P is for Pregnancy: Pagers Are BACK!

I may have discovered the jackpot.

(maybe a little too late for me, but good for you pregnant peeps)

Have y'all heard of this website?

Here's how it works- 

You're rushing to the hospital because you're in labor. 

You don't have time to call the 50 million friends and family in your phone to give them status updates because your getting checked in, fighting through a contraction, or listening to your husband snore...

SO therefore, you sign up for this little free service that keeps everyone in the loop. 

You (or let's be real, your partner) calls one number, records a personalized message or text 

and PreggoPager sends it instantly to your address book. 

It's practically genius.

(why didn't I think of this?!)

I realize it's a little impersonal, at first. 

But let's be honest, we are all too attached to our technology these days.

Put the phones/ipads/crap aside people and enjoy the moment. 

There will be plenty of time to catch up with everyone in person or over the phone later.  

Y'all better put me in your address book!

XOXO-LC

T is for Truth: A Reflection, Post-Baby.

Ok, Mr. T...shield your eyes. 

{well, maybe not now, but one day...you still can't read yet...

OR! maybe you're a baby genius and are logging on 

and reading this at church daycare right now?!}

I digress.

Ok, for those of you that are the rainbows and bunnies 

and "I don't want to know" types...

This post is NOT for you. 

In effort to keep this as concise as possible,

because let's be honest, I can go on for days about this stuff;

I'll include some of my favorite and most trusted links

to help clarify and elaborate on these topics.

I've hit the 2 1/2 months post-partum milestone. 

And I'm starting to really reflect (and understand) 

what I just put my body and mind through. 

And it's not over yet...but there's a light. 

I've compiled a list of my top 5 "things" that affected me personally, 

but then included links to some other relevant lists that my body is just as familiar with.

So here we go.

In a nutshell and in no particular order:

1. Breastfeeding: Your Boobs Will Rock (literally)

Fortunately, little T took to breastfeeding real fast. Like seriously, the kid can eat. Imagine a vacuum cleaner, one of the Dyson Animal ones, yanking on your ta-ta's for 15, 20, 45 mins at a time. And lucky me, I have the most sensitive skin ever. Bad combo. 

When your milk comes in, you can truly feel it. That's what they mean by "let down". (Google it if this is a strange term to you) For the first few weeks after baby ("A.B."), I experienced everything from lumps under armpits, (yes, I thought I had cancer. I know, dramatic) leaky faucet nipples, porn star sized boobs (compared to what I came from), and the list goes on. 

Regardless, I'm going to try for as long as I can...or when he gets his first tooth. OUCH! 

2. Sleep is a Really Bad Joke (for at least the first 6 weeks)

Let me give you an example:

House Guest: "Lauren and Mr. C, so are y'all getting any sleep?"

Mr. C: "Ya, I get like 8 hours or so."

(yes, I want to slap him right about then)

House Guest: "Lauren, what about you? You're sleeping when he sleeps, right?"
Me: Smile and Laugh. Then change the subject. 

(What I want to say but don't: "No actually, I'm not sleeping because you're here. And when you're not, I'm catching up on laundry that's covered in spit up, putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher as often as a hotel restaurant, vacuuming up all the dog hair that's collected everywhere, and watching re-runs on Lifetime because I'm too tired to sleep...because I know the second I do, Mr. T will be awake and wanting to suck the life out of me again.")

And that's all there is to say about that. 

3. The Delivery

There are no words. In the beginning, when you're about to start pushing, it honestly feels like you have to go #2. Then, when you're actually pushing, it feels like the most intense pressure/pain like you've never felt before. I'll have to share Baby T's birth story one of these days...let me just put it this way...my epidural wore off. Soooo, ya. 

4. So Long Cinderella

You know how poor Cinderella's entire fantasy land comes to an abrupt halt when the clock strikes Midnight? (This is before she marries the Prince, of course) Well, that's kind of how I feel since the delivery. Most of my pregnancy, I felt like I had "the glow": long, thick hair; clear, fresh-looking skin; long, strong nails, etc. Welp...I'm wondering where my fairy godmother is right about now. 

I'm pretty sure it's the jacked up hormones, coupled with breastfeeding, mixed with the horror movie aftermath of the delivery that stirred up one "ugly" cocktail. Some of the side effects, just to name a few:

a. My hair is falling out. I'm avoiding looking down at the shower drain these days...

b. My skin is so dry I could sell out the lotion isle at Target and drink all the water on the face of this Earth.

c. My weight. Although the old clothes technically "fit", they just fit differently. Everything distributed all weird now. (can't wait till I can start working out for real)

d. My Lady Parts...sex = forget it. I'll say no more. 

