Poopsmith, Classical Music & Decaf Coffee

These are just a few things to describe my last few days! What a crazy few days it has been!

The Poopsmith: CLICK HERE

So Sunday morning, my SIL Kim takes a shower and is getting ready in my bathroom. I’m on the couch doing my normal Sunday thing – watching reruns of 90201 – DUH! And MP is showering in his* bathroom. I hear Kim yell “Girl, your toilet is bubbling.” No sooner does she say this that I hear, and smell, the kitchen sink bubbling….then MP’s toilet. I’ll spare some other gross details, but that will lead us to yesterday – the day that we MUST fix this problem.
MP goes out on his 4 mile run to return home in time for the plumber to arrive around 10am. Well, the plumber never shows up and we can’t flush in our house. Um, I’m PREGNANT, this is a problem, I pee like every 5.6 seconds! So MP calls the builder of our home to ask where the sewer pipe is. He proceeds to dig for about 2 hours to find out they told him the wrong location. He finds it. It’s 80 degrees out, so it really smells, so we call RotoRooter. We find out that it’s not just a clogged pipe, it’s a busted pipe. The brain who built our house thought that placing excess concrete NEXT to the sewer pipe would be a stellar idea.

MP and MVP put a new pipe in after RotoRooter sucked up the clog. Do you all want to hear the story of me calling dinosaurs in my own yard like a barn animal? Yeah, plumbing problems are not fun ever, but definitely not when I’m pregnant and I can’t use the facilities!
I really appreciate the MP’s for being my personal Poopsmiths and taking on a shitty job! JOB WELL DONE BOYS! Love to you both!

*I strongly advise that unless you have a large (two sink, door to toilet, etc) bathroom, DO NOT SHARE with a boy. They smell, leave things dirty and leave H1N1 to ferment in the bathroom. We had to leave our luxurious shared bathroom in our last house. By not sharing now, we save A LOT of arguments!

Classical Music:
Finally, I downloaded some classical music for Ireland (and me) to listen to while we work. I’ve been jamming to it since yesterday and I love it. I think Ireland is starting to like it b/c she seems to kick a little more each time we play it. I’m looking forward to some ‘down’ time when I can actually put the headphones on my belly for her. Until then, we just turn the iTunes up while we work and jam out to Canon in D and Fur Elise! :)

Decaf Sheetz Coffee:
One thing I really miss about PA is Sheetz. I just don’t understand why we don’t have them in FL, especially when there are like a thousand people from PA per square inch here. However, until the MTO arrives in Tampa, I get Sheetz by way of passengers to and fro. My Aunt Kathy and my friend Erin have been my two big coffee transporters (b/c lets face it, trafficking a schmuffin won’t really be worth it. On her last trip to PA, I asked Erin to pick up some decaf coffee** for me. She did (thanks girl, heeey!) and I’ve been downing it like it’s a drug. I must keep forgetting that its DECAF and while it tastes scrumdillyumptious, its not setting the engines off for me. We leave tomorrow for Jason and Kellie’s wedding in PA (yay!) and I have been working like a dog since Sunday, and not getting enough sleep. Between my 10 page mid-term paper and working until midnight to do deploys for my day job – I am fried! I don’t want to cook, I don’t want to do anything but have someone serve me and write my essay answers. Not likely? I didn’t think so!

I guess in the meantime, I will drink my decaf sheetz coffee and chair dance with my little Poppy to classical music and be thankful that I have my own personal Poopsmith. :) I know that Sheetz is in my future, my work will get done and I will get to see my mom, who will at least serve me a homemade meal! :) Life is good, despite it being crazy....now I'm off to get caffeine!

**I also asked Erin to pick up a bag of yummy Utz potato chips. However, the Poopsmith ATE the whole bag. Weasel. I guess it was a cash advance for his labor on the crap job!

POOL TIME!!!

It's officially pool/beach season in Tampa!!

It may be a touch too cold to get in the pool or the ocean, but I have already made one trip to each to sit in the sun and relax!

Here's a little pic of me and Ireland getting ready to get our pool time on yesterday! :)

Living the Good Life

I’ve said it before, but I need to say it again – I really hit the jackpot with my husband. There are so many traits and characteristics about MP that I love – and his desire not to procrastinate on household projects is one of them.

