Photo #2: Breakfast

A photo a day challenge, Day 2: Breakfast!  This is quite honestly what I eat most days for breakfast and for some time when I was first pregnant and thought I would throw up at the site of real food I ate this for both breakfast and dinner. 

Eggo Multi Grain Waffles with blueberries, Chai Tea Latte (courtesy of Keurig) and a glass of Orange, Banana and Pineapple juice.  I love this meal and this juice is something I am drinking EVERY day.

(And this is an actual photo from today, not like the cheat from Day 1)

A Photo A Day Challenge

I found a post on one of the millions of blogs that I read, regarding a photo a day challenge.  At first I was thinking there is no way I will ever be able to handle that, but then I realized that I really need a hobby for the next month, so I am going to do it.  The challenge is as follows:

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE

1. YOU

2. BREAKFAST

3. SOMETHING YOU ADORE

4. LETTERBOX

5. SOMETHING YOU WORE

6. MAKES YOU SMILE

7. FAVORITE (or favourite for our friends across the sea)

8. YOUR SKY

9. DAILY ROUTINE

10. CHILDHOOD

11. WHERE YOU SLEEP

12. CLOSE-UP

13. IN YOUR BAG

14. SOMETHING YOU'RE READING

15. HAPPINESS

16. MORNING

17. WATER

18. SOMETHING YOU BOUGHT

19. SWEET

20. SOMEONE YOU LOVE

21. REFLECTION

22. YOUR SHOES

24. SOMETHING OLD

24. GUILTY PLEASURE

25. SOMETHING YOU MADE

 

 

 

So here is photo #1: YOU

 

Sort of a cheat, because it was clearly not taken today, but I am wearing that sweatshirt as I type.  So it's a start... Tomorrow will be a much better photo as it applies to this challenge!



Look at this BUMP!

It is happening... I am totally starting to look like a genuine pregnant lady, rather than someone who just ate too much over the holidays!

The Descendants

We actually saw a movie today.  If you know me and Paul and our track record with these sorts of things, you will understand.  It took us almost a year to see the Batman Movie with Heath Ledger, and I believe that we were the most excited to see it.  And we have attempted to see Mission Impossible 3 on several occasions, and stilll have not done it.  It was tough before, but now that I have an excuse to not do anything and everything, movies have become impossible. 

I do not want to spoil anything for anyone, but I wanted to mention somwthing that stuck with me.  If you have seen the commercials you will know this much... George Clooney's wife is in a coma and he is dealing with children that he was not so close with and secrets that his wife left behind.  This movie was about life and how we deal with the moments that define us and though, I am not certain it was the movie of the year, it was very good.  And at the end, there is this scene where they are sitting there, as a family, and you see that no matter how horrible the trama or the circumstance, we survive and come out on the other end.  I am sure that if you have been fortunate to never have experienced a loss, of any nature you will not understand it on the same level, but trust me when I say life is worth it all.  All the heartache and ugly is worth it to get to the beauty of it all. 

Little Things

"Sometimes," said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."

I was looking up quotes online in preperation for my speech at Katie's wedding and ran across this gem.  And I balled, I mean I could barely get through reading it.  What the heck hormones, let me at least read a little Poohism without losing my stuff.  But then I started thinking about this little person growing in me and how much I already love them and we have only known one another for 15 weeks.  I have known people for years, that I can barely say that about.  And that makes me very happy but so very nervous as well.  I began to think how hard it will be to leave them at home or at daycare and head off to work, or to see them off on the first day of school.  And don't get me started thinking about them going off to college or getting married and having children of their own.  I really have no idea how my mother did it.  I would have fallen apart more times than I like to admitt. 

But at the same time, I am thrilled that I am already so attached and in love.  I was always a little concerned if this maternal side of me would ever kick in, and I guess I waited for the right time, cause it is in full swing.  And I cannot wait to meet this little person... Who by the way has decided to hide for one more month, and not reveal whether or not they are a Paula or a Victor!?!  Oh well, we will find out one way or another soon enough!

