The Texas Backwoods (Part 2 of many)

We all went to bed as soon as we got there Friday evening (after unloading our gear in the pouring rain). This was so we could get up bright and early Saturday morning. I know, I know. This was a vacation, right? Well, 2/3 of our group is training for the San Diego Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon on June 6th. We had to get our run/walk out of the way. Okay, I would have been fine with "getting it out of the way" a lot later, but whatever. We all headed out for our first time running/walking as a group.



I had a blast talking to myself and getting myself motivated. I decided that I needed to push myself past 6 miles. I hadn't gone any farther than that before and had a mental block about doing it. And I missed the 3 mile marker anyway. I turned around at 4. The last 3 miles were l-o-n-g and slow. The last 2 my feet started to hurt. When I got to the last mile, I almost hopped in the sweeper car that Amanda was driving. But instead she drove slowly and talked to me most of the way. Thanks, hooker! And I did 8 miles, people! Woo hoo!



Our whole group did well. We all did 8-10, and one *crazy* girl even did 12!

Then we went back and soaked our feet and legs in the Frio River. It was a blast. All that was missing was a cabana boy. (We are still taking applications.) While soaking the day away, I learned 2 lessons. One is that I should soak in cool water after every long walk - it felt amazing, and I didn't hurt much the next day. Two is that my pasty skin really needs sunscreen! I didn't burn terribly, but I really should know better!



Oh, and thanks again to Amanda for all the pictures on this page!

The Texas Backwoods (Part 1 of many)

So, I promised more posts about my weekend. Well, after Jerrod and I spent Thursday night in Nevada, we woke up Friday morning (under a disco ball), and I got ready to leave again. Kirsten and I flew to San Antonio to meet up with our "hookers" from the Sisterhood for lots of fun and laughter. Christy picked us up at the airport, and we all met for a Mexican dinner feast (complete with very loud mariachi band).



Shown in the pic are (back row): Lisa, Amanda, Heather, me; (front row): Christy, Thea, Kirsten; (Elaine was taking the picture).

Then we drove 2 hours to Christy's beautiful piece of land in the middle of nowhere (otherwise known as Leakey, Texas). We got to witness an awesome Texas thunder storm on the way there. We got to experience raindrops as big as golf balls (okay, I may be exaggerating a little). We got to know the thrill of hydroplaning along a narrow, deserted highway. We learned to fear Christy's driving. :) We joked that instead of getting axe-murdered while visiting people we'd never met that we were going to die by driving off a cliff instead. It's much less dramatic and news-worthy to die in a car accident, don't ya think? But, eventually, we got to see Christy's awesome views. Aren't we lucky?

New Habits

Okay, it's time for a new challenge over at the Sisterhood. Yes, I'm participating. No, I'm obviously not trying to lose weight. My preggo body needs to gain, but my preggo body also needs to be healthy. And this challenge is all about forming new habits. Healthy habits. And these habits are things I want to continue, during pregnancy and after. So, I'm on board. It's a short, 21-day challenge. Because it takes 3 weeks to form a new habit. So, over the next 3 weeks, here's what I'm aiming for:

1. Drink my alloted 8-8oz. glasses (64 total oz.) of water per day. It's important to stay hydrated while pregnant as body fluids increase, and if you know me, you know how much I hate water... I may have to go buy some of that crystallized lemon to put in my water, as I've given up artificial sweeteners for the most part in the last year (which means no Crystal Lite).
   
2. Exercise at least 5 days per week. No more just doing my long walk on weekends to train for that 1/2 marathon I'm doing in June. I also need to make karate Tuesday and Thursday and make the effort to walk several other days as well (and not just walking the dogs!)
3. STOP eating dinner in front of the TV once and for all. 'Nuf said on that one.

So, what new habits do you want to form? Head on over to the Sisterhood and link up!

Fun Gatherings

Okay, so I promised more details on my weekend. And my weekend actually started on Thursday. Here's the story of Thursday (mostly in pictures). Jerrod and I...


...flew into Reno and went to see Kirsten and her lovely hubby...


...and family.

Then we went out to dinner for said lovely husband's birthday. Kirsten's brother is a chef, and he just kept bringing us course after course after course... until I thought I might explode. It all tasted wonderful!

After dinner, we had to head home and straight for bed, because the next morning was the beginning of a new adventure!

The Weekend is Over

Well, Hooker Retreat 2010 has come to a close. As we mourn its passing, let's reminisce on a weekend, well-spent.

We ate...

We drank... (or attempted to)

We played... (though we are still taking applications for cabana boys)

We scalped Kirsten...

We had the most fun ever!!!

So, who is coming next year??? Hooker Retreat 2011 in I-da-HO! And don't worry, there will be many more posts to come about this weekend. (Oh, and thanks to the other girls for sharing their pictures.)

