Postpartum Running

After four months, I've finally swapped walking for running. While I'm only doing a mile, I'm still pretty proud that I am running the whole mile, and running it at my half marathon race pace from last year (about 11 minutes). I'm not fast, but I'm moving! As I build up my strength and endurance, I'm hoping to get back to running 3-4 miles, three times a week.

While it is hard to make time to run, I am determined that I need to be healthy to be the best mom I can be, so I will make running a priority. With Ansel at 17.9 pounds at his checkup this week, I can't wear him in the front carrier without my back being strained, so it seemed natural to switch back to running. I know that I can find a back carrier to walk with him, but I haven't gotten around to that yet. So running it is. 

It seriously feels good to run again. I know I am one of those odd people who likes to run... but really, getting a good workout makes me feel like maybe I just will be able to knock off those last 5 pounds of baby weight. I honestly would have started back sooner, but to be honest, nursing makes everything tender and it wasn't until I found a really good sports bra that I would even try again. Even with the amazing Jill DD bra, I still have to double layer bras. I know that sounds completely ridiculous, but it was really the only way I had enough support to run. Once I stop nursing, I can't wait to wear this bra without another layer

So let me tell you about the Jill DD bra. It's awesome for those with blessed bosoms. It's super supporting, with lots of ways to adjust. First, it has four sets of back hooks to get the perfect amount of snug on the band. Then, it also has cushioned adjustable straps that fold up and Velcro for the right fit. (PS- you can actually wear this sports bra as a nursing bra!!) It has a mesh stabilizer layer on the front that is supportive and prevents show-through. Worth every penny, I tell you!! What a great sports bra.

On a completely unrelated note, last Friday was Talk Like a Pirate Day and Krispy Kreme gave away a free dozen donuts if you were dressed like a pirate. Since Justin, Ansel, and I all dressed up, we walked away with three dozen donuts. They were fresh off the line and still warm when we ate them. SOOOO good. We might have polished off a whole dozen before we left the store. And that is why I have to run! Haha!

Saving Time as a Busy Mom

Going to back to work this fall has been full of mixed emotions. I do enjoy my job and I feel like I get blessed with great students year after year. Yet I miss Ansel while I am gone, and I still have to keep up with all the everyday tasks that were easier to stay on top of before our precious little one came along. Justin is also finishing his last year of PTA school, so this adds some stress into the mix since he is gone two nights a week and has studying to do when he is home. Before he was in school, we basically split all our duties in half since we both worked (I know, pretty progressive, right?) Now, he has school and I have Ansel to feed, so it's still basically split, although I am trying to do as much as I can to help him since his evenings are more structured than mine. (By the way, I swear I could write a dissertation on the difference between scheduled responsibilities and flexible time to get things done.)

With all that said, here are a few things I am doing to keep myself partially sane.

• Make freezer meals on the weekends for the next week.
• Make two of everything so that I have leftovers and don't have to cook two nights in a row. 
• Buy meat in larger quantities and divide them into small portions and freeze. 
• Cook (boil) chicken ahead of time and shred or chop for easy meal prep. 
• Limit grocery shopping trips by keeping a list and only going to the store once a week.  
• Designate one day a week for house cleaning (sweeping, dusting, bathrooms, laundry). 
• Pack lunches the night before. 
• Pack pumping supplies the night before. 
• Pick out clothes the night before. 
• Cook a dozen scrambled eggs Sunday night and store in the fridge so I have a healthy breakfast each morning.
• Split duties with hubby. Me: dinner, dishes - Him: trash, mowing - Both: laundry, other chores
• Keep up with my social life (phone calls, texts to close friends, Facebook stalking...haha) while nursing. 
• Be efficient in my work at school so that when I am home, I can focus on my hubby and babe. 

I am feeling pretty tired in the evening though, and I'll admit that I fall asleep nursing sometimes. It's sure hard to get to bed before 10 PM with getting all three bags ready (school bag, pumping bag, diaper bag) and everything else, but I am really trying. At least Ansel is sleeping like a champ 8:30-9 PM to 6 AM. My daily schedule looks something like this:

5:20 Rise and shine!
6:00 Nurse Ansel
6:45 Finish getting ready while Justin burps and changes Ansel
7:10 Drop Ansel off at sitter's
7:30-3:00/3:15 Work
3:30 Pick up Ansel
3:45-5:00 Get dinner ready, eat, clean up
5:00 Nurse Ansel and play with him
6:00 Housework, leisure, bills, etc
7:00 Exercise at least 3x a week
8:00 Nurse Ansel
9:00 Get ready for next day, read Bible
10:00 To bed!

What do you do to save time while working and raising a family?  I'm definitely looking for suggestions to better maximize my time.

The State of Country Music Today... sigh...

Has anyone else notice how sexualized country music has become? I miss the old days. And so do the singers Maddie and Tae. I love their new song and video, "Girl in a Country Song." But first watch "Why Country Music Was Awful in 2013" and you will see why their song is so needed.