About thefasteryoupedal

Hi! I'm Liz and I am a 38 year old teacher from Las Cruces, New Mexico. I'm also a fan of mountain biking, road biking, running, and traveling. I'm always up to try something new! This blog is for me to share ideas and also to receive new ideas!

32 Weeks!

Posted on March 3, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

How far along: 32 weeks, 2 days

Maternity clothes: The yoga pants are still my favorite. My kids were asking me if there was a “special” store for pregnant people and I had to explain to them that a lot of stores have maternity sections. They were in awe. I wish I had bought more maxi dresses or even just regular dresses to wear. So comfortable and cute looking. I don’t feel as frumpy dressed up in a dress.

Stretch marks: No..I keep lathering on the lotion!

Sleep: Slept great last night, as long as I sit up or sleep on my left side. I am hoping to get more of that considering I don’t have very much longer me time! This morning was the first time the baby kicking actually woke me up! She is going crazy down there.

Best moment this week: Getting little gifts here and there from very thoughtful people. Also, Mike was involved in a shooting at work (that wasn’t good) but the fact that he was so professional and calm about it. I am so proud of him.

Miss anything: Running, Safire the mountain bike (I looked at her longingly this morning sitting there alone in our garage), competing on the bike, doing certain gym workouts, Body PUMP!

Morning sickness: None.

Movement: Yes! She has been extra crazy this week. Mike and I actually saw her make a WAVE across my stomach. So sweet.

Food cravings: These almond milk shakes I’ve been making. They satisfy my sweet craving. I really was craving Olive Garden’s soup and salad and ate like a champ when I went!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when little girl decides to move around a lot. I had a few days this week where I couldn’t eat cause she was laying on my stomach and bladder and it was so uncomfortable!

Have you started to show yet: Dumb question. Some kid at school asked how many kids I was having. Everywhere I go now I keep getting the random advice from ladies in line at the grocery store or dads who have daughters.

Gender prediction: GIRL! I keep explaining to Mike certain things he is going to have to experience with a girl and he is in complete shock as to how to handle a girl, let alone a baby. It cracks me up.

Labor signs: No. She went from being head down to breach, but I don’t have to worry about that for another few weeks.

Belly button in or out: Flat, but it shows through my shirts now. Ew.

Wedding rings on or off: Off. I’m not sure I can fit them on, but I don’t want to try to get them stuck!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Both. I am happiest in the mornings. I get moody at work out of boredom and the fact that I have to let go of my classroom and I am a complete control freak. Sigh…

Looking forward to: My work baby shower this week and Mike racing the local bike race put on by Zia Velo! (I am volunteering…I’ll be the pregnant girl at the time trial turn around!)

31 Weeks!

Posted on February 24, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

How far along: 31 weeks, 2 days

Maternity clothes: Yes
Stretch marks: No

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Sleep: Sleeping alright. I sleep so much better when Mike is around and in the evenings. For some reason, the middle of the night is my worst sleep!

Best moment this week: I had my two week check up and little girl was being feisty as ever. We were trying to figure out where she was laying because I had been feeling uncomfortable and come to find out she had her feet right on my bladder and I could feel her head with my hands…so cool. The best part of the past couple of weeks was going to Phoenix with Mike to race and having a mini vacation from home. It was much needed and so nice to spend time with the husband. Not to mention it was beautiful out and I got some sun!

Miss anything: Having a waist….and racing.

Morning sickness: None

Movement: She is definitely a mover. She likes to stick her butt out on my left side. I like to pat and spank it and she immediately will move it away from me. So cute.

Symptoms: Leg cramps, a little nausea, being uncomfortable when sitting and laying down, and back / feet aching.

Food cravings: Apples!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Some dinners I have made haven’t seemed too appetizing.

Have you started to show yet: Yes. The guy at Autozone said to me “You look a little bloated there!”. Gotta love the pregnant comments.

Gender prediction: Girl. I think her name is decided and it’s going to be Olivia.

Labor signs: Not yet.
Belly button in or out: Still in between status… looks completely flat. I am starting to be able to see it through my shirts. Weird.

Wedding rings on or off: Not sure because I am afraid to wear them!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Depends. My poor student teacher has to listen to my craziness! And my poor husband has to go through the emotional rollercoaster of my life. I get offended so easily and I want to sleep a lot. He is assured that pregnant people are crazy!

Looking forward to: Hanging up my new “leaf” I bought for the nursery from IKEA, Spring Break, and selling the Lexus….hopefully. Next doctor’s appointment, this week!

Missileman Duathlon

Posted on February 20, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

On February 3, 2013, Mike participated in a local duathlon race at White Sands Missile Range called the Missileman Duathlon. The series consists of mainly triathlons, but mingled a duathlon into the calendar. Mike is not too fond of the run-bike-run, but it was awesome for training for his half Iron Man, as well as the other triathlons he is planning on doing.

It was a success. In his category, he was able to place first in the 39 and below Clydesdale and was 2nd overall out of EVERYONE.

Mike has been training with a group of guys from his local biking team Zia Velo. Every week they train on the NMSU track with sprints and laps around the track.

They are all planning on taking part in the Boulder Half Iron Man, which will take place in August.

This race began with a 7k run. Mike was able to come in at around 33:32 minutes. The first place runner came in at 28:44.

After the run, they had to bike 28k out and back from the Missile Range. If you look closely at this picture, Mike was the first one back out of everyone. The second place guy was a few minutes behind him. This was the same guy who came in first on the run. I’m loving the number 1 for his race number.

After the 7k run and 28k bike, there was a 5k run to end the race. Half of the run was an uphill climb to a tower and then back. Mike was only passed by the 7k first place runner, who was definitely made to run. Mike barely missed first place by a minute!

I asked Mike if he could go back and think of ways to train for this, that he would practice more uphill runs. In conclusion, Mike was able to do his best bike time on a triathlon with a 43 minute bike time compared to the first place winner’s 50 minute bike time. He had the fastest bike time of the race. SUCCESS.

Week 29!

Posted on February 10, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

How far along: 29 Weeks, 2 days

Maternity clothes: My favorite outfits are my maternity yoga pants I found at Ross, my empire waist dress I got at Marshalls, and my black work pants I got at Target.

Stretch marks: No. I have gone through so many bottles of lotion! I’m not liking how I’m losing my muscle in my legs!

Fitness:Watched one of my friends run the Cupid’s Chase 5k and it got me so excited to get a jogging stroller. There were so many people rocking it on times while running with the strollers! (P.S. My friend did so well! She beat her goal time by five minutes!)

Sleep: Up in the middle of the night….every night. (It’s 12:43am right now as I type this.)

Best moment this week: Watching little girl move around in my stomach. I still have not felt the hiccups yet, but she is definitely getting bigger.

Miss anything: Ice Cream! Running! Biking! P90x! Body Pump!

Morning sickness: Just low blood sugar at times.

Movement: She gets pretty comfy on my left side. I am pretty lopsided most of the time.

Symptoms: Leg cramps and lack of sleep!

Food cravings: Hamburgers. I want them. And not a happy meal. I want a BIG MAC.

Anything making you queasy or sick: When I don’t eat enough…

Have you started to show yet: Very dumb question.

Gender prediction: Girl.

Labor signs: No, but it is so weird to think we only have eight weeks until she is considered full term. So crazy!!

Belly button in or out: It is starting to poke out a little! Ah!

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Work went so much better this week. My student teacher is rocking it and we had really easy lessons. I am so glad that I will have a long-term sub that knows my kids. I think it will be a good transition. When work goes well, then a happy pregnant woman I am!

Looking forward to: Going to Phoenix this week to watch Mike race three days in a row (I get off work! Woo hoo!), Valentine’s Dinner, shopping, and hopefully selling our Lexus!

28 Weeks!

Posted on February 3, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

How far along: 28 Weeks, 2 days

Maternity clothes: I love going all through the clearance racks and going a size up on clothes and putting them on! I have found so many cheap shirts and workout clothes for 4 or 5 bucks each!

Stretch marks: Not yet! Woohoo!

Fitness: I love walking with my coworker because it gets me outside. I also love watching Mike ride and race because it gets me all excited for this summer. I really want to make it to the gym more this week. It has been a very busy week!

Sleep: Not too great. I have become a very light sleeper. A lot of it is anxiety and especially, being a litle uncomfortable. I keep having the craziest nighmares!

Best moment this week: When I was sitting at Mike’s duathlon and was expecting the racer who was a little bit ahead of everyone on the run to come in first from the bike and then lo and behold, my husband is the first back!! The race officials were going crazy too. He is such a good rider! I was so proud!

Miss anything: Blue Bell Ice Cream, Bosa Donuts, Pizza Hut Pizza, Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, the list goes on and on…and I can’t wait for mountain bike racing again! My legs can’t wait!

Morning sickness: I actually have felt pretty good this week. Knock on wood, with the occasional low blood sugar and crankiness of not being able to eat awesome foods!

Movement: She is so against anyone touching her. They were checking her heartrate at my appointment and she kept moving around. Any time I try to have Mike feel her, she moves away from him.

Symptoms: Charlie Horses! Big time!

Food cravings: See my above list. I do enjoy my almond milk shakes I make and I really like to eat apples with peanut butter. They are pretty filling. My doctor recommended Ezekial Bread and it’s pretty good with peanut butter on it too.

