Body After Baby | My Postpartum Journey After Baby #2

Hi friends! Some of you may know that this little blog started before my wedding to help me stay accountable with getting fit for my wedding day. I continued on with it as my health/fitness goals progressed or changed. After we moved to Europe and had Noah I enjoyed blogging more "lifestyle" type posts, but health and fitness is still very much a huge part of my life.

So here I am 7 weeks postpartum with baby #2 and ready to begin my journey to becoming the healthiest mama I can be for my babies. I plan to write about this at least once a month. I want to share what is working for me and what isn't. My struggles and triumphs as I find my groove being a mom of 2 and maintaining an active lifestyle. For me, this is an important goal so I can be a better mother. Eating right (most of the time) and staying active keeps me happy and sane...self care is so important as a mom. So whatever that thing may be for you, do it!! I have enjoyed 6 weeks of snuggling my baby and focusing on milk supply (still both priorities) but mama needs her time!

I will be tracking my progress mostly through pictures although I will be weighing myself from time to time. I have about 40 lbs to lose to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. That isn't my priority tho...fitting into my clothes is ;)

Far left is almost 38 weeks pregs, 1 week PP and 7 weeks PP. Real life progress pics.

I am not the type of woman who walks out of the hospital without a belly or weight to lose. I gain a lot while pregnant and have a lot of work to do postpartum. I entered a 16 week transformation challenge through my nutrition company at 1 week PP. Seems crazy but 16 weeks is a long time and it will be exciting to track my progress at 4 months PP. I will continue on from there in 16 week increments. It will keep me accountable and there is also the added bonus of receiving $200 for completing of the challenge!

Not even 24 hours post baby. Our bodies are amazing! 

GOAL
My overall goal is to lose body fat and replace it with muscle. I want to fit back into my favorite pair of jeans and regain my strength in the gym. This is definitely going to be a journey but I am so excited. I know I can accomplish this. I did it after Noah so I can do it again!
I hope I can paint a realistic picture and time frame for other postpartum moms out there.


DIET
My husband and I have been getting back into our normal routine with meals again for the last week or two. Things got a little crazy towards the end of my pregnancy. Besides my easy meal replacement shakes we weren't eating the healthiest and definitely feeling the effects. It continued after I had Siena mostly because I was so starving all the time (breastfeeding probs!) that I found myself eating whatever was easy...which equals a lot more carbs. Now, carbs aren't the enemy but too much of anything is never a good thing.
My hubby is basically the best and has been cooking our meals and helping me so much in the kitchen. I am so thankful to have his support!
So as of now, my diet is 5-6 small meals per day. I want this to be a maintainable lifestyle and not a quick fix to drop the weight. Keeping my milk supply up is my top priority so I have to make sure I am getting enough of the right foods.
I try to get a good amount of protein at each meal and a balance of carbs and fats. Right now I am having more carbs the beginning of my day or timed around my workout and tapper them off towards the end of the day and up my fats. Peanut butter before bed is never a bad thing ;)

m y f a v o r i t e s 
Isagenix meal replacement shakes. Best thing ever for a busy mom. If I am starving I mix it up with water and chug and if I have time and need a bigger meal I am loving the chocolate blended with a banana and peanut butter! They are also perfect for a post workout meal so I get everything my body needs quickly.

Taco Boats
Super fast and easy lunch or dinner idea!

Find me on snapchat for more meals and kid craziness ;) 

WATER
I am aiming for 3 liters minimum but a gallon if I can. I love my 1.5 liter camelbak water bottle I use to keep my water goals on track.

EXERCISE 
I was cleared last week to start working out again. Up until this point I have been following my Bellies Inc. core confidence program by practicing my core breathing as well as the other exercises it recommends. This has helped my core heal as well as my pelvic floor. I was so pleased when my doctor checked my ab seperation at my 6 week appointment and I only have about a 1/2 inch of separation. This is a great starting point for getting back into my workouts! It is so important as a new mom that we give our bodies time to heal and don't jump back into strenuous activities that we aren't ready for.

