Life Update!

Well, we are officially at Week 29, almost to 30 weeks, which means we have just a little over 10.5 weeks until I get to meet by baby girl!  It's such an incredible feeling!!!  Although, there are a few things that I dislike about pregnancy, I am sure we will be having more than one (providing the birth goes well!) My main frustration right now is that I have a huge urge to nest but an even bigger to do list and I'm slightly overwhelmed by all my options and not sure where to start or what to do.  And I'm exhausted, so it's hard to motivate myself to do anything yet I feel soo good when it's done.  My best friend is due in just 4 short weeks and I still have a few baby gifts that I need to finish up for her.  I really really really need to get going and do that!  Oh man!!  Anyway, here's a peek at my belly during week 29!!

Can we have it all?

I'm taking my MCAT on Saturday.  I'm suppose to be studying right now.  I'm very proud of the amount of time I actually have spent studying for this test. It has far exceeded the amount of time I have ever put toward anything else I've done in my life.  While I know that a medical field career is something I really want to do and have always wanted to do, I can't help but think of the time commitment and everything else that I will have to sacrifice to do this.  I came across an interesting article called "Why Women Still Can't Have It All" written by Anne-Marie Slaughter.  She highlights many important aspects as to how difficult it truly is to have a high powered job and raise a family the way she wants to. She mentions one of the prevailing reasons for this is the standards that our society has set for men and women in the workplace and how much harder women truly have to work to be considered equal. I've read the article and have a few specific quotes that I found very important to share....

"Yet the decision to step down from a position of power—to value family over professional advancement, even for a time—is directly at odds with the prevailing social pressures on career professionals in the United States."

"...mentioning the top professional women she knew, all of whom essentially relied on round-the-clock nannies. Both were very clear that they did not want that life, but could not figure out how to combine professional success and satisfaction with a real commitment to family."

"Only when women wield power in sufficient numbers will we create a society that genuinely works for all women. That will be a society that works for everyone."

So, what do you think?  Can women 'have it all'?  Or is having it all merely a compromise and a balancing act where we have to choose our priorities and basically end up choosing one over the other, but nonetheless  being happy with our choice?

Baby/~Life! Update

Well, I did it again, I've been absent for way too long, but I'm not going to apologize because I've been very productive and very busy and I LOVED every minute of it :)

The Last Part of April

1) I finished up my MCAT prep class
2) Took in a Twins Game - they lost, by 1!
3) Helped celebrate a friend's wedding!

May

1) Took a Day Trip to Duluth for the hubby's eye appointment
2) Lunch and Caribou with a dear friend during said day trip!
3) Hair Appointment that went horribly wrong, but it's growing!
4) 1st Ultrasound and found out we are having a little girl!!
5) By the end of the weekend Grandparents had already spoiled her so much - crib, stroller, carseat, dresser and tons of clothes!
6) Went home for a week to help prepare for my little sister's Graduation

June

1) Hit up one of my BFF's Baby Showers
2) Registered for Baby at Target and Babies R Us!
3) Attended another friend's HS graduation
4) Celebrated another 12th Street Wedding
5) Got my highest score on a practice MCAT yet (still needs to be a little higher, but I was excited!)
6) Overnight Trip to Bemidji to be the overbearing Big Sister and help my little sister pick classes for her freshman year of college
7) Hit 24 weeks pregnant and had our 2nd Ultrasound - everything looks great and it's definitely a girl!

Whew!  And we still have about a week left of June.  I make no promises about when the next time I post is (maybe that'll make me do it more frequently :-P ) I'm hoping we make a trip up to the cabin next weekend and that I can get a ton more of studying accomplished!  I also have a scrapbooking date with a friend on Tuesday so I hope I can get BabyGirl's first pages complete - 2 ultrasounds and some maternity pics!

