Waterworks

The waterworks have been flowing lately.

Last week Wade and I ate a nice dinner at home. All of a sudden, instant tears, as I thought to myself that very soon things will never be the same. I'm still over the moon that we're going to have a baby, but I was also really sad that the past 7 years we've had just the 2 of us are over and will be different.

So then I'm at my sister's house and the tears start coming down when I hear a song in a TV commercial from the movie "She's Having a Baby."

The worst (and most embarassing) was Friday on my way home from traveling for work for 5 straight days. I was tired, hot, and wanted to be home. Troubles at the rental car company made me 2 minutes too late to be able to get on my flight home. Instant tears...serious tears...that I couldn't stop. I'm sure the airline attendant was confused, since the next flight was just an hour later. But it was too late, the tears were flowing.

It's all a little embarasing, and I don't seem to be able to stop the tears once they start. I hate to pull the pregnancy card, but these hormones are taking over.

Let's hope this isn't a permanent side effect!

Airport Observations

Some airport observations from my morning @ DFW Airport today:

Security wasn't actually that bad. I went almost 45 minutes before I normally would've arrived. But, I flew through security and had no problems. I had to check my bag and put my purse in the bag. So, the hardest part was not having some lipstick handy. Considering, that's not too bad.

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With all of the world events, London terrorist plot and Israel ceasefire, it gave me a new perspective of the men and women in military attire. I travel a lot for work and pass by them often at the airport. Today I couldn't help but say thanks to the two that I saw. I was nervous about what I should or shouldn't say. Finally, I realized all I needed to say was literally "thank you." It's amazing how quickly their faces lit up with a genuine "thank you" right back to me. No matter my feelings on the war, those soldiers are doing something I never could. I'm thankful for their dedication.

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Last I heard the arrests were up to 40 or so connected to the London terrorist plot. Today was the first time I've flown since last week. Sitting on the plane, I was absolutely perplexed that there are 40+ people in this world with that much hate and rage to want to destroy so many innocent people.

Sweet Saturday

Ahhhhh...today is one of those perfect Saturdays. Nothing scheduled. No place to be at a certain time until later tonight. No timetable.

I have plenty of things I need to do and check off my to-do list (which has become way too long), but I get to decide what and when. Hopefully this doesn't sound too self-absorbed. But during the week at work, I'm pretty much scheduled with conference calls, meetings, and deadlines from the second I walk in the door to the second I leave. So a day like today feels a little liberating! :)

Something tells me 4 months from now my Saturdays will be quite different. For today, I'll enjoy my Sweet Saturday.

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End-of-day update -

Mission accomplished: caught-up on Project Runway, watched a movie, paid bills, balanced the checkbook, read a magazine, had a quick nap, cleaned out the junk room, and had a nice dinner with Wade. It was a Sweet Saturday.

A Scare

2:00 a.m. I can't sleep. I guess it makes sense after the last few days we've had.

Before I go through the scenario, I'll give the ending away first. Our baby is doing great and is growing. We just had to go through 3 days of not knowing for sure.

Late last week, I received a surprise call from my doctor's office that they'd like me to come back in for another sonogram. The main sonogram technician reviewed my 20-week pictures and said she couldn't see the baby's 4th chamber of the heart.

Originally I assumed the call from the office was an issue with insurance paperwork. Not quite. The nurse tried to be very reassuring that it was probably just the way the baby was positioned.

But, the next 3 days were tough. In the back of my head, I knew the odds were working for this little guy, not against. I had just been in for a check-up, and heard the heartbeat. It sounded and measured good.

Surely, it was just like she said and it was because the baby was in a bad position. Although logic makes for the best argument there, it's hard to feel that everywhere else. I later told the nurse (in between muffled sobs of crying) that I've had a miscarriage, and I work for the American Heart Association (I hear these stories all of the time). Hopefully she could understand why this news/question is hard to hear.

So, 9:00 a.m. Monday morning comes around, and we headed back to the doctor's office. The news was good. Everything seems to be in place as it should be. Obvious relief and thankfulness.

So, I should be sleeping fine now? I guess the emotions of the day are still settling and keeping me awake. This experience made me realize how vested we are in this baby. This baby that we haven't seen, haven't heard, haven't held, haven't even named yet. But somehow, God is forming this little guy each day, and I seem to grow more attached and in love.

I am so thankful that the report was good and continue to pray that he will develop into the son that we hope for.

Back to 30

To go back to what got me started on blogging, I thought I'd share something interesting a friend sent me on turning 30. I've bolded the ones I've got taken care of and put my own commentaries in parentheses...looks like I'm a little behind.

30 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do Before Turning 30 by (Adcock, Siobhan) "provides idiot-proof instructions for mastering these and other essential, face-saving, and possibly life-saving skills.

