14 Weeks

A little bigger :)

How far along?: 14 weeks
Total weight gain: 6lbs. - definitely had a growth spurt this week with lots of tugging and growing pains!
Maternity clothes: None yet. 
Best moment this week: Going to Boston with my mom and Finn to visit my cousin and her family. Oh, and chopping another 4inches off my hair - hard to tell in this picture but love it when it's straight!
Symptoms: Lots of growing pains this week especially in my lower abs. I was running the other day and had to stop since my stomach muscles were so sore. 
Miss anything?: I've really been wanting a good glass of Sauvignon Blanc lately.
Movement: Nothing yet but hopefully in a couple weeks I will. 
Food cravings: Nothing in general this week. I gave in to my ice cream craving while in Boston though and had some soft serve vanilla at Sprinkles in Quincy Market - the best!
Have you started to show yet?: Definitely more than last week and a lot more in the last two days - even I noticed it, especially in my waist. I still feel I just look like I've been skipping the gym so I can't wait to actually pop!
Gender prediction: Erica at work thinks it's a girl and I'm slightly leaning that way now because of my face continuing to break out and wanting sweets and being extra moody this time - none of which was true with Finn. Although I did have a dream last night that it was a boy so who knows! 
Mood: I should let Tom answer this question haha My mood was very up and down this week still, I really hope it doesn't stay this way the whole pregnancy.
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender at our anatomy scan on Dec. 17! Although we are going to have the tech write it on a piece of paper and open it on Christmas so we can open it as a family and find out :) So Tom gets a slight surprise still since he didn't want to find out but I pull rank on that one seeing as I'm the one doing the natural birth!

Post Baby Weight Loss Week 2 Update!

It's been two weeks since I first posted on my post baby weight loss journey and not much has changed. I'm eating the same and walking at least 3-4 times a day and I'm really trying to use my abs when walking to stand up tall and walk faster. I can't wait to start running again even though I know it will be very hard at first but I honestly can't wait!!! I'm going to start the Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred on September 12 since we have a wedding on October 12 and I'd love to fit into some of my old dresses so I don't have to buy a new one, which would also be in a bigger size which would also be slightly depressing. 

8/21 weight = 160

9/6 weight = 156.6

Weight Loss in two weeks = 3.4lbs

Total Weight loss = 3.4lbs

Weight Loss to go = 21.6

The weight loss is still pretty steady which I wasn't totally expecting, but I'm happy it is. I'm really hoping that once I actually start to workout the weight will really begin to come off and I'll be more toned as well. Below are my goals and new updated pictures [ excuse my crazy hair and makeupless face! ] . I definitely feel like I'm starting to tone a bit more but it's definitely still hard to look at older pictures of myself with a flat stomach. And to think that back then I was so hard on my body when in fact I looked awesome! Anyways here is the progress so far...

Goals:

9/30 = 155

10/12 = 150

11/21 = 145

1/31 = 140

3/31 = 135

9/6

8/22

9/6

 

8/22

40 Weeks

Picture from 40w1d but I am now 40w3d as I write this!

How far along?: 40 weeks and 1 day in this picture

Maternity clothes: Still mostly regular clothes but most of my tank tops are a little too short to wear now!

Best moment this week: Going to the midwife and having her tell me she doesn't think I'll make it through the weekend without having this baby!

Symptoms: Still pretty tired but I officially had my last day of work on Tuesday. I'm afraid that the stress of work is not allowing me to relax enough which is why he isn't out yet! Last week at the midwife I was 2cm and 70% effaced and this week I was 3cm, 80% effaced, cervix is very soft and he's at -1 station so the progression in a week is awesome and its why they think I'm coming any day now. I also had my membranes stripped while I was there this week for an extra jump start which was a little more painful than I expected but she said it's because I have a high cervix to begin with and because he's so ready. So TMI (at least for those who haven't had babies or aren't pregnant since I've learned there's no such thing as TMI with someone who is with child or has given birth) I had bloody show on Saturday which is very good and then again yesterday after the procedure, a few times during the day and then in the middle of the night and this morning which is a good sign that I've had it more than just the once after the procedure. I haven't had any contractions yet but I've had much more pressure than normal!

