What an awesome week! Bulleted recap:

• I got quality time at home with my boys
• Got some great workouts in
• I enjoyed the warm Phoenix sunshine and got a bit of color on my skin
• I landed a new contract that will take me through Baby L’s arrival
• I heard Sheryl Sandberg and other making waves kinda women speak
• We hired a house cleaner to help me through Baby L’s arrival
• Our Phoenix friends humbled us with a beautiful baby shower

Time with my boys / Phoenix sunshine

I’ve had the last two weeks off and it’s been glorious. In addition to having quality time in Nashville, I get extra time with my boys in Phoenix. This meant long walks with pooch, a trip to the dog park, running “critical” errands, and starting to nest.

It’s the perfect time to live in the desert (but don’t talk to me come summer!). It’s chilly in the morning and evenings, but blue skies and warm during the day. I took advantage of being home and spent some time napping in the sun and browning the baby bump. The only thing missing was a pool.

New Contract

A friend from my previous contract led me to a new opportunity with a start-up focused on hospitality. It’s a great opportunity to apply my consulting skills from Booz Allen and to make a big impact in a short window. The people are great and very supportive of my pregnancy. Since that was a real hiccup of mine in the first trimester, it’s reassuring to work with people who value professionals for their capability – even if it’s only available for a short time.

Lean In

ASU hosted Sheryl Sandberg and others for a Take the Lead kick off. While I was thankful to hear Sandberg speak, I was most impacted by Carla Harris. She had a charisma about her and her message on the importance of taking risks resonated since the past year has been a year of professional risks for me. Favorite Harris quote, “Failure brings you a gift – experience.” AMEN. And since I was called bossy as a kid, my favorite Sandberg quote:

I’m seeing a lot of chatter around a Lean Out or Recline movement. While I get what the author is saying that women shouldn’t forget to kick up their feet and enjoy life, I appreciate the efforts of Sandberg and the Take the Lead and Lean In initiatives to empower women in the workplace AND fight for pay and position equality (especially since I’ll soon be a woman learning how to balance having a family and kicking ass at work). I digress…

House cleaner

I love a clean house. The hubs is often frustrated by my OCD tendencies for perfection and order on the home front. However, this is nothing new, so he is super supportive (and understanding). Because I’m getting bigger and bending over now takes my breath away, I found someone with a price point that is allowing me to have her every two weeks. Not only does it free up time for us to enjoy the last few weeks together, but it also helps with that deep cleaning stuff that is cumbersome due to my new shape. #winning

Phoenix Baby Shower

Chad and I were extremely humbled by the outpouring of love and generosity from our Phoenix family and we primarily have CrossFit to thank for that. Many of our friendships here are fairly new and just coming together, so I was surprised when Whitney and Carole offered to host a shower for us in the first place. Then to attend a beautifully thought out and perfect day AND to be showered with the generosity of so many … I’m brought to tears every time I think about it. As Chad said, “it’s the power of the CrossFit community.”

Whitney’s parents graciously had everyone at their ranch. They have a gorgeous, rustic home on a great piece of property with two horses, two goats and two sheep. It was so fun petting, playing and feeding the animals all afternoon. The girls had all the details covered –  a frame for everyone to sign, a momma-to-be crown, mason jar mugs with chalk nametags, yummy food, a hand-crafted “Baby Leatherman” sign, AND an ice cream cake in our colors with an awkward baby on top. It was such a perfect day hanging out and spending time with friends. We are forever grateful.

Week 30 WODs:

February 17 – 2.5 mile walk with pooch

February 18 – warm up + 315m row

strength: Strict press 5×3 (80#) then Push press 5×3 (100#) then Push jerk 5×3 (105#)

metcon: 10 min amrap: 6 + 25, heart rate 165

• 15 air squats
• 10 sit ups
• 2 muscle ups (3 pull ups and 3 ring dips)

February 20 – warm up

strength: Back squat 5×3 (135#)

metcon: modified Diane: 21-15-19: 12:13, heart rate 162

• deadlift (115#)
• strict press (subbed for handstand push up) (55#)

Food: nothing out of the ordinary. Continue to try to focus on paleo dinners.