Doom, Gloom & Quarantine

Ive been saving this blog in bits and pieces and its finally time to spill.

I admit.
While a majority of America was probably tuned it to watch President Obama last night I was NOT.

I had so many other things on my mind than this Economic Crisis, Money and Lost Jobs.
I was thinking more along the lines of Lost lives and disinfectant.

Although I am sure what he had to say was important it wasn't as important in my mind as the news I have been receiving on a daily basis about very sick loved ones, dying friends of family and family of friends. Cancer, Malignant Brain Tumors, Losing Babies before their delivered, Leukemia, Breast Cancer, Surgeries....This month turned into quite a difficult month. Thankfully, it is almost over and I am determined that March will be 200% better. I am not comfortable with publishing all of the people's names, but please keep praying for all of those that are sick and for those that we have lost over the past few weeks.

Not only was I mentally distracted last night BUT I was disinfecting every square inch of our house. Around 11 AM Philip came home feeling very ill. He was confined to the bonus room. I went to check in on him around 3 PM and found him like this....(like a little Taco, wrapped up in a mattress pad with a dollop of sour cream on top "Bella") Philip is always warm and always kicks the covers off so this was a sight to be seen and at this point I KNEW he was really sick.



He quickly cancelled his business trip to Myrtle and Charleston and skipped his night class. Philip has been quarantined to his parents house for at least the next few days with the FLU. Unfortunately somehow Philip forgot to get his flu shot this year and is quite a sick boy. The boy who only gets sick once every two years is sick.

Pregnant lady is FREAKING out. I mean panicking. I can't get sick. I can't take most medications. I've only taken one regular strength Tylenol in 6+ months. Medications are not part of this pregnancy. As I mentioned earlier I have heard some real and unfortunate stories lately about pregnant mom's catching viruses and passing them on to their babies. Unfortunately the babies didn't make it. This is enough to scare the crap out of me. I know I know... call me paranoid, but I am NOT a good patient and I already have a weak immune system due to my
Chron's Disease.

Yes, we both have jobs - thankfully!

Yes, the economy is going to get worse before it get's better

Yes, people unfortunately die every day

I get it. I know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

So...who has some great news for me?

ps. Please spare me the sickness.

Blooming & Blossoming

The flower's are blooming...

This week we "bloomed"! Our pussy willow bush is finally popping up blooms on every twig. Our scattered bulbs have even started sprouting beautiful purple flower's and they even multiplied since last year! This is one of my favorite times of year. I can't wait to get out there and plant a few annuals next week..... cold weather please stay away for good!

Personally this was a tough week. Lots of things going on with work and outside of work that really clogged my brain. For the first time in awhile, I threw my hands up. I am sure Philip felt the brunt of it, seeing that I can tend to be quite moody these days. I confess. I finally shed a tear or two... I won't go into to details but I am thankful that things are simmering down and my mom has helped me come back to reality and get peace of mind on everything.

I'm close with my mom. Not just close in proximity (since she lives in my neighborhood). Without her...and my vent sessions I'd be lost. If it wasn't for her this week, I think I might've shed a few more tears...maybe even a full all out breakdown. I am so thankful that not only is she someone I can talk to about anything and everything, but we live in the same neighborhood (even if it isn't forever!) . Although I admit I don't think I would mind it one bit if they stayed:)

The week ended. I made it through. I am firm believer that something good always has to come out of something bad and that happened on Friday at 3:30 PM. I finally closed a deal at work. (This by the way was not the cause of my stress initially). This was a BIG deal. A 6 month deal which means I will at least have one contractor working while I am maternity leave and therefore I will still make SOME commissions. My biggest fear about my maternity leave is that I am not going to have any commissions coming in. Yes I am paid for 6 weeks, but 6 weeks are NOT paid. This put me one step closer to feeling more secure about my maternity leave.

We also interviewed our first nanny this week. We received her name through a family friend (from my mom). She was a former Au pair for a local family and aged out of the program Au pair program. She was a doll. We absolutely loved her and so did Bella instantly which was a HUGE deal. We are trying to work out the logistics and will keep you posted. This is a huge weight off my shoulder's. I panic more about what is going to happen after Asher is born and I go back to work than I do about the actual labor. I want him to stay in our house for the first year with an in home nanny. Hopefully my prayers will be answered and it will all fall into place.