The Anticipation is Killing Me

Before we got pregnant, actually before we even started trying, I thought that I would want to be one of those parents that waited till the baby was born to find out the sex.  I knew in my heart that I did not care if it was a boy or a girl, as long as they were healthy and all mine.  And then we got pregnant and Paul decided that he was going to find out the sex, no matter what... And that if I did not want to know, he would just not tell me.  What is that?!?  So I gave in.  I decided that if I got to carry the baby for nine months and experience all the wonderful parts of being pregnant, the least I could do for Paul is share in the joy of finding out the sex of the baby.

And now we wait.  At our last appointment the doctor got us all excited at 11 weeks, mentioning that there was a chance that we might be able to tell.  And then nothing.   But the worst part was that I did not think before we went in for that appointment that we had a chance in hell of finding out till 20 weeks, and here we were at 11 weeks.  And that is where it started and now all I think about, day and night, is finding out if there is a little wein or who-ha growing inside of me.  We have another appointment on Tuesday and my fingers are crossed that the doctor will be able to see something, anything.  And though I know that it does change my feelings in the least about the baby growing inside, there is something to be said for being able to say he or she, instead of feeling the instinct to say it.

And so we wait... But I do have a hunch that we have a girl on our hands.  Something about the Chinese calendar and the fact that I am growing all over the place, and the secret hope that I will have someone to shop and drink wine with, is leading me down that road...  BUT we will have to wait for now!

Closing in on 2012

Seeing as how the holidays are slowly passing us by, I wanted to take a moment to think about the new year ahead and the one that we are putting behind us.  I would be lying if I said that 2011 was the best year of my life, that is not to say that there were not wonderful moments.  We had a wonderful trip to London and fell in love with a city that I could see us living in without any issues.  We embarked on the next chapter of our lives and became pregnant, and found that we really have never been happier in our relationship.  Those first few years were challenging and beautiful in so many ways, but I really feel that Paul and I have found our groove.  And I have never felt more in love and more committed than I do at this time.  

And then there have been the bumps in the road that no one saw coming, or could have prepared us for.  It was a shock to find out that my parents were seperating and to say it broke my heart, is the understatment of the year.  I looked to my parents as the tride and true guide to a happy, long marriage and to find out that there were cracks in the foundation, tested my faith in the sanctity of marriage, even my own.  But as I have come to find out, everyone has their own journey and sometimes you have to allow people to fall and make mistakes in order for there to be growth, even when you do not understand the reasoning.  I can say that this year has been one of transformation for myself and those closest to me.  For me, I have learned that I cannot control everything and letting go can be very freeing.  Who am I to decide what is best for others, I can only do that for myself.  And I have learned to be a better sister, daughter, wife and friend.  It takes so little to be there for someone, yet it gives back so much in return.  I would not give back the time that I have been able to spend with my sister and mom, that under different circumstances may not have been possible.  I love these two women more than life, and I have learned so much about them this year and believe that we are on a good path to something wonderful.

Leaving behind 2011 and embarking on 2012 is something I have been looking forward to for some time.  So many amazing things in the works for next year.  Katie and Rodger are getting married.  This is such a wonderful thing and I know that they make one another so very happy and I cannot wait for their big day.  Mom and I are planning the shower, the bachelorette weekend is in the works and then the wedding will be here before we know it. 

And then we have little Baby Madore joining us in the summer.  I cannot express in words how happy I am just talking about this, such joy.  I am excited and nervous and at times giddy, at the idea of having this little person that Paul and I created looking up at me and falling in love with every moment.  I was a late comer to the idea of motherhood and having a little one, but I feel like I am hitting my stride.  I cannot wait... For all of the wonderful moments to come!

So with that I say Happy New Year and Goodbye 2011!  Such great things awaite us just around the corner!