Comes easy.
We did it! The Cleanse phase of the 24 Day Challenge is now complete. YAY!
So what were our results so far? We did a weigh-in and measurement check to see how we were doing.
I lost 3 pounds and about 4 and 1/2 inches (1 1/2 from waist, 2 from hips, and 1 from thigh). Ethan lost about 2 1/2 pounds and about 2 inches overall.
I am happy with my results. Although, I will admit that I (and like most others) would have been ecstatic for rapid, blow-you-away type results. I have to constantly remind myself that my goal isn't a quick fix. There is no such thing. If something promises you extreme weight loss without any work and in a short amount of time, there's something off...or possibly a parasite???
Nothing worth having comes easy! It is WORK. People shouldn't be afraid of WORK. Making life-long changes takes time and work before it becomes a new habit. If you aren't ready to work for it, don't expect results to be long-term.
My goal is sustained weight loss. I want it off for good (or at least until the next baby comes around). I want healthy habits embedded in our routines and recipes, so we have a lifestyle change as a family. I have to remember that it took me 9 months of carrying a baby to put on 45 pounds. The 14 pounds I have left before returning to "pre-baby weight" (and any extra poundage I can shed) won't come off easily or in a measly 10 days.
And I'm ok with that.
Advocare IS NOT A DIET. It will help give you strategies to begin to develop new habits. Those habits helping you to live the best life possible, help you to be the best YOU you can be.
Then and only then will it be easy.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Let's talk about sweat
The workout.
Almost every single thing you read about weight loss and living healthy lives includes the need for physical activity. Suggestions usually range from at least 30 minutes a day to more intense workouts involving intervals, weight lifting programs, and high intensity classes.
The "experts" will tell you that it has to be a priority.
Ok. I get it. Yes, physical activity is important and it is a priority, but let's face it, working out is one of MANY priorities I have.
And it doesn't rank above my children, husband, or God.
Ever.
As much as I would love for it to be a higher priority than my job, it just can't be.
So that means on my list of priorities...working out (at this point in my life) is AT LEAST 5th on the list, and sometimes lower than that.
The first time I completed the 24 Day Challenge in August of 2012, I didn't specifically add any extra exercise to my day. I was just starting back to work after almost 5 months of maternity leave, which included coaching MS volleyball. I would be putting in up to 12-14 hour workdays depending on the day. Plus, I would jump into volleyball drills, be serving and hitting balls at junior high girls two hours each afternoon. I figured that would "count."
This time, though, I want and need to add in a workout somewhere.
I needed it to be short, but effective. So I purchased the Advocare Can You 24 workout DVD. 24 minutes long and promised to make me sweat and get my heart rate up.
It delivered!
I love how the video is good for ALL LEVELS, having a beginner/modified move, intermediate, and advanced levels done for 10-30 seconds. 24 minutes. I can do that.
Then I started back at work. My original plan was to workout during the week in the morning. (getting up at 5 AM).
Yeah right.
Little two-month old is not a consistent enough sleeper for me to say I will be able to workout at 5:00 AM every morning. She may (and did the first day) wake up to eat at 5:00. And even if she sleeps in longer, I have found that even with getting up at 5 AM, I don't sit down until I get in my vehicle to go to work at 7. The mornings are B.U.S.Y!
After slapped in the face with reality that mornings were NOT going to work. I had to rethink my options and habits of working out.
First of all. Set a REALISTIC goal.
I want to workout AT LEAST 4 times a day with the CU 24 workout DVD, and try to get some sort of walking, chasing babies, or even some simple stretching in on other days.
Second. Rethink old habits.
For as long as I can remember, working out always happened during the week and weekends were for rest. Not anymore. Weekends are the one time, I can usually count on to have a spare half hour to break a sweat. I can even sleep in until 7 (not including getting up to feed baby and going back to bed) get up and still have a couple hours before everyone is up and moving in our house. And even if I feel like sleeping in a little longer, there's always nap time during the afternoon. Weekends are no longer rest days.
That means in order to get to my goal of at least 4 days a week, I only have to find TWO Days during the work week to squeeze in my CU 24.
