Katie, this one's for you :)

Katie and Oliver were here over the weekend. We were laughing about how MUCH we have changed since we met, and I had to blog about it....

1999: Katie and I had met through Scott the year before, but this was the year that Katie pledged AZD and I was her big sister. The night she sistered up she drank a whole bottle of champagne as fast as she could. We arrived late to sister-up night, and she still won the champagne chugging event. I was so proud. We drank... we smoked butts...we probably threw up...Too much info, I know. But nevertheless, we had a blast.

9 years later....

2008: My four month old baby is napping in her swing and Katie's twenty month old is exploring, petting my bunny, and giggling. Katie is expecting her second, a precious baby girl, in February. Katie and I are probably talking about the grueling days following delivery and baby poop.

What's more memorable, you ask? Look at the picture below, and you tell me.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ode to Brady and Max

Those of you who know me know that I am totally in love with animals. I grew up never allowed to have a cat or a dog (only a few hampsters and gerbils and even a mouse!). The second I was able to get a pet, my friend (and roommate at the time) Jen and I got a cat, Brady. From that moment on, I was in love. Since meeting Brady, my love for animals has led me to volunteering at a shelter, doing a walk for the MSPCA, and even starting a fundraiser for homeless animals with the fourth graders at my school (one year we raised over $2,000.00!). I have pet sat, and I was a foster "mom" for an adorable kitten named Bob. By the way, fostering is amazing, but SO hard when you have to give them up! I cried for days. Literally, ask Joe.

Which brings me to my post for today. I still have Brady, who is almost 6 1/2 years old and a whopping 18 pounds, and a bunny named Max who is almost 4 years old (on 12/21 and yes I bought him a present). Before Maddy was born these guys were on my Christmas cards. I followed THEM around with the camera. I obsessed over THEM. When I got pregnant I vowed that I would never stop doing this, but of course, I have. I still love them to pieces, and they got their names on the Christmas card this year, just no picture : (.

So, Brady and Max, here's to you.

Brady: I will never forget how when my aunt died and I was crying all night long, you came up on the bed and laid across my chest, purring until I fell asleep (this cat never even sat on my lap!!). I will never forget when you and I lived with my parents during grad school, and how you loved to listen to the music in your favorite chair. I will never forget when I had to leave you at the vet overnight because you were sick...I missed you so much. I love how you follow me around, and how you curl up in a ball at the foot of the bed. You are my first big pet, and you will always have a special place in my heart.

Max: I will never forget going into that pet store to buy cat food, and there you were with all of your friends. I will never forget how I put my hand in the bin and all of the other bunnies ran away, but you came right over and licked my hand. I knew I had to have you. I will never forget how Joe and I were in that store for an hour as I begged and begged him to let me get you. I will never forget how you slept on the dining room chair and sprawled out your little legs. I love the way you hop around the living room, and grab raisins out of the box yourself. You are my little Ming Ming, and you are so special.

You guys are my first children, as crazy as that makes me sound, and I love you!!

Elf: The Best Christmas Movie Ever

Well, maybe not the best (It's a Wonderful Life!), but hands down the funniest. For all of you Elf fans out there, here are some of my favorite quotes. Only Will Ferrell could deliver these lines so funny!

"Hey Ming Ming"

"Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad." "Thanks Mr. Norwall."

"I'm here, with my dad, and we never met, and he wants me to sing him a song. And I was adopted, but you didn't know I was born. So I'm here now, I found you daddy. And guess what! I love you, I love you, I loooove you!" "Wow, that was weird."

"Francisco. That's fun to say. Franciiiiisco."

"I just like to smile. Smiling's my favorite."

"Buddy the Elf what's your favorite color?"

"I'm a human. Raised by humans." "Hmmm."

"You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like santa."

"Wow, you're fast. I'm glad I caught up to you. I waited 5 hours for you. Why is your coat so big? So, good news - I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?"

"First we'll make snow angels for a two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookiedough as fast as we can, and then we'll snuggle."

'Tis the Season

We got our Christmas tree today!

Here's how I always thought it would be: We would take our new baby to pick up the tree. She would smile, laugh, and reach out to touch the prickly pines and we would snap millions of pictures. We would take the tree home, play Christmas music, put up the tree, and hang the ornaments while drinking wine. The baby would be watching in her swing, or one of us would be holding her while she stares at the tree with wonder and delight. Everything would look perfect, and the lights and ornaments would fall into place beautifully.

