Six month sebby

The time has been flying and I am SO excited for the summer. We have been loving taking the boys for longer walks now that the weather is starting to get warmer. Our little Sebby hit his half year old birthday last week! 

The days go by and Sebby is more alert than ever. He is so different from his brother, yet so alike in some ways. He is such a happy little boy and content most of the time (complete opposite of his brother at this age) but is so in tune with EVERYTHING around him. I swear both boys from Day 1 have eyes in the back of their heads! 

Sleep

Remember when I said that Sebby is more alert than ever? No more "sleeping like a baby." The 4 month sleep regression hit our household hard. REAL hard. Sebby was up basically every 90 minutes all. night. long. After 3-4 weeks of this boot camp, I decided enough was enough. {{If you're a co-sleeper or attachment parent you may want to stop reading here!!}} Once he was fed and I knew there were no other issues, if he cried, I would let him cry and check on him periodically. There was no way I could function running a business, being a mom to him (and his brother), and trying to live my life with me sleeping in a rocking chair with him attached to my boob the entire night or being a human swing every 90 min. I've gotten him to the point where he can actually put himself to sleep when I put him to bed fully awake. This is really an incredible feat in my opinion after having Max, who would scream before I even laid him down until he was 9 months old. On a good night, Sebby is still up once between 10 pm and 5 or 6 am. Normally most nights he is up 2-3 times during the 12 hours he is down and I am still nursing him. I think I'll start to really crack down on it in a month or so if he doesn't drop any of those wakings. I do feel positive though because, well, we've improved from him getting up about 5 times a night during the sleep regression and basically sleeping in the swing most of the night! 

Breastfeeding

To tell you the truth, I LOVE this stage of breastfeeding. No more engorgement, hurting nipples, or feedings on the hour. Both you and baby are in a groove! They can control their heads better and latch on completely without any assistance (yes, this matters, especially at 3 am when theres's no lights on! I swear they just know where it is!) Sebby's still nursing (or if I'm not there) gets a bottle every 2-3 hours. He gets supperrrr distracted especially with his brother around, so I have to get creative when I'm on my own with the two of them. I cherish the moments when its just him and I though. I think this could be why I resist trying to completely night wean him. That, combined with the boost it gives my supply I think I'll hang on for another month or two. There's nothing like the smell of my little boy snuggled up next to me all milk drunk :) I've managed to freeze almost 400 oz of milk- an awesome feeling to have that little bit of backup just incase something happens to me or my supply! 

Solids

This little man does NOT miss a meal. Clocking in at over 21 lbs, we decided to start with some rice cereal just after he turned 5 months. The struggle to keep the food off his chin was SO real. The improvement he made with the spoon after about 10-14 days was so good and I feel like now he is really doing well with solids. I feed him twice a day, usually cereal and fruits in the morning, and in the evening he has cereal and veggies. I do like to keep the cereal in the mix the first couple of months because its something their stomach is used to (the breastmilk). The only food he hasn't liked has been green beans, spinach, and peas. Can you blame him? I don't think I would either! Everything else goes down without a hitch: peas, sweet potatoes, bananas, apple, prunes, carrots...now that he has hit 6 months I'm going to start working on more of the combination fruit and veggie mixes. We will see how those go!! 

Brother

I think one of the most common questions I get is ...How is Max with his brother? My answer is...he loves him. BUT I can't leave them in the same room together for obvious reasons. Max may have the best intentions at heart, but his "hug" may accidentally crush his little brother! In all seriousness, Max is a great big brother about 80% of the time. Every now and again though, he has a moment where he'll swat, poke, pinch his brother and has to do a few minutes in time out. I guess thats normal though (hopefully). Its been neat to see them interacting now that Sebby is growing into himself and smiling at his brother or laughing at him! 

Play

Sebbys favorites include the Fischer price Gym- he spends so much time reaching for things and tummy time on this (see above with his brother :): 

He loves the jolly jumper:

He's such a boy already..loves his fisher price car!

