The One with the Liebster Love

Yours truly has once again been nominated for a Liebster blog award.  This is an award given to new or up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers.  To graciously accept the award, you must follow the rules below.

Before I tell you about the rules, I must thank the wonderful blogger over at Middle Musings for my nomination.  Thank you!

So here is how this blog award works:

• Tell 11 random facts about yourself.
• Answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
• Choose 11 blogs with less than 200 followers to nominate and link to their blogs from your blog.
• Come up with 11 questions to ask the bloggers you nominate.
• Tell the 11 bloggers that you nominated them by posting on their blog.
• Link back to the person who nominated you and thank them dearly from the bottom of your heart!
• Post your award badge with pride!

Alright, here goes, my 11 random facts:

1.  I became a certified scuba diver at 12 years old.

2.  I didn't have my first cavity until the age of 28.

3.  I don't eat the last bite of my pickle.

4.  The first concert I went to was John Denver (ick!) at the age of about 7.

5.  I hate the green apple Skittles.

6.  Dusting is my least favorite cleaning job.

7.  I can't jump rope.

8.  Hubs and I have been married for 18+ months and I still haven't hung up any wedding pictures.

9.  I put ice in my milk.

10.  I once had my brother ride his bike around the block with a sign that said, "Lemonade, follow me" to get business for my lemonade stand.

11.  I can't draw a straight line, even with a ruler.

Here are the answers to the questions from the blogger who nominated me:

1. Who was your favorite teacher? Why? This is a tough one for me because I have had so many great teachers in my life.  I loved my fifth grade teacher because I thought she was so cool.  I would actually write down things she did in her classroom so I would remember them when I became a teacher.  I also loved my freshman English teacher.  I hated her at first, but she really challenged me to become a better writer.

2. What is your favorite kind of movie to see in the theater? I like to see comedies.  I find the laughter of all those people so uplifting.

3. What dish do you cook that everyone just loves? Everyone who eats my pepperoni bread loves it and I recently made these meatballs and they are always a hit.

4. What is your ideal "night in?" I am perfectly content ordering pizza and watching a movie or a TV show from Netflix with Hubs.

5. How would you describe your home decor style? Right now, I feel like it's a hodgepodge of stuff.  We have the new part of our house that we renovated and the old part of our house that we haven't done anything to and they don't exactly mesh.  I like my house to feel warm and welcoming.

6. What do you do for a living? Do you like it? I am a first grade teacher and most days I love my job.

7. Describe your everyday handbag. Is it huge and filled with tons of stuff or small and neat? My current bag is a Kate Spade one I bought on super sale as a "You're doing a good job growing a baby" present to myself.  It is not huge, but definitely has a lot of stuff in it.

8. Mac or PC? Never thought I'd say this, but I am officially a Mac convert.

9. What is your favorite season? Why? Summer...uh no school then!

10. Do you have a special talent? Is there something unusual that you know how to do? I literally consider myself talentless.  I can't sing, dance, or sew.  I am pretty damn good with a glue gun though!

11. What is your favorite way to waste time on the internet? Facebook, The Bump, Pinterest, blogs...I am a great time waster.

And my 11 nominations (in no specific order):

1.  J&J at Babykins!

2.  Lexie at Easy Epicurean

3.  Katharine at Grow Baby Grow

4.  Kathy4678 at Hoping for Baby 4678

5.  Lisbeth at Maybe, Baby?

6.  ReadyForMyTurn at Ready for My Turn

7.  Lisa at The Road to Baby Oz

8.  Kat at Trying to Make 3

9.  Miss A at When...not IF!

10.  Andy at I Won't Give Up

11.  Lainey-Paney at Life is Just So Daily

Finally, my 11 questions to the nominees:

1.  What is your favorite T.V. show?

2.  If we were on a road trip and I went into a convenience store to get you a snack, what should it be?

3.  What is your favorite book from childhood?

4.  How many pillows do you sleep with?
5.  How do you drink your coffee or tea?
6.  What is your favorite dinner recipe?
7.  What kind of car do you drive?
8.  What is your favorite kind of shampoo?
9.  What is your least favorite food?
10.  Describe your best friend in three words.
11.  What song is currently on repeat on your iPod/MP3 player/CD player?

