So as we suspected all along, Baby Rhino is actually a RhinA! Intuition I guess, but from the very beginning we both agreed that we thought Baby Jaquez was going to be girl.
At 17 weeks, we went to First Peak Ultrasound in Oak Park. They specialize in ultrasounds just to tell you the sex. That, and trying to sell you useless merchandise like DVD recordings of the entire experience set to music of your choice. Needless to say we paid the minimum fee for the basic ultrasound. It took awhile for the ultrasound tech to be able to say either way because apparently Rhina likes to sit Indian style. The tech had me try going to the bathroom and changing positions to get her to uncross her legs, and she finally did, but just for a second. Though she said she was 99% sure, we decided to wait to share the outcome with the world until after the official 20 week, in-depth ultrasound.
Last Friday, the tech was able to instantly confirm Rhina status. She also confirmed that Rhina is growing perfectly in spite of having single umbilical artery. We have a level 2 ultrasound scheduled for next Tuesday so they can get a closer look at the umbilical cord. I'm sure she's in the 75% of entirely normal births with SUA since she is developing perfectly and I have no other risk factors for abnormalities, but better safe than sorry. And at least the level 2 ultrasound should be pretty exciting - ultrasounds are always fun!
9.07.2011
8.15.2011
Physical Set Backs
Yesterday I completed the Chicago Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon. I run this race every year as the hotel is given 10 complimentary registrations as part of the contracted room block we have for the expo staff and runners.
My time this year was a full hour behind previous years, but I do feel really proud of myself for finishing a 1/2 marathon at 17 weeks pregnant. Though it took a bit for me to feel that way.
My pride was hurting during the race. Especially when I had to admit that a distance I must have run 40-50 times between all the races and marathon training I've done, was physically just too demanding anymore. When I had to walk. When I tried to run again, and my body just wouldn't. I hate being the person walking during a race. I really hate it. And it's sad to admit that my pride was hurting even more than my body. I kept looking around thinking, "I hope people can tell that I'm pregnant." I was actually wishing my bump was larger to make it obvious to all that my handicap was not lack of preparation, determination, or athleticism. At one point, I even resented the way I had positioned my race number, thinking that the way it was folding out was making me look less pregnant and more like someone out of shape who had signed up for their first 1/2 marathon and not trained properly. I even considered stopping to readjust the safety pins.
I kept having to force myself to stop this way of thinking; telling myself that my body has limits now, and they are there for a good reason. Why is my pride so important that I needed to have strangers know why I was walking 1/4 of the race? I knew that I was doing the best I could physically do, and that should have been enough. This is definitely something about myself that I want to work on. In the past, I've judged others during races. I've even blogged about it. And I think my own judgmental attitude attributed to my feelings during Sunday's run. I know what my pre-pregnant self would've thought of me during the race, and there lies the problem. Why am I so quick to judge?
After some reassurance from Berto, a foot long sub, some icey hot, and a Teen Mom marathon on the couch, I truly became happy with my performance. After all, how many people complete a 1/2 marathon in their lives, let alone 17 weeks pregnant. Perspective!
My time this year was a full hour behind previous years, but I do feel really proud of myself for finishing a 1/2 marathon at 17 weeks pregnant. Though it took a bit for me to feel that way.
My pride was hurting during the race. Especially when I had to admit that a distance I must have run 40-50 times between all the races and marathon training I've done, was physically just too demanding anymore. When I had to walk. When I tried to run again, and my body just wouldn't. I hate being the person walking during a race. I really hate it. And it's sad to admit that my pride was hurting even more than my body. I kept looking around thinking, "I hope people can tell that I'm pregnant." I was actually wishing my bump was larger to make it obvious to all that my handicap was not lack of preparation, determination, or athleticism. At one point, I even resented the way I had positioned my race number, thinking that the way it was folding out was making me look less pregnant and more like someone out of shape who had signed up for their first 1/2 marathon and not trained properly. I even considered stopping to readjust the safety pins.
