Toni Braxton Hicks?

According to TheBump.com, (26 weeks): 

Don't panic if your uterus suddenly starts tightening and relaxing -- Braxton Hicks contractions often begin around this time. They're simply your body's way of practicing and preparing for labor. (If the contractions are regular or particularly painful, call your doc just to be sure it's not the real thing.)

I think this happened last night before going to bed.  Our normal routine is to lay in bed and see her movements (when we get the chance).  Nelson poked my stomach last night like I was the Pillsbury Dough Boy.  Then later after we watched a movie (Rio, it was pretty good!) My stomach hardened, just like a rock.  Pretty cool! 

If I Only Had a Brain...

Pregnancy brain at its full effect lately.  I always have to write stuff down or tell people to remind me to do something bc I will forget it almost immediately.  Somewhat like Dory from Finding Nemo.

Today Nelson and I went to the park for a nice little walk/jog.  As we were getting out of the car, I guess I wasn't looking where I was going and my head just ended up hitting the branches of some leafy trees.  I just laughed hysterically and Nelson asked "When will you get your brain back? She's sucking the brain right out of you."  

Guess having pregnancy brain is a good excuse if you forget someone's bday.  I had to write down in my calendar that today is Mercedes and Rob's anniversary.  I told Nelson earlier, "Today is Meredith's and Rob's anniversary."  He asked, "WHO?"  "Today is Mercedes and Rob's anniversary!"  "You said Meredith."  Lol, ok I'm losing it!  Happy Anniversary Mech and Rob (Meredith!) tehehe

Well this weekend started our 26th week! Wahoo, here's the belly:

In a couple of weeks, we start our third and LAST trimester.  Wackadoozle!!!!  

Finally I just have to admit, that Destination Maternity, Gap, Old Navy, Zulily, Totsy, and Amazon have all been getting me lately! I get emails daily from pretty much all sites and they make their subject lines so appealing!  It's ALWAYS the LAST time you can get something for 40% off or free shipping.  I've been good with clothes lately but just with Amazon earlier today, I spent a little under $50 bucks within a matter of 3 minutes (sorry Nelson)  I'm getting this book:

Someone recommended it to me through BabyCenter and instead of paying the extra money for ANOTHER class, she said this book helped her throughout the labor.  And in order for me to get the free shipping over $25, I needed to get another Mustela Stretch Mark Cream.

This cream lasts for about 4 months and I use it daily.  So far, haven't had any stretch marks, but I'm sure I'm not in the clear yet!

Have a great week, I'm off to cooking 3 meals for the week: Lentils, Veggie Lasagna, and Empanadas for dinner with friends :)

And the countdown begins!

GULP! 100 days left! WHATTTTTT? 

Wow I can't believe it, this clock seemed to say about 168 days left just 2 days ago, but nope, time flew and it's now 100 days.  My sister in law Sabrina got us this clock which goes with a countdown book. Thank you! We have it in our living room, reminding us when the big day is! Nelson said the other day that this countdown reminded him of when we were planning our wedding, with all the running around and getting stuff done.  I agree, but it's a little more pressure since we're not exactly sure when she'll make her debut.  Just stay in there for some more time, little girl. You still need to cook and we need to get your under the sea room ready!

Today was a fun pregnant day for me, which means that the baby (ah hem, I) got to eat a lot of yummy foods.

First, I had to "work" an alumni event in the city.  What that consisted of was showing up for a cruise around the city and chat with some great Alumni, so pretty much hanging out and connecting with those who I haven't seen in a while and meeting new friends.  That was fun!  Highlights = Free food and fun windy photos with DD!

crazy hair! 

Sorry Danielle for posting, but your face and hair is priceless in this. :) 

Danielle took this one on her phone.  I grabbed my fall/spring coat when I was leaving the house without trying it on. Forgot that my pregnant belly would not allow it to button all the way.  I should have just left it open, but it was chilly!

