I've got the Breast Pump Blues.
I remember back in the day when I would say to myself...
"Hell ya, I have $150 to spend on :
~a new handbag
~a shopping spree for me!!!
~ a great night out on the town with friends and a cab ride home
~ a new piece of furniture for the house
Now...I say to myself...
"What the $%*@, are you telling me that a freaking breast pump is going to cost me $300?" Okay, breath. Alright let's talk. I get it! This is going to be expensive!!! Gia is going to take every last dime we have to our name...whether it be for clothing, college, food, or a really cute bow...our $$ as we know it...is GONE! But come on! I can go out and buy the crib, the dresser, the rocking glider and ottoman. But, you want me to take out a freaking LARGE chunk of change to purchase something that will SUCK!? Pardon me if it takes me a minute to come to terms with this. I look at this contraption...with no freaking clue how the hell it works---and then I think. I know this will be a good investment...but can't someone just bargain with me here??? Can't we head to a breast pump auction..."Give me ten, I got ten, give me fifteen, I see your bid."
My mom raised me to shop for the bargains. Oh God, here comes a flashback. Come back with me in time to, ummm I'd say...my 4th grade year. I'm a tad chunky--hair all kinds of out of whack, and mom takes us to JCPenney for our back to school shopping. I remember her words clearly..."Okay Trey and Reagan, look for the deals...that means only shop on the racks that say 50-75% off." So we did. (Side note, that shopping spree ended in me getting a Charlotte Hornets t-shirt 2 sizes too big b/c it was $3.49). So in essence, she created a bargain monster! Thanks Mom.
So back to 2011, here I am...trying to come to terms with dropping big bucks on a pump that says it will help with things like: sore nipples, engorgement, drawing out/inverted nipples, and latch-on problems or breast infection. Well then, hell ya, sign me up...because that sounds like a GREAT FREAKING PURCHASE.
Signing off....with the Booby Blues.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Star of the Blog!
One of my friends from Brookfield surprised me with this outfit in the mail for when Gia arrives! She said she was shopping and saw this and thought of my blog! I just love it and appreciate it so much!!! Daniel said, "That is perfect for you!" I agree! Thanks Lindsey!!!
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We also began our registry yesterday, only at Target, but we got started. I found a bib that I registered for that says "Star of My Mommy's Blog!" Thought it was perfect!!! I had so much fun starting to shop for her!!!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Halfway Marker!!!
So we have made it! 20 weeks, halfway there, 20 to go, however you want to look at it...Daniel, Brinkley, Reagan and Gia have all made it! :) And I think we have done a fine job! Here is the baby bump!
For my knowledge:
~weight gain 9 pounds
~a glass of wine sounds remarkable
~I found out what an episiotomy is today...HOLY $#!*
~fruit in the morning doesn't work, too acidic and this leads to hurling outside at school (I have now christened the east and west sides of our lovely Oakwood Manor building!)
~I am feeling more and more confident that I can feel Miss Gia. When I lay on my side at night, when I am still and calm, I can feel something going on in there---it must be her right!
~French fry cravings and Popsicle cravings are out, anything on the breakfast menu from McDonald's and ice cream is in!
For my knowledge:
~weight gain 9 pounds
~a glass of wine sounds remarkable
~I found out what an episiotomy is today...HOLY $#!*
~fruit in the morning doesn't work, too acidic and this leads to hurling outside at school (I have now christened the east and west sides of our lovely Oakwood Manor building!)
~I am feeling more and more confident that I can feel Miss Gia. When I lay on my side at night, when I am still and calm, I can feel something going on in there---it must be her right!
~French fry cravings and Popsicle cravings are out, anything on the breakfast menu from McDonald's and ice cream is in!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Powder
Hey....wanna know what's really fun? When you find out that it is quite common for women to develop VERY dry skin during pregnancy and then be told you have eczema. Wanna know what's even more fun than hearing that God Awful word? (seriously, eczema is one of the worst words ever created) When you find out that during a pregnancy it will really act up and there is NOTHING...oh that's right...NOTHING you can do about it. Wait a second...hold the phones!!! I spoke with the pharmacist and she said there is something I can do. Wanna know what it is? See conversation below between myself and the nurse.
Reagan: Oh, I am so glad to hear there is something to alleviate the itching, I am seriously about to scratch off 6 layers of spray tan if I don't get some relief!
Pharmacist: Yes, you can use Zinc Oxide on your legs. It should help with some of the irritation.
Reagan: Awesome, should I just head to CVS to pick it up, is it over the counter?
Pharmacist: Yes, just head back by the diaper rash creams.
