One year

It's hard to believe that it's been one year since we became Southerns.  This time last year I was making the 500 mile drive with my two dogs in the back of the car, knowing that my final destination would be at a hotel near the new house were Tom was staying with our moving truck.  We'd only stay there one night (which thank God because it definitely wasn't the Ritz) and would get the keys in the morning, but the way the moving process had gone, I was super nervous that something was going to happen that would prevent us from getting into our new home.

But alas, everything went smoothly (besides the new neighbor "introducing herself" and all of the neighborhood rules about an hour before closing, which resulted in my sobbing the entire way to closing, asking "what did we get ourselves into"). 

We love our house.  We love the South.  We love Suwanee.  We love our neighbors (well, most of them).  We love our new friends, and the weather (although I did see snow flurries yesterday and that's not cool), and the parks.  We love being close to Atlanta, but far enough away.  In other words, we made the right choice!!!

And looking back in the last year, so much has happened.  Lots of ups and downs.  Lots of being tested and being rewarded.  And in the end, Tom and I are closer than ever, a true team and that is all that matters.

This next year is going to be amazing - challenging as always, but amazing!  We have a baby on the way (you didn't know that, did you??? haha).  Tom recently was forced into a career change and although the unknown is a little unsettling (especially with me being 8 months pregnant), we're navigating through some options and ultimately will be working together again which is ideal.  We have some racing ahead of us, - new destinations, new courses, new goals.  Our sponsorships keep growing which is always fun.  I know that I'll see my family more and more this year (even if they are only coming to see Abigail, I will take it). And those friends that I mentioned loving... I know that our relationships will continue to develop and that they will be a huge part of our lives.

Thanks for sticking with me through the transition this year!

New Camera

With the baby coming, we decided to get a new camera.  We didn't want a DSLR (even though everyone insisted on us getting one - and for those of you that did, thank you.  I would be more than happy to send you my address so you can purchase said camera that I "have to have" and have it shipped directly to our house).  Maybe you missed the fact that we have a baby on the way.  That translates to "we don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on a camera". :) We just wanted something a little better than our Sony Cybershot - maybe something that records video, has a faster shutter speed and a little more clarity in the photos. 

Of course camera shopping is the worst (I would probably rank it higher in terms of suckiness than jeans shopping or bathing suit shopping).  It's bad.  There are just so many options and I always feel that I over research and the camera ends up under delivering.  I buy one, get all giddy about it and then a friend takes amazing pictures on a more simple camera that cost her much less and I get frustrated.  Plus I feel like the reviews are always for rocket scientists.  Why can't someone just write a review that says "yep, this camera takes good pictures.  It's easy to use.  You will be happy, even if you know nothing about photography."  Seriously, that would help me so much.

I did get a recommendation from Betsy on facebook for a bridge camera.  Hum... I had never heard of that.  It's slightly better than a point and shoot, but not as crazy as a DSLR.  She gave me the model of the one she bought and was really happy with.  She told me what I wanted to hear - it took great pictures, it was reasonable and it had all the bells and whistles we wanted.  (Thanks for the review that I could understand Betsy... you saved me).  I started researching it and BAM!  It's exactly what we wanted.  And... it was in our budget. 

So we bough this baby -a Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR

Sounds and looks fancy, doesn't it?  Yeah, it is, compared to anything we've had in the past.  We have a lot to learn about it, but it does everything we want and WAY more!  So far, besides getting used to the size, we are having fun playing with it.  Here are some of the photos I've been taking as I get to learn things.

 

So with all that being said, and knowing that I have a lot to learn with this camera, anyone have any pointers on taking decent pictures of people, particularly moving babies? For some reason, the owners manual doesn't have a chapter on that.

Lesson of the day

Here's my lesson of the day - think before you speak.

