Pin Me Up, Pin Me Down

So.......Since I stopped modeling I have gained weight. Good weight, not bad. My stats now make me an official Coca-Cola Bottle figure. I love it! I grew up raised around women and a society that when you hit a certain age you start to look like a women and not a girl anymore. So, I embrace the curves (praise God!) and make no complaints. I am sooo looking forward to dressing like a Pin-Up. I love the way they looked. They were beautiful drawings of WOMEN! The funny thing is that all my friends know I love that style and era. They see a calendar or movie with Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Sophia Loren etc.
I get a call, text or they just buy it for me telling me that I popped into their mind when they saw it, lol. I loved the fact of how the women looked, dressed and carried themselves in that era. They were beautiful, sensual not sexual and in-your-face raunchy women. Not women who looked like girls (or on some cases boys), they were women with curves, makeup, heels, beautiful clothing, etc. I can't pick a favorite pin-up artists; they were all so talented: Vargas, Ballantye, Elvgren, etc.... I like old fashion classy pics. Anywho, I am so wearing a vintage style dress for my next event (another Birthday celebration maybe??). Speaking of Pin- up fashion: I love the new trends for Fall: Prada, and Louis Vuitton answered my cry! I like to look like a woman; is that wrong? I don't want to expose myself to the world but at least feel feminine when I get dressed......I'm done fuming. So shout out to the new age Pin-ups (the women who won't give up their curves for a career): Christina Hendricks (LOVE HER), Kim Kardashian (Don't care if it's real or not), Gemma Arterton, Alice Eve, Hayley Atwell, Katy Perry, Adriana Lima, Scarlett Johansson (All-time fav), and Monica Belluci (classic).
  Have a blessed day.

image source: pinupart.it

Weekend Re-Cap!

Morning sunshines!  Actually I should say morning cloudy skies since it looks pretty rainy here today.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  I LOVE me some rainy days, especially when it brings cooler temps with it!  I hope y'all had fun and exciting weekends!  We sure did!  Like I mentioned on Friday we drove to Waco and had a fantastic time visiting our friends Kim & Brady.  Kim was a bridesmaid in our wedding and lived with me my senior + year at Baylor (I decided to go the 4 1/2 year route, looking back I wish I'd gone the 6 1/2 year route.  Anyone else miss college as much as me?) and remains one of my best friends.  OH how I miss her!  The Mister met up with someone for a few hours and Kim was still in class (she's in graduate school at BU) so I had a little time to kill.  And what better way to kill time than shopping in Spice!  They had a WALL of $2 jewelry that was actually REALLY cute so I did some of my best bargain shopping whist waiting on the Mister.   Then we went to see Kim & Brady's adorable house and meet their sweet SWEET lab Jake!  He's 7 years old and just darling.  I kinda wanted to steal him take him home so he and Koda could be best of friends but I decided I wouldn't do that to Kim.  I didn't take a lot of pictures on Friday and I was feeling particularly sweaty (what else is new) all. day. long. so they aren't the cutest (of me, of Kim they're great) but here you go ...

{Kim & I.  She runs triathalons and full marathons.  She's my hero.}

{Me with sweet Jake!  He's such a lovebug!  And sidenote, I have NO idea how I got into that position let alone got back up from it ...}

From Kim's house we went to meet up with Brady and have us some good mexican food and time with great friends.  We hated to have to leave but then headed out and back to Dallas.  On Saturday night we had a friend's 30th birfday party at this FUN place called the Meddlesome Moth.  And can I just tell you what MADE my night?  Our friend's sister (Ame) made up the menu of drinks that were being offered at the party and there was a NON-ALKIE DRINK LIST!  As in not water.  Or juice.  Or Sprite.  But drinks that actually made me feel like a grown up too!  I spent my evening sipping on Basil Lime Coolers which pretty much tasted like an awesome Mojito.  It's the little things that make your day when you're 27 1/2 weeks pregnant folks.  AND, drum roll please, I TOOK PICTURES!!!  So here are a few pics of our night ...

{My MOH & I}

{Girls group shot.  From L to R, Ame, Hilary, Amanda, MOH, me and the birfday girl, Jessie}

{Me n' the baby daddy.}

{Boys shot.  L to R, Greg, Aaron, Hootie (i.e. Chris, the birfday girl's Mister) and the Mister}

{The Mister & I with a bobble-head Hootie, let's try that again ...}

{That's better.}

And can I go ahead and toot my own horn a bit?  Cause I'm gonna.  A lot of these pictures were taken AFTER we got kicked out of the main party room because another party was coming in after us and AFTER a lot of other people had gone HOME!  Yep, preggers was out 'til 12:45 on Saturday night.  I will say one thing, it really is amusing to watch people get tipsy'er and tipsy'er as the evening goes on while you're still stone cold sober.  ESPECIALLY this group that came in after us to the little party area of the bar that we were at at the beginning of the night.  I've never seen so many cougars in my life, mixed in with skeezy older men with their hair all slicked back, wearing clothes that they probably took out of their sons closets, far and I mean FAR too much cologne and about 2 years too much extra time racked up in the tanning bed (We need a name we can call these guys like the one they gave cougars ... how about hienas?  That sounds fitting ...) and then there were the random girls that looked about my age or younger that were so drunk I'm not sure they knew what party they were stumbling into ... It was quite the people watching event to say the very least, but had a LOT of fun.

