Fridays = Growth Spurts

OK, I'm convinced that Baby has a growth spurt every Friday. Last week it seemed I looked much larger on Friday than I had earlier in the week. The same was certainly true this Friday. In fact, by the afternoon, I was also very uncomfortable. Baby seemed to be sitting on my sciatic nerve! Every step I took was shooting pain into my lower back. No good at all. I even was wearing my sneakers for cross-country practice, but it didn't seem to help. I kept resting on a stool in my classroom as I taught, so that I wouldn't have to feel the pain! At some point during cross-country practice I started to feel better in the back, but now it felt as though Baby had moved to my bladder. I was just so uncomfortable all afternoon! Things got better as the weekend progressed, although I still maintain that Baby is much bigger!

28 weeks--Third Trimester

This picture was taken on Sunday, September 23.
These in the blue shirt are from today (Wedesday, Sept. 26th).
So last night we went to the doctor for our 28 week check-up. I've gained 3 pounds in the last month. Nevertheless, I think Baby got a lot bigger last week. Or else my abs got a lot weaker. Either way, my belly pokes out more now than it did a few weeks ago. All seemed fine at the check-up. We heard the heartbeat (I didn't get the numbers from my uterus measurement-boo-- next time!), and now I go every two weeks.

I still feel pretty good. I had a great 5 mile run yesterday morning then got up and lifted weights today. After school was our first cross-country meet, on the HOTTEST day-- it was in the high 80s and really humid. The kids did great though, and won handily. I was very proud not only of their running, but also their sportsmanship. I was also proud of myself and Baby for running around cheering & coaching (& sweating!).

So far, all the moms at school have been great. Tomorrow is Back-to-School Night... we'll see how that goes. The teachers are great as well. While it is flattering to hear that I don't look pregnant from the back, I know I'm certainly wider than I was. Whatevs-- I don't mind the flattery! Even with today's extreme heat and lack o' breeze (or AC), I managed to feel pretty good throughout the school day. I hope this energy keeps up!

Registering for Baby

Well, my apologies for not posting in so long. With school and cross country practice starting back, I've been pretty busy. I'm wondering if all my activities are affecting Baby. Sometimes I get REALLY freaked out thinking that Baby is not moving as much or as often as he/she should be. In fact, I'm really looking forward to my doctor's appointment on Tuesday night to reassure me that all is well (I want to hear that heartbeat again!).
Cross country has been fun and funny. The team is pretty into the baby. They were coming up with names at practice on Friday. They also get protective of me, and don't want me running too much. One day we were playing tag, and I became it. One of the eighth grade boys shouted out, "Give her a break! She's pregnant! Let her tag you!" It was funny. They also give each other a hard time if I am ahead of them on the warm-up or cool-down.
So, the last week or so has been spent registering for Baby. And that is the REAL reason I haven't posted in so long-- I've been obsessing about EVERY decision for every bit of baby gear! At first I was only going to register at Buy Buy Baby because I like the quality of stuff they have, and Baby Bargains said that it is the best baby retail store. Also, I am anti-Babies R Us because of the use of the backwards R in their name. However, they have a very expansive selection of items (and a more user-friendly website) and are a much larger chain. So, now I am registered at both places.
The bad part of having two registries is that only half your stuff is on either one. So what if someone really wants to get you the bath stuff, but they are at the wrong store? Oh well. I'm sure it will all work out fine. I'm over stressing about it!
Stress: I really got to the point that I couldn't make a decision any more. There is a Maclaren stroller that I love. I mean, I have been loving this thing for months! Then I go to the store and I am not sure if I love it any more. So we pick a different one. Then I read online reviews, and I start doubting that stroller. My next step was to swear off a stroller altogether! Finally, I went back to the original object of my affection, the beautiful Maclaren, and put it on the registry. The more I read about it and look at it, the more in love with it I fall all over again! Now I really hope I get it. :-)
In terms of baby furniture, we picked out a crib that we think is really pretty. (It also got rave reviews online.) It goes with the dresser that we are giving Baby (because we're buying ourselves a nice bedroom set) and using as a changing table. The crib has a drop-down side and hidden hardware-- things I like. It can be changed into a toddler bed, if we ever really feel the need to do that. I also registered for a glider and ottoman. I chose wood that goes with the crib & dresser, and a neutral fabric. It isn't too big, as neither am I. I'm sure it is pretty expensive, but it is also really comfy... we'll see if we get it.
The latest thing that we've been spending a bit of time fretting over is the Pack & Play. I had pretty much decided against getting one since our house is fairly small, and I'm hoping to be able to use my family cradle before Baby sleeps in the crib. I didn't really see the need for the P & P. Then, it was suggested to me on a few occasions by a few different folks, that it could come in handy. So, I put out an email to my wonderful friends who are already moms to get their take on it. It appears that the thing is useful, even in a small house, and especially for traveling. So now I need to pick one of those out... I'm not going to get one with all the bells and whistles though. (For instance, some come with big bassinet-type shades on them. Dan and I found that amusing.)
OK, that's it for now. I'll take some new photos and post them soon. I think Baby had a growth spurt late this week!

