Greetings from Dallas

Randy's uncle is a big time hunter - and we had the "pleasure" of sleeping in his trophy room last night and probably again tonight.

Yesterday was very tiring and very stressful. I got up at 5am to wrap Randy's gifts and get packed for our trip. The airport was eerily quiet, but at least there were no lines! Our 9:25 flight left on time and was smooth sailing all the way to DFW. And then we landed and were told that we couldn't pull into our gate because there was another plane in the gate having maintenance issues. So we sat waiting for 30 minutes - next to a crazy lady who was convinced that she was going to miss her connection even though the flight attendant assured her she would be fine. And she proceeded to complain to Randy about it for the entire time. They finally moved us to an open gate and we headed to baggage claim. After another 30 minute wait, the carousel finally started moving. And I thought Tulsa was slow... Anyway, we finally got on our way and were informed that we had the choice of the sofa-bed (where we slept) and a blow up mattress. Usuually when we come down we stay at Randy's cousin's house in the guest room - in a real bed. But no - another cousin - a young, single guy got our bed. Even after I was told 2 months ago that we would be staying at Robert's. So, I'm not real sure what the rest of the weekend holds, but I'll be glad to get home to my own bed (and hopefully a few hours of sleep) on Saturday night.

I hope everyone else had a great Christmas!! It's time for me to go eat breakfast. At least the food is good!!

Buddha Belly and Other Ramblings

I've had a lot on my mind lately, so please forgive me if I wander around a bit!

Buddha Belly -
I DO NOT understand the appeal of rubbing pregnant bellies. I didn't understand it before I was pregnant, and I don't understand it now. Do people think it will bring them good luck? Are they hoping to feel the baby move? What is the point??? Early in my pregnancy, it drove me absolutely crazy. I didn't have the slightest hint of a belly and my baby was probably the size of sweet pea and people were trying to rub my belly. Negative!! I actually got a little hostile with some people - what were they thinking?!?!? Now that I actually look pregnant, and the baby can be felt from the outside, I really don't mind it as much. I really do appreciate the people who ask first, but for the most part it's not as bad as it was in the beginning. Of course - it also depends on who it is. I won't single anyone out or name names (not that it matters - I doubt they'll be reading this), but there are some people in my life that I would prefer to not touch me at all - let alone my helpless belly. I'm not a real "touchy-feely" kinda girl, and some people are overly touchy. You know the ones - they can make a hug last 5 agonizing minutes and they have to rub your back while they're at it. They just linger a little too long. The holidays bring with them lots of "family time" which I generally enjoy - but this year am not so sure about. I know they are excited about our baby, but I am not particularly close with a lot of these people. I can't decide if I should just grin and bear it and let the belly rubbing commence - or if I should follow my heart and always keep something in front of my belly to ward off attacks!!

And for the record, I'm not saying that people absolutely cannot touch my belly. I'm just venting about some people who I'm not particularly close to who have tried and will undoubtedly try over and over again. And also for the record, these people are not in the running group! So if you're one of the few girls in the group who have gotten your rubs in - please know that this is in no way aimed at you. I love the group and consider many of you to be great friends! And Casey S. - you're also free to cop a feel anytime you'd like (of course it might help if I show up to class once in a while!)

So enough ranting for now...

Oh - one more rant - my poor sister is the only person in my immediate family who hasn't been able to feel the baby move. It's driving her crazy! I thought for sure she would get to last night after I ate all those goodies at the Marvellite run, but apparently our 2 mile walk put the baby to sleep - until this morning! I actually had a terrible night of sleep because the little one was not nearly as active as he/she has been lately. That and the fat girl nightmare I had - but I'll save that for another post. I feel so bad for her that she's been left out! I even try to wake the baby up so she can feel it but that hasn't worked either. I know there is still plenty of time, but I think it's hurting her feelings. And unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about it. She's just not around when the baby gets active!

Speaking of the baby being active - 2 night ago was absolutely incredible. I was laying on the couch and we could actually see the baby moving. Randy was just in awe. I thought it was funny to see my stomach move like that and kept laughing. He wanted me to be still so he could see it better. He's really so sweet and funny about all of this! I especially love it when he talks to the baby - so cute!!

Since this is getting to be a little long, I will leave you with some pictures from last night's run/walk. Special thanks to Ken for always having his camera!

Here is my adorable niece, Lexie - ready to go!



Me - getting ready to go. Anyone have any exercises to get rid of the double chin??



Me, my sister Alison, and Lexie during the walk.


Me, my aunt Sheryl, my momma, Alison, and Lexie!


Hope everyone has a good weekend! <3

Quote of the Day

A friend of mine emailed this to me, and I thought it was pretty good. So I'm sharing!!


'Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of sh!t.'

