All About MEme: Wine Me, Dine Me, ...

Oh, goodness, that title has me *blushing* ...
and it really has only a little to do with my story ...
but hopefully it grabbed your attention and has you ...
scrollin' for more ... oh, yeah, baby, you know you want it!

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

 

GUESS who's coming to dinner????

We are!

SORT OF  ... kind of... 

We want to sit down, have some wine ... or several bottles 

and listen to you whine or gloat about your :

WORST DINNER EXPERIENCE

or 

YOUR BEST DINNER EXPERIENCE

or  maybe even

WHAT you would make us for dinner if we came to your house? 

We don't care.  Just feed us while you talk. 

I know, how about this?

For all of you creative souls out there: Write us a story!  

We get to be the main characters of course:  did you not notice our big heads?    

 Supah and MB came to visit:  and this is how it went down. 

 You pick the dinner prompt that works for you ! 

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Imagine a quaint little Italian restaurant.  Dim lighting.  The smell of garlic wafting through the air. Red-and-white checkered tablecloth covering the table.  The table for two.  I'm meeting a friend.  A seriously funny, ridiculously kind friend.  A friend I met - while teaching elementary school - something like 10 years ago.  That's right, Supah - I know her as Debby (yes, with a y) - invited me to a little sit-down.  I could tell from her tweet that something was up (just like Supah to extend an invitation over Twitter, huh?).  I wasn't about to pass up the chance to share a meal with her.  Who am I kidding, she doesn't really like to share, but I needed a night out like a fish needs water.  

Giddy with anticipation, I waved off the annoying hostess and made my way to the table where Supah was already waiting for me.  Her face lit up when she saw me, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.  I could tell something was weighing heavily on her mind.  There was an awkwardness to our conversation that I had not expected.  I sipped my wine (it was probably more like a guzzle) and wondered why Supah had invited me to such a fancy dinner.  As I reached for a piece of bread from the basket sitting between us (oh, how I love my carbs), Debby's eyes met mine ... the look said everything.  The news would be bad.  

Supah broke the silence and said, "Dana dear, I'm breaking up with you I'm going to be handing over Monday MEme to you."  She said more, but devastation was ringing in my ears.  I heard only bits and pieces, "streamlining, making moolah, sending my peeps."  None of it made sense.  None of it mattered. 

In my head, thoughts were swirling ... Supah was my first.  We lost our meme-hosting virginity together.  I thought that meant something.

I needed to clear my head.  To regain my composure.  What better way to do that than finishing off this glass of wine.  And then I played back all the good times ... our first meme, the dingo references, the stories we've told, how we made each other LOL with our silly PhotoShopping skillz, all the fantastic bloggers we've met on Mondays, ...

I was crushed, no doubt about it.  But I also realized that  big-hearted Supah  didn't make this decision lightly.  She is one of the hardest working mamas I know, and if she's lightening her load, it's with good reason. I also figured no sense ruin the evening , I told her not to worry about it, ordered another glass of wine, and looked for the most expensive entree on the menu.  I made sure I was in the restroom when the bill came and left Supah to pay for our meal. (Who's laughin' now, sucka?)

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Certain details of the above story are pure fiction.  Like the part about Supah and I sitting down in the same restaurant - how I wish that were true, but we live on opposite coasts.  And me drinking multiple glasses of wine - I'd be fall down drunk and I loathe pumping and dumping.  But the overall message is quite true.  

All About MEme Monday is now a MommyBrain exclusive (which is a really positive spin on the fact that Supah dumped us).  But that's okay; a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.  All About MEme Mondays will continue ... as long as YOU want it.

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All About MEme: What's in your bag?

<br><center><a href="http://mommybrainnw.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_K81CIrVW09k/S8_qA3-XbRI/AAAAAAAAH_w/fnkmyUuD7lY/s144/NewButton_MEme.jpg"/></a></center><br>

All About MEme is our weekly chance to ...

A) think about the ME in the world

B) reveal parts of our personality, past, and passions

C) get to know each other, meet new bloggers, share some comment love

D) all of the above

If you answered D, you are one smart cookie!

Please join me and my friends for All About MEme Monday!

Literally.  Quite simply.

Spill the contents of your purse.  

Take a photo.  

Make a list of what's inside.

Explain if you want or let the evidence speak for itself.

