ME ... except for the whole laying on my stomach thing

Every time I get all rainbow shooting star, lesson learned, wrap it up about this pregnancy I’m thrown another curve ball. I’m like well, running is off the table and that’s okay. Looks calmly at horizon, slow fade. A few weeks later, well walking everyday is flooring me so I’ll just do every other day. Calm face, lesson learned, slow fade. A few weeks later hobbling home bent over in pain from a 5-minute walk. Cue silent (massive) panic fit. Wants to punch all the pillows, has no energy to, eats whipped cream from the can and picks a fight with the husband instead (probably).

Last night by 5pm I couldn’t even stand up without getting pummeled by Braxton-Hicks contractions and feeling like my pelvis was struggling to hold a bowling ball. I called the nurses line, was told I was pregnant with my second baby, and promptly sent myself to bed demoralized. I lit a candle and meditated. I realized this baby is asking me to slow way, way down. And I’m going to find even lower levels than this in the next 7 weeks. Not really another rainbow shooting star moment, but maybe the realest moment I’ve had with myself in this pregnancy.

The past few weeks in normal non-pregnant life wouldn’t be too much, and wouldn’t even be too much with 70 running miles on top of them. But I need to readjust my understanding of my current pregnant self's limits where a trip to Vashon solo with PJ, two straight zoo days, a parade and a baby shower are a lot for me. And require adequate downtime. Even at the parade as I breathed through BH, I kept having to remind myself just to sit down, not crawl all around drawing on the sidewalk with chalk and dancing with the kids. It’s hard for me to admit that takes a toll. But it does.

This morning I woke up feeling much more normal (for 32 weeks pregnant) but still made an appointment with my office to roll through my question list and triple check this kid’s head isn’t engaged or something.

All checked out fine. I’m carrying a big(ish) boy, pretty low, and my diastasis recti made the doctor go “ohh, you poor thing”. Grrrreat. I’m calling it my skin window at this point, it’s literally like there is nothing but skin between me and this baby. I can practically count his toes through it. And it is wide. But at this point, what can I do? It’s blown out and I have 7 more weeks where I WANT this babe to keep growing. Best case is he keep blowing out my stomach. Right? I’m doing the breathing/engaging exercises I can and preparing myself for some serious (slow and steady) rehab after.

Based on IG suggestions I’m getting the Bao Bei ProBump and Belevation Shapewear. I have the Gabrialla belt, and it just doesn’t work for me. Sending it along to someone else today. I’m hoping these new bands help take some pressure off my pelvis and make my skin window feel a little more secure.

The next 7 (or so) weeks will be all about constant check ins with what feels right, and what’s too much. I want to remain active and healthy for myself and this babe, while being real about where I am right now. Thank goodness for the new Yoga for Pregnant Athletes out on Jasyoga, the restorative sessions are so needed to keep the blood flowing as I (keep learning to) accept my limitations. More on those videos later!