Welcome Addison Belle

Addison Belle Greenshields was born on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 4:56 p.m (2 weeks before her April 17^th due date).  She weighed a healthy 7 lbs, 14 oz and was 21 in. long.  Surprisingly, she also has a pretty good amount of dark hair and the color of her eyes are yet to be determined, as does who she most resembles.  I am so relieved that she is finally here.  The rib pain and pain in my back that I had during my pregnancy is gone and we couldn’t ask for a better baby.   The only thing that could have made the experience better would have been the hospital experience at the University of Michigan.  We originally went to the hospital three days prior to her birth because I was having contractions and the doctor told me that I was 2 cm dilated, but unfortunately, they wouldn’t keep me.  I continued to have contractions for the next three days and finally, on Wednesday, my water broke.  I called the hospital ahead of time and was told to “bring my pants” to “save me an exam”.  When we got there, my clothes that I had been wearing were swabbed, instead of me.  I was then asked if I was sure that I hadn’t “wet myself”.  The nurses continued to question that I didn’t seem to be in “enough pain”.  Once I was finally admitted, the labor itself went fairly quickly.  Aside from our beautiful daughter, the best part of the whole experience was definitely the epidural.  The anesthesiologist and his nurse were so kind and they definitely had the technique of administering an epidural mastered.  I was still texting and facebooking while dilated to a 9.  My contractions went from awful to unnoticeable.  Once it was time to push, things got a little more painful, but after only 15 minutes, our beautiful daughter was a part of this world.  Following her birth, I was almost instantly moved from my private birthing suite (that our Blue Cross insurance paid for) to a shared room with a woman who was up all night trying to breastfeed, ringing the nurse and turning the lights on and off.  The following night, I was again transferred to a “nesting room”, where my accommodations were “jail like”.  The room was about 12 x 12 with no windows and a small vinyl couch to sleep on that was so low to the ground I’m not sure how a woman who just delivered a baby is supposed to get in and out of.  Thankfully, we’re home now and although the hospital wasn’t the best, at least my daughter is healthy and happy and her big brother and sister are adapting well and loving her more than I could have hoped.  :)

"We are the change that we seek"

Well, today is Zach’s last day at Edison.  It’s kind of a bittersweet day.  I’m reminding myself about my favorite quote from President Obama:  “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek”. Dan and I are leaving behind our house and so many things are changing in life, but these changes are all for the better. We are all making temporary sacrifices, but it’s all for a better future.  I hope Zach knows this too and can adjust well as he starts his new school on Monday. 

Last night, I received a very special email from his teacher.  She wanted to let me know that she has been ill with the flu and will not be in today, but that she and the class have planned a surprise party for Zach, complete with pizza and ice cream.  His classmates have also made him a book that I can’t wait to see.  She ended with:  “I have enjoyed having your son in our classroom.  He will do great at his new school with his upbeat personality and his hard working skills.  I am very proud of him.  Let me know where you would like me to send his report card to.  Good luck to your family and best wishes on the new baby.”  I thought that was very sweet of her and I know she’s right.  Zach has an extremely outgoing/upbeat personality.  We haven’t even moved yet and he’s already met a couple of kids in the new neighborhood.  I know that he will transition well, but it’s still hard not to worry. 

After work today, we’ll be packing up the rest of our stuff to be ready for the mover’s tomorrow morning.  Praying that we can get it all done and that all goes well – and hopefully this rain/snow that’s expected switches directions.  Until my next post, I remain pregnant ;-) and counting down the days until “baby” arrives – today is April 1^st, so only 16 more days until the due date.  Also, as a side note – today is April 1^st, which is April Fools’ Day, which is also my Mom’s Birthday, her 50^th to be exact, so a very Happy Birthday to her! :-)

We're having a luau!

As we approach the due date, I’m getting more and more excited about welcoming our baby girl home.  Along with the excitement comes the anxiety of trying to get everything done and make sure everything is ready by the time she arrives.  I’m sure we’ll be fine though; Dan has done a great job of moving things, painting, stripping wallpaper, etc.  We are just 34 days away from the due date and only 19 days away from our move.  Everything is down to the wire and the carpet is actually getting installed in the nursery today. I can’t wait to see how everything will look once it’s finished.  I have all of the Hawaiian décor ready to go and Dan will be making her a personalized surfboard to display her name above her crib. 

