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.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Blast from the Past
Last night I remembered another reason why I am so happy to be living in Northen VA once again. We were at Home Depot (aka: our new home) chatting it up with next door neighbor Joe (Assistant Manager there and all around great guy) when a familiar face emerged from Aisle 5. It took a second for the connection to be made, but it was in fact Mr. David Lim! David and I went to high school together and I literally have not seen him since graduation day (He is the one with his eyes closed in picture below).
David was always a buddy, but it wasn't until Senior year that we really got to know each other. We were band geeks together and served on Student Government as well (him more than me). I told him that I always remembered him giving speeches - specifically the one where he announced that the 1996 W.T. Woodson Senior Class gift to the school was a spirit rock. Weird how random things stick in your mind!
After lots of catching up, we realized that we live literally less than a mile away from each other. Can you say WOO HOO! Now we have another friend to add to the "Let's Get Together For Dinner Tonight" list and don't have to drive 100 miles to see them!! :)
Which reminds me that just last week whole outlet shopping with Mama Q. I ran into Jill Follin - another high school bud. I tell ya, Northern VA is a big place, but sometimes feels like a small town. I know the miracle of Facebook keeps us all connected, but there really is something special about running into a friendly face from the past in a "local" hardware store. It kinda makes you smile. :)
David was always a buddy, but it wasn't until Senior year that we really got to know each other. We were band geeks together and served on Student Government as well (him more than me). I told him that I always remembered him giving speeches - specifically the one where he announced that the 1996 W.T. Woodson Senior Class gift to the school was a spirit rock. Weird how random things stick in your mind!
After lots of catching up, we realized that we live literally less than a mile away from each other. Can you say WOO HOO! Now we have another friend to add to the "Let's Get Together For Dinner Tonight" list and don't have to drive 100 miles to see them!! :)
Which reminds me that just last week whole outlet shopping with Mama Q. I ran into Jill Follin - another high school bud. I tell ya, Northern VA is a big place, but sometimes feels like a small town. I know the miracle of Facebook keeps us all connected, but there really is something special about running into a friendly face from the past in a "local" hardware store. It kinda makes you smile. :)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Blinded by the Light...Not Anymore!
Yes - it is official. No more Peeping Toms. No more nosey old bitties. No more flashing the neighbors! We officially have window coverings! The four large boxes that inhabited our living room for over 2 weeks have been busted open by our trusty Home Depot friend Antonio and the blinds are now in their rightful home - on the windows!
I'm so glad that we threw some money at this project and didn't attempt to do the install on our own. Antonio made it look SO easy and was done in a flash. If Ed and I had to attempted it, we probably would be posting about filing for divorce.
We are overwhelmingly pleased with the finished product in each room.
As you can see, Lucy has already claimed her territory. She is going to love it even more once the bench is painted and there is a beautifully, comfy cushion under her tush. :)
I'm so glad that we threw some money at this project and didn't attempt to do the install on our own. Antonio made it look SO easy and was done in a flash. If Ed and I had to attempted it, we probably would be posting about filing for divorce.
We are overwhelmingly pleased with the finished product in each room.
As you can see, Lucy has already claimed her territory. She is going to love it even more once the bench is painted and there is a beautifully, comfy cushion under her tush. :)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Happy Belated Thanksgiving!
I know we are a little late, but we wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We hope you all enjoyed your day!
We spent ours at the Quartuccio house where there were a few more Q's on hand than normal. Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jimmy Quartuccio made their way down to VA from NY to spend the holiday with us. It had been over a year since we saw them last so it was really great spending time and catching up. Father Don was also on hand to bless the table (and share in some laughs). And of course the eats were amazing. Seriously, to a pregnant woman who lately has been shoveling food in at every moment, a Thanksgiving table is like a little piece of heaven.
Lucy even enjoyed herself - so much so that she put herself into a turkey related coma. :)
Lucy even enjoyed herself - so much so that she put herself into a turkey related coma. :)
We have so many things to be thankful for this year - too many to list but most important we are thankful for our family and friends and for all the support you have given us. We love you all!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Now - get back to that shopping. :)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
My Hero
The definition of hero is different depending on who you talk to. For some, a hero is a man in tights who flies around Metropolis and saves small children from high rise windows. For others ~ say Lucy ~ it is someone who rescues her favorite floppy disk from under the stove. For me, it is my hubby.
As you know, we have been working on some small house projects before this little bun in the oven makes his big debut in March. And when I say "we" I really mean Ed because, let's be honest, he's been doing all the manual labor. Sure, running back and forth to the tool box to grab the flat head screwdriver counts for something, but Ed has been busting his butt to get things finished around here. He even took 4 days of vacation to get the Master Bathroom in order so that we didn't have to live out of shoe boxes anymore.
