4 months!

My sweet baby girl is almost 5 months... but since I scheduled this to go back on Aug 20... and it clearly didn't... (grrrr!)  Here's what was going on almost a month ago! 

Punkin was 4 months old yesterday... and today I finished c25k!!   My goal was to complete it by Labor day weekend and I'm so happy I finished 2 weeks ahead of time!  Um, and good thing I was 2 wks early... because right after I finished it, I ended up with bronchitis and didn't run for 2 1/2 wks.  Seriously...

Here's a few pictures of my sweet punkin...

Her bow is only as big as her smile, hee hee!

 She's starting to push up and roll over... the last 2 mornings, I've found her on her belly in her crib.  I think she likes it, at first... ;)

Hope you're lovin the weekend as much as we are!  At least this still makes since, seeing that it's weekend again and all.... ;)

My Return to C25K

I've got a strict deadline when it comes to fitting back into my work pants!  SO... Here's my view from the treadmill these days:

Sweet baby Punkin (I've GOT to get around to giving her a blog name!) is 10 weeks old and tomorrow I'll finish week 3 of C25K...   I've learned that it's definitely easier to run when she's sleeping.  BUT.. I don't always get that luxury (I'm trying to cram every dentist/doctor/hair appt - you name it! - into the last couple weeks of my maternity leave!)  So... sometimes I have to resort to running & entertaining - at the same time.  See my headphones in the picture below?  Sweet baby is rocking out to some Girl Talk. ;)

I'd forgotten how running keeps me SANE!  (Or at least more sane than I'd be if I wasn't running!)  ;)

My work out plan the last several weeks and until I return to work (I have only one more wk off - yikes!) has included:
3 (or more) c25k runs
3 (or more) Buff Brides strength work outs
and TONS of lugging around that sweet baby.  Who was a teeny 7% at her 2 wk appt, but came in at 94% by her 2 month appt!  (What can I say?  I've been working hard at that!)  :)

What is Buff Brides? 

A super easy, super quick workout...
perfect for busy moms like me (you don't have to be a bride, clearly... although my sister started doing this workout 10 yrs ago when she was engaged, so it's a classic!)... 
using mostly stuff I already had (I bought an $8 exercise ball and that's it!)...
and it can even be done while you're catching up on tv (damn this maternity leave for getting me addicted to all sorts of shows I've never had time for!) 
Score your Buff Brides on Amazon for cheap!

And when Sweet Pea isn't helping me with my workout... she's usually sitting pretty in one of her girly girl outfits.  I just can't help myself - I love the bows, the ruffles, the tutus.... watch her turn out to be a tom boy! ;)

11 days til I return to work... I'll let ya know how those pants fit!  ;)

xoxo,

C25K - the Revivial!

Let's cut to the chase.  It's summer and I'm tired of being chubby.  Sugar will be 6wks old (already! sniff, sniff) on Tuesday and I need to fit into my REAL clothes.  Pronto.  Here's a pic of me with the whole family last night at Sissy's kindergarten graduation (which was such a super special night, btw... filled with all the memories of these kiddos - and their parents - that I've come to know and love in the last 3 years!)

I'm tired of hearing... oh, you'll breastfeed those pounds right off. Or ... you'll lose 'em when your body is ready. I don't buy into either! When I had Sissy, I was horrified to learn that it was possible to exclusively breastfeed your baby (for 9 months!) and STILL not be able to lose the weight. I didn't lose the last 10 lbs until after she turned 1. With Gman, it was easier. I can already tell this time is going to be alot like it was in round 1. In my (not.so.professional) opinion, it's because with both girls, I gained weight in places other than my belly. With Gman, it was almost all belly weight.


So... I start C25K for the 4th time. Or 5th... I've lost track. I'm going to walk for a couple wks, until I feel ready to jog. And I'm deciding which program I'm going to do to firm up and tone up - something must be done about these arms!  Until then... you'll catch me in knit dresses, maternity pants, and the one pair of capris I'm gonna buy in whatever-this-size-is.
Have a super fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!
xoxo,

Semi-Homemade Teacher Gifts - Snowman Snacks & Suds

Okay, so this year was way more SEMI than HOMEMADE.  But....get ready for this, don't fall outta your chair.... I got them delivered to teachers last week!  Yep, ME!  Mainly because I knew if I didn't get them out, they would get lost in the shuffle of the move, and y'all know how much we love our teachers!