Like most of my stories – this tangents out to a few stories – but I hope it will all come back to the end, my husband rocks (and so does my life!)

So this past week was my spring break. Which means all I HAD to do was work! Wahoo! I took full advantage of the time to slack – which wasn’t hard as my motivation for school is quickly dwindling. My spring break started with a fun weekend visit from friend Renee, aka, Bart.
Monday was a night to relax – and so we worked on our baby budget – making sure we have what we need and what not. One of the things I wanted was a glider for Ireland’s room. I wanted one of those big soft gliders with the foot rest - but they are stupid expensive. So, my fantastic husband found one for sale at the home of someone with lots of money. I love how he rolls. :) My only request was that it had a white base to match the furniture.

Tuesday I had plans to take my lovely friend Erin out to dinner at the best sushi spot in town, Samurai Blue. Erin is one of those friends that just gives and gives. She does this with a smile on her face and never, not once, asks for anything in return – probably one of the most selfless people I know. She planned my bridal shower last year and helped with wedding stuff, a lot. Additionally, now she is helping to throw me my baby shower. The least I could do was the girl some fantastic sushi! So off we went – and it was great. Afterwards, she went with me to BuyBuyBaby (B3) (LOVE IT way more than Babies R Us) and helped me pick out my bottles and some other stuff to finish my registry. (See, she is always helping!) I tried to treat her to frozen yogurt afterwards as another thank you – but as I gave the lady my debit card, she put $10 in my wallet….Love you girl! We came home to find that MP had secured a white glider for me. Oh, it’s so nice and big and comfy and I love it!!!

While I was out on Tuesday at B3 – I picked up our changing table and crib and brought them home. Wednesday I went to dinner with my other friend Erin who is moving. I came home and wanted to do some extra credit for Dr. Harvard’s class – watch an hour and a half video on suicide. So while I watching something so sad, MP ripped open the changing table box and got to work. Seriously, the box sat in my house less than 24 hours and it was already killing him. It looked so good.

Thursday we took a night off and went to my aunts for a yummy dinner of Corned Beef and all the Irish trimmings. We got home and went to bed fat and happy!

Last night, Friday, I took MP to dinner – since he was feeling left out. Afterwards, he begged me to stop at Home Depot to get some paint to touch up the glider, so I did. I came home and decided to clean and he put the crib together. It looks awesome. So after he moved the furniture in the way I want it, he then began to touch up the paint on the glider.
I really appreciate having a helpful husband. I am blessed and I need to remember this the next time he leaves his dishes in the sink…when the dishwasher is empty. When it really counts, he never lets me down! :)

I guess spring break is over tomorrow. So today I’m going to get a head start on some school work – sitting pool side. Then I’m going to head to a Mexican dinner with my SIL Kim and go see the musical Spring Awakening!

Happy Weekend!

Shower Invite

My baby shower isn't for about 6 more weeks, but I am so excited for it. I can't to get to eat and hang out with so many of my wonderful friends!

I'm very thankful to those who are helping plan this little shindig. My sister Tracey put together an adorable invite with a sweet little message on the back, such a nice suprise! Erin and Tiffany I know are up to no-good planning. It's very humbling to have them al pitching it. It was only a hear ago that Erin and my PA girls were busy doing the same thing for wedding shower and here I am so blessed again. Lots to be thankful all the time!

I've attached pics of the invite b/c it is so cute! THANKS ladies!

The Truth about Pregnancy

I had a great friend, Bart, come to town this weekend and spend some time with me. I was told that I don’t sell pregnancy very well. Now, this came to a surprise to me as I don’t really mind being pregnant, and I really don’t intend to ‘complain’ about being pregnant. The only thing I HATE about being pregnant is how fat I am…I mean I’m 5’1 and full of boobs already and NO ONE likes getting fat, so sue me already!

To be honest, the onset of acid reflux after I drink my favorite – Iced Decaf Coffee from DD sucks. Peeing every 5 minutes isn’t fun and the pain my hip due to weight load and sleeping on my side doesn’t help. BUT these are all part of the process and I just roll with it, and try not to complain too much. Bart clarified that I don’t complain so much as I am ‘too honest’. I can’t figure out if that was her way to NOT hurt my hormonal feelings and back herself out of a corner, or if she was being honest.

