Signed up for a half marathon...

As we enter into our final weeks of pregnancy, Ryan thought it was the perfect time to sign me up for a half marathon (he signed up for a full marathon). Luckily, the race is not until February 2016, which means I have plenty of time to prepare. I must admit, after he clicked finish sign up, and looked up at me with a huge grin on his face asking, "Are you excited?!?!" I had to look at my giant, preggers belly, look at him, and respond, "Honey, I'm 37 weeks pregnant, running a half marathon is the last thing I am going to get excited about." In his defense, I have been talking about running a half marathon. I know, I know, I do not like running. I feel like a half marathon should be a bucket list item, and what better time to train and complete than after having a baby. I am ready to lose the baby weight gain!

In the last post you saw the finished nursery. Other items I have checked off my list include, packing my hospital bag, packing Baby Boy Lang's diaper bag, and getting the car seat installed. I actually went to the police station today. It's an awkward feeling, turning into the police station parking lot, parking, and walking into the station. Luckily, the officer sitting behind the counter, looked at me, smiled and asked, "Here for the car seat installation?" I paused, looked at my belly, and asked, "How could you tell?" He and the officer that installed the car seat were both very nice. I did worry for a moment, when I pulled my car up to the front door (per the officer's instructions) and as the officer looked inside the car with his clipboard, he asked, "What year is this car?" I nervously responded, "2014" thinking, great, there's something wrong with my car. He nodded his head, and responded, "It's so clean in here, thought it was brand new." Phew, sigh of relief. "Oh, that's just because I am extremely neat and organized, possibly OCD." He laughed and said it sounded like his wife. :)

I feel like the waiting game has begun. I never know if the post I am currently typing will be my last prior to baby's arrival. You never know! :)

And for that weekly baby bump picture.

I am so thankful people continue to comment on how "small and cute" my belly is when they learn I am so close to delivery. It makes me feel a little less huge for a brief moment. Especially nice to remember when I drop something on the floor and contemplate just leaving it there.
Macy has been having lots of treats while I cook. Anything I drop on the floor is not worth picking up anymore, Macy does an excellent job cleaning up. :)

I am in love with my diaper bag! My awesome, fellow, preggers friend introduced me to Petunia Pickle Bottom (thanks, Ashlee!). I figure if I am going to carry a diaper bag everyday, I want it to be just as stylish as one of my handbags. I finally found the perfect bag.
I had to include a pair of baby socks, by far the cutest things I have ever seen. They are so tiny!

Keeping my promise...

The nursery is done. I said I would post pictures. I am keeping my promise. :)

When first delivered, Macy was afraid of the giraffe, but she has grown to ignore it. :)

The mobile was made by Ryan and me!

View from the door, looking in to the nursery. 

The picture frame is currently empty, but will be filled as we get pictures taken.
Baby Boy Lang's name will go above the picture frame. :)

Oh, organization!
If you were to look in the dresser drawers you would see what I am talking about.
Everything has been washed, the room smells like baby, I love it! 

Ryan and I were showered with many, wonderful gifts by friends and family. We are incredibly grateful for everything we received. Baby Boy Lang is loved by many, near and far. As we enter into the last couple weeks before his arrival, I like to think we are ready, as ready as you can be for a baby. I would not say I am nervous, more excited. I think nerves will start when we are driving to the hospital!

New Orleans Ironman 70.3 Finisher...

Sunday, April 20th, Ryan finished the New Orleans Ironman 70.3!

I still do not know how a person's body can complete something so difficult. The race starts with a 1.2 mile swim, then a 56 mile bike ride, and if that were not enough, the race finishes with a half marathon, 13.1 mile run! Add all the miles together, that's where you get the 70.3

As I waited at the finish line, I saw finishers finish with smiles on their faces, a few jumpers, one finisher was literally carried off by the medical staff, and many finishers began shaking uncontrollably upon finishing. Ryan finished the race with his friend, Jarred. They finished strong, and literally synchronized step for step. I was so proud to see them cross the finish line! Good job, love!

