I didn’t do a pregnancy update last week because I honestly felt very similar to week 23. I decided to combine the two weeks to hopefully have more insight.

Baby Update

This week, the baby is the size of a cauliflower or baseball glove, weighing between 1.5-2.5 lbs and about 13 inches long! If I were to go into labor, it’s comforting to know that with technology and medicine, he has a chance of surviving. Hopefully I don’t.

Weight Gained

As of this morning, I’ve gained officially 16 lbs! It is weird to see the number on the scale go up. Part of me wants it to stay in place but then I realize, I’m literally growing another person. It’s a very weird feeling. Prior to the baby, my weight would fluctuate 2-4 lbs on any given morning but now, it rarely does. It just slowly creeps up or stays the same.

Workouts

Last week, I decided to take class at Barry’s Bootcamp on Monday and Tuesday after I taught. The classes were hard but I felt good. I just didn’t run as fast as I normally do and didn’t lift as heavy of weights. Wednesday I took a spin class, Thursday I rested and got a prenatal massage and Friday I died when I tried to do my long run.

It was total defeat. I could barely keep up a 13 minute mile pace jogging. It was HOT. Like in the high 80’s and I had a terrible head cold. I was going to run 10 miles and I was happy I got in 9 even if it took me 2 hours to complete. I thought my running days were behind me!

This week, I took it a little easier. I ran 30 minutes on Sunday at a good 10 minute mile pace. I felt strong again. Monday I took a Pilates class on the Megaformer at BTone. Tuesday was an easy 45 minute run and yesterday I ran for 60 minute alternating between 3 minutes at my fast pace (9 min/mile) and a 3 minute walk. I managed to fit in 5 miles and saw this beautiful sunset. I felt so much better thanks to the cooler temperatures and clear nasal passages.

Tomorrow I’m attempting 10 miles once again. It will be my last long run before tapering for my half … Thank god 🙂

Symptoms

The biggest difference for me now with my workouts is that my body does not recover as quickly as it used to. A 45 minute run would normally feel like a piece of cake but now, the day after, my body aches, like I ran 12+ miles. I’ve got to take more rest days and as a result have 2 of them in place currently. I am used to having just 1 for the past 4+ years.

I’m still comfortable running with the exception of having to pee every 5 minutes. Once the bathrooms around the Charles River close for the winter, I don’t know what I’ll do! Since they close October 31st, that is probably when I’ll stop running.

My appetite has increased and I’m more lethargic around 4pm again. Also – blurry vision! Didn’t know it was a symptom but it apparently it is. My vision gets blurry when I work for too long at my computer. All the more reason to take a resting break. Lastly, I do not have any weird cravings or aversions any more.

Looking Forward To…

My next ultrasound! I was diagnosed with a low lying placenta during my 18 week anatomy scan. We will get to take another look in 2 weeks to see if I’m in the clear. The placenta attached pretty close to my cervix. If it doesn’t move up, I’ll be at risk for placenta previa and consequently will have to stop exercising and schedule a C-section around 37 weeks. Placenta previa is when the placenta literally blocks the baby’s exit door.

Purchases…

Clothes for the baby from Carter’s, clothes for me at Destination Maternity and I finally registered!!!!

Technically, I didn’t buy anything but it felt good to “write down” what we need. My sister and I went with baby Dylan who will be handing down her newborn Rock ‘n’ Play and more. I tried to only register for the necessities and am still perfecting my lists. I’ll share them when they are complete. Nick and I are going to Pottery Barn kids this weekend and I also registered on Amazon in addition to Buy Buy Baby. I like a good deal and free shipping, so I couldn’t pick just one place.

Feeling…

Blessed. Ive hearing some really sad stories on Facebook and in the news lately about babies and I feel lucky that I’ve had such an easy pregnancy thus far and pray that my baby is healthy when he arrives. It’s hard for me to accept that he will be here in just three months. Baby Dylan makes me really excited though. I can’t wait for them to be best buds! Snuggle bear is just 4 weeks old!

Movement

I love it when my little guy moves! He is moving so much lately. His kicks are getting higher into my chest and I know there will be a time when I don’t love them, but right now, it’s the best thing! He is very active in my opinion, just like his momma!

Anything else…

I have switched gears finally. From trying to get through summer to now actually planning for this baby! I’m trying to educate myself on the birth process and newborn care information. It’s crazy to think you can go into labor so early. I just want to be prepared if this happens to me although I don’t think it will. I’m checking out classes in Boston at my hospital, Mommy and Me in JP and at the Little Loveage Club in the South End. Any recommendations, let me know. I’m also looking for a doula so lots to do and a little over 3 months to go! EEEEEK.