22 Weeks

Week 22 – Nov 19 – Nov 25

Baby is the size of – Length of a spaghetti squash!  Whatever that means!  He’ s about 1 lb.

How I’m feeling – This week was crazy with traveling to Mom’s on Wednesday and getting back late Saturday night.  I figured out it is NOT easy to sleep anywhere and was up a few nights at 2:30 without falling back asleep.  I pushed it to the limits on Friday going Black Friday shopping and thinking I would get some sympathy for being pregnant.  I only milked it once and had a little girl get me a jacket at Old Navy so I didn’t have to get out of line.  That was nice. 

We also finally got to see my cousins who are both due in March.  Kate is due with her 4th baby, a girl, on March 9^th and Emily is due with her first, a girl, on March 27^th.  I sandwiched right in there at March 23^rd.  It was neat to see how different we all look and how we’re carrying.  We did not get a group picture but hopefully will at Christmas. 

I think I’m feeling him a lot these days.  I feel many bumps and movements while sitting around.  And a lot at night when I haven’t eaten much so I’m thinking it’s him and not food digesting. 

Activity –

Monday – 45 min run

Tuesday – Swim 25 min, Eliptical 20 min, weights 15 min

Wednesday- 45 min run

Thursday – 35 min run

Friday –  Rest and shopping!

Saturday –  45 min run

Sunday –Rest.  Too much traveling!

Weight gained: Depends on the day but I was around 157-160lbs which puts my weight gain around 12-15

Maternity/Baby items bought: A bunch of tops and jeans from Gap Maternity.  I also got a super cute black Maternity dress from Macy’s for $20.  I love that the baby lets me expand my wardrobe!

21 Weeks

Week 21 – Nov 12 – Nov 18

How I’m feeling – I’ve really started to pop a bit and now it’s noticeable that I am pregnant.  I “think” I’ve started to feel the baby or what others tell me is like butterflies or a fluttering feeling.  Sometimes it feels like gas or just my food digesting but apparently, it might be little guy.  My belly feels different, obviously, but more particular when I’m running.  It sometimes feels like I have a big gas bubble in there.  I feel my form compromising but I’m trying not to hunch too much.  My lower back may start to really hurt soon.  I’m finally aware that the bump is there.  Push ups are little more difficult and when I do squats, my belly gets in the way!  I’ll be honest, it’s hard to feel attractive at times, but cute clothes help!  I wore a pair of skinny maternity jeans last week that are super cute, however I am not a fan of the full band.  It was itchy and in my ribs all day.  Plus then it sticks out if my shirt rides up.  The constant adjusting got to be a little much.  I’m retiring certain shirts or wearing them for the last time….sigh.  I’ll see you guys in the spring/summer. 

Got my nursery swatches today and I’m trying to price everything before I go register.  I have no ideas on what style of crib, so I’m basically just going to pick one.  I have my paint samples on the wall in the nursery as well, though I’m not sure they are exactly what I want so may have to go to the store yet again. 

Baby is the size of – The size of a banana!  Or 11 ounces/1 pound.

Activity –

Monday – 48 min run, 5.32 miles

Tuesday – Eliptical 20 min, weights 15 min, Swim – 10 laps 25 minutes

Wednesday – 40 min run  4 miles (several walking breaks b/c I had to pee!)

Thursday – Weight/cardio circuit – 20 min, Swimming laps – 20 min

Friday –  Rest

Saturday –  42 min run – approx 4-4.5 miles

Sunday – Eliptical 25 min, weights 15 min

Weight gained: Total 11-13 pounds.  Weight Friday – 156 lbs

Maternity/Baby items bought: I bought a bunch of tops at Gap, some dresses at Target, and some jeans on Gap Online for $40 which I almost bought for $70 in the store the day before.

10

The number 10 has much significance for me this year.  October marked my 10th half marathon.  This fall, my class celebrated its' 10 year class reunion and it's been 10 years since I started running.  

My class reunion brought back great memories with my classmates.  We picked up with stories just like we'd seen each other every day for the last 10 years.  It was a bit of a bummer that I couldn't enjoy all the wine and beverages, but baby Tobs is worth it.  It was great catching up and seeing how everyone has changed through the years.  Kids, marriages, living in different states, and some still living in Pawnee.  But all in all it was great to see where life had taken everyone.  Some things never change...