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My bag is actually a  little lighter than usual because I made a trip to Target sans kiddos during naptime today ... and ditched the changing pad and extra outfits.

Speaking of Target, that cute bag down there - bright blue, big handles, one big section in the middle with two long sections behind each handle and small pockets on each end - came from Target ... and it only set me back $24.99.  I decided the second time around I didn't want to carry a traditional "diaper bag," and I love this bag - it's working great for me and my two girls!

• There's my cute little "owl" change purse full of credit cards, a few gift cards, and very little cash.  
• My keys with library card attached.
• Shopping list and receipt from today's Costco trip.
• Zippered pouch with extra contacts, eye drops, hand sanitizer, lip gloss, lotion, bandaids, ...
• My Hooter Hider - I love this thing!  It gives me some privacy while breastfeeding, works as a sun shade on the stroller or carrier, and can be used as a blanket if need be.
• Totally random orange Matchbox car.
• Deck of Sesame Street cards for reviewing colors and shapes
• Pink plastic bag dispenser - for those really stinky diapers
• Large Ziploc with diapers and wipes.
• Former baby food container - now binky holder ... but it's empty - never good to be without an emergency Soothie!
• Small Snapware container with snacks inside: fruit leather, yogurt bites, and a granola bar

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Sidenote: I will be traveling with the girls next week - we'll be busy visiting 
lots of family and friends, so I anticipate being off the grid to some extent.

  
I am looking for an All About MEme host for next week.  

Yes, all this ... can be yours!

Let me know if you're interested :)
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All About MEme: Surviving a GTT Debacle

Post from 8:30 this morning:

Just letting you know that I am here ... kind of ... I've been fasting for the past 12 hours ... for this stupid 3-hour Glucose test ... and I am planning to pass the time while blogging. Please check back in a few hours for my All About MEme: Surviving post. It will be here ... and hopefully it will be worth the wait :) I can't wait to read all the other entries!

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Post from 2:00 this afternoon:

Let me just say ... that my 3-hour Glucose Test was a NIGHTMARE, a freakin' DEBACLE ... that ended with invalid test results! Can you even believe it!? I am super, super sick to my stomach ... because the dumb-arse - perhaps should be looking for another job - lab technician had me drink not ONE but THREE bottles of glucose, one after each blood draw ... apparently for shits (literally) and giggles or because he's a moron ... thankfully my doctor walked down the hall to check on me as I was beginning to drink the third bottle. The lab guy (freakin-frakin idiot) was like, "Well, the manual isn't really clear, but I think it says three bottles." You think? You didn't double - make that triple - check?! His supervisor was called ... ugh, huge debacle! I fasted for 12+ hours, spent three and a half hours of my life sitting in that stupid room, drinking glucose, and trying not to vomit ... had my blood drawn three times ... ALL FOR NOTHING! Oh, and today - of all days - their guest WiFi connection was down, which pretty much blew my plans for blogging while waiting.

I am so beyond annoyed! And now I am trying to eat something - even though I still feel like throwing up - and getting ready to walk out the door to appointment numero dos ... weekly ultrasound! I know it could be so much worse. I know this, I really do. But right now I am seriously bummed and a smidge pissed off ...

Sorry to further delay my All About MEme post ... but it will have to wait until after this next appointment. I really hate to be so late ... I know I am letting you down, Supah :(

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Post from 7:30 this evening:

My actual All About MEme post - with a Survivor theme is posted now. What a day!

All About MEme: Prompt 10/19

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

I am quite certain that you already know that SupahMommy is pretty freakin' fantastic.  I mean you read her blog, right?!  Yeah, she's awesome and talented and funny and thoughtful and caring and creative and well, supah!  She takes good care of me - all the way from PA - and I love her for it :) 

It was my week to come up with the All About MEme prompt, but I dropped the ball ... I allowed my fetal woes to put me in a funk ... I lost sight of some really important aspects of my life ... but I am finding my way back ... until the next ultrasound sends my world spinning again ...

Enough of that ... we have a SUPAH prompt for this week's All About MEme. 

A prompt that will provide for some introspection and a chance to get to know each other better.  It also kind of reminds me of a drinking game ... or spin the bottle ... or something fun and crazy like that :)

All because of SupahMommy ... with a little help from her friend at Letters from Valentine ...

See how she did it; be inspired!

