All Things Loved In October

1. Candy corn.


It's pretty much a given that every October I will tell you candy corn is one of my loves of the month. The chocolate ones are my favorite, but really I'll eat whatever's in front of me. Last year my candy corn craving went well into November, and when I could no longer find them in my grocery store I may or may not have had a hissy fit. (Which reminds me--I really need to stock up on Cadbury Creme Eggs this Easter, too.)

After binging on candy corn on a near daily basis I thought I might finally be all candy corned out this month--but then I came across this Candy Corn Cookie Bark recipe yesterday. Doesn't that sound incredible? I may need to pick up more while I still can!

2. Pumpkins. They just make me happy--both to look at and to eat.


Just like candy corn, it's also a given that pumpkin-flavored foods will also make my All Things Loved in October list. In fact, I should just type up my All Things Loved in October 2010 list right now and save myself some time. Originally I was going to say "Pumpkin-flavored anything" for this post, but then I remembered the Pumpkin Spice Hershey's Kisses I tried earlier this month--not a fan. I guess there are some things that are better off not being pumpkin flavored.

3. Handing out candy to trick-or-treators! I just get a kick out of all the adorable little neighborhood kids who come and visit us. I pride myself on not being stingy with our candy selection--last year I got fun-sized candy bars. Finding the house that was handing those babies out was like hitting the jackpot when I was a kid! Well word must have got out that we were the candy bar house because my supply was dwindling much faster than I had anticipated. G had a big box of Quaker chewy granola bars in the cupboard and came to my rescue by tossing a bunch of those into our candy bowl. Well imagine my surprise to find out that when given a choice between the candy bars and the granola bars, the kids chose the granola bars! We ended up running out of granola bars, but having candy bars left over! When G informed me that a huge box of these granola bars was only $8 at Sam's Club (whereas I had spent about $30 on the mini candy bars) we were converts. Tonight the only thing we'll be handing out is granola bars!


4. Changing gears to things that are a little less obvious for October--my friend Sara (a.k.a. Tappa) turned me on to these Isotonix liquid vitamins that she sells through Market America.


With the H1N1 flu scare this year--coupled with the fact that everyone around me seems to be sick--it'll be a miracle if I make it through this pregnancy still healthy. Which is why I am obsessed with taking the Isotonix Vitamin C daily. I've also been taking the Advanced B Complex, which helps alleviate stress and improves mood and energy--what pregnant woman (or any woman for that matter) couldn't use that? They're a little pricier than what you'd find at the corner drugstore, but the quality is unparalleled. These are vitamins you drink (versus pill form) so they are more quickly and easily absorbed by your body. I could go on, but really I just know they work for me and I highly recommend them!

5. Three words: The Vampire Diaries.


Yeah, that's right. My name is Dusty. I'm 30 years old. And I watch a show on the CW. I didn't realize how much this show had sucked me in (pardon the pun) until they aired a re-run last week and I was crushed. I love me some vampires! Who's with me on this one? Anyone?

Weekend Errands

T-shirt: Gap Maternity
Sweater: Gap Outlet
Corduroy Pants: Gap Maternity
Scarf: New York & Company
Shoes: Sketchers
Tote: Coach
Pregnancy: 27 weeks

My Ugly Shirt

Shirt: Liz Lange for Target Maternity
Jeans: Gap (regular jeans, worn with a maternity band)
Boots: Nine West
Pregnancy: 27 weeks


While shopping in Target's maternity section I spotted this multi-colored paisley shirt and immediately thought:

That has got to be the ugliest shirt I've ever seen. Who the hell would buy that??

A few minutes later I walked by it again and thought:

Ugh. Seriously that shirt is so ugly.

:::stared at it for a minute:::

I have to try it on.

So I took my ugly shirt to the fitting room, tried it on, and looked in the mirror:

This shirt is hideous.

I love it.

I have to have it.

I don't know what it was, but I went from hating it to totally falling in love with it in no time! It's now one of my favorite maternity tops and every time I put it on I can't help but think:

Wow this shirt is ugly. I love it so much!

I added this dark purple cardigan from Gap (which covered up some of the ugly) when I got cold.

I guess that expression is true--there really is a thin line between love and hate!

Fall Decor

Autumn is definitely my favorite season, but for some reason I never decorate for it. However, since Baby G&D is due just after Christmas I decided not to deck the halls this year and instead opted for a little fall decor which I can put out and take down while I still have the energy (and the time)!



Doormat from Target:


See Chase peeking into the picture? She decided to take a break from napping in her favorite sunspot to get in on the photo op.


A few weeks ago we went for a hike to enjoy the beautiful fall leaves, and afterwards stopped at a pumpkin farm. We got the pumpkins on the front porch and these adorable mini pumpkins which were only 8 for $1.00!


