Sleep Smarts

Sleep.

It's every new mom's worst yet favorite topic. It's the thing they say you'll miss the most once you become a mother. I agree and disagree. Being a new mom has been so much fun and such a joyful experience that I can't imagine life any other way, and I totally didn't mind the lack of sleep. At the same time, I also understand that in order to keep going at the pace you have to go when taking care of a newborn, it'd be nice to catch a few more Z's than what you're probably getting. I totally get it.

Our first week was hit and miss. Vaught slept on his back in the bassinet beside our bed and would typically sleep an hour and a half to two hours at a time, sometimes not even that long. Typically. But every once in a while he'd spring a three hour nap on me, and it'd be the best three hours of the day... or night. On day 8, my friend, a nurse, came over and held Vaught for a while. I was telling her about my lack of sleep, and she said "When he goes to sleep, I'm putting him on his tummy." I told her no at first. She asked me to trust her, and I knew I could, so I said nothing else. He drifted to sleep, and she took him to our bedroom and laid him on his tummy on our bed. That afternoon he took a four hour nap and woke up in the best mood. He slept beside me on his tummy (his only night in our bed) that night and slept four to five hours at a time. I was amazed. I made the decision the next morning that he would be a tummy sleeper, and we've not looked back. (Disclaimer: we have a monitor that detects the rise and fall of his chest, so we sleep soundly even with him on his tummy. I would never advise a mother to do anything she isn't comfortable with, but if you don't have a monitor similar to this one, they are a great investment. Mine was given as a gift but they run about $115 in store).

The Monday before he turned three weeks old, we began sleep training. Google "sleep training" and you'll find an entire world of information devoted to the topic. That's what I did, and I was careful in selecting different tips and tricks of the trade (from both pediatricians and experienced mommies) that I knew I would be comfortable trying. Today is October 30th, Vaught's "five week old birthday," and for the past two and a half weeks he has been sleeping five and a half to seven hours at a time during the night. I know some of it can be contributed to his growth (as babies grow bigger they typically sleep longer), but I know that much of our sleep success has to do with sleep training.

My parents did similar methods with me and my three siblings when we were babies, so that's why I was so determined to do it with Vaught once he was two weeks old. From the time we were newborns, we slept in our own cribs in our own bedrooms. We knew from the time we were toddlers that mom and dad's bedroom was off-limits. We very rarely slept in between them in their bed and we knew that if we went in there in the middle of the night it had better be for a good reason! I can only remember sleeping in my parents' bed twice as a child. I love that I grew up sleeping independently, so I want Vaught to do the same.

Below I've listed what Eric and I are doing to help Vaught become an independent sleeper. These are tips and steps that have worked for us and for Vaught. That goes without saying that these things may or may not work for you; every parent and every baby is unique, so it's important that you tailor your sleep training methods to fit your parenting style. Feel free to email me at knc9009@gmail.com or message me on Instagram or Twitter (katepace12 and katecoop12 respectively) for additional information/advice/questions/comments/etc :)

1. Routine, routine, routine

I kept running into this on everything I found: get a routine for that baby ASAP! We are creatures of habit and we like the familiar, so start a nighttime routine with baby that he will associate only with bedtime. For Vaught, it begins with a bottle every hour from 6-9 with the intent to get his little tummy full and satisfied. He'll typically just take a couple of ounces every hour during that time. Between 9 and 9:30, he gets a warm bath. We used to do this around 8, but by waiting a little later he sleeps longer in the morning. After bath time, we put him in a clean diaper, sleeper, swaddle, then give him one more bottle while rocking him, but we try not to rock him to sleep (see tip #3). By 10, he's in his crib for bedtime. As the time changes soon and he begins sleeping for even longer periods, we will start his bedtime routine earlier again.

2. Cut naps off at one and one-half hours.

... at the same time though, I recognize when Vaught needs a little longer. During the day, I try to not let him surpass 90 minutes, and I always cut off naps by 6:30pm in order to prepare for a good night's sleep.

3. Do not rock or feed to sleep.

This is part of how he's becoming an independent sleeper, but it's also a terrible habit to break if you're already doing it (I did his first two weeks). I don't want Vaught to grow accustomed to being rocked to sleep or fed to sleep, though it does still happen sometimes. Just when his little eyes start to close, I get up and take him to his crib to put him down. He will sometimes turn his head and go right to sleep, but we usually have to cry for just a few minutes, which takes me to...

4. Fight the urge to go rushing in.

Not to discredit self-proclaimed "Baby Expert" Smith but I had to ignore
things like the above. Not only do I disagree in part, but my research
returned more valid proof in teaching babies to self-sooth than not.

Babies cry, and it is perfectly normal. It's not going to hurt them to cry a little, physically or mentally. I say this because I read that some people believe letting your baby cry is psychologically damaging to him/her. There is no scientific proof of this at all. Neglecting your child's crying all day long? Yes, that would cause some psychological damage, but a few minutes? No.
I put Vaught down, turn his monitor on, light off, and I leave the room with no intentions of going back for at least twenty minutes. That's my "crying cap"-- 20 minutes. Often we go rushing to them at the sound of the first cry, but it's normal for babies to cry or babble a little in the early stages of sleep, and they're perfectly capable of putting themselves to sleep shortly after. If Vaught's not right on the brink of sleep when I put him down, then we're definitely about to listen to a little bit of crying, which is why it's important to establish a wait period that you're comfortable with before you rush to the rescue. As I said, mine is 20 minutes. I will not go into his room until he's been crying for 20 minutes. And you know what? I have yet to have to go in... That means that he has not yet cried for 20 minutes. I think the longest he cried was fourteen minutes one of the first nights, so I don't even think he has surpassed fifteen minutes of crying. He usually puts himself to sleep in under ten. My advice? Your crying cap should be at least 10 minutes. Hear me again, it will not hurt that baby to cry! The first couple nights are the hardest, trust me. When I thought I just couldn't handle the crying, I went in my bathroom and took a shower. By the time I was out, he was fast asleep. By night three, he was asleep in under ten minutes, and we've not regressed!

