I'm Tired of Studying

It feels like I'm back in school, just before finals. Study some, then study some more. Whew, when is the end in sight? Luckily that is tomorrow morning. I've got all the bones of the body and all tissue information crammed in my brain, ready to bust. Time to take quiz 4, Exam 3 and Exam 4 tomorrow for my Anatomy and Physiology class.

Why all this cramming? My parents are coming into town on Saturday for 2 1/2 weeks. Ya! I can't wait. Here's a list of all things I need to do before I pick them up at the airport so I can use that brain space for bones!

• Gather tax stuff for Cheryl to finish our taxes
• Call my 'old' doc and basically fire her... and then ask for my files for my new doc.
  
• Take quiz 4, exam 3 & exam 4.
  
• Write a training plan
• Get Geoff to clean the house. :)
• Answer a bunch of these crazy Catholic church questions. (Don't even ask.)

Well I'm nauseous again (imagine that) so I'm off to find another good snack. I've already had ice cream twice, fruit snacks, and peppermint paddies today so I suppose I should go for the carrots or something.

Laura

Reston 10 Miler Accomplished!

Geoff was nice enough this past weekend to let me skip out on the TNT 3 hour ride and head off to a 10 mile run. I really wanted to see how I was doing running with baby belly in tow. See, I've really felt like my belly has grown in the past few weeks so I wasn't sure of my pace or how I would do at that long of a distance. The test was on...

Race Day morning
Weather: Rainy drizzle, with a chill in the air.
Setting: The hills of Reston. This wasn't going to be a flat run.
Pregnancy timeline: 21 weeks, 5 days.
Arrived: 6:45am
Goal: FUN!

We needed to arrive early to drop off some Accelerade from our team. Geoff came over to the start with me to unload the car and help get the jugs ready for the aid stations. Then he was off to lead the TNT ride. I waited inside with the rest of the runners, avoiding the rain and chill.

Once we were off, I had a lady run up next to me ask me, 'What goal time are you going for'? I was stumped for a second. Then I had to chuckle at myself. This might just be the first race where I really hadn't thought about a goal time. I had no idea. So I said "I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant and just out for fun!". What a great thing. No pressure, no set expectations, just running for the enjoyment of running!

I trotted along most of the run making sure to keep my heart rate in check, enjoying the drizzle and thanking all the volunteers. I had to walk a few of the hills with all that extra 18 pounds of weight I was carrying. But boy could I fly on the downhills. I was so front loaded it was unbelievable!

By the time I got to the finish line I was happy to be there. My knees were a bit sore from all the pounding. Otherwise I felt great. I did the 10 miles in 1 hour 32 minutes. A 9:10 min/mile or so pace. I had accomplished my goal! Have fun and finish the race while 5 1/2 months pregnant! Now I am really ready for the National 1/2 Marathon.

Laura

Switching Doctors & Hospitals

I have always wanted to have a natural childbirth. Not because anyone I know has had one. But because I want to know first hand what a birth is like. I want to experience it the way God made it. Not half out of it and restricted to bed, due to a 1/2 dozen or so drugs.

That choice has let to another one. I've decided I need to switch my ob/gyn doctor. Let's just say I'm glad I finally asked some important questions and we aren't seeing eye to eye regarding labor. I never realized how many doctors in this area have the primary response of using Epidural, drugs and c-sections. Nor did I realize the hospital I picked has the highest rate of C-sections in Northern Virginia. (And we are talking about an area where scheduling a c-section so you know your due date is not that uncommon.)

So here's a taste of our conversation...

Question: What's your thoughts on medical intervention like using drugs vs. a natural childbirth?
Answer: Well, women that get an epidural make my life much easier.
Internal Response: ((Likely a shocked but attempting to hide it look. I thought birth was about the mother & child, not the doctor?))

Question: What do you think of natural childbirth?
Answer: Almost all my patients end up with an epidural. If you come in here expecting to have a natural childbirth it almost never happens. You can only success if you start now and put months of planning into it.
Internal response: ((So you don't really go for natural huh?))

Question: I am planning on taking the Bradley method childbirth classes, that focus on natural method and my husband being my coach.
Answer: Just realize they will tell you that all doctors are evil and out to get you! We the doctors are here for you and know what is best for you.
Internal response: ((Oh, like giving me an epidural?...))

Question: Would you work with me if I want natural?
Answer: Yes, but know that you don't always get what you plan. Don't be one of those difficult patients who will always stick to their plan.
Internal Response: ((makes sense))
For example after 6 hours of labor you'd better be willing to get a c-section.
Internal Response: ((SHOCKED look again. Doesn't that seem really short?))

That's it for now!
Laura

Week 21

I had to take this picture today because I think I just 'popped'! My baby belly seems so much bigger today then last week or even yesterday. I wish I would have taken a week 20 picture but I never got around to it. I'm also amazed at how much my back is arched forward in this picture with all the weight.

