Last Monday, I got home from work around 4 PM. When I went inside the house, I noticed that the door that goes from the kitchen to the garage was open. I figured that Jessica had not shut it all the way that morning, and it had come open. I also noticed that the box in which our new glider lay was open. Again, I figured that she wanted to look at it. At that point, Jessica got home from work. I asked her about the open door and box, and she said that she had opened neither of those things that morning. I thought she was joking, but she reiterated her innocence. That's when it hit me. I ran upstairs and saw that the computer was gone (grr!). And so were my guitars (double grr!). We had been robbed. I called Jessica upstairs, and we went into the bedroom, which had been ransacked. Jessica went to the jewelry box and discovered her engagement and wedding rings were also gone (triple grr!). We later discovered that our cameras were taken, and a few odds and ends of things. The perpetrator had gotten in through a small window in the basement that wasn't quite latched shut. He had then let his buddies in through the back door in the garage, which allowed for them to rob my home in relative secrecy. We of course called the police, and we all agreed that it was probably a group of kids who had broken in, due to the small entry point. I figure it was also kids because of what they didn't take. They took all of my guitars, for instance, but left my Marshall amplifier and the guitar effects pedals that the church had just bought. Thus they left well over $600 of electronics sitting in plain sight. They also left every single baby-related item we had, which was a huge blessing. And, of course, you who have children know how expensive some of those things are! My guess is that they were trained by an adult to take specific items only, and they didn't know enough to take anything else. Anyhow, we did file a police report and an insurance claim, so we will at least be able to replace the items stolen, and at best recover them. And, for the record, all the windows in the basement and first floor are secured with dowel rods now, and the backdoor to the garage is barricaded shut with two-by-fours. So should the perps come back, they will have to be brave enough to break a window or kick in a door, and then they will have to remove our stuff in plain view of the neighborhood.
Now, let's fast-forward to Wednesday. We went in for a baby appointment at the midwifery, and the midwife noticed Jessica had experienced a rapid weight gain from the previous week, she had somewhat high blood pressure, and she had some swelling. These are symptoms of preeclampsia, so she had to send off a blood sample to the lab. Great, more good news! We left the midwifery and continued on our day. Later that night, we got the call to come back to the midwifery--one of her levels came back high. So, at 6:30 PM, we drove back across town so Jessica could give a urine sample. She was also put on bed rest, which meant we could not partake in Thanksgiving festivities with friends as we had planned. This just keeps getting better! Thankfully, the urine results came back negative a few hours later, thus ruling out preeclampsia. We went back to the midwifery on Friday morning, we thought to have Jessica induced as the midwife had indicated on Wednesday night, but then we found out they weren't going to do that, since she was getting better. So we were all prepared to have a baby that day, but that didn't come through. This isn't funny anymore! But, she has been cooped up in the house for four days now. We will go back in tomorrow (Monday) to determine next steps. For now, the swelling (or edema) has subsided, which is good, and as long as she is laying down, her blood pressure is really good.
So that is where we are right now: victims of a robbery who are stuck at home waiting for a baby to be born whom we thought would be here by now. Like I said, ever had one of those weeks? But, in all fairness, the week was not all bad. On Monday, when our small group found out we had been robbed, they took us out to dinner that night, and then one couple let us use their camera and computer to file the insurance claim. Also, on Thursday, the church brought us leftovers so that we could enjoy a real Thanksgiving dinner, even though we were stuck at home. Finally, just this evening yet another couple brought us some really good potato soup, just as a kind gesture. I can't explain the feeling I got to be on the receiving end of a series of simple, kind acts after having such a rough week. They made a huge difference for Jessica and me, to know that no matter what, we have a group of people who care for us. I'm not sure what we would do without them!
So what do we do now, you ask? I guess we move on. There's not much to be done about what has happened other than to accept it and keep on going. For those of you who are the praying type, though, you could do us a favor by praying for the following:
- We would really like to find Jessica's engagement ring. Everything else is pretty replaceable, but losing that ring really sucks.
- I would like to be able to get some good deals as I look to replace one or several of my guitars.
- We want the little guy to come soon!
