pulled the socks out, which were now soaked with this old washer water and tossed them into the second washer and loaded it with the rest of the load. I closed the door, put in the soap and pressed the "ON" switch. Nothing. I looked over and saw that several lights were blinking. I sighed and pulled my clothes out only to find that everything on the bottom was now wet and smelly. I angrily tossed everything into the dryer and stormed off, figuring that I would come back up and take the clothes from the dryer and back down to the second floor and put them into the washer I was using on the first load once it was finished.

So after 3 hours, I got two loads of laundry finished. Not too bad, I guess. I shouldn't be so greedy when it comes to washers. Patience is a virtue, right? I'm just moody...I blame it on pregnancy, my husband blames it on me being female (Ppppfffftttt).

I had to pick up the kiddo from school early today due to a dentist appointment. She had her appointment at 12.30 and I had mine at 12.50. Turns out Amélie is doing great and just needs a cleaning.

Mine on the other hand, needs a cleaning AND a filling, but they won't do that until after the baby is born so they can get some proper x-rays.

After the dentist, we headed over to the local hospital, to my appointment with the doctor to review my glucose levels. As soon as I walked through the hospital doors, some man approached me and (I THINK) tried to sell me insurance or something to do with a health plan. Fortunately for me, all I had to say was, "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" He looked at me and shook his head saying "Nein". I was honestly a bit thankful for that!

Anyway, turns out my glucose levels are a bit high at night (probably from living at the Marriott for a month and eating sandwiches and Ramen Noodles the entire time). It should go down now that I can actually COOK dinner in this hotel since we have a stove top.

Yesterday, I received an e-mail from Amélie's art teacher at school asking permission to post one of Amélie's artwork pages on the Artsonia Art Museum website. Apparently, this is a high recongition for children at her school and a select few get posted. Here is the picture that was posted and a link to the page if you would like to view Amélie's statements on her artwork (called "Masterpiece"), comment on it, and/or join her online fan club.

Artsonia

As for now, I think I am going to relax a bit. Tomorrow the hubby and I have our SNO tour of downtown Stuttgart (permitting CDC calls me back and lets me know if there is a spot available for Amélie after school). I am thinking a hot bath will ease my back, or perhaps, I can convince the husband of a massage....ha ha.

The Glucose Test from Hell

So today I had to go have my glucose levels checked because my OB believes I have gestational diabetes while my physician isn't too sure. So in case you have not had to experience this, this is how it works.

First, you have to fast for a minimum of 12 hours (note: for a pregnant woman, this can be very miserable, especially if you threw up your food prior to the 12 hour starting point like I did).

Second, you have to go into a lab first thing in the morning...this means, no breakfast...and more waiting.

Third, you get stabbed with a needle and lots of blood drawn.

Fourth (depending on doctor orders), they make you pee in a cup.

Fifth, you get to drink this disgustingly sweet orange beverage which is usually at room temperature...in ten minutes or less.

Sixth, you have to wait one hour and then get your blood drawn...again.

Seventh, you have to wait ANOTHER hour and get your blood drawn...yet again.

Finally, if you are lucky...they will release you so you can finally go have something to eat.

But sometimes, things go wrong...like with my test. Here is how my test went:

First, I threw up my dinner so I went 13+ hours of not eating anything prior to this test so I was in a pretty pissy mood to begin with. Then, I went in and had to wait 45minutes until my name was called. I finally got back where I had the first prick and then the lab tech handed me that lovely cup that they expect you to pee in. So, after going into the bathroom and doing my business, I sat in the waiting room for another 15minutes when another lab tech brought me the lovely orange drink and explained to me that I had to drink it in under ten minutes (I did this same test with my daughter, so I knew it would be gross, but that is all I expected). I checked the time and started to drink. I ended up guzzling down the room-temperature orange syrup soda like liquid within about 8minutes. The minute I stood up to take the bottle back to the tech, I felt a wave of nausea rush over me like a gust of wind. I handed the tech the bottle and ran to the water fountain where I proceeded to guzzle down as much water as I could. Then I sat back in the waiting room. My head started to pound and I could feel my heart begin to race. I put my head between my knees and everything started to go black. 

When I finally could realize what was going on, I was lying in a very uncomfortable bed (you know, those doctor beds with the stupid paper on them), and I was hooked up to a blood pressure cuff and had the oxygen/heart monitor on my finger. There was a nurse standing next to me asking me if she could take my glucose levels. I nodded and looked over at the monitor where my heart beat was going around 120 beats per minute and my blood pressure was 144/99. The nurse poked my finger several times and then looked at me and said "I best see if the doctor needs to come in. How do you feel?" I was actually feeling better, except for the pounding headache. I told her that I was alright, but my head was hurting. She said, "Well, your glucose level is 195, so I better check with the doctor just in case." I handed her my ID card and off she went. 

She returned a bit later and said that the doctor said that I needed to be monitored for a bit, but if my symptoms returned, he would come and examine me. So, I there I was, half sitting up, half lying down. My back aching now from the position and I was in and out of sleep. An hour and 20minutes after I drank the drink, the lab tech came in a drew more blood. He told me he would be back in another hour. 

Shortly thereafter, the nurse returned and told me that if I was feeling better I could go back and sit in the waiting room. I told her yes just so I could get out of the lousy position I was stuck in. I sat there in the waiting room and at my two hour mark, the lab tech walked out and called me back to take the final sample. When he was finished, he handed me his pen and said, "Here, I hope your day gets better...go get some food. You can keep the pen." I thanked him and immediately went over to Subway and got a BLT.

As soon as I had consumed the sandwich, I felt better. My body seemed to return to normal completely except for the minor stomach cramps which I am still having. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the baby, more of a digestion thing. I think it might be gas from that stupid drink trying to work its way through my body still.

So, in the end, I got a free pen for my reaction to the test. At least I got something for free.