Fall is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited. Bring on crisp weather, colorful leaves, scary movies and all things pumpkin!
In celebration of the impending change of seasons, I bring to you this healthier take on a fall favorite: no-sugar-added cookies that are soft, chewy and not cloyingly sweet.
They sit squarely at the intersection of cookie-muffin-scone; the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee, that upcoming tailgate, a random afternoon snack or simply tucked into a lunchbox with love.
Because it’s not fall without a little pumpkin in your life…right?
After keeping all five pieces from StitchFix no. 11 (read about it here), I knew the bar would be set pretty high for my next installment.
Although I haven’t been on a scale in a month or so, I was maybe six pounds up from my pre-pregnancy weight at the last check-in. So since I’m feeling almost back to my old self, I gave my stylist the go-ahead to experiment with trendier pieces (a la last Fix’s jumpsuit) as long as they were easy-wear and easy-care.
And even though I complained about getting more jeans last round, I actually requested a pair this time. My hope was to find a straight or legging-type fit to wear with tall boots, but when I opened the box there was no denim to be found. Go figure!
New to StitchFix? Read all about how it works here.
So let’s take a peek at what did come in this month’s box…
First up was the Coffeeshop Arion Cargo Jacket. I had also requested a cargo-type jacket, so this was exciting to unwrap.
The coat was super cozy with the shearling hood, but I wasn’t thrilled about the patches, particularly the California one. Sure, we’re proud to be one-time residents there, but it seemed a little loud for a jacket that’s supposed to be understated.
Next was the Market & Spruce Brookline Mix Material Sweater. I could swear I was sent this top before (or something similar), although the deep plum color is perfect for fall and winter.
The back zipper detailing is nice, too; you can zip it open for a peek-a-boo of sheer fabric or zip it closed for a more fitted look. Either way, it’s a good wardrobe basic, plus I like the fact that it slopes down a bit in the back for extra coverage in the rear.
Third was the Rails Ellson One Pocket Top. This one was love at first sight…until I saw the price tag.
I’m a sucker for a soft, fuzzy flannel, but I was able to get a similar Buffalo plaid shirt from the same brand from Saks Off 5th last year for around $50. It’s hard to justify playing $100 more for another red and black flannel, so I’d have to restrain myself with this one. Sigh.
After that was the RD Style Lada Cowl Neck Sweater. I have a love/hate relationship with cowl necks: I love how they look on other people, but it seems like I can rarely pull them off myself.
I did like the chunky knit of this sweater, however, and the neck was large and comfy. Plus, the length would be perfect for pairing with boots and leggings.
And last but not least was the Treme Knit Jacket from Evolution by Cyrus. With a straight cut and large print, it was out of my usual wheelhouse, but worth trying on to see how it looked.
The material is a super-soft knit and pretty dense, making this jacket ideal for those crisp days where you don’t need a heavy parka. I couldn’t help but want a little more shape to this, though, so I’d have to think about it…
So what did I end up keeping?
Well, after consulting with my sister and husband — they both liked the plaid shirt…until I told them how much it cost — I ended up keeping only the cowl neck sweater.
It’s not the piece that first jumped out at me, but it’s just so snuggly and different from what’s already in my closet that it’s worth the gamble. Besides, my intention with this service is to go out on a limb with new looks, and this is about as risky as I feel like getting at the moment as a new mom, LOL.
My next fix is scheduled for late winter. I haven’t decided what to request, although I’m leaning toward asking for a bright palette to lighten things up after the next few dreary Portland months!
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Disclosure:This is *not* a sponsored post. I simply love the service and think it’s fun to share my experience. I pay for Stitch Fix on my own. If you sign up using my referral link, I’ll get a credit…so thanks in advance for fueling my next fix!
The end of October is always a little bittersweet, isn’t it? As exciting as it is to really settle into fall and celebrate Halloween, now we’re suddenly barreling towards the holiday season and a brand new year is just around the corner.
And has anyone else seen all the holiday commercials already?! I’m the first to admit I’ll be cranking up the Christmas tunes before too long…but October 26 was just too soon to start seeing ads about Santa and stuffing stockings.
