Pregnancy Update: Week 34

Here I am at the end of week 34 (I will actually be 36 weeks tomorrow, because it took me so long to write a new post) and week 34 has come with a slew of horrible new symptoms.  I feel like I've been complaining a lot about pregnancy related symptoms, but somethings that are happening are crazy. I seem to keep being in the slim percentage of things that happen to pregnancy women. I don't think I've mentioned this before, but since becoming pregnant, I have suffered from Perioral Dermitis which is basically a fancy way of saying inflammation around the mouth. However, this inflammation is very red, itchy, and it peels a lot. Doctors are not sure exactly what cause it and it is not only pregnant women affected with it. They think it may be a fungal infection. Mine was likely caused because I have been experiencing extremely dry lips and started using Vaseline. I'd put it on at night and by morning my lips were as soft as a baby's bottom. Little did I know that petrolatum jelly acts as a barrier and can actually trap fungus and bacteria. Overusing it can cause infection. It is not something that can just go away on it's own either, it is a chronic condition. I was told by my doctor that there is an anti-fungal pill that can clear it up in 3 days, but pregnant and nursing mothers shouldn't take it. I've checked out forums and a lot of people say using maximum strength Lomotrin (the athletes foot stuff) cures it, unfortunately, the main ingredient in maximum strength is...you guessed it, unsafe for pregnancy. It just sucks that I have this ring of itchy fire around my mouth at all times :(.

My next recent ailment is something calls PUPPPs (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy). It's basically a rash that develops (usually in the 3rd trimester) that starts out on the abdomen, but then spreads to the rest of the body. Only 1% of women develop PUPPPS in pregnancy. The only cure for this bad boy, giving birth. Usually symptoms clear up within a week of getting birth. So in short, I am one crank ball of itchy burning mess. The itching is so bad, it actually wakes me up in the middle of the night. I honestly wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!

Besides skin conditions, I do believe Baybay Day has started to make her descent down the pelvis. Things are a lot more uncomfortable down there. I have had a lot of trouble sleeping at night not only because of the PUPPPS, but also I will wake up with extreme cramping in my hips. It's also really hard to get comfortable enough because of my large belly, so I end up staying up once I've woken up. Needless to say. I am looking forward to giving birth. I wonder if that's the plan. Make you miserable in your final month that you actually look forward to labor (even though once labor comes, I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune!).

Ok, complaining and symptoms aside, here's how my workouts went this week:

Sunday, 3/19 - 40 minute walk
Monday, 3/20 - 30 minute walk
Tuesday, 3/21 - 35 minute run/walk
Wednesday, 3/22 - Rest
Thursday, 3/23 - 40 minute walk durning lunch, 40 minute walk in the evening
Friday, 3/24 - Rest
Saturday, 3/25 - 40 minute swim

As you can see a lot of walking has been going on and I've only been doing the bare minimum of 30 minutes per day. Definitely some room for improvement.

Pregnancy Update: Weeks 32 & 33

I wanted to keep doing weekly updates of my pregnancy, but alas, I seem to be horrible at actually taking the time to sit down and write things out. The bad thing about writing about events that happened 2 weeks ago, is remembering events that happened 2 weeks ago. Pregnancy brain is no joke. So, unfortunately, I don't technically have a lot of updates. I continue to log my workouts each day, so I remember those, but as far as symptoms and the like..not so much.

Well, onto what I can remember. Zoe seems to be a lot more active these days. It actually is starting to feel a little less uncomfortable when she does move (I think I may be getting used to the movements). Sleeping is a thing of the past. I can never seem to get comfortable enough to either A.) fall asleep or B.) stay asleep. I bought a Snoogle back when I was about 16 weeks along (if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant and don't have one, STOP reading and purchase one now!) and it has been a life saver! However, I think I am just too big now to actually reap the benefits. My stomach just feels too heavy lying down and my shoulders and hips are sore from always lying on my side. We are lucky enough to have a bed that reclines and moves, but even that is super uncomfortable now :(. I guess this is just my body preparing itself for the sleepless nights to come once Zoe comes.

Over the past month I came up with the grand idea to turn our tandem 3rd car garage area into a home gym. That way, once I give birth, I don't have to worry about going to a gym (and everything that goes with it, ie: dressing Zoe, loading her in the car, having no available equipment I want to use at the gym, etc.) and I could just have her in her swing or something out there with me. I already had a treadmill and TV, so I just needed a few more items. Below is a pic of the nearly finished product.

