10 on Tuesday

1. What do you do for a living?
I'm a special education teacher.

2. What’s your favorite thing about your job?
I make a difference in children's lives. Oh, and the 5 minute commute isn't too bad either.

3. What’s your least favorite thing about your job?
My least favorite thing is that I have to have a job. I’d much rather just be a mommy. 

4. If you weren’t a ____________, what would you be?
If I had no debt? I’d be a stay at home mom. I'd think about nursing, or maybe a guidance counselor/social worker.

5. What is something that you would love to get paid for that you think no one would ever pay you for?
Oh definitely being a stay at home mom! 

6. If you could have any job for exactly one day, what would it be?
This is a tough one. I'd want it to be fun, and something I wouldn't usually do, like...hmmm...

7. If you had to do manual labor, what would you do?
I would want to work for Habitat for Humanity, or something to benefit others.

8. What is something you were forced to learn in high school that was supposed to be super important, but you never actually use?
Just about everything sadly, but definitely the sciences and histories. 

9. Who was your favorite boss?  Why?
Probably my current supervisor because she's so awesome. She's many things, but most importantly, she is understanding. 

10. Where would you rather work: Dunder Mifflin Paper Company (The Office), Wernham Hogg Paper Company (The Office, UK), or Initech (Office Space)?
Well, since I don't watch any of these shows I have no idea, but working in an office would be something I've never done before.

Trip to Labor & Delivery-8.14.11

Let me start this out by saying that everything is a-o-k with baby and I. I didn't call everyone we know to inform them of this trip because I didn't want anyone to worry since all is well. Trust me, had there been something to worry about or if I was in labor I'd be shouting from the rooftops and asking for lots of prayers. 


I was up quite a few times last night due to bathroom trips and crazy storms we were having and noticed that the baby wasn't moving a whole lot like usual, but just a kick here or there. When I woke up I had some OJ and took my iron pill. About an hour or so later I noticed I still hadn't felt much movement and started to worry. Usually this baby is a mover and a shaker, especially after sugary stuff like OJ. About an hour later I still hadn't felt much, if anything, and was starting to panic. I called the doc and she said to eat and lay down and if there wasn't any movement to go to L&D for a NST. Well, I was panicking and all I wanted was to shower (this usually makes her move) and go in just in case. So I showered and thought maybe I felt one kick, but maybe it was just my hopes. I had a quick bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios and Sean called his mom and she came over with Cait and sat with Aidan while we took what felt like the longest ride of our lives to get to the hospital. All I could think was the worst, which wasn't doing any good. So I prayed, and prayed hard. 

I felt one kick when we riding there, and then one more when I was waiting to get hooked up...relief, but still worried something might not be right. As soon as the monitor hit my belly and I heard her heartbeat I felt the biggest relief. Not long after that she started wiggling...I guess she didn't like the tight bands around my belly. I was SOOO relieved that she was okay. She still hasn't been moving as crazy and wild as usual, but she has been moving so that's what matters. But to go from my whole belly literally shaking when she moves for an hour at a time to nothing/barely noticeable, was quite scary. The nurse said it was good I came in to make sure everything was okay and not to feel bad about it, sometimes babies just have lazy days and this must be one of them.  

I was incredibly worried and scared before we went. I felt horrible for Aidan having seen me cry, and when I got back he even asked if his sister hurt me. What a caring little guy we've got. I also felt bad for making Sean worry, and then having to make his mom and sister worry too. But what mattered most in the end was that everything was fine and the baby was healthy. Oh, and having everyone's support was pretty good too. 

My thoughts on life right now:
Relief. Thankful. Blessed. 
Nothing can be taken for granted.
Prayer is powerful. 

38 weeks

Pregnancy: 37 weeks, 6 days {yeah, I wrote this a day early since I was in the mood to blog but the baby's room isn't ready yet so I have to hold off on that post}

Weight Gain: 25 pounds. I didn't gain a pound since last week! I'm feeling fairly good about losing the baby weight and then I'd LOVE to drop another 20 pounds after that...25 would be icing on the cake. I turn 30 in April and would love to be in much better shape...ahhh, I hope. Anyone care to be that nudge to make sure I do it?  

