We found out what baby Ley will be!

What a lovely couple of weeks it has been. We went on a family trip to Nebraska, which is always so special because we have a hell of a good family there! They feel more like my first cousins than my second and third cousins. 

We were able to walk around a beautiful lake every day that we were there. It was a great way to exercise, and talk with our family :) I never thought that I would have said that walking is exercise for me, but it really is!

I think last week was a great workout week, but not so great eating week (as usual). I have been feeling better about everything, especially after figuring out the sex of our little one. My parents, Conrad, and I, put on a gender reveal party that was a lot of work, but a lot of fun!

It was so much fun to get together with many of our family and friends. It was also a great way to share this special moment with them.

And then we found out...

It is a boy! We are welcoming Micah Avery Ley into our family! I am so excited because back before I was pregnant, we painted our nursery blue for a  Dr. Seuss theme. I thought that it could have been unisex, but the more I thought about it the more I knew it was a boy room. Well...it worked out perfectly! I always wanted an older brother, and look...I get to give my next child one!

And none of this would have been possible without the kindness and generosity of my wonderful parents. I know I've said it before, but God has blessed me with them! 

Anyway it was a perfect couple of weeks! And I wanted to share the news with you!!!

I am growing everyone! In all directions...

I know I have waited too long since the last post! It has already been two weeks. I feel that my body really has changed a lot in the last two weeks. I am embracing this pregnancy the best I can, but it is difficult to accept all the new changes that are going on, although that is the only thing I can really do! I feel like I am gaining weight everywhere, not just in the middle. I am so excited and feel so blessed to be able to be pregnant, yet I am mental when it comes to the things that come with it. I am just going to pray for peace of mind, because I would rather take all that comes with this pregnancy, than to not get to have a little precious baby.
Well that was the venting for the week. Aren't you glad you stopped by? :)

This week, the baby is the size of a large mango. Wow, I have sure come a long way! We will find out the sex of our baby in two weeks. I cannot wait to know! Then we can really get a start on the nursery.

I have been working out as much as possible, although I haven't ran for the past two weeks. I just haven't felt good about it. I tried at the gym, and I immediately felt like I needed to pee! It feels like everything is pushing up and down, and all around (because it is!). So, I have been doing Body Pump, Elliptical, hiking, and walking. I am going to try swimming next week, hopefully.

I am excited to go to Omaha, Nebraska, a week from today! It will be very fun to see my family. I always enjoy them.

I have been hanging out with our friend, Alden and her twins. They are so adorable, and they just turned seven months old! I am trying to learn as much as I can before the baby comes, but I know my baby will be much different than her babies! What works for one just may not work for another.

My belly button has been trying to peek out of its hole. I wasn't prepared for it to come out this early!                                






Last week we got to go to Tererro, NM, and help Conrad's parents with their store. It was nice to get away, smell the fresh air, and hang out with my in-laws.

My great friend, Jen, just got engaged and asked me to be her MOH. I am so happy for her, and excited to help her. I just hope that I can be there as much as possible before our bundle of joy comes, because I
know that once the baby arrives, my life will change! Especially because we want to try and exclusively breast feed for at least three-four months (if we can). Oh Jen, you get to bare with me!!!!! What are friends for?

I am excited that a couple of my best friends in the world are getting married next year, and you know what that means ladies? You two will (God willing) get to share the joy of a baby with me! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage! Thank you in advance!

I didn't get too dressed up this week to do my weekly picture. In fact, I didn't even do my makeup! Sorry :( But you can see quite a change in me, nonetheless.

How far along: 19 weeks!

Total weight gain: 9 pounds, but that was my weight at the last appointment...I know I have gained more now.

Maternity clothes: Oh my...I have just discovered how nice it feels to wear maternity pants, after trying to squeeze into my jeans. Check out my new maternity shorts!

Stretch marks: I am using coconut oil to try to avoid getting them, but I know they are hereditary and if I am going to get them, I am going to get them! 

Sleep: Still getting up every night to go pee!

Best moment of this week: Conrad took the day off to spend with me, and we went for a nice walk in the Bosque. It was so fun!

