Leaving on a Jet Plane...Again

I have to get on another airplane today, and I guess I have no other choice. I wish there was another way to get to CT, but there isn't. I would appreciate the prayers and good thoughts my way because I don't think there's anything worse than being scared to fly. If I knew the minute I got pregnant that I would develop a fear of flying, I might have rethought all the trips I would be taking pregnant. All worth it, if course, but a big glass of wine would at least help.

Signing off...see you on the flip side!

Peyton is GROWING!

I feel like overnight, Peyton grew 10lbs. Okay, not that much, but I now cannot fit into anything I used to fit into. I was so proud of myself for being able to wear my regular jeans and then literally overnight, I can't fit them around my big, fat body. My belly is now not letting me even wear my normal shirts, and if I do, I dare not go out in public. I figured this out about 2 seconds ago when I had a shirt on that I adore, and my Mom took one look at me and started laughing.

Pictures to come....

Great Website

My sweet friend, Kristen sent me this link for this super cool website!

Check it out. It's addicting!

www.playgrounder.com

My Favorite Song

I love the Country Music Group-Sugarland, and this is my new favorite song. Reminds me a lot of my life right now :)

Enjoy!

Very Last Country Song - Sugarland

Such a Tragic Story

This story was on E60 tonight and I thought I would share it. Please take the time to watch. It really has rocked my world, and made me so thankful for coaches like Ed Thomas was. It made me so appreciative of being in coaching, because of the lessons learned, but made me keenly aware that our days are numbered.

You've Got Mail

I watched this oldie but a goodie last night with my Mom and forgot how much I love the movie, "You've Got Mail." It is such a classic movie, and I never get tired of the story or the ending. I love Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly. Isn't she just so beautiful and classy in the movie? It made me want to wear turtlenecks and work at the "Shop Around the Corner." She leads such an enchanting life in NYC, and I could just imagine what it would be like to be her. Another thing I love about her, is her PJ's. I love her PJ's in that movie. I want to own them and wear them all day! Isn't that so strange? 

I love the quote in the beginning of the movie by Tom Hanks, "Don't you just love New York in the Fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. If I knew your name and address I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils."

You've Got Mail is a must see year after year.

Meet My Three Main Men

Thats right, I have three very important men in my life (Mike, my Dad, and my brother go without saying). They are the men of College GameDay! Every Saturday morning, these guys wake me up from a deep slumber and instantly I'm in a good mood and the College Football world is right. They are funny, they are energetic, they are no non-sens

e and I love them for it. They have been invited into me and Mike's living room since we started this crazy business and they have never let us down (only one time-when they said we would lose to USC, but what were they going to say). 

In case you have NO idea what I'm talking about, please go to www.collegegameday.com

Let me introduce you to the commentators of College Game Day and these men are in PARTICULAR order.

My #1 Main Man: Lee Corso-Lee's annoying, but I love him for it. He's an Ol' Ball Coach and thinks he knows everything, but he is like a strong cup of coffee in the morning and I need that. Every week the boys visit a college town of the biggest game of that week and at the end of the show Lee picks who is going to win by taking out the head of the schools mascot and wearing it. Usually he head butts Kirk, which is HILARIOUS!

My #2 Main Man: Chris Fowler-I'm sure you are SHOCKED that Kirk is not my #1 or #2, but I will explain that later. I love Chris. I love how steady he is and he is really funny in his own way. He kind of reminds me of Stone Phillips and lets just he is my Main, Main, Main Man. He does an awesome job at the player stories. You know, the ones that have a very sad but triumphant ending? The stories that make you proud of be a college football fan. Sometimes I will look over and Mike might have a tear in his eye. If Chris can make my husband cry, he deserves to my #2.

My #3 Main Main: Cutie Patootie Kirk Herbstreit. If we were going of

f just good looks, then he'd be #1. I like Kirk because he is aesthetically pleasing and he's a good commentator. Sometimes he likes being the Devils Advocate, which is fine, but he has made me very angry in some instances. He's just doing his job, I know. 

My # 4 Main Main: Desmond Howard. I like to call him Dezzie. He's the anchor man and does a great job at getting the fans fired up. He's done nothing wrong to be in #4, just not as special as my three main men :)

There you have it! Check out College GameDay Septemeber 5th 10a EST LIVE from MIAMI!

A Mothers Prayer

My dear friend gave me an incredible CD for my shower--Songs to celebrate Peyton Jean. There is this one song called, A Mothers Prayer by Rachel Aldous. It is such a beautiful song and it has meant so much to me. Research has shown that if you play music to your little one in the womb, they can actually hear it and remember it when they are outside of the womb. Peyton listens to this song every night before we go to bed. Its a wonderful bonding experience.

