ARUBA!

As my friends and family at home brave the chilly weather, wearing sweaters and turning on their heaters, I sit here in Aruba where it's in the high 80's and breezy. I came with my husband and my in-laws to relax and celebrate the New Year with a tan. :) The beach here is gorgeous- soft sand and clear, blue water. So you might be asking why I'm blogging instead of out enjoying the nice weather... to which I say, "you're absolutely right." So, I'm outta here! More to come later. :)

Baby Furniture

I think we found the crib and dressers that we want for Hollis' room. We are going to look at a few more places just in case, but this one has been our favorite so far... ignore the girly bedding! It is the Urban Collection by Munire. We will probably get the low 6-drawer dresser and tall 5-drawer dresser that match (neither shown here). We found this at Baby's 1st Furniture. The bed converts to a toddler bed and later to a full size headboard and footboard. So, we aren't certain, but this one is at the top of our list right now. They always say to go with your gut feeling, but we aren't making the final decision just yet. We have some more research to do.

Pregnancy and Exercise

Today marks the beginning of my 24th week pregnant. Hard to believe it is flying by so fast! I've continued teaching my classes at the gym 5 days a week, but with a number of modifications along the way. For example- lighter weights, lower step, no crunches, and only a very modified push-up (the kind on your knees with your butt up in the air- basically set up on all fours so it doesn't make my core muscles work at all). No more jumping jacks or jump kicks or jumping knees in BodyCombat. I've lowered the impact and intensity level to keep myself safe and keep my heart rate lower than usual. In order to get ready for other instructors taking over my classes, I had to decide when I would need to give up each program I teach. BodyStep will go first, as I can only teach that one comfortably through January. BodyCombat will follow one month later since my boss found someone to temporarily cover my Saturday morning class until I'm ready to return. I've taught that class at that time since we first started the program, so I really wanted to make sure I got that one back. I plan to teach Combat through the month of February, so hopefully all goes well and I accomplish that goal. (The end of February is right around my 34th week pregnant.) Last to go will be my BodyPump classes. I still don't know if they will be turned over to instructors who plan to keep them, or to someone willing to give them back to be down the road, but I figure it will take me some time to get used to my new routine anyway. Eventually a scheduling conflict arises for someone and re-opens a class, I just hope that happens with a class I can teach. I know my whole life, schedule, energy level and priorities will change after Hollis gets here. I just want to be able to teach a couple times a week so I can get a little bit if exercise and stress relief! I think I've just about seen the end of teaching 5 classes a week. It was fun while it lasted! When all my kids are grown I'll go back to a busy class schedule. Until then, who knows?!

He's on the Move

Since the 18th week I've felt Hollis moving around, usually small little flutters, bumps, and flips. Only stuff I could feel from the inside and not so much on the outside. But ever since this past Saturday evening, after my department's annual Christmas party, he's been REALLY moving! I don't know if it was the awesome lasagna we had that night or what, but Hollis' kicks and punches are MUCH bigger now. At about 11pm on Dec. 5, Craig felt Hollis kick for the first time! It was so exciting! To make the weekend even better I saw my belly move when he kicked again Sunday morning, just to the right of my belly button. :) Although it instantly makes you think of the movie Alien, and even the spoof of that movie in Space Balls, it is still an amazing event. It has led to some strange and wacky dreams where I can see his face pressed against my stomach... but that's a whole other story. haha

There are usually about three or four main times a day when the kicks and punches are in full swing: 5:15am when Craig gets up (of course while I'm trying to savor about 45 more minutes in bed), mid-morning (especially if I sit down to grade papers or anything), mid-afternoon, and shortly after dinner.

:( Back to work. I wish I could just sit all day and enjoy all these amazing moments!!! :)

Ultrasound Pictures and Video

Here are a couple of the pictures and videos they gave to us at our last ultrasound. Unfortunately they didn't burn the "It's a Boy!" picture onto our CD. I'll have to scan that one in and post it later. The videos are very short- just a few seconds each. For some reason they took forever to upload though. ?? Oh well! Enjoy! :)

Belly Picture

It's hard to read, but the sign says "Hollis Grant, 19 Weeks, Baby Boy". :) This was also my first "maternity" outfit to wear- a new grey sweater and black maternity slacks.

I'm REALLY Out-numbered Now!

That's right! It's a BOY! I had a gut feeling it was a boy, and my doctor, although never getting a good look, also thought so all this time. At today's ultrasound, the technician took a million pics and videos of our little one. (Yes, they will be posted on here soon!) The umbilical cord was in the way until we were just about at the end of the session. Out of nowhere the baby turned a little and she got a clear enough view that she could tell it was a boy!

