ELLEN!!!

So... on Thursday March 20, 2014 one of my biggest dreams came true and I was able to check it off my bucket list! I feel like it needed its own post and back story, so here it is! (Warning: this is a LONG one!)

It all started in 2003. The Ellen Degeneres Show premiered. I was immediately hooked! I had always been a fan of Ellen (loved her stand-up and her sit-com), but felt this is where she really shines! Every show made me laugh and cry within minutes, and I knew she was going great places with this platform. She was and continues to be so inspiring. It's refreshing to have such a positive influence on TV everyday. Her show has helped me through some pretty difficult days... even if it was only an hours worth of distraction. 

In 2005 I decided that I just HAD to go to her show! How cool would it be to be a part of that audience?!? To see Ellen live?!? Bucket list! 

So I started applying. How hard could it be? Tickets are free. They release a few dates every week for viewers to "request" tickets. Any week now!! Right?! 

Wrong!! 

I spent NINE YEARS requesting tickets, sending Ellen emails (about myself, loved ones, you name it), applying for giveaways, tweeting (the ONLY reason I have twitter), instagramming, facebooking, telling strangers (hoping I'd meet someone with an "in"), practicing positive affirmations, and my students even created a video for me.... NOTHING! 

The longer I waited, the more determined I became! And if I've learned anything from watching her, it's NEVER give up on your dreams. Plus, I don't take no for an answer. So here I went!

In 2013 I had the opportunity to go to LA (Anaheim) for a pediatric conference. I could NOT get all the way there and not try to see Ellen! So, I started in the shuttle to my hotel. I let everyone know my intentions (again hoping for an "in"). I even had a friend who works in TV in LA try and help out. As soon as I got to the hotel I went straight to the concierge, told them I knew I sounded crazy, but I wanted their help getting me to Ellen. They agreed I was crazy, told me it was pretty much impossible to get tickets, but did what they could to help. Basically it would have been a $200 cab ride, or $75 (plus traffic, navigation and parking) to rent a car, OR I could pay $75 to go on the Warner Brothers tour to get a tour of the lot where Ellen is and try my hand at getting on the show.. if I got on the show I'd have to find my way back (totally worth a $200 cab ride), if not, at least I got a fun tour! So, obviously I chose the tour. Again, I shared my intentions with everyone! Hoping for an "in" or just a little support and reinforcement that I'm not totally crazy.... I definitely still got the crazy looks, but everyone was very supportive! 

The tour was great! It was a beautiful day and I saw some pretty cool stuff!

The original set of Friends:

We even drove by Ellen's studio!! This is her Porche and the entrance to her office (AHHHH):

And then I walked over to Ellen's studio, approached her staff, and basically BEGGED to be let into the show. I would have been happy in her "riff-raff" (overflow) room... I even told them I would stand in the corner... I mean, seriously! I really don't take up much room! But they (very politely) informed me there was no way! There were guests already standing in line with stand-by tickets (meaning not guaranteed entry) that would probably not even get in. There was nothing they could do :(. I asked what it takes to get a damn ticket?! After all, I had been requesting for YEARS! They let me know that I was doing everything right and to just continue what I was doing... NOT what I wanted to hear. So, I walked away... crying.... I was SO CLOSE! She was right through this wall:

I had to call my tour bus driver and let him know I wasn't getting in :( and needed to be picked up. He had to drop me off at Hollywood Blvd (where most of the other tour guests were) until the tour time was over. So, I made the most of it and visited Ellen's star:

Then, after reporting the days events on Facebook, I got a call from a good college friend, Andy, who lives in LA! So, he offered to meet me on Hollywood Blvd for drinks. We hung out, then he offered to take me to dinner and then back to my hotel (so I wouldn't have to drown my tears on a tour bus). As we were walking to the car, a guy pulled us off the street and asked if we wanted to go to the Jimmy Kimmel show. Ummmm SURE!! The day was really turning around! It was so fun! We were on the front row and the guests were Jason Bateman, Chadwick Boseman, and Alice in Chains. Pretty groovy! It was a great show!

As soon as I got back to my hotel, I sent Ellen an email letting her know about the rollercaoster of emotions I went through that day.... I never heard back. It's ok though, she's a busy lady!

