tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128469332024-03-23T14:24:17.076-04:00Access Anisarandom musings from a "young married" trying to perfect the art of balance in life...Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.comBlogger571125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-24159404205613701342012-02-28T14:03:00.005-05:002012-02-28T14:42:57.568-05:00As Of Late...I'm weird about blogging now. I still check blogs, but with Van, I just feel like it's an invasion of his privacy to put too much out there. And people scare me. So I just hover.<br /><br />But then, <a href="http://marystratonandkell.blogspot.com/">MSKS</a> posted this meme. I love memes. And I love her blog. So here you go...<br /><br />My current state of affairs<br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current guilty pleasure:</span> </strong>"The Bachelor" (Team Lindzi!), Facebook and Twitter. I really need social media detox. Bert would wholeheartedly agree.<br /><br /><strong>Current nail polish:</strong> Clear gloss on my fingers, OPI Lincoln Park After Dark on my toes. I had the most wonderful mani/pedi at the Westin Spa last weekend in Hilton Head. If you go, you must see Dee Dee!<br /><br /><strong>Current play list:</strong> Not a whole lot of excitement here...I mainly play music I think Van would like. On repeat: Guster, Barenaked Ladies, Rod Stewart ("Forever Young" - that's our song). Confession: I do not like Adele, Bon Iver or any of those other "cool" singers right now. Bor-ing!<br /><br /><strong>Current read:</strong> No time for books with Van, and when there's time, see "Current guilty pleasure" above. I snuck in an "Us Weekly" last night and it was fabulously trashy. The last books I read were "The Hunger Games" trilogy and they were amazing. I'm open to suggestions! I don't like beachy or too dark -- somewhere in between would be great.<br /><br /><strong>Current drink:</strong> My big ol' purple container full of water. I indulge in a Diet Dr. Pepper too often.<br /><br /><strong>Current food:</strong> I just ate a Kashi meal and it was delicious - Black Bean Enchilada in case you're wondering. The last meal I cooked was Sunday: homemade spinach quiche (crustless) with skillet potatoes and it was delicious. Bert made me an amazing sandwich Saturday, which is the best thing I've eaten in a long time...super thin grilled chicken with wilted spinach, sundried tomatoes and feta on ciabatta - with homemade rosemary potato fries.<br /><br /><strong>Current favorite show:</strong> Obsessed with "Once Upon A Time"! Love that show. I'm also still watching "Grey's Anatomy" and I can't stand Teddy or Cristina.<br /><br /><strong>Current wish list:</strong> To lose the last 13 pregnancy pounds. On the upside, I have lost 13 already and am feeling much better. Thanks, Weight Watchers!<br /><br /><strong>Current needs:</strong> To continue to grow in being more grateful for my many blessings. I need to stop sweating the little things (like the cat litter on the dining room floor this morning that sent me into a tear and made me snap at someone that called me A-niss-a).<br /><br /><strong>Current triumphs:</strong> Losing 13 pounds and buying a pair of pants in a "good" size this weekend.<br /><br /><strong>Current indulgence:</strong> Diet Dr. Pepper, coffee (I'm a newbie!) and Skinny Cow ice cream cones. And the fun size Butterfinger I just ate.<br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current blessing:</span> </strong>I read recently...<span style="font-style: italic;">What if you woke up one day with only the things you thanked God for the day before?</span> That really struck a chord with me. I thank Him now daily with a very specific list, including: Van and his health, our health, my marriage, my job, our home, friends, family, etc. etc. I try to take stock and give God all the glory and praise.<br /><br /><strong>Current excitement:</strong> I wish I could say that Courtney had been dumped by Ben. But, alas, I cannot. I suppose my current excitement is girls night Friday with two fantastic ladies. And, hey, I'm excited that tonight it's still Februany and we're gonna get $5 footlongs, so I don't even have to wonder what I'm going to have for lunch tomorrow. Score!<br /><br />I missed you peeps.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-60213938191304777692012-01-03T12:03:00.005-05:002012-01-03T14:15:48.977-05:00Happy New Year!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcKW5EwdQlXmD3YpnMz85MN6BICsXMXXPLMQuAcFwOmPLc9RHHIfsWi9OyrcYcN55J5HVa9ssUpZ3j4BbnxqfYINi9dubAj1J3xWPmFqQJw8Wy85HAetnZoWNCmh5cWCavR0S/s1600/BG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcKW5EwdQlXmD3YpnMz85MN6BICsXMXXPLMQuAcFwOmPLc9RHHIfsWi9OyrcYcN55J5HVa9ssUpZ3j4BbnxqfYINi9dubAj1J3xWPmFqQJw8Wy85HAetnZoWNCmh5cWCavR0S/s320/BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693452431704882002" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Happy New Year!</span></span><br /></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-86608450547845562642011-10-17T16:15:00.002-04:002011-10-17T16:16:51.199-04:00Our Little Van<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepRXL8ijVVMv4sHzQuDMQVKE0BbRIxrNWpE2bAQwt76DFHxgfLj_tQNqwmonHcsI7BJWXex4GHSUtqLBzyYtNlg-Lce93Ks14olwe9aJ8bLDvZMoEHAyVojAXAc1HldWw5WdT/s1600/van.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepRXL8ijVVMv4sHzQuDMQVKE0BbRIxrNWpE2bAQwt76DFHxgfLj_tQNqwmonHcsI7BJWXex4GHSUtqLBzyYtNlg-Lce93Ks14olwe9aJ8bLDvZMoEHAyVojAXAc1HldWw5WdT/s320/van.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664557379079990946" border="0" /></a><br />Here he is in my most favorite picture of him. Isn't he adorable? Van is now 4 months old...chatting up a storm, laughing, smiling, playing with toys. He is in the 90th percentile for height and has a tiny mustache. Love every day with him.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-78154539036613433132011-07-20T20:04:00.003-04:002011-07-20T20:40:30.074-04:00VantasticWe are just wild about our little man! Enjoy the cuteness below.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnhiXR6JpG90amnQVGfOY46RhdiFMpT-dDjMjot56fv79jQdnTw0R2vO7gHP1n2YsnTrB98rcYRCY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-3568021744355806552011-06-19T13:31:00.009-04:002011-06-19T15:32:57.815-04:00Van is Here!On June 10, Bert and I welcomed an absolute blessing into our lives! At 5:03 p.m., Sullivan "Van" Zahir arrived into this world at 7 lbs. 3 oz. and 20.5 inches long. Sullivan is my maiden name, and Zahir is my late grandfather's name.<br /><br />These first ten days have been wonderful, exhausting, joyous and incredible. I fall in love with my son each time I look at him. I still can't believe he's mine. My mom stayed with us last week, and my grandmother is here now.