25 Random Things

I was a good girl and did not run yesterday. I was pooped and wanted to go to bed at 5:30! I probably won't run today either....we'll see how I feel tonight. I am still so tired.

So, "25 Random Things" has been going around Facebook...so I thought it might be fun to post here.

1. I knew that I would marry my husband the night that I met him.
2. I hate fingernails. I keep mine cut to the quick.
3. I went to 9 schools, including 4 different high schools growing up.
4. I went to Catholic school for 5 years. I still miss wearing a uniform.
5. I compulsively wipe our kitchen counters several times a day just like my mother.
6. Prior to meeting my husband, I had a thing for private school boys. My first love and my college love BOTH went to the same elite private school in Richmond.
7. I seriously considered breaking up with my husband after I saw the picture of him with a mullet and gold chains.
8. I love the end pieces of bread.
9. I have no self control when it comes to sweets.
10. I use Myers Briggs to "type" everyone I know.
11. I am an INFJ. My husband is an ENTP. We are almost complete opposites, but according to Myers Briggs, the perfect romantic partnership.
12. When I was little, I wanted to be a writer.
13. I won a statewide poetry contest for 4 straight years (grades 5-8).
14. My dream job (other than my current job) would be to teach high school history and civics OR to be a magazine editor.
15. I have always wanted to live on the West Coast. Now that we have a kid, I don't know that we will ever move!
16. I hated running in high school. I would skip track practice at least 3 times a week.
17. I tried out for shot put as a 110 lb freshman because it didn't involve running and was the only other sport that didn't require prior experience (like field hockey or soccer).
18. I am now addicted to running and feel off kilter if I don't get my daily dose.
19. I got kicked out of my sorority.
20. I went through a phase in college where I wore a beret all the time.
21. Then, I figured out that I wasn't alternative, but wasn't quite traditional.
22. My husband and I spent two years trying to move to Australia, but couldn't get visas.
23. I like to take walks at night so I can look into people's houses and assess their decorating.
24. Most of our furniture was purchased off Craig's List.
25. I never understood the phrase "falling in love with my baby" until I had my son. I fall in love with him more and more each day.

Mastitis

Well, thanks to Sara's comment, I went to the doctor and turns out that I have mastitis! It's undeniable now as my left boob kills. Let's hope it clears upin the next day or so. I really want to run...someone talk me out of it!!!

Sick

For the past two days, I have had some mystery ailment....my tummy hurts and I have a slight fever and the chills. Sounds like the flu, right? But I had the freaking flu shot?! Did it not work? Luckily, this sickness has coincided with a winter storm, so I don't feel too sad about being too sick to run. My rule with sickness and running is that if the symptoms are above the neck, I still run (stuffiness, runny nose). If the symptoms are below the neck, I rest (temperature, tummy issues, coughing). So, no running.

I have to say that it is MUCH harder to take care of baby when I am not feeling well.

This weather really makes me wish that I had a treadmill...not that we really have any place to put it. What type of treadmills do you all have? I saw a Nordic Track on sale at Costco...

Week in Review (including Dog Farts vs. Baby Farts)

My Week in Review:

1. Attempted sleep training because Nathan has decided that he will only sleep for 2-3 hours in a row. After one long crying session decided to postpone sleep training until Nathan was 16 weeks and over 12 lbs. I am just not a person of strong constitution. Maybe a couple more weeks of sleep deprivation will make me more resolved. So, anyone that actually has luck in this department, LET ME KNOW!
2. Met with potential Nanny....I NEVER thought that I would get a nanny...let alone a nanny whose native tongue is not English. Oh well. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Husband and I had a long debate as to whether we can consider ourselves middle class if we have a nanny. I argue that since we shop at Costco and DSW and can't really afford to buy a 3 bedroom house that we are most certainly middle class. Also, I remind him that we are not getting Mary Poppins, but rather a legal immigrant with mediocre English. Husband also protests getting a nanny and states that he wants an au pair "because they're hot." I tell husband he doesn't stand a chance...with a nanny, let alone an au pair.
3. Held competition between my dogs and my baby to see which had the worst farts. Man. That baby can clear a room like nothing else. I think the baby farts won. Wonder if my massive consumption of beans this week (Chuckwagon Stew, Refried Beans in my Tacos, and Veggie Burger from scratch) might be affecting his gastronomical prowess.
4. Went in to visit my co-workers. I have so many great friends at work...I can't wait to go back! I always wondered whether I had this Earth Mother waiting to blossom inside of me after I had children and I have realized that it is WAY easier to go to work and more suited for my personality!! I drive myself crazy at home all day because I feel like I can finish anything...the laundry...the dishes...the cleaning...my email...even a freaking thought sometimes! This being said, I also have a great, very flexible work environment and rarely work more than 40 hours a week. If I had a job that was more stressful with longer hours, I might have a different perspective.
5. Started trying to plan out menus for the week. Pre-baby my husband and I would either get take-out or forage our cabinets for something quick and easy to make for a meal. I am trying to actually make meals and have us sit down for dinner. I am NOT a good cook and am struggling to find recipes that are easy, healthy, and quick. I try all these healthy recipes and they taste like crap. I try Cooking Light recipes and they call for 1/4 teaspoon of some obscure ingredient only available from some Polynesian island and take two hours to make. Where do you all get your recipes??
6. Think I might have FINALLY lost 1-2 freaking pounds after 9 weeks of losing NOTHING. Only 4-6 more to go! Also...I mentioned...I am a person of weak constitution. So, I stopped counting calories and am trying not to eat PB and too many sweets and it seems to be working.
7. Met another fun runner at my long run today! We had one of the best running conversations that I have had in a long time. I've always felt that a good running conversation is better than therapy. She's going to be running every Saturday with the running group that I have joined, so I am excited. As a side note...both of my new running friends are lawyers. I really think a large population of runners are lawyers...maybe because they are so driven and organized (typically "Judging" personality types on Myers Briggs)?
8. Got in 59 miles! Woohoo! Although...I have to say...I think that I might be "over" the enthusiasm of running again. My training plan for the 10 milers and 1/2 marathons this spring calls for some 70 mile weeks in March and I'm not super psyched about doing them. Plus, I'm not really sure that I am going to have the time to do them. My 8-9 mile runs really push the limits during the week.

