How's everyone doing?

Hi ladies!  How is everyone doing?  How are the pregnancies going and how are the new babies??

Julia is doing great.  Born 20in and 8lb 5 oz she's now 23 1/2in and 12.5 pounds!  She still has all that hair and has me hooked on her cooing.  She eats like a champ and have to say is an excellent traveler!  Very adaptable to new surroundings, we go away a lot with her.  I took her into my office on the train and she loved it!

My weight loss is a big fat ZERO, i start alli just for the mere fact that I'll force myself to eat right so I don't have those awful side affects.  I bought body slimmers at the store and tried on every pair of jeans I could get my hands on to find something I was comfy in.  I didn't care about the size-  I wanted to look sexy and not frumpy but didn't want to SPILL over my jeans!  It's hard shopping and trying things on with a stroller!  People are rude and aisles are tiny!

I'm going back to work 11/3.  I worked a good schedule out with my office.  M, T work-  Wed, OFF; Thursday work, and Friday work from home.  I found a nice lady to watch her, she watches my friends daughter as well.  So Julia will be her third little one; and she won't be bringing anyone else on.  I was lucky.  She's 7 minutes away from my house!

I really need to get this weight off.  I'm just not comfortable in my own skin!  It's hard to get to the gym, and walks just aren't cutting it!

Hope everyone is feeling well and are healthy!

Well, I am now eight weeks along, and I'm just starting to feel bigger.  It's not fun, but I just keep reminding myself that it's because I'm pregnant, not because I'm getting fat!  But it doesn't feel that way.  I am still working out a lot, almost every day, eating well, but my belly feels big.  I think it's just gas, bowel distension (nice) or whatever.  My baby is the size of a raspberry so it's not baby yet!

Can't wait until I'm showing, then maybe I won't feel so... ugh.  Still some weeks to go, though.

Well I'm 27 weeks now and I'm feeling much better than last week. Last week I was having contractions due to my stupid fibroid and the excrutiating pain. I did get to experience what it would be like in the labor room because they put me in one to monitor my contractions and give me pain meds.

Glad to hear you all are doing alright Vanessa! Do you have time to hit the gym? I'm worried about weight loss too. I'm up to 21 pounds gained, but one good thing is that people don't say that I'm big and my doctor said I'm all baby. I'm trying to slow down on eating the junk food, but it is hard. One part of me feels I do deserve to eat whatever I want whenever but another part is telling me I will regret it come December and January(my due date).

I'm also getting very nervous about the labor and birth. I'm trying to wrap my mind around how this little girl is going to come out of me. Like I said I was in so much pain last week and those were only braxton hicks. I can't imagine what the real thing would be like. It's just all so surreal to me. I never thought I would be doing this but I am.

Also everyone around me is getting pregnant. It seems to be in the water. :)

Original Post by vanessa1031:

  It's hard shopping and trying things on with a stroller!  People are rude and aisles are tiny!

I really need to get this weight off.  I'm just not comfortable in my own skin!  It's hard to get to the gym, and walks just aren't cutting it!

Hope everyone is feeling well and are healthy!

Run 'em over. You have leverage. LOL!

I'm enjoying my 12 day old bundle of poo, snuggles and smiles. She changes every day. She is such a good baby too. She only cries when you do middle of the night diaper changes or get her naked when she's not awake fully. I should walk around topless as much as she eats. LOL! Last week she was 7 lbs 12 oz and 21 in. I can't wait to see her growth at the 2 mos appt.

As for me, I am back to pre-pregnancy weight and working on a few additional lbs to go as well as losing inches and toning. I'd been just walking and started introducing weights and calisthenics plus dancing to the mix. Today, I ran! Not my usual several miles, but a respectable 1 1/2 or so. My still not so firm tummy and larger boobs made it hard for me to get a good breathing rhythm, but it will get easier every time. I too get the droopy belly when I lean forward. I need to constantly stand up straight for the most flattering look. Haha!

dog_lady, I think we all went through the "I'm pregnant, not fat!" stage. It'll pass.

nenewa, I'm glad you feel better today. Don't stress over L&D. God made your body to handle childbirth. Labor is called that for a reason, but you will be amazed and proud of what you can do. It's the proudest I've ever been of myself! Be confident. I swear even with natural childbirth this time, the pushing was the most relieving part. It felt good to finally do it. It was like a rush. Just stay calm. I would totally do it again. I forget; are you going natural, epi or c-section?

