It's hard to believe Sunday has almost come and gone once again. Time is flying by this month! It feels like I just posted Sunday Blessings. Anyways, here they are in no particular order, the blessings I am counting today:
1. A great doctor's appointment on Friday
2. A bonus from work that allowed a little extra cash for a pedicure (I am so thankful for that foot massage), and a decent chunk of money was able to go into my maternity leave savings fund
3. The weather is beautiful here in the spring, and we have been able to enjoy a lot of time outdoors which we are taking advantage of before it gets too hot.
4. Luca- I am so blessed by him already and we are so thankful to have such an amazing little boy on the way.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
27 Weeks!!!
I have been slacking off on the bi-weekly pregnancy updates and survey...so here we have week 27!
How far along?: 27 weeks!
•Total weight gain: I will not disclose my weight from my doctor's appointment Friday, but it's around 20lbs so far.
•Movement: He has gotten more consistent this past week, and I feel him more throughout the day. I honestly wouldn't mind if he was active all the time. I love feeling him move, it's so reassuring.
•Sleep?: Apparently I have developed pregnancy induced Restless Leg Syndrome. Let me tell you, I thought that disorder was another made-up disease that pharmaceutical companies invented...but I was wrong. It sucks. My legs go numb and tingle all the time at night and I have to move in order to relieve the feeling. I also have achy hips. But it's all a small sacrifice.
•Symptoms?: Aching body and exhaustion, and the doctor mentioned yesterday that I should be expecting another baby growth spurt in the next couple of weeks...so I am going to feel even more tired and achy.
•Belly button in or out?: About flat now...soon to pop out. It's very odd.
•What I miss: Margaritas, sleeping on my back and stomach, and being able to bend over.
•What I'm looking forward to: According to the Bump I am already in my third trimester, but my doctor said it starts at week 28 (next week). I am going to go with what she said, so I am really looking forward to being in my final trimester next weekend! I am also looking forward to having a day off school on Good Friday next week, and going to the Mom's sale with Miranda next weekend! I am hoping I can find some great used items for Luca.
•Best Moment this week: My doctor's visit on Friday, hearing Luca's heartbeat again, and getting a pedicure!
•Milestone: Luca is now practicing breathing!
•Nursery Progress: This weekend we found a soccer print that we framed and plan to hang up, and a couple weekends ago we put up the shelves. We just need to decide what is going above his crib. I can't decide.
The next step is finishing up the wall art. I cannot wait to start putting together all of his things too, like the bouncer, stroller, and high chair. I am also dying to wash that first load of baby clothes...but I am thinking all of that probably won't happen until after school gets out. My other kids are keeping me very busy! Which is fine, because it's making the time fly by! We are soooooooooooo excited to meet Luca!!!!
And last but not least....a belly pic.
How far along?: 27 weeks!
•Total weight gain: I will not disclose my weight from my doctor's appointment Friday, but it's around 20lbs so far.
•How big is baby?: Luca is the size of an eggplant!
•Maternity clothes?: I am going to *try* really hard not to buy anymore actual maternity clothes because I really only need to get through the last month and a half of school. In June I will be sitting around the house or I will be poolside (and yes, I will wear my bikini and I don't care...no shame in this belly). I would like to buy some regular clothes in a bigger size along with some more stretchy waist band skirts so I have something to wear after Luca arrives and I am not back to my normal weight. I also need a cute outfit for maternity pictures in a couple of weeks and a bachlorette dinner. Maybe I will give next weekend a try.
•Maternity clothes?: I am going to *try* really hard not to buy anymore actual maternity clothes because I really only need to get through the last month and a half of school. In June I will be sitting around the house or I will be poolside (and yes, I will wear my bikini and I don't care...no shame in this belly). I would like to buy some regular clothes in a bigger size along with some more stretchy waist band skirts so I have something to wear after Luca arrives and I am not back to my normal weight. I also need a cute outfit for maternity pictures in a couple of weeks and a bachlorette dinner. Maybe I will give next weekend a try.
