Postpartum Wins & Losses

In order to end on a positive note, lets begin with the annoying topic of postpartum hair loss. In all fairness, I was warned that this would happen. But it didn't happen until about 2.5 months after Bendelle was born, so I thought I was one of the lucky ones and in the clear. I definitely shed a lot before I got pregnant, and my hair was definitely amazingly strong during pregnancy, but my hair now sheds more than ever before. It's the worse when Bendelle is sucking on her hands and I see a strand of hair wrapped around her little fingers. Any of you mama's who have dealt with this have a solution that worked for you?? Would love to hear it.

On the upside, I went on my first run since I was 20 weeks pregnant! I was definitely active throughout my whole pregnancy and have been active since Bendelle was born, going on long walks and short hikes with the family, but for me, working out means sweating. And it felt so good to hit the road again . . . even if I did feel a little nauseous in the beginning. I am planning on taking it slow in the running department, and make sure I am really in-tune with my body, because now I have a little one who depends on it! I think the most important thing to remember when getting back into shape after a baby is to go at your own pace and not compare yourself to friends or anyone else and how quickly they got their bod back. I saw this on Pinterest the other day, and loved it:

 

On a different note, my baby is almost 4 months old! And in February I will be 312 months old! Haha. I can't believe that last year at my birthday party I was hiding the fact that I was a month pregnant! I think from now on our birthdays will take the backseat, as we have a baby now and will be throwing her little parties for the next . . . who knows how many years! As long as I get to be with family and my sister makes me the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted in the world, I will be more than happy.

Happy Saturday everyone!

xoxo

Fun days off :)

I can't believe that Valentines Day is less than a month away! I know some people hate Valentines Day, but I'm such a cheeseball and I naturally love every holiday. Plus it's my best friend Amanda's birthday! ;)

It's not like Aaron and I go all out, but we usually do try to do something special, like cook a fancy dinner together accompanied by some kind of chocolate or dessert. And I have been DYING to see 50 Shades of Grey, so hopefully Amanda and I will see it together!!

This past weekend was great--my mom and sister came up for the three days and I got to catch up on some serious sister bonding. Aaron and I went out a couple of times and hosted a yummy shrimp pad thai dinner, and then my mom babysat a couple of times once Aaron had to go back to work and my sister and I went out to eat together and ran some errands by ourselves. It is crazy to think that the last time that probably happened was when I was pregnant!

During the week Aaron had a few days off so we went out to breakfast and lunch a few times with Bendelle. We also took Bendelle and the pups to Lake Hemet one day, and let the pups run wild. They had a blast chasing the ball and watching the ducks on the lake. It was so sweet to see them so excited. We drove around Garner Valley, and looked at all the farms and explored a little. Later that night Aaron made me my favorite pasta dish ever--bowtie with sun dried tomatoes and roasted red pepper. It seriously was a perfect day. :)

Little Miss Bendelle is truly the sweetest little thing I have ever laid eyes on, and it is such a blessing to see her grow and change on a daily basis. Some of our silly nicknames for her are Miss Milk (due to her obsession), Pterodactyl (because of her loud screams--this is one dad gave her in the very beginning), Little Miss B, Baby Blue Eyes, Little Belle, Cherub, Queen Bee, Sweet Cheeks and of course mama's/daddy's girl.


Hope everyone has a great weekend!!
xoxox

3 months my mini

My little mini is 3 months old! Being a mom is definitely the hardest but most rewarding job I have ever experienced. I love this new chapter of our lives and feel blessed that I have someone I am truly in love with to be part of this adventure with me.

So at 3 months Bendelle is a big talker--at least she thinks so. ;) I love her attempts to talk and can't imagine when (real) words start spilling out of her mouth! She says "mama" a lot (usually when she's crying). And although I've been repeating it to her (a bagillion times) and got really excited when I heard her say it, I'm aware she has no idea what it means.

She is more interactive now than ever, and I love that she is starting to play with her toys and reach for things. It also means she gets bored very quickly, so we are constantly bouncing around from station to station. Earlier today we played with her little piano Aaron and I gave her for Christmas. It was fun watching and hearing her play press the little keys.

More than anything she loves looking at herself in the mirror. Most of the time she loves her playmat because it is so interactive, but as I mentioned before she usually only lasts about 10-15 minutes at any given station. She does not like to sit still, and prefers if we hold her and dance around the house 24/7. I am convinced this is how I will lose those last 3 pounds pregnancy gifted me.

She has really always had great eye contact, and I love that about her. She is so alert all the time and just seems wise beyond her months.

And although I love her so, sooo much, I have to admit (I think anyone who really knows her would admit) that she is a colicky little baby. But you know what? It just makes me even more grateful for all the moments she is happy and content.

Aaron and I had a wonderful weekend together. We were able to go on nice family walks, spend a day being productive down in the desert, and cooked a couple of gourmet meals together. We made a Mediterranean halibut one night and a halibut piccatta the following night. It was sooooooooooo bomb. I seriously could eat the piccatta every night. 

Annnd dessert!

Hello 2015.

What a great year 2014 has been to us! From continuing to making our house a home, to starting off the year by getting pregnant, 2014 has been one wild, beautiful ride.

I can't believe that we literally started our year off with a bang by getting pregnant in the beginning of January. By my 25th birthday, a month later, I already knew before peeing on the stick that I was knocked up. It's funny how in-tuned to your body you become once you get pregnant and have a baby. And it's amazing how much my body has changed and gone through over the course of this year. While I'm not too crazy about my new-found tiger stripes, I am more thankful than ever for my body and the miracle it has created.

We brought in the New Year with our best friends (our oldies but goodies), and I wouldn't have it any other way. We opened Christmas gifts from each other, ate pizza, played games (oooh Cards Against Humanity), and went out to eat for dinner. I love our friends for being patient with us as we circled around outside until Bendelle was calm enough to take inside, and for helping me change Bendelle after she had a HUGE blowout in the first five minutes of being in the restaurant (why don't all bathrooms have changing tables??). Nevertheless, it was nice to have company and come home to a snowy, cozy home and watch the ball drop (three hours later) while we brought in the New Year.

The next morning we had mini chocolate croissants and went up to Humber Park to play in the snow with the pups (which was a little to hectic for my taste, with all the tourists, carrying around a baby, and trying to keep Bennet from eating random old ladies). But the dogs loved it, so that's all that matters. I have to say though, it amazes me how crazy some people are, trying to push their little cars up the hill without chains or four wheel drive, as they skid down the road with their whole family shoved in the backseat, putting everyone in danger. But at least it was kind of entertaining . . .

Obviously a goal for me this year is to be the best mom I can be. I have always wanted to have kids, and now that we finally have our first, I want her to always know the love and support of her parents. I want to work on being more patient, and continuing to practice gratitude, and recognize all that we do have, instead of the few things we don't have. And as my relationship with Aaron is the most important relationship I have, I want to continue to grow stronger as a couple and work on being in the moment with him (Milena, put that cell phone down!), as time with my family is cherished more than anything.

 And now, off to see Nonna! :)

Happy 2015 everybody!!!