I continued to request tickets after that and for the 2013-2014 season I created a system. The FIRST thing I did everyday was check Ellen's site and when tickets were available, I requested them. For those of you who are unaware, here's how the whole ticketing system works:
In no real oder (from what I can tell), about 3 days of tapings are made available at a time for viewers to request tickets. The first people to request (once posted) get those tickets. They give out enough guaranteed tickets to fill the audience plus a certain amount of stand-by tickets in case the guaranteed ticket holders don't show (I'd have to be on my death bed to just not show....). 
So, apparently for 9 years I just didn't request quick enough?!? 

BUT THEN......
On Wednesday February 19, 2014 I got THE email!!! I had tickets to ELLEN!!! What?!? No way!! I was in shock/disbelief! I was sure it was a cruel joke! I immediately responded to the email to confirm that YES, I am coming! I stalked my email for the next 24 hours waiting for a reply and I got it! It seemed legit! They let me know that I would receive all the info in the mail within 2 weeks of taping. Sure enough! I received it 2 weeks before! It was getting real!!! AND I got 4 tickets!! I had always only requested 2 (I didn't want to push my luck), but I'll take 4! My sister and 2 friends, Lindsey and Kristina, were able to go! It was going to be a great trip!! I couldn't wait!! 

So, on Wednesday March 19 we headed to LA! Melissa flew in, Kristina drove in, and we picked Lindsey up on the way. I was so excited/anxious/nervous I didn't know what to think! I remained oddly calm mainly because it felt similar to my wedding day.... such an amazing day, but it seemed to fly by so I wanted to be sure and really take it all in! 

I couldn't sleep the night before and woke up as early as possible to start getting ready.... A week before the show I got a call from the show confirming our tickets so I asked how early we could arrive and she told me 9am, although we really didn't need to be there until 2pm for the 4pm taping. I didn't want to look too crazy (although I'm pretty sure that ship already sailed) so we arrived at 10:30. I did my research and learned that the best way to get good seats (ie. front row, isle, or Ellen's "dancing row") was to 1. look camera ready (dressed in nice, bright colors), 2. arrive early enough to be in the front of the line, and 3. show some excitement! Done and done!! When we arrived, we were the first ones there! 

We stood in line for a little while until an intern came by and told us there was really no point because she wouldn't be back until 1:45... we were still afraid to leave so we just sat back for a little while. Then the security guards arrived and began checking people in. These guys were our best friends... they basically gave us the 411 on how it all worked. We checked in with them at 11, left (to not look too eager) and hung out at a coffee shop, then came back at about 1:30. They told us to hang around the entrance to the line so as soon as they called for guaranteed ticket holders we could be first in line. We were!! They gave us each a number (3-6... 1 and 2 were given to V.I.P guests) and had us all sit back down and wait. 

We filled out some questionnaires about what we though Ellen should dance to, how long we've been watching, etc. and then were asked to line up in numerical order. They walked us over to the studio (I was line leader!!) and had us wait in the Ellen Shop/Riff-Raff Room:

We stood at the "stairway to heaveLLn" (my name for it at least) until Ellen's staff brought us into the studio:

Sure enough!! I planned it right!! They sat us in the row Ellen dances through and I was on the isle!! AHH! I was going to get to dance WITH Ellen!! 

15 minutes before the show began they has us turn off our cell phones and just dance!! It was SO fun!!

THEN Ellen came on!!! I immediately regretted my decision to be in a highly televised seat. I just know I looked like a spaz! Ellen did her monologue about people who can't bake and had some awful muffins that one of her writers made. When she danced through the audience she passed the muffins out... First she went up the middle isle (right past me) and I just froze! I couldn't believe I was 2 feet from Ellen!! I'm not sure if I really froze or just started dancing awkwardly, but regardless I know I'm going to look ridiculous on TV and I.DON'T.CARE! When she came to dance down my isle she had her back turned to me as she gave one of the muffins to a friend of hers that was sitting in front of us. I got a good whiff of her! I know what Ellen smells like! Definitely Vaseline Intensive Care lotion. Yes, I'm a creeper and will likely never be allowed back, but I can deal with that. The show continued and the guests were: Jason Bateman (I think he's stalking me), Emma Watson, a guy that was on Wheel of Fortune, a crazy fast rapper, and a guy who was once homeless and now owns a restaurant and closes on Mondays to feed the homeless (a real tear jerker!). I have to say it was a great show!! It went by really fast, but I made a point to take it all in and enjoy it! It was apparently the last show she was doing for a while, so we got the impression she was a little off her game and tired (kind of like senioritis I guess), but regardless it was an amazing experience!!

