Finishing up: Days 26 - 30

Your week in great detail

It's very boring. So let me tell you about my Easter Weekend instead.

It all started Wednesday afternoon...yes!!! At my office, we gave one of my co-workers her farewell send off. I find these things very exciting because that means someone in moving on to possibly do bigger and maybe even better things. Although she isn't going to be employed right away due to her husband's job transfer-they were leaving for a cruise that weekend and we all know how I feel about vacations! Wednesday evening was spent hugging the couch... which has become one of my favorite past times.

Thursday was spent doing absolutely nothing. Well almost nothing. I did do some household cleaning and Easter prep- my favorite part was catching up on TV shows, ate way too much junk food, and spent some time with the hubby. Thursday evening I went to Church for our annual Maudy Thursday service. This year we did a Tenebrae service which is done in the dark to represent the solemness of the upcoming events.

Friday morning bright and early I had my monthly OB appointment. Before my appointment we stopped at McDonald's for breakfast- I have a ton of McDonald's coupons and who can resist hot cakes for only a dollar!!! The cashier noticed my bump right away and deemed I was having a boy because I was "carrying low" and insisted that I call her once I have the baby to let her know if she was right. This may have been my first pregnancy comment from a complete stranger! Sure people who "know me" have noticed my bump as recently as the beginning of April but I am finally showing enough so that I look pregnant and not chubby to someone who doesn't normally know my frame.

Everything checked out OK at the doctor (well sort of) but more about that later. After leaving the doctor, Hubby and I went to BuyBuyBaby to survey strollers, car seats, and cribs. It seemed as though he was actually into it and not only did he have an opinion about baby products but he also picked out a daddy diaper bag! The cutest part was while he was sifting through thousands of bags, a little 18 month old baby girl thought he was amusing and started laughing at him. He had apparently opened a bag and dropped everything out of it and she clearly though he is getting way in over his head!

Friday afternoon was spent back at church for our annual Fish Fry. I am not Catholic- but we still spend a lot of time at church during holy week. In fact, We had a Wednesday night Lenten Service but it sort of slipped my mind because a four-day weekend was taking up space there. After we ate and socialized (or fellowshipped as the church folks would say) I think we went home. Late that evening, I was complaining of not doing anything so I texted my parents to see what they were doing and lo' and behold they went out to eat. So I made a plea of bored desperation and they bought us dessert over! Gotta love the 'rents!

Saturday was spent cleaning the house... thoroughly. I mean top to bottom, floor to ceiling, inside and out. My hubby even painted the front hallway. The 'rents stopped by (again) to help out a little but couldn't stay long because they had Easter dinner cooking to do. They of course didn't come over empty handed they bought us lunch and my brother came to help too! However to top off the day, my husband's car broke down on the way to pick up his dry cleaning :( So now we are down to one car this week.

Sunday must've been one of the best days of the whole weekend. It was so gorgeous outside! and boy was I glad because my Easter dress didn't have sleeves. During service my parents announced my brother's graduation! I always feel like a proud parent whenever he has some big accomplishment. I CAN.NOT.WAIT until his graduation day! 17 more days left!!! I took the day off work and everything :) I am having a hard time finding a foam finger though, but my husband has an air horn so that makes up for it! Sunday dinner was hosted by my husband and I this year!!! This is really big and I'll tell you why. My dad has 2 sisters and between the two of them they have two kids (well they are grown but you get my point). My mom has one sister and she has two kids of her own. So that's a minimum of 12 people who comes together once a month and have dinner of some sort. This has been very important to us since my grandparents died. My mom's parents died in October then December of 2005 (to this day I think my grandpa simply missed his wife and needed to be with her). My dad's mom died in August of 2006 and his dad died in May of 2001. For 17 years of my life both sets of my grandparents have been very active in my life and we get together to be together every month to show them we will remain together. So yeah- I was happy to host a family dinner on Resurrection Sunday. We had a good time as usual... way too much food and even more laughs. We had so much fun that my brother and cousin's didn't leave until 2 am. I was in bed (of course) so I was having fun with them in spirit.

