MY salad's bigger than YOUR salad!

You know when you are little and you get into fights with other kids on the playground? 

"MY daddy is smarter than YOUR daddy!"

"Well, MY daddy is funnier than YOUR daddy!"

I always won with

 "My daddy is bigger than your daddy!" 

Well, today, I ALSO would have won the "MY salad is bigger than YOUR salad" challenge. 

I had a GENIUS plan. Put the yummy add on's on the bottom and spinach on the top.  

My logic: I wouldn't need as much dressing, because the dressing would touch all the spinach instead of being wasted on covering things that already taste like heaven. 

I called it an "inverse salad"

Reality: I ran out of room for the spinach...you know- the "salad" part of the salad.

How it went down:

Mmmm- artichoke- I better get extra of that- get my money's worth out of this salad bar

 Oh, cucumbers, those look good and Rico hates them so I never get to have them 

Bean medley...well that's just protein. Eli needs protein.

Tomatoes- those will add a nice kick of color, I better get a few extra

 Kalamata olives- I just payed a stupid amount for these at the store, I better eat more now while it's included.

 Broccoli- oooh that will add a nice crunch

Cottage cheese- well that's just a great fake-out for a creamy dressing- I should get plenty

 Red onions, ooooh the tongs picked up a lot- oh well, more flavor for me

Zucchini- well that's new here: bring it on!

Mushrooms....mmmm mushrooms. I better get another scoop.

An egg- more protein- bring it on!

You can clearly see how I ran out of space for the actual spinach.

I managed to pile it on top- but my plate was a MOUNTAIN. A mountain that there was NO way to conquer without a huge spill.

So, I did the walk of shame and had to go ask for a second salad plate.

Then, by the time I finally had all my big items cut up into pieces can actually fit in my mouth to take my first bite-my husband has already finished his entire salad. 

At least it was good...BOTH plates worth (and the hummus, and raisins and pumpkin seeds for dessert)

Jingle Bells

This is our last Christmas as a family of two. It has been pretty amazing.

Some highlights:

Breakfast in bed from my amazing husband- more than once.

 Eli had his very own Christmas stocking at the Brown house...so tiny and cute. 

There were LOTS of presents. Some of my favorites included the most AMAZING baby monitor EVER, an ADORABLE chevron ottoman, and a floor lamp for the nursery with a foot switch that should make our night-time nursing sessions much more relaxing.

And in more obvious Christmas "highs", we got to stare at/ hold / play with our little niece, Grace 

Then we went over to do Christmas at my parents' house. Ashley made a delicious breakfast for all of us while we got to play with Lizzie. Again, lots more presents for ALL of us- Eli included. 

We got Eli's natural labor classes covered as well as some adorable outfits for him and some fun things for mom and dad. Rico got lots of "dad" shirts (apparently plaid shirts are "dad" shirts)

We taught Lizzie where her soon to be cousin Eli is, and his name. It comes out closer to "E-why", but it works for now. 

Our niece LOVED the present we got her. We had been waiting to give it to her since she was only a few months old. 

She ALSO loved Max (as usual)- and made this stiff "everyone look into the camera" picture into a perfect little moment caught on camera. (She was headed in to give Max kisses)

And then, in a moment that melted my heart, she went to sit near her uncle Rico. She originally sat straight up- with perfect posture, but looked over to him and decided to mimic his slouch. She scooted herself down until she had achieved the perfectly casual slouch. You can see how proud Rico is.

Graduating...again

Although I finished my work (classes and a capstone portfolio project) when Eli was just a little ball of cells that didn't even look like a living being yet- I just officially got hooded with my Masters of Science in Career and Technical Education Leadership. 

The weather was AWEFUL the Friday of the ceremony. In fact, they canceled school in the MIDDLE of the DAY (I hope that never happens again- it was insane)

I hadn't planned to walk, but my parents seemed pretty excited about it, so I filled out the paperwork and ordered the stuff. They weren't able to make it, and we told my in-laws not to come (because the weather was so bad), but that afternoon Rico got a call at work from his mom that he says went something like this:

Mom: "How's the weather"

Rico: "It doesn't look good. I think the roads are pretty bad"

Mom: "Oh, no they aren't"

Rico: "Maybe not where you are- but in KC they are"

Mom: "No- they're not"

Rico: "No! No mom. You're not here."

