Today was my weekly appointment check-up at UIHC. Got the kiddos all dropped off at the sitters and headed to Iowa City. The drive was going great until I got to Perkins right off the exit.  My van stalled and the streering and brakes locked up. I managed to get the van into the parking lot and parked.  I tried starting the van a few times but it would do nothing. So, Jeff and I decided to get a bite to eat and give the van a chance to cool down. Cooling down the van didn't help at all.  I decided that the appointments were too important to miss and we had to get to them one way or another. So...we decided to walk.

About a block a way was a service station and we stopped in there to see about them checking the van out. The guy told us that the towing charge would be $60. Wow...to go one block...CRAZY!! With no other real options available we agreed.  Again, we proceeded with our walk to UIHC.  It was going fine until we turned onto Hawkins Dr. and ended up on some sidewalk that is nestled in the woods and had a steep hill. I made it up the hill but was so exhausted. All I could think was "if this doesn't put me into labor I don't know what will."  To our luck this sidewalk led us into a parking area that had buses. YIPPEE!! We caught a bus the rest of the way to the hospital.

My appointment went well. Cassiana was moving around and her heart rate was good on the non-stress test.  I am dilated to a loose 2 cm and they stripped my membranes.

My mother picked us up and took us to the service station.  The service guy said that a relay burnt out. He didn't have one in stock but he switched with the one for the rear defrost and to just have it replaced before we needed the rear defrost. With towing and labor our grand total was $134. I was thankful it wasn't anything major and that the cost wasn't too terrible.

I spoke too soon...on our way home the van stalled on 380 right at exit 18. Thank goodness my mother was behind us.  Jeff had to arrange for a tow truck again ($128 this time). I went with my mother to pick up the kiddos. Had to have her make two trip since she has a small car and couldn't fit them all in her car at once.  Decided it would be best to have her stay the night just in case I go into labor.

Hope that what ever is wrong with the van can be fixed easily and quickly. We only have the one vehicle and really can't be without it. 


Oh what a day!!!