Baby Girl #4, Week 30

How far along: 30 weeks!
Weeks to go: 10 weeks (technically, anywhere from 7 to 10! Or more... )

Baby is the size of: a large head of cabbage!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: Not sure, my appointment is tomorrow!

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! Sticking to my norm of capris and large t-shirts, but the nicer weather this past week had me breaking out my maternity shorts! I am LOVING the Spring weather! I want it to stay for a while! 

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Decent! I'm getting better at falling back asleep quickly after my night-time bathroom runs!

Movement: Tons of movement! I'm at the point in my pregnancy where everyone can see Adeline kicking me from the outside! I will put things on my belly and my girls will watch them move! Things like: books, bowls, cups, etc!

Best moment this week: FINALLY getting my root canal done!

Worst moment this week: Almost going into labor because of a yeast infection... which I didn't even know was possible. The antibiotic I was on for my abscess tooth caused me to have a yeast infection. After a few days of not knowing what was going on with myself, some contractions and (TMI Warning!) bloody discharge had me panicked enough to call my doctor. He saw me within a few hours, checked my downstairs, monitored me, and all was well! This is my second yeast infection, ever. So I really had no idea what was going on. Now I know. And also, getting my root canal done. It wasn't so much the getting it done as it was the fact that I was in a dentist's chair for 2 hours and 45 minutes! I alternated sides every 15 minutes or so, but I still had some major back pain afterwards. The back pain lasted for a few days, but is better now.

Miss anything: Racing. All of my friends are running and racing every weekend and I miss it terribly! I do have a few running events coming up, though!

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Fresh Fruit (Apples, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Peaches, Strawberries, etc.)
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal

Queasy or sick: Nope! But raging heartburn, still.
Workouts: Walking, Jogging, and gardening!

Emotionally: Having moments where I can't control my emotions. Which either leads to me crying and crying, or me laughing and laughing. And not all the time, just usually when I'm super tired or out of it!
Physically: Doing much better! My tooth is now fixed and my abscess is gone! But in it's wake, I got a yeast infection. Which is now being treated, hooray! I feel like this last week, my body hasn't been my own. I had no control over what was happening, and I didn't, but I don't like feeling that way. I am glad that I am starting to feel normal again! Well... as normal as a 30 week pregnant person possibly can! 

Looking forward to: My 30 week OB appointment tomorrow! New Beginnings at church this Wednesday! Quilting with friends this weekend!

I've started getting things for my hospital bag ready! Seems crazy that I'm at that point, but Caitlin came early  (I was 35 weeks, 6 days pregnant) and I wasn't really prepared! I had my bag packed before she was born and I had it with me when I went to her 36 week appointment in Omaha. Thank goodness! But we brought her home to an unfinished nursery! So I've learned that I need to start preparing now and have my bag packed because I don't know what's going to happen between now and the time Adeline arrives! I've also been getting all of my newborn/0-3 month girl clothes totes out to wash before she arrives! The same take-home outfit that our other girls wore will go into my hospital bag! Though Charles and I are still trying to find some take-home shoes that we like for Miss Adeline!

Also, here is my 10 week, 20 week, and 30 week comparison!

Baby Girl #4, Week 29

How far along: 29 weeks!
Weeks to go: 11 weeks

Baby is the size of: a butternut squash!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: 20 pounds total (Adeline weighs about 2.5 pounds!)

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! Even though I'm still having issues being between sizes. Some medium's are too small... some medium's are too big. Some large's are too small... some large's are too big. I think it has something to do with the brand of maternity clothes. It's just frustrating for me! I've been sticking to my normal attire of capris and large t-shirts!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones! 

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Still having pain in my groin area when I turn over, but it is getting better! Thank goodness! 

Movement: Adeline is crazy active, as always! And she has her days/nights on schedule! I'm hoping that she stays this way!

Best moment this week: My 28 week check-up! Everything is looking good! I'm still measuring big, but no concerns! I always enjoy hearing Miss Adeline's heartbeat! I'm switching over to having appointments every two weeks! Getting closer and closer to meeting Miss Adeline! Going to the temple this past weekend with Charles! I love our alone time and attending the temple! Easter Sunday with my family! Grandma Debbie made our girls matching dresses! I'm thinking about getting some bonnets to go with them! My little pioneers!