Here's my week 21 Picture

More Ecuador Pictures

I have posted a bunch of our Ecuador pictures on Picasa web albums if anyone wants to see other ones I haven't put on my blog.

http://picasaweb.google.com/trailgirl75/EcuadorTrip


Laura

Belly Pictures

Keeping with my belly picture trend, here are the two weeks while I was on vacation:

Belly week 17

Belly Week 18

Ecuador Trip Pictures

Here are pictures from our first week there. I haven't gotten the second week of pictures downloaded yet. Enjoy...

Here is the porch with hammock outside our room with spectacular views of the mountainside and over looking the town. We both enjoyed spending time hanging out and reading outside.

Part of our room. Most nights it was cold, so here I am dressed with my jeans, wool sweater, and hat. We had a small space heater in the room that never quite made it warm enough in the evenings unless you were cuddled up in bed.

The view looking straight ahead from our porch Same amazing mountainside when looking left or right. The volcano was behind us on another mountain top.




















Us in front of the volcano! One day we got a fabulous view of the top of the volcano and the ash emissions coming out. We had hiked 45 minutes down into town, hung out and then hiked an hour back to the resort. At that point we noticed the volcano starting clearing, so we hiked up another hour or two to get close for a good picture.














The volcano in full glory. Absolutely amazing.















Geoff standing next to the 4 wheeler we rented to tour around the area. We drove a paved highway and dirt road along waterfalls cascading down cliffs into a rushing river. At one point we stopped and took a cable car over the river to the other side. I know this picture is sideways, but I don't feel like fixing it. Just tilt your computers :)















My favorite flower, a Hydrangea. The soil is so fertile there are beautiful flowers all around. The resort had them lining the pathways and around each of the buildings. Then we'd see all different ones on our hikes.

Ecuadorian Fun

Geoff and I are just finishing up our first week here in Ecuador. What a wonderful time. We have hiked just about every day up and down the moutain sides. We´ve done some relaxing spa treatments and eaten great food.

The only thing on the down side is the wireless internet connection at the resort so we have spent minimal time on the computer. To get online we hike 45 minutes down hill to the town of Banos, where there are many internet cafes. Then after visiting the town we hike an hour back up to our resort on side of the mountain. Once the connection is up we´ll post some pictures. We have already taken over 200! It is absolutely gorgeous out here! Hope everyone is well.

Geoff & Laura

4 Months Along

The last two weeks have gone by fast except for the fact I'm still nauseous. I thought this was suppose to go away! Here's a week 16 picture.

I had a doc appt on Friday and she said they were still going to go by my original due date, of July 22nd. So I'm closing in on 4 months along this coming Tuesday. That's right, I have to head into a testing center and take my first Anatomy and Physiology exam this week before we leave! Study time today...


I can't believe it's here, less then a week from our trip to Ecuador! Here's me in week 15, with Genni one of our dogs. I'm trying on one of my new maternity and travel friendly outfits for Ecuador. I decide to not purchase a maternity swimsuit, instead just wear my bikini and look like I have a small belly. :)

Well I'm off for a bike ride. Geoff headed off at 6:30am this morning for a ride and I'm going to meet up with him at 11am.

Laura

First Ultrasound!

Baby Beaty

Today we had our first Ultrasound. What an absolutely wonderful experience and one of our most memorable. It's amazing how clear we could see the details of baby Beaty. We are so blessed that everything looked good.

When we first saw the screen, we thought the baby was waving at us! We could see it's tiny hand moving back and forth. What an amazing though! It continued to be super active during the appointment. At one point Geoff commented that it was already in training, running on a treadmill, as it's legs were going back and forth. The technician also commented the baby was very photogenic. :) We got some great pictures of the baby.
Stats:

• Size: 7 cm long
• Extended size: 9 cm if legs were straight
• Heart Beat: 150 BPM
• Active: very
• My Timeline: 13 weeks & 3 days today (a week early then I thought)
• Conclusion: All is good so far
  

Baby Beaty Close-up

Second Trimester is Here

Here is the end of week 14. The nauseousness is hitting me with a vengeance, hopefully with the thought of leaving soon. I'm getting a little bit bigger, but no one would guess I'm pregnant if they saw me on the street. Just a gal with a bit of weight around her belly. ;)

I can't believe it, we are heading off on our vacation in just over 2 weeks! I have barely thought about it since we finished planning it. I have decide to forgo learning Spanish in such a short amount of time and instead stay with my Anatomy and Physiology class. It's going to be a ton of work, and I am already a week behind since I was going to drop the class. So wish me luck!!

I started my women's bible study at church last week. We are reading 'The Pursuit of GOD' by A.W Tozer. What an amazing book. What he wrote decades ago, still holds true today. I wanted to share a verse from the study that struck me this morning as being so true.

