Enjoying some quality time together

Here's to hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas and will have a happy New Year as well.

This week has been great. Aside from cleaning the house, de-cluttering, and making it look open-house ready for people to view, Logan and I have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Not having work until next week when school starts back up, we have spent the mornings in my bed watching cartoons with coffee and a sippy cup of milk, Logan actually sitting between my legs and relaxing (which is not much like him at all), me reading a book off of my new Kindle. After a while we rouse ourselves and get to work on the day. Someone stopped by to see our house last night, and so I spent the entire day dusting, sweeping, shoving books and magazines in strange places. I've packed away a lot of things that we don't use frequently, away in bins in the garage. Summer clothes, regular clothes that I just can't wear anymore, our entire spare bedroom which has been converted into Logan's new room with his new race care bed. Although I've been on mission to get our house in order, I don't mind. It actually gets better as more gets cleaned, more gets put away...things seem more simple as I discard things to go to the Goodwill...and there is less stuff around. The process is actually meditative and soothing.

The days here have been gray for almost 2 weeks now, it seems, but I don't mind much because it is a break from the relentless, glaring sun and huge open skies. I feel more enclosed with this cloud cover, less vulnerable. I've gotten out for jogs/walks with the BOB when the weather permits and isn't too windy. I rarely go to the gym, and when I do, I only spend about an hour or so on the bike or treadmill and doing some light weights. If anything, by going there I give Logan some time to play with other kids in the daycare. Starting next week he will be back to seeing our friends' kids a couple times a week when we trade off babysitting for each other, and then a new boy and girl at a woman's house where he will go for just one day a week while I work.

For the next few days, though, we will continue to enjoy our time off, relax in the morning with no place to go, and savor the moments together.

Birthday Wishes to my Baby...and some yoga today

Today is my son's birthday - he is 1 year old! Crazy to think at this point last year I was in a whole helluva lot of pain, lol. But it resulted in this little cutie.

Sometimes I feel like the year went by quickly, but other times...not so much. People say that the days are long but the years are short. I think there's some truth to that.

Now, a whole year later, he is walking around and getting quicker every day. He'll be running before I know it, and then I'm really in for it.

So, on to another year here. Wish me luck ;-)

It's hot here today, or at least, it will be. No run for me today, as I am super duper sore from lifting over the last week. I really went at it to jolt my body awake, and it worked. So today I am going to get out for a walk before it gets too hot, and get some easy yoga in. Tomorrow I will get a run in - 4 miles. Nothing crazy. I've kind of been on a running hiatus the last couple weeks. Not sure why...do any of you ever go through that? I'm sure I will get back on it, but lately it has just been so HOT here that I find it unmotivating to run outside. It will be really nice once September hits. But that's not for a while.

I forgot to do a happiness journal last post! So here it is:

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Happiness Journal:

I am happy that I have a healthy, active baby :-)

I am happy for frozen berries from Trader Joe's.

I am happy for the healthy body I have that can take me all over the place and give me the energy I need to get through each day!

Running Faster After Pregnancy

So it's been a while since I posted anything huh? I wish I could really streamline this blog, but I have so many ideas and things I like to do that, well...I have a hard time focusing on just ONE thing. Not sure what to do on that - what are people most interested in? My active life? My running/working out etc? And all being done with a baby? And eventually another baby some day? (yes, we do want another bambino). Let me know your thoughts...what do people like to read about here?

So....what is this talk about women getting faster after pregnancy? Is it true? I feel like it is, because recently I have been feeling REALLY good while running. Is there really any scientific evidence? I dunno...they claim increased blood flow is like blood doping, but I am almost 9 months PP, so is that really the factor here? Perhaps it's the mentality women have after having childrem that helps them become better athletes. We probably have a more sound mind, better discipline, and realize that yes we CAN and WILL finish this race and that we've done harder things (especially those of us who had longer/more difficult labors, maybe?) This blog, tighthams.wordpress.com by Alix J. Shutello, touches on running before, during and after pregnancy so take a look. Some good info, things a lot of us know, and some great inspiration.

In the end, though, I run and think about a lot of things...like Logan. And it puts a smile on my face. That in itself makes me run faster than anything.

Work and Daycare? Or not?

Just a pic of Logan and dad at Tent Rock

Hello people! I forgot to post the winner of the giveaway yesterday - probably because only two people responded. Hahahaha, sooo the winner is GroveDesigns Co! Yeyyy! You'll be getting a free book in the mail - I will need to get your address. :-)

Thanks for the comments the other day on my breakdown...it bled into today as well. Agghh. Logan is 3 months old, for those of you who asked. Here is the latest dilemma. I am not working yet, but I am wondering if I should even look for a job in the first place? I know that with me working, my paycheck (probably the entire thing) would end up going toward daycare or a babysitter. So, we will end up in the same spot we are now, financially. I am currently looking to work from home by designing jewelry and doing some freelance writing. Me being at home seems like the better idea, but the husband doesn't think so. I don't think he gets that we'd gain nothing from me being out of the house, except for some "me" time, which I can easily find by heading to the gym or dropping Logan off at the in-laws. If anything, we'd probably ultimately be making LESS money if we sent him to daycare. What are your thoughts? How should I approach this debate with the spouse? I'm having a really hard time figuring things out!

New jewelry shtufffff, and running and babies, oh my!

New items in my Etsy shop ~ have a look!