Both kiddos have new teachers that I haven't yet appreciated (Gman moved up after school started... and Sissy recently moved into a new class, which is a story all it's own - more on that later!)  In other words, I could resort to a tried and true idea and not worry about it!

So.... fancy gourmet popcorn from our favorite nostalgic shop downtown (total plus that I had purchased a Groupon from them!) and some foaming holiday soap from Bath & Body Works (had a fab coupon for that AND a giftcard, so these gifts were super cheap!)

Threw them all in bags... added some tulle and this tag:

This week is THE MOVE!  I'm so excited I can barely stand it.  And so overwhelmed that at any moment I think I could puke (nice, right?)  Mainly, I've got to figure out how, in the next 6 days, I can:

*  work about 50 hrs, possibly more
*  attend an ornament exchange party at Mrs. Everything's house
*  finish Christmas cards and mail them before they get lost
*  get my hair did (just covering the greys might ease some of this anxiety!) ;)
*  finish packing this entire apartment
*  try to get the major move check list started - mainly getting tv/internet and our mail!
 *  squeeze in 2 more runs for c25k wk 7 (got the first one in today - woo hoo!)
*  MOVE into our new dream house!

But Sissy's 5th birthday party went off without a hitch and was THE easiest birthday party I've ever even thought about throwing.  I'd recommend this semi-homemade party to anyone and will fill y'all in soon!  New house pics soon, too!

xoxo,

What to Expect..... when you're Expecting AND running C25K...

SETBACKS, that's what!  ;)

When I was pregnant (and running!) with Gman...  I got a horrible stomach bug around 20 wks.  Lots of vomitting led to a trip to the ER to be rehydrated.  Once I recovered, I never ran again during that pregnancy - I had to make the switch to walking.

After last week's 5 day migraine (and another trip to the ER!), I was afraid I might be headed down the same path.  I had jogged the day before Thanksgiving, making it 12 days in between runs - yikes! - and part of me was afraid I wouldn't be able to get back into it.

But then I had dinner on Sat night with 2 old friends.  I met these girls online in early 2005, when we were all pregnant with kiddos due in Jan 2006.  Sasha and I have been good friends for a few years - we connect on lots of levels (struggling to do it all as working moms, running, shopping!) and I just love her dearly.  And she lives in my home state of OK.  Beth and I have shared lots of stories about our kids (we have girls the same age and boys about the same age!) and she's THE source when it comes to info on running - I love it!  But I'd never gotten to meet her... until last weekend.  So fun!

They were in Dallas to run the White Rock half marathon.  Over a carb-y dinner of pasta, they shared their training regimens and we talked life.  It was that kind of rejuvenating fun - just what I needed!  Here we are, after dinner (I stand at a short 5'4", but don't these girls make me look like a giant?)  :)

They gave me the energy I needed to run last night.  It was tough, but I'm so glad I did it!  I'm still working towards a goal of reaching wk 9 of the c25k (I'm currently doing wk 6 - for the 3rd time - see what I mean about setbacks?!)  After I reach wk 9, then I'll work backwards towards wk1.  It'll be challenging in Dec (I only have approx 3-4 time slots avail in each wk to run, so I HAVE to make it happen in those times!), but if I make it thru without any repeated wks... I'll finish wk 1 when I'm 31 wks pg - almost 8 months!  So much can happen, but all I'm thinking about is one jog at a time.

And in the meantime... in the last 2-3 wks.... my belly has taken on a life of it's own!  Here I am with Sissy.. in the new house... sans shoes... She loves 'her baby' so much - I think I'll be getting alotta help!

And today was a big day - the SONOGRAM!  I've had so much anxiety this pregnancy... I guess I know how blessed I've been to have 2 healthy children... maybe it's that worry that my luck will run out! 

We held strong and opted not to find out the sex (mr. fix-it seemed to be wavering a bit, but in the end, he was strong, too!)  Baby #3 (I need something else to call him/her besides by a number... or the Tiebreaker... suggestions?) looked healthy in every way - answered prayers!

Hope y'all are having a wonderful week - I just love this time of year, even amid the chaos!  Sissy's birthday party is just 4 days away... we close on the house in 8 days.... and 11 days from now, I'll be residing (admist a million boxes!) in my new house!

C25K update: The Vegas Challenge

As y'all know... I have been commiting myself exclusively to the c25k program for 2 months... jogging at least 3 times/wk. (Amazing that since joining a running challenge with my online friends, I haven't missed a week yet! Is it the inspiration and motivation I get from them? Or the fact that my weekly starbucks habit depends on it as my reward? LOL)  I completed the c25k about 2 months ago... and I've been adding 1/4 mile each week.  I'm now running 3.75 miles at least 3 times a week!