•Movement: He has gotten more consistent this past week, and I feel him more throughout the day. I honestly wouldn't mind if he was active all the time. I love feeling him move, it's so reassuring.
•Stretch marks?: Nope. Thank goodness.
•Sleep?: Apparently I have developed pregnancy induced Restless Leg Syndrome. Let me tell you, I thought that disorder was another made-up disease that pharmaceutical companies invented...but I was wrong. It sucks. My legs go numb and tingle all the time at night and I have to move in order to relieve the feeling. I also have achy hips. But it's all a small sacrifice.
•Symptoms?: Aching body and exhaustion, and the doctor mentioned yesterday that I should be expecting another baby growth spurt in the next couple of weeks...so I am going to feel even more tired and achy.
•Food cravings: Water with lots and lots and lots of lemon or lime juice...still...and food of all kinds. I am always hungry.
•Belly button in or out?: About flat now...soon to pop out. It's very odd.
•What I miss: Margaritas, sleeping on my back and stomach, and being able to bend over.
•What I'm looking forward to: According to the Bump I am already in my third trimester, but my doctor said it starts at week 28 (next week). I am going to go with what she said, so I am really looking forward to being in my final trimester next weekend! I am also looking forward to having a day off school on Good Friday next week, and going to the Mom's sale with Miranda next weekend! I am hoping I can find some great used items for Luca.
•Milestone: Luca is now practicing breathing!
•Nursery Progress: This weekend we found a soccer print that we framed and plan to hang up, and a couple weekends ago we put up the shelves. We just need to decide what is going above his crib. I can't decide.
And last but not least....a belly pic.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
PGAL Thoughts...and an Article.
PGAL=Pregnant After a Loss
That is my unfortunate title. When I go to the doctor's office, there it is on my chart. Of course at the doctor's office they use the tag of "multiple losses" or "history of abortion". Why do they refer to it as "abortion" when I most certainly did not choose to abort my pregnancy? I hate that term. It has such a negative connotation. I much prefer pregnant after a loss. And it's a blessing and a curse at the same time. Blessing because I know that had we not gone through the pain of pregnancy loss (not once, but twice) we may not fully appreciate the blessing and miracle that is now thriving in my body. Curse because I have lived nearly every day of this pregnancy imagining all that could go wrong. Constantly worried and fearful. Taking it "one day at a time" has been a challenge. And getting this far has required a lot of strength and faith. Not only on my part, but on Santi's part as well. He has been a pillar of strength for me, my rock, even though there have been many times in the past year that he must have thought I was downright crazy. I have fought off the fear of not wanting to tell anyone until it was too difficult to hide (never imagining the day I would actually have a baby bump). I have battled with the terrifying fear of buying maternity clothes and trying to squeeze into my regular clothes as long as possible in fear of having to return things (really optimistic, I know). Excited and terrified all at the same time to shop the baby sections...to (gulp) make purchases. But with each passing week I have managed to muster up enough faith to finally allow myself to be the smug pregnant woman I always wished I could be. And it feels good.
Today marks exactly one year since the day we found out not only that we were expecting twins, but that the pregnancy was not viable. This time last year we were heartbroken, devastated, and lost. I faced surgery the next day because my body didn't react as it should have. One year ago today we began a journey to parenthood unlike what we had ever imagined. But that journey has shaped us, our relationship, our faith, and will shape our parenting. And as difficult as it was, I am thankful for it.
This article expresses perfectly what it is like to be pregnant after a loss. I cried when I read it.