Sunday we woke up for early church (it's amazing how easy you can do that when you haven't had a few cocktails the night before) and then went to breakfast afterwards.  I officially ate my face off yesterday (between pancakes for breakfast - I hadn't had them in YEARS so I decided to splurge - and pizza for dinner, baby boy and I were CARBED OUT by last night) so today I MAY need to get out and get some excercise (smile).  That's all from me today, I'm babysitting a friend's darling 2 year old today so wish me luck!  It should be really easy, she's pretty much one of the cutest little girls ever, PLUS Pam told me it's right during her nap time when I'll be getting there.  Either way, we'll have a great time playing and being girly.  I can do that til the cows come home.  See y'all tomorrow!!!

Time for You - 28.08.2010

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It's that time again.  Time to tell us how you've made Time for You this week.  And if you weren't able to, tell us why.  We will be your support system!

Link up with us - Untypically Jia and The Girly Tomboy - as we make ourselves a priority for at least the fraction of each week to take care of ourselves and come one (no matter how tiny) step to meet our goals. 

Grab the 'Time for You' button and place it in your post or on your sidebar.
Blog about the steps you are taking to make yourself a priority and take care of yourself, and link that post. (Only link up the individual post. No links to your main blog, giveaways or other posts. Links will be monitored.)
Once you've linked up, click on as many other links as you'd like and offer your support to fellow bloggers who are taking time for themselves. Leave thoughtful comments, offer support and advice, follow their blogs and build friendships. We're in this journey together!

This is all about improving your life and taking time for you! It's not just about fitness or weight loss. Blog about how you're going to try and quit smoking. About how you're preparing to run a 5k marathon. Blog about your desire and steps your taking to overcome depression. Blog about your journey to lose weight or your plans to get pregnant.

One blogger from each week will be randomly selected and featured the following week.  Want to be featured? Then you have to participate!  I know, we haven't picked  a blog to feature yet, but starting next week we will include anyone in the last three linkups.

So take some Time for You, dish, and then link up and join the fun! 

Health and Fitness 3 - Indoor Cycling

I started cycling this week, after a 2 year absence.  And two things are clear.  First, I am way out of shape.  And second, my crotch is not as used to the bike seat as it used to be.  So I started with 25 minutes per day at an aerobic intensity, but took a day off yesterday to give my crotch a rest.

At this point, it's so easy to get discouraged by my lack of bike conditioning.  I used to teach at least 5 spinning classes per week.  I had no issues being on the bike for longer periods of time, both in comfort and fitness level.  And now there are issues.  That discouragement can easily translate to giving up.  Surprisingly, what has gotten me on that bike every day is the music.  I blasted some of my old spinning music while I worked out and it helped motivate me, get me going, and distract me from any discomfort.  The first day I tried playing a movie while working out, and after that I switched to music.  The music was much better.  Much more motivating, and much more energizing!

So whether you're on a bike, treadmill, elliptical, or any other gym cardio toy, skip the daily news or crappy daytime tv, and pump up the volume on your favorite tunes.

And if you have a few moments, let me know in the comments what music inspires you or pumps you up.  What do you like to workout to?

BIG Baby Boy!

HOORAY!  It's FRIDAY!!!  Are y'all as excited as I am?  Because I am.  Today the Mister and I are going to be in Waco to visit some friends and I'm SO excited!  Since I lived in Waco (when I at Baylor) it almost feels like a 2nd home when I'm there so I'm excited to visit some of our old stomping grounds!  Two being Spice (AH-MAZING little boutique full of baby clothes, gift ideas and cuteness GALORE, let's just say a good portion of moolah was spent here the months I lived in Waco, I think my mom wisened up and realized that Spice wasn't a fancy grocery store or place to buy seasonings for various types of cooking) and Ninfas!  Unfortunately I won't be able to indulge in a Ninfarita while we're there, but you bet your fanny I'll make up for it the next visit!  Assuming it's AFTER Caleb gets here that is ...

Speaking of Caleb.  We had our sono yesterday and they said everything is looking wonderful.  He is measuring a week ahead of schedule (no WONDER I've felt huge!) however they don't officially change my due date until we get closer to time for him to make his grand entrance.  I did the glucose test but probably won't get my results back for about a week, I hope I passed!  I'll let y'all know when I find out.  Here are some pictures we got of our little man today ...

