confused...

see, I thought it was the first trimester that you were supposed to be sick? not the last 3 weeks!

For the past few days I've been feeling...iffy (for lack of a better word). My "lower" stomach feels like it does when I am about to get my period (which I haven't had since March!). Where normally I want to eat everything I see, I have no appetite and just want to drink water and diet coke...that's it. Nothing else.

I want to go home, but I have too much shit that needs to get done before I go out on maternity leave. I am hoping my dr tells me this Thursday "yeah, I am going to take you out of work as of tomorrow" but I know that is too much to hope for. My pregnancy has pretty much been textbook - no problems at all (a visit to the emergency room and one fall back in September...that's it).

I can dream though, right???

I wish Ron was working more so that we could afford for me to be off for longer. I can use up most of my vacation, but would rather not. I know if I "work from home" I am going to have to be available by email and we don't have internet access at the house, so I would have to go to the library for a certain portion of the day...oy.

I will stop complaining. I know people have had harder pregnancies than me and I should be grateful - and I am! Patrick has been healthy at every visit, no major problems or anything (except for the kicking in the ribs he is giving me right now!) I guess I am just tired...I really want a day to sleep all day long...

105 things about me...

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING? Yes! Technically, I was given 3 by my husband (a pre-engagement ring, the sapphire ring he gave me and the diamond from my grandfather’s ring)

2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP? 9 years

3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? from my family – my baby shower was yesterday J

4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE? A few times

5. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT? HAHAHAHA! That’s funny.

6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON? Food

7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE? A muncho potato chip

8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? Eyes

9. ONE FAVORITE SONG? O Holy Night – Josh Groban

10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Guilford, CT

11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED: Guilford High School

12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER: Verizon

13. FAVORITE MALL STORE: Lane Bryant

14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD: Store Manager at Stride Rite

15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE? Yes

16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?: No.

17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED: ummm…mine?


18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY: my friend Eileen who is a lawyer!


19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND: I have 3 of them – my sister, yesterday; the other two – WAY TOO LONG AGO!


20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT: Quiznos


21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD: “your job is completely safe”


23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS? Texas Roadhouse or Olive Garden


24. CAN YOU COOK? Yes…although I choose not to!


25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?: Nissan Sentra

26. BEST KISSER: My husband

27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?: yesterday at my shower

28. MOST DISLIKED FOODS: cooked peppers, liver, beets

29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: I try to give everyone a 2nd chance.

30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: My weight

32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?: 16 hours

33. FAVORITE MOVIE? Lady & The Tramp

34. CAN YOU SING? People tell me that I can, yes J

35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED? Justin TImberlake

36. LAST KISS? This morning

37. LAST MOVIE RENTED: Baby Mama and Sex & The City

38. ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT: My wedding ring and my promise ring (can’t wear my engagement ring right now)

39. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Disney

43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?: Laptop at home, Desktop at work


44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN?: Jeff Dunham

45. DO YOU SMOKE? Nope



46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES? Depends on how cold it is

47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?: sister’s cat (husband is a truck driver who is out on the road at nights)

48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?: Living proof of one!

49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE? Actually pulled over…2 times.

50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST? Blueberry Pancakes

51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?: Yes.

52. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? Florentine (with a hard yolk)

53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?: yep

54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?: a recruiter

55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?: “Unknown Name”

56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECIEVED?: “ugh that might be worse than Ron!”

58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?: I sleep with 2 under my head, one on my back. Husband has 2-3

59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?: Red maternity top, black velvet yoga pants

60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC: “When the world gets in my face I say, have a nice day!”

61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?: lately, raspberry

62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?: yeah, but I totally suck

63. CAN YOU SWIM? Yes but not underwater unless I hold my nose

64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?: Mint chocolate chip

65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS? I hate reading them!

66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: I have to have the bed made when I go to bed, but not necessarily when I get up (although lately I have been making it)

68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?: yep

69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON: Fall

70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID? yesterday

71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING? 1:00, 3:15, 5:20 and 6:30.

72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER? Get to wear sweaters!

73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?: 1996…or 97…

75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?: that I remember, Bandit.

76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?: pretty cool – Orlando Bloom is hot!

77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND? Thursday – eating, Friday – Shopping, Saturday – 3d/4d ultrasound, Sunday – church and football!

78. BIRTHDATE: 9/17

79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE: a mom

85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?: no

87. ARE YOU SMILING?: No, but only cuz I really don’t feel well.

89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW: yeah, my grandfather

90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO? my bed!!!

92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?: No

93. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?: Yes, a little redhead named Dylan

94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME? Patrick

95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHING SUIT?: One is purple and one is black with yellow/orange flowers on it.

96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?: I am not in school, but the Guilford school system started on Sept 2nd – I believe.

97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?: no

98. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?: once

99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER: 2 of ‘em

100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?: I guess you could consider me upstairs

101. ARE YOU IN LOVE?: Yes – with 2 men!! My husband and my soon-to-be born son.

102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL? Admitted – yes, for gall bladder surgery. Otherwise, no.

103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW? YES! A little man by the name of Patrick who is currently growing inside me!

104. WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING? My charm necklace (sapphire & diamond pendant from Ron, circle of hope from Mom, diamond from ex (it won’t come off the necklace), puzzle piece and cross), wedding ring and promise ring.

105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY? Do another one…I really don’t want to work!!!

it's slowly becomming more real...

Not that it wasn't real BEFORE, but...in 8 weeks (56 days), I might be meeting my son. I have waiting so long to meet him, I still can't believe that I am actually going to.

This weekend we moved furniture around, got things cleaned up in the living/dining room area, moved a bookcase upstairs for Patrick's room (yay!) and my stepfather and uncle were at my house last night until almost 10:00 re-wiring my cable so I didn't have wires in the house. Apparently, I have to make sure my house is cleaned to my uncle's specifications, which means he has to be able to eat off any surface in my home - yay. Oh, did I mention I am having a BABY?!?!?!?! oy...

I am going to get my flu shot today, then off to meet with Bisch (John Bischof) at church to learn more about being the treasurer...joy! I have fun with Bisch though, I can't complain.

Will post pictures once things get a little more put together. My husband is not even going to know what hit him when he gets home next weekend!!!!

ta!

Kinda fun :)

Four, Four, Four, Four...

A) Four places that I go to over and over
Bathroom, Work, Church, Naples (for dinner)

B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly)
Mom, Kelli, Caren, Jessica

C) Four of my favorite places to eat
Lena’s, Texas Roadhouse, Naples, Cracker Barrell

D) Four places I would rather be right now
My bed, getting my hair/nails done, not at work, recording studio

E) Four people I think will re-post
Jen, Betsy, Becca, ???

F) Four TV shows I watch
CSI: NY, Criminal Minds, Charmed, Grey’s Anatomy

Here's what you are supposed to do...and please don't spoil the fun...

Delete my answers, type in your answers and repost!

Lord, help me to leave yesterday behind me and learn something today that will help me to say and do something positive tomorrow. In Jesus name, Amen

Need suggestions for music...

I LOVE playing music for Patrick, he moves around so much and I want to expose him to as many different types of music as possible so he loves it as much as his mom and dad!!

Here is the playlist he has been listening to:

"Songbird" - Fleetwood Mac
"Smile" - Harry Connick Jr.
"Sweet Baby James" - Dixie Chicks and James Taylor
"Corner of the Sky" from Pippin
"Danny's Song" - Kenny Loggins
"Show Me The Way" - Styx
"Alone in the Universe" - from Suessical
"For Once in My Life" - Harry Connick Jr (he likes this one a lot!)
"You Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban
"Calling All Angels" - KD Lang & Jane Sibery
"For You" - Michael W. Smith
"Just One Person" - from Snoopy
"Poor Sweet Baby" - from Snoopy
"Living Prayer" - Alison Krauss
"When You Say Nothing At All" - Alison Krauss
"Breath of Heaven" - Amy Grant
"Christmas Lullaby" - from Songs for a New World
"Come Down From The Tree" - Audra McDonald
"Baby Moon" - Audra McDonald
"Stop, Time" - from Big (he LOVES this song!)
"James" - Billy Joel
"Panis Angelicus" - Charlotte Church
"The Prayer" - Josh Groban and Charlotte Church
"O Holy Night" - recording from the show "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (All brass!)
"Find the Cost of Freedom" - Crosby, Stills & Nash
"You're the Voice" - David Archuletta
"Malaguena" - from Blast (Dances with this one!)
"I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" - from the Muppet Movie
"For Good" - from Wicked
"Love Will Come to You" - Indigo Girls
"Hallelujah" - Jason Castro
"Say" - John Mayer
"Seasons of Love" - from Rent
"Cole's Song" - Julian Lennon
"Carry on my Wayward Son" - Kansas
"I Would Die for That" - Kellie Coffey
"Rainbow Connection" - from the Muppet Movie
"Route 66" - Les Grant
"Someone Like You" - Linda Eder
"Somewhere Out There" - Linda Rondstadt & James Ingram
"We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions" - Michael Johns
"Seize the Day" - from NEwsies
"Canon in d Major" - Johan Pachabel
"Candle on the Water" - from Pete's Dragon
"The Only Promise that Remains" - Justin Timberlake and Reba McIntire
"Enjoy the Ride" - Ricky Skaggs
"Go the Distance" - from Hercules
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross & the Supremes
"When She Loved Me" - Sarah McLachlan
"Back on Base" - NO clue!!
"The Final Countdown" - Europe
"I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" - Shawn Colvin (& Ernie)