Sleep: I need more of it.   

Gender: It's a girl!

Name: She's got a name. :)

Feeling: Tired, but going to the USA vs. Mexico soccer game at 9pm last night probably wasn't such a great idea. Especially since I feel like my pelvis is separating I can't walk today. I wrote out a to-do list and almost cried at all the things that should get done but I can't do anything today but sit and take care of Aidan's needs. Oh, and the fact that the weather is beyond gorgeous (80 degrees with low humidity and a nice breeze) kind of nauseates me since I really wanted one last trip to the zoo with Aidan before I have the baby...guess not. See ya in the Fall Philly Zoo!  

Health: I'm really, really thankful that everything is going so well this time around, minus a few minor issues in the beginning (nausea, spotting, low thyroid levels). My August 10th appointment went well. My blood pressure continues to stay in the normal range; it was 122/76. Weight stayed the same as the week before, and is nothing like when I was pregnant with Aidan. And her heartbeat was a fabulously strong 159bpm. Since I was contracting a little more frequently Tuesday night I figured I'd give in and get checked. What a waste, haha. I am a whopping fingertip dilated, 50% effaced, and high still. Good news is that she is still head down.  

Movement: She's such a wiggler! The other day was so neat though because I could actually see her taking practice breaths. I didn't know this was possible until I read about it...and never thought I would see it. I guess because she was pushed so hard against the side of my belly it was easier to see. I'm going to miss all those movements! 

Belly: Getting bigger by the day and quite squished! 

Next Appointment: August 18th

psssst...crazy to think that if she stays comfy in there until my scheduled c-section I'll only be carrying her for two more weeks.

10 on Tuesday

1. Mac or Windows? (Or Linux for you super geeks!)
Mac

2. What drew you to that operating system?
The options, especially for pictures...that I still don't know how to use almost a year later! 

3. Mice – Wireless or Wired? Mouse pad or none?
Touchpad, no mouse

4. Other than the Internet – What do you use your computer most for?
Picture storage

5. What’s one computer-related thing you wish you were best at? (CSS, Photoshop, Excel, etc.)
Photoshop or iPhoto, whatever is compatible with this MacBook Pro, and something to make my blog cooler.

6. Describe the first time you ever used a computer.
I was in 4th or 5th grade and we used it for word processing. The computer had a black screen and green type. The printer paper had the holes on each side so that it went through the printer smoothly. Then you had to peel off those edges once it was done printing. LOL. Those were the days. 

7. How often do you upgrade to a new operating system?
I do it as needed or when something breaks. 

8. Are you a short-cutter (CTRL+C) or a right-clicker?
A cross my fingers and hope this works kinda gal! (short cuts: another thing I still need to learn on this Mac)

9. Is computer-use a constant thing in your life (such as using it both at work and home) or do you get a break (because you don’t use them at work)?
All the time. We're connected at the lap. 

10. Where do you think the world would be if personal computers did not exist?
We'd be much more social and less stuck in our own worlds. My three year old might not be as patient without an iPhone to keep him occupied while waiting for me to finish shopping or a table at a restaurant. And we'd have a lot more clutter around...cookbooks, files, paperwork, newspapers, etc. 

37 weeks...full term!

Pregnancy: 37 weeks

Weight Gain: 25 pounds. Ugh, the weight gain is catching up to me. I'm trying to blame it on baby and fluids, but The Cheesecake Factory anniversary dinner last night probably didn't help much. Although I guess I should be thankful, since at this point with Aidan I was probably up 60 pounds! 

Sleep: Not so good. I'm developing a love-hate relationship with the bathroom.   

Gender: It's a girl!

