2 Months and 1 week

Gabriel Cullen Smith was born on August 12 at 9:01pm! He weighed 7 lbs. and 13 oz. and was 20.5 in. long. After a long labor he finally arrived and was beautiful. He just had his 2 month check up and is doing great. I can't believe how big he is getting. He is now 13 lbs. and 4 oz and is 23.5 in. He is smiling more and making cooing noises and I can tell he is really trying to communicate. He is a happy little boy and is growing like a weed. He likes dancing to music and is a mover...we'll be chasing him around the house, no doubt.

39 Weeks

I've been pregnant now for 39 weeks and really can't believe how quickly it has gone. People keep asking me if I'm ready to have the kid yet, and I tell them that the first 7 months I was so busy with working, coaching, writing my thesis and trying to learn about what to expect that now that I've had some time to relax and enjoy the pregnancy, that's exactly what I'm doing and I'm in no hurry to rush things along. When our little guy is ready, he'll arrive. I do however think that he will arrive a few days late, which may be a good thing because 2 weeks ago at my Dr.'s appointment, I was informed that our doctor would be on vacation...anyone seen Knocked Up?!?! I not worried or concerned about it though. It will be fine; I just think it's pretty funny only because at one of my first appointments I had asked my doctor if she'd be the one delivering our child!

I wanted to give myself a pedicure about a week or so ago, but realized that I no longer could reach my toes! So, my sister Erin was gracious enough to come to the house and pamper my feet! Too funny. Also within this last week, it has been MUCH harder for me to put on socks and shoes; thank goodness for sandals!

I'm still walking 6-7 days a week anywhere from 2 miles which I did today up to 8 miles which I walked yesterday!! Boy does it take a lot longer to walk 8 miles than it did to run it; but I had company with my good friend Claudia. We take the dogs and ourselves for a walk. I was swimming 2-4 days per week and it was a lot of fun to get in the water and actually be able to breathe! Ever since baby boy dropped a little lower, I feel I am able to get a bit more oxygen in.



I have started to feel some Braxton-Hicks contractions, which feel like sharp, stabbing pains in my lower abdominal region. They haven't lasted too long, maybe a few seconds. I was thinking about contractions the other day; I'm not going to know when it comes on, I mean, I can't plan for it to appear, I just have to learn how to deal with them once they come. I'm a planner and organizer and like to have things under control (go figure) but with contractions it seems like I will just have to go with the flow!!

My hospital bag is almost packed; still need a few more items, but I'm surprised at the lists online and what they recommend you bringing...like you're going to stay in the hospital for a week (which I guess can happen, but the lists are exceptionally involved). I plan on bringing just the essentials, which again can vary from person to person!
The baby keeps moving and squirming and I'm sure he's running out of room, so it could be any day now. I now Jay is extremely excited and asks baby when he's going to come out and play!! How cute is that.
Back on July 4, mom and I trotted and walked the Spreckles 10k. Here is a photo:

5 Weeks To Go

I really can't believe how quickly the pregnancy is moving along! I'm still feeling good and am walking at least 6 if not 7 days per week with a minimum walk of 3 miles up to a maximum of around 7 miles! I'm also able to get to the pool 2-4 times per week, usually only for about 25 minutes due to my work schedule, but at least it's something. I'm also lifting weights (light weights of course) about once per week.

This 3rd trimester though I have been a bit more tired and have taken more naps than I did in the 1st trimester! Jay can usually tell when I'm tired and on more than one occasion he has made me take a nap and I was so very grateful that he did. I felt so much better upon waking. He's been taking such great care of me and I know he's going to be a GREAT dad!

It is definitely getting harder to put shoes and socks on and I keep thinking I may need Jay's help for that too!! We still don't have a name for our little guy, still working on it, but I'm glad we have a few more weeks. I'm sure the name will come to us when he arrives. We pretty much have everything we need, at least I think we do; and the nursery is coming along nicely. I still want to decorate a bit more with pictures on the wall, so we'll see how that goes.

Baby Smith is moving around quite a bit lately. Sometimes he moves quickly with a little jab or kick, but most of the time it's a slow turning type of movement. It feels especially good (not really) when he gets under my ribs and slowly presses!! Ouch.