Any suggestions???

Mosaic Meme from Jen

Here’s the meme:If you want to play too, type your answer to each of the questions below into a Flickr search. Using only the first page, choose your favorite image, then copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows) (website I went to: http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php). If you decide to play, leave a comment so I can have a peek.

The Questions
1. What is your first name? (Rebecca)
2. What is your favorite food? (Pizza)

3. What high school did you attend? (Guilford)
4. What is your favorite color? (Purple)

5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Shemar Moore from “Criminal Minds”)

6. Favorite drink? (diet Coke)

7. Dream vacation? (Europe)

8. Favorite dessert? (mint chocolate chip ice cream)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (mom)

10. What do you love most in life? (music)

11. One word to describe you. (sarcastic)

12. Your Flickr name. (actrsngr-put in actor singer to get a response)

1. For Rebecca, 2. HDRNapoliporto, 3. April Rose storefront, 4. My purple all star for the first time at the park, 5. shemar_moore(005-headshot-blk-bgrd-med), 6. Diet Coke, 7. Chateau of Chambord, 8. ice cream in winter, 9. Joy of life, 10. Bokeh Melody, 11. Free Freej, 12. Jamie Foxx

omg...

I just realized today that I get to meet my son in 3 months. 3 months from today is my due date (12/29). I am fully expecting to be late, because anyone who knows my sister Elizabeth has been late...kidding!!! But I know the 1st one tends to come when they are ready and not before.

But...HOW COOL IS THAT??!!!?

I get to see this face in 3 months...

a new life...

Hello there!

Well, we are all moved in to our new apt. I am uploading pictures as I type this!! Neither Ron or I can believe the amount of space in here. It's like 2 apartments :) I know...It's a house...but we have only lived in apts.

Getting very excited to start decorating the place and getting the baby's room ready. It is so cool! I'll post pics later. Feel free to go to my flickr page to look around.

Back to work tomorrow...blech!

I want an ultrasound every day!!!

okay, so that's not a song lyric. But I really do want to see him every day if I could!!!

Here are some more pics of my Fred :)

The last one isn't as clear as I would like it to be, but I showed where the legs were and the "proof", as my husband calls it!

from Facebook...

LONG...but I was bored...

All About me :)

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Hazel

Height: 5'3"

Profession: Director of Human Resources

Relationship Status: Married

Religious Views: Christian

Favorite Color: purple

Favorite Car: Ford Escape Hybrid

Favorite Movie: The Man in the Santa Claus Suit, Center Stage

Favorite Hobby: Singing, acting, reading

Favorite Song/Singer: "Defying Gravity" - Idina Menzel

Favorite Book/Author: The Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella

Favorite School Subject: Math and Music (band, madrigals, wind ensemble)

Favorite Vacation Destination: Disney (FLORIDA!)

Favorite Food: Mexican & Pizza

Favorite Restaurant: Cracker Barrell (funny...it doesn't serve either of those foods!)

Favorite Animal: dogs

Favorite Store: Lane Bryant and Famous Footwear

Favorite Celebrity : like I have to answer this...Justin Timberlake

Favorite Childhood Friend: Cara Porrino

Favorite Childhood Memory: wow...Maine trip with my grandparents, aunts, sisters and cousin

Favorite Baby Name: Taylor

Favorite Person In Your Life: my husband

Favorite Facebook Application : ummm...My wall? :)

Chocolate or Vanilla: ice cream - Vanilla. Anything else - chocolate

Big Mac or Whopper: Big Mac - but not often...