{Sweet sweet profile.  I could just kiss that nose!  If it wasn't inside my uterus that is ...}

{And here's a front picture of his sweet face.  I can't wait to meet him SO soon!}

{And just to be sure ... yep, still 100% baby boy!}

Our next sono won't be until he's 36 weeks which will be the last one!  Then we'll be meeting him face to sweet little face.  I can't WAIT for the day!!!

And also speaking of yesterday, can I just say that the pregnancy massage was AMAZING?!?!  Really.  Exactly what the doctor ordered.  Especially when she was massaging my feet.  I'm pretty sure I proopsed marriage to her.  A few times.

THANK YOU MOMMA!!!  It was such an incredible treat!!!

And last but not least, I returned home after my day of spa'ing and seeing our little one via sonogram to find a package on my front doorstep!  I love love LOVE getting any kind of mail, ESPECIALLY ones that come in packages!!!  The following is what I found inside ...

 

From none other than the incredibly darling miss Aly (and Lucy of course) of Analyze This!  Aly and I have this common obsession love of our dogs and we've pretty much decided that Lucy and Koda would make the prettiest babies (if both their boy and girl parts were still "in working condition") and be married if they lived closer than a billion miles apart from each other.  She was SO sweet to email me and tell me a little something was coming my way for Koda, myself and baby Fulmer and was I EVER pleased!  And let me tell you was KODA!?!?!  See that tennis ball up there?  Well it has a squeaker in it.  What does Koda love more than anything in the world?  Tennis balls.  Put a squeaker in it?  Tennis ball nirvana.  He's been squeaking ever since I opened the package (however he took a break long enough to eat a cookie or two) however in between squeaks he's confessed his love for Lucy and told me to tell his hypothetical mother in law RANK ROU RO MURCH!!!  Um and did I mention the stationary?  How CUTE is that!?!?  Just in time for writing thank you's for my upcoming showers.  So not that I can say it enough, but THANK YOU sweet Aly!!!  You made mine, Koda's and little man's day!!!

And that's it from me loves, by the time you read this we'll be headin' "Southbound 35" (and if you can name that song/singer you get a cookie, but not one of Koda's he wanted me to tell you ...) to Waco!  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Thoughtless Thursday: First Shower!

Morning glories!  It's Thursday and you know what THAT means (besides the fact that it's the day of our 7 month appointment and SONOGRAM, woot!) ... it's time for ...

And today's TT is going to focus on two things.  The fact that my first shower has been planned and the AMAZINGNESS that is my Silly (sister-in-law) who MADE my invitations!  As in her major at Baylor was graphic design and she pretty much put the whole design together.  She's also happens to be helping throw the shower along with some of my other amazing girlfriends.  I am SO honored to be celebrating Caleb in what I can only imagine (given the group of girls throwing the shower) is going to be an amazing day!  I can't wait!  But what I wanted to show you is the invitation.  Like I said before, my Silly made it.

AMAZING is it not?  I don't know if y'all remember the bedding for the nursery but this invite is pretty much his nursery colors rolled into an invitation!  I whited some personal info out like addresses and registry places but wanted to make sure I shared my Silly's amazing talent with y'all!  She did our Christmas cards last year and does all kinds of announcements, invitations and like I said, Christmas cards which (I'm so excited to be saying this) will be needing to be ordered here soon!  So please feel FREE to visit her website http://www.pinkdoordesign.com/ and use her for your Christmas card needs, inviation needs or anything else you find on her site that tickles your fancy!

Last but not least, the following is what my Mister (after some subtle hinting) brought me home after work on Tuesday night.  There is a place downtown called The Cupcakery that has de-LISH cupcakes.  This one was red velvet before I eated it ...

{Mmmmmm.  Me likey.  Good Mister, GOOD MISTER!}

And that's it for my TT ladies!  Now, grab my button, post any random pictures you feel like.  Tell about them or don't and come back here and McStinky up!  Happy almost Friday loves!!!

27 Weeks!

Okay, so I'm going to do the laziest. thing. ever. today.  And that's not post any bumpdates.  BUT BUT BUT (I can hear the snarls and knashing of teeth now) I AM going to post a bump PIC!  Sometimes that's even better, right?  I just figured I rambled enough for two days yesterday that today I would just make short and sweet and I'm being insanely lazy and should've gotten off the couch about an hour before I actually did this morning.

So here you go, 27 weeks in my pregnancy uniform (i.e. hat & pigtails) ...

