House Update!

I've been meaning to post these photos for well over a month now, but I wanted to show a couple photos of our home. Sorry, but I didn't take any bedroom or bath photos...I'll save those for another day!

Here are BEFORE photos of our kitchen:

AFTER:

We added new appliances, backsplash, granite, hardware, sink, and faucets. The only thing we didn't change were the kitchen cabinets!

Below are just a few other photos:

It's another scorching, hot day here. Yesterday, we hit an all time record high of 109 degrees! This was the hottest day in our city in HISTORY. Today, the high is 106. It's ridiculous. Looks likes it's going to be hot and miserable all summer long, and I'll be staying indoors!

Randomness

I'm finally getting back to my couponing. I had to take a break because of the craziness around here, and well, our newspaper finally just now got sorted out to our new address. Surprisingly, I think I maybe changing grocery stores. Don't get me wrong, I love Publix, but, I went into Harris Teeter (the closest grocery store to us) to pick up a few things and I was very impressed. I've shopped at Harris Teeter years ago, but I thought they were pricey and wasn't fond of their bakery.

Maybe they've made a few improvements. I'm now in love the one right down the street from us. I've cut down my grocery shopping to once every two weeks and have found that I save more money....most likely due to the fact that there is less impulse buying. However, I do have to go back just to get fresh produce (especially since fruits are a huge craving for me) weekly. Harris Teeter's coupon policy is also better! So, I'm going to cheat on my dear Publix for the next month and really see if I'm saving any significant amount of money. I'll report back on my findings!

My other favorite grocery store is Fresh Market. Their seafood, meats, produce, and bakery rock. However, they are pricey, and I end up spending way too much money every time I go in. It's an impulse shopping place for myself. So, I'm limited my trips to Fresh Market on an occasional basis only.

Today is not a fun day for me. It's laundry day. I've already spent the day doing 5 loads of laundry. Laundry is my most hated chore. I don't mind washing the laundry; I just hate putting it away with folding and hanging.

I guess one exciting part is that I am washing all of Madeline's clothing, bibs, swaddlers, etc. sized from newborn and 0-3 months. Then, I'll reorganize all of her clothing by size, color, well...you get the point. She definitely does not need any more clothing items (with the exception of hats and bows) until she hits 3-6 months and above. This little girl's wardrobe is going to be as large as mine! She has so many cute outfits. I'm really hoping she gets to wear most of it, but the items she doesn't get to wear will be donated to a local charity.

After my laundry tasks are completed, off to scrubbing the toilets (how exciting) and cleaning the bathrooms, and then I'll take a break. I'm having to stretch my deep cleaning days into 2-3 days, instead of 1 since I get tired so easily.

I need to mention that my massage from Massage Envy (gift card) was amazing yesterday. I've heard of Massage Envy and their programs, and I was a little skeptical. Basically, the memberships are $59 per month and include one 1 hour massage. If you'd like to get any additional massages during the month, they run $39, and they always roll over if for some reason you can't make it in. If I was working again, I'd join, but it's just not in the budget right now. Considering around here you pay anywhere from $85-$120 (gratuity not included) for one 1 hour massage...Massage Envy's pricing can't be beat. I also was lucky and got a great masseuse, which can be hard to find.

Okay, back to laundry. Boo.

General Update

I just cannot seem to wake myself up this morning. Sleep has always been an issue for me, but I am used to it.

First, I thought I'd post Madeline's nursery photos. I absolutely love to decorate, so this was a very fun project. And, it doesn't hurt that I can can go over-the-top in pink!

Oh, let me revert back to yesterday's post regarding vehicles parking in front of our home...well, I believe it's my other neighbor's truck. Sigh. So far, no vehicles are parked in front of our home today, and hopefully it will stay that way!

I know the other day I gave a brief "Madeline" update, but today, I thought I'd give more of a pregnancy update.

Current Cravings: Bananas, Pineapples, Apples

Current Symptoms: Back pain, Heartburn, Exhaustion, Insomnia

Weight Gain: 11 lbs since preconception

Movement: Madeline is extremely active! 


Testing: All of my testing and Madeline's testing has passed with flying colors. Well, except I have anemia - I've been anemic before, so this wasn't really a surprise and such an easy fix.

Workouts: Nonexistent since 26 weeks - I can't workout any longer due to Braxton Hicks contractions. I get them even when I'm grocery shopping, doing light cleaning, etc. about every 10 minutes or so. I don't get any while I'm lounging.

