La Jolla for a Month! (first week)

It is a lot of work to pack up your life and move for a month.  But we made it to our new temporary home in La Jolla!  It doesn't take much to fall in love with this place.  The weather is perfect and it is so beautiful all around with the perfect weather and beaches.  Lee took a few minutes to embrace the sand and big ocean, but soon got comfortable running barefoot, playing in the water and sand.

My daily agenda is simple.  Beach.  And whatever sounds fun :)

So while Lee and I play all day, Tanner is working long hours at the UCSD hospital on a Cardiology rotation.  It is all worth it to him as long as we have fun, and he gets to see us on the weekends :)  You get what you pay for here.  It is not cheap to live by the water.  The only other bummer is traffic, so we try to avoid that if possible.

We have been able to convince some family to come and visit us here.  So time will fly with grandparents and siblings staying for a few days here and there.  I wont be too upset if we end up here for residency :)

Here are pictures from our first week.... Beaches, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Mall, Sea World.......

Another Precious Daughter!

My little Lee brings so much joy to my life and our family.  She also brings a lot of dolls, princesses, nail polish, bows, singing, dancing and loves!  We found out today that we are having another baby girl!  Lee has been telling me along that she is going to have a sister, but now it is confirmed.  She will arrive in November. So YAY for more of glitter and sparkles!  We love it!

It was a very special moment for Tanner and I to witness the active baby girl on the screen, perfect and beautiful.  What a blessing.  Life is so precious, and I am so thankful for heavenly reminders of what is most important.  Family.

Already I have so much love for this little one inside me.  Is it really possible to love her as much as I love Lee?  I know it is.  My dear husband, Tanner, has revealed such a tender and gentle side.  I could not have asked for a more devoted and selfless husband.  I learn from his dedication and valiance daily.  He is the greatest blessing in my life.  And to share the love and joy that comes from having children with him is just perfection.

 

Getting Ready for Baby #2

I did a lot of training and racing last year, thinking it was my last hurrah before getting pregnant again.  And I basically got pregnant the same week of my "last big race" when I won the Phoenix Half.

I have this underlying fear of not being able to continue my training and racing once I have 2+ kids.  This is a similar fear I had with my first pregnancy.  That proved to be false.  I have found that whatever the circumstance, I just make it happen.  So from personal experience, I am convinced that it is possible for anyone to get back into or maintain a decent level of fitness, if you really want to.

One life saver that made this possible for me is my treadmill.  I have grown to really appreciate and love the treadmill.  The other very important part of this routine is the support of my loving and understanding husband :)  Without his support and understanding my love for running, and I would be a pretty grumpy mom. And likewise, with the demands of medical school, I have learned to be flexible and encouraging of his goals and success.
  
So far, my pregnancy of 4 months has been just like the first.  Tired and at times dizzy.  I tried out a couple of different doctors last time, and still never really loved any of them.  With my water breaking at 34 1/2 weeks, we rushed to the emergency at the U of U hospital.  Intense labor quickly followed, and stress proved to be too much for the little babe to undergo, where a c-section was needed.  Not part of the plan of course, but a truly amazing experience that has been a blessing to our family.  After living at the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks with baby Lee in the incubator, I found a stronger part of me that stepped it up when it became necessary.  Being a mom has been better than I could have imagined because of the kind person it challenges me to be and the joy that comes from family.

I have been able to find a specialized doctor in high risk pregnancy and delivery, who has extensive knowledge on exercise during pregnancy.  There is nothing but good that can come from exercise during pregnancy.  No max heart rate, no limit to miles or duration.  If you're use to it, you can do it.  Your body lets you know how it feels.  You will naturally slow down and may need to adapt to different exercises that fit your comfort level (from running to walking, or elliptical, or cycling, or yoga).

I have been able to maintain my same routine of running so far.  Which is what I did last time.  Shortly, this will not be the case.  I will naturally continue slowing down and run less, and eventually supplement lower impact exercises that will be more enjoyable and comfortable with a growing baby.

