Ravenswood 5k

During the first couple of months of this pregnancy I thought my running days were over until after baby as I couldn't make it very far without walking and felt so completely drained of energy.  But once I was able to start running  jogging again I set the goal of running a race while pregnant.  I am so happy that I have been able to keep a little running in my life during this time and to be able to put a big check mark by that goal this morning.

Dan and I ran the race together even though it was not a ton of exercise for him to go at my pace.   We ran it at a 10 minute mile.  But because I am vain, I ripped the timing chips out of my bib as I didn't want my slow pace to be what shows up when people do an internet search on my name (such as future employers, coworkers/interviewees (seriously- had someone at work mention finding my photography after I interviewed them), etc)... terribly vain but I accept that.

It was a fun race.  We just chatted the whole time and Dan kept me laughing.  I had to keep reminding myself to not take off and try to pass everyone... but we did still pass quite a few people.  As we ran across the finish line I saw a guy with a big huge camera and flash get in position down low to snap our photo and heard Dan exclaim how he didn't want to be in it as he tried to move away from me... thanks, honey.

I felt better than I look in this post-race photo.  I felt great... maybe could have run it a little faster but didn't want to push it.  My next running goal is to run something this fall - maybe the hot chocolate 15k in November.

Another painting day completed

Way back in February when we moved in to this place we picked out the colors.  This past weekend it was time to finally check painting the bedrooms off the list.  Lucky for Dan his brother decided to make the trip to Chicago for the weekend and was up for helping.  The extra set of hands was a huge help and they worked almost all day on Saturday.

The baby room is painted in Dolphin Fin and our bedroom is Irish Mist with one wall in Dolphin Fin.  Mike asked me why I picked one wall to do the Dolphin Fin... basically I have no explanation other than because I liked the idea.  The Irish Mist completely improved the bedroom - it is amazing what a slight variation in tint can do for a place.

Next up on Dan's list is painting the baby dresser and on my list is finding an alternative to the hideous brown shades in the living room. Slowly but surely this place is becoming home.

29 weeks

There is no way that someone can make the "but you are so small" comment anymore when I say I am pregnant!  Everytime I look in the mirror the belly has grown. Seriously.

Fatigue is making a coming back.  I am usually pretty good until 2:30pm when all I want to do is crawl under my desk and take a nap and when I get home from work around 6pm I am ready to crash.  One evening Dan went to Darren's to watch racing and instead of doing photo work or something off my to do list I took a nap.  Otherwise, feeling good.

Movement has changed.  The baby was a little quieter early in week when I suspect a growth spurt was happening and now is getting into taking pretty long naps in there.  But when it is restless, it is wanting to stretch out!  I find myself putting my hand on my stomach when those big, powerful stretches occur.  And sometimes there is just little, but strong, movements.  Movement is not quite as spazy as it was a couple weeks ago.

My sweet tooth is back again.  Still no true cravings but my will power is lower.  I actually bought oreos.

This weekend was bedroom painting weekend.  Mike visited and helped Dan with painting our bedroom and the baby room.  I am so glad to have that done.  The nasty brown shades left in the unit were replaced with pretty, subtle drapes.  Our bedroom is finally coming together.  The baby room is at least started.

Nesting might be kicking in.  I actually did cleaning. Or maybe I was just sick of the mess since Dan was busy painting so not doing the cleaning that he usual does (normally he is such a clean machine that I enjoy not having to be one).

We went out to dinner with the Urban clan and for the first time I felt like my belly was as stretched as it could be and was ready to pop.

28 weeks

We had a very short doctor appointment where my question, when asked if we have any questions, was is it bad that I don't have any questions?  Everything is going pretty smooth right now.  Blood pressure is good, weight gain is appropriate, bump growth is on track, baby's heart beat is still strong (still right around 140), baby is head down with their bum up by my ribs on the right side.  The kiddo gave the doctor a good kick to say hello.  Dan decided to work from home so he could make the appointment - it is fun when he comes along.

After the doctor appointment I had the first person make their guess on the gender based on the bump.  The guess came from an older guy that thinks it looks like a boy.  I have zero insight into the gender based on my bump... not going to lie- I have wondered if that plays a role but I don't see it.

This week my brunch club friends made our standing brunch date a little celebration for baby Urban.  It was, not surprisingly as they are all talented, very cute.  The very awesome personalized Chicago baby blanket and thoughtfully curated books are sweet first gifts for the baby.

I am getting asked a lot of nesting has kicked in.  Not anymore than normal.  True, I am getting antsy about the bedrooms not being painted and projects getting started - but I always do that when something has been planned but not started for too long.

On a non-baby related bit of awesomeness for this week... we purchased a new mattress. Finally.  Can't wait to say goodbye to the broken down bit of misery when the new one is delivered tomorrow.

