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.

Happy birthday, Micah!

I am so emotional today! My big boy has turned one, and it has gone by faster than I ever thought it could. They say once you have kids, time flies, and now I can say that I truly know what that means.

A year of "is he okay?", diaper changes, giggles, messes, nose scrunches, and two happy parents, well, among other things. 

Gosh, did we learn so much! We learned about his gassy moments, how to let him sleep through the night, what to feed him, and how much...and we even trusted our gut and introduced cow's milk a little early! 11 1/2 months of breastmilk is all we could get to, sorry doctors and nurses, I know that two weeks makes a HUGE difference! 🙄😉

I just couldn't see what two weeks would do, and I didn't want to do formula for two weeks, really...did they do research on 12 month babies and 11 1/2 month babies? Do they really know that 12 months is that key number??

Micah is now getting two small bottles a day, one in the morning and one at night. We give him an almond milk/cow's milk combo. I will soon cut one of those bottles, and just give him a sippy cup.

On Sunday, I will run my first marathon...just a year after giving birth! That is such a huge accomplishment...if I finish! This year, I've trained hard and ran two half marathons, as well. 

What I can say about all of this is you can get through it!!! You can get through the sleepless nights, you can get through marathon training (by yourself). Take it one day at a time, and you will be where I am! Or better! 

I've also learned that nurses and doctors believe strongly in certain research, but not every single baby fits the mold with every little thing. Use your common sense too! 

For example, research said "most babies" nurse on each breast for 10-20 minutes. Micah? Yeah, right! He was a fast nurser, so I spent my time worrying that he wasn't getting enough. Do you know that's all I've done this year? Is worry? And...smile! A lot of smiling has occurred, as well! 

Then, the whole issue on breastfeeding the whole year, like two weeks, one week, even one day makes a difference! I swear, the nurse I talked to told me I shouldn't do cow's milk for another couple of days! Really?

Anyway, sorry I've been gone so long! This fall has been so busy! Enough of my journaling!

Happy birthday, my love!

Four Months Postpartum

It looks like I am finally starting to fit comfortably into my pre-pregnancy jeans. I am so excited because I didn't want to have to buy new pants. I have to be honest, I haven't been eating the best, but I try to get nutrients in as much as possible along with some junk that I shouldn't be eating. Hey, I'm only human! I do work my butt off exercising though. As I have said, I am training for a half marathon, so there's that…and I also go to a boot camp that our trainer puts on a few times a week. He is so intense, and it really has been making such a difference. I see the tone and definition throughout my body from training and boot camp. If I ate well, I know I could look MUCH better. Eating really is the majority of it, but it is also the most difficult (in my opinion).

When it comes to what is left, I have A GREAT DEAL of skin that needs firming. I think this will probably come with time. I know there isn't too much you can do with the excess skin, which saddens me.

Since I don't weigh myself, I can't tell you if I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I did have to weigh myself at the doctor a little over a month ago, and I was seven pounds away from my starting weight! I must have dropped a few more pounds, surely.  I used to weigh myself and it psyched me out too much. I would workout and eat better than ever, but I would gain weight instead of losing…so I decided I wouldn't let my weight define me, and I wouldn't let it mess with my head! I am crazy enough without having to look at a number all of the time.

Anyway, my long runs are up to 8 1/2 miles! I am very proud. Of course, I am not as quick as I used to be. I am still proud of my 9 1/2 min/mi average pace. A "goal" that I made for myself for the half next month is to finish averaging 9 min/mi. We will see though. I don't know why I always have to give myself a time limit. I guess it is just what I do. This will be my third half marathon, with my quickest average pace being 8:09 min/mi.

If you are trying to get back into shape, you have to push yourself! If you want results, you have to push it…you have to go over your limit…you have to be sore the next day. You have to feel it! If you aren't feeling it, you won't see the results as quickly. Some people also have to eat very well. I am lucky, so I can slip up a little. I do think my definition of not eating "well" is better than a lot of people's diets. I don't drink sugary drinks, or too much caffeine (I do love Starbucks a couple of times a week, but I order tall and I make it Skinny.) I drink A LOT of water because I am breastfeeding, and I make sure to get my fruits and vegetables in AT LEAST every morning in my smoothie. I think everyone deserves a cheat meal once a day ;) Okay, so obviously don't listen to me when it comes to diet and nutrition. I just love food too much.

Chris Powell was on Dr. Oz and he did say that you should sneak breads and pastas in every other day, in ONE of your meals. This way you aren't craving the carbs so much when you are trying to have a healthy diet. I like this idea, and look at Chris! I think he knows what he is talking about.

I hope all is well with you all…

This is a couple weeks shy of fourth months postpartum. As you can see, I still have my good ole love handles! I am happy with my progress though! 

Exercising with baby, getting it back!

As I sit here with my sleeping baby I know it is wrong. Don't let him fall asleep in your arms, it is too comfy! He won't nap well when put down, which is partially true. I've been putting in him the crib for naps now, but he sleeps longer when I hold him, sorry to say. He has been so fussy lately, and we have a dinner date tonight so I want him to be happy for it! 

Anyway, I wanted to run with him today, but he's been grumpy even in the stroller. I may have to wait until Conrad gets off of work before I go. 

Exercise has been going well. I love the boot camp I go to three days a week. It is great, and just what I need to get back into shape. I run the other two days,  and sometimes I run on boot camp days. Of course, I walk every day to get out of the house, and for Georgie the Corgi. I really should run more consistently since the half marathon is next month, but things have really changed with my baby Micah around! I'm okay with it all, too! As long as I get my long runs in, I'm good.

Okay, so I actually should do more cardio for my excess weight and love handles, but boot camp incorporates cardio, so I feel good about that! 

