Our NEWlywed LIFE!

Ponderings of a new mother

2011-12-20T07:51:00.001-05:00

Not only do I hate mornings...I suck at them. My bad habit of being hopelessly unorganized is coming back to bite me!

No post is complete without a dose of cuteness! Ps I'm posting this from my phone so please forgive the pic if its crappy

New respect for mothers

2011-12-17T15:53:00.001-05:00

Honestly I always thoughts moms complaining of constantly being tired and complaining about never having time to do anything were being a tad overdramatic but as I'm sitting here typing this post one-handed because my son has decided that naptime will not take place in his pack n play or crib but on my chest and I'm so tired that I'm considering living in my PJ's and having a coffee IV hooked up so I can keep my eyelids open, to say I have a new respect for moms is an understatement. So, if you're a mom, I salute you!

The Lil Italian has had quite an exciting 2 1/2months so far in his life. He started on out in a NICU and we were really hoping that that was going to be the end of his medical drama...little did we know...ohhh, little did we know.

LIl Italian got to start Daycare when he was 8 weeks old and LOVED IT! They did so much fun stuff with him and he seemed so happy there. He was htere a week when we noticed he was a little off. So, after sticking his thermometer under his arm because I'm not quite comfortable sticking that..um..up there. But it was a 101.9 so off to the pediatrician we trucked on a Saturday morning.

Two hours later, LIl Italian and I were on a helicopter to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh! He had had a spinal tap to check for meningitis and went into shock afterwards. So, he was loaded on a gurney and off we went. Swarmed by a huge team of nurses and doctors when we got there, they quickly treated him and got him stable but not before giving his mom and dad a mild heart attack. He stayed in Children's while being poked and prodded, scanned and searched. We both may have been uncomfortable with people taking his temperature..up there..but a few days of having it done every four hours and he doesn't mind it quite so much anymore...which is to say he doesn't scream BLOOD MURDER when they checked it.

All is well now, he's home..he's been pulled out of daycare for the next few months just until his immune system is alittle more matured. In the end he was diagnosed with acute viral syndrome. He's all recovered now and growing like a weed!! This child is sooo full of drama!! He's lucky he's cute. ;-)

So, no more day care for him...now he stays with Vinny's dad who is absolutely loving this time with him...it's actually more convenient..it's on my way to work and we're saving ALOT of money! and I go there every day after work to find them sitting his a recliner chatting..it's really so cute!

I love motherhood though....for every sleepless night, the next night I miss him horribly if he doesn't wake up..for every time he spits on my shirt, I miss when I don't to feed him because I'm at work...I love how he just looks around..you can see it in his eyes that he's learning something new every minute! Seeing him smile is like an instant high!

On another note, Christmas is coming way too quick..I don't have cookies made yet and I'm really really hoping I finished Christmas shopping by then!

Only a few more days!!!

2011-10-12T16:23:00.000-04:00

Until the Lil Italian is home with us! Since yesterday, we are both under hospital arrest...just kidding..but it does feel like it. We're in a special room in the NICU for babies who are going home soon for a couple reasons. One: since he's a nursing baby, they want to make sure he can nurse around the clock which he can and he does! Two: since he's been in NICU since he was born and we were robbed of that "bonding" rooming in, they want to make sure you have it. And Three: since he is a nursing baby and not a formula baby, they have to closely monitor his weight in relation to his nursing...it takes alot of energy to nurse and they want to make sure he's not burning more than he's taking in. So, he has his security bracelet on his ankle so he can't escape and we're on hospital arrest together. This hospital DOES have good food so that's a big plus! And they have free Wi-Fi so I'm catching on my Netflix queue in between nursing sessions.

His first day in clothes! It was a big day!

Oh dear heavens, this kid really does sleep like me!!! This pic explains so much about when he was still in my uterus!

The kid loves his binky!!!

So, in my last post, I said that i was going to talk about breastfeeding. Let's talk boobies which is appropriate because it's breast cancer awareness month!

When I was younger(we're talking early twenties) and thought about having babies I would have never considered breastfeeding. Um, that would be a little weird to have some little "thing" sucking on my boobs. But the older I got, the more mature I became and really wanted to try breastfeeding. My sister in law breastfed all 5 of her kids and she was very open about discussing it and the more I talked to her the more I wanted to. And then when we had our little boy, the hospital we delivered at were VERY VERY VERY pro nursing! The doctors do anything they can do support you even if it means a longer hospital stay for your baby and all the nurses in the NICU are lactation specialists who are available to help you! They're wonderful! For preemies, breastmilk is like a SUPERFOOD!

I have no idea what it's like if you have a term baby and dealing with milk coming in, I only know how it is for preemies. But I thought I'd pass on some of my wisdom and maybe..maybe help someone else who has questions.

1. when they say you only get a few drops for the first few days...that's LITERAL. I thought maybe this was exxagerated and ended up in the nursery a sobbing mess(remember, I was dealing with hormones too) because I was worried about my baby. But the lactation specialist assured me that you ONLY.GET. A. FEW. DROPS. We had to pull up the colostrum with a tiny syringe a couple times and run it down to the nursey..that's how little we got.

2. Pump pump pump and pump! Every 2 to 3 hours. without fail. don't get frustrated by No. 1 and be tempted to skip because you think you'll get more if you "store up", you need to pump and it'll come....it's like Field of Dreams....."if you pump them, it will come! " This sucks in the middle of night but you'll only hurt yourself if you miss a bunch of sessions. I know this from experience...I forgot to set my alarm for one of my feedings and I woke up looking like Dolly Parton and feeling like my boobs had turned into cinder blocks!

3. Speaking on pumping, don't run out to Target and buy some economy pump. You'll probably need a hospital grade pump...please don't look at the price tag of these, they're $1000 + depending on the brand. If you have a preemie, there's a good chance, your insurance will pick up the tab on renting you a pump because Dr's have proven that preemies NEED mother's breastmilk. The pumps you find at Target aren't going to be good enough to get that milk supply started. Remember you weren't supposed to be making milk yet.

4. Don't turn up the sucking power too high..I learned this the hard way when it felt like I was trying to suck my intestines out through one of my nipples (and then I suddenly considering giving up drinking milk due to cruelty to milking cows) and read in my breastfeeding book that you start on the lowest settting first...I'll be darned..I get more milk on a lower setting (and resumed drinking milk but okay, that's not half bad and makes me sleepy).

5. Don't get frustrated when the little darling preemie won't latch..like the other advice, remember, he or she isn't supposed to be here yet. They're supposed to be relaxing quietly in your womb and getting all their nutrients from your umbilical cord. So, you really need to be patient and they'll catch up.

6. For preemies, learn to love the nipple shield which really isn't as scary as I thought it was! The Lil Italian just couldn't grab onto my nipples..which is sad because I thought I had good breastfeeding nipples but I guess not :-(. But the nipple shield makes it a thousand times easier on them...but you may want to grab the smaller size.. Lil Italian was choking on the normal size.

7. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I would have given up in those first few days if it wasn't for the nurses here. They've been absolutely amazing and make me feel normal for all my weird questions.

And here are a couple things that have helped me survive this breastfeeding.

My baby, first of all, it took him about a week to catch up but now he's a champion nurser!!
My Boppy, I don't always use it but in the middle of the night when I'm exhausted, it's really helping me out.
My nursing bras, I had no idea they reallywould be as handy as they are!
The nipple shield for the above reasons.
My hospital provided me with a Medela Initiation Kit which has all the supplies for all Medela pumps except for hte freestyle so it's compatible with any hospital grade and most economy pumps made by Medela! Ask your hospital about it. If they don't have one, look it up online to see if you can grab one.

Hot washcloths...these are awesome for letting your milk come down. I don't really know what this means...but my milk comes in so I'm assuming I'm just missing it..But I do know the washcloths make them feel better
Milk storage bags. I have the Lansinoh(sp?) and I love them because they have exactly the information that the nursery needs labeled.
And a husband who is willing to wake up with you at 3am so you have someone to talk to and is willing to take your milk downstairs and let you go back to sleep. Seriously, having Vinny be so supportive has been WONDERFUL!

Wow, why is it that all my posts lately are so long and probably boring to everyone else but me :-)

So, what's going on with everyone else?

Csections and what I learned through my pregnancy

2011-10-04T11:30:00.001-04:00

I don't know exactly why but I was dead-set on having a vaginal birth. For some reason, I thought it was like a right of passage..earning my stripes of motherhood by going through it all.   By feeling every push and every contraction. But when the doctor told me they needed to get my baby out, I didn't care about any of it. I cared about him and I guess that's what earning your stripes of mother hood are. Caring about your baby more than you care about yourself or some crazy notion of what motherhood meant.

The Csection really wasn't bad at all. My anesthesiologist was great but he's not the one who did my spinal. A student did only I didn't know this was gonna happen until a needle was in my back and the anesthesiologist was showing him where to put it...try relaxing and breathing through that!!   But the nurses were amazing which is another thing. Talk about caring..I was hugged and comforted more times in that 15 minutes by strangers than I have ever been and for someone who has a bubble and doesn't like strangers really getting too close, it was exactly what I needed. But student or not, he did a great job...at least I assume he did because about 2 minutes later, I was numb from about the rib cage down.

So, my doctor came in and said we were gonna start and I looked around and no Vinny!!!   The doctor said he was pinching me really hard but I couldn't feel it so good to go! Still no Vinny!!! Then the doctor asked where he was and they realized they forgot to get him! Then I see him being thrown through the door.

**Now this part was told to me from Vinny** He was waiting in the room like the obedient husband/father than he is. They told him they'd be in in about 5 minutes to get him ready. So, when ten minutes had passed and no one got him, he poked his head out of the room just in time to hear a nurse say "Oh my God, I forgot to grab the dad!" so he sprinted down the hall to a nurse that was laughing and holding up a gown for him and then whipped him around and tied it and pushed him into the room where his wife was already getting cut.

It's the weirdest thing, I could feel them pushing around and yanking me around but no pain at all. Then I feel them pushing down on my stomach and everyone yells "Happy Birthday!" and my baby is shown to me over the curtain that they've put up so I can't see the beautiful disgusting bloody mess that I'm sure they've created on the other side. He looked soooo tiny and wasn't really doing much. The nurses yell and tell us he's doing good and just staring up at them. Then we hear him cry and that was the moment that my world flipped upside at least 15 times.   His nurse told us that his APGAR was a 9 which was music to my ears!!! They handed him to Vinny for a few second and then took him to RICN since he was so early.

The pain the next day was pretty bad and I needed the pain meds around the clock but by the next day...I was extremely aware of the BIG side effect of pain meds which is that they prevent other things from happening if you know what I mean, so bye bye pain meds...I wasn't gonna take those suckers unless it felt like my stomach was being ripped in half! I like to be an optimal pooper ;-) But I also really didn't need them as much.

No staples though! YAY! They used sutures and glue and steristrips..they say this helps the scar. And I know from my experience working in OB that the staples always seemed to come loose or get twisted which caused so many problems taking them out so I was perfectly content to not have them.

And that was my csection story and the Lil Italian's entrance into the world.

wow, this post ended up being WAY longer than I planned. So, what I have learned through this pregnancy..

1. I didn't know I could love someone that much...first my husband...I loved him of course..I married him and was thrilled to have his child. But when I waiting in the OR for him to come in, I NEEDED him. And watching him hold our son hits me straight in the heart every time! I L.O.V.E. that man.   And the next part is the obvious..the Lil Italian..that little boy completely owns me. I hold him and I can't imagine my world without him. When I leave him every day, I physically miss him. It's a pain like nothing else I've experienced. I know he's in great hands but if it were up to me, I'd be perfectly content living in the uncomfortable recliner they have in his room. I can't wait until he's home.

2. I loved being pregnant. Granted, I knowpeople say the last few weeks are the hardest and I got to miss that but I still loved being pregnant.   Even when I was in my first trimester and throwing up all my internal organs, I loved being pregnant.

3. Family family family. Everyone likes to think they can count on their family but when sometimes comes up, are you sure you can? I know I can! The Lil Italian is in a hospital that's an hour away and every day my family (both mine and Vince's) call me every day to ask if they can give me a ride, to check on me, to check on him, and to see if there is anything they can do and they mean it. That's family and you need them.

Hm..I thought that was list was gonna be longer...But I guess I hit the most important parts.

Next up...breastfeeding!!! Today I talked about poop...why not talk about boobs tomorrow?!

Do I have a surprise for you!

2011-10-03T09:49:00.001-04:00

Meet the Lil Italian! Born five weeks three days early in a highly dramatic fashion! Just like Momma!

He's doing absolutely wonderful, he's just itty bitty and needs to put on some weight. We're so so so so so lucky!

Wednesday morning I was scheduled for another screen so I went with my mother in law. My mom wanted to come but I wasn't concerned so I told her to go to work with no worries. I had my appointment and was thrilled to hear that my dopplers were okay so we would just check them in a week. Then as my doctor walked out the door, he reminded the tech that he wanted another growth check just to make sure our baby was growing as he should. The tech started and I could see that he had barely grown at all. So, she called the doctor back in and he redid all the measurements. He informed me that our baby had barely grown since the last check. His vitals were great and since I got my steriod shot the week before I would be delivering our baby that day. Boy, was I glad I thought to bring my hospital bag at the last minute. I asked to make sure that Vince could get there in time and the doctor said we'd be monitoring the baby so he would wait unless something showed up which he wasn't concerned about because the baby was doing great to this point. And I called my mom.

I really wanted to try to a vaginal birth. So, he checked me and the baby was head down so he ordered a contraction stress test to see how he would handle the stress of labor. About 1 1/2 hours into it and he was doing great until they upped the dosage and the very first big contraction, the babe was NOT a fan and his heart rate dropped down pretty far so the stress test was stopped and we were just going to wait until there was an opening in the OR and since it wasn't an emergency it could be hours.

My mom got there and Vince got there in record time(I still don't want to know how fast he drove)

Seriously and literally five minutes later, the anesthesiologist came in and said that there was an opening now so I'd be having the baby in the next 20 minutes. So, about 20 minutes later, our little son was born into the world SCREAMING! And the problem was discovered. There was a kink in the cord just like a garden hose and eventually it would have kinked permanently and had a much uglier outcome. But the doctor said he has no idea and we'll never know why it kinked and wasn't able to come undone like it normally does and how early in the pregnancy it happened. But he did say it was very rare and didn't expect it to affect any other pregnancies.

So, the Lil Italian was taken down to NICU(well they call it RICN (Regional Intensive Care Nursery) because of his size and gestation. He never needed oxygen, his lung were mature. His vitals are perfect. His weight was 3lb 8oz. His nurse said the only rare thing about him is that he didn't cry hardly at all (this has changed and when he's not happy, HE IS NOT HAPPY!). Within 12 hours, he was upgraded to the next unit which is a great thing! YAY!

He does need phototherapy for his bilirubin but this is expected and he chills out in his tanning spa which we both hate but understand that he does need it. When we get to do kangaroo care, he's at his happiest. But we can only do it for a limited time right now because he needs to stay under the phototherapy.

But I'm doing great( not that anyone cares about the mom anymore now that there's an adorable baby to go gaga over..I know I'm one of those people who just go nuts over him, hehe!) I really did want a vaginal birth but honestly the csection wasn't bad at all..but that's all for another post)!

A little late on updates but I have a good excuse!

2011-09-25T08:29:00.002-04:00

Hi! It's been a crazy last week or so!

I'm 34 weeks! woohoo!! Only 6 weeks to go according to all the books and everything but it feels like Baby Boy is doing everything he can to try to come early! Like scaring the crap out of his parents and his family..oh he really is my child..everything is high drama!

