Feeling Prepared.

Week 29-

While the big 3-0 is next week, I am finding myself feeling more and more prepared with each passing week.  I think back to the beginning of the first trimester and all of my doubts and over-analyzing on when and if I would truly be ready to bear responsibility for a child.  And thinking back now, they were all completely normal thoughts at the time, the unknown was a bit scary and after all, I have very quickly learned there is never quite a ‘right time’. 

It is safe to say now that Autumn a little person that I connect with on a daily basis.  Her punches and kicks are a reminder of how much she is growing every week, her little hiccups have to be one of the funniest/craziest feelings ever (it’s like having a muscle spasm in your abdomen)  and I find myself almost daily staring at her latest ultrasound picture on the fridge imagining what that little face will look like in real life!

How Big is Autumn?

Autumn is reaching between 15-17 inches in length and can be compared to the length of a bunch of celery!  She is weighing in close to 3 lbs these days and while she still has quite a few more pounds to pack on, she is getting close to her birth height which is pretty amazing!  This month is all about the brain!  Her little noggin’ is really starting to form those ripples and those neurons are generating like crazy.  Chris has been really good about making sure I get my Omega-3’s and DHA (aka brain food), hopefully I won’t be sick of eggs by the end of this month, which I don’t believe I will since they always have been a staple in my diet!  Unfortunately now though I order them from the ‘chef’ aka Chris J ‘over hard’ rather than ‘over easy’.  *sigh*…eventually I can get them the way I like them once Autumn makes her appearance.

We had a 29 week  appointment this week and everything is measuring good.  Her little heartbeat is still around 150 and I am hoping because I am feeling more jabs and kicks in the front of my tummy that she is making her way into the 'head down' position in preparation for birth.  Amazing how even though she could have over 10 weeks left she's already preparing herself to make her entrance into this world.  Some days I am still mind boggled by the things I ready in all of the baby books I've acquired.  Several that are on my nightsstand right now:

Running for Two:

Perhaps at this point in time it should be more like ‘Jogging/trekking for two?’  I have really considered it to be a true test of the changes that my body is going through when I am out on a run.  It’s quite a phenomenon when no matter how consistent you are or how good you are feeling as a pregnant runner you will decline each and every week.  Period. Dot. End of sentence.  As I knew from the beginning there is no improving, no increasing your mileage, no bettering your heartrate or picking up the pace mile for mile.   

I am looking forward to pushing myself once again, heading out on long runs without having to sneak into the woods to go to the bathroom every mile and just enjoying getting my endurance back with my newest running partner!  I plan on starting her young! 

Proud to be a Wildcat.

Not only have we been undefeated thus far but K-State took on Missouri and WON!!  So many talk about how this is about the time of the year where we will be doing really good, then we get ranked and begin to falter.  I am seeing a light at the end of tunnel and really believe this team has some amazing potential to make an impression this season!  We watched the game at Buffalo Wild Wings again  and busted out in a K-S-U chant at the end of our win.  We got a few looks from the Florida fans sitting around us probably wondering where Manhattan, KS is even is in the states.  We rocked our purple and our cheers though and walked away incredibly proud to be Wildcats that gameday!  I can’t wait for Autumn to sport her little Wildcat onesie.  Call me crazy but I also want to get her the Willie the Wildcat kids book, my guess is she’ll totally dig it! 

 Wedding Weekend.

 The AbFab team took to Rosemary Beach this weekend to design the ceremony site for Mesa and Matthew's Big Day.  It was nothing short of absolutely GORGEOUS, her desire to have a natural, organic yet elegant wedding left us with more creative license than we could have ever dreamed of and the driftwood arch we created from wood gathered on the beach took our design to an entirely new level.  Needless to say it was an exhausting day, traveling up 3 flights of stairs and trekking across the sand to get to the ceremony site.  We were definitely beat by the end of the day and ready for a day of rest and relaxation.  We're anxious to see the professional photos of the wedding and wish these extremely down-to-earth, beautiful couple all the best in their future adventures together!

