Everyone Waddles Up Hills

So there will be no trail running in my near future but at least I can still hike at 8 months pregnant. I love living in my neighborhood because I have this close by...

It doesn't look like much, but it took me about 10 minutes to conquer this hill at Topanga Park. There were a few hikers in front of me and I noticed that everyone waddles going up a steep hill. It made me feel right in my element! My husband is going to join me on his mountain bike tomorrow and I am so looking forward to it.

On my way down the hill I was able to move a bit quicker and I passed a few girls walking very slowly, navigating the loose dirt and gravel in bad shoes. They called out to me and asked what shoes I was wearing, I'm guessing because it seemed like I had better traction as opposed to the extra 25 lbs of gravity holding me down. I replied "I don't know, I can't see my feet, but I think they're Saucony." It made me laugh, what can I say, I'm easy.

xo,

Lauren

Mom on the Run

I've been thinking a lot about running lately. I used to run, and I ran far. I'm not fast, although I do try, I'm built more for endurance. And I'm just really missing my marathon training. I'm so eager for birth so I can start my training again. LA Marathon 2011, here I come!

I guess what I need to do is put all my marathon training focus into focusing on an easy birth. I use a lot of meditation techniques to get through the discomforts of a marathon. Hopefully I can use those methods for pain management during active birth.

My favorite meditation is the chakra meditation. You just imagine warmth or light going through each chakra while implementing a pattern of steady breath and it really works as a relaxation tool. You can do it when you have a hard time sleeping, or when you're feeling stressed. It's like Advil for the soul. And if that doesn't work during birth, there's always morphine...

xo,
Lauren

Almost There

It's so crazy to think that the little man will be here in about a month and a half! My friend Nami and I just finished his nursery so I feel a little better prepared for his arrival. Since Adam is rarely home, I had so much anxiety about having it done before the baby arrived. I had visions of being on bed rest at 32 weeks with the nursery only half finished. But now it's all ready for my little dude!


I have my 34 week prenatal appointment next Friday to do the group b strep culture and a quick US to check the baby's position. I guess they start checking for dilation and effacement at this appointment as well. The baby was already head down at 28 weeks, and head down at my US last week, so I'm pretty sure he'll stay in that position. I only worry because I was breech... And I really don't want a c-section.

After this appointment I'm also supposed to get my bags ready for the hospital. Yikes! That means this thing is really gonna happen. It's weird because I'm not terribly worried about the labor process, I feel fairly prepared for it. Don't worry, I know what I've gotten myself into.

xo,

Lauren