No, I'm not contemplating smoking some illegal substance. I'm making a prediction.
See, stoners near and far are looking forward to this "national holiday" on April 20th for one reason.
I'm predicting it officially as Brett's birthday. Not that I desire for my child to get into illegal drugs. But, because a few things about it make sense.
1. I am measuring 2 weeks ahead... this means that on April 20th I am going to be exactly 38 weeks pregnant (hence 40 weeks if you do the math).
2. A crazy phenomenon happens on April 20th that seems to cause women to go into labor every month. Yes, it is a full moon.
So, I'm no Einstein, and Brett may very well have other plans.... but I want it to be known that I have made my prediction and I'm sticking to it!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Okay, this is all beginning to make sense
So, I had my last doctor's appointment Tuesday morning. And, yes, this was the doctor's appointment where I had to take the dreaded glucose test (and for all who don't know what that means - they test you for gestational diabetes).
Now, I know I have a big baby. My mom even looked at me on Sunday and marvelled at how big the baby has to be right now. She even prompted me to make sure that my due date was actually right, according to my doctor.
My fears? Gestational diabetes causes large babies. I have never personally had diabetes, but it does run in my family so I was dreading the results.
Well, I went in Tuesday morning and drank the orange-fanta like substance that they required of me... and then waited an hour for them to draw blood. In between, I met with my doctor. She measured my belly and told me that I was measuring 2 weeks ahead! So, instead of measuring 29 weeks, I was measuring 31. And, in fact, they told me that anytime after April 5th, if I went into labor they wouldn't try to stop it... they would go ahead and deliver the baby. Wow, crazy huh? We have mentally prepared ourselves for May 5th, but I am sooo glad we have the nursery together now. Brett may make his appearance much sooner than we all thought!
Well, they did draw my blood after my appointment and I was nervously awaiting the test results all day yesterday. When they didn't call, I finally called them and they told me that I was fine. Whew! What a relief! I was honestly freaked out, but all is well.
So, it's just as my mom said. I just have a REALLY BIG baby. He is definitely taking after Steve's side already. If Brett grows up to be as tall as his daddy, he'll be 6'4" when he's fully grown. I'm already dreading labor....
Now, I know I have a big baby. My mom even looked at me on Sunday and marvelled at how big the baby has to be right now. She even prompted me to make sure that my due date was actually right, according to my doctor.
My fears? Gestational diabetes causes large babies. I have never personally had diabetes, but it does run in my family so I was dreading the results.
Well, I went in Tuesday morning and drank the orange-fanta like substance that they required of me... and then waited an hour for them to draw blood. In between, I met with my doctor. She measured my belly and told me that I was measuring 2 weeks ahead! So, instead of measuring 29 weeks, I was measuring 31. And, in fact, they told me that anytime after April 5th, if I went into labor they wouldn't try to stop it... they would go ahead and deliver the baby. Wow, crazy huh? We have mentally prepared ourselves for May 5th, but I am sooo glad we have the nursery together now. Brett may make his appearance much sooner than we all thought!
Well, they did draw my blood after my appointment and I was nervously awaiting the test results all day yesterday. When they didn't call, I finally called them and they told me that I was fine. Whew! What a relief! I was honestly freaked out, but all is well.
So, it's just as my mom said. I just have a REALLY BIG baby. He is definitely taking after Steve's side already. If Brett grows up to be as tall as his daddy, he'll be 6'4" when he's fully grown. I'm already dreading labor....
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Pregnancy. Weight Gain. Sucks./ 28 Week Picture
So, I decided to take some pregnant pictures before I changed into my pj's tonight. Here is my 28 week belly. I think that the fact that the shirt is black minimizes the size, but it's still pretty impressive. 
It's actually gotten to the point where people are asking me how soon I am due and expecting me to say "next week". When I tell them it's May 5th, they kind of give me an odd look and ask if I'm SURE that I don't have 2 cooking in there.