I was in NY for work when a bulk of the work was done in the bathroom so I don't have a ton of "progress" photos. But really, what do they matter when you have an after that looks like this:
We are loving the lighter color (Burnished Clay by Behr) and the contrast that the green curtain and towels make. It really opens up the small room as does the new light fixture. The best part is that there are no more water stains on the wall. It's amazing how a new coat of paint (or 3 coats of paint) makes walls look like new!
The last thing to do in here is to hang a glass shelf over the toilet, but Ed has reached his max for the week so we are putting that on hold until next week. Fine by me. Seriously, he has been busting his butt - on his vacation no less! He drives himself crazy to make sure that everything is perfect and even though I think he is a little nuts, I love him for it. :) For this (and many other things) he is my hero.
Love you Bubby!! xoxoxo
As you know, we have been working on some small house projects before this little bun in the oven makes his big debut in March. And when I say "we" I really mean Ed because, let's be honest, he's been doing all the manual labor. Sure, running back and forth to the tool box to grab the flat head screwdriver counts for something, but Ed has been busting his butt to get things finished around here. He even took 4 days of vacation to get the Master Bathroom in order so that we didn't have to live out of shoe boxes anymore.
I was in NY for work when a bulk of the work was done in the bathroom so I don't have a ton of "progress" photos. But really, what do they matter when you have an after that looks like this:
We are loving the lighter color (Burnished Clay by Behr) and the contrast that the green curtain and towels make. It really opens up the small room as does the new light fixture. The best part is that there are no more water stains on the wall. It's amazing how a new coat of paint (or 3 coats of paint) makes walls look like new!
The last thing to do in here is to hang a glass shelf over the toilet, but Ed has reached his max for the week so we are putting that on hold until next week. Fine by me. Seriously, he has been busting his butt - on his vacation no less! He drives himself crazy to make sure that everything is perfect and even though I think he is a little nuts, I love him for it. :) For this (and many other things) he is my hero.
Love you Bubby!! xoxoxo
Monday, November 21, 2011
So Many Choices, So Little Time
Things in the nursery are coming along nicely, but I have hit a wall regarding some of the textiles for the room. I am not a big fan of the "bedding in a bag" options that are available at our local Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us stores, so I have decided to take another route. The bedding for the crib is going to be very simple - more color focused vs. theme focused. Besides, from everything I have read, it seems that infants really can't use the crib bumper and quilt that come in the bag so I decided rather than waste the money, we'd invest in some good sheets and some fabric for the curtains and crib skirt.
Since the room is primarily blue and white I thought, why not bring in a pop of color to make the room bright, cheerful and fun. What color you ask??
Yes ~ YELLOW! I love the contrast that this bright yellow makes against the blue walls and white trim in the room. And I have to admit, it's not quite 100% my idea. I was actually inspired by this nursery which uses yellow as an accent color:
True - the wall color in this particular nursery is more grey than blue, but I think my yellow concept will work just as well. So now I have to choose a fabric for both the window valence and the crib skirt. I thought it would be easy until I visited the fabric website. I had a Project Runway/Mood moment as I scoured the pages and pages of options. But alas, I was able to narrow the playing field a bit. Here are a few of my favorites:
I'm digging the elephants or the giraffes for the valence and one of the patterns for the crib skirt, but I'm having such a hard time choosing! I received swatches of all options in the mail today so you KNOW that I will be hanging them in the room to get a feel for them.
A local seamstress will be helping me make both items since my sewing skills do not go past sewing buttons on shirts using thread and needles courtesy of the hotels I have visited. So I ask, any favorites from the above options?? I am definitely leaning in a particular direction...but I can't tell you which. That would just ruin the surprise! :)
Since the room is primarily blue and white I thought, why not bring in a pop of color to make the room bright, cheerful and fun. What color you ask??
Yes ~ YELLOW! I love the contrast that this bright yellow makes against the blue walls and white trim in the room. And I have to admit, it's not quite 100% my idea. I was actually inspired by this nursery which uses yellow as an accent color:
True - the wall color in this particular nursery is more grey than blue, but I think my yellow concept will work just as well. So now I have to choose a fabric for both the window valence and the crib skirt. I thought it would be easy until I visited the fabric website. I had a Project Runway/Mood moment as I scoured the pages and pages of options. But alas, I was able to narrow the playing field a bit. Here are a few of my favorites:
I'm digging the elephants or the giraffes for the valence and one of the patterns for the crib skirt, but I'm having such a hard time choosing! I received swatches of all options in the mail today so you KNOW that I will be hanging them in the room to get a feel for them.
A local seamstress will be helping me make both items since my sewing skills do not go past sewing buttons on shirts using thread and needles courtesy of the hotels I have visited. So I ask, any favorites from the above options?? I am definitely leaning in a particular direction...but I can't tell you which. That would just ruin the surprise! :)
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