1208

1208

That's the amount of miles I've ran so far in 2011. Back in June, I thought I could hit 1500 no problem. Then I got pregnant, and things slowed down. I still wanted to make it to 1200, and am thankful my babies let me. I took a moment to pause as I finished that 1200th mile on Sunday (at a speedy 10 minutes) to reflect on the year and because I need to break more often. Again, thanks babies :) Getting back into running this year was one of the best things I've done. It's made me happy with my fitness, my body, and my confidence. Sure I would love to be faster, but maybe that will come in time.

I know in the running world, 1200 isn't that much. Some people will be running 2011 in 2011! For me, it's the most I've done in a year. I guess I may have ran more back in high school, but I never kept track.

I would love to set a mileage goal for next year, too. I don't want to get too set on something though, and then be disappointed when I don't have time to finish it. Considering I might not be allowed to work out until end of May (and that's being optimistic), it leaves about 7 months of the year. I think it would be enough time to train for a 10k, 10 mile or maybe even a 1/2 marathon in the fall. This is assuming I will have the time. I keep reading that taking time for yourself is crucial as a new parent. I hope that running will become my 30 minutes a day of "me" time. As crazy as it sounds, I miss my long runs. I miss those Saturday mornings of challenging myself to go further and feeling amazing the rest of the weekend because of it. I hope there will be time for those, too.

New Mom of twins runs 1/2 marathon. I like the way it sounds.


I hope you all enjoy your holiday and have safe travels. I will have some very much needed blissful vacation time. Sleep will be mine!

And then there were four

Buy one, get one free? Sure thing. I guess God wanted to let us know he loved a good bargain, too. Two babies in one pregnancy. Otherwise known as twins.

The surprise of our lives happened at the end of October. I was 11 weeks along. There is a more personal story that goes along with how we found out about our two little pumpkins. I would like to keep that part private and hopefully you, my dear readers, can respect that. Just know that the way we found out was special.

Special, but completely shocking. We had no reason to suspect twins. At all. This whole journey has all been surprising and quick, so twins never crossed our minds. Often mothers carrying twins experience more severe symptoms like morning sickness, exhaustion and fatigue because there is just so much more going on. I had a few days here and there of nausea....less than almost all mom's of singletons experience. I even measured a normal size for a singleton at my first appointment. And while there are some twins in Mr. BKL's extended family, I have since learned that the fathers heredity has nothing to do with twins. Identical twins are completely spontaneous and fraternal twins are the result of two fertilized eggs. Twins can be passed down on the mother's side causing hyper ovulation (two eggs), but the father has no part in the multiples factor.

The emotions have run the gamut from overjoyed, shocked, overwhelmed, anxious, happy, concerned, and nervous. I would say I experience all of those still on a daily basis. And about once a day saying the word "babies" instead of "baby" causes disbelief. There are two babies growing inside me. Wow.
I have to take a second to get all sappy about my husband. Maybe it's cliché, and maybe all pregnant women experience this, but I can't believe how lucky I am to be going through all this with him. He truly is a partner and I know we are in this together and I will never feel alone. He will be there through all the sleepless nights, changing diapers, feeding, swaddling, rocking, protecting and caring for his family. The three of us are grateful already.

Before I knew it was twins, I didn't want to find out. I still think about not knowing the day they are born, and how exciting it would be. But I  quickly changed my mind to being beyond excited to know what they are. Well, we found out on Friday that we have healthy, fraternal twins. One boy and one girl. One of each. We feel beyond blessed and I am bursting at the seams with excitement...I couldn't wait any longer to announce it.

My first boy/girl purchase…tiny socks.

Another amazing thing about twins is how much food I am supposed to be eating. Lots of research abounds that shows gaining 20 pounds by 20 weeks helps grow big babies. The goal of twins is to make sure they are large enough at the end to be healthy for the outside world. Most twins are born between 4-6 pounds. The thought is if I can gain weight, the babies have a better chance of getting to a good size early when there is still room in the womb (heh) to develop. At the end things just get crowded, so they don't have as much space to grow those little bodies. So far, I think I am on track. It's been hard letting go of everything I know about eating and what I have been trying to maintain all these years. It's not about me now, and it won't be for a very long time. Might as well get used to it, right Mom's?

