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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Lovin' Sunny California....

....Wow, hard to believe that I've been in Cali a whole week already!  We have 5 days left before we return to reality....the weather has been fabulous and I've been lucky enough to eat pretty consistently and only threw up twice...once very aggressively and once not so dramatically...I finally got to eat at the Famous In and Out Burger...and it was....soooooooooooooooo good!!!  There are still a few hot spots that Gregg and I are hoping to hit before our vacation is over...my nieces are soooo cute and so well behaved...they are such angels...my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are so lucky to have such cuties for daughters!  They must be so proud!  It was great to spend some time w/Gregg's dad...he was here for the first few days of the vacation and it was great to see him spending time w/his sons...an opportunity that doesn't come around too often...It was also so nice to be able to finally share our pregnancy news w/the whole family!!! Phew!  I really hated keeping it a secret but we wanted to make sure we were at the lowest risk stage as we didn't want to disappoint any family members if we'd have to retract our news...

...I'm feeling kinda sluggish at the moment...it was hard adjusting to the 3-hour time difference...and I'm just plain tired all the time...ugh.  We went to Knott's Berry Farms Soak City yesterday and even though I couldn't really take part in the water rides, it was nice to be able to lay out and just...be.  We are so fortunate that my sister-in-law, Nary has a niece named Kaylee that Vanessa was able to become friends w/last year and they are like 2 peas in a pod when they are together...so we are very lucky that Vanessa has a buddy for when we visit...and it's cute cuz Vanessa tells everyone they are cousins...lol.

...Today we took the girls to Barnes and Nobles to look around ...I forgot how much I loved being in there!  So many books and interesting stuff...and later we will take the girls to see Kung Fu Panda 2 at the movie theater...I'm already devising how I'm gonna sneak the popcorn and soda into the theater...hmmm...I just can't believe how much they charge?!  It's like...highway robbery...totally raping the public...way overpriced food for no good reason other than to turn a profit....talk about greed...ugh.

...Anyways, I just wanted to update on the trip....thus far.  I can't believe I'm finally 12 weeks and starting my 2nd trimester!!!  Woohoo!  It's so exciting...before coming here, last week I weighed myself...I was 105 lbs...I actually lost 1 lb from throwing up...I weighed myself on Monday...I was 109 lbs...and then yesterday I weighed myself again and I'm now 110...my bottoms are definitely tightening up...I'm gonna need that bellyband soon lol...and pre-pregnancy, my waist was about 24-25 inches and now it is measuring 30 inches lol.....I am starting to get a bit of a tiny bump...I'm widening at the sides and rounding out...I think this is the fun part when you start to show...yet we all know once we're in our 8th month or so...we hate how we feel and how our bodies look...so I will just revel and relish this while I can before I can't stand it anymore, lol.

me and baby gia, how sweet is she?? :)

family in california, truly a fun group!



...That is it for now, hope all is well and take care til next time!  Hugs!

Elise_Is_PG

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis

Ok...so..this is just a very quick blip of a blog...but...I have been "stalking" Tracy Anderson via YouTube and online for a few months now.  I accidentally discovered her when I googled fitness routines to stay lean and slim and up came her name....She personally trains many celebrities like Madonna, Kelly Ripa, Shakira, Molly Sims and Gwyneth Paltrow...which is also co-owner of Tracy Anderson's business....I like a good workout but only if it keeps me fit and lean...I don't want to bulk up or get rockhard abs as I personally believe women should still be shapely and soft YET fit...Her method works your accessory muscles and using low impact weights so that you build your strength throughout and don't bulk up...gotta love it!  She even has a post pregnancy video which I am totally going to get...she herself gained I believe 60 lbs with her pregnancy and she is a tiny mini gal...google her on YouTube and you'll see she is a ball of energy and her method may seem a bit...unconventional...but it works...hope you gals give it a shot and try it out!

Tracy Anderson Method

Tracy Anderson on YouTube

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Half way there.....

....It was a pleasant surprise when my mom called me early Sunday morning...she wanted to know if I was free for lunch as she and my dad were coming to Philly for their monthly sewing supplies and asian market shopping excursion...Gregg was diligently working on re-vamping our bedroom closet but said he should be done in time to go eat...so I happily obliged...:)  My parents came and we sat and chatted it up for a bit..catching up on gossip and just overall updates on what was going on w/everyone...I wasn't sure if I was going to tell them I was pregnant....YET...only because I had planned on telling both sides of the family on Friday...but I don't see my parents in the flesh often so I figured it was only a week away so might as well spill the beans....

