Sweaty Tuesday

I did not want to run today. In fact I stayed at work an extra hour to put off going running. I had that overall tired feeling and the last thing I wanted to do was put on my Nikes and hit the gym with Mr. R. He has been pretty stellar on the running circuit lately and I didn't want to be shown up. Yes, I have pride issues.

I made it home by 5, Mr. R was ready and waiting... so were my Nikes and I headed out. And my run was awesome. I was strong. My legs felt light. And Nelly and Ke$ha carried me through three fast miles. Before I knew it my run was over and I was moving on to arm weights.

I guess I wanted to run after all.

I haven't really made any specific running goals because of my preggo status. But I talked with my Dr. and she thinks I am totally capable of running 3-4 days per week. So I think my current running goal is between 12 and 15 miles a week.

Not much has changed in my workouts or body since Piper came on board. I keep reading the books and waiting for the symptoms to kick in, but other than morning sickness I have been pretty lucky in the mom-to-be department. I did notice that I do have to take much deeper breaths now post run and when I try to increase my speed. I am not sure if that's a symptom or just an increase in heart rate, but that is the only difference I can speak of right now. Let's hope it stays that way and I don't get the scary increased facial hair or skin darkening! Yuck!

***Also, if you look closely at the bottom of my pic you can see my Piper bump. Yup, she's a low rider... which I guess is lucky for me, most people just think I am a little chubby and not 5 months along.

Hi Ho Hi Ho... It's back to work I go

Today I am back to work and I think 66 seventh graders were happy to see me. However, they were not very thrilled with the homework I assigned. Such is life.

I spent much of today answering emails, posting grades, munching on fruit, and writing lesson plans. I also need to write my midterm exam ... hopefully I will have some time tomorrow.

Post work I made it home in time to walk the pups, spend quality time with my husband, and make an awesome dinner.

I had plans to run three miles, but Mr. R is not feeling well and just wanted to veg. I am never one to turn down "laying like broccoli"...(name that movie!)... so I joined him for some couch time. Sometimes it's worth catching a few germs and missing a workout to reconnect.

Today I referred to myself as an old married lady. I learned the hard lesson this afternoon, that am no longer in the in-crowd. I can't afford to spend my salary on the coolest clothes or the nicest car or take vacations on a whim. My days of excess are over. No longer can I drink like a fish, eat like a pig, or stay up all night like I did back in my college days. And I don't think I would trade my current status for anything. I spent my college and post grad years single and in amazing cities, but I was lonely. My life wasn't complete. And all the clothes, food, shoes, purses, and friends couldn't fill the void that was waiting for Mr. R.

Soon I will be an old married lady with a baby and I think that might just be pretty awesome. That is if I can still spend a few nights a year veg-ing on the couch with Mr. R by my side.

***Photos of Mr. R from various weekends this fall and winter and yes, he does love pancakes THAT much.

Dear Baby: A Letter from Dad

Dear Baby,

Between the time I started thinking about what I was going to say, and actually writing it, your mom and I found out that you are a girl. Congratulations! You've hit the jackpot! You should have it pretty easy through infancy and toddler-hood as you are now the favorite of all grandparents and great-grandparents.

It will probably be a long time before you are aware that your dad doesn't know much about little girls - or women in general for that matter. In the meantime, I really can't wait to find out exactly who you are. Based on your sonogram performances, you are going to be a very obstinate child. This is no surprise: You will be born in May (a thick-headed Taurus like your Dad); and you will quickly learn that Mommy gets her way around the house a lot.

I never put much thought into having a girl, but I'm very excited. I can't wait for Daddy-Daughter Days, tea parties, father-daughter dances, scaring teenage boys away, and celebrating your every achievement.

Your Mom and I often recognize that we are very blessed people. We were blessed to find each other and get married. We are blessed to lead the lives that we do. But after five years of marriage, you will be the greatest blessing in our lives. Hurry up and get here little Piper, but don't grow up too fast.

Love,

Dad

A must try dinner!

I am an avid Psych watcher and one of the common threads that links Psych episodes/seasons together is 80s references, catch phrases, and Gus' love of Jerk Seasoning. Specifically jerk chicken and jerk pork.

I found a recipe for jerk pork nachos and I knew I had to give it a try! (After all 5 years of Burton Guster eating jerk pork couldn't be for nothing right?)

1. Make jerk pork tenderloin in your crockpot. I used this recipe and it smells amazing while cooking.

2. Assemble nacho ingredients: diced pineapple, pepper jack cheese, jalepenos, sour cream, lime juice, two tomatoes, refried beans.

3. Build your nachos: Refried beans, pork, pineapple, cheese, tomato, jalepeno

4. Mix your sour cream with lime juice and lime zest

5. Bake your nachos or 20 mins at 350 or broil them for 5-10 minutes

6. Don't feel bad when you go back for your third and fourth servings... they are THAT good.

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Steppin' Out Saturday 1/52

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mr. R and I headed out on the town this afternoon to celebrate 2011. One of my favorite restaurants downtown is Harry's right on the waterfront. I love the courtyard especially when it is lit up at night. We seem to only visit Harry's in the summer, when ordering a mint julep is a must (to keep cool in the warm summer heat).

I ordered the she crab soup and shrimp and grits. Mr. R had the crab cakes with red beans and rice. We always try other person's meal and vote on who had the better dinner. Today was a total tie. The grits were amazing (most likely due to the obscene amounts of butter and cheese) and his crab cakes were fantastic as well.

We finished our date with a walk along the water, and some window shopping along St. George Street. a
I think I am going to LOVE SOS nights.

Here's to 51 more Steppin' Out Saturday Nights/Afternoons!

And if you are wondering how we are spending the rest of tonight? It's going to look a lot like this.

January Monthly Goals!

My monthly goals seem to fall into three main categories: marriage, money, and wellness.

Marriage & Money:

• Go on a date at least once per week. Dates require primping (i.e. no jeans, no messy bun, and make-up must be worn), no television/media outlets and no work talk.
• 30 minutes of unplugged talking time before bed (no TV, laptops, or phones)
• Save 10% of each of our paychecks toward baby stuff and home improvements
• Start college IRA for kids

Meals:

• Cook 6 nights per week.
• Include two veggies/fruits per meal
• Make sure I am getting two milks (sources of calcium) per day

Fitness:

• Run three days per week
• Continue lifting arms and legs (4 days per week)
• Start walking 5 mile loop on weekends

One Little Word

2011. I can't believe it. I remember ringing in 2000 and thinking I was so cool, a high school senior, and so old... almost 18. And now here we are eleven years later. Crazy!

I love Ali Edward's idea of selecting a word for the year and making that word your focus or drive. When she takes photos, creates albums, or writes her blogs; her word of the year is always in the background.

I had a great time taking daily photos in 2010 and looking back through the blog I can see we had a great year with tons of memories each captured for future reference. As 2011 rings in, I will still take my daily photos, but with a new focus. In 2011 things are changing around here and I think my focus will be shifting.

So without further adieu, my word of the year is NURTURE.

nur·ture

 

verb, -tured, -tur·ing,

1.

to feed and protect: to nurture one's offspring.

2.

to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster:

3.

to bring up; train; educate.

This year I hope to learn how to take care of a little one, take care of a me and learn not put myself last, to nurture my career and my students, and finally to nurture my marriage for the changes that a new baby will bring.

What's your word for 2011?