A day when I get to leave the office early for any reason is a good day. A day when I get to leave early to go see pictures of my un-born niece- that's a fabulous day! Last Thursday, my sister and brother-in-law invited the grandparents and siblings to their 4D ultrasound. My parents, his parents, and I gathered at Invision Ultrasound in Fresno to have a peek at what Addison looks like right now.
It was incredible! Incredible. The image started off as a grainy 2D black and white, and with the click of a button, Addison's face was a clear as day! A collective gasp filled the room and I lost it when my brother-in-law started brushing tears off of his cheeks.
Some people are a little iffy about seeing their child's face that clearly before she is born; I used to think it was kinda weird, too. But, now that I've seen her, seen how complete she looks and how perfect her little features are, it feels so much more real to me. This little perfect being is growing inside my sister! What a tremendous gift!
She was in a great position- and very active- the whole time. She has my mom's nose. At one point she started to turn away, so the tech told my sister to loudly slap the other side of her tummy. Addison was apparently irritated by this, and as you can see from the second picture in from the right, she frowned at it! Definitely her mother's daughter. Those pouty lips are gonna mean trouble for daddy, too!
If you could kiss anyone under the mistletoe, who would it be?
Sincerely, the only individual I have any desire to kiss is my wonder husband, who is a top-notch kisser and as amazing and supportive and perfect for me as he is a bearded odd-ball:
The beard started in November- I mean, Novembeard- and for some reason stuck around. I dig it, though. He looks Ukrainian.
You'd think after almost a week of pilates, I'd be a little more sore. I have not experienced DOMS really at all except for the first time I did it; maybe I'm doing it wrong. I'm trying to really focus on muscle groups and using my core and doing that whole pull your belly button to the spine thing...
Belly button. What a fun title! That's gotta be the happiest body part because it has the cutest name.
I've been pretty consistent with massive cardio and Winsor pilates lately. Maybe it isn't enough, but I feel better about myself because I'm actually doing something!
My goal: to be comfortable in a bikini in public by July. Hell, even in a modest 1-piece! :-) And you know what? I think I might actually achieve it.
December hates diets. Not that I'm actually on one, but making healthy decisions is especially challenging when there are See's candies and homemade fudge and cookies and gingerbread and hot chocolate around. Working in this office is contributing to my girth. I've gained 2 pant sizes since I started working here.
I'm jogging an extra mile tonight.
I am shocked and pleased to find that I am now able to jog for upwards of five minutes or so on the treadmill consistently. Previously, I've felt like collapsing and dying after about 30 seconds of jogging.
I have not been going to the gym consistently enough to make a difference in anything, really, but I did take the jogging pace down a mere click or two so that I can get used to jogging at length, and I'm shocked at the stamina I have. Being able to withstand the exercise for a longer time makes me look forward to it more than dread it; it is less torturous. Last week while Chris was at bowling league, I went to the gym for cardio, and because Grey's Anatomy was on back-to-back on some girly station (how I miss cable television!) I ended up staying for over an hour and a half watching it while I jogged/walked. I was sweaty and ragged by the end, but I felt so good about myself. I jog for about as long as I can handle it, then slow the pace to walking to catch my breath, then bump it right back up to a pretty intense walk so that my heart rate never drops back to a resting rate. After a minute I try jogging again and do it all over.
Cario, bay-bee!
My biggest motivator is my waist line, which gets pumped out and expands each year I get older like damn bicycle tire being inflated.
Last night I followed my cardio with the Winsor Pilates DVD's my mom loaned me. Mari Winsor tried to kill me, but today my core feels the victory. I keep reading these testimonials of women who lost like 5 pant sizes in 10 weeks by doing them daily. I seriously, seriously doubt that this is possible, but hell- if I can make myself exercise consistently for 10 weeks, I'll be proud of myself no matter what happens.
On Monday nights I attend classes for The Bradley Method with my sister. She has asked me to be her co-coach at her birth.
This is incredibly exciting to me for a multitude of reasons, but mainly because this is my sister, and because it will be my first live birth as a doula-in-training.
I'm overjoyed. I am also finding that my education in anatomy and childbirth really comes in handy for this class, and I'm enjoying it on a different level.
