Week 8

Last week was my final week of work before moving back to Florida. I was sad to say goodbye to everyone but was too happy to be seeing my mom and fiance at the end of the week. Of course the week my mom was flying in Syracuse had their first major snow storm.

Nice snow shelf building on my car

 

Royce was enjoying the flurries

 

 

The shoveled walkway up to my house

 

Snow angels with Mom

 

Enjoying our time in the snow

 

2 Month Mark!

My funnniest pregnancy moment so far: I've had terrible baby brain. My memory is good for nothing.

Foods I can't get enough of: Buttered noodles

Strangest food I've been craving: I haven't had cravings I've been so sick

Foods I can't stand: hotdogs

Smells that make me sick: The mix of food smells in the fridge

Highlight of my first trimester: Seeing my baby's heartbeat

Low points of my first trimester: Being so sick and nauseous

The Bump.com says:

You can't feel it yet, but she's moving those arms and legs like crazy!

Her fingers and toes are now only slightly webbed, and her tail (yes, she had one) is gone.

Fun fact: your baby's taste buds are now forming.

Week 7

The never ending nauea parade is still marching through my stomach. I haven't been able to eating anything but buttered noodles and cereal. I bought prenatal gummy vitamins because the thought of swallowing a pill causes my horn section to start tuning up.

I had my first REAL OB appointment this week. They did a bunch of tests and asked a ton of questions. I didn't particularly enjoy myself... The doctor was rushed and a little cold. I felt like I was at one of those 10 Minute Oil Changes. I did get to see baby-saurus again! The ultrasound picture wasn't as good as the one but I would take any chance to see my baby's heartbeat.

I've already started noticing my stomach starting to stick out a little further than before... Just a hint of baby in there...

I'm BEYOND exciting because my mother is coming next week for Christmas and then Keagan comes a few days after that to help bring me back to Florida!

The Bump.com says:

She's generating about one hundred new brain cells each minute!

Not only is her brain becoming more complex, but her heart is too.

Also important: She's developing a permanent set of kidneys

Her arm and leg joints are now forming.

Never a dull moment

After a weekend of nausea, vomitting, and napping I headed in to work on Monday to tell my job the new exciting news and to let them know that I was planning on moving back to Florida. About 2 hours into my day I get a phone call from the doctor's office letting me know that my blood test results were in and that my hormone levels were very high. The nurse explained the high level of hormones were probably the reason I'd been so sick. She also explained that I would have to go back in for ANOTHER ultrasound. High hormone levels can mean several things: multiple babies, ectopic pregnancy, or signs of a miscarriage... I was praying that the high hormone levels were just a fluke...

On Tuesday, I woke up early and headed to the specialist ultrasound office. I love being able to see my little nugget twice in less then a week. I also got to see its heart beat on the monitor.

The specialist told me that everything looks great and that there's only ONE baby in there... PHEW!!I had another round of blood testing and my hormone levels came back normal.

From the bottom photo we thought it looked like a dinosaur. Thus the nickname baby-saurus was born.

A Little Scare

We had a little scare today. While I was at work today I noticed some spotting. I immediately called my OB/GYN and let them know what was going on. They told me to come in immediately and make sure everything was alright.


When I got to the office they took me into the back and got me set up on an ultrasound machine. After a few moments of searching and held breath I got to see the first glimpse of our baby...

 

 

That little speck at the bottom of that black oval is our baby! Holding on tight!! I also discovered that we were 5 weeks pregnant.

 

After the ultrasound, the doctor sent me over to have my blood drawn to make sure everything was really alright.

 

It was so exciting to see there was actually something inside me! I can't believe something so small can be making be making me so sick! I haven't been able to eat anything. I'm sticking to buttered noodles and white cheddar popcorn.



Quite the Surprise!

Last week was Thanksgiving and, unfortunately, due to snowy upstate New York weather and a lack of funds I was unable to visit any of my family members. Royce and I spent the day watching the parade on TV, romping in the snow, and eating turkey sandwiches. Looking around at my family-empty apartment it was then I realized "I need to go home (Florida)". I called my mom tears streaming down my face and told her that I needed to move home and the sooner the better. She agreed and we decided that I would move home at the beginning of 2013.