My body is blossoming....
25 weeks and I am still feeling great.
Still running (believe it or not, I have witnesses) and craving my 4-5 day a week hour long work outs. I am still craving cheeseburger's, french fries and chocolate. I have officially decided I need to cut back on these so that I don't spin out of control. "Hello Brain... I like salad just as much as this junk. Let's work a little harder to remember that, OK? Thanks!" If I wasn't working out I am convinced I would be huge....actually I KNOW I would be huge. I am unfortunately just one of those people with THAT type of body. I don't know how other people do it and I am envious...but then again my work outs are my sanity.... call me insane.

Today was our 25 week check up and I have gained right under 13 lbs so far... I had a feeling this weigh in would be big...but I think I did fairly well and am proud of my weight gain thus far. 1.2 lbs per week since my last appointment! I can see my face slowly changing with my body....but I love it and am embracing it. My goal is to not gain anymore than 35 lbs. Wish me luck....hopefully kicking the cheeseburger/french fry habit will help slow the weight loss back down to a normal 1 lb a week pace.

Does anyone notice anything different about me in these photos? Other than my belly and face are growing? HINT: compare to previous weeks. Its not super obvious but give it a guess and leave a comment!

This past weekend was the calm before the storm. Starting this coming weekend is 30 days of straight GO GO GO. 8 birthdays to celebrate, 3 engagements, 2 bridal showers and 5 baby showers (3 for me!) .... ALL IN MARCH! I am so excited about all of the celebrations and can't wait to see everyone that I haven't seen over the past year since I got pregnant!

Blog Stalker's ...

Yup you are all busted....
Oh so many of you ... that I know read this blog but have never left a comment.

It's time to come out of the closet and express yourself. It's fun to write and document in this blog, but its just as fun reading YOUR comments.

Many of your have mentioned to me in coversation, "Oh yeah, I saw that on your blog".
While I sat there thinking, "You read my blog?"
or
"I tried to leave a comment but it didn't work!"
or
You leave me messages about my blog on facebook vs on here....

So here are instructions as to HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT :)
I know many people have tried and did not have success so I figured I would give you all a little nudge.

1. At the bottom of a Post select: Comment (it is a clickable link)
2. A screen wil come up with a box to leave a comment. Type your comment
3. Most of you dont have google accounts..... so select NAME
4. Type in your Name or whatever you want to show up next to your comment to identify you.
5. You do not need to fill in the URL section.
6. Select Publish Comment.

Voila! You have officially left your first successful comment.
No more excuses... now come out of hiding and show your love!

The Pregnant Brain

6 months & 24 weeks.... where has the time gone....or more like where has my mind gone?

Today was the day where I finally wanted to throw my hands up to the pregnant gods and say, "You got me!" I had my first major pregnant moment. I swore that today was the day we had our 6 month check up. Philip even questioned it because it wasnt on his calendar and I am pretty good about sending him all of our appointments or commitments via outlook. I should've listened to him. I has CONVINCED myself the appointment was today. Did I look ahead to next Monday? NOPE. I showed up at the office at 4:15 on the dot. Philip drove 40 minutes from work to meet me.

It went a little something like this, "Ma'am what is your name again...?" (This isnt abnormal since its a pretty big practice.) I spewed out my name excited for my appointment as always and ready to jump on the scale.... "Uh ma'am, we dont have you down for today..." Dumbfounded I stood there. Trying to figure out what to say next....but I was speechless. I finally did it. I finally had a major pregnant opps moment. My appointment is next Monday, same time, same place.

I almost broke down right there in the office. Philip and I decided to make the most of our time together at 4:15 in the afternoon and eat away my sorrows across the street at Five Guys with a cheeseburger and french fries.

Oh boy, the emotional roller coaster has officially begun.

Belly Update: Everyone keeps saying I popped!? I thought I popped weeks ago but its great that everyone KNOWS I am pregnant now.

This week Philip and I actually saw Asher kicking on the outside for the first time. Both Mom's got to feel him kick as well! Lots of firsts this week! Let's hope I can piece my brain back together in time for work tomorrow. Oy vey!

With love for....

ALL OF YOU!

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Valentines no matter what you did....
I personally think its a silly holiday and very commercialized but of course we still celebrate our love for each other on this day as we do every day!

We enjoyed a lovely evening of take out from 131 Main in our PJ's and it couldn't have been a better way to spend Valentine's Day together. I ate "The Main' salad with grilled Salmon,. Philip has Trout with Mashed Potatoes and we ate Grilled Artichokes for our apetizer. Yummm! We were stuffed!

