Busy Weekends

Our next few weekends are going to be jam packed. This weekend we're heading to Wrightsville Beach - me by way of car and Marty by way of bike. Marty is riding down there with one of my very best friends all day today and me and her husband will meet them in downtown Wilmington before heading to a beach house on Wrightsville where a few of our other friends will be. Tomorrow they're all going to the Wrightsville beer festival while Alysia and I hit the day spa. Should be a great weekend.

Next weekend is my baby shower! (and a swim clinic)

The following is B2B - looking forward to cheering on lots of friends and athletes and then dressing up for halloween in the evening to continue cheering on the full participants. I'm going to be a pregnant Catholic school girl and Marty is going to be a priest. Don't worry, pictures will be posted :)

THEN the following weekend is when we celebrate Marty's BIG 4-0 birthday. We've rented out the back room of The Flying Saucer and it also coincides with Marty's plate unveiling. Once you drink 200 different beers you get your own personalized 'saucer' on their wall. This has taken him 5 years and lots of $$ ;)

The following Tuesday we're going to Charlotte to see the Foo Fighters, my #2 all time favorite band (The Beatles are #1). I've never seen them in concert and can't wait. Baby's first concert should be a good one.

Speaking of baby, we've had 2 of 5 labor and birthing classes. They've been really informative and interesting so far, and I'm definitely glad we signed up for them.

Yesterday we went in for another 3D/4D ultrasound session since a local place was running a Fall special and we wanted to get a movie. We got some more cute shots of Logan, but he was totally burrowed up in my right side (which is where he always is). She said that when he gets bigger, which is pretty much the rest of the pregnancy, I'm probably going to be pretty uncomfortable since he likes to stay all tucked up in this one spot. It's also why whenever I lay on my right side he gets all punchy (because I'm squishing his area). The other thing she said is that way his face and skin folds are looking he probably weighs around 3.5lbs. I just don't think there is anyway around him not being a big baby. But I guess it's good because big baby's tend to sleep more.

I would post a photo but I don't have any with me, so maybe in another blog post.

Read More

Observations

I’ve read other people’s blogs who are athletes and pregnant (or were pregnant, sometimes I go back and re-read their blogs while they were pregnant since now it’s more interesting and relevant to me) and there’s such a wealth of information out there. I feel like I’ve sort of glossed over a lot because I guess I assume people just aren’t that interested. This has always been more of a triathlon blog, and I’ve never had a ton of commenters but when I do it’s always race related or something of that sort. Now my blogs don’t get many comments at all which I can only assume means that the general reader frankly just doesn’t care.

Which is totally okay! I don’t expect people to care about the almost 7 months I’ve been carrying around this life-sucking force within my body.

I kid :)

But anyways, I decided to make some of my own observations about pregnancy thus far.

Everyone asks, “how are you feeling?” I supposed this is the go to question for pregnant people. It is tough to know how to answer this. Typically I say, “yeah, I feel pretty good” and then depending on who the person is I may add, “fat and slow, but other than that, I guess okay?” I know I’m not fat, I’m pregnant, but this doesn’t stop me from feeling like I’m fat. Slow, is another story. Case in point:

Heidi and I have been swimming in the same lane together pretty much ever since we started the Master’s program here. We’ve both gotten faster since the beginning, but our trajectories have been along the same path. Unless there was a specific reason or we had a new person show up in our lane, I would almost always lead (Parrish used to be the other piece to our “not former collegiate swimmers but better than most triathlete swimmers lane triumvirate”, but he has disappeared. Under the covers apparently. He has been showing up only on our holiday practices that start later). Anyways, I still swim in Heidi’s lane, but so much slower. Yesterday, we were doing 400’s pull. And she lapped me before I got to 300 yards. So the next round I made it my goal to not get lapped before she finished. It about killed me, but I touched the wall at 350 yards before she touched for her 400. Then the next one I was stick a fork in me done and I think she caught me at 200 yards.

Humbling.

And I don’t feel more buoyant, no matter what people say. I feel like I have a lead weight on my belly dragging me down. Yesterday, the flip turns started feeling not that great. You try and scrunch up in a ball when you have a belly that is rock hard and sticks out 20 times further than you’re used to. Yeah, not the best feeling. So I decided that maybe I need to stop doing flip turns. The thing is, I learned how to do flip turns when I was 8 and have always done them, so now trying to stop doing them is much harder than it sounds. I would say about 80% of the time I would forget and be half way around and think, “Ah! Belly in the way! Dammit.”