All that aside, I’m still focused on sticking loosely to my 2016 goals before setting new intentions for 2017. So here’s an update:
1. Health & Fitness: In terms of a typical week, I’m now trying to move at least four or five out of the seven days. With a baby’s schedule and Portland’s rainy season to factor in, this means taking whatever I can get whenever I can get it: Namely stroller jogs, treadmill runs, cross-training on the Nordic Track (yes, you read that correctly; it was left behind by the previous owners of our house), plus a smattering of free weights.
And as much as I miss the accountability of a training schedule, it’s been refreshing to exercise for general fitness for a change. If there’s a day where a workout just doesn’t work out, it’s a relief at the moment to be able to take it in stride versus fretting about getting behind schedule.
2. Training: Speaking of schedules…just last month I mentioned there wasn’t a race on the horizon, but that may soon change because I’m mulling over a potential spring marathon. It’d be a change of pace from my usual summer training cycles focusing on fall races, and this time I’m also considering working under the general guidance of a coach to train smart and stay healthy while ramping up mileage.
3. Community: Our 2016 Team LUNA Chix Portland Run season has officially ended, and we celebrated with our annual party at Title Nine Portland on October 24. In addition to a fantastic group of community members joining us this year, I’m proud to say that we also managed to raise nearly $3,000 for Breast Cancer Fund.
As for next year, we’ll be changing things up a bit, so stay tuned for details! We’re opening applications for team leaders for the 2017 season in early December, so if you’re interested in getting involved with a dynamic group of women who are making a difference in the Portland area, along with getting in some great workouts and making new friends, like our Facebook page for updates.
4. Career: This has been an area where I’ve been feeling reenergized as of late. First, Fit4Mom Cedar Mill hosted a very cool “Mindful Mamas” event this month where we worked out together and then sat down with a life coach to talk about time management and priorities. Lesson learned: Make sure what you’re spending your time on is truly aligned with your goals.
Second, I signed a new boutique fitness client in the Portland area, and we’ve been hard at work on messaging, positioning and PR planning. I love working with business owners who understand the importance of connecting — not only with clients to help them get fitter and feel healthier, but also with the community to give back. So inspiring!
5. Life: Finally, I need to do a whole in-depth post on the glory that is ‘sleep training.’ But for now, I’ll just say this: If you’re having any trouble getting your little one to sleep — whether it’s through at night or just for regular naps, it’s a total game-changer. I’d go as far as to say it’s the best baby-related investment we’ve made because it provides the confidence to do what you need to do to help everyone get some more zzz’s.
The woman we worked with was simply amazing (parents, ping me if you want an intro), particularly because she specializes in minimizing the amount of crying during the process. I had heard horror stories of people having to camp outside of baby’s door enduring hours of screaming, but our experience was quite different. We had a total of 12 minutes of crying in protest the first night before Wyatt slept 12 HOURS.
There’s a lot that goes into it — both in terms of preparation and consistency in order to develop new habits, plus (duh) you’ll still have the usual hiccups now and then — but, overall, it’s been nothing short of life-changing. Chronic sleep deprivation (seven months, in our case) can leave you in a pretty dark place, so it’s pure joy to finally come into the light at the end of the tunnel.
Ready or not, here we come: Are you excited for the final stretch of 2016?
I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a sucker for anything pumpkin, regardless of the season. The same goes for chocolate, so it was love at first bite with these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
With just a few small tweaks, I made them a bit healthier (less sugar, some wheat flour) and even tastier — there’s nothing like a little salt in sweets.
They’re not your typical crispy-chewy cookie; the consistency is much softer and more moist. But they’re delicious and (somewhat) nutritious, thanks to the oats and pumpkin.
After ending up with another pair of jeans from StitchFix no. 10 (read about it here), I had high hopes for my next shipment to include some more unique pieces for the upcoming season.
Shape-wise, I may not be back to my pre-baby fighting weight (breastfeeding isn’t always the miracle celebs claim it to be, just FYI), but I’m not too worried about it at this point; however, I am ready to get out of my mom-sweats and into some cute clothing for fall.
I didn’t give my stylist too much specific direction other than A) please don’t send any more polyester tops or jeans, and B) please do send some stuff that’s trendy yet mom-friendly — aka able to be washed when I inevitably get puked, pooped, peed or drooled upon.
