Category: Cole

Body By Babies

I have been feeling pretty good lately about getting back to my BBW (before baby weight). With Ryan, I lost all my baby weight within 6 months. I didn’t exercise or try- it just came off, by itself (lucky me!)

Cole just turned 14 months, and I *still* haven’t quite lost all the baby weight. I seem to be stuck at those last five pounds. However, I have heard that when you nurse, your body will usually hold on to ten extra pounds so your body will have something to make milk from if you don’t get enough food. (I suppose this is back from cave-man days). I am still nursing Cole, so perhaps this is another reason I can’t lose the rest of the weight.

I also notice on days that he wants to nurse more, like when he is teething, sick, or tired, the next day I am very hungry. On days when he doesn’t want to nurse much, I am not as hungry.

I am guessing since I am older the second time around my metabolism slowed down a bit, and I also had a very stressful year with Cole, and I know I ate more during the past year.

I am happy though, that my weight is where it is, considering I gained 50 pounds with Ryan, and a whopping 60 pounds with Cole! (I get so hungry when I am pregnant- what can I say?!) I have been able to get into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes again, but not my shorts!

I have been reduced to wearing two pairs of shorts when I go out in public that don’t fit- they are too big, and I have to constantly be pulling them up, but then next size down, is too small. Of course I have about 20 pairs of pre-pregnancy shorts, that I spent a small fortune on, that as my sister says, “taunt me from the closet.” Amen. Oh yes, I could squeeze my mama hips into them, but can’t button them over my new friend- “mama pooch” on my stomach.

I always had a flat stomach before having babies. I think those days are gone. My pooch doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon. I have one pair of pre-pregnancy shorts that I can actually fit into, but they button higher on the waist, and let me tell you- it is a struggle to get them buttoned. I never liked the below waist, shorts or pants, but now they are my best friend, because the button below “mama pooch.”

I look at all my shorts folded in the closet that I can’t wear. I don’t want to get rid of them because I just know one day I’ll be able to wear them again (yeah, right) but I don’t want to buy a lot of new ones because 1- summer is almost over, and 2- I am hoping that when I do lose the last five pounds, maybe a few inches from “mama pooch” will disappear too, and I will be able to wear *some* of them again.

That brings me to my next point- I am going to have to get rid of the shorter shorts- because let’s face it- NO ONE, me included- wants to see this much of my lower thighs. Before babies- I liked shorter shorts, and wore them all the time. After babies- no way- there is enough suffering in the world without me subjecting people to that view. 🙂

However, we are going on a beach vacation next week, and I have had it! I want some shorts that fit me as I am now. No more “baggy butt” shorts. I don’t want to spend another small fortune on shorts that I hopefully will never wear again, so a few days ago; I went to a nice consignment shop in town with Ryan, after his swim lessons.

I grabbed all the pairs of shorts I could find in one size up from the stash I have at home, and was confident out of the 50 pairs I had- a few would fit. After trying them ALL on, NONE fit! What was worse was I would sit down in them, and my friend “mama pooch,” would show up, outlining herself from within. Even Ryan noticed- he poked her, and said, “You got chubbies there.” Uh, thanks son. But he was telling the truth- I looked like I was 3 or 4 months pregnant in these shorts.

We left soon after, and I wondered if I was doomed to a life of “baggy butt” shorts, or looking like I was pregnant. I marveled at the time I could walk into an Old Navy store, walk right up to the shorts, know exactly what size I wore, know they would fit, and would buy them without trying them on. I knew those days were over- when you allow babies to live rent free in your body for nine months, your body will never be the same.

I tried a few more stores today, and nothing-nada-ziltch. Same problem. Shorts one size smaller were too small, and the size I have now are too big. I was feeling really depressed, as I went into the last store in my town that sells shorts. Cole was with me, and he was in a really good mood and happy. I found a few pairs to try on, but in all honesty they looked like mom shorts. Not the cute styles I like. 🙁

On a whim, I decided to go over to the juniors department to torment myself further. Talk about *major* depression! The size large shirts I doubt would even cover one side of me. But then I saw them… they were taunting me like the shorts that sit in my closet, but these came in more than one size. In a moment of insanity, I picked up two pairs of some cute cargo jean shorts with an “at below waist” style with a drawstring (not that I would need to pull them tighter over “mama pooch”), that didn’t look too short, or too long. They were the same style, just two different sizes.

Back to the dressing room we went. I felt like I was getting ready for a first date! I actually had butterflies in my stomach, and I started talking to the shorts.