Coke or Pepsi : DIET Coke

Beer or Wine: Hoegarten (I know i spelled that wrong!) beer

Coffee or Tea: Iced tea

Apple Juice or O.J.: Apple Juice

Facebook or MySpace: Facebook

Summer or Winter: Winter

Windows or Mac: Windows

Cats or Dogs: Both!!!

Boxers or Briefs: Boxer Briefs

Rain or Shine : Shine

Chips or Popcorn: popcorn

Salty or Sweet: salty then sweet

Plane or Boat: boat

Morning or Night: night

Movie or Play: play

Walk or Drive: drive

Money or Love: love

Breakfast or Dinner: breakfast

Forgiveness or Revenge: forgiveness

Paint or Wallpaper: paint

House or Apartment: apartment (moving into a house though!! YAYY!)

Have Any Pets: yes - a cat named Amos

Have Any Children: not yet :) Still incubating

Smoke: no

Drink: not since last year

Exercise: not as much as I should

Spend Your Life On Facebook: too much time, yes!

Play On A Sports Team: no

Belong To Any Organizations: church groups mainly

Love Your Job: Like...not love

Like To Cook: yes, but I don't know how (if that makes any sense)

Play An Instrument: yes - piano and trumpet

Sing: every day

Dance: not as well as I would like to

Speak Multiple Languages: ummm...not fluently

Ice Skate: HA! yeah...sure!

Swim: LOVE swimming

Paint: walls - yes. Canvases - no.

Write: every now and then

Ski: never been

Juggle: not really...

Stolen Anything: yes - candy when I was 8(?)

Been Drunk Before Noon: no

Had Sex In A Public Place: no

Got Caught Telling A Lie: Yes

Got A Speeding Ticket: Yes

Been Arrested: No

Littered: Yes

Fantasized About A Co-Worker: Yes - dated him for 9 years :)

Cheated On A Test: No

Cheated In A Relationship: No

Failed A Class: No (got a D - but didn't Fail!)

Screened Your Phone Calls: yes

Eaten Food Off The Floor: 10 second rule :)

Stuck Gum Under A Desk: no

Wished You Were Someone Else: yes

Cried During A Movie: omg yes

Had A One Night Stand: yes

Describe Yourself In One Word: Loving

Biggest Fear: dying

Biggest Mistake: Darren

Your Proudest Accomplishment: marrying my husband despite people's protests and having my baby

#1 Priority In Your Life: my family

Dream Job: owning my own salon

Causes You Believe In: eliminating poverty, child abuse prevention, breast cancer awareness

Special Talents: it's not a "special" talent, but people say I can sing.

Where Are You Right Now: work

Where Would You Rather Be: in bed...asleep!!

Famous Person You Want To Meet: Justin Timberlake, Eli Manning, Osi Umenyora, Michael Strahan - basically the entire NY Giants team!

Place To Visit Before You Die: Europe

Song Played At Your Funeral: How Can I Keep From Singing, If Only Through Heaven's Eyes, Corner of the Sky

swiped from Becca...

