Friday, June 28, 2013

Reflections on the Second Trimester


Wow, how far the bump has come (literally)! Now that the second trimester has come to a close, I thought I would share my thoughts. A lot of things happened as far as baby development goes.

  • Baby grew from the size of a peach, weighing less than an ounce... to the size of a head of lettuce, weighing 1 2/3 pounds (more weekly progress posts here)
  • I got to feel movement for the first time, from flutters to kicks to somersaults to hiccups and everything in-between
  • I no longer fit into regular pants, even when using the belly band or other "tricks" and most of my old t-shirts are too short (leaving the bottom half of the belly exposed-yikes)
  • We got our 20 week ultrasound letting us know that Baby is developing just fine and dandy in the uterus!
  • We celebrated both Mother's Day and Father's Day as parents-to-be
  • I started the second trimester running a few days a week, but that has since stopped (and I'm okay with that!)
All in all, it was a great 13 weeks! I'm ready now for the final stretch! What do I have to look forward to, other than my ever expanding belly? Only time will tell! My weekly progress posts will still be going up along with a few other random things I have in store. :)

This might be a little graphic for some, but here are some CGI videos that I found to be quite amazing on the fetal development during this period. Seriously, so much happens... and all I have to do is take my vitamins and not drink booze. It just happens on its own. CRAZY!! (weeks 15-20, weeks 21-27)

Thursday, June 27, 2013

My Thoughts on Food and Pregnancy: A Follow-Up

Recently, Steph at Run for Fun talked about her struggles with ED (eating disorder). It got me thinking about my own post on food, eating, and my own issues with disordered eating and how I've handled it throughout my pregnancy. I re-read that post and all of the comments, and I realized that a lot of folks were interested in following my journey and seeing how things went. How would I feel throughout the pregnancy? Now that I'm heading into the third and final trimester, I thought I would give some thoughts on how I got through the rocky beginning and how I've been weathering the storm. I am by no means an expert in any way, but here is how I was able to find the balance that worked for me.

1) Stay off the scale. Ugh. This is something I do pretty much in my every day life whether I'm pregnant or not. They weigh me when I go to the doctor and that is it. A few pounds here and there are so arbitrary (Have you had a lot of water? Have you taken a #2 yet today? Did you have a big lunch?) and I just know I would obsess over it if I knew about it. I like to know my progress at the doc, but I don't need to know things on a daily basis.

2) Listen to your cravings. This is something the doctor recommended too. I like it when my doctor and I are on the same page (which is often). If I wanted ice cream, I would have it. If I wanted a cheeseburger, I got one. If I wanted some french fries, gosh darnit I got some! (Hell, when I couldn't get my favorite donut, I even cried a little.) As long as I wasn't eating horribly every single day, I wasn't (and still am not) concerned about it. That isn't that different than my normal eating habits anyways. I always would want something bad after a run. Haha.

Enjoying a post-run cupcake

3) Treat yo selfThis kind of goes along with #2 and can also be related to non-food things. It took me a little while to figure it out, but I'm pregnant. I can't do all the things I used to do. People have been very accommodating to me and my new restrictions. The hubs has said that I'm "milking this pregnancy thing." Well, you bet your butt I am. Pregnancy is hard work and so I'm going to take advantage oft this as much as I can. I know I won't have the luxury with future pregnancies, as I'll be chasing around other child(ren) in the process!
My ventures into the wonderful world of specialty donuts in Chicago.
If you follow me on Twitter, you're aware of my antics.

And, I've decided to skim/skip the diet/weight tips in the baby books. I'd like to think that I'm kind of a healthy person. I have a basic understanding of nutrition and calories. I think I know enough to make sure my body is fueled for the day and that Baby is happy and kicking. I'm not going to worry about what some book tells me I need to eat. I know what I need to eat and that is what I'm going to keep doing. (Although, I'm still following the no-no list like sushi, hot dogs, etc.)

