Time for another baby update! We had another ultrasound on March 23rd, 2017 and Baby would not stop moving. This made it very hard to get a clear and cute picture. Thankfully, Baby did allow the doctor to check the heart, bones, kidneys and other organs. Everything looks great, which makes Mummy and Daddy very happy.

The past month, Patrick and I were in Flagstaff, AZ. It was my first time that high (7000ft altitude) and it made training with a baby extra difficult, but I absolutely loved it. The trails were beautiful and the sun was shining daily. We are now in Portland, OR where we just bought our first home. I can’t wait to move in and decorate (we have never owned a couch, TV, table, etc. so we have a lot of shopping to do).

Thank you to everyone who wished my dad well. He is still recovering and still in and out of the hospital. I really hope Baby gives him motivation to get better. Patrick and I are still hopeful he will be able to fly out for Baby’s birth with Mom and Elizabeth (sister). I am also hopeful Dad gets well enough to make some of his beautiful woodworkings to decorate our new home.

How many weeks pregnant: 22.

My guess on gender: Because Baby is moving so much, I think it’s a boy.

Pat’s guess on gender: Patrick says boy because it looks like a boy (I’m not sure you can tell in pictures this early though).

Food aversions: My only food aversion in the second trimester so far has been pork. Unless it is pulled, al pastor, or BBQ pork, then I will devour it.

Food cravings: My strangest craving was for a root beer from a glass bottle. It only happened once, and when I requested it Patrick looked at me and said “I’ve never in my life seen you drink a soda!” I also crave unhealthy foods and starches (white, processed breads, ice cream, shakes, and French fries). Thankfully, though, I am able to eat a more normal diet now and am back to eating (mostly) healthy foods; although, my dessert intake has increased quite a bit.

Sleep: I am still sleeping more than normal, but not as much as the first trimester. I am currently sleeping around 10 hours a night with a nap in the middle of the day.

When I feel my best: I feel my best when running.

When I feel my worst: I feel my worst at the end of the day. I get very tired and exhausted and usually can’t function past 6pm. I’m often in bed before 8pm.

Biggest area of growth: My stomach!

Belly button in or out? My belly button is still an innie.

Wedding rings still fit? Yep! Hands/fingers have not swollen yet, but my feet sure have.

Best moment of being pregnant so far: Feeling Baby move around 17 weeks was the best moment so far. My mom told me that was too soon to feel baby move, but even Patrick felt the baby move. Now I feel Baby all the time—every day Baby is moving, pushing, punching, and tumbling. I love the sensations and love knowing that Baby is still OK.

Worst moment of being pregnant so far: My feet grew and swelled an entire shoe size. My big toenails were turning black and blue and I almost lost them. It was so painful. It took me about a week to figure out what was happening (that my feet were bigger). The day I figured it out, Patrick went to the store and bought me new shoes a full size bigger. Patrick said the salesperson was so confused as to why the shoes had to be ASICS (“If your wife is sponsored, why are you buying shoes?” they wondered. But, I wanted to buy the shoes that day so I could go for an afternoon run). I am glad to say my toenails are saved, and I found a new favorite training shoe since the store didn’t have any DS Trainers. My new favorite shoe is now the Dynaflight. On a sad note, I’m not sure if my feet will ever return to their pre-pregnancy size and I have so many pairs of shoes I love.

On my to-do list: Too much! I thought this year (a non-racing year) would be less busy, but I’ve actually been more busy. I feel like I can’t say no to anything since I’m not training (I’m just exercising). Patrick and I finally closed on a home. In a month, we will have a lot to do (buying baby products and furnishing a home). Anyone know any good interior designers in Oregon or a furniture store that’s looking to sponsor an Olympic Gold medalist? Haha

Training: I have more energy now than the last time I wrote an update so I’ve been training two times a day (instead of once). I still feel my best when running. I enjoy running and it’s the only workout where I can push myself. When swimming, if I try to do an effort or if I push off the wall too quickly, I get a sharp pain in my stomach. Cycling has been limited due to lack of nice weather, so running has been my main source of exercise (notice I say exercise and not training). I am getting slower almost daily. I now sometimes struggle to go at a 9 min mile pace, although I still have some good days when I can average 7 minute miles. I am continuing to do strength work as well.

Thanks for following my journey—please leave comments on what you would like me to write about next time.