It's not hard in theory, really, but I just don't get some people.  And here it is, 17 hours after someone spoke before thinking and I'm still fired up.  Maybe it's because of the person that said it and their inability to care or maybe it's the words, but in any event, I'm all fired up and this post will probably show that (that's my warning to you... hehehe)

I've smiled many times at stupid things that people have said to me over the years.  I've gotten fired up a time or two as well, I'll admit that.  Like the time we were ordering "Running On Insulin" rubber bracelets for a 4 mile race Tom and I were organizing to raise money for a local Diabetes Organization and the lady from the company that makes the bracelets suggested that we only order extra large ones since we were talking about diabetes.  The "you must be overweight to have diabetes" conversation does indeed fire me up.  A lot. And I would say that 100% of the time, it's because people don't know about the disease and don't think before they speak.

Or how about the number of times that a person says "oh I've run a marathon too - it was five miles and so hard".  That's cute.  I don't get too fired up about that one because again, it's probably more from lack of knowledge than anything.  I usually smile and try to correct them on what a marathon is, but sometimes I figure it's easier to not offend them by telling them they are wrong.  And I get that people don't understand that an Ironman is a triathlon.  So is a half Ironman, an Olympic distance, a sprint distance, etc.  Heck, any time you swim and then bike and then run, you are doing a triathlon. I've done that one a Tuesday in mid January at the gym. It doesn't matter the distance.

I guess it only really bothers me when someone speaks out of line. 

Remember the lady that asked me how many babies I was carrying when I was about 16 weeks along?  Or that she started that conversation by looking at my husband and saying "you did her good".  Yeah, that's not really appropriate and I'm assuming that she didn't think before speaking. (Of course, being me, I laughed about that for a while). 

So lately, as my belly grows and grows, people speak up.  What is it about talking to pregnant women and just saying whatever comes to mind - WITHOUT THINKING?  It's like your eyes see the bump and your mind says "I must make a comment, preferably inappropriate or something that will totally offend this poor woman who is overly emotional as it is". I've read so many blogs of friends who have written about what people have said to them as they are pregnant.  It's an epidemic if you ask me.  Most of it I can brush off, but sometimes my jaw drops, and I remain in awe.

Last night, Tom and I were talking to said person who fired me up.  I should preface it with the fact that I can easily get fired up about things this person says, but last night was classic.  They asked to see a picture of my growing belly and I sent them this one:

It's from Sunday.  I'm 29 weeks pregnant.  My belly is measuring two weeks ahead.  I've gained 18 pounds and I think besides my belly and chest, I have not gained a single pound elsewhere.  I'm damn proud of myself for this, for the fact that I still work out every day and that I feel like I'm having a healthy pregnancy.  I posted this picture on Facebook (which I'm hesitant to do because I'm so self conscious already) and people have been so incredibly nice, saying I look great and flattering me with compliments (which let me tell you, any pregnant woman at 29 weeks will gladly take a compliment about how they look great).  But not the person we were talking to last night.  Nope.  Their comment was "wow, you are huge.  And even in black clothes which usually make someone look so slim". 

Seriously.

My blood is still boiling.  Now I didn't send it to her in hopes that she would compliment me (I don't think she knows how to do such a thing), but seriously?  THINK.BEFORE.YOU.SPEAK!  I wanted to cry.

So here's my lesson for the day. If you see a pregnant woman, any pregnant women, don't tell her how big she is.  Think before saying what comes to mind first.  Remember that she's probably a little self conscious about the fact that she has a belly for the first time in her life, that she can't see her feet, that she can't tie her shoes, that maybe, just maybe she has finally accepted that this is part of the process and that she looks in the mirror and sees a healthy mom to be who is going to love her little girl more than anything in the world.  Definitely more than she will love you for making your stupid comment.
 

Drinking the kool-aid

Or something like that.  I had my 28 week appointment this morning and with that, came the test for gestational diabetes.  If you don't know what that entails, it's drinking 50 grams of pure sugar in the form of an orange drink and then exactly one hour later having your blood glucose (BG) level tested via a  blood draw.  I know a lot about this stuff because I'm married to a type 1 diabetic.   I also know that I don't want gestational diabetes.  I wasn't looking forward to this.

I had to fast starting at midnight.  Of course I woke up at 4:30 with the biggest rumbles in my stomach.  At 8:30 I drank the juice.  I swear it's the Hi-C orange drink that I used to love from McDonald's as a kid.  It's a shame that it's what our kids drink.  I had no problems getting it down... it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought.