Philip got a Rock a Bye Baby Rolling Stones Lullaby CD and I got a Nike zip up hooded sweatshirt that wouldnt zip up over my ever growing bump :). I ended up returning it and purchasing to work out tops that fit over my belly and were long enough to get me through the rest of the pregnancy. Philip also brought me home a beautiful rose, Valentines' M&M's and a cute Balloon from work on Friday.

It is only fitting to update you on the love of our life (for now!) Bella and her "issues". Bella is almost a new dog minus the fact that she is now on Thyroid meds for life. Her hair is growing back on her hind legs, she has more energy, she isnt scratching and she LOVES her "treats" otherwise known as her Thyroid medicine. We will complete her food trial but I really think its a huge waste of mullah. After the 6 weeks are up we will put her back on her Trader Joe's Organic food and see how she does.

Tomorrow is my 6 month check up and weight in at the OBGYN and I have the day off for President's Day... ! 6 month belly shots are on their way!

Ohhh ahhhh.....

I got the phone call today ...

Asher's baby bedding had come in and was ready for pick up.

I am in love with it and immediately put it on the bed.

I was so worried that it wasn't going to match the room after I fell in love with everything about the room thus far, but it is near close to perfect. 

I designed the bedding and picked out all of the fabric. The bumpers are crushed green velvet with brown corduroy cording on the outside and brown corduroy, toile and corduroy piping all accented with toile ties. There are two sheets: one polka dot and one ecru minky white dot (sooo soft). Don't worry we will also have yucky sheets because I am sure these will get dirty quickly and often. The pillow is crushed green velvet, corduroy piping, reverse polka dot and toile!

Most likely I will send it back because there a few mistakes from the original order and the bumper's are supposed to be puffy. Instead they are very flat and tall vs shorter and fatter (which is what I wanted). The cording is the incorrect color on the inside of the bumper (it is supposed to be crushed green in between the brown and toile....but no one knows but me (THE ANAL ONE!). Both should be very easy fixes!

I am still gushing over this bedding! It was everything I hoped and more. 

I wish I could crawl into that crib and sleep in it. 

Asher is flipping inside me celebrating the excitement!

Thank You Cassidy

Most of you know who read this know that I am stubborn.
Cassidy knows this more than most people since we have known each other for over 15 years!

I have been whining and complaining about Bella and her problems for several YEARS. Yes YEARS. I love her with every bit of my heart but my heart aches for her and her problems all too often.

Cassidy kept telling me to get her thyroid checked. In passing I would ask the vet, "We've checked her thyroid right?" The response I would get was, "Yeah looks like it has been checked before..." So off we went to finally attempt a food trial for her presumed "Food allergies". Cassidy was persistent and mentioned getting her thyroid checked to me AGAIN. I finally decided to demand a thyroid test this week to confirm the status of her thyroid. Note: Cassidy's dad is a vet and she knows a lot of about this stuff.

Cassidy wins the award of the month in the Schreibman House.
Bella has a THYROID problem.
Most dogs T4 read should be between 1-4... they typically look for a 2 or 2 1/2.
Bella is lower than .7

Not only does this explain her hair loss and constant itching but it could explain so much more about Bella.... like anxiety, weight loss, accidents, bad behavior at times, lethargic, lazy.

Cassidy.... you know I love you, but today I love you A LATTE!
Bella is so thankful that I have a friend like you because her quality of life is about to double!

too much, too little time...

Business Trips are not common for me however now that I am pregnant I of course have two.

Just this year my company is encouraging and supporting us to go out and visit clients "within reason". I agreed to finally booking a trip as long as it was before March 30th.

My first trip was to DC. Pretty ideal seeing that my sister and best friend both live in DC and I have over 10 clients in DC. The trip was jam packed. Probably too packed for my pregnant taste but my colleague wanted to make the most of the money spent. I guess I can't blame them...although I would've preferred this many months ago and not 23 weeks pregnant.

