Friday, August 31, 2012

Here Goes Nothing....

I'm all registered for the new Ironman Raleigh 70.3
June 2, 2012
The run goes right through my college campus. Memories. Maybe that will keep my mind off the pain. ha.
It's going to be a rude awakening for my body to get back into shape. Long road ahead. I know I will no longer be able to keep up with my training buddies, but this little bundle is worth losing some endurance and speed : )
Can you say so long baby weight?!

Ironman Raleigh 70.3

Monday, August 27, 2012

Introducing...

...Iron Baby
aka Lucy Rejean
Lucy is my gradnmothers name
Rejean is my late father's middle name (he was from Quebec hence the French name)

Born: Monday, August 20, 2012 at 2:16pm
6 pounds 5 ounces
19 inches
Perfect!

After 26 hours of labor. Yes, 26. (I did the first 13 sans drugs..silly me)
And 4 hours of pushing. Yes, 4.
Lucy arrived and is simply an angel.




Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Final Countdown

Where has the time gone?! I can't believe I am almost ready to have this baby.

I can't wait to meet her. To see her face. To kiss her face. To hold her in my arms hold her close.
I can't wait to watch her grow. To hit those milestones of development. To see her smile.

Recently I was thinking about BGM growing up and one thing hit me...one day this sweet baby girl will have her heart broken. It's a part of life and there is nothing I can do to keep her from feeling that pain.
Silly thought, I know.

On one hand I want to meet her now....but on the other hand I am so not ready to bring her home! We still have construction going on here! And new research is showing that babies brain develop until week 39, so I would like for her to make it until then. I was 36 weeks on Monday. wow. 4 weeks to go. (if not less - aaaahhh). The doctor told me I am considered full term next week. No way! I would like for her to cook until at least 39 weeks to keep that brain developing. IronGreg and I were laughing that she has brain genetics against her so we need her to cook and keep that brain developing! haha.

I was born at 37 weeks. IronGreg was born at 38 weeks. I'm curious if this will have any impact on when I deliver.

"They" also say that you can somewhat predict what a baby will weigh (small, average, big) depending on what the parents weighed. Well, I was 5lbs 3ozs....but like I mentioned I was born at 37 weeks. IronGreg weighed 5lbs 6ozs. But again, he was born at 38 weeks...and his mom smoked when she was pregnant with him which impacts birth weight. So we really have no way to get an idea of the size of Baby Girl (commonly referred to as BGM). I heard a rumor that hiccups are a sign that the baby is growing. Well, Lord help me b/c she gets hiccups about 5+ times a day.
Note: IronGreg's mom no longer smokes...it was the 70's.

Obviously, the running has stopped. After the last 5k it was just too difficult. And although the doctor said I could walk....it's July. It's hot. I prefer the air conditioning. I know swimming is good, but well, now I am too darn lazy.

Early on in my pregnancy I showed minor signs of swelling. Well, over the last week it has kicked in full throttle and now I am ordered to lay down with my feet up as much as possible. I am taking this as a permission slip to be lazy. No more road trips (I have clients out of town). And minimize time in a car or seated as this 90 degree angle causes leg swelling. Floating in a pool is perfectly acceptable, however.

Being pregnant has given me insight to what I imagine it's like to be obese.
- Yes, you feel lazy. Don't know why there, though.
- Sitting up requires help of some sort. Whether it's pushing off a stationary object or getting an arm from someone. You simply do not have the core strength...well it's hidden if you do!
- "Oh my aching back". That line ain't no joke. Carrying around added weight really is hard on the spine.
- Feet pain. Yes, carrying added weight makes the ligaments in your feet stretch causing "fat feet". I had to buy new shoes to fit these new feet of mine. And by the end of the day, I am busting out of them. (I even bought a fake wedding ring since mine no longer fits, but the fake one is too small now, too, so I am walking around single and pregnant)
I could go on, but a.) I don't want to offend anyone and b.)Baby brain...where are my words?

IronGreg and I just finished our classes on The Bradley Method. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, it's a birthing method known as "husband coached". It uses relaxation techniques, breathing, and other coping skills to allow you an unmedicated birth. Some of you may be thinking I am totally nuts for wanting to go unmedicated. But I must say, there are so many FEWER risks to you and this baby without interventions. It's proven. Women have been birthing babies for YEARS without drugs, why do we feel the need to have them? Even with an epidural, you are still going to feel pushing. It is still going to "hurt". anyways, I digress. To each their own.
I am excited to have the opportunity and now the skills to have the confidence to move forward with an unmedicated birth. I can only hope and pray that God allows us to have a smooth delivery without complications.

