It's a......

GIRL!!!
Yesterday, Clark and I had the big 20 week ultrasound. At this appointment, they measure all of the baby's major organs to make sure everything is on schedule and looking good. This is also the appointment where they can usually tell you what the baby is. Of course we opted to find out because both of us have the patience of a 3 year old and I am a planner and need to know these things. Well, we are going to have a daughter and I couldn't be more excited.

Last night, we had our FW friends over to reveal the gender to them. I made cupcakes that day and cut out the center with an apple corer to fill the middle with pink icing. We had everyone pick a cupcake, either blue for boy or pink for girl. At the same time we had everyone bite into them to announce, girl or boy! There were lots of surprised people since I think the majority were thinking it would be a boy. Here are some pictures from the party!

The cupcakes!
Picking out their team colors.

Everyone with their selections!Team Pink (Michele picked up the wrong color)

They were wrong!

It's Pink!

Clark surprised me with some pink flowers!

The girls!

Clark & I

This weekend I am off to Waco for Baylor homecoming!! Alli and I are staying with Wynne and her family and partaking in a very Trippet Homecoming. I will be attending, for the first time, the parade and the pi phi alum breakfast. We are also going to pigskin on Friday night and the bonfire (and Georges obvi). Can't wait! Sic 'Em!!

T-C-UUUUUUU!

TCU is having a great season so far and we are gearing up for the big game this weekend against BYU. Very exciting. Here are some pictures from last Saturday night after the win against CO State.

Cody, pretending to be the proud papa...

Beth & Lisa

Cody likes tight jackets (and women's clothing)

Clark & I

Bridget & I

Beth, Bridget, Will & Preston

Weekend in Austin

What a great weekend! On Friday, Clark and I traveled down I-35 towards Austin. We lived there for 3 years when we first got married and while Clark was in Law School. Unfortunately, We don't make it down there often so we were happy to plan a weekend with friends and to see Clark's beloved Horns play. Our friend Scott graciously offered us the guest room in his nice new house so we had a very comfortable home base. On Friday night, we rolled into town around 8pm and headed straight for Vivo to meet Scott, John and Brigid for some tex-mex. The food did not disappoint as I cleaned my plate in its entirety. I blame the baby.

After dinner, we went over to a friend's house for a Golf-themed party. The house was amazing and they have a putting green in the backyard which provided the perfect backdrop for the festivities. It was great catching up with some old friends!

Robert & Clark
Brigid & I

Scott, John, Clark & Trent

On Saturday, Clark and I woke up to the amazing sound and smell of breakfast tacos. Brigid, had graciously gone out to pick up Torchy's Tacos for us. Torchy's is a new addition to Austin since we left but they were amazing. Where else can you get a fried avocado or fried chicken breakfast taco??? YUM. It was the perfect way to kick off a game day.

After we ate, Clark and I drove to San Marcos to have lunch with my mom and my brother at Herbert's Taco Hut (are we seeing a theme here?) Clark somehow managed to consume 3 more breakfast tacos...when in Rome I suppose. After lunch, we headed back to Austin and got ready for the game.

We headed to the tailgates around 4 and hung out with some friends for a while before meeting up with The Papermasters to get to our seats. They invited us to their suite to watch the game which was so nice because it was freezing outside and the thought of standing for 4 hours didn't seem too appealing. I did find it funny though that in order to get to their suite, we had to present our tickets about 10 times, seriously. The security was tougher than any airport...

The game was great and it was so nice to catch up with our good friends. They are some of the nicest people that we know and it is always great spending time with them! After a game that was much more stressful than it should have been, we headed home to bed!

Sisters Blackwood!

At the Tailgate

Great seats!

Amy & I

Clark & Aaron

The Ruckers with The Papermasters!

Baby Update: Only 1 week until we find out the gender! So excited. For about a week now, I have started to feel the baby start to kick. It feels like little bubbles or popcorn popping. Such a neat feeling! Last night, it was kicking in the same place so I put my hand there and pushed down a little bit and then I could feel it kick with my hand too! I tried to wake up Clark (it was about 1 am-been having trouble sleeping) but he just made some noise and rolled over...lame.

I can't wait to feel those kicks all the time!

Latest Happenings

Not a lot has been going on here lately. This last weekend, one of Clark's bosses hosted a great party at their ranch outside of Hillsboro. We took buses there and enjoyed some BBQ and chicken fried steak. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we had a great time!

Clark wanted a pic of the longhorns

A view of the party

Clark and Preston playing horseshoes

The fabulous sunset!