Miss anything: Running, beer and wine. But the things I get to experience now completely outweigh those:)

Movement: I have felt a little fluttering! I think it helped that I used Mat's stethoscope, and I was listening to the baby's movements. It helped me to see that what I have been feeling for a while now was actually the baby and not gas!

Food cravings: Not too many cravings, but Conrad has them!

Anything making you queasy or sick: NO!

Have you started to show yet: OMG, I would say yes, a little bit!

Gender: We will know in two weeks.

Labor signs: Nope

Belly button in or out: The top half of my belly button is coming out, but the bottom is still hanging in there.

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Happy or moody most of the time: So moody! I am still getting used to it...I know it has already been 19 weeks...Sometimes I am ecstatic and sometimes I am a big grump!

Looking forward to: Our gender reveal party!

Jogging stroller, hiking, and other things

Hello everyone! Last week was a pretty amazing week. My parents arrived on Thursday, and stayed until Saturday. My dad and I had a father daughter day on Friday which was very fun! We went to the gym (my dad likes to get four days in a week), we met my mom and Conrad for lunch, and then we went to REI. My parents bought Conrad and I a stroller and car seat! I've known I wanted a B.O.B. Stroller for about a year now, after seeing Dorothy Beal use one on Instagram. 

The stroller is so cool! It is easy to collapse and to put it back it only takes a flick of the wrist. Conrad and I are very blessed to have the parents we do. 

The B.O.B. stroller is amazing (my dad and Conrad are talking in the background...sorry! Georgie is there, too!)

I got Conrad to take Georgie and I hiking this weekend. It is my new favorite thing to do now because running isn't as easy as it was before! Everything is getting larger...everything!! Anyway, hiking still gets me breathing hard and seeing the beauty New Mexico has to offer is always so fun.
We will ask our OB on Friday how long I can hike, and if I can horseback ride. The latter is something that we kind of know the answer to, but horseback riding is Conrad's favorite thing so we want to be able to go!
Anyway, my future sister-in-law (I can say that as long as Mat isn't reading my blog, right?) bought me this onesie. What makes it so hilarious is that I was telling her the day before she gave it to me how a hecho en Mexico onesie would be the funniest. Well it turns out that she had it for awhile now, but she thought it was perfect timing! I couldn't agree more!
Ps our baby was actually conceived in Mexico, TMI? I think not.
I've still been keeping active, but last week I only got three days in. I'm going to do at least four days this week. I went on a three mile jog today!  I will no longer consider it "running." I went to Body Pump, and right after did 30 minutes on the elliptical yesterday. And, we went for a hike Sunday. I guess I'm already doing better than last week! YAY!The weeks are flying by!
How far along: 16 weeks 5 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 7 pounds, only because I haven't weighed in for this month yet. Friday, at my next appointment, will be a different story! 

Maternity clothes: Not yet. But I should buy some pants! I'm starting to have to unbutton :(

Stretch marks: Just old ones...

Sleep: bla! I am so uncomfortable! :/ it is hard waking up twice every night, and then getting comfortable is impossible. 

Best moment last week: Conrad taking me on a surprise trip to Buy Buy Baby! That place is so amazing!

Movement: Not yet.

Food cravings: I am eating everything, but I haven't had crazy cravings lately.

Gender: I have to wait one more month to find out! 

Labor signs: Zilch, thank goodness.

Belly button - in or out? Oh my goodness, it is slowly coming out! What!???

What I miss: Red red wine! And coffee...and sushi 

What I am looking forward to: Finding out what we're having at our gender reveal party! :) and feeling the baby move!

Staying active.

The past couple of weeks have been very nice. On Tuesday, we went to an Isotopes game with our friends Guy and Tory. It was .50 cent hotdog night, and we bet Guy that he couldn't eat 12 hotdogs...well he did! He consumed 12 nasty Ballpark Franks (yuck). It was a very entertaining game, to say the least. 