Anyway, eating is the majority of it, and I'm not doing well in that department, but I really haven't felt like limiting myself...yet!

I'm proud of how far I've come in three months! I'm still not where I was before, but before I didn't have a beautiful and healthy baby boy! 

Strong let-down & oversupply...pumping and such

   

I have finally figured out how to manage my supply. As I have said in a previous post, I was having issues with Micah choking and becoming increasingly frustrated when breastfeeding. I didn't know what to do. I spoke to several lactation consultants, who said different things: Try putting frozen veggies on your breast before nursing, pump a little before (which doesn't help matters in the long run), try elevating his head, try laying down and having him turn to the side so the milk can dribble out of his mouth when needed, etc. None of those things helped! 

So I read several online articles and decided to try to block feed to lessen my supply since I am a stay-at-home-mom and do not need to build it. 

First, I would nurse only on one side for two feedings in a row. I did this for a few days, and then I switched to nursing on one side only for a feeding, and then switching to the next side for the next feeding. I have been doing this for a month and a half now, and Micah hasn't been stressing out and choking for a few weeks! I feel so much better doing the block feeding. With that said, he only nurses for about 10 minutes. I have learned from doing research, that not all people can be classified into one category when it comes to breastfeeding.

When Micah was born, I would drive myself crazy reading, "Most babies should nurse for 30 minutes, and they should feed on both sides. They will tell you when they want to switch sides. They will tell you when they are full." All of this was BS when it came to my child, and so I learned. So, don't freak out if your child is different than "most" because it happens! You will also read that as long as they have enough wet and poopy diapers they are fine! I used the La Leche League website a lot:

http://www.llli.org/faq/enough.html

Anyway, I struggled at first, especially not knowing if Micah was gaining weight because after the two week appointment, he didn't go in until the two month appointment! Call your baby's pediatrician if you have questions and a nurse should get back to you promptly. If you are concerned make an appointment. That's what I had to do! First time mom, everyone 😍

A strong let-down does lead to a more gassy baby, too! Just so you know. 

Anyway, I hope this helped at least one person! 

Talk to you soon 💕

2 months & things are good

I think I am starting to get used to this whole mom thing. I know just as I get used to things, and become more confident, something will occur to change all of that. 

Micah had his two month checkup yesterday, and along with that his first round of vaccinations. I know there is a big debate, especially right now with measles going around, but I think we have a responsibility to our children and to other people's children to vaccinate. What the heck is wrong with these people who are deciding not to vaccinate? 

Anyway, my poor little baby was in so much pain last night and silly me forgot to buy Tylenol, so there I was driving to Walmart at midnight to buy some because he was running a fever. It was a long night for my little partner and I. 

Then Conrad is sick, so I made sure to ask the doctor what to do if Micah got sick. I learned that there is nothing I can do, really. Great!

Micah has hit the two month mark, everybody!! It is absolutely amazing to watch how quickly he is growing! 

I eliminated dairy for two weeks, to no avail. Micah still has gas pains, but I am not so uptight about them anymore. The doctor said he may just be a gassy baby, and he will grow out of it.

I do block feeding where I nurse only on one breast a feeding. I have been managing my supply this way. I decided to start building a supply by pumping my other breast when Micah goes five hours without eating, this is the first feeding of the night, from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. I haven't been producing much yet, but I hope that will change soon! 

On Saturday, Conrad introduced the bottle and Micah took it without a problem!

I need to start working harder on my relationship with God. I have been Catholic for almost two years, and I have not been the best Christian. How do I expect my son to be faith-filled if I am not living this way? I want Conrad and I to be Godly role models for our children. I know it is a work in progress, but I need to try harder! Hopefully we will be better! A baby is no excuse to be distracted this much from the reason we are able to be here in the first place! Thank God for baby Micah Avery! 

#abqstrollermoms has been going well! We have been meeting pretty consistently. We even got our first picture of the Osuna twins and Micah!

Half marathon training has also been going well. I ran four miles last weekend, which is my longest distance so far. I am not as fast as I hope to be one day, but I am so proud of my progress! Stroller running isn't easy, and neither is running with this new body of mine, but I am happy! 

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...

Gas pains? And more...

Hello everyone! 

We have been having gas issues lately, and I am shocked to know that it is a common thing. It keeps him (and me) up all night! Well at least from one onward. It is pretty rough to listen to him grunt and strain all night! The nurse at our Pediatrician's office said it was a common thing and to wait until his two month appointment to talk to our doctor about it. I hope she is right because it is hard at night for the both of us. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears! I've been changing the position I feed him so that he is elevated, I have tried gas drops and bliss water, I burp him frequently, and I keep him elevated after feedings. I think because I am overproducing, he is catching more air than normal, and choking and pulling off frequently. Well block feeding helped, but I was afraid of losing you supply. I may go back to it, but it has helped a little bit when I went back to not skipping a boob twice (only once).

I know it could be allergies, but the nurse said it most likely wasn't, and I shouldn't go through all that to figure it out.

Anyway, I don't know, but the nighttime grunting is so hard to endure. He was making progress at nighttime, and now he goes three hours instead four like he was starting to do. Oh well! 

Anyway, I had my six week appointment and the nurse practitioner said all was well! She said I could do the half in April, and resume exercise as normal. I am up 10 pounds from my starting weight. 

Steph and I have been enjoying our boot camp class, and we really like our trainer! 

I've also been walking and jogging with my BOB and Micah, but the last two days have been snowy, so I took those off. 

I sure have been enjoying our baby boy! Even when I am worrying myself sick. Why do moms do that? Why can't they just enjoy it instead of worrying about everything!? 

If anyone reads this that knows about gas pains, please give me some advice...preferably advice I haven't heard yet!!