I think it was hard in the beginning as this whole pregnancy thing is new to me. I wasn't really showing, I wasn't feeling any kicking, yet I was gaining weight. In the end, now that I'm actually looking pregnant and feeling pregnant, I feel better about the weight I've gained. It is for the good of the baby and that's all I need to be concerned with. I thank you all for your continued love and support as I continue to make this long and strange trip, also known as pregnancy!
Mom and Dad-to-be on Father's Day 2013

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Baby Wilson: 27 Weeks

Top: ASOS Maternity, Shorts: Old Navy Maternity

How far along? 27 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: weighs almost 2 pounds and measures about 14 1/2 inches long; about the size of a head of cauliflower
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. I made some more purchases this past weekend and I’m working on a fashion show post for you guys!
Miss anything? Drinking beer
Food cravings? Nothing in particular… Cravings have died down with each passing week.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Still having issues with eating my breakfast too fast. I felt sick on the train in this morning. Hopefully I can figure this thing out. Lol.
Sleep: Still sleeping like a rock but I've been getting night-sweats in this heat. Looking forward to even warmer temps coming up!
Best moment of the week: Seeing how excited my husband’s grandma was to feel some of Baby’s kicks. (It will be her first great-grandchild and she is beyond excited.) And, we received our first registry gift in the mail! One of my blogger friends from the east coast (Danielle of Ooh Breathe, Just Breathe) sent us a Wubbanub. It was just as adorable as I imagined and I’ll have to be sure to send Danielle a photo of Baby using it when he/she arrives!
Nursery: Nothing this week. I should probably get rolling on this soon…
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? Some days Baby is more active than others, but the acrobatics always start right before bed… Always. It is pretty comforting actually. :)
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: In addition to the belly button protruding more, I've started to feel a few random Braxton Hicks contractions. I didn't know what I was feeling until I got my weekly email telling me that they usually start around this time. They have been short-lived and not painful (just discomforting) but it is comforting to know that my body is getting ready for Baby’s arrival in September!
Daddy is feeling: like the pressure is on to get things done in the nursery
Mommy is feeling: more and more confident, ready for the home stretch!
Workouts this week: I did tons and tons of walking at Mall of America. That really is my preferred method of workouts these days. I have been enjoying my quiet evenings at home instead of running off to the gym. I think I’m going to continue to enjoy them as they won’t be so quiet for much longer!
Looking forward to: Another doctor’s appointment this Thursday where I’ll get to hear Baby’s heartbeat! Those are always my favorite. I’m going to be asking some good questions this time around so I’m interested to hear what my doctor has to say (circumcision, delayed clamping, whooping cough vaccination). Fun times!

And if you're curious, check out my post about my thoughts on maternity clothes here!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Fashion Friday: My Thoughts on Maternity Clothes

This weekend I'm at Mall of America doing some shopping, so I felt it was only appropriate to have a Fashion Friday post listing some of my thoughts on clothes available at various maternity stores.

Oh maternity clothes. I was so very overwhelmed at various stores, while being super excited at the same time. I've had some friends that were very anti-maternity clothes, wearing their own clothes as long as possible. I did some things to prolong my usual wardrobe. I bought a belly band (which served me well for a few months). I used the old elastic on the button trick which was helpful during those first few (or several) nauseous weeks. But then, when the belly band became uncomfortable and more cumbersome, I started to invest in some pieces, especially for the office. There are lots of maternity stores out there and here are my thoughts on some of the major ones.

Top (under the cardigan) from Motherhood
Destination Maternity/Motherhood: This is the brand that many of my friends have tried and liked. I have felt very differently and was continuously disappointed. Maybe that is because I'm a big sale, discount, coupon shopper and they don't often have good coupons or good sales. (Sorry but buy 3 get 1 free... I don't want 4 items, how about just 1 or 2?) I got a few t-shirts from here, but nothing to write home about. I thought things were overpriced for the perceived quality of the items. And I thought their dress pants were cut a bit too inappropriate for the office.


Top: Old Navy tee. Jeans: Gap Maternity
Old Navy: They have great casual and everyday items. Also, Old Navy is known for having great sales and coupons available too. I have gotten a few work-appropriate things here, but most of the items I've gotten are more for weekend and after-work wear. Their website is pretty comparable to their store, although the website might even have a better selection. Not all stores carry maternity so be sure to check online or call before shopping.


