A Day in My Life

No more blogger?

2006-05-31T21:36:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am going to move myself over to my freewebs site. I think it's better to have everything in one place- at least that's what I'm thinking. I know you are all probably ready to kick my butt since I'm moving my site... again... but hopefully this should be it as long as all goes as well as it has over there so far. Here's the link & hope to see you there!

http://www.freewebs.com/jewel35/

2006-05-20T22:13:00.000-04:00

I am very happy to say that I went online today to see if my grades for the semester had been posted and I did pretty well:

History of NJ: B
Technology and the Young Child: A
Disabled Person in American Society: A-
GPA for semester: 3.567
Cumulative GPA: 3.474

It's not straight A's (sadly I've only had them once in college & never in elementary school) but considering what I have been dealing with over the past semester and year in this new university, I think I did pretty well. I am running short on classes to take before I finally get myself in gear and admitted into the education program. Next semester I am only taking one class, Psychology of Adolecence, on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 11:40 am. I think that with the baby coming it'll be good to keep myself going (if I stop I know it'll be hard to get back into it) but I do not want to take night classes since I'll be breastfeeding and need to be there for her at bedtime. Plus it won't interfere with my daycare plans during the week either.

Though I haven't really made any progress in actually starting my daycare venture, I have purchased a few books from Amazon to get myself organized and have an idea of how to run one. I wish I had decided to take a busiess class or something so that I'll feel a little more comfortable but I think that the books will explain what I can claim as far as taxes, how to make professional contracts, how to handle certain situations, how to assure a healthy environment, & all kinds of other information that will be really useful. Hopefully I'll have my books shortly & I'll be able to start planning & figuring things out.

Today was a busy day for me. I spent nearly all day trying to finish up in the nusery. I started around 10 this morning & didn't come out until nearly 6 pm! I have nearly all of the stripes painted on the room~ actually the base stripes are done, I just need to finish the pinstripes on 4 of the boxes before that's all done. That will be a relief. I can't wait to finish the room. I'm almost 31 weeks already (OMG~ our baby is due in 9 weeks & 3 days!!!) and I want to get it ready in case she decides to come early :)

Speaking of the baby :) I heard a new name that I think I really like~ suprisingly enough I heard it on the finale of "Will & Grace". Kevin & I have been leaning towards Meredith Anne (Anne is mine & my mom's middle name) but now I kinda like Lila (pronounced Lie-la) Anne. Our last name is Bacon (sucky name, I know... and for those of you that don't know my husband is Kevin Bacon) so it's hard to figure something that goes nice with it. I've said Lila about 100,000,000 times since I started to think about it yesterday. It's growing on me... I still like Meredith but I'm not going to say anything definate until I see her little face.

Ok, well I better get to bed. It feels like I should be in alien w/the way the baby is trying to push her way out through my belly button tonight & I am SO tired from working in her room all day! Hope you are all having a nice weekend & I am slowly but surely trying to catch up w/everyone's blogs!

Good Night!
~Kristina

I have such great internet friends :)

2006-05-17T20:26:00.000-04:00

I want to thank all of you guys for being so supportive and listening to my stress filled rants and vents during this stressful time. I think it is so nice to get such great comments and feedback from everyone. It makes me feel really good that you all listen to me and I just want you to know I appreciate it so much! Like Brittny said, it stinks that we all live so far apart b/c sometimes I think how cool it would be if we could all just go out for some drinks or dinner? That could be fun!

As usual I've had a stressful and busy week. On Saturday Kevin & I had our baby basics class and breastfeeding class. I had a lot to think about but I really wanted to be able to enjoy and get the most out of these classes so I "forgot" about everything for the day. The baby basics class was from 10 am -1 pm and we both really liked it a lot. We were given little baby dolls and taught to swaddle, diaper, and hold the baby as well as how to take care of the umbilical stump, how to know if she's eaten enough, bathing, and just basic care of newborn. All that it really managed to do was make me walk out of there & want my baby now! LOL It was pretty funny to watch Kevin with the doll though. He's such a "manly man" that I think he felt a little embarrassed even though everyone else was doing the same things. I've actually never seen him in the 8 years that we've been together, OMG 8 years already!?!, hold a baby~ even a fake one lol. It was cute. I can't wait to see him hold our little girl. It's really exciting. We had a little break in between classes so we went home since we live so close and had lunch before heading back to the breastfeeding class. That one went from 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm but we actually got out a little early (at like 5ish). The class had only 3 women in it, including me, and Kevin! I was surprised that no other men decided to come and support their wives. Kevin knows how important it is to me and knew it was best to be there. The teacher was the same woman that taught our first class that morning and she was VERY nice. Kevin got teased quite a bit since he was the only man there, but he did really well. I could tell he was bored even though you'd think the topic of boobs would keep him interested. All in all I was really glad that we took those classes and that I've learned as much as I did in them. I want my baby now though LOL :)

Sunday was my first Mother's Day! Kevin surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a really sweet card. I got a call from my MIL too saying that she went crazy at Kohl's and bought a bunch of clothes for the baby. My shower is coming up (it's a surprise so I don't know when...) so I told her to wait but she can't. Honestly I'm surprised that she has held off this far. This is her first actual grandchild since neither of her other children have kids. Kevin's dad has grandkids from the children from his previous marriage but they aren't close to them, so he's extremely excited too. At this point I'm just glad to accept whatever I get from them- it is nice to have the help and to know they love the baby already.

Tuesday we went to our 2nd lamaze class. I have to admit that I'm pretty disappointed with this one. Maybe it's the instructor though... she is SO boring. I feel like we are back in elementary school. Every time we come in she has us do work out of the book; crossword puzzles, word finds, blah blah blah! You'd think that we would do a lot of practice learning the breathing techniques and massage techniques, but we spend most of the class listening to her read from the book and than the last 20 mins of class is actually practice. Kevin was killing me b/c I know he's not so interested in it either. It's not his fault and not that he's not supportive because he really is... it's just we actually dread going to this class on Tuesdays. The three hours go sooo slowly. I just hope that I've gotten enough out of this class to make it through labor with out killing myself lol. I do plan on having some medication but I'd like to try to go as long as I can with out it. Once I get an epidural I'm stuck in bed and who knows how long that would be since they slow down labor. It's so scary and the more I learn about it I think the more scared it get!

So you are all probably wondering what, if any, decision I've decided as far as the money issue/child care/job issue goes. I talked to my boss on Monday & told her that I don't think I'll be able to come back to work after my leave. I explained to her the financial reasons and that I just can't afford to work there anymore. She was very supportive and understanding & said she knows I just have to do what is right for my family. She is a young (28) single mom too so she understands being in bad situations and having to do things that are so difficult. I cried a little and apologized a lot. As much as I sometimes dislike my job, I've been there for 3 years this August and it's hard to make such a major decision. Kevin and I have talked and I'm thinking that once I go over all of our finances and have a better idea of what kind of debt we are in that we might take some money from his parents to cover a few bills and we will probably be getting rid of his truck since we can' afford the payments. It looks as though I will be starting my own in-house daycare after the baby comes. I'd like to try and wait until she is about 3 months old before I expose her to so many kids, not to mention it would give us more time to get the house ready for all those kids... so let me just say that I am terrified of what the future might hold. I am going to start preparing myself to register myself with the state as a daycare provider so that everything can be legal and I can do it the right way.

Ok, well, I better go. Dateline is on and I have to watch it. These crazy guys on "To Catch a Predator" need to go to jail!!! Hope everyone else is well :)

~Kristina

I have a new website!

2006-05-12T22:13:00.002-04:00

I got sick of trying to update my cheesy tripod website & now I have a new one! It's not done~ yet, but I am working on it & hopefully soon it'll be done. If you're bored, take a look!

My new website

~~Ok, I've tried to post this damn thing like 3 times now.. If it doesn't work again look check my links on the side because I'm getting annoyed with this blogger! lol

Lots to think about...

2006-05-12T19:19:00.000-04:00

Tonight I had my 29 week appointment and I also did my 1 hour glucose test again. So at 5:00 on my way home from work I had to drink my orange glucola drink. The positive thing about having had the drink at 5 o'clock was that she had to take me at 6:00 so I didn't have to sit around & wait to see her. The drink really isn't that bad so I didn't mind much. I've heard that the fruit punch flavored drink is pretty nasty though so I've been happy to have had the orange both times. I went in and she weighed me... and I gained.... a lot... in the last 2 weeks.. grrrrr. My doctor still hasn't said anything about it so I guess it's ok. I will definately go over my 35 lb max... I'm already nearly there and due just over 10 weeks! Hopefully my weight gain will slow down a bit but with my cravings for sweets (and my lack of will power) and the fact that the baby will be growing a lot over the next two months I don't think that will really happen. Anyway, so my doctor drew my blood and said she'd let me know tomorrow how I did since her other location has gotten a lab corp computer & she'll be able to look up my results on her own rather than wait for the reports. Keep your fingers crossed for me b/c I can't imagine how grumpy I'll be if I have to give up my yummy stuff. So the doctor pulled out the doppler & found the heartbeat right away, loud & clear :) She measured my fundal height and than she asked me if I was planning on taking off the four weeks prior to my due date. She said because my commute is nearly an hour each way that after 36 weeks it can go pretty quickly and it would be better not to have to drive so far away. I told her that if I have to I could take the time if she thought I should though I had already told my bosses that I would be working to the week before I was due. She said it would be best, so it looks like I'll be leaving work in 6 weeks!! This puts me in a REALLY tough spot...

Lately I've had a lot to think about because I started to look into daycare & we aretotally unable to afford it. I called and it seems that the price will be $200+ per week which is most of what I make in a month. Between that and what I would have to pay for insurance for the baby I would be bringing home about $400/month (unless my boss worked out a deal for the insurance & I paid less than $400/month). I been thinking a lot and talked to Kevin & it seems that I might have to actually leave my job.... for good.... and stay home with the baby. This is what I always wanted, but not to be in this situaton.. I would end up doing an in home daycare to make up for the money that I would not have. In NJ you do not have to be licensedwith the state unless you have 6+ kids in your house. I figured if I had 3 kids (plus my baby) at $175/week I could bring in $525/week and $2100/month. That is actually more take home per month than I make now... so that would be good right? Not to mention that I wouldn't have to pay the crazy gas prices (I drive 70 miles/day to work & back and it was over 100 miles on days when I had class!!) Except for the insurance issue everything sounds like it could work.. so that still leaves me with a problem.. what do I do about insurance? I am afraid that when I tell my boss that I will be giving notice that I will lose my short term disability, not to mention that they won't continue to pay for my insurance... I could always apply to the state for assistance. If this is the route I end up taking that might be what I have to do.. I am not happy to have to have this as an option but right now my main concern is keeping my house & taking care of my baby when she gets here in less than 3 months...

I decided that I needed to tell my doctor what my situation is because up until now she didn't know. She was just telling me how I need to lower my stress levels with the traffic and long commute (for those of you not from NJ the traffic here is soo terrible you could end up sitting in traffic for more than an hour just to go 30 miles down the road... I do it everyday Monday through Friday and I'm not even going with traffic) and I know my stress levels have been through the roof lately, so with Kevin there I started to tell my doctor about our financial situation & that I am trying to figure out what I will do at work and if I will even return at all. I figured she needed to know the amount of stress I am facing right now and know that the commute is the least of my worries right now. She seems so concerned. She automatically offered to help me find a job at the 3 hospitals in our area (I do medical billing and have about 5 years experience). She said she's pretty sure that she could help me find something and the hospital benefits are really good and free also, not to mention the pay would probably be better than what I am making now. She also offered to help get Kevin's name out there to find him something too. I really appreciate that she was so eager to help, but at the same time I am so embarrassed. It feels terrible to be in such a sad situation. I just hope something works out...

