A is for Alien!

Last Friday was a craft day with Mommy! 

 The letter of the week was "Aa" at the sitter's, so we did a quick project last Friday.  I found this blog (No Time for Flashcards), which is full of fantastic crafts for preschool age children.  This is one of the author's suggestions for the letter A.  Tomorrow we're going to complete a few projects for the letter B.  I am planning on making butterflies and bumble bees with the little guy! 

I've just got to figure out what on Earth we're going to do with all of these projects!  I have an idea, I just need some help from Josh because it involves putting nails into the walls of Michael's playroom.  Josh does a much better job of hanging things on the walls than me.

 : ) 

I've been updating the running blog, on the days that I actually "do something".  Check it out at www.runhappy.blogspot.com.  The link is also on the right.  Today I was able to run, yes...RUN!, three miles.  It was ugly and slow, but it was a run nonetheless.  

Picking out a "team name"

Last evening, as Josh and I were getting ready for bed, I brought up the topic of baby names.  His response was, "Yeah.  We do need to decide on a "team name", I guess."  Then he caught himself, and started cracking up with laughter.  If you know my husband, you know that

 he is a HUGE Fantasy Football fanatic.  (HUGE!)  So,  for the past two weeks, he's been throwing out "team names" for the two FF leagues that he will be participating in this fall.   I told him that he needs to change his focus to the

  baby, not fantasy league.  

This morning I had a doctor's appointment.  Everything is going well, according to the doctor.  I've gained two pounds over the last two weeks. (Supposedly the baby gains like a half a pound a week from now until the delivery.) My blood pressure is great and the belly measurement is right on.  The baby's heart rate today today was 128, its lowest measure to date!  The doctor said that the baby is now head down, which is great news.  I'm still thinking we're having a boy, and Josh is CONVINCED the baby is girl!  

We discussed the VBAC plan in more detail today, which was helpful.  I asked the doctor if I would be able to go two weeks past the due date before scheduling me for a cesarean.  He clearly and unmistakably said, "No."  : ) Apparently, if I don't have the baby around the due date then I will be scheduled for a section just a few days past the due date.  As it stands, I really only have six weeks left!  Due to my experience with Michael, I was banking on six to EIGHT weeks. (I'm a procrastinator, this on time delivery, or even early(?) delivery, has thrown me waaaay off! )One of the main reasons for scheduling the section so close to the due date pertains to the size of the baby.  If the baby is "big", there is a greater risk of uterine rupture and extra pressure placed on the scar during the delivery.  When I learned that I would not be given an extra week or two, I made a mental note to run/walk as much as possible once I hit 38 weeks.  Maybe that will help move things along, I'm going to run this baby out!  (Inductions are not done on women who have had cesareans (at this practice), due to the risk of a uterine rupture. So, no pitocin for me and the babe this time around.)  

In other news, I have not felt well all day.  I'm not sure if it's because I got up so early this morning to meet the running group or if it was just an off day.  (It is still absolutely fine for me to be running at this point, though I'd hardly call it running!)  After the appointment, I made a quick lunch and went right to sleep.  I stayed in bed until it was time to pick up Michael from the sitter.  I've been feeling crampy all day, with lots of pressure in my belly.  I discussed these feelings with the doctor this morning, and everything I'm feeling is normal.  He said that I will start to have more braxton hicks contractions earlier than I did with Michael.  And that the best medicine is rest and water--no problem there!  After learning more about the VBAC today, I am welcoming the contractions.  

This little one is encouraged to start moving things along!

Status Quo

This morning I had the 32 week appointment with the doctor who delivered Michael.  (How I love him!--Have I mentioned that before?)  Everything is looking great.  The heart rate was in the 150's (he thought), I'm not sure how closely he was counting.  The HR doesn't seem to be one of those things that is recorded in the chart.  