Boys looking at scrapbooks and yearbooks

Two of my best friends...then and now!

The class!

Twins!  Matt, Morgan, Andrew, and Megan

The girls - Morgan, Katie, Megan, and Me

Katie, Abby and Me

Girls

Boys

 

 

 

 

Ironically, since it's been 10 years since I graduated high school, it's also been 10 years since I first went to college and began running.  I will never forget one of my first mornings in Taylor Hall at EIU, my brother calling me, asking if I wanted to go to the Rec to workout.  Um, I didn't really workout other than my volleyball season, 1 year ago, but why not?  I remember going and immediately getting hooked.  Nevermind that I didn't know what I was doing.  But that fall, I distinctly recall the day that I ran for 25 straight minutes on the treadmill.  It was barely over 2 miles, but I didn't care.  I wanted to tell everyone.  Thankfully I didn't, but thus began my bug for running.  Which leads me to my 10th half marathon....

About 5 years ago, half way through my running career so far, I decided I should try for a half marathon.  I had ran several 5ks, and one 5 miler and I was ready for the challenge.  Since then, I've ran 10.  Even I'm surprised by it.  I used to be able to recall each goal for every one, but now with so many, it is getting harder.  I used to read stories of runners who had run so many halfs that they lost track.  Um, how do you lose track??  Well, I'm almost to that point.  Luckily, I'm keeping track of them so I don't forget!  My goals have been different for each one and I've had different times each race, but the fact remains that I am a runner and I can't wait to do 10 more!  And maybe I'll throw in another marathon, if I ever get crazy enough.  Here's a recap on my 10 Half Marathons, times, and goals for each....

#1.  5/5/2007 – Indy Mini Marathon – 2:11.32  

        **My first half and my goal was to run (not even stop for water or GU) the entire thing.  I did it, slowly and that was stupid to do. Indy is a great, flat course.  It is the largest half marathon in the US with 35,000 runners.  You even get to run on the speedway!  Kiss the Bricks!

#2.  5/3/2008 – Indy Mini Marathon – 2:00.31
        **My goal this race was to beat my previous time.  I busted it...by 11 minutes.  And even walked during it...haha

10/12/2008 – Chicago Marathon, Chicago, IL – 4:55.24

        Okay so this doesn't count, but I freaking ran a marathon and it needed to be put on here!

#3.  4/11/2009- Illinois Half Marathon, Champaign, IL – 1:59.16

        **This was my only half where no one from my family could be at because my dad was sick with cancer during that time.  My goal was to beat my 2 hour time from last time and I pretty much thought that if I could do that, God would heal my dad.  Do you ever try to bargain with God?!  Yeah, I was crazy.  It was an emotional run, and honestly, Dad was healed.  Great run, finishing on 50 yard line of Memorial Stadium is pretty sweet

#4.  4/11/2010 – Go! St. Louis Half Marathon – St. Louis, MO – 2:14.58

       **I ran this race with my sister-in-law and it was her first half.  My goal was to finish with her and we both raised money for The American Cancer Society.  It felt great to give back to others affected by dad's disease.  I definitely felt his presence that day.

#5.  4/2/2011 – Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon, Springfield, IL – 1:55.40  PR

       **I ran this race and raised money for Kailey Wilmarth, my volleyball coach's 8th grade daughter who was battling Leukemia.  With the help of her family and friends, we raised $2,000 for Kailey's Krew.  And I PR'd!  My "personal record" was 4 minutes faster than previous PR in Champaign which was tough enough.  Springfield is hilly so I was really proud.  I did it for Kailey and for Dad.  Kailey lost her battle that May, but I think of her often and her family.

#6.  5/7/2011 – Indy Mini Marathon – 1:53.15 PR

       **I ran my 2nd half last year just one month after I PR'd.  I was nervous but my goal was just to complete 2 in one month.  Well, I beat my best time, yet again.   Ryan and Nancy ran this one too and did awesome.  It was great to have Nathan there to see me finish and beat my time.

