Flying Balls and In-Laws

This weekend, The B and I spent time with his parents. We played tennis and golf. Unlike so many others, I actually love my in-laws and love hanging out with them. They are cool and hip and are the couple everyone likes to be around. They're funny, generous and are very athletic given that they are seniors! (Don't worry, it's not offensive, they always joke about it. Seriously though, they are in better shape than most people I know my age. In winters they ski everyday and in the summer they golf, play tennis, ride bikes and go for walks. And they tell us that out of their circle of friends they, apparently, are the most inactive ones!)

It was time well spent and I'm fortunate to have someone, like my father-in-law, Gerry (who our girl will be named after in her middle name, Geraldine) who can teach my child how to golf, play tennis and build a tee-pee. All this, while my mother-in-law, Judy, will teach Baby Dubya to ski. After all, she is a former ski patroller and ski instructor. She's already started to teach my three-year old niece, Lily, about the joys of winter sports.

This was the first time I have done either sport, with child. Golf felt okay. At first I was a bit nervous with the twisting motion in the swing. But I happily realized that my growing belly didn't get in the way. I know that soon...very soon, I will be a life-sized Big Bertha. (The B's driver is actually called "Big Bertha" and I laugh now because we will soon have a lot in common - a big, wide, hitting surface!) Other than my sad short game (which I vow to improve) I hit pretty well. And though I find golf one of the most frustrating, yet wonderful of sports, it is something that I'll actually be able to do all the way through my pregnancy. Like running, there is something quite peaceful, yet challenging, being on the fairways and greens. I love it.

Despite all the warnings that preggos should not play tennis (sudden change in movements can cause an upset in balance) I hit quite well and after the first few, errant serves, got a lot of them in. And I quite enjoyed it. The only difference I felt compared to pre-pregancy, was that now I had an excuse not to run all the balls down! The B took pictures of me playing and I'm quite surprised to see how big the belly is getting. Some people say I will be one of those women who look like they're carrying a basketball. Umm, I don't know. It's only four months and I'm afraid that my belly is starting to look more like a beach ball...a very large one. Oh balls. (Oh, and I didn't miss my runs either. I managed a 5K on Saturday and a 13K on Sunday.)

Does She Know?

When (hopefully) Baby Dubya arrives in November, it will technically be Baby #2. You see, The B and I already have a baby…our fur Baby. Her name is Ellie. She is a cat and she is the queen of our home, Chez Weatharro.

I adopted her about seven years ago from the Toronto Humane Society. She actually “picked” me when she gingerly stuck her paw out of the bars. I just had to have her and my heart melted for those big green-yellow eyes. Her chart estimated her age at about six-months and mentioned that someone had found her, abandoned in an elevator. Hence, she came to be called “Ellie.”

She follows us around the house, talks and is super energetic. One of her favourite activities is to be chased, while chasing her tiny rubber balls. Oh that darn cat! She has never destroyed a piece of furniture, though she once did a poo on the B’s Tibetan rug.

I think she knows that something is up. I read that pets seem to have an innate intuition when it comes to important events. They have ability to sense changes in weather, earthquakes and even volcanic eruptions before they happen. Maybe Ellie is psychic?

Ellie has always been loving and loyal to us. She runs from wherever she is to come and see us when we get home. And you can hear her too because she will chirp and make “burr burr” sounds as she runs toward you. It’s really cute.

Lately, she’s been quite affectionate with me. Maybe more now that Baby Dubya is here. She always likes to rub my face, hands and lick my nose. Interestingly, she is also helping to prep us for those late night and early morning wake-ups. In the middle of the night she likes to play with her noisy mouse toy and then at about 5 a.m. she likes to walk all over us, purring like mad.

We absolutely dote on this cat. (We even bought her a $250 cat condo for Christmas one year and spent $80 on an electric pet water fountain.)

And that’s part of the problem.

We’re wondering how she’ll take the new baby. Cats don’t like changes. The B, in his typical nonchalant way, is not too concerned. He says that Ellie will be fine. I don’t know. I’m thinking, is there any way to get a cat prepped for a new baby?

