Pancakes and Getting Poked

Getting blood drawn four times in three hours wasn't my ideal morning, but it really wasn't that bad. And the time passed pretty quickly. I started reading "The Friday Night Knitters Club"- a book my friend, Cate, lent me two years ago that I've never started. Who knows if I'll actually finish it.

My mom dropped me off and Adam picked me up, which turned out to be a good idea because I was feeling pretty dizzy at the end of the appointment. We went to Penny Cluse and had a late lunch, but of course I had to have pancakes. This might be the last time they get eaten for a few months.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the results come back negative.

Running Weather

Lucky for runners (bad for skiers) we've had a mild winter. This past week has been especially balmy. With the sidewalks clear I've been able to take advantage of it with runs outside. On Thursday, Jack and I went for a four mile run and it felt so great! Running with the jogger is no joke, as I've said before, but my legs and lungs felt strong. My Garmin was dead so I have no idea of what kind of (snail) pace I was running.


Post- run: Excuse the beanie, I know I look like a dork but I love it

Today while Jack was napping at my mom's, my intention was to head to the gym but because it was so nice out I took it outdoors again. I ran five miles and stayed around a 10:30 pace. I kept feeling myself wanting to push it a little harder, and when I got passed by another runner it took a lot of energy not to try to keep up. My legs weren't feeling as fresh today, I think it was the warrior sequence from yoga yesterday. That can be killer. Today I'm feeling really thankful that almost 17 weeks into this pregnancy I'm still running.

As of now I'm currently fasting in preparation for my three hour glucose test tomorrow. I'll go in in the morning, drink the orange (maybe tomorrow I'll try the fruit punch) liquid, and then get my blood drawn at 1, 2 and 3 hours. Nothing other than water is allowed and I'm already thinking about food and how much I'll miss my (half caf) coffee in the morning.

Long Run

On Sunday I planned on getting a long-ish run in. I've been very wary to run outside, even with my Yak-Traks, because of the ice and snow, so I headed to the gym. I'm loving having a membership again. I was lucky to find an open treadmill, and used my trick of signing up with two different names to get around the 45 minute time limit.

I ended up running seven miles, and it felt great (albeit slow). I drank Nuun throughout the run and ate several honey stinger chews around mile four. It felt so good to do a longer run. I'm anxious for spring (I know, it's just the start of winter) so I can take my runs outside again.

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In other pregnancy news, I had the 1 hour glucose test for gestational diabetes yesterday. Usually the test is taken around 25 weeks, but they wanted me to do it because Jack was so large at birth (10 pounds, 10 ounces)- apparently it's called macrosomia.

I didn't have gestational diabetes with Jack so I wasn't really concerned this time around, but the midwife called today to tell me that I failed the test. my blood sugar levels were elevated, and now I have to go in for the three hour test, which involves fasting, going to the lab and drinking the sugar water, and then getting blood taken at 1,2 and 3 hours. Ugh.

Fingers crossed it comes back negative. The midwife told me today that I should avoid sugar and sweets, which, as we all know (well, anyone who knows me) this is probably a good idea anyway. I have a very large sweet tooth and this is just the sort of reason to curb my cravings.

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And just for fun, here's a pic of me at my baby shower when I was pregnant with Jack. I was about seven months pregnant at the time.

15 Weeks

I hit 15 weeks pregnant this week, and I'm feeling great. According to Baby Center, the baby is about the size of an apple. I've run three times: three, six and four miles, and practiced yoga twice. It really feels good to be active (even though spending my day with 26 five and six year olds feels active enough some days), and now that my belly is starting to show, I feel comfortable wearing my tight Lululemon again (I hopefully look pregnant now, not just thick-waisted).

Before and even during the time I was pregnant with Jack, I thought pregnant women working out were crazy. Now I know that in moderation and through adjustments, exercise is good for mom and baby. My running has changed in that I'm doing more runs on the treadmill. I would love to run outside, but the sidewalks and bikepath are so icy and slippery that I can't risk falling. I'm also skipping all yoga poses that require me to be on my belly. I can still sleep on my belly, but locust and bow just don't feel right. I did go into headstand today (with wall support), and it felt great!

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I started to tell people at work, and after a student remarked that I "looked pregnant," I've told the kids at school. A certain student told me that I "didn't look fat yet," which I took to be a compliment.

The morning after I found out I was pregnant, I went to school and a girl in my class said, "Mrs. Stoner, you're pregnant." I didn't know what to say- I didn't want to deny it, and jinx anything, but I also didn't want to confirm it. I laughed it off, and she kept insisting and finally the conversation was done. Well, today when she found out I really was pregnant, she asked me why I told her I wasn't when she asked. The teacher came up with a really great answer, saying Mrs. Stoner didn't lie, she just couldn't tell you yet because sometimes people have surprises that they need to keep secret for a little while. I think the answer worked.

