B-b-b-belly!

Some people like these types of pictures. I don't really like it, but it is proof that all my hoot and hollering about being pregnant is not a lie. I am 22 weeks pregnant. Enough pregnant to show, not quite enough for my back to tell me so. We will see how that changes in the next week or so.

reactivating my physical and cooking activity

I have determine from our daughters recent activities, that she is going to be one active little girl. Let's hope that this activity translate to athletics and not mischief. One can only hope...

Maybe she has is retailiating. I have decided to get back into my physical activity groove. Holidays do such an impressive job at making me immobile. I have started doing pilates and walking everyday. It makes me feel a whole lot better. I think maybe our little Mini Coop has decided that if mommy can move more, so can she. Guess I deserve it. And honestly I would rather feel her move...it reminds me that she is there!

In other news, I made chicken parm. tonight. I was quite proud of myself. I even decided to stuff it with spinach. I feel that since more food network shows have shown up on hulu, that my cooking creativity has blossomed, or rather re-focused. It is refreshing to have the gumption to try new recipes and actually make them work.

Just thought I would share...

Female Mini Coop

I think my favorite quote today was when Jimmy told me he wanted to come home to spend time with his "two favorite girls!" It made me all giddy to think that in just a few short months I will be holding a newborn that is my own.

We did indeed find out that we are going to be having a girl. I went to the doctor's this morning, not assuming a gender. I really did want to think that I would be let down if it wasn't what I thought it was. So I let everyone else guess, but me, I just let it be exciting no matter what. And it was, and it is, and it will be!

Do you know just how fascinating it is to see an image of a little baby moving around in your stomach? I could hardly believe that all of the legs and arm movement that our little girl was doing, was happening inside of me. Jimmy couldn't go, but I got a DVD of the entire ultrasound. I have now watched it 2.5 times. I am sure even 20 times won't be enough times for me to believe the miracle that is pregnancy.


So now onto the next phase of pregnancy, the preparation period. I promise I am starting to show now, however I am little bashful about the idea of posting a picture of my belly. Perhaps when I am a little bigger and look more pregnant than overweight.

I have now told all of my classes. I figured it was appropriate, seeing as how I will be growing quite steadily this entire semester. I didn't want rumors to accumulate, and force some poor soul the responsibility of asking me if I am pregnant later on. No one wants to ask that question. It is awkward. Thank goodness, if it did ever come to that, I could say "yes, student with great courage, I am pregnant. This is not a donut gut you see, it is 100% err....80% baby." It would be a lie to say that I haven't been overeating a little bit (i.e. 3 week Christmas-New Years-eat whatever I want binge!)

Cross-legged chica!

Goals 2011

I have been looking at several blogs, and I notice a theme: GOALS. I am not a stranger to these motivating ideas that we as people so naturally concoct, especially at the beginning of the year. In college I spent at least 15 minutes at the end of the each night making a to-do list for the next day. And when I was bored in class, I would make lists of the things I needed to finish within the week/month/semester, what have you. It was a little bit of an OCD tendency, but it worked for me.

Lately however, I have not been in the goal oriented mindset. I mean, it is not like I didn't get anything done last year. I did finish my thesis, and that did require several lists, and goalish type things. Jimmy and I successfully moved to VA and have established ourselves in a new community. I have worked hard to help Jimmy in Law school by being supportive emotionally and financially. I am very grateful for all of these things, so believe you me, I am not complaining.

However in all of that I didn't really do anything personally satisfying, like running some races, or making more efforts spiritually. I want to make some goals that will make me more efficient, healthy (emotionally, spiritually, and mentally), productive, and self-sufficient.

So this year I am going to write some of my goals down here, publicly encouraging you to comment on and question my progress. I really want to make some personal strides in the right direction.

Here goes:
Establish a daily routine (before and after the baby is born)
Maintain a healthy diet (Multi-colored meals)
Attend the Temple at least once a month
Study the scriptures daily (with a topic in mind-choose a topic for the week)
Run a half marathon (this should force me to get back in shape after the baby is born)
Recreate a family budget and stick to it (Manageable and easy to maintain--only spend within our means)
Use my sewing machine (clothes, blankets, etc...)
Try at least 30 new recipes (keep them organized)
Write in my journal/blog at least 2 times a week

Oh gosh, I could keep going, but that could get a little overwhelming. I will stop here. There is no obligation to my readers to become my personal motivators, I am just asking for any advice/ideas on how I can motivate myself to do all of these things.

Happy 2011 and happy goal-setting!

updating

Sorry. I should be better at updating my blog. I wanted to include pictures, and FINALLY, I have had opportunities to snap a shot or two.

We are in NH/MA. I love New England, and more specifically the areas in which the Coopriders/Schillemats live. Rural, relaxing, and definitely beautiful. We have participated in a snow storm, and several family traditions. The pictures do a better job at describing.

Jimmy enjoying the snow!

Peder's Eagle Court of Honor

Ada and Alice pulling their uncles Jimmy and Joe

Do you recognize this cake? It was once in much better shape. We loved it on our wedding day. 1 year and 4 months later, not so yummy.

Grinder night at the Schillemats

Good to be home, good to be with family!

New perspective on finals week

Yes, it is finals week. I am the instructor so I view things a little bit differently.

Finals week is almost my favorite week of the semester.

Reason 1: Because I teach developmental algebra classes, the only students that take the final are the ones that actually passed all the tests. They are the good students. I like them.

Reason 2: I don't have to prep for my classes, besides printing off my finals.

Reason 3: I go into this week not stressing, but kind of getting excited for Christmas. It is a much smoother transition.

However, I do have a very stressed husband this time around. He is smart, believe you me, but he has never really had to study all the much to do well in his classes. Law school is a little different. It has forced him to learn how to study, and he has been doing just that all week. He made it through his first final quite well, and now he is taking his second. My job is to make good dinners and to remind him off how he will be done in a few short days.

Ohhhh finals!

Christmas time

This year Jimmy and I are really on the ball. We actually had our Christmas tree up on the 28th of November.

We are in Virginia for 3 weeks and then we are off to the great northern parts of the country for the holiday. All we must do is take/give finals. Just that one 'little' thing....

Happy Holidays!