Thankful Thursdays!

This Thursday I am most thankful for my baby sister, Cayce Martel (lol, she doesn't like her middle name). She is three years younger than me - and I say "baby" sister rather than "little" sister because she is about 5 inches taller than me! We've definitely had a roller coaster relationship over the past 25 years but I couldn't imagine anyone else being my sister and best friend.


When I say roller coaster, I really mean a two-mountain climb. "What does that mean?" you ask? Here it is: when we were young, we were best friends. All throughout elementary school we were together; playing Barbies, building forts, riding bikes, going to the pool, etc. etc. We LOVED each other!

My mom dressed us alike, we shared everything, 
and spent lots of fun times together.

That was all of course before I went to middle school and thought I was too cool for my sister. And then there was high school. We went to different high schools, hung out with different crowds, and went in two different directions. See how one of us is blonde hair/blue eyed and the other brown hair/brown eyed?

Yeah, we are totally opposite in personality too. Where Cayce is outgoing, confident, and extroverted, I am much more shy and introverted. She has an awesome sense of fashion (for which I'm always asking advice) and is GREAT at juggling family, friends, and work - making time for everyone! She is also super hilarious and can ALWAYS make me laugh or feel better if I'm in a bad mood.

For instance, she was Snookie to a "T" at our last Halloween party - it was awesome. Luckily, once I went away to college and we had established ourselves independently, we got closer again. We now talk almost every day and I don't know what I would do without her. I still hear of instances where sisters aren't close or don't speak/hang out and I can't imagine that. I love my sister!

And she made a GREAT Maid of Honor, giving an amazing speech (making everyone cry of course), and doing what she does best: loving all those around her!

 So although we are completely different, our differences bring us together in the end - and I can't imagine my life without her!

What are you thankful for today?

Old School or Old Soul?

The person on the left is me on the outside, the person on the right is me on the inside:

Eh? What? Ok, so the person on my right is actually my grandmother (aka "Gampi") - my mom's mom whom I love to death. She is actually only 4' 10" so I'm kinda hunched over to be at her level in this picture - too cute!

Anyway, last night as we were getting ready to go to bed I was watching a movie on Turner Classic Movies (TCM - my favorite channel!) and my husband was making fun of me because I love so many "old school" things. He said I actually have an 80 year old inside my body. And he's not the first one to tell me this! My friends and family have said the same thing before. Why's that? Let me elaborate:

1. I love old movies. As stated, TCM is my favorite channel. I LOVE classic movies. Whether it's dramas and mysteries from the 1940s to musicals (yes, musicals), to Doris Day/Rock Hudson/Marilyn Monroe flicks - I'm there!

2. I love old music. And I'm not talking just Frank Sinatra. I'm talking my XM radio in my card has these two stations amongst my favorites: "Singers & Standards" and "40s on 4". And I'm admitting it.

4. My favorite cocktail is a Gibson. With Gin!

5. I drive a Cadillac. I don't see too many other people my age driving one but I love it!! Most comfortable car ever.

6. I love old TV shows. I Love Lucy is my favorite!

7. At all the parties I host I break out my silver and china from my family - why not use it even for BBQs? I always set a proper table down to the individual pepper and salt cellars.

So, these things may or may not make me old fashioned but I love them! I think I really am in a time warp and I'm supposed to be living in another decade :)

16 weeks

How far along?   16 weeks

Size of the little one?  The books say 4.5 inches, about the size of an avocado!

Gender?  Don’t know yet, but can’t wait!!

Weight Gain? 7.5 pounds

Stretch marks?  None yet, still have to keep up with the lotion.

Maternity clothes?  Not yet, although a good friend lent me her maternity jeans in case I need to break them out. So far, getting by with the belly band for my office clothes, and leggings, and dresses for outside of work.

Sleep?  Good so far minus the waking up in the middle of the night for bathroom trips. Still have to get those 8 eight hours though!

Miss Anything? Again, wine. And it's annoying to have to constantly think about what I'm eating (is this healthy? is this on the "do not eat" list? etc etc)

Cravings? Still nothing crazy. But fruit - love berries! In fact, for my birthday at work this year I preferred a tart from Wegmans rather than my usual double chocolate! Weird for me? YES. I've heard that if you crave chocolate, this means it's a girl. So perhaps another sign that it's a boy?

Symptoms? HORRIBLE acne. Worst it's been in my life. Yeah, that glowing skin they say pregnant ladies get? Not so much. I knew that it would probably be my luck to make my skin so haywire, but not THIS bad!!

Belly button? Still in, but I swear it's becoming rounder - is that possible? I've always had this phobia of having my belly button touched so this is torture and I am dreading an "outie".

Best Moment this week? Trying to figure out if it's the baby I'm feeling move. I've been getting those "butterflies" and the doc said they sometimes start as early as 16 weeks...but it could be my imagination.

Looking forward to?  putting our house on the market next week!!! This has been super stressful so one more thing out of the way and off the list is such a relief.

Exercise? Started running and Pilates again!