The salad bar in my dining room... ignore the cake carrier ( i didn't have a separate table for desserts)

Your worst habit

Overall- not having enough confidence in myself. Just early I stood at my boss' office door then talked myself out of walking in and talking about a promotion. My husband tires until he is blue in the face but somehow I am so good at doubting myself and can talk myself out of doing something I think I could sell salt to a slug.

Right now- picking my nose. Yes, I know it's gross but pregnancy boogers are nothing to play with. Don't worry, I wash my hands after every pick and keep tons of tissue with me.

Well, that was awkward...

What's in my handbag/purse

Seeing as how I carry this huge laptop bag as my regular purse...everything except the kitchen sink! As look in my duffel right now, there's hand sanitizer (booger picking warning), Vaseline (I have really dry lips right now too), a few pens, and McDonald's coupon's ( I will be getting a quarter pound after work, lol!). There's also a Victoria's Secret coupon, Macy's gift card, and a small clutch that contains a mirror, lip gloss, a tide-to-go pen, store rewards cards, and eye drops... and that just one compartment. In the middle compartment is where I keep my laptop (that's currently on my desk) but right it's holding papers to start a baby registry, my church newsletter, my pay check (I'm switching direct deposit accounts), and hospital childbirth and parenting education class registration forms (must fax those in!). In the last compartment is my wallet, water bottle, keys to million different things, an empty container left over from lunch, and my brand spanking new baby bargains book.

Hopes, Dreams, and Plans for the next 365 days

Wow, this could take a while. I think my main goals include moving into a more suitable place for our new family, getting baby here safely and focusing on juggling wifehood and motherhood. I worry that I won't get it right. Even with the support of friends and family- it's still worrisome. How am I going to juggle being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, Elder, AND employee?? It gets overwhelming just thinking about it. I know, I know, one day at a time.

A motto or philosophy

I have so many. What I try to refer to the most (I think) is Professional, Poised, and Perfectly put together. As long I can remain those three things in any situation- I tend to be okay. That however does not stop me from freaking out before hand.

Is complete! (and on time)

Mommy Slacker?

So, apparently I'm a slacker.

I would have never pegged myself as a slacker but here's the thing: I'm participating in a onesie exchange with my lovely ladies over at thebump.com and everyone is excited because we had the draw and now we know who we will be exchanging onsies with. On the exchange website you can ask your person an anonymous question and someone asked me "What is your nursery theme?" my response: "I don't have one". I also don't have a registry started, names set in stone, know where my baby is going when I go back to work, or a birth plan. So, I guess I'm officially a mommy slacker.

I've even lost track of the 30 day challenge...again, and I don't have that much longer to go! My goal is to finish on time so I better get my butt in high gear!

Today I was also supposed to do my weekly update post but you see where this is going.

So slacker I will be. For now. I promise to get it together though- right after I take this nap...

Days 22-25

 So because of the holiday weekend- I totally slacked off on my challenge. I'm proud of my 21 day streak- so at least I know I can commit to something for a minimum of three weeks. So, I'm going to kind of cheat and play catch up... right now.

Day 22:  A website

This is a no-brainer (sadly) but I'm a facebooker. Yes, I stalk friends profiles instead of calling them. Yes I get updates about long lost friends through their statuses and yes, I update a long list of "friends" via pictures and the occasional status update. But mostly I am a facebook gamer- don't judge me.
I've never been a conversationalist so calling you to say "hi! how ya been" is not likely. I do try on occasion to call a friend but unless that friend is a chatterbox- there's going to be dead silence. I don't know why I can't just call someone to tell them about my impending motherhood and and the possible nursery designs I like (well I don't have a nursery theme picked out yet- but that's beside the point. I think over the years I have grown extremely sensitive to other peoples feelings without even knowing what they are feeling. What if she is trying to conceive and can't, what if she just got off the phone with someone else cooing about their baby and is sick of it, so I just keep it to those who ask.

Which brings me to my gaming obsession. I know I sound like a socially awkward 15 year old but I promise you I'm not. I am uncomfortable in a room full of people I don't know - yet in that same room of people if you throw in about 7 people I do know- party on. Which leads me to why I'd rather not go to a nightclub, but instead harvest my crops. I just would. I once almost lost my hearing in college from unknowingly standing next to speaker nearly all night at a club. I once went into a club with a head full of curls and came out with none at a club. I thought I was being followed by a creeper once after leaving a club (2 separate nights, 2 separate clubs- so clearly one night was more traumatic than the other). I'm done with clubs now. I'll go win a "showdown" on one of my facebook gaming apps.

