Peaceful, Easy Feeling - 26 weeks today!

Well, it's been two weeks since my last post.  Not much happening and I don't feel the need to have posts without substance.  For the title, I had to quote a favorite Eagles song because it's exactly how I feel.

The biggest excitement for me in the last two weeks, other than turning 36 this past Monday, was that my BOB came in.  

When I got pregnant, this was the only thing I absolutely knew I had to have.  Lucky for me, BOB decided to launch a new model, the flex, and I am amongst the first to own one.  They even issued new colors.  Mine is "lagoon" and it is so pretty.  I just love it!  I've already taken it for a spin (walking, not running) to see how Sanders did.

He did great.  He learned real quick that if he walked in front of it, he got run over, though I do think he was a little confused by what we were doing.  I was impressed with how smooth the ride was.  I could go right over curbs and barely felt them.  The best feature of the new BOB, other than the pretty color, is that the handlebar is fully adjustable.  This is great when your husband is 8 inches taller than you, and when you want to use it for different purposes (running vs walking).  I've put all the accessories I need for it on my registry - the handlebar console, the rain cover, and the car seat adaptor.    I can't wait until there is a baby in it and I can use it for real!  

I have been enjoying these last two weeks in Ocean City.  Other than the first weekend I was here, when I was still pretty sick, the weather has been great.  Cool, dry, comfortable.  I've logged a lot of beach time - Chris tells me he thinks baby girl will come out tan...lol.  I've gotten Sanders to the beach a few times too, which he just loves!

My favorite time of day is the morning.  I like to get here before the crowds and the lifeguards and just sit and watch the ocean.  It's peaceful and quiet.  On Thursdays and Sundays, I get up early to swim with a group in the ocean.  It is easily my favorite place to swim.  Something about getting past the breakers and looking back at land, knowing you got out there under your own power and you are strong enough to swim out there and get back in past the breakers.  Sometimes I'm even able to catch a ride in.  A totally different experience from Walden, but I love them both so much.

I'm still really active, but have been watching my pace slow little by little, despite the cooler than average summer. I'm still running 3-4 days a week, up to 5 miles at a time.  I've slowed from an 8:15 average back in Feb, to a 10:00 average, and I know it's all part of the game, I'm just happy to be running.  I try not to look at time too much and just focus on how I feel and how far I think I can go.  I caught a glimpse of myself in a store window and was shocked how different my form looked.  I can no longer run without a support belt, and there's times that, even with a support belt, I feel a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen.  I'm counting on my body to tell me when to stop, but I know at this point, every run I do is a bonus run.  I'd like to get to 30 weeks (just 4 to go!) and then reevaluate and take it week by week from there.  Every run I get will make the comeback a little bit easier.  I still plan to run Boston in April, so that certainly is a huge motivator!  Honestly, I'm pleased that today, the last day of July, at 26 weeks, I can say I'm still running!

It is definitely hard to motivate myself to exercise at times, but I am happy when I'm done.  I love the fact that at 6 months pregnant I can say I'm as fit as I was when I wasn't pregnant.  It makes all those first trimester workouts when I had no energy worth it.  There are so many benefits - I'm hoping for an easier labor and delivery, a healthier baby, and an easier time getting back to me.  It allows me to eat what I want, in fact, sometimes I worry I don't eat enough, so if I'm hungry, I eat.  It's helped me to not gain excessive weight, despite gaining a lot early on.  As of last appt, a month ago, I was only up 11lbs.  I'd like to see that I'm up 15 at my appt next week.  That would put me at the perfect 25-30lbs total range.  If I'm under that, I may have to step up my nutrition a little bit.  

As far as baby goes, there's really nothing to report.  Yesterday we passed a big milestone - we got into double digits on the countdown to my due date.  98 days to go!  She has active days and quiet days.  She likes the beach and often kicks when she feels the sun on her.  She also seems to like it when I'm standing around.  My belly is starting to get in the way.  It's obvious to me when I sit down, or try to get off the couch.  I'm having more and more trouble sleeping, simply because I can't get comfortable, despite sleeping with a full body pregnancy pillow.  Last night, after tossing and turning much of the night, I had Sanders get into bed with me and act as a back support, using the body pillow as a belly support.  It was only then that I could get comfortable.    

My NJ shower invitations went out, so I'm pretty excited about that!  Can't wait to see everybody who is coming to that in just 3 weeks.  My MA shower is still in the works.  

We have also been full tilt planning our trip to Belgium for my host brother, Fabian's, and his fiancée, Christine's, wedding.  Really looking forward to seeing and spending time with my Belgian family.  Chris and I are going to take a few days to see some of Eastern France and a little bit of Switzerland, as well.  Should be a good trip, though I'm very nervous about the long, overnight plane ride!