I had an appointment in Friday to check on the umbilical flow and it appeared that everything was not only what it was before when he was worried but now worse. So, I was promptly taken over to Labor and Delivery and hooked up to a nonstress test again. I passed again with flying colors which according to my doctor didn't quite make sense so he was worried that something was happening in all the time that I wasn't hooked up to a machine so he admitted me to hospital and I was started on steriods for his lungs and I was told that I'd most likely be delivering in about 48 hours. Thank heavens again that I packed my hospital bag.

Baby Boy was doing great on his monitor all night!

So, with my husband on call and out on calls, my in laws all away for the weekend, I was admitted to a hospital that's an hour away from my hometown. My mom stayed with me till about 10 pm Friday night when Vinny was able to get there. My room was pretty sweet if I do say so myself, it was huge with a big bed in the corner for Vinny to sleep in. The hospital I stayed in doesn't have set times for meals or anything, you just order room service off of their huge menu and it's brought up to you and I have to say, the food I had was pretty yummy!

What I thought was possibly my last belly pic, 34weeks exactly

I stayed on the monitor all night and Baby Boy did great, never even a hint of decreased heart rate or movement. My doctor came in the next day and repeated the scan and the flow was back to better and not only better but normal which confused him so he traced the entire length of my umblical cord(at least where he could)and saw that it was normal in some areas but there were areas that it showed reverse flow and some places that it showed absent flow. His best guess was that the umbilical cord is getting pinched under an arm or around something and when Baby Boy moves or flexes, it gets pinched more and cuts off the flow(at least this is how I understood it). So, since he did great all night. NO baby delivery for us this weekend! I just needed to get my second shot of steriods for his lungs(in case something would come up and I would need to delivery him, his lungs would be all set!) and I could go home!

Not this time! I get to go home!!

So, I'm 34 weeks and at least for another week, Baby Boy is still safe and sound inside!

I'm doing the survey a little different now because alot of those questions don't really apply anymore, ya know!

Total Weight Gain: 10lbs even right now! I've been told to keep on packing on the pounds!

Weight of Baby: When I was 32w2d, Baby Boy was 3lb4oz(which is very small), when I was checked on Friday(33w6d), he was 3lb12oz so he's gaining. Our Goal is 5lbs because normally at 5lbs, they can come home if they're born! Grow Baby Grow!

Any Signs of Labor: Nope, not a one. When they hook ya up for an NST, you also get hooked up a monitor for contractions and no contractions have showed up!
Breathing: Baby Boy was breathing beautiful on his biophysical profile on Friday so that's a great great sign and he got his two shots of steriods so his lung function should be wonderful when he's actually born!
Stretch Marks: None on the stomach yet.
Swelling: Nope. But I have been really realy careful about making sure I'm getting at least 2 1/2 liters of water a day so that might be helping too!
Nursery done yet: HAHAHA!! WE have a crib all set up. And the changing table gets delivered tomorrow..according to Amazon, that is! And we're going out today and grab a couple things but that's realy it so far..I know, I know, I need to get cracking!

33w5d

Oh this boy is going to cost me alot of money...in hair dye to cover up all this gray he's gonna give me!!!

Good news!

2011-09-15T18:10:00.001-04:00

We got a week reprieve! Baby Boy did awesome on his non stress test again so YAY! And he must have done really well because it only took about 30 minutes. And then I went for the dopplers and I got a tech who I had seen during my 24 week sonogram and LOVED! This girl is good and Baby Boy was much more cooperative. He has shifted to butt-down which freed up some room for them to see today. She did all the measurements and my doctor came in to show me that the diastolic flow is not absent but it is low. On Monday, we got a bad view because Baby Boy was laying in a very difficult position. And the flow in Baby Boy's brain is overcompensating which he said was expected and okay. So, no delivery for us today! Baby Boy will stay put for another week at least! I go back in a week for another non stress test and another doppler and I'll be doing this process until either I'm due or until there's a worsening!
Also, a really great sign. The sonogram was showing signs that Baby Boy is breathing in utero so that's great too! At least, that's what the tech said.
I also told my doctor that I've been eating alot more and he said that was wonderful and that I needed to keep doing that while this baby is still in.
Then I came home and my regular OB was already made aware so she is now ordering nonstress tests to be done at my local hospital until I deliver. And she scheduled an appointment to be made with her on Monday.
Motherhood is exhausting already.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the the well wishes and words of wisdom the last few days, they've meant so much to me! :-)

Today's our day

2011-09-15T06:25:00.001-04:00

In 8 hours, I'll know..I may not know everything by then but at least I'll know what the plan is. I have absolutely no idea how I feel. I go back and forth between every emotion from scared because it's all happening, calm because I know stressing doesn't help, crying because it's too overwhelming, angry because why didn't they pick this up sooner and if they would have, what really would they have done, and then usually the cycle starts over. I'm packing my hospital bag just in case...the hospital is an hour away from home, I want to have what I want. I'm packing a sleeper and a onesie for him even though I know he'll swim in it.
I know he's not ready to come out...he's so tiny but I believe in my heart that if they have to take him it's because they can help him more outside than in and it's the best thing for him and I have to be honest, that's what hurts the most. He's my baby..he's supposed to be safest inside where Mother Nature is supposed to take over and make sure he grows right and Mother Nature failed me again...if we have to deliver him today, I have to trust a team of nurses and doctors(albeit, the best in the area at the best hospital for this type of thing) to take care of him.
I'm helpless...all I can do it pray and believe that he'll be taken care of...

IUGR and worrisome news

2011-09-13T16:46:00.000-04:00

Have you read this little term in any pregnancy book and just skimmed by it because they say it only happens in 5% of pregnancies? Well, once again, Heidi falls into the lower statistics category. IUGR is IntraUterine Growth Restriction. It's a nice long fancy term for your baby is measuring too small.

Yesterday, we went to a specialist who's been checking up on Baby Boy and it turns out he's measuring very small..he's supposed to weigh 4lbs right now but our little guy is very little and only weighs 3lbs 4oz. So, I've been told to increase my caloric intake and drink more water. Every girl's dream, right? Until you involve my mom(love you, Mom ;-) ), my husband, and my mother in law who have now decided that they will stuff me until I burst. Okay, drinking the extra chocolate milk and milkshakes is not something I'm gonna complain about too much. But I'm starting to feel like Audrey from NAtional Lampoon's European Vacation!

But then the doctor told me something that was more upsetting than the birth weight. My umbilical cord is absent for diastolic pressure(if anyone out there can explain this in very very lamen's terms, please do!)..I really didn't know you could have systolic without diastolic but apparently in the umbilical cord, you can! And because of this, baby Boy may not be getting all the nutrients and circulation he needs so I was sent over to Labor and Delivery and hooked up to a nonstress test machine.

If you've never done this test, it sorta feels like you've been giving the clicker on Jeopardy while a heart monitor is hooked up your stomach to monitor the baby's heart. Every time you feel the baby move, you click the clicker. What is supposed to happen is when baby moves, his heart rate is supposed to go up! Well, while our little guy is little, his heart does what it's supposed to do so they weren't worried about fetal distress.

Now, I go back on Thursday to have this all rechecked and to make a decision..I'm not too sure what all options there are..I'm not sure if this is a bed rest type of decision, an induction type of decision, or a recheck and see type of decision...but I was told to keep a close eye on his movements which he's still moving like crazy which I'm taking as a good sign and hopefully on Thursday, we get some good news!

I'm excited to see Baby Boy but I don't think he's done baking yet...

I love surprises

2011-09-08T17:03:00.000-04:00

And apparently it's not hard to surprise me!

Yesterday at work, the girls at work surprised me with a baby shower! I don't know how they did it considering that they brought in cake, an entire lunch, and decorations and I didn't suspect a thing! I'll post pics whenever I can get them from one of the girls!

They also surprised me with one of my gifts! Baby Boy officially has a place to sleep in case he would decide on a very early exit, haha! They got me my Pack n Play! So, now I'm just waiting for Vinny to come home from work so I can take this thing out of the box and see it!! Yay!!! I really do love the girls I work with!!

The concerns of a vain pregnant woman

2011-09-07T17:00:00.002-04:00

So, yesterday was an interesting day. I felt horrible all night and was sick and then was woken up by some WICKED cramping that returned every few minutes so of course I started to worry a little. And they seemed to be getting stronger and closer.

I didn’t say anything to Vinny because I didn’t want to worry him so I drove to work and called my OB who decided that I was probably dehydrated and was supposed to drink diluted Gatorade and see them in the afternoon.
My cramps went away and then I was consumed by the fear that I was not shaven. And we’re not just talking the undercarriage ladies, we’re talking about legs…so in a few hours, I would be spreading my hairy legs for the on call doctor to show him/her my ungroomed..ahem area. Now I worked in an OB office for several years so I truly do know and understand that they do not care but I CARE!
So, let me ask you something and answer honestly…when you hit your third trimester..were you always groomed and ready to go? And if you’re not pregnant, do you plan on always staying groomed when and if you’re pregnant?
I’ll ponder this while I’m running to Target this afternoon to fill my bathroom of as many disposable razors as they have in stock.

Oh PS: everything was fine..I was just dehydrated and my cervix is still locked up tight! YAY! And no more cramps but a very active baby who was not thrilled at being pushed around by the on call!

Okay, I feel I need to say something

2011-09-05T07:57:00.001-04:00

If you've been on facebook, I'm sure you've seen the new Breast Cancer Awareness Game that you note a week of pregnancy and what's you're craving and there are rules I don't know about and frankly I don't care about. No mention of Breast Cancer or anything. Please don't participate in this game. People who are suffering from infertility are often accused of being too sensitive and while I don't wish pregnancy losses or infertility on even my worst enemy, I do wish people got the sensitivity that only people who've been through it have. No one should have to feel a loss or the difficulty to become pregnant. And those stupid posts shouldn't be anything but a stupid game that people can laugh about but it's not a perfect world and posts like that are hurtful to people. I'm been trying to figure out exactly how to word this and then I looked at my journal and saw an entry I did before I was pregnant and was trying so desperately to be and was trying to get my feelings out.

"Nothing feels as lonely as infertility. Silently and alone, cursing and crying through the start of every period while trying to put in a face that tells the world that you are stronger than this while every fiber in your body feels like it's gonna give out on you any second. Being afraid to look anyone in the eyes becuase you're afraid you'll finally break. Living your life through cycle days because it's your only way to give you any hope. Having tests and wiating for the calls and realizing you are not the only patient but wishing you were so you didn't have to stare at your phone willing it to work. Staring at pregnancy tests so hard until you force your brain to see a line that even though you know it is not real, you cling to because finally admitting to yourself that all of this might truly be pointless is too hard to bear."

Imagine how that feels and then reading posts on facebook of people faking pregnancy. I'm pregnant and it hurts. It hurts because I have friends who are still going through infertility and those posts are like a slap in the face. If you want to support breast cancer, post a comment recommended monthly self exams, donate money to a cause, do a walk...don't hide behind a post on facebook that says NOTHING about breast cancer.

Wow, time's flying and I haven't even updated!~

2011-09-02T15:38:00.002-04:00

Holy Macaroni and Cheese, time's flying quicker than I can blink! I feel like I've barely had time to pee(okay, that's just ridiculous, I'm pregnant and there's ALWAYS time to pee) but you get my drift! But really I kept meaning to update my blog with my weeks..not just for you all but for me too! I want to remember it all!

So, I'm 31 weeks tomorrow...OH MY GOSH, I'M 31 WEEKS TOMORROW!! Which means in like two months, Baby Boy will be here!!! AAAAAAGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!

so, I posted a couple weeks ago about panicking..well, I am doing much better on my list and reminding myself that as long as I have a nice healthy baby, nothing else really matters so hey. I have been working through my to do list and it is going somewhere so that's great!

It's getting cooler here in my hometown which is nice because the colder it gets the closer we get to meeting Baby Boy but it also means the end of summer which is sad because this girl loves warm weather but hey...

Blah blah blah..ON WITH THE SURVEY!

How far along? 30w6d!

Total weight gain/loss: yesterday, I'm up a total of 4...now before I get flamed..I have been eating very well, not depriving myself one bit. In fact, quite the opposite. I checked with my doctor yesterday in case they want me to get gaining more and she said absolutely not..as long as baby's gaining which she can tell he is then they're not worried about a normal size person losing a few pounds of their own underneath as long as they're not restricting their diet at all..did that make sense? I know what I meant but I have a feeling it got lost in translation...hm..
Maternity clothes? IS THERE ANY OTHER KIND?!?!?1
Stretch marks? I keep looking at my stomach and I think some are starting but they haven't officially turned into any soo...I'm a happy Mamma!
Sleep: Um, yeah, this is getting more uncomfortable especialy when I wake up with such horrible heartburn..nothing a good glass of chocolate milk doesn't fix though!
Best moment this week: Honestly, i've had a bunch..I love seeing him move..my whole stomach moves..I love when Vinny talks to him and he moves around a lot more..and hearing that heartbeat again even if the little Med student doing it only did it for like ten seconds..grrr.!!!
Movement: He's one active little Boy! He moves sooo much and I love every single second of it!
Food cravings: Does the fact that I tore my kitchen apart the other day because I wanted something sweet and then threw a temper tantrum in an empty house because I couldn't find any answer that question?
Labor Signs: Not a one and loving it!
Belly Button in or out? It looks weird but I still stick my finger in it so still any innie, hehe!
Wedding rings on or off? still off at night but some days they feel tighter than others
What I miss: The other night I was out with Lil Sis and had a sip of her Margarita---whoa..I could practically hear gasps on that one..yes, I was a horrible mother and took a small sip of margarita..one sip will not hurt and this I have checked with several medical sources including my own doctor..but anyways, that was the best margarita I EVER had...luckily Lil Sis likes her margarita and was not willing share any more...okay, maybe she wasn't willing to give alcohol to a minor(Baby Boy not me)
What I am looking forward to: I have a family reunion this weekend and most of them haven't seen me since I was pregnant so I'm excited to see them!
Weekly Wisdom: I don't have any..I'm not feeling wisdomous at all today
Milestones: Baby Boy is supposedly three pounds already...and youknow what, I feel every ounce of that :-)

And then let's be honest, the real reason ANYONE reads these surveys..the pictures!! Vince wasn't available again..THAT BOY! HOW RUDE, HE'S BEEN ON CALL AND HAS HAD TO WORK! I KNOW, THE NERVE!! But seriously..I've given up on trying to take the pictures with the tripod so I just took a couple!! And yes, I am a dork and took one with a blue ribbon and then messed around with photoshop, haha!! Enjoy!

This was taken at 29 Weeks..don't judge me, I was bored..and I found this blue ribbon while cleaning, hehe!

Taken today at 30w6 d! I may have Vince try to help me take a new one cause I didn't realize it was fuzzy until I loaded it on here. oh well!

Talk to you soon!

You attract more bees with honey..

