My 100

Since everyone else has done the 100 Things About Yourself list, I thought I'd give it a whirl. Hope you actually learn something about me & don't get too bored.

1. I was born in TX (where I now live), but have moved 12 times in my life

2. I don't really like kids that much, but wanted to be a teacher when I grew up (I think it was having summers off that was so appealing)

3. I don't enjoy being an accountant, it just comes easily to me

4. I love being a Pampered Chef Consultant

5. I like cooking and LOVE eating

6. My favorite food is Mexican

7. I also love anything sweet- especially chocolate

8. I'm an only child

9. I love being an only child

10. I grew up with two Chihuahuas & disliked cats

11. I now own a cat & love him like a child

12. Shane & I dated for 3 1/2 years before he proposed

13. Shane's proposal is forever engraved on a brick on the front lawn at Harding University- so everyone can see it

14. I love to travel

15. I don't mind flying on an airplane- but taking off always scares me a little (but never landing)

16. I once got carded at an R-rated movie, when I was 25

17. Sometimes I snort when something is really funny

18. I don't pay the bills, balance our checkbook, or do our taxes

19. My favorite fast food place in Chick-Fil-A

20. I always get the grilled chicken sandwich, but really want the fried chicken nuggets or strips

21. I was born with a birth defect in my right leg- I now have a steel rod in it.

22. I've broken my right leg 3 times & had surgery twice

23. My right leg is over 1" shorter than the left

24. I wore a brace on my leg from the time I was a baby until I went to college

25. My dad was very mad that I quit wearing it in college

26. I didn't drink in high school or college

27. I don't drink now (well, an occasionally fun drink on vacation or something)

28. I like to organize

29. Shane thinks I'm OCD

30. I get fever blisters on my lip when I'm stressed

31. Yes, that's a form of herpes

32. I get embarrassed when I have to get medicine for it at the pharmacy- I feel the need to let them know it's for fever blisters, not the "other kind" of herpes

33. I do not like animated movies- esp Disney

34. I like Disney World

35. I love the winter

36. But I prefer summer clothes
37. Not having a tan drives me crazy

38. I love to take hot baths

39. The idea of labor scares me BIG time

40. I hate dryer sheets in the laundry

41. I like to read, but don't make time for it

42. I love being pampered- pedicures, manicures, massages

43. I've always liked fruit, but I crave it constantly now that I'm pregnant- esp pineapple

44. I enjoy exercising

45. I didn't take naps until I got pregnant (and when I was studying for the CPA exam)

46. I had braces in jr high

47. I've never had my hair colored, highlighted, anything

48. I prefer eating at home over eating out

49. I watch reruns of Beverly Hills 90210 daily

50. I sing while I drive, but not in the shower

51. I drive fast, but have never gotten a ticket

52. I'm a backseat driver

53. Seeing the animals in cages at Petco makes me tear up

54. I cry every week when they yell "MOVE THAT BUS" on Extreme Home Makeover

55. I don't like coffee

56. But I like the experience of Starbucks & usually get hot chocolate or caramel apple cider

57. I love the rain

58. Storms scare me

59. Snow storms do not scare me

60. One year I opened all of my presents under the Christmas tree a few weeks before Christmas & then tried to re-wrap them

61. My mom figured it out
62. Once in jr high my friend & I ordered pizza and paid for the entire bill with pennies

63. The delivery guy was NOT happy

64. I loved to toilet paper friend's houses when I was younger

65. The police caught us once

66. The police caught me & my boyfriend making out behind a school one time

67. I wasn't the dating type- I was always in long term relationships in high school/college

68. I wouldn't change anything about my wedding- there were not mishaps & it was perfect

69. We lived with my parents for 2 weeks after our honeymoon- before we moved to Connecticut
70. I go back to visit my friends in CT at least once a year