Weekly Mileage

Monday, January 19, 2009: 9.4 miles (no watch)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009: 9.4 miles (no watch), 10-12 mile bike ride, Body Flow

Wednesday, January 21, 2009: 8.5 miles total: 1 mile WU, 6 miles @ 7:30, 1.5 mile CD, Body Pump

Thursday, January 22, 2009: 9.4 miles, Yoga Video (LOVE the MTV Yoga Video)

Friday, January 23, 2009: 8.5 miles with jogging stroller...it must have been a 10-11 min/mile pace! I don't know how people run fast with jogging strollers! Maybe I have bad form?

Saturday, January 24, 2009: 14 miles

Sunday, January 25, 2009: 75 minutes elliptical

Total Mileage: 59.2 miles

Sleep Training

As I am writing this, I am listening to Feist on my ipod at the highest level possible so that I don't hear my sweet baby boy screaming in the background. This is the most miserable experience. I decided a couple of days ago after waking up every two hours for 10 minute snacking on his part that I really need to get him on a schedule and need to start sleep training. What a terrible decision. I am trying to get him to take a nap at 9 am and 1 pm...and then maybe a 3rd nap if he needs it. I have just been letting him eat and sleep as he pleased, which ain't working. So, I have read two sleep books: Weissbluth's Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and BabyWise. I find them a bit frustrating as neither really lays out a plan. They just say that your child should nap and you should let them cry it out if they don't want to sleep according to your schedule. Has anyone had any luck implementing a sleep schedule? My dogs hate that he is screaming. They are both staring at me...asking me with their eyes why I am not dealing with the crying baby. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Camera Shy

Why does my son have the cutest smile when I am playing with him and then when I go to get the camera, these are the faces I get???

Lots of Good News this Week! (and Running Stats)

I have SO much good news to report for this week!! In rank order:

1. Mr. Nathan has not had a BM since last Sunday. I have been pretty worried about it as breastfed babies typically do not have constipation. He hasn't seemed to be in any discomfort and my doctor said that it is nothing to worry about as long as he was still eating enough and didn't have rabbit pellet-type poop when he does go. Of course, being the worry wart that I am, I compulsively checked his diaper about every hour. Today when I got back from my run my hubby reported that Nathan had a HUGE BM and it was totally normal! Woohoo! I can't believe I was so happy about his pooping...my how my world has shifted....P.S. The doctor said that sometimes babies don't have BM when they are going through a growth spurt because they absorb everything they consume.
2. I met a runner today!! She just moved to the area and is an ironwoman (all hail) and is just getting back into running after an achilles tendon injury. I really liked her...she seemed to have my sense of humor (HUGELY important...I like to laugh on my runs) and was slightly faster than my pace. AND, she asked for my email after the race. Double Woohoo!
3. I ran my first race today. OK, I wasn't supposed to race today and was supposed to treat it like a training run...but, as usual, I couldn't help myself. I ran a 20K in 1:31 (a 7:20 pace). Not bad for a cold windy day on a mostly uphill course!
4. I met a woman through DC Urban Moms that lives about 2 miles from my house that is looking for someone to share a nanny for her baby girl that was born 5 days before Nathan. The cost would be about the same as we had budgeted and she is committed to one year, which is about when I should be getting into the childcare place at work.
5. I took Nathan to the gym while I went to my Body Flow class on Thursday. He was well behaved and I only slipped out of class once to check on him. Now that I know I can do it, I am going to try to go to yoga 2xs per week.

