40 weeks and no shadow!!!

Hi All - as you already know, today is Groundhog Day and it is also my due date! It's hard to believe that it's been 10 months. It's even harder to believe that lil' dude hasn't made his appearance! It's all good, though, I like my things well done!

So, since I can't blog about labor and all, I thought that I'd take this time to share his nursery. Now, there is a wall that I can not show because while he isn't completely named, the wall shows some elements of what we are thinking. :) Either way, I think that you'll get the gist of his decor. We sure hope that he likes it!

Enjoy!!!













Oh, here is his little space in my bedroom downstairs...

So, I've got to start somewhere!

Hi All - Happy New Year and all that good stuff! I know that it has been over a year since I actually posted a blog and since then, a lot of wonderful things have happened in our lives. But, where do I start??? Since I've always been quite envious of those of you out there with kids because you have things to actually share, I've decided to really use this thing to share the going-ons with my wonderful pregnancy and the welcoming of our sweet little boy!

I know that I am a little late to discuss my wonderful pregnancy at length, as I am now 39 weeks pregnant. However, I can try to re-track some pivotal moments that may still interest you, and keep you up-to-date on how the new little addition is growing and molding our lives once he arrives.

God has truly blessed Chris and I with a smooth and enjoyable 10 months! (I'd do it again!) So, I looking forward to sharing all the love, joy and hiccups that we encounter as we strap in for this life-long, wonderful journey!

So sit tight and enjoy the ride!

Happy New Year!!!

Chris and Shon bring in the New Year with wonderful friends

Happy New Year!

So, it's been a minute and I know a lot of you have already given up on my blog. But, as a new year's resolution, I am going to be more diligent about updating you on the Gilmore's going-ons!

Because I haven't blogged since like AUGUST...YIKES!!!, this is going to be an interesting few weeks, as I will reach way back to bring you up to speed, while keeping you up on 2009.

Enjoy! Happy New Year!

September 2008

In September, we celebrated Chris' 33rd at one of his favorite, fall events, Oktoberfest! A few of our good friends meet us in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a few days of fun! We partied on Friday, drank lots of beer on Saturday and cheered on the Falcons vs. Panthers on Sunday! Here are a couple of pics to document the wonderful occasion! Hope that you can join us this year!

Happy Birthday Chris!

WELCOME TO OKTOBERFEST!

Shon, Rick and The BIRTHDAY BOY!

The Laguerre's & Shon

Rick KICKED it at the Sunset Club

Happy Birthday Chris!

In like a lion, out like a lamb!

The Rain

Hello Fam - today was the first day of "Couple's Boot Camp" a.k.a. "Lover's BEATDOWN", and as promised, I'm back here to give you an update on the Gilmore's experience.

The day started for me around 4:30 a.m. as Marley Dog started to stir as a result of the strong downpour of rain. Can you say perfect "sleeping weather"? But, luckily, I was able to hold out and not completely awaken until 4:44 a.m., one minute exactly before my alarm clock went off.

We rose and headed to the Y to start our hell! We arrived at 5:10 a.m. and this is good b/c the first rule of "boot camp" is to NEVER EVER arrive late.

Chris is really big on stretching and judging by my lingering soreness from my race (one month ago), he may be on to something. So, I decided to join him in a quick stretch before we began class.

Shortly after my my 45 second holds on either leg, in came our two leaders, husband and wife, Swain and Melissa Lewis. Instantly the gym felt like a torture chamber!

Swain and Mo started off by telling us the "rules of the game", you already know #1, so I'll skip to #2 to keep the story going. #2 KEEP MOVING AT ALL TIMES #3 FULL RANGE OF MOTION AT ALL TIMES #4 DON'T WEAR YOUR FAVORITE OUTFIT, IT WILL BE RUINED! #5 LISTEN #6 NEVER, EVER SAY "I CAN'T". Got it? Okay.

Now, the rain afforded us the pleasure of staying inside. We began today's activity with 5 laps in line, cutting no corners and listening to Swain yell. We then moved and did relays up and down the court a few times...this is the warm-up. We were told that today is an "assessment day", so we relocated to a larger track to run our timed one mile run. Now, this is when my tummy started to hurt and I began to sweat.

Some of you may remember that I had a similar experience in my first boot camp back in spring. My first day's run was over 14:00 minutes, finishing boot camp with a 10:00 mile. Well, if you think that's hot, listen to this. My hubby took off like a lightning bolt or even better, like a lion and completed his 1 mile timed run in 7:40. "Damn!", I said as I was going around the curve trying to complete my 7th lap. "That brother is moving!" So by now, I'm dying because I don't particularly like the pressure of folks passing me and then turning back to yell my name. I know...they are only screaming to encourage me, but it makes me extremely nervous and stressed out. Not a good feeling when your heart is already racing from carrying too many pounds around the track.

Back to to Chris, so once I completed this sucka in about 11:37, I ran over to congratulate him. Roar! I'm like..."that's my boo!"

We then headed downstairs to have a little more fun. Timed sit-ups and push-ups. In 60 minutes, Chris did 39 sit-ups and 33 push-ups. I did 22/13. Now, I know full-well, based on my previous boot camp, that what we did today, will need to be improved at the end of the 6 weeks. So, I'm thinking with the stats that Chris' created today, he'll be a machine in October.

