1/2 Mary tomorrow - glass of wine tonight! YES!

Wow. I am alone. Like, in the house with NO child and NO husband. And I am doing NOTHING. Just got home from work and decided not to have a workout today due to the 1/2 tomorrow and my knees hurting this past week. It's not often I can sit on my bed and just jerk around with no pressing matters (errr...what...is it sad that laundry is sometimes a "pressing" matter? Whatever). This is GREAT - doing nothing that is! I think what makes it even grrrrreater is that it's only for a short period of time so I just relish in it even more. It's funny how the busier you are, the more things you are able squeeze in due to mad time management skills, I mean look at me - I am totally squeezing in quality "me" time right now. HAHA. And...to entertain myself I am displaying a picture of my guns above for you all to see. I know - so totally jacked (harr harr).

Anywayyyyy, so I have the 1/2 tomorrow and I am not properly trained. Meh. We will see how it goes. I am thinking I will start out at a comfortable pace (9:30 or so?) and then settle into a more "uncomfortable but manageable pace" after a few miles. And what is that pace? I'm not even sure, to be honest, but I am thinking somewhere around 8:45? That is a 100% wild guess. I have never been a real numbers person, and I never really predict race times and rely on pace goals...I don't even wear a watch. I just go by how I feel. It has worked in the past. So who knows what an "uncomfortable but manageable pace" will actually feel like. I will def let you all know in the race report! Who knows how this will pan out.

Oh. And I am running in my nasty ratty old shoes that give me apparent knee issues. Ugh. Not like I had time to run out and spring on new shoes...that will have to happen at a later date. Boy I hope my joints get through this intact!

On a whole different issue - I taught kindergarten today. They were AWFUL! Some classes are good, but mannnn this class was bad! AGH! I left feeling drained and like a needed a glass of wine! (which I remedied...) I can deal with one 5 year old, but 19?! Made me appreciate my little Logey man - check out this pic of him below. Fell asleep like this...and somehow managed to get his pants off before doing so...

Have a great weekend all - I'll check in on things after my race!

Revel in the Simple Aspects of Life

Don't have much to say here...just goin' through the daily grind as usual. Yey for tomorrow being Thursday already.

Logan is just about ready to start crawling, although I feel like he's been ready for that for a few weeks now. He seems more interested in grabbing onto things and pulling himself up (or trying to). But still, I'll be in for it very soon when he no longer stays in a 10 square foot radius. He is getting so big! He seems different - acting/looking...everything. Silly little guy just plays and sits in his crib now and when I go in there in the AM (if I'm not waking him up to go to daycare), he is sitting there waiting for me! With a cute little smile saying "Morning Momma!" Unless he's hungry and pissed, and in that case he is crying, but still smiles when he realizes I am there to pick him up.

It's really amazing that this little person is growing and changing and I love that I get to see it all...and just watch in awe as he discovers new little things. What's funny is his personality is coming out, but when I look back at pics and videos of when he was first born, I can see those little traits were there even then.

So let's revel in the simplicities of life that give us joy, and truly realize that these things are the most important of all.

Valentine Flowers and My Loves

To be, or not to be, the size of a house?

So I am supposed to go to the gym now. (Supposed...?) Picked up Loge-meister from daycare and came back to the homestead for a bite to eat, and now I need to get my ass to the gym. It has been a month since I ran the 1/2...and to be honest I haven't done much running since. Time to get back on the train. I mean, a mile on the 'mill doesn't count I guess sooo....yeah. I want to get all ripped and in awesome shape and wooooo! Yeah. Still have some excess "stuff" on my belly. Just enough to annoy me. I haven't been trying all that hard in the eating department, meaning, I eat everything in sight. It's a terrible problem I have. But I love food so what can I say? Ah well, 6 months after having a baby and I'm in all my old clothes and look pretty damn near normal. Here's a plus: I still weigh less than I did in college when I was friggin' power-lifting for the ski team. At least I'm not lookin' like the house I was then. Well, not really a house... but still.

Guess I'll feed this child (the other, um, child) and gather him up to go play with his girlfriends at the gym while I hop on the running machine for a while.

:-)

New England Snow and a Growing Baby...

Sleep? What's that?

So, it's been 2-3 weeks now of baby not sleeping at all during the night. He wakes up numerous times a night. At first I thought it was because he was stuck on his belly and couldn't move, because he isn't always hungry. But then sometimes I end up feeding him because nothing will calm him down. A few times I have fallen asleep with him on my shoulder in the rocking chair...has he become one of those kids that needs to be picked up all the time? I hope not! Maybe he's teething...? All I know is I am walking around like a zombie. AHHH! I can't imagine going to work like this, and I'm not quite sure what I'll do once I do go back probably starting in December.

Wouldn't it be nice if we were all celebs and could hire a full-time nanny to feed our babies and get up in the middle of the night with them? No wonder people like Heidi Klum and Jessica Alba look so refreshed and make it all look so easy. BOOOOOOO. No fair.