As soon as we hung up the phone I felt sick to my stomach. I had exactly a month to pack up my life in Syracuse, NY and schlep all of my stuff back to the Sunshine State. I called my fiance, Keagan, and told him what my new plan was and he agreed to come up the weekend before New Years and help me move home.

For the next several days the sick feeling in my stomach never eased up. I was certain the limited time span I'd given myself to pack and move was stressing me out and causing me to have a bout of IBS. After work on Monday, December 3rd, I headed to the corner Rite Aid and purchased Zantac 75 for my new stomach issues. On my way to the register something else registered and I grabbed a home pregnancy test.

Well, surprise, surprise... Looks like I won't be needing that Zantac 75 after all...

Shake it

Two Wednesdays a month I help teach Special Needs Belly Dancing. I am in no way, shape, or form certified to teach belly dancing. My mind tells my hips to roll one way and my chest to roll another and it comes out resembling a slight seizure. I love that the athletes that participate don't care how crazy their dance moves look. They put their all in to every move. They love that the scarf around their hips make jingling noises. They like feeling like they're part of a group. So, I will shake it until the cows come home if it makes them happy...

 The group getting into their drum solo lines...

My Sweet Jingly Belt... The belt I had 2 weeks ago didn't jingle and I was so bummed!!!

Wedding Crafts



Our wedding is 5 months away and all of the crafting I've put off for a year is starting to rear its ugly head. Unfortunately, my mom wasn't around for entertainment today so I had to do actual crafting.




Several months ago Mom, The Bearded Wonder (TBW), and I went to check out the Hobby Lobby.  If you don't have Hobby Lobby, it's like a Michael's or Joann's on crack... If you don't have a Michael's or a Joann's-- You're Amish-- it's the only explanation. We bought the little fishbowls for $.99 a piece and with a 50% off coupon we practically made money. I'm not having a runner to delineate where the aisle is. So I thought purchasing 20 fishbowls and putting votive in them would be a cute idea to make an "aisle".

After purchasing these little guys I left them in a bag and shoved them in the closet of the back bedroom of our house. I pulled them out a couple weeks ago and HATED them. I immediately ran to Pinterest to see if I could remedy the situation. Here's what I came up with....

Ugly fishbowls, a strip of lace, and white spray paint

 Close up

I wrapped the lace around the fishbowl

(Note the rubber glove... Unless you want white fingers...Invest)

 No judgements on the no make-up and pony-tail.

Check out my sweet "Fight Like a Girl" breast cancer awareness shirt!!

They didn't turn out too shabby!

Royce was being obnoxious helpful...

It was smart of me to get 20 fishbowls because 1 or 2 had to be put in the trash because the lace smudged.

Did you ever purchase something and then hate it when you went back to look at? Have a annoying  helper like Royce?

Yatzee!

Have you ever searched, and searched, and searched for the perfect outfit? With Memorial day fast approaching my mother decided she needed a new bathing suit. We had so much fun trying on tankinis, one pieces and everything in between. It brought my boring Monday from a 3 to a 7. Two and a half hours later we walked out of the mall successful. My mom wouldn't let me take any pictures of her in the different suits so I had to settle for this one.

Mom with her swag... Sorry it's blurry. We were trying to avoid being hit by a car.

As I stated above, my day was turning into a boring 3... My lunch was the most exciting part!

BBQ?...Yes, Please!

Summer Sundays seem to be synonymous with BBQs. Thank goodness my Uncle took note and decided to have everyone over to his house for a seafood BBQ bonanza. There were shrimp skewers, crab cakes, 2 GIANT grilled salmon fillets, scalloped potatoes, and pulled pork sandwiches.

I was too busy stuffing my face to take actual pictures of the food... So, I took these at the last minute remembering I need photos for today...

Trying to put my toes in the water... Yeah, I'm that lazy

Mom, enjoying the sun

G-Unit looking very serious...Maybe she's plotting her next move for Crazy Marbles

When I got home the pup and I cuddled... Don't tell The Bearded Wonder that Royce was on the bed!



Also! Did "What a Day" get a shout out via Instagram???? I'd like to think so but it was probably just a coincidence. One of my favorite bands, Parachute, posted this picture on their Instagram today... Let me know what you think...