It's probably taken me a solid 9 weeks to start feeling somewhat normal and half way "pretty" again.

5. I Was Stir Crazy

In every sense of the word. I was emotionally connected, spending all my time focusing on little T of course, but physically and mentally, I was in the twilight zone. At first it was fun watching hours upon hours of mindless TV and movies; but believe me, the "new-ness" wore off. There was only so much time in between feedings/diaper changes/naps to catch up with household chores and my own needs. So needless to say, I felt kind of on "repeat" for weeks on end. Same routine, every single day. Good for the baby...after a while, became boring for Mom. Some days went by so fast, some were SO slow. 

Now, it got exponentially so much cooler once little man started becoming more social: started smiling, cooing, doing amazing things like that. And after about 6 weeks, I started slowly taking him out and about, on short, quick errands (like to here) and that broke up the day a little bit. Now that I'm back at work, that's a different story. (More on that another time.)

So for everything I couldn't/didn't say...check these out:

Pregnant Body- 20 Things They Don't Tell You

(Numbers 1-20 are REAL people)

Parenting Advice- Thank God I'm Not Alone

(so true)

Happily After Giving Birth

(Having a sense of humor helps)

And yes it's true when they say, 

"and it was all worth it".

XOXO-LC

S is for Stuff: Birth Announcements

We opted out of sending our annual New Years cards this year

since we knew we would be sending out Birth Announcements.

I've been saving up some ideas for inspiration

and I can't wait to get ours done and in the mail!

Here's some that caught my eye:
(Etsy does it again!)

from here
(classic.sweet.and letterpressed...yes, please)

from here

from here
(would dress this up with a colorful envelope and patterned liner)

from here

from here

and this one is just plain cool...

reminds me of my childhood pop up books!

from here

We would do all ours in BOY colors of course! 

Still in the hunt...

Here's hoping we get our out by the time he's in high school!

*wink wink*

XOXO-LC

F is for Food: Freezer Snacks

I think nesting has officially set in...Again. 

I did have a brief spurt of it a couple months back 

when I reorganized every single closet and drawer in our house. Like a champ.

Then I ran out of closets and drawers. So now I'm focusing on my OCD cleaning skills.

Regardless of how tired I've been feeling lately, 

(ya, 8 1/2 months pregnant will do that to a girl)

I have pulled my energy into sanitizing, vacuuming/mopping, 

scrubbing, and Windexing everything in sight.

Today, however, I decided it was absolutely imperative that I stock up on freezer snacks.
I thought it would be helpful to have some healthy, filling snacks ready after baby gets here.
Oh, and I blame the freezer obsession on Pintrest. 

Maybe tomorrow I'll get crazy and tackle some freezer crock pot meals?!

Here's what I whipped up today:

Yummy Fruit Cups

Ingredients:

(use your favorite fresh fruit, and portion accordingly)

• Red Apples, chopped with skin on
• Purple Grapes, whole
• Grapefruit segments, and juice
• Orange segments, and juice
• Strawberries, cored & sliced in half or quarters
• Bananas, sliced
• Blueberries, whole

Add all fresh fruit to a bowl (make sure to use juice of grapefruit and oranges). Mix all together and portion into freezer friendly containers. When ready to eat, defrost in refrigerator for at least 4-6 hrs. 

Cranberry, Green Apple, and Grilled Chicken Orzo

Ingredients:

(makes 4-6 servings)

• 2 c. orzo or couscous
• 1 1/2 c. dried cranberries
• 1 large green apple, skin on, chopped
• 4 c. sodium free chicken broth (or water)
• Sliced Almonds
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Dressing:

• 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1-2 tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced

Cook pasta to al dente in chicken broth or water (I used a even mix of the two)- meanwhile, make dressing. and grill chicken. Drain pasta and put in large bowl. Add dressing while still warm (it will absorb better). Add green apple and cranberries, toss. Top with grilled chicken slices and almonds. Let come to room temperature then portion into freezer containers. When ready to eat, defrost in refrigerator for at least 6 hrs. Eat cold as a pasta salad or zap in the microwave if you prefer it warm. 

I'd imagine these recipes would be good for anyone that
 needs a 'grab and go' snack item, not just OCD pregnant women, like myself!

Enjoy!
XOXO-LC

B is for Baby: Baby Language

This lady has supernatural hearing/baby powers!
She is legit.
Check this out:

I may have taken notes...
Baby C will be here in 6 weeks or less come tomorrow!

Oh and she has a pretty cool website.

XOXO-LC