Surprise!

This weekend we took a quick, surprise trip to MN to see my family. My mom actually knew about the trip, but Todd and Melissa didn't. It was so fun to see the looks on their faces when we pulled into the driveway Friday afternoon. Todd had a gig Friday night, so we surprised lots of family friends, too. It felt good to catch up with people, let them rub my belly, and prove to myself that pregnant girls can still dance. Random side note: a former skating coach, Susie, just happened to be at the establishment that was hosting the band's gig. We were so surprised to see each other and spent lots of time catching up and reminiscing. She's someone who certainly had a big impact in my life, both as a coach and a parent-type figure. She was around for some of the hardest years, and seeing her made me feel like someone aligned the stars that evening. I'm so glad that she can be part of my adult life now, too.

I never updated you all about the glucose test. The 3-hour test was a huge beating: the drink was way worse the second time around, as were the bruises on my arms ... it turned out to be 4 pokes for blood rather than 3. Luckily, round two paid off, and my results came back clean. No diabetes for me! The more people I talk to, the more I realize that failing the test the first time around is pretty common. I'm not a doctor or a scientist, but I don't think this is a crazy suggestion: if a test gives so many false positives, doesn't that indicate we should look for an alternative test?

I've finally added a couple of bump pictures. One of these days I'm going to take one wearing a real outfit with my hair and make-up done. Maybe one day I'll even be brave enough for the bare belly shot (don't worry, I've been lathering with my cocoa butter cream religiously). Anyway, you'll notice significant growth; it seems like there is a little (or a lot) more everyday. I'm starting to feel huge, and I'm definitely getting worried about where my body is going to make space for the baby over the next 10 weeks. Today she was simultaneously punching/kicking me in the ribs and the pelvic area. It made for some uncomfortable moments and shortness of breath, but it was kind of fun, too!

Trimester #3

Today officially marks the beginning of my third trimester. I think there was (is) a part of me that believed this point would never come (or at least not so quickly). I would post a 28-week belly shot, but Steve is out of town and if I try to take it, you're going to get way more than you bargained for ... maybe next week.

The nursery is coming together, which feels weird, too. We worked on it some last weekend with the help of my in-laws. The crib is put together and there are a few things on the walls; we still need to get the dresser/changing table, which will happen at some point in the near future. I have to be honest: putting items in the nursery was totally overwhelming to me. It was exciting, yes, but certainly the biggest reality check to date during my pregnancy.

Tomorrow morning I have to go for a second round with the glucose test. I failed my first one even after I did everything right: I fasted for 12 hours prior to the test, I drank the nasty drink in under 5 minutes, I had my blood taken at the accurate time ... and I failed. My feeling upon receiving the news was mostly just one of annoyance; who has time to take a three hour test? Thanks to Saturday morning clinic hours, I'll start my weekend with another round of the glucose drink, an empty stomach, and three needle pricks (one on the hour for three hours). At least I have good veins. I really hope the first test was a false positive because gestational diabetes sounds like a beating. A strict diet during pregnancy ... how unfair is that?

All in all, I'm feeling great. Sometimes I almost tend to forget that I'm pregnant, but amazingly enough, in most of those moments, a window or a mirror appears before me and I'm quickly reminded of my state. My reaction in such moments is another post all its own. I'm tired tonight after a LONG week, so Higgins and I are heading to the couch to watch a movie.

And to top it all off ...

Dear Stupid Cyclones,

When I realized this morning that our trip to Iowa wasn't going to happen, the one thing that lifted my spirits was knowing that I'd get to watch you beat the Hawkeyes today. To my dismay, you played at a level comparable to a poor JV team. You would've saved everyone a lot of time and energy if you'd just handed over the Cy-Hawk Trophy before the game. Keeping it for two years in a row would not have been a crime, you know. I know that the Big XII has to have someone to rank at the bottom of the pack, but share the wealth, guys ... isn't it time to give someone else a chance to spend the season at the bottom of the barrel? And would it kill you to recruit a kicker who has enough talent to execute his one and only job (for clarification, that job involves simply kicking the football through those big yellow posts at the end of the field)? Today you made playing football (your so-called forte) look as difficult as passing enough 100-level sociology classes to graduate from Iowa State. I hope you use your ride back to Ames tonight to think long and hard about all of the bad decisions you made today. I'm sure that fancy bus you get to ride on has a DVD player. It may behoove you to watch some film ... perhaps "Air Bud: Golden Receiver" or "Angles in the Endzone" would help improve your game.