Anyway, last week I got back into The Shred.... and let me just tell you this. That is a whole different set of muscles! As in.... I had to use the handicapped restroom for the next few days so I could use the bars to lower myself gently down. Everything - I'll spare you the details! - hurt like hell.

The challenge:  to work out 5 times/wk... or 20 out of 26 days until the Semi-Homemades and Everythings head to Vegas!  At least 12 of those 20 (3/wk) have to be jogs - the rest can be jogs or strength training.  I've got some girlfriends on FB I can check in with for motivation.

The progress:  I'm 10 days in... and I've worked out 8 times!  It's amazing what kind of motivation you can find when you're staring at your first vacation.  In.two.years.  Today I even worked out at 5am because I had plans tonight.... and Sat I even jogged 3.5 miles with a hangover!  ;)

Working out more changes my whole outlook on diet, too.... I'm trying to eat more lean proteins, all that.  But I was wondering... do any of y'all use a calorie counting website... like  MyPlate on livestrong.com?

And for all you running experts out there... when should I quit adding distance and try to add speed?  (I'm currently running 5.0 mph.)

Oh, and I was planning to give you another installment of running music (rap volume 3 - or is it 4?)  Stay tuned for that next time!

C25K update - and rap volume 3

I'm spending a couple minutes online (before kids get up!), looking for new music. And I found this - I blogged this LAST Feb:


Y'all. I just jogged for 25. straight. minutes. I'm still breathing hard. I love running!! When I'm done. And I still haven't decided if I'm totally impressed with myself or completely embarassed by how lame my Fri nights have become. Either way. And AGAIN, I had to remind myself that I am not, in fact, a rapper. I don't have on gold chains, don't go by the name Ice-mom or E-pain or any of that. But I do love some rap to make me forget how much I don't enjoy jogging.


Hee hee! I finished week 9 last week, and I'm adding 1/4 mile every week. I jogged this afternoon... 2 3/4 miles - next week it'll be 3 miles. Straight. No walking. ;) And I've decided maybe I DO enjoy jogging. When I get to do it during the day. ;)


Hopefully, I'll be able to share some new music that I love with you soon! But for now... an old fav....


If your taste is similar to mine, you prob know of Pitbull. Good energy, great for jogging! The BEST of his is the Bojangles remix... (This youtube version isn't the EXACT one I have... not sure the exact version, but I did quick searching and didn't see it!)

And love this one, too... Get No Better by Cassidy.

Kids are waking up but I think I got at least a few to add to my playlist before I jog tomorrow - woo hoo!

Runners - I need your help! (c25k update)

Y'all! Just look at what mr. fix-it got me for Valentine's day!

Now, before you get ready to stone him, just know.... this is what I wanted!! And I got him new running shoes as well.

We went to Run On (love that store!) where I had purchased my last running shoes. An embarassingly long, long time ago. (With 2 kids and a recession, mom's shoes just hadn't made the priority list. Possibly for 3 years. Maybe. Yikes!) They watched me walk, we talked about my jogging, etc, etc. I've been wearing asics and loving them. But this saucony pair was feeling even better, so I thought I'd try them out this time.

Okay, here's the deal..... I've jogged in them twice now, and I'm getting a blister. It's on the inner middle part of my foot, if that makes sense - kinda the arch...? So, the question is - will I get past this? Or do I need to take them back and get the asics?

C25k update: I'm excited to announce that this is week 9 of the c25k - I am one run away from graduating the program! (For the 3rd time!) :) Starting next week, I'll add 1/4 mile each week. Woo hoo!! This has been the hardest c25k for me (it hasn't gotten easier as faster), but I'm proud of myself for hanging in there!

I'm on the lookout for new music, so leave me comments if you have any suggestions. Extra credit for rap or fun hip hop. ;) Extra, extra credit if you actually come to my house and put it on my ipod. Actually, if you did that, I'd take you to dinner. ;)

So, speaking of Valentine's day.....

Mr. Fix-it left for a gallon of milk Sun morning (before we headed to church and Big Sister's FIRST day of Sunday School!), and came back with...

Purple flowers for Big Sis, orange for G-man, and yellow for me! After church and nap, we did small valentines for the kiddos. A truck for G-man, mini MLP for Big Sis, some mnm's, and a couple tshirts (tied in tulle, of course!)

