After the pregnancy roller coaster!

Since having Princess In Training I have had to deal with medical conditions on top of healing from my c-section. First I had a breast infection on the right side. About 2 weeks later I found a clogged milk duct on the left side, which wouldn't heal on its own. I almost had to have surgery to get rid of it, but luckily the antibiotics finally helped! I finally saw my body getting back to normal.

During my pregnancy I dealt with bouts of extreme upper-middle back pain that radiated right underneath my breast bone. Sometime I would vomit because of the pain. I went to ER twice for it. The first I was told it was a UTI and the second I was told it was my muscles stretching because of the pregnancy. My OB thought it could be kidney stones. For the remainder of the pregnancy I would put heat on my back every night. Once "P-I-T" arrived I figured the pain would no longer be a problem. A month after she was born I had the pain again. It lasted about 4-5 hours at night but always went away. I pushed through the pain and figured if it were kidney stones than I was fine. About a month after that I had the same pain. Pushed through it again and all was well. One week later again. Two days later again. At that point I figured I needed to see a doctor. I went in and he told me it sounded like muscle spasms. However, in the back of my mind I was thinking maybe gall bladder, because I started to see a trend that it happened after I had eaten something heavy. After telling the doctor this he still thought it was muscle spasms and gave me some pain meds for it. The next morning hubby and I went out to breakfast. I had a mushroom and spinach omelet and an hour and a half later I was in pain. This was the worst it had been and it was during the day. I got home in time to loose my breakfast and take my pain meds still thinking muscle spasms. Two hours later the pain had lessened. I figured I would take the time to rest, since the girls were with my mother in law. About 2 hours after that the pain came back full force. By this time I was fed up and decided to head over to Urgent Care. The doctor came in and I told her everything I told the other doctor. She tapped on my back and told me that if it were kidney stones I would have jumped from the table screaming. I then laid on my back so she could feel around my torso. As soon as she pushed on my gall bladder I was in tears. She listened to when this pain would happen and what I had eaten and made me an appointment to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed I have multiple stones and one was blocking a duct. I am now the next in a long line of family members that have had to have their gall bladder removed. With the sign of the times it is a pretty simple procedure. It is an outpatient type surgery, where they do 5 little incisions and take it out through your belly button... I always knew it was there for a reason! So, until then I am living off the most boring foods known to man. The highlight of today was getting a banana smoothie since that is the best tasting thing I have had in 3 days. My meals consist of mashed potatoes with no butter, jello, apple sauce and plain toast. There are more things I can eat, but I worry about the pain coming back and it is not fun! On a brighter note I am almost to my goal weight... not that this is how I wanted to get there. If you have had your gall bladder removed I know how you felt and this is not something I would wish on anyone!

What I learned from this is to not second guess your intuition. If you don't feel you got the right diagnosis get a second opinion just to make sure!

I have been tagged!

I am it! No I am not playing hide and seek... It is meme time! Tena over at Punky Monkeys has tagged me for 2 meme's. Now that I am a semi-pro at this I thought I would do both in the same post... Sit back and enjoy!

The first meme asks that the person tagged has to enter the 6th picture in their album. All my pictures are sorted into different albums, so I chose my first album, which is labeled Angela. She asked me to take a picture of her, so of course I complied! Why not, I make beautiful girls! I love this picture, because it shows some of Sassy's unique style... notice the gray top with sequins with the green top over it? I could show more pics, but this only asked for one. Plus I now have another post set for the future! I am lucky because the house is clean! Aww memories!




So, now I must tag some people now to pass it on!

1. Teenie over at The Smith Family
2. Amanda at Twinkies+1
3.Sandra at Mommy of 3 Beautiful Babies
4. Michelle at The Charlies Family


Okay now onto Meme #2! This is going to be fun, because I have to dig deep in this mommy brain and post 7 things that are weird and random about me... oh are you in for some weird and random things! I also need to enlighten you all with 6 things no one knows about me... okay this can't be done because there is at least 1 person that will know all of these 6 things, but to the blogging world... this is true!