I have gained much more than I ever would have liked already. I won't say the number on the scale, but I decided to step on it today to prepare myself for my doctor's visit next week, and let me just say that the number actually horrified me. And, I still have 2 1/2 months to go!
And, one year ago today, we were on a cruise in the middle of the caribbean. I was proud of my size and weight at that time. See the pic below. It's almost hard to believe it's me.
Man, will I ever have to work my butt off come May!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
My $$$$$$ Bundle Of Joy
Baby Furniture/Accessories/Etc... 
Price: $10,000 +
Price: PRICELESS??????
I hope you enjoyed my little illustration (and by the way, items featured are on my BRU registry :)). But seriously, this is a little overwhelming!
We did plan to get pregnant. This was no suprise. And, we knew that we'd have upcoming expenses, but man oh man, what we didn't know!
First of all, our insurance covers like 10% of our $450 ultrasounds (of which we've already had 2, and will have a third). Also, it barely covers blood work (I don't even want to get into that). So, we've had those preliminary expenses. And, we are pre-paying for the delivery, which doesn't even include drugs or hospital stay or anything else that we will incur until AFTER we are at home with baby. And, here's the kicker. We mulled over which insurance plan would be better for me to be on, mine or his, based on the fact that we were trying to get pregnant. This was the BETTER plan of the two. Seriously!
We've also been trying to buy nursery/ baby items here and there as we can to stretch our dollar further and not be overwhelmed all at once. We've bought the basics, but registered for the rest. This has been okay so far.
But the biggest problem is going to be maternity leave. Every other country in the civilized world seems to support women and maternity leave. The US, not so much. I am lucky to be allowed to take 12 weeks without being fired. And this is all, of course, unpaid leave. And, I'm not talking specifically about my company's FMLA plan. This is a pretty universal practice.
So, anyway, we've been trying to put $$ away for the last 6 months so I can stay home this summer. But with all of the doctor bills, we have not been able to put nearly as much away as we had originally hoped to do. This is where the tax man was supposed to come in and help us. Last year we brought home a pretty nice chunk of change and were expecting about the same this year. We had no reason not to think so. Well, Steve started our taxes yesterday, and it's not so pretty. Even though I did NOT fill out a new Federal form with my company (aka - everything should stay the same from last year), they decided to go ahead and take less taxes out anyway. Yeah, ouch. We OWE the government this year. To say I'm upset is putting it lightly.
So, short of selling blood or finding some valuable collector's item worth thousands, we are crossing our fingers that we can make this work. Things always work out...or so I've heard.
Price: $2,000 +
Ultrasounds/Dr. Visits/Tests/Baby Delivery:
Ultrasounds/Dr. Visits/Tests/Baby Delivery:
Price: $10,000 +
Taking a 12 week UNPAID maternity leave:
Price: Very Costly
Your Own Baby:
Price: PRICELESS??????I hope you enjoyed my little illustration (and by the way, items featured are on my BRU registry :)). But seriously, this is a little overwhelming!
We did plan to get pregnant. This was no suprise. And, we knew that we'd have upcoming expenses, but man oh man, what we didn't know!
First of all, our insurance covers like 10% of our $450 ultrasounds (of which we've already had 2, and will have a third). Also, it barely covers blood work (I don't even want to get into that). So, we've had those preliminary expenses. And, we are pre-paying for the delivery, which doesn't even include drugs or hospital stay or anything else that we will incur until AFTER we are at home with baby. And, here's the kicker. We mulled over which insurance plan would be better for me to be on, mine or his, based on the fact that we were trying to get pregnant. This was the BETTER plan of the two. Seriously!
We've also been trying to buy nursery/ baby items here and there as we can to stretch our dollar further and not be overwhelmed all at once. We've bought the basics, but registered for the rest. This has been okay so far.
But the biggest problem is going to be maternity leave. Every other country in the civilized world seems to support women and maternity leave. The US, not so much. I am lucky to be allowed to take 12 weeks without being fired. And this is all, of course, unpaid leave. And, I'm not talking specifically about my company's FMLA plan. This is a pretty universal practice.