Getting To Know Your Friends - Christmas 2008

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you......Tis the Season. HO HO HO!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like both. I'm not great with paper though, so I usually do gift bags

2. Real tree or Artificial? The tree we have is artificial. If I could find a pre-lit real tree, I'd be in heaven!

3. When do you put up the tree? Whenever we get around to it. This year was the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Again - whenever we get around to it. I think we may have still had it up in Feb last year!

5. Do you like eggnog? Not nearly as much as my husband does!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Wow - that was so long ago! Nothing jumps out at me.

7. The hardest person to buy for? Randy's family. Problem solved this year - everyone is getting a donation to a different charity made in their name.

8. Favorite Ornament? Give me a few years until the baby can make one for me. That will be my favorite!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several. My favorite is the one made by "Willow Tree" that my parents gave me a couple years ago. That one stays out all the time.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Usually mail, but we haven't done anything for this year yet.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Randy's mom usually gives pretty random stuff. Not bad exactly, but stuff we will never use.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Don't really have one.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Umm.. Christmas Eve!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Food - lots and lots of food!

16. Lights on the tree? Our tree is pre-lit with white lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol of the Bells

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Growing up my family usually stayed home and Randy's family traveled. Last few years (and this year) we've traveled. Starting with Christmas 2009 we're staying home!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas eve or Christmas day? Growing up we got to open one gift on Christmas Eve (usually pajamas that we wore to bed that night). Everything else on Christmas Day. I'd like to do that with our kids too.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People are petty and wrapped up in the gifts instead of the real meaning of Christmas.

23. Your favorite ornament theme or color? don't have one.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Time with family and friends.

25. Who is most likely to respond to this? Whoever wants to!


Ok - your turn. I copied this from an email, and you can copy and email it out if you like or repost it on your blog (or both)! Just don't forget to change your answers!

Merry Christmas!!

Saturday Long Run and Tuesday's Non-Run

On Saturday morning, I got up and met my running group at Turkey Mountain for some much needed trail running. I haven't been on the trails since before we told people we were preggo, and I've been missing it terribly!!! For my non-running readers, these are non-paved, mostly dirt, rocks, and roots, kinda trails. Not exactly the most stable running surface - and probably not the best idea for my preggo self! But I needed to do it.

It was actually a very bittersweet run for me - and yes, I did run quite a bit. I think my total mileage was about 5 miles, and I probably ran about half of that (at a nice, slow, easy pace). I've been with my running group for about 2 years now, but lately not feeling much like part of the group. I feel more like the pregnant girl who hangs out with the running group - and Saturday was my last attempt to try to feel like an actual athlete. It is very hard for me to see everyone else running and setting new PRs. I am so so happy for them all, but a tiny part of me wants to keep up - and I just can't!! So while I very much enjoyed my time on the trails, it is clear that it is time for me to hang up my trail shoes (and very soon my running shoes). I wonder if RunnersWorld has any walking shoes that don't look like they were made for someone who is geriatric....

I'm not leaving the group or anything like that, by any means! I will still be out on the paved trails and cheering everyone on at races, but it's time for me to end my little pity party and stop feeling sorry for myself! I try to put on a happy face, but it has been killing me inside to not be running. No more of that!! Running has become a part of who I am, but I have to realize that it is not all of who I am. I need to slow down and enjoy my friends, and my family, and most importantly - my pregnancy. And I need to not feel guilty for cutting my "runs" short (or skipping out altogether!), but it is very hard to admit that my little 5 mile stint on Saturday was a long run for me. I am very much missing being able to get out of bed and run 10+ miles on a whim, but I have new and exciting challenges ahead. And I will run again (with my baby jogger in the lead!).

So enough of this seriousness... Here are some pics from Saturday and last night.

This is me after doing the 1 mile "warm-up" loop - which I ran the whole way! Yay me!! Are we done yet??


Bringing up the rear...


This is the group I followed around on the "mountain". It was very nice of them to wait for me to catch up so I could be in the picture!!


Wondering why Ken is standing out on a rocky ledge that looks very unsafe!


Much thanks to Ken aka Trail Zombie for keeping me company! (and for all the pics!)


Tuesday I went out to meet the group with every intention of at least walking a little bit, but I was still sore from Saturday, and it was cold. So I was more than willing to seek comfort in Roman's jeep and stay warm while we waited for everyone else to finish their runs.

This is me lacing up my shoes before I decided not to run. The whole concept of shoes and socks is starting to get a little complicated and has me wishing I'd timed my pregnancy a little differently. Definitely something to think about next time around - flipflops and sandals would be much easier to deal with!


Here is most of our usual Tuesday night dinner club.


Broccoli and Cheese soup - Yum!


Kathy would have lost those fingers if they'd gotten any closer to my cake!


Basically, just another fun night with friends - only I didn't have to "earn" my food. Apparently being preggo gives me special rights - I even got my food first and I was one of the last to order! WooHoo!