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LdkznJ0aypGBzHlc2_h1xGlUaiAxNqE1DvZ2snSk9vg5vpay0SNgFnqh3pgYvSbKMbPbx5Q5sKNyeXwD6P7AWjwQSheaadQDko9902QIkLMh47hbfSnJq-or2RZBMj7LTLTL/s1600/van3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620015517611759650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LdkznJ0aypGBzHlc2_h1xGlUaiAxNqE1DvZ2snSk9vg5vpay0SNgFnqh3pgYvSbKMbPbx5Q5sKNyeXwD6P7AWjwQSheaadQDko9902QIkLMh47hbfSnJq-or2RZBMj7LTLTL/s320/van3.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX0cIq1ebrnRsTwSWE2pVsU4v1eBfy2yK08vlukVX8G9lukGy8w513ak36ancGYUdQYBxR6f81RMC0jOHGJxlyh8PZQ3MU2HRw4hdGYVGPQ_ixPo1Ukl2txLLgbhm1LNjy0om/s1600/vanjune11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620015315207297410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX0cIq1ebrnRsTwSWE2pVsU4v1eBfy2yK08vlukVX8G9lukGy8w513ak36ancGYUdQYBxR6f81RMC0jOHGJxlyh8PZQ3MU2HRw4hdGYVGPQ_ixPo1Ukl2txLLgbhm1LNjy0om/s320/vanjune11.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>How we love him so!</div></div></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-61016748453274689672011-06-07T11:41:00.009-04:002011-06-07T11:50:38.752-04:00NurseryThe nursery is now just about complete! We have letters to hang on one of the walls that we're waiting to hang. We can't have our friends stopping by this week find out the name early, now can we? :)<br /><br />Bert made all of this happen. I think it's his dream room. I love it. He wanted a sports room, and I said vintage sports. And off we went!<br /><br />See below for photos...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQcTDB33V5vOivu5Phm1LQy7JYuCPefyEU0Lcu6d-y8o4-eDg_OKBbCZOsJQkO69xjUe-cwo9WmDd9sbrhHbODFznIZN54XKAlpKUB6RO8SPmZEIWFSA7acUCOzYd2MjUw9qO/s1600/crib.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQcTDB33V5vOivu5Phm1LQy7JYuCPefyEU0Lcu6d-y8o4-eDg_OKBbCZOsJQkO69xjUe-cwo9WmDd9sbrhHbODFznIZN54XKAlpKUB6RO8SPmZEIWFSA7acUCOzYd2MjUw9qO/s320/crib.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615503980858070850" border="0" /></a>Pottery Barn Kids bedding. I am going back-and-forth if we should put the bumper on. Above the crib are real vintage New York Yankees pennants.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_qjrb2yK1MSsiNqPka2oE7lzPvknx817OiRpONd6ki2jEPdmnzf7GMapXlbHGdRWcet66pZ3Nm0sy0PR7aiR8G8BRrwZwz03PWdg6getBWpbdv1p7tngBXwgZ0k23uNzqPyn/s1600/futonwall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_qjrb2yK1MSsiNqPka2oE7lzPvknx817OiRpONd6ki2jEPdmnzf7GMapXlbHGdRWcet66pZ3Nm0sy0PR7aiR8G8BRrwZwz03PWdg6getBWpbdv1p7tngBXwgZ0k23uNzqPyn/s320/futonwall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615503926615602978" border="0" /></a>Above the futon (where I'm sure I'll be spending several nights!) are vintage-inspired football prints from both of my alma maters, and soon to be both of Bert's as well.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGK8nZnjzuxR6HHSGUXkUVQ2a7kfAocayvfAJ34khmkB14QDnzHPFM6vn1p0VXA6nOnAd9elhGhKzuQNp-IsKmwBSfrEw1owd58Fs3BFjOcOI7SbdSL2Ubs7q-2mYsUQKSiUY/s1600/changer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGK8nZnjzuxR6HHSGUXkUVQ2a7kfAocayvfAJ34khmkB14QDnzHPFM6vn1p0VXA6nOnAd9elhGhKzuQNp-IsKmwBSfrEw1owd58Fs3BFjOcOI7SbdSL2Ubs7q-2mYsUQKSiUY/s320/changer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615503885446706482" border="0" /></a>Navy refinished changing table. A red rug and curtains accent the room.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7l4nhZezG22fxLi0acs3REumTWzKfWz5CYy6x7jiFfK-tKX1uro8nhKRtJccHS8yitklCCMPbzZEssRvV80abZXDYCiHgbwcIEhkEd3mTpslIfaoIrwoShzt6hRTMQvba9Nl/s1600/mattingly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7l4nhZezG22fxLi0acs3REumTWzKfWz5CYy6x7jiFfK-tKX1uro8nhKRtJccHS8yitklCCMPbzZEssRvV80abZXDYCiHgbwcIEhkEd3mTpslIfaoIrwoShzt6hRTMQvba9Nl/s320/mattingly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615503842122816114" border="0" /></a>Mini-baseball bat autographed by Bert's favorite baseball player of all time - Don Mattingly. You may recall our cat is named Mattingly (we call him Matty). :)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7l4nhZezG22fxLi0acs3REumTWzKfWz5CYy6x7jiFfK-tKX1uro8nhKRtJccHS8yitklCCMPbzZEssRvV80abZXDYCiHgbwcIEhkEd3mTpslIfaoIrwoShzt6hRTMQvba9Nl/s1600/mattingly.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_grfmSHmq4_Ffw2_f4eaAyYpIPPA3QoYyYPuTBXBaU74OOVsKtmWy068Jh9kOD715xm4P6d-GVx9s-j-Dw30HtLhHavzMLTkUlD84jTSXg6NVRe1yOoE772OnYGP05kpfs63I/s1600/bookcase.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_grfmSHmq4_Ffw2_f4eaAyYpIPPA3QoYyYPuTBXBaU74OOVsKtmWy068Jh9kOD715xm4P6d-GVx9s-j-Dw30HtLhHavzMLTkUlD84jTSXg6NVRe1yOoE772OnYGP05kpfs63I/s320/bookcase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615503800227333058" border="0" /></a>Bookcase with new baseball knobs and all kinds of goodies.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9iZFuFzSWB9PK-UHOOoRZ_VaWFVU0jlyuzVMhtXeetbjkBCuMn4jTYlyuw6PR2XNSg2n4xg8YoVcErmR1inHDLMagbGf50VMianab_BilTkruHevefT5U2n7nZnJITPGbYMb/s1600/shelf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9iZFuFzSWB9PK-UHOOoRZ_VaWFVU0jlyuzVMhtXeetbjkBCuMn4jTYlyuw6PR2XNSg2n4xg8YoVcErmR1inHDLMagbGf50VMianab_BilTkruHevefT5U2n7nZnJITPGbYMb/s320/shelf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615503739482082722" border="0" /></a>One of the shelves with different balls.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here's to hoping our son likes sports! If not, I suppose Bert will have to move these items to his future man room one day.<br /><br />I like that the room isn't too babyish...it's very soothing and calm, but most of the items can be transitioned easily into a toddler and little boy room. And many of the items are keepsakes that I think our son will want forever.<br /><br />Can't wait to meet him!</div></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-71577435603946177662011-06-06T12:42:00.003-04:002011-06-06T13:08:59.502-04:0038 Weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejSKL8_TT7CT23CPJpy-1ocvx9NqR03-sqHK5ILNiz6eSHEdgbta9RYO3n_yC4JZ9-cZgj-aPVWKyFInIrsEZ-yizvPTPjLhyphenhyphenNXTsSUQdxVMUfNJnhig9KnW5FZ6jjD7f63VZ/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejSKL8_TT7CT23CPJpy-1ocvx9NqR03-sqHK5ILNiz6eSHEdgbta9RYO3n_yC4JZ9-cZgj-aPVWKyFInIrsEZ-yizvPTPjLhyphenhyphenNXTsSUQdxVMUfNJnhig9KnW5FZ6jjD7f63VZ/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615154114395484722" border="0" /></a>Holy moly! I definitely look different at 38 weeks than at 35 weeks! Bert snapped this photo of me on our patio before we went out to a nice dinner...we figure it'll be a while before one of those again! We've also been going to lots of movies...X-Men (my fave of the summer so far), Thor (another good one), Hangover 2 (hate is a strong word, so I'll just say really disliked it) and Limitless (at the dollar movie theater - good movie).