Celebrations and Family Get-Togethers

I have to say that Nick & I are extrememly lucky to have such a great family network. Everyone gets along well and when we get together we always have such a good time. Last night was no exception when we got together at Nick's dad John & stepmom Janice's house to celebrate Sicily's 6th birthday.

Nanu John took orders earlier in the week and manned the grill - fixing up burgers, chicken breast and sausage & peppers. Everyone brought a couple dishes and we ate, and ate, and ate. Everything was so good. Of course, last minute I had to figure out what we were bringing (weird) and thought I'd probably just hit Hy-Vee for one of their pre-made creations after work. Instead, Jill and I ran to Sam's during lunch for some ideas and we both love Caprese, so she recommended me bringing that and putting it on cocktail toothpicks instead of in salad form. As soon as I got home, Nick & I threw everything together and it actually turned out great and was very yummy! Plus I had a reason to use the cute Peggy Karr summer cocktail platter that the Beasleys had given Nick & I for our engagement party back in 2008!

Caprese: BBQ-style

(Cherry tomatoes, arugula, mozzarella pearls on cocktail

toothpicks drizzled with balsamic vinegar)

After dinner it was time for the women and men to part ways. The guys stayed in the house watching sports - baseball, horseracing, you name it, while we headed to the patio for a competitive game of Left, Right, Center. As usual there were a lot of laughs as we tried to see who was going to win the $27 pot each game!

Around 11:30pm, we left and I dropped Nick & Kyle off at Lit so they could continue drinking and I headed home because it was WAY past my bedtime.  Just as I was in a deep sleep, I was awakened by the phone and Nick asking if I could give him a ride. I have to give it to him, since the cabs were going to take forever, I'm glad he called - plus I'm much cheaper than a cab anyway. However, I have to admit that initially I was a bit peturbed to be woken up and having to go back out at 2am, but I got over it. I just realized that my pregnancy money-making scheme may not go ahead as planned. I definitely couldn't be an on-call DD for our friends - it sounds like a great idea when you are wide awake, but it is definitely annoying to be pulled out of a deep sleep and, honestly, the money isn't worth the sleep I would be missing out on!

14 Weeks: What's New....

Due date:  November 26th

Baby developments:  Little Mango is the size of a lemon this week. He is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, making urine and breathing amniotic fluid. The liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop this week and thin hair is developing all over his body for warmth.

Weight gain: I've been at my pre-pregnancy weight all week.

Cravings: Brueggers bagels toasted with cream cheese, laffy taffy, red delicious apples

Symptoms:  the vomiting has slowed down tremendously after Monday this week which is GREAT news and even though it still happens, it's definitely not as often which is such a great feeling!

I am loving:  feeling a little bump, but it's also got me a bit nervous too!

Sleep: Ahhhh so amazing. I love sleeping these days - I feel so rested throughout the day and become exhausted around 8pm each night.

I am looking forward to:  my 16 week check up - it's been almost 3 weeks since my last appointment and I just want to know that all is well. Then, of course, the 18 week ultrasound!

I am spazzing about: a little bit of everything. I think I'm getting on Nick's nerves a bit and being a little of a nag this week. I need to make a cognizant effort to lay off and keep things to myself. 

Best moment this week: (see Belly Shot)

It's a...: too soon to tell! Dayvaney swears it's a boy and Kayden & Sohpie think it's a girl!

Exercise: Nil this week - need to get back on the saddle this week for sure.

Diet: Sandwiches - chicken salad, Subway, you name it.

Belly shot: Well there is no shot this week (definitely will have one next week), but new development here was Friday morning when I woke up and was laying on my back my stomach was sticking out and it definitely felt harder than normal. I'm feeling more of a bump coming along every day....

New (and Not So New) Obsessions

Would you believe it....I actually started (and can't stop) watching Extreme Couponing on TLC. Seriously, me who never uses a coupon unless it's "Spend $50 get $100" for Express, Limited or Victoria's Secret, and here I am watching the Extreme Couponing marathon like I'm studying how to do it myself. To be honest, it is just terribly interesting to me and makes me wonder if I'm throwing away money every time I go grocery shopping. Does that mean I will change, hmmm....more than likely not, but who knows. I think I need to watch the remaining episodes to decide if couponing is for me. To be continued....