Well, that's enough ramblings for now.
Back to overseeing construction....and doing the LAST load of baby laundry!




Friday, July 13, 2012

Kind of bummed....Kind of not

After my last 5k I spent the day with an ice pack on my back.
It was a tough recovery.
So, after talking with my dcotor, we decided no more running.
I can walk, but no running. And she suggests it's time for a support belt. Luckily one of my friends has one I can borrow, too!
However, it's been H - O - T. The last thing I want to do is take these ever-swelling legs out in the heat for a workout!
So, I missed my #8 5k this past monday. And I will be  missing next week's too. It's too darn hot out.
What does this mean?
I am not completing my "9 month 9 race Challenge"

I am still trying to aqua jog 1-2x/week, but that's it.
5 more weeks to go! I can't wait to meet this angel!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Monday, June 25, 2012

7 down...2 to go - for real this time

Yesterday Team IronBaby completed the I Love the Tavern sprint triathlon.
IronGreg did the swim and the bike and I headed off for the run - we were in 2nd place.
Then at mile 1....we fell to 4th.
Then we fell to 7 out of 9. : )

Everyday I'm shuf-fa-ling.

Picture to come.

The run itself wasn't awful. My legs went numb, but that's to be expected.
I coughed throughout it (I am sick) and one time I may or may not have peed on myself.
I had to pee the entire time since someone felt the need to sit right on my bladder and one time I even sat in the grass to pee, but had stage fright, so IronGreg (who was shuffling with me) helped me back up.
I think I did half the run while holding my belly.

Afterwards, I spent the day with an ice pack on my back because my low back hurt so bad and I was o the couch with cramps. Good times. Good times.

Today at my regularly scheduled appointment I got an antibiotic for my cold. I try to avoid taking anything knowing whatever I take the baby gets. But who knew that a nasty cough is annoying for the baby. No wonder she has been grumpy lately.

I also found out there will be no more running. I am still allowed to walk - but need a belly support belt.
So here's hoping I can walk two more 5k's to complete my challenge.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Learning to Count

Yesterday I realized that I have only done SIX races, not seven.
So for my "9 Month 9 Race Challenge" I have three more to go.

So far:
Bear Creek 10 miler - 4 weeks
Virginia is for Lovers 14k - 14 weeks
Shamrock Half Marathon - 19 weeks
Monument Avenue 10k - 21 weeks
CASA Superhero 5k - 24 weeks
Stratford Hills 10k - 29 weeks

Still to go:
Tavern Tri (run leg 5k) - 32 weeks
Cul-de-sac 5k series - 34, 35, and 36 weeks.

We'll see if I do the 5k at 36 weeks...

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

7 down..2 to go

A few weeks ago I finished race #7 in my challenge - the Stratford Hills 10k.
My run is more of a shuffle, but with some awesome girls by my side, we did it and had a TON of fun in the process.

Race #7 at 29 weeks

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

6 down...3 to go

this past weekend I participated in my 6th race of the pregnancy.
It was "only" a 5k. Running is definitely getting harder. My lungs are okay, so that's good!
The belly is a little heavier, but I don't think it's too bad...yet. BG gets a little grumpy in the beginning of each run, but then calms down after about 20 minutes.
My shins and calves on the other hand....they really hate this running thing.
I have noticed lately that my compartment syndrome is in both legs and it's pretty painful. I get drop foot in my LEFT foot now! seriously?! I asked my doctor about it and she said since I already have an issue with CS, the added fluid in my legs from the pregnancy just exacerbate the problem. I really hope I am able to complete the 9 races I have challenged myself with. I guess they will just continue to get slower.
This time I did remember to take a picture after the race!
Next up is a 10k. Need to still find 2 more events that I can do!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Amazing

I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing BG's little heart beat. (BG = Baby Girl...not her initials. those will stay secret). Her heartbeat was 163 this morning...perfect!
We had our 23 week appointment this morning. Everything is "textbook". Even the doctor knocked on wood that everything continues as it has been going...an "easy" pregnancy. I have learned what Acid Reflux feels like. I could have lived without knowing that feeling. Ugh! Thank you to the inventor of Tums!