Here's a peek at a few of our designs...

This and That:

• Events this week: 1 very big one! 
• Weight gained so far: 21 lbs...
• Upcoming tasks for the nursery: Painting and putting up the decal!
• Servings of 'Fage' Greek yogurt consumed this week: at least 4! I've been addicted lately....
• Flights of stairs traveled on Sunday for the wedding: INFINITE!  Hello calf muscles, I didn't realize I'd been neglecting you!

P.S. How a week slipped by without a pic of the bump I am not sure but I will be sure to post extra as this week is the 'Welcome Autumn' party!! 

 

Hello Third Trimester.

Week 28-

The end is quickly (VERY quickly approaching) as I head into my third and FINAL trimester!  I can't quite believe that I am at this point in my pregnancy.  Time has flown by most weeks but others seemed to have just dragged on.  Here's a comparison to when I began my second trimester to when I ended it!

Quite the difference!  It's hard to believe that during this trimester she will more than triple her weight.  She still has plenty of baking (er...fattening up :-) to do!

How Big is Autumn?

Finally another vegetable reference, she's the size of a head of Chinese cabbage!

Every week when I see the references to how big she is I still have a hard time believing that that actually fits inside my belly.  I don't know what it is.  Just part of still coming to terms with reality I suppose (which has been a weekly theme for me!)  Rocking in at about 15 inches now she's continuing to grow those neurons like crazy building up her little brain to be super, super smart!   She's plumping up more, and at this point in time (as crazy as it sounds) could actually be born.  She has a LOT of plumping up to do, lots of baby fat to gain so I hope she sticks around as long as she can to prepare herself for the real world.

Feelings this week.....

Continuing to feel a bit more tired, especially if it was a long day at work, combined with trying to get as much exercise in as possible.   I continue to try to begin winding down early in the evening with Chris and getting to bed earlier than I am used to.  Being such a nightowl that I am (but still an early riser) has been a challenge for me to actually get to bed by 9 or 10 but they say a baby will mimic a mothers sleep patterns and we don't want an all-nighter on our hands so I am doing my best to clock in early, read and then lights out by 10:30.


The gym felt great this week and I got in two solid workouts, one with Chris right by my side.  Continuing to focus on total body in the weightroom, plenty of squats and lunges to prepare for labor and of course upper body to be sure that I can tote her around as babywearing will be huge for Chris and I when she arrives.  We really want to establish that bond in that way, as well as avoid lugging around extra bulky carriers when we can attach her to us with ease and go wherever!

Third Trimester Expectations.

I know deep down that this trimester will hold the most changes for me physically and emotionally.  I will be gaining the most weight (as will Autumn!) and making the 'official' preparations for this life-changing event that will affect both Chris and I's lives forever in the most positive and amazing of ways.  I am feeling more prepared as I take on these next 12 weeks.  I'm backed with more knowledge and confidence that although we won't be perfect parents, we will give all the love, TLC and parenting that we possibly can.  It's amazing how something so small can have such a dramatic impact.  We can't wait to meet our little bundle and we look forward to what comes at the end of this trimester- A BABY!

Odds and Ends:

• Registries completed (almost): 2! I never knew how much time it would take to research every item and figure out exactly what we will need! 
• Miles run/walked: 13
• Items to be completed before her arrival: infinate!!
• Weight gained: 20 lbs (and the scale just keeps on climbing...)
• K-State BEATS.....BAYLOR!!!  Heading into a big game against Mizzou next weekend!!
  

Training for labor.

Week 27-

Both Chris and I returned this week refreshed from our trip to Duluth and bound and determined to start making more headway on our 'to-do' list that is vastly growing as the due date approaches.  Needless to say, life happens and the list didn't see many check boxes this week.  He had quite a hectic week at work, I worked plus had AbFab duties that needed to be taken care of but one thing that we did get to do this week was start our birthing class and that was definitely a big deal for us.  I have had an anxious feeling in regards to starting the class for some time, mainly because I knew that it was going to really force us to hit the reality button and feel more prepared when the big day arrives.  

