Friday Things
1. Joseph’s hair had been getting increasingly wavy over the last month or so, and we figured it was just a little long. He got a haircut this week and the waves are still very much there! He comes by it naturally as my dad had thick, wavy hair… my father-in-law has thick, wavy hair… and I have naturally curly hair. Love looking at those waves!
On another note, he has become re-obsessed with the dancing robot my sister bought him for Christmas. I can’t believe how small he was!
2. I am now 32 weeks along, whoa! Still trucking along with everything looking good, but getting increasingly uncomfortable. I’ve had a lot of rib discomfort on my right side, and at my appointment yesterday the doctor said the baby’s butt and legs are pretty much jammed up under my ribs over there, so… no getting around that! And my friend prenatal carpal tunnel has returned, gah! I’ve been trying to do a lot of hand/wrist stretches and exercises to keep the pain and numbness/tingling to a minimum. OTHERWISE, baby and I are both healthy and doing well!
3. Update on the Essie gel polish I told you I bought last week… I tried it and am completely underwhelmed. Within a day and a half the tips of my nails chipped the slightest bit. I have had much better results using the Formula X system from Sephora (and using regular Essie polish). I will say that I LOVE the new brush on the gel polish from Essie – makes it easier to get complete, even coverage.
4. In case you missed it the other day, I’d love for you to send me your favorite recipes! I’ve loved reading through everyone’s family favorites and picking ones to try!
5. So apparently Monday was “Sneak a Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch” Day. On Tuesday or Wednesday, my husband opened the front door to grab a package and on our doormat was a dried-up slice of zucchini with the word “day” written on it. So crazy. No clue who left it there! It feels like the equivalent of getting “boo’ed” in October.
6. LOVE this article, great perspective >> You’re Not Meant To Do What You Love. You’re Meant To Do What You’re Good At.
7. Ahhh, I forgot about so many of these >> 17 Stores From Your Childhood That No Longer Exist. I adored Natural Wonders, Sam Goody, Waldenbooks… In high school our youth group would do all-night parties at Discovery Zone. THE BEST. It’s not on this list, but also made me think of NRM – I mean, how else would you buy cassettes and CD’s unless you belonged to Columbia House or BMG?!
8. The Most Popular Book the Year You Were Born >> Totally fitting that 1980 was The Bourne Identity since I LOVE the movies! Sidebar – have you seen the new one yet? It’s on our list!
9. Have you been watching the Olympics? It’s been on our TV pretty much 24/7 since the opening ceremonies last Friday. I’ve enjoyed everything, but swimming is definitely my favorite!
10. TGIF! Weekend rule: be comfortable.
Have tried Essie and Sally Hansen and more for nails. Currently wild about Dermelect. I got mine from Costco. It is also available from VT Country Store. Comes as set of 4 products. The first is to guarantee nails are clean–it evaporates with no residue. Next is base coat. And then top coat. I am not currently using colored polish between base and top coats. Also included is a nail and cuticle cream. The set is the absolute best I have tried.
Hi Michelle,
I too, developed Carpal Tunnel syndrome with my 2nd pregnancy (34 years ago) and it never went away. I have found relief when it’s really bad by wearing a wrist brace that stabilizes the wrist. It’s the only way I can get any sleep when it flares up. The other remedy is I have been taking B-Complex vitamin supplement every day and it definitely has helped me. I used to do needlework (cross-stitch) and crochet but haven’t been able to get back to it with my carpal tunnel issues. Good luck – hope your carpal tunnel clears up after you deliver.
DeniseZ
Hi Denise, Thanks for the suggestions! Just talked to my doctor about taking a B supplement, going to try, hopefully that helps!
I am nail polish obsessed. I haven’t had much luck with the gel coats. I even just tried Chanel’s and hated it. I really recommend Deborah Lippmann’s hard rock top and base coat. I have been using it for year and really love it.
Such great links. Those stores bring back so many memories. I enjoyed reading the link about doing what you love but I am not sure if I agree with it.
Hi Laura – I’m glad I’m not the only one who wasn’t aligned with the doing what you love article. I didn’t even enjoy reading it – the premise, the tone, pretty much everything about it turned me off until the very last paragraph (I’m surprised I made it that far!). I do agree that if you ARE stuck with doing what you are good at, you can find joy and fulfillment in doing it well and to the best of your abilities.
Just tried the Orly Epix sealcoat and it’s a fail for me, chipped a lot by the next day. So disappointed as it was highly recommended by the sales person. Must try Formula X. Nothing lasts on me except Biosculpture gel and I’ve stopped that due to the time commitment and impact on my nails (although it’s supposed to be one of the “healthier” ones).
Not going to lie – I miss the Warner Brothers Studio Store a bunch! I am a fanatic about their characters – KB Toys was okay if you needed to get a present for a kid – used it several times – lol. I also loved Waldenbooks – I think they were bought by Borders, who then went out of business too:(
Joseph is just growing so fast and he’s such a handsome little man. Hope you rib pain and prenatal carpel tunnel gets better. It’s been super, hot, hot, hot here and I freaking hate it!
Hi – just a reminder, the Great British Baking Show finale is on tonight at 9. Yeah, good stuff going on with the Olympics too. But, maybe you’ll see it another time. I hope you do.
An article about the Great British Baking Show from The Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com/my-complicated-relationship-with-the-great-british-baking-show-234976?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TK%20Daily%2081116&utm_content=TK%20Daily%2081116+CID_cdf0e5c62a68a27acf0716da95bcd3c5&utm_source=email_newsletter&utm_term=The%20Great%20British%20Baking%20Show%20Its%20Complicated
On the nail polish issue, a lot of people I know have great luck with Vinyl Luxe ( Amazon) , for me it only lasts a few days before chipping but you could try it. Opi works better for me…also have you tried Sally Hansen Gel Polish? You can get it at Walmart….I was pleasantly surprised. Got almost a week out of that one but I hear it’s drying to the nails. And one final tip, try buffing your nails first, then wash them off, then apply the base coat and 2 THIN coats of polish followed by the top coat. These things helped me.
Hi Linda, I haven’t tried the Sally Hansen gel polish, thanks for the recommendation!
Jumping in on the nail polish conversation — I love the Vinylux! It recommends not using a base coat, but I always use a base coat first with it and love how it lasts for a full week chip-free. The color selection has some really pretty choices too (Love Romantique for pretty much constant wear, it’s the perfect sheer pink for every day. Lobster Roll is such a pretty deep coraly pink for this time of year and Dark Dahlia is the perfect deep, deep purply black when fall comes). Good luck with your continuing quest for a chip free DIY mani! :-)
I had the exact same rib discomfort (but was really pain!) that you describe. I would just sit and push down on that area to try to get some relief. I always thought it’s because I’m only 5’1″ and so the baby is really squished for room! I also had the pregnancy induced carpal tunnel! It was absolutely awful!!! There were many, many nights where it felt like a red hot fire poker was being pushed into my palm! And, I could hardly do anyting that required any dexterity. Chopping, getting jar lids off, writing……you just don’t really know how much you use your fingers til you can’t…..Two things offered some relief though: Biofreeze (which I now hear you can’t get just buy anywhere) and pulling back my middle two fingers and stretching those (you will feel it being pulled all the way to your elbow) as many times a day as I thought of it. Best of luck to you. Hope you can get some relief. But, just remember–this, too, shall pass!
AH! I’m 5’1 too! And I have a super short torso… baby has nowhere to go! Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve been doing the stretching, and my husband actually just suggested Biofreeze this morning. I wasn’t sure what was in it, and had a message into my doctor to see if it was okay to use! I hardly slept at all last night, gah!
Ugg- I am so happy that I am not the only one who is not head-over-heals about the Essie polish; I even returned mine. Everyone was talking about how great it is, but like you, a few times with my hands in water and the polish came off. I do love the brush and hope more brands will implement that. Thanks for sharing and hope you feel better in these last weeks of pregnancy.