Six Feet Under the Table

Well, my race is 4 days away, and I haven't run in a week and a half. Life has just been B.U.S.Y. Between cars breaking down, test driving and purchasing a new car, soothing a sick/teething baby boy, making baby food, chasing a now very mobile baby boy, housework, work, and *cough* quilting, I just haven't made running a priority. Tomorrow, I hit the treadmill hoping I've still got 3 miles under my belt. Wish me luck.

One thing that surprised me more about motherhood than ANYTHING would be nursing. The whole topic, really. (Being so interested in another human's poop is a REALLY close second.) There are just some things about breastfeeding that I never really expected: 1. Some women can't. 2. For those that can't but really want to, the not being able to makes them feel like a failure. 3. IF your milk comes in, it doesn't actually come in until a few days after birth. 4. Some women don't want to. 5. Some women breastfeed until their kids are 5. 6. The more you do it, the more milk you have. (Supply and demand) 7. When you say, "My baby eats every 3 hours," the time starts at the BEGINNING of the feeding. So if your child nurses for 40 minutes, there are actually only 2 hours and 20 minutes before you're nursing again. This is why the newborn phase is so exhausting. They eat like every freaking hour. 8. Sometimes you will nurse your child for said 40 minut...

It's been a week full of successes and failures. Extremes. Not much in between. On Tuesday, my friend and I decided to create goals to reclaim our bodies. I decided to give up sugar for two weeks and to get on a workout schedule. I have until the end of June to lose 5 pounds. That night, I also decided I needed to give up the caffeine as much as possible. (I went cold turkey.) You see, I never was much of a caffeine drinker... until Baby Boy came along. Now, it's the only thing that keeps me functioning. But, I've noticed my milk supply going down quite a bit. And I don't know what to attribute that to. So I decided it was time to ease up. SUCCESS: My results so far? I've had a headache every. single. day. Mostly at night, though. I've been eating much better, so I feel great in that regard. But the headaches. Oh the headaches. I've been going to bed between 8-10 every night. (More on the caffeine story in a minute.) SUCCESS: I've gotten my miles...

These hands. They might be my most favorite hands of any hands that I ever did see. They are always moving, always discovering. They graze the folds of fabric and get tangled in his crocheted blankie. They rub his tired eyes and reach up to be held. They scratch at rough surfaces, feeling the vibration of his fingernails. They grab spoons while Mommy is feeding him... so tightly, in fact, that food usually flings all over the place. They plant firmly into the ground so he can lift up onto his knees... trying desperately to crawl. They smack the pacifier out of his mouth when he is tired and doesn't want to fall asleep... because he knows it will make him drift off. They cling on for dear life when the shopping cart rolls over the shopping-cart-stopper bumps. They push buttons, pull strings, spin bobbins, grab toes, swat toys. They provide comfort to his swelling gums. They scratch an itch. They pull off socks... and put them in his mouth. They hang on...

Avocado anyone? Finally finished Baby Boy's shoes that have been cut out and waiting for nearly 2 months. Baby Boy's cart/highchair cover! Extra padded for his skinny self. Complete with a pocket and tags to hold his toys so he can't throw them on the ground. (His favorite pastime.) A surprise gift found by J's aunts. I've been looking for a ladder like this! I threw the quilts on here really quickly for the photo, so it's not arranged exactly how I want it. And someday, I'll make more quilts that actually look good together. But for now, this will do. I love love love my new ladder! AND NOW, ANESSA, I CAN FOCUS AND GET BACK TO WORK ON OUR SWOON QUILT!

So... the Group Power class had a bigger effect than expected. I've been walking funny since Saturday. And it's provided me an excuse to not work out. (Like I needed an excuse.) Today I didn't work out. I just wasn't feeling it. It's been a busy few days, and I had to leave work a little early to go to the dentist. (Side note: I'd rather give birth than have dental work. I hate it that much.) So I worked through lunch, which is when I normally run while at work. And I don't feel bad about skipping the workout, either. Sometimes you just need to give yourself a break, sit still as much as you can... and be okay with that. Tomorrow evening, though, I must run or I'm never going to be ready for the 5k. (It still cracks me up that I have to train for a 5k, but whatever.) Baby Boy's having an off evening, too. He went to bed early, and I've been in my pjs since 8. Maybe it's the weather. Or maybe the busyness is just catching up with us. (Or...

I really loved this day. I loved almost everything about it. I got a really great compliment from my boss (who was relaying a compliment she heard about me from another manager). I was assigned two new projects at work that will give me more opportunities to be creative. (Seems like these are fewer and fewer as of late.) During lunch break, I had my very first gel manicure with my super sweet, fun, and adorable friend Staci. My cube neighbors claim they can't hear me crunching on my daily apple. This is a big deal, because I love my daily apple, but I am well aware that apple eating may be one of the most annoying sounds EVER to cube mates. (Note: If you've never had an Empire apple, get one. They will rock your world. Better (and cheaper!) than honey crisp! You're welcome.) Cheri came back from maternity leave. (I'm sure this made me happier than it did her.) I came home to a happy baby in the Johnny Jump Up playing with a giant plastic spoon while s...