Snow Galore!

It snowed a little on Friday night; then a little more on Saturday and on Sunday we woke up to quite a bit of snow and it then proceeded to continue to fall all day, so by the time we went to bed it was really deep. I was so glad Al was working from home on Monday as it was total chaos with buses and trains. Then yesterday afternoon the snow started again and the snow we have woken to this morning is just amazing. Thank God Al's boss emailed him to tell him just to work form home for the next few days! I have to admit it is just lovely having him here in the morning before 9am and after 5pm. He was super kind and let me out for a run at lunch time too which was fantastic to get out in the daylight and the snow. It makes such a difference and it is so nice for Al to see so much more of Murray.


Our Back Garden

I took Murray out for a walk around the village in the sling this afternoon as he had been inside all day and I think it is really important he gets fresh air everyday. He screamed blue murder at getting all his clothes on but once we were out seemed quite happy.

We had to take a wee trip up to Crieff yesterday and when we drove home Murray had fallen asleep all bundled up in his snow suit and I just could resist taking a photo or two. Call me biased if you like but ... sooooo cute!

Exercise + Feeling Blue

After such a great week, last week was not great. I think I pushed myself a bit hard running with my friend and so my rehabilitation took a bit of a knock. V frustrating and I actually felt a little depressed about it to be honest. I guess beforehand you just cannot know what the after effects of a complicated labour can be. I know really that I'm actually very lucky as things could have been a lot worse, but it was all a bit brutal none the less. I think I was so frustrated as I've been so diligent in taking things steady and not pushing too hard and I just felt like I'm never going to have my body back to full throttle. It didn't help of course that I also found a lump in my breast last week, so to be honest I just felt like a bit of a wreck. I've been referred to PRI for scans etc. I'm sure it's an after effect of breast feeding but until I know for sure it just sits there on your mind. I wasn't sure if I was going to blog about this or not, but someone in my running club has been really open about a lump she found (been given the all clear thank goodness) but her honesty reminded me to phone the doc straight away and if my honesty can do the same for some one else then that can only be a good thing. That goes for any post labour problems. I'm so glad that 1) I have 2 friends that are physios so I could ask for advice straight away and 2) I asked to be referred back to doc and physio straight away because I'm petty sure that if I hadn't, I wouldn't be as far along as I am. I sometimes feel that so many women are able to get straight back on the horse, so to speak, and are back to full on training so quickly which is so great for them, but I wonder how many other women feel a bit blue that 5 months down the road they still feel a bit broken - so if my honesty helps others to know they are not the only one then - great! I'm feeling a lot better after a good few days of rest; a trip to the doc to ensure I hadn't done any damage and a gentle run in the snow today with no problems. It'll also serve as a good reminder for me in the future if we are ever blessed with another baby.

Anyhoo we are off to Belfast (snow permitting) on Thursday to see Al's parents. We are looking forward to it and I know they can't wait to see the wee dude.

Flat Tyres Galore!

This week has been the week of flat tyres. On Monday I had a flat front wheel on the buggy while I pushed Murray around Gleneagles golf course so Al fixed it for me so I could run with the buggy on the Tuesday. Then on Wednesday I drove up to my baby Massage class and when I got there I realised I had a flat (how it didn't blow on the 30 minute motorway drive I have no idea - phew) and then today I had another buggy flat - left back - so pushing Murray around the shops was made even harder than normal - MY GOD - tres annoying!


Exercise


so far, so good:
Mon:60 min spin + 3 mile walk with buggy ~ 9 miles
Tue: 20 min pilates + 5 mile run with buggy
Wed: 30mins pilates
Thur: 60min spin ~ 6 miles
Fri: 6 mile hill run with mate Liz - phew, tough! + 10 mins Pilates
Total so far: 26 miles + 60 mins pilates

I'm swopping my usual Sat for Sun as I'm tired and sore from today and want things to settle again. If I feel like it I will try to do some pilates too - that all depends on if I'm no longer sore; if I am, then I will rest.


Murray's First Certificate

Murray and I completed our baby massage class this week. It was such a good class. Jenni, our instructor, was excellent and I found it a really enjoyable 1.5 hours to unwind and enjoy a really special time with Murray.