What good is it for man to gain the whole world; yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

It is so easy to get caught up in all the things this world has to offer. Money, higher education, winning, power, recognition... But none of it worth it. Our focus should be on God and not the things of this world. It's a hard thing to learn and do, I will forever be working on it. I had a hard time giving up my IT work, as I know i had some identity with it. But in the end it is more then worth it!

Maternity Clothes

I have officially moved into maternity clothes for pants and fitted tops. In my regular clothes my belly was feeling squished when I sat down. Then when I would stand my belly would peek out from under my fitted shirts and low riding jeans. So I made the plunge yesterday. It took quite the shopping but I eventually hit the jackpot and found some great stuff at Maternity Gap that fit really well (and were a great deal too!). Three trip and many hours later here's the loot...

I got khaki's and jeans that have an expandable waist, each around 70% off. A tank top from Gap and red shirt from limited, both for 6 dollars!




Got a great pair of brown pants and everyday white tank. Then of course what pregnancy wouldn't be complete without a maternity matching jumpsuit!




The jeans and khakis do not have a high waist band of fabric like most maternity clothing. Instead they have a cord around the waist that expands as you get bigger. What a fantastic idea!

Week 13

The picture is from the last day of week 13. I couldn't find the same pants so I wore my carpi's. (Yikes, I think my ass looks as big as my belly.)

I had a very busy weekend, so I am attempting to rest up today. On Saturday Geoff & I coached TNT (run clinic, 90min bike, brunch). Then showered and headed out for a second lunch with Cheryl and Ken. It was great to see both of them. I miss my training friends now that I have to go slow. Quick run home, grabbed a 30 min nap to try and get a hold of the nauseousness, then off to dinner with Molly and Chip. The boys split a bottle of wine while us girls sipped on our ice water as Molly is pregnant too. 36 weeks along so gave me lots of great advice. Thanks Molly!

Somehow Sunday morning I was still motivated and got up for a 10 mile run with the Reston Runners. It is my longest run pregnant. I'm training for the National 1/2 Marathon at the end of March. Geoff was off on a bike ride with the boys, so I headed over there my myself and meet some great people during the run. There was over 50 of us! Then off to Natalie's, our niece, birthday party for the afternoon. We left at 4pm, stopping at the mall to find maternity pants (with no luck) so my belly wasn't being squished. Then on to a TriCat's meeting at Panara for 2 hours.

Yesterday wasn't much better, so needless to say I am wiped and my nauseousness is hitting extra hard. I am suppose to be starting my Online Anatomy and Phy's class today, but I am thinking of dropping the class. I am worried I am going to be one of those unlucky feel who are sick until the end. There is no way I can study and memorize when I am like this. So instead I thinking of focusing on learning Spanish for my trip and if I want starting some studying for the GRE. Both of which don't have a timeline and grade associated with it. Well that's the latest here...

Babymoon Trip is Planned!

For some silly reason Geoff and I never took a honeymoon. We had such exotic ideas of where we wanted to go but could never decide on a location. So there we sat, 8 months into our marriage, still wanting to take a honeymoon, but knowing an adorable baby was on the way in 9 months. Then came the idea of a babymoon! A honeymoon type trip before the baby came.

Thus the planning was underway, with a urgency like never before. I wanted to go when I was in the middle of the second trimester. Hopefully when the nauseousness is gone and before I got too uncomfortable.

Location of our resort, The Luna Runtun

We have finally completed the plans. We are going to be heading to Banos, Ecuador for two weeks. It is located in the mountains between the gateway to the Amazon rainforest and the Llanganates National Park. We will be staying at an Luna Runtun Adventure Spa, where there is daily adventure trips and spa treatments to pick from. Here are some pictures from the resorts website, all credit is given to them.

This is one of the builds on the property. It is likely where we will be staying. The resort has 310 acres to explore, with their own lush gardens, birds and exotic plants.



The resort has an amazing view! This is a picture of part of their 4 pools and jacuzzi of natural Volcanic water. They also have SPA building where I hope to get some massages and mud baths, and volcanic ash and salt exfoliation.







A close by waterfall. There are many hikes, mountain biking, canoing, and rafting trips to go on. I am excited to hike the smugglers trail and the Inca trail. I also want to go check out the active volcano and Amazon rainforest.

End of First Trimester

So here I sit in Geoff's jacket, with a spoon and a carton of vanilla ice cream and post to anyone who cares to read, I have just completed the First Trimester of my pregnancy! I am 3 months along. Ah, the joys of pregnancy. Now only if this nauseousness will go away...

Here is what I eat pretty much everyday this week. (Everything else is gross and wants to make me hurl):

• Amy's little pizza pita pockets
• Whole containers of strawberries in one sitting
• Strawberry gatorade
• Nectarines
• Grape nut flakes cereal with tons of milk.
  
• Breyer's Natural Vanilla ice cream
• And then eat whatever Geoff trys to cook me at night. He made a wonderful BBQ chicken and grilled veggies last night that I successfully ate.
  

Week 12 Photo