No Hiding It

Winter finally arrived, so after school
on Friday, we bundled up to play in the snow

Snow came through this week, but on Thursday it was so minimal and the temperature was mild (about 34 degrees) so Jack and I took our (my) run outside. I haven't run with the jogger in a while and it was tough! I forgot how easy is it to get used to running without it, but the other way around- not so easy. So four slow miles it was, adding to the two treadmill runs of three and five miles on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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I had my 14 week appointment with the midwife this week, and everything looks good on the baby front. She had a medical student with her, who had a hard time finding the baby's heartbeat, which kind of annoyed me. But the midwife was able to find it quickly. I've gained two pounds, which I don't really notice except when running and trying to button my jeans. Most of my pants feel fine when I put them on, but need to be unbuttoned by the end of the day because they're too tight. Maternity clothes are still way to big now, though. I don't even feel like I look pregnant, but according to my coworkers, there's no hiding it.

Tool Time

I taught yoga this morning to a full house. I love it when class is full- I thrive off the energy of the people and it makes class so much more fun. A woman after class asked if I "had something going on down there," while pointing to my stomach. I was a little confused at first, then I realized she was trying to politely ask if I was pregnant. I told her, yes, I do have "something going on down there."

I haven't worked out at the gym since my membership expired last spring, and since I don't get a free membership for teaching one class a week, I've been reluctant to renew because it's so expensive. I just found out that through school I can join at a great group rate- much better than the "employee discounted" rate the gym itself offered me. So after class I decided to run on the treadmill- first treadmill run in nine months. And it was just as I remember it- boring as hell. But, I listened to Pandora which made it much less dread full. Side note, I just discovered Pandora. I'm so behind the ball (Adam's says I'm like molasses) on most things trend related (I still wear Uggs). It's awesome! Where I'm going with this, is that it's amazing how motivating music can be. A certain song can come on, and it just gives me that extra kick and motivation. Such a great feeling. I completed four miles, in about 40 minutes and was able to sing along to the songs (sorry fellow treadmill users) so I know I kept a safe pace.

The guy taking photos of himself working out was also a nice distraction. I forgot how many toolboxes there are at the gym.

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Adam's parents gave us a new camera for Christmas, and I've been trying to figure it out. Here are some test shots I took the day after Christmas.



Adam's grandfather, Jack's great-grandfather- Pop. He came to visit from Pennsylvania.



I'm going to attempt to take Jack to the barbershop for a haircut today. I'm a little scared- I'll let you know how it goes.

Relax

This was Jack, in all his glory, on Christmas morning. He could have cared less about any present that didn't involve Thomas the Train. Adam set up the trains and tracks on Christmas Eve so when Jack came downstairs in the morning, it would be all set. The look on his face was priceless.

Even though I was ready to reclaim our living room- you can see the train set in the middle of the room- I felt sad taking down the tree and Christmas decorations this year. I feel like I was so behind the ball on Christmas this year, that by the time it was Christmas Day I was into the spirit and ready for the holiday music... and then it was done. Everyone was over it and I was just getting started.

How cute are these PJs? I wanted to start a new tradition of having new pajamas laid out on Christmas morning for every family member to put on and get cozy cozy before opening presents. Being the procrastinator I am, I waited too long to try to find red flannel pjs for Jack (the ones I really wanted from Pottery Barn Kids were sold out). Luckily (still two weeks before Christmas) I found some from the Company Store and when ordering them, was assured they would arrive in time. Nope, they came on December 29th. Tsk, tsk, Company Store. I was going to send them back, you know, to make a point... but they are just so cute we have to keep them.

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It's a new year, which means new goals, right? I barely hit 1000 miles for 2011, closing December with 34 miles. My running goal for now is to run as long as I can, no matter how slow I have to go. I ran five miles yesterday and three today, and both runs felt great. My mother-in-law gave me a new pair of Mizunos for Christmas so it's felt great to run in new kicks (still the Wave Elixer).

I definitely need to invest in some more supportive running bras, though. The ones I have aren't cutting it. Anyone have any suggestions for a D-er? I forgot how big they get so quickly during pregnancy.

I had my first ultrasound, and yep, there's a baby in there. I'm just about 13 weeks along, and I can see a bump starting to form. I've heard you show much quicker with subsequent pregnancies, and that seems to be holding true. I'm still wearing all my regular clothes, and though jeans are getting a little tight, the Bella Band should take care of that (or wrapping a hair elastic through the button and loop).

Overall, I'm feeling nice and healthy. I think being active and getting outside helps not only with my physical well being but also my mental. I remember around this time when I was pregnant with Jack I was feeling so down on myself. I felt like I looked fat and bloated, not pregnant. I need to remember to do things for me- including buying more maternity clothes. Last time around I bought only a handful of items, and lived in a single pair of Old Navy maternity yoga pants. For a clothing lover like me, what I wear definitely affects my mood.

My next midwife appointment is on the 14th, and I'm going to try my very best not to weigh myself until then. I've been a little paranoid about stepping on the scale lately- and I know that has to stop. I'm so worried I'm going to gain too much, or not gain enough. I need to relax!