Training for the Finish

Remind me not to tell people that I loved being pregnant. I have loved some things about it – like the movements of a child inside of me and the sound of his heart. Oh, and the decorating. But pregnancy is incredibly hard – mentally and physically. A few times I have wished I didn’t have to be pregnant, like yesterday when the nausea came back. Or the day before when I could hardly walk because of what felt like a pelvic bone about the crumble. Now, the Shrek foot (just one swells, the other not so much), now that’s just funny. Can’t complain too much about that. Then I remember what a blessing it is and will be my whole life. It will eventually be worth it.

I am getting nervous about the whole giving birth thing. It sounds so hard.


The other day as we were doing laps in the pool before the sun officially came out I felt like I was in tri training mode again. Then I realized I am training – for the most intense physical test of my life so far. I felt grateful that I’ve been able to be physically active during this time of pregnancy, not only for the mental peace it brings, but also because I think I’ll need the endurance I’ve maintained for the task ahead.
 Over the weekend I bought my favorite yellow Powerade for use during labor. I have thought about buying the sports beans or shot blocks, my favorite electrolyte boosts. Probably seems strange to some, but they make sense to me.

I have done hard things, like the triathlons. But this time will be very different – instead of my parents standing on the street corner yelling my name, it will be Tyler by my side, holding my hand. Although there have been times I have prayed for the strength to finish a triathlon, those prayers are nothing like the ones I’m praying now or will pray until a baby is safe in my arms. Five more weeks. It's very real.

Baby Bump Update: 34 Weeks and Counting

My family planned a baby shower for me over the weekend. It was amazing. The theme was “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Amber, my crafty sister, made the decorations, which consisted of banners, balloons and even a monkey on a motorcycle made out of diapers (that was classically awesome). People were so kind. My favorite gift … maybe the monkey on the motorcycle? Maybe the lamp my sister Lindsey thoughtfully searched for for weeks or the car seat cover and receiving blanket my sister Janna spent hours creating? All highlights.

Honestly, what I’ll remember most is having my family and almost all of my closest friends there to celebrate. I was able to catch up with some people I really love. That was the best. I was so exhausted afterwards – not sure why. Tyler teased, “yeah, it’s really hard unwrapping gifts.” But even though I needed a nap and my feet grew three sizes, it was perfect. Better than a dream.

Yesterday I had a funny experience. I went to a doctor’s apt. The doctor asked me a question, and I began to answer. About 20 seconds into my response, the doctor’s eyes rolled back in his head and his eyelids shut. I have seen my dad have a seizure once, and this is exactly what I thought was happening. I kicked into first-responder mode – “Are you ok? Doctor, are you ok?” I began to stand up to get help from a nurse, when suddenly his eyes popped open and he said, “I apologize, I fell asleep. Can you repeat what you were saying?”

Oh man, I almost died laughing. He explained he delivered his daughter’s child in the middle of the night and hadn’t been back to sleep since. I was the last patient of the day. I felt for him, he really looked tired. But, I still thought it was hilarious. Reason #1 I hope I don’t have to have a C-section: It’s possible my doctor has narcolepsy. Yikes.

Anything-but-Relaxing Memorial Day

I would like a re-do of Memorial Day weekend. Actually, I wouldn’t take anything we did back, I’d just add three more days, and good weather ones at that. Those days I’d use to relax and rest after a busy, busy few days of:

My nephews - such boys, so great.



• Attending the Hill Air Force Base air show – cold and rainy, but fun to see the planes overhead and feel a sense of patriotism with my nephews in tow.
• Celebrating my sister’s birthday with lunch and fun with the kids. Mostly we just ate and talked for a few hours. Worth the three hours of driving we did to get to that point.
• Blessing a new baby – Tyler’s older brother blessed their second son. Family came to town and it was great to see everyone. The day was dampened by rain, but nice just the same. I tried to sleep after the festivities were over, but failed. I think I have a sleeping problem.
• Playing tennis, then golfing nine holes, then enjoying a family barbeque and a Heat game and late night Walmart run to finish the night.
• Making three desserts for the events above and doing who knows how many dishes.
• Realizing I have bronchitis. I’ve had bronchitis way too many times in my life. It’s definitely not welcome.

Man, I look so happy in this picture. I really do like to golf, I promise.

I slept little last night on account of the pelvic bones saying I’ve done too much. I promised to never do it again. Probably I lied. I am exhausted, but actually kind of proud of my body for all that it has accomplished. Tonight, I rest. All in the name of a three-day weekend, right?

