Random Wednesday - Picture Heavy

Well it’s been a hot minute since I’ve had the time to really write much! Let’s recap a little about what’d been happening these last few weeks, in all honesty, it hasn’t been that much but feel like the weeks have been flying bye, sometimes I don't even know what I do with my nights after EM goes to bed!

EM is finally a full blown walker. She hardly ever crawls anymore and I swear after my last post about her not walking for me, she started doing it at home that very weekend and hasn’t stopped! I’m so happy and it’s already making life so much easier and enjoyable. We even took her to the park one of the days and she loved being able to go down the slide and walk back to the platform and climb up and do it again, all on her own! She also is really loving brushing her teeth and does a little dance every time, it's so cute! Hopefully the videos load so you all can see it too!

Our patio extension was completed yesterday and I love it! it seems so much more spacious and we’ve had beautiful weather in the evenings so I’m hoping to enjoy them the next few days/weeks until the summer heat really comes. And I’m super happy because now we can leave the slider open and not get bugs in the house and the dogs even have a doggy door again so they won’t be as annoying since they love to go in and out all day long!

my attempt at a panoramic from the inside

and from the outside

EM started swim lessons last weekend. She did great on her first day and one of her little friends from her class at daycare is in her swim class too. On Sunday, her second day of lessons, she threw up when we pulled into the parking lot so needless to say, she didn’t participate. She ended up having a fever on and off the last few days and now her cough is back so she’s back on breathing treatments. Hopefully she’ll be ok for her lessons this weekend. They are every Saturday and Sunday, pretty much until the beginning of August.

she wouldn't smile but I promise she liked it!

EM was a little artist when it came to my Mother’s Day gift and I absolutely loved it. About 75 pictures were taken of her making my gift and two of them framed and presented with her masterpiece (and of course I have looked at all of them and even sent some to Crayola to show her off using their paints, which 100% came out of her white dress!) You can tell from the pictures that she really had a grand time painting too!

the frame

and the masterpiece!

and some from the actual day

On Friday we’ll find out the gender of Baby # 2! Well assuming he/she cooperates. Originally my ultrasound was scheduled forJune 6^th but I threw a fit like a perfectly rational person (ie: completely irrational pregnant woman) and figured out a way to get it sooner without having to pay for an elective ultrasound. Because of my fit, I feel like I jinxed myself and the baby is going to stay cross-legged. Both sets of parents and our grandmothers are planning to come over on Friday night for the “reveal” assuming baby cooperates – we have something cute planned for them to announce the gender and the name and then once they know, we will announce it to the world!

And finally, Saturday, is my sister's baby shower! I'm so excited for it, you'd think it was my own! I hope she likes how we've decorated and I'm sure she'll love all her goodies and all the people that are coming for it! Will be about 45 people if all those who RSVP actually show up! 

Bachelor Recap / Fantasy Standings: FINAL ROSE

(via instagram)

That had to be the worst Bachelor season ever. The drama wasn’t really there (when compared with other seasons), JP is such a tool, and the outcomes? Well I’m still not even sure what happened. Nikki looked like a battered wife who is in denial during the After the Rose grilling. Poor Chris Harrison tried SO hard to get details, but they weren’t budging. If it were any other season, with any other bachelor/ette who said they wanted to just date a little longer and not be engaged, I would be all for it (I mean except that isn’t how the show is supposed to go). I mean MOST of the relationships don’t last and I think dating a little longer isn’t a bad idea before rushing into marriage (although you COULD just have a long engagement as well). BUT considering how this season went and the nastiness that is JP, and how Nikki is in “love” with him but he only “likes her a lot” – it just boggles my mind how she could stand by him! I thought she was a smart girl and during the last few scenes before the proposal, I thought for sure she was coming to her senses, but I was clearly wrong.

When he mentioned that something happened two weeks ago, around the airing of Women Tell All, my speculation was: They had broken up, but then 2 weeks ago Nikki found out she was pregnant and now they were trying to make it work. Now, THAT would make for a good story. However, I’m probably very wrong and it looks like it has something to do with Dancing with the Stars and the fact that JP was supposed to be casted, but now isn’t (b/c he’s a complete ass and ABC doesn’t want to deal with him anymore).