I've been checking out big ticket baby items and trying to understand the costs of everything, whether it be baby furniture, strollers, etc. I was talking (and by talking I mean Facebooking) with my college roomie Shauna who owns a gorgeous baby store in Kearney called Time for Baby. Duh...why wouldn't I have asked her in the first place what she recommends - she has two kiddos and gives this advice to new mommies every day. When she saw the UppaBaby stroller I had put on a previous post, she told me that there was a better one out there (and one I actually hadn't seen yet!) called Baby Jogger Stroller. I checked it out and LOVED it in Diamond White. What else is great is that you can customize it and get additional pieces for future babies. It doesn't look too big and bulky and I like how modern it is. It's $499 which seems a bit high (even though the Uppa I was looking at was even more), but I've heard that if you are going to spend money, then a stroller is an important piece to do so. Hmmm....what to do...

The other REALLY important purchase is the Diaper Bag, of course! Now this is where I've been spending tons of my time. I want to make sure to find a cute and chic Diaper Bag and one that is functional. Here are a couple I'm checking out - any recommendations or thoughts on either of these?

OiOi Hobo Sack Diaper Bag in Black

Timi & Leslie Charlie II Diaper Bag in Black

13 Weeks: What's New...

Due date: November 26th - for some reason it seems like the days/weeks are dragging by. Is that bad to say? Everyone tells me it goes so quickly but I think I was waiting for the first trimester to be over for so long that it seemed to go very slowly. Well, now I'm into the 2nd trimester and this is supposed to be the best of the three - I'm waiting for the "best" to start!

Baby developments: Ahhh....enter the 2nd trimester. This week Little Mango is the size of a peach and is forming his teeth and vocal cords. He is approaching normal proportions where his head is now only 1/3 the size of his body, but hey let's be honest, I've got a big head and Nick has a big head - Little Mango is doomed to carry on that trait. (By the way, for those of you questioning the "he's" in my posts - no we don't know anything you don't, it just feels better than calling the poor thing an "it.")

Weight Gain: Down a lb this week and I would believe it with all of the throwing up I've been involved in. Right now that puts me at a lb above my pre-pregnancy weight.

Cravings: Candy and more candy - I can't get enough of it and bought a stash of Starburst Reds for home and work to curb my cravings. Ok if I'm going to be honest with myself and you guys, I should tell you that I also bought some Good & Plentys, Laffy Taffys and Carmel Apple suckers...no wonder I was so bad at keeping a food diary...I actually posted this and realized I was about to lie to myself about all the candy I bought this last week! Pathetic.)

Symptoms:  I'm continuing to throw up every meal almost immediately after I finish eating. It's not ideal, let me tell ya, especially at work. Oh, and the breakouts are great as well. Huge and ugly zits are taking over my face.

I am loving:  this week was yet again another time I LOVED being the sober one. It is so much fun listening to drunk people and being able to remember it the next morning when they don't....seriously I hope I didn't sound like this back in my drinking days - but I'm sure I did...

Sleep: still getting plenty of it. I absolutely love sleep and I don't mind going to bed early anymore. This past week I was reading the 2nd book in the Carrie Diaries (SATC prequels) and brought my iPad to bed every night. Great books for the Sex & the City fans out there.

I am looking forward to: really being able to feel like I'm in my 2nd trimester and getting rid of this sick feeling all the time. I would love not to throw up every time I eat...and I'm sure people would love to stop hearing about it too.

I am spazzing about: getting everything done - I've kind of been riding Nick to go look at furniture for the baby's room, help me clean out the closets in the spare bedroom, etc. I need to just go on my own because I know he doesn't like that stuff, but I keep wanting him to like it as much as I do. I did hit Babies R' Us this week and was not impressed with their selection of baby furniture. I know I want black and they didn't have one set in black. I think I will hit NFM and Kids Stuff on my days off this week.

Best moment this week: celebrating my 30th - I have an amazing husband, family and friends that really went above and beyond!! I felt like a very special girl this past weekend because of all of them!

It's a...: I had a dream last night that it was a girl - with no name - and all I remember is Nick & I trying to get time with our baby because it felt like everyone else always had her. It was weird, because as much as I know we will LOVE having our baby around, I know it will be nice to have all of the help too!

Exercise: good - still hitting zorinsky. Went this morning with Maya and it was great to have company - she kept up so well. It started raining on us halfway through but actually felt really good. I'm thinking about trying a yoga/pre-natal yoga class a couple days a week. I feel like the running is good but I want to lean out my muscles. (All of you know my muscles are so big that they need leaning out, right?)

Diet: I would give it a 3 out of 5. That's all I'm saying on this matter...

Belly shot:  OMG, I can't believe I'm posting this shot. It's a good thing I love all of you who are reading this - check out the white zit cream on my face! Seriously, I'm one hot broad....and Nick is so lucky to come home to that at night!

