Monday, June 22, 2015

A glimpse at our wedding & 26 Week bump update

Where has the time gone?! They're not kidding when they say that your wedding day flies by. Time has only sped up since then. June 6th and the week leading up to it were such a whirlwind followed by a relaxing yet quick honeymoon.

We started the wedding week off by finalizing some details and getting together the almighty timeline. Between Tuesday and Friday all of our out of town family and friends made it safely to Pittsburgh. Thursday morning my mom, maid of honor and myself headed to the nail salon to get our toes and nails all purty for the big day. We spent the night with Justin's side of the family eating tacos and listing to live guitar music on the deck then we all headed to the rink to watch the first of his roller hockey games. Go purple team! Friday was absolutely bonkers with rental chair pick ups, the rehearsal and dinner, and continuing to move our stuff into the apartment.

Fast forward to the big day which started bright and early at 6am. My girls began showing up at 6:30 to get their hair done by our awesome friend (shout-out to Alex for getting up so early and having 6 ladies hair done by 10:30 and to Elise for supplying the starbucks). The morning was filled with mimosas, lots of laughs, and even more hair spray. Our hectic schedule leading up to the big day must've held off the nerves because the moment we zipped on my dress I was ready to pass out and cry simultaneously. Nothing can prepare you for the moment you realize that you will no longer have your last name, live in your parent's house, and only be responsible for yourself. As scary as it was I could not have been more excited to take that leap and trust in my now husband to now take care of those changes and take care of our family. Plus he's kind of a hottie. What? I can say that now :)






Cute drinks and beautiful letters to the bride book courtesy of my best friend and maid of honor, Elise.





Seeing him at the end of the aisle looking dapper as ever and FINALLY getting to kiss my husband was the best feeling! There's plenty more pictures to come but they won't be posted until the photographer sends us her copies.

Post ceremony we went on to our picnic reception nestled in a wooded area of the park. We had a great time celebrating our first moments as Mr. and Mrs. with loved ones. The boys drank beers and tossed around the cornhole sacks while the rest of us pigged out on brisket under the tent. After a few hours & a change into comfy clothes we jetted off to the Outer Banks for a week. We spent the night at a hotel in Maryland and drove the rest of the way on Sunday. Everything was great, beach chairs in tow we continued our journey south. Everything was perfect. Except this part. About and hour into our trip (and 20 miles into the insane 8 lane DC highway) we heard a clunk. Was that something on the road? The transmission? The car had just had work done and should be in tip top shape. Oh no, nothing that complicated. With a loud "shit" Justin shrieked "We're on E. Like way below E!". How had we forgotten this?! We pulled into the hotel Saturday night with less than a quarter tank of gas and both managed to forget come sunrise. If you've ever ran out of gas before, you know what  the chugs of doom are. Not only were we out of gas on the highway, but out of gas on the 8 lane-no shoulder-highway in traffic, stuck in the dead middle. Justin started cutting over to the rapidly approaching exit, the only exit that had no gas stations listed ahead. We officially ran out of gas as we coasted up the winding exit, it felt like an eternity until we'd reached the top. It's no coincidence that as we coasted around the last bend we spotted a Shell gas station. Thank God there was a shoulder again because we coasted over it a solid 800 feet into the pump. What a way to start our first adventure as husband and wife. The rest of the trip went a little something like this.







The perfect ending to a perfect week. Right before we came home to a week straight of rain and thunderstorms. And just like that the honeymoon was over and back to the real world we went. Which included getting ready for our little  lady.



How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss? 22 pounds
Maternity clothes? Yep, wearing my elastic waisted pants in the picture
Stretch marks? No
Sleep? Our daughter has declared bedtime a party every time I lay down. Between that, peeing 900 times, and adjusting to a snoring-kung fu fighting-sleep talking-husband sleep has been a little sketchy.
Best moment this week? Little woman has started responding to our pokes with kicks
Miss Anything? Longing for a cold Corona with lime and mounds of mexican food. Also, a day without tremendous rib pain.
Movement? Yes
Food cravings? Anything extremely spicy or extremely sweet. And it's the week of my glucose test. Good timing.
Have you started to show yet? Oh yes
Gender prediction? It's a girl
Labor Signs? No
Belly Button in or out? Somewhere between my last post and the first day at the beach it officially popped out
Engagement ring on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! 
Looking forward to? Registering at target for the baby shower and switching our  junk room back into the baby nursery.


The dreaded glucose test week has arrived. Thursday morning bright and early at 7am I finally get to taste the supposed nectar of satan. I've heard a mix of reviews, most hate it and some love it. As for the blog, we're finally settled into our apartment so the weekly updates are back as well as our house tour before/after and nursery some ideas. It's going to be a busy blogging summer folks, get ready.







