Running in Circles

It seems totally wrong that Henry is already seven months old and we've been a family of four for this entire year- and guess what tomorrow is September! 

I was very aware of my eating habits and exercise habits during my pregnancy with Henry. Running felt great most days, but I remember quitting Insanity pretty early on. I ate a pretty balanced diet, eating a lot of "smaller meals" like apples with crackers and cheese, veggies and hummus, popcorn, and loving turkey and avocado sandwiches. I never had a lot of cravings but I ate my share of cookies from Potbellys and craved soda all the time. Pregnancy is so weird that way- something like soda is never ever bought in our house but I would dream and drool about that burning carbonation....anyways, I was looking forward to losing the weight but wasn't too worried about it and that made me have a really enjoyable pregnancy. 

So here's what postpartum looked like the second time around. 

I lost the 25 pounds I had gained by about 4 months postpartum and have lost another 10. The last time I weighed 115 pounds was like 6th grade! Workouts have been so good and I'm seeing a lot of overall improvement. I started running around 4 weeks postpartum and added insanity in when I was ready. I LOVE this combination of cardio and high intensity circuits. I've always loved working out in a gym but haven't been to one since we moved to Dallas. Something else I have going in my favor is walking everywhere pushing that double stroller. On top of actual workouts I'd guess I walk an extra 5-10 miles a week just on walks.

I eat a smoothie or more recently half of a NAKED JUICE drink for breakfast and a salad or sandwich for lunch. Most of the time I eat for dinner what I've made for Brice and Hazel, but sometimes I just have a salad with chicken. No food or food group is off-limits I just try to eat foods that make me feel good. Sometimes my energy is lagging so I eat a little bit more and I'm usually good. No counting calories, no good foods or bad foods, but I definitely make very conscience decisions of what I'm eating. Lots of water and popcorn is probably my favorite evening treat! 

The Homestyle by Pop-Secret is where its at!

I feel so lucky that breastfeeding comes easily to me because I really do love it and I'm still nursing Henry about 5 times a day. He's eating food at lunch and dinner times and is obsessed! 

Lastly, the transition from one-to-two kids definitely takes some time, but overall Hazel has been a great helper and  once Henry was sleeping through the night it felt so easy. After Henry was born, it definitely took me longer to feel bonded to him than it did when Hazel was born. I'm not sure if it was the realness of a natural delivery or lingering post baby blues but i definitely didn't feel like myself until 3 months postpartum. 

I'm writing this all out for me to mostly remember a few things. 

FIRST:  growing a baby is amazing and your body has to follow a process. Resting more, eating more, eating the cookie you're craving- whatever- it will be just fine. 

SECOND: don't ever waste time getting caught up in fad exercise or weight loss plans. Calories in have to be less than calories burned and then the weight comes off. It really is that simple. 

THIRD: be patient! It is hard to set a goal, work towards it, and still have to wait, but sometimes that's just the way it goes. Be patient! Exercise should be fun, so find something you like and makes you feel alive and do that. Enjoy the little victories but stay focused; one ice cream cone isn't going to ruin your health, just like one serving of kale will not make you healthy. 

I am so grateful for our two beautiful babies, for easy pregnancies, and even more grateful to be healthy right now and happy and feeling confident about myself again!

JANUARY

- I completed my last pregnant run yesterday (1/19/15) of 4 miles. I felt fine actually but just decided I'm done!

- The weather has been in the 60's the last few days so Hazel and I have been out walking(2-10 miles) almost everyday, mostly just for fresh air but none of it is putting me into labor so I'm just enjoying the time with my little bug.

-Total miles run in January: 219

- Weeks of Pregnancy: 38-41

-Total weight gained: 24 pounds (the exact same as with Hazel)

- I REALLY REALLY want to run a marathon this year- so well see!

Well my due date has come and gone...again! 

I so wish I was one of those women whose water breaks at 37 weeks and they can just have their baby safely and be done with pregnancy a few weeks early! I can honestly say that some days I'm still really comfortable and fine with being pregnant and some days I'm on the verge of tears all day because this basketball under my shirt feels like its going to break my entire ribcage! 

dramatic?!

