Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Two years ago, Hubby and I were married on a hot and beautiful July day.The last two years have certainly had their ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade a minute of any of it. With every experience, I fall more in love with Hubby. I can't imagine the last seven years of my life without him!
So here is what I got Hubby:

He seems to have lost his other watch. Going into his interviews, it will be nice to have something on his wrist. I hope he likes it!

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Two years ago, Hubby and I were married on a hot and beautiful July day.The last two years have certainly had their ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade a minute of any of it. With every experience, I fall more in love with Hubby. I can't imagine the last seven years of my life without him!
So here is what I got Hubby:

He seems to have lost his other watch. Going into his interviews, it will be nice to have something on his wrist. I hope he likes it!

You say goodbye, I say hello!

Thanks for muddling through my previous post. Papers really stress me out. Which is why I chose a major in undergrad and a masters program based solely on papers. I'm so smart!

Well, hello hello! to a better week, without paper. And without class! I am (regretably?) missing class both nights this week for concerts. Hubby and I are going to one concert tomorrow to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary! On Thursday, we will see Billy Joel and Elton John with Hubby's family in Philly. Woohoo!

After Philly, we'll say "Hello!" to Massachusetts. We're spending the weekend with some of my friends. Friends who I never get to see! I'm very excited.

Hubby and I are also moving along to say "Hello!" to a new career. We decided, as a family, that Hubby should make the switch. We are both on board with the new, even though it will be a difficult path to follow. It may seem like this is Hubby's career, but it will really take both of us to make it work. I am confident in my husband, and I know we will always land on our feet.

And for one final Hello, I have made it to the second trimester! It's all official, because BabyCenter.com sent me an email :-) Baby is growing nicely, and even let me enjoy a chicken parm sub last night. It seems someone has decided that perhaps tomatoes aren't so bad after all! I'm still going to take it easy on the tomatoes, but thank goodness they are back on the menu! To make matters even happier, I am almost positive I have been feeling the baby kicking me late at night. Even the baby is saying "Hello!"

You say goodbye, I say hello!

Thanks for muddling through my previous post. Papers really stress me out. Which is why I chose a major in undergrad and a masters program based solely on papers. I'm so smart!

Well, hello hello! to a better week, without paper. And without class! I am (regretably?) missing class both nights this week for concerts. Hubby and I are going to one concert tomorrow to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary! On Thursday, we will see Billy Joel and Elton John with Hubby's family in Philly. Woohoo!

After Philly, we'll say "Hello!" to Massachusetts. We're spending the weekend with some of my friends. Friends who I never get to see! I'm very excited.

Hubby and I are also moving along to say "Hello!" to a new career. We decided, as a family, that Hubby should make the switch. We are both on board with the new, even though it will be a difficult path to follow. It may seem like this is Hubby's career, but it will really take both of us to make it work. I am confident in my husband, and I know we will always land on our feet.

And for one final Hello, I have made it to the second trimester! It's all official, because BabyCenter.com sent me an email :-) Baby is growing nicely, and even let me enjoy a chicken parm sub last night. It seems someone has decided that perhaps tomatoes aren't so bad after all! I'm still going to take it easy on the tomatoes, but thank goodness they are back on the menu! To make matters even happier, I am almost positive I have been feeling the baby kicking me late at night. Even the baby is saying "Hello!"

Despair

I have such a total and complete feeling of despair. This happens whenever I have to write a paper of any length, but is just exacerbated right now.

1) This 10-15 page paper in on a topic that I know incredibly little about. Confidence = zero
2) The class this paper is for ended a month ago. I can't stand extended due dates.
3) I'm pregnant. All of my emotions are so whack, that I can't even begin to describe the utter despair I'm feeling right now.
4) Hubby.

I don't think I have mentioned this, because for once I was being private about something. Hubby's company is closing. He'll be able to finish out the stuff he's currently working on, and then nothing. What timing, right?