What a great week!!

Running Stats

Monday, January 12, 2009: 9.4 mile run (no watch) and Stroller Striders

Tuesday, January 13, 2009: 8.5 mile run (no watch)...pretty slow...I felt beat up from Stroller Striders!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009: 7 mile run (no watch)...still felt beat up from Stroller Striders! and Body Pump class

Thursday, January 15, 2009: 9.4 mile run (8:13 pace) and Body Flow class

Friday, January 16, 2009: 8.5 mile run (8:16 pace)

Saturday, January 17, 2009: 20K (12.4 mile) race in 1:31 (7:20 pace) 3 mile cool down (no time for warm up!)

Sunday, January 18, 2009: 75 minute elliptical and MASSAGE!

Total Mileage: 58.3 miles

Also...I can't believe the so-called "suburban moms'" Stroller Striders class kicked my butt! I had two knots in my quads that took a couple of days to work out by rolling on the foam roller. I skipped my speed workout this week because I didn't want to make the knots any worse.

P.S. I came in 5th place overall and 2nd in my age group at the race!

No More PB or Marshmellows in the House

As of last night, they are officially GONE. Thank God.

Vaccines

Contrary to what my mother might say...I think that I have been pretty laid back and not too paranoid about Nathan. If I drop his pacifier, I will pick it up and stick it right back in there (of course, not if it were to fall in a public restroom or something of the like). I don't obsess over how often he gets a bath or whether his clothes smell of puke. I let me friends hold him and I don't correct them too obsessively about giving him proper neck support.

All this being said....I do have a tendency to do a lot of reading and on-line research....it's what I do for a living! I can't stop! Given all the hype about the connection between vaccines and autism, I want to be sure that I make informed decisions and take every precaution possible short of not getting vaccines (I do believe that vaccines are sort of a "prisoner's dilemma" and they only work if everyone gets them). So, I read Dr. Sears "The Vaccine Book" and asked my pediatrician if we can follow his suggested alternative schedule. My pediatrician doesn't think there is any link between vaccines and autism, but I don't want to take the risk. Nathan only got the rotovirus oral vaccine and diphtheria/tetanus shot today.

In other news, Nathan weighs 10lbs 13oz and is in the 30th percentile for weight; 22.5 inches and in the 40th percentile for height; and 15.25 inches and 25th percentile for head circumference. He's grown leaps and bounds from 5th percentile at birth!!

The Alternative Vaccine Schedule:
2 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
3 months: Pc, HIB
4 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
5 months: Pc, HIB
6 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
7 months: Pc, HIB
9 months: Polio, Flu (2 doses)
12 months: Mumps, Polio
15 months: Pc, HIB
18 months: DTaP, Chickenpox
21 months: Flu
2 years: Rubella, Polio
2 years, 6 months: HepB, HepA
3 years: HepB, Measles, Flu
3 years, 6 months: HepB, HepA
4 years: DTaP, Polio, Flu
5 years: MMR, Flu
6 years: Chickenpox
12 years: Tdap, HPV (for girls)
12 years, 2 months: HPV (for girls)
13 years: HPV, Meningococcal

Stroller Striders

I was trying to get out the door to go do a BodyPump class at the gym, but little Nathan screamed his head off as soon as I got in the car, so I decided to scrap it. 30 minutes later I went out to get the diaper bag that I had left in the car and my neighbor was buckling her son in her car and asked if I wanted to go to Stroller Striders with her. I was still dressed for the gym and Nathan had settled down, so I figured why not? I have to admit that I have seen these Stroller Strider moms before...and laughed my head off at them...running around the mall with their kids in their strollers. It seemed the epitome of suburban motherhood. Now, I really can appreciate being able to take your kids with you while you get a workout. With the exception of the arms and the abs, it wasn't that hard. It was nice to do something active, though. I don't know if I will do it again as it is $15 a class and babysitting at my gym is only $3.50...that is if I can psyche myself enough to take him to the gym and have them watch him. Maybe tomorrow...

A picture of Nathan in the sweater and hat his great grandmother knit him...

I did it (and Weekly Mileage)!!

I finally managed to get up and go on a run with a running group. I talked to a couple of people and there were a couple of women around my pace....or what my pace used to be. I had to slow down the last few miles because my legs were beat. I hope that if I keep it up I can find someone that I click with....it really made me miss my old running partners, though. There is something about meeting new people that leaves me feeling a little lonelier....

