It's been a while!

Hiiiii there!

Just popping by to say I'm still alive.

The babe is doing awesome.

And I've started a new venture!

PLEASE please please follow me here.

I promise, it's a good time.

xo!

She's Here!!!

Delaney Jane

Born 11.30.2010

9:14 pm

5 lbs, 15 oz, 20"

And now, back to studying for this week's finals.

I will be back next week, promise!

xoxo

Bedrest, shmedrest. Bah humbug.

Long story short:

Showing some early symptoms of preeclampsia.

Went to the doctor yesterday, on bedrest until things settle down.

Going back to the doctor on Thursday.  Hopefully everything is gravy by then.

I'm not ready to be bedridden!  I've got work to do and finals to study for and pictures to hang in her room and cleaning to do- can't bring her home to this filthy house and aaaaargh!!!!!

This blows.

Cord Blood Banking

Some of you may remember Cody:



Cody is my cousin Bobby's son.  He's three years old, and he has aplastic anemia.

I didn't know what it was, either.

Still not 100% sure, but my basic understanding of it is that his marrow basically stopped working, and noone knows why.  He has been scheduled for two bone marrow transplants now, but both times his numbers spiked just before he went in for the procedure.

Which is both amazing and annoying for a family that just wants the roller coaster ride to end.

We still don't know if Cody will eventually need a BMT, and all of the nasty chemo that goes along with it.  He's been doing very well lately, and we are all still praying hard.

One thing I do know is that he's a trooper, and so are his mom, dad, and little brother.

They can handle just about anything that gets thrown at them, and they've proven that time and time again.

I ask that you continue to pray for Cody, Bobby, Theresa, and Landon.

...

A couple of months ago at one of my prenatal doctor appointments, my OB mentioned cord blood banking.  I didn't know much about it, except it involved stem cells and cryogenic freezing and other space-agey sounding stuff.  I didn't think much of it, but vowed to her that I would do some research before ruling it out.

So a-googling I went.

I went to the CBR website and one of the first things I wanted to know was what exactly had been successfully treated with cells from cord blood.

I was astounded.

The list of different cancers and diseases was just crazy.

Then I saw aplastic anemia on the list, and I knew we had to do it.

It's not genetic, I don't think, but just the fact that I know a family who is dealing with this illness brings it so close to home.  I finalized everything this morning, and Delaney's cord blood will be stored with CBR.

I'm really relieved and excited that we can provide this for her.

It truly is amazing.

If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, I urge you to do some research on cord blood banking.  It could end up saving your child or another member of your family some day.

For information on Cody and his Acquired Aplastic Anemia,

please visit his blog at Cody's Crew.

And for our close family and friends (I'm not asking for handouts from strangers, don't worry!!!) who would like to contribute to our cord blood collection and storage costs, please visit our registry website.

Top Chef: Just Desserts

I love all seasons of Top Chef.

J and I've met both Carla and Richard Blais and totally geeked out both times.

I made Carla say "Hootie Hoo."

J asked Richard to teach him how to use liquid nitrogin to freeze gin.

(He told him to call the restaurant

and set up a time to come in and learn-

seriously, awesome awesome guy.)

Btw- he's like uber skinny now.  Weird.

If I could only meet my Fabio, I could die a happy foodie.

"We can serve monkey ass in empty clam-shell, and still, we win!"

Love. Him.

Other past faves include Sam and Harold.

But of course, there's always the chef you love to hate.

I always wished my sweet little Frenchie Pants, Eric Ripert,

 would smack Hung in the face with a seabass fillet.

But he's way too classy for such shenanigans.  Sigh.  Hi, Eric...

Ahem.

I digress.

So with Just Desserts nearing its season finale, we are down to the final three.

And I can't stand two of em.

Danielle is only mildly annoying in comparison to Morgan,

 but those weird faces she makes are just AWFUL.

Morgan is currently the television thorn in my side.

Look at him.  He just oozes jerkfaceness.

So that leaves Yigit.

He is totes adorbs and makes me smile.

If he doesn't win I will be very sad.

Mostly because I'm pretty sure if I had been a contestent,

I would have been the fourth member of Team Go-Diva.

I too love disco dust, Zac.

Don't let the man getcha down.

Because the only thing better than a rich, decadent dessert is one that SPARKLES!!!

(*jazz hands*)

So there you have it.

Team Yigit.

Or team not Morgan.

Gooooo Team!

I judge you.

If you have any- ANY- stuffed animals in the rear window of your car,

I judge you.

If you wear leggings with a top that does not cover your behind,

I judge you.

If within a 24 hour period I hear you complain about your weight

and order a fattening meal,

I judge you.

If you come to work sick, with no regard for the risk of infecting others,

I judge you.

If you have professional photos taken that are black and white, with the exception of the flowers/your eyes/your shoes/ etcetcetc...

If you work at one of those kiosks in the mall, and you ask me more than once if I want to try your handcreme/straightening iron/smokeless cigarette/fake ponytail,

I judge you.

Who am I kidding?  If you work at one of those kiosks in the mall I judge you.

Let's just leave it at that.

(I'm cranky today.)

Hair today, blonde tomorrow?

I totally have hair color ADD.

Started dying it my Freshman year of high school and never looked back.

It's been every color under the sun- blonde, red, black, brown with a blue and purple peacock feather painted in.  (Seriously.  It was kind of awesome.)

For the past 2.5 years, though, I've been rocking pretty steady with darkish brown.

I'm bored.

At my last appointment I had my stylist throw in some blonde and copper highlights, just a few, and now I think I've got the bug.  I have another appointment on Saturday and I need your advice!!!

Usually I'd go with a photo of some celebrity, but the hair I actually am dying over right now actually belongs to fellow blogger Chloe over at The (Chloe) Conspiracy.

Thoughts?

I mean besides "She's frackin adorable and omg I wantneedmusthave that bag and also may I please have her teensy toothpick legs too, please.  And thank you."

Should I do it?