JENNY FROM THE BLOCK

TGIF

2012-01-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

After a long hard week of going to the pool, the grocery store, the Apple store for repairs...only to be described as vintage and beyond help, and to boot camp I look forward to Friday to kick off the weekend.

Friday is my day. Hear that world. My day! How do I know that? Well because Friday mornings there is baby story hour! Yee Haw. We go to this bookstore and this nice lady reads us a couple of books.

Listen to the story!

Then we sing some songs. After that....You better brace yourself...We get shakers! We get to shake them to the music. We sing about stomping out our sillies and wiggling our waggles away! Or is it wiggle our waggles away? Oh what's the difference? It is great fun!

Shake your shaker!

After story hour ~~30 minutes, don't think I didn't notice.~~ It's time for me to recover and my Mom runs me a bath? No, she runs me a nap. It's perfect (for now). Who says one must nap in a crib with a manufactured white noise machine. I prefer the motion of the stroller and the pitter patter of my Mom's feet. I just had the greatest idea. I should write a book about baby scheduling /whispering/increased IQ scores and sell it for a lot of money. I bet I could earn enough to pay my way to college.My Mom has spent plenty of money on those types of books and the secret is in the stroller! I could also write a self help book for adults advising them that a bedtime of 7:00 p.m. followed by a few short daytime naps, singing, and running is the secret to health and happiness.

Run me a nap!

My parents on the other hand look forward to the weekend to spend sometime riding terrain like this. My Mom says that looks like an easy switchback but it really is a hard one.I bet I could clear that corner easily on my bike. Of course, I'll have to touch my feet down because my bike doesn't have pedals, but I am sure just as soon as I am able to sit up unattended I'll be capable of clearing any switch back.

So the wheels of my parents bikes aren't the only thing that roll around here. I roll. Yup. I roll from front to back. It's this great game I play because I make sure to do it when my folks are not looking. See here is how things roll. One of my parents puts me on my tummy in my crib with a bunch of babyish toys to entertain me then he or she dares to leave me unattended and walks out of the room. Maybe they intend to leave for 30 seconds, maybe a minute, but for all I know it could be an hour. I don't want to do tummy time for an hour. No way! I object! I flip myself over onto my back. Then they worry something is wrong since I am entirely too quiet for tummy time. In they come surprised to find tummy time is over. OVAH! And I am the boss around here. Well, I am sure I will be. On second thought at least I hope to be just as soon as I learn to talk and read and probably write and learn to mind my manners. Ok...I might not be the boss around here for ....well a very long time.

The Big 4 -0

2012-01-11T21:01:00.000-08:00

Well folks it's me again! Annika Ruth, reporting in on all things good in the world.

I have been a little lax in my reporting. Please know I am sincere in my apology but I rely on my Mom help booting up the computer. She has been keeping my days pretty busy. After a full day, she makes me go to bed early, like 7:00 p.m. What about my unstructured down time?

I know lying on the floor with one sock off looks like unstructured down time but it is serious business. Tummy time it is. I am working my muscles. I know all about speed, agility, and core training. In fact I could coach a program.

Who is to say I don't coach a program?

In case you think I am inside watching a bunch of Mom's exercise because of winter weather. Think again....

As of late the city I live in should be called Sun Diego not San Diego. My Mom tries to keep the sun off of me but she can't stop me from having fun in the sun.

As much as I'd like to get started on my ski career at the stage of my life it is mighty convenient residing where it can be 80 degrees in January. I have enough paraphenilia to lug around without adding cold weather gear. Speaking of gear...this is the real reason my Mom doesn't take me biking.

She can't fit her bike and my car seat in the car at the same time.

Some days are filled with serendipitous suprises like having coffee with Dad in the middle of a workday.

Other mid day meet ups are not so fun! I heard the big 4-0 was rough. They ain't a kidding!

I'm the big 4-0. 4 months, zero weeks that is and shots were no fun at all!

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T21:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2012! It's Annika Ruth and I'm ready to get this party started. Guess what? This is going to be a great yeat for me! First off I am going to turn one. I'm going to learn to sit up on my own and I bet by 2013 I'll even be able to take a few steps and say a few words.I'm probably even going to learn to chew! Watch out world.

I started off the New Year with a bang. T~~here actually were several bangs as I outgrew my size 2 diapers before the case ran out. It was like one day they fit and the next day not so much.~~ In celebration of the New Year I moved out of my bassinet and into my big girl crib in my very own room. ~~You are probably thinking this increases the likelihood I will ever have a sibling by epic proportions.~~

On New Years Day I discovered my voice. With my parents influence you probably thought I'd grow up to be an athlete or something in the medical field. However after reviewing this video I think I might be a singer or a broadcaster.

So in terms of celebration The Neuschwander Family did it up big. My parents alternated running with me with riding bikes. Sometimes my Dad gets off work early enough in the evening that we all can run together. However, only one person can push me in the stroller at a time so often on holidays and weekends one parent will run with me while the other one ~~who obviously drew the short straw~~ will go bike riding.

My Mom finished off 2011 with an "epic" New Years Eve mountain bike ride. The Carrizo Gorge Ride. It turned out to be quite a history lesson. Check it out http://www.dankat.com/swhikes/carizo.htm

Abandoned railroad cars and bandannas (to keep out the dust) brings out the kid in everyone.

Turns out train track, gorges, and earthquakes don't mix. These trains fell off the track.

Bring your light for the tunnels!

Only bike trains on the tracks these days.

My Dad kicked off New Years Day riding with a little Palm Canyon action.

The movie of the ride is currently under production. I'm sure it will be released shortly.
Meanwhile my Mom and I schlepped ourselves to the top of Mt. Sillydad. Just so you know there maybe some fussing going due to that run ....and I am not the fussy one! Only a baby whines about a 900 ft elevation gain over 3 miles pushing a stroller.

Monday was good times with old friends .

Great Western Loop + Descanso + those ladies = a slow stroller ride for me tomorrow!

Capping off the holiday with a visit from "Gramps". That would be Great Gramps to me. Gramps is a pretty cool guys if I do say so myself. He drove his RV down from Northern California and is looking forward to spending sometime using his inflatable kayak around Mission Bay. This is an activity he recently took up and enjoys very much...that is when it doesn't conflict with his membership to the 80 + ski club.

Race Report: Holiday Bowl Parade 5K

2011-12-28T21:42:00.000-08:00

Well folks we did it again. My Mom and I raced another 5K. I must say it was pretty darn fun.

On of course another beautiful day in San Diego and yes folks I did the race wearing my skinny jeans. Beat that for fashion and function.

I showed up to the start rested, relaxed and with everything I needed.

This time instead of racing at 2:00 p.m. on Friday it was a 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday race and it wasn't small. There was a crowd of 100,000 people. Turns out they weren't all racing. Many were there for the Holiday Bowl Parade and some were there for the Weiner Dog national championship race thatpreceded our 5K. Man for a little dog they make a lot of noise.

Before the race my Mom and I put our heads together and came up with some goals.

My goals were about the same as last time.
1. First in age (perferably age group course record)
2. First stroller
3.Finish in front of my Mom ( No offense or disrespect meant but a race is a race)
4. PR

I accomplished my goals but it wasn't until the results were posted that I could celebrate my PR. I was a little cocky I guess entering the race I guess. See I was only a mere 13 weeks when I ran my last race. Clearly I am much fitter and stronger than before. I know running favors the lighter athlete but ...it's weight to strength. I am soooo much stronger now. Plus, the last 5K I did was on sand. Certainly I would be faster on pavement. The problem I didn't consider, and in truth my Mom warned me about, was the crowd and the corners. I believe 2000 people entered this 5K and about 1700 of them started way to close to the front. I know I am only 15.5 weeks old but I honestly have been training my whole life and some of these people hadn't trained at all. Anyway we really had our work cut out for us in terms of manuvering. No offense but I think my Dad would have been a little more skilled and aggressive at this. I will say my Mom did a pretty good job of ringing her bell, yelling "On your left", and managing to avoid clipping the heel of other racers. I admit I had a few doubts when my Mom's Garmin said our pace was 9:19 a 1/2 mile into the race. I managed to stay relaxed and let her draft off me and things opened up for us. It was close but per my Mom's chip time we PR'd by 1 second. That's a little too close for comfort and I told my Mom next time she should put the timing chip on me. Not to sound like a big shot bragger she tends to lag just a little bit behind me. My Mom said she wanted us to finish sub 22:XX this time but clearly she needs to be a little more tactical if she is to obtain that speed

Yup, that's the Midway behind us.

My Mom really can take advantage of the post race goodies now that she has me and the stroller. I mean who can argue with her when they hand out juice boxes and she asks for two...one for the baby. Seriously who can say no. After the race we enjoyed the Big Balloon Parade.

Betty Boop and The Blue Angels were just a few of my favorites.

My First Christmas

2011-12-28T20:13:00.000-08:00

My 15 week birthday coincided with Christmas Eve. Quite frankly my 15 week birthday was overshadowed by Christmas Eve. I learned Christmas is birth of Jesus Christ. I gracefully took a backseat to his birthday and didn't put up much of a fuss. Only a real baby would do that. Plus this great guy named Santa Claus brings presents to good little boys and girls. I heard he had a list of who is naughty or nice. I wanted to be on the nice list.

Judging from the above picture my Dad and I both made the "nice" list as evidenced by my giraffe "Sophie" and my Dad's new cycling jersey. Christmas was quite a blast.Grandma Cindy and Pop Pops came to visit me. My Dad had some extra time off work to play with me.

Wait that was my Christmas gift. No fair!I'm expected to share already. Oh brother.

Well folks. It's time to enjoy the glow of the Christmas tree while it lasts. Christmas is only once a year.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T23:14:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Love, Tim, Jen, and Annika

Let It Snow

2011-12-25T23:04:00.000-08:00

Annika Ruth reporting in once again. What do you know folks it snowed in San Diego county.

My Dad made the most of it when he and his friend Paul rode Noble Canyon in the snow. They even made a movie documentary of the experience. My favorite part is when my Dad tells Mr. Paul to "Ride fast I am video taping". I wouldn't call them amateur riders but definitely amateur producers.

Although I am happy for him don't you think next time he should pull me in one of those bike trailers? Even better how about on a sled? I think I'd like that a lot. It's only fair. He has had 33 and 1/2 years to enjoy snow and I have never even seen it.Why does he get to ride in the snow while I am stuck home with my Mom who thinks giving me a bath is big excitement? I could do a lot with that snow. I could make snow angels or a snow man. We could have a snowball fight. I could even eat the snow but I am no dummy...I ain't going to eat yellow snow.

Family Friday!

2011-12-16T21:39:00.000-08:00

This Friday was special. My Dad took a vacation day and we had "Family Friday". You just know things are going to be good when you wake up to wear this.

My Dad dressed me. Has he got style or what?

I don't know why my Mom kept laughing when she looked at me. In case you were wondering it was cold out. The jacket is highly functional.

Reporting in on world news I'm sure you all heard that the U.S. Troops pulled out of Iraq. Well at the very same time my Mom enrolled me in Baby Boot Camp. Can you believe it Boot Camp at 14 weeks? At least the class was through the Scripps Wellness Institute and overlooked the ocean and Torrey Pines golf course. I was a little concerned I was going onto a military base.

I did my core work at home before class started. This class was more geared for the Moms than the babies. Core strength is very important for Moms because we babies love to be carried around. It's a good thing I was there to support my Mom. I caught her holding on to my stroller for a few of the balancing and stretching poses at the end of class. What would she have done without me?

Who Needs Two Wheels When You Have Three!

2011-12-12T22:02:00.000-08:00

Annika's opinion of climbing Torrey Pines

My Mom told me that everybody who is anybody and knows anything about cycling likes to climb Torrey Pines. She said climbing it on a clear crisp Saturday in December was like going to a Christmas party with the smiling riders in their bright jerseys riding merrily up and down the hill. I said "What are we waiting for? Let's go"....and she said Annika you are 13 weeks old you can not ride your bike up Torrey Pines yet. First of all you can't sit up and secondly your bike doesn't even have pedals.~~What a kill joy she is.~~ No, no, no Mom! You don't need two wheels to be part of the fun when you have three. So off we went to join the party.

First we did a quick tour of the eucalyptus groves to warm up. I love trees. All of my favorite running partners have noticed this. At the top of Torrey Pines she made me a deal. If she could push me up without stopping for a walk break in 60 years when she is old and gray I'll push her up Torrey Pines. I agreed on two counts.
1. I didn't think she could make it.
2.If she did make it she be so old grey and demented she won't remember. (Although she argues that the exercise she gets is going to help prevent the dementia)

When my Mom and her friends ride hills or mountains for that matter they have a rule. The least tired or most fit person has to tell a story on the climb. Well you can guess who did the talking up Torrey Pines. Technically it would be baby babbling or cooing but I did the talking the whole way up the hill. She seemed interested and I distracted her enough that she didn't need a break. Good of me eh? They say I am a good baby. ~~Is there a bad baby in town?~~

All good things come to an end and it rained on Monday. My Mom did her best to turn the living room into a Gymboree playland.

.. ...And my Mom said I couldn't sit up...o.k so I am getting a little help for the Bumbo chair.

That's ok I will keep my head held high and my chin up.

And I'll keep my eyes open for when the rain stops and I can go outside and play again.

Red Nose Run Race Report

2011-12-09T23:11:00.000-08:00

Hello again world it's Annika Ruth. Usually I blog once a week but this week has been so exciting I am blogging twice. Yippee! My news is big. On the eve of my 13 week birthday I entered my first race, the Red Nose 5 K beach run in Del Mar. It's a charity run for wounded Marines. This was the 20th year the run has taken place.

I'm pretty excited because in my very first race I beat my Mom and she has been running for years. She was a step behind the entire way!

My race report is going to be primarily in pictures because I am not quite 13 weeks old yet and the language center of my brain is still developing.

Race Report:
1:00 p.m. Arrive in Del Mar. Assemble stroller and run short warm up. Forgo checking PSI of my race wheels as the run is entirely on the beach so low PSI is fine ~~my Dad told me so.~~

1:20 p.m. Keep a low profile and let Mom handle the paper work for the entry. FYI: My Mom wrote Jennifer and Annika on the entry form. My registration is official.

1:21 p.m Decline any and all opportunities to sit on Santa's lap.

This can't be the real Santa. he is way too thin.

1:30 p.m. Pre race meal. Sorry no photo available

1:45 Size up competition and set goals.

Goal #1: Set Personal Record (PR)

Goal #2: Age Group Victory

Goal #3 : Beat all furry friends

1:50 p.m. Intimidate the competition

1:55 p.m. Calm pre race jitters with Binky

2:00 p.m. Run

2:23.23 p.m Finish....ahead of Mom.

Photo of finishing time required when realized that official race results consisted of writing down the first three finishers names in pencil on a clipboard. My Mom and I narrowly missed the clipboard. I was 5th, she was 6th. I did accomplish all my goals. I finished first stroller, first in age, ahead of all those with fur, and ......I dropped A LOT of boys. Ok so not many people can race a 5k at 2:00 p.m. on Friday but my Mom says "you got to race who shows up"

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

Well hello again world! In case you don't know me by now I am Annika Ruth and I have taken over my Mom's blog. Lucky for me, I timed things just right. I missed Labor Day by only a few days but I arrived in time to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and now Christmas.

Christmas is my favorite holiday so far. My Mom told me all sorts of stories about getting a Christmas tree. She has exciting tales of trekking through the forest and sawing down a tree. The tree always falling on one of the kids present. Needless to say I was pretty excited when we headed out to get the tree and pretty confused when we pulled the car up to a semi truck at Costco and picked out our tree. Come on Mom! Where is the saw, snow and excitement?

The next step was to decorate the tree. Thank goodness for my Dad. He is really good at stringing the lights, He can reach the very top of the tree without getting out the step ladder. Then my Mom hung the ornaments. She told me the story behind each ornament. I have to say I have a favorite ornament.

Shortly after we hung this ornament I received the "I did the best I could in life with what I was given, but I expect and hope for more from you" lecture. I'm sure they have spell check in art these days. In fact there is probably an I phone app for gluing pasta letters on painted popsicle sticks these days.I'm so not worried about my arts and crafts projects coming back to haunt me.

Then they placed presents under the tree.

Hey! I am the perfect sized present.

My mom explained to me that the Christmas tree is topped with an angel or a star. Wait a minute! I'll do it.

If somebody could just give me a hand and hoist me up to the top of the tree. I need some help here.

Liberty and Justice For All

2011-12-03T22:39:00.000-08:00

Hello world, it's Annika Ruth again. I overheard my Mom telling somebody I am 12 weeks old. I object to this statement. I am now 52 weeks old since pregnancy is a 40 week process. That means I am a year old. By rights we should be celebrating my 1st birthday this weekend. I'm talking cake! I'm talking candles! How about a party? Shouldn't there be songs and presents? What about the bounce house?

Seriously folks shouldn't I get credit for the time I spent in the womb. I hear an awful lot of talk about how hard it is to be pregnant. Nobody seems to ask the baby how hard it was to be squished up in the womb. What happened to justice for all?

This week I went to Buddha Baby Yoga with my Mom twice. It was really fun. My favorite part of class was watching the ceiling fan. My Mom asked why my favorite part wasn't the part where I got a massage from my Mom? Duh!!! I can get that at home. We don't have a ceiling fan at home. I get quite a kick out of the Mom's at yoga trying to do a half or full lotus. I did full lotus for 9 months while hanging upside down.

