Thanks to Ashizzley

Penguin Swing

In case you're bored... or just don't want to work anymore... like me.

Bullets

• I'd NEVER thought I'd say in Georgia "We're in a drought". We need rain and it doesn't seem to be much in sight.
• Why does our dog have to throw up anytime we take her in the car? I know the "scientific" reasons... car sickness or whatever, but why our dog? Especially when I already have a queasy stomach!
• There are some people in this world who should have a job where they work alone... and not in a team or with other people.
• 8 hours of sleep is not nearly enough for me lately, when it's sad that I used to survive on like 6. Oh and remind me NOT to take a Tylenol PM at 10:30 when I have to wake up at 6:30, that just doesn't work.
• I can't WAIT to go see my family, friends and the mountains next month... only 5 more weeks!
• I can't wait for Thanksgiving dinner too. Oh and seeing the lights at temple square, hopefully!
• 8 days until the gender of "Bun" is revealed... and counting!
• I love my in-laws.
• I wish I could wear flip-flops to work everyday.
• For the longest time I thought the song "Why Georgia" by John Mayer was about a person named Georgia. I thought it was strange for him to pick that name. Then I realized after he was talking about driving down 85 that he meant here... in GA... where I live... DUH.
• I'm SUPER excited to see my cuz Laura and her family this weekend, and that we get the privilege of them staying with us!
• Is it worth it to come in an hour late and work through your lunch? I'm debating that right now as I sit here typing and wishing I could go for a ride in my car since it's my "lunch time" right now and can't.
• Why do people put their cell phones on "speaker phone" at work? Where everyone can hear? I've seen so many people in general do that... they just walk around stores and from their car to a building with it on speaker. I don't want to hear their conversation, and the only time I do it is when Ryan and I both should hear or I'm changing my clothes and can't hang up or something. They're still holding the phone up to their face/mouth, what's the big deal about not having it on speaker?

On that note, I leave you to read this story. Good times.

Well we had a good but busy weekend. The concert was AMAZING. I am so taken back by some musician's talent! Both Béla Fleck and Nickel Creek are amazingly talented and pick away like little bandits! It was an incredibly enjoyable evening being with my man and as we sat there we realized that it had been a LONG, LONG time since just he and I went out together. Not just out to eat somewhere... but OUT and all alone! I'll attach a couple pictures and maybe a video. They were very entertaining. And if you like them or even Blue Grass then I would highly suggest seeing this show! I just LOVE going to concerts, it's one of my favorite things to do! And the baby liked them too! Boy was it moving!
Saturday night we helped Ryan's parents out with their 40th High School reunion. That was fun and also quite interesting! We checked people in and gave them their name tags and took money from them and stuff. Quite a few people when coming up to the table automatically knew that Ryan was Morris Smith's son because he looks JUST like his dad did! It was funny. It was also fun to see people's reactions to not seeing each other for so long and to see what people hung out with each other that night and made you wonder if they did back in the day... and then what was even MORE interesting was a couple that had dated in H.S. had gotten back together after all those years and got MARRIED (yes folks) at the reunion that night! It was quite funny to us... also very entertaining. We had a good time though. We were glad we got to help!
Now we're just getting the house ready for our visitors this weekend and then next week we have my sister coming in! So much to do... so little time! When do I rest?

Okay, I really promise not to always write too much about being pregnant and all that jazz. It's just that this is like a journal to me and the whole having a human growing inside of me thing is new to me and well, sort of (well REALLY) a big deal! So I just need to talk about it for a sec. Little Bun is probably just getting bigger and bigger and so it's presence is being felt more and more each day. And let me tell you, it's so fun! It's so COOL to know that the little flicking I feel inside and little movements here and there and the sort of weird-make-me-uncomfortable dancing on my bladder are all made by MY KID. Yes folks, MY KID! 1/2 of Heather + 1/2 of Ryan= BUN IN THE OVEN! And I get to feel it all first! And I get to (kind of) know what's going on in there first! I feel so honored and privileged, even though this pregnancy isn't always all the fun I thought it was going to be. It totally makes it worth it though when I get to feel the little thing. I do have to say though, that I can't wait for Ryan to feel it too. Especially when it's kicking him in the back when we're trying to sleep at night! Ha, ha! I just can't wait to see it and hold it and love it (which I already do of course) and kiss it's cute little baby cheeks!!! And, I know whole heartedly that it's going to be THE CUTEST BABY ON EARTH!!! Seriously... :)

