The Cashier at Homegoods and Heavy Legs!

Today during lunch I decided to venture off to...

Where everyone knows your name! 

I needed to pick up a measuring cup because a few weeks ago it shattered in my sink (along with my glass blender) Yikes.  I also wanted to get some ideas for what we can put on our walls in our bathroom. 

My purchases: Yankee Candle - Merlot (I can smell wine!) and a Measuring Cup!  As many of you know, I can be a friendly person (don't want to sound like I'm tooting my own horn here), but when I got to the cashier guy, I said "Hello!" and he didn't respond, so I just thought he wasn't having the best of days. Ah well, sorry guy.   When he handed me the receipt to sign, he asked me "Boy or Girl?"  I was so surprised that he asked me because it was the very first time that a stranger recognized that I was pregnant AND after he didn't say hello to me, I was not expecting that! It took me a second to answer, I smiled and said "It's a girl."  He was so happy and he said hi little girl and see you in 9 months! haha I said, 4! 


Imagine I wasn't pregnant and he asked me that, wow, that would just be wrong.  That's why I feel like women don't ask until they really know for sure.  You don't want to offend any ladies out there! The dress I wore today was more of an empire cut (non-maternity) and so maybe that gave him the cue to ask.  Here's a VERY blurry picture that I took in my work bathroom at the end of the day:

It's very hard for me to take a pic with one hand.

The cashier at HomeGoods pretty much made my day!  I wish I got his name!

I wanted to share a couple of products that I've grown to love! Whenever I'm on my feet for a while (cooking in the kitchen usually or even shopping) I noticed that part of my ankles tend to swell up a little.  It's not a lot but enough for me to notice.  So what do I use to help with my "heavy feet" days?

Lucky Legs by Mama Mio! 

This product has such a great cooling sensation when you first put it on. Smells like spearmint and it has a nice glow to it. Here's the description from the company's site:

A mini spa treatment that glides on to instantly cool and ease weary limbs from knees to tip toes. Leaves a super-subtle sparkly-shimmer on your shins and a spring in your step.

We demand a lot from our legs and feet. They carry us around all day, walking, running, skipping, jumping; even dancing ‘til dawn in highly impractical but gorgeous shoes. 

Who needs it? Any woman who complains about her tired achy legs and feet (who doesn’t?). Safe to use when pregnant or carrying any other kind of heavy load for an extended period (ie the mortgage, holiday sales shopping, your best mate’s secret).

All of us can benefit from this amazing pick-me-up to feel instantly refreshed and walking on air.

You can get it at Amazon ($19.50)

Another smelly product that I LOVE and probably will have to continue to buy is:

I can't explain to you how delicious this smell is.  The combo of coconut and lime just brings you to the caribbean.  Nelson also loves the smell and he's not someone that likes smelly creams.  It's so smooth and when you put it on your skin, you feel like your skin is drinking this cream. GULP GULP GULP! Go out and buy it, it's Certified Organic! Amazon has it for $15.95.  Worth every penny!

Birthday, Hurricane, Bathroom, and Beyonce!

Happy Birthday Mama/Vova Castro! Last year at this time, you were flying in a hot air balloon.  Thank goodness you got the chance to fly in the air balloon last year because this year it would be out of the question with Miss Irene!  Hope you enjoy your day today!

Lesson # 26 for BGC - The media is great to provide up to date information, HOWEVER, they tend to always go overboard, so just try not to watch it all day because if you do, like other New Yorkers, you will freak out and think that the world is ending.

But better safe than sorry!  We have plenty of water and non-perishable foods in our cupboards.
The hurricane didn't hit us bad, but there are some areas in Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Long Island that are affected.  I hope their power gets back on soon enough.  New Jersey, CT, and Vermont also were affected and hope that everyone's safe.  Economic losses were estimated to 7 Billion dollars.   We are very lucky!!!!

After I got the OK from Bloomberg, I stepped outside with BGC to survey any damage and to stop by the grocery store.  We saw a few trees down.

