Books I'm Loving- June

I thought that I would start a new monthly series about the books that I'm loving. Since having the baby I haven't read anything other than baby books and this post will be pretty short but I'm hoping that as the months go on it will get better.

The first book is The Wonder Weeks by Hetty van de Rijt, Ph.D and Frans Plooij, Ph.D.

Why I'm loving this book:

It talks about the developmental weeks in baby's first 20 months so you can understand what's going on with your baby and why they may be acting the way they are. It's interesting to see how much they are learning and how they cope with it. It gives the parents a look into what going on so they can help their babies cope with what is going on. I'm trying to only read based on where Baby K is so I haven't read the whole book but I'm loving it so far.

The second book is Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, M.D..

Why I'm loving this book:

This book discusses the sleep habits that babies and children should have so they are more rested when they wake up and are generally more happier. I talks about their naps, both morning and afternoon, and their nighttime sleep, how they are different and what you as parents should be doing. It also discusses how getting them to bed earlier will promote longer sleeping through the night. I haven't finished this book either, I'm about halfway done, but I am loving it. Baby K is not a colicky baby but the book also talks about babies who are and what the parents need to do differently for their babies who are.

Once I finish this book I would love to write a post about how we are implementing the sleep habits and how it's working.

That's all I have for June but check back next month to see what else I'm reading and loving!

What are some books you've read lately that you've loved?

Running Rant

Like I mentioned in my last post, I hope to sign up for the Princess Half Marathon next week during early registration. I will need to step up my running and training game so I will be able to run this race. I want to train better than I ever have, and that will be a little more difficult with the baby now, but my husband is so supportive so I don't think it will be a big problem.

Training wise I usually use an app on my phone that will tell me when to run and when to walk. Since getting a new phone in April I noticed that the app doesn't work now which is a bummer because I have been used to the particular app for the last few years. Last night while scrolling through the app store I noticed that Jeff Galloway has running apps! I was so happy because the  training programs on Run Disney are designed by Jeff Galloway. What better way to train than by using his app. Since I am starting all over again with running since being pregnant I decided to download the 5k app to try it out. As long as it goes well I will download the half marathon app to really step up my game and I'll try to keep you all posted as to what I think of the app.

Another thing that has me worried about training for a half marathon in February is that I will need to run some, or all, of the runs at the end of the training on a treadmill. I live in the northeast and there is no way that I'm going for a run in freezing temperatures in December and January. The treadmill and I don't always get along but if I have built up a good running base this summer and fall I'm hoping that I should be all set to run on the treadmill in the colder months.

I think that sums it up for this week's Running Rant. Let me know if you found any good run training apps or if you've tried the Jeff Galloway app and what you think of it. Do you dislike treadmill running as much as me?

Life After Baby

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would do an update post and then get back on the blogging horse.

So, Baby K was born on May 6th and totally changed our lives and we are so in love with her. The labor and delivery were relatively easy, can I say that without sounding like someone you want to punch? LOL After two days in the hospital we were home and trying to figure out life with one more person in the mix. I have to say, we have been doing pretty well.

I had my postpartum appointment today and I can start running and going to the gym again! I am so happy that I decided to go for a run this afternoon in 90 degree weather. That's not something that I normally would do but I couldn't hold back my excitement.

Here's what I learned on my run today:
1. I missed it so much
2. I'm much slower, but I have confidence that I will get my speed back
3. I am definitely signing up for the Princess Half Marathon in Disney World.

Since we are DVC members I will hopefully be able to sign up during early registration next week, but if not I will try during the regular registration in a few weeks. I honestly can't wait to really start training for another race. I know that I am really crazy by deciding to run a half marathon 9 months after having a baby, but I know it will help keep me sane because I'll have me time to think and get all the stress out.

I am also really excited to be going back to Disney World, as log as I register for the race successfully. We went last May and haven't been back since and we had been going twice a year so to only go once last year and no trips this year is tough.

On another note, I have discussed on here before that we were thinking about relocating to Florida and it looks like we might actually be doing it. We don't have all the details firmed up yet but we are getting closer to deciding. This would be such a big change for us so we are really taking this seriously and weighing all our options.