Why I Still Keep My Maternity Clothes
That is my unfortunate title. When I go to the doctor's office, there it is on my chart. Of course at the doctor's office they use the tag of "multiple losses" or "history of abortion". Why do they refer to it as "abortion" when I most certainly did not choose to abort my pregnancy? I hate that term. It has such a negative connotation. I much prefer pregnant after a loss. And it's a blessing and a curse at the same time. Blessing because I know that had we not gone through the pain of pregnancy loss (not once, but twice) we may not fully appreciate the blessing and miracle that is now thriving in my body. Curse because I have lived nearly every day of this pregnancy imagining all that could go wrong. Constantly worried and fearful. Taking it "one day at a time" has been a challenge. And getting this far has required a lot of strength and faith. Not only on my part, but on Santi's part as well. He has been a pillar of strength for me, my rock, even though there have been many times in the past year that he must have thought I was downright crazy. I have fought off the fear of not wanting to tell anyone until it was too difficult to hide (never imagining the day I would actually have a baby bump). I have battled with the terrifying fear of buying maternity clothes and trying to squeeze into my regular clothes as long as possible in fear of having to return things (really optimistic, I know). Excited and terrified all at the same time to shop the baby sections...to (gulp) make purchases. But with each passing week I have managed to muster up enough faith to finally allow myself to be the smug pregnant woman I always wished I could be. And it feels good.
Today marks exactly one year since the day we found out not only that we were expecting twins, but that the pregnancy was not viable. This time last year we were heartbroken, devastated, and lost. I faced surgery the next day because my body didn't react as it should have. One year ago today we began a journey to parenthood unlike what we had ever imagined. But that journey has shaped us, our relationship, our faith, and will shape our parenting. And as difficult as it was, I am thankful for it.
This article expresses perfectly what it is like to be pregnant after a loss. I cried when I read it.
Why I Still Keep My Maternity Clothes
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday Blessings
Sundays are kind of sad because they mean that yet another weekend is coming to an end, but I am going to focus on my blessings for now and forget that I still have piles of school work and lesson plans to wade through, dinner to start, and dishes to wash. What am I thankful for today? Let me see...
1. Less than 100 days now until baby Luca arrives! Now that spring is officially here, we are starting to get busy and time is flying!
2. I got some sun today while Santi, Tevez, and I were out delivering door hangers for Easter service at church. There are two blessings in that one: sunshine always puts a smile on my face, and so does inviting people to church, especially Easter service! We also met a couple that lives on the street behind us.
3. I was asked to complete an online assessment for the online teaching position I applied for. This means I am moving forward in the application process and I may have a way to stay home at least part time next year. That would be such an amazing blessing!!!!
4. My student's Godmother made the most adorable little booties for Luca. They are just precious! And on the same note, my friend Heidi from high school sent me a message asking for my address so she could send another pair of booties from her shop after she saw that my mom had purchased me one pair. I am blessed to have so many loving and generous people in my life!
That's all for today. I know I missed my pregnancy post yesterday, but it's just been a busy weekend after an exhausting week last week. I will update with belly pics and new nursery pics next weekend!
1. Less than 100 days now until baby Luca arrives! Now that spring is officially here, we are starting to get busy and time is flying!
2. I got some sun today while Santi, Tevez, and I were out delivering door hangers for Easter service at church. There are two blessings in that one: sunshine always puts a smile on my face, and so does inviting people to church, especially Easter service! We also met a couple that lives on the street behind us.
3. I was asked to complete an online assessment for the online teaching position I applied for. This means I am moving forward in the application process and I may have a way to stay home at least part time next year. That would be such an amazing blessing!!!!
4. My student's Godmother made the most adorable little booties for Luca. They are just precious! And on the same note, my friend Heidi from high school sent me a message asking for my address so she could send another pair of booties from her shop after she saw that my mom had purchased me one pair. I am blessed to have so many loving and generous people in my life!
That's all for today. I know I missed my pregnancy post yesterday, but it's just been a busy weekend after an exhausting week last week. I will update with belly pics and new nursery pics next weekend!