"Dancing Backwards in High Heels"

All I can say is I had an amazing 30th birthday weekend - it actually made turning 30 so much easier. Nick surprised me on Thursday night with a new set of golf clubs, which was such a great present....I've been talking about them for a long time but I didn't even think thto ask for them for my birthday. To top it off, he also got me a new glove - Footjoy white & yellow. Damn, I'm going to look good on the course - if only my golf game would match!

My new golf clubs complete w/ hybrids!

Love, love, love the yellow & white glove!

On Friday I worked but it was a pretty low-key day and at our employee rally they got me on stage and sang "happy birthday" and then the chefs presented me with a gorgeous birthday cake! It had a sugar stiletto on it filled with white, milk and dark chocolate truffles....mmm.  When I got over to Harrah's from Horseshoe I had balloon bouquets lining the entrance to my office (one from Mom & Dad and the other from Patricia & Aly) AND Mom had sent 30th cookies for everyone - and I can tell you, I ate A LOT of sweets that day! That night Nick and I met Marc & Britt for a movie - saw "Bridesmaids" again and it was just as good as the first time - definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn't see it yet.

Stiletto Cake at work...mmm delicious

Last minute we decided to get some people together for my birthday, so we met at Rick's Boatyard for cocktails - more like mocktails for me. It turned out to be a gorgeous day and so many people showed up! My fam brought so many great gifts and one of my favorite was the Sony Bloggie Touch - I'm so excited to start using this on Yellow Mango. It takes video, still photos and you can also take still photos while taking video. It's small and compact, which will be nice to have when the baby comes! After Rick's everyone headed to Hiro 88 for dinner, which has become one of my favorite places in Omaha. Yum - I had Edamame, Snow White Chicken and some Crab Rangoons, seriously, YUM! Dinner was great and then Tess had brought a gorgeous yellow & black cake. I think we had a bit too much fun with the cake and between mom, Tessa and I most of it ended up on our faces and in our hair, but we had a blast! A small group of us headed to Nomad after and, if you can believe it, my old lady butt stayed out until 2am! I haven't been awake at 2am in a LONG time - I was tired for sure!

W/ Mom and Tessa at Hiro

Tessa, Josh & I at Hiro - (I do believe this resembles a certain iconic New York City

 photo from 2003 - if only Josh had a cigar hanging out of his mouth!)

THE cake...which was all over mom, Tessa & I at the end of the night.

I have to say I definitely paid for it on Sunday....I thought the point of not drinking was that you don't get a hang over....unfortunately I felt like I had the WORST hang over ever on Sunday. I woke up and couldn't stop throwing up - I tried to eat some saltines but threw them up as well. Nothing was helping. I went into work for a bit but ended up going home to try and rest it off because I had the last of my birthday weekend celebration later that night....USHER! Fortunately (do I say fortunately) I wasn't alone in my feeling bad on Sunday and Tessa shared my pain with massive cramps (you're welcome for sharing, Tess!) of her own so we were two debbie downers all day, but once we get to the show we stated feeling better and had a great time. I have to say I wasn't as impressed with his show as I hoped - it was so slow - I forgot how many slow songs he has, but he made up for it every time he took his shirt off. Woo wee!

"U-S-H-E-R  R-A-Y-M-O-N-D...now baby tell me what you want to do to me"

All in all my birthday weekend was so great and if this is a taste of what 30 is going to be, then I'm going to enjoy it!

12 Weeks: What's New...

Due Date: November 26th....what's that you say, the 26th, I thought it was the 27th?? Yeah and so did I based on my little online calculations. I didn't realize I hadn't confirmed that with my doctor until I went in for our 12 week on Tuesday morning. Yep, I was wrong and I've been telling everyone wrong. Our little Mango is coming a day earlier than expected!

Baby Developments: Well....I had my 12 week appointment yesterday and heard the heartbeat for the first time!! OMG...it was so great - very strong and loud. We are soon embarking on the 2nd trimester and I can't wait.  Baby is the size of a plum this week and is moving into the growth and maturation stage. At this point, almost all of his systems are fully formed. Baby is moving but unfortunately it's just too early to feel him yet.

Weight Gain: Hovering around that 2lbs mark, however, when you get down to the belly shot you would think it was 10lbs....I've definitely got a protruding belly at this point. Nick actually said it was cute tonight...yeah, cute.

Cravings:  What is it they say about going to the grocery store on an empty stomach....oh yeah, don't. Well I did and you should see the array of food I came home with tonight. Starbursts, ice cream, french onion dip, every flavored water under the sun, good & plentys....thankfully there was quite a bit of fruit and veggies in there as well, but really?? Did I need to get all of that junk?

