Post Baby Body!

Getting my body back after Hudson has not been as easy as I imagined! I thought, for some reason, I would be one of those lucky girls who doesn't get any stretch marks & got their body back just weeks after giving birth. FALSE. I ate relatively healthy during my pregnancy, but I definitely indulged a lot. I wouldn't change a thing though! I drank a green smoothie every day, snacked on almonds, drank tons of water, had an apple & orange a day, only organic/noGMO, etc. It was crazy! But there's nothing more rewarding than having a healthy, smart baby boy when those long months end.

Since having Hudson, I have busted my butt getting back in shape! I started going on daily 2 mile walks 6 weeks post-partum, eating 60% healthy, & doing little Pinterest workouts. I rarely worked out while I was pregnant, so my muscles were like jelly! I cried during my first plank! I am so happy to finally be back to normal. My body is so much different though. Not as firm & my belly is still pretty loose & fluffy. I try not to be too hard on myself though. I just make it a goal to be better than I was the day before. Especially with clean eating. Cause some days, I need a freshly baked cookie or pizza on a Friday night! I feel so much better when I've been eating clean, that alone, is worth not giving in to crappy food.

Now that its getting colder, I thought it would be hard to stay on track- mainly because I was living off fresh fruits & vegetables all summer! There is nothing better than starting your day with a bowl of fresh fruit! Ah! I already miss my daily pineapple fix. I started searching healthy fall recipes on Pinterest, and surprisingly, I love them! We are already adding them into our weekly meals. I have been stocking up on zucchini, squash, & apples. It is so easy & simple to just cut up some zucchini, toss it into some coconut oil & put on top of some brown rice or quinoa. I love it! The hardest part about eating healthy is the convenience. I try to keep Luna Bars, almonds, boiled eggs, Skinny Pop & a water bottle in my diaper bag at all times. It has kept me from grabbing random foods when I'm out n about! With a busy baby like Hudson, I have to have back-up snacks just in case we get caught up playing at the park or wandering around book stores!

I will be updating a lot on my progress with eating clean & getting bikini ready for next summer, mostly because I know it will keep me accountable, but also because I know how much I love a good mom/fitness blog!

life via camera roll // the past few weeks

7 months

Loves: appliances, eating anything he can get his hands on, climbing all over mama, seeing his reflection, trees, grass, animals, & bath time!

Dislikes: having his face wiped off, being changed in public places, riding in the car at night, rice cereal.

He is at such a fun age & it is a blast being able to play with him all day. He is just learning to scoot around & has been sitting up for a few weeks. He loves to eat! When he's grumpy, all you have to do is show him a microwave or the fridge. I don't know why he loves appliances so much but it never stops making me laugh. We are even thinking of bringing him to Home Depot to show him all the fridges! He is definitely starting to grab everything - I have to keep an eye on him constantly. I love it though! He is so smart & fearless. Which also scares me! I don't know what I'm going to do when this kid is walking! Every day he learns something new & becomes more independent. I'm trying to enjoy every stage he goes through because they pass so quickly!! Being a mom is seriously the best. 

Utah //

I have been visiting Utah for a few weeks now & it's the first time I've been away from Shawn with Hudson. I'm so ready to be back to routine & have my little family back together! We wouldn't have normally stayed so long but my big sister flew out for 10 days & I couldn't miss out on all of the siblings & grandbabies finally being together! The days went by so quickly. Sitting in a room with all of them felt surreal. Staring at my mom & sisters, remembering exactly why I always wanted to grow up & be a mix of all three. Watching all the kids interact was seriously priceless!  

Hudson is growing right before my eyes. I get pretty emotional about it. That kid is my whole world. He is such a happy little guy & it amazes me to watch him light up a room - even a room full of strangers. His happiness is the reason I wake up every morning. The last couple weeks, he has been teething, having a growth spurt & caught his first cold. It was pretty rough. But between his fevers, our long naps, stroller rides & constant distraction - he stayed happy. Smiling through the coughs & laughing while trying to bite everyone's fingers off! He officially has 2 adorable teeth, almost sitting up & we have been introducing food! I'm hoping to get back on track with posting his monthly updates - there's so much that needs to be documented. Time is just flying!! I can't believe he's almost 6 months. Ahh!

settle down

We have started getting comfortable in the new (old) apartment we moved into. But we both feel like something is missing! We keep coming up with ideas like, moving back into the camper & going to a smaller town where there's more outdoor activities that we enjoy. There's a few other opportunities that have come up also - ones I won't share til we know more information. But, we are restless! I thought having Hudson would make us feel more settled- in so many ways, it has, but we love our adventures & while he's still small enough where moving around doesn't affect schooling, we might as well! Even then, maybe I'll just home school him. ;) There are no set plans yet, but I'm hoping we don't choose to stay in one spot. It always seemed like such a hassle moving around for his work, but now we are getting the itch to do it again! 