Very early morning. I drove him to the race at 5:00 a.m.

Ryan's parents came for the race. They were able to find him in the sea of swimmers prior to jumping in. Ryan finished the 1.2 mile swim in 31 minutes, 11 seconds!

Coming in after the 56 miles bike ride, finishing in 2 hours, 43 minutes, and 2 seconds. 

Looking good...

I was at the race with our friend, Andy. He and I were both yelling at Ryan, but he was too focused to hear. :)

And the step for step finish with Jarred. :) I took eight photos, and in each photo, they were completely synchronized. Here are four photos, they couldn't have planned it if they tried. 

Ryan's actual finish time was 6 hours, 25 minutes, and 58 seconds.

One would think after completing such an intense physical challenge he would be done. No, sir. Ryan wants to compete again, and improve his time. The next race is currently being planned. No specific date or race planned yet, but there will be one.
I will be there to cheer him on, and the next time, so will Baby Boy Lang!

The night before the race, I felt the need to "quality check" Ryan's race gear. We thought this would make a fun 36 week baby bump picture.
Helmet, check.

Swim cap, check. 

Olympic Triathlon...

The weekend has arrived. Ryan has been training for months. This Sunday, he will be competing in the New Orleans Half Ironman. The inspiration for this race began back in October. When we booked our trip to Hawaii, we were unaware the World Ironman Championship which takes place in Kona each year was taking place at the same time. The days we spent in Hawaii, and the numerous athletes we saw training for the race inspired Ryan to begin training, and sign up for the race. It worked out very well, a race was taking place in New Orleans.

A couple weekends ago, Ryan participated in an Olympic Triathlon as a way to practice. The distances for the swim, bike, and run were shorter than the race he will be competing in Sunday, but the swim location, and running course will be similar. It provided him the opportunity to experience the location, and was a great confidence boost. He did extremely well! I was very proud of him. I was able to provide some entertainment for him and the other competitors as the crazy, pregnant lady, jumping up and down, cheering him on. The local sheriffs posted to the race course were also very sweet, a few were concerned about my well being, if it was safe for me to walk so much and even offered chairs.

This Sunday, I will not be able to be such an enthusiastic cheerleader. My doctor has put me on limited activity. Rather than running around the course, chasing Ryan, I will most likely camp out by the finish line, ready to cheer and shout as he crosses the finish line!

Here are a few pictures I captured during his Olympic Triathlon…

Leaving the hotel room...

His actual time was 2 hours, 36 minutes. 

Finished strong and looking good!
11th in his age group

Good luck this weekend, Love! I know you'll do very well!

Spring Break Visit...

Apparently New Orleans is a pretty popular designation right now. My Facebook newsfeed has many posts, and pictures from various people visiting the city. I didn't realize it was such a popular destination, but I was delighted to have some friends come visit me!

Two of my good friends came to visit over their Spring Break. It seems like it was only last week (it's actually been over 2 weeks), that we had our girl's week, conquering everything New Orleans and the surrounding area. Not to mention, sampling every local food we could think of. I have lived here for almost a year, but thanks to Sarah and Jessica, I experienced more in the days they were here, than in my entire time living here. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

I was really bad with pictures. Sarah took some amazing pictures with her camera. Jessica was amazing with asking people to take pictures of us. Please enjoy the following pictures I do have from their visit:

Sarah proved the most courageous with the live alligators.
Jessica proved the most courageous with the food sampling. But I must add, Sarah tried a lot of different foods, Jessica and I were very proud!
 

One of our plantation stops.
Laura Plantation

Cafe Du Monde…
One can never have too many beignets...

So we went on a swamp tour, and saw more pigs than alligators. This particular piggy decided to climb on the boat. Needless to say, the video Jessica was able to record was priceless. 