Top and jeans are both Gap Maternity
Gap: This is where I've gotten majority of my items from. I have been able to find nice tops that are appropriate for work or the weekends. I have also gotten some nice support tanks that I've been wearing almost every day. Their website selection and pricing is dismal and disappointing to say the least. I've had really, really great luck in their store and have gone back again and again (today, for example, I just realized my entire outfit is from Gap Maternity). Not all stores carry maternity so be sure to check online or call before venturing out.


Top underneath cardigan: ASOS Maternity
ASOS: This is a European based company, I believe, and a lot of their stuff is cute and chic. Their items are only available online but they have free shipping both ways. I have a few tank tops from here and I've been eyeing a few dresses and pairs of shorts. I'll probably make some more purchases from the site before the pregnancy is over, but I love what I've gotten thus far.


My mom and I on Mother's Day. My top is from Ann Taylor Loft Maternity
Ann Taylor Loft: Their maternity section is newer (within the last 4-5 years) and it is only available online. I find this to be extremely disappointing, but I just wait for a good sale and purchase a few items. This is where I've gotten majority of my work pants. Their dress pants are work appropriate, hold up well, have good reviews, and are fairly timeless. I don't mind spending the money on a pair of pants if I know I'll be able to wear them for further pregnancies. Also, I've gotten a few tops and dresses and received many compliments on them. The maternity items for Loft are just as wonderful as the regular items from Loft.


Top: Liz Lange Maternity, Shorts: Old Navy Maternity
Liz Lange for Target: I've been very underwhelmed with the items at Target. For starters, their maternity section is right next to the plus size section. The racks are kind of intertwined and you don't really know what you're looking at until you get up close. I've tweeted to Target that the arrangement of these sections is offensive to both parties. They responded to my tweet saying something about "thanks for the feedback" but, shockingly, nothing has changed in the stores. I haven't really found anything I've liked all that much, or been willing to pay the price for. I did get a pair of black dress pants online that I really like (they actually came in a size long) and a few tees on clearance, and that is about it.

I know TopShop and A Pea in the Pod are other maternity stores, but I found their items to be quite outside my price range. After all, I'll only be wearing these clothes for a few months so why spend the big bucks?! If you've been pregnant, where did you find your maternity clothes? Did you have some of the same thoughts as me? If not, what was your experience? As I still have 3 months to go in this pregnancy, I'm still very open to suggestions!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Who's Going to Iowa This Weekend?

Alternative title: USA Track and Field Championships This Weekend! Where Have I Been?

I know not everyone that follows this blog is as big of a Track and Field nerd as me, but I just thought I would let you all know that the USA Track and Field Championships are in Des Moines, Iowa this weekend and I'm very sad I didn't properly plan for the weekend. Des Moines isn't too far away and I probably could have made a weekend out of it with fellow Oiselle teammates and other bloggers that are also going. (Instead, I'm on my way to Mall of America right now to get my shop on. So, it is still going to be a fun weekend either way.)

The list of the heats and runners in each event are out and I couldn't be more excited!! I mean, the 5k alone has me jumping out of my skin. (Women: Mary Cain, Shalane Flanagan, Molly Huddle, Julie Culley, Kim Conley, Amy Hastings, Abbey D'Agostino... Men: Galen Rupp, Dathan Ritzenhein, Evan Jager, Bernard Lagat, Ben True... YES PLEASE!!!!) I'm also very much looking forward to some Morgan Uceny redemption in the 1500m! Tons of Olympians will be there and I just am beyond giddy with excitement. Right now, I'm in desperate need of some info on how to watch these events. I want to see them as they take place instead of the summary live broadcast later. Looks like I'll be catching up on my laptop in the evenings after a long day of shopping! I'm sure I'll be stalking FloTrack's twitter feed for the latest updates and spoilers, catching up on the videos later.

(I've posted lots of info on the Olympics last year. Click here if you're interested to know more.)

Are you going to Iowa to watch the festivities this weekend? Will you be stalking the internet and social media like me for the most recent updates?

