Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to my favorite peeps :) We had a nice low key night and I’m really looking forward to all the new and exciting things to come this year. I’ve never been one to make resolutions, I think it’s just silly. Also silly – how RIDICULOUSLY packed the gym is right now. Clearly a lot of people made the standard resolution to get in shape/lose weight. As of right now, I like getting bigger just fine – heehee.

I am sick again – I don’t know if it’s something going around in the office, but it’s really frustrating. I try not to be a whiner, but I am just SO tired and SO achy. Hopefully it passes soon. I still try to stretch and do some mild yoga, but when my nose is dripping everywhere, it just isn’t pretty.

For those of you that like to read, I just finished The Hunger Games Trilogy for the second time and honestly wanted to just restart it for a third. It is one of the best series I have read in a very long time. I forgot about certain parts and it just made the books that much better the second time around. I’ve joked with my friend Jenn saying the baby better come early or late because the movie is in theaters March 23rd (and I’m due March 17th). Hopefully I’ll get the chance to see it.

Things are pretty low key for us, I’m trying to make very little plans and just relax for the next few months. It is AMAZING how few people I talk to (or talk to me), and I have to admit I kind of like it. It’s helping me realize who my true friends are. The less stress and aggravation I have, the better, and I’m really enjoying the quiet time. I got rid of Facebook in August, before announcing I was pregnant – I didn’t want unsolicited “advice” and comments from people, and with so many supposed "friends" on there, I knew it would be incredibly annoying.

Something else I thought of - you know how people always say "well when they had kids, they changed?" Well it is true, and I have to admit, I like the change that is coming. True friends are your friends no matter what, yes it gets harder to hang out or make plans when children are in the picture, but it's a simple effort to be made if you really care about a person. (and I'm saying this not even having a baby yet!)

Nick set up the nursery!! It's still a work in progres, but the crib, changing table, and glider are all put together and it looks amazing. I give him major credit for doing it all in one day - he is amazing. We are waiting on things like the mattress, changing pad, etc., so once it's all together I will post pics.

Also, exciting news - we bought a car yesterday and we’re picking it up tonight. I have had my Lancer since 2002- It only has about 85,000 miles on it. The reason we “upgraded” is because the Lancer is terrible in the snow and does not test well in crash ratings. I obviously need something safer and that has a bit more room with the babe on the way. I’m not a person that’s into “fancy” stuff (unless we count expensive body scrubs, heehee), but we got a great deal on a 2009 Nissan Rogue. It is bright blue which I love, and it was a lease so it was very well maintained. I really liked the way it drove, just like a car, and was surprised how instantly comfortable I was driving it. We know several people that have them and we have heard very good things.

Also, congratulations to Nick's cousin Bobby and his wife Melanie for welcoming their beautiful daughter, Addison Paige, last week. She is a perfect little peanut and I can't wait to meet her. Everyone is healthy and doing well.

xoxo

Dexter Strikes..

Just a hilarious pic I took of Dexter- if you have a smartphone, you can follow me on Instagram (cdrista215)

Other then when he was a baby and took a few nibbles out of a table leg, he has never ever chewed anything he isn't supposed to...until now:

We refer to this as Dexter's crime scene (for anyone that doesn't know,our dog is named after the show on Showtime). Here's our theory as to what happened - you know, because he's normally an angel ;) There were two snowman that sat on the landing of our stairs - Dexter got a new bone and some toys for Christmas, he likes to flip them up in the air and I think he did that near the snowman, it fell on him, and he freaked out and tore it apart. That's the version of the story we're going with anyway. Although, he was eyeballing the other one so I put it away and hopefully spared it's life.

Christmas 2011

Christmas was so much fun this year - mellow, low key, and I was quite spoiled (definitely enjoyed that...considering next year I won't exist anymore :)

I've been good about keeping my blood sugar under control, I treated myself to a sliver of cake on Christmas Eve and my sugar went through the roof, so I know I definitely have an issue. I had to go to a class yesterday and another Tuesday, but have been doing really well so I'm happy about that. I have good days and bad, but I know the babe and I will be just fine. :)

Here are some pics from the holiday- The ones of me in front of the tree are counting as the 28 week baby bump. I'm officially in my last trimester - woohoo! Only about 11 weeks to go!

