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It’s been a pretty mellow month for me as I’m moving into the final stretch before the baby arrives. Brendan has been working very hard to get the new place ready for the baby and get bikes out the door. Hopefully we can have a little hibernation time when he arrives. We went out to one of our favorite photo spots today to get some late-term belly shots and good family photos before the new addition arrives.
It’s a good thing we’ve got going here 
With less than 2 months to go, we’re getting ready for our new little addition to the family. A week ago, we had a baby shower and were reminded once again what awesome friends we have and what a great extended family the little guy will have.
We had a fun shower with all of our bike friends, some family, and lots of my friends from work. We are very excited about everything we got so I wanted to share a few special things – the beautiful handmade stuff.
Becky made him this beautiful quilt, many panels with little intricate stitching and the other side is veeerrry soft!
Phil, Linda and Brett brought a couple cute sets of hats, booties and blankies and Janette knit this awesome blanket. She picked a color that would work for an earthy baby who just may turn out to be a redhead!
The piece above is very special. Brendan was brought home from the hospital in this – handmade by his Grandma Collier.
Here is the blanket that Brendan’s Grandma Collier made as well as a set of booties and hat that Becky knit and a hat that Emi knit.
Brendan’s godmother, Irene made the cute colorful quilt and Carolyn knit the sweet little blankie on top. What amazing work!
Yumi, from Pedal One Long, of course, made a custom Siren onesie and Tee – I think he’ll be decked out in Siren garb a LOT!
Grandma Brosterhous – Patsy, that is – made this wonderful paw print outfit. She loves to sew and I think the new grandbaby just gave her another reason for many projects.
Last, but not least, the creme sweater was knit by Lissa’s cousin and the blue one was knit by Finneas’ grandma. Finneas (Todd’s boy and fellow Siren team member) passed his sweater to our baby as somewhat of a family tradition. I felt pretty honored that they passed this along to us with a note that we are family!
This time of the year is so special and add a baby in the mix. I am reminded daily of the wonderful people in my life and am so happy that my baby boy will be surrounded by such amazing friends. At just over 8 months, it’s getting very exciting!
Last weekend, our good friend Matt traveled out from Tucson and we hit Palm Canyon, once again. I’m now 7 months along, so it was quite a ride!
We couldn’t have asked for better weather and even though the guys had a huge ride the day before, we still got a decent start time in the morning.
I’m blaming it on the pregnancy brain, but I totally forgot my wingnut at home and put my new cleats on backwards!! Fortunately, the guys had enough food and drink to go around – plus, I’m carrying this growing kid (weighing in at 2lbs 5oz the week before) and all the extra padding for him!
Fortunately, I’ve put on some beefier tires recently, so the new center of gravity isn’t throwing me off too much. I’m still able to shred the good stuff.
Towards the end, I took the shortcut down Dunn Road while the guys shredded the uber-techy Art Smith trail. I was a little worried about that part, not to mention, a bit tired.
I decided, at the end of this ride, that it was my last long one. I feel like I’m going into a tough home stretch where the kid is taking my energy again and the weight is taking it’s toll on my back. I’ve already gained over 20 lbs and it’s only starting to pick up now. He’s constantly kicking and moving (at the last ultrasound, we saw him punch my bladder!!) I think, with all this movement, is a happy and thriving, developing kid.
What an exciting time!
I’m convinced that when I’m having a good time, so is the little guy. That’s what Sunday was all about. Brendan said I had that ear-to-ear grin the entire time. This was our first time back down Palm Canyon since it’s cooled off and the weather was PERFECT!
We started out at 7:30 (a little later than we intended, but Dave was asleep when he got here anyways.) This big shuttle ride necessitates quite a drive, but we definitely keep the drive/ride time ratio healthy. The rule is that we have to ride for a longer duration than drive. Heading out of Idyllwild, we dropped down into a cottonball blanket of clouds by Garner Valley.
We dropped one of the matching Explorers in Cathedral City and headed back up to the trail.
We started riding at about 9:30 in the sun, but could see Idyllwild, still in the clouds. The start was windy and chilly which helped us to make haste at the car and get on the trail in our efforts to drop down into the canyon. The upper section nearest pinyon has a bit of climbing and some good tech.
The only mechanical of the day was my flat – which Brendan hooked up with some Stans sealant. It was a quick easy fix and somehow the guys had stopped in a place where they don’t normally, which was right where I had the flat. Normally, I fix it myself, but these days, I don’t mind taking help since I’m carrying the extra load for us. The deal is, I carry the kid and he carries the extra tools and takes care of the bikes – not a bad deal on either end.
The lunch spot where we normally sit in the shade. It was chilly enough, though, that we took the sunny side.
Sometimes we take the Art Smith route, which is a bit shorter. Dave and I have cleared the trail that way in 4 and a half hours, but the longer route takes more like 6.
The Art Smith route is nice and techy, but the views on the full-route are very expansive.
(above) The guys are out on the ridge there, but hard to see.
We ended in Cathedral City with Pollo Loco and a chill drive home.
I’d forgotten how much good trail there is on the full route and just how tiring it would be. The worst part, when you’re 6 months pregnant, is that it feels like you’re carrying an extra 20 lbs in your pack – which makes everything harder! Needless to say, I was pretty fatigued by the end. The baby and I slept good Sunday night.
OK, never eat sweets right before going to an OB ultrasound. Last night was my 19 week ultrasound when we were aiming to find out the baby’s sex. I ate a cupcake with lots of frosting not too long before the appointment and the baby was bouncing off the walls!
Fortunately, the little booger sat right down on top of the ultrasound wand to show us what he had before showing off with somersaults.
We got to see little hands and feet and a little muscle tone in his legs (he’s getting built up for his first push-bike.) It’s just amazing how far he’s come since the jellybean ultrasound at 6 weeks.
The last few weeks have been fun and exciting. I’ve been learning a lot about this pregnancy game and there are many different ways it can be played! Fortunately, I’m in the second trimester, so I have more energy for this stuff.
I’ve read so much about cesarean rates, different types of intervention (pain relief, inducing, etc.) and different birthing positions and never realized there could be so much to consider about that special day.
We have visited two hospitals – they give tours, which is really cool. You get to see a few newborns and ask lots of questions and they usually have cookies on hand (which Brendan likes!) We have also visited two traditional medical offices (they do intake appointments which is an opportunity to interview them), a midwife birthing center, and talked extensively with a local midwife and doula. We’ve watched many videos of births (they’re not like the ones you see on TV by the way.) We will be starting hypno-birthing classes with the local midwife soon. It’s a self-hypnosis method that you and your partner use to help relax and aid in a natural childbirth (She said she’s even used it in the dentist’s chair.)
The tiny pamper and beanie they gave us at our recent hospital tour
I also had another checkup last week and learned more about the little tyke. Everything is normal and going well and the doctor who I visited said that the baby is right where it should be for this stage. We heard it’s heartbeat again at 147 beats per minute. I think the little one is having an fun ride/swim.
I started feeling movement last week, which is very exciting. The first time, I thought that my jacket seam was just rubbing me funny and that couldn’t have been baby movement. Then, when I felt it again, I recognized it. It’s such a light feeling (like a butterfly tickling you from the inside.) It comes and goes. I find that for a while after I’ve been active (running around a lot or going for a good ride) the baby is active too. I’ve also really started to show, which makes me feel better than the initial stage where I was just a little thicker! Now people understand right away why I’m growing.
At this stage, the baby can hear. It’s really crazy to think that for the next few months, it will hear EVERYTHING I say and will become very familiar with my voice. I find myself singing more, because I think that has to encourage the production of a peaceful happy baby. Brendan has also taken to telling my stomach good morning and goodnight. He’s been so involved and excited and wants to make sure the baby knows his voice too.
We’ve also received some gifts that raise the discussion of birth weights and size. Brendan thinks the clothes are small, but after the birthing videos that I’ve watched they don’t look that small.
Craig gave us this little shirt and it looks like the cow got hung up on the moon!
Brendan’s aunt MaryLou gave us this outfit complete with socks, a beanie, and a bib with a cute little lion.