<br /><br />I'm progressing right along. The midwives predict our son will be here in the next two weeks, before the due date (June 18). I'm hoping for sometime next week so I can get a few more things wrapped up, and so my parents can also wrap up a bit more at work.<br /><br />Sleep is so painful. In fact, everything pretty much hurts now! But it'll all be worth it. So so worth it.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-51145784913194834762011-05-25T16:31:00.004-04:002011-05-25T16:38:46.037-04:00I Lied.When I first found out I was pregnant, I said this blog would not become about that. Well, looking back, hmm...it wasn't a total lie! I mean, there were definitely other topics sprinkled in here and there, but yeah, it has been a lot of pregnancy updates.<br /><br />And I'm OK with that.<br /><br />Yes, I am a separate and distinct person from my soon-to-be son. However, I do carry him around with me all day, every day. My feet are hugely swollen. It hurts to walk. It hurts to move. But it's all more than worth it. I am still a wife, daughter and friend. I still throw myself into my job - a job that I love. I work long hours, but I don't talk much about my job here. I try to keep all that separate. But I do have a wonderful job in public relations and communications that is very fulfilling to me. So, yes, there is more to me than being a soon-to-be mommy. But right now, I can't help that this is at the forefront, and probably will be for a while.<br /><br />So what's next?<br /><br />We are thisclose to finishing the nursery if Pottery Barn Kids would ever ship the sheets and crib skirt. Once we are done, I'll post pictures. And then, the little guy should arrive sometime around June 18! I have, as they say, "dropped", so I am not expected to go past my due date. Looks like somewhere between 2-3 weeks is when this baby is scheduled to meet me, face to face.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-59930391359925715582011-05-16T11:10:00.007-04:002011-05-16T13:13:17.520-04:0035 Weeks and New PatioThings have been a whirlwind at our house lately! Bert finished all of his Ph.D. coursework (!) May 13, and he did not waste a moment since then. In fact, I have told him to slow down. Good thing he has a massage coming up Thursday. I am lucky to be married to such a hard worker. Below are some pictures from what we've been up to...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDIIEqDLccsWiuiN9eFIQ8JQph4Cu2XIqKGw0lhPQP839VHntwJcAaQUcQw4iEV5MOXhn-xzp3wnxZPicn35nqhpshqhuSXMAOa5VEhKsilpztqoZUb6M3zdRbth_lt4lyaIG/s1600/photoASJ.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDIIEqDLccsWiuiN9eFIQ8JQph4Cu2XIqKGw0lhPQP839VHntwJcAaQUcQw4iEV5MOXhn-xzp3wnxZPicn35nqhpshqhuSXMAOa5VEhKsilpztqoZUb6M3zdRbth_lt4lyaIG/s320/photoASJ.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607331736846977554" border="0" /></a>This is me Saturday, at 35 weeks pregnant! Notice the beautiful landscaping compliments of Bert.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIDuiUvPcWXjwWF0WBgyFQTSgr-qfivGU4qk31tcbFu2kop4mMRFq4x52UEX6k4pFA4a9WD0PtGziLAcNev9ijSn6r5vAm4L-qh0yyfmXKkyQ12ShogLmt2VX-npDcvsrkoUN/s1600/patio2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIDuiUvPcWXjwWF0WBgyFQTSgr-qfivGU4qk31tcbFu2kop4mMRFq4x52UEX6k4pFA4a9WD0PtGziLAcNev9ijSn6r5vAm4L-qh0yyfmXKkyQ12ShogLmt2VX-npDcvsrkoUN/s320/patio2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607331822473671442" border="0" /></a>For Mother's Day, I said I wanted a nice place for our family to be outside. Before, there were just two plastic chairs sitting on this patio, along with our grill. Now - beautiful plants, a cleaned and covered grill and a gorgeous patio set! I love it so much.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHY6W5bQyRJPib4_nEERQIvYyaLNxoTIl7v_q8dZX85JsBS8uqdJvHXb5lFs1f62AijQpSF9cY372hb9vdUsAdZd9-NIlB-uVctcN8fSYmBCd1TXtC_niyHI_Dfj0TkaPduO57/s1600/patio1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHY6W5bQyRJPib4_nEERQIvYyaLNxoTIl7v_q8dZX85JsBS8uqdJvHXb5lFs1f62AijQpSF9cY372hb9vdUsAdZd9-NIlB-uVctcN8fSYmBCd1TXtC_niyHI_Dfj0TkaPduO57/s320/patio1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607331779921285234" border="0" /></a>Here is another view of the patio. We have started a Sunday morning tradition of making a yummy breakfast together - strawberry pancakes, turkey bacon and eggs. This weekend, we took our tradition outside and enjoyed breakfast on the patio. I loved every moment of it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Besides the yard, Bert has also been hard at work in the nursery! He is definitely over halfway done. The last big project is painting the changing table my aunt gave us. After that, we'll wash our son's clothes and finish decorating the room. So, there's some little stuff left, but we are getting there!<br /></div></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-76950336460007666482011-05-04T12:09:00.003-04:002011-05-04T12:13:18.114-04:00Happy Birthday, Mama!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s-6iYCfsd1ebjnUu8c1bjfxQKi9k9l8TDcENI_cDXxFp9ch38zxSQKMPJjbkmfmWi8Sj8OBbKhgDOilbcxXnUjVntHsWjx58LsUA1L9O3ZX_UFozCJ786hV9dBEy22NUM4W_/s1600/AnisaPhotos+062.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s-6iYCfsd1ebjnUu8c1bjfxQKi9k9l8TDcENI_cDXxFp9ch38zxSQKMPJjbkmfmWi8Sj8OBbKhgDOilbcxXnUjVntHsWjx58LsUA1L9O3ZX_UFozCJ786hV9dBEy22NUM4W_/s320/AnisaPhotos+062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602894190858992210" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Birthday to my brilliant and beautiful mother! Mama, I love you and am so very proud of you. I thank God for you each and every day. I truly feel that I was blessed with the best mother in the world. Never could I attempt to repay you for all you have done for me. I wish all good things for you, today and every day. Happy Birthday, and Happy (early) Mother's Day!Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-91601832195938006882011-05-03T11:48:00.007-04:002011-05-03T12:05:13.136-04:00As Of LateThings in our world have been anything but uneventful lately. Here's a recap and my thoughts...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y2TOnJcev0taYvDgYwd3JQGNc9WGWVHDfosvugmdQiH1o2HCJ-cg6usbTIRaCIN7Vah2B1Lm5u6mRIoItijH4N1ayP5pOhP32C3TblkbkoGXIf9imARK56WHCgP7HQJRLku7/s1600/tuscaloosa-tornado-iii-300x225.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y2TOnJcev0taYvDgYwd3JQGNc9WGWVHDfosvugmdQiH1o2HCJ-cg6usbTIRaCIN7Vah2B1Lm5u6mRIoItijH4N1ayP5pOhP32C3TblkbkoGXIf9imARK56WHCgP7HQJRLku7/s320/tuscaloosa-tornado-iii-300x225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602517535748931234" border="0" /></a>Last Wednesday's tornado left death and destruction in its wake - see the sad photo of Tuscaloosa above. I have thought about all those poor families who lost all their worldly possessions. My heart goes out to them. It seems so weird that we have had so much tornado weather lately. Climate change at work. I pray that these families allow themselves a good cry, and then are able to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. How terribly awful.