Happy Eater

I cannot believe our little guy is 6 and a half months old already.  Knowing this is our last one, Scott and I find Traeger's milestones to be bittersweet. We are happy he is growing and developing on target yet we joke about pushing him down when he starts to crawl (we would never follow through!)

One milestone that cannot come soon enough is getting this kid weaned off the breast. I am committed to sticking it out until he is 12-13 months old, but I've had enough! I've been struck with mastitis, a breast infection that resembles the flu, more times than I can count. This busy wife, mother, & crossfitter doesn't have time to be down!

Steps we are taking towards weening. I started with Baby Led Weaning. It basically skips all the purees and jumps right into serving baby chunks of food. Yes, there is lots of gagging involved, but if you read the book, you will understand how gagging is safe and part of the learning process. At 4-5 months Traeger enjoyed teething on steamed zucchini quarters and broccoli, but after he threw up the skins in his sleep I switched to purees. I still offer him slices of raw and steamed fruits and veggies, (its always a mess so expect to change clothes, a bib won't help) but I serve him purees for dinner every night. In the next few weeks I will start adding in a lunch serving of purees and whole foods.

Things I've noticed in Traeger:
-His hand to mouth coordination seems skilled just beyond his age.
-He is making attempts to use his pinchers to pick up small foods (a skill usually developed at 9 months)
-His ability to move food around in his mouth using his tongue is also just beyond his age level
-He loves all veggies and wants to try everything. I hope that never goes away!

Whole Foods He's Tried:
-4-5 months Zucchini, Carrots, Broccoli, Bell Peppers, Apples Spears, Sweet Potatoes, Pickles, Lemons
-6 months Pear Spears, Cheerios (out of town),
-7 months Peas, Pot Roast, Diced Pears, Yogurt drops, Crackers & Pitas (I aim to be gluten free, but I get tired and it keeps him entertained. Its his 15% cheat!)

The Book is very one sided and anti purees. On the contrary, the purees could make many arguments against the whole foods, as there are always two sides to every story. I decided to go with both and tested out what worked best for Traeger and myself. Its still a learning process for both of us.

Double Bag 'Em

One of the only complaints I hear from women losing weight is how sad they are to see their boobs washed away with the inches. Personally, I was never bothered by this. In fact, I took pride in the two fried eggs I dropped in my bra everyday. It meant I was leaning out, it meant I didn't have to worry about painful bouncing during my run, it meant I could wear those cute little sports bars that serve no other purpose than to cover the nipples.

Shortly after TW (Traeger Wayne, aka "T Dub") was born I went from fried eggs to watermelons overnight. To my husband they had porn star quality with a trigger happy defense reaction. Go near them and pay the consequences. While most women would think that having boobs and losing weight is great, I find them to be uncomfortable and in the way. Pushed to the back of the drawer are my cute little, nipple covering sports bars. Make way for the over the shoulder boulder holders, oh and double bag them please! Two bras are tighter than one. Let's just make sure those bad boys are tied down tight, leave the bouncing for the bumper plates.

A concern for many new workout mommy's is whether or not lactic acid will have a negative effect on the quality of their breastmilk. I've read that many moms have to "pump and dump" after their workouts because the lactic acid released from their muscles during workout compromises the flavor of the breastmilk causing their baby to reject the boob. Fortunately, TW and I do not have this issue. I've been through some high intensity workouts, called "TIME" and still gasping for air stuck him to the breast. He feeds and mommy partakes in active recovery.

I enjoy breastfeeding because it is so healthy for TW, its the only time I am forced to slow down during the day, and these growth hormones are doing wonders for my oly lifts. I don't enjoy breastfeeding because these boobs slow me down, I am the mercy of TW's 2 hour feeding schedule, society has painted boobs as sexual play toys making public feedings slightly uncomfortable (I'm over it, are you?!) and holy moly it hurts when a barbell makes contact with the under side of my utters. Never the less,  I will continue to breastfeed until TW is getting 100% of his nutrition from solids, God help me...

My safe for breastfeeding supplement list:
1 Tbsp sauerkraut, (fermented foods)
Vitamin D
Prenatal Vitamins
4 tsp Omega 3 Fish Oil (SFH Clinical Strength)
Multiple Tbsp Coconut Oil
An occasional small dose of caffein (coffee or spark)
(I plan to implement digestive enzymes soon)

The Uphill Chase is On

I'm too busy to even see straight at this point. I miss blogging and there is always so much I want to write about, but my list of priorities over flows daily leaving the blog out of the picture.

I saw my OB at 6 weeks postpartum and the news was good. No evidence of the hernia! Cue the sound of dropping bumper plates, because this CrossFit Mama is ready to throw down on some olympic lifts, and make it heavy please!

