1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. I try to be the "pretty wrapper" and get fancy with it. This year I plan (no, I haven't wrapped anything yet, mostly since I haven't BOUGHT anything yet!) to wrap most of the gifts in brown or red paper and add a bow. No cutesy patterns this year. Very simple and chic-plus the paper can be used year round and may be cheaper.
2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial. When I was very young we picked out real trees but as the artificial trees became more popular, pre lit and easrier to use my mom switched to those. My In Laws gave us their old tree a couple years ago and I haven't looked back. It's so easy and not too messy. When we have kids we may have to go pick out a small tree though for the experience!
3. When do you put up the tree?
As soon as I can muster the energy. I aim for Thanksgiving weekend and this year did all of the decorating that Sunday!
4. Do you like eggnog?
Never really tried it. Lee made homemade egg nog one year, don't know why I didn't try it. It's not super appetizing though.
5. Favorite gift received as a child?
One of my most memorable Christmas gifts was my Barbie Rock Star Tour Bus. I'm pretty sure it had 3,953,875,555 pieces and took my dad 6 hours to put together but it was so cool. I'm also pretty sure I only played with it for about a week before I was over it.
6. Do you have a nativity scene?
I asked for a nativity scene last year and got one! We also have a small menorah that we put up every year. No particular reason, just don't want anyone left out! :)
7. Hardest person to buy for?
Who isn't hard to shop for?!?! Pretty much everyone I have on my list is tough (hence the no gifts purchased yet).
8. Easiest person to buy for?
Hands down-my sister. She and I have very similar taste. Our niece and nephew are also easy, because they are still in toy age.
9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I definitly mail them! I don't remember always sending them when I was growing up and that is one tradition I plan on keeping as we grow our family. The last 4 Christmases since we've been married I've sent a card. We try to make ours a little tounge and cheek too. This year we've gotten a TON of compliments on our cards!
10. Favorite Christmas movie?
I'm not a huge Christmas movie person. I don't dislike them there just isn't really one that stands out. I always like the funny ones though! :)
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Ha ha. Ideally I would be shopping year round. In real life this weekend is looking like a good time to get started! :)
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I enjoy anything involving cheese, potatoes or corn. I also enjoy a small sweet treat here and there.
13. Clear lights or colored lights on the tree?
Clear. I also like our tree's lights that have a few that "twinkle" on and off. Nothing crazy but it gives it a little character.
14. Favorite Christmas song?
How do you pick just one?!?! I have been listening to Christmas music non-stop since Thanksgiving. I do like the old classics, Faith Hill's Where Are You Christmas?, and some of the instrumental songs make me nostalgic too. I heard a new one this morning on the radio to the tune of Love Shack called Toy Sack. It was pretty cute!
15. Travel or stay home at Christmas?
Stay home. We have so many traditions based around home. It will be interesting to see how they change with kids though. We don't spend much time at our actual house-but we aren't ever far.
16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph (9-right?!?)
17. Angel on tree top or star?
Neither. Mostly because those things are too top heavy and always fall off. We have sticks of sequiny type things sticking out the top.
18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Morning?
We go to Lee's uncle's house on Christmas Eve and open that sides' extended family gifts. The majority of the gifts are opened Christmas morning though. Again, things may change a little with kids. I like the pajama gift on Chrtistmas Eve idea....
19. The most annoying thing about this time of year?
I dislike the shopping aspect and the stress of getting thoughtful gifts for people I don't see very often. I have ideas for gifts for friends that it would be akward to give gifts to ALL the time, yet the people I need ideas for I never have. I also dilike the crowds involved in that shopping game.
20. What I love most about Christmas?
The spirit of the holidays. People are more friendly and thoughtful this time of year. Everything is so welcoming when it is decorated for Christmas. I love the excuse to see the people I love more and the time to relax. There's not a lot of "bad" I can think of with Christmas. I also love the charity that surrounds the holidays. Giving to others and giving to those less fortunate really reminds you of what you have and keeps your priorities in check!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Writers Block....
After spending most of the day working cough*changingmybloglayout*cough, I thought it would be appropriate to post something. So I started an entry. And it was boring. Then I uploaded the pictures off of my camera from the past few months (I really need to A. do that more often and B. take more pictures) and thought I would do a picture post. And that also was boring. So now I am stuck. I don't know what to write........
- A new headboard. This one from Target is the one I've been eyeing and at only $299 I may just be saving up for it.
- A new white, long and low dresser. Our old Ikea dresser is tall, ugly and cannot be painted. It's so hard to find what I'm looking for at an affordable price though. :(
- New jeans. This is a toughie because good jeans are so hard to find. I seem to stick to one or two pairs that I like until I wear them out. I need a few more pairs in my rotation.
- A Cleaning Lady. This would be a dream come true!
- New perfume. I like the Juicy scents but would also be open to something new.
- A new laptop. My current work/personal laptop is so small and slow. Makes work tedious!
- These cute boots in either gray or black!
My list is pretty short this year as most of those items are things that would be easier to just buy for myself. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with a few more things in the next 24 days though! :)
What's on your list?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tag! I'm it!
My good friend and fellow blogger Christi tagged me with this cute award today!
The rules are to write 10 interesting things about yourself and pass the award on to 10 Sugar Doll bloggers!
My 10 Faves (in no particular order) are:
I tried not to copy (too many of) Christi's, so most of these are stranger's blogs that I totally blog-stalk. Some have great style and ideas and some just have great stories. A day at work is not complete for me until I've checked all of these blogs for something new!
1. I enjoy organization. It's almost obsessive. Though it doesn't exactly always look that way at my house!
2. On that note, I really like office supplies far too much. Cute paperclips, every color of the rainbow highlighter-gotta have them in my desk.
3. Listening to old crooners like Frank Sinatra and new crooners like Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr. really can make my day. I have been dancing and singing along (well, mouthing along) at my desk all day.
