Upcoming Races

At the beginning of every year I always get excited about the race season and which races I want to run. I say "race" but really I am just out there for fun. I am not anywhere near fast enough to be competitive, especially in my age class.

So this year, I have already run a 3 mile race and did AMAZING (for me at least) and felt great 27:53!!

I haven't really decided on what else I am doing EXCEPT one big one.

HOOD TO COAST in Oregon.

This is a 199-mile relay with 12 runners in 2 days. I am so excited. One of my old friends contacted me when she got in the lottery and of course I couldn't turn down this opportunity. I am sure it is going to be one of the hardest things I do but totally worth it. This isn't until August however training starts NOW.

I have been working on strength training and I have realized that this race is all about running and even though my 5K time is significantly faster I need the endurance that only comes with practice.

Which means run, run, run.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Happy Monday,

~ Katie

3 Things I Love Friday

So, I really am trying to get on this blogging thing more than once a month. So, I am following in Lauren's footsteps with 3 Things I Love Friday.

1. Quinoa - I have been making a lot of it recently. It is so easy to pair with anything that you are making; chicken, fish, pork, steak. I have added sun-dried tomatoes, craisins, roasted red peppers, and whatever type of cheese we may have. Goat cheese works great because it melts and gets creamy.

2. Coffee - lets not forgot I am a Mom, and Walter is still getting up about once a night. But I can't really put all the blame on him. I have always enjoyed coffee and drink 1-2 cups a day even when I was pregnant.

3. Vacation - We are leaving tomorrow for Florida. This will be our first flight with both kids. I am just a little stressed because I have not packed yet, but I have my list ready for when I get home from work tonight. I am super excited to be getting away and relaxing. I can't wait for Faelyn to see Mickey again. I hope she loves it.

Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!!

Walter - 7 Months

Walter is 7 Months Old.

I can't believe that time has gone by so fast.

He is 27 3/4 inches long and 16 lbs 15 oz.
Likes most foods; sweet potatoes, apples, avocados, french fries, pizza crust. I think you get the point.
He sits and plays with most of his toys.
He does not like sharing with his sister.
He pulls himself up onto low toys or my legs when I'm sitting on the floor with him.
He just started crawling 3 days ago.
He has dark hair and blue eyes just like mine. He looks so much like my brother's baby pictures.

People told me that boys were special and I have to agree. I love my daughter but there is something about this little boy that melts my heart. The way they look you in the eyes and have such a genuine smile. I just can't get past it.

As for me - 7 months post partum. I am 5 pounds from my goal weight, which is also my pre-pregnancy weight. Most people will say that you won't lose that last 5 pounds until you stop breastfeeding however with Faelyn I was back to my normal weight at this time. Not to make excuses but I also had 2 babies 15 months apart. I have been working out. A little running. But my main focus has been P90x.

So why P90x? Well, because we have it. I started it before getting pregnant the first time and really wanted to finish it. I am currently on the 10th week of the 13 week schedule. I must say that I am much stronger and leaner than before. I am not following the nutrition/diet plan mostly because I want to make sure I get enough calories with breastfeeding. I must say I am really enjoying it. Just when I am starting to get bored with the workouts it changes.

I can't wait for what the rest of the year has in store for our family. It will certainly be an adventure.

welcome 2014

Well, it is new year's eve 2013 and I am sitting on the couch and thinking about my goals for the year to come. But first I want to acknowledge how great my year was. I have another beautiful baby who is healthy and happy. I ran 2 half marathons and pr'ed one. I am sure there is more but I am drawing a blank right now.

 As for 2014 there are a couple areas in my life that I want to include.

Running:
- run Hood to coast in August (already planned).
- run a sub 30 min 5k
- run at least 1 half marathon this year. I would love to run another marathon but I just don't think I have the time to commit to proper training.

Spiritual:
- read the bible every day. At least 1 verse.

Family:
- do swim lessons with F and W
- continue with music class at least 1x/ month hopefully close to weekly
- go hiking 1x/month
- go camping with the whole family

General:
- try to have a positive attitude especially at work.
- learn to use my camera properly and take lots of pictures
- get back into pre-baby shape
- finish p90x then maybe start again ;)

I will add to it as the year goes on. I pretty much just want to be a better person, a good mom, and great friend.  I hope everyone is staying safe tonight. See you in 2014.