We're just playing the waiting game now and I'm enjoying having some down time before he arrives.

Jay and I went on a short "babymoon" last month to Cambria and Santa Barbara. Even though it was only a few days away, it was nice that it was just the two of us. We took a tour of Hearst Castle and loved it and then spent the night in Cambria. We saw the elephant seals and took a nice walk by MoonStone Beach. We then continued south to Santa Barbara; walked down town, went to the zoo and had a picnic on the beach! We had such a nice relaxing time enjoying each others company.

Week 26

I finally hit the 6 month mark. I can't believe it. Baby Smith is moving around so much more and with more force; it doesn't hurt, but he sometimes pack a good punch. While laying in bed on Sunday morning, Jay was able to feel baby Smith moving and kicking!! It was the first time he felt the baby move. I think I was more excited than he was!

The weather had been nice for a few days and for a brief second I almost missed riding my bike!! I still miss swimming, however and am trying to find a way to make it to the pool at least a few times/week...haven't figured out a way yet, unless I call in sick to work every morning...I think they'd catch on pretty quickly though.

School related matters: Met with my thesis advisor and I have about 3 weeks to finish my thesis...yikes!! Need to get on the ball and get this thing written and off of my plate so that I can enjoy the last few months of pregnancy. Am looking forward to being finished with school.

Coaching track at RLS is coming to a close as well, which will offer more time for me to finish the thesis and hopefully workout.

I started to get the baby registry together and was completely and utterly overwhelmed by all the baby gear. I think I added two things to an online registry list and then gave up, argh...there are 50 something baby bottles and just as many different types of nipples, burp cloths, etc. Way too many items to choose from. Think I'll look for an 'essentials' list online and start there.

I'm very excited for this weekend as even though I will not be racing at Wildflower, I will be there supporting my team, Monterey Bay Multisport, and my individual athletes! Good luck to all of you. It'll be nice to get away for the weekend!

I hope to post pictures after this weekend, so stay tuned.

Week 23

I'm 23 weeks along now, almost 6 months! Time is really flying by. I'm doing well, just trying to manage 3 jobs and trying to finish my thesis as well as maintaining some sort of "fitness" along the way. I was swimming at 6am, but I'm just not able to swim fast enough to keep warm, so I have forgone swimming for the time being as 6am was the only time I had. I am still running, well, maybe not running. I think a better word is trotting! Whoa, am I slow!! It's hard to run every day now, but I'm still managing approximately 4-5 days of running (lately it's actually been running and walking) and the remaining days going for long walks.

I thought I had a thimble-sized bladder before I got pregnant, but now it's even smaller! On my runs I can usually go for about a mile before I have to stop and pee. I know probably TMI, but this is the reality of being pregnant!

I figure that if I'm trotting at a 12:30 min/mile, it's better to just walk! I had no idea I could move that slowly!! The belly is getting bigger now and it seems as though my belly button is just about ready to pop!! So bizarre all the bodily changes going on.

The baby has been moving around quite a few times per day and the feeling is so amazing. It's just about time to start looking into baby registries and getting the shower together, before we know baby smith will be here.

20 Weeks-The Halfway Mark

I am now 20 weeks pregnant and so far so good. Except for a few crazy mood swings and today being exceptionally tired. It's really amazing what hormones can do to a person!! Thank goodness I have an understanding husband.

A few things I've noticed...

1. My belly itches: I think that's because my skin is starting to stretch and expand. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it means, my belly will soon be larger ( least that's what I'm thinking).

2. My ligaments are stretching: When I run, my lower abdomen is tender. It's not painful, but it just feels weird.

3. I'm not running with my usual gait: It's hard to stretch it out on a run. Legs don't want to extend.

4. It's hard to lift my legs when I run: Not because the belly is in the way, just because I think there is more weight to lift.

5. My hips & waist are getting larger: Yep, have had to purchase a few maternity clothes. But thanks to some friends who've had kids, they've loaned me maternity clothes (thank you girls)!

6. My grandmother is going to spoil our little boy: She started purchasing baby items when Jay and I got married...2 1/2 years ago!!!

