Motivated

Today, I finally weighed myself for the first time since being pregnant. Ya, I know, Eli is 5 weeks old now, so what was the hold up? Well, we don't own a scale, so it just didn't happen. I wish I would've weighed myself right after he was born, just because I am curious how much weight I lost on that one day. But, otherwise, I was more focused on taking care of my little man, and it was just kind of a matter of curiosity.

Anyway, my weight was close to what I thought it would be! I've already lost more than two thirds of what I gained (about 30 pounds) while pregnant. And that has all been through nursing and walking, which I've been able to do pretty consistently. It probably helps that it has been crazy humid around here (shocking).

I have my 6-week postpartum check-up next week and after that, I should be cleared to do normal exercise. Toward the end of my pregnancy, I started thinking a lot about how I would get back in shape and I am going to start the Couch to 5K program. Basically, this program takes you from being a "couch potato" to running a 5K in 6 weeks. It's all about cycling between walking and running to build up your endurance. And it's only 3 workouts a week, which I think is somewhat realistic with a newborn.

I've never been a runner, and I obviously haven't done a lot of strenuous exercise in a long time (I stayed active with yoga, walking and water aerobics during my pregnancy) so I think this program is perfect for me. I'm still thinking about whether or not I am going to sign up for a 5K as a goal for the end of this program. It probably won't be right at the end of the 6 weeks, primarily because of logistics with Eli & Nick's training schedule. But we'll see.

I'm getting really excited about it all though! I downloaded a great running app on my phone and found a podcast of Christian music that tells you when to switch between walking and running. Now I just have to work on getting my booty out of bed in the morning before it gets ridiculously hot...and, maybe running with a stroller (once I'm cleared to run, of course). If I'm really crazy, I might even try running with a dog!

Obviously, I'm starting to feel more "normal". We changed Eli's schedule a little bit, and the last couple days were a little rough. But last night & today were pretty good and I'm starting to feel like my old, not sleep deprived self, ha ha. I guess that's where all this motivation has come from! I'll definitely try to update on my new workout, once I start it, so that I stay accountable.

One Month Old!

So I am a few days late with this, but Eli is one month old as of Sunday!

Trying to eat his hand

He looks really excited

Peeking over his sign

I totally can't believe it has already been a month since he was born! But I guess time flies when your life is in 3-4 hour increments of eating, sleeping and changing diapers. I can't deny that my sleep has taken precedence over blogging, since we're still in the process of getting on a good schedule.

Other than keeping his mommy awake at night sometimes (it's a good thing he's cute!), Eli is doing great! He has been more awake and content during the day and enjoys cooing and focusing on our faces, especially when we talk or sing. We are lucky enough to get a smile or a laugh on occasion too, although we're not sure how deliberate they always are. His Nonnie (Nick's mom) got a REALLY big smile from him during her visit though. He's also enjoying tummy time more and more and is a champ at holding his head up, as a result.

Showing off his skills

My big, strong boy

Nick starting taking one of the night feedings (which was the best idea EVER), so Eli will gladly take a bottle of milk. He also really enjoys bath time...until we take him out. It seems like he's growing longer mostly (he's almost too long for some of his PJs), although he's getting some little fat rolls here and there.

Somehow, he appears to be getting cuter by the second, although I don't know how that's possible. He is getting a whole bunch more personality though, probably due to the fact that he's awake more. It's hard because I want him to slow down with this whole aging thing and be a cute little bean forever (he loves to be all curled up), but I'm also excited for all the new things he will start doing as he gets bigger.

Happy 1 month baby boy!

Baby Explosion

Oh my goodness, it's like a baby bomb has gone off in my house! It's amazing how much stuff you have to have for a baby. I think we have officially outgrown our house, which makes it very good news that we'll only be here another 4-5 months. I absolutely can't wait to really make a room for Eli and actually have a place for everything.

The majority of the babyness is obviously consolidated to Eli's room- although he doesn't sleep in there yet, so really it's mostly a baby stuff storage area at the moment, as well as a place to change him. It's a little more homey than it was before, but there's only so much we can do with such a small room. And, like I said, we'll be moving anyway. We recently got our wonderful, amazing glider and that made the room reach capacity:

Glider, crib (full of stuff), full laundry basket


Changing table/dresser, diaper pail, various baby stuff

But, it's also definitely overflowing into the rest of the house. There is baby stuff everywhere!!!

Taking over our dining room:

Car seat & stroller

And our living room:

Boppy, swing and playmat

And our teeny, tiny bathroom:

Bathtub

And then, of course, there are the pacifiers and burp cloths in every room (because you can't be caught without one of those!), the bottles on the drying rack & the overflowing diaper bag. It's amazing how a 7ish pound child can take over completely!

Having a Newborn

Hallelujah, my internet is working again! It was totally out for the past 4 days. Annoying!

Add to that having a newborn, and there is very little time for blogging. It's amazing what happens when your life runs on 2-3 hour blocks between feedings. It's a miracle if I get anything productive done all day. Although I'd say snuggles and naps can be pretty productive!

But ya, nothing all that exciting going on other than trying to get into a routine. Thankfully, Eli's jaundice is completely gone, which means we don't have to go to the doctor until his 2 month checkup! It's a good thing we live so close because I feel like we were there every other day to get his levels checked. He is gaining weight like a champ (should be about 7 pounds now), and is an awesome sleeper. I usually have to wake him up to sleep, although he has his fussy moments, usually when I realllllly want to sleep, ha ha. He's also started taking a bottle once a day, which is nice because Nick can feed him & I get a little break.

My parents were able to come out and visit for about a week and were so incredibly helpful. I don't think my house has ever been so clean! And they got lots of pictures of and with Eli. I think they like him just a little bit! Nick's family is coming out in a couple weeks and we're so excited for them to meet the little man.

Eli also had his first trip to church, appropriately, on Mother's Day. He did awesome and slept the majority of the service. It was a great Mother's Day though with webcamming with family, doughnuts for breakfast, and a nice long nap.

We're still trying to figure out who the little man looks more like. Most people say he has his daddy's eyes, and looks like me. Here's a newborn picture of me compared to one of Eli:

Courtney (left) and Eli (right)

What do you think? My parents actually sent a picture of my sister when she was a newborn & the resemblance is uncanny! I'll have to get a picture of Nick as a newborn too.

I'll try to get on here again soon and put some more pictures up of my little stinkbug -he got that nickname after pooping repeatedly in his diaper right after we change him!