Monday, March 31, 2008
IT'S A GIRL!!
This Friday is 5 months and counting. Or should I say 20 weeks?Everything in my life now, seems to be measured in weeks, ounces, and of course, pounds! (Not to mention smiles). What an exciting time! There's nothing quite like the feel of growing a little miracle inside you.
Once the size of a lime, we lovingly referred to as limey, she's now as long as a banana (love the fruit references) weighing about as much as a can of soda- 12 ounces!
My husband and I just had an ultrasound and learned we'll be welcoming a baby girl into the world come August. And now comes the challenge of picking a name we can both agree on. We each have a few favorites and some we both like, but I was never the type of girl growing up, who planned every detail in a daydream, down to my wedding dress and baby names, so this is new territory for me. My husband told me the other day, "we could always try the jury method to pick a name." Let me explain. If we weren't able to agree on a name we were both in love with, we could each pick our top 10, then one -by -one, eliminate a contender from the other's list, until we narrowed it down to just two, kinda like a jury selection. Diplomatic, but I doubt it'll come to that! I figure we'll be able to agree on a few favorites in the next 4 months, we do have 4 more months, but boy does time fly!
It is just amazing to me all you're able to see and learn with technology these days. My parents and in-laws kind of laughed when we said "Of course" we'd be finding out if it was a boy or girl during our ultrasound. Guess it was always just the old 50/50 chance method back then. I suppose it's part anxiety, but mostly, the excitement of preparing and nurturing even more, that bond with baby as she grows in the months to come. Amazing too, are the assurances we're able to be given with the sonogram glimpse into our baby's world. Seeing my little girl's heartbeat, was the most precious little gift yet, and though I've seen ultrasounds before, there's just something to it, when it's your baby you're watching, and now, beginning to feel. Corresponding the kicks to the little bumps and flutters you weren't quite sure, was you or baby moving. Our baby is a little thumb- sucking, hiccuping, kicker! Imagine, we saw all that, before she's even been born- what a blessing!
It's made me appreciate all you mothers and fathers out there all the more, and just have a bigger picture and appreciation of life. I'd like to think I've always been an optimistic, more humble person, but being pregnant has made me just recognize the wonders of life, and the little things so often taken for granted.
I'm sure there'll be more blogs in the months to come, of the summer pregnancy woes or cravings, etc, but if you have any advice to share or name suggestions-- email me, ncrites@kpho.com
It is just amazing to me all you're able to see and learn with technology these days. My parents and in-laws kind of laughed when we said "Of course" we'd be finding out if it was a boy or girl during our ultrasound. Guess it was always just the old 50/50 chance method back then. I suppose it's part anxiety, but mostly, the excitement of preparing and nurturing even more, that bond with baby as she grows in the months to come. Amazing too, are the assurances we're able to be given with the sonogram glimpse into our baby's world. Seeing my little girl's heartbeat, was the most precious little gift yet, and though I've seen ultrasounds before, there's just something to it, when it's your baby you're watching, and now, beginning to feel. Corresponding the kicks to the little bumps and flutters you weren't quite sure, was you or baby moving. Our baby is a little thumb- sucking, hiccuping, kicker! Imagine, we saw all that, before she's even been born- what a blessing!
It's made me appreciate all you mothers and fathers out there all the more, and just have a bigger picture and appreciation of life. I'd like to think I've always been an optimistic, more humble person, but being pregnant has made me just recognize the wonders of life, and the little things so often taken for granted.
I'm sure there'll be more blogs in the months to come, of the summer pregnancy woes or cravings, etc, but if you have any advice to share or name suggestions-- email me, ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 3:45 PM by Nicole
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
GIVE ME A GOOD BELLY LAUGH !!!
They say an apple a day will keep the doctor away. I say, you'll live a LOT longer, if you'll just relax, and let yourself, let out a good laugh!
If you haven't seen this clip on YouTube yet, you're missing out! At last check- more than 41 million people have clicked the link to watch this little Swedish baby, belt out almost 2 minutes of deep belly laughs. It's contagious, it's hilarious, it's good for the soul.
Perhaps you've heard the studies, how watching fish swim around in their tank has proven health benefits. If not- believe it! (Or try it). Truly, researchers have compared the effects of hypnosis with patients watching aquariums, scientists found, the latter was more calming and therapeutic. Everything from lowering blood pressure to the ability to soothe hyperactive children and/or Alzheimer's patients. Here's the interesting part, even a tank without any fish was shown to have benefits, and if that's not strange enough, so was just watching VIDEO of fish. Perhaps that's why the faux fish tank screen saver's so popular for workplace computers.
My therapy for you, sit back, relax and let yourself indulge in this treat for one minute and 40 seconds a day:
If you can't find the time, you probabally need it most. If you don't immediately crack a smile or start laugh out loud yourself, time for a vacation!
Have a clip you can't help but share? Email me, ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 5:53 PM by Nicole
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
STAND BY YOUR MAN?
