Here We Go Again...

Looks like James is going to be a big brother!!!!!  Yes, that's right. We are boarding this crazy ride again and we couldn't be more thrilled.  What's even more awesome - we already know that we are having a BOY!! It's still hard to believe that at 13 weeks we have this information, but thanks to technology (and my "advanced" age), we can now pull the bins from the attic and fill the drawers in the nursery.

James is not quite aware of what is going on but he does point to Mommy's belly and says "baby" so that is a start.

Lucy is less than thrilled.

I'm due in late March so stay tuned to all the pregnancy updates!

What a Shoe Show

I knew there were many side effects of pregnancy. Morning sickness. Stretch marks. Mood swings. I had them all and I was happy to see them go away once James made his debut into the world. Well, there is another lovely side effect that plagues new Moms after they give birth - one that I was hoping to avoid. Bigger feet.

What is this? I know that swelling happens...believe me I know.

But I thought that after the baby is out the swelling goes down. Apparently not. I mean, don't get me wrong...my feet are back to a normal size, but not my pre-pregnancy normal size. My size 8 foot is now a half a size larger rendering my beautiful shoe collection useless. Boo.

During a nap this week, I took the opportunity to try on every single pairs of shoes in my arsenal. I'm happy to say that some made the cut - more than I thought.

Sadly though, some did not. In some cases, it was a good thing. I had been holding on to some kicks that needed to be kicked to the curb a long time ago. But for others, it was a sad day. I know that these lovelies will make someone else very happy since I decided to donate them rather them toss them in a landfill.

So what does this mean? Well, it means it is time to go shopping again. There is lots of space in my closet that needs to be filled with the latest and greatest shoe trends, so forgive me if this post is short, but I got to get my big feet to DSW right now!

Click, Click, Click, Flash

This past weekend, we did something very special with a very special person. The very special thing: Pregnancy Belly Photo Session. The very special person: Ms. Beth Belluzzo.

I've referenced Beth before here, but to recap, she is my very best girl friend that I met back at JMU freshman year. She is gorgeous both inside and out and is the best gal pal a girl can ask for. She is hilarious, successful and one of the best darn amateur photographers I know. When asked if she would take some photos of our family with the baby belly, she jumped at the opportunity which made me love her that much more. It takes a truly wonderful person to agree to give up several hours on a Sunday afternoon to take photos of a big fat belly. It takes an even more incredible person to drive from Arlington to Centreville to do it!

After assessing the best place for natural light in the house we got started and just had loads of fun. We took some in the bedroom...

...and then some in the baby's room.

We hit the lower deck...

... and the upper deck.

The living room made the shoot...

...and we even managed to grab some in the snow.

All in all, the photos came out great - we couldn't be happier. But the best part was spending time with such a great friend. Thank you so much Poochie Girl!!! We love you tons and truly appreciate your friendship. For a peek at the rest of the shoot, check it out here.

The Swelling

I hate how my feet have gone from this...

...to this.

I am lucky that it took 34 weeks to get this way, but I'm not so pleased to see that my legs are running straight into my feet with no ankles in sight. I know this is a typical side effect of my current state, but it is still hard to swallow. It's bad enough that I have so many stretch marks that I can create a map of the United States on my belly. But they are safely hidden behind my lovely maternity jeans. The heartburn I can live with thanks to Tums and the carpal tunnel is just a daily pest that I am dealing with. But my ankles...I just want my ankles back!

Gestational Diabetes Free in '03!

Okay, I know it is 2011, but '03 sounded better. :)

My OB just called and shared the news that I passed my 3-hour glucose screening test with flying colors. Hooray!!

I am very relieved that there is one less thing to worry about because I seem to be a worry wort about everything lately. I also got the news that even though I have a negative blood type, I apparently have not developed the Rh Negative anitbodies which is a good thing. I get to have another shot in 3 weeks to make sure they don't develop and that both myself and Baby Boy Mangiaracina stay healthy. I just love good news on a Thursday morning. :)

Cry Baby

So it's true what they say about pregnancy hormones. They make you a completely different person than you were when you didn't have a little one growing in your belly. I have to say, I've been pretty lucky so far with this first pregnancy. I didn't really suffer with morning sickness. I have not really swelled up other than my wrist (darn carpal tunnel!). My hair is as thick and lush as it has ever been.