The tornado that we had last year did much more damage and I think our neighbors learned their lesson and made sure they didn't park their cars on the streets.

Since we were stuck inside most of the weekend, I baked cookies (yummy) - recipe here:
http://nellykat1.smugmug.com/Food/Food-2011/15428875_fzzg6q#1155043422_f2UL7-A-LB

Nelson also worked a whole lot in the bathroom, here are some updates.

New color! It matches the light colored wall tile much better than the blue. 

We decided to go with a simple mirror so you can see the tile better. 

     We have the other fixtures to install but we are still figuring out what to do with the walls.  Shelves on the back wall above the toilet and paintings or photos on the side walls? We'll have to be creative.  No themes in this small bathroom, just something clean and contemporary.

And last but not least, Beyonce is preggers.  After her performance on the VMAs she opened up her jacket and rubbed her belly.  It was really sweet...

Her due date hasn't been revealed but I read on one website that she's due in April, but I hardly believe that since she's popping out and also they probably wouldn't announce until after her first trimester.  I think she's due in late January. 

During this pregnancy, so far Baby C and I have experienced...

Seeing Dolphins together in Turks and Caicos.  We actually found out we were pregnant in Turks in Caicos on our Anniversary trip, what a great surprise.

Then we had an earthquake on August 23rd and honestly I didn't feel it because I was busy shopping in Bed Bath and Beyond during our lunch hour.  But BGC might have felt it!  Nelson felt it at work, he said the building was swaying.


And now we are expecting a Hurricane.  It's been all over the news but we don't think it will be THAT bad.  Regardless we are prepared with water, lights, and batteries.


We have lots to share with Baby Girl Castro when she comes out into this world.  I can hear myself now "When you were punching away in my stomach, we were hanging in tight during a Category 1 Hurricane that the whole world was talking about.  They even took pictures from space!"

Since we've been home each weekend taking care of stuff, I wanted to make a point to get out in the AM to get some exercise.  What's ironic is that I got this in my inbox today from "What to Expect":

Don't just take it from me — scientific research shows that you're not the only one who benefits from pregnancy exercise. Apparently, babies of moms who exercise throughout pregnancy score higher, on average, on general intelligence tests by age five. So, at 23 weeks pregnant, not only will your workout boost your muscle power but baby's brain power too!

After reading that, I was even more pumped to work out! We want our baby to be a genius! :)

Last night, I was looking at photos from our Turks and Caicos trip and I would like to share with you a before photo:

This is a Victoria's Secret bathing suit and it's supposed to be a push up, and I actually thought it did just that but then compared too....

This photo...There's been a bit of growth.  It's pretty amazing how the woman's body changes during pregnancy.  I was quite hesitant for posting this photo because it looks like I just rolled out of bed and I have chicken legs with being plump up top, but again I just have to get over myself :)  The tank top is one of my purchases from Old Navy.  I like it a lot bc all of my other tanks are too short right now.  23 weeks!!! 

Nelson will be working on the bathroom today, installing base boards along the wall, sanding off the grout that's remaining on the wall, painting the walls a different color (bc the tiles in the light look more green than clear), and installing some fixtures for paper and towels.  At least we have a toilet and sink!!!!

A little messy right now with the saw on the ground, but we are now seeing a bathroom!!! Progress!

Ok time for me to do some laundry and cleaning! Stay safe in the Hurricane! 

Oh Man, Now We Can't Name Our Daughter Irene!!!!

Haha JK! Wouldn't you like to know?! The theme of our summer = not traveling away for the weekend because of the weather.  First it was CT and bad weather canceling our family BBQ and now this weekend we were going to visit our cousins in the Hamptons but because IRENE is coming, we are hunkering down in our little Queens home.  Plans for the weekend - watching movies (while the electricity lasts, making cookies, and napping... A LOT)

In other news, I'm not the only that needs special treatment during pregnancy.  The hubster needs my undivided attention too, well at least his foot does.  Yesterday I had to go visit Nelson in the city at his physical therapist's office.  Something's up with his right foot, not sure what it is, but it's possibly a tendon injury from when he ran the muddy marathon in NJ in April...

