Fantastic Find Sunday

Sunday was scheduled to be a lazy day for hubby and I.
It was slated to rain, so he was off the hook in regards to helping his mom with her fence. So he was all mine...Yippy!
Which means we slept in late. He made me a cinnamon roll for breakfast (no judgement) and then we got dressed and went to the farmers market and the indoor flea market he used to work at.

The farmer's market was bustling as always, it's right up the street so we didn't have to go far and because it was Earth Day there were lots of people out, not to mention this was our first time with the summer vendors this summer so I was finally able to get some tomatoes and we purchased some bread for the week. Then I found out which I also got from the show marriage ref last week, that we don't eat fertilized eggs. Bear with me folks but I always thought the eggs at the grocery store would have been a baby chick if they hadn't taken it away from the hen. Well Sunday, I found out that is not the case that chicken's lay unfertilized eggs and then a rooster has to fertilize it for it to become a chicken... I HAD NO IDEA!!!!! But I guess I also only ever thought of it in passing.

Next was the flea market, hubby has wanted to take me here since we met. Let me just say it was huge. There were tons of vendors selling everything imaginable, some used items and some new items. Mainly it reminded me of NYC on Flatbush Ave, because of all the clothes and accessory places, hubby says that I couldn't say that too loud because the people there like to think they are original (humm ok). I found an all natural store and got some herbal tea, non-alkaline deodorant and other natural items. Then surprise surprise...I located a lady running what in our day and age is a penny candy station, the candy was 10 cents. It was cool because it had a bunch of candy from when I was kid, which is oddly enough not that long ago.
The downside to the flea market is the smells, all commingled together...Not the best place to be longer than an hour when you are pregnant...especially with the food vendors selling chicken, fish, and anything else you could think of...the place made me slightly nauseous.

After that I convinced hubby to take me to an outlet mall, I had read on some one's blog about H&M maternity and I knew the outlet mall H&M would have some items in it and I was right. This was one of the highlights of my day because a) I heart H&M since my days huffing around Europe when the stores hadn't made it to all over the US and b) because I would like to think I am a trendy mama, even if I may not always be. I only got a few items, a cute pair of maternity jeans ( finally) they will help on those days I am not feeling this pregnancy thing so much. Also, in the outlet mall was a motherhood store, which was nice. I had been in the regular store before but thought things were a bit pricey for only 6 months of wear, but I was able to get a few staple work items for a reasonable price. The scariest part was when I put the pseudo belly on my current belly...OH MY!!!!!!!! At 9 Months I will be one big mama. Praying now for a little mercy and to have good genes...

While at motherhood maternity, I saw the snack bars and shakes they sell there for pregnant woman and after pregnancy, has anyone every tried those? I fear they taste like protein bars, which always taste so chalky to me.

All in all a great pregnancy day with the hubby...

Mission Nearly Impossible

SO after my last doctor's appointment, I made it a point to watch what I eat and get back to exercising. I used to exercise all the time before pregnancy and the first 8 weeks before I found out, but it's like once I found out the fatigue hit and I had a baby to blame it on so I did.

Now that I have some energy back, I am back to walking. I would like to run like the G&D blogger, who's blog I am addicted to btw, but I don't have a heart rate monitor so walking and doing intervals is probably better for the baby.

So here I am all gun ho...I decide I will walk to the grocery store to return some movies and then head to the track near my house. Well after the grocery store half way to the track, what do I have to do? Of course, I have to pee! Shoot...I wouldn't get in my full 45 min of exercise if I just turned around and went home...so instead I talk my baby into getting into the gym a little further than the track so I can use the bathroom. So I get to the bathroom, nice and dry and end up walking back home and get in my full workout time...Yeah...
I will admit second tri has been a little better pee wise, but my bladder still feels the size of a pea.

knowledge is power or is it

I was talking to my girlfriend the other night as I walked.
And she was letting me know how glad she was that I was over the shock of being preggers so fast. She said she figured I would ignore or be in denial until there was no way I could ignore the growth in my belly. Of course I laughed because sometime I honestly forget I am pregnant, I feel normal just chubby, Jelly has been kind to mommy being unexpected and all he/she has given me very little problems.
And of course seeing one's baby 2 different times in an ultrasounds makes it hard to ignore or deny. So I have embraced my Jelly bean, though we argue about what she/he has done to the body mommy worked so hard to maintain...I know it's not the beans fault and more mine for giving into every craving that has arisen.