Thanks to the 24 minute workout, I have found that if I take the DVD with me to school, the second the bell rings, I can start the video, workout in my classroom, mix up my after workout recovery shake to drink on the drive home and still get to daycare in time to pick up the girls.
It may be a pain to take workout clothes with me to school, change, and workout with students and teachers wondering in and out of my classroom. But getting a workout in needs to be a priority, right? This is how I'm making it a priority.
Advocare now has a Can You 24 Level 2 DVD available for 39.95 (plus tax and shipping). I plan on trying that one out after I've mastered Level 1 DVD. Level 1 is available for 29.95 (plus tax and shipping). Both are a GREAT deal for the workout you get :)
You can contact me for more information or click here to order.
Almost every single thing you read about weight loss and living healthy lives includes the need for physical activity. Suggestions usually range from at least 30 minutes a day to more intense workouts involving intervals, weight lifting programs, and high intensity classes.
The "experts" will tell you that it has to be a priority.
Ok. I get it. Yes, physical activity is important and it is a priority, but let's face it, working out is one of MANY priorities I have.
And it doesn't rank above my children, husband, or God.
Ever.
As much as I would love for it to be a higher priority than my job, it just can't be.
So that means on my list of priorities...working out (at this point in my life) is AT LEAST 5th on the list, and sometimes lower than that.
The first time I completed the 24 Day Challenge in August of 2012, I didn't specifically add any extra exercise to my day. I was just starting back to work after almost 5 months of maternity leave, which included coaching MS volleyball. I would be putting in up to 12-14 hour workdays depending on the day. Plus, I would jump into volleyball drills, be serving and hitting balls at junior high girls two hours each afternoon. I figured that would "count."
This time, though, I want and need to add in a workout somewhere.
I needed it to be short, but effective. So I purchased the Advocare Can You 24 workout DVD. 24 minutes long and promised to make me sweat and get my heart rate up.
It delivered!
I love how the video is good for ALL LEVELS, having a beginner/modified move, intermediate, and advanced levels done for 10-30 seconds. 24 minutes. I can do that.
Then I started back at work. My original plan was to workout during the week in the morning. (getting up at 5 AM).
Yeah right.
Little two-month old is not a consistent enough sleeper for me to say I will be able to workout at 5:00 AM every morning. She may (and did the first day) wake up to eat at 5:00. And even if she sleeps in longer, I have found that even with getting up at 5 AM, I don't sit down until I get in my vehicle to go to work at 7. The mornings are B.U.S.Y!
After slapped in the face with reality that mornings were NOT going to work. I had to rethink my options and habits of working out.
First of all. Set a REALISTIC goal.
I want to workout AT LEAST 4 times a day with the CU 24 workout DVD, and try to get some sort of walking, chasing babies, or even some simple stretching in on other days.
Second. Rethink old habits.
For as long as I can remember, working out always happened during the week and weekends were for rest. Not anymore. Weekends are the one time, I can usually count on to have a spare half hour to break a sweat. I can even sleep in until 7 (not including getting up to feed baby and going back to bed) get up and still have a couple hours before everyone is up and moving in our house. And even if I feel like sleeping in a little longer, there's always nap time during the afternoon. Weekends are no longer rest days.
That means in order to get to my goal of at least 4 days a week, I only have to find TWO Days during the work week to squeeze in my CU 24.
Thanks to the 24 minute workout, I have found that if I take the DVD with me to school, the second the bell rings, I can start the video, workout in my classroom, mix up my after workout recovery shake to drink on the drive home and still get to daycare in time to pick up the girls.
It may be a pain to take workout clothes with me to school, change, and workout with students and teachers wondering in and out of my classroom. But getting a workout in needs to be a priority, right? This is how I'm making it a priority.
Advocare now has a Can You 24 Level 2 DVD available for 39.95 (plus tax and shipping). I plan on trying that one out after I've mastered Level 1 DVD. Level 1 is available for 29.95 (plus tax and shipping). Both are a GREAT deal for the workout you get :)
You can contact me for more information or click here to order.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Tips for Success!
It wouldn't be called the 24 Day CHALLENGE if there wasn't something "challenging" to it. The Challenge is always something different depending on who you are. The point is that you are doing something to "challenge" yourself to improve your health in some way.