Swimming

Al and I took Murray swimming last Saturday, but unfortunately went at kids' hour and he hated it as it was so noisy. He really startles at noises so it was no surprise really. I did feel like an awful mummy! On Monday I met my mum at her club in the morning and I tried again. He wasn't crying this time - just back to the non plussed look he demonstrated in Aviemore! I'm hoping he will graduate to enjoyment at some point!


Bouncy Chair


We tried Murray in one of his door hanging bouncy chairs (we've kindly been donated 3) today. He seemed to quite enjoy it. Al and I found it hilarious as the ties were a bit twisted when we first put him in so he did a mega spiral spin and his face was priceless - I so wished we had had a camera on him at the time! It is a great device as it has a wee tray that you can put toys on - I can see this being invaluable. I'm going to use the other 2 upstairs so I have something with which to entertain him when I'm doing housework upstairs. Thanks everyone!

Exercise Schedule + Avent Bottles

24 Miles

Mon: 4 mile hike w/ buggy
Tue: 60 min Spin - 30km ~ 6 miles
Wed: 30 min Pilates
Thurs: 6 mile run w/ buggy
Fri: 60 mins Pilates
Sat: 5 mile club run
Sun: 3 mile walk/hike

It's been a funny week. Murray used to be like clockwork sleeping to the same time every morning, but this past week he's woken at different times every morning. On Thursday it was 7.45am!!!! Now while I'm not complaining about getting 2 hours extra sleep it is throwing schedules off all over the place - I knew writing down that flipping schedule would come back to bite me!!! LOL! It would be so good if I knew he was going to sleep till then because I could then get up before him and do a spin, but never mind. Actually it was quite good on Thurs as I fed him and then went straight out for a run with him in the buggy as it was already light enough whereas it hasn't been possible to do that when he wakes at 5.30/5.45am. I think now that I know I can run with the buggy I might use that option more as it can be kind of stressful trying to get in my spin, hoping he'll sleep long enough after first feed to do so, that is if he doesn't 'sleep in' and then not want to go down at all - understandably.

I think I'm going to follow the following plan loosely:

3-6 miles EASY - good to do as a run with buggy.
4-6 miles TEMPO - well faster w/out buggy until feeling strong enough to cope with sustained hard effort
45 - 60 mins XT (Spin or gym)
5-6 miles EASY  w/ 6 x 30sec faster - again could be done with buggy.
6-10 miles EASY (for NOV I'm sticking to 6 miles as max distance for a run and depending on how I feel maybe start to lengthen that run in DEC)

I'd like to do at least 2 x 60 mins pilates session but it may be best to just aim for 120 mins over the whole week as I can often get in 10 mins here or there.

This results in 26 - 34 miles. I like there being a range as it allows for flexibility which lets face it with a babba is definitely the name of the game!


Saturday Club Run


My run on Saturday, while tough, felt almost normal for the first time post Murray. I felt like I could get into a rhythm and power on a bit. It was great running with other folk and pushing a little up the hills. Yeah!

Avent Bottles


A few weeks ago we took Murray to the doc due to his vomiting. She wasn't much help to be honest (or maybe she was) but she did suggest trying different bottles, so from yesterday we have been using Avent bottles. I don't know if it is going to stop the vomiting - we'll see, but he certainly seems to be able to take it down a lot easier - 10 mins as opposed to 20+ and his wind is coming up too. The added bonus is he is taking a decent amount as well - last week I was struggling to get more than 4oz in before he would start thrashing around - that included his first feed when he hadn't eaten for 12 hours!!!!!! I think he couldn't latch on properly (well it never was his strong suit) and so was taking in a lot of air. I don't want to jinx things, but here's hoping it does help because his feeds have really been getting me down. So far today he's glugged down his milk quite the thing, burped and then been quite happy apart from his teething pain compared to thrashing and arching his back to get away from the bottle even at the start of a feed unless he's been really hungry, but definitely after 3 or 4oz and then of course on top of that it could all be thrown up! Like I say; fingers crossed.

Here's to a new week.

First Run With Buggy + Al's B'Day.

Yesterday I went for my first run with the Buggy. It was HARD work, but I quite enjoyed it. MY shoulders, obliques and intercostal muscles all hurt today - it is a SERIOUS wokout!

