ex(PR)essed

On Wednesday, Jeff and I both took the day off work to drive to Mt. Pleasant to meet up with all the Bertrams. ALL the Bertrams, by the way, consist of my cute parents, my brother Dwayne, sister-in-law Barb, nephew Brandon, and aunt Barb. Yep, that’s all of us. Dwayne and family were visting from California, and it wasn’t going to work out for Jeff and I to travel to Meadville to see them, so Mt. Pleasant was the next best option.

I haven’t been in Mt. Pleasant since my grandma died in December. It felt really strange to be there and to not see her. She would be so excited about Baby Lorow and would enjoy seeing my growing belly. I really miss her.

But, on a happier note, it was great to see the rest of the family. When you live 3,000 miles apart, such reunions are few and far between.

After having lunch together at Applebees, we headed back to my aunt Barb’s house for the afternoon. Her home sits on land adjacent to my grandparents’ farm, and it was nice to sit on her porch and remember happy times spent on the farm.

Later in the afternoon, my cousin’s kids came over. His youngest, Savanna, was too cute, and I couldn’t help taking pictures of her. She is the spitting image of her father, which endears her all the more to me. My cousin John was always one of my very favorite people.

Here’s a picture of the Bertrams….all of us!

And, here’s one of my cute parents with their cute kids and grandkids! (Well, we’re trusting that Baby Lorow will be very cute…)

And, in case you had any doubt about how my dad would be as a grandfather, check out this picture!

Aunt Barb and the girls gave Baby Lorow a present — a whole stack of board books. One of them, “Brown, Bear, Brown Bear,” happens to be Savana’s favorite, and she promptly plucked it off the pile and took it from person to person and asked them to read it to her. At one point, she was even reading it herself! It was pretty stinkin’ adorable, and I can’t wait to see my cute dad with Baby Lorow on his lap!

Last night Jeff and I had our third of six birthing classes. I found the first one pretty obnoxious — lots of talk about how bad smoking is for the baby (duh!) and other things that I found irrevelant for a room full of couples at least seven months into their pregnancies. Last week, I thought the information was more helpful as we talked about the early signs of labor and practiced some breathing techniques.

But, last night was the viewing of the dreaded birthing videos as well as a rather detailed discussion about transition and the actual birthing process. Within about 10 minutes, I would have given my right arm to be anywhere else.

You see, I am a girl who highly values independence. So, vulnerability doesn’t come easily or comfortably to me. That’s the first reason why I’m dreading labor and delivery. I’m also a girl who likes to be in control and who likes to know what to expect. From what I gather, I might be able to control my breathing on delivery day, but that will be about it. The rest of my body will do as it wants. Some women would feel empowered by their body’s ability. Me? Not so much.

It dawned on me on my drive into work this morning (still driving a crummy Kia Spectra, thank you very much) that Eve is responsible for this mess (not Jeff as I might have previously been thinking). She ate the forbidden fruit and heaped a world of troubles onto women for countless generations to come. In Genesis 3, God tells her: “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children.” Great. Thanks, Eve.

So, perhaps you can all just allow me to wallow in self-pity for a few minutes? I’ve been pretty brave about most of this pregnancy. Only a handful of people even know what it’s really been like for me; I’ve been all about a brave face and happy smile. And, at this point, I don’t want anyone telling me how it’s all worth it. I don’t want to hear about how I won’t care what my body is or isn’t doing during labor and delivery. Don’t write me comments encouraging me to be brave or offering shallow platitudes about the joys of pregnancy and motherhood.

It’s 8:39 a.m. and my feet are already four times their normal size. For today, just let me feel snarky. Tomorrow will be a new day.

–when people don’t do what they say they will do.

–by my own inability to ask for help.

–by my own high expectations.

–when I’m inconvenienced–again–by a situation that wasn’t my own doing.

–when trying to transfer my cell phone from a corporate account to my personal liability.

–when the clock seems to stand still between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

–when people share too much personal information.

–when people don’t understand introverts.

–when I don’t understand extroverts.

