Ten on Tuesdays

1. From your childhood, what do you miss most about summer vacation?
Having the entire summer off.  I work in a school, but in a 12 month position.  Part of the reason that I became a school psychologist was to have summers off -- but in Maryland they work 12 months-- unlike most states in the country.  Damn you, Maryland.

 

2. Are you going anywhere on vacation this summer?
To the exotic Eastern Shore of Delaware.

 

3. What foods do you like to barbecue?
I love BBQing burgers, veggies, and kabobs.

 

4. How do you celebrate the fourth of July?
We don't have any traditions yet.  Some years we go to a friends house and others we hang out by our community pool and then grill out at home.

 

5. What's your favorite beverage to drink in the summertime?
Mojitos, margaritas and bud light lime.  None of which I can have this summer.

 

6. What movie are you looking forward to seeing this summer?
We can afford to go to like two movies per year so I never pay attention to what is coming out.

 

7. In the car: windows down or AC?
If it's 85 or above it's AC all the way.

 

8. Have you ever had a summer fling?
Nope. Just boyfriends that lasted through the summer.

 

9. Do you wear sunscreen?
I wear 15-30.  I think that the 100 and 150 SPFs out right now are a bit overkill.  Supposedly, 15 works perfectly fine.

 

10. Do you have any favorite summertime activities?
Beach, pool, reading a ton more books, BBQs and porch nights….

 

link up here: http://rootsandrings.com

14 Weeks

Week 14- May 20th-26th

Due Date: November 18, 2011

How Big is Baby: The blob is the size of a lemon!

Total Weight Gain: I'm not sure that I want to answer this question anymore. On Sunday I had gained 4 pounds, on Tuesday I was up 10, and then on Wednesday I was down to up 7. I haven't looked since.

Morning Sickness/Symptoms: No morning sickness and no real symptoms aside from a little dizziness and seeing stars every once in awhile.

Cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary.

Sleep: I'm back to my pre-pregnancy ways for the most part. The second trimester is heaven!

I Can't Live Without: Water. I am forever thirsty. Razors. My leg hair is growing at an alarming rate.

I Miss: A nice cold margarita

I am Looking Forward to: Finding out if this baby is a boy or a girl!

Milestones: At my appointment this week the heartbeat was detected in less than .23423 seconds. It used to take a bit longer to find it but it looks like baby is growing and getting stronger.

Awkward Moments: It's never my best friends that want to touch my stomach, it's the random ladies that I've talked to like twice ever.

Also, more twins comments- "Are we certain there aren't twins?" I wanted to ask her what her excuse was. Ha.

Exercise: Thanks to the return of my energy I'm walking, doing pilates and/or another prenatal work out video most days per week.

Diet: My diet is if it sounds good, eat it.

Movement: Not a thing.. but it should be happening any day now.

Gender: More boy votes. I'm not sure what it is about me that is giving off boy vibes, but everyone seems to be reading them.

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

Ghetto

While you are working in your air conditioned offices with a plethora of copying paper, an hour long lunch break, and a company credit card please remember me HERE.


Locked away in my closet.

With no air conditioning.


With a ghetto ass broken fan.

Seriously, do you see this fan?


I may electrocute myself with this fan, but I'm too hot to care.


At least I have tissues.

Oh wait, I bought them myself.



Oh the joys of working for the public school system.



Three years of graduate school and 45,000 dollars of graduate school debt to work in a closet. 




Please, give us (or at least me) more money government!!!











*yes, I'm pregnant and drinking an ice coffee.  So sue me.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Have you ever used Craigslist?
Nope. We've looked at things and contacted sellers about items, but we've never actually "won" anything.  Everything we want is already taken.

 

2. Can you sew?
Yes, I can sew decently.  My mom has always sewed so she helped me out a bit as a teen.  When I was 14, I sewed my cousin Moriah an "M" shaped pillow that she still has to this day.  That was one quality sewing job!  I've sewed my own curtains and pillows.  I haven't tried anything crazy like clothes or a quilt, but I'd like to. 

 

3. Do you pour syrup on your pancakes or dip your pancakes in the syrup?
I don't really EVER eat pancakes.  I prefer waffles, but don't love any of them enough to make them all the time.  When I eat them I pour a small, tiny bit of syrup on my pancakes. 

 

4. Rain storms: Love them or hate them?
It depends on what I have going on.  If I'm being lazy then they are cool!

 

5. Do you like swimming?
I LIVE at the pool in the summer, but I do not really swim.  I mostly go to lay out, socialize with friends, read my book and to wade in the shallow end. 

 

6. What kind of drink do you order at Sonic?
Sob. I've never been to sonic.

 

7. Are you funny?
I have my moments.

 

8. At what age will your kids get cell phones?
Well, I didn't get my first cell phone until I was 20 and I bought it all by my lonesome.  I'll probably get my kid one at 14ish.  Lord knows how things will be by the time my kid turns 14 though.  At my snobby school, all the kids have cell phones in second grade. It's nuts. 

 

9. What's your favorite vegetable?
If my husband would let me I'd live on vegetables only.  He doesn't like them much so I have to cook him meat. It's a pain in my ass.  I love asparagus, brussell sprouts, artichokes, spinach, mushrooms, green/red peppers the best. 