I guess I can always ask my friends who have two babies…because come the fall (hopefully) we’ll be in the same situation.

Guilt

I’m not going to deny it but almost everyday, since the beginning of this pregnancy, I've felt it: Guilt. It’s such an ugly feeling. There's always something, some event or some food I eat- at some point in the day- that elicits it.

Yesterday it crept up on me like a summer thunderstorm in London. I thought I could get away with a guilt-free day. But sadly that was not the case. First, I missed my run. I was supposed to pace a gal for a quick 5K, but when the rain came, I cancelled. Have I become a fair-weather runner? What about my daily workout? What about exercise for the baby? What about...? Yes…you can see where I’m going. Guilt.

Then dinner came. I didn’t feel like eating anything – anything that is unless it was fried. And so I begged my husband to buy me fish and chips. He willingly complied. No questions asked. He said, “Oh, I guess Baby Lumpity needs the calories and fat.”

There it was again. Guilt. What about the nutrients I should be getting to grow the Baby? What about all that fat? My diet has gone to the dogs. Literally. I am now eating stuff I would never have eaten pre-pregnancy. (Since when did I like Chef Boyardee? My friend said that technically Chef Boyardee is, like, dog food in a can.)

Ice cream bars? Of course! ( I pay later in Guilt)
Vegetables? Do they come in tempura batter? Then, yes please! (Not so much Guilt)
Chips? Oh, most definitely! (High on the Guilt meter)

How come, everything that’s bad for me, tastes so good? I used to eat spinach religiously everyday and liked it. Now, I can’t even look at one of those iron-packed, folic acid-laden leaves. I feel like my child is being deprived of all the goodness of wholesome foods.

And all these guilty feelings leave me with wondering, what are they doing for Baby Dubya? You see? There it is again. Guilt.

The B blames it on my Catholic upbringing. Bless me Father, for I have sinned.

Octopus's Garden

Today, Baby Dubya is 16 weeks old and apparently the size of an avocado. I am signed up on Babycentre.ca and every week I receive updates about what to expect that week and how the baby is developing.

The site also tells me that in the next three weeks Baby Dubya will go through a tremendous growth spurt, doubling its weight and adding inches to its length. (Hmmm….I can stretch that big? See previous post.)

And while I still can’t feel it, Baby Dubya is quite playful and is playing with its first toy, the umbilical cord. (How neat!) I wonder what it must be like to live in such an aquatic environment. Right now the Beatles’ song Octopus’s Garden is running through my mind…”I’d like to be under the sea….We would shout and swim about; The coral that lies beneath the waves; Oh what joy for every girl and boy; Knowing they’re happy and they’re safe…”

Sounds fun to me.

One of the other activities I like to do is swim. I swam competitively as a child and have always enjoyed being in the water. I love that feeling of weightlessness and the fact that I’m in my own world in the pool. I hear the sounds of my own breath, see my own bubbles and enjoy the muted sounds underwater. It’s so relaxing and I feel right at home – just like Baby Dubya. And when I’m no longer able to run, at least I’ll have this underwater world to retreat to.

Bubble Musings

As an athlete, I’ve always been aware of my body. And now as it continues to grow, I’ve become hyper-conscious. Last night, during yoga, it seemed as though my belly Bubble and boobs grew the hour I was in the class! For some reason, I was bothered by simple moves like “Child’s Pose” and the “Forward Bend.” I normally don’t even notice myself doing those poses, but last night I felt a bit uncomfortable.

Obviously, this growing-belly-thing is still very new to me, as is putting on weight. I’m slowing getting used to it. (And though I can’t wait, I know feeling that wiggly, bouncing baby in my belly will feel awesome, yet freaky.) Sometimes, in the morning with only my cat Ellie looking on, I look at my Bubble in amazement and rub it like a genie's lamp.

