See You Soon...

I've obviously been away for a couple of weeks and I wish it wasn't so, but right now I can't blog.  There is a lot going on, just know that I'll be back soon to catch up with everyone.

Twitter

Aly posted today about Twitter and wanted to hear every one's opinions and to see if we use Twitter and what it's all about.  To be honest, I signed up for Twitter a long time ago and while I randomly 'tweet' here and there, I really don't know what it's all about. 

So my question for you is, do you tweet?  If so can you explain it to me and/or fill me in on what it's all about?  Head on over to Aly's blog and fill her in too.  Also, if you do tweet, look me up and show me the ropes AshleyJJohnston.

Do you ever have that panicky-feeling that something is wrong.  The feeling of a weight on your chest and it's so heavy that you have difficulty breathing?  The panic in the pit of your stomach that makes you want to vomit?

This is not something I experience often, however, when I was out at the mall today at lunch I got hit with exactly this feeling.  I can't pinpoint anything that would have caused it and I'm not stressed so what could be wrong?!  I have racked my brain and crossed off any possibility of forgetting something, Christmas shopping/list overload, everyday stressful items but none of the above have me concerned.

I just feel like this weight is holding me down and the fact that I can't pinpoint what it is is making it worse.

Do you ever feel like this?!

12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge - Day 10

 

 
It's day 10 of Aly and Molly's 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge and today's topic is you favorite Christmas songs/caroles.  This one is easy, I love, love, love Olivia Olsen's 'All I Want for Christmas' from the movie Love Acutally.

Go link up and have a great Thursday!



Relief

As mentioned before, we are expecting our second child who is due May 6th, making me 17weeks, 5 days pregnant.  At my 12 week appointment the doctor had a hard time hearing the heart beat, but it registered on the doppler and all was said to be well.  I left not thinking anything of it seeing as the heart beat registered and knowing that sometimes it's difficult to hear it at that stage of the pregnancy.  Last week I went for my 16 week appointment expecting to hear the heart beat and after a very long couple of minutes and two different dopplers my doctor looked at me and said so the next step is an ultrasound.  I assumed that she was talking about the 18-20 week ultrasound but she meant that day or the next at the latest.  We were able to schedule the appointment for the next day thankfully and I kept my cool about it all after my appointment when I went to work.  I don't think it hit me until I got into bed that night and as I lay there it hit me like a ton of bricks, all of the possibilities of what the next day might hold flooded my mind and to be honest most of them were worst case scenarios.  Needless to say, the next morning was very unproductive and full of tears and it seemed to take forever for the ultrasound appointment to finally arrive.  The ultrasound technician quickly confirmed a strong heart beat of 147 and said that all looked well, so I was able to finally breath and thank God that our baby was okay.  We weren't able to get any other details as per size or gender, as we will be going for our next appointment on December 10th to confirm all of that and more but thankfully our baby's heart is beating and beating strong. 

According to the ultrasound technician, my placenta is anterior meaning between my stomach muscles and the baby, thus resulting in difficulties to hear the heart beat.  Thankfully all is well and we can breath easy.

Day 3 - 9 of 12 the Day of Christmas Blog Challenge

I am a wayyyy behind in  linking up to Molly and Aly's 12 Day of Christmas Blog Challenge for days 3 to 9, but I don't think they will mind terribly.  I originally started this post a week of go and have tried to finish it numerous days since, alas, today is the day!

First off - Happy belated Thanksgiving to all of my American friends, I hope that you had a wonderful day filled with family, love and happiness.
So Day 3 of the 12 Day of Christmas Blog Challenge is the most meaningful gift/best gift you've received.  When I started thinking about this all that came to mind was material objects, but nothing stood out as the best present received.  The most meaningful gift that I have ever received is my amazing family that continues to grow more and more.  I come from a family of 4 children and this means that there is NEVER a dull moment at family gatherings, there is always someone around when you need them and there is more love and support than one can imagine.  Not only am I blessed with two loving parents, 3 siblings plus spouses and children, I have married in to a family who have shown me nothing but love since day one.  I guess what I'm getting at is that my most meaningful gift is our family and their continuous love.

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly Holiday Season
-Start your shopping early to avoid spending everything you have in December and to help ease last minute stress

-Make a list and stick to it.  If anyone else is like me, I find it so easy to over buy and end up with too much for one person and not enough
-Keep your eyes open for deals early on in the season and watch the flyers/listen for radio ads

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

 

Plain.and.simple.

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

That is it...is it too much to ask for?

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)
Unfortunately I am not crafty at all, AT ALL, so I am hoping to mimic (read copy) Aly's decorative jars - adorable!!!!

Day 8: Least Favorite Thing About The Holidays
I dislike the clean up and undecorating, my house feels so empty when all of the decorations are down.  I also dislike the weight gain, although this year I think that will be inevitable. ;)

Day 9: Favorite Holiday Recipe

Baked Squash Casserole

3 cups chopped butternut squash
1 onion, chopped
2/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
15 Ritz crackers, crushed
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp. mayo

Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook squash in boiling water in covered saucepan 15 min. or until tender.
Rinse under cold water; drain.
Mix squash and remaining ingredients; spoon into 8-inch square baking dish.
Bake 1 hour or until heated through.

I can't get enough of this recipe, it is soooo yummy, of course I add extra cheese and mayo...mmm.
 
There you have it, hopefully tomorrow I will be back on track with the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge.