Fit Mama-Trimester 1

Ya know, it's been awhile.  Not since I posted-I know I've changed that up a bit and am more prone to post every other day, which works in well with my work-life schedule, and also keeps it from getting to be too stale or too much of a chore.  But lately, my posts have been about two things-Baby G or some new recipe.  Which would lead you to beleive that this pregnancy is all about suckin' down the good eats and navel gazing at my....well, navel.
But it's not. 
Food has been fuel lately, but but there's not much more to it than that.  And while my husband is thoroughly enjoying my barefoot-and-pregnant-in-the-kitchen status....well, I' glad someone is. No, that's not true.  I really am.  But it's more for the joy of cooking than out of anything that I plate.  So I chug along and get in enough nutrients to fuel my basal (and baby basal) needs, and of course, my workouts.
Wait, what?  THERE'S the missing link.  Gone are the days when I tell you aout my tempo runs, swim sets and long bike rides.

And I miss them.  The tempo runs, and telling you about them.  So indulge me a bit.  I'd like to talk about prenatal fitness-at least in the first trimester.  I am sure it will look a little different as we progress into tri #2 and for SURE into tri #3.

Not me yet....but soon!!

So, whats diferent so far?

1.  Type of Activity

Pre-pregnancy:  Usually running 2-3 times a week, with a weekend long run of about 90 minutes to two hours.  Biking twice a week, one shorter intense ride, one longer ride, usually about two hours.  Swimming twice a week, about 4 miles total.  Strength training twice a week. 

Trimester 1:  Running still happens, but less frequently and less structured.  I've been more tired and also not feeling as well for the past few months, and altough I love running, it takes much more get up and go, and is also a bit harder on your body.  I've been swimming and bikeing quite a bit more, although the duration is shorter and the workouts are not as specific. 

2.  Length of Time/Frequency

Pre-pregnancy:  An hour a day during the week, one to two hours over the weekend.  Usually worked out 6-7 days per week, a mix of cardio and strength training. 

Trimester 1:  Still aiming for an hour most days.  Usually broken up into a lunchtime workout (30 minutes) during the week, and a short workout when I get home (30 minutes).  Weekend is usually an hour a day, but low impact.  Usually 5-6 days a week, one rest day of yoga or a long walk.  I still feel it is really important to include movement in each day-it's good for me and the baby.  It helps me stay energetic, keeps my body in working order (lol), and works my heart. 

3.  Intensity
Pre-pregnancy:  Each workout has a purpose.  Improve speed, sustain a tempo, improve endurance.  Low key recovery every few weeks.  Focus on getting faster, stronger, fitter.
Trimester 1: Maintenance and body awareness.  All workouts are kept to a much lower intensity (zone 2, or "marathon" intensity.).  I don't always track my heart rate, but aim for 140 or less.  That means no speed work, tempo bikes but not runs, and limited to no plyometrics during boot camp/kickboxing.  Honestly, no one likes that crap, so I don't miss it.  I just have to remember that it is OK TO BE SLOWER.  Pregnancy is not a time to build fitness, just a time to stay active.

4.  "Scheduling"
Pre-pregnancy:  Planning, planning, planning.  Training plans.  Rest day on Monday.  Speed work on Tuesday.  Swimming on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Long ride on Saturday (maybe a T run).  Long run on Sunday. Do it.  Check it off.  If you don't feel like it, suck it up. 

Trimester 1: Listening to my body = golden rule.  I still aim to vary the workouts, but if I was planning to run and I feel like crap, we're walking.  Or doing yoga.  If I was planning on a 20 mile ride and I'm exhausted, we'll try 10 and see how it goes.  Maybe the other 10 will follow, maybe we'll do it later, maybe not.  Either way, it's okay.  Some days I bike 30, some days 10 suffices. It's all good.

So, with that being said, with a run on the books today, body was not feeling it. So we hopped on the elliptical for 45 minutes, and then finished up with some lower body weight training.  Rawr. 

Did you exercise throughout your pregnancy (if you have ever been pregnant?) How did it go f

Week 15: Orange you Glad....

Holy heck, where is the time going?  I know, I know, I haven't seen anything yet.  I'm not complaining....this is one ride I am not rushing :-).  Week 15...and it's oranges....or apples.  Either one works.

Your Baby in Week 15 of Pregnancy

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Well, since we aren't going to play the sex game...wait...that sounded wrong....it's irrelevant about the ultrasound.  I don't go back in to the OB until week 19 or 20 (I went in Monday....more on that later!) and that's my next ultrasound.  No revealing games for us though.  I stand firm :-)

Total Weight Gain: It must be the salty food, stress or something, but I'm back to just .5 pound below PP weight.  According to the doc, I've gained a half pound since week 11, which is about right.  Still no stress....I'm 7 pounds up from my happy weight because I gained a bit before preggo-ness, so there's no reason to worry.  Food will sound good again.  Well, food besides pizza :-P

My Body: Mini mini mini bump alert!  My co-worker said it, I think the photo confirms it.  According to my husband, you can tell it's baby because its "firm", not flabby.  Hmm....wonder what he'll say when we hit 50....kidding, babe, just kidding.  I dunno, I still think I'm just "thickening". I'm sure it will become more evident as we move along!!

Cravings:Still on a fruit kick.  Though I'm having a rough time with oranges because depending on where you look for week progress....the baby is either an apple (baby center) of an orange (what to expect).  Someone suggested drawing a smiley face on my fruit.  That's just wrong.  Someone pass the grapes.  Ohhh....grapes!

Sleep: Still doing well.  I seem to be having a bit of dry mouth, but a bottle of water and some mini hard candies by the bed help out alot. 