I was never really a fan of Clare, but LOVED her during her breakup/send home. I thought she told him off well, not that he understood it, but at least the viewer’s got to hear it!

Juan Pablo will definitely go down as the worst bachelor ever. I mean, I don’t think any other contestant has ever been so rude towards Chris and the producers (and ABC) and that by far is the worst. 

And the Bachelor Fantasy League Standings - FINAL:

Congrats to my Mother-in- Law on her dominating win (I came in 2nd place in the non-money league)!

DS: 2940

JL: 1960

JR: 1870

LL: 1810

ME: 1285

SR: 1140

KW: 1100

The Teams:

JL:  Elise, Lucy, Lauren H, Christine, Victoria

JR: Amy L, Christi, Elise, Kat, Victoria

LL: Alli, Cassandra, Elise, Lucy, Valerie

DS: Victoria, Sharleen, Nikki, Kat, Andi

ME: Alexis, Christi, Kat, Lacy, Valerie

SR: Alexis, Amy L, Chelsie, Kat, Lauren S

KW: Alexis, Ashley, Chelsie, Lauren H, Valerie

Received a Rose:

Nikki

Sent Packing:

Clare

Points Earned:

Involved in a real kiss: Nikki (20), Clare (20)

Cries: Nikki (20), Clare (20)
Swears: Clare (20)
Travels by Helicopter: Clare (20) + (100) for SEASON FIRST

Winner: Nikki (150)

Eliminations Points:

JL: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

JR: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

LL: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

DS: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

ME: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

KW: 200/each: Nikki - ZERO earned

SR: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

Bachelor Recap / Fantasy Standings: Week 8 (Part 2)

OOOOH Fantasy Suite night and Andi’s big departure! Only a few comments to make:

• I’ve been saying it for a while, but I think Clare is the one for him, ALTHOUGH, I think Nikki’s going to win.
• And by win, I mean, she’s not going to last with him by any means, she’s clearly not INTO the same things as him, and that’s a big deal.
•  I’m so glad Andi FINALLY realized what a douche Juan Pablo is, even if it did take her this long. I bet her dad was super stocked to watch last night’s episode
• As glad as I was to watch her tell him what’s up, after a while I was like ummm ok we (the viewers) get it, and it’s clear Juan Pablo doesn’t care or get what he did wrong so just give it up. But then again, I know when you are mad it’s hard to just stop.
• I find it hilarious that he thought the overnight with Andi went SO well, when it clearly didn’t, but then again when you are a self-absorbed person, you of course wouldn’t notice that.

And now its's time for the Bachelor Fantasy League Standings: (which I am totally not winning - however I am in 3rd place in the non-money League, tell me again why I picked different teams!)

Money League Standings after Week 8 (Episode 2)

DS: 2750

JL: 1760

JR: 1670

LL: 1610

KW: 1100

ME: 1085

SR: 940

The Teams:

JL:  Elise, Lucy, Lauren H, Christine, Victoria

JR: Amy L, Christi, Elise, Kat, Victoria

LL: Alli, Cassandra, Elise, Lucy, Valerie

DS: Victoria, Sharleen, Nikki, Kat, Andi

ME: Alexis, Christi, Kat, Lacy, Valerie

SR: Alexis, Amy L, Chelsie, Kat, Lauren S

KW: Alexis, Ashley, Chelsie, Lauren H, Valerie

Received a Rose:

Clare, Nikki,

Sent Packing:

Andi (left on her own)

Points Earned:

Involved in a real kiss: Nikki (20), Andi (20), Clare (20)

Cries: Andi (20)
Swears: Andi (20)
Unplanned Meet up with JP: Andi (50)

Receives first given rose at Ceremony: Nikki (50)

Makes it to Finale: Clare (100), Nikki (100)

Eliminations Points:

JL: 200/each: Andi - 200 earned

JR: 200/each: Andi - 200 earned

LL: 200/each: Andi - 200 earned

DS: 200/each: Andi - 200 earned

ME: 200/each: Andi - 200 earned

KW: 200/each: Andi - 200 earned

SR: 200/each: Andi - 200 earned

Bachelor Recap / Fantasy Standings: Week 7

I don't have much to say about this week's episode, as I mentioned last week, I think this season pretty much sucks with how boring it is. 