It wasn't a great week for exercise again last week, but considering I was getting over a cold it was just fine:

Tues: 60 mins Pilates
Wed: 60 mins Pilates + 60 min gym workout (equiv to 6 mile run)
Fri: 30 min Pilates focusing on Abs
Sat: 5.5 mile Run (10k route)
Sun: 6 mile road run with buggy (Phew!)


A Social Life!

Al, Murray and I went to one of my baby mum friends's house (Lynsey) for mulled wine on Saturday evening. Another mum (Claire) from that baby group (our babies were born within 7 days and 2 of them on the same day) and her hubby and baby were there too. We then walked along to the fireworks display. The other 2 babies were asleep but Murray was awake. I was a bit worried he might freak out, but he stared at all the lights with big bug eyes and seemed to quite enjoy them! We didn't get home until 9pm and Murray was knackered but he settled well none the less so we were glad we did it.

Last night Al and I went out for our first meal out together since the 1st of July. We went out to celebrate Al's birthday. It was really nice to celebrate properly this year as last year I was in the throws on 1st trimester hell and was sick as a dog and cream crackered. I'm pretty sure I was flat on my back heaving at the thought of eating anything and was in bed by about 8pm!!!!! Poor Al sat supping a beer on his own!!!! Needless to say this year was a bit better! We went to a restaurant called Yann's that serves really classic French food from the Haute Savoie region and it was lovely.


Walk on the West Highland Way 

Today was lovely. I got up and did first feed and let Al sleep in. We then had a relaxing breaky and 'open presents'. The weather was awful but we thought we'd head up North and have lunch at the Drovers' Inn which is next to the West Highland Way. We had a lovely lunch and then as the rain had eased enough we headed out for a walk on the way with Murray in the buggy. We had to stop when the path deteriorated too much and got too steep, but I think we probably had about a 4 mile walk never the less. We got back to Inn in perfect time to feed Murray and just as the rain really started again. The views were amazing as it had snowed on the tops of the mountains so it was all very atmospheric.

About to walk off Lunch - Gorgeous Waterfall (Grey Mares Tail) in background coming down mountains we hiked last year when I was preggers and didn't know and so just thought I had suddenly become an unfit puffer!

Al, Buggy and Rapids

Snowy Peaks!

Murray's all smiles to be back in the warm!

Murray's 'Schedule', head control + 8 min mile

I was reading L'il Runners blog today and she had noted down Kara's schedule and it occurred to me it would be a good thing to record what Murray is doing now to look back on.

Murray's usual day at 18 weeks:

Awake from 5 - 6am (If awake at 5 we let him sing to himself until Al's alarm goes off at 5.45am - If he cries we go get him, but sometimes he drops back off to sleep if he wakes at 5)

First Feed - 6/6.30am by time changed him and made up bottles

Depending on how long it has taken to feed him - when he's thrown up an entire bottle and needs to be fully changed and re-fed we can be up for a while - he goes back down for a nap. He used to go down for a good 2-3 hours to next feed, but now it is just about an hour and it can take him a while to drop off (10 - 15 mins) but If I keep him up he just gets really tired and is really cranky all day.

Second Feed - 9/ 9.30 or if I have a class at 10 eg baby Massage I go to class early and feed him 9.45/10am - I do his bottle with an extra oz of water to feed e.g: 7oz water, 6 scoops of feed to prevent him from becoming constipated. I do second feed as first is often really weird - actually second can be weird too, actually every feed now I come to think of it, but it seems easier to cope with at 9 rather than 6am and I like him to take as much as poss. Feeding is definitely not Murray's strong point!

11am ish (can be half 10 if awake earlier or 11.30 if slept longer) desperate for a nap - Rock him in cradle to help. At home sleeps 45mins - 1 hour. If out can sleep in car seat quite well unless stirring and something wakes him but can usually get 30mins. Swing him in car seat - Have Biceps of steel!!!!!

Lunch feed 12.30ish

2pmish - Nap - see above although he can often nap in his buggy when out for a walk too. I rock him in the cradle only during the day as he is used to the motion when out and about. I don't rock at night or first thing so he knows how to settle himself. If he's tired he REALLY cries so if we're out and about I HAVE to swing him or everyone's ear drums would be burst!

