{Pregnancy Update} 35 Weeks

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35 Weeks 2 Days

How far along are you: 35 Weeks!

How big is the baby: Your baby doesn’t have much room to maneuver now that he’s over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it’s so snug in your womb, he isn’t likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he’ll spend the next few weeks putting on weight. (source)

Baby’s Gender: We both think it’s a boy (most of the time although this week I think it’s a girl).

Baby’s Name: We have a name for a boy or a girl–> we actually are stuck on two different girl names, decisions, decisions.

Weight Gained: 25 lbs

Clothes: Shirts are getting shorter. Pants are getting more uncomfortable. Mostly wearing dresses.

How are you feeling: I am feeling pretty good. A little tired. A little cranky. A little hot (it’s been 70-80’s).

What do you miss: I miss sleeping comfortably. Beer. Running.

Symptoms: ,

Cravings: Extra large salads.

How are you sleeping: Sleeping was going pretty well but this week not as good.  I am up more often and I have been waking up in the middle of the night or super early.

Workouts: This week I went to yoga Tuesday and have been doing lots of walking!

Things I’m looking forward to: Our baby shower which is tomorrow! Finishing up at my office job (only 15 more working days).  Post-baby shower shopping for the things we want to get before the baby arrives.

In other news:

We are still on track to launch Naturally Family on June 4th  JUNE 11TH but until then check us out of Facebook and Twitter.

We still haven’t been able to tour our birthing center which is making me pretty nervous.  I called yesterday about touring but it wasn’t a good day for them.  Hopefully next Friday when we go down for our appointment we will be able to.  Update: We still haven’t been able to tour the birthing center.  At our appointment this morning the entire birthing center was full!!

Also at our appointment this morning we discussed the worst case scenarios for two different reasons I might have to have a c-section.  The first of which is the emergency c-section, which after hearing their protocol/procedures around this left me feeling a little traumatized and I burst into tears (I blame the pregnancy hormones- I just couldn’t stop myself!).  The second was the “we’ve tired absolutely everything but you aren’t progressing” scenario which results in a much more calm transition to c-section than the emergency.  I already knew the reasons for a c-section, that there is always a possibility and the general info on how it works but it was really overwhelming to hear what could happen to ME. Luckily our birthing center/hospital as a 16% cesarean rate which is half of what the national average for c-sections.

Next week is my Strep-B test which I am nervous about since 25% of women have Strep-B and if you do it is highly recommended that you be on antibiotics during labor and birth. Did you pass your Strep-B test? If you didn’t did you have the antibiotics or take the risk?

 

 

Happy National Running Day! (& Name your Race Giveaway)

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HAPPY NATIONAL RUNNING DAY!

It’s National Running Day! Are you getting out for a run? Days like today make me anxious to get back to running.  I wish I could get out and participate today, however my 35 week pregnant body just isn’t down for running right now; I will however be getting out for a walk this afternoon!

Giveaway: Winner- Jenna Z says:

After losing over 80 pounds, I run because the act of moving swiftly feels SO amazing! I love getting from one place to another on my own two feet and I’m impatient so I like taking it at a swift pace! I’d love to enter The Arthur Rat Race on September 3rd in Arthur IL! I’ve got the day off and they have an awesome town festival going on too!

In honor of National Running Day I am giving away (aka I’ll pay for up to $25) a race entry to one lucky winner-  (almost) any race (max entry fee $25) anytime and anywhere.  All you have to do is tell me why do you run? and which race entry you’d like to win. I will pick a winner tomorrow morning!

My Fitness Bucket List

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Yesterday I started a new board on Pinterest that features my Fitness Bucket List.  Right now it’s pretty small but it is constantly growing and features my fitness goals for this year through my lifetime.  The items currently on my Fitness Bucket List are:

This Year:

One of my goals for this year is to start post-natal yoga at Evolution at six weeks postpartum.  The great thing about this class is that I can bring baby with me from 6 weeks until they start to crawl!

