What a Workout

Wouldn't you know it I finally got motivated to post something and Blogger was down for a day. Oh well, you have me now.

Saturday the Sloths bit the bullet and had what Mr. Sloth referred to as "a $900 workout". We joined the gym when I was pregnant with Happy but I rarely went afterward. First off the baby has to be around 3 months before they can be left in daycare, then Happy had his abscess issues and always needed prompt changings, making it more complicated being a super-pooper and they don't change diapers so the idea of me jumping out of the pool and running around the fitness center still wet just to change a diaper was less than appealing. Not to mention the fact that he's never had a bottle and neither of my kids do pacifiers. Then there was our Europe trip. Then there was the H1N1 cinareo and since we don't do vaccinations, especially H1N1, I had no interest in TRYING to get flu. From that point on I just made excuses. I maybe went once or twice but going without the kids left me to go at night and by the time the kids are in bed exercise is last on my list.

I have this friend from Church however, who lives less than a block away and goes everyday with her 11 month old. Every day! She has single-handedly ruined all of my excuses. Friday night Mr. Sloth seemed to be having a rough day so I suggested he 'take the night off'. He decided to go to the gym and work for a bit, well after working for an hour and getting all the way to the gym (a good 15 minute drive) he realized that he forgot his card and therefore had to come home. It was 9:30pm so he gave up. It was then we decided to head to the gym as a family on Saturday morning.

First thing Saturday we ate breakfast, dressed and headed to the gym. I unfortunately couldn't find the bottoms of my suit and Mr. Sloth thought it was a good idea if I didn't swim if I couldn't find them. So I had to find other ways to work out. Wait, let me back up, we had to register Happy. Yep, 15 months and he's never been there. The woman at the service desk thought I looked healthy. I laughed. If she only knew! Mr. Sloth and I were apprehensive about dropping off Happy for the first time. See babies that can't walk go in a special room by appointment and have one on one attention, children who can walk however are put in the room with all the other children. Happy can walk.

We knew everything Demand was planning on doing there and it didn't involve playing with Happy. At home they are best friends but at the fitness center it's indoor playgrounds and ball pits. (I can't blame her really). He wasn't crying when we left him which was a good sign.

As far as working out it was quite pathetic. I was having a very pregnant day and everything I did was causing pressure so very little effort was made. Mr. Sloth and I had agreed to meet at 11:45am. When I walked out of the woman's locker room he had already picked up the children. (We usually sign them in under his name so I'm not called to childcare while swimming) Apparently it was touch and go with Happy but he seemed fine.

Moving on to today. I had a goal to go to the gym today so I decided to tell Demand that we were going to the gym after breakfast. Anyone who's met a 3 year old can tell you this is the best to remember something. Three year olds do not forget plans...ever. Mr. Sloth said the gym was the last thing they talked about before she (finally) fell asleep last night.

I even went so far as to set my alarm for this morning. Turns out it still works! What do you know! I was up by 7am. Demand was up at who knows when getting a head start on playing. Happy...Happy slept in. Go figure. Demand and I were dressed and ready to go we were just waiting for the slumber Prince to wake up. By 8:30am we were off. Demand gave me swimming tips on the drive over (I found the bottoms to my suit by the way). Demand told me I had to go under the water. (Thanks for the advice floatie queen!) Turns out the gym is a busy place at 8:30am. I had to park WAY OUT and carry Happy the whole way with slowy-McSlowson straggling behind. Carrying a toddler boy while pregnant should be an expert level cardio class at every gym by the way. Much to my surprise Happy is, well, Happy to be there. He dashed right into the playroom no questions asked, no fussing, no coaxing. What a nice surprise.

Even though there was a senior citizens swim class going on I was able to get my own lane and finally start swimming. Mr. Sloth is so happy. I swam almost every day when I was pregnant with Happy. Exercise really helps with labor and delivery and definitely with recovery. The swim was great and couldn't have come at a better time. I've been feeling so pregnant these days it's nice to be buoyant for once. I decided to cut my swim short since I was afraid all the gray-hairs would beat me to the showers and take all the hot water. Plus, lets face it, there are two kinds people in gym lockers rooms exhibitionists and those who avoid the exhibitionists. I am the latter. And for some reason there is no need for a towel past the age of 65, I don't know if you develop some kind of duck-like water repellent or what. A part of me never wants an answer to that question.

So after a lovely swim and a much needed (and hot) shower I picked up the children. They were happy! In fact they had to hunt down Happy who knows what kind of fun he was up to. I asked him when we got in the car if he had fun. He nodded his head "yes" which is doubly great since up until today he could only shake his head "no" even if he meant "yes".

So success at the gym! I have a pretty packed day tomorrow so we may have to wait until the evening to go but at least I know, it can be done!!