 

10. Were you a Girl Scout?
I was a brownie.. but I quit in fourth grade to focus on sports and dance.

 

Link up at http://rootsandrings.com

Money Saving Monday!

I know it may not be cool, but I'm a coupon-er. I got it from my mama.

I know several of you girls post your latest finds, so I wanted to join in on the bandwagon in the event that I can help anyone with some of the deals that I've found.

When it comes to drugstore deals I tend to concentrate on CVS, primarily. All of the major chain offer competitive sales, but I work 40+ hours a week, try to work out everyday, have a house to clean and a husband and dog to feed. I don't have a ton of time to scour the internet, sales logs, and my coupons every week.

That being said, even when only concentrating on one drugstore, you can snatch up some pretty great deals.

We pay 77 cents per week for the Washington Post Sunday delivery and we're lucky to have a mother in law that will mail us her coupons almost every week. I'm not trying to create a bomb shelter so two of each coupon is plenty for me.




Here's how I was paid 2 dollars to take this stuff out of CVS this week!


{disclaimer-- I don't get all of the free stuff/great sales-- I only coupon for what we actually use}

Revlon nail polish is 4.99 a CVS this week. However, if you buy one you get 4.00 in extra bucks back. Extra bucks are basically cash and can count towards your next CVS visit.

I bought one nail polish for 4.99 and I used a 1.00 off manufacturers coupon from the Sunday paper and earned 4.00 in extra bucks. That made this nail polish free!

Herbal Essences is on sale 2 for 3.97. If you buy two you earn two dollars worth of extra bucks (read free money) this week. I used a one dollar off of two coupon from the Sunday paper and ended up paying 97 cents for TWO bottles of conditioner.

Lastly, Suave deodorant was on sale for 1.00 this week. Paired with a one dollar off of two coupon from Sunday's paper and I paid 50 cents per deodorant. Not a bad deal.

I paid my balance with last weeks extra care bucks and walked out with six dollars worth of new ones. CVS paid me 2 dollars to buy all of the items above!

What deals have you tried lately? Where do you go for drugstore deals?

Books 36 and 37

I just finished a two part series that was really very good. I highly recommend checking it out. It's not necessarily light and airy chick lit (it's actually a young adult series, but you'd never know it) but the story was pretty fabulous!



From Goodreads.com: In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.



From Goodreads.com- It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future–and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Diary of a Pregnant Lady: Week 13

Week 13- May 13th-20th (although the baby is actually measuring almost 6 days ahead of this, but we'll just stick with my original due date until my doctor says differently)

Due Date: November 18, 2011

How Big is Baby: The blob is the size of a peach!

Total Weight Gain: 4 pounds

Morning Sickness/Symptoms: Nothing aside from having to wake up THREE times a night to go to the bathroom. It's not my favorite thing in the world. Praise the lord- I love being pregnant (ask me again in six months).

Cravings: Honestly, I'm not craving anything in a have to have it kind of way. I was into quesadillas this week and had one.

Sleep: My energy has returned! I'm staying up like a normal person, but I do get weak and lightheaded a lot easier which is totally normal. I still need at LEAST 8 hours each night to survive the day without coffee.

I Can't Live Without: an extra pillow to stick between my legs and/or under my stomach. I may need to splurge on a pregnancy pillow soon.

I Miss: Sleeping through the night!

I am Looking Forward to: Finding out if this baby is a boy or a girl!

Milestones: I'm starting to show a little bit and the neighbors have asked if I'm pregnant. Not many people have said anything, but a few have. I guess I can't hide it anymore. I'm not sure if I'm happy about this yet.. most people don't show until about 20 weeks with their first pregnancies.

Awkward Moments: Nothing this week.

Exercise: Thanks to the return of my energy I'm walking, doing pilates and/or another prenatal work out video most days per week.

Diet: I'm often hungry and I'm cooking more now.

Movement: It amazes me that I can't feel anything yet (I know this is normal). I'm simply amazed because we watched the baby for half an hour and s/he was doing cartwheels in my abdomen. It amazes me to think that they could be doing that all day and I don't have a clue.

Gender: I can't decide, but I still think it's a boy. In my perfect world I'd have a boy and a girl. I always thought that I would want a girl first, but I'm falling more and more in love with the thought of having a son first. Especially since 99% of people have told me (trust me, people love to give you advice when you are expecting) that boys are SO much easier and I'm really much more into little boy stuff such as blankets, shoes, and hats while I'm perusing the internet. I'm surprising even myself! We shall see!

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

What I Wore Wednesday (a day late)

Last Thursday:

Black Ruffle Tank- Old Navy
Black Capris- Old Navy *Maternity
Purple Cardigan- Lands End Canvas
Shoes- Target


Last Friday:

Black Dress- Marshalls
Teal Cardigan- Gap
NO, I don't wear shoes when I'm getting ready.


Last Tuesday: My pics are out of order and I'm too lazy to change that...

Black Top- Marshalls
Khakis- Consignment
Necklace- Forever 21
Shoes- Target


Monday:

Dress- Target
Red Cardigan- Ann Taylor


Wednesday-

Black Floral Dress- Old Navy

Help Me Pick

Help me pick a bathing suit.  I like them both- which do you prefer?