The powder room with a pumpkin spice reed diffuser which makes the entire main level smell so delicious!

Horizontal Stripes & Balls

As funny girl Teresa Strasser would say--it takes balls to wear stripes when you're pregnant. While technically I'm lacking in that department, I do currently have two vaginas so I'd say that makes up for it, don't you think?

Cardigan: Gap
Long-sleeved tee: Gap
Jeans: Gap Maternity
Boots: Nine West
Pregnancy: 26 weeks


Cardigan: Old Navy
Tank Top: H&M
Jeans: Gap Maternity
Boots: Nine West
Pregnancy: 26 weeks

Pregnancy: Week 29

October 19-25
Week 29 was a bit of a rough week. We had our second birthing class on Thursday night and about ten minutes into it I fainted. I'm fine and the baby's fine, thank goodness, but it was a bit of a scare.

By now most of you know that needles make me nauseous. Well, at this week's class the anesthesiologist came to talk to us about epidurals. I first read about the details of an epidural in one of my pregnancy books during my first trimester, and I have to admit I got a little nauseous. (The only time during my pregnancy that I ever felt nauseated.) I immediately closed up the book and tried to put it out of my mind. Well these last few weeks I've decided I needed to suck it up and get more used to the idea of possibly needing an epidural, so I've been back to reading about them, and honestly I've been doing so much better. I think the initial shock wore off and the added exposure has helped. I knew the anesthesiologist was coming to this week's class to talk about epidurals and I was really looking forward to it because G and I had a lot of questions for him.

Well, ten minutes into his presentation he pulled out an example of the tub/catheter they insert in your back and I got a little queasy. I needed to go to the bathroom and decided that was the perfect time for me to take a quick break. As soon as I walked out of the classroom my mild queasiness quickly turned to more significant lightheadedness. The exit was nearby so I decided to head outside for some fresh air. I was only a few steps down the hallway as my lightheadedness quickly got worse and I remember the outer parts of my vision getting grey and fuzzy. I remember reaching for a wall or something to hold onto as the grey parts took over my entire sight in a matter of seconds, and that's the last thing I remember. I ended up fainting in the hallway outside of class, hitting my head during my fall.

I'm not sure how long I was out but I don't think it was long; just a few seconds. I came to with some people standing around me and I was still pretty fuzzy. I remember asking someone to get Greg (who was still in class). I'm not sure what position I fell in, and although I hit my forehead (mid-fall) and had a sore knee, they said they found me laying on my back, so I have to believe I landed on my back and not my belly. I can't handle thinking otherwise.

Our birthing class is at the hospital so I was lucky (albeit embarrassed) to have immediate medical attention. I kept trying to tell them I was fine, just a little shaken up, but they insisted on admitting me to the ER to check things out. They did an ultrasound to check the baby and she looked good--nice strong heartbeat and moving around like her usual self. Up to that point I'd been trying hard not to cry, but of course the tears came pretty easily once I knew our little girl was okay.

They did an EKG to check out my heart and everything looked fine. They kept me there a bit for observation and then let us go. I felt lightheaded and dizzy (and shaken up and embarrassed) for the rest of the night, but got a good night's sleep and the next morning I felt better. I have a bump and a scrape on my forehead, but my bangs cover it so it's no big deal. I sure I'll laugh about it soon, but the worry that something could have happened to our baby is still pretty fresh. Not to mention seeing poor G turn white as a ghost when he turned the corner to see his pregnant wife on the ground. I wish I could take that moment back.

I really don't know how or why this happened! I know I get queasy with needles, but I've been reading about epidurals for the past couple of weeks and have been fine with it. It had been about 3 hours since I'd last ate, but I'd had a big meal at that time and wasn't hungry at all. I have low blood pressure normally, and it's gotten lower with this pregnancy (it was 90/50 at my last appointment) but I haven't come anywhere NEAR this close to fainting since I've been pregnant. My best guess is it was just a perfect storm of all three things coming into play.

The good news is we're fine, and I hope this never happens again.

On a much brighter note, my close girlfriends hosted a small baby shower for me on Saturday, which was so much fun and just the thing to get my mind off recent worries. More on that to come!

Additional Week 29 Posts:
Pregnancy Woes
Flats & Ruffles

Back: Pregnancy: Week 28

Next: Pregnancy: Week 30

Anniversary

Dear G,
I'd marry you (and let you knock me up) all over again.
Happy anniversary--love you baby!
-D

My Surprise Baby Shower!

You've heard me mention that The Whores threw me a surprise "Nerds candy themed" (my favorite!) baby shower during our Alabama get-together last month--well here are the details!