Since high school, I’ve pretty much stayed the same weight and build. But now, with a growing Baby Dubya, it’s like a Star Trek scenario: my weight is boldly going where it’s never gone before. At first, I have to admit, I was troubled. When I became pregnant I started to read Fit Pregnancy. A few months ago there was a mom-to-be on the cover with quite a large belly. I looked at it wondering whether I would ever grow “that big.” The thought was wonderful and scary at the same time. I wonder, and continue to do so, how my body will ever recover from all this growth and change.

I am reassured though because obviously most women lose the weight. I know the running will help- but again – where does one find the time? I’m hoping I figure it out and find the perfect balance burping, cuddling and kissing my newborn and pounding the pavement.

Jogging Stroller?

I recently began following other mom-runner blogs and have noticed that many of these ambitious moms have run or run with jogging strollers. Also, people have assumed that because I run now, I will continue to do so pushing my child on the paths of Pickering postpartum.

However, I’m not so sure. Running is a challenging and physically demanding activity that typically commands a lot of my focus and concentration. Any ounce of energy I have left is usually put into my breathing efforts and just moving myself forward. I’m not so sure how easy it would be to push/pull an infant in a jogging stroller. Perhaps it is just me and my small build, but I’ve noticed that the typical JS is pretty big and heavy. I mean, I could probably fit into one.

Shopping for strollers has been…interesting. These days shopping for a stroller is akin to looking for a new car. There are some models that have cup holders, suspension wheels and places to store your MP3 player so baby can be soothed to the sweet soulful sounds of the sea. And not to mention, some of the new toddler rides out there cost as much as a car!

My dad took a lot of pictures of me growing up. One I distinctly recall is one of me in my circa-70s stroller. Today, child care experts would be dismayed. For this stroller was nothing more than blue canvas and small, simple wheels held together by steel bars. (Yet, somehow, I survived, spine intact and still able to hold my head up.) While we haven’t bought anything yet, we’re considering the Bugaboo Chameleon. Yes, it’s one of those celebrity strollers, but it’s light, easy to move and the lowest handle bar setting is perfect for me. And hopefully it will last for a long time.

As for the JS, I’m still undecided. I think I would rather use my running time as "Mommy Alone Time."

Pics from the Whitby 10K

Oh Val!

The Gang: Val, Marie, Me, Jean and Danny

During the run...small Baby "Bubble"

With Val and Marie

Nature Calls

We had a great 10k race this morning on the beautiful shores of Whitby. It was a bit warm, luckily there was a cool breeze. I helped pace my friend Marie. She ran a personal best of 56 minutes. I'm very proud of her. She had hoped to beat her time at the Sporting Life 10K a few weeks ago.

As I add another bib to my collection of races that I'm doing with Baby Dubya, I couldn't help but notice how much more uncomfortable it's getting in the waterworks department. I now realize why it's often a challenge for pregnant woman runners to run more than a 10-miler.

I made sure to go to the bathroom right before the gun went off, but as I crossed the start line, I had a sudden urge to have to go again. And then at around the 4K mark, I saw a girl slip into the forest to pee. Well, for a pregnant woman, this was like turning on the faucet and then trying not to go! I knew I really didn't have to go, but I did feel a little pressure on my bladder which was probably giving me the urge.

Lately, I've noticed this urge hit me more and more. I've read that as I progress into the second trimester, the early growth of the baby and uterus slow down...a little. Apparently, my bladder and body are starting to readjust to this growth and I'm told this urge will probably slow down. However, I've been warned, it's only temporary. So, I guess in the next upcoming races, I should factor in pee breaks as well!

Speeeedy Mama!

Wow. You know it when you have a "Rave Run."

Tomorrow, I will pace my running group in the Whitby Triple A 10K and so I ran a very quick (3K) pre-race run. I averaged about 5:28/km which is a bit faster than I will run tomorrow's 10K and I felt fantastic. There was a light wind and the temperature was a mild 20 degrees - perfect conditions for a short, quickie, as I call it. Don't worry, I didn't over exert myself or suffer from a heat stroke. I was still able to talk.