To say we were caught off guard would be an understatement. I immediatly had a flash of our house and swore. I chose a big swear word- not some little baby one. 

It CERTAINLY wasn't that we didn't want them here. I am one of those lucky people who lucked into awesome in laws. 

 You see, when we talked the night before and told them not to come we hung up and high fived at the positive of this nasty weather- "Sweet- we don't have to clean the house!" 

When I say that we needed to clean the house, I want to explain to you how messy our house was. Not normal day-to-day disorder, this was full on MESS.

-Dishes in the sink. Not 1 or 2- a stack of nasty dishes.

-Tools/ paint/ caulk/ vacuums etc. in the dining room from Rico's mid-week handyman work

-blocks, a tiny grocery cart, and foldable shelves that I was bringing back home now that preschool was over....SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE KITCHEN

-textbooks and teacher's guides I had brought home to write a final and final review

-Christmas cards/ bills/ random registry paperwork/ random insurance enrollment information strewn over the counters

-fake Christmas tree "pines" all over the living room carpet

- The guest bedroom didn't have sheets or pillowcases- we left them in the drier when we thought we had all the time in the world to make the bed

-Something in the guest bedroom shower (I still don't know what it was- just that Rico yelled, "Don't open the shower curtain- I have something in your shower!")

-A box of "pre-pregnancy" pants and some jeans left in the guest bedroom (I didn't even know this until AFTER they left. oops)

We also didn't have 1 of our cars. We've been having car drama for the last few weeks.

First my car had a broken waterpump. That's not cheap.

Then, Rico's car needed new brakes...and pads...and an axel. Also, not cheap.

Then, to complete the trifecta, the garage broke. 

We also hadn't done ANY of our Christmas shopping.

I had also banked on Sunday for lesson planning for the upcoming week (as the previous week was filled with 12 and 13 hour days EVERY day that week)

Maybe now my reaction makes more sense. 

I (pretty quickly) decided that I was just going to have to laugh about the mess and to do lists and proposed schedules for the night and just let myself be excited to have family there to cheer me on. 

It's good to know that I can surrender control that easily.

I think that will come in handy.

The announcement of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake being delivered by my in-laws made that mental shift MUCH easier.

They drove us (hallelujah for big giant trucks and calm father-in-law drivers) the hour away to campus. We ate at a fun bar and went over (REALLY early...sorry, I was born a Fogle and we over-estimate everything) for the ceremony. Rico wore his "Ted Mosby" jacket- and I wore a dress I scammed off my mom.

For the most part, it was what all graduation ceremonies are: anti-climactic. I can't lie, there were MULTIPLE times that I thought "Just stick through it, there's cheesecake waiting at home"

The actual moment I was hooded was pretty awesome though. Rico and fam' were so close (due to our SUPER early arrival) that I could look up at them whenever something entertaining happened. This included me staring up at Erik when they asked the families of the graduates to stand for their patience and support of us- I used my "teacher look" to ensure that Rico stood. That was the only time I really got emotional. 

So...check that off Eli's "Before even seeing the world" bucket list.

I got lots of generous gifts for graduation. First- NEW TIRES. Oh, yes.

And then there were the generous cash contributions that Rico told me to "use for something YOU want"
You know what I want?
More classes.
This time: Bradley Method  birthing classes.

YES.

We start next week!

Ei's Christmas Tree

Thanks to the grandmas...yet again...Eli has his very own Christmas tree!

So far he has his mushroom, a hedgehog, a fox, a stocking, and now a herringbone owl! Too cute.

We went to his 6 month appointment today:

-He jumped/ kicked the WHOLE time- even when we were trying to hear his little heartbeat. She had to try 3 or 4 different spots because he kept kicking her. 