...My dad was very happy and immediately said he hopes I have a baby boy, lol...he said he needs a boy in the household...he has always been surrounded by women...lol...but would welcome a healthy baby no matter what the gender...and my mom was just concerned w/how I was feeling and just reminding me not to be stressed and to take things slllllllllllloooooooooooooowwww....I showed her the ultrasound pix and they both seemed genuinely concerned and excited about the news...I only wish I could've shared it with my sister too but I am sure my mom will fill her in when the time is right.

...We are only 2 days away from leaving for Cali and let me tell you...I am soooooooooo psyched for this trip!  I am excited to get away...to meet my new twin nieces who will be 6 or 7 months old and to eat...hopefully I can eat anyways...God willing that I won't get sick on the plane and that I will be able to keep my food down...otherwise I am going to have a miserable 10 days there...oye!  I will also be excited to share the news w/Gregg's side of the family so it can just all be out in the open already...I know I keep talking about this...but I can't stress enough how hard it's been to keep this under wraps...

...Meanwhile...Baby Davis is definitely reminding me that he/she is still in there...as I am throwing up and dry heaving like the best of them, boo.  My daughter is totally on board w/this pregnancy and just loves referring to my belly as "Baby Davis" or "Baby Davis Junior"...we are already acting like it's a boy so it must be true, lol.

...I have been so at a standstill w/my "career" shall we say...in and out of jobs...totally discontent and trying to find my footing...so many options and opportunities...I think I am definitely going to sit for my real estate exam end of the summer...I already took the course but never took the exam so I figure the exam isn't much so might as well try...I would also like to look into becoming a stylist for Stella and Dot as I LOVE their jewelry and would love to do something fun like that...while adding statement pieces to my wardrobe...

...Over the last year, I've had ALOT of time to reflect about my life and where it's been and where I'd like it to be in the next 5 years...and there is definitely much to do to bring those dreams and desires to fruition...I never knew that I wanted to be a MOM so much until I had my daughter and figured I would always want a family but that my career would be first priority...yet I'm realizing that family means more to me than career...I enjoy working but only if it provides me the flexibility and benefits of being accessible to my family...

...I've been compiling a list of links that I will soon post related to all things Mommy, Baby and Health and Beauty so hopefully you will appreciate some of the resources and information I share with you!

...This was a bit of a random posting...just kinda remembered I wanted to share so...here it is, lol.  Again, thank you for your continued interest in my blog and for being a subscriber...until next time!  Have a great night!

Elise_Is_PG

Friday, June 10, 2011

Pregnancy Calendar and updates..

...Thanks to a fellow blogger and also Baby Center board friend, Pam Kuntz...she introduced me to the EHD website that shows you real life images and videos of babies in utero at every stage of development throughout pregnancy...it is really cool!  I have signed up and you can go to the website here:
Elise and Gregg Pregnancy Calendar and the security code is: "Baby Davis"...and you can track our pregnancy along with us!

...Yesterday was brutal to say the least...I was sick and nauseous the whole damned day and laid around virtually the whole day which I hate when that happens...I feel so useless when that happens..ughhhhhh.  I was fortunate enough to get my hair done, yey for that...but I did feel crappy the whole time I was there...boo.

...Today was my last day at my RE office and it was so bittersweet to hand out cards to everyone.  I will be back to visit them so we shall see how it goes...Lauren, my acupuncturist came over and I gave her quick pedicure and then after that I gave my hubby one too, lol...he needed a little pampering..he's been doing so much this week with cleaning and cooking and all of that...so I thought it'd be nice and then after him, I gave myself a quick pedicure too!  I was just...totally into them this morning, lol.


...Thankfully, today, I am feeling so much better so I am hoping to get some things done just so that I am back to normal a bit and tonight will be my last progesterone shot, yey!!!!  I can't wait for the shots to be OVER, lol.

...The weather is ALOT better today too so hopefully the weekend won't be so humid and hot.  Enjoy your weekend everyone and talk more soon next week....

