Monday, April 02, 2007

A tiny little heartbeat

Okay.

Now it's real.

I just got back from my Doctor's appointment, and Matt and I heard our baby's heartbeat for the very first time. I started laughing, which then really screwed it up, but then once I stopped I could hear my swish swish and my little baby's swishswishswishswish and even though I've known this since January, I can finally share my secret.

I've been pregnant now for 13 weeks. I've been writing lots, but haven't been able to share until now...so I will. This has already been quite a wild, crazy, humbling, emotional journey and I've barely even started. I'm sure all of you with kids out there will laugh at my naive attempts to predict how I'll feel like I'm doing some kind of race plan. As I read through all the things I wrote yesterday, I got a few good laughs in at myself.

I think it's safe to say I'm out of my element here.

The new race date is October 8, which obviously changes my race plans quite a bit. For instance, running the Chicago Marathon and going sub-4 on October 7 is probably not a good idea, unless I want to go in labor on the course and scare the bejeezus out of 42,000 people.

So I'll start at the beginning, and tell you my story so far. Warning. Disclaimer. I'm not going to even try to pretend it makes sense. I am fully aware that some things I'm feeling are irrational. This is what it is: the story of an Ironman whose life has revolved around race plans and schedules for the past five years getting a nice healthy dose of reality. It's the story of my fears, too...and this amazing, overwhelming feeling of joy I felt today when I heard that little heartbeat.

Buckle in, folks. Here we go. :)

60 comments:

Andra Sue said...

Oh my gosh! Congratulations! I'd wondered if you were hinting at something like this in some of your posts over the past few months. Can't wait to read about the new adventure. :)

JenC said...

Yay, I'm so glad to hear that you heard the heartbeat. Looking forward to hearing all your pregnancy stories.

Zara said...

What great news! Congrats!

I always laughed, too, and made a loud obnoxious static sound on the doppler when my belly shook.

Laurie said...

Oh my goodness! I am so excited for you! I have a HUGE smile on my face. I can't wait to hear all kinds of pregnancy and baby stories. Congrats!

Carrie said...

Ack!! Heartfelt Congratulations Sara!

Rae said...

Can I just say I KNEW that's what you were hinting at???? When you're approaching 30 and people start acting suspicious.....you just know!

Congratulations!! I can't wait to follow along on this journey!

Amy said...

Congratulations Sara!!! That is such great news.

Wes said...

Woo hoo! Another little Ironman is in the oven :-) Congratulations!!

Jodi said...

Cat's out of the bag! Congrats girl! I can't wait to hear your stories. You two are going to be fantastic parents!!!

:-)

Jodi

Tracy said...

YAY!!!!!! I'm gonna be an IronAunt!!! :)

Chad said...

Congrats!!! That's awesome news.

TriBoomer a.k.a. Brian said...

Wow! Congrats and mazel tav!

You have a great, "What I Did During My Off Season" story.

;-)

Can't wait to read you blog this summer... and beyond.

Stay tuned...

Anonymous said...

A big congrats! Stay active now, because you will have MUCH LESS time once the little one arrives. IronMomSara! Yay!

Janet Edwards said...

Aghh finally I don't have to keep this fantastic secret anymore!!!

I have been so excited for you and Matt for so long!! Ironman Sara is just going to be such a great mom and I can't wait to hear all about it!!!

TriShannon said...

I'm with DaisyDuc... finally the secret is out. I thought the announcement was never coming. :)

Congratulations!!! Cannot wait to meet the little IronBaby.

Anonymous said...

yeah! was just wondering about all that, and wishing you good things...

Michele said...

I KNEW it!!!!
Congrats. I am very excited for you.

Spokane Al said...

Congratulations. I will be looking forward to reading about your journey.

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Hugs, hugs, and more hugs to you!!

I can't wait to hear these stories. And like you've been telling me - those races, such as the sub-4 in Chicago, will be there when you're ready. Soak up the experience, girl, just like you did with Ironman Wisconsin. You are gonna be one heck of an IronMommy.

21stCenturyMom said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! That is really wonderful news!

Charlie said...

So many great stories today, You have topped them all.
Congrats. I am sure you will be an amazing mother. You baby is blessed to have you.

qcmier said...

Congratulations!!! Can't wait for the little triceratops!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! As a father of two, I can appreciate the excitement, and even apprehension, that you and your husband are experiencing.