You'll learn how to...
1. wrap a present (my favorite!)
2. start a successful fire in a fireplace, at a campsite, and in a barbecue (maybe I can start one on accident)
3. finish a piece of furniture
4. get a raise
5. order wine at a restaurant without getting stiffed
6. parallel park in three breathtakingly beautiful movements (maybe about 10)
7. dance a "slow dance" without looking like an idiot (it's all in the sway)
8. use a full place setting properly, including chopsticks and Asian soup spoons
9. clean your place in under 45 minutes, when friends or relatives,are coming by unexpectedly
10. hold your liquor
11. cure a hangover
12. do the Heimlich Maneuver
13. use a compass
14. change a flat (yeah right!)
15. jump start a car (double yeah right!)
16. open a champagne bottle
17. send a drink to someone's table
18. cook one "signature meal" (that one is easy for me, since I only have a few)
19. whistle with your fingers (huh???)
20. take good pictures
21. fold a fitted sheet
22. remove common stains
23. sew a button (sad, but true that I don't know how)
24. carve turkey, lasagna, and birthday cake
25. hold a baby
26. change a diaper
27. keep a plant alive for more than a year
28. make dogs and cats love you
29. help someone out of a car
30. write superior thank you notes

Remember the Alamo...I forget, who won?

I've been traveling for almost a week for work and have been a little out of touch. Bad blogger.

Some catching up: Two weeks ago we took a trip that has turned into an annual tradition, taking our niece and nephew (Trip and Mary Tish) to San Antonio. At eight and six years old, they always have some entertaining things to say, and the trip was lots of fun.

The first stop was to see the Austin bats (all 750,000 of them!) that head out for their evening on the prowl each day at dusk. If you look up close at the picture, you'll see the line of bats in the air. There is a steady line of bats for almost 20 minutes straight. Slightly freaky.

Then on to San Antonio. My sweet, wonderful friend and college roommate and her sweet husband (Garyn & Zach) have been so gracious to let us come invade and stay the weekend at their home.

So we all headed to the Alamo. I hadn't been there in years. To be completely honest, I had to do get some quick mini-history lessons from Wade as a reminder that we actually lost the battle of the Alamo. Those 2 years of Texas History just didn't seem to stick (yes, I'm hiding my face in embarrassment). But, it was pretty cool to see. And, I never realized how many people came from other states to defend Texas...thanks Tennessee!


A highlight of the trip for the kids was visiting the new family-owned shop Garyn & Zach have opened along with the rest of the Keener clan. It's a franchise called Just Dogs and is the absolute cutest shop of gourmet dog treats and fun dog accessories. If you're a dog-lover and are ever in San Antonio, you must go by North Star Mall and see it.

Both of the kids had $10 in spending money for a souvenir. They held onto their money the entire weekend and waited to spend all of it at Just Dogs. I'm sure their dog thanks them!

One of the most memorable parts was when Wade & I taught them two of our favorite songs in the car. So, Mary Tish and I had a great time jamming out to the one and only "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond. Wade went a little less classic and taught them "Sauerkraut" by Weird Al Yankovick.

It was a fun and memorable weekend. We even survived and handled "How much longer until we get there?" all 50 times.

It's a Boy!

Today was a memorable day. My 20-week sonogram showed that we're having a boy!

This definitely does make the whole idea of having a baby much more real and exciting. First was the initial relief of seeing that the heartbeat was strong and vital organs were in place. Then, the excitement was that it was clearly a boy.

So after that concept settled in, my mind really started racing:

• What kind of mom and dad will we be like?
• What will he look like?
• How will I handle gross boy stuff?
• Can I survive his broken bones and bloody noses?
• Puberty...Yikes!
• What girls will he date?
• What kind of mother-in-law will I be like?

So many things to consider. For now, we'll slow down and take one day at a time. First things first... a name. Hmmmmm?

We are continually thankful for this amazing blessing from God!
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Although he looks somewhat skeletonish, I thought this sonogram picture was too cute. He looks like he's looking right into the camera and waving hello!

July 13, 1996

10 years ago today was my first date with Wade. It's still a matter of debate if it was a real "date" or not. At the time, I considered it a night out with a good friend. When I showed up and realized his ENTIRE family was there for his dad's birthday party, I realized it was a little more than a friendly dinner.

Who knew that 2 months later we would officially start dating, 3 years later we would get married, and 10 years later we would be expecting a baby.

I'm amazed by how life progresses. There have been plenty of ups and plenty of downs throughout the last 10 years, but I can't imagine anyone else with me along the way.

I'm sure glad I said yes to that date. :)

Are You In There?

By the size of my expanding waistline, I know the baby is in there and growing. According to all of the books, I should be able to feel the baby move. So, I've now become obsessed with analyzing every stomach gurgle. Was that the baby? Or just my lunch?

Everyone says I've probably felt it move already, but just didn't know that it was the baby. Aaarrgghhh! I'm really looking forward to that part...next will be figuring out was that a boy kick or a girl kick?

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Saturday 7/8/06 update:

I think maybe I felt the baby today...still not sure. It kind of felt like when you get a small eye twitch or finger muscle twitch, but inside my stomach. Could that have been it??????

Julie Andrews...

.
...for real? I pulled this from Wade's blog. MyHeritage.com will take a picture and pick a celebrity that you look like the most.





I guess I should be singing the hills are alive, becuase it said I looked like Julie Andrews. If it was the picture and version of her from 30 years ago I might not feel as bad. But the picture they compared me to was one of her currently.

Not quite sure what to think.