First Post-Baby Run

So I've been meaning to start back running since Sally was about six weeks old. I finally succeeded in going on my first post-baby run last night, only about, oh, two months later than planned. Woo yeah!

The trouble is lack of sleep and lack of time! Sally gets up to eat at 7:00 (never, ever at 5:30 like this morning... or 6:30 like yesterday morning). So I could go running right after I feed her and lay her back down, but I'm so exhausted that it's a struggle. But we're slowly trying to better organize our time, and Sally's becoming more manageable, so we actually went out and ran as a family last night. And I brought our camera to take pictures of the pretty horses on our run, but that never happened. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

It's funny because my older sister told me that she didn't start back exercising until her first was four months old, and I chuckled to myself and thought I'd be different.

Anyway, it was a beautiful night — perfect weather, the smell of spring in the air. And we paused about halfway through to get some pictures together and of nature. But then Sally started crying and wouldn't be soothed for anything! It was almost her bed time and about 15 minutes past her feeding time. Sal don't mess around when it comes to getting fed on time. So next time I will make sure she's well fed before we go.

We ended up sprinting the last half mile to get her home as fast as possible, and she screamed at the top of her lungs the whole way. Lesson. learned.

Still, it felt great to exercise. Johnny said something like, "It's nice to feel my lungs stretch again." Since we haven't gone running since we lived in Boston, that's an understatement. We ended up going a mile and a half, and we'll slowly build up from there. My lower abs are the most sore today. Pregnancy really does a number on those muscles.

Long Weekend Coming Right Up

been eating this all week

Johnny gets Friday and Monday off. Today is his Friday. Based on the exceptionally weird Gmail chats he's been sending me today, I think he's pretty excited. (update: He just got back from lunch and said to me, "back, fool")

As of yesterday, it's pretty much summertime here. I met Johnny for lunch, and it was the first time in months I've had direct sunlight on me.... and the first time I've worn shorts. Yikes. As Johnny was walking with me back to the subway (he always swipes me on with his unlimited card), Martha Stewart walked out of a building and right next to us on the sidewalk! I must say she looks very good for her age.

So a Sprinkles cupcake shop finally opened in NYC, and some of my fellow NYC bloggers have been posting about it. Johnny and I went down there Saturday night, and I was blown away. I tried salty caramel, chocolate marshmallow, and vanilla, and they were gooood. Then, I couldn't stop thinking about cupcakes after that, so on Monday I made the Sprinkles strawberry cupcake recipe, which Johnny and I have been consuming all week long....

Which leads to a story about running. (I had to go running this week if I was to be consuming cupcakes each day.) I've been having a little problem with my runs around the reservoir. I start nearing another runner on the trail, and I can either run closely behind them, which is awkward, or I can pass them. I always choose to pass them, but then I have to increase my pace a little to ensure they don't catch back up to me, which would result in an awkward game of cat and mouse. I come upon more runners in increments throughout the trail, and by the end my pace is way too fast for me to sustain. (I'm normally a very slow runner, and this forces me to be just a slow runner.) Anyway, I'm sick of it. I just want to be able to run at my comfortable slow pace! What's to be done?

Also, in our cupboard we have a box full of granola bars from Costco. One day, I ripped open a granola bar, and seeing it was a flavor I didn't want, I stuck it back in the box. Yesterday Johnny reached in the box and pulled out that opened granola bar and looked at me and said, "What is this? Do I live with a five-year-old?" My response was to laugh uncontrollably, so maybe he does live with a five-year-old. I meant to throw it away and hide the evidence, but then I forgot to do it. Poor Johnny. 

Anyway, I, too, am super excited for the long weekend. If the weather prevails, I think we may head to the beach on Monday :) 

What's my age again?

Sometimes I forget that I'm only 23. That's so young!! I feel like so many people my age already talk like they're in their mid-40s or something... "Back when I was a teenager..." I guess I've just felt bogged down by responsibility lately, and that's making me feel old. Booo.

SO, Johnny and I have been staying busy as of late. He has begun his work softball league! I have not been to a game, but I will go eventually, and I will bring a camera like the over-excited proud wife that I am.

Anyway, enough writing. Spring has sprung, and I brought my camera on my jog today: