Originally written: March 3, 2009
What a roller coaster week! So Mon, Tues, Wed of last week I felt horrible. Didn't get much sleep, still had the nausea, things were status quo. Then Thursday - Sunday the nausea was about 99% gone and I even felt like a "normal" person again on Saturday and Sunday. I attribute that partially to getting two good night's of sleep on Friday night and Saturday night. I had so much energy on Saturday and Sunday. We bought our first family car, I walked Gizzie with Liz at the park while the boys practiced for softball, I ran around Santa Clarita on Sunday doing errands and I felt great. I was tired by the end of the night, but I was like "hey, I'm coming up on my 12th week and things are finally getting better..." and then I didn't get good night's sleep on Sunday or Monday night so I'm back to feeling like crap today. I think also this whole "stopped up" feeling makes me feel icky at times too. I've always eaten a high fiber diet, but now it doesn't seem like enough and I find myself adding additional fiber into my food!
Some people on the message boards are already finding out the sex of what they're having! I didn't even think it was possible until I went for my 20 week ultra sound on May 4th, but I guess we'll see what the doc sees (if anything) next Tuesday for my 12 week appointment. It would be awesome if we knew earlier - I'd be able to buy things gradually over the course of the pregnancy, therefore spreading out the funds!
On another note, I started my new job yesterday. So far so good, but it's hard to get a lot of training right now with my boss in meetings and conducting trainings himself. At least I'm being eased into it. So far it feels like I may even have more freedom than I did before as far as schedule and where I sit. And I know there will be times when I hate my job, but I'm really feeling like I did make the right decision after all of the second guessing I did a few months ago.
And seriously, I'm not in any hurry to have this huge stomach in my way, but if people could tell I was pregnant and not just fat, that would be awesome. The 24/7 bloat/fat is just making me look like I buy shirts that don't fit me! My first pair of pregnancy pants (work khakis) are soooooo comfy - I wish I had more, but I don't want to get crazy buying all of these maternity clothes this early on. If I suck in my stomach to get rid of the bloat, I do see a small basketball shape starting to appear, but it's very minimal. I just notice it because when my stomach stuck out before it was my whole stomach from my sides, not just in the very front. But that's only visible to me, no one else. So my 24/7 bloat/fat just sticks out and I'm sure it makes me look like I'm more like 4.5 months along! Oh well!
Still drinking lots of milk and craving lots of cheese. I'm still completely offended by one whole piece of chicken, but don't mind it cut up on pizza or in pasta, etc. I even bought steaks to make this week and I never buy red meat! I'm also really liking hard boiled eggs, string cheese, yogurt, fruit (especially oranges), juice and cereal. So basically protein and dairy. I've been trying to eat the portioned controlled sized packages of almonds for some good Omega-3's as well as 90 calorie packs of Special K multi-grain crackers. Still buying as many fruits, dairy and protein in Organic or naturally fed as possible. They just taste better anyways and when you buy them from Trader Joe's they're either just below or just slightly above the cost of Wal Mart. And Wal Mart's meat and veggies (at least at our Super Wal Mart here in Santa Clarita) are just ICKY. The only thing I can really buy from there is potatoes and onions and a lot of times those are even icky!
So that's it for 11 weeks!! :-)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
10 weeks, 4 days...
Originally written: February 23, 2009
Oh nausea, when will you leave me alone! I'm still very happy to report that I haven't thrown up! When people ask me how I feel I just tell them that I consider myself lucky compared to other women, but a lot of days I feel like I'm battling something comparable to the flu. And I've noticed that the days I lay around I feel worse actually than the days where I actually get up, go to work, and do things.
We've told pretty much 98% of the people we know as of this week. The big one was Alicia and once we were able to see her and tell her in person we were okay with everyone else knowing. There are so many friends and family out there that are so sweet and so excited for us. It makes me really miss those friends that I'm close to but live so far away. I wish all of our kids could just grow up together.
Food. Oy. So I gave in and had a big fat Red Robin cheeseburger on Friday night and boy was it the tastiest thing ever! I also spoiled myself with Alicia's toffee, but today I'm somewhat back on the wagon. I eat healthy 98% of the time, but I've been eating more, so it makes me feel like I'm eating too much, even though it's healthy. I've been doing 4 mini-meals and 1 large meal (instead of 6 mini meals). The mornings are the worst. I'm starving from the minute I wake up. I used to eat breakfast at 9:30 in the morning and now I HAVE to eat the minute I get to work or I feel like I'm going to die. So I eat cereal with fruit. Around 10am I get hungry again so I'll have a 90 calorie pack of crackers with an orange or some almonds and a piece of fruit or some yogurt (100 cals or less). At lunch I still do a small portioned meal (PB&J sandwich, etc.) with some lite crackers or lite chips and an apple. Then around 3:00 I'm ready for another snack. Yogurt, jello, fruit or veggies, 100 calorie pack, something of that nature to hold me until I get home and can make a normal dinner. And when I'm hungry - I NEED TO EAT NOW! No joke. I used to be able to put it off for a few, but if I don't eat, watch out!