4. I want a baby. Did you know that yet? ;)
5. I enjoy decorating. Decorating my house for everyday as well as for holidays. I often go a little overboard for the holidays. :) Sometimes I wish I had a bigger space so I could decorate more. I think a few more Christmas trees would make life better!
6. My husband is probably the funniest person I know. He makes me laugh on a daily basis. He is also an amzing cook. How did I get so incredibly lucky?!?!
7. I have AMAZING friends. My 4 Moosers, my Theta girls, and my friends from the beginning of time. Though I don't see all of them nearly enough, I love them all and my life would not be complete without them.
8. My Bentley-Boo is the best cure to a bad day. He snuggles like it's his job (it is) and has the cutest facial expressions.
9. My family, though quite dysfunctional at times, is awesome. They make me happy in so many ways and crazy in so many others!
10. I am a pretty damn lucky person. I am so thankful for all that I have and all that I have to look forward to.
That's all for now! This list was a great way to get me in the mood for Thanksgiving next week! I really do have a LOT to be thankful for.
Can't wait for dinner with my Moosers tonight! :)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Days off!
Yay for Vetran's Day! I needed this day off in a BIG way. I did bring some work home with me today but it's 11:15 and I haven't touched any of it. It's nice to have no plans!
Life has been busy lately. Work is crazy and full of drama that I won't go into. I recently volunteered to be an Advisor for the Kappa Alpha Theta chapter at Chapman University and have been very busy with them. The girls are great and I love being involved in Theta again. I didn't realize how much I missed it.
Other than those two things we haven't done anything too exciting lately. We did trek up to LA or el ayyyyyyy as we call it to go to the Improv with our good friend Mike and his girlfriend Ashley this weekend.
We also saw Paranormal Activity with the fabulous Fergusons. I hated the movie. I'm a wimp and was totally scared. I may have given Lee a bruise on his arm and definitly woke up from nightmares that night. I'm not an anti scary movie girl, but this one got to me. Maybe it was because it was for the most part set in their bedroom while they were asleep. I've always had a thing about the monsters under the bed.
Thanksgiving is coming up and we'll be spending it with Lee's parents most likely in Palm Springs. Although Vegas was thrown out there by Lee's mom so we shall see. My family will be in Arizona for a wedding so it made it a little easier this year to not have to choose a family or travel back and forth.
After that we go full swing into Christmas! I'm thinking about having a Ladies Christmas Cookie Exchange and Cocktail party. This idea came to me in the shower this morning (where I have my best ideas) and now I'm super excited about all of the possibilities. Invites, decorations, cute food and drink recipes! Let's just hope I don't flake and not end up doing it!
Have been to a few new doctors lately. I wasn't thrilled with how my old OB/GYN handled the miscarriage and decided it was time to find a new one. I asked around and a friend (Amber) who had her adorable son Chase in May referred me to Dr. Janis Fee. Dr. Fee's office is less than 2 miles from home (HUGE plus since the old doctor was all the way in Fullerton and it took me at least 35 minutes to get there), you don't have to pay for parking (another thumbs down for the old place), and I loved her staff! I didn't see Dr. Fee for my appointment, I saw one of the Nurse Practitioners, Teri, and we talked for a long time about what all has been happening. She was very comforting and ordered some blood work to see what we are working with. I got a call the following Monday telling me that my Thyroid levels were low and that I needed to see my General Practitioner about it. I didn't have one so I looked some up online through my insurance company and found a medical group in the same building as Dr. Fee. I also love this office! The Nurse Practitioner I saw there asked me a lot of questions about my history and took a look at the blood results. She said the underactive thyroid could have contributed to the miscarriage. Some other symptoms are weight gain, tiredness, skin and hair issues, etc. She put me on a thyroid supplement and wants to check my levels again in 6 weeks to make sure I'm on the right dose. She said this could also help regulate my menstrual cycles. Hearing all of this has been a dream come true! I'd always had an inkling something was "off" with me and now I feel like things are being taken care of.
I've also started charting (something I never thought I would get into) to figure out my cycles. Hopefully with all of this new information I will have good news to share once again!
Wow, this has been a long post! Happpy Vetrans Day! :)
Life has been busy lately. Work is crazy and full of drama that I won't go into. I recently volunteered to be an Advisor for the Kappa Alpha Theta chapter at Chapman University and have been very busy with them. The girls are great and I love being involved in Theta again. I didn't realize how much I missed it.
Other than those two things we haven't done anything too exciting lately. We did trek up to LA or el ayyyyyyy as we call it to go to the Improv with our good friend Mike and his girlfriend Ashley this weekend.
We also saw Paranormal Activity with the fabulous Fergusons. I hated the movie. I'm a wimp and was totally scared. I may have given Lee a bruise on his arm and definitly woke up from nightmares that night. I'm not an anti scary movie girl, but this one got to me. Maybe it was because it was for the most part set in their bedroom while they were asleep. I've always had a thing about the monsters under the bed.
Thanksgiving is coming up and we'll be spending it with Lee's parents most likely in Palm Springs. Although Vegas was thrown out there by Lee's mom so we shall see. My family will be in Arizona for a wedding so it made it a little easier this year to not have to choose a family or travel back and forth.
After that we go full swing into Christmas! I'm thinking about having a Ladies Christmas Cookie Exchange and Cocktail party. This idea came to me in the shower this morning (where I have my best ideas) and now I'm super excited about all of the possibilities. Invites, decorations, cute food and drink recipes! Let's just hope I don't flake and not end up doing it!