• Sharleen's connection is strictly physical. She's way to intelligent to be with someone like JP. Plus her traveling lifestyle is not good for his lifestyle. Although she IS on the Bachelor, I guess she's just desperate.Glad to see she came to her senses and sent herself home. 

• OMG Nikki's reaction to her date card - seriously?? JP is INTO dancing, if you aren't, you need to leave! This date didn't have anything to do with THEM dancing after all, but it is a big part of what he likes to do. You can only pretend to like it for so long before the relationship hurts because you aren't honest about it! Taking her to his daughter's recital and meeting the family is HUGE, although I think completely inappropriate at this stage in in the game. I could see sitting in the audience if it was a huge recital but not something intimate then also meeting his ex/baby mama, yea that's too much IMO.

• Was Renee even on the group date? I swear they didn't show ANY of her during the whole episode, other than mothering Sharleen. She seems like such a sweet girl. Too good for JP.

Because my love (ok, I just thought he was hot, but not he doesn't even come across that hot to me anymore!) for Juan Pablo has fizzed out throughout this season, I really would only want to see him end up with Clare or Nikki, both are dumb, pretty girls who deserve a dumb, pretty guy! 

And now its's time for the Bachelor Fantasy League Standings: (which I am totally not winning-boo!)

Money League Standings after Week 7
DS: 2130
LL: 1410
JL: 1360
JR: 1220
KW: 900
ME: 785
SR: 720

The Teams:

JL:  Elise, Lucy, Lauren H, Christine, Victoria

JR: Amy L, Christi, Elise, Kat, Victoria

LL: Alli, Cassandra, Elise, Lucy, Valerie

DS: Victoria, Sharleen, Nikki, Kat, Andi

ME: Alexis, Christi, Kat, Lacy, Valerie

SR: Alexis, Amy L, Chelsie, Kat, Lauren S

KW: Alexis, Ashley, Chelsie, Lauren H, Valerie

Received a Rose:

Andi, Clare, Nikki, Renee

Sent Packing:

Sharleen (well she sent herself home), Chelsie

Points Earned:

Makes it to the Hometown Dates: Clare (50), Nikki (50), Renee (50), Andi (50)

Involved in a real kiss: Sharleen (20), NIkki (20), Clare (20), Andi (20)
Swears: Clare (20), Nikki (20)

Cries: Sharleen (20), Andi (20), Clare (20)

Receives a rose on group date: Andi (30)

Gets a 1-on-1 Date: Sharleen (20), Nikki (20), 

Reads a Date Card: Sharleen (50), Andi (50), Chelsie (50)

Surprises JP with an unplanned meet up: Sharleen (50)

Receives first given rose at Ceremony: Nikki (50)

Eliminations Points:

JL: 200/each: Sharleen - 200 earned

JR: 200/each: Chelsie - 200 earned

LL: 100/each: Sharleen, Chelsie- 200 earned

DS: 100/each: Sharleen, Clare  - 100 earned

ME: 100/each: Chelsie, Nikki - 100 earned

KW: 100/each: Chelsie, Nikki - 100 earned

SR: 200/each: Sharleen - 200 earned

Bachelor Recap / Fantasy Standings: Week 5

Per usual, just a few comments about the Week 5 Episode... 

• ABOUT FREAKING TIME RENEE! I never thought it was going to happen, especially since it didn't happen on her 1-on-1 date!  I still think she's too good for him. 

• NIkki needs to realize this is not the guy for her. She hasn't enjoyed ANY of the events on the dates which are clearly all things he likes to do (maybe not that extreme all the time, but same idea)

• If he's going to keep stealing Clare away during group dates for long periods of time then he needs to just take her on 1-on-1 dates. It's so not fair to the other girls. And then that rendezvous (which was worth a ton of points in the Fantasy League) in the ocean in the middle of the night. "Hey Camilla, don't worry, Daddy's such a good guy I won't kiss the single mom but I'll pretty much do the sexy blonde"

• And because of the reaction during the rose ceremony, that pretty much confirms what we all thought happened in the ocean. She's a mess and is now stealing time away from the other girls. She's my least favorite of the girls and I hope she doesn't make it much further! (and she's a freaking terrible liar "my allergies" suuuuure and then goes and sits next to Juan Pablo like no big deal)

• And the little Ocean Rendezvous got me thinking, we all know sex is being had on this show, how funny would it be if someone got pregnant (and even funnier if they weren't the one selected because they obviously wouldn't know until after the show was over). I know it wouldn't actually be "funny" - rather sad, the poor kid but something like THAT would be a crazy twist. I bet they probably have something written into their contracts like "must use condom" or something. Especially with all the sex that is reportedly going on in some seasons. 