I also just bought some organic eggs and hard boiled them so I can make sure I'm getting some protein when I don't feel like eating meat. Chicken has really been grossing me out. Only in like the 98% FF Boneless Skinless form (or on a bone which I never eat). All other ways it seems to be ok. But I'm now in love with milk! I drink it so much more now. We used to never be able to even finish the smallest container from the grocery store and now I'm finishing the medium sized container in a matter of days. They don't have the large size in the Organic fat free at Wal Mart, I need to look at Trader Joes.
Tomorrow I get my blood draw for the Downs Syndrome test. We didn't even really have time to talk about it - she told us we should do it and I said ok. It'll just tell me if I'm carrier. Unless my doc thinks it's medically necessary I don't think we'd take it any further like the amniotic fluid test or anything. I think we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Another week and a half and I can cross into my second trimester which is just fabulous. I need some relief from these insanely sleepless nights and all of the nausea. I had to train my replacement for my job today and sometimes I notice when I'm talking too much I feel like I'm going to throw up. Those preggie pop drops are really helping!
xoxoxo
M
Oh nausea, when will you leave me alone! I'm still very happy to report that I haven't thrown up! When people ask me how I feel I just tell them that I consider myself lucky compared to other women, but a lot of days I feel like I'm battling something comparable to the flu. And I've noticed that the days I lay around I feel worse actually than the days where I actually get up, go to work, and do things.
We've told pretty much 98% of the people we know as of this week. The big one was Alicia and once we were able to see her and tell her in person we were okay with everyone else knowing. There are so many friends and family out there that are so sweet and so excited for us. It makes me really miss those friends that I'm close to but live so far away. I wish all of our kids could just grow up together.
Food. Oy. So I gave in and had a big fat Red Robin cheeseburger on Friday night and boy was it the tastiest thing ever! I also spoiled myself with Alicia's toffee, but today I'm somewhat back on the wagon. I eat healthy 98% of the time, but I've been eating more, so it makes me feel like I'm eating too much, even though it's healthy. I've been doing 4 mini-meals and 1 large meal (instead of 6 mini meals). The mornings are the worst. I'm starving from the minute I wake up. I used to eat breakfast at 9:30 in the morning and now I HAVE to eat the minute I get to work or I feel like I'm going to die. So I eat cereal with fruit. Around 10am I get hungry again so I'll have a 90 calorie pack of crackers with an orange or some almonds and a piece of fruit or some yogurt (100 cals or less). At lunch I still do a small portioned meal (PB&J sandwich, etc.) with some lite crackers or lite chips and an apple. Then around 3:00 I'm ready for another snack. Yogurt, jello, fruit or veggies, 100 calorie pack, something of that nature to hold me until I get home and can make a normal dinner. And when I'm hungry - I NEED TO EAT NOW! No joke. I used to be able to put it off for a few, but if I don't eat, watch out!
I also just bought some organic eggs and hard boiled them so I can make sure I'm getting some protein when I don't feel like eating meat. Chicken has really been grossing me out. Only in like the 98% FF Boneless Skinless form (or on a bone which I never eat). All other ways it seems to be ok. But I'm now in love with milk! I drink it so much more now. We used to never be able to even finish the smallest container from the grocery store and now I'm finishing the medium sized container in a matter of days. They don't have the large size in the Organic fat free at Wal Mart, I need to look at Trader Joes.
Tomorrow I get my blood draw for the Downs Syndrome test. We didn't even really have time to talk about it - she told us we should do it and I said ok. It'll just tell me if I'm carrier. Unless my doc thinks it's medically necessary I don't think we'd take it any further like the amniotic fluid test or anything. I think we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Another week and a half and I can cross into my second trimester which is just fabulous. I need some relief from these insanely sleepless nights and all of the nausea. I had to train my replacement for my job today and sometimes I notice when I'm talking too much I feel like I'm going to throw up. Those preggie pop drops are really helping!
xoxoxo
M
8 weeks, 6 days...
Originally written: February 12, 2009
Although an insanely busy work week, this week was a milestone for our little bean. We had our first sonogram on Tuesday, February 10th and saw the little girl or boy in there with a heartbeat strong enough to beat right off the screen. Seeing and hearing the heartbeat was an insane reality check that this was really happening and it also took a lot of worrying off of my shoulders. The baby dated at 8 weeks, 3 days on Tuesday (which is when I was technically 8 weeks, 4 days), so she's not going to change my due date since everything is nicely on track. How great to see that he/she is growing at the proper rate!