Maybe the challenge is drinking enough water.
Maybe it's getting in a workout.
Maybe it's giving up things you love like coffee, candy, or french fries.
No matter what challenge this brings to you, the end goal is that you are able to incorporate some new healthier changes in your life from here on out. (And usually lose some weight in the process!)
I thought it would be helpful to list some strategies that I have found helpful or that others have shared with me. (Just another thing to love about Advocare...such a positive, supportive network of people to surround yourself with. Everyone WANTS you to SUCCEED).
~ Use a gallon jug of water to track how much you have drank through the day. Decorate it up nice and pretty with positive sayings to keep you going.
~ If you're not a morning person and find you need to get up earlier, start off slow. Set the alarm for 15 minutes earlier for a couple days, then another 15, until you reach your destination.
~ Prep anything ahead of time that you can. I find if I get our lunches for the next day ready and packed the night before, that saves me a bunch of time in the morning.
~ Read up. Prepare for the Challenge before you begin. Know what you're going to be eating and doing each day. Ask questions!
~ Rethink the workout. Depending on how you have worked out before, or if you never have, you may have to do something different than you were used to. (A whole post coming about this!)
~ Surround yourself with positive people, who want you to succeed. This is something we try to teach our middle schoolers. You become who you hang around. If you are constantly surrounded by negativity, you will become negative. Positive people are more fun!
~ Rethink recipes you already have. Mix your own taco seasoning, swap out brown rice for white rice. Try spaghetti squash??? (I'm giving that one a whirl this time :)
There you have it. Hope these help! Anyone else have a tip that works for them?
Here's a rundown on the food for the last couple of days.
Breakfasts: Have been consistent on the egg white scrambles, oatmeal, and fruit. Feeling good starting out the day with a super breakfast!
Lunch: Usually leftovers from dinner. When I put away leftovers, I always portion everything out into individual containers for easy grab and go lunches. Meal replacement shakes and bars are wonderful on busy days or when we are out of leftovers.
Dinner: Made Cajun talapia with creole sauce over brown rice for dinner last night. Tonight is hamburger patties (made with 96% ground beef) and sweet potato wedges.
Snacks: Ethan has really liked the apples and peanut butter, so he's been really consistent on eating that. I've tried to mix up the fruit a bit with apples, oranges and bananas, but still try to get the protein or healthy fat from peanut butter or almonds.
Maybe the challenge is drinking enough water.
Maybe it's getting in a workout.
Maybe it's giving up things you love like coffee, candy, or french fries.
No matter what challenge this brings to you, the end goal is that you are able to incorporate some new healthier changes in your life from here on out. (And usually lose some weight in the process!)
I thought it would be helpful to list some strategies that I have found helpful or that others have shared with me. (Just another thing to love about Advocare...such a positive, supportive network of people to surround yourself with. Everyone WANTS you to SUCCEED).
~ Use a gallon jug of water to track how much you have drank through the day. Decorate it up nice and pretty with positive sayings to keep you going.
~ If you're not a morning person and find you need to get up earlier, start off slow. Set the alarm for 15 minutes earlier for a couple days, then another 15, until you reach your destination.
~ Prep anything ahead of time that you can. I find if I get our lunches for the next day ready and packed the night before, that saves me a bunch of time in the morning.
~ Read up. Prepare for the Challenge before you begin. Know what you're going to be eating and doing each day. Ask questions!
~ Rethink the workout. Depending on how you have worked out before, or if you never have, you may have to do something different than you were used to. (A whole post coming about this!)
~ Surround yourself with positive people, who want you to succeed. This is something we try to teach our middle schoolers. You become who you hang around. If you are constantly surrounded by negativity, you will become negative. Positive people are more fun!
~ Rethink recipes you already have. Mix your own taco seasoning, swap out brown rice for white rice. Try spaghetti squash??? (I'm giving that one a whirl this time :)
There you have it. Hope these help! Anyone else have a tip that works for them?
Here's a rundown on the food for the last couple of days.
