Sarah Says

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Maxwell is TWO MONTHS

It's been an amazing two months and our little nugget is growing perfectly!! He weighed 9 lbs 6 ozs and was 22.44 inches long at his two month checkup! He gained 2 ounces shy of 2 lbs in a month which is amazing and surpassed my goal of 20 ounces! I am so very proud of us for being successful at breastfeeding! Some days are better than others, but all in all, we are doing wonderfully! We've even fed in public a couple of times without any issues! He definitely doesn't like the cover, but I require the cover. Hopefully it will just continue to get easier and easier for us!

Things to Remember:

He's waking up once between the hours of 10pm and 5am and then he's generally up around 7 for the day, takes a nap from 9:30-11 and then again around 2. We aren't on a strict schedule, but he has kind of created a schedule for himself and is fairly consistent with it regardless of whether or not we are home or out and about.

He has found his hand and loves to suck on it. He hasn't found his thumb yet, but we predict it won't be long before he is a thumb sucker.

Maxwell smiles and coos a ton! He loves it when we talk to him, mimic him, and sing to him. Ryan sings inappropriate songs as if they were lullabies and I sing "Jesus Loves You" and some Irish lullabies.

He loves to kick his piano on floor mat and he is starting to grab for things.

Bathtime is super calming for him and he looks so insanely cute snuggled against his daddy's chest in his giraffe towel! Oh be still my beating heart!

Nighttime feedings and smiles are some of my favorite times with him. He is so calm and happy during the wee hours of the morning when the house is quiet and the white Christmas lights are lit in his room. It's our special time together.

He is very alert! He even found himself in the mirror and laughed a couple of times! That was priceless.

I haven't taken his two month pictures because he has been quite upset unless he is being held. He didn't enjoy getting 3 shots and I think he is going through a growth spurt because he is easily irritated and extra gassy. We did have our two month Mommy & Me pictures taken though and his personality definitely showed! He's a skeptical little guy and doesn't hide his emotions very well...definitely got that one from me!

He's going for that hand!

Telling me how much he loves me!

Absolutely LOVE this picture! He loves looking around!

Operation Pregnancy Fat Be Gone {2nd Edition}

Well, it's been 2 weeks or so and not a ton of progress has been made in the weight department, but the inches are definitely falling off a bit and I am feeling better! Over the past few weeks, I have changed my diet because I had an extremely gassy baby boy that wasn't liking something that I was eating. I have narrowed it down to dairy, tomatoes (in all varieties), and citrus. These three categories have been reduced/eliminated in my diet. Other changes I have made are that I added healthy fats through coconut oil (2-3 tsp per day), avocado (avg 2-3 per week), and almonds (daily snack). These healthy fats are to help my skin, milk production, and digestive system. These changes have significantly reduced painful gas in my little guy, my skin feels so much better, and I we are both regular.

This weightless journey is definitely a marathon, not a sprint for me. First because I don't have a ton of extra time to workout daily between feedings, keeping the house in order, visiting family and friends, walking the dog, changing diapers, photo sessions, a photography course I am taking, etc. Second because my body isn't ready for a sprint. I've always listened to and trusted my body and it's telling me to go slow and steady. Mentally, emotionally, and spiritually I feel wonderful which is absolutely huge! My body is doing great producing enough milk to support a growing baby boy which is a huge ego boost, but it also takes a lot out of you, well me (any nursing mothers out there can relate with me on this one). I have to eat every couple hours and I have to drink a ton of water. Without doing those two things, I suffer and in turn my baby boy suffers.

Here are my current stats:

6 Wks PP Weight: 156 lbs

9 Wks PP Weight: 152 lbs

Goal Weight: 125 lbs

Accomplishments:

I can wear normal pants!! Not my side 2 skinny jeans, but my size 5's fit me and so do some of my stretchy colorful pants!

All maternity clothing has been packed up and stored for pregnancy #2 down the road!

I organized my closet and got rid of clothing I won't wear!

Maxwell gained almost 2 lbs in one month!!!

My goals this week:

100 squats per day

50 25lb kettle bell swings per day

15 minute postpartum video 4 times per week

Twice daily walks

Note to all future breastfeeding mamas...invest in a really good sports bra to save the ladies!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Baby Boy's Nursery

Baby Boy's Nursery started out as a woodland theme and quickly changed to no theme at all, but rather just colors that I liked together! I have never done themes very well, so it wasn't surprising to me that I didn't keep with a theme this time either, BUT don't worry I absolutely love his nursery!! There are so many pieces that came from friends and family and hold special meaning to me and will one day mean a lot to Maxwell. It's a constant work in progress as I find things I love, get around to hanging pictures, making a mobile, and changing out his lighting, but for now, here it is!

Huge thanks to...

My wonderful dad for painting the room!

Jared for helping me put the bookcase together!

Ryan and Jared for building the crib!

Ryan for assembling the rocker & hanging the blinds!

I truly appreciate the love and hard work that went into making this nursery perfect for our baby boy!

The view from the door.

Maxwell's Crib Area

My sister made the sign for my baby shower! I love it, but eventually I will be hanging a mobile there, so the sign will be moved or put in a keepsake box.
The fox decals were an easy find and gifted to us from Heather!

These goofy animals all have special meanings! The giraffe is from my mom and is at our baby shower! The Zebra is Maxwell's first stuffed animal and is from Virginia! The Rino is actually Jared's from when he was a baby!

The moon is from Aunt Karin! The dog is from Tressa! The Bear and the Owl are from Gramma! The lamb is from Aunt Carol! All aside from the Bear sing and Maxwell absolutely loves the Lamb singing "Jesus Loves You"! It's precious how he coos and reaches for it!

