Princess and the Pea

Did you know that with your second baby you start showing right away?

Like as soon as the stick is positive?

It helps if you still haven't entirely lost all the baby weight from the first one too.

So what else have I been up to? (Other than not fitting into my pants...)

Between the increased duties at work, a very busy toddler, and my regular commitments I'm beat. It doesn't help that I'm sick to my stomach all day long and tired like I have mono. (I forgot how wonderful the first trimester is) Jackson and I have the same bed time.

Which leads me to the highlight of my week.....I bought a new mattress!!

The mattress that I have now is 11 years old and frankly sleeping on a board would be more comfortable. It was a cheap mattress 11 years ago when I bought it. At the time my mother was selling the house I grew up in and I was still living at home and in Respiratory school. I had been sleeping in a twin bed and when we moved I bought a queen sized bed with the intentions of taking it with me when I left. I bought the nicest one I could afford which wasn't much considering I was still in school.

I've extended the life of this mattress by buying memory foam mattress toppers. I've been through 3 of them, and my body is starting to ache every morning. As I get more and more pregnant I just won't be able to sleep on it anymore. So we bought the new one which was difficult. It's hard to properly judge a mattress when the one you have is such crap. They ALL felt better than the one I have now. Also? I would need to lay on it for a whole afternoon to properly tell if it works for me and they tend to frown upon that. But we picked one and fingers crossed it will be fabulous.

And it comes on FRIDAY!!! I also bought a new mattress pad, pillows, and two sheet sets (I have some really ratty ones). I'm holding off on using any of it until the new mattress arrives.

So Friday night I'm going to take a warm bath and get into some fresh jammies, in clean sheets, on my new pillow and mattress. Can anything be more delicious?

I just hope Jack's on board cuz mama needs some sleep!

Grateful

Just like anyone else I've had crappy things happen in my life. Things that were hard to deal with. Things that majorly sucked. Lately, I've had a real run of good fortune and for that I feel grateful.
Things that I'm grateful for right this moment?

• Spiderman's new job which has allowed me to stop worrying all the time about him getting fired and us living in a box.
• The extra money that the above mentioned job has provided us with that helps us to afford not living in a box.
• Since having my gallbladder removed I've become very aware of how lucky we all are to be healthy.
• Spiderman and I were able to hire a sitter for Jack and went to a movie to spend some quality time with each other. (as new parents that's quite a feat!)
• I'm eternally grateful that I have a wonderful hubby, son, family, and friends to share my life with.
• When I was at Walgreens today I noticed that Easter candy has officially hit the shelves. (hey it can't all be deep)
  

A Night in Chi-Town

Spiderman and I spent the weekend in Chicago for our anniversary While Jackson spent the night at his grandma's. One of the first stops we made was at the Hershey store. I am a total chocoholic and LOVE the Hershey store. When I saw this I had to get it. It's the world's largest Reece's cups! I set it next to the remote control for the TV for scale.
Here's me trying my damnest to eat one of the cups. Even I couldn't finish it. Well, I could have if I wanted to make myself sick.

Then for dinner we went to a restaurant called Catch 35. It's a fancy seafood restaurant and OMG was it good. We had 1/2 dozen grilled oysters for an appetizer. I'd never had oysters before and they looked kinda like a giant booger, but they were great. Then I had halibut with a wine/butter sauce with crab meat and portobello mushrooms. I could eat that every day it was so awesome. Spiderman had scallops over Parmesan risotto. Everything was delicious and the scallops melted in your mouth. (of course I had to taste them too!) I think that's one of the perks of marriage. When you go out you get to try twice as many dishes because you get to eat some of your hubbys. Or maybe that's only me.

After dinner we took a cab to Old Town to see Second City. We've been to shows there before and I can honestly say I've never seen a bad one. That night was no exception. We had tickets for the 11 o'clock show and I was slightly concerned that I wouldn't be able to stay up for it, but after tons-o-coffee I made it through. Actually, I was still up and wired at 2am. At the show the couple in front of us was nice enough to take our "anniversary photo".

What do you think? My dress is new and supah hot. When you're a new mom, covered in spit up and barely able to shower it's nice to occasionally wear a hot dress.

A fun time was had by all.

