This Weekend: News and Notes

Just a collection of the happenings from this past weekend, the last of such in August 2012....

You probably noticed that there was no Mandi Monday yesterday. Mandi was knee deep in travel and didn't get in until yesterday from her trip to Lancaster, PA. Her grandpa was admitted to the hospital for a pretty gnarly case of pneumonia. The admit was sudden, and grandpa was unprepared. With no family close by, he was alone with his thoughts and a hospital gown. That of course didn't sit well with the family, so Mandi and her brother Josh were able to fly out there on Friday and keep grandpa company. It definitely lifted his spirits and we're so thankful that he is on the up and up!

With Mandi gone, that left me alone on daddy duty this weekend. Fortunately, I did have some helping hands as my step-dad and little brother came up from Tucson. We all had a blast just relaxing together and I was so happy that Mark (step-dad) got to spend some quality time with Mckenna.

We also did some major gardening this weekend. By we, I mean mostly Andrew, Grant and Mark of course. While I was busy with Mckenna, treatments, making meals and working out, they were busy tending to the garden. They turned all of the raised beds and fixed-up some of the square-foot garden portion. After making a run to Lowes on Saturday, we all got up nice and early to "beat the heat" Sunday morning and finish before church.

This fall we're going for - spinach, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bush beans, radishes, carrots, summer squash, tomatoes, green onion and kohlrabi. We'll see how it all turns out :)

Our pastor delivered an excellent message on Sunday. He challenged the men of our church to take it upon ourselves and raise a Christ-centered home. It sounds easy enough, but not so much when you start to look where you're priorities lay. The bottom line is that our family becomes centered around what we spend the most time with, or what takes priority over all else - wether that's work, money, sports, working out, school, etc. I felt really convicted and was so thankful to be reminded about the importance of always working my life around Christ; not Christ around my life.

Welp, I thin that just about does it. Hope you liked the update!!

A Weekend Out of the Hole

As you maybe saw (see last post) Ronnie busted out of the joint on Friday. We got home int the late afternoon and preceded to do nothing...it was glorious! We lounged around on our couch and watched TV, made smoothies for dinner (which I had been dreaming about for a week), and just enjoyed being back home together. We then, of course, enjoyed a good night's sleep in our own bed - such an awesome feeling. I'm sure anyone can related. You go on vacation, you sleep at a friend's house, you visit your in-laws, regardless of where you're sleeping, there is nothing like coming home and sleeping in your own bed. Well after 3 weeks in a cot and hospital bed, we were excited to be back in our own bed.

Saturday was an errand running day. We made a grocery store run. Obviously 3 weeks not home leaves you with a very empty fridge. Then we ran to some clothing stores to find me an outfit for me to wear in our maternity photos (more on that in a second). As a result of this chore, I have now realized when you don't shop for clothes - when you're 8 months preggo and nothing fits. Needless to say, I bought only what was necessary and felt wayyyy better about the world when trying on shoes. Ever notice how that works? If you're not feeling sexy, you just buy shoes...you're feet can still look good, right?! Unfortunately not totally true during pregnancy, as my feet often look more like paws than feet, but anything was better than trying to figure out what size and style shirt would fit my belly tight enough to see a bump, but loose enough to not look awkward. Anywhoo, I found a couple shirts that worked, so I was happy in the end. Ronnie even found some steals on sale that I convinced him to buy. So it was a success. Errands were followed by a relaxed night with Josh and Chrissy. We watched a movie and vegged out. It was fun getting to hang out again (it had been too long, since we were in Tucson).

So that brings me to Sunday...maternity photo day. I decided to treat myself to a little pampering for the photos. So I had a friend of mine (who also did my hair for our wedding) do my hair. Nothing crazy, she just blow dried it and added some casual curls. AND I had my makeup done (figured I can go all out since this may be the only time I do maternity photos). The photo session was a blast, as it was a friend of ours that took the photos, so it was casual and fun. She took photos of me, my belly, and of us together. I'm excited to see how they turn out...and we'll share some of them here when we have them.

So that's it..that was our first weekend out of the hole. And a crazy side note, we're 35 weeks, tomorrow, so it may be one of six weekends we have left (give or take depending on when Peanut decides she's done cooking). CRAZY!!!!