Day 23- A YouTube video

This makes me laugh every time I see it. It was actually one of my brother's class projects and it stars my little cousin. I used to watch it whenever I needed a pick me up but it had fell of my radar until the challenge made it resurface. I'm sure you won't find it cute or funny- unless you know my little cousin or some other little guys like him but here it is for your viewing pleasure:

Day 24: Where I live

Over priced NJ. However I don't get this state. Gas prices are below the national average and I'm pretty sure we are above the national average on car insurance. I hate how New Yorkers refers to it as the "arm-pit" but they flocked over here after the 2001 terror attacks. And I hate how no one recognizes that the Statue of Liberty is in NJ!!!! Well technically speaking Liberty Island is located in New Jersey waters and New York may own Liberty Island itself but that Island is in New Jersey's jurisdiction. I don't know why it bothers me so much- but it does.

If wasn't born and raised here- I probably wouldn't want to take up residence here either because I am pretty sure it's the only state where you have to go right to make a left turn. However, New Jersey is NOT the Real Housewives of NJ, Jerseylicious, or Jersey Shore and I just wanted to make that perfectly clear. Now don't get me wrong I do watch those shows (with the exception of Jersey Shore) but its purely for entertainment purposes- not cultural reference.

Day 25: Your day in great detail

You do not want to know. I'm serious- it's actually quite boring an uneventful but here goes:

My day begins by waking up at the last possible second-sometime later. I jump in the shower and usually run to get get dressed. But not before stopping in the kitchen and sneaking in hugs and kisses from the hubby where he's making me breakfast. Yes, I am very spoiled but blessed that he feels obligated to send me out the house with food :) He watches the news while getting ready for working in between sausage flipping- so I may catch a sneak peak of the weather forecast, then we are off!

Yep, we. We work at the same institution but in totally different departments on nearly opposite sides of the googleplex campus. We don't ride to work together everyday because we are usually off to some separate function after work but we try to aim for once a week minimally. However, I do enjoy the days we do because then I get to sleep in the car (I save breakfast for when I get to work). Okay, I don't really sleep in the car because it's a 3 mile drive but if I could I would.

At work- I try really hard to do work but at some point I get distracted by facebook, emails, and random thoughts of what I would be doing if I were home. After breakfast, I go back to try to doing work. My job isn't that interesting. In fact, if I told you what I did you would undoubtedly hate me by association. I get it- the Financial Aid office gets a bad rap because we don't fund students 100% but I'm cool with that. I do what I can do and that's all we can do. I look forward to lunch. I'm a foodie. The afternoon is filled with more work and even more random thoughts of what I would be doing if I were on vacation. Then the bell rings (well not literally but I hear it in my head) and I'm off to do something else- hopefully go home and watch the days episode of All My Children, usually not.

Hubby goes to the gym so we usually meet up in the evening sometime for more hugs and kisses. We normally don't talk about work at home unless someone has done something absurd. Dinner is usually had by me in front of the TV- but we are enjoying the last bit of this luxury because we do not intend to raise children this way. Hubby also has a slightly infamous alter ego so he may go do a show after work and I patiently wait for his return. We like to go to bed together but in recent months I will knock-put without him because sometimes I just can't help it. Then we wake up and do it all over again until the weekend of course!


Now that I am all caught up I need to save my Easter post for tomorrow.

Half-way there!

I have been waiting all week to share this information with you! I am officially half-baked! Wow, I can;t believe we've been at this for 20 weeks! 20 more weeks or 140 days until my due date...

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.


whew! Imagine carrying that around all day, and baby's not even done!



So, according to Monday's anatomy scan, baby weight 13 ounces, heart rate is 145 bpm, and it's head circumference is 17cm. The only disappointing part is that we don't gt anymore trips to the perinatologist...hmph! Don't get me wrong, I''m glad we don't need to go back there- I just want to see my baby's precious face again. I swear my child was waving at us again! The tech got an amazing picture of the hand and you can see all the finger bones in the hand. I definitely should have asked for that picture.