Reagan: I'm sorry, one more time...did you say diaper rash creams?
Pharmacist: Yes, essentially you will be using that off brand of cream to alleviate the irritation. It's the best you can do because it doesn't contain anything harmful for the baby. I would recommend a GREAT lotion that would clear up the eczema immediately but that has a steroid in it, and obviously you can't use that.
Reagan: Obviously (voice beginning to whimper).
The next evening at home~I apply this ass paste to my legs. WARNING--this $h%# doesn't come off. It makes me look like the lead actor in the 1995 box office hit, Powder. My poor husband (who at this point, has probably given up all hope that I will resume any sexiness) watches me dig my nails into my skin for a pre-game scratch before putting on my Powder costume.
The next morning in the shower~After scrubbing for 5 minutes to rid myself of the cream, water pellets bouncing off my legs and hitting me in the eye, I give up. After drying off and my legs dying for some relief, I attempt to add some Caladyrl to my potion. My legs refuse the mixture. Now they have remnants of white cotton ball pieces (that WILL NOT come off), powder cream and a shiny gloss finish courtesy of the Caladryl.
Daniel....you still love me right?
Reagan: Oh, I am so glad to hear there is something to alleviate the itching, I am seriously about to scratch off 6 layers of spray tan if I don't get some relief!
Pharmacist: Yes, you can use Zinc Oxide on your legs. It should help with some of the irritation.
Reagan: Awesome, should I just head to CVS to pick it up, is it over the counter?
Pharmacist: Yes, just head back by the diaper rash creams.
Reagan: I'm sorry, one more time...did you say diaper rash creams?
Pharmacist: Yes, essentially you will be using that off brand of cream to alleviate the irritation. It's the best you can do because it doesn't contain anything harmful for the baby. I would recommend a GREAT lotion that would clear up the eczema immediately but that has a steroid in it, and obviously you can't use that.
Reagan: Obviously (voice beginning to whimper).
The next evening at home~I apply this ass paste to my legs. WARNING--this $h%# doesn't come off. It makes me look like the lead actor in the 1995 box office hit, Powder. My poor husband (who at this point, has probably given up all hope that I will resume any sexiness) watches me dig my nails into my skin for a pre-game scratch before putting on my Powder costume.
The next morning in the shower~After scrubbing for 5 minutes to rid myself of the cream, water pellets bouncing off my legs and hitting me in the eye, I give up. After drying off and my legs dying for some relief, I attempt to add some Caladyrl to my potion. My legs refuse the mixture. Now they have remnants of white cotton ball pieces (that WILL NOT come off), powder cream and a shiny gloss finish courtesy of the Caladryl.
Daniel....you still love me right?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Reason for rAd...
Chatting with my brother-in-law this weekend and we chatted about my blog and how he wonders if my followers understand the reasoning for the title. He said that I may want to share that so they have a connection to the blog's name. I though this sounded like and excellent idea. Now, although there is no amazing story behind it, it does have significance. In the Allegri family each couple has the combined "nickname." You know, rather than write To: Nick and Sybil on everything they combined their names and created their combo name Snic. This fits better on Christmas labels! Mark and Michelle have always been M & M (if you need me to explain this, I am worried for you.) So when Daniel and I got married we were trying to think of our combo name. After letting Daniel spew ideas such as: Raniel (pronounced RanYul), Dangan, and other ridiculous choices I looked up and the answer was right in front of me.
For our wedding we got this great gift from the Saccaro's, it was a circular mirror with our initials on it rAd. So we hung it above our mini bar in our kitchen and that area became the RAD Saloon! So, if you have yet to put it together the r=Reagan, the A=Allegri, and the d=Daniel. The Reagan and Daniel Allegri Life...rAd Life! :)
Thanks for following, being rAd is.....well.......just what we are! :)
For our wedding we got this great gift from the Saccaro's, it was a circular mirror with our initials on it rAd. So we hung it above our mini bar in our kitchen and that area became the RAD Saloon! So, if you have yet to put it together the r=Reagan, the A=Allegri, and the d=Daniel. The Reagan and Daniel Allegri Life...rAd Life! :)
Thanks for following, being rAd is.....well.......just what we are! :)
Gia Baby!!!