Anyway, our conversation moved to whether or not I should find out the sex.

To be quite honest, I am torn. I love surprises, for the most part, and think it would be awesome to just wait and see what I am having when I push it out. On the other hand not knowing makes planning for a baby and decorating a little harder. I told hubby I will let the ultrasound tech tell him the sex if he can keep it a secret, and then He can tell whomever is planning the baby shower and then they can all tell me then. But my girlfriend brought out a good point that people will give away the sex in conversation...Like have you felt him kick yet? Is she giving you any problems? And really I think I want the surprise. My mother is already predicting a girl and Hubby tells us all not to call his son a girl, because we don't want to confuse him.

The other issue, I really only have a girl's name worked out. Hubby and I can't seem to agree on a decent boy name.

In this day and age does anyone wait to find out the sex?

Baby update

So I realized I never really did one of these where are you post so here it is:

How far along?: 16 weeks, six days!


•Total weight gain: A whooping 18 pounds in 16 weeks. But if I am lucky with the walking it will stay there by the next doctor's appointment. Fingers crossed and saying a prayer...

•How big is baby?: Jelly Bean is about 4.6 inches and 3.5 oz.


•Maternity clothes?: Still haven't really worn maternity clothes. I wore a maternity shirt today because it matched the pants I wanted to wear. So far I have just gone up a size than my regular clothes and where the bella band. Other than that lots of dresses.

•Stretch marks?: I had stretch marks from growth spurts in childhood and previous weight gain before my weightloss...so I don't know if Jelly is giving me stretch marks.

•Sleep?: I sleep fairly well, but it never seems enough. I also toss a lot in order to find a good position. I definitely sleep with a body pillow. I see articles that say sleep on my left side...but where does my left arm go? Maybe it's just me having this problem.

•Movement?: I thought I felt a little flutter or what I like to call grazing, the day after my wedding but nothing really since then. I like to use grazing because it feels like something lightly passing by the inside of my belly...The doc says it's too early but I think not...either way..I am excited when I feel it for sure...

•Food cravings?: Different week, different craving...this week potato salad. Last week was chips, and during week 12 it was breakfast food, week 8,9,10 it was ice cream and cookies. So the baby is evolving...what the baby doesn't like is parsley, the smells makes me want to hurl and coconut gives me headaches...I blame hubby for that because he hates coconut while I love it.

•Labor signs?: None! Thank God.

•Belly button in or out?: still an innie

•What I miss: I will say I miss sprinting and my hot yoga, because they helped me maintain a relatively average body.

•What I'm looking forward to: feeling the baby move around more...as I see pictures of other recent moms...I look forward to what my lil jelly bean will look like but it's too soon get anxious for that.

•Milestone: Back to working out without all the nipple soreness from earlier in the pregnancy.

Easter - Part 2: Open mouth insert foot

So after trying to get around to at least two different malls we decide to just go to Ihop, because as I stated previously, one of the things I do crave is pancakes the way Ihop does them.

So we get to Ihop and hubby and I are talking about random things but also about how we need to start building a serious savings account, not that we don't have funds saved but just how much we want to put down on the new place and to have so that when Jelly Bean finally arrives we have a good enough cushion.

