Weight challenges

I didn't realize how annoying it was going to be the 2nd time around waiting for my weight to just melt off like it did with Alex, esp since I only gained 27 lbs with Nico and 33 with Alex. (Now don't be mistaken, I had to work out to get back in shape but I was able to wear my pre-pregnancy pants by 6 weeks postpartum.) This time around, these last pesky 10 lbs just seem to have made themselves at home and don't want to leave. I still can't wear my pre-pregnancy pants, and nothing I seem to be doing is making the numbers on the scale go down. There are a few factors that I think are contributing:

1. The obvious: this is my 2nd child, and it might take a bit more work to shed the weight!
2. The c-section doesn't allow me to work out until the doctor has cleared me (8 wks in this case). 
3. I am nursing Nico and need to consume 500 calories so I can't exactly eat like a "skinny girl"
4. I am on a dairy restriction due to a sensitivity Nico has and thus I feel hungry quicker without my easy dairy filled and healthy snacks. *This is getting very annoying considering my already restricted diet due to food allergies
5. I have to drink 2 types of juice in limited quantities

I'm doing some things right.
1. I'm walking almost every day and trying to get some fun exercise in by playing with Alex like throwing the ball and chasing him outside when the heat allows.
2. I only have half of a soda a day and sweeten my coffee with agave nectar instead of sugar.
3. I am also eating lots of protein and drinking water with every meal
4. I've started simple and gentle exercises: pilates mostly

My endurance is very limited :( but I'm hopeful that it'll get better soon as long as I keep trying. I think I'll start posting side profile pictures of myself so that I can keep track of my progress by my appearance instead of the numbers on the scale. ADM!

First Smile :-)

I am trying to post as often as possible and I finally got a chance now that everybody is bed. The time is just flying by!!! It seems that once our day starts in the morning that we are off and I don't get much down time in between to do much but take care of my little men. The weekends are great but those fly by even quicker.

The days have been bringing a lot of adjustment for all of us, especially Alex. I am adjusting to being at home again, which was very difficult at first. It was very easy to be at home with just one kid but now that I have 2, one of which is almost 3 years old, it is really exhausting. I think the hardest part is the discipline that Alex requires. I'm still really tired (probably due to my anemia) so it is hard to keep up with my pumping schedule (every 2-3 hours,) keeping Alex entertained, Nico duty, keeping everyone fed and happy, and household chores. Alex's energy is so high that when he is not exercised well enough, he starts acting up and it doesn't make for a very happy environment (sleepy and cranky mama = not a lot of patience.)

Nico is an amazing baby so that really helps although lately he has been very fussy. We've been experimenting with different formulas (for supplementation at night) and I am hopeful that formula #4 might be the winner (Enfamil Gentlease.) He has reflux and has been crying in pain due to the reflux and gassiness. It's basically been a trial and error experiment with trying to get the right formula so as of day #2 on the new formula, we are a lot less fussy and the gas does not appear to be causing any pain. Praying that this is the one! This will certainly help reduce a lot of mama's crankiness.

Tonight, we believe that Nico might have had his first real smile. While I was holding him, Eddy was standing right next to me tickling Alex and while Alex let out a big giggle, Nico smiled twice and let out of a small giggle. It was really perfect and all 4 of us were involved so not one person can take credit for causing and observing Nico's first smile. :-)  Heehee.

Alex is really a great big brother. He's never been one to really like candy or sweets, but the man loves him some cupcakes. Yesterday, he asked for one so I made him a batch of strawberry cupcakes. Before he ate one, he asked that we sing happy birthday to him and later asked for some presents. I seriously have the coolest 2 year old out there.

Loving my 2 boys!