Movement: He is still a very active boy! 

Food cravings: I wanted nachos last night but figured that would not be a good meal to eat if I were to go into labor so I didn't give in!

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes! 

Gender prediction: It's a boy!

Mood: So impatient!!! I'm beyond ready for him to come out! My co-worker who was due two weeks after me went into labor yesterday and another old co-worker of mine who was due a week after me had her baby today. Granted this was the second for both of them, but I'm so jealous and want him to come NOW!

Looking forward to: Meeting our little man, sharing his name (I honestly think this is the longest I've ever kept a personal secret from any of my best friends and family) and becoming a family of 3!

I'm really hoping that not being at work and being able to relax will help labor start. I took a bath this morning (we have a miniature tub but it was better than nothing) and then went and got my hair cut since that's always my go to when I want to unwind and feel good about myself. I haven't gained any weight in two weeks and I've been measuring a week small (39cm this week instead of 40cm) for the past two weeks which is also a sign that my body is ready to labor so now its up to the little man to make his entrance, we're all waiting for him!!!

Working Out While Pregnant Take 2!

I'm 34W5D pregnant and boy has my fitness routine changed since the last time I posted on it!

First, my shin splints are now pretty terrible no matter what. I still manage to run intervals of 2mins on, 2mins off but I am definitely more winded now compared to a couple weeks ago. I can only do about 20mins of intervals and then I walk for about 10mins. I tried just doing inclined walking, upping the incline by 1 every minute until I hit 10 and then went back down to 1. But even then I was getting pretty bad shin splints around 12 minutes. So back to intervals it was since its the only way I don't get shin splints.

Oops! Waaaay blurrier than I thought, but here ya go - me at the gym this morning!

I still lift, and I've even increased my weight from 6lb dumbbells to 8lb dumbbells.  But again I take more time in between sets to catch my breath and wipe the sweat dripping down my face! It's certainly a challenge because all I want to do is go for a relaxing run on these beautiful days and I can't because there is no such thing as a relaxing run anymore, ugh!

Me after the gym at 30 weeks before doing 5min on, 2min off intervals for 35mins. What a difference 4ish weeks makes!

I'm just hoping that all the women who tell me that working out while pregnant makes for an easier and faster labor and delivery and a quicker recovery weren't lying to me!

33 Weeks

I think this is the last wear of this non-maternity shirt!

How far along?: 33 weeks 

Maternity clothes: Still mostly non-maternity with stretchy skirts and dresses.

Best moment this week: Seeing my parents and family friends when we went home for a wedding.   

Symptoms: The Calms Forte seems to be working better and I am definitely sleeping more in a night but I'm still waaay more tired than I had been in the second trimester but not quite as tired as I was in the first. 

Movement: Oh geeze I swear that this week he's been waaay more active and seems to never stop moving. All of those stories about women not knowing they were pregnant until they gave birth make me laugh now - I mean did they think their intensities and organs were moving around in there or what because this is crazy movement that definitely does not just feel like digestion anymore!

Food cravings: Nothing really other than wanting one of those cheese biscuits when we passed a red lobster this weekend but then again who doesn't want one of those?!?

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes! I am straight out and all belly. I've had a few people tell me I look way bigger than 33 weeks but I have measured exactly on at every midwife appointment so its probably because I'm straight out and not to the sides at all.

Gender prediction: It's a boy!

Mood: Happy that these next few weeks will hopefully fly by with all we have going on so he'll be here before we know it!

Looking forward to: Going to Maine this weekend for the wedding of our two best friends (who also happen to be the baby's God Parents)! We leave early tomorrow and come back Sunday so it will be a long weekend with lots of college friends that we don't get to see nearly enough and we can't wait. We're going to stop at a few places along the way since its a 5.5hr drive and there's no way I can make the trip without multiple stops. I'm excited to stop at the Ogunqit Beach on the way where Tom is gonna take some maternity pics for me since we can't afford legit maternity pics right now. It will be gorgeous and I can't wait :)

32 Weeks

This is the "Before bed, crap its Wednesday night and I don't have a bump update picture" picture...enjoy!

