Minneapolis-Star-Tribune-runningkellometers

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!)

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 self. This 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

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!

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!

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.

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! :)

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 :)