Ahh....feeling like a new person today

I've been in a funk lately. I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy hormones or what, but I just felt DOWN. I knew what I needed to do (run/workout) and it was frustrating not being able to really do it. It's been even more frustrating watching the hubster workout and me not be able to do it. I SO BADLY want to be out there on my bike doing the 40-50 mile long rides out in the beautiful countryside. Seriously, why didn't I ride more last summer and Fall?? I was so scared to do it by myself. I should have found someone to ride with me :-). It's so freaking pretty out here!! Definitely going to miss it.

Anyhoo, I let myself feel really frustrated and sorry for myself since biking with the hubby, running and using the elliptical are pretty much out of the picture. But two days ago I said enough is enough and I hopped in the pool. I swam for about 20 minutes, not wanting to push it too hard incase it, too, hurt my pelvic bones. But it felt soo good. No issues! Yay! So today I went back to the gym and swam for 40 minutes. It's a SLOW 40 minutes with some breaks, but I feel so much better after working out. I know what my body was craving and it feels so good to give it what it needs. And I was really afraid it was going to be a super long session since I'm not the world's greatest swimmer but it went by so fast and I honestly could have stayed longer; it was like someone was giving me crack and I just couldn't get enough. I love it when it's like this!

Now I just need to find someone to help me out technique wise because I know I am not the greatest swimmer. I'm going to try and watch some videos to help me out.

Tri question for my hubby

To all the tri-athletes out there...I have a question for you. If you want to skip all the intro stuff just scroll to the bottom for the question :-)

My hubby has finally started to get into working out again :-). He's getting way into it like he usually does when he first gets into something. And for once, I am actually happy about this one since it is working out. He has his first-ever sprint-tri coming up over Labor Day weekend. I'm hoping it goes well!!

But now that he's getting into it he is starting to look at more races in Europe so he can stick in the tri-scene. He is having no luck finding any olympic distance races so the one he's looking at doing is a Half Ironman in July of next year. I told him I think it's too soon for him to do a race of that intensity, but I don't really have much knowledge on the tri stuff.

So here is the question...is doing the half next summer too soon? He only really started to workout again this summer so he'd only have about 7-8 months of training under his belt before he started the actual training program.

Thanks for your help!!!

22 weeks picture and more baby stuff...not much else to write on :-)

Here I am at 22 weeks. I took so many pics of my belly when I was pregnant with Jackson. This one is only the second pic I've taken :-). I guess the whole "less pictures" thing has already begun, poor kiddo! So far I think I've gained 12 pounds; I'm just hoping at the next weigh in I haven't gained 7 more. Last month's 3-week vacation didn't really help me out very much and I was shocked to find out I'd gained 7 pounds in 4 weeks. Whoops :-)

We still have yet to open the envelope and find out the sex. If it wasn't for the upcoming move I know I'd wait (we found out with Jackson but this time I kind of want to wait). BUT the planner in me wants to find out so we can start prepping now. I guess if it's a boy it won't be that big of a deal because I have a lot of clothes already. Not that I'd buy that many clothes anyway because he/she could end up being a BIG baby like Jackson was or could be an average size, ya just never know, so it's hard to say what size we'll need for each season. But when I see things on sale that could start to form a nursery, well, THAT just makes me want to find out so I can prep a bit.

22 weeks and SPD issues

Yesterday I was 22 weeks pregnant. Hard to believe I only have 4 months to go! But unfortunately yesterday I started to have some major issues with SPD (Symphesis Pubis Disorder) again. I deep down knew I'd have issues with this again during pregnancy #2 since I had issues with it on the first one and for the 7 months following the delivery. I'm so bummed to be going through this again. Getting out of bed is so hard for me. And walking is just downright painful; about every two steps I get a shooting pain in my groin and about double over. Last pregnancy I brought up the issue with my OBs and they always told me "oh, welcome to pregnancy; that's just a lovely part of it all." But after having the pain for 6 months post-delivery I decided it just wasn't normal. Finally went to a chiro and she fixed the problem with a few adjustments. Prognosis: misaligned pelvis/pubic bone.

So this time I didn't wait long before I decided that I had to go to the chiropractor again because I KNEW that I most likely had a misaligned pelvis, once again. Sure enough that's what it is. The adjustments to fix the problem are NOT fun to go through. Basically the chiro places her hand on your pubic bone and slams down on it until it goes back into place. To say it hurts like hell is an understatement. I left the office able to walk without pain and was so happy. But the second I got out of the car after a 10 minute car ride the pain was back. So frustrating! Now I have to go back to endure more pain. I sure as hell hope it doesn't keep slipping out of place because that will make for a LONG 4 months.

If you have this pain during pregnancy please see a chiro or an osteopath. Here is a great article that talks about SPD. The author swears that this pain isn't something you should have to endure and isn't something that is normal during pregnancy.

The downside of having a misaligned pelvis, according to the article, is that they recommend a totally natural birth and to use certain birthing positions over others as to reduce the chance of even more issues in your pubic symphysis. I'm seeing a midwife practice this time so hopefully that helps with the issue. I know I'll be bringing this up at the next appointment!

The most frustrating thing is it seems some people are just more susceptible than others. An interesting side note: it seems Scandinavians have an increased number of women who have the problem. Hmm, maybe that's where I get it :-)

Anyway, I just wanted to put this out there in case anyone else has had pubic pain during their pregnancy. I waited far too long after the last pregnancy to get the issue fixed and I don't want others to do the same thing! Please see someone about the issue and see if there is anything you can do to get it fixed.

What gives?

I went to the gym today and started out on the treadmill. I actually felt pretty great running. I was going really slow but that honestly doesn't bother me because I felt like I was getting a workout in. But again, right around 3/4 mile I started to get a lot of itching on my upper legs and butt. So freaking embarrassing since I know it's pretty caused from my inactivity during the first trimester. I hopped on the cross-trainer after about 2 miles and it didn't happen on there. So maybe if I keep this up my fitness level will get back up there and the itchiness will go away. If not, I will just keep it up on the 'ol cross-trainer. I have a feeling that within a couple of months I'll be on that anyway since I'm already starting to have some issues with my pubic symphysis. I'm trying to do some core work but it's already getting difficult.

Speaking of core exercises, does anyone out there have any good core exercises to use while pregnant? I am doing the plank and it is getting tough already. :-) That's how weak I am! But I can still do crunches on the ball so I guess that will have to work for now.

Where are we moving?

I have finally found time to post that we found out where we are headed next. We will be moving to PARIS after the beginning of next year. We are very excited and I am happy to know we aren't moving somewhere that requires a person to bleach their veggies and fruits!!!

Now I just have to learn a little French :-)

Potty Trained....Half Way

Here's my little boy in his cute undies!!! Last weekend he wanted to run around the house naked, so I told him that it would be ok as long as he used the potty. I totally expected him to throw a fit and put his diaper back on. Nope, he started to use the potty! So we started to potty train. Happy to say that after 3 days of staying in the house he is for the most part potty trained. I say for the most part because he still wears a diaper at night and we have yet to have a successful number two. The one time he did go during the three days was on the rug. Yup. I was in the kitchen at the time and he ran in freaking out "what happened, what happened." That was on Sunday. He has yet to go again. Major constipation issues, which I am guessing stem from him not wanting to go potty in the potty chair. I have put a diaper on him for two days now at night and he has yet to go. If anyone has any suggestions please let them fly!

But we were out all day today and had NO accidents and he went pee every time I asked him to go so at least we have this covered. This has been my successful achievement for the month :-)