Not only will Hubby be unemployed with a baby on the way, he is considering a career change. I wholly support this, I really do. His current career is inconsistent, at best. I would like something a little more dependable as we are about to welcome a new (and needy) family member. But neither of us has any idea what he should do, or how to get into it. His current idea for new career is equally inconsistent as the last. While he'd be happier in it in the long run, it would be a LOT of work to get started. And the money would be very tight. Tigher than it already is.

My dreams of working part time (or, ha! not at all!) have gone out the window. We just need my tiny paycheck too much. I am so saddened by this. And also so scared of how we will manage. And so desperate for Hubby do be happy... I can barely breath right now.

I have been really good, putting up a strong front for Hubby. When we first found out about the job, I got really upset and made Hubby upset too. Crying won't help, but it's all I want to do.

And now I have this paper due. Two pages in, so far to go, and nothing to say.

Despair

I have such a total and complete feeling of despair. This happens whenever I have to write a paper of any length, but is just exacerbated right now.

1) This 10-15 page paper in on a topic that I know incredibly little about. Confidence = zero
2) The class this paper is for ended a month ago. I can't stand extended due dates.
3) I'm pregnant. All of my emotions are so whack, that I can't even begin to describe the utter despair I'm feeling right now.
4) Hubby.

I don't think I have mentioned this, because for once I was being private about something. Hubby's company is closing. He'll be able to finish out the stuff he's currently working on, and then nothing. What timing, right?

Not only will Hubby be unemployed with a baby on the way, he is considering a career change. I wholly support this, I really do. His current career is inconsistent, at best. I would like something a little more dependable as we are about to welcome a new (and needy) family member. But neither of us has any idea what he should do, or how to get into it. His current idea for new career is equally inconsistent as the last. While he'd be happier in it in the long run, it would be a LOT of work to get started. And the money would be very tight. Tigher than it already is.

My dreams of working part time (or, ha! not at all!) have gone out the window. We just need my tiny paycheck too much. I am so saddened by this. And also so scared of how we will manage. And so desperate for Hubby do be happy... I can barely breath right now.

I have been really good, putting up a strong front for Hubby. When we first found out about the job, I got really upset and made Hubby upset too. Crying won't help, but it's all I want to do.

And now I have this paper due. Two pages in, so far to go, and nothing to say.

Things they never tell you about pregnancy, part II

By 2pm you will feel like you got hit by a truck. You will lose all faith in humanity. You will despair that the end of the day will never come.

Perhaps a snack would help, but it's just too much effort to get it.

Things they never tell you about pregnancy, part II

By 2pm you will feel like you got hit by a truck. You will lose all faith in humanity. You will despair that the end of the day will never come.

Perhaps a snack would help, but it's just too much effort to get it.

Oh Happy Day

The best part of today:

I wanted a salad for lunch.

So I ate a salad for lunch.

And I'm still feeling great!

Baby Yoga

I went to my first prenatal yoga class Monday night. And I loved it! A room full of moms to be, all at varying stages of pregnancy. What could be better?

The teacher starts each class with birth stories, either read from emails or told (like Monday!) by a special guest new mom. It was so enlightening to hear what the mother went through. The mom on Monday had a fairly easy - and completely natural! - delivery. But even her experience taught me about things that happen that I had no idea happened. It was a little shocking, but I still left feeling ready to have a baby. It takes a lot more to scare me away!

And honestly, what can I do now? Even if labor and delivery are the scariest things ever, I'm a little stuck. And I love it.

The next part of class, we went around the room saying how far along we are and what we were feeling the past week. I was the definite baby, at only 12 weeks. One women was at 39 weeks, about to pop, and happy as could be. Another mom, at 37 weeks, definitely had a contraction during class... CRAZY.

Then we got to the actual yoga part. I have done yoga before, but never like this class. The poses (all well known) are used in ways to teach moms how to prepare for birth. Everything we did focused on increasing core abdominal strength, improving posture, and relieving panic. It was fanTAStic. Just enough of a work out to get my heart rate up a little, but I wasn't exhausted at the end. And yet, still just enough that I was feeling a little sore from the workout yesterday. Perfect!