As a way to welcome her home and get everyone together, we are planning a “Welcome Home” party.  I’ve decided to go with a luau theme, since her room is a tropical, Hawaiian, “beachy” paradise.  I’ve sent out some invites on Facebook and hope that everyone will be able to stop by to visit and eat.  Once she’s born, I plan on sending out formal announcements through the (“snail”) mail and including the party information there, as well.  The party has been tentatively set for Saturday, May 7^th at 3pm.  I’m making a couple of CD’s of Summer, Luau, Beach Music and am planning on serving sloppy joes, hot dogs, pasta salad, mostacolli, fruit salad, veggies, various dips, Watergate salad, Banana pudding, cookies, etc.  Everyone is encouraged to wear their Hawaiian garb, if they desire.  Candace will be decked out in a little luau dress and I’ve yet to decide what they rest of us are going to wear. 

I’m officially 35 weeks pregnant as of this Sunday and will have my 36 week check-up on the 22^nd of March.  I’m still working and staying very busy packing and moving things here and there, getting the house ready for showings, washing baby clothes, etc.  In addition, my friend, Michelle, is getting married in May, so we’ve got a lot going on with preparing for her shower, bachelorette party and wedding.  Times are very busy, but they are fun.  I can’t wait until the baby is finally here and I can enjoy some time at home with the kids and Dan to get to know our newest addition. 

A House is built with boards and beams; A Home is built with love and dreams

“A House is built with boards and beams; A Home is built with love and dreams”.  This statement hangs on a plaque above the entryway in our dining room.  Now, more than ever, I’m trying to remind myself of this.  The ability for me to remain in my “house” may be lost, but I will always have my “home”. 

It is only Monday and we’ve already received two requests of realtors to show our house this week.  We listed our house about 2 months ago for around $137,000 and our realtor has already dropped the price to under $70,000.  So now, the calls will start rolling in I guess.  It’s surreal and bittersweet.  Purchasing the house 3 and ½ years ago, I never would have imagined that this is where we would be so soon. 

All I can do is warn others of the dangers of modifications.  I often wonder if successful modifications even happen.  Dan and I did everything by the book.   We did every single thing asked of us by our lender.  How did this happen?  Why is it ok for the banks to receive bailout money and then turnaround and do this to their customers?  We are exactly one week away from the first hearing on our case in federal court. It’s only a scheduling conference, but at least it’s a start. 

Next Friday, I will be enrolling Zach in the new school district as well.  I feel bad for him that he’s switching schools again, but I really have no choice.  It makes me feel better though, knowing that at least he doesn’t mind.  Zach adapts to change so easily and is so much more socially adaptable than I am that I’m sure he’ll do fine, but I can’t help but be worried.  I will also register Amber for kindergarten on that same day.  She will begin kindergarten in September and I am excited for her, but she, on the other hand, is not so excited.  Usually when I bring it up, she cries and tells me that she doesn’t want to leave Ms. Tanya.  Amber doesn’t adapt to change as easily as Zach.  She reminds me of myself.  She is shy when she first meets new people, but once she gets to know someone she’s herself, so I’m sure she’ll be fine, it will just take some time. 

In less than one month (25 days), we will make our “home” in a new “house”.  Zach will begin school in a new school district (with only 2 months left in the school year) and we will be preparing for Candace’s arrival which is expected on April 17^th.   So many major things happening all at once, but we will manage. 

Everyone always says that things happen for a reason and that God has a plan for us.  I know that God directs our lives and will never steer us wrong.  Even though things are happening that are beyond our control, God is always in control and will lead the way.  Bad things may be happening (losing the house, going through a lawsuit, having my credit damaged, etc.), but good things are coming with it.  Dan has returned to school and is doing amazingly well.  In 2-3 years, he will have a wonderful career and I am so very proud of him.  After that, we hope that he will receive a job offer in a warm state where I can then begin law school.  Until then, we have something even more exciting to look forward to… in just 41 days, we are expecting our daughter, who will surely bring joy and happiness to our “home”.    