-The 20 week ultrasound results: looked good. He was measuring on target- everything looked great. 

-They brought out a new toy- the TAPE MEASURE! I measure about 2 weeks past where I actually am- since my abdomen is so long- but when they actually feel for my uterus they find it just where it should be this week.

-In other uterus news: apparently my placenta is anterior. Basically, when there is a placenta between my belly and my baby (instead of most placentas that are between the baby and mom's spine). This SHOULD mean that feeling him is more difficult- if that's the case then I can't even imagine what I would be feeling otherwise. It's nice and high though- so there is nothing to worry about. 

THESE are the things that I LOVE to learn at my appointments!
Even better news-
I have my glucose test next appointment- and I DON'T have to drink that orange soda tasting stuff. They have food options as well- and one is 11 black jelly beans! YEEES.

The LEAST Attractive Photo

My Saturday was spent at school. That's right, 8:15-3pm....extra duty. 

Scholar bowl tournament. 

 I can't lie- I love it. It's basically like being a trivia game show host. Don't get me wrong, I DON'T love giving up a Saturday without pay- but as far as extra duties, I think I have the absolute BEST (I also have Prom) 

So, I got home at 3. Here's the problem. 

It was an intense sports Saturday here in KC- especially at 3.

Sporting played for the MLS cup

The Chiefs played

MU played for SEC Championship...

and KU- well, KU lost. 

Sorry, had to be done.

I, clearly, don't actually care about any of this. My husband, however, is emotionally invested in the Sporting and Chiefs games.

I can say this fairly based on the passion with which he yells at the t.v. 

Apparently, if I was going to have some husband time, I was going to have to go into the forbidden place.

The basement.

Yes, for lack of a better term, the man cave. 

The place with the neon bar signs, mini-fridge full of dark stinky beer I can't drink (and wouldn't want even if I could- gross), pool table, x-box, guitars I can't play, recliners, sports perpetually on the tv, and (in general) ALL things that are of NO interest to me. 

NONE.

I can honestly say that there have literally been months at a time that I have not stepped foot in the bottom third of our home. 

If I wanted some husband time, I was going to have to go. So I went down. 

I wish that I could blame my outfit on trying to "blend in" to the manliness, you know, since I had stolen the ENTIRE outfit from Rico- but I can't. 

Reality? 

I like mens' sweatpants. 

Don't lie- so do you.

Within a few minutes, this is what the cave-of-things-that-bore-me did:

And there's Eli...basking in the light of the game. 

Max's Thoughts

In case you wondered how our little four-legged boy was reacting to the news...he is only mildly impressed. 

He has taken to snuggling with the bump more and more, but I think that is because the bump is getting more and more in the way of my lap. Here he was at Thanksgiving:

It is funny, I remember when Max came into our lives I said, "I bet this is God's way of preparing me to have a boy someday"  

Max has shown me some things that I've also heard from boy moms:

Boys can be some of the BEST snugglers.

You get over the awkwardness of unfamiliar genitalia pretty quickly.

Yes, it is frustrating that the clothes/ accessories for boys aren't nearly as easy to come by- but it keeps you from buying the entire store.

Boys LOVE their moms. 

Max even treats me differently than Erik. He'll chew on (well, since he is missing most his teeth it's more like "gumming" on) Erik during play time, but as soon as I put my hand on him he'll turn chewing into licking- even when he is in the heat of play-time. He knows, and it melts my heart.

So, that's what I am prepared for- a lot of heart melting.

Well played God, well played. 

It's a Little...

Our appointment at Baby Waves went well- SO well. 

I blame myself for the first ultrasound fiasco. I didn't prepare the baby. This time, we had a nice little conversation on the way there. 

"Rufio, we are going to be taking pictures of you. It would be VERY helpful if you could move that umbilical cord out of the way." 

Once we were able to see it, our little one yawned, sucked it's thumb, yawned again, pointed to things, and yawned some more. Yawning is it's favorite. Then, just to show me how awesome the baby is- it did the BEST THING EVER. 

