Back in the Gym

Today was my first official day back in the gym. I was so glad to be back! I've been running outside for several weeks now, but I had not yet made it to the gym. It's so easy to make excuses with a newborn as to why I can't go (lack of sleep being the major one, followed closely by two under two is tiring).

Maintaining good health is beneficial to both me and my family. Plus, it's really nice being able to focus on the workout and get some solo time. The best time frame for me to go during the day is early morning. There's nowhere else I have to be at that time of day so stuff doesn't get in the way. I find when I depend on my workouts being at other times during the day, so many things can pop up and get in the way of good intentions. The other reason is that we're still minimizing how much time Sean spends in nursery. This leaves me to either find someone to watch the boys for a little bit during the day (not always easy) or go during the times when Jesse is home at night. I've never been good at working out after a long day. Hence, the early morning workout slot.

So, this morning I ran 5 miles on the treadmill. Tomorrow is body pump. Hopefully, I'll be able to reestablish the habit/routine of early morning workouts pretty quick.

Mercy Day

Mercy: a blessing that is an act of divine favor

Amen.

So after our rough week, Thursday was our first day of normal. Jesse went back to work and everyone was healthy. Thank goodness God only gives you as much as you can handle. The stress, lack of sleep, being sick, and playing nurse for several days was really starting to wear on me. But on Thursday, Sean took a 2.5 hour nap in the morning and a 3 hour nap (that perfectly coincided with Trent's nap) in the afternoon. He also ate every 3-4 hours. This was nothing short of a miracle. Every other day before Thursday (and every day since then), Sean may take 2-3 20 minute naps throughout the day. He has major gas issues and spends a large portion of the day fussing. He eats every 2 hours. Add a healthy toddler to the mix who still wants his mom's full attention (and is full of energy from being cooped up for a week!) and my days would not usually be described as calm.peaceful.quiet.easy. With Sean's long naps, I was able to give Trent long periods of undivided attention and actually even get "me" time (which was spent sanitizing the house of the nasty stomach bug) while they were simultaneously sleeping for three hours in the afternoon. It was such a blessing to have a little break before we got back into the real normal on Friday. Mercy day, really.

But, it gets better! - My mother in law had another scan to see how the tumors in her body are responding to the chemotherapy. All the tumors have shrunk and there are no signs of new metastasis! This is such great news! She'll have chemo for a few more months and then another scan. Hopefully, the tumors will continue to shrink and the doctors will eventually be able to go in and remove the last of it!

And, of course, some cute pics of the kids on our relaxing day.

Eight weeks old!

"My Bumbo?!"

What a Week!

Last Wednesday, Trent came down with croup. We tried all the home remedies for it, but they didn't seem to be working. On Thursday night, Jesse took Trent into the after hours clinic because he was having trouble breathing. He received a steroid shot and breathing treatments and was in the hospital for two days. It was chaotic as Sean nurses every two hours and I didn't have a stockpile of milk on hand. Jesse spent two days in the hospital with Trent and I drove back and forth between home and the hospital. We didn't want to bring Sean to the hospital out of fear that he'd get sick. On Saturday, Trent came home. His cough was a lot more productive and we thought things were getting better. Then the stomach bug kicked in. He started throwing up. By Tuesday, Jesse had caught the bug. By Wednesday, I had it too. Thankfully, we're all feeling better today. And so far, knock on wood/fingers crossed, the baby has managed to avoid both the croup and the stomach bug. I have been cleaning like crazy trying to make sure the house is germ free. I would love to go a long while before having another week like this past one!

Atlanta Aquarium

For my birthday, we took a day trip to the Atlanta aquarium. It was a lot of fun! It's a huge aquarium with a massive variety of fish. Trent was so excited the whole time we were there. His favorite was a floor to ceiling tank with tropical fish in it. He's a 'Finding Nemo' (or as he says, "Na-mo") fan. The tropical tank contained Nemo, Dory, and all their friends, plus a bunch more! We took pictures of Sean too, but he spent the majority of the time in a moby wrap or the stroller. We'll just have to go back for another visit so he can experience it too. ;)

Big Shoes to Fill

Yes, we took our Christmas tree down - I'm just a little behind posting some of our pictures...

National Champions!

War Eagle Baby!

Jesse and I have really enjoyed watching our alma mater do so well this year! It was so much fun to see them win the national championship. Auburn really is a special place. It's a large college, but it really has a family feel. Both of us cherish the time we spent there.

