Week 3, Day 2

Run is DONE!! 1.81 in 30 minutes. Not setting any records today but the deed is done. I wonder why some days it feels good and other days its so hard.

Cloth Diapering Progress

Why did I switch to cloth diapers especially when my husband is more than will to pay for disposable diapers for the twins and Malachi? I don't really know. They have intrigued me ever since I started looking at them about 4 years ago. I had decided to try them when I was potty training Lydia but when I found out my next child was actually twins, I decided against it.

But a few weeks ago I decided to take the plunge.

How is it going? WONDERFUL!!!

I was skeptical. But when a friend offered to sell me her stash for a great price, I decided to do it. If I hated it I wouldn't be "out" much. But I really love it. Its so easy and its really isn't that much more work. I'm using fitted diapers with vinyl panties as covers for the twins. I have a couple pockets diapers that I like and 3 Bumkins All-In-Ones that I really love. But even using the traditional pre-fold with a water proof cover is really no big deal and I can't believe the money we are saving!

What about the poop? Well, there is a good and bad. Poop is never fun. And I don't know about you but my twins blow out their disposables very regularly. A disposable doesn't really absorb runny feces very well. Basically a disposable just tries to contain it, of sorts. But a cloth diaper actually absorbs the runny feces leaving only the solid waste that gets dumped into the toilet. No MORE BLOW OUTS WITH CLOTH DIAPERS!! And with a breast fed baby, their poo is water soluble and there is no need to even dump anything in the potty. That is the good side.


The bad side is that poop is poop is poop and its just a part of life. So to compensate for dumping poo in the toilet, I'm going to buy a sprayer that attaches to the toilet so I can spray the poo off the diapers. Problem solved.

Is your washer stinky? Not at all!!! I do a pre-rinse, wash and then another rinse . . . DONE!!! Some cloth diapering mommas leave their diapers sit for 2 or 3 days before they wash them but I'm just doing one small load of diapers every evening before bed, stick them in the dryer and they are ready to go again by morning.

Why didn't I do this 6 children ago?

Whew!

Today was a good run! I know I said I wasn't going to obsess about time but I felt like pushing myself today. (I know. For some of you veteran runners this is nothing to blog about!) BUT I did 1.9 miles in 30 minutes today. My previous best was 1.82. I'm REALLY ready to do 2 miles in 30 minutes. Today my first mile was completed in 15:48. I would like to be able to do the first mile in 15 since it includes my 5 minute warm up walk which is basically the first quarter mile. Today it was .26 in the first 5 minutes. So I'm doing 3/4 of a mile in about 10 minutes. I'm good with that.

I would love to know how far I ran the very first time I did Couch to 5K. I don't think I quite made it to a mile that very first time. I know this might not be a big deal to some but I'm just so excited that I'm getting healthier! Its exciting to SEE results, especially since I don't own a scale and have no idea if I'm losing any weight or not! And every time I run my children are fighting about who gets to run on the treadmill when mom is done. I'm so encouraged to think that they will grow up thinking exercise is normal and something you just DO. I HOPE when they are grown they are striving to be healthy.

And it starts with Mom.

No one will tell me it can't be done. No one will convince me they CAN'T exercise, barring any legitimate physical hindrances. I have 6 children ages 8 and under. I have a newborn. I have 22 month old twins. My husband isn't home Mon-Fri. It CAN be done and I WILL DO IT! My laundry might be in a pile but I will get healthy!

First 5K in October!!

My Review of Seven Slings LLC

I recently received a coupon for a free baby sling from Seven Everyday Slings at www.sevenslings.com. I was excited about this because a baby carrier of some sort has become an absolute necessity since Malachi was born. Its impossible to keep my hands on the twins AND carry Malachi when I am out and about in public so I've been looking into slings. I thought this coupon was a God send!! All I had to pay was shipping and handling. Cool.

Or not.

I get to the website and the slings are cute. And then I notice there are sizes for these slings. How do I know what size to order? Someone was very clever and included a tape measure that you could print off and even explained how to measure yourself so you would know what size to order. I did this and meticulously followed the directions and selected my color of choice in the appropriate size. I get to the "checkout" and I'm shocked to see that shipping and handling is $11.95!!! Seriously?! You could ship a sling to Japan for less than $11.95! But I decided to go ahead and order it because $11.95 is cheap for a sling . . . if it works.

Then I notice you can't return your product if its the wrong size unless you pay extra. Really? Well, I decided to pay extra. I little voice in the back of my head is telling me this sling isn't going to fit but I kept arguing with the voice because I used THEIR tape measure and followed THEIR directions!!