Wearing my Bellies Inc. Ab system about 2.5 weeks PP. The support felt so good on my shrinking belly 

So last week I eased into things by attending my first spin class postpartum. It was literally endorpin heaven. It was like I hadn't missed a day. I was pleased that I could still keep up. Staying active during my pregnancy helped me maintain some of my fitness level so I don't feel like I am starting back at square one with everything. I also got in two light and easy at home workouts. My goal for now is to workout at least 3 times per week (4 if I am lucky).
I plan to lift weights going lighter and working my way up as I progress...practicing my core breathing the whole time. If I get a 4th day in it will probably be another leg day. I really like training them twice if I can. But for now my split will be:
Leg Day
Chest and Back
Arms and Shoulders
Cardio will be the spin bike or the elliptical. I have an elliptical at home that I have been using here and there but it will be packed up soon so I'll be relying on the gym for my workouts.

7 week postpartum

Exercise is my therapy and my "me" time. I look forward to it and crave the iron of the weights. I know however, that what I am eating is 80% of the equation and what I will be really focusing on. I am a huge believer in balance tho and don't plan on overdoing it in the gym or depriving myself from foods I love. Especially during our last weeks here in Italy (give me all the pizza!).

My View on MLMs & why I Chose Isagenix

I have been seeing a lot of buzz in the social media world lately about MLMs. It got me thinking and I wanted to add my 2 cents and why I chose to have an Isagenix "business". 

There are so many MLM companies out there from Jamberry nails, Mary Kay, essential oil companies like DoTerra, unique makeup (yup, someone is benefiting when you buy that 3D mascara!), beach body, health and wellness including Isagenix and many more.

 I think most of the problems people have with MLM is how people come across. Like they're only wanting to make a "sale"or recruit you. You've all seen the obnoxious person at the gym trying to sell you something. It puts a bad taste in your mouth, right? Also, If you decide to join a business when there isn't the right leadership in the "team" you are working with then there is no growth which leaves you feeling like you wasted your time and money. If you have the right training, approach, believe in the company to where you're not being a salesman...just simply using the product because you love it and also taking it seriously then MLM can be great.

It levels the playing field. It makes it so that anyone can find something they love and help people and then hopefully earn a little extra money. Whatever MLM someone represents they usually think theirs is the best but isn't that the way it should be? There should be passion about the products and company they represent. They should want to HELP the people they love with what they have to offer. However, I also think that you should do your research before joining any MLM or purchasing the products. 

Find where you "fit" in and what company makes the most sense for you. If someone approaches you thinking you'd be a great fit on their team. Don't blow them off! Think about it. What if you could succeed or see yourself in that business. It IS a business. Not in the traditional sense we think bc you don't have to invest $10,000 to get it started and off the ground. A lot of times it does require an investment of some kind. Maybe you need a minimum purchase each month or something along those lines. I think it's pretty cool that you can have a business that's really not going to break the bank! It will take work but wouldn't it in any business??

When I was approached by Christie from FIT NIX I was pumped I mean she saw something in ME!? What?! I had been following her journey a long time and loved what she was about. So I decided to check Isagenix out. I researched for about a week before getting back to her. I checked ingredients and made sure it was something I would actually use and want to recommend to others. I would NEVER recommend a product I'm not using myself or do not think is absolutely the best. I told Christie, "I'm not a salesperson!" And she said neither is she! She simply wants to help people achieve their goals and also help people sort out the confusing world of supplements. 

The supplement world can be scary and there's a lot of info out there so if I can help one person sort it out and find something that is safe and effective I'm so happy. One thing I was very excited about was finding a protein powder and meal replacement shake/protein bars that had NO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS. Am I 100% artificial free...no but when I can avoid them I will! They really upset my tummy and leave me bloated and who wants that when they're using supplements? I also loved that it's made from grass fed New Zealand cows, undenatured protein-----this is HUGE!! and it's soy free & organic. Just a few of the great facts on ingredients. When I looked into other products there was not one I could find that had ALL of these things. Maybe a few but not all. When you work hard in the gym you want something that will help you with your goals. So Undenatured protein is so important to me. 

Another reason why I went with Isagenix was because I was ALREADY BUYING SUPPLEMENTS. Since I began my fitness journey many years ago I invested in vitamins, protein powders, BCAAS etc. do you need these things to get results...not necessarily but if the convenience is certainly helpful. Now that I'm a Busy mom I find myself drinking my Isalean pro shakes all the time and I'm so thankful! I do not have time to meal prep/cook all my meals and that's a fact. Could I spend a whole day doing it? Yes but I would spend more at the grocery store, wash more dishes and miss out on time w my family. Why not use the best if I already know that I am going to supplement somehow?! 

 I am a mom that gets to work from home and love what I do. I don't see the difference in recommending Isa and being sponsored by a company who wants me to recommend their products? I am not selling. I am telling MY story and my experience and hoping I can HELP someone. Would you enjoy working from home??