6 Simple Habits to Help You Take Consistent Actions Towards Your Goals

I LOVE my daily blogs.  I'm slightly obsessed. It makes me a little sad when I log onto some of my favs just to find out they haven't posted yet for the day.  It's slightly hypocritical, since I don't always post everyday but I'm pretty sure I have a smaller audience than my "friend" Henrik Edberg from positivityblog.com.  Anyway, I was reading his blog today and I just had to post tidbits from what he said because it really fits into my life right now.   I'm taking the MCAT May 12th.  Yep, it's on the calendar.  I've paid for it.  I'm in a class.  I'm super nervous and scared but I'm going to do it.  Anyway, I have trouble focusing my attention and studying for it, even though it's a short month away.  So, today's blog post from Henrik is really helpful and insightful and I think I'm going to try it.....

1) Follow A Morning Ritual

You simply set up a routine in the morning that you do as soon as you wake up. This works so well because what you do early in the day often sets the context for your day. As humans we have a strong tendency to want to be consistent with what we have done before. That’s one big reason why a bad start often leads to a bad day and a good start often leads to a good day. So find your own good start to your day, one that helps you. Henrik's is for example very simple and includes a couple of glasses of water, a good breakfast, some light decluttering in his workspace and getting started with the most important task of the day right away after those first few morning activities.

2) When you are taking action, focus only on the process.

Focus on the process and you will be a lot more relaxed and prone to continue than if you stare yourself blind on the potential results that never come as quickly as you want to and puts you on an emotional rollercoaster from day to day.

3) Everyday remember why you are taking action.

Find your top priorities and reasons for why you are doing what you are doing.
It could be to provide for your child, to save up for a big purchase or for traveling, to get the job you really want or to raise your self-esteem. Or something else. To not lose track of why you are taking action, to stay focused, take a few minutes and write down the top reason(s) and put that note where you can see it every day. Like for example in your work space or near your bed so that you see when you wake up every morning.

4) Quickly remind yourself you don't want to hurt yourself.

Realize that when you disappoint yourself and don’t think and do as you really deep down want to you hurt yourself by lowering your self-esteem. Whatever you do during your day sends signals back to yourself about what kind of person you are. Do the right thing like being effective, kind, going to the gym or simply rest and you feel good.

5) Take Smaller Steps on the days when big ones seem daunting.

Per Henrik: On some days getting started with that most important task of the day or doing any of the big tasks may seem daunting and you start to procrastinate. When that happens, one thing that has worked for me is to be kind. To nudge myself forward instead of beating myself up. So at such times I focus on doing a very small and simple task or two. Or I may make a deal with myself to just work for 5 minutes on a bigger and more difficult task. Or if that feels like too much I make a deal with myself for 2 minutes of work.

6) Celebrate What You Did Today

Finally, one habit that you can use at the end of your work hours or before going to bed. When you appreciate your good work you feel even better about your life and yourself and over time taking more action with less inner resistance becomes possible and associated with even more positive emotions.
So take two minutes at the end of the day to think about what you can appreciate about what you did today. Or write down a couple of self-appreciative things in your journal. Have a tasty treat or a bigger celebration.

Hope these gave you a little motivation.  I know I'm going to try a few of these....starting today!  :)

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” 
                                                                      Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Baby Bump Photo!

As promised...finally...a baby bump photo!  We are at 13 weeks and 3 days :)   Not a big bump yet, but I definitely popped.  I can't suck it in anymore!  Hehe.  

An Apache Marriage Blessing For Your Saturday Morning....

So I was making cards this week and came across this beautiful poem that turns out is a traditional Apache Marriage Blessing.  I have two wedding showers this month (both of which I'm unfortunately missing) but I am using this poem in both cards because it kind of captures the essence of each couple.  They are both very outdoorsy and active so an American Indian blessing seems kind of fitting for couples of nature :)

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other.
Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be a companion for the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon this earth.

If you are married, or with a special someone, I hope this blessing echoes your relationship.  Enjoy your Saturday!  We are off to an Easter Egg Hunt, an Easter Dinner and a Baptism!

