This year, I have a lot to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the fact that my little brother made it back home safely after his second tour of duty overseas, this time in Afghanistan (last time in Iraq) with hardly a scratch on him. He does have a giant scar on the side of his forehead after a metal pipe dislodged and hit him on the face during the dissembly of a tent, but aside from that, we are thankful to have him on U.S. soil all in one piece.
I am thankful, too, that both my husband and I have jobs and can pay our bills. I'm extra thankful that right now, I can afford to only work part-time, leaving me some time left during the week to restore my sanity, considering my job does make me crazy at times.
I am thankful for our home, filled with laughter and love, and fur-balls from our two precious kitty cats.
I am thankful that, after many many attempts to start our own family, our luck finally came through for us and we are now expecting our first bundle of joy in approximately six months.
I am also thankful for my family and my husband's family. We aren't a perfect bunch, and sometimes we drive each other crazy, but I do know that if we ever needed anything, we could call upon our parents and our brothers, and they would never hesitate to help us out in any way they could.
I am over-the-moon-thankful for my husband, who truly does love me just the way I am. He is my absolute best friend in this world, and means more to me than just about anything. I am so proud of the way he lives his life and the person that he is, and I can honestly say that I would hardly change a single thing about him. I just love him to pieces.
And last but not least, I am thankful for my friends, who I don't get a chance to see face-to-face very often, but who have been there for me (in their own ways) each step of the way during my journey through the land of infertility and trying to conceive. I needed all the support I could get at that time in my life (it's still strange to refer to it in the past-tense... wow, am I really past it?!) and my caring, supportive friends were always there to listen. Sometimes I complained, sometimes I cried, sometimes I laughed and feigned acceptance. Some knew the details, some knew the jist, and others knew nothing at all, but likely suspected. They comforted me with grace, they encouraged me with love, and they congratulated me at the end of the race.
I am a lucky girl in many ways. I try to remember that every single day, not just the last Thursday in November, but sometimes we need an appointment. And that's what I love about Thanksgiving!
11.25.2010
11.12.2010
20.) Maternity pants!
They may be funny looking, but ahhhh the comfort! Why is it unacceptable to wear these little pieces of heaven all the time?! I guess the full panel type might be a little bit of overkill, being as though I'm only 10wks pregnant, but the elastic waistband is surely something that I could get used to.
Only problem: The selections are awful! At least, around here anyway. Take Old Navy for example. Their "maternity department" consists of random ugly shirts all mixed up on a rack way in the back corner of the children's section, plus 2 colors of corduroys stocked only in sizes 2 and 6, and a hodgepodge assortment of jeans, including some that appear cute at first glance but then turn out to be skinny jeans once you pull them out of the single over-crowded rack they are all jammed onto (and as far as I'm concerned, maternity skinny jeans = no thank you!).
I will take myself to Motherhood Maternity as soon as I can justify it. For now, two pairs of jeans to throw into the rotation when the bloat gets bad will be sufficient.
Only problem: The selections are awful! At least, around here anyway. Take Old Navy for example. Their "maternity department" consists of random ugly shirts all mixed up on a rack way in the back corner of the children's section, plus 2 colors of corduroys stocked only in sizes 2 and 6, and a hodgepodge assortment of jeans, including some that appear cute at first glance but then turn out to be skinny jeans once you pull them out of the single over-crowded rack they are all jammed onto (and as far as I'm concerned, maternity skinny jeans = no thank you!).
I will take myself to Motherhood Maternity as soon as I can justify it. For now, two pairs of jeans to throw into the rotation when the bloat gets bad will be sufficient.
11.11.2010
19.) America's veterans.
"On this day, we honor every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform of the United States of America. We salute fallen heroes, and keep in our prayers those who are still in harm's way -- like the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan." - President Barack Obama, November 11, 2010.
Today is Veteran's Day, and while many of us complain that it's not Friday yet, that our lunch sucked, or that dammit, we forgot to DVR Gray's Anatomy... our veterans are suffering. They have sacrificed their families, their comfort, their holidays, their bodies, and sometimes their lives, for America and it's people. Our veterans have given their all to protect us... but, ask yourself, how are we protecting them? What have YOU done to honor, support, or assist an American veteran or member of the United States military? Nothing yet? Well... here are some ideas to get you started.