Murderers, Nesting and Late Night Gelato

This weekend Ronnie was in Kansas City, MO speaking at a CF Education Day, so I was on my own on Friday and Saturday. I HATE staying home alone. I am sure someone will pick that night to rob us or come and murder me. In fact, I have trouble sleeping and spend half the night laying awake in bed watching for shadows out my bedroom window. I'm not sure where this fear has come from, and in the light of day I realize it is completely irrational. However, as soon as the darkness of night sets in, I am sure that a serial murderer is around every corner. This weekend was no different. Luckily, I was only home along Friday night, but I woke up at 4:30AM from a dream about someone breaking into our house, and didn't fall back asleep until it got light out around 6AM. It is so very silly, but I just can't help it. I try everything to make the fear go away. I lock and double check all the doors, I sleep with both phones in my bed incase I need to call 911, I have our incredibly scary dog (who literally would eat the face off of an attacker) sleep next to me, I pray that God will take away this silly fear...you name it, I do it. Maybe next time I will be more brave...or maybe I'll just go sleep at my brother and sister-in-law's!

Mainly running on fear and a little sleep Friday night, I did manage to check some items off of my to do list between Friday and Saturday. Friday night I kept my mind busy until midnight starting our registry and researching what products are necessary and best. Then on Saturday I went shopping for a chest for Peanut's room. Instead of doing a changing table, we decided to just get a chest and put a changing pad on top. We wanted something that could be used anywhere in our house down the road. Thankfully I found the perfect chest, and it looks awesome in the room (see picture...which I know isn't the greatest because you can't quite make it out, but there you have it). I also went and physically looked at items at the store that I registered for, to make sure that I liked them in person. After seeing some things, I swapped items and adding some new ones. It is something that was hanging over my head, but feels sooo good to have started working on, and believe it or not, I am getting close to being done!

Ronnie was home all Sunday. So did our normal routine of church, gym, and chores, and then headed to hang out with Josh and Chrissy (bro and sis-in-law). We had a blast playing wii and going for a nice little bike ride. We got home around 8:30 sat on the couch for 15 minutes and I began dreaming about frozen yogurt. I finally verbalized my desire for frozen yogurt and Ronnie said what no man should ever say to his pregnant wife at 9PM when she wants something sweet. He said, "Yeah? Well let's go." My ears perked up and I tried to convince myself for all of 30 seconds that it was too late and unnecessary. But no. It was very necessary my craving convinced me. So off we went to get froyo. Unfortunately there wasn't a froyo place where we went (where I directed us to because I thought there was one there). There was, however, gelato...an equally tasty treat and one that would satisfy my craving just fine! Man was it good! I am pretty shocked that I made it to 29 weeks with only one late night food run...a success in my book! Tomorrow it's back to fruits, veggies, and protein, to give this little nugget all the nutrients she needs!

All in all, a good weekend!

Home Again, Home Again

So I should probably start by apologizing for the super late post today. I was out of town all weekend for the CFRI Conference in San Francisco, and today has been a little a-typical.

But I'm back in business and thought I'd fill you in on the weekend. The CFRI Conference is always a great time to meet other CF patients and families face-to-face, as well as learn a whole bunch of new information about what's going on in the world of CF. I will say, I am normally a put-my-feet-up-and-relax kind of gal on the weekend, so going non-stop gets to be a little much for me, but the weekend is always so worth it I keep coming back for more (this is my second year going). I really enjoyed meeting some folks face-to-face that I've "known" online for some time, and it was awesome getting to catch up with some people I met there last year. The lectures were all interesting, but Tiffany Christensen's talk was by far my favorite - that cyster is a rockstar and if you ever have a chance to go hear her speak, GO!

While this cat was away, my mouse certainly did not just play. Ronnie spent all weekend doing projects around the house. We're talking a solid 30 hours of work around our house. The really exciting part was that I didn't know what he was doing. So when I got home, we walked through the whole house I had to try to guess what he had done. It was a really fun game and the house looked beautiful - man my hubby is the best!