Week 13

Yes!  Last week of 1st trimester.....or is it that we are done with first trimester now.  You know, counting the weeks in pregnancy is very confusing.  They want to count the first two weeks before you're even pregnant...so, when you conceive you are actually already two weeks pregnant..it's very strange.  It's so they can use the first day of your last missed period...etc. because not a lot of people know their conception date, but anyway, it's weird.  Back to the point of the post: we are in week 13!!!  That means, baby has vocal chords, teeth buds and fingerprints. It's intestines are moving from the umbilical chord to their permanent home in baby's tummy. Baby is the size of a peach!  Side note: It's also very funny to me that they keep comparing the baby to these fruits that all seem to be about the same size...lime, plum, peach.  I don't know, they all look the same to me...but I'm sure at thebump.com they are measuring a smaller lime than a plum and smaller plum than a peach.  I was going to post a baby bump picture today but my photographer is out of town...hehe..I promise it's coming soon Amanda ;)

Top Spring Travel Destinations

So I wanted to get back to posting a little about travel for three reasons...1) I have the itch to travel and know we won't be traveling for a long time and 2) I had lots of people tell me it was fun to read and 3) (which you could argue could be combined with 1) I love to write about it!  I think that I should get my own show like Samantha Brown....just saying.

Today's post is about great travel destinations in the Spring. We are safely into April so it's safe to say Spring (er...Summer...er...weird weather patterns!) are here to stay.  Here are some wonderful places we should check out when they are in "full bloom".

1) New York City

Why go now?
Baseball season openers rally Yankees (April 13) and Mets (April 5) fans, cherry blossoms set the Brooklyn Botanic Garden ablaze (April 21–29), and the reels turn at the Tribeca Film Festival(April 18–29). 


Insider Tip (yea, I got this from somewhere, no I have not been to New York!): 

Set out with Urban Oyster for expert guide-led glimpses of authentic NYC (Manhattan food carts, Brooklyn breweries, and more).

2) Tuscany, Italy

Why go now:

Before summer’s tourist crowds pour in, rub elbows with the Tuscan locals for a slew of quirky, age-old spring festivals dedicated to everything from medieval-style crossbow competitions (several locations, dates vary) to luck-carrying crickets (Festa del Grilloin Florence, May 17) to cart explosions (Scoppio del Carro in Florence, April 8).

Insider Tip: 

Explore pastoral Tuscan landscapes via a self-guided weeklong cycling tour, customized with cooking classes or wine tastings, with Pure Adventures.

3) Miami, Florida

Why go now: 

Beach bums-cum-culture vultures can indulge their taste buds at the Miami Wine & Food Festival (April 18–21); or partake in the Miami Beach Gay Pride celebrations (April 13–15). Sports enthusiasts, meanwhile, are anticipating the new state-of-the-art Miami Marlins stadium (it opened April 4), complete with a duo of aquariums set behind home plate. 

Insider Tip: 

For 25 cents, ride the South Beach Local bus for a quick-and-easy tour of the Art Deco Historic District.

4) Paso Robles, California

Why go now: 

Tour the wine trails of this burgeoning California wine region in mid-May and catch the 30th annual Paso Robles Wine Festival (May 18–20), too, with 70 area wineries pouring in Downtown City Park, and a gaggle of local chefs showcasing their farm-fresh fare. Also worthwhile: the 20th annual Hospice du Rhone (April 26–28), celebrating all things Rhône.

Insider Tip: Build your preference-based wine tasting itinerary via the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance’s recently launched Interactive Trip Planner.

5) Mallorca, Spain

Why go now: 

Head to Spain’s most popular Mediterranean isle during the third week of May for the transporting medieval festival held at Capdepera Castle, or take in other traditional spring fetes, complete with processions, reenactments, and entertainment, like the Festa de l'Ángel at the Bellver Castle in Palma in mid-April, or Les Valentes Dones in Sóller in May.

Insider Tip: 

Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana Mountains—recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site—are primed for hiking.

6)  Prague

Why go now: 

Springtime sees Prague blossom in everything from its flowering magnolia trees to its cultural offerings. The world-class Prague Spring Music Festival (May 12–June 3) brings three weeks of symphony, opera, and chamber concerts to the city. Peruse the handcrafted goods and traditional foods of the Easter markets (March 24–April 15) in Old Town Square, or hit the stalls of the foodie-and-beer lover’s haven, Czech Beer Festival Prague (May 17–June 2).