Worst moment this week: I had a slight anxiety attack Wednesday night at a Church Easter activity for the Primary. Not sure what happened, but I felt very crowded and claustrophobic. Probably doesn't help that I'm hugely pregnant... I ended up walking/jogging home in my clothes (jeans, shirt, flip flops, etc.). I was alone on the trail, so it helped tremendously to allow me to calm down. 

Miss anything: Pain-free groin. Smaller boobs. Sushi.

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Fresh Fruit (Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Pears, Strawberries, etc.)
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal

Queasy or sick: Nope! Still having issues with severe heartburn.
Workouts: Zumba, jogging, gardening, walking, and strength training! Felt REALLY good this week, too! The weather was gorgeous!

Emotionally: Aside from dealing with feeling claustrophobic, I felt much better this week! Probably the endorphins from working out!
Physically: I feel like Adeline is all out front most days! Thank goodness for my support tanks! I honestly feel like I should be stretch-marking from as far out as I feel she is! Maybe I'm just not use to being this small while pregnant? My other pregnancies I was over 200 pounds before I got pregnant. So by the time I started really showing, I was pretty far along already. Whatever it is, I feel huge. Torpedo-Belly. Watermelon-Belly. GIANT-Belly. And I still have eleven weeks to go! I am getting my root canal this Friday. Thank goodness. The rest of my temporary filling fell out yesterday. I've been praying that I don't get another infection. I've been on an antibiotic since last week, so I'm hoping all is well the day we show up for my appointment. I am SO ready to get this taken care of. I take care of my teeth, which frustrates me about this whole situation. I think it's my genetics that are working against me. I apologize to my current and future children, you will probably have terrible teeth because of my genetics. I am sorry.

Looking forward to: Watching the 2014 Boston Marathon today! #BostonStrong Getting my tooth fixed on Friday. Seeing my Mommy and family Thursday and Friday! Young Women Leadership training on Saturday! And I'm going to see a play in Des Monies with my friend Brooke Saturday night! 

Baby Girl #4, Week 28

How far along: 28 weeks! THIRD TRIMESTER!
Weeks to go: 12 weeks

Baby is the size of: an eggplant!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: 20 pounds

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! Lots of capris and large t-shirts!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Depends on the night. After my sprinting-after-my-2-year-old incident, I've had a hard time sleeping. I have a lot of pain in my groin area (TMI, sorry...) and it makes turning over hurt.

Movement: Adeline is crazy active! She moves almost constantly! So when she is resting and not moving very much, I start to panic!

Best moment this week: Passing my glucose test and the Hope Glows 5K! I had no worries about the glucose test! And I had an amazing time at the local glow run this past weekend! I made a "Glow Baby" and it got a lot of raves! I also got a lot of positive comments about being a pregnant runner!

Worst moment this week: Vivian almost running into a parking lot. I had to sprint after her to catch her in time. It was terribly scary for me. I had some contractions afterwards. And I have had some groin pain since. It gets better when I stretch, but it hasn't gone away yet. 

Miss anything: Pain-free turning at night!

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Cantaloupe, Fresh Fruit, Avocados, Pasta
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal

Queasy or sick: Neither! But I've been getting some MAJOR heartburn. I'm going to talk to my Doctor about it at my appointment this week. Nothing is helping. Not tums, milk, crackers, eating slowly, sleeping propped up... nothing. I don't want to have to take anything, but I'm going to have to cave on this one.
Workouts: With the gorgeous weather this week, I got a lot of walking, jogging, and gardening in! Going back to Zumba tonight now that things have quieted down with my family's schedule!