So far, I can gratefully say I've had a pretty good pregnancy. The only major symptoms I've had are sore breasts and headaches. I know I can take Tylenol to ease the pain, but I prefer to do it naturally. And surprisingly, I've found the cure all to my headaches has been a nice run! What a pleasant surprise. I asked my midwife about this and she said that increasing my blood circulation could be partly the reason.

What's in a Name?

When it comes to the baby-naming "industry" there are literally thousands of books and websites to help expectant parents or hopeless romantics choose a name for their future progeny.

Here's one site: www.allnewbabynames.com. It suggests Zhenson or Braxtany. Really. Why any parent would want to torment their child with such a name is a beyond me. However, like beauty, the subject of baby-naming is extremely subjective. And I noticed there are trends:

• Last Names First (think Jackson, Carter, Archer);
• "Bell Sounds" (Kaylee...I can hear it too, Kaaaayyyyleee);
• Grandma Chic (Mabel, Ruby, Charlotte);
• Celebrity Baby Names (Apple, Suri, Shiloh)
  

And so many others. Deciding on one, or even shortlisting names for each sex was fun, yet frustrating. Why? Try picking names with your partner and see how many names you have in common. I liked so many names for girls - Ramona (no The B once dated a Ramona, bad memories); Elle (too much like Ellie, our super cat); and Stella (an adamant "No" from The B).

We got the biggest name book we could find: "60,000 Best Baby Names: Plus 222 Great Lists to Help You Find the Right Name." We spent almost a whole 2.5 hour ride to The B's parent's house one weekend reading through the thousands of names. Wow...that's a whole lotta names.

And according to Dianne Stafford, author of "60,000 Best Baby Names" there are "right" ways to name a child:

1. Don't give your child a name that conveys undesirable qualities. I guess Temptress is out.
2. Do give your child a name that imples success, attractiveness, depth, intelligence and compassion. Then we'll stay away from Adolf, Egbert or Tammy Fae.
3. Do ask yourself what kind of impression a name will make on people your child comes in contact with.
4. Don't choose haphazardly because "that's my favourite sitcom star" or "I like the sound of it" or "that was my aunt's name."

So what did we shortlist?

Girl: Ava; Rae; Mia; Paxtyn; Lia; Parker

Boy: Maddox (too Bradgelina); Rhys; Carson; Maximilian

Choosing a boy name was easiest because we both liked 'Max' and therefore 'Maximilian.' But the girls selection was tougher. We're now sitting with 'Kai.' Kai didn't make the original shortlist because one of our friends, Christina, has a beautiful daughter named Kai. But Big Kai assured us she would be honoured if we named our child after her. She said that as long as she gets to 16 before the baby, then it's okay! So here is what Baby Dubya's name could look like:

Girl: Kai Geraldine Weatherhead (after Daddy B's dad)
Boy: Maximilian Roy Weatherhead (after my dad)

Ms. Stafford also suggested that once we find a name, we shouldn't tell others. She said that otherwise relatives and friends are likely to share all of their issues with the name accompanied by other, "better" options.

Well, people are entitled to their own opinions. We like "our" names because they're simple, strong, short and easy to pronounce and spell. We know "our" names could change. After my friend Nicole's son was born, she and her husband decided that the name they had picked just didn't suit their newborn. They went through another selection process again, while looking at the child, before they settled on 'Nick.'

We're adaptable and if the names change, at least they're not carved in stone.

Should I Say Something?

Recently, I chatted with the mother of one young child. She has a relative who, she says, fed her 13-month old child French fries. She also says that this relative also feeds this child cake. Of course, I think the parents could make better nutritional choices, but if the child eats a few fries once in a while, it won’t hurt. The trouble is, she suspects the parents routinely feed their baby French fries and cake. She feels guilty. For she says, if she doesn’t say anything, this child may be doomed to becoming obese just like its parents.

Which leads me to a question: When a child is not our own, how involved should we get?