{BTW, that shirt came from Forever 21.  It was on sale for $6.99.  And I'm pretty sure I've worn the HECK outta that $6.99 since I think I've worn it at least 7 times since I bought it.  Last week.  What?  It's SO comfortable!}

And that's it from me today loves!  Tomorrow is our 7 month (a bit early) appointment and I'm SO excited we get to see little bit's face tomorrow!  I also have to have the glucose testing so everyone please pray that I don't test positive for gestational diabetes.  I've heard it totally has to do with how you eat when you're preggers but I have friends of all shapes and sizes that SHOULD have it that didn't and that SHOULDN'T have it but did.  Also, last but not least, I am SO pumped because my mom surprised me yesterday with a pregnancy massage!!!  I go tomorrow morning with her and my Mamaw to have 45 minutes of HEAVEN!  They are each getting regualr treatments of course, but we're making a girl day of it!  I will let y'all know how it was, and shoot maybe even take some pictures of our lovely spa day!  Happy Wednesday loverlies!!! 

Nada, Zilch, Nuttin'.

Well, it's one of those days.  Days where I have nothing and I mean NUTTIN' to talk about.  Which usually makes for a post that's about a novel's length, so you may want to refill your coffee, diet coke, stock up on necessities and maybe even visit the little girl's room before you start reading this post.  SINCE I have a fat load of nothing to talk about today I thought I'd tell y'all about a few things that have seemed funny or maybe even bothered me lately.  First off, my "What to Expect" updates that I get in email and iPhone app form decides to deliver this lovely tidbit a day or two ago ...

"Starting around now, nearly three-quarters of pregnant women begin to experience mild swelling of the feet and ankles. Called edema, such swelling occurs when fluids accumulate in your body tissues as a result of increased blood flow."

Now let me backtrack by saying that these "What to Expect" updates are super hit or miss with me.  They can send me symptom after symptom that I MAY be having and I won't have a single one, HOWEVER, sometimes they'll send me an update and I SWEAR I don't have this symptom until I read it and then BAM, heartburn and naseau.  Or BAM, pounding headaches.  I'm serious, it's like it happens the minute I'm reading it.  So back to the edema, this was a "BAM, cankles and swelling" kind of experience for me when I read this email a few days ago.  I literally looked down and my feet had suddenly grown two sizes giving me the ability to buy shoe sizes they only wear in the NBA.  So, I figure SURELY they'll tell me how to relieve it, and read on.  Only to get this advice ...

"To spell swell relief, avoid sitting or standing for a long time."

Avoid sitting.  And standing.  HUH?  Now pardon my ignorance but does this stump anyone else?  What is my alternative?  Standing on my head?  Limbo'ing?  Back stroking across the floor?  Doing the Pee Wee Herman Tequila dance across my kitchen countertops? 

Way to confuse me "What to Expect" ... thanks for that.  Also, I thought you spelled swell relief s-w-e-l-l-r-e-l-i-e-f.  But I could be wrong ...

This is about how I feel.  (Sidenote, I THINK that's a Garbage Pail Kid!  Does anyone remember them?  You could buy their cards (almost like baseball cards but so not) at 7-11 and my brother and I used to BEG our mom to let us get some everytime we passed a 7-11)

Which brings me to another point.  The heat.  It's a good thing I have all my family and most of my friends in the DFW Metroplex because if I didn't it's possible I'd want to move every summer.  Even now I frequently say "Why do we live here again?"  Holy sweating cankles.  I know.  Sorry.  That's gross.  TMI.  But I can't EXPLAIN to y'all (that aren't pregnant, the ones that are don't need to be explained to) how much I am SICK of sweating ALL THE DADGUM TIME!  I'm not kidding.  I sweat non-stop.  Inside, outside, in the shower.  It doesn't matter.  Oh and did I mention I found out that baby boys make their mommas about 10 degrees WARMER than baby girls?  Cause they do.  Go figure.  Half the time I don't even know why I shower anymore because about 5 minutes into the getting ready process I start to sweat more than the Biggest Loser contestants during their 5 hour workouts!  And sweating when you're all dressed and full makeup'ed just isn't cute. 

Not even he can make that look good ...

HOWEVER, we do have some relief on the horizon.  APPARENTLY (I'll believe this when I see it because I'm convinced that most weather forecasters just google "my daily weather horoscope" and report whatever they get the news) it's supposed to be 93 for the HIGH tomorrow!  WHAT?  No triple digits?  I'm not sure we'll know what to do with ourselves?!?!  That's about 10 degrees (roughly, probably closer to 12) lower than it's been for, oh I don't know, say the last month?  Possibly 2?  All I have to say is BRING ON THE FALL BABY!  I'm ready.  Me, my decorations, my boots and leggings (and giant tent-like tops that I have yet to buy) and my fall-scented candles.  All ready for your beautimous cool air to grace us with your prescence. 

That's pretty much all the whining blabbing I'm going to do today ladies.  Thanks for hanging in there and listening to my ramblings!  I hope your Tuesdays are terrific, I'll see you tomorrow for some 27 week Bumpdates!

