11 weeks!

I think I need some new running shorts!  I've felt a little bigger in the belly lately, but it might have something to do with the Tootsie Rolls I've been addicted to lately.  I'm trying to cut down on sweets, I swear!

After a busy start to the week with coming back from Wisconsin and Matt going out of town for work, I was finally able to get in a 5 mile run on Friday and a 6 mile run on Saturday.  Today, I had all intentions of heading out for 7 miles.  I ended up sleeping in until 7am, and by the time I headed out at 8am it was 90 degrees!  Not ideal running conditions for a pregnant woman.  The old me would have pushed through in the heat, came home half dead, and loved it (no pain, no gain!) but the pregnant me came home after 1.5 miles.  Sigh.  Matt will be home tonight and I hope to get more workouts in.  As someone that was previously so active and almost addicted to working out, I've found it hard to not be able to keep that up and be faced with weight gain.  I just have to keep the bigger picture in mind!

On Friday I went over to our friend's house to babysit their 1 month old.  He is absolutely precious!  Just holding him and feeding him made me feel so amazed at what's to come.

We are so very excited for my ultrasound on Friday!  I'll also be having the nucal translucency screening test to assess the baby's risk of having Down syndrome and some other chromosomal abnormalities, as well as major congenital heart problems.  We hope to be able to share some exciting news with more people next weekend!

10 weeks, 1 day!

Double digits - yesssss! In the past week or so I've gotten in several great, albeit slow, 6 mile runs that I hope to continue to do regularly. It's hard to get going but if feels so amazing once I'm finished. I guess 6 is the new 12?

I've been a little sloppy on my eating lately. If you know me, you know that I eat the same bean burrito every single night. Well, that's been the last thing I've felt like eating over the past 3 weeks. I have a hard time finding other low carb options, and end up having a bowl of pasta. I moved away from carb overload when I wanted to lose weight training for my Ironman, so I'm not happy to go back. Hopefully I'll feel like eating my beloved black beans again! As for weight, I've gained maybe 2 or 3 pounds and I'm convinced it's all in the boobs!!

We had an exciting weekend in Madison visiting Matt's family and finally sharing the exciting news! It will be Matt's parents' 5th grandchild, but they are excited nonetheless! Our nieces and nephew made us some very cute and thoughtful "Congratulations!" cards too. I'm thinking of framing 2 of them and saving them for Baby Z's room...they are too adorable to not save!

Well, Matt is leaving me for the week to launch a rocket! I hope to still get in some runs in between work and taking care of Cliff - I've got a half marathon to train for!

8 weeks!

Time sure is moving slowly!  I guess that's a good thing, when we think of how much our lives are going to change in 32 more weeks.  Yesterday we went and saw our good friends' baby, Cooper.  He's absolutely adorable, and you can tell that they are all so happy and proud.  It makes me excited for our future with our baby Z!

This week has been pretty good in terms of keeping active.  I fit in two 4 mile runs and several gym days.  Today, Matt and I did a 5 mile run in the 90 degree heat.  It felt good to get out.  My pace is a lot slower than usual, so Matt has had to do intervals to get a good workout in.  I'm just happy he's still running with me at all!  I know when I was in tip top Ironman shape, I had a hard time being patient when we'd run together and he'd struggle.  Lots I can learn from my patient husband. 

Later this afternoon we watched "The Business of Being Born".  What an eye opener!  I'm so glad we watched it this early in my pregnancy.  I'm sure those who know me best will think I'm crazy, but we've decided to look into using a mid wife and having a natural pregnancy at a birth center rather than a hospital.  No, we haven't turned into radical granola's, but the idea of a more natural experience is very attractive.  I hate hospitals, I hate needles, and the thought of even getting my blood pressure checked makes me want to pass out.  The anxiety of being in a hospital for several days?  Through the roof!  Besides, did you forget I'm a Ford Ironman Finisher?!?!?!  Can giving birth be much different than competing in a 14 hour Ironman in hilly Wisconsin?  And to think - I'd get our gorgeous baby Zernicke instead of a medal and a finisher's t-shirt! 

All I can say is this:  keep an open mind with us, and check out the movie if you get a chance.  At least watch the trailer below.  Happy 8 weeks!