Looking to the New Year and new possibilities...

Since I've been focusing on my postpartum plan with my current lack of activity I was excited when Tricia Minnick posted a cool picture of an electric run on her face book page.  What made me even more excited is when I looked at their locations.  Yes, there is 1 in Portland in August!!!  No date posted yet, but here's a picture from their website:

http://electricrun.com/about/

Kids under 7 get to participate for free and it is after dark! I've totally decided I want to do this with my daughter!  Who else is on board?  Is there a location near you? Even though I will most likely be walking in this, it is still motivation to focus on fitness!

Pregnancy fitness

Ok, so I haven't been talking much about how I'm doing sticking to my workouts lately.  And, quite frankly, there hasn't been much working out.  I'm finding if I don't get my workouts in during my hubby's workday then I don't get them in at all.  I was doing them when he came home from work in the evenings, but now that I'm carrying around a soccer ball in my belly, I'm finding my energy level isn't very high in the evenings.

And, during our 2nd move in 5 months, I was focusing on packing and unpacking which was all I had energy for.  Right when I thought I was gaining energy to get back into my workouts my current cold hit.  My hubby had it first and he fights off colds no problem so I thought, "Maybe this cold won't be so bad."  This cold got a 2nd wind and now I have a cough along with the congestion. Once this cough is gone I plan on getting back into my workouts.

However, I do remind myself that pregnancy is temporary so I don't get down about my workouts.  Working out is something I love and truly helps me have a better outlook on life.  Instead of focusing on how it's difficult to get my workouts in right now, I'm starting to focus on my game plan for post partum.  This has helped tremendously.

First, I plan on making an extra meal per week to put in the freezer until my little guy arrives.  This week I made some spaghetti sauce(which will end up being more than 1 meal, woohoo!!!).  In talking with my hubby, we are hoping to have 20 meals in the freezer that we will use on weekdays.  My hubby will be home to help on the weekends for 1 of us to be able to cook. Plus, friends and family have offered to help with food so I'm not too concerned about it at the moment.

I'm really looking forward to getting back on my bike, just gotta figure out where to set it up in the apartment. I was only halfway joking when I told a friend I might set it up in my closet...

But it would take up most of the closet if I did put it in there.

I would love to put it on the balcony, but I'm pretty sure that is against the apartment policy. So, at some point I'm sure I'll have a creative moment and figure that one out.  For now, I need to start organizing baby clothes!

Just writing...

We went to Applebee's the other night.  When leaving I told my hubby it was nice to be at a place that was somewhat "familiar" because we would go to the nearest Applebee's every now and then before we moved.  But then, it triggered something in me and I pretty much burst into tears.  I said, "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea because I'm now reminded more than ever how much I miss everything in Pullman."

Today I woke up missing all that was familiar in my life in Pullman.  I missed my house(our 1st house as a married couple), my friends, church and the beginning of the snow season that created such fun memories. I know my hubby feels the same because he actually said something along the lines about not minding shoveling snow again.  I never thought I'd hear him utter those words.

And, instead of pushing down my feelings, I realize I need to let myself grieve the loss I'm feeling.  It is a loss.  A loss I feel deeply as if someone has taken away a piece of me I can't get back.  In my heart I know it was time to move on, but that doesn't change what I feel. And yet, just writing those words has been healing for me.

I know God brought us here for a reason.  I also have to remind myself we've moved 2 times in the last 5 months and I'm still getting settled into this apartment.  Along with the fact that we are preparing for the arrival of child #2.  My daughter misses her friends and is trying to comprehend what it will be like to have a baby brother.  And, the list could go on and on...

At the same time I think about all the transition we are going through, I also realize we are doing well getting established.  We found a church home quickly and  are making friends.  I found a great bible study I'm enjoying and my daughter loves too! Family is nearby.  My hubby has a good job.  God is providing all our needs. I have a lot to be thankful for and joyful about!

 soursce: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com

My daughter...

HAD to have a heart shaped sandwich today:

I bet we'll be doing that from now on with all her sandwiches!

Belly pic

My pre-schooler is loving taking pictures.  Whether it's using my phone or camera she wants to take real pictures she can see right away.  I also like to include her in any way I can, especially when it comes to her baby brother.  Today I was texting a friend in Pullman and she asked for a current pregnant belly picture.  We were waiting in line at the post office and I asked Beth to take a quick picture with my phone.  She didn't have a lot of space to move back and neither did I.  So, here's the current picture:

And, since my personal camera has been dropped 1 too many times, my girl will soon be the recipient of a vtech kid camera that can be dropped and won't break.

While I'm at it I also finished knitting a hat for our little guy when he arrives in January:

My daughter is getting more and more excited to meet her brother!  She now has a list of things she wants to do with him:  read him books, teach him to roll over, teach him to write and many other things.  And, she does know that some of those things won't happen right away, but she's excited and has been very helpful with my growing belly getting in the way. For example:  when we were at the post office I put the package on the floor since we were waiting in line.  She took it upon herself to push the box forward for me as we moved forward.  I didn't even ask for her help. Such a sweet 4 1/2 year old!