<br /><br />And the next big event, which was the polar opposite of the one above was...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnmSQB7j3OXCM9mTC2_f02Fqb28Zuxh-S-l8hetfkKH2oE4d7jT11CwSYR1SPSQXlwPXc4GFJDw4pXBHpxqxsLtKoIHW7IjCaiMr7J7fhH18mjJEX7-I1KCYOdB1F5GoXGXvy/s1600/will-and-kate4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnmSQB7j3OXCM9mTC2_f02Fqb28Zuxh-S-l8hetfkKH2oE4d7jT11CwSYR1SPSQXlwPXc4GFJDw4pXBHpxqxsLtKoIHW7IjCaiMr7J7fhH18mjJEX7-I1KCYOdB1F5GoXGXvy/s320/will-and-kate4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602518531369948738" border="0" /></a>The Royal Wedding on Friday, April 29! I woke up at 5:30 am with insomnia. Instead of trying to go back to sleep, I turned on the TV and so enjoyed the wedding. Kate could not have looked more beautiful! Her dress was just perfect. I so hope Wills and Kate get their fairytale ending.<br /><br />After the wedding, I hit my 33rd week of pregnancy on Saturday. The picture below was taken on Sunday in our backyard. It is really starting to hit me that a little man will be joining us in the near future! Very excited.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUIsX_rXMq69qZwAj08lYWM_ntSbV50bIdpeT4BhHjkn1NwUPsLh0MTDNDr7_IShfkALC7JNsmweeLdJS1F6NpAxoyATF6UfnSB3HNL4kyg_f4rdjfs-o1SGF_9UBxX5Zaj7W/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUIsX_rXMq69qZwAj08lYWM_ntSbV50bIdpeT4BhHjkn1NwUPsLh0MTDNDr7_IShfkALC7JNsmweeLdJS1F6NpAxoyATF6UfnSB3HNL4kyg_f4rdjfs-o1SGF_9UBxX5Zaj7W/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602520040142232338" border="0" /></a><br />And then, finally, the biggest news of late was the news that Osama bin Laden was killed Sunday, May 1.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctOja3eE27HtLD6BdSVsF0WmKPef9yKwD_pBbiwz04LpufaQhQDJiBHBWgBx6dWg9e2FQstZ3-3rL3QBbn_uwjB7ElCWN_oXLE5py6r9BWgi5BvD2hzUrqiYrk-Dvx9H_mWyi/s1600/USA-flag.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctOja3eE27HtLD6BdSVsF0WmKPef9yKwD_pBbiwz04LpufaQhQDJiBHBWgBx6dWg9e2FQstZ3-3rL3QBbn_uwjB7ElCWN_oXLE5py6r9BWgi5BvD2hzUrqiYrk-Dvx9H_mWyi/s320/USA-flag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602520312346916578" border="0" /></a>A terrorist was brought to justice. Unfortunately, some people have used his death as a time to spread their own hateful views - be it on Muslims or President Obama. I think a quote from the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. says how I feel so well:<span class="messageBody"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."</span></span><br /><br />I'm not saying we should all love Osama bin Laden. Heck no. What I am saying is that let us not repay hate with hate. Let us be united as Americans, glad justice has been served, not inciting more hatred.<br /><br />I pray my son will grow up in a world where people are a little more like Dr. King.<br /></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-80837750019983093972011-04-18T12:37:00.003-04:002011-04-18T12:45:01.026-04:0031 Weeks<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTuu6sXIubI1ndAkn0jq6Ow7GTUaXdDMPd9WnzwL1-GWgz9SW8D7fnzJQV-CI_v_AuyKEkgabNGl-HDZMZD6VFKaDu6aB3E6AhkQJoF_aY4yZEa3Gy-3kjhBbLPC0ep8kCmkD/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTuu6sXIubI1ndAkn0jq6Ow7GTUaXdDMPd9WnzwL1-GWgz9SW8D7fnzJQV-CI_v_AuyKEkgabNGl-HDZMZD6VFKaDu6aB3E6AhkQJoF_aY4yZEa3Gy-3kjhBbLPC0ep8kCmkD/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596964892345434882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">31 weeks - Saturday, April 16<br /><br /></span></div>We're definitely getting closer! I can't believe that it is, as of today, 8 weeks and 5 days until my due date - June 18.<br /><br />Here's what we have left to tackle:<br /><ul><li>Put the nursery together. We have the pieces, and we have done a giant housecleaning, so this will be the fun part. The theme is vintage sports, and we have several pieces of memorabilia from the New York Yankees. There will also be shout-outs to the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the University of Georgia Bulldogs in the room as well.<br /><br /></li><li>Choose a pediatrician. We have one more visit set up in May, and then we'll choose. We've met with one, so hopefully our choice will be clear after this meeting.<br /><br /></li><li>Attend childbirth and infant CPR classes. All set for May.<br /><br /></li><li>Buy stuff. We need a rocking recliner, camera and some other items to get ready.<br /></li></ul>Our goal is that everything will be in place June 1, so that we will be ready to roll at any point. I have plenty to wrap up at work in the last month as well. And Bert has many school projects to cross off his list too. We are both super excited!Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-7210968820228881192011-04-12T10:26:00.007-04:002011-04-12T10:38:02.219-04:00Super Bulldog WeekendI had a magical weekend visiting family and friends in Mississippi. Bert was at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference presenting his research, so I took the opportunity to have a visit with my parents before our son arrives.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUU3uL38i7nMzZf7Saun68hU9GHy1emujrwml-frRVQsT2ACh3gpGjRdWFKyKfFnGV60QmuEAysxO8BVUc_kXcAIP55HTwMLk2gaaJ25HHrWDf66lfWVGRLJdbXtPfsvaIpuA/s1600/haley.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUU3uL38i7nMzZf7Saun68hU9GHy1emujrwml-frRVQsT2ACh3gpGjRdWFKyKfFnGV60QmuEAysxO8BVUc_kXcAIP55HTwMLk2gaaJ25HHrWDf66lfWVGRLJdbXtPfsvaIpuA/s320/haley.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594703626143973858" border="0" /></a>This past weekend was Super Bulldog Weekend at Mississippi State University, so I had the chance to visit with several dear friends. I am pictured above with one of these special people, Haley. She and I were sorority sisters. And Haley - if you really don't want to be on the blog, let me know. :)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVPU0DG4yDNcBhYXXpsUb3WKnp8t1V30Yw-VdAGvmcqhnLP8oUnVlHs_h37GNjpkJ8H1JlrPyxEuHHePjASMwH1U08x-xhksfnm0T7EganfreEQjW0e1VJXFWElb589xClBEu/s1600/photo30wks.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVPU0DG4yDNcBhYXXpsUb3WKnp8t1V30Yw-VdAGvmcqhnLP8oUnVlHs_h37GNjpkJ8H1JlrPyxEuHHePjASMwH1U08x-xhksfnm0T7EganfreEQjW0e1VJXFWElb589xClBEu/s320/photo30wks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594703534265907858" border="0" /></a>Saturday, I was exactly 30 weeks pregnant. This photograph is taken in my parent's backyard. Also, this is the day we finally decided on our son's name! We are not telling just yet. :)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ9d7vfYHS6cqDS6PpKvHmjgR0hPN8llws6j8Z2Xxtuw4IlOCbCIa7EKLnVD5Sb492FQHTh8jXHwQ83UJuXH1CUR48pV8RKb69fpfwYHbYJIad8MtvjmPyw2lVYlXSvVILZ6p/s1600/sam.