Baby's First Race

The Vulcan Run is one of my favorite races in Birmingham. The distance doesn't require a whole lot of training, and the weather early November is always perfect for running. This year presented a few more challenges, but I knew I wanted to run this one, if all went well with the pregnancy, and then I could cruise with shorter runs and more indoor workouts for the rest of my pregnancy when it's cold and dark.

I did a little dress rehearsal the night before. I love some polka dots.

 Hard to believe this baby bump! Aren't you glad you aren't the friend I texted, "Can you see my belly button? Is that inappropriate?"

Per his usual routine, MS laid out all the breakfast supplies the night before. I simply picked the Christmas mug for size - Sunburst didn't need too much caffeine - although I treated myself to half a cup of real coffee.

The pre-race bathroom debacle. Ugh. I literally went 4 times from the time we parked at 7 and the start of the race at 8, and probably could have gone a 5th time about a mile in.

The race day adrenaline didn't fail me. It's so much more fun to run in a race, and my pace was a little quicker than what I've been posting on my solo runs. I didnt get out of breath until the last home stretch, and as soon as I crossed the finish I recovered almost immediately, so I felt like I pushed, but not too hard. That being said, my recovery has been much slower in the muscle department, so this will probably be my last longer run until I'm pushing the jogging stroller.

It felt really great to be able to check this off my list. Here's hoping all this running comes in handy around February.

It's a shame MS has no personality. But, I would be pretty pumped too if I had finished in 48 MINUTES. That's clocking out 7:40 miles. I was SUPER impressed and proud of him - it was a huge PR. I don't know if he'll want to run with me again!

Coach Grizz was pretty proud too. He loves being held like a caught fish. Can't you tell?
 

All I wanted to celebrate a good race and 3 years was to order by number at our favorite local Mexican restaurant. MS indulged me...I think I'll keep him around.

Five on Friday

The last Friday before Daylight Savings Time. I will just be excited about light in the mornings again rather than dreading the darkness when I leave work every day.

That being said, a few things that brightened my week.

1. Trick or Treat
We celebrated the last Halloween without a little one at our house. Everyone got in the spirit.

2. Leather and Crystal
It's our third anniversary weekend. I prefer to celebrate on the weekends - is that weird? It just seems more festive. We did neither the modern gift - leather - or the traditional gift - crystal. Instead, I requested a prenatal massage and Mexican food for dinner. Tis the season of life we are in.

3, Cover Up
Totally shifting gears to drugstore makeup. I've never been much of a concealer fan, but when I saw the ad for one that covers and helps get rid of dark spots, I immediately was sold on giving it a try. After first having to twist the top about a million times to initially get the product out, it's worked wonderfully. The sponge applicator is mess free and I think it provides just the right amount of coverage. I use my MAC foundation brush to blend.

4. In the Closet
Matt is so kindly (with help from my Dad) installing the nursery closet organization system this weekend. Hoping by Sunday we'll have a better place to hang/fold his little clothes, that looks a little something like this.

5. Cold Date

I've got a date with these come Saturday morning. Cannot wait!

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks. Or 7 months - whoa. Does that sound really far along? Baby is the size of a cauliflower, and weighs around 1.5 lbs. He knows up from down and is growing more hair!

Total weight gain: 12 pounds. Baby is growing!

Maternity Clothes:  All maternity pants and most tops. Some maternity tops are still a little big, and some of my regular tops still fit. I have quite the selection now. 

Stretch Marks: None yet.

Sleep: Saturday was a record low at 2 hours - and we were at a hotel with no Hallmark Channel. It was tough finding something to watch. I suffered through an entire episode of Love It or List it where they didn't decide to Love It or List it. It only added to my exasperation. 

Best Moment this Week: MS getting to feel Sunburst kick. I think he was really excited! 

Miss anything? Nope. Loving getting ready for our boy! 

Movement: I feel him a lot! I try not to be a little bitter I don't think I feel him quite as much because of the anterior placenta, just happy he's healthy and moving around! 

Food Cravings: Salt salt salt. Me and the Morton girl are BFF. I'm thinking of inviting her to my baby shower. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Back to the first trimester nausea after eating. 

Exercise: Still going pretty strong. Enjoyed my last evening run downtown while daylight allows.

Gender: All blue! 

Labor signs: Negative. 

Symptoms: The sciatic pain all but disappeared. I don't know if it is luck or the PT or a combination- but what a relief! 

Most looking forward to: Putting his nursery together. Now that all the big decisions are made and ordered, it's going to be fun seeing it all put together and putting on the finishing touches. 

Three Years

Three Years of marriage, or 156 weeks, if you are getting used to counting in weeks...

Such a happy day!  God blessed me beyond what I deserve when he brought you along.

 I think this next year will be one of our most challenging but best yet.

Praying for many more years with you by my side.