Well, I think the decision to become involved is easy when the wellbeing of a child is immediately compromised – like if we suspect any form of abuse, if the child is in obvious pain or if we can see that negligence and recklessness will lead to a child getting hurt.

However, do I say something if I see a fellow preggo drinking a glass of wine? Or what about that obviously pregnant woman I saw downhill skiing last winter, do I tell her about the dangers of this activity? The truth is, in some of these grey situations, I don’t know the context. Some medical professionals say having a glass of wine during pregnancy on occasion is okay. (I don’t think I’d do it.) And it turns out that that skiing mom-to-be, well, she wasn’t racing down the double black diamond runs, rather she was helping her 3-year old go down the almost flat bunny hill. You see, knowing context is important.

As I wrote in an earlier post, I know I raised a few eyebrows when I told some people I planned to run and race throughout my pregnancy. (Now that I’m showing a little, people are now starting to look.) Without context, one could assume that I am harming my baby. For starting a new activity – especially a strenuous one like running – is not advised during the first trimester. But some people don’t realize that I was a runner before I was pregnant and that the paces I’m running are slower for me.

Well, should this friend say something to this relative? I guess it’s really up to her. I agree that we should be on the lookout for children being abused, but I also know there are a lot of parents doing the best job they can and that everything they’re doing is done with the interest of the child in mind.

A Mother's Love

As a mom-to-be, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sadness for the mother of Tori Stafford, Tara McDonald. For about six weeks we’ve seen Tori's smiling face in the media. And as events unfolded this week, the unthinkable: this little girl was seemingly plucked by strangers on her way home from school, sexually assaulted and murdered. Her body dumped somewhere in rural Ontario.

To put it mildly, this was a parent’s worst nightmare.

And today, watching Ms. McDonald address the media was heart breaking. She broke down as she remember little Tori as, “The most beautiful little girl.”

Apparently, young Tori was “programmed” not to go with strangers and according to her mother, “would have been a handful for anyone trying to do her harm.” She may have been “programmed,” but she was still a little, innocent girl. And at eight years old, I would say, still a baby.

As a mom-to-be, I want to do my best for my unborn child. I want to prevent and protect Baby Dubya against harm, as best I can. It's a mother’s love that will only grow stronger. One friend, Janice, once said, “You don’t know what love is until you have a baby.” My other friend, Marie, said, “I just love my son so much…he’s a part of me, I would die for him.”

It's this strong bond - this love that makes it so hard to watch and listen to Ms. McDonald right now. My thoughts are with her and her family.

It's clear from the photos and videos that Tori was a ray of sunshine - full of energy and potential. Tragically, a beaming light that was snuffed out in a matter of moments, reminding us all how precious life is.

Dear Tori, rest in peace.

Team Weatherhead

I had my second midwife appointment today. It was so relaxed and informal. I like that. We even heard Baby Dubya's heart beat. Brian liked the rhythm so much he drummed to it on his legs. It was like a rave in the midwife's examining room!

Since I broke the news about our pregnancy, many people have asked who my OB/GYN is. We thought cribless nursery, why not go with a midwife right? Jokes aside, the science of midwifery has come a long, long way. In fact, most of the world's babies are born with the help of midwives.

We chose a midwife to anchor our care because of the level of "service" they provide. Our "team" consists of three midwives, I've met two of the three. One of them will actually deliver my child. And then, this is the best part, they provide care for me and my child for the first six weeks. And before you think I'm becoming even more hippy dippy (think cribless nursery and fibre glass rocker) midwives also deliver in hospital. So no, I'm not going to have a labour pool party in my bathtub, nor will I be in my bedroom delivering Baby Dubya.

We're going to register at Markham Stouffville Hospital. And for reassurance, if something goes wrong or I need a C-section, then an OB/GYN is always on call. For those who don't know, midwives have to go through four years of university to call themselves a "midwife" and the service is covered by OHIP. (Sorry my American amigos, yet another reason why Canada is better.)