Anyway... that's all. We're going to see Nickel Creek and Béla Fleck tomorrow night at the Fox. That should be awesome, and it's a date... just me and my love! Excited about that! And then we are helping Ryan's parents with their 40th High School reunion on Saturday night. So it should be an eventful weekend!

(Do you think that's real?)

I have a super cool Uncle who has run 10,000 miles!

I found this entry on my cousin Ann's blog yesterday. And wanted to also give a shout out to my Uncle Mark who is a remarkable man, on a few different levels! And that even though he had a heart attack last year despite his healthy nature, he was up and moving in no time and didn't let that stop him! He's 61 and still runs every day. He said that he and 16 others who all had heart histories teamed up to run the Marathon Relay in Akron, OH. Go Uncle Mark!
From http://www.akronmarathon.org/news-and-press.asp?action=news&id=141:
The “Cardiac Athletes” team represents the internet support group started by Lars Andrews, a cardiac physiologist in Portsmouth, United Kingdom (www.cardiacathletes.org). Andrews’ call for stories of athletes overcoming heart-related health issues was heard by New Yorker Dave Tuttle, 54, who took up marathon running after heavy smoking led to quadruple bypass at age 46. Tuttle’s teammate in the Road Runner Akron Marathon relay is Mark Collier from Gilbert, S.C. Collier, 61, almost died from cardiac arrest in September 2006 from an irregular heart rhythm known as Long QT Syndrome. Collier has set his training so that he will run his 10,000th running mile upon completion of the Akron Marathon, just 370 days after his initial cardiac arrest.

Running his 10,000th mile!

(what's even cooler is that he was just made the sealer in the South Carolina temple too!)

Well, we had a pretty good and somewhat non-eventful weekend. We went to a corn maze just north of where we live with some friends. We drove up with Michael and Lori and then ate dinner and then met Dylan and her fiance Sean and his brother and friend. We got there pretty late so we didn't get to go through all three mazes or ride the hay ride, but we got through at least two- and one was haunted. Ryan and I mostly laughed at the others getting scared, we only got scared once by a guy who was following us REALLY close with one of those "Scream" masks on. We also bought the punkin (yes punkin) that we wanted to get and it's perfect and sitting on our doorstep! It was a lot of fun and I think we're going to try and go again before Halloween.
We also got some painting done in the family room and hallway (which means there are just two walls left to do- anyone want to help?), watched conference or listened to it, got a glider rocking chair from Ryan's sister (thank you Kelly!), rested, ran some errands... and that's about it. Pretty low key if you ask me. But it was good to just relax. The next few weeks of the month are looking to be pretty busy!
Been feeling little B.S. moving more and more, and either my work pants today just haven't stretched out from the wash yet or they're getting tighter! I guess it's time to break down and get some work clothes. I'm personally on the count down for the big ultrasound in let's see, 2 weeks and 2 days! Wuhoo! I still wish I had more energy then I do, and I also wish standing up wasn't so painful with all the internal stretching those tummy ligaments are doing. But all in all I feel pretty good most days.