Have been to a few new doctors lately. I wasn't thrilled with how my old OB/GYN handled the miscarriage and decided it was time to find a new one. I asked around and a friend (Amber) who had her adorable son Chase in May referred me to Dr. Janis Fee. Dr. Fee's office is less than 2 miles from home (HUGE plus since the old doctor was all the way in Fullerton and it took me at least 35 minutes to get there), you don't have to pay for parking (another thumbs down for the old place), and I loved her staff! I didn't see Dr. Fee for my appointment, I saw one of the Nurse Practitioners, Teri, and we talked for a long time about what all has been happening. She was very comforting and ordered some blood work to see what we are working with. I got a call the following Monday telling me that my Thyroid levels were low and that I needed to see my General Practitioner about it. I didn't have one so I looked some up online through my insurance company and found a medical group in the same building as Dr. Fee. I also love this office! The Nurse Practitioner I saw there asked me a lot of questions about my history and took a look at the blood results. She said the underactive thyroid could have contributed to the miscarriage. Some other symptoms are weight gain, tiredness, skin and hair issues, etc. She put me on a thyroid supplement and wants to check my levels again in 6 weeks to make sure I'm on the right dose. She said this could also help regulate my menstrual cycles. Hearing all of this has been a dream come true! I'd always had an inkling something was "off" with me and now I feel like things are being taken care of.
I've also started charting (something I never thought I would get into) to figure out my cycles. Hopefully with all of this new information I will have good news to share once again!
Wow, this has been a long post! Happpy Vetrans Day! :)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
New stuff
Lot's of stuff going on lately. We got a new bed a couple weeks ago, King size baby!!! With a new bed came the need for new sheets and so I got to re-decorate (or decorate if you will) the bedroom!!!! Our bedroom was beyond ugly before, no paint, mis-matched furniture, etc.
I found a picture on a blog that I immediately fell in love with and decided to try to do my own version.
So this weekend we (Lee) painted and now we have an awesome new bedroom!!! We still have to paint the bathroom and put some finishing touches on it, but I am thrilled with how it came out.
What do you think? :)
Friday, October 2, 2009
3 Years of Wedded Bliss
Lee and I celebrated our third weeding anniversary this week! I can't believe it's already been 3 years since this day! We had a beautiful wedding in my parent's backyard with friends and family surrounding us. I often look at wedding photographer blogs, and while there isn't much I would change about that day, the photographer selection would be on the top of my list. We don't have many wedding photos hanging in our house because we didn't get many that were very exciting. I also wish that all of my good friends now would have been there for that day. It is so weird to me to think that out of my 4 best friends right now, only one of them was at my wedding when it wasn't that long ago! It truly shows how things changes and people grow closer over time.
These last 3 years haven't all been sunshine and cupcakes, but I couldn't ask for a better partner to have through everything. My husband is the most kind, loving, funny, generous, talented person I know and I am so very blessed to wake up next to him every morning. He makes me smile constantly, make me laugh even when I really don't want to and makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. I cannot wait to see what our future holds and to see what an amazing father I am sure he will be someday (hopefully sooner rather than later!).
We celebrated our anniversary this year in a very "Recession Friendly" way! I had asked him to get me a certain pair of Oakley sunglasses from our friend Tuttle who works for Oakley. Cost of my present: $15.00 (Rosine's dinner for Tuttle). I got him a new watch using a Macy's Gift card and returned sweater and the Forgetting Sarah Marshall DVD (one of our current favorite movies). Cost of his present: $13.00 (Price of DVD). We then went to a very nice dinner at the Summit House. We had a $50 gift card and ended up only spending $101 total on the meal so we only spent $70 after the gift card! We were also surprised with chapagne and Johnny Walker by our Great Friends, the Fergusons (thanks guys!)!
I am so thankful that we've had such a wonderful three years so far and can't wait for the rest of our lives!
This weekend most of our friends are in San Fran but we do have quite the evening planned! We're going to Rosine's with Lee's parents for dinner, YUM, and then off to Star Wars in concert at the Ponda Center! Should be quite fun! I'll try to take pictures of the crazys I'm sure we'll see there!
Monday, September 28, 2009
One month later....
So sorry it's been so long since I last posted. I should be better about this. I get so annoyed myself when my favorite blogs aren't regularly updated.
It's been quite a busy month at work with schools starting up again. I finally feel like I am pretty much caught up and have time to get the side projects that aren't time sensitive done.
We spent Labor Day weekend at the Orange Streetfair and saw SDSU play UCLA at the Rosebowl. That was a VERY hot day in the sun. Good to catch up with some college friends we don't see too often though. Streetfair was fun as usual and we spent a lot of time with our favorite Orange Street residents, Mike and Kevin. We were also introduced to a new bar, Haven, in the Circle, which has quickly become a new favorite.
The last few weekends have been pretty uneventful. Yesterday we participated in the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure with our friends at Creations for a Cause. It was a really fun event but it showed me just how out of shape I am. I felt like I'd been hit by a bus afterwards yesterday and spent the entire afternoon napping. I'm still pretty sore and tired today! Time to get into shape!
No news on the baby front. I have to admit, I'm starting to feel really discouraged. I can't wait for the time we find out I am pregnant again. I have been an emotional basketcase a lot the last month and find myself depressed and moody a lot. Hopefully I can kick these feelings and have good news to share very very soon!
It's been quite a busy month at work with schools starting up again. I finally feel like I am pretty much caught up and have time to get the side projects that aren't time sensitive done.
We spent Labor Day weekend at the Orange Streetfair and saw SDSU play UCLA at the Rosebowl. That was a VERY hot day in the sun. Good to catch up with some college friends we don't see too often though. Streetfair was fun as usual and we spent a lot of time with our favorite Orange Street residents, Mike and Kevin. We were also introduced to a new bar, Haven, in the Circle, which has quickly become a new favorite.
The last few weekends have been pretty uneventful. Yesterday we participated in the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure with our friends at Creations for a Cause. It was a really fun event but it showed me just how out of shape I am. I felt like I'd been hit by a bus afterwards yesterday and spent the entire afternoon napping. I'm still pretty sore and tired today! Time to get into shape!