And in case you'd like to follow some of these athletes along on Twitter, Maggie sent me this list of the top 100 Track and Field twitter accounts. (Turns out, I already follow about half of these. #runnerd)

Since every post needs a photo, here is one of me and some of my pals that came over super early in the morning (4am to be exact) to watch the Women's Olympic Marathon.


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Baby Wilson: 26 Weeks


How far along? 26 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures about 14 inches long; about the size of an eggplant
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. I am looking forward to making some purchases this weekend at Mall of America!
Miss anything? Running
Food cravings? I've been eating a lot of cheerios for breakfast and I can’t seem to get enough lemonade.
Anything making you queasy or sick? I have actually been feeling not so great the last few mornings after inhaling my breakfast. I don’t think I realized how fast I was eating until it was too late. Now I have horrible heartburn (and a queasy stomach) to go with all the other fun symptoms.
Sleep: I have been sleeping like a log this past week. The hubs said he’s had to move my body pillow to the other side of me as I hog more than half the bed. Oops!
Best moment of the week: I got really excited when I found out that my insurance plan will cover the cost of an electric breast pump. (Sorry if that is TMI.)
Nursery: I picked out the paint color. Now the ball is in the hubs’ corner to purchase and commence painting. Just over 3 months left to go! Yikes!
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? The movement has been pretty regular with some days more than others. Feeling the kicks always brings a smile to my face. :)
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: I've been having bad back pain for the past few days. Not really sure of the reason but it is uncomfortable to sit which kind of makes doing my job difficult. I took a bath the one night and that made my back feel better. I see more baths in my future… Also, my belly button is slowly becoming an outie. I knew this day would come, I just wasn't quite sure when.
Daddy is feeling: the need to get some things done including painting the room and the dresser and bookshelf we have ready to go.
Mommy is feeling: uncomfortable in my own skin at times. But I know I need to suck it up because there is still a ways to go!
Workouts this week: I have not really felt like working out all that much so I've been sticking to walking. I’m completely content getting in my daily walks and relaxing in the evenings. I won’t really have that luxury when Baby comes so I’m going to enjoy it now.
Looking forward to: My annual trip to Mall of America (we leave tomorrow morning)! I will probably do a fashion show post afterwards to tell you all about my great deals! :)

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Baby Wilson: 25 Weeks


How far along? 25 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: weighs 1.5 pounds and measures 13.5 inches long; about the size of a cauliflower
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. I recently bought a skirt from the Gap that I've been eyeing on their website for weeks. Yay for the in-store clearance section!
Miss anything? Craft brews
Food cravings? When I got home from Ragnar, I wanted something deep fried. I don’t know why but I just wanted something that I knew wasn't going to be good for me. The husband obliged and made a run to Mindy’s where I was able to get chicken fingers and French fries. It totally hit the spot and I devoured every bite.
Anything making you queasy or sick? I actually have been trying iced coffee lately and it isn’t half bad. I think that is because it is half milk, watered down with ice, and includes some sugar. But the smell of strong black coffee still makes me a little ill.
Sleep: I have been sleeping on my right side since I started sleeping on my side. I recently learned that I should be sleeping on my left side. (Apparently there is better blood flow to the baby if you sleep on your left side.) This is a bit more uncomfortable than usual and so I’m back to having some trouble falling asleep. I usually will wake up on my back or on my other side anyways. Lol. I guess sleeping Kelly knows what she wants…
Best moment of the week: Helping my friends finish the Ragnar relay. It was a really rewarding experience.
Nursery: I cleaned up some more of the stuff on the floor but I still have a little ways to go. Next up is picking the paint color.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? The movement has been pretty regular. Some of my van-mates even got to see my belly move when Baby had the hiccups over the weekend!
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: Hmm, nothing really all that weird this week. Although, picking stuff up off the ground is becoming increasingly more challenging.
Daddy is feeling: the realization more and more that this baby is coming!
Mommy is feeling: happy to soon be moving into the third trimester! Wow, how the time has flown.
Workouts this week: I did lots of walking and driving at Ragnar but no official workouts. My body was physically tired from all of that so I’m going to be taking it easy this week. I’ll probably take Pepper out for a walk later this week if the weather is nice.
Looking forward to: My annual trip to Mall of America next week! I’m very excited to find some great deals on clothes for me and Baby :)

