Sunday, January 30, 2011

Don't forget to sign up for giveaway! Low Entries!

Don't forget to enter to win a free, customized "shaggy" necklace from Jaclyn1423

Low entries!  Giveaway closes tomorrow night!

Find details here....

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Goodbye Baby Weight - Week 3

Just a quick post this week.  Didn't lose, only maintained - still better than gaining.  Didn't do a great job.  Family came to visit and we had three meals out and I didn't really cut back at all so shame on me. 

Week 1 Stats -

Weight Goal - Lose 35 lbs
Last Week's Weight - 202.5 lbs
This Week's Weight - 202.5 lbs
Progress - maintained, total of 2.5 lbs
Question of the week -
What's your favorite healthy food snack?   I love to munch on fruit during the day - grapes, clementines, apples, bananas, strawberries....just about anything!

Until next week.....


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Thought process of a 10 week old (in pictures)

"Dum da dum...."

"Wait!  Who is that?"

"Oh, geez....it's just my mommy with her camera phone! You're so silly, mommy!"

"Yeah...take my picture....I'm looking gooo-ooood!"

Breastfeeding Troubles

Lil' man is now almost 11 weeks old!  How time flies....

I had been looking forward to breastfeeding from the moment I knew I was pregnant.  I couldn't wait to share that bond with my baby and I knew it would be the absolute very best for him.  I took a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant and I read articles and blogs and books and any piece of information I could find to gain enough knowledge to try to make breastfeeding successful.  I went in knowing that it can be a very difficult journey for mommy and baby to get things just right.  I went in with an open mind, but still determined to make it work.

Once LM was born, it was time to put it to the test.  My expectations were blown out of the water.  From the minute he was placed on my chest in recovery, he bobbed around and latched on almost immediately.  I couldn't believe it - I had an overachiever and we were going to be just fine!  The next few days and next few weeks, things went wonderfully and couldn't be better.  (OK, that's a lie, whenever he latched on I had to prevent myself from crying and throwing something across the room because of the pain, but it went away shortly after and things were perfect again)  During my maternity leave, I started building up a supply of milk in my freezer.  I heart my Medela pump and my plan to successfully breastfeed (for at least one year) were laid out in front of me.  I felt so very lucky, this was wonderful!  I love the bonding with my guy and knowing that I am able to provide the most basic need a mother can for him.  He went from 9 lbs at birth to over 13 lbs at 2 months!  I had good milk and plenty of it!

Flash forward to seven weeks after LM was born - I started back to work.  The first few weeks of pumping were just fine.  Plenty for the next day and I was still able to build the stash in the freezer. 

This week, things are different.  My supply over the last few days has dropped significantly.  WHY!?  Eating the same, sleeping the same, drinking the same, stress level is the same.  What is going on?  I'm barely (or not even) able to pump enough for the next day which forces us to dip into our freezer stash that's slowly going down.  I'm worried I'm not producing enough to satisfy him in the evenings.  This causes more stress and probably does nothing to help my milk supply. 

Anyone out there have any suggestions?  I'm already pumping three times during the work day and feeding very regularly in the evenings.  LM is sleeping about 6 hours at night though, so feeding less often then.  I know there are products and supplements out there to help increase milk supply but I'm very wary before taking anything. (I'm open to suggestions though) It breaks my heart to think of supplementing with formula.  Anyone have any advice for a struggling mama?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Yippee! I'm in a blogger spotlight....

Jaclyn over at Snap, Crackle, Pop (ya know...the one that's helping me with the shaggy necklace giveaway!) has Does This Baby Make Me Look Fat in a blogger spotlight today!!   Go visit and make sure to check out the giveaway here!!


Monday, January 24, 2011

Superhero in Training

William is over 10 weeks old and obviously loving his cloth!! 


Hands free pumping!

Today, I discovered a trick!!  Hands Free Pumping for free - check it out here: Hands Free Pumping

I know, I know...there are plenty of options for hands free pumping - bustiers, supports, special bras, really expensive pumps.  With hubby and I on a budget for the new year, we are trying to analyze the money we are spending and asking ourselves "Do we really need that?" 