I was first introduced to The Bradley Method by my neighbor maura_ea here on Vox as she prepared for the birth of her daughter earlier this year. I was pleased- and shocked- when my high-maintenance big sis started talking- and quite passionately- about natural childbirth, and was tickled when she decided on Bradley Method for her childbirth classes. More than likely I will get to use this class towards my DONA certification.
Her husband- my brother in nearly all respects, really- had an unfortunate change in work schedule that will no longer allow him to attend the classes with us. As a deputy of the sherriff's department, he really doesn't get a choice. We're all sad about it. But I'm glad my sister will have someone there who loves and supports her that will also be there for the birth.
Also, taking this class makes me want to get pregnant. I can't wait for the day that I have empowering experience of giving birth.
But I will wait awhile longer, because I get to be an auntie first!
The only thing that goes better with coffee that biscotti is a rainy day and a fuzzy purring cat. On Thursday it started raining in the San Joaquin Valley and it continues today. This is a steady rain that beckons for cold-weather comforts like mugs of hot tea and coffee, homemade soup and bread, and perhaps the indulgence of a glass or four of fine red wine.
Today I feel at home. Silly, silly how often I speak of home and making my place in the small space I have been blessed with, but it took awhile for my apartment to feel as right as my heart desires. Maybe I've just finally find the right balance, or possibly I've just been growing up and realize that "home" is simply the place where I can be married and fed and rested, but today just sitting back here in our office- which is finally as tidy and organized and inspiring as I wanted my creative space to be- surrounded by the sound of beautiful rain and glimmering holiday lights and candles feels like a cozy memory of a time impossibly long ago that has been blurred into perfection.
This apartment complex has an annual holiday potluck in the recreation facility. Last Thursday dozens of residents brought out their holiday dishes and took time to mingle, eat, and get to know their neighbors. It was charming and really felt in-the-spirit of the season. I met some lovely families.
Last night was my office holiday dinner. Our party was much larger than it was last year! The wine was flowing and the attitude was gleeful, and we really had a great time talking to my boss's family. We did one of those gift exchanges where you can steal from each other, and the food was outstanding. Before we knew it the time was 11:30PM and it was well past time to wrap it up. It is always so nice to let loose with the people whom you share daily stress with (in a controlled and limited manner, of course!)
So now it's time for me to eat some lunch and pull a throw over myself on the couch and enjoy my holiday home. This afternoon I plan on making a ginger-bread house with my husband and staying warm and dry on this beautifully ugly December day.
Every weekend in December is eventful this year. The good kind of eventful, filled with little joys and not headaches.
This past Saturday was the Christmas parade in Old Town Clovis. I love the charm of Old Town, and I'm glad I live there. But the Christmas parade really sucks. It is an endless stream of ritzy car clubs showing off their fancy cars and business driving their vans/trucks to advertise. I'm used to the Santa Lucia festival in the little "Swedish" town where I grew up where vendors set up little booths of handmade goods and treats, and the parade was childrens groups and marching bands and choirs and church youth floats. Although I was glad to go drink hot chocolate and see the crowds of people dressed in jackets and hats and in good Christmas spirit, I wish Clovis residents weren't so snooty.
Sunday was my sister's baby shower that I hosted at my apartment lounge. What a great facility to have access to. It's recently been re-done, and has everything you'd need for a nice event. I thought that the shower went nicely; everyone seemed entertained and satisfied even when I thought I was lacking, and my sister got more gifts than I've ever seen in one place! It was slightly emotional- my sister started crying from the moment I welcomed everyone to the shower, cried through opening the gifts, cried trying to express thanks. So, of course, I cried too. Many of the gifts were heirlooms from her in-laws, others were really sentimental and special, some were necessities, all were cute. She was so grateful for everyone's support. Everyone left happy, and Chris took my crying ass out to pizza and beer afterward.
I cannot believe that in eight weeks I am going to see a child being born. It is especially incredible that it will be my sister becoming a mother. They thought they'd never get a child, and our family has waited so long for this little blessing.
This coming weekend is my office Christmas dinner, which should be nice. I also have very big plans to put together a gingerbread house from a kit that Chris's mom gave him. SO thrilling!
The following weekend my in-laws have rented some kind of carriage for the whole family to ride on down a popular lane in town that is always lit extravagantly for Christmas. There will be somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty of us I imagine. I intend to take my biggest thermos of booze hot cocoa along for the ride.