Breakfasts: Have been consistent on the egg white scrambles, oatmeal, and fruit. Feeling good starting out the day with a super breakfast!
Lunch: Usually leftovers from dinner. When I put away leftovers, I always portion everything out into individual containers for easy grab and go lunches. Meal replacement shakes and bars are wonderful on busy days or when we are out of leftovers.
Dinner: Made Cajun talapia with creole sauce over brown rice for dinner last night. Tonight is hamburger patties (made with 96% ground beef) and sweet potato wedges.
Snacks: Ethan has really liked the apples and peanut butter, so he's been really consistent on eating that. I've tried to mix up the fruit a bit with apples, oranges and bananas, but still try to get the protein or healthy fat from peanut butter or almonds.
Monday, January 6, 2014
START!
In order for something great to happen... you first have to START.
In order to have success at something... you must BEGIN.
In order to reach a goal...you have to SET IT.
HERE. WE. GO.
Today is day one of our Advocare 24 Day Challenge. We start with a 10 day cleanse. Ethan and I will be doing this together, however ours will be a little different since I am still breastfeeding and will be doing a modified challenge so I don't lose my milk supply.
I am realistic. I know there are going to be parts of this that are more challenging than others. It helps if I identify them, and point them out so we will be more than ready. Besides how fun is it to reach a goal without any challenges? If there isn't something to challenge you toward your goal, it isn't a goal.
My Challenges:
Breakfast: Egg white scramble with peppers and onions for Ethan, tomatoes and spinach for me. 1/2 cup oatmeal with banana and a TBS of all natural peanut butter.
Snack: Banana and two TBS of peanut butter for me, apple and two TBS peanut butter for Ethan.
Lunch: Meal replacement shake for me and meal replacement bar for Ethan.
Snack: After workout recovery shake (a whole post coming on this later!)
Dinner: Chicken taco bowls with black beans, cilantro lime rice, and homemade guacamole. YUM!
Tomorrow... a cleanse friendly recipe and some tips for dealing with those challenges!
**If the Advocare 24 Day Challenge is something you would like to try or would like more information on let me know or visit my website**
In order to have success at something... you must BEGIN.
In order to reach a goal...you have to SET IT.
HERE. WE. GO.
Today is day one of our Advocare 24 Day Challenge. We start with a 10 day cleanse. Ethan and I will be doing this together, however ours will be a little different since I am still breastfeeding and will be doing a modified challenge so I don't lose my milk supply.
I am realistic. I know there are going to be parts of this that are more challenging than others. It helps if I identify them, and point them out so we will be more than ready. Besides how fun is it to reach a goal without any challenges? If there isn't something to challenge you toward your goal, it isn't a goal.
My Challenges:
- Time management: I am taking on quite a lot at the moment. Returning to teaching after 9 weeks of maternity leave. Trying to establish a morning routine with TWO girls, under the age of two, one who is completely dependent on either Ethan or myself, and the other who is determined to be independent, but lacking the skill to do so. A full day of teaching, without forgetting to eat. Trying to fit in a workout at least four days a week. Cooking dinner. Normal housework. Getting food ready for the next day. Blogging. Oh...and sleeping somewhere in there...
- No Wheat. During the Cleanse Phase we will be avoiding wheat and dairy (except for Advocare products). I love, Love, LOVE all things wheat.
Ethan's Challenges:
- No Dairy. Ethan loves his milk and cheeses. Although he will get to add this back in after the cleanse in moderation.
- No Dips. Ethan is a big dipper. This will also challenge me to find ways to fix foods where he doesn't feel like he wants to dip it in BBQ or Ranch.
- Veggies. Ethan doesn't like cooked veggies. He will eat them raw, but that can get old (and even quicker when there's no Ranch to dip them in...) Many of the meals include cooked veggies
Breakfast: Egg white scramble with peppers and onions for Ethan, tomatoes and spinach for me. 1/2 cup oatmeal with banana and a TBS of all natural peanut butter.
Snack: Banana and two TBS of peanut butter for me, apple and two TBS peanut butter for Ethan.
Lunch: Meal replacement shake for me and meal replacement bar for Ethan.
Snack: After workout recovery shake (a whole post coming on this later!)