Ultrasound tech: "Oh, it's playing with the umbilical cord"

Our baby MOVED THE UMBILICAL CORD OUT OF THE WAY. 

You rock baby. 

She had us close our eyes when she was looking for the gender. We heard her clicking away taking pictures. We smiled and stared at each other...as usual.

She put the results in this envelope and printed off the pictures of the baby doing all its fun tricks. 

We went straight to my sister's house to have her prep the gender reveal items. Yes, she knew before I knew. Weird. 

She was a little excited.

Over the past 2 years I had kept my free color packet from the color run 5k's we "ran". One year I asked for pink, the next for blue...literally for the purpose of a gender reveal one day. Yes, I realize this is insane.  

My sister packed a black bag with the correct color of powder for us to throw at each other.

She also only packed the correct color of silly sting for people to spray (switching the lid colors so they still looked pink AND blue). 

We went back to the Brown's house and made a cute little set-up

We kept it small, just immediate family. And then we went outside to find out...

Yes, a BOY. 

Eli. 

Telling the Brown extended family.

We are incredibly excited- in case you couldn't tell. 

Then- we went shopping. 

Let's just say: Grandmas are AWESOME. 

They did ALL this damage in 2 days.

Fancy pants clothes. Yes, that is a newsboy cap. Yes, that sweater cardigan has elbow patches. Yes those are herringbone overalls. I call Eli's look "old man hipster chic".

Sports clothes, he has some royals gear too- but we left that in KC

Comfy clothes...just so you know- that cowboy outfit has socks that look like cowboy boots. Too funny.

...and other random items

Modest is Hottest

Rico took off early to meet me for our 20 week ultrasound.  We walked IN with excitement- I walked OUT pouting, and yes, crying. 

Our baby is modest. Rufio was hiding behind the umbilical cord and wouldn't move. I was convinced that I was going to have to wait until Rufio was born to find out the sex of our baby. This is not an easy idea to swallow when you are a type-A planner.

Rufio was also, as an added bonus, lying in a way that made it so we couldn't even really get a good profile shot. Come on baby!

Once it was clear that we would be leaving not knowing the sex, the waterworks started.

Just to be clear, I knew, and we even discussed, that this was such a trivial thing to make me so emotional. There were SO many other things that we could have left that appointment crying about that are FAR more life altering and important than knowing if your baby is a boy or a girl. 

That is reality. 

That is logical. 

That is mature.

THAT is not how my hormones let me see it.

I made Rico call our parents/ siblings to tell them that the gender reveal was off. I couldn't do it- I was too disappointed and stuck in my version of reality where I would NEVER get another sonogram (my midwives typically just have moms do a 20 week ultrasound) and we would NEVER know. 

Still crying, I told Rico that I wanted to wallow in food and to head to our favorite bar for my VERY favorite comfort food- cheese dip called "The Steve". 

Yes, I pouted the whole meal. 

Yes, I shed a few tears in the bar. 

Yes, I threw a fit about the fact that EVEN MY FOOD HAD A DISTINCT GENDER. 

I even said to Rico, "I know I am not handling this well, and that's just going to have to be ok for now." 

Rico knows JUST how to handle me when I get like this. He keeps it light- he makes me laugh. 

I do a LOT of crying and laughing at the same time with him.

 He lets me cry. He acknowledges that the situation sucks, but he refuses to let it consume him. He's good. Oh, he's good. At one point he looked at me and said, "Let me try to fix this- you don't worry about it, but I am going to fix this."

I didn't believe him. 

I was wrong.

He fixed it. 

Once we got home, he went straight for the computer. Within 30 minutes we had an appointment in our hometown at a private ultrasound place. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and they had an open appointment in the afternoon. Oh, and get this, RICO FOUND A COUPON!

Gender reveal BACK on. 

Hope was restored. Crying ceased. Decorating with bows and mustaches commenced. 

It. Was. On.

Niki's wedding favors came in handy quickly! 

