keeping my head above the water; 6 weeks; CSN

Kara is a crying baby and the last few weeks have been tough! She is sleeping 5-6 hours at night which is great, but during the day and in the evening when she is awake she cries the whole time. She's only chill when she's sleeping. It's been really rough and I have really little time to myself - only when their naps overlap.  I'm not sure if it is her stomach and the doctor said it wasn't colic. I've been trying to watch what I'm eating - probably everything I eat is causing her trouble? Veggies, beans, nuts... I could go nuts trying to avoid all of that so I haven't been.  Our first shopping trip - if they didn't have these car carts, I'm not sure how I would have done it?  Nick had a blast though!

Even in the morning, she'll be up at 6 and I try to run on the treadmill after I feed her and she's only happy being held. I let her cry for a bit and try to get in a mile or 1/2 mile then I feel too bad and have to pick her up.  Needless to say, with half marathon in about 4 weeks, I've only done a long run of 6 miles still.

 The 2 week challenge - I lasted about 5 days of having a shake in the morning and I do think it helped with my appetite and energy! Then it was kind of like me forgetting to eat or grabbing something on the way out the door.  The amazing grass flavors with water is do-able but I like them so much more mixed in a frozen smoothie.

Today Kara is 6 weeks old! I had my 6 week appointment and have 3 pounds to lose. I swear this was the same with Nick and then I started gaining weight. This time it might be different because I rarely have time to sit down. Hopefully those 3 and about 10-15 more will come off!

What did I buy with my gift card at CSN stores?

I bought popsicle molds which I am excited to try...... 

A halo swaddle for Kara
 

  ... 

The Bob dualie cupholder console

Some post it notes for scrapbooking




I kind of wish I did the waffle maker, but I might just buy a cheap one anyway. I think I'd use it on the weekends. I just have no space.  What I like about the site is they have tons of stuff and much of it has free shipping. What I don't like is the search box. I feel like there are way too many things that are found when you search for something that don't even relate to what you are searching for. Also, not everything has free shipping. I feel like it should be above a certain spending amount - it should be free. Like Amazon!

Amazing Grass 2 week challenge & Vanilla Chai Infusion Review

I've had the opportunity to try the Vanilla Chai Infusion Amazing Meal this week.  Teri Jo at Amazing Grass sent me a container to try and review. It is awesome!

First, I'll tell you that I have been using the Chocolate Superfood on a daily basis either w/ peanut butter as a little snack by itself or spread on bread or with protein ice cream to get in some veggies and fruit.  Today I used it with nutritional yeast and coconut oil on popcorn.    It was decent. I really like the taste of it actually!

Nick has been having the Kidz superfood mixed with his yogurt and he LOVES it. He'll also have it in a smoothie. I give it to him about every other day. And I bought the berry flavor but I have been using the chocolate much more. I need some ideas to use the berry flavor besides smoothies.

Now the vanilla chai is different than all the rest. It has a great spicy flavor. This one I mixed with peanut butter  and ate it with a spoon - very tasty! I also spread this mixture on bread.  I flavored my protein "ice cream" with Jay Robb vanilla protein powder for a smoothie. I highly recommend it!  Here is the protein ice cream - so tasty!  It is 16 ice cubes, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 scoop amazing grass, 1/2 tsp xanthan gum, and 1/2 tsp guar gum.  Vitamix!!  Delicious. Ice. Cream.

Next they have a 2 week challenge. The menu plan for this is fantastic. I feel like every menu plan I have looked at I could never follow but this has great ideas such as ezekial bread w/ peanut butter, spinach/egg delight - spianch, garlic,onion, spices sauteed in coconut oil + whipped eggs and feta, veggie stir fry w/ fish in a spelt or corn tortilla... just a few of them. I've been trying to follow it as much as possible and I love the ideas. I'll let you know how it goes in 2 weeks but I encourage you to check it out.  It's free! and everyday you get a lesson via email. I'm loving it.