I never thought that I would like tie dye, but for some reason I think that this suit is pretty cute!

Old Wives Tales

Lets check out some pregnancy old wives tales to see what I'm having...

 

1) Sleep Position
Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? You're pregnant with a girl.

I like both sides to be honest.  I prefer my right side, but I always end up on my left side.  I guess we'll call this even.

 

2) Upset Stomach
Little girls aren't always sweet. Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.

I was nauseous for less than a week.  We'll put a point in the boy category.

 

3)Soft or Dry Hands
If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft—expect a girl.

My hands are always dry-- and they are still dry.  I guess this goes into the boy category.

 

4)Food Cravings
Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl.

I'm not really craving anything, and certainly not citrus.  The fruits I love best are watermelon and strawberries.  Another one for the boy.

 

5) Adult Acne
If pregnancy hormones make your skin break out, expect a girl.

My skin SUCKED after I went off of the pill, but it's cleared up since becoming pregnant.  I guess this is another boy vote. 

 

6) Graceful or Clumsy Pregnancy
If you feel as though you're gliding through they day, you'll have a girl. Stumbling? It's a boy.

Dude, does the fact that I'm clumsy in regular and pregnancy life mean I'm having all boys? Another boy vote. I ran into the dog gate just this morning. 

 

7) Face Weight Gain
If your face gets fuller, it means you're having a girl.

I think that my face looks the same, but the secretary at work says it's wider.  Vote girl.

 

8) Sugar and Spice Food Cravings
Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way. Need a little something sweet?

I crave more sweet then salty. Girl vote. 

 

9) Mood Changes
If you're experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon.

I'm not really a moody person and after consulting the hubs, I'm no more moody now than I was before. Vote boy.

 

10) High or Low Pregnant Belly
If you're carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy. If it's high, you're having a girl.

I'm not showing very much, but what is showing appears low.  My mom told me (although she may be biased). Vote boy.

 

11) Baby Weight
If you're carrying baby in front, it's a boy. Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle?

It's hard to tell because I'm only about 13/14ish weeks.  I do think my ass and thighs have grown by a little bit.  Vote girl.

 

12) Pendulum Test
Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.

This one is whack. When I held it up towards my chest it was a boy, but when I moved it lower, over my stomach it was all girl. I vote neither because it went both ways.

 

13) Model Your Hands
"Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy.'

I would show them palms up.  Vote girl.

 

14) Toddler Advice
Get baby advice from a nephew or friend's little boy. If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl. If he ignores you, it's a boy.

We don't know any toddler boys. Everyone we know with a young child has had a girl first and/or only has girls.  Vote neither.

 

15) Eat Garlic
Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores it's a boy. If there's no scent it's a little girl.

I'm going with girl for this one. Garlic is one of my five main food groups and no one has commented on my scent. 

 

16) Key to Pregnancy
If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy. If it's by the long end? A girl.

My key is on a keychain and I pick it up by the round end.  I guess boy.

 

17)Even and Odd Numbers
If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy.

I'm 29 and conceived in 2011. That means a girl is coming. 

 

18) Baby's Heartbeat
If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it's a boy.

It's a girl at 162.

 

19) Stress Test
A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.

I think I was more stressed at the time of conception because we had a puppy in the crate next to our bed that was whining and needed training.  John isn't fazed by that sort of thing (plus, he wanted/begged for the dog).  Vote boy.

 

20) Dream Meanings
If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.

In my dreams I'm having a girl -- twin girls.  Vote boy.

 

21) Breast Size
If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, it's a baby boy.

They both look the same to me.

 

Total
Boy-10 Girl-7 Neither-3

 

What do you think? Were this old wives tales true for you?

Week 12

Week 12- May 6th-12th

Due Date: November 18, 2011

How Big is Baby: The blob is the size of a plum and looks more like a baby, less like a blob.

Total Weight Gain: 4 pounds.

Morning Sickness/Symptoms: I have been so so so lucky. I haven't been sick at all aside from the one week spurt of nausea. My friend told me that I'm great at being pregnant and she may be right-- my first trimester was a relative breeze.

Cravings: I like fruit and cinnamon life, but I don't HAVE to have anything.

Sleep: I'm slightly less tired than I was the first trimester. I've heard that with the second trimester comes an energy spurt. I'm looking forward to that.

I Can't Live Without: Maternity clothes. OMG. Best invention ever. It's like wearing pajamas to work. I could probably still wear my regular pants, but why bother when they make fashionable elastic waist pants!?

I Miss: At the risk of sounding like a total alcoholic-- alcohol.

I am Looking Forward to: Finding out if this baby is a boy or a girl!

Milestones: I have made it out of the first trimester! We also had our 12 week ultrasound on Tuesday and it was so much fun. The blob is totally a baby and the tech spent over 30 minutes with us and even whipped out the 3-D/4-D wand. With a simple tap on the belly, the baby totally turned flips around in my stomach and it was really fun to watch!

It also looks like the baby is measuring farther ahead that I thought s/he would be. Based on our 12 week ultrasound, the baby is really measuring more like 13 weeks, 1 day (as of Tuesday, May 10th) but they want to keep my due date the same for now.

