Pregnancy Week 13

This week has been weird (which probably has something to do with The Sailor getting deployed). I'm either starving or forcing myself to eat something cuz I know I should. I also feel like I look pregnant, but looking in the mirror doesn't show the way I feel (if that makes any sense at all). I dunno...like I said, this week has been weird!

I've been trying to stop sucking in, but it just feels weird. I danced for a decade and a half; I was trained to never stop sucking in whatever "gut" I have at that moment. I have to consciously make the decision to not suck in, and it only lasts as long as I'm actively thinking about it. I also have a slightly irrational fear that if I stop sucking in I won't just automatically do it anymore post pregnancy.

I found a great crib and changing table-dresser combo on Craigslist this week that only cost me $100! I'm pumped. But when I was picking it up the woman said, "are you pregnant?" And I was like, "yeah, I'm just over 13 weeks; I'm due April 5." And she responds..."oh.  You aren't showing at all."

Please people, if a woman ever says she's pregnant, don't say she doesn't look it! I look pregnant to me, so the fact that she didn't think I looked it at all makes my pregnant self think she just thinks I'm chubby. Just say she looks great and leave it at that. I realize I probably should have taken it as a compliment, but I did not. At all. And I'm still a little annoyed by it.

So yeah, I have to go force myself to eat some breakfast cuz right now the thought of eating kinda sounds gross but I haven't eaten in 16 hours.

Until next time...

End Table Overhaul

Since I had successfully completed my first furniture refinishing project, I decided to get started on my next. This time I decided to redecorate an end table I had gotten off Craigslist for our living room.  Here it was at the beginning of the project:



Personal Photo

 There was nothing wrong with it necessarily, but it was boring.  And I don't like boring.  And I have a lot of time on my hands since I don't have a baby (yet) but still don't have a job.  In case you forgot, my color scheme for my living room is yellow, grey, and teal-ish blue (you can find my inspiration here on Pinterest) so the first step was to clean the crap out of the sucker and sand it down like woah. Then I decided to spray paint it grey (since the couches are yellow and I have a different teal-colored-furniture project planned for the space already).

Personal Photo -
"Classic Grey" Krylon Spray Paint

Obviously I wasn't going to leave the thing plain and grey (you should know me better than that!) and originally I planned to find a cool grey/yellow/teal fabric and somehow affix it to the lower shelf.  First problem - I couldn't find a fabric I liked.  Second problem - I wasn't even 100% sure how I was going to accomplish what I was envisioning in my head.  I probably would have used Mod Podge (I love me some Mod Podge) somehow, but the bottom line is, I wasn't sure how it would turn out.  So, on to plan B - stencil on my own pattern!

Personal Photos -
Stenciling Supplies

Since I had never stenciled (in my adult life at least, I'm sure I did as a child at some point) I decided to not cheap out on my supplies at all and I went Martha Stewart all the way.  I had the stencils themselves, tape, spray adhesive (to prevent bleeding outside the stencil), stenciling paint brushes, and obviously paint.  From there I decided to just wing it, to be quite honest.  I mainly wanted to do the lower shelf, but I decided to add a bit of an accent on the top as well.  I wasn't following any specific pattern or anything, just kinda following my instincts.  And it turned out flipping awesome, if I do say so myself!

Personal Photos

The colors are exactly what I wanted and the pattern is fun, but definitely not in your face.  I'm not gonna lie, in real life it does not look as perfect as it does in the photos, but it's a flipping DIY project - I don't expect it to end up looking perfect.  It does, however, look pretty damn cool in my living room! Before I could put it to use though, I decided to finish it off with an acrylic spray.  Mainly to protect the actual table (from dogs, and drinks, and life in general as an end table) but also to protect the stenciling.  I trust krylon spray paint to hold up pretty well, but I'm not 100% sure about Martha Stewart craft paints...

Personal Photo -
Krylon "Crystal Clear" Acrylic Coating

Once that had ample time to dry (I'm pretty sure the directions said 2 hours, and I gave it an extra hour outside just to be safe) my lovely project was ready to be put to use:

Personal Photos
PS - the throw pillows are from Target

Ummmm...I'm obsessed.  I want to invite people over my house just so I have people to show it off to.  Yeah, I'm just that self-centered, haha.  I also made some DIY coasters to coordinate with the table (as well as protect it even more from getting drink-damage) but that'll be a different post for a different day.