Run/Walk the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon.  I know, I know – I have a whole blog post written about this goal and I am sure many of you are saying um whattttttt? You are having a baby in July and this race is in November. Don’t worry my expectations are low, like lower and than low, but we’ve already deferred to this race and so might as well try.

Next Two Years:

Neil and I would love to run the VCM as relay partners in the next few years.  He ran the first half this year and really wants to do it again!

Next Five Years:

The Vermont 100 on 100 is a 100 mile relay race that is on Route 100 (guess that’s where it gets its name?) in Vermont starting at Trapps and ending at Okemo.  Over the past few years Neil and I have witnessed the runners and I have always  been inspired by the race.  The race route is beautiful and I am sure amazing to run.  Neil and I almost signed up last year when a few friends wanted to start a team but ultimately decided that we weren’t prepared to run that many miles and it would probably be a bad idea so our goal of running the 100 on 100 on a team together has been put on the back burner at least for another year or two.

I would love to attend Wanderlust again in VT, CA or CO or even Whistler would be amazing.

This is one of Neil and I’s big running goals to do- I would love to do the one that goes to Key West.

I can always use an excuse to go to Disney and what better excuse than a race that both Neil and I want to do?

Lifetime Goal:

This is a long term goal that Neil and I started a few years ago.  We have been trying to hike a little bit of the The Long Trail each year (unfortunately not this year- or at least no plans to yet anyways). Neil is the hiking lover and I’m in like with hiking but this would be an amazing goal to accomplish.

What is on your Fitness Bucket List? Have you started a Pinterest #Fitnessbucketlist board? If yes, link below!

You can check out my board here.

{Pregnancy Update} 34 Weeks

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photo 33.5 weeks

How far along are you: 34 Weeks!

How big is the baby: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she’s born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you’ve been nervous about preterm labor, you’ll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies. (source)

Baby’s Gender: We both think it’s a boy (most of the time).

Baby’s Name: We have a name for a boy or a girl–> we actually are stuck on two different girl names, decisions, decisions.

Weight Gained: 24 lbs

Clothes: I bought myself another dress. It’s not maternity but the style works well with my belly and should be flattering for the remainder of the summer.

How are you feeling: I am feeling pretty god. I am getting tired out pretty easily during the week but am making time to rest and sleep as needed. Friday I got home from work and took a two hour nap before our couples yoga class.

What do you miss: I miss sleeping comfortably. Beer. Running.

Symptoms: Heartburn,  pressure down lower in my pelvis, and even more frequent peeing.

Cravings: tempeh sandwiches. popsicles. berries. salad.

How are you sleeping: Sleeping is going alright.  This week I have been having a lot of hip pain and it’s hard to get comfortable.

Workouts: This week I went to yoga Tuesday, couples yoga Friday and went for a number of walks.

Things I’m looking forward to: Our baby shower! Finishing work (only 4 more weeks!!!)

In other news:

We are still on track to launch Naturally Family on June 4th but until then check us out of Facebook and Twitter.

We still haven’t been able to tour our birthing center which is making me pretty nervous.  I called yesterday about touring but it wasn’t a good day for them.  Hopefully next Friday when we go down for our appointment we will be able to.

This week we took our Couples Yoga for Labor and Birth and next week we take our breastfeeding class which I am looking forward to.

Review & Giveaway: Belli Skincare

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There are a number of prenatal and postnatal beauty products out there today and it can be a real challenge to figure out which ones you should try and which ones you should just pass on.  I recently received a package from Belli Skincare containing their Your Best Baby Bump Duo and their Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen.  Although all three items had their pros and cons, I absolutely loved them all and would recommend everything.  I really look forward to trying products from Belli’s Motherhood Line and maybe even their Baby Line. Check out my review of each product below:

Your Best Baby Bump Duo $49.99

I received the “Your Best Baby Bump Duo” which includes the Elasticity Belly Oil and the All Day Moisture Body Lotion

Elasticity Belly Oil (regularly $39)

Maintains the look of smooth, healthy skin with scientifically researched* ingredients that help prepare skin for stretching during pregnancy.