On Thursday, my friend Ashley and I went to the foothills to do our weekly walk. It is such a nice thing to have a pregnant friend to talk to in person weekly...and text message daily!
My cousin Megan is a week and four days ahead of me, as is my good friend Tory. My sister-in-law is pregnant with TWINS! I am excited to be an aunt, as well as a mommy. Our friend Courtney is also expecting in September! All of our kids are going to have so much fun growing up together!
As I said, it is so nice to know so many people who are going through the same thing as I am.
I worked out Monday-Friday last week, two of those days I attended two Body Pump classes (wooohoooo)! I am trying to stay as active as I can, and would like it to continue!
My friend Linda and I went hiking this afternoon on Tunnel Trail. It was beautiful, and it wasn't too hot. We jogged all the way back to the car because it started pouring on us. It was a great way to get in some cardio.
 

I also did Body Pump this morning! As you can see I am trying here. :)
If only I could control my appetite, all would be heavenly. Holy love handles! I hope everyone is having a great week thus far.
I am now 15 weeks and 4 days...every week is going by a little faster. YES!

Busy week..I'm officially a DD...

Our little peanut is already a runner!

We were able to do a great deal last week, although Conrad doesn't like to have too many plans after work...but who can blame him for that? On Monday I cooked dinner for a couple of our good friends, and then on Tuesday those same friends took us out for my belated birthday dinner. I think it is good to do as much as we can now, because in no time flat we will be preoccupied with a baby :). Then we went to a going away party on Wednesday, for one of my coworkers. She is such an amazing person, and will be missed greatly. She is off to bigger and better things in the state of Texas. 

On Thursday we got to watch the NBA Finals...wohoooo! I enjoyed watching Mr. James ruin it for his team. Why was he the only player with severe cramps? Strange. 

Then on Friday Con and I went to lunch with some friends in Santa Fe, and they came back down to ABQ later in the evening to get SMOKED in bowling, by ME. Okay, normally I wouldn't brag, but I am not very good usually, and I almost scored a 150! 

I've agreed to be a permanent DD, but I never knew how much of a drag it was to watch other people drink and act like crazies. Actually, it isn't entirely unbearable because I get to make fun of everyone the next day, and it is actually entertaining to watch two tall white guys sing (or try to sing) Gangster's Paradise on karaoke! I just get so tired when it gets close to midnight. I think midnight is my limit. I don't know how some people do it. I had a friend who could go clubbing until closing time when she was pregnant. I don't think I am that much of a trooper though. No, I take that back. I am NOT that much of a trooper. 

We went hiking yesterday with some good friends, and we had a lot of fun. We went to the Sandias and hiked up for a little over an hour, and back down again. I am glad that I am able to still do normal things. I guess I am only 14 weeks along though! 

When it came to working out for the week this is what I did: walking, elliptical, jogging on the treadmill, Body Pump, and the hike. 
A thing that I added to the schedule this week was a long walk in the beautiful Bosque with my good friend, Ashley. She is expecting identical twin baby girls, so it is so nice to be able to walk and talk pregnancy with her. She is a wealth of knowledge. We will start taking weekly pics, and we are going to start our very own club: The Stroller Moms!  :) :) :) 
I would like to run a little more outside this week, and go to Body Pump twice, instead of just once. Another thing, my diet hasn't been the healthiest, although I have been cooking more. When friends are in town, or friends invite us out to eat I don't know how to order healthy. I mean, I do, but I have no self control. Mark my words, this will be my downfall. 

Ashley is also a great person to follow. Her blog URL is:

http://mrsosuna.wix.com/momma-o

I stole this from Ashley, and some other online bloggers:

How far along: 14 weeks, 2 days
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 7 pounds already! I think it is because I was training for a marathon, and then stopped. It has nothing to do with the food I've been consuming :D.
Maternity clothes: Not yet. I can still fit into my pants!
Stretch marks: Just little old ones...
Sleep: I have been getting up one time less each night to use the bathroom. So my sleep has started to get a little better the past couple of days. It was very interrupted though for a couple of weeks.
Best moment last week: When Conrad kissed my stomach...FINALLY! :D
Movement: Not yet.
Food cravings: Lemon with salt...I know, not the best thing.
Gender: Don't know yet, though I think it may be a boy. Actually, I go back and forth. I can't imagine having a boy for some strange reason, but I think that since a lot of my friends are having girls, then I must be having a boy!
Labor signs: Zilch, thank goodness.
Belly button - in or out? In...wait a minute, will it go out? WAAAA....
What I miss: Red red wine! And coffee...
What I am looking forward to: Finding out what we're having at our gender reveal party! :) 

Milestones: I made it to the second trimester! Yeee---haw!