His Bookcase

Nourish Youth and It Will Blossom is a quote that Mr. Grady, the director of the Honors Program at LaSalle had hanging over his office door and my best friend, Sarah, made me this one and gave it to me as a thank you for being her Matron of Honor. The Willow Tree figures are from our wedding, Christmas, and Maxwell's Baptism.

Our Reading & Nursing Corner

Love this blanket that Heather made for Maxwell!! It's so soft!

His dresser which I refinished (and need to touch up)

Delia gave Maxwell the animal print and Maureen gave him the Prayer frame!

The Window & Lira's "Nursery Bed"

She's the sweetest puppy and loves her baby brother so much!!

The Closet Wall

I love white for the furniture because it's timeless and bright! Plus if we have a girl next, I will be able to add pretty curtains and a matching sheet to add some feminine qualities!!

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Operation Pregnancy Fat Be Gone {Week One}

Weight gain wasn't an issue for me until the last 4 weeks and then when I was admitted to the hospital. I gained the standard 30 lbs until week 36 hit and then no matter what I did, the pounds kept creeping on up. Some of it was definitely water weight because the scale would swing 5 lbs day to day, but not all of it was water weight. That was only the beginning though. Once I was admitted to the hospital and they started pumping me with fluids, I gained significantly more weight. I never weighed myself to know how much I gained right before giving birth because it wasn't exactly the first thing on my mind. Frankly, I had no idea that I was gaining so much water weight from the fluids due to induction. I now know I gained a lot because I weighed 2 lbs more a week after giving birth than I did the day before going into the hospital. Talk about a total blow to my already extremely emotional and fragile ego. It was horrible. I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed and Ryan hugged me and told me I was gorgeous and that I was doing a wonderful job which was what I needed, but I still felt like a soft, flabby, swollen, lard. Luckily on day 9/10ish I woke up feeling much less swollen and the scale had started moving down! Over the next couple of days, I lost 15lbs of fluid. It was such a relief to not feel like a sausage and to be able to wear my wedding rings again! I wear my wedding rings all the time, so not having them on was bothering me. I actually wore a costume ring that I had from a long time ago just so my finger wouldn't feel so naked.

So, why I am writing this blog post today? Well, I had my postpartum check-up and I am cleared to workout!! Hallelujah! My appointment wasn't supposed to be for another week, but I had a stitch that was hanging out for the past week, so I moved my appointment up and got the two thumbs up to resume "normal activity"!! I am so excited to do some of my workout videos and to take advantage of any nice days in the coming weeks. Working out with boobs full of milk will be an interesting experience though. I must invest in a good quality sports bra to hold these puppies in place. Any pointers from fellow moms in this area are appreciated!

Since I haven't been able to workout since I was 28 weeks pregnant...that was in October...I have been instructed to be extremely gradual and to listen to my body. I will definitely make sure I don't push it too much, but I want to see changes, so it will be a fine line that I will be riding. I want to feel strong again, so sore muscles are in my future. Once Maxwell has his 2 month shots, I will look into joining a mommy workout group of some form. I think that will be good for me in the immediate future and nice to when Maxwell can start playing with other kiddos.

My plan for the next 4 weeks is to do a workout video 4 times per week and walk/jog on any nice days, along with drinking plenty of water and eating healthy. I will also be reading Women'sHealth's "Your Body's Best Year Ever" for a wide variety of workouts and meal ideas! Here's to the pounds falling off!

{6 Weeks Postpartum}

Stats as of 02/09/16

Current Weight: 156 lbs

Goal Weight: 125 lbs

Monday, February 1, 2016

We Have A One Month Old

Maxwell has brought us so much joy over the past month! Each day he is changing and making us smile bigger and bigger! His coos are absolutely precious and he’s definitely smiling more and more! At his one month doctors appointment this morning he weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and 21.25 inches! He has gained a pound and a half since he came home from the hospital weighing 5lbs 13oz. The doctor is very happy with his weight gain and his overall development! It was such a relief to know he's gaining weight properly! One of the many worries I have since I am exclusively breastfeeding him.

First Month Memories:

Bath time is his favorite! He can go from screaming because he hates being cold to completely and utterly peaceful from the warm water! He could hang out in the warm bath water all day long. It’s still a two-person evolution because he can’t hold his head completely steady yet.
His head control is getting much much better and he loves to sit leaning against my knees and "talk" to me!
His open mouth nursing kisses are my absolute favorite!! Ahhh!! I love love love them!!
Ryan feeds him a bottle after his nightly bath which is a nice bonding time for them and gives me a little time to get things done...like this blog post or pump for the next night's feeding!
Jared and Max bro it out and watch youtube videos! Jared is really amazing with him!
Ryan and I went on a 45 minute date to Chili's while my parents were here and Jared took complete care of Maxwell! He soothed him, changed his diaper, swaddled him, and was the perfect big brother! We really couldn't ask for a better big brother for Maxwell!
Every single time he nurses, he farts and poops loudly. It's hilarious!
Lira loves to lick her "hairless puppy" and smell his bottom. She's really sweet with him.
We take Lira on daily walks and Maxwell loves his ergo! He gets to stay nice a cozy snuggled up to my chest. It was a great investment.
He is sleeping an average of 3-4 hours and then 2-3 hours each night, so I am getting 6ish broken hours of sleep and my body has learned how to handle it for the most part with only one cup of coffee in the morning.
He has learned how to kick his legs when he has to poo. It's pretty adorable! The faces and sounds he makes are filled with determination.
His favorite book is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" I think it's because there is such a large contrast between the pictures and the background along with its repetitive nature.
On his One Month Birthday he went to church and was blessed!