Happy 1 Month To Collin

Collin is 1 month old today. A MONTH AGO he was born. That is crazy. It goes by so quickly, it really, really does. Just wanted to post his 1 month old pix, (the ones I will use in the photo book to show his growth every month)

Enjoy!

4 Weeks

Guess who is 4 weeks old???? Yep, Collin! I can't believe 4 weeks ago this little guy joined the world. It has flown by and it is kind of crazy but I feel like I have know him longer than just 4 tiny little weeks (+ 9months). It is almost like he has always been part of our family. I have heard other people say that and thought they were crazy but I get it now. He just fits into our life so easily. Mason loves him, I love him and Matt loves him (when he is not crying in his arms!)

~His really pissed off face!~

~Brotherly love!~

How are things going? Pretty well! Collin is growing, getting chunkier and loves to eat and sleep. He doesn't cry. In all honesty he really doesn't. He cries mostly when someone else is holding him (i.e. Matt), when he is hungry and when he is getting his diaper changed. He sleeps like ALL. THE. TIME! Most of my pictures of him are of him sleeping, plus he is so cute when he is sleeping!

How has life changed? Not really too much. Now that I have survived 1 week with all family back home, and Matt back at work full time I have pretty much stuck with the same schedule we had before Collin (B.C., haha!) Mason was so well trained in his schedule that Collin just fits into it. Mason climbs into be with us in the morning while I nurse Collin and rest a little longer. Then Collin rests in his swing while Mace and I eat breakfast as usual. Then we go to the basement for playtime, go outback or now to the park or just together time. Then "Mommy quiet time" for Mason at 12:30ish. Collin eats then naps for a couple hours then Daddy comes home. It really has been an easy transition. And at this very moment, the dishes are done and the kitchen is clean and my main floor in my house is CLEAN! (Feeling accomplished!)

~Family TV time on Father's Day~

What about exercise for the momma (that's me!)? Well, I am not cleared to exercise yet. Haven't had my postpartum appointment yet. I did run about 100 ft last week to my car in the parking lot and things just felt funny and off in my belly. My body is not ready for it. My legs loved it though it was my belly that didn't. I wasn't planning on running quite yet anyhow but I would like to start doing some other exercises before I start running, like squats and other strength training exercises to get that back first.

Anything else??? Well, I am addicted to sugar. So my goal is to start trying to cut out how much sugar we have in the house. When family was here we had a constant array of sweets and treats in the house. Not to mention the cookies I made for Matt last week, and the cupcakes we got for Fathers's Day yesterday. Yep, lots of sweets. I have been getting headaches and I think it is from just too much sugar and not enough protein. So that is something I will be working on.

~I'm a Pink Lady with the Women's 4 Miler Training Program. Training season kicked off Sat 6/14~

Woman's 4 Miler Training Program

Alright C-ville and surrounding ladies! TOMORROW MORNING is the first day of training! Bright and early at 7AM! Here are a couple of things to know about your first day.

Be on time or early (Registration begins at 6:15am!) You are going to be super excited to be there anyhew and will more than likely be there early but there are a couple of reasons why you need to be a little early.

If you haven't already picked up your welcome packet from ACAC (you can today between 11am-1pm and 5-7pm at the Albemarle Square ACAC Location) you will need to stop by the registration table to SEE ME! (Well, not just me but I will be working at the registration table tomorrow ;)) You will stop there first to get your welcome packet and stuff! Or register for the program if you haven't already! (cash or check only it's only $20)

When you go up the stairs you will be handed a raffle ticket. HANG ON TO IT! (Another reason to be on time, to get your tickets for the raffle) Then there might be some tents set up with stuff on them. Check it out. Then make your way to the bleachers and find a seat. They will fill up quickly tomorrow! Then wait and enjoy the music and show in front of you!

BRING A TOWEL WITH YOU! The bleachers can be wet some days and after your run there is stretching on the grass, and to avoid being covered with grass blades or track pellets bring a towel to sit on.

At the beginning of each training day there are announcements and a guest speaker. Then the raffle. You do not want to miss them! Last year I wanted the Garmin running watch so badly!

Pink Pammie will explain the groups to you and how you fit in one and to find the right one. If you start in one and decide that it doesn't work, either not enough or too hard, you can change groups.

When you get into your groups. Say "hi" to at least 1 person, EVERY WEEK. This is what makes this fun. Having a friend to come back to and talk to the next week. Seriously it is so fun. I often would chat with a girl in the same pace group as me. Or we would push each other, right VAL! Run to the next light pole together then make it to the next one, together. It is awesome to see each others progress each week and to do it together!

After the running there is group stretching, YEA SARGE T! Then it is time to go home until next week. The program is seriously so much fun! The pink ladies make it fun!

Don't forget to meet us PINK LADIES! You will get to know us during the weeks. Last year they helped me so much on my runs. Gave me encouragement when I needed it and last year boy did they push me to push myself. They knew I could do it before I did! THANKS DEB!

When you get home (or today after reading this),  JOIN the W4MTP Facebook page for community support and news on the training program. And there is a TWITTER account for them too!

Have fun! Enjoy this experience. If you haven't registered, it's ok. Go to ACAC today or stop by the tables tomorrow to register. YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUN to participate in this program. The women's 4 miler is a run/walk race. Please, do this for yourself, your family, or whatever the reason to do this is. It is an amazing program run by an amazing lady with amazing volunteers for an amazing cause. Come on out and join us! SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!

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?