So that's all I have for today, but since I am going to be home for another 5 weeks I hope to start posting more and to get on a regular schedule. See you soon!

What were you excited to start doing again after you had your baby? Any good training programs or apps you recommend?

Friday Fun

I've decided to start a new tradition of blog posts on Friday to detail all the fun things I'll be doing in the upcoming week. I thought this would be something fun to start doing and it will help me keep up with the blog.

This weekend I will be doing some much needed relaxing. It's just something that needs to be done when you're 38 weeks pregnant. Tomorrow the hubby and I will be going out to breakfast with my sister and I have nothing planned after that.

I plan on staying pregnant until at least May 1st, I'm probably the only pregnant woman that wants to stay pregnant this far in the game. I want to stay pregnant because The Avengers: Age of Ultron comes out on May 1st, with advanced showings on April 30th. I have not missed a Marvel advanced showing since the first Iron Man came out, so I need to see this movie. Obviously my daughter is going to come when she wants, but I hope she's a superhero nerd like her mother so she'll want to stay put.

I have decided to start with Iron Man and work my way up to Guardians of the Galaxy before Thursday, as long as I don't go into labor between now and then. I am hoping to get through Iron Man and Iron Man 2 tonight and then I can watch the rest this weekend.

I really am looking forward to the baby coming, don't get me wrong, but I was also really hoping for a May baby.  If all of this could work out that way, it would be wonderful!

So aside from all this fun stuff I have nothing really going on. I hope that these posts get more and more fun every Friday because this one seems kinda of boring. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed this post and will stick around for the others.

What are you doing this weekend?

Thinking Outloud

So with my due date fast approaching I've been preparing for the baby, but also trying to prepare for life once the baby gets here. I think the hubby and I are going to be good once the baby gets here, this waiting game stinks. We've been talking about some big changes for our family once the baby gets here and need to stop thinking about things I can't control.

We've been thinking about possibly moving out of state soon after the baby is born. This is hard decision for both of us, all we've ever know has been here and we would be totally out of our element. Our families are here and we would be moving away from all of them.

I know it's not the best timing, especially with the baby being here and everyone wanting to see her. But like I said, this is a hard decision for both of us so we're weighing all our options.

One of the most exciting things about moving would be that I would get to stay at home with the baby, something that I wouldn't get to do if we stayed where we are. I would also have to possibility to homeschool, which is something that I want to do.

There is still so much to work out so I will keep everyone posted. If anyone has any experience with this any advice would be helpful.

Feeling Crafty

I've been feeling super crafty lately and I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant or because the holidays are approaching. Either way I feel like I need to do something BIG.

Pinterest is a dangerous thing, especially for someone who's already feeling crafty. I already have a list of things that I saw on Pinterest that I want to do. So get ready, Crafty Kara is coming your way! There will be pictures with whatever I do so I hope the world is ready!

What have you done lately to be crafty?

Big News

I have been waiting so long to write this post!

The Hubby and I are expecting! 

I am 14 weeks and feeling great. I didn't really have any problems in the first trimester. I was just really tired and had no energy to do anything. I had a few days where I felt car sick but other than that, I've been good.

I am starting to get my energy back and I'm not so tired anymore, which is a good thing. I can wait to start working out more. The weather is supposed to be nice today so I will be going for a walk later.

I took a few days off from work to get some stuff done around the house and today is my last day off. I am trying to prepare myself for the craziness of tomorrow at work. Only 26 more weeks and then it's baby time!

We are still talking about me becoming a stay at home mom, which I would love to do. I know it will be tough but I also know that I am strong enough to do it. I have also been reading up on homeschool and I think I would like to do that as well, but that's a bit further up the road.

There's also a possibility that we could be moving down to Florida. I'm not sure when, but I hope it's after the baby is born, but if the opportunity comes before, we will just have to work with that.

I'm hoping to start doing weekly pregnancy blogs so stay tuned!

Did you become a stay at home mom? Did you go back to work? Moving while having a baby, have we lost our minds?