Will it be today?

Good Monday Morning!

Our stress test is at 9am. I have been up since 5 am. Sweating and acid reflux. Nerves? Signs of what is yet to come. Legs are shaved hair is done, bags are packed & coffee is on. Just need to wake up Derek and load the car. I am sure my nerves are just getting to me. I just am paranoid right now. Is he moving???
Can I get in earlier??? This could turn out to be a long week.

Super Sunday

February 5th:

- Super Bowl Sunday: Giants vs. Patriots in Indianapolis
- High of 45 degrees +  Lots of Sunshine
- 3 Days past our due date

An amazing weekend! Our basement is 99% finished - I have been relaxing and Derek has been running (and relaxing) Just waiting for any moment of our little guys arrival. We are so ready to meet him. Our bags are packed & I am dilated to at least a 5. This must mean something right! So will it be today? Will it be tomorrow after my doctor appointment, or will it be Thursday when I am scheduled to be induced. He is in control that is for sure.

This winter has been very unusual weather wise. Many highs in the 40's and much more sun than we usually see here in the mitten. No complaints that is for sure. Derek and Kari started training for the Kentucky Derby Marathon in April.

As far as my pregnancy - I have gained a ton of weight. My ankles take on a new shape everyday. Three days past my due date. I would not be so freaked out about this if I was not dilated to a 5 or more. I feel like when my water does break or if I do start contractions he is going to come pretty quickly.  Over all I have been going on with my daily to-do's as  I should. I also fear that I will not know what a contraction feels like. I feel my stomach get hard - but there is no pattern or pain. The love and support with our newest journey has been amazing.  We cannot ask for better family or friends by our side. I am both ready and terrified for this journey. Will I be a good mom, wife, and friend? Will I be organized? Will I over protect? Will I be a good employee? Will I lose all of this weight?  My dad working on our home, my mother making us meals left and right, cleaning our house, and putting together the baby's room.

Here are photos of our basement project. My dad is amazing, not only talent wise but all the time he put into this along with ALL of the other projects/life he is working on. XOXO Dad!!!! We cannot thank you enough for everything!

                                                                     Bedroom Before

                                                                         HOT MESS!

                                                                     Hanging Wires

                                                     Did we actually spend time down here?

                                                           Rip it down & take it out

                                                                         After

                                             Bedroom After (The Master Bedroom is jealous)

Today....

This whole week has been the most amazing, picturesque fall weather. The sky is filled with a pallet of color, the temperatures have reached the 80's, and time has been spent with our favorites! Friday Derek made the big move down town. He has been waiting for this epic move since he graduated from college. A job he enjoys in a city he loves. No expense spared Quicken Loans renovated half of the Chase Tower and now call it home to 1000 employees. I am pretty jealous of the crazy colors, the dry erase walls and especially jealous of the adjustable desks.

Saturday we went to visit some of our favorites, The Perez Family! Ellis & Logan are getting so big. They are now 6 months and starting a while new phase of moving as mush as possible. These little guys are ready to be on the move. I just can't wait for Delevan to meet them. Altho by this time next year those little guys will be walking, talking, and probably on bikes =). They gave us a whole box of little boy clothes and clothes for this growing mama. Thank you so much!!! It was a great night filled with lots  of pizza and sports. UofM - Tigers - Wings all in the same night.

Today we got up early and went to Island Lake Park. It was such a beautiful fall morning. Derek
and Kari ran 11miles and both felt great. I did about 3.5 miles with Jerry and I am so glad I got out moving. Next weekend is the big race, Detroit Half Marathon!

I Miss You

Things I miss the most during my pregnancy so far...
    Nooooo, not wine or Bud Light Lime.... I miss belts and zippers and now my neck!!! This momma has got to get moving!

Boy!

That's right... We are having a BOY!!! I am so excited. I was so loving the ultra sound today. It was a this is real moment. Everything was measuring right on and looking like one perfect baby boy. I can hardly wait to hold Delevan in my arms.
His heart rate was 141and I have gained 15lbs.

It's A ....

I have been so anxious for our first ultra sound tomorrow. More than the excitement of finding out the sex of the baby, just having our first official visual of Baby Nugget. When we first found out we were pregnant I had an ultra sound done. We were only 5 weeks along at the time. So I really did not see anything but a black hole. I felt just like Rachel on the Friends episode - "I can't see my baby". I was just barely able to see the heart beat at that time. It was an amazing feeling when we first had the chance to hear the heart beat out loud. Now we can actually have a visual of what is going on in that belly of mine. I have defiantly noticed growth in the last few days. For the last few weeks I kept asking myself... Are you just letting yourself get fat - there is really not a baby in there at all. I may have felt some movements as well. It is so faint I just don't know if its muscle spasms or gas or the baby moving around.

