Running After Baby - Week 2

I am going to call this week, "Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back." Sounds fun, huh?

Colin Brough

I followed my own advice, which I don't always do, and listened to my body. I took a few extra days off to make sure that my body was up to a run nice slow jog.

Day one this week was horrible. It felt like I hadn't run AT ALL the week before. I was basically starting from square one. Truthfully, I walked most of my "run." Although I was pretty discouraged, and really wanted to run the next day to make up for the non-run the day before, I forced myself to take my day off and waited until the next day.

Thankfully, the second day was MUCH better. I felt like I had more energy and I ran the entire 2.25 mile route. I also noticed that my "running form" seemed to be coming back, i.e. I no longer felt like Quasimodo running down the street. It was still a VERY slow run, but at least I did it. It also helped that the baby was screaming a little upset most of the way, so I was motivated to keep running so that I would get home sooner.

On day three I found myself back in the Land of Discouragement. Not only did I not feel like running AT ALL, I completely caved to these feelings. Usually I don't want to run, but I make myself go for five minutes or so and then figure that I might as well finish. Today, I ran for five minutes, found myself about halfway up a long steepish hill, and decided that it was enough for the day. So I turned around and walked home.  GRRR.

Remember when I said that running makes me a happier mom and wife back here? Well, let's just say I haven't been that fun to be around the last few days. During my walk home I reflected on the week and what my next steps should be. How will I get to the point where running is part of my routine again and not just something that I am forcing myself to do? Here are four new pieces of advice that I am giving myself.

Advice
1. Moving a little everyday is important. You don't have to run everyday (in fact, you shouldn't) but on the days you don't run a walk, bike ride, or some other form of excercise will help you stay in your routine and make you nicer to be around.
2. An off day is okay. Don't beat yourself up about it. Try, try again! (see #3)
3. However, too many off days in a row won't equal enough training to get yourself to your running goal, and you may be letting too many excuses get in the way of your goal. If you notice a pattern of lots of "giving up" days you may have to push yourself a little more. 
4. Sometimes a screaming baby should be seen not as something to get stressed about, but as a source of motivation to keep running. :)

Want to read more or my running after baby advice to myself? Check these posts out:
Running after Baby: Let's Get It Started
Running after Baby: Week 1

Easy Prettified Wooden Letters

Yes, I know that "prettified" is not a word, but I was looking for an adjective that was somewhat interesting and all that I could think of was prettified, so I went with it. Now, let's move on...

One of the items on my Dream Big list is to personalize Rylan's nursery. It was Max's room first, and we have been handing down bedding, furniture, and decorations through all the babies.

While I was pregnant I looked all over for inspiration on how to decorate the nursery for baby #3. I saw a TON of names on walls. Now, this isn't a new trend. In fact, it is possible that it is on its way out, but it is something that I have liked, but never done. So I decided that one element of the nrsery had to be these letters. Now, they aren't really that expensive, but I didn't really have the budget to spend $40 plus on this one piece of decoration (three kids, remember?). So, I bought these white wooden letters at JoAnn Fabrics. They were very cheap inexpensive.

I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do to decorate them, so I bought a few things in the colors that I was thinking would work, and hoped that inspiration would strike when I got home. One thing you need to know about me is that I am all about instant gratification. The more steps and time that it takes for me to finish a project, the more likely that it will turn out badly because I rush at the end.
So, I was looking for something quick and easy in hopes that I wouldn't ruin these simple lovely letters.

Once I laid everything out I decided that I really didn't feel like painting and waiting for the paint to dry (I know, I am pathetic), so I now have some lovely craft paints for my next project. I also knew that if I didn't get this project done NOW, I probably wouldn't be motivated again for the next few months, if ever.

My eyes drifted to the Washi tape. I have seen so many posts about how wonderful the tape is, and seen so many lovely projects, that I was having trouble believing the hype. But, I had picked up some rolls of tape from Target just to play around with it. It is pretty and I figured that if worst came to worst I would have some beautifully wrapped gifts.

This was my favorite of the ones that Target had in stock. Their supply was pretty low even though I had seen tons of choices just weeks earlier. Apparently lots of people have jumped on the Washi train.