We have scheduled our Hospital Birthing Center tour and a signed up for a couple classes.
The nursery walls and trim have been painted and the mural is coning along.
The crib is here and put together...but it is sitting in the middle of the room until the mural is completed.
The ottoman is here and the glider gets delivered on Tuesday.
The dresser gets delivered mid-May.
Yesterday we bought her a little chandelier (of course!). We currently don't have a ceiling fixture - the light switch works an outlet. But when the electrician comes to work on the bathroom, we will have him change this around for us. (I will get to the bathroom in a moment)
All the pieces are sliding right into place. I mean obviously since I am a planner, I wish the room was already 100%, but I know that's unrealistic.

 I can't believe we only have 17 weeks left. I cannot wait to meet the angel and hold her in my arms.

So, the bathroom.
As you may recall, we had a tree fall in our house about 2 months ago. And what have we done about it? well, not much. We want to take this opportunity to do the addition we have been planning, but well, IronGreg is not currently employed...yet! (He has another interview on Friday! Fingers crossed).
So, we are taking baby steps to get the work done and ready so when he gets a job, we can pull the trigger and most if not all decisions have already been made!
Well, the hall bath, which is BG's bathroom, is not usable due to a hole in the ceiling above the shower/tub. and she is going to make her appearance regardless of what her bathroom looks like, so we are starting construction/renovation/upgrading that bathroom on....TUESDAY! I could not be happier. It's going to be quite swanky. I should take some before and after pictures....this week. Yeah, I'll get to that.

And the architect is working on the plans for the addition and it is SO HOT!

Monday, April 9, 2012

4 down. 5 to go.

On March 31st I did race #4 of my pregnancy. and it happened to fall on the last few days on my 4th month.
I participated in the Monument Avenue 10k...along with 40,000 of my closest friends.
I did my 4 minute jog, 1 minute walk method...and this time I remembered to put anti-chafe product on my thighs! I finished in 1:06....I'll take that.

Next up is the CASA Superhero 5k on April 28th.
5k.
5th race.
5th month.
I think I will eat 5 of something that day! cupcakes perhaps....

oh and p.s.
IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Chub Rub Photo Diary

Photo diary....do not view if eating or have weak stomach.

 monday morning - 24 hours after race
tuesday morning - 48 hours after race

Monday, March 19, 2012

ShamROCK on!

Baby's first half marathon complete!
2:29:56
11:27 pace
I will take it!

I did jog 4 minutes, walk 1 minute.
I felt great the first 7 miles...of course.
Around mile 10, the baby started giving me a hard time. I guess he/she was tired.
But then I realized that I might actually break 2.5 hours.
I told baby we had to be in it to win it.
I tried my best to stay aerobic and skip a few walk breaks. And we did it!

However, it also came with the price tag of thigh chaffing. holy sting! I would like to take a moment to thank pregnancy for introducing my thighs to each other. they had quite a party together while I was running. I thought it was just a little chaffing. then I stopped and looked. egads. I am walking like I just got off a horse.
I will spare you the picture of my right thigh....and it's ooze.


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Cat is Out of the Bag

IronGreg and I are expecting our little Iron-person this August!
Princess is ready!

Monday, February 13, 2012

A Little Lovin'

February race: Check!

IronGreg and I, along with some other friends, ran the Virginia is for Lovers 14k this weekend.
It was a lot of fun. No pressure. Just fun.
We started a tradition of wearing fun knee-high socks for fun races and this was no different.
IronGreg and I actually ran the race together...since it's all about lovers, right?! We wore matching knee-highs, too. Pink and purple argyle with hearts.
And I wore my new running shirt, too.



IronGreg and I ran at a speedy 10:32 pace. Whew - breaking the sound barrier there!
I love my friends.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Doing It

I said I was going to run an event a month.
December - Bear Creek 10 miler - check
January - nothing. oops.
February - VIFL 14k
March - shamrock Half, Monument 10k
April - CASA 5k
the rest are TBD....
I am doing this.
I even bought a shirt to wear for every event.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Thinking...

...since it's a recovery year for me.
I am thinking...how cool would it be to do one fun race/event every month and raise money for my fave organization in the process, CZC.

I am signed up for:
February - Virginia is for Lovers 14k
March - Shamrock Half Marathon

just need 9 more....(too late for January now)

hmmm...should I wait until IronGreg finds a new job first....