Money

Kids cost money. This is common knowledge. But kids cost a LOT of money - and mine is costing me just as much before it's born as it will after!

I was thinking about doing something (that I think is) really funny - adding up all the money the kid costs me through pregnancy and it's first 18 years, and then handing it a bill on it's 18th birthday. As a joke. (As an aside, I hate having to call the kid "it", but it should only be 2-3 more weeks, so let's overlook that for a short while.) So I started thinking what all would be on the bill. Like everyone, there are prenatal vitamins, extra munchies around the house, maternity clothes, books about pregnancy/chilbirth/parenting, and all sorts of things pregnant women tend to buy to feel more comfortable - things that ease nausea, things that make us smell good and feel pretty, etc.

Now let's talk about money that goes toward medical bills. For most people, this actually isn't a huge expense, because insurance picks up a big chunk. For me, not so much. See - Scott and I both have pretty good jobs and make pretty decent money. He has insurance through his job, and I don't through mine (but the benefits of my job far outweigh the lack of insurance, and it's not been an issue until pregnancy). Because of the fact we aren't destitute and we're not liars (which is something I could go on and on about regarding the Medicaid system but won't right now), we didn't qualify for Medicaid/government assistance of any kind. And I have to say, in a way I was flattered. It was kind of nice, for a brief moment, to know that according to the government we make plenty of money to handle our own affairs.

But then. We called the doctor's office (I chose to use the same OB that delivered me some nearly 26 years ago, and am so far thoroughly pleased with my choice) to inquire about cost, payment plans, and special kind of assistance we may qualify through them, etc. Of course they offer nothing special to people who don't have a ton of money, but we decided the $3900 due by 28th week was do-able enough. But then I had a sonogram on my first visit - my periods had always been very irregular so the sonogram was used to determine how far along I was at the time, and my estimated due date. Another $270. And then the blood work - once the bruise was gone, I thought nothing of it, until a bill came in for that. Another $400. So needless to say, I'm in no hurry to contact the hospital and find out their fees and payment plan options - I'm pretty sure this kid won't be paid for until it's old enough to get a job and pay for him/her self! (I'm only kidding, but it sure does feel that way right now!)

Luckily, as we discover every few days when someone presents us with yet another offer of "free stuff", that we have plenty of people who love us very much and are more than willing to pass along baby items they are no longer using. My wonderful mom took me out maternity clothes shopping weeks ago when the bloat got too bad to comfortably fit into my regular pants, and Scott's cousin is donating her maternity clothes for the time being, as well. One of Scott's sweet coworkers gave us a pair of baby baseball shoes (Scott LOVES baseball, so these were an incredibly sweet and appropriate gift) that her baby wore a time or two - and has offered her sister's breast pump (which seems slightly odd to me, but is greatly appreciated, and I know I can get replacement parts and register for one for a shower if it's just too weird). And of all things, my ex-boyfriend's brother - who is sometimes very nice and other times the biggest jerk in the world - called me to tell me congratulations and to tell me that if it's a boy, we are welcome to have ALL of their old stuff from their son (who is almost 3).

We are incredibly blessed, and I'm sure that we will find a way to pay for all the medical stuff and a way to get at least one reliable 4-door vehicle between the two of us... it's just stressful wondering HOW that will all fall into place. But I have no doubt that it will all be okay - because we are so loved and blessed, and things always seem to have a way of making themselves turn out fine.