Well, we have survived our first week without Dad! I have a great appreciation for moms and dads that have raised their children on their own because it sure isn't easy! Thankfully, I only have to do it for 6 months. Anyway, Ellie, Otis and I made it through the first seven days and are establishing our own little routine. Life has become a cycle of feeding the babe and walking the dog with lots of diaper changes in between. The day is non stop and I'm lucky to get a shower before 10pm but I'm sort of enjoying the simplicity of it all and I truly feel fortunate that I get to witness Ellie as she grows and changes every day.
Ellie doesn't sleep much during the day but she will nap in the stroller so it works out well - Otis gets his walk and Ellie gets her nap. This morning, we even attempted running with the jogging stroller and the car seat attachment. Otis did a good job of not getting in the way of the stroller wheels and Ellie went right to sleep. There is mixed information on when to run with your baby even with a car seat adapter...concerns range from ensuring that your babe has good neck support and the stroller has good shock absorption. We seemed to do well with the car seat adapter on the Bob Revolution and we stuck to to the flat path or paved sidewalks. Ellie loves the movement and it's the only time she will nap during the day and then Otis and I get a little exercise. By the time we got back, I think everyone was a little happier!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A Day of Firsts!
Hallelujah! I went for my first outdoor run yesterday since I started my postpartum walk/run program. I took Otis with me while Ellie watched Dad and I think he was happy to have his 'running' mom back! Last night, I discovered that I need to re-learn how to dress for the weather and for my body in it's extra ten pounds....with an insulator of post baby fat, I could have done without the rain shell and added another layer of support for my boobs!
With snow still on the ground, I tried out my new Yaktrax. They worked pretty well although there were lots of sections where the snow wasn't packed and despite having a decent grip, I kept sinking. I also tried out my new Injinji Tetrasoks that I got from a couple of running friends for Christmas. While the risk of blisters is pretty slim for a 40 minute jaunt, I wore them anyway. They were super comfy and I didn't really feel the fabric around each individual toe! I could see how these would be a must have item for ultra-runners.
It felt good to get a run in especially after my attempt at going to my first "mommy and me" fitness class earlier in the day. We made it there okay but I think I spent about 20 minutes working out and the rest feeding Ellie. I fed her before we left for the class but she was a hungry little munchkin yesterday. I think I spoke too soon......I started to tell people that she was sleeping a little more and the space between feedings was starting to spread out a bit.........that all changed yesterday. Ughh! Another long day and night. Thank god she gave me lots of smiles this morning....just enough to keep doing the same thing all over again today!
With snow still on the ground, I tried out my new Yaktrax. They worked pretty well although there were lots of sections where the snow wasn't packed and despite having a decent grip, I kept sinking. I also tried out my new Injinji Tetrasoks that I got from a couple of running friends for Christmas. While the risk of blisters is pretty slim for a 40 minute jaunt, I wore them anyway. They were super comfy and I didn't really feel the fabric around each individual toe! I could see how these would be a must have item for ultra-runners.
It felt good to get a run in especially after my attempt at going to my first "mommy and me" fitness class earlier in the day. We made it there okay but I think I spent about 20 minutes working out and the rest feeding Ellie. I fed her before we left for the class but she was a hungry little munchkin yesterday. I think I spoke too soon......I started to tell people that she was sleeping a little more and the space between feedings was starting to spread out a bit.........that all changed yesterday. Ughh! Another long day and night. Thank god she gave me lots of smiles this morning....just enough to keep doing the same thing all over again today!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Sleep or Exercise...That is the Question
In the windows between feedings when Ellie's dad is home, I must decide between exercise and sleep. In most cases, I opt to escape to the gym for a little sweat. Exercise gets me out of the house, hugely helps me manage stress and even when I'm feeling exhausted, a little sweat perks up my energy and outlook. However, I know that these extended periods of sleep deprivation are playing with my moods and physiology too! When researchers deprive rats of sleep they die....just think what's happening in the human body...yet mom's all over the world seem to cope! According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation compromises memory, reaction time, motor skills (that's why I'm tripping on the treadmill!), immunity and increases the risk of diabetes and obesity. Alas...this is why the last ten pounds remain! Yes, I'm burning those extra calories by getting to the gym but the the lack of sleep is causing my bod to hang on to the flab. Oh joy!
Regardless, it feels good to by moving! I'm following a run/walk program so that I'll be ready to take Otis with Ellie in the jogger by the Tim leaves for his course. I'm doing an adaptation of the Sport Med BC's Walk Run Program. Jeff Galloway was the original inventor of the walk/run method as an injury-free method of running a marathon and I'm using it as a means to get back to continuous running. It's been a slow process but I'm now up to 5 minutes running (okay, slow jogging) and 1 minute of walking. I ran for a total of 30 minutes this week and that was a big achievement! I'm still feeling quite a bit of discomfort in my pelvic area but there are no lasting effects so I'm taking that as a go to keep gradually increasing my running time.
Regardless, it feels good to by moving! I'm following a run/walk program so that I'll be ready to take Otis with Ellie in the jogger by the Tim leaves for his course. I'm doing an adaptation of the Sport Med BC's Walk Run Program. Jeff Galloway was the original inventor of the walk/run method as an injury-free method of running a marathon and I'm using it as a means to get back to continuous running. It's been a slow process but I'm now up to 5 minutes running (okay, slow jogging) and 1 minute of walking. I ran for a total of 30 minutes this week and that was a big achievement! I'm still feeling quite a bit of discomfort in my pelvic area but there are no lasting effects so I'm taking that as a go to keep gradually increasing my running time.
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