25 weeks left

Well, today officially marks my 15th week of pregnancy.  I had a really easy go of the first trimester.  I was more tired and needed to take a lot more naps, but other than that I can't complain.  Being at 15 weeks is a bit comforting as well, as the risk of miscarriage greatly decreases at your 14th week.  Most people rejoice at getting to 14 weeks because many issues like morning sickness dissipate and life goes back to normal for a while since you probably aren't showing yet either.
I definitely do not look pregnant yet and still am able to do my daily exercise regimen without difficulty, but I would say that week 14 was the toughest so far.  Noah has been teething, which means he sleeps poorly, which means I sleep poorly. 
My allergies have returned.  I haven't had any issues with them since returning to Pittsburgh a couple of years ago, but all of the sudden I am sneezing like crazy.  I can only take certain meds, like Benadryl, which helps to some extent, but not fully and makes me feel groggy.  But things are looking up: Noah woke up twice last night, but then he slept until 10:15 to make up for it!  Also, the pollen count is much lower the next couple of days and boy do can my sinuses tell. 
This also marks the first day of the week in which I have has enough energy to blog...I know you missed me so much. 
Funny story: Yesterday, I was doing my prenatal yoga video during Noah's nap.  There were times I felt so tired that I almost gave up.  But I didn't and persevered to the end.  Only, the last five minutes of the tape included a relaxation time.  Well, I was so enthusiastic about being relaxed that I fell asleep right on the floor.  Yeah, I've got to say that I haven't done that before.
Well, continue to keep me and baby in your prayers.  I have a doctor's appointment next week, so hopefully I will know more then as to the health of the baby.
Have you ever been so tired that you didn't even realize you had fallen asleep in an awkward place/position?       

Random pregnant musings

These are the highlights of my thoughts today:

Why does Noah have to wake up so early???  GO back to sleep.

Ugh...allergies.

Nothing sounds good for breakfast except for potato chips.

How much longer until Sesame Street is on?

I hope it's not hot out...66 degrees!  I'm taking Noah outside.

Oh no, I forgot the stroller, doah!

Random musings as I scan the web during Noah's nap:

So glad Larry King is retiring: dude be old.

I love that the SI power rankings have the Steelers as #18, we always play better as the under dog.

It's weird to see Angelina Jolie's name with the words actress and humanitarian next to them.  Does anyone remember her Billy Bob Thorton phase?

Reggie Bush is a cheater, but I know he is not the only one.  Why doesn't anybody play by the rules?

Back to reality:

Ugh...allergies.

I guess I better go do the dishes. 

Mall-walking: naked, smelly, and embarrassing

The temperature has been very pleasant these past few days, but the overcast skies makes me weary of going outside with a 20 month old.  So, yesterday my solution was to walk around Ross Park Mall while pushing Noah in the stroller and then letting play at the play area in the center of the mall.  Well, the plan went pretty well, except that my visit reminded me of why I despise going to the mall. 
When you first enter the building you think, well the a/c is up a little too high, but at least I won't sweat.  But as soon as you get closer and closer to the center you realize that your little excursion at the mall has become an opportunity for all sorts of folks to proselytize you to death.  "Hey, Ladie, you like hand cream?"  "Want a massage?"  "What kind of facial scrub do you use?"   
The worst part of the second-rate shops in the center of the mall that have no enclosed space is that no matter what you do, you feel rude by your response and they never leave you alone.  I walked away this time not saying a thing, but that just makes me feel like a jerk.  A human just asked me a question and I can't even be polite enough to say "No thank you."  Well, actually I don't feel that bad, because when I have said, "no thank you" in the past, they just keep talking to me, even if I keep walking. 
As I circle around the long hallways of Ross Park Mall, I see Abercrombie & Fitch on my right.  I avert my eyes since the pictures in there are usually never wholesome.  But even though I look away, I am accosted by the perfume wafting through the airways.  I gag a little, roll my eyes, and walk as quickly as I can to oxygen. 
As I continue on my walk through the mall, I am visually assaulted by all the basically-naked women on the Victoria Secret and Soma Intimates.  I always have wondered why they feel the need to put naked pictures of women on their windows when a) I know what they are selling without the pictures b) women shop there, men are only forced to come in with their girlfriends.  I know what I look like without my shirt on and it is nothing like that picture up on the wall and no bra is going to change that.
After vomiting a little in my mouth passing the underwear shops, my eyes begin a second roll as I have to encounter round two of hearing I should, "try our wigs" or "do I want to learn Spanish?" shops.  Fortunately, two young ladies were right in front of me so they got the worst of it.  They took an approach I had not seen before and simply mocked the employees, literally pointing and laughing.  I felt like a jerk that I enjoyed their approach. 
Finally after walking the entirety of the mall, Noah and I went to the play area where Noah had a fabulous time climbing on baby-sized bridges and going down slides.  He made lots of friends, like always, and had a splendid time.  So, I guess all the stress of walking the mall was worth it in the end.  But, I don't know if I really want to go back.  I am sure I will, but it is beyond me as to why certain shops at the mall use the tactics they use.  When I am ready to buy something, I'll let you know.  Otherwise, back off, turn your scent down, and cover up a little bit, would you?   