Awkward Moments: Pregnancy can be totally awkward. You already don't feel that great about yourself, so it's not that fun with your mother and father-in-law ask you repeatedly if you're sure you're not having twins. Thanks, I guess I look fat.

Also, when you tell people you're pregnant a simple congrats would suffice. Instead, I get were you trying and my new favorite-- "oh I knew it all along because your face has gotten wider." Sweet. Just what every ballooning woman wants to hear.

Exercise: Thanks to the twins comments I've been exercising every day this week (except for Thursday). I've done prenantal pilates a few times, summer sander's video, and I'm walking on the treadmill every other day.

Diet: It's fine. I'm cooking more because I have more energy. We had Taco meatloaf, rice and corn last night. Tonight will be homemade chicken parm with angel hair pasta.

Movement: It amazes me that I can't feel anything yet (I know this is normal). I'm simply amazed because we watched the baby for half an hour and s/he was doing cartwheels in my abdomen. It amazes me to think that they could be doing that all day and I don't have a clue.

Gender: Well after consulting a few old wives tales we did get a few girl signs-- 1. the ring on a string test said girl. 2. Supposedly if baby's heartbeat is over 140 it is a girl (ours is 162). 3) they claim that girl mamas gain in the hips, butt, and thighs and I suppose I could fit that description too. Despite that, I still feel like it's a boy. I took the pregnancy test and immediately said, "it's a boy." We should find out in 4 weeks.

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

Can you believe that tiny (ahem, okay maybe not tiny) bump? I have friends that didn't show until they were like 7 months pregnant. I'm not sure what's up with me!

Did any of ya'll get a bump this early?




Can you spot Oh Snap's tail?

What I'm Reading

This book was better than the other money saving books that I've read and it was much more realistic.  The last grocery saving book I read urged me not to buy chicken unless it was at a rock bottom price of .79 cents per pound.  Well, I'm not sure how things/prices are in east bumblef*ck, but I couldn't skin my own chicken for .79 cents per pound here in the Washington DC area.  I'm not sure where the author lives, but she had more sense to her and I learned a lot.

Of course she does stress the use of coupons, but that's alright with me. We already use coupons, subscribe to the Sunday paper and I beg my coworkers and mother-in-law to mail me their unused coupon inserts (works 50% of the time).  No, I'm not one of those crazies on extreme couponing (because I'm not sure how things are in east bumblef*ck, but where I live you can't even use more than 5 of the same coupons at a time). 

 This one is definitely worth picking up from the library.



From Goodreads.com: Americans are hungry for bargains these days, but one woman has developed the ultimate strategy for enjoying a feast of savings. Taking the nation by storm, with appearances ranging from The Oprah Winfrey Show Stephanie Nelson has shown countless women and men how to save thousands of dollars by becoming savvy coupon clippers-without sacrificing nutrition or quality. Now, in The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half, Nelson demonstrates all of the tricks of the trade-beyond coupons and tailor-made for a variety of shopper lifestyles. Whether you're a "busy" shopper and have only a small amount of time each week to devote to finding the best deal; a "rookie" shopper who is ready to put more effort into cutting bills; or a seasoned "varsity" shopper who is looking for new ways to get the deepest discounts possible, this book offers techniques thatw ill make it easy to save money at any level and on any timetable.

Extending her Strategic Shopping protocols to mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, natural-food stores, drugstores, and other retailers, Nelson proves that value and variety can go hand in hand. With meal- planning tips, recipes, and cost-comparison guides, as well as inspiring real-life stories from the phenomenal Coupon Mom movement, this is a priceless guide to turning the checkout lane into a road of riches

What I Wore Wednesday!

I don't have a ton of outfits this week, but eat your heart out with these....

FRIDAY-WORK


Black Dress- Macys
Pink Cardigan- Lands End Canvas
Shoes- Target


MONDAY-WORK


Brown Dress- Macys
Floral Cardigan- Target
Shoes- Target


TUESDAY-WORK


Pink Top- The Limited
Black Capris- Old Navy *Maternity
Shoes- Target


WEDNESDAY-WORK


Brown Top- Macys
Peach Cardigan- Lands End Canvas
Khaki Capris- Old Navy *Maternity
Shoes- Target

Ten on Tuesday

Want to play? Link up here: Roots and Rings.

1. If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Gah, only one movie?! I'd stick these three in a bag and be happy with whatever comes out: Clueless, Legally Blonde, & Dodgeball.  I know, I have such Klassy taste. 

2. Let's say someone wrote a screenplay about you; what actor/actress would you choose to play you and why?

Well obviously I'd pick Reese Witherspoon b/c she's adorable.  Once, someone told me I looked like her and it made my year.  I think they were lying, but whatever.

3. What's the first movie you remember seeing in theaters?

I have no idea. Titanic comes to mind, but I know I've seen movies prior to that.

4. Did you ever make out at the back of a movie theater in middle school/high school?

If I did, it was in high school and it was with my long time high school love.

5. Are you a Netflix-er, Blockbuster-er or a Redbox-er? (Or none of the above?)

We get netflix.. but we often need at least two weeks to watch something. We never have a lot of time to just watch a movie. We redbox a lot when we're in between netflix movies.

6. Name one actor/actress who you would give anything to have a dinner date with.

I think Gerard Butler is pretty hot. So was Brad Pitt 5 years ago...