"Mustache or Bow" Silly String and Hershey Kiss Nutter Butter acorns for the gender reveal.

So yes, as of this moment we know if Rufio is a little Maggie or a little Eli.
We have a few more family members to tell at Thanksgiving- and then I'll be back to share lots of photos...and a video of the moment we found out.

Prenatal Vitamin Advent Calendar...don't be jealous

We travel 3 and 1/2 hours back "home"every holiday. That means we have to plan things ahead- things like: When should we put up Christmas? 

Do it when we come home?

Uh, after a long drive and on our only night to relax before going back to work- no thanks.

Instead, we decided to set it up now so it would be ready when we got home. 

I don't know about you, but putting up Christmas decorations ALWAYS ended up with someone crying in my house growing up. In fact, in our first few years of marriage the same thing happened. Determined to change things around- we discovered the formula 2 years ago. 

Christmas carols + spiked cider + breaks to slow dance (or occasionally goofily dance) = a happy, happy holiday

Well, the spiked cider was out for me this year. Would our formula still work? Earlier this week I brought up my concern, Rico said he was wondering the same thing that morning. 

These are the things we worry about. 

Well, I am happy to report that the formula still works...even without Santa's little helper. 

Max was even excited for Christmas decorating...that is, until Rodney took his spot on the couch. 

We went through our usual memory lane walk as we put the ornaments on the tree. We have an ornament to represent each year since we've been married, and some that we inherited in the Brown Family Christmas Ornament Throwdown- including Troy Aikman throwing a pass. I hate Troy, but I also love him. I can't help it- he, and a couple of his other friends, were NOT what I imagined to be on my "adult" tree, but they make Rico SO happy. 

SO, SO happy. 

Troy immediately took his mandatory spot on the tree- facing out toward the couch so Rico can randomly yell, "I'm open Troy!" all through December. (There he is...on the left)

I decided that the little woven mushroom I bought last year at the after-Christmas sales would be our ornament to represent the baby, you know, with the Woodland themed nursery and all. I remember thinking, "What am I doing buying a mushroom...but it's so cute!" Now I know. 

Everything went up pretty much the same way it always does...except my favorite little tweak.

This is my Christmas Countdown gingerbread house. It has doors on all four sides. It doesn't match our  other "sophisticated" decorations, but that's ok because it is going to be on our vanity. 

Yes, instead of candy, this year I get...a PRENATAL VITAMIN everyday. I'm so lucky. 

But seriously, I always get paranoid that I am going to forget my pill, I even bought one of those daily dispensers made for the elderly earlier in my pregnancy. It's like the garage door, you always remember to do it- but that doesn't stop your brain from going insane. So, at least this December, my pill dispenser is a whole lot more fun!

Speaking of the babe...we had our 20 week appointment. Quick and dirty update: 

I finally gained some weight...oh yeah, I gained some weight. 

The baby's heartbeat was  a bit faster...158 ish. Go baby go.

They told us that we might want to start thinking about signing up for our birthing classes- WHOA. Can I just tell you how exciting this is to me? I love to learn, and while I know a lot about birth- I only know the basic medical parts. These classes are specifically designed for teaching natural labor- and THAT is something I am pumped to learn more about. I know random tidbits, but I want to know MORE. 

They told us we could pick a preferred birthing suite! We went from room to room, and they all looked great. They all have big birthing tubs, beds big enough for both of us, and a little couch area for visitors. One reminded me of our home:

One reminded me of a fancy hotel room (and had a 4 post bed which I think could be VERY handy for laboring) and lots of deep brown tones:

and one had some K-State purple. 

Clearly I couldn't make a decision. 

And last, but NOT least- they referred us over for our 20 week ultrasound! That's right, Monday we get to see our little one again. We also, hopefully, get to see if Rufio is a girl or a boy! 

Don't worry, there's a plan for a reveal. We won't know until Wednesday- at the reveal, with everyone else. So, I need to get to prepping for this thing. 

Next up: gender AND name! 

Stay tuned.