5. Pray.

I find that everything I attempt to do in life works out much better when I pray about it, and that includes teaching my baby to sleep. Every night before I put Vaught down, I stand with him in front of his crib, cuddling him in my arms, and I pray for him. Sometimes I'll pray out loud, sometimes I'll just talk to God in my head. I pray for Vaught's health and safety, his future relationship with Christ, and even his future wife and children (yes, I'm already praying for my grandchildren)! And of course I pray for a pleasant, happy night of sleep for Vaught. Pray about even those small things because God really does care about the small things!

6. Do what works.

So true!!! Do a little research before you begin to get a feel for what you're comfortable with.

Of all the advice I got and could give you on sleep training, this is the best. I picked different methods that I knew I would be comfortable with trying and luckily, they all worked well with Vaught. If you try something that doesn't seem to work or that makes you uncomfortable, put a stop to it and opt for something different. The first couple nights are hard, but it's important to stick with it and hang in there. If anything, keep in mind that you're doing something that you'll be so thankful for later. If things still don't feel right after a few nights, look at different methods to try! The way we sync up with our babies is just one of many neat things about being a mother, and with time you'll find something that works perfectly for you and baby. Keep at it!

Teaching Vaught to sleep independently has also been beneficial
for naps and playtime too. He has begun entertaining himself a
little more when I lay him down. He'll often "ooh" and "ahh" and
look around for a little while before falling asleep. Yes, sometimes
he will cry before a nap. I use a 15 minute crying cap for naps,
and it works just as well as our nighttime routine.

Take This, Not That

Deciding what to pack for your epic trip to the hospital to welcome your new baby can be a challenge! Below I've listed what we took that we actually used... and what just took up space in the hospital bag :)

What To Take:

Personal Hygiene Items: I got very lucky with this one because I didn't have to pack a thing. My good friend Sara did this for me. I started going to baby showers shortly before I got married last year. Although I didn't want to think about kids yet, I knew I'd probably have one some day, and if I wanted people at my baby showers I had to go to theirs. So I started going and even found them kind of fun! But one thing I began doing that made them more enjoyable for me was choosing a gift strictly for the mother-to-be, a gift for her to open for herself along with a gift for the baby. We often forget that baby's not the only person needing things here! I would get mom-to-be a soft nightgown or pair of PJ pants or some cute sweats from Victoria's Secret. I can always see the joy in mom-to-be's face when she opens something cute for herself along with all the baby goodies! Sara's gift to me was like a hospital care kit and included lots of necessities such as: toothbrush, toothpaste, hair ties, handy wipes, face wipes, bath loofa, mouthwash, et cetera et cetera! It was such a thoughtful gift and perhaps the most useful thing I received as far as things I really needed. She obviously thought the same thing I did; mom needs things too! So, pick and choose several of these items to have with you in a small bag and keep it in the bathroom. I eventually learned this after having to tip-toe half naked back out into the hospital room to grab my toothbrush or face wash!

Phone and Phone Charger: Chances are, you'll be laying in that hospital bed for quite a while, so you'll need to keep yourself entertained. I'm not much of a TV-watcher, so having my iPhone with  me and keeping it charged up was a must. Unless you've got a fancy camera, you'll also need your phone for lots of pictures of that precious little one!

Tinted Moisturizer and Baby Powder: Skip out bringing your whole makeup bag; all you need is a little color! I put a small amount on for visitors during labor and that Friday night when people came to meet Vaught. As for baby powder, it has a million uses! I used it as dry shampoo and brushed it through my hair Friday and Saturday morning. Baby powder as dry shampoo is a trick I picked up as a sorority girl at Ole Miss; it works the same way as dry shampoo (refreshing strands and soaking up oil on the roots) and helps your hair hold a tease a million times better! I also used it as a light dusting on my face. What can I say, I love the smell!

Magazines: When I got tired of my phone, I always had a magazine on hand. The Tuesday before labor, I stocked up on celebrity gossip magazines and am so glad! I love reading, so I kept them on a table beside my bed for easy access.

Socks: Again, this was taken care of for me in the hospital kit from my friend. I refused to wear those atrocious grandpa socks the hospital had, so for two days straight I wore pink zebra socks that were in the hospital bag. Socks are important especially if you choose to have an epidural; something about it makes you extremely cold, so you'll want your feet to stay warm. Not only that but you don't want to walk around barefoot on a hospital floor... ick!

Size Newborn Onesies: You don't have to get fancy, just pack a couple of tiny onesies to put your tiny baby in. I never guessed Vaught would be as small as he was; even newborn size was a little big on him! His go-home outfit was actually a size 3M, so it was wayyyy too big for him to wear. Thankfully my mother-in-law had picked up a few Ole Miss newborn onesies for him on her way in, so he wore those while we were in the hospital and for the ride home.

Nightgown & Robe: As comfy as those fabulous hospital gowns are, there's never anything as welcoming as your own clothes. I brought my Victoria's Secret nightgown that I've had for several years, along with a matching bathrobe to wear when we had company. It definitely made me feel a little dressier than a hospital gown!

Go Home Outfit for You: Think comfort and you're good to go. I brought a pair of sweats from Victoria's Secret's PINK line, an oversized tank from my sorority days, a soft sports bra, and a pair of flip flops. That's all I needed and the ride home was a breeze.

