Three days ago it was Michael's 3 month birthday! Yes, 3 months ago I was making a rapid postpartum recovery all the while marveling at the awful, yet wonderful labor and delivery and the little miracle that arrived promptly at 4:40am. (I think...:) I attribute everything going so well to everyone's faithful prayers and our Father's bountiful blessings He continues to bestow on us all through His grace. Thank you all for your concerns and dedicated prayers - I know it would have fared very differently had we neglected such an essential aspect to this whole past pregnancy and delivery. I truly felt covered in prayers!
Shaking this previous pregnancy's weight off hasn't been such a breeze, but then, I didn't expect it would. If I had trouble with the first, there is no doubt the third would be triple the difficulty, right? Well, I am happy to say after experimenting with various food ratios, caloric counting techniques and fun new exercise videos, I have fallen back on my old standby that has gotten me real results after the other two children. I simply stick to a very simple meal plan that has been tried and tested by me and exercise my *ahem* off! Yes, that Burn it Up DVD is a miracle - especially to my lower half! So, I am happy to announce that two weeks into my old routine has produced a 3 1/2 lb weight loss! Yeah! What is my secret you ask? Ha! Would it matter? Everyone's body responds differently to diets, so mine is just tailored to fit me - it might not help others, but if you're curious, I will indulge you if you insist.
We are continuing to make improvements to our home. Even though Seth has taken some more time off work, he is never idle! Right now we have removed to old entertainment center and large family table from the living room and have replaced it with a beautiful 120 gal. aquarium. I love the way the room feels so much more spacious and the aquarium adds a unique atmosphere. We will eventually have a flat screen mounted to the wall, but for now we are enjoying to novelty of a family room without a tv! :) Seth has also built another shelf for our pantry and plans to build at least three more in various rooms of our house to help with organization. I am so thrilled and blessed to be married to such a handy man!
Well, I need to get ready for bed. Okay, in all honestly, I need to exercise, shower off, put a load of clothes in the dryer and then crash! Wish me luck!
Jace Ephriam's Birth Story!
13 years ago
6 comments:
Well, what do you know? You have a blog! I found you! :) Hi there :) Good to find another Christian mommy on the internets...
Well firstly... How did your night go??? Also, how did the Indian meal turn out? The Naan?
Now, your new living room sounds amazing! Very unique, and much more fun for children to watch the beautiful aquarium. I can't wait to see it myself! I love changing my house around. Even if it's little things (like today, I used a pot I bought from Hobby Lobby to put out our shell collection).
I'm impressed with your post-partem weight loss and workout success. If I were where you are when Elyana was 3 months old... Wow. I'd be back to my normal self now. But I guess I'm learning. I have had a lot of pride from the start, so I know part of it's been a learning experience for me about judging others, working harder than I ever have, denying myself, self-discipline, and a bunch of other things.
Ok, talk to you later
Lisie,
Ok, so I can't remember how to spell your name! I know, that is like the height of rudeness, but I was never, ever a good speller! Anyway, good to hear from you. We were praying your loooong drive went well. I love reading your blogs - especially when they include little tidbits of dialogue from your children - they are so adorable!
Denise,
Well, I actually got caught up reading your and Haley's blog updates, so I never exercised, but I did manage to do everything else. It is really hard to work up the motivation to work out in the evenings when I am already pooped! The Indian meal was fabulous! I am so glad Carter made it on my "cheat" day so I could pig out and thoroughly enjoy everything! The Naan turned out good, but I think I killed most of the yeast so it didn't rise very well. Still all yummy though!
Your house is always so beautiful - I wish I had your knack for decorating. I don't even have much seasonal decorations save a few candles! I need to be better at making a house a home. Seth usually will buy things to make it more homey!
You looked incredible after Elyana. I've never seen anyone look so good. I was honestly astonished when I saw the first pic of you after she was born 6 days later and you were giving her a bath. It was hard not to be jealous! The way I put it is, "I don't need another reason to hate you!" But, you've set a wonderful example for our sisters and made me so much more determined to watch my weight with Michael's pregnancy. It is definitely a learning experience and it takes more hard work and self-discipline than most people realize to look good after a baby! Love you!
Karen,
I was just looking back through your posts... How's Michael's eczema? Both my kids had it-- Sofi quite badly, Judah only mildly. With both the main help I found was to limit the amount of bathing to just once or twice a week and to eliminate soap altogether. Virgin Olive Oil has cleansing properties, so I used that in their baths. After it was a little under control they went back to bathing more regularly (they both love baths!) with plain water. Even today, at ages two and seven, they only use a very mild baby cleanser and only about twice a week. Water baths/showers (for Sofi) are only every other day.
Sofi's eczema was quite bad. Her little bum had bleeding sores and rough red and white blotchy patches behind her knees and in her elbow crooks, poor baby :( We did get a scrip from the dr to use on the bits that bled. But the olive oil cleared that up fairly reliably and the ointment was used sparingly.
Lisi,
Thanks so much for your advice concerning Michael's eczema. We've found out that, like you mentioned, less is better for him. I give him baths every three days or so and I only use an organic body wash on him. I've tried the olive oil on his skin after bathing him, but I didn't think to put it in his bath water, so I will have to try that and let you know how it turns out. We feel like the less we put on him (creams, lotions, soaps, etc) the better his skin gets and we are using a hypoallergenic laundry detergent on his clothes. His skin is improving every day! His main problem area now is his scalp which is very dry. It looks like a mapping of dry patches all on the top of his head. His hair is balding on the sides and his scalp is getting better there. I think his condition will clear up eventually. If you have a mild bath soap you recommend please let me know. Poor little Sophi, I am so sorry to hear she had it so badly, but I'm glad it cleared up for her and Judah!
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