Whichever it is, I will share a few things I have learned so far that are intended to help Bart know that it’s all worth it:

When you read that your skin is more sensitive to the sun while pregnant, it’s true!! Bart and I went to the beach on Sunday. I slathered on my Aveeno 50 sun block and plopped by big ol’ booty in a beach chair for hours. I forgot to put it on my legs…and well, my knee caps of all freakish things got FRIED, and a spot or two on my shins. Note to self….add sun block all over next time.

Acid Reflux SUCKS! MP has it really bad and I have a new appreciation for him. And while I told Bart that I have it, and it may have deterred her from KU’d, I should add that it is preventable. Don’t drink and eat certain things and you won’t have it. If you have it, eat tums!

Seeing a chiropractor early on is best. I just started going and already my aches and pains are being reduced. Problem solved!

MOST people tend to be nicer to you when you’re pregnant, win!!! While standing in line for fried strawberry shortcake on a stick at the Strawberry festival (no comments, please) some random guy came up and said ‘GOOD LUCK, MAMA’ while looking at my ever-expanding waist line. First I turned to MP and said “hell yeah, even pregnant I get hit on!” But really it’s true. People hold doors for you and ask about the baby and have a genuine interest. Babies make people happy, they are cute and warm and fuzzy and you’re carrying that life inside you. Most people want the best for you. There is the more than occasional asshole that will say something stupid or rude or condescending about your size, what you eat, unsolicited advice, etc. But I do my best to tell them to STFU the best way I can. So those people can flake off, I’m going to enjoy being babied for the last time in my life! (Note: I am not referring to the Charlie Sheen ‘winning’. Not only do I think that is lame, but I think everyone Facebook already ‘stole’ that from him.)

People bring/send you adorable things and it’s so nice! Over the past few days, I have received the invite to my baby shower – the invite is so cute and the message on the back from my sister is so freaking sweet. I’ll have to scan it in and share! My Aunt brought us an adorable outfit. Bart brought us all kinds of cute stuff, including a wee baby purse and Heinz pickle stuff for Ireland to wear. SO CUTE! My MOH, Amy, also sent a batch of fun stuff that she recommends as must haves, including an adorable outfit with a fat cupcake on the bum of the onezie! SO CUTE! It’s really so overwhelming to have so many people doing such generous things for you and the baby. It means so much and words can never really articulate how much it means.

So Bart, I hope I have helped you realize there are lots of good things that come out of pregnancy and for the ‘bad ones’ they are just temporary! :)

Dr. Feel Good

You know, I really can't complain. Pregnancy for the most part has been super easy. Sure, morning sickness and calling dinosaurs wasn't much fun. And well, gaining weight on my already fat body, never fun. But ultimately, I've been so blessed so far so I just try to take it all in stride and just don't complain, it's not worth it.

However, a pain in my right hip has been creeping up on me and for about 7 days or so now it's been really bad. If I sit for a long time, walk a few miles or try to bend over, etc. It's gotten excruciating.

I've also had some other stressors (work, c'mon though, who doesn't) and I think those didn't help my aching body. Assuming that I go on my due date (which I actually don't assume) I am 4 months today from labor and delivery. My body is starting to ache at the end of each day and the extra weight and what not is probably helping.

I went to massage envy on Tuesday and got a massage, it was bliss. But the best part was today - I went to a new chiropractor - MP's Dr. Tommy, whom I shall now refer to as Dr. Feel Good.

I went into Dr. Feel Good today and told him my symptoms. He massaged my hip and butt area and yeah, it’s all out of whack. My right leg was out goofed up - falling shorter than the other and tons of tightness all along the sciatic nerve. It hurt today, but he adjusted me and immediately I felt looser and ready to go. Thank you Dr. FG!! I go back Monday and I can’t wait.

I also read that chiropractic care up to labor and delivery can help reduce L&D time – hey, I will take it. Any measures I can take to reduce that time is good is my book. Pregnant ladies – if you are in pain - GO get adjusted, it feels so good!