Dinner: Chicken taco bowls with black beans, cilantro lime rice, and homemade guacamole. YUM!
Tomorrow... a cleanse friendly recipe and some tips for dealing with those challenges!
**If the Advocare 24 Day Challenge is something you would like to try or would like more information on let me know or visit my website**
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Our Journey 24
I know it is a cliche to talk about wanting to lose weight and become more healthy at the start of each new year, and tomorrow, the first Monday of 2014, Ethan and I begin our journey with Advocare's 24 Day Challenge.
I have done the challenge before and fell in love with Advocare and their products. I am doing another challenge, not because I stopped being healthy all together, but I need a little jump start in losing the rest of the baby weight (in particular around my hips and thighs which is causing none of my pants to fit.)
I have also taken on another goal. To try and share Advocare with as many people as I can. I LOVE the products and how they make me feel. I want everyone to feel as great as I do while taking them. I want everyone to have the opportunity I am hoping for as well.
I have had this blog for little over 5 years now and I share much of my life with the friends and family who read this. It only makes since to share my journey with Advocare here as well.
So for the next 24 days I will be sharing our experiences with the 24 Day Challenge. Tips, recipes, highs, lows, favorites, results, and much more. My hope is that anyone wanting to make a change, try something new, and challenge themselves will allow me the chance to share these wonderful products.
I have done the challenge before and fell in love with Advocare and their products. I am doing another challenge, not because I stopped being healthy all together, but I need a little jump start in losing the rest of the baby weight (in particular around my hips and thighs which is causing none of my pants to fit.)
I have also taken on another goal. To try and share Advocare with as many people as I can. I LOVE the products and how they make me feel. I want everyone to feel as great as I do while taking them. I want everyone to have the opportunity I am hoping for as well.
I have had this blog for little over 5 years now and I share much of my life with the friends and family who read this. It only makes since to share my journey with Advocare here as well.
So for the next 24 days I will be sharing our experiences with the 24 Day Challenge. Tips, recipes, highs, lows, favorites, results, and much more. My hope is that anyone wanting to make a change, try something new, and challenge themselves will allow me the chance to share these wonderful products.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Just a Typical Trip to Mass
Dear Woman who sat in front of us tonight during Mass,
I would like to apologize for our 20-month-old daughter.
You see, we went to a different church tonight. We do go to Mass every week, even though I am sure it looked like our little girl had never seen the inside of a church or been told to sit more for more than 5 minutes at a time. As I am sure you noticed...she doesn't do that. Ever. But we do go to church. Every week. And we go through this, every week.
We really really tried, again, to keep her quite and sitting down. I packed her favorite book. "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." She LOVES it at home and will sit and look at it ON HER OWN, completely in to it. Not at church. She didn't care what Brown Bear saw. I am sorry, that it ended up in your pew. She tossed it there. I tried to catch it. I missed.
I am really sorry that she smacked you on your back as you sat, quietly listening to the reading. She has NEVER done that one before. I tried to stop her. I missed.
(On a positive note, she did try to pick off the loose hair sticking to the back of your shirt before she slapped you on the back.)
I am also very, truly sorry for any little bits of cracker that you might shake out of your coat tonight when you get home. You see, we don't normally go to church at this time. It is dinner time. She didn't get a snack after her nap this afternoon because all she wanted to do was sit in her high chair attempting to buckle and unbuckle the strap on her seat. So she was hungry. I pulled out the little peanut butter sandwich crackers in an attempt to stop her from screaming because she couldn't hold her new baby sister. She did stop screaming. However, that came at the cost of her pulling apart the sandwich to lick the peanut butter out of the middle and then shove the rest of the cracker in her mouth. That resulted in little bits of cracker falling in the pew in front of us. Where you were sitting. Again, I tried to catch it. I missed. Sorry.
I would also like to apologize for the gurgling noises during the homily. She was drinking her juice nice and quietly and then all of a sudden she throws her head back and starts to gurgle. I know, that sound should only ever be heard when brushing teeth, and never by a toddler...in church. All I can say is at least it stayed in her mouth...
