This is What 15 Weeks Looks Like

Well, I'm officially 15 weeks along and starting to see it.  I'm still in some of my regular pants. Luckily, the last time around I had invested in the next size up in a few pair of work pants so I'm able to not break out the maternity pants just yet.

I've gained 6 lbs so far.  I don't remember where I was at this point with my first child.  I found a picture I took at 20 weeks in a past post which you can see.  I don't know.  I think I look bigger now but that could be me. (Side note...I'm not a very happy pregnant person.  First time around I was down right crabby.  I'm not as bad this time but I'm definitely not one that loves being pregnant.  I love the outcome, just not the "Journey")

Workouts are fine with the exception of running.  I just feel like I have to pee every time I take a step.  I had this problem with baby E too.  It seems to be less obvious when I run outside, which I enjoy doing more anyway so as long as I can I'll be choosing the trail over the treadmill.  Oh and I don't do ab work anymore, for obvious reasons.

The only real frustration at this point is that by 9:30 at night, once E has gone to bed, I'm done, spent, exhausted which would be fine if I could go to bed but I am in the midst of midterms week in my MBA program and 9:30 to 11:00 is when I usually study (or blog).  So I struggle to find the energy I need to finish the day strong.

I know this would happen but I've just got to muddle through.  I can't stop either from progressing so I'm just going to have to try to keep up.

I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday.  Hopefully I'll be able to hear the babies heart beat.  Last time around that was pretty telling about the sex.  Speaking of gender, question..I've heard of little "tests" you can do at home to determine the gender.  I thought it would be fun to try some of those before we really find out.  You know, to test them out.  Do you know any? 

Better get back to studying.  Marketing isn't going to learn itself but before I leave, let me ask all you parents out there..

what are your tips for keeping your energy high during the day into the evening?  Anyone want to take my midterm for me? :) 

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Hawaii Part 2: SNUBA and Sea Turtles

I've been a little distracted with all the other things going on right now and not to mention 2 midterms in school next week.  I've forgotten to show you a few pictures from the last part of our trip to Hawaii.

The l4ast part of our trip we spent on a Catamaran and it couldn't have been better.  We sailed from our island, Maui to a nearby island to do some snorkeling.

Molokini

 

 

 

We took all the kids and surprisingly, they had a good time.  When we got on the boat S and I were presented with an opportunity to SNUBA dive (a combination of Snorkel and SCUBA).  I am a certified diver but S had never been so we jumped at the chance.  We were trained by a SNUBA specialist and off we went!

In SNUBA, you and a your partner share an air tank that is sitting on a raft that follows you around at the surface.  There are two air tubes that allow you to go down about 12 feet.  A perfect depth to see some amazing fish and coral formations.

There was also an underwater photographer that would go around snapping pictures of everyone.  He captured some fun ones of S and I. 

The boat we went on was great, while we were diving they were grilling...marinated chicken breasts.  It was nice to have healthy lunch. 

After the Snorkel, we headed back to land but not before we went to Sea Turtle Universe.  It was soo cool to be so close to these amazing creatures.

The last day, the hotel let us feed the Koi fish.  The boys had a blast. 

 

No trip would be complete without an attempt at a family picture. All E wanted to do was play in the sand so we didn't exactly get a Christmas card worthy picture but we'll see.

We travel back and luckily got a little relief.  Coming in from Hawaii we picked up an hour and half of time so our plane ride was only six and a half hours and E slept the entire way.  It helped that we traveled at night. 

It really was a great trip.  We gained a new family member and had a blast exploring.  Hopefully we'll be able to go back someday when E and Nuunie are older (OR S and I could go by ourselves to do a little more exploring). 

Where would you like to take your family?  I would love some ideas of place to take my family next. 

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ZipFizz Giveaway

Our Winner has been identified! 

Joanna BroadbentOctober 25, 2012 10:03 PM

I follow Zip Fizz on Facebook Awesome giveaway!!!

Please email me your address at momslittlerunningbuddy at gmail dot com

You know what makes Fridays even better? Giveaways!! At least I think so. So I have for you a pretty sweet sample of ZipFizz.

Zipfizz is healthy energy in a tube! Give your body a rush of vitamins, minerals and key amino acids to protect the immune system. Zipfizz has created an advanced formula that provides a significant amount of vitamins, fewer calories, lower carbohydrates, superior taste, variety and unique packaging! Simply put, it's different because it's good for you!