Big Sis loved this new tank! (Which was on sale at oldnavy.com - I got it when ebates was doing 20% back!! WOW!)

Hope y'all had a sweet Valentine's Day!

Rap Volume 1 - Oh, and C25K Update

So, by now, y'all know of my love of rap. From drrrty south to just plain dirty, I can't help myself. I love it. And it helps me jog, I promise it does! You've probably also gathered by now that jogging is good for my mental health because it lets me work out aggressions. For example, I may or may not be guilty of getting thru some work frustrations lately, by jogging to Move B!tch by Ludacris. Maybe. Maybe not. I'm just saying.

But on to my c25k update (or how to lose the 7lbs I've gained since I took this promotion!) Just finished my 3rd jog of the week (I'm home this afternoon, thanks to G-man's new ear infection. I have to say, I've never been so excited with that diagnosis. I think y'all know by now that I'm a little concerned about that damn swine flu! But G tested negative for flu and strep - yea!)

Anyway, I'm in that dreaded wk 5 of c25k.... you know, the one where you suddenly jump up to running fo 20 straight min.... when, up until then, you haven't done more than an 8min jog. How did I get thru? Glad you asked. ;) Seriously, if you've never jogged to Rosa Parks by Outkast, you're probably not enjoying yourself. (Horrible with the names of songs like me? Click the link and you should be able to recognize the song before they cuss up your air space!) You will run faster when they break out in that stomp at the end. You've been warned.

I've also done The Shred once this wk. Woo hoo! I think that means that I'll enjoy the 75 degree weather we're having (it's beautiful here!) and have an outdoor pizza party tonight with the kiddos and mr. fix-it. Weekend is here - bring on the drinks!

Until then... I'm heading outside with a pumpkin and a can of spray paint.... at least until G-man wakes up from his siesta!

C25K & New Fall TV

Seriously.... y'all know how much I've been working and how it's taking a toll on... pretty much everything. But I think the new fall tv schedule can help me get back on a regular workout routine! I've been doing The Shred 1-3 times/wk (kinda sporadic!) And I'm going to continue with that, but add back in the C25K. You may remember I was doing pretty well (before I took this job!) and even ran my 1st 5k.



Time to get back in it! I started last night with wk 3 and it was easy.... on to wk 4 starting Sun! Anyone else doing c25k right now? Or want to know more? Email me!


And what could be more perfect for recommitting yourself to the treadmill than the new lineup of fall tv!! Metroplex Baby & Kids (a great website if you live in DFW) posted this schedule, with dates of season premieres, day/time/channel info, and they even color coded it to alert you that your fav show has changed time slots!


I'm horrible at keeping up with tv, because I don't have that much time for it! I did accidentally get involved in Heroes (Mr. Fix-It loves that show.... and I'm sure it has nothing to do with the cheerleader!), although I prob miss as many episodes as I catch. (I'm confused on most of it either way, so what the hell?) ;) But looking at this list, I'm a casual viewer on these shows, at most. I randomly get inspired by Biggest Loser (I can get into it at the end, when there are less contestants!) Apparently, Dirty, Sexy, Money was cancelled and I was into that last year (apparently, I should catch up on those last few episodes on my tivo). What should I be watching? And when does Big Love come back on?!

Mmmmm..... all this fall tv makes me even more excited for fall! Good thing I just finished making a big pot of chili (I'll be working late tomorrow night, but I'll feel better knowing Mr. Fix-It and the kids are having one of their fav dinners!)

My very first 5k - I did it!

Y'all. I did it - I ran my very first 5k. And I even.... jogged the WHOLE way without walkng. Okay, that's pretty much because Mr. Everything insisted on jogging with me - no matter how many times I told him to save the embarrassment and go on ahead. What a good friend, huh?

Anyway, a few pics and a few details! This is Mr. Everything and I (and Big Sis) right before the race!


The Semi-Homemade family - everyone was out to support momma!


So, it was 58 and clear when we left the house... was going to get to 80 degrees on Sat. So why did it look like THIS at the race? Temps were dropping and a mist was rolling in....

Here we are, finishing the race. We did it in just under 35 minures. I'm sure Mr. Everything could have shaved 10 or more minutes off his time, but.... for my first race, I'd say it's not bad!

Honestly, I'm glad it's over! I might do it again.... but luckily, we're so busy in the next few months, that I don't have to worry about it! Thanks to everyone for your support! :)

Big Weekend!

