A day in the life...

Well, the time has come.  My maternity leave will end on March 12th and Evan starts daycare on this monday, March 5th (my feelings associated with that could take up this entire blog, but I will try to put them all down in a later post). Just when we finally established a routine going, life will change dramatically.  It's funny, isn't it?  It has only been ten weeks since I went on maternity leave, but feels like an eternity. I want to remember this time, so I thought I would write a day in the life post of what Evan and I do day to day.  Of course, there is some variation (for example, on Wednesdays when Bill goes to work at 6 a.m.), but here is the gist.

4:45 - 7:00 - Feed/Pump and Run.  Two days a week I meet a friend to run at 5:45.  On those days I wake up a 4:45 and pump while eating breakfast.  Surprisingly, I really like this time because it is so quiet and I do not feel rushed. I leave a bottle for Bill and head out the door by 5:30.  Bill swears Evan wakes up  on purpose as soon as I leave.  I have no idea, I am just thankful Bill is willing to get up with him so that I can workout.  On days that I do not meet up with a friend for my run, I will sleep in until Evan wakes up to eat, which is usually around 6:30 - 6:45.  He always goes back to sleep after this feeding, so I will then get dressed and run.  90% of the time, I sneak back into bed after my run and take a nap.

7:45 - 9:00 - All three of us are usually up for the day by this point. Its hard to tell because we do not use an alarm clock, which is so nice!  Once awake, Evan loves to play in his bouncer or on his play mat while Bill and I cook breakfast and Bill gets ready for work.  Bill also plays with Evan a considerable amount during this time.  Evan is such a happy baby in the morning.  I also take my shower during this time.  I have heard some moms have a hard time getting in a shower ever day.  Not the case with me.  For the sake of my husband, my son, and the greater Oklahoma City metro area, I shower daily.

9:00 - 10:30 - It is morning nap time for Evan.  He usually goes down sometime during this time frame, depending on when we woke up, and will sleep for about an hour.  Bill and I visit while he finishes getting dressed for work and he is out the door by 10:30.  Bill and I's time together in the morning is the best because, as you will see below, evenings can be hectic.

10:30 - 11:30 - Once Bill leaves for work, I usually make myself lunch unless I am having left overs.  I don't eat it just yet, but unless I make it while Evan is sleeping I may never get the chance.  I also use this time to blog, surf the internet and just relax for thirty minutes while Evan is still sleeping.

11:30 - 12:30 - Lunchtime for both Evan and I.   Actually, Evan is still eating every 2 1/2 hours during the day, so it seems like Evan's lunch time is all the time.  I also spend this time coming up with a plan for the afternoon because unless I have an agenda, I start going seriously stir crazy.  Most days I plan for Evan and I to get out of the house for a little while after lunch.

12:30 - 3:00 - It's window shopping/try not to spend money time.  Evan loves to be in his moby, so I usually strap him in and shop.  He sleeps through most of it, but occasionally wakes up so I can show him the best deals in home decor, women's clothing and shoes at Target.  I'm sure he loves it.

3:00 - 6:00 - We are normally back home at this time and to be honest, I have no idea what we do.  Usually, I look up at the clock, it says 6:00 and I am bewildered, wondering where the day has gone.  This happened to me at work all the time, so I guess some things never change.  I'm sure there is some playing, rocking and book reading, both by Evan and me, happening during this time, but I just can't pin point what happens when.  All I know is that when the clock hits 6:00, I start to prepare for our evening routine.

6:00 - 6:30 - Here is usually where Evan watches me work on my fitness.  I am 2 1/2 weeks into the video Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 and it has been working really well for me.  Yes, I do the video everyday Monday - Friday, even though I run in the mornings.  The video is 20 minutes and for now it is the perfect amount of strength training to complement my morning runs.  Evan usually sits in his bouncer and does his own exercises during this time in the form of leg kicks and arm swings.  I think he prefers kick boxing.

6:30 - 7:15 - Bath time.  Evan loves his bath time.  From the time I walk in the bathroom and turn on the water until I take him out, he is all smiles.

7:30 - 8:15:  Now that Bill is home, we divide and conquer,  One of us entertains Evan while the other prepares dinner.  Usually Bill is with Evan since he hasn't seen him all day.  I usually manage to fix dinner, eat and clean dishes during this time frame.  Note this is the only mention of dishes all day, so yes, I do not clean any dish until now and any dish dirtied after my one daily cleaning session will just have to wait until the next day at 7:30 - 8:15 p.m.  I've never been one to fret over dirty dishes.

8:30 - 10:30: Feed Evan, rock Evan, feed Evan, rock Evan, you get the picture.  Seriously, this is all I do.  From 8:30 to 10:30, Evan will sleep in no more than 30 minute increments and usually will wake up the moment I put him down.  I have wasted two good bubble baths during this time frame, so now I have just given up and spend these two hours sitting in his rocking chair or in my bedroom reading a book while he sleeps.  It seems to work best.