Ah...trials and tribs of feeding a baby.

How funny is this video? Things to look forward to. Love it. Hahahaha.

New Etsy Jewels on a New Monday

I finally got some pictures uploaded of new jewelry. They'll soon be listed in my shop - so watch out for them. It's hard to get things done around here with (two) males taking up most of my time. Yikes. What will life be like when Logan is big? I'm scared to even think about it. That's not even factoring in the probability of us having another kid. OHHH MAN. AHHH!

Anywhooo, look below for some new stuff. I'm trying to get inventory up for Christmas! Watcha think?

Alllright, so, it's almost an end to another Monday. :::sigh::: I got away with sitting here in silence while baby slept - I think he was catching up on a couple days of wakefulness and crabiness! Were both men in my life crabby this weekend? Ummm kinda. Yet another :::sigh::: I'm still riding my happy wave as best as I can, though! I hope you all have a great week. We'll catch back up soon.

Lisbet

New Jewelry in Etsy Shop

Thanks for all the comments, emails, suggestions from my last post. I really was/am at a crossroads. I guess it's tough, and sometimes I don't give myself any credit. It's hard when you live with someone (a guy...?) who doesn't always understand. All men are different, some more sympathetic than others...such is life. Just roll with the punches, I guess. I did like Grove's idea of childcare...that's something to think about. Oh, and Grove my email is Lloiselle84@gmail.com - send me your address so I can send you the book.

Rainy here in NM, which is great because we never get any! I have a new jewelry set for you all to check out. It's here in my shop. The necklace is pictured below, you can see the earrings in my Etsy shop.
Ohhh wow. This will be short, funny how babies don't want you to do anything that means not paying attention to THEM. Someone is crying my name, lol.

See ya!

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!

Evening Without the Boys

I escaped my house. It is saturday night, and I have left the boys at home. We got home from doing "errands" all day, more like driving aimlessly around until my back was stiff and I was overly cranky. I got home, went for a run, took a shower, and informed Mike that I was going to go out for a while. He didn't protest so I grabbed my computer and ran. Sometimes I just need to get away. Every now and again I feel a little claustrophobic. I've had a headache lately. Kind of anxious for no apparent reason. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be single again. Meaning, no significant other, no baby, no in-laws up the road...I would be free to do anything?! I don't think you ever really realize the freedom you have until you have another little being depending on you. No more stopping by the gym because I happen to be out, no more spontaneous outtings to go hike up the mountain, no more reading a book in peace. This doesn't mean I am unhappy, it is just interesting to think about. A couple hours to myself, like tonight, is like gold. I can think without worrying when the baby will start to get antsy, or that the bathroom should really get cleaned, or why why WHY do men (or just mine?) forget how to do their own laundry.

Okay, aside from all that, I am relishing in this free time. It makes me so much happier to go home and see my smiling baby who is getting pudgier by the day. Life isn't bad. Life has gotten more complex, thus requiring special time for myself. If I don't alot such time, I'd lose my marbles. So, if any can relate to this, get some time to yourself before you go off your rocker for some little insignificant thing. Sounds silly but it's SO important!

Post from yesterday, interrupted by hurricane (Mike) arriving home

Sleep, where did you go? I had you for a few nights, and you went away. Oh sleep, I miss you so. I've never missed something so much as you, sleep. But it's alright, I can live, as many others before me have. I'll continue on my merry way, and maybe someday you'll pop on over again. In the meantime, baby Logan is full-bellied and happy and sleepy himself, and that is all I could really ask for. Rather that than a cranky, sleepless, colicky baby, right?

I headed to the gym with the little guy for a quick 3 mile run and a shortened power-hour. (Haha, power-hour is what Mike and I used to do when we were single and childless; an all out lift seshhhh for an hour. These days? More like a power-half hour.) I still have separation issues when I bring him to the daycare. I left him there today and walked out, closed the door, and stood behind it looking back in on him...as if I really needed to double check? It's not like he was going anywhere, or the certified babysitter ladies were going to run out the back door with him. I'll get over it, I swear. Especially when he hits his own separation anxiety thing at about 6-8 months or so, I hear.

My workout was good, but I am totally exhausted and not sure why. I didn't kick my butt too much, so who knows. My body has been rebelling lately in many ways, so this is just a probable side-effect. Boooo.

Alright, time to eat before the (other) man gets home. Maybe I'll even get to watch something other than Monday night football for a little bit here.

Have a good one ~ signing off.

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

Kids at a young age

Okay, so, I'm not even a true "young mother" compared to some women out there. I don't think having a baby at 25 is all that young, but I will say that I am the only one out of ALL of my friends that has a baby. None of my girlfriends (and guy friends) can even say the word "relationship" let alone "marriage" and "baby". I mean really, they would drop dead. I find myself in a really odd state of transition. I can't really chat with my friends any more because all I can say is hey I just changed my kid's diaper and he pooped AGAIN! Ohhh and I'm doing the 18th load of laundry this week! Nice! So as I am trying to figure myself out and who I am...as well as keep this baby alive...my other friends are thinking about what to wear to the bar tonight.

