Bed Rest and Bobbles

Bed rest is going well.  Boring but when I'm monitored at labor and delivery myself and Violet are looking good so that is the most important thing.  I'm doing all I can to keep us both healthy for as long as possible.

In some other good news in the last three weeks at all of my appointments my weight is staying right about the same.  I'm pretty impressed that with just being home all the time that my weight hasn't shot up 10 or so pounds.  

I also finished my first craft project since being on bed rest.  It's another project idea from Pinterest so I'm proving it's not just a colossal waste of time.  LOL!

Here is the link on Pinterest, Bobble Blanket.

Pin It

Make a List Monday

Anyone who has known me for awhile knows that I am a sucker for any type of list.  Therefore I am jumping on Robyn's Nest bandwagon and participating in Make a List Monday.  Even though it's technically Tuesday here now (thank you bedrest for making me become a night owl).

The category for Make A List Monday is: Places you would like to visit in the world again or for the first time.  It can be a Country, State, City, Park, place of interest, amusement park, or whatever you are interested in visiting.

1. England

My great-grandmother was from England and I have always felt a pull to England and the culture there.

2. Disneyland

I have been to Disney World in Florida many, many times but never to California and to Disneyland.  I want to walk where Walt Disney did.  

3. Australia

My grandfather was in Australia for a time during World War II and he always told me stories and talked about the Koalas when I was little.  I really want to go there someday and hold a Koala.

4. Paris

I took French all through High School and then two years in college.  I need to go to Paris, not that I really remember a word of it but still.  I want to go and of course while I'm there I will visit Disneyland Paris.  

5. Wyoming

I know, it's random.  Years and years ago I read about this bar in Wyoming where the barstool is an actual saddle.  How freaking cool is that?  I want to go.

6. Washington DC

I still can't believe I have never been to DC.  I've wanted to go for years and years but I have just never made it.  Someday!

7. A Broadway Show

I have never been to NYC and I must must MUST see a show on Broadway someday.

Bedrest for Me

Last week my doctor put me on bedrest due to pregnancy induced hypertension.  They ran a bunch of tests, monitored me in labor and delivery, did an ultrasound, basically the works.  Right now the only symptom I have is the high blood pressure but they are monitoring me pretty closely, they are worried about me developing preeclampsia.

The good news is that I'm doing great besides the high blood pressure and that Violet is doing an awesome.  In our ultrasound yesterday she was measuring a little over 4lbs.  Bottom line is that I'm on bedrest pretty much until the end so no work, no shopping which means I'm pretty much going crazy with boredom.  But hey, I'm going to do what I have to do to keep Violet and myself healthy.

The doctors also assure me it is not because of my weight that I developed the high blood pressure, it just happens to some people during pregnancy.  My numbers weren't this high even before band surgery.  

My days pretty much consist of sleeping, reading and watching tv with a little bit of crafting thrown in.  I am starved for conversation as Marc works two jobs so I am alone a lot of the time.  It's hard but I know I will make it.

This is a quick blog post as I wanted to get this update out and I'm trying to make myself sleepy enough for bed so I don't toss and turn and keep Marc up.  

Violet's Room

I just want to acknowledge all the sweet comments from my last post.  You all made me feel so much better.  I just want to enjoy these last 9 weeks of pregnancy and not worry so much about the weight.  I mean, make good choices but not worry so much.

Thank you!

My mom and dad came down on Saturday and helped us decorate Violet's room.  I think it looks pretty darn good.  I'm very happy with the way it turned out.  My vision came to life so to speak.

My mom bought this antique baby buggy when I was born and she used to push me around in it.  

The mobile I made.

My mom made this bubble quilt with no pattern, we saw it online and she figured it out!

My sister-in-law's mom made this quilt for Violet.

The changing table was rescued from my Aunt's storage unit, it was a yucky brown and my mom painted it  It turned out great!

This sign was inspired from Pinterest.  I guess it's not a complete waste of time!  :)

I still have a few things I'm working on for her room, just haven't had the time to finish them.  My in-laws are also buying us a chair once we find time to actually pick one out that we like.  