What to Leave at Home

Swim Trunks: I brought these for Eric in case I wanted him to help me shower, but they stayed at the bottom of our overnight bag. I didn't want anyone in the shower with me following Vaught's birth. I was grateful to get to be naked and alone the day after he was born. Too many people had seen a little too much of me in the past 24 hours.

Nursing Bra: Leave it. You won't be wearing a bra while you're there. I only needed one for the ride home. Actually,  my advice on nursing bras would be to not purchase until you know for sure that you're going to be breastfeeding for a while. I wasted about $30 on these.

Underwear: Wear those super sexy hospital undies for as long as you can because they're amazing. I took enough home to last me just over a week. After checking into the hospital, the nurses will have you strip down and wear nothing but a hospital gown and the next pair of panties you wear will be the gauze, disposable kind. Don't bother bringing your own.

Makeup: If you're going to bring your makeup, just bring two or three necessary items like concealer and mascara or a tinted moisturizer. You're seriously not going to care about wearing a ton of makeup while you're there.

Blankets & Supplies for Baby: The nursery will take care of all of that for you. I ended up taking four receiving blankets home that we still swaddle Vaught in. If you insist, pack two or three diapers. I did run out of diapers in his hospital bassinet one night and luckily had a few in his diaper bag. But you shouldn't need these; just request more when you see you're about to run out!

Vaught is ONE Month!

Happy One Month Birthday to this sweet little boy! It has been a crazy but fun-filled thirty days! We are just so in love and so blessed that they've gone rather smoothly, though we are all still learning and have a lot to learn. Vaught's already passed a few milestones and has hit at least one growth spurt since his birthday. It's so much fun watching him grow and change a little each week!

Our pitbull Lola had to get in on the photoshoot!

 

 

All dressed up for Ava's 1st birthday party!

 

Love my little pumpkin! Thanks to my Godmother for the Halloween outfits!

 

 

Weight: 10lbs, 3oz

Length: 21, 3/4in

Food: He eats anywhere from 3 to 7 ounces every two hours during the day. It all depends on the time of day and how hungry he is. Early morning when he first wakes up is when he eats the most. We are blessed with a baby boy whose stomach isn't at all sensitive. I breastfed the first week, but now that he's on formula, he takes Similac Advance but does well with the generic brand too. It's great because you get so much more and it's a few dollars cheaper!

Sleep: Ahhhh, new moms' favorite topic... This past week, Vaught's been sleeping five and a half to six hours at a time. Before then, he woke up every three-four hours most nights, but we're definitely getting somewhere with sleep training! We began sleep training early last week, so we've been at it for almost two weeks... I am doing a special blog post on that because it's going so well, and I want to share what we're doing with new moms and moms-to-be. Vaught Charles has not and will not co-sleep with us. I am a big advocate of "do what works" when it comes to parenting, but co-sleeping is an enormous no-no to me and Eric. At three weeks old, I put a stop to his morning naps in our bed for fear of him getting too accustomed to sleeping there, if only for a couple hours every day. He now takes most daytime naps in his playard. He's currently sleeping from about 9:30PM to 3:30AM and will go down for a nap by 6AM and sleep until nearly 10. I've grown to love my early mornings with him... I have my coffee ready to brew and enjoy a hot latte while feeding him and watching George Lopez on Nick! Eric gets up for work at 4, so I'm usually able to get Vaught back to sleep in time to cook breakfast before Eric has to leave.
Speaking of "do what works," Vaught began sleeping on his tummy when he was eight days old. We monitor his breathing with this Angelcare monitor under his mattress. I keep trying to justify my reasons for putting him on his belly, but I'm done with that. He sleeps better, I sleep better, everyone's happy. The end.

Clothes: Onesies are a mom's best friend, but I'm not a huge fan of sleepers--too many buttons, though I do like the ones with zippers. He can still wear size newborn pretty comfortably, but I feel like he'll outgrow them soon. All 0-3 sizes fit but are a little large. He's got a few 3-6 month onesies that fit, but I personally thought they were tiny to begin with... And then I shrunk nearly everything when washing! He's got the cutest little wardrobe though... LOTS of Ole Miss stuff!!

Diapers: I used my last newborn size last week, but Vaught can wear size 1 comfortably now. I was told several times that I would find a diaper brand that I prefer for Vaught. At first, I didn't really believe this; I got such a huge assortment of diapers as gifts, I just used different ones and thought they were all the same. But I've come to realize that they're really not, and what I was told was true. My cousin Audrey Anna did a science project in 9th grade where she tested the durability of each major diaper brand. The worst? Pampers. And maybe it's just a coincidence, but I noticed that Vaught is fussier when he wears Pampers. I don't think they absorb as much, so I have to change him more often when wearing those. Not only that, but it seemed like with each messy diaper, there was some spilling out over the sides. The best, according to her project at least, was Huggies. This is probably my favorite brand for Vaught. They are super soft, and Vaught just seems more content in them. Luvs are great too!

Developments: Since his birthday, he's been able to lift and hold and turn his head, so he reeeeally enjoys tummy time! He can almost do a half push up on his elbows. He's trying so hard!! He will grin a little, and Wednesday night we got his first real smile. He even tried to giggle! His facial expressions are to die for! He also grabs on to the bottle for dear life. I can almost guarantee you that at two months old he'll be able to hold his own bottle.