One thing Michelle, Midwife #2, told me was that - GOOD NEWS- I need to eat...and eat more! Hurrah! So you see, that Big Mac wasn't so bad after all! I also have to watch my refined sugar levels - lest I grow a huge baby and have to have a C-section. So far, my iron level looks great - no need to worry about anemia. I will see my "team" again in four weeks. In that time, I will have completed my "anatomy" ultrasound. Here we can find out if whether "it" is a "she" or "he." Will we find out?????? Stay tuned. Muhahahaha.

Crib-less

Since we found out that we're expecting, The B has been in "Debbie Travis Mode." He always gets this way when he finds out there's a need to decorate. You see, my husband, Daddy "B"-to Be is a closet interior decorator. He really is quite good and since we moved into Chez Weatharro, he's astounded me even more. He was the one to design our bedroom. It's the kind that you'd see in some modern magazine. It's hardly kid-friendly.

So when it came to designing Baby Dubya's room, well, I left that to him. Of course I gave him some parameters that safety and budget was the first priority. He let me do research for the stroller. (More on that in another post.) I still do get to input my thoughts, but the good thing, at least we're on the same page.

Mother Goose, Cute Lady Bugs and Safari print be gone! We've decided to go with our own way and design the room with a distinctly retro-modern feel. The Baby Dubya will not care, but The B and I have strong design tastes and luckily we're on the same page. Here is the rocking chair---yeeessss it is comfortable.

One of the things we've decided early on was to go cribless. What you ask?!? I can see your face now as you read this, "Crazy first-time parents! What are you thinking? Little Baby Dubya will surely roll to the floor." Well, we've done a lot of reading and the Montessori Method actually says it's a great way to help introduce independence early. Essentially, the child's whole room will be the crib. I know it seems terribly impractical, but we've done the reading on this and we're going to give it a try. I'll let you know if it fails miserably and we end up buying a crib. In that case we'll be laughing at ourselves.

A Pregnancy Journal

Last weekend my cousin Michelle gave me a most wonderful present - especially for someone who likes to write, scrapbook and basically save memories. She bought me a Pregnancy Journal. I know that any blank notebook could work, but this one is especially nice because it chronicles what's happening inside of me, week-by-week. It also has some space to fill weekly entries and it has a chart to fill in my "Weights and Measures." (In case you're wondering, I now weigh 104.6 lbs and my waist measures 30 inches.)

One of the pages asks, "How I feel about carrying my baby." Hmmm. Well, I feel honoured, grateful, lucky, beautiful and...scared at the same time. I think there is something quite beautiful about a pregnant woman. I guess it's the thought that she's growing and nurturing life. When you're not in the child-bearing frame of mind, seeing a preggo lady on the street is nothing special. However, when you have something in common with that preggo lady on the subway, it's different. Sometimes I want to just stop and say "hello" - almost like when I'm running I'll wave when I see a fellow runner going in the opposite direction. I know that she too has the same fears and questions that I have. It's like I've joined a special club.

I also feel lucky and extremely grateful. I have a few friends who have experienced challenges conceiving. It's unfair. While many of us spend most of our young lives trying to avoid pregnancy, when the time comes and we're ready, sometimes our bodies are not. Whatever the factors may be, I've come to realize that growing a baby is a miracle. And I know I'm blessed.

However, all these wonderful sentiments aside, I'm also a bit nervous and scared. It's this fear of the unknown. I'm trying to be positive. Odds are I will have a healthy child and labour will be what it is...labour. The first three months will be a challenge (obviously) and I'll learn how to properly diaper a baby and breastfeed. One of my favourite runners, Ryan Hall, once said that when he runs, he tries to live in the moment, feeling that particular mile. I think it's the best way to live. And so I'll try to live with this philosophy as I approach Motherhood.

Big Mac Attack

For the last two years I haven't touched much meat. I initially became a vegetarian because I don't approve of how farm animals are treated. However, since I became pregnant, I've taken a step off the non-meat eating bandwagon - a few times.

