Marathon Training Week 2

Last week I posted my schedule for the first week of my 16-week marathon training schedule. If nothing else, blogging about my schedule at least made me feel slightly more guilty for the miles I...errrr...didn't run. Actually, I feel like I'm off to a pretty good start. I ran 33 miles total, but didn't run on Saturday (my scheduled long run). I could have fit it into my day if I'd gotten up at o-dark-thirty aka 5:00 in the morning, but by Saturday, I was tired. Who am I kidding? I'm always tired.

Last Tuesday was my second-child's third birthday. I'm actually really sad to say goodbye to her 2's. I would enjoy having a two-year old in the family for the rest of my life if he or she were as great as this 2-year old girl was. I have a feeling, however, that the 3's are going to be a whole new experience with this one. My sweet-angelic-obedient-perfect child is slowly turning into miss-independent-with-attitude-so-don't-mess-with-me-cuz-I'm-a-big-3-year-old girl. Yikes! My ever-present lack of planning led us on an impromptu trip to Build-A-Bear for the birthday celebration. We were feeling pretty brilliant as we drove home with two happy new-bear-creator-kids (and a bear-less-happy-baby...I love the ignorance phase before they realize how unfair life is!) The older two went to bed with their bears tucked away snug in their "homes." The un-planned birthday was a success, the kids were asleep, life was happy.

Until 2 am. I heard whispers. I saw lights. I walked into the bedroom and found two kids WIDE AWAKE playing with their new creations. I yelled. They got back in bed and the lights went back off. Then the baby woke up. I soothed her. She went back to sleep. The house was quiet. Until there were whispers again. And lights. And bears. The husband yelled. I threatened throwing the new bears away from my room. The husband got back in bed. We laughed. By 3:30 am, everyone was finally asleep. Until 6 am when the whispers started again. Lights were on, the bears were awake. We decided that they'd waited long enough to play with their new creations, so up we were.

Seven months of not sleeping through the night really starts to wear on a girl. But the baby is actually the easy one to get back to sleep. When the other two are thrown into the mix, I'm on the verge of becoming Monster Mom any second. Exhaustion and long runs are actually counter-productive in my mind (or at least that's how I justify skipping a run or two)! So this week, I'm hoping for more sleep, and longer runs. I also hope to make it outside a time or two...running 12-miles on the treadmill wasn't my favorite. I'm all for running outside in the cold, but it has to be at least in the 30's. I'm a California girl, not a fan of cold blustery weather. (And not a fan of the winter process of getting the kids out the door! Summer is so much easier...they can put on their own sandals, we don't need coats, we're out in 5 seconds. Winter-time feels like a 30-minute process just to get out the door and into the freezing car!) Hooray for the early-predicted Spring thanks to Punxsutawney Phil!

I'm excited about this week's schedule...if you're following along, here it is:

MONDAY: INTERVAL--8 to 11 miles, 1-mile-2-mile-1-mile at slightly slower than 10K effort, 4 and 7 minutes recovery

TUESDAY: Distance--5 to 8 miles

WEDNESDAY: Tempo run--6 to 8 miles (running 15-minutes mid-run at marathon tempo)

THURSDAY: Distance-- 4 to 6 miles

FRIDAY: Distance--4 to 6 miles

SATURDAY: Long Distance--14 to 16 miles, steady, easy-paced

Happy running! What are your fitness plans for the week?

How the St. George marathon became the weekend that changed our lives forever

I'm pretty sure it's been at least 6 months since I last posted. There's NO WAY October 1st was only a month and a half ago. Remember me? Yes...I am alive. Yes...my husband survived his 10th marathon. And no, I had no idea that the St. George marathon this year would be the beginning of my family's life changing forever. NO IDEA. Get ready, because I'm going to get a lot more personal here on FitMePink than I ever thought I would. Ready? Here goes.

My big sister is my hero. She always has been. And now I know FOR SURE that she always will be. I spent my years growing up copying her every move. Everything she did was cool. Everything she wore was cool. She wasn't ever thrilled to share her clothes with me, but I had to practically beg her to wear something of mine, because if she ever wanted to wear my clothes? Then I had truly entered the world of coolness that every little sister dreams of achieving. Recently, my sister inspired me to become a certified Zumba instructor. Since she was so passionate about Zumba, I knew I had to do it. I left my baby home all day for the first time to attend the certification class. Totally worth it! My sister is a leader, my sister knows who she is, and is true to herself in all she does. She's definitely not the type to run a marathon just because everyone else is doing it (I'm totally that type!) She's an amazing mom, an amazing wife, an amazing sister, daughter, and friend.

I know we all have trials, but I don't think many of us will experience a trial quite like the one she's going through right now.

It all started last April. She was pregnant, expecting her fourth baby in October. Her husband, who'd lost his job a few years back, was finishing school. He graduated, and had seemingly plenty of time to secure a job before the birth of their baby boy. Several times, he was sure he had something promising, only to have it fall through yet again. Finally in July, he was offered a new position. The downside? It would require 8 weeks of training in Chicago. The date he would begin training was pushed back again and again, until he was told he wouldn't be starting until the end of September. A little disappointed, they figured that at least he could be home for the baby's induction on October 7th for one of his weekend trips home (promised every two weeks during training). And at least she had Zumba to look forward to...teaching 8 classes a week does wonders for a missing-your-husband state of mind.