3.30ish - mid afternoon feed

4.45 /5pm - Baby Massage. 

5 - 6pm - Dedicated Murray play time From 5.30 - 6pm this can be all about keeping him as happy as poss as he is getting tired!!!

6pm Bath time

6.20pm ish - Night time feed

6.45pm ish Sleep.

I had written this and then Murray woke up after about 40 mins! Started to feed at 8.50 as he was really gurning for it; only took half his feed; gurned while I tried to do some jobs and finally at half 10 took the rest of his feed. He then went for a sleep at 11.30. He woke at 12 but resettled and is still asleep now - 1pm!!!! The long sleep is unusual but the weird feeds are quite frequent! So when I say schedule.... it is more a rough framework!

Feeling a lot better + Progress

I woke up on Monday feeling 100% better. I still have a bit of a scratchy throat but don't feel absolutely wrecked! I didn't go to Yoga on Monday as it is quite stressful getting up to Perth for 10am when I'm on form let alone after a cold. Plus I was still a bit headachy and the thought of lots of crying babies did not fill me with joy! We went and visited Nanna and Grandcha instead which was lovely. It suddenly occurred to me that I was a baby in that house and there was my baby in the house - ah the circle of life!

I did Pilates on Tues and felt good - infact I was able to progress and do some of my harder DVD which was great (full body workout and stretch). Al was working from home on Wed so I had help in the morning so was able to do Pilates again - did the leg workout from the harder DVD too. I also tried the abs one, but it is still too hard - that tummy gets a real pounding during pregnancy - I guess I was seriously fit to burst so poor wee Abs were well and truly split. They are lying pretty much together again Claire M and Emi so don't panic - I've been checking them every step of the way!

Gym + Creche

I joined the gym at the weekend. There are 3 reasons for this 1) A really wet weather option, 2) Use of the creche and 3) We can take Murray swimming in a nice warm baby pool. It was weird though because as soon as I started thinking about leaving him there I found it quite hard but I need to do it as it is getting harder and harder to get exercise in the morning and to be honest if I had to spin more than 2 times per week I think I would lose the plot altogether. 

There are a few benefits to putting Murray in creche: 1) I should hopefully be able to meet up and run with my running friends which will be fab as at the mo it is impossible to coincide with them unless it's a weekend and I really miss that part of my life. I'm running with my friend Liz on Sat and I'm really looking forward to it. 

2) Exercise will hopefully become my stress relief/ enjoyment again. On days when my parents have looked after Murray it is a mad dash to get Murray fed before they arrive and hope he doesn't need a sleep as he really cries plus it is difficult for them to carry him upstairs. If I left the buggy he'd prob go to sleep in there but not for as long so he gets cranky. It is all very dependent on a good day and I just end up feeling a bit wound up which kind of defeats the purpose of it!

We will go and see it at the weekend so we feel comfortable - we were going to last weekend but stupid cold kind of got in the way!

Anyhooo as Al was working from home yesterday I nipped out at 5pm to try out the gym and It was really good. I went on the treadmill for the last 15  mins. 3 of them were walking cool down but the running I did was 1 min intervals going up from 10km/h to 12.5 km/hour (2mins) and back down. 12.5k/h is about 8 min miles so I was quite chuffed especially after a cold. It didn't feel too hideously uncomfortable either, but I'm not sure how long I could hold it for!
I felt quite tired this morning when I woke up so I will definitely rest today and poss tomorrow as I really want to feel fit enough to run with Liz on Sat and I also want to totally throw this stupid cold.

Gurning + Look how I can lift my head!

Murray has developed a gurn. I'm not sure if it is the cold or teething but there are days when I can hardly put him down without him gurning away. It is exhausting!!!!! I hope I'm not over interacting with him. He used to be very good at mat time and I could get on with things but the past 2 weeks have been pretty tough going! Maybe he's a bit bored of the toys on the mat. He does like his leapfrog table. I think it has helped his head control and he can now lift his head so much better when he's on his front - Mummy's very proud!

I like my new bug - well for approximately 5 mins!