Are you as impressed with my table overhaul as I am?

Until next time...

PS - you'll probably notice this post was obviously not composed on my phone.  Mainly because I was able to insert photos throughout the post (not to mention my phone probably would have exploded if I tried to publish a post with this many pictures).  Unfortunately this does not mean I have my computer yet (I think my friend Shannon back in Pittsburgh is holding my shit hostage just to have something to complain about since she has a perfect baby {who doesn't cry}) - instead I chose to use one of the public computers in the "Community Center" in base housing since there were so many pictures.

Mmmmm...Cheesecake!

So, Friday I made cheesecake for a little get together Navy Wife Kim planned for last night with some other wives on base, and it turned out awesome...

I've made cheesecake a bunch of times before, and I always use the same recipe ( http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/New-York-Cheesecake-102592 ) then I put a raspberry glaze on it and we're good to go. This time I wanted to make a peanut butter swirl cake, so instead of trying a completely new recipe, I just changed the one I always used.

First of all, the crust. Instead of graham crackers, I used Oreos (yummm). I then crushed some peanut butter cups and put that on top of the crust.

Then, I made the batter per the recipe except I omitted the orange zest completely and only used about half of a lemon worth of zest. On a side note, do not neglect to scrape down your bowl between each egg addition. Yeah, it kinda sucks, but its completely necessary.

Then I separated about 1/3 of the batter into a different bowl and added two heaping spoonfuls of smooth peanut butter to it. Then I layered the batter over the crust/peanut butter cups with a layer of regular batter, then the peanut butter batter, then the rest of the normal batter. Then I kinda swirled it together with a butter knife. Was that step completely necessary? No - since the peanut butter batter basically sinks to the bottom, but it was worth a shot.

Then I followed the recipe for baking it. Except I always use a water bath even though the recipe doesn't call for it. (Basically put some water in an oven-safe pan and put it on the bottom rack in the oven to prevent cracking) And my cheesecake has NEVER been done in the 1 hour the recipe calls for. It's taken anywhere from 3 to 5 hours for my cheesecake to cook through. Either every oven I've ever used (3 in all for this recipe) is edged up, or the author of the recipe is on crack.

And since I'm a strong believer in decorating desserts (at least they'll look pretty even if you bombed the recipe) onto the finishing touches...

I decided to do a chocolate and peanut butter drizzle, so I got a nice Lindt chocolate bar and some Reeses peanut butter chips. Then I assembled a ghetto rigged double boiler (aka a Pyrex bowl placed over a pan) and first melted the chocolate. Then I scooped the melted chocolate in a plastic bag and cut off the tiniest bit of the corner. Then I used that bag to drizzle chocolate on the cake.

Next I did the same thing with the peanut butter chips and I even used what was left of the melted peanut butter to help secure peanut butter cups around the edge. Et voila...a delicious and beautiful cheesecake! It was definitely a hit last night!

If you have any questions about how I executed this recipe, be sure to ask!

Until next time...

New Trimester, New 'Do

So, depending on where you look different sources claim you're in your second trimester anywhere between 12 and 14 weeks. My OB mentioned I should hold off on coloring my hair until the second trimester, and I decided being 12 weeks and change was close enough, so I colored my hair. This time I got way closer to the red color I'm aiming for, although my phone-camera refuses to pick it up. Just trust me, my hair is pretty red.

Then yesterday I decided to get my hair cut. With the wedding, the move, the pregnancy, life in general it had been a while since I had my hair cut. Like, to the point where my split ends had developed split ends. It was sad, really.

And although I still want to let my hair grow out, I decided to do something pretty drastic. I had been considering it for a while, so it wasn't a rash decision. But it wasn't until I was actually in the chair that I made the final decision.

I got bangs.

I hadn't had bangs since I was like 4 (yeah - like 2 decades ago!), so I was pretty nervous about it. My hair dresser said we would start off with thin bangs so if I hated it, it would be easier to grow them out. And, drum roll please....

I really like it! It'll definitely take some getting used to; when I see my reflection I kinda feel like I joined the witness protection program and they gave me a wig. But, its a nice wig and I'm a totally cute witness (if I do say so myself).

