Getting back on the Horse

Or the treadmill....

I have been dying to run.  

I had to stop running around 28-30 weeks because it was just too uncomfortable.  

So I starting walking at a 4.0 speed at 10 incline which proved to be a good workout.  

I did this for 45-60 minutes at least 4 times a week up until I was induced.  

I am convience this is why I only gained 22 pounds this pregnancy and why almost all that weight is gone already.  While the weight is almost gone, my body is just different- 

aka the weight is in different places now.  

I am motivated to get back in shape!

I started running almost 7 years ago when I starting planning our wedding and when I was working at a private practice which was the most stress I have ever had to deal with.  

At that point, I could not even run a mile!  

Now I have run in multiple long distance races and basically loved it!  

Running is my outlet and I get frustrated when I can't do it.  

That being said the last couple weeks have been hard because my body just did not bounce back as soon as I WANTED IT TO.  Because of the Pre- Eclampsia I was still on blood pressure medication and still not feeling the greatest for the first three weeks postpartum.  

Week 4 felt alot better and I took 40-60 minute walks at least 6 times that week.   

So last week, being week 5 postpartum, I told myself it was time to get back on the horse- aka the treadmill.  I decided to start on the treadmill for two reasons.  

1)I can control my speed and distance and stop if I need to.

2) I can do this while Collin is sleeping- thanks to our wonderful Foscam I can put him on the TV and watch him on the montior while I listen to music.  

So Monday morning after feeding Collin at 6:30 and putting him back down to bed.  I jumped on the treadmill and ran at 5.0 speed for 36 minutes- 3 miles.  It felt great!  Though I am going to have to get a new running bra- =0)  Yes it was slow but I was doing it which is what mattered.

So Tuesday I decided to do the same thing-  6:30-8 am instead of going back to bed after feeding Collin I was going to have Laura time and run.  At least for the next couple of weeks I am going to make this my routine.  I find that having a routine, makes me stick to it!  

So here is to getting back on the treadmill.... and hopefully running a half marathon soon in the near future!!

WAHOO FREE MILK!

You may remember that I blogged about know what is covered under your insurance and any extra perks.  

Well when I called to order my milk storage bags they asked me if i wanted a pump kit. 

 I assumed this was the same kit that I got in the hospital that went with the hospital grade pump I am renting.  

I said sure as it is always nice to have extra supplies. 

 So I was surprised when it came in the mail and it was an 

Ameda Purely Yours  electronic Breast Pump!!!

I looked it up on Amazon just to see the reviews and costs as I was planning on buying a pump from Buy Buy Baby with gift cards I had been saving as I was going to need something to travel with and also when I went back to work.  

A 200$ breastpump for free WAHOO!!!

Now I know it is not the top of the line breast pump- 

but it came with a bag, cord adaptor , extra bottles, and carry case.

Free is better than spending my own money- so I am not being picky!

I also love that it can be operated by battery, making it easier and more portable.  

Some of the Medella pumps have to be pluged into to an outlet to work.

So what have I put in this pumping bag:

1)Extra pumping bags-  I was given two Ameda adaptors which connects the Ameda bags to the actual pump which makes the bottles unnecessary.  However, until I get efficient at using the pump.  

I left two bottles in the bag.

2) Manual pump- the kit also came with am Ameda manual pump which is this small adaptor that you add to the bottle.  I figure I would leave it in- just in case.

3) Pumping bra- I ordered an extra one just in case and decided I am going to leave it in my bag

4) Nursing Cover- Figured I might use this when traveling

5) Lanolin- I love this stuff so I put one tube in the side pocket.

6) Small little cooler to store my pumped milk in.  

7) Extra Batteries- You never know when you are going to need these!

8) The directions- I put this in the front pocket just incase I have a problem since I am still learning the pump.

WAHOO for Free MILK!

One less thing I have to pay for!

Newborn Photos

 As you probably remember Joe and I decided to have Maternity and Newborn Photos taken during our pregnancy and after.  Three weeks ago we had our newborn pictures taken and I got the disk in the mail this week.  

Yeah!!! I could finally order his birth announcement!  

Another check off my list!

So here some of them are.....

Of course he got fussy in the middle so we had some feeding time...

Our new family...

Diaper emergency

Picture in a basket...

More Basket pictures

Idea from pinterest

So cute!!

Mommy and Collin

They turned out great!  

The Hardest Thing....

The 98 Degree's song comes to mind- 

The Hardest Thing, 

when I think about the adjustment period our family has had to make. 

 Joe and I have made the adjustment pretty well, trying to keep our life as normal as possible still have date night once a week or taking the opportunity to get lunch together while grandma baby sits Collin.  Clemson on the other hand has had the hardest time.  

Up to this point Clemson was our only son, yes I call him our son because to us he is really part of the family.  I think to understand this you have to know Clemson.  He is so full of life and so loving.  I still remember him resting his head on my stomach while I was pregnant and giving Collin kisses.   He in a lot of ways prepared us for parenthood and I know it is hard to compare a dog to a baby but in someways Collin had been easier-  for example- Collin sleeps.  Clemson did not sleep thru the night until 6-8 months of age.  In someways it was worse than a newborn.

That being said it has been an adjustment for him because we are now busy with other things and up till this week the weather has not been the greatest for me to take Collin on walks with him.  

However, this week we have starting walking at least 2 miles a day- and he is happy.  

Clemson still wants to be pet all the time- which I love when I am pumping and feeding Collin at the same time.  So one hand is petting Clemson, one is feeding Collin and thank god for hands free pumping bra!!!