27 weeks

I think I mention something about the baby's movement every other week, if not every week.  But I am going to comment on it again.  This week the baby has gotten noticeably stronger and is awake for much longer time periods - even when I am up walking and moving about.  Friday morning the kid was having crazy party time from when I woke up straight through till almost lunch time.  And I really mean crazy party time... It would also leave its feet sticking out (presumably after stretching?) so I had a hard lump on the bump unless I rubbed and pushed them back in.  We are going to have a crazy little monkey for sure.  Dan has been able to just randomly put his hand on the bump for a while and end up getting some kicks instead of me reactively telling him when it is moving about.  He also rested his head on the bump when the kid was having party time to see if he could hear the movements - he says he can...

At a wedding a woman asked me what I miss most from non-pregnancy days.  This question came after a week or two of feeling quite large and particularly frustrated with maternity clothes.  I thought about it for a while.  She asked about missing unpasteurized cheese (don't even think about it as there are plenty of pasteurized cheeses to select from), medicine (apparently she would miss advil... I don't regularly take any medicine or get headaches so nope), etc.  Dan misses his drinking buddy so that was his answer.  I miss figure flattering clothes and having a waist line.  That might be shallow but I could really go for wearing a fitted button down shirt and pencil skirt to work.  Or a dress with a defining waistline.  I have been seeing all kinds of really cute spring clothes for my normal shape and the plainest, unflattering crap for maternity garb... so even though I don't consider myself a clothes-hound or a super stylish person, I miss regular clothes.

I was also asked to share what crazy cravings I have been having by another guest at the wedding... people always look disappointed with my responses to these types of questions. 

Another wedding guest question was are we freaked out... nope.  I apparently need more drama in my pregnancy to keep people interested and entertained. ;)  I have no doubt that we have a lot of challenges ahead and that there will be trying times.  And of course there are going to be a lot of things to learn about caring for this little one.  But in a conversation about this question on the way home we both are decidedly not freaked out.  This could be attributed to having already been through some very difficult times together or having waited until we felt felt ready for this phase of our life.  It wasn't rushed, and I am confident that we are capable and ready.

On the usual pregnancy symptoms.  Still no cravings or aversions.  I am not having terrible back pain.  If I stop drinking water by 9pm I only have to get up once to go to the bathroom - still haven't needed a snack in the middle of the night.  Belly button is completely flush with the belly - I am guessing it will pop out by the end of this pregnancy.  Sleeping okay given our terrible mattress (we really need to replace it).  Still not extra moody nor having mood swings.  All in all - I feel pretty great.

The third trimester is kicking off.  And we are getting started on the to do list. 

Weekends for the next couple of months are going to be booked with things like refinishing the baby dresser, painting, picking out a car seat, hospital tours, stocking the freezer, etc.  And a few fun couple dates - the last before we have to deal with babysitters.  The third tri will definitely be busy.

Only 90 days till estimated due date!

Doggies & the new home...

After moving we had a lot of questions about if the dogs adjusted to the new home.  In short - the dogs love it.  They do get stressed during the move - it always starts with the packing of boxes but once we are unpacked they get that this is home and calm down.

They absolutely love having the deck off the kitchen and off the loft where they get to hang out.  There is a park about half a block away that keeps them content (although Lincoln Park will always be their favorite).  The stairs make Shelby happy as she has a spot to perch and keep on eye on things in the kitchen without being in the middle of the madness.  The neighborhood is a very active one - they like that as it is interesting to them to people watch and check things out.  Not having a shared entry with neighbor dogs makes them happy too.  Life is good for Eddie and Shelby.

26 weeks

Hello baby bump!  I had a cashier at Walgreens call me a "little momma" this week.  On the flight back from Belize the flight attendent gave me one of the snack options when I almost cried after she said they didn't have sandwiches (we hadn't had a meal since breakfast due to Belize's airport not having a restaurant and the security lines at Dallas left us as the last couple of people boarding so no time to pick anything up- it was a long day).  Dan added the baby gear into budget.  The skin on my face got really splotchy from the sun instead of tanning, this has happened to a small degree every since our trip to Hawaii but it was on a whole new level this time - not a cool pregnancy side effect... a dermatologist appointment will be made after baby.  Otherwise, a quiet week as we approach the end of the second trimester. 

On non-baby-related topics - Dan and I just read the same book at the same time and are starting the second one (the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books)... kind of like we are having our own little book club.  It is fun.  Shelby gave us a scare by having some back problems while we were on vacation - poor girl.  We finally tried the Cuban restaurant that is about a block away - it was super good and of course during the walk home we commented on how nice it is to have places so close to our door again.