Monday, May 25, 2015

22 Weeks & Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day, friends! We spent the day hanging out and eating BBQ sauce smothered food with my family. We are so appreciative of our friends and family members who serve our country and all of those who have lost their lives protecting us. As I drove home today, passing flag after flag and car lined streets all happily celebrating, it was humbling to stop and remember those loved ones grieving their soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you!

A little bit of how our holiday weekend went. 


This photo was pre-sunburn. A little too much sun....and icing.


While it was nice to finally relax, Justin and I have been pulling our hair out trying to get everything done with the wedding countdown just under 2 weeks. Last weekend we were officially allowed to start moving things into the apartment. Justin was stuck on a lovely 9 hour Saturday shift so my parents and soon to be in laws helped move everything in. We were so fortunate to get an early wedding gift with about 1/3 the items on our registry from our family so we were able to set up our home even more :) Sunday night we took a break from the madness and headed to a live action sports show, Nitro Circus. In short, it's a bunch of grown men and women plummeting their bodies down ramps and over jumps on everything from motocross bikes to recliners on wheels. Justin was just a little bit excited as the show was starting, obviously.  


A few days after the show we received yet another extremely generous wedding gift from family members which turned out to be our living room furniture and almost all of our new "home" decor. We absolutely do not feel worthy of all of the love and help we've received as we move into the next phase of life but we are so blessed by it! We need a few more days to get the apartment together but mark my words, there will be house tour. Although it may be a few days late (like the weekly update) and it may skip a week entirely (like we skipped week 21).....oops.

Here's to yet another fat girl picture. Soak it up, twigs ladies.

Dress is last season from Nordstrom. Similar found Here and Here


How far along? 22 weeks. Finally wearing something other than Nike Pros and a tshirt.
Total weight gain/loss? 16 pounds!
Maternity clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? No
Sleep? Still good but I need at least 10 hours after a long day. Say what.
Best moment this week? Finally getting to set up our place where baby girl will spend her first years and watching her do the wave in my belly every time I lay down.
Miss Anything? Mountain biking with my man. Cold beer on a Friday night (& the radio up).
Movement? Yep
Food cravings? Anything spicy or carb loaded, pickles, and chinese takeout. Additionally, the egg bacon bagel obsession has returned.
Have you started to show yet? See photo above
Gender prediction? It's a girl.
Labor Signs? No
Belly Button in or out? I have become more obsessed with my belly button than the children I watch are obsessed with The Belly Button Book. My poor button is stuck in the strange flat stage where it can't decide if it's an innie or outie. Sigh, only time will tell.
Engagement ring on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! 
Looking forward to? Letting the bump get some more sun this week as the weather calls for 80's and sunny!


I hope you all had a fun, safe weekend. Cheers!








Saturday, May 9, 2015

Ringing in 20 weeks with a scare

We've made it! This week marks the halfway point on our journey to meet little baby Culotta. As sick as I was the first part of my pregnancy, the time thus far has flown. Every time I feel her kick or flip around, I know I'd gladly spend those months with my head in the toilet all over again. Even though I'm only halfway with this one, it's a whole new look into just how much our moms do\did for us as we approach Mother's Day. Sadly, we completely missed the 19 week picture and update due to nailing down last minute wedding details and crazy work schedules.....We also got everything together to move into our NEW PLACE next Saturday! We found the perfect apartment close to everything we do with bike trails running through our back yard. As of 6 days from now, it's ours :)  

After we missed we 19 we finally thought we'd get back on schedule with posting on the days the weeks switch, but little lady had other plans. The beginning of last week I started cramping which slowly turned into bad cramping and lower back aches. By Thursday afternoon after I'd called the OB to report, I'd missed 3 calls from 2 of their offices all saying to get to labor and delivery at the hospital and get there now. Justin agreed we needed to go so we sat in rush hour traffic through the burbs all the way into the city. I don't know if it was the anxiety alone or the fact that there was a baby pushing on my bladder but the trip to the hospital felt like an eternity. Once we arrived they wasted no time doing exams and running tests. I should add that peeing in a cup not once but twice when you can no longer see your feet turned out to be just the bit of humor we needed. Despite the nerves in the room there was a happy moment, Justin finally got to feel her kick! We learned this week that she gets super irritated by anything resting on my belly, including maternity pants, and begins kicking whatever is in her way. Naturally, she was upset by the fetal and contraction monitors on my belly which finally lead to her high-fiving her daddy.

After about 2 hours we got the final report that the cramping was from dehydration due to the recent temps in the 80's and 90's. The lack of fluids caused my muscles to cramp up in waves mimicking light contractions. Whew. No doubt this child is dramatic like her momma because there's nothing like an early labor scare to ring in 20 weeks. Ever since then she has been incredibly active, reassuring us all the more that she's healthy, but we'll be damned if we think she's going to let her birth go the way we want. In other news....


Last week my family and I headed east to Philadelphia for one of my best friend's baby shower.


Belly party! Baby Matthew and baby Culotta finally got to meet.