I know yoga is not competitive but I find that hard to believe because I see my Mom and her friends wearing jerseys and shirts that say "I drop boys". I would like the world to know that at 11.5 weeks of age I dropped the 5 month old boy on the mat next to me. Seriously, he fell asleep 2 minutes into class and slept the whole time! He didn't even participate in tummy time or the itsy bitsy spider song. Next week I am wearing my "I drop boys" onezie. Whoot Whoot! My Mom had to go and humble me by mentioning that yoga is an individual practice and he might have been deep in meditation.

Anyway speaking of liberty and justice my Mom took me to Liberty Station for a run this week. You may have heard of Wine Spec well I am "park spec". I rank parks based on a number of factors. Scenery is important to me. I do appreciate when it isn't too bright and my actually Mom opens up the shade.

I am a super fan of the sunset run. Mission Bay Park does not disappoint.

I know I should be home studying flashcards or something to get prepared for the preschool entrance exam but I guess viewing historical sites will have to do. Liberty Station has to count for an educational experience.

Liberty Station is great. Not to sound snotty but I appreciate there being no "urban backpackers" about. Plus the amenities are great. Rumor has it the best children's story hour in town is there and the best bike shop. The staff at Moment Cycle Sprt are super cool and didn't get upset when I drooled on that carbon fiber bike. Carbon Fiber bikes are perfect for babies. When we drool on them they won't rust and they are nice and light. It wasn't all fun a games though. After the run we had to do the marketing. My job was to pick out the bread to take home.

My eyes about popped out of my head when I saw all the choices. Being 12 weeks old sure is exciting but it comes with big responsibilities. Wonder what is in store for me next?

Gobble Gobble

2011-11-26T18:36:00.000-08:00

Well folks my first Thanksgiving has come and gone. Rather than eating Turkey it seems that I represented the Turkey. My parents were fortunate enough to have been given lots of nice clothes for me to wear. Instead of buying me clothes they seem to only buy me festive holiday costumes. Anyways here is what I have to say about Thanksgiving

I'm 11 weeks old now. I am a real big shot and very advanced for my age. Look at me! 11 weeks old and sitting up in my high chair. ~~Please ignore my Grandma's assistance I am not quite advanced enough for photoshop.~~ I know my secret of assistance sitting in the high chair is safe with Grandma. She is always saying to me "Remember what goes on with Garndma stays with Grandma" My Mom isn't supposed to know about ANY of it. Sounds like Vegas baby. My Mom said the secrecy is as fine with her as long as it is Mission Bay Park we are walking and not the strip in Vegas.

Grandpa "Pop Pops" Bruce heard I was a good runner and wanted to go running with me. He also heard I am a really good coach. In the picture below he's trying to get me to divulge a training plan that will guarantee him a qualification to the Ironman in Kona.

As you can see I am so not interested. Ironman is soooo long it puts me to sleep. I am head coach for my Mom and Dad's racing and training.They promised to keep it short and exciting. You'll hear more of my coaching tactics in future blogs. For my Mom I have one word of advise.

Faster Mommy Faster!

For my Dad: Try not to smile so wide. You are going to get bugs in your teeth.

Double Digits!

2011-11-21T10:36:00.000-08:00

Annika Ruth here again, reporting on the most exciting news I can think of. Well folks, I have gone and done it. I have made it big! I am 10 weeks old. Double digits!

Speaking of double...it looks like there are two of me. For the record I don't have a twin. That is my reflection in the mirror. When I was 9 weeks old I didn't even know what a mirror was. Also I didn't like tummy time, but now look at me go.

In other news for a "stay at home" Mom my Mom and I don't stay home much. I am so mature I allowed my Mom to swim 12,500 yards this week. Blah, blah, blah, I know that Michael Phelps swim that in a morning. Well, I hate to tell you but my Mamma....she ain't no Dara Torres. Plus there was a lot of stroke work and kicking which takes forever, so that's pretty good. Enough already, this blog isn't really about her anymore. It's about me! All her yards she owes to my good behavior ~~and to Coach Sickie's entertaining me.~~ After swim the party really starts. We often go do something with the fun focused on me.

This week we had two big outings to the library. Thursday we went to Baby Sign Language story hour and sing along . I know 9.5 weeks old was a little young for a story hour but my Mom needs to start learning this stuff. She has a lot to learn. I know this because when she sings children's songs to me she often repeats the first verse over and over. Why not the second or the third verse? Because she doesn't know it. Do you know she doesn't even know the "Hello Song". Every children's group begins with the "Hello Song"! Whoa, we got work to do. So anyway, sing language was ok. The Pt. Loma library is really cool for toddlers and kids. The whole downstairs is a children's library complete with a pirate ship. The ship has lots of nooks and crannies to curl up with a book. For now I prefer to curl up in my Moby wrap or sling next to my Mommy but someday...
on a rainy day I might give it a try.

Friday was my favorite activity day ever. We went to the library in La Jolla for mom and baby yoga. It's all about the babies ...sorry Mom's but you don't really need fancy yoga attire or even your yoga mat to attend. we learned songs ~~that my Mom has already forgotten~~ and stretches and exercises to go with our songs. Once again, we sang the "Hello Song". You may think I am young going to yoga at 10 weeks old but it's for babies 4 weeks and up. I really nailed the final pose shavasana.

Shavasanah

Next up...my First Thanksgiving

Down Hill In A Hurry

2011-11-13T16:14:00.000-08:00

After my trip to Gymboree you could say things went downhill in a hurry. I had my 8 week check up. It started out just peachy. Well peachy other than being stripped first out of the Moby wrap and then out of my clothes to be accurately weighed and measured. My Mom, Dad, and the Pediatrician standing around talking about me. How tall I am and how much I weigh. I'm told this is one of the few opportunities in life to celebrate weight gain. In case you are wondering officially I am 23.5 inches tall and weigh13 lb 4 0z. That was Thursday though I am sure to have grown since them. Currently I am in the 90% for height and 97% for weight. The pediatrician said that is largely due to hormones and milk supply transferred from Mom at this point. After the first year he said genetics plays it's hand. He looked at my parents and said I may stay in the 90% for height (courtesy of my Dad) but not so much on the weight.I am hoping to grow tall quickly so I can ride my Mom's bikes. She said it hear first... "I can ride her bikes as soon as they fit me"

Anyway, my Mom and Dad were beaming with delight on account of my thriving. The pediatrician was telling them that their new goal for me could be a 12 hour sleep. He was suggesting I work on eventually sleeping from 7 p.m. until 7:00 am ...without eating. I heard that and I started to yell. Not cry, yell ~~you know how the poor demented patients yell in the nursing home for attention or help when anybody walks past their door. Hey, Hey, almost in a drunk like fashion.~~ Seriously though, my parents eat dinner after 7:00 p.m and breakfast before 7:00 a.m. and they suggest me going without food without even asking my input. I had to holler out. Do you think they took me seriously? No, they all started laughing. Next thing I new things got really dirty.

Thing went down hill in a hurry. Time for an oral vaccine, which I smartly tried to spit out. Followed by not one, not two, but three sticks to the ham bone.

I'm not much of a cry baby but that really made me cry.You are probably wondering why my Mom didn't protect me from such an insult? In her defense she did ask the pediatrician if there was any benefit to splitting up the shots. Basically he and my Dad said the only benefit in that would be to the Doctor's office because there would be extra co pays. It would just spread out the trauma. In one day we got it over with. Over and done....for 8 weeks anyhow.

Not to worry though. It wasn't long and I was the all smiles again. In fact I may just be "The Happiest Baby on The Block." ~~I may just be the only baby on the block.~~ Speaking of which my Mom got the video from the library. She thought it was great and so did my Dad.

Friday afternoon my Dad was off work due to Veteran's Day. You see from what I gather, in honor of the Veterans, the hospital my Dad is currently ~~held hostage~~ working at, the VA, closed the clinic and only took care of emergent surgeries. We sent my Mom out mountain biking while my Dad studied. He studied for a long time. When my Mom came home she got me into my jammies and he was studying. Enough I said and I sat on his book and closed it.

Saturday rolled around and my Dad headed off to work. It was raining cats and dogs which jipped me out of my trip to the pool and my stroller ride around Mission Bay. How rude of that rain! I settled for a swing in my swing. Word up on the swing, for a while I didn't like it but on the video "Happiest Baby on the Block" it was suggested to turn the swing up to the highest speed and swaddle the baby in it. That's what mimics the womb I lived in for 9 months. What do you know it worked and my Mom was able to "get in a workout".

Folks there you have it. If she complains about her results on race day or being OTB (off the back of the group she is riding with) whatever you do don't blame the baby! Seriously folks it is not my fault. Same thing goes for the skinny jeans. It is not my fault my Mom nibbles the goodies off the salad before my Dad gets home for dinner. Ok, in her defense it is often 8:00 pm or even 8:30 p.m. I'm probably on dinner number 4 myself at that point.

I recommended she try kick boxing for a rainy day workout. I even demonstrated.

Moving on to Sunday. The sun shined again (that may be grammatically incorrect but I am only 9 weeks remember). I had a Daddy Daughter Date while my Mom got to ride Great Western Loop with her friends again ~~don't worry they flip flopped for the afternoon~~. I used to ride GWL in the good old days, then she realized she had an extra passenger and GWL was not so much. I asked my Mom how the ride went and she said the climbing is a bit slow but guess what? The bike still goes down hill fast. Rumor has it she didn't set any records changing a flat tire but ...Once again don't blame the baby. BA, that's Before Annika, she was not the fastest climber nor the fastest flat changer by a long shot.

Gym Dandy Day

2011-11-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

Hello all. It's Annika Ruth reporting on what is new and exciting. Well at 8 1/2 weeks it is all new and exciting to me. So this morning after swim practice my Mom took me to the mall nearby. We were on a mission to buy a birthday present.. The mall in UTC is a really nice mall for Mom's as it has lots of room for strollers and it's outside. There were lots mom and baby combos there which makes me wonder if they don't go there to mingle? Hmm, just a thought.

Anyway we went to Gymboree and found our gift and of course maybe one or two things for me my mom couldn't resist. Of course she justified by saying she waited 34 years to have me and their were some really good sale ~~sand they will appear on this blog for your entertainment~~. Before you say I am spoiled, please note I did not beg or whine for the garments. Plus research shows you can"t spoil a baby. Duh !I was fast asleep in my Moby wrap. Yes, my Mom is still carting me around in that wrap. According to her she is Kanga and I am Roo. That is when she isn't referring to me as one of the following: Bug, Munchkin, Monkey, Good Baby, Cutie Pie, Sugar Pie or Cutie pie Pumpkin. I guess she's saving my real name for later.

Back to today's happenings. We were in line to check out when we heard quite a commotion.

I told my mom it was not appropriate to film this. When I get bigger I will have my moments too but she said I might think differently if I was awake for the previous 5 minutes during which the girl in pink was on wrestling with the boy ~~and to be truthful beating the tar out of him.~~ I'm guessing my mom is really going to keep me in the Moby as long as possible ~~until I am 20.~~ I'll have my moments but I am fairly certain my Dad will not reward them with cute clothing. Nope, it will Carharts canvas not Carters cotton and I'll be busy with a rake or a shovel.

We apologize for not obtaining photographic consent but we presume these children are and would like to remain anonymous.

Trick or Treat!

2011-11-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

My first Halloween was a blast. My parents went all out and dressed me up. Wonder what inspired them to choose this outfit?

We only had 6 Trick or Treaters. You are probably wondering how I got my moneys worth out of my costume with only 6 Trick or Treaters?

Don't worry my Grandparents think it is worth every penny. I even wore my costume to the pool that morning and modeled it on the pool deck. The first time I tried on my costume I cried. There was so much laughter I thought I was being made fun of. Now I now they were laughing with me, not at me.

My Mom told me kids would knock on the door and say "Trick or Treat" then we would give them candy. Funny thing is nobody said "Trick or Treat." They all said "Happy Halloween". I guess that is the politically correct term these days. Maybe next year I will get candy out of the deal.

Muffin Top!

2011-10-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

It's Annika Ruth here again. I have officially hijacked my Mom's blog. Wow what a weekend! Saturday I turned 7 weeks old and as you can see I am getting so grown up. I am very interactive now and starting to bat at my toys.

This weekend was great because my Dad took a vacation day Friday and had the weekend off. Very importantly my Grandma Cindy had a birthday too. We celebrated my 7 week birthday and her birthday with a visit. We are best of pals. I had a lot to tell her.

She needed to fill me in on the down and dirty regarding my Dad when he was my age. We kicked my parents out onto their bikes so she could tell me the real truth about my Dad. She even showed me a school report stating my Dad needed to "pull up his socks and try harder" . If that's not enough she showed me the report his kindergarten teacher gave him. The one where she said he lacked fine motor skills especially when cutting. To think today people let him cut their bones. My mom even trusts him with her bike. I just saw my Dad sawing off the excess headset height it. It looked great. That cut was as smooth as my rear, I mean a baby's bottom. Anyway Grandma was such good company I didnt even notice my where my mom went. Hey where did Mom go?

My parents went mountain biking together 3 days in a row! I didn't get to go but judging from these pictures it looks really fun. My Mom promised me that as soon as I am big enough to ride her bike she let me ride it. The way I grow that could be just around the corner.
There are lots of ways to get in shape post partum. Side bends, sit ups, or switchbacks and single track into Sycamore Canyon. After brief review of this video. I am guessing my Mom is attempting the later.

There are a number of concerns with postpartum cycling. Time and required child care, core strength, hoo hah strength, cardiovascular fitness, blah, blah, blah. Let's be honest. The chief concern with post partum cyclists is the attire. Bike kits are not flattering unless you are really, really skinny. I don't mean thin or fit. I mean skinny, scrawny skinny to be exact. Most post partum women worry they will look to have a MUFFIN TOP. Don't let that stop you. Muffin tops are not that bad. I know. I have one and I get compliments on it all the time!

Remember a muffin top is the best part of a muffin!

Of note my mom says her asthma has never been better. Apparently it was 90 degrees, dry and dusty where they rode and she didn't have any feelings of airway restriction. I think the muffin top helps with this, but my mom says that it's the elevation of the hormone relaxin. I still think a muffin top is necessary at least to keep from bonking. If it was just a pregnancy hormone that helped the guys on the Tour De France would all be getting pregnant. I told this to my Mom. She disagreed and said although I was very wise I wouldn't understand a lot of things until much later in life.

Speaking of relaxing.

My Dad went for a sunset swim while my Mom and I hung out.

Next up my first Halloween!

6 Week check

2011-10-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't blogged in 2 weeks. I realize I let 1/3 of my life pass before updating. I have been keeping a low profile.

Pink camouflage polka dots help me to keep things on the Down low. You probably want to know about training? I'm giving it my all. My life is not just fun and games. I do my tummy time everyday to work my arms, abs, and neck.

Mat work is hard work when you are only 6 weeks old. My mom says I have to start somewhere though. She says not to give up and a little bit everyday adds up to a lot. If I keep up the good efforts I'll get to do more than sit in my stroller while my Mommy splashes about.

It's developmental season. Meaning a week dedicated to each stroke. I understand this is the part of the year "the triathletes" hate. I have been in observance for 3 weeks now and I think when F KOB (Fly kick on back) is written on the board my Mom better not cheat and swim freestyle. I think it is the secret to getting back a strong core, that and maneuvering the stroller while running.

By the way my mom told me she once had "Buns of steel" This isn't a "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful" blog. I think she is referring to her booties ability to tolerate a bike seat. I offered her one of my diapers for extra padding. She declined saying she had the best bike shorts money could buy and it was time to harden up. Riding a bike maybe something one never forgets how to do but the bun muscles for sitting in the saddle do forget, making the booty feel a bit bruised and if you want to know the uncensored truth you can be medically clear to ride a bike long before certain dis- solvable substances otherwise known as stitches actually dissolve, apparently that can take a long, long time. To clarify, this does not leave you at risk for infection swimming after a certain period of time the skin epitheliazes. Anyhoo, moving along. The take away is finally riding other than on Fiesta Island, inside Torrey Pines is not a bad place to start.

In case you are wondering I am well cared for when she is off riding. I'm with my Dad. You can call him Papa Bear and me Cuddly Bear. Don't worry germophobes, those are clean scrubs. We were hanging out one morning before he went to work.

You could say I am a Daddy's girl.

They say I am an easy baby. I'll take a bottle of stored milk while my Mommy tools around on her bike. I guess some babies go on hunger strikes when their Mamma's leave. I also don't give my parents any trouble about sleeping at night. I sleep all night in my very own bassinet. From what I gather, this is something to celebrate. I'm not even on a special program from a book. I just did it all by myself.

Well ,with the help of my Dad's good swaddling and my good nutrition. I am up to 12 pounds now. I'd thank my Momma for that but rumor has it my good nutrition is the ticket not just to her skinny jeans. I'm helping strengthen her bones and reducing her chance for certain kinds of cancers. We'll call it team work. What can I say? My life is great. It is fun to be me!