4/1 Update on My 101 (even though I know it's not 4/1)
I have been very bad about updating my 101 in 1,001 list on here, so I am going to try very hard to update on the first of every month. That's the first goal. The next goal is to blog more and keep it interesting! I have been focusing on my pregnancy updates every weekend, but I would like to start getting creative and blogging more than once a week! So, I am going to attempt to add Sunday blessings posts and go from there. I am going to keep pregnancy updates for Saturdays since that is when my ticker changes. Hopefully I will be able to get more blogging in...baby steps.
My 101 in 1,001: 101 things to tackle in 1,001 days
Start Date: April 24, 2010
End Date: January 19, 2013 (wow that seems like a long time from now!)
Personal Improvement:
Attend yoga at least once a week for two months
Attend kickboxing class at least once a week for two months
Try acupuncture
Not eat out for a month (we have come very, very close to this a few times on our new budget)
Have a no tv/internet week
Participate in some type of run (5k, etc.)
Finish my Master's Degree (DONE!!!! I officially completed my program in October!)
Try a whole Zumba class at the gym
Do strength training exercises twice a week for a month
Jog 3 miles again like I used to be able to do:)
Have a spa day
Get some new jewelry (I am going to go ahead and count the beautiful jewelry that was gifted to me from my mother-in-law and Santi's grandpa. A beautiful ring from Ximena, and a gorgeous silver pendant and matching earrings from Italy that Santi's grandpa purchased. I know I didn't buy them, but they are the nicest and newest pieces I own, and will own for awhile!)
Get an awesome pair of heels and actually wear them
Get a tan! (completed 7/10, I have been spending some time at the pool with my friend Audrey!)
Get teeth professionally whitened
Faith:
Finish reading the entire Bible
Consistently journal my Bible reading daily for at least one month
Share my faith with someone new
Complete a missions trip of some sort
Pray for others every day (work in progress)
Travel:
Visit San Diego (completed 6/10, our five year plan now includes moving here!)
Visit Tombstone
Go camping
Return to Ecuador
Go to the Galapagos
Go on a cruise
Drive route 1 in California (completed 6/10, only the southern portion, we will work on the northern portion!)
Stay at the Venetian in Vegas
Go to the Phoenix Zoo (and not just for Zoolights)
Go to Napa Valley
Stay somewhere new in Sedona
Visit Flagstaff in the winter
Adventures:
Hike Camelback mountain
Hike the Grand Canyon
Learn to play golf
Learn to play blackjack
Try 20 new recipes (8/20)
Learn to make a new mixed drink
Chop my hair off (Done! 5/28/10)
Read 10 new books (read 2 of 10, currently occupied with pregnancy books)
Try the night tour of the Desert Botanical Gardens
Try 5 new hiking trails in Phoenix
Find 10 new restaurants to try in Phoenix (3/10)
1. Ta Carbon (super yummy Mexican hole-in-the-wall kind of place)
2. Joe's Farm Grill (another restaurant from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)
3. Over Easy (great little breakfast place, also from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)
Make ceviche again Done 5/16/2010
Learn to bake and decorate a cake
Get a bike or rollerblades
Go horseback riding again
Go to a concert
Stay for both movies at the drive-in
Go swimming in Lake Pleasant
Find a place to go fishing in Phoenix
Drive across the border
Buy an expensive bottle of wine (more than $20)
Try 5 new sushi rolls (2/5)
1. Hawaiian roll
2. Pink Lady
Family/Friends:
Have a baby (Baby Luca Alberto is due to arrive around July 9th!!!)
Have a girl's weekend with my college roommates (NYC in July 2010, fantastic trip!!)
Have a designated date night once a week for a month
Go on a picnic with my husband
Take my dog to the dog park in Gilbert with the lake (checked it out on 5/16/10, planning to take Tevez eventually)
Get grandma and grandpa out here for a visit
Have a candlelight dinner with my husband once a week for a month
Take a dancing lesson with my husband
Take a mother/daughter trip
Host a wine and cheese party
Go to at least 5 sporting events with my husband (we have tickets to the Rattlers game at the end of the month)
Get professional pictures taken of my husband and I (currently in search of a maternity/newborn/family photographer...I guess baby Luca will just have to be included)
Financial:
Pay off the Nissan Altima (LOVE that I can cross this one off! As of 2/11 we own the Altima!)