After the show, the TVs were flashing pictures from the show and instagram and guess what?!? I made the screen!!:

When we left, I have to admit I was pretty sad.... 9 years of anticipation and excitement and it was all over in a snap. I wanted to go back!! I could go to the Ellen show everyday!! And I will probably continue to apply for tickets every season. If they'll allow me to return.... 

And let me just say, this may be the greatest year EVER!!

Lil' G Week 24

Week 24 (3/16-22/14)

Wow! This was a good week! Crazy busy, but amazing!!
Monday, Lola FINALLY got her stitches out!! YAY!! We're free again! No more cone or club foot! This is the only picture I got before we left town. 

Tuesday was packed with 2 work meetings and a simulation for a student, errands, and the arrival of my sister and my friend Kristina for our trip to ELLEN!!

Wednesday we drove to LA.

Thursday gets its OWN post!! See ELLEN!!!!

Friday we drove home.

Saturday Kristina and Melissa went home, then we went to our friend's daughter's 1st birthday party. It was nautical themed. How cute is this!?!!

THEN I hibernated with a movie (Dallas Buyers Club.... so good!!) and yummy take out. 

And now I prepare for another crazy fun week! 

Due Date: 7/7/14!!

The baby is the size of: a canteloupe!! 10.5in and 12.7oz

"Your baby is about eight and a half inches long and weighs one and a half pounds, gaining steadily at a rate of six ounces per week. Much of that weight comes from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle. Those little ears of hers are getting sharper and can hear very loud sounds, from a yapping dog to a jackhammer. Also by now, that fabulous face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. Is your baby a brunette, a blonde, or a redhead? Actually, right now her locks are white since there's no pigment yet." http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-24.aspx

Gender: It's a girl!! And we decided on a name!! Later post about that!

Symptoms: Much better! I have a lot more energy, but still nauseous most days. I also still have the sinusitis (constant stuffy nose).. especially when I eat?? Frequent headaches, hip/joint pain, and I pee all the time! like I have to pee after I pee... So, needless to say with the hip pain and peeing, I don't get much sleep either! She moves all of the time! but especially when I'm resting (or at least that's when I notice it more...). I also mentioned the crazy stretching feeling I get when I walk farther than a quarter mile (ridiculous I know) or go up stairs. It's different from round ligament pain (I have that too).... it feels like a ton of pressure and my belly is just going to pop! and of course it goes away when I rest. I still haven't bought my maternity belt... I just can't put another layer around my belly yet. I started getting leg cramps at night.. fun! And it's starting to become VERY difficult to bend over or get comfortable. I had a freak out moment one day because baby girl wasn't moving as much, but oh boy did she make up for it the next few days!!

Sleep: pretty much impossible! I get up every 2 hours to pee and reposition. My snoogle is my best friend right now though!!

Cravings What I can stomach: Like I said, the nausea is still around so food isn’t always appetizing, but at least my appetite is back! I'm loving OJ, kind bars, tea, salads, sandwiches and FRUIT! basically anything cold, so ice cream is fair game too! I would kill for some tex-mex right now!

Food Aversions: Still can’t do bell peppers, mushrooms or certain kinds of meat.

Total Weight Gain: 10lbs and 7 inches around my waist! Lil G is growing! and I'm beginning to feel large and in charge!

Activity: I’ve brought my “daily 300’s” down to “daily 150-200’s” (my hips aren’t handling squats and lunges too well), yoga twice a week, and I brought by my Turbo Jam DVD's for some leg/butt/arm workouts. 

