Running Support

No....not THAT kind of support.

This whole actually training for a run is new to me but from what I've seen, it's almost just as much work for your partner. Melvin will have to hold down the fort for many runs, some of them pretty long - I think the longest will be 19.5 which happens to fall on Mother's Day. The Sunday long runs will be easier, the week nights however, will be a challenge, between having supper, and getting the kids ready for bed, it doesn't leave much time for running. It will be a dark run for sure. I plan to run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. I'm also ok with missing some here and there. This is my first half marathon, so I will just be setting the bar for the future!

In other news, Halloween was a success. It rained all day, so we had no kids come to the door. Charlotte made it out for about 45 minutes and got quite a bit of goodies. We can now bribe her with candy to be good until it's acceptable to start bribing her with Santa Claus!

This is what I've been doing all weekend:



It needs to stop, but it can only stop when they are all gone!!!!

My stroller fit classes will be moving indoors this week - so it won't be stroller fit, but more bootcamp styles classes, so I won't be running before class. That means I will have to run either during the day with Archer, or in the evenings. I need to get some reflective clothing ASAP.

Workouts this past week:

Sunday: rest
Monday: C25K Week 5 Day 2 with stroller 3.77k 6:49 pace
Tuesday: C25K Week 5 Day 2 with stroller 3.14k 6:31 pace + stroller fit
Wednesday: stroller fit
Thursday: stroller fit
Friday: rest
Saturday: 5k pace 5:50



As much as I said I was going to finish the app, I feel pretty good running 3-5km so I will keep that distance up until I feel really good and I will incorporate some hills and intervals to shake it up. Then I will up the distance slowly to 10km (slowly being the key word)

Some pics to end the week:








I'll be in Timmins next weekend, so hopefully a run with my momma and some hot yoga with my friends!

No turning back now!!

Well it's official! On Friday I signed up for the Toronto Women's Run Half Marathon on May 24, 2015.



I did the 5k in this series last week and it's such a great event! It's super well organized and the route is nice! I did the run with my Momma's Fitness Class leader Laura. She's actually 16 weeks pregnant with her 3rd and I was 10 weeks post partum with Archer.



I didn't have expectations for the run since I just started the couch to 5k a few weeks ago, but I thought it would be fun and it was a beautiful day. The weather could not have been any better for a run. I thought long and hard about how I would run. I wasn't sure if i would just go for it, or follow my app, or go back to my run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute. I finally decided to do the run 10, walk 1 and I added in one short walk of about 30 seconds just past 8k which I totally could have done without but I caved to my internal pressure. Anyways, my final time was 31:03 and I came in at 148\412 so I was pretty happy. Last spring, I was running 5k in about 27-28 minutes so I still have some work to do, but I crossed the finish line smiling!!

I've also done a ton of research on preparing for a half marathon. My Pinterest is proof of that! I looked at quite a few apps, because that's what works for me. I finally settled on the Lululemon Sea Wheeze 1/2 marathon app.

The dates are wrong obviously, but I just modified it to fit my schedule.

It starts 14 weeks out, so I have some time. Until then, I will work myself up to a comfortable 5k by finishing the couch25k and then work up to a 10k on my own.

Here is what I did this past week:
Monday: rest

Tuesday: Stroller fit was rained out and it was too rainy for me to run with Archer - so rest
Wednesday: C25K Week 4 day 3 - 3.68km with the stroller - pace - 6:41/km
Thursday: C25K Week 5 day 1 - 3.25km with the stroller - pace - 6:39/km
Friday: rest
Saturday: Toronto Women's Run 5k - pace 5:57/km (run 10 mins, walk 1 min)

Archer is a great running partner! He loves the jogging stroller and we just make sure to slow down
and avoid the bumps!

On to a new week, stroller fit is moving indoors, so I'll have to rework my schedule, but i've been enjoying the late fall sunshine!

Here are a few pics of our week!







Have a great day!!

Maternity Leave #2, Getting Organized and Half Marathon!

Hello Blog Readers!! (and by that I mean my mom, and the one daycare mom who told me she found my blog - Hi!!)

Here we are 2.5 months into my second maternity leave. Archer was born on August 11 at 5:55pm at Mount Sinai! Things have been great, not sure if he is just more relaxed, or if we are more relaxed, probably a bit of both! I've already cleaned the house more times this mat leave than I did the whole time I was off with Charlotte.