So on our way home Kevin says he has something to tell me... apparently his father called him today and told him he wants to help us because he knows that our financial situation is so bad. I do not like being 'bailed out'. We are adults with a baby on the way. Is it wrong to get help? Well... this is what he is offering... he wants to actually take a home equity loan out on his house and give us $35,000. Immediately I started crying. That is A LOT of money!! I don't know what to do. We are SO broke. We have no money. I am terrified that after all the work that we did to buy this house and establish ourselves that we are going to have to leave because things have taken such a horrible turn. We are so lucky that we have family like Kevin's dad and mom who want to and are actually able to offer us things like that, but I don't really know if I feel comfortable doing that. I asked Kevin and he agreed it was a lot and he didn't know either but he didn't really see a lot of other options. How would we even BEGIN to pay that back? They've always been ready and able to help us if we really need it and unfortunately in the 8 years (next month) that I've been with Kevin he's had some bad luck with jobs and put us in a few "tough" spots, but this is the worst it has ever ever EVER been...

Wait, let me just say that I am not telling you guys this to make you feel bad or to drum up sympathy b/c I know that compared to other people we have it pretty good... we are not sick or unhealthy, we have a healthy baby girl growing inside me, we have family that loves us...... I am just trying to put it all on the table and figure things out. I find this blog is the best place for me to just get it out. Kevin doesn't read it & neither does any of his family or anyone else that knows me (excluding my little sister). I don't want to be the bitchy blog girl or bring anyone down, I just need to clear my mind and see things how they are. I am sorry if this is a terrible blog :( Trust me, I'm not even sitting here sad! I'm not crying or depressed, I'm just confused. I don't really know what my life holds for me in the next few months and I need to figure out which path my husband and I are going to take for our baby.

Looking back at what I just spent all that time typing I don't want to bring anyone down (including myself~ it is a weekend after all!!) so now I have to sit back & let myself think. I started reading Marley & Me by John Grogan and so far it's great. The baby is kicking so hard that my laptop is jumping all over the place! I think it might be time to sit and relax for a little while. If you actually read all this depressing and confusing garbage I really appreciate it. Any advice or comments would be appreciated, just please keep it nice (not that anyone ever doesn't). I'm just really super sensitive now.. Thanks

~Kristina

Monday, Monday... or wait, it's Tuesday!

2006-05-09T22:08:00.000-04:00

Ever notice how when you take a day off you get all sorts of mixed up? I keep thinking that it's Monday even though I know it's Tuesday. I should be happy tomorrow is Wednesday & the week is 1/2 way over but I just can't seem to get this Monday feeling off me.

I had a fairly eventful weekend starting out on Friday with finding out the results of my 1 hour glucose test... I need to take it again! My doctor's office said there was a 'lab error' and now I need to go sit at the lab and drink the glucola drink and wait the hour before they draw my blood. It is really an inconvenience, especially b/c I have a lot going on lately on the weekends and truthfully I don't want to go sit at the lab for an hour! I didn't do anything wrong & so it is kinda sucky to have to do it over again.

Saturday my mom & little sister came over to help paint the nursery. My sister had never painted before so she helped me prime the trim around the door and the closet door while my mom worked on airbrushing clouds on the ceiling. She had some trouble with the airbrush so she wasn't able to finish, but I think it'll look great once it's done. My mom's friend Luba also sent over some clothes from her little girl who is 3ish I think now. There are some really cutes clothes in there and I can't wait to dress up Baby Bacon in her little outfits. My mom also gave me a book on breastfeeding for new mothers.

Sunday Kevin & I went to the Englishtown fleamarket to advertise his business and see if he could drum up any leads. He and I were up late Friday night working on a display board that actually turned out really nice. Sunday we were up early and out of the house by 7 am. We were at the fleamarket by 8 am and he had his first lead by 10 am. It was a beautiful day and we were in and out of the sun. I did a lot of crocheting and had a great time but I got a really bad sunburn! Even Kevin who is 1/2 spanish (his mother is from Honduras) got sunburned on his face & blistered on his nose- his first bad burn ever!! My burn is terrible on the sides of my neck and on my arms all the way down to the tops of my hands (I was wearing a tshirt and jeans! nothing that even exposed me very much!).

When I woke up Monday I hadn't slept very much b/c I was so sore and couldn't sleep during the night so I got up and called out, hence the reason I am all screwy on what day it is. I made a website up for the business. If you want to take a look and let me know what you think here's the link: KK Custom Baths. I think it came out pretty nice. I know I was never really "for" his having a business but I can't be against it now.. we are really needing some kind of an income & he has not been able to get a new job yet. It was also getting really hard arguing and fighting with him constantly- I just couldn't deal with the extra stress.

Today I went to work :-p and we just got back from my first lamaze class! I can't believe that I'm already 29 weeks pregnant!! The class was really small & there were actually only 3 other couples there. It was pretty interesting though I think Kevin was kinda bored. We did mostly talking about birth and what it will be like. Than we watched 2 actual births (OUCH!) and finally laid down with our pillows and blankets and did a sort of meditation. The idea seems to be that if I can focus and relax during labor it will be more bearable. I hope so b/c it looked pretty uncomfortable and painful in those videos!! Our next class is next Tuesday and it ought to be interesting to say the least :) This Sat we also have classes at the hospital; we'll be going to Baby Basics which is a parenting class for new parents and than Breastfeeding. It's a full day & we'll be there from 9 am to 5:30 pm! I just can't believe that we are already getting this close to having our baby!!!

Well, I better get going. If this doesn't make a ton of sense I'm sorry, I'm watching tv and talking to Kevin while I'm typing, not to mention Baby Bacon in kicking up a storm! LOL!! Night!

~Kristina

What type of amusement park ride are you?

2006-05-05T12:07:00.000-04:00

FYI, I am

See what amusement park ride you are.

I just had to do that since I'm in the process of catching up on everyone's blogs & it caught my eye on Christina's.

2006-05-04T19:55:00.000-04:00

Yea! It's official! I'm on my summer break from school. I am really happy. The next time I walk into that building I will be a MOMMY . Tonight is the first night in months that I've been able to come home & put on comfy clothes & not worry about getting a paper done, reading a chapter, or studying for a test. It's like the world has been lifted from my shoulders. This was my first year at this University after transfering in from a community college. It was really hard and I don't remember ever feeling so stressed at the other school, but it just makes me feel so rewarded to be done & know I am one year closer to being an elementary school teacher .

This was a pretty nice week for me. I got a haircut on Monday for the first time in months! I've been letting it grow out (it used to be pixie short!). I made a big decision & actually got bangs! I haven't had them in years & I really like how they look. Last time I had them I think I was in high school & looking back that had to have been forever ago

On Tuesday I went down to my little brother's school (also my old middle school) for a concert. My chorus teacher, Dr. Sezer, was retiring after 39 years! She was wonderful & I actually had her from the 5th grade on. She taught me how to sing & helped me practice and audition for a lot of honors choruses over the years. She was really excited that I went & I even sang with the choir as an alumni. It was a lot of fun. Kevin & I drove down & my mother, sister, & little brother all went too. I think my mom took some pictures so I'll have to post what I have when I get a chance.

I know I have a lot to post about but Will & Grace just came on & I wanna work on the blanket I'm crocheting for the baby. Hope everyone is well & I'll try to get back in blogging mode.

~Kristina

I need motivation!

2006-04-29T15:18:00.000-04:00

I am having such a hard time getting my butt into gear this weekend to finish off the last paper I have to do for my Disabled Person class (due by Tuesday) and study for my History of NJ final on Thursday. It is BEAUTIFUL outside today and we are also putting together the baby furniture which has all arrived already! Needless to say I have a million things I'd like to be doing right now and homework is not at the top of my list. I can't believe it's already 3:20 p.m. because this day has flown by.

Yesterday I had my 27 week appointment with my OB. It went well. I keep gaining...which I know is good, but I think I may pass by 35 lb limit... oops . I know it sucks but I am planning on going back on South Beach as soon as I can which is how I lost a bunch of weight before my wedding. Since my doctor is getting ready to move they didn't have my chart with them and so I don't know how much I gained in the last two weeks since my last visit but I think it was at least 4 lbs, maybe 5! I know I should eat better, & I try, but it sooo hard when all I want is the yummy stuff. My doc still hasn't said anything to me about it though & doesn't seem concerned so I guess I shouldn't be either. I measured ok & my blood pressure was good too so that was nice to hear. The major thing that I had yesterday was my glucose test to determine if I have gestational diabetes. I had to drink this orange glucoloa drink (which actually was yummy! kinda like orange hi-c or kool aid) and than 1 hour later the doctor drew my blood...which I have to comment on- it hurt like hell!! Normally I am good with that kinda stuff but she was having trouble finding my veins (they are deep and hard to get to sometimes) and she had to poke me a few times, plus the bandaid she put on left BLOOD BLISTERS when I ripped it off! OUCH! Ok well after the torture she said we should hear back in 4 days or so. If there's a problem (AKA I fail) she'll call me; otherwise I won't hear back. So let's keep our fingers crossed for no calls back this week!! If I do fail I have to go for my 3-hour glucose test which I've heard some horror stories about so I'd really like to avoid it. You have to fast for 12 hours and than you drink the drink and then sit for another 3 hours... and they have to draw a lot of blood which after this appointment I don't really want to do. She did say if all was good I shouldn't have to get anymore blood work done until the end. YEA!

The doctor also to me that it was about time to have my Rhogam shot. I am supposed to get it b/c my blood type is O-. If the baby has a + blood type my body could look at her like a foreign body & attack her if there was a mix of blood or fluids. I will have to get another shot if after she is born & they do their blood tests she comes back +, otherwise I won't need anymore. She doesn't do them in her office though so she told me I'd need to go to the hospital. Luckily they do the blood test and give the shots at our hospital so we decided to go today and get it done. I went in & I guess it's a Lab Corp in the hospital that draws my blood and they'd have the results in an hour. I think they test to make sure I am not building antibodies against the baby and that everything is ok. So Kevin and I left after the blood test and went home for a little while & came back. We actually sat in the exam room longer than it took to get the blood drawn. Finally the nurse came back with a big needle (I didn't look at it but Kevin said it was like a sewing needle!) and gave me the shot in the butt *fun fun* and we were on our way. Surprisingly it really didn't hurt at all but I'm still pretty happy it's done & over with.

As I sit & blog I can hear Kevin upstairs in the nursery putting together the furniture. We already did the crib & it's really nice! We were a little upset b/c there were a few nicks & such on it. I actually didn't know it at the time that I bought it but it is a stork craft crib & I've heard bad things about them. Had I known that we probably wouldn't have purchased it but I still like it. Now he's working on the first of the dressers. He's all silly up there singing & dancing around. He's so excited it cracks me up. I took a few pics of the crib as he put it together but I am so exhausted I came down to the living room to relax.

I think the exhaustion is starting to set back in . Once the first trimester was over I was feeling pretty good for the entire second trimester, but I am getting tired fast again and am only just beginning my third!. I've been fairly lucky thus far and only wake up 1 time per night to use the bathroom, occasionally 2, but I am finding that it' s getting harder to get comfortable. My shoulder hurts when I try to get comfortable on my side & so does my hip. Not to mention the round ligiment pain! OUCH!! It feels like I've riden a very uncomfortable bike seat for waaaay to long and hurts badly when I try to roll over or get out of bed. I sleep with a body pillow but I don't think it's really helping much. During the day I feel like I get tired a lot quicker now too. When I walk around now I am starting to feel heavy in the front and actually notice my belly . I think people are actually starting to notice now too. A lot of people smile at me & hold the door lately than usual lol. It probably sounds silly but it's about damn time LOL.

Oh yea! I forgot, I went to my grandparents house last weekend & spent the day visiting. It was so great! I haven't seen my Gram & Pop since January (they left on 1/12 I think she said). Gram took me out to this great little cafe for lunch & we had quiche & salad and raspberry lemonade. Than we walked around the shop and looked at antiques and chatted. It was a really nice time. When we left it was POURING and she decided to give me a tour the town & take me down to the ocean. It was really nice even with the crappy weather. We went back to the house & hung out looking at her pictures from her trip and just talking. She's been doing a lot of the ancestry stuff lately & has gotten back pretty far. A very cool fact is that my family is related to Stephen Crane, the author of Red Badge of Courage. My Gram has traced it back & found out that she is his 4th cousin lol. I know, we aren't exactly "family" but it traces back to him. Just something cool .

Well, I better get going. I've been typing for a while & I am soooo tired I could probably pass out right here on the couch LOL. Hope everyone's doing well!

