Wordless-ish Wednesday

So I got this post all ready to go then realized it is Thursday. Fail.

She was not psyched about wearing her sunglasses.

Babywearing saves my sanity. I can wear her and still get things done since she doesn't like being left alone for any length of time. This is called a Mei Tai and it can go on the front or back.

Here we are all wrapped up in a woven baby wrap. I can wrap her on my front, back or hip. She likes it because she can be up and see what's going on while still snuggling close.

I know, this headband is ridiculous but I couldn't resist!

The Diet and Breastfeeding.

So I have been on a really restricted diet since June. We're breastfeeding and Lucy is sensitive to any dairy or soy in my diet. Now we're not just talking cheese or soy sauce here, we're talking whey protein added to cereal, soy lecithen added to candy....there is literally dairy and soy in just about everything! At about 3-4 weeks old she started having really gnarly green poops and was super fussy all the time. I did some research and thought it might be a cow's milk protein intolerance so I cut out all dairy. I cut out soy and it made a huge difference! The problem is finding things to eat. I've lost all but about 3 lbs of my pregnancy weight and I'm sure that I would be struggling with that a lot more if I didn't have to watch my diet so closely. I'm planning to breastfeed for at least a year, probably a good bit longer, so I'm hoping that she outgrows this in the next few months. It's amazing how a small amount of dairy or something can really hurt her and make her fussy for about 12 hours after I eat it. I try to not eat anything with dairy or soy but sometimes things slip by and I don't realize it until it's too late. She's worth it though for sure.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about breastfeeding but I love it. I love that it gives her the absolute best nutrition, that it saves us loads of money on the specialty formula we would have to have her on, that it decreases my chances of osteoporosis and certain cancers, that it decreases her chances of diabetes and other diseases later in life, that it gives her immunity while her immune system is still developing....I could go on and on! My initial plan was to breastfeed for 6 months, and if I made it to a year that would be bonus. Now I'm leaning towards breastfeeding her for at least 2 years since that's what is recommended by several medical associations. I just don't know anyone that has breastfed for longer thean a year and there is definitely a social stigma to extended breastfeeding. Although I've never been one to let what other's think stand in my way ;) Breastfeeding is not easy, at least at first it wasn't. I had mastitis, this crazy diet and playing around trying to figure out her food issues, it is time consuming because breastfed babies eat more often than formula babies in general, it's a pain to pump, but in the end I just decided that it was the best decision for us.

But I'm not gonna lie...I would kill for some:

or some:

We'll trial her on dairy or soy at 6 months to see how it goes. Most babies start outgrowing these intolerances (they're not actual allergies) at about 6 months.

Lucy Pics

Oops, looks like my pics didn't work last night. Here are a few:)





In her Razorback dress and diaper before the Arkansas/Georgia game.



With Daddy.

She loves bathtime and the hairdryer (even though it doesn't really look like it in these pics).



Her first Razorback tailgate. It was so HOT but she did great.



She likes going runnng with the Bob.

I'm Back!!!

Hey there everyone who might still ever check in at the Funny Farm. I took the summer off from blogging but now I'm back!! Here's a brief rundown of what we've been up to since Lucy was born on May 17. On July 20 we moved from SC back to Arkansas. We are currently living in Cabot, AR with my parents while we get settled with jobs and figure out what we want to do about buying or renting another house. We have renters in our SC house. So there are 4 adults, an infant and 5 big dogs in my parent's house...they are awesome for letting us live here! It's really nice to have the help with Lucy and hopefully they're enjoying the family time as well.

Right after we moved Rich got hired by the VA as a pharmacist in their outpatient pharmacy. But...they are suuuuper slow about getting things done so he still hasn't started yet!! He starts work Monday, after a 2 month (unplanned) paternity leave. I know he's antsy to get back to work, but has definitely enjoyed the time home with Lucy and me.

I don't have a job yet, but have worked a couple days at an independent pharmacy. I'm hoping to work about 20 hours a week and spend the rest of my time being Mama. I never dreamed I'd be "that girl" that wants to stay at home with a baby, but I totally am.

