Drum Roll Please

Friday February 15, 2013 (20 weeks-ish):

Saying goodbye to the in-laws on Saturday morning at the airport was a little sad, but as they said, “We don’t really see our adult children that much, as is.” I thought well, I suppose that’s true, and I turned my thinking towards the positives. For example, having let go of all of their personal belongings and following their hearts is admirable. Not only admirable, but I definitely can relate to wanting to do this. Having this baby has centered me in a whole new sort of way though. I feel more comfortable and satisfied with where I am in life. Of course, I still long to travel and explore, but I am more at ease with being “still” for a longer period than I was previously able to handle. So onward, expats, to fulfill your dreams! So I shoved them off. Gus went down to San Diego with them (on their last American stop) for the weekend to check out a few farms run by family and get inspired for one of his favorite hobbies (possibly future career??).

Love day: February 14^th! I really like this holiday, it ranks second to Thanksgiving. I just think of it as a great opportunity to tell everyone you care about that you love them. I think that I do this a lot already, but I just like this holiday. I honestly don’t even mind all the cheesy commercials trying to convince people to BUY, which is, of course; totally unnecessary to say I love you.  I just like it. Just like any other day, but centered on the great concept of celebrating those you love. Gus decided it was best to celebrate on the night before. He made me a wonderful dinner, bought me chocolate cupcakes (from Cupcake Craving in town), a bouquet of flowers, and wrote me a card! I can tell you I was one happy lady. The jog I usually do alone with the dogs, he did with me on Love Day (which was very nice)! Also a few of my rowing athletes gave me sweet treats (cookies, cupcakes and a card)! How sweet!?!

Four great random things that happened this week were surprises from others. My friend, Amy, who had her baby a year and a half ago, is sending me maternity outfits in the mail!!! I am so excited to try them all on. She is tall and had a summer baby too, so they will be size and weather appropriate. I am so excited. Plus, it might boost my mood about my growing size and trying to feel cute while prego.  A colleague of mine asked me if I wanted his brother’s chicken coop and chickens, because he is moving. WOW! How random?! Did he know we were planning on building our coop in March and buying our chickens at the end of March?? Just good fortune on our part! We can’t wait to pick them up this weekend! I received a very early birthday gift from my mother-in-law! A cute pink tide-dye maternity tank top that is soft and stretchy that I am excited to wear! She will be visiting Davis this weekend too. One of Gus’ colleagues is giving us her old crib, high chair and bassinet which we are excited to put in the baby room. What a fabulous week? Along with the fact that I think my little Kia will be the perfect baby mobile, and I simply love it!

In the mail this week I received notice that my visit to the hospital to deliver Baby in July is approved by the insurance company. I like it: advanced planning! Thanks for being on top of it, Doc! Speaking of Doc, the most exciting part of the week… THE ULTRASOUND! I have been in countdown mode for some time now and finally the day is here Friday the 15^th! I will reveal the accuracy of my Intelligender test based on my personal account… The verdict is: not worth the $35. It’s a girl. Sierra Chrystabel Wick is her name. Sierra like the mountains and Chrystabel is my middle name from my great grandmother. She is 13 ounces right now and the technician thinks July 3ish will be her delivery date. So we have July 1-6^th as an estimate. Gus and I are happy, and who knows maybe baby number 2 will be a boy!? I am so happy we found out the gender of our baby! I just want to keep it easy on the pink... I'm not against the color, but too much of a good thing is overkill.

As far as workouts, I am still trucking along here. I actually added another swim to my week on Wednesdays, and I keep everything else the same. I was actually involved in quite the hot debate this past week about women and lifting through their pregnancy on a strength training blog thread.  It was in response to a woman who was snatching in her 8^th month. Here’s her YouTube video: http://youtu.be/THIS8ytg4rU

I can tell you that I don’t hit my belly when I snatch, I probably won’t be doing any serious lifting at 8 months, nor do I lift this much weight, but I do believe it is this woman’s choice to do it or not. Plus, there were people on this thread who were saying that ANY woman lifting at all while pregnant is a bad choice… Woah, woah, woah… Anyhow, I have cooled off from the debate because as my husband said, “How is some old man, who probably doesn’t even have a kid or ever had a wife that lifted, telling you that what you’re doing is wrong?” Good point, Gus. Obviously, our baby has priority here, but there is no problem with lifting yet and if it is then I will stop.

Total pregnancy weight gain 15lb (at least some of that is attributable to VDAY indulgence). Here’s a picture of me at (20 +? wks): 

My favorite picture is when she's sucking her thumb. Here are some pictures of our little baby girl, Sierra: