Oh, this is MY body!

Today I went to the gym for the first time post-pregancy. Thankfully a friend of ours volunteered to watch the Bean for 45 minutes while I hit the law school gym. Many things ran through my head while on the treadmill. Here is a selection in no particular order:

*Oh wow I need a different sports bra. This one that has been holding the big girls up while hanging out around the house is NOT gonna do it for running. I miss the little girls. I hope they come back some day.

*Holy crap. This running business is difficult. Wait, nothing is harder than birthing a baby. I can do this!

*Well, I CAN do this, but I don't HAVE to do this. I HAD to birth the Bean.

*Hey, my legs are moving and my arms are swinging. I'm not carrying a baby. This is just all me working here. This feels great!

Most of all it felt great to have my body all to myself for a few minutes. So much of being pregnant and nursing is about being a vehicle for what your baby needs. It was a breath of fresh air to return to something that was about my body working for me. Don't get me wrong, I certainly love being able to give the Bean what she needs; I also love a 45 minute break from it.

Baby aside, I have a lot of work to do in the running department. It wasn't quite as bad as when I first started to run. Although it might be, but now I know what my body is capable of and I know that this lack of fitness is only temporary. It is actually pretty exciting to be at ground zero again and have to work my way back up. I probably won't be running a marathon anytime soon, but there is certainly a 5k with my name all over it!

(Finishing a half-marathon in May 2009)

Ready for my close up

I've always been one to get out of bed and out the door pretty quickly while looking nicely put together (if you disagree, keep it to yourself). Being a new parent, however has made me adjust my standard level of "readiness" for the day. The look is directly related to the night before. Let me break this down for you:

"Wow, you just had a baby?! You don't look it. Good for you!"

This is the gold standard, pre-baby look. My hair is blow dried, my bangs sweep to the side. Face moisturizer has been applied. There is a touch of mascara, blush, and lip gloss, the perfect amount really. My contacts are fresh and in my eyes. I have even managed a spritz of perfume. I am wearing pre-pregancy clothes from head to toe. I am wearing pearls. I am one HOT MOM. You should know right now that this has occurred once, maybe twice in the last five weeks.

"Hey, you look nice. Not tired at all."

Hair is blow dried, bangs off forehead with one strategically placed bobby pin. Mascara? Check! I've got my glasses on. Cute jeans, cami, cardigan. Deodorant has been applied.

"How are you feeling? Look at how cute your baby is." (note the diversion to the baby)

My hair will just have to air-dry. If I add a couple of clips it will be decent. Glasses. Maternity jeans. They just go on so easily... hooray for the secret fit expand-o belly waist! Cami, Grandma Nita's comfy sweater (hey, chunky sweaters are in season, right?). I look okay without makeup, right? "Honey, have you seen my glasses?" Oh, here they are on my face.

"Ma'am, you need some help." (Actually said to me by a stranger yesterday while on a walk with the stroller and dog)

Hair is totally wet and is being held off of my face with 4 clips placed at random and a rubber band. Where the hell are my glasses?! Sweats, old race T-shirt (I was a runner once). Did I brush my teeth?

I like to think I hover between the second and third level. If you happen to see me in the last look, don't worry. I know. There is no need to be a good friend and tell me. Yesterday I caught my reflection in the window and thought I looked like a homeless person. By 10pm I was covered in breast milk, spit-up, snot, tears, and dog saliva. Yesterday was not one of my better days. But it is on those of days when the Bean is cuter than ever and my heart melts when I look down at her. Totally worth it.

Online Shopping

I never thought I would be an online shopper. In fact, I would not say that I am now, however...

Yesterday I was introduced to zulily.com which has amazing sales on wonderful baby, kid, mom stuff. Brands and things that I didn't even know existed. It has only been one day, but I think I will become addicted! They have new sales everyday which is brilliant marketing on their part. I now have no choice but to go look every day!

The first thing I purchased today was a MUST. Our inspiration for the Bean's nursery is A Midsummer Night's Dream. So what did I find at zulily today? The perfect picture! It is even called Midsummer Night's Dream. Did I mention that the nursery is green and lavender? It's like this picture was made for Bean. I couldn't exactly pass that one up, right? AND it was only $14.99 (originally $30.00).

Then I decided to buy one FuzziBunz cloth diaper. Yes, just one. I thought I could try it out without committing to the whole process. This deal: $11.99, regularly $17.00.

Online shopping takes an incredible amount of self control. I have every intension of just window shopping. We'll see how that goes.