~Kristina

2006-04-21T17:56:00.000-04:00

TGIF! I always love when Friday is over and I actually get to go home knowing I won't be back for days!! This weekend is no exception. I have a lot to do this weekend and not enough time to really complete it. I am going to my grandparents' house in South Jersey tomorrow to visit for a while, I have my final history paper due this Thursday on The Clarke House/Princeton Battlefield, I need to actually get myself to The Clarke House so I can get a picture of myself there & prove I actually visited, I have my case study for The Disabled Person in American Society due next Tuesday, and.... I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff! I don't plan on doing any work in the nursery though it's probably the one thing I'd really like to do. School is nearly over for the semester & I'll have plenty of time to focus on the nursery & getting things ready for Baby Bacon once my nights and weekends are free from homework related stresses.

Good new! I actually got all the chaos with the college and my immunizations and my upcoming semester all squared away! I made a lot of calls yesterday and faxed a lab report to the program director before the health records were all done. Apparently they thought I needed my second MMR but my doctor had told me I only needed 1. The lab report showed that I was actually immune to measles and mumps, but not to rubella. The one shot took care of that and I'm all set! That hold was taken off my account and I just needed faculty advisement before I could register for my class for next semester. I called my professor from last semester, who also happened to be chairman of the education program at Kean U, and he took the other hold off my account so I could register and gave me some advice on what classes I need. I also got a bit of an ear-full that I need to get my butt in gear & apply to the program. It has just been such a busy semester that I really haven't had the time to do what I know I need to do! I reviewed what classes I have left to take before I actually finish my degree and unless I get in the program soon I'm not going to have anything to take (other than history courses to meet the requirements for my second major). It was really nice to see though because it made me feel like my goal is not so out of reach and that I might actually graduate one day with my bachelors degree in elementary education!!! Anyway, so I ended up getting myself registered for one of my last required GE classes. I will be taking Psychology of Adolecence next semester on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. I really enjoy psychology classes; I usually find them really interesting (depending on the professor). Unfortunately I had to register with Professor STAFF so I couldn't even check out www.ratemyprofessor.com to see if he/she is any good! I'll just keep my fingers crossed (x) & hopefully it'll be fine.

I did get a bit of bad news today... ok, really bad news. I talked to my boss, Steve, today and asked him how much it is going to cost me to add the baby to my insurance when she comes in July. I've been fortunate that my job covers the cost for my insurance completely for medical and dental, but I figured I'd have to pay to add on an individual. WELL... pay is not even the right word. I might as well work for nearly nothing to give the baby insurance because between that & daycare I will have no money left!!! He said he'd check but that he believes it's about $400 per month!!! That is ridiculous! How am I supposed to afford that?? How is any normal person supposed to afford that? Kevin & I haven't even looked into daycare yet, though I know we really need to, but that won't be less that $600-700/month! What am I working for? Not to pay bills.... and with Kevin still out of work things really look pretty bad for us.... His unemployment is supposed to run out in July & I don't know how we are going to make ends meet; our savings are dwindling as it is! So I'm pretty stressed out today.

Yesterday Kevin actually had to go to our state capital, Trenton, for a mediation with his old boss, Yale. His boss had been screwing around with Kevin's pay for a while; he didn't pay Kevin for service calls and he never kept track of hours so Kevin didn't get paid for his overtime, and he oven overcharged Kevin for his insurance! So Kevin reported him to the Department of Labor and had to face him in mediation to see if they could resolve the issues or it had to go to court. Yale showed up with his lawyer and Kevin went on his own. They began and the mediator was really hard on Kevin. Yale even admitted that he didn't pay Kevin for things he should've! When Kevin began his cross examination (yes, he actually had to question his former boss like a lawyer) the mediator actually said to him, "Well that sounds like your closing arguments so I guess you are finished.." and cut him off! Closing arguments?? Kevin was asking a question- he's not a lawyer!?! Needless to say the whole things was a messed up and he didn't get a single dollar and the whole thing was pretty much dismissed!! Now he is going to rebut it but I'm not too sure how he has to do that exactly. If the same kind of thing happens again we are just going to forget it, but the point was that they even admitted to doing things illegally & Kevin was screwed. ::Sigh::

Well, I think I've vented enough about my stresses from the past couple days and I should get going on my papers. I hope to have a decent weekend & hope you do too!

~Kristina

2006-04-19T20:01:00.000-04:00

I am finally able to put up a post though I really should be working on my papers right now. I feel guilty (yes, I actually guilt myself) for not blogging in 10 days! I'll try to sum up what's been going on in my life...

Kevin & I ordered furniture& a crib this weekend! We are really are happy with the decisions we made. All the furniture we ordered in white though they are shown in wood in their pictures. The crib should be here next week sometime (though the crib mattress actually got here last night!) and the two dressers will be here in 5-6 weeks.The smaller dresser is going to serve as a changing table since I didn't really think we needed the extra furniture. We still need a rocker but that's really about it! It's really starting to come together & become more & more real!

I had a little scare at the doctors office last Friday (my 25 week appointment). I have been having some pain~ probably TMI but it felt like I've been riding a very uncomfortable bike seat for too long and it was ache. She thought it was possible that my cervix was shortening and sent me for another ultra sound. I've been pretty worried about it since and reading up on the topic didn't help. If I was found to have incompetent cervix I might have needed cerlage (a stitch in the cervix) or could've been put on bedrest (I'm not due for 13 more weeks!!). It could've lead to preterm labor which I was really afraid of.

Today was the ultra sound & I am really happy to say the doctor said that I am fine!! I went to the hospital this afternoon, completely freaking out, & they had to do the transvaginal ultrasound to get a good shot of the cervix and the doctor was there for all of 5 minutes- just long enough to look at it and say I'm ok. We (Kevin was there too) spent the next 1/2 or more with our awesome tech talking ultra sound pictures of the baby and checking that she was growing ok. She said that the baby is measuring right on for 26 weeks! According to my LMP (last menstrual period) I am 26 weeks 1 day but the baby was 26 weeks 2 days, or pretty much right on. Her heartbeat was 133 (perfect!) and she already weighs 1 pound 15 ounces!?! I can't get over how fast she is growing. We asked her if she would do some 3D ultrasounds but she said that would depend on the position of the baby. Last time we were there she was head down and facing my back. This time she was still head down (& I hope she stays that way!) and on her side so we were able to get some profile pictures & she did try the 3D! It was really bizarre because the baby is still very skinny, and looked very skeletal. These are the pictures we came home with:

Baby Bacon (as my coworkers call her) profiles

This was an attempt at a 3D... it's a smooshy face shot. She kinda looks like she has a pig nose Kevin says lol.

This looks like a scary skeleton mask! You can see where the bones in her face are forming and connecting!

She is waving to us in this one!

I am really excited that our tech was as nice as she was to play with us and do so many pictures. We left with these five today and only three for our big ultra sound 6 weeks ago. I was just glad to have been able to breathe a little easier after knowing that I don't have anything going on with my cervix.

I actually had 1 class finish (so far) & I am thrilled! I am done with my Wednesday "Technology and the Young Child" class. That was the one that I had to leave work to go to. Thank GOD because I was about done with trying to find parking and get my butt there when I should've been at work. Now I really should be focusing on my other 2 classes but I am really slacking. I am also having problems with my school. They are holding my account (meaning I can't get my grades or register for classes for next semester) until they have my immunization records. I had all my shots taken care of last semester in September because I couldn't have done my observation classes with out them, but they won't go by that (even though my other professor has them there- on campus!). I brought in some stuff from a lady at my doctors office (who I knew didn't know what she was doing) & I got them back in the mail today saying I'm missing my second MMR... grrrrr... I tell you, I am so frustrated with this school. Even if I was missing something, I'm pregnant now & I couldn't get it anyway! I have to try and get a hold of my old professor to get a copy over to the health department. ::Sigh::

Easter was pretty nice.. I went to my in-laws house like we do every year. I hadn't seen them since Christmas so they were pretty excited to see how much I've grown. My SIL, Mayra, who always has soo much tact had to ask me, "Are you sure you're not having twins?" Ummm...shut up lol. My MIL wouldn't let me do anything, even walk downstairs to get a bottle of water, "NO! You'll fall!!" I know I'm a klutz but since when can I not walk? LOL. It was alright though. I made carrot cake cookies and everyone loved them! I'm planning on making some when I go to visit my grandparents this weekend (they are finally back from their cross country voyage.. I haven't seen them since January or February!) since my Pop likes carrot cake a lot.

So like I said, my grandparents are home FINALLY! I love my grandparents- they are the best. They are my mom's parents. When I was little we actually lived with them for a while & so I'm extremely close with them. Last time I saw them it was shortly after Christmas when they came over our new house to check it out. Every year they go away for the winter & try to out run the snow and cold. They take their motor home and tow their car behind. This time they went out to Palm Springs, California for a while than came back down the south part of the country. They weren't even supposed to come back until May or June but with all the tornados popping up in the midwest they decided to come back early. They were also planning on going back away after my Pop's doctor appointment in June, but they've changed their plans. I'm excited that now they will be around for the birth of the baby! I think that might have played a little part of it... I suck at timing though lol. Last year they had to cancel their summer trip to Canada for our wedding and this summer it's the baby. I don't think they mind though :)

My gram is the best!! She is giving me the "family bassinet" that my mom slept in & that I slept in when the baby comes along. It will be really useful downstairs so I can keep her close to me and not have to go up and downstairs all the time! I might end up using it in our bedroom for the beginning anyway. We'll see... I know they are excited to see me since last time I saw them I wasn't showing at all and now I'm popping a bit.

Wow, I think I've posted 10 days worth now :) If you actually read all this crap THANKS! I better get working on my papers and get going. Hope every one is doing well :)

~Kristina

My weekend ritual...Avoiding homework!

2006-04-09T12:16:00.000-04:00

I know I should be doing homework right now but I have NO MOTIVATION to do it!! AHH! Classes end in the next couple weeks and I have papers and projects to work on but it is so hard to actually get down to it when the weather is starting to warm up and the sun is shining outside!

Today Kevin & I are hanging out... well, I'm hanging out & he's working on the molding for the nursery. I haven't gotten myself back into the nursery since we did work last weekend and was hoping to get more done during this weekend, but we spent all day yesterday driving up and down the state of NJ (slight exaggeration, but we did do a lot of driving) looking in different furniture stores for cribs. We had no luck. JCPennys didn't even have them in stock! We did find one on their website that we really liked, but we haven't bought it yet. It's a major purchase (loooots of $$$) and we want to make sure we make the right decision.

Tonight we are headed out to the theater to see "The Marijuana Logues" at the Count Bassie Theater in Red Bank, NJ. Tommy Chong from Cheech & Chong is starring in it. We saw him a few years ok and he was SOOO FUNNY! Actually we saw him before he was arrested for selling drug paraphernalia on his old website Chong Glass.com. When we saw him he was performing with his wife Shelby and doing some old Cheech & Chong bits & sang "Up in Smoke" & some other funny things. It was definitely a great time so we are looking forward to it again. The coolest part of the show last time was that you could buy something & he'd sign it for you. Kevin & I got our picture taken with him (my damn computer crashed & I lost it though...)! He was the nicest guy. He was so funny and sweet. I'm just excited to get out tonight & see him again.

Well, I better get back to my homework so that I can run to the store before we go out.

~Kristina

2006-04-06T10:53:00.001-04:00

I know I've been a bad blogger lately. I really need to get my ass back in gear but it's been soo hard with everything being so crazy. School is finally winding down but I have papers upon projects upon tests to worry about now! Not to mention the stupid school put my account on hold because they say they need my immunization record. HELLO? How did I register last semester if I didn't have that done? Oh well. Hopefully if I make a call they can get it straightened out without me having to get back to my doctor's office to get the records again. If I didn't have it already taken care of I'd be pretty screwed though because I can't get anymore shots like that since I'm preggers .

Last weekend Kevin & I started working on the baby's nursery! It was great. I picked out the colors & we did a lot of painting. All of the colors are Behr Disney colors & have the cutest names (Bippity Boppity Blue, Tinker Bell, Pixie Dust, etc..) I'm having issues with trying to get the pics up in here but hopefully this will work...

Nursery BEFORE Pics...

There used to be ugly wood paneling on this wall but Kevin did lots of spackling & priming to clean it up.

