Reading Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert.

I’m not finished with it yet (I’m on page 120), but I think if you are married (or plan on getting married one day), then you should probably take a look at it. There is some overview on the history of marriage (mostly as relates to Western civilization) which I’ve found very interesting so far. Some things I never knew about early Christianity’s REAL take on marriage (might surprise you!) .  Gilbert  also took the time to discuss love and marriage with women of many different cultures, in order to answer her own questions and quell some of her own doubts.

It’s been very interesting to go over my own thoughts and beliefs on marriage, and I hope the remainder of the book is as good as the beginning.

It’s Top Two Tuesday!

Random Facts About Me:

1.  I have this pinkish birthmark on the back of my neck that turns REALLY RED when I am upset.  If I’m really mad you could lift my hair up and check - but I DON’T RECOMMEND IT.

2. I need a fan running in order to sleep (no matter what time of the year it is). I have an old (as in, it was purchased new in 2000) Weatherworks box fan that I am loathe to part with. Tim tried to buy a new fan for me 3 years ago, and I can use it in a pinch, but it’s really hard to sleep without that specific white noise. Before we left for Italy, Tim and I had to go through about 100 recordings of fans in order to find one that would work for me. One of the reasons it is so hard for me to sleep is outside noise (birds, snoring, wheezy breathing, etc.) and the fan helps to cover up a lot of that noise.

How far along? 31 weeks, 1 days

Total weight gain/loss: +15 lbs (did my weekly weigh-in; was surprised I didn’t gain anything this week, but I was pretty sick for a few days)

Maternity clothes? Today I’ve got regular pants on, but a maternity shirt. Yesterday I wore maternity pants and a regular shirt.

Stretch marks? nothing new, just the one up top

Sleep: I actually slept pretty well the past two nights! OMG!

Best moment this week: Tim built Marco’s dresser yesterday and tomorrow I’ll be organizing his clothes (which we”ve already got tons of, thanks to friends with babies). Oh! We are FINALLY planning out my library! We also received our tax refund, and that put to rest a few bills!

Movement: He has lots of energy, that’s for sure.

Food cravings: Apples, cereal, cake.

Gender: boy

Labor Signs: no, but the Braxton-Hicks contractions are more frequent; I have them everyday.

Belly Button in or out? It’s a little crater, but it’s still IN!

What I miss: I miss the ability to get up from a sitting position without all the ‘heave, ho’. 

What I am looking forward to: Easter candy.

Weekly Wisdom: Kissing is a good stress-reliever. Thanks, Timmy!

Milestones: no milestones this week. It’s been kind of tough with the sinus/tonsil infection, but I’ve managed to settle some things that were worrying me (with regards to work and the baby) and now I feel slightly more at ease.

Got this from another blogger, Beth of Just Me and My Life!

A. AREA CODE : 707

B. BED SIZE: Queen! Tim talks about trading up to a King but it’s all talk…

C. CHORE YOU HATE: dishes. Timmy is an awesome hubby and does them for me

D. DOG’S NAME: Chloe <3 My adorable puppy (okay, so she's 9 years old...she's still a puppy to me!)

E. ESSENTIAL “START THE DAY!” ITEM: Since I became pregnant, I like a good bowl of cereal Otherwise, I need my toothbrush and Crest Pro-Health toothpaste

F. FAVORITE COLOR: pink, black, peacock green

G. GOLD OR SILVER: Platinum!

H. HEIGHT: 5’3″

I. INSTRUMENTS YOU PLAY: none – but I sing

J. JOB: Insurance broker/marketing, Innkeeper, Wife and Housekeeper (LOL). Will be adding ‘Mom’ to that list as well.

K. KIDS: gimme 9 more weeks and I might have an affirmative answer – depends on when Marco decides to make his debut

L. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: Tim and I live in the house we purchased last summer

M. MOM’S NAME: Denyse

N. NICKNAME:Shelly, Wifey, M.C. MD

O. OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: Once, when I had an ovarian cyst burst – OMG PAIN.

P. PET PEEVE: Talking with your mouth REALLY full. It’s one thing to answer with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’; it’s quite another to launch into a story with masticated steak rolling around your tongue. Oh – and the turn signal on your car is not just a mechanism of politeness, it can prevent accidents!

