Week(s) in Review

When we got home from Pennsylvania, I came down with a cold that I just couldn't shake. I attempted a run last Thursday which turned into a walk after half a mile. Teaching yoga last Saturday was brutal, but by Sunday I was feeling much better.

Sunday also started a week of unseasonably warm temperatures. Jack and I ran six miles on Sunday in 70 degree weather and sunshine. The rest of the week just kept getting better, with temperatures reaching 80 degrees.

One day, after I got home from work, Adam, Jack and I headed to some nearby trails to do some light hiking. We weren't sure how Jack would do, but he ended up walking almost two miles.

As you can see, in the past two weeks I have definitely grown. I undoubtedly look pregnant. At just about 25 weeks, I've gained 13 pounds. Non-maternity bottoms are completely out of the question as are most non-maternity tops (with the exception of a few long, billowy styles). Running still feels good, albeit much slower, but it's the running apparel that I'm having a hard time with. My chest has grown exponentially, which limits the tops I can wear. I really need to invest in at least one or two new bras and workout tops.

We took advantage of the weather the rest of the week with walks to the park and playground, and playing outside. Today we're back to March weather, though- 40 degrees and rainy.

Five Things

As I start to write this post, I have no real direction or plan. Please bear with me (I think it's called Pregnancy Brain).

1. I told my photographer, my husband, that I wanted him to take a belly shot for me this afternoon as I was heading out for a run. What did I get? Three blurry and awkward photos. Here you go:

2. I've officially gone from looking bloated to looking like I'm hiding a basketball under my shirt. How did that happen so fast?

3. I ran four miles outside, and it felt great. The run made me feel nostalgic for my early morning runs with Melissa. As hard as it was to drag myself out of bed at 5 am on a Saturday, the feeling of accomplishment after is unmatched. I loved everything about those runs: starting in the dark, the new routes, having a friend by my side the whole way. I can't wait for the fall when we can get back in the routine again. GMR, will you take me back as an early morning running partner?

4. My baby is learning how to skate, and he loves it.

5. 23 weeks today! Baby kicks have been the norm lately, and it's just as exciting to feel these jabs as it was when I was pregnant with Jack. They can be felt outside too, which is exciting for Adam and I think a little frightening for Jack. Feeling the baby move and kick is my favorite thing about pregnancy. There's a life growing inside me! How much more exciting does it get?

Six Miles

We drove to Pennsylvania this weekend for the services for Adam's Pop. The pastor said we aren't saying goodbye to him, we're saying "See you later," which I think is a nice way to think about it. It was nice to see Adam's entire family on his dad's side- aunts, uncles, cousins. All 25+ of us stayed in the same house which made for a loud and sometimes rowdy but nice weekend. It's too bad it takes a death to bring everyone together sometimes.

After sitting in the car for over 16 hours in just a couple days, my legs needed a good shaking out. This afternoon I headed out for a run, planning on doing six miles. Adam was home, so I was in no hurry. It was a hilly route, heading up Dorset Street to Vermont National Golf Course (basically two miles uphill) and looping back around. I didn't set any speed records, but I'm happy to report that I ran the entire time and finished the miles in just over an hour (1:01). The weather was beautiful, almost 60 degrees and sunny. With nice weather predicted for the rest of the week, I'm looking forward to more runs like this (but maybe not quite so long).

22 Weeks

22 weeks done! I had a midwife appointment today, and according to their scale, I've gained six pounds since my last visit, making my total weight gain around 11 pounds. I'm feeling good, but definitely starting to feel pregnant. I went to a yoga class tonight, and poses were feeling different and more difficult. Stepping back to the front of my mat from downward dog felt imposed by my belly, and twists are just about impossible. My two runs so far this week felt much harder than the pace suggests, but I managed to get in four and five mile jaunts on the treadmill. I think being back at work this week has a little something to do with it, too, though. All my workouts last week felt great, but I was also on vacation mode and didn't have to spend all day on my feet.

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Here's Jack and Pop, Adam's grandpa, from this Christmas. He passed away yesterday and we feel so blessed that he was able to travel from Pennsylvania spend the holidays in Vermont.

Update

Jack slept over at my mom's last night, which meant I had this morning all to myself. Hence, my plans to workout. Well, the workout never happened. I sat on the couch, drank my half caf coffee and watched that real estate show on Bravo. Jack is now napping and I'm off to wait tables for the evening. Oh, the glamorous life I lead.

Sunday Ramblings

This is what we do around here- we read train catalogs. Each time we bought a new piece of track for Jack's train set, it came with a new train catalog. He keeps them all together and loves reading them. It's really cute.

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I taught yoga yesterday, and it's been really fun lately because the class has been pretty full. I love teaching to a full class of people. I've been trying to mix up my routines, because although it is different every week, I typically always follow the same format. I'm worried that I'm becoming a little easy, not throwing in as challenging poses because I can't always do them, so I'm trying to make a conscious effort to remind myself that I don't have to be able to actually DO everything I'm teaching.

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I'm going to the gym this morning, but I can't decide- yoga or run? (I can't do both- it's a really challenging yoga class that lasts 90 minutes).

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Is tomorrow really Monday?!? Vacation week is over?!?

Belly Shots

I had big plans with this pregnancy to document it in photographs, standing sideways, against a blank wall, showcasing the growth my my belly. Here I am at 21 weeks 2 days and have taken a total of two pics.

Here's the first, taken 21 January- 15 weeks 3 days. Lovely background, isn't it?

And here's the second, taken today. I'm not sure if I really notice a big difference. As you can see though, my Cool Racerback and Wunder Unders are stretching to their limit. I'm hoping for another solid couple months of use, praying that they don't get stretched out and will return to the original state.

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I can't believe vacation is just about over. It went by so fast. I took advantage again but going to the gym at noontime and ran five miles on the treadmill. Here's a trick for running while pregnant (disclaimer: I am not a doctor): go pee before you run, even if you don't have to. I ran the whole five miles without having to get off and use the bathroom. It was great.

And with that wonderful trick, I'm off. Hoping to enjoy some of the snow while it's still here (forecast is calling for higher temps and rain soon).

The View

Here was my view at the gym yesterday- slowly but surely I am losing sight of my feet. I ran four miles on the treadmill, closing out the month with 66 miles ran. I know I've said it before, but I am so thankful that to be able to run during this pregnancy. I truly love to run and doing it safely while pregnant feels great.

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Did anyone see Lindsay Lohan on the Today Show this morning? She seemed surprisingly put together and grounded. I've been a Lohan fan since the Parent Trap days (and who doesn't love Mean Girls?!?)  I'm rooting for her.