I’ve Got Answers…Part 3

GREAT question my friend! Let’s see, that’s a hard one. I guess the one thing I didn’t realize about the whole birthing process was the aftermath of it all…people talk openly about the contractions/pushing/delivery aspect, but then a lot fail to leave out the nitty gritty details (which now I know why). Honestly, it’s not pretty…you need to make sure to have LOTS of comfy granny-esque underwear, and you need to stock up on Tuck’s pads and those lovely “napkins” we all had to wear when Aunt Flow first appeared way back when. It does get better, but it takes some time!
As for that first night home, try to take a deep breath and just soak it all in…you’ll be confused about what’s going to transpire those first 24 hours at home, and if you have someone staying over to help (AKA Mimi) take advantage of their knowledge…I don’t know how Jeff and I would’ve survived those first few nights if it hadn’t been for her. Try to set a schedule for sleeping/feeding/responsibilities, because you’ll all be confused and out of it come 3AM 🙂

Kelly Belly said…
Hey, could you a link on your sidebar for your workouts? I remember reading about one a few months ago. 
I will do this ASAP! I know it can be hard to find certain posts, etc via Blogger search, so I’ll make a button to help you find it easily.

Jessica asked…
Hi! I would love your tips on eating healthy during pregnancy while still indulging cravings…maybe a pregnancy day in the life of your food? I would also love to know what you eat to take off the pregnancy weight, and any exercises that helped you get your body back!

I mentioned my daily food intake in Part 1 of my Q&A so I’ll focus this answer on taking off the weight and post-baby exercise routine. The thing that helped me lose the weight quickly was counting calories (once I stopped breastfeeding) and making sure I hit up the gym 2-3 times each week. Yes, this is doable with a baby, but difficult as well. I was lucky to be able to have my grandparents come over to watch CC when I went to the gym, and our YMCA offers childcare so that was a big win in my book! Mainly, I focused on cardio-runs on the treadmill, utilizing the arc trainer (which works WAY better than the elliptical), weight training (both arms and legs), and then the dreaded stuff-the ab workouts, since that is the area that needed the most attention. Your body won’t change overnight, but in time you’ll get it figured out and I can say I was happy with where my body was, right before I got pregnant with Carson. We will see how hard it is to lose the 2nd time. 

Erin said…
I would love to see a look at your work out routine, but also how you manage stress/tips for maintaining balance in one’s life! And if you have time, what your reading or watching this week, as I love to read other people’s guilty TV or reading pleasures!

Workout routine..like I mentioned above, I will post this soon and get it up for all to see! 

In regards to managing stress/maintaining balance, I am not so certain I am the person to ask about this topic since I thrive on stress..I know, I’m a weirdo. However, you asked so I’ll let you know what I do. I am a constant list maker. I love to cross things off and feel like I am being (at least somewhat) productive each day so to-do lists help me keep it together. Working out REALLY helps me reduce my stress levels as well, and I love to do anything outside…vitamin D is always good for the soul. 

As far as what I’m reading, I just started back on my Bible reading. I am tackling the Old Testament this go around, so once I’m done I will have read it all…a goal on my “life list”. I feel my life is so much more balanced when I add scripture into my life each day. I try to not watch nearly as much TV as I used, to, but of course I am a sucker and get pulled into shows just like everyone else…my guilty pleasures are any of the Real Housewives franchises (Beverly Hills is my fav), Shark Tank, Game of Thrones, Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, Boardwalk Empire, Nashville, Homeland, and basically anything on Bravo (Rachel Zoe, Millionaire Matchmaker, etc)

natasha {schue love} said…
1. I would love to learn more about your family dynamic with hubby and C and baby on the way!