Ode to my pregnant feets

MP and I were at Dillards on Saturday. MP has to get specific clothing for a wedding b/c he is the best man at the end of the month. The shirt he has to wear ended up being like $10 b/c they were having a one day sale, so that was like music to my pregnant ears.

I quickly scrambled to the shoe department before MP could say 'lets get out of here' - and found myself in a tiny bit of heaven, surrounded by flip flops, wedges and Bandolino's. Just one pair I told myself.

Really, I need a new pair of black heels. While I don't wear them all the time anymore, I need a new good pair on hand - for weddings, client meetings, etc. I found a bunch of shoes I could have bought in a heartbeat. But, nothing was on sale that I wanted...until I found THE pair on the clearance rack.

FLASHBACK: Back in 2004, I found a pair of Enzo's on sale at Kauffman's in downtown Pittsburgh. Those shoes still live as the most comfortable shoes I ever owned. I wore them all the time to work. They walked many a city block in all kinds of weather and spent many a nigh with me at Bar 11. The little bottom part of the heel had been replaced by Ted Nugent's look alike brother next to PPG too many times. I vaguely remember him telling me that he would not replace them again. I took them to FL with me b/c I was too upset to throw them up. I got a pair of $100 dollar heels for $35 and wore the crap out of them and they were like slippers. However, probably about a year ago I tossed them. It was time to let them go. RIP.

So back to now - on the clearance rack is another pair of Enzo's, cute little platform black heels. I was in love. 7. 5 my size! I tried the right one on - it was perfection. It was as comfortable as I remember and I raced up to the lady and asked her to return its partner to me. She did. My left foot has grown. :( I could hardly squeeze it into a 7.5. :( So sad. My feet are not yet swollen, but they are growing. Now it makes sense why some of my shoes are starting to feel funny and why I feel like my feet are already getting long for my new Rainbows.

I was crushed, I so wanted these shoes. I looked at Michael and said "well, your feet can grow in pregnancy, I think I may be victim to this." He looked at me like I'm a crazy pregnanty person (which I may be, but this was an inappropriate use of this look, I should get penalty flags.) I got a daily email update today from "What to expect when you're expecting" and today's topic sure is FEET GROWTH.

So I guess only time will tell if it was a fluke, or if I'm going to get the fun of buying all new shoes in a new size post-partum! This could be fun! Muwahahahaha! :)

Such a big miracle in such a tiny girl!

It's officially 'official' - we have a little Irish Princess! :) Litte Miss Ireland Aoife Perry will be joining us in a little over 4 months. CRAZY!

After a long weekend away - Michael and I went into the OB yesterday and had our third sonogram. The sono reveals that our baby is still a little girl. If you recall, we were told quite early that it was a little teeny girl and it was just

re-confirmed!

Its amazing how fast they grow. Two months ago she was merely a peanut inside a big swimming pool. Now she's seemed so much bigger already. Still seems to be a big fan of sucking her thumb, but we only got a half-hearted fist pump yesterday. MP thinks she was already in a 'mood'. :) To suggest she would get that from her mom would be crazy! :)

She's been kicking for about 2 weeks now. I love feeling her little feets! I know, I always get the negative response of "in a few months you will hate it" but I don't care. Right now I love it and people, please: quit being a party ruiner! :) Waa Waa Waa!

Funny Story: MP went to a bachelor party last weekend in Ohio. He called me Saturday morning on his way to get his free breakfast at the hotel. Then he called me about 40 minutes later to report that 15 teenage cheerleader girls were in the hotel eating breakfast at the same time. He reported they were obnoxious and annoying. I asked him, "what are you going to do when there are 15 girls sitting in your kitchen when Ireland hosts a slumber party?" MP, sometimes known to be quick-witted responded "Build my Saloon long before Ireland reaches the slumber party age." HAHA I didn't have the heart to tell him that slumber parties start way earlier than 15 years of age! :) We'll let him figure that one out on his own!

So excited to meet my little Ireland!

AOIFE: (E-Fa) For those of you who don't know, Aoife is the Gaelic version of "Eva', pronouced 'E-Fa'. I learned of this name while in Ireland, and it is one of the most popular Irish girls names. While its hard to read for us Americans, I find it to be simply beautiful in this version. It means "Beautiful, Radiant and Joyful" and I already know that my little girl is all of these things.