OUCH!

Between the injuries Rob seems to sustain at work and my body not liking exercise these days, the Reno Herringtons are falling apart. I laugh when one of us gets out of bed because we look about 40 years older than we are, hunched over and limping. Last night I overdid it on a walk with the dogs. The weather was nice and I needed exercise so I decided to take the dogs for a walk. Well, I got to a street I hadn't been to and decided I didn't have the energy to go back down the way I came up. I could see our house below me so I decided to turn the walk into a hike. By the time I got home my lower back, left calf and foot were hurting. Usually after a good night's sleep I feel better. That was not the case this morning. My foot hurt so bad that I actually wore flip flops to work just so I could take off my shoes at will. After dinner I plan on taking a bath and going to bed early. That should do the trick! Now, if we can only fix Rob's ailments........

Life Goal

As I am sitting here feeling Preston move around, I am thinking of his future and mine. The world is an endless opportunity for him to be whatever HE may want to be(His daddy has certain ideas for his life!). He could be a doctor, lineman, teacher, bull rider, astronaut, etc. But for me, I don't know what my future may hold. It could be going back to education, being a stay-at-home mom for more than a year or my latest dream....an author. My active imagination gives me a lot of great ideas for books. I don't know if I want to write adult romance novels or children's books. I decided that, if I do write chilrden's books, my main characters are going to be named Holly, Roxy, Dixie and Doc. I came up with this idea after talking to one of our neighbors this week about our "four legged kids". I could write all kinds of stories about how these four animals became friends and the adventures they go on together. So, if you are ever in a bookstore somewhere down the line and see a children's book with J. Herrington as the author at least you'll know who the main characters are going to be!

Friend Filled Day

Rob is back to working long hours, 7 days a week. When he comes home he does a lot around the house. I am grateful for all that he does for our family and to help me out. I have become more dependent on him than I thought I would be. I mean, how hard should it be to carry a bag of dog food from the car?? But, with all that's on his plate lately, in a way I feel single because I am by myself more than I am with him. I never thought I'd be that kind of girl that misses her husband when he works a lot. But, I've changed in more ways than one since Rob walked into my life almost two years ago. Anyway.....

Lately I have been kind of anti-social, being perfectly content at home. For those of you that know me, know that's not typically my personality. But, today has been different. I met up with one of my good friends at a local lake, where we went for a two mile walk (Don't remember the last time I've walked that far....or had the desire to!). Then we rewarded ourselves with lunch and cheesecake at Claim Jumper. After that we went to the mall because both of us wanted more Spring maternity tops. I am now at home, but not for long. In about 15 minutes I am leaving to go meet up with some more friends to celebrate the birthday of one of our ringbearers. He turned 4 last weekend, but was too sick to celebrate so it was decided to go have dinner tonight. It's a little overwhelming to be around so many friends all in one day, after only talking to them on the phone lately. I've enjoyed it, though, getting out of the house and being social. Who knows how often that'll happen once Preston joins us so I might as well take advantage of it while I can!!!

How Big Can Ya Get?

I was feeling "frumpy" today so I thought I'd spice it up today. This morning I picked out a cute Spring top that was not in my maternity section, but still big enough to fit in. My plan ended up backfiring because with the way it looks, it accentuates my ever growing baby bump. One student came up to me today and very sweetly said, "Cinco is really getting big isn't he?". I told her that no, it was indeed me just getting fatter. She again sweetly told me that it was Cinco getting bigger....wish she was in my class so I could give her straight A's. When I got home I decided to get some much needed exercise so I took the dogs out. I had just gotten back and was in the yard when Rob got home. The first thing he said was, "Wow, you are really looking pregnant today." I guess wearing the cute, non-maternity top did nothing to "slim me down". Oh well! I am not one of those girls that freaks about that. I know I eat healthy (except for my one...or two desserts I eat a day!) and Cinco is healthy. So, in my book, that's what matters! God bless pregnancy and all the weight that comes with it.....ha!

