Yikes!

So I guess you could say we had our first "scare" today. Yesterday I stayed home from work with minor cold symptoms and a very slight fever. Tylenol took care of the fever and TLC from Alex took care of the rest. No biggie. So I went back to work today, but twenty minutes into my shift something happened. I started to feel extremely overheated, sweaty, dizzy and weak. In the middle of dealing with a multitude of misbookings, customers checking in, an ancient reservation system, and customers interested in purchasing tickets, sounds and voices started to feel "far away," spots appeared in front of me, and I'm told my speech became slurred. I felt terrible about leaving Kamaile by herself but I also didn't want to pass out - especially not in front of guests. I staggered to the Ali'i Tower bathroom and relished the cold tile floor under me as I called Mom. (I realized soon after that I was in a public bathroom - a high end one, but still public - and sat on the chair instead.) "Tell me what to do," I told her. I've had dizzy spells before, and actually fainted and completely "knocked out" at least twice, so on the one hand, I knew what to do and what to expect. I knew in a little while it would go away. But on the other hand, everything I've ever read or heard says, if something weird happens in the first trimester, DON'T IGNORE IT. Mom agreed. The doctor's office wanted me to come in pretty much right away, which scared me a little. Hands shaking, I returned to the kiosk where Kamaile had dispersed the crowd, and I called my supervisors. They were totally understanding and my manager said, "Just go. Don't worry about your shift. Just go."

Mom wanted to pick me up from work but, stupidly, I was more worried about Mandy getting towed (Mandy is the car). Of course I called Alex too, and told him what was going on. Even though I told him not to leave work, that I would be fine and Mom was taking me to the doctor, he came right home. (What a great guy, right?!)

By the time we got to the doctor, I was feeling a lot better. I felt like such a drama queen. But Dr. Yamasato reassured us that we did the right thing, sent us for blood tests, and...we got to hear the heartbeat! She checked it to be sure Bean was doing fine and it was the most amazing thing we've ever heard! I wanted to just lie there and listen forever. I stared at Alex and felt so connected. I know I keep saying "it was the most amazing thing" but I guess that's part of being a new parent - everything, especially the "firsts," is more amazing than the thing before it.

God I just realized the word "parent" will soon apply to me. Somehow "Mom," and "Mommy" don't sound as daunting as "parent!" So official and responsible sounding. Yikes (the second one of the day)!