Elise_Is_PG

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Totally goofed at the Manakeesh Cafe....lol.

....So Gregg is now officially done at his job and is home so he was able to go w/me to pick up Vanessa from school today. She actually got dismissed early since their school has NO AC and will also get dismissed early tomorrow as well.  I can't imagine that they will be able to make it until June 21st unless the temps drop significantly as today was about 96 degrees and tomorrow is projected to be 101 degrees, Holy Texas!  So hot! Scorching hot....craziness.

...After picking Vanessa up, gregg had suggested trying this new place called Manakeesh.  It is a lebanese-fusion food cafe and they have awesome flatbreads, halal, vegetarian dishes and desserts.  It was our first time there and being pregnant, I wanted to make sure I knew what was in the food...so as I was asking the counter guy about the varying dishes...I COMPLETELY forgot that Vanessa was there...and when the counter guy asked me if I was picky about what I ate, I responded, "No, I'm pregnant...so..." and then Gregg gave me this look and I was totally oblivious and kinda snapped because I was like..."What? I just want to make sure I know what I am eating!" and then the counter guy was like, "Wow!  You're pregnant, congratulations!" and then it dawned on me that I totally just spilled the beans in front of Vanessa....how completely absent-minded I was and so clueless.  So I turned to Vanessa and was like, "Oh!  yeah...I'm pregnant!" and she just looked up at me...shocked...like..OMG!  She was like, "Really?!!! Yeyyyyy!" and then she hugged me...I had to chuckle...Gregg was just surprised I let it slip.  I told her that I totally ruined everything...not meaning to sound bad....but I had planned to tell her in a very special way...with a book and all that...but I guess it was meant to happen...unexpectedly...the moment was definitely memorable and she is very excited!

I'm actually sooooooooooooooo RELIEVED that Vanessa knows now, lol....I sooooooooo hated keeping the secret from her.  Gregg made sure to reiterate that something could still happen further along in the pregnancy as we truly don't want her to be sad if it did happen yet we let her know that I was definitely past the most sensitive period...I am excited that I can talk about it in front of her now and we can start planning for the baby!!!  It will be so much fun getting ready for everything and knitting the hats and booties for the baby.  I have 2 more days of shots and patches and my last visit w/the fertility office and then....onward and upward to my regular OB.



So anyways...that's the update for now until I have more news!  I'm just happy my daughter now knows because she is the very best part of me and I am happy to share this moment with her!

I still have yet to tell my family and we will tell Gregg's family while we are in California visiting.  I think they will get suspicious when 1- I'm not drinking alcohol and 2- I'm vomiting in between meals...it may cause them to ...wonder so better to get it out of the way...lol. Also with my own family...my mom's birthday is June 16th, on the day that we are leaving for Cali so I will mail out my mom's birthday card and insert the picture of the ultrasound to announce to my parents and sister that I am pregnant...I would really like to call them up but our relationship has been a bit off and on lately...and I really don't want to hear the "negativeness" in her voice...she might be happy, she might not...I dunno...it's bittersweet really...since...I think she really would rather I pursue law school first...but life happens...and I've really wanted this for a long time too...I love being a mommy....and it's just the path I've chosen to take ...for now.  I know she wants the best for me and she can choose to celebrate it any way she chooses...I really hope she gets excited...but I won't put too much expectation on it...because everyone chooses to express their feelings differently...and I am OK with that.

I would really like to share this w/my little sister...but she has alot going on and has to focus on her life as well.  Hopefully we will get to talk soon....

Well anyways, until next time, Stay Chill and out of the heat!

Elise_Is_PG

Monday, June 6, 2011

Early Ultrasound Scans

Just wanted to share my early ultrasound scans.  It's amazing how much development happens in just a week!  The first pic is taken at 6 weeks and 6 days and the second pic was taken at 7 weeks and 6 days...I can't wait for my 20th week ultrasound since I will be able to bring Vanessa to that appointment and it'll just be crazy cool to share that experience as a family!

1st at 6w6d

2nd at 7w6d

Friday, June 3, 2011

Updates, graduation to regular OB, partying in the OCMD and revelations...

....Wow!  It's been almost 2 weeks since my last post???  How did THAT happen?  I'm such a Chatty Patty so it's baffling that I went so long in between postings.....lol....I guess I must have been actually busy? Holy Cannoli, lol.

