I had about an hour yesterday morning to try and squeeze in some running. Since my uterus still felt a bit weird from having the CVS on Tuesday, I ended up mostly quick-walking and not running...but it was fine. It felt good to be stretching the limbs, good to be out, good to not be stepping over snails at every turn as I had on Monday.

I put the fanny pack thing that Mikey got me around my waist - I have reached new levels of dorkdom and don't even care - and adjusted it. It feels off, just like my pants and underwear are starting to. I'm as big now as I was when I was 5 months pregnant with Micah - and I'm not even 3 months yet. It's true what they say about your body remembering...mine gets a baby and like a football linebacker, races to the end right away. Full bloom, baby! Full bloom. That's me.

As I was walking yesterday, I was thinking of the race on May 6th and how much I'm looking forward to it. I think it would be lovely to be running (or probably, more a combination of run/walking) under all those redwoods in the Avenue of the Giants. I thought of how grateful I am to everyone for all the donations - some of which are made so generously, so thoughtfully and with real sacrifice. I thought of what I can possibly give back to everyone.

I thought of Connie Tumuvicas, a friend of mine from grad school who died of cancer - oh God, just thinking of her and her daughter makes my eyes fill up. Connie's family made a traveling heart - a heart that was sent to various close friends, travelled to everyone with love. They'd wear it in memory of Connie for something special, like Meredith wore it when completing her half marathon (or was it a full?). I love that idea.

I thought maybe what I will do is craft a heart to put on my shirt - two of them. One one side, I will have Oliver's name and perhaps photo, as well as the names of others that are currently battling leukemia - like Sarah's brother, like little Rosaleigh. I'll also have the names of those that have passed on, my ghostly angelic cheerleaders. On the other, I will have the names of everyone who has donated - because all of you are ready in my heart and I hold you close for the support you have showered upon me.

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The raffle is still going: only about $200 more to raise!!

It will end as soon as the goal is met.

PLEASE - donate today.

Running While Pregnant + Raffle Giveaway

I am running this race in honor of Oliver, the small boy with Down syndrome that is currently battling leukemia.

I am running this race with the spirit of those children with Down syndrome that have passed on in my heart, in my mind.

I am running this race in the hope that no more of our children will contract this loathsome and deadly cancer. That my beloved Moxie will never know that pain.

I am running this to make every dollar count, because EVERY DOLLAR DOES COUNT.

Bloom a book by Kelle Hampton, is out now. It's being devoured by those within the Down syndrome community.

I will wait to buy a copy - I am putting that $17 towards LIFE, towards research to saving lives, the lives of our children. Will you join me? Will you please hold off on buying it - wait for a friend to finish reading, wait for the library to carry it, wait for next week or the week after to buy it? Will you?

And will you donate that $17 instead to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of our precious children?

Please?

1. You will be glad you did when/if someone you love is diagnosed with cancer.

2. You won't feel as helpless knowing that yet another person is waging a battle you can't support. Because you can support them - and you are; by helping to fund research.

3. Because you think of mothers like Sherry, Oliver's mother, and know that you could be in her shoes and you know you'd rather cut off your hand than have your child go through what her child is right now: fighting for his life against leukemia.

Rather than cutting off your hand, give to support research. It's our best weapon.

4. It's tax deductible. This is lame. But it's tax season and it's on our minds.

5. It feels good to know you are doing something for someone else's life. Not just making them feel better; you are helping them stay alive.

Asking for money makes me deeply uncomfortable. It goes against everything I was raised to be: self sufficient, hard working, independent.

When I ask for support for this cause, at first I squirm with something apporaching embarrasment. And then. I take a step back, a deep breath and remember the reason I am doing this: I am doing this for all of us. I am doing this for your families that have death from cancer - or will have them, if we don't find a cure.

I'm doing this for my family, with deaths from leukemia. I'm doing this for children like Oliver who are in the hospital fighting for their life, truly suffering from chemotherapy.

I'm doing this for mothers like Olivers mother, Sherry.

Think of her. Think of how it would feel to be her. Think of the love she has for her son, and know that her love is the same as your love for your child.

And there is no cure. We can only hope for the best from chemotherapy, for a remission, for a respite, to "beat it" by what odds.

Give. Support this. Not for me - do it for you, do it for all of us.