And on another note...I have to go do my track workout on the treadmill once Mike gets home. 3 by (800 by 600 by 600), 90 sec rest, 5 min. rest between sets. I actually don't mind these because I can get through 800s and 600s no problem. It's like, such a short period of intense work isn't so bad, right? Granted, after the first 800 I do have 8 more 800/600s to go. It's helping with my turnover, though, and I am running faster these days...finally! It's not such a struggle to get my legs chugging, as it was a few weeks ago. Wish me luck, I'll let you all know how it goes.

Aaaaand on yet another note - Logey is getting to be a big boy ;-) Dad's here saying, time to walk buddy! Now that's a scary thought...

Hope y'all had a great wknd! I'll be back to check in later this week...


Lisbet

This and That and Running and Pouting

Hahahaha, I am a terrible mother. I actually waited for him to get uber pissed off so that I could take this picture. When he gets mad, he has a true pout. It's hilarious. Apparently he gets the lips from yours truly. Hmmm, I tried to show off my lower lip, can you see the resemblance? Hahaha.
So, I ran the 8.7 miles on Saturday and it was pretty good. I had track last night (actually, we are working on trails right now...) and that went alright. I get super discouraged because I just can't run that FAST! And I am breathing like I am ready to DIE at the end! We did 4 times around a .7 hilly loop...with an easy "cycle-like" run for the first .5, and then all out the last .2. Needless to say, I skipped the second loop, only completing three. I went out too hard the first time around, and not being very warmed up caused me to just fizzle out at the end. Booo. I think we should warm up more in the beginning because the actual workout ends up not being as advantageous as it should be. Perhaps I'm different than others, but it takes me a good mile or more to feel somewhat warmed up. Kinda sucks for others who don't feel like running a lot, but oh well.

Today I think I might set the bike up on the trainer and sit on that for a bit while baby sleeps (or cries or makes noise or whatever), and then 9AM tomorrow I'm going for an hour run with a couple ladies. Nice slow pace :-) I have to bring LM along in the BOB, so a slow pace will work out nicely.

Oh, and hope you all had a great Labor Day wknd. Mike and a couple friends ran the NM half, I was the designated cheering sqaud as usual. He did a 1:30, which is actually the fastest he's done out here in NM. Damn lack of air.

No Shit Today!

You should have SEEN what came out of my son yesterday. I mean, it was like nothing I have ever ever ever laid my eyes on before. My husband asked if I took a picture of it, which sadly, I did not. This upset him because he wanted to view this astronomically huge bowel movement. It was actually more the consistency of mud, and bright orange. TMI? Sorry. Other moms will know what I am talking about. It exploded out of each corner of the diaper. That onesie is TOAST. And so is the changing table pad. Yikes. Amazing. I guess that's what builds up when ya don't go for a few days...hahahaha. I think he emptied himself out, though, because no such thing has happened yet today.

Another beautiful day here, so I'm gunna slap together a sandwich, wolf that down, and throw the little man in the stroller for a walk. No run just yet, because we have a group workout in the Sandia foothills tonight at 6pm. We just bring the boy in the BOB and Mike and I take turns running and watching him. The workouts are like track workouts, but are just done on trails. We'll see how it goes, I'm still kind of fast, but I get seriously winded pretty quickly. The other runners, who all happen to be slightly older, are a little slower but can finish the whole workout. I am not at that point yet...I should probably slow down and just finish the workout. Like last Friday night I joined some people for a swim workout, and totally did not finish the workout. They ended with a timed 500, and I had no desire to swim a fast 500. I was ruined just from fast 75s! HAHA. But swimming feels awesome, and I have noticed something!! I am a perfect floater now! Probably because of some, um, excess fat deposits I have spread throughout my body, but it is pretty funny. My legs and arms float now, which used to sink like rocks. I'm sure that'll go away as I lose some weight, but kinda cool that I can float around without working at it! Should just get a pina colada and call myself a floatation device.

I'll let ya know how the workout goes tonight...and wooowww. I know I say this EVERY time, but whenever I sit down to type, Logan starts screaming, and promptly stops when I finish up. Amazing. Til next time.

Just some updates - Saturday

He's gettin' big!

Just sitting here drinking coffee while Dad is out for a fast run in preparation for the NM 1/2 Marathon next weekend...I'll go on my run when he returns...even though I so don't feel like going. But I WILL go just to get out of the house for a bit! By myself!

We have moved Logan to his crib in his room - wow, we have our room back! (kinda) He transitioned perfectly...no more fussing than usual :-) And his room is so close to ours I can easily hear him during the night so no monitor needed. I seem to wake up at every little noise these days, though.

Almost September! Which means a little cooler weather around here! Thank God... I am ready for it. It has just been way too hot, and with spending the hottest months here pregnant and uncomfortable, I am just ready for some cooler weather. But that means I might need to buy some new clothes to fit me, can't really get into my old jeans yet. Bleeeehhh.

Mom in Town

My mother got in town yesterday! We're just hanging around, went for a walk today, she went grocery shopping, took naps, now we're making crispy lemon chicken for dinner. Yummyyyy. I'm glad she's here, I literally did nothing today! Well, meaning, I did not do any work around the house or go out for errands or work on jewelry. Just baby duty for me. Logan's life is so complicated - eating, sleeping, dirtying/wetting his diaper. What a rough life.

We were looking through jewelry on Etsy, and she was giving me ideas for business cards and tags. We might have my grandmother (a great artist, mind you) design me a new business card that matches my packaging a little better.

Not much for talking today, so I'll leave you with some colorful inspiration.