26 Weeks

Baby's First Race

So, on Saturday morning, Baby and I tackled a 4 mile race in Central Park. Dan & I had signed up to do a 5K at Shea Stadium (home of our beloved Mets) in July, but it got canceled, and my registration was automatically switched to the race this Sat. I wasn't going to do it, and tried to get my registration refunded, but that didn't work. So I figured, "Hey, I know I can do 4 miles, and it has been ages since I've run in the Park, so let's do it!" Dan was not a fan. I had to promise to take it easy and not slip into "race mode."
I picked up my number before the race and noted with a smile that it listed my pace as 6:27. Yeah, not for now! Then I picked up my t-shirt. Usually I get (or wish they hadn't run out of) size small. Instead I asked for a medium, then traded that in for a large after holding it up to my belly.
Well, it was continued to be a non-normal pre-race routine for me. I ate two bananas over the course of an hour and drank plenty and then just hung out at the port-o-johns. No warm-up. At all. Just lots of trips to the restroom to try to avoid the need to go mid-run (which happens almost daily now). Also, I didn't worry about changing into racing flats or looking for the person giving out stickers for the local elite starting area. In fact, I didn't even look for my teammates because I wanted to keep the easy run mindset.
When it came time to line up, I made my way to the middle of the pack. When the race started, I just ran my normal easy pregnancy pace. I was amazed that I was passing people and proud that I made it up Cat Hill with no problems or walking. I did walk a bit as I forced myself to drink a full cup o' water at the first station (I rarely take water in short distances, and especially not at mile one). I also walked a short stretch in the second mile as we went uphill to the transverse. In mile three, which is quite hilly, I walked a lot more. Mile four is pretty much downhill, so I just stayed steady. As I was approaching the finish, I took a look over my shoulder out of curiosity. I couldn't believe how many people were behind me! Good for them for being out there though.
After the race, I managed to catch up with quite a few teammates who were surprised to see me. It was fun to visit with everyone and to get pregnancy advice from those who've been there.
Oh- another highlight of the morning happened before the race. As I was walking towards the port-a-johns, a basketball rolled in front of me. I stopped it with my foot, picked it up and threw it to a vaguely familiar woman who then complemented me on my "quick hands and feet." When I walked past that booth later, I saw that it said "Shoot Hoops with the WNBA," so I think I got props from a professional basketballer!!!

Back to School

OK, so the blog hasn't been updated in a while because I returned to work on Tuesday, and my students returned to school on Wednesday. I must admit that I was pretty nervous about going back to school because I was afraid of getting lots of unwanted advice and comments about the pregnancy, etc. For example, "You're too small," "You're too big," "Is that what you're eating for lunch?" However, happily, it hasn't been that way at all! (yet.)
Most of the feedback has been along the lines of "You look so cute!" In fact, today my principal told me that I was her "favorite expecting person" because I'm so cute, and another teacher told me I remind her of Access Hollywood with my "celebrity-like baby bump." All this stroking of my ego is FABULOUS! Keep it up!
An additional good thing has been that my students haven't made much of a big deal about it at all. They asked if it's a boy or girl and when the baby will be born, but they haven't really asked about how long I'll be gone or anything like that. I'm super glad of that! Today one student did note when we walked past the room where my sub is currently doing a maternity leave for another teacher. He saw her name on the door and said it aloud with an interesting tone. Since the letter went home to parents a couple of weeks ago with her name listed as the maternity leave for both of us, I guess he was putting it all together at that moment. All I said was, "Yes, she's new, and this is her classroom." I kind of wanted to add, "and you'll get to know her very well this year." But I didn't.
Anyway, let me just say this. Telling the administration I was preggers in time to affect class lists was a brilliant move. My class ROCKS! Seriously, I love them!!! Now, of course I always love my class, but this class is just great. I have no major "issues" because they knew I'd be out for a good portion of the year. The kids are sweet and so well behaved. And adorable. It is delightful. (It also helps that I simply have four less students than last year, which has nothing to do with maternity leave, just enrollment.) Anyway, I am thrilled about this year at school, however much of it I end up working.

Luck be a Baby...

So, we got back last night from our "last vacation before Baby" for which we went to Vegas. We had a pretty good time and did a lot of non-gambling. The best two events, by far, were our trip to see the Grand Canyon (during which we walked on the Skywalk out over the Canyon) and our day at the Spa. The Spa was fabulous and extremely relaxing; it didn't seem like we were in Vegas at all while we were there. Dan and I enjoyed a couples massage (with me receiving prenatal massage) as well as many other spa facilities. They had Roman Baths with three different mineral water whirlpools (one hot, one really hot, and one cold-- I could only go in the cold one). There were also a variety of saunas (steam, cedar, ...); Dan enjoyed those, but I couldn't. Also there was the Arctic Ice Room which snowed down moisturizer on you in a cold room. I loved that. Even the regular showers were amazing with showers coming out of the walls as well as from above. It was great. There was also plenty of fruit, juice, tea and water to be enjoyed (and we took full advantage of those services). An excellent day! In addition to the Spa and Canyon, we also enjoyed a few shows, many of the hotel/casinos' features like fountains and volcanoes, as well as some delicious meals.
Now, there are some things that made the trip a bit not so great for the pregnant me. For one, I wasn't imbibing, and that seems to be a big part of the culture there. Also, people were smoking EVERYWHERE! I don't think I've ever been so excited or anxious to do laundry as I was today. Finally, it was HOT. Really, really hot. In fact, one day I was convinced that I had harmed the baby because it was so hot out when we were by the pool. I kept getting in the water, but I was still scared afterwards. Even though I had avoided the saunas and hot tubs at the spa, here I was outside in the desert heat, and I was inconsolable for most of the evening.
So, we did do a bit of gambling during our visit. During my one and only trip to the $5 blackjack table, we started with $80 in chips and cashed out with $190. Nice. My only other gambling was at the airport on our way out of town. I put $5 in the Star Wars slot machine, pressed the button for max bet, spun a Death Star Bonus and ended up with $152! I immediately cashed out even though I had only taken one spin. Dan was a little less lucky-- he didn't win on slots or in either of the two poker tournaments he entered. We decided that the baby was bringing me good luck!