Postpartum Weight-loss Update

Hello everybody!! I have not fallen off the face of the earth... I have had A LOT going on in my life in the past few months. Other than the obvious of having the baby we also bought a house! Leave it to Hubby & Me to try & conquer two Huge Life changing events within the same month! I was literally laying up healing from my C-section while he was unloading the U-haul, painting and cleaning the new house. It’s been two & a half months of chaos.

With the help of family & some awesome friends we got it all done. Without someone passing out from exhaustion and/or stress. We’re settled in officially (still have work to do on the house but we have forever to do that). Now I’m just trying to get used to the new baby routine while keeping the other 3 kids satisfied.

I have not done a update on my weight because along with some other weird items that went missing, like the vegetable peeler... my scale was one of the items that decided to be lost during the move! I think my husband tossed it so I would stop driving myself crazy. But he says he doesn’t know what happened. I have yet to buy a new one which, I’m OK with! It’s been kind of nice not jumping on the scale every few days. 

My last blog post, I weighed in at 227lbs. The last time I weighed on a scale was at my mother-in-law’s house about a week ago, and I weighed 215lbs! That's a significant loss! I reached the goal I set out in that post by mainly watching my carbs, with no major workouts other than some dumbbells here & there.  Nutrition > Exercise.

Please ignore dirty mirror, it's the perfect height for toddler hands.

I am trying my best to stick to a low-carb diet. It's not always easy when you have kids who snack all day, and have 7 kinds of Ice Cream in the freezer. We had a convention to attend out of town, before the convention I did great with my eating! Wanted to make sure I didn't feel bloated while there.

There's this place we love to go in Columbia, SC called Kiki's Chicken & Waffles, we're only in Columbia once a year for the convention so we always go there, and this year, we went twice! Yes, it's that good! Worth every mighty carb! So since then for a week I have fell off the Carb wagon. Started back full force yesterday! Thankfully I was only off track for a week. I am however, so tired of starting over. I have stopped and started my whole life. Never consistent. I'm sure I've probably even said the same thing in previous blog posts! Tired of hearing myself say out loud the same things over and over “I’m gonna do this”... “I’m going to do that”... I actually do, do it, for quite a while but then it stops. I come from a long line of people who love food and I inherited that trait for sure. I wish I could be one of those folks who LOVE to workout & view food as fuel. But I’m not. Food is my friend. Food is fun & amazing!

I don’t hate working out but these days I’m wore out from Mommin'. So adding in workouts seems almost impossible. I telling myself it’s my “me-time” and hoping it gives me a boost of energy to deal with the day to day. So for now I plan to start back by doing some walking around my new neighboorhood & sprinkling some Zumba & light weight-lifting in. 3-4 days a week, as my energy allows. As you have seen, my most important factor is my food, so I have to make sure I stay on top of that, more than the workouts. 

I’ll check back in with a weight update every month or so. My first goal is to hit 200lbs when I see that on the scale I’m throwing a party! I haven’t seen 200 or less in 12 years! That’s so crazy! I’ve never calculated that until this moment! I have seriously struggled my whole life, 32 years, with my weight. Minus a year or so when I was a toddler haha! I highly recommend folks to do a low-carb diet. Not nose-diving into Keto, which I tried for a couple years, before it was cool! It was too restrictive for me to be happy with long-term. I have found that Cutting Complex Carbs is something I can live with. It’s time for Momma to get fit. I gotta keep up with these boys!

Seventh Generation Baby

Our little babies are so innocent, sensitive, helpless, gentle & new when they enter into this world. They depend on us for everything big & small. When it comes to necessary products that we need for them day to day, the last thing you want to worry about is if it’s safe or not. As a mom I try to stick as close to nature as my budget allows for my little boys. I do not want a bunch of chemicals on their fresh new skin!

I was given a baby sample kit from Seventh Generation, for free to test out for my newest addition! I am in love y’all! Seriously the products are great! 

