22 Weeks down, 14 Weeks Left!

Running has been on my mind with the milder temperatures, and missing 5-10 hours of girl time weekly!  So I plan to ride the bike with the gals for their long run on Sunday!  WOO HOO!!!  I am enjoying the better weather by getting out for some short walks with Pegasus, and a couple rides on the bike with Ry while he gets in some miles this spring!  It has been nice to be able to be outside and enjoy some spring weather.  I am looking forward  to more of that in the upcoming weeks.

Week 22 went by without too much to say and I am starting to feel heavy and uncomfortable some days.  But after my Dr. appointment today I know that I have gained 15 pounds at this point which is still on the low end, but in good range for week 23.  He said that both the heartbeats were strong and sound good!  So we know they are growing and that is very exciting. I only have 14 weeks to go (but who is counting), and I really am not sure where more baby is going to go!?!  I feel stretched to the max and sleeping is only decent every 4th night or so, once I am tired enough to pass out.  One great thing for my peace of mind, they kick ALL the time, so I worry about them much less!

I have gained 15 lbs

The babies are each 11 inches long and over 1 lb! 

I measure at 23 weeks the same as the average singleton pregnancy at 30 weeks!

We FINALLY received our other headboard to replace a broken one that came with the first set of cribs, and we now have the babies room furniture all set and ready to go! I can't wait to share a pic of their room.  But, we have their names above their cribs, so not until May 4th when we share their gender!  Only about a month to go and then the secret will be out!

On the left: Racing at Raleigh one year ago where I would run my 5k PR.

On the right: Action shot, me and the twins on the elliptical. A typical morning for us.

Time For Week 22

This past weekend was rife with speedy times being posted all across the country!  I was very proud seeing many of my CED teammate's hard work starting to pay off this year!  But man do I MISS RUNNING!!  As the weather gets nicer and nicer out it is becoming increasingly tough not to feel jealous!  I miss the simple pitter patter of my own feet on the pavement and the incredible feeling of a workout well done.  I have reassessed my goals for 2015-2016 and I am going to be very aggressive in chasing them down.  I only have 6-8 years left to really get much faster. and I don't want to look back and wonder what I could have done if I had gone all in and really raced and pushed myself fearlessly.  So I am preparing mentally during this 6 month down time to really be ready to challenge myself like never before in the upcoming years.   Meanwhile I am plugging away on the elliptical, and reminding myself to enjoy all I still get to do!  

I am up just under 14 lbs. from my pre-pregnancy weight, and feeling pretty good still.  I am out of breath after pretty medial tasks, largely because my diaphragm is being squished by the 2 lbs of baby, 4 more lbs of amniotic fluid, and 4 lbs of placenta, commandeering  it's way into my abdomen!  

All of that looks something like this! 

My belly button is an outie, and I feel the little ones kick, wiggle and squirm ALL of the time now.  I don't particularly like the feeling of them moving, but it gives me peace of mind that they are doing ok, and growing! I am already nervous to see how I can possibly get bigger in the next 15 weeks, and I am prayerful that I don't end up with crazy stretch marks.  

Ryan and our families are getting excited to meet the twins.  We can't wait to have them home, and see what our family looks like as we learn to deal with the new challenges. I am embracing it all the best I can, but as many of you can expect, it is all a bit overwhelming for me.  Being a planner makes it a challenge to just patiently wait and see what happens.  Ill learn to be more flexible and I know that will make me a better person, so cheers to that (with sparkling grape juice of course)!  Next month I will start working less hours, as my body shows signs of not being able to handle standing for 8-10 hours.  I love this time of year in a running store, but when my back and feet start to hurt I'm pretty much useless! I mean who really wants to work with a grimacing, breathy, waddling girl anyway! lol!!  

I am excited to work my way through week 22.  Everyday is a day closer to being un-pregnant!  I don't know how elephants do this for 3 years... I guess when they are this cute they are worth it?!?

Baby RY!

Finally past 20 weeks!