Sincerely,
A Broken-hearted (again) Fan

Disappointment

*Update: Further disappointment set in Sunday morning when, upon waking, I realized that the threatened flooding and tornadoes were not going to happen. I'm angry at Ike, irritated with the meteorologists, and mostly just frustrated with myself for being a huge wuss. I knew this would happen.

We're supposed to be on a plane right now headed to Kansas City, where our good friend, Brooke, was going to pick us up. Then we were all going to head a couple of hours north to Des Moines for Leigh's wedding. I had so been looking forward to this weekend ... I haven't seen my college girlfriends in so long, and this time there was going to be a new baby, Ben, to meet. But here we are in Texas, trying to stay out of Ike's way. We watched the weather channel non-stop last night in an attempt to make a decision about today, but really didn't come to one until very early this morning. I wanted to wait until the last possible moment to cancel, and it was a tough decision to make. Our plane did leave (not on time, probably due in part to some storms in KC, too). My concern last night was that we'd be able to get to KC today as long as yesterday's storms and funnel clouds stopped there, but that we wouldn't get back on Sunday evening. We've done the overnight-in-an-airport thing before, and I'm guessing it wouldn't feel quite so adventurous at six months pregnant.

I am disappointed and so sad. I'll probably sit here all weekend saying, "Well, we probably could have made it," but when we made our decision we felt like it was the most prudent one we could make with the information we had. I know we made the "safe" decision considering all of the obstacles that appeared to be in our way, but I'll still be kicking myself for a while.

Today it is very windy and rainy, and it is being predicted by the meteorologists that the wind will be the root of a number of tornadoes. I could do without those. I'm sure gas has skyrocketed already, but I'm not venturing out to see. I also saw a report that nearly 70% of the state may lose power as one of the main providers is located down near Houston. When a hurricane is nearly as big as the state it hits, you know the effects will be devastating. Keep the people of Houston and Galveston, especially, in your thoughts.

As for the wedding, I know it will be so wonderful. Leigh, we love you and we're thinking of you today. Maybe tonight we'll crank up the music, pour a cold one (for Steve), and pretend we're living it up at your reception. In your honor, I may even whip off my bra on the dance floor!

Growing...

Here is a picture of the bump at just shy of 25 weeks. Holy moley ... time flies! Baby Girl is moving around A LOT, and it's especially fun when Steve can feel her. A few times she's been so active that we can see my whole stomach move in sort of a blob-type motion. Anyway, I'm feeling great despite spending the better portion of each day on my feet (no, I haven't compromised my heels quite yet) ... besides being tired, no complaints (except for the whole losing-sight-of-my-feet-and-other-parts-bit, but that's another post).

A Few of My Favorite Things Today

-My New Job: I love being back at work, and I love my new job. It's been exhausting and overwhelming at times, but exhilarating, too. The start to this year is unique because our building is mid-renovation, but everyone is happy to be back. I think this new position is going to suit me well, and although I'll miss teaching at times, I'm feeling really good about the move to admin. One thing I don't love is finding a big girl wardrobe for work. I lived in stretchy Old Navy tanks this summer, but those won't cut it. Thanks to two friends -- Sherry and Sarah -- who have loaned me tons of cute maternity work clothes!

-It's Not on the Test: This is the video that my Superintendent showed this morning to all 7,000 PISD employees at convocation. It's clearly satirical, and we all laughed, of course, but there is a sad reality to it. Many districts have had to eliminate fine arts programs, even though research shows that they are integral in developing critical thinking skills and a love of learning. We are in an age that requires us to prepare students to think critically in a world full of technology that has yet to be created, but we are often limited because testing tends to dictate the 180 precious days we have each year with our students. Even the very best teachers often feel like they're forced into a position that causes them to cheat students academically; I've never met anyone who went into education to mold test-takers. I have, however, met many people who went into education to mold children and minds and global citizens. I sincerely appreciate working in a nationally recognized district where the Superintendent, his cabinet, the School Board members, teachers, administrators, and parents believe in doing what's best for kids, even when federal and state laws seem to insist on doing otherwise. Those of you in education will appreciate this video and likely see the truth through your laughter; those of you not in education may gain a little insight to the frustrations and realities regarding testing that public school teachers and students face. And the saddest part is that we're left asking what will become of our students ... even the best and brightest can become lost when they're no longer an individual learner but a cut score on some test. How can we justify limiting so much potential, especially among the minds of our future? Soap box, thank you for humoring me this evening.

-Lucky Charms: I usually try to make healthy cereal choices, but one can only eat so many bowls of cholesterol-minimizing Cheerios. Last week, in a moment of serious weakness, I bought some Lucky Charms and then proceeded to eat the entire box in two days. Right now all I can think about is my carelessness in not buying two boxes (or maybe three).

-The Olympics: Love them! Even sports that don't normally interest me have become totally engaging. Although I'm slightly miffed by some of the gymnastics scoring (and I'm pretty sure that sooner or later we're going to have another French-skating-judge-buy-out-to-screw-the-Canadian-pairs-situation manifest itself), I can't get enough. Nastia Luikin is a hometown girl who lives only minutes from us. Shawn Johnson feels like a hometown girl, too, since she and Steve went to the same high school! We've been rooting for both. And, seriously, how could you not be proud to be an American while watching Michael Phelps? Not possible. However, even though I waited all summer for the Olympics to begin, I'll be glad when they are over so I can start getting decent sleep again. My mind and body won't let me sleep until I see every last minute of the Olympics each night, and I'm seriously paying for it in the mornings.

-Hand-me-down Sweater: My Grandma Lou made this sweater for me when I was a baby. While I was going through some boxes recently, I found it. The sweater was dirty, so I gave it a good wash and now it looks as good as new. It is so soft and sweet, and I can't wait to see Baby Girl in it. We'll definitely have to send a picture of that to Great-Grandma Lou.

-Self-titled Princess Dress:

My mom's friend, Laurie, sent us this precious light blue and brown dress -- a silky masterpiece complete with embroidered flowers, a very puffy skirt, and bloomers. Will someone please invite us to a classy event next summer so Baby Girl can show off in this little princess ensemble?

-The Hills: The drama is back and we love it! Will Audrina move out? Will Heidi's unfortunate-looking sister move to town? And if she does, what will become of Speidi? Is Stephanie really going to mack on Lauren's new man? Will Lo stop being such a Royal B? Only time will tell, I know. Thank you, MTV and rich 22-year-olds with nothing to do but party, shop, fight, and gossip, for giving us a reason to look forward to Mondays.

When in Texas ...

Steve has wanted a truck for as long as I have known him, and he finally has one. I have to be honest, I'm still adjusting. After we paid off the Passat earlier this year, it started having problem after problem (naturally). German cars are not cheap to fix, and with the money we were pouring into it, we decided we'd be better off with a small payment on a car that is easier on the budget in the maintenance department. After lots of wheeling and dealing yesterday, we ended up with an excellent deal on a Chevy Colorado. It's not a big, massive truck, but it does have four doors with plenty of room for family. And I have to say, it gets decent mileage and drives quite nicely.

I was sad to leave the Passat all alone in the parking lot when we left the dealership. I even took one last picture and allowed myself to have a moment over the loss. It was the first major purchase we made after getting married, and although it wasn't the smartest of buys (we definitely walked in and paid full price, no questions asked), it was a good car to us. It made many trips from KC to MN and from KC to Dallas and back again. But like I said, for a car that was paid off, it sure sucked up the $$.

To look in our garage, one would see that we're clearly not part of any campaign to keep America green. Sorry. Maybe someday the term "total practicality" will be linked to our household, but for now we're satisfied with the term "fun and affordable".

P.S. Meredith, please refrain from commenting. Love you :)