10:30 - 11:00 - The safe zone.  Usually, Evan is ready to be put down for the night by this time. We will have one final feeding and he is out until morning.  Sometimes its a little earlier, but I have never managed to put him in his pack and play before 9:30 without him waking up within 10 - 20 minutes.  It may change when I go back to work, but right now I enjoy our nighttime cuddling routine.

And there you have it, a day in the life of a me while on maternity leave.(This post could also be titled a day in the life if I ever win the lottery).  I'm sure in a few months when I do a post of a day in the life of me now that I am back at work it will look something like this: 5: 00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. - run around like a chicken with my head cut off.

The Hunger Games

I just finished the Hunger Games series and let me tell you, it is good.  As in can't put it down, stay up until one reading even though your infant will be up in a few hours to eat, good.  Here is a good synopsis to give you an idea of what the books are about.  Seriously, you should read them.  Stop reading this blog right now and go get these books.

What was he thinking!!

Have you guys seen this article about an Oklahoman who won a marathon in Fort Worth but was disqualified because he never registered for the race but instead ran using a friend's bib?  I mean I have been tempted to do that but I'm never close to winning so I could go unnoticed even if I ran as my dad.  I wonder what this guy was thinking on about mile 23 when he realize he was in the winner's circle yet could not win because he didn't register.

One Handed Eating

The books giving advice to first time moms are limitless.  Walk into any bookstore and you will find rows of books with information about how to get baby to sleep, what baby should be doing at different stages, maintaining a healthy relationship with your spouse once baby comes, the list goes on and on.  What no one tells you, however, is that you must master the art of one handed eating. This essential skill is not addressed in any book I have read.  So, my advice to anyone is once your see the plus sign, eat one handed from that day forward.  Hopefully by nine months, you will be good enough that you can actually finish a meal.

I am horrible at one handed eating.  It is a lot harder than you think.  In the past two months, I have dropped fried chicken, lettuce, and oatmeal on Evan, just to name a few things.  Once, I actually flicked a tomato seed in his face. As I attempted to eat a subway sandwich, a tomato seed fell on Evan's shoulder.  I tried to flick it off and instead I flicked it directly onto his cheek.  I know, mother of the year right here.

By now, Evan and I have a pretty good schedule going and I am able to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner while he is napping or Bill is home to entertain him.  Snacks, on the other hand, are a whole different ballgame.  Because I am breast feeding and working out, it is really important that I get enough calories every day.  Getting the right amount of healthy calories is hard and I actually have failed in this task every single day this past week.  So, I am on a mission to find healthy snacks packed with calories and goodness that I can easily eat one handed.  Enter granola bars.

{Click pictures for the recipes}

Sure, I could buy granola bars from the store.  In fact, I have done this several times.  However, most are loaded with sugar, do not seem to satisfy my hunger, and well, lets face it, cooking new things can be fun.  

I made the no bake energy bites last week. Seriously, these did not take longer than 5 minutes to make and they are so delicious.  And so easy to eat.  I can popped 3 of these in my mouth in less than one minute while holding Evan and changing out the laundry.  These things are breastfeeding mom's dream come true.  I also eat these while getting dressed to run and they seem to help keep me satisfied throughout my workout.  I am so glad I found this recipe.  Try them, you will not regret it. 

I made the chocolate chip peanut granola bars this morning.  They take a little longer than the energy bites, but not much.  Basically, you just melt the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil, add that to the dry ingredients, press in the pan and sprinkle chocolate chips on top.  I actually substituted unsalted butter for the coconut oil because the only coconut oil I could find was $11 and I am too cheap to spend that on a recipe I am not sure I will like.  Also, make sure you only use the 1/4 cup of chocolate chips.  It was so tempting not to pour the entire bag on top :).   It says that you can place the pan in the freezer or refrigerator to set.  I, of course, used the freezer method because I could not wait to try them.  In keeping with my goal to take pictures daily, here are some pictures of the process. 

Basically, you just add this: 

To this:

Add some chocolate chips, and voila, you get this:

Next time, I think I will add the chocolate chips to the dry mixture and stir them in because my chocolate chips did not seem to set very well into the granola mixture.  Other than that, these bars were delicious!  And saving the best for last, my sous chef: 

Anyone have any good recipes for easy snacks that I can eat one handed?  If so, please send them my way. 

Must Keep Running

In a nutshell, this is me! Finding the time to run has surprisingly been easy while on maternity leave. For example, today I was able to wake up with Evan at 7:30, play with him until Bill woke up at 8:45 and was out the door for my three mile run by 9:00.  I know things will be harder once I go back to work in two weeks.   But for now, putting on my running shoes isn't that hard.  Its the finishing that is kicking my butt.

I have also been trying to divide each run into smaller segments.  For example, I will tell myself, just make it to the playground, just make it to the soccer field, etc.  (Please tell me that I am not the only one who talks to myself while running.  I cannot imagine what I would do on a run if I didn't talk to myself, how boring.  I can plan Bill and I's life for the next 40 years in one 6 mile run, lol.)  I am also motivated by the fact that my friend Ashley and I decided to run the Capitol 10K in Austin on March 26th, and it has now turned into quite the event. My parents, Ashley's parents, John, Savanna and Eli will also be traveling to Austin for the weekend. Ashley, my dad, John, Savanna and I will be running.  I am really excited because it is the biggest 10K in Texas and its Ashley's first 10K.  Here is the website:

My goals for this race are simple: Finish.  