I also met with my new boss on Wednesday and I gave him the big news. He reacted just like I knew he would. He was happy for me and said we would work it out. I think his only concern is that I'll be gone for the end of the year. But my parents should be visiting then, so I can come back and work year end and not have to worry about child care.
Today I'm telling my co-worker and his wife. They're our friends outside of work and I go to Weight Watchers with his wife. I haven't been able to quit Weight Watchers because I couldn't tell them, so finally today is the day to tell them so I can quit going.
Our goal is to tell as many people as possible in person, so a lot of times that means we have to wait to tell people that we don't see as often, or we have to tell someone a little earlier than we planned. Everyone else we're doing emails with the sonogram. Everyone's "got it" so far except for my aunt, who thought it was snow or a butterfly in snow - HAHA.
Great week!! :-)
Although an insanely busy work week, this week was a milestone for our little bean. We had our first sonogram on Tuesday, February 10th and saw the little girl or boy in there with a heartbeat strong enough to beat right off the screen. Seeing and hearing the heartbeat was an insane reality check that this was really happening and it also took a lot of worrying off of my shoulders. The baby dated at 8 weeks, 3 days on Tuesday (which is when I was technically 8 weeks, 4 days), so she's not going to change my due date since everything is nicely on track. How great to see that he/she is growing at the proper rate!
I also met with my new boss on Wednesday and I gave him the big news. He reacted just like I knew he would. He was happy for me and said we would work it out. I think his only concern is that I'll be gone for the end of the year. But my parents should be visiting then, so I can come back and work year end and not have to worry about child care.
Today I'm telling my co-worker and his wife. They're our friends outside of work and I go to Weight Watchers with his wife. I haven't been able to quit Weight Watchers because I couldn't tell them, so finally today is the day to tell them so I can quit going.
Our goal is to tell as many people as possible in person, so a lot of times that means we have to wait to tell people that we don't see as often, or we have to tell someone a little earlier than we planned. Everyone else we're doing emails with the sonogram. Everyone's "got it" so far except for my aunt, who thought it was snow or a butterfly in snow - HAHA.
Great week!! :-)
7 weeks, 3 days...and the nausea sets in...
Originally written: February 2, 2009
It started at the very end of my 6th week, but since Saturday (7 weeks, 1 day), it's been a lot worse. I still haven't thrown up, but from about 10am - 12-12:30pm it's pretty bad. It makes me not only feel dizzy and nauseas, but it makes me feel really tired when it happens. All I want to do is lay down, but that's kind of hard when you're at work!
Our National Sales Meeting is this week which will be really hard on my body. Considering I already feel like crap, I'm pretty worried about what I'm in for. I just need to get through this week! Next week is my first real doctor's appointment and I'm supposed to get a vaginal ultra-sound. This makes me really happy because I want the doc to give me a better EDD or at least confirm the one I have (9/18/2009). I also want to know that there's a heartbeat and everything is progressing as normal. If all goes well, then I plan on telling Jade the following day about the pregnancy, and I also plan on telling Liz so I can quit Weight Watchers. I really didn't want anyone to know until after the first trimester is over, but it's kind of hard when you have so much resting on one thing.
Besides nausea I think my sense of smell is getting stronger. I open the fridge and can smell last night's leftovers. I can smell the lip gloss of my co-worker next to me. Perfumes and body sprays of others are so much more potent. And none of this goes really well with my queasy stomach.
I'm still a bit stressed out about what we're going to do when the baby is born. All of the reassuring my mom gave to me was based on that she thought it would take a year for me to get pregnant. Which she should have disclosed that to me at the time, but didn't, so now we're a lot "earlier" than she thought. So it looks like I won't have the help I was promised. And since they're set on not giving me a raise to take this new job, there's now no way we could afford for Jeff to quit his job. That would have been at least a possibility with a raise and now it's just a dream. But I'm not going to continue on with that bullshit and how I feel like my boss completely stabbed me in the back...I'm just not sure what our options are going to be considering daycare will cost all of Jeff's salary. I have to talk to my parents more over the next few months and see what their final verdict is.
It's odd...but we've only told a few people about the pregnancy and the very few we told weren't as excited as I thought they would be. His mom, a few of our friends. I guess their reactions were just different than what I expected. Some of our friends were completely overjoyed, but others were like "Oh, congrats..." and onto the next part of the conversation. It's a bit disappointing actually considering we don't have many friends, so those we do have, we were hoping for a little more excitement. But oh well! I guess we're in a different place in life than most of our friends, so that probably makes a difference.
That's it for now - the smell of lip-gloss is making me want to puke!
It started at the very end of my 6th week, but since Saturday (7 weeks, 1 day), it's been a lot worse. I still haven't thrown up, but from about 10am - 12-12:30pm it's pretty bad. It makes me not only feel dizzy and nauseas, but it makes me feel really tired when it happens. All I want to do is lay down, but that's kind of hard when you're at work!