It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk about a shocker, for lots of people! If I was a betting woman, my butt would be broke! :) On Thursday at 4:00 we were introduced (via ultrasound) to our beautiful baby girl (of course she is beautiful!!!) floating around in my tummy! She is doing great and growing like a weed. As the technician moved around her wand checking the baby's umbilical cord, heart, brain, and other areas she kept us in suspense! Then, Miss Gia moved her sweet legs and we say those 3 lines. She wrote upon the screen that beautiful four letter word = GIRL! I can't explain the feeling that surged through my body. It was almost as everything in that moment made complete sense. I almost said, "Well of course it's Gia in there, who else would it be?!" **Mind you, I had this feeling it was Macks in there for 19 weeks!** But at that moment everything became about this little angel who will be our Gia and in our arms in 20 weeks.
It is strange that for the first part of the pregnancy we said Baby A for everything and now, so quickly, it has changed to her and she for everything! I think she already has her Daddy thinking about boys to protect her from and giving her away at her wedding! But we will just take on thing at a time. So now it is onto registry items, painting her room, and getting her nursery ready for her to come home! I hear that time flies and she will be here before we know it, so I plan to use July (I'm off work) to prep for Miss Gia's arrival.
Here is a video of our baby girl. Oh also, we may be bumping up my due date to November 6 rather that the 10th. We will check with Dr. White (OB) on this in two weeks.
It is strange that for the first part of the pregnancy we said Baby A for everything and now, so quickly, it has changed to her and she for everything! I think she already has her Daddy thinking about boys to protect her from and giving her away at her wedding! But we will just take on thing at a time. So now it is onto registry items, painting her room, and getting her nursery ready for her to come home! I hear that time flies and she will be here before we know it, so I plan to use July (I'm off work) to prep for Miss Gia's arrival.
Here is a video of our baby girl. Oh also, we may be bumping up my due date to November 6 rather that the 10th. We will check with Dr. White (OB) on this in two weeks.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Journaling
At the beginning of this pregnancy I was journaling everything every couple of days, but now with this blog I hardly write anymore on pencil and paper. Totally fine with me b/c I have mad typing skills. But just to remember where I am and to have something to look back on, I thought I should have an entry of where I am, at 19 weeks.
Weight gain-7 pounds
How I am feeling- The lower back pain I was experiencing earlier in the pregnancy has definitely gone down on the pain scale (whoo-hoo!!!). I see the chiropractor about every 2 weeks now and am maintaining my adjustments. For the most part I am at at 3 on the pain scale, which is more annoying than painful for me.
Something I have learned-Pop the Tums as soon as I feel a tad queasy or heartburn coming on. Getting close to time to purchase the REAL DEAL BODY PILLOW! Currently I am using my king size pillows (which are doing the trick now), but as my belly grows, I need to purchase the real one!
An Ahhhh-ha moment-When you begin this journey what you once thought was WORRY, is no longer even close to what you will experience. I know that I have signed up for a lifetime of worry! :)
I really have enjoyed this journey so far!
Weight gain-7 pounds
How I am feeling- The lower back pain I was experiencing earlier in the pregnancy has definitely gone down on the pain scale (whoo-hoo!!!). I see the chiropractor about every 2 weeks now and am maintaining my adjustments. For the most part I am at at 3 on the pain scale, which is more annoying than painful for me.
Something I have learned-Pop the Tums as soon as I feel a tad queasy or heartburn coming on. Getting close to time to purchase the REAL DEAL BODY PILLOW! Currently I am using my king size pillows (which are doing the trick now), but as my belly grows, I need to purchase the real one!
An Ahhhh-ha moment-When you begin this journey what you once thought was WORRY, is no longer even close to what you will experience. I know that I have signed up for a lifetime of worry! :)
I really have enjoyed this journey so far!
Spread 'em
Dear Sweet Baby A (today might be the last day we call you that!),
If you would kindly spread those little legs and show your goods today, your Dad and I would greatly appreciate it! We promise this will be the only time we condone and encourage this type of behavior. We hope you are in there growing and staying healthy. We are so excited to know who you are and start talking to you!!! We read that you are going to start hearing our voices this week and other muffled sounds, so we will try to watch our tongue! ;)
Please know we are getting more and more excited every single day to meet you in just 21 short weeks (please don't make Mommy wait ANY longer than this!!!).
You keep cooking away and forming all those beautiful fingers, toes, and everything in between.
We love you Macks or Gia...we already do! :)
Love,
Mom and Dad (so weird!)
If you would kindly spread those little legs and show your goods today, your Dad and I would greatly appreciate it! We promise this will be the only time we condone and encourage this type of behavior. We hope you are in there growing and staying healthy. We are so excited to know who you are and start talking to you!!! We read that you are going to start hearing our voices this week and other muffled sounds, so we will try to watch our tongue! ;)
Please know we are getting more and more excited every single day to meet you in just 21 short weeks (please don't make Mommy wait ANY longer than this!!!).