My birthday was good.  Pretty quiet and uneventful, but that is fine with me.  Spent the day on the beach then had dinner at a favorite restaurant, Steve and Cookies, with my mom.  I was surprised by a wonderful fruit bouquet from my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins (they know how much baby loves fruit!) that I'm happy to report is almost entirely gone :)

Was also surprised by a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my amazing husband :)

I've been enjoying my big gift from my parents for the last two weeks - a new beach chair with cup holders.  All in all, a good birthday, especially knowing that I have finally gotten what I wanted for the last 4 birthdays and Christmases - the beautiful baby growing inside of me.  I really didn't need anything more - I feel totally blessed.  

Next week should be a big week as far as baby updates.  I am scheduled for an ultrasound, an MRI (I enrolled in a research study to help understand brain development in babies with heart defects), and a monthly appointment, the last with my midwife and current practice at Mt Auburn, before I move over to Beth Israel and my high risk doc.  That will probably be emotional, being that I adore my midwife.  

That's about all, so as I begin week 26 today, I'll leave you with my 25 week bump shot.  My apologies - no fruit comparison, though I think I read she was the size of a head of cauliflower.  Without my personal photographer by my side (looking forward to him getting here tonight!), I took this shot in the mirror before going out for a run.  I'll try to do another beach shot this weekend!

Take care everyone!

Gratitude

Chris and I were overwhelmed by all the support we got from so many friends and family after our news from last week.  All the  messages, comments, texts, flowers, etc touched us deeply.  I know we will get through this with baby girl because we have such a great support network.  Thank you.  

Not much going on at all this week.  After a great week last week in Ocean City with family, this week was spent quietly at home in Arlington.  It's the summer of back and forths for me.  We flew home on Friday night, it was a pretty easy and enjoyable flight with beautiful views :)

Ocean City

Atlantic City

Our beloved Walden Pond 

When we got home, We picked up dinner on the way home from the airport and enjoyed it on the back patio.  I decided to put some of the potted plants back (when we go out of town I put them in range of the automatic sprinklers).  As I was carrying my pot of herbs back to the back step, I tripped over Sanders' tie up.  Me and the pot went flying.  I landed on my knee, the pot broke, and  I was all scraped up.  Now I see what they mean by being clumsy as you get bigger.  Fortunately it wasn't that hard of a fall, even if I was a little banged up.  It was definitely scary and I was sad to break my favorite pot.

I've noticed other things.  It's harder to get up from the floor, or even a sofa.  I often struggle or need help.  I'm learning to roll on my side first, when possible.  I also learned that some things are getting harder.  I can't be on my feet or sit in a hard chair for a long time or my back aches.  We sailed on Sunday, and getting around on the boat is getting more cumbersome.  I've learned that even though I don't feel hot most of the time, I do feel the effect of the heat sooner.  Even going up the two flights to my parents house, I find myself winded.  All minor things, but important to know.  

I got my third cold since I got pregnant.  Not fun at all.  I swear it amplifies the symptoms, especially since I can't take any of the meds that usually help me.  I spent the entire day Tuesday on the couch.  I felt a bit better yesterday, but still took it pretty easy.  Feeling not so great again today as it has traveled to my chest.  Sanders has been good company and laid by me or laid his chin on my knees.  Baby girl took the opportunity to play all day in my belly.  She was dancing around a bit this morning too, but now I think she's pretty worn out - pretty quiet in there but I'm pretty sure after I have my evening ice cream she will be dancing around again.    

I can no longer see my feet when standing straight up.  And my belly has surpassed my chest.  Overall, I love being pregnant.  I find it entirely magical and stare at my belly often in wonder.  I love feeling baby move around inside my belly and now I'm able to see my belly move sometimes.  It is such an incredible feeling.  I'm sure I would feel different if I was having a hard pregnancy, but I just want to enjoy every moment of it.  I'm so grateful to have this opportunity.  I'm anxious to meet our little girl, but also don't want this period to end.  I waited so long to experience this and it is such a miraculous thing, I just want to soak it all up.  

Other milestones ?  I finally ordered the nursery furniture that we picked out two months ago :)

Also, my BOB (gift from my parents came)!!!! I have waited so long to own one of these, I can't tell you how excited I am.  I spent all evening getting to know it.  BOB just released a new model in new colors with an adjustable handlebar.  It's beautiful.  Now I have to start practicing walking the dog with it :)

Here's the long awaited 23 week bump shot.  Please excuse my messy hair, the fact that I look exhausted, and that I'm laughing (Chris was trying to make me laugh so I didn't look so tired).  Again, I blame the cold.  

Even though this is the 23 week update, Today we actually hit 24 weeks or 6 months (I'm a little behind on the blog - I blame the cold)!  With 24 weeks comes viability, but not so much for baby girl with her heart defect.  Each week from here on out is one week safer though, so that's comforting.  By 28 weeks baby has a 85-90% survival rate.  We're almost there!  It seems unbelievable to me that there is only a month left in the second trimester.  It's not really going all that fast, but it just seems strange to me that we're closing in on 2/3 of the way there.  

After an exhausting day of driving, I'm back in Ocean City, where I hope the salt air will take care of my nasty cold.  This is my longest stretch - I'll be here until Aug 3.