2011-08-30T17:40:00.000-04:00

If anyone else out there is currently registered with Target and have tried to do ANYTHING with your registry in the last week then you know the deal. Target updated their website and required everyone to reset their passwords which seemed to create new accounts for them and everything merged over..EXCEPT registries. So, you could look up your registry under "find a registry" but you couldn't link to it to manage it or anything...SO FREAKING FRUSTRATING..especially when you're dealing with a hormonal micromanaging busy body like myself! So, after venting to Vinny, and pretty much anyone else who dared to ask me how my registry was going (this was not a high number of people..I KNOW i WAS SURPRISED AS YOU! ;-) ). I decided to call Customer Service and be earwigged by the ONLY song they play when you're on hold...first time I was promptly hung up by someone who I don't think knew how to put me on hold, second time, I was told that my problem would be fixed and then it wasn't and then third I was finally put on with my Registry Fairy Godmother who fixed all my problems and made them all better. Now being the crazy person that I am that my husband makes fun of..normally if I dont' have to face you, i will yell and threaten into any call center that threatens to charge me more money for my electricity or bank account but I decided that I would use the nice approach and every person was wonderful to deal with and now I'm happy to say that my registry has been fixed...now I do need to go in and do some editing on it because it does look like I've registered for 5 travel systems and 15 yes 15 breast pumps(apparently I'm opening my own dairy) but hey who doesn't need extras....

Just remember the next time you decide you want good customer service and you want it now..make sure they can hear the smile in your voice , they might be willing to help you out a little bit more if you're not the 4, 000 person to yell at them that day but instead are pleasant. Think about it.

PS: I haven't forgotten my updates..I'm working on it!!! ;-)

So, that's an earthquake..

2011-08-23T14:30:00.002-04:00

Yeah..I'm not a fan.

I hope those closer to the actual earthquake are all safe and sound!

Panicking!!!

2011-08-22T17:44:00.001-04:00

So, now that we’re closing in on 30 weeks very soon..I’m starting to panic. Not about labor…not about being a mom…I’m panicked because of this moment, I have a bunch of unwashed onesies and sleepers, a full bed that has a very girly comforter on it, no door on the closet in the room, and…that’s about it.

I’m so unprepared for Baby Boy! My only saving grace will be if this child takes after his daddy and comes late! However, if he’s impatient like Momma, he’ll come early! That’ll be our luck, haha! And not funny haha…Heidi with the wide eyed deer in headlights look running around like a chicken with her head cut off haha! Quite an image, eh?

I have checklists and to do lists but nothing really checked off!! We have no furniture but I’m not overly worried about that part because I know they’re coming, we have no diaper bag because I haven’t picked one out yet, and no nursery as of right now. Although before I was pregnant, I had the foresight to paint the room in the color I knew I wanted for the nursery so that’s one less thing to do.
Now granted that Baby Boy won’t exactly be running around our house on day one but even the rest of my house is very unprepared for him! I’m not a messy person…those who know me..SHUT UP. ;-) But Vinny and I have books piled in places because..well quite frankly we have too many books and not enough places to keep them all. Does anyone want any books? I think I’m gonna do a big ebay sale on the cookbooks but if anyone’s interested I can post a bunch on here if you guys would like to have first whack at them? I have a very very non-child friendly dining room that I wanted to re do quickly…simple things like moving all my wine glasses up onto my shelves and installing those wine glass holders for them. I want to give our house a very very thorough cleaning.

At the beginning of this pregnancy, I had soo many cute ideas for things I wanted to make for the baby…including a really cute little shelf that kinda looks like Winnie the Pooh ish…don’t ask me to explain further, in my head it makes sense but every time I try to explain it aloud, it does not. I had a couple pictures I wanted to make and have framed. I wanted to get a mirror for his room because what baby doesn’t love to look at themselves. But now as we’re getting closer to the end, I’m accepting that some of these projects are just not gonna get finished.

Maternity leave just include a 3 months prepartum leave so people can take that time to prepare!!

Am I a bad mom already because I’m not more prepared? Please tell me other moms have felt this way as this point.

Decisions made and 28 weeks!

2011-08-19T07:01:00.000-04:00

28 Weeks!! **Doing my happy dance!!!**According to every book and website, I am officially in my third trimester!!!! I can't believe it!

We made a decision on the DayCare! Well, 99% sure of the decision. As soon as I walked in, I liked it and the girls! I loved the facility and just generally had a GREAT feeling about it!

We're still looking at strollers..I think I found one but still a little iffy..

How early did you pack your hospital bag? I was just curious..

The SUURRVVEEEYYY!!
How far along? 28w6d

Total weight gain/loss: yesterday, I'm up a total of 3! Yay!

Maternity clothes? Yeah, pretty much all clothes are maternity clothes

Stretch marks? No new ones but me thinks some are about to show on my stomach soon..just a gut feeling
Sleep: Eh..Okay, I bought one of those Boppy Maternity Sleeping Pillows and am I the only person who didn't really like it?? I think I might be taking it back...It's not comfortable at all!
Best moment this week: Hearing that heartbeat again...I love love love that sound!!! that and hearing that I'm measuring perfectly!
Movement: He moves like crazy..he has patterns though...I'm curious if he'll keep these patterns at first when he's born..I should be writing this pattern down!!!!
Food cravings: Not really...
Gender: Little Bouncing Baby Boy in there!

Labor Signs: Nope and loving it!

Belly Button in or out? It's still in but it's looking weird
Wedding rings on or off? still off at night but some days they feel tighter than others
What I miss: Nothing really...the reality is coming to me that in 3 months, I won't be pregnant anymore and honestly that makes me sad...I can't explain it..
What I am looking forward to: cleaning out the nursery and starting to turn it into ..well a nursery!!
Weekly Wisdom: I'm working on hard on taking my own advice on this one but don't compare your belly to anyone else's. Everyone keeps telling me I look small and then I start worrying but my doctors say he's right on schedule so if they're happy, I'm happy!
Milestones: Baby Boy would have a 90% chance of surviving if he was born right now but let's stay in there for another 11 weeks mmkay?

Since I missed two weeks..

Week 27 Right before we left for the beach!

Week 28w4d

WOOHOO!! Vacation!!

2011-08-05T16:57:00.000-04:00

Our last vacation as a twosome!! Except that there will be about 15 people there!
Our last vacation that I get to stay concerned with whether or not I brought enough make up instead of whether I brought enough diapers!
After the week we've had with work and health, I can not wait to sink my feet in the sand, inhale that sweet salty air, eat some Salty Balls(no perverts, that's not as dirty as it sounds! It's a food we eat at the beach, maybe if you're lucky I'll show you if you've never had them!), eat some ChipSticks, and read a book or two!
CAN.NOT.FREAKIN.WAIT.

26 weeks!

2011-08-02T17:48:00.001-04:00

Woohoo! It's been a wild couple weeks! We're getting ready to leave for vacation in 4 days. Vinny's mom suffered a heart attack this morning(she's doing great! She's a nurse so she knew exactly when to go the hospital and they're giving her AMAZING care!). Don't worry, we're not heartless, she's goiing with us on vacation! Vinny's work schedule is driving him into the ground because he's been on call this week, we both can't wait for Friday morning at 8am! My famiy is visiting from Mississippi, Ohio, and Saudi Arabia! Soo....the weekly updates have kinda slacked a bit..ooops!

So, 26 weeks, I really can't believe how fast this is going! It seemed to take an ETERNITY to get to 13 weeks but now it's flying so fast! I can't believe in 3 months our Baby Boy will be here or just about here!!

How far along? 26w4d
Total weight gain/loss: in two weeks, I'll see at the doctor's office
Maternity clothes? Yeah, pretty much all clothes are maternity clothes
Stretch marks? The bad news is that the ones on the tatas are still there, but the good news is that I haven't noticed any any other places so bring on the cocoa butter!
Sleep: I sleep great until the first time I have to pee which usually happens at like 1-2am and then I'm tossing and turning the rest of the night..side to side. As long as he comes out healthy and happy, I don't care if I can't sleep for the next 3 months
Best moment this week: Hearing really great news from a couple family members which I can't really say on here yet so it's good!!!
Movement: He moves sooo soo much. You can see it alot from the outside too, my whole stomach jumps and kicks, it's so fun! I love every kick and roll! He moves alot more when Daddy talks to him and when I talk to him, he seems to calm down! I don't understand how people can go 9 months without knowing they're pregnant..what do you think those kicks are? really really bad chinese food???
Food cravings: Chocolate milk still every night and tomato sandwiches but only made a very very specific way..nothing odd like pickles and ice cream or anything
Gender: Little Bouncing Baby Boy in there!

Labor Signs: I think I've had a couple Braxton Hicks contractions but they haven't been awful and not that often so I'm fine with that..I'm also fine with not having real contractions for another 10 weeks, AT LEAST!

Belly Button in or out? still any innie but definitely getting more shallow!

Wedding rings on or off? on during the day, off at night!
What I miss: honestly, I haven't really missed anything lately...I really sincerely love being pregnant. I miss looking good in a bathing suit but that really hasn't looked that great for the last 5 years and has NOTHING to do with being pregnant, hehe!
What I am looking forward to: in two weeks, I go into my third trimester! I can't believe it! Non pregnancy, the beach in a couple days!! I so need a vacation!
Weekly Wisdom: Water, water, water, water, water, water...do I need to say it again..drink water! I want to keep the swelling down especially with all this heat so I've been drinking as much water as I can get my hands on!

Milestones: According to my books, if Baby Boy was born today, he'd have about a 70% chance of surviving! That's great news!!!! But don't even think of doing that, Baby, you stay in there and get nice and fat!

And the belly pic! I truly hate my camera.

Have a great week everyone!!

Stroller Search...AARRGGH!!!

2011-07-30T08:59:00.000-04:00

I think I've looked at like 200 strollers and just can't seem to find one I like without taking out a second mortgage on our house! And for every great review, there's an equally bad review! GRRRR!!!!

What stroller do you have and do you like it or hate it?

100 day photo countdown to baby!

2011-07-29T06:49:00.000-04:00

I've seen on different blogs when people have tried to take a picture every single day for a year which I think is so cute except I have this tiny little problem of sticking to a huge project like that so about a month ago, I decided that when I got to 100 days left in my pregnancy, I would take a picture every day showing how we're getting ready for baby and then hopefully at the end I'll have something cute to show our baby and maybe get printed into a book...wow, my teacher Lil Sis is probably have a heart attack right about now about that huge run-on sentence!

So, anyways..I'm not gonna post them every day because well,..well, I don't feel like it and I don't always get on the computer every day but once a week, I'll post them!
Except today because today's kick off!!! And I took more than one today because I just had a couple things I wanted to get pictures of!

This is the current nursery. You can't tell by the fine quality of this picture but the walls are actually Christopher Robin Green which is a much prettier green than is showing up in the picture. If Baby Sprouse came right this moment, he'd be sleeping here!

And this is my view when I look straight down at the belly!!

Have a great Friday everyone!!!!

The Nursery's filling up!

2011-07-28T07:04:00.000-04:00

First of all, while my motherly instinct is telling me to stop the Future Mimi(my mom) from buying out every single baby clothing store in Altoona..the cute pregnant woman is enjoying oogling over the onesies and sleepers and then unbuttoning and rebuttoning them one by one..hey, I'm gonna need to practice that since I think the last time I did that was dressing my cabbage patch kid when I was..oh about 7! Yeah, it's been that long!

Second of all, the other day while I was going through my registry for the 7 millionth time checking my list over and over again to make sure I registered for everything...and yeah, i think I mean everything that ToysRUS and Target carry in baby selection, I noticed that a couple items were marked as fulfilled which of course made me pink with glee but I wondered if there was a glitch so I checked the list again and sure enough "fulfilled" on a couple random thing. YAY! Even though I figured I wouldn't see these items for at least another month or so whenever my shower is(selfish disclaimer: I know I don't have to have a shower and I certainly don't expect one but family has discussed it openly so I know said shower will occur, now back to this War and Peace size blog post). Yesterday Vinny comes home and informs me that there are boxes on the front porch with my name on them and he assumed I had ordered things behind his back..while this does sound like something I would do especially when it comes to baby stuff, I was innocent this time! So I ripped them out of his hand and opened them like a greedy kid on Christmas! I let him open one of them..I mean this is his baby too, I know how to share! Vince's cousin had them shipped from our registry. And then the hormonal pregnant woman showed her head and I started crying because I was so touched!!! So, Miss Steph, I know you don't read this blog but THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Holy Heatwave!! Are we in Hades?!

2011-07-22T16:48:00.000-04:00

My hometown has broken records the past two days with this heatwave..my garden looks like someone has sucked all the life out of it, my lawn looks like a hayfield, I've locked myself in my bedroom with the air conditioner running on the high the last two nights, and I give Vince the very mean Mommy look whenever he mentions making dinner! Pregnancy and 100 degree heat are not fond of one another!

Last night, I gave in and went to my mom's to her pool just to cool off which was F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.! I think I'll be doing that again come to think of it! I've sucked through all of my popsicles...add that to the grocery list for this weekend!   I'm dealing fairly well with it all. Vince, on the other hand...CRANKY PANTS MAN!! That boy is NOT manufactured for this kind of weather...all of the men in his family are like this! I guess it would help if I shared a popsicle with him..

Are you in this heatwave right now?   Are you coping okay?

PS: I visited another Daycare today.. chaotic but they all are at 4pm at pick up, right? Then the one staff member was holding a baby girl while talking to me that the baby threw up ALL OVER her! Evidently solids are not for her yet! I had to excuse myself so I wouldn't laugh at her! But the poor little girl..although she did look quite relieved to have thrown up what looked like a gallon of formula and bananas, maybe?    I didn't have a good gut feeling about it...so I think we'll just nix that one now. There were two day cares that I wanted but I was told that one didn't handle infants which I learned the other day they do!! YAY!, I'll be calling them Monday! And one that I was told only took certain employees and they don't! YAY! i called them today and I have an appt WEdnesday..Wish me luck! The SAGA continues!

Don't say it again!

2011-07-21T16:24:00.000-04:00

I swear...if one more person dares to say that "Oh, you look so tiny, there's no way you can be six months pregnant"..."Are you sure you're that far along?".."You don't look six month pregnant"..."Have they checked your dates and the baby?".. "Are you sure you're eating enough?"..."Is the baby growing okay in there cause you're barely showing?"...OR ANY OTHER VERSION OF THAT INSULT, you're gonna have a frying pan or any other extremely heavy metal object that'll do damage that's within grabbing distance thrown straight at your head!

You've been warned.

Oh the daycare search

2011-07-20T16:31:00.001-04:00

In an ideal world, I wouldn't need to worry about day care..in my ideal world, I'm also wearing pearls and a dress with comfy heels while calmly managing my household and have no worries...HA!!
In my real world, I'm looking for day care in a small town that I'm either getting corporate day care OR I'm looking at a house that looks like it belongs in a horror movie!

I had an appointment today at one such horrifying house..I didn't even go in! I could tell from the yard that I wouldn't be shocked to learn that they kept the kids in the cellar!

If someone hits me or "touches" me, I can tell my parents but Baby Sprouse won't be able to and that worries me, and I know and at least I hope that every mom out there understands that feeling.

I've only looked at two places and the one place was very okay and has an amazing reputation and the other place was the slumlord I drove by today and I have three more places to look at next week and I have no worries that we'll find a great place that we feel comfortable with.

Please tell me someone else stressed about this like I am!

And we're having a....

2011-07-16T18:37:00.002-04:00

Not so fast! I have to make you earn this one!!

We've officially cleaned out the baby's closet. And located all the packs of diapers we've been buying for 3 years. We also located and went through my bin from my last two pregnancies which was very bittersweet..I've really come to terms with them but I'll never forget them...

Onto the update survey because that pretty much sums up every change

How far along? 24 w! WOOHOO VDAY!!!!!!