Our family dynamic…that is an interesting one my dear. I think right now it’s us trying to juggle all the balls we have flying around. We have so much going on that sometimes it’s a cluster trying to figure it all out. We try to keep ourselves on a schedule most days, like me attempting to cook dinner so we can eat as a family once Jeff gets home, spend time with just us three on the weekends whenever available, and we are savoring this time because we know chaos is about to ensue once again. It’s been difficult because Jeff is travelling a lot right now, and I am having a harder time at home because I get tired very easily with being pregnant and still trying to take care of Caroline day in and day out. It’s not easy, but we are working our way through it. I am trying not to put so much pressure on myself and that has really helped ease a lot of my worry.
2. Also, what logistics you figured out to be a SAHM.
When I first made the decision that staying home was what I wanted to do, Jeff and I sat down and had a lengthy discussion about everything that entailed…putting my career on hold, cutting back on the expenditures, my role and what daily life would look like at home, and so on. It wasn’t something we finalized overnight, but we really tried to think through each scenario and see how we could work it out  so that I could be with Caroline everyday. I think it was trying to talk through everything that could potentially happen and plan the best we could.
3. And of course, like the other readers, more insight into the new house!
House progress is still a long way out, but we are still looking online for ideas, scouring through floor plans to create the “master plan” to have everything we are looking for, and most of all trying to be patient…I have to keep telling myself that we will not only be building a house, but we will be selling our house at the same time, and I know this isn’t going to be an easy undertaking given how crazy the real estate market is. Right now, we are just saving as much money as we can because we know sticking to a budget is really tricky when it comes to building a new home. I promise to keep yall updated as things progress!

Megan said…
1. Who are your “must read” blogs?
There are a ton of blogs that I love to read and check up on, but some of my favorite ladies are listed below…beware, they are addictive I assure you 😉
Jessica at Little Baby Garvin
Katie at Miss Dixie
April at A. Liz Adventures 
Sara at Running From the Law
Kate at Set This Circus Down
Natasha at Schue Love
Darci at The Good Life
Samma at Spice and Sass
Tracy at Then I Got to Thinking
Andee at The Honeybee
Christina at Carolina Charm
2. Do you have a bucket list? That would make a fun post!! 🙂

I sure do! I crafted this list a little more than a year ago, and it’s crazy to see just how much I want to accomplish, but hey, it’s a goal worth shooting for! You can see my “Life List” here

jenny collier said…
I think I would want to see some of your inspiration for the new house. 
Here are some pictures, taken from my computer folder for “All Things Home”. I have been bookmarking things for years in anticipation of when we would build so we wouldn’t have to start from scratch. Keep in mind…these are exactly that-inspiration pics, for I have a feeling we’ll be living in an unfurnished home for quite awhile once we move in, but a girl can dream!!

Jenn asked…
What are you most nervous about with having 2 babies, especially so close in age? My husband definitely wants another baby, but I’m not so sure.
Let’s be honest…I’ve started getting a lot of anxiety about this topic as of late. I think I’m most nervous about the daily things that come up. Like running to the grocery store with a 1.5 year old and a newborn-if you’re a mom, you can relate as normal tasks take on a life of their own. You have to think about the diaper bag and all the necessities, how you’re going to get them in and out, keep them entertained (i.e. not screaming their heads off), and such. I know I will look like a hot mess for the first few months as I try to re-learn all of the things I had mastered with one child, because it’s going to be a lot different juggling two. Everyone keeps telling me that with kids close in age, the first two years are really tough, but then they can occupy and entertain each other and then life will become “normal” again. And the second part of that entails Caroline…I’m nervous about how she is going to react to a new baby in the house-she is used to being the center of attention and even though she is still very young, I know she has good intuition and will get confused about this new little being Mommy and Daddy brought home. I want to make sure both Jeff and I make time to do things with her and her alone, just so she knows how much we love her, and that she feels special and a part of this whole new experience, too.

Erin asked…
I would also love a day in the life post. Also, I know you’ve mentioned that you may be opening your own business…just wondering if you’re still thinking about it and if so, what is it?
A day in the life post is coming up! As for opening my own business, I wish that was in the works these days, but that idea has been put on hold indefinitely unfortunately…life gets busy and babies have taken over-haha. (and P.S. yes, I am totally OK with that!) Eventually, I hope one day I will be able to start my own business, which was to be a women’s clothing boutique here in Nashville, but only time will tell!

That’s all folks! I hope I answered all the questions out there. What a fun series and I hope you were able to learn a little bit more about me and my life, other than what I have shared previously here on the blog. Have a great one!