Blueberry Kale Smoothie

Losing weight postpartum takes a lot more than exercise...it also takes eating right. I'm sharing with you today my go-to breakfast. Since I am now a stay-at-home mom caring for an infant and a three-year-old...I rarely have a moment to myself, so it's important I have something that I can make quickly and I want it to pack a lot of punch because it could be a while before I get the chance to grab anything else to eat!

Right now, I love a good blueberry kale smoothie. Kale is quite the super-food. According to Wikipedia, kale is very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, and rich in calcium. Kale is a source of two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. Kale, as with broccoli and other brassicas, contains sulforaphane (particularly when chopped or minced), a chemical with potent anti-cancer properties.

{via}

I also throw in some chia seeds for some good Omega-3 fatty acids and calcium.

Here is my personal recipe:

Blueberry Kale Smoothie

1 c. fresh kale (loose)
1 med. banana
3/4 c. frozen blueberries
1 tsp. - 1 tbsp. chia seeds
3/4 c. skim milk or almond milk
1 tbsp. natural peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1/2 c. ice

Blend and enjoy!

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A Bright Update: Farrah's Changing Station

Now that it is safe for me to get back to DIY {spray-painting}...I've decided to tackle a few of my looming projects. I found these lamp bases for $3.00 and thought they'd be great on Farrah's changing table. The table previously looked like this:

The lamps we were using were just a little too fat for the space, in my opinion...and also a little too drab. I wanted something bright and fun to really pull from the colors in the space.

So yellow it is!

First I started with protecting the electrical parts of the bases - the top where the bulb goes and the switches are at and the cord at the bottom. I've found with cords like this, it's easiest to just get a plastic bag and cover them and then tape off with painter's tape near the base. The yellow I used is Krylon's Sun Yellow. It's the perfect, bright, sunny yellow.

I primed them, let that set and then I did two even light coats of the yellow {drying between coats}. Here is the changing station now!

Much brighter and happier, don't you think?

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Monday Musings: Postpartum Update

I haven't really had a chance to get back to the blog after I announced Farrah's arrival...but hopefully you've been following me on Instagram to see the latest pics of her. I'll be honest, if I had something to post about, I'd have been posting...but let's see...I'm tired...I'm too heavy to fit into anything cute I own for an outfit post...and it's not like life has been crazy fun and interesting...I've just been hibernating with my baby at home for the last couple of weeks. I've made successful outings to Target and the grocery store, etc...and then I braved bringing all three of the kids out to the beach on Thursday evening to watch Daddy play beach volleyball and just get the heck out of the house...but other than that, I've just been getting used to having an infant in the house again...feeding on demand, trying to keep up on the household chores and wondering how it's humanly possible to go this long without a decent night's sleep. So yeah, didn't want to overload you with that on here and bore you to death. You're welcome.

That being said, I did want to pop in for a little update on Farrah, my postpartum weightloss journey and all that jazz.

Farrah is now 17 days old. She is really such a mellow baby unless she's hungry. She is getting increasingly alert at certain times during the day...we can't wait to interact with her more. Here are some recent photos - these are also on my personal Facebook and Instagram, so I apologize if you are seeing these for the second time...but she's a cutie, so it could be worse, right?

I know we're missing Tanner in those pics...but he's at school during the day when I get the most pictures of her in...I need to work on getting some with him!

I feel so blessed to have this sweet girl in my life...just so happy.

On the other side of things, I am currently trying to bust through some of this pregnancy weight. I just have no patience for it...I'm too hard on myself, but I can't help it. Here are pictures of me at 1 week and 2 weeks postpartum...you can see there is progress there, but I'd sure love to fit in my skinny jeans again soon...and I've got a ways to go. I gained around 50 lbs this pregnancy...and much of it is in my thighs and hips! I also came home with a lot of water weight and swollen feet for about a week and a half! I am eager to get back into the gym.

I have been walking every day since a week postpartum...usually 1.5 to 2 miles pushing a double jogger with Breckin and Farrah. It's been so hot, even in the mornings...but I know I have to get back out there right away to see the best results, and quickly. I will begin to hit the gym again in about 3 1/2 weeks and also plan on starting T25 at the same time. I mean, this is what I have to get back to:

That was me just over a year ago. Obviously I have my work cut out for me right now!

Anyway, that's the update for now...the boys are adjusting to their new little sister...Breckin just adores her and always wants to "play" with her...while Tanner is sort of like "whatever" about it. Pretty much exactly what I expected from them. Jake and I have officially made the decision that Farrah is our last child and I'm very OK with that. Our family feels complete now...and this means I will be just under 50 by the time they all leave the nest! Good timing, I think.

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She Has Arrived

Farrah Madison Smith arrived at 12:33pm on Friday, May 9th, 2014. She weighed 8 lbs 5 oz and is 21" long.

The labor and delivery went very well and only took 5 hrs from start to finish. She is eating and sleeping well and we just absolutely adore her.

Jake is one proud daddy and he is so wrapped around her tiny little fingers.

Big brothers, Tanner and Breckin, were so excited to finally meet her.

