In vs. Out

While I was pregnant I felt I knew Collin's personality pretty well. He would always react the exact same way to certain things or not react to them. So I figured that he would be the same way when he was out of me. Boy was I wrong! This kid is completely opposite from what I was thinking. Even the color of his hair was the opposite of what I thought. I imagined him to be super dark brown hair with blue eyes. He is as blond as they come, still has blue eyes though. Here are some other things I thought I knew so well about him from before.

~Brotherly Love! Mason is holding and gives frequent hugs and kisses to his baby brother!~

Super Active Baby: 
IN: While I was pregnant especially during the last 2 months Collin was a crazy active baby. He would kick the crap out of my ribs, and bladder. Or stretch as much as he could, ALL. THE. TIME! I would often double over in surprise and slight pain from his stretching or kicking or bobbing or whatever the heck he was doing in there.

OUT: He is a super chill baby. He barely moves, though he does like to keep both hands up by his face and stretch his legs out but he just doesn't move all that much.

~Daddy snuggle time!~

Running Like Movement Needed:
IN: When I was pregnant I heard all the stories of how babies from mommy's that liked to run needed constant movement to sleep or calm down. Often when I ran Collin would move for a bit then I would feel nothing. I would forget that I am pregnant sometimes, until he moved on my bladder or something. I just assumed that he would be the typical running baby and require movement, bouncing, or something to sooth him.

OUT: You know what they say when you ASSuME. He does not need movement. Actually he is quite the opposite. He doesn't like to be moved. AT ALL! He just wants to sleep soundlessly in one position. Often on my chest or next to me on the bed. He does take naps in the swing in the mornings so I can have a normal breakfast with Mason, but he startles easily. But I made it out easy with this kid. No roaming the house in the middle of the night trying to calm him down. All I have to do to calm him down is feed him or stop changing his diaper. He is that chill!

~He doesn't mind being worn! So glad cause I have my Ergo carrier and this ring sling.~

Music: 
IN: When I would play in the symphony or during piano lessons Collin would stop moving and just sleep the whole time. (opposite from Mason who would kick to the beat of the music, no joke!) I would have to poke Collin to get some kind of reaction. He would move when the oboe would play in a solo, not sure what that means!

OUT: Whenever there is loud music playing, and mainly classical, Collin will wake up and listen for quite some time and be quite alert. He is just so curious about it. Maybe I should have my friend play their oboe for him to see what kind of a reaction he will do now?!?

~Out cold, in the swing during breakfast! He sleeps with his mouth open when on his back! No snoring, yet. Super cute!~

Deep Breathing: 
IN: During yoga or when I would listen to my HypnoBirthing CD's he would squirm and act like he didn't like it at all. I just thought that it was taking up room. Squishing him more than he wanted to be squished.

OUT: If I want him to fall asleep quickly all I have to do is deep breath. If he is on my chest sleeping or next to me on the bed, he will hone in on my deep breathing and his eyes will just get heavy and  fall down and he is out. It even works with Matt. It is the weirdest thing I have found with him. HE LOVES IT! And he is out cold for 2-2.5 hours when I deep breath him asleep.

There you have it. Some of the most impressive opposites from this kid. He is totally different than I thought he would be. I even thought he would cry all the time, but he doesn't he is such a chill, even tempered baby. I am so thankful for that by the way!

Goal Setting...Again

I'm at it again. I am setting my goals for the next year on what I want to accomplish with my running, mind and body.

My main goal:
To be able to run a 12 min pace per mile. I want to run consistently with minimal walking but in general to be able to sustain a 12 min mile. I am only...ahem...32...I should be able to do that, easily, but it won't be without lots of hard work, that's for sure!

Am I going to be able to do this the first time I run in August? HECK NO! And I know that. I expect to be huffing and puffing and barely able to run 1/2 a mile. I am ok with that. I have a new(ish) body that I have to get used to, again. Yes, I am back at my pre-pregnancy weight for this pregnancy, but my body is different. It feels different. I am more squishy in places. I have to get used to that. My goal is to be able to run a comfortable 12 min mile for the 10k I am running in October.

I plan on running 3-4 times a week. Saturdays will continue to be my long runs and the other runs during the week will be my training and speed work runs.

Other goals: 
More weight training. I plan on doing core, upper body and leg workouts 2 days a week to help build overall strength in my squishy body.

Yoga. I am planning on doing 1 yoga class a week to build flexibility and overall help me "de-stress" from the week. Likely it will be a Friday class.