Emotionally: I'm finding it harder and harder to NOT cry when I get frustrated, upset, or mad. And I've decided to just let myself cry it out. I know it's better for my body to release those emotions/hormones. But I feel like I'm crying more than I should. I think some of it is that I'm closing in on actually meeting this little lady! She will be here in 12 weeks or less! I am not freaking out about it, but I am getting nervous. I worry about how my other girls will act... mostly Vivian. I am trying to remain calm and NOT over-think anything. I am focusing on each day and getting through them one at a time!
Physically: Aside from the normal aches and pains of being this pregnant, I feel wonderful! I feel huge! I've been told that I'm "all baby" and I am really starting to feel it! I feel like my body is stretching out to the max and I have no new stretch marks to prove it! I had to go to the dentist because I have a temporary filling that has fallen out. It fell out over a month ago and I now have an abscess in my gums. I have to see a root-canal specialist later this month to get it taken care of. Why a specialist? 1. I am pregnant. 2. My tooth roots are about 90 degrees. The temporary filling was suppose to last my entire pregnancy... but that didn't happen. Now I HAVE to get this taken care of because it puts both me and baby at risk having an infection/abscess like I do. I am taking an antibiotic to clear up the infection, my Endodontist appointment is April 25th. I have decent overall tooth health. I do have four small cavities and I need my wisdom teeth removed. I am going to have all this done by the end of the year! I am beyond excited!

Looking forward to: My 28 week prenatal appointment tomorrow! Easter! Getting my tooth taken care of!

Baby Girl #4, Week 27

How far along: 27 weeks!
Weeks to go: 13 weeks

Baby is the size of: a head of cauliflower!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: I forgot to weigh myself...

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! I am enjoying being able to wear some stretchy maternity capris now that the weather is finally warming up!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Depends on the night. I've been getting crazy heartburn at night and it makes it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Movement: LOTS of kicks, punches, and nudges! Adeline is super active!

Best moment this week: General Conference!

Worst moment this week: Having some sort of stomach flu for three days. It really put me out. I was very tired and very dehydrated. I almost had to go into the ER because of it... 

Miss anything: Sleeping the entire night! Smaller boobs!

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Crab, Fresh Fruit (especially cantaloupe!), Pasta
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal! Aside from staying away from anything that could have given me heart burn! 

Queasy or sick: Stomach flu for three days... NOT FUN! Although my morning sickness hasn't bothered me this week!
Workouts: Lots of walks! 

Emotionally: Feeling good! I am still getting emotional when I think about meeting Adeline for the first time! It's such a powerful moment! I have these dreams where I deliver her outside on the side walk or at a store... it scares me because I know it's happened to other people in the world! Will I get one of those stories? "Hi! My name is Carie and I delivered my fourth child in the produce section of my local HyVee!" I sure hope not! I think I have these dreams because of how quickly Vivian came after my water broke with her. I wouldn't have had time to go anywhere if I wasn't already at the hospital! And now I panic that if my water breaks in public, I will have my baby within minutes?!?!... I just pray that if something like that happens, that I'm at home or in the car on the way to the hospital! I've even started educating myself on how to deliver my own child... which is sort of empowering and terrifying at the same time!
Physically: I feel great! I am starting to get the aches and pains that come with carrying such a large load out in front of my body! But I will remain positive! Carrying a baby is such a blessing! Yes, it's hard on my body! But I trust my body completely!

Looking forward to:  Getting some much needed dental work done (yes... while pregnant. And no, it can't wait...). The local 5K glow run this weekend! Warmer weather! All of the fun activities the girls have at school this week!

Baby Girl #4, Week 26

How far along: 26 weeks!
Weeks to go: 14 weeks

Baby is the size of: a scallion! (14 inches long!)

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: 17 pounds total

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! And I FINALLY got some maternity clothes that fit me! HOORAY!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Now that I've been working out more, I've been sleeping very well! I still wake up quite a few times a night to pee, but I'm falling back asleep easily!

Movement: SO much movement! It makes me sick to my stomach when Adeline moves so much, but it is worth it!

Best moment this week: Going to the Kansas City, Missouri Temple with Charles! It was our first time going and it was gorgeous! The drive was long, and I got slightly car sick on the way home, but the trip was well worth it! We want to go back when the flowers and trees are in bloom!

And I also go to meet JILLIAN MICHAELS! She rubbed my baby bump and asked me how many kids I have. When I told her that Adeline is my fourth child AND my fourth daughter, Jillian said, "You. Are. A. Hero!" I was in heaven standing next to someone who has inspired me so much!