New to StitchFix? Read all about how it works here.
Let’s take a peek at what came in this month’s box, shall we?
First up was the Kut from the Kloth Simmons Bootcut Jean ($88). Wait – WHAT?! Another pair of jeans?! This did not bode well. I started wondering if my stylist even read my requests…
Nevertheless, it’s hard to resist denim because it’s such a wardrobe staple, at least for me. And I did like the wash and fit of this pair, so they weren’t automatically ruled out.
Next was the Market & Spruce Carlee Knit Jumpsuit ($78) and the Bancroft Dante Cut Out Metal Oval Layered Necklace ($32). Now we’re talkin’!
I love a good jumpsuit, but I’ve always just admired them on other women; usually they’re not as flattering on an athletic build. But this one is a soft jersey knit (read: feels like you’re wearing pajamas), which I knew would be tough to resist if it ended up actually fitting.
As for the necklace, I’m more of a dainty jewelry fan instead of large statement necklaces, which tend to overwhelm me. But I really liked how this worked with the jumpsuit. My stylist was slowly redeeming herself…
After that was the Market & Spruce Benni Crossfront Knit Top ($48). My stylist included it because she said it’s a mom-friendly (aka easy-access, haha) top with a punch of color.
Again, I love cross-front tops…but they typically they don’t hang well on me. This one, however, fit like a glove and the color is awesome. It just might be a keeper!
And last but not least was the Kut from the Cloth Benter Mixed Material Top ($58). Another easy-care top to throw on with jeans so I could feel somewhat pulled together when stepping out.
Totally my style + fun prints + super comfy materials = a win. Unless the fit was way off, this shirt and I were destined to be together.
So what did I end up keeping?
Shocker — the whole box!
Although I wasn’t completely sold on the jeans and the necklace this round, I figured they’d be good basics to add into a fall wardrobe rotation. Plus there’s a 25% discount when you buy all five items, which worked out to a savings of $76.
I mean, that’s like getting one thing free, right? At least according to my shopping justification math…
The best part is that I’ve already worn three of the items: the jumpsuit and necklace out to anniversary dinner with Ben, and the cross-front top while wine tasting that same weekend. And as soon as the weather gets cooler, you can bet I’ll be busting out the floral top and jeans.
My next fix is scheduled for around the holidays and my well of wardrobe creativity is running dry at the moment, so I was hoping to pick your brains for inspiration. What should I request? Leave a comment below, and I’ll put your ideas in the next note to my stylist!
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Disclosure:This is not a sponsored post. I simply love the service and think it’s fun to share my experience. I pay for Stitch Fix on my own. If you sign up using my referral link, I’ll get a credit…so thanks in advance for fueling my next fix!
Combine fluctuating energy levels with the wintery mix of rain and darkness that’s descended upon the Pacific Northwest, and there’s only one option for dinner: comfort food.
And when it comes to this category, I’d argue that there’s not much that can compare to lasagna. It’s a one-dish meal that’s not only filling, but also extremely leftover-friendly.
This version also happens to be pretty pregnancy-friendly, as well. A solid square serves up an impressive amount of vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and folate, all of which help with the growth and health of cells and tissues in the body (i.e. baby development!).
So whether you’re building a human this season or simply in search of a more nutrient-packed twist on the traditional family favorite, this recipe is well worth a try.
4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped (I used garlic paste)
1 small bunch Swiss chard, cut into 1/-2-in pieces (I used 1 bag cut kale)
1 large butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/4-in cubes (I used 2 lb squash already peeled and cut)
4 large fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped (from about 4 sprigs)
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp fine sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly-ground black pepper (about 20 grinds)
For the Lasagna:
1 large egg, beaten
16 oz ricotta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I used a Parmesan/Romano blend)
1.5 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided (I used 2 cups)
4 large fresh sage leaves, minced
1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/8 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
12 oz no-boil lasagna noodles (I used 8 oz; this may vary according to pan size)
Directions:
For the ragu, heat oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepot over medium-high heat. Add turkey and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon to break it up, until it’s no longer pink and just beginning to brown.