On a fashion note.. I hate everything about maternity clothes. I hate shopping in the small cluttered stores, I hate shopping on line, I hate the way they look on me, and I hate the way the feel. I don't know who ever decided that these were comfortable clothes cause they are far from it. The elastic reaching all the way up my stomach only makes it feel like my boobs are trying to reach my knees. I am slowly but surely switching my closet over, I am not happy about it. There are so many cute fall clothes out there right now, and I have to just keep on walking by them.

So bets are about half and half down the line. Derek thinks it is a girl and I think it is a boy. I have lost the vote on our boys name thou. I had Dellevan... everyone agrees that it should be Delevan. ( Apparently spell check does not like either of them) So, even thou I am the mom... majority wins this one. Well, Derek wins this one. Well - I will be looking forward to our day tomorrow. I hope I get some sleep tonight.

Week 17

I keep telling everyone that, I feel like a normal person and that I do not feel preggers at all. However the dreams are coming on strong. I have had few dreams this week one the baby was a girl and in the other it was a boy. So I am still undecided on what our little surprise is going to be. I just keep wondering if we are going to break the popular crew with all of these boys or add to it. I keep saying he and his, while Derek keeps saying hello to little Avery. I am so glad that we are finding out.

Today my feet are swollen.

The Perez boys are 5 months old today.  Time really does fly. Well I hope everyone has a fantastic Labor Day weekend!

The Name Game

We have discussed baby names for years... now that a baby is on the way here are the favorites on our list. 


Girls:
Avery 
Kayden
Ali
Anna
Maeve

Boys:
Eathan
Dellevan
Keegan
Keanan
Jaxson


As of right now we have decided on Avery Ann & Dellevan Richard. Sept. 15th we have our ultrasound and if the little nugget is not in hiding we will find out 

M.I.A

Another busy summer has kept me away from the computer, along with fear and frustration with my lovely laptop. Falling apart at the seams POS! It has been a good run my HUGE Dell laptop and a big thanks to my awesome husband for this beauty, Yep I am taking the plunge with Apple!

Here is a recap since March...

• Kristin & Troy had their twin boys - Ellis Steven & Logan Matthew
• The B.F.P. (The Big Fat Positive) 
• World Travelers
• Concrete Project

Each of these deserve a post all on their own, for now I will recap in photos.

New drive way - complements the garage door.

New back patio

 

Project Bathroom

It has been a long project. I have seriously bought and installed one piece at a time. Just before Thanksgiving is when I decided it would be a good idea to start demo. Some how I also decided it was a good year to host my first thanksgiving. I kept the toilet and the sink, everything else had to go. My goal was to be done by March. Besides hanging the door and the toilet paper holder - job complete! Of course the work was really done by "My 2 Dads" we hired Jim to do most of the work. Dad came in installed a new window and finished the final touches. I really wanted to do something myself, so I took on my first tile project. It totally kicked my ass. I am glad I did it and there are defiantly flaws. Hopefully I am the only one to really notice them. Here are the before and after shots.

2011

I know it has been close to a million years since I last posted. Maybe a bit of an exaggeration. More like a million things have been going on since mid October.

• Tom + Lindsay = 10.30.10
• An amazing day for an amazing couple this day deserves a post all on its own. (You all know I'm just not going to get it done). Every detail they put together perfectly. Love you guys!

• I hosted my very first Thanksgiving dinner. I would like to say I put together the whole dinner ~ not quite yet. My amazing mother came over the day before and cleaned my whole house and cooked the turkey. Everyone brought something and it was just a perfect day. I hosted The Chandler's, Hill's, & Parker's. I used table these to strike up some conversation.
• We demolished our main bathroom and we are still in the process of finishing. I cannot wait for all of the details come together. I will not miss you sea foam green tile. The best part about that bathroom is that Kristin found the one and only shower curtain that 1. matched the color of the tile perfectly and 2. was a style that I liked.
• Completed and passed my accounting class. I got a B. I wish I could be a bit more excited about a B. Back in the day I would have been singing and dancing. I feel like I did not work as hard as I could have for it. If I really tried I could have walked away with an A. Just too much going on right now. Work has been super crazy since November. New employees/New systems.
• It has been a year now since we decided to start our family. Frustration has started to set in a bit. I go back and forth with taking the expensive tests and just letting nature take its time and place. I had taken a break from running to try and get my body on track. Have not decided if that has been worth it or not. I feel healthy & I have never been in any pain. I have yet to find a Dr. that I really feel comfortable with.
• Shaun & Julie came home to celebrate their wedding. It was fun getting everyone together.
• We spent New Years Eve in Chicago.