I explained to Ryan he does not need to go hunting for pigs, just go on a swamp tour, they come to you. Either that, or go hunting with marshmallows, the piggies LOVE them!

We did "catch" one alligator. 

I hope they enjoyed their trip as much as I enjoyed having them visit. It's a good time when three midwestern ladies take on New Orleans!

The Final Five...

I had good intentions to blog more, but last week I became obsessed with decorating the nursery. I knew it was going to happen. Once I began, it was non-stop planning, shopping, crafting, and decorating. Baby Boy Lang is loved very, very much! I wish I could say the nursery was done, but it's not.  I have a couple more items I want to work on, but for now I am waiting. Ryan is currently offshore, and I am waiting for his return to get his opinion on a couple items. Fingers crossed, this is his last time offshore, we are in the final five.

When the nursery furniture was delivered, I asked the man to not build the crib. I did not want to take that joyful job away from Ryan. :) Actually, I wanted to make sure Ryan had something to be involved with, and I would have felt bad if Ryan would have wanted to build the crib. Ryan, with his wonderful assistant, Macy, did a fantastic job. Baby Boy has a lovely bed, in which he will "hopefully" spend many hours sleeping through the night like a good boy. :)

Work break for puppy scratches. 

Macy liked to review the instructions to make sure the building process was progressing correctly. 

Before the building even began, Ryan had his share of entertainment, we both had our share of laughs (Macy not included) when Ryan found a good use for the furniture box. Macy is so sweet, she listened so well, sat, and did not move as Ryan put the box over her. Initially she moved around inside the box, but knowing from previous experiences, there is no point becoming agitated. It's best to just relax, let us laugh at her. :)

Oh thank goodness, they are letting me out. 

Next week, I will post pictures of the completed nursery, promise. :) For now, my belly continues to grow. It's about time, it only took me over 30 weeks to have a bump.

The final five...

The first five...

Time seems to be flying...

My intentions to post weekly bump posts have proven unsuccessful. Everything is progressing well in regards to the baby. I am very thankful I continue to feel good because we seem to always have something going on. Ryan completed his first Olympic triathlon, I had some awesome friends spend their Spring Break with me, and we completed the second race in our Crescent City Challenge. For now, I will catch you up on the latter, but stay tuned for posts about the other happenings. Time seems to be flying…

The Crescent City Classic is a very popular 10K race in New Orleans. Over 25,000 people participated. 25,000 people, and 5 port-a-pots at the starting line, and at each mile, definitely a reasonable toilet to participant ratio (major sarcasm).

Ryan did very well. After he finished, he ran back to meet me along the path, and walk with me to the finish line. He learned that finishing in the Top 500 was a big deal, many people attempt to finish in the Top 500. He was not aware of this, but because he is a superstar, and with a finishing time of 43 minutes, he unknowingly finished in the Top 500!

Top 500 finishers received a race poster (that's what is in the tube).

Unfortunately, I did not finish in the Top 500. :) I finished an hour after Ryan (his first finish), with a time of 1 hour 43 minutes, not too bad for a preggers, power walking, and a bathroom stop at a very understanding restaurant near mile 5. I only saw one other pregnant lady, as I passed her, Boom! I am sure there were other pregnant ladies, but I like to think if there was a pregnant category, I would have placed near the top. :)

Two successful Crescent City Challenges completed. The next takes place the first weekend in June. Depending on when Baby Boy Lang decides to make his appearance, I am not too sure if I will be ready to participate, but I will try my best.

And for that baby bump. Baby is growing, bump is growing, Mom is feeling like a whale, all is well. :)

A change of background for the photos since I am trying to finish nursery decorating. Stay tuned for the finished product. I am really liking the way everything is coming together. 

Last, but definitely not least, pretty girl, Macy. I have been taking her on daily walks, and she is becoming quite the skinny minny, losing 9 pounds since we moved from Russia! We are loving the warm, sunny weather; before the summer heat and humidity rolls in.

She loves riding in the Jeep with the top off.