Fifty things you didn't know about me. At least I don't think you do.
1. Do you like blue cheese? LOVE it!.
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Yes.
3. Do you own a gun? No
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Never been there, but I would add Cherry or Lime.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Depends on the dr - my OB/GYN, yes because I am afraid she is going to tell me something is wrong with Fred.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Grey's Papaya in New York City...BEST HOT DOG EVER!!
7. Favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Diet Coke
9. Can you do push ups? not really because my wrist keeps popping out of the socket.
10. Favorite movie? The Man in the Santa Claus Suit, Lady & the Tramp, CenterStage
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My engagement ring and my wedding band
12. Favorite hobby? singing, learning to knit, reading
13. Do you work with people who idolize you? I doubt the idolize me
14. Do you have ADD? no
15. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? Laziness
16. Middle name? Glyn
17. Three thoughts at this moment: I want to go to bed, I need to pack my house, I HATE moving!
18. Three things you bought yesterday. Bobby pins, combs, water
19. Name 3 drinks you drink regularly. Diet Coke, water, juice
20. Current worry right now? Something is going to happen with my pregnancy
21. Current hate right now? a co-worker...
22. Favorite place to be? Anywhere quiet so I can read.
23. How did you bring in the New Year? I think we were at home just chilling out.
24. Where would you like to go? NYC baby!! and back to Disney...although, not right NOW!
25. Name three people who will complete this. not sure...I gacked it from Becca :)
26. Who's answer do you want to read the most? yeah...gonna have to go with...whoever does it!
27. What color shirt are you wearing? Green floral tank "dress" top with a white t-shirt under it.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Slept on them once, kept slipping off - so no! I like flannel, and would sleep on them year round if it wasn't so damn hot!
29. Can you whistle? Yep
30. Favorite color? purple
31. Would you be a pirate? sure!
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Anything that pops into my head, or whatever comes up on the iPod when I take it in with me.
33. Favorite girl's name? Taylor
34. Favorite boy's name? Alexander
35.What's in your pocket right now? nothin, that I know of.
36. Last thing that made you laugh? Caren when we were making fun of the employee mentioned above.
37. Best bed sheets as a child? Blue floral ones - they were always so soft!
38. Worst injury you've ever had? when I broke my wrist
39. Do you love where you live? not the apartment we are currently living in, but the place we are moving to - yes! I enjoy the town we live in because it has always been home.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2 that are currently being used, 1 that isn't.
41. Who is your loudest friend? Johanna :)
42. How many dogs do you have? none...but my mom has one, does that count?? and my cat ACTS like a dog!
43. Does someone have a crush on you? My husband
44. If you could marry a movie actor/actress who would it be? Justin Timberlake
45. What is your favorite book? Anything by Sophie Kinsella
46. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate, fruit flavored tootsie rolls
47. Who is your favorite sports team? NY Giants, NY Yankees
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? "How Can I Keep From Singing" and "If Only Through Heaven's Eyes"
49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? praying to St. Mattress (as my stepfather calls it) AKA sleeping
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Is it finally Friday???

"What's in a name?"

So, Ron and I have been "debating" (that's the nice way to say it!) back and forth about what to name the baby. When we didn't know it was a boy, we could not decide on girls' names...but we thought of and loved so many boys' names. However, after MUCH debate and talking...a LOT of talking...we have narrowed it down to 2 names...


Curtis James


and


Brady Curtis


Curtis - is for my grandfather (my dad's father) who died in 2001 (September 12th!). He was my Boppie and my favorite person in the universe.

James - is for Peter Bridges, my voice teacher from New Hampshire who died 2 years ago. I made a promise to myself that if anything happened to Peter and I had a boy that I would try to name my child after him.


Brady - NO...IT'S NOT TOM BRADY!!! It is actually Brady Quinn from the Cleveland Browns.


Brady Curtis is definitely more of a compromise as far as the names are concerned. Ronnie likes Brady - I want Curtis.


Thoughts????


does he LOOK like a Brady?

sleep, sleep, sleep..says the hundreth sheep!

I am so tired...not sure why!!! :)
New pictures of "Fred" as he is affectionately being called...

Yep...the last one says "boy"!! I know it's still early. The ultrasound tech seemed pretty positive that it was in fact, a boy. We have another ultrasound on the 14th - 16 weeks. I'll know better than. We are doing one between 18-20 as well (2nd level ultrasound) so we will have a DEFINITE answer then :)

SOOOO EXCITED!!!!!

babies babies ALL AROUND!!!

Everyone...meet Dylan!

Dylan...Meet Everyone!!

This is Dylan Henry Prohaska, my friend Laura's baby. He was born on Thursday night (June 12th!) at 6:48pm, was 7lbs 4oz and has red hair and blue eyes.

"Could it be true this is what God has meant for me?"

Okay...the lyrics are tooooooootally not about a mother singing to a child, but seriously...after waiting as long as we have, I honestly thought that God didn't want me to ever be pregnant.

Here is an updated pic. We bought a printer/scanner this weekend ($18 at Circuit City!!!) and I will be scanning the rest of the pics tonight or tomorrow.

+

This was taken last Wednesday at my 10-week scan. The babies legs were kicking so much , it looked like it was riding a bike!! I recorded the ultrasound - well, the "sound" of it...I didn't get too much of the actual ultrasound because my phone was too far over to the side - so Ron could hear the heartbeat :) He gets to come to my next ultrasound with my OB on the 23rd.