The Bradley Method

Dr. Bradley best sums up the method of his class structure when he says that labor is like an 'athletic event' where the husbands are the 'coaches'.   Being as into health and fitness as I am, I knew that this was going to be the right method for us to be a part of a 'team' rather than have a typical scenario of the woman shouting and screaming at the husband and him holding her hand with a helpless look on his face.  Plus, what guy doesn't like the idea of being a coach?  Equating labor to a 'sporting event' had to have helped Dr. Bradley real in husbands/sports fans near and far to wanting to know more about how to make labor feel like you're coaching your favorite team to win the National Championship!  

Chris and I have both been extremely happy so far with how the class has progressed.  We leave each class with a list of to-do's and that definitely helps us in learning to practice relaxation techniques together.  Some of it has been review, such as the exercises and nutrition portion but with SO much information out there, it can be overwhelming.  It's been nice to get things in a more condensed format and of course I'm a firm believer that you never stop learning so I have definitely been able to take away some nutrition advice that I wasn't aware of before (like in the 8th month eat 2 eggs daily to boost your DHA and Omegas, assisting with the brain development of the baby)  

We'll take classes most Sundays up until the beginning of November which is perfect timing I feel.  I won't be too big at that point and it will give us plenty of time to go over everything and absorb it before little Autumn makes her arrival.

How Big is Autumn?

Weighing in at a little over 2 lbs and about the size of a head of cauliflower! She is measuring at little over 14 inches long (still hard to believe there is over a foot of baby inside me!) and is getting to be more active than ever!  Her little lungs are still continuing to rapidly develop and she is officially showing signs of brain activity.  The third trimester is the time where they say to really focus on getting your brain foods (omega 3 and 6's and plenty of DHA) in order to feed her growing mind! 

How am I feeling?

Still pretty energetic but definitely noticing the need to get more sleep.  I have never been a napper ( and for all things considered never feel like I have the time!) So getting between 9-11 hours of sleep at night has been my focus lately to keep me from winding down during the day.  Considering I can't load myself up with caffeine anymore it definitely makes me focus on rest vs. compensating in the morning for lack there of by throwing back a triple shot of espresso!  

I still feel the constant need for movement, only really about to sit still for no more than an hour.  I am thankful for this internal alarm clock because I am hoping the increase in movement is just my body's way of preventing swelling and circulation issues associated with not getting enough movement throughout the day. 

My blood volume level must also be hitting another spike because I have cut back on how I gage my runs.  I'm at about .5-.75 run, 3 minutes walk. Repeat for 3-5 miles.  My pace is still fairly the same, anywhere from 10-11:15 min/mile, which for all relative purposes I don't even pay much attention to because I'm so focused on keeping my heartrate in range and when it spikes, I slow it down to a fast walk.  I would have to say ultimately this trimester will be about really tuning into my body and cutting back even more as she is preparing to grow the most during this phase of her gestation and I prepare to take on a spike in weight gain quicker than I have in the first 2 trimesters.  All worth it in the end of course!

The Weekend

We decked ourselves out in our purple and went to Buffalo Wild Wings to brave the Miami fans that we figured would be swarming.  We were surprised to not see to many and actually saw a bigger swarm of Ohio fans than anyone else.  We pulled out another win (although it was a nailbiter!) but a win none the less.

Before the game we ventured to Three Dogs and a Chick, our local dog bakery in Fort Walton.  Lola has been missing her collar for over a month and we were debating on what would be our next purchase for her.  Her previous one was made of 550 cord (military cording) and she still managed to loose it!  I say that she's no girly-girl and is tough on her 'jewelry' like her mama.  We found an awesome one that is made of military grade straps and buckles and has a Velcro name tag on it (which we have put one of Chris's 'Premo' badges on for now until we can get her a special one made).  She really likes it though we think!