As far as post partum goes, I think I'm back to my old self! Granted, I still have a few more pounds left to lose& I'm definitely trying to get rid of the loose skin on my belly! Our bodies are so amazing. After giving birth, I felt like I was learning how to function all over again! But now, I'm back to working out at least an hour a day, eating clean 80% of the time & always drinking water! I'm not doing any extreme diets or cleansing to reach my goal. This is a lifestyle, not a short term goal. Also- with breastfeeding, I would never risk my supply lowering just because I want to drop extra weight! It's so crazy to get back to normal though. I miss pregnancy every day - & I never felt more beautiful than when this little guy was growing in my belly. But now I get to feel that way everytime I look at him. My little love. 

I'm working on a few projects right now & can't wait to share them with you all! Having Hudson has made me more motivated & more determined than ever to chase my dreams & be the best mama possible. I can't even imagine the girl I was before my little Hudson came along. Every day gets sweeter & sweeter.

peaceful

Sunday morning with Hudson all to myself, drinking my coffee & listening to quiet music that's making me wish it was fall. These moments are some of my favorite, now that I'm a mama. Baby sleeping in my arms, smiling & holding onto me - imagining all the adventures we'll go on, the things I'll teach him, the music he'll discover & all the little things that will fascinate him that I take for granted every day. But for now, I'm so happy that he's my four month old, sweet baby boy. Relaxing & resting up for another rolling session in the living room. He is the reason I was created - love this nugget so much. 

Every night, after we've put Hudson to bed- we lay down & talk about how amazing he is. Look through all our pictures/videos & of course, I usually find an excuse to go check on him. It's also like that when he naps during the day! I love the break & being able to get stuff done, but I feel like half of me isn't there because he's not awake & I can't see that little boy's face light up when I'm kissing him & telling him how much I love him. There is no better feeling. 

This week he experienced Brother Bear for the first time - & for those of you that don't know, that's one of my favorites! His reaction honestly made me cry. I'm ridiculous- these mama emotions are insane. Hudson was kicking, smiling, making noises, yelling & laughing! I couldn't even handle the cuteness. It's so fun to watch him experience things like that. Another thing he learned this week is how to pop his tongue! We do it back n forth all the time now. He gets the biggest smile when I do it!

I adore seeing him grow & learn, but it is definitely bittersweet. I wish I could freeze time! He is getting so big & developing the sweetest personality. I love him more, every day! We always talk about how slow time goes by those last few weeks, waiting for our boy & how once he was born, time just sped up! Days pass so quickly. I'm really hoping that once we get settled into our new place, time will slow down! But for now, I'll embrace every second- because I know these little moments will pass.

Oh, we found a new place! We have moved so many times since Hudson was born! I'm hoping this is the last time for a while. Our apartment is in a 4-plex, the exterior is pink & it needs a little work before we feel completely at home there! Tonight we are re painting the interior. This weekend we will move in, but there will still be remodeling going on. The beginning of the week, we have someone putting in new flooring in the kitchen & bathroom. Along with us installing new cabinets & countertops! I'm pretty excited to have a project & make it feel like home, but I can't wait to get it all done! I have been thrifting so much lately - finding all sortsa treasures for our new home. I'll have to post pictures when things get more settled! 

Shawn has been working 6 days a week & still coming home to go do work on the new place - I don't know what I would ever do without him. He still manages to be sweet as ever & even rock Hudson to sleep so I can lay down & relax. That hubby of mine is a total babe. 

holding on with his hand & foot

[ 2 months ]

my little man is growing more every day - & I'm falling more n more in love with him. 

Transitioning to Mama Bear

Being a mother is seriously the best thing. Ever. I know it sounds cliche- but I've never felt more comfortable in my own skin. He has changed me 100%. He motivates me to be a better person, not just a better mom. I find myself getting emotional over anything to do with family. It is really the most beautiful blessing. Now that he's here, I can't imagine my life without him. I don't know how my mornings were ever happy without waking up to his cute little toothless smile.

Before Hudson, my days consisted of sleeping in til noon, drinking coffee til 3, working out, cleaning, making dinner & playing on Pinterest all day. Then my weekends were going on adventures with my hubby & taking lots of naps! I had no idea how boring I was. I told Shawn just last night that I've always fantasized about being a mom, and how much fun I would have with my baby- but now, I fantasize about my white cloud-like bed & a long nap. He reminded me that I've been the queen of sleep for years & that I lived it up before becoming a mama. Haha // he also made a comment about how nice it is for me to be tired at 9 instead of bugging him to stay up and watch movies with me every night, like I used to. Granted, Hudson has started sleeping through the night & it has been heavenly but I wake up naturally, just to check on him. Mom senses are no joke! 