 

There's Nelson with his orange head band.  Looking all bad ass. I'm sure this is the exact moment where he injured his right foot. :)  Our friends Ryan Noggle in yellow and Mark Fox in orange are part of this fun run photo.

The physical therapist at the Doc's office was very nice and thorough.  He trained me on how to tape up his foot.  Before we started, I said "My father's a physician, so I think I got this one, it's pretty much in my blood."  I have to say that I was pretty nervous on messing it up.  God forbid I tape Nelson's foot the wrong way and then he starts walking like a duck.  To be sure that I have some guidance on my own, Nelson videotaped it from my phone.  While I was watching it this morning, my first reaction was "God, my stomach! Couldn't ya get a better angle?" OK OK I'm pregnant, but it just looks like a muffin top to me!  I will never show this video to anyone, EVER! :)  However, here's a picture of me taping Nelson's foot this morning:

Can you see the fear in my eyes? I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.  If I don't and Nelson starts to complain that I'm doing it wrong, I'll just use the tape to shut his mouth! :)  Happy Hurricane Weekend!

The next J.K. Rowling??

 This past week I've had the most vivid, craziest dreams from being abducted, having a swat team rescue Nelson and I, being chased in a car, someone slapping my belly, Miss Piggy chasing me (She was on a bicycle and I was driving a minivan which wasn't going fast), and protecting a Smurf from Miss Piggy.  Oh there also was a parrot that could change into a cat and a mini snake that escaped into our basement.

I feel like if I wrote down all of my vivid dreams, I could make the next Harry Potter series.  Not sure what I would title it, but I would make billions!!!

My work outfit today

Quick post...

I've worn this shirt already to work but wanted to take a picture to show my mother in law.  She gave this to me back in early June so I'm happy that I'm able to get some good use out of it! Plus, I received many compliments about it today too! Thank Vova Elaine!

Both my shirt and pants are NOT maternity clothes and there's no stretchy in my pants so how in the world am I wearing these pants?

Tada!!!!

Every pregnant woman knows about Belly Bands.  At first I thought I wouldn't use them often, but they definitely get me through my non-maternity clothes.  I do have to readjust so that when I bend down, my bum doesn't pop out the back.   Sometimes they don't feel very secure but they have always kept my pants up!  In the beginning, I used to fold the band bc the top was still big on me, but just today for the first time, I didn't need to fold it.  I have a black one too so hopefully I'll be able to use them more for the dark fall colors.

My new investment...

I will have to buy one of these today after work.  There hasn't been a day where I don't spill something on myself.  Water, salad dressing on pants, spinach from this morning's omelette... I had a stain on my pants this morning and had NO IDEA where it came from.  Of course a lot of my stains or spillages happen on the Bosom buddies since they pretty much block the rest of the area.  And forget about crumbs! They are always just hanging out up there! 

Are pregnant ladies more susceptible to stains and clumsiness? Just before as I was walking down the hall with my salad, woops, it flew right out of my hand onto the floor :( The majority was still in tact, but seriously I've been  a clumsy mess with food!

Raaaaaaar!

My coworker Joe has a nickname for me....

It's totally out of love since I absolutely do not act like a dinosaur!  However this evening when I got home, I got the mail out of the mailbox (which was a handful) and I was kicking an amazon box into the house (it was light).  I could have easily asked for Nelson to help me and he saw that I was struggling, but of course I couldn't wait.  He said I acted like an animal and he then made animal noises such as "Raaaaaaar!" That's when I told Nelson that Joe calls me Pregasaurus Rex.  I guess that one moment was a pregasaurus moment, but I won't get all dinosaur later on during the pregnancy.... Right? 

Oh and I can't believe I pulled this card today... Nelson was talking about what light bulbs we need to get for our turtle Crush's tank and honestly I don't want to worry about getting light bulbs if Nelson can easily order them online.  So I asked him if he could take care of it.  He said yes and then continued to say, "that's why we will never get a dog. Because the husband ends up having to take care of it."  My response:

"I'm caring a child in my womb." 