Total weight gain/loss: I was only up 1 1/2 pound at my appt today and according to the nurse and the doctor I'm still down a lb from where I was at the beginning of my pregnancy. My doctor's happy so I'm not worried at all!
Maternity clothes? I cleaned out my closet this week so that all my non fitting clothes aren't there tempting me to just try them and realize my boobs don't fit in them

Stretch marks? **Dramatic Cry** Yes! None on my stomach but apparently the rapid growth of tatas have caused several stretch marks..oh well...Oh the boob front, it's official that I've grown 3 whole cup sizes in this pregnancy...Vince is a typical guy and not complaining at all!
Sleep: This is something that has changed dramatically. The other night I was kept up all night by the baby kicking and I'm getting more and more difficult..all I want to do is sleep on my stomach and let's face it, that's not gonna happen but so worth it!
Best moment this week: Seeing that sonogram today. It's amazing how much our baby has grown in 10 weeks(our last sonogram!)...Baby Sprouse looks like a real little person in there!!

Movement: Baby Sprouse moves ALL the time now! Like everyone, when I'm up walking around, I don't notice it too too much but it's still there and when this baby shifts positions, I feel it big time. I love absolutely every second on it!
Food cravings: Not really...My cousin is coming home from Saudi Arabia and she's bringing these candy bars called Lions that I've been thinking about but I don't think that's pregnancy related, I crave them when I'm not...yeah, not reallly craving much..

Gender: Not ready yet...;-)

Labor Signs: No! And let's keep it that way for at least another 13 weeks, mmkkay!

Belly Button in or out? still an innie but I doon't know how much longer that'll be!
Wedding rings on or off? a couple days recently I've had to take them off during the day but I can usually wear them still during the day and they come off at night
What I miss: Sangria. One of my girlfriends mentioned it the other day and I realized how much I missed it

What I am looking forward to: We're telling my family and Vince's family tonight so we're pretty excited!!!!! Although by the time this posts, that'll be old news!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't let your past dictate who you are but let it be a part of you--My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Also, at some point in your pregnancy, get a prenatal massage..I had one today and OH...MY...LORD...for the first time in 3 months I was able to lay on my stomach which was AWESOME! So, awesome in fact, that I scheduled one for next month..shh don't tell Vince!

Milestones: Baby Sprouse was 1 lb 4 oz today! For some reason that was really exciting to me today!

Okay, the belly pic is gonna have to wait...because every pic I've taken of myself has been very unflattering!!! grrr!!!

Okay, this has been edited since I decided to stop relying on my tripod and starting using my husband!! Go Vinny! Great Photo skills!!

Oh and what are we having?

This was the Jello Poke cake we made for Vince's family to surprise them with!

We're having a boy!!!!!

Two days away from the big one!!

2011-07-11T18:25:00.000-04:00

Only two days away!! Woohoo!!! I'll do my weekly update then although I just realized I missed my update form last week!

Everything is going great! We've had lots of changes since then so my update actually has updates!!

I just had my cardiology appointment today and he said everything sounded and looked great and I don't need to see him until after the baby's here!!

Vince and I are pink with barely contained glee about Wednesday!! I honestly have no clue what I think we're having now. I went back and forth for awhile but now I have no clue! Wednesday really is going to be a total shock!

I hope everything is going well for everyone and talk to you soon!

Pregnant ladies really are yummy!

2011-07-04T14:27:00.000-04:00

So, the other night before I went to bed, Vince pointed out what we thought was a pimple on my back..yeah, he's mean like that! ;-) which I didn't think too much off until I woke up the next morning with what looked like chicken pox ALL OVER MY BACK! So being the ~~paranoid hypochondriac~~ calm undramatic pregnant woman that I am, I went to work and promptly asked my doctor what the heck was going on! He said he wasn't sure and gave me a simple cream to use and said he'd look at it the next day..okay, sure, I can wait a day to see if I have Mumps or Measles...so I go back to my desk at work and proceed to keep working while scratching the heck out of my arms and back. Then about 2pm in the afternoon, my coworker informs me that my right arm has tons more spots on it...YEP, it's definitely Chicken Pox..I'm that medically weird pregnant woman who's gonna end up on TLC for weird medical conditions that pop up during pregnancy like a second round of Chicken Pox! ..so I see my doctor AGAIN and he promptly calls our dermatologist who gets me right in and informs me they're bug bites...Can I shrink under this exam table please..just bug bites..Apparently bugs love a pregnant woman! And great! I have freaking bed bugs and I'm gonna have to bomb my house!!!! But she informed me that these weren't bed bugs but good old fashioned summer bugs that bite everyone. It didn't stop me from going home and tearing my bedroom apart and bleaching EVERYTHING just in case the MD was wrong...

Whew, I almost overreacted...

21 Weeks! and Working on the nursery!

2011-06-30T17:46:00.000-04:00

Hola! Holy cow, time is going quick! Every week I start out with these plans to get all this stuff done and then poof, another week down the drain..

I was working on my disability forms for work..haven't these companies figured out that it would make their jobs about a THOUSAND times easier if they just came up with a pregnancy disability form. Every time I had to fill out "exact date, time, and location of injury"..I giggle like a perverted teenager..I don't think they really want that kind of information but I'll do my best to guess! hehe! See!

I've also been working on our nursery. I know this style and theme is SO TWO YEARS AGO but it's my kid and I don't really care so there. Every since I was younger I have LOVED Winnie the Pooh and I love Classic Pooh so our nursery theme is Classic Pooh which isn't quite as easy to find as I thought it would be. I couldn't find crib bedding that I was willing to spend $180 for...MY MASTER BEDROOM BEDDING DIDN'T COST THAT MUCH!!! I found really cute fabric at Joann's who made a quilt extremely easy! Seriously, it took me mabye two hours start to finish to do this quilt! I like and I'm pretty proud of it! I'd love your opinion though, what color bumper and dust ruffle would you do?

And onto 21 weeks! Holy Cheese and Rice, 21 weeks! Everything is going great and I'm feeling good. Hunger and heartburn are pretty much my 24 hour companion.

How far along? 21 w 4 d

Total weight gain/loss: I think I'm gonna take this out of the weekly survey, I feel like my weight bounces all over the place so I'll just post when I go to the dr's.

Maternity clothes? pretty much everything except a few dresses

Stretch marks? nope and I know it doesn't really help but I'm practically bathing in cocoa butter!

Sleep: I'm not sure what's up but I wake up the middle of the night having to pee soo bad it hurts. It feels like the baby has been resting deep inside my bladder or something, hehe. It gets better as sooon as I pee but I wake up in misery!

Best moment this week: realizing that in two weeks, we'll know if we have a little Harry or Hermoine in there! And I"m loving that the kicks are getting harder and more frequent!

Movement: feeling baby Sprouse alot more! And feeling more and more hard kicks from the outside

Food cravings: today I had the weirdest craving..I wanted a hoagie..like an old school cafeteria hoagie with just bologna and american cheese..unfortunately, I couldn't find it. Oh well, I'm sure in an hour, I'll be craving something else

Gender: 2 weeks and we find out! I really have no idea..one night I have a dream we're having a girl and then next a boy...and I truly don't care, I'll be overjoyed no matter what!

Labor Signs: No! And let's keep it that way for at least another 13 weeks!

Belly Button in or out? we're getting shallower and shallower!

Wedding rings on or off? they're getting a little tighter during the day but nothing uncomfortable yet

What I miss: I wanted salami and prosciutto this past week and I know there are people who eat it with no problem during pregnancy but I didn't want to have any obvious coulda woulda shouldas

What I am looking forward to: Vince's cousin's baby shower is this coming weekend! I can't wait to see her! She's exactly two months ahead of me!

Weekly Wisdom: I'm not feeling very wisdomous this weekend so I'll use a standby and say get plenty of rest and water because both my doctor and cardiologist said this is about when swelling starts!

Milestones: Our baby's digestive system is functioning and baby's swallowing amniotic fluid..I guess I really need to start eating better and adding some fruits and veggies in my diet..I've really been slacking!!!

You know your pregnancy hormones are bad..

2011-06-26T16:48:00.000-04:00

When you bawl your eyes on the way to work because Toby Keith's Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue came on the radio and you thought it was inspirational..yep, seriously, that happened. Sobbing unsexy crying! Hormones are fun! hehe!

Moving right along!!!

2011-06-22T17:58:00.000-04:00

today was my 20 week appt! I took my Mom too! I seriously thought she was going to leap into the arms of the OB when she heard the heartbeat! I love that sound...to all the moms out there, does that sound EVER get old??

Vince and I have worked on our registry again and BOY does my husband have expensive taste! Also he seems to think this child needs 49 bouncy seats and activity mats..our child will never be bored I guess! I'm thinking it's time I went in and did some "editing" again.

It's that time again!!!

Week 20 Survey!!!!

How far along? 20 w 4 d
Total weight gain/loss: At my appt on Monday, I'm up 4 lbs and still down 1 from my prepregnancy weight
Maternity clothes? all pants and most shirts
Stretch marks? Noooott yeeettt!!!
Sleep: Sleeping like a baby this week!!
Best moment this week: watching Vince's face when he put his hand on the baby and felt the baby kick!!
Movement: More and more consistent! Still not feeling it too much from the outside but I'm loving this feeling!
Food cravings: Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Milk
Gender: 3 weeks and we find out! Is it weird that the closer we get to that date, the more emotional I get. I know I have a real baby in their but it feels like then I can start thinking about the future, little blue outfits or little pink ones with tutus!
Labor Signs: No! And let's keep it that way for at least another 14 weeks!
Belly Button in or out? okay because of this survey I did go prodding about my belly button and I'll be damned my belly button is getting shallow!! Who knew!
Wedding rings on or off? Oh, they're off every night but still good during the day
What I miss: I have to be honest, I haven't really missed anything this week.
What I am looking forward to: Seeing my nieces and nephews this weekend, they haven't seen me since I was like 10 weeks along so things have changed a bit! Aunt Heidi is a bigger woman! hehe!
Weekly Wisdom: FIRST MOM, AVERT YOUR EYES PLEASE BECAUSE THIS IS A TMI ANSWER! Get your groove on if you're pregnant!..if you thought sex was fun prepregnancy, wait till you experience pregnancy sex!! Those books aren't kidding!!
Milestones: Halfway there!!!!!! Holy crapballs, I'm halfway there!

Um, I'll have to come back later to do my pics because I don't like my outfit today..yep, that is honestly my reason for not having a pic today! At least I'm honest!

Happy Anniversary to us!

2011-06-21T16:35:00.000-04:00

To me and Vinny, I mean! Today's our 3 year anniversary! I have to say I read in the paper every week about people who get divorced within just a few months or years and it really surprises me..and yes, I do really search that section out..I don't know why..I'm Heidi!! But anyways, I can't imagine my life without Vinny! He's truly the only person I can be my absolutely most dorky self and he still loves me. I love him completely. He's my absolute best friend.

The past three years have been WILD! We've lost and gained jobs, we've celebrated pregnancies and mourned losses, Vince lost a loved family member, and we've bought a house together. Everything we've been through has brought us closer together.

So, Vinny, even though you don't read my blog..you are so precious to me. I am grateful every single day for the fact that you picked me to share the rest of your life with because so far it has been the greatest honor! I can't wait to see what the other 60 some years have in store for us! I love you so much and Happy Anniversary Baby!

Relay for Life! and GREAT NEWS!!

2011-06-15T16:43:00.001-04:00

It was a success..so to speak! We made our goal and surpassed it!

The theme for this year was Books and Novels! And in typical Heidi mode, I picked some complicated book! HAHA! While other teams picked easy novels that everyone had read like 101 Dalmations, Harry Potter, and Alice Wonderland, we picked Water for Elephants so we did a circus theme. It seemed like such an easy idea..ah, typical Heidi...making EVERYTHING about 50 times more complicated than it needs to be, ha!

It was a perfect weekend though! It started off hot and sunny so everyone had plenty of time to set up their tents and get all their decorations up and then we got a pretty bad storm. But all in all, it was great and it's not about the weather and the decorations,it's about Relay and cancer survivors and promising those that lost their battle that we'll never forget them! It was very emotional and inspiring. The ambassadors were a husband and wife who were diagnosed with cancer just a few years apart and they're both battling together. They never once pitied themselves. They inspired everyone to think not about the bad stuff that happens but cherish the good and to to always think positive. The child ambassador was Little Alexis who was possibly the most adorable little girl! She was diagnosed with cancer at age 2 and now she's 4 and in remission! It was a great night and I can't wait for next year!

Okay, moving on! I'm 19w3d today!! OMG..I'm 19w3d...The further I get into this pregnancy, the faster time is going!!

I got my repeat results of my AFP on my first day of RELAY and my repeat returned negative so that's great news and a huge weight lifted off me and Vinny's shoulders! Our next big thing is our BIG sonogram on July 13th. The closer we get to that date, the more people are telling us to that we shouldn't find out if we're having a boy or girl..what's your opinion? Should people find out the sex of their baby ahead of time?

Okay, let's move onto the survey before this post reaches novel size!

How far along? 19 w3d

Total weight gain/loss: when I checked the scale this morning, it looks like I'm up another lb but not sure, I'll find out for sure at my appt next Monday.
Maternity clothes? Pretty much all pants and skirts are in maternity and most of my looser shirts are still okay.
Stretch marks? None yet and let's keep it that way, mmkay?

Sleep: I'm still sleeping pretty well but some nights I get uncomfortable
Best moment this week: Standing at Target and thinking I was feeling the butterfly quickening that everyone talks about

Movement: I have felt more and more of those bubbles that everyone talks about and then the last two days I've had periods of what feels like tons of butterflies flying around my lower abdomen..I think that's the quickening that everyone talks about but it's so light that I'm not sure

Food cravings: Chocolate milk!!!still LOVIN IT! and the last few days I want BBQ chips something bad!!!

Gender: We don't find out until 23 weeks on July 13th..we have our hunches but I'm not gonna tell you that..but do my poll up in the corner and we'll see what you think!

Labor Signs: No! And let's keep it that way for at least another 15 weeks!

Belly Button in or out? it's still an innie but I think it's getting a little shallower, I don't go prodding about my belly button too often
Wedding rings on or off? they need to come off every night but I'm still fine with them during the day
What I miss: Wine..my boss got me a couple of bottles of wine at a winery this weekend and I'd love to try them..oh well, in a few months, and this is all worth it!
What I am looking forward to: Hearing that heartbeat again next Monday!
Weekly Wisdom: Take opinions with a grain of salt. Now that we're getting a little closer, we're getting opinions from everyone on EVERYTHING. It's up to us to decide what to listen to if anything!
Milestones: Enjoying the fact that the first person who I didn't know asked if I was pregnant...which I hope means I look pregnant and not fat!

And evidently I need to clean my camera! HAHA!

Okay I wasn't wearing an all white outfit so I feel I need to defend my outfit a little..it started out this way but the shirt was a little too flowy for a belly pic, hehe!

Well, that's it for me today! Talk to you soon!!!

Need decoration ideas...hmm..

2011-06-02T17:06:00.000-04:00

This year, I decided to sign up to be a team captain for American Cancer Society Relay for Life Event next Friday! I can't wait!..okay, I'm terrified. IT'S ALOT OF PRESSURE!!! My one problem...I need walkers for 24 hours..at least one for each hour, so far, I have three. Luckily I have a few brothers-in-law who I should be able to guilt into this and a certain Lil Sis who I'm hoping will help me out too..I'll be fine. So, my next big problem is decorating! Our theme is a circus theme! My other team member and I had just finished reading "Water for Elephants" and we thought that theme would be fun! And now, I have to decorate my tent..any ideas anyone? No electricity or fire allowed.
Since this is my first year, I'm just gonna do the best I can while taking pictures of every other tent for next year, haha!