And the best part? While we were in deep relaxation at the end of class, I think I might have felt the baby move.

Oh Happy Day

The best part of today:

I wanted a salad for lunch.

So I ate a salad for lunch.

And I'm still feeling great!

Baby Yoga

I went to my first prenatal yoga class Monday night. And I loved it! A room full of moms to be, all at varying stages of pregnancy. What could be better?

The teacher starts each class with birth stories, either read from emails or told (like Monday!) by a special guest new mom. It was so enlightening to hear what the mother went through. The mom on Monday had a fairly easy - and completely natural! - delivery. But even her experience taught me about things that happen that I had no idea happened. It was a little shocking, but I still left feeling ready to have a baby. It takes a lot more to scare me away!

And honestly, what can I do now? Even if labor and delivery are the scariest things ever, I'm a little stuck. And I love it.

The next part of class, we went around the room saying how far along we are and what we were feeling the past week. I was the definite baby, at only 12 weeks. One women was at 39 weeks, about to pop, and happy as could be. Another mom, at 37 weeks, definitely had a contraction during class... CRAZY.

Then we got to the actual yoga part. I have done yoga before, but never like this class. The poses (all well known) are used in ways to teach moms how to prepare for birth. Everything we did focused on increasing core abdominal strength, improving posture, and relieving panic. It was fanTAStic. Just enough of a work out to get my heart rate up a little, but I wasn't exhausted at the end. And yet, still just enough that I was feeling a little sore from the workout yesterday. Perfect!

And the best part? While we were in deep relaxation at the end of class, I think I might have felt the baby move.

Ask

And ye shall receive:
I am 12 weeks today!

Total weight gain/loss: +1
Maternity clothes? I love my stretchy clothes. The maternity pants still don't stay up quite right, so I haven't completely converted.
Sleep: I can't get enough. Seriously, I faded in and out of consciousness all day today
Best moment this week: Friends commenting on my little bump! (I've decided I'm over feeling huge. I'm just going with it).
Movement: Only gas :-)
Food cravings: I mostly hate everything. Burgers, McNuggets and white pizza are good.
Gender: Not a clue. Hubby and I are both leaning a little towards boy...
Labor Signs: NOPE. Please! A little crampy from "growing pains" though.
Belly Button in or out? In. And deep.
What I miss: Energy.
What I am looking forward to: 2nd Trimester in one more week!
Weekly Wisdom: Sleep when you can.
Milestones: I'm almost out of the 1st Trimester.

Ask

And ye shall receive:
I am 12 weeks today!

Total weight gain/loss: +1
Maternity clothes? I love my stretchy clothes. The maternity pants still don't stay up quite right, so I haven't completely converted.
Sleep: I can't get enough. Seriously, I faded in and out of consciousness all day today
Best moment this week: Friends commenting on my little bump! (I've decided I'm over feeling huge. I'm just going with it).
Movement: Only gas :-)
Food cravings: I mostly hate everything. Burgers, McNuggets and white pizza are good.
Gender: Not a clue. Hubby and I are both leaning a little towards boy...
Labor Signs: NOPE. Please! A little crampy from "growing pains" though.
Belly Button in or out? In. And deep.
What I miss: Energy.
What I am looking forward to: 2nd Trimester in one more week!
Weekly Wisdom: Sleep when you can.
Milestones: I'm almost out of the 1st Trimester.

Books that suck

7th Heaven

By James Patterson

Not that I've ever read a Patterson novel that I liked... but I was bored, and it was there. It took me a total of 1 day to read this disappointment. 1 day that I would like to get back! The characters are like bad actors in a terrible, cheap movie. The plot is... weak at best.

Next time I get suckered into reading a Patterson novel, smack me in the head until I put it down.

Oh Husband

I was getting up from the floor last night, after assaulting Girly with hugs, when hubby looked up at me kinda funny.

