9 Months/Kidney Disease/Training Buddy

I'm going to try to make this post quick!

Levi was 9 months on Tuesday!!!! I can't believe it! I'm totally that mom that's thinking "It seems like yesterday...". I'll get the 9 month photo up ASAP. Stats will also go up on Monday, that's our follow up appointment for the feeding tube.

I had no idea how bad kidney diseases were in our country before Levi had them. I don't know if that's naive of me, or if it's just something that's hard to diagnose, therefore hard to publicize? March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month, and I'm thinking of something BIG! I'd like to get other kidney mama's involved. I would also like to start devoting more posts to kidney disease awareness.

I keep putting off starting to run again. I tell myself things like; no time, it's too hot, I don't have a training buddy, God didn't create me to run, why should I run? Well, this week God whacked me in the face with answers to my excuses! The weather has gotten beautiful! We're up every morning kind of early, so we'd have time to jog outside, also, I have a FREE gym membership. Duh. As for a training buddy, I have Levi. Jogging with him in the stroller is good for him too. He loves it! So, I'm going to start Couch to 5K again. Also, God may not have built me like a runner, but He gave me a son whom may require one of my kidneys one day, and I need to be healthy enough to give it to him.

Lucky Lady

This last week or so has been filled with some great moments. For me as a mom, wife, and friend. So here's the list of everything that God has blessed me with (especially over) the last week! -Levi has had the best blood work results yet. -Mary, John, and I got the office completely painted. It looks awesome. -I was able to get all of the furniture moved back into the office -M got furniture for her new house -I woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of Levi laughing in bed next to me -We've seen Adam and Kelsey 4 times in two weeks! -House blessing at Adam and Kelsey's was WONDERFUL! -Tonight, dinner with some amazing friends -Levi lights up when John, he and I are all together -We got a piano! -Levi is stinking adorable -I got to help a friend celebrate her upcoming wedding with a shower -People at work keep blessing me with their love and support for my goals and for my family -John never ceases to remind me how much he loves me -Bee is keeping birds away from the flowers in the backyard. -Yesterday, Levi slept from 6:30pm-7am! -I finally got a walk/run in this week, and I was able to pick up right where I'd left off! -I HAVE A GOD WHO LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY

Not Normal Yet

5 weeks. It's been 5 weeks since Levi was born. I figured I'd surely be back to "normal" by this point. I was wrong. It has been a crazy 5 weeks. I was hoping to be running at least 2 miles by this point. I'm not. I'm running a good, oh 90 seconds at a time. I'm not back into all of my pre-pregnancy pants yet. I still have some extra "Levi weight" following me around. I don't ever get enough sleep. I constantly smell like formula and baby. There are times that I have to wonder what were we thinking?!?!? The thing is, I'm okay with that. I've spent the last 5 weeks caring for a boy that has changed my world and taught me how to love and care for someone without the "what about me" question lingering in my mind. I'm excited because I am running a little. I'm having to really listen to my body, it tells me when to quit, which is sometimes much sooner than I'd like. I can't get into all of my pants yet, and I still have some extra weight, but I feel better. I feel better than I have in months. I'm starting to eat better again, and get back to the basics on a lot of things. I'm trying to remind John how thankful I am for him and how much I love him. He's made all of this so much easier. So, hopefully in 5 more weeks I'll be back to my old "normal" but for now, I'm really enjoying my new "normal".

So many goals, so little time!

Since our whole life is about to change in 3-5 weeks, we've been talking a lot about our goals for the coming year. I know that a lot of people are thinking "hello, you're having a baby?!?!". Yes, we are. We also are smart enough to know that we still have to keep doing things for ourselves.

*Get back to running. John and I are both good runners when we put our minds to it. I have to work a lot harder at it to keep up with him, but I can do it! I would love to run a half next October. This progress will be something else to blog about!

*Keep our house clean. We love the idea of a clean house, but not the work that goes into it.

*Eat healthier. With the potential health problems of Levi, we know that we need to start eating healthier now, to help him avoid things later.

*Go hunting. This is John's goal. The deal is that if he, by himself gets an 8-10pt buck in the next year, he can have it mounted, in the house. He may even start on completing this goal on Sunday. Don't worry, I'll update you if he does!

*Travel more. Two reasons, visit family and friends, and for races. The deal is that whomever is running at least a half-marathon gets to pick one out of state race a year to go to (within reason). OKC doesn't count, since I think we'll always go to that one. If John picks one in AZ, then we all go, and I have to watch baby. If I pick one in IL, we all go, John watches baby. Seems fair!

*Focus. We've let our walks with God slip lately. Don't get me wrong, we're still in awe of everything he does, and how he's protected Levi and I. We also realize that we could benefit from spending A LOT more alone time with Him.

*Bake healthier. I love the idea of being a whole foods junkie. Here in a town with no whole foods stores, that can get rough. I know that if we stick with it, it will be better for everybody. The trick is going to be getting it all on a budget!

We had a really good doctor's appointment yesterday. Baby will be here within 3-5 weeks. I can't believe that! I get to start working out again, build up mileage slowly. She thinks that if I start walking now (maybe jog a little), I can be walking with the intent to run right after birth. This is exciting. In two weeks I can start working more hours again too. We did find out that she's not going to let him go past 39 weeks, because his risks of his kidney failing increase. His body will overwork itself, and we could face problems. Go back on Friday for an NST, think positive thoughts!

Back to normal

I know that my idea of 'normal' pre-pregnancy will not be the same 'normal' once Levi is born and home. There are a few things though that I am looking forward to doing (or not doing) once again.

-Running. I so badly miss the early mornings when I would roll out of bed, meet my running partner and we'd walk the first half a mile while complaining about how much we hated running and early mornings. Once we were both at work later that day, there was nothing better than getting to brag about how much further we'd run this time than last, or how much quicker we were getting. Feeling better about ourselves and spending time with God in those early mornings made it all worthwhile!

-Sleeping. On my stomach. Every night.

-Jeans. I cannot wait until I'm back in my regular jeans. I can hear them calling my name, they want me, and I want them. They fit like a glove and I know how they're going to fit. I know what shirts go best, and what's not so flattering with them.

-Baby. Sometimes, it still feels like Levi is just an idea. I cannot wait until he's here and the idea is a reality.

-Wine. I miss having a glass of good wine or a drink with my family and friends. Not getting slammed or anything, but just being able to enjoy a drink over a meal.

-Eating. I get the oddest cravings and I'm ready to not have them anymore. I'm ready to be able to talk myself out of a sandwich or an extra snack, knowing that I'll be okay without it. At this point, I'm not always sure that Levi's okay without it.

-Friends. When I'm not on bed rest I'm going to LBK to see my friends, like I used to get to every week. Best part, Levi gets to come too!

I have really enjoyed this pregnancy for the most part. I am so excited to have the tiny blessing of Levi in my arms soon. I am still in awe that God has given me the opportunity to be his mama. I cannot wait.

Side note- verse of the day today really made me stop and think. "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as it fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" Ephesians 4:29