Baby Items Bought/Received: Cleaning out the baby room and starting to assemble the list of all lists....we also got a deal on a target gift card this week through some sweet maneuvers that we'll be holding aside for diapers.  It's for $50, so that should last us....3 days.  Sweet.

Best Baby Moment: Had an OB appointment on Monday for a waist check and heartbeat read.  Doc says that I'm doing great, bay's heartbeat is strong, and everything looks good!  (She also told me to feel free to eat as much fruit as I want.  Sweet).  And no, I did not count the heart beats per minute.  IT WON'T TELL YOU WHAT I'M HAVING.  But I'm pretty sure it's a baby....shhhhh...

Goals:It's painting week!  Woohoo!!  Also determined to make it to Old Navy to look at maternity clothes.  I still fit into all my clothes, no problem, but there are some sweet sales going on!

Worries: Of course, the standard worry pre- doc appt, but I feel pretty good this week.  Still somewhat nauseous, food aversions intact.  Clearly, I am not running the show.  My orange/apple is.  And that's something I'm gonna have to get used to. Oh....well...maybe I lied.  one small thing.  Having some issues doing higher impact stuff with the frequent bathroom breaks.  Now, did I really need to share that?  Probably not! But hey...this is the baby blog part of the blog....

hardee har har.

I feel like Chicken Tonight

Damn.  I did it to myself. I admit it.  Here I am, trying to come up with a catchy blog post title and...nuthin.  All of you that have been blogging for years appreciate the fact that...you want to capture someones attention and get to the meat of your story, right?  And not commit the biggest sin...repeating a title.  Which is hard as heck after about 700 posts, right?  I mean, what's so darn unique about what I ate for dinner?  It was chicken.  Okay.  And even though it might be a lame title....we all know where it came from.  And now, like me, you've probably got that damn commercial stuck in your head.  I'm sorry.  truly I am.  How an I make it up to you? Oh, by giving you the recipe to an easy, delicious weeknight dinner?  You got it.

Lightened Up Chicken Alfredo (serves 2)


8 oz chicken breast, cubed

2 cups chopped broccoli
1 tbsp garlic
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup white wine (I used sauv blanc, but any will do!0
1 tsp flour
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 tbsp butter
2 cups dry whole wheat rotini

Cook the pasta al dente, 7-8 minutes, drain and set aside.  Steam the broccoli until almost cooked (firm, but warmed through, about 5 minutes, set aside.   Add 1 tbsp olive oil to a saucepan and add in cubed chicken, brown and set aside.  Clean out the pan (I used the same pan for all steps, rinsing between).  For the sauce, add the remaining tbsp of oil, garlic, and flour and heat until butter is melted, stirring constantly.  slowly add in milk and stir until a nice sauce is formed.  Add in wine and reduce to low, stirring for about a minute.  Add back in veggies, chicken and pasta, and heat through on low for 5 minutes, tossing to coat thoroughly with sauce. 

Pour leftover wine into a nice tall glass (okay, or seltzer if you're bakin' a baby), a nice side salad drizzled with balsamic, and plate for two.

Who says Monday night can't be romantic?  Well, at least until I turn on the bachelor....wait, Greg?  Where did you go?  :-)  Just kidding!

Week 14: Baby G's first race!

Well, trimester 2 is here!  Time t be more awake!  Time to eat everything in sight!  Errr....no.  Sadly, morning sickness is still very much with me, and yogurt....no bueno.  Among other things.  Meh.  Hopefully they come back soon, but I won't complain (much...or loudly.  Promise).  Just one more thing on this journey to sit back and wonder about....and enjoy as much as possible.  But enough about me. (for 30 seconds).  What's up with little g with week? 

Your Baby in Week 14 of Pregnancy

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.
In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Hmmm.  Good to know my baby's got an active liver and bathroom functions.  That helps in regard to the frat party we all went to last night....nah, just kidding.  Still, a lemon?  Woah!  Starting to get big!  (yeah, Ill be hearing that for the next 20 years!)

Now, onto Momma.  What's going on with me this week?

Total Weight Gain:Two pounds lighter than PP weight.  I know I will gain some day....just not yet.  I feel the need to mention that PP weight was about 5-7 pounds above my normal weight though, so it's not that big of a deal.  No starvin' Marvins.  Or Marvina's. 

My Body:Definitely a (tiny) stomach pooch.  Boobs ever expanding.  Someone need to tape em down (yeah, I did that when I was a teenager.  What can I say?  I hung out with the boys!
Cravings: Peaches, nectarines, and oranges.  This was super helpful in Florida.  You bet I left room in my carry on for a half bushel of navels.  And Tops have nectarines on super sale this week.  I swear I've eaten a dozen in the last 4 days.  Oh yeah, and pizza.  My kid will probably friggin hate pizza!

Sleep: Sleeping really really well this week.  A few nights were broken due to travel, but we're catching up this weekend.  Gotta get that quality sleepin' in while I can!
Baby Items Bought/Received: A few target onesies on 70% clearance, and a slew of baby magazines, and a formula carrier/powdered enfamil from my awesome friend, Heather!  You rock!

Best Baby Moment: Baby G and I ran our first race this week (Sunday's Half Marathon) and it was amazing.  I had a blast, no problems, and I think I felt a little high five and some tiny kick ass at the finish (yes, I'm kidding, but it's still fun!)

Goals:  Project: Baby room.  Time to get all the crap out of our "library", and get painting!  (Greg's job, not mine, don't worry!)  Also, we have names picked out, but are flushing out back up names.  Such fun. 
Worries:  Will I ever gain weight?  (Someone record this for posterity).  So weird to be wondering if I'm at a healthy point, but I go back to my OB on Monday, so fingers crossed!

