I'm growing elbows!!

Yep, that's right! And knees and toes and fingers and eyes and ears...

I'm Pregnant! 

If you're a Facebook friend or a real-life friend you've already heard the news with our Christmas announcement. We had a great time surprising our families with the ultrasound picture for Christmas - ours will be the first grandchild on both sides so we have a lot of excited family members and friends! 

We found out we were pregnant right before Thanksgiving after I took a few home pregnancy tests. I just couldn't believe it right away! To be honest, it took waiting until our first ultrasound at 9 weeks to really believe it. I have been SO LUCKY so far...I have had very few symptoms and besides lack of energy, and have been feeling great! I think spending the last year or so really getting my nutrient levels back on track had huge part in this pregnancy AND how good I've been feeling. I've been taking a pre-natal vitamin, calcium fish oils, probiotics, as well as additional B vitamins to help with my deficiency. 

I am currently at 13 weeks - and due in mid-July. So much for my big plans of running a marathon in the spring of 2014... but I've got another marathon to train for and I'm not complaining! Speaking of which - my first trimester fitness has been a bit of an adjustment for me. While I haven't been sick, my muscles and joints are a lot more sensitive than they ever have been. So, tough workouts cause more soreness and achy-ness than they ever have before, especially with running. I've also had a really high heart rate with pretty low-intensity exercise so I've had to be mindful of that and slow things down. I have been loving the elliptical which seems to make make hips and knees happier, and I've continued to do total-body weight circuits and yoga. I've also been really trying to focus on keeping my core strong through planks and bridges, as I know my lower back has got a lot to handle in the coming months. I've noticed recently as I'm moving towards my 2nd trimester that my body is getting a little more used to this pregnancy thing and my heart rate doesn't shoot up quite as fast. While I haven't gained much weight yet, most of my clothes don't fit very well as I my body shape has really shifted in the past few months. Hello hips! It has been harder than I thought I it would be to adjust to a changing body, but when I remind myself (or my husband reminds me) why it's all happening, it is all worth it! 

I was selected to be a "For Two Fitness" Ambassador which I am super excited about! I'm obsessed with their clothes and will have a big enough bump to need them soon! I bought my preggo-friend one of their tanks this past summer and I have to admit - I tried it on before I gifted it to her (sorry Lindsey!). Even pre-pregnancy it was the most comfortable shirt ever, and my friend raved about it being one of the only shirts she was comfortable in at 22 weeks! I can't wait to place my order for a few myself! Cute shirts like this just beg to be worn, and we can always use a little extra motivation!

Thanks For Two Fitness for letting me join you in this journey and for providing amazing clothes for fit mamas!  Be sure to check them out on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter!

As far as food goes - you've probably noticed I haven't had many food related posts lately. I don't have many aversions, but I haven't been doing much outside the box or spectacularly healthy. Carbs are my big craving, along with cheese. Amazingly, my lactose-intolerance has disappeared during pregnancy so I'm living it up with fresh mozzarella and other cheeses! Woohoo! If this only lasts during pregnancy, I may end up having to have 10 kids. Sorry hubby, I'm not sure I can ever quit cheese again! I have been trying to keep a balanced diet with fruits and veggie loaded smoothies, whole grain breakfast bars and extra veggies in pasta or soups. Veggies aren't really my number one thing right now so I disguise them as much as possible. I guess it's probably good practice for kiddos! 

Football Coach Hubby is super excited about our growing family and it's such a fun thing to experience together. I can't believe where the past 5 years (yep - 5 years this month!) has taken us. We sure have had some fun times, and now it's just going to be fun times 3! Somehow we managed to have a July due date, so he won't be completely consumed with football season yet when the baby arrives. It's so hard to believe I'll be toting a little one to games next season...what a year can do! I already can't stop looking at adorably cute football baby outfits. 

As far as blogging goes over the next 6 months, I plan to continue to share fun sports-themed workouts, healthy recipes and football wife life updates. I'm sure there will be some pre-natal workouts and just plain fun pregnancy posts too. Be sure to follow me on Instagram if you want even more of my daily eats, workouts and baby bump pics. And dog pics. Miss Oakley will not be ignored. 

I'm excited to share this journey with you and can't wait to hear from all of you fit moms out there who are kicking butt every day. You all motivate me to stay fit and make healthy choices even when I all I want to do is eat Mac&Cheese! As I enter mommy-hood, I know so many of you will have amazing advice! 

what about you?

What was your biggest holiday surprise?
Moms, what is the number one piece of advice you wish you had when you were pregnant?