Halloween Fun

OK, I am sorry I haven't posted in such a long time. And I know that photos are LONG OVERDUE. Seriously, you'll be impressed when you see how big Baby is now!
Today was faux Halloween at Dan's workplace. Now this is an office worthy of imitation on "The Office." Seriously. For those of you who don't know it, they have a costume contest (complete with a parade) and a competition for haunted cubicles. No joke. There are also pumpkin carving contests and other such silly things. This year they moved the festivities to the 30th so that no one would have to miss out on the fun because they were leaving work on the 31st to attend their son/daughter's school parade/festivities. Funny.
Dan has been a costume award winner in the past. He's gone to work covered in latex and tissue paper to create realistic old man wrinkles. He's had a golf ball glued to his head with blood around it to make it look like it got lodged there (also quite convincing). The man loves make up and special effects. He had a great costume ready to go this year, but found out late last night that his liquid latex had expired and become a gummy mess. No prosthetics for Dan! Oh dear! He actually went without costume today (but wasn't upset because he thought it was kind of weird to do it a day early).
However, not to fear. He got his Halloween fix helping me create my best costume ever this evening. At school we always have some theme that the faculty always has to do-- last year we were pirates, the year before that cats, prior to that construction workers, witches, etc. Well, this year the theme was a bit more broad: Wizard of Oz. My first instinct was to be the twister, but I couldn't figure out how. Then I got my heart set on the yellow brick road. Well, Dan and I just spent the evening cutting bricks out of yellow plastic tape and sticking them to a pair of coveralls that he has (that fit over Baby pretty well). It looks FABULOUS. I have never been so excited about a costume as an adult!
Baby is so lucky because Dan is going to always make sure it has a great costume. No store bought schlock for our kid! Homemade creative costumes only (and thus, lots o' candy and glory)!

I'm a model!

So yesterday, one of the many errands we tackled on our list was to procure some clothing for me. We went to Destination Maternity (which houses Pea in a Pod, Motherhood, and Mimi Maternity as well as a spa & a yoga studio). I found many cute items, and when I came out for the third time to show Dan what I had tried on, he had wandered away to look at baby stuff. One of the employees saw me and told me that the dress looked good. "In fact," she said, "everything you've tried on looks really cute on you." I thanked her and we chatted a bit about the dress. Then she said, "You should model for us!" She proceeded to tell me about a dinner for which they were one of the sponsors. The dinner is for expectant moms, and there will be a fashion show. I'll be one of the models in said fashion show! I get to attend the dinner, and I get a 30% off gift certificate. I put all my cute items on hold, so I can save 30%. I go tomorrow to pick out my modeling outfit... Fun!!! Dan is so proud. :-)

30 Weeks

Well, I did, in fact, take my last run last Tuesday morning. I haven't run since that post. My back feels much better for this decision. I am still working out with weights two or three times a week. Also, now that my back has recovered, I've started taking brisk walks on my old running routes. Tomorrow evening I have my first prenatal yoga class-- yippee!
This weekend I got to see my sister Ali & her husband. It was fun to have another family member to see the growing belly and feel Baby's kicks and movements. Following the pattern of recent weeks, Baby seemed to pop again on Friday, and I've gotten lots of comments regarding the growth.
Today was our 30 week check-up, and all is well. I had gained 3 pounds since the last visit (although I may have lost one of those after stepping off the scale and visiting the restroom for my urine sample...), and Baby's heartbeat was loud and strong. I asked about the pain I've been feeling (best described as what you might experience after a long bicycle trip), and was assured it was very normal. The doctor had a nice chuckle when I told him I had to stop running last week. He was amused because I'd asked if it was alright to continue at my appointment two weeks ago, and then didn't last much longer. He said he couldn't understand why I wanted to run in the first place (not as a pregnant woman, but at all). Whatevs.
I'm dying to take some new photos of my pokey-out belly to post, but the camera wasn't cooperating very well earlier this evening, so I'll try again tomorrow.
Oh! It finally cooled off today! Yea! Yesterday we were pushing 90 degrees, and I had swollen ankles after sitting all afternoon in an un-airconditioned in-service. Fun. Not. Hooray for fall... now I just need to go buy some clothes!

No More Running?!?

Well, I am dangerously close to calling it quits for the running. I keep getting sore in the lower back/sciatic nerve area. When I'm running I feel great (well, as great as I can with this pace and extra weight), but afterwards I am really having a hard time getting around. I'm really sad because I don't mind the slow pace and change in attitude toward running, but I can't imagine not doing it at all. I think I'll be ok if I can join a pool somewhere and swim pretty regularly...
Otherwise, Baby is doing well!
Oh-- and at school there are so many more pregnant people announced this week! My friend who teaches 2nd grade, a guidance counselor, a school psychologist, and a consultant! This is in addition to me and the enrichment teacher.