I promise you we that we really do try to work with her on staying quiet. She just doesn't get it, and she isn't old enough to understand bribes, such as "if you stay quiet during mass you can have some fruit snacks, or ice cream, or ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS!"
I promise we try.
God Bless You and your quietly sitting boys,
The noisy family behind you
I have read article after article, blog post after blog post on how to keep a toddler quiet and attentive during mass, and how even though they are moving and crying and trying to escape up the aisle and trying to dip their entire arm in the holy water, they really are absorbing the information. I just keep reminding myself that this stage of life will pass, she will eventually sit and listen, until then, I will continue to pack "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and write apology letters to the people sitting in front of us.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
A New Bag of Tricks
We were blessed to welcome another beautiful, healthy little baby girl into our family on November 2nd.
Her name is Katerina.
Not that I will ever boldly attempt to say that I have things figured out as a mother, but the second time around brings about more feelings of confidence. Kind of like teaching. The first year, you're barely hanging on, figuring out things to do with your students sometimes hours before the come waltzing into your classroom. The second year, brings new challenges, but you at least have a "bag of tricks" you developed that first time.
I have my bag of tricks.
Problem.
Katerina is not Jackie.
My bag of tricks was for Jackie.
Sure there are general tips that are pretty much the same for every baby. Have the new diaper ready to put down before getting old diaper off, how to get a good latch for nursing babies, teething rings, bibs, timeline of when to take baby to doctor check ups, and so on...
However, I am quickly learning how two sisters may look very similar (despite one having GOBS more hair than the other) but be two completely different babies, and how even small differences and send that "bag of tricks" out the window.
As it just so happens, the two biggest differences between the girls is also the biggest issues parents of newborns face right off the bat. Sleeping and eating. Although, to be fair, that is about all a newborn does. That an poop. But doin' just fine there...lots of poop.
When it came to sleeping, other than being a very LOUD sleeper, we pretty much hit the sleeping baby jackpot with Jackie. When she was a week old, we could no longer handle the grunting and squeaking that came from our little princess. She was swaddled nice and tight and put to bed across the house in her crib. Best. Move. Ever. From that point on everyone in the house was getting four-hour chunks of sleep at a time. Every single transition we have made with Jackie that involved sleep has been a breeze. She now goes to bed (or takes a nap) in her "big girl bed" without a fight or fuss.
Katerina a sleep is a different story. She likes to sleep, and sleeps very quietly. She is just picky about where she sleeps. We started off right away trying the crib. No dice. Tried the swing. Nope. The longest stretch of sleep in either of those two places is about two hours. Kat likes to be where the action is. She doesn't want to be off by herself. I want her off by herself. I want her sleeping in her crib. I can be stubborn. However, the other issue of eating has caused me to bend in my stubbornness and for right now, Kat sleeps soundly in her car seat on the floor of our room. We start off the night with anywhere from 4-6 hours of sleep and from that point on, we get up about every two hours. It is still a work in progress, while I try to update my bag of tricks to include things for miss Katerina, she will eventually sleep in her crib...
I thought Jackie was a good eater, and compared to my other mommy friends she was very typical. The nurses at the breastfeeding clinic were impressed the first time I took her in when they discovered she was eating 2-3 ounces in about a total hour feeding. This continued for 2-3 months before she was finally efficient enough to cut that time in half. We struggled big time in the beginning to get just the right latch and position so she wasn't making me want to cry every time she latched on. It was a very long process.
Now here is where my bag of tricks first came in handy. I knew how to get Katerina to latch on correctly and the best way to hold her. Within a couple days the soreness was gone and she was eating like a champ. The first trip to the breastfeeding clinic to get weighed shocked everyone. She was eating 2.5-3 ounces in half an hour! Wow! We have ourselves a super eater.
Having a super eater should be great, and it is because I know she's getting what she needs. However, this has provided a new set of problems. My milk has come in faster and in greater supply, Katerina is super-efficient. This means she is eating too much too fast. Causing our little one to spit up in great quantities multiple times a day. It has been a crazy, milk-soaked week trying to figure out how long to feed her, how long to prop her up, how often to burp her, and guessing how much she is eating. Tomorrow we are heading back to the clinic to see what advice they may have for this problem. Until it is solved, I just don't feel comfortable having her sleep across the house in the crib. I don't want to have to change crib sheets as often as I'm having to chance Kat's clothes! :)
I know as time goes and Katerina shows us more of her sweet little personality, I will add many new tricks to my bag. I just hope the love that Jackie shows her little sissy stays around for a long, long time!