The first time happened about a month ago. I was sitting on the GO train, heading from work and- BOOM it hit me! I. just. had. to. have. it. What was "it," you ask? Well, it was a McDonald's Big Mac. Now, I honestly can't remember the last time I had a Big Mac. But at that moment, that inkling of time, I just wanted it. It was all I could think of.

Over the years, doing sports, and now running and racing, I've watched my diet and made sure I've eaten the right amount of carbs and proteins. I also strived to eat less processed foods in favour of more "whole" foods. In my case, I usually get protein from non-meat sources and get iron from dark leafy greens and nuts.

But that day, the urge was so strong. Normally, in control, I tried to fight that urge. It was futile. By the end of my commute I was literally counting down the seconds when I would get this said Big Mac. It was like I was about to embark on a space mission and I was hearing Houston counting down to take off. It was also like I was in a Star Trek episode, being sucked in by a black hole. I think you get the point. You'd think I was starving...but no, that wasn't it. (And, incidentally when I did bite into that double beef patty, it was so satisfying.)

I've heard many mothers tell me they've had cravings too. I've heard some women crave chalk (weird), but most often I've heard salty, sour and sweet. In my case it's been cravings of salty and fried, fast food! What the ? Now, even when my colleagues bite into their Wendy's Baconator, my mouth just waters.

I chatted with my midwife about this and she said that it's okay to indulge - but in moderation. She also said as long as the balance of healthy to "non-healthy" foods is roughly 80-20, then I'm doing okay. Good thing these cravings haven't been so common and the best thing - at least I can still work and run off any more Big Mac attacks!

Other Runner Mamas

I thought to post this --- it's kind of sexy, yet inspiring. Imagine being passed by two preggo chicks.

Baby on Board

A few days ago I was in the Running Room when one of my friends told another lady buying shoes that I was expecting. She congratulated me, asked me how far along I was and then surprisingly said, "Wow, and you're still running?"

Okay, I'm not exactly showing yet - well, I've got a tiny "bubble" as my friend Wendy says - but if you didn't know me, you'd never know that I had a baby on board. Still, I find it very interesting watching and hearing peoples' reactions when I tell them that, four months in, I continue to run 5 times a week and do yoga and swim on top of that. I have slashed my mileage and since Baby Dubya has started to grow inside of me, I run about 35K a week. I also continue to do some racing - obviously not as intense. And I have my Garmin watch to tell me how fast I'm going. These days I'm typically averaging about 6:00 min/km. Pre-pregnancy, I could go as low as 4:35 min/km.

As I've said in an earlier post, I did a lot of reading about this topic beforehand. Happily, I've found a lot more progressive information that suggests that running during pregnancy (if you were a runner before) is actually good for mommy-to-be and baby. In fact a group of Canadian doctors and exercise physiologists say that women who perform, moderate, weight bearing, aerobic exercise for 45-minute sessions at least five times per week will receive quite a few benefits, including increased maternal well-being, quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight and reduction in bone density loss while breastfeeding. Babies of moms-to-be who are in for the ride tend to have less body fat at birth, be less cranky and are less likely to have colic (thank God).

Yet, despite all the new science related to maternal exercise, many people - often very well meaning - have told me "not to bounce" because it's not good for baby. One of the most surprising ones I've heard - and apparently this came from a registered fitness trainer - was that running caused varicose veins to explode in her vagina! (Now, I love stories and hearing what others went through, but I must admit, this was a first and alas, could not find any other woman runner on the Internet or in person who has experienced this. Hopefully I won't repeat her performance.)

Most importantly, I run and do my athletic pursuits because it makes me feel good. It makes me feel happy and it makes me feel empowered. Since I can't control the symptoms of pregnancy, why not do something that I can have some kind of control over? And yes, I do listen to my body and to Baby Dubya. Some days, after I've tied up my laces, I just want to walk. And so I do. Other days, I like to let the wind flow through my hair and think of nothing but what I'm feeling at that moment, during that particular kilometre. I haven't run for very long (about 2.5 years), but it has become part of me now. Something I do to relax; something that has inspired me in other areas of my life. And yes, there is a little Seedling in there...for the ride. Lucky Baby.