Pregnancy: 20 weeks

Weight Gain: We will get an official doctors weigh in tomorrow, but I think I am holding steady at 2 pounds weight gain.

Sleep: Not enough of it.

Gender: Only the perinatolgist knows... and he told us he knew too! He definitely looked and neither one of us knew he was looking (we thought he was just kind of fishing around with the u/s wand) and then he made it a point to tell us he knew.

Name: For some reason I am not too worried that we do not have a concrete name for either sex. However we have decided that if we officially decide we will NOT be sharing with anyone :)

Feeling: Pretty good. I have good moments and some not so good moments, but I'm definitely not complaining!

Health: The baby's health is excellent! My health will be determined tomorrow.

Movement: Still confused. I'd like to think I'm feeling something but then I think "it's probably just gas".

Belly: Well I didn't take my mom's tape measure home so I'm going to say "a little bit bigger"

Next Appointment:  Tomorrow!

And here we are, my wittle cantaloupe (19w4d) and me (19w6d):

Day 21

A recipe

I'm not much of a cook. I CAN cook and it will taste good, but I find some dishes to be too labor intensive for me. Perhaps if I weren't at work all day and then whisked off to some other activity after, I would be more inclined to cook- but I don't need too because hubby is a gourmet chef! Well at least he's my gourmet chef!

I am however, a baker. I enjoy it immensely and even have a few cake decorating classes under my belt. Right now my scope of baking is cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies, but I have been trying to develop some pie baking skills. I don't have the time I'd like to devoted to baking and no matter what my husband says he never finishes an entire anything (except pan of brownies) so a lot of my practice rounds go to waste. Whenever there is bake sale or a birthday celebration it is always the most inconveniently possible time for me to get more practice and showcase my talent.

One of my claims to fame is the icing I use. Most like it because its really light and airy which is a huge contrast from the traditional butter cream. While I can't decorate with my icing I can always manipulate is to complement any cake flavor. Here is my fool-proof vanilla icing:

1 pint heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Mix heavy cream on high until slightly aerated. add sugar and extract. Continue to mix until cream forms stiff peaks. And your done!

Day 20

A hobby of yours

Scrapbooking. I've always loved pictures and the story they tell. Because of pictures, I've been able to meet dead relatives, relive vacations, and jog my memory of events gone by. So why not give those pictures a pretty frame? Sure I can shove them into a photo album like normal people do, but that's not me.

See what I mean... This is a page from our honeymoon albbum using one of the digital layouts. Doesn't it look better here than in a photo album??

Needless to say, I've already started on some pages for the baby's album :)

Day 19

A talent of yours

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this already but I'm a dancer. I've been dancing since I was 5 :) I devote two hours a week to developing my craft and perform once a year with my dance school. I've only danced competitively once with my high school's dance team and we won first place in Open Dance (but I think it was by default). I don't like being judged but I truly appreciate critique (weird, I know). I will definitely attempt to enroll little one in dance class at least once and then let him or her decide whether or not he or she would like to continue. I have no intentions of stopping anytime soon, if fact at almost 5 months pregnant- I am still dancing two hours a week. Don't get me wrong, it is a little more challenging but it keeps me active. Otherwise I would be a permanent lump on the couch!

And yet again, I can't find a single freakin' dance picture of me. One would think my picture collection is very disorganized! But I swear to you it isn't, however I will be reevaluating it soon. I am going to make it my mission to update this post with a picture.

Day 18

My Wedding

Ahhhh! The event that kicked off this whole process :) I absolutely loved my wedding and everything about it except that we started late (grrrr...) and it was way too short.

I loved it so much, I dedicated a whole page to it: So check out the 'What You Missed' link above and get the whole scoop, well as much of it as I could write right now. I'll keep updating it as I have the time until it's complete.

I think our wedding truly expressed who we were as a couple and there was a lot of love in the room. I definitely did not want it to end- but as usual all good things must come to an end :( We had an all-star team to help us pull it together which included family, friends, and our fabulous vendors. I can't wait to share it with you so go on...check it out!

Day 17

An art piece.

