Friday, February 27, 2009

Note to Self

RE: Breakfast Choices
Raisin Bran or Benefiber. Not both. That is all.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Why I Love Mike

Mike has been amazing throughout my pregnancy. He doesn't mind rubbing my back or feet when I need it, he makes runs for my cravings (even when I insist it isn't necessary, and I really don't need to eat any more Ben and Jerry's), and he has put up with a lot of emotions, whining and moaning about this and that. Yesterday, I was having a particularly tough go at it. I didn't sleep well on Sunday night, so I was exhausted by the time I got home, and to top it off, I felt like Joey was trying to escape from my belly... through my rib cage. I tried to tough it out, and I cooked dinner, and then went to put my laundry away (I'm sure he knew I wasn't feeling well when I put my laundry away the same day it came out of the dryer!).

As I was hanging my clothes, he came into our room to let me know he was going to run to the store to pick up a few things. I don't know if it was the look on my face, or the way I was rubbing my belly, but he asked me what was wrong and I told him my belly was really itchy. Well, of course the solution to this would be to put some lotion on it. So, he grabbed some and proceeded to rub it onto my itchy belly. I had a big smile on my face because it was so sweet, and made me feel so much better. So he looked at me and said, "Are you going to blog about this?" I smiled bigger, and I said, "No, I think I'll keep this to myself."

And then he said, "I rubbed Mrs. Biggelsworth's* belly earlier today, and she was really happy, too." My immediate response: "OK, now I'm blogging about this!"

*Mrs. Biggelsworth is the "neighborhood cat." She belonged to a young couple who lived across the street from us. They moved to Utah, and didn't think it would be a safe place for an outdoor cat, so they entrusted her care to our neighbors, Larry and Judy. Since then, she has adopted other people in the neighborhood, including Mike and I. She really likes Mike. Actually, she likes him so much, I jokingly call him the cat whisperer.

Why I Love Mike (and the DVR)

At least once a week, the little red record light on the DVR will go on while we are watching TV, and Mike says, "What are you recording?" (he always asks me because he hardly ever has any DVR timers set), to which I usually reply, "I don't know, let's take a look!" My response is always met with a big grin and a chuckle, because he knows it's the truth.

I have timers set for various cooking shows, and the rest are mostly reality shows that I would never follow if it weren't for the DVR... 'cuz I'd forget they were on. These shows are guilty pleasures that I don't always subject Mike to viewing, and although he usually says he doesn't mind watching them, I just wouldn't be a good wife if I forced my husband to sit through Bret Michael's Rock of Love Bus.

Friday, February 20, 2009

27 Things

Like Meghan, I've been tagged several times on Facebook by friends in the "25 Things" meme. This one, however, was also posted on Dooce.com the other day, and since this blog is about married life it seemed appropriate that it's also not all about me. So, here we go!

What are your middle names?
Mine is Marie (family tradition) and his is Michael (which is also what he goes by).

How long have you been together?
Our first "date" was four years ago on March 10th.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
Two years.

Who asked whom out?
Hmm, I think technically Mike asked me out, but it was more of a, "We're going to be downtown tonight, you should come out!" sort of thing.

How old are each of you?
He's 31, and I'm 28.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
We each have one brother, and we see mine more. Mike's brother is in the Army and is stationed in Louisiana so we don't get to see him nearly as much as we would like. On a side note, he just got back from a tour in Iraq, and we are extremely happy and thankful to have him back in the states. Welcome back, Ray!

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
I'd say Mike's work schedule. He works rotating shifts, so some weeks we don't get to see each other too much. He also only gets two weekends off each month, so planning little trips etc... can be difficult (not to mention finding a weekend where we can just sit around and do nothing with each other!).

Did you go to the same school?
Nope.

Are you from the same home town?
Nope. I am from the Bay Area, and he is from the Central Valley. We met in San Luis Obispo.

Who is smarter?
This is going to sound like a very PC and diplomatic answer, but I believe it is the truth: I think we are equally smart in different areas. Although, I must point out, Mike has an extreme depth of knowledge about things like politics, finances, history, mechanics, and I am what you could refer to as "an encyclopedia of random facts."

Who is the most sensitive?
I would have to say me. Definitely. Especially since I've been pregnant. There have been days during my pregnancy where all he's had to do is look at me sideways and I burst into tears.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Chapala Mexican Restaurant for a quick bite and Schooner's Wharf for a romantic outing.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Hooray for all inclusive resorts!!

Who has the craziest exes?
Due to sheer number alone, I'll say me. Although I've heard from Mike's family that his last long term GF before he and I started dating was a complete psycho.

Who has the worst temper?
This is up for debate. I would say Mike, and he would say me. He tends to get upset, speak his peace, and get over things - although he remembers them FOREVER! Whereas, I get upset, stew for a while, make both our lives miserable for a few days, blow up and forget about it.

