Pregnancy fitness

Ok, so I haven't been talking much about how I'm doing sticking to my workouts lately.  And, quite frankly, there hasn't been much working out.  I'm finding if I don't get my workouts in during my hubby's workday then I don't get them in at all.  I was doing them when he came home from work in the evenings, but now that I'm carrying around a soccer ball in my belly, I'm finding my energy level isn't very high in the evenings.

And, during our 2nd move in 5 months, I was focusing on packing and unpacking which was all I had energy for.  Right when I thought I was gaining energy to get back into my workouts my current cold hit.  My hubby had it first and he fights off colds no problem so I thought, "Maybe this cold won't be so bad."  This cold got a 2nd wind and now I have a cough along with the congestion. Once this cough is gone I plan on getting back into my workouts.

However, I do remind myself that pregnancy is temporary so I don't get down about my workouts.  Working out is something I love and truly helps me have a better outlook on life.  Instead of focusing on how it's difficult to get my workouts in right now, I'm starting to focus on my game plan for post partum.  This has helped tremendously.

First, I plan on making an extra meal per week to put in the freezer until my little guy arrives.  This week I made some spaghetti sauce(which will end up being more than 1 meal, woohoo!!!).  In talking with my hubby, we are hoping to have 20 meals in the freezer that we will use on weekdays.  My hubby will be home to help on the weekends for 1 of us to be able to cook. Plus, friends and family have offered to help with food so I'm not too concerned about it at the moment.

I'm really looking forward to getting back on my bike, just gotta figure out where to set it up in the apartment. I was only halfway joking when I told a friend I might set it up in my closet...

But it would take up most of the closet if I did put it in there.

I would love to put it on the balcony, but I'm pretty sure that is against the apartment policy. So, at some point I'm sure I'll have a creative moment and figure that one out.  For now, I need to start organizing baby clothes!

Just writing...

We went to Applebee's the other night.  When leaving I told my hubby it was nice to be at a place that was somewhat "familiar" because we would go to the nearest Applebee's every now and then before we moved.  But then, it triggered something in me and I pretty much burst into tears.  I said, "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea because I'm now reminded more than ever how much I miss everything in Pullman."

Today I woke up missing all that was familiar in my life in Pullman.  I missed my house(our 1st house as a married couple), my friends, church and the beginning of the snow season that created such fun memories. I know my hubby feels the same because he actually said something along the lines about not minding shoveling snow again.  I never thought I'd hear him utter those words.

And, instead of pushing down my feelings, I realize I need to let myself grieve the loss I'm feeling.  It is a loss.  A loss I feel deeply as if someone has taken away a piece of me I can't get back.  In my heart I know it was time to move on, but that doesn't change what I feel. And yet, just writing those words has been healing for me.

I know God brought us here for a reason.  I also have to remind myself we've moved 2 times in the last 5 months and I'm still getting settled into this apartment.  Along with the fact that we are preparing for the arrival of child #2.  My daughter misses her friends and is trying to comprehend what it will be like to have a baby brother.  And, the list could go on and on...

At the same time I think about all the transition we are going through, I also realize we are doing well getting established.  We found a church home quickly and  are making friends.  I found a great bible study I'm enjoying and my daughter loves too! Family is nearby.  My hubby has a good job.  God is providing all our needs. I have a lot to be thankful for and joyful about!

 soursce: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com

My daughter...

HAD to have a heart shaped sandwich today:

I bet we'll be doing that from now on with all her sandwiches!

Belly pic

My pre-schooler is loving taking pictures.  Whether it's using my phone or camera she wants to take real pictures she can see right away.  I also like to include her in any way I can, especially when it comes to her baby brother.  Today I was texting a friend in Pullman and she asked for a current pregnant belly picture.  We were waiting in line at the post office and I asked Beth to take a quick picture with my phone.  She didn't have a lot of space to move back and neither did I.  So, here's the current picture:

And, since my personal camera has been dropped 1 too many times, my girl will soon be the recipient of a vtech kid camera that can be dropped and won't break.

While I'm at it I also finished knitting a hat for our little guy when he arrives in January:

My daughter is getting more and more excited to meet her brother!  She now has a list of things she wants to do with him:  read him books, teach him to roll over, teach him to write and many other things.  And, she does know that some of those things won't happen right away, but she's excited and has been very helpful with my growing belly getting in the way. For example:  when we were at the post office I put the package on the floor since we were waiting in line.  She took it upon herself to push the box forward for me as we moved forward.  I didn't even ask for her help. Such a sweet 4 1/2 year old!