I was so excited to see my body composition drastically change after using Isagenix at 6.5 months PP. I wasn't using fat burners, doing insane amounts of cardio or anything unsafe. I was eating a balanced diet, working out and supplementing with Isa! The inches started coming off and the number on the scale was working its way down. I was SO thankful to have found something that was safe during breastfeeding and pregnancy! I am so excited to experience my next pregnancy while using Isagenix. I have energy and just feel great. I found something I love and want to share. 

I hope this brought a little understanding to where I stand with MLM and why I love Isagenix. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am here to help YOU! I am so blessed to be apart of a wonderful team and get to work with empowering women like Christie, Val from Busy Mom Gets Fit and Anna Early. Check them out if you haven't yet! 

Work smarter Not harder

Do you not have hours to spend in the gym? Or even an hour? Yeah me either. 

The only time I get an hour at the gym is when I go to a class or Robbie is home to watch Noah, which isn't all the time. I get most of my workouts in at home when Noah is napping and I never know how long he's going to be asleep so the faster and more efficient the workout the better! 

I want to work SMARTER not harder. We all have 15-20 mins, right? You might think you don't but really try to think about your day and I bet you can find that time. 

Sometimes my workouts are longer than that but tops I'd say about 45 mins because I'm practicing heavy lifting routines that require a bit more rest between sets. 

I want to begin sharing my quick workouts to help you all out. You can reference them whenever you need. If you need help with form then PLEASE YouTube the move before performing. 

Today's workout: 

4 rounds 

1 min of kettlebell swings (no KB? Use half a gallon of water or a dumb bell if available) 

1 min of box jumps (no box? Do tuck jumps) 

1 min of burpees 

1 min plank hold 

That's a 16-20 min workout depending on how much you rest between rounds. 

Don't forget your post workout eats! Quick digesting carb, protein and my replenish (can't get thru a tough workout without it)! 

Switch it Up!

Are you bored with your current routine? In a fitness rut? Switch it up! I am not one to stick with any one thing. 

Some days I get to crossfit, at home I lift and do a lot of circuit training. I was wanting to add in more cardio to my routine. Not because I needed to but because I want to! I remembered that I used to love going to spin class so I thought I'd give it a try here. I am so glad I did! So far I've gone twice last week and once this week. I do things when I can and when my hubby is home to watch Noah. The class on Thursdays is so fun. The teacher plays the music so loud and pushes you to your limit! Such a fun way to get in cardio and switch it up. 

I also did a "butts and guts" class last week. Can you guess what we worked on? Again so fun and just what I needed. Sometimes you also need a little interactions with others. 

So if you're in a fitness rut or lacking motivation I encourage you to take a class this week! Fitness is supposed to be fun and not feel like a chore. Find what you love and do THAT! 

What I ate Wednesday

It's been a while since I shared a WIAW so I thought I would this week! Lately I've been tracking my food. Mostly because I am still nursing and I pump for a night time bottle. I have been working harder than usual for the milk so I wanted to be sure I am eating enough. Hopefully not TMI ;)

Here is what I ate and remember, I'm an active nursing mom. 

1- breakfast was kodiak protein pancakes ( I add an egg for extra protein), egg whites and low sodium bacon on the side. 

2- plain Greek yogurt sweetened with cinnamon and stevia with a little protein cereal on top. I love a good crunch! 

3- IsaLeanPro chocolate shake. A complete meal with undenatured whey. Organic, no soy, non GMO and no artificial sweeteners. Super convenient when I'm busy with Noah and can't make lunch and I don't have to meal prep every meal. As an on the go, busy mom it's a perfect meal! 36 G protein, 22 g carbs and 6 g fats. 

4- chicken breast with a side salad and my homemade hummus! I'm obsessed with this hummus. I posted the recipe earlier in the week. You have to try it! 

Not pictured was also a protein shake after my workout with orange replenish mixed in. Tastes like an orange creamsicle mmmm. I also had another meal shake after dinner because I still needed protein and carbs. I was hungry! 

Listen to your body and EAT when you're hungry. It's not about eating less but more of the right stuff (and of course some treats too ;)  ) 

Hope you're having a great week! 

XOXO,

E  

Interview with The Get In Shape Girl

Are you looking for new healthy meal ideas or just have no idea where to start when it comes to clean eating? Well then, you're in luck! Kyra from The Get in Shape Girl has done it again! She has a new cookbook out and let me tell you friends, it is amaze-balls!