So, anyway, we've been trying to put $$ away for the last 6 months so I can stay home this summer. But with all of the doctor bills, we have not been able to put nearly as much away as we had originally hoped to do. This is where the tax man was supposed to come in and help us. Last year we brought home a pretty nice chunk of change and were expecting about the same this year. We had no reason not to think so. Well, Steve started our taxes yesterday, and it's not so pretty. Even though I did NOT fill out a new Federal form with my company (aka - everything should stay the same from last year), they decided to go ahead and take less taxes out anyway. Yeah, ouch. We OWE the government this year. To say I'm upset is putting it lightly.
So, short of selling blood or finding some valuable collector's item worth thousands, we are crossing our fingers that we can make this work. Things always work out...or so I've heard.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Incredible Shrinking Rings, & I Think I Might Be Developing A Maternal Instinct
Yep, it finally happened. My fingers have finally swollen to the size of small sausages, and my wedding bands no longer fit. Therefore I must wear them around a chain on my neck. See illustration below...
This is all at once unsettling to me. You see, I have been wearing at least an engagment ring on my finger since February of 2001. So, for 7 years there is no questioning the fact that I am "taken". Removing rings from my fingers leaves me with a slight sense of vulnerability. Not that I am afraid of being hit on by strange men (although, it would seriously make me laugh if I was to be hit on as a very obviously "showing" pregnant woman). Rather, it makes me feel like I must explain myself to everyone. I know there are plenty of fabulous single mothers out there who don't "need a man" to raise their child, but I guess I grew up in an uber-conservative household where it was looked upon as shameful for a non-married woman to be pregnant. Again, I don't personally subscribe to this theory, but it's something that's been instilled in me and I in a sense feel guilty without my rings on ESPECIALLY while toting this massive belly.
Side note: I tried to take a belly picture to post here, however, I am having a rather lazy Saturday and am going sans makeup. From the pics on my computer I have just now learned that a pregnant woman without makeup is a scary scary thing. I will try to get one up soon, though since it's been about a month since I last posted one.
Now, on to the second part of my post. It has finally hit me.... I think I am developing a maternal instinct. And, the way it happened wasn't all that pleasant.
I usually have an issue with discussing my workplace environment in my blogs, and I can count on one hand the people who will scold me for even mentioning it (although I will NOT mention the company who I work for, and I highly doubt anyone who works for them even reads my blog, and even so, they all know about this incident). But, it's an integral part of this story.
So, anyway, I was at work last Thursday. (I am the property manager of an apartment complex, by the way.) A really irate resident calls up over a small balance they have ($9.00) and has a heated discussion with myself and the bookkeeper. We try to explain as calmly as we can that it is his responsiblity to pay it. Now, background on this resident. We have good reason to believe that he was beating his girlfriend, and maintenance even witnessed him kick a huge dent in his dishwasher when he wasn't happy with the job they had done. Yeah, massive anger managment problems.
So, we got off the phone with him, knowing that this was unresolved. 5 minutes later he comes irately charging to the office. Normally, I wouldn't be afraid of residents (and yes, I have had a girl right in my face about to punch me once last fall), but I suddenly panicked. I thought about what might happen if he physically harmed me. He would not only be harming ME, he would be harming and possibly even killing my baby. I choked and closed my door and told people to let him know I was on a conference call. Looking back, I feel absolutely horrible about this. I mean, what if he had harmed one of my employees because I wouldn't talk to him? But I couldn't. I mean I just COULDN'T, you know? At this point I'm afraid of just falling, let alone being physically abused. Luckily he left, but I was shaken. I had trouble even sleeping that night.
Yeah, I am beginning to be MORE than ready for maternity leave.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
27 Down - 13 to Go
Welcome to the third trimester of my pregnancy.
