A Weight Off My Belly

Three months ago yesterday, I became a mom. I had no idea exactly how training would be once I tried returning to my favorite pastime, but let me tell you it was anything but easy the first couple months.

My doctor cleared me to run two weeks after giving birth, since I didn’t have any major complications. My first run back was 12:00 minute pace, not including the walking breaks I took during! Just to give some background I typically ran 7:30-8:00 minute pace prior to getting pregnant on easy runs. I was having a rough time breathing and, unsurprisingly everything from the waist below felt extremely out of whack. I had heard so many stories about running moms coming back too soon, getting hurt, and being out for longer so I wanted to make sure I was taking it easy while still trying to get in shape..

My mileage was a whopping 5 miles the first week and around 9 the next two weeks. During those 9 mile weeks I was having some major discomfort in my pelvis and lower back, along with some aches and pains in my shins. I decided to take the next week and a half off of running and just aqua jog to get in some aerobic work. I focused a lot on core and strengthening my pelvic area and below. The following two and half weeks consisted of averaging about 7 miles a week mixed in with a decent amount of aqua jogging. During this time I was able to get my pace down to 8:30-9:00 minutes/mile, but let me just say it was NOT easy! These runs still felt like I was racing or at the very least a hard workout effort. Slowly these runs started to feel a bit better effort wise. Over the last three weeks I started to incorporate some light workouts and built up mileage to the low 30’s. During that time I also got in lots of aqua jogging sessions to help supplement the low mileage.

Aqua jogging session

Since things were starting to feel better Jer and I decided it was best to see exactly what kind of shape I was in with a 5k road race. We were in Houston last weekend to visit Jer’s family. It was Emma’s first road trip and she did awesome by the way! I signed up for a USATF certified race in downtown Houston, Dad’s Day 5k. The goal was to be as close to 20:00 as possible, since I managed to do some mile repeats at low 6:30 pace and the latest tempo was low 6:50’s. I surprised myself, and my coach, with a 19:42 5k! It was great to be out racing again!

Almost to the finish

Tired legs

Those aqua jogging sessions are definitely helping with my return to competitive running. It’s a great way to get in a hard effort without being able to get in a ton of quality running right now. Up until this week I was still having shin issues so that’s a large part why I kept the mileage low. I’m nervous about getting stress fractures/reactions, especially since I’m still over my pre-preggers weight. By the time I had Emma I was nearly 40 pounds over my normal weight. When I started to run again I was roughly 16 pounds over, which is a ton of extra weight to carry when you’re just getting started, or in general. I’ve carefully dropped my weight to where I’m about 8 pounds over my starting weight. I don’t really like to call it baby weight though. It’s more coffee ice cream related. I have no idea how many half gallon containers I went through during my pregnancy with Emma. I knew those 30 minute elliptical sessions weren’t doing it those last few months before she was born :)

All in all I’m excited to be in a normal running routine again! During most mornings Jer and I will alternate taking care of her while the other one runs. We’ve had to allow for more time since we can’t take her out on the roads together just yet. During a few of my workouts we’ve started getting in some quality family time though. We have Emma in the jogging stroller going around the track with Jer (she still needs to be on completely smooth surfaces until her neck muscles are strong enough) while I’m huffing and puffing my way back into shape.

I’m hoping this next month will be full of momentum like the last. My goal is to get down to the low 19’s for 5k by August and get my mileage up to a reasonable level. I want to be able to run with my team this season as well as being able to put down some fast times on the roads again come the end of 2015!

Mom and her gal post race!

Emma's Birthday!

So I meant to post this weeks ago, but such is life. Our little Nugget made her debut four days early on Sunday, March 22nd. I’m not going to hold it against her though. She let me get 8+ hours of sleep the night before and let me attend the UIW meet the day before, as well as make it to a delicious family BBQ.

My water broke around 8:30 Sunday morning. It was a semi-panic moment, but I hadn’t felt any contractions…..yet. We read you should wait to go to the hospital until contractions are five minutes apart for around an hour. So as soon as I felt anything Jer started the clock. About half an hour after my water broke I felt a small cramp. It was about 10minutes until the next small cramp-like sensation. I was like, “hmmm, this isn’t so bad”. Well six minutes later it was definitely more painful than a cramp. The next one? THREE minutes later. Ooooof. So I had two more that were much more painful and two-three minutes apart. We headed to the hospital!

Once I got checked into the labor and delivery room the nurse checked me out and I was already 6 centimeters dilated at 9:45AM. The contractions were definitely not the most pleasant to say the least, and the next two hours were...painful. But at 11:45 I got an epidural, and it was absolutely amazing. After finishing up training plans for the team and chit chatting with my family I started to feel a lot of pressure around 3:00PM. I asked the nurse to check things out and by then I was 10 centimeters dilated. They were just waiting for the contractions to get a smidge closer together. By 4:00PM it was time to start pushing and by 4:50PM Emma Patricia Daum made her way into the world.