Weekend & CSN Review!

Morning glories!  I hope y'all had wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable weekends!  Mine was full of encouraging, faith building women that included speakers, dramatic interpretations and musical artists at the Women of Faith conference!  This is my 6th year in a row to attend the conference and it was just as good this year as it has been every other year.  If you've never been to a Women of Faith conference and they ever visit anywhere close to where you live I encourage you, STRONGLY, to go.  It is life-changing.  I promise.  Plus it's girl power like you've never experienced.  I pity every single man that had to work that event at the American Airlines Center.  They are brave souls.  On TOP of how great the conference was, I got to go with my BEST friend and favorite woman on the planet, my MOMMA!  The Mister hooked us up with an awesome hotel downtown so we didn't have to drive back and forth (the conference starts on Friday night and then continues the next day) so here is where we stayed on Friday night ...

In a room that looked JUST like this (we may have messed the room up too quickly for me to take a picture), except with two queen beds.  Have you seen this belly?  It was better for me to have my own bed along with my own pillows.

We were on the executive floor which included a concierge room with free snacks (Every pregnant gal loves that!) and non-alkie drinks (Every pregnant gal loves THAT too!  Although I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to joining my momma in her glass of wine next year ...).  WOF just happened to be during the same week as restaurant week in Dallas so my mom and I made reservations at one of the restaurants downtown to eat before the first night's session started.  We went to Nobu at the Crescent and had some FANTASTIC sushi (don't worry, I only eat cooked rolls) and DELISH Japanese dessert before we headed over to the AAC.

{My momma and her linebacker daughter at dinner.  Look at them SHOULDERS!}

{In our seats at the conference the first night.}

{This isn't very clear, but can we talk about how EXCITED I was to see that Natalie Grant, only one of my favorite Christian artists EVER, is preggo at the same time as me and due in December with her THIRD little girl!?!?  I totally see an arranged marriage happening here, I mean look how GORGEOUS momma is!  Not to mention the girl can SING!  Coming from a family that loves Jesus is always a plus too, duh Kate.}

{Can you see her little baby bump?  How cute is she ...}

{I mean really.  I have a little girl crush on this chick.}

After the first night was over, we went back to the hotel, crashed and then woke up the next morning to head back to the AAC, after getting our Starbucks crack fix of course.  It all started for me with my momma.  She's the one to blame.

{Pardon my extra chins.  I don't remember packing those?}

And that's the only pic I took on Saturday.  Makes sense, the day we have a longer period of time, I take one.  The day we have 2 hours?  I take 25.  Go figure.  All in all my momma and I had a GREAT time, got some great books and music to take with us, and will DEFINATELY be making this a momma/daughter tradition.  I guess next year Caleb will have to stay home with daddy.  Hee.  Oh, and sidenote - two ladies at the conference told me I was a cute preggo.  Take THAT random rude ladies that told me I was huge!  I think my two kind, though possibly lying ladies this weekend cancel out your comments from last week.  BOOYAH!

After the conference was over I went home to spend some time with my Mister.  We ordered pizza (yum) and watched Book of Eli.  Has anyone ever seen this?  I'm not really sure what I thought of it.  We went to bed after that and did the church/lunch/home thing yesterday.  A relaxing weekend is always a good weekend.

Now, onto my CSN Product Review!  Now, if you haven't hopped over and visited CSN Stores yet, you should.  They have everything from dining room furniture to baby furniture to bistro sets.  But that's not all, they even have shoes, baby clothes, gift items and TONS more to choose from!  What am I going to review?  I'm thinking a cute pair of boots.  But don't hold me to that, first I must spend hours upon hours browsing over the millions of possibilities of items that I COULD review.  Online shopping is the best.  You don't have to deal with crowds, you don't have to park, shoot you don't even have to put on clothes (although when you're close to 7 months pregnant I highly recommend it, even if it IS just for your dog's sake) and you can shop til your fingers drop.  I'll let y'all know what I choose and how UNBELIEVABLY much I love it (because CSN has never let me down before) as soon as I make a decision ...

Off to online shop away!  Happy Monday loves!  OH and did I mention this Thursday we have another sono?  I can't WAIT to have new pictures to show y'all of our sweet boy!!!

OMGosh!

It has been too long, I know. I was really thinking lately about going forward as a blogger in a sea of bloggers that all want to be a celeb or something..... I came at a conclusion recently: I will continue. I am at a point in my life where I rather share it so others can relate to it and know that they are not alone in their walk.

I have had the pleasure of fellowshipping with NYU's Set Apart Ministry for the past 3 months and have to say that I've been blessed. I'm so sad that it has come to an end, but I have been blessed with wonderful and crazy friends.

Update: I am still sticking to my single for 1 year decision; believe me it has NOT been easy. The fun part is telling people that you actually want to be single and watch their reaction, lol. There are days when I miss being in a relationship but I rather enjoy my season of singleness now so I can appreciate my next season when it comes.