We also found her a short leash that Chris is anxious to use for when he runs with her and wants to let her off when he's on the back roads and carry something that's not bulky and awkward.  It's made of climbing rope and is incredibly durable.  We also had to buy Jack a new bed.  In my opinion, he got jealous and decided that he wanted a Molly Mutt bed like Lola and Toga so one day he took to devouring his bed.  We came home to what looked like a cotton machine had exploded in our living room.  So we bought a Molly Mutt bed for him, one we thought Andy would approve of, and he's totally content.  I really like the beds for their durability (they're made of canvas) as well as the ability to switch out the stuffing with ease (they come with stuff sacks that you can put anything from old socks to old bedding in to make it as comfortable for them as you want).  

Sunday's first outing was to Maggie Mitchell's b-day party! Alaina, being the awesome dog mama that she is, made a cake, brought hats and made goodie bags for all the pups (and humans!) and every pooch had an absolute blast hanging with one another, even if the temps were a bit warmer than we were hoping for!  Anytime all the pups can get together is a good time and we all had a blast watching them interact and devour the meatloaf/mashed potato cake that was made especially for them!

 ~Lola-bean!~

~Alaina did this awesome side-by-side comparison of Lola when she was only 4 months old at Rambo's b-day party in Kansas! To now, 1 year and 8 months old! ~

 ~Simple Jack!~

 ~Toga-toe!~

 ~The birthday girl herself, Maggie!~

After the dog park Chris and I decided to take to the trails before our birthing class at 3, so we had the bikes all packed and camelbacks ready to go when we got home, dropped off the pups and then headed out.  It was refreshing to be back out there with him and we took it easy of course on Speed Demon and Leaner trails, all easy trails that I would feel more than comfortable on.  Being almost 7 months pregnant I'm not going to take any risk on being on a single track trail that requires a lot of maneuvering or skill~easy riding was my mantra and it felt amazing just to be out there breaking a sweat with Chris.  I can't wait to get back in the groove of our longer rides and prepare for our next adventure race (post baby of course)!  We've yet to put one on the calendar but have several on our radar! 

 ~Since my rides have slowed down Chris was still able to get a workout in by stopping at every trail intersection and cranking out pushups!

 ~the creek bed that looked super inviting after a hot ride!~

Odds and Ends:

• K-State Wins: 3!! We knocked out University of Miami this week and prepare for the Baylor game next weekend!
• Dinners cooked together this week: 2!  I think that's a record for us as each week tends to be hectic in some way or the other.  Monday night we enjoyed dinner on the patio as the fall breezes began to roll in!
•  Baby Books read: 5-the knowledge that I feel we have to gain is never-ending but we keep hearing to not over-read and over analyze parenting, so much of it will come with instinct!

Oh the changes Autumn brings.

Week 26-

Chris's favorite quote lately has made it's appearance as a title finally.  With the weather acting a little more fall like, I found it pretty appropriate.  Such double meaning it has for us though for sure!

I took a few moments this week to reflect on not only the changing of the seasons but also what is soon to be a complete change in our lives.  I’m getting more excited, antsy almost, and so is Chris.  It’s a very positive thing for the both of us seeing as how we have struggled to really set into the reality of having a little one in our lives.  ‘Florida fall’ felt refreshing this week even though we can feel the on slot of the heat about to come at us again.  My hopes are that the week of Autumn’s welcoming party there will at least be enough chill in the air to have a fire, roast some marshmallows and for maybe, just maybe the ability to wear long sleeves without sweating.  I have high hopes but we’ll see. 

I was able to relish in a pumpkin spice latte this week and that just made me a.) Jones for fall b.) miss Kansas because around this time the leaves would be changing and I would be getting ready to bust out the fall sweaters and running gear.  =*sigh*. But every time this happens I try to focus on all the good that Florida has brought us and that brings me back down from the clouds.  I have also tried to remember that even though it is Florida I can still celebrate all that is fall~spices, fall scented candles, baking, and of course hikes on our local trails to enjoy what few trees we will see change their colors.  Every place has its beauty and the Emerald Coast is no exception.

