Operation: Get my butt to water aerobics

Since I have been pregnant, working out at the gym has been a real challenge. Here's why...
*My ankle dr says not to get on the Treadmill and only to use the Elliptical.
*My baby dr says not to get on the Elliptical and only to use the Treadmill.

**Um, really doctors? What does that leave me for cardio? Well, it leaves the bike.

Soooo.....I ventured onto the bike and it went something like this...pedal, knee self in baby belly....pedal, knee self in baby belly....pedal, knee self in baby belly....You get the picture.

That left me stranded for options and since prenatal yoga is only offered at 8 AM on Saturdays (WHY? and No.), I had to keep searching.

Here's what I came up with. Water aerobics...Ta-daaah! You know, like the kind for 90 year old saggy ladies! Wahoo! They'll never even notice the belly!


I've been trying to convince myself all summer to get my bum out of bed at try out water aerobics, after all, part of my New Year's resolution was to "try new things." Well, today was the day!!!! (and I loved it!!)

I was the youngest by about 40 years or so...no big deal. I think I'm officially a water aerobic-er.

Sister's NYC Mission Trip

My sister is on a mission trip in NYC all week. They left today and return on Saturday. Please pray for them.

Furniture

Here's the furniture we have finally chosen! We have researched and debated and changed our minds and gone to the store to test them out and gone back to the store for a re-test and on and on and on. We have FINALLY made a decision! Baby W will rest his sweet little head in the Europa Baby Palisades Lifetime Convertible Crib. Now, if I could only get the pictures to all be the same size....

The problem with Walmart

The problem with shopping at Walmart while you are pregnant is that you WILL have to use the restroom (at least once) and if you are like me, you have spent your entire life trying to avoid this exact situation. Bum deal.

25 week check-up

Dr. appt today:

-The baby looks good. It was only a 2D ultrasound so I don't have any pictures.

-I feel GREAT! She actually wrote that in my file because she said that she never gets to hear that!

-I have gained 9 lbs...scary! She said that 9 lbs isn't much to have gained by now and at the next visit, they may discuss getting me to gain more weight. What?!?! No thanks!

-I go back in 4 weeks for my first glucose test and I'm not excited. I have only heard horror stories about these things. Bummer. Oh well, anything for baby!

-Finally, I feel the baby moving a lot! I actually can SEE him kicking now. He mainly moves around when I am still or about 30 minutes after I eat. It's so cool and it still doesn't hurt. Yeah!

Sex Bet Cont....

Do you remember how Ross and I had a "sex bet" about the baby? Here's the original post. Basically, the bet was that if it was a girl, Ross would take me to see a chick flick and while watching it, would tell me, "This is the best movie I've ever seen!" Then he'd take me to get a pedicure. If the baby was a boy, I would be subjected to watching hours upon hours of Star Wars (the old ones), something that I have worked my entire life NOT to do. Well, it's a boy and the Star Wars battle has begun.


Yesterday, we got a package from his mom that contained *sigh* Star Wars cookie cutters. *double sigh* I figured that this was as good of a time as any to begin to acquaint myself with some of the main characters, seeing as though they are going to become a permanent fixture in my soon to be boy filled life. I spent the majority of the day baking and decorating the cast of Star Wars and actually had quite a lot of fun. Here's the outcome. Turns out, Darth Vader and Yoda are really difficult to make out of icing! Who knew?!?!

Banana Hammock

For Father's Day, we got my dad a hammock. My parents just bought a lake house and so we thought it was an appropriate gift. The problem is that it is huge and I couldn't figure out how to wrap it! Ross had a genius solution!! Wrap it like a banana!! HAHAHA---It's a banana hammock! My dad got a kick out of it. Here it is, sitting in my brother's recliner so that you can see how huge it was.

Baby Update

Since school has been out, I've been keeping super busy. Two weekends ago, Ross and I went to Austin to watch the first USA World Cup game with some friends. The day after we got back, I left for College Station to help my sister with her New Student Conference at A&M! WHOOP! She came back with me for a few days and then we went back to CS this past weekend to drop her off and to celebrate Father's Day with my parents. It was a busy, busy week.