My belly is currently measuring at 31 weeks, even though I'm 32 weeks pregnant.  Throughout this entire pregnancy my belly has been measuring about a week or two behind what it should be.  I had a similar experience with Michael's pregnancy, as well.  My weight gain has remained the same over the past six weeks, thank goodness!  It seems like I gain a lot in the beginning and then plateau over the last trimester.  Some how I still feel gigantic, though.  The doctor and I talked a little bit about the weeks to come: the strep culture lab work, weekly appointments, and even a little bit about the due date.  It's hard to believe that those things are all just around the corner!  Accck!!!  : ) 

Now I am going to enjoy our incredibly quiet house. Michael and the most hyper dog on the planet are enjoying a visit with my Mom.  I can't decide if I should nap, read, or run/walk on the treadmill.  I think...nap first, treadmill later...

A Great Day Because....

Today has been a great day for many small, but significant reasons.  Here's a little list I've compiled in my head throughout the day.  

Let's get to it!

1.  Running!  Yep!  I was still able to run/walk a little over four miles this morning.  I felt great and it felt comforting to fall back into my early, early morning schedule.  I did not have ONE SINGLE side stitch, which was such a relief and has restored my faith in being able to continue exercising.  My goal for tomorrow is a slow three or four.  

2.  Lunch!  We enjoyed a great, laid back, summer lunch with my "in town" Grandparents, and two of my brothers, James and Clay.  Michael adores his uncles, and so do I.  We enjoyed clowning around my Grandmother's house and catching up with one another.  Michael convinced both of them to play outside- CARS!- of course.  Clay is NOT allowed to move out of the area when he graduates.  I won't hear of it, as a matter of fact.  "The area" does encompass the entire state, so he still has a few options. = ) 

3.  Chacos!  I just purchased a pair of chacos online and they came in this afternoon.  Don't you just love online shopping??? Unfortunately, they are small.  (Boo!!)  But, return shipping is free and I'm going to place the order again.  They are every bit as awesome as what Melissa B. suggests, even Michael likes them!

4. The baby!  I've been a little down in the dumps lately, with all of these major bodily changes.  I feel huge, though I know I'm right where I should be in terms of weight gain. But still. = (  The body  changes are just a little overwhelming at times.  However, it's worth every ounce and then some, just to feel the baby shift, kick, or sway in my belly.  I just can't wait to meet this little person.  The newborn diapers (from diapers.com) came in yesterday--UGGH!  They're SO, SO, SO little and cute.  = )

5.  Swimming!  Michael and I went to the pool before dinner this evening as a way to wind down for the evening.  He actually got into a skirmish at the pool. That was not good, and was not a highlight!!  I've never heard or seen Michael get so irritated with another child before, which was upsetting.  He can certainly hold his own, though.  (The other little three year old wanted to play with Michael's car, "Lightning McQueen".  When the other child tried to grab it from Michael, he panicked and held on TIGHT to that little car and screamed for dear life! The other little boy was SCREAMING, as well.  Fun Times!)  The positive aspect of swimming, though, was that I was able to visit with some good friends.  Seeing friends unexpectedly is ALWAYS fun!  So is wearing out your three year old before bed time!

6.  Paperwork is Completed!  I just completed my paperwork for the anesthesiologists.  You know, for my un-medicated, VBAC birth that I'm planning? ; ) I'm learning to just keep my mouth shut about the VBAC.  Anytime I mention it, I feel like the individual with whom I speaking to, snickers at my crazy notion of wanting to have a baby "the natural way".  I mean, why wouldn't you want to have your stomach sliced open, right? It's so much easier, especially when you can pick your own date!  Anyway.  At least the paperwork is done, just in case a cesarean is necessary, or if labor is too intense and I need an epidural.  That's one more thing checked off the baby list!

We've had a wonderful day and I'm feeling very grateful to be so healthy, to be carrying this baby, and to spend so much time with Michael.  I'm really going to struggle with sending him to the sitter a couple times a week when we return from the beach.  I know he's at the point where developmentally he *needs* to be with other children and other adults.  Michael is just growing up too quickly!  