With no husband, she was relieved that we would be visiting for the St. George marathon. Early Saturday morning, we left her with two of our kids, and her three, and headed down for the race. My husband hadn't trained, and we really should have just stayed home to spare him the pains that result from lack of training. But having spent the entry fee, he couldn't stand the thought of not actually running the 26.2 miles, so in Southern Utah we were. We got back to my sister's house late Saturday afternoon, and decided to spend the night, and hang out with her on Sunday before driving home.

Sunday morning, the contractions began with some spotting. She came out of the bathroom in tears, not wanting to be in labor with her husband so far away. We hung around all day, not sure we could leave her even though she assured me it was nothing. She figured she was just having contractions, and that they would just go away. Sending us home was a sign to the universe that this baby could not come two weeks early. At 6 pm we left, and I texted her to make sure she was okay. She wasn't. She'd just had two big contractions, so we turned around, I nursed my baby, and left my husband in charge of 6 kids as we headed to the hospital. Her baby was born two hours after we got there. It was a miracle to witness. I will never forget watching my strong sister give birth to this beautiful, precious, purple bundle. I will never forget cutting his umbilical chord. I loved all 5 lbs. 13 oz. of that little Jack as if he were my own. And I will never forget the hours, days, and weeks that followed.

Soon after birth, exhausted, and husband-less, the doctor came in to tell my sister that there was a slight chance the baby could have Down Syndrome. "Don't worry about it, it's probably nothing," he said. I watched her face, watched the doctor, wanted to kick him out of the room in a not-so-loving manner for tearing my sister's already upside down world into more broken pieces. We cried all night long. A few days later, her husband caught an early flight home, and relieved that the worst was over, we drove home with our three kids, including my amazing little baby who survived once again without her mama.

Before the hubby flew back to Chicago, my mom arrived to take over from Tennessee. Phew...the worst part is over, we thought. The baby's here. He has Down Syndrome. He was born into an amazing, loving family. They'll be okay. And then the throwing up began. "It's totally normal," the doctor said. "Just feed him some formula to help weigh it down." "Hmmmm... 4 lbs. 10 oz. I'm not too concerned yet. Let's re-weigh him in a few days." Finally, the waiting for answers had to stop. They were going to the emergency room whether the doctor liked it or not.

Two weeks after his birth, I was at the hospital again. This time, I was waiting at Primary Children's hospital for my sister's ambulance to arrive with her sweet baby. Severely dehydrated, he'd had zero nutrition in his tiny body for two weeks. I have no doubt that faith, prayers, fasting and blessings kept him alive when a doctor didn't. Diagnosed with duodenal atresia (apparently very common in babies with Down Syndrome...should've been one of the first things they tested for), he had to undergo surgery for the blockage in his intestines, but not until he was well enough. So three weeks ago, he had his first surgery. And this morning, they found another blockage and performed another.

My sister is my hero. Her family has been spread throughout the country. Her husband in Chicago, her kids with her in-laws in Southern Utah, and her at Primary Children's hospital because the only thing she can offer her sick (but recovering!) baby is her love, her swaddling arms, and her prayers.

Last night I sat in the hospital cafeteria with her as she talked to her kids on the phone, sang the "Transformers, more than meets the eye..." song to her 4-year old, listened as her 6-year old sang his made-up song to her, and as her 8-year old said their "family prayer." Today I watched her sit, exhausted in the waiting room while her now 6 lb. baby underwent another surgery. I saw her talk to her husband, and tell him the good news that the surgery went well, and saw her breathe a sigh of relief as she realized that his 8 weeks of training will be over in two days!

As I've watched my sister over these past weeks, I've realized how shallow my life has been. Every day I've woken up, worried about whether or not I can fit in an hour of exercise. I've been nearly devastated as I've driven to the gym without the chest strap of my heart rate monitor, for crying out loud. I've felt sorry for myself when my husband has had to stay late at work until, oh, 8:00 at night. So tonight, I sit here grateful beyond words for the birth of my sweet nephew. He has taught me more in the short 6 weeks of his life than I ever could have learned in a lifetime without him. I've learned that prayers really are answered. I've learned that my family is the most important and treasured of all my posessions. I've learned that the most important thing I can do is to nurture and cultivate my relationships with my loved ones, because tragic things happen every day. They need to know I love them. I've learned that a lot of people love me and would do anything for me. I've learned (again) that my husband is amazing...he's totally stepped up in the childcare department when I've completely dropped the ball to help my sister. I've learned that there really is a God in Heaven who is keenly aware of even the tiniest of babies. Through his tender mercies, we were in St. George at the right time so my sister wouldn't have to deliver her baby alone. I've learned that good things don't happen by coincidence. And I've learned that my sister is still my hero.

I think one day I'll look back and wonder when my life changed forever. I'd say it was the day Baby Jack was born. Welcome to our family, sweet baby. Hopefully soon we'll get to welcome him home where his family can all be together again. When that day comes, maybe I'll start thinking about training for the marathon I signed up for in May, or actually teaching the Zumba I was certified to teach. But until then, as I've said before, exercise IS important...but some things are more important!