Barre Class. My gym is offering a Barre class now and it has peaked my interest. I know that it will help build core and leg strength. I would like to try it out and try to incorporate it into my weekly routine. If it is the right fit for me.

My personal body goal: Yes, I am at my pre-pregnancy weight for this pregnancy, but that doesn't mean that I am at my goal weight. I have about 30 lbs to lose to be at my "first tier" goal which is my pre-pregnancy weight for Mason. (last years pregnancy/miscarriage I gained too much weight and that set me at a higher start weight for this pregnancy.) So, I am hoping that I can slim down my body to a healthy weight and size and do it in a healthy style with good nutrition and exercise.

Mental goals: Using the gym as my "mommy time" to help me be a better mommy at home. Meaning a solid 5 days a week at the gym to give me that "me time" I deserve AND need!

QOTD: Have you set any goals for the rest of the year? Do you make running goals?

Pinterest

I'm on Pinterest now! It is a pretty interesting site that I am learning how to navigate. It is kind of fun and as a friend already warned me, very addictive! Anyhew, PLEASE check it out and don't forget to FOLLOW ME! And be sure to check out my Twitter and Facebook page too. I am jumping on this social media band wagon! Click on the following buttons or scroll down my sidebar and you will find their actual placement on my page!

I Survived!

~Collin at 18 days old!~

This past weekend was my first time alone with the boys, ALL. DAY. LONG! Matt had military training over the weekend up in DC and I stayed back at the house with the two boys. Matt even called to check in on my Saturday to make sure I was doing ok.

Surprising thing is that Mason (my almost 3 year old) was amazing! He helped so much, and didn't really throw any tantrums. When I had to nurse Collin he would just go and play with his toys without being asked or watch his tablet. He never would hassle me at all or ask for anything. He knows and understands what I am doing and it is kind of cool and freaky at the same time. I was expecting so much worse from him and I am happy to say that I am pleasantly surprised!

On top of that Collin is going through his first growth spurt which means that he is sleeping deeply and eating a ton. He is sleeping so well during the days right now in his swing or the bassinet. I don't have to constantly hold him which is really nice. To give you an idea of how lucky I was this weekend. Mace went down for "Mommy quiet time" (nap/play in his room time) on Saturday at 11:30. Collin fed and went down for a nap in the swing for the next 1.5 hours in the swing. I was free for an hour and a half. IT WAS AMAZING! Then, after I fed Collin we both took a nap until about 3:30 when Mason got up from his nap.

I feel very blessed and fortunate to have Collin and Mason be so good with this transition of adding a new family member.

Now the hard part begins. Matt is back to work full time starting today! Time to learn all about balance and not just luck!

Tips And Tricks To Recovery

There are a few things that can help speed your recovery and make you feel back to normal, sooner!

View my recovery post to read about what happens just after birth. Here are some other things from the hospital and through my own research to use to help speed recovery.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. These are from my own experience and personal research. If you have any questions please ask your doctor! And as always, please wash your hands before and after you use the restroom when recovering as you are healing and to avoid any possible infections.

Hospital Will Provide: 

Dermoplast: The hospital will have this for you. It is a numbing spray. Spray after you use the warm water bottle to rinse you off. It is awesome!

Tucks Pads: Also the hospital will provide these for you. Put a line of 3 on top of the pad which is on top of the mesh undies.

You Provide: 

Depends:  Yes, I am recommending these! Use them when you get home instead of the mesh undies. But put your pad on them and then the tucks pads on the pad.

Maxi Pads I use: Kotex Overnight pads for the first 2 weeks and heavy days/nights. Then Seventh Generation Ultra Thin Pads for the lighter days. You will need some pads when you get home too. Make sure you have these on hand before you arrive home from the hospital. Postpartum bleeding can last as long as 6-8 weeks! You never know how long your will last for. Amazon makes it easy for reordering though!

Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm Spray: This was my first pregnancy recovery using this and it was awesome. I sprayed it before the dermoplast. Used this every time until 10 days or you run out /it stops working well. I took this to the hospital and started using it right away!

Earth Mama Bottom Balm: I started using this in addition to the spray after 10 days. To allow the stitches to heal first and to avoid the possibility of infection because you have to slather it on yourself. It is not hands free like the spray.

Ibuprofen: Have plenty on hand at the house because you will have good days and bad days. It is ok to take these. You don't have to be super women and suffer silently.