I got the chance to ask her some questions about the Lean Body Cookbook and so much more. I had so much fun picking her brain to bring you some awesome info, so I hope you enjoy!

• ·      What makes this cookbook different from the other two you have out right now?

This is such an awesome question! The Bikini Cookbook is very focused on keeping the calories lower and macros in check. The second, Comfort Foods and Tailgate Treats is more about turning delicious snacks and comfort foods into healthier versions. 

Leading up to creating The Lean Body Cookbook I had toyed around with a gluten free, Paleo diet and focusing on eating foods that truly fuel the body so we can lose fat and build lean muscle. High quality foods our body can truly use as fuel. 

Additionally it's more than just a cookbook. I go through setting up a personalized meal plan to teach the reader to create one for themselves... Things like calculating how many calories the individual burns in a day and what that means in terms of fat loss. It dives into each macronutrient, what they are and how each of them serve a purpose in reaching our goals. 

Last, with each of the 40+ recipes I go through the timing of each recipe and when each of them could be eaten based on the time of day we workout.

• ·      How long did it take for you to personally figure out nutrition?

You know, I really think my education on nutrition is continuously evolving. Years ago I always thought it was simply about calories, then as I educated myself through my own fitness journey, helping others with theirs and just continuing education through NASM, I learned that there's so much more to it. 

Of course I feel like I'm at the top of my game right now and that it all makes sense but there's so many more experiences to be had and there's so much information that's yet to come out. But I think the most important thing I have come to understand as a coach, and I can help others understand is that it's not a one size fits all deal. That a meal plan is going to be VERY different from one individual to the next.

• ·      What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is a newbie at trying to eat healthy?

There is SO much information out there these days, it can be so overwhelming. And being 
overwhelmed is the first step in the WRONG direction. Keep it simple. If it came from the earth, eat it. if it comes from a box/ bag/ can skip it. Berries, beef, oats, almonds, avocados, potatoes, kale, chicken, seeds.. all of these things can be found in nature - they were put here for a reason.  Eat them until you feel full and don’t worry about anything else. if we listen very closely, our bodies will tell us what we need.

• ·      What is your favorite recipe from the cookbook?

Right now I’m super into the sweet potato pancakes. I got out of the habit of having starch after my workout because sometimes eating half a sweet potato out of a tupperware can get old. But making these has been a game changer. 

• ·      What are 3 foods you can always find in your kitchen?

1- Peanut butter. I want to tell you it’s because we give it t our dog in a Kong when we leave, but it’s me. I FREAKING LOVE PEANUT BUTTER.

2- Bananas. They go in smoothies. They make great muffins. But really, they go GREAT with peanut butter ;)

3- Eggs. Once again, super versatile and super quick. A wonderful source of healthy fat and protein.

•       What do you think is more important, nutrition or training?

Sneaky question Esther! They are both so important and really go hand in hand. And it ultimately depends on your goal, but I’ll tell you... if you don’t eat clean you are gonna feel like crap. It’s difficult of concentrate at work. You’re training will suffer. Your immune function will be come deficient. Your body won’t look healthy and strong the way we want them to.

I’ve also trained clients who have lost fat just from diet change alone. I am talking about no working out at all, just a meal plan that serves their body, life and goals and I have seen massive changes.

A healthy meal plan is the foundation to total health. Period.

• ·      If one of your clients isn’t seeing results what is one of the first things your look at?

Recently I have found that so many women overeat. it’s been ingrained in our imaginations that if we want to lose, we need to eat less. To the point many of us have become afraid of food.

If my client is following the protocol I set up for him/ her in the gym then I ask them to track their food for a few typical days. And this has to be an honest, typical day of eating. How many calories is the person consuming vs burning? So often I see women who burn upwards of 2300 calories a day, who barely consume 1300 a day then wonder why they can’t drop that fat covering up their abs.

Grossly undereating causes fat to be stored and it makes it impossible to build lean muscle.

It’s also important to see where those calories are coming from. Are the carbs sky high and protein at a bare minimum? Are the calories coming from quality sources? Fat, protein and carbs must all be eaten, not one neglected, to have a balanced diet that will allow for fat loss and muscle gain.

·      Why are treat meals important and what your favorite treat meal?

If you, the reader, can take one thing from this interview I hope that you take the idea of balance. It’s the yin and the yang. Balance must always be present, and that’s in eating too.  Going too long without a meal that you truly enjoy, deep down in your soul, is just sad!