You keep cooking away and forming all those beautiful fingers, toes, and everything in between.
We love you Macks or Gia...we already do! :)
Love,
Mom and Dad (so weird!)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Flame Thrower
Seriously...Who gave the baby a flame thrower? I read today that heartburn may begin setting in during week 19 of pregnancy. Awesomeness. I have NEVER had heartburn before. Remember earlier in my posting I said how much I love spicy food? This is going to be a problem you see, because Reagan doesn't like being told what to eat and what not to eat. However, she does like to refer to herself in the third person. If what happened to me today is a sneak peak of what I am in store for. S H I T!
Flashback to 10 years ago. I was back home in Brookfield and had to go in for a procedure (one you don't really want to know about) where I needed to cleanse out the digestive system (aren't you glad I am not going into much detail here!). Anyway, I was told to be on ONLY BROTH for 24 hours before the procedure. I seriously cried like a baby to mom (she is shaking her head up and down right now in agreement) to just allow me to put something the soup. I of course was thinking something like steak...she told me to go right ahead and put it in there, but that the outcome may not be lovely for anyone involved. So, see??? For 24 hours I had a problem with someone telling me to not eat something. And now I may be looking at a lifetime of this? (okay lifetime is a tad dramatic, but HELLO, you are on my blog!)
So, do you really think that heart burn, indigestion, upset stomach (I could totally go into the Pepto Bismol jingle here) is going to go over smoothly? Doubtful. Today I got the amazing joy of having heartburn, which I thought was just queasiness from taking my prenatal on too empty of a tummy...not so much. So as I was feeling queasy, I quickly grabbed 2 plums and ate them to fill up the tank. 10 minutes later I tell my students Mrs. Allegri will be right back---raced out the recess doors, and up come the plums. Alert: Plums are not easy to bring back up. This in turn busted some blood vessels under my eyes and left me feeling like complete crap all day.
Now the school day is done and I am taking my bloodshot eyes to bed.
It was Professor Plum on the playground at school with the flame thrower.
Flashback to 10 years ago. I was back home in Brookfield and had to go in for a procedure (one you don't really want to know about) where I needed to cleanse out the digestive system (aren't you glad I am not going into much detail here!). Anyway, I was told to be on ONLY BROTH for 24 hours before the procedure. I seriously cried like a baby to mom (she is shaking her head up and down right now in agreement) to just allow me to put something the soup. I of course was thinking something like steak...she told me to go right ahead and put it in there, but that the outcome may not be lovely for anyone involved. So, see??? For 24 hours I had a problem with someone telling me to not eat something. And now I may be looking at a lifetime of this? (okay lifetime is a tad dramatic, but HELLO, you are on my blog!)
So, do you really think that heart burn, indigestion, upset stomach (I could totally go into the Pepto Bismol jingle here) is going to go over smoothly? Doubtful. Today I got the amazing joy of having heartburn, which I thought was just queasiness from taking my prenatal on too empty of a tummy...not so much. So as I was feeling queasy, I quickly grabbed 2 plums and ate them to fill up the tank. 10 minutes later I tell my students Mrs. Allegri will be right back---raced out the recess doors, and up come the plums. Alert: Plums are not easy to bring back up. This in turn busted some blood vessels under my eyes and left me feeling like complete crap all day.
Now the school day is done and I am taking my bloodshot eyes to bed.
It was Professor Plum on the playground at school with the flame thrower.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Mini Meltdown
I have been pretty proud of myself and my hormones during this pregnancy. No real meltdowns, no freak outs, not uncontrollable wigouts (which is strange, as these all seem par for the course Reagan plays on!) ;) However, while at the lake this weekend with my family (which was awesome) I had a small breakdown.
Let me begin with these 4 words: PREGNANCY GLOW MY ASS! There is no such freaking thing. Want to know what is glowing? The oily shine on my t-zone. Want to know about that impeccable skin tone? It is a bunch of crap. I have roughly 13 zits on my face right now making me look like a pubescent girl who is stressed about getting nominated for Valentine's Princess the 8th grade Sweetheart Dance. I choose to not discuss this particular event at this time, as I was not nominated for princess and have clearly not quite gotten over. BTDub, don't even get me started on Prom.
Anyway, back to my meltdown. So I am getting ready to go shopping with my mom and Jamie at the outlet mall and all of a sudden I can feel the heat and aggravation creeping up my neck. Essentially my meltdown consisted of me telling my mom in a 4 year old whine, that I look like I was attacked and stung by a swarm of bees, my hair looks like I put my finger in a flipping light socket, and my bump has me looking like I should put the buffalo chicken dip down and step away from the table.