Here's how it actually happened: It was snowy and cold, and we bundled Maddy up so much that she was in her misery in the car. She passed out in her car seat the second we started driving. Having been hell bent on holding her during the whole tree-buying excursion, I took her out of her car seat and woke her. The poor child was not pleased! Our displeased child led us to rushing to pick out a tree, and only getting 2 pictures before screaming ensued. When we got home, we had to let the tree sit in the hallway for a few hours so it could dry and open up. Later on, Joe strung the lights (I am way too impatient), while I reluctantly poured myself a glass of wine: I was not feeling well anyway, but I was also a bit hungover from the party we had the night before. Mind you I didn't drink much at all, yet still managed to feel like crap... Anyway, Maddy was cranky and tired (having never fully recovered from her rude awakening earlier in the day!) and had to be in her bouncy chair facing the TV to be happy. My wine was not going down easily, and all of the beautiful ornaments that we have are way too heavy for the branches, causing the tree to look nothing like it did when Joe first strung the lights!

All in all, it was indeed a great day. I know that I am very lucky, but I have to say that I did find some humor in the way we romantics envision certain events. Of course, we are blessed and happy, and I have a lot to be thankful for. It could've been a lot worse...the lights could've been broken! ;-)

I Cannot Stand Rude People

I cannot stand RUDE people. I don't care how old they are...

Here's a little background info: I had been feeling a dull ache in my lower right back for about 2 weeks at least. Of course, I thought I was just having the normal back pain that comes with carrying a new baby, sitting on the couch feeding all of the time, and added weight. On Tuesday night the pain was so unbearable, and I was also getting sharp pains in my right side. One doctor's visit later and I have a bladder infection that has definitely affected my kidneys. That explains the feeling like total crap these past few weeks! Hello Lauren!

Flash forward to yesterday. I was in line at the CVS pharmacy picking up my medication, feeling like crap and in SO much pain (Joe was working from home so Maddy wasn't with me). There is one lady in front of me and the pharmacist's assistant was helping her. All of a sudden this old lady comes barging over and stands right in front of me. So, I politely tell her that there is a line, thinking that maybe she just needed a little gentle reminder. She starts going on about how she is in a hurry and that she needs to be helped now. The lady in front of me, who was already being helped, had the nerve to turn around and tell her that she could go next. NOW, I am not a mean person and I understand that old people have their own fun personalities, but first of all, the lady in front of me had no right to say that old lady could cut me, and old lady had no right to just go to the front of the line. I mean really, I was literally grasping my side in pain.

So, I looked at the lady in front of me, then at the old lady I said, "well, I am not feeling well either and I need my medication too, and I am next. This is a line." The pharmacist heard everything and came over to me and said, "you were next, can I help you?" As I was waiting for my prescription and I heard the old lady yelling at the pharmacist telling him that she was in a big hurry. Unless this woman had some medical issues that caused her to act like this, she was the rudest person ever!

The Holidays

I always get quite sentimental around the holidays, especially that time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also feel the need to free myself from any weight issues during this time due to the "it's the holiday" excuse, but that's a different story entirely.

A friend of mine just suffered a terrible loss this past weekend, and it makes me realize how very lucky I am. I have wonderful parents, a wonderful group of friends, the best husband in the world, and a little baby girl who lights up my life. Some of my friends are going through so much right now, and it just breaks my heart. I have never seen such strength.

This is a perfect time to reflect on what's really important. It's not being in the shortest line at the grocery store, or buying a certain gift, or having the best holiday party. It's about the people that we love. It's about peace and caring. Wow, and I didn't even have any wine tonight!!

It's Been A While...

I am sure that no one is even checking my blog anymore (Katie took it off of her blog site! :( LOL). But I have had a few glasses of wine and I am finally finding the time to update.

I am feeling very blessed this holiday season. I have gotten the chance to see first hand how freaking amazing it is to be a mommy, and of course, how tiring! Madelyn is the light of my life. I have a wonderful husband who is the love of my life and the most incredible father ever. I have a supportive family who love me no matter what. I have the greatest friends. I am still a crazy animal lady, so I feel the need to mention that I adore Brady (cat) and Max (bunny...yes, bunny) and they make me laugh every day.