I really like the pattern on it. It is subtle, but I thought it would pop nicely against the white. So, I decided to try it out. Here is what I came up with.

I know the lines aren't straight, but I already told you, a perfectionist I am not. I suppose I could have used a straight edge to mark my lines. I could have also cut the tape with an Exacto knife to get around the curves more cleanly and make perfect edges, but instead I ripped the tape. (Yup, that's how I roll.)

I tried to keep in mind that the letters would be up on the wall, so I paid attention to the edges and underneaths since it is a pretty good chance that they will be seen. The back of the letters are not as pretty, but who cares? No one will see them anyway.

Initially I thought that I would do each letter with a different tape, or combination of tapes. However, I tend to be one of those people who overdoes things. So I restrained myself and stuck with this one roll of tape. I did allow myself to vary the stripes just because I didn't want it to be too boring, and I knew that they would never come out matching.

Here is what I had when I was done.

I really think Rylan likes them, don't you? I don't have a finished in the room picture because this is the first thing that I have done for his room, but it is a start, right? I promise to post one when I get there.

This was even easier than I could have imagined. I am completely obsessed with this tape now. And, I have three and a half rolls of it left! What should I tape next?

Running after Baby - Let's Get it Started

Did you read the last part of the title like the Black Eyed Peas song? No? Now I can't get it out of my head!

So, first of all I need to be clear about one thing, I am by no means an expert in any of this. I have had no training, nor done any research past my own curiosity, so please check in with your doctor before starting anything. This is simply a reflection on my experiences with running post-pregnancy. Take it or leave it.

A little background:
I desperately wanted to run during all of my pregnancies. I had read a bunch of research that said exercising throughout pregnancy is good for you and the baby. I also learned that it would be easier to shed the pounds and get back in shape after the baby. Sounded good to me.

Unfortunately, with my first son I was incredibly cautious, as many first time mothers are. I didn't want to do anything wrong. So, instead of continuing my running routine I began walking and using lower impact machines at the gym. I was by no means regular with my exercising, sporadic would be a good description of it.

With my second son, I lived in constant fear. I experienced two miscarriages between my two kids and was so afraid that it would happen again that I stopped doing everything...running, drinking coffee, everything. I just didn't want to rock the boat. It was crazy.

With my third son I vowed to be more laid back. I adopted a fate based stance. If we were meant to have this baby we would. And so I ran. I ran until I was five months pregnant and then I continued walking three to four miles with my boys (they rode bikes). I definitely felt better and so much more relaxed during this pregnancy. Another added bonus was that the boys were getting extra exercise everyday and we had time to chat while we walked.

I can honestly say that I think all this pregnancy exercise has helped me bounce back faster which was extra important this time since I have two other boys to chase around. You may also be asking yourself what the heck running and exercise has to do with our home. Well, when I don't exercise I am less than chipper. I snap more quickly, yell more, it is not pretty. When I run we have a calmer happier home.

If you are planning to start running after having a baby here are some pieces of advice for before the actual first day of running.

1. You have to walk before you run. Not necessarily walk, but you should start slowly and see how your body responds. With my first son I did too much too soon and my body rewarded me with blood. (Yes, I know, ewww!) If your bleeding picks up it is a sign that you have done too much. Small steps.

2. Listen to your body. Bleeding is not the only way your body may tell you that you are doing too much. With my second son, I tried to do some light weights and calisthenics before my six week check-up. I felt great right after exercising, but a few hours later when I bent down to pick up the baby from the crib I threw my back out. I was literally laying on the floor with the baby on my chest unable to move. My mother had to come rescue me. Not fun.

3. Check in with your doctor. I always wait for my six week check up to get the okay from doctor before I start running. (I do walk before) But, if you are super motivated, you may want to call or email your doctor just to get their advice before starting. They are trained professionals after all.

I hope that helps you get started. More next week! Wish me luck as I start to get back on the running train trail.

Brotherly Love

I could not have asked for Ben to be a better big brother. From day one, when Max was born, he was a huge help. Getting diapers, wipes, pacifiers, whatever I needed. Now that he is older, he entertains Max while I feed the baby. He reads books to the baby, sings to him, and tells him,stories.