So after chatting with some alumni, one alumna asked if I was preggers (she can probably tell bc I couldn't button my jacket) and I told her yes.  She had a baby last may and recommended her lactation consultant to me.  She whipped out her phone and gave me her lactation lady's number and I was thrilled.  We probably talked about breastfeeding for a good 20 minutes, so I'm sorry to anyone who was around during that conversation.  Anyone walking by would probably think we were a little crazy, milk pumping here, nipple cream there....

After the fun cruise, Danielle and I met up with our friend Elena (also a Hofstra Alumna who currently lives in LA).  We decided to head down to Little Italy and enjoy the San Gennaro festival.  Usually I'm not a huge fan of crowded places, but since it was the day time Danielle said that it wouldn't be so crowded and yes she was right. 

We ate at a lovely Italian restaurant, then had free Gelato at Frank Ferrara's bakery (Danielle knows everyone so the owner treated us), and then we even went all out and ate zeppolis!

I would never try the Oreo's or Twinkies, kinda makes me sick thinking of it, but the Zeppoli's were so good!

The powdered sugar! It was yummy going down, but the heartburn kicked in right after! Oh darn you, fried food!

Poor baby girl was filled with lots of carbs and sweets today.  I'm sure she didn't mind but I will definitely have to lay off that stuff for a while, ESPECIALLY since my glucose screening is this Friday. I walked a lot today so hopefully that helps!

Had a great time with some great friends! Thanks Danielle and Elena for making me laugh pretty much all day long! 

How did they find out her name?

Got this in the mail....

Haha just kidding! Not sure why the student ambassador program is even sending us mail and they obviously don't know my first name.  But it did make me smile that eventually we will be receiving mail that says "Parents of _______ Castro"

Cranberry juice and antibiotics

went to the doc and there's a chance I may have a uti... he took a culture, which we will find out the results in the next few days, but from the pee pee test, they found a little blood and no other uti symptoms.  Because that there's a possibility of it being a UTI, he put me on antibiotics, which do not harm the baby at all.  If a UTI goes untreated, it may cause kidney damage and possible preterm labor, so because of those possibilities, I need to take the antibiotics.

Two positive notes:
- Got to hear baby girl's heartbeat today and she is fine and dandy (glad one of us is!)
- When I stepped on the scale, I went down a pound, which pretty much means I stayed the same weight for 2 weeks, woohoo! I go again next friday for the dreaded sugar screening.

Up all night

Literally I have been up all night, haven't gone too bed. It's 3 and I can't sleep and it's bc I have to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. Tmi I know but it's part of the pregnancy and I can't even try to fall asleep without the urge to go which I think may an issue? I know it's common for pregnant women to go to the bathroom during the night but not evey 5 - 10 minutes right? It's not like I'm here guzzling down water either. Going to call the doc in the am to see if it's a uti or what if it's gestational diabetes? Since I'm sleep deprived (last night didn't sleep much either) I my be coming to conclusions. Thank God for Nelson's iPad. Have to download some stuff. I wish i was in dreamland with him.

It's Kick Off season at The Career Center!

Today we had our Annual Kick Off Event for The Career Center.  It was H-O-T! So i took a few breaks (being pregnant is a great excuse :) ) Haha jk but I really was hot, and so was everyone else.  We did a great job.  Here are some photos

Joe and Suzanne's annual prom photo

Up, Up and Away! 

Our new marketing around campus.  You gotta Intern now folks, in order to get hired later!

Deanna, being all Fonzie

We like Yoga at The Career Center

Our fearless leader, Fred Burke

The Three Amigas! 

Security Line! Do NOT CROSS DD! 

 Love this one!

 Our lovely ladies MaryBeth and Jayne - always running The Career Center

 FREE BUMPER STICKER!

Chaundra and Suzanne love! 

 We had all students sign this banner with what their dream internship would be?

We have fans! 

Not so much a pregnancy blog, but the CC is pretty much my 2nd family, so whenever we have fun together, it's always great to show our happy times together.