tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8408490724127374922024-03-13T07:39:13.500-04:00Running for TwoA blog to chronicle running while pregnant and beyond. To be a firsthand resource during my runs as well as a forum for others to discuss their experiences or questions. We'll talk hubby, babies and other stuff too!Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-70423292733958633882014-12-09T13:32:00.002-05:002014-12-09T13:32:37.668-05:00Fast and Furious- A Natural Birth Story<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This birth rounds out the labors for me—in many ways
fulfilling things Id never experienced until this labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fast, furious, my water breaking before any
contractions begin, my final baby … But before I get ahead of myself, lets back up to being 35
weeks pregnant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Near the end of my 35<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> week I started to
experience some worrying signs that labor was coming, spotting that got heavier
and continued for several days, lower energy and eventually losing what looked
like my mucus plug at 36 weeks…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>since
the latter happened at 36 weeks my ob office was not concerned and said it
could all be early labor signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
feeling completely unprepared to meet my daughter that early, I worried about
having a preemie and asked lots of ladies to pray that baby would stay put and
healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the pre-labor signs went away, I became
more emotionally ready and baby girl stayed put.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since I had one son born at 41 weeks (after an induction)
and my second son born at 39 weeks, I was certain she’d arrive before her due
date!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially with some cramping and
belly tightening starting around week 38.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At that point, I was sleeping pretty badly… not out of discomfort, but anticipation
of every feeling and movement… “could this be the start of something?” The
answer night after night, was “not yet…” as I’d make it through yet another day
and another night… </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A couple days before I was 40 weeks pregnant, I asked my
doula Susan about options for inducing labor naturally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reminded me that I could easily go
another couple weeks, but sent information about acupressure and acupuncture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched a few videos online but decided not
to do anything with the information until I truly reached 40 weeks and my sick husband
hopefully started to feel a little better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I needed the other half of my labor team in full health!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When my 40 week OB appointment rolled around, I was a bit
disappointed to be heading in to see my doctor for another routine visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that appointment she gave me a rundown of
being “post-date” and while she was not pressuring in doing anything to start
labor then, she was telling me some scary things that can happen when babies
get to 41, 42 weeks and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we
set up an appointment for 41 weeks to do a non-stress test and ultrasound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hoped not to need either as it all reminded
me of my first birth where the outcome of that ultrasound sent me to the
hospital for induction!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I told my husband about my appointment, he agreed that
it was time to try the “next level” of options to get labor started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from all the usual things we’d already
been doing – exercise, evening primrose, marital activities : ), chiropractic
adjustments<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So on the afternoon of my due date (December 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called and got an appointment for my first
ever acupuncture appointment (treatment?) for 4:30 that same evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I walked in the girl at the desk
asked when I was due—I told her, “well, today…” and she laughed and asked if that’s
why I was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled and said that
it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After filling out paper work, I met my acupuncturist, Karen,
who was super chatty and kind and led me to a dim room with music playing
softly overhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to relax as
we talked and she explained the process a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was causiously optimistic since I was
already 40 weeks but explained that the soonest she’d had a mom go into labor
after a treatment was 12 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She had me lay back on pillows on the table and started treatment
on my front side by placing 10 tiny needles at various pressure points in my
arms and legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not feel the
needles going in—I just felt really relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then she warmed some kind of herb over a pressure point just above my
ankle on each leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to fall
asleep. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so quiet and relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She left me for a while to left the needles
do their thing a while, where I closed my eyes and almost did fall asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she returned she took them out and
prepped to do points on my back and shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I straddled a chair, she inserted a couple needles in my shoulders,
then about 8 around the middle of my lower back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For maybe 10 minutes, she did what she called
“stimulating” the needles she’d inserted in my lower back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she did, my belly would tighten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the closest I came to feeling like
something was “working.” </span></div>
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Finally, she showed me how to stimulate my own pressure points if and when I
felt contractions or baby movement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before my appointment, hubby (Mark) and I had briefly worked
out to have Mexican dinner together afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt in my gut like it was going to be our last meal as a family of
4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pictured us enjoying our meal and
talking about my crazy appointment to induce labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to a series of bad events and
miscommunication, they ate at a different Mexican restaurant than I intended
for us to meet and I proceeded to flip out as to where my family was after
calling many times and not finding them at home or at the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally an hour after we were supposed to meet (and they had
eaten) Mark called me and asked where I was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went from relief that they were ok to raging mad, to sadness in the
course of a few minutes over missing the meal and time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they returned home, I was still a ball
of emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eventually made myself
calm down to help put the boys to bed and we talked about all going to
breakfast the next morning instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Internally, I just knew, breakfast wasn’t going to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After getting the boys to bed and making up with my husband
who apologized profusely for forgetting his phone and not going to the right restaurant,
I started to get ready for bed and laid out clothes to run early the next
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I moved about I had some
belly tightening and I’d rub my back on the pressure point that the acupuncturist
had also stimulated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I got
into bed, I felt a tightening of my stomach and decided to stand to see if it
would change the contraction… as soon as I stood, I heard a soft pop and felt a
warm gush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just stood in shock and calmly
yelled for Mark (who was downstairs) – “Mark, my water just broke!” and texted
a friend I’d just been texting with “Oh my gosh! My water just broke!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I called my mom to tell her the news and
to have her come over and stay with the boys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We started buzzing around and prepping and packing as
*nothing was happening for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We texted
family and friends and called the doula to warn her labor was ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we tried to wait and rest. (Ha!) While
knowing I had about a 24 clock that just started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I didn’t want to rest too much!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mom showed up, we talked a while and then we all went to
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I technically laid down too, but
crept back up to walk, pace and time contractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were around 6 minutes apart but not very
strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 11 Mark got up with me
and he wanted us to leave for the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wasn’t to that point yet and after watching me a while, he agreed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We started watching the Tonight Show and my contractions
practically stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I went to the
bathroom and they started again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
stayed upstairs on the birthing ball and leaning over the counter for
contractions as he timed them around 5 minutes apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the bathroom again and with more
pressure, I told Mark “it’s time to go!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got to the hospital around 1 am and met my doula Susan
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was mostly still having very
manageable contractions, I had to pause for them and not talk, but it was most
uncomfortable just due to the lower abdomen pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They got me set up in a triage room and
monitored me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they checked me, I
was 4cm dilated, 80% effaced and baby girl was in the posterior position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contractions weren’t feeling like they were
coming as often but were getting stronger when they did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Around 2am, they moved us into Labor and Delivery Room 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we were alone again, things really
started to kick up and I felt in full labor mode very quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mostly stood and leaned over the rolling
cart and labored but moved to the toilet and bed for short spurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurse came in a time or two to check on
me and reminded me that she could check me any time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As contractions kept up and got closer and