National Kidney Foundation - Kidney Walk 2011

As you might remember, last year, along with our friends and family, we participated in the annual Kidney Walk for the National Kidney Foundation.  Registration has now begun for this year’s walk, which will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2011.  Many people suffer from kidney disease and many don’t know it until the disease has already progressed.  Early detection is essential for the health of kidney patients.  Contributions to the National Kidney Foundation will help fund critical research, direct aid to kidney patients, and vital kidney disease screening programs.  NKF is important to all renal patients (those maintaining their disease with medication, those on dialysis, those awaiting transplants, etc.) and their families. 

As most of you know, our interest in helping NKF began when Dan was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy on October 5, 2008.  To find out more about the walk, please visit our personal walk page at: http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/Michigan?px=1682480&pg=personal&fr_id=3390.

Please help us join the fight against kidney disease.  You can do this by: 

• Joining our team and walking with us ("Team Greenshields")
• Walking as an individual or starting your own team
• Making a financial contribution by check, or online at http://www.kidneywalk.org/

Make all checks payable to the NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION

By supporting our efforts in the Kidney Walk, you are helping stop kidney disease before it starts. You will also be helping improve care for current patients and help NKF’s search for a cure.

We are extremely proud to be a part of the fight against kidney disease, and we hope you will join us!

63 more days!

Exactly 31 weeks today!  Yesterday was our 3D ultrasound.  We had one two weeks ago, but the tech suggested we come back at no additional charge to try and get a better view of Candace.  The first time we were there, she had her head tilted back the entire time, so the only view we could get of her face was distorted because we weren’t looking into it, but rather up at it.  Also, she kept playing with the umbilical cord and was closely snuggled to the placenta, in addition to loving her hands on or near her face.  Yesterday, she remained against the placenta, using it like a little pillow and still enjoying her toy (the umbilical cord); however, she did not have her head tilted, which allowed for a much better look at her beautiful face.  She looks quite peaceful in there and it was so cute to see her little hand resting against her head, but not covering it.  She’s adorable and her cheeks already seem so pudgy.  I can’t wait to hold her in my arms, kiss her and nibble on her little adorable toes….203 days down, only 63 more days until the due date, but with the way I’ve been feeling, I’m willing to bet we’ll be meeting her a little sooner than that. 

Feels like the baby is going to fall out at any moment!

Today, I’m 30 weeks and 4 days along in my third pregnancy.  It seems like the baby has been incredibly low during the entire pregnancy, but as time passes, she seems to get lower and lower.  Sometimes, it’s difficult to walk without waddling, lol, and when I roll over at night, I feel like she’s going to burst out of me.  I didn’t experience this with either of my other two pregnancies and hope everything is ok.  I just saw the doctor two days ago and forgot to mention it, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder why. Curiosity got the best of me and I did a Google search today.  I believe it could be either Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or I’m just simply experiencing lightening. 

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction is experienced in about 1 in 35 pregnant women. It causes difficulty walking, climbing stairs, etc.  The pain is caused by a separation of the symphysis pubis (joint in the front of the pelvic bone).  Cartilage fills the gap in the bones, but during pregnancy, the hormones such as relaxin soften allowing the bones to become more flexible for delivery.  Sometimes this can happen too early or too much, resulting in pain. 

Lightening should occur towards the end of the third trimester, but can occur early.  This is basically just the baby transcending into the birth canal.  This causes pressure on the bladder and an uncomfortable tingling feeling in that area. 

Whatever it is, it is uncomfortable and I hope it eases up.  I’m moving slower, but trying to stay comfortable and safe.  I told Dan that if this feeling continues, I can’t imagine staying like this for almost another 10 weeks, but I suppose we’ll see what happens.  Comfortable or not, I am happy and feel blessed to be welcoming a healthy child.  My next appointment is on March 4^th and I’m going to talk with the doctor more then. 

My efforts to extend my maternity leave...