But, before I delve into the latest updates, I have to share that I am currently watching The Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. Has anyone else seen this? It's frickin' hilarious. What it boils down to is watching dogs play on a makeshift "football field" with a lame comentator that breaks in from time to time. Otherwise it's puppies wrestling and playing with toys to upbeat music in the background. Kind of like walking into a pet store. Except this is on for THREE HOURS. Seriously. It's the most hilariously cute thing I've ever seen. And, I find it MUCH more entertaining than the stupid football game that will be on my television in just about an hour. (And I've never seen my dogs more mesmorized by the television. Seriously!)
Okay, back to pregnancy. So, my body never ceases to amaze me. I'm thrown new curve balls every day. The biggest noticable change is that my belly, which was up until last week a little bit soft, is now completely hard. This makes for some serious challenges in my movement. The best way I described it to Steve is this.... have you ever seen people don those ridiculous sumo wrestling costumes that are inflatable and then watch them try manuever? Yeah, it's like that. I do everything in my power not to have to reach down to the floor or sit on the floor because it's such a chore just to get back up! And, I have started to sleep with a fully body pillow just to get more comfortable in bed, and I swear that there is no more room left for Steve. I pity my poor husband.
But beyond that, again within the last week, my fingers have started tingling like they are going numb all the time. It freaked me out a little bit at first, but then I read I just have carpel tunnel syndrome, and it's common in pregnancy. Lovely. Wonderful. And, I'm starting to get to the point where I have days where my wedding rings are too tight. Soon I'll have to stop wearing them and I'm not looking forward to any unapproving looks that I might get from random people.
And, the fatigue has once again returned (sigh). I was doing so well for a few weeks, but now I'm in bed by like 8:30-9:00 every single night. The good news is that I sleep like the dead. The bad news is that Brett sometimes decides to sit on my bladder which wakes me up almost every night now. And, half the time, once I'm up, I'm UP. I guess I'd better just get used to it... before you know it I'll be feeding a crying baby at 3:00 a.m. every night.
The only really cool thing that I've actually enjoyed has been the fact that Brett is getting big enough that his kicks are pretty palpable. Steve is able to feel him move now, and you can actually on occassion see my belly shake when he's really active. He's also big enough now (they estimate between 2 1/2- 3 lbs) that I am starting to be able to tell where he is in the womb at any given time. Steve likes to talk to him now and he tries to play (unsuccessfully) games with him, where he pokes my belly and tries to get Brett to poke back. I just think that Brett is smart and doesn't feel like playing.
Soon, I'll post another picture. I'm a little afraid to see what the camera thinks of me these days. While cleaning out my closet today I found a bunch of our candid wedding photos and was marvelling about how skinny I looked in them. I'll have to keep them around for inspiration when I'm trying to lose the baby weight!
But, before I delve into the latest updates, I have to share that I am currently watching The Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. Has anyone else seen this? It's frickin' hilarious. What it boils down to is watching dogs play on a makeshift "football field" with a lame comentator that breaks in from time to time. Otherwise it's puppies wrestling and playing with toys to upbeat music in the background. Kind of like walking into a pet store. Except this is on for THREE HOURS. Seriously. It's the most hilariously cute thing I've ever seen. And, I find it MUCH more entertaining than the stupid football game that will be on my television in just about an hour. (And I've never seen my dogs more mesmorized by the television. Seriously!)
Okay, back to pregnancy. So, my body never ceases to amaze me. I'm thrown new curve balls every day. The biggest noticable change is that my belly, which was up until last week a little bit soft, is now completely hard. This makes for some serious challenges in my movement. The best way I described it to Steve is this.... have you ever seen people don those ridiculous sumo wrestling costumes that are inflatable and then watch them try manuever? Yeah, it's like that. I do everything in my power not to have to reach down to the floor or sit on the floor because it's such a chore just to get back up! And, I have started to sleep with a fully body pillow just to get more comfortable in bed, and I swear that there is no more room left for Steve. I pity my poor husband.
But beyond that, again within the last week, my fingers have started tingling like they are going numb all the time. It freaked me out a little bit at first, but then I read I just have carpel tunnel syndrome, and it's common in pregnancy. Lovely. Wonderful. And, I'm starting to get to the point where I have days where my wedding rings are too tight. Soon I'll have to stop wearing them and I'm not looking forward to any unapproving looks that I might get from random people.
