Another Addition

Since Rob and I are animal lovers (I love dogs much more than horses but I'm coming around) we should've bought a house with a lot more land. In one year we have managed to fill our ever shrinking house with 2 dogs, 2 horses and a baby on the way. YIKES! Rob has been wanting a friend for Dixie and has been looking on Craigslist for the past few months. He came across a deal earlier in the week that was too good to pass up. No money was involved (which always makes me happy) and he got to trade his dirt bike for a giant. Seriously, our new horse is the biggest horse I've ever seen up close. To give you an idea of how big he is, when I took the dogs for a walk this afternoon I could see Rob on Doc's back from one street over! I thought Rob was standing on the corral fence until I came up the hill and saw him riding Doc. I told Rob if I ever rode him I'd need a step ladder. I think he'll be a nice addition though. He and Dixie have become fast friends and it's good that she has company. He's older and has been trained so hopefully he can help in training her in years to come (although she has come a LONG way in a short amount of time with Rob). So, I think we are done with additions.....until July. By the time we move from here we may have ourselves an entire farm (I'm pushing for a mule or pig next....ha!)

Still Going

As you probably know, I am not a patient person when it comes to certain things. Being sick is one of them. I slept sitting up last night and was excited when I woke up able to breath this morning. That was short lived! I had to take the morning off for an insurance adjuster to come look at the carper in our guest room (that is a whole different blog). So, I was able to get a lot done around the house. But, by the time I got ready for work I was back to being congested and my fever had gone up. Unfortunately, I couldn't take the entire day off due to a student meeting. I went to work and wasn't feeling all that great. Now that I'm home I am feeling a little better. Amazing how being at home can make you feel better!

Up Sick

So, it's 1:30am and I should be snug as a bug in a rug. Instead I could be one of those NyQuil commercials right now. You know, where the person is tossing and turning with the sniffly, sneezing, achy thing going on? Well, that's me to a "T" right now. I woke up right before 12:30, listened to our new water system regenerate for 20 minutes, listened to the 40-50 mph winds outside, readjusted the pillows several times, blew my nose just as many times and still ended up on the couch, blogging at 1:30am. This not being able to take NyQuil sucks. I know if I got a good night's sleep I would be fine. But, instead, I highly suspect this wonderful cold will turn into an even more wonderful sinus infection. Gotta love it! OK, Round 2 in trying to get back to sleep............

Wonderful Weekend

What a fun weekend we've had! Friday night we got together with some other couples in the neighborhood to go out to Rob's new favorite restuarant, The Jazz Cafe. After dinner we walked next door to the new HUGE sporting goods store because some of the people hadn't been there yet. Unfortunately, dinner didn't set well with me or one of the other girls. So, I didn't sleep too good Friday night.
Yesterday our accountant came over to get our tax info (OK, so there was one bad part of the weekend!). After she left Rob decided to get on Dixie. Dixie did really well, except she wouldn't move. So, Rob talked me into coming out and walking Dixie around to help the process. I actually really enjoyed leading her around by the halter while Rob sat on her. She did so good!! The only gliche is if I stopped holding her halter, she stopped walking. I thought it was cute but Rob was getting frustrated. She's still really young so it'll take her awhile. MAYBE she'll end up being "my" riding horse because she doesn't like to go.
I was so tired after helping Rob that I layed down and took a 2 hour nap! Then, miracles of miracles, I made it down the hill to the gym. They probably think something had happened to me since it had been Nov or Dec since I had been there last. It felt great to workout! Rob and I topped off the day by going to the movies. We saw "He's Just Not That Into You", which I thought was good. Rob got more of a kick out of the older gentleman that sat next to us and cried at the end than he did the movie. But, he is a trooper with taking me to chick flicks!
Today it's overcast so I'm hoping that means rain. After church we plan on watching NASCAR, our Sunday thing to do. I like this racetrack because it brings backs fun memories of when Rob took me there so I am excited to watch the race. Go Stewart!!!!

