First run...

Two words.....absolutely wonderful.  I ran 3 miles yesterday and while they were a bit slow, it felt great. It was so nice to be back running with my husband and now, of course, with my daughter. I am going to go easy these next two weeks and build my endurance back up.  Then I'll begin training for my first race of the year....the Oak Park 10k. 

Here's a pic of us after we finished the run. One happy family!!

Happy Running!

Check-up

I have my 6 week check-up today and while I don't particularly care for doctors, I am really looking forward to this visit. Hopefully, at this appointment, I get the green light to start running again. I can't wait to tie up those laces and hit the road. I am sure that first mile is going to feel a bit strange, especially since the last time I ran, I had a 7ib baby in my tummy.  But, I am ready....oh so ready to get back out there. Running centers me, running calms me, running focuses me, most of all running is 'my time'....time to let all my worries, frustrations, and stresses go....time to pray and time to just let my mind be silent. 

It's been awhile old friend....but it is time to say 'hello' again!!!

An ordinary day

O and I have many of those 'ordinary days', but in all honesty, I love them! They give her and I time to be together, to learn about one another, and time to snuggle with each other (my favorite part). 

Usually we begin our day between 6 and 7 in the morning with a feeding. Then, if I am lucky, we both take a nap till about 10:30. Then it is time to eat again, followed by a bath, play time, and a nap.  During this nap, I stay awake and eat lunch, do laundry and dishes, etc.  After nap time, we repeat the process (eat, play, nap) until around dinner time. Then we eat, usually go for a walk and then eat one more time, then head off to bed. It's an easy life :-)

We did change it up a little bit today and brought dad some Starbucks at work.  It was nice to get out of the house and go for a short trip.  And it was also nice to get some Starbucks coffee....yumm!!!

Tomorrow, we are hanging out with my mom and doing some shopping - it's going to be fun.

Finally, only two more days until my six week check-up, where I will hopefully be cleared to run. I can't wait to put on my running shoes again!!

Happy running.

Rascal Flatts = Amazing

Back before O was born, S and I, along with my sister and youngest brother, decided to buy tickets to the Rascal Flatts concert being held in Tinley Park.  While RF have to be one of my all time favorite country bands, I knew that little O would only be about 5 weeks old, so I was a little hesitant to buy tickets for the concert. Would she be ok with a sitter? How would I be away from her for several hours? But after some reassurance from my husband and a few coworkers, I decided to go for it and I am glad I did.

I wanted someone O was familiar with to babysit her, so I asked my mom.  This turned out it be a great decision.  My mom loved watching her and O did so well with her. It was great bonding time for the two of them.  For me....it was a much needed night away with my husband.  With the birth of O, S and I have been consumed with taking care of her, but now we had a few hours where we could just focus on us...it was really nice. And to top it all off, The Band Perry and Rascal Flatts were amazing and did not disappoint. I did, though, forget how much older the guys in RF are - it made me feel old. Yikes!! All in all it was a great night and made me realize that S and I need more date nights :-)

Here's a pic of us from the evening!

Happy running!!

It's the small things

Tonight I went to dinner with a friend.....without the husband or the child!! On how wonderful it was. Don't get me wrong, I love being with my husband and little O, but after 5 weeks of having minimal alone time and minimal adult conversation -going out to dinner was fantastic. It was also great to share all the ups and downs of being a mother with another mother. It reminded me that I really do need to reach out to my friends more, especially those that have children of their own and that to keep my sanity in this whole parenthood thing, I really do need to take time for myself everyday. The better I take care of myself -the better mom I can be. 

Speaking of taking time for myself, tomorrow night I am going to see the Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry in concert. It has been a dream of mind to see the Rascal Flatts for several years and I finally get to make that happen. It is going to be a great time!!!

I'll try to take and post some pics. 

Happy running!

She has arrived....

Our little girl has arrived!!! Olivia Grace was born on July 12 at 10:15 pm.  She is absolutely precious. It is hard to believe that she was born just 5 weeks ago...she has grown so much since then. At birth, she weighed 7lbs and now she weighs 9, she holds her end up more, smiles more and makes more noises. It is great to see all these changes in her. 

S and I have been adjusting pretty well to life with a child. In the beginning we were really struggling with the whole 'not getting enough sleep' thing, but even that has gotten a ton better. Tonight she slept for almost 5 hours straight, which was awesome!!

The most challenging piece for me has been nursing her. In all the books and all the classes, they don't tell you how hard it is to nurse a baby. I am glad that I have stuck with it, but boy, did I feel like giving up several times. 

The best part, though, is seeing this beautiful baby that my husband and I created out of our love for one another and watching her grow and change each and everyday. She melts my heart and nothing in this world can describe the love I feel for her!!

As for running, I ran 3 miles just four days before I delivered. I haven't run since she has been born, to help give my body time to heal. I have one more week of rest and then will hopefully be cleared by my doctor to start running again.  I can't wait to put on my running shoes!!

Happy running!