Body after baby...

 

Let's face it, most of us aren't going to have a personal trainer on hand ready to call upon after we have a baby. Chances are we aren't even going to be motivated to work out due to being sleep deprived. You don't want to work out too fast anyways until it's cleared by your doctor. Jumping too quick into an exercise regimen after a baby can cause long term effects--and not in a good way.

 

When I had my first I was barely 20 and I had youth on my side. Not that I'm not still youthful now, but this is 10 years later people. I had lost all my weight within the first week. I had only gained 12 lbs as it was. I liked my body after giving birth. Being slight my whole life, I felt it added some curves I didn't notice before. Muscle tone was always easy to put on since I played sports most of my life, but this was different. I felt more womanly. 2 years after I had Serena I started playing soccer again and I was even happier with my body--and proud that I was doing this after having a baby.

 

 

I quit soccer because we were having difficulty conceiving Layla, but still tried to stay active here and there. With Layla I gained 35 lbs and wasn't crazy about my postpartum body. My belly was huge pregnant with her (like I am now) and it took about 3 months to lose all the weight. By 4 months postpartum I started rapidly dropping the weight. I got too skinny and my clothes were hanging off me. I was back at work at this time so I'm sure being sleep deprived, busy and stressed wasn't helping. I gained some weight but it was hard until this recent pregnancy. (9 months postpartum I was already pregnant again)

 

The challenge I see myself having this time is my belly. Around 8 months postpartum I was barely targeting my stomach and then got pregnant so I never got to see it toned and flat again between these two babies. I know that I would bend over and it would still wrinkle around the belly button, and if I got too full, you could see roundness. Sort of like my intestines hadn't fully moved back into position. That's why shortly after this baby, I plan on getting a belly wrap. My mom told me to wrap my belly after I had Layla but I didn't listen. I thought I'd have no issue like with my first.

 

 

 

So the plan after this baby is to start with something not too strenuous like yoga and pilates coupled with walking and then move onto toning followed by ab work once my abdominal muscles have gone back into position.

 

The state of the uterus & what's in my hospital bag...

 

 

So I had an OB appt and ultrasound yesterday and everything looked great. The ultrasound tech spent a good amount of time showing us our little girl and we even got to see one of her squishy legs. Like you can see where she has a little fat roll already! Little chunker. :)

 

Her estimated weight is 7lbs 1 oz and I'm 1 and a half centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. She's head down but still a little high up. When my OB was doing the internal she said she could stretch me to about 2 centimeters and I could start feeling the pressure, but I was like "noooo thanks!" I'm still traumatized from having my membranes swept last pregnancy. Really it was one of the single most painful things I have ever experienced. We'll just let this baby girl come on her own accord. Preferably next week.

 

I started packing my bag this past Sunday and here's what I've got:
 

{Comfy Express t-shirt, ribbed maternity tank, lounge pants, lotion and toiletries. Not pictured are things like contact stuff, nursing bras, robe, and hair stuff.}



{Babies get cold so I'm taking her little leggings and a couple of tops. I have some cute newborn dresses, but I doubt she will fit into any of them. They didn't fit Layla last year. I don't think I'll use the hot pink headband since it doesn't match anything, but I plan on adding a little bow to the cap. Also taking a pair of socks, mittens for scratching, burp clothes and blanket.}

 

You really don't need a whole lot of stuff going into have a baby. The hospital provides you with most of what you need. I also need to remember to take my camera, phone charger, and a book or magazines.

 

I can't believe she is almost here. I set up her bassinet the other day and it just feels so surreal. ...:sniff....sniff:...

 

 

38 Week Baby Bump



I only blogged once last week. It was so hectic. I had this 4 day event that I was a vendor at and there was much to prepare. It was pretty much an all day thing but some days I was only there for half a day. Even then it was tough working out childcare and being away from the girls so much. I'm not used to that. By Saturday I was pretty exhausted. The event didn't bring as big as a crowd as I was told there would be, but overall it was a neat experience.

How far along? As of today 38 weeks 2 days.

Total weight gain: I haven't weighed myself lately but I can tell the pounds are creeping up. I see it in my arms and legs.

Maternity clothes? Yes and it's slim pickins like usual.

Stretch marks? No new ones that I can tell.

Sleep: It's starting to be bad. I'm waking up once in the middle of the night and then it takes me awhile to fall back asleep.

Best moment this week: Well the week just started. Last week was a little blah.
Miss Anything? Wearing what I want.

Movement: Always. I feel limbs everywhere!

Food cravings: Chocolate and sweets
Food aversions: Nope.

Boy or girl: Girl!
Labor Signs: Nope
Symptoms: Lot's of BH contractions and going to the bathroom.

Belly Button in or out? Out I suppose.
Wedding rings on or off? Off
Looking forward to: Dr's appt & Ultrasound tomorrow! The last one I'm sure. I keep thinking what if they find something and they want to induce me? Eek. I don't want to be induced, but last year when I had a late ultrasound at 39 weeks they found I had low fluid and I was induced. I do want to get to 40 weeks (well I'm saying that now) because I'm still so nervous about having 2 under 2.

Pumpkin baby bump, festivals, and decorating

I've got this bad kink in my neck from sleeping wrong a few days ago...and I'm tired, but it was a good weekend. Lot's of family time and lot's of sewing. Saturday we headed to a local festival where they had children's activities and a petting zoo. It was incredibly hot outside and the sun was beating down like nobody's business, so we really didn't stay long. Right after that we headed to my in laws since they lived 5 minutes away from the festival.