The biggest tip and trick to a speedy recovery is rest, rest and more rest. Seriously. If you do more in the day, you will bleed more. Allow your body time to recovery from the crazy experience it just went through. Have people at the house to help you, to take care of your other children for you, to cook for you, clean, and just help out around the house. I'm over 2 weeks out and yesterday and today are the days where I really felt more like myself! But I have been waking up/getting out of bed around 8am, taking a 2 hour nap everyday and going to bed around 9pm. And resting or sitting on the couch and just taking it easy. The days I didn't take it easy I would have a step back in my recovery the next day.

This recovery has been more difficult for me but that was an internal pain I was feeling more from the traumatic birth of Collin. But I did these other tips and tricks and they have helped the external healing speed up. Hope these help you!

National Running Day!

If there is a National doughnut day, or National pancake day, you better believe that there is a NATIONAL RUNNING DAY! TODAY! So Happy National Running Day Today!

Great things about running:

Everyone is friendly: I have made so many friends in the running community both on and off the web! I am so excited to see my friends a week from Saturday at the 4 miler training program! I can't wait to meet my friends I have made over the web!

Races are addictive: When you do one race, you are GOING to do another. Humans are competitive by nature and we want to do better each time we do something. Running is purely a progressive exercise. You can literally see how much you improve with each race through your hard work and training. It just takes hard work and training!

Exercise Makes Us Happy: People who exercise are generally more happy. (see Legally Blond the movie!) It hops us up full of endorphins. It's an antidepressant. (maybe this is why I have been a bit of a grump in the last couple of weeks cause I haven't and can't exercise)

Live Longer: Exercise helps our heart which can help us live longer. Plus keeps us more healthy and make healthier choices in our food choices.

Feel Better About Yourself: when I am exercising I feel better about myself. I feel more sexy, I feel more confident. I just feel better. Plus I am now looking at super cute running apparel! Check out Kiava. Love their sports bras and tops!

Happy National Running Day Today everyone! Hope you have a great day running. I will be running with you in spirit as I still can't run quite yet.

Much Needed Help

The past few weeks we have had help here at the house helping out with Mason and me and baby Collin when he arrived. My mom arrived on the 13th of May to help with Mason and of course after Collin arrived she was always available to help hold Collin so that I could get a nap or do some much needed things around the house or even to take a shower!

~Collin on his Blessing Day~

My dad arrived the 25th to spend some time with us as well. So thankful for their help around the house and helping to take care of us. We had a great time watching movies and hanging out together and enjoying the blessings of new life.

~GMA (Gummy) With Collin~

This past weekend my in-laws arrived along with my sister in law for a few days. We have had quite a full house over the weekend. Yesterday was Collin's big day for our religion. It was his baby blessing where he is given a name and then a blessing. So we had both sides of the family in town to be part of the big day.

~GPA (Guppy) with Collin~

But all good things come to an end. My parents left to go back to Arizona today, :( super sad am I. I love having my family here and watching them "oo" and "ah" over my children. It only took us 9 years to get Mason here. My mom loves little babies, just like anyone else does. It is so beautiful to see my mom with my children.

My in-laws are here until Friday then Matt and I are on our own. EEK! A little nervous for that but all good things must come to an end, right? But until Friday I am still enjoying the much needed help that I am receiving from my family!

Collin Blessing Day- 13 days old

Mason Blessing Day- 2 days old

My Rough Recovery

This recovery has been pretty difficult for me. Yes, I have a 2 year old that is learning what life is like with a younger brother and that he is no longer the center of attention. But I have had so much more pain this recovery than I did with Mason.

Couple of things are to blame for this. First of all is the position in which Collin came out. I keep thinking about it and no wonder I screamed at the beginning of each and every contraction. As the kid was coming out he had his hand up by his head which means that his elbow was poking out at a funny angle and it was not a nice smooth ride for him. Or me. Because of that I have had a bit more pain if you know what I mean or can imagine, on the insides.

The second thing that is to blame for my pain, about a week ago, Mason forgot that Mommy had "owies" on her tummy and decided to do a cannon ball on my lower belly. I was laying down with Collin on my chest and he likes to jump on daddy when he is laying down so Mace did the same with me. I cried out and felt like I was going to pass out from the pain I was in. It hurt so much I could barely react to Mason. I cuddled around Collin to protect him from Mason landing on him, but no I got the brunt of it. Since then my belly has been a bit more sensitive. Anytime I laugh, I want to cry because it just hurts. I didn't rip the stitches and it is much better, but man, oh man. IT HURT! Thankfully Mason has not done that again to me, but I have been more careful with how I am when he is around me. We have made it very clear that he is not to sit on my belly or land on me when rough housing. And I just guard myself a ton more when he comes barreling over.