“Please shorts, fit. Fit. I don’t ask a lot out of life, but you would make me very happy if I could have one pair of shorts that don’t have “baggy butt,” or show “mama pooch.”

The first pair was the larger size, and I had to actually pull the drawstring in. They fit!- well sort of. As I sat down, they crept down. Less attractive than “baggy butt,” or “mama pooch,” is butt crack.

Well, I knew there was no way the smaller size would fit, but in another moment of insanity, I pulled them on. Wait…they buttoned. Good sign. I tied the drawstring- not to hold them up, but to just tie them. Another good sign. Length was nice- hides upper thighs, but aren’t down to my knees, and “baggy butt” was nowhere to be found. Okay, now came the test. I slowly sat down, not wanting the moment to end. I forced myself to look in the mirror, and she was not there!

“Mama pooch,” was not making an appearance! I turned around, and butt crack wasn’t there either! Then I heard the angels sing “Hallelujah, Hallelujah!” I did it! Three days, 6 stores, and probably 100 pairs of shorts later, I did the near impossible. Found ONE pair of shorts that fit, and I actually look nice in.

I can’t believe in the end it was the junior shorts that fit, but it makes sense now, because I was shopping in women’s and I guess that one size up from the woman’s size that wouldn’t fit, is the size I ended up with in juniors! Who would have guessed?

I do know that I never want to shop for another pair of shorts again. Hopefully it will stay warm for a while, because frankly, the thought of having to go jean shopping terrifies me. But for now, I’m happy.

Beach here I come, sans my three “friends,” “baggy butt,” “butt crack,” and “mama pooch.”

Cole Health Ryan Work

Curly Q Cole

Thanks for the inquires on Cole- after taking him to an urgent care center on Sunday (after he seemed worse on Sunday morning), he miraculously got better as soon as we left. Figures. Anyway, he was checked for an ear infection, and strep throat, and both were negative. The doctor said he probably had another virus, and there were a lot of them going around- in fact she had seen several babies Cole’s age all weekend with similar symptoms.

Today he was back to his old self for the most part, and after his bath tonight, I tried to get his hair to stay in a little curl mohawk. It did okay, until Ryan came up messed up his hair, saying, “I don’t like Coley’s hair like that!” He started to cry- who knew Cole’s hair was such a big deal, although I suspect it wasn’t that he didn’t like Cole’s hair, as much as he didn’t like the attention we were giving Cole. Here are some pictures of Cole’s curly hair, as he ate his snack:

In other news, I am working on the second quarter books for my very part-time job, and since that original post the job has changed, to me doing all of it at home, so that is nice, but I have to work at night, when the boys are asleep. So between that, swim lessons, and getting ready for the birthday party for my father-in-law this week, I probably won’t have too much time for blogging this week. But I’ll be back…. 🙂

Cole Family & Friends Health Ryan

Ted

Post author By A Mama's Blog
Post date July 14, 2007
4 Comments on Ted

We have had a crazy, busy, week, trying to catch up on everything we got behind on from last week, and Cole has had another fever for three days, and has been basically crying non-stop. I think he is teething, and he keeps clearing his throat, so I believe he probably has a sore throat. I didn’t have too much time to blog.

This week will be busy as well- Ryan starts his next session of swimming lessons. He is really looking forward to them. He asked me every day this week, if today was the day he got to go to swim lessons, so he should be excited on Monday, when that day is finally here!

This coming weekend we also have a big family birthday bash for my father in law, celebrating his 80th birthday! He turned 80 in March, but decided to have the party during the summer so his siblings and relatives could come in from out-of-state for it. We have been looking forward to this for a while, and it should be lots of fun. We are hoping Ryan will sing Happy Birthday with his cousins at the dinner on Saturday night, so we’ll see. Maybe if he doesn’t want to sing, we could get him to dance and show some of his moves. 🙂

We had a hard day today, with Cole crying- I was at the end of my rope. To top that off, on Thursday night, our tenant called and said there was water leaking in one of her closets. Since we live next door, Joe went over and determined it was a broken float from the swamp cooler, so he had to turn off the water to her cooler, and ours. Needless to say, we had a hot couple of days, until he got it fixed early this afternoon. We now have cool air again- yea!

Cole seemed to be feeling better tonight, but after 3 days of crying, fussing, and about 6 hours of total sleep for me (in the 3 days-) I am just worn out and exhausted. His fever has kept him from sleeping well, so he just wants to be held, but then he just squirms around, so obviously I can’t sleep either. I was about on my last straw today.