Today we celebrated my 6 week birthday with a 7 mile run from Fanuel park. I had to stop eat, go to the bathroom and be cuddled at the midway point. My mom told me that I am exactly like an Ironman triathlete. They eat on the go, have to stop to use the rest room. The needing to be cuddled... well my mom said that is nothing different than the support the athletes get from the crowd. She said Ironman even has a special needs stop. I am in good company.

My mom loves taking me places. Sometimes she worries she might be overstimulating me. It's a little confusing to her because there are so many different takes on how to raise a baby. I think, and I'm only 6 weeks old, so take it or leave it, that every parent just wants to do the best for their child. None are really sure what that is and every child is different. Parents tend to get behind their chosen tactic by selling it to others and sometimes bashing different approaches. It's hard for them not be insecure because they love us babies so much.

Judging from the picture I sure seem enjoy taking things in.

4 Weeks Old: A day in the life

2011-10-09T21:20:00.000-07:00

4 weeks ago I looked like this:

Impressive when 24 weeks ago I looked like this:

Now that I am 4 weeks old, I see the world a little differently.

No wonder my parents call me Baby Bright Eyes.

I am growing big and strong! Currently, I weigh 11 lbs

That's about what my mom has left to loose. High Five to that I say. She says the scale might be stuck for a while, but whatever. She has got me! We are having fun. Plus, she is starting to feel stronger and less winded while running and just in general carrying me around.

Before I was born she read a lot about raising kids. We had a heart to heart and we see eye to eye. Routine and flexible structure are key for us. Life is too short to waste time that could be enjoyed watching a clock saying " No baby....you can't eat, sleep, play, whatever for 10 more minutes because it is not your schedule. For example, some books say the baby needs to go to bed at 6:00 p.m. or s/he will be behind in school. Hmm, not sure either of my parents went to bed st 6:00 p.m. and I think they might have done OK academically speaking. My Mom thinks a 6:00 p.m. would be a recipe to exclude my Dad and a recipe to be up at 2:00 a.m.

My Mom is confident in the "Sniff Test." She takes recommendations from those who pass the sniff test. There were some really great resources while we were in the hospital and a few....Meh! Not so bueno. Anyway, she really likes the lactation consultant and the pediatrician, and her obstetrician. So their advice, her gut, and of course my Dad's gut ;) is how we will roll rather than basing my rearing on a book for sale for profit on Amazon.com. Whatever works for you and your family though.

So here is a day in my life and I think it is pretty swell. We have a good routine we going. Of course I am growing and it is subject to change but we aren't inflexible. That would be dumb!. Every morning we go to the pool now. We try to get there at 7:30 but sometimes we don"t make it until 8:00 a.m. It's not realistic to expect we will always be on time with 2 people to feed and dress before 7:00 a.m. Plus, my Mom feeds me up until the last minute so I don't bonk at swim. Traffic is a culprit too, if we leave after 7:00 a.m it takes twice as long to get there. The coaches at swim are really great and they keep an eye on me while my Mom swims. They only need to let my Mom know if I am crying and she doesn't hear me. However, they go above and beyond. If they see my eyes open they push me around the pool deck. I have a feeling this is going to help my math. I already understand base, base -5 and base + 5. I know 4 lengths is 100 yards. That the north side of the pool doesn't swim as fast as the south lanes but I refrain from passing judgement.

I sleep good at the pool and sometimes after I am still sleepy and my Mom takes me to Whole Foods or Henry's. I like that. She often buys me a treat like diaper cream or something like that. I'm pretty limited now in what I can have. When we get home I eat and they we PLAY. I like to be held so she puts me in the Moby wrap. It is snuggly. I'm teaching her how to do a lot with one hand. I think it will help her off road bike handling. My mom usually has to eat with me in the Moby wrap. Hah, she has to be careful doing that. It would be a little embarrassing for me to be carted around with crumbs in my wrap! Spit up is one thing for a baby, hummus is another!

Eventually I usually take another nap. I usually do this while we are sitting in a comfy chair together. I try to cast a sleeping spell on whoever is with me and get them to nap with me. I am pretty successful at this game.

Later in the afternoon, we head out for an hour ish in the BOB. My mom runs but not real fast. If my Dad gets off early he pushes the BOB and we go WAY faster.

On Thursday afternoons we go to a Mom's group/ lactation class to check my growth and answer any questions my Mom has. We like the leader and the other people in the group. I think it's a fun outing.
Then I eat a bunch more times until it's bedtime. Sometimes I eat every hour. I have even eaten every 10 minutes during a grwoth spirt. It's like endurance training, only eating.

Twice, I have slept through the night. Sometimes though, I like to get up at 3:00 -4:00 a.m. and practice making monkey noises. I hear my parents talking about the San Diego Zoo and how they can never take me there or they will be accused of smuggling me. I figure my Dad gets up at 5:00 am for work so if I get up at 3-4:00 a.m. It is a good time to play. Right? Plus, maybe if I make enough monkey sounds they will give bananna. I think I would like that.

In the evening, my Dad gives me one bottle and swaddles me up tight for sleep. If it is cold I wear a hat to bed. I like my hats.

The layers in this picture may have been increased for photographic pleasure.

So Cal Epic Fat Tire 50

2011-10-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks I have been so busy I forgot to write my Dad's race report for him. I'm too young to race or train but I am allowed to watch, write, and dream BIG!

So last Saturday my Dad got up early, made pancakes and drove his car about 50 miles to ride his bike 50 miles in hopes of a prize or something. Did I mention the course is off road, hilly and 106 degrees.Oh yeah and he rode a bike with one gear.

Call me a baby but why did he do all this when he can drive a car?

Anyway the course was about the same as last year, except a little bit better. They removed one deep sandy sloggy section. I didnt get to go watch as my mom thought it was too hot and sunny for me. I wanted to go. Look, I would have podiumed again!

Hmm, she keeps me out of the sun and gives me Vitamin D drops. Seems like I just could spend some time in the sun but I don't make the rules. She took me to the UCSD Master's Fall pancake breakfast.
My friend Lauren and I got primo stroller parking. We were right next to the pancake table. Boy did it smell good . I could't wait for the workout to end and the pancakes to be served.

Unfortunately, after an hour spent dozing and dreaming about those sweet cakes I learned I am not old enough to eat pancakes. Oh brother!

Life Is Grand!

2011-10-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hello there. It's me again, Annika Ruth Neuschwander. I'm covering for my mom because she thinks she is too busy.So I am 3and 1/2 weeks old now and I have come to the conclusion that life is grand.

See there are these nice people in my life called grandparents. They are like my parents but older and frankly more fun. All they do is love on me. I met my Grandpa and Grandma Neuschwander the day I was born. I hope to see them again soon.

Then my Grandpa and Grandma Yake came all the way from Michigan to see me. They stayed for a week. Technically, they were with me 1/3 of my life.

Three generations above.

Sorry to be asleep in the photo but my Grandma Judi could charm a rattle snake to sleep.

I miss my Grandparents. At least I have my Dad, Mom, and my Moby wrap to keep me snuggly.

My First Podium

2011-09-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

Annika Ruth Neuschwander here with another guest entry and my first race report.

My mom and I headed out the door to Liberty Station for the San Diego classic. We did a different triathlon that the rest of the racers. It was made up of burp, diaper, feed instead of swim, bike, run. It was my mom's first time driving with me and boy did she seem nervous. I wasn't nervous and I was only 7 days old and headed to my first triathlon.

My Dad went really fast. It helped he had a nice joust going with his friend Paul and I think my being there to cheer him on helped. Hopefully, he couldn't see that I was sleeping from inside the Moby Wrap. It was just so warm and snuggly.

We got to the event in time to see my Daddy twice on the bike and several times on the run. It was an Olympic distance which is about a 1/4 of a Full Ironman. I'll be honest I don't know how anybody can do a full Ironman because to be honest I couldn't keep my eyes open for the Olympic distance.

I sure did love my first podium experience. It was the highlight of my day. I had a lot of first this week. Unfortunately later that day my Mom got a high fever and we took our first (and hopefully) last trip to the ER. I was a BIG, BIG help in the ER. They couldn't not bring me because my Mom has to feed me but because I am so small they took us to the ortho room in the back of the ER. (Less germs in the ortho room) and saw us right away. I was really good in the ER. My parents couldn't believe it. I was just glad they were drawing my Mom's blood and not mine. My Mom says if postpartum you have a really, really bad headache and flu like symptoms that you can't attribute to anything else you are probably developing mastitis and get it taken care of right away. She didn't really think that was going to come on so hard and fast. Unlike in triathlon or labor when there is option of an epidural in motherhood there is no SAG wagon and she had to feed me all night long with her fever. She didn't mind though as she loves snuggling with me.

So after some IV antibiotics and a few days of playing around with oral antibiotics since they had a hard time finding one she wasn't resistant to (from spending over the last decade working in ICU with germs and bacteria) She was on the mend. On postpartum Day #11 I heard her say "Waiter, check please! We are moving on".

We headed off to Mission Bay Park for a "walk" . She walked about 3 steps and then we ran. Not fast, and not super gracefully getting used to the stroller but we did it.I guess the human body bounces back quick. I love the BOB stroller. It's really fun when my Daddy pushes me. We fly. My Mom is a bit winded and I think leans against the stroller like a geriatric walker but I better not give her a hard time about it as she bore me.

On top of running my Dad is teaching me to do pull ups. Boy are they hard work!

In other news I had my first bath this week. Let the record state: I didn't cry. I am a water baby.

Well it's time for me to eat and sleep some more.

9/10/11: Welcome to the World Annika Ruth Neuschwander

2011-09-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hello there world, Annika Ruth Neuschwander here, reporting for my mom who has been a bit busy lately. Actually she's not that busy. Sometimes I fnd here just staring at me. Anyhoo, I was born at 8:30 p.m. on 9/10/11. As soon as I was born people started cuddling and cooing over me. I like it that way. They took good care of my and my mom in the hospital, but I like home much better. I kept getting woken up for vital signs and disturbed while eating. This one takes the cake, can you believe they poked me and drew my blood. As if coming through the birth canal wasn't enough for one day?

This is me in my going home outfit. It was a gift from my mom's "Little Grandma" 34 years ago and she wore it home from the hospital. My Grandma Judi saved it for all those years tucked away in a cedar chest. I weighed 8 lb 7 oz at birth. Guess what? So did my Mom and so did her mom. I liked the ride home in the car seat.

This is my comfy basinett. My Dad slept in it, my Uncle Seth slept in it and my Grandpa Bruce slept in it ....but I am the first girl to ever sleep in the basinett. Well minus some dolls, but they really don't count. The hat I am wearing my mom made for me on the plane to Switzarland. She didn't know if I was a boy or girl then. Can you beleive I skied the Alps 6 months before I was born? The liner of the basinett was made by my Grandma Judy with leftover material from the quilt my Garndma Cindy made. These people are a team! And the blanket ensuring my toes don't get cold was made by my Great Aunt Nancy . It is warm and it is snuggly. Gee, I sure had a lot of people working for me while I was in the womb. It's nice to be loved!

One of my Mom's teachers in the parenting class said the Moby wrap was best for new born babies. My mom thought she was a little hippy dippy but look how snuggly I am. My mom, my dad, and I "LOVE" the moby wrap. It is so comfy and I feel like I'm included in everything.

My mom, my dad, and I "LOVE" the moby wrap. It is so comfy and I feel like I'm included in everything. I am a really good helper. See me in the garage helping my Dad my mom's trainer bike ready. Yup, she get's the bike, I get the motorized swing. Do I not have the better end of the deal?

See me in the garage helping my Dad my mom's trainer bike ready. Yup, she get's the bike, I get the motorized swing. Do I not have the better end of the deal? My Dad didn't want me to get greasy so he hid me under the apron.

Next up details of my first fun outing.!!!!

Week40: Where's the Beef?

2011-09-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

Today is D-day. Where is the baby? Where's the beef?

It's not that I am so uncomfortable. It's that I am impatient. I mean by the due day one should want to meet their baby right? Hello! It's Christmas morning! I am not allowed to open the presents under the tree? Bah Hum Bug!

The events of yesterday should have moved that baby out. I swam short course, aka flip turned myself silly and voluntarily did a few laps of real butterfly (not one arm). Later I went back to the pool and aqua jogged. No signs of labor. I thought athletes were supposed to have their babies a little early? Hmph! Of course, I have read that being in the water makes the uterus very "happy and relaxed" and it is often recommended as a way of finding comfort during early labor and false labor. Hmm, maybe too much pool time? Well, I have to do something to stay sane/fit/and cool. Maybe my uterus needs to drink a glass of "Liven Up" and squeeze that baby out.

Since Wednesday's 5X 200 M test set and yesterdays real butterfly failed to motivate my uterus ~~yeah I blame the uterus for being lazy not the baby~~ I went to Costco ( think heat wave: hot car and parking lot). I hauled home and unpacked the loot of course sweating the whole time thinking dehydration can causes preterm labor. No signs of labor. I realize my mistake. Costco is not near unpleasant enough, should have tried Walmart. From the official People of Walmart website....

On second thought. Maybe a post term baby isn't such a big deal. Good thing I have a stack of 4 library books to keep me busy. I'll read some mindless chic -lit that will be good.

Not willing to give up I launched into a cleaning attack.

~~I don't clean well or often which is why it is worth blogging about.~~ For the record I am a member of the "I hate soap scum, dust, and cleaning products." Mostly, I really hate soap scum. I sweat for hours and apparently it did not induce full term labor, just left me with a stuffy nose from cleaning and a head ache.

I hate soap scum!

Just before 4:00 p.m. the power went out. At first I thought it was just my neighborhood and no big deal. Then I learned it was much bigger. The power went out for all of San Diego, to Orange County, parts of Arizona and Mexico. Since signals were out traffic was super jammed up. Tim left his car in the garage at work and ran the 9 miles home from work. Don't you love fitness as a emergency plan? I do. While we were eating dinner on our patio I noticed the moon looked mostly full I thought this situation is so strange the baby will come for sure. Nope!

Maybe today! Today would be good day to give birth seeing as my groceries are stocked up, the house is clean, no city/school pools are open because they called off school last night and energy conservation request for today. ~~Although couldnt you just see me at 40 weeks pregnant scaling the fence to get into the nice cool clean pool water?~~ I don't think being dilated to 2cm and swimming in the ocean would be a great idea in light of the 3.2 million gallon sewage spill caused by the outage.

On the bright side of things according to Baby Center at 40 weeks the baby is now the size of a pumpkin.

Thankfully, they said a small pumpkin.

Tim keeps saying "Our baby is going to cry!!!!"

I know all babies cry. I am eternally optimistic and counter "She might not cry that much." Yes, I know all babies cry. Compared to my brothers (who must have been real cry babies ;) I didn't cry that much when I was a baby. ~~I learned to be a whiner over the years. like I'm whining now.~~ Seriously, my mom thought something was wrong with me and brought it up to the Doctor.

Tim also says "Our baby is going to be fat" Well all babies are fat, even if they are preterm, babies are not lean in terms of body composition. I think me not crying had a lot to do with me having lots of fat. Yup, I was a fat full term baby. I was a fatty! Apparently being born in the Midwest had nothing to do with my fatness.

The good thing about staying in utero for the full 40 weeks is that she'll be a bit fatter, stronger and have a bit larger tummy than say if I gave birth 5 weeks ago. ~~We are not going to talk about how I am going to manage delivering the "growing by the minute" child inside of me.~~This all translates to Baby N having fewer reasons to cry. That has to be a good thing. I consistently point this out to Tim , who responds. "She's going to be a porker, Oink Oink, Oink, and she is going to crrrrryyyyy " If only she would show up to prove execute some girl power and prove him wrong!

Rumor has it Baby N is waiting for the weekend to show up. See I am still a racer at heart and lots of races are going on. Good luck to (in alphabetical order) my San Diego friends Beth, Lesley, Julie, Nooka and Stacy racing at Half Ironman Worlds this weekend. I think racing a Half Ironman in the hills and heat outside of Vegas sounds comparable to labor. Of course labor is a bit harder to train for, on the flip side I get an IV, a call bell and drugs if I want them. I know I have them at the call bell. I also have a smack talking special bet with Stacy, that I can deliver my child in less time than she can do the race. I really don't think I can win this one knowing ball park figure what she will do in a half and ball park figure of first time delivery. However, it's motivation for both of us and what's life without a bit of smack.

Happy weekend.

Week 39: Too Fat to Fly

2011-09-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

I know what you are thinking. Something along the lines of "Honey, hang it up, you are pregnant. Get off the weight, get off the Hagen Daaz and get ready to give birth. But that's not the case. I gave up any aspirations of flying when I waxed my skis for storage or hung up my mountain bike. That was soooo two trimesters ago.

It's Petunia I'm worried about.For a duck who brushed with death she seems to be thriving. In fact, I think she has become fat. Too fat to fly. Seriously, she looks full grown but she does not fly. She flaps her wings but she does not fly. I do not think she needs another duck to teach her how. She taught herself how to swim. Flying should be instinctual as well.

I know her water is filthy, but she likes it that way I swear!

Apparently she has it good here. A toddler pool, a garden, a hutch and bowls full duck/hen feed with no competition. It's hard to say if she likes it here, she's a duck. Always indignant, beeping at you with annoyance.

What other lucky duck gets such a nice hutch to sleep in at night?

She really only comes around and acts a little attached and loving when her food bowl is empty. Maybe she could survive in the wild, but I'm not sure she could survive in a park. She turns up her beak at bread in quite a snotty manner. I've tried high protein bread, honey white bakery bread and even gluten free bread. Petunia is not interested.

