Happy St Patrick's Day and 26 Week Update

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I love this day because #1 I'm Irish and #2 Kelly Green is my favorite color #3 I love the Traditional Irish dinner my mom makes every year!

Matthew gave me this Irish Love Knot necklace for Valentine's Day last year - I love it!

Now for the baby update!

How far along? 26 weeks - I'll start the 3rd Trimester this week!!! (26w6d)

Total weight gain: Aye yigh yigh. The weight gain...I'm up a little bit again. +25. I have a doctor's appt tomorrow, so we'll see if she is concerned at all. I feel concerned - I can only gain 10 more lb to stay within the recommended 25-35. Honestly, I don't feel like my diet is that bad. I guess I have to keep in mind that my body will do what it needs to do, and I can always lose the weight later.

How big is baby? From BabyCenter.com -
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

Maternity clothes: Most definitely

Stretch marks: Not yet! I check every day! LOL

Sleep: The last two nights I slept great...the night before I couldn't fall asleep until 5am.

Movement: A ton!

Food cravings: Still love the iced coffee - trying not to give in very often!

Food aversions: Red meat

Belly button: Still a fairly deep innie - see yesterday's pics!

Symptoms: Heartburn like crazy, constipation, hands and arms falling asleep, especially at night. Overall, feeling ok, though!

What I'm looking forward to: Ordering our crib this weekend!

Weekly Wisdom: Not feeling very wise at the moment...

Weekly joy: I asked M the other night what he was most looking forward to for when the baby comes. He said, "Taking her on walks and watching her explore the world." My heart just melted! So sweet!

So much excitement!

I feel like I have so much going on these days! Here are my Top 3 Things to be excited about today!

99 days - Only 99 days until my due date! I can't believe how fast 2nd Tri flew by. I mean...it seriously WHIZZED by!

New niece or nephew - We found out yesterday that my brother and his wife are having their 2nd! I can't wait to meet their new little one in November. That brings our niece/nephew count up to 7!!! We have 3 nieces, 2 nephews and 2 yet-to-be-announced!

Home progress - slow and steady wins the race, right? The craft room is starting to come together. Painting is done and we are starting to move furniture in. I have a lot of work ahead of me with the unpacking and sorting that needs to happen before we can start on the nursery. I just wish we weren't so busy, so we could dedicate more time to the house!

And just for fun - some BELLY SHOTS!

23 weeks already?

How far along? 23 weeks

Total weight gain: Let's just not talk about it today...

How big is baby? baby weighs about as much as a large mango -- just over a pound. (Length: more than 11 inches.)

Maternity clothes: Probably 95% maternity clothes now

Stretch marks: None so far!

Sleep: Last night I brought my huge college body pillow into bed with us. I slept like a baby!

Movement: This little soccer player loves to kick! Let's hope it doesn't mean she'll have mommy's soccer play legs when she grows up!

Food cravings: Not really this week

Food aversions: Meat still

Belly button: It is getting more shallow and wide, but still a deep innie

Symptoms: This is a new one that I am adding to the survey because honestly, aren't you curious? The newest symptoms are heartburn (thank God for Tums - too bad they are constipating!) and swelling. My right hand ring doesn't fit anymore. I'm hoping my wedding ring will last a month or two longer.

What I'm looking forward to: Still waiting on my first stranger comment

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep with a body pillow! Trust me, it makes a huge difference!

Weekly joy: I love when M rubs and kisses my belly!

This morning on the way to work I heard the song "Walking Her Home" by Mark Schultz. I've heard it before, but every time I listen to it, the lyrics make me cry. So, I thought I would share it with your all!

You can listen to it HERE.

Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

Her dad said son
Have her home on time
And promise me you�ll never leave her side
He took her to a show in town
And he was ten feet off the ground

(Chorus)
He was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road
With the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home

Ten more years and a waiting room
At half past one
And the doctor said come in and meet your son

His knees went weak
When he saw his wife
She was smiling as she said he�s got your eyes

And as she slept he held her tight
His mind went back to that first night

(Chorus)
He was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road
With the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home

He walked her through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side

A nursing home
At eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night
And the nurse said Oh
Should we tell him now
Or should he wait until the morning to find out

But when they checked her room that night
He was laying by her side

Oh he was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled when he said this is not the end
And just for a while they were eighteen
And she was still more beautiful to him than anything
He was walking her home
He was walking her home

Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

Date Night and Friday Follow

So last night M took me out on a date!

I wore...

We ate at...


We saw...


When we came home, Matthew surprised me with (homemade!)...


Also, join me in the Friday Follow, hosted by One 2 Try! Check out her blog to find and follow other awesome blogs! If you leave me a comment and follow me, and I will definitely return the favor!

It's the Little Things

There have been a few little things in my life recently that have just made me happy and thankful. Honestly, the little things in life are awesome!

1. Two nights ago, I went to wash my face. The water was cold. I waited and waited, but it never heated up. Immediately I imagine the worst - that we would need a new water heater. By the time I was home from work the next day, M had fixed the water heater. Apparently the element needed drained and replaced (or something like that!). I am so thankful for a handy husband.

2. It's so great to be a giveaway winner! Jessica at Forever Young: A YA Lit Blog emailed me this morning letting me know I won a copy of "The Lonely Hearts Club." I can't wait to receive it, read it and give you all a review!


