Photo shoot with Leon

When I was pregnant last time I did the whole sexy, look at me I'm pregnant photo shoot. This time I did a look at me, fit mom, with my toddler shoot. I really expected Leon to participate a little more. In almost two hours we took 100 pics with only six or so that I like. :) Leon was not really into it.

Here are some of the pics I like the most.

See Afro Mom Run

I finished my half marathon in 1:58. I felt great the whole way! I even sprinted in. My husband joked that I would feel freer without pushing the BOB or being pulled by our dog. He was right.

While I was physically prepared, I wasn't quite ready mentally.


Mentally I was thinking about tons of things. First, the funniest thing was I didn't realize when I signed myself and my husband up for the marathon (originally I planned on running the whole thing back when I was pregnant but during training I realized I didn't have the time to build up enough mileage to do the whole thing) that the system considered us a "team." Thus since I entered that I wanted my bib to say "Afro Mama," my husband's bib also said "Afro Mama." LOL! So I was wondering, while running, if people were saying to my husband, "Run Afro Mama!"

I was also thinking about Leon. My mom was watching him in the car. Originally the plan was for my mom to watch him at our house. But then we got the brilliant idea that she should come with us down to the race. Watch him in the car because he would sleep (the hope was) most of my race and then I could come back to the car after I finished. Then we could watch Jeff come in for the Marathon (that started 30 min after the half). However we arrived in downtown Richmond 30 min before the half started. So we were frantically looking for a parking space and I ended up jumping out of the car at a red light and throwing my sweats back to my mom. I think they yelled meet back at 10th and Marshall after your race. During my race I was trying to keep track of my time and I also repeat 10th and Marshall over and over. I was hoping that my mom remembered to take the bottle of milk out of the cooler. If she knew where his hat was. If she would be able to carry him and his stuff. I had neglected to bring the stroller, thinking it would be easier to wear Leon. But I didn't realize my mom would be transporting him.

Ever time I had a "what if" thought about LJ, I noticed I was slowing down so I had to stay positive. My mom after all is a mom. Of course she would put on his hat and bring all his stuff. She would be ok.

And she was. We met up at 10th and Marshall. I carried the ton of bricks (that's what Leon felt like after my race, a ton of soft warm, cuddly bricks) back to the car. Got some tea at Starbucks and watched Daddy come across the finish line.

I did wish they had a nursing station during the race. LOL! My chest was one of the few body parts that hurt!

Running a race post preg was one of the best decisions I've made. Having a race goal got me running sooner which helped with the post baby blues. It also helped me get back in shape(breast feeding was the number one way).

Next goal: Fitness competition in April!

Family Yoga

We all had a ball doing yoga this past Sunday. We ended up being the only ones at the class and that made it very cool. Since Jeff and I are both getting ready for our marathon next weekend (I'm running the half) we did lots of hip openers. We also did some immersions! First time doing shoulder stand and plow since I found out I was pregnant. Loved it!

LJ was all giggles and fun during the baby massage and baby yoga portion. He got a little "hold me" fussy for the part when Jeff and I were doing our yoga. So I ended up holding him (turned into nursing) for a little bit. Jeff got a one month pass so I know

I love my BoB

I love my BOB* stroller! Bob has helped me get out of the house and back on the trails and track. Bob gives me courage to take LJ out on DC's mean (i.e cracked sidewalks) streets. In this picture we were about to move LJ from Bob to his car seat** and we joked that he looked like Fat Albert's friend.
*I've never tried any other jogging stroller. Seems to me if I didn't love running on trails then the City Mini would be a better choice. It just looks a little sleeker.
**My only problem is the infant insert for the Bob didn't fit my car seat. So I have to move him in and out from car seat to stroller etc. It really sucks with traveling. For example we wanted to take the BOB to Washington State but that would mean checking car seat, car seat stroller (why lug around seat?), and the Bob.

Getting Back in Shape! Update

Here's a picture of me at a wedding I went to last weekend. I currently weigh 125 pounds (down from my preg weight of 165). That's only 10 pounds more than I was before I got pregnant. This is probably where I would realistically be if I wasn't competing in fitness when I got pregnant. I keep losing weight but I'm not really toning up. That's my goal. To tone up. I realized this week that I split my abdominal muscles at some point during or after my pregnancy. Some websites say that happens to 1/3 of all pregnant women. I assumed it wouldn't happen to me because the "what to expect" books and websites all made it look like that ONLY happens to women who don't have good control of their ab muscles/don't work out. I had a pretty strong core. Anyways...I'm hoping I can help my abs reattach without surgery. All the running and working out in the world won't help me "look fit" if my abs continue to be split and thus create a pouch. But other than that, things are going well. I feel good (not exhausted, and run down) and my half marathon training is going well. I have less than six weeks to my race!

Getting Back in Shape! Part 1

These three pictures are quite telling. The first was my last fitness competition before I became pregnant. Quite literally right before as this day started my 40 weeks (ok I kept the TMI to myself but some of you should be able to read between the lines). The second picture was a week after I delivered. I know, my hair is a hot mess. I don't think I combed my hair for the first two weeks or so after delivery. I did wash it! But no time to dry, comb, twist etc. The top picture was just taken, almost eight weeks after birth.


I gained 50 pounds and as of earlier this week I had lost 26 pounds.

It's not my goal to go back to pre-baby weight. But to regain my muscular strength (and in so a more toned look) and posture.

I'll give updates every 3 months.