No news on the baby front. I have to admit, I'm starting to feel really discouraged. I can't wait for the time we find out I am pregnant again. I have been an emotional basketcase a lot the last month and find myself depressed and moody a lot. Hopefully I can kick these feelings and have good news to share very very soon!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Happy Birthday!
So August seems to be chalk full of birthdays, the most important of which is mine on the 24th! ;)
It was a pretty good birthday. The night before, Sunday, we met my family at the Melting Pot to celebrate both my sister's and my birthdays. Hers is a week before mine on the 17th and we hadn't been able to celebrate because of the issues last Monday....
We started out Monday with a follow up appointment to make sure the miscarriage happened the way it should and learned that things are fine and we can proceed as normal. I did realize that a new doctor is on top of my list of things to do next time around. Actually, the doctors were fine, it was the practice as a whole I wasn't thrilled with. I think it's a case of too many patients. No follow up calls, no information and an impossible phone tree. It is what it is, but I'll be asking around for references on a new OBGYN.
After the appoinment I had some time to kill before a lunch date with friends so I spent it at the mall using some gift cards. I got some great stuff and didn't spend too much money! I then met up with Erin and Stefanie at hero's in Fullerton for lunch. It was great to catch up with both of them. I've known Erin pretty much since birth and Stefanie since Junior High. We've kind of grown apart a little over the last few years and don't see each other nearly enough but when we do get together it's always great!
I had a lovely hour and a half massage at the Body Center and we capped the evening off with dinner at Pepperoni's with friends. I wanted a low key birthday and it's definitly what I got! I also got the best gift from Lee. The Tiffany key necklace I've been drooling over!
Here's a shout out to my fellow August birthdays!
Aug. 15th-Brienne, John Pataky
Aug. 17th-My sister, Stink
Aug. 20th-Maren
Aug. 27th-Cassie Pataky
There's a bunch more people who I don't really talk to much anymore, but I always think of them on their birthdays!
It was a pretty good birthday. The night before, Sunday, we met my family at the Melting Pot to celebrate both my sister's and my birthdays. Hers is a week before mine on the 17th and we hadn't been able to celebrate because of the issues last Monday....
We started out Monday with a follow up appointment to make sure the miscarriage happened the way it should and learned that things are fine and we can proceed as normal. I did realize that a new doctor is on top of my list of things to do next time around. Actually, the doctors were fine, it was the practice as a whole I wasn't thrilled with. I think it's a case of too many patients. No follow up calls, no information and an impossible phone tree. It is what it is, but I'll be asking around for references on a new OBGYN.
After the appoinment I had some time to kill before a lunch date with friends so I spent it at the mall using some gift cards. I got some great stuff and didn't spend too much money! I then met up with Erin and Stefanie at hero's in Fullerton for lunch. It was great to catch up with both of them. I've known Erin pretty much since birth and Stefanie since Junior High. We've kind of grown apart a little over the last few years and don't see each other nearly enough but when we do get together it's always great!
I had a lovely hour and a half massage at the Body Center and we capped the evening off with dinner at Pepperoni's with friends. I wanted a low key birthday and it's definitly what I got! I also got the best gift from Lee. The Tiffany key necklace I've been drooling over!
Here's a shout out to my fellow August birthdays!
Aug. 15th-Brienne, John Pataky
Aug. 17th-My sister, Stink
Aug. 20th-Maren
Aug. 27th-Cassie Pataky
There's a bunch more people who I don't really talk to much anymore, but I always think of them on their birthdays!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Things happen...
So I wasn't scared for no reason on Monday. I had a miscarriage. It's been a pretty emotional few days, but I'm ready to move on. I'm sick of crying, sick of talking about it. Ready to move on.
The doctor said that it didn't have anything to do with something I did or my body, that it is very common for first pregnancies to end this way. I hadn't had really any symptoms yet and kept thinking that it didn't feel real yet, so I am hoping that it will make it easier to move on.
I did a little research on-line last night and kinda self diagnosed a "Blighted Ovum." Basically when we saw the ultrasound on Monday afternoon there was a sac but I could see that it was empty. A "blighted ovum" occurs when the egg is fertilized and implants but then does not grow. This would explain my lack of symptoms, nothing had probably been happening for a few weeks. The body can apparently recognize when chromosomes are off and an unhealthy baby would result and it is supposed to purge the pregnancy. This doesn't always happen, which is why some people can carry "abnormal" pregnancies to term and deliver the babies. This may sound very callous and selfish, but thank god we didn't have that happen.
The silver lining of all of this is that the doctor said we know a couple things. One, I CAN get pregnant. And two, my body wants to get pregnant (his words, not mine...still trying to figure out exactly what he meant). I've been told by numerous friends that they know of people who had a miscarriage and then got pregnant again within a few months. Apparently (again more internet research) your body is pretty fertile after a miscarriage. That part makes about zero sense to me but I'll take it!
So, I guess we move on like this. I had one blood test yesterday and go back again this afternoon for another. They are looking for the quantity of the pregnancy hormone left in my system. Ideally it should be getting down to zero. My appoinment for Monday is still on and I plan on having a list of questions prepared about all of this. We weren't exactly prepared earlier this week. I wanted to get out of that office as soon as possible and looking back, should have asked a bunch more questions. What "kind" of miscarriage was this (a "blighted ovum" perhaps...)?Like, how much is too much blood? How long before we're, ahem, back in the saddle ;)? Etc., etc.
All in all this has been a learning experience. I've learned that we are ready to be parents. I've learned even more what an amazing husband I have. I've learned that we have the best support network of friends and family we could ever ask for. And I've learned that everything does truly happen for a reason.
This whole not being in control of life thing really does suck though, I'm not gonna lie.
So here's to a new adventure. Not the one I had planned when I started this blog, but an adventure nonetheless. I don't want to stop writing and I don't want to change the name. Because someday (very very soon I hope) it will be fitting once again. :)
The doctor said that it didn't have anything to do with something I did or my body, that it is very common for first pregnancies to end this way. I hadn't had really any symptoms yet and kept thinking that it didn't feel real yet, so I am hoping that it will make it easier to move on.