Mississauga Race Weekend

I LOVE my new running partner. Baby Weatherhead never complains or yells to pick up the pace. And he/she doesn't mind if I sing off-key to it while I run down a country road.

Running the 10K race during Mississauga Race weekend (interestingly Mother's Day was the next day) was kind of bittersweet for me. (I know, I feel some guilt here because it's all about the little passenger inside of me right now) In this picture I am 13.3 weeks preggers. You see, this past winter I had planned to run either the Mississauga or Ottawa Marathon.

When I found out I was pregnant, the day after the Chilly Half Marathon, my plans changed overnight. Seriously--- it became night and day. No longer did I care for a sub 4-hour marathon time in Ottawa or fast tempo runs, now my priority became this little "Seedling" sprouting inside of me.

Still, while I watched my marathon pals train and increase their distance, I sometimes wished I could also be there with them, pounding the pavement on those 30K plus Sunday runs. Being involved in competitive sport all my life, at times, it felt like I was that injured kid on the sidelines. (I know I feel some pangs of guilt for feeling this way!)

I chose to stick with the 10-16K distance because it was in my comfort zone. Yes, I had heard those (seemingly super)moms-to-be who ran marathons during their pregnancies. A friend even told me the story of one expectant mother who, not only ran, but also qualified for Boston while seven months pregnant. I think that's a little extreme and so I chose to do stuff that felt right - and fit within my comfort level: 10ks and 10-milers.

And I know I will feel some VERY SLIGHT pangs of envy when my buddies lace up for the Ottawa Marathon next weekend. But the good news --- and I always focus on the positive- I hear running while pregnant will not only help during the real marathon of labour, but also post partum. I guess I will have to see. In the meantime, Baby Weatherhead continues to grow and make wearing my favourite slacks feel just a smidge too tight.

First View of Baby Weatherhead

Well, it turns out Baby Weatherhead may be taking after its mommy. (I know most babies in utero are bouncing around too, but I'm a little biased!) Seeing the baby for the first time, really made things seem real. We did have a scare at 6.5 weeks and had an ultrasound to check heartbeat, but at that time, all we could see was a ball of cells and something that looked like a poppy seed, beating.

Now, at 12 weeks, things were really, real. That was a human baby in there! Not a kitten or a seed!! But a real baby. We saw it jumping and moving. It was so neat and amazing at the same time.

It's hard to imagine this little being and what it must be doing while I run; swim or jump about in my Sharon Sharon sort of way. I wonder if it knows that its momma loves the rush she gets from racing or the joy from doing a nice slow run in the rain. But don't worry Baby, I am always thinking about you as I pound the pavement. I even tell you stories to make sure I can still do "The Talk Test." (Apparently exercise physiologists now say to nix the heart rate monitor in favour of the "Talk-Exertion Test...since I can sing to the baby on my runs and chat with it, it is okay!)

Why I've decided to Blog

I finally caved. I am now 14 weeks, 2 days pregnant. When I found out that B and I were expecting - the day after the Chilly Half Marathon - I thought about charting my course throughout the journey to become a mom. Part of me was really scared. What would happen if I told people this early and then something happened? I wrestled with this the whole trimester. But since we've passed the "danger zone" as many people are wont to say, then I feel a lot more comfortable sharing things.

Before I got pregnant, I read a lot of literature and spoke to a lot of mom runners. I also spoke to some medical practitioners. All of them said it was okay to run while pregnant - even during the tenuous first trimester - if one did running before they became pregnant. I vowed to be one of those women who continued on with training - albeit lower intensity and mileage.

I was so glad when I didn't get the common morning sickness or extreme exhaustion that many other women have felt. So I continued my training.

I've decided to blog because, now, almost 15 weeks in, I thought it would be a great place to share my thoughts, feelings and musings about exercising and growing a baby at the same time. I know thousands of women do it too, but for me, writing and expressing my thoughts is always soothing - in light of the worries and concerns many pregnant women experience. So there you have it.