The Capitol 10K will be the first race towards one of my new year's resolution, which is to run at least one race a month for 2012.  I wasn't able to run in January or February because I didn't get clearance to work out until January 30, 2012.  My other resolution is no sweets or junk food while at work, but that won't start until March either.  You see how I work, choose resolutions that cannot even last all year, they are much easier to keep.

One last thing I have to share because, to me, it is so hilarious.  Sorry for the cuss word ;).

Lazy Sundays and cooking adventures

Bill, Evan and I had a great lazy Sunday.  For starters, Evan slept for 8 1/2 hours for the fourth time in five nights, so we were well-rested and ready to take on this beautiful day.  On the to-do list was grocery shopping, leisurely running, sugar cookie decorating, and the completely random, but totally necessary trip to Sam's.  Are Bill and I the only ones who go to Sam's for no other reason but to browse and eat samples?  I hope not.  Today wasn't a great day at Sam's because despite being there during lunch time, there was not a sample to be found.  I know, right!

After returning home from shopping, I decided to go on my 2 1/2 mile easy run with no headphones, no cell phones, just me and mother nature. Well, actually just me and suburban Oklahoma with not a tree over 6 feet tall in sight, but you take what you can get.  It was such a beautiful day and people were out.  Kids flying kites, families having picnics, I saw it all during my short run through the neighborhood.  It was so nice to see people out and made me thankful that Bill and I have a great neighborhood for Evan to play in when he gets a little older.

Also, on my agenda was baking sugar cookies.  True to my completely random personality and forever changing hobbies, I have always wanted to be able to decorate a decent cookie.  I don't think by any means I am going to open a bakery anytime soon, but I am determined to figure out how to do this.  I have tried to bake cookies on several occasions.  I remember one Easter Bill and I tried to decorate cookies and ended up with about 3 dozen broken-eared bunnies who looked like they suffered through a bad kindergarten class.  Then during Christmas 2010, my friend Sharon and I embarked on a journey of beautiful Christmas trees and perfectly round red-nosed Rudolphs and ended up with a Ziploc bag full broken pieces dipped in God knows what.  It was bad.  So this time, I set out to research first.

 I started out by reading every single word on the recipe posts of this blog: Sweet Sugar Belle.  I really liked her recipes, but I think I will use vanilla extract next time instead of almond.  I wanted to use almond because it sounds so official and baker-like.  Vanilla just seemed homemade and I am on the quest for a cookie I can be proud of. One that you would think I paid good money for.  But, it turns out that I kind of like vanilla. No, I really like vanilla.  So, I think next time I am going to use almond for the cookie and vanilla in the icing.  I will let you know how it goes.

Because Bill and I are trying to get used to our new camera, we are committed to taking pictures daily.  So, sorry for the heavily loaded pics of my cookie adventures.

Evan helped:

Then he got bored.

And the final product:

Not bad for my first time.  I have about 1 1/2 dozen more clovers frozen and icing in the fridge, so I am going to practice again next weekend.  Also, I plan on tweaking the recipe and trying new recipes until we find the one that is perfect for us.  But, overall, I think my first time deserves a B+.

Bill had his own adventures going while I transformed into Betty Crocker, which included making me delicious fish tacos. 

I am now stuffed and ready to go to bed.

Welcome

As most of you know, I somewhat not so diligently maintained a blog during my pregnancy.  I'm currently in the process of creating a book out of that blog. Looking through the draft of that book reminds me of how grateful I am I took time out to document those moments that occurred not so long ago, yet seem like a distant memory.  Many things I wrote about during pregnancy I had forgotten until rereading my blog posts.  I love reflecting on those memories.

Anyway, the pregnancy blog has inspired me to create a family blog, hence the title, The Cole Chronicles.  The goal for this blog is simple: maintain an online journal of the events happening and Bill, Evan and I's life.  I know that it will be easier to keep track of the memories if I write them down frequently, and lets face it, I am at the computer at least 75% of the time, so digital will be best for me. I hope to document our vacations, my adventures in running and working out, Evan's milestones, and most likely, the nuances of our everyday life.  The only guarantee I can make is randomness.  This blog will be full of it because that is how my brain works.   Also, similar to the pregnancy blog, I will plan to make a book at the end of each year, which will include any comments that you guys add to the blog.  So, please, please comment.

The funny thing is, I know exactly the steps I need to take to reach this goal.  Think BLOG first.  Thus, I am committing to myself that before I get on Facebook or Pinterest, I will update the blog.  Having memories written down that our children can look back on is certainly more important than reading someone's 80 status updates or pining the craft I probably will never get around to making.  This doesn't mean I will not keep up with those websites.  I will, especially Pinterest, because I LOVE Pinterest.  But, from here on out, I will be thinking BLOG FIRST.