Weird and Random

1.I cannot drink diet coke with caffeine... it does not taste right! Give me a diet caffeine free coke and I am in heaven!
2. I don't like anyone cleaning my kitchen but me... you won't do it right!
3. I hate wearing socks! I wear flip flops in the rain... I am a So. Cali girl so it works... no snow! I only own one pair of tennis shoes! I do wear heels, but again... no socks.
4. I don't mind washing clothes, or even folding, but ask me to put them away and I will procrastinate until the pile is too high and I have to refold.
5. I have to listen to my music LOUD! If I can't listen to it loud I would rather not listen to it at all!
6. Every night I watch Friends... I have all 10 seasons on DVD I pick a disc and put it on repeat.(it must be in order too) I can't sleep without it. If I forget to loop it I will wake up and start it again. I know bad habit, but it helps me clear my head!
7. I cannot read a book more than once. I have tried, but I loose interest after the first chapter! Harry Potter fans put me to shame... There are some who have reread the books at least 10 times. Even my hubby can reread books!

The 6 things no one knows... or the blogging world doesn't know

1. I have the ability to worry myself sick... for some reason anything can do this.
2. I honestly don't care what others think about me. It was a uphill battle, but my skin has thickened.
3. I sometimes live vicariously through my children. I make sure my girls do things that I wanted to do but never did!
4. I have a flu phobia. If I could put my house in a bubble during flu season I would. It has magnified 10 times now that Emma is here!
5. I was tormented and bullied as a kid. People say kids will be kids, but until you were at the receiving end you know this is not true!
6. My life long dream is to be an author. I have about 3 books that I have started, including one I started in high school. The ideas come easy... getting them on paper is the hard part!

Again I must tag people for this, so I am tagging some of the same people and throwing new names in the mix as well!

1. Teenie at the Smith Family
2 Amanda at Twinkies +1
3. Sandra at mommy to 3 beautiful babies
4. Michelle at The Charles Family
5. Diaries of the Domestic Goddess
6. Anyone who loves to reveal the deep dark secrets that are hiding within

Boy Meets Girl: Part Four

This is my last installment. I thought it would take a while but I am condensing this one.

May 18, 1997

After our late night at the beach I still had to be up early the next day. The coach had invited me to a family party. I was finally meeting his family, not just his parents, but his WHOLE family! Go big or go home! It was a great party, except I was getting the cold shoulder from his cousin and aunt. I had no idea why, because they didn't know me. Years later... after they got to know me and of course love me, I found out why.

This coach had actually had a girlfriend when we met. Don't worry he broke up with her the night I got his number. Well his family thought I was her. She did not make a good first impression with his family that she had met. She was clingy and wouldn't leave his side ever. Luckily we are all close now!

The night after the party was when we became official. It is always awkward when someone asks you to become someones girlfriend. There just isn't a smooth way to do it... or from what I experienced. Hell I was used to be asked through writing.

I must have been worth waiting for, because I was some sort of a prude and did not kiss him for the first month. I had issues from the past and made sure he was staying around! He did!

We had our ups and downs. I recently found out why he knew I was the one. There was a point in our relationship where we broke up for 2 weeks. During this time he was not only hanging out with me, but searching his feeling for an ex-girlfriend. One night I went out with a friend and some guy asked for our numbers. My friend gave him a fake one and I gave him my real number. I of course told him, not because I liked this guy, but to make him jealous. I wanted him to know that other guys out there were looking my way. This didn't sit well with the coach, because we got back together soon after and the ex-girlfriend was sent packing! He told me that once he figured there were other guys out there that he did not want me with anyone else!


So, now 11 years later we are going strong! This jock of a coach turned into husband and father material! I cherish my story, because this guy is and always be my first love. Not many people can say that. People have had their doubts about us and our marriage, but we are still proving them wrong every year! Some people even look at me with pity because I have not experienced more of the opposite sex. I just look at them with the same pity, because they have yet to experience the type of relationship that I have had since the ripe old age of 17.