Transitions once again..

Life is full of transitions isn't it!??!!  We decided to move again, same apartment complex, larger apartment.  This way, everyone will have their own bedroom...I think when our little guy arrives in January everyone will be much happier!

Moving wasn't easy being 6 months pregnant and I'm still settling in.  Putting things away and organizing.  We had a great crew who helped us out.  However, it still doesn't mean living here is nice and easy.  We miss our lovely college town along with our friends.  My 4 year old especially misses her friends.  She gets plenty of social interaction and is making new friends, but she misses those specific relationships that we left behind.

My mom said something that is so true:  You left part of yourself behind.  Ok, now that statement in itself brought me to tears.  She's so right!  I miss that one friend who I could just call and see what she was up to or if she needed any of her kids to come down to our house while she ran errands.  And, she would do the same with me.  Or that one friend where we just enjoyed the kids playing together in the lazy days of summer.

Don't get me wrong.  There are great things going on.  We live near family and that has been a blessing.  Seriously, our daughter is in what I call "grandparent heaven."  We love our church and are getting established there.  My husband has a good job which supplies the finances we need.  All 3 of us(and baby) are healthy...and with all my friends being diagnosed with cancer I'm not taking that for granted. I have friends who have become my family and that has become more evident in this move. I really have many blessings in my life.

I just have days where I want to click my heels and say, "There's no place like Pullman, there's no place like Pullman, there's no place like Pullman."  And be transplanted back to visiting with friends that know me better than most people do here. Obviously, that can't happen, and life wouldn't be the same...but I do miss the life we had.

I realize it takes time to get settled somewhere, but sometimes the unknown in life is the hardest.  I don't know if my husband will truly love his job.  I don't know how long we will live in this state.  I don't know what the future holds.

I do know that I have to trust God in these unknowns.  I have to trust that He has the plan that is best for us and that He brought us back here for a reason. It doesn't mean it will be easy, but no one ever said it would be. So, with all that said, I choose to keep my focus on God and the blessings He has given me.

Pregnancy-6 months

Ok, so previously I was at the stage in this pregnancy where people were like "Oh, you're pregnant, I had no idea!"  While I've been thinking, "Yes, I've put on 15 pounds, and my belly is protruding..."  But, since we moved to a new place, all the people I meet would have no idea what I looked like before this pregnancy.  Especially, since a dear family member told me it doesn't look like I've gained weight.  She even added, "And, I'm not saying that just because I'm your sister in law, it's the truth."  I'm just finally LOOKING pregnant...

So now I've crossed a threshold.  I've gone from hearing, "I didn't know you were pregnant"  To, "When are you due??"  And, along with that comes strangers touching my belly. I know, I know, pregnant women are cute...I've always thought that, but I've never had the urge to touch a strangers pregnant belly.  Maybe I will when I'm a happy grandmother and miss those parenting days or maybe I'll just remember that there are some boundaries that aren't meant to be crossed?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against people touching my belly.  In fact, when it comes to family and friends it really doesn't bother me(maybe a little warning would be nice). One day I even forced my baby brother(who's no longer a baby, but I enjoy reminding him he is;), to touch my belly.  I may have freaked him out a little, but honestly, out of all my siblings he knows me the best.  Just wait until he actually feels this little guy move...this kid already has a strong kick!

And, then there's my 4 year old who all the sudden will realize my belly has grown and start giggling.  She has said things like: "Mama, your belly is growing."  She was also the first out of the family to feel baby brother kick.  And, just the other day she told my parents, "My mom is REALLY pregnant." LOL

All this to say, I'm enjoying this pregnancy as much as I can knowing it is most likely my last.  I'm making sure to keep my sense of humor amongst all of our adjustments in this move. I'm enjoying the fact that my daughter is so excited about her baby brother and has now changed his name to:  Lightning Thunder. 

And, at dinner tonight she informed me: "I actually warn people you are pregnant so you don't bump into people with your belly."  She totally cracks me up with her statements!

Quote found at: http://open.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/my-top-ten-favorite-adoption-quotes

Cancer :(

For those of you who read my blog do you remember these two posts about Julie Longstreet?

Please pray and Please continue to pray. She passed away on September 27th. 

Also, do any of you follow Tricia Minnick.  She just lost her grandmother to cancer.

And, my friend over at http://harmlove.blogspot.com/ found out the other day that her husband's cancer has spread near his pancreas and spleen.  He will have surgery soon.

Please pray for all of these people along with their families!  Along with anyone else you know who's battling cancer or the loss of a loved one.