Traditionally, TJ wears a game day shirt on game day, but the game was late enough that he was already in bed. Luckily, little Sean isn't on a schedule yet so he carried on the tradition.

Sunflowers!

Beautiful birthday surprise from my sister

Last Friday was my birthday. We went to Atlanta for the day (more on that later), but when we returned home, I had these beautiful flowers waiting for me! Sunflowers have been my favorite for a long time. They're bold, unique, bright, cheerful - love them! Such a thoughtful gift from my sister and her hubby.

Funny Facebook Post

I saw this on facebook and thought it was hilarious. Enjoy!

11 Step Program for Those Thinking of Having Kids

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.

2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.

3. Go home.

4. Pick up the paper.

5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

1. Methods of discipline.

2. Lack of patience.

3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.

4. Allowing their children to run wild.

5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)

2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.

4. Set the alarm for 3AM.

5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.

6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.

7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.

8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.

9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? T o find out...

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

4. Then rub them on the clean walls.

5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.

6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.

Leave it there.

2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.

3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.

4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.

2. Make a small hole in the side.

3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

Running With a Jog Stroller

I have a BOB Revolution Duallie stroller. I had a BOB Revolution Single stroller when I had just Trent. I love it. I highly recommend it. It handles great whether you're in a department store or running in the park. It has accessories so that I can have Trent sitting in it on one side and the car seat clicked in on the other side for Sean.

Running with kids in a jog stroller can be comical though. It can take just as long to get the stroller out of the car and the kids situated as the actual run itself. Loop routes are the easiest because you're never really far from the car (should the run go south), but they can get pretty monotonous for all involved because you're running in circles. However, running longer routes can have their own potential disasters. At any moment, one or both kids could:

- start screaming or crying

- be in need of a sippy cup, snack, diaper change, etc.

- disrobe (something about stroller rides makes children want to lose their shoes)

- throw items (such as that sippy cup, snack, shoe) OUT of the stroller

- talk incessantly (so much for that tempo run)

- kick their feet (causing that smooth riding stroller to bounce along the way)

Regardless - I try to embrace the run, no matter how it ends up. The time isn't wasted if I'm exercising and spending time with my kids. It's a win-win.

Why I Run

I just recently received the go ahead to start running again post pregnancy. I'm excited. I've already been planning the races I want to do this winter. I have my training schedule saved on my computer and have been diligent to get my miles in. So far, I've ran in the dark, in the rain, with a screaming baby, in beautiful weather, with happy (or sleeping) kids... but nonetheless, I'm running!

Here's why:

1. The Challenge

Running always gives you a chance to push yourself. You can always increase distance, improve your speed, change your terrain, etc. Pushing kiddos in a double jog stroller is a challenge in itself. The last quarter mile up to my house is an elevation change of 109 feet. I feel like I've conquered Everest by the time I push a heavy stroller with 50 pounds worth of kid in it! Believe me, there's a definite sense of accomplishment when we arrive on top!

2. "Me Time"

With two kids under two, and two affectionate little dogs that still believe they're our children, someone or something is always demanding my attention. Running with the kids is an activity we enjoy doing together and yet gives me a little space. Plus, an added bonus of setting an example of living a healthy lifestyle.

3. Stress Relief

There are few things better than running shoes, an IPod and a great running route. It provides plenty of opportunities to focus on the run, plan the day, pray... Very therapeutic!

4. Just Plain Fun

Running is an easy way to enjoy a beautiful day, spend some time with the hubby (run date!), or the kids (daily exercise), and an excuse to buy cute clothes. ;)

5. Great Workout

Have I mentioned I love cardio? Really though, it works your entire body! Great way to get back in prepregnancy shape.

Free Running App

For all my friends with Androids and IPhones - RunKeeper Pro is a free download through the end of January. Normally, this app costs $9.99 to download. I have used several running apps and this is my favorite so far. It consistently works the way it's supposed to work. You can manually input your runs or start the app when you take off and it'll track your course, pace, time, etc. for you. It tracks your activities so you can be encouraged to see all the runs you've done. I have been anxious to get back to running since I had Sean. However, the doctors always make you wait the six weeks postpartum before you can start exercising again. I had my visit today and got the okay to start working out again so my runkeeper will be seeing some activity soon!