2 Months post baby

Well, Critter is 2 months old and doing well.  I am doing well and the running is getting back on track (finally--breathe a sigh of relief).  Yes, I go out running most days and love it.  Am I  tired, you better believe it but am I skipping that run--most days no!  I need that run to feel like myself again.  It is a great break from everything at home and I just need that 30-90 minutes to recharge my batteries.

 I spend most of my day wither Critter attached to me in some way or another.  Whether I am carrying her around in the moby wrap or holding her in my arms.  She is a little snuggler and I know that this won't last forever.  I try to enjoy as many snuggles as I can but let's be honest I love to move so getting out the door keeps the crazy away for me.  With all the carrying of Critter my arms are getting quite strong and I am doing quite a few squats when I bend to pick stuff up while holding her--work those leg muscles!

 I am still up 6 pounds and have a little belly that sticks out but it is getting better.  I just really need to start doing some ab work but I've slacked on that.  Manfriend still tells me daily that I am beautiful and amazing so I guess it doesn't bother him at all.  He doesn't care that I wear the same pairs of black sweatpant capris everyday with the same rotation of t-shirts while my hair is continually up in a  messy clip.  Speaking of hair, when does the hair shedding stop?  Seriously.  Showering I pull out strands upon strands of hair and then again when I comb my hair.  I feel like I might go bald.

So, that is where I am 2 months after Critter decided to have a birthday.  I cannot believe I have a 2 month old.  She amazes me everyday and I cannot believe how big she is getting.  It really is amazing to see her grow and change.  

New Brooks Gear--yes please!

I kind of wore the treads down quite a bit on my old shoes but wasn't ready to admit that I needed to buy new shoes because let's face it, they are pricey and I like the neutral cushy shoes that tend to cost the most.  Well, zulilly had a sale on Brooks gear and I love me some Brooks gear.
Last year I got to test out some mitten/glove combo apparel at a group run at a local running store.  I loved them but not the $50 price tag.  Hooray for me getting them half price.  They also have a light on them for running in the dark since we all know that winter running often happens in dark or getting dark hours.  Added bonus they are neon orange with reflective piping.  The orange mitten part flips back and tucks into the wristband pocket so it isn't flapping around when you get toasty.  These also have the thumb that flips open as well so you can start chilly and "peel" off a layer as you get warm.  A key to winter running--dressing in layers!

 I already own the neon yellow jacket that I purchased several years ago.  I bawlked at the price then and still do now, but considering it is one item that I wear almost daily for 5 months of the year and it is beyond comfortable compared to other windbreaker jackets I've owned it is worth the investment.  I kept staring at the hot pink vest for when it is chilly but not enough for a jacket and Manfriend decided that had to go into the cart for me.  "Babe, you love running and will use it.  You're getting it."  At least he understands my obsession with running.  And the last item to drop into my cart was  a pair of new shoes.

These are the Brooks Launch.  I had the opportunity to be a wear tester for these shoes a few years ago before they were released to the public and loved them.  I love my Green Silence more but since those are long gone/discontinued I went back to an old favorite.  I really like the fact that they haven't changed anything about the shoes with each model upgrade other than color.  The groove pattern on the sole is the same along with the placement of stitching and design elements on the shoe upper.  

Trail Running Film Festival

Awhile ago our local Fleet Feet sent out an e-mail and had it listed as an even on their Facebook page that a Trail Running Film Festival movie would be in Rochester.  I asked Manfriend about it and we decided to have a date night.  It was our first night away from Critter other than when she was still in the hospital.  My mom was our fantastic baby sitter and we knew she was in great hands.  

 Manfriend splurged and got us the VIP tickets that came with a swag bag.  All the money raised from the ticket sales went to our local county parks that host a bunch of trail events for runners.  It was a win-win.  I ended up with some great running stuff.  Our VIP also came with a free beer from ROC Brewing.  We both had the Badass Pale Ale.

 Our VIP bags had our names on them and most of the bags were pretty much the same with a few small differences.  We also were given a raffle ticket that they did during intermission since several short films were shown and it was a 3 hour event.  Raffle items were 4 pairs of shoes, shirts, socks, race entries and such.  And they were not stingy on the quantity of raffles.  Of course a pair of shoes ended up being the raffle ticket number smack dab between our two.

 Above is my swag bag items.  A pair of Brooks compression type socks, some lock laces, adidas sweat band things, a saucony beverage warmer and a metal camping style nike trail running coffee mug filled with 2 gu's and some gels.  Also a sticker and air freshener.

 I have never used lock laces for my shoes but think I might give them a try.  I know they are awesome in a Sparkle Skirt as a drawstring so you don't have to tie/untie.  Below are my Brooks socks.  I went for a run in them the other day and they are comfy and so soft. They compress slightly but not as much as my sleeves.  I see these enjoying many fall and winter runs to keep my a little warmer and add some support as my runs get longer.

 My Gu selection involved some chocolate sea salt and maple bacon.  Interesting idea to eat maple bacon on the run.  I think that might get given to someone else.  I also got a variety of sport beans.  Manfriend got the same stuff but no maple bacon flavored gu's.

 Below is Manfriends swag bag (aka mine now :) ).  He got the same things but a metal trail running water bottle instead of a mug.  Each bag also contained some shoe laces.