Hmmm... So for my art piece I choose this picture:

I would definitely hang this in my summer home.. or even my regular home if I had the wall space. Even with the trash and miscellaneous people in the background. I love the beach and live for summers in the sand... and I just can't wait :)

Day 16

 A song that makes you cry

"I just can't give up now" by Mary Mary. That song has a lot of meaning in it AND has special meaning to me. Every time I hear it, I get misty eyed. No, I will not be going into what this song means to me... some things are better left unsaid. If you get a chance to listen to it, I hope it can inspire you- no matter what trial or tribulation is thrown your way.

Day 15

Your dream house

This is going to be fun and I'm halfway done! My house is something that I've dreamed about forever... see about me #7. I think home is definitely where the heart is- however, I don't believe that home is a building, I see it more as a place/feeling that exists weather it's on a cul-de-sac or in an apartment building.
If I won the lottery then this would be my home...

First floor

                                                                              

    

Second floor

So, you probably can't see the floor plans and the first floor doesn't match the second floor but... never mind that. The first floor consists of: 2-car garage, storage, mud room, laundry room, kitchen, walk-in pantry, family room, living room, dining room, study, and an in-law suite! The second floor has the master suite (with a den and 2 walk in closets!), 3 additional bedrooms, and a play room. Yea... lottery winnings are needed, at least in our cuurent location. In this state a 5 bedroom house would easily run you $700,000. We could of course move to a different state but that's neither here nor there. Now for design:

The kitchen:

1. Viking appliances are a must. My husband doubles as the family chef and this is HIS must-have. In his words exactly: 6 burners with a grill... and I think he should have it :)

2. It would have an island with a double counter that serves as extra seating and plenty of storage.

3. A breakfast nook and sliding glass doors that leads to an awesome patio.

The master bath:

1. His and her sinks and closets.

2. A sitting area with a fireplace.

3. Lots of room.

Other notes of importance:

1. A mud room preferably off the garage.

2. Lots of storage space.

3. Open floor plan

4. Dining room for hosting holiday dinners

5. A family room or playroom where little one and his or her siblings can run amuck without injuring innocent by-standers with stray toys on wheels.

6. A home office where I can be the CEO of my house without having stray documents strewn about the house.

Did I leave anything out? Whew! I better find an architect to get started...

19 weeks!

I really feel like time is getting away from me... I am almost half-baked! We are officially looking into birthing classes and it's making me even more nervous. I mean this now mango sized baby actually has to go from being in my belly to in my arms... and I'm the ONLY person who can do that! Next weekend is a four day weekend and so I think I am going to drag hubby to the baby store to begin a registry :) So here's how it's going down this week:

Pregnancy: 19 weeks

Weight Gain: I think I'm still doing pretty good! according to our new home scale, I'm up 2 pounds!

Sleep: My hips go numb at night. That's right...numb. I'm assuming it's the mango weight and from sleeping on my side. The Snoogle is still my life sleepline.

Gender: Team Green

Name: Still surfing the baby name websites
Feeling: The other day I had heartburn all day. I'm thinking it was the fruit juice I had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So I'm steering clear of it for a while. 

Health: Is heartburn a health condition??

Movement: I have absolutely no idea. I still don't know the difference gas and movement. Sometimes when I feel something- I'll assume it's movement and talk to the baby.

Belly: Since I am writing this post from my parents house, excuse me while I go get the measuring tape... 36.5 inches around my belly button. Since I have nothing to compare that too, it is what is is (for now).

 Next Appointment:  4 days until anatomy scan... 8 days until my monthly check up.   #can'twait

Day 14

A non-fictional book

Again with the ambiguity...

Today's book is


                                                     AND

                                                           

I haven't read either book but I enjoyed both movies. I am not really a movie watcher, but I found both of these to be captivating and the actor portrayals were pretty good- even if some of the content was 'made for movies'. I usually watch movies in the comfort of my home where I can pause, use the restroom, re-up on snacks, and I control the noise volume- but I saw 'The Social Network' in theaters and enjoyed it just the same. I know the movie (and the book) was the author's account of what happened (based off third part interviews) but I think his account of Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zukerberg was hilarious (and I definitely wanted him to snag that Oscar)!