So, Hollis Grant, welcome to the family! We loved seeing you wiggle and move today. You waved, and yawned, and stretched and kicked. At one point you had one foot up by your head, which we were pretty impressed by. You threw up one hand with the Texas Tech Red Raider sign, so we will have to work on turning that into the slightly different Texas State sign... We have plenty of time for that though. For the time being, we hope you are comfy and warm and realize how much we already love you. Your mommy and daddy couldn't be more excited! XOXO

CONFIRMED!

It IS the baby flutters I feel! I have felt it again several times- most notably at 2am on Monday morning (Nov. 9) after waking up to cough up one of my lungs, and around 3-4pm this afternoon while grading papers and doing other teacher stuff. :) :) :) :) I feel myself totally losing my train of thought and just focusing on the feeling in my tummy when it kicks in (pun totally intended there).

How cool!!!!!!!!! :)

Flutters... I think so!

So it's currently week 17. We didn't find out if Baby Harbin is a boy or girl yet, but we might be able to find out on Nov. 16 at my next ultrasound. Even more exciting than that is the realization that I think I've experienced the "flutters" of this little baby making itself nice and cozy in its temporary home! This is the second night this week, while laying on the couch watching TV, that I felt a funny feeling in my abdomen. Everyone says it feels like gas... well... this didn't quite feel like that. It did kind of feel like a couple of little bubbles, only it didn't hurt, and it didn't travel all the way through my intestines. Therefore, not gas, right?? If it continues to happen, I guess I'll know if what I felt was the baby or just an odd case of something else.

On a different note, (as pregnancy has made me more ADD than I ever thought possible), my friend let me borrow Jenny McCarthy's book Belly Laughs. I read the entire thing in one night. So funny, and thankfully very honest and frank about certain things pregnant women really wonder about! I loved it! I laughed and I cried. PS- DON'T watch Grey's Anatomy while pregnant. #1- Your emotions are even more out of control than usual, and #2- they seem to always have a story you feel you can relate to, making it harder to avoid the tears. Tonight's episode included a story of a preemie who started to thrive after Kangaroo therapy (resting against a bare chest to feel the warmth and heartbeat of another person, usually the parents, but this time it was cutie Dr. Krev.) After the Allen family's recent loss of their son, who had been born about 14 weeks early, I broke down, sobbing madly! So pregnant+Grey's=bad combo.

Every day I feel more and more love for this little tiny person. No matter what all your mom or your friends tell you about their pregnancies, it doesn't make sense, it doesn't "click", until you go through it. Sometimes it feels so incredibly surreal that I'm afraid I'll wake up and it was all a dream. But luckily, I wake up, and I see my little belly and realize that we really are almost half-way through this pregnancy! We are just a few weeks away from the mid-point. Can't believe it. Seems like yesterday, it was August, and I saw those two blue lines appear. Now it's November, and my pants don't fit so well, and everyone can finally see my bump, and I feel like it's rushing by. There are so many words, none of which I can think of at the moment, that could describe the many facets of my emotions. One word sums it all up though: blessed.

Love you all. :) Good night.

Can't Wait!!!

Monday afternoon (tomorrow for those of you reading this on Sunday) I have my 16-week appointment! My doctor is hoping to see enough to give us the verdict on if we are having a girl or a boy! She even said at my last checkup - almost 5 weeks ago - that she thinks it's boy. I totally think it's a boy... the school where I work has teachers who seem to produce boys at least 85% of the time... not kidding! I can only think of maybe two or three girls that have been born from teachers at my school in the last couple of years. And there's been a bunch of babies! We also have a few friends who either had babies last year or will have babies this school year, all of them are boys! One my cousins had a boy several months ago. Two of Craig's cousins' wives recently had girls though... so there is still a chance I guess.

I can't believe that in less than 24 hours we might actually know! I am such an impatient person sometimes that I could NOT have waited till birth to find out. I wouldn't have lasted 40 weeks not knowing what we were having. Now, I know, the baby might not cooperate during the ultrasound, or the doctor might not get a clear enough view, but I can still hope all goes well. We can always try to take a look at the 20-week visit if tomorrow isn't clear enough. Craig will be with me tomorrow, too! This is his first time to come with me to a prenatal appointment. :)

I'm so excited! This journey is so full of wonder and joy. I'm loving every minute of it.

Much More Exciting Posts Headed Your Way...