Starting Off Grumpy

You ever have one of those days that you just know isn't going to be the best? Well, that's how I woke up feeling this morning. I'm not a fan of waking up early to an alarm clock, but I like it even less when I know I have to wake up to correct papers and get things done before school. I'm having a hard time adjusting to the grading system I have to use this year, which makes life difficult at report card time. Between leaving school grumpy yesterday because of a student situation that I didn't feel was handled properly, being hormonal and getting woken up in the middle of the night with a horrific leg cramp (which is still sore 4 hours later mind you) I just have a feeling about today. I REALLY hope I am wrong!

Is it Friday yet??

It was such a relaxing weekend. I was able to get things done, but at my own pace. When my alarm went off at 5:30am this morning I knew the whirlwind week was about to begin! I got to school 1 1/2 hours early and stayed almost 1 1/2 hours after school was out. Between grading papers, daily meetings, getting paperwork done for my students to register for Jr High, planning for projects and fieldtrips and finishing report cards I am overwhelmed. But, it's that time of year. It'll be like this until June 3rd. I just told Rob I am getting a migraine. I even broke down and took a Tylenol to take the edge off so I can still correct more papers and watch Dancing with the Stars. On the bright side, I think Preston has either done a flip or is a prized boxer because now all the movement is in between my ribs. It feels much different than when it's in my abdomen. Either way, I wouldn't trade it for the world! His movements make me smile even on my most exhausting days!!!

Belly Talk

Yesterday Rob finally had the day off so he bonded with Preston. He felt him move in the afternoon when I was laying down. Then, last night he talked to him, telling him the facts of life. He told him what careers he could and couldn't have. He told him about how his daddy can be moody at times. Then he sang him a Chris LeDoux song to initiate him into cowboy music (Heaven help us all!). It made me laugh and brought a huge smile to my face that I couldn't get rid of the rest of the night. I love that daddy and son are bonding at such an early age!!!

What started out as a walk........

It's supposed to rain or snow later today and the clouds have been rolling in. So, I decided to seize the opportunity and take the dogs for a longer walk on a new route. They always enjoy walks, but they seemed to enjoy it even more today. They explored a park, saw llamas, played in a little creek and met a few new dogs along the way. Not to mention they got to "mark" all over new territory. They were running all over, so excited. In fact, they were so excited that their butts were actually wagging, not just their tails! By the last stretch I was worn out. I decided to take what looked like a short cut, through the trees. The dogs loved it, but after pushing my way in between limbs a few times I decided my idea was not a good one. Once I got back to the paved area I leashed the dogs. Not because of cars coming by, but because I needed all the help I could get climbing a big hill. I thought of the iditarod competitions and felt like Holly and Roxy were my sled dogs, minus the sled and snow. Holly really impressed me because she kept up a good pace the entire walk and was able to pull me up the hill a little. Even on the very last hill, I had to stop and rest (I had unleashed the dogs by then, deciding to "Cowgirl Up" and make it on my own!) but she only stopped to "check in" on me. Then she'd see me start walking again and be on her way. Now that we're home I am the one with more energy. Both dogs are crashed out and I'm in the process of turning the office into a nursery by organizing and cleaning. But, after lunch, I plan to reward myself the way Holly and Roxy are by taking a long afternoon nap myself!

A Mouse, A Bunny and A Coyote....Oh MY!

That about sums it up. Rob and I went to dinner and when we pulled into our neighborhood we first saw a coyote. Then a mouse scurried across the road. Right before turning on our road, a bunny hopped in front of us. I don't like the mice and coyotes super close to our house but it's nice to know that we live out of town enough to still enjoy the wildlife....from afar! Being above the city does have its perks!