I hope you enjoy listening to the words:

Tweet-Tweet

Follow Yale Football and Head Coach Tom Williams on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/yalebulldogfb

My new gadget

I think my Mom thinks I'm going crazy! Today at Babiesrus I picked up this little gadget called the KickTrack. Basically, it helps you track the babies kicks. My Dr told me I need to start tracking Peyton's kicks, and I have to be honest, I'm not a very disciplined person. I not only need to track them, but I have to have a log so I can notice if there's a sudden change in her pattern. I swear, there is so much to be fearful about when your pregnant, but that's another blog. So, I researched online for how exactly are kicks supposed to be tracked. I came upon this site, www.babykick.com where this gadget is sold. I'm not going to explain it all, because its too confusing. Basically, ever day when your baby is most active, you need to count the kicks. Peyton should kick 10 times in 2 hours. It has to be the same time every day and this little gadget tracks it for you. It will alert you if there is a sudden change in the pattern, or if she is not kicking enough....

This is either going to be lifesaving or a big, huge hassle. I'm hoping it will be a reassurance for this very concerned Mommy-to-be!

Football is here!

Mike starts football camp today! I can't believe we are embarking on our 4th school. It has been such a wild ride with a lot of ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I get to be a part of Mike's career which is such a pleasure and so much fun! We are a team and we do it together and there is no bigger honor than that! He has worked hard, paid his dues, and its fun to see what this season of life will bring.

I always try to hug Mike before a big game...here's some pictures of those special times:

I'm having a great time!

I've had a great week so far. I've been able to see dear friends I haven't seen in a while. I took a walk with my friend Natalie and had a great breakfast with her. She's such an incredible person and I just cherish her friendship so much. I've been able to take great walks with my Mom which is always so much fun. I went over and saw all the Stanford wives tonight which was such a blast. They are such a great group of people whom I adore. Tomorrow, I'm going to spend some time with my friend, Gina, from Facebook. She is due any day so we are going to pamper ourselves and get a manicure. Overall, it has been a great week seeing friends and getting some much needed rest.

I was a little nervous today because I hadn't felt Peyton as much as I had been in CT. Tonight, I got home and laid on the couch and she went NUTS. My Mom, Dad, and sister all got to feel her which was so much fun! There is nothing better than being able to feel your daughter move inside you. I love when I feel her because it makes me feel so close to her. 

Off to bed...

Baby Shower #2

Yesterday was my Bay Area Baby Shower and it was so incredible! My 4 Aunts gave it to me and they did such an outstanding job! The food, the flowers, and the fellowship were all so amazing and I felt so loved. We had it outside in my Mom's backyard, and we couldn't have ordered better weather! There was also a time of sharing by my Sister, my good friend Natalie, and my Aunt Kathy. I so loved everything they said about Motherhood and I know many times I will look back and remember their advice and words of encouragement to me.

I also got a ton of loot for Peyton (55 women in attendance)! She is going to be one stylish girl! Overall, it was a fabulous day and I couldn't have asked for more.

I'm Alive!

I am happy to report that I didn't die in route to San Francisco, and actually, I wasn't as scared as I have been in the past. I think people were praying for me.

It is so good to be back in the Bay Area. Truly, there is nothing like home. It is not until you are gone, can you really appreciate it. Its the little things I miss the most...the smells, the feel of the air, the sound of sprinklers in the early afternoon. I'm so blessed to be able to have a place I can call home and to be able to visit and know I can always come back.

Really, home is wherever Mike and I plant roots, but I'm glad I have the Bay Area and the people I love there.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I'm leaving today to go back to California for about three weeks! Even though I am so excited to see family and friends, I am really scared of flying. I never was scared until I got pregnant, and all my fears were directed towards this stupid fear of flying.

I need prayers today, truly.

My new obsession

My latest and greatest new obsession is a little website called, Babysteals.com. I seriously feel like I have no life because I have to be at home right at 11a EST to make sure I get first dibs on the steal of the day.

Here's how it works. Every morning at 9a MST, a very chic, very expensive, very practical baby item goes on sale. Usually its around 50% off which is a steal to me. Crazy Moms like me buy instantly and usually its sold out by mid-afternoon. I have only bought a couple things on it, but so far its been pretty addictive.

Check it out all you Moms out there--www.babysteals.com

Happy Shopping!

Here is what I have bought so far:

Fluffernutter

Have you ever had a Fluffernutter? Personally, I have never even heard of such a thing. I'm starting to learn very new and usual "must haves" of the East Coast. My friend Kristin, who is from Boston, told me I had to have a Fluffernutter as it will satisfy all my pregnant cravings.

So, about 2 hours ago I told Mike about a Fluffernutter and he ran straight to the grocery store to pick up Marshmellow Fluff, white bread, and Jiff Peanut Butter (I think he has more cravings than I do). When we got home we put this weird concoction together and to my surprise it was so light and fluffy and delish!

To Home I Go...