If you haven't heard of Seventh Generation, they are a company that uses plant based ingredients in all their products. From baby goods, to cleaners for your home. They have a full glossary of every single ingredient used in all their products! Takes the guess work out for us!

The wipes are my favorite! A product that contains no Alcohol, Parabens, or Fragrances! They’re hypoallergenic, I can use them all over his body even his face with no worries!! Which came in handy today when he spit-up right after I got him all clean & changed! I grabbed a wipe with no hesitation and wiped his face and neck off, I don't have to worry if it's going to make him break out, or leave a smell behind that will bother his wee little nose! I am a forever fan! I will always have their wipes on hand!

You can always find a good deal on their products at Target or Amazon. If you coupon those deals get even sweeter! If you’re like me every penny counts. I want the best for my baby & my budget! Seventh Generation products will always be on my shopping list!

Momma's Top 10 Newborn Must-haves!

Hello New Mommas, & Repeat Mommas! We all know from our searches there are hundreds of thousands of things that the Baby Market pushes on us as if we HAVE to have it or we are gonna fail at motherhood. So many options & the prices can be out of this world for something that will only be used a few months to a year!  This is my second baby & I am by no means no baby expert but this is what I know that I could not in anyway survive newborn life without! 

I'm not going to state the obvious, like diapers & wipes, because they're necessities. How many of what size you need all depends on how fast you're newborn is growing & how quickly they fill them up. Also you will learn what brand works the best for your baby. You know you're going to need bottle & pacifiers. What kind your baby takes also varies, I will suggest if you're breast feeding to only use a slow-flow nipple... forever, you want the baby to have to work to get the milk out of the bottle so that it's not easier than the boob. Or else they will favor bottle over boob cause the milk flows faster.

(The links below are affiliate links, which means if you click and purchase the suggested product, I would get a percentage of the sale.)

Momma's Top 10

• Swaddle Me Baby Swaddles Newborns are used to being tightly bound in your womb, coming out they like the same, some for a few weeks, some for months. The design of these are genius, a lot easier than using a swaddle blanket and perfecting your baby wrapping skills. This is a no-brainer and trust me that's what is needed for late night changes When you can just slide them in here feet first then close them up with the Velcro! It's a 3 step quick process! Make sure you get a small & large for the best fit.
• Burp Cloths Newborns love to spit up & drool, and you will want these slung over your shoulder 24/7. Go for the style you like most but these are long and fit right in the danger zone of the spit up when you're carrying baby! They have saved many of me & hubby's shirts!
• Activity Mat There are many kinds of activity mats. This one was awesome my son loved it, and still plays with the piano that's detachable! From about a month old I would lay him on it he'd look around at the colors of the mat and the toys hanging above, soon he was able to kick the piano and when he figured that out there was no stopping him! You can also do tummy-time on this mat.

• Boppy Pillow These Pillows are truly a necessity! I nurse and without this pillow it would've been back breaking! It supports your with different nursing positions. The baby can be propped up on it to sleep (with supervision), and can do tummy time on it. They're amazing!They're also well made I've machine washed mine a few times and it's still in good shape will be using it for the new baby!

• Bottle Warmer Even if you exclusively breastfeed there will be times you're not around your baby and a bottle is needed. Some husbands like to feed the baby as well because they feel like that's their way of bonding. These bottle warmers are so easy! You pour some water in, turn it on, sit bottle in and 30 secs or so the bottle is warm. No waiting for water to boil & you cannot microwave breast milk!
• Bottle Sterilizer I found this to be the easiest way to get the job done. YOU HAVE TO WASH & STERILIZE BABY BOTTLES & PARTS! I used bags, but this is just better cause I can fit more in it. You wash your bottles, pacifiers, pump parts, & put in here with the recommended amount of water & put in microwave. Easy.
• Automatic Baby Rocker When it's nap time during the day these are blessing! Spend the extra money to get one that rocks, bounces or vibrates automatically unless you plan to sit and bounce it with your foot for the whole nap! These are also great to just let the baby chill in during the day as well.