P.S.- Scott Pilgrim .vs. the World is an awesome movie! I am so getting the DVD when it comes out!

Time for You 21.08.2010

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It's that time again.  Time to tell us how you've made Time for You this week.  And if you weren't able to, tell us why.  We will be your support system!

Link up with us - Untypically Jia and The Girly Tomboy - as we make ourselves a priority for at least the fraction of each week to take care of ourselves and come one (no matter how tiny) step to meet our goals. 

Grab the 'Time for You' button and place it in your post or on your sidebar.
Blog about the steps you are taking to make yourself a priority and take care of yourself, and link that post. (Only link up the individual post. No links to your main blog, giveaways or other posts. Links will be monitored.)
Once you've linked up, click on as many other links as you'd like and offer your support to fellow bloggers who are taking time for themselves. Leave thoughtful comments, offer support and advice, follow their blogs and build friendships. We're in this journey together!

This is all about improving your life and taking time for you! It's not just about fitness or weight loss. Blog about how you're going to try and quit smoking. About how you're preparing to run a 5k marathon. Blog about your desire and steps your taking to overcome depression. Blog about your journey to lose weight or your plans to get pregnant.

One blogger from each week will be randomly selected and featured the following week.  Want to be featured? Then you have to participate!

So take some Time for You, dish, and then link up and join the fun! 

Health and Fitness 2 - Getting the Routine Started

Like many things, it's hard to start an exercise routine.  Once we start, and get in the groove, it becomes automatic.  We don't have to plan it anymore.  Just like we don't plan getting dressed, or brushing our teeth, or taking a shower.  It's automatic.  Wake up, shower, brush teeth, get dressed.  No planning required.  No notation in our agenda that says Wednesday, 7am, get dressed.  But starting a new routine is something else.  We have to think about it.  We have to plan.  We have to shift our schedule.  And let's face it, we have to shift our priorities.

That's where I'm starting.  At the beginning.  Putting regular exercise back into my daily routine.  On top of my daily walks with the dogs, I'm starting with 30 minutes per day of aerobic exercise - 70% max heart rate (more on this later).  I'm telling you so that I'm accountable.

I got this sexy looking CycleOps indoor bike to help me on my way.  It's beautiful.  And more importantly, it feels just like a real bike - without the rain, snow, heat, cold, or crazy motorists.  I love cycling.  I am not a runner.  Not even a little bit.  But cycling is awesome.  I have dreamed of having my very own bike for a long time.  Such a time saver.  Just hop on, work out, and you're done.  No driving to the gym, waiting for a machine to open up, then having to drive home again.  So much easier and faster when you've got something at home.  Once I get this routine down, I'll add longer rides.  Then I'll add resistance training.  But for now, it's 30 minutes per day.  I've got to start somewhere.

What have you been up to this week?  How have you made Time for You?

Pregnancy Brain ...

HI friends!  It'sssss FRIDAY, it's FRIDAY, I LOVE ya, it's FRIDAY, you're only no days aw-ay, itt'ssss FRIDAY ... well you get the idea.  It's the weekend, woot woot!  I know, I know you're thinking "psshhhhh whatev Katie, everyday's a weekend for you miss SAHW" which you'd be right, BUT it's not everyday that I get to spend it with the Mister.  THAT'S why I like weekends!

Moving right along to the neverending pregnancy brain, remember how I told you I had WONDERFUL surprise visitors last weekend?  Well, one of my bestest's was driving through Dallas on her way to Austin to visit her rents and I was LUCKY enough to get to have her crew stay with little ole ME!  We laughed, we cried, we SQUEEE'ED and girly danced.  We kissed new babies, rubbed baby bellies, introduced our pups and talked about all the horrors and WONDERS of labor and delivery.  But what did we NOT do?  Well take a dadgum picture that's what!  Um, SERIOUSLY?  We're both bloggers!  How did we NOT take a picture of the fact that I was meeting sweet baby Harper for the first time?  Or the fact that we see each other once a year (this year twice, yipee!)?  Or the fact that Koda tried to take advantage of sweet Hurley (their female boxer) even though he doesn't have to goods to?  Maybe because she was beating him up with her boxing skills and he needed to show her what a "man" he was.  Speaking of, have y'all ever seen a boxer box?  It might be one of the funniest things I've ever seen.  They rear up on the back legs and "box" with their front paws.  Again, wish I had taken a picture because the look of "What tha H are you doing?" on Koda's face was priceless.  Anyways, back to the fact that the two mommas have lost their minds, THANKFULLY Linds had a brilliant idea.  If we can't (i.e. FORGOT TO) take pictures together, we can do the next best thing ...