So...what do you think? Don't be afraid to say you don't like it, I'm a big girl, lol. And I'd really like some opinions before I get thicker, more Zoey Deschannel (love her) -esque bangs!

Until next time...

Pregnancy Week 12 (and Ultrasound Pictures)

I feel great (minus missing my hubby)! Seriously, if it weren't for the little cold I have, I think I would feel better than I usually do when I'm not pregnant!

I think I'm finally looking more pregnant, less fat, but I'm still waiting for my belly to pop. But my acne is still horrendous. So, yesterday I called the OB to discuss using Proactiv. Some say its fine to use, others are really concerned about it. My doctor wasn't concerned, especially since I'm done with my first trimester. So, I picked some up (at one of those automated mall kiosks) yesterday, and I'm praying it'll help. It's gotten to the point where my face actually hurts. So not only am I ugly, I'm in pain. Totally not cool, hormones!

I'm getting really gassy, too. It's probably a good thing The Sailor isn't here, lol. And I can be fine one minute, then so hungry I feel like I'm gonna pass out the next. It's annoying; I have to carry snacks with me.

So, onto my NT scan. Apart from literally having to wait an hour and a half, it went really well! Apparently if whatever they're measuring in the back of the baby's neck is wider than 3mm it causes concern; our little Sea Monkey's neck thingy was barely over 1mm. So that along with blood tests I got at my last OB appointment means we have screened negative for a handful of chromosomal abnormalities. This does not mean it is impossible, but its just a lot less likely. Add that to the whole "healthy 23 year old" thing and I don't feel the need to do any further (and much more invasive) procedures.

The ultrasound itself was amazing, too. Since this office has a much stronger machine, everything was so clear. The Sea Monkey didn't put on that much of a performance, (s)he did have a few hicups, which was flipping adorable. (S)he also kept bringing their hand up to their face (quite quickly) so in the pictures it looks like they're sucking their thumb.

The ultrasound person tried to figure out the sex of the Sea Monkey, but from one angle it looked like a boy, from another it looked like a girl. She tried to get the little sucker to roll over but apparently my Sea Monkey didn't want to...I almost asked if it would help if I did a handstand or something, but I thought that would be weird, lol. Instead I just called my baby a jerk for the first time (hahaha) and accepted the fact I'd have to wait to find out what we're having.

Oh, and apparently I'm really good at growing babies. So, last ultrasound the Sea Monkey measured at being due on April 6. This time, two weeks later, the Sea Monkey measured at being due April 5!!! If my oven (aka baby-growing-system) keeps this up, we'll be greeted by our lovely Sea Monkey well in March!

* I am fully aware this is not how gestation works. I just find it amusing, and I sorta wish that was how it worked, lol *

I guess that office does the official anatomy scan, so I'll be going back in early November for that. I also have another appointment with my normal OB in two weeks, and although I doubt I'll get an ultrasound at that appointment, a girl can have dreams, right?

Until next time...

PS - the ultrasound picture where the Sea Monkey is looking straight at you is totally creepy looking...but it doesn't compare to the 3D picture they took - which I'm not sharing with you cuz it'll probably give you nightmares. Seriously people, 3D Ultrasounds should not be performed at merely 12 weeks, because the baby is still waaaaay too alien-esque. 

So yeah...he's gone...

The Sailor's flight was at 6 am. So, we had to get up at a little before 3 am in order to get him to the airport on time.  Plus side - the stars out here in the middle of nowhere are gorgeous at 3 am. Downside - it was fucking 3 am.

I made him drive there. I was exhausted, and my eyes we still adjusting to the middle of the night. We really didn't talk much. Honestly, what was there to say? I'll miss you...? That's a given, and its been said enough already. Are you nervous/excited/whatever...? We really talked about that in length already.

So, what do you say to your husband when you're on your way to the airport to drop him off to get deployed and won't see him again for 5 months? I chose nothing; just held his hand.

When we said goodbye I didn't cry. I didn't get teary eyed. I just said goodbye. I probably won't cry when he gets back either; I'm just not that kind of crier. Luckily The Sailor was well aware of that, so he wasn't expecting a dramatic goodbye.

We said our goodbyes, he grabbed his things, and he was gone.

But in the grand scheme of things, 5 months is not that long. Especially when it comes to deployments.