I recommend both movies as they both have good story lines and excellent endings and maybe one day (in my retirement years) I'll have the time to read them both.

Day 13

A fictional book

This isn't really clear to me. Am I suppose to give a book report of a fictional book? Post my favorite book? A book I despise??

Well this book was a pretty good read for me. I read it a while back and it kept my attention. If you look up the reviews on amazon.com, you will get a pretty good sense of the main content and if you don't mind it I'd say it's definitely worth looking into. 'Fly on the Wall' is authored by Trista Russell.

Day 12

Something you are OCD about

Well I don't believe I have any particular nuances. In fact my life is kind of a mess right now. With everything I have going on, I am secretly rushing my life away just trying to make it to summer. Actually if I can survive until May 9 -when the semester is over- that will be a huge relief.

Day 11

A photo of you recently

I'll take this opportunity to update with a belly pic :)

taken at 18w5d

Day 10

A photo of you taken over 10 years ago

Well... this was clearly taken well over 10 years ago.

Approximately 151 days until my baby gets to take her/her newborn photos :)

Day 9

A photo that you took

I come from a long line of photographers... well not exactly, not really even. My brother is a photographer, my dad dabbled in photography which is where brother's love comes from and my cousin/godfather is a photographer. So I have a true appreciation for photography. When my brother and dad are having photography conversations, I listen. I myself prefer to be in front of the camera, but I also try my hand behind the camera every once in awhile. I took this photo on a family vacation (yes me and the hubby's family all went on vacation together and it was... great!). I like it because it was a very peaceful moment for all of us and the guys (my brother, husband, and dad) look like they are in deep man conversation.

I'm not going to be photographing fashion week or anything... but I'm proud of my small collection of works :)

Lifesavers anyone?

No, not the candy. But, every once in a while you need a lifesaver. Something that keeps you of sound mind and body. Yesterday my boss's boss gave me my lifesaver:

I think Rita and I are gong to be bestie's this summer :)

Day 8

A photo that makes you angry/sad

Really?! Who wants to dwell on something like that?? With all the current disasters going on in the world, I think this post can do without a picture. Just yesterday there were reports of a 7.1 magnitude in Japan and it certainly triggered a tsunami warning, bullying is still a problem in schools and, what is with all the access to guns?! Truthfully, I am afraid of what my kid/s might face in their childhood and even adulthood. While I'm sure my parents had the same fear- I feel like things are much worse now than when I was growing up.

Lord, help us all!

18 Weeks!

Look at my little Sweet Potato!!!

Baby's now the size of a sweet potato! Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel his or her movements.


 A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his or her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after s/he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.




Pregnancy: 18 weeks

Weight Gain: I'm a little leary about this. I think I'm going to back away from the scale and let it be.

Sleep: So, the pillow, the hubby, the baby, and I are trying to work this out. I think we had some set backs this week causing some middle of the night uproar but I can't help it sometimes! We are officially reworking a new plan so that we all get some rest.

Gender: Team Green

Name: We have no clue.

Feeling: Back to bloat.

Health: At least the back pain is easing up a little (and I know with that sentence I just jinxed myself)

Movement: Still uncertain about it. But from what I've been told I shouldn't rush it.

Belly: Bigger. I've given up on trying to remember the tape measure. 


Next Appointment:  11 days until we get to tell the ultrasound tech "we do not want to know"! Although I am certain my husband will bribe her into seeing his way. Then 4 days later is our monthly check-up.

Day 7

A photo that makes you happy.

Just knowing that one day vacation will come keeps me sitting at my desk all day at work.

Day 6

20 of your Favorite things.

Are you kidding me?? I had trouble remembering what my favorite book/song/movie was and now I have to come up with 20!! Here goes nothing (In no particular order):

20.  My celebrity crush right now is Tamera Mowry. She is pregnant with her first, due in June and looks amazing! Now I get that when she does public appearances she has a glam squad helping her get that way- but I could still only hope to carry that well.

19. Party planning. I almost wanted to make a career out of this but it’s a pretty hard market to get into and would probably take up most of my weekends. I’ve gotten lots of compliments on the past few parties I’ve planned and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The number one secret to throwing a good she-bang: consider your guests and guests of honor at all times.