And the nursery SO FAR (as of Sunday 4/2/06)

It might be hard to see but the ceiling is blue (my Mom & I will be painting it like the sky), the top color is a light pink, & the bottom is purple. VERY GIRLY!!

My Kevin when we were painting the stripe and color theme.Lots of tape and paint later....

Didn't they turn out GREAT??

This is the close up of one of the boxes. I picked the colors out myself & was really leary that the green and yellow would look bad with the bright pinks and purple but I'm really happy with the color mix! Very bright & something she'll be able to grow with. I am measuring these out on all the walls so they are evenly spaced. These are the only 2 I've done so far.... HEY! It took a long time to measure & tape off everything for those boxes lol!

I am planning on doing a light pink (the color of the top color which is Pixie Dust) border around all the boxes of stripes. There is going to be a white chair rail around the room between the pink and purple and all the molding will be painted white. We are going to get new doors for the closet and bedroom that will be white also. I am actually really exicted about how it came out because I've never played with so much color before in my life & I think it really looks nice. I didn't want to do something too babyish so in a few years she's already outgrown it. The theme for the room is actually butterflies but the greens, purples, and pinks are all in the bedding that we bought.

Speaking of bedding... I ordered it & it came in yesterday!! It's really nice! I can't wait to get some new mini blinds & put the valances up so at least it looks a little more put together. I am going to buy some sheer curtains to put up over the blinds. The ones that they sell with the bedding is so expensive (like $60 2 panels!). I saw cutes ones that were similar at IKEA that didn't have butterflies on it for like $5~ yeah, probably going to go that direction.

So that was last weekend... and LAST NIGHT Kevin & I went into NYC where we saw David Gilmour from Pink Floyd at Radio City Music Hall!!! For those of you that don't know me, I'm a VERY big Pink Floyd fan; I always have been for a long as I can remember. When I was younger my mom would play their music on her guitar and I just loved it since (favorite song: Wish You Were Here). Unfortunately the band broke up in the early 80's and despite the reunited performance at Live 8 last year they insist they aren't getting back together . David Gilmour came out with a new album, On An Island, that came out last month. I am not a huge fan of his solo stuff, but he is the voice of Floyd & I knew that he'd be playing a lot of their music. We had kinda crapy seats (nose bleeders) but had a clear view of him and the entire stage. The first half was his new album, ALL of it.. but the 2nd half was Pink Floyd!!! He was joined by Richard Wright, the original keyboardist from Floyd (YEA!) and even had David Crosby & Graham Nash as back up on his new album and some old Floyd songs. They had some great lighting (Pink Floyd shows are famous for their laser light shows). It was honestly one of the best concerts I've ever been to for the simple fact that I've waited my entire life to hear those songs by the original singer (ok, not the original band, but at least it was the singer). I left there wanting A LOT MORE and am a bit disappointed that it's over. I hope he comes back around. It was an experience I'll never forget!!

Whew! I've been typing like crazy for a while now. Thank God I took the day off work & am just lazying around the house in my pjs still (yes I'm not dressed yet & it's 11:40 AM). I have class tonight though so I will have to get up eventually . Hope you guys are all doing well & I will finally get back into reading blogs & writing more often.

~Kristina

A nice weekend!

2006-03-26T12:08:00.000-05:00

This has been a really nice weekend I'm pretty disappointed that it's already Sunday! Back to work tomorrow.. blah! I feel like I came into this weekend with a lot to do, and though I still have quite a bit (ok a huge amount) of things to finish I've had one of the best weekends that I've had in a long time. Kevin and I have spent a lot of time together & I actually got some exercise in~ which makes me feel really good!

First I have to be excited~ Kevin was offered a job (YEA!) that I think he is planning on accepting. He'll be working for an Expo Design Center selling bathroom/bathroom stuff. The pay is actually a dollar more to start than what I make now and after 90 days he would get a .50 raise. They offer benefits and 401K which he really needs also, not to mention vacation days (accrued) and sick days. The pay would be about equal with what he's been bringing home from unemployment except he'd be paying taxes now rather than later so it'll be a little less take home. What does suck is that since it's a retail/sales position he'd be working Monday through Sunday basically (a 5 day work week) with who knows what days off and a rotating schedule. My point was that it's ok since he won't be there forever. He's in school right now & should be graduating in October 2007. We just need him to get something that he can make do with for now. Honestly it will be very tight, especially once the baby comes, but it's a fair offer for the type of job. Plus I didn't want him to find a job in construction or something where he'd have no real vacation days or sick days like most of the other jobs he's had. I was excited about this. He won't have to feel terrible about leaving to go to a "real" job when he gets his degree since he won't have a ton of responsibility on him like if he was the only installer or something at a construction company. So that is my stance on the matter. He left a message for the manager and she is going to call him back. He is going to possibly ask to start off .50 higher to begin with since that would help a lot, but if not he's still going to try it out. Yea!

Back to my weekend :)~ Friday night Kev and I went out for our usual cheap Friday night out~ dinner at Ruby Tuesday's and the movie The Shaggy Dog with Tim Allen. The dinner actually sucked so that was pretty disappointing. We used to go to a Tuesday's near our old house & it was great, but this one not so much. It took forever for our food to come & when it did it was cold and not so tasty. My mashed potatoes were so cold they were starting to get a skin & Kevin got the wrong dinner, but we didn't realize it right away. He ordered chicken parm & they brought him some chicken alfredo w/broccoli.... um, he doesn't like broccoli. He was picking through it & eating the chicken. He didn't even eat 1/2 of it and neither did I. Our waitress asked him if it was bad & he told her it wasn't the right thing but he didn't realize it at first (we just thought he'd read the wrong thing off the menu or something). We were really nice about it & she said she could probably get us a free dessert but we weren't really in the mood. She said she'd see what she could do. She brought the check back in two seconds, no adjustments or anything! She was pretty inattentive and we were just unhappy with that. We just paid and left kinda disappointed. It wasn't a big deal, just the last time we go there!

So we headed off to the movie theater in our town that we'd never tried out. I wanted to see The Shaggy Dog~ yes I know it's a Disney movie but it looked cute! The theater was soooo clean & sooo nice! There was hardly anyone in the theater with us but a few families and a few other couples. It was funny; corny at times, but silly. I like seeing movies like that sometimes. It's nice to not hear curses, or see death, or blood, or gore! Just a good ol' fashion barking monkey and man turning into a dog lol.

Yesterday was kind of a crummy weather day. It was warm (around 50ish) but cloudy & drizzly. We slept in past 10:00 for the first time in a LONG time which was great. It's nice to snuggle up under the covers and watch some tv. When we finally got up I did some work on the blanket I am crocheting for the baby. I had been doing one in green and white before I found out our baby is a girl. I decided I'd rather do one in purple and pink so I broke out the yarn and started crocheting while Kevin & I watched some movies we had TiVo'd while we were out on Friday (Trading Spouses, Conviction, & Deal or No Deal). It was a nice morning. I followed it up with some homework (blah) and Kevin went out to get the molding for our bedroom (pictures will be posted soon!). I realized my dog, Roxie, was starving for attention so I decided to take my dogs for a walk outside~ all 3 of them~ by myself. Since we have a yard I normally don't do actual walks with them, we just take them out & play there. I decided they (& I) could use a little exercise so I took them down past another house that we were thisclose to buying before we got this *much better* house & we followed a trail that lead down along Millstone River. We followed the trail a little while and it was really quiet. The river was slow and it was pretty peaceful. I enjoyed it a lot & the dogs were loving it! They were really hard to hold on the leashes (especially Roxie & Jewel who were pulling in two different directions at once!) and I was a little tired and didn't want to over do it, so we headed back. It ended up being only a 1/2 hour 40 minute walk but it was fun and they dogs all enjoyed it. Kev & I spent the rest of the day hanging out, doing homework, and watching tv. Of course I killed my walk by ordering in pizza lol but oh well!

Today was a really nice day~ we went to IHOP for the first time since we moved. We actually found one not far from our house & had a nice breakfast before the rush hit! We took a trip down the highway after trying to find JCPennys so we could take a look at the cribs but couldn't find it. Before I knew it we were taking a road trip and kept going until we ended up in Princeton. I've lived in NJ my entire life but never been there before. It was BEAUTIFUL. We drove around the town and past the university. I wish I had my camera because it was really nice and so historic! I love looking at the old houses and churches and buildings. It was almost like going back in time and I could imagine women in their colonial dresses and horse drawn carriages trotting through the streets. I am hoping to go back again soon. Surprisingly it was only a half hour or so from our house so I'm sure we will be planning a day trip for a visit.

Once we got back we both took all of our dogs out for a walk down the same path and Kevin got to explore with us. We went down further & along the river this time. Roxie was crazy! She wanted to go swimming! I've never seen her like that before but she was sniffing all along the shore and the water and when we got down to where the rivers merged she actually jumped in (she was still on the leash) & swam around! I was dying I was laughing so hard. It was great. I wanted to throw a stick in but Kevin was afraid it was too cold and she might have trouble swimming back and neither of us wanted to have to jump in after her. She swallowed a lot of water and did a lot of coughing when she came out but she loved it and wanted back in lol. For her first time in she did a good job swimming & I can't wait until it's warmer and we can take her out & let her actually go in. It's gonna be fun! My mom's dog, Marty (also a jack russell), LOVES to swim. Maybe we'll have to have him over one day & he & Roxie can swim together. It was great though. We walked back up & I'm pretty tired now.

So here I am. Home at 1:30 in the afternoon with lots of homework to do. I better get to it. Hope everyone's having a good weekend!

~Kristina

What a wacky few days LOL

2006-03-24T14:32:00.000-05:00

OMG I'm having some interesting last few days! Since I haven't posted in a few days I'll go back to Wednesday when I had my Technology & the Young Child class. I actually have to leave work to go there since it goes from 11 am to 1ish. Afterwards I go back to work & finish my day. Well I went to class as usual Wednesday & had to get there early in order to actually find parking. I found a spot (way in the back of the campus) where there were only a few cars parked & realized I still had 45 minutes before my class started. It was beautiful outside & my car was warm from the sun. I was listening to my xm radio that Kevin got me for Christmas this year & just relaxing. I figured I'd wait until about quarter of 11 to start walking up since there was a class in that room & I couldn't get in early. Next thing I know I look over at the clock and it says 11:18! I am so disoriented & stare for a minute & than I'm like, wait a minute! I pulled out my cell phone & it also said 11:18. OMG! I FELL ASLEEP!! I quick grabbed all my stuff & looked around where I parked & it was packed- not a single empty spot! Needless to say I hauled ass to class & by the time I walked in I was 25 minutes late & had missed almost the ENTIRE lecture which was actually on Microsoft Logo which is a program I know NOTHING about!!! I can't get over it. Kevin is STILL teasing me about it LOL.

Yesterday was awesome b/c I actually saw my belly move for the first time!! I had gotten some advice from BOTB to put a remote control on my belly to see it move when my baby kicks. I had questioned when others saw their bellies move or when their DH's felt the baby b/c Kevin said he still hasn't felt anything yet and I'm 22 weeks 3 days preggo already (OMG time flies!). I wanted to see if I could see anything before I had Kevin come over & stare at my belly and see absolute nothing so last night while Kev was at class I laid in bed and watched some TV & put the remote on my fat belly. Before I knew it I could feel the baby moving & the remote started to wiggle! Than when she kicked the remote jumped a bit! It was so cool! So I took the remote off when I felt her really rolling around in there (I swear she must've been swimming LAPS LOL) and I could actually see my belly wobble and swish back and forth a bit where she was moving!!!! I must've had the biggest dopiest smile on my face but it was awesome. As soon as he called I told him to hurry up because he had to see this. When he came home he laid next to me and at first had a little trouble telling if he was seeing the remote move from my breathing, the dogs on the bed, or the baby. We kicked the dogs down & he actually saw it and got all excited. It was a very cool night. Tonight we are going to do it again a little earlier because she seems to get really active & stuff around 9:30-10ish and he didn't see until after 10:30. We'll keep our fingers crossed that maybe he'll actually feel her tonight!

