Get fit for baby

So, John and I joined Weight Watchers online. We've both gained and lost and regained weight since we've been married. I was fortunate to get back my pre prego body really quickly. The not so fortunate part is that my pre prego body was darn near 20 pounds heavier than my wedding day body, and about 30 pounds heavier than the thinnest I've been in my adult life.

So once I got through the initial mayhem and chaos of figuring out new motherhood, I felt ready to take on being more purposeful and disciplined about what I eat. We joined online because I knew the biggest part about sticking with WW is logging your food and keeping track of your points. I tried doing it without actually joining, and it's much easier to slack in tracking that way, which leads to slacking in losing weight. So we used some of our Christmas and discretionary money to pay for 3 months, so we could have access to the app for our phone. This makes tracking SO much easier.

We are both wanting to be healthy for Sophia. We don't want to model obesity and poor nutrition for her. We don't want to be too tired to play with her. We don't want her to struggle with weight herself like we both did all our teen and adult years. So we aren't looking for model perfection or wanting to be "skinny," but rather to be healthy and within normal body weight range. I would be happy just to be back down the 20 pounds I've gained since getting married, and thrilled to lose 30 and be back to my "thinnest" me. But I think it's another 20 or 24 pounds from there to not be considered "overweight". I don't know if I have that much sacrifice in me. John however- is planning to get into the ideal body weight range for himself. And I know he can do it, because he is much better at discipline when he does choose to apply it.

It is really nice that we are both doing it. Then neither of us are bringing things into the house that would make the other struggle. In fact, John is good about keeping me on the straight and narrow.

I also want to take advantage of the extra calories I'm burning from breastfeeding. Thankfully WW takes into account whether you are nursing exclusively, or supplementing with formula or food. So I get some extra points but not a ton. I know it will be a rude awakening though when I quit nursing and get like 5 or 10 points taken away.

My first week in I lost 2.something pounds. So, here's to the long road ahead of continuing planned eating, for life.

Back at it

So my first days back at work were just fine. Surprisingly, I did not cry at all. I had been praying that God would give me strength and peace, and He did. Thanks be to Him.

It did help to mentally psych myself out that I would be home by 3pm, and that it was only 2 days. I kept telling myself it would pass quickly.

The first day back, John and Sophia came to the hospital for lunch. It was nice that all my co-workers got to see her, but I honestly think it was harder for me than if she didn't come at all. It was only when lunch was wrapping up and I had to leave them that I almost lost it.

But other than that, I was busy at work. Both days I was training for a new position that I'll be covering for 6 days the last two weeks in March. So I really had to focus. But- it's also less stressful because for those two days, I was not personally solely responsible for making sure the work got done correctly.

Sophia and John also fared well. As I predicted, John didn't get too much work done, because Sophia still is not consistently taking long naps. It's hard to get anything done when she only sleeps 30-45 minutes at a time. We are working on it though, because when her naps are short like that, she is a much less contented baby when she is awake.

So, being back at work is going alright. I am sure it is easier since I know she's with her daddy and well cared for, and will be waiting for me when I get home.

For all of March and I would venture to guess most of April, I will be working 3 days a week. But, as soon as all our vacancies are filled my boss has said she'll be able to put me back down to 2 days a week. And I will be glad of that.

Twas the night before

I returned to work, and all through the house, everything seemed normal, but I felt like a louse

...because in the morning I have to get up and leave my beautiful sweet precious baby. For like, 9 hours. In a row. *Insert tears*.

I know I am fortunate, I don't even have to work full time, and my baby will be at home with her daddy.
I can't imagine ladies who have to go back to work at 6 weeks and put their tiny infants in full-time daycare.
So sad.

I really have no idea how tomorrow will go. I'm sure I'll cry.
Thankfully I'll be learning a new position, and I have to be there at 6:30am, but should be home by 3. For the next two weeks.

But then in March I go back up to 3 days a week instead of 2. Gulp.

I keep reminding myself that Sophie will be fine, it's only me who will suffer (and maybe dad!).

I hope the hours fly by instead of drag.

I am not wearing mascara to work.

More time for posting?

So I thought I would have more time for the blog this week since we are away visiting family. But our visit is almost over and here I am just squeezing one in. Although to be honest I could be just as happy to veg out in front of the TV. Only John is watching "How It's Made" and that show can be kind of boring. And unfortunately I just looked up and they are showing the making of hot dogs. Totally gross what the "filling" looks like. Ick.

Our visit has been pretty good. We don't have cable or even basic channels at home, so I've been taking advantage of watching Toddlers and Tiaras (cray cray!), What Not To Wear, Hoarders and Duck Dynasty. Basically I park the remote on TLC. And who wants to ruin the total brainlessness of television with concentrating on making a clever blog post?

John was really sick at the beginning of our trip. He had a bad cold that knocked him out for several days. And now Sophia is getting congested again :( He stayed away from touching or kissing her, but when you live in the same house sharing sickness is almost inevitable. It's so sad when she doesn't feel well.

While we were here Grammy and Auntie watched Sophia for a half day so we could enjoy walking around Downtown Disney and seeing Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba". It was SO impressive. We saw the Cirque movie but this was my first time seeing a live show. If you can make it to one- and afford it! I definitely recommend it. We were able to enjoy seeing it do the generosity of John's dad.

Grammy made it possible for us to come visit, as we are on some what of a budget that doesn't include vacation/trip money. John has been working during the day when he felt up to it. So Grammy, Sophie and I have made several trips out for lunch and shopping. Including MORE hair bows/feathers/flowers.