stuff

- it's been gloomy for three days straight with LITTLE rain, and if you can believe it, Georgia is in a drought and needs it. So I say to the clouds- quit looking so gray and just rain already! Like REALLY rain!
-the leaves are FINALLY starting to change! Those trees with the bright yellow leaves are my little rays of sunshine on these gloomy days. (and Ryan and Ally too)
-acorns keep falling from the trees above our house onto the roof and scaring the crap out of me in the middle of the night!
-we finally got a plumber out to the house this week after having leaking from what turns out to be our water heater for close to two months or more (luckily in the garage). Apparently we get the award for the oldest water heater the plumber has ever seen, 27 years old! Go us! (oh and yes, we did replace it with a shiny brand new one!)
-we're going to a corn maze tonight if it still doesn't decide to rain, and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm hoping to get a pumpkin from the patch they have there to put on the front porch!
-I'm excited for conference this weekend, especially interested in seeing who has been called to replace our beloved Pres. Faust.
-I've had a twitch just to the right of my nose below my eye for two days, it's really driving me buggy.
-my sister is coming to visit in three weeks! And she's coming to the doc with us to see what the baby is! I'm pretty excited to have a family member there with us, especially since mine is all on the west coast.
-this is just how pregnant I am, I'm eating Yoplait Thick & Creamy Mixed Berry yogurt with Garden Salsa Sunchips. No, I'm not dipping the chips in the yogurt. I'm just alternating between the two. Look, I'm hungry.

Heather tortures Ally every morning. Here is proof....

The Bun in the Oven

So this morning I had to lay on my stomach to stretch out my back while in bed, and while doing this felt the baby kick or punch or something. That was exciting because I'm feeling Bun more and more. But now that I'm at work- holy cow I can feeling it just moving around a ton! It must've REALLY liked those Apple Jacks I had for breakfast this morning! It's quite the incredible feeling! It's been making me smile with a cheesy grin all morning!

My husband ROCKS

So we've had this house since January, and we've gotten some painting and fixing up done- but have had to do it a little at a time for monetary purposes. Ryan worked some overtime for the big boss and they gave him an extra $200 so we decided to use it to buy paint for our biggest problem room, the family room and entry way. It's been long overdue... the room was partially mustard and partially WHITE, so it's nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We still have a large portion of the room to finish but Ryan got a good start on it all! We'll need some recruits for the rest. But it looks so good so far! I wish I could help more... but uh, I think I have a pretty good excuse! I picked the colors though... so I guess I kind of helped!

Fire place wall, our "accent" wall.

The Entry Way

We used the accent color on the wall the door is on too.

bird

Ryan here. I chased an ugly bird the other day.

Ryan out!

B.S. is doing just fine...

We went to our 16 week appointment today. We got to hear our baby's cute little heartbeat which was about 140-something BPM (I suck for not remembering the exact number), and he measured me... but he didn't tell me that part. Everything seems fine and normal and our next apt is October 25th! Wait, Oct 25th?! That's like a whole stinkin' 5 WEEKS AWAY! BOOOOOO! 5 weeks feels like a universe away... And I have to admit, both Ryan and I were slightly to extremely disappointed that we didn't get to see little B.S. today. Which I'm not really sure why I expected to be able to in the first place when last time we went he told us we'd have to wait until the NEXT time after this apt. I guess I got to reading too much online and got my hopes up even though I know that even though it IS possible to see what the gender is at this stage- it's just not too common to find out now. So I got myself (and Ryan) all worked up for nothing. But in the end, all I really care about knowing is that the little one is first of all alive, has a good steady heart rate and is growing- which it totally is! I haven't gained any weight back since I lost the 10lbs in my first trimester, but I am sure getting bigger. And I have felt it moving which is fun! Not a lot yet- but it sure didn't like getting poked today by the little machine thing the doc used to listen to it's heart! It kicked or something right when he was poking me! It was cute! It's a really cool and unusual feeling.

Oh and I don't know about all you other prego people out there in Blogland, that have this wonderful symptom, but my nose has been stuffy! Not having a cold or allergies stuffy, just stuffy. And it's ANNOYING. Everyone at work thinks I'm sick or something.

Okay, enough baby talk...Heather OUT.

Reasons To Love Ally

She's DANG cute...

She's entertaining.