  • A luxurious blend of pure plant extracts to nourish and moisturize the skin
  • The aromatherapy benefit of lavender soothes and calms the senses
  • Contains Vitamin E and grapeseed oil, both are rich in antioxidants
  • Used in fine spas as a pre-natal massage oil

Pro: I love the smell! It is really wonderful and I am looking forward to packing it up and taking it to the birthing center with us so that Neil can use it to massage my back. I also love how it sprays on so easily and isn’t too greasy feeling. Neil also loves the smell of this oil.

Con: The spray is nice but sometimes it goes on a little wild- I have learned to remove my shirt before putting it on now so it won’t get all over my clothes. The other con is the price- it is a little expensive at $39.

Would I recommend? I would and I AM recommending it to moms-to-be.  I would recommend getting the Your Best Baby Bump Duo because it is a good deal and has both the oil and the lotion.

All Day Moisture Body Lotion (regularly $19)

Deeply moisturizes, soothes and comforts dry skin.

  • Features lemon oil which is known for its uplifting qualities
  • Chamomile soothes and refreshes
  • Shea butter moisturizes and smooths

Pro: Smells like lemon cookies! I absolutely love this lotion and so does Neil. We both used it after spending too much time in the sun and it did a good job at soothing our burnt skin.  It also really does a great job at moisturizing.  I also love that it smells like lemon cookies but the smell isn’t over powering and really mellows out shortly after applying.

Cons: I really can’t think of any cons! It is a little on the more expensive side for some but honestly I think the price is pretty competitive for the quality.

Would I recommend? I would definitely recommended this to anyone regardless of whether you are pregnant or not.

Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25 $24

Shield yourself from UVA and UVB rays with pregnancy-friendly sunscreen ingredients.

  • Features zinc oxide & titanium dioxide– minerals that act as physical sunscreen filters
  • Sun exposure during pregnancy can result in chloasma– dark brown spots that 70% of pregnant women experience
  • Lightly tinted to blend in with all skin types
  • Oil-free
  • May be worn alone or under makeup

Pro: It doesn’t have the normal sunscreen smell (which I hate). Although it is tinted it blends right in and I find it evens my skin tone out just a bit (maybe I’m the only one who notices though). It isn’t heavy on the skin and it works really well with my makeup.  I usually wear a tinted moisturizer and lately I have just been wearing the Belli sunscreen instead.

Con: It is a little expensive, especially if you plan to reapply frequently or if you are a little heavy handed with it.  I wouldn’t wear this as my go to sunscreen if I were heading to the pool or the beach but it is good for everyday wear.

Would I recommend? I would recommend this, however, if you know you really need a lot of sunscreen in the summer and/or spend a lot of time lounging on the beach I would also have another facial sunscreen for that and use this as more everyday use.

Giveaway: (closed)

Winner:

One lucky reader will win both the  Your Best Baby Bump Duo and the Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen. This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canada residents only. Giveaway is open until June 8, 2012 at 6pm EST.

To Enter:

Mandatory: Visit the Belli Skincare site and tell me something you learned or a about a product that interest you.

Additional Entries (leave a separate comment for each entry):

  • Follow @Belliskincare on Twitter
  • Tweet about this giveaway: “I want to win @runwithtongs @BelliSkincare giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-3jU”

Disclaimer: Belli Skincare provided me with these products at no cost. I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway.

Did you know? You can take advantage of savings on Belli products by clicking on the bright pink Share & Save button that appears on the far right-hand side of belliskincare.com.  When they click the button and share Belli with at least 3 of their friends via email, Facebook or Twitter, they and their friends can receive an exclusive promo code good for 20% off their purchase at belliskincare.com.