I did a little research on-line last night and kinda self diagnosed a "Blighted Ovum." Basically when we saw the ultrasound on Monday afternoon there was a sac but I could see that it was empty. A "blighted ovum" occurs when the egg is fertilized and implants but then does not grow. This would explain my lack of symptoms, nothing had probably been happening for a few weeks. The body can apparently recognize when chromosomes are off and an unhealthy baby would result and it is supposed to purge the pregnancy. This doesn't always happen, which is why some people can carry "abnormal" pregnancies to term and deliver the babies. This may sound very callous and selfish, but thank god we didn't have that happen.
The silver lining of all of this is that the doctor said we know a couple things. One, I CAN get pregnant. And two, my body wants to get pregnant (his words, not mine...still trying to figure out exactly what he meant). I've been told by numerous friends that they know of people who had a miscarriage and then got pregnant again within a few months. Apparently (again more internet research) your body is pretty fertile after a miscarriage. That part makes about zero sense to me but I'll take it!
So, I guess we move on like this. I had one blood test yesterday and go back again this afternoon for another. They are looking for the quantity of the pregnancy hormone left in my system. Ideally it should be getting down to zero. My appoinment for Monday is still on and I plan on having a list of questions prepared about all of this. We weren't exactly prepared earlier this week. I wanted to get out of that office as soon as possible and looking back, should have asked a bunch more questions. What "kind" of miscarriage was this (a "blighted ovum" perhaps...)?Like, how much is too much blood? How long before we're, ahem, back in the saddle ;)? Etc., etc.
All in all this has been a learning experience. I've learned that we are ready to be parents. I've learned even more what an amazing husband I have. I've learned that we have the best support network of friends and family we could ever ask for. And I've learned that everything does truly happen for a reason.
This whole not being in control of life thing really does suck though, I'm not gonna lie.
So here's to a new adventure. Not the one I had planned when I started this blog, but an adventure nonetheless. I don't want to stop writing and I don't want to change the name. Because someday (very very soon I hope) it will be fitting once again. :)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Freaking out....
I went to the bathroom at work ealrier and had some blood on the toilet paper (sorry, TMI). I've called the doctor and he is supposed to be calling me back. This is most likely just spotting or what they call implantation bleeding, but it is SCARY AS HELL.
I have been afraid of this for the last 2 weeks. I have been afraid that all of this was in my head. I have been afraid that because we told people right away it would come back to bite me.
I am trying super hard not to be freaked out. Hopefully writing this will get some of the yucky feelings out and I can focus on the positive.
I have been afraid of this for the last 2 weeks. I have been afraid that all of this was in my head. I have been afraid that because we told people right away it would come back to bite me.
I am trying super hard not to be freaked out. Hopefully writing this will get some of the yucky feelings out and I can focus on the positive.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Symptoms?
So I've been reading a ton of websites and What to Expect When You're Expecting and they list a ton of syptoms that I may or may not be experiencing. Anything from exhaustion to nausea and back pain. I could be producing excess saliva or my sense of smell could be heightened. In reading these things it pretty much tells me that anything I could be feeling is quite possibly "normal" for me. The running theme has been "everyone is different."
Great, thanks.
So now I'm left wondering if each particular ache, pain, tummy rumble, nasty smell or bump is in fact a symptom or more in my head. Since Sunday I've felt more tired. But then again, I always felt tired before (I think this could be due to a crappy mattress situation-more on that later). I've had a couple instances of tummy aches, but maybe I'm just noticing them more.
Two things that I am going to attribute to the pregnancy, however, are my crazy sense of smell and my aching back.
I have been noticing the smell of things that I never noticed before. It's not all the time, like right now I cannot smell the celery that my co-worker is munching on from across the room. But certain things really stand out. Like my reusable lunch bag....holy God does it stink. I've febreezed it, let it air out. No go. It smells terrible. And Lee brought Rosine's home for dinner the other night and while it always smells delish I could smell it while he was still outside the house!
My freaking back and neck have been absolutly KILLING me the past few days. I think a lot of this has to do with our terrible mattress (which I am currently trying to talk Lee into replacing with a nice King size memory foam one). I also have heard that this could be a symptom. Okay, so I heard this on the reality shhow Kendra, but still. She went to her doctor, pretty early on in her pregnancy, and complained about a sore back. The doctor said that it could be due to her bones softening to prepare for birth or something like that. I'm gonna just take her word for it(Not really, I'll ask the doctor if this is normal!).
Yesterday, I got a phone call from our health insurance company offering a program called Future Moms. I had to answer a bunch of questions about my health, eating habits, etc. and the nurse on the phone said I probably fell into the "Low Risk" category based on my answers. While I had no reason to feel otherwise, this little bit of info from a "Medical Professional" really helped to ease some of my worries. Now though, I'm super ready for that first appointment. She also said that her estimation is that I am 5 weeks 5 days (yesterday-so 6 days today) along and that my due date would be around April 3rd. She also pointed out that my doctor would probably give me his own version of a due date.
Speaking of due dates.....everywhere I look I am a diferent amount of time along and have a different due date. It's so funny how much this differs. For almost every "calculator" I try I have to put in the first date of my last period (June 30th if you were wondering). Then some ask for average cycle length (didn't really have one) or some can just figure it out from that one date. Apparently there are multiple methods of determining this as well. Counting back 3 months from that date and then adding 7 days, just adding 40 weeks, etc. My best guess is that I am anywhere from 4+ weeks to almost 6 weeks along and am due between April 3rd and 12th.
I have definitly been noticing the bloat that happens almost immediatly with pregnancy. I cannot keep my pants buttoned. Just can't. Especially if I'm sitting. Right now, unbuttoned. It's also way too soon to be thinking about maternity clothes which really kinda sucks. I really want to go out and buy either bigger pants or more sweatpants and gym shorts. I can't really justify that though since I will soon outgrow them. So I'm left with unbuttoned pants.