Also, let’s talk about weight. A local triathlete said to me a few months ago at a race, “Oh, my wife only put on 14lbs when she was pregnant.” Okay clueless men – file this under “Things You NEVER EVER say to a pregnant women.” First off, what the heck am I supposed to say to this? Uh, good for her and by the way that is not very healthy? I’m at 30 weeks and have put on that much weight. And no I’m not eating for two. I sort of think that’s BS. I’m eating pretty much what I normally did pre-pregnancy, just with less intense exercise. I may be eating a few more desserts, but anyone who knows me knows I have a gargantuan sweet tooth. It’s hereditary and totally not my fault. Anyways, when you’re pregnant, your body is preparing itself to sustain this entire other life and it needs this extra weight and will hang onto it as necessary. So go ahead and take those 14lbs and $%(*^*($)@$(**%(@!

I’m still quasi running/jogging/walking. I’m a shuffler for sure and I don’t go very fast but I still love being out there and will continue to be out there even if it means I need to walk more than jog. The weather is absolutely gorgeous right now and there’s no way I’m not going outside to enjoy it. Pretty much it seems that if I go for a run, I can count on some hip/pelvic discomfort afterwards, so I don’t run two days in a row anymore. On Sunday I felt awesome and made it to the bathroom (oh how landmarks change when you’re pregnant) faster than I have in a long time, without any heartrate walk breaks! Then on the way back though even though I still felt great my HR was skyrocketing up the hills. I ignored it for awhile until I saw a number that I thought was way past the line and power walked for a bit. Monday at our group run I just went for a walk while the others ran from station to station. At least the stations slowed them down so I could chat with people.

In a few weeks I’m having my baby shower which I’m looking forward to. We still need a lot of stuff for the little guy so hopefully most of it gets taken care of at the shower. Both my sisters and my mom will be in town for it, prompting me to tell Marty he may want to find different accommodations. Anyone want to put up a cute guy for a few days in a couple of weeks? He is funny and smart, does not snore (much) and doesn’t talk in the mornings until at least 1 cup of coffee has been thrown down his gullet.

Other things: Now that fall is upon us (fingers crossed, anyways) I have approximately 5 work shirts and 4 pairs of pants that need to get me through the rest of this pregnancy. I hope people start giving me a little leeway (yes, it’s Tuesday, that means its green sweater day!) Luckily, I still fit into most running shorts and tights. I’ve been able to use Marty’s shirts which tend to be longer, but even those are running low.

I have not been on my bike in weeks. Completely due to my own lack of motivation - riding outside isn't happening anymore because too much risk of falling because of being imbalanced and the trainer is plain boring. Honestly, out of the 3 sports in triathlon, in order of love for me they go: running (by a long shot), then swimming, then biking. I definitely have to have a race goal to keep me on the bike.

Read More

Another 6 Weeks

I am feeling sort of huge. 29 weeks. About 2.5 months to go - YIKES!


For a refresher, here I am at 17 and 23 weeks.

I just can't imagine still having 11 weeks to go and how it will look like then.

You may notice the background looks a bit different. The baby room is slowly but surely coming together. You may also notice that my tank top has shrunk. Okay, it didn't really but I don't think I can wear that one in the picture 6 weeks from now.

I did get to hang with my besties this past Saturday.


Why so glum, dude in background?

Read More

Random Thoughts

We went to Wilmington last weekend for the Wilmington YMCA triathlon. This was probably the first time I felt a little sad about being on the sidelines this year. The weather was nice and the last time I was here I won and had a solid day. It's hard to think about running that fast in my current state now. Everyone says, "oh you'll get back there" but from where I'm standing it seems so far out of reach. Anyways, Tassie and I watched and cheered and she got all sorts of attention (as per usual) which she looooooooved.

We stayed overnight and watched FSU almost pull out the W over Oklahoma (who didn't look like a #1 team in my opinion). The next morning we ran a swim clinic. We did the first half at Wrightsville Beach where the waves and current were fun. The water temp was probably mid 70's, but the air was a bit chillier so most opted for a wetsuit. It took some squeezing, but I still sort of fit into mine. Marty took a picture since I looked pretty funny in it.

Everything seems to be going smoothly as far as pregnancy is going. Of course, I have nothing to compare it to, but when I go to the Dr's and they ask if I'm having any trouble I can't really come up with anything. I'm sleeping pretty good (getting up to go to the bathroom a lot, but not too much more than normal), my back isn't hurting yet, my weight seems right on (and it looks like I WON'T pass Marty!)...and I passed the glucose test! I was worried since my mom had gestational diabetes and my score was pretty borderline but they said I just squeaked by. Phew.

He is very active in there. I didn't feel him until around 21 weeks or so but he has more than made up for it now. At first it just sort of feels like when your food is digesting, then it is more definite movement and bumping, and now I swear I can feel actual appendages. This morning before I went into work Marty was talking to my belly, "Have a good day in there, Logan!" to which I added, "Yeah, have fun punching mommy all day!"