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ9d7vfYHS6cqDS6PpKvHmjgR0hPN8llws6j8Z2Xxtuw4IlOCbCIa7EKLnVD5Sb492FQHTh8jXHwQ83UJuXH1CUR48pV8RKb69fpfwYHbYJIad8MtvjmPyw2lVYlXSvVILZ6p/s320/sam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594703661559375986" border="0" /></a>And here I am with my cousin Sam. He is wearing his new sports glasses for baseball season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The best part of the weekend was just the time I had with my parents. Being with them, not in a hospital setting, was wonderful. I got to be someone else's little baby all weekend before mine gets here. What a blessing to have such incredible parents. The walks, the talks, the meals. I'll never forget it.<br /><br />This little boy is so incredibly lucky to have the best grandparents in the world already.<br /></div></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-30968257891839117212011-03-27T22:50:00.003-04:002011-03-27T23:05:38.762-04:003rd Trimester and Bert's 35th<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTNKPA5zTo8-BciMov-SAa4zRjwL_eCv1OSYPeJQsyNrBEkFZcQcYQZiZjxaot1Ox_7c8wdo7vr1oGmzSuUMp1cMb7vGF4_lxaiiQZiIgACGUL2XHdGbfrpQhZln7damGmsmh/s1600/photo1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTNKPA5zTo8-BciMov-SAa4zRjwL_eCv1OSYPeJQsyNrBEkFZcQcYQZiZjxaot1Ox_7c8wdo7vr1oGmzSuUMp1cMb7vGF4_lxaiiQZiIgACGUL2XHdGbfrpQhZln7damGmsmh/s320/photo1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588959387255732594" border="0" /></a>Saturday, I officially entered the 3rd trimester at 28 weeks. It poured most of the day, but we had time for a few photos while the gorgeous azaleas are still in full bloom. My parents even dropped by for a visit on their way home from Baltimore. My mother looks wonderful, and I am thrilled for how much she has improved. Thank you all for your prayers.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNicA9R7ciWT92FHA3xPLNInx575dl6QA-ObR18EQ2QHaH_eocy-am7eVzdXqdGKsF4igSb0DkedWuG-xXxb91AD0l3M7qzg-uNQJdM8_1vBGE6cInqjC7wbtQvsVD1JNQCX-7/s1600/BertBday.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNicA9R7ciWT92FHA3xPLNInx575dl6QA-ObR18EQ2QHaH_eocy-am7eVzdXqdGKsF4igSb0DkedWuG-xXxb91AD0l3M7qzg-uNQJdM8_1vBGE6cInqjC7wbtQvsVD1JNQCX-7/s320/BertBday.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588959273239462482" border="0" /></a>And Saturday night, we celebrated Bert's 35th birthday! His birthday was actually Tuesday, and I decided that this year, he would have a proper birthday party before the little guy arrives.<br /><br />The theme of the party was "Bert's Favorite Things" and we grilled chicken tenders, had several different kinds of chips and candy, Caesar salad, red velvet cake, Harry Connick Jr. on the radio and a giant Transformers balloon in the living room. Such a fun event, and we felt so blessed to have a house full to share in the occasion.<br /><br />Such a fun weekend.<br /></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-18729904200128514602011-03-12T19:52:00.004-05:002011-03-12T20:03:43.794-05:00Surviving Brain SurgeryOctober was a difficult month. Lots of emotions. I found out I was pregnant at the same time (hello, hormone craziness) that I found out my mother needed brain surgery.<br /><br />Since then, she and my dad toured many hospitals, trying to find out exactly what was wrong and what could be done. After a whirlwind Thanksgiving Break where they drove across the country, my parents selected Johns Hopkins Hospital to remove the meningioma in my mother's skull. You could see the tumor protruding on her face, and the main worry was if it penetrated into the brain and/or her optic nerve.<br /><br />And, of course, there was the 5% chance it was cancer.<br /><br />This week, we all traveled to Baltimore for the big day. Wednesday morning came all too quickly, as well as too slowly. We wanted the tumor out so, so badly, but the 8-hour surgery was a huge, HUGE deal.<br /><br />Praise God, the tumor was benign, and it did not penetrate into her brain or optic nerve. The tumor penetrated muscle, bone and the outermost layer of the brain - but did not penetrate the inner layer of the brain or the brain itself. The tumor was cleanly removed.<br /><br />She is now recovering very well. Exhaustion is tough, but considering she just came through major surgery, she is doing incredibly well.<br /><br />I will be eternally grateful to the head of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as an incredibly talented reconstructive surgeon, for doing such an incredible job with my mother. Doctors make all the difference.<br /><br />I just love my mother so much that the word "love" seems inadequate. I need her. My existence is tied in so much with hers.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-70737766422263950982011-03-07T14:48:00.004-05:002011-03-07T14:51:57.470-05:00Baby Shower<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxVQY3tXBEL9mjLtLAb61VS2Q3qi0hDfKN03e7PBCRxgTIK41H2QC6NHDNaUaOmOCymmHFvCYAlIjxcClqeFkdw1MXOEWeEs8R4NWsZYzmlHOfZ-niVBbz84w7aNuK3tzF6qX/s1600/AnisaPhotos+065.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxVQY3tXBEL9mjLtLAb61VS2Q3qi0hDfKN03e7PBCRxgTIK41H2QC6NHDNaUaOmOCymmHFvCYAlIjxcClqeFkdw1MXOEWeEs8R4NWsZYzmlHOfZ-niVBbz84w7aNuK3tzF6qX/s320/AnisaPhotos+065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581427690162111010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRPFN8OE8fxfeKThGTkRnJCAh0RqcP9qbwNOyAA2_xD_YmAWriBuLSyMado-v19651Infit7jfh6AdgMYpimnXkjrXwo6wJlw4XzhURVROS9YguBF98jEspqisqNhMshXPlZr/s1600/AnisaPhotos+060.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRPFN8OE8fxfeKThGTkRnJCAh0RqcP9qbwNOyAA2_xD_YmAWriBuLSyMado-v19651Infit7jfh6AdgMYpimnXkjrXwo6wJlw4XzhURVROS9YguBF98jEspqisqNhMshXPlZr/s320/AnisaPhotos+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581427597732735922" border="0" /></a><br />I had the loveliest baby shower this Saturday! It was such a treat. I am pictured with the hostesses and my mama above. There were around 20 people there to spread the love...I was genuinely overwhelmed.<br /><br />25 weeks...15 weeks to go! So much to do. But at least I know for sure this baby boy is coming into a world full of people that love him so much already.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-74631438333512642102011-02-28T16:53:00.002-05:002011-02-28T16:55:29.072-05:0024 weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocb6NDSaUR4kmxvEoJcBYv5kYKspgHrXiw0MVZNSxJD-P3zay_IIXhZ_dWFvHa3f68oUANj9UCDsfTraMzaaI8RDAWlY62yQlsV3FoionbXR5QeE_q0Z4f-rwCoPvOR7T_Lft/s1600/24weeks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocb6NDSaUR4kmxvEoJcBYv5kYKspgHrXiw0MVZNSxJD-P3zay_IIXhZ_dWFvHa3f68oUANj9UCDsfTraMzaaI8RDAWlY62yQlsV3FoionbXR5QeE_q0Z4f-rwCoPvOR7T_Lft/s320/24weeks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578861991789415954" border="0" /></a><br />Well, here I am at 24 weeks pregnant! It's hard to believe I am nearly 2/3 of the way there. It's still surreal, but the little man is indeed growing. I can't wait to meet him. I love him so much already.