Anything making you queasy or sick: When I eat too much chicken or beef.

Have you started to show yet: Very dumb question.

Gender prediction: Girl.

Labor signs: She is starting to feel more like a basketball.

Belly button in or out: Still going strong and staying in! Woohoo!

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: A little bit happier this week. Hoping for a good week with a lot less to do and more SLEEP.

Looking forward to: Watching a friend race the Cupid’s 5K on Saturday and then we are off to Phoenix for President’s Day Weekend. We are hoping to take the Lexus with us to sell! We will finally get rid of that dang thing!

27 Weeks!

Posted on January 27, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

How far along: 27 Weeks, 2 Days

Maternity clothes: Target has some awesome long shirts for only $9.99, so I stocked up on those and some workout clothes from Ross. I am trying to not buy anything too expensive but the comfy shirts and workout pants are a necessity right now.

Stretch marks: Not yet, but this week my stomach is feeling EXTRA tight (like she doesn’t have any more room to grow!). She is a growing girl!

Fitness: Well, bad news is I didn’t pass my glucose test. Good news is, they are telling me to work out more. That has triggered me to work out every day for more than a half an hour. I took it pretty easy the first trimester and would definitely go back and up the treadmill and elliptical time, if I wasn’t so paranoid about losing the baby. First time mom here…hehe.

Sleep: One word: Insomnia. My friend Jenn says that it’s natures way of preparing us to be up all night with the baby. What a cruel, cruel thing.

Best moment this week: I am not going to lie, there was really nothing too exciting about this week, and if it was, it wasn’t the “best”. My mom sent us a rug and bumper with cute little bugs on it that I put up in the nursery. Way cute. Also, I am loving how excited Mike is getting about things. He keeps going into the nursery and sitting and looking at everything.

Miss anything: Due to the fact that I do have gestational diabetes, I REALLY REALLY miss sweets, and bread, and anything virtuous or lovely in the food department. She is worth it though!

Morning sickness: No, but I have been pretty nauseous not having the usual meals that I eat. Also, it feels like my stomach has shrunk. I am guessing little girl is taking up so much room, I don’t really have room to eat anymore.

Movement:I think she is moving to position right now because her normal “stomping grounds” have become different. She is definitely doing something down there. I can’t tell her hands from her feet though.

Symptoms: Sore back, stomach ache, major leg cramps at night, indigestion, stuffy sinuses, you name it…it all started this week. Welcome to the third trimester!

Food cravings: ICE CREAM!

Anything making you queasy or sick: I made some sugar-free mini cupcakes with my Babycakes maker and they made me so sick!

Have you started to show yet: Very dumb question.

Gender prediction: Girl. With a twinge of thinking it COULD be a boy.

Labor signs: I feel a little tight on the belly when I am working out. I know Braxton-Hicks is common from here on out.

Belly button in or out: Still going strong and staying in! Woohoo!

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody. 😦 I am going to work on happy this week. I have a cold and have been uncomfortable, but Mike has been very patient and helpful!

Looking forward to: Getting this baby out of me!! And the duathlon that Mike will be doing on Saturday. 🙂

26 Weeks!

Posted on January 21, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

How far along: 26 Weeks, 2 days

Maternity clothes: Yes. I have been wearing a lot of skirts and dresses. They are so much more comfortable than pants. My favorite pants are these black “work pants” that feel like pajamas. I consider them my “lucky” pants because I am so comfortable at work. If only we could wear pajamas to work every day.

Stretch marks: Not yet, but I was reading on my Pregnancy App that week 30 starts a big growth spurt again. I am not sure if I have any room for her!

Fitness: I slacked big time this week, but I have been trying to make it to the gym for 30 minute ellliptical and weights. My favorite weight machine is the GLUTES. It makes me feel awesome afterwards. This week: swimming and working on arms.

Sleep: I felt kind of “off” this week. It started on the weekend where I wasn’t able to catch up on sleep. So Monday night, I came home and fell asleep sitting up on the couch. (I have found that I actually breathe better sitting up, so it wasn’t that pitiful. This getting up at five every day is a killer so I spend the weekends taking naps all the time. This weekend is a three day weekend so it feels AWESOME.

Best moment this week: Mike laid his head on my stomach because we were reading that you can hear the heartbeat at this week if you put your head up to your stomach. Right when he did that, she kicked him in the ear really hard. It was cool because I can feel her kick, but I have never seen it.

Miss anything: This has nothing to do with pregnancy, but good SHOPPING. Sorry Cruces, you don’t have a lot to choose from. I am looking forward to meeting my mom in Phoenix so I can get some good stuff.

Morning sickness: None.

Movement:She definitely kicked it up a notch this week. She is moving around more than kicking. I was all worried she wasn’t kicking enough but found out they have to kick at least four times in an hour. She does that in fifteen minutes. She does have her lazy days though.