And, the fatigue has once again returned (sigh). I was doing so well for a few weeks, but now I'm in bed by like 8:30-9:00 every single night. The good news is that I sleep like the dead. The bad news is that Brett sometimes decides to sit on my bladder which wakes me up almost every night now. And, half the time, once I'm up, I'm UP. I guess I'd better just get used to it... before you know it I'll be feeding a crying baby at 3:00 a.m. every night.
The only really cool thing that I've actually enjoyed has been the fact that Brett is getting big enough that his kicks are pretty palpable. Steve is able to feel him move now, and you can actually on occassion see my belly shake when he's really active. He's also big enough now (they estimate between 2 1/2- 3 lbs) that I am starting to be able to tell where he is in the womb at any given time. Steve likes to talk to him now and he tries to play (unsuccessfully) games with him, where he pokes my belly and tries to get Brett to poke back. I just think that Brett is smart and doesn't feel like playing.
Soon, I'll post another picture. I'm a little afraid to see what the camera thinks of me these days. While cleaning out my closet today I found a bunch of our candid wedding photos and was marvelling about how skinny I looked in them. I'll have to keep them around for inspiration when I'm trying to lose the baby weight!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House
So, I was looking back at some of my old blogs that I had posted on myspace and this one made me laugh. I originally wrote this on August 3rd, and I guess I got pregnant around 10 days later - give or take.
It's funny to think about how far we've come in just 6 months time. Now we've got a nursery, we've registered for stuff, we're reading everything we can about having a baby, and my belly is getting so big that it's a challenge to even cross my legs anymore.
Anyway, in case you haven't already read it on myspace, enjoy this old blog.....
No, I am not pregnant. Well, not yet, anyway (and frankly, I have to tell you that I am a bit surprised that I'm not… considering that I've been deathly afraid of pregnancy most of my life, I'd always just assumed it was just as easy as going off the pill). But enough of the TMI...
Recently we've reached a crossroads. One between our greedy, ambitious twentys and our "adult" thirtys. We've kind of realized that we don't HAVE to go out all the time, and staying in and watching a movie can be the best form of an evening. Basically, we are at a point where we are ready to settle down and start our own family.
This is a big step for me. I was never a "kid person". In fact, I was never a huge fan of babysitting. I would do it because I was a responsible and trusted person and it was a good way to make some extra money, but I never liked to play with kids. I'd prefer to park them in front of a movie, and prayed they'd be content. That is until recently. I'm not exactly sure when or how I changed my mindset, but I've realized that having kids does not exactly constitute the "ending of your life" as I had previously been lead to believe.
So now I am faced with the reality that hopefully (God-willing) children are in our future. This is all at once exciting and SCARY! You see, Steve and I have carved out the perfect life for two. We both have two door cars (and mine is a VW Bug, a very small car), and we have a house with a loft and two bedrooms (one that doubles as our home office no less). So, where would baby go? Yeah, exactly.
Our friends came and visited with their new baby a couple of months ago and it was a huge wakeup call for me. The amount of "stuff" that comes with baby is overwhelming. They pretty much brought a whole bedroom set for their little one in their car. I mean, I go to Babies R Us occasionally to shop for shower gifts and am constantly educated by all of the items that you need for a baby. Things I'd never heard of. Things I'd never even thought of. Things I'd never even IMAGINE existed.
So, now I'm teetering between the excitement of what my future may hold, and the sheer terror of it all. Is it worth it? I see my friends with their new babies and can see the happiness and contentment that has been brought to their lives and realize that they know something I don't know. I think, and hope I'm ready for this. But, it really is all a bit overwhelming.
If and when I have news, I'm sure that many many more blogs like this shall follow .
It's funny to think about how far we've come in just 6 months time. Now we've got a nursery, we've registered for stuff, we're reading everything we can about having a baby, and my belly is getting so big that it's a challenge to even cross my legs anymore.