Looking forward to this trimester.....big changes ahead!! 

Keen-WHAT?

Well, holy heck.  Only a 3 day week and I feel like I've been run over by a bus.  I've used that one before, haven't I?  Time to get some new material.  Meh.
Okay, okay.  I know I owe you a week 14 post, and it's in progress, so hang on to your hats till tomorrow and I promise another post full of waxing poetic about my pregnancy (god knows I do that enough, right?)  Well, so you can appropriately gag, let me give you some material to work with first.
But you won't need it.  This is yummy, I promise.
So, yesterday, I travelled to Albany for an all day meeting.  13 hours and a -15 stint on the thruway is an awesome way to spend the day, but at least lunch was provided.  Except...it was all sandwiches.  With deli meats.  I love deli meats. But my OB would shoot me if I ate them, so for the next 6 months...its veggie sammies or steamed deli meats (which really activates your gag relflex, does it not)
No matter.  I might not be a girl scout or a bona fide mommy yet, but I come prepared.  With my own veggies.  And grains.  That include protein, all in one nice neat salad.
Boom.  And of course, because I love you, I'm gonna share this fantastical portable, travelable (nah, that's not a word) delicious veggie salad.  Check it out!


Power Quinoa Salad (serves 2)
1/2 cup quinoa, dry
1 yellow pepper, diced
one medium onion, diced
1 cup broccoli, diced
1 tsp garlic, diced
half lemon
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp parsley

Saute chopped pepper, onion and broccoli and garlic in olive oil until soft.  Set aside.  Measure out 1.2 cup dry quinoa and add to a small saucepan.  Add in 1 cup water.  Bring water to a boil, then simmer on low for 15 minutes, or until quinoa is soft.  Add in veggies and warm through.  Remove from heat, stir in parsley, and squeeze half lemon throughout to get the yummy flavor through.  Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors marinate.  Serve warm or cold.

Delicious.  Maybe not traveling 450 miles in one day delicious, but hey, it got the job done.

Have a wonderful Friday night-I'm off to have a girls night, then gloriously sleeping in (I hope) in the a.m.!  What are you up to this weekend?

Ocala Race Report: Takin it Easy(ish)

Whew!  Made it back from Florida early this morning, and so, with some sleep under my belt, a nice sunburn to prove I went somewhere (and am too idiot to wear sunblock…oops), and a mug of green tea and a cat on my lap to help the 60 degree swing in temp from yesterday on the beach to the snowy Western New York belt….it seems about time to do that race recap, no?  Here goes!

Prefacing the report, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  This was not meant to be a PR or any sort of time goal race.  I signed up back in October, thinking I would try to crack that sub 4.  Well, as we all know the story, mid November my goals changed a bit.  And I couldn’t be happier.  Since Greg and I have been dying to start a family…I think I can push that sub 4 off another year, gladly!  I spoke with my OB, who is awesome and supports my running insanity.  She gave me a clean bill to run, as long as I kept my heart rate below 140, didn’t overheat, and replaced all the calories I burned.  No prob-o. Time to have some half marathon fun!!

Then, the first trimester nausea hit.  It was a struggle to keep food down, the bathroom was my new friend, and I was exhausted all the time.  I kept active, but running took a backseat….and I ran once, maybe twice a week.  Last weekend, I realized that I hadn’t done a double digit run since November.  Yikes.  So I set out to do an 11 miler, which was slow, but done well.  Based off my pace, I guessed about a 2:15 for this race, about 20-25 minutes slower than my normal half pace.  Doable.  I was implementing a pretty consistent 5:1 run walk strategy, which kept my HR down, my legs happy, and the run enjoyable.

My biggest fear?  Nutrition.  I kept throwing up gels, and knew I couldn’t do a 2 hour run without food, so I tried dried fruit,  Worked well.   Onward.
The morning of the race, Greg and I headed to Ocala at 5am, getting there about 6:30.  There were about 500 people for the entire race series (marathon, half and 5k), which was awesome.  The shirts were personalized to your race, and the bibs had our names on them.  There were plenty of area for parking and bag drop,  Pre race, the RD gave us instructions, and we corralled with our races-marathon going off at 7, half marathon at 7:15, and 5k at 7:30.  Since Greg was running the 5k, we parted ways and I headed toward my start.  The start was ridiculous.  There were about 250 of us, and I had no idea how to seed, so I started about a third of the way back, directly behind a woman with 80s headphones, a sun glass beaded chain, and a 3 sizes too big jersey with gels crammed in.  Next to her were two 60 year old dudes (hey, I’ve gotten grandpa’d so many times I don’t care) but I should have been clued in when they talked about their 5k PRs….35 and 37 minutes, respectively.  Seeding fail.  Whatever, it was amusing.  Right at 7:15, we were off.

The first 3 miles were awesome.  I hit the 3 mile mark at 26 minutes on the nose, and realized I needed to majorly back off the gas.  I took in some nutrition (there were 10 aid stations on the half, each complete with water, Gatorade, fig newtons, bananas, gels, and oranges…I think I ate an entire orange on the course…yum!).  I started to walk every 5 minutes, or tried to time for the major hills.  (Note-Florida is flat, but Ocala is horse country, and hilly.  Not Placid hilly, but easily Mendon hilly).  I started to average about a 9:15-9:30 mile, and hit the 5 mile mark at 45 and change. 

The course was a big box, with a tail out and back halfway through.  It was a big half mile downhill, and then…of course…a big half mile uphill.  I did this part of the course on the treadmill, and it tops out at about a 10% grade.  Yikes,  Since my heart rate was going a bit high, I ran the downhill, then popped out my dried fruit and walked most of the uphill, doing a few stretches as I went.  Mile 7:  1:07.  Not too bad.  I realized that if I pushed it, I could come in under 2:05, then remembered….heart rate.  Baby G.  You are not racing this alone.