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Ragnar Relay: Driver Recap

I'm not really sure where to begin writing this recap because so much happened in such a short period of time. I guess it is best to start at the beginning. As I mentioned last week, I had originally signed up to be a part of a Ragnar team with some of my best running friends both online and IRL. When I made the decision to not run in the relay, the idea of being a driver was proposed. I'm really, really glad I decided to be a driver and hang out with the team. It was a great way to be a part of the experience and partake in the events without feeling left out of the running part. :) Thursday evening the plan was to drive up to Madison to stay in a hotel the night before the big race. First off, we got together at Suzanne's house to take some photos to thank our sponsors for the awesome swag they were able to provide.
Oiselle provided every team member with a Start Line Tee and pair of Distance Shorts.
I had a Start Line Tee of my own so I hopped in for the photo. :)
Sam took this candid shot of me and I absolutely love it. 

After a few more photos, we got on the road. We arrived at our hotel and took some time to decorate the vans before heading to bed.


I didn't really get a good night's sleep because I kept having bizarre dreams about people ransacking our van, missing the start time, etc. But, we were up nice and early with plenty of time to get to the start. The Holiday Inn Express that we stayed at opened up the continental breakfast early for us and the other Ragnar teams, which was greatly appreciated. I was able to fill up on biscuits, bacon, and other real food since I knew there were lots of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in my future. Lol.

At the start, we were able to get some nice photos with the team. Turns out Oiselle tattoos are great for driving, not just running. A few of my teammates sported the tats with me for the weekend festivities!


While checking out the merch tent, a few of my pals pitched in and bought Baby Wilson their first running tee. It is totally adorable and I am so happy and excited to have such great friends. Thanks so much ladies!

Before long, it was time for the race to get underway! Our first runner (Suzanne) was ready to go at the front of the line in time for the start.


And the runners were off and the event had started! Since we were in van 2, we headed to the next big exchange to get everything checked out (safety gear, bibs, etc). We tried to catch a quick cat nap but a marching band started playing so the nap was very short-lived. Next, it was on to watch some of the exchanges. If you were following me on Instagram, I posted photos of most of the exchanges that I saw took place. It was fun to deem myself Van 2 photographer and take some nice running photos of the group.


After we were done with our first set of legs, we headed to grab some grub at the next major exchange. It was the first time we had real food since our breakfast that morning. Needless to say, this pregnant mama was happy for the delicious grub.
The food was provided by the Boy Scouts and it did not disappoint. A cheeseburger, pasta salad, and giant cookie for $5? Yes please! We then sat by the vans and let our food digest before heading to the next major exchange to catch some Zs.

Ragnar Madison to Chicago

The next big exchange was a high school with "designated sleeping areas." There was a room with some mats on the floor where we could lay down and catch some Zs. I didn't sleep very well because I was worried we'd miss the next exchange point. I kept thinking I was going to miss a text message so I woke up every 30 minutes. Plus, I just couldn't get comfortable without my body pillow. I had brought a fleece blanket and travel pillow and I saw others with sleeping bags and full pillows. I was majorly jealous. After our attempt at sleep for a few hours, it was time to head back to the van for the beginning of our night legs. 
Some of the other teams were blaring music at the exchanges and getting pumped up. We, on the other hand, were trying to continue sleeping as best as we could. Our van was out running our legs just as the sun was coming up so it was quite a beautiful picture.

Soon after this photo was taken, I crashed and burned in the car. We had a runner still out there and I just couldn't keep it together any more. If I wasn't pregnant, I probably would have just grabbed a Red Bull and powered through it, but I knew that my body needed rest. My teammates were gracious enough to take over driving while I hopped in the back seat and immediately fell asleep. I got in a few more hours of restful sleep and woke up feeling much better. At this point we had a little bit of time to kill before meeting the next runners so we stopped by the next large exchange and grabbed some delicious pancakes (not pictured). (Can you tell that I was thinking about food a lot on this trip?) We chatted, used the facilities, and cheered on our last runner in Van 1 before heading to the next exchange.