Add onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring once or twice. Drizzle 1/4 cup water into pan and scrape any brown bits from bottom. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
Add chard and squash, stirring to incorporate all of the ingredients. Cover pot partially and let cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring once, or until chard wilts to half of it’s original volume and squash starts to soften slightly.
Add the sage, thyme, tomatoes, salt and pepper, stir well, and then reduce heat to low. Simmer ragu uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the ragu is done, you’re ready to work on the lasagna! Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine egg, ricotta, Parmesan, 1 cup of the mozzarella, sage, thyme and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
Put one heaping scoop of ragu at the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish. Set a single layer of noodles in the saucy bottom the pan. Drop several dollops of the ricotta mixture over the noodles (don’t worry about spreading; it’ll melt). Pour a heaping scoop of ragu over this layer and use back of ladle to spread it around.
Repeat the layers — noodles, ricotta, ragu — until you reach nearly the top of the dish, ending with noodles. Top the last layer of noodles with the remaining ragu (no ricotta mixture) and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 40-50 minutes or until noodles are tender. If you’d like the top layer of cheese to be a bit browned, remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Let the lasagna sit for about 10 minutes before cutting into pieces and serving.
It’s hard to believe that just a little over a month from now we’ll be talking 2016. But for the time being, I’m focused on closing out the current year on a high note with respect to the goals I’ve been tracking the past 11 months.
Of course, things have been evolving with Baby H on board, but I wanted to use this post to check back in on my original plans for 2015. It’s never too late to shift course — even with 30 days left in this final push — and there’s no time like the present to figure out how to make the most of the upcoming month.
Read more about the five goals toward which I’m working this year.
Here’s the latest on my progress:
1. Seeking Balance
My original goal here was “quality over quantity” for the year, and I put it into practice this month while doing another round of travel. Long flights, time zone changes and family obligations meant that “training” had to be modified, which I used to view as a setback but now see as an opportunity to rest, recover and challenge by body in new ways (like keeping up with my toddler nephew in the snow!).
Literally speaking, however, the “balance” theme has also been evolving to include learning how to use my new, ever-changing body. From knocking things off store shelves thanks to new dimensions to resorting to trial and error when it comes to which workouts work, it’s continuing to be a learning experience.
2. Training Smarter
My hope here was to experiment with my training repertoire to build on last season’s lessons rather than run myself into the ground doing things the same old way. I’ve been keeping up my functional fitness and cross training, but oddly enough it took getting pregnant to get me to finally slow my roll when it comes to doing one of my favorite activities: running.
All the massages, foam rolling, stretching, eating healthy and whatever other add-ons I’ve tried in the past weren’t helping to rid me of some lingering issues — namely plantar fasciitis and SI joint pain. So I’m trying to view these next few months of forced rest as something that will help me come back stronger next season.
But just because regular runs are now off the table doesn’t mean that I can’t keep moving. On the contrary, I’ve been just as active as ever, delving into more baby-body-friendly classes, such as my MYMA Mama prenatal movement class, as well as the Mod-Mama class at Mod Physique, to help build those “mommy muscles” in anticipation of what’s to come this March.
3. Facing Fears
I declared 2014 as the year of #bikelove, but I wasn’t going to go so far as to use that same strong language for 2015 when it came to swimming. However, I’m happy to report that pregnancy has also been helping me out here; after months of talking about it, I’ve put my money where my mouth is and have been consistent with weekly swim workouts since week 20 of pregnancy!
Something that temporarily relieves me of the extra weight I’m carrying and can help keep side effects such as swelling and excess weight gain at bay? Sign me up.
4. Pushing Myself
Since I wasn’t in peak training mode going in, I knew that this pregnancy wouldn’t be a time to pursue that duathlon, next ultramarathon or century ride that I’d hoped this year would bring. But it hasn’t completely kept me from being competitive — even if my race-day game plans have gone from “Can I get a new personal record?” to “Can I run the whole way without walking?”
Case in point: Last weeks’ Corvallis Turkey Trot in which I opted to drop down to a 5k from my original 10k. It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but I’m happy to report that I was able to jog the whole 3.1 miles, despite having to pull over several times to adjust that darn pregnancy support belt!