Thanks again for the nomination and to my wonderful readers!

Hope you're having a happy hump day!

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm late again.  Whoever said there was supposed to be increased energy in the second trimester lied big time.

25 Weeks

I look kinda miserable in this picture.  

Also, thank God I didn't wear this sweater out of the house today.

How far along? 25 weeks (eggplant)

Total weight gain/loss: Still around +7-8 pounds from my pre-IVF med weight.

Maternity clothes: I have officially started wearing Hubs' pajama pants bc mine are just not comfortable anymore.

Sleep: This is definitely getting more difficult.  My hips are sore from sleeping on my side and when I wake up in the middle of the night with heartburn, I need to prop myself up to make it stop.
Best moment this week: Deciding on a paint color for the nursery.  Now we just need to actually paint it.
Miss Anything? A good night's sleep and energy.  Also, I am making Skittles vodka for a Super Bowl party this weekend and I can't even taste test it!

Movement: He kicked me so hard today that my hand moved from my stomach.  That was wild to see!
Food cravings: Lemonade, Swedish fish, ice cream...apparently I am on a sweets kick lately.
Anything making you queasy or sick? All is well with this right now.
Gender: Sweet little boy.
Labor Signs: Not yet.
Symptoms: Dry skin, lips, and contacts, back and hip pain, heartburn.

Major purchases this week? Been a quiet week on the shopping front (shocking I know!).

Weekly wisdom: Don't sit in one place for too long.  Your back will hurt and you will be miserable.
Looking forward to: Meeting with my new doctor on Monday.

Hubs and I have been on a major Breaking Bad watching marathon lately...nothing says pregnancy like  meth and drug dealers, so I'm off to watch more episodes!

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update (and a confession)

**I wrote this yesterday afternoon but was too lazy to take a picture when Hubs got home**

Let's get the confession out of the way: I actually just poured potato chip crumbs (all that was left in the bag) into a container of leftover onion dip and ate it with a spoon.  I am officially the biggest fat-ass of a pregnant woman evah.

And onto less disgusting matters...

I had a fabulous trip to visit my friend in Chicago and got home uber-late on Sunday night so the update is a couple of days late.  You forgive me, right?

24 Weeks-V-DAY!

The debate rages on about which is larger - my bump or my ass.

How far along? 24 weeks (cantaloupe)

Total weight gain/loss: Around +7ish I think, but really only +3 since IVF retrieval day.

Maternity clothes: Obviously.  I'm huge if you haven't noticed.  When I went to visit my friend, I got a super cute sweater with sequins (see above picture) and a possible baby shower dress.

Sleep: Slept like crap when I was away but better since I've been home.  Think it may have been due to the lack of the Snoogle.  But I am still waking up several times a night for no apparent reason.
Best moment this week: V-Day!  That means viability day and is a huge milestone in this (or any) pregnancy.  It basically means that if I went into preterm labor from this point forward, the doctors would try to save our little guy and his chances of survival go up considerably.  I know it's not a pleasant thought to think about having him early, but the fact that I've made it this far is a really big deal.  We also worked on our registry at Buy Buy Baby.  I started it with my friend in Chicago and Hubs and I headed up there yesterday to play with the stroller and carseat.  Lots of fun!
Miss Anything? My friend and I always do a trip (or 5) to Panera when we are together.  It was a Saturday tradition in college, but we skipped it during my visit because I can't eat the turkey sandwich we normally get.