P.S. You will regret the junk food free for alls! LOL! Enjoy things in moderation or think of substitutes. Maybe share your weaknesses and we can all offer suggestions for substitutes. Remember, it will be harder to stick to a healthful regimen post baby if you don't during the pregnancy...weight gain aside.
 

Hi, i am 18 weeks now and am feeling like a whale but like doglady i am reminding myself that i am pregnant not fat! I have put on 10.8 lbs and am excited to have another little one running around.

i am babysitting right now and they are so cute. You will never hear the word mine more than with two two year olds-ha ha

Anywy, have a great day:)

Yes you are right Shill. I am so jealous that you were able to continue your working out. I was a workout fiend before I got pregnant. I still have some time to resume, but I swear I'm so tired all the time. One good thing is that my weight is going to my hips where it was before so I will just have to work hard to get it off, which I'm confident I can do. I just hope I have the time. So Shill you are breastfeeding right? How much did you gain in total? I can't believe you lost it all already! WOW!!

I'm definitely in the zone of chanting "I'm pregnant, not fat." I've put on almost 25lbs and I'm 28 weeks. (5.9" with a large frame). I'm having a hard time with it because I am keeping track of my food/calories and eating super healthy (sweets only once in awhile, no white refined carbs). Yet I still put on 4lbs in a week this week! I just don't get it! Oh yeah, AND I'm walking 30-60 minutes a day plus other exercises.

Other than that I'm doing really well the only things that are bugging me are the round ligament pain and trying to get comfortable to sleep at night. The baby is moving lots and my husband and I are super excited.

Well, we've been home from the hospital for about 4 days now. John is already on a 3 hour feeding/sleeping schedule which is great. He only cries when we have to clean his circumcision site :( He is such a great baby, just like his sister was. I have been having some trouble with the baby blues since coming home but I'm working on not crying at the drop of a hat! I didn't go through this with my daughter so I feel silly with my emotions so out of control.

We went in on Wednesday to have my staples removed and John checked out--he's at 7 pounds even after losing 8% of his birth weight in the hospital. I feel pretty good but still have a ton of swelling from the surgery. If I remember correctly, it took a good 2 weeks for the swelling to go down with my first c-section. I don't mind walking around looking like I'm 5 months pregnant for another couple weeks!

I really do feel good enough to start exercising but my doctor advised against it. He said even though I feel good, my body is definitely not ready for it. Bah! I have no idea how much weight I've lost at this point because we don't currently own a scale. I've already buckled down on the dieting so we'll be buying one soon.

Vanessa- It took me FOREVER to lose weight the first time around. Breastfeeding just didn't take the pounds off like everyone said it would. After being super strict with what I ate, I did eventually manage to lose it as I'm sure you will, too!

Original Post by bier:

Vanessa- It took me FOREVER to lose weight the first time around. Breastfeeding just didn't take the pounds off like everyone said it would. After being super strict with what I ate, I did eventually manage to lose it as I'm sure you will, too!

 Ditto for me. I was a bit heavier with my first as well and it took me really getting back to a serious workout regimine and diet to lose the weight and look good. Brestfeeding helps, but you have to stick to a healthy diet and exercise to build back muscle tone. Good luck!

Original Post by nenewa:

 So Shill you are breastfeeding right? How much did you gain in total? I can't believe you lost it all already! WOW!!

 I am breastfeeding. I gained exactly the same as with my first pregnancy, 19lbs. I stayed very active this time though. I was riding my bike until the 9th mos and on my feet a lot at school. I know that helped a lot. I am so lucky that I lose it quickly, but the toning and muscle building is the big obstacle. It seems to be going well though. Being my previous weight means nothing when my tummy is still 3 inches fluffier! LOL! I know my boobs are probably a good 2 pounds heavier too!!!! Not as big as I thought they would be though. They are only about a full C. Last time, they were a DD. EEK! That's a lot on my frame. The C's look proportionate. I did get ogled by some dude at the supermarket the other day though. I even had the baby with me. He was hot! HAHA!!!

I bet you feel tired because you are used to working out. It's hard to get back to it when you stop for a while. I felt that way in the first trimester. I was nauseas EVERY DAY! By the time it passed, I had to find a new way to work out. That is why I started bike riding.

I breastfed for 6 weeks.  Shill, you look f'n amazing. 

I'm down five pounds this week.  I think its starting to kick in.  Yay!  my pants are fitting better.  I bought shoes today-  nice and sexy ones too!  Have to get some of my old self back and split it with the mamma thing.  I'll take 25% sexy and 75% mamma!!!i guess its all about balance.  Once I get back to work, I'll get in the swing of things.