Since August 5 I've been keeping a big secret... It's safe to announce that we are pregnant with our first little miracle! The due date is set for April 11, 2010, just two days before my birthday. This is also the birthday that I share with my younger brother Geoff, who just got engaged to Haley last night! It's been a hugely exciting week in our family. I feel so blessed in so many ways and truly love life right now! So for the sake of my blog readers, I won't be posting so much about my washer and dryer! I've got more interesting posts coming in the future! :)

YES! :)

The new washer and dryer were installed yesterday- they are AWESOME! I love them. Zeus' blankets were the first load of stuff to go through to test it out. It is crazy how fast the drum spins- like a million rpms. Well, that's an exaggeration, but you get the picture. I'll have to post a picture of these super machines- they are so cool!

Bye Bye Dryer!

Our clothes dryer officially went dead yesterday. My dad, who can usually fix anything, said it's done. Craig and I had just been kidding around at Lowe's the other day about what fridge, washer, and dryer we eventually want... looks like we are getting the last two sooner rather than later. Just paid off both cars, and what do you know, time to make another big purchase. I guess that happens a lot though.

Any advice on what brand to buy? Any specific questions we should ask or features you find you just can't live without? This washer and dryer need to last us a long time, so we want to get something that won't go on the fritz after just a few years!

New Minds to Inspire

One full week of school is complete. Things went well, and I feel like I am going to have a great year. I have high hopes and a lot of faith that my students will do great. Poor Zeus hated last week though. He doesn't like when his routine gets messed up. I use the word "routine" loosely... All he did all summer was nap, move to another room, nap again, and repeat the process several times. Haha. So although I was sad to see another summer come and go, I feel like I'm on the right path and doing the job I was meant to do. I hope I will continue to be the role model that my teachers were for me. They were truly amazing people in every way. They left big shoes to fill, but I'm trying my best.

Back to School... Almost!

This is the last weekend of summer break '09. It's been a really great summer (except for the crazy heat). I'm sad that sleeping in is almost gone, but Zeus usually woke us up before 7:30am anyway. Here's to the last two days before meeting the next 100 young minds I hope to inspire to do great things! :)

Swim Champ

Zeus makes me one proud puppy-mama! ;)

Destin Part II (Finally!)

So here's a little post about the rest of our Destin Trip! We took pics on the beach one evening to take full advantage of the glow of the setting sun. Then we ate dinner at The Back Porch (phenominal lobster stuffed mahi mahi by the way) and went go-cart racing at Big Kahunas. Here's a few more snapshots of our time in Florida:

Sunburnt- ouch! This was our last full day on the beach. :) It rained on us the entire drive home through Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, but not a drop of rain once we hit Texas. Go figure.

Destin Part I

The first few days in Destin have been PHENOMINAL. We arrived Saturday evening and still had time to play on the beach for a little while. We ate dinner at Fudpuckers and slept like rocks afterward. Sunday we spent nearly the whole day on the beach (with a lot of sunscreen). Craig taught me how to catch waves on a boogie board! Once I caught a great wave but had to steer around a dad and his little daughter. With a little help from the Lord above I somehow made it around them without hitting anyone or falling off my board! Then it was time for steaks that the boys grilled and two intense games of Settlers of Catan. (I'm such a nerd - I love that game!) My arms and ribcage have been sore all day today (Monday) from the boogie boarding. Today was mostly rainy, so we hardly got to spend any time on the beach. Craig and Clint golfed this morning (luckily before the storms got here) while Lindsay and I slept in. This afternoon we played a card game called "Apples to Apples" and just hung out inside mostly. Here's some pics of our trip so far.

We jammed out to the "classics" on the way to Florida:

Me and the "Boom Box"- thanks to advances in technology- this doesn't look even half as cool as it did in the 80's. Darn MP3 players...

The extent of my artistic ability:

Craig and me in front of the Gator statue at Fudpuckers. Supposedly it's a replica of one of the largest aligators ever caught. (According the the really wacky gator lady there.) Everything at Fudpuckers is free for you to sign your name on. We didn't have a Sharpie though.

The view from the balcony at our condo. The water was crystal clear Saturday and Sunday.

More to come! Stay tuned... :)

My trip to Santa Clara

So it's a little late, but I am finally posting about my trip to Cali for the Les Mills Mega-Quarterly Workshop. They host workshops 4 times a year in each region, (we are part of South Central here), but it's not easy to make it every time. I'm lucky if I get to go once a year. This year all of the program directors from New Zealand (where everything is based) came to the US for a Trainers' Summit for those higher up who train new instructors. The topped off their week long work with a Quarterly which all instructors (like me) are invited to go to. Here's the overview...