Our National Sales Meeting is this week which will be really hard on my body. Considering I already feel like crap, I'm pretty worried about what I'm in for. I just need to get through this week! Next week is my first real doctor's appointment and I'm supposed to get a vaginal ultra-sound. This makes me really happy because I want the doc to give me a better EDD or at least confirm the one I have (9/18/2009). I also want to know that there's a heartbeat and everything is progressing as normal. If all goes well, then I plan on telling Jade the following day about the pregnancy, and I also plan on telling Liz so I can quit Weight Watchers. I really didn't want anyone to know until after the first trimester is over, but it's kind of hard when you have so much resting on one thing.
Besides nausea I think my sense of smell is getting stronger. I open the fridge and can smell last night's leftovers. I can smell the lip gloss of my co-worker next to me. Perfumes and body sprays of others are so much more potent. And none of this goes really well with my queasy stomach.
I'm still a bit stressed out about what we're going to do when the baby is born. All of the reassuring my mom gave to me was based on that she thought it would take a year for me to get pregnant. Which she should have disclosed that to me at the time, but didn't, so now we're a lot "earlier" than she thought. So it looks like I won't have the help I was promised. And since they're set on not giving me a raise to take this new job, there's now no way we could afford for Jeff to quit his job. That would have been at least a possibility with a raise and now it's just a dream. But I'm not going to continue on with that bullshit and how I feel like my boss completely stabbed me in the back...I'm just not sure what our options are going to be considering daycare will cost all of Jeff's salary. I have to talk to my parents more over the next few months and see what their final verdict is.
It's odd...but we've only told a few people about the pregnancy and the very few we told weren't as excited as I thought they would be. His mom, a few of our friends. I guess their reactions were just different than what I expected. Some of our friends were completely overjoyed, but others were like "Oh, congrats..." and onto the next part of the conversation. It's a bit disappointing actually considering we don't have many friends, so those we do have, we were hoping for a little more excitement. But oh well! I guess we're in a different place in life than most of our friends, so that probably makes a difference.
That's it for now - the smell of lip-gloss is making me want to puke!
6 weeks, 2 days...
Originally written: January 26, 2009
I'm having really mixed emotions right now. I go from being so happy to so scared in a heartbeat and I think the situation with possibly getting this new job is just adding fuel to the hormonal fire.
I have to take this job to further my career and better setup a future for my family. If I don't take this job I lose a huge opportunity and also a pay bump and not taking it could result in my career being at a standstill for years to come. Taking this job is a step in the right direction...so why does it feel so wrong? Well, I think what's hard for me is that with this opportunity and the ability to setup my future for my family, also comes long hours, month-ends, and a high demand on myself emotionally. It's also going to result in a shorter maternity leave than I really wanted to take (so I can be back for the year-end close) and it'll result in probably a 50+ hour work week. I feel like I'm going to miss so much of my child's life working so many hours every day. I just feel like it's really unfair. Why couldn't Jeff be the one with the career and the promotions and the bread-winning salary so I could work part time or at least take enough time during maternity leave? But it's never going to be that way. We'd have to live on food stamps with his salary, that's for sure.
Both the decision to have a child and to move forward with my career seem to be happening at the same time. It's making this journey a lot more emotional as I think about the sleepless nights to come, the time I'll be away from the baby after he/she is born, and how much of a challenge this new job will be for me mentally. (I mean, supervising 12 women with no past supervisory skills - holy crap!) It seems all so overwhelming right now and even though I know I have to move forward with this job, it's very hard for me to want to with this little baby growing inside of me.
Some days I feel so ready to take on the world - "I can be a super mom and excel in my career at the same time!" - and other days I just wonder what the hell I'm doing. There's so many questions...
Who's going to watch the baby until my parents are able to be here permanently in the Spring?
Who's going to clean the house and do the laundry when I'm exhausted and working a billion hours whilst being up all night with a newborn?
How will I work so many hours, come home, make dinner, take care of a baby and then be up all night with diaper changes and feedings, only to wake up at the crack of dawn again the next morning to do it all over again?
I know everything will work itself out, but nonetheless, I'm pretty stressed out right now. It's all so overwhelming and I think it's magnified by 100 times because of my hormonal changes.
I'm having really mixed emotions right now. I go from being so happy to so scared in a heartbeat and I think the situation with possibly getting this new job is just adding fuel to the hormonal fire.
I have to take this job to further my career and better setup a future for my family. If I don't take this job I lose a huge opportunity and also a pay bump and not taking it could result in my career being at a standstill for years to come. Taking this job is a step in the right direction...so why does it feel so wrong? Well, I think what's hard for me is that with this opportunity and the ability to setup my future for my family, also comes long hours, month-ends, and a high demand on myself emotionally. It's also going to result in a shorter maternity leave than I really wanted to take (so I can be back for the year-end close) and it'll result in probably a 50+ hour work week. I feel like I'm going to miss so much of my child's life working so many hours every day. I just feel like it's really unfair. Why couldn't Jeff be the one with the career and the promotions and the bread-winning salary so I could work part time or at least take enough time during maternity leave? But it's never going to be that way. We'd have to live on food stamps with his salary, that's for sure.