Yesterday I had my 40 week (+3 days) appointment and got to see our little guy during a routine ultrasound to check movement, size, fluid levels, etc... it is amazing- THERE is actually a baby in there! Sometimes it is so hard to wrap my mind around how a baby really grows from cells to an entire human being, and the fact that it all happens inside of me while I live my everyday life!

Anyways, he's doing great in there- he flashed a few smiles and made it clear that right now he's happy as can be in there- but I keep telling him he is so welcome to join us out here anytime!

As of right now, I'm being induced Friday morning at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. We're looking forward to my mom flying in on Friday too (so she might actually be here for his birth) and am so grateful for good friends who have done a great job at keeping me busy/distracted and who are so quick to help and are planning on watching Hazel for us. 

I still hope I go into labor before Friday but I doubt I will. Yesterday was my last run of this pregnancy- 4 miles on the treadmill- and now I'm just walking outside and enjoying the beautiful weather we've had. I hope exercising all of pregnancy shows its benefits during labor/delivery/postpartum- but mostly I'm just really looking forward to meeting this little guy. 

- Visiting the doctor every Monday from here on out

- Hazel loves joining em at my appointments because she asks every nurse for a band aid :)

- Blood pressure was 112/72 which is great (but actually high for me)

-Weight- 147  (+24 lbs) whew and feeling everyone of them

- He's head down and the doctor felt his head today

-Belly measured in at 34 cm (which his normal for me to be 3-4 cm behind)

- Lots of movement still, but his booty feels like its going to get stuck under my right ribs

- Tired, tired, tired...  

- I feel big, and while I get a lot of nice comments about me being "so small" I feel BIG!

- Running is feeling good, but getting harder everyday. It really is harder to lower my expectations but I just have to now.

- No swelling, stretch marks, or varicose veins...so grateful!

- Picked out two outfits for baby boy to possibly come home in, now we just really need to narrow down the names. This is the hardest thing for Brice and I to agree on.

- Hoping he comes before his due date (the 15th) but I know better than to get my hopes up. I know pregnancy will be over soon so really I am just trying to enjoy the down time.

- "A TUMS a day keeps the heartburn at bay"...but seriously! 

At 36 weeks pregnant with baby #2 I have surprised myself by still running as much as I am. Honestly, the motivation to go is definitely slipping but during and after my runs I feel so good! I can't believe I'm full-term now. 

During my pregnancy with Hazel I ran until 2 days before my induction and felt great during labor and recovery so I guess that is sort of my plan again... but I think I'm gonna go ahead and start scaling back a bit (even if I feel great!)

 I am so grateful that I've been able to run so well during pregnancy but don't let the numbers fool you- it isn't a breeze and I have had to keep myself motivated more than ever before!

Monday: 8 miles on the treadmill

Tuesday: 7 miles and a few light moves with weights

Wednesday: 6 early miles outside before Christmas morning 

Thursday: 9 "easy paced" miles in 1:17

Friday: 8 miles- 2 mile warm-up and then 6 miles of .25 sprint intervals

Saturday: 8 miles on the treadmill ( between 8:40 and 7:40 minute miles)

Sunday: rest day!

Miles this week: 46

Total miles this year: 2458

34 weeks feels pretty darn good!

 We're all getting anxious to have this little baby join our family!

-Still running 45-50 miles a week and feeling great while doing it

- Heartburn comes and goes

-Sleeping so well at night still, but not really needing an afternoon nap anymore

- No cravings really- occasionally have a hankering for a Diet Dr. Pepper but its pretty easy to pass on

- I feel like I'm running out of clothes that fit 

- Feeling a bit more prepared as far as "stuff" goes

- Daydreaming about what this baby is going to look like. I haven't had an ultrasound since 19 weeks

- Hazel is asking more and more about my growing tummy

Here's a little comparison shot: 24 weeks vs. 34 weeks!

 - I had my 30 week appointment this morning- from now on they are every two weeks!

Weekly Running Recap at 30 weeks Pregnant

Monday: 7 miles on the treadmill

Tuesday: 10 miles outside in 1:30

Wednesday: 8 miles and 10 minutes of light weights

Thursday: 11 miles outside in 1:36

Friday: 6.5 on the treadmill (this run felt really hard)

Saturday: 11 miles outside, it all felt so good except for the two bathroom breaks ;)

Sunday: rest day

Weekly Miles: 52.5

Miles this Year: 2241

I'm in my last week before entering the third trimester of pregnancy! 