Apparently, she thinks she is above a dog crate and would rather sleep inside.

I guess you could blame the parents in this situation just like with childhood obesity. Maybe we've overfed her. I will have you know I drove all the way to Del Mar to get her hormone free feed. That's got to be like shopping from Wholefoods. Maybe she doesn't get enough exercise. When I come around she seems active. She waddles around the garden inspecting things. She shows off her swimming skills and splashes in her pool. However, I have caught her several times curled up sleeping in the shade when she thinks I am not watching. Maybe she's just too lazy to fly.

What is week 39 for me? We have established that I am not capable of flying.

Well last weekend was HOT. The pool water was HOT. I was just a bit cranky as I was sweating sitting in front of a fan. felt a bit like sloth, singing "stand by your fan" I termed myself an Oompa Loompa .

Sadly, after reviewing the picture I realize Oompa Loompa's despite having a horrid BMI our much smaller than me. I more like a whale, but not a beached one, but an efficient sea creature.

Numbers don't lie. At 38 weeks 5 days I swam this week's test set at masters swim faster than prior weeks and probably faster than I ever have before. ~~Disclaimer: I never swam this much when I was capable of riding my bike 200 miles/week.~~ 400M, 200M,100M freestyle on 7:19, 3:29, 1:38 respectively and respectfully. This is meters not yards and meters are longer. I post this here so in future I will hold myself to these times.

I think this is a testament to gaining swim efficiency, perhaps improving stroke form, and not loosing too much fitness. ~~Disclaimer: I am now on maternity leave so I have more time.~~ I have never swam so consistently as the past 6 months. At some point in life we all take a deep breath and say to our self or someone else "just do what you can". Now I can utter those words with a bit of validation. I'll remember I did what I could and had a bit of success. It's nice when the numbers on the time clock validate your effort. Especially when the numbers on the scale have no place to go but up :)

Side note: Now that I have just been Holly high on myself and Polly Positive I must admit that the pressure of beating the preceding weeks times has become too great ,compounded by the scheduled switch to short course which means double the flip turns. The test set changes each month and I might not like the September test set. Rumor has it to be 8*100 yds. This calculates to 23 darn flip turns with half the time for recovery as long course. It's really easy to goof up a flip turn when you have managed to contain most 39 weeks of gestational growth within your 5'3 torso ~~yeah there is a bit more padding in my butt, thighs, arms, chest and face. but shhhh!!!! It's a secret.~~ Anyway a goofed up flip turn can cost a lot of time. If I don't have the confidence I can swim 100 yrds faster than 100m then I am going to come up with a good excuse to miss test day. For example, I will have a baby on or prior to next Wednesday's test set and nobody will guess I just didn't want to be timed doing 23 flip turns.

Family heirlooms: Rocking chairs and bassinet. Tim's guitar for lullaby's and a soft, fluffy rug.

You could say I am nesting. I've spent a great deal of time going to Target, organizing, cleaning, arranging and rearranging the nursery, because I can never get things right the first time. Case in point suspending this bike from the ceiling was no easy task. Having my child drift off to sleep with sweet dreams of riding a pink bike is very important.

Note:This bike is not suspended above baby's bed in case of earthquake.

Yesterday, I spent a freakish amount of time and energy going to Target, Henry's, vacuuming, mopping and organizing ~~only to mess up the mopping and eat half the produce today.~~ I organized baby clothing not just by size on the label but actual size. It turns out baby brands participate in psychological sizing too. Anyway, this over the top behavior made me think the baby might actually be coming sooner vs. later and I worked like a woman trying to meet a qualifying time or somebody trying to finish Ironman with no glow sticks when the sun was setting. They say it's hormonal which is true. I also would say that when you are one week from D-day, there's a bit of rationale FEAR that kicks you in the pants. Hello! Does anybody really want to figure out being a first time parent and deal anything else? Seriously, who in their right mind wants to return home with a new baby to a messy home with no food, especially when you know you'll have guests? Seriously is anybody that stupid. I mean it 's different if you are 30 weeks and I know it may seem pregnancy could last forever, but to record PREGNANCY HAS NEVER LASTED FOREVER. At week 39, hormones or common sense?

You are an ICU nurse when you feel compelled to label things just like IV tubing.

Week 38: Looking Ahead: Full Speed Ahead

2011-08-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

Although aqua jogging has proven to be quite a workout. I'm looking forward to when I can run again. Thanks to my foot it won't be until post partum. Call me a princess but after months of running with extra poundage I can't wait to run with a little less load. People voice many concerns about running postpartum, ~~with no disrespect I am a bit tired if hearing it actually.~~ I am not all that concerned, if I have a postpartum issue that makes running not possible it will be self evident. I don't think I need tons of warnings for something that will render itself obvious. I plan to just deal with what is. This may sound bratty but after months of running with increasing load I feel entitled to attempt running as soon as I feel healthy enough and have the energy to try.

I realize there are some concerns: The Bebe

Baby out of the womb and on Board the stroller.

I am really looking forward to running with Baby in the BOB.

The concern would be BOB recommends not running with the stroller until the baby is 6 months. The car seat adapter is not bolted in place, ~~BOB does not want to get sued by people who fail to secure the car seat into the stroller,~~ however it is safe for walking? The infant adapter is quite secure and I feel the baby will be just fine. Sadly, I ....do.....not .....run ....fast.... enough to worry the car seat may eject itself. People voice concerns about head and neck stability. First, that is what the car seat adapter is designed for. It provides proper fit with head and neck support. I personally know teenagers that were placed in running strollers as infants with no adapter. If you ask the parents the only problem they have today is that they are teenagers. Tim did two long rotations at Children's Hospital, while there he worked many, many, many, many, many, many, many,many hours. He saw lots of children/infant orthopaedic issues. He saw zero head and neck injuries from riding in a running stroller. He does have a few things to say about the safety of tightly swaddled hips.

I am fairly convinced the BOB stroller is a more plush ride than my 1999 Mazda. If for some reason running with a baby in the stroller is a concern I do have an EE Treadmill. I call it EE, for excuse eliminator. Seriously it works. Tim and I don't use it too much because it is a great motivator to run in the rain, cold, dark, you name it. We bought it used for $300 and it has been worth every penny. As you can imagine a $300 treadmill is very basic. No TV , no bells or whistles. Guess what? In about a month it will be a state of the art Alter G treadmill since my last run on land had me at 29 lbs above baseline. Tim lost 5 lbs because we went off cookies so it's an Alter G treadmill for him too.

The alter G treadmill allows you to run at a percentage of your body weight.

Fatigue Factor

If I had a penny for every time I was told to sleep when the baby sleeps I'd be rich, rich, rich!I respect I will be tired. It sounds as though babies sleep a lot during the day though ;) I have "a limited time only offer" to run on a luxurious alter G treadmill and I may be motivated to run during one of those naps and through fatigue.

After all the limited time offer to run on the Alter G treadmill will expire and then....it's just a treadmill. A lot of new Mom's find time to watch Oprah. I don't own a TV so for me a treadmill trot is the same thing. I am fairly certain my mother did not sleep whenever I slept. My brothers would have burned down the house. Seeing as the house is still standing, I believe she survived without napping every time I did.

The Effects of Pregnancy and Delivery on the Body:

There are a lot of scary rumors about what happens to the female body during delivery. Somewhere somebody came up with a rule that if a woman ran within 6 weeks of giving birth she would be incontinent for the rest of her life. Although, some women do have unfortunate pelvic floor issues post partum. I'm a bit tired of hearing "if you run too soon after delivery you will be incontinent for the rest of your life". Yes, some women have issues and need treatment for this sad but real problem.....but research has proven it was not caused by running. It is just physiological misfortune. Urinary and fecal incontinence have NEVER been proven to be linked to post partum running. Although the latter may be hard to convince you on.

True, he probably wouldn't have crapped his pants if he wasn't out running.

Somewhere a blanket rule of know activity above a walk for six weeks post partum was formed. I have a HUGE amount of respect for heeding the body's needs and an even bigger one to the bonding and developing of feeding schedules with a new baby. I do not believe in blanket recommendations. Besides that, I can name names of people who didn't wait 6 weeks to run (try less than 6 days for a few) and are not, and have never been incontinent. I also deem them to be good parents, in fact probably better parents then if they would have holed their naturally active selves up inside watching TV, weeping while the effects of changing hormones kicked in. To protect their privacy I'll refer to the guidelines set by the Mayo Clinic. I actually worked at the Mayo of Scottsdale when I was a travel nurse and I will say they are top notch. For a full report see below:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-after-pregnancy/MY00477

The skinny is below:

"In the past, health care providers often instructed women to wait at least six weeks after giving birth to begin exercising. The waiting game may be over, however. If you exercised during pregnancy and had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, it's generally safe to begin exercising within days of delivery — or as soon as you feel ready."

I highlighted the uncomplicated. I am optimistic in hoping for the best but also realistic. I would rather focus on the positive, like Kara Goucher running a personal best of 2:24 at Boston this year, 7 months post partum.

What Kara did seems to be nothing new either.

Courtesy of Active.com I learned In 1982, elite runner Ingrid Kristiansen ran a 2:33 marathon and on investigating why it was (for her) so slow, discovered that she was four months pregnant. Oopsie. Four months after giving birth, she won the Houston Marathon in 2:27 and three months later set the women's world record in the London Marathon in 2:21.It is a wonder the pregnancy and post partum police did not arrest her!

I'm also a realistic enough person to know that expectations and plans may have to change based on the reality of the situation. Oh yeah...and don't worry I am not setting unrealistic goal like personally running a 2:40 marathon. I do feel that a lot of goals and hopes in life are naturally limited, There is no use sitting home watching Golden Girls (with a bowl of Golden Grahams in hand that's what I do when I watch TV) thinking I can't return to normal activity because I "might have" a physical complication. I might be healthy as a horse too and wouldn't that be a terrible thing to waste.

There are concerns regarding the stability pelvic region post partum. Orthopedists like to keep things simple and based on my consultation with husband and my review of case reports the advice is simple. Activity as tolerated. Meaning whatever can be tolerated is probably safe. If you have some PSD it will be uncomfortable and one will adjust your activity or seek treatment as needed. Same with coming back from a C-section, one probably will be too uncomfortable to harm healing with activity. When one is able to tolerate the activity the area is probably healed sufficiently.

Anectdotaly speaking, a friend , who is a physical therapist, noted that women who wore slightly too tight skinny jeans post partum improved faster than others with PSD because the too tight jeans functioned as an S1 brace.
Baby Food:

The final concern would be the effect of running on lactation. The Mayo Clinic addresses the subject and it's not much of an issue. Ok, if you are racing and producing lactic acid the milk can taste funny and the baby may not like it. If this is a issue they suggest the good old "pump and dump" immediately post workout then feeding 30 minutes later.

I'm no expert but I what guides me is this thought. Milk in Switzerland tastes better. I wonder why?

American Cow, compare to the mom not allowed to go run, forced into confinement.

Swiss cow, compare to the mom out running and free from confinement.

You decide what is healthy and best for mom and baby.

Week 37: The Aqua Jogger....Really Week 36 and 5/7th's

2011-08-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

I am officially an aquajogger.

The term aqua jog sounds so pedestrian....such a bait and switch!

I will call 36 weeks, 3 days my last maternity run on land. The white flag has been raised. ~~I reserve the right to retract that statement if I am still pregnant past September 9th, in which case you may find me running hills to expedite delivery.~~ As much I enjoyed the "zen" of running throughout my pregnancy Monday's run sort of fell apart. The great part of the run was chatting with my rock star friend Julie. The bad part was my foot started hurting ~~gee and I patiently gave it 4 whole days of rest to heal.~~ The foot wasn't the worst pain in the world but after I stopped to walk for some reason I ~~think my watermelon sized child was squishing an important blood vessel. It wasn't hot, I ate a whole Power bar for breakfast, I didn't feel hungry or bonky, I peed clear 4 times that morning.~~ I became dizzy and I had to sit down in the sand. Dizzy spells are fairly common in pregnant women but this was my first. I started to wonder if maybe it was the day I would give birth. From where we sat we could see lifeguard tower 4 and 5 . We contemplated which tower Julie would run to if indeed it was the day yeah I know it routinely takes 7or 8 hours to even get through the first stage of labor in which going for a walk or to your community pool is recommended and you will not yet be admitted to the hospital but for the appeal of this blog we'll pretend it was possible a lifeguard may have been needed for the delivery. Tower 4 vs tower 5, all lifeguards can't be equal. One might have more birthing experiences than others. We could have chatted all day but the dizziness only lasted about 5 minutes so I guess we'll have to meet like normal people do. After that I had no more issues with dizziness but my foot tightened up. I hobbled for the rest of the day, irritating the other areas of my foot that weren't injured. You know how that goes. Between the dizziness and the inconvenience of limping while trying to organize a nursery, do laundry, water the garden, grocery shop and attending to our duck Petunia I decided that running just wasn't worth it. Let's face it: I outgrew my feet, or at least the right one. Time to quit but.........

Photo from i <3 running.

I was thinking I'd check into the gym and become an ellipticizer and then I thought of aqua jogging. Some people learned it all in kindergarten but I didn't. I'm a late bloomer. I learned all I know via social media: blogs and Facebook. I probably would have continued with my assumption that aqua jogging is more about this....

Thankfully when I commented on Facebook that I was considering trying aqua jogging fellow Facebooker, blogger, and triathlete Mama Simmons commented that she aqua jogged a lot near the end of her pregnancy. She is pretty much a bad a** and looks nothing like the ladies above so I figured it was good enough for me. Then I remembered Beth aquajogging when she had a stress fracture. She was the fastest amatuer runner at Kona. Plus I remember something about Paula Newby Fraser (who won the Ironman one jillion times) only running in the pool for an extended period of time then winning Ironman. Hmm, maybe there is something to this aquajogging.

I tried it and I can see why PNF won the Ironman. For me, it is way harder for me than running on land. In part this was due to one of the master's coaches ~~who also coaches water polo~~ He recognized me and started yelling instructions to me. I'm flailing trying to stay afloat and I hear "If you are going to insist on aqua jogging get it right. Lean back, hips under the shoulder, knees up,up, up! Higher." Just as I'm thinking apparently he forgot I'm pregnant. He yells is baby OK? I say yeah and he says "go, go, go!" I felt safe running on land without wearing a heart rate monitor all the time but I was thinking I needed my heart rate monitor. I would have expected this kind of workout in a Crossfit studio!

Aqua jogging doesn't have the same runners high as land running but there are some pros especially for pregnant people.

Time effectiveness. If you run after swim there is no time wasted showering and changing between workouts.

You are closer to the lifeguards in case you go into labor. ~~Although I hear lifeguards hate aqua joggers for obvious reasons....they have to watch the dork like maneuvers.~~

Less laundry

Less exposure. Seriously, when the baby dropped, so did my belly below the bottom of my shirt, while aqua jogging only my head sticks out.

Time goes by surprisingly fast. Maybe this isn't the case for everybody. When you are as aquatically challenged as I am there is no boredom as you are busy making sure you don't sink

Not drowning is a total body workout
No expensive gear. No need for "big girl" running shoes. You can wear a belt but if you run in the deep end you don't need one. Maybe advanced aqua joggers need a resistance belt but I can't imagine needing to increase my resistance.

No expensive rehab....well at least I haven't found a way to hurt myself yet.

Nobody can accuse you of heel striking
It makes your legs skinny. Well relatively skinny, and probably only if you are pregnant or have vascular issues. Rosanne Barrs legs will likely still be fat when she exits the pool. Like any get thin quick scam it doesn't last long. Vanity yes, but it's pretty nice for an hour.

Week 36: Almost Easy Street

2011-08-12T21:53:00.000-07:00

Week 36: I believe this marks the beginning of the final countdown. 4 weeks to go (plus or minus a few). In case anybody is wondering 37 weeks is term. Officially I only have one more week to worry about preterm labor. Originally it was my goal in terms of fitness and athletics to make it to week 36 running or riding and to swim until the end. I have been off the bike since week 29 but running has been great. Of course, I speak in relative terms. Now that I have arrived at week 36, I don't want to quit. In part because maternal running has been linked to euphoria. I will attest, it's too good of a feeling to give up. Swimming is great, but not euphoric. I think I have a need to work up a sweat and I can't feel the sweat in the pool. The number one reason I don't want to quit is illustrated below.

Also part because maternal running has been linked to euphoria. Not to sound like a crack addict, but when I finish a run I feel pretty loopy with happiness and very energetic. Some say it's the glow of pregnacy but I think the glow is potentiated by endorphins. The high last for several hours. I don't think anybody sleeps great in the third trimester but after running and swimming early in the day, it sure feels great just to lie in bed. I will attest, it's too good of a feeling to give up.

I've found a new favorite Facebook site. It's called I <3 running. It's where I got all these pictures. Each day it has a new picture that is pretty cool. Some people ask why I bother to spend so much time training while pregnant when I could be doing other things....like watching TV. I'd have to own a TV. Honestly with the void of not cycling 150-200 miles/week this summer I have plenty of time for other things like blogging, reading, shopping for baby gear. Also in terms of running and swimming I believe in the below.

Seriously, true that! Also, I believe in the below.

