Is this thing on?
Hi friends! It has been awhile. I definitely did not intend to go over a month in not posting. I think I will be able to blog more because we seemed to have found the solution to get Audrey to nap- the magic swing! When we packed it up in Virginia Beach we never got around to setting it up down here. We set it up out of desperation a few weeks ago and bam! Naptime. Hopefully this isn’t jinxing it! Anyway. How are y’all doing? Things are great down here in Charleston! We’ve had lots of visitors and I’ve made some new friends. We are starting to settle into life down here 
Audrey is now FIVE MONTHS OLD. Holy heck- where does the time go? She is growing and changing so much!
This photo melts my heart!
My chunky monkey!
Homegirl definitely has her mama’s cheeks! At her four month checkup she weighed 14 pounds and was 25 inches long. She is definitely pushing 15 pounds now! She can roll over from her belly to back and sits in a tripod position for a little bit before toppling over to the side. She has also found her voice and likes to practice her velociraptor impersonation. She’s quite good at it 
She’s still exclusively breastfed and we will be introducing solids in the near future. Fun stuff!
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I’ve been keeping up with my 10k training for the most part. Sometimes I miss a short run here and there but I’m getting in all of my long runs. I’m up to five miles now! Running is going really well. However, my pace is significantly slower. Whereas before my short runs would be at a 9/930 minute mile, now they are at 1130/mile. Longer runs? I’d probably run at a 10/1030 pace. Well, my five miles took me an hour. That’s a 12 minute mile. Without walking. Just running along at a comfortable pace. As I watched my pace slow down (gotta love the garmin!) during my last run, I got to thinking about running snobbery. Hardcore runners (what defines hardcore, anyway?) would probably scoff at my 12 minute/mile pace. Heck, some people could probably walk that fast. But to me, I was running!
I wondered what the pre-baby me would think of this pace- how could 12 minute miles be considered a workout? Guess what- for me, it is! Running postpartum has been incredibly humbling. Not like I was any speed demon before, though. Today I ran three miles and clocked in at 35:16. My last three mile run was 34:59. That seems to be my current pace. Not quite what I used to run. In fact, at the end of the run today I kicked up the pace a little bit and was hovering around a 10:10 minute/mile pace. I marveled at the fact that a year and a half ago I ran 13.1 miles at that pace- I couldn’t do that right now!
I’m sure I will get my “speed” back at some point. Getting back into running has just reinforced what I already knew- it truly is an individual sport. It doesn’t matter if you are running a six minute mile or a ten minute mile. Me at my 12 minute/mile pace? I’m still a runner! Right now, I’m working on just getting back into enjoying being able to run and working up my endurance. Oh, and hopefully not passing out from exhaustion during my 10k at the end of March-the bridge is HILLY! Wish me luck because I need it, haha.
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As always, I’m all over the place. I have some posts on tap though- a five month post baby body update, Audrey’s birth story (five months after the fact), my thoughts on breastfeeding, cloth diapering, starting solids (we are going there soon- so exciting!), adventures in Crossfit… lots of fun stuff
Take care, friends! Those of you still out there, how have you been?!
Katie
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
What a cutie Pie. 5 months have gone by so fast! I cannot believe it is almost time for solids!
I say if you are running AT ALL good for you! Pace does not matter! Just get out there and do your thing
She looks like you! I can’t believe she’s 5 months already.
What part of Charleston do you live in? My BIL and SIL live on Johns Island.
Yay- you’re back!! Audrey is so big- low her an her hair! She’s adorable. And I feel you for the running- when I run at a 10 minute pace I feel like I’m flying! I’m much more comfortable at about a 11-12 minute mile. We’re both out there and running an for that, we rock
Amen sista! You are TOTALLY a runner no matter what your pace is. I bet in 6 months you will be back to your pre-baby running time. You have the determination to get there.
M LOVES her swing! She always falls asleep in it….YAY for nap times!!
5 months is when the really fun stuff starts to happen, I love this age! As for the running times, you’re still beating me! I am insanely slow on the treadmill, 3.1 is my limit right now. So sad, so slow.
she is such a cutie pie!! I think you’re doing great with the running! : )
Oh my gosh she is so darn cute! I love those cheeks and her adorable chair
I think you’re awesome and doing such a great job! Can’t wait to read about all the new stuff! Have a wonderful night with your beautiful family 
So adorable that Audrey!! I am so happy to hear that you are you keeping up with your training. And I know what you mean about the running at a slower pace than normal — I always get down on myself when i have a slower time. But you have put your body through a huge change — and the fact that you are back and running 5 miles is so awesome. You will get your speed back girly. Keep up the good work.
Awesome, keep it up – you’re doing great!
OMG Audrey is so voluptuous, I love it
When did she get all that hair and become like a little human? Sigh…..time goes by so quickly!!