That means baby boy is practically here right?! I know... I know...

I've been feeling pretty good lately but still struggling with a few things! 

The good things first:

- I feel healthy, fit, and strong! I'm running a big number of miles a week still (50+) which I am super grateful for. The weather has cooled down so morning runs feel so good!
- my mile times range from 7:50- 9:00

- I sleep like a rock at night. I still can't stay awake much longer than 10 pm though.

- I love feeling baby boy move around- kicks are starting to get stronger now, but he is still way less busy than Hazel was.

- I've started nesting already- I want to get rid of things, clean things, and organize almost every day! 

-Finally not breaking out anymore!

- No real cravings- still eating lots of sandwiches because they're simple enough.

The not so great things:

- I am so tired still- 2'oclock comes around and I am barely able to keep my eyes open!

- I had to switch Obgyns (I got a letter a month ago saying she was leaving her practice) 

- Weight: I've gained 17 pounds, which seems like a lot 

- I still have no appetite! Only once or twice an entire week does food sound good and I can find something that actually sounds good!
-We really should start thinking of baby names- we have none were considering
- a little bit or heartburn but its a once a week thing

I think it's safe to finally say that my energy has come back. It took a lot longer (I'm almost 25 weeks) but combined with the cooler temperatures this last week- it as made all the difference in my workouts. I feel fast and i feel really good!

I didn't get a "longer" run in on Saturday but I still hit above 50 miles and my fastest mile of the week came in at 7:33! what!?

I know everything can change overnight, but I ended this week of  pregnancy and running feeling really happy!

Monday: 10 miles outside 

Tuesday: 10 miles outside 1:27

Wednesday: 7 miles

Thursday: 10 miles outside

Friday: 6 miles (2 mile warm up at 8:15 pace and then 4 miles of  .25 mile intervals)

Saturday: 8 miles in 1 hour (fastest 8 miles in a long time)

Sunday: rest day

Weekly Miles:51

Miles this year: 1940

 Here we are 24 weeks pregnant and still going strong! I've even got a bump to prove it now.

Monday: 10 miles in 1:35 on the treadmill

Tuesday: 10 miles outside

Wednesday: 8 miles (5 miles of 1/4 intervals)

Thursday: 8 miles - today was a hard running day- tired legs and feeling heavy!

Friday: 6 easy miles

Saturday: 10 miles outside in 1:30- felt great!

Sunday: rest day

Weekly Miles: 52

Miles this year: 1889

Thank you all so much for the texts, calls, and love sent our way! 

We are very excited and honestly kind of overwhelmed with the thought of another baby! I can't help but laugh out loud because Brice and I both want several more kids, but pregnancy is uncomfortable and motherhood is a lot of work!

This pregnancy has had a lot of similarities and a lot of differences than my first. 

Things that are the same:

- I still am relatively small, but its just because I carry so low (but no complaints from me about this)

- I still have gained a surprisingly amount of weight in the early weeks 

- I'm up 11 pounds already but trying to not even worry about it

- Exercise is enjoyable and easy (knock on wood)

- I'm actually running more this time around but I'm not teaching Pilates so maybe that adjusts for the extra mileage (averaging 50-55 miles a week)

- My longest run has been 13 miles and I do it every two weeks

- My chest has grown fast and guess what- I still don't like it! I like being flat-chested ;)

- Foods that I've enjoyed: turkey and Swiss sandwiches, apples, milk duds?!? and CHEESE

- I felt the baby move at week 18 for the first few times and am feeling him regularly now but mostly after I eat a meal.

Things that are different:

- With Hazel, I hit 6 weeks and just felt terrible with nausea and vomiting. This time around week 6 came and went, 7, and 8, and nothing. Around week 9 i started being nauseous in the mornings/afternoons but never threw up more than once a twice.

-The nausea was totally gone by week 14.
- I am so tired still! I cannot for the life of me keep my eyes open past 10:00 am and sneak a nap in every chance I get. I do get up early to run most mornings though 6:20 am...It's week 20 now and I still don't have the flood of energy back.

- I have broken out so much more on my face this time around :/

- We kept our good news to ourselves a lot longer and honestly nobody in Dallas still knows I'm pregnant except for friends I see regularly.