Insider Tip: The generous blooms of Petrín Hill lend well to a springtime stroll.

7) Sydney, Australia

Why go now: 

Sample autumn Down Under with Sydney's ramped-up cultural calendar, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, which re-opened in March, with a new rooftop café and sculpture terrace. Nab hot tickets like the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour(March 24–April 15), or catch Vivid Sydney’s "festival of music, light, and ideas" (May 25–June 11), featuring an illuminated Sydney Opera House.

Insider Tip:

Get a local’s perspective of Sydney from the passenger seat of 1960s classic Australian vehicle, courtesy of My Sydney Detour’s bespoke tours.

8) Saint Lucia

Why go now: 

While peak winter crowds and rates typically wind down after April, the annual Saint Lucia Jazz Festival (April 30–May 13), headlined by Lionel Richie this year, ensures that Saint Lucia remains on the Caribbean’s hot list well into spring.

Insider Tip:  Catch weekly jazz headlined by renowned local artist Carl Gustave at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa (Thursday nights through late spring).

And there you go!  Places to head out to in the Spring (next year!) or if you are super spontaneous you can book it now and head out :)  We will have baby coming so we are saving our money, but maybe we can go somewhere next Spring as a little Babymoon (I know those are suppose to happen BEFORE baby, but we're broke and busy) and graduation present for the hubby!  

Anticipation

I'm anxiously awaiting this weekend.  It cannot come fast enough!  I'm off to Lancaster for a weekend of Easter and Family activities :)  The hubby took off this morning for the cabin and I will pick him up on the way.  We have a baptismal celebration on Saturday...a family Easter on Saturday....another Easter Dinner on Sunday and then the long drive back.  Weekends at home are never long enough.  Luckily, I get to head out earlier on Friday than normal.  We won't be getting into Lancaster at 1am like we normally do.  I have a ton of errands to run tomorrow and tonight I'm not that tired (which, I wish I was so I could get sleep and get up early tomorrow!).  I need to study, get the baptism gift, buy a couple wedding shower gifts, go to the post office, buy a new dress (well I don't HAVE to, but of course I WANT to :) ) study some more, buy a book for my cousin, go to class and pack. It will be a busy day off!  Oh yea, and make sure the house is clean (garbage taken out, dishes done, etc.) before I take off for the weekend.  Then Friday morning I get to head to work and then leave from work for Lancaster!  Have I mentioned how excited I am yet???  Maybe I'll try get a few things accomplished tonight...not sure what though....fold laundry?  Anyway, this was kind of a random post, but I am excited and have way too much energy tonight.

Baby Heart Beat and 12 week Update

Hello Blogworld! Friday marked the beginning of week 12 and yesterday the hubby and I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time.  What an amazing experience!  I tried to attach it, but I guess I can't figure out how to add a sound to a specific post.  If anyone knows how, I'd definitely appreciate the how-to :) 

Week 12 marks close to the end of the nausea (I hope!).  It keeps getting better, but as I type this I can't find anything to eat tonight that doesn't make me feel a little nauseated, except for the orange popsicle I'm currently enjoying. I have been having a few more headaches and some dizziness, which is quite annoying, but all part of the beginning of the 2nd trimester. Baby's almost done developing its body's most important systems and parts, which means, it's mostly about getting bigger and more mature from here on out. I feel like I may have actually "popped" too.  I promise a photo is SOON to come.  Oh yea, and baby is the size of a plum this week!!  :)

Week 11

We are officially on Week 11 (it actually changed on Friday, but I had a very eventful weekend and not much time to write!) I'm starting to feel even better.  The first few weeks were clouded with a little morning sickness and lots of being tired.  I'm sure I had it easy compared to some people but I have two other friends who are pregnant right now and they seem to be having a breeze with their pregnancy and I feel a little like a baby.