9 weeks!  Eek!

Spiffed Up and No More Weight Gain!

Have you checked out my new spiffy banner up top?  It's not a whole lot of change, just a few little touches like the book, the yarn and needle and of course a touch of Disney magic with Mary Poppins.  I think it really helps convey that this blog is not just about weight loss but my life during and after band surgery.

Jen from Just Foolin Blog Designs does such a great job! 

 

I have my 30 week appointment tomorrow and I am absolutely dreading it.  I'm worried about what the scale is going to say.  It isn't pretty folks.  Before I got pregnant I had every intention of maintaining my weight loss and not gaining a boat load of weight.  HA!  In fairness to myself, breaking my foot in three places really did put a damper on my exercising during my first and second trimesters.  I was just cleared to exercise again right before Christmas.  Combine no exercising with all day nausea for all of August and September, well....my mindset was completely thrown away from weight loss and maintaining my weight. 

 

I just need to get out of my own way and eat healthier.  It's been a busy few months for Marc and I, we've been eating take-out a lot and not cooking a whole lot.  Plus, I am craving junk plain and simple and I'm indulging in it far too much.  I wasn't worried about it until the last few weeks.  I don't want to ruin all my progress from the 100lbs I lost.  Not that I was at that lowest weight when I became pregnant, for June and July I kinda floated along not actively losing and settling into bad habits.  Which has pretty much continued since then.

 

I really want to detox myself from the crap and if not completely detox then start eating better portion sizes.  I need to get back into the swing of things no matter how tired I am or how much I want that taco bell or whatever.  I still have two more months until my due date and I'd really love it if I didn't gain any more weight until then.  Tomorrow morning I will pull out the scale and mark down my weight and try to stay at that or lower for the rest of pregnancy.  I know I can do it.  I have gained far too much so far.

 

There is a difference though, I don't feel completely hopeless with this weight gain.  In my head it is temporary, I know I can lose it again because I have lost it before.  Does that make sense?  I know that with the habits I started last year with exercise and such will only get better after I have Violet.  I know that they need to be a part of my daily routine.  It took me almost 2 years after surgery to realize that exercise is a must for me and I still have that mentality.  I think that is a big hurdle that I won't have to overcome again.

 

I think it's hard being pregnant and having a band.  You have all these changes to your body and yet you are still trying to maintain your band/weight loss.  I haven't had any fill taken out during the pregnancy.  I have been able to keep my fill level which makes me happy, I won't have to start from the beginning with fills after I have Violet.  Yet I have been able to eat around it which isn't a good practice to get into. 

 

The bottom line is that I know I can lose it again and continue to lose.  I've started to think about my goal weight for after pregnancy.  I haven't settled on a number yet but I'm thinking about it and I think that is good.  I'm not in denial that I still have a lot to lose.  I know I can do this!

Baby Shower Pictures

On Saturday I had my first baby shower.  I'm having one on each side of the family.  My mom's was first and she did an awesome job decorating.  Violet is one lucky little girl.

I think I finally look pregnant.

This is Gumdrops, my teddy bear.  He was in the hospital with me when I was born.

My mom painted the changing table, made the puff quilt and crocheted the blanket.   I made the bird mobile though it is still not quite finished.

Antique baby buggy that my mom bought when I was a baby.  It will hold Violet's stuffed animals in her room.

Violet Jane Banner.  Marc & my Dad relaxing before the shower.

Beautiful flowers

Beautiful and delicious cupcakes

Top 11 Books of 2011

This list took me a lot longer to create than I thought it would.  Picking my top books is like trying to pick who gets on the lifeboats on the Titanic.  It's just not easy!

My friend Jackie has a wonderful blog, A Life Tangled with Books  and her top 11 of 2011 list inspired me to do my own.  A lot of times when I'm reading I think of Jackie because I want her to read the book I'm reading or she was the one who recommended it to me.  She is my book buddy and I love that I have her for great reading suggestions.

Let's get on with my Top 11 Books of 2011. 

Mind you, these are in no particular order because I couldn't possibly pick only 11 books and then put them in order as to how much I love them.