It's what everyone has been been talking about since New York Governor Eliot Spitzer made a public apology amid allegations of his involvement in a prostitution ring. He just announced plans to step- down next Monday.At each public appearance, standing dutifully by his side, was his wife Silda.
As the sordid details leak from the federal wire tap and case investigation, can you not help but imagine what all this must be like for her? The mother of three, betrayed, who must play the governor's loyal wife in public. Would you be able to hold it together, walk before a room of hounding reporters and stand by your man?
Certainly, she's not alone.
Dina McGreevey even managed a few smiles as her husband, then Governor of New Jersey, publicly announced he was gay and unfaithful 4 years ago. The two separated in 2004 and remain in the midst of a bitter divorce.
Oh the list goes on. The question is, does the duty of public servitude extend to the spouse so much so, it supersedes your gut reaction? Years ago, I was talking with a co-worker about infidelity and she said she wouldn't outright leave her husband if he was unfaithful. Her reasoning? She said marriages don't fall apart in a vacuum and if he was ever tempted to stray, there must have been something she did, or didn't do, to make him even consider being unfaithful. I had never thought of it that way before.
I like to think my marriage of nearly 7 years, built on a relationship that's lasted almost 16 years, could withstand any temptations or challenges. We've been together most my life and I suppose part of that confidence is knowing we hold true the same values and morals. I don't mean to sound naive, but I also realize we're not living a life filled with as much temptation or scrutiny as others under a more public eye. Athletes, actors, musicians, politicians all exist in a day to day, driven by power and surrounded by excesses and corruption kinda life. It's almost a sad inevitability those marriages face more challenges, though not impossible to remain faithful and loyal in positions of great power, I'm sure the weight and burden of it can be more than unbearable.
If you were Silda Spitzer, would you have walked away, or would you stand by your man?
Email me, ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 6:10 PM by Nicole
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
WHAT DOES REALITY TV REALLY SAY ABOUT US?
How much reality TV do you watch?
Turn on the tube, it's everywhere you go. Strangers grouped together in unnatural circumstances that bring out the best or the very worst in them. Usually its the latter that makes air. Of course, you have the feel- good shows like Extreme Makeover, Home Edition. But those are far outnumbered by the surgical makeovers that sure, change lives, but seem quick fixes without the real work like what you'll find on Biggest Loser, for instance. The name of the show is misleading, sounds negative, but I leave each hour, inspired to be a better, healthier person. The premise is simple, severely obese people, working with trainers to lose weight through exercise and eating right. No crazy fast- fix diets. Already this season, one of the contestants has lost more than 100 life- saving pounds.
Have you ever seen Arnold Schwarzenegger's Running Man? I feel we're on the verge of a reality show meltdown. I think America's already gone too far, exploiting a little person by pairing him with women twice his size in a show that culminates with a marriage proposal. Married couples, opening their lives to the scrutiny of 24 hour surveillance. And how can I forget, just the other day- I heard on the radio them talking about a new show this season where a woman was hooked to a lie detector to reveal before her husband, family and all of America, that she'd had an affair and really wished she was married to her ex- boyfriend. All for money.
I suppose the silver lining was that the question that sent her home with NOTHING, was if she thought she was a good person. She answered yes.
What is wrong with people? Those who'd put themselves on television for the promise or chance of money, and those who are hooked to watch weekly, if not several times a week to see what greed and vanity will reveal of human nature. We've become a soap opera drama hungry at the expense of others society.
What's your opinion? Email me, ncrites@kpho.com
Turn on the tube, it's everywhere you go. Strangers grouped together in unnatural circumstances that bring out the best or the very worst in them. Usually its the latter that makes air. Of course, you have the feel- good shows like Extreme Makeover, Home Edition. But those are far outnumbered by the surgical makeovers that sure, change lives, but seem quick fixes without the real work like what you'll find on Biggest Loser, for instance. The name of the show is misleading, sounds negative, but I leave each hour, inspired to be a better, healthier person. The premise is simple, severely obese people, working with trainers to lose weight through exercise and eating right. No crazy fast- fix diets. Already this season, one of the contestants has lost more than 100 life- saving pounds.
Have you ever seen Arnold Schwarzenegger's Running Man? I feel we're on the verge of a reality show meltdown. I think America's already gone too far, exploiting a little person by pairing him with women twice his size in a show that culminates with a marriage proposal. Married couples, opening their lives to the scrutiny of 24 hour surveillance. And how can I forget, just the other day- I heard on the radio them talking about a new show this season where a woman was hooked to a lie detector to reveal before her husband, family and all of America, that she'd had an affair and really wished she was married to her ex- boyfriend. All for money.
I suppose the silver lining was that the question that sent her home with NOTHING, was if she thought she was a good person. She answered yes.
What is wrong with people? Those who'd put themselves on television for the promise or chance of money, and those who are hooked to watch weekly, if not several times a week to see what greed and vanity will reveal of human nature. We've become a soap opera drama hungry at the expense of others society.
What's your opinion? Email me, ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 6:13 PM by Nicole