Interesting momversation discussion here about the topic...take a look at the video, brings up some good points that I personally can relate to. I couldn't get the video embedded, so click on this link and scroll down to "Do you judge young mothers?"

I get to go somewhere by myself!!

Ohhh I wanna go run on the beach! But guess I'm stuck on the treadmill today...

Guess what?!!! The grandparents just called and offered to watch Logan if I needed to go do a couple things! And, I totally took them up on it. Yesterday I tried to take him out and and we got to the bookstore and he decided he just didn't want to cooperate. I put him in his sling and he immediately started crying. So our ride down there was for nothing, because we just turned right around and came home. Boo. So, they offered to watch him and so now I am excitedly thinking of what I can do. Stop by the store, go to the bookstore like I planned...the GYM maybe? I haven't been to the gym alone in what seems like forever, but is really only a couple months actually....but STILL. SO excited. It's amazing the things you can squeeze in when you are only given a small amount of time.

Alright I have a baby to feed and pack up to head on out. Isn't it sad how this has just about made my Friday? Small pleasures in life, I tell you.

Babies DO learn to talk!

My baby is figuring out he has a voice. Making squeaks and squaks and cries and grunts, all just for the hell of it. He had a mini crying fit earlier, and I found that the swing absolutely puts him to sleep. NOTHING would make him quiet down, and the second I put him in the swing and turned the "waves sounds" on, he conked out. Like magic I tell you. Wonderful. So mom was able to get a mini nap in herself today which was nice. We went to see daddy today to retrieve my wallet that I'd left in his car, and then went on a 2.5 mile jog/walk. Don't get all excited for me, it was a sloooow walk/jog. Yep. At least I am out there, though, right? Mike is working up a training plan for me (or I think he is...pretty sure he forgot about that...) for this 1/2 marathon. I was like, now hunny, take in to consideration that I JUST had a BABY. Like, pushed one out. Like, things aren't really back to normal yet, and my fitness level is ohhhh completely trashed. He'll be a good boy about that, I hope, and start off easy for me.

Haha. I just put Logan in his swing to type this out, and just looked over to see yet again, the Super Swing has done the trick. The guy is OUT. What is it about cheezy music and a mobile that goes round and round that really gets a kid sleepy? It's great. I love it.

Was able to get laundry, bed sheets changed, ktichen cleaned, and house swept and vacuumed this AM! Woooo! Wow, the new daily achievements that really get me excited have certainly changed drastically. I EVEN got into the shower and washed my hair?! While little man was conked in his swing after his crying bit, of course. It's amazing how fast you can do things when you have a little person around the house. I can't imagine what will happen when he starts crawling and walking, though, yikes.

Oh, check out this hilarious "mom blog". This lady just made my day, and I will totally read this when I need a laugh. Also, a "running mommy's blog"...which allows me to know I WILL run again! And that parenting is a sport!

Are you a mom? Here are the "50 best mom blogs"! Read 'em and weep...or laugh...whatever.


In this picture, I had no idea I'd be married with a baby in due time. Oh man. At least I look pretty darn cool.

I have a hiccuping baby

Napping with mom - is this really comfy?

My baby seems to hiccup a lot. Is this normal? It's like he is drunk off breast milk. I call him the "boob catcher", as he is always searching around opening his mouth, sucking his tongue...trying to find a boob ANYWHERE! There MUST be one out there somewhere! LOL. He is wriggling around in his boppy chair as we speak.

Boy do I hope this weight comes off fast. I lost about 20 lbs so far...15 when I got home and another 5 this past week. Now I am just left with a jelly belly. It goes down every day, but I know it will take work to get back to normal. I am hesitant to start any running, though. I want to make sure everything is healing well etc etc. Logan and I went for a walk/jog the other day, and it went alright. My lungs are obviously totally out of shape. My abs are also non-existent, which is a really odd feeling for me because mine were always pretty strong and defined. It's all soft now. WEIRD.

Mike and I are planning on a race in December in Tucson. He'll do the full marathon and I'll do the 1/2. So, that gives me five months from when Logan was born to get to where I want to be. I think I'll be able to do it. I probably won't start training for it for a bit, and just ease into it when I do. It'll be a nice "come-back" race for me hopefully! Finishing will be all that matters, this won't be for time. Granted-I have a hard time NOT racing for time, so we'll see. Mike is going to try and qualify for Boston again so we can head back there for the race next April. Boston, being THE marathon to run, has always been so accessible to us! It has been literally in our backyard and been able to watch the runners, so not being there the past couple years has been strange. I know he'll qualify easily because he is speedy :-)

Okay, enough for today, I'll bop back in eventually!