Makin' it look good...

Once again, I've taken forever to blog. I won't catch up, I'll just start with today. So in my circle of friends and family we have babies due almost every month this year. WHOA!! I'm so excited. For most, it's their first and we all know how exciting that can be and also extremely terrifying. No words can really describe what's in store but maybe that life truly is changed,
F O R E V E R.

I vaguely remember what life was like without children. Maybe, partly, because I drank a lot, hahaha, just kidding. Seriously, though, what did I do with my time then vs. what do I do with my time now? Completely different. Everything is centered around whether or not I can get myself and the two kids ready in time for what the day holds. I'm getting a little better but I still feel like a fish out of water. And just when I think I have it down, something is thrown in the mix to keep me on my toes. I still wonder how my mother had 7 children.

That thought is also a motivator for me...I can do this, my mom had 7 kids and we all turned out okay...YOU CAN DO THIS!! I'm not going to lie, some days, I want to have my own pity party and just do nothing. But most days, I try to put on my big girl panties and get to it. But I can still admire the moms that make it look good...I strive to be that mom some day...but I want people to know that well, at least for me, it's a struggle and challenge every day but the reward is to watch the kiddos do something new every day and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

What's in store for 2010

WOW, it's 2010! I can hardly believe it. I remember when I was little, thinking, 2010 was FOREVER away and now here it is. So what does 2010 have in store for The Hinkle Family. Well, to begin, I will start training for a marathon and a few triathlons. If it weren't for the encouragement from Travis, I do no know if I would be doing any of it. I love to swim, I like to bike but as for the run, well, it's okay. Combine all of those together and viola, I'm doing tri's...really? me? I'm impressed, hahaha. By no means am I fast, or will ever win a race, it's more important for me that i'm doing it and having fun.

For Christmas I received a fabulous gift, an indoor bike trainer. While the kids nap, I jump on my bike and ride. I'm up to 1/2 an hour. My friend Matt was right, I do have to admit, running sucks, especially when you have an indoor bike trainer! But I will still have to run. The indoor bike trainer is like having my very own spin class in our sun room. It's awesome!

I'm also looking forward to watching Iris and Isaiah grow and meet their milestones. It's been fun to watch and listen to Isaiah, I still cannot believe that in a year Iris will be doing the same things. She is just so small right now and I remember thinking the same thing about Isaiah and then poof, it happened.

I'm also hoping to blog a bit more only to keep myself on track with my goals. If I put it out there that I am training for stuff then I will feel that everyone is keeping me accountable and I won't be a slacker. I need to stay motivated!

Whatever goals you have and you need me to help you meet them, I would be happy to but not annoyingly so, does that make sense? I won't constantly ask, but I will ask. I also know that things don't happen overnight, unless it's your child, and one day an outfit fits, and overnight, it does not. I am very excited about this year, I hope you are too!

What should have been in the Christmas cards...

Born October 20, 2009 at 4:26pm...Iris Irene will be two months old in two days. Time sure does fly, that is no joke. I'm slowing getting it together. And after speaking to many moms I've got plenty of time, if ever, that I get it together.

The past two months have been a blast, maybe it's the lack of sleep, but fun nonetheless. Isaiah is a great big brother. He now says "good morning iris" every morning or even when she wakes up from a nap. He is growing so fast and talking so much it's wonderful.

November 22 we watched and cheered for Travis who competed in his 2nd Ironman. When I was on bedrest, that set his training back a bit, but he still did well. He was happy with his time of 13 hours 48 minutes, only 20 minutes slower than his first so I can only imagine what he would have done had he been able to train like he wanted. Guess we'll see for the next one but he hasn't decided when that will be.

As for me, today was the first day I have run since I found out I was pregnant. Over nine months ago...it wasn't pretty...and it's cold out, not freezing Minot cold, but still cold for running. I am contemplating doing a half marathon in May in Ft. Collins, Colorado. I got sucked in by the scenery. Our friends Ashley and Tim have signed up for it and when I looked at the "slightly down-hill" course, I thought...hmmm...I think I could do that. So we'll see...I need to get up to running 30 minutes straight before I can even think of running a schedule for the half. But I truly hope to get there by the end of January to start the actual training in February. I also want to start training for some sprint tris just to get me going but we'll see. Two kiddos and Travis' crazy schedule has me trying to be creative with training.

This is crazy...

Monday I went in to have an ultrasound, baby was head down...my ua was up but not bad...went in on thursday and my blood pressure was high. DR sent me to the hospital to induce. They started the process and then did an ultrasound to make sure she was still head down...of course she wasn't...so they stopped the process. Drew more blood another ua and then in the morning they were going to try to turn her. Well, turning her was not successful but my labs came back fine. Which in the grand scheme of things is great news.