Anyway, in case you haven't already read it on myspace, enjoy this old blog.....
No, I am not pregnant. Well, not yet, anyway (and frankly, I have to tell you that I am a bit surprised that I'm not… considering that I've been deathly afraid of pregnancy most of my life, I'd always just assumed it was just as easy as going off the pill). But enough of the TMI...
Recently we've reached a crossroads. One between our greedy, ambitious twentys and our "adult" thirtys. We've kind of realized that we don't HAVE to go out all the time, and staying in and watching a movie can be the best form of an evening. Basically, we are at a point where we are ready to settle down and start our own family.
This is a big step for me. I was never a "kid person". In fact, I was never a huge fan of babysitting. I would do it because I was a responsible and trusted person and it was a good way to make some extra money, but I never liked to play with kids. I'd prefer to park them in front of a movie, and prayed they'd be content. That is until recently. I'm not exactly sure when or how I changed my mindset, but I've realized that having kids does not exactly constitute the "ending of your life" as I had previously been lead to believe.
So now I am faced with the reality that hopefully (God-willing) children are in our future. This is all at once exciting and SCARY! You see, Steve and I have carved out the perfect life for two. We both have two door cars (and mine is a VW Bug, a very small car), and we have a house with a loft and two bedrooms (one that doubles as our home office no less). So, where would baby go? Yeah, exactly.
Our friends came and visited with their new baby a couple of months ago and it was a huge wakeup call for me. The amount of "stuff" that comes with baby is overwhelming. They pretty much brought a whole bedroom set for their little one in their car. I mean, I go to Babies R Us occasionally to shop for shower gifts and am constantly educated by all of the items that you need for a baby. Things I'd never heard of. Things I'd never even thought of. Things I'd never even IMAGINE existed.
So, now I'm teetering between the excitement of what my future may hold, and the sheer terror of it all. Is it worth it? I see my friends with their new babies and can see the happiness and contentment that has been brought to their lives and realize that they know something I don't know. I think, and hope I'm ready for this. But, it really is all a bit overwhelming.
If and when I have news, I'm sure that many many more blogs like this shall follow .
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Warm Chocolate Melting Cake Recipe
Due to popular demand, based on my post about our cruise last fall, I am posting the infamous recipe that I mentioned in that blog. Yes, this is the OFFICIAL chocolate melting cake recipe from Carnival Cruise lines, handed to me by our waiter after I requested it one night at dinner.
I have not yet tried to make it yet, so I can't promise how it will turn out. One thing to note, however is that the recipe is measured in grams & the temps are in celsius... so you will have to find a way to translate it into tablespoons/cups, etc. That, I don't have for you....
Anyway, here it is...
MELTING CHOCOLATE CAKE
Yields - 10 portions
375 g Dark Chocolate
375 g Butter
8 ea Egg Yolk
7 ea Whole Egg
250 g Sugar
170 g Flour
- Melt the chocolate and the butter together until 64 degrees celcius
- Blend the egg yolks, whole eggs and the sugar together, then add the butter-chocolate mixture
- Add the flour
- Put it in 10 forms (prepare with butter and flour) and leave it for one day in the fridge
- Bake directly in the oven at 200 degrees celcius for 8 minutes
That's it! If someone makes it, please let me know how to translate all of the measurements/temps. That's been what has mainly holding us up from making it (well, and the fact that we don't need that many servings).
.....now an addendum (added 10/1/15)....if you have landed on my blog and want to follow my latest adventures, please hop over my NEW and consistently updated blog - Coach Carrie - http://yourcoachcarrie.blogspot.com/.. I would LOVE to welcome you to my new home!!!!
...newest note 12/21/16
This page, and the one I linked you to last year is no longer in use (I mean, I guess you already knew that...) because...
I'm a DOTCOM!
Follow me NOW at www.blueskyhealthandfitness.com
Or let's connect on Facebook through my page -
https://www.facebook.com/blueskyhealthandfitness/
See you over there, friends!
