Halloween Costume for Preggo and Chinese Foot Binding

I LOVE Halloween. I will not let the possibility of being almost ten months pregnant shut down my Halloween costume plans! ha ha I am THAT dedicated. Actually I just adore a reason to wear Insanely long false lashes and do my make-up all artsy fartsy. SO here is the line up... IF I have baby BEFORE Halloween, I will be a Geisha and he will be Spicy Tuna Sushi.

If, by chance I am still VERY pregnant by the time Halloween rolls around, I will be a kick ass Glamorous Miss Piggy.
For the record...Miss Piggy will have her own make-up line via MAC Cosmetics in February, coinciding with the release of the Muppet's film! I could totally rock this pregnant!

And at last resort, I could always be a pregnant Geisha (although much more fabulous than the one pictured here: middle)
While researching Geisha stuff, I found this photo of a supposed Geisha's foot. (It's one of those deer-caught-in-the-headlights sorta things... Upon further research, there is no way that this was the foot of a Geisha, as foot-binding was a Chinese tradition, not Japanese. You can read more about it here. The tradition was banned in 1911. I have too much time on my hands, clearly.

Over the Hump, Baking and Mice

Still pregnant folks!

I've been baking A LOT lately. I bake a lot regardless, so the fact that I am baking more than usual, says a lot. There is currently the following diet killers in my kitchen (it's ridiculous, really):

-Cranberry walnut zucchini bread
-Chocolate chip cookies (made with 1/2 butter & half shortening, for texture)
-Pumpkin chocolate chip bread
-I made ahead and froze cookie dough as well, just in case I'm out of commission.

This morning, I saw a mouse in broad daylight next to my stove and royally fa-reaked out! Aren't mice SUPPOSE to be nocturnal? ha ha Funny thing is, mice don't particularly bother me as much as bats do. We tend to see a mouse or two every September/ October. We live next to a massive community garden and when the weather begins to get cooler, the mice have a go at our townhouse.

I hate mousetraps and refuse to use any type of loose poison; anybody have any mousetrap alternatives?

I Heart Big Fat Gawdy RIngs

Don't know if you know this fact about me... but I ADORE big fat gawdy rings. The hospital gift shop where I get shots every week, actually has a pretty decent selection of costume jewelry. (I know right?!)

I take it upon myself, to reward myself every two weeks with a new ring. It is the least I can do for myself after getting those damn shots every. single. week. Needless to say, I now have QUITE the collection. Here are a few.

Baby Shower Goodness

Yesterday, Rod found our Houdini bat in the sink. This is the bat that's been reeking havoc in our house after dark for the past week or so. The poor thing finally keeled over. As bad as I feel about his death..I am overjoyed that he is no longer in the house. (shivering dance)

As if that weren't enough Goodness for the day, my sister and boyfriends sister threw a surprise baby shower for us. It was a surprise, so I have no pictures! boo hiss! I will steal some from Jen soon and will definitely share! I am so thankful for everybody that came and for all the goodies everyone gave us for Liam.

Toward the end, Rod and Cierra gave me a Zales bag. For a second, I thought...certainly he's not proposing (perplexed sigh because, I feel that will never happen). As I opened it, there was a beautiful link bracelet. Turns out, people thought I didn't react properly. (though if they new the things I was thinking, they may understand) I was a little disoriented, and very surprised!

I definitely wasn't expecting anything for me and thought it was absolute sweet, thoughtful goodness! Cierra was so proud of herself for helping Rod pick it out! When I gave her a hug, I whispered just how lucky I am to be her mom! Rod was all smiles and one look at him just made me want to cry...it was just so thoughtful! It was a nice end to a rough week, a really nice end!

Lately, I've been missing Valency and Wendy; whom are always good for nice long talks, but are both a bazillion miles away! They are both people with the ability to bring me back down to Earth! SO if you two are reading this... I miss you very much!

You'd think with all this bedrest, I'd blog more! I still blog every day on the bedrest blog, but even IT is a bit boring-tagious!

Agro Preggo

A couple of days ago, I bit my boyfriend's head off for something. (Is it sad, that I don't even remember what?) He's not the confrontation type, which is NOT GOOD for me. I come from a loud family that operates under the rule, "If you love somebody, you talk/yell it out" Seriously...there are a lot of us and we are ALL loud! ha ha.

My boyfriend prefers to just ignore me completely, which does NOT work for me, clearly. I can be a bit high maintenance at times: don't hate! Ignoring me doesn't work in a normal setting and is just Goddamn mean now, since I spend all day at home with no-one to talk to. Ignoring me is like ASKING me to blow shit out of proportion...it's the boyfriend equivalent of putting a target on your back. Today is the second day of silence and now I'm just MAD! Boys are so clueless!