Eric: A lot of people have asked me how my husband is handling parenthood. It's like they got tired of hearing me say, "Oh, it's wonderful... I love it.. It's new but so much fun!" and now they finally want to hear about Eric! Well, he is... adjusting. When he comes in from work, he usually scoops Vaught up to spend some quality time with him. He'll gladly play Mr. Mom while I go work out or go to the grocery store. Or both, because I sometimes need a little more than an hour to myself :) Eric won't admit this, but Vaught's crying still bothers him. Newborns cry because they need something-- food, sleep, a new diaper, attention, to be held, warmth, cool air, a hug, the list goes on and on. Our job as parents is to try our best to figure out what baby needs then do our best to satisfy it. Eric will say, "He's been fed, changed, and burped. Why is he crying?" And I can tell it's a little frustrating to him, which is totally understandable. I can also tell that it baffles him a little when I come to the rescue and know immediately what's causing Vaught's discomfort. I just remind Eric that since Vaught's birthday, I have spent every single day with him; I care for him all day long and wake with him in the middle of the night. Truthfully, I know our baby better than anyone else right now, and I feel that that's my one and only job, while Eric's is to help me when he's her but stay well-rested so that he can go to work each day for our family. With time, Eric will learn to pick up on Vaught's cues too. Pretty soon, he'll get to know him just as well as I do :)

How I'm Doing: That first week I was an emotional train wreck, and I thought I'd never feel like myself again. I couldn't understand how I could be so happy and so sad at the same time. I know now that I was experiencing the "baby blues," and that it is totally, perfectly normal, expected even. I called my doctor for some medicine on day 8 and have been wonderful ever since. I am so glad that I had the courage to call and ask for help. I was embarrassed at first but know now that there's no reason to be at all. I feel great and am adjusting to motherhood well. Vaught's crying doesn't faze me anymore. I used to think it was the most horrible thing and I would just want to cry with him! But now when I have to go to the bathroom or switch over some laundry, I'll lay him down while I do what I need to do. I didn't think this at first, but it is not going to hurt him to cry a little! I think motherhood does something good for women, emotionally and physically. I am so much more comfortable with myself since becoming a mother. It's an exhausting job, but the most rewarding, joyful one there is. I love it and my little man so much!

Vaught's LIKES:
being swaddled with his arms OUT not in
bathtime... as long as we've not woken him up for it!
eating
tummy time
his carseat and riding, especially rough or bumpy roads
strolling
being worn in his SevenSlings wrap
Mommy's hair
Mommy's singing
napping on Daddy's chest
Lola... he is so fascinated by her

DISLIKES:
suck-sucks (pacifiers). He's pretty much lost interest in them, though it's probably a good thing. He'll suck on one for a minute or two before spitting it out.
having his diaper changed... the horror!
being too warm
wet diapers

Pictures

 

Our little family is complete :)

 

#4thTP...4 Weeks Postpartum

Vaught Charles is four weeks old, and I am four weeks postpartum as of today. I feel incredible... And I'm finally starting to think that I might even look it, at least for having had a baby just a month ago! Seriously, I am not bragging on myself, but I think motherhood does wonderful things for a woman. I've noticed that my friends who have had children are even more beautiful than they were before... It's the glow of a good mommy :)

Maternity tees have become great lounge/workout shirts!

     Pounds gained during pregnancy: 29

Pounds lost since delivery day: 35

Pounds to go: 44

 

      Now that my appetite is back in full swing, my weight has teetered on the same 2-3 pounds for the past week or two. I'm two pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight, the lowest I ever was before finding out I was pregnant. I can tell I'm very close to reaching that goal, but I have started weight training again, so I'm also fairly certain that I'm finally getting some muscle back. The two areas that took the biggest hit during pregnancy are my midsection and legs, so I am working those with some lightweight squats, heavy leg presses, and several minutes of planks every other day. I was able to hold a plank for a minute and a half just a year ago... I am slowly working back to being able to hold one for forty seconds! These are fantastic for tummy-toning!

     My best workouts so far have come this past week. I'm now burning about 250-400 calories at each workout and am trying to secure at least forty minutes at the gym, but that doesn't always happen! I am running again--not just jogging, but really running. I do 1.5-2 miles on the treadmill then weight training.

 

My pre-workout supplement. Soooo yummy!

 

 

Nutrition

As I've said before, the reason why past weight loss attempts didn't really work for me, at least not for long periods of time, was due to poor diet and a lack of healthy, sensible foods in my pantry and fridge. In the last year, I've really stepped it up in the kitchen. I'm still a fan of Hamburger Helper dishes (what young wife isn't?!), but I limit these dishes to just once or twice a week. Instead we opt for lean beef with whole grain rice and veggies or baked chicken with baked potatoes and sautéed veggies. I love our enthusiasm for vegetables; I hope Vaught grows up loving them as well! Fresh fruit and yogurt are grocery list staples as well. And I eat peanut butter at least once a day--it's good for you and delicious on so many things!

Lunch usually looks about like this :)

I still make my famous enchiladas, but I use less cheese on mine.
I also aim to use whole grain tortillas, but these were left over from when
my in-laws visited and bought us groceries.

 

I have to say that the past four weeks have treated me well. I was so excited to return to the gym; it makes me feel good to know I'm doing something good for myself. I can't wait to see how my body progresses and changes in the next few months. I will do a six week update in two weeks, so check back :)

Come back Saturday morning for Vaught's ONE MONTH update :)

 

Five Things You'd Never Know...

Because I sometimes like to talk about myself.

1. Michael Oher, E's Fashion Police, and Farrah Abraham from Teen Mom all follow me on Twitter.

2. If I could go to school for the rest of my life, I totally would. I love to study, learn, and challenge myself. I love being in the classroom... as both a teacher and student!

3. I have four tattoos: back, neck, arm, and butt. Yes, butt. Because hard lemonade at 18 in Oxford was not my best idea.