I kept having to force myself to stop this way of thinking; telling myself that my body has limits now, and they are there for a good reason. Why is my pride so important that I needed to have strangers know why I was walking 1/4 of the race? I knew that I was doing the best I could physically do, and that should have been enough. This is definitely something about myself that I want to work on. In the past, I've judged others during races. I've even blogged about it. And I think my own judgmental attitude attributed to my feelings during Sunday's run. I know what my pre-pregnant self would've thought of me during the race, and there lies the problem. Why am I so quick to judge?
After some reassurance from Berto, a foot long sub, some icey hot, and a Teen Mom marathon on the couch, I truly became happy with my performance. After all, how many people complete a 1/2 marathon in their lives, let alone 17 weeks pregnant. Perspective!
7.29.2011
16(+11) and Pregnant
Has it really been 7 months since my last post? Not that posting is really necessary because everyone who reads this is either my friend on Facebook/Twitter and gets up to date info there, or is actually my friend that I keep in touch with regularly. I do enjoy reading old posts on here and remembering what I was thinking or feeling at the time, so like most, I guess, this blog is really more for me as a memory "book", and I'd like to start being better at posting more regularly. Especially now that I'm going through one of the biggest life changes there is - pregnancy.
I guess I will just start by answering the hot topic questions:
How far along are you? 14 weeks and 4 days
When are you due? January 23rd
Were you trying? We decided to stop preventing it and see what happened. I guess you could say we were "sort of" trying. We were both thinking that it might take a few months before anything would happen. It took approximately 2 weeks.
How are you feeling? Absolutely fine. I never had any morning sickness. I don't feel tired, at least, any more than my narcoleptic self. Still can't watch a movie past 9pm without falling asleep. Nothing new there. At one point I took 4 pregnancy tests because I didn't "feel" pregnant. The only symptom I've experienced is some bloating during the first couple of months. That's it. I've been extremely lucky thus far.
Is it a boy or a girl? We will find out around Labor Day when I'm 20 weeks, and yes, we are going to find out!
Are you still running? Yes, and it's perfectly healthy for me to do so. I'm just not pushing myself. I actually did the Soldier Field 10 mile at 6 weeks and the Warrior Dash at 9 weeks.
Are you excited/ready?Of course we are excited! And nervous. How does one really prepare? Who is ever really ready for their first child? Yes, you can buy all the stuff, read all the baby books, take all the classes, and get all the advice. But are you ever really ready until it's thrust upon you? Maybe ask me again when I'm 39-40 weeks and ready to just get this baby out of me!
Are you going to stay home with the baby? Obviously I will take a maternity leave, but my husband is a teacher. We have a mortgage and student loans. One of us staying home is NOT an option. Yes, day care will be expensive, but we both make enough where it still makes financial sense to work. Would I love to stay home? Of course. Would Berto love to stay home? definitely. But it's just not in the cards for us.
Well, those are the top questions I've been getting asked. I'm very excited for this 2nd trimester getting underway. I'm excited to look pregnant and not just bloated or like I'm packing on the pounds. Sometimes I feel like the time is going by very slowly, like I've been pregnant for such a long time now. Other times I feel like, am I really 1/3 finished with this pregnancy already?
I guess I will just start by answering the hot topic questions:
How far along are you? 14 weeks and 4 days
When are you due? January 23rd
Were you trying? We decided to stop preventing it and see what happened. I guess you could say we were "sort of" trying. We were both thinking that it might take a few months before anything would happen. It took approximately 2 weeks.
How are you feeling? Absolutely fine. I never had any morning sickness. I don't feel tired, at least, any more than my narcoleptic self. Still can't watch a movie past 9pm without falling asleep. Nothing new there. At one point I took 4 pregnancy tests because I didn't "feel" pregnant. The only symptom I've experienced is some bloating during the first couple of months. That's it. I've been extremely lucky thus far.
Is it a boy or a girl? We will find out around Labor Day when I'm 20 weeks, and yes, we are going to find out!
Are you still running? Yes, and it's perfectly healthy for me to do so. I'm just not pushing myself. I actually did the Soldier Field 10 mile at 6 weeks and the Warrior Dash at 9 weeks.