Q. QUOTE FROM A MOVIE:Armand: “Los Copa? There’s nothing there but a cemetery.”
Albert: “That’s why I’m packing light.” flinging a toothbrush bag over his shoulder
Armand: I see, you’re going to the cemetery with your toothbrush. How Egyptian!”
From ‘The Birdcage’

R. RIGHTY OR LEFTY?: Right

S. SIBLINGS: younger sister, 5 sisters-in-law and 2 brothers-in-law

T. TIME YOU WAKE UP: I wake up many times in the night! But to start my day, it really depends on my work schedule. Sometime between 6:30am and 8:30am

U. UNDERWEAR: yes?

V. VEGGIE YOU DISLIKE: Celery

W. WAYS/REASONS YOU ARE LATE: It’s usually trouble getting out of bed or wardrobe issues!

X. XRAYS YOU’VE HAD: teeth, ankles, spine

Y. YUMMY FOOD YOU MAKE: I’m a pretty good cook, but Tim’s favorite dish is my chicken enchiladas!

Z. ZOO ANIMALS YOU LIKE: I love the elephants!

On bed rest today at my OB’s request – some kind of sinus infection. I’m on antibiotics for the next 5 days, and have to rest, stay warm, drink lots of fluids, etc. UGH. I’ve got a cough, sore throat (and a weird thing on my tonsil that the antibiotic is supposed to clear up – sorry, TMI!), stuffy nose and a sinus headache. One of the most annoying things is that my nose is stuffed, and I already have asthma. If I am drinking water, eating or enjoying a Luden’s throat drop (so tasty!) it is almost impossible for me to breathe! I can’t breathe through my mouth AND drink water at the same time.  I can, however, pat my head and rub my tummy simultaneously.

So, bed rest. Not so exciting. Luckily, I have an adorable cat to cheer me up (pardon the quality, taken with my iPhone):

See?! He gives me those adorable kitty eyes and then hops onto the bed. If I leave to grab water or use the restroom, I come back to find him snuggling deep into the covers. Thief!!

One other thing that is making me feel much better: our tax refund & First Time Homebuyer’s credit came today from the IRS!! I am so excited to pay off bills and put aside more money for Marco! Wheeee!

Finishing up In the Cage by Henry James. Not sure what I am starting next! I just ordered a few baby books from Amazon – The Nursing Mother’s Companion and On Becoming Baby Wise. The first was recommended by Dyan (the nurse who taught our birth class)  and the second was recommended by Kacey (who was told it was essential by a friend). I’m not sure I’m actually in the mood to read these types of books right now, but I don’t have much time left before Marco arrives!  Plus, I had A LOT of questions about breast feeding after the last birth class, and I’m hoping I can get some of them cleared up. I might re-read a Jane Austen novel to keep me amused.

Here’s the picture from our birth class last week, when Tim tried on the Empathy Belly (and a maternity top):

I must say, those boobs are a lot perkier than mine feel!

Today I went to Kohl’s and it turned out that they were having a pretty big sale. I found a pretty grey maternity dress and a pair of cute green plaid shorts, and they were both 30% off!

Then I went to Payless (I had a 20% off coupon) and walked right into their Easter sale, which meant I snagged this adorable pair of blue suede flats for $11.30 (incl. tax)!

Plus, last week I managed to snag a fun gift for a certain someone from Gilt Groupe (such an addicting site) for 60% off the retail price.

Wishful Wednesday at The Seattle Smith’s again! I swear the weeks are going by much faster this month!

This week’s topic: ‘I wish I could afford this _____________ handbag without putting a dent in my pocketbook!’

I wish I could afford this Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 handbag without putting a dent in my pocketbook (or savings account, credit card, Tim’s wallet…)

Pink satin quilted detail handbag with interlaced chainstrap, signature turnlock, and of course, the Chanel logo of interlocking C.