Keeping with rule #2, we returned to the smaller gym for a little punishment as one of the couples arrived late...yep, on the first day. Our punishment...suicides. Yuck. Nothing worst than suicides...especially after your heart rate has not recovered from anything that you've done today...let's just say...it took everything in me not to throw up in my mouth.

Back to #2....we were told to go to another track for 400 meters of lunges and this is when the "lamb" appeared. In my husband's words, "this shit ain't gonna happen!" 400 meters, turned into 300 meters and by then, our "drill sergeants"dismissed class. That was a good idea, b/c the black dots were starting to connect in our heads. It's now 6:40 a.m. boot camp is officially over.

HOME WORK...BRING IN A ONE GALLON JUG FILLED WITH WATER, DON'T BE LATE!

I will keep you posted on our progress, and most likely it will never be this long again. I will leave you with a few pictures that document our return home.

Marley licks Daddy's wounds

Hi!

ROAR!!!

'NUFF SAID

Chris' Transformation - Part Deux

Hello! So, here is the update that I promised. My Chrissy Poo is sooooo cute. He went for his first "real" hair cut in almost six years! Now many of you have responded and asked if he's made it to his "weight loss goal," and the answer is not quite. But, please cheer us on as we begin our "Couples Boot Camp" this coming Wednesday, "Spartan and Athena" at our local Y. The funny thing is, I think that this haircut may have helped in more ways than one b/c he has shaved off like five years, literally! See for yourself!!!

Chris' Transformation...the next episode - Part I

Happy Chris!

Hi All - first of all, let me start off by apologizing for being so slack with my posting habits. I never, ever knew that I'd be this bad. I'll try to do better.

Now, to the good stuff...today after work, Chris returned home after a long day. He made himself a stiff drink, which consisted of vodka, blueberries, a splash of tonic and a lime wedge. And, after a sip or two he sat at the kitchen table and requested that I cut his locs off.

The Cocktail

Yep...you read it right! I cut off about 5 lbs of hair off of Chris Gilmore's head—they measured in at ~18inches long. Now he is fresh and free with curls that remind me of the 21-year-old man that I feel in love with back in 1996! Say it together now...awwwwwwwwww!

The Locs

I titled this entry Part I because, Chris is planning to wake up bright and early tomorrow morning to get the rest of his hair shaved! Yep! I’ll be sure to capture the occasion to share tomorrow.

The other awesome news is that Chris found an organization that will allow him to donate his hair. It's called "Wigs for Kids" (www.wigsforkids.org). They are an organization that collects hair for kids who suffer from hair loss. We were really excited about this org because "Locks of Love" would not take actual locs. Strange. Either way, I'll be sure to keep you posted on that process as well.

Until then, take a look for yourself at today’s drastic and exciting events!

The Prep

The first two donations

So Handsome...So Excited!!!

Standby...more to come...it's actually Saturday a.m., my blog was delayed, again. So, more to come in a few hours.

#141

Okay, for those of you who know me, you know that I don't like to run - unless bees or bugs are after me. For those of you who know me well, you know that it's not likely I'd ever enter myself into a race to RUN. Well, I've just gone "against the grain" and ran my first 5K!

#141 reporting for duty

Yes, you read right. It all started after a wonderful Spring trip to Miami when Chris and I decided that we needed to step it up a bit in the fitness department. Yes, that pretty much translates into "all the beautiful people made us very depressed about our current physique"! Once we returned home we hit the gym pretty hard, and after about two weeks Chris happily reported that he'd lost 10lbs but I think I'd gained a few. So I decided to kick it up another notch by signing up for a 6-week boot camp. Crazy - yeah, I know. But in all of its madness, I managed to catch up with Chris and see actual results. In fact, I improved my 14:47 mile run by over four minutes, putting me in the 10:00 mile club. So, after that showing and boot camp ended, my "drill sergeant from hell", Mo (a.k.a. Melissa), signed me up for her "running club" that was to start the following Monday.

After a few sleepless nights, I pulled myself together and decided to try it. Since June 1st I've been training for this 5K, Beat the Heat.

beating the pavement as well

It's been some what of a nightmare, but pretty rewarding at the same time. I feel better, but I have a lot more pain at the same time. Nevertheless, the lifestyle is a lot more accepted by all and I feel 100% better about everything! As for Chris, without the hell of boot camp he's looking pretty good himself with only 12lbs to go from his target weight. Oh, and did I tell you, once he reaches that goal he's cutting his locks off!

Now, back to the race. It was crazy, but lots of fun. The race started at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night. Way more hills than I ever expected, but the good Lord did bless us with cloudy skies at 80 degrees with a slight breeze. And while I didn't exactly run 10-minute miles the entire race, I did finish and that's what mattered the most to me. My exact time has not yet been published, but I'm pretty sure that I came in around 40 (+) minutes.

Finishing that race is an achievement that I'll never forget and it's inspired me in so many ways. In fact, starting this Monday morning I'm going to train for my first 10K. Now, I said it! Don't let me go back on that!

I want to send a quick shout out to my "running club" girls! You rocked it! To Debbie Dingess for my "power socks", they felt so good (buy some for yourself here) ! To Jenny Poo and Amy for the best wishes! It helped a lot! And finally, to my hubby for his encouragement and partnership!

Now I think I'll go ice my legs.

Take care!
Shon