Happy Birthday to me!

Me at 3 months - 1971

Thanks to everyone for my birthday wishes.

I am 36 today. Yay! Work was work. I came home to gifts and a chocolate cupcake that I can't wait to sink my teeth into.... YUMM.

I plan to celebrate my birthday with family and friends Saturday at my favorite place in the Village, The Volcano and drown myself with Shirley Temple - body shots all night!!

A little story to tell about the baby portrait.... My mom told me we both had the flu when this photo was taken. And why she didn't reschedule is beyond me. I'll have to ask.

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Elvis & Chica

We babysat my sister-n-law's family pet, Elvis (A Brussel Griffon breed) for a week. He is a sweet hyper-active dog. He looks like a Ewok... ha! I tried to get a picture of them together, but Elvis would not sit still for a second. Chica grew really fond of Elvis. She does miss her play date. Hopefully, we can get them back together again real soon.

First Name + Middle Name = Birth Name

Trying to name your child can be stressful. We have a couple of strong contenders, but can not come to a final decision. We have at least four books our friends let us borrow to help us decide. Either the name is common to I just don’t want to name my child after some species. And must we give our child a middle name? I suppose and I am okay with that even though I was not given a middle name, but I was given a nickname, Cookie. I respond quickly to my nickname, rather than my birth name. Hmmm.
The middle name is going to be easy, since I wanted a piece of me. I already knew his middle name was going to be my maiden name. We are almost there.... To be continued.

Just Google it!

I came into work one morning and saw this cartoon taped to my computer monitor. You see the kid walking away from his parents? They tell me that will be our son. Too funny!

23 weeks - Whew!!

Chad took this photo while we waited to see the Ob/Gyn. We waited for 2 1/2 hrs. She apologized several times. She told us she did an emergency c-section and was running really behind. She is worth the wait (Thanks to Rebecca for her recommendation). I've been to many Ob/Gyn doctors in my lifetime and she is by far the best. She always makes Chad and I feel very comfortable and at ease anytime we visit. Her supporting staff is very naturing and caring. This is my first pregnancy and I do realize there are many resources available (books, family, internet, my husband, etc..), but knowing I have an awesome doctor makes me a happy mother-to-be.

Well, this was our 5th prenatal visit. Everything went really well. All of my vitals signs were normal. The baby's heartbeat was strong and beating at a normal rate of 155. I've gained the weight I needed to, with me eating more and more. My next visit is August 7th to test for diabetes. I will have to fast the night before, never fun.

I am at the stage were I can't get away with telling people I am bloated and have a severe case of indigestion. Yes, I have a pregnant belly. I must wear the maternity clothes, but it's quite comfortable. I can't sleep the way I am used to... on my stomach with my head buried in the pillow. I go to the restroom ALOT! The best feeling is when he, the Dude moves around in my belly. I love it!!!

Kory Anthony Palermo

Congratulations to the Palermo family. Announcing Kory Anthony. Proud parents, Ken and Alison and big brother, Kyle are at home enjoying family time together.

Pop....pop....Pop

I am now experiencing the Dude moving inside of me. It feels like popcorn popping very slowly in my belly. It's a cool feeling.

No sleep ‘till….. GRRRRRR!

I didn’t get the recommended 10 hour sleep I fricking deserved last night. Some jerk decided to celebrate July 4th with extreme black cat firecrackers and a couple of bottle rockets last night in our neighborhood. They started at 10:30 pm for about an hour and a half. I decided to get up and surf the internet. At around 11 I didn’t hear anything hoping to finally get some much needed sleep, but no. I hear a rapid Pow-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM. By that time Chad wakes up from the sofa where he fell asleep earlier, to move to the bedroom. On his way he peaks in the computer room and looks at me, half a sleep. I told him I think the neighbors are illegally using firecrackers, because we live in the city limits. Right, Chad? He turns his back to me as he slowly walks towards the bedroom and jokily tells me to call the POH-LICE. I started laughing. By midnight I didn’t hear anymore pops, but I still could not get comfortable enough to go back to sleep. I got really jealous when Chad started to snore so I moved to the living room. Where I tossed and turned and tossed-turned. I finally went to sleep at 4am..... GRRRRRRRRRR.

Always ask for samples

I've had this red spot on the tip of my nose for over a year. It stemmed from a huge pimple I scratched by accident that developed into an uninviting scab. I have other red spots on my left cheek, but they are not as visible as the red nose reindeer. I tried many products of make up, over the counter creams, and face treatments. So I went ahead and made a $35 (specialist copay) appointment to see a dermatologist. She told me I had a mild case of rosacea , if not at all. She wrote me a year prescription of Finacea . A medicated gel you apply twice a day. It's safe to take during pregnancy. She said my spots should be healed/gone in 6-8 weeks, and if not come back. I decided to ask how much she might think a year prescription will be... she didn't know, but I thought why would I want to pay for a year of medicated cream. She went ahead and gave me samples, enough for at least 6 months. Chad called the pharmacy to find out that I would have paid $40, that is $40 dollars saved in my pocket. I hope this cream works!