Of course, there is a time and place for a short term strict diet, but I am all about coaching for a lifestyle of fat loss. It’s like going for a run.. if you sprint you can go really fast, but after a short time you just can’t go that fast anymore and you have to stop. But if you go out for a jog you can make it a lot further before you have to stop.

I think of eating the same way. If you are so super strict, soon you will find yourself face down in a pizza. Then you wake up the next day, beat yourself up and swear you need to be perfect again and it turns into a very unhealthy cycle.

But if you maybe put a little yummy bacon in your breakfast, then have a spoonful of peanut butter before bed or a glass of wine because you had a long day, then you can be satisfied from that little treat and then move on and eat a salad for your next meal.

Some people say food is fuel, and it is, but it’s more than that. There are a lot of emotions tied into food, celebrations, feelings... You should never resent yourself from eating something you truly love. It can nourish your soul. But make it mindful and truly savor it.

For me, my favorite food in the entire world is a good ol’ buttermilk biscuit with sausage gravy, but I won’t settle for subpar there, so normally it’s just a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch!  haha

Isn't Kyra just so awesome, guys?! She is one of my favorite fitness roll models to follow. She has so much info to share about health and fitness but isn't shy about enjoying some weekend drinks or some bacon on her burger! I wish there were more 'real' fitness personalities out there! 

Anyways, be sure to follow Kyra on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thegetinshapegirl

Twitter: @getnshapegirl

Instagram: @thegetinshapegirl 

If you're interested in purchasing the Lean Body Cookbook click here. 

Two Months Postpartum

I can't believe another month has come and gone! Noah is growing so fast. He is the sweetest baby!

He is sleeping anywhere from 5-7 hours at night before waking to eat and then he's back down until he wakes to start the day anywhere from 7 to 745 am. He no longer cries when getting a diaper change (this stopped around 5 weeks) and is starting to like the bath! He already rolling onto his side, he coos and is starting to give smiles. 

Time truly flies by when you have a baby. I'm enjoying everyday with him.

Here are my newest progress pics:

1 mont PP vs 2 months PP

Nothing too major but def progress. My waist is smaller so I know I've lost some inches. I made sure I was fully healed before working out again. The first month after I had him I just took walks and rested a lot. I was so exhausted! 

I didn't end up having my 6 week postpartum appointment until 7 weeks so I've only been back into working out for 2 weeks now. I was pleased to hear that I had no ab separation and that everything was healed. The doctor released me to train with no restrictions. Taking the time to heal and rest is so important! That first month was truly just getting to know my little guy and figuring out what works for him and what doesn't. It was also overwhelming with a lot of company staying with us so once everyone left and he started a great routine I was then ready to work on myself.

Because I wake up once to pump and then again to feed Noah in the night I get pretty tired around 7 pm. I quickly noticed that on the days that I trained it gave me more energy to get through the rest of the night without feeling like a zombie.
I am so happy I invested in some inexpensive equipment to have at home. I get to the gym every once in a while but my workouts mostly happen at home. My husband is on nights right now so I wait for him to wake up so I can be totally focused on what I am doing. If Noah is napping really well I can sometimes sneak away or I train in the house (my gym set-up is outside). I haven't been able to commit to any specific "plan" yet. Some days I get 30 mins and sometimes an hour. It all depends.

So what have I been doing?

Lots of circuits! I get bored doing the same exercise for so many sets so I like to make big circuits or a few small ones. I've been doing lots of kettle bell swings, mountain climbers and I've been working on my burpees. I have a love hate relationship with burpees. Love them because they work but hate them because they're hard and really ware me out! I like keeping my heart rate up throughout my workout esp if it's a day I don't do cardio. I have been doing 20 min of HIIT 3xs a week on my old school treadmill. This thing is hilarious. I have to use my timer on my phone to track my sprints and how long I am on it because the tiny screen no longer functions and you adjust the speed by pushing the nob to the right. The speeds are "warm-up", "fat burn", "aerobic" and "performance". It also gets pretty loud the faster you go but hey it was 50 bucks! I usually do a 2 min warm-up (speed walk) and then sprint for 30 sec and speed walk for 1 min.
As far as core work I have mostly been doing plank holds and some other easy ab work a few times a week. I didn't start ANY ab work until I knew I had no ab separation. You have to be very careful after pregnancy when working your core.
I am excited to reshape my body with weights. I just want to be strong! 