stronger, I thought that sounded awful and kept refusing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The contractions started to be so intense and so pressured
that I remember saying—“I need a pep talk.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doula Susan firmly responded with “You can do this
Rachel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to do this!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Internally, I wasn’t sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wasn’t puking or having loose stools, so I was pretty sure I hadn’t
even reached transition which has been peak discomfort for me in the past
labors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this wasn’t transition, I
wasn’t sure I could go on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never puked
or had any sign that it was. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was getting
hot and increasingly uncomfortable in every position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was moaning, praying and crying and trying
to think about meeting my sweet baby—all while wanting to crawl out of my skin
and feeling increasingly unpleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About the time I was feeling like I couldn’t do it and the
pain was too intense… the nurse came in to monitor me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hovered around my belly adjusting straps
and readjusting and moving them--- all while I was in the height of discomfort
(apparently the monitors were not working).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I kept asking between contractions—can you please stop and take them
off??!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bless her heart, I wanted to
kick her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sweetly answered that it
was important to monitor at that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pressure was so much that I involuntarily pushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Susan asked (to which she got no audible response
from me) “Are you pushing?!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone
needs to get Dr. Nett!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A minute and
next contraction later I had moved to the bed on my knees and laying over a
birthing ball and pushed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
started to feel the burn and knew she was close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It surprised me to feel that only a couple
pushes in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I heard the room start to buzz and I pushed another minute
and the next contraction later, yelling-- “She’s here!” (I’m not sure how I
found a voice then, but I could feel her coming out and felt my gown still over
my legs and knew no one was seeing it or there to catch her yet.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My doctor was apparently only half gowned up but lifted up
my hospital gown and a few people yelled, “You need to keep pushing, Rachel!” I
did and felt the burning and pressure continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The plea got a bit more urgent as it was repeated… “Keep pushing, we need
to get her shoulders out!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My doctor yelled, get that ball out of here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was moved off the bed and I was then on
all fours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pushed anther time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, my doctor said, we need to flip her
over!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like 5 people quickly
flipped me to my back (with a baby coming out, mind you!), my legs were held
back, I pushed once more and out came my baby girl and sweet, sweet relief! I
heard someone say—“3:27am!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a short
hour and a half after arriving in the Labor and Delivery room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the longest and shortest hour and a
half of my life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They plopped her on my chest, right under my chin, in all
her slimy, bloody glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t see
her but just feeling her there was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had a daughter and labor was over!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The room buzzed around me and I welcomed people cleaning us both
up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cord pulsed out and Mark cut
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I delivered the placenta and Mark
was excited he got to see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctors checked on our daughter and noted
that her overall color was great but her face was pretty purple and bruised due
to the quick exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Later in recovery a
nurse would say she looked like a c-section baby because her head was still
perfectly round—also from the quick exit).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I couldn’t believe the immediate love I felt towards
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guessed her at around 8lbs and
was excited to hear that first newborn cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I asked Mark what she looked like since she was tucked under
my chin, and he said, “she looks like herself—her own person.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a picture and showed her to me and I
remember agreeing and also being shocked by how bruised and purple she looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He congratulated me and I congratulated him
on his daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had done it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mark quickly put on his pink name shirt and we introduced
our sweet Lydia Ella to the team around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Back story-- When my first son was
born we had waited until birth to find out his gender and reveal a name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we’d made a pink shirt with a name on it
and a blue shirt with a name on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
left that time happily wearing a blue shirt but always feeling a bit like we
left our daughter behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time,
Mark put on his pink shirt right after labor and we joked about picking up our
daughter 4 years later!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After getting cleaned up, my doctor checked me and said I
had not torn at all and required no repair work (praise God!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About an hour after delivery I nursed my sweet baby
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after, she was weighed in
at 7lbs 14 oz and 20” long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect in
every way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each hour after, she started
to look less bruised and more and more beautiful than she already was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were moved into the post-partum floor (room 377) and after
all the nurses’ introductions, paperwork and checks, we were exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally settled in to sleep and as soon as
the room was quiet we heard our sweet baby making odd noises when she
breathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted to monitor her in
the nursery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let her go but paged the
nurse shortly after and proceeded to sit outside the nursery staring at her
through a window as she was monitored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
received periodic updates and got more and more emotional so I called for Mark
(who was sleeping) and he joined me in waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally they said she was ok and released her again and blamed the quick
delivery to her having trouble transitioning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a fast and furious and eventful night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark later admitted that if I’d asked for an
epidural, he would not have tried to change my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d seen firsthand how much my water
breaking had intensified labors in the past and knew that I was starting from
that point in this labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad I
didn’t know that in the moment and thankful for my third (and final) natural
delivery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now we are back home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sweet baby doll is 7 days old and multiplying my love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So blessed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-76398858281286001412014-07-01T15:01:00.002-04:002014-07-01T15:01:30.954-04:00Oh, hi!Oh hi-- remember me. Looks like we are back for one last hurrah. Yeppers... this lady is preggo again. (18 weeks... due sometime around December 1st!) My first cold weather baby!<br />
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I would rather give birth to 10 babies naturally with no drugs (done it with 2 so far!) than go through another first trimester! I was so sick that I literally felt like I am just surviving. <br />
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I've not felt human. But I really can't think of a better reason to feel like utter crud every moment of day and night -- than growing a tiny human! Dramatic much?! : )<br />
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But this is the last as far as we can control. :cough: hubby snip :cough:<br />
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I've kept up with running until this little surprise and have been keeping up with it still. Even if I really missed the blessing of run=no nausea ... like I had when pregnant with my first two boys. In this case... run = feel like vomiting and then feel worse the rest of the day. Other than that-- this pregnancy is spot on similar to my other two, so of course I was convinced it was another boy. <br />
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BUT thanks to modern medicine... I found out at about 11 weeks that this little person will be a baby <strong><span style="color: magenta;">girl</span></strong>!<br />
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I can't promise I'll blog as much but had to let you all know!<br />
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As for the boys-- N is almost 4 at the end of August and I will be 2 in September! Love my boys!Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-57313667227872812352013-06-24T15:43:00.000-04:002013-06-24T15:43:11.121-04:00Flying time and a 9 month old!Time is passing by WAY too fast! Seriously its exciting and makes me a bit hide-my-tears-weepy too!<br />
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My baby... my <em>BABY</em>... is not so much a baby. He just turned 9 months old. And as you Mama's know... turning 9 months is one of those reflective turns of the calendar as you think back to how your baby has now lived in the great big world as long as they were in your belly's... so yeah... very pleased to be the Mama to sweet and active bundle of smiles both within my belly and outside of it!<br />
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He crawls EVERYWHERE and pulls up on any surface he can find. He's my adventurous and fearless baby, so I'm a little worried what the future holds! He is determined and vocal and completely has me smitten over him!<br />
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Here we are the day of his baby dedication at church... Squinty one and squinty two... this shows why I am always in sunglasses outside and I-man has bluer eyes and squints like me too!<br />