Last Monday, 9/28, I went back for another doctors appt. I was really really hoping that I would find out the gender at that visit. I drank some orange juice before because I had read that it would make the baby move around. Well, I don't know if I drank too much or what because the baby was moving all over the place when I went in for the ultrasound. Dr. Wiley tried and tried to see what our baby was, but it just wouldn't cooperate. I left feeling a little disappointed but I only have to wait until 10/21 for the big ultrasound. They should have no trouble at that visit telling me what it is. Clark and I are both dying to know!! In the meantime, the anticipation will continue!

Saturday was the TCU vs SMU football game. The day started off amazing. It was a beautiful morning and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Then around 1, the clouds and the rain rolled in for the remainder of the weekend. It wasn't raining too bad until right before the game. I had every intention of going but figured it was probably best for me to just go home. I gave away my ticket and watched project runway at home instead. Much better than football anyway. Lisa, Caroline and Michele called me at halftime to come and save them too. It was pouring by that point so we just went to Lisa's to hang out until the game was over. Best decision ever.

Happy Monday and hope everyone has a great week!

TGIF!

Happy Friday everyone! It is such a beautiful day here in Fort Worth! I am loving this fall weather and the sunshine. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and that you have a chance to get outside!

Go frogs!

Last Friday we hosted a backyard barbecue to kick off the first TCU home game of the season. Several of our closest friends gathered to enjoy some smoked brisket, grilled sausage and chicken along with all the appropriate accoutrements. The rain was threatening us all afternoon and into the evening but it didn't put a dent in our fun. A steady sprinkle is no match for our friends.

Michele, Lisa, Linds & I

Sic 'em Bears!

Trey & Clark

Dustin & Vern

Bornitz & Ryan

Yummy and festive peanut butter/chocolate rice crispy treat footballs

compliments of Ms. Goode.

Saturday I woke up around 8:45 to a phone call, letting me know that it was time to get up and go to breakfast, that the baby was hungry...thanks Lisa. After a great meal at Swiss Pastry Shop with Ryan and Lisa, I went right back to bed until early afternoon. We got to the tailgates around 4:30 and had a great afternoon/evening of football. The game was stressful but a great way to kick off the fall. Both the Frogs and Longhorns had wins this weekend so Clark was a happy camper.

Stadium at sunset.

Clark with Superfrog!


Linds, Michele, Lisa, Whitney & I

Lisa brought me a plethora of non alcoholic beverages. My favorite: Fanta.

Happy fall to all. I think it's ironic that today is the first day of fall and the weather actually coincides with the season. I have never looked forward to fall and winter as much as I am this year for some reason. I am so excited about the coming months and the changes that are going on in the Rucker home!

Ixtapalapa!

In honor of our 4 year anniversary and Labor Day weekend, Clark and I traveled to Mexico for 5 wonderful days with some great friends. One of our good friend's parents has an amazing home in Ixtapa that we were fortunate enough to visit. I honestly can't describe this place without sounding braggy so I'll leave the details in the pictures.

We flew in on one of my new favorite airlines, Mexicana; arriving about 2pm on Thursday. We spent the entire first day in the pool and catching up.

The view from the front door.

Derek doing a swan dive into the pool

The next day, we spent the morning at the beach where we went kayaking to Elephant Mountain and then spent the remainder of the day back at the house.

Preparing for our endeavour

My life jacket is straight from 1984

Saturday morning, we woke up early to go deep sea fishing, something that I have always wanted to do. Earlier that week, I got the ok from the Dr. Wiley and a prescription for nausea (whew). I reeled in a 100lb Sailfish! It took 17 minutes to get in and I was pouring in sweat but it was so fun! The fishing guide that was with us told me that there is a fishing competition in May and that the size of my sailfish would have won me a car. He cut up our fish and sent us home with about 50lbs of fresh fish. The best part of the whole thing was that I couldn't eat ANY of it because of the mercury content :(

Clark & I with La Duquesa (The Duchess) our fishing boat!

The group with my catch!

What was left of my sailfish

Sunday we went back to the beach for the entire day and Clark tackled waves for a good 6 hours. The waves won and Clark left with some pretty great scrapes on his back. I swear he plays like an 8 year old at the beach. It's awesome to watch. I also sacrificed my sunglasses to the waves but they felt bad for me and washed them up on the beach about 30 minutes later!! I thought it was the last I had seen of them for sure.

Clark vs Wave

Elephant Mountain in the background.

The group taking tequila and me taking sprite. Cheers!

Clark & I on the beach! Sunset from our last night, gorgeous.

Overall, the trip was truly amazing. We were sad to leave but happy to get home last night. Mago and Angelina cooked some amazing meals for us while we were there but I definitely made a B line for Whataburger this morning for a taquito. I was ready for some comida Americana!