The SPARTAN “Seamus”

A few months ago, I signed up Seamus for a Spartan Sprint in Portland, Oregon. Today, he successfully finished that race. He wasn’t super excited to attempt this challenge but kept a positive attitude as he completed each obstacle course. I’m so proud of him to have done so well but not very surprised, either. I was confident that he could complete all the obstacles which is why I signed him up for this race in the first place. He had no expectations or goal finish time. He just wanted to finish.

As Seamus raced, kids, Uncle Paul and myself, cheered him on and enjoyed tracking his results. After the race, I asked Seamus if he’s ready to do another Spartan? He said, “I don’t need to do another.” However, I’m thinking this could possibly be a family trip once a year, event. So, in the next few days or so, I’ll ask him that same question once again, “Are you ready to do another?” Maybe... just maybe... his answer will change. He showed much determination and grit today and we loved seeing that side of him.

Once again, life is good!

Three weeks ago, I had the best “giving birth” experience. It was quick with no complications and Baby Torin was born, healthy. Since then, my family has adjusted well to having a newborn Baby in our home. They are constantly giving Torin hugs and kisses and are very willing to help out with caring for their little brother. Seamus is also a big help caring for Baby. I couldn’t ask for a better postpartum experience with my family.

I’m also physically and mentally feeling strong. After giving birth to my second Baby (Viv), I struggled trying to adjust to a new schedule as a full time working mom, and caring for another child while still trying to get things done around the house. It was tough and it took sometime... but I eventually found a great system of BALANCE that worked for me and my family. After I had my third Baby (Teague), I finally felt like I had the “Mom Stuff” somewhat down. I was able to get back into a routine with kids at home and back to a regular working schedule while maintaining house chores. Now after my fourth, I’m feeling pretty darn awesome! So happy and blessed to have such great kids, family and friend support and a healthy, calm Baby. Once again, LIFE is GOOD as we have found a schedule that works for us at home and will soon be back to school.

The LAST Days of Training

The last weeks of pregnancy are very similar to the last days of training for a race. I’m definitely slowing down and taking more time to rest my mind and body. The past nine months of growing a little human has been hard work but so rewarding. As the countdown for the BIG day is getting closer, I’m still feeling anxious, nervous and excited but also scared for Baby’s delivery day. You just never know what to expect. I’m soon to be 38 weeks pregnant. So, Baby could arrive anytime now. As my family and I wait, we are continuing to enjoy these last moments together as a family of five. We recently took a trip to the Silverwood Theme Park in Northern Idaho and enjoyed lots of laughs and fun together. This was the perfect Family Trip before Baby arrives. It was definitely unforgettable and a trip we hope to plan once again in the future as a family of six.

The Final Trimester

At 29 weeks pregnant, I finished the Spokane Bloomsday 12K. Even though, this was my slowest Bloomsday time (01:02:44 at an average 8:25 pace per mile) I am so excited that I was able to accomplish this personal running goal during my last trimester of pregnancy. About an hour prior to the Bloomsday start, Baby decided to find a new position that was causing some major sciatic nerve pain. So, I ran this race knowing that I must RUN slower than expected to finish. I wasn't going to try and push my body to its pregnancy limit.

I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant and still running some miles, staying consistent with my Strength-HIIT workouts and continue to eat a balanced, nutritional diet. I’m officially on summer school break! During my last month of work, I was feeling so exhausted by the end of the day. Trying to get up 4:45 a.m. to workout, get through a full day of teaching elementary PE at school then coming home to my three kids with a positive attitude was beginning to get rough... Now, that I’m on summer break, I’m focusing on taking more time to rest, enjoy my family time at home with kids and Seamus and get those last minute things done around the house before Baby arrives. Summer time is my favorite time of the year because I love having a relaxed schedule that allows us to help dad on the farm, sleep in, work on the yard, play outside, bbq and take trips to town to pick up groceries and visit friends or family. Soon, my family of five will be a family of six. During these last weeks of pregnancy, I get to appreciate the life as a full-time MOM.

Pregnant with Baby #4

These past months have gone by so fast. Pregnancy number four definitely has taken full control over ME. I’m feeling all the pregnancy symptoms that I felt with all previous three pregnancies and more. My body doesn't handle pregnancy well. It can be tough to power through the constant tiredness, body aches and pains that I'm currently feeling but it will all be so worth it in the LONG RUN.

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and loving all the strong kicks and punches that Baby is so good at doing. Everyday is different and some days I feel like I could RUN a marathon and other days I feel like I could take a nap at anytime of the day. I will soon be entering the third trimester and am looking forward to that DAY that WE get to meet our little, precious Baby Boy. My kids continue to ask, "When is he coming, mom?" They are too young to understand that it takes 9 months to grow a Baby but it is exciting to hear that they are so anxious, too!

I will be running the Spokane Bloomsday 12K in 5 weeks. I have continued to run some miles every week and maintain much fitness through Strength and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). I will admit that I enjoy changing up my workouts and also taking a break from HARD training. However, growing another human as a full time working mommy of three, isn’t any easier. By the end of the day, my body is ready to shut down. Taking time to rest, put my feet up and getting at least seven hours of SLEEP is a priority these days. "Thank goodness for my supportive, loving, helpful husband, Seamus!" I wouldn't be able to do this without him. He does an awesome job keeping kids entertained and making some delicious home cooked meals for the family after a long day at work. I am truly BLESSED and setting a BIG GOAL to enjoy these last months of the pregnancy life.

Happy New Year!

Sometimes it just takes a simple picture to brighten up your day! I’ll soon be 14 weeks pregnant and entering the 2nd trimester. The first trimester was brutal for me and my family. I spent most days feeling sick to my stomach and constantly struggled finding motivation to do anything. However...regardless of how sick or tired I’ve felt this pregnancy, I’m still beyond excited for Baby’s arrival in July 2019! Seamus and kids are too. Although, kids still are confused that Mom has a Baby in her belly. A few weeks ago, I got to see Baby and felt some tears of Joy. Baby likes to move and kick.

These days I’m feeling very blessed that Baby is looking healthy and growing fast. I’m slowly starting to feel more like myself once again, too. In the next few months ahead, my focus is to stay strong, active and healthy for Baby. Improving my nutrition is a big goal to work toward this year as well as training for the Spokane 12k Bloomsday race in May. I’m looking forward to blogging about this fourth pregnancy journey and someday sharing it with all of my Babies in the future.