Today has been a long day but it's FRIDAY! I'm looking forward to a couple days where I can sleep in a bit and spend some time with Kevin. I can't believe what happened to me this afternoon though- it was pretty funny from everyone else's' stand point, but I'm pretty embarrassed.... So I tend to flop into my work chair & sit on my leg. I guess I hit the chair the wrong way & I hear this loud CRACK! OMG I actually broke my work chair! It was so embarrassing. Everyone heard & I looked like an ass. I had to roll it away & get another one. Duh! Ok, I know I've put on weight (actually 18 lbs so far!) and I was never a little girl but this was pretty bad. I really was embarrassed. I laughed it off but omg I can't wait to leave lol.

So this weekend I have a bunch of projects to do but Kev & I are thinking of going out for a movie & seeing Tim Allen's movie the Shaggy Dog. I'm definitely a comedy kinda person & that looks cute. We'll see what happens.. you know, if I don't fall asleep in the car before the movie starts! LOL Hope you have a good weekend & I'll post later :)

~Kristina

2006-03-22T21:53:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I'm avoiding my homework- at least I can admit it! I saw this cute survey on Melissa's Cat's webpage & thought I could kill some time :-P

ABC Survey
A is for age: 24
B is for booze of choice: Vodka...or Long Island Iced Tea which is a little bit of everything.... I was never much of a drinker but now that I can't do it I MISS IT LOL
C is for career: medical billing rep for cardiologist practice
D is for your Dad's name: Frank
E is for essential items to bring to a party: my mom's nachos are yummy
F is for favorite song at the moment: Count on Me by Default (I like the message)
G is for favorite game: The Sims Online or The Sims 2
H is for hometown: Howell, NJ
I is for instruments you play: flute, piccolo, contra-alto clarient, tenor sax, very little piano
J is for jam or jelly you like: strawberry
K is for kids: gimme abouta 3 1/2 months :)
L is for living arrangements: home owner!
M is for Mom's name: Kelly
N is for name of your crush: my husband Kevin!
O is for overnight hospital stays: never
P is for phobias: being alone
Q is for quotes you like: "We are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
R is for relationship that lasted the longest: current- 8 years this June 22 (but 1st wedding anniversary this June 17!)
S is for soda preference: mmm..root beer.. but I could go for some diet Mountain Dew right now..
T is for tasty desserts: cheese cake
U is for underwear: always ;)
V is for vegetables you love: broccoli, yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms
W is for weekend plans: homework, work on the nursery, homework, spend time with Kevin, homework :)
X is for x-rays you've had: plenty, I'm a clutz: my ankle (sprained a few times), wrist (broke the right on 2xs!), cheek (actually broke it!), back (from the chiropractor) & maybe others I'm forgetting
Y is for year you graduated from high school: 2000
Z is for zodiac sign: libra

Sigh.... that didn't take long enough LOL~ back to homework!

I'm back & feeling like me again!

2006-03-22T18:21:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling MUCH better today than I was when I posted last. First let me thank all you guys who read &/or responded to my vent the other day(s) & are actually back again! It's not always the most fun to sit & read through such rants & raves but I appreciate that I get the feed back & support from such cool people!

Just to follow up on what happened with the whole "Tammy situation," I went back to work yesterday it felt like I could've cut the tension with a knife. No one really talked in our entire office & everyone was pretty miserable. Our general manager Steve came in & he called me in. I really was afraid I was going to be fired. He has always been good to me & I know he likes me, but this whole thing went way beyond what it should've. He told me that I am on "warning" & if anything like that happens again I will be fired. Ok. That is ok because I know it won't. He said he was "soft stepping" the issue with me because he knows I'm pg & he knows I did not instigate the argument. He did tell me he would not be "soft stepping" as much with Tammy either (GOOD!). He also said he heard that Kevin lost his job and asked how I was handling it and apologized for me being in the situation. He seemed sincerely concerned. We discussed when I'd be going out on maternity leave & I told him I planned on going 4 weeks before my due date & staying 6 weeks after the baby comes (longer if I have a c-section) since that is what the state disability covers. He said that was fine but he was betting that I'd have a note about 2 weeks before that from my doctor saying I couldn't work (don't ask me why.. I didn't really get that). Before he was done I asked him the question of insurance (which has been weighing on my mind). As it is, I am fortunate to not have to pay anything for my insurance; my employer pays for me in full for my medical and dental (but Kevin is not covered~ he'd be $430/month extra!). I wanted to know if I would have to pay while I was out on disability or how it would work since it was not in the employee handbook. He gave me a 1/2 smile & kinda told me not to worry about it, he would figure something out & that is decided on a case-by-case basis. It really sounded to me as though I won't have to pay! That would really be amazing to me because I don't know how I'm going to afford it. Especially since I'm going to have to add the baby to the plan too. I think I'm just going to have to wait until it gets a little closer to see.

Anyway, back on topic... we had a brief meeting w/all of our billing department & Steve after he talked to Tammy & we were both told to apologize to everyone. I felt terrible about what had happened & I expressed that.. Tammy just said, "I apologize to everyone." Ok, really heart felt. After that it felt a little lighter in the room & I decided last night that I would bring in bagels & cream cheese as a sort of 'peace offering' today. When I walked in this morning Tammy was CRYING to the other girls in the office (P, C, & E). C told me that she was upset about what had happened with Steve the day before & she was afraid to lose her job. This afternoon I spoke to E & she said that she thinks the real reason that Tammy was crying was because everyone knows that she was wrong in treating me the way she did and she was feeling rejected. She also said that she had thought Tammy learned her lesson after talking to Steve but has decided she hasn't. She said nothing gets through to her. Oh well. A leopard doesn't change her spots! So that's over (thank god!).

I better get going. I have to do a lot of homework tonight. Will this semester ever end??

7 weeks until the semester is OVER!

~Kristina

Same old bullsh*t, different day

2006-03-20T10:50:00.000-05:00

I went into work this morning & within the first 5 minutes I was signed on AIM I received an instant message from Tammy (co worker from hell). After an argument (through IMs) we verbally yelled at each other, I met with my manager, than I left. I am now home for the day. This is what transpired (WARNING: EXTREMELY BAD LANGUAGE... please don't think badly of me.. I was SO angry):

THE BITCH (8:51:44 AM): i have done a lot of thinking over the week-end and i am sorry for all the shit you are going through, but if u dont want me to know stuff then please do not come over here and talk to E when i am sitting here, if it has come to this then so be it
ME (8:51:57 AM): fine
so at this point I thought for a few minutes & realized that she made it sound like it was my fault that she said stuff to me that was inappropriate & I did not feel that way. It was wrong for her to comment on things like that so I came back with...
ME (8:58:33 AM): and btw, i couldnt care less if you knew certain things. i dont talk to everyone here about everything in my life- there are things i keep private. & i do not talk to E (a woman at work that I talk to; sits next to tammy) when you are there, if you havent noticed (and i'm sure you listen) we talk about the house or the pregnancy. not kevin. so i think it is RUDE of you to eavesdrop & feel the urge to open your big mouth & make comments to me about things that are of no concern to you. you are the one who ruined this friendship, not me- it is your fault i dont talk to you anymore, not mine.
THE BITCH (8:59:59 AM): get the hell out of here, do you think we all need to listen to your life and kevins dont go there this coming from a woman who bad mouthed her husband to everyone in the office regardless of who they were & now is back with him & bought a new house that ridiculously over priced at $377,000 & has no heat in the upstairs & floods in the basement.
ME (9:00:21 AM): and right tammy- we all wanna hear about your fucked up marriage or curtains & house all the fucking time? ok, low blow but she never shuts up about her personal garbage
ME (9:00:37 AM): i fucking dropped it when i wrote you last week. drop it
ME (9:00:57 AM): who the fuck are you to tell me to not go there?
THE BITCH (9:01:09 AM): no we dont and u drop it who the fuck are u ok, repeating what I said
ME (9:02:05 AM): fuck u tammy. get over yourself. you make yourself the joke. you are the one who acts stupid. you are ridiculous. get over yourself.
THE BITCH (9:02:37 AM): you are the child not me get over yourself sounds a lot like, "i know you are but what am i?"

The comment calling me a child was the last straw. I've really had it. I don't know what to do. This is a 42 year old woman who acts like a 10 year old child. She airs her dirty laundry to ever person in our office~ regardless of who they are. I actually helped get her a job at this company about 2 years ago & this is how I get repaid. I really feel like I can't handle it anymore. I was so upset with the way she sent this stuff to me that I just kind of went off. So I am home & just IM my boss at work (btw she is only 28) & she said she talked to her boss & he is coming in tomorrow (he's an accountant so we rarely see him during tax time) & he will be calling us in to talk to him. I know that she won't be fired~ even though I really have to admit that I wish she would be. I know in the end I look bad too which makes me feel worse. I didn't do anything to deserve this. I'm just trying to get by. It isn't fair. I don't know how I am going to go into work tomorrow & do my job knowing that everyone in my office knows what happened today (I'm sure Tammy will tell everyone if they don't already know). I've been at my job for 3 years this August & I feel like I'm being pushed out. I wish I could just call up & quit & go pick up my pictures & stuff & leave.. forever.. because I don't want to do this anymore!

Alright, I'm sorry this was such a vent. It's 11:45 in the morning & I want my day to be over with already. Maybe later I'll post about my weekend which actually was good!

~Kristina

Ok, 3 posts in one day.. I am sooo damn bored!

2006-03-17T14:50:00.000-05:00

Ok, I read this on Summer's blog & that I am actually going to fill one of these out. I normally don't do these either..

10 YEARS AGO -->
How old were you?: 14
What Grade were you in?: 9th/Freshman
Where did you go to school: Howell High
Where did you work?: Golds Gym in child care & baby sitting.
Where did you hang out?: at friends or the mall on occassion
What was your hair style?: sholder length bob
Did you wear braces?: No
Did you wear glasses?: Yes
Who was your best friend?: Amy
Who was your boyfriend/girlfriend?: Beazer, Zach, Mark (not at once )
Who was your celebrity crush?: too long ago! I don't remember!
Who was your regular-person crush?: oh boy lol: Mike, Mark, Zach
How many piercings did you have? just my ears (1 in each than)
How many tattoos did you have? none~ I was little
What was your favorite band?: hmmm... don't remember
What was your biggest fear? I don’t remember!
Had you smoked a cigarette yet?: Yes
Had you gotten drunk or high yet?: Once I drank...
Had you driven yet? No
Had you had sex yet? Hell No!

5 YEARS AGO -->
How old were you?: 19
What Grade were you in?: None~ I was taking a break
Where did you go to school: no where
Where did you work?: I was a nanny, than data entry for an insurance company
Where did you live?: with Kevin in Lake Hopatcong (our studio apartment)
Where did you hang out?: with Kevin & our friends at our apartment
What was your hair style?: I think it was shoulder length still
Did you wear braces?: No
Did you wear glasses?: Contacts
Who was your best friend?: Kevin
Who was your boyfriend/girlfriend?: Kevin
Who was your celebrity crush?: I don't know!
Who was your regular-person crush?: Kevin
How many piercings did you have? 9 all in my ears (3 on the bottom of each, 2 in the cartlidge of my left, & my right tragus)
How many tattoos did you have? still none
What was your favorite band?: Pink Floyd
What was your biggest fear? ever getting back into school so I could finish
Had you smoked a cigarette yet?:No
Had you gotten drunk or high yet?: Yes & I'm not ashamed!
Had you driven yet? Yes
Had you had sex yet? Yes

LAST YEAR -->
How old were you?: 23
What Grade were you in?: College
Where did you go to school: Sussex County Community College than Kean Univeristy starting in September
Where did you work?: crappy cardiologists office
Where did you live? with my fiance than husband after June 17
Where did you hang out?: our house!
What was your hair style?: really short than I grew it out for the wedding
Did you wear braces?: No
Did you wear glasses?: Contacts
Who was your best friend?: Kevin
Who was your boyfriend/girlfriend?: fiance than husband~ Kevin
Who was your celebrity crush?: Matthew McConaughey (oh baby!)
Who was your regular-person crush?: Kevin
How many piercings did you have? same 9
How many tattoos did you have? still none
What was your favorite band?: Pink Floyd
What was your biggest fear? getting through my wedding
Had you smoked a cigarette yet?: No
Had you gotten drunk or high yet?: Yes
Had you driven yet? Yes
Had you had sex yet? Yes~ duh!