Here's Valentines' lead in:

"Do you ever feel like you get lost in the crowd?  That there is very little that distinguishes you from the person next to you?  Yeah, me too.  So here are some things that set me apart from millions of people..."

And the PROMPT:

I've NEVER ... 5 Things (or more or less)

that distinguish YOU from the crowd.

And the delightful Photoshop handiwork of SupahMommy:

Be. A. SupahSTAR

Study the prompt

Turn some ideas over in your head.

Author a post.

RETURN: on Monday to get all linked up!

All About EMMETT

So this All About MEme Monday is not about ME or YOU ...

Instead, I am dedicating this week's meme to a little boy 

who means a lot to me  and he needs your positive thoughts
and prayers this week.

This is my buddy Emmett ... affectionately known as Big E :)

He is the son of my best friend Missy.

He's about a month shy of two and a half years old.

He will melt your heart with deep brown eyes and enviable lashes!

He loves his li-li (a gift from me) and milk from a sippy cup.

He adores dinosaurs and fish and cars and schn-acks!

He is all boy but also sweet as pie.

Today he boarded a plane with his mommy and daddy.
That plane is headed to California, but he is not going on vacation.

 Emmett is going to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. 

That little - adorable - boy is preparing for his THIRD
open heart surgery on Wednesday of this week.

Hopefully this is the final surgery to correct a heart condition he was born with; it is a rare condition known as Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (ccTGA or LTGA) and an ebstenoid tricuspid valve. 

I wrote about his first surgery here.

And his second surgery here.

You can read more about Emmett and his heart condition 

at my friend's blog: Rocky Mountain Big Boy

I cannot stop thinking about Emmett and his parents ...
wishing I could be there to support my friend and her little guy,
wishing I could do something to ease their worry, ...
and this is what I came up with ...

I want to wrap this family in love from around the blogosphere.
I've seen it done before and I know it works (dare I say, miracles).
The support of many - even people you don't know - is very powerful.
That's what I want for Emmett and his mommy and daddy right now.

For this week's meme, 

please post this button 
on your blog and link up.

<br><center><a href="http://mommybrainnw.blogspot.com/2010/05/all-about-emmett.html/"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_K81CIrVW09k/S_oHIQrrsBI/AAAAAAAAILU/VVynQKysUqs/s288/Love4Emmett.jpg"/></a></center><br>

Please come back here and LINK UP so Missy will know how much LOVE there is for Emmett!

All About MEme: First Kiss

 

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

It's that time again!  All About MEme time!

This week Supah and MommyBrain want 

to read a story about your FIRST KISS.

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It seems like I've had quite a few first kisses in my life.  But only one relationship ever progressed much beyond that first kiss.  And all those other "first kisses" have all but faded from my memory, become meaningless practice for the real-deal,  my first kiss with my now husband. Disgustingly sweet, I know ... but oh-so-true!

One kiss that is burned quite vividly in my memory is my very first kiss. Good thing that's what Supah asked for.  It was more like lips grazing ... if there were such a thing as a kiss-o-meter, this kiss would fall below a peck.  As it should because it happened in the first grade.

Now I've had some much more exciting and juicier (believe me, pun intended) first kisses. But I am going to be true to the prompt ... what you are about to read are the details of my very first kiss to the best of my knowledge and decrepit memory.

For some reason, a reason that alludes me right now and probably isn't important anyway, Tim Fahnestock and I found ourselves inside our classroom when the rest of the class and our teacher was out for recess.  So much for adult supervision, huh?  I have no idea what we were doing in there, but we both knew that we weren't suppose to be in the classroom without the teacher.  Being in that empty classroom seemed  like such a treat, like reading your sister's diary or looking in your parents' nightstand drawer.  In our young minds, we were doing something a little naughty, and that feeling bond us together in an electrifying kind of way.

To avoid getting caught, we hatched a plan to hide in the coat closet until the class returned and then just blend in with the after-recess chaos and take our seats with everyone else.  This elaborate plan resulted in the two of us sitting on the floor of the coat closet amongst backpacks and lunchboxes and those jackets not worn out to play.  My heart was pounding - not because Tim Fahnestock but because I was doing something wrong. My mind was racing to think up an excuse or reason.  I even said a little prayer (it was Catholic school after all) that we wouldn't get caught.

I can't remember exactly how the conversation started, but Tim mentioned something about a kiss.  Honestly, all of my attention was focused on what would happen when the teacher found out; I wanted so badly to avoid getting into trouble.  My mind was so preoccupied, I couldn't even consider his request.

