Quotes of the day

Nearly everyday my two-year-old, Maddox, says something that totally surprises me or cracks me up. So I thought, why not share them with you? Here are a few recent ones:

Last night Maddox did a big dramatic fake sneeze. A big "Uh... uh... uh... uh... CHOO!" Then he looked at me and my husband and said with a smile, "gesundheit."

No idea where he learned that, but it was hilarious! He pronounces the word better than I do.

Last week it was snowing hard when my husband picked Maddox up from daycare. As they were driving home Maddox looked out the window and said, "Daddy it's snowing so hard I can't even see the earth."

I think it was the day before that when I was driving Maddox to daycare and he started repeating, "Slow down, Mommy, apply the brakes." Apply the brakes? Must come from all the Thomas the Tank Engine cartoons.

Hope these made you smile.

Amanda
akrenz@myabc5.com

Lesson learned...

Question #1: Have you ever heard that expression, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

Question #2: Have you ever tried a new facial cleanser that burned your skin?

I thought I'd try a new make-up remover/cleanser. Not because the one I used didn't work, I just wanted to change it up. Big mistake.

A few nights ago I washed my face with the new cleanser after I got home from work. I noticed some tingling but thought the cleanser was 'doing its job.' I woke up the next morning with swollen eyes, and a red, burning swollen face. Not good when you have to put that face on TV.

I went ahead and came to work that day, and got some interesting comments ranging from "Oh, it's not that bad, maybe just a bit puffy" to "Wow Amanda, your face looks really bad." I think that one came from Rachel, and it was the most honest and appreciated reaction.

Long story short, my news director looked at me on camera and said it would be best to sit out the 5 and 6 o'clock news and hopefully the swelling looked better by 10. Which thankfully it did. Here I am three days later and my face feels better, looks a little better, just a little swollen and peeling.

I think the new cleanser had a chemical that I had an allergic reaction to. I'm not really sure. But maybe this will save some of you from the same humiliation.

Like I said, lesson learned.

Amanda
ackrenz@myabc5.com

"The Glow"

So today we aired a story about pregnancy, weight gain and how really an average sized pregnant woman should only gain up to 25 pounds. At my doctors office they said between 25 to 35 pounds. Early in the pregnancy I thought, “that's easy to stay in that range, gosh I can't even imagine gaining 25 pounds.” I have really changed my tune and to be honest I will be in that range, but definitely in the high end when it's all said and done. That's why I think it's funny when people say "Oh it's all baby.” Huge lie people, I have a mirror at my house. Or they say, "You have the pregnancy glow". Really? All I hear is “your face is getting round and you look warm.” Which are both true. I used to be cold ALL the time, now my husband complaining that the house is too cold...and I'm sweating!

I did have one funny little experience. I was at a metro school to give a "One Classroom at Time" one thousand dollar grant. The secretary asked me when I was due. With my straightest face I said "I'm not pregnant" even though I was about seven months along at the time and really showing. She went completely pale. I said I was kidding fairly quickly. I know it was mean, but in that moment I just couldn't help it.

Now, at eight months pregnant, I don't mind the weight gain or the swollen ankles or restless nights. I know in five weeks when I'm holding my little one it will all be worth it. I do see some hard workouts and strict diets in my future.

Rachel Pierce rpierce@myabc5.com

Family Pride

I'm so excited tonight. I just found out my cousin, Kody Krenz, will be wrestling for the state championship tomorrow. He's a sophomore from Louisa-Muscatine (class 1a, 112 pounder). Last year he placed sixth as a freshman at 103 pounds.

The Muscatine Journal has been following his progress throughout the tournament. Here's one of their photos: Kody's the wrestler on top in the L-M singlet.

For those of you who understand the sport of wrestling, Iowa wrestling in particular, I don't need to explain why this is such a huge accomplishment and why my entire family is so proud.

Go Kody!

Amanda

akrenz@myabc5.com

Tiger

I just so happened to be at the gym this morning when Tiger Woods made his announcement.. I wouldn’t say it was a press conference though because no real media was allowed in and no one could ask questions. Mr. Woods has captured America's attention. Take my gym for instance, it was packed and on every piece of cardio equipment the person was watching him. Fifty little TV’s, all with his face.

I have mixed feelings on what he said. No, I don't want the sordid details, really does anyone? But, I do want to know why. I know he said he gave into temptation and has a problem...still does not answer the question of why. What I do want details about is what happened that Thanksgiving night. Do you think he was telling the truth when he said his wife didn't hit him or come after him? Did you think his apology to his friends, family and fans was heartfelt? I thought he part of this was to reassure all his sponsors and the golf community that he will return, most likely this year.

When I was watching all the national media reaction, they were saying he did the right thing by coming forward, that this will go a long way for his public image and so on. But, when I heard people talking at the gym many had rather harsh comments for him. What do you think?

Rachel Pierce
rpierce@myabc5.com

Let the fun begin!

Now that we know we're having a boy, we're in preparation mode. We've started to slowly transform the guest bedroom into a nursery. We're also going through our two-year-old's clothes. Honestly, I was looking forward to the possibility of buying frilly baby girl clothing but I think there's something better.... being able to use my son's clothes all over again!