Just a quick peanut update. Peanut's doing great (as far as we know), I feel like my belly got WAY bigger this weekend, but maybe some of it is just bloating from sodium-filled conference food. We are 27 weeks pregnant tomorrow, and I cannot wait for next week, so we can be into our third trimester...YIPPEE! One fun effect of this pregnancy that I experience in full-force this weekend was serious swelling in my calves and feet. I guess I'm not used to sitting in a chair all day, and so I quickly realized what happens when I do...my legs turn into tree stumps! We're talking so much bigger that my ankles looked a little white-ish...HOT! Oh well, they would go down over night and re-swell by the end of the next day. I'm not complaining though, at least I know what my legs and feet would look like as a 400 lb woman....OR by the end of this pregnancy!

All in all it was a great weekend, but it's even better to be home with my hubby!

The Dreaded Weekend

Ever have those weekends that you dread? The kind of weekend that you actually are a little bummed about come Friday? That's how this weekend was for me. Why? I'll explain.

A couple weeks back, Phoenix was hit by a haboob (a HUGE wall of dust...google it or see picture above, it's actually a picture from this last haboob). So needless to say, the entire outside of our house was covered with dust - the patios, furniture, windows, you name it. So for the last couple of weeks, I knew we would have to hose everything down and wash the windows, buuut I was dreading it. Something about doing work outside for several hours straight when it's 110 degrees out doesn't scream fun weekend activity to me. But this weekend was the weekend for it, and I knew this weekend was the weekend for it, so this weekend was the weekend I was dreading!

So Friday evening came and went, and we didn't hose off the outside. Instead, we went to the gym, rented a Redbox movie (Rango), and enjoyed a really great meal (buffalo chicken wraps..YUM). And then it was Saturday. We got up, made french toast and headed off (after Ronnie's morning treatment of course) to a matinee. Then to get out of hosing off the outdoors, we actually did other chores. We went to Sam's Club to do some grocery shopping. Then we came home, and totally organized and cleaned out the pantry, the fridge and the freezer. Then it was dinner time and we watched another movie (Unbreakable). So Saturday came and went, and I managed to "trick" Ronnie into not doing the outside cleaning. But then it was Sunday...dun dun dunnn...and the last day of the weekend (which meant I could no longer put off the outside). We went to church in the AM, got home to have some lunch, and then it was time to get to work. Four hours later, the outside was hosed down, the windows were washed (inside and out), the window frames on the inside were washed (somehow dirt/dust actually makes it way inside the windows on the window frames), the house was picked up, and the flowers in the yard were pruned.

And at the end of the 4 hours I realize something very important: I was putting off and dreading 4 hours of work. 4 hours that flew by, were very productive, and I hardly noticed the time passing. So I've decided that in the future, instead of dreading something ALL week and weekend, I'm just going to bite the bullet and get it done. In fact, we were so inspired by the clean pantry, fridge and outdoors that we decided each night this week we're going to pick a single job (starting with the closets) and knot it out.

So my question for you is this...what project are you putting off around the house currently? Or what project were you putting off, that once you did it, felt like no big deal?

1/2 Mother's Day

We had a jam-packed weekend; full-o-fun. We were down in Tucson Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning. Friday night we enjoyed dinner with a few of our co-workers/friends, and then enjoyed hanging out with Ronnie's family a bit.

Then Saturday we enjoyed a morning with Ronnie's Grandma and Aunt Mary and then went to breakfast with Ronnie's brothers. Next up was a bridal shower for Ronnie's cousin, which was a blast. For each of his family members, Ronnie's mom and her sisters throw what they call an "Auntie Shower". And these ladies always do an unbelievable job. This shower was "beachy" since their wedding is in June, on the beach in Mexico. It was a blast, as all the Auntie Showers are.

After the shower Ronnie, his brothers, and I ran around getting stuff for Mother's Day (obviously for his mother!) And after the errands were over, it was time to get cleaned up and ready for a CysticLife fundraiser that we had. Our web guru, Mike, organized the whole event and it was a HUGE success. We were thrilled to see it all come together and look forward to this event in years to come (right, Mike ;-) !!)

And after what felt like a very short night of sleep, it was MOTHER'S DAY (or 1/2 Mother's Day as Ronnie and I celebrated it for this little momma to be). Ronnie, his brothers and I made breakfast for their mom. We enjoyed some blueberry pancakes, watermelon, and scrambled eggs. After a nice meal, we packed up, and headed up back home.