2011 is looking to be a good year!!! Kristin & Troy bring their twin boys into the world in March/April, we hope to be planning a trip to Germany, and of course planning the next marathon!

13. Des Moines

10-17-10 we hit marathon #13. Another perfect weekend and a perfect day for 5,000 runners in the middle of Iowa. I will admit, I was not really looking forward to this one. Looking at pictures prior to going to race day the course looked flat and boring. I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the 5 hour drive from Chicago of all corn fields the city was beautiful and clean. The capital building stood out in all its glory.

We drove into Chicago on Friday to celebrate Ann's 30th birthday. The four of us set out for another road trip thru the Midwest. Ann and I ran the half marathon together while Mike did an awesome job as the single member of the pit crew. He took great photos as you see here, and got Derek his energy water as requested around mile 18, best of all he was there to cheer us all on.

The course started down town and wrapped thru the city streets. Around mile 3 the two races split their separate ways. Derek's course took him through some incredible neighborhoods with huge beautiful homes and landscaping. Twisting and turning mostly up hill, the adventure of 13 began. He even ran a loop around Drake University's track. Mean while Ann and I ran thru Gray's Lake park. At first this seemed very bland and boring until I saw a sign that said 'IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO RECOVER FROM THE FLOOD' which reminded me of an article I read months ago about a damn breaking the area devastated by a flood. Gray's Lake that we ran around was bone dry. Thankfully they were able to get the pathway fixed, and the lake filled. However, the grass had not grown in yet creating a muddy side line. My favorite part of the course was the bridge that led us back into town. This Bridge known as Gray's Lake Boardwalk had prisms along the side as the daylight went through each of these prisms a different color appeared along the board walk. It was like running thru a rainbow.

We all did great. Ann met her goal of a sub 2 hour half with a 1:59:20, Derek was satisfied with his time of 3:37:49 and I finished with a 2:00:14. After a quick shower we went back into down town to have lunch, and found a great bar near the finish line. We had the chance to eat while watching the other runners earn their metals.

Des Moines, Iowa... thank you for being a great town!

A week from now we will be celebrating Tom & Lindsay's wedding day. Will send an update on how beautiful of a day that will be.

Cheers!

30!

30...Really...30 - I cannot even come to reality to think that I am 30 years old. I feel just the same as I did when I was 23, I am in a good place in my life, I am blessed to have a loving family and friends. Derek and I are happier than ever doing good things and going places both in work and in travel. Derek just got a promotion and I could not be happier for this accomplishment. He sets goals and works towards them. He is now a team leader and I am so proud of you honey! We had an amazing summer and I hate to see it go. However, we have so many good things to look forward to over the next few months. Next Marathon and road trip will to Iowa and then we will get to see Tommy and Lindsay walk down the isle on 10.30.10.

My mom and dad threw us a big 30th birthday party last night. It was great. We had most of our favorites there to help celebrate. We were completely spoiled with gifts Galor. Even thou Derek is not quiet to the 30 mark it was fun celebrating together. He will be 30 on the 30th. I am hoping to get a really good gift for him this year. Not sure I am going to be able to do it. He really did good with my birthday this year. A day of shopping with mom was a day of surprises from Derek.

End of a Summer

Another summer has come and gone. It was amazing! I enjoyed every moment of this weekend was perfect. The Labor Day 30k, BBQ with our favorites and night out on the patio with a bottle of wine and a great conversation. I could not have asked for a better time and a better way to end a wonderful summer.

Here is to a new season and new changes on the horizon. Turning 30, going back to school, Tommy and Lindsay tying the knot, and Derek's promotion! Absolutely loving life right now!

What summer really feels like

10:30 on a Friday night. Sitting alone in the back yard (well, with Miles). I wish I was surrounded by my husband or my best friend to share this moment. Although, I know they would not enjoy this as much as I do. I may smell like bug spray... but I am enjoying every moment of this summer evening. The lighting and the temperature are perfect. The sounds of my itunes and fireworks in cities beyond, the smells of flowers and citronella. So peaceful, so amazing. I wish every night was filled with such a calm feeling. Well, its summer 2010 and even thou I am loving every moment of peace and quiet and the taste of my 2nd glass of wine I am ready to be a mommy. I am sure I would be sleeping at this moment if that was the case, its ok... I know I will be back with a moment like this some day. Who knew it would take time, who knew I would want this as much as I do. I never thought it was possible. However, I am ready to show my kin how special a summer evening like this July 2nd can be. Bring on the chaos! The most amazing feeling is when both of us are ready for this new adventure. I truly always pictured myself unhappy because Derek and I would not be on the same page. However, that is not the case what so ever. We are both thrilled to become parents. We just need the stars to get in line with us.