Almost a Mom

Tyler took me flower shopping for Mother’s Day so I could fill the pots on our patio. We had a really great day together. I can’t wait to be a mom and our kids are so lucky to have him as their dad. It’s getting close and exciting.

They Call it Nesting

I have a sewing machine. Up to this point in my life I have been totally ungrateful about that fact. To my recollection I’ve used it twice. Until now.
Amidst the fabric purchases, new needles, thread and incredible left-handed sewing scissors (Finally something for my side of the world!), Tyler has been left to wonder outloud “why this sudden obsession with craftiness?” He’s not complaining at all, in fact I think he oddly likes this side of me. Just amused and maybe slightly confused. Me too, to be honest.

One day I decided I wanted to make a crib skirt (not that we have a crib yet…). I found some dang cute fabric at Hobby Lobby and after much discussion with the helpers at the fabric counter and a “simple” pattern, I was on my way. One full day of sewing and a half day of unpicking later, we had the “coolest” crib skirt ever. It is so darn cute!

Then I made a skirt (my waist had to be measured and re-measured for this one because I was sure there was some mistake – no wonder my hips feel broken!). And another. I own a double needle now and elastic thread, which I never even knew existed. I spent my fun money on fabric, and I was ok with that. What’s happening to me?

Third Trimester and All is Well

I gained 30 lbs. 

I looked at the scale and looked again, until I had Tyler hide it. I have been within 10 pounds since junior high. And now, I’m just not. I had a few panic moments in my realization that I will never be or look the same. Regardless of the awesomeness of the reward – that fact is a little startling. Then I had a talking to by not one, but all three of my very right sisters. Just roll with it and be happy. There’s growing going on.

Taking their advice brought relief. They're smart, it seems.

Beyond the weight gain, I am really pretty stoked about how this pregnancy thing is going [today]. Granted there are a few things I wish I could do, but can’t:

• I wish I’d gone sky diving before.
• I wish I could run fast and long. The spring is perfect for it. It’s race season.
• I wish I could sleep through the night and sit comfortably somehow, anyhow.

But there are a lot of things I can do.

• I can watch my stomach make waves of its own as our cool baby kicks and rocks and rolls. It’s my favorite pastime.
• I can still exercise four mornings a week and make it to the 7th floor by stairs.
• I can clean – I’m in deep cleaning mode, but get ultra tired, so I stick with one task a day, like vacuum couch Tuesday, wash baseboards Wednesday, wash light fixtures Thursday. I’ll get there.
• I can eat a balanced diet, and I generally don’t get sick. When I do get a little green, a $1 slurpee refill fixes that.
• I can work hard and have fun with Ty.

With the change to May, I feel like the end of pregnancy and the beginning of a new life is much closer. At times I’ve wished to hurry things along, now I’m alright to have it stay this way until July. I think soon I’ll ask for slow motion. You’re only pregnant with your first baby just the one time, and I’m assuming the others are a little harder to focus on. I feel pretty blessed, today. It’s becoming real.

Climbing High

For the past two years, I’ve had a daily quest of climbing the stairs to my office on the 7th floor of the High Rise. Two years I’ve done this almost every day. This walk helps me start my day warm, both mentally and physically. Stairs seem unlovable, but I truly crave this daily hike.

When I found out I was pregnant, I made a few goals for the next nine months. One was to continue climbing the stairs to the 7th floor until there was just no way. My goal was to climb until labor. For me, this activity reassures me that I can still be active. Honestly, it reassures me that with every crazy, unexpected thing that happens to my body, I’m ok. I’m still me and my body is strong, not sick. Me and this little boy are just working hard.

When I fell last week, I was distressed for a number of reasons. It hurt like mad. It still hurts like mad. But it symbolized a lot of things for me. It made me feel weak, like my body was out of control. It made me feel that I’d never be able to do the things I love, like running or climbing the stairs or getting in and out of my car easily. And in this pregnant state, it made me believe that I’d never be able to do those things ever again in the whole world as long as I live (yup, I’m pregnant and I haven’t been for a run in two weeks. That’s what happens).

I am so excited for this baby – to put my best effort into being his mom and his dad’s wife. But I am also trying to remain me. I fell, and somehow I felt that I was lost.

Until today. I made a decision. I climbed the stairs, all of them. Slowly and painfully, but I did it. It felt amazing.

I felt like me.