Side note: the "Just Don't Quit" you see on the wall, the "NT" and QU" were actually grey and blended in perfectly with my already grey walls. I had to sit there with a Sharpie and color them in black to be visible :|

I ordered some adjustable weights, Bosu, workout bench, plyo box, TRX suspension kit, yoga blocks, trainer for bicycles (turns regular old bikes into stationary bikes) and pull up bar. The only thing missing from this picture is the giant gym floor mat and the actual hung TRX suspension straps (they are on the ground in this picture).

I'm also really excited because I have come up with what workout I will be doing post pregnancy. Originally I wanted to focus back on running and specifically training for a marathon, but I've heard with a new baby, things can get pretty rough and you have to be flexible. So, I figured until things settle down and a routine is established, my marathon dreams would yet again go on the back burner. Instead, I will be doing the Bikini Body Guide by Kayla Istines. My co-worker told me about this program and after looking at all of the amazing transformations on Instagram, I was sold. If that many women are seeing results, then there's gotta be something to it. Each week there are 3 resistance workouts lasting 28 minutes and the other 2-3 days of the week you are to do a LISS (Low Intensity Steady State) workout for 30-45 minutes. I plan to run on those days. I'm excited to get started and thinking (at least for now) that I will be able to find 28 minutes out of my day to get it done.

Last but not least, my activity for the past 2 weeks. Last week was a very busy week for me, I had almost zero time after work each day, so don't judge the lack of activity.

For the week of 3/5/17 to 3/10/17

• Sunday, 3/5 - 45 minute run/walk
• Monday, 3/6 - 45 minute walk
• Wednesday, 3/7 - 25 minute walk
• Thursday, 3/8 - 3 mile run/walk
• Friday, 3/9 - 45 minute walk
• Saturday, 3/10 - Rest

From 3/5/17 run/walk

For the week of 3/11/17 to 3/16/17

• Sunday, 3/11- 30 minute walk
• Monday, 3/12 - 50 minute walk
• Wednesday, 3/13 - 40 minute walk
• Thursday, 3/14 - 30 minte walk
• Friday, 3/15 - Rest
• Saturday, 3/16 - 1 hour run/walk

Welp, that's all for now. Until next time!

Pregnancy Update: Week 31

With the start of the 31st week means I have only single digit amount of weeks left until birth (at least I hope she doesn't decide to stay in there too long after my due date). It's crazy how fast the weeks are going by. Most have told me once you enter the 3rd trimester, time starts to creep, but it's still been blowing by to me.
I had my baby shower this Saturday. I'm not going to lie, I was a little worried that my host would put all this work into preparing a lunch, decorating, coming up with fun baby shower games, just to have no one show up. I started getting a lot of people telling me they would no longer be able to make it the day before the shower. But, it was still a good turnout, about 20 people which I thought was a perfect size. Anyone who knows me, knows I am not the greatest with children (which is why becoming a parent is going to be really interesting). I'm not good at baby talk or baby related things. When doing our baby registry my husband, who knows nothing about children either (aren't we a great parental match), and I found a "must haves" list online for items we have to have right after birth. We didn't even know what a lot of the items were. Anyway, we received a gift from a friend that I had no idea what it was. Since I am such a tactful person I loudly declared at my baby shower after opening the gift that I wasn't sure what it was. The package said it was a wearable blanket, so I said I'm assuming it's a blanket that kids can wear like a Snuggie. My friend then told me that I had registered for it. Wow...I felt like an idiot. I then thanked her so much and told her the story how I am clueless on all things baby. I've been doing all this research in preparation, but I still know absolutely nothing. I didn't take very many pictures, but you can see some of the food at the shower below.

Incredible open faced turkey sandwhich

Strawberry shortcake

Party favors

My belly continues to itch like cray, but others have been commenting on my ability to hold my bladder and balancing skills. I'll take it. As far as my fitness this week, there was room for improvement, but I have been seriously lacking on sleep thanks to the big belly up front. I just can't get comfortable and I am often waking up about every 45 minutes or so to try to get comfortable again. I'm still feeling pretty good when I run. I think the support belt I wear helps a ton! This is what my week looked like:

• Sunday, 2/26 - 30 minute walk @ lunch
• Monday, 2/27 - 35 minute walk @ lunch, 30 minute run/walk later in the day
• Tuesday, 2/28 - 40 minute walk @ lunch 
• Wednesday, 3/1 - 40 minute speed walk
• Thursday, 3/2 - 20 minute walk @ lunch, 50 minute run/walk later in the day + full body circuit
• Friday, 3/3 - 1 hour and 20 minute walk
• Saturday 3/4 - Rest

A lot of walking this week and not much running. Most of them taking during lunch a just above a leisurely pace. This week I hope to get a bit more running and strength training in. I am slacking big time on the strength portion. Looking forward to another week to mark off the calendar and one more week closer to meeting Zoe.