How about a side of pregnancy with a little discrimination thrown in?

Dear Readers,

I need your advice/opinions/thoughts about this.

I don't talk about my job much on here, but I work for a large financial institution. I've worked for this company for four and a half years now. Last April I left one division of the company because I got hired for a new position within the company that was closer to our new location. I started this new position on May 1st; so I haven't even been in this new position for a year yet.

The past year has been a little nutzo with house hunting, then finding out we were expecting, then buying said house, then my Grandma Hank passed away. Lots of big life events went on that put my Prozac to work!

Anyways, I just had my year-end review and my boss kept bringing up multiple times this (in his exact words):

"You know, when you first started here you were just raring to go. Super motivated and just go-go-go. And then when you decided to start a family it seems things have gotten a little stagnant. I don't see that same motivation level. And I know that once you decided to start a family that your mindset immediately changes, so it's nothing that could really be helped."

1. He must have said this five different times during our 30 minute meeting.
2. Notice how he never says "pregnant."
3. He never gave me an instance of what exactly am I not doing to make him think I'm any less motivated than I was when I first started.

Now, granted, I have taken unplanned PTO here and there throughout the past seven months, but it's my PTO. I'm allowed to take it and do with it whatever I please. The company doesn't place any limitations on PTO.

I don't know. The review was on Tuesday and it's still really really bothering me. I don't know if I should confront him and demand he give me examples of how I'm less motivated or if I should go to HR so they have this documented. If I go to HR though I'd hate to cause a mess two weeks before I go on maternity leave and just leave it for five months and then I return. Another thing is when I return to work after my leave and I'm apparently not any more "motivated" in his eyes? What then? Do I get laid off?

I've always been an extremely hard worker. I pride myself on that. I try and go above and beyond in my job. And I like my job. I'm comfortable here, I know what I'm doing and I feel like I contribute. So what gives?!

Thanks for letting me vent.

Some Great Nuggets of Advice

At my shower earlier this month, everyone was asked to write some words of a wisdom/advice/encouragement to Kevin and me.

They were all so sweet with what they wrote. However, there were two that really stuck out to me.

The first being from my Grandma Ruth (my mom's mom). I think this is something that every woman should take into consideration for their home/relationship.

Dear Kaysie and Kevin,

1. Kevin paid you the immense compliment of choosing you to be with him the rest of his life. This child will stay for 20 years then love someone else and leave. Keep Kevin as your best friend because he is forever.

2. Make your home a sanctuary where all of you can come home and be happy, safe and accepted. Even if one of you messes up, may home be a place where you are sure of understanding and love.

3. Keep Jesus welcome in your home.

Love,

Great Grandma Ruth

Such great advice and something I definitely want to instill in our household and our daughter.

The second tidbit of advice comes from my good friend Alana. Her and I laugh for hours when we're together. We kind of have this running joke about how neither one of us had hair when we were a baby. We were bald until we were two with these big brown eyes. Alana writes...

Don't panic if she has no hair...it'll grow in...eventually...most of the time. Actually, don't quote me on that...but yes, don't panic.

Alana

I love that girl!!!

XOXO,

Baby Pino: 33 Weeks

How far along: 33 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Gained 14 1/2 pounds

Size of baby: A little over four pounds; 17 inches long; the size of a durian fruit (whatever that is)

Gender: Baby girl

Movement: All the time but not as strong as before since space is becoming limited for her.

Sleep: So far so good. Last night there was a lot of tossing and turning, but I hardly ever sleep well on Sunday nights because I get anxious about work on Monday.

Maternity clothes: Yes.

Symptoms: I feel like I have a lot of them this week.

• The first being is some heart issues. For the past two months my heart rate gets going really fast, as if you just sprinted up a flight of stairs. But it happens to me when I'm sitting down or just standing still. And then my arms and legs feel really limp and I get sleepy. It basically feels like my heart can't keep up with how much blood I need to pump. So the doctor had me wear a heart monitor for 24 hours last week and I should have the results in the next few days. Today though, was the worst it's been.
• A lot of Braxton Hicks, and they're getting stronger and more frequent each day.
• I've been bumping my bump into things more often. Since I think we had a growth spurt I'm not quite aware of my belly being bigger, I guess.
• The past few days it's felt like Preslie is knocking on the door "down there" if you know what I mean. Like she could just come out at any moment.
• I think the nausea is returning. Ugh!

Aversions: It depends on the day and how I'm feeling, but nothing in particular.

Cravings: Whatever sounds good at the moment, and also ICEE's! If I could have an ICEE machine in our house I'd be a happy girl.

What I miss: Nothing too much, but definitely sleeping on my stomach.

Best moment this week: Hearing her heartbeat and that everything looks to be a-okay. Also, my mom came up this weekend and made some beautiful curtains for the nursery. Pretty much the only thing left at this point is the bedding and it will be D.O.N.E!

What I'm looking forward to: My friend Breanna's baby shower on Saturday and just enjoying a quiet weekend at home.