Likes: 

-PEOPLE. This little man is full of smiles whether you're family or a stranger!
-Putting anything in his mouth
-Pulling my hair
-His brother
-Bath time
-Trying to sit up. I swear he does about 698 situps a day! 
-Going for walks
-Mortimor the Moose
-His swing. Yeah, we're still napping in that. #DONTJUDGE #imworkingonit
 

Dislikes: 

-Having his nose wiped. 
-The end of the day #grumpy
 

Stay tuned for MY 6 month postpartum update....xo

Alex

6 Weeks Postpartum..Life with Sebastian

Wow...In some ways I can't believe its been 6 weeks since Seb was born. On the other hand, its completely DRAGGED by. I think anyone who is a parent, especially a mom, can absolutely relate to this! It was never my intention to wait this long to blog, but I think obviously time (and sleep!) is limited with a newborn, toddler, and recovering from a major surgery. In addition to that, I had so many emotions in the weeks following the delivery I was waiting to settle and really get ahold of where my head was at.  

Delivery: 

As a lot of you know, it was a tough decision for me to decide to go with a C-section as opposed to trying for a VBAC. The whole process this time around was MUCH easier than the 20 + hours of labor I put in and then was wheeled in for surgery for a C -section with Max. On Wednesday, October 5th, we dropped Max off at Grandma and Grandpa's and headed to the hospital. This was definitely a little bit of an emotional moment for me..saying goodbye to our "family of three" and my alone time with Max. Little did I know how much that was going to affect me the first couple of weeks! I had no idea how difficult of a transition that was going to be.

After arriving to the hospital, I was hooked up to a couple of machines prior to heading into the OR and I was actually getting contractions. I wasn't too surprised considering I had been in some pain the last week or two. The OR was running a little behind so we had to wait a little bit longer than our "scheduled" surgery time. When it came time for me to be wheeled in, it was a completely different feeling. I had spent some time with our Resident (who was soo nice and from NYC), and the anesthesiologist who was in love with my husband and his New Zealand accent. And of course, I got to know my doctor even better this time around throughout the pregnancy and over the last 2 years so I felt so much more comfortable. The room was a lot smaller and I felt more at ease.

The spinal was literally a piece of cake compared to any sort of contractions and off they went. I tried to keep myself as calm as possible and before I knew it, I was numb and they were working to get baby Sebastian out. They were having some difficulty getting his head out and had the anesthesiologist help push on my ribs to get him out. I swear my ribs were going to crack with the amount of pressure I felt! Ha! They were able to get him out and I waited for the fateful cry to know that he was okay. After our early scare in the pregnancy and everything we have gone through, we were so happy and grateful that he was here, nice and healthy!

 Sebastian Joseph Lines clocked in at 8 pounds, 11 oz and 20.75 oz delivered 5 days before his due date. Our first, Max, was 8 pounds 9 ounces born 5 days late. I am pretty sure that Seb would have clocked in at 9 lb + if he would have gone full term! Yikes! 

                                                                                     Baby Seb...looks very similar to his big brother here! 

The Aftermath

With this being my second c-section, I knew what to expect. The worst moment I would have to say is when you have to walk for the first time. Ugh. You feel like your legs are going to give out, your lungs are tight and you feel like you can't breath ..and the blood. Yeah. I won't get even go there. Your whole body is just a complete mess. Seb was very sleepy but had a great latch so my only challenge was to keep him awake during feeding sessions! 

                                                                                              The Boys at the hospital

I was feeling pretty good after the 48 hours so I decided to go home. I feel like you can never get any real rest when you're in the hospital. Between feeding your baby and the nurses/doctors coming in to check your vitals and incision, you never get any rest! So I coulden't wait to get home. But when I did get home, I literally burst into tears. It was so overwhelming being back home and knowing I couldn't move around at all and being completely dependent on other people. I had horrible engorgement the night I got home (a lot worse than the first time) and literally iced the ENTIRE night! 

I would have to say those first 3 weeks were so hard for me. I think first, breastfeeding is just super demanding the first couple of months and even more so the early weeks. It seems the babies want to eat 24-7 and everything is on you. I remembered these feelings from my first pregnancy, but it didn't make it any easier to handle especially when you're getting literally no sleep.

The part of this whole process that really hit me hard was how emotional I was about the change in our family dynamic and particularly my relationship with Max. It broke my heart to spend every waking moment with Seb and miss out on so many things that I used to do with Max. As much as I love Seb dearly and wanted to have him, those first couple of weeks were so, so hard and a lot of tears were shed. I knew that I needed to give Seb what I gave Max {{as much bonding time as possible}} but I coulden't help but feel a little bit of resentment and longing for the way my life "was" and I wondered how come nobody warned me?? And did I make a mistake having another...haha. Everyone always talked about how easy the second is because you "know what to expect..." but I disagree. I think they are both equally challenging in their own ways.! It helped reaching out to others and knowing they too had those feelings (obviously temporary feelings), and that it was normal to feel that way and soon enough we would all find our groove, routine and life as a family of 4 and it would be better than ever.

