Dear little girl,

Hi little one,
Your dad finally felt you kick. He was amazed and so excited. You are a bit of a tease. You would kick one right after the other, and the second your dad would get his hand on my belly, you'd stop. Funny little thing, aren't ya?
We are in our third trimester now! 3 months from now and you will be here. I can't believe it. I am so anxious to see what you will look like. For some reason I am fixating on your hair. Will it be straight, wavy, curly, blonde, brown...?
No matter what, I know you will be the cutest most precious baby girl I have ever seen.
I think you like when I exercise. You kick all over the place after I'm done. Good thing, because we registered for a running stroller for you. Me and your dad (and your grandpappa) can't wait to have you with us at the first 5K. Your dad has already bought you your first pair of Nike's:)
Keep growing strong little girl.
Love,
Mom

5K Rollercoaster

Wow- It's been awhile since my last blog. School started getting quite demanding. I survived midterms and when my spring break came, before I knew it I was back in school. I registered during the break and that about did me in!

I had/ still have no concept of what all a baby needs. Good Lord, I was so overwhelmed. Figuring out the whole car seat, carrier, stroller situation just about did me in. And do NOT get me started on the entire breast pumping situation. I was embarrassed just registering for the actual pump. I refused to put any of the accessories you supposedly need for it on the registry. They all make me turn red just reading what they are! After 4 hours at Babies R Us I think we got everything covered. Who knows.

This past weekend your dad and I ran a 5K. Now when I say 'ran', that mostly means waddle. I went into it thinking I would have a bit slower of a time, but it would still be respectable. After the first mile, and me at the back of the pack, my emotions started the roller coaster. Here's a recap:

Mile 1: "This is great! I am feeling good, and quite proud that I'm six months pregnant and can still be active. Pat on the back, good Sarah. Good Momma."

Mile 1.5: "Phew. I am really tired. This hurts more than normal... Wow- lots of other runners are passing me this time... I'm gonna slow down and walk for a bit."

Mile 1.6: "Am I literally dead last?! Did that fat girl just pass me?!"

Mile 1.7: "This baby is changing everything! How can I be dead last? This is all because I'm pregnant! I hate Jon right now! I refuse to be last! REFUSE!"

Mile 1.8: "Well I obviously cannot catch up to the next person. Crap. I got it! I will cross the Finish line backwards! That way technically I beat my daughter!.... She should have to work and train to beat someone. I refuse to let her celebrate mediocrity...This will be a good lesson for her... You have to work to win anythiing...."

Mile 1.9: "Sarah- you are a terrible mother. What mom in their right mind would thinkthis way? Your daughter will change everything. IS changing everything. YOU don't get to be first anymore- you shouldn't WANT to be first anymore. You put your daughter first always- in every aspect of our life. Get with it Sarah Bryan!" (When I get onto myself I still yell "Sarah Bryan!" in my head.)

Mile 2 through 3.1: "Just keep running. Just keep running. Just keep running. Waddle, waddle, waddle..."

I finished. I crossed the line and finished. All throughout the race all the helpers who were passing out water or telling us where to turn would be unenthusiastically clapping. Then as I came up, and they could tell I was pregnant, they each would suddenly get a burst of energy. Their shouts of encouragement and high fives SHOULD have pushed me. SHOULD have made me feel better. But to be honest, while I was running it ticked me off. I wanted to shove their pity cheers right back into their throats. (I'm gonna blame that on my adrenaline and pregnancy rage.)

Needless to say, I was worn out in every way imaginable afterwards. The next day, my hips hurt quite a bit, but overall I felt great. There are a few more 5K's I normally run in the spring- hopefully I have it in me. We'll see!

Blessed,

Sarah