71. Buying Christmas gifts stresses me out

72. I like to make "To Do" lists

73. I made my Christmas gift list yesterday & now feel stressed about it

74. I didn't enjoy watching football until I married Shane

75. I've always wanted to go to Europe

76. I check email & read blogs everyday

77. Even when I'm out of town

78. I'm very impatient

79. 75% of the time I'm wearing the color black

80. Some of my favorite stores: Target, Restoration Hardware, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Central Market

81. I've almost been out of college for 10 years

82. I lived with the same person all through college- and now we live less than a mile apart

83. I get very scared at night

84. I'm afraid someone will break in or that there will be a fire

85. I've never had either of those things happen

86. I lived in Australia when I was in 4th/5th grade

87. My brother in law is from Australia

88. I'm a clean freak, but hate to clean the bathroom

89. I do not like bugs & make Shane kill them

90. I do not like snakes

91. Shane had a snake in college up until we got married

92. I had to feed him live mice several times when Shane was out of town

93. I'm not daring

94. I do not like change

95. I like the smell of rain, freshly mowed grass, and gasoline

96. Once when I was little, a bird pooped in my hair when I was riding my bike

97. It made me cry

98. I still have a fear of that happening again

99. My favorite computer program is Excel- I love it!

100. I have no idea how I want to decorate our nursery

"Are we finding out if it's a boy or girl?"

I cannot tell you how often I'm asked this question! So to clear the air- YES, we are. It's funny to me that people even ask (especially if they know me at all.) I'm such a planner & I hate surprises!

So the next question is... "WHEN?" Well, that's up in the air. At my last appointment I asked the doctor when my next sono would be. I wasn't very happy with her response. I thought she's say at the next appointment (which is actually next week.) I will be almost 19 weeks at that point. But her office doesn't do the sono until at least 20 weeks, and evidently they are NOT flexible on this. So we have to wait until the next appointment, which will put me at 23 weeks (end of Nov.) Uh... this is killing me!

Another favorite question surrounding this topic, "What do you think you're having?" Honestly, I have no idea! At first I thought boy, then girl. Then I had a dream it was a girl, then a dream it was a boy- so I'm clueless. Shane's hoping for a boy & I'm hoping for a girl, but obviously we are both going to be thrilled with a healthy baby no matter what!

I hope this has answered your questions! So what do you think we're having???

Lazy weekend & pictures of Max

Things are about to get super busy around our house with lots of trips, holidays, Pampered Chef parties etc.- so we decided to take it easy this weekend. This is literally one of the last weekends before Christmas where we aren't completely booked!

On Saturday we went out and bought some beautiful mums & pumpkins for the front porch! I'd already put out my fall wreath, but it has been so warm here that we didn't want to buy mums that would die! Anyway, I'm super excited because the porch is all festive now! Of course we spent the rest of the day watching football.. Hook 'Em Horns! We went to church Saturday night & then out with friends for dinner afterwards! Shane & I are so blessed by the friends that we've started making at church!

Sunday was another day of football! I did actually venture out of the house for a Pampered Chef party that afternoon, but then retired to the couch for Sunday Night Football after dinner! Okay, I told you it was a boring weekend! But it seemed that people were getting irritated that I hadn't posted in a few days- so there!

I've also had people ask me about our cat, Max, so I'm posting a few pictures of him today! He is our baby- spoiled rotten. He's seriously one of the sweetest cats you will ever meet! He is very social & always has to be in the same room as us (he even sleeps at my head EVERY night.) He never meets a stranger either- so beware of coming to our house if you don't like cats! Anyway, that's our Max!

Our Christmas kitty!
















What a sweet little face!













Isn't it funny that he lays this way?

















Oh, and here is a belly pic that Shane took of me today! Did I mention that it was 50 degrees here today? I'm so excited- I love winter weather!

What TV shows are you addicted to?

So every year I tell myself that I will NOT let TV shows consume me, but they always do. It really is embarrassing to see how many shows my DVR records each week- here are just a few!