Happy July 4th – Don’t go disrespect’n

While we were taking flag football action shots at the park last Saturday. I came across this cute family with an adorable little baby near the playground. I saw them put an American Flag on the ground and place the baby on top of the flag. The baby was dressed in only a diaper and they started to take pictures. I am assuming they were taking July 4th family pictures. By the time I could get Chad to look over they were gone, probably because of the heat. When I told Chad what I saw he told me how you are not allowed to put the American Flag on the ground. That is disrespecting the flag. I was thinking, really?!? Are you sure?!? And he is right. According to the
US Flag Code ... no part of the flag should touch the ground. I know this family did not mean any disrespect to the American Flag. If anything they were showing their patriotism.

Now go celebrate your independence day!

Are you fucking kidding me?!?

And that is exactly how I responded to my friend, Timmay.
So while we were having a late lunch with the gang at the Onion Creek** in the heights area. Timmay politely {insert sarcasm} shared his opinion of me possibly cursing too much around my unborn baby, the dude and how he is developed enough to hear my voice. Is it possible to already have a bad influence on my unborn because I curse too much? Well, that is just fucking great!


**I thought of Amy & Corey. We miss ya!!

A funny top ten list

Top 10 Surefire Ways to Piss off.....

A drum roll please….. IT’S A BOY!!

Our appointment with the ultrasound technician was scheduled at 10 am yesterday. I checked in at 10:01, only a minute behind because I had to stop at a gas station to go to the restroom. I desperately needed to pee. I was instructed to have a full bladder for the ultrasound, but I could not hold it any longer. No way! I was in too much pain. And go figure. When I checked-in at 10:01 am they were running an hour behind. I asked Chad to buy me a bottle of water to drink while I wanted for my name to be called. Finally, I was called in to change into a hospital (see through) gown and told to enter a room. Chad was not allowed to come with me in the beginning of the ultrasound. They have a strict policy of no one else being in the exam room while they measure the baby’s body parts. To avoid any questions the technician is not able to answer. As I saw the baby on the monitor I started to cry, cry, and cry. I couldn’t stop crying. I was so overjoyed with excitement and could not believe I have something growing in my tummy. I know its so cliché to say, but it is true. Stephanie, my tech was so sweet and kind to me. She made me feel very comfortable. Then she called for Chad to come join us. I told Chad to get the camera ready, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to only focus on the monitor. As we were told our baby is a boy. We noticed him taking a big gulp of my amniotic fluid. I thought wow; he is going to be a drinker just like his parents (see video clip below). And then I started to cry. AGAIN. It was very emotional for the both of us. And we couldn’t be happier. We can not wait to start our little family together.

Following that visit we met with our Ob/Gyn for a routine check-up. She told us the baby is growing fine and doing really well. Her only concern is my weight. I haven’t gained as I should since the pregnancy. I even lost a pound since my last check up. I am going eat more protein in my daily diet. Our next appointment is in the next four weeks. On a similar note, my Ob/Gyn said it would be okay if I attend an outdoor concert in Austin to see WEEN in the beginning of August. Yay!!

Anticipation

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'



Is it normal to already want my pregnancy to be over with? I know I am not the average-joe blow walking the streets with glee, but whatever. I am on my 19th successful week and it feels like I’ve been pregnant for far too long. And it’s not so much of my body changing…. sleeping, back aches, mood swings, etc. I just want to be able to hold my baby in my arms and share that joy together with my husband, Chad.

Chad has been so wonderful to me. Just the other day, coming back home from celebrating Father’s day with his family. His sister gave us a portable baby swing and when I noticed it in the back seat. I took a second look and couldn’t stop staring at this little swing. For the first time I realized we are actually going to have a BABY. A little person to be responsible for the rest of our entire lives!!! Oh, thank goodness I have my mom and mother-n-law's contact numbers on speed dial! Chad gave me a very supportive hug and told me that everything is going to be fine.

Well, tomorrow is our next ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby. According to this Chinese calendar predictor we are having a boy.

Make a Splash

Splash
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

Sick, Sick, Sick

I too, like my meat raw...

Houston Art Car Parade 2007

view as set

I am knocked up!

Chad and I are expecting our first baby. We are so excited. I am 13 weeks pregnant and counting! The baby's due date is November 12th.
We went to our first prenatal visit on March 27th. We were not able to hear the baby's heartbeat, but we were able to see it, by the ultrasound. May 2nd was our second prenatal visit and we got to hear the heartbeat. I have now entered the second trimester of my pregnancy, which has only been less than a week and I am experiencing the "all-day sickness". The first trimester was such a breeze maybe because I slept all the time. Our next visit is after Memorial weekend and hopefully we will be told if we will have a boy or a girl.

Here is a video clip of Maya telling me what is in my belly, but first you must hear what she says thunder sounds like......

She is too cute!!