Advice I hate: "Sleep when the baby sleeps." I absolutely loathe when people say this to a person who has a case of severe insomnia. I've never been able to even nap. I have gone DAYS without sleep, including trying to nap, etc. I have come to the realization that I'm going to be a complete zombie the first 6 weeks of Madeline's arrival, and probably not the most fun to be around! (A warning for all).

I feel like all I've done lately is eat, sleep, lounge, and pee. I can wake up in the morning, and 2 hours later I crash and need a nap. (A nap for me does not entail actually sleeping, more so, laying down and attempting to sleep until I give up). It's crazy. It's also been hard on me not to be active. I feel like a lazy slob, but I can only do so much. Honestly, I don't know how I would have gotten through our move if I was working full time. We had workers in our home 5 days per week, multiple times per day, multiple types of workers, etc. Plus, Tommy and I had our own household projects. I'm so glad that's over!

Things every woman trying to conceive needs to know:

Be prepared to be an emotional basket case during your 1st trimester. You think PMS is bad? Times that by 1,000. You will have episodes of craziness, and your spouse is the lucky person who gets to deal with it. For me, the worst was during the 1st trimester, better in the 2nd, and rarely now happens in the 3rd trimester. But, I'm still sensitive about certain things and certainly have my moments. And guess what? That craziness in the 1st trimester comes back. Yep, that's right. Post partum is going to be so much fun!


Just because you get a positive ovulation test (aka OPK), does not mean that you actually ovulated. It only shows your surge, and body gearing up for ovulation. I highly recommend CD21 bloodwork if you've been trying for 4-6 months and still have wonky cycles.


You will be peeing frequently. Literally, I can pee 3 times within 5 minutes. I don't understand how this happens, but it does.


Okay, here's a TMI one, but poop, will be painful at times. Very painful. Go ahead and stock up on Miralax and Colace.


Brace yourself for this one: Cellulite. Yep, be prepared for it. 

You're going to have a  healthy  diet and workout during your entire pregnancy? Yeah, I said that, too. I started out great, but the cravings, need/love for carbs, and Braxton Hicks got in the way. 


Of course, pregnancy isn't all negative. It's really cool to feel your baby kicking, seeing ultrasounds, etc. It's still all a little surreal that there is actually a baby in my belly. Would I say pregnancy is fun? Absolutely not. I am definitely not one of those who "loves" being pregnant.  Also, I thought due to the heat, pregnancy would be absolutely awful in the summer. In reality, I think it's better because you wear less clothing. I can see how uncomfortable it would be if I had to pile on layers of clothing in the winter. The one big bummer about being pregnant in the summer: No alcohol. I'm really missing out on margaritas, vodka and cranberry, mimosas, and pina coladas. But, it's all worth it in the end.

As far as Madeline is concerned, I'm sure she's doing well. Of course, we'll find out more information next Monday. They wanted to wait to do the ultrasound in order to give me more time to grow, and it will be easier to track moving forward. Basically, if I do have IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), they really can't do anything about it until she runs out of space in my belly. At that time, I'd have a c-section. However, if she's low birth weight, they'll debate on whether she needs to come early or late. I have a feeling she's just going to be a small baby. I only weighed 4 lbs, 11 oz and I was 2 weeks late! My brother was also 4 lbs, 7 oz and 2 weeks early. And, my grandmother's daughters were also around 5.5 lbs, and she only gained 15 lbs during both pregnancies. If you look at my family history, it seems like that's the most likely issue. But, there might not be anything wrong at all.

The annoying thing is that ultrasounds can be off by 2 lbs in either direction (high or low). So, we won't really know exactly what she weighs, but more of an estimate. Coming this Sunday, she should be weighing around 4lbs at 32 weeks.

Honestly, I'm really not stressing about it. There's nothing I can do. I've been eating appropriately, and following all the "pregnancy rules." Plus, it's a positive that I've been gaining 1 lb per week for the past 7 weeks. We'll worry once we have official news. We might not get a firm answer on Monday, either. I haven't had an ultrasound in nearly 2.5 months (since all of my testing has been normal), and I have a feeling they'll want me to come back in another 2 weeks and do another growth measurement ultrasound in order to have a definite answer. But, we shall see.

However, I'm not opposed to good vibes, thoughts, and/or prayers that our little one is doing okay! :)

Okay, I think I've rambled enough for this morning! I'm heading out to get a prenatal massage!!! (Thank you, Leia)!

Neighbor Drama

My pregnancy hormones are really about to get the best of me. One of our neighbors (who lives directly across the street from us) decided that it would be acceptable to park their vehicles in front of our home everyday. Why in front of our home? I have no idea. They have ample parking in front of their home and in their driveway. Rude, right? His vehicles have been parked in front of our home since we moved in, and it's obvious that we live here now, and the home is no longer vacant.