At 8:50 I checked my BG (because again, I'm married to a Type 1... I have the tools to check readily available).  I was 108 - which is perfect.  Good.  Maybe this will go well.  I got to the doctor at 9:20 and checked again - 138.  WHAT?  Ugh... They drew my blood exactly an hour after I finished the drink and I asked my doctor what BG number would cause me to "fail" and have to repeat - 130 or higher.  Oye ve... when I got to the car, I tested again and was at 88 so I'm hoping it dropped enough between getting out of the car and getting my blood drawn.  I know that I don't have gestational diabetes based on those number and the fact that I fell to a very normal range by 9:45, but we'll see.  I sure hope I don't have to repeat this - drinking that stuff again and sitting at the doctors for 3 hours does not sound like my version of a fun day!

The doctor gave me a great report - blood pressure is 100/60 (nice and low) and at 28 weeks, I'm up 17 pounds.  He said that he couldn't be happier with that.  Then they measured the bump.  Now I've been saying all along that it's big (Tom lovingly reaffirms that about 16 times a day) - I know people that are at the same place as me and are MUCH smaller.  And I am right... my belly is measuring 2 weeks ahead!  Hahaha... at least the weight gain isn't too much.  I'm fine with it.  It's not like he was telling me something I didn't know. Right now that doesn't mean much.  I think Tom's hoping that it doesn't mean I deliver early because that would be right around the time of Ironman Texas! :)

I'm still running and biking and walking.  I'm winded a lot more.  I waddle some a lot.  It's all part of it. :)  I'm loving this whole experience though.  It's truly amazing!!!  And I feel like the next 12 weeks are going to be the slowest 12 weeks of my life until I get to meet this sweet little girl!

Update and photos galore...

It's hard to believe that I'm already 26 weeks along and that my third trimester is creeping closer and closer.  I can feel it too - I'm getting bigger, I'm more tired, I'm winded, I'm cranky.  It could be a long 13.5 weeks for poor Tom (although he's amazing... not that anyone needed a reminder of that though). Just a few updates for you -

•  Yes, I'm getting bigger.  I'm okay with it... really I am.  I'm actually way better with it than I thought that I would be.  You know, it's hard when you are an athlete that already struggles with self image issues to watch yourself grow by the day, but feeling Abigail kicking and knowing that in less than 100 days I'll get to hold my sweet girl, eh, getting big is a small price to pay.  I am looking forward to warmer weather where I can get away with flip flops, cottons skirts and tanks though!  I'm kind of over the maternity jeans and barely fitting coats.  This is my view most days - I can still see my feet! YAY...

• My child has an obscene amount of clothes already.  Of course I love it and there are many days that I head to her room, look at her closet and just smile.  Although I'm slightly petrified to have a teen age girl in 13 years, right now I'm loving all of the summer/fall dresses, onesies and outfits that are going to make her the cutest little bean. :) This is just the start of her closet!!!

• The nesting has begun (isn't that supposed to happen in the last few weeks?)  Tom and I have been finishing projects left and right (that might have something to do with him having an Ironman in 2.5 months and knowing his weekend are O.V.E.R) but it makes me happy knowing that our house will be in tiptop shape when I have family and friends here this April. :)  We've been watching a ton of DIY and HGTV channel stuff (check out Renovation Realities if you haven't already. H.Y.S.T.E.R.I.C.A.L - a bunch of people trying to renovate things and inevitably screwing up.  Makes me happy that my hubby is handy). One of our biggest projects - redoing our bedroom.  It just needed to be freshened up a little. New paint on the walls and furniture, new curtains, new pictures, new flowers/candles and new pieces! Love how it turned out! (the bottom piece is a new one that Tom made in the last week - just a little more storage for our room)

• Tom also redid the garage - organized it, built a new workbench, hung pegboard, painted, etc.  It looks really great.  Papa Smurf is still hanging patiently from the ceiling.  I'm a little sad that he hasn't been ridden in a while (now now, no dirty jokes) and I don't foresee a lot of riding in the future. :(  I'm strictly prohibited from riding outside now because of my balance being off (among other reasons that I wouldn't do that anyway) and I know that once Abby comes, the chance of me getting out on my own is going to be nonexistent - I hate riding alone.  So eventually I'll hop back on Papa Smurf.  For now, he's a good decoration in the pristine garage!