I finally got dinner on the table, and Cole actually wasn’t crying, and the doorbell rang! We tend to get a lot of solicitors so I have a sign near the door that basically lists everyone that I do NOT want coming to the door, and it works well! So I wondered who it was. I was irritated though- I just wanted to sit down and eat, but I went to the door, with Ryan following behind me.

I opened the door, and saw our next-door neighbor, and he asked if Ryan wanted a pony ride!

I was like “huh-pony?” (that is my conversation level when sleep deprived). He pointed over to his yard, and sure enough there was a pony in the yard!

I told Joe to get his shoes, and he grabbed Cole and we went over to see Ted, the pony. Ryan petted him, and our neighbor explained that they had just bought him at an auction for his 6-year old stepson. Ted was so cute. There were cars going by, and he was really calm. The neighbor’s wife explained she had horses on some land about 30 miles away, so they were going to move Ted there, but her horse had thrown her son, and so they were hoping Ted would get her son back on a horse.

They showed Ryan how to pet Ted, and then he was ready to climb on Ted. Look at this picture- do I need to say more?

Right after this picture was taken, they led Ryan around in their yard on Ted, and he was thrilled! Cole got to pet Ted a few times, but with him being sick, he didn’t quite get to the excitement level as Ryan did.

Ted was a nice surprise and we joked with the neighbors, we now know who to call if we need a pony for a birthday party!

Activities Cole Family & Friends Ryan

The “Big” Wedding

As promised, here is my post (and pictures- I had so many neat ones turn out, it was hard to decide, but these are the ones I like) on my brother’s wedding.

Ryan woke up on Thursday (the wedding day) and was very excited. He jumped on our bed and said, “Today is the Big Wedding!”

We had about a 50 mile drive to the wedding site, and left at 2, to get there at 3. It was another hot day, so we decided to just wear our normal clothes and then change at the place.

We arrived at the venue just after 3, and Joe and I quickly got the boys changed, and then Joe and I changed. We had about an hour to kill, so Joe kept the boys occupied, while I checked in with my sister, M., who was the matron of honor, and K. the bride. Everyone was doing really well, and K. was one of the calmest, cool, and collected brides I have ever seen. She was in her room, looking at her dress in the mirror, twirling around in it, just as relaxed as could be.

I remember how stressed I was, right before my walk down the aisle, and I think it was great she was able to have some fun. She looked absolutely stunning, and gorgeous. I was going back and forth between her space and where my brother was hanging out, and I couldn’t help myself- I told him how beautiful K. looked, and he said he was getting really excited to see her.

After I was dressed, we took this picture of me with my two sisters (you can click on any of these pictures to see them larger):

Left to right, is M (matron of honor), (the middle sister- and third born), V. (the youngest sister, and “baby” of the family), and me- (the oldest sister, and second born).

I went back downstairs and saw Ryan dancing around the dance floor. I got a few pictures, but they turned out pretty blurry, but got this one of Cole, checking out the chairs:

Before we knew it, it was time for the wedding to start. There was a driveway to walk down, on to a sandstone patio area which overlooked the valley below. I stayed back, in order to help Ryan if needed, and Joe stayed with Cole. I was able to get these pictures of the party on their way down:

The second picture is of Ryan, with his two-second cousins. (I love this picture- it is my favorite of all the ones I took!)

Once they were off, I had to basically climb down to the patio over some rocks, and boulders,- otherwise I would be walking down the aisle, before the bride- not good. Ryan was supposed to walk next to his second cousin, who was a flower girl, but I found out later from K., that he walked completely alone and by himself down the aisle and did great. He did just what he was supposed to do! I guess the practicing came in handy.

After I climbed down the rock embankment, without twisting an ankle, I walked up the side and was able to sit in the front row, next to my mother. I got lots of nice pictures of the wedding party, and of Ryan. Here is one that captures basically what a 3.5 year-old-boy would be doing during a wedding ceremony (playing with the ribbon on his pillow):

The ceremony was wonderful, and my brother totally broke down with tears, when he saw K. I knew she looked wonderful. The ceremony was short and sweet, about 15 minutes. It was hot, but there was a breeze, and I was amazed that Ryan stood up there, the entire time- he was such a good boy! Here is a picture of my brother, and new sister-in-law:

While we were waiting for the photographer to get some pictures set up, my sister’s friend took this picture of my three siblings and I:

So obviously the new face is that of my oldest and only brother, J. He has always been a wonderful brother, and I am so happy for him and K. I cried during the ceremony, and reception after seeing how happy they are. I am so glad my brother finally found someone he can share his life with.