My friend Beth (our hostess for the weekend) was the mastermind behind the event, which occurred the first night of our trip. Those of you who remember Beth (aka: TheBryansWeBe) from The Nest know what an AMAZING house she has. I have drooled over pictures of it for years. Well I as we were pulling up to her house for the first time, I was pretty much in awe of finally seeing it in real life.

Oh, I should note--all the girls had arrived in Alabama by this point and we left the airport to head to Beth's house in separate cars. I rode with Beth and Merry, and we had to stop and get pizzas and ice--while the other girls went on ahead to Beth's house--so we were the last to arrive.

Okay, back to the story--I was walking up to Beth's house for the first time and was pretty much in awe. As I walked in the door (with pizzas in hand) I was just giddy thinking, "Oh my God I'm walking into the home of TheBryansWeBe!"


And then I hear:

SURPRISE!!

Beth has a two-story foyer and all the girls were lined up along her open staircase and up onto her balcony, snapping photos like CRAZY while all these BALLOONS dropped from the balcony overhead.

Talk about the most amazing surprise EVER!

I turned around to see who the surprise was for (because I thought surely this suprise isn't for me) but Beth was just looking at me grinning...and all the girls just kept smiling at me...and snapping pictures of me...and then the ballooons cleared...and I saw a sign hanging from the balcony that said: Welcome "Baby G&D!"

And then I realized: "Oh my God, this is for ME?!?!"

(Notice the Nerds candy in my carry-on bag? Told you they were my favorite!)

I was absolutely blown away!

So blown away, in fact, that I nearly peed my pants! I'd had to go to the bathroom since we'd left the airport but I had been holding it until we got to Beth's house. Of course I had no clue what was waiting for me--talk about a close one! And of course Beth got it on video:



The details of this shower were absolutely incredible. I'm a details person and let me tell ya--all of Beth's hard work and planning were not lost on me! I wish I had a picture of the food and candy spread on her kitchen island--it was amazing! Here's one of the cake table. Look at those gorgeous flowers! And even the pedestal of the cake stand was filled with Nerds candies!




Colorful decals on the door spelled out "Congrats Dusty!"


And since I couldn't drink the real stuff, Beth supplied me with a wine glass full of Nerds--YUM!


Present time!

(One of those whores should have told me how unflattering this position was.)

Our little girl was totally spoiled by her online aunties! She got so many adorable outfits that I just can't wait to put on her. I don't have pictures of them all, but I will be sure to share once she's here to model them in person. She's going to be one stylish little baby!



My girls! Front row, left to right (with their real names and their "Nestie" names): Emily (egrwifey), Me (G&D), and Natalie (natalie102503). Middle row: Steph (stephm0188), Merry (merrygirl), and Kent (Peach&Fireworks). Back row: Aly (alygator), Allison (halfofvamh), Beth (TheBryansWeBe), and Kelly (mrswilliamsin05).


Thank you so much for such an unforgettable shower girls! I'm so blessed to have you all in my life!

Melissa Oholendt Photography

Last weekend G and I were lucky enough to spend an afternoon with Melissa Oholendt--an amazingly talented and oh-so-fun lifestyle and wedding photographer from the Twin Cities. Melissa contacted me several months ago to see if G and I would be interested in a photo shoot. One look at her work and I was sold! Shortly afterwards, I announced we were expecting our first child and sent Mel an email asking if she'd be willing to postpone our plans a bit to do a pregnancy photo shoot with us in the fall. I was thrilled when she agreed!

Here's a little teaser from our session:

And you can see more at her blog: Melissa Oholendt Photography.

Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience and such wonderful memories, Mel! It was so great to work with you and I sincerely hope we meet again!

Pregnancy Woes

Twenty-nine weeks sober pregnant, and still no complaints!

Okay, that's a lie.

I admit for the most part I've had a wonderful pregnancy, and if it weren't for that pesky "no alcohol" rule I'd happily be pregnant forever--but there are a few things I've noticed that aren't all sunshine and rainbows. Starting with a conversation G & I had the other day:

G: What's that spot on your shirt?
D (looking down): Where?
G (pointing): Right there.
D: What are you talking about? I don't see anything.

G walked up to me, put his finger on the spot toward the bottom of my shirt and said, "Right there."

I looked down to where he pointed, and still didn't see anything.

And then it hit me.

Oh. My. God. My belly has an under-side.

WHEN THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN??

As I'm digesting this blow straight to my gut, a second one hits me just as hard: "I CAN'T SEE MY TOES!" I yell to G. "If I look straight down, they're completely gone. I have to lean forward to see them!!"