...So anyways, to catch up on updates....things w/the pregnancy have been coming along exceptionally well....I am now 9 weeks today...and have had 2 ultrasounds...both of which were on par and on time for the date.  It is still so surreal to me that I am actually pregnant and at the end of the month, I can FINALLY "let the cat out of the bag" and make the official announcement that we are pregnant!  That will be such a weight off...it's hard keeping a secret...especially from your family...but I don't want to get their hopes up only to burst their bubble....especially w/what happened last year...it was so sad and I wouldn't want to put anyone through it again....

...Next Friday will be my LAST day of doing progesterone injections in "my arse" and I will get to stop the Vivelle Dot Estrogen patches...thank the good Lord for that too!  Holy Jimeney Crickets...by next Friday, I would've had about 60 injections in both of my a$$ cheeks...well actually the upper outer gluteous muscle, ehhhhh same difference it's still in my arse...and if you could see them now...they are a black and blue spotted pin cushion...not sexy at all...lol....but anything is worth it to have a healthy baby...literally I will do anything that I am able to do...

....Next Friday will also be my last final visit at the fertility specialist's office....for the past 10 weeks...I have been getting bloodwork done every Friday....because of my IVF Protocol....those that trigger with Lupron before the egg retrieval also have to do 8 weeks worth of blood work to monitor your hormone levels which I am happy worked out that way.  The more visits I get w/the doctor, the more happier I was because they knew my progress weekly and if anything went wrong, they were more able to pinpoint the problem because of seeing me so regularly.  I know that anyone trying to get pregnant can't help but get paranoid about the varying things that can go wrong...especially after you've been trying for so long or if you have past miscarriages....I feel so blessed that...I was out of work during this time and was able to dedicate 110% to the process and I really think that had a hand in the success of everything working out so well....still keepin' my fingers crossed every day...it is...truly amazing!

My RE, Dr.Kalra
...I decided to change my OB-Gyn as my original OB-Gyn is no longer at the practice that I went to.  She was amazing and I loved her so much but her hubby got an awesome offer in Syracuse, NY so they moved.  I stayed on in the past year but really don't feel comfortable w/the other doctors in the practice...so I recently ...changed to another really great office that is a few blocks away...and was referred by the receptionist at the fertility office as she is also going there...since she is newly pregnant and my RE, Dr. Kalra said that it's predominately an all women practice which I like...and she knew my other doctor personally and said that I should love this office as they are much like my past doctor...so I am excited.  I missed the ball and didn't schedule my 10 week visit early enough and they weren't able to get me in before my vacation to Cali so I will have to see them after 4th of July which will be my 14th week...It will be a welcomed break to not have any bloodwork done or any doctor's visit for 3 weeks and it's exciting as I know by then, alot of development will have already happened and Vanessa will already know so I can discuss so much with her at that point, so it is too cool!

...So last week was Memorial Weekend and my husband and I went to the OC in MD to "party" with my friend Miguel and his family of friends, cousins and siblings.  Apparently this is an annual thing they do every year and this was the 8th year that they've done it.  Honestly, I was initially totally dreading it since being pg and not being able to drink....I was thinking it wouldn't turn out well that I'd be surrounded by alot of drunkeness and retarded humor...fortunately, my girlfriend, Raleyshah was also on the trip and I did know most of the other people there, it turned out to be a great time!  I have to say, I was quite a trooper walking around all over, riding the bus w/the drunken stupid and witnessing all the crazy insanity that was around me.  All of my friends gave me high fives and pats on the back for being such a trooper and they are truly a great group of friends so I had an awesome time.  It's true what they say...if you're in the right company, any time will be a great time even if you're not doing anything, it's still something interesting, lol.  I have a ton of pictures I was plannin' to upload to FB, but for whatever reason, I am "convinced" that I look pregnant in them...I don't look heavy or pregnant in the belly but something about my face or demeanor seems "off" and I feel like there could be a chance someone could notice it so...I'm not taking that chance...I will post them after June 24th when it's out...but for those of you following this blog...I will post some here:


