Can you learn to love your body again?

While I was pregnant with the girls I kept going back and forth in my mind about how I felt about a C-section vs. vaginal birth. I really wanted to have a vaginal birth. Really really. I thought it would be an easier recovery and easier to lose the baby weight (which was 74 LBS!!!) after the babies were born. When the time came though, I wasn't really given the option....pre-eclampsia was in full swing and while they could "try" inducing me, there were absolutely no guarantees that it would work and I could very likely end up with a C-section anyway. So...I opted for the C-section. Good thing I did. When the OB was in there (taking the babies out) he told me there was no way I would have been able to deliver Miss Olivia vaginally, so I would have been forced into a C-section anyhow.

So what's my point with this rant?

Well...I have had a difficult time accepting my post baby body. After being on pelvic rest and a no exercise restriction for the last 6 months of my pregnancy, I felt fat and unhappy. Sexy was by far a thing of the past. Post C-section my tummy was anything but toned (more like deflated balloon!). I am sure many many of you share my sentiment. So, once I was given the okay, I started trying to tone my body again in my "free" time (HA). Unfortunately I continued to weigh the same from 3 months post birth to 8 months post birth. It was very disheartening. Then for the last 4 months I decided to change things up. I have been doing 75 sit ups every day, speed-walking a mile, and done other miscellaneous toning exercises (and a smidge of yoga) along with watching what I eat.

The results?

As of the girlies 1 year birthday, I am only 3.1 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight!!! Can you believe that?! Now of course my body is never going to actually be the same as it was pre baby girls, but I can go and buy (relatively form fitting) clothes and feel comfortable in my skin again! 71 lbs...that is just crazy!!! It took me a FULL YEAR to get there....I'm just glad I kept working on it!

Now here's to hoping that once I stop breastfeeding I don't gain any of it back! Fingers crossed! And then of course I still have 20 lbs to go before I hit my pre-IVF weight....I'm not holding my breath...

So for full disclosure....

Here's me 6 weeks pregnant with the girls (documentation picture of what size I was going into it - lol)

Before giving birth to my two princesses:

Now, 1 year post babies (no spankx or any other suck me in's involved!):

Sure, my body is totally different, and I still have the extra "deflated balloon" skin, but I'm okay with it =). My OB said if/when he delivers our next/final child (via C-Section) that he will go ahead and do a tummy tuck free of charge....sweet....

So, where are you in your post baby weight loss journey? Is it something you are having to constantly work on? What has helped you lose the weight that you have lost so far? If you have lost all of your baby weight, have you been able to keep it off?

Oh, and a breastfeeding update since I just brought it up....I am in the process of weaning. I am pumping 3 x a day now, and Bri has stopped nursing entirely, even in the mornings. My supply has dropped significantly in the last 3 weeks, so I suspect in another week or two I will be able to stop pumping all together. Bittersweet! The girls don't need it anymore though, so I'm okay with it =)

Okay, that's all for now!
Have a great weekend ladies!

Megan

We are ONE!!

Happy 1 year Birthday Olivia and Brianna!

As of 8:59 and 9:00 PM tonight, Olivia and Brianna (respectively) are officially 1 year old. And what a wonderful year it has been! I can't believe how much our lives have changed in one short year.
In the beginning....

Now....

WOW...WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!

So what’s new with our precious little one year olds? (Oh geez, I have a hard time even saying that!)

We are becoming more and more independent every day. We are very interested in what is going on around us and how things work. We are incredibly curious. We have figured out how to flush the toilet, open up drawers and cabinets, unroll the roll of toilet paper, and empty the trash can. We aren’t trouble makers at all! They also both love the water and the hair dryer and insist on assisting mommy in the bathroom every single morning while she gets ready for work. I don’t mind one bit =)

Okay, so now on to toddler (yikes!!) specific facts for 1 year…

Miss Olivia – AKA “Baby A”

Favorite activity: Cruising the furniture, playing peek-a-boo, reading books
Mobility: She is cruising like a wild woman! She will take a couple of steps between two pieces of furniture, but can not walk unassisted yet. She is making an effort to stand unassisted, and she loves her new push carts that she got for her birthday, so it's just a matter of time before she is walking. Crawling is still her preferred mode of transportation.
Favorite food: NOT CAKE! LOL! I would say mashed potatoes, pancakes, and any sort of puffs or food that she can eat easily on her own are her favorites
Personality: Drama Queen, yet very tender hearted. Very outgoing. Is waving at everyone, especially daddy, mommy, and sister first thing in the morning and any time any one leaves the room or the building (LOL). Wants to be involved in everything that is going on. Definitely very observant. Also very smiley =).
Favorite Person: Still Daddy!
Teeth: 4 currently, 2 on top and 2 on bottom cutting 5&6 (both on bottom) as we speak
Words: Da-da, ma-ma, hey, yep, ut oh, hi
Can sign: "All Done" and "More" on occasion

Miss Brianna - aka "Baby B"

Favorite activity: Splashing in the bathtub, playing in the dog water, and anything that lets her be outside for any extended period of time
Mobility: WALKING! AHHHHH! She started walking last Thursday (October 6th). She took 5 unassisted steps from her daddy to the middle of the floor. Since then she has continued to take unassisted steps, but so far not any more than 10 at one time. She still prefers crawling to any other mode of transportation. Well, other than being picked up and carried around...that is still by far her preference...
Favorite food: Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, triple berry ricotta pancakes, cake (LOL), shredded cheese, grapes, and puffs. And you, little peanut, still nurse first thing in the morning =).
Personality: Shy/Reserved. Will smile at and interact with you, but has to warm up to you first. Loves to be around others. Does not often enjoy being the center of attention...unless there is cake involved (hehe). Loves to chatter away while she is eating.
Favorite Person: Mommy or Papa Ken, depending on the day
Teeth: 6 – 4 on top, 2 on the bottom
Words: Da-da, Ma-Ma, yep, oh, thank you, hi, hey
Can sign: "Milk" and "All Done"

You little princesses are growing up TOO fast!!!! Mommy and Daddy love you both so so much and can't fathom life without you! We are so honored to be your parents!

Until next time -
Megan

Our 1st Birthday Party!!

Olivia and Brianna are officially 1 year old today! Ahhh! I will do an updated 1 year post shortly, but the girls birthday party was Saturday and so I figured I should probably go ahead and post about it!

The girls had an absolute BLAST at their party! We packed as many people as we possibly could into our home, the girls played with their friends, were held by lots of people they hadn't seen in a while, and enjoyed some super tasty cake. Well - Bri enjoyed the cake anyway - Olivia screamed bloody murder when we put it in front of her and cried even harder when we put some in her mouth. She is not a cake girl apparently! Bri however took every opportunity to get messy getting less cake in her mouth than she did just about anywhere else. She had a great time!!

Here are some pictures from the party!
The cake(s) that Aunt Bridget made (they were SOOOO good)...

The Happy Birthday banner Auntie Renee made for us....

The monkey door hangers I ordered (super cute!)....

The girls awaiting their cake....(note the "I am 1" monkey highchair banners =))

The girls post cake on their plate (see poor Livvy just screaming?!)

And Bri still eating her cake...10 minutes later....

I realized after the fact that I didn't really get any good pictures of the girls in their little birthday dresses...bummer....not that they were special birthday specific dresses anyway, but still, I totally spaced taking their pictures in them! Here's what I do have....the girls were checking out their massive collection of birthday presents=)

Thanks to everyone who came and who sent their birthday wishes from afar! We love you all!

Until next time -
Megan