The rest of the day we spent laying around - and it was FABULOUS! I had a bit of an upset stomach Saturday night and all of Sunday, so laying around and napping was just what the doctor ordered. Ronnie and I didn't want to celebrate Mother's Day for me this year, since peanut isn't here yet, so instead we celebrated 1/2 Mother's Day. And while we didn't officially celebrate, Ronnie spoiled me all day by doing laundry, waiting on me, and showering me with praise - it was the best 1/2 Mother's Day anyone could ask for.

And while Ronnie already wished everyone a happy Mother's Day, I want to take a second to give my mom a specific Mother's Day shout out, since I wasn't able to spend the day with her (and between you and me, I didn't get her anything either because we'd probably need to take out a second mortgage on our house to pay for shipping!) Luckily my dad picked up the slack and spoiled her all day for me and my brother. But in case she didn't feel the love enough: Momma - Happy Mother's Day! You were the best mom, and have set the bar very high for me. I hope I can be half the mom you are.

So how did you celebrate Mother's Day?

Updates from the Couch Potato

I figured I'd give a little update about what crazy things we've been up to.

(Silence. Crickets.)

That's how eventful things have been around here, and it's been AWESOME! This last week has consisted of work, working out and watching TV.

The highlight for me has been our workouts. It's been really nice to be back in the gym consistently, and actually WANT to work out. I've found that the last few weeks I've actually been eager to wrap up my work day so I could go get a workout in. Even better, most days we've done cardio I haven't been eager to be done. I think my new energy for working out is two-fold: 1. It's different. We've been so focused on running for the last several months, and the change of pace (elliptical, stairs, treadmill) has been nice. I find that if I'm sick of working out, if I just switch it up a bit, it becomes fun again. 2. I want to get into great shape before we're pregnant. I (POSSIBLY, with a capital P-O-S-S-I-B-L-Y) only have another month or so before I'm pregnant, and I want to start off the pregnancy in good shape, so I can hopefully remain very active! Sitting on my bum for 10 months sounds like a recipe for boredom and a whole lot of jiggle, so my goal is to work out as hard/much as my doctor thinks is appropriate!

This weekend consisted of a lot more relaxation (for me). Ronnie was in Stony Brook, NY to speak at a CF Education Day (was anyone reading this blog there??) so his weekend was busy, but I just held down the fort. Friday night I had a friend come spend the night (slumber party, what what!) We went to a movie (No Strings Attached - Love Natalie Portman, but it was a little crude for my comfort...the sex scenes were just awkward and the cussing and crude jokes were unnecessary). We then just sat on the couch and talked until we fell asleep. I was really nice to catch up. Saturday was full of more nothingness. We went shopping in the AM - we actually went to hike a mountain near by, but it was so packed that you couldn't get parking, so we decided we'd just shop instead!) The best thing about the shopping trip was that I actually bought something (good for me, bad for the savings account). Typically I just window shop. I'll even go as far as trying something on, but then talk myself out of it by saying something like, "I don't need another pair of black shoes." But I bought a pair of gray Converse, and they're awesome! After the mall, I rode my bike to the gym and got in a solid workout. That was the last of my activity for the day. I sat on the couch from 4pm until the Sunday morning (I even slept there). It is glorious. I watched TV and played Scrabble online (against Ronnie while he was doing his treatments in his hotel room in NY). It felt really nice to just regenerate! Sunday consisted of church, a nap, and then I went and picked up Ronnie. Let me tell you - I sure missed him. Isn't that stupid? He was gone for only 2 days and I missed him! I was so excited on my way to the airport to pick him up. We headed for a nice little happy hour (because Ronnie only eats out when the food is 1/2 price) and came home to (you can guess it) watch more TV. I think the couch may have a permanent butt indent after this weekend.

It was an uneventful, relaxing weekend (for me...I think Ronnie's pretty wiped). One of those weekends you wish would happen more often! Leave us a little comment and let us know how your weekend went. Did you have a lazy weekend like mine? Or a busy one like Ronnie's? Did anyone get snowed in? (I kind of felt like I was, since I acted as if I couldn't leave the house!) Need help having a lazy weekend? I found this while searching for a picture for this blog. Really? There's an article about this?

PS - A quick IVF update: I start my stimulant med on Sunday (1/30) and will be on it for 8-12 days. Then it's time for Ronnie's biopsy, my egg retrieval and 5 days later, embryo transfer. Everything is moving along very smoothly and we'll post another update next week. Please keep the process in your prayers!