Rufio on the MOVE

So...little Rufio MOVES now. I can even feel him/her from the outside now!

We spent Saturday night at a wedding. I cried, I laughed, it had it all- including a beautiful bride.

...AND props

and some co-workers acting crazy. 

I woke up Sunday to make brunch (YES Rufio FINALLY let me sleep in past 6 am on a weekend) and in the process realized that my "pregnancy brain" is still in full force. 

Rico: "Is something on fire?"

Me (thinking about it for MUCH longer than I should have had to): "Crap. Yes, yes it is."

I watched Dear John after the bread incident- I bawled for literally 3 hours. Did I just LOVE it? No. It wasn't even good. I wouldn't even watch it again. Yet, tears fell within 30 seconds after each commercial break ended. 

After an afternoon of burnt bread and sobbing on the couch, we decided that I needed to maybe shower and enter the real world for the day (since I knew I would be headed back to work that night to run reports on some electronic babies) 

My husband walked up as I was in the LEAST attractive position a barely pregnant woman could find herself in. Let's be honest, that any human being could be found in.

You know that position. 

The one where you bend over and somehow your cute tight belly gets folds and just looks like blubber. 

The one where rolls appear as if from nowhere. 

The one where YOU won't even look in the mirror, much less let anyone else see you like that.

Not only that- but I had a banana in one hand and was bent over the jacuzzi tub filling the dog's water bowl in the other (yes, he has his own "upstairs" bowl)

 It wasn't pretty. 

"What are you doing?!"

I froze and immediately started laughing.

There were no other options. 

Except crying. SO I did that too.

The ugly cry. 

Sobbing. Gasping for air. 

Not half crying/ half laughing but FULLY crying and FULLY laughing hysterically.

The grand finale? 

I spit up chewed banana on Rico's shirt as we were hugging/laughing/crying (me- not him. It wasn't THAT traumatic for him) 

Glamorous.

We did finally recover and get out of the house to buy this little tiny hat that made it all ok. I mean, come ON!

Last update of the night: 

After a stressful day (car drama- after JUST getting my car back from the dealer this weekend and spending way too much), I decided that Rufio, Max, and I needed to take a stroll around the lake. I think the baby like it BECAUSE

not only can I feel Rufio...but as of TONIGHT, so can Rico! 

Whoa.

KSU Flashbacks

Confession time. All these naughty naughty things in just one weekend.

Friday morning I ran out of my omelet muffins (the ones I make ahead and just heat up for a protein packed breakfast each morning.) I was also out of greek yogurt. I was in a breakfast protein crunch. 

So,  I made do. 

Had you been in the morning commute with me on Friday, you would have looked into my car to see me eating a french onion pork chop. With my hands. At 6:45 am. 

I seem to have a lot of food related confessions. Maybe that's because I know what I WANT to be eating and what I SHOULD be eating. Here's the problem...sometimes a once in half-a-decade opportunity presents itself. 

Like that time that we went back to K-State for my first time in over 5 years.

Actually, we went back to see and old high school friend (who also played soccer with Rico in high school and college) coach our old high school team in the state finals. The game happened to be at the high school I student taught at. Small world. 

Over the past 5 years, I have made quite a long list of things I miss about Manhattan.

Last year I heard about a new place in Aggieville that became my new Manhattan mission. Varsity doughnuts. They have unique freshly made flavors and a unique atmosphere. It is SO cute, and they even rent bikes (with baskets). 

Of note. Things you can convince your husband of: waking up at 7:30 am on a weekend for doughnuts. Things you can NOT convince your husband of: renting bikes to ride through Aggieville afterwards. Especially using the argument "But they even have BASKETS!" 

For my doughnut lovers: A Maple and Bacon Long John,  Peanut Butter and Jelly, Pumpkin Spice, "flat tire"- aka OREO, blueberry, and classic with raspberry filling. I can't choose a favorite- just kidding, it was blueberry.

While we were in Man-happiness, we did all our college-y things. Look what they did to welcome Bill Nye the Science guy at the Union- a HUGE bow tie with powercats! 