So I turned off my race music and enjoyed the scene.  No one can chill out to Pitbull (did I just admit that??).  About mile 10 (1:39), we turned back to head toward the finish line, and the course opened up to some beautiful horse farms.  I hooked up with a girl running about my speed who was training for a 50k next month, and we paced each other according to her pace and my run/walk, stopping to eve snap a few horse pics.  We stopped at every aid station, chatted about life, and enjoyed the Florida sunshine together for the last 3 miles.  About mile 12 (2:01), we picked up another friend who was running her 10^th half marathon (mine, too!) and her first in Ocala.  She was blown away by the hills, and I Chuckled and told her to come to NY.  We all swapped war stories, and then looked up as the turn into the mall signaled the last quarter mile.  My new friend Yolanda looked at me and said, ok girls, it’s on.  Lets sprint. 

Well, you can take the race outta the pregnant girl….but….not entirely.  Game on.  I sprinted toward the finish, leaving both in my dust.  I can sense a challenge when I see one!  Crossed the line at 2:10, just shy of a 10 minute mile pace.  I grabbed my medal, a water bottle….and a garbage can.  Yeah, not too smart to sprint.  I immediately heaved my nutrition into the garbage, and cursed my stupid 1 minute sprint.  Ahh well, live and learn.

Feeling a zillion percent better, I grabbed some pizza and water (yeah, I’m obsessed) and posed for some picture love to commemorate my first race with baby g!  (Oh yeah, you bet I’m rockin’ the “Running for Two” shirt….and people thought it was awesome on the course, too!)  It’s a bit big, but I guess that means I just have to do a few more runs in the next 6 months, right J

After a refuel and a quick stretch, we were off to enjoy the rest of the day in the sunshine…perfect race recovery!  I came in smack in the middle of my AG (12/24) and smack in the middle of the pack of runners for this race….which isn’t too darn bad for a preggo lady in her 2^nd trimester J  Go baby G!

As far as the race?  A big fat 2 thumbs up.  Organization was impeccable, the price was right ($45 for the half), the medals were sweet, aid stations perfect, course challenging but not too much, good scenery, attention to detail, and the tee’s were pretty sweet (tech short sleeved, different for each race).  Post race feast included pizza, subs, cookies, bagels, melon, berries and bananas. Seriously, what more cold you ask for?  If you're ever escaping the cold in Central Florida in January and want a small, low cost, awesome race...Ocala's got all the bells and whistles that won't break the bank :-)

Beach, football, and running fun!

No worries, I haven't fallen off the ends of the earth!  I'm here in Florida, having a great vacation so far.  Thursday was a rush of last minute prep, and Friday started at 3:30am and was a whirlwind of travel, settling in, getting our bearings, and of course, some beach and pool time.  Let's catch up, shall we?  A quick pictorial weekend recap.....

Our view from the hotel.....Pool time!

 Saturday Beach Run

 Huge Farmer's and Flea Market (yeas, thats a booth entirely Made of Hot sauce...YUM!)

 Monroe County Sting Championship Game....sadly they lost, but Greg got in some 40 plus yard punts!

 Race time for me and baby G!

Spoiler alert- I had a blast running this race, it was gorgeous, supportive, and just hilly enough to be a challenge.  I kept my heart rate down, took it easy, and came in at 2:10...just under a 10 minute mile pace :-)  A Great way to start my second trimester, I would say!  Race report coming soon....right now, I have a date with the hot tub (well, my legs do), a beach walk, and a nice, juicy burger!  YUM!

It's What's for Dinner

Less than 36 hours till Florida....and counting.  Phew.  If I can make it, Ill be impressed.  What a day!!  I knew it was going to be a busy one-I had meetings lined up all day, both with my staff and my boss. I hate meetings. So I got out of it. 
Not my best plan.  (I'm kidding, folks.  I would never do this on purpose).  Around noon, I was eating a piece of fruit (nectarine) in order to fuel my lunch run, and I felt something weird on my tooth.  Well, the absence of something.  Like part of my tooth.  Yeah, I chipped my damn front tooth on a nectarine pit.  Awesome.
So instead of my 2pm, or my 3pm, I ended up...in the dentist's chair.  For over an hour.  Lame.  It's fixed now, but...I got no run.  I have meetings up the wazoo tomorrow.  And sometime in there, I have to pack.  Plus, I ended up getting home late from work tonight, so I'm zonked.
What a day.  But at least dinner was ready. And fortunately enough, it was a soft dinner.  I love my crock pot.  I love warm, comforting meals on a weekday.  And I love plugging the sucker in at 7:30am, and coming home to a fully cooked, yummy smelling meal at 7:30pm.
So what's cookin?  Well, it's what's for dinner-BEEF!

Crockpot Beef Stew

12 oz beef, cubed (I used sirloin, but any cut will work)

1/4 cup flour

6 1/2 cups water, divided

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 tbsp. olive oil

8 cups assorted veggies, chopped- I used mushrooms, sweet potato, white potato, broccoli, and onion
2 cubes beef bouillon

Cube the steak into bite sized pieces.  Saute for 5 minutes in olive oil and garlic, or until brown.  Add to the crock.  Add in veggies and 5 cups water.  Boil one cup of water and dissolve bouillon cubes into water, add to crock.  In a cup, mix flour and 1/2 cup water, which until smooth.  Store into crock thoroughly.  Place in the fridge overnight.  Take it out in the morning, add all ingredients to the cooker, and leave for work.  12 hours later.....