I have been buying the Amazing Grass products through Amazon on subscribe and save - they offer discounts for subscribing and since I'm using them daily, it pays to subscribe!

This past week, I didn't run as much as I should have. I finished the week with 21 miles and change. I also meant to do 8 miles today and I just wasn't feeling it. With 1 month (less) to go till the half marathon, I really have to get in some longer runs - but it is major hard to find the time and motivation!

I was able to go to masters swimming yesterday and I'm already beating people, yay! It definitely made a difference that I swam till the end this time (and didn't run to the end). Last time I could run and have my speed pretty soon after and picked up the mileage quickly too - this time sometimes a 3 mile run seems like a marathon (but swimming feels awesome!) It much harder to get in the pool time wise than on the treadmill but I'm still striving for it in the mornings. Last night Kara (5+ weeks old) slept from 9:30 to 3:30! It was AWESOME!

First swim and speed

We haven't had internet for several days so I haven't been able to make a post or read other blogs. We just got it back.

SWIMMING!
Last Friday was my first swim - on my own, since I couldn't get up at 5am to attempt to join the master's team. I got in a half hour - all I could manage around feeding schedule and help with watching the kids - but it felt great! My dad watched the kids for me while I went to the Y.  I haven't been able to go back but I'm really hoping to start getting up early and making it to masters again.

RUNNING
This past Saturday I woke up full of energy. I think it helped that the windows were open and we woke up to a breeze coming in - so nice! I can't wait for this hot humid weather to pass. Anyway, before the kids were up, I went running outside- great weather here for that morning at least. I was able to do 4 miles in about 41 minutes - my speed is getting there! The next day I was feeling a little sore but had to get out. I took the dualie out w/ both kids and ran 3.85 miles in 50 minutes - holy moly that thing is heavy!! After Saturday's run, I knew I could run faster on the treadmill so I've been pumping up the speed and getting in some good runs. I'm back to about 10 minute miles - averaging a little less. This is so exciting!  This morning I got up early to run - naptime is so tough to motivate. I can't wait till I can get into a morning exercise routine again and have more time to myself during the day.

Baby Kara has been very fussy as of late and we think it is from gas. I was trying to limit some foods yesterday and it was tough - I avoided dairy yesterday and didn't know what to eat - ended up with lots of carbs. I eat beans and veggies all the time and maybe her stomach wasn't doing well with it. It's hard for a vegetarian to figure out what to eat though!  On Sunday she turned one month old:

I can't believe it has already been a month.  She eats every 3 hours and at night cries alot. I feed her around 7 or 8, and after alot of crying she goes to sleep for 4-5 hours. So her nice stretch is early on in the night but after what we have to do to get her to sleep, there's no way I'm waking her at 10 or 11 to feed her again. I think in time she'll get it and hopefully her stomach will feel better.

Last time I checked I had 5 lbs to lose - about 2 weeks after she was born. The same 5 lbs that I kept on with Nick until he was 9 months old. I'm hoping with the craziness of 2 kids I'll lose all that weight from both kids!

I'll be catching up on blogs in the next few days and be back into the commenting soon.

Not enough time in the day!

Thank you - all the posts of your relationships with your mom were super helpful and helped me to gain perspective as well.   It's something I need to do something about asap - been going on too long.

Nick likes giving the baby the paci, touching her feet,  and patting her (sometimes a little too hard).

 lil pooh bear:

Workouts
2 kids - a lil crazy!!!  There is very little time to myself. A few minutes here and there. Right now, I'm getting in my workouts when Nick is napping but if Kara is up, it's a major challenge! And there are about 100 other things I want to do when I have time to myself. I'll be happy when I have the energy to get up and workout before Nick is up.   I'm not there yet - Kara is getting up every 3 hours most nights to eat. I've been trying to go to bed early, but when Nick is asleep, I try to catch up on things.  I'm sure soon enough I'll come up with a plan and make it work. I think I am going to try to go swimming on Friday for the first time - 4 weeks + 1 day. Moms of 2 - do you workout in the am??