I'd like to say I reviewed it but sadly I wasn't able to given my current pregnant state so I'm giving you the chance to try it.

What you'll get is pictured below. 5 Flavors, a mixing bottle and a flash drive! How cool is that!? AND, there might even be something extra in it from me.

So let's make this simple. Contest will end on Monday October 29th when the winner will be posted.

To enter you can do any (or all of the following)
1. Leave me a comment telling me why you need the extra energy that Zipfizz provides
2. Follow me on Twitter
3. Follow Zipfizz on Twitter
4. Follow me on Instagram - MomsLRB
5. Like MomsLittleRunningBuddy on Facebook
6. Like Zipfizz on Facebook
There you have it! Hope you have a great Friday! I know I will!
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What's the Obsession with Shoes?

During the Rock'n'Roll on Sunday my mind started wandering, like it always does.  (Scary, I know) This time I started thinking about Shoes, a runner's favorite topic.

You can have all the gadgets in the world, the best running clothes but if you don't have a good pair of shoes, you probably aren't going to run very far which is probably why we are so attached to them.

I know, this is news to you right? (HA!) I can't tell you how many pictures I've seen of runners displaying their collections similar to mine (that's just what is in the closet.  There's more in the garage). 

When I look at that picture, I know there are 2 pair right off the bat that are "retired".  I don't run in them anymore yet they still live on, taking up room in my closet.  Every now and then I pull them out, think about taking them for a spin then put them back. 

So if I'm not running in them, why am I not donating them or throwing them away?

This question was truly the topic I was thinking about.  Why am I (and probably many of you) so attached to these shoes?  I came up with some theories..

1. Cost.  They were expensive and I feel like, although they are not good for running anymore, they are probably good for casual wear.

2. Beauty. I just like looking at shoes.

3. Memories. (This is what I'm going with).  Every one of those pairs of shoes has logged hundreds of miles spanning months or years of my life.  If those shoes had a recorder in them, they could tell you about all the memories we shared.  One of those pair helped me get through my first relay race ever.  One of those pairs helped me get through my first trail run ever.  Multiple pairs helped me solve numerous life problems and ALL of those pairs witnessed our family moments. 

Maybe a runner's shoes are like a man's recliner or old underwear.  We just can't let them go.  They have served us so well, we are loyal to them. 

My questions are: do you have a collection like this?  Why do you hold on to them?  What should my next addition to the collection be?

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Rock'n'Roll St. Louis Recap

On Sunday, I ran my 11th half marathon.  The Rock and Roll here in St. Louis.  I was so ready to run this because I didn't get to run it last year, the inaugural year.  I had started training and was feeling really good.  In fact, I was even thinking about trying to PR. 

That was, however, until I found out I was pregnant, I got sick with bronchitis and had to take two weeks off running.  SOOO, I was grateful to just run it.  I was even more grateful to get to spend some time with some friends I don't get to see very much.  We ended up running the entire race together.  So let's start at the starting line.

After listening to my buddy and Alderman Shane welcome the runners, (because the mayor couldn't make it) we watched the sunrise and listened as the first corals went off. 

In what other city is this your view at the starting line?  Call me crazy, but I just can't get enough of this.  

We started off with a 10 minute mile.  I have run the GO! St. Louis multiple times and another race that goes all over downtown so I thought I had seen every route you could come up with.  I was wrong.  This route was great.  It took me to parts of town I've never been to, where the architecture is beautiful and old.  We turned so many times I thought I was going to get dizzy but I liked it.  I get so disheartened when you can look up and see nothing but people all the time.  Turns keeps it interesting.

Mile 1 through 4 was nice and easy but at mile 4 , I had to do something I've NEVER had to do before...go to the bathroom (Dang you little nuunie). At this point I'm running this race 14 weeks pregnant.

Mile 4 through 6 took us through midtown which is where SLU is as well as the gorgeous Fox Theater.  It's also reasonably flat so it was a nice segment.  Again, we were taking it easy and enjoying the race.

Source: Marathon Foto

Mile 7 through 10 took us over to the Tower Grover area which is full of history and amazing homes.  I love gawking at homes and even though I've seen these a number of times, I can't help but appreciate the craftsmanship in them.

Mile 10 was introduced by the Brooks Running Rocker and then followed by Lafeyette Square and more amazing architecture. 