Somehow we get on the fact that I love the pancakes at Ihop. I was asking him if he thought there was some kind of secret recipe and he said probably. Then he likened it to the secret seasoning at KFC ( hubby used to work at KFC in high school), he says you have to buy the secret recipe and it's not recipe that the franchiser sends you but rather a mix they send and then you just pour it on the chicken. He says that Ihop quite possibly gets a powder mix or a batter shipped in large quantities that they fry up...it's probably not a recipt I could just look up like Doubletree's chocolate chip cookies, which are delicious but that's another story.

So we talk about this for a moment and I tell hubby, who thinks he could talk a begger out of his cup of quarters that well we could save money if I had Ihop secret recipe because then I could make the pancakes at home, seeing as I made him buy be a griddle because panckaes need a griddle can't just fry them up in a frying pan. Hubby, of course laughs at me and says what are you willing to put on that pancake mix. Being the competitive person I am, I reply there is no way they are going to give you there pancake batter or the mix just like that!

Again he chuckles and says well then put something on it, and me with my big mouth say ok if you get the pancake mix I will get you a new car because Hubby is in dire need of a new car. Although, we all know I will probably really get the car and drive it because getting a baby in and out of a coup is no small feat. Hubby of course smiles and is get up on his quest to get me that pancake batter.

5 mins later he returns and informs me, you have two options you can get the powder mix that needs to be mixed with other ingredients or you can get the batter which you can freeze and us at will. I laugh, no way they are going to just let you walk out of here with there pancake batter...

Which one would you like he replies.

I saw well if I can freeze the batter up to size months I perfer the batter but not a little I need a lot.

He smiles and says let me see what I can do.

As he works out his deal I head to the car because well, it's Sunday at IHop all the church people are at the door waiting to get in.

5 mins later Hubby emerges with a 20oz cup of pancake batter, letting me know it's the powder because the manager says it will cook up the same way, Ihop adds other stuff to the mix but all you really need is water and it should taste similar. So I look at him, that's not nearly enough. He chuckles, there is more where that came from. So of course I am intrigued, how much did this cost you...he laughs and says nothing I told the manager I needed to win a bet with my wife and that a new car was on the line and if he could help me out and so he did.

Stupid big mouth!

Back to our regularly scheduled program

Saturday was Jelly's 16th week inside my belly.

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday and found out I had gained an unbelieveable 7lbs. WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT'S HOLY!!!!!!! I couldn't beleive it...I wanted to cry. I mean I had been splurging that week but the weeks prior I had done a tone more veggies anf fruit. I can't blame 7 flipping lbs on a baby that only gained an 1oz and a half. Sigh. Nurse Carol would be appalled.

My doc, who I hadn't seen since last November when I wanted to put in an IUD. Smiled when she came in the room and was like what happened.. I laughed because of course she knows what happened but she said I look healthy (of course in my head the means fattened up). I like my doc though she's really nice and easy going. Turns out though she is leaving private practice to work in the hospital, which is great for her but sucks for me since I really wanted her to deliver my jelly bean. I have yet to meet the other doctors in the practice so we shall see. Of course, i mention to the doc that I am now the size of a whale and my baby the size of an apple, she laughed at me of course and says yeah it's a bit more than you should be but you are tall, her advice don't diet, start moving more and cut back on my treats. Great advice really.

Here's the problem, I feel less energetic lately than I did first tri. Sunday I slept all day until I was to go out with Hubby and his family, which was at 4pm! I did force myself to exercise after dinner because honestly, I have no excuse for the laziness and I need to be more active.
I have a nutritionist friend who, coincendentally is also preggers, and has agreed to look at me eating habits and make some suggestions.
I am determined not to gain more then 25-30lbs...but at this point I am half way there and the baby center tells me my baby's is about to have a growth spurt so I need to not have gained when I get on the scale in a month...here's hoping.

Exhaustion

I have spent all week sleep walking.

No one told me the actual wedding day would be so tiring.
I literally was more tired after the whole event then I was during all the planning that happened.

