Friday, February 29, 2008

Dreams

In addition to the myriad changes in pregnancy, one of the coolest ones, I think, is the pregnancy dreams. I have such vivid, realistic dreams during these months. Its one of the few things I wish I could have all the time about pregnancy.

Two nights ago, I had a unbelievably realistic dream that we had a the most angelic (well behaved) little girl. Easy labor with no pain followed by a baby that didn't cry and slept through the night. Only in my dreams, I am sure.

Last night, I dreamt (dreamed?) that Mike decided he was leaving....me. Leaving a pregnant wife. Cool guy, huh? :) Well, that one was not so good...just as realistic, but not a fun one.

So, I was saying the other day that my belly has "popped". Here's the proof. Picture is me (and hopefully angelic baby) at 17 weeks along.


Got to see Lauren S. and her little boy, Davis, at lunch today. He's so cute! 4 months old and smells so good and is so soft. I forgot how good they smell. Lauren also has this awesome move where she cradles Davis in her crossed leg...no car seat needed, her hands are free, baby is happy. So cool. Lauren -- you've got to post a picture of this.

Random hike picture with our friends, Justin and Emma, from last weekend. E loves her hikes...but not as much as Annabelle. She goes nuts. Loves being off leash.




Mike kept saying all day long (after this dip in the Chattahoochee) that Annabelle smelled like a "diarrhea factory". Had me cracking up every time.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Winter Wednesday

Sure feels like winter in Atlanta today. Woke up to a dusting of snow on the front lawn and the rooftops around here. Ella dragged me from the kitchen this morning to show me that it snowed. Poor little southern kid. She doesn't really know what real snow looks like. (Not that I am complaining, you couldn't drag me back to living in NJ -- where I grew up.) No offense NJ, I just hate the cold.

Okay. Seriously. I am 17 weeks pregnant tomorrow...and I. AM. STILL. THROWING. UP. What the eff??? I know nausea is a good sign and everything. And I am glad for it. But, let's talk about this, little baby. Please. I am tired of having two breakfasts. I stopped throwing up, for good, at 13 weeks with E. Although, I will deal with a little puking in the AM if it means I have energy the rest of the day.....which has been the case most of the time.

We find out in a few weeks if this little puke machine is a boy or a girl. Yes, we are finding out. I can't wait to find out what I am getting for my birthday presents, much less news this big. I am thinking boy. Mike is getting a girl feeling. We'll see....we're cool either way. Although, I was a little freaked out the other day changing our 1 year old neighbor's diaper...he's a boy. I was like, wow....THIS is different. Just kind of shocked me. I am sure I will adapt if need be though. :)

Speaking of changing diapers....we're still working with E on potty training. This kid has zero interest. Zero. We've tried everything. I pulled out all the stops today and got some "big girl" underwear and a new Elmo potty at Target. Any and all advice is welcomed! We'll see if it sparks any interest.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Sad Day

We had a sad day yesterday. We lost two dogs in our family. Both goldens and both awesome dogs.

We had to say goodbye to Max --- he didn't live with us, but we felt like he was ours...at least partly, we watched him a lot. E loved him. Whenever he wasn't here she would ask about him. "Where'd Max go? I miss Max. Where's my udder dog?" We got the call that he wasn't doing well and went over to say goodbye. So sad. He just wasn't there. Didn't move or wag his tail or even move his head. Poor little guy. We said our goodbyes and he passed a few hours later. Taking a walk later in the day, we ran across two really light colored goldens running around chasing a ball. The both looked a lot like Max and Ella stood up in her wagon and so excitedly said, "It's Max! Max not sick anymore!" Ugh. Talk about killing me and Mike. :( Maxie we miss you. You were such a good dog. Hope you're in doggie heaven following your big brother, Boomer around.

This is a picture of the cake topper from our wedding. Max is the groom and Belly is the bride. Yeah, we're big dog people.



My brother, Dave, and his family in Chicago also lost their golden, Maddy, yesterday. He's got 4 kids and they were all really affected by it. She was an awesome dog (aren't all goldens?). Funny, chubby and full of piss and vinegar. She and her big brother, Cody, are the reason I got Annabelle (my 9 year old Golden). Hope you guys are all doing better today.

Toss the ball around today with your dog. Give them kisses and tell 'em you love them. They leave too soon.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Things are definitely changing these days for my ever growing self (and baby.)

Mostly physical changes. For some reason, I am much less um, hormonal (aka crazy) this time than the last time 'round. (Mike, I am sure, is thankful for that. He has some good stories about me crying at the grocery store because I tried to take over 100 items into the self check out aisle. Yeah, the limit is 10.)

Belly has definitely "popped" this week. Some lady I kind of know at the gym mentioned it to me today. "You grew since last week". Now, that would have BUGGED the sh%@ out of me in my last pregnancy, but I don't really care this time. My thinking is that we all end up in the same place....HUGE at 8 and 9 months...so what does it matter what you look like at 4 months?

Moving steadily into maternity clothes now. I scored big time with the most comfortable pants from Izzy Maternity. I love them. Expensive, but well worth it, seeing as they have become my unofficial uniform. (black pants, sneakers, pink fleece and an Ironman hat.) "What Not to Wear" would have a field day with me.