After Van 1's last runner went, it was our time to bring it in! All of the exchanges went off without a hitch, with one exception. At all of the exchanges, they were giving runners a heads up of the next team coming down the road. At one of the exchanges, there was a miscommunication on where one of our runners was located. Kate had asked the volunteer if they had announced #45 yet. She said no, so Kate ran to use the restroom. She was barely inside the restroom when the volunteer started yelling "#45? Where's runner #45?" so, Kate had to hop out of the bathroom and get to the start without her water, which was left in our van. When Kelly (the runner that had just finished) came back and explained what happened, we set out to find Kate and were able to give her the water bottle. Kate was grateful to have had her water and knocked out her last set of miles speedily, as usual. When the baton was last passed to Melanie, it was time to head to the finish line!
Action shot of me driving!
I wore my Road ID bracelet for most of Ragnar.
Thought it couldn't hurt.

The last leg was fairly long (8 miles) which worked out well for us since traffic was AWFUL (as expected). We had Sam set up as our photographer at the finish so now it was time to meet up with Van 1 and wait for Melanie. In true rockstar fashion, Melanie finished up the last leg with her fastest splits of the day. 
Look at this awesome photo of Melanie coming down the stretch...
When I saw her running, I knew my tired and slow butt had to start hobbling/waddling towards the finish. They announced our team name as we were crossing the finish line and it was so much fun!



Our team was done and ahead of schedule (despite there being an added 3.8 miles added onto the course). After taking some photos, passing out medals, and munching on some pizza, it was time to head home. 
But not before taking a Chicago Running Blogger photo

All in all, I had an absolute blast! Our team captain did a great job of coordinating the legs, managing the team, and managing expectations. Our Ragnar veterans on the team (Suzanne and Kate) made sure we were all properly prepared as far as food, clothes, supplies, and everything else.

Despite hearing mixed reviews last year and the slight snafu with the road construction, I thought that the race was well organized (especially considering the overall distance and despite my experience at the finish line last year). There were sleeping accommodations for participants, the longer legs had water stops for the runners, there were plenty of porta-potties along the way (and all of the ones I tried had plenty of toilet paper), the food at the various exchanges wad reasonably priced and delicious, and the overall atmosphere was one of fun and enjoyment.

I enjoyed that we had a 9 person team versus the traditional 12 person team. It made some of the driving logistics a little more confusing, but I felt that I got the hang of it pretty quickly. It made the event fun and challenging, yet achievable. I would absolutely LOVE to do this race as a running participant. I'm so happy that I decided to participate as a driver and help out my friends and teammates. It is an experience I wouldn't trade for the world! :)

If you haven't participated in a Ragnar event and get the chance to do so, I highly recommend it!

On a 9 person team (when you paid the 12 person price), even drivers get shirts and medals. :)