Belly shots tomorrow, WAHOO!! Right?!? 

Round Ligament Pain!

This morning I hopped out of bed and out the door for a short, easy run. About a 3/4 of a mile into the run, I started to feel that "side stitch" pain again. (Yuck.) Begrudgingly, I decided to walk the rest of my route and the side stitch did not go away. At one point, with only a half mile left in the walk, I wanted to stick my thumb up and hitch a ride. : ) I didn't, though.

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, which went really well. The baby is growing beautifully and the heart rate sounds so strong. Today the heart rate was in the 130's. I'm doing just fine, as well. My blood pressure is great, and the weight gain has slowed down quite a bit. (Thank goodness!) I did ask the doctor about the pain that I felt this morning, and immediately he said that I am experiencing Round Ligament Pain. If you click on the RLP link, you'll see at the bottom that this sharp pain can be brought on by exercise. I'm a little confused as to why I'm in pain some days and then others I feel great. He did mention that the position of the baby can affect my comfort level. This doctor was completely positive and supportive of my running and walking. He did not say that RLP is a reason to stop running, in fact he told me that there is really no reason to stop exercising at this point.

I tried to register at the hospital, but apparently I need an appointment to do that! : ) So, that's on my list of things to complete in the next few weeks. That, and complete paper work with the anesthesiologist. You have to do this, even if you want a "natural birth". So, I'm working on that, as well. 

Can't you just "show up" when you're ready to have the baby? Why so many appointments? : ) 

Painful and Laborious...

Woah. Running has gotten incredibly HARD over the past week. Incredibly hard!

Josh ran on the treadmill this morning and came upstairs completely chipper from his three mile run. He announced that running on the treadmill is so much easier than running outside. "The air conditioning helps tremendously", he said.

So I figured, why not give running inside a shot? After we got Michael down for his nap, I headed downstairs for a three mile run. And...OH. MY. GOSH. My body just doesn't want to run anymore, or to walk fast. I had a side stitch, again on my right side. I slowed my run down, to a fast walk. The change in speed did not help until I reduced the speed even further to a slow-ER walk. Eventually I got to the three mile mark, but good grief! Was it ever a painful and laborious process. Forty-one minutes of MISERY, to be exact.

I refuse to throw in the towel because even though the three miles were a heck of a lot of work; I felt great the rest of the day knowing that I exercised.

What is most frustrating is the fact that overall I feel like I could run a marathon! It's probably in my head, but I don't feel tired enough after each workout. Today I was barely sweating, but my body (namely, my belly) just couldn't keep up.

This whole running while pregnant thing is very interesting, and very frustrating, at times. I'm hoping that one of these guys will help, note the support belt picture. Maybe the belly just needs a little support? To help with the side stitches??? (Doubt it.) It's worth a shot, though.

Running Blog...

If you're interested, I updated the running blog.  Here's the address:  www.runhappy.blogspot.com .  Not too exciting, but I figured I'd like to document my training for baby #2.  

2 Hours 20 Minutes Later...

After having two days off in a row, I'm definitely ready for summer break!  It's been a real treat to be home with Josh and Michael over the past two days, even if they are sick.  The naps have been heavenly over the past two days.  I will certainly be taking daily naps with Michael B this summer! 

 This afternoon I was planning on cleaning a good bit while Michael napped, but the thunderstorms woke him up about an hour into the nap.  He was frightened, rightfully so, the storms were incredibly loud!!  I decided to lay down with him, in an attempt to stretch out his nap.  And, stretch it out, I did!  I slept for about two hours and twenty minutes, and Michael ended up sleeping even longer than that.  I tried to get up a time or two during those two hours, but Michael would wake each time I tried to move off the bed.  Eventually, I just gave in and decided to enjoy the quiet time with my little guy.  

We're all heading back to school, work, and daycare tomorrow.  (Bummer!) At least the weekend is just around the corner!  