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And his official 9 month photo...</div>
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And then there is the sweet big brother who will be 3 in just a couple months! I thank the Lord for the opportunity to be Mama to the world's best boys (not that I am biased). : )</div>
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Here he is painting his lawn mower he built at a Home Depot kids workshop day. He loves to swing a hammer and build and paint and use his hands. He is just like his daddy! Handy and a brain that turns in a very "engineering" way. Always wondering how things work, what they are made out of etc. I'm more of a right brain... so its fun to look at life and answer questions through his lenses.</div>
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And Running-- you know I am still running. But I've added cross training and love that. SO now I run 2 times a week and cross train/strength train 2+ days a week. Since I started p90x in February and kept up with the cross training-- I lost extra poundage doing this routine (as in the 10lbs I needed to lose to get back to pre-preg weight)! Yeah!</div>
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Enough rambles for the day-- I finally had an all kid-fee day thanks to my sweet sister in law watching the boys today! Off to go enjoy the last few minutes alone... and can't wait to hug my boys again! : )</div>
<br />Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-6957517079739079162013-06-24T15:23:00.002-04:002013-06-24T15:23:28.037-04:00Test<a blog="" claim="fqgu5pq7uqf"" href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" http:="" www.bloglovin.com="">Follow">http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/6113303/?claim=fqgu5pq7uqf">Follow</a> my blog with BloglovinRunning For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-58683958710846281612013-03-21T14:17:00.000-04:002013-03-21T14:18:47.665-04:001st go at Windows Live Writer (rocks!) and Feeling Old!<p> </p> <p>I recently saw a post on Facebook along the lines of—I still feel like I’m 20—until I’m around 20 year olds, and then I feel my age!</p> <p>Um—yeah. That pretty well goes for how I feel I still look—dewy, young—until I try to take a few shots with my 6 month old… then I realize… holy smokes, who is that 32 year old?! </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8HJTeTKV5RE/UUtO1qjiVlI/AAAAAAAAA2U/RVLpRSmwFO8/s1600-h/6%252520month%252520with%252520Mommy%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="6 month with Mommy 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="6 month with Mommy 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o2DBdAtYdRs/UUtO3DvKzRI/AAAAAAAAA2c/5njPfa4AbCY/6%252520month%252520with%252520Mommy%2525201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="163" height="244"></a></p> <p>That’s what my 82 year old grandma says too. She says she looks in the mirror and wonders who the wrinkly old lady is staring back at her. Alas, maybe some things never do change! : ) So while I am still a spry young three-two years of age, I better get some shots with my growing-up-fast baby boy…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rn2bQVCa3k4/UUtO5U2Ok7I/AAAAAAAAA2k/ZT2t7Znko34/s1600-h/6%252520Month%252520w%252520Mommy%252520Crop%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="6 Month w Mommy Crop" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="6 Month w Mommy Crop" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i8tFI55S6vc/UUtO6XedNEI/AAAAAAAAA2s/fTgmjNx8JfM/6%252520Month%252520w%252520Mommy%252520Crop_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="163" height="244"></a></p> <p>And then when you’re 6 months old—your happy about life and “don’t have a tooth in your head” --- yet...</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mZRPnVEh4fU/UUtO7zVMOoI/AAAAAAAAA20/YtY-TjTQBto/s1600-h/6%252520months%252520Sitting%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="6 months Sitting" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="6 months Sitting" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OAnHLMSG7L4/UUtO86wbn3I/AAAAAAAAA28/VFGjgsiy3rU/6%252520months%252520Sitting_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kQoXK9jcB_Q/UUtPAumRSsI/AAAAAAAAA3E/ldJgYWLmcrs/s1600-h/6%252520months%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="6 months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="6 months" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GP7HSubobmc/UUtPBhHJvbI/AAAAAAAAA3M/3qKhv5O41bM/6%252520months_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>**PS—His hair always looks greasy on top because it is. We have to keep lotion on his head all the time or he gets really bad dry skin and itches himself until he bleeds. ; ( So greasy hair, it is!</p> Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-70779907683929575302013-03-20T12:45:00.000-04:002013-03-20T12:45:01.008-04:00Mommy Freak Outs and everyday lifeI'm pretty certain when you sign up to be a mom, you no longer get to have days without worry over<em> something </em>or <em>someone</em>! I haven't mentioned it to anyone but my hubby and a friend but oh well... Here goes... Don't think I'm a bad mom... <br />
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My 2 1/2 year old had a big plate of cantaloupe, and a wheat pita stuffed with a tiny smidge of organic natural pb. A while into his meal while eating the cantaloupe he asked for a napkin because he said the juice was making him itchy... it was running all over him. We wiped it off and then he started getting a few little bumps around his mouth. I kinda freaked out and said it was time to take a bath to get all the juice off. He started to scratch his neck like crazy and I had him lay down in the water to wash off more. After about 15 minutes, the little rash on his face went away and he seemed fine again. Freak out subsided.<br />
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Fast forward a day and he had more cantaloupe but ate it with a fork and there was no juice and no rash. No issue.<br />
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Fast forward another day and my husband gave him another small pita sandwich with a smidge of organic natural pb (only ingredient are peanuts). He got the little rash on his chin again... no itching and then it went away again after about 15 minutes. <br />
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I have a niece with a severe pb allergy and this was obviously not the way she reacted. I don't want to ask my sister about it because she will probably get me more nervous than I am! Does this sound like a pb allergy? He's eaten nuts of all kinds before without issue. And also had other pb before without issue (the kind with extra ingredients). I usually give him only sunflower seed butter for sandwiches but I ran out.<br />
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I have an appointment set up Friday with his pediatrician and another with an allergist on Monday... any thoughts/experiences before then are appreciated. Obviously I am avoiding anymore pb before the appointments! <br />
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*And thanks for the blogger alternative. I am a pc, so I will look into it soon! Blogger is back to not letting me post pictures!<br />
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**And happy 1/2 birthday to my sweet 6 month old (yesterday)!!<br />
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Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-16830253693081447792013-03-12T15:25:00.001-04:002013-03-12T15:25:35.618-04:00More randoms -- Alternate Title-- I hate blogger.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When blogger stopped letting me upload photos I just quit posting. Here is a photo from five stinkin' weeks ago... but its too cute not to put up!</div>
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The boys are so sweet and I am thankful for every day we get to spend together! Seriously, life is short and I don't take the blessing of being a mom lightly!</div>
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My sweet I-man is now 5 1/2 months old and has been sitting so well... ask him to roll over though and he is just happy to stay either way you lay him. Seriously hes probably only rolled over from belly to back 15+/- times. I knew it would be true, but could not imagine how it would look when I was pregnant... its pretty amazing how different babies can be! It's REALLY hard the second time around not to play the comparison game. I try not to look back at N's baby book and go from memory on some milestones so that I can't compare! I know N was sitting really well right at 6 months but he rolled both ways a ton before sitting. Alas. They look different and act different. And they love each other like crazy. Seriously, they make each other giggle constantly and it warms my Mommy heart like crazy!</div>
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My sweet 2 1/2 year old (just turned 2 1/2!!) is VERY into asking questions. Its a stage I knew would come like a flood when it did but I was not prepared for how many silly questions I'd have to repeatedly answer. "Why are you taking the shell off the (hard boiled) egg?" (Asked at least 5 times as I peel an egg.) "What are you doing?" "Why are the cars stopped?" (At every red light) "Why are you putting on your shoes?" "Where are we going?" Ïs that ___?" "Why is daddy doing that?" (To me while his Daddy is standing there doing something simple). It's fun and yet, I quickly see why parents start to answer "because." </div>
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Hint: Today I pretended to eat the shell of the egg, so I think I at least got him to fnish asking that question. : ) </div>
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I've been running 3 days a week still but also started in a P90X group since I decided to postpone races right now (kinda on burnout from races and to help the budget). The p90x has been a fun new challenge! It's a lot more exercise than I normally do-- but I feel better and my jeans fit better after one month!</div>
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<br />Well-- back to real life. Thanks for those that have kept posting... I'm still reading!</div>
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<br />Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-54324767664973639502013-01-06T13:26:00.001-05:002013-01-06T13:26:26.088-05:00Perpetually LateBefore I got married (7ish + years ago now, what?!)... I liked to be a half hour to 15 minutes early to everything... church, a movie, a show... Then I got married and we were lucky when we got anywhere together just 5 minutes early. <br />
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Then one kiddo came along and that shot Early right in the foot. We were lucky to get anywhere just 5 minutes LATE.<br />
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Now with two kids... um yeah, it's sliding back further still. <br />
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If we keep having kids I'm thinking we'll shoot for the 9am service at church (or show or movie) and be happily surprised when we are there early for the 11:15! <br />
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Random thought of the day. That is all.<br />
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Though I haven't been commenting... Good luck to any virtual running buddies doing the Goofy Challenge. That means you <a href="http://www.nostandingstill.net/" target="_blank">Mandy</a> and <a href="http://slowisthenewfast.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nikki</a>. Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-29058709830831396332012-12-12T19:01:00.000-05:002012-12-12T19:01:09.246-05:00I-man is 12 weeks old today on 12-12-12In the spirit of 12-12-12, I had to post my little man turning a whopping 12 weeks old. Ah. I shall refrain from the time-is-flying paragraphs I wish to write. ; )<br />