Who does the cooking?
I do the "indoor" cooking and Mike BBQs. He makes the most amazing hamburgers (and although they are a joint effort, they would be nowhere without the actual burger part - seriously, do you know anyone who bastes their hamburger patties while they are on the grill?)

Who is the neat-freak?
Mike is neater than I am (I'll leave clean laundry in the basket for weeks, for instance, which I'm sure drives him nuts), but we both tend to collect piles of paper all over the house. Eventually, one of us will get sick of the multiple piles and consolidate them so we can go through them and throw things out or put them where they are actually supposed to be. Dust and a dirty kitchen sink bug the crap out of me though.

Who is more stubborn?
Me. Hands down. Although I like to deny it every time it comes up, I must admit it is absolutely true.

Who hogs the bed?
Mike. But I steal the covers.

Who wakes up earlier?
Mike. I am not a morning person at all. If I can get away with not setting the alarm on weekends, you can bet your butt I will.

Where was your first date?
Our first "date" was at Mike's house. He invited me over to watch a movie. I thought he had ulterior motives, but found out a few weeks later that between paying for school and paying to fix his car, he was just flat broke at the time. Our first "real date" was at Mare Blu in Los Osos (a restaurant that is no longer there). I took him out as a thank you for helping me move into my new apartment and paid with a gift certificate that I had purchased at a silent auction a few months earlier.

Who is more jealous?
I don't think either one of us really has a jealous streak. But if I had to pick, I'd say me. Only because one day (while pregnant, mind you) I came home from work, and one of his "nice" shirts was in the hamper smelling of cologne. It took me a couple days to ask about it, and I felt really stupid when I did, but it turned out that all of his every day shirts were dirty, and he had nothing else to wear. Then he spilled his lunch on the nice shirt and into the hamper it went. Do I need to tell you that he got a pretty good laugh out of the whole situation?

How long did it take to get serious?
Not long at all. Which is funny since neither of us were looking for a relationship when we first started dating. I think that made it easier to get to know each other because we were upfront and honest with each other from the beginning since there were no expectations on either end.

Who eats more?
Mike.

Who does the laundry?
Mike. I can't stand doing laundry. The few garments I loose to improper washing every now and then are totally worth not having to deal with the laundry. But, I must say, Mike is great at reading the tags before he puts clothes into the washer.

Who's better with the computer?
Me. Mike hates computers with a passion. If he could go the rest of his life without ever touching one again, he would be a happy man. He once had an old printer, and whenever he would get frustrated, he would take his aggressions out on it Office Space style.

Who drives when you are together?
Mike. He's an impatient rider on long trips, and likes to drive, so why not.

OK, that's it. Your turn...

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Prenatal Visit 9

I must apologize, I wish these posts were a little more eventful, but alas, or should I say "thank goodness," they are not. Another routine visit with my doc today. My blood pressure has come down to more acceptable levels, which is very good news. Preeclampsia is nothing you want to mess with.

Tomorrow will mark 35 weeks. I was just on the phone with Connie, my doula, and she asked if I am ready. "Yes and no," was my response, "there are a lot of things still to do at home, but I'm ready for him to be here." "Well, it sounds like you are emotionally ready," she said, "so that is good!"

My next appointment is in two weeks, and then I will see my doctor once a week until I deliver. We truly are in the home stretch now!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Prenatal Visits 7 & 8

I just realized that it's been almost a month since I've posted, talk about delinquent blogger, yikes! Anywho, there have been some major developments on the home front, more specifically, my belly over the last few weeks. There's no doubt there's a baby in there now! My prenatal visits are now spaced every other week, and things are still moving along smoothly. My doctor noted that my blood pressure was a little bit high at visit #8, so we'll be keeping an eye on that. Beginning the first week of March, I'll be seeing my doc once a week.

Baby Joey is as active as ever - save for a couple of days over the past few weeks that he has decided to just chill for most of the day (and totally freak me out in the process!). He is still pressing up on my liver or my ribs, and it doesn't make for the most comfortable of days. Mike has been great giving me little back rubs on my right side when we go to bed at night so I can at least fall asleep nice and relaxed and without as much pain. Sleeping through the night, however, is getting more and more difficult. Between achy hips, a heavy belly and up to 3 pee trips (so far) every night, I think a full night's sleep is officially going to be at least 6 months away (and I'm being incredibly optimistic with that prediction!)

Vivid dreams continue, and sometimes I find myself thinking about a dream in the middle of the day wondering "did that actually happen, or was it a dream??" Visits from the crap fairy have ended for the most part, but heartburn has been more than happy to step in as a replacement.

I am definitely looking forward to my due date, and find myself spending even more time wondering just what our little man will be like - his personality, how he will look - I feel like I'm preparing for the biggest, most important blind date of my life! There won't be chocolates or flowers at this one, but a much better gift... and hopefully a big icy margarita waiting for me when I get home!