Although I seem to have reallllly cute children, they don't sleep. It's a good thing they are so cute. Charlotte sleeps great now, but it was a struggle. Archer gives me 2-3 hour stretches, but that's it! - I know this is phase and this too shall pass. That's what I tell myself anyways

Anyhow, I'm taking advantage of my time off by organizing the house and training for a half marathon.

I've managed to keep our freezer organized and last week I re did all of our spices into little mason jars. I've been meal planning for the week and doing groceries on Mondays to prepare for the week. So far so good.

I'm doing the towomensrun.com 5k next weekend. I've done a few races in that series and they are all great. So great in fact, I've decided to sign up for their half marathon in May! I haven't signed up yet but I will. I've looked up the training and I think it's something I can do over the next 7 months. I'm happy it'll be my first half, so I will be going in with no expectations. I'm well aware that since I'm breastfeeding full time, I will half to be careful and I've been looking into the proper nutrition to make sure Archer and I both stay nice and healthy. I'm also working on getting my mom to join me! I think it would be great, especially since it's a ladies run!

I'm going to try and blog about my training. I love reading those types of blogs and I always find them motivating! So here is the first post, I hope to update one a week with my training from the previous week and the plan for the upcoming.

Any encouraging thoughts and advice is welcome!!

It's currently pouring rain, so i'm off to snuggle with Archer and research winter running gear for me!

2014 Reading Challenge

One of the best parts about going back to work was getting my reading time back again. No, I don't sit at work and read books all day, I wish, but I read on the subway. It's less than an hour a day, but I really value that time alone. Actually, a coworker offered me a ride home tonight, and I said no thanks, I actually enjoy taking the subway and reading my book. It's my alone time for the day!

Last year, I challenged myself to read 42 books. I came in a bit short at 33 (which is 79% of my goal). This year, I brought the goal down to 40. So far, I'm on book #11 and I'm 3 books ahead of schedule. Everything is tracked on Goodreads, it's a great site to find new books, and track what you've been reading or want to read. You can check it out here: https://www.goodreads.com/

I thought it would be interesting to write quick reviews and rate the books I've read so far. To keep it short, I'll do it in groups of 5 and rate them - they will be rated out of 5 Harry's (since I'm a geek and I love One Direction) . Here we go:

Baby Bumps: From Party Girl to Proud Mama, and All the Messy Milestones Along the Way by Nicole Polizzi aka Snooki

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17836509-baby-bumps

I thought this one was going to be super cheesy. But I was pleasantly surprised, I read the whole book in 2 days. It was honest and funny. She doesn't gloss over any parts of being pregnant. She did admit that her editor had a huge part in almost re writing it, but I didn't read it for the quality of the writing. I would recommend it to my friends who have had a baby or who are pregnant now and need a good read that's different from the usual "What to Expect when you are expecting" I give it 3 Harry's 

How to fall in Love by Cecilia Ahern

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18161265-how-to-fall-in-love

This was easily one of my least favorite of the first 5. It was written like a self help book, and I just had hard time getting into it. I don't usually stop reading a book unless things get really bad and I was able to finish it without too much struggling, but it didn't leave a lasting impression and it didn't leave me want to tell others to read it. I give it only 2 Harry's  

The Hole in the Middle by Kate Hilton

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18080970-the-hole-in-the-middle

I found this book while browsing the bookstore after Christmas. It was a new to me author and it caught my eye because it's about a woman who is trying to balance her life as a career woman, mother, wife and friend. She struggles to find that balance. It was really refreshing to see someone who works full time and runs a household and doesn't love every single second. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants validation that it's normal to not love every second and to be tired at the end of the day! I give this one 4 Harry's!

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128029.A_Thousand_Splendid_Suns

This was our Book Clubs pick, so I don't want to say too much as we are meeting this week. I will say though that I was really looking forward to this book as I read quite a few similar books in the past few years and I really enjoyed them. For some reason, this one couldn't hold my attention. I found myself skipping pages and willing the book to be finished. Once again, I did get through it, but I wasn't rushing to tell anyone about it. I am looking forward to the other ladies opinions, but I will be sharing only 2 Harry's with them.  

An Unexpected Grace by Kristin Von Kreisler

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17802741-an-unexpected-grace

I will be honest and admit that I only picked up this book because of the super cute dog on the cover. That and it was 30 or 40% off at Shoppers one day and I had a weak moment. I read 95% of my books on my Kobo but I couldn't pass this one up. It was really sweet and a quick and easy read. It reminded me why I love Rambo, and a reminder is always good :) I tried to pawn this one off on my Grandma this weekend, but once I told her it was about a woman recovering from something traumatic by learning to love a dog, she quickly shut me down. I enjoyed it though, and I will continue trying to pawn it off on my fur loving friends. I will give it 3.5 Harry's  

I will be back soon with the next 5! I just started Crazy Town - about Rob Ford, so I'm looking forward to getting through that one!!

Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!!

A Blog about why I haven't blogged...

The irony of the name of my blog hasn't escaped me. It's called a Working Mom's World, yet I've blogged maybe once since I actually started working!

It seems I thought I would still have all kinds of spare time once I went back to work full time. I was kidding myself. The days are jammed packed from wake up to bed time. Which these days is pretty darn early. So what's been happening in the past year and a half?

I can't believe I've been back at work for nearly 2 years! 2013 was a really good year for us! I was the Top Performer on my team for the first time! It was good timing since I will be heading off on maternity leave again in August! Yup, Charlotte is going to be a big sister! Baby T 2.0 will be joining us around mid August and we are all excited! Things were a little rougher this time around, my thyroid has been super low, but it seems to be under control now and I can actually function like a normal human during the day!

Charlotte is doing great at daycare, she's comfortably in the preschool room now and she will be there until she starts school. She's fully potty trained (except at night) and she's a talking running machine.

We've converted her crib to a toddler bed and she's so good. She calls for us whenever she needs anything and won't get out of bed! She will be moving to the 3rd bedroom sometime in the next few months. We want to plan the transition so she doesn't think she's moving because the baby is taking her room. She's picked out her paint (yellow and pink). Melvin has his work cut out for him now with the painting and building of the new bed.











Melvin has been busy at work and at the gym. We have a pretty good routine, he drops Charlotte off at daycare and heads over to the gym before work. He's looking forward to the new addition and I think he's hoping for a little baby Melvin!


Early this fall, we had to say goodbye to Oreo. He hurt is neck somehow and it resulted in a slipped disk. We tried steroids and pain medication, but he wasn't able to do anything and wasn't enjoying life as much as he should. Charlotte still asks for him, but she knows he's gone to heaven and I think Rambo still looks for him too.



Otherwise, we've all been pretty good, and busy! Apparently working full time, and keeping up with family and friends and ourselves/eachother takes alot of time and energy! I really want to keep up with the blogging world, so I bought myself a keyboard for my ipad since I'm never on the desktop or the laptop anymore, so we'll see how that goes!

Thanks for reading and I'll be back soon!

Long time no see!!

I'm a little embarrassed that this blog is called A Working Mom's World and I haven't posted since I started working!! I guess it just goes to show how busy things got!!

Since it's almost my 1 year blogaversary, I thought I would do a catch up post! So what have we been up to in the past 7 months?

I went back to work April 2. It didn't take long before it felt like I hadn't left! It didn't help (or maybe it did help) that I got back right in time for the summer rush. The days would fly by and I didn't even realize it! Most of my work friendships fell right back into place and I even made a few new ones! Having a kid gives you something to talk about with almost everyone! People without kids love to hear the cute things your kid does, and people with kids like to commiserate over the sleepless nights!

Ahh those sleepless nights!! Charlotte adjusted really well to daycare, but as expected she got sick, and Melvin got sick, and I got sick, and over and over again it went. People kept saying, "it's good, it's good! She will build up her immune system!!" and apparently so will we!! Within the first 2 months of daycare, Charlotte had an ear infection, a few colds and pink eye. Melvin also got pink eye since he graciously was able to stay home with her! I got a few colds, and thankfully escaped the pink eye! AFter the first few months, things got considerably better. She is actually getting over a cold and ear infection now, but this is the first in a while. Let me tell you, seeing Curious Caterpillars come up on my call ID at work is never a good thing! They do take great care of her, but if she has a fever, she is sent home and has to be fever free for 24 hours, which means at least a day and a half off work for one of us!! Back to sleep...or lack thereof, Char was sleeping soooo well before daycare, she got sick and we lost track of time...she started needing the comfort during the night again, so up we got, we took turns though since 6am comes realllllly fast!! A few weeks ago, we decided to re sleep train her. She cried a few times the first few nights, but the past few weeks she's been really good! Sleep is so important when you have to use your brain during the day and not just watch TV!!

So here we are, fall is in full force. Summer flew by! We went to Timmins twice for weddings, my parents visited at least that many times and now Melvin's dad is here for a week before they fly off to Europe on a 2nd honeymoon! November is shaping up to be a really busy month for Melvin and I with work events and catching up with friends we've neglected in the past few months. But such is life when there is a major change happening! Thankfully everyone seems to get it!