But he persisted and I couldn't think of a good reason not to kiss him.  And so our tiny little first grade lips came together ever-so-gently and quickly and then parted.  I remember feeling a rush of heat in my cheeks - but I've always been known to blush.  My thoughts of getting in trouble vanished.  I think I fell in love ... a little.

Within seconds the rooms outside the closet erupted in the sounds of twenty classmates returning from recess.  Tim Fahnestock, the boy who will forever more be known as my first kiss, anxiously whispered, "Whatever you do, don't tell anyone that we kissed."  

And just like that, Tim stood up, turned the knob of the closet door, and stepping into the stream of our peers.  With his orders to deny what had happened hovering above me, I was left on the floor with red cheeks and a knot in my stomach.

Fortunately, the teacher never figured out that we had been in the classroom during recess.  Our plan worked; we just blended in with the rest of the class.

I did as Tim said and kept our little secret ... for a grand total of about three hours. Within just a few minutes of arriving home from school that day, I told my mom and my neighborhood friend Sarah all about my first kiss ... with Tim Fahnestock ... in the coat closet of my first grade classroom.

The End

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Now, link up your fabulous First Kiss post so I can take a little stroll down MEmory Lane with ya :)

All About MEme: a jelly tragedy

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

THIS ONE is inspired by a conversation between Kmama and Supah!
 

We're calling this one ... 

I MUST Have It Monday. 

Today's All About MEme is not actually about ME. (Well, I do provide a few bits of commentary ... because I can't help it, and it is MY blog, after all!)

It's about her ... (younger, hotter, sassier, ... related to me)

This week - after seeing Supah's delightful prompt - I quickly contacted my my little sister (via Facebook - that's a guaranteed way to get a response) and coerced her into guest blogging because ...

• she's awesome and adorable and agreeable - I just know you all would love her!
• she's too busy with three kiddos - including two boys who might as well be Irish Twins - to have a blog of her own, although it would be the fantastic!
• she's a good writer but doesn't often make the time to write (without a little prodding from me)
• and most importantly, 

she has a great story about ...

Jelly Shoes

 (in case you don't know the jelly shoe)

I was all of 3 years old. Actually, "I used to be 3 but now I'm 2," or so I told everyone at Disney so proudly.  My parents - being the money savvy couple that they are - saw a golden opportunity not to have to pay admission for me. Go, mom and dad! A decision that led to much confusion about my age for several years after ;)  (I remember feeling guilty about lying to the nice Disney people; I was sure we were going to get into trouble for that little white lie ... Mickey was going to track us down and boot us out with his unnaturally large feet!)

So back to the jelly shoes. All I wanted was a pair of jelly shoes. I begged, I pleaded for those plastic shoes.

I mean who wouldn't want jelly shoes? They were like walking on little clouds of gel yet they weren't restrictive to your feet due to their clever sandal design. (She really just wanted them because they were pink and sparkly ... as any three year old would.)

After wanted those jellies for what seemed like forever (it was probably a few days, but to a three year old - that's an eternity), my mom decided I needed a new pair of shoes for our family trip.  We were headed to Disney World and our first time seeing the ocean ... aka 16 hours both ways in a car with 2 parents and 3 kids.. (Yeah, and we were traveling in a MacDaddy motor home from Illinois to Florida!)  Anyway, there they were on the shelf (at Dollar General?*) in their perfect jelly molded splendiferous-ness (nice word, sis!). I slid my foot into them and it was a perfect match from then on out. (Did it remind you of Cinderella?)

The story takes a dark turn after this...please bare with me as this is an emotionally scarring childhood memory. (and this is why I wanted her to tell this story!)

Fast forward the hours of driving ... we arrive at the beach. My first time at the beach ever. We excitedly hop out of the car and dash toward the water. The warm sand squished between my toes and through my beloved jelly shoes. My older sister (Hey, that's me!) and brother got to the water and splash around. I was a little scared so I stayed back...inching my way closer and closer to the water.

At last I got close enough for the waves to splash onto my feet. Ahhhh! I must be the luckiest kid in the world right now I thought to myself! (Mainly because her big sister was/is the bomb diggety!)