Good to hear from all of you!  I've been avoiding cc alittle simply to not face the fact that I'm not comfy in my skin.

But, I want to be healthy for my daughter, teach her a good self image and do EVERYTHING opposite my mother taught me about body image!

I'll write more later!

We're doing great!  Taryn is my champion sleeper.  Sometimes I feel like I don't get to see her enough because she's always sleeping.   

Vanessa, I'm having the same problem.  I'm breast feeding, and I'm not losing weight either.  I lost 20 pounds the first week, and then I just stopped.  I'm so sick of the way I look.  I'm having a hard time figuring out how many calories I should be eating, and I'm having an even harder time trying to even find time to exercise.  Cole has decided that he no longer needs a daytime nap, and my husband hasn't been home in forever (he's working tons of overtime).  I don't get a minute to myself.  I'm reduced to wearing maternity clothes because I literally have no wardrobe to speak of, and I can't afford to go out and buy all new clothes. 

Are you still breast feeding? 

Shill, I'm totally jealous of you!  Congrats on getting back to pre-baby weight so fast!  But I knew you would because you're so active.  I need to think of you everytime I find myself sitting on the couch. 

The problem I'm having right now is the cravings!!  I want pizza all the time.  I've been really good and I work out every day.  I am still counting calories and have only gained about 5 lbs so far.  But it's hard to say no to myself.  I figure that since I'm going to gain weight anyway, might as well enjoy it!

Also having some food aversions.  Don't want to eat chicken - unless it's in a burrito or on a pizza, ha ha.  Lots of things I used to love, I just don't want to eat right now. 

And every night, really crazy dreams.  Anyone else have intense dreams?  I have heard it's because of all the estrogen, but also because I'm waking up more in the night and so I am remembering my dreams more. 

I'm only 9 weeks, so it feels like it'll be an eternity until I actually start showing, let alone actually have this baby.

i had CRAZY dreams when I was preggo from the beggining.  and when they were about the baby I'd wake up and my boobs were leaking.  i had a major aversion to oatmeal-  i loved it, now can't see myself going near the stuff!  it will go by fast!

cecily-  andrew is away too; in fact he's gone this week, so it's me and the baby.  I've given up the hopeful phone call here and there to check in; but whatever-  always an issue I complain about and talk to him about which never changes.  i HATE my body so the only thing that i'm buying are shoes so I feel a little bit better.  not having my own paycheck is really bothering me; but i go back to work 11/3, so all my anxieties about daycare are flooding in.  i'm no longer breastfeeding, formula all the way; wasn't going well b/c she's such a voracious eater-  i did it until 6 weeks with supplementing.  I'll  be going back to work in my maternity jeans, b/c the regular waists on jeans puff my tummy out and i'm not comfortable w/ that look.  I'm wearing the maternity jeans I first wore in my first trimester.  My hips are positively HUGE, my boobs are DEFLATED, I have CELLULITE more than ever before; and my butt is as large as a TRUCK.

I've put myself on such a strict diet; and taking alli.  I'm sitting here eating a toasted FIBER ONE POP TART imagining it to be a warm peice of pie.  I'm measuring everything down to the cremora in my coffee.  Its starting to come off, but only b/c i've been a drill seargent the last week with the food thing.  Writing everything down and tallying up cals at every meal of the day takes the fun out of eating!!!!!!

Original Post by dog_lady:

The problem I'm having right now is the cravings!!  I want pizza all the time.  I've been really good and I work out every day.  I am still counting calories and have only gained about 5 lbs so far.  But it's hard to say no to myself.  I figure that since I'm going to gain weight anyway, might as well enjoy it!

 Try making your own whole wheat english muffin pizzas with healthier choice fresh veggie fixings. I love 'em. If you don't want to do that...Kashi pizzas are YUMMY and super healthful (compared to other pizzas).

Everyone- Thanks for all the compliments. You have no idea how good that makes me feel. Everyone has a different goal and is at a different place. Until I reach mine, I feel the same as each of you. It's good to hear I i nspire people. I try to because it in turn inspires me. I ran 4 miles yesterday (no stopping) and I felt so proud at the end. I just pushed and pushed. Days like that really keep me motivated. I just have to keep telling myself it takes time. I am soooo impatient and I love instant results. I have always been like that. I need to remember to cherish each 1/4 in loss instead of wishing for 1 in. They all add up. LOL!