First of all, much thanks to all of you who commiserated with us about forgetting show & tell. every.week. And Mary Beth, I had the same conversation with Big Sis when I missed her Easter Bonnet Parade last Fri, too (for the record, I was at the helmet dr with G-man!) Everyone's parents were there. Except hers. Broke my heart. But... I'm proud to announce.... that we remembered today (okay, Mr. Fix-It remembered)! The subject is textures... and we thought of it - literally - as we were walking out the door. So... Mr. Fix-It is such a good daddy.... he reaches in his truck, finds sandpaper, and throws it in a baggie and labels it Sandpaper. She's all set! YEA!!

Y'all, tomorrow is the 5k. I'm neither ready nor looking forward to it. I've had some sort of mysterious allergy thing since Tues (scratchy throat, headache, sneezing like a maniac!) It'll be okay, right? I promise a recap.

And tomorrow is also Mr. Fix-It's birthday! Big Sis wants to get him a heart sucker and a guitar, so I've got a little errand running this afternoon to figure that out. ;) I'll try to take a few pics when we're out to dinner with the Everythings tomorrow night.

Work is insane today - I'll be able to explain more next week - but let me leave you with this invite.... from a dear friend of ours, let's call him JS. Anyone living in NE Oklahoma probably knows him... He went to school with Mr. Fix-It and college with both of us!

Howdy. 'Dilla Hunt'n Saturday the 11th. Course your all welcome to come up on the 10th and pitch camp. Think'n on cold beer and warm hog both days. 'Happiness is a warm hog'.....Sorry,..that was better to the beatles music in my head.... Speakin o' music...bring yer fiddles. Ill put a couple o lights out in the barnyard and we'll see if we can't get silly. I live directly between Highways xx and yy on highway zzz (bout 12 miles east of xx and 12 miles west of yy). Just go to Kansas and turn right or left, respectively. Half mile east of H Lake dam on zz is the S Ranch cattleguard. Go through it. Go bout another mile - You're not lost. Its way off off broadway. Oh and stay to the right at the bottom of the hill. You'll see. BYOB. BYOLC. BYOF. BYA. Hunt starts at 10 am sharpish on Saturday. Come . Bring a friend. Anyone I left out? Send this on.

Isn't that a hoot? Funny thing is.... it'll be a good time. TGIF!

Spring giveaways, C25K, and Cute stuff!

I only have a sec, but just a few things to share....

First - another wonderful mixer giveaway from Pioneer Woman. (Isn't she amazing? And she lives right where Mr. Fix-It grew up!)

Now.... if you win and I sent you there.... you have to promise to bake something fabulous and ship it to me. Okay?

Okay, another fun giveaway!! My Flip Flopz is giving away this cute chalkboard!! Available in different colors and she'll add your monogram! Please, please tell her I sent ya!


Ahhhh, to have a little girl again! (Maybe one day... just not one day soon!) I love, love ruffle butts - we used to call Big Sis by that when she was a babe, because of the sheer amount of pants, bloomers, etc, she had with ruffles on the butt. OMG, this is so cute. Seriously, if we weren't in a recession (I know, Mr. Fix-It has a job, but the housing market is still in the toilet.... so, until it recovers, we're still on the recession budget!) I'd order these. For my 3 year old. ;)

Let's see, what else...... G-man is getting his very first hair cut this weekend! Can you believe it? I want to take some pics of the kiddos in their Easter clothes so I can whip up a quick Semi-Homemade Easter card with a pic of them. Any cute Easter pic ideas? Anyone?

Oh, and my very first 5k is just 3 days away!!! OMG! I jogged outside on Sunday for the first time in.... let's just call it 2 yrs. SO much harder than on my treadmill. Y'all, I wasn't cut out for outdoor jogging. As my girl Sasha says... I'm outdoorsy in that I like getting drunk on patios. Word.

OMG - I'm going to do a 5k!

It's my first one, y'all, and I'm a little freaked out.... I have 3 wks left to "train" - eek! I'm jogging 2+ miles without stopping, so I only need to work up another mile, but.... I don't run in front of people!

Mr. Everything and I are going to participate in the Bunny Hop 5k in my neighborhood, while Mrs. Everything and Mr. Fix-It wrangle the kiddos. Afterwards is an Easter Egg Hunt, and the Easter Bunny himself will be there. There's also a petting zoo, face painting, bounce house (Big Sister will love that part), and train rides. That day is also Mr. Fix-It's birthday (he may or may not be turning 33!!) and we're going out for dinner with the Everythings without kids!!

