Top Mommy Picks Postpartum!

I can't believe our little stinker is already two months old!  It seems like yesterday we were leaving the hospital with no idea of what we'd gotten ourselves into.  Now we (think) have Mr. Jace's routine figured out and life is slowly getting somewhat normal, a new normal.  In my two months postpartum I've discovered a few things that have proven tried and true in making life a little easier.  I think it is safe to say these are my top mommy picks thus far and I'd highly recommend them to any new mommy!

1. Comfy nursing bras:   Comfy nursing bras are a must, especially for new moms or new at nursing mommas.  My favorites are from Motherhood Maternity.  I prefer the sleep/sports nursing bras as long as we aren't going out anywhere.  Nursing bras with an underwire can be a little uncomfortable just for days at home. 

2. Lanolin cream: This is a LIFESAVER for nursing mommas.  The first few weeks of breastfeeding can be torture for your nipples.  I use the Lansinoh Lanolin Cream and it has worked wonderfully for me. 

 

 3. Nipple shields: Speaking of sore nipples!  If your little one is having trouble latching on in the first few weeks and it is causing them and you to stress, as well as making it feel as if your nipples are on fire--get a nipple shield!  I used the Avent nipple protectors and couldn't have been happier.  The shield makes it easier for baby to latch, resulting in less pain for momma.  I would have probably given up on breastfeeding altogether had it not been for these guys!

4. Breastpump: When I first had Jace and nursing wasn't as easy as it is now, having a pump was so handy.  Many women don't like to introduce their newborns to bottles until after at least two months. I thought I was going to be one of these moms.  But after many fussy times and figuring out Jace wasn't getting as much to eat as he should be, I decided to try pumping so I could make sure he was getting enough to eat.  I use the Medela Swing breastpump and LOVE it; it makes pumping such a breeze.  It is just a single pump but works wonderfully for as little as I need it.  Having a pump has also come in handy when I leave Jace with someone.  It makes it easy for grandparents and Anthony to feed Jace without always having to use formula!

5. Americaine spray: This.stuff.is.awesome!  The nurses at the hospital gave me two bottles to bring home and I went right through those suckers.  Americaine spray is pretty much the same as Dermoplast.  It is designed to help soothe/numb the pain in your lady parts after giving birth.  This isn't the only thing it helps, but obviously this is the symptom it helps relieve regarding postpartum purposes.  I had a 2nd degree tear with Jace, so this spray was amazing in the weeks following his birth while I was trying to heal.  Usually your hospital will provide either Americaine or Dermoplast.  If you are unsure if they do, I highly recommend getting some for when you come home!

Comfy clothes, fuzzy socks/slippers, and a nice, soothing bubble bath are also a few of my favs that have been used quite frequently within the past two months.  What are some of your top postpartum mommy products?

-Megan

Clean House: Weekly Cleaning!

I love lists and charts (but then again what mom doesn't??)  As a stay at home mom to a two month old, the weekly "chores" around the house can sometimes be forgotten. :)  The easiest way for me to keep track of what needs to be done and what has already been done is by creating a chart (I'm always looking for an excuse to make one.)

**Click to enlarge**

I like to split the tasks up throughout the week, doing the least amount of laundry/cleaning on the weekend.  A momma's job is never done, but I like to take less time "working" during the weekend and more time spending it with Anthony and Jace.  

You'll notice I divide the rooms up and sort the type of laundry done each day.  I like to list each task that has to be done so that when I finish I can check it off; it helps me feel more accomplished!  This chart/list is by no means all of the cleaning I do, it is simply a basic reference to post on my fridge to help throughout the week.  If I don't have time to finish something one day then I can see it needs to still be done the following day.

Feel free to print your own copy if this particular chart will work for you!  Just click the photo to enlarge it, right click on it, then click "print picture."

What are some of your favorite house cleaning tips??

-Megan

DIY: Burp Cloths

 

Raising a baby isn't cheap.  In fact, I think we spend more money on Mr. Jace in a month than I do on myself, but that's okay--he's worth it. ;)  Ever since I found out I was pregnant I was so excited to start making things for the baby.  Blankets, curtains, and burp cloths were just a few of my first projects.  Now that Mr. Jace is here I am finding more and more things I am able to sew myself in order to save a dime here and there.

The burpies I made are super easy to sew and you can make a ton with just a yard of two different fabrics.  The best part is that you can pick and choose your own materials to match the babies nursery theme/decor!

Let's begin!

What You'll Need:

- 18" x 8" piece of cotton fabric

- 18" x 8" piece of matching minky, chenille, or fleece fabric (terry cloth or pre-fold cloth diapers work as well)

- Matching thread (I matched mine to the minky fabric)

1. Start by washing and drying all of your fabric to preshrink it.  Then cut equal 18" x 8" pieces, adding 1/2" for the seam allowance.

2. Place the pieces with right sides facing one another and pin in place around the edges.

3. Begin sewing a 1/2" seam making sure to leave a 1 1/2" - 2" opening on one side in order to flip the material right side out.  Remember to backstitch about 1/2" when starting and stopping around this opening.

4. Remove the pins, clip your corners, and turn the burp cloth right side out.

5. At this point I like to iron the fabric so it lays better while creating a top stitch.  **Do not iron the minky material, only the cotton!  The heat will ruin the fabric.  Once ironed, pin around the edges and sew a 1/4" top stitch on all sides (this will close the turning hole.)