Also I am training for something I want more than a sub 4 hour marathon off the bike at Ironman. Although I'd take both: The Super Mom Gene. Yup. They are out there and they are real.

I know you can't train for a gene, but Super Mom's in terms of fitness and athletics do things like wake up at 5:00 a.m.on Saturday, do a two hour long run and shower by 7:30. Wake the kids, get breakfast, whip up cupcakes for whatever birthday party/ celebration is happening that afternoon and get the kids to the soccer field/gymnastics or whatever by 9:00 a.m. Upon arrival to whatever event, the super moms don't need to brag about what they have accomplished. They just chill and agree with all the other moms that they need a Starbucks to keep up with their kids. I know real live Super Moms and I have them on speed dial as well as unlimited texting and e-mail support . The Super Moms also execute the below.

I feel like I've Just Done It Every Day for the past 36 weeks. Magically over the past two weeks I got FASTER in the pool and running and it got EASIER. Once again I speak in relative terms, but swimming and running somehow were easier than they have been for at least three months. Yee Haw. I actually "raced" Tim in the pool last Saturday and I kept up for 50 yards. OK, so I was the only one who knew about the race but that's just a minor detail. He was swimming 1000 yards and didn't know it was a race ~~but he is a guy and everyday is race day for guys.~~ I tried to swim faster than him for 50 yards. I guess some would say "you failed, looser" but whatever. Today was test set day and my 100, 200 and 400M times were about what they were pre-partum and I'm expending the same energy. Sweet!

I think it is due to what is called lightening, the baby has dropped. I didn't realize how much my ability to move my arms and legs was affected by the height of the baby. It is much easier to turn my legs over running this week. In the medical world this means..... dramatic music please, the end is near. I won't most likely be pregnant forever or for as long as elephant. Although, my OB/GYN did say that the baby dropping is not a sign that I would deliver at 37 vs 40 weeks. More just sign that things are starting to move, and I probably wouldn't go to 42 weeks. Whatever, I am just counting my blessings for all that has gone well so far.

Not to discount my blessings but I will publish my one whine....My right foot hurts. It was niggling and over the past 3-4 runs it has become ANGRY. The kind of anger the heats up and doesn't get better if you walk for a minute, stretch, ice, or Tylenol (no ibuprofen for the pregos). I think it's the "terrible, awful" better known as plantar fascitis. Those who don't know me may think who in their right mind goes prancing around wearing high heels (platforms really) and running 25-32 miles/week during weeks 34-35 of pregnancy? Those who know me know would expect nothing less. I never said I was in my right mind anyway. I admit I deserve no pity, but in my defense the high heels were soooooo two weeks ago and the plantar fascitis is so this week. Maybe I should get the high heels back out and try running in them.

I realize I should be mature and not mention this but this is my good luck blog. Every time I have blogged about an injury throughout this pregnancy it has miraculously eased up leaving me grateful yet sheepish. For now I'm behaivng like any other pregnant lady, feet up reading baby books. The Strassburg Sock: Is that German for Sexy Sock?

My husband, the orthopod recommended ~~not running because running isn't as exciting as biking and ecspeically not mountain biking t~~he Hoko One One. Basically Moon Boot Running shoes.

Must admit in my current state running in something that lifted might cause me to do a complete somersault and I can only imagine all the other injuries I would incur from such a drastic change. Of course the patient rationale person I am has scheduled a PT appointment as soon as possible. I have to wait 5 whole days. You'd thing in San Diego there would be PT ER's just for ridiculous triahtletes such as myself. We'd all just march in crying "help, my XXXX really hurts and I need it to be better by tomorrow". If that fails I guess there is always the ellptyical or aqua jogging. I'd like to be back running before the baby is born but I guess that will depend on the cooperation of my foot and when that baby actually comes. Could be any day or could be a lot of days. I have this belief that Baby N loves her daily run and has missed it for the past few days. Once she is born it will be a little while until she is ready for the stroller so if she is a fussy baby we'll know it's because she is wanting to go running:)

Week 35: Showered in Fun and Friends

2011-08-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

This past week was amazing and exciting past week. Tim and I had the opportunity to celebrate the upcoming birth of our first child with many of our great friends.

Celebrating with friends and cutting cake sort of felt like getting married all over again. Preparing to have a child is exiciting in itself. However, it is 100 times more fun to know that your friends and family support you and are happy for you. Never having been a parent, you aren't really sure if you have what it takes to be a good parent.

It's really cool when people express that they are happy and excited for you. It makes you think "Gee, they think we'll be alright as parents, well I guess we'll be alright"

Even though the presence of our friends was more than enough. I must say Baby Girl Neuschwander scored some great gifts. I think I am jealous of her wardrobe and bedding. Hmm, maybe she'll share when she gets older. It's really touching to think of all the caring, generous, and thougtful friends we have. Tim and I feel really lucky to have such great friends nearby as we start parenthood. Seriously, being pregnant is really fun. People are really nice to you ~~minus a few bad apples.~~ In all honesty, I'll be honest....you get special treatment while being pregnant. Just the other day, I was leaving Trader Joes and a random man ( who was not creepy) started loading my groceries into the trunk of my car. So kind! ~~I felt like I was a little bit of a sham since I had just finished a 3000M swim and 6.5 mile run. It pays to shower post workout.~~ I felt a little guilty but on behalf of all the pregnant women, I just smiled and said thanks.

Some of the gifts displayed above. We had too much fun visiting and catching up with everybody that there was no time for traditional activities like shower games and opening of gifts. On second thought there were a few games later, I'm not sure if the name of the game was Diaper Dip or Toddler Toss.

Like any good party, things tended to get wild as the night went on. Usually people with small children leave a function first. We pretty much made all of our frineds through triathlon, so it's the opposite. All those without small children have to get to bed early to recover from one day of training and prepare for the next.

Tim, the prankster squirts Spencer with a squirt gun. Soon after all the Dad's were in the pool tossing their children into the air.

Later that week I attended shower number two.

It was hosted by my coworkers. I am spoiled or maybe Baby N is loved!

Words can not express the amount of gratitude I feel for the support we have received.

San Diego sticks to the theme "Fun in the Sun"

It was 95 degrees in Poway and everybody went swimming. The pool was really nice!

It's one thing to swim at masters in a non maternity suit. It's another to swim at your baby shower. I am sure Miss Manners wouldn't approver. However, as my fellow nurses pointed out....There really is nothing they haven't seen before. True that and in lieu of heat stroke I jumped in. Ok, I waddled in.

I just read that optimum timing for maternity shots is 30 weeks, before the belly has "popped". Well too late for that. You get the pop shot.

Week 34: Sickies Of The Sea. Aka: Family Swim Day

2011-07-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today was the 30th Annual Sickies of the Sea.The day the UCSD masters swim program ditches the pool and hits the sea. The quest is to swim the three mile round trip from La Jolla Cove to the Scripps Pier and back.

There were swells and I am soft (not just in the middle). The swells were big but neither Tim or I were big on the volunteered to navigate the family to the 1/2 mile buoy instead. Upon return to the cove we decided the celebration of the Cove Pier Cove shouldn't be over just yet so we ran back to the pier. Fun!

Week 33.5: Called Out

2011-07-25T22:02:00.000-07:00

My husband called me out on the grounds that my blog has become seriously boring. "After all, we all know it is not only safe, but healthy to maintain fitness while pregnant." ~~Note to husband: some of us were not on epic mountain bike camping trips this weekend and had time to read.~~ Clearly they don't ask him about the safety of his workout regiminen.

Tim at 33 weeks pregnant: Seriously forget the term "We're pregnant" It doesn't apply.

Nor do they ask him whether he has kept his heart rate less than 140 beats per minute. Oh and I am certain they have not asked him if his doctor knows all he is doing? Like what submit a daily report of a training log. Last I checked I was asked to keep a kick count not a training log. Reading training logs is not the job of OB?GYN's. No, I don't think most doctors care about that, except maybe the doping doctors who help top athletes cycle their drugs like Epo and HGH. Clearly that is not the path I am on. Apparently questions regarding his workouts can be answered with one sophisticated term such as epic, rad, or sick.

If I hear one more time how someone's friend is a really good runner, in perfect health, and was told by her doctor to keep her heart rate less than 140 (for nine consecutive months) so her friend wasn't allowed to run during pregnancy due to heart rate description I may explode. I try to be politically correct and respectful of this persons choice of a physician but I want to scream: Your friends doctor is a quack or she has health issues she did not choose to disclose with you. I wouldn't dare say, but I can't help but think, maybe this person isn't that good of runner after all, or maybe she doesn't want to run. Seriously, I would go on further regarding this subject according to my husband (~~who isn't questioned on the subject)~~ everybody already understands the subject.

Tim and Petunai :A doctor and a quack!

Tim says I should write about something more exciting that pregnancy and exercise. Well, let's see I don't have any wild drinking stories to share or any race reports. Work is pretty boring to so I guess that leaves me with ...the duck.

Let's hope this isn't my future:

Seriously. That is a duck...on a leash.... outside of Vons.....in Pacific beach. Whoa, that is a lot to take in. Duck, leash, PB, all in one sentence. I guess we are not the only ones with a pet duck. So anyway in the Petunia chronicles, the ultimate practice for parenthood. Petunia made another poor choice. She snuck out and wound up in a strange guys bath tub. If that's not the road to becoming an Amy Winehouse I don't know what is. We trusted her to play in the garden and she made her way under a fence and into a neighbors driveway. A neighbor recognized her as Tim's duck (~~He's now slightly embarrassed to be known as the Dr with a duck).~~ The neighbor not knowing how else to entertain a duck until he found us let Petunia splash around in his bath tub. On second thought, maybe the duck is not all that boring.

Week 33: Don't Call Me a Waddler

2011-07-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

While attempting to run I do not waddle. I prefer to think of it as the hippy, hippy shake. Don't ask me what it looks like from behind. I now believe that I'm not getting slower in my pace. No it couldn't be. It's that the satellites the Garmin uses to calculate my pace simply do not side the side to side ground I cover with each forward stride ;)

I'm sharing all my findings so others can use them when the time comes and so I can remember for future references. I have way better things to do than keep a private journal and a blog. So here is what I learned yesterday when I forgot my socks: it was actually a good thing and for the first time in a long time I didn't get cramps in my toes or arch or any numbness in my foot. Yee Haw. Also, running after swimming is really nice because the pool helps get a little of the pudge out of your feet. That pudge/swelling can make your feet really stiff and it translates to an even more awkward stride.The feet can ache like they have the flu.

Last night I came across this article. Yeah I know, I should go to bed and stop reading about running and go running earlier but it would have helped me to know some these things earlier, so I share. The part that says the relative comfort of a run may be dictated by the relative position of the baby is very, very helpful. My baby is rather mobile and not locked into one position yet so I think I have experienced all of these positions so it was nice to understand what causes what.

Ok so it's circa 1997 but I enjoyed so I share. I highlighted and enlarged the important parts. Nerd. O~~k so I know some people are gouging there eyes out with boredom. Oh well.~~

Dynamic Duo - Running in Pregnancy
by Elaine Cooper

First published in Australian Runner and Athlete magazine - March/April 1997

So you're halfway and still running through your pregnancy. Well done! If you're a serious runner you may be feeling daunted and doubtful you will survive the process. Perhaps its those psychological 'molehills' that are becoming more mountainous?
While some may enjoy the attention, for most it takes courage and a healthy dose of confidence to run around your neighbourhood with a burgeoning belly. Sometimes a rhino's exterior is called for to help you cope with the barrage of comments, stares and outright disapproval. Prepare handy comments for a quick counter attack. Other tactics are to run with friends or to get up a little earlier to avoid an audience. Wearing baggier clothes is useful but you reach a stage where you can't find a circus tent big enough to hide 'the bulge'.
As the weight factor increases, you may find your musculoskeletal system starts to creak and groan. A common complaint is sharp knife-like stitches in the sides of the lower abdomen. They are often worse in the beginning of a run and may be sufficiently intense to stop you running. Try stretching away from the pain and walking until the stitch eases. Crouching down may also help. The pain has been attributed to the internal uterine ligaments adjusting to the load of the growing uterus and baby. The low back muscles may also be implicated. In this case mobilisation and massage often provide exquisite relief.
Changes in your running style will become evident, especially after you lose sight of your toes. Knee lift and stride length will suffer. Forefoot strikers usually end up 'flat-footers' under the influence of an increasing load. If you're also a bike rider use this alternate form of exercise to help preserve the strength of hip and leg muscles. If the quadriceps muscles decline in strength this may aggravate knee problems in some runners. Weight training may also be a used to maintain the strength and endurance of these muscles. Try to avoid the 'peanut posture', resisting the urge to let the pelvis tip forward and the stomach sag. Abdominal strength should be a priority before and after pregnancy. In the later months some runners use a light weight maternity girdle to provide additional support especially for the low back.

The hormone oestrogen will soften ligaments throughout the body, increasing joint laxity and this can be a potential problem for runners. Weight-bearing areas prone to stretch and inflammation in later pregnancy are the -iliac joints and the symphysis pubis. Take pity on your feet, choosing heavier training shoes to provide more cushioning. Shock absorbing insoles are also useful. You may also require additional support for your breasts. This can be an exciting discovery for flat-chested runners - but be warned, it doesn't last. After breast-feeding you often find you're left with bigger craters than before. Having a larger bust may strain the muscles between your shoulder blades. Exercising these muscles daily with a rowing machine or as shown in figure 1 may provide some relief.

The position of the baby may dictate the relative comfort of a run. When the baby lies across your pelvis (transverse) your 'load' can feel huge as if it is spilling from the pelvis. The internal side-ways swing of the baby may reduce your style to an awkward, waddling gait. A baby lying in breech may leave you gasping for air as !the head projects up into the diaphragm and practically out your throat. The head-down position is probably the most comfortable although you may find one leg aches or becomes numb if there is pressure on pelvic nerves or arteries. If the baby's head has engaged you may receive shooting nerve pains that feel like electric shocks and the bladder can receive a battering. Sometimes pelvic floor muscles become fatigued during a run leaving you with an aching, throbbing pain in this region. Lie down to take the strain from the area.

As the euphoria of trimester two merges into the fatigued-state of the last trimester you may find running increasingly difficult. Try adjusting the duration and intensity of your runs or choose another exercise if you feel too slow and cumbersome. As 'the day' approaches, aches and pains may become more noticeable and Braxton-Hicks contractions can increase in frequency and strength. Tell someone where you'll be running and for how long. Don't venture too far away.
Many studies have been done on the type of labour experienced by physically trained women. Unfortunately the first stage of labour seems unaffected by physical fitness. However the second and third stages (pushing the baby and placenta out) may be shortened and facilitated by fitness, possibly due to the stronger abdominal and pelvic musculature and endurance capacity of athletes. There also seems to be evidence to support quicker recovery of athletes post-natally.

Assuming you're safely through the ordeal of labour and you and your partner are the proud parents of a potential Olympian... congratulations! You're now ready to leap from the bed and commence your path back to full fitness. Right? Unfortunately your lucky if you can make it to the shower on foot. What happened to that fitness you fought so long and hard for over the past nine months? Exhaustion, weakness, discomfort and depression are common feelings in the first week, which isn't surprising. Blood loss, hormonal fluctuations, emotional upheavals, episiotomies, lacerations, sleep loss, breast engorgement...you name it. They can make you feel like you're in the grip of a bad flu. Return to physical activity is dependent on factors such as your recovery from labour/Caesarean section, fatigue, stress, availability of help, complications, your baby and motivation.
The following table gives you an approximate idea of how long it takes for your physiology to revert back to the non-pregnant state:

Cardiovascular system - 2 weeks.
Abdominal tone - 6 weeks.
Joints & ligaments -12 weeks plus.
Lochia (bleeding) - 3 weeks.
Urinary tract - 8 weeks.
Episiotomy - 2 weeks.

Childbirth, like any major life event is fraught with turmoil and taking you to surprisingly new highs and lows and perhaps broadening your outlook, just a little more by showing you other dimensions beyond running.
Good luck!

Week: 32.5 Fit Pregnancy

2011-07-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

People are starting to ask me questions about fitness, training , and pregnancy. I am not a pro athlete nor have I given birth yet but this article from endurance expert Gordo Byrn's Endurance Corner sums up my outlook and goals during pregnancy.

I differ from the person "Monica" in the article a slight bit because I actually dropped out of yoga upon becoming pregnant, where as she dropped off the bike. Yes....I'm a yoga flunky, not because I have anything against yoga during pregnancy but I figured I should cut back my training hours some and something had to give. Also because swimming, biking, and running felt more important to me and are free. Hot yoga is about $90/month for unlimited and worth the money if you really do go. I can only go 4 days a week due to my work schedule. I knew I would have to modify a lot in yoga due to pregnancy. The thought of paying money to sit on my mat in child's pose while the rest of the class got to do handstands had no appeal to me. In the beginning I rode my bike as much as possible, thinking my days would be numbered. I stopped riding at 28 weeks. I took a few days off with the cold and returned to swimming and running. I was starting to become slightly uncomfortable, unclipping and putting my foot down upon stopping sort of made my missing abdominal muscles twinge. I will confess that the thought of falling influenced my aversion to the bike. More so, was not that I thought I would fall, but I confess it bothers me/make me feel guilty that so many others were worried I would fall. If I really wanted to ride I could spin on the trainer or go to spin class but I am having plenty fun swimming and running. Honestly, with a changing body/center of gravity, it's nice to reap the benefits of frequency and efficiency. This is easier to do with two sports vs three or four with yoga. I love hot yoga but I felt like if I was sweating while out running followed by sweating in hot yoga that might be too much. While there is a lot of literature and research supporting exercise during pregnancy there aren't clear guideline on how much is too much. I guess that because it depends on where the individual starts.