Thanks for reading my story!

I would love to have written more details, but Princess In Training has proven to me that she does not like giving mommy much free time!

Boy Meets Girl: Part Three!

May 17,1997: Prom Night



I am fast forwarding a couple of weeks to May 17, 1997, Prom Night. The coach and I had been talking on the phone and hanging out. It was the honeymoon phase of 2 hours of phone time. What does one talk about for 2 hours? I still do not know. We were not exclusive just yet, but it was on the brink of getting serious... okay serious for a 17 year old. One event hung in the balance.... Prom.



I was a junior at this time and my high school only did senior prom. My good friends were going, so of course I scoured high and low to find a guy to go with me. I succeeded and off to prom I was going. I had no feelings for this guy at all and I was just using him to go to prom. No lecture please... I know how horrible that sounds now.



The first stop of the night was Brandi's boyfriend's house. We did the traditional picture taking that all parents do. We all chipped in for a limo. Back then there were no such things as hummer limos, so we had the ordinary sedan one.



We headed for dinner at Charlie Browns. I guess all I did was think about the coach, because I talked about him incessantly. My friends took me into the bathroom to tell me to tone it down. My date, I guess was not enjoying it. Maybe he thought he was getting lucky on prom night... HA HA NO!



By the time we got to Hollywood Park, where the prom was taking place, my feet hurt and I was honestly over the night. We went and took pictures like your supposed to. This was a disaster...My date was a shrimp. I am 5' 10" and he barely came up to my chest. I told you I was desperate to go. Taking off my shoes didn't help. I left them off in the picture and I found out later that our pictures showed the full body... bare feet and all! If you can imagine it... you have me with no shoes and this very short guy.

My date was fed up at this point and decided to ditch me. In most stories this may have scarred me for life, but I wasn't digging him either.

A little while later we were all over prom and headed over to Brandi's. We decided I should call the coach and see if he wanted to hang out. We had the limo for a couple more hours and did not want it to go to waste. I called his house and what I thought was his dad picked up the phone, so I hung up. I did not want his first impression of me being a phone call that late at night. A few minutes later Brandi's phone rings and her boyfriend answers. No one on either side wanted to give information, so her boyfriend starts getting angry to the person on the line. The person on the phone said something about seeing him at practice when it donned on the boyfriend that it was the coach who *69'd us.

We then picked him up and headed to the beach. We walked hand and hand talking and taking in that beautiful May night. It was a very romantic night where we knew deep inside that this would be the start of a beautiful relationship! The night did end on a great note for me! It may have started with the wrong guy, but ended with the one I was meant to be with!

*** As I look back at this story I honestly feel bad for my prom date. Prom is supposed to be one of the most memorable milestones of ones high school career. I helped him have the worst night of his life. I ruined what was supposed to be the greatest night of ones life! If you are out there I am truly, deeply sorry!***

Boy Meets Girl: Part Two!

I truly thought my chances with the coach were gone! I mean way gone! I spent that first night in the bathroom vomiting... what a catch! Like I mentioned before I was going to the baseball games for a guy who was on his team. At this moment I thought, 'At least I can try for him.' So, the next Wednesday I went to the game anyway. I still thought about the coach and I did what any immature, high school girl would do... write a note. Communicating my feelings through speaking was so unheard of at this stage of my life!

More background:
The coach you can imagine being some sort of a jock. He was a baseball fanatic and played in high school (found this out later). Now picture me. I was going through a phase of wearing baggy pants and vintage tops. One shirt I owned had a 50's style waitress on the front with the name Fannies. On the back it said 'Eat at Fannies'. I even had a bowling shirt. Yes that was the kind of things I wore. We were both the most opposite we could be. I hadn't worn a dress since my dad's wedding to my step mom (January 96) and during the summer of 96 I had PINK hair.