Both the decision to have a child and to move forward with my career seem to be happening at the same time. It's making this journey a lot more emotional as I think about the sleepless nights to come, the time I'll be away from the baby after he/she is born, and how much of a challenge this new job will be for me mentally. (I mean, supervising 12 women with no past supervisory skills - holy crap!) It seems all so overwhelming right now and even though I know I have to move forward with this job, it's very hard for me to want to with this little baby growing inside of me.
Some days I feel so ready to take on the world - "I can be a super mom and excel in my career at the same time!" - and other days I just wonder what the hell I'm doing. There's so many questions...
Who's going to watch the baby until my parents are able to be here permanently in the Spring?
Who's going to clean the house and do the laundry when I'm exhausted and working a billion hours whilst being up all night with a newborn?
How will I work so many hours, come home, make dinner, take care of a baby and then be up all night with diaper changes and feedings, only to wake up at the crack of dawn again the next morning to do it all over again?
I know everything will work itself out, but nonetheless, I'm pretty stressed out right now. It's all so overwhelming and I think it's magnified by 100 times because of my hormonal changes.
5.5 weeks...
Originally written: January 22, 2009
I'm estimating myself at 5.5 weeks based on the first day of my last period, but I won't find out a due date from my doc for at least a couple of weeks. I have a pre-natal class I have to attend on the 28th of January which is supposed to be about 2.5 hours and then from there I get my first pre-natal appointment with my doctor. This waiting is killing me! I just want to get to the point where I hear the baby's heartbeat and then I feel like I can be more at ease. But that could be weeks from now, so I'm getting really impatient.
I found out I was pregnant on Saturday the 10th of January. I took 4 tests, all came back with faint positive lines. I tested because the night before my boobs were really sore and my back was killing me between my shoulder blades. It's been 10 days since I tested and so far I've had the following symptoms almost every day:
Fatigue
Bloating
Sore breasts
Sore back
Frequent urination
Dryness of skin / Severe "itchies"
Pregnancy allergies
More irritability than normal
All are easy enough to put up with and I have no complaints. Two days ago I bought a "Be Band" by "Bella Band" and I'm successfully wearing it as a sit at my desk.
We've only told a few people. I find not telling anyone the hardest because it's just something you want to shout from the rooftops because you're so excited. You can't wait to hear and see everyones reactions. But, we've only told people that either need to know or that will understand if we were to miscarry. As for my closest friends, I like telling them in person vs email because then I can see their reaction. I'm also working on a possible promotion and I don't want to spoil it by telling everyone under the sun. After allI will be a working mom with a career to boot!
At this point I'm just excited every day. I'm worried but excited and each day that I have symptoms and no blood or bad cramping, that is a great day. I've been eating organically, cutting out 99% of my caffeine, eating more whole grains, taking my DHA and pre-natal supplements, and trying to get enough rest. Each day that things continue to feel good and look good is a day that I'm thrilled. I really look forward to every day of the next 9 months as I hope it will not only be a rewarding experience, but prep me for the years ahead!
I'm estimating myself at 5.5 weeks based on the first day of my last period, but I won't find out a due date from my doc for at least a couple of weeks. I have a pre-natal class I have to attend on the 28th of January which is supposed to be about 2.5 hours and then from there I get my first pre-natal appointment with my doctor. This waiting is killing me! I just want to get to the point where I hear the baby's heartbeat and then I feel like I can be more at ease. But that could be weeks from now, so I'm getting really impatient.
I found out I was pregnant on Saturday the 10th of January. I took 4 tests, all came back with faint positive lines. I tested because the night before my boobs were really sore and my back was killing me between my shoulder blades. It's been 10 days since I tested and so far I've had the following symptoms almost every day:
Fatigue
Bloating
Sore breasts
Sore back
Frequent urination
Dryness of skin / Severe "itchies"
Pregnancy allergies
More irritability than normal
All are easy enough to put up with and I have no complaints. Two days ago I bought a "Be Band" by "Bella Band" and I'm successfully wearing it as a sit at my desk.
We've only told a few people. I find not telling anyone the hardest because it's just something you want to shout from the rooftops because you're so excited. You can't wait to hear and see everyones reactions. But, we've only told people that either need to know or that will understand if we were to miscarry. As for my closest friends, I like telling them in person vs email because then I can see their reaction. I'm also working on a possible promotion and I don't want to spoil it by telling everyone under the sun. After allI will be a working mom with a career to boot!