- My favorite treat; plain M&Ms haven't been touched since week 5-- peanut M&M's were enjoyable for a little bit, but sweets are just to sweet. Chocolate doesn't taste right and the thought of ice cream makes me want to gag. I still have sweet tooth but nothing sounds good so it gets passed over almost every craving.

 - I'm still running relatively "fast"- with Hazel my pace slowed down right away and there was nothing I could do about it. Right now I'm running between 7:15 and 8:45 minute miles, the longer the run the faster the miles get. its kinda strange.

 ^15 weeks^

^20 weeks^

We are so excited to finally announce to friends and family that we are expecting another baby in early January! 

I had a hunch I might be pregnant after moving into our new apartment in Dallas and being exhausted for days afterwards! I mean moving is a lot of work, especially going up two flights of stairs- but I was so wiped out for days I just knew something was different. I didn't say anything to Brice because we tend to both get a little overwhelmed with pregnancy announcements so I waited until Brice's birthday to take a pregnancy test. I figured if it was negative no big deal and if it was positive- then it'd be the perfect surprise! 

Well, he loved his "birthday present" and couldn't believe that I had kept my mouth shut about my suspicions. 

*I tend to blab my feelings and concerns fairly quickly since being married :)

So here we are already 20 weeks along and today we found out we're having a BOY!!!

I have put off writing this post because I'm sure a lot of people could care less what shape I am in now. I consider myself a pretty modest person in dress and attitude, but there's nothing like posting a picture of half your body on the internet to keep you motivated!

 I've had a lot of people ask me how to lose weight especially after pregnancy and childbirth so I thought I'd share a few helpful thoughts.
Before: I gained 24 pounds

1. Be Patient with yourself

Remember that being pregnant takes a toll on your body and it will take time and effort to see results after. Enjoy the time with your new baby and don't waste time thinking about losing weight at first. 

2.  Chug that Water!!!

I realize how lucky I am to have had an easy experience with breastfeeding. When you are nursing you have to drink a lot of water to keep your supply up. It's easy at the beginning because you get so thirsty when you sit down to feed your babe, but most days I drink 120 oz + of water. Stay away from soda and juices.

3. Avoid junk food and fast food

It takes time to meal plan, but avoiding restaurants and fast food can save you money and calories!

I have a sweet tooth, just like everyone else and I enjoy my M&M's just like everyone else in my family, but its about moderation. 

4. There's nothing like good ol' exercise

If you're reading this blog you know I love to run and teach Pilates. Being fit takes effort but it is so rewarding. The current recommendations for exercise are 60 minutes of cardio on most days of the week (5-6 times) and strength training (weights, resistance training, HIIT two to three times a week. 

5. Make the time

It is so easy to make excuses, even now that Hazel is 8 months old, but if you make a plan stick to it. I have a set, planned workout and run everyday and I do it. Sometimes it means waking up at 6:30 am and pumping so I can run before Hazel wakes up. Sometimes I don't get to run...Brice has to go to work early, Hazel sleeps in, or heaven forbid I sleep in :) But then I spend nap time doing P90X, Jillian Michaels videos, my own  Pilates workouts.

6. Get rid of the guilt.

I am a better wife, mother, and friend when I exercise-its not all about what you look like. At the beginning I felt very selfish when I would leave Hazel with Brice to go workout. But having the time to myself, to push myself physically and mentally does a lot more for my relationships than the time I'm missing from them. If you can make exercise a family affair- if you cant then push the guilt to the side and take care of your own health.

7. Set goals/Find your motivation

At the beginning my goal was to lose the extra pounds, but I do believe breastfeeding was the most efficient at that. Next my motivation came from wanting to get back in running shape. My last run when I was pregnant was 9 miles at a 9:05 pace. Great distance, but much much slower than where I was before. This last week I have been running 6:40-7:30 min miles and couldn't be more thrilled.

Later this week I'm going to share a few of my FAVORITE exercise, but for now figure out your motivation!

Before There was a Bun in the Oven:

Before I got pregnant I was running 55-65 miles a week, for a few months straight. It felt so good and liberating and was definitely the easiest way for me to relax from school responsibilities. Then I got pregnant and ran a half marathon. I beat my personal record and placed for my division. I walked away with a whopping $15 cash prize. It-running that is was  about the numbers: how fast, how many miles, and how often. 