Happy Mother's Day with some pregnancy woes

What is it about being pregnant that makes a woman super approachable? I don't know if it's just me, but seriously EVERY stranger I meet feels completely free to comment on my ever-expanding belly. I'm always asked when I'm due, and when I say "not until June 22nd," eyes start bulging. Yes...I realize that my tummy doesn't look like it could possibly get any bigger, but trust me...it will.

Last week while visiting my sister and family, I went to a few of her Zumba classes. (Best Zumba instructor, ever!) Before going, I made the comment that I was going to look a bit ridiculous shaking my booty with my ginormous front side. My dad said, "You just think everyone's watching you, but they're not." I said, "Normally, I'd agree with you. But when you're 8-months pregnant in a Zumba class, everyone really is watching you." I was right. I went to two back-to-back classes with my cute (also pregnant...just not showing yet) sister, and after each one, several people came up to me to offer their thoughts and advice. "Are you trying to go into labor?" "You really should probably slow down a bit." "When are you due?" "I was watching you during class thinking...that girl's baby is going to pop right out!"

Is it really so odd to see a pregnant girl working out? Dancing and hip shaking...maybe so. But it's not just Zumba. While lifting weights last week, a man stopped and asked me all sorts of questions about whether I felt the baby moving while I worked out, whether my exercise was "doctor prescribed," and whether I thought it was "safe." After a Spin class, a funny lady asked when I was due, then exclaimed "Are you sure there's only one in there? Because I just kept thinking 'That girl's about to have her baby!'" Today in church, a teenage girl saw me and a friend (who's scheduled to have a C-Section in two weeks), and yelled, "When are you guys due, because you both look like you're about to pop!" Watch out, everybody, my belly's about to explode!

Yes, my friends. I have been blessed with a short torso, so there's really nowhere for the baby to go but OUT. I'm just praying that all of the you're about to pop comments aren't predictions of anything soon to come. I've never actually gone into labor before (I even drank castor oil with my first), and this pregnancy is the first time that I really don't want to...until my actual due date! Here's why:

1. I'm terrified of having THREE kids.
2. I handle pregnancy a lot better than I handle the newborn-sleep-deprived-engorged-with-milk-out-to-my-elbows stage.
3. My husband is running the Wasatch Back (a 2-day, 180-mile relay race) two days before my due date.
4. My mother-in-law (AKA babysitter) along with several other family members are also running the race. If I go into labor, the kids are coming with me...crap!
5. We don't have a name.
6. Every other reason in the book that having a baby in June just isn't convenient for selfish-me!

So maybe I should stop Zumba-ing, Spinning, and Lifting. But before I have a baby, my workouts always seem to get more intense. Not because I'm trying to make any body changes, but because I know post-baby workouts are much harder to come by. I'm taking advantage!

And as anti-baby as I sound, I really am actually looking forward to holding my sweet little girl next month. As hard as newborns are, there's nothing like having a piece of heaven in your arms. A piece of heaven that grows all too quickly! One of my favorite quotes on motherhood (thanks to my friend, Evelyn) is this:

Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body. -Elizabeth Stone

My belly is ever-expanding, and my heart is about to split into three. Being a mom is the hardest thing I've ever done. Carrying a child is the rudest thing I've ever done to my body. But I thank my Heavenly Father EVERY DAY that he's loaned me these precious children. I can't imagine my life any other way.

So am I offended by those who take it upon themselves to analyze the shape and size of my body? Not at all (or at least not much)! A miracle is occurring inside of me, and as much as I want to have my old body back, I'm trying to enjoy every last minute of this pregnancy. I get to bring a real person into this world. I am blessed, and I can't wait to meet her!

How much exercise do your kids get every day?

Oh, hi there. You still here? Whenever I go for longer than a week without blogging, I start to hear a little nagging voice in the back of my head. I'm not sure why I feel obligated to keep writing, but I do. For you bloggers out there, why do you blog? Is it because you feel a responsibility to your readers? Is it because you are one of those lucky bloggers that actually makes money blogging? Is it because it helps you have a voice? Is it because of the amazing people you get to "meet" that you wouldn't get to learn from otherwise? For me, it's many of those things (minus the money), but it's also therapeutic...especially during the seemingly endless winter months. But dare I say it? SPRING IS ACTUALLY HERE! So I've been (as MizFit likes to say) LIVING not BLOGGING.

A few weeks ago, I watched my friends' two cute kids while she and her hubby celebrated her 30th birthday on a trip to New York. (I keep dropping hints to my DH that my 30th is coming up in August...having a newborn baby sure puts a damper on the celebration. There will be no trips to New York...I guess I'll just stay 29 this year). Anyway, for the first time this year, the weather was FINALLY warm! I literally could not be happier about the sunshine. I didn't realize how spoiled I was growing up in California--where we could spend time in the sun all year long--until I moved back to Utah. And actually, living in Utah as a college student is MUCH different than living in Utah as a stay-at-home mom.

I love the change of seasons, but let's be honest...once Christmas is over, I'm ready to get outside! Parenting is so much easier when you have the great outdoors to entertain the wee ones. A few weeks ago, I was feeling like the worst parent in the world. I was tired of entertaining, listening to whining, and really had to use all of my self control not to sit my kids in front of the TV all day to pass the time.