Heavenly. (even if it isn't super pretty). 

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some DVRed Bachelor to watch with my comfort food.  Mmmmm.  To both.  Tomorrow will be better, but today ended pretty darn well :-)

Week 13: End of Tri #1

 Is the first trimester (nearly) over already?  Wow!

Your Baby in Week 13 of Pregnancy
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

Well, I'm not the biggest fan of shrimp, but Ill take this lil shrimp.  And to prove I'm still a 6 year old at heart, my first thought after reading about lil one this week was....WOAH fingerprints!  So if s/he commits a crime in utero, it's all over!  (Lame).  Of course, the only crime is I still can't eat my damned Greek yogurt.  I know, life's a tragedy :-P

Last week of the first "third" by the numbers!

****

Total Weight Gain: Still down a pound.  I'm told I'll start playing catch up next week-sweet! Vacation here I come!
My Body: Is definitely changing.  I may not be gaining any weight, but I'm starting to "lose my shape".  My waist is a bit thicker, my hourglass (if you will) is leaving.  Hey, it'll come back....in about a year :-P
Cravings: Still on the pizza train.  I think I've had it 3 times this week.  What?  It has veggies!
Sleep: My head cold is gone, but now I have to pee.  Every 3 hours.  I'm told this will get much worse before it gets better.  I'm looking into depends.  May as well get used to buying diapers!
Baby Items Bought/Received: A baby bjorn!  My mom's friend had one she was going to throw out, but she thought of me and asked if I wanted it.  Is the sky blue??  So awesome-I was going to register for a boba, and now I don't have to!

Best Baby Moment: Baby G and I did a long run together on Saturday.  It wasn't fast, it wasn't elegant, but it was cool.  Fist double digit run since I found out I was preggers.  Next week is going to be awesome.

Goals:To have a blast at the race next weekend and also to enjoy our little vacation!  It will probably be awhile before I get on a plane again and enjoy a long weekend with just my hubby!!
Worries: None right now.  But that will change in about 30 seconds, I'm sure :-)

See y'all from trimester 2!

The "Long" Run

Well, crap.  Monday again?  When can we figure out a way to get rid of this damn day??
I know, I know.  I'll quit my whining.  Whether I like it or not, Monday came once again like a horrible train wreck....unavoidable and head on.  Lame.

Well, now that I'm done grousing like a 10 year old, I'll look at the bright side.  I have 3 days of work in the office, one business dinner, a trip to Buffalo, and then I'm off to Florida for 5 days for our mini vaca.  Phew.  I can make it.  (Sorry to sound like such a baby)
How was your weekend?  I had a pretty busy one (well, for this nauseous and tired lame-o it was busy).  I had to run a bunch of errands, a few family things, a football "party", and a long run.  I'll focus on the last item....namely, because I have nothing fun to talk about for today other than budget revisions (snooze) and because my long run has...well...it's changed.
When I first went to my OB a few weeks ago, I was a bit concerned.  Well, okay, aside from first time mommy concerns....I was concerned about my activity level.  Pre baby thoughts, I would workout 7 days a week (relax, Ill get to it) and my week would look something like this:


Monday-Easy swim 45 minutes
Tuesday- Lunch Run, PM weights
Weds:  Lunch Swim (speed), PM bike
Thurs:  Speed work (run), PM weights
Friday:  Easy swim or yoga or off
Saturday-2 to 3 hour ride
Sunday- 90 minute to 20 mile run

Depending on what I was training for.  Back in January, I stepped off to get my womanly self right and into baby mode.  My scale back was about 60 minutes a day, lower intensity.  Still running, biking and swimming, and add in a few longer bikes before my half ironman.  No biggie.  But everyone's heard the pregnancy half truths regarding exercise....keep your heart rate below 140.  Pass the talk test.  DON'T RUN, you'll shake the baby (WHAT?)  Don't bike (outdoors).  Don't do anything, period.

Oh you bet I'm wearing this.

Well, I wasn't standing for that.  So after an awesome talk with my OB, I was set to go with some guidelines.  As long as baby and I are checking out healthy (and we are) I can do anything (well, aside from sky diving and scuba and the like!) as long as I keep my heart rate down (around 140, but based off my talk test level), and replace all the calories I burn.  Sweet.  They also advise limiting the time of exercising (roughly 75-90 minutes a pop) but gave me the A-OK to run my half since I've been running halves and fulls since 2008.  I like these guys.

Well, that's a great idea.  In practice.  In reality, I've felt so damn nauseous for the past two months that running...sounds horrible.  I've been doing 45-60 minutes of activity a day, but leaning more on biking, swimming, yoga and kickboxing (which is excellent for stress!).  I've been running 1-2 times a week, anywhere from 4 to 8 miles.  And the pace.....well, let's just say it doesn't make me feel like a rock star.  But hey.  I am a rock star.  If I run a 10 minute mile, and I'm running for two....that breaks some kind of record....right?  LOL

Moving on.  So this weekend I knew I needed to tackle a 2 digit run in order to feel ok about my Ocala race.   I also wanted a ballpark so that Greg doesn't freak out at the finish line when I don't appear in my usual time (about 1:50, or an 8:15 pace).  So I headed out on Saturday and ran to my parent's house, which is 11.5  miles away.  My thoughts?  Well, if I didn't look at my watch, it wasn't bad!  I walked every 5 minutes, or up the hills.  I drank.  I ate.  I'm pretty sure I threw a party out there.  I arrived feeling fine, a bit warm, but hey, it was 60 degrees out!  My time for 11.5 miles was 1:54, about 12 minutes slower than normal, which is perfectly fine.  It's funny what "long" is to me, when last year, I would knock these babies off like nothing.  Times change (and will certainly change back!!) So I'm looking at about a 10 minute/mile pace for next weekend  - est time 2:10-2:15.  If the weather cooperates, if I'm not sick, and if the course isn't long (or I suck at tangents).