Melvin joined the gym and goes on his lunch hour. I'm back with my Mommy Fitness Group on Saturday mornings and I've taken to running in the morning before work ok - I've gone twice, but that's because last week was a washout with all the rain and I fully intend to go at least 3 times this week!!

I promise to check in more often!! But I leave you with a few pics of the past few months. We no longer have a baby, but a running, talking, mess making toddler!!

Until next time...enjoy!

Back to reality!

I can't believe I've been off for over a year. It really feels like a month ago I was still at work and pregnant. So much has happened this past year and I am both happy and sad to start this new path!

Little Charlotte Jia Li Tan was born at 11:45 am on Tuesday March 15, 2011. She was 6lbs 7oz. She was pretty helpless and just slept, ate and pooped. As the months went on, we were so proud of every milestone. I remember the first time she rolled over from tummy to back, she was so surprised!! How did I get this way, and how do I get back, the look on her face said!

She was 6 months old when we started her on baby rice cereal. I remember she would only eat a teaspoon at a time. But she sure loved it. It wasn't long before she was ready for more. We started with sweet potatoes! Yum!!

She hated being in the car, so we would strategically plan our trips around her nap time. During the summer, we would walk the dogs at night, and she was still so little, Melvin would just carry her in his arms so she could see everything! She still loves taking walks, but is quite happy in her stroller now.

Then, at 6.5 months, Charlotte had her first cold. I felt so horrible! I don't remember if I was sick first, or if it was her, but it didn't really matter. Poor little girl, didn't understand why her nose was so stuffy and she was coughing. Ofcourse there is nothing that can be done, but give her some extra cuddles and snuggles. So that we did!

Then came teeth! Charlotte got her 2 first teeth (bottom 2) on October 5th. She was so cute smiling with her little chompers showing! And so proud! Teething wasn't nearly as bad as alot of the stories I had heard. So that was quite the relief! Today, she has 6 teeth. 4 at the top and the same 2 chomps at the bottom. According to her red cheeks and cries last night, we think a new one is on it's way!

I remember wishing for Charlotte to crawl, thinking she never would!! Yes, now I am eating my words!! Ofcourse I am happy she is developing, but now I know why my mommy friends kept saying, "be careful what you wish for!!" That little munchkin is EVERYWHERE!! As far as we know, she has only had one piece of dog food, but hey, it's good quality dog food, so it's not too bad right?? She loves their water bowl and loves the french doors in our living room. I think she likes to look and kiss herself in the glass! Grandpa will have his work cut out for him in June as he has the habit of cleaning our windows!!

It wasn't long after the crawling that the constant pulling up started! All she wants to do is stand!! We've lowered her crib to the lowest level, and she wasn't happy when she realized it wasn't so easy to get up now!! As of March 16, 2012, a day after her 1st Birthday. She weighs 17.2lbs and measures 26.5 inches. That's just over 2 feet of Charlotte!!!

Today she is spending the better part of the day at Curious Caterpillars. Melvin came to do the drop off with me this morning as he will be taking over the morning routine on Monday. This is the first morning she really cried and I think it's because we were both there. She had stopped crying by the time we got to the top of the stairs to leave though. So I have the day to myself today! I went for a run, came home, showered, made a smoothie and finished my book. All that before 11am! I don't pick her up until 3pm!! Everywhere I go, I feel like I'm forgetting something and I swear I heard her cry when I was in the shower this morning! I wonder if I will hear or see her around the office next week!

Speaking of office, they are expecting me at 8am sharp on Monday morning. I will work until 4pm and then pick up Charlotte from daycare! I have my framed Birthday Girl picture of Charlotte ready to put up at my desk along with my bag of stationary that I admitably never unpacked!

I had a great 1st year with my little family and am very thankful for our very supportive families! I think my parents visited almost once a month the past year and always insist Melvin and I get some time to ourselves to go for dinner. Hah we don't always accept as we don't want to miss out on any Charlotte time either!! My little 6lbs baby has grown into a 17lbs toddler and I wouldn't have things any other way! I always planned to go back to work, and I do feel a little guilty at times, but I'm not the first woman to tackle the working mom role and I won't be the last!! I can't wait to see what this year brings and how much we grow as a family (by that I DO NOT mean with another baby...)

I leave you now with Charlotte's first picture that I have on my blackberry and one that was taking last week on our way to the Doctor's for her 1 year appointment!!