Lab FAIL

So I haven't talked about my research in a while. I am in the analytical phase working on winter squash carotenoids and extracting them to run them on HPLC. Not a really hard thing to do but I do have alot of samples.

Today, I am just sitting here feeling sorry for myself. I set up samples last night and went to wash them this morning and ran into emulsification issues (which I never have). I think my rinse was not concentrated enough..... honestly I didn't think it matter and boy did it.

Now I have made more work for myself and I just want to finish this up. The work is tedious and repetitive. I feel like its God calling me to perservere. I guess thats all I can do. I think I pushed myself too hard this week.

I traveled to the USDA Sunday- Monday in Beltsville, MD and then came back to work Tuesday for all day meetings. Wednesday it was so hot and I was wiped I just stayed home and worked. Yesterday I felt renewed with the cooler weather and my feet were in much better shape. I got alot done... small victory.

Then today... *sigh* I have other stuff I can do today and I will do it. But ever since I got back I have been sick with a cold/allergies. Its been frustrating. All I want to do is go home and crawl into bed.

This morning I actually woke up feeling miserable and the only thing that got me going was the thought of getting to come home early and take a nap. Not going to happen now :(

I need a do over today!

Confessions and Pet Peeves

Maybe I am just more annoyable lately but I feel like I need to share my latest peeves, maybe you can relate:

First, I have two confessions:
1. Kids cereal is my new snack and occassionally choice for dinner, yes I know its not healthy!
2. I found 2 starburst jellybeans on the floor of my car and ate them (they weren't fuzzy or anything ;)
3. I sleep in more lately... till 7:30! EEeeep!
Latest pet peeves:
1. People who let their dogs out to play (unattended) and let them bark continuously (noticed this more b/c I have been working from home)!
2. I hate loud drinkers... that 'gulg' their beverage... quiet drinking please!
3. It annoys me when I am at work and those around me talk out loud to themselves while they work.. like a running conversation for one ugh
4. Unsolicited pregnancy advice and horror birth stories.. need I say more?!
5. Facebook posts that are ranty, full of bad language or bragging about vacation!

I may add to this list.....and you can add to if you want :)

Update Week #23

This week has been hectic, I went to a conference in Baltimore over the weekend... yes I flew and my feet still haven't forgiven me. The meeting was good but I hate flying! Baby girl kicked at take off... I think she felt the change in pressure.

How far along? 23 weeks
Total weight gain? 11lbs.
Maternity clothes? Dresses are my friend maternity or not!
Sleep? Restless
How big is baby? Over a pound and still papaya size
Latest craving? kids cereal... I had Capn' crunch berry for dinner last night
Best part about being pregnant? Strangers noticing I am pregnant. When I was at the meeting I got to cut in the lunch line because they said baby and mama should eat first :) And others asked me seperately how far along I am... feels good actually but really I think it still depends on what I am wearing for whether I look pregnant or not haha

Shopping Fail

So I skipped out during lunch to look for shoes that will fit my pathetically swollen feet and some workout gear that fits.

I knew it would be a crap shoot because of where I live, all the stores at the mall are small and have little to selection to start with. I tried Sears for shoes (FAIL because the employees were chatting and ignoring me and I only had 1.5 hr. to shop).

On to Old Navy and I found yoga pants and some mat tops that were on sale (score).

I ran (rather waddled) down to Kohls. There it got really depressing. The shoes there are always hit or miss and I tried some flats on that barely fit and they were all size 11's! I know my feet are huge and swollen but I am a size 9. Ugh. I went to the maternity section and tried on shorts, capris and a dress. All were cheaply made and didn't fit right at all.

Typically, I avoid dressing rooms but they are now motivation to be more careful with what I eat. I see a double chin filling in and back rolls. I know I am starting to pop but I think I am gaining extra weight on top of it so I just look pregnant and chubby. Not a good combo. I also noticed a new patch of chin hairs... yes now I have chin hairs! Could be the pregnancy or all the vitamins in the prenatals but so embarassing!