"The 5k is challenging and certified." I don't like the sounds of that. Not one bit.

So, check in c25k'ers! Where are you in the process?

C25K update and other Friday night ramblings...

Y'all. I just jogged for 25. straight. minutes. I'm still breathing hard. I love running!! When I'm done. And I still haven't decided if I'm totally impressed with myself or completely embarassed by how lame my Fri nights have become. Either way. And AGAIN, I had to remind myself that I am not, in fact, a rapper. I don't have on gold chains, don't go by the name Ice-mom or E-pain or any of that. But I do love some rap to make me forget how much I don't enjoy jogging.

What happened to movie night with Mrs. Everything, you ask? Well.... my brother in Dallas had great tix to the Mavs game tonight (that's basketball, for all you girly girls who don't know!) so I told Mr. Fix-It he could go with him. Because I'm an amazing wife. ;) And for the record, we're still going to the movies. Tomorrow. I think.

Alright, time for dairy-free talk. For those of you who don't know, g-man has a milk allergy and (because I'm still nursing him), I cannot have any dairy. Big Sister had the same issue, but in a much less sensitive way. With her, I avoided cheese, milk, yogurt. It sucked but was totally doable. With G-man, I must read every label. If there is milk or milk protein or any of a million words that mean milk... I can't have it. So you can imagine how void my life is (just kidding! well, kinda...) and how excited I get when I find foods I can actually eat.

Case in point... have y'all had these chips and just not told me about them?

I hope not! YUMMY! If you're a fan of thai, you'll love 'em! I ate almost the whole bag this wk (it's a small bag.... full of air, mostly.... okay, I ate the whole bag!) Try them!! I'm guessing they're hard to find because I was at a somewhat fancier grocery store (getting free antibiotics for g!), but I'll try to look around.

And soon I'll get around to sharing my dairy-free oatmeal choc chip cookie recipe. Amazing. I just pulled some cookies out of the oven now. Since I jogged, I can have some. Right? ;)

Okay, time to do some etsy window shopping... I'm looking for some birds to finish up Big Sister's room. Here are a couple I'm looking at so far....

Happy weekend, y'all!

Dallas Giveaway (and a quick C25K update!)

How cute is this, y'all? It's a fun PINK giveaway from a fellow Dallas blogger (although a far more seasoned one that me - I should take some notes!) Here are the details:

A PINK Cupcake Giveaway!
So what can you win?
500 Cupcakes - An enormous collection of cupcake recipes!
PINK Silicone Cupcake Trivet - A Sur La Table favorite of mine!
Hot PINK Cupcake Liners - As seen in my Valentine's Day Red Velvet Cupcakes!
PINK Sparkling Sugar - For fabulous, pink, sparkling cupcakes!

You have til noon on 2/24 to try to beat me out of this one!

And thanks so much for all the encouragement for today's jog. I needed it! OMG. That was the hardest thing I'v done since.... recovering from my 2nd c-section. Mr. Fix-It said he could hear me breathing from downstairs! But I did it! And now I'll need to decide.... whether I move on to wk 6 next wk or do a refresher course on wk 5.

C25k: The dreaded week 5

In January 2007, my (then new) friend Sasha shared with me the world that is couch to 5k (c25k, if you're hip!) Since then, I've been telling her (and anyone who will listen) how much it has changed my life.

At the time, Big Sister was 13 months old, and I was still carrying around 12 lbs of my baby weight. I was getting more depressed by the minute, when Sasha sent me the spreadsheet she created for c25k. (We're totally 2 peas in a pod because I create spreadsheets to keep everything organized... I guess I have my accountant father to blame for that!)

The c25k program takes you from any athletic level (like couch potato, for example) to jogging a 5k in 9 wks. Okay, realistically, it took me more like 15 wks to complete it... and mostly because I spent a month on wk 5. But by that summer, I was not only down to my pre-preggo weight, I was actually more toned than before baby and I felt great! I kept running until spring of 2008, when I hit 20 wks pg with baby G-man.

I have started back up.... and even though it's MUCH harder to find the time to jog with 2 crazy kiddos, than it was with 1.... I'm trying to just be proud of anything I'm able to do. That being said, tonight I have the third jog of week 5, which is 20 min of straight jogging

Please send me your strength.... your ipod play list (I like anything with a good beat, or any kind of rap/hip hop - sometimes those elicit lyrics help, somehow?! I know that sounds crazy).... anything that could help!

And if you want more info, let me know.... because Sasha started the revolution and we can help get you started!