Running still and feeling great.

There are some days when I feel really great after I run, I mean, other than the feel good endorphins that you get from working out.
Today was one of those days.  
You see, it's all in the circumstances.  And here's my reasons:
-  I pulled myself out of bed at 5:40am - a few months ago this was my regular wake up and work out time, lately I've felt more like a slug has taken over my body until something important compels me to get out of bed.
-  Next, you would think that running that early in the morning would mean a cool breeze, or at least coolish air, WRONG!  When I walked out the door I literally took a step back it was so freaky hot, I wasn't expecting to walk into a sauna.  I took off down the road anyway.
-  I was not one of the people sleeping in their cars waiting for the doughnut shop to open. 
-  We just moved into a new place, and I don't have a running route yet, so I decided to just run straight for 18 minutes then turn back, which I did, but it turns out that the whole way out was downhill. 
- The whole run back was (obviously) uphill, but it took me the same amount of time to get back home.
- My belly is huge.  (I actually got asked if I was having twins)
- I ran just over 3 miles in 36 minutes.  Considering my state, I'd say that's pretty good, and I wasn't even trying to push myself.

Let's see if I can do it again.  I think twice a week is a reasonable goal.

Belly Perks

Here's a list of things that I love about having a pregnant belly

1.  I don't feel guilty about not doing any ab workouts after I run. 
2.  When I eat too much I'm not self conscious about my stomach sticking out
3.  I don't feel judged when I'm the first in line to get food on my plate at social gatherings.
4.  When Gracie wants me to hold her, the belly supports part of her weight and gives my arms a break.
5.  I get to park closer at the grocery store, at least when there's an Expectant Mother parking spot.
6.  Instead of being glared at when my daughter goes crazy in public and I can't catch her, I get looks of pity.
7.  It's always a great way to break the ice when trying to be friendly with strangers.
8.  When I run outside, I don't feel social pressure to keep running when I would rather walk.
9.   I take naps during the day without feeling guilty that I should be folding laundry instead. 

I just love being pregnant.  

Doing Something Right?

Gracie didn't want to sit in her high chair this morning
She didn't want to eat her cereal.
She didn't want to drink her milk.
She didn't want to go potty.
I thought, great, it's going to be one of those days.
Then I opened the fridge and she opened the vegetable drawer, pointed and said "cumbers. carrots."
She wanted to eat cucumber and carrots for breakfast.
I'm ok with that, in fact, it makes me feel like I must be doing something right if my 22 month old is requesting vegetables for breakfast.  So I let her eat them on the couch instead of at the table.
Gracie, thanks for making me feel like a good mom this morning.

Look Mommy!

Gracie is getting smart, or at least she's becoming more able to articulate her thoughts and prove how smart she is. 
Yesterday we went to the grocery store, Daddy ran in to get what we needed and Gracie and I people watched from the car. 
A girl walked by in tiny shorty shorts and an itsy bitsy tank top and Gracie pointed to her and said "body! body!"  
That's right Gracie, she is showing off her body.

I truly look forward to the other fantastic things she's going to say in public.  That girl makes me smile.