{Oh so very happy about my surprise guests!}

{Oh so very unhappy when I realize they're not here to be in my picture ...}

{Koda's sad too because he misses his girlfriend Hurley.  What's that?  He looks sweepy?  No, no he's sad, he said "mum, i's sadz cuz dat boksur lef an' she tuks mah hart wif her"}

And yes I took those pictures the same day I took yesterday's pictures.  I had someone DO my hair people!  It's not everyday your hair looks that good.  You've got to work with what you got.  Right?  Right.  So moving right along, head on over to Team Us and check out Linds's similiar post.  Come back to Texas SOON LBT, we miss you!  Plus, Caleb needs to meet his wife from his future arranged marriage future bride when he gets here!

That's all from me today loves.  Happy HAPPY weekend!  I hope y'all have a great one!

Thoughtless Thursday!

I know!  It's about dang time right?  How do I miss my OWN aliteration day several weeks in a row?!?!  Well, my sweet readers, I'm back on track this week and ready to get my Thoughtless Thursday on.  Sidenote:  I had to retype that several times because "I'm ready to get my Thoughtlessness on." just sounded like I was ready to be mean and "I'm ready to get my TT on." just sounded ... well ... eww.  SO, without FURTHER further adieu let's all play ...

{For those of you that are new followers, first of all WELCOME!  I'm so happy to have you and honored that you think my little life is worth reading about!  Second, Thoughtless Thursday is pretty much what it sounds.  Thoughtless.  You basically choose any picture(s) from ANY time and either explain or don't, your choice!  It's basically an excuse to post pictures about anything random that you'd like to share with your readers and have an excuse to do so!  Then grab my button and come back here and link up so we can all see the pictures you chose!  Pretty easy eh?}

{This picture was taken yesterday right after I got my hair did!  I LOVE the high/low lights that my awesome stylist, Erin, did for me but on TOP of that she taught me how to curl with my Chi!  This picture is the result of her fabulous doing but you better bet I'm going to practice and try it on my own the next time I straighten my hair!  Don't worry, I'll keep it away from my neck ...}

{I figured, since I was already taking pictures "self portrait style" (i.e. the Mister was at a work dinner event) I might as well go ahead and snap a 26 week shot since a few of you asked yesterday so here you go!  26 weeks!}

And SPEAKING of my 26 week belly, today I had not one, but TWO women say to me "Oh honey, you look like you're about ready to pop, when are you due?" to which I replied "Oh, I have at least 2 1/2 months left." to which THEIR (and yes I can say this because they pretty much had the same reaction) eyes flew open (think cartoon-esque) and jaws dropped to the ground replying "Are you SERIOUS?  You're HUGE!"  Thanks.  Thanks a lot.  I then fought every urge to say "Well, you're ugly and your momma dresses you funny!  Na nee na nee boo boo!" and just went with the uncomfortable laugh and said "Thanks?"  At least they followed it up with "Aww, but you're so cute pregnant, you're ALL belly!"  Nice try ladies, nice try.

Okay loverlies, your turn!  Grab my button and go post your pics and then come back here and link up.  I can't wait to see what y'all picked!!!

Lush Massage Bars as Moisturizer

I went to into Lush today looking for a body moisturizer.  My main criteria were scent (of course!) and that it not be sticky.  After testing some of the moisturizing creams in the Lush line, the sales associate asked me if I ever used the massage bars as moisturizers.  WHAT?

I love the massage bars, and have used them on my legs in the super dry Arizona winter.  But now that I'm in a more humid climate, the massage bars are just way too greasy.

But not when you use them when you're still wet!  That's right ladies, rub that lovely smelling cocoa butter goodness in your hands when they're damp and warm from your shower to melt the bar, and rub into your damp skin - like butta baby!   A very rich moisturizer, that's not sticky.  My favorites are Strawberry Feels Forever (smells like strawberry milkshake), Mange Too (white chocolate and honey), and Heavanilly (vanilla deliciousness). 

26 Week BUMPDATES!

That's right sunshines.  It's back.  I know you've been waiting in utter anticipation.  And I also hope y'all can detect sarcasm when a sentence is dripping with it.  Because the previous one needs a napkin it's so drippy.  However, I DO do (hee hee) these for my own memory's sake since I'm losing more of it every day I've heard that with each pregnancy a part of your brain disappears when the baby is born.  Let's just hope y'all enjoy them as much as I'll enjoy reading them a few months after Caleb's born.  So here goes ...

When are you due:  I think y'all know this but November 24th.

How many weeks?:  26 TODAY!  Time for the "V" diagram, you know you missed it ...

{He's starting to look pretty smooshed up in there ... and thank goodness the jelly fish that was floating around in the other pictures turned out to be a umbilical cord.  Phew.}

Was this planned or unplanned:  Planned.  Only 2 months of planning, but planned.