My weekly mileage:
Monday, January 5, 2009: 9.5 miles
Tuesday, January 6, 2009: 8.5 miles @ 8:28 pace
Wednesday, January 7, 2009: 7.5 miles total: 1.5 mile WU/1600 @ 6:35 with 800 jogs/2.5 mile CD
Thursday, January 8, 2009: 8.5 miles
Friday, January 9, 2009: 7 miles
Saturday, January 10, 2009: 14.6 miles
Sunday, January 11, 2009: elliptical 70 minutes
Total Mileage: 55.6 miles

Community

Today I went to a breastfeeding class for new moms. I really didn't want to go as I have a "to do" list as long as my arm, but I figured that I should make myself get out there and meet other new moms and at least view it as a way to network (I'm such a DC person!!). It was GREAT. I had questions that I didn't even realize I had and it was so reassuring to see other women dealing with fussy babies and breastfeeding. I always thought my guy was a bit of a nibbler and took forever to eat...turns out just about every other baby there ate as much as he did. It was also good to see how his personality compares to other babies. Since he's my first, he just "is." But, being in the class and seeing all the other babies, I realize that I have a REALLY active little guy. He was standing up and wanting to be bounced and looking around and cooing....while most of the other babies were chilling. Part of me wonders if my fidgety behavior is rubbing off on him. It was pouring today so we didn't go out to lunch after but I am hoping that I can get some ladies to go out with me next week.

Also! Nathan weighed in at 10lbs and... 10lbs 5 oz after he ate, so he is definitely eating enough.

All this being said...I was kind of hoping that there would be a runner in the bunch, but there wasn't. It just made me all the more thankful for the community of women that I have found here in the blogosphere to inspire me in their love of running and being active. I don't know what I would do with all you ladies!

Fertile Mertile

No, I am not pregnant.

But, the doctor does think the spotting I had could mean that I can get pregnant. Not that I am letting my husband near my post-episiotomy Franken-va-jay-jay. I am too scared to have sex!!

Lochia or first period???

This is probaly TMI, but I am curious about the experiences of other moms readng my blog....

My lochia stopped at 2.5 weeks post partum....yesterday there was a little bit of blood when I wiped in the am and a small clot of blood when I went to the bathroom in the afternoon. Could this be my first period postpartum?? I thought I wouldn't get it for several months because I am breastfeeding?? Of course, being the worry wart that I am, I am now convinced that I am not breastfeeding often enough and this is why the period came (many women get their period when babies start sleeping through the night). For the past 4 weeks, my hubby has been doing the 4-8 am shift so I have a period of 4-6 hours of no feeding and SLEEP!

Anyone else get their period yet? Is this really my period or is it just lochia? I haven't had any more blood since yesterday.

Weekly Mileage

My Running Stats for the week....

Monday, December 29, 2008: 7 miles no watch
Tuesday, December 30, 2008: 8.5 miles no watch
Wednesday, December 31, 2008: 7 miles: 1 mile WU/2 miles @ 7:40/3 miles @ 7:05/ 1 mile CD
Thursday, January 1, 2009: 8.5 miles @ 8:30 average
Friday, January 2, 2009: 7 miles no watch, 3 mile walk
Saturday, January 3, 2009: 15 miles @ 8:30 average
Sunday, January 4, 2009: 75 min elliptical and Massage!!
Total Mileage: 53 miles

I was only supposed to run 14 miles today, but the route that I went ended up being a little longer. It felt really good and was probably the longest that I have run in 2 years! My pace is all over the place, though. I almost think that running on a treadmill might help me get more consistent. I really prefer just running how my body feels and not trying to run a certain speed. It's worked for me so far...somehow I can still do 6:45 to 7:30 min miles in races, but I can probably run faster if I push myself. I was supposed to start running with the running group this morning (as per my New Year Goals), but last night was not a good night and I was too tired to drag myself out of bed to make the 8 am start time. Next week I hope! It's just hard when Nathan is feeding so often. I feel guilty having him eat from a bottle more than 1x a day and worry that my supply might be impacted if I start doing it too frequently.

P.S. Wow! A little over 4 weeks ago, I could barely get through 3 miles!

Ironic

On the nights when my little guy gets in a good solid 4 hour (and record breaking 5.75 tonight!!!) stretches of sleep, I can't sleep!! Arg! Tonight I can't sleep because my boss passed along a newsletter from our on-site childcare (her son is there) stating that because of the high number of people on the infant waiting list with siblings that there will be no openings for the foreseable future for first-timers.....When will childcare open up and what will we do in the mean time??? I signed up on wait lists for other childcare locations, but they aren't nearly as well run, convenient, or cheap (hah! if $565/2 weeks is cheap).

Other news! I did my first tempo run on Wednesday in over three years!! I pumped out three miles at 7:05 pace. That being said...today my 8 miles averaged 8:30. Getting back the speed is proving to be hard!! I am also trying to keep the calories below 2000 which is practically freaking impossible. I haven't lost any weight since 2 weeks post partum, which is when I reached my pre-preggo, but not pre-IVF weight. Well, I guess the holidays didn't help much nor did my love of all things chocolate.