I admitted defeat and only bought some flip flops... so it was a total FAIL. I limped out of Kohls and noticed that my thighs rub together in my jean skirt. Lovely.

I know this sounds like a list of complaints but maternity shopping can be down right depressing. I think I will try Motherhood tomorrow and hope for the best.

On the upshot I took a spin through Babies R Us and picked up a gift for another pg friend and looked around at possible baby stuff for me. So many cute ladybug things :) LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Another awesome moment today was on the drive back to work. I ate a snack and talked to baby girl and she kicked me twice in the tummy. It was so cute because its like she responded as I talked. Love her already!

For my Nonna

Today marks the one year anniversary since one of the most important person in my passed away, my grandmother.

Today I am doing the same thing I was on that day, grading papers at my dining room table with the door open on a beautiful spring morning. You might think it should be raining when you get news of someone's passing. Not nonna. She loved the sunny and beautiful days and she would be sadder if she knew I cried so much for her.

She always said, 'life is for the young'and not to cry for the dead. Still its hard not to. I miss her so much still.

It still doesn't seem fair, I feel she left us too soon. I wasn't ready. My heart breaks when I think that she will never get to meet her great-granddaughter. She would have been so proud and loved her so much. I know it.

But I believe God took her at that time for a reason. She didn't suffer for long, she got to see her children and grandchildren grow up. Of course she will miss the birth of our daughter, my cousin Gracie's graduation, future marriages/children for my cousins/sisters.

But looking back, we were lucky we got her for so long. She was a big part of my everyday life growing up and I am so thankful for that. Makes me realize how important it is to be near family when children are growing up.

I can still hear her encouraging words and see her sweet face. Her picture hangs on my desk at work, inspiring me to make her proud everyday.

Of course I am sitting here crying through this but I have hope that one day I will see her again. And the best I can do now is to live a life she would be proud of!

I will find a way to honor her memory. She was a special sweet lady that gave me my sense of compassion, gift of gab and nutured my love of family. And she could cook!!!!

So as this day does feel sad as we mark the one year anniversary since she passed, I know she is with me always.

I love you my Nonna.

Update: Week 22

So its that time to update :)

How far along? 22 weeks

Total Weight gain? I think I am up to 10lbs... maybe 11?

Maternity clothes? yes of course... but some of my regular tops are still working

Sleep? Better this week so far but baby girl keeps waking me up with her kicks

How big is baby? 1lb. Papaya size!

Latest craving? Starbust... I want those jelly beans!!

Best part about being pregnant? This week its the kicks from the outside and the hiccups. I can really feel her moving all around now, lately it feels like she is trying break out and jumping on my cervix... kinda uncomfortable. But yesterday morning was the best when I was waking up and could feel her kicking on the outside and grabbed J's hand and he felt her too.. And yest the hiccupps feel funny like rhythmic tapping :)

Really Lactaid milk?

So J bought me my own Lactaid chocolate milk because I have been stealing sips of his chocolate milk (sans lactaid)... living dangerously!

I usually never drink glasses of milk but every once in a while a glass of chocolate milk looks good to me especially now, despite the lactose intolerance.

The first day J brought this new carton home for me I was unsure of whether it would taste good or chaulky. I don't drink white Lactaid milk except to put it on cereal and I don't think it taste like regular milk anyway.

I got brave though and gave the Lactaid chocolate milk a try. It was perfect! Just like regular! I try not to drink alot of it because its not terribly healthy but the baby needs calcium right?!

J just read the label and turns out Lactaid milk is really only milk with Lactaid added to it. Really?? Seems strange, maybe I should just drink regular milk and take lactaid...

While we are on the subject of food, my friend and fellow blogger found Starburst jellybeans!! I found them after Easter when I was on fruity candy kick and they aren't widely available. We were talking about it at girls' night this weekend and she found them!!! Albeit in 5lb bags, I am just tempted enough to order them!!! Yum!!! The pink ones are the best!!!!