It has been super great to get back to solid daily exercise.  It has been about two weeks now, and I feel awesome.

But the most exciting part of my day is Reed.  It is amazing how much love and joy he brings to us.  I get excited every time I go to pick him up, in the morning, from a nap, from someone else, when I come back from a run or the pool...  He has started to smile and "talk" to us, he really a little social man, loves to chat while he gets his diaper changed, and I love it too! 

For the most part, we have been really lucky so far, he is a great sleeper.  I have always had good chunks of time at night and feel refreshed and so able to get lots done in a day.  For the last 3 weeks he has only been waking up once in the middle of the night, around 3am.  But yesterday we had our final midwife check-up and she suggested to try and skip this feeding by giving him his soother to get him back to sleep.  Since he quite big (13lbs11oz) and hearty, he can start stretching out his feeds.  And it worked like a charm!  So he actually went from 11pm to 5am sleeping with no feeds! 

So I am very lucky, he seemed to get the night versus day very early on. 

Colin and I have been good at organizing our days so we can both get a chance to do some exercise.  He is doing ironman Canada this summer, so I know it's important for him to put the time in.  I have been able to swim, bike or run everyday, and some days even getting in two workouts!  I spend a lot of time in my workout gear, either ready to go when he happens to fall asleep or after coming home, I have to wait again until I can get a chance to shower and change.  I do sympathize with moms who aren't as lucky as I am, having a husband home 6 out of 8 days.  I do find his day shifts harder, when it's just me, and the night shifts are even tougher, as nighttime is definitely Reed's most fussy time.  I do also have grandmas who have come and helped me out.  I think it's really good for Reed to spend time with other people who love him, so he doesn't get too hooked on me to soothe him. 

I have most enjoyed swimming.  It is amazing how fast I felt without having a huge sail on my belly dragging my down!  I am super glad I kept swimming right up to the end, it has certainly made me feel strong.  Getting back on the bike has beem good, very humbling, but fun.  Fun, because Colin has been getting me set up with his powertap, and we have dome initial tests of my wattage (which told me I was at a "new rider" level - what!!?).  I have never used power and heart rate before, so it's fun.  Also very motivating knowing that we will test again in 3 weeks.  I have never been so focused riding the trainer in my life.  It makes sense, I don't have a lot of time, so I have to get on and get the work done fast!  Been doing all high quality, not a lot of time, never on the trainer for more than an hour.  Running has been the least wonderful...  just slogging along, so far I've gone as long as 40min, I will just keep it to easy running for 10 weeks so I can my legs used to it.  I know it probably won't feel good for months still but I am sure it will.

So eventhough I do get to get out for about an hour a day, the rest of the day, I'm on.  And it can feel overwhelming.  I get how moms who are sleep deprived, with fluctuating hormones, at home alone with brand new babies, can get depressed, and even get crazy.  Five minutes with a crying baby feels like an eternity!  I couldn't imagine what life would be like with a colicky baby, a nightmare!  Or twins!  Yikes!  Moms do need an hour or two a day to pursue their own interests, it makes them better moms.

So I've been finding it so much fun (minus my moments of feeling overwhelmed, or cranky).  Having Reed has made life more intense, with love and excitement and has made time more precious, with organizing and prioritizing.  I just love it!

Pearl, ever vigilant over Reed!