Are you excited/ready?Of course we are excited! And nervous. How does one really prepare? Who is ever really ready for their first child? Yes, you can buy all the stuff, read all the baby books, take all the classes, and get all the advice. But are you ever really ready until it's thrust upon you? Maybe ask me again when I'm 39-40 weeks and ready to just get this baby out of me!
Are you going to stay home with the baby? Obviously I will take a maternity leave, but my husband is a teacher. We have a mortgage and student loans. One of us staying home is NOT an option. Yes, day care will be expensive, but we both make enough where it still makes financial sense to work. Would I love to stay home? Of course. Would Berto love to stay home? definitely. But it's just not in the cards for us.
Well, those are the top questions I've been getting asked. I'm very excited for this 2nd trimester getting underway. I'm excited to look pregnant and not just bloated or like I'm packing on the pounds. Sometimes I feel like the time is going by very slowly, like I've been pregnant for such a long time now. Other times I feel like, am I really 1/3 finished with this pregnancy already?
12.21.2010
Baby You're a Firework
2 weeks ago, the hotel had it's annual Holiday awards ceremony where, I am so proud to say, I was awarded with the title of Manager of the Year! Aside from the fabulous prize, which I'll detail later, winning MOY has sort of confirmed for me that I'm where I'm supposed to be.
Five years ago, fresh out of college with my Music Business degree, I took a job as a catering assistant hoping to gain event planning experience to take back into the business side of the music industry. As I've moved up in the company and into management, I've learned a lot. But aside from catering, quality assurance, and rooms operations, what I've really started to learn is that I'm pretty good at this. Sure, I've always done the best that I could and thought that I'd been doing a good job, but it really means a lot to know that the directors of the hotel feel the same way. And that all those weekends worked, all those 14-15 hour days, 6 day weeks, and 10 day stretches without a day off, have all been worth it somehow. I'm not where I ever thought I would've been 5 years ago, and there have been plenty of disappointments and bad days along the way, but I feel like I'm in the right place.
And now, onto my reward! An extra week's paid vacation, airfare for 2 to a location of my choosing with a Hyatt, 6 night's Hyatt stay, $700 food and beverage credit, and $500 spending money. 2nd honeymoon, here we come! But where to? Any suggestions??
Five years ago, fresh out of college with my Music Business degree, I took a job as a catering assistant hoping to gain event planning experience to take back into the business side of the music industry. As I've moved up in the company and into management, I've learned a lot. But aside from catering, quality assurance, and rooms operations, what I've really started to learn is that I'm pretty good at this. Sure, I've always done the best that I could and thought that I'd been doing a good job, but it really means a lot to know that the directors of the hotel feel the same way. And that all those weekends worked, all those 14-15 hour days, 6 day weeks, and 10 day stretches without a day off, have all been worth it somehow. I'm not where I ever thought I would've been 5 years ago, and there have been plenty of disappointments and bad days along the way, but I feel like I'm in the right place.
And now, onto my reward! An extra week's paid vacation, airfare for 2 to a location of my choosing with a Hyatt, 6 night's Hyatt stay, $700 food and beverage credit, and $500 spending money. 2nd honeymoon, here we come! But where to? Any suggestions??
11.11.2010
Have Good Weekend Round 2
After my previously bitchy post - I'm happy to announce that for the past 3 weeks I've been working M-F as the hotel's Reservations Manager. It's definitely been different! First, I'm not used to sitting stationary at my desk - I'm used to being up and about and around the hotel all day long. Now, I'm tied to my desk all day.
Also, I'm still not used to my regular weekends off. Especially Sundays. It's strange to think that Berto & I can plan to do things on Sundays. On the other hand, I'm way less motivated to run my errands on Sundays. I'm missing my weekdays already. I just can't feel up to cleaning or buying groceries when Berto is around to encourage some good couch laying!
All in all though, I'm very happy with the new position. It's so lovely to be able to plan things and spend more time with Berto. And more than that, it's nice to not be bitter when people tell me to have a good weekend!
Also, I'm still not used to my regular weekends off. Especially Sundays. It's strange to think that Berto & I can plan to do things on Sundays. On the other hand, I'm way less motivated to run my errands on Sundays. I'm missing my weekdays already. I just can't feel up to cleaning or buying groceries when Berto is around to encourage some good couch laying!