I had the note in the pocket of my baggy jeans, wearing a vintage shirt that had a picture of a kangaroo on it. I thought I looked damn good too! Before the game started I gave him the note. My cheeks were so red from embarrassment.

After the game we decided to go to a Dairy Queen nearby. I can't remember all of the conversation that ensued, but I do know that he asked for my number, or so I thought he was going to. This is the actual conversation:

C: 'Can I get....'
A: Yes

I totally jumped the gun on that one. He still makes fun of me for it to this day! Hey I was inexperienced when it came to boys actually hitting on me.

Even after my stint in the bathroom and assuming he wanted my number this guy was sticking around! My bad luck was finally over, but not my quirkiness!

To be continued...

Boy Meets Girl: Part One!

This week my blog will be a compilation if a turning point in my life. Well it may take more than a week. This started at the ripe old age of 17. Here is the first installment.

April 1997: Boy Meets Girl

I remember the day so well. It was lunch time my junior year of high school. I was with my friends Tena (yes the punky monkey) and Brandi. There may have been others, but I have the worst memory when it comes to people! A fight had ensued and everyone of course was running to it. We were of course making fun of them all, because we all knew that the fight would be over by the time everyone got there. During this time Brandi was telling me that one of her boyfriends baseball coaches wanted to meet me. He had seen me at one of the baseball games the previous week. The first thought that went through my head was, "I am only 17, what would some pervert coach want with me?" I mean coaches had wives and kids, that is why they coached. So, I went to the next game. It was a Saturday and I had spent the day shopping for a prom dress (yes I was going with another guy... more on that later). When they pointed this guy out I was in shock that this young guy was a coach. (He was 19) Oh and did I mention he was H-O-T hot!

***Background: Before that night I had had a total of 3 very short lived boyfriends that had had any significance in my life. My self esteem at this point hit rock bottom, so this guy wanting to meet me was not something I really believed! I was also going to these games to get another boy to notice me! ***

After the game this guy came walking up. He was wearing warm up pants, a Boston Red Sox shirt and baseball cap. The baseball cap was tilted sideways. He thought he was so cool, well I did too! I could smell Tommy cologne. We were introduced and made plans to meet up later after everyone cleaned up.

He had his own car. A Ford Escort and when he drove away he had the song 'Notorious Thugs'. To this day I associate the song with Tommy cologne! Of course he probably thought he was so cool as he drove off.

We all met up later at my friends boyfriend's house. When this guy walked in my jaw dropped! I mean the man was gorgeous. In my head I thought 'What does he want with me?' (again no confidence).

A friend on the team was having a little get together. We weren't there very long. I do remember Brandi freaking out because she did not like driving up hills. It was a milestone for her. After we left I ended up riding with this guy and his friends. In the car he asked me if my friend Brenna had a boyfriend. At this point I figured he was over me and now wanted my friend. I of course lied saying I did not know. I was selfish and wanted this boy to myself. Later on I did find out that his friend wanted to know... oops silly me.

We ended up going to the movies in Norwalk. We saw Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion. Not really a first group date movie to see. We barely talked, even up to this point, because for one I was really nervous!

After the movie we headed to Taco Bell. "What city are we in?" I think Tena might remember this. We couldn't tell what city we were actually in, because we were on the cusp of 2 different cities. I look to the street sign and see City of Norwalk underneath the street. I thought I was so smart until I look up and across the street there is a huge sign that says Norwalk Square... yeah not one of our proudest moments, but to this day this guy and I still joke about it!

We went to Brandi's house after and hung out. It was very late at this point. Well I was so nervous that I made myself sick (if you know what I mean). I spent the rest of the night in the bathroom and never got to say good-bye. At this point I had no phone number and figured that this was the end of that!

To Be Continued...

Baby names and more!