Well, last Thursday I almost lost it. My neighbor was having his car cleaned in front of our home, and the cleaning company had a pit bull, car mats, cleaning supplies, vacuum cleaner, etc. all just thrown in our front yard. Our neighbor was even standing in our front yard directing the cleaner, so he obviously thought this was acceptable. By the time I made it outside to say something, neighbor was gone.

On Friday, when I peered outside my front door and saw my neighbor's molester van sitting in front of our home, I decided....it's time to do something. So, I wrote a very nice note requesting that he move his van in front of his own home and/or driveway, and explained that we certainly don't mind additional parking (if necessary) if you are having an event, etc. on an occasional basis - no biggie - but please do not park your vehicles (he also parks other vehicles in front of our home) on a daily basis. I also put much emphasis that this is a daily occurrence. Guess what? He moved the van. Hooray! At least so I thought....

This Saturday and Sunday, a new vehicle was parked in front of our home. This time, a black SUV. I was thinking, "You have to be kidding me! What in the world is wrong with people?!?!?" This SUV belongs to a different neighbor, who also has plenty of parking in front of his home and/or driveway. Late Sunday afternoon, I saw our neighbor shaking a man's hand, getting into the car. Then, it hit me. He probably sold his vehicle. I did see him detailing the vehicle outside on Friday...probably getting it ready for sale.

Nope. Yesterday, I see the SUV parked in his driveway.

Today, I get up, do my normal routine around the home, and low and behold....there is a large black truck parked in front of our home. I have never seen this truck, so I have no idea who in the world it belongs to. Now, I'm going to have to stalk the truck to see who the owner is.

We also live in a cul-de-sac, and each homeowner does have room to park in front of their houses, driveways, and garages. I would never think it's okay to park my vehicle in front of someone else's home...especially when I have my own space. I just really don't understand why in the world this is happening. WTH is wrong with these people? Perhaps they need an etiquette lesson.

Of course, I don't want to start any drama with any of our neighbors, but also, they are the ones being incredibly rude. I just don't want to look out my front door everyday and see someone's vehicle parked in front of our house. I've never dealt with anything like this. I did contact our HOA, and they are happy to get involved. Our HOA President even said that I was being much nicer than she would be about the situation.

I am really hoping this black truck belongs to a guest at someone's house. I don't want to go through this again with another neighbor. And, let's face it...I'm going to look like a B--. However, at this point, I don't really care. These people need to learn to have some manners and common courtesy.

Okay, end rant.

I'm Back!

Whew. It's been a super busy past couple of months, but thankfully, things are finally starting to settle down. I have so much to update on here, I have no idea where to start. I'm going to start blogging again regularly.

I'll start with the house. We're all moved in and settled. We only have one project left - cleaning out our garage which looks like a war zone. We''ll try to get it done within the next month or so.

On June 9th, we had our baby shower, hosted by Michelle and Aunt Sandee. OMG...everything was so cute and perfect! Michelle says she isn't crafty, but she totally is. And our baby shower cake was the most delicious cake I've ever had. Sandee and Michelle really out did themselves! I'm so lucky to have such wonderful family. Below are a few photos - my brother was our photographer - didn't these photos turn out wonderfully?

In Madeline news, she's doing well, however, there are a couple of possible concerns regarding my growth/weight. Basically, I could have IUGR which means my belly isn't growing large enough for Madeline to grow appropriately or she could be low birth weight - which runs in my family. With that being said, we have an ultrasound scheduled next week (July 2) to get accurate measurements and narrow down what the issue could be...or there might not be any issue at all. If I have IUGR or if Madeline is a low birth weight, I'll most likely have C-Section around 38 weeks (still full term). But, it's still all up in the air, and I'm not that concerned about it. (Well, I'm still terrified to have a C-Section)! I'm currently 31 weeks, up around 11 lbs since preconception, and my belly is measuring 4-6 weeks behind what it should be at this point. However, I am gaining steadily at 1 lb per week now, so that is a big positive. And, Madeline should be gaining a half pound per week at this point!!!

Yesterday, Tommy and I did our hospital tour, and I will say that I am so impressed. When we arrived, the head nurse who gives the tours asked if I was indeed pregnant, and was shocked when I said I was 31 weeks...then wanted the other nurses to see my small belly, and made the similar comments on my growth. I'll take it as a compliment for now...as long as there really isn't an issue!

I don't want to make a super long post, so I'll update tomorrow with nursery photos, and other random things that have been going on lately.