And, yes, although I said I was done with races for the year…I am still toying with the idea of a holiday 5k. Just for fun, of course, and schedule permitting! But we shall see where December takes us; right now, I’m approaching things one day at a time.
5. Giving Back
Technically, this goal was met and exceeded for the year back in October — BOOM! — but since there was a lot of interest, we’ve been holding biweekly LUNA off-season workouts. The lovely Vanessa has graciously offered to lead them in my absence, but I hope to get out there soon to join the ladies and head up a hiking group while they hit the trails for a run.
We’re also taking applications for next season’s team leaders (just a few spots remain!), so email me at tlcportlandrun (at) gmail (dot) com if you’re interested. All levels are welcome (walkers, runners), and if you want to see what we’re all about you can check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
I thought about calling this my “easy” pot roast recipe, but what’s less work than “easy?”
Since it’s a one-dish meal that requires very little prep (less, even, than your typical pot roast recipe, which requires searing of the meat beforehand), it’s my lazy-man’s version that’ll still give you a healthy, piping-hot meal to top off a perfect fall day.
If you’re prepping this before you leave for work, you can leave it on low to cook all day (8-10 hours). But if you get a late start on a weekend, crank the Crock-Pot up to high to cut the cook time nearly in half (5-6 hours).
And don’t let the name fool you, though — just because it’s “lazy” doesn’t mean it’s not delicious!
Lazy Crock-Pot Pot Roast
Ingredients:
2-lb chuck roast
1 medium onion, chopped
4-5 carrots, peeled & chopped
4-5 celery stalks, chopped
2-3 potatoes, peeled & chopped
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp celery salt
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 cup red wine
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
32 oz beef broth
Directions:
Turn Crock-Pot on low. Wash and prep vegetables before adding them to the Crock-Pot.
Place roast on top of vegetables in Crock-Pot, and sprinkle with spices.
Slowly add liquids until both meat and vegetables are submerged.
Cook until vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork and meat pulls apart easily with a fork.
Fall is flying by! It feels like I just wrote September’s update, and I know the next few months will go quickly with the holidays nearly upon us. Can we just hit the pause button for a moment?!
Because I was traveling for a good part of the first half of the month, the second half has been about getting back into a groove here in Portland, getting organized on a few different fronts (work, home) and starting to plan ahead on a few others (kiddo, 2016 schedule).
Meanwhile, Baby H is keeping busy growing and making his/her presence known more and more each day. So I’ve been trying to stay flexible when it comes to my monthly goals; I know the further along I get the more I’ll need to listen to my body, so there’s no time like the present to accept that and put it into practice.
Read more about the five goals toward which I’m working this year.
Here’s the latest on my progress:
1. Seeking Balance
I mentioned I was home again earlier this month for a childhood friend’s wedding. We did the math one evening and realized we’ve been friends for almost 30 years.
After we got over how old that makes us feel, we had a blast at the weekend’s events — from bachelorette party to rehearsal to wedding. Not only was it great to spend some quality girl time together, but I’m also thrilled for Colleen and Eric to start this next phase of their lives together, surrounded by love!
I am still struggling with my body’s new definition of “balance,” however, which might be a theme this year. Or maybe it’s just a constant struggle for us all in this day and age?!
Either way, now that my energy has returned in the second trimester I get over-excited to do #allthethings, but if I push too hard I end up getting a headache for a day or two that no amount of Tylenol will kick. So this next month I’m hoping to pace myself better so I can still get stuff accomplished, but not get knocked on my butt afterwards.
2. Training Smarter
Thanks to pregnancy tilting my pelvis forward, along with a dumb move I made in Michigan trying to lift my nephew out of his carseat while leaning over, my SI joint has been flaring up again. I’ve been addressing it with massage and acupuncture and, aside from my twice weekly runs, low-impact activities are my jam (biking, yoga, walking, Pilates, swimming, etc.).
One tip to help turn that frown upside down when you’re mourning what feels like the loss of your former level of fitness? Metrics, metrics, metrics.
Despite breathlessness on runs, the inability to utilize the majority of my ab muscles and my current distaste for high-impact activities, I managed to hit some good numbers on the bike during a recent ride. There’s nothing like some quantitative proof that your hard work is still paying off when, qualitatively, you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle.