But spring is actually here! I never thought I'd be able to say that! While my friends' kiddos were here, we spent all day outside. We walked to the park (about a 3-mile round trip trek) every day. I pushed the 2-year olds in the jogging stroller while the 4-year olds walked. We got to the park, they ran for a few hours, then walked home complaining of tired legs. But they all slept like champs, and I have a nice farmers' tan to prove the sun is actually shining! (I also got to enjoy some nice comments on my ever-expanding belly. While running around with my little boy and his soccer ball, I was asked if I'm trying to make myself go into labor. Thanks...but no...I still have two months left! I know...shocking. And no, I'm not having twins!)

As a fitness-minded mom, it's really hard for me to figure out how to get in the recommended hour each day of physical activity for my kids during the cold winter months. I drop them off at the kids' club at the gym, fully expecting them to play on the little indoor playground, and come back only to find them watching the movie instead. We go to Costco (always a workout for me), and I think they'll be good little listeners so I can let them walk, but after darting in front of one grumpy-old-man's-cart too many, I'm forced to use the seatbelts instead. We go outside to build a snowman, only to come inside minutes later for a potty break, and decide it's too much work to bundle back up. Getting little kids to exercise in the winter is not easy. But warm weather is here, and I'm going to take advantage!

So if you need me, I'll be sitting lazily in the front yard reading a book, and chatting with neighbor friends while the kids run like mad until their hair is sweaty, their cheeks are rosy, their tummies are hungry, and their mouths are thirsty.

Spring is a blessing for all, but at this point in my life, I'd like to think it's a special blessing just for ME! Some Vitamin D is definitely what the doctor ordered for this mama. And after months of beating myself up for not finding better ways to keep my kids moving, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. It's not a work-out; it's a play-out. What could be more fun than that?

How do you keep your kids moving? And how are you living not blogging these days?

Breakfast Anyone?

I'm not telling any of you anything you don't already know when I say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! You've all heard the quote, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper." I love this quote, and I love breakfast. I think it would be MUCH easier to live-like-a-king-in-the-morning if life in the AM could slow down just a bit. Who has the same time available before rushing out the door in the mornings to make breakfast that we may (or may not) have in the evening? Our mornings are packed with getting kids ready for school, ourselves and husbands ready for work, morning workouts, etc. My almost-2-year-old is seriously starving the instant she wakes up in the morning, so if breakfast can't be on her plate in 2.5 seconds, we're all in for a rough morning.

However, if my kids don't get a good breakfast, we're not only in for a rough morning, we're in for a rough day! As much as they (and don't we all) love them, sugary cereals are not an okay breakfast option. The havoc wreaked on their blood sugar first thing in the morning leaves us all in a state of hysteria for the rest of the day.

I do, however, love cereal. A few months ago, when I was still in first-trimester-of-pregnancy hades, I had to stay in bed while my husband fed the kids breakfast. If we didn't have any cereal, they wouldn't get fed, and I'd end up getting out of bed to the sounds of their screams. They were hungry, and ornery. The trick was finding breakfast cereals that are full of healthful attributes, are low in sugar, have no saturated or trans fat, are full of whole grains, and most importantly...still taste great!

If you feel guilty for providing nothing-but-cereal for breakfast, don't! Cereal has lots of benefits! If you're a ready-to-eat cereal eater, you probably consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than a non-cereal eater? Cereals contain important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. So actually, cereal is a guilt-free top source of key nutrients in children´s diets!

Shopping for cereal, however, is no easy task...especially with kids in tow! The only boxes they want to buy are the boxes that may as well be full of little cookies. Dessert for breakfast? No way! Maybe my kids are missing out on "fun" breakfast traditions like donuts and cookie-cereal, but my life is much easier because I simply don't provide these options in the morning.

A few weeks ago, I received an email with information from General Mills through MyBlogSpark. They offered me coupons for four free boxes of cereal. Anyone who knows my husband knows that this family loves freebies! (He was once the Showcase Winner on The Price is Right to name one of many instances...) I jumped at the chance to score some free cereal, and was even more excited when I read about the changes General Mills is making in the cereal world!

General Mills recently announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain. Yay!

Eating a good breakfast is important for ALL of us, but several studies have shown the benefits especially for kids, including the following:

• Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children´s diets.
• Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child´s diet today.
• More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.
• Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

For more information about kids and cereals from General Mills, please visit the Cereal Health and Wellness page.

Find a cereal that works for you! A few years ago, my in-law-extended-family had a reunion. Everyone was supposed to bring a box of cereal to share. I brought one of my favorites which my husband's aunt tasted. After taking a bite, she exclaimed, "This tastes like cardboard!" So yes, one person's perfect whole-grain cereal with less sugar is another person's bowl of sawdust. If you're one who prefers breakfast cereals that come in lots of colors and artificial flavors, then you might have to choose between taste and nutrition. But if you like a cereal with natural flavors from toasted whole grains, and maybe some nuts and dried fruit, you'll have many healthful cereals to choose from. And according to General Mills, tasty cereal's about to get healthier! I can't wait! Also, if you click here, you can score a coupon for $1 off some cereal! Enjoy!

And just in case I didn't make it clear, General Mills provided me with the free product, information, and gift pack through MyBlogSpark.

What did you eat for breakfast?

The TENTH Day of Fitness...teaching your kids to love exercise!