Dancing With The Stars (ABC- Mon 7pm/Tues 8pm)

Now I cannot stand any other dancing/singing reality shows! I mean, I loathe American Idol (don't hate me.) But I'm totally into DWTS- especially this season! I'll admit that I even vote! For those of you who didn't know me in college- I was the biggest 90210 fan EVER. Yes, it's quite embarrassing now when I think about it. Even so, I'm really wanting Jennie Garth to win this season! Go Kelly Taylor!! Honestly I think Sabrina Bryan has the best chance of winning- how is it possible that she's already received a perfect score in week 4??? And as for Cameron Mathison- I don't care how he dances, he's just nice to look at!

The Bachelor (ABC- Mon 9pm)

Brad Womack- he's from Austin, TX... enough said. Seriously though, this is one of my favorite bachelors so far, and I've watched EVERY season through good & bad. I love Brad's southern accent, that he's a gentleman, and most importantly that he cannot control his laughter when one of the ladies does something stupid! Now this season's ladies are pretty typical- the psychos, the blubbering idiots who cry after being cut after 2 dates ("I could imagine him as the father of my children" WHAT???), and the ladies that aren't afraid to show some skin. I personally like Jenni the best, and can't wait to see Hillary & Deanna get kicked to the curb!

The Hills (MTV- Mon 9pm)

Either this season isn't as good as the past seasons, or I'm just getting really tired of Lauren. Is it just me, or is she intentionally trying to lose all of her friends? I mean, I don't like Justin-Bobby anymore than the rest of you.... but just leave Audrina alone about it already. She'll figure it out... eventually. As for Whitney, she needs a good storyline because all she ever does is have conversations at work with Lauren about what she did the night before- BORING. Now Heidi & Spencer- that's some funny stuff. I love that she is finally going to call him out on not working! Seriously, all he ever does is sit around the apartment & spend money. Sounds nice to me!

Grey's Anatomy (ABC- Thurs 8pm)

Another show that doesn't seem as fantastic as past seasons- but I'm still glued to the TV every time it comes on! I'm so anxious for George & Izzy to get together already! I know it's wrong, but they are just so right together! As for Derek & Meredith- I'm so over that. I just wish they would both move on. Derek hooking up with her sister would actually make the show a bit more exciting, don't you think? Does anyone miss Addison? I'm watching Private Practice, but can't decide if I like it or not. I think she needs to return to Seattle Grace.

The Office (NBC- Thurs 8pm)

The Office is one of the few shows that actually makes me laugh out loud while I'm watching it! I think it's especially funny to people that have worked in an office environment before- am I right? I'm so happy that Jim & Pam are finally a couple... I'm just wondering how long it will last. I also think it was a smart move for the producers to bring in Andy- he & Dwight together are hilarious! If you don't watch this show, give it a try.

Friday Night Lights (NBC- Fri 8pm)

This show along with The Office are the only two shows that Shane & I watch together- so we never miss them! Being that I LOVE football and all, it was inevitable that I'd love this show. The fact that it's about high school drama makes it that much more appealing to me. (90210, Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill) I still don't like the fact that Eric isn't the head football coach anymore, but I'm hoping they resolve that storyline in the next few weeks & bring him home!

Desperate Housewives (ABC- Sun 8pm)

Who loves this new Katherine character? She's awesome! I'm dying to know more about this secret that she's keeping, and I love the fact that she drives Bree crazy! I'm getting a little tired of the Lynette/cancer storyline & I think the Susan/Pregnancy thing is going to get old too! But I've heard that the too cute gardener, John, is coming back into the picture in a few weeks. So will Gaby cheat on Carlos (who she's cheating on Victor with)? What a wholesome show this is!

My Man

1. Who is your man? Shane Lee Lumpkins

2. How long have you been together? Over 11 years

3. How long dated? Over 3 years

4. How old is your man? Shane turned 31 this past March

5.Who eats more? These days we eat the same! :)

6. Who said "I love you" first? Shane- and in French!

7. Who is taller? Shane- I'm only 5'2"

8. Who sings better? Neither of us are very good to be honest.

9. Who is smarter? This is not a fair question! We are equally smart in different ways!

10. Whose temper is worse? Mine

11. Who does the laundry? Me

12. Who takes out the garbage? Shane

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me- it's further away from the door!