Week 20 went Cruising by!  What a great thing!  With warmer weather and some sunshine it was probably the nicest week we have had since November!  Now if Mother Nature would just allow us this pleasantry for awhile and then strike up the band and get us back to summer, then we would really have something!

This week was actually a little tough.  I started feeling a scratchy throat on Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning I was positive I had a cold.  While being pregnant it is a challenge to make sure you don't take any medication that can negatively effect the babies, so I used a NetiPot (disgusting) and some vapor rub to soothe my woes away.  I pretty much just slept as much as I could stand and sucked down lots of water, juice, and Nunn as I could.   It took until Sunday for me to really start feeling better.  Our beautiful lil pup was also spayed this week so I had a rest up partner in crime.  It made me feel justified in spending a significant amount of each day cuddle up on the couch with her!  haha!

Grandpa lost 11 lbs and I've gained it!

Saturday I decided it was time to measure my stomach after a constant achy feeling for the entire 9 hour shift I had at work. Sure enough I wasn't disappointed!  My oh my, my stomach has grown 3 INCHES  around in 10 days!  I measure the circumference around right at my belly button, just to have an idea of how I am growing.  I was 32 inches when I last checked on Wednesday Feb 26th and on Saturday March 8th I was a solid 35!  While I don't like the look or the feeling, I like knowing that the little ones are growing and getting ready to come meet us!  Let me tell you little ones, we are awesome and you are totally going to love us! haha!

The warmer weather has me really hankering to run!  I am now jealous of all of my fit friends out there enjoying the 40+ degree weather.  Although the next 2 days might be yucky.  I have been able to get out for some walks and that makes it a little better.  At least I have my elliptical!  Watching all the fast times happening around me has me writing down big goals a year from now, and thinking of the best ways to stay healthy while getting there.  I am hopeful that this is a much needed break after 18 years of running, and my faster days are yet to come!

Throwback to just over a year ago.  2nd place team USATF Club 8k Champs!  Our top 3 were all top 10!
I love these ladies and miss spending lots of time with them!

Week 19 recap

The past week actually went by quick!  So that was exciting!  I have felt pretty good, so that is a great thing.  I was on the elliptical 5 times last week for 30-45 mins each and that actually makes me feel as close to normal as I am going to for the next 5 months so I have been enjoying that.

As far as getting bigger, well I think my boss said it best, "I don't want to be offensive, but you are getting bigger by the day".  Haha!  I know!  My weight gain has been between 10-11 lbs depending on the time of day I check, so pretty typical and in the normal range for someone my size carrying twins.
I look like I've gained 30 lbs, but its all belly!

Holy stomach!  How am I going to do this for 17 more weeks?

I feel normal somedays and others my stomach just aches from growing so quickly.  Sleep has been hit or miss, some nights I only wake up for a bathroom break or 2 and others its very tough to sleep.  I woke up this morning with a cold...sore throat and headache. I took the day off work (huge thanks to my awesome co-workers for always helping each other out), and I am resting up on the couch with this little angel who go spayed yesterday.

Pegasus healing up on the couch after her spay surgery.

So all in all things seem to be going well here.  Ryan wants to tell family the genders of the kidos, but from experience not many of our relatives can be trusted with such information.  I said we can if he wants, but I will inform them that I will be VERY disappointed in them if they share the info, and will tell them that I am unhappy about it. haha!  So he is still thinking on what he really wants to do there. I can't wait to tell everyone on May 4th though!  So exciting!

Keep sending your positive vibes our way!  Hoping for another quick week in our countdown!!

Pregnancy 18 weeks done!

Over the past month, a lot has changed!  Ryan and I (mostly Ry's work) have the kid's room coming along!  It has been painted, and dresser, crib and changing table are all set up.  We have one more crib to put together, but due to a piece that was broken during transit, we have to wait just a little longer!

Im getting bigger by the day!  I have gained a total of 10 lbs.  My stomach is stretching so much I am not sure how I will ever make it another 18-19 weeks!  I am in maternity clothes aside from some longer shirts I've had and sweatpants or running shorts!