Sleepless in Reno

It's 2:00am and at some point in life that wouldn't have been very late. But, now it's a time way past my bedtime. So far past my bedtime that, at 2am, I've actually gotten in a full night's sleep compared to most people because I go to bed so early. But, tonight/today I am up for some reason. It started with the water rejuvenation waking me up, which is a common occurrence since we got the new system (It's SOOO loud!). Then it progressed into a middle-of-the-night bathroom break. From there I can usually go back to sleep but Preston was awake for some reason, playing a soccer game in my belly. I tried to ignore it but then my stomach started rumbling, telling me that I needed to eat (Don't know why since my dinner consisted of 2/3 small pizza and 2 Cadbury eggs....a favorite this time of year!). Alas, I succumbed to my stomach and am now blogging instead of sleeping. After downing a few strawberries and Preston in "resting mode" again I am hoping this means I can sign off and go back to sleep for a few hours. G'Night!!

5 1/2, going strong!

I am sitting in the comfort of our home, feeling slightly guilty because Rob is outside putting the finishing touches on the hay shed after working a long day. But, now that I'm blogging I guess I'm over it??! Anyway, wanted to post an updated photo because people were saying that they couldn't tell I was preggo with the last photo I posted. Now it is sooooo obvious due to my ever growing belly. It's funny because just this week kids at school have been asking if I'm having a baby. Sometimes I tell them yes, but most of the time I like to mess with the kids. I tell them that I've just eaten too much cafeteria food. Or, with the older kids I get a serious look and ask if they're implying that I'm fat. So much fun!
Everything is going great! I am loving the fact that Preston has begun to move a little, every other night or so. Last night, as I was falling asleep, I swear he was doing an Irish jig in my belly. He had such perfect rhythm. I just laid there smiling until I fell asleep! Other than the constant back pain, I love being pregnant now.

Nada

There is nothing much to report from the Herrington household. Rob is working like a horse, coming home exhausted and then assembling a hay shed for the horses. I am working- not like a horse- then coming home and "nesting", reading and going to bed early. Yesterday and today both seem like they should be Friday, which is not a good thing in my book. It just means it's a long week! So, there ya have it..... like I said- NADA!! (We speak Spanish now that we're having "Cinco"... ha!!)

Baby Fun!

IF you are getting tired of reading blogs about the baby you may want to just stop reading them from here on out because that seems to be my priority these days! Unfortunately we aren't as close to family and friends as we'd like so I can fill everyone in this way. Anyway, things are really starting to become so real. I realized today that I am over halfway there! In some ways it seems like I've been pregnant forever because I found out so early. But, in other ways it seems like it was only yesterday that the pee stick came back "pregnant".
Last night Rob and I registered at Babies R Us. It's amazing how much babies "need" when they are first born. Rob thought some of it was just pointless, which I agree with. But, trust me when I say we still found plenty to fill the registry! We also found this adorable website: smallinthesaddle.com. We absolutely love everything on there and plan to get the crib set from there. But, unfortunately, they don't do baby registries....I called and asked. (If you have free time you may want to get on there just to browse because everything is so stinkin' cute...and will most likely be in the nursery or something Preston wears at some point.
Today I had my 21 week dr. appt. My doc said everything is going great! I'm on the lower scale of weight gain, which really makes me happy. All the baby tests came back negative, which is a good thing. She said she is pleased with everything at the moment! I asked her if my back will continue to bother me and she said that it will most likely get worse as Preston grows and I get bigger. Bummer! But, my thought is that if that's the worst of the pregnancy I can handle it.
Today the baby furniture came. The website said it wouldn't come for 2 weeks so the nursery is not cleaned out and ready to go yet. But, I will clean this weekend while Rob is at work so hopefully we can get the furniture set up sooner rather than later. It is all becoming so real! What a blessing this has all been! I can see why people say that pregnant women glow because every time says something about my baby bump, asks about Preston or he kicks me I just can't stop grinning from ear to ear!!

Life is Grand!

I am always in a much better mood when the sun is shining, but today has been an exceptionally good day! I got 2 wonderful letters in the mail today. The first one was from my district, stating that my year leave of absence was approved. That means I get to be at home with Preston for at least a year!!! Then we got a letter stating that Preston is definately a boy and that there are no fetal abnormalities. All of these things we already knew but seeing it in writing just finalized all the good news.
Past and future.... Last night, while lying on the couch, I could swear that I felt Preston kick me for the first time. It felt like nothing I'd felt before! It only happened once but I am sure that's what it was. Tomorrow will be a good day because we get to register at Babies R Us as part of our date night!! Does life get any better than this??? I can't stop smiling with all that we've been blessed with lately! Like I said, life is grand!!
Off to walk the dogs and enjoy the beautiful evening......................