• Baby Carrier There are TONS of different types of carriers (wraps, ring slings etc...) you have to find what works for you. These by Infantino are great, quick to put baby in, comfortable & easy to use. Their price tag isn't a deal breaker either! It's so much easier sometimes to have quick access to a carrier if you're at the store or outdoor events. Strollers are not always the most convenient. I am all about ease & comfort.

• Teething Toys I love Nuby for their teething toys. And your baby will start teething before you even realize it.  There are all sorts to choose from & their prices are amazing. My son really loved these keys easy to clean & freeze, they stay cold for a while too. We also had the Teething Blanket, Teethe-eez Teether & Bug-a-loop Teether all lasted through my first sons teething great products!

• Travel Changing Pad These are easy & convenient. The last thing you want to do is lay your baby on a nasty changing table in the bathroom. I am not a diaper bag person (although with 2 under 2 I'm going to have no choice). When I can just grab this and go into the store quickly instead of taking my whole bag, or throw this under the stroller, at the park it makes sens & makes life easier! 

You may want to stock up on your favorite coffee & protein bars for energy as well (totally not kidding!) Momming is the hardest job I've ever had. I hope the things in my list make it a little easier for you, as they did me!

SPD Plaguing Me

If you've been reading my previous blog posts, you know this pregnancy has been completely different and a lot more uncomfortable for me. I am down to the last few weeks now. I cannot believe it's already April, next month my baby boy will be in my arms!

I've been struggling with pelvic pain this pregnancy. Really, it has been the worst part for me. It is an everyday thing, some days a lot worse than others. I had done google searches, and diagnosed myself with SPD. When I had my checkups at the doctor, (my OB that I go to rotates between a few doctors, so I've seen about 5 different ones this pregnancy) they always ask how I'm doing, and I tell them about the pain. Always get the same answer... "Your body responds quicker the 2nd pregnancy, and you'll have more pressure and pain it's normal." Having pain just pressing the brake pedal in the car, or putting on my pants, or walking is not a normal thing. Changing positions in the bed is the WORST, it is a true struggle! I also do stretches, sleep the way articles online suggest & try to move slowly. No relief. 

I had an appointment last week. With the very first doctor we met at this practice, who is AMAZING. She's knowledgeable, thorough, and she seems to have your best interests at heart. I told her about the pain, now it had been months since I seen her. When I described the pain & discomfort, she had me lay back and she pressed on the ligament that runs across the front of your pelvis, it connects the two pelvis joints. She said "tell me if this hurts." When she pressed on it, I could've jumped off the table, yea... it hurt! She said "You have SPD." I KNEW IT!!!!!  

So what is SPD? This article explains it very well: "Pelvis pain in pregnancy (SPD)"

I knew this wasn't just "normal". She said with some women it gets so bad that they need a walker to walk with. Thankfully I can get around without a walker. The ligament is inflamed and she said if I wasn't pregnant they'd give me a steroid to help the inflammation & have me rest. But as we know preggo's are very limited in the medicines we can take! 

But here comes the heartbreaking news I was not in any way ready to hear!!

My first pregnancy was an unplanned C-Section. This time we have been planning the whole time for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Each appointment, each doctor has been backing me & wanting me to do it. I have been hyped the whole pregnancy because I didn't get this experience with my first born. I won't get it this time either. Back under the knife I'll go.

She said she doesn't recommend pushing at all with SPD. The ligament can break, tear, or stretch, & if that happens after labor it could take months to heal properly, which means I wouldn't be able to walk properly & be in pain from it. IF it ever healed properly. My heart sank. C-sections are major, major surgery, & the recovery from them are NO JOKE! My son will be 21 months old when the baby is born, and I also have a 7 & 11 year old that'll be here for the summer. I have to be able to get around. There were a lot of hypothetical's like: IF the baby is small, IF you're dilating, IF you go into labor early. That's too many "if's" for me to be comfortable with. My body didn't go into labor the first time, I was induced... 3 times actually. So it still doesn't know what to do on it's on this time, although I was hoping for the chance. I can't take the risks. So whatever is the safest for baby & I is what I will do. Which, this time around will be another C-section.