Dexter & the Tree

Sparkly!

Nick and I on Christmas Eve at Auntie Marlene's house

Me & the tree on Christmas Eve (28 weeks!)

Nick and I at Auntie Diane's

Baby Liam, born in November - so adorable - he just looked around and smiled at everyone, such a good baby. (Courtney & Nick's cousin Bryan's son)

Giraffe ornament I picked up in Mexico

Happiest babe on the planet, Quinton

2 days til Christmas!

So far the blood sugar testing has gone perfectly - it hasn't been over 100 since Thursday (which is a good reading). It's still overwhelming, but I will of course do whatever it takes to be sure that the baby and I are healthy. I'm trying different combos of food to see what does/doesn't affect the number as well...it's almost...fun? :)

I went to a new hair dresser last night and chopped off my hair. I'm not sure why I didn't go to my own hair dresser, I guess I just wanted to try something new. Here's the pics...

Before:

What I was going for:

And what I ended up with:

Here's a few with me and Dex:

I don't really love the cut, as it's about two inches shorter than what I was going for. But it's just hair, it'll grow back. It was certainly easy to style this morning.

I have a full day at work today and I think we're exchanging gifts on my team. Our boss always gets us something great and my two team mates always give me thoughtful gifts - so I'm really looking forward to it :) We also got to wear jeans today which is marvelous!

Hope everyone is doing well and going too crazy with the holidays so close.

xoxo

Why I love my brother's husband

Yes, you read that right :) Erik told Joe about my latest development and this is what he wrote to me:

Good morning- Erik told me the latest news- I am thinking about you and I know you will handle this with a perfect blend of finding all the best information and your own intuition-That plus all the love that is coming your way will be an unbeatable combination- much love

Wham-O!

Well, apparently I got too cocky with this whole “great pregnancy” thing. I failed my first glucose test on Monday and went through the three hour test this morning, only to find out I have gestational diabetes. Honestly, I’m ok with it and I’ll do whatever I have to do, but the woman that called me to tell me was incredibly condescending and really upset me. She basically made it out to be like I was a lazy slob who sat around and ate sugar all day. She gave me crap about not going to a diabetes class TOMORROW, and acted as if I wasn’t taking this seriously. I wish I had caught her name because I would mention it to the office the next time I was there. Honestly, I love my doctor’s office and have had nothing but good experiences until this woman called me.

I now have to check my blood sugar level 4 times a day and see the doctor every week until the end of my pregnancy. I know in the grand scheme of things this is very small, but it is still pretty upsetting.

Sorry for the not fun update this close to the holidays!

xoxo

Christmas is Coming!

I'm so excited that Christmas is just a week away. Today I'm also at 27 weeks, so I'm just about ready to head into my third trimester. It really is crazy how fast time has gone by! I am feeling great, I love the way I look, and I feel very lucky to have had virtually no problems whatsoever. I have noticed I'm getting tired a little easier, but that's certainly nothing to complain about. Plus, it also takes a few tries to get my socks and shoes on, but thankfully I can enlist Nick's help for that :)

Nick is currently painting what will be the nursery. We're having the carpet replaced in the room in early January and then we can really get everything together. We already have the crib, changing table (thanks Dad!), glider (thanks Mom!), valances, mobile, lamp, bedding (thanks Drista Mom!), and some other fun items (thanks friends, you know who you are!) so we'll have a nice little set up very soon.

Here's a few recent pics

Taken on 12/13, the day of my work Christmas Party

Maggie, Me & Brooke at Brunswick for the FCC party, bowling! People were SO surprised that I bowled...I felt like saying I'm not broken, just pregnant!

Relaxing..although Dexter doesn't really seem to be into it.

Dexter with Duncan's marrow bone

Me, Caroline, and Danielle - I ADORE these girls. Nick took a bunch of pics, half of which had a shadow across them because his hand was over the flash. We were out until about midnight...and my normal bed time is 8:30 ish. I was tired the next day, but it was well worth it. They're already planning a huge summer 'Crystal comeback' bash for when I'm able to have a cocktail again ;)

xoxo