Then, of course, the weekend after that is Christmas and more importantly, a 4-day weekend.
December is full. Before I know it, January and a whole new round of birthdays will be upon me. I better get my shopping done!
The holidays are in full effect, so tell us: What's your favorite holiday song? Bonus points if you share it with us!
OH there are SO MANY! I LOVE Christmas music.
I'm partial to old versions of classics like "White Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and the traditional hymns.
BUT:
Every time I hear the original orchestral arrangement of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," I feel a tingle of winter giddiness bubbling up inside.
All I really want for Christmas is a way to lose 30 pounds without having to lift a finger. A Christmas miracle! Hallelujah!
I'm makin' a list of things I wouldn't mind getting for Christmas. This list started out as TWO items, and then my friend told me about making wish lists on Amazon.com, and it started getting really out of hand. Usually I have no ideas, and it drives my family crazy trying to figure out what to get me. Recieving is hard for me. I love to give, and I love this season for the joy and compassion and togetherness, and hate the commercial crap. And I always have felt guilty about people buying or giving me things. Yeah, I'm over that. Finally. I've realized that my family is gonna buy me presents anyway, so I might as well help them out, right? So I made a list for fun. Of course, I wouldn't expect or feel entitled to getting anything at all.
My list ranges from Absolutely-Absurd-Would-Never-Ever-Expect-Someone-to-Buy-It-For-Me to Not-Too-Terrible. You'll be able to tell which ones go in which category:
DONA certified doula workshop fee: $400
A KitchenAid Mixer in Candy Apple Red: $334.99
An apartment-sized desk, project table, or writing table: $100-???
The DONA certification packet and application: $60.00 or
The DONA certification packet without application: $45.00
This cheap set of 10 frames from Target: $24.99
An adult fitness hula-hoop: $21.95-$25.00
A cozy, crackling WoodWick candle: $9.99-$21.99
A Classic Pen Set: $12.99 on Amazon.com
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" DVD: $9.99
Gold-colored ball earrings: $9.99
1-3 guitar wall-mounts: $9.99
"Stranger Than Fiction" on DVD: $1.02-$8.49
A special thanks to Meg for bringing enlightenment to my world and showing me the wonders of the Amazon.com Wishlist feature, because although I knew Amazon was amazing, I didn't realize the extent to which that amazing-ness reaches.
Happy December, y'all.
This weekend I put up the Christmas tree! Last year we had no money, but my bosses gave us a gift of enough money to get a tree because they wanted us to have that memory on our first married Christmas. This year we once again walked across the street to the Savemart and bought another $20 Douglas Fir. He took one end, I took the other, and we ran across the street and through the apartment complex with our Christmas tree like two ghetto fools.
It's pretty much becoming the best moment of my year. I'll be sad when we move and have to actually put the Christmas tree in the Jeep to get it home.
I took out the box of Christmas decorations we brought from the dollar store last year and got to decorating the apartment for the season. Last year we used all but a few cents of that $60, and it got us everything we really need to decorate a tree, plus two stockings and a couple of additional things (the 99-cent Store really is a lifesaver!) This year we added a nice tree skirt from WalMart to try and keep the cat out of the tree water. It's nice having the tree stand and decorations already- we only spent money on the tree itself, plus that tree skirt. I love Christmas decor. Growing up, my mother never went overboard on Chrismas decorations, but always just enough so that everywhere you looked there was a little holiday touch. I remember candle-lit nights and the Advent calendar, snowmen and reindeer peeking out from the bookshelves.
I strung the lights and tinsel on, then placed our cheap balls all over it with the two nice ornaments we have in clear view on the front. I'd like to start slowly building a collection of keepsake ornaments, one year at a time. I put the glittery start on top, and lit it up! I hung the stockings on the shelves over the couch, using two candles as weights, put some hand-me-down fake holly along the TV chest, replaced the figurines on the shelves with snowmen and nut-crackers, put the reindeer my mom painted for me when I was little up on the chest. I lit the candles in the room, heated a mug of cocoa and BAM: Christmas!
The best part is coming home in the evening to see my little living room glowing with joy, the pretty little tree ravaged around the bottom with loose tinsel hanging and ornaments strewn across the mussed-up tree skirt. The tree is our Christmas gift to the kitty.
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