Getting fit after 2 babies

I suppose I should tell how I became "in shape" before I start posting about fitness tips....
Approximately 2 weeks after giving birth to my second child via C-Section, my friend called me and told me, yes told! That I was going to run a half marathon with her and some of my other friends. The half marathon was Nov 12th and I gave birth at the end of July. After my 8 weeks of healing, that gave me less than 2 months to prepare to run 13.1 miles. As I write this, I still don't know how I did it but I did and so can you!  Keep in mind too that I hardly exercised after my first (they are 21 months apart).  Also, I gained almost 65 pounds during each pregnancy. I hadn't been happy with my weight in years. I used to run but I think the farthest I ever ran was 6 or 7 miles.
So, anyway, I told my husband that I was going to do it and then registered online. The hotel was booked a couple days later and there was no backing out!  I figured I better get moving... So I got on the treadmill and starting "running". It was so not pretty and SO not easy. I think I ran a quarter of a mile at first then walked a lot then ran a little more etc. I then came back inside (my treadmill is in my garage) and cried to my husband. I thought about the end goal and felt as if was impossible. I was following the marathon rookie program. You run 4 days a week, 13 miles the first week and the peak week has 26 miles to run in those 4 days.  That's a lot of miles for a non-runner.  I figured since I was starting so weak, I had better run every day even if only a half mile. Let me tell you, and I swear it, it got easier every single day. I told myself each day that I had to run farther than the day before before I could stop and walk. I did!  I wasn't worried about speed too much at first, I just wanted to be able to run the half marathon without walking. By week 4, I was running each scheduled run without walking. I had no idea what a good finish time was for half marathons so I told myself tat I wanted to finish under 2 hours 45 minutes.  I think that is what time my friends said so I went with that.  I finished my eight weeks of training and headed with friends to Savannah for the Rock N Roll Half Marathon. The night before the big race, we went out to carb up and drank a couple glasses of wine. We then went back to our beautiful suite at the Hyatt, talked for a while, laid out our clothes, and hit the hay.....2 hours later.... Then another hour later.... Then a couple more hours... I couldn't sleep, not a wink, not even 15 minutes. Panic set in, how am I going to run faster and farther than ever in my life with no sleep. Well, the rest of the girls finally got up ( I wanted to wake them all freaking night!) and we grabbed a bite to eat. We then headed out to the starting line with the other 30,000 crazies!  Once we got in our spot, I was so wide awake, I was so pumped, I prepared hard or this and no lack of sleep was going to stop me!  We finally crossed the starting line and I was in my groove. People were cheering, waving banners and hilarious signs, bands were playing, it was a running party!  I stuck with one of my beasties until my started having stomach problems and then I was on my own. I think from about mile marker 3. So are you ready to hear how I did... I did great!  I ran the who,e thing, never walked, and I finished 22 minutes under my goal!  I will never forget that feeling of crossing the finish line!  I quickly called my husband and then ran to the first aid tent to pump... I told you I just had a baby!

Toddlers can learn while they eat..

Before my fabulous purchase yesterday, it took me a while to clean up after each meal. Not only do I have to clean my children, I also have to clean dishes and the kitchen table. Now... I only have to clean my children, and a couple dishes.
Yesterday, I found plastic placemats at education Express in the mall. They were $2.99 each and worth every penny. I bought 4 of them.
1) a mat with the alphabet
2) a 1-10 counting mat
3) a trace the letters mat
4) a daily chore chart mat
My oldest child loves to use dry erase markers so these will keep her busy while I clean my littlest and his mat.
My 1 year old likes to play with his plate, so now I can just put his finger food directly on the mat and rinse it off when he is finished.
As I'm writing this, I think I may get my laminator out and have them make some other fun mats!

Starting a Blog

I have been a stay at home mom for a little over a year now. It has been the greatest year of my life. It has been so enjoyable watching my kids grow and change each day but it has also been filled with some challenges.  One thing that has helped me get through some of those challenges has been advice, toddler activities, menu ideas, and fitness advice that I received from bloggers. Because of that, I figured I would start my own blog with healthy meal ideas, inspiring running/fitness tips and stories, and ideas to keep toddlers happy and healthy. Basically raising children and staying fit!  I hope I can help others as others have helped me. I taught Elementary School for five years prior to staying home so I may include information pertaining to that as well. I hope you enjoy!