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-63768744506950437332011-02-17T15:07:00.004-05:002011-02-17T15:11:46.763-05:00F, Not PhSo, one of my best friends and I used to tell each other that we looked "phat" - ph, not f, back in the day. We said all sorts of silly things.<br /><br />Only now, I ONLY feel f. Not ph.<br /><br />Yes, I know I am nearly 23 weeks pregnant.<br /><br />Yes, I know with pregnancy comes weight gain.<br /><br />Yes, I am in the healthy range for my height/pre-pregnancy weight, etc.<br /><br />But, I still have not "popped" yet. I can wear some of my regular clothes, and some maternity clothes. I just feel like I look fat and not pregnant. I feel like I look like I have two fat rolls instead of one huge bump. The midwife said this is because I still have a waist, although the baby is above my belly button. I do not feel pretty.<br /><br />Ladies with babies, any words of solace you can pass my way are welcome. Poor Bert can only handle so much of this daily counseling.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-18038796441890711322011-02-07T17:02:00.008-05:002011-02-08T15:48:52.669-05:00Remembering BlancaOn January 26, this world lost a very special person, Bert's grandmother Blanca. Not much was said about her life itself during her service, so for her memory and for Bert, I thought I would say it here.<br /><br />Born Blanca Rosa Gonzales in Cuba, Grandma was an artist at heart. She was an art teacher before leaving Cuba and moving to the United States. Her brother lived in New York and was able to help move their family here before it became overtaken by Castro. She loved her siblings and was especially proud of her brother Pastor, who was a famous priest.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1AR-sUc_nxK0vsLbeiHuX0yczrxJmdF6l_OtQVJm-Drq9z6taEqoBM3N_INkbFj7CZXpBYiL3n6VYVsBE70-jhhh-frRisqr5FVddBCENJe6Vk1aLmmVLpDe0BTgGKeWPfY_/s1600/14873426_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1AR-sUc_nxK0vsLbeiHuX0yczrxJmdF6l_OtQVJm-Drq9z6taEqoBM3N_INkbFj7CZXpBYiL3n6VYVsBE70-jhhh-frRisqr5FVddBCENJe6Vk1aLmmVLpDe0BTgGKeWPfY_/s320/14873426_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571422220983234146" border="0" /></a><br />I treasure each painting she gave to me and Bert. Nearly every room in our house and even my office at work has her artwork proudly on display. My favorites are below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc5-Ieiv-CvqVJewChRUYf3SzHOfmZrlusrHr2MEVLNZK-POQgklpeJykvGt5jmBXPvLh13fdzLE6g9UeEvt6YgjnSB4UWl17Ktl3sUjw5l_rNcaaM-0SizypTW_KXaWruVgf/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc5-Ieiv-CvqVJewChRUYf3SzHOfmZrlusrHr2MEVLNZK-POQgklpeJykvGt5jmBXPvLh13fdzLE6g9UeEvt6YgjnSB4UWl17Ktl3sUjw5l_rNcaaM-0SizypTW_KXaWruVgf/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571421918218321554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVEI8EmqxCB70T1CTR91noIya_EbiOpyu8MdhFLf9oQVIAdnxzYrMGm7p7VLBNWDXZS40-8Cwa7JZFaRY-8wYHsGVIEDdFZM4JMI4IyXV8PLm9uxSceHkZm9-FptYLAmxbot0/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVEI8EmqxCB70T1CTR91noIya_EbiOpyu8MdhFLf9oQVIAdnxzYrMGm7p7VLBNWDXZS40-8Cwa7JZFaRY-8wYHsGVIEDdFZM4JMI4IyXV8PLm9uxSceHkZm9-FptYLAmxbot0/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571421818285843458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu4RYzCj6NDBuWHNoCd0psiQRxBooyLQnGNut4dGyKU2kFHUjFMLFfj7seMSetuFPj665sVmm3fkecrsMSbotszJhQUPcdRhS-2CXtp3kn6jT5MBKYVc9tsmDXIecXBUYM-2a/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu4RYzCj6NDBuWHNoCd0psiQRxBooyLQnGNut4dGyKU2kFHUjFMLFfj7seMSetuFPj665sVmm3fkecrsMSbotszJhQUPcdRhS-2CXtp3kn6jT5MBKYVc9tsmDXIecXBUYM-2a/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571421725239081906" border="0" /></a><br />She was an incredibly generous spirit. We rarely left her house without a painting in hand, although we often protested that we didn't want her walls to be empty. She must've known that her life was winding down to give us what she did.<br /><br />Bert's grandmother and his grandfather were married over 60 years. Grandma was 91 when she passed. Each year on her birthday, she would thank God for blessing her with another year. Grandma and Grandpa showed me love from the moment I joined Bert's family. With open arms they greeted me. I pray that God blesses them both richly for that. I could never thank them enough for what they were - <span style="font-style: italic;">familia</span>, as Bert's grandfather called it. Family in every sense.<br /><br />From Grandma, I learned how to play dominoes. Although her English became more broken over the years, I could still make out enough of what she said to carry on a conversation. And even when Alzheimer's took over and she could do little more than smile, kindness still radiated from her being.<br /><br />Like I said, she was an artist. And she was a lady. With an artist's soul, she painted not only beautiful portraits, but she left everything in her life a little better than she found it. Including me. And boy, oh boy, did she love her Albert Manuel. Her favorite. My favorite too.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-67788007431068886782011-01-31T11:32:00.005-05:002011-01-31T11:36:51.302-05:00Bump Watch<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DZ2GotOiceiaBiffg-cXJRQnajbHoexMBXTXWWcqRVVtga1xYdah5Dx_k_fqU7iWym4nrs64iq7dmH6Awnkgmn_5HCsOEq0CHIxZ3MgGy_tqM88tY9KuIIDg745lOU1Av3o8/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DZ2GotOiceiaBiffg-cXJRQnajbHoexMBXTXWWcqRVVtga1xYdah5Dx_k_fqU7iWym4nrs64iq7dmH6Awnkgmn_5HCsOEq0CHIxZ3MgGy_tqM88tY9KuIIDg745lOU1Av3o8/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568388881879921090" border="0" /></a>Here I was at 8 weeks pregnant.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C8r9ScekBwEjpD8Ne9SZZhWL7S3mOSiYp-7SykcszSutDzxtR4qcpwQmvcL0nzkQQjUb1vUHNlgqv7slb5DhP9EsnsLUEkswaSJvjEB3VRYH1tPrlhOKR9cqWXVJ47Bis1ta/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C8r9ScekBwEjpD8Ne9SZZhWL7S3mOSiYp-7SykcszSutDzxtR4qcpwQmvcL0nzkQQjUb1vUHNlgqv7slb5DhP9EsnsLUEkswaSJvjEB3VRYH1tPrlhOKR9cqWXVJ47Bis1ta/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568389229023635794" border="0" /></a>And here I am now at 20 weeks pregnant! Halfway there.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Wonder when the giant bump will appear and I won't just look chubs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-57304715539392282852011-01-18T13:13:00.005-05:002011-01-21T11:37:24.251-05:00It's A...Yesterday, Bert and I went in for the detailed ultrasound a.k.a. finding out if it's a boy or a girl!