Baby Daddy: Kevin says Preslie has too many clothes, but he doesn't realize that the clothes he's seeing range in sizes NB to 18 months and that babies grow fast! I can't wait for him to see how quickly she grows out of clothes and he'll finally understand what I'm talking about.

He also thinks that the "nesting" thing is so bizarre (I've been doing a lot of it). He was telling my mom that he thinks of it like how an animal would nest and he just thinks it's the strangest thing.

The Liebster

The Liebster award is given to an up and coming blogger who has less than 200 followers.

-RULES-

1. Post 11 random things about yourself.

2. Answer the questions that the nominator sets for you.

3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.

4. Nominate blogs that you love (also with less than 200 followers); Link them to your post and let them know they have been nominated.

I was nominated by Michelle at Snapshots

 

 

I don't really remember how we became bloggy friends, but it's been so great going through the same seasons of life with her!

 

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11 Random Things about Chasers of Kaysers

 

1. I am a neat freak times two. I cannot feel relaxed until things around me are clean, in their places and in order. This applies to both home and work. Bless my husband's heart.

{via}

2. I don't like vegetables. At all. I will occasionally eat a salad, but I try to avoid vegetables at all costs. Kevin pretty much forces me eat them.

 

3. I don't like hearts. I don't care for jewelry with hearts on them or clothes with hearts on them.

 

4. I have this weird insecurity of people seeing what I eat. If I'm eating my lunch at my desk at work, I always feel like I need to have my food covered. Or if I order something in a drive-thru I hate for the person in the car behind me to hear what I'm ordering.

 

5. I love dogs, but do not care for cats one itty bitty bit.

{via}

6. I had my adenoids removed when I was a toddler, and my tonsils removed when I was 12.

 

7. I was 70% deaf until my parents discovered I couldn't hear when I was two.

 

8. I just spelled "deaf" above, as "death." Nice...

 

9. I love love love sarcastic people and people with a great sense of humor.

 

10. I find elevators so awkward when you have to travel in one with more than just yourself.

 

11. The only TV channels I seem to watch are TLC and the ID channel.

 

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My 11 Questions from Michelle

 

1. What made you decide to blog?

I had a couple friends who started blogging. Then I got hooked on reading blogs in general, and decided to start my own to document my life. Surprisingly enough I've stuck with it going on three years now!

 

2. What is your dream job?

My dream job would be having my own little daycare at home.

 

3. What is your most-visited website?

Website - Google Reader. App - Instagram.

 

4. What's your most recent read?

"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. Great read!

{via}

5. Favorite recipe?

Hmmm...the first one that comes to mind is Poppyseed Chicken. It's a great comfort food and one that makes for a good frozen meal.

 

6. What's your idea of a perfect Saturday night?

Maybe going out to dinner and then coming home and watching a movie on the couch. I'm such a home-body.

 

7. When you were in Kindergarten, what did you want to be growing up?

I wanted to be a model. I don't even know where that ever came from.

 

8. If you didn't have to work, would you?

Heck no!

 

9. Where would you like to vacation?

Right now, I have the itch to vacation in the Bahamas. But I've always wanted to visit Greece, too.

{via}

10. What's your favorite TV show?

Hmmm...I don't really watch that much TV. But I'd say probably "The Closer" when Kyra Sedgwick was starring in it.

{via}

11. How do you know it's really love?

When it feels like home.

 

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My 11 Questions for You

 

1. How many siblings do you have?

2. What is one thing that you have done, that you never thought you would do?

3. Makeup or no makeup?

4. What is your worst habit?

5. What is your biggest fear?

6. If you knew the world would end a week from today, what would you try to get done/see/say beforehand?

7. What is your favorite snack food?

8. How often do you wash your hair?

9. What is your favorite movie of all time?

10. Do you believe in ghosts?

11. Which do you like better: manis or pedis?

 

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My nominees for the Liebster Award

 

Breanna from What We Can Create

 

Elizabeth from It's a Blog Eat Blog World

and anyone else who'd like to join!

Baby Pino: 32 Weeks

How far along: 32 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Gained 13 pounds

Size of Preslie Kay: Weighs about 3.75 pounds; about 16.7 inches long; the size of a squash.

Gender: Girl

Movement: It's constant and I can already tell I'm going to miss it when I'm no longer pregnant. None of her movements have been painful.

Sleep: Like the dead! It's been great.

Maternity clothes: All of my clothes are maternity.

Symptoms: ITCHINESS! My bump, butt and bo.obs. Lots of stretching going on. Ugh. Body butter is my new BFF. Oh, and HEARTBURN (it's no joke).

Aversions: None this week. Maybe the smell of seafood.

Cravings: Food in general.

What I miss: Nothing too much. Probably just sleeping on my stomach.

Best moment this week: By far it was our birthing class on Saturday. It was so informative and both Kevin and I really got a lot out of it. What we liked most was how they emphasize how much the dad has a role in being the labor coach and supporter. It honestly takes that worry off of me. I haven't been scared about labor and delivery through this whole process, and the class reaffirmed that. I'm going to try and go natural and drug free as long as I possibly can, but if I need some medical assistance then so be it. I know this sounds crazy, but I'm looking forward to the whole birthing process. Definitely not the pain, but I just look at the entire process as a means to an end. Get in there, do what has to be done so you can have your baby in your arms. It's the circle of life and I feel lucky to be able to experience that. Please note: I'm under no illusion that it's going to be easy. I know it's going to be extremely hard and painful.