On another note, IT'S ALMOST FRIDAY!!!!!! Sheesh is this week taking long and....why are those stupid new Magnum Popsicle commercials soooo annoying!!! IT'S A POPSICLE SWEET HEART, if it's that comparable to sex, someone's doing something wrong..just saying..

scary test and scary results

2011-06-01T17:22:00.000-04:00

I had my AFP test done last week and today the nurse called to say it was elevated indicating an increased risk of neural tube defect...so after I cried for about an hour at work..I calmed down and called back and asked for a little more information which the nurse was wonderful about. They said this test has a HIGH false positive rate. They said I needed to go in today for a repeat and we'd see how that goes. So..now a week long wait begins for these results. This worrying does get easier when the babies born, right? hehe ;-)

When they tell you that first sunny day is the most dangerous..

2011-05-31T16:46:00.000-04:00

They weren't kidding!!

That's right, my leg is a lovely shade of purple-red! It's very chic and just ask Vinny how sexy it is when every time I getup, I wince and then limp like a 90 year old! So..hot!! And yes, I wore sunscreen..looks like this girl will be upping her sunscreen this year!!

You should see Vinny's chest...equally sexy!

Summy has officially begun!

Note to self: Don't give Vinny the scanner gun!

2011-05-30T06:50:00.001-04:00

We're currently registered for two cribs, two swings, two monitors, 5 different activity mats or bouncy seats and about 50 other things that he scanned before I could get to him!!! Maybe next time I'll take my mom, sister, or one of my girlfriends who aren't trigger happy.

17 weeks!

2011-05-29T08:30:00.000-04:00

Woo!!! Wow, I can't believe I've made it to 17 weeks!

Oh, before I go any further, thanks for all the comments about cloth diapering. I really appreciate the honesty and go you guys, because I was telling Vinny everything and he actually said he'll think about it!

We're talking about starting our registry any time..I know some people say to wait until we know the gender which yes we are going to find out but when we started looking at the registry and stores and what we wanted alot of what we planned to register for didn't really matter if we were having a boy or a girl so I think that's something we're gonna be starting on soon! I made up a list and I panicked!! Where are we gonna put all this stuff!!!?? haha! Reality is starting to hit, our lives are really never gonna be the same..in a great way!!

Okay, I'm gonna use that survey this week..mainly because I don't think anyone feels like reading me drone on and one! :-) So, here we go!

How far along? 17w1d

Total weight gain/loss: at my appointment on Monday, they said I'd gained 1lb..my dr only wants me gaining 20lb max so let's hope I can keep this slow and steady
Maternity clothes? Jeans, definitely, tops, I don't really need them but I have a couple..and I have two pairs of work dress pants that are like 2 sizes bigger than I ever needed (don't ask why I bought big pants) and I've been wearing them but they look HORRIBLE! So, I'm thinking we're gonna trade them in for a few pairs of maternity dress pants.
Stretch marks? I think I noticed one on my gigantic boobs but then the next day it was gone so who knows! I'm completely ready for them but that doesn't mean I still won't cry when I see one maybe, hehe
Sleep: I can sleep like a baby most nights! A few nights a week, I can't get comfortable..not sure if CheezWiz is sitting in an odd spot or what but still not having too much trouble
Best moment this week: Hearing that heartbeat at the doctors this week, it stopped my heart
Movement: I thought maybe I've felt something a couple nights ago but I don't know if that was baby or the 45 tomato sandwiches I ate this week..
Food cravings: Chocolate milk!!! LOVIN IT!
Gender: We don't find out until 23 weeks on July 13th..we have our hunches but I'm not gonna tell you that
Labor Signs: No! And let's keep it that way for at least another 17 weeks!
Belly Button in or out? Oh yeah, it's still deep and innie! Is it innie or inny??
Wedding rings on or off? They come off some nights when I go to sleep but I don't have any problems during the day
What I miss: Raw fish sushi because cucumber sushi and avocado sushi just doesn't cut it..and margaritas...Vinny said he was gonna sneak some into the hospital until my sister in law reminded him that I'll be nursing and I won't be able to have them in the hospital either..oh well, it's the thought that counts
What I am looking forward to: Regular movement that Vinny can feel too and starting the registry
Weekly Wisdom: As hard or impossible it is to have faith when you've been through losses or had a tough time getting pregnant, have faith that God has a great plan and it's not to hurt you and it's not to make you cry, he has a plan that is sooo beyond our comprehension and the hard part is sitting back and knowing there is nothing you can do to change that plan but sit back and be a part of it...even if it's sad, even if it's wonderful. I hope that made sense..
Milestones: I read somewhere that baby can hear now which is GREAT news for Aunt Jello! Vinny may have to watch the language when he watches sports ;-) Also, for me feeling-wise, down in my uterus, the bump moves around which is sooo cool. Yesterday, the bump was really protruding and off to the one side, and then a few minutes later, it was just round and even, it's so much fun to feel! I think a week ago, I told Vince I didn't know where my uterus is, I know exactly where it is now!

Here's my 17 week belly pic...does anyone else feel like a complete moron when they took these? I swear I take like 15 of them, haha! And wow, sorry about the fuzziness, what the heck camera!

What's your opinion on cloth diapers?

2011-05-26T07:02:00.000-04:00

I swear this blog isn't going to turn completely into a baby thing...okay maybe for a little bit it will be..but I was curious what others thought.
Cloth Diapering...I have to be honest, I knew of one person who cloth diapered their baby and I didn't really think much more of it. It sounded like too much work, too expensive, etc etc etc. But then I mentioned this at work and it seemed that it was split down the middle 1/2 did cloth diapering and absolutely loved it and 1/2 did disposable diapering and loved it. I've looked into it and it's not NEARLY as expensive as disposable diapering. It doesn't have to be too much work. They're not your mama's cloth diapers..you know the ones..you probably dust with them now!
I asked Vinny about this and I got a flat refusal on his part because he thinks it's disgusting. I'd kinda like to give it a try just to see...
What's anyone else's opinion? Why did you choose the diapering method you did?

Where oh where have I been?

2011-05-24T15:45:00.000-04:00

Is anyone even still out there? Sorry I have completely fallen off the face of the earth but I have to be honest I've enjoyed it all but I'm even happier to be back!
I took a break back in December and just sort of stayed on it.  Then in February, we found out that we were pregnant! Yay and woohoo!!!
For all you stalkers out there that like to know the inner workings of other's uteruses, here's your over informative blog post! I switched OB/GYN's after several long discussions with Vinny and my doctor and she discovered in her very first test what I had been asking my previous doctors to check for months..my low progesterone!!! It also turned out that I got pregnant there very month and so began my nightly insertion of this lovely suppository!! I'm not complaining, I could've had to use a needle.
Progesterone has a lovely side effect (at least with me) of giving one the more horrid morning sickness I ever thought could be encountered. I've never had to bow in front of the porcelian gods more times in my life.   I actually lost 15 lbs in my first three months.
I went in at 8 weeks and had my first sonogram..for all of you TTCAL ladies, I declined the earlier beta levels because I didn't want to add to any stress. Our little peanut was beating away! YAY!
I made it to 12 weeks and then decided to have a  complete meltdown in front of my director about my previous miscarriages(don't worry, he's also my doctor and he called my OB who had me in the office 10 minutes later to calm my fears) which she did with another quick sonogram!
And then at 13w4d, I had my NT scan which returned PERFECT!! Then I cheated at work and had one of my coworkers sneak a sonogram in(hey, there are benefits to every job and this is one of mine!)
And then today Vinny and I went in and heard for the very first time that beautiful beautiful sound...that quick whoosh whoosh whoosh...I considered stealing the doppler and taking it home for my own fun and amusement at home! I think that would probably be frowned upon though..oh well.

So, that should pretty much catch you up! Oh! How far along am I? 16w2d!!

A new addition to our family!

2011-03-19T07:48:00.000-04:00

Okay, sorry I guess that title was a little misleading...but my family has a new addition! My Lil Sis has been dating her boyfriend for a couple years and last night he decided he wanted to keep her!! So, he asked her to marry him!! I get a a brother in law!

MY LITTLE SISTER IS ENGAGED!

The boy has good taste doesn't he...first he picked my sister and second, he picked a great ring!

Just take time to say a prayer

2011-03-13T16:26:00.000-04:00

I don't have anything to say today except please take a moment and pray for Japan and anyone who has family or friends there. Pray that people who have missing family members and friends find them. Pray that those who have lost them find the support they need. And make a promise to yourself to cherish each day.. I can't even imagine what they're going through. We were very lucky on Friday because this could have been our country. Please today just say a little prayer.

Talk to you soon!

Where were you when??

2011-03-03T08:22:00.000-05:00

We were talking about this at work yesterday. Isn't it funny how you remember exactly where you were when certain things happened in history? Now some of the ladies could go back pretty far...back far enoughh that I was just a little egg in my mother's ovaries in her mother's uterus so I've only included things in my history but I thought it'd be fun.

Where were YOU when?

Princess Di and Prince Charles got married?

I was only two but I have a very very vivid memory of watching this in my living room...but maybe this isn't right..I am the girl who really really did think I was on Romper Room until I was like 22 and my parents heard me tell someone and had to break the news to me. I SWEAR I REMEMBER BEING ON ROMPER ROOM!!

The Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion

I remember getting ready for school and watching this on the news..it was horrible...

OJ trial verdict

I was in school watching the verdict on Mr. Kensinger's TV in his classroom..no teacher seemed to care that day that no one was in their right class or on time. So, was he guilty or innocent? :-)

9/11 Attack

I was working at my old job at an OB/GYN. I was on the phone with an insurance company from New York and we thought it was just rumors. Then I was getting my doctor's coffee and looked up at the news and watched the second plane hit.

Kerry Strug 1996 Olympics

I was on vacation visiting my Aunt in Mississippi and we were watching the Olympics in her living room!

When George Bush was elected into Presidency

I was at my house..this was the first election I really took part in and I loved watching the polls come in on TV.

When Barrack Obama was elected into Presidency

DH and I were watching TV as the polls came, wondering which would come first...America's first African American President or the first Female Vice-President.

And this last one just because it's cute...where were you the first time you fell in love?

I was in first grade and at my summer camp and this older boy Jason (he was in fourth grade) came..he was so dreamy and he always looked after me. I wore all my best little jumpers that summer.

Have a great Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday!

2011-03-02T09:45:00.002-05:00

It's almost Spring!

the B&B at Heidi's is finally ready!

2011-02-26T13:48:00.001-05:00

Slowly but surely our house is coming along. We've had a couple distractions lately but we got another room under our belts. This room is mainly due to my lovely Lil Sis for giving us her old bed since she upgraded.

Vince's brother lives out of town with his wife and 5(that's right 5) kids and when they come home, most of them are sleeping on the floor. The past few times we've gotten our nieces at house but they're sleeping on the floor and that's just not hospitable! So, I asked my nieces what color they wanted in "their" room and they picked green which ended up working out perfect because Lil Sis also gave us her entire bedding set since her new upgrade was an upgrade in size and her bedding was green!

Another shout out to my dad for helping me fix this ceiling too!! It's amazing how much better it looks when the ceiling is not coming down!

Before

After!!

What do you think?

Guess where I'll be going!

2011-02-18T10:51:00.000-05:00

I've always wanted to go here, I am sooo excited...I've been pretty eeked my way through my morning! What a lovely belated birthday present!!!

April 5, I leave. I'm going for work but they've allowed me lots of time to sightsee and most importantly EAT!!!

I can not wait to try one of their beingets!

Have you guessed where?

Let's just say this trip just solidified the fact that this girl needs to get her new camera and practice with it before then!

Wish me luck!

2011-02-15T08:50:00.000-05:00

Today's my first appointment with my new OB/GYN doctor. I'm kinda nervous! I'm really really hoping Vince and I can finally get some answers why we're not getting pregnant and why my cycles are so out of whack now and even if they're the answers we don't want, we'll at least know.

Wish me luck!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2011-02-14T10:10:00.000-05:00

So, what are you doing on this wonderful Hallmark Day?

I'm working and Vince is serving Jury Duty. That's right, nothing says love like selecting a jury for a pedophile rape case!!!! Did I spell pedophile right? And seriously, that really is what the jury selection is for. In case you're wondering, he is super duper thrilled to be there on his day off.

If you have any spare thoughts or prayers tomorrow, could you send them Vince's way, he has a job interview at a company that will change his hours from 230 -1130pm every day to 9-5(just like me!)so we're really hoping it gets it, I kinda miss my hubs!

If you're a hockey fan and like the Pens, WHAT THE HECK?! Pretty soon they're gonna have to have a new draft because it feels like we have almost 2 full lines out on injury!! And we need them!!

I finished our guest room this weekend, I'll be posting pics tomorrow, turned out perfectly!!!

I have started my book list and I started with The Luxe which I'm really liking so far...

And that's all I have to say about that, hehe! Have a great Valentine's Day full of love!

Did you get Candy for Valentine's Day?

Fashion Friday! Stylish and warm?

2011-02-11T11:14:00.000-05:00

Right now it is about 10 degrees in my hometown. So I've been walking out of our house buddled up with my hat and my Columbia Coat and one of my many scarves! Which this is fine when I'm in jeans or on the days I wear scrubs but it's not quite as attractive when you're wearing dress pants or a nice dress...you know what I take it back because my coat is sporty, my hat is..I have no clue what my hat is off the ski slopes, and my scarves are fancier..SEXY!!!!!! I'm fairly sure Joan River's face just melted with horror that someone would actually dress like that!

Don't judge me, it was really freaking cold!

But what'a girl to do..sacrificing being cold or looking good? What do you think:?

I found this cool article from The Fashion Police all about staying stylish WHILE staying warm!

And I found a couple do's and don'ts of winter fashion to inspire me!

DO! I love these looks, they look warm and so cute!

http://www.whowhatwear.com/

Plus Blake Lively looking put together and gorgeous as always!

DON'T!

Maybe just a little too warm and cozy.. plus I think a certain muppet wants his fur back. I'm all for fur (I KNOW, I KNOW, KILL ME NOW! I mean faux fur!) but if you can't identify the animal, it's probably tacky..I'm just saying

DO! I absolutely LOVE this coat!! So bright and fun!

I'm really liking her scarf!! None of mine are this big but that would keep me warm!

http://lapetitefashionista.blogspot.com/

http://www.thebudgetbabe.com/

Who doesn't love a little Kate Hudson!

DON'T!!

Just don't...

I need to buy a new winter coat..I have a short pea coat and a long white one but it needs to go the the dry cleaners, I spilled tea on it(I think it may be a lost cause!).
Do you have a winter coat that you love? Do you care what you wear in the winter as long as it keeps you warm?

Happy Friday Everyone! We're headed for a heat wave supposedly...I think it's gonna go up to 38 degrees!! Break out the bikinis! Seriously in my hometown, there will be people in shorts and flip flops at the local gas station...I love my hometown!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-09T12:54:00.000-05:00

Is it Friday yet?

25 in 2011!

2011-02-08T12:37:00.001-05:00

I love reading! Like anyone else who does, I love how you can be transported to another place and get completely lost in a book and when it's over, it's like leaving Disney world, you're sad.
I remember when I was younger, my mom bought me a subscription to the Babysitter's Club Book Club and I mowed through those books as fast as they could get shipped! I have so many books that I say I want to read and then just never get around to it so I thought if I could write them all down and just start at the top and see if I could finish the list by the end of this year. Plus, it'd be a much better use of my time than sitting in front of the TV!

If you've read a book lately and loved it, please pass it along! OR if you've read one of these books and absolutely hated it, please let me know so I don't completely waste my time. There's really no particular order to reading these.

Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
Across the Universe by Beth Revis-Lil Sis raves about this book!
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
Under the Radar by Fern Michaels
Commited by Elizabeth Gilbert
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
When the Wind Blows by James Patterson
The Silmarillion by J.R. R. Tolkien
Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger
Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner
Vision in White by Nora Roberts
Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan
Oogy by Larry Levin
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Amie Bender
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler

Happy Reading!!! Wish me luck!!

New!!! Fashion Fridays!

2011-02-04T09:28:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday everyone! I've decided to do something new for my blog and dedicate every Friday to Fashion and Beauty!

In the past year or so, I've gotten more into make up(mainly because I'm geting older and I need more camouflage, hehe!). I'm also really trying to dress better but I'm having a slightly hard tme with that but that's because I'm cheap not because I'm completely clueless..only slightly. I have two cousins who are amazing at finding deals and great clothes..this was not a gene I inherited apparently..

So for my first Fashion Friday I've decided to show you what's been inspiring me lately!

Let's do make up first because I have more fun with make up!

First up! Makeup by Tiffany D! I found this chickie on YouTube a few months ago when I was looking up a new way to do my hair..yes, I use Youtube for hair ideas...go ahead and make fun but type "hairstyles" into teh search once and you'll so many videos and ideas! So, anywho, I found Tiffany D. I love her videos and get inspired alot by what she shows. My one complaint is that she uses some make up that I'm just not willing to spend that kind of money on so I just make do with what I have and what I'm willing to spend my money on! But she's hilarious and very real in her videos, I love her little sound effects she makes. PS: I want her mirror stands in the background of her videos.

Next up! Pixie Woo!

I love these sisters! They have the most adorable accents and they really know their stuff when it comes to make up! I do like one more than the other but they're both great to watch. If you can find it, watch the one with the daughter doing a mock tutorial, it'll definitely make you want to say.."awwwwwwww"

There are a couple others I watch but not as much as these two!

Moving onto Fashion

I need to dress up for work and I'm ashamed to say that lately I've been dressing like a complete SLOB! Seriously, like embarassing so. Today's not too bad but that's because I'm in scrubs and I love scrub days..wait, do you even know what I do? I work in clinical trials! I've been doing this for 6 years, I (along with my entire department) work with drug companies to recruit and manage patients taking medication (sometimes already approved by the FDA and sometimes waiting for safety approval). Monday through Thursday, it's business casual and Friday it's Scrub Day! Monday through Thursday is what I struggle with. At 630am, I have absolutely no motivation to try to put outfits together..I'm working on that though. I know I know, I should set out my clothes the night before. I've seen a ton of other blogs that do an Outfit of the Day..maybe when I like more of my outfits, I'll do that but not quite yet, hehe, and maybe not ever.

The Dapper Bun, I really like her website, it's simple, it's dedicated, and it has the cutest bunny in all of her pictures! Yep, that's right, her bunny is in all of her pics! She has great outfits though which is the real reason I like her site!

This one is a little newer on my reading list but I still like her. My one question to these blogs...who takes all these pics because Vince would be making fun of me every day while I danced around and posed but maybe that's just my husband!? Alot of her clothes are way out of my price range but I still like the inspiration!

Veronika's Blushing is another great one! I use her hair technique every time I use velcro rollers and I always get compliments! I like her writing style and she does Outfits of the Day pretty often and her outfits are always great and realistic.

I've been reading her for a LOOONG time! Plus, I want to live whereever she lives..it always looks beautiful. I really relate to her sense of style..sometimes I see blogs and pics that show styles I really wouldn't be comfortable going to work in but I really could with alot of hers!

So, those are my Go-Tos when I'm looking for style inspiration! Wow, now that I typed all that in and looked at all those sites again, I want to go shopping!!! And it's Friday, I think I might do just that!

Do you have any sites that you find inspiration? I'm always looking for new sites to check out!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Go Phil-Spring is Near!

2011-02-03T10:17:00.002-05:00

Woohoo!!!!! This is a big deal..this groundhog has only NOT seen his shadow 15 times since 1887...let's really hope you're right, Phil!

Does your area have a tradition like this? isn't there an armidillo somewhere?

Guess what I'm allowed to buy!!!!

2011-02-01T15:58:00.000-05:00

That's right..after endless dedicated hours of me whining that I've outgrown my camera and how I'm ready to move on..Vince has finally rolled his eyes and given in. Dude, this would have been alot easier on both of us if you had just submitted in the beginning..I have no pity.

So, now it's decision time.
I've heard great things about the Canon Rebel

And I've read very good things about the Nikon D80..

What to do..what to do...

Do you have a DSLR that you love? And recommendations? I'd really love your input!

Not sure which room to work on next...

2011-01-31T13:10:00.000-05:00

Do I work on my Guest room #1...

Guest Room #2

or Living Room?

Any opinions??

AND FOR THE LOVE OF DEBBIE CAKES, IKEA, PLEASE BRING A STORE TO MY AREA!!!!!!!!

We've made a choice..fertility-wise

2011-01-28T15:47:00.000-05:00

After many discussions, much debate, several unanswered phone messages, and far too many "just wait and see" answers, Vince and I have decided it's time to change my OB/GYN. I'm not a spring chicken(ugh, as much as it pains me to say that!), my heart's definitely not getting any younger or stronger, and I don't exactly have a bunch of time to sit around and "wait and see".

My doctors were wonderful when I was going through my miscarriages but they're sort of dropping the ball of trying to get me pregnant again. Because of that, it was a very tough choice but as Vince pointed out, we dont' owe them anything..it's a business and we're not happy with the service.

So, in two weeks, I meet my new OB..I actually already know her (but that'll be explained at another time, maybe because it's not really important). She's been informed about me and my medical history and ready to go! I'm really excited and actually for first time in a long time, I have hope!

PS: Have a great weekend!

Walking in a winterWonderland!

2011-01-27T15:18:00.001-05:00

LIving in Central PA, you'd think I wouldn't get excited about snow but I SO do! Even though it means I have to shovel off my car and I hate being cold and...I can't find my gloves when it snows yet I seem to have them all summer and spring long, I love snow storms! I love all the neighbors out shoveling and cursing out Penn Dot and the plowtrucks. I love how quiet it gets...I've always loved that part. It's like the snow is muffling everything.

And this above pic (which looking at it..it was soooo pretty but this picture SUCKS!) is further proof that this girl needs a new camera..a DSLR camera...think I can convince Vince to use some of our income tax money for one?? hmm...**tapping chin thoughfully**

That's one sexy snow shoveler(AGAIN grainy pic)! And this winter I HAVE BOOTS..yeah, last year I didn't have winter boots so I was shoveling in sneakers...just a tip, sneakers don't keep out the snow and wet!

Finally a grown up bedroom!

2011-01-26T18:15:00.002-05:00

In our beautiful new bedroom! Thanks to my dad for fixing our ceiling and then to my mom for busting her tail with me on Saturday to surprise Vince by moving all the furniture back in the room in an hour and 45 minutes. We are back in our bedroom and loving it. It's my first grown up bedroom! We absolutely LOVE it! It's so soothing and elegant and EXACTLY how I wanted it to turn out! Isn't it so exciting when something turns out just how you want it?
And WHY OR WHY do the pictures never look as good as what I see?!?!?!?!? Perhaps it's the camera...or maybe I'm that bias about my projects..who knows.

Before
Yet another room that the former owners were obsessed with wallpaper borders and stupid former owner who also let their roof leak so badly that the ceiling was peiling and cracking!! GRR and ARGGHHHH!!!

Towards the middle of this project I was really rethinking my paint choices...

But I listened to Vince and waited until the paint dried to make yet another trip to Lowes.

And now our bedroom looks like this!

This is my first room that I feel like a grown up in. It's not filled with posters of New Kids on the Block(okay wait in my defense, I haven't had their poster on the wall in 20 years..OH MY GOSH 20 YEARS?!?!?) or newspaper clippings of my crush high school football player..(Oh T.L. memories of me adoring you and..you..having absolutely no idea who I was..haha) but anyways, we're so happy with it!

Source:

Bedding-Target-Waverly Collection-sorry I don't think they carry this collection anymore

Curtains-BedBathandBeyond-clearance sale..YEAH BABY!

Photos-taken by Vince and I through our years of dating and trips we've taken

Photo Frames-Michaels...again, all on sale!!

The ups and downs of a weekend

2011-01-25T14:09:00.000-05:00

I took a few days off work and off blogging because of one very sad reason and one very happy reason!

Friday was my 2nd pregnancies due date and I wasn't sure how I was going to handle it. It turned out easier than I thought but I had Vince with me all day which helped. And he said something that was truthful but hurt at the time. I will need to get over my losses. OUCH! Before you go flaming my husband, please understand that he did not mean this in any mean way but was saying for my own peace of mind that I need to get over what happened to us and keep living. He said he's happy to keep on listening to me if that's what I need but that I needed to move on with my life. I live every month thinking of what should have been or what isn't now and I live every month what might be. and that's no way to live. My losses don't define me but I'm letting them.
On one of my friend's blog, she wrote that despite the losses that sooo many women have had to endure, babies are still being born every day and babies are still taking their first breaths every day and that's such an encouraging thought(she didn't say that last little bit about encouraging but that was how I felt when I read it). I need to keep living and realize that while my losses hurt Vince and I, life is still going on around us and I can either sit in a dark room and let is consume me and never live another day or I can keep on living and cherish every moment I have.

And then the happy news was that it was Vince's 30th Birthday! Just 30 years ago, my beautiful husband made his thundering way into life! And he's been charming everyone since! He had a great birthday(I think). He didn't have to work on his birthday and got to spend the day with his family and actually we had to go to a viewing since we had a death in the family(she's in a much better place and not in pain anymore so it's a blessing), which is not exactly the greatest birthday gift but he was a trooper about it. But he had a great day and now he's officially in his 30's along with the rest of us oldies! ;-)

Soooooo, how was your weekend??

TGIT!

2011-01-20T10:19:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday! AFter today, I do not have to return to work for 4 days. I took some time off because I think I'll need it. So, just 6 more hours and then meeting up my mom and sister for some Black Swan! I'm actually excited to see this movie.

Normally the only time I go see a movie is when new Harry Potter comes out.

This weekend is also Vince's birthday weekend! My baby's 30..but more on that later!

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

Truthful Tuesday

2011-01-18T12:02:00.000-05:00

I believe I have worked a total of 5 minutes since I got here this morning...I've been here since 7:30.

This Healthy Choice meal I'm currently eating for lunch is barely enough to satisfy my left butt cheek. It is tasty though...

If you're a Steelers Fan, don't read this post.

2011-01-17T08:47:00.000-05:00

Is it horrible of me that I live in Steeler's Country or County or whatever the heck they call it and I really wanted them to lose Saturday?

Now for the next week, I'll have to hear that "Here we go Steelers" song...BLLAHHHHHH!!!!

Wow, I really am going to turn into that old woman who hoses neighbors kids who dare to come in her yard, who owns like 45 birds, hands our dirty pennies for Halloween, and no one ever actually sees her leave her house, aren't I?? hehe. Did your neighborhood growing up have this woman? Mine did! hehe.

On another note, it's Monday..again..ALREADY?! My Christmas tree is still up..HEY DON'T JUDGE ME! I just discovered a HUGE runner in my pantyhouse(and I AM wearing pantyhose..sorry inside joke)...this is gonna be a great day..hehe..and this was a completely pointless post..

I hope you have a great Monday~!

Let's talk Fashion

2011-01-13T10:39:00.000-05:00

because I'm clueless when it comes to it and because I'm bored and really don't have anything else to talk about. I've been addicted to How Do I Look on Style. First of all, if you feel bad about your fashion watch that and you'll feel great..unless you do dress like a stripper in which case..maybe this isn't the post for you.

There's fashion I get and fashion I just don't get. Okay, this is mostly about stuff I don't get.

Get!
I love this whole collection by MyStyle! although I'm thinking those shoes might be difficult to find in Altoona..hm..

Don't get.
Turbans are in? Great..I just finally got on the headband bandwagon! But I guess if you can rock a look, rock it!

Photo credit: http://www.mystyle.com/

Get!
I love scarves and I really love these on all of them.

Don't quite get
Just a hair too see through for me..

And here's a fun pic of someone who while I admire her for her individuality but I really don't understand her style..

And some really bad nameless fashion disasters!

H.O.T. is all I can say.

She looks soo..maternal.

Dude, you were supposed to coordinate your tie not the entire outfit!

Um..I don't really know what to say...is it the same girl and what the heck is she doing in the second pic? I thought I was the only one that is ALWAYS caught making a really bad face on camera.

Okay, I'll show me. My first grade school picture..aww..how cute.

2nd grade school picture.

If you're asking yourself, did she wear the same dress two years in a row for school pictures...why yes I did!! Needless to say after this year, I was diligent about looking at past year. hehe! And I know you're checking out the hair wondering how you too can get that look..sorry, it was a Heidi exclusive!

So, what are some styles you either are loving right now or really not getting!

PS: I've heard that skinny pants on their way out!! Can all the ladies who are above a size 0 join in a happy dance with me!!! YAY!!!

Ah, the first snow storm of the year!

2011-01-12T08:05:00.001-05:00

We're in central PA, it's not exactly like we don't get our share of snow storms but sure enough every year we get our first good snowstorm and everyone freaks out and people think everything should be shut down.

Okay, I did use it as an excuse to not go to the gym..for the 365th day in a row**hangs head in shame**

Seriously, some shack on some caribbean beach is looking better and better

Finally..a dining room to dine in!

2011-01-09T09:10:00.001-05:00

I'm so happy with how our dining room turned out, I'm not even going to ruin this post with a bunch of words!

Before

The day of our inspection

And after our furniture was moved in

Meets After

My inspiration was this platter that Vince got me that I was ooing and awing at PierOne forever! I go through phases with PierOne and I am loving everything there right now!

Photo Credit: PierOne

This was also my first room using Valspar. I have to say, I really didn't miss the Behr. For the accent wall, I did use their Signature Line which has primer in it but the other walls, we didn't use it and we only needed one coat. However, there really was no price difference whatsoever so it's not like I'll never use Behr again.

Of course, rooms are never really done and when spring comes we're gonna refinish the furniture, I have chair pads that I plan on making for the benches and the two chairs, and I'd like the ceiling fan to get swapped for a chandelier or something but for now, I'm so happy with it. Goodbye wallpaper hello dining room!

I should get to post our bedroom next week as my ceiling will be finished tomorrow!

Home Renovation Advice

2011-01-06T08:43:00.000-05:00

The best way to finish a project..is to start one! Last night while I was waiting for Vince to get home from work, I tore down the border in my dining room and it now looks absolutely horrible-the paint is all messed up and faded now in weird spots. I can't stand even going in that room so I'll be forced to paint it. And what's more is Vince really hates it, he says it makes our house look ghetto which means I won't get any slack for spending money on paint or nagging him to get started..haha! Watch out, Mama's found a new scheme!! **Cue extremely evil laugh** Hot pink in the dining room is still in right? (I just googled hot pink dining rooms and then neon green dining rooms thinking I'd find some really disgusting rooms that I could laugh about but no, I actually found two rooms that I really like(Vince would hate)!..hehe.)

So, this weekend, we'll be painting the dining room and starting next monday, I'll be repainting my bedroom and our guest room and then taking down the last of the wallpaper in our other spare room! Vince's new schedule is making me stir crazy so I've been going through every drawer/closet/room and reorganizing..poor Vince, he can't find anything. Pretty much every room has been getting an overhaul.

I loathe being sick...

2011-01-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

Okay, that's pretty stupid, it's like saying I like chocalate or having fun..I don't think there's anyone out there that sits around praying for a cold or a sore throat(actually there probably are people like that..)...