Three days before the wedding I flew out to the wedding site.
And hung out with the bridesmaids and my family. Apparently I was more of a bridezilla than I thought I was being. The day before the wedding my mom was telling me how they were calling me a bridezilla. However, I felt I was being very nice to everyone and I was trying to be cooperative but people just keep trying to push there ideas on me.

The actual wedding day, was cloudy. I said a quick prayer that the sun would come out and that the temperature would warm up.

I took the bridesmaids to get their hair done, picked up some guest from the airport, and then headed to my mom's house to have breakfast. I was trying not to see hubby until I was all made up but that didn't happen because he came over for breakfast...so I gave up that tradition. Seeing as I was legally married anyway.

I left and rushed off to pick up the bridesmaids and then get make up done. Make up appointment was at noon but the wedding didn't start until 7pm. More than enough time I thought to myself. Who was I kidding? Time started to fly by at what felt like the speed of light.

Make- up was an adventure in itself... My sister didn't like the way the girl making her up was doing it and to be quite honest neither did I but my sister also didn't know what she wanted to look like and that was a big hinderance. So they had to make her up twice. So by 2:30pm we were just finishing make-up to head to the wedding site which was 45 mins away. ARGH!!!! and pictures were to start at 4:30pm. Of course, by now I was getting worried. We rushed out of the make-up place and I broke all speed limits to get to the my wonderful wedding site. Good news was the sun was shining...so things were looking up.

By the time we got to the hotel to get dressed there was still my hair to be done and the photographer and hair dresser were waiting. We checked in and up to the room we went. No sooner had we opened the door than I sat down to get my hair done, which also took longer than I planned but looked beautiful in the end.

Of course once we all got dressed it was 5pm and we were a half an hour late for pictures. Luckily the guys were waiting so the photographer was able to get some pictures of the hubby and then his men.

Ok...so this is where I got annoyed. We get dressed and head outside to take all the wedding party pictures, we now had an hour before guest were supposed to arrive. And we get outside and the photographer is like I am not ready for you ladies yet. Which is fine but I was limited on daylight hrs. So here I am in the resort restaurant waiting to take pictures. Wishing I had my own camera so I could be taking pictures myself. I sat there for 30 mins before we get called out. The the kids in the wedding party start crying...Sigh...so we had to move inside because it was too cold for the kids. In the end we sent the wedding party inside and took pictures of hubby and I.

The chaos continues, because a half an hour before the wedding the pastor texts us to let us know he is an hour away, and by 7pm only a handful of guest had arrived. So we move the cocktail hr to being first.
This worked out because it allowed us a ton more pictures, although in the end we didn't get nearly as many pictures as I would like. I walked around the next day and saw all these wonderful little places to take pictures...sigh...why...does the wedding day feel so rushed? I mean no amount of planning could have prepared me for how busy the day really was.
Then right before I walk down the aisle my maid of honor had lost the groom's ring. I lost it at this point....I just couldn't stop crying but also didn't want to ruin my makeup so I had to...My dad was a real trooper and remind me that it would be fine.
In the end we found the ring but still it was just too much for such an emotional day.

In the end the wedding day worked out well, again not as I planned but beautiful none the less.
What I wasn't prepared for was falling in love with Hubby all over again!
And the freaking exhaustion that follows the week after...poor Jelly Bean must have been wondering what all the excitement was about.

Up late - random thoughts

I never realize how tired I am until I sit down to take a rest, next thing I know I open my eyes and an hour has passed. This only really happens at home, at work I am so busy there is no time to rest and when I do feel sleepy I try to walk around and get the juices flowing.