I'm lucky {that as long as nothing bad happens} he'll be back before the baby is born. And although I've never experienced a deployment before, I have lived 100% by myself before. That may not seem that important, but honestly, it can be strange being all alone at first. It takes time to adjust to cooking for one person.

I'm lucky to have my amazing dogs. Honestly, they keep me sane; they keep my life in some sort of schedule. Not to mention they're the best cuddlers ever! And thank goodness I've already met some people on base.

So yeah, it sucks. My husband is being shipped off to a boat where he'll miss all the major holidays as well as my birthday. Nobody wants that. But it could definitely be worse, and I can't forget that.

I'll probably post my 12 week update (as well as the results of my NT scan/ultrasound pictures from that appointment) either today or tomorrow. But this is all I've got for now.

Until next time...

PS - totally took this pic of Gabby this morning...how effing perfect is it?

Being a Navy Wife Sucks Sometimes

The Sailor is being sent to the boat on Wednesday.

We knew this was coming. And as much as I didn't want to accept it, I knew it would be last minute (he just found out this morning). But we thought he would get a little more information than he did!

Yup, all we know is that he's leaving Wednesday. Don't know where he's leaving from, what time, or even if he's going straight to the boat or not! I'm just annoyed.

And I feel bad. I went out for the majority of Saturday with Navy Wife Kim. After I had been gone for a few hours, The Sailor texted me and said, "this could be my last weekend home..." But I thought to myself, it also might not be. And I can't live my life expecting you to leave for the next however many months. But he was right, and I feel bad for not spending every minute with him.

This just sucks. I don't want him to leave. I don't want to be alone in this big house. Shit, I don't want to be alone period! But I knew this was coming, and it won't be the last time he gets deployed. At least he's scheduled to be back in time to be there when the baby is born.

Until next time...

Gabby would be so embarrassed if she knew I told you...

Last night, Gabby wet the bed. (FYI - in case you're new here, Gabby is a dog, lol). She straight up peed in her sleep!

So, yeah, I was sleeping, lol, and I woke up cuz I heard Gabby licking something like a mad woman. I felt around for her, trying to figure out what the hell she was doing when I felt a big wet spot. At this point I thought she might have thrown up (and the licking was her trying to clean it up - yummm ::gag::) so I went and turned on the light.

Now, The Sailor wakes up, and I notice the wet spot is a freaking pee spot! Then I look at Gabby and notice its all over one of her hind legs. She was licking because she was trying to clean the leg that was covered (inner thigh and outer) in pee. It's at that point I realize she peed in her sleep. I mean, a dog knows how to take a piss without covering herself in it!

Then I had to strip the bed and start doing laundry so it wouldn't stain my new comforter. And I realized Gabby needed a bath since she was covered in her own freaking pee. Yeah, at 2 am. It was not a fun experience. Then I realized Gabby was probably just trying to prepare me for motherhood, lol. And as long as this doesn't become a regular thing, I'll forgive her; I could tell she felt really bad. Plus, she's the best dog in the world!

Until next time...

Almost had a Pregnancy Breakdown today...

The Sailor and I (well, mainly just I, lol) decided we wanted to have an NT scan done. In case you didn't know, an NT scan is a completely non-invasive (aka - its just a high power ultrasound) early test for chromosomal abnormalities. It has something to do with measuring the skin in the back of the fetus' neck. I don't know exactly what they're measuring, I'm not a doctor, but I do know it has to be performed between 11 and 14 weeks.

Some people would never even consider having it done. I think that's kinda silly. Even if we find out there is something wrong, we plan on keeping the baby. I just like to be prepared. In my eyes, the earlier you know about an issue, the sooner you can be prepared for it.

Other people would say its silly for me, specifically, to get one since I'm a healthy 23 year old. The odds of an issue like this are pretty slim.  Well, they're also pretty slim with a healthy 20 year old, like my sister back in the day. Yup, my sister was pregnant with a baby who had down syndrome. She didn't have an NT scan, and didn't find out until late in the second trimester. At that point, she and her boyfriend at the time made the decision to terminate the pregnancy. They were in college; they knew they barely had the means to care for a healthy baby, never mind a baby with special needs. That decision killed my sister, so, please don't judge!