And of course I heard a lot of {{..the worst parenting advice on EARTH}} "It gets better" which we all know, but in that moment of despair with a crying infant, it seems like it will never. ever. be. better. again. 

Life with Seb

Seb is a such a little koala bear and so loved by all of us, especially his big brother Max. Max is always laying down with him on his playmat during tummy time and wanting to sit next to me when we nurse. He will try and help in any way possible..almost too much sometimes! ha ha. 

Seb is definitely an easier going baby than Max {{thank the lord}}. I actually have a baby that sleeps in the swing without the vacuum cleaner, and doesn't cry non stop all day long or need a hair dryer sound to calm him..ha ha. He is a champion breastfeeder and regained his birthweight and MORE just 5 days after his birth. He's currently clocking in at 13 pounds at 6 weeks..ha! Max better starting hitting the weights. Seb is cooing and smiling and we are loving it!

Sleeping wise he has been your average baby waking every 2 hours the first few weeks. The last couple of weeks he has given me usually a 3 or 4 hour stint right when he goes to bed. After that he is up every 2 hours for a feed and cuddle which is a drag but it is what it is, right?. I'm spending A LOTTTT of time in the rocker and am majorly sleep deprived but I know there is a light at the end of the tunnell..at some point. It might not be tomorrow- but it is there. ha. 

                                                                                                   One month photo!

Recovery

Where do I begin? Recovery from any birth sucks. I really, really, tried to take it easy and not move around as much to let my body heal after the surgery.  I enlisted as much help as I could to keep Max busy and have things taken care of around the house. Let's be honest though, its just an awful time for your body regardless of whether or not you deliver vaginally or by Section! 

Once I hit the 3 week point, I started to really feel a lot better and started to go for 20 minute walks. I still hesitated in taking Max or the baby anywhere because I didn't want to push it or strain/lift. I mean, I felt like I was on house arrest!

Unfortunately, last weekend at about 4.5 weeks postpartum I noticed some of my scar tissue widening. I knew immediately what was happening. Sure enough, a day later when I woke my incision had opened where the scar tissue was thickest mid-incision. I was so frustrated as this happened with Max 6.5 weeks postpartum. I'm not sure at this point if there is just something about this particular surgery that my body just doesn't like!! Anyway, there's no infection after seeing my doctor and its just something that needs to heal on its own so I've been laying low the last couple of weeks. Treatment wise I have been steri-stripping the open wound part and I'm hopeful it will be closed by December. Laying low has been so hard. All I want to do is get moving and get back to my normal routine..and drop a few of these last few pounds ;) 

Speaking of pounds. Ugh.  I've dropped 28 of the 38 pounds that I gained. I'm not so much concerned with the actual weight as opposed to the pilsbury doughboy/elephant skin stomach I currently have. ha. I would love to see that shrink a little in the next 6 weeks. So, for the next week or two, cleaning up my diet has been my main focus until I can start walking/elliptical and slowly get back into weights. I CANNOT wait to get back in the gym and tighten this thing up! 

                                                                                                      The road back begins!

All in all, its been a crazy 6 weeks. I have good days and bad days and so do the kids. I do have anxiety about tomorrow, and how I'm going to manage the next stage, but I have to tell myself to just. slow. down. Don't worry about bedtime routines and nap schedules. It will all be okay. It WILL get better, and at some point all of this will seem like a blip on the screen. So, in the meantime, I try to enjoy my koala bear snuggles and watching my boys interact in hopefully what is to become a great friendship between two brothers!

                                                                                                                      Brothers!! 

Mamas..what did you think was harder? Baby #1 or the addition of Baby #2? 

Thanks for reading and hope you all have a great week! xo

Alex

Bye Bye Second Tri...

Firstly I can't believe its been about 10+ weeks since I've done a pregnancy update! Hard to believe another 10 and this little nugget will be here to meet the world! Life has been so crazy but I will tell you I am SO Happy I am out of the second trimester, but unfortunately there is no immediate relief in sight. Case in point: its 3 am. No, I'm not coming back from a great night out. #pregnancyinsomnia. Gross. 