3. Who doesn't love free stuff? Bloom Grocery Store had a program that for ever $10 you spent, you received a little sticker. When you collected enough stickers, you received a Cuisinart item! Look at what I got for free (each is valued at $29.99):

I'm also planning a giveaway! Keep a lookout for it to start sometime in the next 7 days!

Disney on Ice

M took me to see Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic for Valentine's Day. It was so fun driving into DC together. What an adventure finding street parking was - thank you, blizzard! We only live about 40 minutes from downtown, but this is the first time we have driven in...we need to do it again soon. The show was at the Verizon Center, which is right near Madame Tussauds and The Spy Museum. I definitely want to go back to explore some more!

I loved the Belle was the featured Princess - she is the best, after all! They did a vignette of Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo, Pinocchio, Mulan, The Incredibles and a few others. There were over 60 characters total - I loved it!

M's favorite scene was "I'll Make a Man Outta You" from Mulan.

Can't wait to see another Disney show!

Books and a smoothie!

M just went out to get gas for my car. I asked him to pick me up a Frutti smoothie from 7-11 while he was gone. Turns out the sweet man had to go to 4 7-11's before he found one with a Frutti machine. Mr. Wonderful went to 4 stores in a blizzard to satisfy my craving! Love him...

Anyway, what I really wanted to blog about tonight was my awesome experience with another NBC Elf Book Exchange. I was able to send my elf "Under the Dome" and a hard cover edition of "Little Women." The free shipping from Barnes and Noble made it possible to stay close (Only $2 over!) the $25 budget.

I was thrilled to receive books from RevJen. She sent



Check out Jen's Blog My Brain's Comfort Food

1 more blog "upgrade"

The more I get into blogging, the more I want to work on the layout and look of "mrs.messi's musings."

So, I'm going to start adding a signature to my blog posts!

Besides that, not too much going new going on in life. I am dying for Sunday to come, since we have our gender ultrasound! I get nervous just thinking about raising either an oldest boy or an oldest girl. I feel nervous about being a "good mom." There just seems to be so much to learn and know!

Monday Monday

So, it's only 10:25 am, and I've already had an exciting day!

First, I was on the radio - Hot 99.5. Kane was talking about pregnant women and how he thought it was offensive for them to be called "Hot" or "Sexy." I called in and said that I feel like any compliment is a good compliment. I do think I would rather hear "Beautiful," but I'll take what I can get!

Second, I was hit on in 7-11. I was stopping on my way to work to get a Frutti Smoothie (if you haven't tried them yet, they are delicious!). I was walking by the drinks and there was a 50-something man holding his chest. I asked if he was ok. He said, "Are you a nurse? I need you to check me out!" The whole time he had a pained expression on his face, so I was already wiping out my cell phone. I told him I was going to call 911. He started laughing and said that he was just trying to get me to "Check him out." EWWWWW! That won't stop me from getting smoothies at 7-11, though!

I also ordered some maternity clothes! What I really need a coat, but I also wanted the free shipping, so I had to get some shirts too :) Here's what I came away with... (all from Motherhood Maternity)

And a quick reminder to join the giveaway!!!
http://http//mrsmessi.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-first-giveaway.html

I also found this great giveaway! When My Own Little Corner gets 200 followers, so will give away a $25 Amazon gift card!

Happy Anniversary and 2009 Recap

Today is our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. I always love looking back on the year to reflect on all the wonderful things that have happened. Here's my top 10 list of 2009 (in random order!):

1. Getting pregnant

2. Buying our Townhouse
3. Going to 2 Steeler Games at Heinz Field, going to a Steeler/Redskin preseason game at Fedex, going to the Steeler Training Camp at Latrobe...and best of all...a Steeler Super Bowl Win!
4. Trip to Hershey Park for my birthday5. Trips with the family to PA (Kennywood!) and Treasure Lake


6. Becoming a Beta Sigma Phi Sister7. Meredith's Wedding

8. Weekend at Betty's in Deleware9. Having all 6 Verry kids together for Christmas...still waiting on photos for that...will have to make do with this one of me and my big sis...


10. Spending as much quality time with Matthew as possible and enjoying every minute

I have the best husband. Jealous?

M went to the grocery store for me today. Actually he went on our last grocery shopping trip, too. Two trips in a row. I am beginning to forget (thank goodness!) what the inside of a grocery store looks like. He he bought me some treats while he was there, too. The most thoughtful of which was eclairs. The second most thoughtful was Sour Patch Kids - four bags full. Sour Patch Kids, I have discovered, do wonders for morning sickness. I went all day without throwing up. Such a small accomplishment, considering I was nauseous most of the day, but still I can celebrate.

I love my supportive husband!

Feels like home?

So last weekend we had our first housewarming party...about 25 family members came to see the house. I think it went well. It is so hard to tell what people think of our house, you know? I want them to like it, of course, but I also want to them to be honest. Like, tell me something they like, but also give me an idea of something we can improve, or where I should but a decoration or something. I certainly don't think our house is done!!!

Tonight we are having some friends over for a game night...so again, several people will be getting a first look at our house. I'm not nervous this time, though. Don't know why not!

Starting Fresh

To be honest, I deleted all my old posts. Mostly because they seem stupid now, but also because most of them were too private to be online for all the world to see. So I am going to try starting over with this blog...I promise not be a deleter from now on :)

This blog will contain random things...from books, to musings, to stories (not graphic ones, though!) of our TTC journey.

I hope not to offend anyone with what I write here...remember this is just me and my point of view. Please feel free to write comments on my postings :)