As I find out that more and more of my friends are having babies, or trying to have babies, or are already mothers/fathers, I cannot get over how far we have come. I guess finishing the whole bottle of champagne, or that 12 pack, or beating Chris and Scott in beirut is no longer a priority. Well, actually, I would still like to try to beat Chris and Scott, and could probably finish the champagne but would need a babysitter since I would be sick as a dog. I feel so lucky to still have everyone in my life.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

All I Want is Ice Cream

With baby on the way, which could come at any time now, I am finding myself feel less and less like a person, and more and more like a beached whale. A beached whale who only wants to: read books and magazines, lie on the couch, play around online, and watch weird shows on TV (for example, I just watched a show about a guy who has a tumor covering his entire face). This is what entertains me.

Also, all I want to eat is ice cream. I don't want breakfast, I don't want lunch, I don't want snacks, and I don't want dinner. All I want is ice cream. Today at the grocery store I bought whipped cream (light, woo hoo!) and peanut butter topping. I already had light chocolate syrup and chocolate sprinkles at home. I made a fantastic homemade sundae, with light ice cream to make myself feel better, and it was the best thing ever! Then, about 2 hours later, I had a mint chocolate chip cone. It was light also, in case you were wondering.

As I wait, I will try to keep busy, get some sleep, bear the aches, pains, and kicks in the ribs, and enjoy the down time while it lasts. Pretty soon, chaos will ensue! : )

The Waiting Game

I am at the point now where I am just waiting. Just waiting for baby Madelyn to be born. Waiting to be comfortable again. Waiting to be able to walk around without getting winded. Waiting to use all of our baby gear. Waiting to be a mommy!

It is truly amazing that I am over 35 weeks! Time is getting so near, it's actually quite scary. I am actually at the point where I can say, well, my husband was born 5 weeks early, so you never know! How crazy is that? I just hope, as does every expectant mother, that the baby is healthy, and decides to make a nice, quick entrance! : )

Bittersweet Goodbye

Today was my last day of work. It is unreal and wonderful that soon I will be a new mom, but also sad that I will not be returning to Franklin School next year. i have made such lasting connections with such amazing people, and I cannot believe that I will not see them every day. I cannot believe that I will not see twenty 9 and 10 year olds every day. I won't be grading homework, emailing parents (except with new baby pictures!), giving tests, teaching how to multiply two digit by two digit numbers, or reading The BFG aloud. I will not be taking the kids to gym, ringing the bell at recess, complaining to colleagues about little things, hosting Open House, or making teams for field day.

Of course, I will soon be doing entirely new and incredible things with my time. I will be feeding, changing, and showering my baby with love. I will go to her when she cries, comfort her when she needs comforting, and love her more than I thought humanly possible. I will become her teacher, and I think that will make me a better teacher when I return next year.

School's ALMOST Out for Summer!

And I cannot wait. 12 days left. Many of those days are filled with instrument concerts, early release days, special activities, and the kids helping me pack and clean since my giant self will be quite immobile very soon! I fill my work days with kids crying, kids calling out, and kids pushing each other. However, I also spend my days with kids writing stories, taking surveys, and reading Shiloh, which is the saddest book ever! I do love my job very much, but I am so excited that I am taking next year off to raise my baby. It's such a gift. Until June 19th I will send home letters to parents, lecture about misbehavior in music class, give the evil eye, eat lunch in less than 25 minutes, host an author's celebration (without food or coffee for the parents, how much does that suck!?!?), get homemade end of the year cards and gifts, waddle up and down the stairs, and occassionally put my feet up in between.

Reality Setting In

I am 23 weeks pregnant today. To put this into perspective.... I can still, very clearly remember the morning that I found out I was pregnant. I can remember waking up my husband at 5:30am, I can remember going into work that day and going crazy not telling anyone. I can remember telling our parents. I can remember our first ultrasound at 5.5 weeks, and just praying that they could see a little bean in there, and that it wasn't all just a dream.

I can remember when I bled at 7 weeks, and thought for sure I had lost the baby. I can remember the utter terror of going in for that ultrasound, and the utter relief of being told that everything was okay. I remember the 12 week ultrasound and testing, and feeling so happy when we learned that the baby was healthy and did not have any abnormalities. I remember feeling guilty about having those tests done, but glad I did it in the end.