A $40 support to buy so that I can play Angry Birds on my phone or text or read while pumping at work?  I think the ponytail holders will do just fine.  I've tried it several times and it works like a charm.  Now, if you see me covered in milk because this trusty system failed and I then have to make the shameful, wet walk back to my desk....then I might be investing in something else.  HA!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Goodbye Baby Weight - Week 2

One week down on my get healthy plan.  Not a horrible week....not that great either.  Made it to the gym twice - mostly just walking a few miles and a little weight lifting.  Portion sizes weren't too bad but I made the mistake of buying some ice cream and had to indulge for dessert a few times.  Oopsies.  Adam also bought a cookie cake and let's just say it's gone - only took 3 days.  Ouchie.  Needless to say that we need to keep healthier options for sweets instead of ice cream and cookies! 

Week 1 Stats -
Weight Goal - Lose 35 lbs
Last Week's Weight - 205 lbs
This Week's Weight - 202.5 lbs
Progress - -2.5 lbs  I'll take it!

Question of the week -
What's your food weakness? Do I really need to answer this?  It appears sweets have taken hold of me.  I also have a weakness for food that's in front of me - like if someone brings cupcakes to work.  I usually appear to have left my self control somewhere else....

Since I don't like to always hold my breath for the number on the scale, my hope is to start with measurements this week.  Not sure if I will be brave enough to post them yet, but I know it's a great way to track progress. 

Until next week.....




Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Getting to the gym...

So on my quest to lose the baby weight, I am working to get both sides of the equation started - working out and eating better.  The eating better will just take some self control on my part and some due diligence when it comes to the grocery shopping. 

The working out part is a little trickier.  I'm already waking up at 5am to get ready for work and to feed lil' man, so working out in the morning would require waking up at a time that starts with a '4' and I'm just not OK with that.  HA!  When I get off work, I'm so excited to get home to my lil' man and if it's timed right, will feed him right away.  Then it leads into making and eating dinner and whatever else I need to do and then another feeding and then hopefully (cross my fingers!) it's bedtime.  So I'm pretty much going to have to dust off my Wii Fit to get some at home exercise.  However, the hubby and I made it to the gym twice over the weekend.  We took turns walking William around the indoor track - William in his stroller (lucky!).  Then switched off to do some strength training.  It was perfect as long as lil' man wasn't fussy - he slept pretty much the whole time anyway. 

How could I not be motivated looking at this face while working out! 

Monday, January 17, 2011

100 Followers Giveaway! [CLOSED]

I made it to 100 followers!  Thanks everyone for your support!

To celebrate, I think it's time for a "pretty things" giveaway!  I have teamed up with Jaclyn at Snap, Crackle, Pop for a great, personalized giveaway!!  Jaclyn is the seller behind Jaclyn1423 on Etsy where you can find completely unique and often upcycled jewelry.  There are so many things to choose from and possibilities to personalize.  Check out one of her best sellers - her best friend Rocks, Paper, Sissor necklaces set -


She also makes gorgeous, customized bridesmaids jewelry!! 
These were the necklaces for the girls in my wedding!!

Or something that decorates my neck quite regularly, my "Mommy Necklace"!


For this giveaway, Jaclyn is offering a personalized "shaggy" necklace.  You might have remembered me talking about how excited I was for my own - my personalized shaggy necklace! 

What is up for grabs?:
One, customized, shaggy necklace from Jaclyn1423.  The winner will get to choose color scheme.

Mandatory Entries:
[These count as single entry]
Must be public follower of this blog via GFC.
Visit Jaclyn1423 and comment below with the item you would love to give someone.  Who would you give it to?

Additional Entries:
  • Fan Jaclyn1423 on Facebook  [1 entry]
  • Sign up for email updates on Snap, Crackle, Pop [2 entries]
  • Blog about this giveaway and provide link [3 entries]
Please make sure to leave seperate comments for each entry that includes your email address so I can contact you if you win!!  Giveaway ends January 31st at 11:59pm CST.  A winner will be chosen using random.org.  Thanks!!

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