Me and Bean in May

Here we are - that's me behind that huge belly, which I'm toting around about 15 inches ahead of me. The Bean, alive and kicking me mightily especially at dinner time, is enjoying his front row seat in all this.

17 more weeks (or so) to go. I can't even imagine to what proportions I will grow. For now I've officially gained almost 20 lbs and I am starting to feel the strain in my back, knees and ankles. I do believe that regular excercise (I still run about 3-4 times a week and ride my bike to work every day and for longer outings with Jacob once or twice a week) will see me through the worst of it and that once I can't run anymore I will find stress relief and enjoyment in swimming and walking as well as some strength training.

All I read points to a better third trimester, easier labor, and a healthier baby if you excercise, so I keep waddling along...my goal for now (and it might be too ambitious) is to run an easy 5K race on the 4th of July and call it quits for the running after that...it'll be hard, I haven't been without running for the past 6 years...

Until then me and The Bean enjoy the extra bonding time when we're out and about. I can just tell in my gut that he enjoys being jostled around, and I do love having company wherever I go...