We kicked off the week in the most glorious fashion I know – poolside with a (virgin) drink in hand. Sunday was spent pool lounging with our guests. We went to the hotel where we had our wedding reception, knowing it would be quiet and luxurious and that’s exactly what we got. It was a nice, hot Phoenix day, so the pool felt refreshing and time in the shade was even welcomed. Needless to say, the baby belly is nice and brown.

Monday was my favorite day on the calendar, St. Patrick’s Day (and, yes, also my birthday). It’s been my goal during pregnancy to climb Camelback Mountain. We haven’t done that hike since the first year we dated and I figured it was a great challenge with 30+ pounds on my frame. We convinced our house guests it was worth an early wake-up to beat the crowds and heat.

With lightweight clothing and plenty of water, we were on the trailhead by 7:15 a.m. and began our ascend. Since we had pooch with us, we were forced to take the Cholla Trail, instead of the recently re-opened Echo Canyon Trail. The hubs and Kenny did Cholla Trail last June during our wedding week, but it was new for Jenny and me. This would also be Frankie’s first trek on the infamous Camelback. The summit of Camelback Mountain is 2,704 feet above sea level. The mountain’s two summit trails gain approximately 1,200 feet in elevation. Definitely no small hill!

The trek took us just under three hours and a total of 3.85 miles. The ascend was definitely the toughest – especially with some of the tight crevices and rocks we had to scale. Pooch was a trooper and there was only one real challenge getting him through a tight spot. All in all, it was an awesome feeling to get to the top. On the way down, icing on the cake when a few college girls in their lulu’s and sportsbars with tight tummys said, “check out that bad ass pregnant lady,” as I passed by them. Yep, ladies, that’s right, watch and learn!

Later that day, we had a doctor’s appointment. Unfortunately, all the doctors were booked so we ended up meeting with a nurse practitioner. This woman had terrible bedside manner. After asking a series of strange questions, she asked if I would be breastfeeding. I explained we’d like to, but that I had a reduction 11 years ago and weren’t sure if I would be able. She made a face. And not just any face – an “ooo that’s bad” face, all scrunched up. Instead of leaving it there, her follow-up question was, “Did they have to reconstruct the nipples?” I said, “well, yes, it was an extensive reconstruction.” And again with the face coupled with a “oh that’s not good; it’s going to be really difficult.” Well, no sh*t, Sherlock. I made that decision 11 years ago well aware of the risks and my husband and I have faced the reality of it long before we ever got pregnant. Not helpful.Sometimes, I don’t know why I even bother answering these dumb questions, knowing it should already be documented in my chart.

So, my advice to any women out there facing something similar, do your best. Rely on your husband and communicate through these outside influences. Accept that you can’t change something you did for yourself and your health, knowing good and well that one risk might be the inability to someday breastfeed. If it happens, great; if it can’t or doesn’t work, move on.

To celebrate the St. Paddy’s birthday, we hosted a friends for dinner and ice cream cake. As a kid, I was always thrilled to have a Dairy Queen ice cream cake; since I was allergic to milk and milk products, it was a special treat that didn’t set off my asthma. It was the perfect end to an awesome day!

This week also included a St. Norbert College alumnus event hosted by the president and featuring the Knights on Broadway. For anyone in the Green Bay, De Pere, Appleton areas, I highly recommend attending a show. It was a great cabaret performance. We also went to the Kings of Leon concert. The hubs scored great seats. While I sat half of the concert (I’m typically on my feet dancing), it was a great show that featured some of our favorite KOL hits.

We capped off the week at a dinner with some of my cousins who spent their spring break in Scottsdale. It was a great evening catching up. Then the weekend was spent spring cleaning to prepare organizing all of Baby L’s gear! Quite a busy, fun, successful week.

Week 34 WODs:

Monday, March 17: Hike Camelback Mountain. 2:55; 3.85 mi

Wednesday, March 19: Three mile walk with pooch on the canal

Thursday, March 20:

warm up

metcon: 7 rounds, 40 min timecap

• 7 power cleans (135/95; I did 65#)
• 6 hand stand push ups (I modified on box)
• 5 burpees (I modified on wall)
• 4 front squats (135/95; I did 65#)
• 3 muscle ups (9 pull ups + 9 ring dips = 3 muscle ups)
• 200m run (I rowed)
• 1 handstand walk across gym (I attempted a bear crawl modification, but failed; I dropped this all together after that).

I did 5 rounds in 28:30. My heart rate was really escalating, so I thought I would cap at 5 and focus on cheering on everyone else.

Friday, March 21

warm up CFx3 (10 air squats, 10 sit ups or toes to bar, 10 pull ups, 10 push ups)

strength: Deadlift 10×6. I got to 155

metcon: 10min amrap

• 20 air squats
• 20 sit ups (I did on a bench)
• 20 push ups

I got 3+40. So, I know I shouldn’t compare myself, especially during my pregnancy and I know everyone walks into the box at different places, but I was pretty damn excited that I got the same number of rounds + reps as a guy after lifting 10# more than him in the deadlift/strength portion.