4. I would LOVE to be in a horror film--a real one, not one of those stupid teenage ones... I would want the best, most gruesome death scene. I don't care to be the heroine that lives; everyone loves the best death scene!

5. My ultimate career goal is to be a published author.

#4thTP... 3 Weeks Postpartum

I've gotten so much positive feedback about the Fourth Trimester Project, and it makes me so excited! So I wanted to give you an update, as promised. I've looked back at the tons of notes I made on exactly how I would get back in shape after baby, and I've realized that I was a little overly obsessive about keeping my regimen super strict and organized. I thought I'd wait exactly three weeks until I attempted any exercise, then another two weeks before I went back to the gym, then another two weeks and so forth... Instead, I've taken a different route by listening to my body.

     Every woman recovers from labor and delivery in her own way at her own pace, and that's no surprise at all. Some have long, difficult labors and feel like their old selves within a week, while others can have the easiest deliveries and take more than a month to completely heal. Me? It was probably day nine when I began to feel like I was completely heal... and like my old self. And I had a pretty easy labor and super easy (almost fun) delivery.

     Day fifteen was my return to the gym for some light cardio. I did fifteen minutes on a stationary bike then two miles on the treadmill, alternating walking and jogging. I was a little nervous to run, but it wasn't bad at all. I waited to feel sore the next day, but I didn't, so I went back once Eric was home from work and performed the same regimen. Monday evening I did twenty minutes on the treadmill then a short arm and shoulder workout with free weights. My arms felt a little jello-y the next day--and I could definitely feel it while carrying Vaught around!! But overall, it felt soooo good to sweat and know that I was doing something good for my body. Eric, my big powerlifter of a husband, is helping me put my workouts back together, and my gym days are going to be Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. He helps me design short but explosive workouts that take no longer than an hour; in my opinion, there's just no need to spend hours at the gym at one time. I only do that when training for a race. Speaking of that, I've got to find some 5K/10K's next spring!

Above is a comparison picture: 39 weeks pregnant vs. 15 days postpartum. On day 15 I hit my first appointment weight and was 8 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight. My Nike compression pants, tank, and favorite Nike sports bras finally fit again!!

 

Non Scale Victory Sunday: MY NORTS FIT AGAIN!!!

                                          

 



Above is Monday night's post-workout progress photo. I was three pounds from pre-pregnancy weight. A lot of people ask, so I'll tell you: the watch I wear is a Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Watch. It monitors my heart rate (duh), duration and intensity of workouts, as well as the calories burned. It comes with a band you wear around your midsection (I always put mine right underneath the band of my bra) and gives you the most accurate reading of your heart rate and calories burned during your workout. With appropriate gym equipment, it also sends your reading to the machine you're using so you don't always have to look at your watch. I absolutely love my Polar watch and highly recommend it!! Since I use the MyFitnessPal app on iPhone to log my food, I can easily log the calories I burn during a workout too. I got mine from Amazon.com for about $50. Order yours here.

Workout 4 last night was pretty simple. I did a mile on the treadmill walking/jogging, then another arm and shoulder workout. I really wanted to do some nonweighted squats or lunges, but my husband is begging me to wait until I'm cleared by my doctor. I definitely see his point and appreciate his concern, but I think when I hit four weeks next week, I'm going to have to put a bar on my shoulders... My legs and midsection suffered the most during pregnancy as far as fat and weight gain, and I cannot wait to start toning these areas again.

     As of today, Thursday, October 16th, I am ONE pound from my pre-pregnancy weight!! I weigh less than I did on my wedding day, though I'm pretty sure I passed that milestone sometime last week. I feel fantastic. Since delivering three weeks ago, I've lost 36 pounds. Yes, I am eating. Healthily. It seems that what a couple of my experienced mom friends told me was true; if you're heavier, the weight really does fall right off. In that first week, I wasn't eating much at all, but since then I'm consuming about 1,800-2,000 calories per day. Not only that, but my diet is super healthy once again. From about month six onward, I didn't really crave healthy food. I wanted salt and sugar constantly. In the last month of pregnancy I drank a Coke nearly every day. I guess I fell off the wagon in a sense, but since delivering, I crave fruits nearly every day. During Vaught's afternoon naps, I'll go ahead and lay out dinner or start cooking. We've been eating a lot of baked chicken and vegetables and brown rice lately! I'm also back to strictly water (and of course a little milk!). Water was always a huge key for me when trying to slim down; every time I would cut out Coke, I'd lose ten pounds in a month from that alone! It's so important to me to not deprive myself of what I enjoy while slimming down, so every couple of days Vaught and I will make a quick trip to the Starbucks two miles away for a sweetened iced coffee or iced caramel macchiato. Always treat yourself!

Overall, I feel amazing... Like I'm on my way to my very best self. I'm so blessed to have bounced back from pregnancy so quickly. I know that staying active and healthy (for the most part) throughout pregnancy has so much to do with it. I have a new appreciation for my body and what it can do. Although I've got a long way to go, I am so in love with it... it helped create and carried a human safely and healthily for nine months. If that's not a miracle, what is??

The Morning I Became a Mother

Contrary to popular belief, not all women become mothers the moment they discover they're pregnant. Some feel that maternal instinct during the first ultrasound when they hear that sweet little heartbeat. Some feel it at the same time they feel that first kick. For some, it doesn't come until they actually meet their little one face to face on baby's birthday.

Me? It was last Tuesday.