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

...Okay, well, I've already left. But I'm still SOOOOO excited! Kirsten and I are on our way to Hooker Retreat 2010 in the great metropolis of Leakey, Texas. We are going to hang out with like-minded hookers for relaxation, food, fun, laughter, oh yeah and walking/running til we drop tomorrow morning. I know you're jealous, right?

We've had this planned for months. We've ordered t-shirts for the occasion. We've picked gifts to exchange. We've emailed (oh, how we've emailed!!!). And now we're finally going. Most of us are getting to meet in person for the first time. This is going to be an epic event. And then most of us are getting together again in June (with a few more people) for San Diego Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon.

Wahoo! We are so excited. I just can't wait til we actually get there!

Happy

Um, okay, so I'm a slacker. I just caught up on 3 months worth of Kirsten's blogs and realized that she tagged me on this. So, I love a reason to post something that I don't have to invent. Here goes...

As always, there are instructions:

1. List 10 things that make you happy.
2.Try to do at least one of them today.
3. Pass on the award to 10 bloggers who brighten your day.

Okay, I'm probably not gonna pass this on, but at least I'll post it!

1. I am happy that I am pregnant. Finally. I can't believe it took 3 years of trying or that I'm 32 years old. I thought I'd have kids much younger, but I am SO happy that it's finally happening.

2. I am happy that I get to go see some of my bloggy friends in Texas this weekend for Hooker Retreat 2010. (For those who don't pay attention, "hooker" is a term of affection that my friends use. And we are so excited to get together.)

3. I am happy that en-route to Texas (like tomorrow - yikes!), Jerrod and I are stopping in Nevada to see Kirsten and family. Kirsten and I are going to Texas together, but I haven't seen her girls in awhile, and I miss them terribly.

4. I am happy that I live in safety and security. I really should not take that for granted. We don't have to worry about walking outside. We don't have to worry about having enough to eat. How lucky and blessed we are!

5. I am happy to be back at karate. I didn't go when I first found out I was pregnant since we weren't telling anyone yet, and I couldn't do anything that required contact. The exercise is a good thing! And, yes, in case you were worried, I'm on a restricted training schedule.

6. I am happy that I have decided to stay home and not work after I have this baby. Work is driving me nuts lately!

7. I am happy on any day where I feel like I accomplish something!

8. I am happy that the weather is nice, and it finally feels like spring here! I'm sure it'll feel like summer in another few weeks, and then I'll want winter back, but oh well!

9. I am happy for chicken and rice soup. Yes, I know it's not the weather for that, but it feels so good on a sicko-preggo tummy!

10. I am happy for good friends.

I Need a Library Card

I know. It's hard to believe I don't have a library card. I really need to get one. In fact, I need to see if the library has the next book I need for book club, so I can get it read while I'm on a plane to see my friends this weekend! I don't think I've had a library card in years. I can't even remember the last time I was in a library to actually look for a book. I used to study in the library in college, but I did all my research online. I mean, who actually looks through those dusty volumes these days anyway?

Well, I guess it's time I move back to the days of being an official library-goer again, huh? I mean, it's so convenient. These days you can reserve a book online and pick it up right inside the door. And books are getting expensive, and I'm really trying to put myself on a budget! Of course, I don't read as much as some people I know. (Yes, you people know who you are...*ahem* Daphne.) But I need to find a cheaper way to feed my habit anyway!

Tell it to me Tuesdays - It all Started

So, my friend Kirsten has been participating in Jade's blog carnival for awhile now, and I love reading her posts. So, I thought I'd try it. The challenge this week:

Complete the phrase “It all started…”

It all started with my friend Angela. When I was growing up, my mom used to watch Angela after school and all day during the summer while her parents were at work. Angela was a grade behind me and was my best friend. For 4th and 5th grade, we were inseparable. Everyone thought we looked like twins. I couldn't see it at the time, but I found an old newspaper clipping many, many years later. It was folded in half. We were dressed in matching outfits on either side of a group of school kids for a variety show we were doing. I looked at the 1/2 of the picture I could see and said, "That's me." Then I unfolded the picture and realized that was indeed NOT me. It was Angela. Guess we really did look alike.

Anyway, Angela reminded me on Facebook the other day that when we were little, we used to walk around with pillows under our shirts and pretend we were pregnant and then pretend we were moms. I had kinda forgotten all about that. But, yes, that's how long I've dreamed of becoming a mother. Angela became a mother a long time ago and now has two adorable girls, and now, finally it's my turn to get to be a mom. I can't imagine anything more fulfilling in life. Can you? And obviously I've wanted this for a very long time...

