Five Things

Oh hey, Friday, and oh hey, February!!  It's officially back-to-work month and though I know I'm going to cry on the 21st (and probably the 19th and the 20th and who knows, maybe every day until then!), I'm getting excited that next month is March and March always brings about all sorts of happy feelings for me.  Spring break, warmer weather, the return of baseball - can't beat it!  Anyway, here are five things on this Friday.

| one |

The hubs and I snuck away for our very first date night since Rhett on Tuesday for the Eric Church concert.  Eric is the one singer we both just love and Craig bought me tickets as a birthday gift.  This was the forth time we've seen him live, the first being at a small venue in Topeka in 2012 when I was pregnant and before Eric was as well-known as he is now.  Anyway, I swear each concert is better than the last and this one took the cake for sure!  He performed two sets broken up by an intermission--and then came back on for an encore.  39 songs total according to the Kansas City Star and so many of them that have been huge hits.  Anyway, it was a ton of fun--clearly, when you don't get home until 1am--even though I had to pump on the way there and again on the drive home.

| two |

Speaking of, earlier this week I decided it was time to kick my pump to the curb!  I had been wavering back and forth on whether or not to continue pumping upon my return to work.  My schedule this year would have allowed for it, though it wouldn't have been easy so I was looking for signs to persuade me one way or another.  I'll spare you the details, but let's just say my milk was a nice shade of raspberry from cracked and bleeding nipples - again.  I decided that that was enough of a sign and started to wean myself almost immediately.  Not to mention, he's eating more, I was producing the same; we were having to start supplementing anyway.  I'm currently pumping four times per day and only for 20-30 minutes instead of the 45-60 I was doing before.  It has already been a huge weight off my shoulders to feel like my life is not quite as controlled by a darn pumping schedule and as bittersweet as it may be (#lastbaby), I do look forward to my life returning to normal once again!  (In other news, we moved Rhett into his crib and it has been going fabulously!  More normal life things!! 👏)

| three |

Last night, I did something completely out of character and signed up for Beachbody.  I am so not a person who has ever worked out regularly (or at all--I hate it, I really do) but I'm still carrying 20+ extra pounds of baby weight and I became quite upset last weekend when none of my clothes fit.  So I bought an all-access membership to Beachbody and I'm going to start drinking the Shakeology shakes once per day, as well.  My blog-turned-real-life-friend, Brittany, (also a mom of three) is my "coach" and she actually has an entire blog devoted to her fitness.  To say I'm nervous would be a huge understatement, but I have to do something about these L-Bs because I'm definitely not buying all new clothes come summer!  I may kick start the program with a 21-day fix.....but you know, not until after the Superbowl obviously!!  Anyway, I got the Cafe Latte flavor of shakes and I have high hopes they're going to be comparable to these.  Hahaha kidding.  Haha sort of.

| four |

 Speaking of the Superbowl, we're throwing a party similar to last year: BYFP.  Bring your favorite pizza.  In case you need further explanation, that can be found here.  I highly suggest throwing a BYFP party because it requires little to no prep, which is in part why I offered to host. 😉 

| five |

And not to end on a sad note, but a friend of a friend has a 4-month old in the NICU because of something that happened at daycare earlier this week.  My friend doesn't know many details, except that a miracle is their only hope right now.  This is a third baby and a boy, so it really hits home.  Please pray for this little baby and his family.  I simply cannot imagine.  

And so I don't end with such somber news, here are some of the sweet smiles we've been getting from Rhett lately!  I just love this little kid so very much!

Happy Friday!

Linking Up With:

Momfessionals and A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites 

September F A R M for Oh, Hey Friday

Smidge of This for Five on Friday

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16 Weeks Postpartum

Not only was yesterday the anniversary of our engagement, it also marked exactly one year since finding out I was pregnant with Holden!  Apparently August 8 holds all kind of significance in our lives!  I've been wanting to do a postpartum update for awhile now and wish I would have done one after Brantley.  It's nice to look back and know about what to expect and when.  And what better time to do one than exactly one year after learning that the little bambino was growing in there!

Postpartum Update: 16 Weeks

Weight/Body
I'm basically back to my normal (i.e. pre-Brantley) self.  I weigh what I did two years ago, although I will say I'm still carrying some extra "cushion" in the belly region.  I'm not counting last summer, nor making it a goal to get there, because that was the smallest I'd been since high school (and I credit that to chasing an extremely active 1-year old).  I'm happy with where my body is and I am completely okay with the altered state of my belly.  I have, after all, carried two babies.  Besides, considering I do nothing to try and lose the weight--except go for the occasional walk--makes me very grateful.  I was blessed with some amazing genes and have gotten extremely lucky in the baby-weight-loss area.  (But I struggled with breastfeeding, remember?  So don't hate me too much.) :)

Clothes
I'm happy to report that I'm back in my normal wardrobe, with the exception of a few pairs of shorts I bought last summer.  My clothes fit and feel good.  I'm excited to return to work and get to wear some of the dress clothes I haven't worn for nearly a year!

Breastfeeding
I'm officially weaning from the ole breast pump.  I've gone back and forth about a million times, but our recent trip to Austin sealed the deal for me.  I wasn't as dedicated with my pumping and my supply decreased as a result.  I also skipped a session before bed and boy, was that a mistake.  I ended up with a clogged duct and a minor case of mastitis.  Thank goodness for the on-call doctor at my clinic.  She was gracious enough to call an Austin pharmacy and prescribe an antibiotic, so to not ruin my vacation.  Anyway, since my supply was already down and Holden was getting 1/3 breastmilk, I thought I'd be a nice out.  I've already dropped the two daytime pumping sessions, so I only pump in the mornings and before bed.  It will be nice to not have to worry about pumping (and everything involved) at school and nicer when I can just go to bed or wake up without having to take time to pump.  There's still a part of me that wonders how long I could go, but a larger part of me is relieved to be almost done.

Hair
My hair has yet to start falling out.  But it was a good four months after Brantley was born before that happened, so I'm thinking I have a few more weeks.

Girl Stuff
I still haven't gotten my period and I am a-okay with that!  I know it's probably due to the pumping/breastfeeding, and I'll be expecting it soon after the pump gets put away for good.

Baby
I feel like I have a good grip on all things baby related.  (I should, seeing it's #2, right?)  I know Holden's hungry cry from his tired cry and can almost always get him to stop fussing.  Leaving the house with two has become much easier and more efficient. 

Life
I'm not going to lie, having two can be overwhelming, exhausting, and difficult.  Had we have waited until Brantley was the frustrating 2-year old that he is now, we may have thought twice about having a second so soon.  However, with that being said, I love this life and love how close in age they are.  I know I have two amazing kiddos and wouldn't change it for the world.