When I stayed at home with Gabriel the first year, I considered myself a bit of a daytime TV connoisseur. I had the schedule down pat - A Baby Story followed by Barefoot Contessa and Giada in the mid-morning, two episodes of Desperate Housewives in the early afternoon (throw in an old re-run of Grey's right after sometimes) and catch an episode of Challenge before Adrian got home in the afternoon. Every now and then, if Adrian was running late, I would catch two episodes of King of Queens in the evenings...I was on a tight schedule. Hey, don't judge me, I was nursing like, 12 hours out of every day for the first six months plus playing the part of happy little housewife! Flash forward two and some years, and I've been at home for the last three days because Jewish holidays are awesome; daytime tv - not so awesome. I don't know what it is, but if I have to watch another episode of Millionaire Matchmaker, I might climb up my roof and plunge downwards toward my not-so-certain death. I just don't get it. Where's the What Not to Wear or Mystery Diagnosis? Ahh, the disappointment....
Anyway, on to even less substantial topics, why is it that all I can think of eating right now are chocolate pop tarts and chicken flavored top ramen? Seriously, what gives? Let's not even talk about the fact that I haven't cooked a meal that didn't consist of white rice and hot dogs in more than 3 weeks. When I say that exhaustion and all-day-sickness have thoroughly kicked my arse, I mean it! I am trying to reflect on the last vegetable I ate...a week ago? (Just kidding, I had veggie lasagna last night, go me!).
I went through all of my old maternity clothes today and was unpleasantly surprised to find out that 3 out of the 2423 pieces of clothing I own will be work appropriate. Thank God for Target's cute maternity section, which I imagine I will be frequenting over the next 32 weeks. I had my first appointment on Wednesday and I was exactly on target with my due date of January 18th. I was able to see the little gummy bear bean child who will someday be gracing our presence. I'm SO looking forward to having a room to decorate ahead of time, because with Gabriel we knew we were moving so everything was left in tote boxes and gift bags. We were given some beautiful hand me down furniture that I can't wait to put it in the baby's future room.
That seems to be about it for now...we're celebrating my birthday this weekend by getting a new dining room table and hutch :) Have a great weekend all!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Want to take a ride on the coupon train?
It appears as though our country, or at least my TV and local Albertson's, has decided to take a ride on the coupon train. I follow many, many blogs and I cannot begin to tell you how many posts I've read that are for or against extreme couponing, or people wanting to learn, just starting out, or detailing the strategies of seasoned couponers.
I think it's great that so many are becoming a little more money-conscious and personally I have enjoyed learning the ins and outs of effective couponing. However, what I don't appreciate is being accosted in my local Albertson's by a "coupon teacher" for not having at least 3-4 Sunday papers delivered to my doorstep. She gawked at me like I was some creature from the murky depths what I said, "Oh no thank you, I already have a paper delivered to me on Sundays and sometimes I steal my mom's coupons too." She responded with a condescending, "Well my girls have at least 5 papers delivered to them each weekend - have you even seen our show on TLC???"
Look lady, I will coupon how I want to coupon, when I want to coupon, where I want to coupon. Don't even get me started on the fact that you're sitting in Albertson's, a store that gives no benefits to couponing, when really you should be sitting in the Vons on Mission Gorge since they actually double coupons up to a dollar! How about that! It is people like her who clean the shelves of a good deal so people like me, who buy what they need as opposed to hoarding what they don't, can't get to them!
Anyway, word to the wise - don't accost my cranky ass in Albertsons.
I think it's great that so many are becoming a little more money-conscious and personally I have enjoyed learning the ins and outs of effective couponing. However, what I don't appreciate is being accosted in my local Albertson's by a "coupon teacher" for not having at least 3-4 Sunday papers delivered to my doorstep. She gawked at me like I was some creature from the murky depths what I said, "Oh no thank you, I already have a paper delivered to me on Sundays and sometimes I steal my mom's coupons too." She responded with a condescending, "Well my girls have at least 5 papers delivered to them each weekend - have you even seen our show on TLC???"
Look lady, I will coupon how I want to coupon, when I want to coupon, where I want to coupon. Don't even get me started on the fact that you're sitting in Albertson's, a store that gives no benefits to couponing, when really you should be sitting in the Vons on Mission Gorge since they actually double coupons up to a dollar! How about that! It is people like her who clean the shelves of a good deal so people like me, who buy what they need as opposed to hoarding what they don't, can't get to them!