7. We have extremely generous friends: They have let us borrow baby items, furniture, toys, etc. Thank you so much for helping us.

Here are a few pictures:
WEEK 10






WEEK 15


















WEEK 18

It's a baby...

Yesterday I went in for my level 2 ultrasound. The technician took about 20-30 minutes using this high powered ultrasound to take measurements of the baby as well and to count toes & fingers (yep, they are all there! She also checked the organs to see their development and little baby Smith gets a thumbs up.
The technician printed numerous photos for us and even was able to do a 3D scan of our baby's face. It's incredible what technology can do these days.

Jay and I couldn't wait to find out the sex of the baby and yesterday was definitely a surprise. With 99.9% accuracy, we are having a little baby boy! I knew it. We had an entire list full of girl names and I kept saying that even though I'd like to have a little girl, I just knew we were having a boy and I couldn't be happier!! Now the hard part, names!! Because our last name is so common, Jay and I are on the hunt for a unique boy name. Feel free to send in your suggestions!!

On a serious note, we decided to have an amniocentesis done as well. This is where a very small needle is inserted into the abdomen, though the placenta and into the uterus to get a sample of the amniotic fluid. I felt a small pinch when the needle was inserted (I closed my eyes of course, but Jay watched). The doctor pulled out just enough fluid so that they can grow the cells that are sloughed off from the baby to check the chromosomal count. The fluid is sent off to a lab where they will grow the cells and check to make sure that Baby Smith has 23 pairs of chromosomes and that they all look healthy. We should get the results back within a week to 10 days. This test will also confirm the baby's sex, like we couldn't see his umm, wee, wee (is that appropriate???) on the monitor!!

The doctor said for me to take today off from work today to relax and take it easy. So, no desk job nor coaching for me today. I slept in til 8:30am (can't remember when I did that!) and have been in my pj's all day (seriously, really can't remember when I did that last). I've worked on emails, getting volunteers for this year's Sea Otter Classic (if you'd like to volunteer this year at the VIP Hospitality Tent, the BEST volunteer job around, please email me. You will receive free entry into the event, a t-shirt & either catered breakfast and/or lunch depending on how many shifts you work...trust me, the food alone is worth it. Plus you get to meet some of the VIP's in the cycling world). Anyway, back to what I'm doing today, I will be working on my thesis here too. Oh, and I watched 2 movies while doing our taxes.

Once I scan the photos I'll put a few up so you can see our beautiful baby boy. I am at 18 weeks and 4 days. About half way through, which I can't believe! It's going very quickly.

Bun in the Oven

If you've seen me on the recreation trail running and I look a bit heavier than normal and am running exceptionally slow, there's a very good explanation...I'm pregnant. I am 17 weeks along now and am feeling great. The past 4 months have flown by with no morning sickness (thank goodness) and with little tiredness. I think I felt the baby "flutter" yesterday; not quite a kick, but a little movement. Haven't felt anything today, but I guess that's normal.

Jay and I are very excited for our new addition. We hope to find out the sex of the baby within the next few weeks. We wouldn't be able to stand not knowing. It will still be a surprise!

Happy New Year

January 7, 2010

As you can see, it's been quite a while since I've written anything here. I finished off my triathlon season November 1 at the Marin County Triathlon, placing 3rd. In addition to racing, I was the assistant cross country coach at Robert Luis Stevenson School in Pebble Beach. My girls team all ran PR's at the Central Coast Section (CCS) while my boys won CCS and went on to compete at the State Championship at Woodward Park in Fresno, CA.

I started a new job...not quite 9-5, but close, at a physical therapy office here in Monterey. I work the front desk 5 days a week. It's very different from what I'm used to, but change is good, right? I've been there now for almost 2 1/2 months.

I know some of you may know that I was getting a little burned out on training and competing for tris, so I decided that I would take a year off of racing. It's nice to be a bit more flexible in my "training" now that I'm working, however, like I said before, it is quite an adjustment.

I've ridden my bike twice since November 2nd...wow, how weird is that. I've been running almost every day and I plan to start swimming again soon.

I hope to update more often, so keep your eyes peeled.