Thankful Thursday!

Gratitude isn't a tool to manipulate the Universe or God. It's a way to acknowledge our faith that everything happens for a reason even if we don't know what that reason is.  - Melody Beattie

Well this week has been quite beautiful! Even for the rainy day on Wednesday (?) it was still okay.  It was my birthday on Monday so that was delightful.  I spent the week hanging out with Levi so I surely have things to be grateful for! 

Let the gratitude continue!

I Made It Another Year! - Woooohooooo!  It's always nice to live another day, let alone a whole year! My birthday festivities were quiet this year but nice.   With so much going on in the background it's hard to try to get something together. And being that I can't get knuckled off of two drinks and listen to bad music at my favorite bar I just couldn't see another way to celebrate.  So we did a small dinner with my friends. Krissy and Lily even got some balloons and an ice cream cake for me which was uber nice!  Pip loved it cake!  If he could write, his first TT would be that he was thankful for that.  And well hopefully thankful for his mother who has been carrying him around for the last 21 weeks! So thank you to all of you who thought of me this year!

This Back Belt -  Now I don't want to jump the gun here but my physical therapist suggested to use this belt that basically puts pressure on my lower back.  I've only had it on for a few hours today (a few on and a few off)  and I already notice a difference.  I am so excited that there might be some relief I can just shout all about it.  Within a few minutes of taking it off I noticed the pain coming back. If this is the ticket for me than I am more than happy to purchase said ticket.

Pip's Nursery Set Came! - I just think it's the coolest thing that happened to me all week.  It's not together and I still have to purchase a crib to be modified but to see all of the bed stuff that he is going to use was pretty cool.   I'm excited to get it all set up for him.  He'll be pleased. The woman who sold me the set definitely helped me out with the shipping and included a present and that is always nice.  Goodness knows that I am always grateful random acts of kindness. 

Apple Slicers - I don't have a)the strength b) the patience to cut an apple up and I cannot bite into them.  The invention of apple slicers is as fantastic as the invention of electric can openers, which I will have one one day.  To whoever invented the apple slicer, thanks!

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thursday, Folks!  I suppose we are all off to a better weekend with the sunny sunny sunshine.  Even you guys in Liverpool are feeling it this week.   So if anything we can be happy about that. 

Although I am not having the greatest of weeks, or months, I can still find things to be grateful for.  This is important and I think that even when you are going through a rut or a most impossible pregnancy you must always look for the good things. So that is what I do.

This week I am thankful for...

Being Able to Brush My Teeth Like Usual -  During my first trimester I couldn't brush the back of my tongue.  I'd gag on my toothbrush and feel sick for hours.  I don't know if you know this but I am obsessed with brushing my teeth and having it taste minty fresh.  In no way do I enjoy my mouth tasting like butt.  So it dawned on me today as I was vigorously brushing the back of my tongue and not gagging that I was vigorously brushing the back of my mouth and not gagging!  I was so happy about this!  For real it was my first genuine smile of the day! So I am pretty stinkin' grateful that I can do that again and I'm also thankful that I noticed it when I was in a phunk!

The Amount of People Who Are Reaching Out to Send Their Support - I mean for real these are people that I haven't spoken to in years.  And they are calling, texting, messaging me their well wishes for Pip and I. I am grateful for it.  I appreciate every single good wish, juju, good vibe, and prayer that are sent our way. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

That People Buy Presents for Pip - It's not the fact that they are buying him things, it's not  a materialistic thing at all. I like it because when people give me things for Pip I think "oh, hey, they think he will make it too."  That might sound stupid and it's cool if you think it does but to me it's comforting. Thoughtful, of course, but the fact that they think he's going to stick around too is very, very nice to know.

Pip Gave Me Thumbs Up -  I know it's just silly nonsense and he has no idea what a thumbs up means but the Universe does! I am taking Pip's thumbs up as a sign of him telling me, "Chillax.  We got this. I'll see you in the fall."  The ultrasound tech was able to get a photo of him doing it (he did it twice) and whenever I get discouraged I look at that picture and just remind myself that every little thing is gonna be alright.

Dann's Plane Ticket is Booked! - Thank goodness!  I cannot wait to have him here.  June 26th cannot come soon enough.  At least I know when and how that is happening!


What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

Here we are again that moment of the week to stop and just be thankful for something, even if it seems like there is nothing possible to be thankful for.  There is always something!

Silence -  I cannot even tell you how thankful I am for the overwhelming silence that all of you gave me in the last two days.  I am sure I sound sarcastic but I am being sincere.  I hate when things go wrong or not my way, like most of you do, but what I hate even more is when I am forced to talk about it.  Although the news from Baltimore wasn't bad, it wasn't good either. I only posted when I got home because there are so many of you who care about Pip and I and want to know what is going on so I owed it to you to fill you in.  When I woke up the next morning I was ready for an overabundance of concern and maybe even "I'm sorry" here and there.  I'm just not that kind of person.  Onward and upwards is what I say!  So thank you to all of you who read (and I can't get over how many of you did) and just gave me time to process the fact that I am still a mystery.  Thank you.