When you're told you can't push your baby out, which God made a woman's body to do. It's heartbreaking. Makes you feel like you're body isn't sufficient enough to do what it was made to do! But that's not the way we should feel about ourselves. We have been able to carry a life, and birth it, we're STILL birthing our baby, so what if it's through the help of a surgery? Do you know how AMAZING we are to be able to go through that surgery, which is no easy thing, & our body heal from it, all while we're not able to just lay around & recover. We're taking care of a newborn, and other kids, and a house?! We're strong, strong women to be able to take all that on!!

Every Pregnancy is different.
Every Woman is Different. 
Everyone's pain is different.
Every Mom's Journey is different.

At the end of the day, we're all Mom's and we have one hard job of raising good little people! All that matter is we got them here safe & we do our best day to day!

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First vs. Second Pregnancy Symptoms

Today marks 31 weeks pregnant! In 9 short weeks, give or take a week or so... my baby boy will be out of my womb & in my arms. It is so surreal! Looking back there has been times I have felt like this pregnancy was at a stand still. The "I've been pregnant forever" moments. But now, I realize how fast it has actually flown by! 

The lingering "I'm over being pregnant" moments are probably stemming from the fact that this pregnancy has been SO different & SO much more uncomfortable than my first. You're always hearing each pregnancy is different, each woman is different & how right that is! You also might hear that different symptoms means a different gender. Lies. We thought for sure the way this pregnancy was treating me that we'd be having a girl. Nope, another little boy!

Here's the breakdown.

First Pregnancy:

• Acne- during first trimester, face only, then it cleared up.
• Pelvic Pressure- 3rd trimester, as baby drops and gets bigger it puts more strain on your pelvis.
• Round Ligament Pain- Be careful how you move or you'll feel a SHARP quick pain in your lower abdomen/pelvic region. Feels like something ripping.
• Nausea- It was easy, cured by lemon ginger tea or some peppermint. 
• Food Cravings- I could've ate tacos, or anything Mexican all day everyday. No cravings with second pregnancy.

Both:

• Cold- I walk around in a hoodie in the house while everyone else is fine.
• Leg Cramps- This was actually worse the first pregnancy. They were pretty much my whole pregnancy, and horrible. EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. With none of the remedies working for it. This time they've started in my third trimester, and thankfully not every night.
• Crazy Dreams- Pregnancy dreams are the most vivid, weird & wild dreams you'll ever have! They also seem so realistic! 
• Lack of Energy- 1st & 3rd trimesters. Obviously because growing another human is exhausting.
• Baby Hates Coffee- My beloved. In first pregnancy it made me sick. This one it tastes like I'm drinking metal. I can do a frappe, but that's horrible for you, especially when you're trying to not gain a ton of weight. But some days I got to have my caffeine.
• Lack of sleep- Most nights this involves singing the same part of a song over and over for 30 mins. I feel like we're deprived sleep during pregnancy to get us prepared for the newborn who's up every 2 hours to eat or get diaper changed.
• Shortness of Breath- I'm sure this happens to just about all of us, as baby gets bigger more pressure is put on your lungs, so you run out of breath easier. Sometimes just emptying out the dryer has me panting.

Second Pregnancy:

• Acne- Throughout whole pregnancy, not just face it's on my back & legs too, so sexy. 
• Nausea- Not just morning sickness would be all day sickness wouldn't want to eat. Not cured by tea or crackers or peppermint. Would come in waves, where I wish I would just puke to feel better! Thankfully, at least no vomiting. Lasted until half way through 2nd trimester.
• Sensitive, Dry Skin- I cannot stay moisturized, especially my hands! 
• Shedding Hair- This usually happens postpartum but my hair was falling out so badly first trimester! I was afraid I was going to have a huge bald spot.
• Weak Brittle Nails- There's an old wives tale that says when you're pregnant with a girl they steal your beauty, LIE! 
• Headaches- These were some killer headaches! One time it lasted for 4 days, which ended up the doctor making me do a 24hr urine test to make sure nothing was wrong. Thankfully they have eased up in my third trimester!
• Seeing Spots, or "Floaters"- This is HIGHLY annoying. Vision can change during pregnancy, and last time my sight actually improved in one eye! This time I cannot be without glasses or hello headache! I see floaters constantly!
• Pelvic Pain- This is probably my worst symptom this pregnancy. I'm convinced I have SPD Any long amounts of walking, and I'm in pain all day, which is a bummer because this is my favorite exercise. Some days it hurts so badly, just switching my foot from the gas to brake pedal is awful. Putting on pants I have to sit down. Turning over in bed is my cardio, I have to be careful as to how I move. Around Christmas I had a horrible pain in my pelvic area, I am sure it was in the bone, never felt something so painful, not even a contraction, I was so sure something was going to be wrong with baby after that. The next day I could barely walk. I was around 18 weeks then. So I've been suffering with this for quite some time. Doctors just say "it's normal" ... "you just had a baby, your body is going to remember what to do and do it quicker this time"... As if
• Silent Reflux- This is my newest thing. I do not feel the burning sensation of heart burn, this just feels like my food does not go past my chest. Yesterday it felt like it was all trying to crawl back up my throat. It was an all day thing. I was starving & scared to eat. There are a ton of natural remedies. I tried quite a few. I broke down and bought some Pepcid AC last night and it did help once it kicked in. It's supposed to be a 24 hr pill. Today I can feel a little of it, but not like yesterday I'm interested to see once 8pm hits, when the pill wears off if I'm right back in misery. I do not want to have to take this everyday for the rest of this pregnancy.
• Numb Hands- This doesn't come with any pain, they just fall asleep every night, multiple times. 
• Braxton Hicks- I did not have any contractions my first pregnancy until they induced me. My experience with Braxton Hicks contractions has so far only been my uterus tightening and releasing you can feel it happen, belly feels like a brick, but it doesn't hurt... yet.
• Less appetite- There are days I'm HANGRY! But overall, I've not had cravings, or been food crazy. Which makes me happy because I've been able to keep the weight gain under control this time. Last time it felt like I never got full.
• Cry Baby- I cannot handle ANYTHING emotional right now. There are parts in movies that make the tears stream while hubby gives me that "Are you really crying... again?" look. Thanks hormones!

As you can see my first pregnancy list was a lot shorter. I had it pretty easy! Being pregnant comes with a lot of symptoms, some are actually good, like bigger boobs, & thicker hair! I hope my lists didn't scare any of you away from the idea of getting pregnant! But helped you to understand some of the things your body MIGHT go through! It's truly amazing how God created us! We go through so many physical & hormonal changes while pregnant, women are amazing. You can't expect every day to be perfect & comfortable while you're housing a human. But the experience as a whole, it truly is so beautiful & totally worth it. Seems so cliche to say but, I would do it all again for my sons. 

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Free Amazon Baby Box!

I received my Amazon Baby Box today! If you're wondering if it's worth your time, yes it is. This one is even better than the one I got for my first pregnancy! To receive your baby box, it's super simple if you're already a Prime member, you need to do a registry with Amazon. They make a checklist to make it easy, and you have to add something from each category to your list to qualify for the Baby Box. If you don't have a prime membership, you can sign up they give you a free trail! Me & Hubby decided to keep it, it will come in handy in the long run for ordering diapers & wipes, and you get free 2 day shipping. The last thing that needs to be done is, a purchase by you, or a friend of at least $10 needs to be made from your registry! Once all the steps are followed, you can claim your box! It came pretty quickly as well! I am super in love with the Muslin Swaddle I was hoping there would be one in my box!!!

(Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you click and purchase the suggested product,  I would get a percentage of the sale.)

Follow the Baby Registry Ad to the right to start your registry with Amazon today! You do not wanna miss out on these freebies!