Whoosh

Wow the saying "time flies" has never been more true for me. Despite what in some ways feels like neverending day/night blur, I can't get over how quickly the days pass! It has been 4 months since we had Ryder and sitting down with 2 hands to type a quick blog post is a luxury! 

In the past 4 months we have all began adapting to our new lives. Harley has gone from being depressed to really enjoying his 3 days a week at doggy day care. He also gets out with Ryder and I (and sometimes D) for walks. I am amazed at how well behaved he is when he walks with the stroller.

Darin has been working extremely hard to balance his work life, training for an Ironman, completing a continuing education course and of course being a fantastic hands on daddy to Ryder. I am the first to admit that him training for an Ironman this year may have been a mistake, but with only a week until the big race I am happy that he has been able to train hard and get into incredible shape for what will probably be his last long course race for the foreseeable future. I am so proud of his hard work and dedication. I am also really looking forward to having him home more so we can enjoy family time this summer.

Ryder is growing like a champ. The last time we weighed him a couple of weeks ago he was 15.5lbs. He wears 6-9month clothing and is growing out of his size one cloth diapers. I feel like every day I wake up and he has grown more! I am happy that he is such a healthy and happy boy (most of the time). He doesn't sleep through the night, but he does sleep better than he did. And he still has long naps most days which I really appreciate as that is my time to take care of myself and get things done around the house. He has no interest in toys or anything artificial that goes in his mouth- no soother, chew toys etc. And he's never had a bottle. The kid likes flesh best haha. He is really starting to be fun and funny. He has the best laugh, right from his toes. And he loves my goofiness :)
He is a super active boy already and loves bopping around in the jolly jumper.

As for me, I kind of feel like I've been a mom all my life. Or that this life only started when he was born...in any case I love being his mom. Nothing I have done in the past has held this kind of importance, nothing has been as satisfying, or as challenging.
I have been working out sporatically, but nothing I would call 'training'. I usually only have 30-45mins for a workout so I like to go hard and make it count. I stick to strength training and running on the treadmill primarily, although once D is done Ironman I'll be able to get out more and maybe dust off the bike and get back in the pool!
While it is true that pregnancy changes the body, I am pretty happy with how mine is bouncing back. I am not a spring chicken after all! Things are still shifting and I have more in some places and less in others than before, but I think all things considered I'm in pretty good shape for 4 months post baby.

Our holidays start next week and I can't wait to get out of this rain and head south to the heat! My pale white skin could really use some sun!!

Here we are!

Well, it has been exactly one month since little man made his entrance into the world. I haven't had the time to sit and post a blog, but here are some pictures of the day. It was as far from a 'natural' childbirth experience as it could have been unfortunately. I really wanted to do this the old fashioned way, but my

cervix wouldn't cooperate. In the end I am grateful for modern medicine that got our baby out healthy and safe. 

Ryder Darin Hunter, 7lbs 8oz of perfection! 

  Our family is complete! 

After begging to be released from recovery, I finally get time with my son

Recovery from a c-section is no joke, and add to that the 40ish hours of labor that preceeded it and you have one tired mamma. The first week and a half post partum was really really tough. Thankfully my mom was with us and she really helped.

Leaving the hospital

Daddy is in love

One week old! 

One month later and things are definitely better. We do have a baby that is quite vocal and demanding though. And he is only really happy when he is on his mamma. I spend almost 24hrs a day with him either on my boob or on my chest- thank god for the carriers! We have also slept together since night one, and while I never thought I would do it, with limited mobility after the surgery it was just easier.
And now we both sleep better and longer together. He will nap occasionally during the day in his crib which is great and I'm sure as he gets older that will improve.

We sleep like this every night

Cuddle Time with Daddy

Who knew I'd be a baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping mom? not me. The cloth diapers are a god send by the way. Disposables cause a nasty rash on his butt and tended to leak 3 out of 5 times. Since we switched his little bum is perfect again and we rarely have pee throughs.

I'd get nothing done without this wrap!

He loves it

I won't even get into post partum exercise for another 4 weeks, I don't plan to rush it as I really want my body to be 100% before I start. I will be starting from ground zero, that is for certain. I have almost no muscle left on my body!

In the end it is all worth it. I have never been happier or more fulfilled in my life. I can no longer imagine life without this little guy!

Getting more alert now

So peaceful and perfect

One month old today! 

Waiting

Well I sit here 38.5 weeks pregnant, just waiting for our boy to decide it is time to face the outside world. I am not great at waiting...in fact I pretty much suck at it. After nearly a year of being pregnant this last stretch seems to be dragging on FOREVER! It's like the last 5k of a marathon. You've come so far that the last stretch shouldn't be that big of a deal but the fatigue is deep and you wonder if you are going to make it to the finish line...

Of course I WILL get to the finish line of this pregnancy...and once I am there I will have what I am anticipating is the biggest physical and mental challenge of my life... labor and delivery. Strange as it sounds I am excited for that. It has been so long since I was able to train or race that I am actually craving the pain and suffering that is to come. I'm sure I'll eat my words once it starts...but for now I am just looking forward to the 'event'.

I'm also looking forward to all the things people are telling me to enjoy the absence of right now. The constant needs of a newborn, the night time feedings, the crying and lack of time for myself. I have waited a long time to become a mom and none of those things are unappealing to me. Again, I'm sure at some point I'll eat these words ;) As far as parenthood goes, we might speculate on what we think it will be like, but we really don't have a clue. All I know is we are a great team and will be able to handle the challenges as they come.

D has been the best husband through this pregnancy and I can't wait to see him as a dad. He has been so loving and nurturing to me through this all and I know he is going to be an amazing father. I can't put into words how much it means to have him tell me everyday how I'm doing a great job growing this baby, that I'm the most beautiful pregnant woman he's ever seen, and that he is proud of me.

At this point, beautiful isn't how I would describe myself. I go from pyjamas to sweats and one of a handful of oversized shirts that barely fit. I am swollen and the bags under my eyes grow deeper every week. Uninterrupted sleep is a thing of the past- and I guess the point is to get used to it! The night before last I got up a record 8 times to pee. And despite that I would rank it as a 'good' night's sleep since I didn't have to get up to eat or pace the floors for hours unable to get back to sleep.

Speaking of night eating, in almost 10 years of endurance sport training I never once had to get up in the middle of the night to quell a growling stomach. Yet through this pregnancy it has become a regular mealtime for me- ranging from 2am-4am. This is how I know I have D's son in my belly- his appetite is like his dad's already!

At our 36week growth scan we were told he is perfect and measures right on target for dates. At the time he was 6.2lbs which had him sitting at the 43 percentile. Now, 2 weeks later, he likely weighs around 7.5 pounds... another reason I am anxious to get this party started. I'm afraid of the possibility of another 2 pounds of growth!

They say lots of walking can trigger labor but I don't think it applies when you've been doing it through pregnancy. I've managed to exercise nearly every day- the last trimester only walking and swimming- so my body is actually dependant on it, rather than shocked by it. I did 5km on the treadmill and only managed two braxton hicks contractions... not impressive.

In any case, I can't force nature so I will continue to do a crappy job of waiting. At least I know what I am waiting for is worth every minute :)

Photo by Suzanne Sagmeister Photography