On a bright note; I may be able to go back to work in October...I CAN'T WAIT! My next appointment is in exactly one week, I will be begging /asking at that time! I work at ULTA, there are 25 to 30 girls there and ALWAYS someone to friggin talk to!

Bedrest is officially making me a crazy woman!

Online Window Shopping

I've been spending all morning Christmas shopping and window shopping online. I want to get Christmas shopping done, before my pay gets cut off in November! Window shopping is totally easy to do online!

Please see the following Online Window Shopping Directions:

1. Go to favorite store website; Place all of the stuff your heart desires into your cart.
2. Open a new window for a different store: go to new site
3. Repeat step 1
4. When you've forgotten about all the goodies waiting in your cart from step one, simply click the little X, close window screen.

Viola! Online window shopping accomplished!

Bat Week

Late last night I was submitting my homework for the week, everybody else was asleep and then it happened…..

A BAT FLEW IN FRONT OF MY FACE. This week is officially ‘bat week’. Needless to say, I threw my laptop at it, horror film screamed and sprinted up the stairs (20 stairs in 4 leaps). I’m surprised the neighbors didn’t call the cops…it was ridiculous.!

I woke Rod up and rather than going to get it, he shut the doors, called the Human Society, then WENT BACK TO SLEEP! I was NOT okay with that, clearly! My medication and water were both downstairs (with the bat), my heart was beating OUT of my chest and I was begining to get royally pissed at my sleeping boyfriend.

When I screamed, I must’ve woke Cierra up, because it wasn’t long before she called me…from her room asking if there was another bat in the house! At that point, I wouldn’t shut up until Rod went downstairs and got the damn bat!

HE COULDN”T FIND THE DAMN THING! He thinks it flew back into the basement and even though he went down there…couldn’t find it. Needless to say I slept like poo, didn’t pee all night and the Human Society never came!

On the bright side….it gives me something to blog about…..

Bat-abulous

Yesterday was Day 2 of bedrest and the only exciting things that happened weren't that exciting at all!

First, there was this:

I hadn't driven my car in nearly a week, when I got in it...THIS is what was waiting for me.

The finale of the evening ended when a bat flew into the house! I was tucking Cierra in for bed, when the following took place:

Rod: "Jen! Shut the door!"

Me: "WHy?"

Rod: "There's a bat in the house!"
Me: (SLAM) Eew, eew eew.... "ARe you gonna get it?"

Rod: "How do you suggest I do that? The thing is huge!"

Me: "I don't know... be creative!" (I give the BEST advice) ha ha

Meanwhile in Cierra's room (with the door shut)

Cierra: "Why do bats have to be killed when they get into your house?"

Me: "I've been told that they will come back if you don't, but I'm not sure how true it is."

Cierra: "But it's not the bats fault that he came in here on accident! That would be like me going into the wrong classroom and then getting killed so I won't do it again."

Me: "C, You are a human...the bat is an animal...it's a little different!"

Cierra: "I know, but, they don't really seem mean mom."

Me: "Cierra, I LOVE your big, fat, animal heart...but GO TO SLEEP!"

It wasn't long before the bat was gone and things were calm...(untill 4 o'clock in the morning when Cierra woke up screaming Rod's name). She thought she heard a mouse in her room, a RAT was her actual words, lol. There was no mouse, or rat, or bat...just my poor boyrfriend looking under her bed, in the closet and anywhere else to calm her nerves!

Cierra's questions got me curious about bats. I DESPISE them, but felt bad when I couldn't really answer her questions. Here is a little something about bats if you're bored!

WHAT A NIGHT!

Twas' the Night Before Labor

Around 11pm on Saturday night, I started having contractions, which was wierd because it had been SUCH a chill day! By 1am Sunday morning I was at the hospital, IV in, with baby and contraction monitors and all. Joyous.

Here I am a couple of hours before.


Twas' the night before (pre-term) labor, and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. (Thank Goodness, I hate mice!)
The dishes were done, and drying with care,
In hopes that the next day, there'd be more time to spare.

My child was nestled all snug in her bed,
When a few contractions came with a dread.
I drank loads of water, with intentions to slaughter,
These imposers who came much too early with bother.

Upon a call to my Doctor, it was almost midnight,
I was instructed to lie on my side without fright.
More water, then I'd pee, it was very clear to see,
This night was simply, not meant for me.

My boyfriend timed the contractions with heed,
As time shortened between, they began to impede.
Out of the townhouse and into the car,
The trip to the hospital was not very far.

The nurses calmly ushered us in,
Ready with swabs, and monitors to begin.
The IV was swift, the test results not good,
I knew I’d be staying in this neighborhood.

Contractions soon shortened, as the shots continued,
I was hopeful, relieved and no longer blue.
The nurses were kind, not one step behind,
The Doctor’s who left me a solid peace mind. (I really do love Bergan Mercy)

Forty-eight hours was my stay,
Though charged to bed rest that very day.
Worry is a funny thing, it creeps right through,
It reminds me of all the things I still must do.