As for running and exercise, of course carrying twins makes everything riskier. I haven't been told not to run yet, but I know that soon it will be just too uncomfortable. As I grow, there is more pressure on everything. It's estimated that your size when pregnant with twins is to measure about 8 weeks ahead. So if I am 18 weeks, my size is more like 26. Eventually I will just walk. And after that I might just rest. After all, I have my 3/4's of my family to think about.

17 week update

This past week, I finally got to see my OB. In what is sort of a long story in which I will share soon, I had started out seeing a midwives group. Also for reasons which I will share soon, it was determined that I would be seeing a doctor from then on.

Even though we didn't do much at the appointment, I feel really good about having a plan in place and some appointments on the calendar to look forward to. The biggest one being the anatomy scan or 20 week ultrasound in which we can find out the sex if we want.

Another interesting tidbit is that based on my previous ultrasound, she mentioned I am (or the baby is) measuring a week ahead. I would rather be ahead than behind! Or, I am just growing a large baby. Which, wouldn't be a shock as big babies run in both my side and Mr. BKL's side. Yay?

I am feeling more and more pregnant each day, as I seem to continue to grow. I was thrilled to run 5 miles yesterday, albeit slowly. It was my longest run since November 12th, when I ran 7.5 miles. It was about 37 degrees yesterday and besides the wind, it was a perfect day for a winter run. I much enjoy and relish my time outdoors over the treadmill, but am thankful still to have purchased on this fall.

I started taking extra iron over the weekend per recommendation of my doctor. I am hoping it will help with my energy levels (and my workouts) as I had been feeling pretty exhausted some days. They say the baby takes what it needs, and the mother is left to feel the effects. I think this was the case for me the past couple weeks. Must have been a growth spurt – for both of us!

By the numbers
Weeks pregnant: 17 (or 18!)
November miles run: 87.5 (YTD as of end of November: 1166)
Maternity pants purchased: 4
Baby size fruit/veggie comparison: an onion

And for your viewing pleasure, a bump photo. 17 weeks in all it's glory.

Please ignore my semi-wet hair and deer in headlights look. I will work on the “art of the bump” photos for next time.

Pants Party

This is the furthest thing from a fashion blog, but I wanted to send out a PSA about my new favorite pants. (I didn’t think the title of my two current posts would have pants in them, but never say never.)Now, I’m sure you’re thinking “yeah maternity pants do look pretty comfy…duh", but these pants are for everyone – gestating or not.

I pretty much gave up trying to make most pants at Old Navy work long ago. They always gapped at the waist and just fit funny. I know people love them, and I wish I did because they are affordable. Then one day, I saw these:

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I of course was probably more excited about the prospect of elastic waisted pants in my current state than I would have been normally. But seriously…non maternity, non workout, non sweat pant elastic waist pants. What’s not to like? They also had them in denim, but I wasn’t a fan of the wash. And, it appears they are on sale for $20 now. The great news about these pants is the waist also sits low enough that I think my bump will stay above it. Time will tell. So far, they are my go-to pants.

Since I am on the topic of clothing, it’s such a strange phenomenon to have everything fit except in your waist. I have always had the opposite problem with pants most of my life. If I wanted my thighs to fit, the waist was usually too large. I have gained weight, but based on how my clothes are fitting, it seems to be all in the bump ‘n boobs. I guess that’s what is desirable. I don’t want to be putting on extra weight in my arms and legs because that would serve no physiological purpose. At least I wouldn’t think so.  If I do I won’t be upset of course, but I’m glad my body is cooperating. Only 24 weeks to go!

 

P.S. I know this post would be a lot more relevant with me pictured in the pants, and so you can see my expanding waist. I wore them today, but am really trying to avoid the whole taking cell phone in work restroom thing. I can’t imagine a more awkward moment if someone else walked in. Moar photoz to come!