And now its's time for the Bachelor Fantasy League Standings:

Money League Standings after Week 5

DS: 1160
LL: 1090
JL: 960
JR: 900
ME: 565
KW: 530
SR: 430

The Teams:

JL:  Elise, Lucy, Lauren H, Christine, Victoria

JR: Amy L, Christi, Elise, Kat, Victoria

LL: Alli, Cassandra, Elise, Lucy, Valerie

DS: Victoria, Sharleen, Nikki, Kat, Andi

ME: Alexis, Christi, Kat, Lacy, Valerie

SR: Alexis, Amy L, Chelsie, Kat, Lauren S

KW: Alexis, Ashley, Chelsie, Lauren H, Valerie

Received a Rose:

Andi, Cassandra, Chelsie, Clare, Kat, Nikki, Renee, Sharleen

Sent Packing:

Alli, Danielle, Kelly

Points Earned:

Involved in a real kiss: Sharleen (20), Clare (20), Andi (20), Renee (20), Nikki (20)

Swears: Nikki (20)

Cries: Clare (20), Danielle (20)

Says something like “I’m Not Here to Make Friends”, "I'm Here for Him", or “I’m Not Here for the Other Girls”
: Clare (20)
Alone in Hot Tub or Bath Tub with Juan Pablo: Clare (20)

Receives a rose on group date: Clare (30)

Gets a 1-on-1 Date: Renee (30), Nikki (30)

Reads a Date Card: Renee (50), Kat (50), Clare (50)

Receives first given rose at Ceremony: Sharleen (50) 

Eliminations Points:

JL:  100/each: Danielle, Kelly - 200 earned

JR: 200/each: Danielle 200 earned

LL: 100/each: Danielle, Kelly - 200 earned

DS: 50/each:  Alli, Cassandra, Kelly, Danielle - 100 earned

ME: 100/each:  Danielle, Kelly - 200 Earned

KW: 200/each:  Danielle - 200 earned

SR: 100/each: Sharleen, Clare - ZERO earned

Walt Disney World 10k Race Recap

So, last Friday was the Inaugural Walt Disney World 10k .If you remember, I have a love/hate relationship with Disney races and this one was not different starting with a very early wake up! The alarm went off at 3:30am, I snoozed until 3:40 and then G, our friend Ryan and myself were out the door by 4am. We arrived and parked at Epcot right around 4:30ish and by 4:45 made our way to the start corrals for the 5:30 start. I theory, we could have left a little later, but then traffic gets so bad that you potentially can’t get there in time. 10,000 runners + volunteers, vendors, and supporters, all trying to be at the same place, at the same time, at Disney = a traffic nightmare, hence why we tried to get there by the recommended 4:30. All three of us started in Corral D (there was a total of 5 corrals: A-E) so we were second to last which means we didn’t even cross the start line until a good 30 minutes after the race start fireworks were launched. G and Ryan decided to be smart and just walk the 10k since they were doing the Dopey Challenge (Thursday: 5k, Friday: 10k, Saturday: ½ Marathon, and Sunday: Full Marathon – 7.000 people signed up for the Dopey Challenge which means 70% of the 10k runners were Dopey Challengers) and didn’t want to outdo themselves before the long races. So, like usual, I ran alone. Normally I don’t mind, but for some reason this race sucked. First off, I should have known it was going to be a bad idea to wear long sleeves. It was chilly in the morning, but by the time I made it to the corral (I power walked because I had to go back to the car to switch out my headphones since the ones I brought didn’t work with my lifeproof case and we had a spare set in the car) I was already too warm for the long sleeve tech shirt and I knew that wasn’t going to be good for the run. By mile one I was already hot and sweaty and if I had more confidence, I would have taken it off and ran in my sports bra. I’m not that confident and therefore suffered the whole time. In addition to being hot, my stomach was GROWLING. Since I’m dieting, err making a lifestyle change, I’ve been eating a reduced amount of calories and the day/night before the race I didn’t indulge in some good carbs like I normally do before a race so by like mile 2, my stomach was growling and I was so hungry. The banana and Clif Mini bar I had for breakfast just weren’t cutting it. Also, for a Disney race, it lacked the vast entertainment that I’m used to. I’m not sure if it’s because the race was on a typical “work/school day”or what but normally I find their races VERY entertaining, and this one just seemed to be lacking. So pretty much, I just kept telling myself, the faster I get done, the faster I can eat (Disney always gives you a snack box at the end of the races). I seriously devoured the box in just a few minutes once I got my medal. I then walked to the car and waited for the boys.

