Update

I only have a second, but I just wanted to update you on the new me :) I told my hairdresser to give me a makeover, we picked out a picture from a magazine of Jessica Simpson with short hair, and he started cutting. He said "do you need to be able to do a ponytail" I said "Neh" and 5 inches later we arrived at, well, my haircut. I was determined not to do the typical "bob" which I've resorted to many times. I wanted something brand new, you know? So I have really short hair with a lot of layers, and the part I hate, bangs. I didn't remember her having short bangs in the pic... but oh well. They brush to the side, but don't tuck behind my ear yet so they constantly fall in my eye. Ergh. They are almost too short to pin back, but I have decided to wear the bobby pin with confidence, even if it is right behind my forehead. Once those grow out, it will be ok.

Working out... ah. I forgot how much I hate working out. I did go to the gym but didn't have much stamina. Maybe it is too soon? Then I read online that BF'ing moms shouldn't lose weight quickly because pesticides from your fat can be released into the breast milk. Yikes :( So at least I have an excuse to lose weight slooowly. I did weigh a bit less today though, so I think there is some natural weight loss going on still. I have 10 pounds to go, and I think I'm ok with that.

I'm still NOT ok with my foot growth. How did having a baby make my foot longer??? Do you know how hard it is to find cute shoes, size 11? Still not accepting it yet. Which means I'm still wearing the $10 flip flops I bought while pregnant every day. They are literally falling apart.

Finally, I have resorted to ordering prescription drugs from other countries to increase my milk supply. Before you go all "that's not safe how dare you do that while nursing my grandchild" Mom, you can go to this website. :) http://www.breastfeeding.org/articles/domperidone.html
Don't worry, I will still smell like the Waffle house.

Preview of photo shoot

A few weeks ago, aunt Jeslyn came and took pictures of Annabel. My mother, inspired by photographers' photos online, brought over a car full of "props" so some of these photos are OVER THE TOP! I love it and its so characteristic of my mom to go all out... haha. We actually made it through all of the naked baby photos without any accidents!

A 'New' Mom

Annabel turns 1 month old Wednesday... so crazy how fast time goes by! The first week of her life, I was living on adrenaline. The second week, fatigue set in and it was a fog. By week 3, I was quasi-regaining control of my thoughts, time, emotions, etc and now that week 4 is here, I am ready for a makeover. Ha!

I decided a year ago that I wanted Kim/Kourtney/Khloe Kardashian hair. Yes I watch their shows and no I'm not ashamed. Even my husband can tell them apart by now. (And, yes I am going to Dash when we go to Miami in November) So I started letting it grow out. Except it took forever and didn't have a style and now its just long and matted looking. I don't have time to style it and long hair takes time... unless you do a ponytail which is the only way you will ever see me wear it. It takes an hour to wash, dry and straighten, and I just don't have that kind of time. (Who does, seriously?)

So, I made the appt to have it cut tomorrow. Also, I have played the "the first x pounds melted off, I bet these last 15 will too" game and I lost. These last 15 are just hanging out. It was great the first few weeks... getting on the scale and it always being less and less! Now, its pretty much stuck on the same number, which is higher than I've ever weighed. Mainly, I want to be back in my regular clothes because maternity clothes STINK. And, I still can't wear my regular shoes :( I'm not ready to talk about that yet because I think the increased foot size may be permanent and I'm not ready to accept that I may never be able to wear any of my shoes ever again.

Today I hit the gym and worked out. Slowly but surely, I hope I can lose it. The dilemma is that when you are b'feeding, you are supposed to increase your calories, so I'm in a conundrum. Anyway, I hope to be debuting the new and improved me soon :) Speaking of delicious food, I am making a chicken divan tonight, while wearing my sweet baby in a homemade moby wrap! I love this thing.

Pump, pump it up

It's funny how things change when you have a new baby in the house. I knew things would be different, but it's hard to anticipate how. I have started back to work and it is quite a challenge to get myself presentable to be at work by 9, which probably doesn't even seem early to most of you. But between feeding and pumping, I don't know where the time goes. On my way to work yesterday, I congratulated myself for feeding Anna b, straightening the front part of my hair, and getting foundation on before I had to run out the door. So what if I forgot blush and lipstick and didn't have time for the bird's nest that was the back of my hair... people only see the front and at least my breakouts were covered. Success.

