Body After BABY

Hello Sweetest Bloggie Friends!

Happy Saturday!  Okay, so here is the scoop....I'm having a tough time coming to terms with my "Body After BABY".  Pre baby, I loved fashion, clothing, shoes and accessories.  Even while I was pregnant I strived to dress my best and had fun dressing the bump.

Now, 3 months later, post baby, post c-section, I find myself feeling frumpy and dumpy!  While I was pregnant I ate right and did everything I could to ensure that I wouldn't have loads of weight to lose once he was born.  Overall, I gained somewhere between 17 and 20 pounds and I actually "thought" that I'd snap right back into shape and be back to my old self fairly quickly...but that is not the case.  My Dr. didn't want me to work out for 12 weeks post surgery to allow my incision and abdominal area to heal.  And who am I kidding, I didn't feel like hitting a gym either!  I was sore and too sleep deprived to even stand up on a treadmill let alone walk on one!  Not to mention its hot as hell here in the deep south so strolling is not an option in 100+ degree temps.  And going to the gym at 8:30 at night when your hubby gets home is not exactly optimal after a long, tiring,  day caring for a baby.

So, as of late, I have joined a gym and am working my butt off to lose this baby fluff.  I know that I'm doing all the right things, but my mind still goes back to the days post baby when I worked out with a trainer 3 days per week, by myself the other 3 and was in the best shape of my life.  Now, I'm 2 sizes larger than I was, have a closet full of great clothes that I can't wear, spend dollars on a part time nanny instead of a trainer and just feel unattractive.  Sure, people say "you look great"!  But what they don't know is that the fashionista in me does a good job of hiding the extra pounds.  Seeing yourself physically change as well as all of the emotional changes that motherhood brings is a lot to absorb....

Now, before anyone out there judges me for being honest about how I'm feeling let me say this....I am SO GRATEFUL for my son!  I'm sure if I were reading this post a year ago I would secretly hate reading a post about someone complaining about being fluffy after a baby.  I would have said "just be grateful you have a child...and I am.

But, change is hard!  I'm all over the place with this post...but overall, I just wanted to put it out there, my thoughts, feelings and just be real.  Anyone else out there feel this way?  What are you doing to lose the weight?  Does anyone find that getting your body back post C-Section is challenging and if so, what did you do or are you doing to get there?

Currently, I'm exercising, but think I need to up my cardio, if only I could find the energy...Lleyton still wakes in the night and I feel exhausted most of the time.  I'm using the Bob Greene strategy, as I've used his program before and it was great!  I guess I just want everything back in order RIGHT NOW...I'm impatient and  a type A personality which doesn't help.  And to encourage myself, I have decided to treat myself to an accessory that I have always wanted if I lose the weight by the time we head to the beach in September....gotta have something to look forward to!

Also, if anyone has used the Weight Watchers Plus point system let me know....how did it work?  Was it easy to prepare food and follow?

BIG HUGS

3 Marvelous Months!

Hello Sweetest Bloggie Friends!

I can hardly believe that our sweet Lovie is now 3 months old!  Happy 3 Marvelous Months sweet boy!  Time is flying and this Mommy just wants everything to slow down.  Lleyton Graeme, you are changing everyday and grow sweeter with each passing second and we are forever in love with you!  You were SO WORTH the WAIT.

3 MONTHS

3 Months

What we've been up to...

Attended my first wedding!

Got my first shots...it broke my Mommy's heart

Went to dinner with friends...and I was so good!

Met my cousin for the first time!  He's 3 months older than me.

Celebrated my first 4th of July!

Went to Lake Lure, NC for the first time!  It was my first trip to the lake house.  And my first time wearing my life jacket.

Saw my first sunset

Took my first boat ride

Helped Daddy Drive the Boat

Let My Mommy play photographer!

What You're Doing

Snuggling on Daddy

Playing under your gym!

Fussing when I've had a long day and need sleep!

You love, love, LOVE riding in your swing!

Taking a bath is SO MUCH FUN!

You love for Mommy to hold you

Rocking in your rocker with Mommy

You love Daddy holding you

Getting ready for bed is such fun!

After bath time, you like to relax while mommy rubs you with good night lotion

You are now wearing size 1 diapers

You eat 4 ounces of milk

You are coo'ing and talking all the time

You can grasp items and hold them in your hand

You lift your head up big and strong

You love to take rides in your stroller

You are now sleeping for 5 hours during the night

You love for your Mommy to sing to you

You love to snuggle up on Daddy when he gets home at night

You are smiling

You laugh out loud

You are so HAPPY in the morning!

You've just discovered your tongue  

You love to touch and feel everything

3 Marvelous Months have passed so quickly....

Lleyton Graeme, the joy you bring to our lives is immeasurable.  Mommy and Daddy love you with all our hearts.  Everything we endured was worth it to just see you smile.  Happy 3 months Lovie!

So that's about it....stay tuned for more adventures of Life with Lovie!

Much love to all my bloggie friends who continue to follow this leg of our journey.  To all of my friends who are still struggling, my heart is with you, I pray for you and pray that you receive your miracle.  This walk is not an easy one, but one that is definitely worth the wait.

Andrea

xxx

Life with Lovie

Hello Bloggie Friends!

I told you all that I would post over the weekend and here it is Wednesday and I am just now getting this post written and hopefully published....fingers crossed, as Lleyton is playing under his little gym and I have a couple of minutes.