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Trying to capture his beautiful blues... </div>
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<strong>Mommy Stats:</strong></div>
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Running 2-3 times a week and trying to do a Jillian video in there too. Pace is back to just junder 10minute miles when I run 3 miles. Planning an April half marathon again.</div>
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Eating/Craving WAAAAY too much sugar. Seriously, this happened when I was nursing last time and I don't know how to make it stop! Pointers are welcome!</div>
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Due to above... I haven't lost a pound more since my last visit to the OB. Easily 5lbs from pre-prego weight but not sure the exact amount.</div>
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Love being a mommy of two and it has been soooo much smoother with baby 2 and having 2 than I thought it would be. Doing the Baby Wise plan the 2nd time around has felt easy and sleep makes all things feel better! Undecided on if we'll plan/try for baby 3... (the dot. dot. dot. allows for un-planned baby 3 if the Lord changed our "plans" either way!)</div>
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<strong>I-man Stats at 12 weeks old:</strong></div>
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Almost 14lbs</div>
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Eat. Wake. Sleep. on a 3-1/2 hour schedule except in the evening when he eats every 2 hours from about 5-9 to help make the long night stretch of sleep. Slept from 9:30pm until I woke him up at 7am for the past 2 nights! (Yay for longer and longer night stretches!) </div>
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Smiling more and laughing with a "squeak-toy" kind of laugh.</div>
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Loves to kick his feet and paw at dangling toys. Bonus points if he can bat at them and kick another one at the same time!</div>
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Starting to smile at his big brother. (Up until then he seemed to merely tolerate his loud voice and too-close presence.)</div>
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<strong>Big Brother at 27 months old:</strong></div>
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LOOOVES his baby brother. Makes sure he knows where he is at all times. SEriously, it shocks me how not-jealous he is when I am doting on the littlest man... he wants to dote on him too.</div>
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Very inquisitive (still) and thinks through things more than just surface views or answers. Example-- A few days after a visit to the zoo, totally unprovoked, he brought up the gorilla we had seen there. This gorilla would puke- eat it- repeat... he says... "Mommy, that gorilla did not have a sink back there to wash his hands. Thats yucky yucky!" Ha ha! "Why Yes, son, that is gross he didn't wash his hands after that!" </div>
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When trying to take the weekly photos, this is usually how they turn out... <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GrdfeRDad9M/UMkWdTWzslI/AAAAAAAAA0U/rDcVbHrrDRo/s1600/Brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GrdfeRDad9M/UMkWdTWzslI/AAAAAAAAA0U/rDcVbHrrDRo/s320/Brothers.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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We are really looking forward to Christmas this year. It's fun having a little guy who knows whats going on. We went to get a real Christmas tree at a tree farm this year and the 2 year old has not stopped talking about it since then! We got the baby out long enough to take this photo and let him know he was there when we look back on Christmas 2012. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_r3wcPtdGI/UMkX2Z49dwI/AAAAAAAAA0c/O5PDSFn62Q4/s1600/2012+Tree+Hunting-+Worley+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_r3wcPtdGI/UMkX2Z49dwI/AAAAAAAAA0c/O5PDSFn62Q4/s320/2012+Tree+Hunting-+Worley+Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Enough Random for my post? I think yes. Until next time... </div>
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Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-80233650569887111512012-11-21T14:48:00.002-05:002012-11-21T14:48:37.664-05:002 Months and Other Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A quick type out as I feed the boy and have a sleeping toddler... My sweet baby boy is 2 months old! I know every mom say it but I really hate how fast time flys!</div>
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He's lost a lot of hair and now has a hairstyle that revivals The Donald's... behold that little puff on top! : )</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IxnPGPKTe8c/UK0s-lWZlSI/AAAAAAAAAzY/sAtEgA7zoUQ/s1600/9+weeks-+Isaiah+Sitting+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IxnPGPKTe8c/UK0s-lWZlSI/AAAAAAAAAzY/sAtEgA7zoUQ/s320/9+weeks-+Isaiah+Sitting+3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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He was my small baby boy when born but has beefed up fast... weighing in at 12lbs 10oz and 23"long at his 2 month check... with a head in the 95th percentile. We make big headed babies! And the funny thing is that its only grown 2cm since birth which means I push out big headed babies! Haha!</div>
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His big brother cant get enough of him!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e2944bquszk/UK0seaTejEI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/09id0a4vuCI/s1600/The+Boys-+26mos+and+9+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e2944bquszk/UK0seaTejEI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/09id0a4vuCI/s320/The+Boys-+26mos+and+9+weeks.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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I have been running a lot more consistently since the littlest mister now sleeps one 8 hour stretch at night meaning I only wake up once to feed (yay for feeling rested!!) and I have committed to runs on Tuesday and Thursday nights with my stepdad! We're just doing 3 mile runs but i keep feeling better and slowly getting faster too!<br />
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Sooo much to be thankful for here as we officially celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow!<br />
<br />Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-26402006124242912152012-10-14T15:52:00.000-04:002012-10-14T15:52:25.142-04:00Pregnant Run vs Postpartum RunHands down, running 9 months pregnant is easier for me than running postpartum. I know some ladies sleep worse pregnant than with a newborn or just feel too uncomfortable everywhere but I feel better and have easier access to running when pregnant. <br />
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I ran 2 miles on Thursday and 2 miles today (Sunday). Whew. It was S.L.O.W. and took a good hour of mental prep before I could even bring myself to change into running clothes. <br />
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First, there is finding a window of oppotunity. (ie. Baby asleep, toddler occupied, a sitter to watch said baby & toddler)<br />
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Then there is the motivation to run over taking a nap. A window of opportunity usually means choosing between the two!<br />
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Finally, there is the whole physical side. My postpartum body (okay-- really just my postpartum chest) is SORE all. the. time. I am not talking just my nips. Nursing does a number on me and baby 2 is no exception. My entire chest is sore and putting it into a running bra is painful!<br />
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BUT... I think my being tired is not just about having a newborn and being up a couple times to nurse in the night... its also about a sudden drop off of physical activity so I have to get out there!<br />
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So there you have it. Pregnant Run vs Post-Partum Run -- I'd say the 9 month pregnant run is easier for me!<br />
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Baby boy is 3 weeks old. Big brother wants nothing to do with me if baby brother is around... he just wants to hold him and "play" with him. This is a horrible picture but its what life looks like when I allow the toddler to have his way... <br />
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Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-62030313715498366592012-10-03T12:54:00.000-04:002012-10-03T12:54:12.265-04:00A Good CryOops-- started this post yesterday and never published it... <br />
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I have been a lot more emotional stable after this pregnancy/birth than I was with my first son. Though I still have a good cry every couple days. : )<br />
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Well today it was after watching this beautiful video about one of the most loving decisions this single mom would make... allowing her baby girl to be adopted. This was posted on another blog I follow and I had to share it. Grab some tissues and cry with me!<br />
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<a href="http://player.vimeo.com/video/49870658" target="_blank">http://player.vimeo.com/video/49870658</a>Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-50989536743421720712012-09-28T14:46:00.000-04:002012-09-28T14:48:08.886-04:00I's birth storyThis is a loooooooong one. Feel free to skip if you aren't into birth stories. I included lots of details and even some fun labor and birth photos that got taken along the way. <br />
<br />
You can find N's birth story <a href="http://running4two.blogspot.com/2010/11/birth-story-couple-months-later.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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Without further ado... <br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is's Birth Story<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At 38.5 weeks I started dreaming about my sweet boy every
time I’d sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really had not dreamt
much about him until then, but each time I did, he always had a full head of
black hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me even more anxious
to meet him and find out what he really looked like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my mind, I felt like it was going to be
soon even though I had declined all checks at my OB office and had no reason to
believe this baby boy would come early or even around his due date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had a looming 39 week appointment on Wednesday, September
19th.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because my first son was induced
and a 41 week baby my biggest prayer going into this labor was that I would
begin labor on my own (no Pitocin—aka “the devil”) and be able to go natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Monday September 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> I felt like I needed to
go to the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I wiped I had
some slight pink mucus mixed in too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was elated thinking this was the infamous “bloody show” I had read about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to call my hubby at work but he
didn’t answer and starting searching Dr. Google for when this meant my baby was
coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately it seemed that the
general consensus was anywhere from a few hours to days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to share with my doula and she
wrote back with similar info.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I waited but looked for every little