(I HATE my laugh in this... just ignore it...or pay attention to it since I brought attention to it just now...crap...)

And she is a little snuggle bear.

What's not to love?! She's a fun friend to have around. Can't wait to see how she and the baby will get along.

Our Pregnant Bellies
from the top of the falls Silly Kids Ryan & Ashley
We went to Amicalola Falls State Park today with our Ashley and well, the hike up to the falls was just too much for all of us for a number of reasons, but let's just say it was too late in the day. So we found the road that you can actually DRIVE to the top of the falls, duh... so we just did that instead and spared ourselves the 600 and something stairs! It was sure beautiful though and relaxing to be in the nature.
Then on the way home in the middle of the country we stopped at THE CUTEST pumpkin patch (Burt's Pumpkin Farm) and walked around! I loved it! I decided right there and then that was going to be a tradition with the Smith Family. A trip to the falls and then to the pumpkin patch to get a couple of pumpkins and other goodies they have there. They even had hay rides and tractors and it was just fun. I've always wanted to go to a pumpkin patch like this so it was WAY exciting to find one! They had GINORMOUS ones and little itty bitty ones, white ones, gourds, pumpkin bread, popcorn, apple cider- it was just fun! We were there a little too early to get a pumpkin yet- but maybe we can go back. Again, I just sure do love the Fall! It really was a fun day. And it gave me more reasons to love Georgia!

I got this lucky shot...

Atlanta Georgia Temple

Piedmont Park, The City, Ryan and Michael and Lori

I'm a Sleepy Bear

Why is it that almost every time I tell someone that right now I need AT LEAST 10 hours or more sleep, they're surprised? I'm pregnant for Pete's sake! I'm working, eating, sleeping and moving for 2! And not only that, but the little one is constantly growing and needing nutrients and health even more than I do! The reason why I'm so tired TODAY is because last night we went with Michael and Lori to Piedmont Park, which for those of you not familiar, is a really cool park smack dab in the middle of downtown Atlanta that has baseball fields, dog parks, fishing, grilling and playgrounds, and lots of green space among lots of other amenities. We went to Improv in the Park and got our blankets out and enjoyed the WONDERFUL cool night air. However, it didn't start until 8 and we didn't get home until 11pm. And although it was worth it and LOTS of fun, 11pm is about 2-2 1/2 hours past my bedtime! And on top of that I was already pretty exhausted yesterday from not sleeping so great the night before. My sciatic nerve is not my friend right now.

I'll post some pictures tonight. I don't have many- but I've got a cool video of the city skyline and moon.

I liked today's LDS Gem

"[The Lord's] sweet assurance . . . can guide you and me--in our time, in our day, in our lives. Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently.
A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well."

(Thomas S. Monson, "The Call for Courage," Ensign, May 2004, 55-56)

okay, so I read this one wrong the first time and got 0%! yikes! it's fun though, it only took me one more try to get it... once I really read the directions!
http://www.njagyouth.org/colortest.htm

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

Oh what a beautiful day! Seriously, yesterday and today have been BEAUTIFUL days! There's a perfect breeze, the temperature is nice and cool but not too cold, the sky is blue with out any humidity in the air. I LOVE the Fall, despite Ryan's uncanny dislike for this time of year. Mostly because that means his days of working out in the cold are coming... which I understand. But I still love when the weather becomes bearable again and the leaves start to change and the breezes are so pleasant. I love the different holidays that the Fall ushers in, it's like a lead into the fun times! But I already discussed this last year. This year my goals are to go to a corn maze, for us to carve pumpkins, to get some Halloween decorations, hopefully pull off our surprise Halloween costumes, do some outside activities like campfires or camping in general. Things like that.

The weather has given me a renewed sense of energy... I guess being in my second trimester helps too. So I made homemade cookies today! Don'tchya wish ya had sooooooommmmmmeeee?????

I took the recipe from Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and just took out the shortening part (mostly because I don't have any, but think it's too much) and they turn out perfect! YUM!