Anyway, baby is now the size of a lime and forming teeth buds and her fingers are no longer webbed!  Apparently, baby is moving around a lot in there, but I can't quite feel it yet.  My uterus is the size of a grapefruit.  I feel like I have a bit of a bump, but it's probably mostly bloating/gas.  However, my "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book says that I could potentially be showing...so maybe ? ;)

 

Our next appointment is on April 2nd and we get to hear the heartbeat.  I can't wait!  I also have a goal of taking a belly picture sometime this week, but I tried a couple times last week and hated them both.  I'm hoping it was just the clothes I was in, hehe.

Telling My Parents (and Siblings)

After telling my 2nd mom and dad, we had to tell them to explicitly ignore and not write anything on facebook because my family didn't know yet.  We had planned to drive the 6.5 hour drive to tell them this weekend (or last rather).  We took off on Friday night after hubby was done with school.  I had talked to my mom on the phone and she tried to convince me not to come because it was such a long drive for such a short visit.  (Boy was she glad I didn't listen!)  We got there at 1am and my parents were at the local water hole.  I brought their presents in and told my mom I had some gifts for them and if they wanted to open them there.  She asked if she would cry and I said "maybe" so she wanted to open them at home.  We went back to my parents house and after lots of ruckus of starting the fire and whatnot, I finally was able to make them open their gifts.  I had bought my dad a jug of Jack Daniel's Whiskey with a little sign that read "Grandpas drink whiskey" and my mom a jug of Long Island Ice Tea and a sign that said "Grandmas drink tea".  I told them they had to open them at the same time.  My dad ended up getting his open first and read it aloud.  My mom stopped opening hers and just looked at his and looked at us to confirm and then proceeded to cry...for like the next hour!  She was so excited she started texting everyone in her phone and called her good friend (at 2am) to share the good news.  Her friend is going to be a grandma this fall too, so my mom's words to her were "I'm going to be a Grandma, too!"  It was lots of fun!

My mom then made me go wake up my brother (who is 14) and tell him the good news.  I had made him a card that said "A great brother gets promoted to uncle".  He was excited, but he was soooo sleepy.  I think he said something like "yea, that's cool." and my mom said "aren't you excited!!!" and he said "I'd be more excited if I wasn't so tired...." and went back to bed.  I don't blame him.

My oldest of my younger sisters was not home so I had to {impatiently} wait for her to get home the next morning.  She then received her "birthday" present.  I had wrapped her real bday present up with the new aunt present as well.  I told her she had to open the big box first, which was a box of tampons that I had written "I figured you could use these, since I won't need them for the next 7 months!" As she opened it, she didn't see the writing and looked at me and said..."is this for real?"....and I said to just keep opening it....then she did and read it and was very excited!

My youngest sister was down by me for State Hockey Tournaments.  I met up with her before I left for home and gave her the good news present.  She loves to do hand embroidery so I found some bibs and ironed on some zoo animals for her to make {for me!} lol. She opened it up and saw all the thread and the bibs and was like "Cool!....but why did you give me bibs..." and then I gave her a card that said "Congrats Auntie! You have 7 more months to finish these before Baby Watson makes his or her debut in October!"  She was very excited too!!!

I surprised one more person before spilling the beans on Facebook.  My cousin and godmother loves to crochet (just like me!).  So I called her before I left the cities to ask if she needed any yarn...which of course she did!  So I picked up what she wanted and then bought another skein of variated bight colored yarn and wrote essentially the same thing as my sisters with "you have 7 more months to make me a hat and booties before baby watson makes his/her debut in October".  When I gave it to her, she cried too!  It was just an overall very fun experience :)  