I never thought my life would revolve around a breastpump, but that is the case. Breastfeeding is really hard and I tip my hat to anyone who can continue it after going back to work. I decided that if I were going to attempt it, I would need a fancy pump. I should explain that our norm had been her using me as a human pacifier for hours on end and still being hungry 30 mins after she finished nursing. Certain parts get a little sore if you know what I mean. I had to buy extra, special parts for my special pump and it ended up costing more than Wes' car payment this month! I thought it would change our lives by helping me make all kinds of milk to feed her in a short amount of time. No more 3 hour feedings in the middle of the night!

BUT, that didn't happen and it turns out that a pump doesn't even get as much milk out of you as a baby can and your supply can dwindle once you switch to pumping. Ergh... What to do?? I researched online and found an herb called Fenugreek, which is supposed to increase a mom's milk supply. The only problem: it makes you smell like maple syrup. Seriously. It is what they use to flavor maple syrup. So, the next time you smell, I mean see, me, pretend not to notice because I'm really self conscious about it. Despite smelling like IHOP, I do think it's working for us. Another success.

That's about it. Unless you didn't hear enough about breastfeeding and pumping! Annabel weighs 8 lbs now! She's doing great. I'll be posting more pics soon.

Week 1 and hospital pics

I can't believe I have a 1 week old. I have been wanting to blog for days but I've been so overwhelmed with emotions that I didn't trust myself not to be a babbling brook on here. I will try to suffice it to say that there is absolutely no way to explain or even describe the love you feel for a child. (This is coming from someone who never thought I would love anything more than my dog-child, Abby.) I actually worried that I may not love Annabel as much as I love Abby at one point during the pregnancy...

Motherhood does bring a lot of unique challenges, unique in that every new mother experiences challenges but different ones. I have enjoyed talking with and praying for some friends and new moms, while cherishing their prayers for us. We definitely feel those while we are burning the midnight oil.

We've had lots of firsts this week: car ride, drs visit, walk in the stroller, bath. It's all so special and I'm trying not to go overboard posting pics to facebook. One of the best things has been watching Wes fall in love with Annabel. When I wake him in the middle of the night for help, he just smiles. A daddy's girl in the making, for sure.

Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers!

I had a baby!

Today, Annabel Drake Lanier was born at 12:46 pm. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and is 19 inches long. She is so precious and perfect! We are in love! She was a little over 2 weeks early, her due date being Aug 12. I blew my nose last night sitting in bed and my water broke, haha!! Wes and I stared at each other then jumped up and started acting crazy. I wasn't sure if it was water breaking or just other stuff. So we grabbed the bags I had just packed and went to the hospital. What I didn't know is that once your water "breaks," it continues to leak until you deliver your baby because your body constantly replenishes it!

The contractions started about an hour later and then they were intensified with a medicine. I tried to ride them out until they got really bad and asked for an epidural. I can't even describe everything that went wrong with the epidural from getting it to it "not taking." I never believed people when they would say that so I guess it was karma time. Anyway, it did not work for the contraction pains but right when it was time for her to come, they put another medicine in it and luckily I had some relief while I pushed. 3 pushes and this girl was here! She has a sweet little dimple on her chin and beautiful dark hair and skin. We aren't sure where she got that but we'll take it because she is GORGEOUS! We can't stop staring at this miracle from God.

She is breastfeeding well (knock on wood!) And speaking of that, I need to run. Thank you for all your prayers, support, and love. We'll keep you posted!

2 Weeks!

2 weeks to go!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited and ready! Tonight I'm going to pack a hospital bag... or 3. There's a lot of stuff on my list to bring. We are almost finished with her room. I'm trying to paint a canvas to go in there, and we have a few more things to get together. I've been so busy between work and getting ready for A's arrival that I have neglected all my wonderful friends who have called me this week and promise to call you back asap! We had a bit of a rough start to the week with your good ol' membrane stripping at my appt on Monday so it took a few days to recoup from that. (If you don't know what that is, consider yourself lucky) It did not bring on any contractions, but they are going to try it again on Monday.

For dinner, I am cooking meatloaf, mashed red potatoes, green bean casserole, and sauteed squash medley. If you aren't a big meatloaf fan, I get it. But this recipe is delicious, mainly for the topping (not your standard ketchup.) If you want it, let me know! Also, someone gave me the tip of using chicken broth instead of milk for the mashed potatoes. I have to say, YUM. Biggest difference ever! Try it!

Also, for an update on the salt-free life... I did stick with it, with very few exceptions. It's tomato season, come on people. The positive is that I realized food can taste good without salt, but my swelling did not actually go down much. So I still watch it, but do allow some exceptions. I think I've found a happy, and Healthy!, medium. Who cares if I'm swollen to the point of being essentially unrecognizable these days. I can take it for 2 more weeks!