Micah is 15 Months & I ran a marathon!

Micah is a little over 15 months, and has it been fun! He is running around and getting into everything. How does the time go by so quickly, can you answer me that?

In December, I RAN A MARATHON! It was such a huge accomplishment for me, and I am so very glad I did it. Getting there was an emotional journey, one that I can say I did, but won't be doing again anytime soon. I don't know if I will ever do it again, unless I have someone to train with me. It was so trying to get through training alone. It was also incredibly difficult running the race. My goal was to finish in under four hours, and I did so! However, I had to go to the restroom at the start of the race, and couldn't because the lines to the restrooms were too long. I had to stop at mile three and run into a Porta Potty, leaving behind my pacing crew. I did catch up with them pretty quickly though, meaning I was running faster than I should have been. I started hurting at mile 20, and the last couple of miles were torture. I had to walk (a little) towards the end, but didn't allow myself to walk too much fearing I would see Conrad and he would make fun of me :). When I crossed the finish line I was determined not to look up at the cameras because I was hurting too much and too mad at my body and mind for falling apart at the end! But you know what!? I can say that I ran a marathon. I didn't give up, and I did it! I think my pace was a little over 9 min/mi, and I wanted to be a little under that, but WHO CARES!? I wouldn't have gotten a prize or anything. The prize was in the finish. And I did it.

Then afterwards I quit exercising for a couple of months because my back was giving me problems, and I went to a chiropractor to try to get it right. I am still having a little discomfort, but I think it is getting better. I don't know if it will ever be completely better because I have a crazy little toddler to run after, and to pick up.

The crazy little toddler is such a joy. He does everything with me, and mostly without complaint. He's always so happy, and he teaches me more than I ever knew he could. I want to be a better person for him.

He still uses a pacifier when he sleeps, and I haven't really wanted to break him of it because it makes life so easy. He loves his pacifier. He has even started trying to get them out of his crib when he is in his room, so I have to remember to keep them out of his reach.

He still loves balls of all shapes and sizes, and when he sees a basketball hoop he goes crazy! He loves basketball, and I don't know if it is because he gets such praise from his daddy when he makes a shot (in his room) or if he just loves it all on his own! When we went to watch Conrad play, he was entertained for an hour! That would be nice if he really liked it, and was actually good at it! If not, oh well! He will be what he will be.

Conrad and I went on a trip to New Orleans, and left Micah with my parents. He did so well, even though he was sick. My mom and dad loved spending time with him, but were ready for us to get back from our short weekend away! I think what really helped was Micah being able to stay at his own home.

I am so excited for our future, but I want life to slow down a little bit so I have a chance to take it all in. We are going to try for baby number two this summer, and I will be griping and complaining all over again. I am so afraid to have another child and not give Micah all the attention he deserves, but I think that is the only child in me talking. I know he will probably be better for it!

Micah and I have been going on short runs together, in order to get ready for half marathon number five! I think the half is my distance! I love it. I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry it has been so long.

Leaving Micah at 6 months

I was asked by my BFF, Jen, to be her Matron of Honor while I was pregnant with Micah. Little did I know how hard it would be to leave my little one behind for a bachelorette/bridal shower weekend, and boy was it one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. When people say that you won't understand until you have kids, I think it is true. My heart has never been more full than it is now, and leaving him behind, although it was with my husband and his parents, was still very difficult. 

I started packing for Micah a week before my trip. He was heading up to his grandparents' house in the mountains. His dad would get off work, and would be there by the end of the day. 

The longest I had ever left Micah was a few hours here or there, and that was long enough, so I knew it would be torturous for me. 

Knowing that I was going, months in advance I was able to store a healthy stash of breast milk, which helped (a little) to put my mind at ease. Then I had questions like: Will he accept the bottle every time? Will I be able to pump successfully when away? Will Micah be miserable without me, and be a handful? Will he still nurse when I return?

I rented a car for the trip, and when my husband drove me to pick it up, I finally cried. It wasn't the pretty teary-eyed crying either. I straight-up bawled my eyes out.

