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. :)

An Early Christmas Treat

So as you all know, I have had a gloomy few days dealing with the emotions of pregnancy. Well, it was Suzy Q. to the rescue and boy did she deliver. :) After seeing this AWESOME Jib Jab video that she put together, I couldn't stop smiling so I had to share it with everyone.

I especially love Ed's dance moves in the video and I have to say that I have always wanted to play the standing bass. Mom and Dad Q. entertained but I think Elf Suzy was the star of the show!

Thanks Sue Q. for making me smile. This one is a keeper.

P.S. We are very fun girls. :)

Sunshine Day

Do you remember this from way back in the day?

Gotta love the moves! I think my favorite part is at the end when the Brady kids take a bow, yet they are still singing in the background. :)

Well, it is a rainy day here in the DC area, but I'm having a sunshine day because this was delivered:


What is it you ask? Well, it is something for the baby's room and it is something that is going to become my best friend once the baby is born. Stay tuned for the big reveal!

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.

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. :)

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. :)

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.