"Wow," he says, "Your tummy is really starting to look pregnant."

No foolin'!

Books that suck

7th Heaven

By James Patterson

Not that I've ever read a Patterson novel that I liked... but I was bored, and it was there. It took me a total of 1 day to read this disappointment. 1 day that I would like to get back! The characters are like bad actors in a terrible, cheap movie. The plot is... weak at best.

Next time I get suckered into reading a Patterson novel, smack me in the head until I put it down.

Oh Husband

I was getting up from the floor last night, after assaulting Girly with hugs, when hubby looked up at me kinda funny.

"Wow," he says, "Your tummy is really starting to look pregnant."

No foolin'!

Helloooo Out There!

Friends, I have been remiss in blogging.

You may have noticed that I'm not much of a blogger on the weekends. That is because I like to sleep in and spend the whole day on the couch. I am lazy.

As it turns out, the baby is just as much NOT a morning person as I am. While this makes like great for me when I want to sleep in, it's not so fantastic when I have to get up at the crack of dawn for work. I have noticed that the later I sleep, the better I feel!

This morning? Not so hot... I am very much looking forward to the 2nd trimester at this point. Only a few weeks away! I am also looking forward to the part where I can answer people truthfully about the due date when they ask. Because, yes, I am so huge already, random strangers are asking when I'm due.

Somehow I thought I wouldn't look this big for a while... And I've only gained 1 pound over the course of 11 weeks! Crazy.

Helloooo Out There!

Friends, I have been remiss in blogging.

You may have noticed that I'm not much of a blogger on the weekends. That is because I like to sleep in and spend the whole day on the couch. I am lazy.

As it turns out, the baby is just as much NOT a morning person as I am. While this makes like great for me when I want to sleep in, it's not so fantastic when I have to get up at the crack of dawn for work. I have noticed that the later I sleep, the better I feel!

This morning? Not so hot... I am very much looking forward to the 2nd trimester at this point. Only a few weeks away! I am also looking forward to the part where I can answer people truthfully about the due date when they ask. Because, yes, I am so huge already, random strangers are asking when I'm due.

Somehow I thought I wouldn't look this big for a while... And I've only gained 1 pound over the course of 11 weeks! Crazy.

Things they never tell you about pregnancy

That you'll measure the success of the day by the ability to fart and poop.




I am feeling much better today.

Things they never tell you about pregnancy

That you'll measure the success of the day by the ability to fart and poop.




I am feeling much better today.

I hope this is gas

Because otherwise there is something wrong.

Sharp pains in my right side under my ribcage. I am so positive this is gas, but love jumping to more serious diagnoses! I know it's not apendicitis; it's too high for that. But maybe I cracked a rib (sitting at my desk doing nothing) and it has punctured my lung! Maybe I have a blocked artery!

Maybe I just have gas that know enough Gas-X in the whole world can solve. Ouch!

I hope this is gas

Because otherwise there is something wrong.

Sharp pains in my right side under my ribcage. I am so positive this is gas, but love jumping to more serious diagnoses! I know it's not apendicitis; it's too high for that. But maybe I cracked a rib (sitting at my desk doing nothing) and it has punctured my lung! Maybe I have a blocked artery!

Maybe I just have gas that know enough Gas-X in the whole world can solve. Ouch!

Wiggle Worm!

Hubby and I had a very exciting OB appointment today. We got to see our little friend wiggling all over the place! There are hands with fingers that we could see, and little legs with feet. And as I so astutely pointed out – a tummy! (Hubby’s response: Of course there’s a tummy, how else would the arms and legs be attached?)

The baby was so wiggly that the doctor couldn’t get a great picture – and these still pictures really don’t do our baby justice. You should have seen the little arms waving all over! The top picture is a good angle for the face, but not much else. In the bottom picture you can see two little legs off to the left, the arms and hands, and the head to the right. The top hand is really vivid!