Eating
Trying to eat well - most of my eating is on the go and eating whatever Nick doesn't finish.  I'm trying to be vigilant so that I can lose this baby weight. I have jelly belly - I forget when that goes away but I was ready for that to happen yesterday!  I don't want to be one of those people who keeps on the baby weight and just keeps adding to it. Still have 'Nick weight' to lose and now 'Kara weight' too. Hopefully with all the running around it won't take too much work?

Things I've tried lately:
Healthy:
Tried some HEAB oats for breakfast for Nick this morning  -nice to have something done and ready to be served in the morning.
in fridge overnight:
1/2 c oats
1 c water
2 T chia

in morning added protein powder, pb and agave

Also tried and liked this recipe:
Bulgur Flat Bread

1/2 cup bulgur wheat
1 cup water

Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.

2 TBSP flax meal mixed with 2/3 cup warm water (set aside while you get the everything else together)
2 tsp yeast
1 cup oats
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup whole wheat flour

When the bulgar is done, blend it in the food processor for a minute. Now put everything else in there and blend for a few minutes. The dough will come together, but it is coarse since it is a whole grain dough. With wet hands, form it into a ball and place in a bowl sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place to rest for an hour.

To bake, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet and form into the shape you want.  I made 4 personal sizes. I baked them for 7 minutes, topped them and baked for another 15 minutes. I just baked the plain ones for 20 minutes.

Not so healthy:


Peanut butter cups

I used not only the graham crackers, but also crushed pretzels for a salty taste. And I skipped the 10x sugar all together and added agave to taste.

I've been eating alot of nut butter with amazing grass powder and agave in the morning, Luna Bars and whatever veggies I can get my hands on.

6 miles :), getting out, time suck

This is quick - first, the computer is my time suck. If I didn't have it, I might get alot more done! :) I haven't been commenting as often or reading blogs, but I try to catch up when I can.

The first 2 days this week we've made it out! It's been pretty good. Yesterday the morning was a bit of a disaster - Nick fell down the steps for the first time... he's ok!  But it was all uphill from there.  Above Nick helping push the stroller around this morning.  I love the boy so much, he melts my heart!

I got in 6 miles, my longest run yet - today! It took an hour and 4 minutes on the dot. I think I can do the half marathon in about 8 weeks under 2 hours - that's my goal. Keep on running!  Any suggestions for building my speed back up? So far, I'm just trying to run longer and stay on my feet longer so that I am ready for the 1/2, but I'm still huffing and puffing as far as speed goes.  Yesterday when we went out, the stores weren't open yet so I ran w/ the double jogger around the huge parking lot of the strip mall I was at for about 15 minutes.  I love the dualie!!

And last, a waffle maker? I have a gift card to redeem with CSN stores and I can't decide what to get.  Waffles would be fun - but just another appliance? 

your opinions: coconut oil vs butter, doctor gift,

Coconut oil versus butter - what do you use and what do you think is better for us? Butter - cholesterol. Coconut oil - high saturated fat.  What are your thoughts?

I want to send my doctor something for 2 relatively easy deliveries and little tearing - she was awesome and delivered both of my babies.  With Nick I had a minor tear but was up and running quickly. This delivery was insane and I had no tearing, and I think that she did a great job getting the babies out!  She has 1 year old twins.  I was thinking some kind of healthy food basket but I don't know if she eats healthy. Also, something cute for her kids.  What do you think is appropriate or would be a nice gift?

Wish me luck - tomorrow will be my first day alone with the 2 kids!  Last night was much much better and Kara slept a 4 hour then 3.5 hour stretch. Nice!! :)  She's on schedule today so far, and has been sleeping in between. It's a whole new day! The kids this morning: