Hello, Third Trimester!

Sorry for the long hiatus. Exciting things have happened around here lately. My awesome mom came to visit, my husband returned from deployment, and I hit the third trimester. Yay!

Me at 27 weeks, with my mom. And the belly has grown since then.

Welcome home!

And I'm still running! Double yay!

But running has changed a great deal in the last 28 weeks. Though it happened gradually, I have definitely noticed my gait is different. I don't really want to say the word "waddling," but let's face it: I feel like I'm starting to waddle.

And I now run So. Very. Slowly. So slowly that pre-pregnant me would probably stop running and walk instead. It seems I've discovered a lower gear than I previously thought I possessed, which will be useful in the future, for running all the way up hills and continuing to run when I'm very tired. Instead of giving in and walking, I now know I CAN keep running, because I am capable of slowing my pace more than I used to think was possible.

Breathing has become more difficult too. The feeling of breathing harder at any given speed makes me feel a little out of shape, but I know it's not that. It's my lungs running out of room as the baby continues to grow and take up even more room.

My discomforts have been minor: a little extra fatigue and some round ligament pain. Getting up from a reclining position has gotten more difficult, and probably more comical too.

Last week I gave in and did something I told myself I wouldn't do: I bought a maternity swimsuit. This one, from Motherhood Maternity.

photo: Motherhood Maternity

(Is she even pregnant? I wonder that about all their models). I hated to spend $40 on a swimsuit I will wear for a total of three months (and during any future pregnancies, I suppose), but once I got in the water, I realized it was worth it. I felt weightless, supported by the water. Even though aqua-jogging was tough because I haven't done it recently, and because of my reduced lung capacity, it was a really enjoyable workout. I'm going to add it to my schedule twice a week for now, but if I start to get too uncomfortable running, or if it gets too unbearably hot here, I'm glad to know I have a fun alternative!