In case you were wondering, we were totally those dorks that went to all those union events. 

Grocery store bingo- yep, I won fruit snacks and a loaf of bread.

Hypnotist/mentalist - oh yeah, they totally embarrassed us and asked Rico when he was going to propose after revealing our social security numbers and year and make of both our cars.

$3 movies- we saw our fair share.

I can't describe our disappointment that we were missing Bill Nye. 

BILL NYE people. 

5 years too late. 

We ate pre-game appetisers at So Long Saloon (Rico had a few "Nancy" beers, I had fried pickles- how very pregnant of me). We were literally the only people there for the first hour. If you know So Long, you know this was maybe the weirdest feeling you could ever have. 

We had lunch at Rock-A-Belly (I couldn't convince him that we should eat at the Derb), complete with the tastiest sandwiches and a side of a flashback- the first time I ever made Rico try hummus. I've now made it so often that he is nearly sick of it. 

We drove by all the places we used to live. We took a side trip to Dara's to get a pop slushy (Rico- not me), stopped by Old Stadium, and visited the new stadium. Holy. Moley. That new stadium. Whoa. 

Maybe I'm the only one, but when I think of college I have one thing that sticks out in my mind.

 For me, it is walking to class, listening to music, on a very specific tree covered sidewalk with squirrels running across the path in front of me. To the left, Anderson Hall.  To the right, the Dean's house. Clearly, we needed to re-create this. 

Rico indulged me. He even turned on some Jack Johnson (we both agree that nothing quite re-creates our college years like a lil' Jack Johnson) as we walked the path. We went through campus, pointing to buildings and talking about the classes and professors we had. We went into the library. We saw all the updates to the buildings. We helped a lost freshman. 

Anderson Hall in the back...it was just too beautiful outside to capture it AND us at the same time.

Then, at the very end, as we were ALMOST back in the car I said "But we didn't go into Justin". Justin hall was the hall with all my FACS classes (interior design, textiles, culinary, child development, family relations, sexuality, personal finance...you know all my favorite classes.) So, we went. We were in awe at the new updates as we wandered the new portion of the building. We made our way over to the older portion, where I had all my classes. 

Then it happened.

By complete accident.

We stumbled across THIS room.

Erik reached for the door-and it was OPEN. I showed him where I sat...and then I burst into tears.

I know it doesn't look like much, but to me (apparently) it is everything. 

"You are NOT crying right now!"

"I can't help it!

"Oh honey, why?"

"This is where I learned what kind of mommy I want to be. It changed my life." (don't worry, I am crying right now just typing this)

My child development class. Where I learned about attachment and media influences and Bronfrenbrenner (for the 1 millionth time) and so many other things that molded my opinions on how I wanted to parent. 

Side note, I recently got a VERY sweet note (that made me cry) from a former Parenting student 

(Hi Taylor!) 

and have had some fun conversations with other former students that made me think that some day MY classroom might be a classroom where hormonal pregnant moms go back and cry...here's to hoping. 

That wasn't my last crazy crying fit. I ALSO cried the night before, driving around Manhattan. SO much had changed. Nothing was the same. Oh, and at the grocery store the next day. It had changed too.

Oh, and at the Sprint store to get a new phone the next day (clearly I didn't get a new phone) 

Oh, and on the drive to, at, and on the way home from dinner. 

Oh, and at our Redbox that night. Admission. Yes, the comedy with Tina Fay and Paul Rudd.

Oh, and Monday in class. A student showed a Sesame Street clip (to demonstrate toddler emotions) where Elmo was sad...he was SOOOO sad. Clearly I needed to cry. 

I think that is about all the embarrassment I need to reveal for the time being. Let's end on a K-State high note. Literally high. If you are a Wildcat, you'll recognize this spot. This is the view from on top of Manhattan hill that overlooks campus. 

Hopefully I passed on lots of warm K-State fuzzies to our baby. No pressure baby. That's a lie, a little tiny pressure.