sign I could—including the minor cramps I was having.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I had cramps with my first son and they
never turned into labor, I wasn’t very hopeful until I had more going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late Monday night I lost my mucus plug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Seriously, can we get better names for these
things?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They aren’t nearly as gross as
the words sound!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I digress.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I went to bed Monday night I was hopeful that maybe
something would pick up but when I slept fine right on through to Tuesday I was
a little bummed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Tuesday September my sweet 2 year old and I went to my
usual chiropractor appointment where my chiropractor (and friend) felt for the
baby’s position as she did each week and mentioned that the baby’s head was
feeling low and just a thumb length above my pelvic bone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but share with her my news
then that it might, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">might</i> be
happening soon… otherwise, I’d see her in a week still pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because evidence was beginning to mount that
it really could be soon, I decided that after nap time, we’d go for a run to
see if it would get things moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
after lunch and a nap for the boy, we headed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran 1.5 miles pushing him in the BOB and
then decided to walk in the rest of the way (another .5 or so).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put out to <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">social media land:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What's on my mind?? All I think about right now is when this baby may come
now that I am almost at 39 weeks. I wonder if this is the last time I will ____
before having TWO boys. ~R<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Around dinner
time I jumped in the shower and started noticing mild contractions with real
starts and stops (verses the cramps I’d had that were just kind of dull all the
time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These felt like stronger cramps
that wrapped around to my back a little too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got mildly excited and mildly freaked that this meant a baby really
could be coming!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I did what any woman
in early labor would do… got dinner, got the kiddo put into bed and told the
hubby I was going shopping for a little while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before I went
into the store I downloaded a free contraction app and started timing my
sporadic contractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I texted my doula, Susan and told her what was
going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reminded me of the mantra
I’d heard 1000 times—“you are looking for longer, stronger and closer
together”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were short and long,
far apart and close but some were actually requiring some extra breathing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed to myself as I shopped that was a
laboring woman!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I returned
home, I told the hubby I’d been having contractions the whole time I was gone
and we were probably having a baby “soon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had a big presentation at work Wednesday September 19th that he had
been working crazy long hours towards and was prepping for as I told him the
news-- so he was a little surprised that it was really happening and I think a
little stressed to get his stuff together to pass on to someone else if needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contractions kept
coming but I made myself lay down at 11 and knew I’d probably wake up in the
night with stronger contractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About
1:30 on September 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> I could not sleep anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contractions were pretty painful and
close enough that I didn’t have time to fall asleep between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up quietly and went downstairs to try
and let me hubby sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he’d need
the rest if we were going to have a baby!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The contractions were about 10 minutes apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">About 2am I
decided I needed to get someone over to our house to watch the 2 year old in
case things progressed fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I called
my mom thinking she probably would not answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It rang and rang and went to voicemail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But she called me back a minute later and explained she had just been up
to use the bathroom and saw a missed call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I explained what was going on and she said she’d be there soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby woke up at
2:30am, found me on the couch and asked what was going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not too happy I hadn’t woken him up
but I knew he needed sleep more and I was still handling contractions
okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom arrived soon after and we
talked on the couch (me stopping when I needed to breath through a contraction)
and her telling me about my own birth day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a pretty crazy feeling to feel so normal and then have a
contraction and go back to feeling normal again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could hear my hubby back upstairs sending
messages out to coworkers and packing things up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby came down
and said we should try to get some sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I doubted that was going to be possible but said I would try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom got ready for bed and we gave her info
for the next day if we had to leave while she slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I labored a while standing or bending over
the bed in our room and the hubby gave me some counter pressure on my back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Laying down was
not pleasant at all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby did counter
pressure on my back as we laid down to “rest” and then I started to just feel
annoyed by it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contractions seemed to
hurt A LOT worse but I gave it the ‘ol college try for a while until I couldn’t
take it anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both ended up
getting back up (I’d say it was maybe 4:30am at this point).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat on the toilet and labored a while and
then decided to get into a deep bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
stayed there for at least an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
true that the weightlessness feels so much better and while contractions still
weren’t fun, it took off a lot of the pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My hubby was timing contractions and talking to me and saying how tired
he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he was being a trooper
too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I heard my mom
start to wake up around 7and then she came down and got toddler boy out of bed
and ready to eat some breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew my
mom would wonder about us still being there, so I got dried off and went to see
my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all sat in the kitchen as
my mom, hubby and son ate oatmeal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
growing more quiet I’d breath hard through each contraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toddler boy thought it was hilarious as I’d “phew
phew phew phew” for a while… he’d say—“Mommy’s breathing” and giggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>: )<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I tried to eat
some oatmeal but was not feeling good at all and started to feel nauseous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then told Hubby that I thought we needed to
go to the hospital soon so I had time to settle in (it was about 8:15am).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called the Doula to tell her what was
going on and expedite her coming over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(I think he had only texting her about 15 minutes before with the
morning update).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the Doula
arrived I was back to sitting on the toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She asked me a few questions and talked to the Hubby about what had been
happening and agreed that if I was ready to go, we should go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was growing emotional and crying off and
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Susan asked if I was thinking about my
sweet Toddler and I said that I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was really sweet about it and understanding that things were changing for me
physically but also emotionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We told my mom we
were headed out soon, gathered up last minute things, kissed my mom and son
goodbye as my son giggled more over all that was going on (not really knowing
what it was!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luckily the
hospital was only about a mile away (about 5 minutes in morning traffic)
because a couple contractions along the way had me telling the hubby not to
brake so fast when he stopped and thinking how annoying the seatbelt felt and
how I wish I had grabbed my sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got there
right around 9am and found close parking and walked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check in took a little while longer than I
would have liked and when we got to the nurse’s station in the triage area of
Labor & Delivery there was a nice tall counter that I leaned on as they got
us further checked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt great and
I only talked when I had to answer something that Hubby or the Doula couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember a nurse saying— “I assume you plan
on going natural because of the way you are so calm and breathing”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We eventually
moved into a little room off to the side for me to have some quick fetal
monitoring and a vaginal check before I could be off all monitors and moved
into our actual L&D room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My baby
kept kicking the fetal monitor which cracked me up and the contractions slowed
some as I laid there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All looked good
and I was measured at 7cm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
thrilled!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fear was them telling me I
was a 2 or something.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I texted one of
my best friends to wish her a happy birthday and tell her the baby was coming
on her birthday too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that was
her best present of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Doula