So, I’ve been working for the City since December 2, 2009, but didn’t become an official employee until August 30, 2010.  The City hired me while I was still going to school and interning at the court and would not officially hire me until I finished my degree (which was done in August).  Because of this, I haven’t had much time to accumulate vacation, personal and sick days.  I do, however, get 6 weeks of short-term disability that I will towards my maternity leave, but I desperately want to take more than that.  In an effort to do this, I’ve been trying to save as much time as possible, by trying hard to not take any days off.  This has been challenging however, considering I have OB appointments, I’ve been sick with this upper respiratory infection and all of the accumulation of snow hasn’t helped with the commute out here.  To extend my efforts to earn money before, during and after maternity leave, I’ve posted a Craigslist ad and am trying to get it circulated in case anyone out there needs legal work.  Below is a copy of the ad, as well as a link. 

Paralegal/Legal Assistant looking to prepare documents for attorneys.

I am comfortable preparing and drafting pleadings on my own, filling out court forms, “ghost writing”, preparing demand letters, letters to the court and/or clients, enclosure letters, orders, motions, bankruptcy schedules, process service, etc.

I have worked as a legal assistant for 8 years and currently work for City Government. I am looking to work on the side at home or via remote access to earn additional income.

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree and an Associates of Business Degree, both of which were obtained via Legal Assistant/Paralegal Programs. Please contact me for a copy of my resume. I can also provide you with references, a link to my LinkedIn page, as well as copies of my degree and transcripts.

I have experience in the following areas:

• Bankruptcy
• Litigation
• Contracts
• General Civil & Criminal Proceedings
• Traffic Offenses
• Collection Matters
• Debt Negotiation/Resolution
• DUI Charges
• Family Law
• Probate

I consider myself

• Highly Motivated;
• A Self Starter;
• Detail Oriented;
• Organized; and
• Responsible

I am competent working under pressure and with deadlines. I possess great writing and editorial skills, in addition to excellent personal and phone skills. I type at about 80 words per minute.

Please contact me via email for more information or to discuss the above in greater detail.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/lgs/2199362290.html

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rachel-greenshields/20/22A/158

Change

We’re now about two weeks into February and it’s hard to believe how fast the time is flying by.  It’s hard to believe that in just 50 days, we’ll be moving and in 53 days Zach will be starting his new school.  On Monday, I emailed his current teacher to let her know that we’ll be moving and he’ll be switching school districts.  She replied to my email sincerely and with compliment: “I will be sad to see Zach go--he is such a great student and awesome helper!...I will try to think of some way for the kids to say good-bye before he leaves…. Congratulations on your new home and good luck to all of you and especially on your new little one”.  This makes me sad and I realize that not only are Dan and I going through big changes, but the kids are too.  I remember switching schools in 9^th grade and that was tough.  I don’t know what it’ll be like for a fourth grader.  The only good I see in the switching of the schools is that when Amber starts kindergarten in the fall, her and Zach will be in the same school (at least for a year).  Whereas, here in Westland, Zach’s elementary school ends at fourth grade and he would have started the lower middle school in the fall.  I'm happy that Zach will be able to sort of "keep an eye" an Amber during her first year of school.  I also know that Zach is very sociable and he seems to adapt to change well, so even though he’s leaving his friends and his classmates, my hope is that he’ll meet and make even more friends in the new neighborhood and school district. 

Making Homes Affordable - Yeah, Right!

I hate going through troubled times, but who doesn’t.  Rather than getting upset, I choose to inform other people so that they can be educated on what’s going on in the world.  Has anyone heard of the “Making Homes Affordable” Program (HAMP)?  If not, here is a link:  http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/.  In short, this is a modification program offered by the federal government to make monthly mortgage payments more affordable. You first contact your lender about the program and if your payment is more than 31% of your income, you likely qualify.  After qualifying, you provide the lender with requested documents (pay stubs, bank statements, profit & loss statements, etc.).  Once they have this info, they provide you with a “trial” documents and a reduced payment.  After making three trial payments and providing the required documents, you are supposed to be placed into a permanent modification.  The problem, however, is that many homeowners are never placed into a permanent modification.  Instead, lenders keep these modifications in limbo, extend them as much as they can, all the while collecting payments from homeowners.  I know this, because it happened to me. 