And voila, you have a handmade burpie for your little one!

-Megan

Weight Loss: 2 Months PP with Jace

This is me on Anthony and my honeymoon a month before I became pregnant with Jace.  I weighed 138 pounds. 

You'll have to excuse the lovely face I'm making.  We were deep sea fishing and that face could mean any number of things! :)

This is me ten months later, forty weeks and one day pregnant, 176 pounds, and heading out the door to the hospital to welcome Mr. Jace into this world.

From point A (our wedding day) to point B (Jace's birth) I gained a total of almost forty pounds.  Many of you have been wondering how I seemed to lose the "baby weight" so quickly after his birth.  I'll quickly fill you in on how I gained it, then catch you up to where I stand today!

When Anthony and I got married (a year ago today--how ironic) I lost ten pounds right before the wedding due to stress.  All through college and even after I graduated my weight was always somewhere between 140 and 155.  Lets just say I put on the "freshman fifteen" without any desire to lose it. Oh, and let me also mention I'm only 5'6".

In September, the month after we got married, we found out we were pregnant!  Our joy was short lived when we learned we had lost the baby at five weeks gestation.  My emotions (and weight) were all over the place.  Dealing with trying to learn how to be a wife since I was newly married, finding out just a few short weeks later we were going to be parents, and then realizing not long after that we were no longer expecting and had lost our little blessing.  I can't tell you how much weight I gained up until this point, but it was somewhere around ten pounds.

The very next month after we lost the baby we conceived Jace!  What a blessing and total surprise.  It wasn't until my six week prenatal visit with him that I learned how much weight I'd gained since the wedding and all that had been going on.  I weighed in at 149 pounds on my very first prenatal visit but know that my weight gain at that point had nothing to do with my pregnancy with Jace.  I actually didn't start gaining weight while I was pregnant with him until at least my second trimester!

I gained a total of twenty-five pounds while I was pregnant with Jace.  From time to time towards the end I would gain a few and then lose them again.  I hate to exercise, and even while I was pregnant I didn't exercise much--I just walked a ton!  

The day I came home from the hospital after having Jace I weighed somewhere in the mid 160s.  I thought for sure I would automatically lose more weight than that since I hadn't put on much in the first place, but I guess I was wrong.  Gradually over the next few weeks I'd shed a pound at a time.  At this point I didn't have the OK from the doc to exercise, so any weight I lost was from breastfeeding and just watching what I ate (sorta.)

Fast forward to my six week check-up where I am free to start exercising again.  Remember the part where I said I hate to exercise?  Well, that hasn't changed.  The only exercise I have done is run around taking care of Jace and the occasional walk around the neighborhood after supper.  In three days I'll be two months postpartum and I currently weigh 153 pounds; four pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight (but by no means where I'd like to be!)

This isn't the best picture to tell any progress, but its all I've got right now.  This was taken yesterday at 8 weeks postpartum before celebrating our anniversary.

I attribute my weight loss to breastfeeding and a change in my diet.  With a newborn, even if I enjoyed exercising I think it would be hard to find time in the day to do any kind of serious working out, but that's just me.  So, Anthony and I decided we would just change the way we were eating so we at least had that part on track.  I say Anthony and I because it was mainly his idea.  He is such a big support person and has really helped keep me on track with my eating since we started this whole shebang a few weeks ago.

So what exactly does "change the way we eat" mean?  Well we both love soda and I especially love my sweets!  Instead of going crazy all-out and eating only baked chicken and brown rice we just decided I'd stop buying junk snacks and start buying more fresh fruits, veggies, and other healthy snack foods.  We cut out soft drinks (meaning we don't keep them in the house, but will have the occasional soda if we are out to eat, etc.) and try to drink water, juices, or soy milk. We only buy whole wheat pasta, bread, rice etc.  We also limit the amount of sauce/dressing we eat on foods and monitor the portions of food we eat.  It has been so much easier than I thought.  I think because we don't deprive ourselves of sweets or treats, we just limit them tremendously.

Now I am by no means a profesisonal dietician and neither is Anthony, this is just what we decided to do for ourselves and it has been working wonderfully.  Since we started this little change two and a half weeks ago I have lost six pounds!  It is amazing how much better I feel!

I mentioned previously I am by no means weight-wise where I'd like to be but I am trying to have realistic expectations and just take this whole thing day by day.  I can't expect too much without much effort in the exercise department!  My goal is to get back down to the 130s, ideally around 135.  That is a healthy weight for someone of my height, and I'm content with that.  I'm not trying to become some supermodel after all!

I'd like to do weekly updates between my blog and my YT vlog channel so check back if you're interested in my weight loss journey!  Thanks for stoppin' by!

-Megan

Welcome to "Life As We Know It"

Hey ya'll and welcome to my blog!  Most of you may recognize me from my YouTube Vlog Channel "BBmakes3" where I documented the journey of my pregnancy with my son, Jace.  Now I make random weekly vlogs on there and thought it was time to create a blog where I could share more of my random life, crafty ideas, yummy recipes, and frugal lifestyle tips my husband and I live by, (as well as anything else that may come up!)  Thanks for joining me and be sure to come back!

-Megan