As you can tell by the pictures above, shortly after arriving home I came face to face with the realization that I have to lean forward to see my feet when I stand. 



And finally, the 20 week panic celebration picture.


How far along? 20 weeks & lacking energy to wear anything but spandex and a tee.
Total weight gain/loss? 13 pounds!
Maternity clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? No
Sleep? Great!
Best moment this week? Getting to watch Justin's face when he finally felt baby girl.
Miss Anything? I turned into the Mexican grinch when I couldn't crack a beer or sip a margarita on Cinco De Mayo.
Movement? YES!
Food cravings? Salads, chinese lettuce wraps, sweet tea, and fruity pebbles (which J will shameless go out of the way to buy extra boxes of. Um, keeper).
Have you started to show yet? Yes
Gender prediction? Girl.
Labor Signs? No, but apparently dehydration is no joke. ha.
Belly Button in or out? Halfway in, halfway out. 
Engagement ring on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! 
Looking forward to? Our OB appointment on Wednesday & finally moving our stuff into the apartment!



Monday, April 27, 2015

It's a......GIRL! & 18 Week Update

After our 18 week gender and anatomy scan on Friday, we finally found out that Baby C is a SHE! The little lady is still due September 24th, but weighs in about 3 weeks heavier. Her legs and head are much longer and larger than the rest of her is measuring, she can thank her dad and I for that. Typically the anatomy scan lasts 10-15 minutes but she was so active (& uncooperative) that we got to see her for over a half hour! Considering she was merely a shrimp at the last ultrasound we were just a little excited about our extended time with her ;)




Little lady!


Of course we couldn't wait to share the news with our family and friends. Due to Justin's work schedule, we had to wait SIX HOURS after the appointment to tell anybody which may have been worse than not knowing at all. The fun ensued as soon as he was home and we somehow ended up with about 67 pink outfits. We cannot wait to see her face, toes, and already chubby belly in person. Knowing there's a baby coming gets you excited, but seeing their little face and body with both of your features makes it so much more exciting!


As far as the 18 week update goes, see my feet? I can't.


How far along? 18 Weeks, and still perpetually late at posting.
Total weight gain/loss? 9 pounds. See face, belly, and boobs for the packed on pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yes! My old yoga pants and t-shirts aren't cutting it anymore.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep? Great!
Best moment this week? I don't know if it ever loses it's excitement, but feeling her actually kicking.
Miss Anything? Beer & (heartburn free) salsa.
Movement? Yep!
Food cravings? Egg bacon bagels and sweet tea are still my ultimate favorites.
Have you started to show yet? Yes
Gender prediction? Girl, and we were all right!
Labor Signs? No
Belly Button in or out? Halfway in, halfway out. See ya bikinis.
Engagement ring on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! 
Looking forward to? Getting our apartment mid May and setting up the nursery! So many plans in the works, post to come :)




Sunday, April 19, 2015

17 Weeks & Exciting news for Pittsburgh PRC!

As we're well into our 4th month, we often find ourselves looking back saying how quickly the time since we first found out about Baby C has passed. Then on the other hand how it feels like forever since we walked into the infamous RV, hands shaking, and left excited about our baby on the way. No matter how long you've been trying (or not trying at all for that matter) it is still incredibly overwhelming and a little scary to get the confirmation that you are in fact carrying another little human inside of you. Never for a minute did we doubt our decision to carry and raise our baby. While that may be an option for some, no matter our circumstances or the timing of things, babies are a blessing. 

That being said, we still visited a pregnancy resource center before seeing a regular OB and are so thankful to have had Choices Pregnancy Center be with us the day we found out. Like most pregnancy resource centers, their services for expecting moms (pregnancy testing&ultrasound) are free of cost. The only reason we could see them when we did was because they had a mobile unit (you guessed it, the RV...) located near us as opposed to their home center over an hour away. Today, we got the news that our local Pregnancy Resource Center has raised enough money to have their own mobile unit! This allows them to cover the areas that Choices center can't. That means more healthy mommas & babies.  I cannot contain my excitement!


As for our babe.....

How far along? 17 Weeks (17.5 at posting....)
Total weight gain/loss? 5 pounds
Maternity clothes? My jeans no longer button so here's to hoping for (maternity) shorts and dress weather.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep? Great!
Best moment this week? Feeling baby C move like crazy whenever I lay on my stomach!
Miss Anything? Hard apple cider. This may be my answer every week until October.
Movement? Yep!
Food cravings? Homemade egg bacon bagels. All. Day. Long.
Have you started to show yet? Big time! I'm so happy it looks like a baby and not a sloppy belly anymore.
Gender prediction? Still feeling girl, but the closer we get to finding out the more I don't know.
Labor Signs? No
Belly Button in or out? In
Engagement ring on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! 
Looking forward to? FRIDAY! We find out if we're team pink or team blue! :)