During the Dr. Apt today they said things looked good.  My cervix is long enough right now, and my blood pressure was 110 over 60 so that was good to hear. 

My stomach at 14 weeks

To this! 32 inches around the biggest part! 

My stomach at 18 weeks.

We had our gender ultrasound today and they quickly told us the gender of the babies.  Then did a million other measurements to see that they were growing normally.  Both twins had a heart with 4 chambers, 2 kidneys, a bladder, good brain development, and a stomach! So we are in business!  

Baby A is the lower of the two and it is head down, weighing in at 126 grams, about 7 oz. while Baby B is the higher more to the left of the two and it is breech weighing in at 120 grams, also about 7 oz.  Which is right on schedule for their growth! Baby A had a heart rate of 145 and Baby B of 144, so they are pretty similar in size, which means they are both getting a good amount of nutrients! 

Looking good and getting big!

We plan to save sharing the gender of the babies at our baby shower on May 4th.  Ryan doesn't think I can keep the secret.  But he is the one already hankerin' to tell people, so I don't know if I'm the one we should be worried about! haha!  He is right, I don't like to keep secrets, so I do want to tell everyone the names we have chosen for this gender instance. But for now my lips are sealed!  My group of Cleveland Elite Development gals are coming up with rules on what is considered "fair play" in terms of bribing me for the information! haha!  Little to they know, I am well aware I am the cruelest of the CED gals and if they want to steal my dog, and clean up her potty breaks, feed her, play with her and enjoy some puppy walks in sub zero weather, I'm fine with letting them raise her into an even sweeter young pup!  I trust all of them to be more kind and patient than I am!  

So today was an exciting day that helped to elevate a lot of my anxiety about the little ones.  I am feeling more energized than I did 4 weeks ago, and enjoying life a lot more!  My back hurts if I work over about 6 hours just from standing, and occasionally for no reason at all but that is definitely manageable!   Sleeping is hit or miss, some nights I sleep all but a bathroom break or two and others, I am too uncomfortable and I spend the night tossing and turning.  Not a complaint though, it is only going to get worse!  I don't plan on having good sleep again until at least 1 year from now, so I will take what I can get! I am still working out on the elliptical nearly everyday and missing running and the gals a lot.  But 6 months from now I will hopefully be back and getting fit again! 

Now on to week 19! 

Luckiest Gal On Earth

If you have spent anytime around me, you have more than likely heard me say that I am the "luckiest gal on earth".  I mean it when I say it.  My life is perfectly simple, and even the mistakes I have made I am lucky enough to learn from, grow, and change.  I mean even some pretty terrible things in life, have always turned out for the better for me. 

In May I was lucky to marry someone who not only is willing to put up with me, but actually seems to enjoy it.  While I haven't always been the best wife, and I've already made plenty of mistakes along the way, I know that Ryan is the one person I am lucky to spend the rest of my life with.

That's right I got to marry this handsome man!  (Ry is the one being held up)

Ryan isn't prefect either, but I will tell you what, the past few months he has really stepped up to help me get through this pregnancy as smoothly as possible.  You see, this hasn't exactly been my cup of tea.

The first 5-6 weeks were pretty asymptomatic.  Then I was sick, and I mean ready to throw up from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed and anytime I woke to use the bathroom during the night too.  Ryan has busted his butt to work 40+ hours a week and take care of all that I didn't feel up to. He would get me whatever food I felt I could handle eating, and NOT ONCE did he complain.  He lost sleep to my tossing and turning, and woke every night to take the dog out, so that I could try to get some rest.

Ry and Peg outside well under freezing and still smiling!

Umm...Poptarts are not usually part of my diet

He has watched me grow, and grow and grow and still compliments me darn near every day!   He has shoveled the snow from the driveway 10 times this winter, painted the babies' room, put together 2 cribs, one changing table, a 6 drawer dresser and changed 7 door handles in anticipation of our little duo getting here!  All the while I've watched him, picked out the paint color, and gained 10 lbs!  HAHA!   I have complained, cried, and been stubborn in the past 5 months, and again he just hugs me, and reassures me that it is all worth it. 