It wasn't until mile 11 than I really started to feel my lack of running.  I had done a few SMALL runs in Hawaii but nothing like a training run.  Just enough to sweat basically.  So when my knees started to ache I knew the last few miles not going to be fun.

One of the things I really liked about this course is that they set it up in such a way that you don't feel like you're getting close to the finish.  Even at mile 12 I felt like we had a ways to go so it was a pleasant surprise when we turned another corner and BAM, there you were.  Done!

I won't lie.  I was sore but so proud that I had finished and I was so happy to have done it with some amazing friends.  It was the first time in a long time that I had run with anyone and I didn't realize how much I enjoyed it.

 

Source: Marathon Foto (Think I'm gonna buy this picture)

Will I do this race next year?  Yep, assuming life hasn't thrown me more curveballs than I can handle with the two kids.  In fact, I'd love to try to do 2 Rock and Roll runs next year.  Did you see the cool hardware you get when you do more than one?  It's awesome.  

But until then, I'll just enjoy the sense of accomplishment and hang up my new hardware and start thinking about what's next? 

Is it time to take a break from running?  I'm not sure yet but I can think about 2013. 

As I look ahead, what Rock and Roll runs have you done.  Which would you recommend?  I'd really need them to be July or later in the year.  

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Special K - The Protein Effect

Maybe you read my little announcement a couple weeks ago.  If you didn't, I'll cut to the chase.  I'm pregnant with Child #2.  One of the things I struggled with when I was pregnant with E is staying full.  It seems like trying to live life and grow a baby makes you burn through calories faster.  :)

Looking back, I realize now my problem was eating the right foods.  Foods with the right benefits to keep me full.  Foods with protein and/or fiber.  Well, this time around, I'm being more conscious about what I eat, especially when I'm hungry.  Special K has come to my rescue.  I was provided with a special kit full of Special K products PACKED with protein.

Starting off the day, I've switched my regular breakfast for the a shake, which I put in the freezer for 30 minutes before I leave for work and then in the car, I get to enjoy a nice frozen smoothie and a banana.  It's not only filling but it's extremely satiating. So much so that all I need is an apple before lunch.

Then in the afternoon, around 3:00 when I start to wear down and feel hungry, I started eating a bowl of cereal and again, it does the trick.  Not only am I not hungry, I feel full and satisfied. 

The meal bars are a saving grace for anyone on the go!  For me, it's usually lunch that I have a hard time fitting in.  Sometimes, I barely have enough time to run to the restroom between meetings let alone warm up some leftovers or run down to the cafe so the bars have been a real life saver.  I can take them with me and eat during the meeting and feel good that I'm eating something that's going to stick with me. 

I'm not a great pregnant person, but knowing that I'll be able to outsmart hunger effectively and in a way that allows me to stay healthy will ease some of the frustration. 

So my question for you is how do you fight hunger?

Also be sure to check out the Gold Bond Friction Defense Giveaway to see winners (and vote for MomsLittleRunningBuddy.com for Top 25 Health and Fitness blogs on Circle of Moms)

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this Campaign.  All opinions are my own.

Life is Flying and Monster is Turning Two

Something happened yesterday that I simply can't get over.  E turned 2!  That's right, over the past 2 years, I've watched him go from this:

to this...

The Challenges:

Momma's Boy: I love this kid more than I can even say but he hasn't come without challenges.  He's a momma's boy through and through, which sounds great, however it is VERY hard to leave him. 

He has been in the ER 4 times since he was born, he's already had one surgery and he has asthma.  Talk about scaring a new momma, I feel like we've been through so much with him.

He was colicky for a very long time.  It felt like he just couldn't get settled. 

The Highlights:

Very Sensitive and loving:  I never get sick of the huge hugs he provides to everyone he meets.  He loves to show emotion and I hope he never loses that.

Personality that goes forever:  He's crazy.  That's the bottom line.  He thinks he is a literary scholar and a major league baseball player all at the same time.  Who am I to tell him different?

The Favorites:

Favorite Dinner: Chicken Pesto Pasta...I made this for his dinner last night and I swear he would eat it till he explodes.

Favorite Book: The "Moon" book (i.e. Good night moon).  I used to read it to him now, he flips the pages and reads it to me (half of it is jibberish but it's still freakin cute).

Favorite TV Show: Tie between Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Sesame Street although he also loves Pocoyo.