Maybe soon I'll go out and get a Bella Band. :)
Great, thanks.
So now I'm left wondering if each particular ache, pain, tummy rumble, nasty smell or bump is in fact a symptom or more in my head. Since Sunday I've felt more tired. But then again, I always felt tired before (I think this could be due to a crappy mattress situation-more on that later). I've had a couple instances of tummy aches, but maybe I'm just noticing them more.
Two things that I am going to attribute to the pregnancy, however, are my crazy sense of smell and my aching back.
I have been noticing the smell of things that I never noticed before. It's not all the time, like right now I cannot smell the celery that my co-worker is munching on from across the room. But certain things really stand out. Like my reusable lunch bag....holy God does it stink. I've febreezed it, let it air out. No go. It smells terrible. And Lee brought Rosine's home for dinner the other night and while it always smells delish I could smell it while he was still outside the house!
My freaking back and neck have been absolutly KILLING me the past few days. I think a lot of this has to do with our terrible mattress (which I am currently trying to talk Lee into replacing with a nice King size memory foam one). I also have heard that this could be a symptom. Okay, so I heard this on the reality shhow Kendra, but still. She went to her doctor, pretty early on in her pregnancy, and complained about a sore back. The doctor said that it could be due to her bones softening to prepare for birth or something like that. I'm gonna just take her word for it(Not really, I'll ask the doctor if this is normal!).
Yesterday, I got a phone call from our health insurance company offering a program called Future Moms. I had to answer a bunch of questions about my health, eating habits, etc. and the nurse on the phone said I probably fell into the "Low Risk" category based on my answers. While I had no reason to feel otherwise, this little bit of info from a "Medical Professional" really helped to ease some of my worries. Now though, I'm super ready for that first appointment. She also said that her estimation is that I am 5 weeks 5 days (yesterday-so 6 days today) along and that my due date would be around April 3rd. She also pointed out that my doctor would probably give me his own version of a due date.
Speaking of due dates.....everywhere I look I am a diferent amount of time along and have a different due date. It's so funny how much this differs. For almost every "calculator" I try I have to put in the first date of my last period (June 30th if you were wondering). Then some ask for average cycle length (didn't really have one) or some can just figure it out from that one date. Apparently there are multiple methods of determining this as well. Counting back 3 months from that date and then adding 7 days, just adding 40 weeks, etc. My best guess is that I am anywhere from 4+ weeks to almost 6 weeks along and am due between April 3rd and 12th.
I have definitly been noticing the bloat that happens almost immediatly with pregnancy. I cannot keep my pants buttoned. Just can't. Especially if I'm sitting. Right now, unbuttoned. It's also way too soon to be thinking about maternity clothes which really kinda sucks. I really want to go out and buy either bigger pants or more sweatpants and gym shorts. I can't really justify that though since I will soon outgrow them. So I'm left with unbuttoned pants.
Maybe soon I'll go out and get a Bella Band. :)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Hello....is this thing on?
Okay, so I'm an avid blog reader but never thought I'd end up being a writer as well. A few of my friends have started personal blogs and I've enjoyed getting a glimpse into their feelings about life, etc. (Though I see them practically every day, it's a fresh and exciting perspective!). I've always been concerned that anything I wrote wouldn't be entertaining or funny enough for others to be interested in.
Well, this weekend we got a surprise and I figured that I probably should document and keep track of what's been happening and will be happening. So, I think I'll just jump right in!
We've been thinking about having kids for a while now and had plans (that changed in my mind all the time) of starting about this time. We had a very big wedding we were both quite involved in that being pregnant for would have been a little bit of a bummer for. Then we had a trip to Europe with my family that I wanted to be able to "fully" enjoy.
But then, about 4 or 5 months ago, the baby bug bit me hard! I was insanely jealous of friends who were pregnant or had just had their babies. I found myself crying at one of the bridal showers when a pregnant guest called her young son to say goodnight. I was looking for nursery ideas on-line and saving them in a file on my computer. It was bad. I would take pregnancy tests when I was feeling weird or even when I felt completely normal. I was taking them for the hell of it. And every time, they would be negative. The first negative test I took surprised me with how dissapointed I was. I wanted a baby bad.
I'm not entirely sure how on board Lee was at this point. He clearly didn't mind helping me try ;) but I think he had reservations about whether or not we were ready financially. To be honest, we probably aren't, but if we waited until we were, we'd never have kids. He's excited, don't get me wrong, but he is definitly the more practical of the two of us in this department. I don't see dollar signs where he does and that's probably one of our biggest differences (but that's also a big male/female difference I think....males being the "providers"). Thank God he is this way though, or I would run us into bankruptcy!
Fast forward to the end of June/beginning of July. Lee was about to leave for his annual week of being a counselor at Camp Oakes with the YMCA. I was hoping very badly that I would be able to send him a very exciting care package this year, but alas, negative again. :( I was bummed but kinda forgot about the whole thing fairly quickly. It was quite weird looking back, actually. I had been thinking about it so non-stop before and all of a sudden it got pushed to the back of my mind (maybe my brain already knew....).
We jetted off to Europe and had a very good time exploring and having quite the adventure with my family. We were non-stop for ten days and I didn't really have too much time to think about all of this. We got home and after a day at home I had to go to Las Vegas for two days for work. While there, I talked to one of our Class Ring Service Reps about the baby stuff and she gave me some nice words of encouragement and told me to "keep her posted" (I know she didn't think it would be so fast!).
Then, on Saturday, I found myself an emotional basketcase. I was sad, mopey, tired. Couldn't make up my mind for anything. And the crying.....good Lord. I think Lee wanted to move out. I started crying because he was going to the grocery store. I think the converstation went something like this:
L- "I'm going to the store. I know you're hungry, do you want anything?"