I consider my pregnancies a huge blessing, as I know so many others have much harder and difficult ones.
Pregnancy is so individual and very different for everyone.  You know yourself better than anyone.  With the advice and guidance of a experienced and qualified doctor, and the use of good judgement, you give yourself the assurance that you've done your best and the rest is in God's hands.

Baby tips I've picked up

We've started a new year.  Months are passing and Lee is now 10 months old!  Tanner is finishing up his 2nd year this spring and preping for the boards this summer.  I am training for my spring/summer races before it's time to scale back for number 2.

Thinking back on 2012, I realized how many changes have happened through having Lee and how much I have learned through these short 10 months.

Here's a short list of some key things:

1.  As soon as Lee was born she wore a hat.  Now she will wear headbands and hats, no problem.

2.  Bathtime should be warm and cozy!  Putting a warm washcloth on Lee's tummy while she lies back in her mesh chair really makes for an enjoyable (and warm) bathtime experience.

3.  Lee has never liked baby food.  So forget the jars of mush!  Lee likes real mashed, chunky bananas.  She wants to hold sticks of baked sweet potato and eat at her own pace.  Lee picks up pieces of bread, hard crackers/biscuits, and cereal puffs with her finger and thumb and after careful examination, eats it!

4.  Having a regular nap and bedtime routine makes for one happy baby!  And happy parents.  This was not possible till just a couple months ago. 

It is so fun experimenting with new things and discovering what Lee likes.  One thing that we both have in common is music.  When your listening to music, you've got to sing!

Learn As You Go

Life's a dance you learn as you go

Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow

Don't worry about what you don't know

Life's a dance you learn as you go

-John Michael Montgomery

I had this song going through my head the other day as I was feeding Lee.  It's funny how many other moms have given me advice and told me their stories with raising kids.....and not much of it applies to me and Lee :)  Everyone is having babies and raising families all around us, and each one of us is going through a unique and different experience.  Lee is definately one of a kind!  

Lee is a smiling, 5 month old baby!  She loves company and wants to stand on her own two feet!  Still eating around the clock, she is sure to catch up with her age :)  Lee loves bath time and loves her blanky while she takes her naps!   

This is such a wonderful and challenging time for Tanner and I.  Now in his second year of med school, Tanner already feels the pressure of the boards coming up!  He diligently studies and works so hard to do his best.  That is, keeping up with school, while still making family time as a husband and daddy!   

I have been fourtunate to compete in many races this summer.. Of course, I could never continue with my passion for running and racing without the help of my family, especially my devoted husband.  I feel so blessed to be able to get right back into competitive shape  and be a full time mom.   

Sometimes I wonder if I am doing everything right as a mom and want to be everything Lee and Tanner need.  But then I remember, that is what this life is all about.  We learn as we go.  Of course there are things we don't know.  Sometimes Lee leads, and I follow.  And sometimes we figure it out together.    I love being Tanner's wife!  And I love being Lee's mom!  They are everything to me!   

Baby Lee Kathryn Harmon

She has Arrived!

It was a lazy Saturday morning, March 24th.  Tanner and I slept in, ate breakfast then got dressed to for the temple and run some earns.  First stop, REI garage sale!  At 10:45 am we reached REI.  The second I stepped out of the car in the parking lot, I felt a warm release....that kept drizzling out, dripping on my shoes.  Frozen in my place, Tanner asks if everything is ok.  I had no pain, just in shock!  Baby Lee wasn't due til May 2nd!  That wasn't for 5 1/2 weeks!  Realizing my water had broke, we quickly jumped back in the car and rushed to the ER at the University of Utah Hospital around 11 am.

We parked in front of the ER entrance and hurried in.  The security took our info and we followed a man to our room, which was a good walk for an emergency!  After being checked by a nurse, she confirmed that my water had broke and that we would be having our baby.  The doctor then checked me and talked about being induced in the next 12-24 hours to get contractions going.  We planned that baby Lee would be born by morning.

Monitors were placed over my belly to track the babies heart rate and my contractions.  By 1 pm I had started contractions on my own every 7-9 minutes at a very mild, manageable level.  I was dialated to a 2.  With time to spare, Tanner drove home to gather some things we would need.  Within the hour or so that I was left alone in the room my contractions got closer and closer wtih increasing intensity.  The pain was terrible and I cried out during each 30-60 second contraction.  I tried calling Tanner on the room phone but it didn't work.  I then shuffled out in the hall crying for help.  The nurses finally took notice and helped me back to call Tanner.  Right as the phone rang, in walked Tanner.  I just needed him by my side to get through the pain.

They checked my cervix again at this point, being about 3:30 or 4 pm, and I was dialated to a 6.  Now they were finally taking things serious and got the doctor to make a plan.  I hoped to not get an epidural, but with the rapid increase of contractions in a short amount of time, I had reached my threshold.  At this point it is close to 6 pm.  Time was flying by!  Not long after I received my epidural baby Lee's heart rate dropped down from around 120 bpm to the 40's. 

Oxygen was strapped over my mouth and I was lifted onto a cart. The anathesioligist injected mor pain medication into my back, numbing my body from the chest down.  Rushing me to the OR, the doctor and nurses tried to quickly inform me on what might take place on the operating table.  Tanner threw on scrubs and held my hand and the doctors worked quickly around me as I lay on the operating table in the OR.  Baby Lee's heart rate finally came back up from the doctor reaching inside and lifting the baby's head.  They think her head was compressing on the embilicol cord. 

The hoped for vaginal delivery only lasted a moment when Lee's heart rate dropped again to 40 bpm.  Lying on my side the doctor told me to push.  Being only dialated to an 8 now, and being completely numb, I couldn't feel a thing.  I did 3 big pushs with all my might, but nothing.  With no other options, the doctor said if Lee's heart rate didn't come up in 30 seconds, they needed to operate.  Tanner and I locked eyes and mine filled with tears. He encouraged me and told me how good I was doing.  I knew everything would be ok.

A big sheet blocked my view as I felt a few tugs cutting through the layers.  Our prayers were answered when out came a beautiful cry from a healthy 4 lb 6 oz baby girl at 6:36 pm.  Now my tears were full of pure joy and thanksgiving.  Tanner and I are parents of a perfect little angel.  I feel so blessed to have Tanner at my side and for our faith in a loving Heavenly Father.  What a miracle!

Now, for not so exciting news......Recovery stinks!  I felt great after surgery until the numbing wore off and my skin was crawling from the all the morphine, and my stomach felt like it was on fire!  For the next few days everything was hard.  I went from pumping 8 ml milk (colostrum) my first try, to 1-2 ml the next several tries.  All that work for a measily mililiter!  Just trying to walk to the bathroom brought me to tears.  Nothing inside me worked!  It was like everything was shut off!  I won't go into details, but try constipatoin for 4 days! 

On the up side, Lee is 5 days old!!  She is a strong and happy baby!  After 4 days under the Bilirubin lights, her jaundice is under control. And although she has lost a few ounces of weight, she is maintaining her body heat and off the glucose IV!  She sleeps between feedings and tolerates all the mean pricking and poking by the nurses!  This little girl knows how to eat! She learned how to suck right away and will tightly grip your finger as she eats!

Lee is our little cuddle baby!  Her favorite is skin to skin time with daddy! Tanner has been such a good dad loving baby Lee and keeping well updated on her progress and needs.  He never complained to spend several nights on a chair getting only a couple hours of sleep from all the nurses checking in and me getting up to use the bathroom, again. 

As for me, I am moving better and adoring our baby girl!  I never knew I could love her so much!!
   

  

Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich.....YUM!

Perfect for lunch or dinner, simple and healthy with no mayo!

Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

Makes 4 sandwiches Time: 15 min

8 pieces whole wheat bread, sandwich thins or bagel thins, or tortillas

Spinach (enough for each sandwich)

Tomato, sliced (one or two pieces per sandwich)

Egg Salad:

6 hard boiled eggs

2 tbsp green onion, chopped

1 tbsp non fat plain yogurt

1 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or feta)

Dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika

Guacamole:

1 avocado, mashed

1 tsp lemon juice

Dash of garlic powder and salt

Boil the eggs for a solid 10 min. Rinse eggs under cold water, remove shell and mash in medium bowl with fork (should still be warm). Add the rest of the egg salad ingredients and mash together (cheese should melt if eggs are still warm). In another small bowl, mash avocado and add all guacamole ingredients, mash together.

Assemble sandwich with bread pieces facing up, spread guacamole on half the bread, and spread egg salad on the other half. Add tomato and spinach on top of egg and cover with the guacamole piece of bread.

Enjoy!! Great flavor and all healthy ingredients!

Last Trimester....the expanding belly!

I'm not going to lie, normal life is not as easy to maintain as it once was.  I guess I haven't fully given into my maternal state and all the changes that come throughout these 9 months.  I've made it 6 months and feel that's been a major accomplishment :)  But, now I know the real changes are yet to come. 

More than half my wardrobe is outgrown.  That alone is enough to be depressed.  I embrace my expanding and moving belly with lots of love and anticipation.  But she is taking over my life!  My thoughts, dreams, and conversations!  I realize I cannot control the physical changes that must take place, and still I try to.  I am able to maintain my active lifestyle, yet at a much slower pace.  If I get nothing else but a healthy baby from it all, I consider myself very blessed!

Sleep has never come easily to me, and now that luxury is even more challenging.  I am never comfortable.  I just got a body pillow, and that helped.  But I am afraid there is no cure....at least I can get a head start on what it will be like with a new born. 

This has been an amazing journey.  A learning process.  I just think, "If all those other women can do it, I can too!"  Wouldn't it be nice if the doctor could gaurantee that if I do this, this and that, I will have a perfect and healthy baby, with no complications or surprises!  I will just do my best, that's all I can do.

Needed Change

I have been very pleased with my pregnancy so far!  But my doctor experiences have not been my favorite.  With everything being new and foriegn, I guess my expectations for my prenatal care have been pretty high.  Just a note to doctors working with first timers, keep it private!  No need to let those in training have VIP seating to watch in on uncomfortable exams.  Geese!

On the brighter side, Tanner and I have decided to switch doctors to one we feel very comfortable with and confident in.  I never knew I could be so picky, but it is my baby we're talking about.  And if I'm not happy, the baby is not happy (or Tanner)!

I am now 18 weeks and can't wait to find out if we're having a boy or girl!  But I am afraid with this recent change and with Tanner's finals coming up, we may have to wait until 21 weeks!!  Not like it changes anything, Right??  But I want to know!  Oh well, it's ok......it will be a Christmas present!

YAY for CHRISTMAS :)


Speaking of Christmas, check out my mom's art work on Etsy!!! She is so talented!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RanchMamaStudio?ref=top_trail


This is one of my favorites!

Baby Ultrasound 13 weeks

I never really believed I was pregnant until I saw the baby on the monitor.

Now everything that I am feeling has a purpose!

It was the coolest thing!  The baby is kicking and moving all over.  Tanner and I just watched in awe.

We saw every limb and every organ!

A boy or girl??  Any guesses?

I waited 10 days to take a pregnancy test, just to make sure.  And it was sure :)

I am now about 16 weeks, and doing good!!

New things I am Learning

Just made it though my first trimester!  However, I am still needing extra sleep and naps.  I have felt good for the most part.  There were days of nausea, queasiness, and just not feeling good.  But I found that running helped me feel better and the fresh air was refreshing.  Teaching my running classes also helped me get up in the morning and get moving when I didn't want to!  Exercise is really the best medicine!