 The films were awesome and I enjoyed the inspiration that they provided to help kick some of my running into gear.  Rainshadow running presented the film festival.  I enjoyed the short documentary about the 5k-ish race up Mt. Marathon in Alaska.  It was called 3022.  The other one I really liked was Run for Colin about a guy that ran the entire Pacific Coast trail to raise awareness.  It was a great night out and much needed for both of us.

What my day looks like lately

It's almost 3am and I can hear Critter starting to stir in the bassinet next to me.  I get up with her, change the diaper and feed her.  She is wide awake and "witching."  Critter will not go back to sleep so we hang out together with me singing songs, snuggling and just doing whatever to keep her somewhat soothed.  It's almost 4am and I am hungry so we are downstairs and I am shoving a Luna bar in my mouth while trying to keep her calm.  Eventually she spits up some stuff and stops "witching" but refuses to sleep.  Approaching 6am she is hungry again and we've been up since about 3.  I change the diaper and feed her.   She is out for the count before I have her swaddled up.  I put her back in the bassinet and change into my running clothes--leaving Manfriend to tend to her should she start to fuss.  He has been asleep through all of this.  

My Goofy training plan is in place and it starts in a few days so right now I just do what I feel and whatever pace I want.  This particular day I am happy because I was feeling speedy and went faster than the construction traffic cone dropping vehicle.  Upon returning home I grab a bowl of cereal, put dishes away from last night.  I brew a cup of decaf pumpkin coffee because I love pumpkin everything and just love the smell of coffee and holding the warm cup.  The house is quiet.  While eating breakfast I check e-mails, blog or play on Facebook so I can check in with the group I admin. 

About 7:45 I head upstairs to take a quick shower.  If it is a Tuesday or Friday I also clean the bathroom.  Critter is starting to stir so I change her diaper and feed her about 8:30.  We head downstairs for the day and I make Manfriend a lunch if we don't have leftovers from dinner the night before.  Somedays my mom stops over and I go grocery shopping or run an few errands.  Other days I might go over to my mom and dad's and then run my errands.  Somewhere between 2 and 3 hours later Critter is hungry again so we do the changing of the diaper and feed her.  

Around noon I am hungry again so I make a peanut butter sandwich with goldfish crackers and put Critter down for a little bit so I can eat and check e-mails and Facebook plus read some blogs.  She has been held by me almost non-stop since her 8/8:30 feeding.  If it is a Wednesday I vacuum the house (also done as needed other days) and if it is a Monday or Thursday I clean the kitchen.  If she is still sleeping we will blog, edit photos or just read news stories out loud.  

She stirs and we do the whole diaper/feed her thing again and then plop our bums on the couch for an afternoon of reading.  We have been reading chapter books out loud to her.  I will read for about 2-3 hours depending on how long she goes between feedings.  Other days I put on music and sing along while laying on the couch with her snuggled up.  We also toss in some tummy time just as she is starting to stir about 3 times a day.  

About 5:30/6 she gets another diaper change and fed before Manfriend comes home.  When he comes home he is "on duty" while I make dinner, put laundry away or do laundry.  We have dinner together and she sleeps in her bassinet.  He may or may not snuggle with her after dinner (sometimes he has to do more work from home).  I wash the dishes and finish up some chores in the house and get in more Critter snuggles.  

It's approaching 8:30pm and I change her diaper and feed her again.  She fusses a little after so I snuggle with her until she is asleep.  I put her in the basinet next to me and go to bed about 9:30pm.  If she is still fussing at this point I hand her off and Manfriend takes her until 11 when I will feed her again unless she is sleeping in which case I let her go until 12:30am and wake her if she hasn't stirred on her own.  

 

6 weeks after baby

Well, it has been 6 weeks since Critter was born and I got the green light to run and work on my core strength.  So excited to be back to running and starting to feel good and hitting my stride once again, albeit slower than before but we will get there in time.  I came back from a run and felt great the other day because I caught up to and passed the construction vehicle that was dropping orange cones to get ready for the day of road work.

 I am clinging to about 8 pounds and the doctor said it will go away at some point with my running and nursing but that for now my body needs it so it's here for a little while.  Matters of the little belly that I am sporting were not helped while I was eating an ice cream sandwich and Manfriend reached over, rubbed the belly and said, "I love that belly."  I offered him the ice cream sandwich that I had taken just one bite of and started to cry.  He said, "no, you eat it.  I know you want to and I love that belly because it was Critter's home."  OK, so he meant it in a nice way but it still made me upset.  I know it is there for a good reason but at the same time it's not the body that I am used to.  Later he said, "Critter's getting a belly."  Yup, she is but let's not talk about that.  I don't want to have us in the habit of commenting on peoples weight because it can be an issue lots of girls deal with in middle and high school--I've seen it with coaching so I suggested he say things like she is looking healthy or getting stronger.

 Can we talk about how I can't seem to keep up with everything?  I think I am doing pretty good with it all but the laundry--who knew something so small could create so much laundry?  Spit up, peeing while  getting changed and then our laundry thrown in there too.  This is an almost daily scene at my house.

 Well, that is about what is happening 6 weeks after Critter.  She is officially a newborn now and should start to do "newborn" things like crying and such.  Although she is 6 weeks we have to "age" her development based on her due date and not her actual birth date.  By the time she is 2 or 2 1/2 she should be caught up with her peers and no longer need the age differentiated development for milestones.

Oh, and that running thing--it's kind of tough when you feel exhausted most of the time to really get out there and run when you'd rather roll over and go to sleep.  But I always feel much better after the run and try to nap later in the day when Critter sleeps.