It works.  And I'm interested to see how I fare.  After the long run, I felt none of my usual soreness, but I had tight shoulders, my ribs hurt, and my....chest hurt.  But that's normal when you;re lugging around an extra cup there :-P

Did you run while you were preggers?  Any thoughts to share?  I'm really looking forward to this race, but I'm certainly out there to have fun, enjoy the run, and not stress about time, which is new and exciting to me!

PS- Looking for a really long run?  Check out my friend Stephanie's new blog "Cleveland or Bust!"  You go girl!

Week 12: Tell the World!

January 7, 2013

Whew.  Well, that's over.  After 8 weeks of bursting with excitement, YOU KNOW!  THEY KNOW!  EVERYONE KNOWS!  And now, I can start to act like the crazy pregnant woman that I am-errr.....or not (though seriously, I'm pretty sure that family, friends and bosses have all blamed anything less than sugar coated from me on preggo hormones in the last two months.  Right.  That's exactly it.  Or...I'll let you believe that :-P)

Moving on.  So what's going on in my tummy this week? Let's check it out.....
Your Baby in Week 12 of Pregnancy
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.
Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Aww.  I know I say that one every week, but it still rings true.  And not that I would ever give the lil one a noogie, but hey, if I did....they could feel me!  Cool beans!

So.....other than the big reveal, (which was pretty freaking awesome-you guys made me cry with your sweet comments and congratulations!), there's not a whole crap ton going on this week.  I'm fighting some kind of bug, which sucks big time, because I can't really take anything to feel better (except saline spray.  That is my friend).  I'm sorely hoping that I'll turn a corner soon....next weekend is Florida, and I have no clue how I'm gonna run a half marathon next weekend...whew!  One day at a time....but here we go on the weekly draw down....

Total Weight Gain: Down 1 pound from PP weight.  My stomach has been tolerating a bit more lately, which is good.  I'm still not able to stand Greek yogurt or bananas, but I've been having a huge crush on chicken this week.  And veggie burgers.  Yum yum yum. 
My Body: I think I'll officially rescind the bloat and call my tummy just a bit "thicker".  I still can button pants and fit just fine into my normal clothes, but I'm noticing a big loss in definition in my waist.  (Oh, teh horrorz!) Just kidding.  I'd like to stay in my normal clothes as long as possible, but it's neat to see changes in my body that aren't cheesecake related.
Cravings: Ranch dressing and carrots.  Weird.  I've always loved baby carrots, but never liked Ranch.  I'm addicted now.  I'll sit on the couch at night and down half a bag of baby carrots with ranch.  Baby G's gonna have 20/20. 
Sleep: Meh.  I can't breathe, otherwise we're just ducky.  So...no. 
Baby Items Bought/Received: Little baby sneakers!  Bought for the announcement, but I think it'll be a darn good investment :-P
Best Baby Moment: Such a materialist this week.  Grandma P went out to Kohls and spoiled little baby G - 12 baby outfits and two rattles for $50...plus kohl's cash.  Plus there's a rumor around town that one of my friends' friends is selling a BOB cheap....ohhh....so exciting!!
Goals: To run this half marathon next week without wanting to die.  I've got a long run on Saturday that will pretty much tell me one way or the other how it's going to go.  Fingers crossed,
Worries:We started making the scariest list ever....what we need for the baby.  I'm either going to rob a bank or become a congresswoman.  Maybe the two aren't mutually exclusive.  Seriously, why don't I have a trust fund?  LOL


Last week of the first tri comin' up!  Unfortunately, it's like being done with the first leg of an Ironman....even though you're a third of the way done.....you so aren't!!

Week 11: Do you hear what I hear?

December 31: 

As we head into 2013, it seems as if we turn a big corner.  Next year, things will be so different!  And I can't wait to embrace all of the wonderful changes ahead!
But first, let's talk about peanut. 
Your Baby in Week 11 of Pregnancy
Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccuping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Awww, how sweet.  I can just picture the lil bean stirring up a storm....in mini version!  Well, this week, Greg and I continued to tell our close friends and co-workers about the big news.....next week, we go live!  Usually, couples wait until after the first trimester, when the risk of a miscarriage is much, much lower.  We've (im)patiently waited for 7 weeks....but there are a few things that make us comfortable with the big reveal:
1.  The first ultrasound on December 12th revealed a healthy baby-complete with visible heartbeat and a nice, secure attachment.  This is really good.
2.  We went to meet with our new OB GYN on Monday (Dec 31) and had an excellent appointment.  More on that, but we were able to actually hear the heartbeat via fetal doppler.  Such a wonderful moment!

Well, (as always, such an egomaniac)-lets talk about ME!

Total Weight Gain: Down 1.5 pounds from PP weight.  The doc gave me the reassurance that this is "ok".  I did indulge in a few things over the holiday...some (non chocolate) cookies, bread, meats, and once a year treats.  However...I seem to be holding onto all that.  And not in a good way.  I'll let you figure that one out, but god bless the nurse that gave me a list of approved meds this week that has "go meds" on it.  The things they don't tell you....

