Days 6-11

Day 6: 1.6.12
3 mile run with the Bailey and Pete.  A sub-10:00 pace with the jogging stroller always makes me happy. Finished in 29:52.

Day 7: 1.7.12
This is the day I was most concerned about, because I had to be at work by 7AM.  But, I did it!  I got up at 4:45, fed Pete, pumped and then walked for 20 minutes (a little over a mile).  I was very pleased.

Day 8: 1.8.12
Apparently, this is the day I should have been concerned about.  After working 12+ hours, Pete decided that he just wouldn't sleep.  At all.  I finally got him to fall asleep from 12-2 (in bed with me, so not a very good sleep for me) but then he was up until 5, when I handed him over to P until 7ish.  I had a baby shower in the morning, Little Christmas in the afternoon and could barely keep my eyes open when I got home.  So the streak ended.

Day 9: 1.9.12
20 minutes walking on the treadmill.

Day 10: 1.10.12
Attempted a 4 mile run on the bike path near my house, only to find it was closed.  So my 4 miler turned into a 2 miler and I wasn't happy about it.  It's amazing how I could do essentially nothing the entire month of December and be okay with it, and now a run gets cut short and I'm pissed ...

Day 11: 1.11.12
25 minutes walking on the treadmill.  Had an MD appointment at 8AM and then work at 11.  So I was pretty happy to get a walk in before the MD appointment!

Day 5

1.5.12

A little rough today.  I tried several times to get in a run, but Pete thwarted my attempts each and every time.  He just didn't want to sleep today.  At all.  All day.  I finally got him down for a nap about noon and was 15 minutes into an interval workout on the 'mill when he started screaming and I had to stop and get him.  Poor kid.  I'm not sure why he didn't want to sleep all day ... it was semi frustrating, because I had so much I wanted to get done. Oh well.  He's too adorable to be frustrated with for long:

And while he was playing this afternoon, I got in 18 push ups.  So at least the streak continues.  I'm hoping for at least a few miles (running) tomorrow.

In terms of other goals, I have been much better about drinking water, which is good.  And I'm trying to cut back on Diet Coke.  It's hard.  But it really would make so much sense.  It's expensive!!  And unnecessary. So we'll see!

Days 2, 3 & 4

So far so good. YAY!

Day 2 - 1.2.12
2.2 mile run in 22:10 with B.  I planned on a slow, easy run and that's exactly what I got.  It was perfect.  My legs are definitely sore though.  I'm not used to running multiple days in a row and taking such a long break was pretty dumb.

Bicep curls: 10 lb weights, 15 reps x 2
Tricep extensions: 10 lb weight, 15 reps x 2
Bicep curls/shoulder presses: 10 lb weights, 10 reps x2
Circles with arms out to the side (no idea what they're called).  A lot.

Day 3 - 1.3.12
30 minute walk on the treadmill, at 2% incline.  Can't remember exactly, but I think it worked out to be about 1.69 miles.  Wanted to give my legs a rest, as they were pretty sore - but in a good way.  I love that feeling.  I worked all day too and didn't sit down much, so I think it was good to keep the juices flowing.

Day 4 - 1.4.12
30 minute walk on the treadmill at varying inclines 2-5%.  Walked a bit faster than yesterday and did about 1.8 miles.  Then Pete woke up and my workout ended!

I'm loving our treadmill.  It's so easy to ensure a workout with it right there.  Both days I walked, I told myself I'd just do a mile.  I'm glad I did more.  And it might not be much, but it's a good start for me. I've also been tracking my food using MyFitnessPal.  It's free and you can scan everything you eat.  Thank goodness for breastfeeding, because it affords me many extra calories.

I'm not sure what my plan for the rest of the week is.  I have to work 7A-7P on Saturday, so my thought is a quick 1 mile run.  I'll have to get up at 4:45 ish just to get that in, so we'll see.  I'd like to get in a run either tomorrow or Friday, and then again on Sunday.  I think the weather might be a bit warmer, so hopefully the man, B and I can all go together!

Day 1

3.5 miles in 33:26 with the ORB for my first run of 2012.  And it was glorious.  The weather was unseasonably warm (and I was overdressed) and it was just a near perfect day for a run.  I took a 0.10 mile walk break a little after 2 miles and was happy I did.  I didn't realize that I haven't really run since 12/4.  Pathetic, you say?  I agree.  So I took it easy this morning.  It was the first day in a long time that I woke up excited to get out there again.  And that makes this mama happy!

Strength:
8 lame pushups. It is so sad that 8 felt hard.  Perhaps it's time for the 100 pushup challenge?

Goals

I am generally not one for New Year's resolutions, but I do think I'd like to set some goals for 2012.  And I think having them out there on the world wide web will be helpful in keeping me accountable :)

Health/Fitness Goals

1. Exercise every day for one month.  Starting tomorrow.  I really need to get back into the swing of things.  So even if I just walk a mile, I'll be better off than doing nothing.  P and I got a new treadmill (yay!!) for Christmas, so that should make things a little easier!  Once I've reestablished the habit, I can evaluate my specific running goals - namely another half and:
2. PR the 10K.  I want to run another half, but I highly doubt I'll be speedy enough to set a new PR.  The 10K might be the perfect distance, and there are many more to choose from over the course of the year.
3. Increase my strength training - I have a vacation planned in June and my sister's wedding in August!! I want my arms to look toned and I need to tighten my core - I bought a Groupon for hot yoga, and am excited to try it.
4. Join a running group.  I've had my eye on one for a couple of years now but then I got pregnant and it didn't seem like the right time to join.  I talked to P, and he's okay with me heading out on Sunday mornings for group runs.  Now I just have to actually work up the courage to go!
5. Drink more water.  I've been so bad lately about getting enough water.  I also need to quit my diet Coke habit, but I'm not quite there yet.  It's my very guilty pleasure.  

Life Goals

1. Mindfulness.  I think by nature of being female (and especially as a mom) I multitask as much as possible.  If I'm making dinner, I'm folding laundry or feeding Pete or emptying the dishwasher or just thinking about a million other things.  I've started trying to practice mindfulness when nursing Pete.  I used to bring my phone with me or try and sneak in a few pages of a book, but now I just sit and relax and savor the moment.  And I swear, he can tell.  It feels good and probably benefits both of us!
2. Establish a budget and stick to it.  Since cutting my hours to part time, things are a little tight. I think we're okay, but I miss my full time paycheck and the sense of security that went with it.  I need to try and pick up some overtime shifts so I can relax a little bit - and take some pressure off P.  I've heard good things about Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and while I might not be into the religion aspect, I think his budgeting is credible?  I've also been looking at mint.com but I'm not sure how I feel about giving up all my financial information.
3. Menu Planning.  I really want to try and do this. I think it would help with budgeting, and it would save me a lot of aggravation during the week!

Sweet Pete

Pete fell asleep nursing today - he rarely does that anymore - and if that wasn't enough to make me melt, he did it while holding Brienna's necklace in his little hand.  It was one of those moments that just made me stop, take a deep breath and appreciate my life.  I sat there rocking him while he slept and just soaked in the tenderness of the moment.  That is why I suffered through the beginning weeks of breastfeeding. It has been the best bonding experience for us and I can't imagine not sharing those precious moments with him ... and his sister.

One of my favorite pictures from the day after he was born ... both my babes, close to my heart:

Splish Splash ...

... there is not much cuter than Pete in the bath!

I am legit obsessed with him.  He's so freakin' cute and just makes me melt.  Every day.  The poor kid is sick and feels miserable, yet he still smiles and is so good natured.  I have no idea how I ended up with him, but I thank God every single day.  He is the best ever.