So after we all dried our eyes, and ate a delicious dinner, it was time to dance! It was so fun, but the biggest surprise of all was Ryan. He started dancing, and had no fear. He was doing summersaults, dancing with older girls, his cousins, dancing for the videographer, photographer, and spinning on the floor like a break dancer. I have no idea where he picked up all these dance moves, but be busted them out!

Joe and I were both stunned- where did our shy little boy go, who would barely even talk to a new person? He was talking up a storm to almost everyone he met, and he had just the best time- I dare say the best night ever in his short life.

The next morning Joe called him John Travolta Jr., and almost a week later, he’ll drop to the ground and do a dance “move” and say “this is one of my tricks.” He told my dad today that he was “born to boogie.” Who knew? We are going to get a copy of the videographer;s DVD of the wedding, so we can have Ryan’s dancing debut forever.

My sister’s friend, “snuck” some extra chocolate covered strawberries for Ryan, and he loved those along with some cake:

Joe was wonderful- he held Cole for me the entire night so I could enjoy the party. Cole fell asleep around 8:30, so he sat with him in the foyer, and laid him on a couch. About 9:45, I joined them, while Ryan was still dancing, and running around with his second cousins. My dad kept an eye out on him, but he was unstoppable. I know I am getting old, when my 3.5 old son can out party me!

Much to Ryan’s dismay, at 10 pm, we decided it was time to go. I got one more dance in with Ryan: (this picture is from earlier in the night- he looks so sad, because he didn’t want me to pick him up- I was cramping his style!)

The boys fell asleep in the car before we left the parking lot. It was a wonderful wedding, and everything was so pretty, beautiful, and thought-out. Sometimes weddings aren’t like that, but K.’s family was terrific and everyone just had so much fun. This one was one of the best weddings I have ever been to.

K., and everyone who helped her, did such a fantastic job- it is an honor to have her as a new sister, and I am very thankful to her, for making my brother so happy. Thanks for including us, and Ryan in your special day- we all had a blast!

The rest of the weekend was busy, with us visiting relatives in from out of town, but all in all it was beautiful. It was the best of what families can be.

Cole Household Ryan

“Stripping” the Ol’ Fuzzibunzs’

Post author By A Mama's Blog
Post date June 26, 2007
5 Comments on “Stripping” the Ol’ Fuzzibunzs’

I started using Fuzzibunz cloth pocket diapers when Ryan was about 18 months old. I absolutely LOVE them! They are so easy to use, and it is great being able to customize the amount of protection needed, by simply inserting another insert, or even wrapping the inserts with a cloth (I use one insert and then wrap that in a microfiber cloth.)

Most of the Fuzzibunz I got for Ryan were size large, but as soon as I found out I was having another baby, I started buying the size smalls and mediums. Cole has been in Fuzzibunz since he was born, and while I still use disposables on occasion, I can only imagine how much money we have saved by using cloth the majority of the time. At first I thought I would hate doing the extra laundry, and how do you get the solids off the diaper, it was gross, etc.

I started using flushable diaper liners with Ryan in the Fuzzibunz, and those work great for me. I just set a liner in each diaper, and then when it is soiled, I can just pick the liner out, and dispose of it. I have enough diapers that I only have to wash them every two or three days (if I push it), so it hasn’t been that big of a deal. We also invested in a front-loading washing machine, and with the exception of about two cold months in the winter, I hang them up outside to line dry, so it is VERY economical for us to launder the diapers.

The only downside I have had with the Fuzzibunz, is sometimes they seem to hold in the unpleasant smells, despite several washings and hanging them out in the sun to dry. I have heard that using too much detergent can cause this, and heard you could “strip” the diapers to get rid of this. I wasn’t sure how to do it, but looked it up yesterday and did it last night.

I am pleased to report that I have my clean smelling Fuzzibunzs’ back! With a front-loading washing machine, you really have to cut down on the amount of detergent used, so I think I was using too much. I’ll have to use about half of what I was using so this doesn’t happen again. Here is what I did that worked so well:

1. Wash all diapers, inserts, and anything else you stuff in the diaper on a hot wash (no detergent).

2. Wash everything again in a hot wash with detergent (Allen’s Natural was suggested, but I used my high efficiency natural wash for front-loaders from Costco, and it worked fine).

3. Run a cold-water rinse. If smells still linger, repeat the cold-water rinse.

4. Line dry, or tumble dry in dryer.

I only did the cold water rinse once, and noticed just a faint, faint smell in a few diapers, after they had dried, so if I had to do it again, I would have run one more cold-water rinse. Also, this took about three hours just to wash them, (not counting the time it took to line dry), so make sure you have enough time. I think you will be pleased with the results if you have a need to do this.

Happy diapering!!! 🙂