9.29.2013

.when being a girl isn't so fun.

I want to start by saying: I love being a girl. I think I'm good at it. Way better than I'd probably be at being a guy.

Regardless, there are times in life when being a girl flat out stinks.

And now I'm going to talk about something that, if you're a guy, is going to be grody.

This one's for the girls though...

Ladies, have you ever had an ovarian cyst? Oh, ew. Yeah, it's kinda disgusting. More than that, it's darn painful. And I have one.

Or, should I say, I had one??? (Please, God, let it be gone. Let that horrific, relentless pain I felt earlier today be what the doctor described as the cyst "resolving itself.")

AKA, with any luck, that little nugget of pain is ruptured. But I don't really know for sure. All I know is this:

(Here's my cyst-tastic story.)

So, apparently back in June I felt a pinching feeling in my right ovary. I have that recorded in my calendar. The emptiness on my July and August calendars tell me those months must have been blissfully pain free.

The pain reared its ugly head again in early September. I remember three solid days of that pinching feeling on my right ovary. I was walking bent over a lot of the time, and, even though  I still went to work, I would unbutton my jeans on the way to work to try to help ease any pressure that might be causing pain in that area. Obviously, I made an appointment during this time.

For the first time in my life, I had an ultrasound (which are kinda fun and relaxing in a way -- the belly jelly is warm -- who knew). I also had a (close your ears, potential boy readers) vaginal ultrasound. Gag me, right?!?!

But I'm so glad I was proactive enough to get these done despite being nervous. I got a call a few days later telling me that I do in fact have a tiny cyst on my right ovary that would, in time, "resolve itself." These are apparently very common in women of child-bearing age.

Why haven't I heard any of my friends talking about this before? Huh? Where's the info? Way to leave a sistah in the dark.

Fast forward to today. I start feeling achey, like maybe a fever is coming on. It's Sunday, so I feel justified in taking a nap anyway. Upon waking up, I feel even worse. I'm running a low-grade fever, shivering, and my ovary abruptly starts hurting. Doesn't take but a blink of an eye for the pain to escalate to the point of me writhing around on the bed, whimpering in pain. I send a text to my husband (who is watching Nascar in the living room) and ask him to come in the bedroom.

When he gets there, I (while in excruciating pain) manage to get the words out that I need some Aleve. It probably takes about a half hour before it really kicks in, and during that time I experience the worst pain I think I've ever felt. I decide in that moment that if what I am feeling is anything like what being in labor feels like, my new life motto is going to be, "Get me the epidural."

I'm praying that what I felt was the cyst rupturing and that relief is here. If the cyst is still there, I'm dreading the next time it gives me grief. Besides that pain on my ovary, there was excruciating pain in my whole lower area (sorry for the TMI but some women need to know), the fever and chills, and nausea. All are symptoms of a cyst rupturing.

I'm sharing this info on my blog in case any other ladies have questions about this particular issue. Being a woman is (most of the time) amazing. Our bodies and what they are capable of are nothing short of miraculous. But for the times when being a woman isn't all it's cracked up to be, it's good to know we can share our struggles with each other.

9.22.2013

.abby's fall picnic baby shower.

My sister and sister-in-law are both due in October with their little girls. We had my sister's shower a couple of weeks ago, and we had Abby's shower yesterday.

It was a gorgeous day, and Fall was definitely in the air, so our "fall picnic" theme felt just right.


Mia's nursery is decorated in plum and aqua chevron, so we incorporated these colors and patterns in here and there, along with fresh wild flowers, gingham print, finger foods and a variety of pies as opposed to the traditional cake. (The pies were my personal favorite part.)


Menu

Pie (apple, cherry, pecan)
fresh baguette bread
cubed cheese
 red grapes
pita chips
spinach artichoke dip
quiche (spinach, bacon, crab)
apple orchard punch




We played a game where everyone got a list of characteristics & had to guess whether Abby hoped Mia would acquire Abby's or my brother's of each one.

The winners (we had a tie) received a goody bag filled with hand sanitizer, a nail file, nail polish, body butter, Burt's Bees chap stick and notepads.


We had such a great time and Mia received lots of pretty presents. I can't wait to meet my sweet niece! She'll be here before I know it and my heart will be so full.


9.15.2013

.goodbye summer.

I remember once...about 2 weeks ago...it was Labor Day. And it was a good day. Even if it did take me this long to blog about it.

Hubs and I enjoyed a day out on the lake with family. It was so relaxing. I love the feel of the wind in my face while chilling in a boat, cruising over the water.


Afterwards we headed back to my sister's house for grilled out burgers and hot dogs.

Now that Summer's last hoorah is over, I'm ecstatic about the months to come.

Did you know that Fall is my favorite time of the year?

Candy corn, changing & falling leaves, Thanksgiving, pumpkins, chilly air, fire pits, and...most importantly...the arrival of my TWO nieces!

Sis and SIL are both due to deliver their little girls in October. Two more reasons my most favorite month of the year will be even more special!

On that note, I bid adieu to summer 2013 and welcome with open arms the season that brings exciting change and a fresh invigoration for this blessed life I live!

9.02.2013

.a very special woodland baby shower.

A couple of weeks ago, my sister-in-law and I threw a woodland-themed baby shower for my sister. I put my heart and soul into this one, and it was a success (thanks to Pinterest, which is where every design element came from). My sister shined and baby Molly was gifted with many beautiful things. So without further ado, here are some pictures!







Menu:

Pretzel Crisps
Pita Chips
Hummus
Broccoli & Carrots
Ranch Dip
Owl Sugar Cookies
Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Punch: Apple Juice mixed with Sprite


We filled out "Wishes for Molly" cards.


And instead of playing games, we decorated onesies, which was so much fun. We found most of our white onesies at yard sales for about .50 a piece, all in new condition!

Supplies for Decorating Onesies:

Butcher Paper (to cover table top with)
White Onesies
Store-Bought Stencils (letters & various designs)
Freezer Paper Stencils (pre-cut with my Silhouette Cameo)
Fabric Scraps
Wonder-Under (for ironing on fabric designs)
Iron-on Letters
Fabric Paint
Sponge Brushes
Fabric Markers
Cardboard (to go inside onesie when using paint)
Iron & Ironing Board

Finally, my sister opened her gifts. She got so many cute things and lots of handmade gifts for Molly. And me, being the good sister I am, made my sister cry with my letter to Molly. My sister only read a few lines and had to stop because she didn't want to cry. She said she'd finish reading it in about 10 years. I honestly don't think she's finished reading it to this day...


I had SO MUCH fun throwing this shower for my big sis, my BFF. I am so excited to meet Molly, it's not even funny.


I love you, Emily! (And Molly Grace) ;-)