Six weeks postpartum update.

It's already be 6 weeks since I gave birth to my sweet baby boy! I'm going to be giving monthly updates on him, but I thought I would do a update on myself as far as how I'm feeling and my reflections on my birth experience now that I've had some time to think about it out of the moment. 

As far as how I'm feeling, I feel great! Obviously, I'm pretty tired, but within 2 or 3 days of giving birth I felt completely back to my old self. It was amazing! With both girls it was 2 weeks before the soreness went away so I was definitely shocked to be feeling to so good so soon. 

I've lost almost all of the weight I gained. I have about 4 pounds left to loose. I only gained 30 pounds so thanks to having a huge baby and breastfeeding the weight came off in about 3 weeks. However, I'm not even close to looking how I did when I got pregnant. It's amazing how the same weight can look completely different. For a couple of different reasons I wasn't able to workout like I wanted and I definitely let myself indulge with sweets! I still ate healthy foods, but certainly didn't deny myself dessert! And needless to say, it shows. I'm frustrated that I worked so hard to get where I was and just let it go. I realize I carried a baby and it's only been 6 weeks, but I could have done much better! I am proud of what my body accomplished. Now I'm working hard to get back to where I was. 

Looking back to my birth experience my opinions haven't changed. I would still do it all again exactly the same way! I would recommend a water birth to anyone who will listen! I truly believe that because of the water and not pushing in a lying position is the reason I had no tearing and the reason I had zero soreness after 2 days. The soreness I did have was more in my back a legs because of the odd position I held myself in. I'm also so pleased with my decision to use a midwife. I just loved them and the care they provided me with! 

It was the most perfect birth I could have wished for. While I was pregnant I thought for sure Ezra would be our last baby. But after his birth it makes me sad I'll never get to do that again. So, for now I'm choosing to believe that another one isn't out of the question ;) I'll get back with you in a few years on that! 

Sweet Karoline is 3!

Last Monday was our Karoline's 3rd birthday! I cannot believe that 3 years has already flown by!

I like to make a big deal about birthdays in our house. Not a big party or expensive gifts, but I just put a lot of effort into making them feel celebrated and special. Their birthday is special to me because it's celebrating the day I fell in love them. It's the day they came into my life and I really try to let them know how special they are to me. I always make sure they wake up to some simple decorations like streamers and balloons and make them a special birthday breakfast. We make the day all about them and let them decide what we do or eat. Karoline still doesn't quite understand, but we still celebrated her big day!

I had a dentist appointment that morning so she got to spend the morning with Nana Donna. She even brought her a birthday muffin and sang her happy 

birthday. 

The rest of the day was a pretty low key regular Monday. She did get to open one gift from us. She is obsessed with horses so of course we added another horse to our enormous collection. She has played with it nonstop since so it was worth it :)

On Saturday we had her birthday party. It was just a small family party and of course it was horse themed! She had a blast and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  She was SO excited about her horse cake! She talked about it for weeks and could not wait to eat it!

I kept the decorations simple since a lot of my time is devoted to baby boy, but I think everything turned out cute. Karoline said it was perfect so that's all that matters :) My favorite decoration was definitely her birthday banner. 

We are so blessed to have her in our life! She is our sassy wild child with a huge heart. She's so smart and funny. Seriously, she's hilarious! She loves her big sister and copies her every move. And she is obsessed with her baby brother and has settled right into being a great big sister!

Here are few things about our Sweet Karoline: 

- She's super smart! (I know all parents say this:) She knows all her colors and shapes. She can count to 10 and can almost get to 20. She know most of her letters, but doesn't quite get them in order :) 

- At this time she will ONLY wear dresses or skirts. I'm sure it's just a phase...I hope. 

- She has a great vocabulary! But there are a few words she mispronounces and it really funny. I don't correct her because I think it's cute and she'll figure it out on her own. 

Polka dots= coconuts

Unicorn= hornicorn

Chocolate milk= chocolate milk and milk

Cinderella= Sunbrella

Before Ezra was born she called him Bezbra :)

- She's a good eater and will try mostly anything. She does have a sweet tooth though and loves ice cream!

- Over the past year she has grown really attached to a purple blanket. She loves it and always sleeps with it. 

- She loves books! She loves being read to, going to the library and atory time every Wednesday!

- She's a great sleeper. She sleeps 12 hours at night and still takes a good nap most days. 

- She is the complete opposite of her big sister, but they (mostly) get along great. 

- She doesn't go to school or day care, but she does really well with other kids! She loves going to story time and church to play with her friends. 

She's such a sweet blessing. I love watching her grow and learn and I can't wait to see what the next year holds!