Our permanent company arrives

After 14 hours of contractions, 1.5 hours of really strong contractions and 20 minutes of pushing, Hannah Taylor entered the world on August 12 (right on time...1 day before her due date).  Labor is a truly physical activity and I cannot begin to imagine how someone does it when they don't exercise for the whole 9 months.  For 12 hours after delivery, my legs felt shaky and weak as if I had done a strenuous workout (which I guess I did)!

For the first 2 weeks I didn't even care to find time to leave the house. I got out for maybe 1 walk, but I was just loving every moment of being Hannah's mom.  It is also hard being her food source, to be away from her for any period of time, being she doesn't have a routine.

By the end of the third week, I was feeling the need to move.  I found time for a walk (20-30minutes) on most days.  I wasn't feeling guilty leaving because I knew she was well taken care of by her daddy AND I now always leave at least 3oz of pumped breast milk in the fridge.  It allows me to leave Hannah without stressing and it gives her daddy a chance to feed her too!

Prenatal Yoga

Something that has probably been most important in getting ready for the arrival of Baby Zopp has been prenatal yoga.  I started weekly prenatal Kundalini yoga classes at 25 weeks.  Kundalini yoga focus on the chakras, meridians and breathing.  There has also been gentle stretching, but a sole focus on breathing.  One of the best exercises we do in class is creating discomfort through postures that require small repetitive movements.  My favorite one to breathe through has been arms straight out to the sides and flapping them for 3 minutes.  All of the exercises we do to simulate a contraction are 3 minutes because no contraction is longer than 3 minutes.  With eyes closed and looking upward it helps to focus the mind and open communication with the baby (working on meridian lines).  I have also taken this practice into my swimming.  It helps to practice working through discomfort and fatigue.

Now, at 39 weeks, it's waiting for the little one to arrive.  I hope that all I have been doing will make labor manageable.  Nick and I took parenting and labor classes when I was about 30 weeks, but I feel that the education I have learned in yoga will serve me much better.  It has been helping now, as I've become anxious to meet Baby Zopp.  She will come when she is ready, but I hope it is soon!

No more running, but becoming a gym rat!

The last few weeks have been great!  Feeling great, getting in a workout everyday, and she's growing!  Summer hasn't been too hot, but I've always liked the heat.

It's been great having Nick home this summer. We've been sleeping-in until about 7:00-7:30 and then usually heading to the gym.  Spending some mornings swimming anywhere between 1800 and 2800yds.  Swimming feels great, and swimming fitness hasn't changed much in the last few months.  We also spend some mornings lifting.  This is the most important to me, now in the final stretch.  It's something I often neglect, but it's always better with a partner.  Cardio has been good too!  I love the AMT, I can still get me heart rate up for a good workout. The elliptical is also good, but doesn't seem like it is as much of a workout.  

I've found a new joy for walking, it's one of the few ways to get outside these days, as I had to stop running in June :(. Running was great, but it was pulling on some of those supporting muscles that were holding up baby Zopp would be sore for days afterward!  So, sore it made sitting and standing uncomfortable.  It's my own fault because of being so busy with work I didn't have time to run regularly and couldn't keep up the strength of those muscles, over relaxin hormone being released.  If only I now had a dog to take on my walks!

I've also put away my bikes, those tiny seats were also leaving me sore and uncomfortable.  It's probably also partially due to my head telling me that if I can't be outside on the open road, and don't need to be on that tiny seat, then it's not worth the time.  I have started riding the bike at the gym (the ones with the comfy seats!)

Also, still finding time for some open water swims...my favorite part of this summer!

On the baby front, her room is coming together. We are so lucky for the friends and family that have helped us get things ready. It's been a lot of cleaning and organizing to make room for this new tiny life!  Our friends have been so generous to pass down their used baby items, crib, car seat, bassinet, rocker-sleeper, clothes, advice and support!  We are so lucky and she is lucky to have great people around her when she finally arrives!  Less than 3 weeks!

(37 weeks, 1 day)