My boyfriend and family sometimes give me a shake,
They say I could use a little more of a break.
I’m convinced baby knows this fact too,
So there is only one thing left to do.

I will enjoy this span without lists and life juggling,
Instead I will relax without even struggling.
My baby boy’s health is my sacrifice,
For him, it’s simply not worth rolling the dice.

IT's All About the Backpack...

C started her first day of 5th grade today. It used to be all about the backpack, now...it's all about the backpack, AND the outfit! It won't be long before it's all about the SHOES!

Suck-a-toid

So I've been totally suck-a-toid at my blogging lately.... quite. obviously. I am racing this baby to finish up the last of my classes before he is born and I can start my thesis. When I'm done with work, and homework I spend a good hour rewarding myself with all my pre-recorded shows. Everything is so damn calculated and planned, I just cannot catch up! I never said this with my first, BUT I will be happy when baby is here, so I can relax a lil.

Things are REALLY good though. Here is the latest picture of baby boy, as Mini Me, ha ha

Cierra starts school tomorrow and I just cannot believe how grown up and sweet she is.... 5th grade! Here are some random pictures from the past month:

Here is C at the zoo! My sister-in-law, myself and my sister Tiff


Rod and I
My Sister, My Grandma and I

18 Weeks in 4D

I went last week to my specialist again and was surprised with yet another set of sonogram pictures. With Cierra, I received one sonogram at 20 weeks, there was no such thing as 4d sonogram pictures at that time! Granted there is a BIG difference between being under a military hospital, as I was with my daughter and a civilian. The care this time around, is definitely more detailed and meticulous.

I will take more belly pictures (next time with a proper camera) this coming weekend! Wooo Hooo! I still can't believe it's been five months already!

Here are some more pictures, they are insane...and he looks like his skin is made of spam...but it's still VERY cool!

It's a Boy!

At my last visit with Dr. Barsoom, we found out that we are having a BOY! Rod is very proud of himself... you have no idea! lol I am excited as well, one of each for meeee! Yay!

Prior to my last appointment, I was required to do a 24 hour urine sample. I had to collect my pee for a whole day and night and keep it in the refrigerator the whole time. I was calling it 'my jug of love'... I even wore a shirt to match it to my appointments! Luckily Rod was there when the nurse gave me the jug and pee instructions (you should've seen his face) . Priceless. lol

My Doctors are Fabulous

Last week, I went to see my neonatal specialist, Dr. Barsoom at Bergan Mercy Hospital (who is A-Mazingly Fabulous) Click on his link here. Dr. Barsoom Introduction

I am considered high-risk, because I went into pre-term labor with C, as well as delivering 5 weeks early due to pre-eclampsia. There is a bit more they can do about pre-term labor these days, so I get a weekly shot at his office for the next 19 weeks and counting! We compared tattoos, during my first visit.. ha ha!
My primary care physician is Dr. Heather Taggert (who is equally fabulous) Click on her link here. Dr. Taggart Introduction

16 Weeks

Here is a picture I took c ouple of weeks ago, when I was 16 weeks! What a difference 5 weeks can make! ha ha I finally have a belly, that somewhat looks pregnant!

There is a little something about me that most people probably wouldn't assume. I am not one of those women who relish being pregnant. It's because I'm a bit of a control freak....and good luck having control over your body when you are pregnant...just sayin' lol

My Green Thumb

There is nothing I love more, besides cooking (and taking pictures, though I've been slacking in that department) than gardening. Green thumbs run in the family. My Grandma has the hugest garden ever, and my mom plants stuff wherever she lives. I remember when I was in fourth grade she let me have a shaded area in the entryway of our house to plant whatever I wanted. I chose marigolds, because I knew they wouldn't die, yellow was my favorite color, and I read or heard somewhere that they were supposed to be a natural bug repellent! ha ha

These days, I love a good flower garden! The problem is, I haven't really been anywhere long enough (besides the house in Fordham, Cambridgeshire, UK) to get a decent one in!

This year I chose to garden whether or not we'll be here, in this house, a year from now or not! I planted a lot of perennials, so whomever lives here after, can enjoy them as much as we will! The townhouse to the right, is basically what ours looked like, before I got down and dirty this spring! ha ha



My sister had a bazillion hosta's sprouting in her backyard that she let me dig up and split for my own garden. Had I've bought them, it would've cost hundreds of dollars. (Thanks Tiff!!!) I planted them around the bushes in the front garden.
They won't get big this year, since I split them after they sprouted, BUT next year will be awesome! Hosta's are shade-loving and hardy. They are great for mid to northern areas of the US that don't get blistering hot sun all the time!