Low back pains have started...already?? Sheesh. I had a great chiropractor last time around and have to find a new one. There was not much that made me feel comfortable in the last few months last time around except getting an adjustment. Plus, it was the ONLY place where I could lie on my stomach (they drop the middle panel out of the table) and it feels soooo good.

Mike and I did our regular Saturday AM swim today. Didn't have a great one....for some reason, my back hurts A LOT when I swim. I think I took it out too hard (my stupid and competitive self doesn't want Mike to beat me on our sets, so I probably overdid it.) and had to quit after about 30 minutes. Damn. :( He's out now for a 80 minute run. I am at home with a napping E reading "Exercising Through Your Pregnancy". Interesting read so far.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The Other Half

I saw firsthand today how the other half lives....or more accurately, how the other half works out.

I've been not so secretly coveting a Lifetime Fitness membership ever since they opened in Alpharetta (about 15 minutes from where we live in Roswell.) This place is more like a country club than a gym. They've got both an indoor and outdoor lap pool. A salon. Amazing facilities. Free towels! A cafe.

Almost like night and day from LA Fitness where I am currently a member.

I've been thinking about joining this fall once the new baby is old enough to go to the Kids Klub (3 months.) The LA Fitness Kids Klub hours have been getting shorter and shorter and are going to be all impossible to get to with a morning napper.

Today, our friend, Paul Kindzia, was nice to enough to take me (and kick my a$$ all around the really nice pool, too.) I really liked it but felt like a traitor to LA. Funny, but I know most of the moms that go there in AM and I like that. I'd miss them and their kids. I was kind of intimidated Lifetime....there is just. so. much. I got lost like three times in the hour that I was there. We'll see come August.....

MIke and E are at the circus tonight. From Mike's texts sounds like she's enjoying herself....albeit, with reservations. I think it might have been a bit much for her at first. I took advantage of my solo evening and just got home from a nice massage. Ahhh...

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Fresh Air

E and I got some much appreciated fresh air today. The 400 traffic turned a trip down to watch the circus elephants being fed (Ringling Bros. is in town this week.) into a trip to Riverside Park with the Poons. E and Jason had a ton of fun. Weather is so nice today, windy and not too cold. I can't wait for spring to get here already.

Workouts have been getting more and more consistent these past few weeks. Had 5 days a week last week and 6 days before that. I am trying (not always successfully) to get 2 swims, 2 bikes and 2 runs in a week. Keep some sort of a semblance of a normal routine. Seriously, why doesn't someone write a book called, "Pregnancy Workouts for a Gulf Coast PR in 2009". I would totally buy that book!

Some pictures from our park trip today.



Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Lollipop Dance



She's got way more energy than me today. Feeling a bit draggy...normal, I know, but looking forward to having more get up and go tomorrow.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Cheat Night....

....can't wait. Saturday night is our "cheat night" meaning we eat whatver we want to for dinner. The (sad and pathetic) highlight of our week. :) Mike's go to dessert is peanut butter M&M's. Me? I am more of the straight fruity, sugary candies ala sour patch kids and spree. Yum.


My Mom (thanks, Mom!) is sitting for E tonight so movie (Definitely, Maybe) and dinner for the grown ups. Yay. After two of Mike's choices at the movies (There Will Be Blood/No Country for Old Men) it is definitely as Ella likes to say, "MY TURN". So, chick flick it is. I spent half of "No Country" with my eyes and ears covered...it was really good, but I am a scaredy cat. Too tense for me.

Awesome swim this morning with Mike. First 2000 yard workout in a LONG time for both of us. We did a swim workout out of "Her Sports" Magazine (awesome read....I am going to subscribe.) and it was no joke. Main set was 10x100 at threshold and we were smoked at the end. A good kind of tired, which I have missed lately. I am done for the day (now happy to catch the re-broadcast of Kona right now) , Mike's heading down to the trainer, the hard worker that he is. :)

Enjoy your weekends!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope everyone has a great day with loved ones. No big, romantic plans here...just a nice dinner at home with the three of us. I am making bruscetta chicken with risotto -- so kind of special -- will post the recipe here if it is any good. We'll go out just the two of us on Saturday night to where else? My fave.....Pure Taqueria. Although, I am super sad that there is no strawberry margarita allowed for me there.

E and I got some pretty flowers from Daddy yesterday. Thanks, Mike.


Oh, here's a belly pic of me at 15 weeks. Nothing huge yet, but just wait. At (almost) 5'4" that belly will soon take over. Or as Mike likes to say it will be "out to China".


Strange swim today. After 20 minutes, my back was hurting. Not terribly, but I am not so good at determining between "good" and "bad" hurting ESPECIALLY in pregnancy. Normally, I would have sucked it up, but I wasn't sure if it was swimming related or baby related pain, so I quit. Turns out it was swimming. Oh well, not about me anymore.....gotta do what's best for the little lemon inside.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Brrr

Cold today. Well, Atlanta Cold, which is really not cold. But, cold for us thin blooded/spoiled by the great weather folk. Plus, my warmest coat is a fleece, not doing the trick at 32 degrees BEFORE the wind chill.