Feeling a little braver, I ventured out a bit further into the waves. Maybe just a foot too far because the next wave crashed into me knocking me fall flat on my hiney (What a cute hiney it was/is!). The next wave rushed on top of me and as I stood up and retreated toward safer ground, I felt something wasn't right.

I looked down at my feet. NO! NO! NO! This couldn't be happening to me.

One of my jellies - the ones I had begged and pleaded for my mom to buy for me - GONE. Sucked off of my little foot by the undertow. Forever lost to the sea. It was a jelly tragedy.  (followed by a huge freakin' tantrum, if memory serves me correctly!)

But I cherish what short time that I had with my jellies (and seeing the ocean was pretty cool, too, right?).  And I must say that since they are coming back in style now I may just have to get my daughter a pair.  (There's nothing quite like living vicariously through your own offspring!)

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Thank you, little sis, for agreeing to share your story ... and for allowing me the liberty of adding my own personal thoughts on your childhood memories.  I love you, Laura!

* as a sidenote and a shout-out to my younger brother, Randy ... don't want to start sibling rivalry up in here ... we once made up a song about the cheap shoes my mom bought for us, and it went a little something like this ... the creativity is almost as astounding as the fact that I still remember this stupid song ...

Those shoe.  Those shoes

Those Dollah General shoes.

They scream.  They hollah!

They only cost one dollah!

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Now it's time to provide us with hours of reading and commenting enjoyment ... link up!

All About MEme: Shopping Spree

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

First Evah Shopping Spree-Spree

Want to find out what this is all about?

Click here for the prompt.

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First of all, you should know that this prompt came about because of a very vivid (pregnancy-hormone-induced) dream that I had just the other night.

[Insert Wayne's World Dream Sequence Prelude Here]

Take your brain back to the scene in Pretty Woman ... I know you know that one.  She's been shot down by the snotty sales person ... and her "John" takes her back to the shops, throws around a bunch an obscene amount of money, impressing everyone, and giving Vivian a once-in-a-lifetime shopping spree experience!  There's music playing, a very appropriate and up-beat Pretty Woman.  Outfits are assembled and tried on ... one after another ... by helpful sales staff (Seriously? That seems like an oxymoron to me!).  She dances in front of the mirror.  She smiles.  Everything fits and looks perfect.  And someone else is paying.

Yep, that was my dream.  I played the part of Vivian.  And Supah, she was my Richard Gere ... in a very non-John kind of way.  I'd try on an outfit, come bounding out of the dressing room, and find Supah there with some kind of funny commentary.  Imagine that?  Supah with a sense of humor and an opinion!

Anyway, I woke up with a smile on my face and that damn song stuck in my head ... and a strong desire to spend some money!

So here goes ...

 

And I am not about to pretend that I am not very pregnant, soon to be even more sleep deprived, and about to spend the next year of life as a human milk truck ... that little dose of reality just won't go away, not even for a MEme.   Besides, I'm nesting and this way I'll cross two items off my To Do List! So my purchases will be less glamor and more practical ... but indulgent nonetheless.

Item #1: Hospital Delivery Gown

A standard hospital gown a) doesn't fit me, b) is so unattractive, c) has been worn by many other people, d) all of the above.  It's really C that gets me; I hated knowing that a bunch of other mommies had worn that same gown ... yuck!  This time around, I want my very own - never been worn - delivery gown.  It's going to be a cute pattern.  It's going to be my size.  And, did I mention, I will be the first person to wear it?!

I'll be sure to spend lots of time looking down at my new special gown.

Item #2:  Belly-Bandit

I am a little obsessed with this product. I've seen it in all the Pregnancy magazines I've been reading during my many, many doctor appointments.  This little delight promises to flatten your belly and "accelerate post-baby healing" - all while giving you extra back support.  I'm like sign me up ...

 

and give me this lady's tan while you're at it!

Item #3:  Nursing Bras

I hated every nursing bra I wore during my first stint as a lactator.  Of course, I went cheap, and I was never properly fitted.  This time, I promise to do it differently.  I will spend a little dough on this very important article of clothing, and I will find one that actually fits ... no matter the cost (Supah's buying, right?!)

Please ... like those abs have carried/delivered a baby in the past ... evah! 

Item #4: This Wrap Hoodie

I saw this at Old Navy the other day, and I am kicking myself for not buying it.  It looks so comfy.  It could be worn over anything.  It unwraps for nursing.  I love the color.  It's a very updated, more pulled together look than throwing on my husband's college sweatshirt ... dontcha think?