On the TENTH Day of Fitness, FitMePink Blog gave to me...workouts for the family!

As I've mentioned, we're currently visiting my parents for Christmas. I'm a little strange in that vacationing for me just means more time to work out! My husband happily watches the kids while I do my thing, or my parents watch the kids so we can go on a run together. It's great!

Yesterday morning, however, things weren't quite working out as planned. For some reason, my P90X DVD's won't play in my parents' player. So I've been using the computer. I woke up, changed my clothes, and started into a session of Plyometrics. I'm not sure I was mentally geared up for an intense workout anyway, but was super irritated when my kids found me upstairs in my sweaty state.

If they're in the room while I'm working out, I normally don't mind. But it's never very long before they're in need of something. I'm definitely a happier mama after working out, but during my workouts I often turn into monster mom. Leave me alone for 10 more minutes! Raaaaar!

At first, things started out okay. The kids were even jumping around with me. But then my almost two-year old found the computer. And before I even knew what she was doing, she turned it off. I freaked out, yelled for my husband to come get his children, started turning the computer back on, and decided to go for a run instead. The weather was beautiful, and I needed a place where I couldn't be bothered.

My 3-year old asked me where I was going, and I told him I was going running. He rushed off to get his shoes on before I could remind him that I was going alone. He came back in a few seconds all ready to go. I told him that I wanted to run by myself, and the tears started. I glanced at my heart rate monitor, irritated that I had already recovered from my first attempt at a workout, and started to walk out the door with a crying little boy still inside.

But then I remembered. This isn't really all about me. My THREE year old wants to go running. I should be jumping with joy that he, at his young age, thinks that running just to run sounds fun! I decided that I needed to be okay with the fact that I only got in a 40 minute workout instead of the full hour that I had planned. I am on a FAMILY vacation!

We grabbed our coats, and my little 3-year old and I set out on a "run." We went for about a mile in my parent's hilly neighborhood, and it was great! I got to hold my little guy's hand and listen to him as he told me to watch out for cars, as he counted airplanes that flew by overhead, and as he inspected all the neighbor's mailboxes for spider webs. I watched him run as fast as his little legs would carry him up the final descent to my parent's house, and laughed as he told me that he needed to lay down on the street to take a little nap when our run was over. I smiled as he put his hood on to "protect his face" if he fell. I marveled at his confidence as he bragged about what a great runner he is. And I loved that he wanted to eat a banana when the run was over to "give [him] back [his] energy".

One of my BIGGEST goals in life is to train my kids to enjoy living a healthy life. I'm pretty sure letting my 3-year old join me on my run did a lot more good for both of us than a solo run would have done for me. I may have burned a few more calories, but I would have ignored the passing planes, barking dogs, flying birds, and crawling bugs.

How selfish of me to think that my workout would be lacking if I let my little boy come along. I hope this experience will remind me of why I wanted to be a mom in the first place. As we walked up the steps to the front door, my son said, "Mom? You know why I wanted to run with you? Because I love you." All it took was ONE mile. If that's all it takes to bond with my kids, we're running every day! I love you too, little buddy!

How do you encourage your kids to be healthy and active?

The FIFTH Day of Fitness...TRAVELING SNACKS

On the FIFTH Day of Fitness, the FitMePink Blog gave to me...HEALTHY SNACKS FOR TRAVELING!

Today and tomorrow, I am traveling. Yes, driving. Across the country. With TWO small children. For 27-ish hours. Sound fun? I'm hoping we survive. Strangely, I'm actually really looking forward to this road trip. I love seeing new parts of the country. It brings my little bubble of a world into perspective.

I grew up on road trips. The drive from Southern California to Utah used to feel so long, but now I would love to have my parents only 10 hours away instead of 27! Before becoming a parent, I didn't realize how much planning and preparation a long road trip could require. Twenty-seven hours worth of snacks and entertainment is no small task. If I could only just let them eat gas station junk, my life would be easier. But I can't. And actually, that much sugar in their systems for two days really wouldn't make my life easier in the long run. So I've shopped, and I've baked, and I've packed things that I'm okay with feeding my kids for the next few days on the road. (Not to mention 27-hours worth of movies for them to watch...how did our parents survive without DVD players in the car growing up?)

I'm going to let you in on a few of the goodies packed in the car. (That I'm choosing to share with you because I love them...not because any company has given me any incentives to share their products!)

SUN-RYPE fruitsource Mini Bites I HATE fruit snacks! The name is deceiving...they (for the most part) are NOT made of fruit! They are pure sugar! But these little fruit snacks are AWESOME! They are made of nothing BUT fruit! (And I buy them at Costco!)

This is another FAVORITE that my kids like even more than the Sun-Rype Mini Bites: Stretch Island Fruit Leathers. I buy a box of 48 from Costco for about $10. The flavors are awesome, and there's nothin' but fruit in them! They're a bit sticky, but I'm always prepared with lots of wet wipes! (Especially on road trips)!

With this pregnancy, I've actually had a major salt tooth. While these Sensible Portions "Veggie" Chips probably aren't the healthiest snack option out there, they are a great choice when you just need some chips! Yes...they are made with some veggies, a little salt, and they're baked. So less fat than regular potato chips! Yum!

I've also packed an assortment of trail mix, Chex mix, dried mangoes & berries, string cheese, apples, oranges, fresh pineapple slices, carrot sticks, and homemade goodies and muffins. Here are a few muffin recipes we'll be eating...enjoy!

Pear Muffins (From The Best Life Diet)

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/4 cups nonfat milk

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup canola oil

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 cups All-Bran cereal (Original, not Extra Fiber)

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large unpeeled pear, shredded (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup chopped prunes (dried plums) with orange essence

2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and place the rack in the center of the oven. Lightly coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, mix the milk, maple syrup, oil, and egg. Stir in the All-Bran and let stand 5 minutes.

In another bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the bran mixture. Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in the pear and dried plums.

Divide the batter equally among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of wheat germ over each muffin. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins feel springy when pressed gently. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing them from the pan. Serve warm or cool.

Pumpkin Muffins
(made in my blender!)

2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup pumpkin cooked
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/4 cups flour (I use 1/2 cup whole wheat flour and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place all the ingredients in the blender in the order listed, or mix all together in a bowl. Pour into muffin cups, 1/3 full.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

How do you survive long road trips? Wish me luck!

Life AFTER the Freshman 15

It's no secret that I hate missing a workout. I'm the type who plans my day around my workouts, not my workouts around my day. Signing The Boy up for preschool really threw me for a loop. I had to re-arrange my workout schedule to accommodate his new schedule. Preschool would not change her schedule for me. (Rude, no?) In the normal, not-stay-at-home-mom world, people have to actually arrange workouts around other commitments. What a concept!

Working out has just become a normal, routine part of my daily life. It has been for several years, but it wasn't always. Though I've always enjoyed physical activity, before joining the gym after gaining the Missionary-Woman-30 (on top of the Freshwoman 15 I'd gained three years earlier), I was definitely just a sporadic worker-outer. My daily trek to and from campus had to count for something, right?

I have fond memories of college (and of Finnish pastries on my mission). From those years, however, I have actually very few memories of working out. My freshman year, some roommates and I joined a kickboxing class. We laughed at each other as we fumbled our way through it, but if something more fun was happening on kickboxing night, we'd skip the workout in a heartbeat. My first date with my now-husband was actually a 3-mile run (that almost killed me) as he was training for his first marathon. But we all know that the run wasn't just a run. Any exercise I did in college was more for the social benefits than the physical.

If I could go back, would I work out more? No way! I'm glad I had that time in life to socialize, be crazy, eat junk food, and occasionally fit in a workout with friends. I was in a completely different season of life, with very little worry about my physical health. I'm glad I wasn't obsessing over every slice of pizza-brownie-vending machine purchase. I enjoyed life. I was happy. I honestly barely noticed that the pounds were creeping on. I was too busy!

My life is completely different now than it was back then. I had so many outlets as a student that I really didn't need to set aside ME time. Everything in my life was about ME. I had no idea how different life as a mom would be. I only thought about dressing my perfectly behaved children in the cutest clothes, and wearing them on my hip as I would wear any new accessory. I didn't realize that in reality, NOTHING would be about ME anymore. Honestly, my workout is just about the only thing. So even if it means waking up at the crack o' dawn to get it, I'm going to get it. I can't live without it. As my kids get older, and my schedule more and more is merely a reflection of their schedule, I will still find a way to fit exercise in. I have to.

When I joined the gym 6 1/2 years ago, I knew I was making a lifetime commitment. So now that life has changed (as it always does), I'm not going to let the routine slip. Sure, I'm changing from working my life around my workouts. But I knew that one day my kids would start growing up, and I'd have to fit my workouts around my life. And I guess I'm OK with that. As I learned in college, living is really what it's all about. Exercising just helps me live better.

No Sleep + No Exercise = Monster Mom

I'll let you in on a secret that I've mentioned before.
Every so often I'm a mom that none would adore.
Most days I'm patient. I'm loving, secure.
But on occasion I'm NOT! Stay away, or endure.
There's a monster inside that sometimes comes out.
Watch out or she'll yell, she'll hiss, and she'll spout.
She's tired, she's ornery, she's nasty at best.
Please leave her in bed...she obviously needs rest!
If sleep I have gotten, she'll stay hidden away.
But if slept I have not, she's coming to stay.
Even worse, if I haven't had a chance to work out,
the monster creeps in. She's beastly, no doubt.
Don't look at her wrong, and don't spill your water.
And don't leave your toys in her path...she might slaughter!
Stop whining, stop crying, START EATING YOUR FOOD!
Stop fighting at meal time...I'M NOT IN THE MOOD!
Stop clinging, stop begging, start sharing your toys!
Stop screaming, stop yelling...CAN'T HANDLE THE NOISE!
It's time now for bed. Choose a dang book already!
Hurry! Brush your teeth...before I scream nice and steady.
AAAAAAHHHH AAAAAAHHHH! Is the day over yet?
I'm on the verge of doing something I just might regret!
Tomorrow's a new day. A day to start fresh.
But the new day starts NOW with a good night of rest.
And a workout tomorrow...endorphins I need.
I'll pray that the monster stays hidden indeed.
No one likes the yelling. Laughter's preferred to the roar.
So, ha ha, look at that. Milk on my freshly cleaned floor.
And ha! Pretty toys! They're all over the place!
I'm trying so hard to laugh and put on a kind face.
Being a mom is hard work. Harder yet with no sleep.
And without exercise, I'm really a creep.
So to keep us all happy, I devote time to me.
It's not selfish, it's essential. Now GO TO SLEEP! LET ME BE!