<br /><br />First and foremost, I obviously wanted to hear that everything looked good. It was music to my ears to hear about 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 eyes, 2 ears, etc. I loved hearing that his stomach, kidneys, heart and brain looked great.<br /><br />That's right - <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">HIS!</span></span><br /><br />I have to admit, I was in shock. I just KNEW it was a girl. The heartrate was always high, and I guess I have always pictured myself with a girl.<br /><br />I have never seen Bert this happy in my life. My parents were elated. This will be the first boy in a while, as my parents had two girls and my sister has a precious one-year old daughter.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHnw-e8sT5WEM0jHHhzi_3PwfHo5LiXifSwmH7Sn_X7yGYZG-F6uKfTVj-MHzc1dHkNFn_qDV9C_jXLaWr23sEoYDDzJ7Q__cODkdgbNFcD6_XeOSq2tQJ5xrTpsHXIyFamkz/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHnw-e8sT5WEM0jHHhzi_3PwfHo5LiXifSwmH7Sn_X7yGYZG-F6uKfTVj-MHzc1dHkNFn_qDV9C_jXLaWr23sEoYDDzJ7Q__cODkdgbNFcD6_XeOSq2tQJ5xrTpsHXIyFamkz/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563592366677416274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Elation.</span></div><br />I was in shock. I had visions dancing through my head of pink, hairbows, dance recitals, etc. But I am adjusting to a new frame of mind - one that involves baseball, being a team mom and lots of blue.<br /><br />I can't believe I am going to have a son! How I already love him.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. We are not telling anyone his name until he is born. :)<br /></span>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-5324623872947635662011-01-14T12:51:00.006-05:002011-01-14T13:06:19.079-05:00Let It SnowIf you live up North, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. But here in the South, snow is a huge deal! And in my town in Georgia, we got a whopping 8.5 inches of the stuff! In fact, I was out of work Monday-Thursday. Everything turned to ice, but the roads are finally mostly clear.<br /><br />I learned that I would be just fine hanging out, being independently wealthy. I think I could handle it. I loved my snow days, and I never got an ounce of cabin fever. I think that's because I needed rest, I am a bit of a homebody and I had plenty of work to keep me busy. Anyway, below are some snapshots from our fun in the snow.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDznjRW7VwP_tLN6XdmQKPRRzDPLgbbxe9vtKwRLfhCVVDoLuxD4q_2z2HJE9Yb1ooNBHD6VNpIOzz8kOloYDYG3eLlfDpM_l4IJbwiY5CziNYh1j91Ubd0wQleWqTwl2sy6Rl/s1600/photo4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDznjRW7VwP_tLN6XdmQKPRRzDPLgbbxe9vtKwRLfhCVVDoLuxD4q_2z2HJE9Yb1ooNBHD6VNpIOzz8kOloYDYG3eLlfDpM_l4IJbwiY5CziNYh1j91Ubd0wQleWqTwl2sy6Rl/s320/photo4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562103396374663138" border="0" /></a>Bert measured the snow Monday morning.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfirgwz-fa2E0wAHvnU-p7VdvmkTqsks1sBepy5cvozqEhkwftrpyNhH-TtAwCt765OPZyrS2sCpd7IBYsQacXuR2TcTjemSGKoKHYRP1d8xeYcvutKh6-A7r3sQ-F1wcUp79/s1600/photo3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfirgwz-fa2E0wAHvnU-p7VdvmkTqsks1sBepy5cvozqEhkwftrpyNhH-TtAwCt765OPZyrS2sCpd7IBYsQacXuR2TcTjemSGKoKHYRP1d8xeYcvutKh6-A7r3sQ-F1wcUp79/s320/photo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562103359357900306" border="0" /></a>We live just a street over from really cute shops, restaurants, etc. This is a picture I snapped on the way to get hot chocolates at our neighborhood coffee shop.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6tL0CChugIMfY4LQPOmOaRGg3OtCEiwGSDKql-JcAbvTrj2LrMTVQGffFMlBDrqmIODvIbAVRdq6Y58tATESjuFsxChf6b3l6nHr9BImdPc0keSNfvl0JMdNioy11h5W4oLH/s1600/photo2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6tL0CChugIMfY4LQPOmOaRGg3OtCEiwGSDKql-JcAbvTrj2LrMTVQGffFMlBDrqmIODvIbAVRdq6Y58tATESjuFsxChf6b3l6nHr9BImdPc0keSNfvl0JMdNioy11h5W4oLH/s320/photo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562103312290894034" border="0" /></a>Bert and me, all bundled up in front of our house.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6tL0CChugIMfY4LQPOmOaRGg3OtCEiwGSDKql-JcAbvTrj2LrMTVQGffFMlBDrqmIODvIbAVRdq6Y58tATESjuFsxChf6b3l6nHr9BImdPc0keSNfvl0JMdNioy11h5W4oLH/s1600/photo2.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk2MpfYXb-YICQzcon3XqNN58FRnHWj8khW7G2k7yFy2yulqsT16k1Sjv-13WVJzPyhN1GPo2LoI-_TJnsNGhOVDVRuk6letoHbS_X7Otz9Pnq1ryfyj9IR6Mzv8BXXVhBQ4A/s1600/photo1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk2MpfYXb-YICQzcon3XqNN58FRnHWj8khW7G2k7yFy2yulqsT16k1Sjv-13WVJzPyhN1GPo2LoI-_TJnsNGhOVDVRuk6letoHbS_X7Otz9Pnq1ryfyj9IR6Mzv8BXXVhBQ4A/s320/photo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562103268360950850" border="0" /></a>Matty was mesmerized by the snow.<br /></div>Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-44825973251558828142011-01-06T11:50:00.002-05:002011-01-06T11:58:36.830-05:00Deep BreathsThanks so much for all the encouraging comments on my previous post. They weren't just helpful - they had such an impact on me. Thank you for helping me chill out.<br /><br />And I promise this will not become a blog solely about pregnancy and babies. But, hey, it is a huge deal in my life right now! :)<br /><br />So, what else has been going on? Well, the holidays were great. As always, too short. Time with the family in Mississippi was rejuvenating and I had lots of time with my niece, Olivia, as well as time with a slew of other cousins.<br /><br />Oh yeah - I'm totally the favorite cousin. :)<br /><br />And then, one of my best friends had a precious baby boy, Levi, on New Year's Day. Lots of babies all around!<br /><br />Expecting one of my own makes me feel weird about posting pictures of others' babies, so I shall refrain from that. I wouldn't want a bunch of photos of my child on the interwebs. Just sayin'.<br /><br />Here's to 2011!Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-50726240074705362232011-01-04T12:19:00.004-05:002011-01-04T13:41:53.462-05:00Oh, BabyResearch is exhausting. And for me, dangerous. Why, you ask? You'll see.<br /><br />The more I read about babies, the more overwhelmed I become. I don't know which books to buy or what to believe. Here are some of the stresses/paranoia I've had. Would appreciate any mommies weighing in! Please be nice in your comments. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Does my Lancome make-up have harmful chemicals in it that could hurt the baby...and by the way, could my make-up cause me cancer?