TV Night

It's no surprise to my reader(s) that I love me some TV. I always have. I also have a tendency to become addicted to shows. ie True Blood, Alias, Greys Anatomy....
This week I have discovered a new show. We Channel's My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It totally makes me want to have a wedding again. That's a huge deal since I thought planning and preparing for my wedding was the biggest pain in the ass. I hated every minute of it. But I totally love David Tutera. He's such a sweetie and I think he could be my new BFF. I just want to hang out with him and go to lunch or something.
Today I watched back-to-back episodes where the brides had themes that were just awful. One was a Texas bride who wanted a cowgirl theme complete with farm animals and purple cowgirl boots to wear with her wedding dress. The other was a bride who wanted a Pirate themed wedding. What I cannot believe is that David took these themes and made them elegant and beautiful. He also made changes and dealt with the brides in a way that did not insult them or make them upset. I don't know if I could be that nice. I mean, the episode that's on now? She has a plum colored bejeweled wedding dress with a rhinestone covered magic wand and her bridesmaids are dressed as peasants. WTF? But here's David trying to "understand" her concept.

I love him.

I'm also excited because tonight is not only the season premiere of the Vampire Diaries, but the pilot of Nikita. About 10 years ago I was totally addicted to La Femme Nikita. It would come on around 1am and I was working 3-11's at the time. By the time I got home from work, ate something and showered, it would be on. I watched it EVERY night. I'm interested to see what this new version brings. It looks to be the story of La Femme Nikita but with the feeling of Alias. How could that be bad?

Has anyone else seen these shows? What do you think?

Feels Good To Be Clean

Like most people (I hope) I shower every day. I prefer to shower in the evening. There's something soothing about washing the day's filth and stink away before getting into bed. Plus it means I get to sleep in longer in the morning which I love, love, love. Not that I don't also sometimes shower again in the AM. I just prefer the evening.

Most days I shower out of necessity and habit. Another task to be done. Like brushing my teeth or doing laundry. I don't think about it. Then there are some days where I have what I like to call the Best. Shower. Ever.

Do you ever have those?

You know what I mean. When a shower is more than just a chore. It somehow refreshes and replenishes you. Washes away all the crap from the day and makes you feel great.
Some examples?

• When you shower after a long day of traveling, whether it be by plane or a long car ride.
• That shower after a day spent at the beach or pool and you are greasy and sticky with sweat and sunscreen.
• The first shower after you've been sick for several days. When your hair is gross and sticking to your face from a fever long broken and you've been in the same pj's for a few days.
• For me, when I've been working a 12 hour shift and I'm covered in god-knows-what and my own sweat. When my hair and body smell like old people and death.

So tell me, what are some of your contenders for Best Shower Ever?

Time Sure Flies.....

It's strange to think that one year ago today I was here:
Meeting one of my favorite authors Janet Evanovich in Chicago. So much has happened in a year's time.

Big Comfy Couch

This may look like a regular couch, but it's not.

It's magic.

It is soft microfiber and comfy and for the past month I cannot sit on it for more than an hour without falling asleep. It's something about this couch. I have another, leather one that does not have this effect. It's almost like someone sprinkled it with sleeping powder or drugs or something wonderful. Today I went swimming at my mother's house. When I got home I sat on the couch to read for a little bit. Within 15 minutes I took what felt like a really long blink. It was over an hour. The magic couch struck again.

I wonder if it will work on babies?

I Love Me Some Tunes

Inspired by yesterday's post I thought I'd share some songs I'm currently obsessed with.
The first is 1901 by Phoenix:

Lest you think I only get my musical taste from car commercials here's Morningwood's Best of Me. It's awesome and makes you want to dance around in your underwear!

And finally, I only downloaded this song because it was free on iTunes, but it turns out it's fab and I LUUURVE it! It's called July Flame by Laura Veirs. It sounds like a song they'd play on Grey's Anatomy and I'm sure it's only a matter of time till it's on it.

Enjoy!

New Moon Will Have to Wait A Little Bit

Like many of my fellow Twilight junkies, I can't wait to see New Moon. Unfortunately, I'm working 12 hour shifts and won't be able to find time until Sunday. To tide me over I went to Jen Lancaster's site and read her version of New Moon.

Go there now. It's Hil-arious! If you're not already reading her blog, you should start.