Playing the waiting game, Dad got a little sleepy

It was quite the experience to say the least! Luckily I didn’t have any complications and it was a pretty short labor for it being my first. Something that was a little surprising was that she was 8 whole pounds! The doctors I had talked to said she’d probably be around 6-7 pounds at the most. All the informational packets mentioned the baby typically takes after the mom’s physique when they’re born. Well mom was barely 6 pounds at two weeks late. So we’re going to say a big ol’ “THANK YOU” to Jer, who was nearly 10 pounds on his birthday. I had my mom, sister, and Jer in the room while all the fun stuff was happening. It meant a lot to have them there and they were nothing short of amazing when things got uncomfortable.

The 8 pounder

First family photo

Both sets of grandparents and my siblings

Jer, unsurprisingly, has been the best dad a girl could ask for. He serenades her at every chance he gets, lets her take naps on his chest, and he’s been the biggest help with diapers, burping, and clothes changing.

He knows how to get the burps out better than anyone!

My baby girl 10 days old

A belly shot with baby on the outside

She’s two whole months today, which honestly blows my mind with how fast time seems to be flying by. She smiles when you make absurd faces at her, it’s great! She now weighs 12 pounds and 1oz. She is growing so much!! She’s absolutely perfect and I still manage to function (mostly), even without getting my normal eight uninterrupted hours of sleep.

My happy baby 2 months old!

A Mother-Daughter Understanding

One more week to go until D-day! Yesterday marked 39 weeks and I’m keeping my fingers crossed she can hang in there for another 8 days. We’ve got a home meet Friday, the day after her due date, and I’m hoping I can make that one.  I’ve decided to not get in anymore elliptical until she gets here, in hopes that’ll help to keep her in a little longer. Nugs has been a real trooper through this whole process, so if she does me this solid I think it’s a little foreshadowing of how awesome our mother-daughter relationship will be. That’s how it works right?!

I’m currently 2 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced as of Wednesday. So basically she could be here tomorrow or a few weeks from now. I haven't felt any Braxton Hicks contractions, or at least I don't think I have, so that's promising. She’s been great about letting me sleep too. 8+ hours a night has been magical. I just get up once during the night to use the bathroom. I haven’t had any back pain since the last post, two weeks ago. Everyone keeps asking me how I must be so ready to get her out, but honestly I’m cool if she stays in there, at least for a few more weeks :)

38 Weeks

38 Weeks

39 Weeks

39 Weeks

3 Weeks Until My Due Date...Tick Tock!

I’m officially 37 weeks into this pregnancy, 3 more to go until my expected due date. Depending on who you ask I’m considered full term, which is nuts to comprehend. Baby Daum could come at any moment so we’re trying to cope with the reality of that. Jer and I are so excited, but again, still struggling with the right name for little nugget.

This past month has actually been pretty great. I’m a lot more comfortable than I was the first few months of this pregnancy. I’ve started to develop some minor upper backaches this last week and a half, but they don’t last long and I’ll get it about once every other day. I'll take those over those achy ligaments expanding any day! I’ve put on about 30 pounds since getting pregnant now, still mostly belly. I did try running a few weeks ago. I made it over a mile, but it was probably around 11:00 minute pace and saying that it was super uncomfortable is definitely an understatement. I’ve just been sticking with the elliptical machine in the meantime and getting in some core, light weights, and stretching. I have this deal with myself. If I get in at least 30 minutes of ellipticalling that day I get a bowl of ice cream. No elliptical? No ice cream! I think it’s pretty fair.

On the subject of working out...I use the cardio room at Trinity for most of the week's workouts. Well something I've noticed a lot more this semester than last is the abundant amount of glares I'll get from students in there. I don't think they realize I'm a married 28 year old, who works at the university. I'm pretty sure most of them think I'm a student. It's hard to blame them I guess. I haven't worn my wedding ring for the last 5 or 6 weeks or so due to my fingers looking less like skeleton fingers and more like normal people fingers (thanks swelling!).

I'm also giving in to the stereotypes and admitting I have a few cravings. First one? Arby's roast beef sandwich with ALL of the Arby sauce. I'll get it at least once a week, sometimes twice. So tasty! Second? Coffee ice cream. It's what I have roughly 4-6 nights a week. I'm honestly afraid to think how many Blue Bell half gallon tubs I've gone through. But it's so delicious and oh so creamy.

We've put together the crib for little nugget and have the car seat ready to go. I just hope she keeps baking long enough for me to see a few more track meets before the team leaves for California!

