18 pounds. Give or take.

At 25.5 weeks into this whole second pregnancy thing, I'm getting big. Big. There's no mistaking this pregnant belly for simple pudge. Remember when I was worried people were thinking I was just getting fat? Ha! And another ha! I laugh at that version of myself!

What I'm sporting now is a full-on baby bu-u-u-u-ulge. No cute bump for me. It's a big ol' bulge. Check out my proof:


Eh, who cares? I'm thisclose to being in the 3rd trimester so I deserve these extra 18 pounds. Or 20, depending on the time of day. And how many jelly beans I've eaten.

Anyway, the weight is what it is and there's no getting around it. Yeah, it makes the running tougher but, you know how people say (or at least around here they do), "it's not the heat, it's the humidity?" Well, same goes for this summer pregnancy running thing: It's not the weight, it's the humidity. Holy cannoli. The humidity has been knocking me out this week. If it continues this way, my running may come to an end sooner than I had hoped.

Earlier this week, I went out for a 3 mile run but had to walk about 1.5 of them. Sure, it was 8:30pm and it was hot and humid and I was slightly beat. But, still. Having to walk half of the distance? Really? I guess the answer is yes. Yes, really.

I'll get used to it, I'm sure. But, until I have to hang up the running shoes completely (and I will fight that for as long as possible!), I'm running on. This weekend, in fact, I'm running a 5K with two good friends (who were also in the new running group -- this is their second race!). I can't wait!

Looks like a good weekend for me. Hitting the road, heading on vacation, running a race. Woo hoo!

Happy Friday, everyone. Have a great weekend!

~ Felice

PS: I have a new review up over here.

Catching up.

I've been a blogging slacker lately. What's been happening . . .

Some gardening and a great run on Saturday . . . busy, busy Father's Day . . . article writing, errands running and a cruddy run on Monday . . . a fun few hours at the town beach, cross-training and vacation shopping yesterday.

Summer's been pretty good so far, I'd say.

On Sunday, part of the busy, busy Father's Day was that the whole family went to the Valleycats game:

Conal, me, my sister, my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law, my dad, Owen

After the game (which was tons of fun), Conal had a chance to run the bases. If you look closely at my pic, you can see him making his way from first base to second, where he passed the strange Rudolph he Reindeer mascot. Why there was a Christmas mascot at a baseball game I have no idea.


I loved watching Conal run the bases. He's just a little 3 year old and he looked so tiny out there on the big field. And yet he did it. The entire time that he waited in line, he was nervous and I thought for sure he wouldn't run. But he pulled himself together and went out there -- by himself (many kids run with their parents) -- and did it.

Such a big boy.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

~ Felice

Five Things Friday, ep. 23.

1. Today = sunny. NICE change after so many clouds this week. It's been rainy on and off all week (and the weekend was a wash-out) but things are looking sun-ny for this weekend! Yay!

2. Speaking of the weekend, I have a good one on tap. A few runs, a party with some good girlfriends, Father's Day, dinner with the family and then a whole family trip to the Valleycats. The 'Cats are our local minor league baseball team. They're affiliated with the Houston Astros. Funny, since we're in upstate New York. But, it's always a fun time going there.

3. I'm in total vacation-prep mode. It's nuts. No one should get so nutty about things like that.

4. I'm looking for something new to add to my daily smoothie. I currently make my smoothie with a banana, some frozen strawberries or blueberries (or both), plain low-fat yogurt and ground flax seeds. Should I try chia seeds? Wheatgrass? Whey protein? Something else to give my go-to breakfast a boost? Have you tried any of these? Do you like or dislike them?

5. This baby is shifting around like mad. It's a real change from a week ago when the movements were many but comfortable. Now, it seems that he's deliberately sticking his foot or arm exactly where he knows it will be the most uncomfortable. The stretching and pressure -- whoo ha! It's been something else. Yesterday it started to go away a bit and I haven't felt it as much today so I'm thinking that it was just a phase this week, just the baby finding a new place to settle. That would be nice because it has been such smooth sailing this pregnancy and I want to keep that going!

Well, I hope you all have a great weekend! And don't forget to enter my giveaways over here :-)

~ Felice

(Almost) summer fun.

My little guy has been in a great mood lately. Man, this kid is fun! Sure, he can get into things that he's not supposed to and, yesterday, when I asked him (from another room) if he was doing OK, he answered, "Um, I don't know if I'm doing OK because I broke my truck book." But, you know, some book destruction is slightly normal, right?

Anyway, I'm riding the good mood wave. The playset, picnic blanket and sand table are getting lots of use. I love (almost) summer and happy kids!

Here's a pic of him, thinking that the botched camping trip was a bit funny:

I also love (almost) summer nights on my porch with good friends! Last night was one of those nights. I have a standing once-a-month night with some wonderful girls and last night we opted to hang out on my porch. Here's the gang (minus two):

We had such a good time last night. Yay!

So, yeah, not much of a running post but you know I love that, too. And, as always, I'm looking forward to this evening's run. Had to sacrifice the evening run yesterday for my girls but it was worth it :-)

Hope you're enjoying (almost) summer, too! Happy Wednesday!

~ Felice

PS: TWO giveaways on my other site! Some laundry detergent and a running book. Hurry on!