currently: january 2022

Is it just me or is January just the most meh month? The holidays are done, but the cold and winter are still around for a few more months. Subzero temps here for so much of the month made it really tough to get outside, but it’s warmed up a smidge so we’ve been trying to bundle up to get out for some fresh air – and even when it’s only 20F, that fresh air makes such a difference! One of my favorite days of January was our first trip to the dog park after what seemed like weeks stuck inside. Nothing like some forest bathing to revitalize the soul.

A few other overall thoughts from this month:

• Going back to work after the holiday break (nearly 3 weeks!) was rough. As in maybe rougher than going back after mat leave. I’m not sure why, only that it was hard and I’m still adjusting and tomorrow’s February.
• I love sharing recommendations of my favorite things, but writing a dedicated monthly post just isn’t working for me right now. So I’m instead gonna share in these currently posts the 1-2 things that are making life better and more functional.
• I wrote down some goals for the year, but I gotta say: in this weird AF time warp we’ve been living in for two years, I feel sorta meh about goals (along with feeling that way about so many things), but nonetheless, I set some for normalcy’s sake. I’d love to hear if you’re setting goals – please share!

Anyway, here’s what’s been up the first month of 2022 (2022 WHAT).

strength training

I’ve both long known and talked about the importance of strength training, but other than some kettlebell swings and band work, it’s been near impossible for me to do. Likely because I didn’t know what to do so it felt all over the place and not effective. I like following a clear plan!

I knew my approach had to change – to help me stay injury-free postpartum while marathon training – so after seeing some friends have success, I signed up for Beachbody. And much to my surprise (I know I can’t be the only one who thought Beachbody was hokey), it’s been fantastic and exactly what I needed: easy-to-follow, straightforward videos (20 minutes 3x/week) that I can easily fit into marathon training. I feel stronger and more fit a month in and have no plans to stop.

running

Running has been great (knock on wood), and I’m so grateful. My base and endurance both felt like they took a good leap this month, with five 30+ mile weeks and the addition of some speed work. My long run’s up to 11 miles – a workout I look forward to all week.

A few have asked how I get it all in, and my advice: do what works best for you. Training’s been a priority for me for a decade, and it still is with a baby – albeit it’s different than triathlon training – so we make it work. That means nearly all of my running is on the treadmill after Jackson goes to bed at 7p (I haven’t ran outside in months) or during nap time on the weekends. Nick and I also stagger our workouts – one day I’ll workout right after work while he watches Jackson and he works out after bedtime while I make dinner, and then the next day we’ll switch. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I cannot wait to see Jackson at the finish line of my first race postpartum.

making bread

Finally, nearly two years into the pandemic, I got a starter (my third 🥴) and made sourdough. I don’t know why it took so long because it’s not hard. It’s mostly just annoyingly tedious, especially feeding the starter daily. My first loaf was a little anemic so playing around with oven temp, bake with lid on time, proof time, etc. Excited to progress my bread baking skills! And it’s pretty nice to have fresh bread in the house, too. #carbsFTW

favorite thing this month

Anyone else feel like they clean the kitchen counters 87x a day?! It’s never-ending. In addition to liking them clean, I also like them as clutter-free as possible so was thrilled to find this sink caddy. It’s silly how happy this thing has made me! It’s so nice to have a better spot for kitchen scrubbers – it drove me bonkers having them in a dish next to the faucet – and it’s one less thing on the counter.

introducing food

We introduced Jackson to food this month, and it’s been so fun watching him eat for the first time. We (and by we I mean me) went back and forth on purées vs. baby-led weaning (BLW) and ultimately decided to stick to purées because I’m too anxious for BLW. And it’s been great for us! Jackson’s loved everything he’s tried – Japanese sweet potatoes, carrots (from my parents’ garden!), avocado, bananas, Pink Lady apples. We got a BÉABA babycook, and it’s super fun and easy to make purées with it. Also loving the Lalo little spoons. They’re easy for Jackson to eat off of and for him to hold (he likes to try feed himself).

7 months old!

I blinked and Jackson’s 7 months old 🤯 He’s all sorts of fun right now – babbling up a storm, sitting up, grabbing for all the toys (and my hair – I now know why so many moms wear their hair in a ponytail) and putting them in his mouth, rolling all over the place, swimming (the precursor to crawling), and is so close to cutting his first tooth. It’s pretty cool to watch him learn in real time. He’s just the best and we still can’t believe he’s ours ♡

the doggos!

And in between all their snuggles, these two keep things chaotic 😆