Week 24 – Round 3

Size of Baby (per “What To Expect”) – Size of an eggplant (approximately 1.7 pounds)

Weight Gain – 17 pounds. It seems like every 2 weeks or so, the baby has a growth spurt (or mom has a burst of weight gain).  We went to a block party yesterday and I had a chance to talk to a mom of four about our last pregnancy.  Our conclusion?  It just seems more enjoyable.  I had my first child when I was 29.  Maybe it was my age, maybe it was because it was my first pregnancy, but seeing my body change was difficult.  I was definitely not one of those women who embraced the change and loved every second of being pregnant.  I was tired. I was uncomfortable.  I felt like time crept by SO slow.

While I am still tired and uncomfortable, my perception of the whole experience is just so much better.  Time is going by much faster and better yet I am physically and mentally feeling the most clear and strong than I have with any of my other pregnancies.  Somedays I blame it on the fact that I know I only plan to do this one more time.  Other days, I beg to differ that I was in better shape going into this one.  Either way, the third round has been worth it.  In fact, I feel like our family wouldn’t be complete without us going through this process one last time.

Movement –  I have started to notice the baby move more and more when I am standing than I did before.  The movement is still concentrated to the lower part of my abs (or what is left of them).

Sleep – Let’s just say, I am going to bed early and getting up early.  I taught a lot of early morning Flywheel classes this week.

What I miss – Climbing!  I held my regularly scheduled Cross Conditioning OCR climbing workout at Inner Peaks on Wednesday.  The girls usually go with me to hang out until dad has a chance to swap cars and pick them up.  They thoroughly enjoy watching.  They have both started to get the itch to try themselves.  That said, my bump definitely bumps into the climbing wall when I boulder now.  They do make harnesses that are adaptable for pregnancy, however, I am going to call it until  baby number three arrives.  I will be watching from the sidelines for a few months.

Best Moments this Week – Since preschool is not in session when the kids can celebrate Father’s Day with their dads, my oldest daughter’s class had a dads and donuts get together at school this week.  The children’s dads were invited to join them for donuts prior to pick up.  At the event the kids sang two songs and gave them their Father’s Day gift (early).

As much as I begged my daughter to tell me what she made for my husband or even practice singing the song to me, she kept things a secret.  Her teacher sent us some pictures, my husband recorded the song and I later saw the gift she made him.  A bookmark all about her dad.  It’s certain, she sure is observant!

My husband’s parents also came to visit on Friday and stayed through the weekend. The girls spent hours playing with them outside and in the garden.  My mother-in-law was able to help us finalize any and all planting for our fruit and vegetable garden.

Cravings – Whatever that old wives’ tale is that pregnant women having girls crave sweets doesn’t seem to apply to me.  I am craving french fries and grilled cheese.

Symptoms – Dare I say not much (other than a growing belly and weight gain).  I’m tired.  However, that happens when you have two kids under the age of three and you are getting up at 4:30 AM several days a week.

Workouts – It’s the end of another month, so I have some real life data to compare to previous months.

Since I did teach more Flywheel this month, my running mileage was down.  Total mileage for the month of April was 35.5, as compared to approximately 60 miles in March.  I have been focusing on strength two days a week (in which I don’t try to get my heart rate up), only because I am running and cycling several other days a week.

• Monday – I taught my regularly scheduled 6:30 AM Flywheel class.
• Tuesday – I did some strength work in the garage before teaching my regularly scheduled 3:30 PM Flywheel class.
• Wednesday – EASY 30 minute run.  My easy pace is now 9:45 – 10:00 miles.
• Thursday – I met my running group for our interval workout.   See workout below.  I did most of the workout and without my belly band.  I am back to feeling comfortable running without support.  This is the best that I have felt running in weeks (albeit slower).
  • .75 mile warm up
  • 2 x1 mile hill repeats
  • 3 x 800 (I only did 2)
  • .75 mile cool down home

I went on to teach my 3:30PM Flywheel class that afternoon.

• Friday – I subbed the 6:30 AM Flywheel class.
• Saturday – I squeezed in some strength work in the garage EARLY.  Saturday is a big training day for me with clients.  With family in town, I wanted to be available to participate in activities that afternoon.
  • Still doing Pull ups, Toes to Bar, Turkish Get Ups, Kettlebell Swings, the list goes on.
• Sunday –  I taught my 7:30 AM Flywheel class.