How far along?: 32 weeks 

Maternity clothes: Mostly regular clothes that consists of stretchy skirts and sundresses. Luckily I'm a fairly modest person so most of my tank top and t-shirts are long so they [mostly] cover the bump!

Best moment this week: Relaxing for the weekend. Even though it was a pretty crappy weekend it was nice not to have to drive anywhere for once.   

Symptoms: Sleep is still pretty bad. I started taking Calms Fort before bed which helps for the first few hours but I still get up to pee which usually means I can't fall back to sleep for at least an hour after that. And that is yet another reason we will be doing the side-car co-sleeping since I have an extremely hard time going back to sleep if I get up and out of bed - no matter how tired I may be its just how I have always been. You could wake me up and have a full conversation but as long as I don't actually get up then I can usually fall back asleep fairly easily. 

Movement: Oh yes, he's very active and moving a lot! Tom has been feeling him waaay more and can now feel him squirming and pushing against me. 

Food cravings: Nothing really.

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes! 

Gender prediction: It's a boy!

Mood: Just a little tired and feeling like we have so much to do before our little man is here. I'm also a very impatient person so I just want him to be here already!

Looking forward to: Going home for the weekend for a friends wedding. We met on the bus in Kindergarden and I invited her to my birthday party even though I didn't even know her name. Stephanie [I finally asked her name] then ironically moved to my street a few months later and now our moms are very, very good friends too - her mom was always one of my character references on every job application I filled out in high school and most of college! So needless to say it will be a ton of fun and we're pretty excited to get dressed up and dance :)

31 Weeks

From our trip to Skaneateles this past weekend. 

How far along?: 31 weeks 

Maternity clothes: Still mostly regular clothes since I'm wearng my stretchy dresses and skirts with the nice weather!

Best moment this week: Going back to Skaneateles - where we were married - for the weekend.   

Symptoms: Still just tired. Sleep is still not going well even with using Calms Forte (a homeopathic sleep remedy). 

Movement: Oh yes, he's very active and moving a lot!

Food cravings: Nothing really.

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes! 

Gender prediction: It's a boy!

Mood: Happy but very overwhelmed. I have a bunch of freelance things to get done in the next week and I'm not sure when I'll have time for it. We have a long weekend with the holiday so all I want to do is relax and do nothing but that's not seeming like a possibility with all of my freelance work :( 

Looking forward to: The long weekend which will hopefully be pretty lazy!

And here are a few pictures from our weekend :)

Downtown Skan

This is what the entire lake looks like - it is crazy clear and so beautiful!

excuse my heavy under eye concealer - not sure if this or bags under my eyes are better!

29 Weeks

Again, getting so busy we haven't had time to change our chalkboard!

How far along?: 29 weeks 

Maternity clothes: Mostly regular clothes since I can now wear my stretchy dresses and skirts although the dress above is maternity from H&M and on top of that its organic!

Best moment this week: Being home for the weekend for my shower! My cousin who just had her first baby in October surprised me and came all the way from Virginia so it was a ladies weekend at my house with the most amazing women I know!  

Symptoms: Definitely more tired since sleep is not going so well. My stomach also starts to feel really heavy by the end of the day so instead of standing around the kitchen as Tom cooks I bring in a chair.  

Miss anything?: Again, just some good wine during this beautiful weather. 

Movement: Oh yes, he's very active and moving a lot!

Food cravings: Eh, nothing really still.

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes! 

Gender prediction: It's a boy!

Mood: Happy but very tired. I feel like we have so much more to do to get ready yet we are so busy the next few weeks we won't have time to rest before the baby comes. 

Looking forward to: A weekend at home this weekend! My dad is coming in and we are photographing a wedding so even though that will be tiring, at least we won't be driving!

Oh, and do you want a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card? Check out the giveaway!

27 Weeks

Too busy for a chalkboard picture so we took this last night before Tom's birthday dinner and apparently my left eye was not prepared for this picture!

How far along?: 27 weeks 

Maternity clothes: Still just maternity jeans and leggings but everything else are my regular clothes. I am so excited that the weather is finally starting to get nice so I can wear stretchy sundresses and skirts!

