I've been thinking about you guys a lot but just haven't had time to check in. Life and work have just been flat out crazy. I'm having a hard time with the holidays. I miss my mom terribly. I'm told it's getting through the "1st" that are so tough... I say it all the time to my patients. I sure hope it's true. My pregnancy is going much better than I had expected. I'm up about 17 pounds. My doctors are okay with that since I'm 26 1/2 weeks along. I'm wearing a size 12 maternity. I was a size 14 before I got pregnant so I guess it's okay. My doctors did take me out of the gym though. I wasn't gaining weight at first and they didn't want me to burn any extra calories. Now I'm too far along to pick up again. They just want me to wait until this little guy gets here. I'm okay with that. I'm too tired for the gym right now anyway. Funny thing about my pregnant belly.... it still has a TON of extra skin. It looks very funny but I have a terrible feeling it's going to be SUPER bad after the baby (it was just bad before). Maybe it will be bad enough to qualify me for surgery? I guess I'll have to wait and see. I should be posting new pictures soon... maybe. I hope all is well and everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season. Take Care, MsK

You go girl in those heels!!! I could never wear heels before either. I wore my brown boots yesterday and thought to myself, I wonder how high these heels are. I figured they were most likely an inch or so. Imagine my shock when I measured and they were two and a half inches!!! I never would have worn that high of a heel before. Such fun. I suddenly love jewlery too. I had to graduate to a larger jewlery box for all of my necklaces, bracelets and earrings. You're absulutely correct. It does feel wonderful to be comfortable and to wear things that you can enjoy! Keep enjoying those strappy sandals and high heel shoes and boots! Hugs, Stephanie

Rick, this is absolutely a guy or girl post! And, I'm so glad you answered. I think it's great that you are enjoying Hawaiian shirts. They are such fun and express your personality so well. I don't think your co-workers are laughing at you. I think they are jealous! Perhaps they can't pull off Hawaiian shirts as well as you can. Thanks for sharing with "the girls"! Hugs, Stephanie

Stephanie, I can so agree with what you have written in your first paragraph. I didn't want to make eye contact with people. I didn't want to or see the comments that people were making. I still think they people are talking about me when they make a "fat" comment. The other day I donated blood and the woman at the desk was handing out T shirts, she said all she has was an extra large. My first thought was she knows that wasn't going to fit me, but then I realized she must have meant that it really was going to be to big for me. I still have trouble wrapping my head around that. Have a great day, Rick

Barbara, There is a lot to be said for stopping to look around. It makes us more focused on our surroundings and makes us stop to take in the sights and smells. Have a great day, Rick