Anyway, word to the wise - don't accost my cranky ass in Albertsons.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Precious cargo
Anyone who has tried for more than a few months to get pregnant will tell you that it always happen when you stop trying for it.
In March, I was so frustrated that we hadn't gotten pregnant that I stressed my body out and made it have a crazy long cycle. I kept taking pregnancy tests thinking that my period still hadn't come and I must be pregnant, but really it wasn't coming because it was reacting to my emotional upheaval. So, in April, marking the 6th month of trying, I threw up my hands and said whatever. I didn't really have time to think about it anyway because I was busy finishing up my class and dealing with work. I didn't track my ovulation since I really didn't know when it would come anyway, based on last month's long cycle. May came around and I kept thinking, "I must have really effed up my period because it's going crazy again this month!" But at about 35-ish days and no period, I started to get suspicious...
Gabriel and I went to Target on Saturday morning, May 14th, and I picked up a pack of Clear Blue pregnancy tests, the same I used when I found out I was pregnant with Gabriel. Adrian was still sleeping, so we came home, I peed on the stick and set it on the counter. I tried to keep busy because let me tell you, those CB's take for-e-verrrrrrrr to process. I made Gabriel and I some waffles, went back to it, and what do you think I saw!!! That perfect little word that I'd been hoping to see, "pregnant!" I sent Gabriel in with the positive test to wake up Adrian and of course he was overjoyed. We thought we'd keep it quiet until my appointment this coming Wednesday, but since everyone basically already knows, we're kind of over that...
What I find most interesting is the difference in all of our reactions this time around versus when I found out about Gabriel. He is truly the best part of my life, but when I found out I was pregnant with him, I thought my life was over and my world was crashing down. Now, I feel like I cheated myself out of being happy and enjoying all of the different aspects of that pregnancy, because this time, being sick carries special meaning. It means this baby is still safe and comfortable. I remember being bitter about Adrian having a drink whereas this time, I savor my sobriety, knowing that I'm carrying such special cargo. I was immature, whereas now, I feel prepared and hopeful.
I'm looking forward to the special time I'll have bonding with this unnamed, unknown little child before the world gets to see or meet him/her. For now, this baby is all mine to snuggle in my womb and keep safe.
In March, I was so frustrated that we hadn't gotten pregnant that I stressed my body out and made it have a crazy long cycle. I kept taking pregnancy tests thinking that my period still hadn't come and I must be pregnant, but really it wasn't coming because it was reacting to my emotional upheaval. So, in April, marking the 6th month of trying, I threw up my hands and said whatever. I didn't really have time to think about it anyway because I was busy finishing up my class and dealing with work. I didn't track my ovulation since I really didn't know when it would come anyway, based on last month's long cycle. May came around and I kept thinking, "I must have really effed up my period because it's going crazy again this month!" But at about 35-ish days and no period, I started to get suspicious...
Gabriel and I went to Target on Saturday morning, May 14th, and I picked up a pack of Clear Blue pregnancy tests, the same I used when I found out I was pregnant with Gabriel. Adrian was still sleeping, so we came home, I peed on the stick and set it on the counter. I tried to keep busy because let me tell you, those CB's take for-e-verrrrrrrr to process. I made Gabriel and I some waffles, went back to it, and what do you think I saw!!! That perfect little word that I'd been hoping to see, "pregnant!" I sent Gabriel in with the positive test to wake up Adrian and of course he was overjoyed. We thought we'd keep it quiet until my appointment this coming Wednesday, but since everyone basically already knows, we're kind of over that...
What I find most interesting is the difference in all of our reactions this time around versus when I found out about Gabriel. He is truly the best part of my life, but when I found out I was pregnant with him, I thought my life was over and my world was crashing down. Now, I feel like I cheated myself out of being happy and enjoying all of the different aspects of that pregnancy, because this time, being sick carries special meaning. It means this baby is still safe and comfortable. I remember being bitter about Adrian having a drink whereas this time, I savor my sobriety, knowing that I'm carrying such special cargo. I was immature, whereas now, I feel prepared and hopeful.
I'm looking forward to the special time I'll have bonding with this unnamed, unknown little child before the world gets to see or meet him/her. For now, this baby is all mine to snuggle in my womb and keep safe.
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