thought it was hilarious I was texting friends at 7cm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That didn’t last too long, when I stood back
up after the monitoring, I felt sick and the contractions started coming on
stronger again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Doula mentioned “transition”
to Hubby and that was music to my ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Transition = baby soon!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We walked to the
L&D room and it was soooooo nice not to be connected to monitors!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt so free. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room had a bathtub I would have loved if
I weren’t so far into things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I
labored on the toilet again and would feel 100% fine when I wasn’t having a
contraction and was even talking to my little birthing team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty soon, I started feeling more pressure
in the front of my belly and occasionally pressure in my groin/bum and waves of
desire to push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just kept thinking how
odd it felt to be so “present” for this labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the pro and the con to this birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pain was really high during contractions
but between them I felt like I could really rest or talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my first birth I felt like the pain was so
intense and constant that I had to stay on another planet to cope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an out of body birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This birth was intense during contractions
but a very in-body experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt I
was really “there” for everything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I had some
desire to push, we had the doctor come in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Unfortunately it was one of my OB’s partners as my OB could not make it.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was even more open to natural birth and
told me to labor and push in any way I wanted and let my body just do it’s
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She checked me and I was a 9 and
my water still hadn’t broken.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because I was a
lot more “present” this time I was also growing self- conscious about possibly
pooing when I pushed and what else was coming out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to push and change positions but
because my water was still intact and I was mentally worried about poo-ing I
felt stalled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the doctor and nurses
said they’d be steps away and could come back in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO I moved back on the toilet, tried to push
and poo and then felt ready to really push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We called the
doctor back in and told her I wanted some direction and commentary on what was
going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got on my back again and
felt ready to push more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few
pushes, the doctor suggested I could hold my legs up to help push and that did
feel better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was feeling a little
bummed that no one was telling me that a head was crowning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About that time my water broke (11:47am) and I
had a room full of people saying to keep pushing that the baby was there and I
needed to keep pushing him on out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only
voice I was listening to was my husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I could hear
myself growling a primal roar to push the baby out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It surprised me but I also kept waiting to
hear he was all out because I felt like each little inch coming out hurt more
than the feeling before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Literally one
minute after my water broke, I had my sweet son on my chest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was born at 11:58am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was emotional as I held him and looked at
his head full of dark hair, just as he looked in my dreams!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqVAembWNDs/UGXvlhbLpQI/AAAAAAAAAx0/KkyoOBYn2Bc/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqVAembWNDs/UGXvlhbLpQI/AAAAAAAAAx0/KkyoOBYn2Bc/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the cord
stopped pulsing, my husband cut the cord and my son was moved up closer on my
chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was holding my second son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt so tiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I delivered the
placenta and looked down at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
smaller (and bloodier) than I thought it would look but I was glad I got to see
it this time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sYVnkKMc4c/UGXt9JXlfSI/AAAAAAAAAxk/wrehDIP4bn4/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sYVnkKMc4c/UGXt9JXlfSI/AAAAAAAAAxk/wrehDIP4bn4/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was told I had
a second degree tear and was stitched back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was able to have my son stay on my chest for over an hour and he
nursed and laid peacefully on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over
an hour after his birth, he was weighed at 7lbs 5oz and 20.5” long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not have near the “I am never doing
that again” trauma that I felt after my first natural birth but I also didn’t
think it was as easy as I hoped it might be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQz7SacpkGs/UGXubWdg8bI/AAAAAAAAAxs/fyHOJg5uihY/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQz7SacpkGs/UGXubWdg8bI/AAAAAAAAAxs/fyHOJg5uihY/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m so in love
with my sweet boy and can’t wait to watch him grow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-65855901656329718282012-09-26T16:43:00.001-04:002012-09-26T16:43:08.379-04:00He's Here! He's here and one week old!! I had him one day before I was 39 weeks. We were able to start labor on it's own and have a natural birth! Will post more details when I get time that isn't devoted to my toddler or sleeping. : )<br />
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Here is a pic of yours truly and our 7lb 5oz, 21.5" long bundle of joy right after birth.<br />
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Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-16787295172673907702012-09-07T14:25:00.000-04:002012-09-07T16:35:13.178-04:00Weeks 35-37 Pregnant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello-- still pregnant here... kicking it at 37 weeks. I feel a lot more patient with this kiddo than I was the first time around. I think because I am a little nervous for 2 and I don't feel like things around the house are ready (are they ever?!). </div>
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On the other hand I am totally excited and ready to meet this new little guy! I wonder about him all the time and can't wait to hold him in my arms!</div>
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I have been working to prep again mentally to try for another natural birth. I'm not sure if its been better or worse knowing the level of pain I am possibly in for. I'm just hoping labor starts on its own and there are no medical reasons to induce again this time. Pitocin and a drug free birth = OWW!</div>
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35 weeks</div>
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36 weeks<br />
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37 weeks<br />
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Life at 37 weeks:</div>
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Still running 3x a week. (Usually 4 miles each run but this week it was a little less due to weather and running without my running buddy which means I slack off more). A little more pressure and discomfort while running and after.</div>
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Trouble turning over at night. It's hard to hoist such a belly around after going, going, going all day!</div>
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Weight gain at 37 weeks -- about 21 lbs (Slightly less than I did at this point with my first guy, but I am running more distance than I was with him at this point...)</div>
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For comparison... here is my bump at 37 weeks with Boy 1...</div>
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<br />Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-4211461825665584992012-08-29T13:57:00.002-04:002012-08-29T13:57:58.234-04:00Maternity Photos-- 36 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the family and I got some real bump photos taken this past weekend... Here are a few "preview" photos the photographer (Little White Whale Photography for any locals) put up on her facebook page. I thought I would share them here too... So glad we decided to do more bump photos as I am very pleased with these and feel suddenly nastalgic for being pregnant when I see these! (Yeah, I know I'm still pregnant! ; )</div>
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Getting in my runs still... though the pace continues to drag... I'm running our 4 miles at a 10:30 pace now. BUT I am soooo happy to still be running and still feeling good while running. I have had a lot fewer discomforts running with this kid than my first!</div>
<br />Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-16087965639505691522012-08-17T20:50:00.000-04:002012-08-17T21:00:21.781-04:00Weeks 31-34 and Reflecting on my Big BoyI can't seem to post these days... but I can make time for reading <em>WAY</em> too many blogs by you all!<br />
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At 34 weeks I have gained right around 20 lbs. (With my first little guy I had gained 21 at this point)... so pretty much tracking along like I did with him. In full disclosure I weighed more 2 weeks ago at my last appointment but they said I lost weight... ??!! I am feeling uncomfortable and whale-like most evenings though!<br />
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I can also attest that I am very uncomfortable at night when this little guy is super active. He obviously doesn't like when I am finally sitting and relaxing and have just eaten. He moves like crazy with a bum up in my rib and pushing out on the sides with his limbs and back! OW! My OB today said I look small but my measurements are exactly on. <br />
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31 weeks:<br />
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32 weeks</div>
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33 weeks<br />
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34 weeks</div>
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The OB and Chiropractor have confirmed he is head down-- yay! </div>
<br />I finally hit 3 runs this week... I have had a few weeks of only 2 runs a week just based on time constraints with all of the house projects which keep me sore so I have to choose either to get sore running or get sore working. For the sake of nesting-- it's been all about the house work. ; )<br />
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1. Finished laying hardwood floors upstairs <br />
2. Moved our bedroom upstairs<br />
3. Moved Little Boy into his new room (our old room) and into a big boy bed<br />