Item #5:  Ugg-like Boots

I've never jumped on board with this trend, but I really like the idea of a "shoe" that looks and feels like a slipper ... and doesn't require the extra step of tying and will keep my tootsies warm during these cold winter months ahead.  So I am going for it! 

While I am sure the suede ones would be more waterproof, 

I love the look of these scrunchy sweater boots!  

And just look at those cute buttons!

Bonus Item:  A tiny morsel of sparkling pushing jewelry sure would be nice ... hint, hint ... 

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Now it's your turn to play along ... my favorite part of all this mayhem!

• Put together a post that remotely resembles an answer to the prompt.
• Be sure to copy/ paste/ post our super fabulous button thingy (at the top of this post) on your post somewhere! (That's how we'll grow and we THANK YOU 100X for helping!)
• Come back here and link up with Mr. Linky! (If you can't see it at the bottom of this post, hop over to Supah's place and link up there.)
• Visit the 3 blogs above your name if you have time and leave them a comment!!(This is the secret to growing a blog!) ... and if you're first, ... well then aren't you special! You'll just need to visit the 3 below your when name when they appear and leave a comment!
• Look for a comment from SupahMommy and MommyBrain; we've made it our personal mission to visit and comment on all of our meme links ... that's how much love we have for you all :)

All About MEme PROMPT for 10/12

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

This week is all about FRIENDS, and I can't help but feel supah fortunate to have a friend with such supah talents .... yes, SupahMommy has been at it again ... I fear the blog world will someday lose Supah when the big wigs at Adobe catch wind of her Photoshop Skillz ... it's only a matter of time, people!

And I finally Sherlock Holmes'ed my way to an explanation of where Supah is getting all these photos of me ... it's elementary, my dear Watson ... she's stealing images from my Facebook albums! Mystery solved! Oh, and the scarf ... I bought that myself when I was still living in VA. It's an article to clothing that is just me ... can't wait for it to get cold enough here that I can wear it ... to detract from my bulging lower half :)

Anyhoo, I'll get to the prompt now. It's open-ended. It's a throwback. It's bound to be a good time!

ALL ABOUT MEme: FRIENDS EDITION
Choose one mini prompt that you love.
Or make up your own "friendly" post.
We don't care.. just join us.
1. What Friends character(s) best describes you. Why?
2. What Friends character(s) are most NOT like you . Why?
3. Your favorite episode of Friends, Why?
4. In Real LIfe Friends: who , what, where, when, why... etc.
5. The kindest thing a friend ever did for me.
6. What kind of friend are you? Why?
7. Re-live a friend moment from childhood

Come back on Monday to link up with us.
SEE YOU MONDAY!

Five Quirks About MEme

The dingo ate my baby, indeed! (This will make more sense if you visit SupahMommy's post.)

No seriously, people, I started reading some Jodi Picoult book before bed last night ... Vanishing something or other ... the opening scene a four year old had wandering away from her preschool (WTF?) and was found hours upon hours later at the top of some mountain ... thanks to the help of one of those sniffing dogs. Anyway, I am awake at the butt crack of morning after dreaming/nightmaring all night long about my baby and babies of friends being lost.

First words, I read after that kind of trauma ... SupahMommy's heeelarious ...

The dingo ate my me-me! (in case you still haven't read SupahMommy's post)

Visions of babies who are lost and chewed up!

I am scarred for life, I tell ya! Thanks a lot, D!

ANYHOO ... if there is a point to this post, I should probably get at it, huh? Not easy after taking two luxurious days off from bloggin' ... and contracting (more on that later).

SupahMommy - a crazy chica I actually know in real life ... and I am whole-heartedly willing to admit that, btw - got this silly notion that we could put on a little blog carnival, a little meme - if you're down with that.

And this is how it really went down ... I threw out the idea, and she got all control fareeeaky on me - grabbed the bull by the balls or whatever - and named it and MrLinkied it ... and threw in a Ne-Yo reference for good measure. Yeah, she pretty much rocks my world :)

So ... every Monday, we are going to sponsor a meme about ME, I mean, YOU. We'll give you the chance to write something terribly interesting, clever, delightful about yourself and link up so that lots of other sassy bloggers will stop by and read about ME, I mean, YOU.