We also asked about the heartbeat. The machine isn’t able to read that information, but the doctor eyeballed it around 150 beats per minute, just where it should be!

Wiggle Worm!

Hubby and I had a very exciting OB appointment today. We got to see our little friend wiggling all over the place! There are hands with fingers that we could see, and little legs with feet. And as I so astutely pointed out – a tummy! (Hubby’s response: Of course there’s a tummy, how else would the arms and legs be attached?)

The baby was so wiggly that the doctor couldn’t get a great picture – and these still pictures really don’t do our baby justice. You should have seen the little arms waving all over! The top picture is a good angle for the face, but not much else. In the bottom picture you can see two little legs off to the left, the arms and hands, and the head to the right. The top hand is really vivid!

We also asked about the heartbeat. The machine isn’t able to read that information, but the doctor eyeballed it around 150 beats per minute, just where it should be!

Book Review

I should preface this by saying two things.
1) I do not choose books because Oprah happened to put a sticker on them. In this case, Hubby bought the book and I'm not sure he knows who Oprah is!
2) I often don't like Oprah's choices. I didn't realize this was an Oprah pick till I was halfway through (as our copy doesn't have the sticker).

That said, I once again must disagree with Oprah on this book. It was very disapointing. Here's what I liked:

The author did a magnificent job with the language. It was beautiful. And the vocabulary was astounding - the big words were used appropriately, and in such a way that they were easy to understand. That's an impressive feat. The book also set up a really neat discussion of what it is to communicate. I really liked that aspect.

(possible spoiler?)

Unfortunately, I was completely frustrated by the end. There was absolutely no justice at all. Maybe I missed the point of the book. Maybe the whole point was the dogs. But frankly, as much as I enjoyed the dogs, I was in it for the boy. I felt the book was about the boy's journey to seek justice. About his determination to face the uncle. But I guess I was wrong, because he never even had the chance to hug his mom.

All I can hope is that the dogs, making their own decision (of course, because apparently that was the point of the story I missed), wound up happy.

**Author (via Oprah.com) says he meant this book to be a tragedy. Give me a happy ending any day!

Book Review

I should preface this by saying two things.
1) I do not choose books because Oprah happened to put a sticker on them. In this case, Hubby bought the book and I'm not sure he knows who Oprah is!
2) I often don't like Oprah's choices. I didn't realize this was an Oprah pick till I was halfway through (as our copy doesn't have the sticker).

That said, I once again must disagree with Oprah on this book. It was very disapointing. Here's what I liked:

The author did a magnificent job with the language. It was beautiful. And the vocabulary was astounding - the big words were used appropriately, and in such a way that they were easy to understand. That's an impressive feat. The book also set up a really neat discussion of what it is to communicate. I really liked that aspect.

(possible spoiler?)

Unfortunately, I was completely frustrated by the end. There was absolutely no justice at all. Maybe I missed the point of the book. Maybe the whole point was the dogs. But frankly, as much as I enjoyed the dogs, I was in it for the boy. I felt the book was about the boy's journey to seek justice. About his determination to face the uncle. But I guess I was wrong, because he never even had the chance to hug his mom.

All I can hope is that the dogs, making their own decision (of course, because apparently that was the point of the story I missed), wound up happy.

**Author (via Oprah.com) says he meant this book to be a tragedy. Give me a happy ending any day!

10 Weeks

Can you believe it's already been ten whole weeks? I sure can't. If the whole pregnancy moves as fast as the first part has, I will blink and suddenly have a baby in my arms.

I had been feeling pretty good the whole time. Constant queasiness, yes, but nothing a few crackers couldn't cure. Then yesterday morning came, and I seriously thought I would puke. For the first time. The only thing holding me back, really, was the fact that my in-laws toilets are really gross and I didn't want to be kneeling in front of one! Gross. And now today, the nausea is paired with dizziness. Am I just so tired that I can't hold my head up or focus my eyes? Or has this baby decided to truly kick my butt?