The other main difference between Monica and I ~~except that she is 5'9 and skinny and only gained 26 pounds. I will be gaining more than that. :)~~ is that she focused on "no zeroes". Exercising everyday. I totally think this is the way to go if you work 8 hours days or are a stay at home mom. . I work from 6:30 am until 7:00 pm (but usually 7:30-8:00 pm) three days a week. I leave for work at 6:00 am get home when the work is done usually around 8:00 p.m., at which point I haven't had dinner yet. While training for Ironman I often ran after work, while pregnant my legs are kind of trashed after standing all day ~~not quite kankles but you get the idea~~ . I felt it more important to get dinner, get organized for the next days activities whether it be work or sport (pack the lunches or the gear) and get to bed. This is a great schedule for having a lot of days off to train I just log "zeroes"on work days and multiple work out on the four days I have off a week. At first I felt guilty about doing more than one workout a day, but I had the energy to do more. It's my life style and the baby was growing fine. I have titrated my activity up with the tolerance of those two things. They talk about cluster feeding babies in the afternoon and evening so they sleep through the night. I "cluster train" . Of note, I cut back my running a smidge. I was doing 30miles a week over my 4 days of running but last week and this week I capped my runs around 6.5 miles as I think an hour or so of running at this point is enough. I realize my form is altered and i don't want to end up with a nagging injury post partum when I really could be "running". The reduction in running volume just keeps me honest about getting to the pool all 4 days. ....no " I did a long run" excuse. Other than those differences I feel very much like this Monica person, who I know nothing about. I'm guessing she is a higher level athlete than me, but you get the jest. Thanks to Gordo Byrn's for writing this article and for more good articles click here: http://www.endurancecorner.com

On October 14th, Monica gave birth to our daughter Alexandra (she's the one in the photo above). Seeing as I'm the writer in the family, I will share some observations across the last ten months.

We have all heard stories about massive weight gain during pregnancy. I've heard stories of women gaining up to 80 pounds across their pregnancies. Listening to these tales, many women must wonder if large amounts of baby weight are the norm. Do I have to become huge, to have a healthy baby? Monica's experience might be relevant to you.

Before we start with the pregnancy, I want to mention a little bit about the year before the pregnancy. When you look at the athletes racing in Kona, or ITU Worlds, you will see that most participants are optimized for performance, rather than personal health. In fact, I'd guess that many very fast elite athletes (male and female) would have trouble conceiving when they are peak athletic condition.

Monica didn't ride and focused her training on swimming, running and yoga. She was in excellent health and physical condition. While we were trying to conceive, she kept both the volume, and intensity, of her program. She didn't do much fast running but she would swim fast three times per week.

Monica's main worries prior to getting pregnant:

I will lose my body
I will lose fitness
I won't be able to do anything
I will get slow and never recover

I can relate to those concerns -- I share many of them every October and November!

The good news is you can maintain your body, your health and, most surprisingly, your fitness. Here's how she did it.

No Zeros -- Monica did some form of physical activity every single day, for her entire pregnancy - even the day her water broke. This performance was a lot better than Dad's record!

While our medical advice was not to commence a fitness program when you get pregnant, all our doctors said that it was OK to maintain a fitness program through pregnancy. Monica's doc also noted that there isn't much practical knowledge about pregnancy and the endurance athlete.

The warnings boiled down to:

Don't let your body overheat;
Stay well hydrated;
Don't get out of breath (steady effort, or lower); and
Listen to your body.

Monica read the blogs of athletic moms like Bree Wee and Paula Radcliffe -- seeking to learn from their experience. She also consulted with coaches of elite female triathletes to learn from their experience. Something that came out of that research is the risk of stress fractures that result when moms come back too quickly. We received a lot of warnings about late term and postpartum running.

While most people talk about trimesters, looking from the outside, I noticed shifts closer to ten week blocks within M's 40-week pregnancy.

First ten weeks -- hormonal changes, mainly impacted mood and appetite. Monica was lucky in that her cravings were fresh fruit (rather than sugar/starch) related.

Second ten weeks -- feeling much better, moderated volume and intensity with attitude of baby-comes-first.

Third ten weeks -- pregnancy starts to show, pubic bone discomfort at 26 weeks, stopped running at 30 weeks, shifted to the elliptical trainer 2x per week.

Final ten weeks -- months of high frequency swimming left her very economical in the water, some high volume swim weeks, hiking started around 34 weeks, elliptical reduced to 1x per week.

Here's a great stat... total swim distance across the pregnancy... 908,600 meters. Average weekly volume was 14 hours and 45 minutes (includes yoga & cross training but not mellow walks with me). That average volume was down from 19-23 hours per week before conception.

The most surprising thing for me was that across her third trimester, Monica had returned to a level of aerobic swim economy that was on-par with where she was preconception.

To sum up Monica's focus:

Pre-pregnancy -- health, not race fitness
During pregnancy -- baby comes first, no zeros

The biggest mental challenges Monica faced were:

not stopping;
coping with weight gain;
coping with her body changing; and
coping with peer group response.

There will be days where you feel like everyone wants you to get huge, slow down and be uncomfortable. Those feelings are normal and it helps to know that all pregnant ladies are dealing with them.

If she had to give you one piece of advice with your pregnancy then she would encourage you to remain active, moderately, every day. Also remember that if you plan on breast feeding you'll burn off your baby weight safely and gradually.

+++The birth experience was intense and nothing like either of us expected. We went to "baby school" this summer but nothing can prepare you for the real thing.

All you experienced moms out there... you certainly downplayed the extreme nature of childbirth!6:45pm Sunday (Zero Hour) -- water breaks, contractions start shortly thereafter

+6 hrs -- at the hospital, told cervix is 1-2 cm dilated

+15 hrs -- Monica's OB/Gyn gives an exam and notes that cervix is 1 cm dilated -- previous exam was incorrect; drug inserted to help cervix along

+18 hrs -- full blown labour gets going, strong contractions happening up to 2:30 min apart

+23 hrs -- another exam; disappointing news; uterus is ahead of cervix; only 2cm dilated; facing another 12 hrs of labour M opts for epidural

+24 hrs -- epidural kicks in with three hours of pain relief and relative comfort

+29 hrs -- pain relief gone; M feeling pretty strung out and ragged; doctor recommends sleeping pill to enable M to sleep; doesn't force it but strongly recommends

+30 hrs -- M waives off sleeping pill; gets anaesthetist to refresh the epidural;

+31 hrs -- another three hours of pain relief; a couple of short naps; makes a huge difference

+34 hrs -- pain relief wanes; good news that M is 8.5 cm dilated (one needs to get to 10 cm)

+35 hrs -- pretty extreme pain through transition; M starts pushing; has to pause because she nearly pushes the baby out before the doctor can get to the room

+35:30 hrs -- childbirth!Things that surprised us:
The extreme amounts of pain -- likely magnified by duration of labour and lack of sleep. Picture the most despair your have ever seen in an athlete... this didn't even come close! I'm guessing that you'd only see close having to watch young people die or see people broken via torture. It's a good thing that babies are so cute!
The main thing that surprised me (M didn't see) was the large amount of blood that came out after the birth -- between the placenta and the blood, there was a bucket full of post-baby-bits. Didn't freak me out but it certainly got my attention.
Tips for the guys:
Being in the room, and supportive, provides a HUGE opportunity to strengthen your marriage. In life, we only get a few opportunities to demonstrate character. Child-birth is a total-body experience for your wife, being able to share that can create a deep bond. She will always remember if you were there for her.
Besides, after you watch, you'll spend the rest of your life grateful that your wife is handling the birthing part of the relationship. Blew my mind!
Back next week,
gordo

Week 32: Make A Splash!

2011-07-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Apparently this morning I caused quite a splash. Before I start this story I want to state I am not at all wounded or offended by this experience. Quite the opposite, I am grateful for the good laugh. This morning I went to swim like I usually do unless I am working a 12 hour shift or for some reason (laziness) decided to run first and go to noon swim. I am not the only pregnant women at UCSD masters. We all know who is pregnant as at some point it becomes obvious, but also there is usually an announcement from the coach as he tries to participate in the naming of the child. For example Dolphina has been suggested for Baby Neuschwander.

In fairness, Friday's are a bit atypical as Lane 1 is closed for private lessons. The lane assignment usually goes from fast to slow, east to west. On Friday, the lane assignment is reversed. Anyway, of late I usually swim in the second to slowest lane. However, today that lane was full of the people I swam the same pace as 32 weeks ago so I swam in the slowest lane. I am not a fast swimmer, have never been. Not to pull excuses but now is my chance. I have short arms, ostrigoneums (extra bones in the ankle joint) and general lack of skill, talent, and aptitude in water (not snow) sports. Oh and currently I carry around an extra passenger and all her luggage (placenta, amniotic fluid, yada yada) I am full of excuses. Knowing I am not the fastest fish in the sea I try not to slow anybody down.

This morning there were 3 people in my lane. It's long course masters. That's 3 people sharing 100 meters. I usually offer to go last and only on rare occasions, as in my lane mate is wearing fins and swimming freestyle while we are assigned backstroke, do I get lapped. This morning one of my lane mates accepted the lead position and the other insisted on going last. She said she was slow, and tired. She insisted I take the middle spot. The lane leader was clearly confused on the set, and was doing the wrong stroke at the wrong time. It didn't matter to me as I was not colliding with him and the girl behind me was falling further behind. Soon she was gone. I didn't think anything of it. People change lanes and leave early quietly all the time.

This time apparently it wasn't so quiet, as witnessed by good friend Julie. Apparently, my being 32 weeks pregnant startled this woman. Ok, I admit sometimes my abdomen startles me. She swam into the lane that would normally be one slower, except we were the slowest lane. The lane she swam into was closed for private lessons. It was announced no less than 10 times. She began backstroking down the middle of the lane. She collided with the student in private lessons. The coach announced yet again the lane was closed except for those in private lessons. she needed to move over a lane. She yelled "There is a pregnant woman in my lane!" I believe his response was "Yes, we do let them swim" or something along those lines.

In all fairness there are a lot of pregnant women right now, in general and at Masters. I can think of two other pregnant swimmers at Masters (one is 38.5 weeks and came to Masters later that morning), plus two just had babies. Maybe she thought preganancy was contagious. People do say it's "in the water". However, in southern California most of us are educated and a bit more advanced then that type of thinking. She might want to educate herself and act more appropriately. . ~~Secretly I hope she doesn't. I get a kick out of people who make fools of themselves like that, Bad me!~~

Petunia made a splash this week too nealry drowning in her water cup. Good thing Tim and I were able to warm her with the hair dryer. Another harrowing brush with death for Petunia. Parenting a duck is tough.

Week 31: Welcome Petunia

2011-07-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

Life is full of unexpected surprises. Sunrise, July 4th Tim was on his way to round on his patients when he stumbled upon ~~nearly ran over~~ a duckling attempting to cross 4 lanes of traffic and an elevated median on Soledad Mtn Road. After observing two other cars nearly smashing the duckling he decided to help duckling out of the road. Tim rescued the duck so I insisted he name her. We don't really know if it is a she or a he. We won't know until her feathers come in. Tim decided she is a girl, and her name is Petunia. As in Petunia Picklebottom, the designer diaper bag line.

There was no mama duck to be found and the duckling was maybe a day old at best. A prime target for a cat or coyote (yes, we have those in the city). Duckling showed motivation to live ~~beyond most of our patients~~ but would likely not make unless she had some protection. Without much time to think about what we would actually do with the duck Tim brought the duckling home and made her a little nest.

The next day after my swim and run I headed a bit further north to Del Mar and headed to Mary's Feed Shop and bought duck feed. 25 lbs of duck feed to be exact. Hope the duckling is hungry.

The next few days I had to work and Petunia had to stay inside in her rubbermaid home all day because if left out a cat or possum (yes we have those too in the city) would surely eat her. I felt bad for Petunia, sitting inside all day as her favorite thing to do is walk in the garden and eat bugs, so I bought her a bird cage. At least she can eat bugs while we are at work. I wanted to get her a bigger cage but they are expensive and she would fit through the slats and escape so that all she gets for now.

Not sure how Petunia got separated from her Mama but I'm guessing she doesn't make the best choice in regards to safety. On day #1 at Casa Neuschwander, Petunia decided to escape between the slats in the fence bordering our garden. It's a 5 foot drop. Luckily she weighs nothing. Tim used his rock climbing skills for the rescue but thankfully didn't have to reduce any fractures. You can fairly argue our Casa is no life for a duck but then again neither is Soledad Mtn Road.

Tim gives Petunia strict instructions on not escaping through the slats again. What a bird!

When Petunia's flight feathers come in she will be released to Mission Bay Park or Paradise Point where tourists can feed her and she can swim away from predators.

Week 30:Weddings and Celebrations

2011-07-02T22:30:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was my good friend Tina's wedding. She and her husband Matt were married at Balboa Park. It was beautiful, very special, and super fun. Tina's probably the most balanced well rounded person I know. She and her husband did a triathlon that morning. Tina has a doctorate in psychology, a full time job, is active in the triathlon club, plays beach volleyball and......hosts multiple fabulous parites! I think we all feel lucky to be her friend. Congrats to Tina and Matt!

Another highlight of the wedding was getting to see a lot of my friends in one place, dressed up. Denise, Stacy , Jess....just a few of the great girls.

Group shot of the great girls. It blows my mind to think I have known most of them since 2006. Wow how life has changed since our first encounters. Sometimes I get lazy about blogging and think I have nothing worth writing, but pics like this really make me remember how quickly things change and time passes. It sure is fun looking back at the pictures and reading the stories.

The guys cleaned up pretty well too!

Tim, M _Y_K2 the L (other wise known as Michael), Paul and Phil.

Funny thing, when I joined the tri club and started dating Tim those boys swam together. My friend Katie swam in their lane and gave me the low down. She said the one concern about Tim and his crowd (Paul and MyK to the L) was that they were "very serious". 5 years later this statement makes me laugh so hard I sometimes cry. They dish out insults to each other like the cafeteria dishes out hash. They are serious about..... talking smack to each other. When I ride with them I will ride harder to keep up just so I can hear them razz each other.

One of the boys got in the picture with the girls. We let him hang. You see the good thing about MyK2 the L is that he is always willing to draw attention to himself (good or bad,whatever it takes) to help out a friend. He sort of expeditied the dating process between Tim and I when we first met by hooking us up for a bike ride in a way neither of us had any way out of or anything to loose.

Tim is very, very happy to be photographed in his frogskin sunglasses. They make him happy. I'll admit, with a sigh, they are not so bad after all. I will also admit, my dress looked a helk of a lot better last weekend. Win some , loose some. ~~Burn some pictures~~ I guess you can grow a lot in a week. What do I know anyway? This is my first time in the third trimester. I'm such an amatuer. I'll just pass on my mistakes so nobody else has to make them. If you care, which not everybody does, you might want to photograph yourself before you go out and check that your outfit really does look ok this week. I'm sure I was really busy at the time ~~surfing facebook and reading blogs.~~ I didn't leave myseilf enough time to get ready.Oh dear!

As week 30 approached I was a little worried thinking maybe......

I think during pregnancy one grows and one stretches and sometimes it takes longer to stretch than grow. Monday's post swim run was a bomb. I couldn't stop feeling like I had to pee, I got bilateral side stitches and my right foot cramped terribly and fell asleep yet still was cramping. Not that this was harm to the baby, it just wasn't working. I took off my shoe for a bit, which was quite a chore as I had to sit on the ground to do so. Ugh, ugh, ugh. Doomily and gloomily I trudged back to campus a bit of an E-ore trying. I tried be a Positive Polly thinking there is the ellyptical at the gym and I could put the handle bars up hihg on a spin bike. Of course, the Negative Nancy in me was arguing "I don't want to go to the gym, it's nice outside" . The next day I felt like I was outgrowing my rib cage and my spine, the space in between the bones felt stretched beyond the limit. The next day it was a bit better.

I have no idea why I would feel that way based on the above picture:) The next day was better so of course I decided to give running another chance. Low and behold it turned out to be spectacular, thanks to Julie shared great conversation as we had an awesome beach run. We ran the beach from the base of Torrey Pines to Del Mar. If you go early enough in the day there is enough shoreline to run on firm sand. I highly recommend this run to all prego runners, there are no cars once you are on the beach, if you fall it would be in to the sand which is softer than concrete or pavement, it's flat, there are no curbs, and if you felt over heated there is this blue body of water to your side, and there is good conversation....oh sorry I can't guarantee you of that. You'll have to get your own friends and make your own conversation if you are not already a friend of mine. Anyway with 10K in the bank I couldn't wait for the next day's run.

Awesome! Mission Beach Boardwalk Saturday am. I treated it like a "spa treatment" and stopped a few times at drinking fountains to splash water all over my face, not that I was overheating, cool water just feels luxurious. I logged another infamous cheat mile. Arriving back to my home I had half a glass of mango juice (beats another gel) doused myself in cold water and headed out for the final mile. 1/2 of which is downhill, then I run half mile flat, then I stop the Garmin and walk home. See, I totally turned my run into a spa like ordeal. Heaven is pictured below!

