something exciting

I have some exciting news. NO. I am NOT PREGNANT. Vera will have siblings some day, but not anytime soon ;)

No, this is possibly even more exciting than that.

I can do push ups. Yes, I did mean to make that plural too - because I can do more than one. Even more than just two. (Okay, I can only do three, but still)

You might be thinking to yourself. Wow, this is supposed to be impressive? But if you know me, you know that upper body strength has never been something that I have possessed. Push ups have never been in my workout routine. Yes, I have been able to do the "girl" push ups on my knees for years. But I can now do three, on my toes, push ups. This is huge.

Since being pregnant and giving birth I have noticed that my body is not quite the same as it once was. Don't get me wrong -- I never would have been the person who you looked at and thought, "wow, she must work out for an hour ever day." But I was healthy and in shape -- I mean I have run three half marathons and one full marathon in my day ;)

But pregnancy does something to your body. Things change. I can't quite do jumping jacks like I used to. I wonder if there are enough sit ups to get my abs back to "normal". And I still have to go to the bathroom more than I used to.

Then I stop and look at my sweet daughter. And I'm reminded of this -- she grew inside of me. Sure, my body may be hanging onto some extra pounds from pregnancy and I might be skeptical if my waist will ever return to its original size, but my body was Vera's home for 40 weeks. That's pretty amazing. I'm okay with a new normal because it was so worth it. Derek and I are working to be sure we eat healthy at home -- this has been a little tricky considering cookie day a week ago, but we are making great strides. Working out is tough when three things are present -- winter weather, a baby, and a budget. But together I know we can make it happen.

And let's not forget this -- my new normal includes a body that can do push ups. Real push ups. I guess that's what I get for carrying around a baby all day and taking her places in her car seat. Life is good :)