While Sarah was here, she and Ross painted the nursery! It looks so good!! Here are some pictures of them in action. You can't really tell but, they are paining over the tan walls with a light aqua.



This bump picture is a few weeks old (22 1/2 weeks). We are now almost 25 weeks.

science infection

**For the longest time growing up, I thought that it was called a SCIENCE infection. It wasn't until probably high school that I realized it was called a SINUS infection.... whew...got that figured out :)


On Tuesday, I went to the doctor for a sinus infection. I didn't really think it was necessary to go to the doctor but, since I'm pregnant, she wanted me to come in just to be sure. I opted for the no-medicine route but, on Thursday I still wasn't feeling better so I had to be put on antibiotics. I just can't seem to kick it and now my whole body aches. I'm walking like a 95 year old woman. My knees, ankles and back are in so much pain! I was up all night burning up hot with body pain and my stomach was hurting, too. I'm thinking that the sinus infection is really attacking my body differently because of the baby. I'll be really glad to get back to normal.

In. Love.

Ok- every time I feel the baby move and kick, I fall deeper in love with him. I didn't realize what a huge bonding experience it would be! I'm cherishing every moment. When he moves and kicks, I feel like he's saying, "I'm still here, Mom. I'm ok. I'm healthy and happy....and tell Dad I'm practicing my soccer kicks." Yes, I got all of that from a little kick. I love it!! I also love that it is happening more often so Ross is able to join in on the fun. This part of the pregnancy is fun!! I'm not sick and I'm just able to enjoy it!!

PS: I googled "soccer baby" to get a picture and woweeee....I didn't think that nasty girl pictures would show up. Surprise! Now I know!

Ross felt it!!

Ross just felt the baby move for the first time! It was a magical moment. Over the last few weeks, I'd grab his hand to try to get him to feel it but, it never worked. I mean, it only lasts for a split second. But tonight, it worked!!!! We were both teary eyed and laughing. He's so happy! I feel bad that I always get to feel him and Ross doesn't. He felt him kick several times! Yeah!!!! Big time Daddy moment!!! It was so cute to see his "I'm wiping my eyes but not really crying" man reaction. In fact, he's still laughing and smiling....Proud Papa!!

El Tajin

One of the coolest places I've ever been is El Tajin, Veracruz, Mexico. During college, my uncle got married to the most precious lady in the world. She's from Poza Rica, Mexico, where he was working at the time. So....when they got married we took an adventurous family vacation south of the border, way south, like 16 hours south of the border. We went to Poza Rica, Veracruz, Xalapa, Costa Esmerelda, and others. We caravaned and had an amazing cultural experience. It was not the resort type of Mexico that you usually think of; it was the real thing! Undisturbed beaches, volcanoes, little barbocoa stands on the sides of the road...it was incredible! We learned so much!!!

One of my favorite places was El Tajin. It's an archeological site with pyramid ruins. It was incredible!!!




We also saw two performances by these men, the Danza de los Voladores. It's some sort of religious ceremony but, I don't remember exactly what it represents. They do it on top of a building in the center of town and it's crazy scary to watch.


(I can't find my pictures from that trip! I'm so sad! I googled to get all of these.)

bye-bye teacher...hello stay at home momma

Today was my last day of work as a teacher. Yes, it's Saturday. It was a workday due to bad weather make-up days. Cleaning out my room was bittersweet. I'm super stoked about this next chapter but, will also miss teaching and my colleagues. I may have even cried a little. Now, I'm off to take my first nap of the summer! Yeah!

Baby stuff this week

-On Tuesday, my classes threw me a baby shower. It was incredible! I have 77 students and about 15 parents showed up, too. (biiiig shower for a biiiig baby) The kids were so cute. I had prepped them about how to act at a shower, what to do when I open gifts, etc. They "oooohed and aaaahed" at all of the appropriate times. They handed me presents, they sat politely and commented on the presents. It was perfect. All in all, I had to write 41 thank you notes and got tons of super sweet stuff. I felt totally blessed and humbled.