<3 p="">
Carrie
I have not yet tried to make it yet, so I can't promise how it will turn out. One thing to note, however is that the recipe is measured in grams & the temps are in celsius... so you will have to find a way to translate it into tablespoons/cups, etc. That, I don't have for you....
Anyway, here it is...
MELTING CHOCOLATE CAKE
Yields - 10 portions
375 g Dark Chocolate
375 g Butter
8 ea Egg Yolk
7 ea Whole Egg
250 g Sugar
170 g Flour
- Melt the chocolate and the butter together until 64 degrees celcius
- Blend the egg yolks, whole eggs and the sugar together, then add the butter-chocolate mixture
- Add the flour
- Put it in 10 forms (prepare with butter and flour) and leave it for one day in the fridge
- Bake directly in the oven at 200 degrees celcius for 8 minutes
That's it! If someone makes it, please let me know how to translate all of the measurements/temps. That's been what has mainly holding us up from making it (well, and the fact that we don't need that many servings).
.....now an addendum (added 10/1/15)....if you have landed on my blog and want to follow my latest adventures, please hop over my NEW and consistently updated blog - Coach Carrie - http://yourcoachcarrie.blogspot.com/.. I would LOVE to welcome you to my new home!!!!
...newest note 12/21/16
This page, and the one I linked you to last year is no longer in use (I mean, I guess you already knew that...) because...
I'm a DOTCOM!
Follow me NOW at www.blueskyhealthandfitness.com
Or let's connect on Facebook through my page -
https://www.facebook.com/blueskyhealthandfitness/
See you over there, friends!
<3 p="">
Carrie
<3 p="">
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
It's Official - I'm Old
So, I know that I haven't posted a blog here in awhile. Partly because of being busy, partly because of sheer tiredness. Within the past week I am barely home from work and my fatigue kicks in and I'm asleep in bed by like 8:30. I did read that being tired kicks in again in the third trimester, and I am 26 weeks along, so that does make some degree of sense.
But, to address my title, I have officially turned the big 3-0. It happened rather peacefully, without major depression or screaming on my part. I always thought that I would be depressed leaving my 20's... and I have to say starting around my 27th birthday I got more and more worried and dread kind of kicked in each year. Last year was admittedly a little rough. But this year? Not so much. I think it's because I have so much else going on in my life right now.
Anyway, I celebrated the best way I could think of as a pregnant woman. With breakfast at the best pancake house around with my mother and grandmother, and then a massage and a manicure, followed up by dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. My best friend Tina, and her hubby and son came along (well not for the spa day, but everything else), and it made for a pretty good time. Tina also proved invaluable... as the mother to a 1 year old, she helped me finish my registry at Babies R Us. I can't tell you how much of a relief it was to walk around the store with her and my scanner.....she would tell me what I needed and I would add it. I mean, I honestly had no idea how important a bouncy seat or a play gym were, but now I do!
But beyond all the day itself... turning 30 has made me reflect on my life. Around New Year's, I started to look back at the past decade. So much has changed!
I turned 20 while at Butler, and actually while just beginning to date Steve (we got together early 2nd semester my sophmore year). It's crazy to think we've been together to what equates to a 3rd of my life! Back then I was worried about what my major would be and scoring A's in my classes. And, taking some time out for a few memorable parties. Tina roomed with me back then at the house, and probably could share a few stories :).
From there I graduated with a t-comm degree... kind of a waste, really. I never really scored a t-comm job, even though I did have my dream internship at WISH-TV. In hindsight I should have gotten some sort of business degree. But, it's not like I didn't have my fair share of different jobs. I started out working within an ad agency.... moving on to do marketing for a Papa John's franchise. From there I had a stint in corporate real estate. And, today I manage an apartment complex. Yeah, I guess I've kind of become a jack of all trades, really. In some ways I envy people like Steve who found what they had a passion for and have stuck with it... I think I'm just a square peg when it comes to careers. In some ways, I think us creative types never truly fit into the business world.