Worst moment this week: Not getting enough sleep. Yes, I've been sleeping good, but I haven't been getting enough sleep. It turns me into an angry bear...

Miss anything: Sleeping the entire night!  

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Fresh Fruit, Pita Bread/Chips, Gummy Worms, Strawberry Sundaes
Aversions: Raw Meat, Wine (the smell of... a woman had a glass next to me during Jillian's show.)
Appetite: Normal! 

Queasy or sick: Morning sickness and some serious heartburn.
Workouts: It got in lots of walks, some jogging, squats, and some light lifting! Felt really good to move my body! I am looking forward to warmer weather! I want to workout outside!

Emotionally: This week has been good! I think it's the nicer, warmer weather. And the sun! I know I get seasonally depressed, but I don't realize just how bad it gets until I'm outside in the sun!
Physically: Aside from my raging heartburn, I feel fantastic! Sure, I get a little achy. I feel huge. I have a hard time putting on shoes. But I feel fantastic! I am really enjoying my pregnancy and rejoicing in every moment I get with Miss Adeline before she comes! I am so excited to meet this little lady!

Looking forward to: My next prenatal appointment. Kindergarten Kickoff! (Although I'm still in denial about my oldest going into Kindergarten! Wasn't she just born yesterday?!?!) Warmer weather. General Conference.

Baby Girl #4, Week 25

How far along: 25 weeks!

Baby is the size of: a rutabaga! 

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: I forgot to weigh myself... again!

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Not very good this week. Not sure why... my bed is comfortable and I'm able to relax, but I can't stay asleep. I wake up every hour or so. I'm terribly exhausted because of it. I need solid sleep! Especially before baby arrives!

Movement: LOTS of kicks, nudges, and stretches going on! 

Best moment this week: My 24 week prenatal appointment! I had to bring my girls with me. They enjoyed hearing baby's heartbeat! Today is my oldest daughter's fifth birthday! We had her party this weekend and it was AWESOME!

Worst moment this week: Stressing about cleaning, the party, and not getting enough sleep. Vivian is going through some serious "terrible two's" right now. I cry... a lot.

Miss anything: Smaller boobs. My runner's legs. 

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Lobster, Crab, Cheeseburgers, Fresh Fruit
Aversions: Raw meat
Appetite: Not quite as hearty as it has been. Maybe because my stomach is getting smaller? I'm not sure, but I'm not as hungry as I have been. 

Queasy or sick: Off and on morning sickness still... annoying!!!
Workouts: LOTS of walking! Some light jogging. I'm hoping to get back to Zumba this week now that things have calmed down and Spring Break is over!

Emotionally: I find myself thinking about the baby coming and I get super emotional! I know labor and delivery are going to hurt, but I am SO looking forward to holding my sweet Adeline! I am so overwhelmed with love... it makes it hard for me to even speak. Hence all the crying!
Physically: After all of the cleaning for the party and going through our storage room, I was hurting all over. My body is tired! But there are moments when I feel energized and ready to conquer the day! It's such a high and low feeling! I feel larger! I know I am getting larger! This is my fourth child! I feel like I shouldn't be this big yet! Haha! I am measuring big, which means I might get another ultrasound! (WOO HOO!!!) I would LOVE to have this baby in late June rather than early July! At my appointment, I was suppose to measure at 24 weeks, but I was measuring more in the 26 to 27 weeks range! YES PLEASE!!!

Looking forward to: Meeting Jillian Michaels this weekend in Des Monies! (YES you read that right!) Hooray for VIP tickets and a best friend who is giving me an amazing *early* birthday gift! WOO HOO! I am so excited! I can hardly stand it!

Baby Girl #4, Week 24

How far along: 24 weeks!

Baby is the size of: an ear of corn!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: I forgot to weigh myself!

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out! 

Sleep: I'm going through a comfortable phase, so sleep has been wonderful!

Movement: Adeline is constantly active! She moves pretty much all day! And I LOVE the feeling!

Best moment this week: Being OUTSIDE with my girls! Hooray for the beginning of spring! And my support tank came in the mail! 

