Sunny Runny

Today I loaded up the kids and hit my favorite running path with them in front of me. It was sunny and nice at about 45°F. I think everyone enjoyed the fresh air through the forest. I ran two miles, only walking up the tough hills (about .25 mile total). Then we went to the park to play. Both kids had fun playing. Unfortunately I didn't get to stretch because I was holding J and making sure El didn't fall. Maybe some very after-the-fact stretching after my shower.

It was nice to start the week off on a positive note. Last week I swam once, a cut-short strength session, and one 2-mile run. This week I'll do better!

I'm feeling good about weight loss from pregnancy. I've lost 20 lbs and have 20 lbs more to go. Wahoo! Way to grow a baby for 9 months, push it out, and care for and feed it for six months, Body!

6 months postpartum

Wow, has it really been 6 months? I am not where I hoped to be physically, but that's OK. I've said it before, but two kids are really a lot of work. I am finally feeling back to my old self with regards to energy and desire to be productive. Yay!

In this month since my last check in, I've made a lot of progress. I've signed up for a race (4.5 mile trail run called the Mud and Chocolate Run). On Saturday, we went on a painfully slow and very challenging 4.5 mile run (I was just planning on 3, Drew wanted 4 but miscalculated). I've run at least twice a week. I've been happier and enjoyed my runs more often.

My goals for the next month or so are to be consistent with core work, run twice a week, swim once a week, try to get 5-a-day. And to be a pleasant but firm mommy.

Be A Better Musician Mom

El is definitely musical. It's early with J, but he does like when I sing to him.

What I should do to encourage musicality is sing, clap rhythms, play with instruments, sit down at the piano with them, dance, listen to many kinds of music, practice my own instruments. And I should do them often.

Well, we sing daily and listen to music during playtime. Those other things happen, just not every day.

I don't expect my kids to be Mozart or Josh Groban. I do hope they will love and appreciate music.

How do I make sure they love it? By showing that I love music and making it fun.

We sing songs, and El fills in the blanks when I pause.

We sing LDS primary songs before bed.

We listen to classical music during playtime and work time.

They see me playing the organ and get to "help" after church if they were good.

We have impromptu "ballets" that are mostly running in circles and giggling.

We clap our hands.

We pound on the piano. And we cuddle while we do it!

Not each thing each day. But a bit every day. That makes music part of your daily life. It becomes the norm. And everyone is lifted and drawn closer by music together.

5 months postpartum

It seems like all the mommy running bloggers get up 6 weeks postpartum and run and dive right in. Good for them.

But let me just say

Running is hard after having a baby.

It's hard to find time, it's hard to get people out the door to the gym or the trail,  it's hard to push that stroller. It's impossible to go early after a rough night or a good night but you're too full of milk. It's hard to build your mileage up, it's hard to not compare, and it is hard on your lady parts and core.

I'm pleased to say that on Saturday, I ran two miles continuously. No stopping to walk. No stopping at all. It was hard. I was ready to stop at the end. Later on, my core was sore.

But i felt amazing. I did it. It was the first time in 5 months that I felt happy while running. And that was a pretty good feeling.

Back At It

Well my little baby Jay is five weeks old. I was in labor for only 4 hours and had a natural birth without tearing. He is doing well and has survived extreme love from El, who is not very happy with me.

Since I'm just 5 weeks post-partum, I haven't been exercising a ton. However, I have felt really good after this baby. After El, I was very tender down there, as I'd been in labor for 18 hours and pushed for 2 hours and tore and felt lethargic from the epidural. My recovery and return to exercise was very slow.

This time, I feel great, and have been going on walks pretty much since we got home. I have also been doing a lot of kegels and pelvic tilts. Our walks range from 2 to 3.5 miles at about 20 minutes per mile most recently. I've been lifting light weights at home for two weeks. Last night I went to Zumba at the gym. I think I'll be lacing up my running shoes this weekend.

It is so important to listen to your body. Yes, I am eager to get back into running, but I don't want to do so at the expense of my long term health. I feel like I've done a good job of taking things at a pace that my body needs to heal from birth. I'm excited to see what the future holds!

Making a Mom's Heart Proud

I'm pretty not cool. I listen to classical music in the car. My heart sings and wells with pride when a cello concerto, string quartet, or sweeping symphony airs on the radio and El yells from her car seat, "Cello!" So proud. In a nerdy way.

She is a little musician. She loves playing the "pan-o" (piano) with me, sat nicely and changed stops and pressed keys this morning while I practiced the organ, and loves singing with me. These are things she does with me, and though she does love me and playing with me, I think she genuinely loves music.

Unfortunately for her, she doesn't get to play the cello with me.