There are times I feel 9+ months is a long time to make a baby!  But then I think of all the things to get ready for a baby, and I guess it is the perfect amount of time.  At first I was counting the days of how far along I was, and it seemed like I would never have this baby!  But now spring seems so close and the holidays will fly by!  Every couple I talk to with a baby tell me what they recommend to get for this or that.  There is just so many things you have to think about with a baby!  Stroller, jogger, carseat, craddle, crib, swing, breat pump, bottles, pacifier, diapers, blankets, toys, clothes for every month, changer, diaper bag, lotion, powder, wipes, medicine, and the list goes on and on!!

I am so excited to have a baby and for Tanner and I to be parents!  Crazy!!  This is really the most exciting thing to worry about :) 

So far Tanner is having a successful first semester in Medical School.  He loves everything he is learning and feels the program is perfect for him.  While Tanner has not decided on a specific field of practice, he is discovering more of his interets.  It is fun to talk about our future and how many kids we will have when he is done with everything.  Having no kids yet, I really have no idea what I am getting into.  But I know we are moving forward and learning as we go. 

Happy November! 
P.S. Today it is snowing!  What???

The Jouney Has Begun!

School has finally started and also the reality of what is to come.  The first couple days in class over viewed the whole semester.  Which is helpful and also overwhelming; you get to find out all the many assignments and papers you will be completing in a short amount of time. 

Before the first day of teaching my Jogging Class, I had a nightmare that the students didn't like me and everyone got lost on our run.  Well, that came true. OK, only part of it came true.  With the wide variety of fitness levels and those new to the area, many did get lost.  Despite only running out 1 mile and then back, and despite my efforts running back and forth between groups to direct them to our destination, I even got lost navigating through campus, and then being on a hill added an extra challenge to an "easy run." 

Aside from my interesting first couple days of school, my husband is getting hands on experience meeting patients at the hospital and beginning the loads of studying. Tanner is a patient and kind person.  He already has all the qualities of a good and successful doctor.  I know Tanner will only further mature and develop into a great leader in health care.  He is my example of dedication and diligence.  Tanner knows that hard work pays off, and he will give it his all. 

Left on our list of things to come, is having children and becoming a real family.  This I am most excited about.  Yet, I am afraid there is no news to report at this time. 

Thanks for reading :)

Pictures from Tanner's White Coat Ceremony



Tanner after getting his White Coat and Stethoscope





Mark, Tanner, Kassi, Robin







Tanner, Kassi, Kathy (mom)





Exiting the Hospital and entering the school







The new Medical School building



Salsa Bean Dip

This recipe makes the best snack, side, or meal.  Salsa Bean Dip is my go to recipe whenever I need to bring a side to some group function!  It's so easy to make and it's really healthy!!

2 cans (14 oz cans) Black Beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (14 oz cans) Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (14 oz) Sweet Corn, rinsed and drained
8 small Tomatoes, or 6 big ones, chopped up into small pieces
1 bunch Green Onions/Chives, use only the green part, chopped up
1 bunch of Cilantro, rinsed and diced
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1-2 Tbsp Distilled Vinegar
2 dry packets of Ranch Dressing mix

Add all ingredients together in a big bowl and mix together well.
Chill for an hour before serving. 
Serve with chips, or just eat with a fork! 
Will stay good in the refridgerator for a few days. 

Makes 12 servings

Life's Lessons of Endurance





A marathon is nothing short of eduring pain



 

Thriving in the face of difficulties 

Sustained will and drive without yielding

 



Resist fatigue and suffering despite the challenge





Persist to the End

If it doesn't kill me, it will make me stronger.  My marathon experience taught me that through life's struggles comes growth and greater understanding.  The tests of this life are like a refiners fire.  In order to be purified, we must withstand the heat of the flames.  This process will not only strengthen our character, but it will mold our very souls.

As hard and difficult as a marathon is, I know there are many more challenges to come.  A major source of strength comes from the continued support of my husband and family.  They believe in me.  Now from my past experiences, I am only more prepared to again withstand the flames that life will bring.

There are moments I think in the middle of a trial "it couldn't get any harder" or "I can't push anymore." It is then when a greater source of help sustains me and enables me to endure to the end until I have completed the task at hand.  This has be evident throughout my life, of this I'm sure.