The after...

so- just going to put it all out there. 

We'll say that this is my starting point. Now- I don't usually take pics of myself in the mirror- but I couldn't decide what to wear and needed some help.

Turns out this was good to have- since now I have it as a reference. These were taken in September 2012- 

we were heading out to a John Legend concert charity event-  what a great night!

  PS- I went with the black dress and wore my hair down.

I just want to have this here- as notes- so that way I can remember what the 'after' was like- and hopefully help someone else- or at least remember it myself.

These pictures are from June 26th- so just 4 days before her arrival.

Feet SUPER swollen. No ankles left.

It took about a week for the swelling to go down. Nurse said this was totally normal. I did a little dance the day I got my ankles back.

My hands were also super swollen. They would fall asleep at night- my whole arm would. I was afraid I had carpal tunnel-

After delivery this did not go away as fast as I hoped it would. My hands stayed swollen longer than my feet. After about a month I was able to wear my wedding ring again, but I still (at 6 weeks) have my arms/ hands fall asleep. Again- doctor said totally normal. Can take up to 6 months to go away. I also have VERY stiff joints. I did post pregnancy with my 1st too. If I sit or lay in one position for even a short amount of time- it is very hard and uncomfortable for me to get up- or move from that position. Weird- because when I start moving- or in the gym I can keep moving no problem. It's just if I get in a sedentary position for very long.

Same time- June 26th- I worked out- until the week before. I did my last combat class at 38 weeks and my last boot camp class at 39.

I can not tell you how glad I am that I stuck with my working out. Even if it was at low impact- or just at 1/2 speed- I.AM.SO.GLAD.

I am convinced that this helped me immediately post pregnancy. I am also super glad that I continued with core strength exercises. I think it helped with getting my tummy back in quicker- and also helping me not pee everywhere all the time. Ha! 

These pictures are ONE week after. So yes- there is still some tummy there. and loose skin. I was definitely smaller post baby this time than with my 1st. 

one week post baby

 This is today (8/13/13) 6 weeks post baby- and though I have a ways to go- I am still happy that there is a change in the two pictures. I have lost some tone in my arms- I think I started loosing that in the last trimester.

6 weeks post baby

I started walking the 2nd week. Just easy strolling walks. Then I started back with T25, a work out video that's just 25 minutes- of hard work! Added in some push ups, planks, squats, etc...

After my 5 week doctor's appointment, I was cleared for all activity and I have started back at the gym. I am 3 workouts in so far! whoohooo! That's 2 Combat classes and one Boot Camp. (about to add another boot camp tomorrow)
I can tell that I have lost some strength- mostly in my core and arms (push ups are HARD) and I was surprised at how my cardio stamina was pretty much the same. I was able to push through the entire Combat class without stopping and doing side kicks and round house kicks was MUCH easier without a belly in the way!

I gained 40 lbs and at my 6 week weigh in- I have lost all but 8. Still some loose skin- and need to regain some muscles and strength- but overall pretty happy. Clothes are still snug- so I know I have a way to go- and I am on the path.

I have not been dieting and I am still breastfeeding. I initially was pretty nervous that working out may decrease my supply- and I am thankful to say that so far (knock on wood) I have not had any issues. Drinking tons of water and enjoying the occasional beer or glass of wine. I did cut out dairy- so even though technically that's not dieting- it has kept me from indulging in yummy pizza, cheese, ice creams, creamer, milk (duh) and all that kind of stuff. (But if it makes Miss P feel better- then I am happy to do it- and cut a few calories in the same time) It actually has been a real eye opener to me to how much cheese- especially cream cheese- we eat.

I will update at the 12 week mark and see if there are any changes then. We have a full season of events coming up- weddings, showers, concerts, and work stuff- so I am hoping to be back in my old clothes soon. Don't want to have to go shopping for bigger clothes- would much rather shop for new stuff in my regular (or smaller) size.

A month already-

How fast time flies- it does- I try I try to slow it down- but....

Here's looking back-

This was taken on August 1st, 2013- You are starting to smile- I LOVE it! Of course, when I pull out the camera- you refuse.

Just wanted to remember you little hairs in the back- not sure where you got this strawberry blonde hair from- it seems to be getting darker- I wonder if it will curl?

Oink!

This photo is from today (7/29/13) You are 4 weeks old today.

You love to lay on your belly. I think you really want to roll over- so that you can sleep on your belly- but you aren't quite there yet. And you love to snuggle with your Daddy.

I finally realized that I better start cycling through some of cute NB size outfits because you are about to grow out of them! You are wearing NB and 0-3 size clothes. The NB is starting to get snug- so it won't be long. We also ran out of NB diapers- and you are wearing a size 1.

At your 2 week check up- you weighed 8 lbs 8 oz and were 21 inches long! Marking you up in the 65%- WOW- so much bigger than your big brother.

If we could hold you the whole time you slept- then I think you would already be sleeping through the night. I love holding you and watching you sleep! You are a snuggly little thing. and the loudest sleeper! We like to call you our little Teradactyl-  you make all kinds of grunts and sweet oooos while you are sleeping. We startred our nighttime sleep routine and you have done pretty good. We start bath at 8PM, then you nurse and usually fall asleep for about an hour. Then after Daddy is done giving your big brother a bath- you like to lay with him until you fall asleep again around 10:30PM. You sleep the longest on this one- usually for about 4 hours. And after you eat you easily go right back to sleep throughout the night. Getting up about every 3 hours. You are sleeping in the pack-n-play in our room and doing a great job. Depending on what was the last time you woke up- you will sleep until about 7AM. Then we usually go for a walk. If I will hold you will even sleep on more 'round; and get up around 9 AM! nice!

After our walk- you have been taking a 3 hour nap right around 10AM each day- so that's nice- let's Mommy get some work done.

I try to hold you through at least one nap a day- I love it! and I know it won't be long before I won't get to do that anymore.

We totally forgot to get PJs for you! ha! Good thing we have good friends with cute hand-me downs. We are stacked with clothes from Berkley (can't wait for you and her to get to meet and play- she is 8 months older than you- so you two will probably be trouble at some point in time)

From the day we brought you home from the hospital- you have had crazy strong neck muscles and very strong legs! Guess keeping up with my workouts rubbed off on you. You can lift your neck very well- however- lowering it... not so good at. 

I am trying to help you work on self soothing. You won't take a pacifier- and you try and suck your thumb- but then decide against it. So I though you might like to snuggle with this little bear.  You even make the 'frog' noise that I made too! But so far- we haven't figured out how to soothe those little fussy night time cries.

Your 1st selfie. I am pretty sure I have already begin to bug you with my picture taking- but no worries- I'm not going to stop. So you have plenty of years to just get use to it. It's what Mommies do.

Yes- already embarrassing you. Your 1st bath.

and I love these little head bands-

Pretty much brand new here- 

Not much bigger than our remote control-  little bitty thang!

Protective Gracie- she makes sure no one messes with you. She is such a good Mama dog.

Can't imagine life without you- and can't believe how fast it goes by. I will enjoy my days of snuggling with you on my chest- as I know they won't last long. We love you.