After that it was celebration time! Wahoo, it is the 4th of July weekend. I was pretty exicted as I didn't have any trouble the past two days running so Monday must have been a growing pain day or a fluke. Also, I am over as in OVER, that darn cold and my energy is back. I also was able to expend a little energy on a victory dance. I accomplished a goal that I was hoping for but had written off after last weeks cold and Monday's debacle. I logged 30 miles of running to start off week 30 . I also managed three pool swims and 1 ocean swim (but ignored my bike this week) .

Maybe I am the comeback kid . I am actually told to line up the comebacks for the last trimester. It's when people's remarks go from tacky to rude. As far as my minor setbacks, I see the world like this: as Anne of Green Gables once said "Each Day Starts Fresh and Clean With No Mistakes" and as a great runner/athlete (aka Beth) "Keep Calm and Carry On"

And on that note it's past my bed time and I work tomorrow. No sympathy for me being tired at work if I blow bed time blogging.

Happy 4th of July

Week 29: Counting Down

2011-06-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

Photo from last weekends ortho graduation and a 28 week old bump. Sorry that the full effect of the bump is diminished by the collision with Tim's blazer. Don't worry, I'll redo the picture for week 29 by re-wearing the dress.

To those thinking of becoming pregnant, I'm share this secret, and you need to write this down. Until about month 5 you won't look that pregnant. I admit, on Easter Sunday, it was a real task finding something to wear that actually looked like it was for Sunday morning service, not left over from Saturday night and serving as the Sunday morning walk of shame outfit. I live in PB, I know how these things work. Your clothes might fit but you will probably feel that you don't look pregnant you just look funny and thick and funky. Stretchy fabrics will not look great. In fact, they'll probably look dumpy. Don't go out and spend all your hard earned money on maternity wear, save it for running shoes, running skirts, shorts and pedicures. You'll be more inclined to run with cute comfortable running clothes and they are practically free in the sizes you can find on clearance at Road Runner. How can you quit with all of those cute running clothes ~~in a size that should not fit post partum.~~ With the occassional pedicure as reward for running, you will likely be less bothered by the fact that you feel like you have to pee while running and things that chafe. True, everybody is different, but I bet I am not all that different than a lot of other females after all.

In 2-4 weeks, you will pop out in the middle and lose the "I ate too much spaghetti or drank to much beer belly look" and become obviously pregnant. At this point all things with stretch again will fit, as long as they are long enough. You'll loose some of the garments length up with your width. ~~That being said save a little bit of money for a new bra.~~ Anyway, clothes that didn't look wearable at week 20 may work at week 30. Who'd have thunk it? Unless you want a new wardrobe, than knock yourself out. You'll need a few things, but seriously things with stretch, stretch a long way.

Now that it's been a week I'm starting a countdown:

11 months (plus three weeks):
until Tim actually graduates from Ortho residency and we don't have to sit in the corner for graduation.

11 weeks: until Baby N is due

11 days: I've have this cold (from hell).

Actually it might be 12 now, but I've stopped counting. Which makes me realize that my 5th grade teacher was wrong about the common cold lasting 7 days, and believe me I tried the home remedies. My 4th grade teacher was correct, my biggest test in life would be having enough patience.

Week 28: Skinny Cow

2011-06-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I'm starting week 28 with a cold. The common cold is no big deal. It's just annoying. I shouldn't complain as I don't get sick much. I'm not a patient patient though. Especially since I have a self imposed quota of weekly miles I won't be logging like this week. More importantly this stupid virus has interrupted my scheduled therapy/gossip/ catch up sessions otherwise known as bike rides. Annoying to me and my riding partners.

Despite all the good words for vitamin C, zinc, and fluids, ecchinesa, Netti pots, and what ever else. I confess I believe in what my 5th grade teacher told me, unless I have an important race within 3 days of the cold....then I believe in all of those things. The common cold takes one week. No matter what you do, it will be around for a week, then it will be no more.

Usually I try to train through a cold but since I have to carry one of my training partners I decided it might be too much and I would focus on treating the symptoms. I'll get back to running as soon as possible. I know, I know I said the chance of a comeback in running while pregnant are slim but I'll just have to give it my best shot.

I'm looking at this more like an athlete than a nurse. I'm viewing my throat as a sprain. In addition to Tylenol, which is safe during pregnancy and works wonders, there is the need to ice the injury. If I sprained my ankle I'd ice it, right? So I made it a point to ice my throat. I mean it would be negligent not to. May I recommend a "Skinny Cow's" Fudge-cicle

Only 100 calories in each and they taste delicious. They are actually big and contain no aspartame, which is ill advised during pregnancy based on the whole cancer in rats findings. No high fructose corn syrup, which make rats lazy amongst other things. Making rats lazy is enough to deter me, although sometimes I forget to check a label and accidentally buy something with HF CS. Some of the Skinny Cows other products do have high fructose corn syrup, but the fudgecicle is flawless. Tim even likes them ~~which prevents me from eating the entire box~~, which prevents me from icing too frequently. Much more effective than the Ricola cough drops I had been using.

Which brings me to the "Skinny Cow". Skinny Cow cracks me up. It's sort of how I view myself . See, I'm realize my middle is quite protuberant yet I don't feel fat. A lot of people have asked how it feels to have a major body change. You might not believe it but, I feel like I'm ....carrying a small child. OK, an infant. Small child is actually an exaggeration, since the baby is only a little over 2 pounds now, but babies have accessories even in the womb, so it's like she's bigger. I just don't spend a lot of time fantasizing about the amniotic sac.

Still, the term Skinny Cow cracks me up. Not sure if that means I have a good self esteem or a good sense of humor. Pregnancy is probably a chance to test both. This week a lady I have seen in passing for years but never exchanged more than a few words said the funniest thing to me. She has a Caribbean type accent. She saw me sitting down and said with her accent "Oh my girl! Are you fat or are you for real? " I cracked up not sure how to answer that question. I was trying not too laugh to hard. It seemed almost impolite as I indeed was laughing at her. I couldn't help imagining the "what if I wasn't pregnant scenarios." I am assuming the "are you for real" meant are you pregnant. Clearly we see things differently, to me if one just up and gained that much girth it would be for real, where as the girth of pregnancy is temporary ~~or should be.~~

I have a big imagination and like to be entertained.This causes pregnancy to suit me. I'm finding pregnancy quite fun. The things people have said, I couldn't make up if I tried. Also, pregnancy is quite fun because it brings out the kindness in people. It's amazing how nice people are to the pregnant lady. I think it's like going back in time. People slow their pace to get a door for you or have a conversation with you when otherwise they would be in too much of a hurry. Total awsomeness indeed.

The other fun part of being pregnant is you can fantasize about what kind of bike your little one might like to ride. Some say she might not want to ride a bike. True, but I believe there is a bike for everyone. Time may prove me wrong but I'm not so sure.

This Is The Life!

2011-06-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

Tim took this picture in an attempt to get back at me for all the embarrassing ones I have posted of him on facebook.

Every family has a classic line they remember. This picture reminds me of when we were camping as kids and my brother Tom exclaimed from the top bunk of the camper "This is the life! A can of soda in one hand and an ice cream bar in the other."

People are always telling me to make sure and take time for myself. It's really sweet of them.Sometimes they even look concerned. It's really sweet, but honestly they should probably put a hand on my shoulder and give it a tight squeeze and say in a stern voice "Honey, have you even thought about what's for dinner and don't you have some laundry to do?" Believe me I do take time for myself and I enjoy life. Honestly what is better that a post run PB&J, while soaking your feet in Epsom salt and surfing the Internet? Total heaven, I tell you.

Not a lot new to report from week 27. Unless you are interested in the story of me scaling a waist high fence by Torrey Pines Golf and Country Club in an emergent search for a rest room. There must have been one hundred eyes on me. Golfers in their pressed polo's and khakis so refined. Quite a sight, pregnant women with run skirt swishing, sprinting past the putting green. I'd say that will be the last time I will eat an entire Powerbar between Masters swim and starting my run but honestly I was hungry and it actually tasted good, so at least now I know where the restroom is.

Pin Board Blog

2011-06-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a very, very boring post but I needed to do some convincing of myself that my lifestyle really is ok. See the doctors encourage you to exercise when your pregnant because it's good for the baby. I feel a little guilty though, because my motivation to exercise is because it makes me feel good. I'm not really sure how the little one feels when I am running and rocking out to Lady Ga Ga. Ok, I've slowed....Gordon Lightfoot's "The Edmund Fitzgerald" is more my pace these days. I imagine she loves it and is excited for me to go swim/bike/run, but that is just my imagination. Also, I am a social creature. I'm fairly certain the best times I've shared with my friends have been on bikes and runs. Even though it's in a limited capacity, I still am able to do these activities with my friends. I read isolation can lead to peri or post partum depression. I don't want to invite that sadness into my life. I left swimming off because you can't talk while you are swimming. Think it's a coincidence that swimming is my weak link? I really do enjoy the locker room and poolside socialization at Master's swim though. I'm trying to take full advantage of the convenient carrying case I have, better known as the bump, because I know post partum swims, bikes, and runs, will be a test in logistics.

I have to admit when anybody questions me on whether I should be doing what I am doing I think twice. I know have selectively surveyed other women who trained while pregnant to hear what I want to her (thanks Julie, Elizabeth, Liz) However, to be more objective and justify things to myself. I'm not going to lie. I'd like to just say it is overweight paunchy men, who brag about how many watts they pull while cycling that hassle me and that I'd drop them if not prego....and some do. Truth is, on a daily basis I question myself. To find answers beyond magical thinking, I went to the National Institute of Health's Public Library better known as Pub Med. No, I didn't do it of Scripp's dime...I did during my recovery periods between workouts. My feet might have even been up, all for the baby's health of course. Pre partum, this kind of Internet surfing was know as wasting time. So here are a few of my favorite studies. I know they are boring to most, but I know of a few cool gals who in due time will be in my running shoes and invite them to reference these. On the converse, if you have trained really hard and want/need a break, that is just fine too.

I made a pin board of studies that support, encourage, and inspire me. Basically it shows exercise is not so much safe as being sedintary is dangerous. Sorry the spacing of the abstracts copied so funny, but it's the best I could do I have allotted so much time on this research I am becoming sedentary.

Building healthier babies & adults for tomorrow.

May L.

Source

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, USA. lmay@kcumb.edu

Abstract

Current studies intimate the fetal cardiovascular and respiratory systems benefit from exercise throughout pregnancy. These changes persist after birth suggesting that exercise exposure has long-term health benefits lasting into adulthood. Individuals exposed to exercise in utero show no signs of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as adults. Considering the pandemic of CVD in the U.S., these findings suggest further research is warranted concerning the effects of exercise during pregnancy on childhood and adult health outcomes.

PMID:: 21462613; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Knowing is believing: information and attitudes towards physical activity during pregnancy.

Cannella D, Lobel M, Monheit A.

Source

Department of General Dentistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8706, USA. dolores.cannella@stonybrook.edu

Abstract

Physical activity is safe for most pregnant women and improves maternal fitness and birth outcomes. Yet, despite evidence of benefit, prevalence rates are low. Research in other populations suggests that attitudes and information are associated with physical activity. We examined the sources and types of information that women receive about physical activity during pregnancy and their association with attitudes towards prenatal physical activity. We also investigated whether particular groups of women are more likely to receive physical activity information. Questionnaires were completed by 179 ethnically and socio-economically diverse pregnant women. Women who were younger, unpartnered, less educated and had less income were less likely to report receiving information about prenatal physical activity. Receipt of information concerning benefits and risks of activity, risks of inactivity and specific techniques was associated with more favourable attitudes towards physical activity. Women who perceived low risk of birth complications also held more favourable attitudes. Some viewed all forms of physical activity as dangerous. Results suggest that providing information about benefits and risks of prenatal physical activity may motivate pregnant women to practice better health behaviours.

PMID:: 20969538; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Physical activity and pregnancy: cardiovascular adaptations, recommendations and pregnancy outcomes.

Melzer K, Schutz Y, Boulvain M, Kayser B.

Source

Institute of Movement Sciences and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Abstract

Regular physical activity is associated with improved physiological, metabolic and psychological parameters, and with reduced risk of morbidity and mortality. Current recommendations aimed at improving the health and well-being of nonpregnant subjects advise that an accumulation of > or =30 minutes of moderate physical activity should occur on most, if not all, days of the week. Regardless of the specific physiological changes induced by pregnancy, which are primarily developed to meet the increased metabolic demands of mother and fetus, pregnant women benefit from regular physical activity the same way as nonpregnant subjects. Changes in submaximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)) during pregnancy depend on the type of exercise performed. During maternal rest or submaximal weight-bearing exercise (e.g. walking, stepping, treadmill exercise), absolute maternal VO(2) is significantly increased compared with the nonpregnant state. The magnitude of change is approximately proportional to maternal weight gain. When pregnant women perform submaximal weight-supported exercise on land (e.g. level cycling), the findings are contradictory. Some studies reported significantly increased absolute VO(2), while many others reported unchanged or only slightly increased absolute VO(2) compared with the nonpregnant state. The latter findings may be explained by the fact that the metabolic demand of cycle exercise is largely independent of the maternal body mass, resulting in no absolute VO(2) alteration. Few studies that directly measured changes in maternal maximal VO(2) (VO(2max)) showed no difference in the absolute VO(2max) between pregnant and nonpregnant subjects in cycling, swimming or weight-bearing exercise. Efficiency of work during exercise appears to be unchanged during pregnancy in non-weight-bearing exercise. During weight-bearing exercise, the work efficiency was shown to be improved in athletic women who continue exercising and those who stop exercising during pregnancy. When adjusted for weight gain, the increased efficiency is maintained throughout the pregnancy, with the improvement being greater in exercising women. Regular physical activity has been proven to result in marked benefits for mother and fetus. Maternal benefits include improved cardiovascular function, limited pregnancy weight gain, decreased musculoskeletal discomfort, reduced incidence of muscle cramps and lower limb oedema, mood stability, attenuation of gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational hypertension. Fetal benefits include decreased fat mass, improved stress tolerance, and advanced neurobehavioural maturation. In addition, few studies that have directly examined the effects of physical activity on labour and delivery indicate that, for women with normal pregnancies, physical activity is accompanied with shorter labour and decreased incidence of operative delivery. However, a substantial proportion of women stop exercising after they discover they are pregnant, and only few begin participating in exercise activities during pregnancy. The adoption or continuation of a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy may contribute to the development of certain disorders such as hypertension, maternal and childhood obesity, gestational diabetes, dyspnoea, and pre-eclampsia. In view of the global epidemic of sedentary behaviour and obesity-related pathology, prenatal physical activity was shown to be useful for the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm the association between physical activity and outcomes of labour and delivery.

PMID:: 20524714; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Intensive training during a twin pregnancy. A case report.

Davies B, Bailey DM, Budgett R, Sanderson DC, Griffin D.

Source

School of Applied Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, S. Wales, UK.

Abstract

This case study reports the clinical and physiological changes of a 33 year old elite marathoner undertaking intensive endurance training during and following a twin pregnancy. Prior to conception, the subject ran 155 km x week(-1) at an intensity equivalent to 140-180 b x min(-1) which following consultation decreased to 107 +/- 19 km x week(-1) at an intensity equivalent to 130-140 b x min(-1) during pregnancy. Physical exercise ceased 3 days prior to an elective Caesarean section following a 36 week gestation period and recommenced 8 days following the birth of healthy twins. Medical assessments conducted ante/post partum indicated that both the twins and mother were healthy. A field based test demonstrated that running velocity at a steady state HR of 140 b x min(-1), 150 b x min(-1) and 160 b x min(-1) decreased by 20%, 15% and 13% respectively between weeks 1 and 32 antepartum. Whole blood lactate ([La-]B), oxygen uptake (VO2), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (V(E)/VO2), HR and Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) increased during a laboratory-based submaximal treadmill test at 29 weeks antepartum in comparison to a test conducted 10 weeks post partum. These data clearly demonstrate that it is possible for an elite endurance athlete to maintain a high level of cardiovascular fitness during pregnancy with no apparent adverse effects on maternal or foetal health. This will facilitate an earlier return to international competition.

PMID:

10496124

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Exercise training can attenuate preeclampsia-like features in an animal model.

Falcao S, Bisotto S, Michel C, Lacasse AA, Vaillancourt C, Gutkowska J, Lavoie JL.

Source

Research Centre, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal - Technopôle Angus, Montreal, Canada.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Exercise training benefits have been widely investigated and used as alternative treatment for different pathological conditions. Since preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy-associated disease for which no treatment is available, our aim was to investigate the protective role of exercise training on pregnancy outcome using a mouse model of the disease.

METHODS:

We used transgenic female mice overexpressing human angiotensinogen, which develop preeclampsia when mated with human renin-overexpressing males. Females were placed in exercise cages 4 weeks prior to mating, and remained in these throughout gestation. Blood pressure was measured by telemetry, and proteinuria was quantified by ELISA. Placentas were assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor was measured by real-time PCR and immunoblot. Endothelial function was assessed in isolated mesenteric arteries.