~Katie

Hello All!!

So, I know that it has been a LONG time. But I feel that it is time to start blogging again. Just to keep track of everything going on. There has been a lot going on.
1) We moved into our home a week before Christmas.
2) Hosted Christmas - had the Hampton clan over, cousins included.
3) Had Wally's parents and sister, and her two little ones the weekend after christmas.

So things have finally settled down. And as you can imagine with all the craziness I have not had time to fully unpack. There were boxes everywhere that just got moved to the basement to make things "presentable". We have also inherited lots from Wally's grandfather "Pop" so we have been sorting through that stuff as well as our own.

We didn't have much time to go get a christmas tree but we were able to walk through the woods behind Pop's house the weekend before. This is Faelyn in from of the tree that we cut down.

Christmas morning :) She had a great time.

 This was New Year's Eve - We were undecorating the tree and just hanging out.

 New Year's Day : we went sledding down the driveway and in the backyard. This little girl loves the outdoors and cold weather just like her daddy. And she looks pretty cute in that purple hat and bear suit.

 One of my new year's resolutions is to try and keep this going. Keep friends and family updated with pictures on what is going on in our lives. Another post on New Year's Resolutions to come soon.

~ Katie

Post Pregnancy Weight Loss

So my biggest struggle right now is the weight loss. I gained about 45 lbs with my pregnancy. I ran and worked out throughout the  majority of my pregnancy. I even ran a marathon. However I also indulged in dessert almost every night. I didn't eat whole pints of ice cream just small cups. But apparently it was too much and it has now stayed on my body.

So initially I expected breastfeeding to help take most of the weight off. I lost about 20 lbs within the first 7-10 days. This was promising. I continued to eat normally and the occasional dessert. I wasn't exercising yet because things weren't healed "down there'. I  did start walking SLOWLY up and down the road, not even a full mile.

Well not it is 11 weeks later and I have only lost another 3 pounds. I have started running a little but my pelvic floor muscles are what they used to be. Enough said. I have also started my P90x routine again. I feel as though things are firming up but still not losing the weight. Since I go back to work soon I gave in and bought a few new pairs of pants. I didn't want to go back to work in maternity clothes.

Well, we ran 4 miles today, 460 calories according the the Garmin. I will keep you all updated.

~K

Big News!

So a lot has changed since the last time I have posted.

1st - I had a beautiful baby girl. Faelyn Camille.

photo courtesy of Sarah from Snaps of Real Life

photo at 6 days old courtesy of Sarah from Snaps of Real Life

This picture below is of her today at 11 weeks old. I can't believe she is already 11 weeks old. It feels like just yesterday that I was going to the hospital but in other aspects it feels like she has been around forever. The sad thing about her being 11 weeks old means I have to go back to work soon. I go back for 1/2 day on wednesday and full days thursday and friday. I sure am going to miss hanging out with this little one all day.

2nd - The house!

It is coming along. The builders started April 2nd with the first delivery of logs and this is where they are now. The logs are all up and the porch roof is getting working on. The crane comes on Tuesday after the holiday to put the purlins up and then the house roof goes on!!

 3rd-
Faelyn and I ran our first race since she was born. She was 10 weeks old and the youngest one there. We ran a 5K in 30:12. Not too bad if I say so myself. We had #1. Apparently it was alphabetical.

 She was nice and cozy in the Mountain Buggy Terrain with this red carrycot/bassinet. I must say it is a wonderful stroller and so easy to push. It did take a little getting used to running with a stroller though. I was tempted to lean on the handle bar which is weird because I don't even do that when on the treadmill.

 4th and Lastly -
My little sister graduated college. She is a graphic design major with a specialty in social media so if anyone is hiring please let me know I will pass the word on.

It was pretty hot so we hung out in the shade and grass. Little F got to lounge on Daddy.

Well, she is screaming her little head off as we speak. She is probably hungry. She is always hungry. 

~K