It is starting to look like a baby now! It's kinda cool...and scary all at the same time.

Well, I guess I should do some work. This is a totally new thing for me...not having something to do at every second of the day. Is this what being an executive is?

2 months old he looks up at you...

Well, the baby isn't 2 months old "yet"...he/she is still inside. But, I am 9 weeks pregnant!

We found out last week that there is only one baby. Ron and I were a little disappointed, but still excited that there is at least one baby in there!!!

Here's the 8-week scan:

Still kind of looks like a little alien, doesn't it? :) Mom came with me and we heard the heartbeat...a nice STRONG heartbeat!!

I go back for another scan next Wednesday and have an appt with my Ob/Gyn on Friday. Hopefully I will have more pictures to post.

I've been tagged...

theatreknitter tagged me - so, here you go....

The rules: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1) What was I doing ten years ago?
1998 – Mike and I had moved into our 3rd apartment together (technically…the 2nd one I live in by myself while he was at college). I was still working at Stride Rite, but that would change when I start working for Mark Richey Woodworking.

2) What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today:
Well…it’s Saturday! Everything I am doing today is non-work…
(1) Meet Katie for lunch – CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!!!
(2) Some baby shopping with Jen
(3) Driving back to CT
(4) Hopefully…see my husband
(5) Clean out the new litter box

3) Snacks I enjoy:
Apples, celery & peanut butter, peaches, nachos, ice cream, cherries, green grapes, peasant bread, saltines, milk

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Go back to Disney with Ronnie
Build a house for my husband and I to grow a family in
Pay off both of my parents houses and/or move them to wherever they want to live
Pay off student loans for Ron, myself and my sisters
Start college funds for my baby, niece and nephews
Buy a theater for my little sister so she can have her own children’s theater
Buy houses/apartments/condos for my sisters
Buy new cars for Ron & I
Give my grandfather money for his business and for a home
Pay for a place where my grandmother wants to be

5) Places I have lived:
Guilford, CT; Danbury, CT; Lynn, MA; Brentwood, NH; Exeter, NH (they are the same zip code but have 2 separate post offices!); Manchester, NH; NORTH Guilford, CT Okay…same as Guilford).

6) Jobs I have had:

paid: Cashier, Cust. Svc. Desk Assoc, Babysitter, Gift Wrapper, Student Worker, Retail sales (Asst. store mgr & Store manager), Administrative Asst, Receptionist, Human Resources Asst, Human Resources Coordinator, Director of Human Resources, Singer, Stage Manager.

not paid: wife, sister, daughter, step-daughter, niece, cousin, granddaughter, friend, actor, soloist, Asst. Stage Manager, child wrangler

7) Peeps I want to know more about:
piccologirl
Amy (Defying Gravity)

"Stop, Time...don't move on!"

I want this feeling to last forever right now :)

After 2 failed IUI's, 2 failed IVF's and almost 4 years of trying to have a baby...I am pregnant. Oh...and when it rains...it POURS! I am having TWINS :) My husband and I are beside ourselves excited right now. My sister has been DYING to post her ticker to be an aunt, so please make sure to look at that as well (Jen's Blog on the right side).

Oh...and I have one too!!!

The babies are affectionately being called "Thing 1 and Thing 2". I know...odd to call them "Things", but it's a loooooooong story. As my mom says, you have to know our family to understand. Until we find out what they are, those are their names.

Here is the 1st (technically 2nd...i have a picture when they were first implanted!) picture of my babies :)

"Let's Go to the Movies!"

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie (or get them out of your capacious memory).
3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. Looking them up is cheating, please don’t.

(1) "I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means 'no'." Pirates of the Caribbean" - Amy

(2) "Milan, darling. Milan. Supermodels. Heh! Nothing super about them... spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves. Feh! I used to design for *gods*! " The Incredibles - indigoscot (?)

(3) "I wish I was at a hootenanny in Harlem!"

(4) Oh, no, sir. I'm sorry, sir. I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals, but not for children and definitely not for me. It would be too... humiliating." Sound of Music - Jennifer Anne

(5) "Who are these women? Does anyone know? I don't recognize any of them. I want to see my best friend's big sister, the girls from the soccer team, my next door neighbor, real women who are smart and pretty and happy to be who they are. These are the women to look up to. Let's put life back into the magazine. And fun and laughter and silliness. I think we all - I think all of us - want to feel something that we've forgotten or turned our backs on because maybe we didn't realize how much we were leaving behind. We need to remember what used to be good. If we don't, we won't recognize it even if it hits us between the eyes." 13 Going on 30 - Jennifer Anne

(6) "Oh, that's great, blame it on the little guy. How original. He must've read the schedule wrong with his one eye." Monsters, Inc. - Jennifer Anne

(7) "A sequel. That's it. We'll bring it out on March 25, and we'll call it... Christmas 2!" Santa Claus:The Movie - Jennifer Anne

(8) "You never quit on your music. No matter what happens. Cuz anytime something bad happens to you, that's the one place you can escape to and just let it go. I learned it the hard way. And anyway, look at me. Nothing bad's gonna happen. You gotta have a little faith."

(9) "I don't know where you get your delusions, laser brain.
"Laugh it up, fuzzball. " The Empire Strikes Back - Jennifer Anne (after guessing Return of the Jedi!...but I am giving it to her just the same)

(10) "Stop a couple of angels from entering and thus negating all existence. I hate when people need it spelled out for them." Dogma - Amy (LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!)

"I would die for that..."

I am officially on bed rest.

On Tuesday, the dr's retrieved 11 "ocytes" (eggs) from my ovaries. Of the 11, 6 fertilized over night. Yesterday, there were 9 that had made it to transfer :) YAAAAYYY!! I had an accupuncture appt before transfer which I think helped a lot. I was completely relaxed...although, I think the atavan the dr's prescribed had something to do with that as well.

Mom and I got to the dr's office right on time with my full bladder. They got us right in and everything went like clockwork...sooo unlike the last time we did this!!

My dr said to me "Now, the only thing we need to decide is how many we are putting back." I held up 4 fingers...he wasn't talking me out of it this time. He tried though :) He looked at my past 2 cycles and said that 4 was definitely aggressive, and he was leery to put that many in, but did because I wanted to.

As soon as he started everything, it seemed like it was done. He couldn't believe it! I was so happy :) I am having some mild cramping, but nothing like the last time. Mom and I watched Will & Grace and snoozed for a little while yesterday afternoon and just relaxed. I am to be in bed for the next 2-3 days. I have my books, my laptop and movies. I can't wait!!

"Please take this message to mother from me..."

So, I have decided I am going to title my posts with lyrics...at least I am going to TRY :)

I never posted my results from my ultrasound yesterday. I had 7 follicles on the left (one that is bigger than 10mm) and 10 on the right (2-3 bigger than 10mm). My layer was 6.3 and my estradial was 153 (sorry Jen...I had the wrong number when I called you). I have to continue the injections until Thursday morning when I go back for another ultrasound. We shall see! Things seem to be progressing, so we shall see. I have another appt with the acupuncturist this afternoon to help relax me a bit -last time I fell asleep :) I love it!!!

Oh...and it's Tuesday, so it's 1/2 price sushi night...awww yeah!!! Not that I eat any raw stuff, but sushi makes me so happy...it's really kind of pathetic, actually.

ok...I get it!

I have been through these injections 3 times before, so I kind of know how my body feels and reacts to the drugs. My stomach is twinging every few seconds as if to say "HEY UP THERE!! WE'RE GROWING! CAN YOU TELL??!?!?!" :)

Hopefully this is a good sign! The last cycle they retrieved 12 eggs, fertilized all 12 and 10 were all viable for implantation. We are putting 4 back in this time, no matter what. I am not afraid of having more than one baby and I need to increase my odds here, people!!!

Oh, and my acupuncturist told me that he has a patient that just got pregnant with IVF...get this...it's her 3rd try (sign #1) and this was the 1st time she did IVF (sign #2!) I like signs :)

I am off to go home and rest before the hubby gets home. He starts his new job in a few weeks and will be out on a 5-day stretch. I am going to miss having him home every night, but I am sure I will get used to it. Hopefully he will be able to come home every now and then seeing as the furthest south he will go is Virginia/Maryland and I think the furthest north is Maine.

We shall see!!!

Round 3 - When we kiss inside his car :)

Well...there wasn't any kissing, but this is round 3 that we are going for here.