Plus, its just an extra chance for an ultrasound! Who would say no to that?

Well, I hadn't heard anything regarding the referral (I have to go see a special doctor off-base for it) so I called the insurance company today.

They never even received the referral request.

I almost died. It takes at least a week for a referral to be processed. I'm 12 weeks today. That would mean if they processed it quickly I would have to get an appointment within a week or I'd miss the window for the scan.

I cried. Once I pulled myself together I called the Ob clinic. The referral lady wasn't there, but I asked to have her please, please, please call me back ASAP since I only had 2 weeks left where I could have the scan and I'm at risk since there's a family history. I think the nurse who was taking my call could tell I was about to fall apart cuz she was super sweet.

When The Sailor got home I told him he had to go kill everyone in the Ob clinic because they fucked up. After I explained what I meant by "they fucked up" he talked me down a little bit. He reminded me we still had at least 2 weeks, which was better than nothing. I just kept saying "if they can't put in an effing referral, how can I trust them to deliver my baby!?!"

I still felt like crying, so I angrily did laundry instead of continuing to yell and just make myself more upset.

Then, the referral lady called me back. She fixed everything.

Yup, she put in the referral, called the insurance to push it through (given the family history) and she even made me an appointment...for Monday! So, I guess I can forgive her for messing up initially (by not putting in the referral right away).

So, not only was my first pregnancy-breakdown completely averted, I get to see the Sea Monkey again on Monday!!!!! I'm excited, and I trust the Ob clinic again...

Did you have an NT scan? Why, or why not?

Until next time...

Gettin' In A Groove

I'm happy to announce that despite the fact that I quit my job at Michael's I am getting into something of a schedule (finally).

I'm totally a creature of habit. I thrive on a set schedule. That may be why I wake up at the same time every day, regardless of whether I have something to do or not. When I was in Pittsburgh (and working full time) I got up at 630, even on the weekends. But I wouldn't have my first cup of coffee til 7. I just like structure.

Lately, I've been waking up at 7. It's not like I set an alarm or anything, but every day I just wake up between 645 and 7. Then the dogs notice I'm awake and they start scrambling (:: Time to go out? Time to go out? Time to go ooooouuuuuuut! ::) so I get up and let them out.

While they're out I do the dishes. I totally blame my mom for this habit; she never did the dinner dishes at night, she always let them "soak over night" and the kitchen would be clean when we all woke up. When I was living with The Ex, he was OCD and I think he would have died if a pan sat in the sink overnight, so he always did the dishes. But The Sailor couldn't care less, so I just do them in the morning!

Then I let the dogs in, do some general tidying, bring out the trash/recycling as needed, and I Clorox Wipe all the hard surfaces downstairs (what - I'm terrified of getting sick while pregnant). Then I finally brew some coffee, feed the dogs, pull together some breakfast and go watch the Today show.

After I eat my breakfast I either dust or go pick up dog poop in the back yard (I alternate doing those things) then grab cup of coffee number 2 (dont worry, its half-caf) and I watch the Today Show til 830, which is when I bring the dogs on a quick (25 minute) walk.

I get back just in time to watch Regis and Kelly, and while I watch I drink some juice and eat some fruit. After Regis and Kelly the scheduled part of my day comes to a close and I either go work out, get dressed, or whatever. I would like to get into a habit of either vacuuming (need to get a vacuum first - I know, its horrible...I don't have a vacuum), swiffering/mopping the hard floors, doing laundry, or cleaning a bathroom after watching Regis and Kelly. But, we'll get there eventually I'm sure!

After I get more stuff I'll hopefully spend my afternoons doing DIY Projects. But this afternoon I have to go get dog licenses and upholstery cleaner so I can clean our yellow couch. And hopefully Navy Wife Kim will help me figure out the knitting pattern for the Kitty Lovey-esque Blanket so I can start making that!

Overall, my life is pretty boring, but you know what? I'm loving it! I feel like I can get so much done and for the first time in my life I don't feel grossly overwhelmed with life. And, I'll enjoy the boring leading up to baby because after the baby comes I'm well aware it'll be a while before my life has any sort of schedule again!

Writing this post is now interrupting my Regis and Kelly time, so I've gotta wrap this shit up.

Until next time...

PS - pictures of my four-legged babies just because they're perfect...HAH!