Zzzzzzzz

The combination of sleeping in too much over the weekend, staying up too late watching the Olympics, and pleasantly cool weather this morning made it tough to crawl out of bed.  But the Olympics comes but once every four years and the kind of weather that makes you want to stay in bed is usually the best for running (well, not snow or thunderstorms) so I'm glad I stayed up late and got up early despite my sagging eyelids now.

While we've missed watching a number of Olympic events, we have managed to catch a lot of the highlights, too.  So far my favorites have been watching Usain Bolt win the 100m, watching Oscar Pistorius ("the fastest man on no legs") run in the 400m semi-final, and, of course, the drama that is women's gymnastics.

The thing I find funny about women's gymnastics is that - except for Gabby - they all approach each event as if they are going to face a firing squad:

Could I have a cigarette and sparkly blindfold, please? [source]

I mean, I understand why.  Not only do you have the pressure of performing on an international stage, you have the pressure of not doing irreparable damage to your body ala Kerri Strug.  But still, a little smile might be nice.

Although a lot of the "big" events are already over, I'm still looking forward to the men's 200m, watching Gabby on the uneven bars, and, of course, the marathon at the end of the week.

Today's big project is to finish a talk I have to give on Wednesday morning so I have time to practice it and make revisions tomorrow.  I think I'm in much better shape with this one than the one I gave two weeks ago (the topic is much easier) but I still have a lot of work to do.  I haven't finished the results yet, and I haven't put any effort into the discussion section, which - along with the introduction - takes the most time.  Wish me luck!

Two years

Although I'm certainly not as prolific - especially in the photography department - as many other bloggers, one of the things that keeps me coming back is that it's fun to have a record of how our lives have changed through the years.  When you're a kid, every year is so different - different class, different friends, different activities - but as an adult, things all start to blend together.  Is 2012 really any different than 2010 or 2008?  Yesterday, for the third year in a row, we spent a Saturday in late July/early August at the Sugar Maple Music Festival southwest of town.  Last year I wrote about how things had changed (or stayed the same, but mostly changed) from 2010 to 2011, and I wanted to do the same in 2012.  

In 2010, it was a a busy weekend, and I just wrote a little blurb about our schedule - I ran 20 miles in training for the Milwaukee Marathon, rested up at the music festival, and then went out to hear a friend's band play at the Majestic.  

Thinking Daniel's "squid fighting the statue of liberty" shirt (which doesn't fit anymore)
could have a new life as a pillow in a little boy's room...

The next morning, I'd planned a recovery run, but I'm pretty sure I bagged that and stayed in bed for an extra hour.  Then we went to church and to a wedding of good friends.  It was exhausting, but a fun weekend.

All in all, I'd say 2010 was a good year.  I've noticed before that even years seem to be good running years for me and odd years seem to be tough, but I think that extends to the rest of my life as well.  I don't know if it comes across in my post from last year, but it was a much less fun time, and I felt considerably less optimistic about the future.  I remember trying to make the best of not being able to run much by getting into lifting weights, etc., but on the whole, growing increasingly out of shape felt like a metaphor for the rest of my life - or at least one important part of my life - spiraling out of control.  Although no one knew it at the time, I'd really thought and hoped I'd be 20 weeks pregnant in the summer of 2011.  And  I wasn't.  I'm sure I spent a fair amount of time making jealous glances at the women carrying and chasing around little kids at Sugar Maple last year.  

But life doesn't always go the way you plan things, and I had to wait until this year to join the ranks of smug pregnant women.  But the funny thing is that, although there are times when I miss being able to train and race, for the most part I don't care at all anymore that I wasn't able to run last year.  I still start dreaming about training plans after I get a new copy of Runner's World and I'm glad I'm still able to get out and jog a few times each week (hey, still being able to crank out 5 mi at 20 weeks pregnant isn't too shabby), but a year later, it just doesn't matter that much.