NEED
WANT.
I’ve always loved the look of the 2.55 bag, but unfortunately they start around $2000 and just go up from there, depending on the materials used. Sigh. Maybe one day!

How far along? 30 weeks, 1 days

Total weight gain/loss: +15 lbs

Maternity clothes? No change here; it’s about half and half

Stretch marks? Same; just the one on my breast

Sleep: Who says I get sleep!?

Best moment this week: Tim and I had a lovely weekend with our friends, the invites to the first baby shower were mailed out (they are so adorable!), and Marco’s room has been painted.  

Movement: Crazy as ever!

Food cravings: Strawberries, grapes, cereal and bread

Gender: boy

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: I miss being able to take Advil for headaches; Tylenol rarely works for my headaches and backaches. Sigh.

What I am looking forward to: finding out Marco’s personality and wearing my regular clothes again

Weekly Wisdom: Don’t ignore the cravings for ice cream – just don’t eat more than one serving size (1/2 cup, usually)

Milestones: Marco’s room is coming together nicely, and we’re only 10 weeks away from his due date! Whoa!

 It’s Top Two Tuesday! Today’s topic is Things You Can’t Live Without.

  I’m going to skip over the real, sentimental stuff like Tim, my pets, friends, family, etc., and get to the fun things that I consider ESSENTIAL.  

1. BOOKS
I wouldn’t be me if it wasn’t for the wonderful written word.  From the minute I learned how to read, I’ve been in love. I love the smell, the look and the feel of books (which is why I’m not a good candidate for e-readers).  I take one with me everywhere I go (just in case), and if the book is really good, you can bet your ass I’ll read it again (and again…).   I have read many, many, many books, and one of my big goals in life is to have read 1000 books by the time I am 35 (halfway there!). One of my favorite places to be is in a bookstore or library, perusing the stacks. If I’m in a bad mood, a favorite novel can save the day. The ability to read is one of the most important traits you can possess, and I feel very sorry for those that are unable to enjoy this gift. I think I am most looking forward to teaching Marco to read, over any other milestone I can think of! I hope he loves it as much as I do.

This is from the Imperial Palace in Vienna – wish my library could fit stacks this high!

2. The Beatles & Jimmy Eat World
Okay, so I cheated and this is technically my top 3. Get over it!

I grew up listening to The Beatles (as in, from the womb – seriously). I was named after one of their songs (though I seriously would have prefered Julia or Sadie – less common- but, then again, I could have been Prudence) and cannot remember a time when I didn’t know all the words to ‘Hey Jude’.  Lots of words have been written about how amazing they were as a group, and about the individual talents that formed the group, and I’m certaintly no music expert. All I can really say is that they continue to inspire and amaze listeners, decades later. I cannot think of a single band that has formed since The Beatles were in their ‘hey-day’ that has not in some way been influenced by their music.  I love them and really hope that Marco takes a liking to them. The first song I played to my tummy was ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, so I’ve given him a good foundation.

Oh, Jimmy Eat World. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. I love love love this band. I listen to them almost every day. I love that with each album they record, they push their musical boundaries -just a tad- never so much that they are unrecognizable, but enough that you think ‘Well, that’s new!’ and with each new direction they try, they are consistently good. My favorite album is probably Clarity (most fans agree), though I do think Futures is an extremely close second. As we speak, they are mixing the tracks for the new album, and I AM SO FREAKIN’ EXCITED! Their last album (of new tracks) was released in 2007! I’ve seen them live 8 times (never enough!) and am always impressed by how great they sound. It is very difficult to love a band nowadays; too much technology can make even the worst performers sound good on an album. Jimmy Eat World is one of those groups that sounds almost exactly the same as they do on their albums.  I’ve been fortunate enough to meet them, in the summer of 2002, and they were as friendly, nice and unassuming as I’d hoped.  Here’s the best picture ever (Zach is not present in this photo, darn it!):