Ah yes, the first big shock of my pregnancy. I've been expecting it--hell, I've been downright in love with my growing belly--but it still threw me for a loop. There's a difference between knowing it and actually having it happen to YOU.

Speaking of surprises, it turns out my body is growing more body parts than just the ones my daughter needs. I am now the owner of two chins--a little addition I'm not too happy about, and only recently noticed when looking through pictures from my trip to Alabama last month. My face has always betrayed me and showed the signs of weight gain faster than any other part of my body. It turns out pregnancy weight is no different.

Speaking of things only recently noticed while looking through pictures: I have back fat.

Moving on! Symptoms and side-effects which are less of a surprise and have pretty much been with me since I peed on the stick include bad skin and the feeling that I'm losing my mind. Let's start with the skin. I've always had great skin--the kind that friends and facialists compliment. Hell, I've even had strangers in the grocery store stop to ask me what kinds of products I use. Well not anymore. My face now has these red splotchy spots, and my cheeks are pretty much constantly pimply. Luckily I don't have any full-blown acne (yet) but this is bad enough!

Next up--losing my mind. This has got to be the hardest adjustment I've had with pregnancy. Prior to being pregnant I was always on top of things. Super organized. Excellent memory. You want to know who agreed to do what at that meeting we had a year ago? I was your girl. Do we have any plans the third Thursday two months from now? I wouldn't even need to consult my calendar. But now? NOW? Forget about it. I can't even tell you which day of the week it is without glancing at my cell phone. Correction: Without glancing at my cell phone three times before it actually registers what I've just read. A few months ago I was running errands on the other side of town and couldn't find Target. Target, people--TARGET! I've been to that Target hundreds of times, but on this day its location alluded me. It's like I had lost the signal to the Mother Ship! I drove around the same little section of town for 15 minutes (too embarrassed to call and ask for directions) before I finally decided that that particular Target must have closed down and been changed into a completely different type of store that made the building formerly identified as Target totally unrecognizable.

And while I'm complaining, let me just add that I hate sleeping on my side. I suck at it. Sleeping on your back is bad for the baby and could cut off her blood supply--but it's the only position I want to sleep in! I used to be such a good little side sleeper and NEVER slept on my back, but a few years ago I started "training" myself to be a back sleeper. (I was worried my face would get wrinkly faster with the sides of it all scrunched up against the pillow at night. It's all about the vanity, people.) Well my training worked and sleeping on my back has become my favorite and most comfortable sleeping position. But now it's off-limits. So I'm back to side sleeping, getting wrinklier by the night, ON TOP OF all the grey hairs that sprout every time I wake up to find I've rolled onto my back, potentially cutting off blood supply to my poor child! Right now this is my only problem with sleeping at night. It's not that I'm uncomfortable. Or that I have to get up multiple times to pee. IT'S THIS DAMN SIDE SLEEPING!

So there you have it--the (current) woes of my pregnancy.

Kim's DIY Kitchen Makeover

I recently received this reader email from Kim about her kitchen makeover and was so impressed with her and her husband's great DIY results that I just had to share!

Hi G&D,
While wasting away in my cubicle at work, I came across your blog one day and got hooked! I am now an avid reader, and wanted to let you know that your sister’s kitchen renovation inspired my husband and I to makeover our own! With scrapping our pennies together and courtesy of a little left over wedding money, we were able to perform magic! It’s amazing how a little elbow grease and paint can do miracles. Thought you’d enjoy the before and after pictures I attached (please excuse the mess!). Thanks for keeping me entertained! Keep blogging!
Kim

Kim's kitchen BEFORE:


And Kim's kitchen AFTER a little TLC and a lot of hard work:



Quite the upgrade, don't you think?

Looking for some more DIY inspiration and tips? Check out Better Homes & Garden's new site DIY Advice. Here you'll find step-by-step detailed instructions for all your home-related projects--from fixing a clogged drain, to installing crown molding, tiling a kitchen floor, and painting special surfaces--this site has everything you're looking for and it's easy to navigate!

Vote for Unskinny Boppy!

To all my fabulous readers--I'm calling in a favor:

My friend Beth's blog Unskinny Boppy is a finalist for The Bump's Mommy Blog Awards and she needs your help. She's currently neck and neck with another finalist for the win, and your votes could put her in the lead!

Please go to THIS LINK and vote for Unskinny Boppy as your favorite "Miscellaneous Mommy Blog." Voting is at the bottom of the page, and you can vote as many times as you'd like--there's no limit. Just refresh the page and keep those votes coming!

Voting ends at midnight tonight, so please vote now! And if you're feeling really generous, spread the word (blog it, twitter it, facebook it) and help me help Unskinny Boppy take the lead!

Thanks everyone!