18. The 30 day challenge does not ask you about your favorite artist so I’m going to give it to you anyway. It’s a close tie between Alicia Keys and Beyonce. So imagine my excitement when they recorded a song together… squee!

17.  Seafood: enough said. I am so glad I am not allergic to shellfish because this might just be the most devastating thing ever. (Of course I wouldn’t know how good it was if I were allergic but that’s not the point). For my birthday, I want a seafood feast (hint, hint) at home where I can eat like no one is looking. Baby will be an outside baby by then and I can bring my mercury levels back up to some unbelievable amount.

16. M&M’s. The real and fake ones. I have a particular affinity to peanut but I can do milk chocolate just the same. I’m not too keen on the others (pretzel, coconut, almonds) but it is what it is. I love the actual M*M characters too. They are hilarious... and they never stop! I found this on the vending machine at work on my way to get some M&M’s hehehe!

This list is getting long so I’m going to keep it short and sweet

15.  Retail Therapy

14. being warm

13. Sleeping late

12.  A comfy bed

11. Proving my point

10. Scrapbooking

9. Hot chocolate w/ whipped cream

8. Pictures

7. Dessert

6. Baking

5. Dancing

4. Holiday’s

3. Family get-togethers

2. Vacations

1. My family. I could be without these folks if I tried.

Sheesh!

Oh baby!

It's time for a break from my 30- day challenge and get back to business: our impending bundle of joy :) As far back as I can remember, I've always thought about what my children would be like. I think all parents have some sort of hope/dream/aspiration for their children and as a mom-to-be, I am no different. We will enocourage our child/ren to get involved in extracurricular activities (sports, music, arts, whatever his or her little heart desires) and we will nurture whatever their passion may be (even if it changes every month). But who am I kidding?? I can't wait to sign my daughter up for dance lessons or squirm in the bleachers at my son's football practice. Or, if little bit would rather take on the chess club- so be it. I am going to be the loudest mom at all of his/her tournaments- even if it means I'll get put out.

As a soon-to-be mommy of a biracial child, there are certain physical characteristics that will be unknown. It's not like I KNOW my child/ren will have brown eyes or brown hair because I don't. You never know what you may get when you mix two races together. Look at Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, and Alicia Keys- three biracial beauties all very different (yet talented!). So I did an experiment courtesy of The Tech Museum to see the probability of little one having me or my hubby's eye color. The results:

Mostly in my favor and then split between dad-to-be and some random person who was definitely not involved in this baby making process at all. If you have children of your own already you can plug in your own info and see if your kids beat the odds :)


Only 156 days until we find out... unless of course we have a fashionably late baby girl or a very impatient baby boy!

Day 5

Your favorite quote.

This will be hard for reasoning different from the usual "I can't think of one". This is hard because I have so many!

The first one that comes to mind is "Have you ever seen a U-Haul behind a hearse?? Let it go, you can't take it with you!" My mom taught me that all important lesson in materialism. I think some people happen to get caught up in having the biggest, newer, and best of everything that sometimes the more important things fall by the wayside. Sure we do a good job at Christmas time remembering those less fortunate, but what about other random times of the year? Every year my church holds an special offering during Sunday service called 'one great hour of sharing' and unfortunately every year there is a disaster that these funds are going to be donated to. Sure, we cannot control mother nature and her sometimes unfortunate wrath- but I think we as a society could sometimes think less about having the latest, greatest (read: iPad and iPad 2 being released less than a year apart) and just being content with what we have. I am guilty of this myself and by no means exempt from the world of 'must haves'.


I can't remember exactly where I found/saw this but I love it and it speaks for itself:
    "Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."

Lastly, just for kicks and giggles: "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!"

Happy Tuesday!

Day 4

Your Favorite Book

So, I'm not really much of a reader. If someone gives me a good recommendation and is very enthusiastic about it- I will check it out. This has worked for me since I left high school. In my younger days (lol!) I enjoyed book series such as The Babysitter's Club and the like but once I got to college mandatory reading outranked pleasure reading. After that I never really got back into it. So, I knew this was going to be sort of a hard one for me. I must admit I cheated and looked at my facebook profile (shameful I know). The result:



I'm not sure if you guys are really getting to know me but- Day 4 done.