Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Jury Duty

I was supposed to go to the doctor this morning for an ultrasound to see my baby’s heartbeat. And instead, I’m going to court. Yesterday I reported to jury duty, and they selected me for a trial. Luckily, the trial only lasts three days, but I really wanted to see my baby today, and its little heart beating. Oh I hope its heart is beating…

Jury duty is kind of interesting. It’s a civil trial, so it doesn’t concern criminal acts, which is nice. The judge said that of the felony charges he sees, 70% of them related to child abuse – I can’t imagine being on that kind of trial. I’m learning a ton about Texas employment law, and we’re all fascinated to find out how much the plaintiff is asking for in damages! I have to admit – it’s kind of fun, and a good distraction. I’m trying to not think about the work I’m missing and will have to catch up on when I get back, but it’s a pretty slow time at work so not too bad. Oh, and I had to pledge allegiance not only to the United States flag, but also the Texas flag! Do other states do this? I’ve never seen that before…

I rescheduled the ultrasound for Thursday morning, as the lawyers said the trial should be over by then, and I have to assume the baby is ok. The morning and evening sickness seems to be getting worse, which is so comforting. First time in my life that I am happy to be sick! The hubs is giving me a hard time about food. We’ve been reading every night from The Pregnancy Journal (yes, I’m crossing out dates from my previous pregnancy – a little morbid…), and it keeps talking about getting this vitamin from these foods and that vitamin from those foods. All I eat for breakfast and dinner is cereal and saltines and ginger ale! I try to have a healthy lunch, but I still can’t stand to eat chicken, or fish, or sometimes beef. I’m certainly not getting all the range of fruits, vegetables and protein that the book suggests. And I've lost four pounds in the last two weeks. I'm overweight, so I assume it's fine, but still. I keep telling the hubs that I’m sure it’s fine – women all over have these kind of diets in their early pregnancy, but it still makes me nervous.

I have to go get ready for jury duty – hope all of you are doing well! I had some time to read blogs yesterday during the selection process, but I doubt I will have time today – they’re very strict on breaks and cell phone use!

27 comments:

  1. Sounds interesting with jury duty. But a bummer it started this Tuesday of all! Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an interesting experience. I've always wanted to serve on a jury! I hope the trial ends by Thursday so that you can get to your ultrasound. Thinking of you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like a good distraction. I can't wait for you to see your baby's heartbeat later this week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bummer about missing the ultrasound.

    I have enjoyed both juries I served on. I agree it is oddly fascinating and I felt this immense sense of responsibility.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, that's kind of annoying. But, sounds interesting. I hope it goes quickly!! They'd better not make you miss your next scheduled u/s!

    I'm sure you're fine with what you're eating. Tell your hubs to lay off!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I had to pledge allegiance to California when I was hired as a TA in grad school (at a U.C.). It was funny. I'm glad that jury duty is providing good distraction for you, although I know haw hard it must've been to postpone your u/s!! I'm looking forward to your ecstatic posting on Thursday!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry about missing the u/s! I am sure that your baby is just fine!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well it sounds like an interesting case at least. I've actually been dodging Federal Jury duty going on a year. I orginally was reassigned because of work travel, then reassigned again for same reason. Then I had RE write a note and I was deferred until July. I'd be interested in hearing more about the case when you're done.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good luck with jury duty. Ironically, I just received a summons yesterday. Ach:)

    As far as feeling so sick and not being able to face much food, I'm in the same boat. I think it's fine. And your doctor will run a battery of bloodtests to make sure you're getting enough of what you need. Also, if you continue to lose weight/are unable to face food, there are medicines they can give you to take the edge off. Hope that scan goes wonderfully.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I was chosen to be on a jury one time (about 8 years ago) and I thought it was incredibly interesting. It was a car theft accusation and we found the guy innocent.

    But grrr about missing the appt for the ultrasound! That's got to be disappointing. Did you reschedule yet?

