Names are my only secret...

I know that I've been absent a lot lately... and I can't fully explain why. I have some wonderful things to report! I guess it has a little to do with fear, and a lot to do with guilt. I am well on my way to truly believing that I'm going to have a baby in March, but I still have minor set-backs every so often. I am saddened by the loss that my blog partner-in-IVF has suffered, and I am disappointed in my ability to comfort her or understand what has happened. I also feel guilty that I am doing fine...when her heart is breaking. Hearing about tragedies like hers also reminds me of how frail my condition may be (one never knows).  Nevertheless, I have to keep my baby in mind as I focus on the moments in the last few weeks that have been positiviely life-changing... including the first time my husband felt our baby kick, the 20-week ultrasound, and my changing body.

I have news: We're having a boy! I was certain that it was a girl (helped by the fact that 'Pregnancy Day-by-Day' refers to the fetus as a "she" most of the time), and it took me all of 2 mintues to get over the fact that I wouldn't be buying tutus anytime soon. A boy! Check out my wee son:

The appointment was amazing! We saw a perfect four-chambered heart, two working kidneys (hello, bladder), a big ol' brain, feet, toes, hands, and shapely little bones. The tech said that everything looked "perfect". I loved that the appointment was nice and long - we go to see him move and kick and show us all his "parts". (No, there is no doubt - this is no lassie, it's a lad.) 

I told the kids at school, and they are completely excited. They have since been coming up with names... some of which made the list... at #556 and #9990. Kids come up with some weird names, by the way. (Fifty percent of them want me to name our son after them... ha!) My husband and I haven't had many 'secrets' regarding the pregnancy: everyone knew the when, the where, the how, etc. But names? Names are our secret... you'll find out in March.

Exercise: How much is too much?



I have been feeling a lot better about the health and well-being of my little one lately. No cramping, no spotting, and a strong heartbeat whenever I want to hear it. This is all good news in my second trimester! And I know I need to exercise more than just walking the dogs every day (which is hard when I work from morning to evening). So when this weekend came, I was so exctied to find an easy, flat, 4-mile hike around Twin Lakes. The colors are changing, the time is right, and I couldn't wait to get out of town and into the mountain air.

I live at about 5,400 feet; Twin Lakes is at about 9,000. So, yes, there is a bit of an elevation gain. But the hike is almost completely flat and I took my time completing the four miles. I made sure my heartrate never went above the 140 bpm limit. I ate a great breakfast, a healthy lunch, and we even stopped at my favorite coffee shop for a bowl of cheesy garbanzo and artichoke soup (amazing, by the way!). Nevertheless, I was definately fatigued at the end of the day. I slept like a rock for 9 hours last night.

Today I am TIRED. I seriously hope that I didn't push too hard yesterday. I couldn't have hurt my little one, could I? Some women train for and run 5Ks during pregnancy, right? Sheesh, just when I think I'm confident and content, I get nervous again. I just can't wait to get to the stage that a kick or a punch will reassure me that everything is just peachy in there.

If you are in the Buena Vista, Colorado area, I highly recommend this hike. It's called the Interlaken trail and is part of the Colorado Trail near Granite on Hwy 82.