- Donate to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).
- Donate your old car (helpourveterans.org).
- Volunteer your time at the local VA hospital (va.gov).
- Purchase a Vet Pack or crochet a blanket for a wounded veteran (soldiersangels.org).
- Donate money to help make a paralyzed veteran's house wheelchair accessible (pva.org).
- Can't crochet, and don't have money? Give blood (redcross.org)!
Just do SOMETHING. Did you know:
- There are an estimated 107,000 homeless veterans on any given night.
- There are 140,000 incarcerated veterans.
- 4 to 5 veterans commit suicide everyday, which is over 7 times the national average.
- 300,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ALONE suffer from PTSD, and 320,000 have experienced traumatic brain injuries.
A military friend of ours said it nicely today on Facebook: "Honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good, but also praise the spouses and children of veterans who endure long hours and extended deployments supporting a loved one who chose to serve." Well said, my friend. Freedom is never free.
10.26.2010
18.) Giuliana and Bill Rancic.
This celebrity couple is publicly fighting a very personal battle: infertility. Many infertile couples do not even discuss their issues with their closest friends, or even family, due to embarrassment, fears of judgement, and consuming feelings of despair. Infertility is still very much a taboo subject in our society, and unfairly so.
More than 1 in 12 couples in America alone have difficulty conceiving, and that number increases to 1 in 7 couples who are in their 30s. 30% of this group has male infertility, 30% has female infertility, 30% is unknown, and 10% is a combination of male/female infertility. We are talking about a LOT of people.
Giuliana and Bill (an E! news anchor and the winner of Donald Trump's show, The Apprentice), are both celebrities who have been trying to start a family for over a year. Due to advanced maternal age, they've come to their last option to conceive a biological child: In vitro fertilization. The process is personal and grueling, with extreme emotional stress (and financial stress for those who are NOT highly paid celebrities!).
They have bravely and candidly been documenting their journey on their reality show (on the Style Network), and have even publicly suffered a devastating loss of their baby via miscarriage at 9wks. To watch a video previewing upcoming epidoses of Giuliana and Bill's reality show, click right here.
Celebrity couples who suffer from infertility often opt to keep their struggles (and treatment) private. It is a person's right to remain silent about their private life, but this choice ultimately perpetuates the "taboo" mentality of infertility within our society. Revealing their choice to go through IVF, IUI, or other infertility treatment approaches (including donor egg/sperm, embryo adoption, traditional adoption, surrogacy, etc.), celebrities can bring attention to the fact that infertility is happening everywhere, probably to somebody you know. It can be devastating and heartbreaking, but it can also be overcome.
I commend Giuliana and Bill Rancic for stepping up to the plate to bring awareness to infertility. I truly hope that they acheive the family they are so deeply desiring. I also hope that their candid approach to infertility encourages other people (celebrities or not) to come out of the infertility closet, reach out for support from others, and not feel so isolated in their struggle.
More than 1 in 12 couples in America alone have difficulty conceiving, and that number increases to 1 in 7 couples who are in their 30s. 30% of this group has male infertility, 30% has female infertility, 30% is unknown, and 10% is a combination of male/female infertility. We are talking about a LOT of people.
Giuliana and Bill (an E! news anchor and the winner of Donald Trump's show, The Apprentice), are both celebrities who have been trying to start a family for over a year. Due to advanced maternal age, they've come to their last option to conceive a biological child: In vitro fertilization. The process is personal and grueling, with extreme emotional stress (and financial stress for those who are NOT highly paid celebrities!).
They have bravely and candidly been documenting their journey on their reality show (on the Style Network), and have even publicly suffered a devastating loss of their baby via miscarriage at 9wks. To watch a video previewing upcoming epidoses of Giuliana and Bill's reality show, click right here.
Celebrity couples who suffer from infertility often opt to keep their struggles (and treatment) private. It is a person's right to remain silent about their private life, but this choice ultimately perpetuates the "taboo" mentality of infertility within our society. Revealing their choice to go through IVF, IUI, or other infertility treatment approaches (including donor egg/sperm, embryo adoption, traditional adoption, surrogacy, etc.), celebrities can bring attention to the fact that infertility is happening everywhere, probably to somebody you know. It can be devastating and heartbreaking, but it can also be overcome.
I commend Giuliana and Bill Rancic for stepping up to the plate to bring awareness to infertility. I truly hope that they acheive the family they are so deeply desiring. I also hope that their candid approach to infertility encourages other people (celebrities or not) to come out of the infertility closet, reach out for support from others, and not feel so isolated in their struggle.
For more information on infertility, please go to http://www.resolve.org/
Giuliana & Bill is on Mondays at 8/7c on the Style Network.
Giuliana & Bill is on Mondays at 8/7c on the Style Network.
10.24.2010
10.21.2010
Let's Go, Phillies!
The Phightin' Phils take Game 5 from the Giants in San Fran! 
Bring on Game 6! 
Saturday night in the City of Brotherly Love...
Keep the Phaith!
Keep the Phaith!
10.18.2010
17.) seeing a baby's heartbeat for the first time is amazing.
I saw the heartbeat today!
So far, baby looks like a little jelly bean in there, just hanging out in his yolk sac. I'm already looking forward to seeing him again next month, when we can hopefully hear the heartbeat and see some growth as well.
It's a little nervewracking, being pregnant and having to just wait... and wait... and hope everything goes okay. I feel like I hardly know anything about the process of being pregnant (just the process of getting pregnant... more than I'd like to know, at that!) so I can't wait to be able to share this news openly with friends and family and hear their advice, stories, etc. I am still having a hard time letting my guard down and being as enthusiastic as I'd like, but I hear that's normal at this stage.
My husband is already wanting to tell people even though it's way too early. We agreed to wait until around Thanksgiving to really tell people, although admittedly, I've already told a few friends (and so has he). We won't go "public" with the news though for quite a while.
We're thinking specifically about when and how to tell our parents. We'd like to do something creative, but since we live 19 hours away and won't be seeing them until the holidays, it might be nearly impossible to wait until we are face-to-face. If all goes well, I will be 12 weeks at Thanksgiving and 16 weeks at Christmas, which is a little later in the game than we'd like in terms of announcing to the families (friends/public, however, will probably find out right around the holidays). So that rules out the cute Christmas gift ideas like wrapping a pair of booties, or a grandparents picture frame, and so on, as people like to do.
Maybe we'll incorporate Halloween, and do something with pumpkins or....? I don't know, I would really like to think of something clever, we'll see if that happens. Lately I am so tired that I can only think straight about half the time!
So far, baby looks like a little jelly bean in there, just hanging out in his yolk sac. I'm already looking forward to seeing him again next month, when we can hopefully hear the heartbeat and see some growth as well.
It's a little nervewracking, being pregnant and having to just wait... and wait... and hope everything goes okay. I feel like I hardly know anything about the process of being pregnant (just the process of getting pregnant... more than I'd like to know, at that!) so I can't wait to be able to share this news openly with friends and family and hear their advice, stories, etc. I am still having a hard time letting my guard down and being as enthusiastic as I'd like, but I hear that's normal at this stage.
My husband is already wanting to tell people even though it's way too early. We agreed to wait until around Thanksgiving to really tell people, although admittedly, I've already told a few friends (and so has he). We won't go "public" with the news though for quite a while.
We're thinking specifically about when and how to tell our parents. We'd like to do something creative, but since we live 19 hours away and won't be seeing them until the holidays, it might be nearly impossible to wait until we are face-to-face. If all goes well, I will be 12 weeks at Thanksgiving and 16 weeks at Christmas, which is a little later in the game than we'd like in terms of announcing to the families (friends/public, however, will probably find out right around the holidays). So that rules out the cute Christmas gift ideas like wrapping a pair of booties, or a grandparents picture frame, and so on, as people like to do.
Maybe we'll incorporate Halloween, and do something with pumpkins or....? I don't know, I would really like to think of something clever, we'll see if that happens. Lately I am so tired that I can only think straight about half the time!
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