Get a minimum of $5,000 in the savings account (technically this could be crossed off, but the savings are for the big fat hospital bill and my maternity leave, so they won't be there long unfortunately)
Reach a point financially where I can stay home or work from home (Now that baby Luca is on his way, I am more desperate than ever to make this happen. Taking suggestions!)
Stick with a budget for five full months (March 11 was our first successful budget month, hopefully we can continue on this path)
Not buy any new clothes for a month
Spend less than $300 on groceries in a month (Done! 3/11...spent around $275 thanks to our new budget)
Put $5 in the savings for each completed task and donate $5 for each incomplete task
Hobbies and Creativity:
Make Shutterfly albums with all of our pictures
Learn some type of new craft
Get a nicer camera and learn how to take great pictures (This one gets partially crossed off. We purchased a fancy new camera, but I won't say we are great at taking pictures yet. I am going to spend some time researching and learning before Luca arrives)
Update blog at least once a month (in progress, and being pregnant makes it much easier!)
Go to a pottery studio
Home:
Redecorate/repaint our bedroom
Buy a sectional sofa with a pullout couch for our guests (Okay, so it's not a sectional because we learned sectionals just don't fit well in our living room, but we did purchase two new sofas with recliners built in and a pullout bed for the guests! Even more important now that the guest room has been converted to Luca's room!)
Finally clean and organize the office (completed 5/1/10 thanks to my husband!)
Buy something from Etsy (I have started a wish list for Luca's nursery)
Put grass in our backyard
Get some flower pots for the front yard
Have a shredding party and clean out the filing cabinet
Get a digital picture frame (done 7/10, love it!)
Make the bed every day for a week (done 5/10)
Organize my favorite recipes
Keep up with cleaning for an entire week (done summer '10, does it count since I was on vacation?)
Bake something once a month for three months
Reaching Out:
Volunteer somewhere other than church
Leave a 50% tip for dinner
Give money to one of the homeless people by school
Actually meet and know both of our neighbors names
Lend someone a microloan
Send handwritten notes to each of our sponsor children in Ecuador (We didn't manage to send handwritten notes, but we did send email notes. Unfortunately we had to cut our sponsorship due to baby's arrival and cutting back expenses.)
Pay for the person behind me in the drive through
Make a new friend (I met Valeri online through The Bump and we have actually gotten together in person twice! She lives in Gilbert, which is way on the other side of Phoenix, but she came to my jewelry party and I went to her baby shower. Hopefully we will be able to get together again soon.)
Buy a goat for someone in a poor country
Getting Green:
Use reusable shopping bags every shopping trip for a month
Try a new "green" method of cleaning (I have switched to using mainly Green Works cleaner in the kitchen, but I need to transition to using it in the bathrooms as well. I also want to do the old vinegar/water trick, but Santi gags at the smell of vinegar.)
Eat fruit off the trees in our own backyard (Enjoyed some limes 12/10)
Grow an indoor herb garden (done 6/10, unfortunately there is no good place to keep them and they died)
Learn to garden desert style and actually have a vegetable garden in our backyard
There you have it! If you are interested in starting your own list, here is a great website to get you going:
http://dayzeroproject.com/
My 101 in 1,001: 101 things to tackle in 1,001 days
Start Date: April 24, 2010
End Date: January 19, 2013 (wow that seems like a long time from now!)
Personal Improvement:
Attend yoga at least once a week for two months
Attend kickboxing class at least once a week for two months
Try acupuncture
Not eat out for a month (we have come very, very close to this a few times on our new budget)
Have a no tv/internet week
Participate in some type of run (5k, etc.)