THIS YEAR -->
How old are you?: 24
Where do you go to school: Kean University
Where do you work?: same crappy cardiology office
Where do you live? our home!
Where do you hang out?: Home
Do you wear braces?: No
Do you wear glasses?: contacts
Who is your best friend?: Kevin
Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend?: married to Kevin
Who is your celebrity crush?: Matthew McConaughey~ yes still
Who is your regular-person crush?: Kevin
How many piercings do you have? still 9
How many tattoos do you have? none but I will after I'm done with this baby!
NoneWhat is your favorite band?:Pink Floyd
What is your biggest fear? that my baby won't be perfect!~ & childbirth!

OK, prolly more info than anyone really wanted but I am so freaking bored today. I cannot wait to leave!

Co worker HELL!

2006-03-17T10:26:00.000-05:00

Ok, hope you liked my joke~ just something to try & make the day a little brighter . My day started off ok but has had a turn fairly quickly (oh God, it's only 10:30 am & this is how my post is starting off.. can't be good...) .

I found out this morning on my way into work that my sister in law (whom some may remember my old blog posting SIL from HELL) who went to the hospital 2 nights ago *by ambulance* left because she didn't feel like sitting there (duh!) went back to the hospital and was admitted because she has appendicitis & is going for surgery this morning. I feel badly for her but I know she'll be fine; those surgeries are very common. So Kevin is at the hospital with his parents right now waiting to make sure things are ok.

Once at work, which is never such a great experience, I start telling the girls what happened to Mayra & that Kevin was at the hospital. One of my coworkers, Tammy, comes out & asks, "Oh, is Kevin not working today?" Hmmmm........ wait-

Before anyone goes & tries to give her the benefit of the doubt about maybe not knowing about Kevin's job situation let me give a little background information on Tammy.. She & I used to be friends. I met her at my last employer almost 5 years ago now. She was nice back than, a little wacky, but nice. When I left the previous company & came where I am now, the company was in bad shape (not because I left but b/c it was a bad company) & I helped Tammy get a job here. I thought I did a good thing. The pay was good, it was a nice place to work, and no further than the othe company. So she started March 2003 (I started August 2002) and at first it was all good. She started to have problems with her mother that year and she ended up with lung cancer & died just before that Christmas. At the same time she had problems with her nasty husband who hit her, treated her like a child, and basically controlled everything she did. She's one of those people who bad mouth to EVERYONE. She can't keep her mouth shut! She just tells everyone everything about anything & asks for advice but only wants to hear that she's right. So she told everyone that she & her husband were separating & he moved out. The entire time she talked badly about him & his family to every coworker in this company, some of which actually KNOW her in-laws. She also has a 5 year old son who is beyond hyper active (we went out to dinner once & never again! she let him run rampant around the restaurant) and has trouble in school. She has come into the office saying how much she shouldn't be a mother & that she can't stand him & he drives her crazy. Ok, so that's background on her character... now here's our relationship background..

Through all the crap & looking stupid at work I remained friends with her. We went to lunch together, she was there through the planning of my wedding. She even gave me my hair & makeup as a gift for the shower! I had her come over to my house for the hair and makeup trial. It was just my bridesmaids, mother, and me pretty much. We had some drinks and muchies and Tammy drank soo much! She was loud and obnoxious. It was really embarrassing. I was leary but I invited her as well as a few other coworkers to my shower which I thought would be ok. That was at my MIL's house last May. It was outside & my mom had made a yummy punch but also brought a bottle of vodka for everyone to spike their own drinks if they wanted. Well by the time I got there (it was supposed to be a surprise but I knew) Tammy had drank nearly the entire bottle of vodka and was WAY out of control. She started calling my little sister by the wrong name (she is Emily Nicole & Tammy called her Emily Elizabeth b/c it reminded her of the girl from Clifford the Big Red Dog). She kept remarking about my mom's lack of ass (no lie) and even looked down my dress since I wore a sun dress that cut a little lower than normal! My MOH & a BM, my cousin Leia & my friend Michelle, drove over together & were late because they got lost so she actually made nasty and rude remarks to them! It was so embarrassing. My coworkers were humiliated too because they also felt responsible even though they weren't. As if that wasn't enough, to top it all off... she saw the man that lives across the street from my MIL & FIL and said she was interested in him so my (stupid) MIL & SIL took her over there where she went in & disappeared for over an hour!! She stole the show at my shower & caused a huge scene. I was so angry. When she came back I just told her to leave because she had too much to drink and I would talk to her on Monday at work. I had about had it with her. Since than I have barely spoken to her. She was ridiculous. We've all told her (me & my coworkers) that she has alcohol issues and she needs to stop but she won't and so I've decided to not have that be part of my life. Most recently, when I found out I was pg back in November I didn't tell people right away because I wanted to make sure things were ok. I did tell one friend at work whom I know did NOT tell Tammy. Somehow Tammy either guessed or figured it out & started making comments all over the place that she dramed I was pg & that I am pg. I was so annoyed. I took her aside one day & told her to shut up because it's not her business if I am or I am not, but she had already told all of my coworkers so I kinda had to 'fess up~ at like 5 or 6 weeks- way earlier than I wanted to.

Needless to say when Kevin lost his job I did NOT share anything with Tammy. I do not talk to her anymore unless it's about trivial things or work related because frankly I can't stand her. I'm sure she heard through the grapevine about Kevin (I did share with others) and that was fine but she shouldn't have ever brought it up. Yet constantly when I mention his name or that I spoke to him in the middle of the day she'll ask, "Oh, is he not working today?" Like she doesn't know. Come on~ give me some credit! I know she knows but why does she have to keep bringing it up or poking me with it? Today's question was it. I think my hormones have cut my patients down to almost non-exsistant & I was about to scream at her for even asking that. And of course she asked in front of everyone. So I did the only thing I could do- I sent her an instant message & this is exactly what I sent: "look tammy, i know u know about kevin & his job situation. im not stupid. i dont appreciate that you keep questioning me about his job situation & his working in front of everyone. it's a bad situation & i'm not happy about it. i don't talk to you about things like that anymore for a reason.. i'd appreciate it if you would stop bringing it up. it depresses me that i'm due in 4 mos, have a new house, & kevin isn't working so plz stop talking about it." Her response? "Fine". I hope she listens because I really can't stand to deal with her anymore. She is pushing on that last nerve that is keeping me from killing her (or just looking for a new job & quitting this one). I just don't understand why people want to try & hurt someone else. It's not something happy. It's not something I talk about. Why even bring it up?

Ok, enough of that. It's too much to worry about right now. I've got other things to think about.. like it's FRIDAY! I have been waiting for the weekend. It has been a nice week though since I haven't had school, but I still just my weekends. This weekend ought to be pretty good too since my Mom, sister, & I are going to go look for furniture at IKEA! I can't wait. Kevin is going to his parent's house to do some stuff & I'm gonna get a (much needed) girls day out. Plus I LOVE Ikea! They have such great stuff & good prices. My mom's never been so it'll be an experience. I just had to promise Kevin that I wouldn't buy anything with out showing him first. I'm planning on bringing my camera & taking pics of stuff I like. It should be fun.

Tomorrow I also plan on finishing my bedroom. I'm going to do the sponge painting that needs to get done & I'd like Kevin to put new molding back up. It's finally starting to feel like our room in our home! It's really exciting. Things are coming along. I'll make sure to post pictures when I'm done.

Alright, I've spent the last hour typing this post. I feel a little better after venting. I better go. Lunch in 1/2 hour & I think I'm gonna go grab a sandwich at the deli. Sorry it was such a LOOONG post.

~Kristina

Just a Joke

2006-03-17T08:51:00.000-05:00

Since it's Saint Patrick's Day and I really don't feel like doing work (which is different from any other day why??) I figured I'd pass along a silly joke that the girls at work passed around. It's a little "off color" (depending on your taste) so don't be offended!

My Private Part Died Today!

An old man, Mr. Goldstein, was living the last of his life in a nursing home.

One day he appeared to be very sad and depressed. Nurse Tracy asked if there was anything wrong.

"Yes Nurse Tracy," said Mr. Goldstein. "My private part died today, and I am very sad."

Knowing her patients were forgetful & sometimes a little crazy, she replied, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Goldstein. Please accept my condolences."

The following day, Mr. Goldstein was walking down the hall with his private part hanging out of his pajamas when he met Nurse Tracy.

"Mr. Goldstein," she said, "You shouldn't be walking down the hall like that.... Please put your private part back inside your pajamas."

"But Nurse Tracy," replied Mr. Goldstein, "I told you yesterday that my private part died."

"Yes you did tell me that, but why is it hanging out of your pajamas?"

You gotta love this!!!

"Well," he replied, "Today's the viewing!"

We made a decision..

2006-03-13T21:57:00.000-05:00

We actually picked out the baby bedding that we are going to use for the baby's room! It's so exciting. It was awesome to know that it's a girl in there so I can pick her up some girly stuff . This is the bedding we ended up picking for good (no more teddy bears!):

I like this a lot~ espeically the little rug! I think I'm planning on painting the walls light lavender but I won't be doing the border since we are painting the ceiling like the sky. My mom & I were talking about hanging little butterflies from the ceiling too! I can't wait to start!

Kevin & I went out this weekend & started our registering at Babies R Us. That was a lot of fun! I didn't know WHAT to register for. We decided on this stuff:

Obviously that's just a few of the things.. we didn't really register for much. Only 16 things on our list. The lady at BRU was pushing us to register for more but I feel like why should I register for wipes & diapers when I know I'll get those anyway? Maybe my logic is weird but it just seems that usually that's the kinda stuff you DON'T have to register for.

My other big project this weekend was working on our bedroom. Kevin & I painted! It's like a whole new room. I love it! It's kinda periwinkle now. I love it. I'll post pictures once I finish it completely. Right now we got the base coat up but I'm still doing some sponging off technique this weekend coming up & we will be putting in new molding & painting the ceiling too. I can't wait to be done!

Alright, well I better go. I'm watching Medium & wanna relax a bit. This is my spring break & I don't really expect on hanging out each night like I did tonight~ I actually have homework to do (unfortunately!). Write later

~Kristina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKIE!

2006-03-08T21:30:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKIE

I am having a tough time realizing that my little brother, Frankie, is actually 15 years old today! When did this actually happen? I remember the day he was born & when I found out (I was in school & pulled out of my class & told by my teacher & the secretary) & what my 3rd grade class did for my mom. I remember holding him in the hospital & his red little face. I remember him growing up a little at a time & being the cutest baby boy I've ever seen- even to this day! He had the blondest hair & the biggest blue eyes. He was so sweet & always smiled. I remember the times he would cry & it made me want to cry because his sad face was soo sad! I remember how little he was when I moved out 6 years ago now- still so little! And now.... he's not even little anymore. He's about my height & a big kid, but I can't seem to understand when it actually happnened. Before I know it he's a man. He's still the nicest boy you'd ever meet- he is always concerned with how everyone feels & I can't visit with him with out getting 100 hugs & kisses & him telling me he loves me more times than I can even count! And yet, he's growing up!

As I sit & think about my baby brother (yes, he is still my baby brother even though he is not a baby anymore) I am actually crying! I love him very much & its days like this that I realize how much I've missed since I moved out. He's grown so much over the past 6 years~ it's like looking at another person even though we look SO much alike lol.

I know I'm hormonal, but this is ridiculous! LOL I actually have tears running down my cheeks! I am happy for him & sad at the same time that I'm missing his birthday for the sixth year in a row (I never get to see him on the day even though we talk on the phone each year... I miss being there!). Sometimes these hormones are a little hard to deal with . Please excuse my emotional ramblings tonight.

ANYWAY, back to some of my own baby talk. I'm still adjusting to the thoughts of my little girl in my tummy. Since I've been here typing this I've felt a couple little kicks here & there. It amazes me each time I feel something to know there's a real little person in there! It actually felt really nice today when a coworker that I don't see often came over to me & said, "Wow Kristina! You are really starting to POP!" & touched my belly. It's so real lately that each day feels new. Dawn (my coworker) was the first person to reach out & touch my belly. She & I are pretty friendly so that was ok.. had it been someone else I probably wouldn't have been as comfortable. It was just the fact that noticed & that really felt good!