How big is Autumn?

She’s rocking in at about the size of a large eggplant (still)!  This week her new accomplishment: she grew eyelashes!  Quite a feat right?! She’s busy soaking up my antibodies to prepare her immune system for the outside world ~I have no doubt she’ll have be a tough cookie in that department!  She’s also continuing to take ‘practice’ breaths of amniotic fluid getting ready to take that first breath of real air when she makes her grand entrance!

We had the opportunity to have another ultrasound to get what is called an ‘accessory’ to the placenta double checked.  It’s no worries to either myself or Autumn, just an extra lobe in the placenta that they have to make sure they get out when I deliver the placenta.   So darn, we had to see the little one again and wow was she moving!  I suppose since now she’s more responsive to light and can actually see better, she really wasn’t digging the ultrasound probe but it was so cute to watch her suck her thumb, then look alarmed when she took it out, then stuck it right back in her mouth!  We could make her out so much more clearly on the monitor as well and got several keepsake pics to show her off.

They confirmed the accessory to the placenta and all it will do is go in my file so that the doctor that delivers can be sure the entire placenta is removed.  Again, I’m not concerned at all, Autumn is growing like a weed and we can’t wait to see those cute little cheeks and button nose in the flesh!

~Growing, growing. The both of us!~

How I’m feeling.

Anxious.    The final stretch, the last few months where all final preparations will take place.  Chris and I have been busy making our to-do lists and figuring out when we will squeeze everything in, especially before we have guests arriving for the shower in a few short weeks!   I’m dead set on the nursery being pretty much completed by that time so I know we have quite a bit of work to do in there, but really, that’s the fun room!  It’s all the other organizing that somehow put off for months that is finally getting to me.  My energy continues to be up and I feel really good!  I still run 3 times a week, walk the pups on the trails, do yoga and make it to the gym when I can.  I have a feeling once the running starts to die down in the next few months as the pressure on my abdomen becomes to much that I will find refuge in the gym once again.  I’m definitely not complaining as I know I can always work on building up my arm/back strength for carrying sweet Autumn around every day!

Duluth or Bust.

We had a fantastic trip up to Chris’s hometown of Duluth, MN and the cool fall air was a welcome change from our Florida fall.   It was wonderful to see his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and of course our nephew and nieces!  The occasion was Zach (Chris’s younger brother) and Lindsey’s (our new sister-in-law) marriage and it was an absolutely beautiful ceremony and reception.  Lindsey’s dress was just stunning and she was glowing especially bright that day.  Chris got to spend a little one on one time with his brother which was nice and overall we just really enjoyed our time with everyone as short lived as it was (flew in on Thursday, flew out Sunday).  We are looking to seeing his family make a visit down to our neck of the woods once we have little Autumn and hopefully at a time when the Florida heat isn’t too oppressive! 

We had the opportunity to take several walks/trail runs to ourselves while we were there and it was absolutely stellar.  Words can’t describe the beauty of the scenery, flora and fauna in Duluth.  I’ll leave you with several pics we took on our last trail run/trek as well as several that we took a couple of years ago that really depict just how beautiful it really is.

 ~Pollywog Trail right by Chris's parents house, he put a lot of miles on this getting ready for basic training!~

~A little tired but enjoying a morning run/trek together in amazingly cool weather~

And some oldies but goodies from past trips to Duluth.......

 ~The view of Lake Superior~

~The trails in that town are endless and just gorgeous!~

Odds and Ends:  

• Upcoming events: 2; our birthing class begins next week as well as our Welcome Autumn party in October 
• Baby purchases: 2; her awesome decal for her nursery and a diaper organizer (1/2 price at TJ Maxx of course!)
• Days Until I get to see several of my FAVES: 3 weeks and 5 days!
• Weight gain so far: 19 lbs.!