–when your childbirth instructor makes you sit on the floor for an hour. What makes her think there’s any way for moms-to-be to be comfortable on the floor at this point in their pregnancy?

–when Keith gets too much camera time on “Deadliest Catch.”

–when sleep alludes me.

–when I dwell on the negative.

List finished. Going in search of a better attitude.

There’s been some conversation among those I love about my complete lack of interest in blogging lately. I wish I had a good explanation, but I don’t. It seems like I don’t have the attention span for it. I also haven’t been reading. Go figure. Maybe I developed A.D.D. over the holidays?

Anywho, I was thinking about a few random things and thought I would share. (I’m going to create a “things I’m thinking about category” because I’m afraid this will be the extent of the blogging that I’m capable of for awhile.)

On Tuesday night, I made dinner for me and Jeff. It took about 90 minutes to make/bake and about 12 minutes to eat. Something just seems wrong with those time proportions.

In eight sleeps, we leave for Florida. My parents are leaving tomorrow to drive to Indian Shores, a beach community near Clearwater for two weeks. We’ll leave next Friday to join them for a few days. We can hardly wait. It seems like this has been the longest, coldest winter on record, and a little sun and surf can’t come soon enough.

I love that I work with a good friend who completely knows what I’m thinking (even when it’s evil!) without me having to say a word.

I’ve been listening to NPR a lot lately. XPN throughout the work day and news on the way home. I don’t feel any smarter, but I do know some interesting trivia about the housing market in Manassas, Virginia. (Go ahead…ask me sometime.)

I tried Pho soup again last week, and I loved it. It had been several years since my experiences with it at the Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Harrisburg with the PLCM girls, and there was always a spice in it that haunted me. Now I realize that I don’t care much for cilantro, and at the Vietnamese restaurant we were at on Friday, the cilantro was an add-on. I loved the soup without it (but with plenty of sprouts, hoisson sauce, and some hot sauce). Yeah!

I’m really tired of hearing Billy Joel and Elton John songs on the radio. I propose that radio stations give up those two artists for Lent and give us all a break. They have to be the most overplayed artists of all time.

I prefer black pens to blue pens, but I use a blue pen at work so that my edits stand out. I can’t bear to use red, except when it’s specifically requested.

The qualities in people I’m most valuing these days: organization, sincerity, humor.

He did it! Jeff completed the JFK 50 on Saturday in freezing temperatures and with a great attitude. What a day!

We got to our hotel in Hagerstown around 11 p.m. on Friday. We simply went to bed — we were both tired and anxious to get some sleep before the big day.

The alarm went off at 5 a.m., and we both bundled up. Jeff ate about half a bagel and drank a Naked Juice. We left the hotel around 5:25 a.m. to drive to the school in Boonsboro where the packet pick-up and pre-race meeting were. We got a decent parking place, picked up Jeff’s packet, and joined the hundreds of other runners in the gymnasium for last minute instructions. The race director reminded the runners of some important details and recognized race veterans — people who have competed in the JFK 50 for several years. It was impressive. A young man next to us stood as a veteran of this race and admitted he was trying to complete it in 6:45, a phenomenal time. (He met his goal, by the way!) At that point, Jeff was feeling relaxed and ready to go!

Then, we were off. The start line was probably 1/2 a mile or so from the school, so we began the brisk walk into downtown Boonsboro. This bank time-temperature sign was a popular stop-off for photos! It was cold!

We got to the start line just in time. By the time I walked the extra half block to find a spot along the road, the starting pistol had been fired, and the runners were off!

I quickly bustled back to the hotel to take a shower, dress in my warmest clothes, and eat some breakfast. Shortly before 9 a.m., I was back in the car and headed to mile 15, the first spot where I would see Jeff. At this particular location, the runners were coming down off the Appalachian Trail through a series of switchbacks. The small country roads that allowed us to get close to our runners were jammed full of cars, and I had to park at least 1/2 mile away. The walking actually helped keep me warm, so I really didn’t mind too much.

Jeff looked great at this point and seemed in good spirits. He was about 30 minutes off his desired pace, but I knew the AT portion of the race would probably be the most challenging in regards to terrain. I was thrilled that he seemed to be doing so well.

