Cycling

It had been a while since Morgan and I went on a date. Earlier this month we were supposed to do a Bridge to Bridge ride, but it got canceled because we got snow and ice the night before.

We decided to take the time today to go on the ride down to the new bridge in La Porte City.

I just checked the mileage on google maps and we rode a total of 40 miles from 8:45am until 12:55pm. It was a fun ride, but my bum was so sore the entire time. I'm used to riding a nice cruiser bike but recently switched to a fitness bike. My thighs were killing me on the way home and my neck and shoulders were sore too. We thought the ride was going to be more like 50, but I don't mind that it was 10 miles less than we thought.

Once we got home I put Noelle down for her nap then Morgan and I both showered. We left the kids with the babysitter again to go out to lunch at HuHot because I had a great buy-one-get-one-free coupon. It was nice to load up on protein and carbs after the big ride.

The best part about the date was that we had so much time just to hang out together and talk about the things that were happening in our lives. We even came up with some possible baby names.  If it is a boy we are thinking James Russel and calling him Rusty!  (Just kidding Beth!)

Actually we do think that we will go with James for a middle name if it is a boy. I can't remember if we thought of any first names that we both liked. I like the name Matthew James.  But we will see.

Morgan suggested that we name the baby Erica if it is a girl. I like that name. Then he asked what middle name would go well with it. I was trying to come up with names that were single or double syllable names. Then Morgan said what about Liss. Erica Liss Lasley.  It made me feel really good that Morgan wants to name a little girl after me. Liss is fun too because she could be named after me, but not named Melissa. I also like it as a middle name more than a first name.

Anyway, we will find out for sure what we are having in October. We will have the ultrasound in a week, but I want to keep the gender a surprise. I want that TV moment when the midwife says, "It's a Girl" or "It's a Boy!"  Silly, I know. I am still hoping for a girl, just so life would be easier with two boys and two girls. But we will see what the Lord has in store for us.



Also - going on this bike ride showed me that I should probably not go on the day of Ragbrai with Team Flamingo like I had planned. I had won the chance to go with them at an auction. My best choices were a day of 25 miles and a day of 60 miles.  The problem is that I am afraid the short day is going to have a lot of hills. I am afraid of the long day because I'm not sure I can go that far.

I recognize that I am going to be 2 more months along in my pregnancy, which means a lot bigger. This 40 mile bike ride was hard enough of me as it was. Plus in July it can be really, really hot.

It is not set in stone that I won't ride yet. We know two of the riders of Team Flamingo really well and we will ask them for their opinions on the two days of Ragbrai that we are considering.  But if I don't go then Morgan can go and do it, so it will all work out fine.