Shelburne Farms

Shelburne Farms is my favorite place in Vermont. The farmbarn, the restaurant, the inn, the trails, the unbelievably beautiful grounds... it's all good. I enjoyed the last of my time off this week with a trip to the farm with Adam, Jack and Alice.

We had a couple of firsts, too. Alice's first tractor ride and Jack's first time milking a cow.

63 Days

You know, just pumping some iron

Two months old. I was about to say that I can't believe she's already two months old, but I can believe it. It's hard to remember life without her around now, it seems like she's always been here.

How big is Alice?
She had her two month appointment yesterday and she looks great. Immunizations were administered, and we survived, and like always, were worse on mom than the baby. She weighs 11 pounds 5 ounces and is 24 inches long. When Jack was two months old he weighed 16 pounds and was 26 inches long. Holy size difference.

What's she up to?
Smiling is her favorite. When she flashes me that gummy smile I just melt inside. She has the sweetest, calmest personality (just like her namesake). She's starting to become very interested in everything that's going on around her, and especially loves watching Jack.

Sleeping?
She's starting to fall into more of a routine when it comes to sleep, using having about three longer naps during the day (and maybe a cat nap or two thrown in) and then sleeping longer at night. She usually goes to bed around 9 and gets up to eat around 3 and then goes back to sleep for a couple hours. But every day is different, sometimes she's up during the night much earlier (midnight) and more often (three or four times).

How is Jack doing?
Big Brother Jack is so sweet with Alice. He'll usually go about his business, being a crazy busy almost-three-year-old and then will stop and try to play with Alice. He keeps saying that he wants to play with her and whenever we do something, he says "Alice, too." He gets a little overzealous sometimes and often has to reminded to be gentle. He wants to help so it works well giving him small tasks, like going to get her a diaper or putting dirty clothes in the hamper.

And he loves to read to her.

How am I doing?
I am doing well. After a rough couple of weeks I am feeling so much better. I was feeling pretty down this past month and wasn't feeling like myself at all. Every day I'm feeling more and more like myself and it feels great. I love being a mom, and I couldn't imagine things any other way, but I need to remember that I was me first before I was mom. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed but now I'm at the point where I think, I can do this! I feel like we're settling into more of a routine as a family of four which is making day-to-day life smoother and leaves more room for fun. I'm going back to work in two weeks so there are definitely changes on the horizon.

On Running and Still Summer

The weather in Vermont has been unbelievable. This probably means we're going to have an awfully snowy winter. We've been enjoying these days and took full advantage yesterday by going to the beach after I picked Jack up at school.

My redneck child in his diaper in the lake

We ran into Jack's best bud and cousin, Connor. Connor went in the lake, so Jack had to follow suit.

.....

I haven't been talking about running lately because, well, I haven't been running. Jack passed his germs onto me last week and while he got better, I didn't. It turned into a sinus infection and now that I'm on antibiotics I hope to feel better soon. And run again soon.

Happy

Vermont Garden Park

This morning we went for a walk on some paths about a mile from our home in South Burlington. We've walked the trails (and snowshoed them in the winter) many times before but this was the first time this summer. We went a few weeks ago but Jack flipped out because he could hear bugs (crickets) and wouldn't enter the woods. He had a mini meltdown at the trail head today but once we coaxed him in he loved it.

We walked to the Vermont Garden Park where we played in the gardens, a tepee and a tree house.

It was a cool, overcast, windy morning but perfect for exploring.

Patience

Two weeks ago we started potty training Jack. I brought him to J.C. Penney and let him pick out the tackiest new underwear he could find. He picked Thomas the Train. We came home, I put them on him and then he used the toilet. This would be the only time he successfully went to the bathroom over the course of the next few days. I don't know what I thought, but I didn't think it would be so challenging.. or messy.

Now, two weeks later, he's doing much better. Patience. Things take time. I have a tendency to be completely impatient. I don't like waiting and sometimes (a lot of the time) I expect things to happen now. I'm trying to practice more patience. Especially with myself. I can't get so down on myself because I don't look that way I think I should right now. It will take time and I need to be okay with that. I think I am.

Miles To Come

There was one item that helped me fall into love with running after I had Jack, and at the same time fostered a special bond between Jack and I: our jogging stroller. I purchased it out of necessity, most times it was the only way I could get out for a run. I grew to love running with Jack, and he seemed to love it back. We shared so many conversations (well, he was a late talker so he mostly listened) over countless miles over two years. I grew a stronger runner than I ever thought possible thanks to pushing it.

When we found out number two was coming along, I knew I'd need a double, but I did not want to give up the single. As silly as it sounds, I had grown so attached to this stroller and the memories that went along with it. We ran in the sun, snow or rain. We ran along the lake and by the coast in Maine.

After one of our first runs together

Our first race together- ran with GMR!

A chilly winter run

Playing at the waterfront after a beautiful run on the bikepath

We even went for bike rides

Taking a bike break with Grandma

We rode our bike to a bar :)

While hunkered down during Irene, he wanted to go for a run

Back from one of our first runs with Alice (in my belly)

I bit the bullet and sold it. I even cried a little (really).

He insisted on riding in it when we were going to meet the woman who bought it

Then we bit the bullet and bought a double, and I'm so glad we did.

I can't wait for all the miles the three (maybe four- I'm trying to convince Adam he wants to run) of us will share together!

4 Miler

Yesterday I had the luxury of going for a run by myself, and this time I was able to complete the run by running two miles, walking a quarter, running one mile, walking a quarter then running the rest. I am pretty happy about this. It's hard not to get discouraged when I used to be able to run this same route in 38 minutes, and now it takes me almost 50, but I'm trying to stay positive. With each run, my muscles feel a little bit stronger and my breathing a little more under control, which I'm thankful for.

One of the toughest obstacles I'm facing right now, whether it's related to running or day-to-day life, is this new physical body. Things are different. My running clothes are all too tight, I have to double up on jog bras and it seems like every square inch of my body jiggles with every step I take. I know I just had a healthy baby and that's all that matters, but it's hard to feel good about myself leaving the house almost eight weeks postpartum still in maternity clothes or clothes three sizes bigger than I was in before I was pregnant. I'm hoping that by continuing to get out there and run, my confidence will get the boost it needs.