Alright, I think I've stalled enough now. Back to the History of New Jersey (midterm tomorrow night already!). Wish me luck~ I think I'm going to need it!!

~Kristina

And the verdict is in...........

2006-03-06T17:34:00.000-05:00

It's a GIRL!!! I am beyond ecstatic . She was head down & feet up but instead of facing out towards my front, she was looking at my back so it made it really hard to get pics of her face . They had me lay on my left side & than my right side for a while so hopefully the baby would roll over, but nope. They were shaking my belly a bit with the ultra sound wand to try & get her to move but all that accomplished was making her kick & punch lol. In the end it was ok though b/c we did get all of the necessary pictures to determine that everything looks healthy (the most important thing!). I had drank some oj before I went so when they were trying to take measurements she kept moving & it was hard to get her lol. Her little arms & legs were punching & kicking out all over the place~ it was crazy! The tech was having trouble getting all of the heart pics cause the baby was so active so the doctor came in and finished those & confirmed the sex. Her heartbeat was 122 & she is measuring at 11 oz and is right on for 20 weeks!! It was sooo exciting.
I don't think I've been able to stop smiling or thinking about it since I got home. It's unreal still. From day 1 I had thought it was going to be a girl (and in my old blog I referred to the baby as a she from the get go!) but than I had a few dreams that we were having a girl so I was starting to sway & wasn't positive anymore. It was still awesome. Kevin was really hoping for a boy, but he is excited too. We went straight to Babies R Us from there & I had to get the cutest little purple dress that I had seen when I was there looking at cribs. I also picked out a little dress that is pinky with strawberries on it. TOO CUTE! Kevin grabbed some bibs~ the first one read "Daddy's Little Girl" & I bought a little onesie that also said "Daddy's Little Girl". Can't wait to dress her up!! Now I'm dying to July to get here already!

On the way out of the hospital I called my mom & she picked up the phone all excited, "What is is?" No Hi, Hello, LOL- What is it??? When I told her she got all excited & laughed & said she knew it! She said she & my dad had called it last night after we left (we visted for a little bit yesterday afternoon & that's when I told them I decided to find out the gender). She was on her way to see my Dad so she told him (which is ok). I called him later & we talked & I could hear how excited he was. It is awesome!!! I followed that up with a call to my grandparents (who are out in Palm Springs, CA on their annual trip around the country in their RV) & they were really excited too. Once school finally let out I got to call my little brother & sister~ who were both dying to know. My little brother, Frankie, is 14 (actually 15 this Wed!!) has been asking me for months if I knew the gender yet lol. He thought it was a boy & my sister guessed right . Everyone is just thrilled & it is feeling so real now!!

It's pretty funny, but since the ultra sound this morning I've felt the baby ALL DAY. I've been studying (yeah... if studying is looking at girl nurseries lol) & I've never felt her kick & bump around in there more than today. It's like she's saying, "Hey! I know you know I'm in here- you were poking at me this morning so now I'm going to poke back!" LOL I know this is probably the silliest post I've ever written but I've never been so happy before! It's amazing for me to know that I've got my dear little daugher (OMG DAUGHTER) in my belly & she's doing well!! I can't wait to meet her!

Thanks for listening to my rambling & craziness today lol. I better get back to doing my homework.

~Kristina

Here are 2 of the 3 ultra sounds that I got today.. not the best because of how she was positioned.. They are profiles so I didn't label them like the last one..

Here's the stuff we got at Babies R Us... I know... I'm bad lol

And FINALLY... an outdated pic of me when I was 18 weeks I believe.. I'm a little bigger now (I am 20 weeks tomorrow!? 1/2 way there!?). Plz ignore the ugly curtins & stuff in the background lol- we haven't finished the kitchen yet lol

I CAN'T WAIT FOR MONDAY!

2006-03-04T12:19:00.000-05:00

This may be the one time in my life that I absolutely CAN'T WAIT FOR MONDAY! This Monday I took a personal day & Kevin & I will be going for my BIG ULTRA SOUND! I can't wait . As I sit here & type this, Daddy-to-be is up in the nursery priming the walls & getting it ready for my mom & I to start working in there. He's really excited & I can't help but smile when I look at him all covered in spackle dust & primer lol. I can hear him blasting the radio & singing along. It's adorable.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about the baby & I don't think that I'm going to be able to wait to find out the gender! I really want to know who is kicking me lol. If I can make it through the ultra sound with out asking than I'm fine, but I'd really like to know... we could decide on a name and decorate the room to a boy or girl, rather than either or. AHH! It's so hard! I've always wanted a surprise but I don't think that I can really wait. Too much curiosity for me to wait another 4 months!

So here are a few of the names we've come up with so far:

Boy

Jacob
Adam
Justin

Girl

Lauren
Alison
Meredith
Nicole

I know, we've kinda picked more of the girl names but boy names are no fun! Kevin would want a junior, but I can't do that to our baby.. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a junior... if you don't have the same name as a FAMOUS ACTOR. Yeah, I am married to a "famous actor" or at least someone with the same name. The actor wasn't even famous when Kevin was born, it just happened that the actor changed his name to match Kevin's & now we can't go anywhere with out hearing it from people about our last name. When I first met him I thought he was lying to me LOL. I don't think it'd be fair to our son (if that's what we have) to have to deal with hearing that for the rest of his life! So I tried to compromise & say that we can have Kevin as the middle name but I don't know if that really works well with the boy names we picked. We'll have to see what happens..

Alright, I better get back to my studying.. History midterm in T-minus 5 days & counting... Have a nice weekend!!

~Kristina

What a busy week!

2006-03-02T22:27:00.000-05:00

What a busy week! I can't believe I haven't posted anything~ it's been so hard trying to find a good balance between work & school that I haven't really had any free time. Tonight I decided that I would just sit & relax for a bit rather than read.. though I know I really should.. I just feel like I could use a break since I had class tonight & didn't even get home until around 8.

So my big news for this week is....... I FELT AN OFFICIAL KICK! No more squishy movements in there. Our baby is finally big enough to make his/her presence known! I think I have a little ninja or in there from what I've felt the last couple days lol. It's pretty weird & completley awesome. I was sitting at work & I was typing away doing work when all of the sudden I felt this... knocking or tapping, on the inside of my belly! I stopped & waited for second because it felt soo weird. It had been like two or three little bumps in a row. So I sat & sat, & a few minutes later I felt it again! It was distinct & it was MY BABY ! Since than I've felt it off and on. Yesterday it was in the afternoon and tonight when I was lying on the couch I felt it a few times. I can't wait until I feel it more & more & it gets even stronger.

Also, Kevin & I decided on the bedding/theme we are using in the baby's nursery. I actually had a few different choices & I let Kevin put in the deciding vote.

We had picked out a few different ideas from a bunch I had seen on different websites, but he liked this one the best. I figured since my Mom & I would be doing the actual painting & decorating that this woule be a nice way to really include Kevin in the nursery besides just spackle & priming like he's done so far. What I like about this is that it'll work for boy or girl (which we won't know what we are having since we are leaving it a surprise!) & I can do the nursey in yellows and greens that I can leave up until the baby is older. I was kinda thinking stripes on the bottom with solid yellow on the top. We'll see what finally happens, but now that I look at this picture even more, the lavender walls work pretty nice too. I'm just afraid they'll be a little too girly if we end up with a boy.. I just know I don't want the make the entire room teddy bears so that way I can change the bedding and it won't look so out of place. I might have to get that little rug though- how cute is that??

Well, it is past my bedtime unfortunately. TGIF tomorrow b/c I don't think I can handle too much more of this week. I'm really looking forward to this weekend though because I have a long weekend! I decided that Monday after my ultra sound I would take the rest of the day off as a personal day so I can study for my history midterm (which is Thursday) and spend some time with Kevin . I haven't taken a day off from work in over a month & a personal day might be just what I need to get my sanity back .

I'll try & get back on track with my postings.. BTW, Kevin & I talked about what gave me a nervous break down in my last post & have decided to DROP IT. We are not going to agree & so we've pretty much agreed to disagree. Right now I'm just glad that he hasn't brought it up & it hasn't been an argument since that day. Thanks for the couple positive words I've gotten. I've been a lurker on everyones' blogs, I just haven't been up much for commenting- sorry! Have a good night!

~Kristina

Majorly frustrated vent..

2006-02-21T11:27:00.000-05:00

Why does it seem that nothing ever works out for us?? We finally get our house (after a few failed closings & all that other house drama) than Kevin loses his job. He finally gets into school & is looking for a job but we get a letter this weekend from our home owners insurance company saying they cancelled us back in NOVEMBER because they never received payment. What? So they wait until February to tell us this? I don't get it at all. So I got a fax from the mortgage company that we closed w/when we bought our house & it said coverage from 11/30/05 through 11/30/06. Now Kevin said he pulled out he mortgage papers & we never paid at closing for it so we need to shell out probably close to $1000 so we can be covered. Why are we paying upwards of $2500/month (and that is a low estimate... it's closer to $2800) in mortgage if our home owners insurance is not included in that??? It was MY understanding that this was all included in the closing fees & that we were covered. Now we have to find money that we really don't have to pay something that I thought was paid previously. I can't stand this stress. No lie... I'm actually so stressed I am feeling chest pains.. I can't handle this. So when I tried to discuss this with Kevin, I get the same thing I always get, "I told you if you'd let me start my own business I could make lots of money & we'd be fine." Why doesn't he understand that I will not let him take the little savings that we have to keep us afloat & toss them away to insurance for a business that I feel will probably flop anyway???? We've talked about it before & I told him when I've finished school & I am teaching & making enough money that he can do what he needs to do & can try it on his own. I thought that was a decent compromise, but keep in mind, he has no business experience, no formal schooling on how to run a business... I feel like he is not realistic about this! His "friend" asked him if he was doing it on the side & he said, "No, my wife won't let me." So his "friend" said that was too bad b/c he had a few people that wanted their bathrooms done. So? Does that mean that they'd hire Kevin? No... not in my mind. And those few people... is what he makes from that going to be enough to pay for the baby's college & our monthly mortgage?? Espeically when you consider that he'd need to get business insurance & everything else.. NO! So why can't he just stop doing this to me? I feel like he's blaming ME that we aren't making more b/c if he just started his own thing it'd be all better. It is not fair to put that extra pressure on me. Right now I really feel like I'm about to snap & putting anything extra on me is not fair!!

I'm sorry I just yelled about all that. I've been trying to keep my posts a little more positive. It's been about a month since he's lost his job and he keeps forgetting to get the paper on Sundays & I am working my ass off & going to school & falling behind.. It is too much & I really don't think I can handle it anymore.. I gotta stop before I start bawling at work..

~Kristina

Some sad news... :(

2006-02-20T20:04:00.000-05:00

I just heard the news that one of my fellow Nesties is going through a possible miscarriage. :( I am so sorry Mrs BFW!! I feel so badly for you & your DH!! I hope you know that you are both in my thoughts & I am wishing you lots of luck that things turn out okay. ((HUGS))

I find that the girls on The Nest (as LP said) are such a great support group! It is funny how in my daily conversation with Kevin I might say, "Oh, this girl Christina who I talk to from the Nest..." or something about one of the gilrs comes out of my mouth. It feels really nice to have met such nice people with whom I can talk and share my experiences and feelings and get honest opinions and good advice back! For all of you who have followed me to my new blog & who have been so supportive and helpful through my last couple months of... stuf... thank you! I know I'm not always the most positive person lately & I'm not always the most active poster w/my comments on everyone's website but I try to read as much as possible & keep up with everyone's everything!

I really better get back to my paper that is due Thursday & I'm STILL writing @ 8:26 pm! Hang in there BFW~ we are all thinking about you & hoping for you!