I am sitting here as anxious as can be waiting to hear whether I get in on Friday or not. While I am waiting with both phones glued to my side, I am surfing the web and find this baby name website.. one I haven't seen before. So I thought I would look around and see the different meanings of names. Do you know what they had along with the meaning? The drawbacks... this is all the names that could be used to tease the person with the said name. So, of course I had to look at all the names that I associate with on a daily basis. If you want to know go to this site... babynamer.com. Here are a few of the names I found starting with me:

Allison: the ones with a star are names I was called! Some I liked and some I didn't.
Alley Cat *
Ally *
Al
Sony
Ali Baba*
Alligator
Ally Poo
Allibug
Cowison
Allison Wonderland*
All is on
Ally-my-son
Ally Oop
Ally Belly
Alliphant
Allen's son
Rally Rooster
Ally Bally

Eric: had to include my dearest husband in this! Want to know something THERE ARE NO DRAWBACKS! Of course! I swear... no wonder this man has the biggest ego and exudes so much confidence! I guess I can come to the conclusion that Eric is a strong name!

So, I do have to include my girls' names. I love their names, but do have to see if we have done more bad than good. Okay I know it isn't the name, but still have to know!

Angela: I don't see anything too bad on here... Hopefully kids won't be smart enough for the not so nice ones. So far so good I think!
Angle
Gel
Angel Face
Angelina Ballerina
Angie Wangie
Angie Pangie
Gella
Angel Cake

Emma: Are you kidding me? I did not even think of any of these! I do think M&M is cute and would be a cute nickname for her when she plays a sport. I just may call my little M&M... do you think that is wrong?
Enema
Embryo
Emmanem
Shmemma
M & M
Dilemma

Take a look at your name if you dare... It may bring back some bitterness, or even some not so nice moments of your past!

Mommy~Daughter Saturday!

Yesterday I decided that my sassy princess and I would have a mother~daughter day! I didn't want to stay in the house all day, so Angela and I got ready early and had great day. First on our stop was getting mani/pedi's. As you can see in the picture above my sassy princess gets very relaxed when she gets her nails done! This is the 3rd time she fell asleep at the nail place. The owner tells me I am not allowed to come in without her, because of this! While I was waiting for Angela to finish I had the best idea to go and register for Emma. I was going to wait till Angela was out of school, but since I was out I thought today would be perfect. My mom even came with us. So our next stop was Baby's R Us. Angela was in charge of the scanner... man that girl can scan! We picked some wonderful things for little Emma. I even scored on some clearance clothes! Four outfits for under 30 dollars... SCORE! We then went to lunch at Lucille's, which got our energy hopping for a trip to Target. I registered here as well... mainly for the stuff that I thought was too expensive at Baby's R Us. Last on our stop was a trip to my grandparents. It is always wonderful to see them! Angela had so much fun playing with thier dogs as well! We had a great time being girly and doing what girls like best.... shop (we did fit in shopping too)!

Now all I need to do is plan the baby shower, or should I say help. With all the people kind enough to want to be involved who knows what I will be able to do :0)! This will be a great party to celebrate my little Emma!

I cannot wait to share Emma's pictures from the 3D/4D ultrasound we will have done on June 4th! I cannot wait to see what my princess looks like!

I am trying to write as much as I can now, because I am going to have a busy next few days, so let's see what do I need to blog about before I go...

Oh yes... I want to stop and remember a vetran of the army, who passed away January 21, 2008... My grandfather Burton Ballew! Not a day goes by where I don't think about him! I was always so fascinated by his army days. He was in WWII and saw a lot of stuff in Europe. He was also injured while fighting for his country. This injury over time got worse and worse and he had to live with migraines on a daily basis. He loved his family! You could never walk by him without recieving a kiss and a hug. The one thing I miss the most about him is the smell of his pipe. I may not care for smoking, but this smell I loved. Everytime I smell something similar I remember my grandfather! I know he is up in Heaven pain free and watching over his famly!!!

I LOVE YOU GRANDPA!!