Lil' G Week 23

Week 23 (3/9-15/14)

This week again was filled with Lola's bandage changes (yep, no joke! it's STILL there.... if all goes well, it will be gone next Monday!!) and work. I also did some good maternity shopping at JC Penny and Old Navy!! Yay for cute maternity clothes!... and most of them aren't actually "maternity clothes" but they definitely fit the bill ;).

Adam's parents also came into town for the weekend! We did a LOT of eating and resting! On Saturday, Marlene taught us how to make her famous BBQ ribs and they were YUM!! Of course, we were bums after that too! It was great having them here! :)

Due Date: 7/7/14!!

The baby is the size of: a grapefruit!! 10.5in and 12.7oz

"Your little doll-sized babe is about to chub up a bit. His saggy skin will start to fit his frame as fat deposits fill things out. Beginning this week, he'll start to pack on the pounds (which means you will too!) and by month's end he'll be double the weight he is now (though you won't be — whew!). Right now, your baby's organs and bones are visible through his skin, which has a red hue due to developing veins and arteries beneath. But once those fat deposits settle in, he'll become less transparent." http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-23.aspx

Gender: It's a girl!! And we decided o a name!! Later post about that!

Symptoms: Much better! I have a lot more energy, but still nauseous most days. I also still have the sinusitis (constant stuffy nose).. especially when I eat?? Frequent headaches, hip/joint pain, and I pee all the time! like I have to pee after I pee... So, needless to say with the hip pain and peeing, I don't get much sleep either! She moves all of the time! but especially when I'm resting (or at least that's when I notice it more...). I also mentioned the crazy stretching feeling I get when I walk farther than a quarter mile (ridiculous I know) or go up stairs. It's different from round ligament pain (I have that too).... it feels like a ton of pressure and my belly is just going to pop! and of course it goes away when I rest. I still haven't bought my maternity belt... I just can't put another layer around my belly yet... 

Sleep: pretty much impossible! I get up every 2 hours to pee and reposition. My snoogle is my best friend right now though!!

Cravings What I can stomach: Like I said, the nausea is still around so food isn’t always appetizing, but at least my appetite is back! I'm loving OJ, kind bars, tea, salads and FRUIT! basically anything cold, so ice cream is fair game too! 

Food Aversions: Still can’t do bell peppers, mushrooms or certain kinds of meat.

Total Weight Gain: 9lbs and 6 inches around my waist! Lil G is growing! 

Activity: I’ve brought my “daily 300’s” down to “daily 150-200’s” (my hips aren’t handling squats and lunges too well), yoga twice a week, and I brought by my Turbo Jam DVD's for some leg/butt/arm workouts. 

Lil' G Week 22

Week 22 (3/2-8/14)

This week was fairly uneventful... Lola is still in her bandage... we're all SO over it! I've been busy with work at both Pima and UofA.

We did get to drive up to Phoenix on Friday night to celebrate Lyle and Levi's Surprise 30th Birthday Party!! We had a great time!! 

Due Date: 7/7/14!!

The baby is the size of: a papaya!! 10.5in and 12.7oz

"This week, your baby weighs in at a whopping pound and measures nearly eight inches, about the size of a small doll. But your little doll (who now has eyebrows, eyelashes, and maybe even some hair on that little head) is a living one who can now perceive light and dark. She can also hear your voice, your heartbeat, your gurgling stomach, and the whoosh-whoosh of blood circulating through your body. And as her brain and nerve endings develop, she may reach for her face (or whatever she can reach) just to experiment with her newfound sense of touch." http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-22.aspx

Gender: It's a girl!! 

Symptoms: Much better! I have a lot more energy, but still nauseous most days. I also still have the sinusitis (constant stuffy nose).. especially when I eat?? Frequent headaches, hip/joint pain, and I pee all the time! like I have to pee after I pee... So, needless to say with the hip pain and peeing, I don't get much sleep either! She moves all of the time! but especially when I'm resting (or at least that's when I notice it more...). I also mentioned the crazy stretching feeling I get when I walk farther than a quarter mile (ridiculous I know) or go up stairs. It's different from round ligament pain (I have that too).... it feels like a ton of pressure and my belly is just going to pop! and of course it goes away when I rest. I still haven't bought my maternity belt... I just can't put another layer around my belly yet... 