This happened to me last night and instead of resisting the urge to get up, I decided to turn in early. So I went to bed at 8:30pm, as a result I am up at 3am in the morning trying to get hubby to hold a decent conversation. LOL..he played along for an hour, wonderful man, then was like I am going to sleep. I figured I would get out of bed and work on some of my projects that I have been ignoring. Lately all my time after work has been filled with either sleep or wedding planning details. 2 more weeks and it will be over - my sister has really been my rock she has planned most of the details and just lets me sign and pay for items. I am a little worried about my dress not fitting though, although I am getting it altered...just a bit concerned it still may have issues. Going to a bridal sample sale next week to see if I can pick up an inexpensive spare...



Anyway, so I am up at the crack of day, now I am debating if I should go back to sleep and try and catch the last minute sleep before the alarm goes off or just stay awake. The only down side to staying awake is that I am getting hungry. I swear my jelly bean has the appetite of it's father.

Every 2-3 hrs it's ready to eat something and nothing big or heavy just a snack...if I over do it...I spend the rest of the day looking 6 months pregnant and feeling bloated...

I am trying to eat a lot smaller meals, I don't mind the eating all the time but the bloating is really uncomfortable and I think it contributes to the sleepiness...don't ask me how I just know...I know it does.



I wonder what the jelly bean is doing right now...probably sleeping like I should be.



Yep...think I am going to try to get some more zzz....

Easter Sunday Part 1

Last Sunday Hubby had the day off from helping out his mom.
So we decided to do some things around the apartment, as well as go to the jewelry store and get my wedding band, seeing as the ceremony is 6 days away.
Hubby can be a bit of a procrastinator.

We head out first to the mall.
On our way to the mall we come to a busy interaction and as we wait for the light to turn we see a man on crutches waiting to cross 6 lanes of traffic. As cars are making a left on the street he wants to cross he decides to start crossing. As he gets half way across the street the left turn signal turns green for the cross street and cars start to turn. Of course none of the cars stop for him so he starts waving his crutch's at them. Finally he decides to go back to wait for the cross signal and as soon as he hits the sidewalk the walk sign comes on but rather than trying to wobble across the street he remains on the sidewalk grumbling. Walking around first limping then just carrying the crutches. I couldn't help it I started laughing...he waited so long to cross only to go back and decide he couldn't be bothered.

The light turned green and we proceeded to the mall only to find out the mall is closed on Easter Sunday. Is this a new thing? I don't remember stores being closed on Easter Sunday growing up. Although, I don't really remember going to the mall much, especially on Easter Sunday. Either way, I was really surprised. The only things open were the restaurants. I looked at my watch and told hubby maybe they open in the afternoon after church is over. Of course he laughed at me and said he doubts it.

So we drove to Ihop to get pancakes because lately I have been craving pancakes.

On the way back who do we see but the same guy on his crutches, on the same corner waving his crutches and mumbling. Poor guy not sure if I should feel bad for him or chuckle.

Sleep is not a game

Have entered the 2nd tri...Wonders of wonders!

This Monday, I incorrectly went to my prenatal appointment, which was actually supposed to be on Wednesday...opps. And I was so adamant to the receptionist that someone on there end had messed up because even the time they had me down for on Wednesday was wrong. And maybe they misunderstood my on the phone. She looked at me like I was crazy, although I am not the first hormonal women to walk in there and cause a scene at 7:45 in the morning. So there I was sure my appointment was Monday, the nice receptionist worked it out so I could get seen.

Although, I am sure I heard her talking about me but whatever.

I actually brought hubby along for this appointment, he said nothing as I made a scene just sat down quietly and acted like he wasn't with me. We get in to see the specialist, which is pretty much an ultrasound, and there was my jelly bean, face down, sleeping...Love it...I could understand my jelly bean's pain...I too wished I was still asleep. So the tech does her measurements and all, then she starts shaking my belly to see if the baby will wake up and nothing after about the 5th shake, my bean starts kicking and punching, turns it's back to us and goes back to sleep...what can I say...I just hope that my jelly sleeps that late out of the womb.

The doctor comes in checks around, explains the screening for abnormalities says I should be fine and someone will call me. Then he says try to schedule your appointments early because at 8am in the morning there is no waiting, yeah because the rest of the world is trying to drag itself to work. So I was in and out in an hr...