Updates and Prayer Requests

Well, I had a doctor's appointment earlier this afternoon for the newest baby.  I am nearly 12 weeks along and 7 lbs. lighter than my appointment last month.  I am happy about that just because I haven't been trying to lose weight and I haven't been sick, so my body has just taken the weight off naturally.  It's about time my body started working for me instead of against me in the weight loss category. 
The most exciting part of the appointment was when I was able to hear the baby's heart beat for the first time.  The doctor said it sounded good.  I was relieved to hear the heart beat.  I have been fearful of the worst this pregnancy, so hearing heartbeat helps me to calm down a bit. 
With this good news however, comes the some sad news.  Brandon's Dad had to go to the hospital last night.  We aren't sure what is going on right now with him, but please keep him in your prayers.  His name is Paul and he is a believer.  He is feeling fine right this very minute, but he had recently undergone surgery for prostate cancer, so hopefully his health problems last night have nothing to do with cancer.  Thanks for your prayers in advance! 

Noah at Ocracoke Island

This past week we took our first family vacation since our honeymoon.  We went to Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  We were able to stay with Brandon's best friend from high school since he is a park ranger at the beach.  We had a great time and were very appreciative of his hospitality.  We also were able to spend an evening coming and leaving with the Nugents since the drive is over 12 hours long.  12 hours in the car does not a happy baby make, so the Nugents were so kind to let us break up the trip at their abode in Virginia.  Noah still talks about their little boy Thomas non-stop. 

The beach was beautiful and Noah's love for the beach, primarily the ocean, was infectious.  Usually Brandon is not a huge fan of the ocean, but I think that Noah's joy might have even helped Dad to get over his dislike for sunlight and sand.  I love the beach, but I have even more love for it now that Noah loves it too! 

We couldn't keep Noah away from the salt water.  He loved the water crashing into his body and he loved playing in the sand.  After our first encounter with the beach, Noah then began to notice all the wildlife on the beach, particularly the birds, and decided that he was going to chase them all the way down the coast.  The third day at the beach Noah discovered the glory of seashells and decided they were indeed made to be thrown.  A new discovery for every day! 

We were planning on cooking and dining in at the island, but we quickly realized that this island is so very different than most American beaches and certainly most of the outer banks.  Access to good food and really anything commercial was difficult to come across.  There wasn't a real grocery store nor did we even see a gas station.  You have to take a ferry in order to even get to the island, so I am sure importing goods their is expensive and limited.  So, with little options, we choose to eat out at one of the few restaurants on the island.  But boy, did we ever make the right choice.  We went to Jason's the first night and had the pesto (I had it with shrimp and scallops and Brandon with chicken).  Even Noah loved it!  If you ever make a trip to Ocracoke, trust me and get the pesto.  It was the best pesto I have ever had. 

Sorry, dirty lens!

We had a grand time at Ocracoke Island.  But now, we are exhausted.  Vacationing while in the first trimester of a pregnancy and with an energetic 19 month old, plus driving non-stop does not exactly equate to relaxation.  But, we are glad to have made the trip and make new memories with our son. 

Do you remember your first vacation to the beach or your child's first vacation to the beach?  Did they like the sand and water or did they cry the whole time? 

Noah has fun with Sunshine

(Annie and Noah)

This past week, the Hobbs stayed with us so Collin could attend and speak at a conference down town.  Noah had a wonderful time with little Annie Sunshine even if he didn't always show it in the most appropriate of ways.  When Noah would wake up, his immediate response was, "Baby!  Baby!"  He would run out and give Annie a big hug (which I'm not sure Annie really appreciated all the time) and then he proceeded to try to sit on her or do other various types of body slams.  This is the way that boys show affection, at least my boy, but he hasn't quite learned yet that other tinier girls don't know how to reciprocate in that fashion.
One day, Kara and I took Annie and Noah to the park (we had a thrilling conversation about schooling) and Noah learned that Annie loves to swing too!