Today's theme is 5 Quirks about ME:

1. I did not eat cream cheese, yogurt, mayonnaise, or sour cream before having my first child. I was not a big fan of white foods with unusual textures, for whatever reason. Now, all bets are off, and I eat all of those things - often. Something in my brain/appetite went all wonky during pregnancy ...


2. I cry during performances of America's Got Talent ... and I don't think I can blame it entirely on my current pregnancy hormones. I also stood and sobbed like a baby during an outdoor holiday parade ... because everyone was just so happy!


3. I use the ellipse ... like a common, everyday form of punctuation, which obviously it's not ... but I swear I actually see those three little dots ... in my head when I am writing / typing.


4. I do not change the toilet paper roll after it's empty ... I just grab a new roll and set it on the nearest surface, and it drives my husband crazy! When I do finally get around to changing it, I throw the empty tube-thingy on the floor and leave it there.


5. I absolutely adore back-to-school supplies and new backpacks and the first day of school. I am so sad to be missing that this year.

If you decide to join us - and why wouldn't you, really? - head over to Supah's place to add your post to the Mr. Linky, and we'll come read and comment (ever-so-cleverly) on every post ... right, Supah?

Much meme love,

MommyBrain

Hate to whine, but ...

I had another really crappy Monday.  Seriously, I am starting to dread Mondays ... aside from the fun I have with All About MEme.  Because CPV is home on Mondays to provide childcare, I schedule my doctor's appointments for that day.  Great way to start my week ... like the great glucose debacle of two weeks ago ...  

I interrupt this post to bring you two apologies:

• This post is ridiculously long.  I am sorry about that ... but yesterday was rather action-packed.
• I have not had the chance to visit the All About MEme participants.  I will do my best to do that in the next day.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled post :)

Because this pregnancy has been a bit out-of-the-ordinary, I had two appointments yesterday.

The first was a routine OB appointment with Dr. M.  I gained a few pounds - woo hoo!  My glucose tolerance test came back normal.  Baby's heartrate sounded great.  My uterus was measuring a bit small, which came as no surprise and didn't worry either of us too much.  And somehow, Dr. M talked me into getting a flu shot ... not the H1N1, just the typical flu vaccine.  I've never actually had a flu shot before, and my arm is throbbing and painful ... like 16 hours later.  Next year I think I'll just take my chances.

The second was with the specialist at Maternal Fetal Medicine.  The doctor there has been monitoring my pre-term labor symptoms, checking my cervical length every chance she gets, and making sure baby isn't been affected by all this excitment.  My visit started with a twenty-minute NST (non-stress test) during which I had three contractions.  The baby's heartrate was very reactive - lots of highs and lows - and compared to the heart of a 32 weeker ... at just 29 weeks.  Way to go, Baby Girl 2.0!

I was feeling so proud and assured as I waddled across the hall for my ultrasound;  despite the multitude I've already had, I couldn't wait to get a good look at my baby girl.  With my nagging fear of "not looking" as pregnant as I am, I was anxious to get measurements of the baby's growth.  Foreshadowing.  She looked great on the screen - brain, heart, adorable profile -  and did her best to allude the technician, which just made me smile. 

Next was the most painful fFn test (fetal Fibronectin) I've had thus far - it's like a pap smear - minus the lube and speculum - that checks to see if my body is releasing a protein substance.  It's a predictor of pre-term labor, and it was my 4th swab  this pregnancy.  Well, I don't know what the heck that nurse was doing down there, but instead of a swab, it felt like she was digging around down there - with a tampon - sans lube.  I was none-too-happy about that procedure ... and I think I made my feelings quite clear.  The nurse was apologetic but I still considered kicking her in the face ... not really, but it did feel good to type that ... kind of wish I had thought of that at the time!

The poking and proding ended with the ceremonious checking of my cervix of steel ... which is, in deed, making good on its name.  My cervical length has been unaffected by all these darn contractions ... good news!

Very good news considering what I heard next from Dr. K. 

In a month's time, Baby Girl 2.0 went from the 30th percentile for growth to less than the 10th percentile.  This was not good news, and I was a little shell-shocked and confused and upset.  It could be that she's just small ... and that's okay ... but it's a significant enough change and low enough percentile that rigorous monitoring will be required.  (The following list is really for me to get all of this straight ...)

