WARNING: This is a long one…but I swear I tried to keep it as brief as possible!
Okay, so I am not really writing about holiday ketchup, but more like holiday catch-up. Although holiday ketchup sounds like a pretty interesting tomato-y holiday tradition, there will be not discussion of condiments here. 
Since I have so much ground to cover with this blog, I am just going to give you a quick series of updates to keep from going all over the map. Are you ready? Let’s go!
BABY KEY
If you have been following me on Twitter (And if you have not, what are you waiting for!? It is a party, y’all!), you have probably seen that I have been posting a lot about how hard of a time we have been having with Baby Key. My child cries ALL THE TIME. For a few weeks, I thought it was just regular newborn crying. However, when the crying became incessant…and the sleeplessness set in…I knew something was wrong. Newborns just could not cry THIS much. It just was not normal. This past Monday, I had finally had enough. After two full days of crying and no sleep, I had reached my limit. In tears, I called the pediatrician and begged her to work us in. After she examined him, she finally diagnosed him with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). While I am not thrilled that he has this condition, I am happy to know what is causing his fits so that we can work to make him feel better and happier.
At the suggestion of the doctor, we have changed his formula from Enfamil Infant Premium in the light blue container to Enfamil Gentlease in the purple container. While I breast feed during the day (actually I pump and then bottle feed the breast milk), we do supplement nighttime feedings with formula. The plan is to also feed him smaller amounts, more frequently. This feels like taking a step back but if it makes his temperament milder, I will absolutely do it. Also, he has been given a prescription of 10mg of Nexium daily. The pediatrician says every child is different, so he could grow out of it in two weeks…or several months. Sigh. However, in just the few days since he changed his routine, the situation seems to be improving. I am hoping that he will soon get to the point where we can put him down and not have him start screaming. We are doing our best to be optimistic!
Merry Christmas!
Well, my friends, I am *officially* another year older…and maybe another year wiser? Ha! I wish! Last Monday, I turned the big 2-9. Once upon a time, I thought 30 was old, but, surprisingly, I do not have a lot of anxiety about approaching my thirties. Besides, 30’s are the new 20’s, right?
I did not really spend my birthday doing anything spectacular. In fact, it was anything but stellar. I try really hard to remain positive and upbeat, but I am going to have to be honest…my birthday sucked. Monday morning started out with a meeting with a lactation nurse who diagnosed me with candida/mastitis in my breasts (SO painful) and the afternoon was filled with a doctor appointment for Baby Key where he was diagnosed with GERD (see above). I spent the whole day in tears.
I had planned to drop my kiddo off with my mom for the afternoon and Super Husband and I were going to catch a movie and go for a bike ride. None of that happened because of the doctor appointments. After my kiddo’s appointment, I was so drained from the day’s events that we just went to my mom’s house…where I promptly proceeded to replace the my bummy feelings from the day with Swedish Fish, strawberry cake with vanilla frosting, and vanilla fro-yo with Magic Shell. A sugar hangover commenced promptly on Tuesday morning.
1.9 lb of AWESOMENESS
Super Husband and I are really looking forward to having some help while we are in South Carolina. His parents and sisters are itching to spend some time with Baby Key and this Mama Bear welcomes the break! I *need* it. While on holiday vacation, I am hoping to be able to run everyday. I realize that some people might think that my getting excited about running while on vacation is completely ridiculous, but forget them. They have not been cooped up in a house for 6 weeks!
My legs are begging to be moved!
My lungs are craving fresh air!
The pavement beckons the steady rhythm of my feet!
On Christmas Eve morning, I joined up with some old friends and my sister-in-law for a group run. It was so great so see my old running friends! It was really cold and I had a little bit of trouble (let’s just say that super cold temps + breast health issues = big time difficulty) but I did the best I could. I cut the route short because I was feeling awful, but hey, I was out there.
While in town, I also want to visit the local running and triathlon stores. There is a MUCH larger selection here than in Baton Rouge and I have got birthday money to spend! What should I get? Any suggestions?
I also want pick up a copy of a new running magazine, called Pace. My running buddy, Denise Bryson, just started it and I cannot wait to see the first issue. If you are in the Upstate South Carolina area, look for it! Oh and be sure to follow the mag on Twitter…@pacerunningmag!