Awesome New Stuff

This past weekend I got several new things that make me happy. My Aunt was getting rid of this cabinet:It was my great grandmother's and she didn't have room in her house anymore. Isn't it cute? I put it in my dining room and plan on making it my new bar. See all the alcohol on the top shelf? Well I'm going to get more.

But most importantly, Carson's had a sale this weekend.
ON BOOTS!
Now I don't know if any of you remember my boot quest from last winter, but I never did find a pair that fit me or that I liked. Well, no more. Not only did I find a pair that I liked, but I got TWO pairs! I couldn't decide between the black pair or the tan pair. Since they were on sale, and I know I will wear the shit out of them, I got both! They are super comfy. Aren't they beautiful? Don't you love them?

Prime Time Sarah

Today is the first of September. Can you believe it? Where did the summer go? I'm not really complaining much because I LOVE the fall. The cooler temperatures, the changing leaves, and my favorite: the new television season.

All summer long I patiently wait. Ok, so not very patiently, but I do wait. It seems like there's nothing on TV the entire summer! It's agony. This year seems to have so many new drama's and comedy's and less reality that I'm excited. So here's an example of some of this fall's TV that I'm anticipating.

1. The new seasons of both Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. They ended with some awesome cliff hangers last spring and I can't wait to see what happens!
2. The Office. In the finale we found out that my favorite couple Pam and Jim are having a baby. How cute is that? I look forward to a wedding this fall.
3. Medium is moving to CBS. I may have to follow it. And end my grudge against the network for cancelling Moonlight. Especially since they have a new show starring my Moonlight man called Three Rivers. About organ transplant dr's. Looks interesting.
4. Two words. Melrose. Place. Did anyone else miss the original?
5. New episodes of House and Hero's.
6. Other new shows like Cougar Town, Eastwick (wonder if it's like the movie?) and Flash Forward all seem like something I'd give a chance.
7. I'm on the fence about the Vampire Diaries. I mean, I liked Twilight, and LOVE True Blood, but I think this one might be a bit much. I might be getting a little vamp'd out.

All in all, I think my DVR is going to be a very busy girl this year.

What shows new and old are you looking forward to this fall?

I Love A Clean House!

When I woke up this morning the temperature dropped to 72 degrees. It feels like fall weather. Have I mentioned I LOVE fall weather? I opened up all the windows in the house to air it out. After several months of sweltering heat and constantly running the air conditioning the air feels kind of stale.

With the windows open I felt like cleaning. All the bathrooms have been scrubbed, the floors mopped, the carpets vacuumed, laundry washed and folded, and every surface dusted. I've got a pot of beef vegetable soup simmering on the stove and homemade bread fresh from the oven.

Does it get any better than this?

I think I'll make a cup of tea and curl up with a book.

So Relaxed.

Today I had a facial.
I absolutely LOVED it. The first thing they did was a little skin evaluation. I told the girl that all the recent hormones have kind of reeked havoc on my skin and I needed a little help.
First she cleansed my skin and then set up the steamer to open my pores. Just the heat on my face felt good. Then, she toned and moisturized my skin and did a facial massage. The facial massage was heaven....complete heaven. By the time she put on the facial mask (with special exfoliating enzymes) I was SO relaxed. While the mask set, she massaged my neck, shoulders, and arms. When I left there, I had to squint because everything seemed so bright and I almost felt like I was high.

I know people who don't like massages. I realize that some people don't like to be touched. That is NOT me. I love to be touched by strangers. I wonder what that says about me? Massages, facials. Whatever I can get. Ummm....but not in a creepy way. No "special"massages for me thankyouverymuch.

Anyways.......my skin is brighter, and softer and all around better. I asked her how often she would recommend a facial (since I want to have one every day now). She recommends every other month. I think I can handle that.

So if you don't mind being touched, I highly recommend getting a facial.

Go make an appointment now.

Funny Friday Video

This video completely captures what I have occasionally felt the past few years. It cracked me up!

Pregnant Women are Smug by Garfunkel and Oates - watch more funny videos

Happy Friday!

***If you are currently pregnant, this is not meant to offend you. I just find it funny. Unless you are like this then, suck it.***

The Lost Von Trapp Sister

All this rain is making me have a MONSTER migraine. I love how it's making everything green and HATE what it's doing to my head. Needless to say I don't feel like a real post here. I promise to have one tomorrow with my thoughts on all things "Swine" related. Until then enjoy this video recommended to me by a coworker.