All in all though, I'm very happy with the new position. It's so lovely to be able to plan things and spend more time with Berto. And more than that, it's nice to not be bitter when people tell me to have a good weekend!
10.13.2010
10.10.10 Envy
I'm so jealous of everyone who ran the Chicago Marathon Sunday. While not my PR or my most emotional finish, I really enjoyed the race itself the most of my three marathons. It's just such a big race. It's so much more fun to be running alongside of a lot of people as well as having tons of spectators, and it doesn't hurt that some of the spectators are people you actually know. I felt so much less fatigue during that race last year. I didn't really notice it until mile 20 or so.
Berto is also very jealous of the fact that the marathon was on 10.10.10. He really wanted to be able to sport the 10.10.10 gear. Instead of running, we had drinks w/ his fellow Morton coaches and their wives the night before, slept in late, and turned on the TV around 9 o'clock to watch that Olympian Sammy something come away with a nasty finish in the last .2. I felt guilty all day for not running, or really doing much of anything that day.
Somewhere between the Bears game and Good Will Hunting, I received a coupon for $40 off a registration fee for any Rock 'n Roll Marathon or 1/2 Marathon. I immediately went to work researching upcoming marathons, searching Hyatt comps rooms, and flights eligible to use my airline miles. After a few hours, yes hours, surfing the web, we settled on The Rock n' Roll Arizona Marathon January 16th in Phoenix. I have lots of family in Phoenix, and hopefully my parents will be able to drive over from LA. We're staying at the Hyatt Gainey Ranch Resort, of course, the best Hyatt I've ever stayed at (aside from the ones in Hawaii, of course). January 16th is 13.5 weeks away, meaning training officially started Monday! Hello Saturday long runs!
Speaking of Saturdays, I may have some news regarding my recently ranted about work schedule - but I don't want to jinx anything!
Berto is also very jealous of the fact that the marathon was on 10.10.10. He really wanted to be able to sport the 10.10.10 gear. Instead of running, we had drinks w/ his fellow Morton coaches and their wives the night before, slept in late, and turned on the TV around 9 o'clock to watch that Olympian Sammy something come away with a nasty finish in the last .2. I felt guilty all day for not running, or really doing much of anything that day.
Somewhere between the Bears game and Good Will Hunting, I received a coupon for $40 off a registration fee for any Rock 'n Roll Marathon or 1/2 Marathon. I immediately went to work researching upcoming marathons, searching Hyatt comps rooms, and flights eligible to use my airline miles. After a few hours, yes hours, surfing the web, we settled on The Rock n' Roll Arizona Marathon January 16th in Phoenix. I have lots of family in Phoenix, and hopefully my parents will be able to drive over from LA. We're staying at the Hyatt Gainey Ranch Resort, of course, the best Hyatt I've ever stayed at (aside from the ones in Hawaii, of course). January 16th is 13.5 weeks away, meaning training officially started Monday! Hello Saturday long runs!
Speaking of Saturdays, I may have some news regarding my recently ranted about work schedule - but I don't want to jinx anything!
9.17.2010
Have a good weekend!
This phrase is so cheery and polite. It's usually accompanied with a bright smile by someone who undoubtedly has good plans for their own weekend. It is one of my most hated phrases.
Working in hospitality, I barely have a grasp on what day of the week it is. I just know if I'm "on" or "off" that day. (And "on" certainly is the word for the sugary sweet fakeness that I ooze at work. During my more bitchy moments Berto tells me he wishes I would use my work demeanor more for him and casual acquaintances, which I'm wayyyyyy too exhausted for. But this is a blog for another time). Every Friday between 4-5pm people stroll down the hallway by my office, which is on the way to the employee entrance. Administrative assistants, Sales Managers, Catering/CS Managers, and other lucky employees on their way to enjoying their regularly scheduled weekend off. They smile and wave, and tell me to "have a good weekend", while they scurry out the door to enjoy their plans.
