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!!! :)