Her name is Katerina.
Not that I will ever boldly attempt to say that I have things figured out as a mother, but the second time around brings about more feelings of confidence. Kind of like teaching. The first year, you're barely hanging on, figuring out things to do with your students sometimes hours before the come waltzing into your classroom. The second year, brings new challenges, but you at least have a "bag of tricks" you developed that first time.
I have my bag of tricks.
Problem.
Katerina is not Jackie.
My bag of tricks was for Jackie.
Sure there are general tips that are pretty much the same for every baby. Have the new diaper ready to put down before getting old diaper off, how to get a good latch for nursing babies, teething rings, bibs, timeline of when to take baby to doctor check ups, and so on...
However, I am quickly learning how two sisters may look very similar (despite one having GOBS more hair than the other) but be two completely different babies, and how even small differences and send that "bag of tricks" out the window.
As it just so happens, the two biggest differences between the girls is also the biggest issues parents of newborns face right off the bat. Sleeping and eating. Although, to be fair, that is about all a newborn does. That an poop. But doin' just fine there...lots of poop.
When it came to sleeping, other than being a very LOUD sleeper, we pretty much hit the sleeping baby jackpot with Jackie. When she was a week old, we could no longer handle the grunting and squeaking that came from our little princess. She was swaddled nice and tight and put to bed across the house in her crib. Best. Move. Ever. From that point on everyone in the house was getting four-hour chunks of sleep at a time. Every single transition we have made with Jackie that involved sleep has been a breeze. She now goes to bed (or takes a nap) in her "big girl bed" without a fight or fuss.
Katerina a sleep is a different story. She likes to sleep, and sleeps very quietly. She is just picky about where she sleeps. We started off right away trying the crib. No dice. Tried the swing. Nope. The longest stretch of sleep in either of those two places is about two hours. Kat likes to be where the action is. She doesn't want to be off by herself. I want her off by herself. I want her sleeping in her crib. I can be stubborn. However, the other issue of eating has caused me to bend in my stubbornness and for right now, Kat sleeps soundly in her car seat on the floor of our room. We start off the night with anywhere from 4-6 hours of sleep and from that point on, we get up about every two hours. It is still a work in progress, while I try to update my bag of tricks to include things for miss Katerina, she will eventually sleep in her crib...
I thought Jackie was a good eater, and compared to my other mommy friends she was very typical. The nurses at the breastfeeding clinic were impressed the first time I took her in when they discovered she was eating 2-3 ounces in about a total hour feeding. This continued for 2-3 months before she was finally efficient enough to cut that time in half. We struggled big time in the beginning to get just the right latch and position so she wasn't making me want to cry every time she latched on. It was a very long process.
Now here is where my bag of tricks first came in handy. I knew how to get Katerina to latch on correctly and the best way to hold her. Within a couple days the soreness was gone and she was eating like a champ. The first trip to the breastfeeding clinic to get weighed shocked everyone. She was eating 2.5-3 ounces in half an hour! Wow! We have ourselves a super eater.
Having a super eater should be great, and it is because I know she's getting what she needs. However, this has provided a new set of problems. My milk has come in faster and in greater supply, Katerina is super-efficient. This means she is eating too much too fast. Causing our little one to spit up in great quantities multiple times a day. It has been a crazy, milk-soaked week trying to figure out how long to feed her, how long to prop her up, how often to burp her, and guessing how much she is eating. Tomorrow we are heading back to the clinic to see what advice they may have for this problem. Until it is solved, I just don't feel comfortable having her sleep across the house in the crib. I don't want to have to change crib sheets as often as I'm having to chance Kat's clothes! :)
I know as time goes and Katerina shows us more of her sweet little personality, I will add many new tricks to my bag. I just hope the love that Jackie shows her little sissy stays around for a long, long time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)