Now the transformation will really begin and I am excited to share it with you! I am hoping to fit back in to my jeans comfortably for the Holidays :)

I will leave you with some of my favorite Noah pics from the last month:

He loves being on his tummy!

Trunk or Treat day on base. His newborn hat is a little small now! haha 

My little family at the trunk or treat even on base 

I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!!
XOXO,
E

One Month Postpartum

Wow, I have been so late on posting my blogs and I hate it! I am going to try to do better.

Noah is 5 1/2 weeks and that makes me a little over a month postpartum. The time is just flying by! Next week I will hopefully be all cleared to workout and I can officially begin my postpartum fitness journey. I have began to really miss working out. That's the one thing I have always made time for and done for myself. It's going to take a lot of effort to make time now tho but I am ok with that. I might just have to workout during morning nap vs cleaning lol. I am down 30 lbs. I have about 15-20 left to lose but once I can get back to working out my focus will NOT be on the scale. I want to get my strength back and tighten up. I want to fit back in to my jeans and just feel good so I'll be using progress pics as my main way to measure my results.

One month postpartum progress pic

My recovery has been great. I am feeling really good other than being pretty tired. That's probably been the hardest part for me. I am the type of person who thrives off a full nights sleep. Even in high school I could not be up all night studying and then take a test the next day. Nope, I need my sleep, but as we get more into routine it gets easier.

Breastfeeding has been a challenge but I think we have it down now. The first few weeks was hard because he didn't have the best latch which made him hungry and cranky most of the time, but I was determined. I saw the lactation consultant several times and she helped me so much. My husband has also been amazing with it. He was my third hand and second set of eyes when I would forget to do a step or something didn't look right. I am so happy I stuck with it. It is exhausting at times but it feels so good that I can provide the best thing for my baby.

He is starting to outgrow his newborn clothes! Here he is in his first 0-3 m sleeper. The only one that isn't way to big 

So far Noah loves his car seat and the baby carrier. It has been a life saver! I love baby wearing. It helps me make dinner and get things done around the house when he has his evening fussy time. I also like to bring it out with me when I go grocery shopping and can't push a stroller and cart.


He hated getting his diaper changed from day 1 but he is finally starting to do better with it, but he still hates the bath. I am hoping he out grows that soon. He absolutely loves tummy time. This kid has the strongest neck and loves to look around. He is so curious. His swing is growing on him but it def hasn't been a life saver like many friends told me it would be. We have a pretty finicky baby. He is already pretty stubborn and will let you know what he wants. At least I know he will have a strong personality!

This month has truly flown by. We had a packed house full of guests and now my mom is the last one here. She leaves this Wednesday. We will sure miss her. It was so nice that Noah could have time with his grandparents. Soon it will be just the three of us here in Italy and we will be getting in to our own little routine of life. We are hoping we will be able to get home for Christmas this year if Noah has his passport and everything else he needs to travel.

I will leave you with some of my favorite new born photos (I wanted to share them all!). He is just the sweetest <3

One Week Postpartum

My sweet Noah turned a week old yesterday! He is such an amazing baby but you know I'm biased ;). He does have his days and nights mixed up right now so we're working on that. It makes for one tired mama!

I can't get enough of his baby cuddles. I'm so grateful that Robbie gets 10 days off work. He's been a huge help to me. Especially at first when we were figuring out breast feeding and I felt like I needed a third hand! 

My recovery has been pretty great. I feel great and with family here I started doing things with them pretty quickly. Nothing crazy but just walking thru the market on market day in my town and taking them to various places close by. However, I am now staying home to help Noah get on a better schedule or at least being consistent with it. He is such a great traveler but it def throws off our day. Robbie is home to take them places so I can stay behind.

I still need to blog my birth story but I thought since I'm not struggling to keep my eyes open at this moment I'll post my 1 week postpartum pics. 

I'm down 25 lbs and still have a ways to go but I am happy with how quickly my belly is going down.

I have just been focusing on Noah and my water intake but not stressing over food for now. I do however, try to get a good healthy breakfast everyday and snack on healthy foods. With family here I haven't had to cook dinner and that's been great! I did learn that spicy food makes his tummy very angry so I'm eliminating that for now.

The pic on the left is a few days before I had him and the right is yesterday.

Noah had his newborn photography session today and I can't wait to see the final pics. Be prepared to see way too much cuteness. 

I love being a mommy! 

Ok, it's nap time ;). 

Xo,

E