Running is going great so far. We're signed up for the Memphis half marathon in December and the Little Rock Marathon in March.

Here are a couple pic from this week. She is 4 months old:)

Help Me With My Get-In-Shape Plan

I need some help figuring out the best way to lose some pounds and gain some fitness. I'm all cleared to start working out again, although I'll have to take it slow to start with. I'm going to be running 4 days a week, just some short distances for now and building back up to longer and harder runs. I've got the running plan down, but I don't know what I want to do about strength training and toning. So I'm enlisiting my wonderfully fit readers for advice. Here's what I'm working with:

• We don't have a gym membership anymore, and I am not a fan of videos.
• I have a yoga mat and 8lb hand weights as my only fitness equipment.
• I need to work on the core, butt, thighs, arms..well pretty much total body toning.
• It needs to be as efficient (aka short) as possible since I'll be cramming workouts in while Lucy is sleeping for now.

What say you??

Who's that dirty topless woman??

and not the good kind of dirty and topless....
Oh wait, it's me!

Things "They" Don't Tell You About Having a Newborn (or that they tell you but you just can't appreciate until you live it)

• A good day is one in which you shower and brush your teeth before 3pm
• A great day is one in which you wash your hair and/or shave in said shower
• Your favorite perfumes are replaced with Eau de Sour Milk
• There's no point in wearing a shirt, much less a bra, since it has to come up or off what seems like every half hour.
• Doggie daycare will save your sanity
• You will barely resist the urge to hurl your constantly meowing cat out the window
• There's nothing sexier than seeing the man you love holding your new baby
• Too bad you can't do anything about it since he is in fact holding a baby and you smell like sour milk and haven't shaved in days
• There's nothing glamourous about motherhood, at least so far (see above)
• While you have grown this baby inside you, she is still a stranger that you have to get to know
• Motherhood hones your songwriting ability. For example, here's our swaddling song:

"I'm cooking up a baby burrito

Wrap her up from head to toe

We cuddle and we snuggle 'cause we love her so

love our baby burrito"

And our gas-alleviating song for tummy massages:

(in a military march style)

"1, 2, 3, 4

Get that toot out my back door

Get that gas

Get that gas

Outta my ass

Outta my ass" (yeah, I know, it's awful, I'm sleep deprived.)

• While it's great and all that breastfeeding burns so many calories, you'll be so hungry that you can easily eat enough to compensate for all those extra burned calories.
• You will not hesitate to catch pee and spit up with your hand
• You can't have too many burp cloths
• A good night's sleep is anything over 2 consecutive hours
• Gowns are much better than any kind of clothes you have to snap in the middle of the night
• All the cliches are true: they grow so fast, you'll never know love like the love you feel for your child, you'll get no sleep, having a child is like having a piece of your heart existing outside your body

In all seriousness, being a mom is the greatest thing I've ever experienced and I am so in love with her. It's hard, all-consuming and exhausting, but of course that's to be expected. She was a month old yesterday, and while it feels like it has gone by so fast, it also feels like this little person has always been in my heart. It's something I've always known I wanted and to be able to have her and share that with Richars is such a blessing.

I go Monday for my 6 week check-up, although it'll only be 5 weeks. My doctor is going out of town so we bumped the appointment up. Hopefully I'll get the go ahead to start working out again! Rich has been going running and taking Lucy and I'm ready to get back out there with them.

Happy Friday!

Marathon Training Lasted 2 Whole Days...

..before my body told me "Whoa, slow down sister. I just grew and pushed out a baby, give me a break." In other words, I had increased pain and bleeding so I had to put running on hold again. Here I am 4 weeks postpartum and totally thought I'd be out running daily again, but I'm trying to be smart and listen to my body. I have 2 weeks until my 6 week checkup, so I'm going to wait til then before trying again. I still have plenty of time to train but could really use the calorie burning and mind clearing benefits of some good runs right now. Until then I'll get my exercise by lifting the TV remote, hiking my shirt up repeatedly and walking up and down the stairs to change diapers:)

But she's so worth it!