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My little boy seems to have turned into a big boy overnight! A few are evidenced by: <br />
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1. He's pretty consistant with his potty training... of course he has accidents some days. <br />
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2. The move to big boy bed was a non-event. Cried 15 minutes the first nap and that was it. He even has stayed in bed and waits to be gotten up. I equate that to talking a lot about it before the big day, him being compliant and a little book we read several times about Elmo moving to a big boy bed. : )<br />
3. He speaks in "sentences" for an almost 2 year old. As I'm writing this draft he just said the following... he also talks <em>non-stop... </em>like ALL. DAY. LONG. Maybe my constant narrating when he was little has turned into him doing the same thing:<br />
<br />"Watch little basketball fall." <br />
"There it is. Come out." (Speaking of a ball going under the table and out the other side)<br />
"Air came back off. Feel it again please." (About the AC kicking off)<br />
"Hold 2 trucks again please"<br />
"See you jump off" (Requesting I watch him jump)<br />
"Put doggie into N's new room again"<br />
"Doggie and N running fast"<br />
"N ride on car. Car on this carpet."<br />
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Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-37081780145538539582012-07-26T21:29:00.001-04:002012-08-17T21:01:02.267-04:00Update on ISR Swimming and a Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mentioned we started <a href="http://www.infantswim.com/" target="_blank">ISR Swim</a> lessons in this <a href="http://running4two.blogspot.com/2012/05/toddler-swimming-lessons-isr-day-1.html" target="_blank">post</a>. </div>
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Well-- after 8 weeks my little guy is QUITE the swimmer! Now only can he swim REALLY well... he also LOVES to swim! I would call this class a huge (and more expensive than I planned!) success! The kid "swims" everywhere now (on the kitchen floor, in the bath tub, in his tiny baby pool). He is even teaching his lego man and stuffed bear how to "swim"on the floor too. : )</div>
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So-- I would HIGHLY recommend these classes if you want your kid to really know how to swim and not have a fear of water. We'll have to do 1 week refresher classes each year but the premise is that its now all muscle memory and will take very little effort to remember even if we don't see water all winter long!</div>
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I wish I could swim this well!</div>
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Here is a short video of the swimmer in action. He was taught to look for a wall to swim to and float on his back to catch his breath before swimming again. Here goes... </div>
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Video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV2JQD8NFjk&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Link</a></div>
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Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-22026269184700333012012-07-25T13:52:00.002-04:002012-07-25T13:52:59.110-04:00Let's Talk Dirty-- Toddler Potty and Poopy Talk anyone?Mama's,<br />
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I need your thoughts and experience on potty training.<br />
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<a href="http://familiesintheloop.com/new-and-noteworthy/7358/potty-training/" target="_blank">source</a><br />
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Some background... <br />
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Now that my sweet boy is quite the swimmer and I am not going to lessons EVERY morning for 8 weeks (8 weeks?!) and a baby due in 9 weeks... we're in the throws of real, official, potty training. As I mentioned in this <a href="http://running4two.blogspot.com/2012/03/fluke-or-perhaps-another-benefit-to.html" target="_blank">post</a> -- he has been pretty consistently going poo on the potty since 18 months. It's the pee we needed to work on.<br />
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Sooo... starting Monday we began officially. I had him either naked or in loose undies and each time he'd start to pee, he'd look up and say "go potty!" with a surprised look, would stop going and would finish peeing in the potty. That's pretty much been how it's going for 2 days. Wet a little, finish in the potty. After he goes I tell him he's a big boy and do a silly song with a dance. (Thank goodness you people can't see that on camera!) He laughs and that's his "reward" for using the potty.<br />
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Thank goodness we have hardwood floors everywhere, so cleanup has been easy! : ) And we still do diapers for naps and bedtime.<br />
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My questions for you:<br />
Is that normal that he starts going a little before he realizes it and finishes on the potty?<br />
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At 23 months old, how much should I "help" him go potty? Right now I go in with him and help him pull down/up his pants. He doesn't ever really go in on his own-- he always tells me he needs to go and we go together.<br />
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Did your boys sit or stand to pee?<br />
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When did you venture out in undies and know they'd tell you if they had to go?<br />
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We alternate between his little potty or the seat on the big potty. What's your preference for your kiddos?<br />
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Any thoughts and advice are welcome... I admit I did not read any books on this and have been winging it and feel like we're getting somewhere but I'm not sure.<br />
<br />Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-58390400510987266252012-07-25T13:40:00.003-04:002012-07-25T13:54:34.361-04:00Bumps- Week 27-30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really have got to remember not to take bump photos in my pj's... they are sooo not flattering. See week 28 as proof. : ) Here are weeks 27-30</div>
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Week 27:</div>
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Week 28:</div>
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Week 29:</div>
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Week 30:</div>
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And we'll see how long it takes me to post tomorrow's week 31 bump! ; )Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-49178962182735756272012-07-24T14:37:00.000-04:002012-07-25T13:53:43.664-04:0030 weeks but a month overdueA month overdue in blogging that is! About 9.5 weeks left to go.<br />
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SO I can't believe I will be into single digit weeks on Thursday... already! (well unless this kid bakes an extra week or two like his brother did!)<br />
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I am feeling good but running has definitely grown harder as the belly has grown. Try as I might, my pace just naturally slowed. I'd been easily running around 9:30/mile and now its slowed to 10 or 10:20 a mile. Oh well... as long as I can keep some miles on my legs I don't really care how slow it is! With all the home projects a few runs have slipped through the cracks, though! Oops!<br />
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I did learn something from my chiropractor today... she said this baby is not very low (but is head-down) and sits a little transverse in my belly. (Oh-- I should say she is also a doula and feels my belly after my adjustment every week to see how the baby is sitting).<br />
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She said it's probably making running better since you don't have a head right down there at your pubis bone. I said-- that must be why it hurts a lot less to run this time. My first little guy was head down and really low early on... and I was always really sore down there after a run. I have not had that problem this time. I also don't feel the urge to pee as much when I run with this one. Interesting, huh?! Sorry to be TMI but it was interesting to me!<br />
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Well... of course my computer is wanting nothing to do with uploading photos... so that will have to wait, again! Whew!<br />
<br />Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-32542489070745817242012-06-28T17:12:00.002-04:002012-06-28T17:12:30.096-04:00Oh wow, you're big... and other things no pregnant lady wants to hearYou know what no pregnant woman wants to hear-- "Oh wow-- you're big!" or "You are as big now as you were at the end last time". Seriously I heard these things FROM MY FAMILY at a party this past weekend. Granted the last comment was from my step-grandmother who has no filter and is defintely WRONG... I do have a belly... as most women do at 27 weeks... but I am carrying almost identical to the way (and size) I did the first time. Ugh. Seriously, I do not get why being pregnant makes people forget their filters.<br />
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Why yes, I am 27 weeks prego and last blogged at 23 weeks. Where is the time going?? <br />
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Considering we're expecting weather in the 100s!!!! here the next several days, hopefully those days pass by as fast and this prego mama says cool!!<br />
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My laptop took a MAJOR crash. I got a new laptop and THANKFULLY all my files transferred over-- it just was slow going, but I am back up and running.<br />
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Speaking of running-- I ran 8 miles this morning before it got crazy-hot! It felt REALLY good but I will say I am beginning to feel the extra weight and my hip was giving me some issues the last couple miles. I still feel better all and all than I did running in the first pregnancy, so I can't complain. By 27 weeks with Boy 1, I was tapered much more on mileage and slower!<br />
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24 weeks:<br />
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25 weeks:</div>
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26 weeks</div>
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And a photo at 27 weeks will have to wait until hubby gets home tonight... </div>
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So at 27 weeks I am feeling good. Running two 4 mile runs every week and a long run of either 6 or 8.</div>
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The belly is feeling stretched and I am constantly putting on lotion and trying not to eat too much at night when that feeling is the worse! House projects are coming along and I think I get more excited to meet this guy every day as I feel him move around!</div>Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-20992936951686365542012-06-04T14:13:00.003-04:002012-06-04T14:13:48.029-04:00Dues date Guess and 22/23 week UpdateBaby Boy 2 is "officially" due September 27th. My guess is he comes (or starts coming) on September 30th. His big brother was born on a full moon and though I ended up having to be induced-- he was still a week overdue, was a "short" 5 hour active labor and was obviously ready to join us. This year's September full moon begins at 11:19pm on September 29th. Let me just go on record with my official labor prediction of September 30th. : )<br />
<br />
But before weekly prego stuff... My sweet Blonde Boy 1 at 21 months old:<br />
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Loves to dance:<br />
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Without further ado... weeks 22 and 23...<br />