Symptoms: Foot cramps, sleepiness, stomach aches (because she is smashing it), also having a hard time breathing when I walk up the stairs. Ha ha!

Food cravings: Frozen yogurt and lasagna.

Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of the Mountain View Market. Has anyone been in there and noticed its distinct smell? I went in the other day and almost threw up. I had never even noticed the smell before.

Have you started to show yet: Dumb question.

Gender prediction: Girl. Not gonna lie…I still think that it could be a boy, just because I know people that happened to. The nursery is neutral anyway. 🙂
Labor signs: No, next week is the beginning of the third trimester. Crazy!

Belly button in or out: Still going strong and staying in!

Wedding rings on or off: On. I just forget to put it on!

Happy or Moody most of the time: This week. Moody. 🙂 I think once my student teacher gets the hang of things, it will be more happy. It’s hard stuff!

Looking forward to: My glucose test this week. Not.

Mike and Liz Picture A Day

Posted on January 20, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

A year ago Mike and I decided to do a “picture a day” blog and we were pretty successful from January to April. Then Blogger had to make things difficult on my life and change so I had no idea how to post pictures (I still don’t, but thank goodness for an IPAD with an app that I can semi-figure out).

Anyway, we both have been a little sad about not doing that blog or the old blog from before we got married up until last year (AGAIN…thanks to Blogger. Can you tell I am bitter?). So I am working on it! I was able to get the Mike and Liz Picture A Day blog up again, so here we go again! It’s not centered, but it does the job!

If you are interested….here is the link:

http://mikelizpictureaday.blogspot.com/

I’m excited to do this pre-“baby girl” so we can take pictures leading up to the day. I know that it will be harder once she is around, but it’s worth a try!

In Your Own Words

Posted on January 19, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

I found this journal entry in my 2012 planner. I usually go through each past years calendar to see if I am missing any upcoming races or events from the previous year that I want to do. I remember writing this down as a New Year’s resolution and wanted to share it. Fill it out and post it to my comments if you get a chance:

Best beauty trick: staying active and exercising

Celebrity I admire: Jessica Biel (she is athletic looking!)

Instantly feel better: When I get a hug!

The one food I will never give up: Pizza.

My biggest accomplishment: 11 years of teaching.

I always wanted to learn: to speak fluent French.

My favorite body part: Smile.

My pet peeve: When people smack their gum.

Hidden talent: I can organize anything like a mad man!

Best mistake: Not getting married until I was 29.

First thing I do when I wake up: Pick out my outfit for the day.

25 Weeks!

Posted on January 13, 2013 by thefasteryoupedal

How far along: 25 weeks, 2 days

Maternity clothes: Yes, I am measuring two weeks larger. This girl is a chunker! (They think it’s actually not the baby, but fluid, etc.. ). I do love my maternity clothes I got for Christmas. I have to be very creative!

Stretch marks: Not yet, but I know my belly is going to be BIG!

Sleep: I love to sleep, it’s just too bad my mind won’t turn off. I keep having crazy dreams or ideas on what I need to do. I usually have to wake up, write down in my IPAD the things I am worrying about, and then go back to sleep.

Best moment this week: Seeing little girl at the ultrasound, getting the crib and changing table (it’s becoming REAL!), and feeling her move around!

Miss anything: Having a fully functioning brain! I forget everything! I definitely don’t feel like I am on my A game at school, but thankfully I have a student teacher taking over that is pretty awesome.

Morning sickness: None. Very lucky.
Movement:Yes- she moves a lot more than kicks. My favorite thing is when my stomach goes totally lopsided! It is so weird! Like right now my right side of my stomach is protruding out more than my left. She also has been sitting on my bladder nonstop! Mike REALLY wants her to kick so he can see it. We haven’t been able to accomplish that yet!

Symptoms: Foot cramps, a little fatigue (I blame it more on going back to school), and stomach aches.

Food cravings: Wickles….my sister introduced me to them. Spicy pickles! So awesome.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Boiled and bland chicken.

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes.
Gender prediction: Girl
Labor signs: No, but I am so curious how contractions are going to be. I think about it a lot! I keep wondering how I am going to react to the whole labor process!

Belly button in or out: I’m going to say in between… it looks flat and weird.

Wedding rings on or off: On..I just don’t wear it because I am afraid my hands will swell at school and I don’t want to have to take my rings off where there are “sticky fingers” that could take it!
Happy or Moody most of the time: 1/2 and 1/2. I really enjoy the mornings doing my chores and hanging out at home. At school, I get really moody by seventh period and have no patience with my kids.

Looking forward to: Finishing decorating the nursery and getting supplies around. I am definitely in the nesting phase!!