Sleep: pretty much impossible! I get up every 2 hours to pee and reposition. My snoogle is my best friend right now though!!

Cravings What I can stomach: Like I said, the nausea is still around so food isn’t always appetizing, but at least my appetite is back! I'm loving OJ, kind bars, tea, salads and FRUIT! basically anything cold, so ice cream is fair game too! I found some Sea Salt Caramel gelato and am OBSESSED!

Food Aversions: Still can’t do bell peppers, mushrooms or certain kinds of meat.

Total Weight Gain: 8lbs and 5 inches around my waist! Lil G is growing! 

Activity: I’ve brought my “daily 300’s” down to “daily 150-200’s” (my hips aren’t handling squats and lunges too well), yoga twice a week, and I brought by my Turbo Jam DVD's for some leg/butt/arm workouts. 

Lil' G Week 21

Week 21 (2/23-3/1/14)

So, I'm writing this a little late so I can't remember everything that happened, but here are the highlights!:
Lola is STILL in her beautiful bandage... so pitiful...

I went back to see my doc for my monthly check-up and Adam was able to come! That's always entertaining... between he and my doc, I'm not sure who makes me cringe more... but it's all in good fun :). She actually prescribed a maternity belt... at not even 6 months..... when most don't get one until 8ish months... yay for being a mutant preggo! Why you ask? Because I can no longer walk over a quarter mile or go up stairs without feeling like my belly is going to explode!! Craziest feeling ever! 

We had our first visitors from Texas!! Cody and Danielle came in for the weekend! They gave our little lady her first RL onesie!! So cute!

We took them to the Flight Line on Friday to see the F16 and try out the sim. 

Then we went to Starr Pass Hotel on Friday night for cocktails/mocktails and then dinner at Hub downtown.

My mexican martini "mocktail".... I'm pretty sure the waiter thought I was crazy when I told him what I wanted, but it was oh so good!!

 Me and my baby daddy ;)

On Saturday, we planned to drive up Mt. Lemmon for a little hike and beautiful view of Tucson... well Tucson decided it wanted to rain (and have a little blizzard on top of the mountain) for the FIRST time since we moved here...

We made the most of it and then went home for some BBQ and a little game of Cards Against Humanity.
Sunday of course was beautiful so we went to brunch and then saw them back off to Dallas (where it was 27 degrees.. they just can't catch a break!!)

Due Date: 7/7/14!!

The baby is the size of: a pomegranate!! 10.5in and 12.7oz

"How big is your baby? About the size of a large banana — and speaking of bananas, if you eat one this week, there's a good chance your baby will get a taste, too. That's because he swallows a bit of amniotic fluid each day (for nutrition, hydration, and to practice digesting), so he eats whatever's on your menu — and gets to put those developing taste buds to good use. So go ahead and nosh on those nachos (or crunch those crudités): Your baby may develop a taste for them when he’s older." http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-21.aspx

Gender: It's a girl!! 

Symptoms: Much better! I have a lot more energy, but still nauseous most days. I also still have the sinusitis (constant stuffy nose).. especially when I eat?? Frequent headaches, hip/joint pain, and I pee all the time! like I have to pee after I pee... So, needless to say with the hip pain and peeing, I don't get much sleep either! She moves all of the time! but especially when I'm resting (or at least that's when I notice it more...). I also mentioned the crazy stretching feeling I get when I walk farther than a quarter mile (ridiculous I know) or go up stairs. It's different from round ligament pain (I have that too).... it feels like a ton of pressure and my belly is just going to pop! and of course it goes away when I rest. 

Sleep: pretty much impossible! I get up every 2 hours to pee and reposition. My snoogle is my best friend right now though!!

Cravings What I can stomach: Like I said, the nausea is still around so food isn’t always appetizing, but at least my appetite is back! I'm loving OJ, kind bars, tea, salads and FRUIT!

Food Aversions: Still can’t do bell peppers, mushrooms or certain kinds of meat.

Total Weight Gain: 7lbs and 4 inches around my waist! Lil G is growing! 

Activity: I’ve brought my “daily 300’s” down to “daily 150-200’s” (my hips aren’t handling squats and lunges too well), yoga twice a week, and walking Lola.