3. Facing Fears
Stop the presses — I’m back in the pool! Yes, it sucks because mornings are dark and cold and the last thing I feel like doing is jumping in the water, but once I’m there it’s actually pretty great being a preggo “human submarine,” as Ben puts it.
My first workout was simple: Go back and forth for 30 minutes. Just keep moving. So I did a little more than 1000 yards of freestyle punctuated with a lap of breaststroke here and there.
Going forward (just to keep myself motivated), I’ll be looking to build up to longer workouts or cover more distance in that 30-minute time-frame. But either way, I want to keep it leisurely and fun — and enjoy the fact that I can get my own lane more often than not because people seem to be leery of getting too close to a pregnant woman bobbing back and forth!
4. Pushing Myself
Because I can neither resist a) running in the fall foliage of the Midwest nor b) registering for a race when I’m traveling back home, I talked my sister into running the Rattlesnake Run 5k with me while in Michigan. Yes, the race went well and I came in second overall for the women and first in my age group, but it wasa learning experience.
I didn’t PR by any means, but I felt good that morning so my plan was to push the threshold of what I could handle (within reason , of course) just to see where that limit now lies. Well, I found it; the breathlessness that comes with pregnancy is unlike any kind of breathlessness I’ve experienced before in a race, even when I’ve been running all-out.
And although I miss that feeling of pushing my body to the limit, it’s just not the same kind of thrill when you’re second-guessing every ache and pain and what impact it has on the little person you’re carrying. So I’ve decided that any races between now and March will be strictly fun runs!
But that’s not to say I can’t look ahead… I’m slowly figuring out my 2016 schedule, and while I’m not planning on tackling any new distances or PR’s, I have signed up for the Portland Marathon as my carrot for getting back into running shape post-baby.
5. Giving Back
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we just wrapped up our first official season with Team LUNA Chix Portland Run, so I’m in the throes of planning for next year. We had such an amazing group of ladies who really embraced us and made the team their own, and for that I’m incredibly appreciative.
And next year our plan is to come back even bigger and better! We’ll be doing monthly workouts in the off-season, as requested, plus we’ll be taking applications for any open spots for our 10 team leaders. Stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for more info if you’d like to join us — the more, the merrier!
Welcome to my five-month “bumpdate” for Baby H. First things first: How the heck are we at the halfway point already?!
I’ve heard that the first half of pregnancy goes a lot more slowly than the first, and right now I’m totally ok with that (although I’ve also heard I’ll be eating these words later). When I think about how much we’ve got to do in the next five months to finish getting physically, mentally and emotionally prepared for adding another human to the household, the gestation period for an elephant suddenly doesn’t seem so bad.
Then again, between my frequent nightly bathroom breaks, shortness of breath and ever-expanding waistline — not to mention finally getting to meet this little person who’s been the frequent topic of our conversations — I’m sure I’ll be more than ready to trade in my maternity jeans for mom jeans in just a few short months. Well, maybe not “mom” jeans…but you get the point.
So here’s where things stand at the 20-week milestone:
Month Five: Baby is the size of a mango, measuring roughly 6.5 inches from crown to rump and tipping the scales at around 10.5 ounces. I’ve heard it’s about 10 inches long from top of the head to tips of the toes, but I still can’t wrap my head around that part!
Weight Gained: I’m up a good 10-12 pounds based on estimates from my last weigh-in. I was momentarily horrified when they used a scale that looked more like one they used to weigh large animals than your typical doctor’s office sliding bar weight scale, but I’m trying not to get too caught up with the whole weight gain aspect. I trust that my body will do what it needs to for the baby, and after hearing about all the other “fun” stuff I have to look forward to later (i.e. the ring of fire, cracked nipples, etc.), it’s the least of my concerns.
Workouts: I think I’ve hit the sweet spot of the second trimester because I’m doing all kind of activities in moderation and with modifications, of course. Running doesn’t feel awesome, but I try to aim for at least two jogs a week: a shorter one of 3-4 miles, plus a “long” weekend 10k. And ab exercises look a lot different because I’m no longer able to do a traditional “sit-up.” But I’m still doing all kinds of cardio cross-training (hiking, indoor cycling, walking, swimming, elliptical and stair stepper), along with supplementary weight training, yoga, barre and Pilates. Shortness of breath keeps me from doing anything too crazy, but it finally feels good again to get out and have a good sweat.