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I've done - just tried to use a dab of foundation and the rest pretty regular. I tried a tinted moisturizer that was all-natural in place of my foundation, but I didn't like it...too cakey. I figure blush, eyeshadow, etc. is more powdery so I wasn't as worried. Writing all this out made me spend around $30 on a variety of all-natural samples (including foundation) and full-size mascara <a href="http://www.realpurity.com/">here</a>. Hoping for a better solution there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. What about lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.? I'm worried about all the chemicals.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I've done - I purchased new face wash, lotion, shampoo and conditioner from EarthFare, an organic grocery store. I didn't like the lotion. My skin was cracking from being so dry. Shea butter didn't help. And about the shampoo and conditioner...my hair was OK, but extremely flat. After 3 months, I switched back to Lubriderm lotion (no more cracking skin) and Aveeno shampoo and conditioner. If Aveeno is OK for baby, I'm hoping it's OK for me. And my hair and skin look a ton better. I'm using an all-natural bar soap. Still unsure about bodywash..thinking of lathering up with the bar soap for less chemicals.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Mixing it up going back to the not-so-great lotion now that my skin is under control. Just bought all-natural massage bar from <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/">here</a> to ward off stretch marks. Really like it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Is my (Tide) detergent leaking harmful things into my skin?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I've done - This is a new stress. Bert is going to buy some <a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Laundry-Detergent">Seventh Generation detergent </a>today for my clothes. It uses vegetables, rather than chemicals, so it's better for the environment - with far fewer chemicals. Bert is probably going to still need Tide for his workout clothes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Diapering...will I ruin the environment since it takes 500 years for a disposable diaper to break down? Is cloth out of the question?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I've done - I've read about it to see if maybe I could find a biodegradable diaper. Apparently, even if it says they are, it's not really true. They just sit in a landfill too. And there seem to be some sanitary issues about the laundry water that comes from washing cloth caked in poo. Ew. I looked at </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.gdiapers.com/">gDiapers</a><span style="font-style: italic;">...they seem to be a pretty cool invention. Bert's letting me do my research and is fine whether I choose. And since I work full-time and Bert is a full-time Ph.D. student, convenience is a big factor, which gets high marks for disposables. Looks like we are down to disposables and gDiapers.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Hormones in food. What am I putting in my mouth? Am I eating too much junk? Am I eating right?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I've done - We made the switch to organic milk, yogurt and sour cream. Still using regular 2% cheddar cheese, but will look into that too. Drinking 100% fruit juice to up my servings of fruit. Trying not to freak out...making an effort to eat yogurt, fruit and nuts regularly. Trying to lessen nuts after seeing a study on how they are being linked to increased allergies in children. I swear; it's always something. About meat, I just buy ones that say no hormones or antibiotics. My husband works out two hours a day; organic meat would make us paupers. I don't eat eggs that much, but when I do, I buy cage-free and usually organic. Other than that, I just eat pretty normally...except more. :)<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Is caffeine evil when pregnant? Do I have to swear off artificial sweeteners?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I've done - I've had approximately 1 caffeinated drink a week...especially so I wouldn't have to slow down with the chocolate. I have approximately 1 drink with an artificial sweetener per week. Trying to drink a lot of water.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Babywise</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">? </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Happiest Baby On The Block</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">? </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Baby Whisperer</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">? What? What?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I've done - I'm still trying to figure this one out. It seems I am going to have to come up with a hodge podge, but overall, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">The Happiest Baby On The Block</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and </span><span style="font-style: italic;">The No-Cry Sleep Solution</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> have the best reviews. I really REALLY need some advice here.</span><br /><br />Well, there you have it. A peak into my neuroses. I don't read a lot on any of the topics because when I do, you see what happens. I freak out. I don't check medical web sites. That is totally off limits to me. I just pray each and every day for this little one in me to be healthy.<br /><br />I just want to make the right decisions for this little one...I am sure I will make some wrong ones along the way, but hopefully, the unconditional this love he/she will receive will make up for it.Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12846933.post-49830150176201919772010-12-27T12:42:00.002-05:002010-12-27T12:45:51.656-05:00Baby On BoardIt's true...Bert and I are expecting! We are very excited to announce that we are expecting a little one on June 18. We find out next month if it's a boy or a girl...I am very excited about that!<br /><br />So far, so good. I am over 15 weeks, so I feel pretty good...past the first trimester, which is nice. I had some nausea, but was not sick. I caught an awful stomach virus at the very beginning of my pregnancy, which was awful...but after that, things have been good.<br /><br />I look just the same...I can wear all my regular clothes except my smallest jeans. I had my glory day in a single size for just a moment! You can't tell I'm pregnant yet, and my doctor says it will be after 20 weeks, so I still have a little while before that.<br /><br />Anyway, it's all very exciting and I promise to keep you informed without making you look at my ultrasound pictures. :)Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00256551181425405156noreply@blogger.com7