I did not sleep very well last night, either. I'm sure that doesn't help matters. I was lying in bed, going through my nightly routine of trying to get myself to sleep (a routine I've been doing since toddlerhood - I'm a terrible sleeper). All of a sudden, I was gripped by a panic that I will lose the baby. I'm almost through the first trimester, almost to the good, "safe" period. But somehow I couldn't stop thinking about how I would lose this precious little baby. I've been having nightmares lately about blood, and waking up covered in blood. But even with the nightmares, I haven't really been panicked about losing my baby. Until last night. It's a wonder I slept at all.

We have our second OB appointment on Wednesday, and I hope to be relieved by any sign of baby growth and life that the doctor can give me. I can't wait to be done with this first trimester. I'd much rather panic over other things. Like daycare.

10 Weeks

Can you believe it's already been ten whole weeks? I sure can't. If the whole pregnancy moves as fast as the first part has, I will blink and suddenly have a baby in my arms.

I had been feeling pretty good the whole time. Constant queasiness, yes, but nothing a few crackers couldn't cure. Then yesterday morning came, and I seriously thought I would puke. For the first time. The only thing holding me back, really, was the fact that my in-laws toilets are really gross and I didn't want to be kneeling in front of one! Gross. And now today, the nausea is paired with dizziness. Am I just so tired that I can't hold my head up or focus my eyes? Or has this baby decided to truly kick my butt?

I did not sleep very well last night, either. I'm sure that doesn't help matters. I was lying in bed, going through my nightly routine of trying to get myself to sleep (a routine I've been doing since toddlerhood - I'm a terrible sleeper). All of a sudden, I was gripped by a panic that I will lose the baby. I'm almost through the first trimester, almost to the good, "safe" period. But somehow I couldn't stop thinking about how I would lose this precious little baby. I've been having nightmares lately about blood, and waking up covered in blood. But even with the nightmares, I haven't really been panicked about losing my baby. Until last night. It's a wonder I slept at all.

We have our second OB appointment on Wednesday, and I hope to be relieved by any sign of baby growth and life that the doctor can give me. I can't wait to be done with this first trimester. I'd much rather panic over other things. Like daycare.

The Bump comes through!

I was looking for some prenatal yoga or swim in my area, and was having sooo much trouble finding anything through Google. Maybe I am Google-inept or something. I don't know.

In a last ditch effort, I tried posting on The Bump community in my area. Lo and behold, I got three great suggestions! One of the yoga places is literally down the street from my house. I can walk there and get some added exercise!

I AM SO EXCITED.

The Bump comes through!

I was looking for some prenatal yoga or swim in my area, and was having sooo much trouble finding anything through Google. Maybe I am Google-inept or something. I don't know.

In a last ditch effort, I tried posting on The Bump community in my area. Lo and behold, I got three great suggestions! One of the yoga places is literally down the street from my house. I can walk there and get some added exercise!

I AM SO EXCITED.

Let's Read!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

By David Wroblewski

Before I start, I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. There were definitely a bunch on there that I can't wait to pick up. And definitely a bunch more that I have already read and loved! That said, here's how I picked this book:

I needed something last night, was not about to go to the store, and Hubby said I'd like this one of his.

So far, he is right. I am a good way into the book already, and am loving the characters. It features a wonderful dog, Almondine, who reminds me a lot of my Girly. Except that Girly isn't nearly as smart! I can't wait to see how this book progresses...

Let me know if you're reading it with me! I can't wait to discuss!

Let's Read!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

By David Wroblewski

Before I start, I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. There were definitely a bunch on there that I can't wait to pick up. And definitely a bunch more that I have already read and loved! That said, here's how I picked this book:

I needed something last night, was not about to go to the store, and Hubby said I'd like this one of his.

So far, he is right. I am a good way into the book already, and am loving the characters. It features a wonderful dog, Almondine, who reminds me a lot of my Girly. Except that Girly isn't nearly as smart! I can't wait to see how this book progresses...

Let me know if you're reading it with me! I can't wait to discuss!