He has such a sweet smile! 

I really am the luckiest gal on earth, and for everyday that I don't show gratitude, and have done mean or hurtful things, Ryan, I am sorry! You are so fantastic!  I want you, and all of my followers to know how much I appreciate you!  Thank you for being so incredible to me!  Our little family is so lucky to have you!  I love you!

Cheers to you Ry, and our next step of starting a family together! 

Guest blog post: Crystal chasing Boston

One of the athletes I coach wrote a blog post to help my readers get to know her.

Crystal has been one fun athlete to watch over the past 4 months! I can't wait to see what she can do this year!!

                 Meet Crystal!!

"I started running in Junior High with my Aunt as my track and cross country coach.  I enjoyed it, but not many 11, 12, 13 year olds have enough discipline to really LOVE getting up early to run.  I didn't stick with it in High School unfortunately, but that doesn't mean I never ran.  I did, just off and on. 

 

Then came college and soon after the dreaded freshman 15.  Thankfully it was more like the Freshman 8 for me, but it was enough to spur me into action, so I started running.  Four miles felt like such an accomplishment, and then when I hit six, I felt like I could conquer the world.  I really didn't know anyone who did road races, so that thought literally never crossed my mind.  I continued on as a casual (and usually just an occasional) runner throughout college.

 

During my first year of law school I was going through a rough breakup, and recalled my aunt mentioned the marathon (she has run a crap load of long distance races!!!  She is a rock star).  I thought this was be just the thing to get me out of my funk.  So without nary a race under my belt, not a half, not a 10k, not even a 5k, I signed up for the marathon.  Nothing seemed weird about that, in fact, I never even thought about it.  I joined a running group and my life changed.  I forever became the girl who had to get home early on Fridays for her Saturday long run!

 

I clocked in my first race right around4:32.  In fact, I just saw the picture my mom snapped.....cotton sports bra and all.  YIKES!!! I really knew NOTHING.  Since then, I have ran San Fran, Chicago, NYC, New Orleans, Houston multiple times, and a few others.  In 2011 when I went froma 4:19, to 4:11: then to 4:05, I started actually thinking about Boston. Then when I ran Chicago in 2012, at 3:52without any significant changes to my routine, I KNEW it was possible. 

 

I briefly had an in person coach, then found out I was pregnant.  I was able to keep running throughout, sticking with an 8 mile "long" run through the 8th month (I dialed it back to just 3-4 miles at a time the last month) and knew I'd be ready to jump back in after giving birth.  I pulled together a training plan two weeks post-delivery and began training around 5 weeks out (nice and easy of course).  As I got faster, I knew I should get a coach...and in comes Becki.

 

I had just read about her onSaltyrunning.com.  I read how she coached her husband to an amazing first marathon race, and thought, maybe she'd coach me.  I emailed her blindly, and thankfully, she agreeded!

 

After 6 or so weeks of working with Becki, it was marathon day (unfortunately, my first race, Memphis, December 7th, was canceled).  I followed her race-day game plan to a T.....and found myself with a nice new PR: 3:40:31!!!! 

 

While I don't always follow the plan perfectly (whether it be a bad day, the baby, life in general), I try to do exactly what she asks.  I know the next phase of working together will only get better as I have grown to trust what she puts out there for me, and her instincts.  It is amazing having someone to bounce ideas off of, to push you, and give advice about the craziest things.  Not only that, it gives me great confidence knowing she has raced so many distances out there....not to mention having won a marathon.....a BIG marathon!    We are now going to be working on my shorter distances, and getting my leg speed up, and I am pumped to throw down some new PR's.....and hopefully in the not so distant future, nab that Boston Qualifier (3:35)!"

So you can all keep up with her progress in the shorter distances this spring, Crystal has a blog about her adventures juggling being a bad ass runner and a heck of a mom! Check it out at http://www.thefastfitrunner.com 

P.S. Pregnancy update coming very soon!! Sorry my computer had some water damage, (I still love you Ry) but it's tough to do a blog post on a tablet or phone!