Workouts and Crafts

I can’t find my needle and thread…

I’m working on finishing up Adeline’s stocking to match the set of stockings that I made for us during Christmas 2010. I  never would have thought that just 2 years later, I’d be making a fifth stocking for our daughter! Crazy!

Anyways, I thought I’d share some of the things that I’ve been doing in my “down time” as a new mom. Aside from trying to stay on top of the laundry (and the massive amounts of dog hair that is always collecting in the corner), I’ve been finding outlets to have some “me” time.

Workouts

We started taking walks with Adeline when she was just a few days old. I’m pretty sure a grandma using a cane could have walked faster than me in those first few weeks, but it felt good to get some fresh air and to move without a ginormous belly.

We kept on walking and I even threw in a couple of light weight lifting sessions before my 6 week post-partum appointment. I got “cleared” to resume normal activities at my checkup, and it’s been great to get into more of a rhythm with my workouts!
Adeline, Silas and I take a walk almost every day together. Sometimes we’re out for 30 minutes, sometimes we’ll be cruising around for about an hour. It’s a great way to put Adeline to sleep, and I know Silas appreciates the activity!

I’ve been going to the gym every 2-3 days for a few weeks now, and I usually warm up and then lift weights (trying to build back some strength!) I’m loving using the workouts from Phase 1 of the LiveFit Training program. It’s nice to not have to come up with a workout!

I did the 5-4-3-2-1 workout I saw on Pinterest on Sunday and I am still sore! I modified some of the moves because I’m not totally comfortable with jumping yet, but I worked up a great sweat!

(source)

Cooking

I love spending time in the kitchen! I’m not quite back to the “creating recipes” phase, but I do like trying to get dinner on the table most nights! We just finished up our stash of freezer meals last week (8 weeks post partum- actually, I think there are a few enchiladas left in there), and Adeline has been taking a decent afternoon nap that lets me make some sort of dinner. Here’s what we’ve been chowing on lately:

• Roasted sweet potatoes, protein (eggs, meat if we have some) and veggies
• Lentil Soup (sauté onions, carrots & celery, add  seasoning (usually cumin, paprika- sometimes we throw in curry) water/broth and a can of diced tomatoes, add 1c. lentils and cook till veggies and lentils are tender).

• “Everything” soup- whatever random veggies we have in the fridge/freezer, broth, beans and rice (just simmered together)
• Daniel cooks night (probably my favorite night of the week!)
• DIY Nights: Usually leftovers from the night before paired with eggs and some frozen veggies

Crafts

I’m pretty happy that it is the Holiday season, I have a reason to make and give away homemade gifts! Here is Adeline’s stocking (in progress, I think that yellow blob is going to be a star):

Daniel helped me to make these ornaments that we gave to the grandparents:

(50 cent plaster ornament from Michael’s, pack of Paint Pens in “holiday colors”, and Modge Podge. We made Adeline’s handprint on a piece of paper and then glued it onto the decorated ornament with Modge Podge. Much less risky than trying to put the handprint directly on the ornament)

I’ve had a few other “creative” times, but now I can’t remember what I’ve made… oh well!

Sounds like Adeline is waking up from her nap (LOVE the cooing and squeaky sounds she is making), so I’m going to find that needle and thread so that I can finish her stocking during the next nap!