     Vaught was five days old and still sleeping on his back. I was getting very little sleep, if any at all. When Eric left for work at 5:15am, I was in the recliner with Vaught. Around six he finally drifted off to sleep, and I was anticipating that loooong morning nap he's known to take from about six to ten. I carried him into our bedroom and gently laid him on Eric's side of the bed (on his back) then laid down beside him, prepared to get a at least a couple of hours of sleep. Around 6:30, I was just starting to doze off when I heard my son make this awful gurgling sound behind me. I turned just in time to see him projectile vomit... while laying on his back. He coughed and gagged as it went all over his face, hair, and body. It was even in his eyes. He was literally covered in spit-up. I scrambled out of bed, suddenly wide awake, and ran to his side. I just remember saying, "Oh my God! Vaught!" When I got to him, he was just laying there, perfectly calm but covered in his own vomit.

     I looked down at him, and it was here that I became a mother. He looked so helpless and the cutest bit of pathetic. I suddenly realized that I truly am his entire world. He depends on me and Eric for everything and will for quite some time. His happiness, wellbeing, health, and quality of life all depend on us. It was a huge moment for me as I realized the role I play in his precious little life. I scooped him up and told him over and over "It's okay, baby. Mommy's here. You're okay." All the while he just remained so calm. He didn't cry as I wiped him down with wet wipes then slathered him in baby lotion to get rid of the smell and stickiness. I probably should have bathed him but couldn't yet due to his umbilical cord and circumcision ring. In addition, I'd not bathed him without Eric by my side and was afraid to without him. I put him in a new onesie then carried him in the living room where I stayed awake for another hour rocking him, looking at him, and praying for him.

 

It's amazing how someone so small can mean so much. And being a mother really is an amazing thing. My world has changed so quickly, but to him, I am the world. It's scary and wonderful all at the same time. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

 

Two Weeks Postpartum Update

Vaught Charles is two weeks old today! Despite showering every day since delivery, I still have a tiny bit of stickum stuck to the inside of my wrist from all the tape that held my needles in--the only reminder that I actually was in the hospital having this baby just two weeks ago. I can't believe it's been a whole fourteen days! Vaught is doing so well; at his wellness visit today, he weighed nine pounds and one ounce and is 21 and 1/2 inches long. He's gained a whole pound and grown an inch since delivery! I am so thankful because he had a little jaundice (normal) his first week.
I attempted breastfeeding in the beginning and actually did really well with it. Vaught even latched on at just one day old. I nursed strictly for precisely three days then gave him a few bottles at four and five days. By day six, I decided to bottle feed and couldn't be happier. He gets fuller off of bottles and sleeps better, and I know he got that first little bit of breast milk that's really good for him. Okay, enough about my boobs... He's doing wonderfully with formula! I'm very thankful that he doesn't have a sensitive tummy.
He's also sleeping on his tummy now... Don't give me any flack; our pediatrician said do what works! Besides, we all slept on our bellies. He will sleep for about 45 minutes at a time on his back but is getting three to four and a half hour intervals on his belly. He's such a big boy!

As for mama, I feel fantastic, though this is a little new. I remember getting in the back of my husband's truck with the baby as we were leaving the hospital that Saturday when it really hit me: we're going home. We're on our own now. No nurses to come get him when we need a little rest. No doctors on call to come to our rescue. I cried silently in the back seat half of the drive home. From there, things kind of went downhill. I cried the entire first week. I couldn't help but think of all the what-ifs and the many things that could go wrong. I was eating a piece of toast with crunchy peanut butter in the morning and nothing else. I was happy but sad at the same time. Last Thursday night, I cried for two hours because I couldn't believe he was already a week old.

Basically, I was losing it a little.

 

My aunt brought us dinner that Thursday night, and I couldn't help myself. She was rocking him and trying to talk to me, and I suddenly said, "Okay, I'm sorry but can I just cry? Can I please cry?" And I just let it all out. By midday the next day, Friday, I had called my doctor and was given a prescription for a mild antidepressant. I don't mind sharing this tidbit because I think all women should know how very normal it is to feel overwhelmed with a new baby. It's the most joyful thing in the world, but it's such a sudden change. It'd be a little strange to not be overwhelmed! Anyway, I have done wonderfully with the medicine and am really grateful to have called my doctor. I was embarrassed at first, but he assured me that I was totally 100% normal. And that everything was going to be okay. And you know what? It has been!

 

So at two weeks postpartum today, I am two pounds from the weight I was at my first appointment. I am ten pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. I feel great and can't wait to return to the gym at some point this weekend for some mild cardio! I'm really impressed at how quickly my body seems to have healed from pregnancy and delivery. I never thought I would feel this good after only two weeks!! It helps to know that Vaught is so perfect and healthy; he is going to be a BIG boy!

 

 

 

And to top this short post off, can I just say that there is nothing like that first glass of wine after not consuming alcohol for nine months? My mother-in-law treated me to a bottle of my favorite white zinfandel and this super classy new "wine glass." Ahhhh!



Vaught's Birth Story

     It's Tuesday, September 23rd, and I'm getting a head start on this since I know I will have little to no time once he arrives. At my week 38 appointment, my doctor mentioned inducing me at forty weeks if we went that far. I was about a centimeter dilated and he said we'd give it another week and see how it goes. Turns out our concerns were his too; this baby is getting BIG! I don't really know the figures on it, and it turns out that much of the ones you can find are inaccurate, but many women need to be induced by 40 weeks due to baby's size. At 38 weeks, Vaught was already measuring to weigh 8 and 1/2 pounds, just slightly larger than average. Not only that, much of his measurements (femur, brain, stomach) showed that they had been fully developed since early September.
     A few things about my doctor before we continue... I would describe him as a cool, easygoing guy, the kind of guy I'd be friends with if he weren't my doctor. He's young (early 30's maybe) and was randomly assigned to me when I began using the women's clinic in Oxford in 2011. He was new at the time but from that first appointment with him just a few days shy of my twenty-first birthday, I knew he would be the doctor I'd use as long as I could--the doctor who would hopefully deliver any children I had in the future. Who knew that we'd be there just three years later?! Anyway, he's someone I trust and can talk to easily, perfect qualities in the person you want handling the delivery of your first baby. So when he mentioned induction, I panicked if only for a moment. I knew that he wouldn't bring it up, much less recommend it if he didn't fully believe that it would be fine to go through with it or if the baby wasn't ready.
     So at my week 39 appointment Monday, he asked if I'd given it any thought.