• Bloodwork done tomorrow to check my thyroid level and meet with my endocronologist to discuss what effect (if any) that level could be having on the baby's growth.
• Additional vitamin containing more folic acid, B12, and B6 ... a little growth cocktail.
• Increased protein in my diet - balanced with "good" carbs. 
• Twice weekly non-stress tests. 
• Weekly ultrasounds to check on baby's well-being, especially blood flow in and out of the placenta and umbilicial cord.
• Ultrasound in two weeks to evaluate baby's growth.
• Dr. K also talked about steroid shots but wants to wait as long as possible before administering; they are most effective when given within two weeks of delivery.  We are still hoping this little nugget is going to cook for many more weeks.

I left the office in tears ... and the stupid receptionist took like 10 minutes to schedule my next appointments.  I couldn't get out of that parking garage fast enough.  Once cell phone service was available, I called Chitown Momma ... and through my sobs explained what had happened.  She was the calm, collected, empathetic rock that I knew she would be.

I drove home in a daze.  Trying to be optimistic.  Trying to remember that this wasn't - by any means - the worst news I could've received.  Baby Girl 2.0 is still happily in utero.  Her heartrate looks great and she's active ...

But I still needed reassurance, so I called my primary care physician / OB to discuss the results of all this testing.  Dr. M is amazing!  Her number one concern was getting my stress level down.  She's a firm believer in the connection between mother's stress and fetal well-being and does not like the idea of me getting worked up.  Just hearing her voice made me feel more calm.  (Perhaps I'll write more about that conversation in another post ...)

I finally arrived back home - almost four hours after leaving for my MFM appointment.  Natalie had just woken up from her nap.  We had a snack and read stories ... while CPV went to have the flat tire fixed.  Oh yeah, I started my day with a flat tire!   And then I headed upstairs for a quick snooze.  I spent the next two hours in a deep sleep and woke up to a delicious pasta dinner.  CPV took care of Natalie and everything else; I am so grateful for him!

My head is still spinning (and my arm is still throbbing) ... but I am making peace with the fact that this pregnancy is going to be a pain in the ass ... but totally worth it in the end! 

Baby Girl 2.0

I love you so!

Please, please, ...

Grow, Grow, Grow!

All About MEme: Survivor Style

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

Let's start out with a little Tribal Council ... cuz I've got a little business to take care of with the crap-for-brains lab technician who royally screwed up my 3-hour glucose tolerance test ... and pretty much ruined my day. (If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, click here.)

Oh, and look, I even invited Jeff Probst to my little island to make this vote all official and what-not. The glucose has runs its course (not delightful!) and non-direction-reading, untrained lab technician, the Tribe has spoken ... and said all kinds of nasty, catty things about you and JP made some great underhanded comments about your lack of intelligence. It was awesome! Anyway, bah-bye.

So I am a HUGE Survivor fan - always have been, always will be! I've even had deranged visions of applying and trying my hand at outwitting, outlasting, and outplaying 19 strangers ... all while eating bugs and living in filthy and missing my family like crazy and getting my cute arse kicked in challenges. Wonder how the producers would feel about including a pregnant lady with a contracting uterus? Now that's SURVIVING!

Here's what I've decided ... after surviving the crap-tastic day I've had, I deserve to bend the MEme rules ... and I deserve to go on an island retreat with five things of my choice ... not really for survival, per say, but to make my stay as enjoyable as possible.

First up, this rustic shelter will be ready when I arrive; I am not looking for plush, just adequate. The bedding is soft Egyptian cotton - or something fabulous like that - and the bugs are non-existent. And I plan to SLEEP whenever and as much as I'd like.

Secondly, a pregnant mama's got to eat, so I am bringing along Jamie Oliver and all of the kitchen gadgets and food rations he needs to keep my cravings in check and my glucose in the normal range.

Third, I want to read until my brain hurts and my eyes get blurry. Rather than packing a bunch of books or keeping them dry (I hate wet pages), I've decided to give the Kindle a try ... it will be loaded with all kinds of literary masterpieces and romance novels.

Since there's no way I am going without a shower - especially at a time when I can take one uninterrupted, I'll have access to this outdoor shower stall and a plethora of good-smelling hair and body products.

And finally, because he looks too good to resist ... that's all I'm saying ... the rest is up to your imagination ... think this hottie digs the robust and curvy shape of a pregnant lady?

Yep, that's it. I am simple. Not sure how long I plan to stay, but these five things should serve me nicely on my island retreat :)