Better Day

So, yesterday was not a fun day. Parents were writing letters and calling me to tell me things they have problems with in regards to my teaching. Then, one of my "lovebugs" was not so easy to love and ended up being in the office more than the classroom. On top of that, owning a house comes with adult responsibilities that stress me out. But, Rob was so sweet and kept me laughing most of the night, taking away some of the stress.
The best thing about yesterday was Rob was able to finally get on Dixie. I was pulling up to the house and he waved me over to the corral. When I got over there he was climbing onto Dixie's back. I held my breath, waiting for her to buck him. But, to my surprise, she didn't. Even with the dogs running around her she just stood there. What a huge difference from a couple months ago! Although I am still not sure of her, I was impressed with how much she's matured. It'll be exciting to see how well she does in the future.
Today was a better day, even if it still wasn't the best. My adult responsibilities did not disappear and my "lovebug" ended up getting suspended. We got bad news about Holly. Rob took her to the vet and found out she has extreme hip dysplasia. It may come down to her having a double hip replacement. Reading this, it doesn't sound like today was a better day but I guess my attitude was more positive. I realized I can't change things and that I can't control life (that came as a surprise!....ha!) so I decided to look at all the good we've been blessed with. Overall, today was a better day!

Monumental Moment!

I am not in the mood to write tonight because it's been one of those days, but one of the few goods things (that Rob really wanted me to share) is that he got on Dixie today. AND she didn't once try to buck him off, even with the dogs running around the corral (oops....guess I taught them a bad habit). I'll write more about it tomorrow or the next day so stay tuned...............................

I Could Get Used to This!

4 day weekends are the best and I've decided that if they didn't come with pay cuts I would fight for them! Friday was a busy day with dr appts and errands, but on Saturday I got to meet up with a friend for an unexpected lunch while Rob was at work. After lunch she and I went to Babies R Us....talk about overwhelming! After going down 2 aisles I stopped talking because it was more than I could take in. A baby needs way more than I would've guessed! Yesterday it snowed off and on all day so we invited some of our neighbors over for Opening Day of NASCAR. It was a lot of fun, even though Rob got frustrated that he couldn't hear the race because of everyone talking about life. Last night I was reading and Rob instigated a snowball/grape fight IN the house. Once the baby comes I'll have 2 kids to deal with....ha!! This morning I would've enjoyed sleeping in due to President's Day (I love federal holidasy) but I had to go look at some baby stuff and go to the dentist. But, after that I got to do a little shopping and A LOT of resting. The snow started again so I built a fire and have been a couch potato. Like I said, I could get used to this!

Boogity Boogity Boogity....

LET'S GO RACING BOYS!! If you watch NASCAR then you know that today is opening day of the season. I have tried many things that Rob is interested in....hunting, dirt biking, horses, etc. But, NASCAR is about the only thing that I've relly taken to, to the point that I enjoy even if he's out of town and can't watch the race with me. Before Rob, I used to despise the sport because I didn't know about it. Now that I'm knowledgable about it I thoroughly our Sunday afternoon race times. I won't lie....there are times that the lulling of the engines put me to sleep but I stay awake of the green flag and the checkered flag.
The best is when we get to go to live races. So far we've been to Fontana, Pheonix and Pocono. We've been to at least one race every year since we've been together. There's nothing compared to watching it live! I want to go to a race this year but I don't know if that will be feesible. So, if it's not then I'll enjoy watching the races on TV this season. Rob cheers for Dale Jr. but I've decided that Tony Stewart is the one I'm rooting for now. I read articles about NASCAR and follow the drivers, so I know that Tony speaks his mind. But, he also gives a lot and thoroughly loves what he does. So, let's get the green flag dropped and LET'S GO RACING BOYS!!!