Symptoms: Besides my body growing in all kinds of new directions, the biggest symptom has been round ligament pain as my uterus is trying to figure out its new job. As Babycenter says, “You may feel round ligament pain as a short jabbing sensation or a sharp, stabbing pain if you suddenly change position, such as when you’re getting out of bed or out of a chair or when you cough, roll over in bed, or get out of the bathtub.” It can also come in the form of a dull ache after activity. At first, this was alarming — I kept thinking I was pulling something or pushing too hard — but I’ve gradually gotten more used to it. While it’s still somewhat disconcerting, I try to work with it and just listen to my body by backing off if something truly doesn’t feel good (like most traditional ab work at this point!).
Food Aversions:Unfortunately, none? I’ve got a huge appetite, and there’s no mistaking (or delaying a meal) when hunger strikes. And it hits hard, fast and with a vengeance. There’s no thinking, “Hm, I’m getting hungry. I should eat soon.” It’s more like you’re going about your business one minute, and then you can pinpoint the exact moment that something shifts and your body says, “Must. Eat. NOW.” If I have any aversions at all, it’s to smells. My sniffer is super sensitive, and I’ve got zero tolerance for things like body odors, bad breath and street smells.
Food Cravings: Nothing too crazy, but still some patterns going on in terms of increased dairy intake and an obsession with all kinds of fruit. I’ve always had a bit of a cereal fetish (when my husband met me, he couldn’t believe I lived alone and had 7-10 boxes in rotation at any time), and it’s become my snack between-meals meal of choice again. The childhood throwbacks are a favorite — you know, all those cringe-inducing sugar-filled ones — but I’m trying to keep it under control.
Sleep: I’m slowly losing out on acceptable sleep positions (sadly, stomach is no longer an option), so between struggling to get comfortable and getting up to pee once or twice, I can’t remember the last time I had a full night’s sleep. Sigh.
Looking Forward To: Honestly? Just enjoying this moment where I’m feeling good, I’ve got the energy and motivation to work out and we’ve still got enough time to leisurely take childbirth classes and casually toss around baby names (we’re taking suggestions, if you have ideas!) before we have to settle down and get serious in the home stretch.
Boy/Girl Suspicions: We managed to make it through the anatomy scan without finding out, and I’m hoping we can keep it that way until D-Day. But when I was home in Michigan, a high school friend who said she’s got a success rate of more than 50% said she thinks it’s a boy. My sister’s convinced it’s a girl, however, so it’s exciting to think about both. I’d love to hear what your guess is, if you want to leave a comment below!
Any Fun Stories? Earlier this month when I was home, my sister and parents threw me a surprise baby shower for family and friends in the Midwest. I got to see old family friends, as well as best friends from grade school, high school and college, so it was pretty incredible. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed by the love and support from this amazing group, and it got me excited for my West Coast shower later this winter with more friends and family.
Most recently, however, we not only had the anatomy scan where Baby H passed with flying colors (and we got to breathe a big sigh of relief), but I’ve also been feeling his/her first movements. Thinking back, I probably felt the initial faint stirrings in week 17 or 18, but it wasn’t until the middle of week 19 when they became more frequent and recognizable. The closest thing I can think of describing it as is a small goldfish doing a flip in your bladder. Weird, right?
It was startling at first, but now that I’m getting used to it, I love feeling it. Especially because I feel like I am learning his/her personality — i.e. when I try to sneak a few winks on my stomach, I’ll promptly get kicks just under my belly button telling me to flip over.
And we’ve apparently got a pretty active baby on our hands (my sister said this should come as no surprise;I guess my years of running have been less about racing and more about just preparing me for this) — not only did my OB have trouble getting the heartbeat on Doppler because it was busy “doing cartwheels,” but it had the ultrasound tech at our anatomy scan laughing, thanks to its creative breakdance moves.
One thing is abundantly clear already, though: This poor child has already inherited Mom and Dad’s lack of rhythm!
Stay tuned for the month six update in a few weeks…
Kinetic Fix 