How much weight gained:  Um, last time I checked I was at 20 lbs.  But it's been about 3 weeks since then so who knows ...

Is this your first pregnancy?:  Sure is!  Can't you tell from the baby and pregnancy info explosion all over my blog?

Latest food craving:  Blue Coconut slushies at Sonic.  I'm not sure if they're a craving or something I just really want every day, but either way I'm using it as an excuse to get one.

{Mmmmm.  Is it too early to get one now?  Maybe so.  And no those aren't my fries, I found this on google.  I'm a good girl and ONLY get the slush, even IF my head is screaming "get some tots, GET SOME TOTS!!!"  I try not to yell back.  It frightens the kids on skates ...}

Your top two name choices or baby's name:  Well they were Noah and Caleb, but as you've read, Caleb it is!

Worst Thing about being pregnant:  The akwardness of getting used to the weight gain thing ... and not being able to wear normal pants.  Don't get me wrong, the full panel is glorious and OH so comfy, but oh how I miss Nike running shorts, espeically in this heat ...

Best Thing about being pregnant:  Feeling my sweet boy move and wiggle around in my belly.  It's the coolest feeling in the world.  And being treated like you're a princess.  I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to do things for myself and complete strangers don't treat me like I'm a queen after baby boy gets here?

The first person you told was:  The Mister of course!

Are you more scared or excited:  A mixture of both, but the excited out weighs the scared.  Most of the time.  Until I start thinking of pushing something the size of a watermelon out of my youknowwhat and then the scared SHOVES the excited to the back burner.

Happy or mostly moody:  Happy.  The moody-ness is few and far between and usually (lucky for everyone else) happens when I'm by myself.

Last time you cried over something ridiculous was:  Oh goodness.  Every day.  Usually having to do with either a) animals or b) watching some baby show on The Discovery Channel.

You pee an estimated __ times a day?:  Not an astounding amount.  Now ask me this question when it comes to the night.  That's when the tinkle train REALLY pulls out of the station.

Weirdest dream you've had since pregnant?:  I really can't nail one down.  Last night I dreamt that I was some sort of Harry Potter-ish type of person, and so were all of my friends and we were fighthing whoever the bad guy was and when he showed up our house filled with water and we had to rescue all the animals we had saved (because they weren't magic like us) by letting them swim out the windows and letting them go, however Koda was there and I was crying that I couldn't leave him all alone and we had to keep him somehow.  Yeah, I don't know.  But the newborn baby, with the teeth, that talked to me, that I had to breastfeed probably takes the cake.

{Yep.  That's about right ...}

Will you breast feed:  I'm going to try my darndest!  I hear it's really hard, but I'm determined NOT to give up!

Words of wisdom:  As I've pretty much lost my mind at this point, I'm not sure I should be giving out and "pearls" of wisdom, see below for an explanation ...

So that's it for the Bumpdates, but there is ONE more story that I forgot to tell you about our vacay the week before last.  Since the Mister was going out of town straight from Michigan we had to take some creative measures in getting everyone to the airport.  Koda had to be dropped off at his Memaw & Pepaw's house, we had to have a car at the airport for the Mister to drive home once he got back from Orlando and my brother and Silly needed a ride as well.  SO, what we came up with, was my driving the Mister's truck to the airport, stopping on the way to pick up my brother and Silly and the Mister dropping Koda off at his parent's house and them taking him to the airport where we'd all meet up.  So the Mister had several instructions for me (as I usually travel with him and don't really pay attention to much of anything) and one of them included the parking part.  We were to park in the South lot, then take the shuttle to the terminal and make sure I got a ticket and remember where I'd left his car.  So, as I'm sitting down in the shuttle, UBER proud of myself for getting my brother and sister-in-law, getting to the airport on time, finding a spot and getting us on the bus, the driver says "Um miss, your car?"  to which I look over at and find that it's lights are on, still running.  Why?  Well because I'd left it on.  With the keys in it.  So the guy hops out, takes out the keys, locks the truck and hands them to me.  And that's when I looked at my brother and Silly and said "I offically have lost my brain to pregnancy."  Therefore, the reason I'm not offering up pearls of wisdom in the "words of wisdom" section of the Bumpdates.

And that's all from me today loverlies!!!  Make it a wonderful Wednesday, we're half way to the weekend!!!

I Think I've Created A Monster ...

A big, white, furry, 80 lb one to be exact.  You see, when the Mister's out of town Koda gets to sleep in bed with me.  He KNOWS that when daddy's home, he sleeps in his own bed.  He won't even attempt trying with those brown puppy dog eyes to coerce us into letting him into bed.  And by us I mean the Mister.  Well yesterday, while I was being an awesome housewife cleaning, I returned to our bedroom to find the following ...

... I think someone's a little spoiled.  Hopefully I'm a little less of a pushover with Caleb.  We'll see how that works out ...