I was super excited when I promptly received my sling in the mail as promised. I pulled it out and noticed the exchange directions on the packaging. WOW!!! You needed a PHD in rocket science to accurately return the product if it didn't fit. And, of course, when I put the sling on and tried to put my newborn in it, it didn't fit. Great. So I do my best to follow the myriad of directions so they'll accept my return and requested a sling 2 sizes bigger than their measuring chart said I needed and I crossed my fingers hoping I did everything correctly.

Miracle of miracles, I received an e-mail several days later stating that my return had been accepted and the exchanged size would be shipped out shortly. Wonderful!!

Maybe not. I get the new sling and its still too small. And even though I paid extra to return it and paid $11.95 for shipping and handling for a scrap of material, the return policy states you can only exchange your sling one time. So I paid over $15 for a sling I can't use.

My advice, do not order this product. Its too expensive. The material is very stiff and looks like something I could whip together in 25 minutes on my own machine. The return policy is incredibly complicated and the sizing chart is WAY OFF. I promise, you can NOT have breasts and use this product.

Thumbs down for Seven Everyday Slings. :(

Week 2, Day 3

Is been hard to find time to run. I was three days between runs this time. I hate that. I try to commit to myself that I won't go two days in a row but we spent 5 hours at the zoo Saturday and then left at 8 AM Sunday and didn't get back home until 9 PM. Yesterday was insanely busy. I think I had two hours between 7 AM and 9 PM that I wasn't doing something for somebody, running here and there and doing this and that. I was zapped by the time I fed Malachi at 9 last night. So I had promised myself I wouldn't go to sleep today until I got my run in. Its in!!!

When I started Couch to 5K last year in June (I think) my goal was to simply complete the program. Then I decided I wanted to actually run in a 5K race. I still want to. But then I started obsessing about time and running faster. Let's face it. I've carried 6 children within my body. I've had thyroid problems. I'm overweight. I'm trying to squeeze in a running program along with running my home without my husband Mon-Fri. I'm probably not going to be a fast runner. I probably need to set my sights back on just finishing. So today I decided to do my run at a comfortable pace, pushing myself a little but allowing myself to enjoy the run for what it is instead of trying to run farther each day than I did the day before.

It was good. And when it was over, I still ran 1.75 miles in 30 minutes. I'm okay with that. This time last year I couldn't run even a half mile. I'm healthier. I'm down 50 pounds from this time 2 years ago. There are a lot of moms that don't exercise at all.

While I still am going to keep track of my progress, I'm going to refocus and cut myself a little slack. I'm going to complete my running program and do my best to run every day. If I miss a day, it isn't the end of the world and I'll try not to miss 2 days in a row. But I'm going to be content with that and let the rest come as it may . . . or not.

October 5K . . . watch out because this momma of 6 just might run with a baby strapped to her back!! LOL

Week 2, Day 2

I didn't run last night. Hate it when I do that but I was zapped. Its so hard to find time to exercise with the twins and Malachi. Harder than I thought it would be. And by the time I do everything I need to do, I'm too tired at night. But I committed to myself a while when I started this last year that if I missed one day I wouldn't beat myself up. But I will not miss a second day in a row. So it was run tonight or else! (Or else what, I do not know . . . .) Tonight was HARD. I ran the shortest distance since I started last week and it was just super hard. So, no more slacking. I'm running every day whether I like it or not!!! And I HAVE to run before 5 and 6 PM. I will run my first 5K this year!

Week 2, Day 1

So today the training programs bumps up a touch and I still did 1.83 miles in 30 minutes. My first mile was done in 16:15. YEAH ME!!!!!!

Scarecrow Scramble in October!

Coming Toward the End!!

The school year is coming to a close! Do you see me crying? NOPE!!!! This half day Kindergarten is for the birds!!! An hour and a half in the van every day and $60 worth of gas getting back and forth to school assuming I don't drive anywhere else! Yep, I'm ready for summer vacation and then next year we get a year break from half day Kindergarten! YEAH!!! I will be doing half day Kindy every other year for the next 6 years, assuming we have no more children. Don't you wish you were me?!

On a completely different note, I have been on the search for the perfect baby wrap/carrier since Malachi was born. It isn't possible to take him and the twins out in public without having my hands free and I just can't find anything I'm really happy with. I have a front carry Infantino and its okay just a bit awkward to get on. Plus, having him directly in front of me means I can't see what I'm doing all the time. I just ordered a sling online and I'm anxiously waiting for that one but we'll see. One review I read of it was awful so I'll write my own review once I get it and use it. I do have directions to make my own "moby" sling that I'll be posting at a later date. I need to buy some jersey material for that.

Today will be busy . . . back and forth to the school 3 times, a piano lesson, running, church and the "usual" taking care of the kids. Have a great day!!!