Possible Health (and financial) Benefits of Crying

When I decided to make this morning a productive morning, I should have known I was headed for disaster. With two small children in tow, even one uneventful outing is a miracle. If I can make it to and home from wherever I'm going without a major outburst, it's been a good day. So planning three all-at-once-without-returning-home stops is never a good idea. But this morning, I had places to go.

First stop: The Gym. The gym stop is so deeply engrained in my kids' brains, that I can happily plan on arriving, dropping off at the kids' club, working out, and escaping without causing a big scene. Normally we leave and go straight home so as not to be seen in my sweaty, post-workout state. I shower, the kids have some down time, they nap, and we plan any other outings for later. Today was different. I wanted to get it all done at one time. It's only two more public places, I told myself. They're getting older...they can handle it, right?

I head to my second stop: The Mall to exchange The Boy's new shoes for a smaller size before they give the last pair in his size to another. After the somewhat painful exchange is made (because The Boy can't bear parting with the too-big-shoes...until I let The Girl carry the new box that he just CANNOT let her have), we run out of the mall before one more person glares at the Children (and me) for screaming. With a small hand in each of mine, we run out of the store as their legs flail behind them while trying to keep up with my get-us-the-heck-out-of-here pace.

I throw the kids in their carseats, start the car, and The Boy promptly starts to whine that he missed his "show." I bribe him to behave for just one more stop. Third stop: The library. My kids love the library, because I let them choose all the movies and books they want...they're free! I tell him that maybe, just maybe, the library will have a Word World DVD. But before we go look at the DVD's, I just have to clear something up at the counter.

A few weeks ago, we rented several DVD's. I returned all ten of them on time, not wanting to pay any more dang library fines. Shortly after returning them, I received an email saying that two of the DVD's (both Elmo) weren't returned properly, so I owed the library $30.00! I knew I'd returned them in the same condition I'd received them (or so I thought), so it had to be a mistake. And $30.00?!?!? I could buy them both new for less than that!

I stand at the counter, and calmly explain to the library lady what happened. She looks at me and explains that the paper covers inside the cases are ruined, and that the barcode is torn off one, leaving the DVD's in a state unsuitable for re-circulation. As a line forms behind me, the tears threaten to flow. Maybe it's the money. Maybe it's The Girl now hanging upside down in my arms as she tries to squirm away. Maybe it's the impatient people in line behind me wanting me to pay the dang $30.00 already so they can get on with paying their own library fines! Maybe it's the lady who stopped to tell me that my daughter's shoe is on wrong. Whatever it is, I am on the verge of tears. I, still in my sweaty gym clothes, trying to be productive and responsible on this gloomy Monday morning, fight back tears and ask if anyone can help me so that I won't have to pay this stupid fine (especially if I can't even keep the two movies!)

A manager comes out, re-explains to me that my children are obviously the ones who ruined the paper inserts. (And how can I blame her for thinking that my kids are the ones, when hundreds of children have handled the same DVD's? The hundreds of others aren't present, whining and crying, running in circles, speaking in very un-library-like voices, now, are they?) But somehow, out of the kindness of her heart (because there is no kindness in her voice or eyes), she reduces the $30 fine to $10. I gladly pay, then run out, little legs flailing behind, as the Boy screams that he wants to get his library movies. We are NEVER getting another movie from the library, I threaten. Not if it's going to cost me each time you two get your little paws on one!

We make it home. We eat lunch. We calm down. I let myself cry a bit. I feel better. I knew there were health benefits from crying. Who doesn't feel better after a good cry? But I didn't know there were financial benefits, as well. A few months ago, my tears got me out of a speeding ticket (for going 14 mph in a 10 mph zone at the airport). Today, they saved me $20. So as much as I hate being emotional, I guess I'm gonna keep crying! And I guess I'll limit my public post-workout outings to a minimum!

Letter to a Pregnant Friend...6 Tips for Losing Baby Weight

Dear Friend,

You've reached the end of your third pregnancy. You will deliver your sweet baby boy in a few short weeks. It's hard not to start worrying about losing the baby weight. But you'll get there. Be patient with yourself. In my mind, the best approach is the gradual approach.

My 2nd baby just turned one, and I still have a few pounds to go! If I could turn the clock back a year (or put myself in your soon-to-be-new-mommy-again-shoes), I would probably tell myself to relax just a bit. When my own little bundle-of-pink-joy was 4 weeks old, I started running. I just HAD to get back into my workout routine. To be honest, starting so soon probably did more harm than good. I would finish my quick 3-mile run on the treadmill to console a screaming baby, get a snack for a sad-mommy-deprived toddler, try to throw a shower into the mix, and end my morning routine pulling my hair out, and totally exhausted (and ornery). Not to mention MAJOR back pain for several weeks.

As you know, time with a brand-new baby is SO SHORT. In a few blink-of-an-eye-months, the baby won't even want to be held as he explores the world away from you. So here's my first piece of advice: Enjoy the little piece of heaven that is yours until HE and YOU are ready. Hold him, squeeze him, cuddle him, smell him. Losing the baby weight will take a while either way, so you might as well savor this sweet time. Be patient with yourself! Remember how long it took to put the weight on...expect it to take just as long to take it off!