7. What's the worst movie you've ever seen?

Winter's Bone. It was awful. I'm gonna be so pissed if that girl plays Katniss in the Hunger Games.  She is the anti Katniss.

8. Do you sneak snacks into the theater when you go?

If I have time to go to the store first! I've snuck in cokes, twizzlers, assorted candies, and a subway sandwich.

9. Movie theater popcorn: love or hate it?

Whether I want it or not the hubs MUST have it.  I like it while it's going down, but usually regret it/feel sick later.

10. What is the all-time best Disney movie in your opinion?

Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin are my all time favorites.  Which reminds me.. I saw Lion King and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and those would probably rank in the top ten moments of my life. Highly recommended!!

Diary of a Pregnant Lady: Week 11

We are now caught up. I am officially 12 weeks today, and will review the previous week each week.

Week 11- April 29 - May 6

Due Date: November 18, 2011

How Big is Baby: The blob is the size of a lime. That seems so huge to me.

Total Weight Gain: 3 pounds.

Morning Sickness/Symptoms: My nausea came back a bit this week. It hits me out of the blue and goes away pretty quickly as well. I'm still tired. I still can't sleep through the night without peeing at least once.

Cravings: If I have to pick I would say waffles.. but it's not really a true craving.

Sleep: I'm sleeping a lot. I'm exhausted in the afternoon. I still can't sleep through the night due to a small bladder.

I Can't Live Without: Cuddling and spooning with the husband. Kitty cuddles on my chest.

I Miss: Buttoning my pants and sleeping through the night. I was up to pee FOUR FREAKIN' times on Tuesday night. That's pretty ridiculous for not having a baby bump. I never used to pee mid night pre-baby.

I am Looking Forward to: The second trimester! I am SO close! We have our first trimester screening on Tuesday when we can finally get another ultrasound. Our first/only ultrasound was at 7 weeks and the blob was simply a blob.

Milestones: I finally told most of my friends the news and blogged about it. It feels so good to talk about it. The last few weeks have been the longest weeks of my life. In blob news, the blob's fingers and toes are no longer webbed and they are developing teeth.

Awkward Moments: People stare at my stomach every time I tell them. It gets annoying. Also, telling people that I'm pregnant is awkward. I'm super excited, but it's just an awkward moment. How does one work it into conversation? Thank god for email/text/

Exercise: I'm trying to do the treadmill and I've done body boot camp twice. I need to do something with weights though b/c my arms are turning to jelly. Can anyone recommend a prego work out?

Diet: The worst. Chinese, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle. I'm scared to weigh in.

Movement: The doctor says yes, but none that I can feel.

Gender: The ladies at work seem to think it's a girl. The first girl votes of the season. We met Some Catchy Thing for dinner and she noted that I should pay attention to what I'm drawn to in the store (it worked for her). If that is true, I'm totally drawn to "boy things." Girls stuff is totally cute, but the boy stuff sends me over the edge. At this time, boy stuff is > girl stuff. We'll see what that means in a few weeks.

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!


My normal amount of fat (taken at 11 weeks pregnant) with a side of bloat!)

Diary of a Pregnant Lady: Week 10

Week 10- April 22- 29

Due Date: November 18, 2011

How Big is Baby: The blob is the size of a prune. Yum.

Total Weight Gain: 3 pounds.

Morning Sickness/Symptoms: Week ten had been fabulous. No nausea at all. I feel much less tired than I have in previous weeks (although, still tired in pregnancy terms). I have been feeling great aside from some headaches after being in the sun all day.

Cravings: Candy. It never tastes as good as it sounds in my head though.

Sleep: I’m sleeping well and I enjoy at least 8 hours per night. I’m starting to wake up with a sore back/hips.

I Can't Live Without: Sleep, food, and the hub’s help.

I Miss: Margaritas on the patio. Happy hour. Subway turkey sandwiches.

I am Looking Forward to: The second trimester!

Milestones: We had an OB appointment on Monday and we heard the heartbeat again. The Dr. said that things sound great. We also told our grandparents, aunts, and uncles about our little one on Easter.

Awkward Moments: My mother-in-law asked me how many more trans-vaginal ultrasounds I am expecting.

Exercise: I’m still walking on the treadmill as much as possible and I even whipped out the body boot camp video one day this week.

Diet: I’ll eat anything/everything. I love food right now-- especially Chinese, corn on the cob and sweet potatoes.

Movement: The doctor says yes, but none that I can feel.

Gender: More votes for the boy. My mother will tell everyone that listens that it’s going to be a boy (and she did so frequently on Easter).

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

Diary of a Pregnant Lady: Week 8 & 9

Week Eight

Due Date: November 18, 2011

How Big is Baby: He/she is the size of a Raspberry

Total weight gain: One pound.

Morning Sickness: So far so good!

Cravings: Nothing in particular—aside from junk like pizza and fast food—but that’s not due to a craving, it’s due to laziness and exhaustion.

Sleep: I’m exhausted this week. More so than any other week.

I can't live without: Green Apple Italian Ice from Ritas and my husband’s help.

I miss: Having a clean house. I have no ENERGY when I get home from work and my house is suffering greatly.

