Just when you think life is getting back to normal, just when you think you've reached calmer seas and smooth sailing, life throws in a few surprises.

We're putting the final touches on the remodel. The stained glass cabinet door should be done in about a week. We still need to paint, however, but I can live with that right now.

Gabe is about 80 percent potty trained and 20 percent stubborn. I was looking forward to no more diapers and a vacation to Hawaii that has been several years in the making.

Then, life throws me one of those little surprises.

I haven't been feeling too well lately. I thought it was probably stress or the workouts at the gym. I thought slowing down would help, but it didn't.

I complained to my doctor about fatigue, but he just chalked it up to working full time and chasing after Gabe. I didn't believe him, so I did the only other thing I could think of.

I took a pregnancy test.

They really should make these things a little more simple. Plus or Minus, Bah humbug!

Mine showed two verticle lines — what the heck is that supposed to mean?

I waited a week and took another one — same result. Inconclusive.

This was irritating me, so we called the EPT hotline.

Yep, I'm pregnant.

I still didn't believe it, so I scheduled an appointment with my doctor.

Yep, I'm pregnant.

Ok, so that wasn't a little surprise. That was a big one. I think it's still sinking in. We had tried for eight years before I became pregnant with Gabe. It wasn't supposed to be this easy.

Three more years of diapers, and no trip to Hawaii. What fun would it be waddling around on the sand and looking like a beached whale at 8 months and counting?

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy, heck I'm thrilled beyond belief. I just wasn't expecting to be expecting so soon. But, the tradeoff will be something very special. (Due date is Thanksgiving Day — seems appropriate don't you think?)

I've postponed Hawaii once before, I suppose it'll be there in a few more years. I'd rather enjoy my kid(s) while I'm still somewhat young. I can lie around on the beach when I'm older. I'll be more able to enjoy the peace and quiet then.

Change is good, so are surprises.

Wow, it's been three weeks since I last posted.

Sorry.

I told you before I was going to take things a little slower, do more things for me and my family, etc.

Since I last posted, my husband and I have joined a gym. The office here established a program with a couple of the gyms in the county to offset some of the cost, and the one we joined has day care, so we thought we'd give it a shot.

We also signed up for personal trainers.

My husband thinks I did it to kill him. I just think he whines too much. We're sore, we're tired, but we're actually accomplishing something. I guess Gabe did inspire us to be a bit more athletic. He sure seems to enjoy the play gym in the day care area.

There are days I'd rather join him than work out on the torture machines, but getting in shape will do us good. Perhaps it will even keep us around a little longer to spend more time with Gabe.

We've also been eating better, thanks to the diets designed by our trainers. We're trying to stick with them anyway. It also gives me more of a chance to use that new kitchen.

We've also been going on walks, and we took Gabe to see Thomas The Tank Engine at the Fillmore and Western Railway. That's always a fun trip. Only Gabe was a little cranky this time around. Next time we'll plan ahead and go in the morning, when he's not so tired.

It's been nice to spend some quality time together as a family. I regret that the past few months have been so busy. Eric and I really missed each other with all of that schedule juggling.

It seems that in taking time to build our muscles at the gym, we've also been building our relationship, too. I never thought working out would mean working together. Or that sweating would bring us closer.