It's an incredible journey your family has started. Enjoy it!

For what it's worth, a friend of mine is blogging about her pregnancy as an athlete: http://www.wholisticfitness.com/joy/

hak

Tammy said...

OH MY GAWD! Congratulations!!!! I can't wait to read your story. I can't imagine hearing another heartbeat inside my body... I think that would change my priorities as well (but let's not try and see! ha).

tryathlete said...

Congratulations to you and Matt. Look after yourself.

!Ri said...

I am so happy for you!

You've been an inspiration for me for the past year or so, since I began reading your blog. Since then, I completed two 1/2 marathons, and just on Sunday, my first marathon.

Now, I'm excited to follow your journey of being a mom, and you'll be an inspiration for me, in that too.

Kate said...

YAAY! You and Matt are going to be the BEST parents!

Unknown said...

Glad the news is out to the world, as I'm other folks are missing your posts as much as I am. Can't wait to follow along on your latest "ride".

Chris said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so happy for you and Matt! That is so totally awesome!!! :)

RunBubbaRun said...

Big time congratulations. IM was about a journey. Having a child is a far better one. One day soon you will get to share the excitement of this sport with your child.

Truely a great feeling.

Unknown said...

Congratulations to all three of you!

Runner Susan said...

Congratulations! That is so amazing. I look forward to reading about your pregnancy.

jbmmommy said...

Congratulations from me an Critter! Guess I'm about 8 weeks ahead of you. I suspected an announcement was coming when you made reference to altering plans and expectations. I always love hearing that heartbeat for the first time. Hope you're feeling well through pregnancy, enjoy!

Meredith said...

Congratulations!

tri-mama said...

Welcome to the Trimama club :-)! You'll remember that heart beat for the rest of your life.

Alili said...

Woot! Congratulations TriSara!

TJ said...

That's Awesome news! Congratulations!

Jennifer P said...

An "official" congrats now!

Joy | Love | Chaos said...

That's so amazingly exciting!! You must write it all down and I know we'd all love to come along for the 'ride' (so to speak!). Prego!

Pharmie said...

Congratulations! Can I just say you are going to make one cute pregnant lady? And if you go a day early, it'll be my birthday!

TriSonq said...

Congrats!!! I'm going to love hearing about this new adventure & addition. Ain't life a hoot!

I bet it was rough writing and trying not to mention what was going on.

E-Speed said...

Yay! I don't have to keep a secret anymore!!!

So glad everything is going well with the baby!

greyhound said...

And to think you were just a little heartbeat not so long ago. If you thought Ironman was a journey? Just wait.

Here's the secret to all parenting. Have this attitude: when you find the bundle of joy sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor having dumped the cheerios box all around and contentedly having a little snack, don't shriek and get a broom. Laugh and get a camera.

I am SO happy for you.

Hermano said...

Woohoo! A little baby Clevelander and future Pearl Jam fan!

ShesAlwaysWrite said...

YAY!! Soooo happy for you!

Kim said...

AGHH!! YOU GOT A BUN IN THE OVEN!!! "he's gonna be a soccer player, yes he is"-billy madison

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!! babies, babies, babies! love it!

i'm gonna have to pick up the pace in the drinking world for you! :)

Unknown said...

Fantastic news. Congratulations.

Dr. Iron TriFeist :) said...

Congratulations! Awesome news for you and your husband.

Joe said...

Wow! Congrats! You might have to change the name of your blog to TriSaraTops OB/GYN Adventure.

John said...

Congratulations, That's wonderful news! I wish you all the best!!

a.maria said...

holy SH*T! am i like THE only person that didn't see this coming? what the toots, holy crap. i'm so bad at picking up hints, jeez.

OMG THIS IS SO EXCITING! i cannot wait to hear all about your exciting belly adventures!!!!!

Papa Louie said...

Congratulations! I hope good health for you and the baby. It's a beautiful day.

seaducer said...

Congratulations!!

jeanne said...

I think this is our first internet baby! many congrats!

gecko said...

Woohoo! Congrats!

Jessica said...

Congratulations! Kids can start doing triathlons as young as 5 years old for sure, maybe even younger. :-)

mouse said...

hooooooolay...

so, so, so excited for you, Sara!

Julia said...

A libra baby :-)
Congrats Sara!

RobbyB said...

Yipee! Congrats!

xt4 said...

Where have I been!?!?! Congratulations!!!!!!