I saw him again at mile 27. By this time, the runners were on the C&O Canal, a dirt/gravel, completely flat towpath. At this particular juncture, I saw two runners fall. The first seemed to just collapse, but quickly bounced back up and kept going. The second, a young woman, lost her footing and fell down this stone embankment. Thankfully, she bounced up too, and when I saw her at the finish line many hours later, she was bawling. I’m thrilled that she finished, and she’ll have quite a story!

Jeff seemed to a little less enthusiastic around mile 27, and he mentioned that he was fighting a headache. I offered Tylenol at the next stop and he refused it. I was hopeful he would shake the headache because sometimes they can really knock him out.

I saw Jeff again on the C&O around mile 38. It was obvious at this point that the entire field of runners were feeling pretty spent. Almost everyone was walking. And, it was getting so cold. We were nearing the end of daylight and the natural warmth of the sun, and people were slowing. While I waited along the trail for Jeff, a runner actually asked me if I was alright! I was bundled to the max, but my knees were still knocking from the cold! How ironic that someone who had already run 38 miles was asking the girl who just got out of her warm car whether she was alright!

I saw Jeff again at mile 46. It was dark. And cold. And, I had gone all day without finding a place to eat or pee. I was losing my enthusiasm, and praying frequently for a good attitude. And, I was getting worried that Jeff’s pace would put him at risk for being swept off the course due to time limits before he finished.

Thankfully, my fears were unfounded! While waiting at the finish line, I heard the DJ announce 15 minutes until they cleared the course. My heart skipped a beat, and then, there he was! Eleven hours and forty-seven minutes later, and he was crossing the finish line, having completed his first 50-mile run! Wow!

I was amazed at how well he did afterwards — I was expecting the worst. Cramps, naseua, extreme fatigue. He was obviously beat, but he was in good spirits.

He commented, “My legs feel like they weigh 100 pounds each and my feet feel like ground hamburger.” Mmmmmm.

We got home around 9 p.m. on Saturday. Jeff immediately enjoyed a hot shower. I unpacked our bags, put on my jammies, and we both went to bed. We were exhausted (for very different reasons). Obviously, running that distance takes alot of you (like more than 7,000 calories and about three pounds), and navigating unknown roads and standing in the cold can be tiring in an entirely different way.

Two days post-race, and Jeff is taking the stairs a little slower and shuffling at times. But, overall, he is recovering very well, and I couldn’t be prouder. What an accomplishment!

If you’re a faithful reader of this blog (hi, mom and dad!), then you might be anxiously awaiting some more Natalie and Emma photos and stories. Well, as someone who adores those little girls, let me tell you that I had been anxiously looking forward to spending some time with the girls. My opportunity finally came last week.

Because of vacation and other schedule conflicts, it had been weeks since I had really talked to and snuggled with the girls. Our happy reunion began on Wednesday night at church. It started with a calm, happy embrace from Natalie and ended with Emma running at me, giggling, arms wide open, and a long, silly embrace. Allyson told me that Emma had been asking about “her Beth” for two weeks. Love that, and, just ask Jeff, I had been asking about “my Emma” and “my Natalie” for equally as long!

Yesterday morning I was doing my monthly stint in the nursery, and I got to spend some more quality time with Emma and the many other cute kids who hang out there during the service. I also learned from Allyson that Emma had even played “Jeff and Beth” one time with Emma playing the role of me and Allyson playing Jeff.

After church our Killer Uno-playing friend went to lunch, which is where the photos were taken. Natalie sat with me and Emma sat with Jeff. For as excited as Emma was to see me earlier in the week, she certainly only had eyes for Jeff at lunch. They were too cute!

Greetings from Meadville! Instead of writing this post from my office on the third floor of Old Main, I am writing from the computer in my childhood bedroom at my parent’s house. Jeff and I just came back from a bit of a bike ride, and we’re showering and such before we embark on our second vacation day. Vacation is great!

