Rants, Recipes, and Running

First, I would like to say that when I looked at the last time I did a "currently" post - it was September 28.  Which means >2 months ago. So 2 months from now, I'll be holding you in my arms.  And this is the kind of stuff that literally consumes my brain on an hourly basis.  I check the expiration date on the coffee creamer and think "February 20 - that means by then baby should be here!"  :D Wonder if other pregnant women do this... Reading : Indistractable by Nir Eyal. This is a book Ryan actually purchased, but he is reading "1st Time Dad" - so lended this to me as he wanted us both to read it. I love it so far!  It is about how many things in our lives distract us from what matter, and how to regain "traction" in our lives. It covers everything from how to manage email at work, to how to re-hack your smart phone, to time-blocking your entire day to assure you are giving the people and priorities the attention they deserve. Really goo...

 I did this after the 1st Trimester - and am doing it again.  Again, I expect no one to read this. This is sort of my "diary" to look back on next pregnancy.  What was different about 2nd Trimester from 1st trimester? I actually ran so much better in my 2nd trimester because I wasn't so dang sick. It was glorious.  Weekly avg mileage & pace? I ran 20-25 miles/week. I had a few weeks where I hit 30 miles, but once I got a barre membership - I dropped down to 20 miles/week.  Pre-Pregnancy "avg" Road Pace:  7:45/mile Pre-Pregnancy Road half marathon pace:  7:00/mile Pre-Pregnancy Tempo Pace:  6:45/mile "Avg" Road Pace 1st Tri:  8:40/mile (but it is also averaging 85 degrees + 60% humidity every morning)  Tempo Pace 1st Tri:  7:30/mile (but I can hold it for very long because it's so hot) Avg Road Pace 2nd Tri: 8:20/mile (notice it was faster...attributed to not vomiting + not being 90 degrees at 5 am) Tempo Pace 2nd Tri: 7:45/mil...

 Dear Baby Namaste, As anticipated, I've been a little absent from blogging. Your Mama had to finish her capstone paper, had 10 hours of practicum each week, on top of working 40 hours/week. Oh, and we closed on 2 real estate deals over the past 8 weeks. So I've been a little "occupied" from blogging. But guess what? She graduates from my masters program in a few short days!! But all that doesn't mean you don't consume just about every waking moment of my mind. :D  I've managed to slide into the 3rd trimester already! I feel like the 1st trimester lasted 2 years, and then once I hit 16 weeks and removed my head from the toilet - the clock started running again!  I've honestly enjoyed this phase of pregnancy quite a bit. I am so grateful to not be nauseated anymore - that I'm elated. I prayed and prayed to God that if he would just relieve my nausea, I'd never complain again. And I'm holding to that pretty strong...for now :D  Your nursery i...

How fast does the 2nd half of pregnancy go? My 1st half went extraordinarily slow, and there were 5 weeks where I didn't even know I was pregnant. But I also spent 95% of those months lying down or vomiting or thinking about how I wanted to lie down and vomit.  I'm starting to feel like I ought to be "doing something".  You know that feeling in the morning when you're sort of still asleep, but you're coming to consciousness? that is sort of how I feel about pregnancy right now. I'm sort of hyperfocused on work, adjusting/establishing myself in a new role and really finishing the last 7 weeks of grad school. But here is the list of things that are on my mind sort of "peripherally" stressing me out. When I come back to consciousness after December 6 (when I finish school) - I'll re-read this post and start going through the checklist, I suppose.  1. How do you bring a citizen into the world? Am I supposed to be contacting someone about her birt...

 Dear Baby Namaste, I can remember a handful of times in my life where I would upset or let down my Mom or cause worry, and I would get frustrated that she was "in my business". And my Mom would respond and tell me, "Until I have a child of my own, I'll never be able to understand the love and worry a mother's heart feels." As I got older and started thinking about having a family - I still didn't quite "get" it.  And as things have progressed in my pregnancy and I got to see all your perfectly developed organs on the anatomy scan last week, I think it started to click. Nothing in this entire world matters more to me than knowing that you are healthy and growing. And I have not even met you yet!  Every time I feel a little twitch in my stomach right now of your little feet fluttering, my heart swells to know that you're there and alive.  I wonder if you can hear me talking about you with your Dad, and how excited we are for life with you. I...

A new Currently... Reading : I am actually in between books. I'm kind of tired of reading pregnancy books. I read 2 pregnancy books, 1 about "the 1st year", and one about breastfeeding. That's enough.  I have 2 weeks left of my Capstone, then I begin my practicum and I think at that point, my paper writing requirements goes down pretty significantly. I'd like to treat myself to a fun read. Lisa, I'm looking at you for suggestions ;) haha!  Thinking : About getting through my last months of school. I am so excited to be done.  Feeling : Relieved. I am about 3 weeks into my new job as a quality nurse in transplant, and I am so incredibly happy. I actually get excited to work. I didn't realize how stressed out and unhappy I was in my previous role. I think I was making excuses for myself stating "this is good for my career", "this is good for growth", "look at all the visibility and experience I'm gaining". But it was toxic, ...

I pause to bring you a brief intermission from happy posts to invite you to my pregnant pity party.  Remember that whole pandemic thing that's going on? Well, it wins again!  Tomorrow is my 20-week ultrasound. I have been holding on for this moment for weeks for a variety of reasons: 1. I am anxious to see our baby. I haven't had an ultra sound since 10 weeks. 2. I am anxious to make sure that she is developing well, and everything is okay.  3. I was told on August 1, when the appointment was made, that I would get to bring my spouse with me!  When that appointment was made, I also had to make an appointment to see a genetic counselor due to a clotting disorder I have. I already had that appointment and was able to bring Ryan. No one batted an eye when he accompanied me.  These 2 appointments are occurring at a hospital I am not delivering at (because they have better sonography equipment) The hospital I'm having these tests at I've been an employee at for a cum...