The Candrians Down Under

Pregnancy Fun Facts
Okay, Rachelle and Lisa, here is the belly post you two have been relentless after.
Some fun facts:
*First photo: my belly five and a half months.(Sorry my camera is messed up! I think the blurriness makes it look like I put moose in my hair like girls did in 1992.)

*Second photo: my belly just two short months ago. No one actually requested this one but I like looking at it and remembering. It reminds me that I might feel light and springy on my toes again at some point.
*weight gain: 16 lbs.
*pregnancy symptom at this moment: acid reflux...the burning in the throat and chest...the regurgitation of food (swallowing just doesn't do the trick like it used to)...oh, such fun.
*how often I wake up in the middle of the night to eat cereal (or on those extra special nights, tacos/mexican food): 3 - 4 times/week.
*Week 20: the first time Rob felt the baby move. I got his hand on my belly at just the right moment.
*I can now: visibly see my belly twitter when the baby is really active. It's usually fun, and even sometimes when the kicking is a little obnoxious (like when I am trying to sleep) it still makes me glad to know my little critter is growing strong.
*Exercise: generally about 8 hours/week. (For any nay-sayers, it's not only half the volume but also less intensity from what I used to do, I listen to my body, and I listen to my doctor!) I currently mix biking, running, tennis, and a little strength work into my week (low weight, high reps). It usually feels GREAT. Especially during my first trimester it was the one time of day I could find relief from feeling nauseous and listless. A lot of times I wasn't in the mood, but I know myself well enough to know how good it would feel once I got going, and I was right. I've learned so much about all the awesome benefits of exercise for a both the pregnant woman AND her baby from this awesome book called Exercising Through Your Pregnancy - I highly recommend it. There are a lot of misconceptions out there that this book helps debunk - especially the one about keeping your HR under 140 bpm.
*Energy level: high again - yay! I used to feel so drained all the time.
*Birth plan: natural. I've talked to enough women to feel confident that a natural birth is the option that fits me best (hopefully no complications!). I'm still curious to talk to someone who has had a water birth (anyone out there???). That's still one option out there I'd like to learn more about. I doubt I'll go that path, but I am curious.
*Proof of my ignorance about childbirth: I am actually kind of looking forward to it in a strange sort of way. I am fully aware that it is going to hurt beyond belief, but I'm just so curious. And eager for my baby.
*Biggie Smalls: the nickname Rob has already started using for our boy. Inspired by a Notorious BIG song.
*Mr. C: the nickname I like to use. Rob thinks it's ridiculous (isn't that the whole point of a good nickname? Makes you laugh.) It's from the initials MRC of the baby's actual name.
*Things Rob and I have bought so far for the baby: only two things - a stroller/carseat thingy, and a carrier that converts for running/biking/xc skiing. I guess this says something about us. We're probably a bit ignorant, but we like to picture ourselves out and about a lot with Biggie Smalls.
*What makes me go gaga: baby clothes. I've already gotten some from some family and friends. SO cute!

Free Stuff?

Who doesn't like free stuff, especially free music? No, I'm not talkin napster, even though napster was awesome while it lasted, not that I used it or anything.

Coldplay - who are probably billionaires anyway so it won't really hurt their bottom line - are giving away a free live album on their website. So enjoy your Friday.

>> Tuesday, May 05, 2009 – keyboard cat

First, that cat is awesome. There are more videos like that, if you found it mildly humorous.

Second, it seems that Pres. Obama and the Candrians have similar tastes in Hamburger joints. POTUS and VPOTUS stopped into our favorite local hamburger place today. We weren't there, and now we probably won't be able to go there forever because it will be super crowded since it was already crowded before this, but if you are ever in the D.C. area (the restaurant is in Arlington, VA) you need to visit Ray's. It is delicious, and not too expensive. And you just might see the president - or the future president if I'm there and Pres. Obama isn't.

Altarum Cycling Team
Check it out - four of my teammates are down south racing in the USA Crit Series opener "Speed Week" - and not only are they racing great but they were also featured in the news.

Some of the team goals that Kate and Dale are referring to is some elementary school programs we are putting on in conjunction with our sponsor, The Altarum Instititute for Health Systems Research. This Friday those of us who weren't out racing at Speed Week went to Payne Elementary School in Washington, DC to show them about bike racing and what it takes to be a pro cyclist. They bought into it like we were rock stars (I'm sure we impressed them with our spandex - we wore our full cycling team kits. I think that my pregnant belly was looking especially impressive in that spandex.) and it made for eager participation as they moved around to our different stations to learn about things like bicycle safety, aerodynamic equipment, nutrition, racing tactics, and strength training. It was successful and fun - the kids gave us a lot of enthusiasm, interest, and energy - but man, kids are exhausting!!! I wrote a full report about the event on our team blog - http://www.ateamcycling.blogspot.com/.

Even though I'm missing out on the fun of racing with this great team this year, I'm enjoying staying on with them in a supporting role this year. I went out to team camp last month, and even though my doc asked me to lay off the extreme distances, it was still a blast to go out for half of the training rides with the team for a couple of days. We went out to WV, a mountain climbing cyclist's paradise. It was so rejuvenating to get away from the city, be in the midst of good friends, teammates and bike-talk, and ride up and down and all around in the clean fresh spring air. Those are the best parts about cycling anyway, even if I do miss the competition, lung-searing, and leg-breaking side of it. Since I can't race this year and am just playing a supporting role, I thought up what I always wanted most when I was training and racing hard and offered that to my teammates - post ride massages! I brought my full massage table and did my best to give them what every athlete needs. I'm such a believer in the healing power of a good massage. Plus, Michelle has this team so put together that I can hardly find other ways to be helpful besides just saying "Go Team!". I'm not sure exactly why it is so important to me to stay involved, but I guess I just think it's easy once you get pregnant to ditch everything about your old life, and I don't want to lose sight of the activities, lifestyle, and people that have added to my happiness and for so long. Yes, change is inevitable and I will embrace that, but you still have to stay true to yourself if you are going to be happy. I already have my sights on a baby carrier that converts from running stroller to bike trailer to cross country ski trailer (how cool is that??!). Hmmm....I wonder if I get a dog team of huskies if they can just pull the baby around for me during the winter while I just ski next to them? That would be awesome.

p.s. Thanks to everyone for your great advice in response to Rob's "Baby stuff" question. We need all the advice we can get right now!

>> Wednesday, April 29, 2009 – swine flu

Swine Flu

I think I would be scared of swine flu if it turned people into pigs. That would be crazy. Otherwise, not-so-much.

>> Sunday, April 26, 2009 – babies, scams, suggestions

Baby "Stuff"

We have gotten some really good suggestions from people about the necessary stuff we will need for this new kid. If anyone has any other advice about things they absolutely loved (or hated) please let us know. We have been to Babies R Us once, and I swear half that store is some scam by "baby" industry people - but what do I know. So since most of you beat us to the punch and started having kids well before we did, please feel free to provide any recommendations.

P.S. Sorry this is a boring post. Since Lorena is on a racing hiatus and my soccer goal scoring also seems to be on hiatus, we don't have too much to write about!

>> Friday, April 17, 2009 – forgetfulness, oops, parking garages

Parking Garages and Roof Racks.

When trying to find a parking spot in the city, don't forget that you have a bike on top of your car. Especially if you are going into a parking garage. Luckily, the only damage that was done was to my seat, and I didn't really like this seat anyway.

The Candrian name will live on...

Today we found out that we will be having a boy. And it is Opening Day for the Giants. So, a good day all-around.

>> Wednesday, April 01, 2009 – April 15th

A nice feeling...

You know what really warms my heart? Doing my taxes, having to pay more then I anticipated, and knowing that my taxes are going to help out GM and Chrylser. And Banks. And a bunch of other "stimlus" crap that I don't want.

Which reminds me of a great idea I had...what if, when you paid your taxes, you got to select (kinda like on the tithing slip) where the money went? I think that would be a very interesting social experiment. Would we fund roads? education? welfare? I bet there are some things that wouldn't get any funding at all, and others would have overwhelming support.