Name: She's got a name. :)

Feeling: Blessed and thankful that 37 weeks is here. I feel like I can't breathe and my legs and back ache. I also have this awful tearing feeling at the top of my belly almost at the bottom of my ribcage. The doctor's say she's probably stretching some nerves that are there, but recently I've had back pain accompanying it which made them say it could possibly be my gallbladder or my stomach being squished. I'll be thankful when that pain stops! Oh, and I've been having some real contractions, however I turned down the option of getting checked for progress on Wednesday. Why? Because I was 1.5cm for a couple of weeks before I got induced and never made it past 3 so that whole getting checked thing means nothing to me.  

Health: Still doing great. At my appointment on August 3rd I gained a couple of pounds, but nothing my doctor was concerned about and my blood pressure was 120/78. Her heart rate was 148bpm and she was wiggling around so much the doc had a hard time getting a good read at first. I keep trying to get another ultrasound but since everything is going so well they won't do it. She's head down right now and "feels like she'll be less than 9 pounds". Gee, thanks. My concern is her head size if I go for the VBAC. If she's anything like Aidan then sign me up for that repeat c-section right away (it's scheduled for the 25th, the day before d-day just in case). 

Movement: She's a wild one in there! The last couple of days she has been so active during the afternoon and evening. Wednesday she was wiggling for over an hour and it was so obvious Sean could see her from the other room.   

Belly: Getting bigger by the day and quite squished! 

Next Appointment: August 10th

August 4th

Wow...5 years. 5 amazing years.

Five years ago I married my best friend, soul mate, and father of my children. Can I say things have gone exactly as I thought? No way. They are better. I never thought I could love someone as much as I love Sean. And that love continues to grow with each milestone in our relationship...buying a house, getting married, getting pregnant, having one awesome little guy, miscarriage, getting pregnant again, anxiously preparing and counting down the days until another blessed baby comes our way, and making memories--lots of memories along the way.

Of course we have our ups and downs in life like any other couple, but we support each other through it all. I can only hope that Sean considers me his rock as he is mine. Honestly, he helps me through any situations like no one could. I just can't expect him to make a decision--even about what to have for dinner. haha. Seriously though, he has proven more than once that should there be a difficult time we can get through anything together.

Possibly the best part of marrying this amazing, supportive, caring, loving {I could go on and on} person is that he made me a mommy. I have a wonderful little boy who continues to amaze me day after day and by the end of this month will have a little girl who will melt our hearts and help us to love each other even more.

I can only hope that most are as lucky as we are to find a love that we have to share.

My thoughts on life right now:
Happy Anniversary Sean, I love you. 
Thank you for everything.

10 on Tuesday

1. Do you do laundry all at the same time or a load here and there?
Well I do ours separate from Aidan's, but it's all or nothing of either when I do it. I'm trying to get better at doing it more frequently too so it isn't so overwhelming.

2. What kind of detergent do you use?
Arm & Hammer Free/For Sensitive Skin

3. Do you use fabric softener?
Yes, Downy Simple Pleasures Lavendar...ahhhh. I only use it on our laundry though. 

4. Do you use dryer sheets?
Yes, Bounce, for Aidan's stuff or when we are out/forget to use the Downy ball.

5. Do you iron your own clothes or take them to a cleaner to get pressed?
Iron? What's that? 

6. Do you like heavy starch or light starch?
No starch.

7. Do you wash all your laundry at once or separate it?
I usually separate it unless there is only a little bit to do. Everything but sheets are washed in cold water anyway.

8. How do you separate it? By people or by colors?
By people first-our's and Aidan's. Then by color-lights and darks.

9. What clothes get hung up and what goes in drawers?
Just about everything goes in drawers during the summer for Sean and I, but all of Aidan's shorts get hung up.

10. Do you use plastic, wire, or wooden hangers? Do they all match?
Haha, I just Facebook'd about this a week ago. All of my hangers are white, and preferably of the same style, especially in the kid's rooms. Sean's colorful hangers make me nuts!