So, I'm sitting here at work...whining and complaining and wondering if I should just go home...my dad's coming tonight to begin one of my projects for the year so I won't be able to sleep tonight through all that noise...

What to do, what to do? Who am I kidding, I'm going home..pass the ibuprofen.

Welcome 2011!!

2011-01-01T12:34:00.000-05:00

I'M BACK!!!

Welcome 2011..the year of..Heidi!

I read a book and watched the movie lately "Eat Pray Love" and there is one part I liked..when the main character said her word was "let's cross over" in italian. This won't ruin the movie at all..I don't think.. In the beginning, someone asks her what her word is and she starts describing that she's a daughter, a writer, and something else and someone interupts her and says that's what she does. I think there are a million different meanings to this part depending on the reader but my take for what I need in my life right now is not what word am I to everyone else..I'm a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, etc etc..but what I am to me? So, that's what I'm looking for now.

So, I've been inspired, I've put in my resignation at work and signed off to have my 401k deposited into my checking and I'm gonna take a year off work and travel all over the United States in search of that..

oh wait, I can't because I don't have some fairy tale job that I can just drop my job and somehow magically all our bills will take care of themselves. PS: I think Vince would miss me just a little bit and my neighbors might get a little mad that our lawn isn't mowed this summer which hopefully we will keep up better with this year(we slacked a little last year--oops!). Did you get excited for at least a tiny second at the thought that I really did that?? No? Oh well.

Nope, I'm gonna try to work on my house despite the fact that we have no money and I really do suck at painting(it's time I finally admitted that), I do plan on finishing my craft room(even though it's too cold up there and it's too quiet, I need a DVD player), I plan on completely redoing my living room(if I get around to it), I really do want to finally get around to the 4 billion sewing projects that I have planned in my head, I want to finally get around to sewing that skirt that will completely change my wardrobe(oh yes, that's right, in my head, I really do believe that this skirt is the missing link in my closet!), I plan on making all the furniture in my new guest room(even though I don't have anything to cut with...hmm, could be difficult), finally organize my house(okay, yes, this is something I've been working on..Oh for the last 25 years or so and ROYALLY SUCK AT!)and about 5 thousand other projects that I really want to do but probably won't get around to doing..oh well, it's the thought that counts right? I plan on learning what genuine happiness means(I really don't have any clue what this is and I think it's time I learned it). Renewing my marriage to Vince(no worries, it's not in any danger but its just important to us to always keep renewing it). Be a better wife. Be a better friend. Be a better coworker. Be a better listener. Realize that it's not all about me(despite the fact that I usually like it to be). Realize that there is no set number of things I need to have to make me a valuable person. And most of all, realize that I'm not a better or worse person if I don't succeed at a single thing on the above list.

2011 is the year of Heidi...and whatever that brings.

PS: to any financial guru's out there who panicked when I said I emptied my 401k..don't worry it's safe and sound and untouched until age 67 or something like that :-)

Happy Holidays

2010-11-28T19:29:00.001-05:00

I'm taking a break for the holidays! I'm gonna have lots of stuff that I'm doing and I can't wait to. I'm gonna enjoy long nights with my family. I'm finally gonna do all those Christmas crafts I always want to do. I'm gonna enjoy shopping with everyone and finding great gifts for everyone. I'm gonna make cookies like I've always wanted to. I'm gonna decorate like I always plan to. Basically I'm gonna do all the things I always want to do for the holidays but never get around to! So, I've decided to have a blast for the holiday season, concentrate on making this a great holiday season for Vince and I, and I'll be back next year, refreshed, renewed, and ready to take on the new year!
So, I wish each and every one of you the best Holiday Season ever.

Merry Christmas!!!
Love,
Heidi and Vince

Let the Christmas Season Begin!

2010-11-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

Today while I'm sitting at work reading my Martha Stewart Christmas Magazine and planning my shopping list for Christmas..millions of people are out fighting at Walmart and other places to get the best deals. A fight really did break out in my hometown at Walmart(I'm so proud)...I really didn't see that many great deals..I wonder what they were fighting over.

So, do you black Friday? I want to one year just so I can say I did it. I'll probably head out after work today to do a little but by then, the stores will be dead and empty.

Do you know where the term "Black" Friday came from? I thought it was because stores finally go in the black financially but maybe not. And since we all know that the information found on the internet is absolutely the truth(sense the sarcasm here), here's this fact for you. I did find this one in a couple different places though. The phrase “Black Friday” was first applied in the 1960s in the city of Philadelphia by newspapers in reference to the morass of crowds resulting from the post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping haste. Apparently, some felt the scene was reminiscent of the rush of madness seen after the stock market panic of September 24, 1864, also known as “Black Friday,” and this is what the phrase originally referenced

And think you're getting the best deal on Black Friday? I found this a couple places too. Many Black Friday deals are matched or beaten later in the season...so if you didn't get the great deal on that Tickle Me Elmo(sorry I remember the year that that was a HUGE item), don't worry, it'll probably be on sale next week and then the next 3 weeks after that too.

In any case, HAVE A GREAT BLACK FRIDAY EVERYONE! Don't go getting into fights! And Please let me know if you found something cool!

Are you there God, it's me, Heidi?

2010-11-22T09:38:00.001-05:00

I've been keeping this in for awhile but since I tell this blog pretty much everything, I thought you deserved to know what's really been going with me lately. I haven't really been that busy with projects although I have been using them as a distraction lately...unsuccessfully.

When I was little, I always felt like Margaret..praying to God for what I wanted..whether it was bigger boobs, that cute boy school to like me(he usually didn't, hehe), more money, a part in the school play, a part in the majorette squad, better hair, you know the typical things that teenagers pray for. I knew he had better things to do that grant a silly little dream and I was okay with that. I still believed in Him and understood that his plans for me were much more important that my cup size.

But now I'm 31 and I still pray for things but those prayers have grown up too. Now I pray for DH and pray that he finally finds a career he loves. And I try to thank Him alot for what I DO have like our house, our health, and enough money. But lately I've been praying for the one of the most important things to me and DH, and I feel like I'm being left in the desert alone.

I want a baby...more, I want my baby. Vince and I have tried so hard. I've done everything I was supposed to do(and I swear if I get one comment tellling I just need to relax and let it happen, I'll gladly put you in my shoes and then you can have two years of trying with nothing to show but two empty baby books and tell me how relaxed you feel!) and we're just having one frustrating moment after another. Poor Vince didn't sign up for this. This isn't his problem, it's my body that's not cooperating and he's the poor guy that's left to pick up his sobbing wife every month. Am I paying penance for something earlier in my life? If so, I'M SORRY PLEASE FORGIVE or at least tell me what I've done so I can try to fix it! How much more do I owe? Why are we being continually punished? I hear what doesn't kill you makes you stronger..maybe I don't want to be stronger...and what if I'm not strong enough??

I feel defective. Being a mother is the one thing I supposed to be able to do without any training or degree. I can read books but instinct and biology are supposed to take over! Humans are supposed to be able to concieve and carry a baby. We're supposed to replenish the population and I can't do it and there's nothing I can do to change that right now and it's killing me.

So, please God, if you're still there and taking my prayers, can you please let us stop hurting and let us have our baby?

Have I fallen off the blogwagon?

2010-11-19T20:22:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been footballing and hockeying..yes, that's right. I just turned two nouns into a verb. And I've been doing alot of home projects that aren't quite finished yet so I haven't been able to blog about them plus dealing with a few personal things. But please don't give up on me yet, I'll be back VERY soon with lots of updates! :-)

Finally a kitchen I can call home!

2010-11-11T17:44:00.000-05:00

After what feels like forever, my kitchen is officially done...well as done as any room can be to someone who is constantly changing her mind and wasn't quite ready to empty out her wallet for a nice gutting job with new cabinets, new light fixtures, countertops, flooring, and layout. We do plan on redoing the floor and light fixtures very soon though! Wonder if I should clue Vince in on that plan soon..hmm.something to ponder.

When Vince and I moved into this house, the kitchen wasn't awful.

Sure there was things we didn't like but we could live in it..and did for about a year. Then one day I decided it had to change (yep, this is normally how I work, something pops in my head and I need to have it done STAT!) so I took a day (here)off work and spent the whole weekend tearing down wall paper.

We repainted cabinets, changing hardware, and figured out what to do with this big spare wall that was above the one counter top and then for under $150.00, here we are in a kitchen that I'm really happy with!

Wordless Wednesday to zap my funk

2010-11-10T11:21:00.001-05:00

Been in a funk lately..not sure what's up...but anyways, here are some things that make me happy!

From Cup of Jo--how thrilled would you be if these were delivered to you!

from Design Intervention-I'd like to book a night or a lifetime in this bedroom..Vince may think it's just a hair too girly for him

Go ahead, try to look at this without at least smiling

This movie comes out in T-Minus 9 days and I started the book on Monday and I'm determined to finish it by then..only 350 pages to go! I am loving every single page of this. Ask my coworkers and Vince, I have been reading it every spare moment I have. It is such a great book, it might be my favorite...WHY OH WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF WRITING A BOOK LIKE THIS FIRST!?!? :-)

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Did you vote today?

2010-11-02T18:13:00.001-04:00

Today's election day and I hope you voted!
If you're happy with the way things are right now, you need to speak up so it stays that way. If you want change, you need to speak up because otherwise no one will know you think it should change. I'm not saying which I am.
If you didn't vote, please don't complain that you don't like the taxes or the school system or the welfare system or the healthcare system or anything else that you want to blame on the government, this is your day, your day to keep it or change it. If you're not sure how to vote for, educate yourself. Make an opinion and stand behind it.
People fight and die every day so that you can have that say so speak up. Please vote.

New Month, New Projects

2010-11-01T12:35:00.000-04:00

November has always felt like the calm before the storm. You know, before all the stores completely turn into Christmas Villages and before everyone has all the holiday party stress. I always feel like November is my last chance to clean up my house really well before a new year starts and before most rooms are slathered in tinsel, garland, and lights.

Finish DIY Christmas Decorations
Finish and take pics of redone kitchen--I'm like 20 minutes from finishing this, I'm just stuck on a last detail.
Put Patio Cushions in basement for winter.
Organize Attic--oh you don't even want to see this room right now, it drives me insane!
Bedroom Redo
Hit the gym 12 times--I really need to start doing something!
Organize Christmas Shopping List
Organize Wrapping Paper Area-I hate trying to locate tags and tape and ribbon when I'm in the middle of wrapping

Anything special you want to get done this month?

Wordless Wednesday-Pick a color

2010-10-27T09:06:00.000-04:00

Which color do you find more soothing and comforting?

Photo Source: Valspar

Photo Source: Apartment Therapy

Photo Source: Traditional Home

Photo Source: Better Homes and Gardens

What should have been.

2010-10-26T17:56:00.000-04:00

Today should be my child's first birthday..I can't believe how quick time has gone. This year has actually been alot harder than last year. As time goes on the bitterness fades but it's leaving behind something worse. Indifference. I try to be upbeat most of the time but what's the point today...

Wordless Wednesday-where I'll be in 3 days

2010-10-20T14:53:00.002-04:00

NYC and the Americal Girl Store!

Remembrance Day

2010-10-15T14:30:00.001-04:00

Today's Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day and since we know this one hits close to home for me, I think it's important I post about it.

I have had two miscarriages. I'm grateful I have wonderful doctors who are doing everything they can to help prevent another one in the future. But even when we succeed, I we will never forget the two I lost.

So, if you know someone who's had one..please remember them today...send them a prayer or a hug. Believe me when I say that they need it.

Wordless Wednesday-how I feel right now

2010-10-13T12:18:00.002-04:00

Final Bloodwork results-good news!

2010-10-11T14:44:00.002-04:00

The final piece of the puzzle is in place and it's good news!
My homocysteine levels are nice and low..which means, this lady does not need Heparin/Lovenox right now. My OB called the other day personally to ask how I was handling everything(yet another reason I love that man!) and to tell me the good news. So, the plan going forward is to take aspirin, B complex, and folic acid. Then when we do get pregnant again, I'll have my levels checked often in case they start rising. So, as of this moment, no $24,000 medicine for me!! WOOHOO!

Be careful what you search for

2010-10-06T14:58:00.000-04:00

HAHA! I was looking for a picture for Wordless Wednesday so I was googling and I thought of these pictures from science class when we were little of extremely magnified photographs and we had to guess what they were..well, so I decided to google something along those lines so I googled "odd magnified photos" and up on my screen pops a penis. Apparently google image thought this is what I wanted when I asked for odd magnified photos! Not lying!..not to mention the fact that I'm at work.
Then I turned bright red to the point that my coworker asked me if I was okay. I told her and she's still laughing.
Sorry I know it's wordless Wednesday but this was so much better! Now I'm too embarrassed to go back to google to realy look for what I wanted...I don't need any more magnified penises!

Good bye summer, hello Fall

2010-10-03T09:35:00.001-04:00

Well, now that it's October, it's really and truly the end of summer. This was a long hot summer and so much happened so I thought I'd go back through my entire summer.

Vince and his best friend TRYING to grill-FAIL.

My dad's 50th Birthday party, a couple of the guys ate the ears, Vince was one of them..ICK!

Lil Sis and her sweet HB.

My Pampered Chef party featuring one of my closest friends! She did such a great job!

Family Reunion, we rummaged through my dad's garden

My kitchen right after all the wallpaper came down.

2010 Harvestfest, someone was making Ham and Bean soup in this thing all day, it smelled sooo good!

The animal show at Harvestfest. This cute little guy and his roommate, a bulldog.

Yesterday morning after a slumber party at my house with two of my nieces!

Cow Patty Bingo at Vince's high school...that's right, we pay money for a square in this field and we wait for a cow to do its business, hopefully on our square. it didn't.

Vince and I our last day on the beach.

My niece and nephew at the beach. This picture isn't blurry, the fog ruled in and didn't clear up until about 1 in the afternoon. And then it cleared up into the most beautiful day!

So, all in all, a pretty great summer, how was your summer?

Friday Fives!

2010-10-01T18:02:00.001-04:00

Is it just me or was this last week the longest week ever!? But it's F..I..N..A..L..L..Y.. FRIDAYYYYY!! That was me..singing. But anyways, this week over at Just Me and My Life, she decided to do Your Five Shows that are coming back after the summer that you're excited about.

I'll count backwards because 1. It's more exciting and 2. this is my blog ;-)

COUGARTOWN!

2.

And drumroll please...not that important or excited? alright, Vince and I could NOT wait for this to come back!

It takes alot for Vince to actually laugh out loud when he's watching TV and but this show has had him laughing since the pilot which we now own. We look forward to Monday nights because we know our DVR will be working hard for this baby! If you haven't checked it out, you should. Patrick Warburton is HILARIOUS! He's a man of few words and those few words are priceless. The relationship between David Spade's character, Russel Dunbar, and his assistant Timmy played by Adhir Kalyan makes me laugh just typing this. And a little trivia for ya, Adam is played by Goldie Hawn's son Oliver Hudson..that's right, this is Kate Hudson's older brother. His character is sweet lovable and completely gullible (did I spell that right?). It's a great show that we love to watch.

Okay, your turn! I can't wait to see what you've been excited for!!

Have a great Friday everyone!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-29T07:10:00.000-04:00

Okay, not entirely wordless. Since my kitchen is STILL not finished, tonight though! I'm gonna post a kitchen that makes me happy so let's just bertend(yes that's how Lil Sis and I said pretend when we were little) that this is my kitchen and imagine me sitting at that bar with a lovely cup of tea!