Does this make anyone else want to put on Leiderhosen and dance around like the lost Von Trapp child?
No? Umm.......Me neither.....cuz that would be crazy, right?

Guess Where I Went This Weekend?

Oh, yeah. That's right. I went to see Mary Poppins and it was AWESOME! For my birthday, my mother-in-law got tickets for my sisters-in-law and I to go. They were front row, center. Wonderful, glorious seats! The show was fabulous and I recommend it to anyone.
When I was a little girl, I was a Mary Poppins freak. (Ok, maybe I still am, I mean look at my blog title after all) I mean I was Mary Poppins when I was a kid.

Despite the gloomy, rainy day in Chicago we still managed to have a great time. We ate at a restaurant right next to the theatre. It had the prettiest view!

This was the view from our table. We sat right next to the window and bonus: got to see a car accident. Gotta love driving in the rain. The food was excellent and I even had flourless chocolate cake to fulfill my constant chocolate craving.

At the theatre, we answered some Poppin's trivia to win free soundtrack CD's. Finally we made it to our seats. The lights dimmed.....

And the guy sitting next to me proceeded to bounce his leg up and down so hard that it shook my whole seat. The entire first half he alternated bouncing his leg, checking the time on his cell phone, and giving a big sigh and shifting in his seat. I was like, Dude, if you don't want to see the show get up and leave! Don't ruin it for me!

It took everything in me not to punch him. I was actually surprised that I only calmly laid my hand on his knee. I told him to stop making my chair shake......or else I would kill him. Well, not the last part, but I did think it.

Overall, though, it was a wonderful time.

I'm glad I got to see it with my "girls".

Peeps, The Wonder Drug

With all the weather changing and hormonal changing, I have been struggling today with a migraine.
Don't worry, I took two of these and I feel better.

I truly believe in the medicinal power of Marshmallow Peeps. They're one of my favorite things about Easter. Heck, my favorite thing about Spring even! I prefer the yellow ones to any other color (maybe that makes me a Peep purist) and I prefer the bunnies to the chicks so I can eat the ears off first. I know that there are people out there (my mother) who like their Peeps stale and hard. I think that's just wrong. I love 'em nice and soft and fresh. I"m actually a little sad they're all gone now. I'll just have to buy some more.....

Speaking of medicine, I'm posting this video shown to me via Spiderman. He knows how much I hate that drugs are advertised on television. It's one of my pet peeves. I mean, why wait for your Dr. (with all their medical knowledge ) to TELL you that you need a certain medicine when you can see something on TV and DEMAND it from them?

Anyway.......here's the video. I know a few people who need this drug.

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my Blogiversary Contest!

Some Assembly Required

Monday afternoon my sideboard arrived. Here it is in all its beauteousness. It is currently empty as I haven't had a chance to sort through the stuff in my crawlspace.
Isn't it lovely?

It did not come looking this lovely. It came in a million pieces that required assembling.

And the assembling? It required two people. I put together most of it myself, but when it came time to put on the back and the front doors, I required some assistance. My mother saved the day when she stopped by on her way home from work to help me. I held things in place while she screwed them in. My mother loves to screw. Her words, not mine. She also loves a good pun. mental eye roll All she required in return for this help? 3 hard boiled eggs to take home in a baggy. I'd say that's pretty cheap labor wouldn't you?

Is it a Sideboard or Buffet?

I have been wanting a sideboard for my dining room ever since we moved into this house two years ago. I could never find exactly what I wanted in my price range. (However, I found tons of stuff that I couldn't afford!) About two weeks ago I finally found it, with the help of my mother. I'm getting it in black, but I did seriously consider the red one. It was on back order, but I was told TODAY IT SHIPPED! I'm so excited!! I'm happy to have the extra storage.
I'll post pics when it gets here.
You can help me decide where to put it.

Goga?

Did you know Old Navy made yoga pants?
No? They DO and they're AWESOME! I recently purchased two pairs and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. They're super comfy and I think they're amazing because my butt looks smaller. And cute. I should only wear them from now on.
Plus they have a fun slogan to go with them.
Goga. I'm not sure what it means....but if it makes my butt smaller I love it.
Go and get yourself a pair and let me know what you think of them.
Go right now.

I'll wait.