End of August.

I've reached 22 weeks in my pregnancy. By now there is no mistaking that I'm pregnant. On most days, the baby is kicking and moving around so much that I've grown accustomed to the fluttering in my belly.
So many changes are coming upon us. In just a few short months, mine and my husbands lives are going to be changed forever. We will learn even a new side of one another as we both venture off into parenthood.
I'd like to think that It'll all be easy as pie one she comes into this world kicking and screaming. Though I know I must prepare for struggles, hardships and new the learning curve that will be tossed our way. One thing I do know is that we are strong enough as a couple to face the challenges. With that foundation, we can do anything.

It's no secret that our house is up for sale. Today, the realtor came to put the sign in our front yard. The listing has been up since yesterday. This is something that we've talked about for a couple years, but just got motivated enough to do it now. Now that the baby will be here in about 4 months. We're hoping everything will move along smoothly, and we'll be in a new home by the time she arrives.
I'm not even going to entertain the idea of how stressful it is going to be on both of us. Such huge life changes, in such little time.
But, we can do it. Together.

My photography/art related things have been non existent for months. I had some shoots lined up in the beginning of my pregnancy, but due to complications, they were put on hold and eventually cancelled for good. I'm getting out and about now, but still even too much activity leaves me feeling uncomfortable at the end of the day. So I try to just keep things simple.

Today, I finally had down time to get to some much needed art time. There's something about the ability of creating a life inside my own body that has inspired me to be more creative in other areas. I forget how much I need my art time for my own mental wellness.

Growth

Today, I was inspired by Anthony & the Johnsons. Not so much the lyrics of the songs, but by the melody and mood of their music. The kind that seems to reach in and pull out your soul and tap into your sub-conscious. 

Today, was some much needed art time.

Oh, Hello!

Is anyone else ready for an update?
I would apologize for the lack of updating, but I've done that a few times already the past couple months. Wow, has my personal life taken a backseat lately.

Well we found out weeks ago we are having a GIRL! 21 weeks along today, a wee bit over halfway there. I'm so ready for January. My belly has bulged, my energy level has started to rise and the vomiting has pretty much vanished.

Since my photog has been on hold for months, I have been gearing up to do another big shoot. Trying to plan it all out within the next couple of months so I can get it done and over with. The problem is, is that I can't seem to narrow down the theme I want to go with. 

I promise promise promise I will get something good out there as soon as I can! But... ya know.. my mind has been preoccupied with other things as of lately. And I know that before the baby comes, my life is going to be a lot more hectic being that we have taken the next step in contacting a real estate agent and actually getting them out here to start the process of getting our house listed so we can move a bit further upstate.
Yes, we "plan" on doing this before January. It's going to be crazy. And exhausting.

*Gasp* An Update!

I guess I owe an explanation for why this blog has been neglected lately.

Before we went away to Bermuda in April, I found out I was pregnant again. After we returned from our trip, I was so busy getting back into the grind when the morning sickness had begun to invade my life. Except it wasn't just morning. It was all day, every day.
For the last 2 + months, I've been struggling with the first trimester in pregnancy. And of course what Valenta pregnancy would there be without any issues? We did, indeed, have quite a scare there for awhile with a ruthless blood clot that was jeopardizing the pregnancy. The clot (or Subchorionic hematoma as they are medically called) decided to bleed out one night after I was put on a week of bed rest from my doctor. I was given a 50/50 chance in being able to carry out the pregnancy at that point. I was around 8 weeks along. Additionally, my doctor decided to put me on another 2 weeks of bed rest to help get me past my first trimester.

Today I am 14 weeks, and back to work and normal activities. Well, semi normal. I still can't exercise as much as I would like, but I'm up and about getting what I can. The issues have diminished for the most part and I appear to be carrying a healthy baby. In a little over 4 weeks we will find out the gender.

They say your energy level comes up in the second trimester. Well, mine has taken a tumble down a very long, steep mountain. I have no energy. In fact, 7pm is my new bed time. The nausea and vomiting has let up a lot, thankfully. But I still have some nights where I'm tossing and turning due to indigestion and sleeplessness. Thankfully the little peanut let me sleep for 12 hours last night with no interruptions.


I haven't been out much with my camera. Just the other week before I was to return to work, my loving husband decided to take us down to south Jersey for an over night stay with my sister and mother in law. We visited the beach and actually had a really good couple of relaxing days. It was nice to be able to get out of the house and stretch my legs.
I think it's going to be a while still before I'm ready to get out with my camera. The weather has gotten really hot the past week or so, and that just drains me even quicker.

So, that's my news.

05.07.2012

Back from beautiful Bermuda! The cruise went well, a little too relaxing. Although it was an experience, we will never be doing that again. Both of us were more than ready to get off that boat once it got back to NYC.

I do highly recommend NCL to anyone who wishes to cruise in the future. Everyone is super friendly and the food on the ship was amazing! Great entertainment and lots of activities to enjoy.


Got lots of photos to go through, I started with a few on my facebook page, so go check that out.


Trying to sort out everything before returning to work in another couple days.
Back to the real world!

Oh by golly have a holly jolly.... cruise?

We had no winter whatsoever. It snowed three times, and immediately melted afterwards. The biggest storm was the day before Halloween, which dumped about two feet on us- but that doesn't even count because that was still 2011.
It never felt like winter! Christmas was bare. The weather was probably an average of 40 degrees- which was nice, but no snow?!

Right now I'm rockin' to some Christmas music, I guess to try and squeeze a bit more of the Winter/Christmas spirit since we have wandered into spring.
Winter is truly my favorite time of year. I love the Christmas time because of the colors and spirit. The music, the Christmas related movies, twinkling lights and soulful foods- And can't forget the A Christmas Story marathon. I could soak it up year round.



But yes, it is spring. My 2 year wedding anniversary is tomorrow. My birthday is next Saturday.
In celebration we have decided to do a cruise this year. It won't be too long, and I'll be soaking up the sun in Bermuda. I've been working on tanning this translucent skin of mine, and I haven't gotten too far with it. I almost put on my binkini a few times today to lay out in the yard, but I thought it was supposed to rain so I kept putting it off.
Can't wait! I really need this time away to relax. We've never done a cruise before, so it should be pretty interesting.
My suitcase is out, clothes are spread all over the floor- even all those outfits that I'll never wear any other time of year, for example- summer dresses.
For once, I just want to sit in the sun all day with a fancy umbrella drink in my hand!