Friday afternoon I fly in, check in, and head to what is called a "BodyCombat Intensive". It is a 3-hour session all about my favorite program. There were about 40 of us there. BC program directors Dan and Rachel Cohen (yes, they are married- it's so cute) took a while to explain to us how to design each workout, from choosing the music to planning the exercises and combos they will use, to testing it, changing it, and eventually finalizing it and filming it. It's NOT easy! They listen to as many as 3000 songs in order to narrow it down to just the 10 or 11 that will be in the workout. After that, we did about 45 minutes of drills and exercises that Dan and Rach do in their martial arts training. Drills from all different styles of martial arts and boxing. I wish I had some pictures or videos of me trying to do some of them- you'd laugh till your abs were sore! There were a couple drills I could not do - guess I'm not quite strong enough yet. Then we were told that several of us would get the chance to teach a track from the previous release, the one that we'd all been teaching in our gyms for the past couple months, and Dan would give us instant feedback on our technique and coaching. Then he'd let us do it again, and again, and again, to see how well we could implement what he said right there on the spot. We had enough time for three people to teach. Guess who go to go up on stage? :) :) :)

It was awesome! I got to teach the Muay Thai track. He would stop you as soon as he came up with something to improve, then start you all over. After about the 6th time, I was getting nervous trying to remember it all! I was told by others that you couldn't tell though. I hope they were telling the truth.

Then Saturday was the main event. They open with a traditional Haka chant- this is totally a New Zealand thing! It's an old indian tribe chant. The rest of the day you get the chance to try every class (they have 8 different kinds of workouts). Here are some pictures from the day's events:

BodyPump #70: Track #9: Abs

Andrea and I getting ready to begin BodyStep #76: Lift Off to a Higher Level of Fitness

BodyCombat #40: Celebrating 10 Years of the Program!

The Dog Days of Summer

Zeus loves the wading pools at the dog park. Ahhhhh...

My brother-in-law's bulldog puppy Darla is so sweet!

Chico relaxing on my parents' porch after going swimming...

Another cute pic of Darla doing what she does best: eat!

Zeus graduated to the "big kids' pool" on Mother's Day. That's his favorite float. He can crawl on it all by himself if it's near the edge of the pool!

Darla on Dallas Fox News

My brother-in-law has the cutest bulldog named Darla. He took her to the vet for a check-up and Fox News reporters just happened to be there getting video clips to go with their latest story! She shows up around 1:05 I think. It's actually a pretty important message to pet owners too! Check it out:

Countdown to Cali

Most of you are well aware of my passion for, excuse me, obession with, the Les Mills brand of group exercise programs. Besides the three I teach, (BodyCombat, BodyPump, BodyStep), they have some other awesome classes, some of which are taught at my favorite gym: BodyAttack, BodyJam, BodyFlow, BodyVive, and RPM. I am SOOOO excited because in just a couple weeks I am flying to Santa Clara, California for the West Coast Quarterly Workshop where all of the main program directors and choreographers will be visiting the States from New Zealand, the home of Les Mills International. My friend Andrea will also be there, and a couple other instructors I've met are going as well. I also get to attend a 3 hour BodyCombat Intensive Instructor training with two of my biggest role models: Dan and Rachael Cohen. Their passion for fitness and the intensity they bring to the floor is amazing to me! I CAN'T WAIT! IT'S GOING TO BE HUGE!

Eagle Eye

http://www.cbc.ca/bc/features/eaglecam/

Check it out. :)

Fun Times This Weekend!

Craig and I met up with my brother and my parents in Clear Lake on Saturday to visit my Uncle Troy who was in town for the weekend. He lives there, but works all over the place, so we don't get to see him very often. We went out in the bay on his boat, soaked in some sun, and ate crawfish with his neighbors. I was afraid my camera would get wet, so I didn't snap any pictures (sorry!). We had a great time. Craig's parents helped take care of Zeus, taking him to the dog park in the morning and "puppy-sitting" him at their house that evening. Poor Mojo (their shih-tzu) had to put up with the "Beast" for a little while, but he seems to be calming down and growing up and leaving her alone. Usually he stomps on her thinking that she wants to play. Not so much. I can't wait for summer so we can take Zeus to the dog park all the time! :) We have 99 more hours with the students, about 107 more hours of work till summer break. I can't wait for June 5 when I get to hand over my classroom keys and say "see you all in August"!!!!

WE LOVE "LOST"!

I know some of you think we are crazy, but Craig and I are totally addicted to LOST. It's our favorite show in the world! Watching LOST together has been a tradition right from the start of our relationship really. I can't remember if it started the year we started dating, or if we came in on the second season, I don't know. But we love it. Tonight was awesome - we are so sad there's only one more episode in this season. But... YAY! They have successfully added enough twists and turns that there will be another season of it!!!!!!! WHOO HOO!!!!! WE LOVE LOST!!!!!!