What's your favorite BBQ food? Have you ever been in a food coma? Let me know!

Showers

*** WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES***

My bridal shower was today!! It was a magical leopard print extravaganza. Every one brought a dish to share and brought the recipe so that I would have a TON of new ideas for my cooking repetoire. We also played a fantastic game of Pin the Beard on The Bearded Wonder, which was a major success...

Step-grandmother, Betty, and Stepmom, Dawn 

 Alexis

 My little sister, Jayda.

 My Mom

 Jessika

TO BEs: Sister-in-law, Chelsea, and Mother-in-law, Denise

Jessi

His sister won!!

Later that night my Maid of Honor and I decided to check an experience off of our bucketlist: Day Glo... For those of you who don't know what Day Glo is, allow me to explain. A bunch of people get together, wear white, and splash paint all over each other.

Once I got over the fact that I was covered in paint I actually enjoyed myself!!

Day Glo Warrior

Bucket List....Check!

Covered!!

After a very successful night of being coveredin paint we went home to take a much needed shower... It was quite the day for Showers...

Have you ever been to a Day Glo party? Have you ever crossed anything off of your bucket list? Tell me about it in the comments below

When you Give a Dog a Salt and Vinegar Chip

He will beg and beg for more... or is that when you give a mouse a cookie? This Friday was one of those days where nothing but junk food sounded good... The more junk food the better! I am beyond excited to have my bridal shower tomorrow (Have I mentioned it's leopard print themed?!). I don't know if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. I'm filled with such anticipation. I've also kidnapped my sister for the night so we can do girl things. I'll spare you the details! TGIF EVERYONE!!!



Have you every had one of these days? Ever fed your dog a treat that you were sure he would had but ended up scarfing down like it was his last meal? Leave a comment :)

My health lunch... Hey, it's got strawberries!!!

 When I looked up from my spoon this was my view

 When I got home Royce and I shared a snack....

... and then he got greedy 

Splash Zone

As I've told you in my profile I am a major klutz. I've always been a klutz and when I was a kid I prayed I would grow out of it but, alas, I have yet to. Dropping, breaking, and spilling are my specialties. If a meteor struck the earth or I was bitten by a radio-active spider maybe I could use my powers of clumsiness for the greater good of mankind!! Ok, let me slow my roll...


Until the day that I actually receive my super powers and cape (doesn't everyone want a superhero cape?) my friends refuse to sit around me. They call it sitting in the "Splash Zone". Well, today, I've turned the powers against myself....

That, my friends, is RASPBERRY yogurt on my WHITE shirt.

After the spill I scrubbed, rinsed, and scrubbed again in the office breakroom sink until 3/4 of my shirt were wet. T.G.I.Th!! Thank goodness something "eventful" happened today or I would have had to have taken a picture of myself laying in bed, watching TV and fighting with the dog.

Trip to Mecca

Rain, rain, go away... Such a rainy, overcast day in the Sunshine State. After work, my mom and I went Target (aka Mecca) to fix my Bridal Registry. 18 additional items and 2 hours later we walked out with a sweet little stash.

So Gloomy!

Mecca

Found this DVD full of childhood memories for $5 

Shop 'til You Drop

More like "Shop 'til your Mom says, 'Only one dress'". My bridal shower is this weekend and my super helpful Maid of Honor (MOH), Allie, is hosting it. The theme is Leopard Print and Lace... SO EXCITED. Last night we went to H&M in our local mall and my mother bought me a leopard print maxie dress. She said it was part of my bridal shower gift... Thanks Woman!!

Someone has a Case of the Mondays

Not really but that was all I had. Second week at the new is job and it is still fantastic! I've been put in charge of the office outing. I've got some awesome ideas on my list... I had to do grown up things when I got home-- IE: Grocery shopping-- one of my least favorite chores. Actually all of them are my least favorite.

I discovered a new blog during my laziness, Little House in the Big D, it's about a newlywed couple who are in my age group and fix the crap out of their newly purchased home. If this didn't make me want to get up off the bed, stop eating cookies, and paint something I'm not sure anything could!

Royce's best attempt at trying to convince me he need some cookies... Probably, needed to check if they were poisonous.