I got him!

Spinning, Spinning, Spinning Around

After 3 weeks of not going to spin class, today I finally went spinning after work.  My coworker Joe came with me and when we got on the bikes, he said "You're gonna take her for a ride."  First I thought he meant that I was going to take the bike for a ride, but he actually meant BGC, duh me!  Yea she came with me for a ride alright! 

It was a little tough at first since I haven't gone in a while but it did feel good to get a good sweat.  I also made sure I was going at my own pace with being under 140 beats per minute.  To help me get through the class, I would close my eyes and imagine BGC punch and kick out to the music.  It made me laugh and helped me get my legs up the hill.  Somewhat similar to this video:

I made sure to drink plenty of water during and after class.  Last time I had leg cramps in the middle of the night.  In addition to that I made sure to have plenty of potassium when I got home:

Coconut water has a lot of potassium and other minerals to help with rehydrating.  This is also great for hangovers!

My dinner for the evening was cereal (a mix of 3 types: kashi, bran flakes, cheerios) with blueberries, bananas, and wheat germ.  

Take that leg cramps! 

Remember that day I weighed myself and said it was NOT a good idea to weigh myself?  Well that day, to make me feel better, I ordered a few things from Old Navy (sorry Nelson).  They just arrived today and to be quite honest I forgot what I ordered, thats what happens when you impulse shop online.  I got leggings, yoga pants, tshirt, and tank top.  Haven't tried them on yet, but will let you know how it all holds up.

While I was looking up images for tonight's blog I saw these tshirts.  Thought they were cute, but I won't spend the money on them! I promise!

Great for a medical intern

Womb Potato

Buns in the Oven!

It's baby Roo!

At last but not least...

Our little Christmas present

4 months away!

Well probably 4 months and 1 week away (if BGC comes on time).


I'd like to start this blog entry with a very happy note (so the good news part of this weekend, then we'll hit ya with the bad news, don't worry we are all fine)


Good news is...
This morning when I woke up I went to lay on my back, felt my tummy for my normal good morning hello to our daughter and I felt her kick from the outside. Normally, I just feel her from within, but she got me good.  I put Nelson's hand on my tummy and once she kicked he said "Oh!" and then she did it again.  He actually said, "She must be building her own bathroom in there too, since there's not a lot of room to move in." So yay, Nelson can now feel our baby girl.  It only happens when I'm laying down or leaning against the wall on our bed, hasn't happened yet while sitting or standing.  She's actually kicking/punching now as I'm typing so she's saying "hello guys!" 


Some more good news is...I picked a carrot from our Queen's garden!

lol isn't it so cute? Of course I didn't eat it. Since it made both of us laugh this weekend, I kept it around so that if we needed a quick pick me up, I took it out and we would instantly smile.

Ok now for the bad news and since I'm hyping it up, it may not sound so bad anymore but it did bum us out, mostly Nelson, and I just felt bad because I couldn't do anything about it.

Remember our beautifully painted bathroom walls that Nelson worked DAYS on because of all the sanding and spackling? It was perfect, no seams at all:

Well, just by chance, Nelson went to where the sink would go (We are having a family friend install the toilet and sink this week).  He noticed that the bolts and screws of where the sink would go kept on turning and turning so what that meant was that the sink would never be secure.  So what did he have to do to fix this problem?

He had to cut into the wall to get to the bolts. :( All of that hard work that he put into the walls (measuring sheetrock, spackling, and sanding was just completely taken away). BOO! I felt so bad!  You see where the level is? Those bolts were sticking out from the wall and that's what just kept on turning.  There was no other solution than to take it out.  

So needless to say, the family picnic in CT that we were planning on going to today, was out of the picture for us. Oh well, things happen for a reason!

Today, we ended up making a trip to home depot to get some supplies.  Nelson had the bright idea to cover the existing hole with of course sheetrock but then go up the wall with some pretty tile (this was our original idea and we just strayed away from it because of time, but this in fact would save us more time because Nelson wouldn't have to spackle and sand again which takes days)  

Nelson worked away today while I did my normal exercise/cooking routine:

Nelson covered the hole fairly quickly!