• I've had some sad days lately - lots of emotions with the baby on the way.  Some frustration with workouts.  Some uneasiness with the new changes (why hello Braxton Hicks Contractions). Blah blah blah.  There have been tears.  It's not been pretty.  But... on days when I just can't seem to force a smile, I remember how blessed I am with the people in my life.  For instance, dinner with these ladies this week.  What a group of badass chicks to start with (all crazy fast Ironman triathletes, Kristin's doing a 50 miler next week, Kacie's training for 2 (wo)man RAAM in June, Jill's an amazing mother two adorably awesome boys who still finds time to be an endurance athlete, and Karen is considering a 25k swim - oh wait... we decided against that when we heard that you don't even get a tee shirt, right Karen?)  We laughed so hard at the restaurant, talking about leg pressing 100 babies, biking or doing Tae Bo in bib shorts (sans a sports bra), practicing biathlon in my backyard, etc.  I could have sat there all night with these ladies.  And to top it off, Karen brought me a gem of a dessert, which I ate guilt free because we all know that cupcakes as gifts don't have any calories.  Thanks ladies!

So there's my photo dump update. :)  Here's a little baby update (and stay tuned for some exciting announcements - like new ambassador opportunities that I've been given through Zensah and Sweat Pink as well as some of my favorite pregnancy workout must haves!)

Weight gained:  As of Tuesday I was up 16 pounds. 
Workouts:  I'm struggling with this a little bit - not that I'm not doing them... I am, but it's getting harder!  I'm still on the bike trainer 2-4 times a week for at least 45 minutes and up to 1:45!  I am not going crazy fast, but I'm working up a sweat.  Running is getting harder.  I find that the track at the local high school is my friend for continuous 3-4 mile runs - nice and flat.  Outside running around here is hilly and I find that I get braxton hicks contractions when I run on the hilly surfaces.  Still, I've managed multiple 4 mile runs in the last month outside on a loop around a pond by our house (which usually happens in the form of 7 minutes of running, 2.5 minutes of walking up the hill).  I've yet to get to the pool (blame Tom) but this month starts that.  And I've been walking a ton.  The hills again trigger some BH contractions and I usually am totally out of breath at some point or another so it's fairly slow going, but I love it at the same time.  But I'm moving nearly every day.  My goal is to keep going through the end of May!!!
Symptoms: I mentioned Braxton Hicks contractions.  When I went to the doctor at the 24th week, they asked if I had any.  I said no because I didn't know what they would even feel like.  Last week I started feeling my stomach getting really tight and chalked it up to the baby just moving.  But then I googled it (what did people do before google?).  Anyway, I'm fairly certain they are BH's and that's fine.  They don't hurt.  Just weird.  Otherwise, I feel fine.
Movement:  Some days more than others and then of course I cry (I told you I'm emotional), worried that something is wrong.  The other day Tom could see her kick - my whole belly moved.  It's so surreal to me still that the baby is LIVING inside of me. :)
Food Aversions: If it's food, I like it.  Nothing has really been hard to stomach.  I am finding that no matter how hard I try, I can't eat as much because maybe there just isn't enough room for it all. Hahaha
Food Cravings:  I could still eat Mexican daily, but I'm not. :) I've been loving apples with peanut butter as my go to snack still.
Sleep: I'm a sleeper.  I fear the sleep deprivation when Abigail is born.  It terrifies me actually.  For now, I'm sleeping about 8 hours a night which usually consist of two bathroom breaks, weird dreams and rolling over a lot.
Maternity clothes?: Um... yep!  I still get away with my old yoga pants (which I live in) and a few tees, but when I need to look presentable, I wear maternity clothes.  I can't wait for spring though.  Bring on the comfy skirts and tanks!
Stretch marks? Nope
Miss Anything? Not really - maybe being able to hop on my Kestrel or go for a 10 mile head clearing run, but that's about it.

That's all I've got for now! :)