...What was really cool about the whole weekend was...last Wednesday, I went to see my acupuncturist and literally...had vomitted my whole morning's worth of food and drink before going to see her...UGH UGH UGH...totally gross...and I told her and she decided to focus my treatment on my gastrointestinal tract and all that other stuff....I hadn't really put much thought into the treatment at the time...but seriously...I was throwing up and nauseous for almost 2 weeks up to that point and then suddenly...that Thursday, I was nauseous but didn't throw up and then the entire weekend down in OC, I ate everything and anything and was able to keep it all down without nausea!!!!  Can I get an "AMEN!" and "Hallejuah!!!" I really had no problem....truly a talent...who knows if it really has anything to do w/the treatment, but she cured me of all of my menstrual cramps that I've been plagued w/my whole life so I'm a firm believer that the acupuncture has truly been my saving grace...it has helped me in so many ways and I am forever a client.  Two days ago I went for my weekly treatment and was now experiencing post nasal drip and she treated everything mostly in my face and sinus cavity...I still have it slightly but it wasn't as severe as it had been ....PLUS I am doing the netipot to help clear it out...so I think the combination is working...

...I think I totally jinxed myself w/hoping that the morning sickness had "run its course" and that I was getting over it when this morning...before I even got to start my day...I was dry heaving in the bathroom for like 5-7 minutes...and let me tell you...NOTHING was coming out...although it was really trying to get out of me...there was NOTHING....talk about all that work...and exhaustion for not even a drop of liquid...it was like the baby wanted to remind me it was still in there...thriving away...which I am glad for...but I tell you what...it was no joke this morning...i was so loud and it was so obnoxious that I was all contorted over the porcelain throne....trying to to let it all out...and it pretty much made me tired for the rest of the day...I didn't have much of an appetite and got a headache and it just wasn't a fun day overall....oh well.

...I keep having dreams that I am having a BOY and am so excited at the possibility of the baby being a boy...I would be happy with whatever we were blessed with but I think I could break out my mommy skills on a boy...totally punk him out and spike his hair...how cool would that be? A totally metro baby boy...ehhehehehehe....you can't expect anything less when you got a prissy vain gal like myself and Gregg being totally into his style and look...it will make for a very interesting mixed baby, watch out, lol!

...There are some other things that are on my mind that I don't really want to discuss here yet I am saddened by them...I just don't understand why some people always have to have opinions without doing their research on it first before blowing things out of proportion OR why some people get so wrapped up in trying to tell you how to do things the way you choose to do them???  I really believe there is more than one way to skin a cat ...and that not ONE way is right over another...it's purely preference yet ...so many people waste so much energy trying to tell you what they think it is...it's one thing if..i am actively soliciting your advice on a particular matter...but in all honesty...i think I know some stuff and I am confident that I know how to parent as I've done it before (ahem!) I do have one daughter already and practically helped raised my younger sister who is almost 12 years younger than me...I think I KNOW some stuff, lol...I find it fascinating that certain people make judgments about things that they don't have firsthand experience with but dare go around telling you how it should be when they only know one side of it and actually don't even care to know about the other side of it...it blows my mind that there are so many people like this and these same people are the ones that when you offer advice, they don't want any part of it yet they force their opinions down your throat and what's even funnier is when you meet them, you can clearly see that they don't have it together as a parent themselves....just goes to show you that people that have too much time on their hands and love being miserable...I really feel bad for these people...truly...too much energy wasted on nothing...

...I'm so sorry for going off on a tangent...it just ....makes me wonder what goes on in their minds for them to be this way???  how do they get along...in life...how do they....go through their days with this mindset?  It's sad really....

...I'm a bit anxious too since my husband did officially lose his job....and June 7th is his last day....I will have his company's insurance til end of the month and then we have to decide on the Cobra or Medical Assistance...I am sure it will all work itself out yet the stressors of having to make some decisions is draining...and wearing on us....we have so many changes happening over the rest of this year...and I don't want us to be irrational or impulsive in making any of them...so we will have to re-visit and discuss our options frequently to make sure we are satisfied with what we decide....so pray for us and our sanity, lol.

Well, I think this is enough of an update lol...I think I've shared enough to hold you over til the next one lol...I hope it was interesting and entertaining to  you, lol.  I wish you all well and again thank you so much for following and keeping in touch with me, I really appreciate your support!  Until next time, enjoy the weather and happy day!

Elise_Is_PG