Favorite Word or Phrase: "Go Go Cardinals" and "Momma Please _____ (fill in the blank)"  Everyday I'm amazed by how he's learning.  He can now ask for things he wants.  "Momma Juice Please", "Momma iPad Please".  It's precious!   His love of the Cardinals has to be inherited.  He knows!  He doesn't just imitate.  He knows...Mike Shannon's voice (the announcer for the cardinals), the Stadium, the Logo, the uniforms.  He knows when they are up to bat.  He knows when they get an out.  It's crazy but he knows. 

Favorite Way to Spend Time: With Mommy and Daddy doing anything outdoors.  Whether it's just watching Zoey fetch a ball or blowing bubbles, he would sleep out there if we let him.  He is an outside boy through and through.

Favorite Toy: That has to be one of the 4, yes I said 4, bats and balls he has.  You'll see them in just about every picture and/or video we've taken over the past few months. 

I don't know if you can call me a new mom anymore but looking back, I can tell you the past two years have been some of the hardest and most rewarding all at the same time. 

Someone once told me being a parent is the "Toughest job you'll ever love" and I have to say he was right.  I have learned more about myself and what I'm capable of than I ever thought possible.  Now that kid #2 is on the way, it's only going to get better. 

So there you have it, my little monster.  He's my heart and soul and everything in the middle. 

Related Posts:
3 Weeks Old Today | When will they...  | 4 Month Checkup  | 11 Months Old  | 18 Months

Happy Birthday Baby!  Happy Birthday to you!

How has life changed for you since becoming a parent?

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FLASH: Gold Bond Giveaway

Winners Alert: Laurel C and Anne (Post #1 and #8).  Please email me your address info and I'll make sure your Gold Bond gets sent your way!

So I have a little confession to make.  I've gained a little weight being pregnant and all.  I'm ok with it except for one problem.  I always seem to gain it in my thighs which means chaffing during runs.  Boo!

When Gold Bond approached me about their newest product: Gold Bond Friction Defense, I knew I had to try it (just in time for the Rock n Roll).

Just a few quick facts:

• Who Uses:  From diehard athletes to moderate fitness participants to formal function attendees wearing uncomfortable undergarments to professionals in uniforms, or one of the 1/3 of Americans that are obese and fight friction caused by body parts rubbing together with daily activities
• When/How to Use:  Apply to areas that feel friction before irritation as prevention or on sensitive skin that is irritated and burning to treat and soothe skin. 
• Where: At such a great price point, it's also available at nationwide retailers including: Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens and CVS

The other thing I like is the list of ingredients

Product ingredients                                    Ingredient Function

·                     Triglycerides	·                     Emollient
·                     Fumed silica	·                     Slip and oil absorption
·                     Aloe and Bisabolol	·                     Soothing skin conditioning
·                     Zinc oxide	·                     Bulking agent
·                     Ginger Root Extract	Soothing, skin conditioning
·                     Vitamin E	·                     Skin conditioning

Partial ingredient list.

So then I tried it.  I even took it to Hawaii and I'm glad I did.  It does exactly what it says it will and all without any negatives.  It's a must have product for all athletes!

I'm so happy with mine that I'd like to give two readers a full size sample and a cozy pair of Gold Bond Socks!  The giveaway will end on Sunday with a winner announced Sunday evening or Monday (depending on how I feel after the Rock n Roll St. Louis)

Enter by doing the following: 
1. Follow MomsLittleRunningBuddy on Twitter
2. Google + this post
3. Follow this blog
4. Tweet or Share on your Facebook page, the info below:

I just registered for a FLASH giveaway of Gold Bond Friction Defense from @MomsLRB  #GoldBondFrictionDefense http://tinyurl.com/9z8ufen

If you want to be extra nice you could head over to Circle of Moms and vote for Moms Little Running Buddy as one of Top 25 Health and Fitness Blogs - Vote Here You can vote once a day till November 1st. So hurry!  

Hawaii Part 1: Pool, Luau and a Wedding

Wow!  That's all I can say.  Who knew Hawaii was so beautiful?!  Ok, I knew it would be but it still took my breath away.  So I thought I'd break out trip down a little and show you in a little more detail just all the fun we had. 

If you ever have a chance to go, I highly recommend you do.  So first, we stayed at the Marriott Wailea Maui Resort.  I'm a huge Marriott fan from my days as a traveling consultant.  The resort was right on the beach, had 5 different pools including one for the kids and all the water sports you could want. 