Worst moment this week: The crazy Iowa weather! Sunny and warm one day, snowing and cold the next. My girls have started getting sick from it... runny noses, coughs... Happy Spring Break! #sarcasm

Miss anything: Smaller boobs. Sushi. 

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night. 

Cravings: Fresh Fruit, Skittles, Cheeseburgers, Avocados
Aversions: Raw meat
Appetite: Hearty! And I find myself staying away from sweets, which is nice! Aside from my random craving for skittles this week! Haha!

Queasy or sick: Off and on morning sickness. LAME!
Workouts: I FINALLY got a run in! It's been a while! And it felt good! I ran a few days before my support tank came in, so I am excited to get outside and run with it on! I also got in some walking with the girls, Aqua Zumba, and swimming!

Emotionally: MUCH better now that the weather is getting warmer! Being outside is so relaxing for me! I have missed being outdoors!
Physically: MUCH better now that I have my support tank! My hernia hasn't bothered me since I started wearing it! My back, hips, and shoulders feel so much better! It's crazy that a support tank can do all of that! I don't think I realized just how terrible my posture has been this pregnancy! I seriously feel old some days. Everything aches and I feel terrible. So after wearing my tank for an hour, all of those aches were gone and I felt refreshed! 

Looking forward to: My prenatal appointment on Wednesday! Caitlin's 5th birthday party this Saturday! Constant warm weather! Sunshine! More jogging! 

Baby Girl #4, Week 23

How far along: 23 weeks!

Baby is the size of: a large mango!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: 15 pounds total

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! Finally starting to fit into my maternity clothes! I think my bump is finally large enough! But I'm still wearing pajama pants and large t-shirts most days!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: This week has been a little off... probably me getting ready for the time change and what not. When I'm sleeping, I sleep great. But when I wake up, I have a hard time falling back asleep. I will just lay there.

Movement: LOTS of kicks and nudges! Some have started to hurt! Adeline is very strong! And she has been laying weird the past few days and making it hard to breathe, eat, and relax.

Best moment this week: Quilting party! I am excited that Caitlin's quilt is coming together beautifully! I should bring my camera next time and take some pictures of my progress!

Worst moment this week: I am having morning sickness all over again... BLAH!

Miss anything: Smaller boobs. Running fast. Warm weather.

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night. 

Cravings: Bagels, Fresh Fruit, Raw Almonds
Aversions: Raw meat
Appetite: Hearty, but my stomach is getting smaller! So I always feel SO full even when I don't eat that much.

Queasy or sick: Morning sickness off and on, during random times of the day. Mostly in the morning and evening.
Workouts: Zumba and walking! I am looking forward to running this evening since it's a gorgeous day outside!

Emotionally: Doing very well! Although I still have moments when I feel completely overwhelmed. I get pretty down during those times, but with warmer weather and sunshine coming, I am excited to get out of my house and relax! I think I have cabin fever! I am itching to get out of my house! And my girls are, too! I am so glad that this week has nice weather coming! We need to get outdoors and play!
Physically: I am exhausted! Even walking up a flight of stairs has me breathing heavy! I feel like I'm really starting to show and Adeline is all out front! "You're all baby!" is what I've been told! And I feel like it most days! Adeline likes to sit forward, so my back and hips still hurt from time to time. I've been working on my posture and being careful to not sit forward too much. Adeline does not like to be squished! I have ordered a maternity support tank and I hope it will help with my posture and how I'm carrying. I know it will help with my hernia pain. 

Looking forward to: Caitlin's 5th birthday! Jogging! Warmer weather! Sunshine!

Bloglovin Link

I've decided to connect my page with Bloglovin since everyone pretty much has!

So if you have a Bloglovin account, please Follow my blog with Bloglovin!

Baby Girl #4, Week 22

How far along: 22 weeks!

Baby is the size of: a spaghetti squash!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: 14 pounds total

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yep! But mostly just workout pants, pajama pants, and large t-shirts!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Great! I have been sleeping wonderfully! Even after my bathroom trips in the middle of the night, I am able to fall right back asleep! I nap about twice a day, for about 20 to 60 minutes at a time, depending on if my girls are home from school or not.

Movement: Lots of kicks and nudges! It's fun to watch my belly move while relaxing in bed or on the couch! 