Thoughtfulness of Others - One of my Beatles buddies, Linda, sent me a book this week by Anne Lamott called Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year. I just started the book today and I am only about 40 pages in but let me tell you this book is one of the most authentic books I have ever read. It is funny, comforting, and heart wrenching already because I GET IT! But I think even if you aren't pregnant or do not have any children that it is still accessible.   I recommend it.  Thank you, Linda. Your thoughtful gift arrived just when I needed it as most things in life do! :)

A Beautiful Wedding - My brother finally tied the knot last weekend and it was a wonderful day with wonderful weather and wonderful family and friends.   Everything came together flawlessly and I am so very grateful for that!

That I Was Able to Record Pip's Heartbeat - I am naturally happy that I was able to record the sound of his heartbeat but I want to tell you about a particular instance in which I was grateful for today.  I received an email today that I would indeed have to drive back to Baltimore tomorrow (I should be sleeping!) for a 45 minute appointment due to the incompetency of *someone* not me.  To say I was annoyed was an understatement. I was on the phone complaining to my mother that I had to drive down there for the second time this week when a text came through.  I couldn't hear anything of what my mother was saying because his heartbeat was beating so loud in my ear.  I closed my eyes and listened to the sound, as I often do, and I was reminded that in the end all of these drives will be worth it.  That this is about something, someone, bigger than a 3 1/2 hour drive or just draining my bank account with gas money and co-pays, this is about a little guy who is counting on me to pull through for him. So I will go to the ends of the earth if I have to for this little baby of mine.


What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

Hello Wonderful Folks of CyberCity! I hope you are well.  I know I am slacking on the posting but I'll confess as to why:  It hurts my back to sit on this for too long, no matter how I sit or lay it hurts.  But I will must through it because this week I need to express gratitude.

The Brilliance of Medical Advances -  Even though they aren't that advance in the big picture.  On Monday, for the first time ever, I was able to hear Pip's heartbeat!  I couldn't get over the sound of his little heart beating so fast and strong.  He was kicking around, naturally, but I was more amazed by the sound of his heart.  The woman didn't know that I hadn't heard his heartbeat (alliteration) yet, she showed me his heart beating but then she turned the sound up (I'm a worry wart and she probably saw it on my face) and there it was!  I started to cry immediately (and I cried again the next day when I heard it). He's just so perfect already and I am so thankful I got to finally hear his heartbeat.

My Family (and Friends) Are Safe and Sound -  The ridiculous, cowardly, and unthinkable act of violence that happened in Boston terrified me.  I have friends and family up there and I am so very happy that they are safe.   A friend of mine was actually running the marathon and left twenty minutes before the explosion.  I can't even think of the luck that she has and I am so grateful for it. My heart goes out to all of those affected by the senseless act of violence.  Another note, although it isn't a act of terror or violence, it already appears to be more fatal and harmful than Boston, is the explosion in Texas.  My friend has family and in-laws in the immediate area.  So far they are safe and I would like to thank the universe in advance for it's cooperation in making sure that there aren't any more fatalities in this matter!

I'm in Pain -  I mean I am not happy I am in pain but in my mind I tell myself that I am in pain so that must mean Pip will not be in pain and is not in pain.  I'd rather be in unmeasurable amounts of pain than for Pip to feel any.  So I will take it.

The Weather is Finally Warm and Sunny! -  There is no need to explain my gratitude for this one.

Ice Packs -  They aren't that helpful in the big picture but a little relief is okay.   So for those icy packs of goodness, thank you.



What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday - Weekend Edition :)

This past week as been quite busy for me!  But it has also been filled with good news which I am grateful for. I hope that you have had a great spring break and now that we are pretty much all in sunshine, except for the scousers, I suppose we can get back in the swing of things!

This week I am thankful for...


Krissy -  I know I've been thankful for her before as I have expressed gratitude for other friends more than once but over the last two weeks Krissy has lit a fire under my butt and got things going for me, even when I am the most discouraged.   Of course I am thankful for all of my friends but Krissy is the one of the people going out of her way and then just telling me what to do or not to do.  Ha! For once she gets to tell me what to do.  She prances to appointments with me, prints papers that I need printed, or just finds phone numbers that I can't seem to find to save my life. Also because she is figuratively and literally my closest friend who has been pregnant before I can ask her all kinds of questions at all hours of the night.  And when I am freaking out that I think there is something wrong with Pip she tells me to knock it off and offers to run and get a prenatal heart monitor thingy with me.  So I must express my gratitude for her again.  Turns out I am the bigger pain out of the two of us for the next few months :)

The Optimistic Outlook My Doctor Has for Pip - Not that I don't care about my own health, of course I do, but Pip's health and quality of life is most important to me from now until the end of time.  I cannot even share how excited I am that the odds are in his favor.  I know that 1 in 400 isn't really that fantastic but it's better than 1 in 2. I am incredibly thankful for the good news that was shared with me this week.

All of the Love that Pip is Given Already -  From well wishes to belly rubs and gifts, Pip is already an international superstar! All of the good thoughts and positive vibes and prayers that are coming our way are remarkable!  Thank you.

