Life after the Storm

well, i wouldn't go as far as saying that. my reality has been filled with plenty of blessings. i am a lucky girl. i have had my shares of downs and tears like most, but overall, i'd say i'm lucky. truly. last night, i spent the whole day cooking a feast. i had my turkey, corn casserole, buffalo chicken dip, green beans, mexican rice and carne guisada. all ready for my guests (sisters in law). i've cooked for them before, so this was nothing new. but it would be our first christmas together without our parents. my parents were having their annual christmas party while theirs was on their way to mexico for my mother in law's parents' 60th wedding anniversary. the sisters would fly out on tuesday. it was nice and quiet. i enjoyed cooking and cleaning. we opened presents and talked about what Ellie would be like, who she'd look like the most. this morning, i drove to my hometown and visited with my parents. my dad saw my growing belly and touched it tryin...

My name is Eleanor Reece - but my mommy will call me Ellie. I'm told I'm named Eleanor for my dad's love of mustang. Specifically, the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. Reece comes from my parent's love of Reese's peanut butter cups. I like to move around in my mommy's belly. Sometimes, I get poked at - which I don't like, but I'm learning to poke back....which I don't think my mommy likes. One day, I'll come out and poke whoever kept doing that to me and see how they like it!

Dear baby, I've slowly started a 'baby book' for you, but as you get older, you'll learn that life is chaotic and sometimes our best intentions are never realized. Sometimes, I like to write - mostly about random thoughts, God-searching, hopes, dreams and wishes. This section is for you. This morning, at my 20 week appointment, I found out what you are. I've waited and hoped that you would be a boy. But the surprise was that you are a busy body little girl. Casey, the sonogram tech, would find where you were and as soon as she was finish keying in something in the computer, you'd move positions again. She had to chase you from one end of the tummy to the other. Makes me wonder what energy you'll have when you come out!! It's 13 days till Christmas and all I wish for you (right now) is that you come into this world healthy. You won't know this yet, but your parents have NO IDEA what they're doing. There will be people in your life - aunts, gra...

(taken at 11-30-11) Apetite getting bigger! and 12 days (starting tomorrow) we get to find out what gummy bear is!!! I'm getting anxious and hope to start feeling him/her soon. Friends who are pregnant around the same time as me have already started feeling their tiny ones. I haven't felt anything, sadly. I heard the heartbeat so in that sense, I know its at least ALIVE...but I'd really like to start feeling something.

Do you know why I love fall? Aside from the wonders of nature - falling leaves, browns, oranges and reds, thanksgiving, turkey, spiced pumpkin latte at starbucks?? Ok, so that last one isn't really on my list. I've been banned from Starbucks (my first love) by my current love (the hubs). I love fall because I have absolutely NO EXCUSES to NOT RUN. It's perfect, breezy and slightly chilly. Hoodies, leggings and my favorite tennis shoes and I'm good to go. I walked 1.8 miles today and probably jogged about .25 mile. I wasn't exactly sure how the kid was going to take it. But it wasn't like September. It was still 90 plus degrees outside and after only going for a minute, felt like I could collapse at any second!!! I did talk to my doctor at 9 weeks that I'm an "occassional runner" and if it was still ok to run when the mood strikes. She gave me the go ahead. I even started reading and researching books on running while pregant and for the most pa...

tomorrow starts my 2nd trimester. i really hope that the tiredness goes away.....actually, i'm not for certain if its tiredness or laziness that's the problem. i can't believe that i've only got 26 weeks left in this pregnancy. it seemed like only yesterday, i was still wrapping my brain around the idea of being a parent. i've only got six and a half months to be really, really selfish and sadly, i've been too tired to care. for a lot of women, this stage of pregnancy is filled with resounding energy......which is great since i haven't walked in a couple of weeks and really need to. yesterday, i played (or rather attempted to play) tennis with the sister. every 10 minutes, i'd call time and rest. she hopes the 'kid' picks up a racket and teach me how to play! we later enjoyed the fall weather by walking and shopping through town...... and ended the day with a trip to krogers' to look around the produce section. i've been eating ap...

i don't think i'll look at a mini-gummy bear the same way! here's my first ultrasound pic....at 9 weeks, the 'kid' apparently was moving his/her hands and feet. dancing to the beat of its own drums already. here's a pic, and to blur out some of my info, i added that wonderful little 'i heart u' up top. i still don't know what i feel or how to wrap my mind around being a P-A-R-E-N-T.