Best moment this week: Girl's day in Des Moines with Jen, Rhea, and Jodi! The weather was a little scary on the way home, but we made it safely!

Worst moment this week: My first Braxton Hicks contractions. Vivian hit my hernia pretty hard and it set off a few BH contractions. The contractions didn't hurt, but my belly button sure did. After drinking lots of water and relaxing, I stopped feeling them. 

Miss anything: Sushi. Smaller boobs. My runner's legs.

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night. 

Cravings: HuHot, Apples, Raw Almonds, Cheese, Fresh Fruit
Aversions: Raw meat of any type.
Appetite: Depends on the day. Some days I feel like I could out-eat everyone around me. Other days I can hardly finish a sandwich. But for the most part, it is still a normal, hearty appetite! 

Queasy or sick: NONE!!! WOO HOO!!!
Workouts: Got some Zumba and Aqua Zumba in this week! Felt SO good to get moving and start sweating! My schedule has been crazy hectic, and it's hard to want to go outside when it's -12.

Emotionally: I'm able to better control my emotions! I don't cry at the drop of a hat anymore! I get misty-eyed, but I don't actually cry! YAY! With baby moving around all the time, I am comforted and calm! It is a wonderful feeling! I do feel anxious at times, and I have to calm myself down, but nothing is a "trigger" for my anxiety. It just comes and goes. No warnings. I haven't had an anxiety attack since my early, early pregnancy weeks. I also haven't quite come to call the baby by her name. Part of me is still in "this is a boy baby" mode. I am hoping that I start calling baby by her name, Adeline, before she gets here. But there is a part of me that still thinks this baby is a boy! I guess I'll know for sure the day I deliver, but I am having trouble programming my brain! I'll get there... eventually!
Physically: I haven't had any pain from my hips this week! YAY! Not even during Zumba or while sleeping! If I sit wrong, my hips will hurt, but it's only for a moment. Not like it was before! My acne is bad again... I blame the sweating from working out! Again, it's worth it! But frustrating at the same time! I feel like a teenager with my acne! I also noticed that my cheeks are turning red again. They were red all the time when I was overweight. So I'm not sure what exactly causes them to be red and splotchy, but I'm very self-conscious about it. Not sure if it's the cold weather, dry skin, or just from my pregnancy. It's not bad, but I notice it. (TMI Warning!) My yeast infection is gone! THANK GOODNESS! My doctor prescribed me one pill to take from the pharmacy. It took about five days for it to go completely away, but I noticed a difference within the first day! What a relief! I have NEVER dealt with this before. I have always been told by others how uncomfortable, yucky, and unpleasant having a yeast infection can be. Now I know. And I never want one again. 

Looking forward to: Caitlin's 5th birthday party later this month! Jogging! Napping! Decorating the girls' room!

I've also decided that my dream to run a half marathon while pregnant isn't going to happen this pregnancy. My umbilical hernia is causing a lot of problems. It is getting bigger. Which makes me terribly sad, but this was expected. My doctor is concerned that it will get worse if I run with a larger belly. Even with a support band. And the most important things to me are my health, my body, and this baby! I have decided to do a few 5K's for fun! Just to keep me moving during this half of my pregnancy. And I am still able to do my workout classes, unless I start feeling too much pain. But so far, so good!

I know that if were within my first trimester, I could have done a half marathon! But running at 35 weeks pregnant, even with adequate training, makes me nervous about going into labor and delivering early. And I've gone through the NICU experience before. I never want to go through that again. I have taken a lot of time to think this out. This decision does make me sad... but it's not about just me anymore! And I have to think about this baby and her needs, over what I want to do. It would be cool to say that I ran a half marathon while pregnant! And I would love to run the Dam to Dam during it's very first half marathon year... but I've got better things to look forward to!

I will still be running the Market to Market, though. The shortest distance for the team of seven that I am on is a 7.5 mile run (runner #5), broken up into sections of roughly 3 miles and just over 4 miles. I am confident that I can do that without pain or irritating my hernia. But to run a full 13.1 miles all at once at 35 weeks pregnant is another story! And our team for M2M isn't going for speed! We are going for the experience!