#7.  10/23/2011 – St. Louis Rock and Roll Half Marathon – 2:02.59 – 9:23 pace

      **This was my 3rd this year and I had suffered a back injury just 6 weeks before the race, so again, it was to finish with a decent time.  I was very proud of my time and looked forward to running it again.

    

#8.  4/7/2012 – Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon – 1:50.34 PR – 8:26 pace 
      **My second time running the Springfield race.  I signed up because I knew the course and I wanted to run 2 in 1 week.  Again, crazy.  Well, I beat my time again!  I was so proud of myself on such a hilly, tough course.  Did you see my pace?!  I must have been flying.  So since I started my first half, I have shaved off 21 minutes off of my time.  That's insane.

#9.  4/15/12 – Go! St. Louis Half Marathon – 2:13.29 
      **I ran this race one week after I PR'd so I was just hoping to finish.  I also ran this with my friend Caitlin for her first so my goal was to stay with her as well.  I was pleased with the time.

#10.    10/21/12 – St. Louis Rock and Roll Half Marathon - 2:03.29   
       **And just one month ago, I ran my 10th.  My goal was sort of weird for this one.  I got a discount for signing up at the St. Louis Go!  Expo and at the time, Nathan and I knew we were going to try to get pregnant.  So I wondered if I would be in the fall.  That's always been a dream of mine.  To run a half pregnant.  Well, it ended up working out.  I ran my 10th half marathon 18 weeks pregnant and felt tremendous.  Baby Tobin is a champ and I am thankful to still be able to run.  As I was running around mile 9, which was sort of uphill and a battle, I looked around at all the other runners and the crowds cheering people on, and I suddenly became overcome with emotion.  I was running with my child, and the fact that God let me do that just about made me cry.  It was the perfect culmination of my tenure of running.  

Hope you enjoyed the recap and happy running!

Ultrasound pics!

At our last appointment, 2 weeks ago, we got to see exactly how our little man is developing.  Kidneys, spinal column, heart chambers, brain, everything!  We also got some great pictures even though he was shy and bouncing around like crazy.  At one point he had his hands to his ears and was sitting on his heels.  Too cute!  He is very scrawny, but the 3D made him look like an actual newborn size.  He's only the size of a banana and roughly a pound, but he seems so big!

Enjoy!

Shy boy

Sweet little face

Again, not loving the camera

20 Weeks....halfway there!

Week 20 – Nov 5^th – 11^th

How I’m feeling – My belly is popping and my shirts are getting tighter!  People are telling me it’s obvious now, but sometimes I forget and find myself hunching over or wondering why my stomach hurts.  I feel like my belly has a lead weight in it as I run.  Just sort of drags and is rock solid.  I’m still running about 9-9.30 minute miles which is good for me.  I had to stop on Saturday during my run.  It was a warm 75 degrees and I was ready for lunch or a snack so I stopped several time stop to catch my breath and not push it too much.  I woke up the other morning and one side was larger than the other.  Not sure if this is normal or not but it evened out later on that day.

What I’m eating/not eating – A lot of snacking and grazing but mostly healthy stuff.  Honestly, with my activity level, it’s a pretty normal amount of food.  Coffee is still my weakness but I’m trying to have a small cup a day or less.  I’m trying to keep my uptake of vegetables and fruits and protein good.  Still very difficult to see my body changing and not being able to 100% exercise the way I want, but he’s hanging in there ok! 

Activity –

Monday – 25 min run.  My back is still a bit strained but movement is helping.

Tuesday – Eliptical 25 min, weights 15 min

Wednesday – 30 min on treadmill – speed work with incline.  20 min in the pool – breaststroke down, freestyle back

Thursday – Eliptical 25 min, weights 15 min, bike ride 15 min, raking leaves – 20 min

Friday – 25 min run

Saturday – 50 min.  It was really warm and windy day and I definitely felt like I needed juice or something to get me thru.  I had to walk a few times so all in all about 4.5 mile run

Sunday – Rest.  Haven’t taken a break from working out in over a week, so I enjoyed the gloomy weather.  Back at it tomorrow!

Weight gained: ???  I’m still around 158 lbs.

Maternity/Baby items bought: I’m still deciding between super cute Liz Lange dresses from Target.  One fits now but probably won’t later and the other was on clearance but I don’t know that I love it.