Telling Hubby's Parents

We had sooo much fun telling our parents the exciting news!  We saw the hubby's parents last Monday (March 5th).  We bought them the cutest mugs (okay I'm a little biased, but I do think they are adorable!!) from www.tumbleweedpottery.com.  Since they are my hubby's parents, he got to pick out the type of mugs and he chose:

   and  

So they hubby is in med school (in case you completely missed the name of my blog or haven't ever read it before) and he listens to a lot of lectures on CD.  One of the guys he listens to is named Goulian and in his lectures he has told the students that his grandkids call him Poppy.  Memaw comes from the popular sitcom "The Big Bang Theory".  Sheldon calls his grandma Memaw.  I think it's also a Southern Culture type name, but I'm from the North so I really can't say for sure ;)  Anyway, we went to their house for dinner and I had wrapped up the gifts in black paper with green and blue bows. My father in law had to work late so we visited with his mom until he came home.  I don't ever feel like our conversations are forced or awkward, but I wanted so very badly to share our news and instead we were talking about diets.  My MIL is an associate director for a weight loss center in Rochester and she is very excited about their products (as she should be, she's lost a ton of weight!) Anyway, we visited about diets for like 2 hours and the whole time I'm thinking "there's no way I'm going to be able to diet for at least another 7 months....hurry up dad!" When he finally arrived, I barely let him get in the door before I said "Okay, I want you to open these present, right now!"  So they did, and my MIL looked at her coffeemug that said "Memaw" and said something to the effect of "oh that's so cute, sweet, now I have a new mug for my tea...etc".  I don't think she saw the "Grandparent" part ans since we don't commonly call our Grandparents Memaw I don't think it was second nature to her.  So I pointed out the name across the top of the box and she exclaimed "Really?!  Really?!.." and then there were tears and other wonderful words of excitement!  It was so fun!!

It's Official - We're Expecting!!!!!!!

I'm so very excited to announce (now that all family knows ;) ) that we are expecting a baby in October 2012!!  Our official due date is the 12th - we can't wait :)  Hubby is very excited too, which makes it even more fun for me :)  We found out on February 1st and had a heck of a time keeping it a secret for this long.  We're only 9 weeks along, so still pretty early to tell but we couldn't hold it in anymore!  More stories to come for sure.  Now I have a subject to write about for 7 more months! lol.

Best of 2011

So we are well into 2012 and I finally decided to update my blog.  I was having a hard time coming back because I realized the last two posts were about two very important and special people in my life and I just didn't want to move on without them. I know that probably sounds a little silly (and it kind of is) because I know they are always in my heart and in my memories. I have finally come to terms with this and know I need to move forward and embrace all that is possible in 2012.  But first, I want to reflect on The Best of 2011!!

January - My Birthday Month where the hubby and I took a day trip up the North Shore to Grand Marais, stopping for some cross country skiing and ending the evening eating some amazing pizza at Sven and Ole's

February - I skied my first Prince Haakon in Hayward, WI!  It's part of the American Birkebeiner (more info here ) It's a cross country ski race.  I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again, unfortunately it won't be this year, but hopefully again next year!!

March - The hubby's b-day month!  We spent many hours driving to and from the cities from Duluth to find the perfect place to call home for the next couple years!

April - I started working in the cities a couple days every other week and we threw a surprise anniversary party for my parents in Lancaster! We finished April with the Med School Farewell Banquet-fun night!!!

May - I moved to the cities full time while the hubby was in Duluth - lots of travel back and forth again

June - Trip to Lancaster to celebrate Heritage Days!

July - 4th of July Wknd spent at the cabin!  Official 4th of July we had a BBQ with friends and walked on Summit Ave in St Paul to see the fireworks :)  Looking back, I saw lots of friends in July!! Celebrated weddings and babies!  Twins Game with the Uncle too, lucky girl! I also started my new (and current) job!

August - 12th Street Campout!  A time where my hubby's roomies and all our closest friends from undergrad get together and reminisce! My softball team also won the championship for summer league!

September - Got to see my godson over Labor Day :) Did a TON of canning with a close friend (yay for Xmas Presents completed!) My beautiful sister Sierra was crowned homecoming queen! We celebrated another wonderful couple's nuptials!

October - We celebrated my cousin Lea's wedding :)  Sierra turned 18! We had a great Halloween Party in Bemidji!!

November - My favorite time of the year - Deer Season!  (I'm sticking to highlights, so we won't discuss the sad stuff that happened as well)

December - Christmas, of course! Cookie bakings, presents, family, fun :)

Sayonara 2011 - Bring it on 2012!!