I had.

     He wanted to check me before we went any further. I'd made no progress as far as dilation goes since the previous week. It really doesn't mean anything, but I knew that this was probably a good sign that going ahead with an induction would be the best for Vaught and me. Since I was still just about a centimeter, my doctor said we'd put me in Wednesday night and get me started with a Foley catheter (look it up). This will hopefully dilate me from a 1 to a 4 or 5. Once I'm at a 4, things may begin to roll along easily without other cervical dilation drugs, or I may need to be started on Pitocin once the catheter comes out. He says that it's an effective method that almost always delivers exceptional results in dilating the cervix. He even said that many women end up not needing Pitocin with a successful catheter.

It all sounds great to me!

 

     So it's 2:30 on Tuesday, and although I have a horrible cold and can barely speak, I've been buzzing around like a busy bee today, cleaning house, folding laundry, and restocking the fridge and pantry. I tried to shop the way my husband would if he were broke and single... Still spent $20 more than I intended to.

Just trying to get this house in order before we return from the hospital Friday or Saturday. We are aiming for our special delivery by midday Thursday. If by C-section, we probably won't go home until Saturday or Sunday. By if all goes well, my doctor said we could shoot for a Friday evening or Saturday morning release. I even got Lola and Ginger treats to have while they're boarded at the vet and then some for when they come home to their new baby brother. We are just too excited!

I guess I should be honest and say that I am just a little nervous, but I've got God and a great team behind me. Eric and my mother will be with me when we go in tomorrow night, and they're honestly all I need right now. I can't believe how close we are to meeting Vaught! I feel as if I've been waiting my entire life...

Wednesday

     I spent most of the day finishing laundry and putting a few final touches on his room and bassinet so that we'd be totally ready (ready as first time parents could be) for him to come home. At around 2 I took a shower and curled my hair and Eric was home by 3. I figured we could leave the house by 3:30 and be on our way to Holly Springs to drop off Lola and Ginger. For some reason, Eric suddenly got really organized and pulled his duffel bag from the truck and re-packed it. Twice. So that put us at nearly 4 leaving. We dropped the original little Paces off at the vet and then were on our way to Oxford and walking through the doors of the ER at precisely 5:30. Getting signed in was easy, as I had preregistered back in June. We were in a labor and delivery room within ten minutes. Little did I know, I wouldn't see the outside of this room for more than 24 hours.

     The nurses immediately came in and began getting me "ready:" gown on, blood drawn, IV needle in, the works. At 7:30, my doctor arrived (in street clothes, mind you) and attempted to insert the Foley balloon. It was probably one of the most uncomfortable procedures I've ever had to endure, and it ended up not working. For some reason, my cervix had decided to completely close. Tears streamed down my face (from both pain and disappointment) as my doctor told me it wasn't working. "We have two options," he said. "We can try Cervadil" (he went on to explain what it was--look it up) "or you can go home and wait another week." I looked to my husband for an answer, though I already knew what we would do. We had just found out that his mother had flown into town from Virginia once she knew I was going to be induced. I already had a waiting room full of family and friends who would end up staying the 24 hour period it would be before Vaught arrived. Although I knew it would be a long night and long day the following day, I decided to move forward with the Cervadil.

     It was inserted about half an hour later at 8pm and around 10:30 I could feel the pressure. That's all it was at first--pressure. But by 2am, I was having painful cramps. I was moaning and whimpering and would fall asleep for just a moment only to be awoken by the pain. I finally asked for pain medication and slept beautifully once it was administered through my IV. It wore off quickly though, and I was in pain again by 5. At 6 I got more medicine and was pretty comfortable until the Cervadil was taken out at 8am Thursday morning.

     Right after it was taken out, my doctor came in to insert the Foley balloon, which worked and was much less of a painful procedure now that I was back at 1cm. The nurses told me I could walk around for a few minutes and get a shower if I wanted, which I thought would be a good idea.

Wrong. How very wrong I was . 

     The balloon was on top of my cervix... The baby was on top of the balloon... All of this pressure pressing down, down, down, and within 45 minutes I was in agonizing pain. It was seriously the worst 30 minutes of the entire experience, and I think I'm doing pretty good to have only had a half hour of serious pain. My husband held my hand as I clenched my teeth and whimpered through it while waiting on the nurses to administer more pain relief. Nurse Crystal came in and began to put something in my IV, and that's the last thing I remember. I slept comfortably until 11. By that time, I was beginning to dilate pretty well, so the catheter wasn't putting as much pressure on my cervix. Thus, I wasn't in near as much pain. At 2:30pm, I was 4cm dilated, so it was ready to come out, and we were prepared to get the ball rolling with Pitocin. By that time, I was estimating that Vaught would make his arrival by 6 that night. I told my mom I wanted pizza ordered so that we could have a party in the postpartum recovery room once he was here. Did I mention that by this time I'd gone nearly 24 hours without eating anything other than ice??

