Extra Pounds

Did anyone watch 'Biggest Loser Couples' this season? Well on one of the last episodes, the remaining contestants had to put weights all over their bodies to equal the weight they had lost and go running in it. They were immediately in pain from all the extra weight. This is how I feel. My friends and I do yoga once a week, and last week I told them I feel like I strapped on a fat suit while doing chaturanga dandasana . Much heavier trying to hold myself up with my arms with the extra weight. My friend Molly is a runner (among other things). She ran through all 3 of her pregnancies. She described running while pregnant like strapping on a 30 + lb fat suit, and running while breathing through a straw...and I added 'while a small human was using your bladder as a trampoline.' Good thing we can all laugh about this. I'm going to keep on exercising, and I guess I would've felt this way with the other 2 pregnancies had I exercised with them!

4th Sunday of Advent

I was overcome with emotion at Mass today as the last candle on the Advent wreath was lit. Today's reading about Mary's 'yes' was beautiful. Our priest really put it in modern time perspective too. Thank you Mary for your yes! Thank you Joseph for your yes! Alex asked me after church what would've happened if they didn't say yes to be the earthly parents of our Savior? Would the Angel Gabriel have found another young holy virgin to visit? Who knows?! I just told him we need to be thankful that we don't have to think about the 'what ifs.' We need to continue the tradition to saying yes to God's will even when it seems impossible or difficult.

Hail Mary, full of grace

The Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen

What not to say to a pregnant woman

Some of these things have been said to me, and some to my pregnant friend who is 7 weeks behind me. I'd love to hear if you have any to add. I included suggested responses in parentheses. People never cease to amaze me with what comes out of their mouths. Do people just have nerves of steel when talking to pregnant women, or what?

1) "Aww, you look like you swallowed a basketball, or maybe a watermelon." (Thanks, I'm growing a human in my gut. What's your excuse?)

2) "Really, you are only that far along? I thought you were due any day now!" (Well thanks, you are a quite a peach).

3) "I can't even tell you are pregnant."....this one's not so good when you've gained 20 pounds. (Thanks, that must mean the 20 lbs. I've gained are all in my butt...or lips in my case)

4) "Really, you've only gained 15 lbs. I would say that in your belly alone, it looks like at least 20." (Nice, I'm not even going to ask what you think I've gained when you add up the rest of my body)

5) "Gosh, you look huge today!" (Thanks for pointing that out. I thought it was just me!)

6) "When is the baby due?"....don't ever ask this question, even if is obvious that they are pregnant. You never want to run the risk of humiliating yourself.

Good things come to those who wait...

Just as we are spending this Holy Season of Advent waiting on a Savior, and just as some of us women waited on the perfect man, I have been waiting on the perfect pair of boots. I have been looking for months.

I thought, maybe I should just settle, and get some boots. I literally have no winter black shoes that don't have a high heel. And right now, (being top heavy, front heavy, and carrying a 2 year old around) heels are not my friends. I was getting desperate. Well, last Thursday, I had the day to shop (for Christmas gifts). I ran into DSW to look at boots...and there they were (insert heavenly voices singing here)...the perfect boots. I tried them on and they were just what I was seeking. Black, slouchy, suede boots with a slight wedge, and wide enough at the top to tuck my jeans into!

Then I saw the price tag...ughhh! Why do I have to have such expensive taste when I'm so cheap? It's not fair! They were $70, which some may say is not a bad deal since they were perfect, and a good pair of boots. But it is expensive to me. So I started to walk out of the store, but something pulled me back to them. Tadd has been asking me what I want for Christmas, and I haven't really wanted anything. So I decided to buy the boots and let Tadd wrap them up for me.

Anyway, I got up to the counter and the lady gave me my total which was $65 and some change. I said, "Well that's better than I thought." She said, "Oh, wait, I think I made a mistake." I thought, great, my honesty is going to come back to bite me. She then said "These were supposed to be an additional 30% off." Yeah me! I got my perfect boots for $42!!!!!

Good things DO come for those who wait. So let's prepare our hearts as we wait on our Savior! And for those of you waiting on something, whether it is to have a much desired baby, or to find the perfect mate, keep waiting. Just as He blessed Abraham with a child after waiting forever, and me with a wonderful husband and father for my son, and the perfect pair of boots (I'm grateful for the little blessings too) he will bless you too!

It's finally here!

Tonight we are heading to Toby Mac's WinterWonder Slam! Me and Alex have been counting down the days, and it's finally here. Can't wait to tell ya'll about it and hopefully share some pics! I wish my sister with connections could've hooked me up with some backstage passes, but she doesn't want me to have fun without her ;)

Bras, Bangs and Botox

So it was a big week in the world of the fashionista! As mentioned in my previous post, I went shopping at UAL with some friends. One of them (actually both of them) is very fit and athletic. She would be happy wearing yoga clothes everywhere. Anyway, she ended up buying an entire big girl outfit that day! A top, jacket, and jeans that weren't baggy! Yeah! She said the only problem was that she was going to have to wear a bra with the new shirt...ya think?! Ladies...you should ALWAYS wear a bra!

So Tuesday, I got a text message from her saying she bought a bra and had been wearing it all day! Big day for her, and the fashionista for the breakthrough. On the same day I received the text, I got a haircut! I've been growing it out for the last year, and have really felt blah about it lately. I knew I wanted to keep growing it, but wanted some sort of style. My clothes already look Frumpy McFrumperton, so decided to go funky with the hair. I got bangs! And I got the bottom trimmed up a little.

On Thanksgiving Day, we had the pleasure of having our friends Mary and Brian and their kids have lunch with my family in Mobile. Well, Brian couldn't figure out what was different about me. I told him it was my hair. He said, "I knew it was something, but I thought you got lip injections." Awesome, thanks Brian. NOT a compliment to prego who's body is plumping in places that have nothing to do with pregnancy. Tadd keeps saying how pretty my plump lips are, and it's freaking me out. I DID NOT get botox, and would love for my lips to go back to normal size.

So word from the wise, all you expectant moms out there (and I know there are quite a few of you), don't get a crazy new haircut while prego...it may draw attention to your ever growing lips.