Jeff completed the Erie marathon on Sunday. That in and of itself is a remarkable accomplishment. It was 79 degrees at 5:30 a.m. when we left for Erie. The humidity was extremely high, and it was shaping up to be a hot, humid day. Not at all what he had anticipated for a marathon in mid-September in the coolest part of Pennsylvania.

My mom and I viewed the course from our bikes…a great way to see a marathon! We first saw Jeff around mile 3, and he, and all the other runners, were already totally soaked with sweat. By mile 4, Jeff had ditched his shirt, and I was riding around with an extra couple of pounds of sweaty shirt tied around my mountain bike. He plugged along though and seemed to keep a good pace considering the conditions.

By the second lap around Presque Isle, everyone had slowed…Jeff included. We were just so glad to see him come across the finish line without being dehydrated or in terrible discomfort. Much like last year after the Harrisburg Marathon, he has recovered like a champ! We spent yesterday walking around the outlets at Grove City, and he did great. We even got some Christmas shopping done.

Today we’re just bumming around Meadville and planning our traditional trek out to see the ducks walk on the fish. Tomorrow we leave for New York.

To all my cute friends at Messiah: I hope this week is treating you well. I miss you!

On Saturday, a dear childhood friend of mine, Sarah, married the love of her life in downtown Pittsburgh. Sarah and I have been friends since first grade. She and her family are a large part of many of my childhood memories, so it was a real joy to see her marry her best friend.

She was an absolutely stunning bride. And, she threw a fabulous party! I sat a table with many of my high school friends, marveling that 13 years after graduation, we would all still enjoy each other’s company so much. It was great to get caught up with Julie, Laurie, Heather, Lori, Jason, and Kim.

Plus, my cute parents were invited to the wedding, so we enjoyed seeing them. On Sunday, we took Jeff up the Mt. Washington incline for an incredible view of the city. Beautiful blue skies made for outstanding ogling!

Then, we spent the afternoon watching the Buccos get pummeled by the Brewers. At least it was a beautiful day for a ballgame! I especially enjoyed the free Pirates smiley face cookies handed out before the game by Eat-n-Park!

I really love the city of Pittsburgh, and I especially enjoy being there with my favorite people. My dad went to refrigeration school in the city, so it’s fun to be with him as he remembers his long, cold walk across the Seventh Street bridge in the winter and meals at a little downtown cafe. In college, I made some of my own Pittsburgh memories when I spent a summer interning at the Andy Warhol Museum on the northside. I truly always thought I would end up living and working in the city, but after sending 30+ resumes to organizations in the ‘burgh and never getting an interview, it was clear that God had different plans for me. So, I’ve made my home in a different ‘burg, and I don’t regret it at all!

Due to circumstances beyond my control, your curiousity about the four pounds of bubblegum that I purchased yesterday will have to remain unsatiated. Sorry about that. But, don’t despair. You will eventually see why a nice girl with TMJ would purchase so much gum.

On another note, that quirky David Crowder is asking people who read his blog to press shuffle on their digital music player of choice and then type the first ten songs that come up into the comment section of his blog. Fun! I did it last night, and here’s what I got:

“Brilliant Disguise” by Bruce Springsteen (Thanks, dad, for helping me, at a young age, appreciate “The Boss.”)
“Lead Me On” by Amy Grant (Best Amy Grant album ever. Hand’s down. Don’t be dissin’ on Amy.)
“For the Moments I Feel Faint” by Relient K (I would never buy a whole Relient K album…)
“City of Blinding Lights” by U2 (Love this U2 song…Jeff and I used it for our grand entrance to our wedding reception!)
“Brighter than Sunshine” by Aqualung (Quirky. Catchy.)
“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet (Um…I have no real explanation.)
“100 Years” by Five for Fighting (Sweet song.)
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger is one of life’s great philosophers as evidenced in this tune.)
“In My Place” by Coldplay (I’m convinced you can’t go wrong with Coldplay.)
“New Way To Be Human” by Switchfoot (old Switchfoot is so much better than new Switchfoot)

Now, you tell me. What on your iPod/MP3 player?