My Body: My tummy is definitely starting to pooch out-I still think it is bloat, but time will tell.  I'm pretty uncomfortable in my clothes and in my body-but it feels like gas.  Is that right?  Time will tell. 
Cravings: None.  I'm a little less averse to my trigger foods, but nothing wild.  I've been able to eat some yogurts, but Greek is still a no go.  I keep crossing my fingers.....
Sleep: It's been a mess.  My tummy is recovering, but I've had wicked dry mouth and dry nose, which sucks.  I've kept lemon hard candies by my bed, as well as liquids.  It helps somewhat, but I'm still super tired all the time. 
Baby Items Bought/Received: A few clearance items from Target-amazing baby sale!  I've also collected a bunch of diaper coupons as well-can't decide if that's smart or ridiculous!
Best Baby Moment: The heartbeat-amazing.  Just amazing.  No other words.  Aside from that, we had our first OB appointment with our new doctor, which was just amazing. We spoke with a nurse for over an hour, got the skinny on eating well, safe meds (thank god), testing, the next 6 months, exercising, etc.  They are super supportive and are great at answering any questions I have.  Double win!
Goals:  To hopefully start to feel like a human being in the next week or two!  Greg and I are going to Florida in 3 weeks and I really hope I've turned this "tired" corner by then.  But if not, at least I can nap on the beach :-)
Worries:   How in the heck am I going to make it through work this week?  Seriously, they don't tell you how draining the first trimester is.  Which sucks, because since half the world doesn't know yet (and no visible evidence!), you just look like a lazy bum.  Oh well :-)

So, since we've seen and heard the heart, Greg and I have discussed it thoroughly and decided to start telling people at work/our friends/etc.  Big reveal next weekend-I can't wait to just let the cat out of the bag!!

Week 10: Is that a bump?

Merry Christmas, Little (sort of but not really) bump!

December 24:

Double Digit Time!  It's an exciting week in the Glaser house-we've not only hit double digits, but Christmas Eve and Christmas Day served as a big reveal to 90% of our family.  Such fun!

So what's the lil one up to this week?
Your Baby in Week 10 of Pregnancy
Your baby (now the size of a prune) has small indentations on his legs (soon to be knees and ankles!), and his tiny arms even have elbows that bend (how is that for magical?). Inside that little mouth, tiny buds of baby teeth are forming under the gums. His stomach and kidneys are kicking into gear, producing digestive juices and urine, and if it's a boy, his testes are making testosterone (how manly!).

Looks like baby g is really turning into a little human!  So exciting :-)  So, as I said, this week was the big reveal for our families-we had some fun announcements in person, phone and skype, and I even got my first random tummy rub (my cousin's wife, who wants a baby).  Aww.  So Sweet.
Here's how I'm gettin along in week 10:
Total Weight Gain: Still negative numbers, but now I'm about 2 pounds under from where I started (Christmas cookies and starches would be why!)  I've been able to eat a few more things this week-oats (with raisins, not bananas), and yogurt a few times.  I still start out the day pretty queasy, but small meals really help.
My Body: Still some bloat (my father in law swears I'm getting a pooch-damn him for calling me fat (kidding Dad!)), but overall, no change.  You may see a minuscule bump in my pic of the week....that's bread, not a baby :-P)  We took the photos after a few heavy meals-no luck on that bump yet, we'll give it a few more weeks!!
Cravings: Still lovin cheese, and also pretzels.  I've been able to tolerate cereal, yogurt (sometimes) and a few more foods I hadn't before.  I was able to eat Christmas cookies, but no m&ms or peanut butter yet.  And no yogurt oats.  Damn.  Hey, day by day.
Sleep: Still tired as heck.  It's been a whirlwind holiday weekend, so that's probably part of it.  But I am so glad I have this week off to rest and recover.  My workouts have been a bit better this week, but I still get out of breath easy and my pace sucks.  Hey, at least I'm doin it :-)
Baby Items Bought/Received: Uncle Alan bought the baby a little Santa hat, and my mom (Santa) brought me some maternity pants and two tops.  Sweet!  Greg bought the baby a baby camera that "Santa" gave us on Christmas morning, which will be awesome with an infant.  Awws. 
Best Baby Moment: Without a doubt, telling the families.  I thought my godmother and cousins were going to burst, and my cousin gave us a super sweet baby gift for Greg and I for Christmas.  So sweet.  I am so lucky!
Goals: 2 runs a week until the half marathon.  One 4-6 miles, one 8-10.  This will not be a fast race. but I'm really excited about it. 
Worries: Just waiting with bated breath for the magic 13 week mark so we can blast it everywhere.  I want to sing from the rooftops!

Merry Christmas from Greg, Baby Glaser, and the soon to be mom!

Week 9: It's Family Time!

Month two complete!

December 17

Well, now that the first doctor appointment is behind us, we can breathe a bit easier.  There's no "perfectly safe" time in pregnancy (or ever!) but with a steady heartbeat and a clean bill of growth health at our first ultrasound, we decided to tell the parents!  Both of our families were super excited, and a few tears and many many stories later, we had told all the "new grandparents".  About the olive.  Cause that's how big the peanut is this week!.....
Your baby in week 9 of pregnancy:

Your baby, now the size of a green olive, has grown about an inch since last week. Tiny muscles are beginning to form, so while he might not be ready to pump iron, he's gearing up to move his arms and legs. It's still too soon to feel anything in your belly, but you might be able to hear something at your next checkup. Try listening for your baby's heartbeat via a Doppler device — that welcome sound should be audible anytime now.

My Deets:

Total Weight Gain: Still nothin'.  Hey, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth, but I know I gotsta put the wiehgt back on.  All hail Christmas!

My Body: Still kinda a mess.  Christmas cookies were interesting to say the least....I think I must have dry heaved a million times (TMI, yes).  I'm sorely hoping I feel better in time for pasta sauce and pierogies!

Cravings:Sleep.  Oh wait, that doesn't count.....