14. Who pays the bills? I did for most of our marriage (being an accountant and all), but now Shane does!

15. Who is better with the computer? Shane

16. Who mows the lawn? Shane

17. Who cooks dinner? Me

18. Who drives when you are together? Usually Shane

19. Who pays when you go out? Shane

20. Who is most stubborn? Definitely me

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Shane

22. Whose parents do you see the most? We've seen my parents a lot recently, but overall we see Shane's parents more because they live closer.

23. Who kissed who first? Shane kissed me first.

24. Who asked who out? Shane asked me out. Although our first date was a double date & we were set up!

25. Who proposed? Shane- it's such a romantic story!

26. Who is more sensitive? ME!!!

27. Who has more friends? Me

28. Who has more siblings? Shane (1 sister). I'm an only child!

29. Who wears the pants in the family? Most people would probably say me :)

Finding out the BIG news

Go back 12 weeks ago- mid July. I was at the neighborhood swimming pool working on my summer tan. I noticed our neighbors across the way & decided to swing by and chat for a few minutes before leaving. What a blessing that turned out to be! About 5 minutes into the conversation I started feeling very sick. I thought to myself, "I have to get our of here soon because I'm about to throw up right here in front of everyone." But don't worry, I didn't. Instead I passed out in front of everyone.

Thankfully my neighbor & her boyfriend caught me before I hit the ground at full force! It took about 10-15 minutes of getting me cooled down before they could take me home. I remember my neighbor asking "Are you pregnant?" I QUICKLY & with much resentment replied "NO!". Well, two days later I found out that I'd lied to her..... on accident! Not until the next day (after several more people had asked that same question & had also received the firm "NO!") did I start to realize that I did indeed have some of the classic symptoms. So I took a pregnancy test of Tues morning & it was positive before I even finished peeing on that silly stick. Can you say SURPRISE?

Granted this was our 2nd month of trying. But after 8 years of marriage, the thought of our lives changing so dramatically was almost more than I could handle! I felt like the sheriff had locked me behind bars & taken my freedom away! Ok, so maybe I'm being a tad bit dramatic- but we were very surprised! But a HAPPY surprised!

We shared the exciting news with our parents- who were all thrilled! This will be the first grandchild on both sides, & the first great-grandchild on Shane's maternal side. My first appointment was in August, and we found out that we were not as far along as we originally thought. Our due date is April 1st, although I personally believe it's more like the end of March. What does my dr know afterall?

How have I been feeling? I'll be honest- I can't complain. I was drained of all energy, and felt sick to my stomach all the time. Thankfully I have not once thrown up- whoo hoo! I changed my prenatal vitamins (props to my mother-in-law for suggesting that), and that made a huge difference! Now that I'm about to start my 17th week, I'm feeling great!

Here are a few pics we've taken along the way- 9 week, 11 weeks, & 16 weeks!

9 weeks

11 weeks

16 weeks

Introductions please...

Well, I'm sure plenty of you are thinking.. "It's about time she started a blog." Yes, I know. I feel like I'm the last person on this earth to jump on the blogging bandwagon. So here goes...

As for why I started a blog? Not because I feel like it will be super entertaining & full of laughs. I actually want to document this new adventure of parenthood that we are about to begin! Plus I thought this would be an excellent way for everyone who doesn't live near us to keep in touch. Yeah, I'll probably be posting frequent pictures of my growing belly- so be prepared!

This is a picture of Shane & I taken at a Texas Longhorn game last season- we are huge fans! We both love college football, but will frequently be found watching NFL all day on Sunday. Shane is doing fantasy football for the first time this year, so that's the excuse we're going with for now.