But beyond my jobs, I married my wonderful husband Steve in 2002. We became homeowners in 2004. We've got 2 great pooches, great families and friends, and are well on our way to creating our own family.... the third member will arrive sometime in late April/early May :). And, we've had the opportunity to take some amazing trips and live a pretty comfortable life.
I don't mean these statements to come off as arrogant or anything, but I have to say that I am really happy with the way my life has gone so far. Yes, we had some lean times over the past 10 years, but overall we've been really lucky. Maybe that's why turning 30 hasn't been so bad thus far....
But, to address my title, I have officially turned the big 3-0. It happened rather peacefully, without major depression or screaming on my part. I always thought that I would be depressed leaving my 20's... and I have to say starting around my 27th birthday I got more and more worried and dread kind of kicked in each year. Last year was admittedly a little rough. But this year? Not so much. I think it's because I have so much else going on in my life right now.
Anyway, I celebrated the best way I could think of as a pregnant woman. With breakfast at the best pancake house around with my mother and grandmother, and then a massage and a manicure, followed up by dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. My best friend Tina, and her hubby and son came along (well not for the spa day, but everything else), and it made for a pretty good time. Tina also proved invaluable... as the mother to a 1 year old, she helped me finish my registry at Babies R Us. I can't tell you how much of a relief it was to walk around the store with her and my scanner.....she would tell me what I needed and I would add it. I mean, I honestly had no idea how important a bouncy seat or a play gym were, but now I do!
But beyond all the day itself... turning 30 has made me reflect on my life. Around New Year's, I started to look back at the past decade. So much has changed!
I turned 20 while at Butler, and actually while just beginning to date Steve (we got together early 2nd semester my sophmore year). It's crazy to think we've been together to what equates to a 3rd of my life! Back then I was worried about what my major would be and scoring A's in my classes. And, taking some time out for a few memorable parties. Tina roomed with me back then at the house, and probably could share a few stories :).
From there I graduated with a t-comm degree... kind of a waste, really. I never really scored a t-comm job, even though I did have my dream internship at WISH-TV. In hindsight I should have gotten some sort of business degree. But, it's not like I didn't have my fair share of different jobs. I started out working within an ad agency.... moving on to do marketing for a Papa John's franchise. From there I had a stint in corporate real estate. And, today I manage an apartment complex. Yeah, I guess I've kind of become a jack of all trades, really. In some ways I envy people like Steve who found what they had a passion for and have stuck with it... I think I'm just a square peg when it comes to careers. In some ways, I think us creative types never truly fit into the business world.
But beyond my jobs, I married my wonderful husband Steve in 2002. We became homeowners in 2004. We've got 2 great pooches, great families and friends, and are well on our way to creating our own family.... the third member will arrive sometime in late April/early May :). And, we've had the opportunity to take some amazing trips and live a pretty comfortable life.
I don't mean these statements to come off as arrogant or anything, but I have to say that I am really happy with the way my life has gone so far. Yes, we had some lean times over the past 10 years, but overall we've been really lucky. Maybe that's why turning 30 hasn't been so bad thus far....
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Brett's Baby Booty
He's not even out of the womb yet, but Brett has managed to collect some pretty nice swag so far...
Included in this collection are:
1. a bib from our trip to Cozumel
2. a White Sox teddy bear bought by Steve's parents (we went to a White Sox game the night we found out we were pregnant)
3. Bulldog booties and a bib from Brett's first Butler basketball game two weeks ago (although I don't know that he'll remember it all that well)
4. misc. onesies/shoes/bibs from family and friends
Whew... and he's still got 15 weeks go to!
Included in this collection are:
1. a bib from our trip to Cozumel
2. a White Sox teddy bear bought by Steve's parents (we went to a White Sox game the night we found out we were pregnant)
3. Bulldog booties and a bib from Brett's first Butler basketball game two weeks ago (although I don't know that he'll remember it all that well)
4. misc. onesies/shoes/bibs from family and friends
Whew... and he's still got 15 weeks go to!
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