Monday Planning

Okay, I haven't participated in Kirsten's Monday planning in a long time. Well, I haven't blogged in a long time. Everyone is probably overwhelmed by the onslaught of new posts I've done this last week or so! But it's Monday, and once again, I'm planning to:

1. Fly to Nevada on Thursday to go see Kirsten and spend her lovely husband's birthday celebrating with them.

2. Fly to Texas on Friday to see some of my bloggy friends from over at Shrinking Jeans for Hooker Retreat 2010.

3. Pack for said trips without bringing the kitchen sink!

4. Walk 6-8 miles while at Hooker Retreat on Saturday.

5. Get the house cleaned up before Jerrod's boss comes over for dinner Tuesday night.

6. Finish painting the guest room that we started working on over a week ago (or was it 2 weeks ago, now?).

7. Write thank you notes for everyone who donated money to me for the 1/2 marathon I'm walking in June for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I've been very lazy on this one and need to get it done!

8. And most importantly, I'm gonna have fun! I can't wait for a relaxing vacation weekend. Woo hoo!

Only ONE Baby

By the way, just to clarify for anyone who might be a little confused...

There is only ONE baby in my tummy! No, I am NOT having twins. Everything is pretty standard. I know, I know. This is hard to believe. Okay, no it's not. But why does everyone I know seem to think I'm having twins? I have never given any indication that this is true. Not even a little bit. I know we did a lot of fertility treatments, which really increases the chance of multiples, but really people! Stop the rumors!

Ultrasound #2

So, we had our second ultrasound on Tuesday. It was also our first official doctor's visit. In our 1st ultrasound that we did at the fertility clinic, we got to see a little heart beating away. In the second one, the baby was moving around and we could see little arms and legs. It was too cool. We also got to hear the heartbeat, but I think it was cooler to see the baby moving. It was surreal. Everything at the visit went well, so that's good. I'm finally starting to feel a little less scared and more excited. This has been such a long process that I can't help but be nervous about every little thing. And my mind wanders a lot, so that's never a good thing! :) Anyway, it's finally starting to feel real. Now if I could just get some energy and stop feeling nauseated...

But I did find a nursery bedding set that I absolutely LOVE. Wanna see it? Click here.

Yes, the rumors are true...

Okay, I realize I'm a slacker when it comes to posting these days. I'll also admit that I haven't read a blog in a month or two. Yes, I know. I'm terrible! :) I just can't keep up these days. There's too much going on (and too much farming to do over on Facebook!).

But I'm sure you'll forgive me. That's what I love about my bloggy friends. Also, I have a good reason for being distracted lately. I'm sure most of you have heard already, but in case you haven't, I have some big news! I AM PREGNANT! Yes, I know this is a shocker. But it's true.

I was convinced it was never going to happen, so I'm still in shock and a little pre-occupied. But we are also very excited. We have been trying for 3 years with no success. Even fertility treatments with all the great drugs (*note the sarcasm here*) and IUI (insemination) didn't work. We were just getting ready to do in-vitro (which is about the most expensive thing in the world) when it happened. I had taken a few months (or maybe 6) off from treatments, because I just needed a break.

I know that everyone says that these things happen when you stop thinking about them, but really that's not true. You never STOP thinking about them. Every month you wonder and hope and pray you are pregnant. And every month it turns out that you have to try again. A positive pregnancy test was a real shocker this time.

I had felt tired right after I conceived (and had no idea I was pregnant). One evening I couldn't get off the couch. Then I went to bed early, slept 10 hours, got up the next morning and was still tired! Thankfully that didn't continue forever. But a week later I was so tired I had to take a break while vacuuming the couch. I knew my period was due any day, so I decided to pee on a stick, just so that I could see the negative result, stop thinking about it, and get up off my lazy butt. But it was positive. Barely.

The line was light blue. In fact, my husband didn't believe it. He used to work for a company that sold those things, and he knows they are not very accurate. But I told him that it had never even been the slightest bit blue EVER before. I tried again the next morning. Still blue. So I called the fertility office, and had them fax over an order for a blood test to the lab. I got blood drawn that morning and had the results around noon. I was sitting at work at the nurses' station and had to leave and run to the nurses' lounge for privacy. I immediately called Jerrod, and I think we both were in total shock.

I had another blood test 2 days later to make sure the numbers doubled like they were supposed to. Then a few weeks later (last Tuesday) I had my first ultrasound at the fertility clinic. The baby didn't look like much more than a blob on the screen yet, but we could see the little beating heart, which made me cry. We started telling people this weekend, and now I think practically the whole world knows. We have our first doctor's appointment in a week and a half, which will fly by I'm sure.

At this point, I'm at 8 1/2 weeks, which is SO silly, because technically the first two weeks that they count are before you even ovulate, but oh well. I'm due in early November. I am still really nervous, but everyone keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer (or 10), and keep us in your thoughts!