C- (in tears) "NO! I'm not hungry."
L- (walks to the front door-most likely rolling his eyes) "Okay. Let me know if you change your mind."
C- "Wait, I'm coming." (and later in the car) "What is wrong with me?!? Sorry about the crying."
WTF?!? Psycho!!!!! Should have been my first clue.
Later that night I went out with some of the Moosers to (attempt) to go see Gwen Stefani. I told them how I'd cried earlier and a couple of them said "Maybe you're pregnant!" I told them I didn't want to get my hopes up and it was probably PMS or something. That night we got home and I passed the eff out on the couch. I hadn't even done anything to be tired!
Sunday morning. I woke up at 6 a.m. on the dot. My stomach felt weird, not exactly nauseous, just not right. I thought, "what the hell" and grabbed the last pregnancy test in the house and went into our guest bathroom. No joke, not even 30 seconds after I set it on the counter, 2 lines!!! 2 LINES!!!! I yelled "BABE!!!" and Lee could hear the toilet running. So his first response: "Is it overflowing?" I had woken him from a DEAD sleep. I said "No! Come here!" He replied, "Get the plunger." as he stumbled over. He wasn't prepared for the bathroom issue that was ACTUALLY at hand! He looked at the stick, looked at me, then opened his eyes a little more and looked at the stick again. (I wish I had this whole scenario on video!) We then hugged and I started crying!
We had already made plans to see his parents in Laguna Beach for the day (they were housesitting) and we decided (or I did....) that I CANNOT keep a secret and we would HAVE to tell them. Chances were they would ask anyway.
Lee went to get a digital test from the store and I tried to take one of them at home but didn't have enough, ahem, fluid, for the test to work. We had to get going if we were going to be on time (which we never are, and damn, now a kid is going to make us even later...sorry 'bout that) so I proceeded to chug about 2 water bottles on the drive over and immediatly went to their restroom and took test #2. The directions say wait 3 minutes. Didn't have to. Again 30 seconds later, "PREGNANT" pops up on the screen!!!! I stuffed this test back in my purse and nodded to Lee when I walked out of the bathroom.
See, we had this clever plan of how to break the news to his parents. We were going to the Sawdust Festival with them and we were planning on casually looking at some baby clothes or items and mentioning it that way. Remember the 2 bottles of water I chugged earlier? Those ruined our plan.
As soon as we got to the festival I had to pee again and when I walked out of the bathroom, Lee's mom said something like "You've had to visit the restroom a lot. Any news?" I looked at Lee and shocked said "Did you tell them?!?" And his reply, "No, but you just did."
Cool, Crystal. Couldn't even keep it together for an hour!
Next up we had to tell my parents. We went by their house (and woke my Dad up from a nap) and kind of just blurted it out. They were excited too, though I'm pretty sure we shocked the hell out my Dad! My sister was there too and when her friend came to pick her up to go to the beach we got our first "reaction." Sister told her friend and she started screaming and running around the front porch! It was very cute and I'm pretty sure I caught Sister trying to sneakily wipe away a tear. She will be the most AMAZING Aunt!
We called Lee's sister and told her and her family the news (another scream from our neice!) and then invited some friends via text for a BBQ at the pool that night. One of the Moosers said she and her Mr. wouldn't be able to make it and I replied "Just Come. ;)" This pretty much gave it away to her and amid many excited texts, my favorite had to be "I'm crying! Should I be crying about a BBQ?!!"
We picked up a bottle of sparkling cider to bring to the pool and once we got there and all the Moosers were gathered, I suggested we pop a bottle (not an uncommon beverage for this group). I pulled out the cider and put it on the table. Two of the Moosers looked at it confused, "Is that a European champagne?" and then looked at the giant grin on my face. Screams!!!! I'm sure the other residents at the Positano pool were also thrilled with my news.
So, obviously, we're not waiting until 12 weeks or after the first trimester. I've pretty much told everyone. From what I can tell, I'm about 4 to 5 weeks along and that would make me due at the beginning of April 2010. I am beyond excited, but also a little nervous and scared. I'm trying to be as positive as possible and I know that everything will be fine. But there is that little twinge that is being careful. Don't get too excited. What if something happens? Whatever. I've been pushing those thoughts far away and I won't LET anything happen. This is it for us. Our family is getting bigger and Bentley will be a Big Brother (let's hope his poo eating habit is kicked by April though)!
My first doctors appoinment is scheduled for my 27th birthday, August 24th, and our first ultrasound is on the 26th.
My goal with this blog is to document this pregnancy as much as possible. I hope it's something that our kids can look back on and learn about Mom and Dad before they were "Mom and Dad."
Wow.......so much for not being a big writer! ;)
Well, this weekend we got a surprise and I figured that I probably should document and keep track of what's been happening and will be happening. So, I think I'll just jump right in!
We've been thinking about having kids for a while now and had plans (that changed in my mind all the time) of starting about this time. We had a very big wedding we were both quite involved in that being pregnant for would have been a little bit of a bummer for. Then we had a trip to Europe with my family that I wanted to be able to "fully" enjoy.
But then, about 4 or 5 months ago, the baby bug bit me hard! I was insanely jealous of friends who were pregnant or had just had their babies. I found myself crying at one of the bridal showers when a pregnant guest called her young son to say goodnight. I was looking for nursery ideas on-line and saving them in a file on my computer. It was bad. I would take pregnancy tests when I was feeling weird or even when I felt completely normal. I was taking them for the hell of it. And every time, they would be negative. The first negative test I took surprised me with how dissapointed I was. I wanted a baby bad.
I'm not entirely sure how on board Lee was at this point. He clearly didn't mind helping me try ;) but I think he had reservations about whether or not we were ready financially. To be honest, we probably aren't, but if we waited until we were, we'd never have kids. He's excited, don't get me wrong, but he is definitly the more practical of the two of us in this department. I don't see dollar signs where he does and that's probably one of our biggest differences (but that's also a big male/female difference I think....males being the "providers"). Thank God he is this way though, or I would run us into bankruptcy!