In "baby news" everything is going really well, we are now halfway into the 22nd week! I was going to take a few belly shots today, but never got around to it, maybe tomorrow.  The baby is moving constantly, and seems to enjoy story time at night with Michael.  Last evening, while I was reading Michael, The Little Mermaid and the Aristocats, the baby was swirling all over the place.  And, just like Michael (and most other babies), this little one loves meal time!  There is always lots of movement while I'm eating or just after.  Last week I told my kids at school about my pregnancy, some were in shock and others were like..."yeah.  we knew."  Middle schoolers are so funny sometimes!  

Running is going fine, though I'm getting slower each week.  Many people have asked how long I plan on keeping "that" up.  In fact, my grandmother just asked me that question last night on the phone.  I told her as long as I can, maybe (hopefully) until the day I deliver. : )  Surprisingly, she didn't react and just went along with what I had to say.  I told her that one of my best running friends ran five miles the day she delivered her youngest child.  Truth be told, though, I don't know how long I will continue to run.  When I'm too miserable throughout the run, I guess?  I'm really taking it week by week.  At this point, my mindset is to get to 24 weeks, or six months.  And, then I'll likely shoot for 28 weeks.  Because my body is changing so rapidly, naturally my pace, distance, and frequency are changing as well.  I know that running five miles four times during the work week is NOT going to happen, so I'm happy just running two or three at this point.  

Part of my determination not to quit right now is directly related to having that blasted C-section with Michael.  My doc is very strict about exercising after the section, and I was not able to run for eight weeks after delivering Michael.  That is a REALLY long time, considering that most of my running girlfriends are running two weeks after their babies are born. At two weeks after the C-section, I was able to walk without pain and laugh and cough without pain, running was completely out of the question.  So, knowing that there's a real strong chance that I'm going to have to deliver the baby via c-section again motivates me each morning to enjoy the short, laborious run.  I also feel like running helps me keep my focus on a natural delivery.  I feel strongest when I'm running and I just think to myself if I can keep up with running, then there's a good chance that I will have a strong enough body and mind to deliver the baby naturally.  

Update on the family sick day:

Well.  Michael and Josh are still under the weather.  Michael still has a fever and Josh has one, as well.  We've had an easy day: full of naps and eating "sick food"--popsicles, jello, chicken noodle soup, and toast.  Thankfully, I'm feeling great and very well rested!! : )  Both the morning nap and the afternoon nap were delicious and very much appreciated!  It's likely that we'll all be home again tomorrow, since Michael still has this nasty fever.  : ( Poor babe.

I'm feeling guilty about taking off tomorrow, especially since I only have a few days left of school.  And, I do know that we could easily call upon our family to help, but I like taking care of Michael and Josh when they are sick.  And, Michael needs his mom throughout the night and it will be a struggle to make it through the day without sleeping all night.  (I'm hoping tonight is better, but I'm not so sure it will be.  He's already gotten up once, coughing and crying.)

My concern for the evening is getting a run in tomorrow morning.  Since I have a little extra time, I'd love to run four or five miles.  Unfortunately, though, the forecast is calling for lots and lots of thunderstorms.  Maybe the weather will clear up for just an hour, or so. (I'd be so grateful!)

In other news...How about Obama???  : ) What a historical evening for our country!!  I just hope that he gets those four delegates before I head to bed.  Did you know that he has a blog?  Here's the link:  http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hqblog .  An hour or two later~  He did get the four delegates and now I'm watching Hillary speak on CNN.  I thought her speech was fantastic.  I got a little choked up in a couple parts, particularly when she mentioned the 90 year old women who came to out to support her cause. Those women grew up in a time when they couldn't vote! Imagine. Wrap your head around it for a second. Those women could nurse, change the diapers, feed, clothe, support, and love these future political leaders prior to the Women's Suffrage movement, but not vote?  What Hillary and Barack have brought to the 2008 primaries is the notion that anything is possible.  Anything at all.  And that is huge.  Universal healthcare would be especially huge, wouldn't it?