Which I guess is a good reason to reflect on life around the same time each year.  There are ups and downs, frustrations, failures and successes.  It's just a matter of time before Fortuna spins you up or down, as the case may be.  And since we don't live in Somalia, things will probably work out all right in the end.  

   

20 weeks

I've hit the (approximately) half way point!

I feel like I've grown so much over the last two weeks.  My belly has finally moved out of the "just finished my second Thanksgiving dinner" phase and into the "is probably pregnant and not just a glutton" phase.  It's funny because - even though I'm now 8lbs over my pre-pregnancy and 18lbs (gulp) over my normal weight -  unless the baby is moving or I look down, I still feel like my normal self.  I guess that's how people end up as contestants on The Biggest Loser.  "I know I'm 300lbs heavier than I was when I graduated high school, but I still feel the same..."  Oh well, if it comes to that, I'll try hard to win the $100,000.  

According to the estimate from the ultrasound, the baby makes up 12oz of those extra pounds.  The ultrasound tech didn't give us an estimated length, but the average at 20 weeks is 6.5 inches from crown to rump - about the length of a banana.  The big event of the week is being able to determine the baby's gender but the other developmental milestone is that he's drinking (and excreting into, ew) the amniotic fluid.    

It was exciting to see our church group last night and all the changes that have been happening over the summer when we haven't been meeting regularly.  We decided we really need to start taking more pictures.  One little girl who was born in September of last year is standing on her own now, but hasn't quite decided to start putting one foot in front of the other.  Our other October baby is walking with mom and dad's help but has no idea which direction to point her toes.  She has figured out that it is really fun to chase after the dog.  The mom of the other little boy in our group is due to deliver in two weeks.  I'd never heard of it before, but we got an invitation from a mutual friend to join Meal Train, which is a website that allows to schedule and sign up to bring meals to someone who had a baby or surgery or a death in the family.  We're signed up to bring them chili and corn bread on Sept 18.

This afternoon we're headed out to the Sugar Maple Music Festival.  Daniel is bringing his guitar and I'll pack a few baby books to read while we relax and listen to music.  There's a severe thunderstorm warning in the forecast for late this afternoon, but hopefully it will rain and nothing more.  Off to finish up a few things around the house before Daniel returns from yoga and we leave for the afternoon...

       

It's a...

Boy!

I think I was more excited for yesterday's ultrasound than I have been for the last 7 Christmases (probably put together).  It was a long appointment and involved a lot more views of the inside of the baby than I'd expected.  We not only saw the hands, arms, legs, feet, and face, but also shots of the spine, brain, heart, and kidneys.

And boy parts.  

After spending the last 16 weeks trying hard to be gender neutral and always say "the baby" or "him or her" (or "it" when I'm being verbally lazy), it's a mental shift to start thinking about him as "him".  My son.  Even though I've been feeling kicks every day this week, something about seeing the ultrasound and how much like a person he looks has made it so much more real.  I didn't have any kind of emotional reaction during the ultrasound - in fact I was trying to lay as still and quiet as I could - but I think it's catching up with me.

The ultrasound tech didn't give us any feedback from the procedure other than that she "found all the ultrasound landmarks" but she didn't run screaming from the room to find the radiologist either.  She did say the baby was breech at this point, but from a quick consultation with Dr. Google, it seems like most babies flip over on their own between 20 weeks and delivery so it's not an issue.  Other than that, I have to wait until my next doctor's appointment in 2 weeks to hear the real results from the radiologist.

Here's one more shot that shows the baby's hand up by his chin:

After the appointment, we went home and made many, many (probably too many) blue frosted sugar cookies to share the big news with everyone.  I'm taking some in to work this morning, and we'll see our church group friends tonight.

 Now I'm off to run and brainstorm boy names.

Exercising for two

While exercising during pregnancy is generally regarded as safe and healthy for women who were already active, it's definitely a different experience than exercising "for one".  I'll hit the 20-week milestone on Friday (20 more shopping weeks until Christmas), and I thought now would be a good time to look back at what I'm glad I did fitness-wise, what I'd do differently next time, and my fitness goals for the rest of pregnancy and beyond.