I am headed to the Bay Area in a couple days. I extended my time until the 31st because Mike will be in football camp and I'd rather not spend my nights alone. I'm so excited to be able to see my family and friends, and well, to be back on the best Coast there is-The West Coast. I have discovered the grass is greener on the other side, and the other side is California.

With all that being said, I'm going to miss Mike a lot! I will be away from him for almost three weeks and we have had such an incredible Summer together. We have seen so many amazing places on the East Coast. We have also had a great time just being together and lounging around. We are truly best friends and I'm so sad when I'm not with him. I know he is going to miss me, but I think he will miss Peyton the most. Which means he will miss my tummy.

I'm am sooo on your wavelength

Have you ever met someone that you instantly connected with? There have been many times where I have connected with someone and instantly we have become friends.

Today I went into the Dr. because I have been having Braxon Hicks contractions. Hello? Why didn't anyone tell me about Mr. Braxon Hicks? I thought I was going into full on labor. This would not surprise me because if Peyton is anything like her Mommy, she is impatient and can't wait to come out and play. I tell her often she needs to stay in and "cook" for a little longer. Before I was diagnosed with Braxon Hicks (which was only about 2.5 hours ago) I was called by the nurse to get my vitals. This is where the connection comes in...this girl is totally on my wavelength. It is like I have known her forever! I think she's from Jersey because she is beautiful, Italian, tan, and has big blue eyes (and she has a Jersey accent). She and I almost got in trouble because we were talking too much about how we always think something is wrong with us, blah-blah. She told me she lived at the Dr's office when she was pregnant and just made me feel so much better. It was when we were about to start telling our life stories that she realized she wasn't at a coffee shop, but at work!

I really hope we can become friends, because she is my kind of girl!

Gone Fishin'

Connecticut's great and all, but I've been wanting me some BIG OUTDOORS! A couple years ago my family took all of us to Big Sky Montana and truly it was God's country. There's just days when all I'd like to do is grab my fishing pole and head down to the river or pond.

Why I Love the Fall!

Around this time of year, August to be exact, I start getting sick of Summer and really start getting excited for FALL! I absolutly love the Fall. I love everything about it. I love the smells, the colors, the crisp air, the clothes, football, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks. If I could choose one season to have it be all year around, I would pick Fall.

I have a growing collection of Fall decorations that I take out every year and sprinkle all over my house. I have wonderful smelling candles and basically it looks like Fall threw up in my house. I don't mind, because you can't beat curling up in a blanket with the smell of Autumn in Vermont in the house.

I've never been too excited about living in Connecticut, only because it's not California, and if you are from California you will know what I mean. No offense to any other state, but the grass is greener in California. I have come to terms that I probably won't live there again, but it's good I have family and friends to visit. Anyways, Falls in New England are suppossed to be Incredible!!! Thats all I hear from everyone that lives here..."You will LOVE New England once it turns Fall." I can't wait to go on drives just down the street or up in Vermont. It's going to be special and I can't wait!

Heres some pictures of Fall in New England and the past Falls I have enjoyed:

Baby Shower #1

When I was down in Newport Beach for the West Coast Family vacation, my Mother in law, Sister in Law, and Aunt in Law threw me a gorgeous shower at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast. We had a lovely, intimate shower with about 20 ladies and it was so special. I felt so spoiled with all the wonderful gifts for Peyton. I especially loved that it was a tea because I dove into the scones and devonshire cream. We had a great time of sharing about Motherhood and opening gifts.

I came upon this song a couple hours ago and it really has comforted me today. I think being so far from home and in a place that is so foreign has been very tough. I am reminded how much God cares and I know I can be found in Him.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my Dad's birthday! I wish I was in Los Altos to celebrate this special day with him. He has been an incredible Father and friend and I know he is going to be such a wonderful Grandpa.

I hope you have a great day, Dad, that is filled with lots of love and laughter. I will be thinking of you ALL day!

West Coast Vacation

I never thought I would be writing about how Mike and I took a vacation to the West Coast. It's not really a vacation because it is home, but now that we live on the East Coast, it's no small trip to get to where we grew up. That reality really saddens me, but that is a whole other blog.

Mike and I had a great time in Vegas and Newport Beach with his family. We stayed in the Marriott Newport Villa's right in Newport Coast. It was such a beautiful setting and we had a great time with friends and family. The reason we were there was to celebrate Mike's Grandfathers 80th Birthday! We had such a special time celebrating Gunnar's special day at 5 Crowns.

We did a lot of laying out, beaching, pooling, boating, walking, and eating! We feel so fortunate that both sides of our family have made it a priority to vacation with family. There is no better time or investment they could give and we are so thankful that each Summer we have something to look forward to.

Peyton is excited to splash in the water next year in Hilton Head, SC!

Dinner at Palm in Las Vegas

Newport Beach walk

Peyton got a Giants outfit from GiGi and Nono!

Aunt Pam and I on the boat

The Hanovers

Our Sweet Gunnar on his birthday

The Beachcomber @ Crystal Cove