tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33710411375869114702024-03-19T01:29:35.756-07:00River City EssentialsJoanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-67375992707311543832014-04-09T12:32:00.001-07:002014-04-09T12:33:45.462-07:00Crib Fiasco
When it comes to large purchases -- I research everything! I like to only buy things once so I want something that is worth the money and will last. For a Baby this includes just about everything! It took me weeks to find the perfect crib, weeks. The week after we found out the Baby's gender, we went to Babies 'R' Us to register and buy our Crib. I feel so bad for the registry guy Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-71817670555241314672014-01-28T13:00:00.000-08:002014-01-28T13:58:07.657-08:00Spicy Tomato Cream Chicken Rigatoni
Ingredients:
Chicken tenderloin
Rigatoni 16oz
Marinara sauce 28oz (we use our homemade sauce, recipe coming soon)
Sweet onion 1/3 cup
2 cloves of chopped garlic
Olive oil
¾ cup of chopped orange bell peppers
3 Tsp of chopped jalapeno
2 Tsp Italian seasoning
1 Tsp crushed red peppers
1 Tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Chopped fresh Basil&Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-77623127368033253532014-01-24T08:15:00.000-08:002014-01-24T08:15:34.195-08:0014W2D update
Lots to update on after catching you all up on all that happened while we were hiding this big secret :-).
Last Thursday I had my 13 week appointment, which was actually 3 Doctors appointment and THE longest Doctors appointment of my life! I was at the practice from 11am until 3:30pm! I am happy to have knocked it all out but it was definitely a long day.
I met with the Genetic CounselorJoanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-39399294602640932472014-01-21T09:04:00.000-08:002014-01-21T09:04:44.824-08:008w6d and first OB appointment
As I mentioned and promised in our big reveal post, I have actually been writing posts while we have been keeping this secret. While we weren't ready to share with the entire world, I still wanted to document the entire process. I admire those in the blogasphere that shared their positive news from the beginning.. I "stalked" those blogs within a few weeks of my pregnancy. I love Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-80171782336002776712014-01-21T08:51:00.001-08:002014-01-21T08:51:30.395-08:00Graduating from the RE to the OB
On December 4th 2013, I graduated from the RE (fertility specialist). I feel like that is going to be a day I always remember, although it feels so weird right now. At 6w6d I went in for my 2nd ultrasound. Dr. L said if we saw a heartbeat and everything looked good that I would be down to a 10% chance of anything going wrong and I would move on to the OB.
When I arrived, the Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-91487852519130099022014-01-14T07:36:00.001-08:002014-01-14T07:36:54.382-08:00How I almost missed my big fat positive
You may have noticed that I haven't posted much about our I.F. journey since this post where I cursed Mother Nature and was mustering the courage to call my Doctor to take the official negative test. After yesterday's post you finally know why.
The next day was a crazy one for sure. The "official test" is the type where they give you a time range to be there and a nurse fits you inJoanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-90624551130287327772014-01-13T11:54:00.001-08:002014-01-13T11:54:57.989-08:00The Big reveal: The most amazing Hanukkah present in the History of Presents
How is that title for a big lead up?
Obviously Hanukkah has been over for a over a month, but we have been keeping a big secret during that time. After a year and a half of praying, crying, hoping, struggle and "faking happy" I finally have some good news to share.
By this point I am surprised if you are still reading and not just scrolling photos, so I won't waste anymore Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-81139537901679578102013-11-21T09:46:00.001-08:002013-11-21T09:46:39.897-08:00Conquering the Holidays as an Interfaith Couple
For the first and last time in our lifetime, Hanukkah will begin on Thanksgiving this year. The term Thanksgivukkah was quickly coined and has spread like wildfire. I admit, I even bought a T-shirt to wear next week. How can you deny how neat this is? This article in the Chicago Tribune describes the positives and negatives of it perfectly:
It's a Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-41634367514831315282013-11-19T10:15:00.001-08:002013-11-19T10:26:51.886-08:00Office Pinspiration
After months of purusing Pinterest and Ikea, I think we have finally decided on our office layout/makeover.
In there we currently have
two Ikea bookshelves,
a Walmart bookcase,
wire storage cubes,
file cabinet,
My wedding dress
My PR overflow stock
lots of books/files
My PR party/team supplies
4.5 yrs worth of PR "stuff"
and an Ikea Expedite with Desk extension we bought offJoanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-6281004223093002382013-11-13T10:05:00.001-08:002013-11-14T08:04:06.379-08:00Too early to shop?
Is it bad-luck to buy baby clothes before you are pregnant?
photo credit
Is it kinda like buying a wedding dress before you are engaged? I have a friend who did and it has always totally creeped me out (sorry girlie but it is just weird). Is this really the same thing?
Am I counting my eggs before I even have any? Or am I just buying an egg carton knowing one day I'll have eggs.
Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-1329899882344263322013-11-11T10:14:00.001-08:002013-12-03T11:36:24.750-08:00@$%&!?&%$ You Monthly Visitor!
I had such high hopes for this month, I just "felt" pregnant. My Hormones were going crazy and I thought I just knew.
Now I am trying to get the courage to call my doctor to schedule my official negative test so I start round 2 of Letrozole. I have a strong feeling I am going to cry but I have to call during lunch. UUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH! One day this will all be worth it but right Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-51202992546589128392013-11-04T09:32:00.000-08:002013-11-04T09:32:37.741-08:00And now the waiting begins
I am feeling extremely good about this month, from little signs my body gave me to what the doctor saw during my Transvaginal Ultrasound. We are now in what the IF community calls the 2ww or two week wait. By the way, is not actually 2 weeks, since I am so irregular we may have to wait longer to find out either way.
Side note: I found this amazing blog the other day that has a Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-36366345666294810882013-11-01T09:17:00.000-07:002013-11-01T11:29:17.048-07:00Pure Happiness
September 18th marked our two year wedding Anniversary and September 26th our 4 year dating Anniversary. It is funny how fast time has flown yet thinking about my life before Corey just seems like an entirely different life.
For us, timing was everything. We were both in the exact right place at the exact same time, two minutes later and we never would have met. While we Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-42628105663199998912013-10-28T06:44:00.001-07:002013-11-01T09:27:30.373-07:00Prayer Brigade
It looks like all of your thoughts and prayers have worked! I had my ultrasound this morning and my body is responding really well to the Letrozole. I have FOUR follicles, 3 of which are maturing and 2 of those are good size. I am so hopeful but also just extremely happy the new medication worked!
I went in to this appointment prepped for bad news and ready to schedule my Laproscopy. This Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-15563742991857748422013-10-06T16:23:00.001-07:002013-11-01T09:27:36.817-07:00Even with the best of plans....
I am a planner. Everything has to be at the right exact moment in my life. I have to expect it. I have to save for it. Everything has a time and place. I have to plan for every possible outcome of all variables.
At least I used to be that way. I used to think there is a time for everything. An exact right, planned, time for everything. Oh what a fool I was! &Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-33441736467827547052013-09-23T13:32:00.000-07:002013-09-23T13:32:22.746-07:00Passover in Arizona
For those of you who do not know we are an interfaith family and over the past four years have had a blast exploring each other's religions and celebrating both Holidays.
Normally for Passover we attend a Pot Luck dinner at Temple, but this year we used it as a reason to visit my Grandparents in Phoenix, Arizona (not that you ever need a reason to visit family).
It was Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-62703953496980379212013-09-16T17:00:00.000-07:002013-09-16T17:00:08.449-07:0030 & fabulous!
In keeping my promise to catch up "old news" while also keeping up with current events, I bring you our 30th Birthday celebrations!
Around March I realized between switching jobs twice in one year, running a booming business, and Corey working 6-days a week we really haven't had time to hang out with most of our friends. For my Birthday we decided to host a big Turkey Fry and celebrationsJoanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-56018463627691704642013-09-16T09:44:00.000-07:002013-09-23T12:05:06.880-07:00Weekend Update & Pinterest Yummies!
This weekend was the first in which Corey was actually off all weekend, thanks to starting his new job tomorrow. No more Tower Climbing!! We decided to spend the weekend down in Yorktown visiting with his family, since we haven't had the chance in awhile.
Friday I attended the new Temple (Corey was home sick). I liked it but since it was Shabbat and Yom Kippur, it was hard to judge. They Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-71907311260271893762013-09-11T03:30:00.000-07:002013-09-12T09:50:57.906-07:00L'Shana tova Happy New Year
There is no better time for reflection than the Jewish New Year. I've had a lot on my mind and we have a ton going on. But I just realized we haven't post a new update since July 31st. A lot has happened in that time & I wanted to update you all. I appreciate you following our little blog and please know that Corey will be back soon with some new recipes!
Let's Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-44359149885977815452013-07-31T10:29:00.000-07:002013-07-31T10:29:55.990-07:00Do Zoo Keepers ever sleep?
We have officially lived in the new house for over a month. Most everything is unpack (just don't look in the guest room and don't expect anything to be hung on the wall when you visit). We absolutely love it and hope after a few years of living there maybe the landlord will let us buy it (yes we love it that much). Goose and Slinky adjusted within a few hours, Duck, on the Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-45201550555246010132013-07-29T13:05:00.000-07:002013-10-04T10:58:38.214-07:00The Power of Prayer
As an interfaith couple Corey and I have spent many nights discussing our belief differences, similarities and even subjects we are unsure of. For those of you that do not know, I am Jewish and Corey is Baptist. Obviously there are a lot of similarities in the two religions, one of which is the power of prayer.
In the past, I was never a big fan of personal prayer. I have Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-49224163128581618332013-07-11T14:28:00.001-07:002013-07-11T20:33:30.202-07:00Our new Hobby.Over the last several months I have been searching for a new Hobby. I really thought I wanted to get in to Photography (and I might still down the road) but every time I had the opportunity to invest in a DSLR I just got scared it would be a waste of money for me. I loved Hiking but with Corey's new 6-day workweek we never have the time to drive to any good trails.
Corey used to be Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-56518068634531410422013-07-11T13:32:00.003-07:002013-07-11T13:43:41.041-07:00Four years of a stronger-better me!
Four years ago, I made a simple decision that changed my life forever, in the best possible way that could ever happen.
After years of holding two jobs and still struggling, on July 1st 2009 I took the leap of faith and started my own business (this post isn't about Pure Romance itself but what starting my own business did for my life). When I made the decision to become Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-65219612919804999552013-07-02T09:39:00.000-07:002013-07-02T09:39:27.771-07:00Eating Pinterest (sort of)If you have visited us over at Pinterest you know I have a healthy obsession. Corey loves it for Recipes but we share an account so my obsession looks even more insane, especially on nights when we are both on our Ipads pinning!
With the move and half our kitchen still packed up paired with his new 6-day workweek, Corey hasn't really had time to create any new recipes lately so Pinterest Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371041137586911470.post-25773044960183968992013-06-27T11:22:00.000-07:002013-06-27T11:22:08.583-07:00May Cara BoxI am still new to the Blogger world and am constantly looking for Blogs about Blogging (kinda ironic huh?) anyways on one of my random blog reads I discovered the Cara Box Program over at Wifessionals. When you sign up you are assigned two partners, one you are sending a box to and one who is sending you a box. Who doesn't love getting a Care Package? Each month has a theme and May's Joanna http://www.blogger.com/profile/13224669337614030052noreply@blogger.com4