I remember our 18 week ultrasound and finding out that we are having a girl. It was the first time I cried during an ultrasound; I just knew it was a girl. I remember going out afterwards and each of us picking out an outfit for her. Joe picked out two. So did I; I cannot believe that was five weeks ago. I remember when we decided that we would name our little baby Madelyn Grace; it just seems so right.

Now, at 23 weeks along, I think about different things. I think about choosing a godmother. I think about filling out forms, and packing hospital bags, and registering, and getting enough diapers. I think about how amazing it feels to feel Maddy move, and how I can't wait until Joe can feel her too. I think about what she will wear home from the hospital; I think about what we will do when we get home. I hope that it will come as naturally to me as everyone says it will.

It is hard to believe in around 17 weeks we will have a new addition to the family. I always thought that I had so much time to plan, and to get used to the idea. But wow! It is coming much sooner than I thought! Even through all of the panic, all of the fear of the unknown, all of the doubting my abilities.... I simply cannot wait until I can hold my daughter in my arms.

I guess I am not a massage person...

I was given a gift card to a spa for my birthday. I thought, what a perfect way to use the gift card; I will get a nice, relaxing, prenatal massage! Let me preface by saying that I have never had a massage before, so I had no idea what to expect.

When I got to the spa, it was very peaceful and serene. I met the masseuse, and went into the quiet, candle filled room. It smelled great and the music was soothing. She told me what to expect, and then said she would leave the room while I got undressed and got under the blanket. Um, I don't do undressed. Especially pregnant undressed. Especially pregnant, in front of a total stranger undressed. I opted to keep my giant underwear on, thank you. The massage was about 90 minutes long. For a person who doesn't even like to nap, spending 90 minutes getting touched by someone other than my husband was not for me.

I now know why it took me so long to try a massage. Like yoga, it's just not for me!

Mothers and Daughters

I am so excited. After a wonderful ultrasound today, we found out that we will have a beautiful daughter in August. Since I am quite the planner, I was very intent on finding out the sex early, but I could've never prepared for how very special it was! I hear all of these stories about women who cry when they have ultrasounds, but I have never actually cried. Until today, that is! It was just so overwhelming to discover that we are having a girl. It just seems so much more real now!

This got me thinking about mothers and daughters. What a wonderful and special bond. I just cannot wait to have the relationship with my daughter that my mother and I have. We are best friends, and I couldn't imagine life any different. It is such a blessing. Oh, and don't forget the dresses, pig-tails, patent leather dress shoes, and Easter hats. : )

Maternity clothes, breakfast food, and yoga

I remember when I was on December vacation. I was nauseous, exhausted, miserable, nervous, and kept thinking, "I can't wait until February vacation, I will be so much further along!" Well, here I am; it's February vacation, and so much has changed! I am no longer nauseous (thank GOD!), and I am finally beginning to feel better and have more energy.

Maternity Clothes: With all of this newfound energy, I decided to go out with my mom yesterday and get some maternity clothes. I mainly needed some pants, as the shirts are still too big to wear right now (although the boob growth is insane!). So, there we were, my mom and I, at Destination Maternity, grabbing some things for me to try on. I had heard that there were "belly pillows" in the dressing room, so that you could see how the clothes would fit later on in pregnancy. I was SO excited to see what I looked like with one of the pillows strapped around my waist. I was not, however, prepared to break down crying in the dressing room! I guess no one can truly know how she will react when she looks gynormous within seconds. I have a new respect for the SLOW growing belly. Oh, who am I kidding. I know when it's real, and not a lumpy pillow, I will be overjoyed.

Breakfast Food: After all of this maternity shopping, my mom and I were hungry, and went to a diner for lunch. Turns out this wonderful establishment served breakfast for lunch!! Let me preface by saying that I have been craving real breakfast food for weeks. Pancakes, waffles, french toast, eggs, and lots of syrup. So, with thoughts of a burger behind me, I almost inhaled my pancakes, eggs, and homefries. Just thinking about it makes me want more. And more. Don't worry, I took a yummy salad home for dinner!