Movement: Most definitely.  He either loves to fly or hates to fly because he was a wiggleworm during the entire flight on the way to Chicago.
Food cravings: Apparently chips and onion dip.  I really want a good salad but they have been setting my stomach off.
Anything making you queasy or sick? The salads don't make me sick, just feel kinda yucky.  I am hoping to get past that soon.
Gender: Little guy.
Labor Signs: No, but I was wondering if I may have had a Braxton-Hicks contraction or two yesterday.
Symptoms: Back pain, heartburn like there's no tomorrow (despite the Zantac twice a day).

Major purchases this week? Does the log splitter Hubs bought yesterday count?  I haven't gotten anything major, but I did pick up some super cute sale stuff at Gap and Target while I was in Chicago.  We are working on picking a paint color for the nursery so I am hoping to buy that soon so we can get the room painted.

Weekly wisdom: Don't fight the waddle.  I have absolutely reached the waddling state and I have just embraced it at this point.
Looking forward to: Ordering some fun nursery stuff from Etsy and cleaning out the nursery over the next week or so.

And for fun, a side by side comparison of the week 8 bump and the week 24 bump in the same shirt.  

*Please excuse the fact that you can see through this shirt.  It's not made for my big pregnant ass in full panel maternity pants!

Have a good night!

The One with the Nursery Ideas

Ever since I found out I was pregnant, and for quite a while before if I am being honest, I have dreamed about a nursery for our baby.

I envision it as this calm and pretty space with matching colors and gorgeous furniture.  I also want it to be a place that can grow with our little one.  I don't love all the theme nurseries and just want something that looks classic and put together without being too baby or cutesy.  Finding this for a boy is difficult.  There are a million adorable baby girl nurseries and bedding sets.  The boy sets are either animals or sports.  Some people love that, but it's not my style.

That being said, we have a pretty small room and my "perfect" nursery needs to mesh with my real life.  It's quite tragic that I am not famous and/or rich because I could design the hell out of a baby space!

I love love love this nursery, but for some crazy reason Hubs wouldn't go for the polka dot walls.  Silly husband!

From Project Nursery

It took a little work on my part, but I finally convinced Hubs that a blue, gray, and white nursery would look fantastic.  So, those are the colors we are going with.

We have ordered some pieces for our little guy already and I have some ideas for other things I want to do.  So I figured I'd detail it all here and it would be a place to keep my ideas organized.

My fantastic in-laws generously purchased our crib and dresser for us.  They, along with the fabulous chair, are being delivered in late February during my school vacation.

Larkin 4-in-1 Crib from Pottery Barn Kids

Larkin Extra-Wide Dresser and Changing Table Topper from Pottery Barn Kids

Comfort Grand Swivel Glider from Pottery Barn Kids in Dove Gray Cotton with Ivory Piping

The plan is to do the walls in a light blue (possibly Glidden Sweet Baby Boy or Behr Madras Blue) and then do a gray (maybe Behr Porpoise) and white stripe in the middle of the wall, very similar to the picture below.  I don't have the original link, but it is on my Pinterest Nursery board if you follow me (button on the top of the blog page).

Baby's name is definitely NOT Lucas, btw...not so great experience with that name in my classroom.

I know nothing about painting and Hubs hates it so the whole process should be interesting!

I really like this area rug from Pottery Barn Teen.  Still trying to decide whether we will do a gray or blue rug on the hardwoods.

Decorator Border Rug in Warm Gray from Pottery Barn Teen

I have decided not to do the traditional bedding set and I am mixing and matching from different places.  I am going to order a crib skirt on Etsy.  I originally thought I would get it in gray, but now I am wondering if I should do a light blue because of the gray rug and chair that will already be in there.  Thoughts?

We have registered for a lot of different crib sheets that will all match the blue and gray colors.  Here are a few pictures:

Roadster Crib Fitted Sheet from Pottery Barn Kids...Hubs needed race cars in there somewhere!