34 Weeks

34 Week

35 Weeks

35 Weeks

36 Weeks

36 Weeks

37 Weeks

37 Weeks

33 Weeks and a Baby Shower!

Man, so these last two weeks, actually the last month has been AMAZING! I am having a hard time understanding why I feel relatively good this far along, but I'm definitely not complaining about it. I'm already into my 8th month and Nugs is doing spectacular; no problems and growing like a champ. According to some apps, she's just over 4lbs and her bones are getting stronger by the day. We are starting to figure out which body parts she's kicking me with during the day, which is pretty awesome. I've gained ~26 pounds. I've just been ellipticaling lately while doing core, some light weights, and lots of stretching.  Jer's been wonderful. He's been getting just as excited about our little chiquita coming into the world as I have...and YES, we're STILL struggling with a name. We've also got a good deal going on where he'll scoop me coffee ice cream and I'll give him a leg rub in exchange. It's been working out quite well if I say so myself :)

I also had a baby shower thrown for me by some really awesome ladies last weekend! I was fortunate enough to have so many loved ones there, along with fun games and delicious food...it was perfect. Also, it wouldn't be an official baby shower unless the mom-to-be dropped meatballs all over herself  (before all the pictures of course)!

The Klutz!

My mom cheating during the game on my MT!

How big is the preggo?!

Delicious cake courtesy of The Stacey Lenderman

Super cute decor!

ABC's of baby stuff!

Baby Bingo during the presents! Such a great idea

These lovely ladies...soon-to-be-grandma and college/hs xc teammates!

My amazing hosts...Keener, Lenderman, Lizzy, Lauren, and Jess :) 

Throwback to my BRIDAL shower circa 2011, with most of the same hosts:)

Now time for some bumpity bump photos! 

32 Weeks

32 Weeks

33 Weeks

33 Weeks

Another Weight PR!

We are in the single digit countdown for weeks.....9! EEEEK. 63 days seems like it will be here in no time. I hit 31 weeks today and I've gained 24 pounds, which is a new personal record!! I figure since I almost undoubtedly won't be getting any type of race PR in the next few months I can at least focus on PR'ing in other aspects of life :) Nugs is only ~3.5 pounds of that...the rest is 20 pounds of pure baby making goodness (maybe some other stuff too).  

It’s a little weird because these last two weeks especially I've had nothing to really complain about. I’m getting a good amount of sleep (7-8hrs/night), Nugs hasn't woken me up at all with her strong little kicks fortunately. I’m able to get in a decent amount of exercise each day, no back pain, and luckily I don’t have gestational diabetes either. I also don’t feel quite as tired as I did during the first trimester and first half of the second trimester. It’s been perfect timing for the start of track season! Hopefully this boost of energy will last until spring break, but that might be a little much to ask for.

I suppose if I had to complain about one thing it would be spending so much time in the bathroom. A few days ago I counted how many times I had to use the ladies room in a single day. Ready? TWENTY times! My poor bladder probably holds as much liquid as a single grape. At least it probably means I’m well hydrated. Until next time!

 

30 Weeks

30 Weeks

31 Weeks

31 Weeks

Starting the New Year a Little Larger than Last

We are 29 weeks into this pregnancy and the last two weeks have gone by quite fast. I’m up 22ish pounds from getting pregnant, still in the normal range. Of course I have a handful of apps telling me this and on one I've been at the higher end of weight gain each week for the last two months. I asked my doctor about it at my last appointment and she had the same response my super smart husband told me just days before. Since I started out with lower body fat than what most women have my body is just making up for the difference.

It has been a little interesting food wise. I've noticed that I’m not craving my typical unhealthy food as much...flaming hot cheetos, mexican candy, etc. Instead I've indulged in the sweeter side of things. I've always loved chocolate and coffee ice cream and that has probably increased a little more these last few weeks. Obviously I'm getting in a ton of healthy foods too, but those aren't quite as fun to talk about : ) A few people have asked  me if now I'm able to eat however much I want. The answer is not what they expect. It is kind of shocking to know that creating a human life actually burns fewer calories than 75-85 miles a week of running. Much less.

Running has been decreasing a lot lately. I've kept runs very short, three miles, and very slow. I still seem to have foot issues so I've take a full week+ off, but I’m having a hard time seeing that increasing during the rest of the pregnancy. I’m still keeping Jer company on the bike during some of his runs, being VERY careful, along with keeping up with cross training and body pump classes. I really can’t complain too much about the inability to run right now. Things have been pretty smooth this pregnancy compared to what it could be. For instance, my wonderful mom. She was basically bed ridden starting the day she found out she was pregnant with me. I gave her much more obnoxious morning sickness that what I dealt with a few months ago. I was also a big turd who stayed in a few weeks past the due date. We’ll have to wait and see how things play out with that last part, but so far so good.

Nugs is doing great. She is getting increasingly stronger each passing day. I’m still having a hard time figuring out how her kicks could get more powerful over the next 2+ months, but I have no doubt they will. We are still trying to come up with a name for this little chiquita. So. Much. Pressure.

28 Weeks

28 Weeks

29 Weeks

29 Weeks