~Kristina

A fun (but unproductive) day

2006-02-19T19:10:00.000-05:00

It always seems to get a little I have to give a lot. Today I had a fun day...but in exchange I got absolutely NOTHING accomplished which means I will spend tonight & all day tomorrow working on my homework. ::Sigh:: "Hi...My name is Kristina" (hi Kristina) "I am a procrastinator." The first step is admitting I have a problem; now over coming it is the next step.
So today instead of staying home & writing my paper, reading my texts, or any of the other 1,000,000 things I have to do, I went to the BIGGEST MALL I've ever seen in my life. Kevin & I went to the Bridgewater Mall because I finally had to break down & buy myself some maternity clothes! I'll be 18 weeks in on Tuesday & my baby is approximately 5 1/2" long & 7 oz so needless to say my belly is a bit bigger than before. I went to Mimi Maternity/Motherhood Maternity which is part of Pea in the Pod Maternity. I've always been a plus size girl (my pre-pregnancy size is about an 18/20) so it's never easy to find clothes for me & I figured that finding maternity clothes would not be any easier. I could've ordered online but I need something right away & wanted to be able to try them on rather than get something that didn't fit right & have to send it back & delay the whole process. The ladies that worked there were very nice & helpful. The store (it was one store w/2 sections & each section a different name) looked larger than it was but when I asked & pointed in the direction of the plus size clothes I was shown one rack about 6 feet long~ & that was it! Is it me or is a large percentage of the population "larger" than in the past? Why are there no clothes for bigger girls? And when you finally find some they aren't even cute? So I started looking & wandered off the small corner (that even Kevin commented was ridiculously small) & started looking at the 'regular' clothes that were size XL. I decided to give it a shot & try a pair of black stretchy pants on & to my surprise, they fit! I was pretty excited because it felt good to know I wasn't completely limited to that one rack that I first looked at & found NOTHING. I moved over & found some really cute maternity shirts too that were nice. And the best part was it was almost all on sale! I had a really good time picking out clothes & ended up with 2 pairs of 'work' pants to add to the 3 pairs I already have, a nice blue sweater w/a hood, 2 t-shirts, 1 long sleeve t-shirt, & a few button down shirts. Ok, so maybe I went over board but I was having so much fun! Lately I haven't felt like I looked pregnant, just F-A-T in my regular shirts & clothes that barely fit. When I put these on I feel like I look pregnant & I like how they feel. It was a definite ego boost which I really needed right now. I'll probably take some pix & post them. I'm not one for belly pics (my belly was never a favorite feature of mine..) but I would like to show progress of my changing body. One of these days I'll get around to it!

Well I really do need to get to that paper. I want it to be done this weekend & I haven't even started writing it! Hope you are having a nice weekend too.

~Kristina

My weekend begins!

2006-02-18T08:18:00.000-05:00

It is finally..FINALLY.. the weekend. Yea! Not that I can really say I'm going to have a "relaxing and fun" weekend. I have project upon project upon paper to finish for this up coming week of classes. At least this is a three day weekend & I should have more than enough time (knock on wood) to complete everything. Hence the early start... ugh lol.

Last night Kevin & I went to Applebees with the inital plan of dinner and a movie (we received movie passes from his brother for Christmas). We were going to see the new Pink Panther movie. Unfortunately, the wait for dinner was long enough to make us forget the plans for the movie, but we decided that we would go tonight so that I could get a break from homework & we don't get stuck inside all weekend. So I have something to look forward to tonight :) . We had a good dinner & conversation naturally turned to our baby's who's birth seems to be fast approaching. I started to tell him the things I've been thinking about lately just to get his laid-back nonchalant response, "It's gonna be cool!" What? LOL Come on! This is HUGE~ it deserves more than a "this is cool" remark. ::SIGH:: I know he understands the significance of what we are doing & what is coming but I think things have finally been setting in that for me that I am going to be a MOMMY. Not that I didn't know or that it was a sudden surprise, but things have been setting in~ how do people be know how to take care of an infant? I have a lot of experience with kids; babysitting all through high school, daycare in a gym for years, teachers aid in a preschool, and even a nanny for twin 4-year-old girls, but no real expierence with a newborn! It was strange for me to think about how in a few months (ok, 5 give or take) it is going to be me, Kevin, and OUR BABY! It won't be the two of us at night anymore, hanging out, watching tv, maybe having a drink or something... we'll have a BABY to take care of.. to feed.. to bathe.. to change... AAAHHHH! These are not things I haven't thought about, but I think it's finally begining to feel real and I'm a little scared. Ok, that's a bit of an understatement- I am scared. There's going to be a little life depending on me. That is a responsibility I've never taken on before (other than dogs or pets lol but this is a wee-bit different). I hope my "maternal instinct" kicks in because I really am scared.

Ok, well I think it is probably time for me to get down to business and do some serious homework. Hope you have a great weekend! ~Kristina

Can't wait for Friday to be over..

2006-02-16T10:35:00.000-05:00

What a week! I can't wait for this weekend to get here~ 3 day weekend! YEA! I really could use the break. It's been extra hard these last couple weeks going to school & working. I've found myself falling asleep on the couch every night by 9 p.m. & than not wanting to wake up in the morning . It is really taking its toll on my school work though.. that's the worst part. I keep falling further & further behind in the readings for my classes & I'm afraid it's really going to be tough when midterms roll around in a couple more weeks! I know the tiredness is my body telling me I need to rest but I know my classes will be telling me I fail if I don't get it together! I have a paper due next Thursday in my History of New Jersey class & a website due for my Technology & the Young Child due on Wednesday, & an interview due for my Disabled Person in American Society due Tuesday so my weekend is going to be spent working on things that I really should've already had mostly done, but haven't really been able to start! It's funny how all of my classes manage to assign projects that are due the very same week..

Now that I've gotten THAT kinda out of my system.. Valentines Day was really pretty nice . Kevin & I went out for dinner at TGIFriday's on Monday night since Tuesday I had class. I brought him his card & candy that night but he said he was waiting until V-day. So he came up & we had lunch together on Tuesday & he brought me a sweet card & some yummy chocolates . I left work at 3:45 to go to class & got a call as I was finally finding parking around 4:30 that FLOWERS had arrived too! Yeah, my Kevin was a sweetie this Vday.. & normally we don't do all that much so it was nice.

I better get back to work (that's me on the right lol).

~Kristina

Monday, Monday..

2006-02-13T12:29:00.000-05:00

Monday, Monday... Back to work.

What a snow storm we had this weekend! Apparently it was "the biggest snowfall on record" for the NY area. Our house was dumped on & we have probably around 20" and there's maybe 18" or so at my job. This morning coming in was really tough; it was like they barely plowed the main roads through my town & I was driving through a good couple inches of slippery slush until I go on the major highway. Actually many of the schools were closed this morning. One more reason I can't wait to starting teaching lol... Here are some pics I took

This is what my street looked like at 10:00am-ish~ hours before the snow even stopped!

Kevin finally got a chance to use the snow blower his parents gave him! Yeah, he was thrilled

This is my Roxie girl playing in the snow!

She was having a blast chasing her ball and "swimming" in the snow!

I have a bunch more.. if you want to take a look check them out at My Shutterfly Collection~ among other pics that I've taken & shared .

I made the appointment for my BIG ultra sound today! I am very excited- it is 3 weeks from today on March 6. Even though Kevin & I are waiting on finding out the sex I am dying to see how big our baby has gotten & make sure she/he is healthy. Hopefully I'll get all the blood test results this week from what they took on Friday. I just can't wait to see how it all turns on & see my baby again!

Weird.. I just got an IM from Kevin (he's at his first day of his new job and is IMing me from his cell phone). He said he's taking a break but doesn't know about this job. I asked him why but he said he has a bad feeling... I don't know why he was so vague.. I guess I'll have to wait until later. Honestly I'd prefer he didn't take this job anyway. He'll have to pay for gas & tolls to drive around the state plus wear his car down and put a lot of miles on it. We'll see what he says tonight..

Ok, well I better get back to work

~Kristina

Time for a change..

2006-02-11T08:50:00.000-05:00

So after all this time I've spent posting on The Nest I feel that it is definately time for me to move on to "bigger & better things".. ok not really, but I am tired of the same old set up on The Nest, not to mention that I've been getting a lot of junk comments from advertisers that were really starting to bug me. I don't know why they started, but they came out of the blue & I get them almost daily! So anyway here I am posting on my new blog, A day in my life. A little play on the title to the Beatles song "A day in the life". The Beatles are such a great band that I really love listening to whenever I want to relax and reflect, I figured that it was a suitable title for my new blog.

Last night I had my 16 week appointment at the doctor to check on the baby. It went VERY well & I was really happy to find out that the baby's heart beat is going strong! The beats were approximately 140-145 beats/minute, down from last months 156 beats/minute. She said this is because the heart is maturing and will be fully matured around 22 weeks and it is completely normal. She actually found it very quickly. Last time I was there at 12 weeks, she had some difficulty finding it but said that was because my uterus was still not popping out past my pelvis (sorry if TMI). I have definately grown since my last appointment (feelin it in my pants lol) & within five seconds I could hear the soft beating of my baby's heart! I can't describe how good it felt. It could've been the hormones, lol, but my eyes teared up. I glanced over at Kevin & he was smiling too. I brought up the home dopplers that many people are renting now & that I was interested in renting too... but she suggested that I wait until I'm further along and the baby is bigger b/c I don't want to freak myself out when I can't find the heart beat. I had more blood drawn (OUCH!) for a second round of testing for spina bifida, down syndrome, and other chromosomal defects. They also test & make sure my hemoglobin is normal & that I'm not becoming anemic. My health results will probably take a few days, but we should hear the other results in about a week or so (keep your fingers crossed for us!). She also gave me my prescription for my Level 2 ultrasound! I'll call to schedule that on Monday & it will probably be done between 19-20 weeks, she said. That's the BIG ultra sound where I can actually find out the sex & where the doctors will review the baby anatomically for any defects. I can't WAIT to see the baby again & we've decided NOT to find out the sex. We're working on names for now & will *hopefully* have a couple for boys & a couple for girls.

We just got back from taking our oldest dog, Blaize, to the vet. We found out he has lymes disease. We wanted a 2nd opinion since our old vet didn't give him any antibiotics. The vet told us that she would put him on medicine for 2 weeks & if he isn't sick from the medicine we can go back & get him his refill for another 2 weeks. I had been really pissed that our old vet (the one we used until we moved) didn't give us any medicine for him but this vet said that the doctors are split 50/50 over if they should immediately give medicine for lymes or wait until symptoms really appear. At this point we only have the positive for Blaize, but I felt that it would be better to treat him than let it go & hope nothing happens. We'll see.... $94 later.....

Kevin found a new job. (<--- notice the lack of !!). I am not sure how I feel about this. He is excited & sees potentioal to make good money, but I don't know. It is not the typical hourly paid job. It is a salesman for a company that does decks through the Home Depot's At Home Services. If he was paid regular hourly I might be ok, but he'll make commission only- no base salaray or pay... or if he didn't have to drive his own truck everywhere (paying for gas & tolls out of our pocket). But the fact is I'm afraid that he'll spend more $ driving around the state & not selling things than he will make. ::Sigh:: He wants my support & has actually asked me to give it a chance, but it is really hard. The stupid ad in the paper actually advertised making $85,000+/year. Ok, yeah. I'll believe it when I see it. I just told him to PLEASE prove me wrong. He starts on Monday with training. They are putting him into "advanced training" for the first week @ $7.50/hour. This will not even make as much as he did on unemployment. I am just worried & afraid. I wish he could understand that. I know he needs and wants to work, but I want to know that when it comes time for me to leave work & have the baby that we won't starve or anything...

Well, I better get going. Thanks for checkin out my new blog :) Will try to write later~

~Kristina

A Day in My Life

No more blogger?

I have such great internet friends :)

I have a new website!

Lots to think about...

Monday, Monday... or wait, it's Tuesday!

What type of amusement park ride are you?

I need motivation!

My weekend ritual...Avoiding homework!

A nice weekend!

What a wacky few days LOL

I'm back & feeling like **me** again!

Same old bullsh*t, different day

Ok, 3 posts in one day.. I am sooo damn bored!

Co worker HELL!

Just a Joke

We made a decision..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKIE!

And the verdict is in...........

I CAN'T WAIT FOR MONDAY!

What a busy week!

Majorly frustrated vent..

Some sad news... :(

A fun (but unproductive) day

My weekend begins!

Can't wait for Friday to be over..

Monday, Monday..

Time for a change..

I'm back & feeling like me again!