Not only are hand-me-downs cost efficient, but some of my son's clothes and shoes are so cute and in great shape. There are some outfits he barely wore before he grew out of them. I'm so glad we held onto things in case we had another boy. We can also use all of the same nursery furniture and other baby gear (stroller, car seat, etc.).

Meanwhile, we're trying to prepare my son for a new baby brother. His Valentine's Day gift was a book by Mercer Mayer called, The New Baby. He loves the book, we'll see how much he likes the real thing.

Amanda
akrenz@hotmail.com

Home and Garden Show

I love to decorate and to garden so the Des Moines Home and Garden Show is right up my alley. This is the second year in a row that I am a featured celebrity designer. I am working with Linda Glantz Interiors. A few weeks ago I went to her store which is inside the Flooring Gallery in Ames to start designing. Linda worked with me to pick paint colors, rugs, furniture, artwork and accents. Our room is an Asian inspired modern room. We have all kinds of books and pictures from my travels around the world and my interest in art.

If you go to http://www.myabc5.com/ and click on the video labeled “Iowan's Find a Break From Winter” you can see the room.

http://www.desmoineshomeandgardenshow.com/ME2/Sites/dirmod.asp?sid=2263A838BB9D41B1B5985FF73A77AE86&type=gen&mod=Core%20Pages&gid=0104D6BC233A453589886457107CAF5C

Don't forget, if you go to the show you can vote for your favorite room...hint...hint.

Rachel Pierce
rpierce@myabc5.com

Superbowl, Superfun

My husband Matthew and I are the two least watching football people...but we are always up for any excuse to host a party. So on Sunday we had a small gathering of about 15 people at our house for the big game. Everyone brought their favorite football food, so we had enough to probably feed a football team. My husband made his famous heart attack cheese dip, which includes bacon and sausage. I'd give you the recipe but I'm sworn to secrecy.

Everyone at our house was cheering for the Saints, except my sister Natalie and me. She just moved here from Indianapolis so she's a die-hard fan. I cheered them on because she had a jersey that fit my belly.

We all actually watched the game, but of course the room got quite and watched intensely when the commercials came on. My favorites: the Griswold family vacation one, the house of beer bottles and the e-trade baby ones. What was your favorite? What is your favorite superbowl dish?

Rachel Pierce

rpierce@myabc5.com

Big News!

Hi blog readers, this is Amanda with a big announcement. I'm expecting! We just found out yesterday that we're having a BOY. I'm about half way through my pregnancy with a due date of June 21st.

Lately we've been asking our two-year-old if he would like a baby brother or sister. He responded with, "No, not really."

For those of you calculating Rachel's due date, we're about three months apart. It's been so much fun sharing my pregnancy experience with my coworker who sits beside me on the anchor desk and right across from me in the newsroom. We didn't plan on being pregnant at the same time but, it's been great going through this together.

Hopefully you'll continue to follow our blog as we both continue on our journey of motherhood. As always feel free to share your parenting stories with us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for reading,

Amanda
akrenz@myabc5.com

Weatherperson's Day

Did you know today is National Weatherperson's Day tomorrow? Maybe its a well kept secret. Well we here at Channel 5 appreciate our meteorologist. And I guess we aren't the only ones Brad Edwards received this cookie bouquet today from Cookies by Design. If you look closely you can see a cookie with his face on it. Cute.
Here's another fact, Brad Edwards is Central Iowa's Most Accurate Forecaster for 3-years in a row. We find out at the end of the month if he's done it for a 4th time! We'll make sure to post the results.

Rachel Pierce
rpierce@myabc5.com

Variety The Children's Charity

Last year at about this time I got involved with Variety The Children's Charity. Their annual Telethon airs on our station so pretty much everyone here at Channel 5 gets involved in one way or another. I helped kick off the show and did some hosting last year. Before I hosted I wanted to know what Variety was all about. So, along with a group of other folks, I took a bus to the various facilities/organization like Child Serve and Blank Children's hospital that have received funds from Variety. Organizations apply for grants to received funds for specific projects or items. I saw what a need there was right here in Iowa to help children and how Variety was stepping up to help. I knew after those tours I wanted in, I wanted to help, I wanted to be involved.

Today I now sit on the board of Variety. The board consists of about 50 people plus staff who are a committed, generous and go-getting group that knows how to have fun and raise a lot of money in the process.

Last year Variety raised more than three million dollars through events like the Telethon, Radiothon, Polo on the Green, Martini Maddness, Black Tie, Sportsman Stag, Miller Lite/Variety Golf invitational and many other events. All of the money raised is given away that year then we start over at zero dollars and have to raise all that money again.

I'm so excited for this year's 36th annual Variety Telethon, March 6th-7th. If you want to get involved the best way is to donate. It doesn't have to be a lot. This saying really rings true "We don't need you to give more we need more people to give". If you'd like to learn more about Variety e-mail me at rpierce@myabc5.com or log onto their website at http://www.varietyiowa.com/index.php.

Rachel Pierce

Pictures are from various Variety events.