It is hard to believe that I am already 25 weeks pregnant.
I think what makes it so hard this time around is that I have somehow kept my weight gain to a minimum – right now I’ve gained right around 10lbs, which for me is damn good considering that my last 3 pregnancies I had probably gained almost 30lbs by now.
What can I say?
I’m happy.
Everything with little baby Ellie seems to be going well other than the fact that she is seriously stubborn. I am keeping my fingers crossed that at my next appointment on October 21st that she will be a little more cooperative and let us see her.
In the meantime, I have been looking a some pretty cute things that I can’t wait to pick up for her. It’s been so long since I was able to go in the infant girls department and purchase all that is girly but I plan on doing a lot of it.
I have also commissioned my friend Amberto create some cute little hats for bean and then of course a few for the other kids as well. I can’t wait until they are done because I know they will be adorable!! (Be sure to check out Amber’s creations in her Etsy shop.)
For now, here are a few things that I can’t wait to get my hands on for Ellie!
Annie is busy and really doesn’t have that much time to read. Or I could say that she is a really slow reader and it takes her an absurd amount of time to finish a book if she ever does. So this typically means that whenever she is given a book to review it comes to me to read. So I will be writing this wonderful review for Pretty by Jillian Lauren.
The first thing that struck me about this book is that, at least by the picture on the back, it was written by a pretty (get it, ‘pretty’….like the book title…wow I really haven’t got much sleep lately) brunette with two first names. People with first names for last names just bother me for some reason although the fact, which I found out later, that she is a former stripper did help me read the book. No I am not really that shallow, I am just reaching for some form of humor to go with this very serious book.
The book is about a young woman name Bebe Baker who is an ex-everything dealing with profound emotional issues stemming from an awful accident and a hereditary issue with addiction. This is definitely a book that I would never have read without the constant prodding of a wife who is pregnant so I need to humor her in all things so as not to have my head cut off and/or be castrated. So I read the book and although it was not my cup of tea, I can see how it would be quite enjoyable to the crowd that enjoys these looks into how those with substance abuse issues, and other forms of psychological issues that have acronyms, have gotten that way and how hard it is to dig themselves back out of that pit.
The various characters are well written and fleshed out nicely so as to make you feel that you have met them, or someone very similar, in the past. No matter what circles we run in, we have friends, family members, or even mere acquaintances who have at one point in time or another come face to face with some, if not all, of these issues.
It really is an eye opener that gets into the nitty-gritty of what it is like for these women. It did have a slow moving plot but that is by design more than indifference and almost reads more like non-fiction than fiction.
I would like to recommend this book to those who want to know why a gorgeous young woman could end up in a halfway house, taking cosmetology classes, and dating the craziest of the crazies who are truly more sane than many of the rest of us.
If you would like the opportunity to read this book, we are offering a copy for giveaway!
To enter share the following on either Twitter or Facebook and come back and leave us a link to the post.
Check out @jillylauren’s new book, Pretty- http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Novel-Jillian-Lauren/dp/0452297346 I just entered 2 WIN @ http://bit.ly/mXst27
For additional entries:
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This giveaway will begin on September 27th 2011 and end on October 11th 2011 and 12 NOON CST and is open to US Residents Only. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize. For more information on giveaways hosted by The Megalomaniac Mommy, please read the Policies page.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book at no cost to me in exchange for my honest review.
I live in a home were Marvel Comics is a BIG DEAL.
Having a 3.5 year old who is obsessed with all things super heroes, it is easy to get him hooked on anything from a comic book!
THOR & LOKI: BLOOD BROTHERS takes a powerful look inside the minds of Thor and Loki, two adversarial brothers in the mystical land of Asgard and seemingly forever enemies. But just why does Loki hate his brother Thor? And could it be that this master of mischief isn’t really the villain he’s been branded? Loki’s insatiable lust for power and his feud with Thor take on new meaning in this resonant epic.
If you have anyone in your home who is a Marvel fan, comic book collector or enthusiast, this is a great addition to your home movie collection.
Our little Alexander was instantly enamored with Thor & Loki and has watched it at least a dozen times.
The DVD also includes a behind the scenes look at Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers, an exclusive look back with the writer and artist and even the trailer.
Have a look at the trailer here:
Disclaimer: This promotion was based on using information provided by Shout Factory and Marvel Entertainment. Neither Shout Factory or Marvel Entertainment does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blogsite. The opinions stated from me are 100% mine and they are my true thoughts on this film.
Well, we are back from the doctor.
We made the attempt at a 3D/4D ultrasound but of course, since this child is so stubborn, we were unsuccessful.
The one thing we were successful at was discovering the sex of Baby Ellie and are excited to announce that we are definitely having a GIRL!
We are going to try the 3D/4D ultrasound again in 4 weeks in hopes of getting some pictures but until then, we will be out shopping for girly things!!
Don’t push your South Carolina insurance to the back of your mind: it’s always relevant, even if you don’t want to think about it right now. So whenever any type of change occurs, be sure to dust off that policy and check that it still meets your needs.
Health insurance can be very complex, and you naturally want the best value and quality for your hard-earned dollar. But how can you know if the plan you are considering is a good one?
For starters, you need to look at more than cost. Other considerations include what is covered or excluded, annual limits, likely out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles and co-payments, and whether you are still covered if you choose your own doctor.
With regards to quality, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) annually ranks health insurance plans according to three different criteria – Consumer Satisfaction, Prevention, and Treatment. These three categories are then broken down into a number of areas which measure the ease of accessing health care, satisfaction with the treating physician, and treatments for major conditions such as asthma and heart disease. In 2010-11, there were 300 plans assessed, and of these, 227 received accreditation. Details can be accessed from the NCQA website’s homepage.
You can also check with the Health Insurance Department for information about your intended health insurance plan, such as drop-out rates by consumers. And don’t forget to ask your doctor and other people you know for their opinion – most people have a health insurance story to tell!
It pays to be well-informed when choosing a health insurance policy.