What I'm looking forward to: My doctor appointment tomorrow and my maternity leave (only 17 more work days!!).

Baby Daddy: Kevin said after our birthing class that he is now in the mindset for D-Day. He knows what he has to do and what's expected of him and he is ready. Good thing, right? ;)

These are my confessions....

This title totally got that song by Usher stuck in my head. Dangit!

Confession #1: It gives me the rage when people don't use their blinkers while driving, and when drivers don't stop for pedestrians.

Confession #2: Overall, I enjoy being pregnant. There are pregnancy discomforts and the first trimester was probably the worst, but I thank the sweet Lord everyday that it's been an uncomplicated pregnancy that has so far left me with gaining little weight and no swollen-ness. I know many women who'd give anything and everything to just be pregnant, and I am not taking this experience for granted in the least.

Confession #3: Since we've moved, I get overwhelmed so easily. I'm not sure if it's having a bigger home or what. When we moved in I pretty much shoved stuff into closets and closed the doors hoping the junk would disappear, but it's not. I don't even know where to start with going through all our stuff.

Confession #4: While I'm so thankful for a beautiful home and beautiful dark, hardwood floors throughout...those things are the devil! They show every speck of dust/dirt. If I had the energy I'd probably sweep and mop every other day. Instead, it has to wait for the weekend. If we ever move again I'm pretty sure we'd choose different floors that wouldn't show so much stuff.

Confession #5: My husband will leave his dirty clothes on top of the hamper. He will not lift the lid of the hamper and place said dirty clothes inside of it. Again, the rage.

Confession #6: I am so caught up with work right now that I pretend to look busy during the day by blogging, so I'm not given more tasks to do. Only 20 1/2 days left!

Confession #7: Still biting my nails. I don't think I'll ever not bite them. Bad habit.

Confessions #8: I can't remember the last time I exercised.

Confession #9: I'm excited to start WW after this little one arrives.

Confession #10: I worry an unnecessary amount about how long Kahlua will live. She's seven and I'm pretty sure she has many more good years left, but I don't know how Kevin and I will handle it when it's her time to leave us. *tear*

Confession #11: I feel so awkward when someone cries in front of me. I never know how to react. Should I hug them or let them be? Should I say something or just be quiet so they can have their moment? Major awkwardness.

Confession #12: I loathe taking pictures of myself. The weekly preggo pics are enough for me. I just don't feel like people would care to see a big 'ol picture of just my face time and time again. No thank you.

Confession #13: We're getting a tax person to do our taxes this year and I'm kind of sad about it. I usually do them and I enjoy it, but Kevin says with me being due so close to tax season and with us buying a house, he wants a professional handling it. Fine then!

The end.

Baby Pino: 31 Weeks

How far along: 31 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Gained 13 pounds

Size of Preslie: Almost 3 1/2 pounds; over 16 inches long; the size of a pineapple

Gender: Girl

Movement: Constantly. She seems to be awake more often than not at this point.

Sleep: Okay. Some nights are better than others. This week it hasn't been so much I've had bad sleep, but I've been having trouble falling asleep because of all the movement going on in my belly.

Maternity clothes: Yes. I really don't want to buy anymore at this point, but my tops are starting to get snug again. Ugh!

Symptoms: Hot flashes started this week. Not fun (or attractive). Heart burn and stomach aches. Also, uncomfortable pretty much always.

Aversions: I haven't been a big fan of salty food lately. The beginning of this pregnancy I was all about the salt; couldn't get enough. Now it just tastes horrible to me. Which really sucks because chips are salty and I like that crunch, but I haven't had them in a long while.

Cravings: My friend Michelle who hosted my shower on Saturday had this artichoke bisque soup and an awesome walnut salad with chicken on the menu. I could've eaten up the entire pot of soup! I had two servings. But now I crave it all the time, and I can't have it because only one particular restaurant in my hometown makes it.

Ice chips, which combines two of my favorite things right now = coldness and crunch.

Vanilla ice cream.

What I miss: Not being achy and uncomfortable while working. It's been very difficult work-wise and this pregnancy.

Best moment this week: Obvi my baby shower. I got to see so many friends I haven't seen in a long time and I am at a loss for words when it comes to expressing how generous they were to Preslie and us. Overwhelmed with gratitude would be a good start.

What I'm looking forward to: My maternity leave. Twenty-three-and-a-half days left of work. But who's counting? Also, Preslie's cousin is due to be born almost any day now and I'm excited to get my hands on that little guy!

Baby Daddy: Kevin saw all the gifts from the shower that are piled high in our guest room and said "Holy catfish, we have a ton of baby stuff!" I kept trying to prepare him for all the stuff we're going to need to start organizing and finding room for. I guess he gets the picture now. ;)

He came home from work one night and said "I can't wait until I can come home from work and can just hold my daughter after a long day."