All and All Clemson loves Collin and I try to say his name as much as I can around Clemson so he learns who he is.  He now gives Collin kisses on demand and comes and keeps us company every time I pump or feed Collin and whenever we have nap time- he is right there with us. 

He has even starting resting his head on Collin which just melts my heart- of course I am sitting right there with them to make sure that he is gentle with him.  

I can't wait until Collin is old enough to play with Clemson....

Sugar n' Spice- Influenster.com

I signed up for Influenster.com after a couple of friends raved about the experience they had trying out new products.  

So I decided to jump on the train!  

I signed up and after a couple of emails, was notified I would be getting my first Influenster.com box called Sugar n' Spice.
All products I received for them were free and I was not paid anything for this review.  

The box contained samples of:

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Total Moisture

"It is a continuous spray lotion that moisturized and absorbs in seconds. " 

MY REVIEW:
Love this especially as a new mom who does not have time to rub lotion in- I spray and go!

Colgate Optic White Regimen

"Contained all three Colgate Optic White products-  toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash together for whiter teeth in five days."  

MY REVIEW:
This taste terrible- I feel like it is burning my mouth!
I can not use it- Joe's loves it so he is using it.
Of note, I do have a sensitive mouth when it comes to mouthwashes and toothpastes.  

Nectresse

"Sweetener tastes like sugar but has zero calories per serving."  

MY REVIEW:
I was not a fan of this product- I tried it in my coffee and on my fruit and I did not like the taste of it!
It left a bad after taste.
Not something I will be buying. 

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes

"The soothing blend of Witch Hazel and aloe on these facial wipes rejuvenates your skin by gently lifting dirt, oil, and impurities from your pores while nourishing even the most sensitive skin."

MY REVIEW:
First let me start that I have dry skin- not oily so I felt this product dried my face out more.
I also was not a fan of the smell.
Not something I will be purchasing.  
But if you do have oil skin this would be a good product for you.  

belVita Breakfast Biscuits

"Are made with delicious ingredients and carefully baked to release steady energy that last all morning.  They are a good sources of fiber and B-vitamins, contains no high fructose corn syrup, have 18-20 grams of whole grain per 50 grams serving and taste great- perfect for on the go."

MY REVIEW:
Tasty snack especially when on the run with a newborn but do not if I would go out of my way to purchase this.  

All and All the only thing I might purchase myself is the Spray and Go Moisturizer.

4 weeks!

Today marks Collin's first 4 weeks!  

This Saturday he will be 1 month.

This seems crazy to me as it seems only yesterday we were bringing him home.

I plan on a big 1 month blog, 

but I went to the New Mommy group at INOVA Fairoaks today and got to weigh him.

9 pounds 9 ounces!

He is a moose!

Or as Joe and I like to call him our little "champion" like the song Hall of Fame by Script.

Here is my Collin version....

Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a championOn the walls of the hall of fameBe a good eaterBe a good sleeperBe a growerBe a  reader

Because he is now falling into a normal routine and sleep pattern- waking up between 1-2 am and then5-6 am which means only 1 nighttime feed!

He is our little champion!

Accessorize.. Baby Style

If you know me, you know that I am very girlie.  

I always have been since i was a little girl carrying around my cream and lipstick in my little purse,
and it has continued to this day.  

So when it came to picking a diaper bag, I had a very strong opinions.  

I wanted something that met the following criteria:

1) It needed to not look like a diaper bag.
I hate animals and kids colors- I wanted something classic

2) Needed to be able to function as a diaper bag and purse so I could only be responsible for carrying one bag.

3) It needed to have lots of compartments to help me stay organized

4)It needed to not cost an arm and a leg

A while ago, I eyed a diaper bag that a woman was using while we were out- 

the Kate Spade Diaper Bag.

I loved everything about it!
The neutral color, the size, the compartments, etc- however, the price tag was to high.
I started looking at other diaper bags and just kept coming back to this one.
I was talking to my girlfriend about my love for this bag but I hated the price!
She reminded me of the Kate Spade Outlet in Leesburg, VA.  

So one day Joe and I last fall around thanksgiving time, we headed out there to look at a couple of things and i decided to check out the Kate Spade outlet store,  it was my lucky day.  The had the diaper bag that I had been eyeing at the OUTLET price (which was $140 off the original price) and they were having a holiday special of 60% additional off the bag.
I looked at Joe and stated, "I know what I would like for Christmas."
We had agreed that Christmas presents last year had to be baby related.    

So on Christmas Day I opened my gift, the diaper bag.
Joe got his new little camera- whose home is now in the diaper bag so I always have a camera besides the one on my iphone.
Yes i feel a little guilty that my bag cost around $100 but I love it and use it ever day and can you in after as a purse so it is multifunctional.

I have used it for three weeks now and I love it.
Joe has even committed on how he likes how organized it is.

Thing I have in it now
- 6 Diaper and wipes in the black and white bag
- Camera
-Extra change of clothes
-Wubba- pacifier
-Burp cloth
-Bib
-Extra small bag with lanolin for e, extra nursing pads, small tub of butt paste
-3 pads
-Changing pad
-Hand sanitizer
-Wallet
-Gift cards and coupon filer
-When we go out i fit the mini bottle bag that we received in the hospital also in there
-Extra phone charger- this was a life saver in the ER
Also the side has a perfect outside pocket for my water bottle and it also fit the binder that i keep all of Collin's health records in- I take this when we go to the doctors for his visits.