But for some reason, when I turned the corner to week 25, things changed. My face started breaking out so much that I look like I am a middle schooler going through puberty. My lower back feels like a 700 lb elephant is sitting on it. And my eyes don't know how to stop the tears from flowing. I seem to have no control over my emotions...nor my tear ducts for that matter. Everything seems to make me cry. From the Rice Krispies commercial where the mom and kids are making the Rice Krispies treats to the napkin that fell on the floor that I now have to pick up, I am crying. And not just tearing. Full on balling complete with puffy eyes and a red, sniffly nose.

And it didn't help that I failed my glucose tolerance test last week. Yes...as I said here, we would deal with the outcome should it be this way. What I'm most upset about is that I now have to do a 3-hour version of the test which means drinking more of the sugary drink and sitting at LabCorp for 3 hours tomorrow morning. Blah!

This emotional, weepy person is not me. I'm the one that people weep to. I'm the rock. The listener. Not the crier so I'm having a hard time embracing this new side of me. Poor Ed has no idea what to do - but he did buy me beautiful flowers today which made me feel exponentially better. I still have a long way to go with this pregnancy so I'm hoping the emotions start to calm down a bit. But let me apologize in advance if we are out to lunch and I start weeping because the waiter forgot the bread basket.

Awww Sugar!

Today I had to take my glucose tolerance test which essentially tests whether or not I have contracted gestational diabetes during the pregnancy. I was a little nervous based on what some have told me, but it really wasn't that bad. I had to drink a really sugary, fruit-punch type drink, wait an hour and then have some blood drawn. No problemo.


While I sat in the LabCorp waiting room, I got to thinking about Diabetes and how this disease affects so many people out there. One of those people happens to be my husband so I know first hand what a diabetic person has to deal with. Ed was diagnosed just after we met ~ about 5 years ago. Initially, it was traumatic and I'd be lying if I said that we didn't experience low points now and again. But after lots of research, some great endocrinologists and the miracle of the insulin pump, Ed's sugar is under control and he is a healthy guy. And for when he's not, there is always the handy dandy emergency glucose shot!


Because of this, I know that if my test comes back positive, we will handle it. And if our little guy is diagnosed with it (which apparently is quite positive since Ed's Type 1 Diabetes is genetic), then we will also handle it. The miracle of science has allowed Type 1 Diabetics to live normal lives and I hope that with more research and medical advancements, a cure will one day be found.

When we got married, we decided that instead of giving out party favors, we make a donation to the American Diabetes Association.


I encourage all of you, during this holiday season, to donate a few of those holiday gift dollars to your favorite charity whether it be the ADA, Autism Speaks, Susan G. Komen, or the ASPCA. You never know how it could positively effect a family out there.

Phew!

Now that the big news has been revealed, it will be a lot easier sharing all things Mangiaracina via the blog. You have no idea how hard it is to talk about everything when there is really only 1 thing that you want to say!

Since we found out about the little peanut back in June, we have been a mix of emotions. Of course elated is the overwhelming emotion, but a little nervousness has creeped in along with some stress. According to the multiple books I've been devouring, the first weeks of pregnancy are the most critical. Not only is the body adjusting to what is going on, but it is the time when most of the baby's vital organs are being developed. The chance of miscarriage is high so every day I would put my hand on my belly and say "Stay warm baby and be sure to grow big and strong. Mommy and Daddy love you." For whatever reason, it made me feel better.

Now that we have entered the 2nd trimester and have some proof that the little bugger is alive and well (thank you heart rate monitor and sonogram), the stress had gone down a bit, but I'm still making sure to follow all pregnancy "rules". I haven't had a sip of alcohol since peeing on the stick nor have I indulged in a most delicious Potbelly Wreck sandwich. My hair needs a color job BAD and there is not a single can of tuna in our pantry. I have received some amazing advice from some Mommy friends and between them, our fabulous OBGYN team and the plethora of books, I think we are going to make it through this pregnancy with flying colors. :)

And speaking of colors, do you know how stressful it is picking out paint color for a nursery when you and your spouse have differing ideas? Makes morning sickness feel like a piece of cake...but more on that later. ;)