The next day, we took the kids to Soergel's.  They have a little play area and petting zoo for kids.  We discovered that they actually named the donkey Noah!  However, our Noah was not a big fan of donkey Noah or any other animal.  They seem so much safer in books and in cartoon-form, don't they?  Little Annie, who is about half the size of Noah, however, loves the animals and had a fun time with the goats.

The Donkey's nameplate

Daddy trying to comfort Noah at the "scary" petting farm

We had many more adventures with our hobbit friends, including a yummy excursion to a Thai restaurant.  We love to have house guests.  Were much less boring people when we have to do stuff with others.  If you are ever in need of coming to the Burgh', come stay with us.  I make yummy Chicken Parmesan! 

Stop making me pose, Mommy!  I need to get back to my patients.

More projects of last weekend

I have wanted a breakfast table for our kitchen since we moved in.  We have owned a large dinner table before we moved, but nothing that would fit a small kitchen area.  We owned a card table, so that is what we used in the mean time while we saved up enough money and found a great bargain for a quality set of furniture.  It takes patience and much searching to find all three things in one purchase (quality, bargain, what you want).  Many times I drive myself crazy thinking I am never going find what I am looking for.  But, eventually, I always do.  It just takes work and perseverance.   
My small kitchen eating space was a two-part purchase.  I found the table first and the chairs to match later.  We used the card-table chairs while we found the right chairs for our new table.  The table was a floor model at pier one.  I love pier one and would shop there all the time if I had a limitless income.  But, for our purposes, they are just a bit pricey right now.  However, the table I found was being sold "as is" and the only problem with the table was a few scratches that you could hardly see.  To me, the scratches were light damage compared to what Noah would be doing to this table.  The table was originally $200 but we got it "as is: and did not have to assemble for $99.  I know for sure that the table actually cost $200 too because we have two pier ones in the near vicinity of our home, and I had gone to the other store first to see it's real price.   
Pier one had chairs to match the table, but they were $100 each and did not look very comfortable.  So, I passed on their chairs since the table we purchased would be a color easy enough to match with many chairs now sold.  We also only wanted two chairs, so it would be even easier to find a set of two rather than four. 
Our new chairs came from Marshall's.  We bought them after looking at a different Marshalls and a TJ Maxx.  I love stores like these because the inventory is usually similar but not exactly the same.  So, we found two, comfy, leather parson chairs normally $125 each for $69 each that are just the right color.  They are also the kind of chairs that will easily be matched in the future if we ever need to use this table in a different room and add more seating.  So, in total, we bought a new breakfast nook for $237 plus tax.  Not bad for a table that will likely last us the rest of our lives and no assembly required (now we just have to get to repainting the kitchen walls, replacing countertops, etc.).        

We now actually enjoy sitting in the kitchen and spend much more time there together as a family since we have comfortable seating. Noah likes getting up and down on our new chairs, too.  He also likes to climb on the table, but we told him that is a "No, no!"  He still has his own high chair, but I guess that isn't as cool as sitting on Mom or Dad's chair.        
Some of the best deals we find are at garage sales.  Tell me about some of your great bargaining adventures.  Ever get anything for 90% off that you actually needed? 

Busy bees over the 4th of July holiday

Hello dear readers.  Sorry I was gone for a little while but my husband, son, and I have been keeping ourselves busy elsewhere.  We have been making small home improvements as of late and watching a lot of fireworks.  On Saturday we went over to my parents for linner and then Noah stayed with his Grandma and Pap pap so his Mommy and Daddy could go on a date to the Pirates Game and watch the fireworks at the stadium. 

Although we had awesome seat via my Dad, the game was a bit disappointing, like normal, as we were playing the Phillies and it was the only game out of the four game series that we lost.  And we lost 12-4.  And we were surrounded by a swarm of Phillies fans.  And sitting behind us were two idiot Pittsburghers who wanted everyone to hear their conversation.  If they realized how dumb they sounded, they may not have wanted to let everyone else know.  But, everyone sitting in our section now knows. 

After making it through the game (although I still had fun with my hubby), we watched the fireworks from downtown up front and personal at the stadium.  They were very exciting and they made to "proud to be an American."  Then the fireworks were over and I wasn't so sure anymore. 

We made it back to my parents house to pick up Noah around 11pm and Noah was still awake!!!  He is like his Mommy in that he is definitely a night owl.  I could tell he was tired, but he was still very pleasant and was very excited to see us (especially Daddy).  I had a good time on our date, but I am always happy to come back and see Noah's smiling face.