A little off the top

It's bittersweet.

Being done with pumping, I mean.

Sweet - because no more waking 30 minutes earlier, FREEDOM!
Bitter - because I.AM.ENGORGED!

I tapered off, really I did. But I guess my milk supply wasn't ready to be stopped.

I pumped on Tuesday morning, and by last night I was so uncomfortable that I caved.
I took a little off the top - just pumped for 3 minutes - just enough to feel relief.

This morning, I am still okay...hoping that I will be done now.

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Luci's stats from her last doctor's appointment:

Height - 31.5 inches (97th percentile) She grew 1 whole foot!
Weight - 20 pounds, 12 ounces (50th percentile)

Tall and thin - like her Mama ---> yeah, right!

She's back!

After almost 5 days of illness, Luci seems to be on the way to being herself again. On top of the ear, eye, and sinus infections, she also had roseola. The rash started yesterday and is even more obvious this morning. At least that explains the ridiculously high fevers. The highest she was yesterday was 99.8 and today she doesn't feel the least bit warm so far today...thank goodness!

Although I am relieved that we postponed the party, I am looking out the window, and I see sunshine! What happened to the rain storms that they were calling for all week? Well, if I look more closely, there are some ugly clouds out, so I guess it does look like rain.

I just hope that it doesn't rain next weekend too, but at this point as long as I have a healthy birthday girl, I really don't care!

Luciana - 12 months

Happy Birthday Angel!

Today is the day - my little girl is one year old. It's hard to believe that she was a little 7 pound 4 ounce bundle only 365 days ago. Time certainly flies by when you are blissfully happy.

Unfortunately, we are not having a great birthday. Luci is still sick. I am really happy that I postponed the party, because there is no way that I would have been able to get ready for it. The house is in disarray due to her illness with medicine, bottles, wipes, etc everywhere.

Anyway this past month was just as I knew it would be - crazy! We had a wedding, Easter, and tons of birthdays. She was an angel through all of it, which probably explains the illness.

We have been practicing singing "Happy Birthday" to her and have taught her to blow when the song ends. My mom was sweet enough to go out and get a little smash cake for her so that the 3 of us could have a mini-birthday party tonight.

Other new developments - she loves the song "Baa-baa Black Sheep," and when she hears it she repeats "ba-ba-ba-ba" over and over again. We have also taught her some body parts. If you ask her where her nose it, she will point to yours. And we taught her "earmuffs," and when we say it - she sometimes misses her ears and just place her hands on her head just above her ears. It's so adorable.

We hope to get better soon so that we can have a great party next weekend!

Here are pictures from the last month:

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3876446009/a=40662473_40662473

ps Happy Birthday to John(tomorrow!)

Scratch that!

We have been hit.

Pink eye, ear infection, sinus infection, GI upset, and FEVERS!

Yesterday morning, Luci's fever was up to 105, and even with Motrin and Tylenol around the clock, it was 103 earlier today.

She is not herself - whiny, sleepy, lethargic, refusing to eat.

It's so sad.

So I had to postpone her party - too risky (for Luci and for our guests).

What a way to celebrate her 1st birthday tomorrow - bummer!

Maybe the weather will be better next weekend.

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To answer Becky's questions:
I am having it catered (I wasn't going to even try to cook for that amount of people).
And yes, the cake is from Oakmont Bakery.

What was I thinking?

First Birthday.

It's a big deal, right?
So of course we are planning a party.

But with my family and John's family, there is no such thing as a small, intimate gathering.

She only turns 1 once, so of course we invited the immediate family - including aunt, uncles, and first cousins from both of our families.

And we can't have a shin-dig this caliber without inviting the neighbors who we are friendly with.

The RSVP's are in, and 82 guests later (20 of them kids) I am a little worried:
the forecast is 60% chance of rain.

I rented a tent, so hopefully I will be able to keep the majority of the guest outdoors.

Hopefully.

Seriously, what was I thinking?

So Excited!

The Sex and the City sequel is premiering next month.

I have seen a few previews and they all have looked pretty good, so I have been getting excited.

The first movie was great, and I have been hoping that the sequel will be as good.

Then last night, I saw a new set of previews and what it showed made me REALLY excited:

AIDEN MAKES A COMEBACK!

Can't wait!

United in Rock

I have mention in the past about my obsession with the 80's, right? Pretty sure that I have.

Love the movies.

Love the music.

Love the fashion (well, laughing at it now).

Here is list of CD's in my 6-disc changer in my car:
1. Journey
2. Def Leppard
3. STYX
4. Foreigner
5. John Mellencamp
6. REO Speedwagon

Yes, it's true...and it has been this way for years.

As I was pumping at 4AM this morning (last week for that!), I saw a commercial for the "United in Rock" tour which consists of Foreigner and STYX, with special guest Kansas.

I have seen Foreigner and STYX in concert many times...and let me tell you - for old guys, they ROCK! So needless to say, I will be at that concert. Date and venue have not been released yet, but Pittsburgh is on the list.

The last time I saw them was in 2006. Marina and I decided to go at the last minute. They were playing a small amphitheater in Pittsburgh. We showed up 45 minutes before the show, expecting to buy the general admission tickets and just walk around. Once we approached the ticket counter and the girl asked if we wanted to pay $5 more for good seats. Sure.

We had a blast in our 2nd row seats!

Can't wait for this summer!

Yes, I am a loser!

Movie review

I had mentioned in a prior post about my love for Nicholas Sparks books.

Are they sappy?

Yes.

Are they sad?

Yes.

Are they a little cheesy?

At times, yes.

But they are easy reads and I have yet to read one that I haven't enjoyed.

Recently 2 of his books made it the big screen: Dear John back was released in February, and The Last Song was released last week. I saw both. I would have LOVED the films if I hadn't read the books, but still the movies were good (in my opinion). Of course they were not exactly like the books, but close enough for me.

I was anxious to see The Last Song. I finished the book last month, and I think it's safe to say that it is my favorite so far (The Choice was my favorite up until then). I am not a Miley Cyrus fan, who plays the main character, but she does a really good job.

I highly recommend the book and the movie...if you don't mind crying a little.

The dream is coming true

We are doing it - getting a new kitchen. We went to the Pittsburgh Home Show last month and spoke to all the kitchen places there...and only one called us. They came over, measured, and made a computerized image of what our kitchen may look like.

IT. LOOKS. AWESOME.

The price is even better. We haven't confirmed anything yet, but I am about 95% sure that we are going through with it!

Can't wait!

Another Birthday

As an April Fool's baby, I expect jokes and such on my birthday. When I was younger this happened quite often. But as I grew up, the jokes occurred less frequently (not too saddened by this).

Yet - people still find it humerus that my birthday happens to fall on April Fool's day. Some say it's fitting, others ironic. Whatever...it doesn't bother me.

This year I had the choice whether or not to have the day off on my birthday, and I actually chose to work (in order to get Good Friday off so to have a 3 day weekend). People thought I was crazy to pass up having off on my birthday. No big deal, really. I went to work, met my mom for lunch (with Luci, of course), and had my usual Thursday night family dinner at my parents' house. I couldn't have ask for anything more than to hold my beautiful little girl while those who I love the most sang "Happy Birthday" to me.

My mom did get my the InStyler, which I have been wanting to buy for months, but couldn't justify spending that kind of money on a hair product. But my mom, being the savvy shopper that she is, got it cheaper than usual. I used it once so far, and I must say that it is not as damaging on your hair as a flat iron, and you hair looks more naturally straight too. I am a fan so far. I just need to figure out how to use it as a curling iron too.

Thank you to all sent me birthday wishes!