He loves his brothers SO much. Every morning he asks to hold the baby. Every afternoon, the first people  he acknowledges when he gets off the bus are the boys. Ben and Max are best friends. I have no doubt that the baby will seamlessly join the pack based on the amount of love that Ben, and Max, has for him.

Thank you Ben for being such an amazing big brother!

Prepping for Baby: Feeding the Family

It is no secret that when you return home from the hospital with a newborn baby you are less than energetic. In fact, if you are like me, you may find your sweet spot on the couch, nestle you tender body into it, and do everything that you can not to move for two to three weeks.

With my first son this was pretty easy. My husband was lovingly caring for me, waiting on me hand and foot, cleaning, preparing meals, basically being my house b (as he called it). Additionally ever extended family member and friend I had ever know was chomping at the bit to snuggle with my perfect, beautiful baby, and would do any chore I asked for the chance. Even when my HB had to return to work, I was able to milk the princess status for another week or two.

When my second son entered the world, things got a little more complicated. Yes, my husband picked up his role of HB again, but his attention was split between the baby and I, playing with my 4 year old when he was home, and constructing a play set that the four year old had received for his birthday when the little angel was at daycare. (Who knew it took so long to set those things up?) And, yes, we still had the slew of visitors to cuddle with this new little prince, but they were more likely to spend time playing with the 4 year old than doing chores for me. This resulted in the unfortunate predicament that when dinner time rolled around there was rarely any dinner prepared, or easy to make, for my starving 4 year old angel, my darling husband, or for my battered self. Luckily my mother rallied the troops and prepared food started showing up on my doorstep from friends and complete strangers (lovely co-workers of my parents) alike. Additionally, my husband happily ordered take-out at least four nights a week. Not the healthiest option.

I vowed that this would not happen again when my third son made his beautiful self known. I was about to be the mother of three, three boys no less, I had better get my shit together. So, I began planning and searching Pinterest for every make-ahead meal I could find. This pre-planning made the difference between letting my family starve (not really) and keeping them healthily, happily fed. This
one step helped ease my transition back home and took a little bit of worry off of my plate. No matter what, the family would be fed!

If you would like to prepare some meals in advance here are some pieces of advice and recipe resources that may help. Personally, I cook more as a necessity than for pleasure, so I tend to go for easier recipes that require fewer pots (less dishes!). Just wanted to let you know so that you don't expect gourmet recipes.

Tips:

1. I recommend starting four or five weeks before your due date. This way you can make double batches of meals you are already cooking over the span of days and weeks instead of getting stuck in a weekend cooking marathon. Unless you like that sort of thing. If so, then more power to you.

2. Purchase disposable aluminum pans and tin foil. This way, when you are done, you can throw away the pan which means less dishes. Yay!

3. Search for recipes your family will like to eat. Here are some sites that I found:
Southern Girl Cooking
Cooking Light: Best Freezable Meals
Fitness Magazine: Make ahead meals

4. Don't be afraid to use tried and true recipes that you know your family already loves. I made shepherd's pie, baked ziti,  stuffed green peppers, and chicken enchiladas.

5. If you have in season veggies make good use of them. When I was prepping my meals corn was in season. I simply bought extra, blanched it (boiled it for a few minutes, then immediately put it unto an ice cold bath) and froze it for an easy, healthy side. Bonus: when we actually ate the corn it was no longer in season so it was n added treat for my two boys who LOVE corn on the cob, but get sick of it when we eat it almost every night in the summer. (Imagine that)

6. Get your kids into the action. They LOVE helping out in the kitchen!

Oh, and once the baby comes and you are just at the edge of being able to function again, but still tired most of the day, the crock pot WILL become your best friend. That way you can make dinner when you have the energy and time (i.e. when the older kids are at school/daycare.)

This was honestly one of the best things that I did to prepare for the baby. It has made the transition SO much easier. I hope it helps you too!

If you have any other great, easy, recipe sources please feel free to share. I am still using my crock pot AT LEAST four days a week. In fact, I have applesauce cooking right now!