I guess I am so happy that the second trimester is over is due to the fact that I was sick for basically 2-3 whole weeks (I feel like the only time I get sick is when I'm pregnant?!!), and also had some serious issues with my glute which inhibited my activity level for about 2 weeks. I also had to put my sweet dog down during this time which was really tough....I miss her :( Thinking about my little man never getting to meet her makes me so sad. 

Oh, and I can't forget heat. This heat can't possibly keep up into September, am I right? Relief HAS to be in sight. Week 19 finished off great for me, but weeks 20-22 were such a struggle. I think this was a combination of all the coaching I was doing and the fact that I spent a good 20+ hours driving (myself) in a car to tournaments. I had radiating pain whenever I bent over and at times when I walked. This was so hard for me and I was really scared that my days were over of running, lifting, and even walking! Amazing how you take things for granted. I ended up getting 2-3 massages from my massage therapist who kept me on the field during my career and I actually hit up a chiropractor who told me my SI joint was out of place. Viola- 2 days later and I was back on track. I was never so grateful! Let me tell you, it was a long two weeks of aqua jogging and dealing with pain.

Once I got over the glute pain, on came the sickness from week 23-25. I managed to do what I could depending on how I felt. I only did cardio during these times as I felt that taxing my Central Nervous system with weights while sick (and pregnant) would not be the best idea. This basically meant that I went 4-5 weeks without lifting. Yikes. What had become my main source of exercise pre-pregnancy had gone to the wayside. Temporary is the word I kept repeating to myself...

26 weeks I found myself back in the gym, but week 27 was difficult with probably one of the worst weeks of my life in the workplace and no time for the gym- only cardio. Better than nothing right? Its funny because during my first pregnancy nothing got in the way of getting my workouts in- but with this second pregnancy I've had to be very disciplined with my time and at times make a decision choosing one over the other. Time is of the essence when you already have one little tyke at home waiting for you! 

Even though I know the third trimester comes with new challenges (read: sleeping!) I welcomed a fresh start and week 28 & 29 have been consistent with both cardio and weights. I'm feeling pretty good other than the lack of sleep and my running has actually been great other than a day here or there to this point. Grateful for the ability to stay active throughout pregnancy. 

Everything has been going smoothly in terms of the pregnancy -- no issues with any blood work and glucose testing came back negative which was awesome. I had a pretty horrible first labor experience {{still have PTSD thinking about it}} but here I am again. Ha. I've made the tentative decision to try and give birth naturally (VBAC) and see where it takes me. The C-section experience was pretty horrible for me and I don't want to have to rely on other people to take care of things, especially now that I have a toddler that needs me. At my next appointment they will schedule a C-Section for 41 weeks so this little guy doesn't come naturally before then, a C-section it will be as I can't be induced. I'm at peace with that I suppose, but I do want to give myself and my family the opportunity to have this little boy naturally. There are so many reasons why, but mostly due to recovery! 

This week we head to Florida (a trip that was postponed a couple of weeks due to work) and I'm looking forward to lots of down time with my boys and some Olympic watching!! 

I'm going to recap all of my workouts here but only do one "update." 

How have you been feeling? Feeling good for the most part! 
Do you have morning sickness? No
Do you have any cravings? Nope..this time has been so different as its been so HOT that I actually have had a lot less carbs than last pregnancy. 
Do you have any food aversions? Nope
Weight gain so far? At 30 weeks I'm at a total of 29 pounds. Weight gain in weeks: 
Week 19: +1 (18 total), Week 22: +2 (20), Week 25: +2 (22), Week 26: +2 (24), Week 27: +2 (26), Week 29: +2 (28). If I didn't list a week, there was no weight gain that week. Looks like I'm on track to a similar weight gain as last pregnancy. Would I love to gain less? Yeah, of course. But I know I eat healthy, am super active and at the end of the day its temporary and necessary in building this guys little life :)  I know that I generally gain a lot of fluid so I'm just trying to embrace it! 
Any mood swings? No
Sleep: Not so great-- between 2-4 am have been horrible for me most nights (I'm up and can't sleep). Sometimes falling asleep has been tough. I've felt sooo much pressure in my stomach area I'm basically falling asleep sitting up. Naps have been a god send once a week when I can fit them in. 
Stretch marks: I got a few small ones around my belly button with M's pregnancy and they are becoming more noticeable as the skin is stretching but I'm not seeing any new ones...yet. 
Clothing: The heat has been a challenge for sure. I have been living off two great pairs of size large athleta shorts and maternity capris from target. I snagged some great Gap tank tops for under $10 to finish my summer off. The search for a pair of jean shorts that actually fit right was completed at target, believe it or not after ordering about 4-5 pairs from pea in the pod...
Rings: ON
Movement: All time time and its getting stronger! 
Boy or girl: Its a boy!

