Rants, Recipes, and Running

Every year towards the end of December, I sit down and write down a "bucket list" for the year. I do that instead of resolutions or goals because it just feels more fun to check things off as the year goes on.  Well, in 2020 - I have a lofty bucket list involving different travel plans, career endeavors, and athletic accomplishments.  And then COVID happened. And then I got pregnant. So now when I read my 2020 goals, it kind of makes me giggle. While 2020 looked different than I thought it would -- it shaped out to be a pretty great year despite conditions out of our control! One thing I can't stand is making up excuses for things you didn't get done. Excuses = crutches. If you didn't accomplish something, you clearly didn't make that a priority. But this year...I think I can we can all use a"judgement-free excuse card". So here is where I came out :D  1. Run 50K -- I did that! It was January 25, prior to the world starting on fire and races shuttin...

 I haven't been writing too much about my pregnancy, because honestly, I don't have a lot to report.  At my last OB appointment, my doctor said "You're one of my most boring patients I'm seeing these days. Keep it up!" Which is the best thing I could ask for...  I'm currently 33 weeks and 2 days along. Not that anyone's counting. The baby is the size of a pineapple (those fruit comparisons make zero sense to me, by the way...).  But here are some updates that maybe I'll look back on in my future pregancies... Symptoms : Heartburn, Restless Legs, and Insomnia.  I'm having to be really careful about what I eat and when I eat - or I'm up all night with agonizing heartburn. It is not uncommon for me to be pacing the halls of our house chomping on Tums at 2am lately.  I always have wicked restless legs at night. No matter how much I stretch and try rolling out my calves - my legs seem to contort Emily Rose Exorcism style.  Ryan got me a Pregnanc...

 Many talked about how different their Christmas was this year given the pandemic, and their need to be isolated at home with no family. Fortunately or unfortunately, this Christmas was no different for me. As a nurse, I've spent most Christmases working in the hospital. As a military spouse, the last 2 years I didn't even spend Christmas with Ryan. 2018 he was deployed and 2019 he was on mandatory orders and worked the night shift through the holiday.  We live 1700 miles away from any family. So have always had to figure out a creative way to spend the holiday. As much as I love the Christmas season, the baking, the decorations, and the fun - the actual holiday is one that I have sort of come to not enjoy. I find myself in tears at some point either on Christmas Eve or Day in envy of people who get to spend holidays with their families. While we try to travel home for holidays, it has been a challenge - since we both have jobs that continue to work on holidays. So we always w...

I will pause for a brief intermission of all things baby to celebrate an exciting moment.  I am done with grad school!  This is the first evening that the reality is really settling in. For the past 2.5 years of my life, assignments were due by 9 or 10 pm Tuesday night (for me, since I'm in AZ and everything was on East Coast time)... I never waited until Tuesday to submit my assignments - but there were a few Monday nights that I was scrambling.  I got to add "MSN, RN" behind my name on my email signature today at work -  and it felt kind of cool! New letters behind the name are always fun, right?  I always wanted to get my master's, but honestly didn't think I'd actually do it.  Then while I was doing it - I had many moments where I thought about quitting.  Then I got pregnant and realized I'd be doing my practicum in the midst of the pandemic, and really thought about putting things on hold. However, I knew that if I put things on hold - that would ...

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...