That Kanye West Isn't My Baby Daddy -  Every time I see Kim kardashian I just want to know how the heck she got mixed in with the likes of Mr. West.  I really dislike that man.  He is up there with Nicolas Cage, Chad Kroger, and Alec Baldwin! I thank my lucky stars that Dann is Pip's Papa and not one of those creeps.

That I am Finally Able to Sleep Like a Normal Human Being -  It is so nice!  I am no longer up all night wishing I could sleep. And my mood swings have stopped (for the most part). Now if I can just work on this back pain to get lost we'd be good. :)

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday! The Last UK Edition!

And here we are at the end of the road   The last week of TT from the UK.  Who would have ever thought that this day would come so quickly and with so many surprises along the way! 

While I've been busy packing and unpacking, donating and keeping, griping and complaining, I've also been thinking of all I should be thankful for in my life.

The Beatles -  I don't think I've ever actually expressed my gratitude for the group's existence.  But I am grateful.  If it weren't for them I would have no reason to travel to Liverpool in the first place. When I consider everything that has happened as a result of my desire to come to Liverpool because of the Beatles it sort of takes my breath way (but not in a cheesy 80's song way). So, yeah, Universe thanks for forming that little band from Liverpool.  It did me a world of difference.

My Acceptance into Liverpool Hope - My professor handpicks his students.  The year I started he accepted 14, this year 12 and if it was up to him he would only accept 7.  I actually know of one person who applied and didn't get in.  I don't know what in the heck made him pick me. We all know I am the worst student in the world but that essay I wrote was pretty stellar.  You know the saying "if you can't blind them will brilliance baffle them with bullshoot?"  I suppose that's what I did!

Dann's Father - He is kind enough to take us to the airport to pick up Lolly and then to bring us back to Liverpool to take some of my crap and then take us to the airport when I leave.   That's a lot of hassle.  However, I do have his grandkid in my belly so I guess that gives me a bit of an advantage!

The Ability to Email - Sometimes you can run up a phone bill pretty stinkin' high when you're calling doctors all of the time.   My doctor in Baltimore corresponds by email for most things and that makes things much easier than calling the office a million times trying to arrange appointments.   I'm happy that the email function of life has come into existence.

The Pilot and Co-Pilot of my Mom's Flight -  They are going to be super aware and pay 150% attention while transporting my mother from Philadelphia to Manchester.  I am quite glad for this and I'd like to thank them in advance for their complete cooperation!


What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

Hello there, friends.  It's that time of the week again! I hope that you have found many things to be grateful for this week.  I am in a rather good mood at the moment so let's type away! The video is from the CMAs 2009, it's Kenny Chensey featuring Dave Matthews "I'm Alive."  I don't care if you don't like country (I don care if you don't like Dave), you need to listen to it and embrace this song.  Now.

The things I am thankful for this week are...

A Few Hours Free of Pain - As I believed I mentioned last week I've been having terrible pain in my leg from my sciatic nerve. I've been dealing with it on both sides for at least ten years but lately it's been a terrible, every motion occurrence. On Sunday night at about eleven o'clock, after an absolute day of agony it just stopped hurting.  I did not even know what to do with myself!  I was afraid that any move I made would trigger it again but that didn't happen for a good 12+ hours!  I am so thankful for the little relief I had.  Of course, I'd like it to go away entirely but beggars cannot be choosers, my friends!

We Have Decided on a Girl's Name (We Think) - I know that this might be a silly reason to be thankful but to me it isn't.  In order to stop bad thoughts from crawling into my head at night, I try to picture Dann (and my mom) in the room with me when I meet the baby for the first time. However, I couldn't settle on a girl's name when I pictured a girl.  For some reason I have terrible anxiety when I pictured a girl. Given my past you'd have to understand the fears I have of creating a human that will be absolutely healthy.   When I pictured a girl (whose name didn't sit right) I just saw oxygen tubes and IVs and it just got worse.  But then this name came to my head and there wasn't any of that nonsense going through my head.  So I am incredibly thankful that I found some peace there.

That the Second Trimester Fairy Will Arrive Promptly  in Three Hours -  This is just a thank you in advance for her cooperation :)

The Good Day that Dann and I Had on Tuesday  -  As some of you may know I haven't been feeling the best in the last few weeks and Tuesday was an okay day.  There was sunny sunny sunshine all day.  Dann and I went to town and pranced about looking at baby clothes etc.  We used our points earned in the last year to go to the movies for free (Wreck-It Ralph) and it was just n-i-c-e. He's a good guy :-)

I Slept for Ten Hours Straight at a Normal Time -  OhMyLanta!  How excited was I to fall asleep at 12:30 and wake up at 10:14?!  I didn't even know what to do with myself! The daylight and the sunshine!  Woot!  I mean, it hasn't happened since but whateves. :)  You take what you can get, know what I mean?

An extra special TT-

     Today is my "little" sister's birthday!  I am very thankful that she has had a healthy and happy (albeit full of surprises) year!  Happy Birthday, Christa!





What are you thankful for?




Listen to that song!