At this point I'm just excited every day. I'm worried but excited and each day that I have symptoms and no blood or bad cramping, that is a great day. I've been eating organically, cutting out 99% of my caffeine, eating more whole grains, taking my DHA and pre-natal supplements, and trying to get enough rest. Each day that things continue to feel good and look good is a day that I'm thrilled. I really look forward to every day of the next 9 months as I hope it will not only be a rewarding experience, but prep me for the years ahead!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Holidays
I can't believe it's 2009. Last night I was astonished to realize that 1991 was already 18 years ago. 18 years ago. I don't feel old enough to remember 18 years ago, but I do.
I'm going to be 29 this year...holy crap. For the first time in my life though I feel that I've actually accomplished a lot of the things I set out to do when I was in my late-teens. Although I was impatient and it all didn't play out like I would have liked to back then, I'm very happy with the things that I've done, the order I've done them in, and how everything has turned out. Every day I am thankful that myself and my family and friends are healthy and happy and although I sometimes may not act like it, I really appreciate every day that I have a roof over my head and food on my table. So many people out there are a lot less fortunate than myself.
The Holidays were great. Very low-key, nothing fancy. I had about a week and a half off of work and was able to visit with Alicia and the boys in their new home in Lancaster and see Tressa on Xmas eve for a few hours. We attended a housewarming party for our close friends and made sure that we spent at least one whole day on the Saturday after Xmas doing nothing but watching TV with the fireplace on. I need at least two of those days a year to be able to mentally survive.
2009 is going to be an interesting year. I'm not sure what's going to happen work-wise for Jeff or myself. I know I'll have a job, so that's good, but I'm not sure if Jeff's company is going to make it through another turbulent year. Maybe if the economy looks up a little he may survive.
Jeff's grandpa was diagnosed with cancer and we're not sure yet how long he may have. I could definitely go one year without a death in either of our families, but as you get older, I suppose that's just what happens.
We have a boatload of airline miles we want to use this year. We weren't going to travel abroad but when we have enough to fly roundtrip to either London, Amsterdam or Munich, it's hard to say no. I'm going to wait on our taxes and my bonus and then make a decision from there.
And of course, by the end of 2009 we'd like to get pregnant. I wasn't very patient in the beginning, but with things possibly changing with work situations, we're not going to stop trying, but I'm a lot more patient. At least I know that once we get pregnant, I have 9 months until the baby comes and that's great when it comes to career stuff.
I'm insanely determined on making a career and family work and I won't take no for an answer. I've always accomplished everything I set out to do and this is no different.
Photography is something else I want to work on more in 2009. I signed up for the National Geographic Seminar about Travel Photography on January 18th. Although costly and I'd rather go with a friend than by myself, I decided to sign up for it or I'd kick myself later. Especially since travel photography is my passion. I'd really like to work on shooting better portraits and candid's too. I want to get better at this so I can actually shoot some decent shots of our children when we have them.
The pic above is from the gardens at the Getty. We went over the holiday break and it was foggy and cold, but there was dew on almost all of the plants and flowers. You can see water dropping off of the green part of the rose.
Cheers to 2009 and my best goes out to any of you that are ready.
- M
I'm going to be 29 this year...holy crap. For the first time in my life though I feel that I've actually accomplished a lot of the things I set out to do when I was in my late-teens. Although I was impatient and it all didn't play out like I would have liked to back then, I'm very happy with the things that I've done, the order I've done them in, and how everything has turned out. Every day I am thankful that myself and my family and friends are healthy and happy and although I sometimes may not act like it, I really appreciate every day that I have a roof over my head and food on my table. So many people out there are a lot less fortunate than myself.
The Holidays were great. Very low-key, nothing fancy. I had about a week and a half off of work and was able to visit with Alicia and the boys in their new home in Lancaster and see Tressa on Xmas eve for a few hours. We attended a housewarming party for our close friends and made sure that we spent at least one whole day on the Saturday after Xmas doing nothing but watching TV with the fireplace on. I need at least two of those days a year to be able to mentally survive.
2009 is going to be an interesting year. I'm not sure what's going to happen work-wise for Jeff or myself. I know I'll have a job, so that's good, but I'm not sure if Jeff's company is going to make it through another turbulent year. Maybe if the economy looks up a little he may survive.
Jeff's grandpa was diagnosed with cancer and we're not sure yet how long he may have. I could definitely go one year without a death in either of our families, but as you get older, I suppose that's just what happens.
We have a boatload of airline miles we want to use this year. We weren't going to travel abroad but when we have enough to fly roundtrip to either London, Amsterdam or Munich, it's hard to say no. I'm going to wait on our taxes and my bonus and then make a decision from there.
And of course, by the end of 2009 we'd like to get pregnant. I wasn't very patient in the beginning, but with things possibly changing with work situations, we're not going to stop trying, but I'm a lot more patient. At least I know that once we get pregnant, I have 9 months until the baby comes and that's great when it comes to career stuff.