Why is this scenario so offensive you might ask? It's simply a nice gesture. But to me, it only serves as a reminder of what a big pain in the ass it is to work weekends ALL THE FREAKING TIME! Generally speaking, I like my job. I'm paid well (not enough for what I do, but who is? And overall, I do well) I enjoy the people that I work with. My hours are long (I've worked as many as 72 hours in a single week), but I make overtime. And the perks, well, unbeatable. 12 free nights a year at any Hyatt in the world? Yes, please.
But the most annoying part of my job is never being able to plan for ANYTHING, because my schedule is based purely on the demands of the hotel. It's common for me to not know on a Thursday/Friday whether or not I'll be working come Sunday morning. It's become a way of life for me over the past 2.5 years in management, and it's a way of life for all the other rooms/operational managers (those people that I mentioned that I enjoyed working with). My off days might be Monday/Friday (my schedule this week). Or Sunday/Thursday, you just never know. It can come in handy when needed, for example, next weekend I can back to back my off days so that I can have a 3 day weekend for Meg's wedding without taking any benefit days off of work. But for general planning purposes, occasions that are not major life events valid enough to call "off limits" to my boss, are always up in the air until the last minute. This includes any and all birthday, going away, coming home, friend or family parties, weekend excursions, sporting events, baptisms, reunions, holidays in general, barbecues, housewarmings, bar crawls, social obligations, general fun stuff, LIFE, etc.
So to hear some overpaid, 9-5 Sales Manager, whose base salary is about mine PLUS quarterly bonuses, stroll by my office on their way out the door 30 minutes early telling me to "have a good weekend" when they know damn well that I'll be WORKING, really gets my blood boiling!
Come to think of it, there is a sentence at work that's even worse than "have a good weekend". It's asked at the lunch table on Monday, "so what did you do this weekend?"
Working in hospitality, I barely have a grasp on what day of the week it is. I just know if I'm "on" or "off" that day. (And "on" certainly is the word for the sugary sweet fakeness that I ooze at work. During my more bitchy moments Berto tells me he wishes I would use my work demeanor more for him and casual acquaintances, which I'm wayyyyyy too exhausted for. But this is a blog for another time). Every Friday between 4-5pm people stroll down the hallway by my office, which is on the way to the employee entrance. Administrative assistants, Sales Managers, Catering/CS Managers, and other lucky employees on their way to enjoying their regularly scheduled weekend off. They smile and wave, and tell me to "have a good weekend", while they scurry out the door to enjoy their plans.
Why is this scenario so offensive you might ask? It's simply a nice gesture. But to me, it only serves as a reminder of what a big pain in the ass it is to work weekends ALL THE FREAKING TIME! Generally speaking, I like my job. I'm paid well (not enough for what I do, but who is? And overall, I do well) I enjoy the people that I work with. My hours are long (I've worked as many as 72 hours in a single week), but I make overtime. And the perks, well, unbeatable. 12 free nights a year at any Hyatt in the world? Yes, please.
But the most annoying part of my job is never being able to plan for ANYTHING, because my schedule is based purely on the demands of the hotel. It's common for me to not know on a Thursday/Friday whether or not I'll be working come Sunday morning. It's become a way of life for me over the past 2.5 years in management, and it's a way of life for all the other rooms/operational managers (those people that I mentioned that I enjoyed working with). My off days might be Monday/Friday (my schedule this week). Or Sunday/Thursday, you just never know. It can come in handy when needed, for example, next weekend I can back to back my off days so that I can have a 3 day weekend for Meg's wedding without taking any benefit days off of work. But for general planning purposes, occasions that are not major life events valid enough to call "off limits" to my boss, are always up in the air until the last minute. This includes any and all birthday, going away, coming home, friend or family parties, weekend excursions, sporting events, baptisms, reunions, holidays in general, barbecues, housewarmings, bar crawls, social obligations, general fun stuff, LIFE, etc.
So to hear some overpaid, 9-5 Sales Manager, whose base salary is about mine PLUS quarterly bonuses, stroll by my office on their way out the door 30 minutes early telling me to "have a good weekend" when they know damn well that I'll be WORKING, really gets my blood boiling!
Come to think of it, there is a sentence at work that's even worse than "have a good weekend". It's asked at the lunch table on Monday, "so what did you do this weekend?"
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