-After school on Tuesday, I had a dentist appointment for a check up. I hate going to the dentist. I especially hate waiting for the dentist, whom I do not want to see. Well, I was waiting and waiting, getting kinda annoyed but then, the most incredible thing happened!!! HE KICKED! It was so clear and sweet! I have felt flutters before but nothing like this. He kept on kicking and kicking and I loved it! It was on the right side, under my belly button (just so I can remember it). I immediately called Ross to tell him. The rest of the wait didn't feel that long at all! Yeah!

-I don't think that my belly has grown that much lately. I feel like it popped a few weeks ago and now is staying the same. I mean, the scale wouldn't agree with me, but I think it's staying the same. It doesn't feel big at all right now. I think I've gotten used to it.

-I've been craving macaroni and cheese and Mexican food.

-I wake up ravenous in the morning. I mean, I just can't get to the food fast enough.

-I've felt really good the last few days. I hardly even feel preggers, except for the shortness of breath and getting light headed.

Next post...pictures of our busy weekend sprucing up the house! Office/craft room and breakfast room are done!

Bad boy, bad boy....What'cha gonna do?!?!?

I remembered this story today and wanted to share. Anyone who knows me knows that I was never the "wild" one. I have never even smoked a cigarette, much less done drugs. I've never gotten a speeding ticket, much less almost been arrested!! That is exactly why this story is so funny and I love it so much. It made me feel like such a rebel!!!

Rewind back to college, junior year maybe. I was on my way home from college to go to the annual church Christmas pageant with two of my dearest guy friends. The one driving was the music minister's son. For the sake of the story, you need to know that he's uber skinny, has shaggy hippie hair, dresses like he's just rolled out of bed and oh yeah, has a heart condition that makes him shake like a leaf all the time. We were on the outskirts of town when we saw cop lights pulling up behind us. Of course, we immediately think that we were speeding...but we weren't. Ryan (the driver) swore he was going the speed limit. We had no idea why we were being pulled over. Ok- whatever....The cop comes up to the window and says that we were following the car in front of us too quickly or something. Ryan responded, gesturing with his hands as usual, when the cop started to question us.

Cop- "Sir, are you in a hurry to get somewhere?"
Ryan- "Well, we are actually on our way to church from out of town."
Cop- "Sir, are you scared?"
Ryan- "Nope."
Cop- "Then why are you shaking?"
Ryan- "Well, I just drank a huge Dr. Pepper. I guess maybe that's why. Plus, I always shake...always."
Me and Caleb- "Yeah, he has a heart condition."
Cop- "I'm going to need you all to get out of the car. Pull your pockets inside out and step away from the road. I'm going to have a look around."
-Me (inside me head)- "THIS IS AWESOME!!! He's not going to find anything!!!!!! I'm such a rebel!!! Bring it on coppy-poo!!"

The cop proceeds to inspect the car, look through our bags, blah, blah, blah and of course, he found nothing. But then the story gets better....

As the cop is searching the car and we are silently standing on the side of the road with our pockets inside out, MY DAD PULLS UP!!! HAHAHA. He was out at a ranch and was on his way into town. (Isn't this fabulous!!) He sees us, pulls over and gets out of the truck. He approaches the car, trying to get the cop's attention. The cop didn't hear him. By the time my dad was at the car, the cop was livid. My dad was "impeding upon an investigation." Well, can you imagine my dad's concern!??! He just wanted to know if we were ok. The cop won't tell him what's going on. Anywhooo---The cop ends up letting us go with just a warning. But wait....then the story gets better....

I get in the truck with my dad. Ryan and Caleb get back in Ryan's car and it won't start!!! Dad has to jump it and then we go to church, happy as larks with the best story ever! I've been searched for drugs! HAHAHAHAHA

BDG

Quick idea for a conversation starter....Play BDG

For B---BRAG about one thing that makes you proud.
For D---DESIRE. Name one thing that you desire.
For G---GRATEFUL. Name one thing you are grateful for.

Have fun! I'm going to try it on Ross right now :)