Week 1, Day 6

1.82 miles in 30 minutes!! Felt good! I can see why this might get addictive! And I can't believe what a difference it makes being in a little bit better shape than I was last time!!

I drove to the east side of Indianapolis to meet mom and dad yesterday then I had two music lessons as soon as I walked in the door. Then it was homework, chores, dinner . . . you name it. I finally sat down around 8:30 and I was just ZAPPED so I didn't run yesterday. I didn't beat myself up because Couch to 5K calls for a day off between every run, I just chose not to do that. I'm afraid if I take a day off I won't jump back in. So I was determined to run today since I missed yesterday and I was really dreading it. It felt great. Hoping to break the 2 mile mark tomorrow. That is the goal.

5K in October . . . if not before!

Getting healthy, losing weight and setting a good example for my kiddos!

No More Poo!!!!

The other drastic and making a little weird thing I'm doing is I've stopped using shampoo. Yep, no more poo for me!!! So is my head stinky and dirty? Not at all! Here is what I do.

Mix approximately 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda into about 2 cups of water. When you get in the shower, use your fingers to scrub your head a bit and lift the hair so it isn't plastered to your head from the water. Slowly pour some baking soda water onto part of your head and massage your scalp and work into your hair. Do this until you have washed your entire head and hair. Then use another 2 cups or so of water with a few tablespoons of vinegar added to rinse your hair. NO POO!!

No, your hair does not smell like vinegar when you are done. There is a faint vinegar smell while your hair is wet but it completely vanishes when your hair is dry. I had heard from those who had done it before that your hair goes through a crummy period and then softens up but I haven't even had that. My hair has been very soft since the very first wash.

Let me know if you decide to try it and what you think about it!

Week 1, Day 4

1.7 miles in 30 minutes. It felt good today so I'm not sure why I was down .04 miles. But its done and I rather enjoyed it. (Somebody say I didn't just type that!!)

You're Making WHAT?!

One of the things I'm trying in my efforts to go a little more "natural" at our house (not sure what else to call it) AND save money in the process is making my own deodorant. Sounds strange, doesn't it? That's what I thought, too. Then I tried it. WOW!!! I'm impressed! Here is the recipe and instructions.

First, clean out an old, empty, store bought deodorant tube or get a small jar with a lid.

Mix together 1/4 c baking soda and 1/4 cup corn starch.
Work in 2-3 Tablespoons of coconut oil. (You can get 32 ounces of coconut oil at Walmart in the cooking oil section for less than $6.)
Once these 3 things are thoroughly mixed together and smooth, add 3 drops of tea tree oil and 5-10 drops of the essential oil of your choice.
Once thoroughly mixed, spoon mixture into your deodorant tube and then store over night in the refrigerator.
It will harden up in the frig so when you apply it to your underarms, apply it slowly to allow the coconut oil to soften just a bit.

VIOLA!!! Its saves money, has no harsh chemicals and IT WORKS!!!! Let me know if you try it and how it worked out for you.

P.S. It even holds up after a run!!

Week 1 Day 3

1.73 miles in 30 minutes!

I'm so happy about that. I remember the very first time I did Week 1, Day 1 and in those 30 minutes, I don't know if I even went a full mile. And tonight when I ran, it felt good. There was a point about 1/3 of the way through where my entire body went warm and the excursion just felt good and it felt good to the end.

On the road to my first 5K!!!

Changes Changes

Now that I'm getting back in the swing of things, I've decided to make some changes around the house. A couple changes we are making is eating a whole lot more fresh fruits and vegetables and a lot less meat. Another change is WAY less sugar which is really tough on me. In addition, I'm doing ZERO eating out during the week when its just me and the kids at home. This is really tough because its difficult to force yourself to cook dinner when your husband isn't home and equally EASY to stop by and get something off the dollar menu when you pick up the kids from school. A week ago today I also started giving Elijah Barleans Omega Swirl and I've already started seeing a difference in his behavior. So I think between the dietary changes and the Omega 3 fish oil, he is being helped. I know its helping me!!

Looking forward to healthier life!

Getting Moving

After being cleared to exercise after the birth of our 6th child, I restarted the Couch to 5 K program and my goal is to run my first 5K in Lisle this year. Its easier this time around after only a 9 month break instead of a 33 year break! Not EASY by any means but better!

Day 1 - 1.6 miles in 30 minutes
Day 2 - 1.64 miles in 30 minutes

While I'm not setting any records, this is way better than before when I couldn't even jog for 60 seconds straight without thinking I was going to die! It took me a long time to build up to a mile of walking/jogging.

So I'll be keeping track of my progress here and before I die, I'll run that full marathon!!