 Gray Elephant Fitted Sheet from Pottery Barn Kids

aden + anis Oh Boy Fitted Crib Sheet from Buy Buy Baby

I am also going to have some new knobs made for the dresser from an Etsy shop.  They will look similar to this but will have gray in them as well.

From Etsy shop Sweet Mix Creations

I also registered for some of the canvas buckets and totes at PBK in gray and white.   I am an organization freak of nature and cannot wait to get everything in just the right place.  (And yes, I realize it won't stay like this once he starts moving around).

We have this weird space behind the door in the nursery and I am hoping to put up some IKEA spice racks to use as bookshelves, similar to this, because we don't really have enough wall space for a reading nook.

Original image here

I also need to get some sort of organizer for the closet as well.  It's pretty small and while his clothes are still so little and short, I want to put up some drawers or bins for non-hanging stuff that he will need, along with toys.

I definitely want to hang the wooden letters that spell out his name above the crib (name still TBD) and also put up some pictures from our maternity session that we are doing in late March.

So, that's what I am thinking for the little man's space.  I can't wait to start cleaning out that room this week so it can start to become "his."

Off to do more daydreaming and blog searching and pinning...

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

It's been quite a busy beginning to week 23 and it is becoming even more real that this little man will be arriving in ::gasp:: less than 17ish weeks.  When the heck did I get so far into this pregnancy?!

23 Weeks

This week's picture is brought to you by polka dot pajamas.  Just couldn't handle real clothes tonight.

How far along? 23 weeks (papaya...we were that last week too so I think The Bump messed up)

Total weight gain/loss: Still right around +6 pounds.

Maternity clothes: Yes please!  Gap and ON had a big sale on their maternity stuff (which doesn't happen often) so I picked up a few more pieces.  I am thinking I'm going to need to start getting some spring/summer stuff soon because if it gets warm before this baby arrives, I only have sweaters.  And my fat ass will probably be in maternity clothes for a little while after this baby arrives.  I also got a pair of maternity jeans that I actually like from Gap.

Sleep: Getting tired again more easily.
Best moment this week: Nursery furniture baby!  More on that below.
Miss Anything? Goat cheese.  Random I know, but I really feel like having some with craisins and crackers and it's not allowed.  Boo!

Movement: Frequent and strong.  I'm convinced Hubs could feel him if I could get him (Hubs that is) to be patient enough to sit there and wait.
Food cravings: Back to pears again.  Still loving carbs and could eat macaroni for just about every meal.  I also had to have an Auntie Annie's pretzel yesterday when we were out shopping.
Anything making you queasy or sick? The smell of cooked chicken was making me feel a little off the other day.
Gender: Boy to the end.
Labor Signs: Thankfully no.
Symptoms: Back and feet pain and more tired than usual.

Major purchases this week? Oh this may require it's own post, but some of you may remember the post I did about Hubs' dream shopping for the baby way back in the fall.  So it's not a dream anymore.  We are now official owners of a Power Wheels blue Ford Raptor. Hubs was a madman on Friday finding a WalMart near us that had it in stock.  He was convinced they wouldn't have one later on when our son can actually use it.  I just couldn't argue with his excitement about it!

This ginormous box (it's almost as tall as me!) is living in my dining room right now and will probably be there for the foreseeable future because it won't fit downstairs.  

We also picked out and ordered our nursery furniture this weekend.  I'm going to do a separate post about the nursery but I am super excited about what we ordered!

Weekly wisdom: Take breaks to sit when you need it.  I sat down in Pottery Barn Kids yesterday in one of their comfy chairs because I needed to get off my feet.
Looking forward to: My trip to Chicago this weekend to visit my BFF.  She just moved into a new house and I can't wait to see it.  Plus she is working on wedding planning and since I will be missing out on her shower and not able to help much this spring, I am looking forward to talking wedding stuff with her.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Monday!

The One with the Shopping

Shopping for baby things has always been a small obsession of mine.  When a friend has a baby shower or gives birth, I can spend hours in the store looking for the right item to purchase.  Hubs knows better than to come with me when I am baby shopping because it ends up being a long day where he whines.  

I love the little outfits and toys and books and gadgets.  

I knew we were in trouble the minute I found out I was pregnant.  It didn't take long for me to go out and buy the Worth the Wait bib when I got our positive beta.  The shopping hasn't stopped much since then.

But I admit it's taken on a whole new level since our gender reveal.

I went out almost every day during Christmas break and bought lots of clothes on sale for next year.  As I justified it to myself (and Hubs), why would I spend $25 on a Christmas outfit when it is on sale now for $6.40?  It seems pretty logical to me.  So, I have just been getting six and nine month clothes and this little guy will fit in them at some point (especially considering he'll be in "holiday" gear for the entire month leading up to the holiday!).

Hubs response: "Why the hell are you going to dress my son up like a candy cane?!"

From Old Navy

We have also gotten some adorable stuff from family and friends.  My mother-in-law and sister-in-law went out the night after our reveal party to get little boy outfits for the little man as Christmas presents.  My aunt bought both a girl outfit and a boy outfit and once we revealed what we were having to the rest of my family, she gave us the cutest Polo onesie.

Complete with the world's tiniest Polo horse.

From Macy's

I absolutely couldn't resist this one from Old Navy.  I LOVE Elf and I can't wait to put the little guy in this.

From Old Navy

It's an addiction and I should probably see someone about it.  But I will keep doing it because it makes me happy.

I'm pretty sure I would buy this for me if it came in my size.

From Baby Gap

The best part is that I really have not paid full price for anything I've bought.  Everything has been on sale as the spring and summer stuff is being put out.  I shop this way for myself and it saves so much money.

Up until today, I was only buying clothes.  Then I saw these...

 From Baby Gap

From Old Navy

Yes, they are ridiculous and you over there saying they are impractical (yes Mom, I'm talking to you!), I don't care.  They are stinkin adorable and my son needs them!

Another closet shot.  And this doesn't include all the stuff that didn't come on hangers.

My baby will be nothing short of fashionably fabulous.

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

I clearly need a little kick in the ass to start blogging again.

I have post-it notes in random places throughout my house with all these ideas about blogging, but I can't seem to find the time.  Even as I type this, I have two loads of laundry going, the dishwasher is almost done and needs to be emptied, I have two videos that need to be transferred to DVDs for school, and Hubs is shooting me dirty looks because he wants to watch the Breaking Bad DVD that came from Netflix today.  Not enough hours in the day.

I promise to be try to be better about blogging.

Onto the update...

22 Weeks

Uh, when the hell did I get so huge?!

How far along? 22 weeks (papaya)

Total weight gain/loss: I am just about one and a half pounds past my IVF transfer weight but the doctor is using my weight from my annual exam last spring so he says I'm up about 6 pounds.

Maternity clothes: Nothing but.  Just ordered a few more ribbed tanks from Old Navy because I wear them under everything.

Sleep: I wake up a couple times every night, always at 4:30 but have been able to go back to sleep pretty easily.
Best moment this week: Feeling real kicks and punches from the little guy.  Also hearing from the OB that the results of our anatomy scan look great.
Miss Anything? Turkey sandwich from Panera.

Movement: Yes!  He's either going to be a soccer player or have some serious ADHD!  He's squirming around like crazy as I type.
Food cravings: Cereal, milk with ice cubes (I don't even really like milk!), chips and onion dip
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really, but I can still smell everything.
Gender: Boy all the way.
Labor Signs: No, but I heard Braxton Hicks contractions can start at any point now.
Symptoms: I've been having some sciatic nerve pain which is super fun and I'm getting tired again in the afternoons.

Major purchases this week? I pretty much pick up an outfit every time I go to a store.  It's a small sickness.

