September 21...

Memorial Day Weekend

It was a great one. Autumn and I traveled to Lake Ouachita to spend the weekend with Gran & Pops and the lot of kids. The weather didn't necessarily cooperate, but it wasn't too terrible. We did get out on the lake some, and of course, with what little sun there was on Friday, I got a little pink. Man, someone can mention sunshine and I start to get burned! I hope baby girl has some melanin in her skin to save her the issues. We have a few names picked out, and much to Rich's chagrin, none of them are Richina. I know, I know, the doors that will open, the beauty of the name is overwhelming - I would have to have at least two other children to make Clay and Beau happy with Claytina and Beauroni. So I have to respectfully put Richina back in the hat right now as "possible" names. The time line is starting to set in for me as far as getting the nursery set up and completed. Hopefully there will be a weekend or two that a grandfather can come over and lend a hand (hint, hint). I would imagine that a grandmother could come over and help Autumn, too (hint, hint). Autumn has some pictures of colors and furniture for the baby room. She will post them soon, hopefully. They posted pictures of the Memphis In May Triathlon and I included one here of me coming out of the water. I think my brain is saying, "Look over there! Beer and BBQ... Don't get on that bike. Don't get on the bike. Eat. Drink. Be merry." As most of you know, I don't listen very well, but someone did save me some of that cold beer for afterwards...Woohoo!

BIG Congrats to Joe & Shirley - Shirley is pregnant!!

Whew...

Alright, this is so cool. We can lay in bed and watch baby girl move around! She kicks and pushes and tosses and turns. It is amazing. We still are trying to settle on a name, just not having a lot of luck. It won't be Penelope, I can assure you... Autumn has to order a bathing suit this week so we can go to the cabin for Memorial Day. She has been contemplating and been on the internet for two weeks and may have found one yesterday. Thankfully I don't have to order a special swimming suit - but I do get to go pick out a new one! As much as I have become accustomed to swimming/training in not so fashiony swimsuits, I won't subject my family and friends to that.

On that note, the first race of the season is under my belt, and boy was it a great race! As always, I had the best cheering section in Millington, +1, this year. Autumn, Cash, and baby girl were all there to see the spectacle that is me racing. The weather couldn't have been much better, although it started getting hot around 11ish. I had a great swim, a pretty good bike, and sort of broke down on the run, but still turned in a PR (personal record) effort. I am in the most competitive age group now, so it is even harder to move up in the rankings. However, I managed to place much better than I have in previous years and am excited about the rest of the season. Fairhope tri in 4 weeks. It is a sprint, 1/3 m swim/10.5 m bike/3.1 m run. Should be over quick but it always seems that the short ones are the ones that hurt the most. Why is that? You can go to www.mimtri.racesonline.com to see results for this year. I haven't seen pictures, yet but will probably throw one up when they become available. So, I hope all of you had a great weekend and are having a wonderful week. Peace...

Save my furniture...

Chris Pennington and his wife Stephanie had their baby on Friday, May 6. His name is Worth. When I asked Chris for his stats, he let me know that Worth has a VO2 Max of 96, resting HR of 38 (seems a little low to me), Anaerobic threshold at 205! Oh yeah, he was also 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 19 inches long... Congratulations to the Penningtons!

Brody, the new cat, is at the vet today getting those front claws out and updating his shots. I have a hilarious picture of him napping on the back of the couch in the sun. He is twice the size of Sadie and only 7 months old. Autumn did some research about his breed, or what we think he is, mostly Mayne Coon. In a nutshell, he is supposed to be HUGE. He has a great personality, though, and is basically a pretty cool cat. I can't believe I am saying that about a cat and no, I am not becoming a cat person, just more and more tolerant.

Getting the hang of feeling the baby girl move. She was going crazy last night and I just lightly put my hand on Autumn's belly and felt a bunch of her flips and turns. Pretty amazing, to say the least. Still working on a picture of the belly...

Friday the 13th

I have been given some new advice about feeling the baby move. My mother and one of the doctors over at the hospital have told me that pressing on Autumn's belly only makes the baby feel "safe" so she stops moving. So when I press down harder thinking that is how I am going to feel her, it only makes her calmer. I am interested to try this new found information. I will, as I keep saying, try and get a picture of said belly while I am at it. We found that Autumn's cousin Brayton came home today! http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=7Y3X0N5R4W He has had a little trouble but pulled through wonderfully. Mom and Brayton are both home safe and we couldn't be happier. Thanks for the update, Aunt Dee! We also have started talking about birthing classes and if we should/are supposed to take them. No conclusions yet, but need to get going on them, I guess. May is halfway over... Memphis in May tri is a week away! If anyone wants to come out for beer and bbq and, as Autumn likes to tell people, good "scenery" (fit people in tights), come on out. It should, as always, be a great day with some world class athletes. I am racing, but have no illusions about being in that group. I like to finish, get a free massage, and drink beer and eat pizza, donuts and bbq!

Sort of from left field, I just want to get on a soapbox for just a moment... If you see somebody on a bike, just, for their sake, give 'em a little room. You don't have to honk and wave and carry on a conversation, just move over some. They didn't leave the house with the intention of counting how many drivers they could tick off or make late. Whether they are 5 or 10 or 35 or 55, if they have on spandex and a ridiculous looking jersey or just riding home from work, they are no match for a car or truck. People think it is funny to swerve or yell or throw things at bikers. It isn't, they could be seriously injured or killed. That just isn't funny. So, if you see some crazy cyclist on the side of the road, don't crowd him or her. Traffic will clear, you can pass and both can get to a destination happy. They probably have someone at home waiting on them, too. Thanks...

Seis de Mayo...

In the aftermath of Cinco de Mayo, I dont feel so bad. After the first two shots of tequila at Los Compadres, I figured I was in for a long night. Especially considering how good those shots were. So, we ate Mexican food, celebrated the Battle of Puebla and made fun of the too well groomed college boys. Autumn let McNally steal me and we then continued to celebrate the holiday at the High Point Pub. Now, why again was I celebrating? Wasn't it the French that got beat at the Battle of Puebla and had to forgive Mexico it debt of all kinds of money? Chastain is pretty French, so I am just wondering. All the French really have any more are French Fries and a cool bike race every summer - and some crazy American has taken that from them for the last six years... Of course, I can always fall back on being Arkansan, right?

No real updates about baby girl this morning. I tried to feel her move again last night before we went back out but to no avail. Autumn tells me I have to be more patient, that she isn't just moving around all the time. So, I will continue trying to feel her and continue to report the little things like that until September. Have a wonderful FRIDAY!!

Finally!!!

I finally felt baby girl move! I can't say that I have been patient, although I have to be, but it paid off. Autumn will tell me, "Man, she is just doing flips in there! You can't feel that?" Well, finally, I felt a little foot or hand move up Autumn's belly. One of those l-o-n-g legs or long arms are getting cramped already. Is that impatience? I know who she gets it from... It was just strong enough to where I could feel it. The first one. Again, one of those moments when it was all very real and very overwhelming. I don't even remember the five minutes after that, I was just in shock, I think. Sometimes, it is hard for me to get my thoughts around the fact that I am actually having a child and moments like this are just too great. This post probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense and if it doesn't, I apologize. I don't have the words to express it. Just so grateful...

I am trying to talk Autumn into getting a picture of "The Belly." She really isn't too excited about it, but I will keep trying.