Not really a sunglass kind of day. Try telling that to the Purple Menace below.


Today's the kind of day that I daydream about our trip to the Turks and Caicos coming up in April. Counting down the days. Can't wait for the white sand, clear ocean and the sun beating down on my back while joking around with Mike.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Love it.

Haven't done one of these in months. Been loving these things lately.

1. Friday Night Lights -- Who can not LOVE this show? I swear I cry every week...not that it takes a lot, esp. these hormally fueled past few months. :) But, the acting is amazing and the stories even better. Plus, Riggs. Seriously, I could watch this show just for that reason alone. Mike and I are worried it is not coming back for next season. He'll miss Tyra.

2. Lane4 earplugs -- These rock. Keep my ears nice and water free, so no more jumping around like a maniac in the locker room at LA Fitness trying to get that last bit of water OUT. Plus, they're cheap, (2.95), so you don't get too mad when one falls out in the water. Although, I don't understand why they can't make them neon so you can find 'em at the bottom of the pool better.

3. "I'm Shipping up to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphys -- OOOO...this is my new favorite workout song. Pumps me up. One of the Red Sox closers, Papelbon, comes out to it during games and it was also on "The Departed" soundtrack. Awesome song. Might be the Crowley (my maiden name) side of me that responds to this song. :)

4. "Then We Came to the End" by Joshua Ferris -- a pretty good read. Not that I am alone in this...pretty sure it was NY Times bestseller recently. Funny, observant, quick read about an advertising agency in Chicago. Reminds me of my pre-mommy job producing Ford commercials.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Movement

Been feeling some weird feelings in my stomach this week, but today, had some definite baby movement. So cool. He/she was going to town around 3ish. An unmistakable fluttering.

Good swim with the Mike this morning. We had some hard 300 sets that exhausted us both....although when we were done, I crashed on the couch and he got an hour in on the trainer. Lazy bones=me. 45 minutes in the pool and I am spent.

Heading up to take Miss E to bed now. Enjoy your weekends everyone!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Lunch at rising roll

We are regulars here. Such yummy food and they are so nice to me and
especially E. She gets a free cookie every time.

My streak is broken. :( threw up this AM....no biggie. I try to
remember its not a straight line kind of progression to feeling
better, there are peaks and valleys.

Good luck to our good friends, rob and norine, today. Talked to her
thus AM and she was getting induced with her second little girl.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

14 weeks

14 weeks along today. Well entrenched in the best trimester and happy to be here. I think the baby is supposed to be the size of a lemon these days. I was hoping for bigger since my regular pants are just not fitting anymore. Well, they fit, but they're tight. I hate tight clothes, so I opted for buying bigger sizes of pants. My closet is a joke, it spans about 5 sizes, to allow for my expanding belly. My old maternity clothes are just too big now.

Decided to grab an outdoor run in the beautful, crisp (um, cold) weather this morning. E goes to school on Thursdays, so it was my chance to get out and run. The Hellish Horseshoe Bend loop...40 minutes of pain. I am supposed to stay "conversational", meaning able to hold a conversation during working out. Not sure if I accomplished this, but I had a great run anyway. Pace is slow and the hills are even slower, but I am thankful and happy to be out there. A few short weeks ago, I was home crashing on the couch every time E was at school.

Here's my happy, finished with my run self.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

My Pregnancy Suit




Just created and ordered this custom suit from Splish. I love that you can customize them. Hoping the largest size they offer will work for me through August! Every girl knows how important cute workout clothes are...even in pregnancy.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Starting the week out right

Going on my 5th day of not throwing up. (Woo Hoo!) Had a comfortable, long-ish run for me on the treadmill. My pace is slowing and slowing and today I just gave in and decided to go with what my body wanted (9:22 minute miles) as opposed to what my brain thinks I should run (faster). My body was happy to let me run 40 minutes instead of the 30 I've be doing lately.

Gotta listen to the body more, I guess.

I ran across this blog on runnersworld and I've been hooked. Check it out. http://runningfortwo.runnersworld.com/
She's pregnant and a runner. Wonder why I am interested. :) Nice to see like minded moms (and moms to be) out there and talking about what they're doing and how they're feeling.

Mike's heading up to the Sports Factory tonight to get his bike and run VO2 Max tested. I am very, very jealous. I've never done this and plan on it once I start back training again. Sounds like a tough night for Mr. Parker. Good luck, honey.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Sunday Night

Pats are losing. Mike's next door at our friends/neighbors most likely cursing and pulling his hair out. E and I just got home so she could get some rest. (and me, too.) I get SO tired at the end of the day lately....since I've stopped throwing up all day, I am exhausted by 8 pm. (I will totally take that though.)

We're on the losing end of some bets. Amanda and Andrew Riepe are on their way to a lobster dinner from the looks of things right now. Damn. Hate to lose to them. :)

Sending some good thoughts out to Mike's sister, Amy, tonight. She's been sick with the flu all week. Get well soon, Garfield. We feel your pain. Seems like everyone is sick these days.

Where mike's loyalty lies...