Family Walk

After cleaning and taking a nap this afternoon, I decided it was time to exercise for both me and Preston so I could work off the cheesy bread and peanut butter cookies I had eaten earlier. The sun is shining bright and, despite the wind, it's pretty warm outside so I figured a walk with the dogs would be good. Rob told me he would join me so we all headed out. Rob's idea of walking ended up being him riding Doc while the rest of us walked. It was a lot of fun though. The birds were chirping in the treetops and there were some rabbits running about so Roxy had fun chasing them (Holly was just trying to finish the walk!). I enjoyed our family time together in our beautiful neighborhood. It was a good workout and now I'm ready to make dinner.

It's Official!!

Our prayers were answered and we found out yesterday that a healthy baby BOY was growing inside of me. For about fifteen minutes, we sat mesmerized, watching our little boy kick, grab his feet, rub his eyes. It was such an amazing experience, one I cannot completely put into words! To know that our baby has his own little playful life inside of me and I can't feel a thing is beyond my comprehension!! The tech measured him and said he was in the 60th percentile for my estimated due date. I hope that means he'll enter the world earlier than expected instead of being born on time and being HUGE!
We are already so much in love with lil "Cinco". Every time I think about watching him brings tears of joys to my eyes. I had yet to get emotional during ultrasounds and heartbeat sounds, but yesterday changed me. As soon as we found out that we are having Robert Preston Herrington V I got emotional and continued to be that way the rest of the ultrasound. Thank you to our family and friends that are reading this and have already showered our lil guy with so much love!! He/We are truly blessed!!!

First Big Storm

I've decided I like living in the snow. Yesterday the snow really started to fall. There was enough last night for Rob to make a small "snowman" (It looked more like Snoopy to me and when he fixed it, it looked like an angel.) This morning we woke up to a Winter Wonderland, with about 5-6 inches of snow, and I get to go into work a couple hours later than usual because of it. No complaints from me!

Wacky Weather

Wacky weather seems to be the theme across the nation the past few days. We didn't want to be left out so we got our fair share as well. Sunday night and yesterday morning we had close to 50-60 mph winds. They predicted up to 100 mph but it never got that bad to my knowledge. Then it was raining cats and dogs, a rarity around this neck of the woods. Our street got so muddy that it was nearly impossible to get down. Luckily Rob had called to warn me about it so I wasn't shocked when I went down our road sideways (Hey, I got a whole new view of the properties on the left side of the road!). I didn't want to chance it coming home so I took our little access road to get to the house, which was much easier. To top it all off, the moisture turned to snow at some point last night. We woke up to about 2-3 inches of snow on our deck. I never thought I'd prefer snow over rain but it's a lot easier to maneuver in. Plus, it's prettier so I am happy that we have snow again!

Workin' Like a Horse

Every day Rob gets up at 4:30am to brave the elements (today it's high winds) and bring home the "bacon". This weekend he doesn't even get a break from work. Yesterday he left around 5am, worked a full day and had an errand to run after work. By the time he got home, cleaned up our neighbor's trailer he had borrowed and spent time with the horses it was dark. Being a "50's style wife", as my friend calls it, I feel it is my obligation to keep the house clean, laundry done and a warm meal made at the end of the day. So, yesterday I went into nesting mode. I cleaned the washer, dryer and vacccuum cleaner (after vaccuuming each stair). Then I cleaned the windows, which is something I rarely do for some reason. This is on top of cleaning the bathrooms, the kitchen, getting groceries, working out, baking brownies and doing 4 loads of laundry. Today, after the race gets underway, I plan on tackling the downstairs closet and cleaning the downstairs bathroom. I feel the need to clean and organize today so I might as well take advantage of it. Hopefully I will be done with all of this by the time Rob gets home from yet another exhausting day at work!