Best moment this week: Tom's mom had a couples baby shower for us and it was so much fun getting to see his family and  of course we were blessed with a bunch of gifts for our little man.  

Symptoms: Oh, hello round ligament pain. I've only felt it twice but it comes at 5am when all I want to do is sleep but I can't because I'm in pain and nothing makes it better except waiting it out. 

Miss anything?: It would be nice to have a nice glass of sauvignon blanc on the front porch in our adirondack chairs on these beautiful days. 

Movement: Oh yes, he's very active and I found out at my midwife's that he is head down now thank goodness!

Food cravings: Eh, nothing really still.

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes! And I feel like I look waaay bigger in this picture than I actually am which means I am probably arching my back making my belly stick out more than normal.

Gender prediction: It's a boy!

Mood: Happy but not feeling too good right now. My allergies have started up which is wicked early for me and its leading to a cold which is not good so my midwife told me to take it easy so it doesn't tun into bronchitis which I get really easily.

Looking forward to: My shower next weekend that my mom is throwing me! I can't wait to be home with my parents and see all of our friends and family! 

Running While Pregnant

Yep, that's me in the orange tank there finishing up the Boilermaker 15k a few years back!

I haven't always been a runner. In high school I was on the track team beginning in 7th grade and ran the 400 hurdles and since I was a dancer the hurdles were really easy for me but I hated running more than 400 meters. That was until my senior year of high school when Tom was in college so I decided to start to go to the gym. I began running a little and actually started to skip out on track practice early so I could go to the gym to workout and run (I was a treadmill runner and was too embarrassed to run outside just yet). I had always been a size 6 but once I started running I really noticed a change in my body and dropped to a size 0/2 even though this was never my intention. I ran throughout the summer (still on the treadmill of course) and when I went to college that fall joined the crew team where we had to run to practice everyday and so began my obsession with running. I actually quit the crew team after my freshman year since I would run 7 or 8 miles before practice because thats what I really wanted to be doing. I loved to run and loved to run in Ithaca along the lake and on the trails. I ran a marathon 2 years ago and loved training for it (the run itself was the worst run of my life but I still did pretty well). And I am by no means a fast distance runner - pre-pregnancy I ran between an 8:30 to 9 minute mile depending on the distance.

Me and Tom with his sister Jess (on the right in case you can't see the resemblance!) and a friend after the Boilermaker and before the many beers we consumed courtesy of Saranac Brewery.

So naturally I wanted to continue running through my pregnancy. In the first trimester I was so tired but managed to get myself to the gym to run at least a few miles and at least two days a week. I could barely run five minutes though because I was soooo congested. Once I was in my second trimester and I wasn't as congested I could run much longer and usually run about 3 times a week and total around 10-12 miles in a week. However, it was like the second I was pregnant I couldn't run nearly as fast, like my body just wouldn't let me no matter how badly I wanted to go faster. The body just knows you can't go as fast and shouldn't go as fast so it doesn't.

Tom and I after the many beers post race under the finish line!

My runs have been great this trimester up until about two weeks ago. I went for my first run outside (I live in VT and hate running in the cold so I am stuck inside for at least 4 or 5 months) and within the first half mile I was getting pretty terrible shin splints. The only time in my life I have ever had them before was once when I was training for my marathon and was running outside on rough snow. I stopped four times throughout my short three mile run to stretch them but no matter what they came back. I thought maybe it was from running outside and my shins weren't used to it. I ran inside the next two days and was fine but then last week I had shin splints when running inside all three days - some days worse than others but I had them nontheless. I ran this morning on the treadmill and again had shin splints. It is making my runs MISERABLE and runs are usually stress relievers for me but this is more stressful.

Tom and I after the Disney Marathon except he was crazy and ran the Goofy marathon which means he ran the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and marathon on Sunday!

Is it time for me to hang up my sneakers already? I thought I could at least make it to 30 weeks running and then run/walk the rest of the weeks, I never imagined giving it up so early on. Has anyone dealt with this too or know what I can do? I'll be so sad if I can't run for at least a few more weeks. Oh, and I already stretch my calves and shins daily to help but it hasn't so far. Any advice is helpful!!!