I have felt like a wimp for the past 2 weeks because I feel like I am not handling this recovery very well, but I am. I am a ton more busy now than I was just 2 weeks ago. I have 2 kids. A 2 year old who is used to my personal attention, and a newborn who needs my personal attention. Plus my recovery. Women get through this tough time everyday. I think about my cousin who just had her 6th and I wonder how the heck she does it! I takes patience on all of our parts. It is what it is and we will all adapt to our new life together. My goal though is just to get through this recovery.

A Year Ago- My Runniversary

A year ago today I participated in my very first 5k. I can't believe that it has already been a year that I started running/attempting to run. Granted, my first 5k I didn't run at all except for the last 500 ft to finish, but I did meet some pretty amazing women and one in particular who encouraged me to sign up for the women's 4 miler training program. I am and will always remember her as someone who helped me change my life for the better. We have since run in 4 races together and 1 with me as my "safety" while pregnant. I am so grateful for her in my life! Thanks J for all you have helped me accomplish!

Sad that I won't be running in the 4 The Wounded 5k again this year as it is Saturday, and just too close to my delivery date. I couldn't imagine running/walking in it right now anyhow. My body just isn't ready to handle 3 miles quite yet. But soon I will be running agin and training again! Here's to my first 5k a year ago and for changing the rest of my life!

To read about my first 5k click here!

Collin's Birth Story: Part 3

Final installment of his birth story. This is Collin's recovery from his difficult transition into the world.

Where did I leave off? Oh, ok. Collin's nurse came over to me to take his standard vitals then said he wasn't breathing as well as they wanted. She worked on him a bit on my chest and then said that he needed to go to the station for extra oxygen. I asked if she could do any of the stuff on me, but she couldn't, she even tried to reach the oxygen mask over. They took Collin from my arms and I told Matt to go and touch him and hold his hand so that Collin knew we were there and loved him.

I kept asking if Collin was ok as I was just sitting there getting stitched up and my tummy pressed on. (Let me tell you, all the stories you hear about how much it hurts when the nurses push on your tummy to check the level of the uterus is no laughing matter. It hurts, and it hurts worse with a second or more pregnancy.)

I couldn't take my eyes off of Collin for very long. They were using the bulb to suction the fluid from his nose and throat. The nurse said that he still had some fluid in his lungs and that he wasn't doing the "scream" that was needed to get the fluid out of his lungs. She asked if she could do the deep suction in his lungs to help get the fluid out. Matt and I said yes, whatever they had to do to help him.

After what felt like an hour which was only about 5 minutes, mind you, the nurse came over and explained what was going on with Collin. He was receiving oxygen but not enough. They prefer their oxygen levels to be at a 92 (don't know if that is percent or what but they just said these numbers to me.) And Collin was between 85-87. She said that he needed to go to the "sick nursery" as they didn't have a NICU in my hospital but a level lower than a NICU. She said that was was going to be under a humidified oxygen hood to help his breathing for the time being. She handed Collin to me to say his goodbyes for a little bit. I told him to get better. We all saw him respond positively to my voice and my touch. He seem more alive and active. On the table he barely moved his arms and legs and when he was in my arms he grabbed at me and kicked more. He was more healthy.

The nurse put my id tag on me and him and then took him away and Matt went with him. The other nurses came over and introduced themselves to me. As I came in so quickly they didn't get a chance to tell me who they were. The doc finished up and explained more fully what happened. Explained that the chord was very tight around his next but he had a long chord and we got him out fast enough that he should be fine. Then it was just me, my postpartum nurse (who was different than my delivery nurse that told me not to give birth in the tub) and my doula.

I had to wait 30 minutes from this point before I could go to the nursery to see Collin. I was told that I could go at anytime. I had to have my vitals checked first then they would let me get all cleaned up. I told them that my uterus was going down fine, cause I could feel it going down. I sent my doula to the sick nursery to check on Collin and Matt and she said that he was doing really well under the hood. She said that the nurses were trying to get him to scream to help clear out his lungs. And he wouldn't scream, except for when they gave him his vitamin K shot. That pissed him off enough to really wail, the kind of wail they wanted him to do. But apparently he only cried for just a short time. (this is a foreshadowing of the kind of cool and calm personality he really is. He doest cry that much.)

I finally pushed the nurses to hurry up and let me go to the nursery and they finally agreed. I got dressed and walked into the nursery at about 7:30. When Matt saw me walking in, he asked what I was doing up and about. I told him I wanted to see my son. I went over and held his hand and talked to him. It was obvious he knew who I was because his oxygen levels they were monitoring spiked up when I was talking to him and holding his hand or touching him. I stayed as long as I could. Our doula said her goodbye for the evening and said that I did an amazing job!