Fast forward to the end of June/beginning of July. Lee was about to leave for his annual week of being a counselor at Camp Oakes with the YMCA. I was hoping very badly that I would be able to send him a very exciting care package this year, but alas, negative again. :( I was bummed but kinda forgot about the whole thing fairly quickly. It was quite weird looking back, actually. I had been thinking about it so non-stop before and all of a sudden it got pushed to the back of my mind (maybe my brain already knew....).
We jetted off to Europe and had a very good time exploring and having quite the adventure with my family. We were non-stop for ten days and I didn't really have too much time to think about all of this. We got home and after a day at home I had to go to Las Vegas for two days for work. While there, I talked to one of our Class Ring Service Reps about the baby stuff and she gave me some nice words of encouragement and told me to "keep her posted" (I know she didn't think it would be so fast!).
Then, on Saturday, I found myself an emotional basketcase. I was sad, mopey, tired. Couldn't make up my mind for anything. And the crying.....good Lord. I think Lee wanted to move out. I started crying because he was going to the grocery store. I think the converstation went something like this:
L- "I'm going to the store. I know you're hungry, do you want anything?"
C- (in tears) "NO! I'm not hungry."
L- (walks to the front door-most likely rolling his eyes) "Okay. Let me know if you change your mind."
C- "Wait, I'm coming." (and later in the car) "What is wrong with me?!? Sorry about the crying."
WTF?!? Psycho!!!!! Should have been my first clue.
Later that night I went out with some of the Moosers to (attempt) to go see Gwen Stefani. I told them how I'd cried earlier and a couple of them said "Maybe you're pregnant!" I told them I didn't want to get my hopes up and it was probably PMS or something. That night we got home and I passed the eff out on the couch. I hadn't even done anything to be tired!
Sunday morning. I woke up at 6 a.m. on the dot. My stomach felt weird, not exactly nauseous, just not right. I thought, "what the hell" and grabbed the last pregnancy test in the house and went into our guest bathroom. No joke, not even 30 seconds after I set it on the counter, 2 lines!!! 2 LINES!!!! I yelled "BABE!!!" and Lee could hear the toilet running. So his first response: "Is it overflowing?" I had woken him from a DEAD sleep. I said "No! Come here!" He replied, "Get the plunger." as he stumbled over. He wasn't prepared for the bathroom issue that was ACTUALLY at hand! He looked at the stick, looked at me, then opened his eyes a little more and looked at the stick again. (I wish I had this whole scenario on video!) We then hugged and I started crying!
We had already made plans to see his parents in Laguna Beach for the day (they were housesitting) and we decided (or I did....) that I CANNOT keep a secret and we would HAVE to tell them. Chances were they would ask anyway.
Lee went to get a digital test from the store and I tried to take one of them at home but didn't have enough, ahem, fluid, for the test to work. We had to get going if we were going to be on time (which we never are, and damn, now a kid is going to make us even later...sorry 'bout that) so I proceeded to chug about 2 water bottles on the drive over and immediatly went to their restroom and took test #2. The directions say wait 3 minutes. Didn't have to. Again 30 seconds later, "PREGNANT" pops up on the screen!!!! I stuffed this test back in my purse and nodded to Lee when I walked out of the bathroom.
See, we had this clever plan of how to break the news to his parents. We were going to the Sawdust Festival with them and we were planning on casually looking at some baby clothes or items and mentioning it that way. Remember the 2 bottles of water I chugged earlier? Those ruined our plan.
As soon as we got to the festival I had to pee again and when I walked out of the bathroom, Lee's mom said something like "You've had to visit the restroom a lot. Any news?" I looked at Lee and shocked said "Did you tell them?!?" And his reply, "No, but you just did."
Cool, Crystal. Couldn't even keep it together for an hour!
Next up we had to tell my parents. We went by their house (and woke my Dad up from a nap) and kind of just blurted it out. They were excited too, though I'm pretty sure we shocked the hell out my Dad! My sister was there too and when her friend came to pick her up to go to the beach we got our first "reaction." Sister told her friend and she started screaming and running around the front porch! It was very cute and I'm pretty sure I caught Sister trying to sneakily wipe away a tear. She will be the most AMAZING Aunt!
We called Lee's sister and told her and her family the news (another scream from our neice!) and then invited some friends via text for a BBQ at the pool that night. One of the Moosers said she and her Mr. wouldn't be able to make it and I replied "Just Come. ;)" This pretty much gave it away to her and amid many excited texts, my favorite had to be "I'm crying! Should I be crying about a BBQ?!!"
We picked up a bottle of sparkling cider to bring to the pool and once we got there and all the Moosers were gathered, I suggested we pop a bottle (not an uncommon beverage for this group). I pulled out the cider and put it on the table. Two of the Moosers looked at it confused, "Is that a European champagne?" and then looked at the giant grin on my face. Screams!!!! I'm sure the other residents at the Positano pool were also thrilled with my news.
So, obviously, we're not waiting until 12 weeks or after the first trimester. I've pretty much told everyone. From what I can tell, I'm about 4 to 5 weeks along and that would make me due at the beginning of April 2010. I am beyond excited, but also a little nervous and scared. I'm trying to be as positive as possible and I know that everything will be fine. But there is that little twinge that is being careful. Don't get too excited. What if something happens? Whatever. I've been pushing those thoughts far away and I won't LET anything happen. This is it for us. Our family is getting bigger and Bentley will be a Big Brother (let's hope his poo eating habit is kicked by April though)!
My first doctors appoinment is scheduled for my 27th birthday, August 24th, and our first ultrasound is on the 26th.
My goal with this blog is to document this pregnancy as much as possible. I hope it's something that our kids can look back on and learn about Mom and Dad before they were "Mom and Dad."
Wow.......so much for not being a big writer! ;)
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