Baby Bump in the Subalpine

Last weekend Chicky, the dogs and I went for a little hike up on MacDonald Pass west of Helena.  My beautiful bride makes such a gorgeous pregnant woman that I couldn't help but take a few bump pictures while we were there.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I even convinced her to try on my hat for a few pictures.

Recent happenings

Apparently we do have things going on in our life, besides preparing for baby.

Steve completed another ultra, the Devil's Backbone 50-miler.  I'm losing count how many 50-milers we're at...four? five? six?  He also ran 100K last year.  Let's blame it on pregnancy brain.
We met our good friends in Bozeman for the race - they're from Sheridan & we miss them since moving to Helena, so it was great to catch up.  The two crazies pre-race:

 (It's ok hubby, you can smile.  Or maybe you're thinking about another pre-race porta potty trip).

Ah-ha, there's the smile!  Post-race excitement.

 Nothing like an ultra through the mountains, followed by a refreshing IPA.

This race is known for being extremely tough & to make matters more exciting, it's essentially unsupported.  The runners are expected to have general navigation skills, in addition to packing their own water (or filter system) & food.  Steve finished in a very admirable 11:35 - good job honey!

Now that we live in Helena and within twenty minutes of several lakes (yay!), we've tried to take full advantage of the warm weather.  Here's what it looks like when we take four big dogs to the lake:

The last weekend of July, we zipped over to Missoula for their annual Celtic Festival.  With Enter the Haggis and Young Dubliners playing, we couldn't pass up the quick trip.

Guinness (appropriately named) enjoying the park after a dip in the river.

Enter the Haggis.

Just like a little kid, he quickly passed out after a busy afternoon.

Young Dubliners with special guest Eric Rigler (far left)

They put on a great show & the fact everything was free was awesome!  We got their early enough to score great seats (it's in a park, so BYO chair) & had a very fun time.

It's never to early to introduce baby to our love for all things Irish.  She certainly spent a good portion of the night dancing.  We don't know who's playing at the festival next year but we might have to bring her along.

30 weeks, 3rd trimester, & where has the time gone?

I just looked at our blog posts & realized we haven't posted since May.  I KNOW for a fact I posted a blog update in June but it is nowhere to be found.  So my apologies to everyone...and by everyone, I mean the three people that read our blog.  You're one of them, Meghan.  ;)

Oh, hello baby bump.

As odd as it sounds, I sometimes forget how big the baby bump has grown until I catch a glance of myself in the mirror.  Or, when I try to lean over the kitchen sink & realize I can't reach the window anymore.  These pics are two weeks old (just getting around to posting this at 32 weeks) & it seems like she grows everyday.  Which, I suppose, is the truth as she's packing on more fat in anticipation of delivery.

Due Date: September 27, 2014
Gender: Girl
Weight Gain: Approximately 26 lbs.
Food Likes/Dislikes: Cravings & aversions are pretty much gone.  I'm trying to reel myself back in & stick to more healthy food decisions this last trimester.  Our healthcare provider is extremely pleased with my weight progression but let's be honest - I have ten weeks left until predicted due date & if I don't behave, I could still blow up like a blimp.
Symptoms: Knock on wood, I really can't complain.  I felt pretty good first & second trimester, so I didn't understand when everyone says the second trimester is the "honeymoon."  Well, now I get it.  I get so much more tired, so quickly.  As soon as I hit 31-weeks, it was night & day with how I felt.  Generally, I still feel good but the third trimester is much more trying.  Tasks as simple as standing in the kitchen cooking for an hour or 45-minutes on the elliptical leave me desiring a nap.  Increased number of Braxton Hicks but they're just annoying; they're more common when I'm dehydrated.
Ring: Still fits!  The summer heat catches up to me faster & if I'm not diligent about hydrating or staying cool, my digits swell quicker.
Running/Workouts: I'm continuing to work out 5 days/wk but very very sadly, my pregnancy running became history at 31 weeks.  I had a great running week at 30 weeks but post-run soreness in my lower abs reared its ugly head when I entered 31 weeks.  I was wearing my maternity belt & felt good during the run but for the rest of the day, my lower abs were very sore & tight.  I'm sure it's entirely the weight of the ever-growing belly & the strain on the lower ab muscles & ligaments.  While runners (myself included) are typically their own worst enemies, running through soreness or injury, it's just not worth it when it comes to baby.  So elliptical it is, with additional weight lifting to keep me strong (elliptical 3X/wk, weights 2X/wk).  I'm also trying to work myself into a habit of core work either immediately after the elliptical - if I have time in the morning - or while we're watching TV at night.

Until next time (which will be sooner rather than later, I promise!)...