Smidgey the Adventurer

Navigating pregnancy, a changing body, activities that I love and activities that Jim and I love together has been quite the maneuver. First, there are very few references for said activities. Jim and I have read every rock climbing while pregnant blog we could find, which is great for learning from the experience of others, but not so great from a medical perspective. Turns out most of the doctors/midwives I am exposed to do not have an experience in this area, so their advice and personal suggestions feels a bit haphazard.

What we decided in the end, at least for climbing, is that I/we would use that knowledge gained and feelings and go from there. We traveled to Rumney, NH over July 4th weekend. At that time (about 15 weeks pregnant) I was able to climb in the low 5.10 range and really enjoy myself. Of course, there was no belly in the way yet and I was on a "I don't feel like vomiting" high. As we packed to go a Labor Day trip back up to Rumney, Jim came clean and told me he felt concerned. He knew that my expectations would be similar to the last time we were there and that, at almost 26 weeks pregnant and a few days from the third trimester, that these expectations would lead to unnecessary disappointment and frustration.

This was a hard pill to swallow, even more difficult than the huge prenatal pill I take religiously, but I was grateful that Jim felt comfortable communicating clearly and respectfully with me. I agreed to change to my expectations and felt that hiking into the rock with my pack on (minus water, which Jim agreed to carry), setting up a hammock and climbing one route a day at 5.8 or below would still make a wonderful weekend with my husband and friends.

Jim wasn't wrong ;-). Though I climbed more than a route a day, I couldn't even begin to touch the routes that were overhanging 5.9 and above. Tried I did, but decided to come back down to the ground, and reality, after ten minutes of hanging from the rope in a very uncomfortable harness. Regardless, we did have a great weekend. I never had to set-up the hammock. I continue to be a trustworthy belayer (though a belayer with limits) and a rock climber. Rock climbing, adventuring and being outside is where Jim and I find our zen, if you will. Without that time, at least in some capacity, and without his patience and grace in supporting my changing needs, things could get pretty resentful around our house. I am grateful for another lovely weekend at the crag, for friends who humor me and feel my belly when I say so and for a husband who is supportive no matter what limitations, even if temporary, I put on our experience.

Over the past few months I have learned that backing off and being in the moment makes life much more enjoyable. I think I am always learning about this, but pregnancy has amplified the process. Temporary body changes that end in a baby is a very different situation for an active person than so many others that people are experiencing every day.

On a different, back to the cooing and sweet stuff, when we got home from Rumney, the below item was waiting on the porch from two of our most darling friends, Erin and Yamin. While I will not admit how long it took Daddy Bear to get it all set-up as he refused directions or help from his lovely wife, it makes me smile every time I go in the guest room.