Yoga: Which brings me to today. I slept in late; I had a horrible headache (another charming pregnancy woe). When I got up, I lounged around and contimplated taking Tylenol (I didn't), ate, and relaxed. Then I took my little bunny, Max, to the vet for his check-up. The little guy got a clean bill of health, although, surprise surprise, he was a tad overweight (a trend in our house right now, cat included). When I got home, I felt great and thought, hmmm, maybe I will try the prenatal yoga video, woo-hoo! This is the video that I ordered online the second I found out I was pregnant, in the vain hope that I would be one of those calm, relaxed pregnant women who can't say enough about yoga. Yoga, yoga, yoga. I desperately wanted to be one of those women! Well, I got into sweats, sat on the floor ready to be transformed, and popped in the video. I lasted about 5 minutes. It was SO slow and boring, I wanted to scream! I guess I am more of the get out and walk type of pregnant lady. Not so much the get in touch with your inner-self and pose pregnant lady. Who was I kidding!

Now I can look forward to April vacation...

Okay, Now It's Real....

Today was a big day. First, we heard the baby's heartbeat at the doctor's office. Strong, fast, and amazing. Then we had an ultrasound. It's so unreal how fast the baby grows from 7 weeks, to 12 weeks. He/she actually looks like a mini-person now, and not just a little bean : ).

So, now comes the time of organizing, thinking about decorating, thinking of names, dreaming of the future, telling more people, and finally relaxing a little!

It finally seems real. I am finally allowing myself to be excited, and not scared of something going wrong. Now, it's real.

Stuck on the Couch

After coughing for about a week, I finally decided to break down and go to the doctor. One ear infection later, I am lying on the couch, unable to sleep due to my nasty cough. I was hoping to get through this pregnancy without taking any medication, but here I am on the Z-Pack, which my OB and my primary assured me is perfectly safe, especially since I am at 12 weeks.

So, here I am, watching nothing on TV, and floating around on the internet. Taking an idea from Katie, I think I will post my favorite things....

Brady and Max: My cat and my bunny are like my children. I know that it seems strange to those who are not pet owners, but they really are. When the baby comes, these guys will still be my loves; I will just need to make room for one more!

Animals: Cats, bunnies, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, hermit crabs, you name it, I love it. Animals have become sort of an obsession in the past few years. They are so sweet, loving, and damn cute (my God, what will I be like when I meet my baby!!) My dream is to become a vet technician someday. We shall see....

Wine: Not right now, of course. I love the taste of good wine. I love pinot grigio for white wine, and cabernet for red wine. I wish I could say that I know a lot about wine, but I really don't. I only know that I love it, and that I look forward to the day when I can enjoy a glass again.

A Good Book: I have not read a really good book in a while, but I am constantly looking for one.

Getting US Weekly in the Mail: It's cheesy, I know. But "it's my thing, let it go!"

Water: Not to swim in, but to drink. It just feels so good to drink.

Sleeping In: So rare, and will become more rare when the little one arrives, but it is so wonderful!

Cooking: I haven't wanted to do this for about 2 months, but once the idea of preparing food doesn't disgust me anymore, I look forward to it!

The Beach: I love the sound of the waves, the heat of the sun, the sand in my feet, and the sheer relaxation of it all.

Of course, there are more, including my wonderful husband, family, and friends. There is just so much to be grateful for in life!

Oh, so tired

Yesterday was a big day! I call it my "big day out." It was the first weekend day in 6 weeks that I actually woke up, felt good, showered right away, and wanted to leave the house! I decided to take advantage of this rarity, and my husband and I ventured out to the New England Aquarium.

After waiting in line (outside, in the cold... what genius thought of that idea in Massachusetts??) for about 20 minutes, we were finally inside. After making a quick stop to the restroom (of course), we were finally ready to go. Well, not quite. It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't eaten since breakfast, and I was absolutely starving! So, off to the café we went. $20.00 later, and one happy pregnant lady filled up, we were ready.

We walked around the very crowded aquarium for about an hour; going upstairs, downstairs, dodging strollers and running children, looking at sharks and stingrays and giant turtles. The penguins made us laugh and the screaming toddlers made us want to cry. All in all, it was a very nice time, and baby's first encounter with what will no doubt be an obsession: animals.

So, take the 20 minutes it took us to get there and park, add the 20 minutes that we waited in line, add the 20 minutes that we spent eating (I was done sooner, of course), add the one hour that we actually spent walking around, and then the 20 minutes that it took us to get home. That is a GRAND total of...... 2 hours and 20 minutes.

That was my big, first trimester, day out. I literally fell on the couch when we got home and didn't move for the rest of the day. 2 hours and 20 minutes. Oh, so, tired.