I am looking forward to: Hearing the heartbeat on April 25th—I’m still totally anxious that something has gone wrong.

Milestones: Our baby is moving his/her eyes, fingers, legs and toes!

Exercise: I’ve been walking on the treadmill and I’ve been walking the dog, but nothing compared to my pre-pregnancy routine.

Diet: Junk—but I’ve been eating A LOT more fruit this week. A whole pineapple, clementines, strawberries and apples.

Movement: The doctor says yes, but none that I can feel.

Gender: I’m still thinking that it’s a boy

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this



Week Nine

Due Date: November 18, 2011

How Big is Baby: The blob is the size of a Green Olive!

Total weight gain: 2-3 pounds. Wah. Too soon.

Morning Sickness: Hopefully in the clear. I have random waves of nausea that go away quickly.

Cravings: Watermelon. I wish watermelon wasn’t so expensive right now.

Sleep: Surprisingly, I can see the other side of 9:30 now.

I can't live without: Still sleep!

I miss: Having the energy to clean my house and the ability to button my pants comfortably. The bloating is crazy.

I am looking forward to: Easter! I think that we are going to spill the beans to more family members.

Milestones: Our baby is officially a fetus and I was able to pick up the heart rate using an at home fetal doppler that we purchased-- the Sonoline B. I highly recommend it to ease any anxiety. We were able to hear the heartbeat before the doctor could.

Exercise: I’m still walking on the treadmill every other day. I need to start weights.

Diet: I’ve been cooking in bulk. This week we had Taco soup a few nights and Lasagna a few nights. Yum.

Movement: The doctor says yes, but none that I can feel.

Gender: Everyone thinks it’s a boy. I went to the eye doctor today and even they said I’m having a boy because I didn’t experience terrible morning sickness throughout my first trimester. During all of my dreams I’m having a girl and/or twin girls. I’m not sure what that means.

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

What I Wore Wednesday

I'm back with some outfits. Getting dressed is so hard now. My ass, hips, thighs and stomach have expanded slightly and I don't feel like I look great.

I'll take the bump look over the I ate too many cheeseburgers look any day. I'm hoping that the bump sprouts soon.

Monday After Easter- OB/GYN appointment


Black Pocket Tee- Old Navy
Army Shorts- Old Navy

Tuesday after Easter- Work


Black Dress- Target
Ruffled Cardigan- AT Loft
Shoes- Marshalls


Wednesday- Work


Pink Dress- Target
White Tank- Target
White Cardigan- AT Loft
Gold Sandals- Target


Thursday- Work


Turquoise Shirt- Target
Necklace- Old Navy
Black Capris- Old Navy *Maternity
Black Sandals- Target


Friday- Work


Purple Cardigan- AT Loft
Gray Capris- AT Loft
Cami- Old Navy
Shoes- Target


Saturday- Craft Fair, Lunch and Dog Training


Pink Top- AT Loft
Gray Capris- AT Loft
Sandals- Target


Saturday night- Impromptu dinner with friends


Black Top- Marshalls
Jeans- Old Navy
Black Sandals- Target
Cardigan- Lands End Canvas


Monday- Work


Red Dress- Macys
Black Cardigan- Old Navy
Black Shoes- Target

Diary of a Pregnant Lady: Week 7

Week Seven

Due Date: We had our first doctors appointment on Monday and we’re due 11/18!

How Big is Baby: He/she is the size of a blueberry

Total weight gain: One pound. I’m not amused.

Morning Sickness: It has gotten a lot better. Knock on wood. Please, don’t come back.

Cravings: I’m eating like a cow, because it keeps the nausea at bay, but nothing sounds good. Whenever I imagine food I don’t have good thoughts. Nothing sounds fabulous. Looking at a picture of creamy lasagna in a magazine almost sent me over an edge. I’m gagging just writing this sentence out.

Sleep: I can’t get enough. I’m in bed by 9 every night. I did manage to stay up until 10 one time this week. Score!

I can't live without: Sleep.

I miss: Staying up past 9pm and sitting on the patio with a beer.

I am looking forward to: The second trimester!

Milestones: We saw our little baby. I was so so so nervous before our appointment. In real life, my husband and I know about 11 girls that either just had a baby or who are currently pregnant. They all got pregnant pretty easily (within a month or two) and none of them have had any losses (that we know about). I couldn’t stop thinking that those 11 were lucky and that 20% of women never hear that first heartbeat. In my head I kept thinking about how the odds were MAJORLY against us when we compared ourselves to our friends. Thankfully, at our appointment we learned that the baby is measuring right on track and although we didn’t get to hear the heartbeat, we saw it flickering away on the ultrasound.

Exercise: I’ve been walking on the treadmill a bit more this week. I’ve stopped running because it hurts, but I can handle walking.

Diet: Crap and junk. Pizza, burgers, enchiladas. I have to get better. Healthy food sounds/tastes worse than unhealthy food.

Movement: The doctor says yes, but none that I can feel.

Gender: Seriously, if it’s a girl people are going to be seriously shocked. Everyone that knows that we are expecting has been referring to our little blob as a he, junior, or a future redskins coach. My mom calls me to ask about how her grandson is doing and my MIL is wondering where I will deliver him. I tend to think it’s a girl every once in a blue moon, but I’m in the minority.