Try a whole Zumba class at the gym
Do strength training exercises twice a week for a month
Jog 3 miles again like I used to be able to do:)
Have a spa day
Get an awesome pair of heels and actually wear them
Get teeth professionally whitened
Faith:
Finish reading the entire Bible
Consistently journal my Bible reading daily for at least one month
Share my faith with someone new
Complete a missions trip of some sort
Pray for others every day (work in progress)
Travel:
Visit Tombstone
Go camping
Return to Ecuador
Go to the Galapagos
Go on a cruise
Stay at the Venetian in Vegas
Go to the Phoenix Zoo (and not just for Zoolights)
Go to Napa Valley
Stay somewhere new in Sedona
Visit Flagstaff in the winter
Adventures:
Hike Camelback mountain
Hike the Grand Canyon
Learn to play golf
Learn to play blackjack
Try 20 new recipes (8/20)
Learn to make a new mixed drink
Read 10 new books (read 2 of 10, currently occupied with pregnancy books)
Try the night tour of the Desert Botanical Gardens
Try 5 new hiking trails in Phoenix
Find 10 new restaurants to try in Phoenix (3/10)
1. Ta Carbon (super yummy Mexican hole-in-the-wall kind of place)
2. Joe's Farm Grill (another restaurant from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)
3. Over Easy (great little breakfast place, also from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)
Learn to bake and decorate a cake
Get a bike or rollerblades
Go horseback riding again
Go to a concert
Stay for both movies at the drive-in
Go swimming in Lake Pleasant
Find a place to go fishing in Phoenix
Drive across the border
Buy an expensive bottle of wine (more than $20)
Try 5 new sushi rolls (2/5)
1. Hawaiian roll
2. Pink Lady
Family/Friends:
Have a baby (Baby Luca Alberto is due to arrive around July 9th!!!)
Have a designated date night once a week for a month
Go on a picnic with my husband
Take my dog to the dog park in Gilbert with the lake (checked it out on 5/16/10, planning to take Tevez eventually)
Get grandma and grandpa out here for a visit
Have a candlelight dinner with my husband once a week for a month
Take a dancing lesson with my husband
Take a mother/daughter trip
Host a wine and cheese party
Go to at least 5 sporting events with my husband (we have tickets to the Rattlers game at the end of the month)
Get professional pictures taken of my husband and I (currently in search of a maternity/newborn/family photographer...I guess baby Luca will just have to be included)
Financial:
Get a minimum of $5,000 in the savings account (technically this could be crossed off, but the savings are for the big fat hospital bill and my maternity leave, so they won't be there long unfortunately)
Reach a point financially where I can stay home or work from home (Now that baby Luca is on his way, I am more desperate than ever to make this happen. Taking suggestions!)
Stick with a budget for five full months (March 11 was our first successful budget month, hopefully we can continue on this path)
Not buy any new clothes for a month
Put $5 in the savings for each completed task and donate $5 for each incomplete task
Hobbies and Creativity:
Make Shutterfly albums with all of our pictures
Learn some type of new craft
Update blog at least once a month (in progress, and being pregnant makes it much easier!)
Go to a pottery studio
Home:
Redecorate/repaint our bedroom
Buy something from Etsy (I have started a wish list for Luca's nursery)
Put grass in our backyard
Get some flower pots for the front yard
Have a shredding party and clean out the filing cabinet
Organize my favorite recipes
Bake something once a month for three months
Reaching Out:
Volunteer somewhere other than church
Leave a 50% tip for dinner
Give money to one of the homeless people by school
Actually meet and know both of our neighbors names
Lend someone a microloan
Pay for the person behind me in the drive through
Buy a goat for someone in a poor country
Getting Green:
Use reusable shopping bags every shopping trip for a month
Learn to garden desert style and actually have a vegetable garden in our backyard
There you have it! If you are interested in starting your own list, here is a great website to get you going:
http://dayzeroproject.com/
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