The course itself was good, although I always complain about the boring part where you just run on the street and not in the parks, but overall the course was enjoyable. We ran through the boardwalk and resorts and through Epcot. There were 4 water stops, which was perfect and for once I didn't have to go to bathroom while running so I didn't pay attention to availability but I know there were a good amount and none really had lines that I noticed. The finish line and just general race supporters were definitely a lot less prominent, and once again, not sure if it’s because it was a week/school day or what but normally the finish line is PACKED with people, this time it just wasn’t. During my run, I saw a girl with a boot on, just walking it. I thought to myself, no way I’d do this in a boot, but then again maybe if I had already paid the race participant fee + had my travel plans paid for (assuming she wasn’t a local) than I might think differently. Way to go, Boot Girl! I also saw another girl with a boot on using one of those walker things and was quite impressed. I’m assuming it’s the same circumstances, didn’t want to just eat all the money spent to be there. G happened to see her – or at least someone also using a walker with a boot - during the ½ on Saturday so I almost wonder if she was a Dopey Challenger). When I’m injured, I’m the laziest person ever, it was refreshing to see people not let their injuries get in the way of their goal. (Although, I’m not sure how SMART that is in regards to recovery). Anyways, even though the run sucked due to my own circumstances, the race wasn’t that bad and I finished in a reasonable time for not training. After the race, I went home and got ready for work and made it there by 9:20, not too shabby.

These guys were pretty cool:

And of course the sweet medals:

My Stats:

Official Chip Time: 01:17:58 (overall pace of 12:32)

Place: 4396 of 9234 finishers

Place: 1941 of the 5193 Women Finishers

Place: 239 of 649 in my Women’s Age Division (25-29)

5k Split: 37:56

My RunKeeper stats (which accounts for the zigzagging, run off to the bathroom, etc.):

6.37 miles in 1:18:07 (overall pace of 12:15)

Fastest Mile: #1 at 11:41

Slowest Mile #6 at 13:32

Movies, Blogging Giveaways and Challenges, Fantasy Footall and Sick Babies - Random Wednesday

This is totally a post of a bunch of random things so it works out perfectly for a Random Wednesday link-up with Shanna!

• G and I went to see the Hunger Games: Catching Fire in iMAX last night. OMG AMAZING! Loved it! Granted I haven't read the book since before the 1st movie came out so I wasn't sitting there comparing the book to the movie the whole time since I don't exactly remember all of the book whereas I had JUST finished reading the books when I saw the first movie so I was constantly comparing the movie to the book and the book is always better (I've never NOT had that be the case). I'm sure that's the case with the 2nd as well but since I don't remember the book, I loved the movie! Oh yea, there was a preview (well more like a commercial before the real previews started) for Flowers in the Attic, the movie coming on Lifetime in January. I can't wait to see it. I loved those books when I was younger! All the rest of the previews sucked. I usually enjoy watching them to see what is coming out (even though I only go to the movies like twice a year and redbox everything lol) but not ONE of the movies intrigued me. That's what I get for seeing an action/special effects type movie - all the previews were for similar type movies and I have NO desire to see any of them. Give me chick flicks, romantic comedies, or dramas, you can keep the rest!

• Remember how I said in my Space Coast Recap that I was feeling ready for my half on Saturday, yea well, I lied. Initially I was feeling good, but the last day or so my "bad" foot (they are both "bad" but my right foot is all kinds of fused together and has had several surgeries so when I say "bad" I'm referring to that one. My left foot only had a bunionectomy and seems fine now, so it's still dubbed my "good" foot) has been hurting and if it stays hurting like it is, I will SO not be looking forward to it! Hopefully it'll clear up in the next 3 days!