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Baby Wilson: 24 Weeks



How far along? 24 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: weighs between 12.7 to 20.8 ounces and measures about 10.5 to 11.8 inches long; about the size of a cantaloupe
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. I just purchased some new bras over the weekend. Golly, is it inappropriate if I say that I’m getting scared of how large the girls are getting?
Miss anything? Sleeping on my back
Food cravings? If you follow me on Twitter, you would know that I had an incident with a donut on Friday. I had walked into my favorite bakery and requested my favorite donut, like I had done many times before. Much to my dismay, I was told that they no longer make my favorite donut. It had been discontinued. So, I walked out the door, extremely disappointed and started crying. Um, yes. I cried over a donut. Naturally, I took to Twitter and asked my followers where I could find a donut place in the Loop to fulfill my craving. I ate a delicious donut and all was right with the world.
Anything making you queasy or sick? The same old Starbucks coffee and cigarette smoke. Nothing new here.
Sleep: Baby has been kicking like crazy at night right before bed which has added some additional time needed for me to fall asleep. I might need to start going to bed earlier to account for this extra time.
Best moment of the week: I got a little sneak peak ultrasound and Baby is looking good. :)
Nursery: I got lots done this weekend! The nursery closet is officially cleared of all my stuff. I also moved around some other things. There is still a ton of stuff on the floor but not as much stuff as last week. :)
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? I've been feeling all sorts of crazy movement. Somersaults, body slams, elbow jams. It is pretty amazing. It is completely indescribable.
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: The skin dryness is still a thing. My husband says “How can your skin be dry? It is sooo humid out.” Um, because I’m pregnant apparently. But if that is honestly the worst symptom I’m feeling, there are plenty of worse things.
Daddy is feeling: pretty excited to feel the kicks and rolls too.
Mommy is feeling: excited and happy. All the registry stuff is done. The baby is moving around constantly. I’m doing my best to try and enjoy pregnancy without worrying too much (although that is much easier said than done).
Workouts this week: Other than my usual walking, none. I took it easy this week because I think I pushed it too hard last week. I have plans to hit the elliptical at some point this week so we’ll see how that pans out.
Looking forward to: the Ragnar Relay this weekend! I’ll be driving my pals from Madison to Chicago. They run and I drive and cheer. I’m very much looking forward to it and will have a post about it later this week.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

It's Ragnar Relay Time!

As I may have mentioned a long time ago, I signed up to be part of a Ragnar team with some of my pals. Then, life happened and I got knocked up. (I mean that in the most loving way possible.) I was able to find a replacement runner to fill my spot and I opted to be a driver instead. So, instead of running through the darkness while being eaten by mosquitoes or running across an un-shaded trail in the heat of the day... I'll be trying not to get lost while driving around my pals from exchange to exchange (in an air conditioned minivan)!

Our team is comprised of 9 ladies. There was a great article about our team (that can be found here) including some stats on the runners. Our team name is American Sweathearts (get it, "sweat"hearts). I am driving the Lady Liberty Mobile and our other driver (named Sam) will be driving the Uncle Sam's Van. Yes, we are getting that creative. Our team colors will be red white and blue so I'm really excited to get patriotic this weekend!

Here is a quick glance of the gorgeous ladies (and drivers)!

Several of the team members are bloggers and you can check out their blogs below!


We have some amazing sponsors (including Oiselle & Haeleum) which I'm sure you'll be hearing all about along all the typical social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) if you follow along with our weekend hashtag:

#AmericanSweathearts

The fun starts Thursday night when we drive up to Madison, Wisconsin with an early morning start on Friday!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Oiselle Ambassador 1 Year Anniversary

Over a year ago, I stumbled upon my first Oiselle purchase after hearing the brand name vaguely around the internets. I fell head over heels in love with the brand. (Well, the shorts first.) Since I was already blogging about my love for the brand, I thought it would be a great time to investigate into their ambassador program. I applied and was accepted (which was far beyond my expectations). I was super excited as my blog was less than a year old at the time and I was excited to share my Oiselle love with the world (or at least those that follow my blog and social media feeds)!

There were certain things I was under contract to do as an ambassador, and I was happy to oblige. One of the obligations is to wear their singlet for races. That wasn't a problem.

I also always wear their gear to race expos, and pack extra items for before and after races. This isn't really something they asked me to do. I just love wearing their gear so I kind of do it without even realizing it. I also wear their gear on casual Fridays at the office, shopping on the weekends, or while actually working out (it is running clothes after all).

I've also blogged about their gear a few times and left some reviews for my favorite items on Amazon.com. Looking back, it has been a wonderful year in the program! I'm happily representing a company who's beliefs I stand behind. It is a company founded by and designed for women. They've also been very supportive of Baby Wilson and they've understood my need to cut back on running as much. When I received my most recent kit and requested to go up a size, they gladly obliged and even threw in an extra tee in a larger size for when my bump grows too. How awesome is that?!

Thanks Oiselle for choosing me to be an ambassador for your brand! I'm looking forward to continuing to proudly wear your gear in the years to come! (And that racing singlet when I tow the line of a race again late this year or next, with some awesome upper body strength from that jogging stroller.) :)