The backyard of our townhouse, is another story completely. It is shaded MOST of the time, but I still have some ideas! This small area is so ugly, and doesn't get much sun. I planted hosta's along the back row, and Moon flowers, and narcosis (both avid climbers) along the small fence line. I hate wire fencing, but flowers LOVE them. I can't change the fence, but I CAN cover it with flowers. They began sprouting this week, and by mid June should start climbing pretty aggressively!

This back wall is hideous. There is ivy that will cover it, and again I planted more climbers which have begun sprouting as well! I will take pictures, and these areas come to life!

Stuck In the Mudd

The other morning I woke up to rumbling; my whole house was shaking! There were guys talking and chains clanking. When I looked out my window, all I could see was a massive tow truck.

Apparently a garbage truck got stuck in the mud at the end of the drive....he was REALLY stuck!

12 Weeks

Here's a belly picture @ 12 weeks.
I am actually a couple of days away from 16 weeks or 4 months, so I will post a more recent one soon. Still haven't decided if we want to know the sex of the baby. With my first, there was no question! The appointment is on June 2nd, so we've got some time to decide!

Cierra goes to her dads on Tuesday, I have finals tomorrow evening (Monday). Lifes a bit chaotic at the moment. bluggity blah. Haven't been blogging (obviously), will soon though! (insert cheesy smile here)

Belly Boredum, Kirstie Alley and Fergie- don't hate!

I will start taking belly pictures soon, but at the moment..there is nothing exciting to take a picture of. I am rounding the corner on 12 weeks (my Birthday), so I should start showing soon enough.

I remember when I was pregnant with Cierra, I wanted to LOOK pregnant for the longest time. I was a waitress at Chili's and a couple of the server's would never let me carry my own trays. The customers always looked a little confused! (shrug) They made me look like a dominatrix, forcing them to carry my trays. SO. NOT. The. Case!

I started showing with her at about 5 months. The first time a guy at work said, "Wow! you finally LOOK pregnant"... I cried. ha ha

And.... on a totally UN-related topic.... EVERY time I see Kirstie Alley, I think Fergie could be related to her.
Sssso, maybe I just needed a reason to post this picture of Fergie's Lego dress! ha ha Love!

The BEST Banana Bread Recipe Around

So, I thought I'd share my banana bread recipe with you all. It was my Grandma's, mom's and now mine! (though I STILL think my mom's is better than mine...but things usually are when they are made FOR you)

Growing up, I never ate those store bought banana breads or muffins because they were SO nasty compared to my Mom and Grandma's banana bread! I remember as a little girl, hiding three bananas in the back of the pantry to ripen, so no-one would eat them..JUST so my mom would make banana bread! ha ha

That being said, here is the epic, heart attack, non-belly saving recipe! (Keep in mind, I grew up in Texas) lol.

The Only Banana Bread Recipe You'll Ever Need

3 ripe bananas, according to my mother...they can never be too ripe.
2c flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2c sugar
2 large eggs
2/3 c veg. oil or butter (I've been using Trader Joe's Irish sweet cream butter)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
If you like nuts in your bread, add 1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans!

I use a large loaf pan, pam and flour the sides of the pan, fill 3/4 full. Bake @350 for 45 to 50 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clear.

LA, San Diego, Ocean Beach Picturedom

Here are some overdue pictures from our trip. I was NOT feeling good, so it turns out I didn't take as many pictures as I thought I did! (shrug)

The MOSt A-MAZING clouds, I've ever seen! It reminded me of Care Bears. Don't hate!


San Diego skyline from the ferry to Coronado Island.



Mohawk Pigeon



Mohawk Dog <3



Rod telling me, it's muddy.



It wasn't THAT muddy. :)



Me... flaunting my non-muddiness.




My boyfriend loves me, because he poses (I actually didn't think he'd do it)


So then, I had to take the same picture, only it wasn't half as torturous for me.



This is Ocean Beach, one of my favorite places. (maybe next time it will be hot and sunny!)


Big Fat Navy Vessel



The Starbucks people kept putting 'rob' for 'RoD's' name. It happened twice, so I HAD to take a picture. lol


That's pretty much all I've got...

It's Mrs. Smartypants to you!

I just got the grade for my quantitative analysis class, which in real people language means wordy statistics problems put into fancy business charts to help people who may or may not know any better make a decision! My final grade was a 'B'! You. Can. ONLY. imagine how happy this makes me!

Not only that but I did so during a very hard couple of months! Know what I learned? A kickass tutor is priceless, and I really should give myself quite a bit more credit!

wooo hooo

Kiss Me I'm Pregnant!

It is officially St. Patricks' Day.
I had grand plans of celebrating this St. Patrick's Day in light of my newly discovered Irish roots, but I will just have to save the green beers for next year! We're having a baby everybody!
Due date is to be determined, but should be closer to Halloween than Thanksgiving!

Oh, I AM SO EXCITED!