We saw our baby!

Good morning, afternoon, or evening...depending on when you are reading this. 
We experienced the most amazing thing yesterday! We got to see our little peanut inside of my uterus. The first ultrasound was quite the experience. I know very little about the whole carrying a child thing, and I learned yesterday that they inspect EVERYTHING to make sure all is where it should be, and that all is measuring accordingly. 
We learned that my due date was correct: December 5th. Although they said I was measuring a day early, they want to keep the same due date. I guess due dates are just estimations anyway! 
As you can see, the little guy/girl has his mama's nose (haha, it is probably too early to tell that and it is just now starting to form completely). However, that is what it looks like in this image! In a couple of weeks the baby will only be growing because it is almost fully developed!

As you can see I am getting a little more round in the middle. It is easier to tell if you see all of the pictures together though, because simply looking at this picture you may just say that I probably consumed too many Rebel Donuts.  If you know me though, you would definitely agree...I am becoming a MAMA!
Of course I am constantly wondering if I will be any good (at being a mom), and I am hoping that I will be because I will not return to teaching for several years...this means I better be a pretty darn good stay-at-home MOM...and wife too! It is all pretty new and frightening! 

I am still running. This morning I finished my first race of the pregnancy. I ran Polly's run here in ABQ to support pancreatic cancer research. This is my friend Linda, whose dad is battling the cancer right now. It was nice to run with my friend, and to run for a cause. 
It turns out, that although we walked a little in the beginning...I ended up placing fourth in my age group. I thought that was pretty cool. Although it was nothing close to my 5k PR of 23:01, I was proud! 
My goal is to continue running as long as I can...even if it is only 5ks. Don't get me wrong, 5ks are a lot of fun, and a good workout, but after trying to train for a marathon...I just fell in love with the longer distances.
I love how it feels to be pregnant (knowing a baby is growing in there), although I may be a complainer...this pregnancy definitely isn't a rough one (so far, and knock on wood). Conrad has been amazing, and it is nice to have a great support system with my MAGNIFICENT family and friends. 

Keep on pushing yourself, you never know how far you're able to go. 

Any first time moms out there? Running moms? Anyone? :) Have a great morning/day/night.

I RUN!

P.S. Sorry for all of the parenthesis usage, as you can tell I have many thoughts, and a lot of side remarks to make because of all the many emotions I am feeling! I do hope you understand.

Sitting this one out...

My best friends are running a marathon right now...

My best friends are running a marathon right now...and I'm sitting this one out.

I have such mixed feelings. While I am sooooo incredibly proud of them, I'm a little jealous as well.

They've been running so much every week, and I feel like I've been gaining weight each week. My energy just hasn't been present.

Anyway, here I am at a cafe in the beautiful Santa Cruz, CA, waiting for them to pass me at their halfway mark. 

I just wish I was running with them. It is such a huge accomplishment, and a life goal! I'm proud of them.

The love of my life didn't even want to do this, and he completed the rest of the training for me 😍. So although I'm jealous, I'm truly proud and I know I'm extremely blessed. 

Steph and I made a new goal...marathon next summer :)

Anyway, my pregnancy has been beautiful and wonderful so far! I am a little over 11 weeks! 

I'm showing (a little) and my body is changing. What I'm looking forward to the most is feeling my baby move! My next appointment is on May 30th! 

Have you ever had to sit one out? How did you feel? 

Don't get me wrong, I know what I'm doing is much more difficult than running a marathon! I'm growing a human!!!! :)