Weekly wisdom: It will all get done.  Enjoy every moment of the pregnancy and remember that the important stuff will get done.  The rest can wait.
Looking forward to: A trip to Pottery Barn Kids this weekend to officially pick out the nursery furniture.  More details on the nursery in one of those "I promise to be a better blogger" posts.

On a related side note, my OB is leaving the practice.  I absolutely love him and he has the perfect combination of sarcasm, swearing, and true caring for his patients.  I am now in a full-on search for a new OB before next month.  I have asked lots of local friends and even called Dr. Bow Tie today to ask for his recommendation.  I am making some phone calls tomorrow to see who is taking new patients and hopefully I will find a new one soon.  I go back to Dr. S one more time before he leaves and then I'll start seeing the new doctor.  

The quest for a pediatrician starts next!

And just for proof about the shopping...baby boy's closet...

Notice all the sale tags though...Mommy shops a lot, but shops smart!

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update (And the Happy New Year)

Happy New Year blogging world!

We spent our NYE on the couch in pj's (which I had been in all day) and went to bed way before the ball dropped.  Hubs has been fighting a cold and the last thing this preggo lady wanted to do was brave the cold and snow to go hang out with people who could drink.

Today will be quiet as well.  Maybe a few errands and some prep to go back to school tomorrow (yuck!), but I also think there is going to be lots of couch time involved in our plans for today.

2012 was quite a year for us.

I had a tough year at school, dealing with a very difficult student who just about sent me over the edge.

Hubs made it through an entire year of work with no extended time out for injuries!

We found out getting pregnant the "normal" and "cheap" way wasn't an option for us.

I celebrated the big 3-0 with a surprise birthday party.

I injected myself with more meds than I ever thought possible.

I had cameras, wands, liquids, dyes, needles, and catheters stuck up my vag.

I started blogging.

Everyone seemed to be getting pregnant and having babies.

We did our first IVF procedure and waited for what felt like the longest two weeks of our lives to see if it worked.

Our first IVF was a success and we got pregnant!

Mama knows best and we found out that baby T is a boy.

We celebrated several holidays celebrations with our fantastic families.

It has been quite a year, with both some very low lows and some very high highs.

And we are so ready to welcome 2013 and the arrival of our little bean.

Now, onto the weekly update...

21 Weeks

Using the flash this week apparently.

How far along? 21 weeks (banana)

Total weight gain/loss: I go back to the doctor for my monthly appointment on Friday, but I'm thinking probably up a pound or two.

Maternity clothes: Yes!

Sleep: Hasn't been so great this week, but that is mostly due to my snoring and sick husband.
Best moment this week: Telling more family members about our little baby boy.  We also got to see our little guy again at our follow-up ultrasound.  He was sucking his thumb and is no longer breech.
Miss Anything? Would have loved a glass of champagne on NYE last night.

Movement: Absolutely.  Also starting to feel little kicks from the outside.  Hubs is looking forward to the first time he can feel them.
Food cravings: Chocolate has been on my menu every day in some way or another.  And if often makes several appearances a day.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No, thankfully.
Gender: It's a boy!
Labor Signs: Nothing yet, but one of my plans for the coming weeks is to sign us up for the birthing class at the hospital.
Symptoms: My back still bothers me if I'm on my feet too long.

Major purchases this week? Uhhh, you could say I did some shopping this week.  Check out the picture below.  I just couldn't pass up the sales once we found out that we were having a little boy.

Weekly wisdom: Try not to stress about nursery bedding...this is easier said than done for me right now.
Looking forward to: Continuing to feel the little guy kick and deciding on a name (that's a whole other post in itself!).  Going to the doctor this week and making sure everything looks good from our follow-up ultrasound.

So maybe I went a little overboard?  I stocked up on clothes for next Christmas and winter.

Chalkboard from last week with our big announcement.

The HersHEy's bars we gave to our family when we revealed the gender to them on Sunday.

Little guy sucking his thumb.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2013!