The -1st trimester:
Back in the good old days circa 2010, I was in pretty good shape.  I finally got my act together and started working really hard during my speed sessions, and, as a result, I PRed in pretty much every distance that year.  I had a running blog.  Things were great.  However, I turned 28 that fall, and while we weren't in any particular rush to have a baby, I could hear my biological clock ticking loud and clear.  We decided that after I finished the Milwaukee Marathon in Oct. 2010 we'd let nature take it's course and hopefully have a baby sometime in 2011.

But, things didn't quite work out that way.  After doing some research and talking to my doctor, it became apparent that I was going to have to cut back on my exercise intensity and possibly gain some weight if I wanted to have a baby.  How much to cut back and how much to gain was anyone's guess.  For every woman who can become pregnant when she's really really thin:

    
or really really active:

there are women whose bodies demand more protection against "famine".

It was really hard to deal with what was becoming a stressful situation without being able to use my normal coping mechanism, but it helped to know that there were other women out there who were at a normal weight but had to cut back on exercise to become pregnant.  By the time we conceived, I was running a 3- 4 times a week - maybe 30 minutes at a time- and doing yoga 3 - 4 times a week, and I was up 10+ lbs over my normal weight.

What I'm glad I did:

• Rather than focusing on not being able to run, I really tried to get excited about lifting weights and doing yoga.  
• Take some breaks from the internet - especially the big running blogs.  You can find a lot of sources of support on the internet, but it can drive you crazy if you try to compare yourself to people who appear (and it's only an appearance) to have everything going for them.

What I would do next time:

• It's hard to say.  Things will be completely different because I'll already have one kidlet, and it will be impossible to devote as much time to working out as I did pre-children.  I'd really like to get back in shape and race at least a little bit before it's time for #2, but I'm aware that I may have to re-get out of shape again.

The 1st trimester:

Was not a lot of fun for me.  However, I was determined to stay active.  I made a deal with myself that I'd move myself - run, walk, crawl, whatever- over three miles three to four days a week and continue doing yoga four days a week.  It didn't have to be pretty, and I could be (and was) completely sedentary the rest of the time, but I had to do something every day.  

What I'm glad I did:

• Keep "running".  Even though it was painful to get out of bed a lot of mornings, actually being outside in the cool air and moving around helped distract me from my discomfort.  I also know it would have been a lot harder to start moving again in the second trimester if I was a total lazy lump during the first.
• Make sure all running routes pass at least one bathroom stop.
• Buy bigger sports bras immediately.  

What I'd do next time:

• Cut back on yoga and gone back to lifting weights sooner.  Although yoga seems like a great early pregnancy exercise because it's so chill, I actually had more problems getting hot and dizzy/nauseated in yoga class than I ever did running.

The 2nd trimester:

Has been a huge relief.  At the point I hit 12 weeks and we went to London, I was already feeling much better.  I didn't work out at all on vacation (we did tons of walking around), but I didn't feel soooo headachy and tired all the time.  When we got back I was ready to resume running and maybe even add a little mileage.  Rather than doing 3mi at a time, I started increasing my daily distance to 4 or 5 miles and cut back on my walk breaks.  I also decided to cut back on doing yoga to one time per week and hit the gym for weights on two days - partly because I wanted a change of pace and partly because I could tell it was only a matter of time until my belly was going to start getting in the way of many yoga poses.

What I'm glad I did:

• Buy some "maternity" workout clothes.  They actually aren't maternity running clothes - those don't seem to exist - but just bigger versions of normal running clothes.  I'm not sure how long they will fit, but they've been worth the investment so far.
• Keep running.  
• Start lifting weights again.  I'm super weak right now, but strength comes back quickly once you start weight training again.  Plus I've heard that it's good to do squats in preparation for labor.

What I'd do next time:

• Design my own line of maternity workout clothes and make a fortune.
• Back off on yoga and hit the weights sooner.         

Infinity and beyond:
 I hope to keep up with running, lifting, and yoga as long as possible through pregnancy but be in tune enough with my body to know when it's time to stop doing something.  Even though we're moving off campus, I'm keeping my gym membership active through December in case I need to take my workouts in a non-weight-bearing direction.

After the baby is born, I'd really really really like to get back in shape again.  At the time I deliver, I'll have spent more than two years devoting my body to the process of having a baby, and I'd like to borrow it back for awhile.  Of course that will depend on available time, milk supply, etc, but I'm remaining optimistic.  Working out at home will be the rule, not the exception anymore, and I foresee lots of time on the treadmill (which we will finally be able to use now that we're moving!!) and boot camp-type strength workouts in my future.

On a non-fitness but still baby related note - Sarah has a review of Butt Paste (and you know you want to know what that is) on her blog this morning and is doing a $100 Visa card give away.

19 weeks

I've had a major growth spurt in the last week:

Just kidding... that's the belly pillow you can use to try on maternity clothes.  As a side note, stretchy, elastic-waist clothing is awesome.  My new duds will serve me well through any further pregnancies and all major holidays.

Here's the real 19-week shot:

Only 6 more days until the 20-week (or 19w6d in our case) sonogram.  I'm beyond excited to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl and be reassured that he/she has all her appropriate parts.  Also, I think maybe I'm starting to feel the baby move...  It's hard to tell, though.  I've felt a few little twitches off and on but nothing conclusive.  


A description of what the baby is up to this week from What to Expect..com: 


Have you ever seen a mango dipped in cheese? [Editor's note: No, I have not].  Well, that's what your baby looks like this week due to a little growth spurt (she's about a half pound in weight and six inches long) and a substance called vernix caseosa. 

Here's the "What your baby looks like" graphic from Babycenter:

I'm thinking the baby looks pretty uncomfortable.  No wonder it's starting to kick around.  I wouldn't want my legs all up in my face like that.  

Between the cheesy mango description and the baby contortionist picture, let's all raise a glass to infantile amnesia!

18 weeks

And growing... 

Check out my massive bicep.

Same dress only 3 weeks ago:

Maybe the two shots don't look much different, but the dress feels a lot shorter now!

I had my 18-week OB appointment yesterday and everything was fine.  I'm up about 3lbs from pre-pregnancy, which is a little on the low end, but the doctor wasn't concerned.  And to be honest (and vain), I'm glad all the weight I've gained so far has been baby-related rather than extra padding.

This week the baby is about 5.5 inches long and weighs about 7 ounces - the size of a bell pepper.  Although I still can't feel anything, we could hear a scratching noise on the Doppler at my appointment yesterday that the doctor explained was the sound of the baby moving around.  18 weeks is the official start of month 5, and I'll be able to feel definite movement by the end the month.  It's exciting to know that in just a couple weeks we'll know the gender, and I'll be able to feel little kicks and punches.  Pretty sure I've already lost my "mother of the year" nomination because I keep calling the baby "it".

I'm still exercising and have found that (at least when it's cool) running has been getting easier and easier.  I'm sure it will only last a few more weeks, but I want to enjoy it while I can.  I'm still doing a little yoga, although  I'm starting to be restricted in what I can actually do, and hope to get to the gym and try to tone up my bingo wings while I'm still feeling good.

I had a huge sigh of relief at work yesterday after giving my presentation.  There was a period of time at the beginning of the week when it seemed impossible to rescue it from disaster (we're talking threat level orange here), but I made a lot of changes, and it seemed like it went over well at the meeting.  I also got the page proofs back from my paper and only have a few changes that I need to make.  The only problem is that they want us to send figures that are at a higher resolution than I think SAS will allow...  More details than you want to know, but it would be nice if something happened without at least a minor headache.  Definitely looking forward to the weekend!