When you are ready to face reality, here are a few ideas to get you going.

1. Don't "diet." I know this is a strange bit of advice, but something mentally happens when you feel "deprived" of the foods you love. For me, if I know I can't have something, I want it so much more! Having a new baby is stressful enough. Don't deprive yourself, or beat yourself up over an occasional indulgence. However, pay attention to what you eat! Eat healthy, and eat for hunger. Keep healthy snacks on hand. Here's a list of some of my favorite cart-fillers! Load up on these "super foods" before reaching for the processed (although yummy) junk!
2. Drink water! DO NOT DRINK YOUR CALORIES. I'm not even a fan of diet sodas, but I'll stand on that soap box another day! Water, water, water. Drinking water may also speed up your metabolism...woo hoo! And rather than forcing 8-glasses down each day, use the color of your urine as a gauge! If it's relatively clear, and you're going every 3 or so hours, you're getting enough.
3. Breastfeed, if possible. While I'm a big proponent of breastfeeding, I have to say that I have a love-hate relationship with it. I've nursed both of my babies for a full year. I love it while I'm nursing. I hate it when I need a break. But apart from the fact that breastmilk is great for your baby, it also uses up your fat stores (and upwards of 300 calories a day...just don't use it as an excuse to eat whatever you want!)
4. Sleep! This is definitely where I don't practice what I preach. My baby is just NOW! FINALLY! HALLELUJAH! sleeping through the night! Go to bed early if you need to. And if possible--I know, usually impossible--sleep when the baby sleeps. Rest is soooo important to weight loss! When tired, your body releases cortisol and other stress hormones that actually promote weight gain. When I'm tired, I'm also more likely to reach for the unhealthy food choices.
5. EXERCISE!!!! Like I said, give yourself time before jumping in, but when you're ready, move it! Lately, there's been much discussion on the fact that three 10-minute sessions are just as effective as one 30-minute session. So do what you can, when you can! Go for a brisk walk to get your heart pumping. Add some resistance training (apart from lugging a new baby around...unless you use him as your weight as you do your overhead presses!) And here are a few more of my favorite workouts.
6. LOVE YOUR BODY! The human baby-making body is truly a miracle. Look in the mirror each day, and remember that you've been a partner with God in bringing a baby into this world. YOU are a miracle...and one HOT MAMA!

I can't wait to meet your bundle of joy! Good luck!

Love,

Robyn

P.S. Here is an excellent post from Mama Sweat on having a Fit Pregnancy! Enjoy!

Fitness For Tots...Getting the strong-willed child to eat his stinkin' dinner!

OK, so I don't know about you, but I DREAD mealtime...namely DINNERtime with Mr. Stubborn-2-year-old. Every night, it's a power struggle. The food will sit untouched on his plate for HOURS until he realizes that I'm not going to budge and let him have bread/cookies/cereal instead.

I'll admit it. For a long time, I've used dessert as a reward for eating dinner. But don't the "experts" say not to use food as a reward? Isn't eating something that should just be done, regardless of what one is going to get afterwards? It's kind of a responsibility as a member of the family. We eat dinner together. We eat what's on our plates. We don't whine and moan and groan (and gnash our teeth) until we finally give in, and eat the vegetables. We just eat.

I'm not a short order cook. And I don't think you should always get "something" for eating. Just eat, d**n it! Mr. Moody (yes, the I'm-never-going-to-get-out-of-the-terrible-two's-phase-toddler has many names and faces) NOW says (before taking a single bite), "what will I get when I eat my dinner?" If I answer with, "a brownie-goodie-treat-candy-whatever," he'll eventually eat.

But I'm done. I'm trying something new. Something I started last night.

I'm doing NOTHING. I'm putting his plate in front of him. We're sitting down as a family to eat. I'm not negotiating. I'm not even talking about it. When we're done eating, he can get down from the table, even if he hasn't had a bite. If he starts asking for something to eat later, I'll direct him back to the table. He can choose.

This doesn't mean there will never be dessert. But there doesn't NEED to be. Dessert should be something occasional, something special, something you don't get EVERY time you eat your food.

Am I wrong to think that this will empower him to eat better if it's his decision whether or not to eat? Tonight he went to bed hungry. He didn't eat his dinner. But he didn't cry when he went to bed, because he knew he'd made that choice.

I'm actually going to try the same approach with potty-training. (And sorry for getting side-tracked with potty talk...this really should be another post on a different blog. Just have to say it.) Anyway, I'm not going to make a big deal out of it (he did great for 3 days, and is now rebelling and refuses to go in the potty). After the dinner non-episode (non-episode because I didn't make a big deal about his non-eating), he actually told me he needed to go potty (for the first time in weeks). I just looked at him and said, "Then go. You know what to do." He looked at me funny, then went in the bathroom and pooped!

So this is my experiment. I'm tired of negotiating. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of rewarding for behavior that should just be expected. We eat dinner. Period.

Am I mean? Unreasonable? Right on? What are your tricks for getting your kids to eat their food? And what are your opinions on rewarding with sweets? Share your knowledge, advice, opinion, whatever!