Dan and I applied for a modification after his diagnosis and after I lost my job and was laid off for 9 months. When we contacted our lender, Chase, we were advised that the only way we could qualify for the program is if we were to fall behind on our payments.  Chase advised us to skip a payment to qualify for this program.  Stupidly, we took their advice.  After skipping a payment, we met with a representative at the Troy, MI branch.  This meeting was then followed-up by document exchanges sent via fax and FedEx to the main Chase office in Ohio.  Following this, we received our “trial” documents and began making our payments. 

During this time, we continued to receive letters stating that they needed more documents (documents that had already been provided & were provided on multiple occasions).  After making more than a year’s worth of payments, we received Notice that we did not qualify for the program.  Why, then, did they continue to accept our payments every single month? 

After telling us we didn’t qualify, we were given multiple reasons for the denial…first, we made too much; second, we didn’t make enough; third, we didn’t provide enough documents. 

Their next suggestion was to have us re-apply for the program, which we did.  During this process, our loan was transferred to a “servicing” company, IBM LBPS.  They hold themselves up as a mortgage company, but I really can’t see past their real operation – debt collection. This company gave us the same runaround as Chase – we again applied for a modification and after many unreturned phone calls, etc., we were advised via a taped phone conversation that our modification was approved.  We were even given a payment, an interest rate, a due date, etc., but then, guess what?  Yep, somehow it was denied after it was approved. 

Along with losing the house is the extreme damage that it has caused to my credit.  What applicants aren’t clearly advised of is that payments made through a “trial” modification aren’t applied to the loan, nor are they reported to the credit bureaus.  So, after more than a year of making payments, I owe more on my house than what I mortgaged it for and my credit report reflects that I haven’t made any payments! 

Not knowing what else to do, Dan and I contacted a consumer protection attorney who has filed a lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase in the Federal Court here in Michigan, but in the meantime, there remains little we can do to keep our home.  We relied on the false promises and assurances that our mortgage company provided.  While the lawsuit is pending, we have listed our home for sale as a “short-sale”.  Here is a link to the listing:  http://www.realestateone.com/homes/211003585_MIRC-34569_Blackfoot_St-Westland-MI-48185.  The house is now listed for less than 90k, a significant amount less than what we "owe".  My hope in sharing this information is that more people will not be lured into this program and that if you have been wronged; that you find the courage to take it to court and fight for what is right. 

If, by chance, you are involved in a situation similar to the nightmare above, I can refer you to our attorney, who only handles consumer protection affairs.  I can also refer you to our realtor, who specializes in short sales and has experience dealing with situations similar to ours. 

                                                                                      

30 weeks!!!

Today was my 30 week check-up at U of M.  The appointment was during what was supposed to be my lunch break, but it ended up being quite an extended break since there was absolutely NO PARKING in any of the structures.  They couldn’t explain why, but all of the structures were completely full....mass trauma, overbooking of apointments, IDK.  I ended up parking via valet at the ER, which seemed to cause even more problems and then I was a half hour late for the appointment.  I thought for sure that I had elevated my blood pressure, lol, but it was normal, as usual and hearing the baby’s heartbeat was worth the parking chaos. :)  Today, her heartbeat was 136, which is a little lower than usual, but still normal.  Over the past couple of days, her kicks have been more forceful. I swear she’s trying to break out, lol.  I am exactly 30 weeks and 2 days along, but the doctor said I’m only measuring at 28 weeks.  She said it’s nothing to be concerned about though because the baby measured right on schedule at our last ultrasound and all seems well.  Other than that, my last blood test showed that I’m anemic again, so they gave me a prescription for iron.  My next appointment is March 8^th and by then I’ll be 34 weeks!  We continue to stay busy with work and life, preparing for Candace’s arrival and the upcoming move.  I’m sure over these next few weeks things will move even faster than they have been. 

Today

This blog was created today, February 1, 2011.  We have created the blog to keep in touch with those we care about and so that those we care about can see what's going on in our lives.  We have created the blog for various reasons and may use this as a way of weaning ourselves off of Facebook.  For now, we have created pages about each of our family members:  Dan, Rachel, Zach, Amber, Baby and "Us".  To find out about us, just click on any of the pages directly to the left.  We've also added a few links that include the CaringBridge website that was set up when Dan was diagnosed with kidney disease, Rachel's LinkedIn page and Dan's business website.  As things happen in our lives, we will share them here.  :)