 

Feeling in the Halloween spirit, I wore a t-shirt that said "lil pumpkin on the way" to the festival. It got quite the attention and I had people stop and ask me where I got it. It was actually given to me by a friend 2 years ago but it's from Cafepress.

 

 

Sunday was spent doing some quick Halloween decorating, and H handled Layla most of the day so I could focus on sewing uninterrupted. So I thought...I got a lot accomplished but not as much as I wanted too.

 

Hope everyone else had a good weekend.



I'm walking and I'm talking

 

Can I just say how much I enjoy watching Layla walking. Lot's of people say that it's easier when a toddler isn't walking, but it has been easier. She's having lot's of fun and I just love her little pigeon toed walk. Also, Layla turned 17 months this week and she has really taken off with her talking. She repeats a lot of things we say to her with the best of her ability, and her little chipmunk voice is so cute.

 

I've been wondering about how she's going to be with the new baby. I'm so curious. She often pats my belly, but she has no clue there is a baby in there. Serena sometime remarks "Oh great, there's going to be another little baby in the house stealing the attention." She is excited though.

 

 



36 Week Baby Bump

 

How far along? As of today 36 weeks 3 days.

Total weight gain: 22 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes and it's slim pickins. I think the highlight of my week was finding some old dresses in my closet that still fit.

Stretch marks? No new ones that I can tell.

Sleep: It's much better this pregnancy than with Layla. I'm only up once close to morning to use the restroom.

Best moment this week: Hmmm...I'm terrible at these. Cooler weather I suppose.
Miss Anything? Wearing what I want.

Movement: Always.

Food cravings: Chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate.
Food aversions: Nope.

Boy or girl: Girl! Confirmed again two weeks ago.
Labor Signs: No and I hope they stay away till 40 weeks.
Symptoms: Lot's of BH contractions, some I have to breathe through...oh and the pressure I feel on top of my legs is crazy! In the morning, I seriously feel like a bowling ball is going to fall out.

Belly Button in or out? Out I suppose.
Wedding rings on or off? I've started leaving them off because then they get impossible to take off.
Looking forward to: Ultrasound on the 23rd.



Baby it's cold outside..

Ok not really here in Houston, but it will be soon. Yesterday we had a nice little cold front that brought us down to the 70's. That's probably hot to some of you, but it sure gets us Houstonians excited. Layla is in need of some long sleeve tops and jackets, so as I was browsing around the other day, I came across two adorable little coats, and I was all set to get the one in white but H changed my order last minute since he was also looking for some things on Amazon. Hmmfff...I still want to get it.

 

The white coat is from Amazon for only $24.00 and the grey coat is from Children's Salon for $69.00.

 

Speaking of Children's Salon. I only recently found this shop based out of England and I am in love! They were established in 1952 and they now carry over 270 brands. If you have children, I'm sure you'll fall in love with their site like I did.

 

While we're on the topic of cold weather dressing for the little one's. I also came across these little pretties from Etsy:

 

 

Starting from top left:

 

1) Grey baby booties from tweettotshop

2) Tan toddler beanie from MissValencia

3) Crochet mary janes from LittleLillyBug

4) Ivory neck warmer from Crocheted4kids

 

The new baby seriously needs those little white mary janes in her life. They are so darling.



My new Cybex stroller

The Cybex Ruby stroller I won from Pregnancy magazine came last week and it is awesome! The way it handles is amazing. It's lightweight and loaded with features. For instance you can make it into a travel system and put a carseat in it. It has a basket underneath so you can store things and it folds up so easily. I just love it and if you are on the hunt for an umbrella stroller, I highy recommend this one.

 

 

I also want to share some adorable new Layla bibs I made that are on sale, including the new rosette design. They are so cute! Head over to www.fhjbaby.com and check them out.

 

 



34 Week Baby Bump

 

 

Ok, this is super late and my 34 week baby bump picture, but I'm actually 35 weeks and 2 days. I'm playing catch up now on some posts since I did the wedding series last week.

 



How far along? As of today 35 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain: 20 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes and I'm down to only about 5 outfits that fit! Expect to see some repeats here.

Stretch marks? No new ones this pregnancy.

Sleep: It's ok, but I'm waking up around 5 am to use the bathroom every morning and once I'm up around 7am, it's like I have to go three times within 15 minutes of going to last time. Weird!

Best moment this week: Hmmm...the week just started soooo...I've got nothing.
Miss Anything? I'm starting to miss being able to wear whatever I want.

Movement: Oh yeah. The baby will even get startled when she hears a really loud noise close to my belly.
Food cravings: Snickers blizzards. Sweets.
Food aversions: None really.

Boy or girl: Girl!
Labor Signs: No and I hope they stay away till 40 weeks.
Symptoms: My right leg and foot hurts a lot ever so often. The belly is heavy and hurts if I'm positioned wrong laying down. I have to cradle it when I switch sides. Lot's of BH contractions, some I have to breathe through.

Belly Button in or out? Out I suppose.
Wedding rings on or off? On but sometimes I can't take them off for awhile.
Looking forward to: Meeting the baby in about 5 weeks or less.