Sleep:Counting down till December 20th....then I'll be on vacation for 10 days, whew.  I'm sleeping enough, but it's broken sleep and my tummy just always feels "off".  I know....good practice for the next 18 years!!

Baby Items Bought/Received:Nothin' yet, but Santa says he's bought some baby stuff so....woohoo!!

Best Baby Moment:Starting to tell our family members...I really can't wait until the holidays and the new year when we can get this out in the open!  We both feel like we're busting at the seams (okay, me literally...soon!) and we can't wait to shout the news from the rooftop!

Goals: Again, to get back to pre-pregnancy weight.  Hopefully the holiday cookies will work their magic (who says that???)

Worries: Less than stellar reactions from family or friends...I hope the naysayers and pessimists keep the glass half full (spoiler alert-for the most part, they did.  Phew!)


One more week till double digits!  Woohoo!!

Week 8 : Feelin....great! Or maybe not....

Getting there....

December 10:

Your Baby in Week 8 of Pregnancy

Your baby is growing at an amazing rate — about a millimeter every day — and now is the size of a large raspberry. Your little berry is looking a lot less reptilian (even though she has webbed fingers and toes, her tail is just about gone) and a lot more baby-like these days, as her lips, nose, eyelids, legs, and back continue to take shape. Her heart is beating at the incredible rate of 150 times per minute — about twice as fast as yours! And even though you can't yet feel it, she's now making spontaneous movements as she twitches her tiny trunk and limb buds.
Total Weight Gain: Negative, negative. Scale says I'm down 3 pounds from pre conception weight. Now, lest we worry, I started out about 8 pounds heavier than my "normal" weight. The doc isn't worried-he says the queasiness will pass, and I'll be well on my way to the goal of 25-30 pounds within the next few weeks. (Oh magical second trimester, please really be magical!!)
My Body: Meh. It's not a happy camper. Nausea, queasiness, actual sickness, yuck. I hope these pass in the next week so I can enjoy Christmas somewhat! (Half serious. I know this is lil beans way of saying "Hey Ma! I'm growing!"
Cravings: Soup. It soothes my tummy. That's about it.
Sleep: Hangin in there. I'm taking naps when I can, but busy prepping for Christmas. aiming for "decent", abandoning "perfection". This is good practice for life with child, I'm told :-)
Baby Items Bought/Received: Grandparent onesies for gifting!
Best Baby Moment: The big reveal! There were a few awkward moments (no, I do not want to hear about your 8 month sickness or miscarriage in great detail), but as a whole, all three conversations were just amazing. I can't wait to tell the rest of family and friends in the next few weeks!
Goals: To try and gain some weight back over the holidays! Seriously, who says that? I'm framing it for posterity. lolz.
Worries: I hope they keep their mouths shut...I hope they don't tell anyone.....repeat...repeat....repeat....

Week 7: Starting to feel real

And part 3!  More tomorrow!!

December 3:

Welcome, week 7!  This week, it's starting to feel real.  Little bit is still super super small, but there are some definite signs of...shall we say "not being myself" that are coming out in full force this week!  So what's going on in week seven?  Check it out....

Your Baby in Week 7 of Pregnancy
Your baby is now about the size of a blueberry (and about 10,000 times bigger than he was at conception). Most of that growth is concentrated in the head as new brain cells are generated at the rate of 100 per minute. Your baby's mouth and tongue are forming as arm and leg buds sprout, and those little kidneys are getting ready to do their job (pee production and excretion).

A blueberry.  Wows.  Amazing how something so darn small can be affecting my body so much!  Nonetheless, it really is.  What's up with momma this week?  Check it out....

I am unimpressed for some reason :-P

Total Weight Gain: Not too sure about this one.  I'm going off my weight since last doctor appointment at the beginning of November, and it looks like I am up a pound.  However, I am still in the throes of pregnancy bloat, so methinks that's the culprit.

My Body: Tummy bloat, but not too bad.  My boobs (sorry to be indelicate) are freaking huge!  I think it's safe to say I've gained a cup size since week 5, and I need to invest in a new sports bra.  Need to strap those babies in better for my runs!
Cravings: Anything savory, specifically meat.  I can't get enough of chicken, cheese, crackers, and hummus.  So weird.  I am the queen of sweets, so craving meat is....odd.  But I'm trying to load up on healthy proteins and fats, and to stay away from the garlic pretzels (who AM i?)
Sleep: Ehh, off and on.  It's been a better week than last, I'm still tired all the time.  Baby growing is hard work!  (Says the silly pregnant woman in the single digit weeks!)
Baby Items Bought/Received: I bought a onesie for a dollar at Walmart.  Too early?  I don't care-it was adorable and cheap!
Best Baby Moment: This is more of a funny moment, but I was making dinner one night this week, and Greg came home.  He was feeling pretty silly, and started snapping me with a towel.  We were running around, and he started to do the Cartman " Get in the kicthen and make me some pie" bit, when he started laughing and told me to look at my feet.  I did.  No shoes.  He goes "Hey, you're barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen"  Hardy har har har. 
Goals: To not bust out the news to everyone I see!!  We are so excited and happy, but I know I need to wait until after the first ultrasound to sing from the rooftops.  Tape across my face.....
Worries: Not really a worry, just a healthy concern about baby growth.  I really can't wait to go in next week for our first appointment!

In other news, I found out on Monday that Kate Middleton just announced her pregnancy.  She's almost 12 weeks, which puts her a month ahead of me, which is wild for me.  When I was a kid, my godmother was thoroughly convinced that I was going to marry William one day, because we were the same age.  Needless to say, I found my own wonderful prince :-), but I think it's pretty neat that our little ones will be about a month apart!