We are getting pretty used to his schedule & it makes planning outings much easier! Although, I'm still trying to get used to trying to nurse in public. It is so awkward, and Hudson isn't crazy about being completely covered! Every morning, I go running/walking at the park & Hud absolutely loves it. He usually sleeps, but when he's awake, he is SO happy listening to all the different birds chirping! Seeing him in the stroller helps me push myself harder too- sounds crazy, but I remind myself that I gave birth to that little cutie & labor is much harder than running up a hill! While giving birth, my mom kept telling me "You can do hard things!!" & I say it to myself all the time. Not just when I'm working out! Not every day is heaven with a baby, sometimes he is a fussy little punk & doesn't want to do anything but yell at my boob & fuss when he's not nursing! So on those days, I've learned to get some snacks, turn on a movie & just love on him! I'm tellin' you, it took me a while to figure out how to be patient. I can't even tell you how many times I called my mom crying about how I couldn't even get up to go to the bathroom & it was 5 o'clock & I still hadn't eaten! Haha I'm so glad that he's more content & actually likes being in his monkey chair so I can have a break!

It is so crazy that my baby will be 10 weeks tomorrow! Every day goes by so quick. He is already growing out of newborn clothes & wears size 1 diapers- almost ready for the next size. Ah!! Where has the time gone? He talks to me all day & has started watching animated movies with me! I can lay him down on his boppy & he will just lay there amazed at the screen, sucking on his fist! He is obsessed with his hands lately! It's the funniest thing! Instead of waking up crying, I can hear him sucking on his hands. Its so cute to wake up to! He is getting so chunky, I am always nibbling on his rolls & kissing his chubby cheeks! He already gives me looks like I'm crazy whenever I smooch him all over his face! I love it so much. He is the cutest thing in the world!

I'm still working on my Labor & Delivery story- it's taking me forever! There is just so much to tell & I don't want to forget little details! It already seems like I'm forgetting some of it! My mind is just all over the place. That's one thing I wish I had done right after I had him! So, advice to other new mama's- write it down! They sleep so much the first few weeks & there's definitely time! I still had such a strong nesting instinct the first couple weeks so in my spare time, I was deep cleaning everything & doing laundry. Don't do that. Haha it doesn't help you heal any sooner & you'll be even more drained! It's so funny how during all the painful contractions, I kept thinking I only wanted one kid now, because it hurt so bad! But then after the whole experience was over & he was in my arms- I wanted to do it all over again. Its so amazing. Ah. That's another bit of advice for new mama's // Don't let horror stories about L&D scare you- it will hurt, you will feel like it is impossible to get that baby out of you, but you're made for this! I remember I was most nervous about being spread eagle in front of people, but once its happening, you don't even notice because your mind is completely focused on getting your little sweetheart out! 

Anyway, I'm getting anxious now that Hudson has been napping for two hours. I'm ready to play with my baby!! 

Life with baby Hudson

Our new life as a family has been an absolute dream. My whole life, I imagined what it would be like to be a mother- I could have never imagined that it would be this amazing. Don't get me wrong, it's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life - but it's getting easier! The first 6 weeks were rough! I never knew how crazy lack of sleep can make you. Hudson has been such a good baby, though. The hard parts have mostly been due to my post partum hormones! The hormones gave me a rash that is just barely going away! It got worse the more I nursed! Luckily, it's started to go away now that my hormones have evened out!

Hudson is such a happy & smart baby! I love spending my days with him - watching him learn & seeing his big smile everytime I talk to him. It's hard to believe that he's almost 8 weeks old! Days go by so quick! 

Our life has been so blessed with this little boy. Everything revolves around him. We lay down in bed, just talking & watching him! Shawn is such a great dad - it's made me fall more in love with him everyday! He helps so much & is willing to do anything so this mama can relax. He leaves the house at 5 am & sometimes gets home as late as 8! After a long day, he still takes Hudson & makes me go for a drive or brings me flowers & chocolate. We've learned so much about each other through this experience & became closer than ever. I couldn't imagine sharing a life with anyone else. I feel so honored to be his wife & to be Hudson's mother. 

I've been writing my Labor & Delivery story & I'm hoping to share it soon! Finding time to blog is much different now - how do all these moms do it?! Total rockstars. Adjusting to a schedule revolving around a newborn has been interesting. But, I can't wait to share his birth story with all of you!