Labor Signs: It’s far too soon for this!

Diary of a Pregnant Lady: Weeks 5 & 6

FOUR/FIVE/SIX WEEKS PREGNANT

I have felt surprisingly good. I went to bed a bit earlier than usual but I still managed to do my Couch to Five K program, I cooked dinner every night, and I was a decent person to be around.

I’m starting to get a tiny bit scared about how okay I feel. Is my baby okay? Is this really working out?

On Thursday, when I hit 4wks, 6 days I started to feel EXHAUSTED. I came home, walked the dog and started making shepherd's pie. By 6:30 I felt faint and needed to lay down. I was ready for bed by 8:30pm for the first time since fourth grade.

Friday at work was NOT fun. The day dragged. I felt like my sinuses were all puffy and I was exhausted overall. Almost as though I was detached my my body and disassociated.


Week 5

Due Date: Not confirmed- but according to various websites it’s November 18, 2011

Total weight gain: None

Morning Sickness: Week five has been gentle on me. I get nauseous easily as a normal (non pregnant) person so I was really scared about the morning sickness and I was certain that I’d puke 22343 times per day. So far so good! I have been taking extra vitamin B6, which has been clinically proven to reduce nausea. It’s working for me!

Cravings: Nothing yet-- except maybe candy-- but this is nothing new. I always crave candy.

Sleep: I can’t get enough of it. Sleeping has become my favorite activity. I always wake up at
least 1-2 times to pee during the night. I’m not sure why this is happening ALREADY.

I can't live without: Vitamin B6 and Jolly Ranchers. They have stopped any slight nausea that I have had.

I miss: Staying up past 8:30pm, watching my shows (I don’t have the energy to even watch TV some days) and sleeping through the night.

I am looking forward to: Week 7, when we get to go to the doctor.

Milestones: Telling my parents! We told them with a framed picture at my dad’s birthday dinner. It said, First came love, then came marriage, in November comes the baby in the baby carriage.

Exercise: I’ve run about 2-3 miles 3x this week, walked the dog every day, and did a little bit of weights. I need to find a good weight routine pronto!

Diet: Terrible. Checkers, Chickfila and Chipotle. I’m feeling too tired to cook. I need to work on this diet.

Movement: Nope.

Gender: I think it’s a boy. The Chinese gender chart (done both ways thinks it’s a boy). My mom immediately said it was a boy. My sister thinks it’s a boy. My husband thinks it’s a boy. Strangely, no one thinks it could be a girl.

Labor Signs:It’s far too soon for this!



Week Six:

Due Date: Not confirmed- but according to various websites it’s November 18, 2011

Total weight gain: None.... yet. I feel like I’ve gained a trillion with all of the bloating.

Morning Sickness: Oh M Gee. I have felt pretty pukey this week. I haven’t puked at all, but I’m nauseous 24/7. I’m taking extra B6, wearing sea bands and living on saltines but it’s not helping all that much. The only thing that makes me feel better is eating. I’m currently eating every second. I expect to look like a sumo wrestler soon. I actually told my friend Shaina that this child better be a girl, because girls are rumored to make you feel terrible. I cannot imagine feeling worse than this.

Cravings: I hear someone mention a food (such as grilled cheese and Mac and Cheese) and then I think I want it and I eat it. Nothing tastes great to me though. Everything seems to have a sour taste to it. The only thing that I feel like I have to have this week is Alphabets cereal and of course we can’t find it anywhere!!

Sleep: I’ve been sleeping a lot. I’m in bed by 9 most nights. I feel like my grandma. Oh wait, scratch that. She stays up later than I do.

I can't live without: Gingerale, saltines and jolly ranchers.

I miss: acting normal. Now I have to pretend that I'm normal and it’s really hard to pretend when you are tired and feel pukey.

I am looking forward to: Week 7, when we get to go to the doctor.

Milestones: We told John’s family last Saturday!

Exercise: I have been slacking. I need to get on it but I’ve been nauseous. I ran/walked on Sunday and I’ve been sitting on my butt ever since.

Diet: Not too bad this week because everything tastes disgusting. Consists of a lot of carbs.

Movement: Nope.

Gender: I still think it’s a boy. The Chinese gender chart (done both ways thinks it’s a boy). My mom immediately said it was a boy. My sister thinks it’s a boy. My husband thinks it’s a boy. Strangely, no one thinks it could be a girl.

Ten on Tuesday

1. What is the weather like in your city today?
Simply gorgeous. Sunny and 75. Of course I'm stuck at work. I do have a few windows open though. 

 

2. Do you like the zoo?
It's fine.  If I'm going to do something educational I prefer the science museum and/or an aquarium.

 

3. Do you eat coconut?
Generally, no. I'm not a fan.

 

4. Have you ever hammered a nail? Are you good at it?
Obviously.  My parents used to force us to hang drywall as a weekend activity.  They like to renovate and we were the guinea pig helpers. 

 

5. Does your family have a vacation destination that you visit often?
My family always went somewhere different when we were growing up, which was fun.  We most often went to the carribbean, various places in Florida, or Canada (i.e. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island etc.).  I think my husband's family has always gone to Ocean City for their vacation, so we do that with them every year now that we are married.  I'd also like to keep up my parent's tradition of trying new places as well, which we've done with our honeymoon and most recent cruise. 