This was the tile we bought for that wall section. 

I love it! Looks great in person. 

Nelson's a happy camper now! 

He finished tiling after this photo.  It goes straight to the top.  

Woooweeee what a lot of work for Nelson.  Thank God he knows how to figure stuff out, because I would never!  I actually went to Home Depot for a 2nd time today to pick up bolts for Nelson and it took me a good half hour to figure out which one to buy EVEN with a sample in my hand.  Home Depot to me is just like a supermarket is to Nelson. 

That was our weekend, in the end it all worked out and thank you Daddy Nelson for being such a hard worker!  

Old School Photos

This week we had a few retreat days at work and one day we did an ice breaker where we had to answer personal questions that no one knew about us.  My question was "What was your favorite family tradition?" So I immediately thought of our family trips to Argentina each summer and riding horses at my uncle's farm.  Today, I was going through our digital photos on our separate drive and I found this!

This was probably around December 1984 since it looks like summer and I would say I'm about 3 years old.  What's really funny is that there is no saddle and I'm holding onto the horses hair.  This is probably not legal in the US but down in Argentina, they are wild and crazy.  One day I hope to teach our daughter how to ride a horse.  I miss it so much!


Here are some other photos:

This is my brother Vincent and I aka Bobe.  I'm not sure where this was taken exactly, but I love my strawberry shortcake dress. I would get the same for BGC if I could!

My brothers and I.  Love the cool furniture in the back.

Count Dracula and Smurf! I miss those antennas!

We are rockin' cool

Does this kid look familiar??

Little did she know that she would fall in love with a Portuguese man from Connecticut about 20 years later.

It's Friday again?

Trust me, I'm happy it's Friday, but I feel like I just wrote about our last Friday evening! You know what that means...Time is FLYING!


So this week was a great week.  A pregnancy proud moment - I made it a point to do some type of exercise every day.  I woke up earlier than normal during the week to work out downstairs and I swam at Hofstra on Tuesday. (Elliptical, Swim, Elliptical, Gabrielle Reece Fit Pregnancy, and Pregnancy Pilates) I'm sore from the Gabrielle Reece video and it's bc it was mostly strength training. I haven't done it in a while so my body is a little mad at me.  A good feeling either way.


After work today, I met up with my friend Michelle for dinner at Cosi and shopping at Trader Joe's.  She treated me to dinner, thanks Michelle! It was yummy.  Had a salmon salad (gotta get in those Omega 3's!)


When I got home, I saw Nelson hard at work on the bathroom again:

Hey Nelson! You missed a spot!

Oh he knows he missed a spot, he'll get to it tomorrow.  Then he'll have to grout.  

I checked the mail and we got another package from Anna! She's so funny, she made sure she sent ANOTHER package before her office moved to another office building.  Thank you Anna! You sent our baby girl her first dress!

This is so pretty in person! It's for 6 months so perfect timing for the summer time!

Not sure what this is? Well, me too.  It's instructions for how to fold the insert for a reusable diaper. I attempted it:

Hmmm not so hard with a non-moving object, but doesn't his legs look far apart? Maybe I'll just save this for Nelson to do.

Poor Mets bear.  He doesn't appreciate getting dressed up like a girl.

It looks like a mini MOO MOO!!! It's a shirt of course :)

Don't worry, I'm not suffocating the bear.  He's not alive, he's just a doll.

I LOVE this book.  So many fun recipes for kids! I have a feeling Deanna will like this book!

I'm afraid to read this book.  Can't handle the reality just yet.

If Baby Girl Castro is still in my belly on Christmas Eve, I will read this book out loud

How did Anna know this would help me? Well 1 - she was preggers and may have had carpel tunnel? This will come in handy when I'm typing my blog - like right now! 

Can you believe another symptom that pregnant women have to endure is carpel tunnel? Oh you hormone Relaxin!!!! 

Well I'm exhausted, so time for bed.  Have a great weekend!