So Tuesday, I was trying to get a nap in before I went to work, some mornings I find it helpful to get a up, do the morning routine and then just lie down for 15 mins before I leave for work, I find it helps me be less tired and rushed in the morning. Of course that means I probably a little late for work but at least then I don't feel as tired. So there I was napping/resting and my phone buzzes with a reminder letting me know that on Wednesday, the 24, I had a doctor's appointment. Unbelievable, of course I call the hubby and he laughs at me and says I guess someone has some apologizing to do...shame....

The ceremony

So I married my hubby last month but we decided to wait until April to have the ceremony.
My mother, bless her heart, said there would be no time for a wedding ceremony once the baby got here so we should just have one before so we could focus.

She was right and she was wrong. My sister, the awesome woman that she is planned most of my wedding with lots of feedback from me but she did all the running around with her 4 month old and called and spoke to vendors. We also saved by having reception and ceremony in one location.

What I regret about not waiting is the bridal shows and incorporating some of the great ideas I have read about in the bridal magazines. I mean the wedding is low key as it can be with my family and will be beautiful, I just wish I could have savored it a little longer. Like a piece of cake that you leave in the morning knowing when the work day is over you can eat it and fully enjoy it...humm... Instead I have to make decision before I know my full options and really watch my cost. I can't splurge on a wedding when Jelly bean will be here in 6 months. I need to save up.

But she was right in that time wise I probably wouldn't have had the energy with a new born being a first time mom and all. I just wish I had taken more time to weigh the decision but seeing as how my wedding is this weekend...I guess it's too late for that. What had started as a small family and close friends only event as know turned into a 100 person wedding...apparently my mother doesn't do small events. She has become quite the socialite in her golden years.

I must admit despite my apprehension things have come together pretty nice and most of the people and even some we didn't invite have RSVPed. And it will be nice to have all our friends and family together.

I hope and pray my dress still fits, I got it a month ago but that was 5lbs ago. 5lbs which all seem to be in my breast. The first tri was just to exhausting and I could not keep the exercise up past the 9 week mark and since then sleep as won out over the morning walk more times than I would like to count. The issue is I gain all my weight in my upper body which is fine except that the dress is form fitted on the top and flares right under my boobs...

Either way, I am walking down that aisle with my hubby waiting at the bottom the wonderful man he is... I am very nervous...I always have those day dreams where I trip and fall and everyone is watching and it all happens in slow motion...yeah it could just be in my head but it has happened.

I also wanted to do this down the aisle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&feature=fvw

but got vetoed by everyone but one person in bridal party...

Manage that weight

Suprisingly the fiance took me being pregnant fairly well.

He didn't seem surprised or upset... He is very even keel as a norm, although I would have preferred a more emotional response.

We had to decide what to do about getting married because we were tentatively planning to get married in October but the baby was due in October. So we decided to get married as soon as possible.

Of course upon telling our families this they wanted to plan a ceremony; everyone we talked to said that once the child came we would so not think about having a ceremony or marriage or anything else. My main concern was the weight...I mean I am not slim and trim and a baby who knew how that would affect me.

The first few weeks I kept going to yoga and running, but the tiredness and craving hit as soon as I realized it was being caused by a baby. The worst part about being pregnant was the nipple soreness. Running was painful, anything over a mile and I felt like my nipples were on fire I mean it hurt so bad it made me want to cry...

Then there were the cravings, that was something I wasn't expecting I wanted to eat every sugary gooey thing in sight. During my second doctor's visit the nurse let me know weight gain was normal but that I had to monitor mine so 2lbs a month for the first and second trimesters should be my max. WHAT!. That would be no problem if I didn't have outrageous cravings and nipple soreness. Thankfully research showed that once the first trimester was over some of those things would subside...thank goodness.