Week 29: Super impressed with my stroller runs this week you guys...

Sunday: Run 3 miles: 8:33, 8:31, 8:32 splits
Monday: 40 min swim, lower lift
Tuesday: Stroller run-- 3 miles,  9:13, 9:25, 9:08 splits
Wednesday: upper Lift
Thursday: Stroller run-- 3 miles,  9:17, 9:29, 9:28 splits
Friday: Lower lift
Saturday: off
Sunday: 35 min swim

Week 28: 

Sunday: 40 min swim
Monday: 3 miles: 25:54 w/ 8:35 average splits
Tuesday: lower lift, 40 min swim
Wednesday: Stroller run: 9:32, 9:22, 9:21 splits
Thursday: Upper Lift
Friday/Saturday: Off

Week 27: this weeks was really for the birds...stress combined with being so tired made for not great runs

Monday: off
Tuesday: Run- 3 miles..25:42, 8:31 splits
Wednesday:off
Thursday: Stroller run-- 3 miles,  10:04, 9:50, 9:40 splits
Friday: off
Saturday: 2.6 miles: 9:14, 9:17, 10:07- started to feel uncomfrtable so stopped short of 3 miles. Some days are just like that...

Week 26: 

Sunday: Run 3 miles  8:44, 9:01, 9:16
Monday: Run 2.56 miles. Had to stop, felt uncomfortable
Tuesday: 40 min swim
Wednesday: Starting to feel better! 3 miles, 25:26: 8:26 average splits
Thursday: Got a lift in! Lower..
Friday: Upper lift and 3 mile run, 25:52 w/ 8:35 average splits
Saturday/Sunday: off

Week 25: This was a weird phase where for about 10 days my runs were really hit or miss. Those of you who have run through pregnancy will know what I mean..some days its just not there whether its positioning of the baby or just the day! You just gotta roll with the punches. 

Sun: 2 miles: 8:22, 8:21- felt great
Mon/tues: Off
Wed: 3 miles in central park 8:35, 9:10 and 8:52 splits
Thursday: 35 min swim
Friday: 40 min swim
Sat/Sun: Tried to run a stroller run on Saturday with M but just felt horrible. Stopped after 1 mile. Managed 3 miles on Sunday but stopped every mile to rest and stretch: 8:44, 9:01, 9:16

Week 24: 

Monday: 35 min swim
Tuesday: Stroller run-- 3 miles,  9:06, 9:25, 9:12
Wednesday:off
Thursday: Soccer workout, 30 min swim
Friday:Run 3 miles, 8:19, 8:08, 8:21
Saturday: off

Week 23: Pretty sick this week- took 3 days off

Monday: 45 min swim
Tuesday: Stroller run-- 3 miles,  8:34, 8:44, 8:56 (started feeling sick this day)
Wednesday: off-worst feeling day
Thursday: 2.5 miles to get body going. 8:35 average splits
Friday: 3 miles. Still not feeling great but got a sweat. 9:01, 9:14, 9:28
Saturday/Sunday:off

Week 22: This was the tail end of my issues with my glute :) Felt awesome at the end of this week

Monday: 45 min swim
Tuesday:off. massage/ chiropractor
Wednesday: 3 miles: 8:12, 8:19, 8:17
Thursday: 5 miles, 9 min increments. 7:50 average miles
Friday/Sat off
Sunday: 3 miles: 8:21, 8:11, 8:15

Week 21: This whole week glute issues hindered me. Did 5 days of aqua jogging (35-45 min/day)

Week 20: 

Monday: 6 400's under 1:35, lower lift
Tuesday: off
Wednesday: 4 miles in Central park. No times
Thursday: off- glute issues begin
Friday: 45 min swim
Saturday/Sunday:off

Week 19: 

Sunday: 35 min swim
Monday: 3 mile run, no times
Tuesday: Stroller run-- 3 miles, 8:43, 8:14, 8:13
Wednesday: lower lift
Thursday: soccer workout
Friday: upper lift
Saturday: lower lift (on my own), 30 min swimming
Sunday: 40 min swimming

Thats all for now....

Have a great Monday everyone!! xo

Alex