We got there around 5:30 or so the first day.  Just long enough to check in, eat some dinner and go to bed.  We were exhausted after 10 hours of travel.  But one of the great things about heading East is that you wake up EARLY.  We were up before the sun.  We headed out for a walk and just explored.

E enjoyed getting to know the beach before S and I split up and took turns getting a quick workout in. 

That night we attended a Luau.  It was the perfect Hawaiian experience complete with a pig roast and Pina Coladas.  

 But given how beautiful the weather was, I couldn't resist trying to get some family pictures.  That's E's cousin...Let's call him C.  They are about a year and a half apart but they absolutely love playing together. 

I wish I had a better lens to get some different views but I'm pretty happy with these. 

The next day was more fun at the pool and the beach. Then we got ready for my Brother-in-law's wedding which is why were we there in the first place.  I was so excited to see them get married and to do it in Hawaii was just gorgeous!

 Wish I would've gotten more pictures but I wanted to keep E back a little to keep the distractions down to a minimum.

We ended the day with a beautiful family dinner where I got to spend time with family members I had never met before and I can tell you I'm so glad I did.  S's family is beautiful as it is but knowing the ENTIRE`family just adds to it. 

From a fitness perspective, the Ironman World Championships were also going on in Hawaii on a different island so I tried to channel amazing energy on my runs but after a crazy commute, pregnancy and Bronchitis, my workouts were lacking to say the least but I did it.  The resorts in Wailea had a waterfront trail that you could walk/run.  And with views like this, no matter how run down I felt, I knew I HAD to take advantage.

The Marriott also had a pretty good workout facility but there were a lot of like minded people who had the same ideas we did so it was pretty busy most of the time  Marriott, call me, I have some ideas about how to improve the fitness experience someone like me.  :)  Just saying.

So that's the first few days.  More fun to come. 

What do you think so far?  Have you ever been to Wailea?  What did you do when you were there?  Where did you stay?

Aloha From Hawaii

Just wanted to come by briefly to say we are having a blast in Hawaii.  The scenery is beyond beautiful.  Almost makes up for the 8 hour plane ride.  :)  Ok it does.  So rather than tell you all about it, I'll just share some pics and give you a full recap when we get back and when I can get more pictures off my real camera.

Enjoy!

 

 

And here's a fun clip of E enjoying his time in the sand.  I can't wait to show these to him when he gets older.  :)

The Stowaway

You've all read the stories and the recaps about Hood to Coast.  You've read about all the fun we had.  You read about some of the amazing obstacles the girls overcame to get there not to mention the ones they had to overcome ONCE they got there.

Since I've been back, I can't help but relive the fun moment by moment and just like a good movie, every time I think about it, I find something I didn't realize at the time.

Well turns out there was even more...More that no amount of thinking would've made me realize.  It took me coming home and making a revelation to find out what I'm about to tell you.

Maybe, just maybe I had an excuse for being the slowest.  Turns out......

I was carrying the youngest of all the Nuunies.  I was pregnant.  Can you believe it?!  I know it's taken me several weeks to let it sink it.

We went to the doctor last week to find out exactly how far along I was.  I was estimating about 8 weeks that would've made me about 3 or 4 weeks pregnant during Hood to Coast.

She says to me..."Well good and bad news"

I say..."Bad News First"

She says...."You're math is not so good"

I say..."That's not entirely surprising.  Good news?"

She says..."You're first trimester is essentially over"

I say (with my husband looking on with a jaw on the floor)..."So that makes me 12 weeks?

She says..."Almost..11 weeks 3 days"

Holy cow!  That means that when I was running Hood to Coast I was 7 weeks pregnant.  Oh geez! 

So now that I've come to grips with it, I can start to think about what that means.  SO...here's the good and the bad...with a due date of April 2,

• Bad - I'll still have 4 months of school left (ouch!) 
• Good - I will have most of the summer off plus I should be able to keep most of my race schedule next year.  
• Bad - My office gets moved down to the basement.  (So long craft closet)
• Good - I might actually have something extra to fill out a bathing suit (since I will be breastfeeding). 

So all in all, I'm thrilled that E's getting a little brother or sister.  It's nice to think the first trimester is already in the books (whether I knew it or not) and now we just have to get through the next few months.