What's happening here?  On Monday we visited our friend Dr. Catherine, as it was time for our 2 month shots.  Que the tears!  This Mommy just hated seeing her sweet boy get his immunizations.  And, I will admit I have worried myself sick over whether or not to follow the routine schedule.  I "thought" I had made a decision to do an alternative immunization schedule, which would consist of giving Lovie fewer shots at a time, and going every month instead of the usual 2mo's, 4 mo's, etc.. My mind was made up when I arrived at the clinic..

UNTIL

My sweet friend, Lovie's Dr. came in and had the alternate schedule waving it in hand.  She looked at me and said "you know there is no link to vaccines and Autism".  I said "well, I just don't know what to think and as a Mommy I feel the need to protect my child".  She agreed and went on to say that she would allow the alternative schedule, but that Lovie would not get the Pertussis vaccine (Whooping Cough) this time and it would be another 4 weeks before he could get it and that it would not take effect for another 2 wees after that.  Also, she went on to say there has been a Pertussis outbreak, etc..We talked a bit more and finally I said "Catherine, forget that you're a Dr., forget medical jargon, step in your Mommy shoes and tell me what to do!"  She said "I gave my children these vaccines on the regular schedule".  Then, after I agreed to the regular schedule she said "Andrea, I lost a baby to Pertussis when I was in residency".

As a Mommy, you just have to go with your gut sometimes.  This was the hardest call I've had to make since Lovie's been in the world.  Sure, there was the C-section call, but really there was no option and I just had to get over my fears and ultimately I wanted him here safe and sound.  And now that he's here....the BIG decisions are coming and I know they won't stop.  It's called being a parent and its an honor to be his mommy.  The only problem is that I wante'd to do EVERYTHING right!  And I know I won't....

Lovie was so good getting his shots....I just hated it!  The needles seemed very long and knowing they were injected into an area with little fat made me cringe.  I was ill by the time we left, but he was coo'ing and smiling and happy.  My sweet boy did run a fever and I gave him baby acetaminophen every 4 hours, which helped and we continue to give him warm baths to soak his legs and I'm massaging the little lumps left by the shots.  He is such a trooper!  We've snuggled him tons and he's slept alot....and this mommy's glad it's over for a while.

Other than that...LIFE is LOVIE!

He weighs:  11lb 7oz and he is in the 30th percentile
Length:  23 1/4" and is in the 45th percentile
Head Circumference:  15 1/2" and is in the 35th percentile

His favorite things to do are:  Ride in his swing, play under his play gym and snuggle with Mommy and Daddy.

In other news, we found a wonderful Nanny!  She is very sweet and Lovie likes her alot.  Having her come a couple of days a week allows me to get shopping done and other errands run without having to take him out in the miserable 100 degree Memphis heat.  I'll admit, leaving him is SO HARD, but I'm adjusting.

As for me, I am adjusting to Motherhood and being a stay at home mom.  It's a difficult adjustment when you've always been a career person, but so rewarding.  On other fronts, I've started back working out and its kicking my butt!!!  How did I get out of shape so fast?  It's going to take a while to get back to the level I was before he was born, but he's worth it!

Okay, I'm going to sign off, but before I do I want to send love and sweet wishes to my Kindred Spirit, Deni, who had her little Rainbow Cala Fay last night!  Ironically, Nan and I were on the phone talking when we got the text from her sister that "precious one" had made her way into the world.  Mommy and Baby are doing great!  Deni will fill you in on the rest....Cala came via C-section.  I jokingly told Deni that she now joins Nan and I as members of the "bikini smile club".  Sending you much love sweetest friend!  xoxo

And Congrats to my sweet Friends Ann and Amy who are celebrating getting BFP's!  I could not be happier for both of you and I am cheering you on and praying for each of you daily.  God does send miracles....

Last, but not least, Congratulations to my sweet friend Bethany, who gave birth to her little son, Josiah.  Welcome to the World sweet boy!  Bethany also delivered him via c-section, due to some complications, but he's here and healthy....and we've added her to the bikini smile club!  BIG HUGS sweet friend!

New Mother Needs ADVICE

Hello Sweetest Bloggie Friends!

It has been an eternity since I last posted here and I regret it, but there has just been no time!  Life has been wildly busy and sleep is something that I know little about, but our little Bunny (who I now call Lovie) is thriving and doing very well.  I plan to write a catch up post with lots of pictures this weekend...fingers crossed.

At the moment, this new mommy needs some advice....HELP!  Lleyton is now 11 weeks old and is taking 3-4 ounces of milk, but is NOT sleeping through the night.  At best, he normally sleeps about 3 hours at a time before waking and wanting to be fed.  This has been a loooong 11 weeks and this mommy is wondering where she has gone wrong.  Or, if he just isn't ready to sleep longer stints.

Admittedly, I have asked too many friends if their newborns are sleeping through the night and it seems that most are...some even younger than Lovie.  If you have any advice, please pass it along :)

Presently, we don't swaddle, as he absolutely hated being confined from the very first day he was born.  We pressed the issue and he wouldn't sleep, as he fought until he was free.  Next, I do follow a routine with him each day and he does quite well.  Also, I've upped his formula (yes, formula, breast feeding was a disaster and we are both much happier having given it up!) to 4 ounces, but sometimes he only takes 3 ounces.  And, I have "tried" reading Baby Wise in my spare time, but get lost in all the jargon.  Anyone have a recommendation of a book that is written in plain speak?  Mommy speak?

I'm going to try sticking to a later night feeding at 10:00 and then putting Lovie to bed awake, rather than asleep, as I've been doing....we shall see if this helps....stay tuned....please feel free to share what worked for you.  Or, if nothing worked, share that too. LOL

And...did I mention Lovie an absolutely perfect baby other than his short sleep stints :)

Much Love
xxx
ps  no proof reading, excuse the errors, there just isn't time