But you know what? He survived. He was just fine. He sucked down those bottles full of my carefully stored milk! For some reason he even slept better than when I am around. I am still trying to figure out why. These are my thoughts: maybe it was cooler there, and he likes the cold (my husband wouldn't pay for it to be that cold ;) ), maybe he drank more milk than I provide him at each session, maybe he doesn't need to be wrapped up in a swaddle anymore (his arms are out), maybe he senses I am around and I baby him more than Conrad, or maybe there is no answer and he is just young? I wish I knew, and hopefully I will be back to tell you all about it. 
In the meantime, I have been trying to analyze his schedule to come up with some kind of solution. 

Anyway, it was a lot harder on me than it was on him. I pumped every three hours, apart from the nighttime where I pumped once at 3:30 a.m. (YIKES!!) I probably didn't have to do it so much, but I was so afraid of losing my supply that I thought it was absolutely necessary. 

Steph and I drove up there (Colorado) and we ended up having a great time!! I just don't know if I would advise anyone to leave their breastfed baby at six months. It is a lot of work, and a lot of stress for the mama, and that is with an easy baby…I don't know if I would leave a somewhat difficult baby! Especially if I knew he/she wasn't good at taking the bottle. 

I'm glad that I have an easy baby so that I was able to spend such an important weekend with Jen. 

My next post will be on nighttime sleep struggles.

Love you, Jen, you know you were worth it! ;) 

How do I want to raise my child? 8 weeks!

I know that I was spoiled. I still am. I know that I don't want Micah to be as spoiled as I was because I don't know if we can do what my parents did, especially with only Conrad's income. Especially when we want two or three kids. My parents were/are great, and I had all of their time and attention. I would love to give my kids that much attention...and I will, but it will be moreso as a group than individually, obviously. With that said, you never know! Also, they are sure spoiling their first grandchild!!! 😍

I have been struggling with putting Micah down for naps. I would rather him be close to me; therefore, he naps in a swing, in his carseat, or on me! I know that on me is bad, so Conrad and I have decided to give him three months of being spoiled, then we definitely have to let him be independent. I know I am going to have to start now, little by little or I am going to make it harder for myself. 

At night he does pretty well sleeping in the co-sleeper, but I am scared to death of putting him in the other room. We  will finally receive our crib this weekend, and I plan to start laying him in there for naps. 

I am not so disciplined and I know it, but I have to work on it.

I do finally have him on a "schedule" during the day, which works out pretty well because I know when I need to nurse him, so I'm able to plan accordingly. 

Oh the stresses! Oh the joys!

So last post, I complained of Micah's gas pains...and he is still having them.

I took him into the doctor (I know, first time mom!) and they said to try eliminating dairy, so I've been dairy-free for a week! A little over a week more to go before I can say if it worked or not. 

I'm starting to come to the conclusion that he's just a gassy baby. I hate that he is so uncomfortable all the time. 

Hearing Micah cry is torture, so I always shove his pacifier in his mouth. He spits it out, and I put it back in. This is another thing I probably should stop doing, because he is expecting it every time!

Micah and I have been bonding, and now that he is really starting to make eye contact it has been a lot of fun. He has been smiling a lot more lately, and lifting up his head pretty well!

Micah and I have been spending time with his twin cousins. Twins are a lot of work, and I know I shouldn't have too many complaints after hanging out with them. They require teamwork! Jasmine and Liam are gaining weight and doing well. Here is Micah with his cousins:

My friend Ashley and I have started our own club called #abqstrollermoms. Hashtag and all ;)

I started half marathon training this week, and it has been slow. What did I expect? Especially pushing a stroller, no matter how amazing the stroller is! I am not going to give up, I will keep pushing! I have ran three miles a few times now, and I feel stronger each time. 

My body has been trying to go back to normal, and I've been willing it to! However when I sit down, I still have a pooch. You can see progress though! 

 I was just telling Ashley that it is strange how I look like that from the front, but when I sit down I feel like it is mush! 

Anyway, I will check back in with you when Micah turns 2 months old!!! He's growing so quickly, and I'm not as much of a nervous wreck as I was the last time!  Well maybe...