I had my baseline ultrasound this morning. I had 6 embryos less than 10 on the left and 6 less than 10 on the right (6 and 12 are lucky numbers for my sister...maybe it's passing on to me??) My endometrial layer was 4 ("nice and thin" as Dr. Martin says). I will get a call in a few hours to let me know what my estradial level is and will more than likely start the Follistim injections tonight or tomorrow.

I have an acupuncture appt this afternoon and I am soooooooooo looking forward to it. It relaxes me so much...I can't even explain it. My acupuncturist has been so great looking up information on IVF and acupuncture to make sure we are doing everything right. He said he wants to see me the day of the transfer to do a treatment just before and just after :) He is awesome!!!

Here's hoping the 3rd time is a charm!!

ok...seriously...

I am SO happy for the people that are having babies, don't get me wrong. I just really wish I could say those same words...

OY with the poodles already...

I do not know how I have made it through today.

My receptionist was out all last week. The Friday before last (2/29) she was "admitted" into the hospital...we have NO idea why. SHE NEVER EVEN CALLED US TO TELL US SHE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL!!!! We had to call her house and we found out.

She was out all last week (LOOOONG story there) and we were told she "should" be back on Monday. When I asked my boss if she was going to definitely be back, he said "well, i heard otherwise from someone else. We should have a back-up just in case." uuummm sure.

So, I had a CNA scheduled to answer phones today. I walk in the building and do not see said CNA sitting at the desk. I find out she is on the floor taking care of residents (even though there were MORE than enough CNA's to cover). About an hour later, I hear my receptionists' voice over the intercom. yeah...she showed up.

And the hits just keep on coming...

I had an interview with a recruiter on Friday...hopefully something will come from that!!!!

The dr's office called me today and told me that the cycle should be covered. We just need to get approval for my meds. Hopefully *crosses fingers* it won't be too much $$. We should be okay because we have more than enough in our FSA to cover it.

Well, I am off to go home and try to breathe. I am so flippin' tired!!!!

and now...we wait

I went for my blood test this morning. I have to wait until the dr calls me and tells me if I am pregnant or not. Last time we did this, my hCG was 10 which is considered inconclusive. They re-tested me 2 days later and it went down to 3.5...which is negative. If the number is more than 25...I am pregnant.

Please....please...PLEASE...let it be higher than 25!!!!!

LIVID!!!

I made the HUGE mistake of telling my new boss to ask people from Corporate to assist with my review. Because I did that, I got 4 "1"'s (Needs Improvement) and it gave me the same STUPID 2% raise I got last year. I have gone above and beyond for this company...no more!

and apparently...she can't keep up with ANY of them!!!

So I started this thing back in April of 2007...reeeeally sad that this is my 2nd post. I really should try and write in this more because clearly, I am not using MySpace or LiveJournal. Facebook is just fun to read some of the things on there :)

So...an update on my life since last April:
- have gone through 3 cycles of IVF
- 1 cycle was converted to IUI (which did not work)
- 2nd cycle was more successful (developed 15 eggs, fertilized 10, transferred 3 - still not pregnant)
- 3rd cycle was completed last Saturday (developed 16 eggs, but only 12 were retrieved. Fertilized 10, transferred 2 blastocycsts...blood test on 2/18).

Well, at least the 2 week wait isn't really 2 weeks :) I was on "bed rest" for the day of the transfer and 2 days after that. Jen came over on Saturday and we watched movies and ate yummy mexican food :) Then on Sunday, she came over again and we played with my Cricut that I got for Christmas. We had a good time. Monday I was moving a little more, but still trying to rest as much as possible. I reeeeeeeeeeally want this cycle to work...getting a little sick of needles!!!

Ron and I went to the store yesterday and bought pregnancy tests but he won't let me take one until next week when we go for the blood test. grrrr! Have I ever mentioned that I am not the most patient person??? :)

I have my annual performance review today. I have no idea what the Corporate HR director said about me...it could be great, it could be..."meh". We'll see. I just want to get it over with.

OH...and after saying for years "I want to sing for a living", I have been asked to sing at 1 wedding and 2 funerals over the next 3 months. NICE! I just have to figure out how much to charge. The woman who is our Minister of Music at church said she would help me :)

Well, my payroll just got here, so I guess I should get some work done. Here's to me actually updating this :) I might even do that 101 things to do in 1001 days that I see all over the place!