C25K Mom?

I really, really want to start C25K, but I'm TERRIFIED.

I was never a runner. At my healthiest (just before getting pregnant), I had plenty of endurance (stair climbers, ellipticals, etc.) - but never had the courage to try and run. I always thought that running was for "real" athletes. I was strong and healthy, but I saw people who ran as being waaay above my league.

So now, after a couple of weeks of getting back on the wagon, I feel like I could be ready. I'm just worried that I'll either fail miserably, or ... die trying.

If I try this, I will be doing it while pushing a 30lb jogging stroller carrying a 25lb toddler. I'm already planning on hitting easier terrain (flat ones), but still ... me, still out of shape, pushing all that weight while trying to jog ... it just sounds like I'm asking for trouble.

I'm sure many, many moms have been in this situation and have gotten through it successfully. I know I'm not alone, but you know? Sometimes, it doesn't matter how much company you keep (or how supportive they are), because in the end, it's all up to me to give it my best shot.

Tomorrow I will try to build up enough cojones to start this. We shall see.

This New Schedule Could Work!

New Schedule
7 A.M. Wake up
8 A.M. Breakfast
9 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. Playtime, errands
11:30 A.M. Lunch
12:30 P.M. Nap
2 P.M. - 5 P.M. Playtime, errands
5:30 P.M. Dinner
6:30 P.M. Bath
7:30 P.M. Bedtime

Swimming

Today was Ethan's first day of Parent & Me swimming lessons. It was a short lesson, but it seemed to be enough for him since it was his very first time in a real swimming pool. There was only one other child there, who was about Ethan's age, so the lesson felt very private and individualized. We covered things like getting their chin and cheeks in the water, having water poured over their heads, supporting them on their backs, and a quick underwater dunk.

The best part is the current price: there's a one-time registration fee of $25 for the first month, then $10 each following month. The classes are normally once a week, but Coach Dave mentioned today that we can drop by the other Parent & Me classes during the week.

I'm excited for Ethan to learn how swim (considering I can barely do it myself), and am looking forward to his future lessons.

Motherhood

I still firmly believe that some women are meant to be (great) mothers. I am not one of them.

I have gotten through the hump of post-partum depression. During that time, when I would tell my inconsolable infant son that he would be better off with a different mother, I doubted my ability as a parent. These days, it’s not so much about my parenting skills, but my insufficient reserves of patience.

My kid is active. VERY active. If, in a few years, his pediatrician mentions testing for ADHD, I would not be surprised. In fact, I can already see a future of many visits to the Principal’s office and warning notes from his teachers. It’s not that I don’t love him - I adore him to bits - but I am so far the opposite end of his hyperactivity that it often overwhelms me.

So again, it’s not that I doubt my ability as a parent; I think I’m doing a pretty good job, actually. It’s just that I’m not convinced this is “what I’ve been waiting for all my life.”

Tracy Joy

I'm eyeing a black Reese bag from Tracy Joy. She's closing up her bag business for now, so what stock she has left is on sale. My only complaint right now is that her stock of inserts (for the front panel) are limited to mostly girly/flowery fabrics - and I'm not a fan of such prints. I think she said they will continue to produce the inserts and flaps for their bags, so if I decide to get a bag now, I guess I can hope for a nicer insert sometime later.

Portraits

I've never been a big fan of traditional portraits. For our wedding, I made sure we found photographers that truly understood this concept and were able to take beautiful candid shots.

My son is now almost a year and a half, and I never thought about having him sit for portraits. We have tons of photos that we've taken of him, but pretty much all have been candid shots. Just as with our wedding photos, I wanted to keep memories "real" - that is, that my son is normally crazy, messy, excitable, rambunctious, hyperactive, and goofy. Sitting still with props around him would be totally out of the ordinary. (Not to mention, probably impossible to accomplish.)

Then, I came across a friend's link for the photographer they used to shoot their daughter's one-year-old "cake smash" photos. I looked at her site and portfolio, and honestly, I started thinking of reasons to book a session, even going as far as convincing myself that there doesn't have to be a reason to take nice photos of my son!

I love that her work seems so casual and natural. Her studio set-ups are clean and simple, and her on-site shots are simply gorgeous. Seriously, I want to go and book her now!