Hallmark Holiday

I tried to fit my "soapbox" speech into my other blog for today but couldn't make it work so I get the whole space just to vent about today. Here it goes...Really people? Why do you pick one day out of the year to go above and beyond for your significant other? I have, and probably always will, hate Valentine's day because it's such a commercialized, pointless holiday. Hallmark sells cards that say what you should be telling your significant other in person, every day. The flower shops force you to spend a ridiculous fortune on flowers that are half the quality they are every other month of the year (except Mother's Day). Restaurants are so packed that you have to wait forever to be seated then can't enjoy each other's company because there are too many people around you. I just don't really see the point in this day. The ONLY good part of this day, in my opinion, is the box of chocolates. Every year when I was single, my parents would give me a box of chocolates. That's the only thing I'd get excited about on this day. So, in celebration of a pointless holiday, I am on a mission today to buy those cheap chocolate covered cherries because I've been craving them the past few days. Other than the chocolate, I really don't like this holiday because it gives people an excuse to do what they should be doing every other day of the year... not the roses and expensive dinners per se but the expressions of love. Don't get me wrong. I am truly a hopeless romantic and love the little notes or emails Rob sends me or the roses he sends me on a regular basis. My heart does a flip flop when he compliments me and I think it's quite gentlemanly that he holds the door open for me. I just don't think one day needs to be singled out for those types of things. So, there ya have it. Although I have quite a few opinions, I don't express them often but this is one I am very passionate about. So, instead of celebrating the commercialized Hallmark Holiday, the Herrington household is going to celebrate 8 months of marriage and the Opening Weekend of NASCAR. Now those are things to celebrate!!!

That White Stuff is Back

Rob often laughs at me, telling me I get way too excited about the little things in life. But, I can't help it. It is now a habit to use my nightly bathroom breaks to also check how much snow has fallen. Then, when he wakes up, I report my findings. We were predicted to get 1-2 feet between Thursday night and Tuesday. But, sadly, we've only gotten a few inches so far. I woke up when Rob's alarm went off this morning and looked out to find about 1/2 an inch had fallen over night. But, now that I'm awake it's really coming down. I never thought I'd enjoy the snow so much, but I do. Well, I do when I don't have to work or drive in it. As some point today I'll make the trek down the mountain to run a couple errands and rent a few movies. Nothing better than the snow falling, a fire in the fireplace, and being curled up next to Rob watching movies!

IT'S A.....?????????????????

We don't know because, as kids can be, the baby was being stubborn. S/he was moving ALL around (thanks to the soda and chocolate I consumed beforehand), which I could've watched for hours. The baby clapped its hands, looked like it was talking (Rob said that's proof it's mine) and started to do a somersault. The most amazing thing is that all of this was going on and I couldn't feel a thing. We got to see every part of the baby except the part we really wanted to see. It had quite the round belly, which I told Rob was proof that the baby was his. The ultrasound tech was the same guy that did my very first ultrasound when I had gone to the ER at 6 weeks. He is so nice and patiently tried for a long time to determine the gender. He did say at one point that if he had to guess he would say it was a boy because he had seen "something" a couple times. But, he couldn't be 100% sure so hopefully we'll be able to go back in a few weeks and find out for sure if it's a boy or girl. So, stayed tuned.......

Sshhh...Don't Tell Rob!!

Rob is gone a lot again for work, which leaves Dixie as my responsibility. She is a beautiful filly and I've seen her sweet side but I'm still not 100% sure of her (I'm sure the feeling is mutual.). So, needless to say, feeding her is not one of my most favorite things to do. But, I've discovered a plan that works. I've "hired" bodyguards to help me with the feeding process. Although she probably doesn't like it, the dogs love to be in the corral and "play" chase with Dixie. So, when I get ready to feed her I call the dogs to come in the corral with me. They either stand on either side of me while I put the food in the stall (bodyguard style) or they stand in front of the stall, keeping Dixie out of it. Once in a blue moon they will chase after her, distracting her while I put her food out. Then, I leave without having to worry about being kicked or cornered in the stall. It's a win-win situation for us all. Dixie gets fed, the dogs get to run around and I get in and out safe. Gotta love it when a plan comes together!!

What Is Going On?

This had not been a fun couple days, let me tell you. It started yesterday morning when I started getting sharp abdominal pains. Now I've had plenty of cramping with the pregnancy but nothing like I felt yesterday. So, I waited awhile and it didn't subside so I called my doctor. The nurse took down the info and said she'd call me back after the doctor got back from lunch. When she did call me back she said that the doctor said it's the baby's way of telling me I'm overdoing it and that I need to rest. I don't really understand how I'm overdoing it. I go to work and cook dinner when I get home. Other than that I usually space out the laundry, vaccuuming, etc over the course of the weekend. I haven't even really felt like working out lately because of some issues with my tailbone. But, if I don't start resting and the pains continue then I could be put on bed rest. For those that know me well, know this would be my worst nightmare! Then, last night, I couldn't stop crying. I haven't been too hormonal but when I am it sure makes up for the times I haven't been. I cried from dinner until well after I got into bed. Every time I tried to stop I'd cry more. I guess it was the combination of the pain, being exhausted and the unknown. (Poor Rob didn't know what to do because he was in pain himself. We were quite the pair!) I ended up taking today off and have been resting. I've only had a few sharp pains, which is a welcome relief. I've cried once and have slept a lot. I guess my body and the baby were really telling me how much I needed this because I finally feel somewhat better.

Trip to Sacto

I braved the elements and drove to Sacramento for some quality time and pampering from my parents. We had a lot of fun eating Mexican food, playing with the dogs, watching NASCAR and window shopping for baby stuff. My parents met Holly for the first time and my mom fell in love with her immediately! Holly loves attention so she and my mom bonded right away. After pulling the two of them apart we spent the afternoon shopping at various baby store (my dad was a trooper with it all). Even though we didn't buy anything we had fun getting ideas. Then, after we were all pooped out, we came home and relaxed. I really missed Rob and couldn't wait to get home to him this afternoon but had a hard time leaving my parents' house. It was just such a nice time together.

*** If you have a Facebook account you can see more pics from my visit with them.***

Be Careful What You Wish For

This morning on my way down the hill I was thinking that sushi sounded so good for dinner. Rob, however, probably will never step foot into a sushi place other than the Japanese Steakhouse in Brandon. I was thinking that since he is going out of town on Tuesday for work I'd just have to wait until then. This thought plagued me because the more I thought about it the more I wanted sushi TONIGHT! Just as I got to the bottom of the hill Rob called and asked me to meet him there. I pulled over and waited for him to pull up in his spiffy Dodge Charger that he's renting. When he did he told me he had to go out of town spur of the moment and wouldn't be back until Sunday. The ironic thing is that I had just told him last night that I hate when he goes out of town but I wish if he did have to go out of town it could be on a weekend so I could go to Sacto. Now both of my wishes were coming true....sushi tonight and a trip to Sacto. But, although my wishes are coming true, (One already did because I just downed 2 California rolls for dinner followed by a bowl of Fruity Pebbles for dessert!) it's not the same as having my best friend around. I'm sitting in this big empty house with just the dogs, changing my wish to be that Rob was with me right now. I know I'll have fun with my parents, as I have been missing them so much lately. And I know I'll get to see Rob Sunday but it's just not the same when he is not around!

A Day In The Life Of....

Sorry for my lack of blogging. This week has been monotonous. This is what a typical work day looks like in my life......

4:30am- Rob's alarm goes off so I wake him up to turn it off
5:00am- Wake Rob up again, reminding him he has to go to work
5:30am- My alarm goes off to which I hit the snooze button several times
5:50ish- Reluctantly roll out of bed and put the dogs out to do their business
6am- Eat 1-2 bowls of cereal depending on how hungry I am & check my email
6-7am- Get ready for work and watch the news
7ish- Pour my cup of decaf coffee, put the dogs in the garage and head down the hill
7:30- Meet at Becky's house to carpool
8am- Get to work
8:15-9:10- Meetings, prep for the day
9:10- My wonderful students are welcomed at the door
9:15- Yell at students for not turning in homework
9:20-10:45- Teach
10:45am- Wish I was closer to a bathroom
10:45-12:30- Continue teaching, count down til lunch
12:30- Lunch
1:05- Teach
2:15- Recess duty... pray there are no fights
2:30-3:15- Teach or enjoy prep time
3:15- Say good bye to my wonderful students
3:45- Find Becky and remind her it's time to go home
4:15- Get to my car and head back up the hill
4:30- Play with the dogs
5-6:30- Clean up around the house, relax, make dinner, clean up dinner
6:30-9:00- Relax some more, "fight" Rob for the computer, check Craigslist for baby stuff, email friends, watch too much TV
9:00- Fix Rob's lunch and put the dogs out for the last time
9:30- Crawl into bed, read, talk to Rob, say my prayers, go to sleep
Midnight- Get up to use the restroom
12:30am- Finally get comfortable and fall back asleep
3:00ish- Get up again and repeat the midnight routine

So, there you have it. Kinda boring this week. I'm sure I will have more to blog about soon so stayed tuned!