Have a great Wednesday!

Photocredit: Renomart

More bloodwork and more results

2010-09-28T16:10:00.001-04:00

Test results in and more bloodwork..Pretty soon I'll have to buy the lab techs at Nason Christmas presents for as much as they've seen me lately. I've read every magazine in their waiting room! And let me tell you, the fashion from 2005 really is different from todays! hehe.

So, what am I checking? MUCH easier to say than MTHFR..this is homocysteine levels! It was much easier to find information about this than the MTHFR.

The theory is that those that carry the MTHFR gene like this lucky girl right here are more likely to have high homocysteine levels. High homocysteine levels cause a condition called hypercoagulability which means the blood clots alot more easily. Tiny little blood clots could block blood vessels to the placenta. The good news, or great news in my case, that it's very effectively treated with vitamins such as B6, B12, and folic acid which I'm already on. So, then we move onto Heparin during pregnancy.

Heparin is a blood thinner that prevents the formation of clots. I'm hoping Vince doesn't have a problem with needles cause that's right, this is an injectible!

This child had BETTER be worth it..otherwise, I will remind her/him how much we went through! I have the ultimate guilt trip for their entire life, hehe! I had someone recently ask me if I thought maybe everything I was going was a sign from God that maybe I'm not meant to be a mom and how some people need to accept their life because these "medicine babies" are not natrual and while I secretly thought about torturing her, I wondered how many others thought this. So, this was my answer, "So, if your child was falling, would you try to save her? If she was drowning, would you take it as a sign she was meant to drown, or would you do everything in your power to save her? My babies have been dying and if I can do something, anything, to save them, I'll do it" If I'm not meant to be a Mom, it won't happen no matter what..but while I still have options, I'm gonna do them.

So finally an answer..definitely not the answer we wanted but the answer we needed.

Show Us Your Life-Master Bedroom

2010-09-24T09:48:00.005-04:00

It's that time of the week again! Woohoo! It's FRIDAY!!!!! Okay besides the fact that I can't wait for this weekend to start because my family's favorite festival is going on, CAN'T WAIT! Or the fact that it's Friday because I don't have to come back to work for another few days...I love Show Us Your Life...I love that we all get together every Friday and show parts of our lives. Plus when it's house stuff, I get all kinds of ideas for my own!

So, this week it's Master Bedroom. Well, my master bedroom is currently under construction or will be in the next day or so. If you really want to see it, click on House Tour at the top and you can see my entire house and our project list. So, this week, instead of showing what it is right now because I'm not happy with it right now, I'm gonna show you some of my ideas for what I want it to become!

First let me tell you that I believe your bedroom should be your haven..that one place you go to and are instantly soothed. I believe it should be soft and cozy. I think you should walk into your bedroom and think "Ahhh..."

Photo credited: Apartment Therapy

Some of the items in this room are little too modern for my taste but I love the airy feeling this room has and I love that blue accent color.

Credit: Pretty Little Things

Okay, I absolutely love the chandelier in the bedroom thing but I don't think I'll be able to convince Vince to give up the ceiling fan in our room and do this instead. But I do love all the windows, the floor to ceiling curtains, and the high ceilings.

And there's a photo that goes..um..[here] but we're waiting on permission from her.

Credit: HouseBeautiful I know that I will never be able to convince to go this girly but can't I just sit here and say "isn't it pretty?" It reminds me of an old movie with dukes and duchesses and those big beds they sleep in.

So, that's it..I know I have more pics saved for inspiration but you get the jist I think. We have alot of work to get done on this room which will be posted as I finish but I can't wait to have a nice haven to escape to every day.

Okay, now it's your turn! LInk up over at Kelly's and show us your life!
Have a great day!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-22T14:12:00.000-04:00

Meet my beautiful neice E who's been learning to stand!

It ain't about how hard you hit

2010-09-21T16:25:00.000-04:00

"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done"

Who knew Rocky really did know what he was talking about.

It's not shocker if you read my blog that we've been going through some battles. Today we learned my VERy expensive treatment. I'm gonna fight the insurances on it so I'm not down and out yet. But any time during all of this stuff we're going through, I've said this quote over and over again in my head, I have it printed out and taped to my desk. Life will be beat you down and keep you there if you let it, but I'm determined not to let it win over me. Life isn't about what's meant to be, it's about what you make it be.

I guess I just need a Mickey in my corner cheering me on!

Did I post about this quote already cause I swear I just had deja vu...hm. Have a great day everyone!

Send a good thought!

2010-09-20T14:14:00.000-04:00

I've been following this blog, Live, Love, Laugh, for some time and Heather had her baby very early (12 weeks to be exact) and he's been fighting strong and doing great but as anyone knows who's been through a tough time, it always helps to know you're being prayed for and thought about. So if you have a spare prayer or thought today, please send it to her and Brayden, I know they both could use it. If you have a little more time, go over there and post a good thought.

That's all today, have a great one!

Accidentally fun weekend!

2010-09-19T17:19:00.001-04:00

I love accidental fun times! I remember several years ago my best friends and I decided to run down to a bar for "just one drink" and ended up there the entire night and having so much fun, ended up dancing on the bar, eating cake at 3am and one of my girlfriends falling asleep on her kitchen floor in her bathrobe! I just laughed typing that out!

So, anyways, my mom called me on Friday and asked if I wanted to do running around which of course I did. So, bright and early Saturday morning(when I say bright and early I mean 930am), my mom picked me up with Lil Sis in the back and we decided first to stop at a couple yard sales because I've been looking for a plant stand(simple? yes, but you'll see down the road why I wanted it). Our first yard sale we found my plant stand and a couple other cool things!

Like her? She needs a little cleaning and maybe a coat or two to freshen her up

Then we moved on to the mall where of course we ended up spending ALOT of time and some money but all in fun. Lil Sis found the one thing she was looking for and I found my one thing.

After a long tiring day, Vince and I decided on some sushi...the order was screwed up..I HATE THAT! I ended up with sushi rolls with cream cheese in them, ugh!

We live too far to make it worth it to go back so ugh...another reason to not eat out! And then up to Vince's parents house so Vince could talk football with his dad and I could..end up falling asleep on the sofa.

Sunday, I woke up REALLY early and watched Dear John which I had DVR'd..Love that movie, by the way, and ended up crying through about 50% of it. In fact, I may go down as soon as I post this and watch it again..yep, I'm that person! When I always rented movies, I'd watch them as many times as I could..you know, to really get my money's worth!

Then we headed up Vince's Gram's for some yummy italian and then home for some napping.

I love fun weekends! Enough about me, how was your weekend?

A Little late-Show us Your life-Living Rooms

2010-09-19T08:24:00.000-04:00

I've been out of the loop a little with these posts but Vince and I've been working on our home lately so I thought it'd be fun to jump back in!
This week, it was Show Us Your Living Room!

This is our Living room right this moment..hopefully over the next few months, this room will be COMPLETELY changed! I'm so excited! But alas, right now, we'll have to live with the ugly carpet for now.

These couches were so comfy when I first looked at them in the store but then we got them home and realized that they're a little too fluffy and they INHALE you when you sit in them and are not at all comfortably to sleep in..we're checking out some other ones right now. Our phone book is on the arm because we just ordered sushi and I can never remember the phone number.

Looking out at the front porch. I like that view for some stupid reason. We live on a busy street but it's a nice way. Everyone knows everyone and it's safe. It helps that my brother in law is a cop and our house is pretty much getting passed every half hour by someone on the force. I love my neighborhood!

This is our couch view. And this is our table which was so cheap(Tar-jay buy) but we beat it up so much that it looks like it's been well loved and well used over the year.

Vince's pride and joy, his TV and his PS3. The TV he won in a contest at his old job. And the PS3 was a gift from his brothers for our wedding. On the shelf is a mini wedding album, a gift my mom got me when I had my last miscarriage, and a basket filled with letters and cards from my last miscarriage and my last pregnancy..I just can't bear to throw them away.

Like I said earlier, then next time you see this living room, you won't even recognize it!

So, now it's your turn..go over to Kelly's and link up and show us your living room! I'd love to see it!

Finally some answers!

2010-09-14T14:45:00.002-04:00

Well, I finally got some answers from my last miscarriage. I got my final result today and it looks like my factor V leiden, protein c, protein s, factor II, TSH, fasting glucose, and anticardiolipin antibody all came back negative but it looks like I'm MTHFR positive or whatever it's called when you have it.

Not sure what MTHFR is? Well, it's Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase..there! Doesn't that clear it up perfectly?

Okay I tried to find some good information about it but I couldn't really so if anyone has any information about it or knows a website that could give me more, I'd really appreciate it. I know the treatment is a pain and I get the jist of what it is but not enough to explain it to anyone else.

So, we got some answers and once again a HUGE shout out to my Dr. for testing me and not making me wait the "protocol" 3 miscarriages! I haven't heard the plan of action from the doctor yet so hopefully that'll come in the next few days, I'll keep ya posted!

Two truth Tuesday

2010-09-14T09:52:00.002-04:00

Say that five times fast.

Two Truth Tuesday

1. I'm still convinced Hollywood will discover me. Oh that's right people...prepare yourself to see me next to Bruce Willis in the upcoming blockbuster: Die Hard 10: Still Dying Harder! ..it'll be so hot! I'll ensure there's at least one hot steamy kiss with that sexy hunk of man-meat! Seriously...I heart him in a HUGE way..call me Bruce, we'll work something out! Don't worry, Vince is fully aware.

2. I have 14+ sewing projects sitting my attic right now that I haven't even started yet and about 30 yards of fabric that I bought on impulse with absolutely no idea of what to use them for. I'm horrible at buying fabric, I just go and guess how much I need and then I get frustrated when I get home and realize I don't even have close to what I needed...Don't ever tell Vince that, he always rolls his eyes when I say I need more fabric. Perhaps I need to plan more accordingly and maybe measure *taps chin inquisitively*..but that doesn't really sound like me.

Now be honest, what are your two truths today?

Weekend Recap

2010-09-13T08:21:00.001-04:00

What an exhausting weekend! I took off Friday to start one of my goals from my post the other day. You'll have to wait for the "official" post about that project! So, we got up bright and early on Friday to start what I though would be so easy...note to self: wallpaper takes longer to take down than you always think. Note for marriage: NEVER ASK HUSBAND TO TAKE DOWN FLOOR TO CEILING WALLPAPER UNLESS YOU WANT TO SIGN DIVORCE PAPERS. However, we didn't spat once and actually laughed alot!

Friday night around 6pm, my wonderful(and I mean that) mother in law called to remind me of a Lia Sophia party I promised to go to..WHOOPS! So, jumped in the shower and off we went!! Then we went back to her house where my husband was waiting for me and we waiting for my brother in law to get into town with his wife and five kids! Love seeing them!

Saturday morning, woke up again to finish taking wallpaper off and try to decide what wall color. Off to Home Depot where I bought an extra gallon(dang it, but better to have too much than not enough and have to gamble on getting another gallon exactly right, oh well). Then we painted and hurried because...

7pm and we took a break while Vince's family came down to watch Penn State play No. 1 Alabama...we lost...:-( But solid effort boys, solid effort! Think we got slaughtered..you try a freshman quarterback against the No.1 college football team! :-)

More much needed sleep. Brunch Sunday morning with in laws before brother in law went back home with his family and then Vince and made yet another trip to Lowes AND Home Depot to get what we needed to finish a couple things off and then home to finish what we could. And then after hanging exactly one item we decided that we needed a break so I went upstairs and took a much needed nap(hey, I'm getting old and my arms were KILLING me from tearing down wallpaper and painting high walls) and Vince watched football. Besides the one thing takes 3 days to condition before we can really do anything else so it was perfect.
What I'm exhausted just writing all that...hand me a bottle of Advil.

How about you? How was your weekend?

Friday Fives!

2010-09-10T05:06:00.006-04:00

I've finally decided to link up with Just Me and My Life for her Friday Fives and she's right this is an uncomfortanble one and one that is really sensitive right right now and all over the news. It's something that our generation will never forget, something that we'll tell our children and grandchildren.
I can't believe it's been 9 years. I always think of how people always say "I remember where was was when Marilyn Monroe died, when Elvis died, when JFK died, when Pearl Harbor was hit...well, I will never forget that 9/11.

5 Things you Remember About the day of September 11th

I remember talking to an insurance company based in New York City right after the 1st plane hit and she was told a plane hit the world trade center and we laughed because why would a plane hit one of those buildings and who would start such a ridiculous rumor
I remember watching the second plane hit on TV while I was getting my boss's morning cup of coffee which she then yelled at me because I was taking too long
I remember watching the newcast over and over again on every channel and for once..even Comedy Central had nothing to say .
I remember thinking of the movie "The Seige" when Denzel Washington says "This is New York City, we can take it"... and crying because I knew it was true.
I remember how beautiful and nice the day started.

What do you remember?

Everyone's ready for fall

2010-09-09T02:22:00.003-04:00

Almost every blog I read is talking about fall all of a sudden. And I absolutely freaking love it! I like Summer because of the warm weather, the swimming, the grilling, the vacationing..you know all the fun summer stuff but fall? Fall is warmer clothes so I'm not so worried about exposing my arms, and scarfs which I LOVE, and supposedly Pumpkin Spice Latte's at Starbucks

which apparently I am the only person in the US not to have had them(this is going to be remedied after work today), and decorating my home in warmer colors, and spicy candles, and halloween(which also means Halloween candy! EEEEEEEEE!!! I so love Halloween!!!! ), and high school football games, and PSU football games, and opening the windows at night to let in the night air.

My cuz did a whole list on her blog of new goals...I like that too..it's a fresh start...and believe me with the summer Vince and I had..we need a fresh start!

So, here's my list of "goals"

Stop waiting for the future and enjoy the present!

For the past 1 1/2 years, my life has been consumed by baby and pregnancy and miscarriage. Every month I've looked at the calendar and looked at when I'd be due if I got pregnant this month or that month. I'm waiting my life away instead of enjoying what I have now. When after I have kids, will I be able to go home from work, eat Fancy Cakes for dinner with Vince and not care about doing anything else the entire night..hey, don't judge me! If we're meant to be parents, we'll be parents and it'll happen when it's time...

PS: if that time could be sometime before I hit menopause, that would be appreciated though!

Stop planning my home reno projects and start one of them!
I think this one speaks for itself

Lose 20 lbs before next May 21.
One of my best friends' wedding is then and I'd love to look great for that wedding plus that gives me plenty of time to do it right and then I'll also look great for the beach trip next year!

Watch out Peeps, this'll be me next summer!

Start a budget
Sure I balance our checkbook and I pay our bills but I feel like we're losing alot of money somewhere and um...not sure where...okay, maybe Burger King has some of it..

Finish my 2010 scrapbook
While I'm at it, I should probably finish my wedding, honeymoon and 2009 one too

Remember to send cards more
I always want to send cards for birthday, anniversaries, and any other big event and just always drop the ball

Go all out for at least one holiday
I love decorating for the holidays(ANY holiday) but it always seems like I procrastinate and just end up throwing things out and not really taking my time doing it...I want to do at least one holiday where EVERYTHING is decorated just how I want it.

photo credit: Country Living

So, what are you looking forward to as we move into fall?

Wordless Wednesday-End of Summer

2010-09-08T14:51:00.000-04:00

Photo credit: http://www.mrahmanphoto.com/

Random Thought.

2010-08-30T14:45:00.000-04:00

I want to know what girl has looked at a guy with his pants down under his butt showcasing his dirty white tighties and no shirt and weighing less than 100 lbs soaking wet and thought..."I gotta have that man."...