If I could pick, I would have my money go to National Defense, raising the speed limit (that would be a write-in), a little for education, some for health care research, and some for the national parks (cause they are cool). Thats it. I definitely would not give any money to the TSA (they are worthless) -- Guess what, there aren't going to be any more shoes bombers, so why do I have to take off my FLIP-FLOPS when I go through the security line? Idiots. And if your X-ray can't see through my hat, or jacket, then is it really doing any good?

**New Addition** Did you know that the stupid "stimulus check" that we got last May to keep the economy strong (and that worked really well), was really just an advance on your tax rebate? Which means that if you thought you were going to get a rebate, say $600, you would really owe $600 (if you were married and got $1200, like Lorena and I did). Or, if you paid all of your taxes and somehow didn't owe or have a refund due, you would actually owe $1200. So basically you get to pay $1200 more then you think you were going to because of the stimulus check. Thanks Pres. Bush. I wasn't one of those people that hated you, but 2008 really wasn't your best year.**

**Addition #2. The more I think about this, the more I am pissed about this "stimulus check" crap. Do you know what I did with that money? I thought, hmmm $1200 bucks that I don't really need...should I buy something I don't need, or be smart and invest it. Guess I will buy some stock...So, yeah, that worked out well. Thanks for lending me my tax money to buy stock that is now worth -at best- half of what I paid. Big Government: solving all of our problems.**

Hawaii
Pictures. Lots of em.
Perfect trip: surfing, hiking, shark cage diving, a little bit of culture on the north shore, sun, beach, good food, luau, Pearl Harbor, good friends (Craig who came w/us was the one who set up Rob and I on our first blind date - so we are always trying to pay him back!), great condo, etc. I also got to see one of my best friends from high school, Chris Sween, who now lives on the island. The whole trip was perfect except for the shark dive. Rob and Craig loved it (despite much bemoaning from Craig prior to it). I, on the other hand, experienced what happens when you mix pregnancy with seasickness. Not fun. Let's just say we had to pull the car over several times on the short drive back home.

>> Tuesday, March 24, 2009 – airports suck, etc., Hawaii

Just back from Hawaii. Killer four hour delayed flight in Denver. Yea! Nothing like a red eye to a flight delay. Will post pictures and stories soon.

My Take:

But I would like to say, I have some awesome parenting theories. I know there are some doubters out there, but just wait and see if they will work.

Bun in the Oven
Yes, it's true. Rob and I finally grew up enough to decide to have a kid. And I finally made it to my second trimester. FINALLY!!! The last couple months really stunk, but now that I have made it past feeling miserable all of the time (now it is just some of the time), I am feeling a lot more excited about this. I didn't think it was right to blog about it earlier when all I could think was "why didn't I hire a surrogate?"

But now I am getting more excited each day. I got to have a sonogram today and saw my baby's heartbeat, saw it kick and wiggle around, wave hello, smile at me, do some jumping jacks, flash the peace sign, and mouth the quadratic formula. It was pretty cool to see. Those cryptic sonogram pictures that always just looked like boring random blobs or inkblots to me when my friends showed them to me of their kids, are a lot more fascinating now that it is my very own little creature.

I've had so many thoughts flying around in my head since becoming pregnant. My whole life is about to change, and a lot of it already has. Not being able to race this year has been an obvious big lifestyle change for me already, and I can't train the same either. My doctor has been pretty understanding of my athletic addiction and I can still do a lot, but she still set some limits. And now that I am in my second trimester I'm supposed to give up my Saturday basketball games as well. Boooo. I contemplate often about where I will be at life this time next year. I know what my hopes are, but I am so uncertain about what the reality of life will be like once I actually have a child. I know that sports and competition (and specifically bike racing the last few years) are my life-blood, and it will be interesting to see to what degree I will be able to/want to pursue such individualistic endeavors once I have my own flesh-and-blood as my number one concern. Questions, questions. One thing I know is that Rob and I are both so happy for this - we waited until the time was right for us, and we're so excited for this new adventure.
...and also scared to death.