The "Befores"

So, I'm nervous about doing this but I'm going to go ahead and just do it.

I FEEL FAT.

I know, I know, I just had a baby (9 weeks ago tomorrow!).  I don't like the way I look.  This stomach pooch is too much for me.  I don't feel sexy.  I don't feel beautiful.  I feel blah.

Confession: I'm still wearing my maternity jeans, every day. 

Even bigger confession:  I never stopped wearing them in between my pregnancies.

There.  I said it.

The problem is that I have NO IDEA what to do and how to fix it.  I've never been on a diet or exercise program.  When I Google those two words the results are ENDLESS!  I have no idea what would work for me.

What has worked for you?  I'm open to any and all suggestions.  Keep in mind that I'm breastfeeding. I also don't have a lot of time in between caring for a newborn and chasing after a toddler.

For now I am just going to try and make healthier choices where possible.

And here's what I've been dreading.  The "before" pictures:

(Don't ask me why the scale picture won't turn right side up)

Liquid Gold

Today I am mourning the loss of liquid gold.  Let me explain.

There's this doctor.  He's trying to figure out why my one eyelid looks like this:

To do that, the doctor ordered a CT Scan.  I had that scan this morning.  What he failed to tell me was that I couldn't breastfeed for 48 hours after the scan.

Fine, right?  Maybe he didn't know I was breastfeeding, right?  Except that while I was sitting in the chair right in front of him, having my eyes checked etc....I WAS BREASTFEEDING OWEN!

Still shouldn't be THAT big of a deal you say? Owen has only ever CHOKED back on two ounce bottle and now he was going to have to go to straight bottles.

Luckily enough I had a minimal freezer stash of pumped breast milk I could give him.  We are QUICKLY running through that.

Here comes the "Liquid Gold".  While Owen is being given bottles I need to keep pumping in order to keep my supply up.  I then have to pour this super valuable (aka Liquid Gold) down the drain.

But, I decided to make lemonade out of this lemon and partake of a few missed beverages! :)

Baby Jacob

So, before Owen was born we bought Austin a doll.  Our intention was to give Austin the doll FROM Owen so that he had a baby to take care of as well. 

I decided to name the doll for him since anytime you ask him what a toy's name is he'd say "Autin" (Austin).  I always liked the name Jacob but those of you who know us well enough to know our last name would understand why Jake wouldn't work.

Anyways, Austin and I were playing with his toys the other night during a random "Owen-is-sleeping" moment.  He picked up "Jaybob" and told me "EAT!" so I asked him to show me how he feeds his baby.

Below is the result:

1 hour date

So I've been thinking for a while that Isaac and I haven't been out by ourselves for a very.long.time.  We were overdue.  We dropped the boys off at the in-laws house and went to Coffee Culture in Exeter.  I ordered a hot chocolate, Isaac asked for a cafe-mocha and we decided to share a piece of chocolate cake.

We sat down at a table (all the big comfy arm chairs were occupied) and proceeded to eat, talk and sip.  After a few mouthfuls of my hot chocolate Isaac asked me if I had drank out of the opposite side of the cup.  I said no and looked to see why he was asking.  There was a lipstick lip mark.  I don't wear, or even OWN lipstick.  Eww.

These things seem to happen to me.  I've had hair, bugs and twist ties in my food in various restaurants.  I don't know if I just notice these things more then the average person.

Isaac brought the mug back up to the counter and the girl's excuse was that "It's hard to get lipstick off."  I don't care how hard it is, you do it!  And you don't give out a mug that is still dirty!  Isaac's too nice though.  So I got a new mug with a new drink.

When we were leaving, Isaac wanted to get a muffin for breakfast the next morning.  The owner(?) was the one that served him.  She had her daughter(? 8-10 years old maybe) behind the counter with her.  I was nice and told her that one of her signs was backwards.  So it's the daughter that is reaching her hands and arms over all the trays of food to reach to the front of the display case to turn the sign around.  Lovely, I'm pretty sure that's not very sanitary.

Not sure if we'll be returning.

Followers?

Wow, I didn't really think anyone was even reading this blog yet and now I've got two followers!  Exciting, thanks!  BUT it doesn't show me who you are.  Comment here or send me an email to let me know.

6 weeks

I can't believe that Owen is 6 weeks old already (yesterday).  These weeks have gone by so much faster with Owen then they did with Austin, probably because I've got the two boys to take care of.

Owen did NOT sleep well last night.  And, of course, I was sick last night too.  Trying to care for a crying baby while feeling like crying myself was not fun.  I'm feeling a little better now and Owen has had a laid back morning so hopefully it was just a one off.

We slept in pretty late this morning because we were up so often last night.  Owen slept pretty well once we brought him into bed with us.  When I went to go get Austin up he was STARK NAKED.  Apparently he had been awake for a while and got quite bored waiting for us to come get him.  Luckily he didn't have a dirty diaper, this time!

Isaac took Austin with him today to the Lucan Lanes to go bowling for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  I'm grateful for the break and glad that Austin is getting some quality time with Daddy.

John (my father-in-law) has been here for the last few hours breaking a hole in the cement floor in the basement to install a second sump pump to try and help with the flooding issue.  I really hope this fixes the problem because it's been quite the ordeal so far.

Wet Basement

Sigh, the joy of Spring. Our basement has been flooding. Nothing crazy like five feet of water or anything, but still, water, in the house. :( The first time we noticed it the sub pump seemed to be clogged. It was constantly running. You could tell because it was making waves in the "pond". I like Spring so much more then Winter (even though this isn't really Spring yet, just a random warm period) but I don't love this particular effect. Bring on Summer I say. There's nothing wrong with that!

Stupid Bank!

Oh grr.  I am NOT happy with my bank tonight.  I checked my bank account tonight and noticed a $40 charge that SHOULD NOT BE. 

A while ago I was having a hard time remembering to pay my Master Card bill on time.  Solution: Set up an automatic bill payment through my bank.  That should fix it right?  WRONG! 

I'm still trying to get used to the reduced income that maternity leave has brought me.  We are NOT poor.  We HAVE money, it just wasn't in the right account.  I swear.

Tell me, if you have an automatic bill payment set up and you DON'T have enough money in that account, what happens?  It just doesn't go through, right?  Alternatively, if you set up an automatic withdrawl with the credit card company and the money is not in the account, you get charged with an NSF, right? 

Well, I didn't have enough money in my chequing account and was charged a $40 NSF charge (you could probably tell based on this rant).

I am beyond pissed.  I'm sure it's probably written in the fine print somewhere but I will definitely be calling tomorrow morning to complain and hopefully get the charge reversed.

Nap time!

Oye.  So I just put my non-napping toddler down for a nap.  He's been soo tired today (laying all over the floor etc) that I figured it was necessary.  This child has not had a regular nap for probably close to a year.  I followed his bedtime routine (milk, books, goodnight lights, music, hugs and kisses).   He FREAKED.  He's still crying 8 minutes later, although it's less dramatic. I really hope he goes to sleep, even if it's just for a half hour or so.

Hmm, 10 minutes in and all is quiet.  Owen is sleeping right now too.  This is nice.  Hmm, I wonder if I make this a regular happening...

Anyone have any suggestions for starting a 22 month old on a regular nap schedule?