But first, here are some baby snuggles...
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| Gideon |
Allow me to introduce this incredible, amazing blessing called Gideon. How we have prayed for this little guy to come into our lives. We have cried out to God with desperation and waited in wonder and often impatience for several years. He is an absolute miracle. I have spent hours just gazing upon him, studying him, snuggling him, and falling in love. Luke and I are amazed and amused by the smallest things, a facial expression, a sweet sound, the fuzzy hair on his ears! (he may be part werewolf!)
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| Proud Grandparents |
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| Our little Family |
Up to this point getting out of the house seemed like a monumental task.
It's still a little intimidating and I think the idea of completing these challenges will force me to go a little (or sometimes a lot) outside of my comfort zone. The challenge this week is to Pretend you're in Paris by going to a coffee shop and hanging out for a bit. On Monday I chose to head out alone (with Gideon) to Miss Lucille's.
It isn't far from home, they have coffee, food, and I could push the
stroller around and check out all of the booths with antiques, clothes,
art, furniture, and all kinds of things. He slept most of the time we
were there. The only downside was that I probably would have stayed
longer to walk around but I wanted to get back home to feed him. This wasn't a difficult challenge, but I need to conquer breastfeeding in public so I can stay out as long as I would like.
Challenge One = Success!
This week I began taking steps to get back into working out. I'm starting out with exercises that are going to sound ridiculous because they are so easy, but if you want to ease your body back into a workout routine these simple actions are a great place to start!
Exercise 1: Deep breathing- you can do deep belly breaths any time and pretty much anywhere. This guided meditation video from FemFusion Fitness was perfect for after-baby and focuses on relaxing and breathing deeply.
Exercise 2: Hip Circles- Again, FemFusion Fitness is awesome. Check them out! I don't do 50 hip circles a day as described in the video below, I do 8-10 in each direction first thing in the morning or at other times of the day when I just want to move!
Exercise 3: Walking- This is self explanatory and the weather has been perfect the past few days for this. Lately I will walk a half mile and that is all I feel like doing. I think we can give up or never start exercise if we think we have to achieve a certain number of miles or do certain types of exercise. Do what feels good and stop when you need to. Just doing something is what counts! I don't have a walking video, so I HAVE to share this ridiculous video about prancercise. I can't decide if the actual video is more hysterical, or the spoof that was made about it, so check them both out!
Exercise 4: Gentle stretches- Yoga with Adriene
Exercise 5: Core! Disclaimer: If you are recovering from childbirth, get the all clear before doing any type of abdominal or core exercise just in case you have diastasis recti or pelvic floor prolapse. Both of these are VERY common after giving birth and certain exercises can make them worse including planks and crunches. However, there are TONS of exercises you can do that are safe. Just educate yourself so you know what you should or should not be doing.
Lots of new beginnings are happening around here and the recent weather has felt like Spring is headed our way early. It has been miserably cold outside since Gideon was born and the warm weather is like walking out of a dark tunnel into a beautiful, sunny day. It has me thinking that we shouldn't make our new year's resolutions at the beginning of the year in January. It's too cold and gloomy to get motivated. Make your resolutions right now, especially if it includes exercise, and get out there with me and get moving!