I'm insanely determined on making a career and family work and I won't take no for an answer. I've always accomplished everything I set out to do and this is no different.
Photography is something else I want to work on more in 2009. I signed up for the National Geographic Seminar about Travel Photography on January 18th. Although costly and I'd rather go with a friend than by myself, I decided to sign up for it or I'd kick myself later. Especially since travel photography is my passion. I'd really like to work on shooting better portraits and candid's too. I want to get better at this so I can actually shoot some decent shots of our children when we have them.
The pic above is from the gardens at the Getty. We went over the holiday break and it was foggy and cold, but there was dew on almost all of the plants and flowers. You can see water dropping off of the green part of the rose.
Cheers to 2009 and my best goes out to any of you that are ready.
- M
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
TAPS Event and a "me" Update
It's been a while, but December has been a busy month. Last week we went to the TAPS/Darkness Radio event at the Queen Mary. It was a 3-day paranormal event and we got to meet and ghost hunt with a lot of celebrity people in the paranormal "industry." The days were filled with seminars and the nights were packed with events. It was a blast and except for getting a piece of glass stuck in my hand (from the bed in our room after we checked in) and the insanely thin walls of the hotel rooms on the Queen Mary, we had a great time. Jay and Grant were the nicest guys!
Before the Queen Mary event we stopped at the Aquarium of the Pacific because I'd never been. Got some great shots, like this one of a lorikeet, and enjoyed seeing some of the animals. It's a great educational place for kids...maybe some day we can take ours there!
Work has been interesting. I've been busting my ass getting realignments done and so it's been quite busy. The most interesting thing is that I was approached by my old supervisor about possibly moving departments and being promoted into a supervisor position. Although a little scary at first, with some time to think about it and some conversations with him, I'm very excited. I still have to officially apply and interview for the position, but it looks promising at this point. Basically the job I have now won't really go anywhere in the years to come, and with all of the experience under my belt, the best career decision for me would be to take the new job. Albeit loads more responsibility, work, and hours, it's going to push my career into the right direction and it would mean more stability for our family in case Jeff loses his job. And you know me, I love challenges and I hate being bored, and supervising 14 people would be an awesome challenge. My former supervisor and I could really grow that department into something more and we could do it together. So anyways, this may be in the works for me Q1 of 2009!
Christmas...holy cow it came fast. No real plans. We're going to have my Aunt and Julie over on Christmas eve for dinner and then Christmas day we're going to be alone. We'll open gifts and probably go see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." It will be relaxing and nice. I have the 24th - 5th of January off, so I may work on projects around the house.
Well that's about it for now! Happy Holidays!
M
Before the Queen Mary event we stopped at the Aquarium of the Pacific because I'd never been. Got some great shots, like this one of a lorikeet, and enjoyed seeing some of the animals. It's a great educational place for kids...maybe some day we can take ours there!
Work has been interesting. I've been busting my ass getting realignments done and so it's been quite busy. The most interesting thing is that I was approached by my old supervisor about possibly moving departments and being promoted into a supervisor position. Although a little scary at first, with some time to think about it and some conversations with him, I'm very excited. I still have to officially apply and interview for the position, but it looks promising at this point. Basically the job I have now won't really go anywhere in the years to come, and with all of the experience under my belt, the best career decision for me would be to take the new job. Albeit loads more responsibility, work, and hours, it's going to push my career into the right direction and it would mean more stability for our family in case Jeff loses his job. And you know me, I love challenges and I hate being bored, and supervising 14 people would be an awesome challenge. My former supervisor and I could really grow that department into something more and we could do it together. So anyways, this may be in the works for me Q1 of 2009!
Christmas...holy cow it came fast. No real plans. We're going to have my Aunt and Julie over on Christmas eve for dinner and then Christmas day we're going to be alone. We'll open gifts and probably go see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." It will be relaxing and nice. I have the 24th - 5th of January off, so I may work on projects around the house.
Well that's about it for now! Happy Holidays!
M
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Not much here to report...
Took this pic at Jerrod's first bday party and I love it. It's a great expression and shows just what a happy and smiley baby he is! Babies are on my mind so much lately, seemed like a good pic to add to this post!
We started trying for our first baby this past weekend! I know it will take months, but since my cycle is still staying regular (for the time being I'm sure), thought it was worth a shot. Why not? Ordered some books on PCOS so I can educate myself more, especially about foods I should steer away from. I eat pretty healthy and I don't seem to digest anything that could add to PCOS symptoms, so that's good! I'm trying to stay positive even though it's hard with all of these things stacked against me!
We painted the rest of the downstairs of our house over the weekend. Put a pale yellow in the guest bathroom to complete my "little French bathroom," caramel in the hallway/entryway and my pumpkin brown color in the library. This weekend someone is coming to paint our tall walls going up the stairs and also our upstairs hallway. It's going to look so pretty for our little family get together on Thanksgiving! Cross your fingers that the next project we paint is a baby's room!