Mom told me I look pretty. Thanks Mom.
So to make myself feel better I went to the outlet mall and bought some underwear that fits. Joy, pure joy I am experiencing these days. : /
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
8 Days!!!
Had my monthly appointment today with Dr. White. Baby A's heartbeat was going strong at 157 and we set up my OB ultrasound for next Thursday. I will officially be 19 weeks, so that is right in the middle of the range they will see me (18-20 weeks to find out the gender). This visit will be lengthy because they tell us the gender, fingers crossed he/she wants to show us his/her goods. Please note, I will not be a mother that will encourage/condone this behavior once out of the womb. They will also be checking the organs, the arteries, umbilical cord, and tons more.
I cannot wait to find out what is in my belly---right now it seems like just gas ;).
So look for the update on Thursday if our future will be full of pinks and purples, orblues and reds (barf that reminds me of KU) blue and black!
Gia or Macks...who is in there???
I cannot wait to find out what is in my belly---right now it seems like just gas ;).
So look for the update on Thursday if our future will be full of pinks and purples, or
Gia or Macks...who is in there???
Monday, June 6, 2011
Utah!
Returned home from a wonderful but quick trip out to Utah to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins for my cousin Emily's high school graduation. I have never laughed so hard and it was just what the soul needed! I am so proud of my family! Here are a few pictures of our trip!
The beautiful graduate Emily!
My Godson Henry and me!
Aunt Kel loving on the baby! :)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Sober Living
Hi, I'm Reagan, and I have been sober for 18 weeks....all respond, "Hi Reagan."
*Please note, I don't like peanut butter, so the whole peanut butter and jelly combo makes ZERO sense to me (I grew up only wanting jelly on my sandwich...well, because I am smart...So with that said, just as peanut putter and jelly go hand in hand....so do golf and beer. Remember back to my post a few weeks ago about the whole "It's not too terribly bad, this whole no drinking gig." I still feel that way for the most part, but DAMN...being on a golf course and drinking Aquafina, Gatorade and Iced Tea...just makes zero sense.
To best describe the confusion of not marrying these two items I will give you scenario. Imagine someone approaches you and says,"Hey, here is 100 dollars, except you can only spend the money at DEB." Any sane person would respond, "Really, DEB? No thanks, you keep your $100." That is the same way about golf and beer. To go to a golf course and not drink beer is just ridiculous.
Daniel played in the Pepsi golf tournament in Brookfield this weekend, so when I returned from Utah (separate post for this!) I headed back with Mom to watch him play, and then catch my dad, brother and uncle on their afternoon round. Beautiful day and great sunshine, but I was so sad to hear bottles of beer cracking open around me. But the torture doesn't end there. My family heads to the lake for our annual family weekend in 5 days, on a golf course nonetheless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the time when I think that the wife should do half of the pregnancy and the husband should do the second half...if that were the case I would only have 2 weeks left until I could crack open and ice cold beer! But, it's not my reality, so another 22 weeks I go.
Soberly,
Missing Michelob Ultra
*Please note, I don't like peanut butter, so the whole peanut butter and jelly combo makes ZERO sense to me (I grew up only wanting jelly on my sandwich...well, because I am smart...So with that said, just as peanut putter and jelly go hand in hand....so do golf and beer. Remember back to my post a few weeks ago about the whole "It's not too terribly bad, this whole no drinking gig." I still feel that way for the most part, but DAMN...being on a golf course and drinking Aquafina, Gatorade and Iced Tea...just makes zero sense.
To best describe the confusion of not marrying these two items I will give you scenario. Imagine someone approaches you and says,"Hey, here is 100 dollars, except you can only spend the money at DEB." Any sane person would respond, "Really, DEB? No thanks, you keep your $100." That is the same way about golf and beer. To go to a golf course and not drink beer is just ridiculous.
Daniel played in the Pepsi golf tournament in Brookfield this weekend, so when I returned from Utah (separate post for this!) I headed back with Mom to watch him play, and then catch my dad, brother and uncle on their afternoon round. Beautiful day and great sunshine, but I was so sad to hear bottles of beer cracking open around me. But the torture doesn't end there. My family heads to the lake for our annual family weekend in 5 days, on a golf course nonetheless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the time when I think that the wife should do half of the pregnancy and the husband should do the second half...if that were the case I would only have 2 weeks left until I could crack open and ice cold beer! But, it's not my reality, so another 22 weeks I go.
Soberly,
Missing Michelob Ultra
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