Almost 6 months Pregnant:

I run 5-6 days a week still and am still running 40-45 miles a week, but a whole minute or 1:30 slower. But it turns out- I still LOVE running. I love the endorphin rush, I love feeling accomplished, and I love feeling strong and healthy instead of achy and tired. I also love that I eat whatever I want after a run, and just convince myself that the sweet babe wanted it. Like licorice. RedVines lately are just amazing. The point is, and this is more for me to admit out loud than anything else, is running can be just as wonderful and just as healthy without being consumed with the numbers. I run to be healthy and to feel confident. Not to be competitive, with myself or anyone else.

It turns out I love running, but it's not who I am. I run. I love running.

 Note to self: Remember running is a wonderful part of my life, but it is not my life- it is not the reason I live!

Baby News:

At my last doctors appointment I got to see so many parts of our little girl. All four chambers of the heart. Major blood vessels. Her stomach. Bladder. Kidneys. He cute nose. All ten fingers and all ten toes.

She weighs an entire pound.

Life lately seems a bit off. 

Brice has happily settled into his internship and being at home in Iowa again. As for me, I've been staying really busy with 7 credits of classes, teaching Pilates every other day, several group projects, and missing Brice. I'm so grateful to be running everyday still and teaching Pilates comfortably. It's weird to glance in the mirror though and see a belly sticking out! This week is my halfway point through pregnancy! The last few weeks have been more energetic, more restful, and less sick. Every once and awhile something makes me sick but I'm enjoying eating. I haven't really had many cravings, but anything salty is still on the list. 

That's not true- Cracked Black Pepper and Sea Salt Kettle Chips are hitting the spot, probably too often. 

I'm really looking forward to the next few weeks when the babe's 

little room will get put together and I can start sewing some bedding.

 I miss my husband a lot. It's hard to be apart but we're already at the half-way point. 31 more days babe! 

Here's my bump at 20 weeks!

It is so nice to share our exciting news with all of our friends and family! Baby Johnson is due October 1st. I've tried hard to write down little things so far during pregnancy but i figured the blog is probably the best. At 12 weeks we got to see our little babe for the first time. During the ultrasound our babe was moving around like crazy! Arms flaring, legs kicking, and it had the hiccups too! Brice couldn't believe that I couldn't feel all of that yet. The ultrasound tech so kindly reminded us that our baby measures only about 5 cm from crown to rump!

Pregnancy up to 14 weeks:

- Nauseous or throwing up, or if I'm lucky..BOTH!!

- In bed by 9 every night

-Brice has been pretty bored at night these days

- Pizza: my food of choice!

- Still running every day, just 7 miles instead of 10 miles a day

-Pilates is still going well

- Pants are tight already

- No baby bump yet but up 4 lbs
- We both feel like it's a boy...but we can't find out for a few more weeks!

Lastly, although taking anatomy and physiology at BYU have not been the easiest classes for me, it is so nice to be more informed and knowledgeable about everything that is going on with my body and the baby. We just hope he or she is developing healthy and we can't wait to see him/her again!

   For the past few weeks I've chosen to run mostly indoors at the gym or at the indoor track. For safety? yes. Because nobody can run with me? Sure. But lets be honest..Both of these locations have bathrooms close by for my every 3 mile pit-stop. So far this is the only thing affecting my running and I'm happy about that! 

    Well when I'm on a treadmill at the gym there's a T.V. in front of me and while usually there's nothing really entertaining on it usually helps to distract. 

This week I rediscovered the game show, The Price is Right!

 I remember being four or five and after seeing my older siblings off to school I would help my mom fold laundry (mostly match socks) and we would watch the Price is Right. I think it is such a classic show, everyone is so happy to be in the audience, if you get chosen to participate you can only win, and they give away brand new cars like they're burning holes in their pockets! I even cried two days in a row watching participants win! Pathetic but entirely enjoyable. 

  Drew Carey is doing a good job of holding down the fort. Plinko or Cliff Hangers game will always be my favorites. My bucket list now reads: 101. Be in the audience of the Price is Right. 

And lastly,

 "Don't forget to get your pets spayed or neutered."