    ReplyDelete
  11. My hubs was a bit crazed with the food thing at first too, until he realized it wasn't up to him - or even me most days. I could barely stomach chicken almost the entire time but beef tended to be my friend. The baby will take everything it needs from you, as long as you're taking your prenatals and not getting dehydrated everything should be fine. I didn't really gain weight until the third trimester because I was so sick (I lost weight at first too), it's not fun but it's normal so no guilt!

    Hope the trial ends in time for your next scan!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow!! Can you tell us what the trial is about? Have you done this before? I'm confident the little beanie is super stuck to his/her mommy, and thursday is not that far away! Love, Fran

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm glad the jury duty is turning out to be an interesting distraction. I've been on a waiting list twice, but never had to actually go in, just call in and enter a number, then I'd get an automated message saying to call back the next day or that I was done for the year.

    I hope the trial gets done by Thursday. It must be so hard to wait for that U/S.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jury duty? Well, just what you needed, on top of everything else, LoL. How interesting that life through this one at you.
    Have fun. :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would have to say most pregnancies start with saltines and ginger ale! I am sure you are taking your vitamins, which is most important. Can't wait to hear about the heartbeat.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've always been a jury duty reject. :( I hope that Thursday gets here quickly!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a funny time to get called for jury duty. I always wanted to be on a jury, but once I got out of law school, my chances were pretty slim. Ah, well :).

    I obviously speak from exactly no experience at all, but as long as you're eating what you can keep down, that sounds sensible. Isn't it true that pregnant women crave foods that contain nutrients in which they are deficient? Your body would take care of it for you, I bet. (Or maybe you could take a multivitamin just in case? Then you would know you were getting all your vitamins and minerals.)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jury duty sounds very interesting! My name has come up once in Indiana when I was living in Illinois at the time.

    I hope thursday comes quickly. Hooray for symptoms!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I was just happy to eat ANYTHING when I had morning sickness. Now that it seems to have sibsided, I am a bit more careful of my choices.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I told the doctor that I couldn't eat anything but cereal for breakfast and dinner and she said to eat what I could.
    I had lost four pounds and started this pregnancy only a few pounds overweight and she was not concerned at all.
    Lastly, ask them to prescribe you Phinigran and Zofran and you will feel soooo much better. My lady didn't even blink when I asked for it, so I am assuming it's no biggie to ask for.
    I hope you feel better soon and I can't wait to hear how the heartbeat appt goes!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I always wished I would get called to jury duty, working in the prosecutors office for 4 years assured that I wouldn't. Sorry it interferes with your u/s but the m/s sounds reassuring!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Boo to jury duty. =( I never had to go while living in Texas (college students could be exempt and before that i was too young) but I figure Pennsylvania will call me soon enough! I am sorry you didn't get to see your little one today, butI hope you get to go soon!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have actually always wanted to be on a jury! It's a rare experience. Can't wait to hear how that little one looks on Thursday!

    ReplyDelete
  24. deep in the heart of Texas!!! I love that song!! I had an uncle that lived in Amarillo Texas. My impression: Very slow town..but the people were so nice and laid back!
    I hope the morning sickness decreases. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I gotta say, I am pretty much in love with saltines. I wrote a poem to them in the first trimester. Keeping everything very much crossed that all is well tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  26. i hope that trial is over this afternoon, ultrasound tomorrow morning!

    i am with bunny- love the saltines. i wasn't very sick in the first tri, but when i did feel funky, they were great to have stashed in my purse.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Having lived in Texas for 3 years, I am not at all surprised they have you pledge allegiance to the state flag! As Texans are proud to remind us all, they were their own country for a while :). And I was in love with saltines and goldfish crackers during my first tri. I did my best to get some good protein and veggies in when the nausea was a little less bad, but really, the most important thing is that you keep food in your stomach. And many women lose weight during the first few months, often because they're vomiting so much! Enjoy the jury duty, and I can't wait to hear the ultrasound results!

    ReplyDelete