I starting working out at 5 weeks postpartum and it sucked. I struggled to get through 10 push ups. Even foam rolling killed me. Every workout was (and still is) an uphill chase for an old PR (personal record) . I started following CrossFit main site wods, but after a few frustrating weeks changed my focus to more technique and strength.  I am currently following Coach Burgener's 12 week program and have seen huge gains in my olympic technique. I've never been so excited about a heavy snatch! As for strength, it practically doubles weekly. I like to think its due to my body being a super factory to the best growth hormones out there...BREAST MILK. Last week (12 weeks postpartum) I achieved my first postpartum goal, I cleaned 150 pounds. Next goal is a 250 pound deadlift, to be tested in 4 days..crap!

Traeger is growing fast, as he should, the dude eats every 2-3 hours. He is 100% breast fed and thriving in the 75-90% on height and weight. At just about 3 months old he is not sleeping through the night, but giving me a few 4 hour stretches. I get up everday at 5am to coach, so the nights are pretty short, but I wouldn't change anything. I am head over heels in love with him and refuse take any of his stages for granted. Honestly, he's already growing up too fast.

Between the workouts and the breastfeeding, I have the appetite of a teenage boy. Nutritionally, we've gone back to paleo. (Loosely, its hard to keep enough quality sourced protein in stock at our house and I want to eat all the time! I think I could eat a whole chicken in one sitting every day.) I have 5 lbs to drop me back at my pre-pregnancy weight, but I'll probably hold on to that as long as I hold on to these over sized milk jugs. I haven't lost any weight since 2 weeks postpartum, but my body proportions have changed significantly helping me back into those pre baby clothes. With all the strength training I'm not at all surprised in the numbers on the scale.

The biggest loss in my training is my core strength and ability to do double unders. Its not at all like riding a bike!

HEALING

Shortly after bringing Traeger home Scott was scheduled for surgery on his bicep. The day of surgery I woke up with a temperature of 103.5. Breast feeding felt like running a marathon with the flu and I couldn't stand up long enough to change a diaper. Painful! I called my OB who diagnosed me with Mastitis over the phone and sent me to the pharmacy for antibiotics. While my mom helped me at home, Scott went off for surgery and was gone all day. He then spent the following 3 days sleeping and recovering. Just as I started to feel better I woke up with another 103.9 temperature and Traeger's eye was glued shut. The entire Isbell house was in bad condition.  My father-in-law drove me to the doctor where they diagnosed me with Mastitis from over productive clogged milk ducts, as if engorgement wasn't painful enough. A few delirious hours later my mother-in-law drove Traeger and I to his pedi where he was diagnosed with conjunctivitis from a clogged tear duct, eye gel for him. A week later we are all healthy, except for Scott who cannot lift anything with his left arm, but it is on the mend.

Traeger is thriving and just under 10 lbs at 3 weeks old. He eats, sleeps, poops, eats and eats. Sometimes he gives me a 3 hour stretch at night without eating. He's already holding his head up and making attempts at rolling over. BEAST!

I lost 23 pounds in the first 2 weeks, but an holding onto the last 8. I've lost a load of muscle and gained a ton of mush all over. I have a strong urge to get back in the gym, but I'm also filled with anxiety. Call it hormones, call it fear, call it self doubt, whatever it is I have no idea how I'm ever going to be the crossfitter I once was. Yesterday I rowed 1k x 3. No time element with as much rest as needed, and boy did I need it! Its going to be a long road to the massive goals I've set for myself. Will I be able to do it and balance a growing family?! I've started back at work and am loving every minute of coaching. Traeger and Scott are enjoying it too, but it certainly adds to the balancing act.

A HUGE Thanks to everyone at CrossFit Cedar Park who has brought us food over the past few weeks. It helps out in more ways than one!

Pictures!

From Welcome Treager Wayne Isbell

Check out Traeger Wayne's super special Birthday party with all his family!

(More blogging to come, but this kido eats every hour! Born to be a CrossFitter!)

Happy Birthday to Our Son

Quick update:
Traeger Wayne Isbell was born at 9:49pm on July 13, 2010. He weights 8 lbs and 8 oz and is 21 inches long. During one contraction I gave my first 3 pushes and he was out! Sub 5 min pushing, a crossfitter's dream, right? Traeger came out with a strong set of lungs and a head full of black hair. I'll get pictures posted shortly, I'm on my phone and it's not letting me upload pics to blogger.

Shortly after labor we were joined by our parents and siblings. It was amazing to see the love and happiness on Logan's face as he held his baby brother for the first time. Scott and I cannot wait for Mekenzie to meet him.

And Now For the Hard Part

Early labor started around 3:00am.  Just some contractions every 15-30 minutes. At our weekly doctor appointment it was confirmed that the baby had finally dropped and I was dilated to 3cm. I was so excited!

Scott and I are now home trying to get the house cleaned, laundry done and bags packed. Its not easy getting anything done when you have to stop every 10 minutes and wait out a painful contraction. Add a bored 7 year old who doesn't understand labor and things are just a little more complicated.

Also confirmed today was that Scott tore his bicep during a dead lift Monday morning and will require surgery in the next week...What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Scott and I are good, we are strong and together we are a force to be reckoned with.

Now, Lets get this show on the road!