Parenting, The First Year

We celebrated my son's birthday just a few days ago.  It's really true, time does fly.  I have no idea where that first year went.  I can say that with ease looking back on it, but during the day to day, many of them felt too long.  A year ago I was just leaving the hospital with this little person who needed me for absolutely everything.  I am glad to say we have come a long way, after many sleepless nights, crying, and seemingly never ending days.

So I was trying to think about what's happened in the last year.  Sometimes it just seems like this is always how it was and other days there are glimpses of what life was like before a baby.  I still don't feel like a parent.  I don't know when that happens, but I am sure it's around the same time they start verbalizing that more (mama, dada, etc).  I know I am responsible for a little man and I worry about him pretty much always and maybe that's what it feels like to be a parent.  I wouldn't know.

But if I stop and think of all the things my son has accomplished over the year, it really is quiet amazing.  He went from being this helpless tiny bundle to a babbling, cruising, drooling toddler.  His first word was kitty ("Gigi") and he current favorite toy is a dustpan and small dust broom.  He still doesn't like getting ready for bed, but he does like bath time most of the time.  He thinks flushing the toilet is a riot and playing in the cat water dish is just something to do when mom and dad aren't looking.  He knocks over Sparky on a routine basis, but has learned to start petting him nicely ("Be nice to kitty"). He has four teeth and is working on the next two.  He loves macaroni and cheese.

He really has been a wonderful baby, but I am not going to lie, those first 6 months were the hardest.  Months 6-9 were a little easier, but we were still getting up in the middle of the night for feeding.  At month 9 we slept through the night and it was glorious.  We have been enjoying pretty much solid sleep for a good 3 months, although now it feels like we never got up in the middle of the night.  It's amazing what you get used to and how fast you get used to it.  At month 9, I stopped pumping during the day and at month 11, I stopped nursing altogether.  That had it's pluses and minuses.  We saved a load of money on formula and washing bottles, but it was demanding and it's a sole source job. 

We still have a hard time leaving the house with everything he needs.  Diapers, wipes, emergency pacifier if he gets out of control, change of clothes, snacks, water bottle, food, bottles, toys, stroller if needed.  Of course you also have to plan around naps.  We are still at a solid two naps which I think is great.  They are great when you need to get household stuff done, but they are a pain when you need to go places.  Usually we can plan it so he is in the car for at least one of the nap times, but we are rarely in the car long enough to make it really count.  It's a give and take thing. 

So the first year is over and we survived.  I think that's really what the first birthday celebration is all about.  :)  The good mews is I remember a lot more of the laughs and smiles than the really bad days (and we have had them).  I think that's why people end up with a second.  Haha! 

Movement from the Couch

So I thought it might be nice to give an update on my attempts with the "Couch to 5K" program I started earlier this year (see earlier post of the subject here).  I re-read that post before starting this one and I have to say, that leap to 5 minutes, while intense mentally, my body was able to handle.  I was shocked that I didn't feel like passing out immediately afterwards either! 

I am proud to say I am still with the program and did not abandon ship at week 4 when I went up to 5 minutes of running.  I have now completed week 6 and am up to 22 minutes of running!  For whatever reason this seems to be working.  I think it's all in how this program is set up.  They really do take you from the wading pool into the deep end but at gradual stages.  I know for a fact if I had tried to just all out run for 20 minutes at the start, I would have said, "Eff this! I am going back to my couch!"  Someone was onto something when they created this.

I do find that I have more energy when I am done with a workout.  I know it's only going to be about 40 minutes from the time I leave my door until the time I get back so that helps a lot.  It's also been nice to see that I can handle an increase in physical activity with the increase in duration of running periods.  I must be building endurance/muscle to be able to handle it.  I didn't think my body was capable of that!  Shows what I know!

On these last few where I have done straight running for 20 and 22 minutes, I find it hard to keep my brain from going completely stupid on me.  I now understand why people listen to music and how that might make the workout go a bit faster.  Right now I just count in my head, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc until I get to 100 then  reset back to 1.  I count to help keep my pace right, but I probably don't need to for the entire 20+ minutes.  I just have no idea what else to do with myself while I am plodding along.  I people watch of course and pay attention to my surroundings, but from a multi-tasker, I find it hard to basically just be doing ONE thing. 

On the equipment investment, I am up to about $130 for new sneakers which were literally life changing and a pair of capri running pants.  They are super fabulous and comfortable too.  I didn't think the sneakers would make THAT much of a difference, but again, how wrong I was.  They made it feel more light on my feet.  I guess that's called support.  Haha.  The folks at Potomac River Running Company were really helpful.  They are also really big sponsors for races in the area (some right by my house) and host a number of them throughout the year. 

The crazy thing I saw the other day was a blog about motivation and fitness and something like the top 5 things to get into a routine and make it stick.  I usually scoff at these lists because they tend to be full of stupid things, but the one I found interesting was the, "Find your reason".  This may seem like a no brainer, but it made sense why they had it listed.  The reasons, "for something to do" or "I want to be healthy" probably aren't going to get you too far.  You really should make it as specific as possible.  I also want to be healthy, but I want to be healthy for my family and to be able to move and do what I need to in order to keep up with my young son.  I don't want to be the playground parent that sits on the bench and watches their kid play around.  I would much rather be the parent playing WITH my kid.  That is a specific reason and has significant meaning to me.  I am reminded every day when I hold my son or chase after him when he crawls.  He is a happy reminder that I am doing this for the right reasons for me. Might not be for everyone, but hey, you have to find YOUR reason. :)

 So far it's been working out and I hope it continues.  I have a tentative race lined up for 3 weeks from yesterday, when I should be wrapping up the training program.  We will see how close I get when I do the actual 5K race!