Symptoms:  So, part of the reason I justify the junk is because I have been vomiting up every meal I've eaten for the past five days. Prior to that it was maybe once a day, but now it is every meal. Today at work, for example, it was six times. Yes....six. How do I know you ask - I counted every single trip I had to take to the bathroom. I talked to my doctor yesterday and she said it's common. My biggest concern was whether or not little Mango was getting enough nutrients and she convinced me all is well for now. If I don't see it cease by sixteen weeks, then we have a problem. She offered me two different medications that could potentially help curb the vomiting, but with the glowing description she gave me about the first (it would knock me out immediately after taking it) or the second (severe constipation) - I decided to ride it out with the puking. AND to make matters worse, my boobs are extremely sore. Sudden movements and running are painful - it's either time to invest in some good sports bras or suck it up.

I am loving: Hearing the heartbeat was definitely the highlight of my week. It just makes everything feel a bit more real. I also have to say that my male employees at work have been really great - they are always catchng me if I'm lifting something that looks to heavy or doing too much moving around and offering to help...I have to admit it's kind of nice.

Sleep: Still sleeping well and getting at least my 8 hours, but I thankfully don't seem as exhausted as in previous weeks. My biggest shame of the week was going out on Saturday night with friends and getting excited to leave the bar at 11pm. I have to tell you it's just not as fun when you're not drinking.

I miss: Having a cocktail! (I'm sensing a pattern here...)

I am looking forward to: The next ultrasound which isn't for another six weeks! I can't wait to see how much the baby has changed since our 8 week ultrasound.

I am spazzing about: Last week I had a couple spazzy moments when I woke up and just didn't feel like I was pregnant. Ever since I've been pregnant I've had a little feeling in my belly (not moving around or anything, just different) and I didn't have it a couple times last week. Thankfully my doctor's appointment cleared that up and all is well. I've just got to get used to my body feeling weird and not going nuts over it.

Best moment this week: I'll let you guess.....

It's a...: According to the Chinese gender predictor on TheBump it's going to be a boy. There is a tool where you plug in the age you were when you conceived and the month you conceived. I'm not 100% convinced, but it would sure make Nick ecstatic!

Exercise: I will give it a B- this week. Lot's of walks with Maya, but only once to Zorinsky to run. However, I do believe I made the most of it my last time there when I made myself alternate tricep dips and push-ups on each bench I passed. I really didn't think that one out & didn't realize how many damn benches were along that trail - I was in pain for days!

Diet: Ok, but not great.

Goals for the upcoming week: Map out a better To-Do list - one that is easier for me to follow. I need to do things my way and at my pace.

Belly shot:

Hard to see, but that is a bump and what's looking

like an even flatter ass now that my stomach

is protruding (thanks Fuchser-side)

Oh No the Big Three - Oh

I'm going to be 30 this week....on Friday....three - days - from - now. I don't know if it's just because it's sinking in or what, but I'm not so sure I'm ready to leave my 20s. My 20s have been great, seriously great and now I'm going to be 30 and it seems so adult, so old, so mature. I had so many amazing things happen in my 20s...let's go back for a little bit and take a look at some of the highlights:

*Graduated from UNK with my bachelors in Travel & Tourism and Marketing/Management in 2003

*Lived in New York City and did an internship with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden - one of the best experiences of my life

*Got my first "real" job at Harrah's as an Executive Host in 2004 and have been there for the past 7 years

*Tessa & Chris got married in Phoenix and I inherited my nephew Blake Robert

*Became VIP Services Manager at Harrah's

*Tessa & Chris had Kayden Christopher (my godson) in 2005

*Moved in with Nick - our first apartment together was The Tradition at Pacific Crossing

*Tony & Marcy had Sicily Rose in 2005

*Became Casino Marketing Manager at Harrah's

*Bought our first house - closed on it the day Tessa & Chris had Dayvaney Jane in 2006

*Heather & Chad had Sophia Lynn in 2007

*Maya Lou, our puggle, joined our family

*Nick & I got engaged in Cabo

*Tessa & Chris had Aaysen Ronald in 2008

*Became Director of Casino Marketing for Harrah's and Horseshoe

*Tony & Marcy had Dominic Anthony in 2009

*We're Married! August 1, 2009 was the day I married my best friend - what an amazing day!

*Weddings, weddings & more weddings - Clint & Lisa, Jessica & Brett, Jeremy & Shirvan, Ross & Morgan....(and Marc & Britt got engaged!)

*Josh & Ashley had DeLaney Lynn in 2010

*I got pregnant!! Little Mango is due November 26th!

Like I said, my 20s were great and this is just a small snapshot of everything that went on when I was still a young'un. Now it's off to my 30s....let the new adventures begin!