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Exercise:<br />
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Still 3 days a week with long weekend runs. This past weekend I did 8 and then ran around all day and had an evening walk with the fam. My prego muscles were beat but I have to say it's been MUCH better than running during the first pregnancy-- limited "need-to-pee" issues and other icky symptoms have stayed at bay this time! Yay!<br />
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Weight gain: Not sure but the belly is growing! <br />
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Sleep: Still Good... baby boy is getting more and more active at night! I had more baby dreams last night as hubby and I went to bed talking about names... <br />
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Names: Here are our "rules" for baby names... #1-- First name must be Biblical... all our first names are too. Mark, Rachel, Nathan.... #2 If it's a boy they get 2 middle names (like Daddy and Boy 1) which the names should be named after someone. Let me tell you... coming up with 2 middle names is the tough part! At least Boy 1 kept the same middle names as his daddy which made it easy. Boy 2 needs two middle names-- we aren't liking the names of many important men in our lives so we may use the first letters which limits options... not an easy challenge.<br />
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And finally... some bump photos... in the same shirt too... : )<br />
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22 weeks:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiGkuIWyN6I/T8z27VHdXUI/AAAAAAAAAgc/6-QY9WDQLJk/s1600/23+weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiGkuIWyN6I/T8z27VHdXUI/AAAAAAAAAgc/6-QY9WDQLJk/s320/23+weeks.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiQKYFuLXRY/T8z2hYNiKII/AAAAAAAAAgU/hntnFc8AJ1c/s1600/22+weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiQKYFuLXRY/T8z2hYNiKII/AAAAAAAAAgU/hntnFc8AJ1c/s320/22+weeks.JPG" width="212" /></a> and 23 weeks:</div>Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-90533154416663739182012-05-22T20:31:00.001-04:002012-05-22T20:31:29.015-04:00Cloth Diapers 101<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I continue to get a lot of questions about cloth diapering regarding my personal experience and general questions. I recently wrote a long email to someone today and thought I would share much of it here too. If you want to read my first post about the specific diapers I use click <a href="http://running4two.blogspot.com/search?q=cloth+diapers">here</a>. Hope it helps those that are new to cloth diapering and want something easier to understand. It's just one Mama's method and explanation:</span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It can be confusing! The best advice anyone gave me were
to invest in just a few different types before diving in and buying all of one
type or brand. For example—I bought lots of newborn sized diapers that
were homemade from someone. They fit well but leaked like crazy and did
not accommodate the little “stump” of the cord that hung on for
weeks with a newborn. When we have another newborn we'll do disposables in the early days so they accomodate the cord stump and wait until the snap diapers fit best (which I found was around 10lbs).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let's back up... </span></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are basically three types of diapers… <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cheapest diapers in diaper lingo are called “<i>Pre-folds</i>”…
the kind your mama used to use with pins (or the kind you use as burp
cloths). They usually are worn with reusable covers. I never used
that kind because I figured it wasn't easy enough for me and that the hubby would not use them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="188" data-width="269" height="188" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR8YjF1lHIJCNu0dQhJTJfk2HiCjCLTcNbmQY5DJ9mH57pqWz_RGA" style="height: 188px; width: 269px;" width="269" /> </span><a href="http://diaperjungle.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Source</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I tried the <i>all-in-ones</i> which are basically an outer
cover and some kind of absorbent insert that is attached so you don't "stuff" any inserts in teh diapers-- its all one piece. I tried one like this (Bumpkins) and liked
it but still didn’t find it absorbent enough and also you have to buy them in sizes so they don't grow with your kid... therefore you have to buy more from small to large. These are a lot more than prefolds for the convenience and are usually about the same price as Pocket diapers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="167" data-width="302" height="167" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRG1IB_SCZxrLM4aBC9YN8gtfZdNVaXaxchkW9JVuEEhbUausuV" style="height: 167px; width: 302px;" width="302" /> </span><a href="http://clothdiapertrader.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">source<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The ones I use are “<em>pocket diapers</em>”… these can go
for crazy amount for the name brand but I found the KaWaii are equivalent enough to
Fuzzibuns or some of the others like it. I also like that it adjusts with snaps so it
grows with your child (unlike the all in ones) which you buy in different
sizes. They are pocket because they have a pocket where you stuff the
inserts in (I just use one but I know some people add two inserts if their baby
is a “heavy wetter.” I also just stuff them one at a time when I change
his diaper… it saves doing the whole basket of diapers at once. But you
can do it either way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia;">Note: We still do disposables at night most nights so it absorbs the most and wicks away from his skin (whatever helps us all sleep the longest!) and we use them with sitters just so its easier for them. When I haven't I end up with dirty diapers back in the clean basket and parts and pieces thrown away. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="194" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTTSSNW6EcIlehSGQUu2ScAklIz5bKDgd09Dotses5nFzd1_nW0" style="height: 194px; width: 259px;" width="259" /></span><a href="http://sweetbottomsbaby.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">source<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here is the inside and a photo of the outside...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="194" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQC4U3ZDnFZ72xtboesB2tTeZrwQ5ZjPomwqw-X97pJVr6i6flbSg" style="height: 194px; width: 259px;" width="259" /> </span><a href="http://luvyourbaby.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">source</span></a></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We never did the diaper
sprayer… another thing that I decided did not sound fun! We use
disposable liners—they add cost but I wash the ones that were just peed on and
use a few times. That way when he poos, we just throw away that part… the
diaper avoids yuckiness and needing rinsing and we can just put it in the
diaper pail without dunking in the toilet or spraying off.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img height="250" id="il_fi" src="http://www.diaperrite.com/assets/images/diaper-accessories/diaper-rite-disposable-liners-250.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="250" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Must Haves:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cloth Diapers</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Diaper Pail (Trashcan with a flip up lid)</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wet Bag (Sized to fit your trash can)</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="183" data-width="276" height="183" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQb6L5Cj9kiARDikSok2959XuAxos1cDsMmTwXLSOEsBKtobhEpMw" style="height: 183px; width: 276px;" width="276" /> </span><a href="http://themombot.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">source</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Optional but Recommended:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">A second wet bag for when the other is in the wash</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cloth Diaper Disposable Liners</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Small wet bag to stash in the diaper bag (Plastic bags work too)</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cost:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I bought almost all my diapers for $8 and under and have about 15 in regular rotation now which means I do laundry every 2-3 days. Hubs has done lots of calcs and we feel that even using a disposable at night, we've saved lots of mulah!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Please ask any questions I may have left out or assumed and I will answer them or update the post. Good look! It's pretty simple once you get your system down and figure out what works for you!</span>Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840849072412737492.post-46907247518930264542012-05-22T07:00:00.000-04:002012-05-22T07:00:13.067-04:00Toddler Swimming Lessons- ISR Day 1This weeks has started as a week of "torture" for my son (and who am I kidding-- for me too!)... we signed him up for swimming classes. But these aren't just any swim lessons... Mama is not in the water and he gets one-on-one instruction from his teacher for 10 minutes a day, EVERY day for 4-6 weeks until he knows how to swim, float, swim... its called ISR-- Infant Swimming Resource's Self-Rescue program <a href="http://www.infantswim.com/">http://www.infantswim.com/</a>. It's for kids 6 month to 6 years.<br />
<br />
It's not cheap, requires a serious time commitment every day and it's tough to watch your baby and in the case of my kiddo-- yelling/crying for his Mommy while kinda being freaked out by the whole experience. <br />
<br />
Google ISR Swimming on You Tube and you will be amazing at the tiny kids that learn how to swim. More importantly-- you can read stories for kids who took the class and has some kind of run-in with a pool or water and were able to save themselves because of what they learned in the class. <br />
<br />
So just like letting your kids get bumps and scrapes as they learn to crawl or walk or disciplining kids when it's not fun but what they need... that's why we're taking this class... for the end goal of having a kid who could live if he ended up in water and a kid that will eventually enjoy swimming (like my niece and nephew who are complete fish in the water and took the classes when they were young).<br />
<br />
Here is a 20 month old after completing the class to give you an idea of what they learn and what someone my kiddo's age can do at the end... <br />
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<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/geox3_nuz4g&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geox3_nuz4g">Link</a><br />
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THey are super strict in watching what your kid eats all day during the 4-6 weeks and you have to log their foods, pees, and poos, and their sleep. That is also the reason lessons are just 10 minutes... they do as much as possible to limit potential injuries. <br />
<br />
One day 1-- he just did wall work-- where he was put a little away from the wall and reach out to grab it from multiple angles (no underwater yet). He actually did really well with that-- he just cried for me the whole time-- and I only got a little teary twice while watching it. : ) Thankfully my sister-in-law was there to support both of us.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you posted on how it progresses and maybe post our own video at the end.Running For Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271306029021368272noreply@blogger.com1