A new view

the world looks a little bit different
when there is so much anticipation
and joy and fun and giggles
ahead.

24 weeks, baby!

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone."

dreaming of Baby Boy

I'm counting on a village to help raise this child...
and I've been amazed at the love and support that have come from all of you.
Messages.
Love.
Hand-me-downs.
And how I love looking through all the tiny clothes and
dreaming of
Baby Boy.

A Quiet Christmas

As my belly grows, I dream of Christmases to come.
They may not be as quiet
and the tree may not have the neat matching ornaments
but they will be joyfully noisy
and covered with glitter and homemade decorations
and full of wonder and magic.
So much fun ahead.

Gratitude

There's a lot lot of love to be grateful for this year.
I'm overjoyed.

It is going to be fun to see it.

The Big Announcement

Me: I have something special that I would like to tell the class.
Student: Oh, this must be good.
Me: It is great news for me and very exciting. I want to tell you all that I am having a baby in May.
Student: Sweet! We will have a substitute and less homework!
Me: Unless the substitute gives you more homework. (Student grimaces.)
***The sound of gears turning in students heads is almost audible.***
Student: So... Is the baby already in your belly?
Me: Yes, but it's only about this big (motion with fingers about 3 inches)
***Audible gasps and sounds of disbelief from the crowd.***
Student: May I tell the class something?
Me: Sure.
Student: That baby started out even smaller than an ant. (Others give ponderous looks.)
Me: So the baby has a lot of growing to do.
Student: So... Do you have to be married to have a baby?
Me: Well, no, but you have to love someone a lot.
Student: So... Did you have to go to the doctor to ask to have the baby?
Me: No, I didn't go to the doctor until I knew I was going to have the baby.
Student: Well, I am very glad for you that you are having a baby.
Girl Student: I hope it's a girl.
Boy Student: I hope it's a boy.
Final Student: I don't ever want to have a baby. It's going to hurt a lot.

Highlights

Eagleman 2011

Race Report, Eagleman: June 12, 2011

When one does a triathlon, they earn the right to make it all about them for 24 hours, so while I am in that time frame, I’ll write, all about me.

I woke up at 4, eyes wide open an hour before my set alarm. I felt a surge of nerves and excitement. The pro staying with us was bumping around the kitchen to make and eat oatmeal before he went back to bed. I got up to eat, but never could have gone back to bed. I ate a bowl of cereal and blueberries, and checked my facebook. Once Todd was up, I dressed and we loaded up to pick up Angie. It is really nice living so close to the transition area, about a mile.

Everything had been packed up the night before so I was anxious to unpack and get set up to make sure I had everything. Fortunately, I did, and I immediately felt more relaxed seeing everything laid across my green CMS mat. Then off to the port-a-jane lines.

The swim waves had been bumped up by about 10 minutes so I was happy to fine Phil and Chad hanging out waiting, just have someone to take my mind of waiting. Just before my wave was called, 4 of my good friends showed up to see me off. After a round of hugs, photos, and well-wishes, it was into the water.

I was nervous about my goggles after a race last year when they never sealed and I was blind, but they were perfect and I began to relax… until I had to tread water. I wasn’t prepared to not be able to touch. I decided to look at it as my warm-up. Positive thinking.

And then we were off. I had just two goals for the swim, relax and swim straight. I definitely relaxed, I was in no big hurry, my goal was just to finish, after all. I felt pretty good until all the orange caps caught up to me and then I just felt slow so I had to consistently remind myself of my goals, and it was all okay. I think I swam pretty straight, too- right into a buoy once, but at least I was on target. 49 minutes, one second.

I exited the water to the shouts of my fans (Thanks Lauren, Laura, Chris and Beth!) and jogged to my bike. I took enough time here (6 minutes) to eat a banana, apply sunscreen, and get comfortable in my shoes. More cheers awaited me as I left on the bike- what an amazing feeling to be surrounded by community members treating you like a superstar. It was a gentle reminder than no one cared how fast I was going, just that I was going.

So I’m pedaling away. My goal on the bike was to hold 16 mph, which I did on average. My bike average was 16:08 so despite the fact that it felt really demoralizing to watch droves and droves pass me, literally hundreds of people, I just kept moving at my 16 mph. I ate a powerbar, I drank some water, I stretched my back continuously, I stopped to us a port-a-potty, and just kept cruising. My legs felt somewhat tired and I was grateful for the lack of wind and smooth blacktop. The only head game I played with myself was just after Gootee’s Marina when you see the road sign that says “Cambridge 17.” That moment reminded me that 17 miles would feel long in a car… and I still had to complete more than that on the bike. I grit my teeth and pedaled… 16 mph, 16 mph, 16 mph.

Back to T2. More sunscreen. More water. I’m not sure what I was doing for 5 minutes and 23 seconds. I knew I was in no hurry to start the run. This was the part of the day I was most worried about- the heat. And it was hot.

The first mile felt okay, until I got hot. Then my plan to only walk through water stops went to (insert explicit). In my mind, I began to insert lots of explicits. I was so grateful to hear Tina start shouting my name as I neared the mile two water stop. Tim, Dean, and Trevor took good care of me and filled me up on ice and cold, cold water. These water stops felt a gazillion miles apart. Misery followed me to the next one, but I was thrilled to see Todd out with a camera and a smile. When he asked if I was having fun, the short answer was “no.” I kept that question in my head though and it got a little more fun to run by Travis and the Ocean Odyssey crew, music pumping. I kept that beat in my head as I sweated through the bypass. One guy passed me and said “this feels like a lava field” and I couldn’t agree more. Heat just baked us off the asphalt. After the turn at the cemetery and that water stop, I was iced up and feeling a little better. As long as I kept ice in my sports bra, hat, and shorts (that makes for some excitement, let me tell you) I felt okay. The next two water stops were out of ice and luke warm soda just didn’t cut it. I began to fry.

Then, I got to the turn around and the world began to look up again. I was over the hill. Mentally, I knew I could make it in from here. I got more ice and began to jog more and walk less, talk more and curse less. The miles felt quicker (despite the fact that when you look at my times I actually got considerable slower.) Before I knew it, I was kissing Todd again at mile 11, getting iced down at mile 12, and was ready to bring it home. I was walking just after that water stop when a 3-time Ironman ran up behind me and said “pick a gear, and finish strong” and it was the best advice of the day. The gear was a low one, but it felt good to jog to the finish, smiling. I had figured it would take me 7 hours, so 6:55, was right on target.

I’m not sure I would have crossed the finish if not for the support of all the wonderful people along the way cheering for me by name or simply yelling “Go CMS!” Everyone was just so supportive, I owe a lot of thank yous to a lot of people. And yes, now I can say it was fun.

Dear Soldiers

Thank you for giving peace to the world.
My favorite color is purple.
Great job. Keep working hard.
I collect finger puppets.
Do you like puppets?

Thank you for keeping our country safe.
If you're losing in war tell the mistle company
to make a powerful mistle to blow up the enemy base
in 1 second.
I hope you have a happy holiday.

Thank you for saving our country and being so brave.
Can you keep working hard?

Keep up your braveness.

Love, Your Second Grade Fans