Vanessa- I don't know much about Alli, but I hope it boosts your diet and allows you to regain control. I think from reading your posts you feel mentally defeated though. Start working on that girl! If you don't really believe you can do it, you won't. We all know you can. If you need any encouragement or advice or anything; you know we all are listening. Remember, the muffin top and cellulite will be the last thing to go. LOL! That is true for anyone.  Get your sweat on and get a clear mind. We love ya.

Vanessa- Being a drill sergent with my diet is what it took for me to lose the weight the first time. I guess our bodies are just stubborn! My husband is back at work and I'm having somewhat of a hard time with it so I can hardly imagine how you feel with him being out of town all the time. There's no shame in going back to work in maternity jeans--they're comfortable! LOL. As more time passes, your body will change yet again and you WILL be happy with it. Mine improved vastly when I lost the baby weight.

Shill- I have to agree...you look fantastic and kick butt! I don't think I've ever run 4 miles non-stop in my life.

I'm trying to walk as much as I can but with the threat of snow this week, it's not good weather to take a 10 day old baby in. We did walk around a petting zoo this past weekend and evidently it was a little too early for my c-sectioned body because I was so sore the next day I could hardly move! I'm also beginning to regain feeling where they severed nerves so that has something to do with it.

I'm also having trouble breastfeeding. I didn't with my first but this time is completely different. Last night my husband had to give the baby formula because he just kept eating and eating and eating until I plain ran out of milk. I'm trying to increase my calories a bit so I (hopefully) make more milk but it hasn't worked so far. I've also considered pumping between feedings but haven't decided on that one yet. Part of it is John's getting to be more active--last night he was awake for 2.5 hours straight. It was crazy!

now I got to get my wife to participating on forums

i have to say if it weren't for you ladies; i WOULD be defeated!  i love our group.  none of my freinds have babies and my sister lives so far away :(  When I broke the number on the scale that I haven't been able to since I had her; it was a great feeling. 

Alli, I have to say, is working so far for me.  No nasty side affects b/c I am being a drill seargent about what I eat!

bier-  where do you live that it's going to snow??  i keep forgetting it's end of october.  i'm in a time warp!!!  julia ate so much too; and I couldn't keep up and i have to say it hurt so bad in the beginning that i called my mother from the car heading home and begged her to get me a pump thinking it would help a little.  I think it did for a while; but then i stopped pumping only because it stopped hurting so much and i loved bonding with her that way in the morning.

i love being a mom.  she's so amazing.  we have so much fun together, and she doesn't care WHAT i'm wearing!!!!!!!!!!!!

Original Post by vanessa1031:

Hi ladies!  How is everyone doing?  How are the pregnancies going and how are the new babies??

Julia is doing great.  Born 20in and 8lb 5 oz she's now 23 1/2in and 12.5 pounds!  She still has all that hair and has me hooked on her cooing.  She eats like a champ and have to say is an excellent traveler!  Very adaptable to new surroundings, we go away a lot with her.  I took her into my office on the train and she loved it!

My weight loss is a big fat ZERO, i start alli just for the mere fact that I'll force myself to eat right so I don't have those awful side affects.  I bought body slimmers at the store and tried on every pair of jeans I could get my hands on to find something I was comfy in.  I didn't care about the size-  I wanted to look sexy and not frumpy but didn't want to SPILL over my jeans!  It's hard shopping and trying things on with a stroller!  People are rude and aisles are tiny!

I'm going back to work 11/3.  I worked a good schedule out with my office.  M, T work-  Wed, OFF; Thursday work, and Friday work from home.  I found a nice lady to watch her, she watches my friends daughter as well.  So Julia will be her third little one; and she won't be bringing anyone else on.  I was lucky.  She's 7 minutes away from my house!

I really need to get this weight off.  I'm just not comfortable in my own skin!  It's hard to get to the gym, and walks just aren't cutting it!

Hope everyone is feeling well and are healthy!

Try some "office" exercises! I think its in Women's Health or something like that. Like Chair Dips or Seated leg raises. They work in a pinch if you can't get to a gym.

Original Post by vanessa1031:

bier-  where do you live that it's going to snow?? 

I live in Kansas City and just after I posted that, they changed the forecast and took snow out of the equation. We get snow in October every few years...with my birthday at the end of the month, I remember celebrating during snow showers many times.

Vanessa- It snowed here where I live in western NY today. Just a few flurries, but still. It's yucky, rainy, sleety, breezy, snowy weather. Blech! No fun with baby.