Last night we had another open water swim practice at Jordan Lake. We've run several of these throughout the summer and have had a lot of fun. After most, people will hop on their bikes for a short time trial but the light is fading so we're probably done with that now. The water temp was around 77 so no need for a wetsuit but you better believe I whined like a little baby getting in. It was fine, though :) I swam some, cut the buoys when necessary, and took a break on the paddle board when I wanted.

Read More

A few pics

My sister-in-law, Anna took some pictures at the beach one evening this past weekend.

Marty loves touching and talking to my belly

He also likes to lick me

Me, Marty, Anna, Jamie, Tim, Marton, and little Cate in the front

Anna's funny caption for this: "What are you running from? PARENTHOOD!"

Yesterday we had a 3D ultrasound at the Dr's office. Logan didn't cooperate very much having his arms and hands in front of his face and then totally turning away from the camera no matter how much the technician tried to get him to move. We still got a few shots of face and a good future embarrassing one of him from below. We had to go in for an ultrasound anyways to check on some abnormality that came up earlier in the pregnancy but it had resolved itself (as we were told it would, but they still feel the need to freak you out for a little bit). So luckily we didn't actually have to pay the full price of the 3D scan which can be pretty expensive.

He's measuring at the 65th percentile for weight which is relief for me at this point even though I'm pretty sure those things aren't super accurate. The relief is because I was giant fat baby (10lbs 14oz) and fear he will follow in my footsteps. So I'm hoping that he comes out closer to normal than sumo-baby.

Read More

Annual Florida Vacation

This weekend is our annual 'Marty's Dad's Birthday Family Reunion.' This year we are at the Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast. First though, we made a stop in Jacksonville on Friday night to hang with my sister and bro-in-law (they would also be dog sitting our princess). We had a nice dinner with them, before dining on Publix cupcakes that my sister bought since she knows they're my favorite. I am spoiled :)

Saturday morning found us all at San Marco for a local 5K. My sister promised to 'run' with me but I don't think she quite believed how slow I go right now or how much I walk to keep the heart rate at a manageable level. Where to keep your HR while pregnant is always up for debate and it varies depending on who you talk to. My doctors have said that if I feel good then the baby is fine and not to worry about it too much. Although I doubt they know how hard I can push myself. I have read that others say you shouldn't go over 140 and then others say they never looked at their HR. I'm taking more of a middle ground. My best friend from college who is a doctor told me that when my HR gets too high it basically means that blood is not flowing as well to the baby -- this just doesn't seem worth it to me. So I set my HR monitor at 150 and see how I feel and walk when necessary. Sometimes I hit 150 early (I know, so crazy), but feel fine so keep on jogging. Other times I can tell I'm really winded. So I basically go by feel and use it as a loose guide. I've always been good about reading my body and this is no different.

ANYWAYS.

Shana jog/walked with me the entire way and we finished in a blazing time of 32 minutes. This is a personal worst for me (PW!) But my sister-in-law pointed out that I should be able to divide that time in two since there are two of us running :) I like that. That also means I beat Marty who ran a sub 19 out there (humid, but flat - not something we get often in our area). Marty was 2nd male and 3rd overall, getting beat by one woman. But when my sister was ribbing him for it, I told her he was used to that anyways ;)

I bought a cute t-shirt to wear for the race:

(I'm 6 months pregnant here. The countdown is on!)



After the race and a great breakfast courtesy of Shana and Scott, we drove the additional 1.5hrs down to Palm Coast to meet up with Marty's side of the family. So far we've had a lot of fun hanging out with our cute nieces and enjoying the awesome accommodations here. More on tap today before we drive back to NC tomorrow.

Read More

Jury Duty

Yesterday, I had to go to the Wake County court house for a jury summons. I've never been summonsed before and although I know this is our civic duty, I was really hoping not to get picked for a jury. I even asked my dad (an attorney) the best ways to avoid being picked. After a tiny lecture from him that I shouldn't want to get out of the service, he gave me his best tips.

Made it to the courthouse with the rest of the general population - which I would normally think means weirdo's, but actually everyone was very professional looking. They recommended that you dress 'business casual' and I would say that out of the 150+ people only a couple were even wearing jeans. I guess this is a big departure from the attire in Orlando according to my friend who had to attend a few jury summons down there.

I had a book (Mary Roach's Packing for Mars, so far excellent) and my phone which is a good distraction, but it's just so boring to sit in an uncomfortable chair for so long. Finally after over 3 hours, a lady came in and said that all the civil cases had been settled, so she was going to need to draw 40 names. I was one of the 40 names and thought, ugh! I never get picked for raffles at races but of course I get picked here. Then when she got done reading the 40th name she said, "Okay, you all can go home!"

Little trickster! Ha! So I hightailed it out of there and will still get my $12 check in the mail. Thank you, Wake County.

Read More