 

6. How many pillows do you sleep with?
2-- but one is always completely vertical so it's basically like sleeping with one. 

 

7. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?
Roll over, grumble "it's too early," and check my phone.

 

8. Will you send your kids to summer camp?
Sure thing. I had so much fun at summer camp-- and my brother, sister and I always went to sports camps every summer once we hit 10 or 11.  I played field hockey (and amazingly was pretty great at it), lacrosse and did cheerleading, my sister played soccer, and my brother played hockey/lacrosse.  We attended camp for at least one of our sports every year. 

 

9. What do you put in your baked potatoes?
A little bit of butter, light sour cream, sometimes cheese, sometimes bacon, sometimes chives, sometimes broccoli.  Depends on what we have on hand.

 

10. Did you take swimming lessons as a kid?
I did when I was an infant, but I probably should have continued. I can't swim for crap! I can doggy paddle, swim underwater briefly and do the "frog" but I couldn't swim an entire lap to save my life. 

 

Link up here: http://rootsandrings.com/2011/05/ten-on-tuesday-78/

Dairy of a Pregnant Lady, Weeks 3 & 4

{The following is some journaling that I did between the weeks of March 11, 2011 and March 25, 2011}

THREE/FOUR WEEKS PREGNANT

We found out that I was expecting on March 11, 2011. I was going to wait until morning to test, but I started feeling a little bit queasy after one glass of champagne and figured that I might as well do it then and there before I kept drinking.

I did NOT think that I was pregnant. February had been hectic. We got a puppy, things were crazy. There was just no way.

I was a bit naive about this whole getting pregnant thing. My husband has wanted a baby since the day we said “I do,” but I was much more reticent about it. The original plan was to start trying in August 2010, but I always pushed the date back, blaming just one more happy hour. Lets face it, I had a lot of excuses.

Finally, in February I got fed up with myself, realize that I was ready and I decided that we could start “seeing what happens.” I know that I am by NO means old, however, I was also aware of the fact that I wasn’t getting any younger. If I’m gonna try to have a few kids prior to 35ish, now is probably the time to get started.

Well, you know what happened next.

On Saturday March 5, I started to feel nauseous. I didn't really put too much thought into it because I tend to be a nauseous kind of person. I have a pretty weak stomach and I'm nauseous at least once a month. If heaven was a department store that we could visit for a few minutes (while alive), I'd ask God for a stomach refund.

Anyways, back to my nauseous life. I have been known to feel perfectly fine, puke my guts out and then go out to dinner and eat like a cow. That's my style. My mom is the same way--as is my sister.

I continued to feel nauseous on and off all week. I attributed it to spring and my allergies. I have post nasal drip like woah and that often makes me nauseous.

I also started to feel SUPER tired last week, but I attributed this symptom to life with a new puppy. I usually stay up until 11:30pm every night but I'd been in bed by 10 all week-- again, I didn't really give it a second thought because going to bed an hour and a half early isn't ALL that radical.

On Friday (week 3), I had my weirdest symptom yet.... .

Boys, shut your ears and eyes cause this is TMI.

I was running on my treadmill (week 7 of C25K ya'll) and all of a sudden my boobs started killing. It almost felt like my nipples had turned into daggers. It went a little something like this.

run, run, run.
ouch my nipples hurt
run, run, run.
are there knives in my shirt?
run, run, run.
am I pregnant?
ah, hell no. I just ran for 25 minutes. pregnant people don’t run for 25 minutes do they?
run, run, run
OUCH.

I was supposed to get my period on Saturday and I’ve heard that periods can make boobies hurt. Mine have never hurt before, but it could be a new symptom.

Man, was I clueless or what?

>Anways, fast forward to a “yay, it’s Friday” pop the champagne, evening at home followed by nausea and a pregnancy test. I called John up (he was watching basketball) and we were both in SHOCK.

Since then, my thoughts have gone a little something like this:
Weeeeeeeeeeeee.
Yes, I love babies
HOORAY
Holy shit
I can’t afford this
How can we do this?
Weeeeeeee
Who’s going to watch our kid?
Hooray
I love babies
I am not ready for this
We are ready for this
Wow.
Weeeeeee

The day after we found out I was scheduled to go to a wine/food pairing class with a few girlfriends. I went, I had a few tiny sips of wine (I didn’t want to look too obvious) and I managed to keep my lips sealed. It was hard though... especially because I thought that I was going to VOM all over the table due to a certain scent--- the restaurant had one of those little candles on the table that was fueled with propane/kerosene and you’d think I had taken a bath in that candle holder. The smell was overwhelming.

Holy crap. Is this for real?

Welcome to 2011

My pregnant bum is in bed by 9:00pm most nights. (It's amazing how exhausting making a human is).

 

Would you know that I found out about Usama Bin Laden at 6:40 am thanks to facebook?

 

Welcome to 2011. 

 

Facebook has taken over our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ps. pathentic but true tidbit-- I can't remember where I heard this-- but supposedly research shows that the average person cannot go 24 hours without saying the word facebook.  I've been monitoring it with the hubs. It's true.  And it's pathetic. And I'm guilty of it as well.