I am so in love and so happy I finally have a daughter.

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Thursday Thoughts: Apprehension

I've been a little stir-crazy these past few days...eagerly awaiting my baby girl's arrival, attempting to get so many things done around the house...and just waiting, waiting, waiting....wondering with each and every contraction if "this is it".

Among all these things are also thoughts of apprehension. The closer it gets, I start to question myself...will I have what it takes to handle three kids all in different stages? ...will the baby ever be able to nap in peace with my loud and crazy boys around? ...will I be able to keep up with all of their needs at the same time as well as all the housework? ...will I ever find time for myself again?

Just so many things...everyone says going from one child to two is the hard part...after that, it's a breeze adding them in. I hope they're right, but I'm not so sure. I actually felt going from one to two was fairly easy...granted, my oldest was almost 5 at the time. Now, they will simply outnumber Jake and me.

As much as I love these boys...they can be a lot to take. I mean, just look at them:

Lots of life and "personality" packed into those two. I cringe at the thought of being absolutely exhausted and finally getting baby girl down to nap, and then one of their very regular sibling fights breaks out...one screaming and crying...or them being all riled up like boys get and the echoing pounding of their feet across the floor or of toys being tossed around, waking her up leaving me to start all over getting her back to sleep {over and over and over again}.

I also worry that being home with Breckin and her during the day will leave Breckin feeling neglected as I try to get the hang of our breastfeeding schedule and am constantly feeding her around the clock. He's the type that loves to have someone to play with and will feel hurt if I don't "have time" at that moment. I don't want him to feel like his needs aren't important to me too. I can only pray that breastfeeding goes well, but I know what a struggle those first several weeks can be.

I find comfort in knowing that my feelings and fears are normal...but that doesn't mean I won't face these obstacles and feel like a stressed out mess, or worse, a mommy failure. But one thing I do know is that this baby girl is coming...and I've got to find a way to roll with the punches and get my family on board with what's to come.

On the other hand, I know what a wonderful experience it is to have a new baby in the house, and I can only pray that my boys find it a wonderful experience as well. We are looking forward to finally holding this baby girl in our arms, seeing her beautiful face and watching her grow.

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Things I Can't Wait To Wear {Fit Into}

As this pregnancy nears a close, I am getting excited about "normal" shopping again and being able to wear the items in my closet that have been gathering dust for 9 months. Of course, I know some of it won't be immediate as there is usually a lot of work to be done before everything fits again {and I just am not seeing myself looking good in a bikini this summer...boo}, but I'm finally in a place where I feel like I can enjoy perusing online clothing shops again...and get this blog back rolling {apologize for my lack of good posts over the past few months!}

Anyway, onto the good stuff...things I can't wait to wear:

I know I said I likely won't be sporting a bikini this summer, but I still have to be on the lookout for next summer...and isn't this crop top from Victoria's Secret just adorbs? It would be perfect to have while boogie boarding with my sons...{no worries about the girls popping out unannounced}.

I have a few pairs of these PJs from Victoria's Secret and I cannot wait until I can kiss the nights of wearing my husband's t-shirts to bed good-bye and get back to feeling adorable and cuddly...plus, it's just in time for summer, the prime time to sport these babies.

My first treat to myself when I lose all the weight and get toned back up will be a nice pair of bootcut jeans. I am so glad to say "sayanora" to maternity jeans for the rest of my life! These Paige Denim Manhattan jeans look so flattering.

As I work my way back down to size, I imagine I'll find myself going more the way of the Boho chic route when it comes to tops. Something nice and flows that provides comfort while also hiding the post-baby belly. Here are some tops that I find inspiring:

Free People Near & Dear Dot Tunic

Free People Drapey Open Back Tank

O'Neill Harlow Top

There are some good favorites in my wardrobe currently that I am dying to wear and I'm also having a fun time starting to add some new things that I can wear so I don't feel so frumpy as a newly postpartum woman.

If you've had a baby, what did you most look forward to wearing again postpartum? What are some things you wore to hide the belly?

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Monday Musings: Still Waiting...

Hey y'all - I'm 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant today...still waiting for baby girl to enter the world. I've had so many moments where I thought "this is the day", but so far, I've been proven otherwise. Most people might wonder why I think she'll be here so soon, but my first was a due date baby and my 2nd was 6 days early...so I sort of engrained it in my mind from the get-go that this one would be even a tad earlier than that. There's still a chance for that of course. I'm trying so many "labor inducing" methods, so far to no avail. I can only pray they are at least helping me progress.

I've been trying to keep myself busy...cleaning the house, walking around the neighborhood with Breckin, getting certain errands out of the way {knowing I won't want to hit up the store so soon after delivery for anything}, but even so, I feel like these last days are just dragging. I am so glad this is my last pregnancy...love babies, but don't love the process! Three is enough, and a good number for us.

Oh, I should say Happy Cinco de Mayo for all you lucky bitches that get to enjoy margaritas today...I'm going to try not to think so much about that lime deliciousness...but it's very hard.

 

Have a great week!

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