RUNNING/RACING
My post-partum running has been going pretty well. I started out with a walk and when that went well with little soreness, I stepped up to running. Here is a little recap:
1. 1.50 miles – outside walk – neighborhood – Thursday 12/08/2011
2. 2.22 miles – inside run/walk – treadmill – Saturday 12/10/2011
3. 1.20 miles – inside run – treadmill – Friday 12/16/2011
4. 4.30 miles – outside run – LSU lakes – Sunday 12/18/2011
5. 2.25 miles – outside run/walk – downtown Greenville – Saturday 12/24/2011
On run #3, I felt light-headed and started getting tunnel vision. I definitely attribute that to poor nutrition. Whatever the reason, I felt it best to stop.
On run #4, I felt AMAZING! And guess what!? My guts did not fall out like I thought they would! Ha! It was also my first run with my new training buddies (more on that in a moment).
Run #5 was awful. I have been having some really big complications with breast feeding my son which have led to some breast health issues for me. In the last week, the cold weather and the friction from a sports bra have made exercising really uncomfortable. However, I think I have everything under control, so now I just have to wait for soreness to go away. Blech.
I know 5 runs in 2 weeks is not all that impressive, but it has been so hard to get away or do ANYTHING when Baby Key is having his fits. During his “witching hour,” Super Husband and I literally have to take turns with him in 15-20 minute intervals. It is exhausting. However, now that that issue seems to be getting resolved, I am hoping to be able to commit to 3-4 runs per week (one speed run, one tempo run, one long run, and maybe one fun run).
I am going to have to find some way to get my running in because I have races coming up and I need to start getting back into tip-top shape! That’s right…I am back, suckas! While I am not at all in the shape or at the speed I was pre-baby, I do feel ready to start entering races!
In early February, I will be joining 5 others in the Rouge-Orleans ultramarathon relay. We will be taking turns running legs with the total distance covered being 126.2 miles. The route is from Baton Rouge to New Orleans along the old Mississippi River roads (the roads used before the interstate between the two cities were built) and the overall elevation is negative. New Orleans sits farther below sea level than Baton Rouge, so here is a big WOO HOOfor running 126.2 miles downhill! I do not know the members of my team that well but I am sure that training together will give us the perfect chance to get acquainted. Yay for making new friends! I met the team captain, Amanda, while I was training for the Rocketchix Triathlon earlier this summer. I am really looking forward to this experience!
Team name needed! Any suggestions??
In March, I will be running the 2012 Rock N Roll New Orleans. I am currently signed up for the half marathon, but depending on how I feel after the Rouge-Orleans, I *may* consider running the full marathon. MAYBE. I caught a GREAT deal on the registration fee earlier this year. It was only $35! I ran the full marathon this year and loved the course. Can I do it again this year? Will I be ready?
In 2012, in the interest of saving money, I will probably do a lot fewer 5k and 10k races and focus on events that really challenge me…half and full marathons, adventure/mud runs, and maybe a sprint triathlon or two.
OTHER RACES
There are a number of other awesome events coming up that, while I am not running them, I am involved with in one way or another. I will definitely be present at these races, so if you are going to be there or if you are running them, please let me know so that I can say hello or cheer you on!
January 15: Louisiana Marathon (Baton Rouge, LA)
January 22: Gulf Coast Half Marathon (Gulf Shores, AL)
March 22: RRCA Certification/Training (Atlanta, GA)
April 15: Gulf Coast Half Marathon (Pensacola, FL)
On a side note, if you are looking for an awesome race in which to qualify for the Boston Marathon (BQ, baby! BQ!), please consider running the Louisiana Marathon! The course is incredible and it takes you through some of the most historic areas of our city. Plus, it is an inaugural year and it is always fun to run an event in its first year! Oh, and have you seen the race bling? HELLO!
GEAR REVIEWS AND GIVEAWAYS
In the last month or so, I have gotten my hands on some fantastic fall/winter running gear to test out. Some of this stuff is so unique and the technology is really innovative. I have already started wear-testing some of the gear and will continue to do so over the next couple of months. Lots of gear/product reviews are coming soon, so be on the look out! I will help you spend some of that holiday cash that I know will be burning holes in your pockets! Plus, there will be some fun giveaways so you will not want to miss that!
So, with all that, I’m off for a run! I hope the holiday season has been as good to you as it has been to me! This pretty much catches you all up from the last couple of weeks! I promise not to wait so long before posting again!!
How have you been doing? What have you been doing to keep yourself sane during the holidays?