• I've been entering a lot of blog giveaways lately (I never knew these existed before I started blogging a few months ago) and because most them require you to follow the giveaway sponsors' blogs, I am now following a bajillion blogs on blogloving, GFC, FB, and Twitter. I've come across a lot of really good ones that I enjoy reading on a regular basis. Which I really want to participate in one of those giveaways to get my name out there, does anyone know how? Well, I actually WON one of the giveaways. I was beginning to think no one actually won these things and it was just a way for them to get followers since I hardly ever heard about the winners, but it appears they contact the winners privately, at least that is what Jessica @ Here & Now did when I won). So I won this beautiful (and apparently popular in the celebrity fashion world - which I of course did not know lol) Dogeared Hugs & Kisses XO Sterling Silver Necklace  ($48.00 value!) from the Jeweler's Wife. I received it quickly after providing my address and it came in a nice box from the Jeweler's Wife.  Woohoo!

• I've entered the #2014BloggerChallenge. I can't recall where I first saw about this (see above and how I follow a bajillion blog now) but thought it would be a fun idea (and give me new topics, although I haven't yet had any trouble of things to blog about) From the host's blog: "The challenge is to write a blogpost twice a month about different topics. The #2014bloggerchallenge posts will go live during the 1st and the 3rd weeks of each month. Everyone who signs up will be sent an email with the post topics. The topic ideas are there to give you new ideas and encourage you to write about things you wouldn't normally write about." It's still open for entries through December 9th so go visit her blog if you are interested in joining. 

• Remember how I started playing Fantasy Football this year? Well it is the end of the "regular season" in my one (money) league and I'm inin 4th place (3rd in my division)!. Not too bad for a first timer! I have a chance of winning at least my money  back or even more if I do well in the playoffs. My record for that team "Bad News Beers" is 7-6. In my other (fun) league I have the same record with my team "Woo Girls" but am in 6th place (2nd in my division) and we have one more week to play before playoffs. I'd have to say I'm definitely enjoying playing but "care" more about winning in the money league (Obviously!). I think I'll continue to play next year. I've had a good experience with it, although I do need to learn more about the players (and watch more games) in regards to trades and additions and not just rely on other people's opinions and start forming my own. 

• EM has been sick for the past week and every time she gets a cold her eyes get super "gooky" (crusty/full of eye boogers) so daycare sends her home. This time is no exception. They always say they think it's pink eye and that she has to be out for at least 24 hours  (we took her to the DR the last two times and they reassured us both times it's just her way of getting out all the extra mucus since her face is so little but regardless we have to keep her home). So of course, she went back to daycare Monday (she hasn't been there since Wednesday of last week due to the Holiday) and her eyes were gooky and they called me around lunch time to pick her up. I explained to them that she always gets like this when she's sick but that I understand their concern and will come get her. They told me she could come back Tuesday if her eyes were clear. And of course, they weren't clear Tuesday morning so I kept her home with me again. Luckily, my company now allows telecommuting (on a non-reoccurring basis) for things that come up and this is the perfect opportunity to use it. I love working from home. I get so much MORE done without all the  office space distractions. Granted it takes me longer than the typical 9 hours to get 9 hours of work in since I obviously have to tend to EM as well but it's better than missing an entire day of work plus I don't have to commute!  EM plays so nicely down on the floor next to me while I work and took a long 2 hour nap. At this age, it's possible to get a full day in easily with her home. EM is acting more than fine and hopefully they won't send her home today after I drop her off.  BTW, EM is on a nebulizer  for her cough and that thing is pure torture, poor thing screams bloody murder every time we use it although when G does it he doesn't have to pin her arms down (to not rip off the mask) and she seems much calmer so he's now the one who administers the nebulizer. The two times I've seen him give it to her she barely cries and doesn't try to rip it off. Must be that Daddy touch! Hopefully we can discontinue using the torture device soon. Really hoping before our cruise on Sunday!

Little Girl BUSTED
was such a nice day out, had the door open and she threw her toys on the patio

Taking the Nebulizer like a champ for Daddy

Do you ever enter Blog Giveaways? Have you ever won? What? 

Do you play Fantasy Football? any pointers?