the great escape

It's that wonderful time, after having another beautiful baby, that my hair has decided that my head is not the place it wants to live anymore.

I thought since it hadn't really started to fall out, before this week, that Biotin was magic.

Not so.

Genetics and hormones are much too powerful for Biotin.

On the plus side, my nails are stronger then they have ever been. (Minus the time I've spent pregnant.)

Hair loss is just an unfortunate side-effect of bringing life into this world. One I gladly accept because babies are awesome.

Proof the we have children

I found this on the couch one day.

 

Cute little people foot!!

Still here...

I'm sorry for the delay in my normally scheduled postings. It's been crazy busy around here.

And, silly me, I just keep adding "to-do's" to my list.

My weight loss has been nonexistent BUT my jeans are fitting better in the last week then they have for a long time.

I haven't want to post my weight and measurements because I am embarrassed about nothing happening. Then I realized that this is a journey. I'm still trying to figure out how much food my body actually needs. It's hard to wrap my head around weight loss and breastfeeding. I know it's possible, I'm just not sure how to convince my body.

I will be checking in, regardless of what the scale says, on Monday.

Something that has helped a lot is that my husband has been wanting to lose a few pounds (Sympathy weight from when I was pregnant. Sweet man.) and decided to go off of sugar with me. It really does help to have a buddy. We allow sugar on Sundays. I can't cut it out completely right now. It helps to know that I can save something until Sunday if I really want it that bad.

I know I will have a little bit of weight loss on Monday because I have a stomach bug. Food isn't sounding great but I am pushing fluids trying to keep my milk from decreasing.

Anywho, I have some recipes to post (homemade hamburger buns...YUM!) and hopefully an organizational project to share, once I find a system that will work.

Until then, have a great weekend. And all those who live in a place where it is NOT snowing right now, go outside and enjoy some sunshine for me.

Hungry...forever

I didn't do very well with weight loss last week. I did really well gaining though! (Three pounds of it.)

I am constantly hungry and it's hard to get back into good eating habits. Especially after being pregnant. I let myself have whatever I wanted and it's biting me in the backside now. (So here is some advice, cute little preggie ladies, eat healthy and in moderation. Your hips will thank you later.)

I decided I need to start smaller.

Setting mini goals each week.

This week I decided to work on...

1. Drink more water. I haven't been drinking enough and it's really made a difference in how I feel during the day. And how I feel is "gross".

2. Do some kind of exercise each day. Anything. Riding the stationary bike. Taking a walk with the kids. Doing a DVD from home. ANYTHING. I just need to move my body more.

3. Stop eating after dinner. I am guilty of snacking after the girls have gone to bed. After dinner, but before they go to bed, I don't have time to snack. But as soon as I close the door and start walking down the stairs I get this uncontrollable urge to attack the fridge and consume everything in sight. I need to create a new habit. Maybe brushing my teeth and putting in my retainer (yes, I still wear it). I can't eat with my retainer in anyway.

So that's it for this week. I am planning on weighing in again next week but I'm too embarrassed to post it all right now.  Sheesh.

Weight Loss: Starting Stats

Alrighty. It's not pretty but these are my starting stats.

Weight: 169
Right Arm: 12 inches
Left Arm: 11.5 inches
Right Thigh: 24 inches
Left Thigh: 24.5 inches
Bust: 39 inches (I'm breastfeeding so this will change... a lot)
Ribs: 33
Belly Button: 41
Hips: 45 (BAM!)
Bum: 46
BMI: 27.3 - Overweight

I am hoping to get some exercise in this afternoon. My little man is having a rough day and just wants to be held. The swing is the only reason I am able to post right now. We might try some baby and mommy yoga.

Happy Monday!!

Getting back on the wagon...

I've hit that lovely point, after having a baby, that the weight is no longer "falling off". My weight loss has been fairly stagnant for over a week. I have taken that as a Que that I need to start trying to be better.

I haven't been eating well because the "hunger monster" has decided to visit. Breastfeeding makes me want to eat... constantly. And I mostly crave those things that are horrible for you. Curse you donuts!

It is really annoying.

So here I am, getting back on the wagon.

These are my fitness goals.

Goal weight: 130 (I am 5'6")
Pounds to go: Not sure. I will weigh myself in the morning.
Exercise: Every other day, until I am 6 weeks postpartum, for at least 30 minutes.
Water: A minimum of 10 cups a day
Vitamins: Take prenatal, calcium and Biotin (trying to fend off the postnatal hair loss) daily.
Calories: Since I am breastfeeding I get 2000 calories each day.

I will be using myfitnesspal.com to track my calories and exercise.

Check in day will be Monday. I will take measurements and weight in the morning to record here.

Exercise is going to be low impact for now. I won't have my OBs permission to exercise for another three weeks so I'm keeping it light. Things like walking, Wii Fit and postnatal specific DVDs.

Life with three kids

Besides being busier and outnumbered (three children, two parents) life is pretty much the same.

My oldest still goes to school and loves crafts and doesn't remember how to pick up after herself.

My middle babe is still stubborn and hilarious and loud.

My husband has been back to work for almost two weeks.

I have lost 20 pounds so far (seven to go until I'm at pre-pregnancy weight). I recovered quicker after this labor, which surprised me. I love having a son so SO much.

I will nurse him until he is a year old, just like a did the girls, but I miss my normal body. I had my pregnant body for nine months and I will have my nursing body for a year. And I am one of the lucky one's that doesn't lose all the baby weight until I stop nursing.

Ah well. It's for the greater good.

We are all happy and healthy and slowly adjusting to life after adding a fifth member to our family.

I am happy to introduce...

I'm sure you can guess why I haven't updated about week 39 of my pregnancy.

I am happy to introduce you to the newest addition to our family, Liam!

He was born Thursday, August 16th at 4:43am. He was 8 lbs. 7 oz. 20.5 inches long. Has beautiful blue eyes and (some) black hair. 

My OB called my labor "fast and furious". It took just over five and a half hours to get him here. At least this time we went to the hospital before I felt the need to push. :)

Liam is an amazing baby. He eats well, sleeps well and already smiles at us. He loves to cuddle, which my girls never did, and we all just love him to pieces.

He is just so gosh darn cute!