Sugar and Shopping and a Wedding

 Since we last spoke, we've done a lot of eating (for MS' birthday), and some traveling east (for a wedding).

First stop - cookie slop pie. Well, the official name is No Bake Cookie Pie. Cookie slop is Matt's mom's recipe and it's basically the same thing in a 9x13 - chocolate chip cookies dipped in milk layered with cool whip. It is absolutely fabulous and ridiculously easy.

We did eat an actual meal beforehand. Pioneer Woman's Penne alla Vodka. You haven't lived until you've been to the liquor store 6 months pregnant.

On Friday's grocery store run I saw this monstrosity. We all know how that game ended. RTR.

Confession: I've never made chili. So of course I decided that's what I had to cook for my family dinner for Matt's birthday. My friend's recipe did not disappoint and it was the perfect meal for a cold Fall night.

Mom made the red velvet cake - Matt's favorite.

Before heading to Atlanta on Saturday we dropped Namath at Doggy Day Camp - aka the vet by Matt's parents house. Boarding him at a different vet has proved way less traumatic for his tender ego. Despite the stink eye in this pic.

I got 3 of 6 magazines read on the trip, and we arrived at the hotel to this cute welcome bag.

The wedding and reception were gorgeous. Loved these centerpieces - I'm a sucker for a hydrangea. They had food stations from all the countries they've traveled together as a couple. Thailand, Italy, France and Australia as well as a Southern food station for Georgia. Delicious! When else can you eat pad thai and mashed potatoes in one sitting?!

You know MS wasted no time getting out on the dance floor.

Erin was a beautiful bride! That dress...maybe one of the prettiest I've seen. If I knew the names of fabrics, I would tell you, but it was really different and oh so pretty.

We made our first trip to Ikea Sunday on our way out of town. We picked up quite a few things, and besides an odd and end, all of our main items for the nursery are purchased.

A sneak peak at one of our finds:

We fit it all in, thank goodness.

Being a mile from The Varsity, there was only one thing left to do.

24 Weeks

Remind me to stop taking pictures at 9 p.m. Yikes. 

How far along? 24 weeks. Baby is the size of an eggplant. WHOA. That seems really big! Baby boy gained 4 ounces this week. His body is filling out with fat (I've been helping with that), and his brain is growing quickly. Taste buds are becoming more developed and lungs are are developing 'branches' of the respiratory 'tree'.

Total weight gain: 11 pounds so far. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes. I can still wear some longer and looser regular tops, but I do like the fitted maternity tops for comfort and to show off the sweet bump, and I think we can all agree more fitted clothes make you look smaller than big drapey tents. 

Stretch Marks: No, I think last week was a false alarm.

Sleep: This changes constantly - I'm aware of the irony. It's back to the stage where if I wake up to use the bathroom, it's hard to go back to sleep. I've watched a lot of I Love Lucy and Frasier reruns this week. Thank goodness for the Hallmark Channel and their full night of regular programming. 

Best Moment this Week: Clothes shopping with my mom. We found so many cute things, and had lunch outside in the beautiful weather. It was such a treat to be off work and just enjoy time preparing for baby.

Miss anything? Besides the obvious, not really.

Movement: Yes! Feel him moving all day. He's especially active early in the mornings, and late at night. If this trend continues, we are in for an adjustment. He was super quiet all day Saturday after my longer run, and it made me nervous all day. But Sunday, he was back at it.

Food Cravings: Still love the salty more than the sweet. I downed some fried pepperoni (don't judge), wings and french fries for Matt's birthday dinner Friday without a thought. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Back to the whole 'taste of food in my mouth makes me feel sick' phase. The Dentyne Fire gum has been my go to. 

Exercise: Yes. It's getting darker for longer in the mornings, so I've found a YouTube cardio workout I like. I wasn't sure about it at first, but I've been sore every day after doing it, so I've stuck with it. I'll usually run after work one day, do a day of upper body weights and a longer run on Saturday. 

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Nope.

Symptoms: Really feeling pretty good! I don't think I've fallen prey to a lot of the symptoms I get in my weekly updates, so I count that as a win. 

Most looking forward to: Putting the nursery together! We are also debating a 4D ultrasound. Did anyone do this? Recommend it? 

On Your 32nd Birthday

The love of my life turns 32 today. I'm so glad he was born!

I just love what you bring to our family - a sense of calm, and a lot of fun.

There's not a doubt in my mind you will make the best Daddy for Sunburst. People already comment on what a great dad and a help you will be. It makes me so proud to call you mine. I know Sunburst will feel the same!

I know I've said this a million times before, but I'm always blown away by what a servant you are. Without one complaint, you are always doing for me and Namath, and most of the time without even being asked.

This year I've seen you use that gift even more as you take on roles outside the home - leadership roles that require a lot of serving. It's such a joy to see you use your gifts.

Love you so much and so thankful you are mine!