running

Sad news is I can't run anymore. The belly does not like it. I've tried several times and each time ends with a belly cramp after a few minutes. So, I'm an old lady now and I walk. I walk around the BYU track and I walk on the treadmill at the gym with an incline. It does nothing for my running craving. Walking is so unsatisfying but I figure it's better than nothing. Last night I dreamt about my favorite 12 mile run up Provo canyon. I miss the Summer and Fall Saturday mornings spent running up the canyon and the feeling after a run. 

 I know this is temporary and my goal is to get back to running as soon as possible. In the meantime I'm trying to maintain cardio and do P90X for strength. 

I've picked out my stroller.  Meet BOB. The new man in my life, I think about him every day.

I see us spending a lot of time together.

calories

Calories. It was what I was craving on Friday. Tristan was at a Microsoft seminar so I recruited Kelsey to indulge with me for the evening. For dinner we dined on fatty mexican burritos. With lots of hot sauce, it was soooo gooood. While eating we searched my "guilty eats" board on Pinterest looking for the perfect thing to make. Through much debate and analyzing we decided on banana cake with cream cheese frosting. How can you say no to this picture?

 After burritos we went to the grocery store to buy the supplies...along with other necessities.

 The cake was fairly easy to make, especially when munching on Oreo's and peanut butter.  I separated an egg for the first time (not sure how I've gone so long without ever doing that) like a pro. We simply could. not. wait until the cake cooled to frost it so we cut out our own pieces to frost individually. Explains the missing pieces...

 Dinner + dessert + snacks + story telling + laughing = perfect Friday night sister date.

family photos

Our first day home in Carlsbad we took pictures for the 2011 Tucker Family Christmas card. It was very low key. We ended up with more candids than Christmas card worthy photos. Nevertheless, they are all keepers and each speak 1,000 words. Here are just a few from our afternoon at the beach.

 Dad and Jake had a race. It was a tie.

dodgeballers

BYU Intramural dodgeball. What a riot! Tristan is on a team with his buddies and boy do they have a blast throwing balls at other people.

 Ready...dodgeball!!

(Tris on the far right)

Get him out hun!

(Tris on the far left)

He's so fast out there he's practically a blur. Tristan has even made up his signature move called the "Kamikaze". You'll have to ask him about it.

 

Patches O'Houlihan said it best, "If you're going to become true dodgeballers, then you've got to learn the five d's of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge!"

let it be recorded...

...that today, was the first day, someone I do not know asked, "When is the baby due?" I was caught off guard. It was a nice mom with 2 young sons who are repeat offenders and often visit our office. I put a cast on one of them today. I told her all the details: May, it's a boy, and she was the first patient that said something. She replied that she last saw me in the fall without a belly and put flat to bump together. 

Oh and I framed our child's first photo. Totes adorbes, don't ya think? 

birthday kelsey

Happy Birthday to my little sister Kelsey! Today, January 18th, is her special day. We helped her celebrate the big 2-0. No longer a teenager, yea baby!!! 

We went to Tucanos for dinner. The equation for a perfect night:

One (1) sexy birthday girl,

 plus (+) some weird family members,

 plus (+) yummy food,

plus (+) dancing with a tambourine,

 equals (=) a freaking good time.

 I am so thankful for my sister, and best friend, Kelsey. 

Here's to an even better year. We love you!

cookies

My bestie, Becca, over at Beck-a-Boo crafts posted a nummy cookie recipe on her blog. We went to her house to play games and sampled some of these cookies fresh-out-of-the-oven. The next day I was at the store picking up the needed ingredients to made a whole batch for myself. Seriously, go make them right now. 

 Orange-Craisin Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 c. shortening

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 egg

1/4 c. water

1 tsp. vanilla

Zest of one medium sized orange (about 1 Tbs.)

1 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

3 c. oats

1 c. white chocolate chips
1 c. dried cranberries

Cream the shortening and sugars. Add the egg, water, vanilla and orange zest. In a separate bowl sift the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg together. Add the flour mix. Add the oats, and mix just until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. 

boy update

Tuesday, January 10th, was my 22 week appointment with Dr. Holmes. It was scheduled during one of Tristan's classes so he was unable to come but I brought Kelsey along for fun. It was the fastest appointment yet. Pee in a cup, weigh-in, blood pressure, cramping/bleeding questions, listen to the heartbeat for 10 seconds, eyeball measure the belly, and I was out the door. I'm feeling awesome and everything is measuring and looking great. 

22 week belly

 Two days later, Thursday January 12th, Tristan and I went for the big "20 week ultrasound" (I was actually 22 weeks at the appointment) with the ultrasound technologist. She looked at, literally, everything. Head, brain, spinal cord, vertebra, face, kidneys, bladder, heart, umbilical cord, legs, between the legs, tummy, and even his cute little feet. She even checked out my kidneys. We could see his arm moving around touching his face, like he was rubbing his eye. We brought home 6 pictures and a DVD of the ultrasound...which have been watched and stared at over and over.

For fun pictures.

 Naturally, I went to Baby Gap for a ultrasound celebratory baby purchase to add to the wardrobe.

I sent an ultrasound picture to my Dad and half an hour later he sent me this picture back with the caption.
"My first office photo. I am now officially a Grandpa!"

 

The ultrasound was an amazing experience. It makes it so real seeing our little guy and how big he's getting. It is reassuring to learn he is growing and healthy. The US technologist said he has long legs...just like his mom. :)

food porn

Totally appropriate. Just don't get caught staring for too long. 

My sister, Kelsey, just introduced me to foodporndaily.com.Try not to keep clicking, staring, and salivating all day long. Oh baby, come to mama...