Pssst...if you click on the pictures of the books it will bring you to their Amazon page.

The Baby Planner by Josie Brown

Katie makes her living by being a "baby consultant" by helping new moms plan their nursery to helping with the latest gadgets, whatever they need she helps them with.  Yet her own husband is adamant they don't have any children of their own.  This is a fun. light read and I enjoyed every minute of the book.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

This is one of those books where you just can't put it down until you finish it.  I think I read it in less than 24 hours and let me tell you, I was glad I was not home alone.  The story is told by the main character Annie who is telling her therapist about the year she was held captive in a remote mountain cabin.  This is an amazing story that leaves you guessing and since then I have read Chevy Steven's second book Never Knowing and I'm impatiently waiting for her third.

The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly

This book centers on Lulu and her two sisters who are descendants of Jo March from Little Women.  It's neat to imagine Jo March having relatives and I really liked this story.  Poor Lulu feels like the failure of her family until she finds letters from Jo March in her mother's attic.  It's just one of those heartwarming stories you like to read.

Soulless by Gail Carriger

I read this book in December and before the end of the year I had read all four books in the series.  I could not put these books down.  They are cross between The Pink Carnation Series by Lauren Willig and the Lady Emily series by Tasha Alexander with a dash of Twilight.  Simply amazing.  I highly recommend the entire series.  The fifth book is coming out in March I believe and I can't freaking wait.

Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

I fell in love with Jennifer Weiner's writing way back when her first book "Good in Bed" came out in 2001.  I have read all of her books over the years and she is one of those authors who inspires me to write my own book.  I just relate to her writing and characters.  I have lost count how many times I have read "Little Earthquakes".  I read it when it first came out and I bet I read it at least once a year.  The story is about three women who are as different as can be from each other who become friends while pregnant.  I decided to re-read this book again since I'm pregnant and even though I know what happens I love reading it again and again.

One Day by David Nicholls

I think the description of this book on Amazon is the best way to describe it, this book is a great read and the movie is not even half as good as the book.

"It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day—July 15th—of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself."

 

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen is one of those authors that I eagerly await her next book.  I check Amazon, waiting for that day when the release date is posted.  (Kristin Hannah, Lauren Willig, Jennifer Weiner, Tasha Alexander and Jodi Picoult are a few that I wait for).  I have read all of Klassen's books and I love them all.  Mariah Aubrey is banished to an abandoned gatehouse on the edge of relatives property after a scandal and she supports herself by writing novels.  Of course a love interest is introduced and not only that but the old gatehouse holds it's own secrets.  Very good and if you like historical fiction at all I highly recommend this book and her others.

Angelina's Bachelors by Brian O'Reilly

I'm a big fan of the Food Network and this book is written by a Food Network producer and cookbook author.  All through the book there are recipes that were created by his wife.  Angelina is the main character of the book and she is suddenly widowed and finds herself without a job.  Slowly she starts to support herself by cooking for the bachelors of her close knit South Philly neighborhood.  It's a sweet book and worth a read.  I found it at Target, I just love finding books at Target.  They have a great selection.

The Radleys by Matt Haig

This was another Target find and I'm so glad I picked it up.  The Radleys are like any other normal English family except they are vampires and not only that, the parents Peter and Helen have kept the fact that they are vampires hidden from their two children Rowan and Claire.  It is smart vampire fiction if you will, more adult than teen.  Also, the writer has mentioned that he could see himself writing more about the Radleys and I sincerely hope he does.

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

I think the description on Amazon does this book better justice than I could.  It's one of those books that you know is not going to be all sunshine and rainbows but you just can't help reading it anyways.

"Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.
Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk."

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

One of my all time favorite books is written by Kristin Hannah, "Winter Garden" read it if you haven't, trust me.  The point is that I always read her books when they come out.  Night Road did not disappoint.  Three teenagers make a decision that will change their lives and their families lives forever.  I love how Kristin Hannah smoothly transitions through the different voices of her characters.  It is truly a must read book.

I hope you have enjoyed by Top 11 Books of 2011, I've enjoyed looking over my list of books read and remembering all the great ones .