Tiring week...between painting all weekend and feeling sore and tired from that and then having lots of upper management in town for training, I've been out to a couple of late night dinners, and I just feel exhausted! I could sleep at least another 2 hours from when my alarm goes off every morning!
Megan L's in China so work has been non-entertaining this week. Realignments. Headcount. Q1 2009. Budgets. Blah blah blah. At least my boss is letting me work from home on Monday so the painter can come finish everything. The only day I have to come to the office next week is Tuesday. Score!
Busy weekend although I never set out for it to be that way! We have bowling with a big group of friends tomorrow night at 7:30. Saturday the painter is there all day and I have to clean for Turkey day. Saturday night is another dinner with some friends. Sunday I have at least 6 places I need to go to and run errands. I have to finish shopping for my parent's Xmas gifts and then wrap them so I can give it to them when they come for Thanksgiving. Ahh!
Well, not much else to report here. Busy week, yet nothing interesting enough to post here!
Ciao!
We started trying for our first baby this past weekend! I know it will take months, but since my cycle is still staying regular (for the time being I'm sure), thought it was worth a shot. Why not? Ordered some books on PCOS so I can educate myself more, especially about foods I should steer away from. I eat pretty healthy and I don't seem to digest anything that could add to PCOS symptoms, so that's good! I'm trying to stay positive even though it's hard with all of these things stacked against me!
We painted the rest of the downstairs of our house over the weekend. Put a pale yellow in the guest bathroom to complete my "little French bathroom," caramel in the hallway/entryway and my pumpkin brown color in the library. This weekend someone is coming to paint our tall walls going up the stairs and also our upstairs hallway. It's going to look so pretty for our little family get together on Thanksgiving! Cross your fingers that the next project we paint is a baby's room!
Tiring week...between painting all weekend and feeling sore and tired from that and then having lots of upper management in town for training, I've been out to a couple of late night dinners, and I just feel exhausted! I could sleep at least another 2 hours from when my alarm goes off every morning!
Megan L's in China so work has been non-entertaining this week. Realignments. Headcount. Q1 2009. Budgets. Blah blah blah. At least my boss is letting me work from home on Monday so the painter can come finish everything. The only day I have to come to the office next week is Tuesday. Score!
Busy weekend although I never set out for it to be that way! We have bowling with a big group of friends tomorrow night at 7:30. Saturday the painter is there all day and I have to clean for Turkey day. Saturday night is another dinner with some friends. Sunday I have at least 6 places I need to go to and run errands. I have to finish shopping for my parent's Xmas gifts and then wrap them so I can give it to them when they come for Thanksgiving. Ahh!
Well, not much else to report here. Busy week, yet nothing interesting enough to post here!
Ciao!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
PCOS
Had a doc appointment yesterday for a Pre-Conception exam and consultation. She gave us the okay to start trying except...she did a sonogram of my ovaries and little black spots showed up on them. She said it looks like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Which would actually make a lot of sense given my mom's problems with "a male hormone" (as diagnosed in 1979) and given my irregular periods, acne, weight problems, and all sorts of other issues I've had since I was 15 years old. She said she can't be positive I have it yet, to give it two months and see if I get a period and if I don't then they'll run blood work to see what it is. From there if it's PCOS they would send me to a fertility specialist to be put on clomid or another one of those medicines that helps treat people with PCOS/Infertility. The good thing is that I've lost a good amount of weight and I eat healthier now, which are two things that can really effect PCOS. The "disease" can be reversible with a good weight, diet, and exercise. Here's more info on PCOS: http://www.babycenter.com/0_polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos_7432.bc
The only thing about PCOS that is really scary is that 1 in 5 women with PCOS miscarry due to complications with PCOS. I've read about a lot of women on the message boards on babycenter.com who have had miscarriages with PCOS. It does seem like 1 in every 5 I read has that problem. That really scares me. It's like, if I wasn't already worried about that happening, now I'm really concerned because my chances are higher.
She also said there's a chance I could have no problems at all. But for some reason, given my history, I highly doubt that. I have a feeling if this is like everything else in my life, it's not going to be an easy road and it will be long, but we're ready to do it and work through it and we're going to stay positive.
Cheers,
M
The only thing about PCOS that is really scary is that 1 in 5 women with PCOS miscarry due to complications with PCOS. I've read about a lot of women on the message boards on babycenter.com who have had miscarriages with PCOS. It does seem like 1 in every 5 I read has that problem. That really scares me. It's like, if I wasn't already worried about that happening, now I'm really concerned because my chances are higher.
She also said there's a chance I could have no problems at all. But for some reason, given my history, I highly doubt that. I have a feeling if this is like everything else in my life, it's not going to be an easy road and it will be long, but we're ready to do it and work through it and we're going to stay positive.
Cheers,
M
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