She will come in her time. I am now convinced more than ever we have a very strong-willed girl on our hands. The more time she gets in the oven the better off she will be. I am however frustrated only because I'm having to go back & forth to the hospital and Isaiah is being shuffled around. Thank goodness for the help we have recieved and I do not know why I worry about him because he has so much fun hanging out with everyone. He's a trooper!

I'm not going to post anything until she finally here. I'm sure some of ya'll might think i'm a bit crazy...lol...but thank you for your wonderful thoughts and prayers.

WHOLLY BELLY!!

One day Travis asked me, "when am i going to get a picture of the belly"...Then I received an email from a friend about a maternity photography session and I said, hmmm, wouldn't that be a fabulous birthday present for Travis? Initially, it was going to be just me and baby girl but Isaiah has been patting my belly saying "baby" and would sometimes kiss it, so I decided I would make a family photo op. I've only seen a few photos and I am anxiously and patiently waiting to see the rest.

I've always been self-concious about my body. And sometimes being pregnant in the summer, I haven't always felt so beautiful. Travis, the loving husband he is, always tells me that I am and I love him dearly for that but my own lack of positive self esteem thinks he's lying. He has always told me, "i wish you see yourself through my eyes, then maybe you'd believe me". He's so awesome. But something happened after taking these pictures. I could honestly see just how beautiful and awesome being pregnant is. No worries, I'm not going to be conceded by any means, but for once in my life, I'm really proud how these pictures came out. HUGE STEP!! Major confidence booster.

I would encourage any woman who is pregnant to have a maternity photo shoot. The photographer was telling me she has one photo of her mom pregnant with her, and I got to thinking. I, too, only have one photo of my mom pregnant with me, and it just so happened that it was on my brothers graduation day from high school in May 1975, I arrived three months later. You really can't tell too much that she is pregnant but I know i'm there. I have to find that picture and when I do I will certainly post it.

It's a GIRL!!

So we are having a GIRL!! Get ready for some pink, frills, and hair bows. WATCH OUT!! I think all along I knew it would be a girl and I've been trying to get used to the idea. Travis is too. He is getting his guns polished as we speak...okay maybe not right now but he does know that he wants them polished and ready to go by the time she is 16. YIKES...I remember when I was 16...and every other age in between. I don't think I was the greatest teenager but I don't think I was horrible. I never got arrested or did drugs. I gradutated from high school...hey all pluses when you go to public school in NM, have you seen the statistics? I am thankful I have girlie girlfriends and family to help me out when I am just not being girlie enough. I'm sure it will be fine, but I do have to say i'm quite nervous to have a girl. But I'm going to do all I can to raise a fine young lady just as I am trying my best to raise a gentlemen in Isaiah. So far we have to work somethings with Isaiah but he's coming along.

busy busy busy....

WOW...I haven't blogged in so long...so much has happened since I last blogged. The big news being I'M PREGNANT. We find out this friday what's baking in the oven. We are super excited. We did not find out what we were having with our first so we decided we would find out with our second. I just think its crazy that I am going to know whats in the belly. But I will be sure to blog about it and post the ultrasound pictures when I get them.

In other exciting news, Travis has one last trip left to Vegas...WOOHOO!! He'll be home this thursday and he'll stay until June 29 until July 3, so it will be a short trip but oh so sweet. He started the whole process July 7, 2008 so just shy of one year. I am nervous about him being home because now we have to deal with the reality of the situation of a new schedule for the new squadron. If you haven't seen this video on a segment of 60 minutes, check it out...This is what he does. And the Col. in the video sums it up perfectly, when he says..."this is so much more satisfying because, you know, every time you fly, every single day, you're having an impact on the ground," And that is the EXACT reason Travis LOVES his new job...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/08/60minutes/main5001439.shtml

Isaiah is growing big and strong, he LOVES to climb on just about anything and everything he can. Isaiah and I traveled to Houston at the end of May. It was challenging traveling with him due to the fact that both flights were significantly delayed and the added stress was not helping. Also, on our return trip, he was THAT child. Screaming at the back of the plane...so I ask, does it help to stare at the mother that is traveling alone with a screaming child? I had several people turn around and stare at me, so I finally just yelled SORRY!! I don't like this anymore than you do and it doesn't help to stare at me, thats not going to help him stop screaming. They turned around and never looked back. But in the end he fell asleep about a half hour before landing. Needless to say, it may be awhile before I fly alone with him again, have car, we'll drive!