I left Monday afternoon, got into to BWI where I had to shuttle over to the Rental Car Deck to get my Alamo rental. Greeted by this gentleman that was obviously hitting on me - large and pregnant - pretty amusing. After several minutes he proceeds with "Where is your husband?" he asked. "I am on a business trip" I replied. "You should've brought him..." he said. Seriously? Anyway he hooked me up with leather seats with seat warmer's and XM radio. I was set to go with my portable GPS in hand in a city that I knew little to nothing about. Off I drove on my way to Tyson's Corner, in the dark, in the rain, praying my trusty navigation was going to get me to the right place, alive. I made 75 minutes later. Exhausted. I stopped to get some sushi and it was nasty so I went through the Taco Bell drive through and ordered a Chalupha. If you know me well you know I DONT EAT Taco Bell and this confirmed for me every reason why.

My hotel was gorgeous. Tysons Corner Hilton. The lobby smelled like a spa. I slept well. I awoke at 5:45 AM to this..... yup SNOW! Picked up the co-worker and off we went. All of the meetings went well but it took me awhile to get in a groove. I cant tell you how long it had been since I had worked with a customer on a face to face basis.

The second night we stayed in a swanky hotel in the middle of DC, The Donovan House (A Thompson Hotel). This is probably one of the neatest hotels I have stayed in ever. Leather walls, ceiling, low beds, funky shower streaming from the ceiling and top it off Keihl's shampoo and conditioner :). That bubble you see is the shower!

We met up with my sister and her fiance Rich to have dinner at MatchBox. The next day we hit the streets early because we had 3 appts in 3 1/2 hours. Our first appointment was 75 minutes late due to the SNOW. Somehow we made it to the other appts on time and finished up early. Off to the airport I drove to catch and earlier flight which cost me way too much money out of pocket that wont get reimbursed but I was home 4 hours earlier. I love being home. Being pregnant and walking in a city like DC is not fun nor ideal if you are not used to that work/road life. Thankfully my next trip isnt until the first week of March. It is my last before I have our little man and it will be a much easier trip.

My belly did a lot of growing over this past week. Asher was not a fan of the business trip to say the least. He moved constantly during the day (which I loved, but was completely distracted). When I returned home he slept for almost 2 days straight. I must have worn him out. I sure was! I love my belly growth. I especially love it when my belly is lopsided because he has shifted inside of me. This time is so precious that him and I share together. I already love him so much and have not even met him eye to eye, face to face.

We also added a little touch to his nursery this weekend that I was patiently waiting on.

I think it really finishes everything off on that wall.

I also decided that the lamp I made was too rinky dinky for the big furniture we had in the room so we are going to use it next to the glider as a reading lamp and get something more substantial for the dresser. I am sure Philip is THRILLED hahhahah.

Saturday night I joined several friends to celebrate Sarah Kaplan's birthday at Brick Tops. Philip had to chaperone his Hebrew High kids so he couldnt make it, but we all had a great time and the food was delish. Happy Belated my dear Sarah!

I also went shopping with Naomi, Ella, Jill (Naomi's co-worker who is 10 days behind me in my pregnancy - and she was a doll!) and Jen on Saturday. Gymboree was having a big $10/$20 sale so we wanted to check out all of the hype. Belk's was also having a 75% red dot sale. We found some great bargains. Jen bought Asher this precious outfit for this summer.....the shorts are actually diaper cover swim trunks! Maybe he will make it out for the end of summer in these cute little turtle trunks! THANKS JEN!

We had a great weekend but didnt have a minute to stop and rest....which is getting old. The weather was gorgeous so we tried to spend as much time outside as possible. I am so excited for spring, bloooming flowers and plants and long walks around the neighborhood. Our pussy willow's are blooming so I will have to capture some photos in the next week once they are full and fuzzy.

Food Trial Schmood Trial

I am beyond frustrated.
Bella is fed up.

After limiting Bella to one measley cup of Iams Fish and Potato Dry Food per day for the past 2 1/2 weeks we have seen NO improvement. Things have actually gotten WORSE.

As I thought before ... and am still convinced ... it's not a food allergy yet very bad SEASONAL ALLERGIES.

Most likely the next step is to put her through extensive allergy testing that is quite costly but it is time to get rid of these terrible itching/hot spot spells for once and for all.

How can a dog so cute be so miserable. My heart is hurting for her. She is my baby girl.

A bride she will be...

Eliza.
My one and only...
little sister.
is REALLY getting married.

Although I have known this for quite some time it all became real today.
I saw her in her wedding dress for the first time and she was glowing.
I am sworn to secrecy about the details, but I promise it was stunning.

WOW.
My little sister is getting married and today she took my breath away twirling around her 400 sq.ft. studio aparment in her beautiful dress.
WOW.

I love you, my one and only.