I was getting slightly dizzy with the heat lamp over Collin and the postpartum nurse said they wanted to move us to our postpartum room. So Matt and I said goodbye for just a little while. I walked to the other side of the wing to our new room 3041 from birth room 10.

I told Matt that I wanted to go again but they wanted to do another check on me first. ARGH! I was getting mad at them denying me from seeing him. We went back at 9:00pm to check on him. Matt insisted that I already proved that I was a super woman with going all natural, with the difficult labor, then walking to the nursery an hour and a half after I pushed him out. So I took the wheel chair and loved it! We stayed in the nursery talking to the nurse, asking questions. She said that he was doing so well at this point that she could take him out for kangaroo care as long as we kept oxygen on his face the whole time. I was thrilled. I still wasn't allowed to nurse him, and they said that he wouldn't have wanted to nurse anyways because his priority was to feel comfortable breathing. So she took him out of the hood and put him in my arms for the 3rd time since he was born. I wanted to cry, how happy I was.

Again as I was holding him, singing to him, and talking to him his levels spiked and stayed up really well. She even took the oxygen away for just a little bit and he did really well, but then the monitors started to beep again saying he wasn't getting enough and back on the oxygen he went. She told us that he started at 40% oxygen and their goal was to get it down to 24% oxygen level to be weaned to what he needed to breath. At this point in just the 2 hours from birth he was already weaned down to 32%. She was very happy with his recovery and was just saying that he was having a really hard transition into the world. He was in a bit of shock.

At 10:30, we decided to let him rest, and let me rest a bit more. I was pretty tired and we figured we would be back soon to see him. They wanted to keep him in there at least overnight at this point. Matt and I went back to the room. Prayed that he would be ok and then went to bed.

At midnight, I was awoken by the nurse, asking if I wanted to nurse my baby. I said, YES! I was wheeled to the nursery and then got to nurse my baby. The nurse said that he had been weaned off the hood for 30 minutes and screaming up a storm! He was ready to be fed. He latched on like a pro! The nurse and the nursery nurse said I was a natural at nursing him. I told him it's like riding a bike and so thankful that I could remember what to do. Kid was super hunger and fed for 15 min on each side. When he was done I just held him for another 30 minutes and then let him rest and I went back to bed. They promised they would get me when he was ready again to be fed.

I was woken up at 4am for another feeding. Again he was doing so well, no more hood, just under the heat lamp to keep him warm. He fed again for 30 minutes total and I held him for another 30 minutes before going back to the room to sleep. Matt and I woke up around 7 and we joked about how we were the only parents of a newborn who actually got to get a good nights rest. I had only woken Matt up to help me in the bathroom and such, other than that he was out cold!

We just had to wait for the pediatric doctor to come in and tell us what was going on and such. I was checked again and again through the night and in the morning. Finally the doc came in and she was super happy with his progress and explained that he had what was classified as a "difficult transition" at that is all. He was completely weaned from forced oxygen by midnight and did great throughout the rest of the night. She was excited that I nursed him and was happy to hear how well he did. She said that he is currently being released from the sick nursery and released to us for our care. He didn't have to go back and he was just as good as any other baby!

15 minutes later he was wheeled into our room and he was ours. They wanted to keep a eye on him and keep him for the full 48 hours just to make sure he was ok. Which he was. He nursed like a champ, and slept like a log! Our first full night as a family in the room, he woke up at 11, 2 and 5 for a feeding. I felt so blessed. Oh and he is quiet! He doesn't really cry, at all. He only cries when he is getting his diaper changed or if I take too long to get him on the breast. He loves to be held, and I don't mind that at all, neither does GMA.

He is doing very well. We were even released from the hospital at 42 hours, not 48. He has been such a beautiful little baby boy. He is almost too quiet most of the time which is so different than his older brother who like to cry at anything. Collin sleeps well, and is truly living the life as a baby with eating, sleeping and pooping, with just the occasional cry. We are so thankful for the quick response of my OB/GYN with the chord cutting and getting him out and telling me that I could do it. For the nurses at the hospital for helping him and us. We didn't post that he was born for a day, until he knew he was ok. Only close family members knew what was going on. But things are so well now, and he is truly a little angel sent to earth! We are so happy to welcome Collin to our family!

Click to read Collin's Birth Story Part 1

Click to read Collin's Birth Story Part 2