12 weeks ago today I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy. Neither Brandon or I could have ever known how much love we could have for this little creature, or how wonderful it would be to be parents. We are absolutely smitten! Everyone says, “You’re life will never be the same.” And it is true, one smile from Hayden and we are reduced to couple of grinning, oogling fools. When he falls asleep in my arms, I feel like I could stay there forever. And, when we put him in his little mini kayak… I dream of all the adventures we will have as a family. Our lives have new meaning, new priorities and a new level of consciousness about really seeing the world like we have never seen it before… observing every color, hearing every sound, embracing every friendship, and making the most of every moment.

It has also been important to us to stay true to who we are, and introduce Hayden into the life and community we love. And, I think we are succeeding. Hayden gets a huge grin when ‘Grandma Berta’ climbs in the van on a Wednesday Night to babysit so we can race. He faces forward in his Baby Bjorn when we hike and together we admire the spring flowers. And, when Brandon and I take him to Home Depot to help us plan our bathroom remodel, he patiently looks at tiles with us… though he seems to prefer reds and purples, while we have something a little more neutral in mind.

Hayden, Mama and Papa on a family adventure

Hayden has also kept me very focused on my training goals. Back in October of 2007 I posted my pregnant athlete workout and goals. With my first athletic goal coming up next week, I am feeling race ready. The Ski to Sea relay race is THE event of the year in Bellingham. This year there are 441 8-person teams registered. ..that is 3528 athletes!!! I captain the 2007 winning Whatcom County Women’s team. They aren’t putting any pressure on me to perform… but I am. It is my nature, it is how I focus my energy, and it is what I love to do! In 2007 my goal was to be the ‘Top Gun’ female in the kayak leg, and with a lot of dedicated training, I succeeded. This year my ultimate challenge would be to defend that title. But, my actual goal is to help my team to reclaim their title of winning Whatcom County Women’s Division.

My transition from birth to training, although hard work, has been incredibly smooth. I owe this to staying true to my pregnancy fitness routine, the support of my husband, and a natural and uncomplicated birth. I was able to begin walking and going to the gym for a light workout the first week after Hayden was born. On day eight, I took my first jogging steps. And, after exactly 2 weeks and 6 days, while my parents came up from California to meet Hayden, I raced my first Wednesday Night!

Mom watching Hayden at the first Wednesday Night of the year

Since then, I have focused on recovering my muscle strength, my endurance, and the biggest challenge: get my core strength back. Most days I either jog, or hike with Hayden in the Baby Bjorn, I work on my strength with a combination of Pilates and weights 3 times a week, and I get in my boat and paddle about 4 times a week. Week to week I feel it all coming together. Last week, as I pushed through our weekly Wednesday Night Course, Joost passed me on the right yelling to a party-train of boys drafting me, “You guys should be ashamed of yourself, drafting off a new Mom!” It was at that moment that I felt it… I am back! Not 100%, probably not even 75%… but enough that it feels great to race! The rest will come with time!

Brandon and Hayden at the Dirty Dan Harris Challenge

The Ski to Sea is Memorial Weekend, and my parents are coming back up from California to watch Hayden so Brandon and I can focus on the race. I am looking forward to racing amongst friends, my family and husband giving me their endless supply of enthusiastic support, and my new baby boy giving me the energy to race hard, have fun, and make my team proud!

Hayden and Mom after a training paddle

~In the Spirit of Compassion and Adventure~

Heather, Brandon and Hayden