     The nurse came in at 3 and told me I could get my epidural at any time since I was now nearly 5cm. I thought that was a little odd since I was really not in any pain at the time. My mother was in there as the nurse was talking to me though, and she encouraged me to go ahead and get it, as those contractions might hit me hard and fast once they really got going. I still waited until four for the epidural. I have to say that it's really not as painful going in as some people say. I was still a little loopy from all the pain medication I'd been given that morning, but I remember a sharp, quick prick and some pressure on my spine as I leaned into Nurse Crystal. Where was my husband at the time?? In the cafeteria... with 2 jumbo hamburgers and a box of fries.

     Within ten minutes, my entire lower half was numb. It was an odd feeling; I thought epidurals were supposed to make your lower body completely immobile. Turns out that's called a spinal block and they typically don't administer those to women in labor anymore. I could wiggle my toes and feet and bend my knees; I just couldn't lift my legs or feel them. I pinched and pinched and felt nothing.
I had visitors coming in and out to see me for the next hour. I had always said that there would be no visitors when we were at the hospital, but I was feeling so good I didn't even care. Around 5 I decided to take a nap and it was an hour of the best sleep I'd ever gotten. I was so calm and relaxed. Thank heavens for the person who invented the epidural!

     By 7, something wasn't right. I could completely feel and move the entire left side of my body and could feel the very constant, very sharp contractions on that side. I called in a nurse to ask if it was normal. She said it was and to give it a while longer to take effect on that side. At 7:30, things were even more intense; I had thrown up twice already due to the discomfort. I called another nurse and we decided to redo my epidural. I knew that it was okay to feel pressure, but I was feeling serious pain; it seemed like the epidural had just skipped out on the left side of my body. Fifteen minutes later, my epidural had been redone (painless) and I was feeling amazing. I had been 8cm before we redid it, so I thought I had at least another hour or two ahead of me to rest. I was excited to take another nap! But then my nurse decided to examine me again just in case. "Well that's why you were in pain!" she said. "You're ten centimeters!"

     Eric was right beside me, feeding me ice out of a cup, and we looked at each other like... No way. "It's time?" he said. "It's time," the nurse told him.

     We called in my mom and my dad and I was starting to push by 8pm. I'll spare you the details and just skip to 8:27, when Vaught arrived. I had never felt so relieved, overjoyed, overwhelmed, and happy all at once. He weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce and was 20 and 1/2 inches long. My nurses and doctor were amazing throughout the whole experience. A few minutes later I was holding him and we let the rest of our visitors come in to meet him. They only stayed for a few minutes though and we didn't pass him around; I told the nurses that I didn't want anyone holding him until we were ready for visitors the following day. Those first few hours were important to me, and I spent most of the night holding him, drifting in and out of sleep.

     I was surprised at how quickly the epidural wore off and how easy it was for me to walk around later that night and early morning. I was prepared for intense pain, but it never came. It was more like a mild soreness that would get a little strong if I stood for too long, but by Friday night I could walk around pretty easily and was ready to do so; I had been sitting for two days straight! We had a room full of visitors Friday night and Vaught finally got to be passed around and admired by his new family. We were glad to be released Saturday morning and were home just shortly after noon.

     Looking back now, it all passed by so fast, and I almost can't believe he's finally here. It's a very surreal feeling... I was still pregnant just a week ago. I spent 9 months preparing for him then suddenly he arrived and it's a very big, very abrupt adjustment.

But a good one.

Our first few days together have been wonderful but a little emotional. He's not the best little sleeper at nighttime, but I know it will get better! I feel great today, but I do have a mild case of the baby blues... There is no greater joy than having a baby, but at the same time it's very overwhelming. My heart gets so full when I look at him, I can't help but cry sometimes. But with each day it gets easier, and I'm slowly starting to feel like myself again. Vaught has a newborn photo session tomorrow, and I am so excited! He's down for his afternoon nap now, so I'm about to go pick out some outfits for him for his pictures. Wish us luck!!!

Fourth Trimester Project

     The fourth trimester project began Friday, September 28th, and is going really well so far. I am resting and recovering but am taking Vaught on a couple of short stroller walks each day. The sun feels soooo good for both of us! My final total pregnancy weight gain (as of last Monday's final prenatal appointment) was 29 pounds. And that was obviously a lot of fluid because I have already lost 24 pounds of it. I kid not; I am 5 pounds from the weight I was at our first appointment February 12th. I'm not calling that number my pre-pregnancy weight because I logged back into my MyFitnessPal account (after several months) I looked back at my weight record and saw what it really was. I am 13 pounds from my precise pre-pregnancy weight, the lowest it was while I was eating and exercising well. It makes me so excited to already be down 24 pounds. I know, I know; it seems like a lot, but keep in mind that I was carrying an 8 pound baby, placenta, and lots of blood and fluid... Yeah, it's pretty gross, but hey, I feel thin for the first time in month! I'm not eating entirely well, which is odd for me. I've never in my life had a problem with not eating, but I think the baby blues have been getting the best of my appetite. I've made a goal to try and eat a little more throughout the day. I definitely don't want to get back to where I was due to a low appetite.

 

6 days postpartum... Where's my big belly?!

     I'm excited to return to the gym maybe towards the end of next week, but in the meantime I'm getting plenty of rest, bonding with our sweet baby boy, and taking it reeeeal easy. I have so many goals I want to reach, and I'm so excited to be back on the road to reaching them.

Pictures



Selfie before leaving for the hospital!

Putting on my pink socks that this one nurse kept asking me to take off!!! Grrrrr.

Our first picture together... Love him so so much.



He's definitely got my "WTF" face!

The day after delivery I craved nothing but fruit!

Ready for all our visitors Friday night!

So in love with this.

I don't wanna go a day without you. I just wanna be the one that makes you happy.