Happy 4th of July America!

Memorial Day Weekend

Things I love about Memorial Day weekend...

• Warm weather
• Seeds I planted are breaking thru
• Bring on the BBQ's
• I can officially wear white pants without feeling like I will be tackled by a fashonista if I wear them before this weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is usually spent with friends, whether we are traveling or having the crew over. However we will be spending this weekend just the 2 of us. We are taking a road trip to Burlington, VT. Derek will be running his 13th marathon. I am very excited to see Vermont for some reason. I really want to go there in the fall at some point in our lives, however I can't wait to see the Green Mountains and walk along Lake Champlain. Thou it would be awesome to have travel buds with us... and the rest of the marathon pit crew. It will be yet another nice vacation for us. So good luck babe, finish this one and you will be an official member of the 50 States Marathon Club!

Hope everyone has a great 3 day weekend and of course THANK YOU to all the wonderful people that fight for this wonderful country and put their lives on the line for each and every American. THANK YOU!

April

Hello April! April 1st and the sun is shinning and the temps are in the 70's. Can't get any better than this. I love April for so many reasons. I would not say it is my favorite month but on a day like today it certainly could be.
April brings...

• warmer temps and tulips
• cleaning up the yard and seeing my compost that brewed all winter long.
• shopping with mom - her birthday is April 26th and for the past couple of years we started a birthday shopping and lunch. I am really starting to love this tradition.
• and of course 'April in the D'.... such a lame tune, however it starts off tiger season, and playoff season here with Detroit sports. They get a local band to come up with a diddy and it is usually pretty lame ... no offense, but the commercial plays non stop and makes me want to run screaming. ok enough bashing that and Go Tigers!

This spring is the start to another busy year of travel. We are traveling to the South West this year with Mike and Ann. I can't wait to blog about that in a few weeks. I will also be bridesmaid dress shopping next week. Can't wait to see what Lindsay has in mind for her big day. So excited for them. I think they just might have the coolest wedding on October 30th. Is there an age when you are too old to be a bridesmaid??? Well, I will take it as long as I can. This will possibly be my last bridesmaid adventure thou. Just because you stand in a matching dress does not mean you can't participate in all the fun ya know!!!

Cheers and Happy Spring!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is always extra special in my heart. Even if my husband claims it to be a hallmark holiday. Indeed it is, however it is the day we started dating. Nine years ago it all began. Love you babe!!!

A shout out for my super cool brother who mailed Derek the coolest way of asking him to be one Groomsmen. I will try and scan it someday.

Just Journal 10-1

I don't have cute pictures or cool links today... today is just a journal.
Last weekend I ran with Derek's mom. So not only a run but a steady faster run. Still slow for her but fast for me. We ran 8 miles and I felt great. I felt great during and after and I did not even wake up sore. So I felt like I built up the confidence to sign up for the A1A half marathon in Florida. Derek already committed to the full a few months ago. I said If I am still running when we get closer to February I will do the half. Sure enough its official I am signed up. This weekend is not going very well for me. The weather is shockingly warm a whopping 35 degrees, however it is damp. Makes it so hard for me to get out the door. Days like this is when I fall off the wagon in my training. All I think about is running and how far and then I just sit and think and talk myself right out of it. These are the days that I really wish I had a running partner other than Derek. He is a great running partner, but when he needs to put a 20 miler in - I just don't cut it for him. So anyone out there let me know. These are the moments when I wish our friends lived closer, just like the good old college days when everyone was no more than 2 miles apart and it was easier to walk to their place rather than drive. Well, I guess that is life. However I do wish I would have cool neighbors or closer friends.
Cheers!

Current Obsession

Last year I finally broke down and bought a $20 pair of socks (Smart Wool). I am now completely obsessed with them. I now have several pairs for several occasions. Most were gifts and few I bought. I realised it on a night run the other day when the temperature was 19 degrees and the wind chill was 10 and my feet stayed perfectly warm even stomping thru 4 inches of snow and my feet were warm as can be. I highly recommend these socks whether you go out into the cold or just sit around the house. I love them.