RESULTS:

Conversely to sedentary transgenic females (131.20 ± 4.08 mmHg), trained dam's mean arterial pressure was no longer different from normal mice at the end of gestation (117.5 ± 10.6 vs. 112.3 ± 5.5 mmHg). Proteinuria observed in transgenic dams (3.364 ± 1.62 μg/mg) was absent in trained mice (0.894 ± 0.43 μg/mg). Placental disease and cardiac hypertrophy were also normalized, whereas vascular reactivity was significantly ameliorated. Furthermore, placental vascular endothelial growth factor was normalized in trained transgenic mice.

CONCLUSIONS:

To our knowledge, we are the first to clearly demonstrate that exercise training both before and during gestation can reduce preeclampsia features in a mouse model. Consequently, women at risk for this disease could benefit from exercise training to protect themselves and their future fetuses.

Comment in

J Hypertens. 2010 Dec;28(12):2384-5.

From parturition to marathon: a 16-wk study of an elite runner.

Potteiger JA, Welch JC, Byrne JC.

Source

Department of Physical Education, Indiana State University, Terre Haute 47809.

Abstract

This study monitored a 34-yr-old distance runner for 16 wk immediately postparturition, as she trained for the 1992 United States Olympic Marathon Trials. Weight (WT), percent fat (%FAT), aerobic power (VO2max), and energy intake/expenditure were evaluated 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk post-parturition. WT declined steadily throughout the investigation, while %FAT decreased through the first 12 wk. Minimal changes in VO2max (4 wk; 52.2 ml.kg-1.min-1 to 16 wk: 55.3 ml.kg-1.min-1) occurred; however, there were substantial changes in oxygen uptake at the lactate threshold (VO2-LT) and at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (VO2-OBLA). VO2-LT increased from 35.6 ml.kg-1.min-1 at 4 wk to 43.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 at 8 wk. VO2-OBLA increased from 40.1 ml.kg-1.min-1 at 4 wk to 51.2 ml.kg-1.min-1 at 8 wk. VO2-LT and VO2-OBLA did not change during the final 8 wk of training. Energy intake was consistently below energy expenditure. No physical or medical complications were encountered during training. This subject was able to improve VO2-LT and VO2-OBLA through high-intensity training without compromising her health. The evidence indicates that well-trained female athletes, while under physician care, may participate in rigorous physical activity soon after pregnancy.

PMID:: 8321103; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Effects of intense training during and after pregnancy in top-level athletes.

Kardel KR.

Source

Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1046, Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway. k.r.kardel@medisin.uio.no

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of vigorous exercise during and after pregnancy in top competitive athletes. The hypothesis tested here is that training of sufficiently high volume during pregnancy can maintain initial fitness levels. A second hypothesis, that high-volume training during pregnancy in initially fit women does not pose a health risk for the mother or the fetus, was tested and found to hold in a prior report. The overall aim of the study was to define a safe training regime for the maintenance of fitness in top-level female athletes during pregnancy. Forty-one healthy athletes who had performed exercise regularly prior to conception were followed from gestational week 17 until 12 weeks postpartum while they performed standardized exercise programs. The subjects participated either in a high-volume exercise group (HEG, n=20, 8.4 h week(-1)) or in a medium-volume exercise group (MEG, n=21, 6 h week(-1)). The results show that well-trained women can benefit substantially from training at high volumes during an uncomplicated pregnancy. This can facilitate a rapid return to competitive athletics and physically active life after pregnancy. Guidelines for safe exercise by sufficiently fit women during pregnancy could be modeled on the high-volume exercise regime used here by the HEG.

Comment in

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2005 Apr;15(2):67-8.

PMID:: 15773861; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991 Oct;23(10):1128-33.

The VO2max of recreational athletes before and after pregnancy.

Clapp JF 3rd, Capeless E.

Source

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington 05405.

Abstract

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that pregnancy has an added training effect (increases "absolute" VO2max) in well-conditioned, recreational athletes. VO2max was measured serially in 20 nonpregnant recreational athletes who maintained their exercise within +/- 10% of initial levels over a 15-month period and 20 similar women who conceived and continued exercise at a reduced level during pregnancy with a return to within 20% of initial levels by 12 wk postpartum. Initially the two groups were similar in terms of age (30 +/- 1 vs 30 +/- 2 yr), weight 57.6 +/- 7.2 vs 59.7 +/- 7.5 kg), max pulse rate (189 +/- 8 vs 187 +/- 10 bpm), and absolute (3083 +/- 469 vs 3138 +/- 464 ml.min-1) VO2max. In the nonpregnant group the values obtained 15 months later were unchanged (weight = 57.8 +/- 6.6 kg, max pulse = 191 +/- 7 bpm, VO2max = 2977 +/- 397 ml.min-1) while those who conceived had a significant increase in absolute VO2max that was evident 12-20 wk postpartum and was maintained at the time of final testing 36-44 wk postpartum (3368 +/- 435 ml.min-1). Both weight (60.1 +/- 8.1 kg) and maximum pulse rate (185 +/- 12 bpm) were unchanged. These data indicate that pregnancy is followed by a small but significant increase in VO2max in recreational athletes who maintain a moderate to high level of exercise performance during and after pregnancy.

PMID:: 1758289; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Can J Appl Physiol. 2001 Feb;26(1):55-75.

Exercise and lactation: are they compatible?

[Article in English, French]

Cary GB, Quinn TJ.

Source

Department of Animal & Nutritional Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.

Abstract

Lactation is an energy-demanding physiological process for the maternal organism and life-giving for the offspring. Likewise, exercise is an energy-demanding process. This review addresses the compatibility of exercise during lactation. Human studies suggest no detrimental effect of exercise during lactation on milk composition and volume, infant growth and development, or maternal health. Studies also demonstrate improved cardiovascular fitness in lactating, exercising women and suggest a quicker return to pre-pregnancy body weight and a more positive sense of well-being, compared to sedentary controls. Findings from rodent studies, although of questionable value for humans, have generally shown no detrimental influence of exercise during pregnancy and lactation on pup growth and development. To date, findings suggest that exercise and lactation are compatible activities.

PMID:: 11173670; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1985 May 1;152(1):91-7.

Exercise dynamics in late gestation: effects of physical training.

Morton MJ, Paul MS, Campos GR, Hart MV, Metcalfe J.

Abstract

Heart rate and stroke volume were measured serially in subjects at rest in the sitting position and at the onset and end of a 6-minute period of upright bicycle exercise. Twenty-three subjects with normal pregnancy were studied in late gestation and again post partum. Rest and exercise cardiac outputs in late gestation were not different from those in the postpartum period. Heart rate was higher at rest and stroke volume lower during exercise in late gestation than post partum. At the end of exercise, stroke volume fell dramatically in late gestation but not post partum. Ten women prospectively identified as physically fit had responses that were not different from those of the nonfit cohort in late gestation. Post partum, the physically fit women had exercise responses typical of trained persons and different from those of the nonfit cohort. In late gestation, rest and exercise hemodynamics in subjects in the sitting position appeared to be dominated by factors influencing venous return, independent of physical fitness.

PMID:: 3993718; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Fussy Feet and Magical Thinking

2011-06-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

There seems to be an outbreak of "Fussy Feet". It is highly contagious and striking my athletic friends and spouse in one way or another. "Fussy Feet" is a generic term I use with no disrespect to the injury, it's just a generic term I use to cover the gamut of injuries that could be plaguing my people.

Recently I had a case of 'Fussy Feet" not a true injury but my feet just got angry from me stepping on them all the time. Can't say that I blame them. I am very thankful it resolved after soaking during my birthday pedicure. That was a relief. Game on for running. Early in the second trimester I brought my running up to 30 miles/week. Since I did so I have maintained it.

I have decided running while pregnant is a good preparation for dealing with the fussiness of an infant or a small child. The frequent bathroom stops and chafing I have learned to manage. Sometimes my feet cramp or fall asleep. I think the relaxin that is present in my body to allow a baby to fit in the womb and pass through the canal is in my feet too. They have been allowed to spread. I see the glass as half full. Better my feet than my a**. Oh wait, I think that is where the relaxin targets.

Anyway it takes sometime and patience to deal with these small things, but I enjoy running and none of these things to me are worth quitting over. Also, since exercise has been proven to be good for the baby I can deal.

Earlier this week the "Foot Fussiness" deviated north to my calves. Mad calf disease, I call it. I think I was....say it ain't so.... jogging. I'm not in shape to be jogging and I strained both of my calves. I know the difference between a sore muscle and a strain. It was a strain. grade one calf strains take 7 days to heal.

I wasn't willing to wait 7 days without a fight. Let me ask this. If a 26.5 week pregnant lady takes a week off from running, does she get a comeback? Probably postpartum. I don't have the patience to wait that long and I don't give up without a fight. So I took matters into my hands....or rather my feet.

Oh No You Didn't!

60 minute foot Chinese foot massage. $20. No appointment needed. After the appointment I wasn't convinced so I went home and applied compression sleeves with compression socks on top. Your probably wondering why not just two pairs of compression sock? Well two thick socks are not going to fit inside one pair of my shoes. Why not just the sleeves....I'm pregnant and in the event my baby is sitting on my vena cava combined with the effects of gravity the blood is going to go down to my toes and not come back up = Minnie Mouse Feet.

Because running while pregnant doesn't cause enough jaws to drop.

I had to lean forward a bit to see my feet.

A run skirt and compression socks I must be playing the pregnancy card for all it's worth.

With my calves fully compressed in got busy in the kitchen.

Tri Tip ( for some extra iron) underneath the roasted veggies.

Yorkshire pudding, because it looks cool and tastes yummy.

It's actually really easy but don't tell anybody.

After dinner I went to bed and miraculously today my calves were all better. I know this could be considered magical thinking but perhaps my interventions were successful. My other thought is that I have super healing powers brought to me by the hormones present during pregnancy. I'm wondering if all the HcG doesn't act like HGH (human growth hormone). Hmmm. I'll have to research that!

Unfortunately life was not a bowl of cherries for Tim today. His plantar facia got angry at track this morning. I think it's all the long distance ~~jogging~~ running he has been doing with me. He mentioned his feet were hurting and that even though we only ran 10 miles it was still 90 minutes of running. The Minutes vs Miles theory. I didn't mention that 10 miles actually takes 100 minutes these days.

Everybody has there priorities. Judge me, but here is the truth. I'd rather my husband say the Subaru got totaled but he was fine, then to see him come limping home. That's just how we roll. I'm hoping his plantar fascia gets better quick, but I don't know that a Chinese Foot massage is going to do the trick.

The Runners Survival Kit:

I've been putting together a mini survival guide for pregnant runners based on my experiences. It would probably help all runners. When I spoke with my OB/GYN she recommended to carry a water bottle. Over heating is the main concern. It comes with dehydration.

Hand held water bottle. Don't even think of wearing a Fuel Belt around your waist.

Please! You'll have enough around the middle.

On another note, many have expressed frustration of trying to run pregnant and always needing or feeling like you need to pea. Magical thinking once again but breaks in the bushes or the porta potties just might be Mama Natures way of getting your heart rate down and giving you a break, thus preventing the evil overheating.

Emergency wipe ....you know why. All runner should carry this.

Power gel...so you don't bonk nor does your baby

Packet of Neosprin or sample sized Aquaphor.....

because you will chafe in places you never knew existed.

Health and Happy Running To You All.

Memorial Day Memory Swim

2011-05-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

This morning master's swim at the pool was cancelled. Instead we met at La Jolla Cove. Before the swim began at 0700 we toasted, with 2/3 full Dixie cups of lemonade, all the members of masters who have passed away.

I was excited my wetsuit was stretchy enough to fit.

Tim was excited his wife woke him up at 0600. On his one day to sleep in, she made him leave his warm bed and made him ride his bike all (5 miles) to La Jolla Cove. Warm bed vs cold ocean. A post swim mocha from Pannikin may have been the reason for the smile.

Post swim. Smiling because I wasn't mistaken for one of the seals. However by the 4th of July...

The day is young so I am off to have more fun. Happy Memorial Day.

25 Week Fun

2011-05-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

It's official.

Summer is here, as evidenced by Tri Club of San Diego Aquathlon on Thursday night.

Tim is not racing for two. He's racing for three.

Himself, his wife, and his baby to be.

It's a lot of pressure.

Faster Tim faster!

You didn't think just because we were having a girl she'd be slow, weak, and wimpy did you?
Thanks to Julie she's the youngest member of "I drop boys" and has very fashionable apparel.

As for me racing the aquathlon....I boycotted as there wasn't a division for pregnant women. Actually, that's not true, race directors probably would have made me my own division. I had legitimate concerns though about racing. You see, I can swim fine relatively speaking, ~~face it~~ ~~if you are slow prior to pregnancy, you'll still be slow,~~ and no flip turns would be a bonus. I do believe that is where I loose my time in the pool these days. Running is no problem. I'm still running enough to blow holes in my shoes.

I should pitch them, but they are currently my favorites...now I understand why men keep t-shirts with holes.

The real concern would be my slow transition out of my wetsuit (provided I could sausage myself in to begin with). After that I would struggle to get my running shoes on and tied. Bending over is a bit difficult and slow. By the time I got out of transition most people would be on the second loop of the run and that's where the danger begins. Yup, by the time I finished there would be a huge line for the post race buffet of pizza and salad. Being pregnant and at the back of the dinner line, now that is dangerous.

24 and 34

2011-05-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

I am now 24.5 weeks pregnant. I count halves on this.
I am now 34 years old. I don't count halves on this topic.

The bump is getting bigger.

Tim and I celebrated my birthday in proper style.

A morning swim and run before Tim headed to work.

I was lucky and had the day off.

Score 1for me!

I continued my celebration without Tim and got a pedicure.

Somehow, I do not think he minded missing that activity.

Lately I have noticed lots of things make me smile.
A few more of the little things that make me smile, in random order:

Facebook:

I am touched by the number of people who took the time to wish me well on this day. It's really neat reconnecting with people from all walks of life. I am inspired now to stop being such a Facebook slacker as it really makes a difference in somebody elses day.

This fabric:

It will be the back of Baby Neuschwander's quilt.

I love it and I click on the image at least 100 times a day.

I have a slight tendency to perseverate and become obsessed with things.

These Pom Poms:

Pom Poms! What ?

Seriously, could they be cuter?

They are Martha Stewart party decorations.

How cool?

Photos credits from the on line blog Into the Fun Lane and Pinterest.

The pom poms are a must !

Tim's going to be so excited to help me hang them ;)

Our baby's nursery will likely not look as chic as those ones.

I don't think she'll remember and hold it against us.

This Mug:

A gift from Stacy and it's the cutest mug ever.

Not only are the graphics adorable but it says what I believe to be true of most of the women I know:

"I am failry certain if given a cape and a nice Tiara I could save the word"

Says it all doesn't it? The key is it can't be any old tiara, it must be a "nice tiara" in order to save the world.

This birthday cake by Tim:

This is the same cake, Boston Cream Pie, Tim made for me on my birthday 5 years ago.

We had just started dating after meeting through the Tri Club San Diego.

Tim helped me get my birthday wish that year. It was to ride 100 miles.

How time flies!.

That memory makes me smile and a little teary eyed too.

JENNY FROM THE BLOCK

TGIF

The Big 4 -0

Happy New Year

Race Report: Holiday Bowl Parade 5K

My First Christmas

Merry Christmas

Let It Snow

Family Friday!

Who Needs Two Wheels When You Have Three!

Red Nose Run Race Report

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Liberty and Justice For All

Gobble Gobble

Double Digits!

Down Hill In A Hurry

Gym Dandy Day

Trick or Treat!

Muffin Top!

6 Week check

4 Weeks Old: A day in the life

So Cal Epic Fat Tire 50

Life Is Grand!

My First Podium

9/10/11: Welcome to the World Annika Ruth Neuschwander

Week40: Where's the Beef?

Week 39: Too Fat to Fly

Week 38: Looking Ahead: Full Speed Ahead

Week 37: The Aqua Jogger....Really Week 36 and 5/7th's

Week 36: Almost Easy Street

Week 35: Showered in Fun and Friends

Week 34: Sickies Of The Sea. Aka: Family Swim Day

Week 33.5: Called Out

Week 33: Don't Call Me a Waddler

Week: 32.5 Fit Pregnancy

Week 32: Make A Splash!

Week 31: Welcome Petunia

Week 30:Weddings and Celebrations

Week 29: Counting Down

Week 28: Skinny Cow

This Is The Life!

Pin Board Blog

Source

Abstract

Knowing is believing: information and attitudes towards physical activity during pregnancy.

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Abstract

Physical activity and pregnancy: cardiovascular adaptations, recommendations and pregnancy outcomes.

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Abstract

Source

Abstract

PMID: 10496124 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Exercise training can attenuate preeclampsia-like features in an animal model.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

METHODS:

RESULTS:

CONCLUSIONS:

Comment in

From parturition to marathon: a 16-wk study of an elite runner.

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Abstract

Effects of intense training during and after pregnancy in top-level athletes.

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Abstract

Comment in

The VO2max of recreational athletes before and after pregnancy.

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Abstract

Exercise and lactation: are they compatible?

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Abstract

Exercise dynamics in late gestation: effects of physical training.

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Fussy Feet and Magical Thinking

Memorial Day Memory Swim

25 Week Fun

24 and 34

PMID:

10496124

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]